He paused again.
‘I understand several of those names have already been made known to you.’
He raised his eyebrows, inviting a reply. He received a nervous nod from Richard.
‘You are very tense,’ the man said calmly. ‘and I can understand why. But, please, be trustful of us. It is important that you remain absolutely calm during the process. You will be awake and fully aware of what is happening to you.’
He looked Richard directly in the eyes.
‘Can I count on you Richard? Do I have your complete confidence?’
Richard blinked. He looked at the chair, then at the man.
‘I’m ready as I’ll ever be,’ he said. ‘Let’s get on with it.’
***
It wasn’t as bad as he had imagined. In fact the chair was most comfortable. The worst feeling resulted from the silver hoop strapped around his forehead. It pressed into his skull as it squeezed tight and relented as it slackened. Although he was awake, the images flashing through his mind were so intense they shut down his vision. He was unaware of anything other than strange sensations in his brain which felt, at times, as if it was about to explode.
Suddenly the tension eased, his vision returned. He looked around. The man in the flowing white robes approached the chair.
‘It is over,’ he said gently. ‘Your tuition is complete.’
***
Noah was waiting as Richard left the room.
‘How did it go?’ he asked anxiously. ‘Did it hurt? Was it successful?’
Richard grimaced and shook his head.
‘All I know is it’s over. Trouble is, I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel, because no one told me. But I’ve gota pig of a headache. That hoop around my head. It was so painful I thought Iwas going to die!’
Noah took hold of Richard’s lower arms and looked into his eyes.
‘You are very brave Richard. My admiration for you is without bounds. I should tell you I have been ordered to take you to the Secretariat where our new Great Leader, Quintus Claudius Avitus, awaits you. He has news to impart to which I am not privy, but I am assured it is news which will please you.’
Chapter Sixty One
Quintus Claudius Avitus, the Great Leader, is seated behind the same table where Ezra had failed in an attempt to poison him. He felt it incongruous, bizarre even, to be in the same spot where such a momentous, life changing event had taken place. The first order he gave upon occupying the Secretariat was to have all signs of Ezra’s aggrandisement removed. His many statues were taken down and moved to cellars beneath the building. Paintings of the former Great Leader, and there were hundreds, were stored alongside all of the other self-indulgent reminders of his rule. Quintus then ordered paintings and statues of Nehemiah Julio Nerva, Ezra’s predecessor, to be reinstated. Despite these measures, the aura of Ezra’s presence remained indelibly etched within the massive walls of the Secretariat. It was if Ezra was mocking him from beyond the grave. He tried to shake off a growing feeling of unease when he saw two men being ushered into the Secretariat via the double doors at the far end of the room. He rose to greet Noah and his companion Richard Moss.
‘Welcome,’ he said, smiling. He held out a hand which Noah shook with great enthusiasm. Richard hovered in the background, appearing unsure as to what was expected of him. Noah turned and placed an arm around his shoulder.
‘Great Leader,’ he said. ‘May I introduce you to Richard Moss? You are aware, I am sure, that he was brought to Terra Nova to be schooled by The Magus with a very specific purpose in mind?’
‘Yes,’ answered Quintus, nodding. ‘I met with The Magus earlier today. They have presented me with the results of their investigation.’
He turned his gaze upon Richard.
‘I am pleased to inform you that your connection to The Creator was a model of perfection. The required aspects of His limitless attributes have been passed on to you, consequently you are now empowered with everything necessary to carry out the mission with which you are now entrusted. Others have tried before you, all with varying degrees of success. Their attempts have been analysed and the reasons for their failures addressed. You are now the best equipped of all to ensure Mother Earth does not destroy herself as happened so tragically to our version of Earth.’
He looked at Noah.
‘This man’, he said, motioning towards Noah. ‘is the most experienced, accomplished cosmonaut on Terra Nova. He bears the responsibility for returning you to Mother Earth. The journey will provide ample time to consider the task before you, to make your plans and to decide how those plans will be brought to fruition.’
He paused before clasping his hands in prayer. Noah and Richard knelt, as if about to be knighted.
‘May The Creator be at your side now and during the journey upon which you are about to embark. May his benevolence be upon you and upon those from whom you seek acceptance and support. With thanks, we turn to you, dear Creator, for spiritual guidance and wise direction. May your understanding and wisdom fill Richard’s heart and mind. May your spirit direct the steps he takes. Let your loving spirit, dear Creator, be the guiding light that illuminates his path. Give him the understanding and counselling to make wise, productive decisions. The future of Earth’s second coming rests solely with him, through The Creator’s help and intervention. For this we pray to you Creator, in humble gratitude. Amen.’
Noah and Richard rose and faced Quintus.
‘Thank you Great Leader.’ said Richard. ‘While I’m sure Noah will have no problems getting me back to Earth, it’s the other part of the mission that terrifies me.’
Part Two
Down To Earth
Chapter Sixty Two
The sun was about to set as the huge spacecraft hovered, with a mere flicker of movement, over an area known as Long Walk in Windsor Great Park. The Great Park, a gently undulating landscape encompassing 5,000 acres of sweeping lawns, thickets and ancient woodlands, lies to the south of the town of Windsor. At the southerly end of Long Walk is Windsor Castle, one of the foremost official residences of Britain’s royal family. Sited on Snow Hill at the Walk’s northern end is an equestrian statue of George III, known as The Copper Horse. Its majestic proportions dominate the skyline and add yet more grandeur to a magnificent regal setting.
Thousands of people were gathered, silent, awe-struck, on the luscious sward skirting each side of the gravel covered pathway which paints a dark stripe throughout the length of the otherwise verdant Walk. Mature trees sited alongside Long Walk appeared to bow their branches in deference to the strange craft which was about to settle where, today and over many centuries, herds of disdainful deer roam in wild profusion. Erected at each end of Long Walk were huge, tiered, viewing platforms, its plush velvet seats being occupied by the world’s most important representatives and glitterati.
The unbelievable news proclaiming the imminent arrival of an alien spacecraft had been broadcast, via all forms of media, repeatedly throughout the world, to nation upon nation, during the past seven days. Quintus Claudius Avitus, the Great Leader, after hours of consultation with Noah, Richard Moss and inner cabinet colleagues, decided the population of Mother Earth should be made aware of the forthcoming, safe, return of a long lost son. The intention was to create world-wide awareness of an event that was purported to be the first spacecraft ever to land on Earth. Not only that, breathtaking though it was, but to also raise the profile of Richard Moss to such an extent that his name would be on the lips of billions throughout the world. Richard’s proposal to land at Windsor Great Park was, at first, received with blank stares until he explained his reasoning behind it.
He argued that a high profile landing at a high profile, world-renowned location, would create a situation where representatives from every nation on Earth would willingly cleave off their right arms to be in attend
ance. Royalty, presidents, dictators, prime ministers, representatives from the United Nations, the European Union, OPEC officials, major celebrities, influential pop-stars; anyone of major significance who could persuade and cajole, whatever their ranking, had to be present. This first-in-the-Earth’s-history event was far too important to miss. Richard’s proposal was finally accepted and a chain of sequential events led inexorably to its intended finale.
Now, standing nervously before the unopened doors of the hovering spaceship, his friend Noah by his side, is Richard Moss who is about to return to Earth and embark on a fateful mission; the success of which holds the fate and the future of the planet in its tenuous grasp.
***
Julia Brownstone received the news via a series of dreams. Although they were vividly realistic, she wasn’t impressed as to their provenance or their veracity. For months now she had been receiving dreams each and every night, unrelenting in their message that all was about to be revealed. Nothing happened of any consequence to dispel her doubts, until one particular dream that disturbed her sleep several nights previously. She saw Richard clearly, waving, smiling, and talking in a way which buoyed her confidence to previously unattained heights. His words provided the proof she had long been seeking. He was coming home and she should be present, with Alexander, at the appointed time and at the appointed place; an area known as Long Walk in Windsor Great Park, located on the borders of the counties of Berkshire and Surrey.
During the following days confirmation of the messages relayed in her dreams were carried by every newspaper, by every radio and every television station throughout the world. The internet was ablaze with excitement. The operators of Facebook, Yahoo and Google faced huge problems in maintaining an on-line presence, so great was the demand for space to air the comments of millions of people throughout the world .
Alexander, however, wore a cognitional smile; he already knew his father was on his way home.
***
The thousands watching were transfixed by the conflicting emotions of wonder and fear. The pure simplicity of the spacecraft’s design was wonderful to behold, but balanced against this was the fear of the unknown; was the alien craft intent upon something more threatening than the return of Richard Moss?
The world’s media, herded together in an enclosed compound directly adjacent to the spot where the spacecraft was about to land, was in a frenzy of anticipation. Countless television cameras, mounted on a rickety-looking, raised platform at the rear of the enclosure, were trained upon the still hovering craft, their crews franticly seeking the best possible positions for the unprecedented scene being played out before their eyes. Journalists, notepads at the ready, stood impassively alert, some smoking, others chewing, others wearing expressions of excitement, while others stood immobile, their faces reflecting the strain that accompanies coverage of world-shaking events. At the front of the compound were row upon row of press photographers, cameras clicking and flashing in continuous, tumultuous, dissonance. Radio reporters, hand held microphones poised at their mouths, were describing the scene in tones hushed by the magnitude of what was happening directly above their heads.
Gasps escaped spectator’s lips as the craft settled to the ground with the grace of a crisp autumn leaf drifting lazily down to earth. Dignitaries, seated on the raised platform fronting Windsor Castle, rose to their feet, some with a hand covering open mouths, others with an open palm offering shade for their disbelieving eyes, others too shocked to do anything but stare wide-eyed. Suddenly, silently, a huge double-sided door opened revealing two figures standing side by side. Steps unfolded and reached forward until settling on the gravel path. The two figures, now recognisable as human beings, walked carefully down the steps. The petrified crowd drew back, unsure of what was about to happen next. A young boy, freed from the grasp of his mother’s restraining hand, burst from the crowd and ran towards the two figures.
‘Daddy,’ he cried. ‘Daddy it’s me. Alexander!’
Richard Moss, now but a few steps from the throng, couldn’t fail to hear Alexander’s words. He smiled broadly, crouched down and opened his arms wide, ready to clutch the boy to his chest.
‘Daddy, daddy, daddy.’
The embrace was as if the two had become one. Out of the crowd stepped Julia Brownstone, tears running down her cheeks. She stumbled across the gravelled path and walked towards her son and his father. Alexander, still in Richard’s arms but now lifted off his feet, pointed an outstretched arm towards his mother.
‘There, she’s over there daddy.’
Three became one as Julia approached and was drawn into the embrace.
Noah, standing alone, smiling at the joyous scene, turned around and began mounting the steps. He reached the top, looked briefly at the surrounding scene, waved upraised arms to and fro above his shoulders in farewell, and disappeared inside the craft. The steps retreated into position followed by an audible swishing noise as the sliding doors closed in unison. The spacecraft rose, spectacularly, silently, hovering high above the ground, for what appeared to be a matter of seconds. Then, without a whisper, it rose gently into the darkening sky, suddenly gathered speed and streaked away to become a diminishing pinprick of light among myriads of others as it merged into the Milky Way.
Clapping, cheering, waving, shouting. The crowd, freed from the fear that had imposed a blanket of silence throughout, became ecstatic. Specialist Firearms Officers from London’s Metropolitan Police Force, each one armed with an ominous looking black Heckler and Koch machine gun, faced the crowd, frozen faced: their presence acting as a non-negotiable deterrent to anyone intent upon posing a problem.
Richard Moss, Julia and Alexander Brownstone were savouring the moment. Ignoring the furore surrounding them, they continued talking, embracing, kissing, touching, stroking each other as if seeking confirmation that the impossible had actually happened.
Richard broke away, turned around and let out a gasp.
‘It’s gone,’ he said, disbelieving. ‘The spacecraft, it’s gone. Noah’s left without a word. I wanted to ask him to stay and help.’
The look etched on his face was one of disappointment mixed with despair.
‘My God,’ he said. ‘Now I have to do it all on my own!’
Chapter Sixty Three
The amount of media coverage since Richard Moss returned to Earth was light years beyond extraordinary! Every spare moment of each and every day, since his return seven days ago, has been spent being interviewed by every form of media, local, national and international. He has purposely refrained from divulging the reason he was taken to and returned from Terra Nova, until tomorrow when a banquet to officially welcome him home is to be held in London, the capital city of the United Kingdom. Richard is full of trepidation, nervous and unsure as to how his address to some of the most influential people in the entire world will be received.
Julia Brownstone, recalling the content of her dreams from the past, is aware of Richard’s mission and has worked hard to assure him that his efforts will be successful if he follows the path laid out for him by The Creator.
The small sitting room in the flat where Richard is now living with Julia and Alexander is a haven of respite from the frenzy of the past several days.
‘Tomorrow,’ whispered Richard, after Julia had seen Alexander off to bed. ‘Tomorrow is going to be the most challenging day of my life. I know I have many influential powers instilled in me by the Magus, but do I have the ability to change the downward direction in which the world is heading?’
Julia nodded emphatically.
‘Yes, you have and yes you will.’
***
The medieval building known as Guildhall in the City of London incorporates a magnificently proportioned Great Hall which plays host to many notable events throughout the year; the most important being the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, held in honour of the
out-going Lord Mayor. In keeping with a long-held tradition, it is during this banquet that Britain’s Prime Minister traditionally makes a major world affairs speech. David Buckland, installed as Prime Minister after elections some months ago, is here to represent Queen Elizabeth II alongside 175 other guests representing Heads of State from countries throughout the world. Everything is in place. Protocol has been strictly observed with respect to the seating and placement of those with inherited royal credentials as opposed to those whose hold on power is subject to the vagaries of a ballot or the bullet! Nothing has been left to chance.
The atmosphere in the Great Hall is electric, bubbling with a forceful mix of anticipation, excitement and wonderment. There has never been a gathering of so many powerful, influential people at one occasion. Constant exchanges between guests, seated at ornately decorated dining tables stretching the entire length of the Hall, bears testament to the unique importance of the occasion. Dozens of waiters, dressed in immaculate black suits, are rushing back and forth, taking and delivering orders, adding frenzy to the general chaos.
At the far end of the room is a raised platform where Richard Moss is seated alongside Britain’s PM David Buckland. Crammed in front of the platform are a host of press photographers, cameras at the ready, poised to take snaps of anything and anyone they feel will assist in capturing the vitality, the essence of the story. Journalists, television crews, outside broadcast commentators, add to the frenzy as the world waits to hear the words of the first human being ever to go to, and return from, a planet located in a distant galaxy.
David Buckland rises to his feet, walks to an adjacent dais and taps the head of the microphone. Satisfied, he clears his throat, surveys the audience and begins to speak.
‘Your majesties, my lords, ladies and gentlemen; may I have your attention?’
Terra Nova Page 23
