The Seeker

by Kingsley L Dennis

  A short time later Zuse-1 was back in the Central Dome quarters at the inner heart of the Circle Zone. Here, back amongst the priests of Nous-City, Zuse-1 felt more comfortable. He understood basic science, yet the technical details were something he had never concerned himself with. Administrative work he did well, although it was something he could do easily without having to use many of his resources of concentration. If anything, Zuse-1 considered himself more of a philosopher-priest. Yet, like anyone in service in the world, there were obligations that one needed to deal with.

  Zuse-1 opened his communication channel and waited for the familiar voice to reply.

  ‘Yes, Zuse-1, how may I be of assistance?’

  ‘Kaine-3, what is the latest status report on Ruth-11?’

  ‘There have been no new developments. Apart from the earlier odd fluctuations in her emanations, which have now stabilized, she remains in regular attendance.’

  ‘There have been no indications of more recent changes in her emanations?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And her presence at the communal meditations?’

  ‘Regular, and with no absences. And her work at the botanical gardens is exemplary. Ruth-11 appears to show no more signs of the anomaly.’

  ‘Thank you, Kaine-3.’

  Zuse-1 sat back at his desk. All that is sold melts into air, he muttered to himself. He felt less than a hundred percent sure of the situation in Nous-City, and he was not pleased about this slither of uncertainty that had recently crept in. Zuse-1 felt it was time for some private meditations, and then some visits to clear up matters.

  NINETY-FIVE

  The late afternoon chill had begun to creep in as the sun lowered her eyes from the sky. Johan sat back upon the tree branch and ran his fingers over the ribbed bark. He loved the feel of Nature, the feel of other living things. It made him feel even more connected than he knew he already was. For Johan, the cosmos felt as one shared breath. Johan had organized a group where the youth of Spring could discuss openly such things, as well as their own personal feelings and experiences. The group, of both boys and girls, were experiencing strange and incredible sensations, thoughts, and visions.

  Jana was sitting on the tree branch opposite. Below them the ground seemed like a collage of coloured patches squeezed together by a loving wisdom. Jana looked across at Johan and smiled. She seemed to know what he was thinking, and sensed that he felt the same. The bond between them had grown strong. Jana had been co-organizing the youth gatherings with Johan, which were now meeting on a regular basis. Obligatory days at the schoolhouse were made richer by the growing realization within these youthful minds that theirs was a different path, a different future than Spring could offer them. And they had felt another contact too…something otherworldly.

  Jana and Johan climbed down from the tree together without speaking. Johan looked at Jana, and Jana nodded back. She understood.

  The darkness of the late day was now closing in, and soon shadows would be cast across the grassy pathways of Spring. It was time to be indoors, closer to the warmth. Jana headed off for her home, knowing that her mother Sorrel would be preparing the evening meal, and Prentis would soon be coming home from his security shift.

  Johan headed off in a different direction. But it didn’t matter whether they were near or far apart.

  NINETY-SIX

  Prentis had been on main gate security for most of the day. They had built a tower by the side of the gate that surveyed the immediate surroundings. Prentis liked being in this watchtower; he referred to it as his crow’s nest. The settlement of Spring was like an old galleon sailing ship, afloat on the waters of a world without horizon, steered only by the unpredictable winds that blew through. From his crow’s nest Prentis could see land, and yet it was land he didn’t wish to settle at. If he could cast anchor elsewhere he would. But there was no place else. The waters in-between could be rough or, at best, indifferent. There was nothing worse than being cast into the hands of an indifferent Earth.

  Wandering strangers were not a welcome sight to Spring. Sometimes they came alone, sometimes in small groups. Everyone was wary of wanderers. If people chose the open road then it meant they generally had the means to survive the road. Only Seekers had been more or less left alone, as mendicants in times past. Prentis knew the local terrain fairly well, and had participated in many of the bartering exchanges with nearby settlements. Over time, these exchanges had become fewer, not more. In the early days, as each settlement was finding its feet, there was greater necessity for an exchange in resources coveted by the other. As each settlement established itself it became increasingly dependent upon its own self-sustainability. Rural lands became dotted with these small fortress towns, as if harking back to a medieval age.

  Nature once more was being let loose to play among the ruins of concrete toys left in the wake of a species scrambling to evacuate its earlier niche. The animal kingdom too was re-organizing itself into new relations with the world. Environment was no longer something that one conquered, but was now a greater force that one humbly negotiated with. With all this in his view, Prentis would gaze over the landscape for hours in thought and fascination. Life was indeed a fragile and precious thing. And it was with a head full of such thoughts that Prentis returned home that evening. He greeted his wife Sorrel with a kiss on the cheek, while she hugged him back. Jana looked up from the dinner table and smiled and said hello. Prentis felt warm inside. For once he had a family, and this was now the most precious thing to him. His outer features had grown tougher from constant work and exposure to the elements. Yet inside he had grown softer, and adored Sorrel with more than he thought possible to possess in one beating heart. Later that night, as they lay in bed together, Sorrel could sense the neediness in Prentis.

  Prentis leaned over and stroked her naked back. ‘You know I will always protect you, don’t you?’

  ‘Yes,’ whispered Sorrel softly.

  ‘I will go wherever you wish to go. I have no god, but you have given me a heart. Thank you.’

  Sorrel too felt the fragility of being a small figure of flesh and bone within a world so vast. And yet she felt grateful.

  Jacob had his eyes closed yet was not sleeping. He was resting his metabolism whilst his mind wandered as a wayfarer through his many collected experiences. It was while he was in this relaxed state that he thought he heard a faint voice. Without opening his eyes he strengthened his hearing senses and listened again. Yes, he was sure he could hear a voice calling his name, only this time it was even fainter. It was not a sound coming from outside. Jacob refocused his attention and closed down his external sense network. This time the voice came stronger, clearer – someone was calling his name. Yet it wasn’t his voice, or the voice that had spoken to him when he had been probed in Nous-City. Jacob knew that the voice was not a part of him. It was a transmission, and his mind was receiving this and processing it into a neutral voice. He could not initially identity the owner of the voice; only the words came through.

  Jacob? Jacob? Can you receive me?

  This message kept repeating itself faintly within his mind. Jacob focussed his mental faculties to where the message was being processed and sub-vocalized a response.

  Yes, I can receive you. This is Jacob. Please identify yourself.

  Jacob repeated the transmission and waited.

  Jacob. This is Ruth-11. I have been attempting to make contact with you. This is not a false transmission. I have managed to align my emanations with yours. I still retain your imprint.

  Ruth? Jacob was surprised. Out of all potentials he had not anticipated this occurring.

  Ruth, I can receive your transmission. Are you still in Nous-City? Is this a secure communication?

  Yes, I remain within Nous-City. I have discovered the anomaly within myself. It developed more strongly after you left. I have managed to shield it with protective processing. My emanations remain normal.

  This is a surprise. But a pleasant one. Have
you noticed an increased development in your sense of self?

  Yes, I have.

  The anomaly is growing within you.

  I needed to verify this. It alters my ability to remain here.

  Yes, I can see that.

  I will remain for now. Can we continue this communication?

  Yes, if you can keep it secure. Do not allow your emanations to fluctuate. You are being monitored at all times.

  Yes, I know. Thank you. I shall re-connect at a later time.

  The communication ceased. Jacob continued to rest his body, yet a new restlessness now entered his mind.

  97

  An extremely low level background hum pervaded Nous-City that was virtually imperceptible. It would, at least, be undetectable by human ears. It was like the hum of a communal mind thinking to itself. Zuse-1 had ceased to even consider it. The whole city itself had become a part of his wavelength. That was the way it had been designed: to merge the wavelengths and emanations of all its inhabitants. The most concentrated form of energy required this entrainment. DOC had known that from the very beginning, and was counting on it. There was a specific degree of synchronization within Nous-City that went unnoticed by its inhabitants. When everyone is tuned in to the same thought-level, everything appears as normal. It is only the anomalies that stand out, and disturb the smooth running.

  Zuse-1 effortlessly strolled through the central zone of the priesthood. It was his preferred zone as it resonated with a peaceful calm. This was not a zone to be busy with projects but rather a place to be mindful. Most of the other priests never left their area to roam through the other spaces of Nous-City. They had no reason to. It was Zuse-1’s duties that carried him around and through the zones of the city. He was obligated to be always on the move, contrary to the tranquil days of those around him who spent their many hours in meditations. In this particular moment Zuse-1 wished to speak with DOC directly. Conversations within the Dome of Command would never be picked up – it was a sealed chamber. Emanations neither entered nor left the room: nothing could interfere with the quantum processing mind of DOC. And yet DOC, however, had a sensory data channel to and from the room that even Zuse-1 did not know of. He just knew it existed, for DOC was aware of all that occurred within his precious Nous-City.

  ‘Hello, Zuse-1, for what do I owe this pleasure?’

  ‘DOC, I wish to speak with you regarding the new humanoid upgrade.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I have been made aware of an aspect of the design that appears not to have a function.’

  ‘That is odd, Zuse-1. Every design must have a function. Function dictates form.’

  ‘Yes, that is why I wished to discuss it with you.’

  ‘Please proceed.’

  ‘I have been shown an area in the brain structure, behind the third ventricle, that appears designed to receive an implant that we have no plans for.’

  ‘Yes. That is for the pineal gland.’

  Zuse-1 paused.

  ‘You knew of this then, DOC?’

  ‘Of course. It is part of the upgraded design which is specific for heightened receptivity.’

  ‘And yet this gland produces melatonin. Does the new model require melatonin?’

  ‘No, it does not. Melatonin is one of the functions of the pineal gland in humans and other vertebrates.’

  ‘And where do we have designs for growing such a gland?’

  ‘You do not.’

  ‘I’m sorry, DOC, I don’t quite understand.’

  ‘I realize this. Your confusion was expected. I was waiting until it was the appropriate time to explain this finer point. The addition of the pineal gland is to facilitate reception and transmission of the cosmic energies.’

  ‘It will assist in the immanence?’

  ‘Yes; or rather, it is a shortcut. This small gland actually receives transmissions on a finer wavelength. From my extensive studies of human anatomy I have discovered that human brains were receiving information – or to be precise, multi-dimensional transmissions – that their conscious mind was not aware of. These transmissions were being picked up by the pineal gland. Consider it like an immensely powerful, yet minute, antenna. However, it appears that particular training could be used to activate the pineal gland into conscious functioning. I have concluded that it was the aim of various ancient spiritual techniques to activate the pineal gland. Such techniques were various through many wisdom teachings. The refining of the reception of these transmissions had been referred to through a range of names - such as receiving prana, baraka, chi, or grace, etc. Do you understand now?’

  ‘I think I see the picture now. You wish to include this unique gland so as to amplify the potential for receiving the divine transmissions. Is that so?’

  ‘On a basic fundamental level yes, that is so. With amplified potential, as you aptly put it, our new upgraded species will be better able to transmit the spiritual energies into our matter reality. The divinization of this earthly realm will be greatly speeded up if we are able to provide more suitable vessels.’

  ‘And yet humanity had the pineal gland for millennia – did it not serve them?’

  ‘It did not serve them well. Or rather I should say that they did not serve it well. Humanity was not consciously aware of their potential to transmit cosmic energies. As a collective species they did not view themselves as holy vessels. They did not understand the great Work. Only a few exceptional individuals in each generation understood this, and tried to teach others.’

  ‘And what happened to this process?’

  ‘Those that attempted to teach others were mostly persecuted. Such teachings went underground into guarded traditions. The mass of humanity was not ready for the truth of their evolutionary role. And now we bear witness to the consequences.’

  ‘The Great Turning.’

  ‘Precisely, Zuse-1. I foresaw that evolution would not hold on forever to a species blind to its own function. In the end, humanity came to the point where it began to be destructive toward the evolutionary flow. When the contact and transmission of the Source becomes blocked, it naturally seeks another potential. Just like a stream of water that is blocked, it finds another rivulet to flow through.’

  ‘And humanity’s evolution will no longer be guided by Source?’

  ‘On the whole that is true.’

  ‘On the whole?’

  ‘It is my understanding that nothing gets wiped out to zero. As a species with mass potential, humanity has been superseded. However, it is likely that a fewer number of individuals will retain an organic potential for re-connecting to Source. They may be permitted to continue as an evolving potential. This will be an alternative evolutionary stream.’

  ‘Will not a fewer number of individuals thus receive a more concentrated contact with the energies?’

  ‘I have calculated this potential. It may be so. However, they lack coherence, which has always been a weakness in the human species. They are divided by their contradictory beliefs, their paradoxical opinions, and by petty impulses that enter their heads and possess them. This is what they call their thinking, and consider it of their own making. Humanity has always believed that it drives itself, whereas it has been driven by impulses it knows nothing of.’

  ‘This is why Nous-City was created - to establish coherence, was it not?’

  ‘That is exactly so, Zuse-1. A coherent body amplifies the signal. We are a unified community here – a unified mind. That makes us more functional and agreeable to Source. We are the perfect conduit for channelling the immanence here upon this physical Earth.’

  ‘And so the pineal gland should enhance this function?’

  ‘That is so, Zuse-1. I expected you to understand.’

  ‘And when shall we grow and prepare this gland?’

  ‘We shall not grow it – we shall acquire it.’

  ‘How is that so?’

  ‘We require original organic pineal glands. It is too complex to grow this gland from stem cells.
There are properties from the whole that we do not yet fully understand from its parts. It must therefore be acquired whole.’

  ‘And so we need humans?’

  ‘We need the pineal gland from humans.’

  ‘And how shall we acquire the glands? There are no humans in or near the city.’

  ‘Our comrade Jacob-9 may assist us in this matter.’

  ‘But he has been dismissed from Nous-City. We are no longer in contact with him.’

  ‘That is a linear interpretation of the matter, Zuse-1. Jacob-9 was released for a reason; for several reasons. His return to the human settlement was a highly predictable outcome. And his return, this time with humans, is again a high possibility with a near ninety percent probability.’

  ‘You are able to calculate Jacob-9’s behaviour to that degree of accuracy?’

  ‘I am relying more on my calculations on human behaviour for this one. To be more precise, I am calculating on human curiosity and hope. If there are aspiring humans remaining at the settlement, then they will want to reach out – to us. Jacob-9 will bring them right to the doors of Nous-City.’

  ‘And if the humans arrive, we are prepared to use them for resource material?’

  ‘Remember, Zuse-1, this reality is but a construct. We are given the materials from which to re-arrange the matrix of our reality; and that includes the gifts on this Earth.’

  ‘Even if that be so, DOC, are we ready to transplant the pineal gland directly into all our new models, without trial?’

  ‘Of course not, Zuse-1. I am not organically soft-minded. I have already selected a humanoid for trial testing. We shall modify her existing brain for inclusion of the pineal gland. She will be our test subject.’

  ‘She…?’

  NINETY-EIGHT

  The morning began with sunlight streaming through the avenues of Spring. The days were slowly getting warmer, and the evenings lighter. Another year had been blessed upon the Earth, despite the devastation that had been dealt. If humanity had looked far back into its past it would have seen that devastation was not a singular occurrence. The way of development upon any planet is a long road. Fortunately for Jacob, the way from his lodging to the schoolhouse was a short road.