by John Sneeden
“I sent him a text earlier letting him know that we were running by the hotel,” Brett replied.
“Any sign of Mironov?” Zane asked.
“He wasn’t at CERN at the time, but my guess is that he’s there now.”
“And Ross?”
“I sent him a quick message and will give him a more detailed update once I get all of you out to CERN. His only response was that we make getting VanGelder back our number-one priority.”
“Of course,” said Zane, running a hand through his still-wet hair. “But back to Skinner—what is he going to do when he gets there?”
“General recon,” Brett said. “He was still trying to figure out which one of the CERN facilities to hit first. My guess is that they will beat Cleavon to CERN. They got a huge jump on all of us.”
Carmen leaned forward. “They’ll probably use VanGelder to get through any gates and into the building.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Brett said, “although I’m sure that’s not the only reason. You don’t need to kidnap one of the world’s foremost physicists just to get through a gate. Grabbing one of the low-level security personnel would’ve worked just as well and wouldn’t have drawn half the attention this will.”
“I agree,” Carmen said. “Heck, I’m sure Mironov has a sophisticated tech team that could get them through the front gate, if that was the only hurdle.”
“Which reminds me,” Brett said. “Earlier you said you wanted to tell me about your theory as to why they’re trying to get in there. Now is probably a good time for us to talk about that.”
“Well, I’ll start, but maybe Zane knows more than I do.” Carmen settled back into her seat. Zane stared straight ahead without saying anything, so she continued. “Now keep in mind, this is only a theory, and it’s a theory that Reid and I put together based on the topic of VanGelder’s speech, the one he’s not going to give.”
Brett nodded.
“It’s a stretch, but it’s all we have. VanGelder’s planned speech was called, ‘We Are Not Alone.’ I know, an odd title for a particle physics event. That is, until you understand what it’s referring to. Underneath the title was a brief description. The content of the speech was that our universe is not the only universe out there. There are more of them, perhaps even an infinite number.”
“Or at the very least, another dimension to the universe we live in,” Reid added.
Brett looked at Carmen in the rear-view mirror. “I’m not an astronomer, nor am I a physicist, but I think that theory of a parallel universe is not new. Nor is the theory that there are other dimensions that we haven’t identified yet.”
“Agreed,” Carmen said. “But here is the kicker. VanGelder also believes that the LHC—”
“Wait. Wait… LHC?” Brett asked.
“Sorry, Large Hadron Collider. VanGelder believes it can be used to find another universe, or at least find another dimension.”
Brett shrugged. “That’s all interesting, but what’s the big deal? If Mironov has an interest in that kind of research, why wouldn’t he just let the man continue to do his work? I don’t get the kidnapping angle.”
“That’s what has me confused as well. To be honest, I don’t have a clue.”
“I think I can help you with that,” Zane said, breaking his silence. “I believe I know why they took VanGelder, and I also believe I know what they plan on doing.”
“What?” Carmen asked. “Why didn’t you say something when I asked if you knew what was going on?”
“Because I wanted to hear what you had to say. I wanted to see if you could fill in any of the blanks first. And you did. Before you spoke, I knew what they wanted to do. And now I think I know how they’re going to do it.”
Brett looked down at his smartphone. “Well, you’d better hurry. According to the GPS, we’re only about ten minutes out.”
“Let me start by saying that Alexander Mironov has gone mad,” Zane said. “So take everything I’m about to say with that in mind. The other thing I need you to know is that most of this I had to piece together by reading between the lines. For some reason, he was a little reluctant to speak too bluntly.
“Anyway, since we’re running out of time, I’ll just lay it out there: Alexander Mironov believes that the pyramids and other ancient megalithic structures could not have been built by the people of that time. He believes that they were built by aliens.”
“Isn’t that the same theory proposed by several other people over the years, including Erich Von Däniken?” Reid asked.
“Von Däniken,” Carmen replied, her voice trailing off as she pondered the name. “Didn’t he write Chariots of the Gods?”
“That’s the guy and that’s the theory,” Zane said. “Basically they believe that ancient structures were too complex and too sophisticated to have been designed and built solely by ancient cultures. They postulate that aliens visited our planet and passed along technology that was centuries ahead of its time, which explains the mind-boggling precision and alignment within the structures themselves.
“And to be honest, they are right about one thing. From what little reading I’ve done, I do know that historians and archaeologists still can’t explain how those ancient cultures were able to do it. The technology seemed to be thousands of years ahead of its time.”
“So, let me guess,” Brett said. “Mironov thinks that if they can somehow find that other dimension Carmen referred to earlier, they’ll also gain access to some special knowledge?”
“Not exactly,” Zane answered. “Remember, when I asked Mironov about it, he said that they were going to somehow ‘call’ those alien pyramid-builders back to earth. And when that happens, he’ll be the beneficiary of the advanced technology they’ll be bringing with them.”
“Of course,” Carmen said, “and that would fit perfectly with his transhumanist beliefs.”
“Wait, back up a moment,” Reid said. “I’m confused. I’m still not seeing the link. The physicists that work at CERN study subatomic particles.”
“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that,” Zane said. “Look I told you the man was mad. I have no clue.”
“I think I know how,” Brett said. Zane turned and looked at him. “At least, I know the theory they’re probably working on. I came across it in an online article. First of all, remember, it’s the physicists themselves who have proposed that their work might one day open up another universe or lead us to another dimension. In fact, we know that’s what VanGelder was going to speak about.”
“When they say we might one day locate a parallel universe, that implies that it will take years, if not decades, of research,” Reid stated. “But Markus VanGelder was kidnapped tonight, and we’re operating on the assumption that they’re on their way to CERN as we speak. Something doesn’t add up.”
“Yes and no,” Brett said. “Yes, there are some who probably feel like this is decades away. But did you know that CERN has been shut down for the last two years?”
“I did read that,” Carmen replied. “Something about upgrades.”
Brett nodded. “Correct. It’s been shut down so that they can perform some overdue maintenance, and they are also using the downtime to increase the capacity of the collider. When everything is finished, they’re going to be able to collide subatomic particles at energy levels never seen before.”
“I’m with you so far,” Zane stated.
“And here is the kicker,” Brett said. “The article I mentioned before included an interview with one of the CERN employees overseeing the upgrades. When they asked what might be possible when the collider begins to operate at an increased capacity, he said that they weren’t quite sure. He said there would be advances in some of the more mundane research, but he also said that they very well might be able to open up a hole, a portal of sorts. He also said we might then be able to send stuff through that hole, and some other things may come through it from the other side.”
“Spooky stuff,” said Carmen.
“Indeed,” Brett said.
“Are the upgrades complete?” Zane asked.
“It’s probably close to being complete. I think I read that they’re going to recommence operations in another month.”
Zane nodded. “And if that’s true, the collider may actually be operational now. I’d imagine the last few weeks are just going to involve cleanup and testing.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, fine,” Reid said. “Let’s say they open this portal. How are they going to communicate with these other beings? Remember, Zane said Mironov was going to call them here to earth.”
“Vincenzio Marrese,” Carmen said. “That was the one piece of the puzzle that didn’t seem to fit, but now it does.” She turned and looked at Reid. “Remember Marrese was given something by the demon in this deal that supposedly took place? Perhaps he was told how to communicate with these aliens. Obviously, I don’t believe for a moment it will work, but it at least explains a lot of what’s going on.”
Carmen gave Zane a brief summary of Maresse and his connection with Mironov. “Did you ever hear his name spoken?”
“Never.” Zane frowned. “But it would explain something that happened on board Mironov’s yacht. When they took me into a room to be questioned, I felt this dark cloud of negative energy, or evil, or whatever you want to call it, coming from a part of the room that I couldn’t see. I knew instinctively that it was a person and not a force. I felt his eyes on me the entire time. It was one of the strangest experiences I’ve ever—”
There was a rattling sound inside the car that interrupted the conversation. Brett had placed his phone down in the drink holder between the seats, and it was shaking against the hard plastic. He answered the call. “Foster here.” He listened for a few minutes, nodding and asking occasional questions
“Who was that?” Carmen asked after Brett ended the call.
“Skinner,” Brett stated, placing the phone back in the cup holder. “He found the CERN site where the control center is located. It looks like we’re going to Prévessin, France.”
“I didn’t realize any of the sites were actually located in France,” Carmen replied. “And what else did he say?”
“He believes Alexander Mironov is already inside.” Brett used one hand to reset the GPS on his phone. “In other words, whatever he and Marrese have cooked up is likely already underway.”
Zane stared at the road ahead but didn’t speak. He was a skeptic, but at the same time, he just couldn’t shake the feeling that the night was about to get much stranger than they had ever imagined.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
PHILIPPE SLOWED THE car and pulled onto a dirt road that ran between two fields full of unplanted rows of soil. Amanda wasn’t sure exactly where they were, only that they had crossed into eastern France and were somewhere near the CERN facility at Prévessin.
The snow had intensified over the last half hour, and she watched as the thick flakes splatted against the window and turned to water. In fact, the storm was becoming so intense that she wondered whether it was safe to have ventured off the highway.
The road they were on was bumpy, and Amanda felt her body jar as they went in and out of the potholes that were scattered around like land mines. She was beginning to wonder if Pastor Philippe knew what he was doing. He had been silent for most of the trip and had offered almost no information, which probably indicated he was focused on the task at hand. She was just about to open her mouth to question him about their route when he braked and brought the car to an abrupt halt. “There, that should do it,” he said.
Amanda saw that the road had come to a dead end. Directly in front of them was a small pond surrounded by cattails. Before Philippe turned off the headlights, Amanda saw a large pipe that rose out of the pond and disappeared into the distance. She recognized it as the same sort of watering system that farmers used back in Texas.
After sitting in silence for a few seconds, Amanda asked, “So, we’re going to pray here in a car in the middle of a field?”
“That’s what I was told,” he said with a smile. “Remember, the Lord’s ways are above ours. But we’re not going to stay in the car. Let’s get out, and I’ll show you where we are.”
After exiting the car, Amanda crossed her arms to ward off the cold. Even though she was well bundled, the low temperature and blowing snow shocked her system.
Philippe joined Amanda at the front of the vehicle. “CERN is right over there.” He pointed across the field on the right side of the car. Despite the cloud of driving flakes, Amanda could see a construction site on the far end of the field, and beyond that, a road.
“Hmmm, impressive,” Amanda said sarcastically.
“Oh, sorry. CERN is through those trees on the other side of the road.”
When Amanda looked toward the road again, she frowned. What was that? She thought she had seen movement at the construction site, but as she continued to stare at the spot, she didn’t see it again. The wind had picked up, so perhaps something was just blowing around.
“You told me that this man from CERN might really be looking for another dimension, even if he didn’t realize it. And then I asked if you believed in other dimensions.”
“Yes, I do,” Philippe replied. “At least, I believe it’s possible they exist. First of all, I’m a Christian, so it goes without saying that I believe in the supernatural. Some believers seem to forget that we were given the book filled with supernatural events. And so for me it’s not that big of a leap to accept that there could be other dimensions.”
“But what specifically makes you believe in their existence?”
“I believe in other dimensions because I believe in angels.” He leaned back against the hood and crossed his arms. “We know from Scripture that angels can appear out of nowhere, only to disappear just as quickly. Let me remind you of two stories to illustrate. The first involves Zechariah. He was serving as a priest and was chosen by lot to enter the temple and burn incense before the morning sacrifice. As he stood there in the dim light of the Holy Place, the angel suddenly appeared to him. It was so sudden that Zechariah was said to be gripped with fear.
“And there is another story from the book of Acts, one that has always been a favorite of mine. The apostle Peter was in prison by order of King Herod, and as he lay there in a locked cell, sleeping between two guards, a light shone in the cell and an angel appeared, seemingly out of thin air. The angel woke the apostle and led him out of the prison through a locked gate. When they got to the end of the street, the angel suddenly left him.
“I could go on with other stories, but I think you see my point. Angels often appear suddenly and then seem to vanish just as suddenly. It’s almost as though they’re somehow slipping in and out of our world through a partition, a portal if you will, appearing when necessary and then disappearing when they are no longer needed. In other words, the angels have the ability to travel back and forth between two very real dimensions.”
Amanda nodded. “I agree with you, but couldn’t God have simply given them the ability to do that even in one dimension? And even if there are two dimensions, no man or angel can travel between them without God’s help. I guess what I’m saying is that anything these men try to do will be futile because they aren’t being aided by God.”
“Not necessarily.”
Amanda frowned. “You think these men can override God?”
“I think God may allow certain things for his purposes, both in our lives here on earth and in the spirit realm. And yes, I do believe it’s possible for this portal to be accessed for evil purposes. For example, we know from the sixth chapter of Genesis that fallen angels descended upon the earth, appeared in the flesh, and then committed acts of immorality. And since we know that God did not direct them to do these evil things, we can therefore assume that they somehow possessed the keys to these portals.”
“So this man who works at CERN. You’re telling me it’s possible that he can actually—�
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“I’m only saying that it’s possible. God can certainly stop them if He chooses, but that is up to him. He is sovereign and the Word says that his ways are not our ways. All I know is that I sensed something as I prayed earlier tonight. I won’t call it a vision, but I will say it was this strong feeling that an hour of darkness is approaching and that I would be called upon to stop an evil act that is about to take place. Myself and someone else.”
Amanda knew he was referring to her. “Shouldn’t I call my friends then? Don’t they need to know that something might happen here tonight?”
When Philippe didn’t respond, she glanced over at him. He was looking in her direction, but he wasn’t looking at her. She immediately turned around and noticed a car moving abnormally slowly toward the construction site. After drawing even with the construction site, the car stopped. Amanda stared at it, trying to see who was inside. From that distance, all she could tell was that there was more than one person.
A few seconds later, the car accelerated and then passed out of view around a curve.
“That might not be a bad idea,” Philippe said.
“What?” she asked, forgetting her original question.
“It might not be a bad idea to call your friends.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
FOLLOWING SKINNER’S INSTRUCTIONS, Brett continued past the CERN entrance, rounded a curve, and then turned right onto a dirt road that ran a short distance back into the trees. Although Skinner had left his motorcycle at the construction site, he warned Brett not to park there, since the car would be too exposed from the road.
There was already a thick layer of snow covering the ground, which caused the car to bounce in and out of hidden potholes. Once they reached the end, Brett made a three-point turn so that the car was facing back the way they had come. After putting on the parking brake, he killed the engine, and the road was plunged into darkness.
“Hand me that,” Zane said to Reid, pointing to a large zippered duffel bag sitting in the middle of the back seat.
