Paragon- Ghost Hunters

by Freddy Milton

  As it was beginning to get dark, the deformed souls went over to the barracks where they rested for an uneventful night.

  This night would be different, however. As darkness fell, tall lampposts with lights scattered in the camp were lit, and from the guard towers light was directed towards the barracks’ openings with the Appeal Site (Office) fully illuminated.

  The guards walked around the barracks and beat their truncheons on the bed corner posts while they reiterated their well-known 'Sjuba! Sjuba!'

  Hesitatingly, the changed souls got up onto their feet, and took up their positions in the square. All barracks emptied, filling the square with freaks of all kinds.

  Again they heard the train whistle, and the gate of the entrance portal opened. The prisoners were taken outside in small groups, and over to the railroad tracks. There a large train with far more wagons than theirs had had, stood ready with its cattle wagons’ doors wide open for them.

  It took a while for the guards to handle their immense human cargo. They dared not let too many souls out of the camp at one time, for fear of losing control. If the belief spread that one could manage to escape, a rash of collective escape attempts would ensue. That would certainly alert the authorities. If all souls jointly refused to obey orders and started running off, they could not prevent a mass exodus. They didn’t want to run that risk, so they handled the souls in small groups at a time.

  As the hundreds of souls were crammed into the long train of cattle wagons and a signal given, what looked like a freight train slowly started pulling away from Therinka. The emptied camp was ready to receive new groups of trapped souls.

  In the wagon where Paragon, Anders, and Dorrit were placed, along with many other souls, someone at some point had managed to break off a part of the wooden wall in one of the cattle wagons. So, by following the surroundings, they could figure out where the trip was going.

  ”We’re heading back in the direction we came from with the trolley.”

  Anders, in the gloaming, could distinguish some details of the landscape.

  ”Then we'll probably get to the Central Station in Limbo.”

  ”At this speed, it won’t take long.”

  Paragon wasn’t quite sure.

  ”Did you notice the switch tracks underway as we drove to Therinka?”

  ”No, I don’t think there were any.”

  ”Neither do I. Then there must be an auxiliary track, which only goes out to the camp from the station.”

  ”Then the train may stop there?”

  ”But wouldn’t that arouse suspicions?”

  That question was quickly answered, as they rolled into Central Station, now almost in total darkness. The train stopped in time, the switch adjusted, and the train pulled right through. After being checked by one of the guards, the train continued.

  ”The stationmaster would surely notice this?”

  ”I don’t think so. He stays in his private residence in town; and at night, there are long periods between departures of the Heavenly Express.”

  ”The train doesn’t provide any signal. I think they’ll use the main track without letting anyone know.”

  ”I think so too.”

  Paragon deduced that the freight train was headed towards Seventh Sky. He kept track of the times, and although the freight train didn’t keep up the same high speed as the Heavenly Express, he had a good sense of where they were.

  ”Now the train has turned off from the main track.”

  A guard put the track switch back in place, after they had passed.

  ”I'm quite sure where we are.”

  ”Where?”

  ”We’re at the point where there was a shunter pulling the hijacked train car with infant souls away from the track. That action, was one that the Bastytjaks attempted, but failed to accomplish.”

  ”Didn’t the conductor say something about where it was?”

  ”Asteroid HL23.”

  ”Yes, that’s true.”

  ”It should be used as a coal depot?”

  ”It seems that it’s used for more than that. Something much more important, from our point of view.”

  Chapter 17

  ASTEROID

  Early in the morning, the freight train arrived at the asteroid, which was reportedly used as a coal depot by the Heavenly Express. That was more or less confirmed, when they passed large coal reserves, apparently used to keep purgatory going in the Underworld. That arrangement consumed large amounts of coal and coke.

  The wagons bumped over the old track, not having been maintained. But it had not been meant to transport passengers. It had been designed only for tipper wagons filled with coal and coke.

  Along the trail, cargo cranes were scattered, ready to fill the wagons pulled towards Hell. Purgatory demanded an incredible amount of energy. But, planning to abolish that part of the structure encountered opposition from fundamentalist religious circles. Such groups still occupied important positions in the administration of the Seventh Sky.

  The train rolled right up to a large warehouse where the rolling stock was placed when not in use or replaced things in repair. The building was big as a giant hangar, and the depot for train cars accounted for only a part of it.

  In addition to the portion occupied by the wagons, there was also a big part of the storage room currently sitting empty. It was more uncertain what that area was used for, but the rattled souls were happy to get out of the dark cattle cars and stretch their legs. It could be used as a storage space for large objects, but it could also serve as a kind of hangar.

  No one had told the souls its use. But that was probably not necessary, in any case. Furthermore, there seemed to be a linguistic barrier making communication impossible. In some way, the souls were starting to feel like cattle apparently picked and chosen, perhaps for a dreadful fate. Naturally, having such an ax over their heads was disturbing. Souls each carry a small fraction of the cosmic consciousness, and are, as such, in no way inferior to any other. In fact, each of them should always be treated with respect, no matter what plans a higher court might have for them.

  Pillars reaching up high up into the air, carrying the lattice structure which supported the roof, stood in several places in the storage room. As with all storage rooms, no particular attention was given to its interior looks. They were not intended for living beings to reside there, but only to function as storage rooms for machinery and technical equipment.

  Several small rooms, with windows from which you could overlook the whole warehouse, stood on one side, halfway up under the roof. The guards resided in them; and so, could stand and watch to see if there was something irregular going on down at ground level.

  The floor was made of hard concrete, and there were no chairs or lounge areas. If one wanted to rest, one had to sit or lie down on the cold floor. Some of the exhausted prisoners did that.

  All around the big hall the souls began to talk about their situation. At that time, conditions hadn’t reached an intolerable level. But it was obvious to the inmates that their fate was very uncertain. Anything could happen. Many had an uneasy feeling that things might get a lot worse.

  Anders was talking to Paragon and Dorrit.

  ”Have you any idea what’s going on, Paragon?”

  ”No, I must admit all this comes as a complete surprise to me. And I think it would also to everyone else in the Soul Service, if they knew.”

  ”So, shouldn’t they be told what’s going on?”

  ”Definitely. Their have no knowledge about soul handling in this sector is totally unacceptable.”

  ”But maybe there are conflicting interests?”

  ”Even if that's the case, The Soul Service should still be informed.”

  ”Wouldn't your department oppose such initiatives?”

  ”It's possible, but then we would have to negotiate things. This procedure seems completely ludicrous. It is in every way unacceptable and must end as soon as possible.”

  ”You seem to be
very determined, given that you are now acting as a Bastytjak clone like everyone else. What makes you think that you can accomplish anything now?”

  ”I really don’t know, but we can’t expect to change anything before we’ve found out what we should try to change. Right now, all we can do is string along with things, lay low, and see what happens.”

  ”And hope we don’t get squashed, like bugs, in the attempt.”

  ”That goes without saying.”

  Loud screams, coming from the guardroom, on the level above, interrupted their conversation.

  ”Apparently someone has lost his temper.”

  Anders referred to the burly roar of laughter and arrogance, now repeating itself in the guardroom.

  ”Most likely they are playing some entertaining games. Naturally, like us, they must also pass the time. Their job is probably not an easy one.”

  ”I think they’re telling risqué stories.”

  Dorrit was annoyed.

  ”It's terrible listening to that.”

  ”Maybe, but it can also be soothing.”

  ”How so?”

  Paragon had to explain himself.

  ”There’s something conciliatory about creatures who have a sense of humor.”

  ”That depends upon one’s definition of ‘humor'.”

  ”I don’t think so.”

  Dorrit was skeptical.

  ”I don’t see the point.”

  ”Humor is a way to respond to difficult situations. Laughter is an expression of one’s ability to consider something in a new and wider context than one has done before.”

  ”How would that help?”

  ”Humor allows you to transcend your limits of past experience.

  You are no longer in the center anymore, and forced to consider some contexts in a new way can seem quite liberating. When that happens, it triggers a laugh reaction.”

  Dorrit was still reluctant.

  “You really are irritatingly instructive. But, I don’t know how long I can tolerate accompanying you, …….. you bluish monstrosity!”

  Paragon looked down at his blue body.

  ”Yes, I must admit that, for the time being, my looks aren’t very charming, to say the least. I’m jealous of the black wart you have on one cheek.”

  Dorrit felt for it.

  ”The wart? But you have a wart, too.”

  ”Yes, but mine is much further down. Not so delicate and attractive as yours.”

  ”You can’t really mean that?”

  ”Oh yes, I do. I’m still a kind of male creature. And gazing upon the wart on your cheek, in just the very right place, is incredibly attractive.”

  Paragon winked.

  “That is, since you are still a female, even if you are bluish and a bit monsterlike.”

  ”This is completely ridiculous!”

  Paragon, grinning, pointed to Dorrit.

  ”Careful, you smiled!”

  ”Did I?”

  Dorrit was a little uncertain.

  ”Yes, and now you’re turning yellow! How cute. You don’t see that so often these days.”

  Dorrit gave in to his flattery. It was grotesque that they stood there in their ugliness, talking about being attractive. Yet, it was liberating in a way, despite being ridiculous.

  ”I think you're kidding, right?”

  ”What would you like to believe?”

  ”I can’t figure you out, Paragon.”

  ”Some of the attraction between genders is, that you can’t quite figure out the other party. That creates a state of tension, which is intriguing.”

  ”You do know how to turn matters upside down. I’m not sure if I like this.”

  ”No, because you come from a situation where you had been stuck in Limbo. That happened, Dorrit, because you’ve never had the ability to take things in life a little easier. Many of those people who can do that, are those with a sense of humor. Those are the kind of souls who find it easier to let go, and can go directly over into the afterlife, without requiring a stopover in Limbo to build a conciliatory attitude.”

  ”Okay, Paragon, you may be right. But I don’t think you are all that humorous.”

  ”Then forget my lecture on humor. My point is more that creatures, who through their laughter show that they can imagine something grotesque outside themselves, are not completely callous.”

  ”What if they laugh when other people get into trouble?”

  ”Then it's an indication they are able to understand the situation and be happy that it hasn’t happened to themselves.”

  ”I hope someday you can use that intolerable optimism for something useful.”

  Paragon sighed.

  ”I hope so too. And I must admit that right now I am pretty perplexed.”

  While the souls waited in the enormous storage room hall, they became aware of a faint buzzing sound that became ever stronger. First, only a few noticed it, but soon it became so striking that everyone noticed it.

  The souls stood in small groups and talked, undoubtedly making it easier to cope with the precarious situation that had enveloped them. Having a collective destiny with many others, was something new for them. Their existence in Limbo had been far from comfortable before this new situation had arisen.

  Each of them carried the memory of a form of guilt about experiences they had participated in on Earth for believing they had caused other people to suffer or die. Or they had themselves endured inhumane and traumatic events in which others had exposed them to humiliation, assault or persecution. These souls were hit hard, maybe even harder than from what they were now exposed to during their captivity.

  Victims often take the blame for what has happened to them, even if they are completely innocent of any wrongdoing. It’s hard to understand, but surviving extreme conditions leaves you with the feeling that what you’ve seen others experience also should have happened to you. Even that one should have accompanied the others also in death. The rest of the survivors’ lives are then destroyed by this unreasonable guilt that they ought to have died, too.

  Some of the souls in the hangar or warehouse had felt this new extra unpredictable fate as a welcomed change of the stressful state they still had been in during their afterlife. Maybe they would now be able to move on to a new and different fate they had unconsciously sought and hoped for?

  During those conversations, some extra mechanical sounds occurred that interfered with the buzzing, which increased gradually.

  The souls looked up, and there were some changes in the roof structure. Some form of hydraulics started to work, and one by one, the roof sections started to moving and sliding to the side and cross each other.

  In an iris-shaped pattern, a polygonal hole opened in the roof, and gradually increased as the roofing sheets slid further and further to the side.

  As the plates had moved as far as they could, it was possible to get an overview of what was on the other side of the roof.

  Something hovered up in the sky, that looked like a great dark disk. And around its edge, there was an unbroken series of small circles lit up with clear white light.

  That glare blinded the souls; and only when it slowed a bit in strength they could see that there was a circle of less luminous circles in the middle of the disc. These circles of light were concentric and the inner light points had a more yellowish tinge, which seemed to pulsate.

  The high buzzing sound then changed to a lower, deeper humming.

  The black disc appeared to become larger, but the crowd soon discovered that this was because the disc came closer. It lowered down over the hangar, and it ended up coming through the hole in the roof and down into the building. It could only just pass through the hole.

  Slowly the disc approached the floor of the building. The spectators had to turn away until they had become accustomed to the gleam. Now they could see that the disc was not flat but had a lenticular cross section. It had to be some kind of vessel or craft.

  On its top, there seemed to be a
pattern of bright spots arranged in circles reminiscent of those on the bottom, but couldn’t be noticed directly. One could only get a sense of how the upper surface looked in the reflections on the roof sheet metal. The lights had made the surface seem blackish from a bottom view towards the sky. In fact, it had a luminous creamy white color.

  The vessel stopped its descent some meters above the floor. Then a cylinder of light shot vertically down from the middle of the disc towards the concrete floor.

  Meanwhile the Bastytjaks had come down from the guardroom and went over to the soul groups who stood the closest to the vessel. With their spears, they shooed the souls over to the luminous cylinder. One after another they stepped into the cylinder light beams and were sucked upwards into the disc. All of them now recognized it as a kind of spacecraft.

  It was not difficult to get the souls to go over to the cylinder. Indeed, the sight was so stimulating that all who saw it regarded it as a step forward compared to the many uncomfortable events they were forced to go through earlier.

  Dorrit whispered to Anders. She didn’t know why she whispered. Most others were also silent and stood patiently, watching the sight of souls one by one sucked up into the white spacecraft.

  ”This is perhaps the phenomenon you have heard about?”

  ”What?”

  ”Surely you must have heard, Anders, about the chosen souls.”

  ”No, I haven’t.”

  ”No? Otherwise, this is one of the solid urban legends on Earth, which has been a focal point for several fatalist sects.”

  ”What do you mean?”

  ”That a group of chosen souls in the final days of Earth will get the chance to escape in a spaceship from the Armageddon Earth's downfall is causing. Then they proceed directly to a desirable and exalted existence in a much better place in the universe where one will live in peace and harmony as opposed to the vile existence on Earth where everything is strife and bickering with accidents and disasters, humiliation and degradation.”