by JB Penrose
“Thank you,” she told him. “And I’m glad you know my daughter.”
“Michael is quite an astronomer,” Lucas explained,
Mags saw the child-like excitement in his eyes as a grin spread across his face. He pulled out the chair and set a briefcase on the tabletop. The Cardinal sat beside him and nodded for Michael to proceed.
“Good Mother,” he said as he opened his computer. “Cardinal Jackson said you were interested in the DayStar. I’ve had some thoughts about it, and its purpose, but it was nothing the church wanted to pursue as research.”
“The church wouldn’t want to research Heaven if the sky opened up,” she laughed quietly. “Thankfully it hasn’t kept others from asking questions. The world hasn’t had a mystery like this for centuries.”
“Unfortunately, the DayStar has rekindled old fears,” Lucas admitted. “The world is getting crazier.”
Michael brought up an image of the DayStar and zoomed out trying to pinpoint a location. The system immediately lost tracking to the DayStar. “Do you see the first problem? It’s almost as though it doesn’t really exist.”
Mags had an idea. “I wonder what he’d find with John’s setup.”
“At the Gemini Estate?” Michael whistled. “I’ve seen the setup Mr. Reider donated to the University but I’ve never been able to get on the schedule for time.”
“We could go to John’s if you think you could operate the equipment.”
“At the Gemini Estate?” Michael repeated himself, nodding with excitement. “I’ve read about the programs that setup can produce.”
The drive through the Gemini Estate heightened the anticipation of arrival with every curve. John had intentionally lengthened the trail to stay prepared for any intruders. Just as their own eternal lives had a magical protection from harm, each of the residences had the same protection; Mags had reason to wonder just how much longer it could last.
“I understood John was letting this place go up for auction once the Aurora had launched,” Lucas inquired.
“James was quick to present a check to the Foundation that would cover any profits they may have garnered at such an auction.” Mags peered out the window as the limousine approached the entrance to the house. “He felt it prudent to keep it in the family once it was decided we were going to remain. Michael,” she leaned forward. “Please pull around to the East entrance. Bear to the right.”
“I can’t believe my luck at being here,” Michael slowed his speed for a better view as they arrived. “Or my fortune of your assistance, Mother. Cardinal Jackson, I am forever in your service for this introduction.”
“That you have always given me your heartfelt service is the first reason you’re here, Michael.” The Cardinal pat his shoulders enthusiastically. “And I trust you will extend that service to Mother, here.”
Michael nodded, and checked his rearview mirror for Mags’ confirmation.
“You are my good fortune, Michael.” Mags liked him. “I’m also interested in learning more about the DayStar. I don’t know if we can discover anything that John or Andrew have not – but this will be the place to do it – and you seem to be the one who might!”
The limousine stopped under the portico of the East Entrance and Michael got out quickly and opened the door for his riders. He couldn’t contain his excitement and whistled with anticipation.
Mags always considered the estate modest, especially compared to some of the castles they had called home in the past. She appreciated that modesty just as she knew Michael would appreciate the state-of-the-art electronics Andrew of the Gemini observatory.
The grounds were quiet, more peaceful than the city rush of Gail’s apartment. It’s time to change locations, she thought. The Gemini Estate would provide a wonderful home base for their work in the States.
There was no obvious lock on the door but Michael couldn’t open it when he turned the handle. Mags smiled and placed her hand on the doorsill; the electronic scanner was invisible until the laser photographed her imprint. She blew a puff of breath into a small sensor on the sill for a DNA check before they heard a quiet pop as the door unlocked. Michael whistled again.
“This is the kind of stuff I read about,” he exclaimed.
“In our family, especially with John and Andrew,” Mags assured him, “this is how you live.”
They followed her inside and she took a moment to get her bearings. It felt empty, not just quiet. The house had been vacant barely a few weeks but it was missing the energy that John and Andrew could bring to a residence.
Mags remembered that Peter met Rachel here just before Christmas, and as she walked through the house she imagined her daughter in each room. Falling in love was exciting, but having it happen at a Christmas party was romantic. It lifted her spirits to connect with Rachel in some way.
Lucas walked with her through each room and Michael stumbled along behind them – constantly admiring a picture or a statue, but he disappeared among the relics when they entered the warehouse storage. Even Lucas stopped to admire antiquities casually shelved in the large room. Mags waited at the large metal doors to the observatory for both men to find her.
“Wow!” Michael arrived breathless. “Do you know what he’s got in here? Mr. Reider has collected from every era of time. I wonder if there’s anything he doesn’t have stored here.”
“If he found it; he saved it,” Mags shook her head. “But only your appreciation gives it worth.”
She pressed her palm to the scanner and the heavy doors separated silently. That silence lasted only for a moment; Michael’s intake of breath was instant and nothing could stop him bursting into the room.
“Oh, Father in Heaven, I am living my dream!” Michael rushed up the steps to investigate the massive telescope electronics. The computer screens around the room activated at the first sign of entry, and Michael rushed from one screen to the next to determine what they were tabulating. “Does the ceiling open?” he wondered aloud.
“No need for that,” Mags assured him. With a few strokes on a keyboard, a large screen activated with a view of the heavens. “The telescope is connected to a PROBE-Tech satellite. Andrew had been watching the DayStar but it must have lost connection.” The large screen only showed a view of space but no particular planet or object. “You can direct the satellite from this console. I can help if you need.”
Michael joined her and experimented with a few simple entries, satisfied when the view changed on the screen. His excitement was tempered by the complexity of the system and he spent a few minutes taking an inventory of the working programs.
“It might take me some time,” he sounded apologetic, “but I can figure this out.”
“I knew you were the right person to bring in on this project,” the Cardinal patted him on the back.
“Michael, you are definitely the right person for the job.” Mags smiled at them. “As I said, I can explain any of this equipment if you need, but it doesn’t appear that you’re having trouble finding your way around this system.”
“I think I can manage, if you don’t mind my experimentation,” he added quickly. His face looked up for her approval and when she nodded, he was immediately immersed in the commands of the system again. “It will take a few hours though.”
“How about you and me finding some food?” she said to Lucas. “There’s probably nothing in the refrigerators but I’m sure there’s a replicator we can use to make some lunch.”
“It’s been a while since I was here last,” Lucas admitted to her. “It will take me hours just to find the car again.”
“Follow me,” she assured him. “The Gemini house is like a second home. First, I’ll show you something I’m sure you’ll like.”
Through halls and rooms, Mags took her time leading Lucas around the house. He stopped to admire the treasures they had acquired in their lives. The Gemini Estate was the repository of everything that held a memory – for any of the Orygin’s crew; for all of the crew.
“Michael looked like he could entertain himself for quite a while in the observatory,” she admitted. “He’s got a unique perspective on the situation.”
“I’m glad you don’t mind that I brought him with me.”
“On the contrary,” she assured him. “He’s just the person we need for this project. You also mentioned he had met Rachel.”
“Yes, he has. It was the night Peter and Rachel revealed themselves to me – their true selves.” He laughed. “It was also the first time I had re-generated to another location. My goodness, it seems like a million years ago.”
“This has been a busy month.” Mags stopped and turned to him. “Lucas, I realize we have different views of religion, but I know we share the same faith. I’d like it if you prayed with me.”
She opened the door to a sanctuary. Inside were beautiful but simple works of art, some were Kerroon’s and some were just beautiful. There were statues and tapestries along the walls, and the outside windows were covered by stained glass. In the front were four benches arranged for seating. Mags hadn’t been here for almost a century but she still felt the lingering Presence of John and Andrew.
A single candle was on a silver plate at the altar, half-burnt but still tall and with a firm wick; she lit the flame. Pictures and photographs were scattered over the altar; the people who mattered in their lives, and those who should not be forgotten. The drawing of Roko was framed; Mags found it easily.
Roko was so young when she was kidnapped; five hundred years barely made her older than eight in human comparison. It could not have prepared her for the next fifteen centuries alone.
“I need to stop for a moment and give gratitude for the blessing of finding my daughter,” Mags admitted. “And I want to pray for her safety.”
Lucas wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Mother, I hope you know you don’t need to worry about her safety. Your concerns about Iscar are worldly, but one thing I know about Rachel, the Spokesmon – she is living Victory. We may not understand the Father’s plan for her but I assure you she is in control of the situation.”
“You’re right, my son. Thank you.” She patted his cheek fondly. “I will pray for our continued faith and ultimate understanding of our part in this unfolding mystery.”
He took her hand and led her inside. “Mother, I am honored to pray with you.”
They sat together on the front bench and Mags let herself remember their younger days when it seemed that nothing could stop the Orygin’s crew. The crash to Earth had a purpose after the birth of Jesus; there was a new world to explore. Mags had a vague memory of how natural it felt to have angels overhead and animals talking to you. How quickly everything had changed.
Joseph thought it best if the crew left Judea after Mary gave birth to Jesus. Those were dangerous times, and it was safer for his family if there was less attention directed their way. It was almost three decades before the message to return came announcing that Jesus had begun teaching.
“Mother? Are you alright?”
As her eyes opened, Mags realized she had been dreaming. Lucas held her hands and tried not to show his concern.
“I’m fine. Just recalling some old memories. I don’t want to forget any of it – and time has a way of erasing that which you want to remember most.”
“I can’t imagine your life,” Lucas told her. “In some way, I envy your experiences. To be able to sit at the feet of the Master and learn his lessons – well, I’ve spent my life trying to imagine that feeling.”
Mags smiled. “I’ve spent this life trying to remember every detail. Maybe that’s why I rarely left the desert school; so much of this world takes over your day. John and Andrew worked hard to keep perspective.”
“This room shows me that,” Lucas told her. “And their constant generosity and genuine concern about how to advance the world – well, that will be their legacy.”
“Everything was new to us,” she admitted. “Our life on Bi’atra-4 seemed normal compared to Earth. I never recalled this much fighting and struggle as the Earth has daily. For us, just to survive took every thought to conceive. Fear,” she paused, “ – that was the biggest problem. Even when Reider wanted to show a better way – people were too afraid to learn, or change. We hoped to learn from Jesus how to teach others in this world.
“So, we joined him. It was great to live with Mary and Joseph; watching how they steered the group to keep an open mind, or just to open their hearts! Mary broke up every argument with her quiet voice yet commanding demeanor. Just listen to him, she would tell us.
“He told us to Love. Every lesson was the same; he used a different approach but it always came back to Love. We didn’t need to search for God’s Love, it could not be denied. It might be ignored,” she laughed lightly, “but it would never disappear.”
“Did you believe in God before you crashed to Earth?” Lucas asked her. “I’ve always thought your home planet was more advanced, yet you have never mentioned God.”
“Oh, yes! We always had God in our hearts,” Mags confirmed. “And even with a different name – Urran - so much was the same. You know, A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
“Just because we had more technology didn’t mean we were more advanced; not with regards to God. Jesus tried to show us how God worked through him; and that He worked through all of us. Jesus tried to teach us that we are all the same – we are all Children of God. I guess if anything, that is the Lesson I have tried to pass along in this long, long, life.”
“I stand as an example of that success, Mother. You, and the others, have changed my Life. I remember being homeless, hungry, and lost in the chaos until Peter brought me to your school. Now I have family, glorious brothers and sisters, and we are eternally banded together. You have done that for me; for all of us!”
Mags smiled through her silent tears and tried not to feel guilty about the love she showered on every child because she could not find her own. With every hug, she prayed that somewhere, someone was hugging her daughter. What she wished for Roko, she had given to every child.
“Thank you,” she said. “For reminding me of the value of that love.”
“Love can be shown in many ways,” he told her. “Love is strength. Love is wisdom. Love is selfless. What we give as love,” he said, “is what God gives to each of us. Our world has only forgotten the Source.”
“I think that’s what Roko is to do here,” she whispered. “The Awakening is the term Gabriel used to describe it. I thought I knew, but I just can’t remember.”
“You want to move into the Gemini house? You said Gail’s place was cozy.”
She saw the grin on James’ face and knew his tease was well-deserved. Staying away from bustling civilization was always her idea; James would have been at PROBE-Tech with John and Andrew decades ago if not for her preference to avoid crowds and publicity. But, there was no denial that now the time was perfect for them to step into shoes that needed to be filled. The world was ready for their help.
She smiled at the vid-screen and nodded. “Strange times call for strange moves. Look at you – so handsome in that 21st century suit. Next you’ll be telling me you want to hold the OneWorld Conference at PROBE-Tech.”
“That’s exactly what I called to tell you!” James laughed with her. “Scott thinks it’s a wonderful idea. Security is already in place and the auditorium is large enough for the General Assembly. We intend to present the idea at the Conference tomorrow. Maybe we could be ready by Valentine’s Day.”
“World love; how appropriate,” she nodded. “I’ll admit, James, i
t’s a little fearsome to be involved with all of this, but it is the only action that feels right – in my heart, you know?”
He leaned close to the screen and smiled. “Our actions are being guided; I feel it too. Although the timing might be fast, it is definitely what needs to be done.” James sat back. “And you won’t believe who will be coming with Hirundi; practically the entire graduating class! I had no idea they stayed in touch through the years – they actually work together.”
“Family means a lot when you only have each other,” Mags agreed. “I love that we are seeing our students – our children, in the prime of their success.”
“Have you been by the school yet?”
“No, but Simon and Thaddeus are arranging the visit.”
The Dayln School for Children in New Columbia was one of Mags satellite operations, governed by a Board of graduates. There was an orphanage in every state at the least, and often more in larger cities. After the centuries of sponsoring orphans around the world, it seemed they were all coming back into her life.
“The boys are dropping by this afternoon to help me settle at the Estate. And of course, Lucas and Michael are with me. Our Daystar project is coming together.”
“Michael? Who is Michael?”
“Oh, that’s right, you haven’t met him,” Mags smiled. “He’s Lucas’ assistant at the church, and he’s very knowledgeable about the observatory equipment. We’re testing some of his more interesting theories.”
“Sorry, dear,” James put up his hand as someone knocked on the door behind him. “I think I have to go now. The meeting tomorrow will be important, and Scott wants to review some of the details.”
“Oh James, do be careful,” she warned him. “I want you home safe, and soon. And give my love to everyone,” she sighed. “There is so much to catch up on.”
“Yes,” he agreed. “Between us and around the world. You look divine in that color, my dear. I want you to know that I noticed!”
