by J. K. Scott
Exhausted and confused, I asked Maya, “Do you think I need to view the fragments back in time to analyze the forms. I now realize that I went forward in time with these images!”
Maya asked, “That could be insightful, but explain more.”
“My skills enable me to reverse-engineer a scattering to its original form. That is not what I did with the images. I moved forward in time and space to finalize the form. What if these images are now formed into the future?”
Maya enthusiastically said, “Possibly Cajun can program the computer to deconstruct the forms?”
I released a deep sigh. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the original pixels or original fragmented images. I assumed the hiker damaged them. Maybe we need to reanalyze all this from a different perspective.”
Turbero leaned back in his chair and changed the subject. “What do the bidders know that we don’t know? We don’t know who killed the courier or when or who hired him; what the delivery plans were; or when, where, or how the images were captured. There is a vast void preventing us from solving the mystery, and that’s what the shadowy messenger means.”
I suggested, “What if we negotiate with the bidders? What if we give the bidders enough data to infer we know the meaning of the images? They must know something too. If we open the door for collaboration and info sharing, we may glean insights into solving this mystery.”
Peter said, “That could be a possibility. The bidders are unaware of who has Dak. We have protected our whereabouts.”
We all agreed that evaluating possibilities from unidentified flying vehicles, paranormal ghosts, the shadowy world, humanity from ancient history, and even the origin of our world from panspermia could be insightful. We needed to access and understand the void between matter and invisible forces.
Maya announced, “Cajun is waiting for us at Hydra. He has seen the video and probably heard our conversation.”
I cringed, knowing Cajun would have been discouraged with our conversation.
Turbero stood. “Let’s take an hour break to eat, rest, and attend to personal needs. Your rooms are stocked with food. We will meet back at Andromeda in an hour. We will have thirty-two hours left.”
34
TURBERO TOOK ME to the Mercury residence. Finally alone, I had a splitting headache. The bidders’ pressure and intense discussion had my mind ablaze. My urgent desire to outsmart the bidders only intensified as time drew near.
I decided to shower before eating. Flooding my thoughts with tepid water, I became fixated on the soap suds that swirled into the drain. The past few days of psychological intrusions had warped my sense of self with fears of faltering.
Sluggish and exhausted, I flung my damp body onto the bed, realizing the water tank had softened my tense muscles but not my mind. I stared at the ceiling wishing for clarity. Water from my wet, unshaven beard trickled down my neck, but I didn’t care. I had just drifted into a shallow sleep when a heavy knock awakened me with a jolt.
Anxiously, I stepped into my khaki shorts, almost tripping over my shoes. I hustled to the front door and flung it open to see Maya standing there. I blurted, “Am I late?”
“There’s been a change of plans,” she said, pushing me aside. “We’re waiting for Cajun’s computer analysis, and I need a few questions answered.”
“What do you mean?”
“Cascade’s psychological file on you was incomplete. Sara is waiting for answers, and we need them immediately.”
“What is this about? And who is Sara?”
Ignoring my comment, Maya said, “Peter and Turbero made contact with the bidders.”
“What happened? I should have been included!”
Maya turned up her nose, threw back her blonde ponytail, and frowned, blatantly ignoring me again. She marched into the kitchen and asked, “Have you eaten?”
I couldn’t believe her question. I snapped, “Not yet.”
Maya snubbed my sour mood, asking if I’d like a turkey sandwich.
I shrugged. “Sure.”
Unexpectedly, she slapped a wrapped sandwich onto a plate and set it on the counter.
“Come on, Dak. Grab the plate and follow me to the couch.”
Following her edict, I asked, “What’s the change of plans?”
Maya sat in the lounge chair and released her ponytail. She opened her computer pad, which I hadn’t noticed. She had changed into jeans and a tank top, which seemed out of place.
Eyeing me with misgiving, Maya said, “Dak, the group has decided they need to know more about your beliefs.”
“Like what?” I asked before taking a bite of the sandwich.
“What are your thoughts about life?”
I asked, “What difference does it make?”
“What is your personal belief?”
“I live by three words: do no harm.”
“Do you follow any specific religion?” Maya asked with a softer tone.
“I’m not a joiner and prefer Eastern philosophies, like Buddhism.”
“Okay. What other influences are on your moral compass?” Maya asked, looking at the computer.
Discouraged over the psychological questions, I let out a sigh. I felt this was a waste of time, but what the hell? We had a time clock, and the DWJ powers wanted to know my beliefs.
“If this is about my values, I take responsibility for my actions, treat others as I want to be treated, and respect all life. I will not deny that fear influences and inhibits the growth and progression of humanity. I’m concerned that our aggressive intelligence to build technological weapons could annihilate life. Humans are so fearful that we live in an era of implants, preferring security over freedom. What else do you want to know?”
Maya asked, “Were you raised to fear life?”
I felt insulted by the question. “Absolutely not! My mom died of breast cancer when I was young with few memories. My father raised me. He had a caring moral compass. I prefer to be in control. Is that what you need to know?”
Ignoring my comment, Maya asked another question. “What do you believe beyond a short-term life?”
“You mean after a long-term life on Earth?”
“You know, do you believe in life after death or reincarnation?” Maya asked with curiosity.
“Yes, I believe in reincarnation. I view life in the present; the past is a physical memory, and the future is being created or imagined in the present,” I said, incensed at the questions.
Maya looked at me as if she wanted further explanations, but instead, she asked, “Do you believe the origin of life was initiated on Earth or initiated elsewhere?”
“Yes and yes. And my beliefs are not important.”
“Others want these answers; otherwise, I wouldn’t be here,” Maya said with authority. “Do you believe there could be other intelligence in the universe?”
“Yes, of course. This is a complex universe. Life depends upon solving the mysteries of our consciousness and purpose in this universe. We sometimes have a distorted memory of the past, and frequently our mind is absent in the present with a flawed perception for the future. I believe there are invisible forces that we need to understand.”
Maya paused for a moment with a grin on her face and then asked me, “What invisible forces?”
“I have studied natural sciences, ancient texts, myths, various philosophers, and more. I’ve concluded that invisible forces are the ultimate essence in our life. We will flourish when we truly understand. This will contribute to a vast worldview. I believe consciousness and developed wisdom and life lessons guide the course of our life.”
Maya stared at me for a long time. I broke the stare by saying, “And my intuition says the images are not of this world or this dimension. The bidders are fearful that we will know what they already know.”
Maya closed her computer pad and rose
from the chair. Raising her voice, she said, “That’s it. The group is waiting for us at Andromeda.” She waited at the door while I quickly got ready without finishing my sandwich.
Her questions bothered me. I knew the bidders wanted me dead. They didn’t need the images; they could want to only suppress leaks to the public.
We scrambled to the train station as Maya said, “We have a direct train to Andromeda without blue lights.”
Thankful for skipping the blue lights, I could have hugged her. The train sped to Andromeda in five minutes on a direct track. Maya led me to the room next to the Faraday chamber.
Cajun, Peter, Turbero, and Maya sat at the table, fixated on their computer pads. I could have left without any notice. I hoped they were gathering updates, as we seemed to be waiting for something. Then, as if a silent bell had rung, the four of them stood. I did too, following them.
From the rear door, a tall young woman arrived, wearing a sky-blue jogging uniform. Golden-brown hair draped over her shoulders. Her olive skin glowed, and she had such penetrating brown eyes. She acknowledged everyone. They all seemed awestruck. I too was transfixed by her exquisite presence. I couldn’t imagine why she was here. She certainly had command of my attention.
I wondered if she could be a hologram. Embarrassed by my thoughts, I hoped she couldn’t read my mind. She took Turbero’s chair. He sat to her right.
Turbero spoke first. “Dak, I’d like to introduce you to Sara Alessa Giustino.”
I carefully spoke. “Sara, I’m pleased to meet you.”
So this was Sara whose name had been vaguely mentioned in one of the meetings. Overwhelmed by her presence, I turned away and caught Maya staring at me.
Peter said, “Allan and Rio are working on the latest bidders’ report and will meet with us later. We are fortunate that Sara has joined us. Sara has been briefed on the project.”
Turbero added, “Sara served on DWJ’s board decades ago when it was called Beaconhouse. The board requested her assistance. She only has a few hours to meet with us.”
Turbero’s words confused me as I glanced at Sara. How could she have worked here decades ago? She couldn’t have been over thirty, or she had discovered the fountain of youth.
Peter said, “Dak, due to the development in the Faraday cage, Sara offered to assist in solving the shadow’s message. She has informed us these images could be linked to another classified project that she has been working on covertly for several years.”
Absorbing Turbero’s and Peter’s words about Sara and her covert work, I couldn’t imagine what prompted her to join us now. And what project was she working on?
Sara’s gentle voice said, “Dak, I understand your confusion. I’ll be assisting you with clarity on what your messenger has provided you. That’s all I can share with you until we make contact.”
The words “until we make contact” concerned me. I said, “Can you explain the messenger’s insistence ‘I am you’?”
Sara lifted her head as she pushed back her hair, softly saying, “The messenger is you … from your consciousness. You are part of the multiverse of all probabilities. This past thirty minutes, I’ve listened to your responses to Maya’s questions about your beliefs.”
Stunned by what she’d said, I couldn’t understand why my beliefs could be a determining factor for her to join us. I wanted to say more but said, “I know time is running out. What is the plan?”
Sara stood and said, “We’re going to Stone Pillar Castle.”
I was surprised by her comment. I had assumed we would be going to the Faraday cage.
As if Sara read my mind, she said, “We will be taking the train for Stone Pillar.”
Turbero added, “Dak, you were there a few days ago when we retrieved the disc from the campsite.”
The last trip to the castle seemed months ago. My courage seemed to waver as my anticipation grew. We were visiting the most covert location, protected more than the White House, as Turbero claimed. I kept gazing at Sara as I followed the group to the black train.
Peter walked next to me and encouragingly said, “We have a direct bullet train reserved—fifteen minutes tops. Time is of the essence.”
“I hope we have plenty of time for this diversion,” I said.
Peter grinned. “Dak, this isn’t a diversion; this is the ultimate in communication.”
I assumed I’d meet my messenger again. Sara definitely had to be highly ranked among the powers that be. I suspected something had gone awry with the bidders, and the group couldn’t tell me. That meant the situation had increased to epic proportions. Sara was here for our last attempt to solve the message. I wondered why we weren’t using the Faraday cage and what the ultimate communication could be.
35
I CONTEMPLATED MY FATE as the bullet train sped to Stone Pillar Castle. With Sara’s arrival, I strangely possessed renewed energy. The owners of the images should have resolved this issue five years ago with missing person’s report. Then we could have known who was involved. Someone knew what the images were about.
Sitting two seats behind Turbero and Sara, I listened as they whispered, appearing to be old buddies. Evidently, Sara’s rank at DWJ was equal to or higher than Turbero’s.
We quickly arrived and hustled into the castle’s parking garage. Glancing around, I noted fewer parked cars than on my last visit. We ascended the back staircase. We gathered in the kitchenette laundry room.
Turbero patted my shoulder. “Sara is an excellent guide. We will regroup afterward.”
Maya raised her eyebrows and gave me a crooked smile.
Peter added, “Dak, Sara will get to the root of these images. We are thankful she responded to our request for her assistance.”
Peter’s remark intensified my concern. Clueless about what would happen; I hoped it wasn’t another blinding ordeal. As if Turbero had read my thoughts, he turned and gave me a reassuring glance and then opened the five-foot cabinet door.
Hunched over, he said, “No more crawling!”
Peter said, “It’s about time.”
Sara smiled and noted my confusion, explaining, “Decades ago, a three-foot cabinet covered the crawl space as an escape route.”
The word escape startled me. What did she mean? My heart dropped as Peter and Maya disappeared through the cabinet door.
Hesitant, I said, “I’m not sure about this.”
“Dak, I need your absolute trust. We have a plan to resolve this dilemma. For years, I’ve been involved in a classified program that possibly correlates to your messenger and the images,” Sara said.
Suggesting the images were my responsibility made me leery. I resented the group’s decision to keep me uninformed by claiming too much information tainted expectations.
I asked Sara, “What makes you so certain?”
Sara said, “I’m confident you have the ability to resolve this.”
Her confidence hit my gut with a one-two punch. The whole ordeal had led me to this moment. I followed Sara through the cabinet door into a dimly lit stone hallway.
In the hallway, Sara said, “We will be in an area that surrounds one of four powerful portals on Earth. Dak, your presence will be in front of the Urstar portal. The Arstar portal is in the Bermuda Triangle, the Erstar is at the north pole, and the Orstar is at the south pole. These sacred magnetic portals balance Earth’s axis on the planet and the ley lines.”
Immobilized by her words, I felt sweat drench my skin. Portals only existed in fantasy and science fiction, and now I would be in front of the Urstar portal. As a child, I’d fantasized about traveling to the moon and Mars in an instant. I’d assumed it would be a hologram and was unable to comprehend how a portal could exist in Stone Pillar Castle.
Sara touched my forearm, and I flinched from an electric shock. From the dim hallway, she opened a door that led to a glowing room. It
took a moment for my eyes to adjust. Sara nudged me to follow her as she maneuvered around a high bar cabinet. In the eerie glow, in the middle of the room, I saw a vibrating energy. My eyes followed the slight swirling motion as misty silver threads floated into open air space above. I inhaled a faint aroma of orange sage and felt exhilarated. Murmurs came from the group cradled in their chairs in front of the Urstar. Circulating energy pulsed around this portal named Urstar. I was awed by the massive shadowy cylindrical form in the room, a serene feeling overcame me.
Sara grasped my hand, securely pulling me closer to her. I took a deep breath as we stepped closer to the etheric energy, which intensified. Sara guided me a few steps closer, and I felt static, electrifying energy. Unexpectedly, with a strong tug, we stepped into swirling energy, and the silver-and-red scintilla’s motion appeared to form a circular boundary around us.
I turned into a liquefied watery mass. Fluids seeped into the ethers as my consciousness eddied into darkness. My worldly thoughts disappeared as my inner being in stellar space (IBISS) absorbed me.
Strange light flooded over me as my heightened senses synchronized. I inhaled fresh ocean breezes with undulating waves that purred in the presence of a dark blue ocean. I drifted under a starlit sky as my mind embraced the moment, staring at the dawn stars. Time evaporated as I stared and the stars glittered.
A brush of warm air encircled me as energy elevated my awareness. I turned to see the outline of a silhouette in surreal motion next to me. Feeling euphoric, I gazed at the ocean embraced by my presence.
Next to me, the slender silhouette soothed me. I lacked the means to acknowledge it, surrounded by an overwhelming peace.
My consciousness flowed like a slow-molasses river as I struggled to form a worldly thought. My raw senses felt misaligned as a sound echoed: “Dak. Dak, look at the horizon.” The echoes filled me.
The vast bright green horizon waves glowed like mountainous waves dancing in a coupling motion. The strange aerial dance, filled with a thin red ribbon, merged with purple pulsing threads. The stunning rainbow shades ebbed and flowed.
