“I still look at the physical laws of our universe and wonder who specifically designed them,” continued Thomas. “It seems absolutely astonishing to me that time and space could somehow form randomly out of nothing, allowing matter and energy to intertwine and begin to form the precepts of the big bang. The Universe we live in is so vast that most people think life on Earth was an accident.”
Eyeing his little brother warily, Adam smiled. “What do you think?”
“I think that a planet carefully orbiting its sun in the precise habitable zone where liquid water is present and much of its surface is capable of entertaining four seasons is an amazing coincidence. Where other people might see random chance, I see clues to the birth of our race. Is it also a coincidence that our moon orbits at so precise a distance that it appears to be the same size in the sky as our sun? These are the things that have always perplexed me. Matter, energy, time and gravity… somebody or something had to establish the rules of the game even if everything that came after is random.”
“I’ve always sworn by science, for the most part.”
Thomas eyed him drily. “Science is also defined and interpreted by flawed human beings who often have a political bias,” he reminded his brother. “Or a scientist might simply want his name in the history books. Along with our emotions and imperfections comes the ability to analyze and create, but not without consequences.”
“Earlier you referred to the human brain as a biological computer with the equivalent ‘software’ of a standard operating system and the rest of our bodies as ‘hardware’.” He turned toward Thomas and smiled. “Noah’s people have built more efficient, sentient computers than a human brain. President Kaufield once shared with me some of the details about the history of their culture. The Proteus aliens have experimented a great deal with both time travel and with artificial intelligence.” Watching his brother’s reaction he added softly. “Evolution too.”
“Evolution? What does that mean?”
“It means that – at one time in their history – at least some of the Proteus aliens tried to become something better than they currently are. They experimented with the transfer of consciousness into their highly advanced computers and attempted to evolve into something greater,” continued Adam thoughtfully. “Since technology runs much faster in terms of processing speed, they figured that such a transformation would only increase their understanding of the universe exponentially once the process was fully underway.”
“And?” Thomas wondered excitedly. He had never heard about any of this before.
Holding up both hands to suppress his brother’s piqued interest, Adam smiled. “According to Noah, those experiments largely failed, and are one of the major reasons that he and others from recent generations ended up choosing to remain normal, biological beings. No matter what they tried, the Proteus scientists were unable to duplicate the vast array of emotions we regularly display as part of our personality. There was always something key missing from the transfer… something fundamental… some…”
“Some sort of soul or spark of life, perhaps?”
“Perhaps.”
Together the two of them sat there for a while, watching the sleeping man who would soon completely transform the religions of the Earth and completely rock the Roman Empire to its core. It was astonishing to be sitting so near him, a truly once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Then the devil left him and, behold, angels came and ministered to him,” commented Thomas softly.
*
Later, Thomas was sitting on a large rock at the mouth of the cave with Fika keeping watch next to him. Late morning was upon them and the heat was already pervasive – it was easy to see why Jesus had chosen the cave in which to spend the majority of his daytime hours. The stony interior was well insulated, keeping it at a reasonable temperature during the day, but also during the freezing cold nighttime hours as well. Adam was out and about, searching nearby for signs of the bandits but also in pursuit of wood for another fire. He had refused to take Fika with him, reassuring Thomas that he would be fine.
Although his brother didn’t say it out loud, Thomas guessed that the search for wood was just an excuse. Adam was planning to put plenty of distance between him and Jesus so that he could avoid the local interference and try to contact the Lexington. Even a brief communication would reassure their loved ones back home that everything was fine and keep them from worrying unnecessarily. Adam also wanted to let them know about the reappearance of the watch, since a new waypoint had obviously been reached. All that remained was to wait out the current situation and see what they were presented with next.
It was how they managed to get this far, after all.
Jesus emerged from the depths of the cavern and seated himself next to Thomas. Together, the two of them contented themselves with a prolonged study of the surrounding terrain and took a brief moment to admire the clear blue sky. Thomas couldn’t help but notice, once again, the shimmering white glow that surrounded the other on his eye HUD. Was it magic of some sort, or simply a science that he didn’t understand? Used to solving virtually every technical problem he was presented with almost immediately, this sort of thing was proving to be extremely frustrating for him. And much of Adam’s contact with the mysterious David entity remained a mystery to this very day. Their current situation was very similar.
“Are you feeling better?” inquired Thomas.
“I am. You and your brother are obviously searching for something. If I may ask, what would that be?”
The unexpected question, especially coming from someone who was painted so large in Earth history, caught Thomas by surprise. Ever since convincing Adam to search for Jesus one more time, he had known deep down in his heart that this kind of conversation was coming. How much should he tell? he had asked himself over and over again. How can I ask for the assistance that I need without lying to this man?
“It’s blatantly obvious that you’re both carrying a heavy burden,” Jesus continued with a friendly smile. “There is no other reason you would be traveling out here in the desert unless it held some sort of possible solution to your problem.” He studied Thomas’ expression curiously, trying to read him.
“My brother and I are from a faraway land,” replied Thomas finally. He had decided, after much thought, that the easiest way to handle the situation was to avoid lying whenever possible. Even so, he would simply avoid specific details. “Not too long ago, it was destroyed in a great war… our entire home, obliterated completely by an enemy with devastating weapons in a few days’ time.” He hung his head as he remembered the first few hours of that time, his thoughts drifting back to the billions of people who had died over the next few days. “Our enemies…” He cleared his throat and fought back a wave of emotion, promising himself that he would not consciously reveal too much. “…our enemies used weapons that were never supposed to be used. They were a deterrent to war, but once deployed against our nations they poisoned the air, earth and water.”
“That sounds terrible. How is it that we in Judea have not heard of this?”
“Adam and I have traveled a really, really long way to get here,” Thomas repeated for emphasis. “For a while we were exiles, just a small group of survivors living by ourselves. Then we happened to find friendly allies who took us in and helped us rescue many of those who survived. Now we’re a fledgling new community in another land, building a new history.” He trailed off, kicking at several pebbles with his feet. “But deep down, we always knew that we were going to try and return one day. We knew that we were going to return to our home and try to reclaim it, to try and save it from the people who continue to misuse and poison it.”
“Are you searching for additional allies to help you do this?”
“Not really,” said Thomas grimly, struggling for words. Jesus appeared to be exactly who history painted him to be… a man who was slightly more than a man because he bore with him the incredible power of the Holy Spirit. To the peop
le of this timeframe that power would obviously appear to be magical. From Thomas’ perspective, he was by now almost fully convinced that it was simply some kind of complex new science that humans didn’t yet understand. When he returned to his own time, he made a mental note to ask Noah more about the David encounter and quiz him about Protean science. It seemed that Noah’s people were as ‘in the dark’ as the humans were in regards to what specifically had taken place during Adam’s encounter within the Wasteland, but they had a nasty reputation for answering only direct questions posed to them. They preferred for other races to find their own solutions, especially on more important matters such as this one.
“How else can you recapture and heal your land?”
“I… we…” Thomas halted once again. The moment of truth has arrived, he thought with growing frustration. “Our studies of our homeland have determined that, without some kind of major intervention, there is simply no way to repair the damage that has been done.” He glanced up and looked Jesus directly in the eyes. “The devastation is too great and the people still living there too ravaged from the aftermath.”
“But you said that you have a new home?”
“We do,” admitted Thomas. “It is just as lush and beautiful as the old, with a few changes. But we are a nostalgic, proud people with lots of memories and loyalty to our homeland. We want to return to our traditional home, just as the Hebrews keep returning to Jerusalem regardless of who drives them out and how long they are forced to stay away.”
“That is… understandable.”
“Adam and I have made mistakes. A farmer told us about you and the Baptist, about how he put his hands on you and proclaimed you to be the new Messiah. That’s why we came out into the desert, because we were searching for you. That’s how we unexpectedly ran into the Samaritan. At first I thought he was you, but his explanation of who he was just didn’t seem to make sense. Then he killed Adam and I was utterly lost…”
“Not utterly lost,” countered Jesus with a small smile. “You defeated the Samaritan, something I have never seen anyone else do. Quite obviously you and your brother know how to take care of yourselves.” He held up a cautious hand. “But be aware… he prefers to lurk in the shadows and the hazy background of people’s thoughts. When they forget he is there, that’s when he strikes and is most successful at manipulation.”
Thomas put his head in his hands and let the emotions of the past few days rush through his system. I am so close! he thought angrily, so close to finding an answer! This is our chance to make things right, quite possibly our only chance! “When I saw you heal Adam so easily after his neck was broken…”
“…you thought that there might be some way I could journey to your homeland and heal it too.”
“Yes,” nodded Thomas in complete agreement. “That’s exactly right. I don’t know if my brother has enough faith in your miracles, even after being restored to life by one of them. But I have faith and I believe.”
“I’m sure you know I cannot come with you Thomas,” said Jesus. “I too have faith and have dedicated my life toward a mission to begin the ministry that my Father has chosen for me – a ministry that will expand his Covenant of compassion and forgiveness to everyone on this planet who wants it.” He studied Thomas carefully, clearly sympathetic. “I understand what you and your brother must have been through, but the best way to deal with it is to embrace your new home and leave behind everything which is poisoned. One day your new homeland will also be your old homeland. That’s the best advice I can give you.”
Thomas nodded, tears streaming down his face. “That’s what I figured… I just needed to hear you say it.” Jesus abruptly reached over and embraced him, hugging the younger Roh tightly to him. A rush of emotion filled the young scientist with an inexplicable euphoria that he wished could last forever. Right now he felt perfect and comfortable and safe – who wouldn’t want a feeling like that to last?
“There is a destiny and plan offered to each of us by the Holy Father,” Jesus told him. “If we pay attention in life and work toward helping others in their time of need, our own problems are often solved as a result of that compassion. Have you seen any signs of the path that the Father has chosen for you?”
Thinking of Adam’s silver pocket watch, Thomas nodded quickly. “There have been a few. But they are vague and easily misunderstood. Even worse is the possibility that I could misread them entirely and end up doing the wrong thing…”
“Thomas, don’t try and interpret those signs at all. Rather think of them as possibilities and options. What you need to do, now more than ever, is decide for yourself what is best for you and your people and then work toward that objective. Remember, we build up our own kingdom by helping others build theirs… that’s all you have to do in order to succeed. Let the Holy Father take care of the rest.”
“Yeah, well he’s kind of notorious for being absent for very long periods of time,” snapped Thomas a little too harshly. After the fact, he realized how crass the comment must have sounded and glanced down at the ground in shame, only to be surprised by Jesus’ laughter.
“Life is supposed to be difficult,” the man from Nazareth told him. “If it wasn’t, think how boring things would be! We must inspire and motivate ourselves, teach each other to help one another, and live a long life filled with appreciation for all that we have. Don’t give in to the need to covet your old home or waste time pining for people and things that may be forever lost. If you are meant to have that home back then you will find a way. But don’t allow your current life, your happiness… your zeal for life to fade away simply because you can’t have what you think you need to have in order to be happy. If you have a safe home, shelter from the elements, family, friends and enough to eat, then what more do you really need regardless of where you are?”
The subject of ‘saving home’ faded away from the forefront of Thomas thoughts. “Before I forget, I don’t know how I can possibly thank you enough for saving Adam’s life! I truly, honestly don’t know what I would do in this life without him…”
Again Jesus laughed boisterously. “Your first ‘thank you’ was gratitude enough young Thomas! I hope you didn’t come all this way to find me again only to repeat past conversations.” He leaned back, his brown eyes sharpening their gaze on the young scientist. “How did you manage to find me again, by the way? This cave is not so easy to find in the middle of so many others that are remarkably similar.”
Smiling sheepishly, Thomas jerked a thumb several times in Fika’s direction. “The dog found you,” he admitted. “You sat on one of our blankets and that’s all it took for him to sniff out your scent.” This time he studied the other intently for a moment before continuing, his mood souring slightly. “This ministry of yours… you know how it’s likely going to end… don’t you?”
“Yes I do,” admitted Jesus, his smile fading into a tight-lipped line. “In order to achieve great things, man must make great sacrifices. I will not let my Father down. He has laid out the path for me to walk, and all I have to do to save all of the Gentiles on this planet who want to be saved is to simply walk that path. A new Covenant with all of mankind will soon be formed. Who wouldn’t want to fulfill that destiny?”
“Well, the Samaritan for one,” commented Thomas idly, thinking over what he remembered of the human race and all of its great wars. “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.”
“He can only tempt,” Jesus countered assuredly. “Some will choose poorly and follow him. Many of those will realize what is happening and break away in time. Others will not. We would not truly be free to choose our own destiny if we couldn’t also choose incorrectly. That is the price of being exiled from Paradise and of being imperfect. The obstacles we overcome in life make us who we are… they build us up to be stronger and wiser.”
“What about the people who do choose evil?” Thomas asked curiously. “What about the people whose souls are rotting and corrupt… the ones who hurt and kill others
without mercy? What becomes of them?”
Still sitting in his cross-legged position on the rocky ground overlooking the surrounding desert, Jesus folded the fingers of his hands together. “What do you think happens to them young Thomas Roh?” he inquired curiously.
There was a lengthy silence until Thomas finally settled on an answer. “My father used to talk about that issue all the time when we were kids,” he stated slowly. “He used to tell us that any God who was a true Father figure would have forgiveness for all of his children… that he would almost certainly offer peace to all souls, especially to those that are the most tortured in this life. Then he would ask me if I really, truly believed that a loving, compassionate and just God would truly choose to punish any soul – regardless of how evil it was – to an eternal damnation.”
“Your father was a wise man.” Jesus reached out and stroked Fika’s side gently, causing the big dog to lean in and lick his face thoroughly. Smiling in response, the man from Nazareth nodded gently at Thomas. “Now then, shouldn’t we go about finding that brother of yours? He’s been gone a long time, and it would be a shame if something happened to him again!”
“Okay,” nodded Thomas. “I guess, for now at least, I will try and get accustomed to my new home.”
“That which lies directly in front of us is impossible to deny and must be accepted and overcome,” said Jesus calmly. “The rest must be left up to faith and an innate trust in a higher power than our own.”
Together the three of them descended the rock face toward the small valley below and began a gradually expanding search for Adam.
*
After speaking briefly with Adam and wishing him well, Jesus turned away from the small group and, once again, headed off by himself. This time he was traveling in a northwesterly direction, something that pleased Thomas enormously. It was time for Jesus to return to society, a normal diet, and to begin his ministry. He felt true concern for the man’s short-and long-term health if he should choose to remain any longer in the desert. However, the unexpected rapid fire series of events caught Adam completely by surprise.
The Pathfinder Trilogy Page 102
