Plato paused there but then had an additional thought, “I have noticed something about your United States – and it seems to be true about how your government is run and how your businesses run and how your people live their lives.”
General Greene looked back at Plato quizzically, “Oh, OK, and what is it?”
“Your whole country is consumed with the here and now. It is as if the future is meaningless – and may never occur. Everything is for the short term. No one plans for longer than the next day and a half.”
“Are we the exception in this? Aren’t other cultures on other Earths just like that? Isn’t that a natural human trait?”
Plato shook his head, “Not on Earths that survive. On my Earth we have a saying, ‘the long term and the short term are the same thing.’ People who do not know that squander their resources and lose to those who think strategically. And as I said, the people on The Freya think very strategically. They like to set dangerous forces in motion and then from a safe distance watch what happens. ”
“So what will be there goal?”
“First they will try to create chaos here. Then they will find a way to take advantage of that chaos. They know that if the world stays stable, then there is little they can gain.”
“What will they want from us – from out of the rubble they will create?”
“They will try to make your Earth, once sufficiently weakened, to be a carcass they can chew on; they are homeless predators looking for places where they can settle for a while and then move on after having taken what they wanted.”
“Do you want that too?” General Greene asked.
“No, my friend. They want control over a poor and weak Earth. We would rather have the friendship of a strong and prosperous Earth.”
Reverend Teddy loosened his tie as he walked toward the front of the retreat building on Pirate’s Cay. Though accustomed to Houston’s hot and humid summer, he was also used to having air-conditioning everywhere. At 6’3” and 300 pounds, his body did not do well under a sweltering tropical sun. Even though his beige suit was a summer weight, he still now wished he had opted to wear slacks and a polo shirt.
It didn’t help that he was nervous at the thought of meeting with Plato and Benjamin Planck. Events were moving so fast that he could only pray that he could keep up. It was only a few weeks since he had given the sermon about Plato coming to Earth as God’s emissary and that Planck’s theory was also not coincidentally God given. In those weeks his words had gone viral and the video of his sermon had become a You Tube sensation. Now his congregation had grown by the millions and was still growing.
Now he was here on Planck’s island to speak to Plato and Planck and he didn’t know how he should speak to them. How does one speak to someone sent from the Almighty? He was in awe too that they had summoned him to meet with them. And now here he was on an island that in the future he knew would be viewed as a holy site. He was a sincere and passionate believer and it was all he could do not to kneel down and kiss the sands of the island.
Then coming up to him were Plato and Planck and Reverend Teddy was struck by how beautiful the two of them were and it proved to him again how favored they were by God. There greeting to him was so natural that he responded in kind. They exchanged smiles and greetings and shook hands.
“Reverend Teddy, we are so glad you could come and meet with us,” Plato stated.
“Yes, welcome to Pirate’s Cay,” added Planck. He noticed how hot the reverend appeared in his suit. “How about we go inside to an alcove off the lobby, there’s no air-conditioning there but the circulating fans keep it cooler?”
“Yes, I’d appreciate that – and perhaps I’ll take off this jacket and roll my sleeves up,” said Reverend Teddy. He saw that both Planck and Plato were casually dressed in shorts and golf shirts. They walked to the side of the lobby area and sat down at a wicker and glass table with matching big cushioned chairs. The red hibiscus pattern on the cushions on the chairs was faded and the wicker of the chairs a little frayed. Reverend Teddy noticed this and approved; he was not a believer in ostentation. He knew the retreat had once been a resort hotel and he surmised the furniture was a holdover from those days.
Reverend Teddy looked at the two of them and began by saying, “I was so surprised to receive your invitation – I have no understanding of why I’m here. But I am glad that I am. Is there some way I can help you?”
Plato responded, “Reverend, you are here because you now have millions of followers – and the number is growing with every new sermon you give. Sermons that are about how Planck and I are here to save this Earth – and that somehow we are here because your God wants us to be here. That places us in an uncomfortable position.”
“It was not my intention to do anything that would make you uncomfortable. But yes, I do believe you are here as God’s emissaries – and thank God for that, you are dearly needed.” The Reverend Teddy returned their gaze on him with a steadfast and firm demeanor. “That you might not know that does not surprise me, God works his wonders in His own way.”
When Plato did not immediately respond, Planck spoke up, “The problem for me personally is that I believe in much of what you are preaching. I believe that the Universe comes to us from a benign and all powerful creative force that does interact with us in our personal lives. I believe that force is God. And somehow I am now in a position to understand just a little more of the ways of God and his creation. But I am certain that I am no Emissary from God. I’m just an ordinary person who happens to be a scientist.”
Reverend Teddy smiled. “Ben Planck, you are certainly not ordinary. And how do you know how it is that your theory came to you? How would you know what God has in store for you? The consciousness of the universe seems to speak directly to you. Is that not so?”
Planck looked back at the reverend and said nothing. Then Reverend Teddy continued, “Now I am not the brilliant physicist here or a visitor from another world, but as I understand what you two have been saying, the universe is founded and guided by consciousness. This consciousness is open to us and wants to give us what we need and want; we are the children of that consciousness. And it is you Plato and you Planck who are teaching us about this Universe and about this consciousness. If as I believe, consciousness is an emanation of God, then why is it not also true that consciousness, that God, has brought you both here to this island for His greater purpose?”
Plato smiled at Reverend Teddy. “I wondered what manner of man you were. Now I see why millions follow you and millions more will do so. I would very much like you to be my friend. I would very much like your assistance in what we are to do. What we must do.”
Reverend Teddy was overwhelmed. He could only stammer, “I will do everything I can.”
Plato rose up and held his hand out to Reverend Teddy, “ I have to leave now but I have very much enjoyed our talk.” Then he turned to Planck and said, “Perhaps you could help Reverend Teddy understand how through the focusing of the mind sickness can be defeated and health restored.”
Reverend Teddy interrupted, “You mean you can make the lame walk and the blind see?”
“Something like that,” Plato said as he walked away.
Planck looked back at Reverend Teddy, “He should not joke like that. It is sacrilegious.”
“Then he was joking? You can’t do that?” responded the reverend.
“No, actually we can do that. Well, actually it depends a little on what is causing the physical problem. Perhaps I should explain….But first, I have a question for you. As you see, I live on a small out of the way island. I really don’t understand what is driving the growth of your church. And how could I be perceived as some sort of … of …disciple?”
Reverend Teddy regarded the handsome young man before him, seeing not just the features of a blond, blue eyed and tanned beach boy but also the brilliance of a deep and searching mind unfettered by egotism or arrogance. Reverend Teddy reasoned that Planck’s clarity of thought
might well be the result of an innocent disregard for his own being.
Reverend Teddy smiled at Planck, “I am myself amazed at what is happening to my following. But I believe I understand. The events of our present time are so confounding and alarming that people are hungry for explanation and security. You and Plato offer both. But more importantly, your message is one of connectedness. The more we sit and think together, the more we can influence events around us. We are not islands of self. We are meant to come together, think together. The Universe is ours, it serves us. It is God’s gift to us. And it connects us to each other even as it grants each of us a tiny piece of that consciousness, which though tiny is still real and matters to us individually. It is the best of all worlds.”
Planck nodded. “I think it is God.”
Reverend Teddy held up his hand and waved it at Planck, “I think it becomes a matter of semantics as to whether the Consciousness that guides the Universe is God or a gift of God’s. And though I know religious wars have been fought over semantical differences, I fight no such wars. My church is not so doctrinal. We are open to interpretations. So as people find us, they can bring their own interpretations, but they still stay within the basic tenets – and they want that structure.
“So what is my role in all this?” Planck asked.
“You bring an intellectual depth to it. With the strength and provability of your theory, you dash the concept that we live in a random mechanistic world. Atheism makes no sense if Consciousness is the foundation of the Universe.”
Planck leaned back in his chair and looked out of the lobby area through to the sea. He had never seriously discussed his religious views with anyone. He thought himself to be a scientist trying to unlock the Universe’s secrets. He knew that most of his peers were atheistic or at least agnostic, but as Planck evolved his theory of consciousness, he found no foundation for atheism. This Universe seemed created for intelligent life; the extremely fine-tuned laws of physics –from the very weak size of the gravitational force to the exquisite balancing of the strong and weak nuclear forces – were too precisely calibrated. Though Super-string theorists explained that away as a random result of there being almost an infinite number of universes, that to Planck seemed too much of a stretch. For that reason he had gone in search of a different explanation – and that led him to explore the Observer requirement in Quantum Physics, and that led to Consciousness.
Reverend Teddy did not interrupt Planck in his contemplation. He sat quietly and waited for Planck to resume the conversation.
After more moments, Planck looked back at the reverend. “Plato suggested that I tell you about how we deal with sickness here. Recently one of our colleagues was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. We on the island gathered together to help cure him. The brain tumor has now disappeared. Would you like me to explain that?”
Reverend Teddy looked at Planck with an expression not of surprise and doubt but of joy and conviction. “Yes, please tell me.” That was all he could say.
Planck explained how his group would meditate together and how consciousness could be applied to changing the physical state of molecules –or cancer cells. When Planck had finished, Reverend Teddy had only one request. “Planck, would you be willing to come and speak to my congregation? Perhaps this coming Sunday?”
Planck nodded before he had really considered what that would mean.
As Hank Scarpetti ushered Captain Ragnar of The Freya into the Oval Office to meet President Morningstar he noted that though both men were about the same height and both looked physically fit, and both had dark hair, whatever resemblance they shared was superficial. Though Scarpetti had never really noticed it before, the President had no real physical dominance. His was a congenial, photography model presence. Captain Ragnar was different; with a hawkish intensity he controlled the space he occupied. On a battlefield he would be the one the men would follow.
As he shook the President’s hand, the Captain smiled broadly, “Mr. President it is an honor for me to meet you! In my time here I have been learning of how well you are leading this great country and indeed the whole world. I can only imagine what it feels like to be the most powerful person on the whole of the planet.”
The President’s smile broadened as he gave his two handed hearty greeting – his ‘A’ greeting reserved for the most important people. “I’m just an elected official. You give me too much credit. I am fortunate to be at the head of this great country.”
“It is the country’s good fortune and a demonstration of its good sense to put you in power.”
“Well, please let’s sit and be comfortable. I am eager to learn of your Earth and your country there. And of course I want to begin on what I hope will be a beneficial and lasting mutual relationship.”
“That is our wish too!”
President Morningstar sat straighter in his chair, unconsciously matching the Captain’s posture. He had been apprehensive about this meeting, but now saw he had worried needlessly. He was sure he and Captain Ragnar were much alike and could work well together. And besides he was the President of the most powerful country and the Captain was, when all was considered, just a military officer. He was used to dealing with the military as their Commander in Chief.
“So Captain, please tell me about your Earth. As I understand it, your predominant culture is a Scandinavian one – a Viking culture. Many of our citizens here trace their ancestors to Sweden and Norway.”
“So I understand. Yet there are many differences because our worlds parted a thousand years ago.” The Captain went on to describe his world where The United Scandinavian States was very much the counterpart to the United States. There too they had a long history of democratic government. They too had brought an enlightened political system to other countries. Those countries had prospered and his world was a place where people of all races and creeds got along well together with equality of justice and opportunity.
As Captain Ragnar described the homeworld he came from, a world coincidentally very much like the world President Morningstar had described as his vision in his first Inaugural Address, the Captain found himself almost wishing that what he was saying was in fact true. As before, he marveled at how real a lie could be. Just saying it would make it so – at least until it was disproven, and sometimes even the discovered truth could not undo it. Then it occurred to him that he probably would find such a world too boring. The actual world he came from offered a far more competitive and brutal existence.
While the Captain and the President were talking, Hank Scarpetti was doing what he did best, he was watching. He quickly noticed how the President had relaxed and was enjoying the conversation. He noticed too how the President had switched into his more authoritative tone of voice. The President was feeling in charge of the situation.
Scarpetti saw that the Captain was playing to the President. That didn’t bother Scarpetti particularly; it was to be expected. Most people who came into the Oval Office played up to the President, even some of those who had not intended to. He thought the President could usually see through that, but not always. He thought the President was too easily succumbing to the Captain’s praise. The power of the Oval Office was strong. But when the Captain had twice used a turn of phrase that came out of President Morningstar speeches, Scarpetti’s cynical mind cranked up. Scarpetti decided he needed to push matters forward a little.
During a pause in their conversation, Scarpetti asked the Captain about the other Earths that had arrived in the skies. He mentioned Plato and The Bucephalus.
The Captain’s smile hardened, “I know of that Earth. In fact I have seen the effects on a world like yours of the visit of this particular man who calls himself Plato – quite an affectation, I think. The effects are not good. He presents a false sense of benign friendship. He is not to be trusted.”
“And what about The Lucky Dragon?” Scarpetti asked.
The Captain just brushed the Earth of The Lucky Dragon away with a dismissive
hand motion. “You should not concern yourselves with them.” His past dealings with the empire behind The Lucky Dragon did not go well. He did not want them involved in his plans here.
“They have yet to reach out to me to meet.”
“I’m not surprised. They like to first reflect on and analyze what they find. Also, their focus is usually on the geopolitical struggle between Japan and China. They have a narrow view of what is worth pursuing. I have not paid much attention to them in the past. I do not believe in getting too involved in the affairs of others.” The lies came easily to him.
The President shook the index finger of his left hand but softened his objection with a smile, “Perhaps I don’t agree with you on that, Captain. I believe in internationalism. The world is a better place when nations work together and all are equal. No one country should dominate.”
“I would say that too if I was the leader of the most powerful country. But I would not surrender any of my power. And in my world you only have the power that others can see. If others don’t know you have the power, they will test you. And even when you win the struggle, you have less than when you started. Acting as an equal only weakens the stronger country. Better to show overwhelming strength, then no one will test you.”
The President shook his head. ‘I don’t believe that. Our twentieth Century was based on that kind of thinking and we had two World Wars to show for it. My foreign policy is based on mutual respect and friendship.”
“And yet your world is fraught with instability and terrorism. My world is more stable than yours.”
General Carl Greene took another sip from his glass of scotch as he looked across the kitchen table at his friend Hank Scarpetti. Hank had invited him to drop by to catch up on things and had just finished telling Greene about the Captain of The Freya’s meeting with the President two days earlier.
Quantum Times Page 20
