“Yes Sir, we are here.”
Suddenly, they felt the front of the car nosedive, as if they were on a rollercoaster.
“Woe, what is that?”
The car circled down and around to the right, twisting and turning into the dark.
“It’s all right Doctor.”
Swanson held tightly onto the door handle, himself.
“We have buildings below, just about a mile or so away now. There are ramps, like this, throughout the city. All of them wind around like tentacles of an octopus, eventually leading back to its head. You are going to love it. Now, the new campus, I spoke of, will be more in the open, completely different, of course; but then, security will be of a different type, altogether…Ah progress; I love it. Relax Doctor, only a few more minutes. Everything is ready for you.”
“But, I don’t even know this place, and you’re already describing a new one…Ready for me? What a headache. I don’t get this one bit, not one bit?”
Gordon Swanson grinned, as the car sped through the dark one-lane tunnel. After a few minutes, the tunnel opened up to a wide brightly lighted area, the size of several football fields. Bellos stared in wonder at the beautiful wild flowers that filled the fields; and there were unfamiliar trees all around the perimeter.
“How is this possible? Where is the sun?”
In the distance, Bellos could see what looked like an immense structure cut out of the surrounding rock. It seemed to glow a shiny turquoise. Minutes later, the car stopped at an entrance. The limo driver opened the back door. Both men stepped out, walked up several stairs, and stood under a sculpted rock canopy. The underside displayed frescos bespeaking of Rafael and Michelangelo. Bellos strained his neck, studying it all.
“Are we at the ancient Venetian in Las Vegas?”
“Not quite,” Swanson said with a smile. “Come; beautiful isn’t it? And this is just a side entrance. Wait until you see the main foyer.”
Everything was bathed in light, but Bellos could see no light source of any kind. They walked some twenty yards in, and stood at the bottom of another tall thin staircase. Bellos noticed at the top, there was an artful etching in the rock above the double doorway. It looked like a fish.
“Mr. Swanson, what does that symbol mean? Bridger stamped it on a note to me, when we first met.”
“Eye catching isn’t it…Tweaked your interest, eh?”
“Well, yes. What does it mean?”
“It is part of an old character alphabet that existed for who knows how long. In any language, words and phrases can have several meanings. I like to think of that in particular as ‘thesauretical’.”
“What language is that? It looks like a Christian religious sign, with a U.S. dollar sign in its mouth.”
“Yes it does; very perceptive…Think back; long ago, when cell phones first became the rage? ‘Texting’ wasn’t even a word in the English language. Over years, certain icons or expressions become acceptable colloquialisms. Even down here, that happens. Whether just coincidence or not, that twisted tongue does look like the old U.S.A. dollar sign. Regardless; literally translated in English, that means, ‘money comes from God’.”
Swanson raised his eyebrows with a grin. “We have Christians here too. Of course, that may mean something different to you, as time goes by.”
Bellos shook his head in complete frustration. The two stepped up the deep maroon, paisley-carpeted stairs. And a strangely dressed guard greeted them at the top. He stood in front of two beautifully carved and lacquered 15-foot by 11-foot double doors. Bellos stared at his strange outfit and asked, “Are we in old Rome?”
“No; although the Vatican Swiss guard uniforms did have a similar pantaloon look. Except of course, we, on the other hand, keep up with our latest state of the art weaponry. You won’t see his kind of side arm anywhere on the surface, especially on the Vatican City Guards. It fires a simple burst of air that can knock you out up to fifty-yards away.”
“Air?”
“Yes, it’s technical.”
They entered and the guard shut the doors.
“This way Doctor; it’s late and we have a full schedule. I hope you slept on the plane. After we talk, you have to be processed, tested and remember quite a lot.”
“You’re going to test me?”
“Not the way you think, my friend.”
They walked across a fifty-foot long library. Bellos marveled at the medical reference books he passed and texts printed in many different languages. He stopped at one point and took a book off a shelf.
“‘Polio Diaries-Virology, by Jonas Salk’, how did you get this? This is original penmanship. He died back in 1995, right?”
“Centuries ago; that was payment to us, resulting from a political negotiation; I’m sorry to say. This way; shall we continue?”
Swanson gestured to the other end of the room. Bellos put the book back on the shelf, and they walked to another set of double doors. Swanson turned the latch and pushed the doors open.
“Come in. Welcome to my endless hallway. I’m rather embarrassed that I am surprisingly nervous. People here will tell you I never seem nervous...”
“Imagine that,” Bellos chimed.
“…Yes, well, this way; I should also tell you that involvement with us is for life, Dr. Bellos. And every life here benefits from the omniscience of the whole. But, like anything else, none of it works without trust; you know? I like to think we are one reason mankind is at the top of the food chain, hah…”
“And that means?”
“…In the final analysis, it was the genetics, of it all, that brought us to you. It is you, Mathew…” Swanson gently touched his sleeve…“What I said before is certainly true. Your colleague is going to discover something profound; but he will want us as much as I need you.”
“Sir, you talk in riddles?”
“Sorry; this is my first and only time doing this…” Swanson paused, looking Bellos squarely in the eye…“You see, I am not just a recruiter. In fact, I am Great Grand Master, Gordon G. Swanson. In our vernacular, the population refers to me as ‘GGM’…I run this place, lead it, if you will. I represent all the lives here. And, I am recruiting you to replace me, and to help me decide if some of our very important information should be made public, to the surface.”
“What?” Bellos said. “Are you Masons?”
Swanson lifted one eyebrow. “No, my boy; although several terms they use may have come from us; neither great, nor grand master came from them. And just for the record, I think you may be saying ‘what?’ quite a lot…Come to think of it, so did I.”
“This is a mistake; really,” said Bellos, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
“No, Doctor; it is not!”
Swanson squeezed his shoulder. “It’s no mistake. I need you. We all need you. Come; I will try to explain as much as I can, within what time we have.”
They began walking slowly again. “Now pay attention. Here, in our world, we measure a lifetime in genetic terms, more than in time terms. That is to say, we measure age and general health, as it relates to individual DNA or gene structure, depending…”
“I know how important good health is,” Bellos said. “I am a doctor.”
“Well, we certainly use concepts of physics, time, economics and politics; but we’ve concentrated our cultural strategies with different frames of reference, if you will. You see, we isolated, defined and started applying the human genome several thousand years ago.
“Is this some futuristic movie?”
Let me explain a few things. For example, on the surface, you measure everything as it relates to rotations of the Earth around the sun; and you use standard text books in schools based on historical facts, findings and figures. Men like Newton, Darwin, Einstein and Hawking, so many people up there you worship, not just within religions; and so many years of schooling. Anyway, the point is that you are just now beginning real medical research, miniaturization and genetics.”
“Yes we a
ll know Newton, Einstein, and Darwin,” Bellos challenged. “I studied modern man’s boom in discovery began pushing limits with the space race, back in the 1960s. That alone started generating tremendous strides in miniaturization. Our people continued for centuries, making great discoveries-transplants, artificial limbs, skin grafts, venom vaccines. The new research is endless.”
“Yes, well that’s right. Don’t think I am belittling your accomplishments, or culture. Quite the contrary; I just wanted you to know that we were where you are now, millennia ago. Imagine this; our children learn and understand courses of study like quantum theory, organic chemistry and genetic analysis at primary school levels. When we tried to get you going on it, you burned witches. The mind can be a very bad enemy, Mathew.”
“So the $200,000 was payment for listening to this fantasy?”
“No, of course not; back to my point; down here we do not see the Sun; we use other frames of reference, as time controls and guideposts, to improve learning and progress.”
“What are you talking about?” Bellos was clearly agitated.
“I can see you want the heart of the matter. We are a health-based society. Sometimes we borrow things from the surface, and then we give discoveries back to you, as payment, as medical science advancements, you see. However; we are at a point, now, where I will need your help, specifically. I am going to help you, for starters, and show you exactly what I mean. Then, I will answer your questions; and, make no mistake; you will flood me with them.”
“Hah, I have no idea what you’re talking about…What about you, specifically, your health?”
“Yes; hmm, in my case, I do have a specific genetic issue. I have a flaw that develops later in life. It’s sort of an ‘orphan’s genetic disease’. I must address it. However, I have to do so with and through you. Your family does not have genetic flaws. In fact, yours is quite gifted genetically. My condition has no cure, yet.”
A small smile appeared on Swanson’s lips.
“Given our way of measuring time down here, and my condition, I must choose my successor now; and that’s that. There is no committee, no vote; I am sole authority. Our laws state that my successor may be of any background, but there are other specific rules. We have studied the genetic codes of all candidates, within the entire global community, both up there, and down here. Of all people on the planet, you are the only one that can fill this position.”
“Pardon me; that is crap. This is all bullshit! I can’t believe anyone would fall for this. If I knew how to leave, I would. But frankly, I have no idea how to get out of here.”
“Mathew please; your reaction is quite understandable. Just come with me. I have something to show you.”
They walked down the 100-foot long, by 20-foot high vaulted corridor that reminded Bellos of a church cathedral. He was in awe and stopped to study several oil paintings, sculptures and mosaics that filled the walls.
“Are these all originals? Who the hell are you guys?”
“Leonardo donated that one. Beautiful, isn’t it? Look here. This Islamic mosaic is from the Second Crusade. One thing we are not, Doctor, is fake. Everything in any of our facilities across the globe is authentic. Nothing has been made by old Hollywood.”
“Hmm, you sound like Bridger.”
“Don’t get me wrong; I loved their movies, especially the ones when it was in its golden age. Some still have been preserved. We watch them throughout our colonies. I envy that talent; the classics, superheroes, cowboys. God, remember that old, old musical dancer, Fred Astaire? And there was a Librarian. I know it was so long ago, but he was an adventurer of sorts. He fell in love with a Vampire. I just love those creatures. Years ago, Bridger said I looked like a Vampire. Sometimes, I think I should have had his blood sucked dry; hah. Anyway, you have to love what Hollywood ‘was’ in those days. It sure changed, eh?”
Swanson slowed and gestured to the right. They stopped in front of another beautifully carved wooden door. This time Swanson pulled his fob out and waved it in front of the door lock. Then with both hands, he turned the golden knob and pulled.
“I hate this door.”
Slowly, the heavy door began to open, leading into a stark white sterile room that looked surprisingly like one on ‘focus ward’, back at Andrews Hospital. With that image and the ding of the elevator, Mathew Bellos was shocked back to the reality of present day and the ER-1, where Rachel Sheldon waited for the word she dreaded about Jack.
Chapter 5
Bellos & Rachel
It was three a.m., as Bellos exited the elevator. Rachel Sheldon lingered in a dream-state on the hospital bed, in a private room of Andrews ER-1. She had so many thoughts; their last cup of coffee together; his bad joke that made her force a giggle, and such a satisfying evening of loving intimacy. Jack left them both laughing. Then, her eyes flashed open, as she heard the door squeak, and Mathew Bellos entered the room.
“Matt, thank God.”
She rose and embraced him like a brother.
“Rachel, I’m so sorry. I’ve been working on Jack.”
“Tell me, for God’s sake?”
Bellos held her; and then, he led her to the bed where they both sat facing each other.
“Rachel, the surgical team and I have been working non-stop on Jack, since he arrived at 11 p.m. He was in a horrible car accident, honey. I can give you details, but the point is, oh my God, Rach; he died.”
Bellos drew her to him as she broke down.
“No! God, no; he has to be all right. I know it! You told me they were doing everything possible. I know this place, damn it!”
Rachel grabbed his hospital coat lapels.
“There’s no way he died.”
Bellos took her wrists gently.
“He didn’t suffer, Rach, but he died, honey. There was no indication he regained consciousness. He didn’t feel a thing. I am so sorry.”
“I want to see him!”
Rachel turned pale white in disbelief.
“I have to, damn it; so I know he’s really gone. Please?”
Then she fell limp into his arms, shaking and sobbing. Bellos sat her on the bed and they both cried. He received several beeps on his cell phone; however, he only took one call. After some time, Rachel gathered herself and Bellos spoke softly, “Rach, Rachel, please stay here for a while at least. I want to monitor you, then I will take you home myself. We can talk about everything. Please? You have a lot to take in. Here, take this. It’s a mild sedative; doctor’s orders. I want you to rest here, just a little while. I have to go, but I will be back shortly. If you need anything, call me. Do you have a phone?”
She took hers out of her pocket. “Oh shit, it’s dead.”
“Here, take this.” He gave her Angela’s. “I’m only a click away.”
Rachel nodded; then she took the pill. Bellos turned, exited the room and walked down the hall to the private elevator. He pushed three, to focus ward. The elevator moved up against his feet, as he gathered himself and stood tall. Looking at his reflection in the bezel, he wiped his red eyes and swallowed. Then he pushed the red stop button.
Chapter 6
The Big Tour
The elevator stopped again; and, in a flash, Mathew Bellos recalled every detail of that first time he met Great Grand Master, Gordon Swanson. With a hint of a smile, he thought, What a first night that was. My heavens, Sir; that hallway; I did think it was some movie’s endless Vampire castle…Those doorways; wow, so impressive; Hell, I’m still impressed…Alice, your ‘looking glass’ was nothing.
Bellos could see it all so clearly, in his mind’s eye. He had so many questions then.
What a virgin I was. That was truly a night to remember.
It really all began when Swanson opened the heavy door in that hallway. Bellos stepped into a bright pristine chamber. The room was an elegant, reflective, bright pearl white, but unexpectedly easy on the eyes. At first, Dr. B. wasn’t sure where the walls began and the ceiling or floor started. The room was t
wenty-feet wide, by thirty-feet long, by fifteen-feet high. A large beveled glass fireplace was at the far end. Two white Santa Claus patterned high back Victorian chairs faced each other; one on each side of the blazing fire. Directly opposite the fireplace was a cream-colored, plush looking, leather couch. On each side of the couch sat ornately carved, white wooden lacquered end tables; each with a glowing lamp on it, shaped like an obelisk. Above the fireplace was that iconic fish, etched out of a beautiful purple and white geodic stone, measuring at least six-feet long, by two-feet high. Each wall had what looked like a window on it five-feet long, by three-feet high; but, rather than transparent, each had a different scene of celestial constellations that looked like iridescent indigo and pink cut stained glass. The oddest thing was that each window looked like light was shining into the room from outside; but Bellos had no idea how, since the rooms were far below the surface. In addition, he noticed that light seemed to glow from the lamps on the tables, but there were no bulbs. Each lamp radiated a full spectrum of light, without causing discomfort or eye damage.
“But that’s impossible,” Bellos whispered to himself.
He marveled at the ornately carved wall-to-wall bookshelves and the exquisite drop leaf tables at each end of the room. All the books on the shelves and tables were the same size, bound in an iridescent pearl white leather. Each had different three letters on the back binding in gold leaf.
There were three men and a woman sitting on the furniture, and they stood up when Swanson and Dr. B. entered. Each person held what looked like a wine glass filled with a white sparkling liquid that was clearly not milk or Champagne. Bellos continued studying the room as Swanson introduced him.
“Good evening everyone. I trust you all have been enjoying yourselves so far.”
Each person looked at the other, smiled and spoke in unison, “Yes, thank you.”
Swanson tapped Dr. B. on the shoulder and said to the others, “I am proud to introduce all of you to someone I hope you will get to know quite well. This is Dr. Mathew Bellos. Dr. Bellos; this is Professor Jonathan Witt, Lionel Benton and Dr. Andrew Pine.”
Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust Page 3
