by Ryan Conway
Spencer rose and peered out the window at a hilly countryside with widely separated houses and farms. "How'd we get this far from the city so quickly?"
Tom and Sean glanced at each other before Sean finally said, "We kind of took a… shortcut, okay? We can talk more about that later."
“Well, Mr. Wong told me about deviant groups with evil and criminal agendas in the Heaven and Earth Society,” Spencer said, following his statement up with a question. “Were those guys members of one of those groups?”
“Tiandihui? It’s possible but we don’t really know at the moment,” Sean admitted. “Tiandihui is a group that’s known in the Nirmanian world; you could look them up online. It operates in this world and has had it’s share of nefarious organizations rise up among its ranks… but its true origins and a lot of its ties are much more benevolent and go much deeper than the world is aware of,” Sean said.
Not long afterward, Sean directed Tom to turn onto a dirt road and follow it into a wooded area.
"Where are we?" Spencer questioned.
"You'll soon see," Mr. Galloway—Sean—responded, revealing nothing more.
At the far end of the dirt road, which they reached after ten minutes of dusty travel, was a small clearing beyond two stone posts decorated with carvings. To the right side of the clearing was a large cabin. To the left was a run-down, detached two-door garage. Galloway pulled a keychain from his pocket and pressed a button on a remote. The right garage door opened, and Tom drove the car inside. As he brought the car to a complete stop, Sean closed the garage door and activated another button on his remote… and the car began to descend into the ground. When the car was fully below the surface, the opening above it closed, and then the underground chamber lit up to reveal a sophisticated subterranean garage.
The garage below was neat as a pin, in complete contrast to its decrepit exterior and ground level interior. Its walls appeared to be made of chrome and glass, studded with computerized state-of-the-art equipment and screens. Parked beside Tom's old, red Camry, but facing the opposite direction, was a gleaming yellow four-door sports car with an orange flame decal down the side and tires with thick, heavy-duty treads. Spencer's eyes widened with amazement. "Is this your car, Mr. Gall— um, Sean?"
"Let's get out first," Sean said. "Then we can talk about it."
They climbed out of Tom's car, grabbing their belongings as they went, and Sean moved to the back to remove his compact moped from the trunk. They all walked over to the sports car, whereupon Spencer and Tom began admiring every feature. "This is what I meant by transfer," Sean said.
Tom was trying to peer through the tinted windows. "Not that I'm complaining, but just out of curiosity, why are we changing cars?"
"Because your car could very well be under surveillance, or even bugged, and this garage is a safe pocket. Nothing in the Nirmanian World's going to be able to find it here. It'll be just fine here, shielded from all forms of detection, technological or otherwise. Plus, your car'll be wiped clean of any bugs if necessary."
Sean pulled his keys out and remotely started the car, notably driving a more recent model than Tom’s Camry. Then he unlocked all the doors and popped the trunk before inserting the moped in a slot obviously meant for it. Spencer climbed in the back seat, while Tom stood near the front of the car with a dreamy look on his face. "You still want me to drive?" he asked.
Sean smirked. "Nice try, Brother Englewood, but I'll take it from here, champ." Tom's look morphed to slight disappointment as he climbed in the front passenger side.
This new car had a peculiar glow that seemed almost cosmic; the engine roared with barely contained power, but otherwise ran smoothly. Before Spencer knew it, they were rising toward the surface, moving slowly until they reached the camouflaged garage with its rustic interior. The garage door opened before them; as soon as it was completely open, Sean hit the gas and blazed down the dirt road with a jet-like velocity. The ride was as smooth as if the car were hovering above the ground, never actually making contact. The boys were amazed by the incredible quality of the car's suspension.
Tom, it seemed, could hardly wait to reveal to Spencer everything he wanted to know, now that they were in the safety of Sean's car. "Those guys who were after us back in the city are Tamisichians," he began to explain, "Tams or Tamis for short.”
“Are they one of the evil offshoot groups within Tiandihui?” Spencer asked, trying to figure out the connection.
“No, the Tamis are a much more ancient world order,” Sean responded. “but they’ve got members all over the world in just about every influential establishment that shapes society, especially from behind the shroud of secrecy,” Sean added. “That means Tiandihui is one of many societies that has been infiltrated by them. But its origins, its purpose, and its core tenets are much more benevolent and still very present as well.”
"If they know everything about me and where I'm going to be, how have they not gotten me already?" Spencer demanded. "Why didn't they attack us during our trip to the university? Or even in our sleep at the dorm last night?"
"There are forces at work protecting you right now, Spencer," Sean said tightly. "Don't think that just because nothing ever happened before the other night that the Tamisichians haven't tried."
"So, when Pastor Meadow's assistant changed into that creature and started fighting that invisible force...?"
"Those were Satyarakshatians," Tom interjected. "The Satyas have been watching over your family since your folks died."
"They were especially vigilant the night you received your special gift," Sean Galloway added. "They knew what might happen."
This explanation only left Spencer with additional questions. "What are Satyarakshatians exactly? Are they angels or ghosts, or some type of alien?"
"No, they're living, breathing people, like you and me." Sean cast a look at Tom, who kind of shrugged. "Well, mostly people."
Spencer was even more confused now. "When you say 'mostly people,' what do you mean? That some are people and some aren't, or that they're some kind of hybrids?"
"Take your pick. Humans aren't the only intelligent species on Earth, much less in the universe," Sean answered.
If he hadn't been so fascinated, Spencer might have grown frustrated by all the layers of mystery. Now this sounded less like a secret society dedicated to saving the world, and more like science fiction or some kind of fantasy world. "Mr. Wong said something about an ancient secret civilization of the 'oldest kind'," Spencer said thoughtfully.
"Shanzenia," Sean replied. "It's the oldest surviving civilization in the world—but the Nirmanian World is unaware of it. The Satyarakshatians are the guardian warriors who protect the Shanzenian civilization and combat the Tamisichian soldiers and agents, as well as other forces, operating among the Nirmanians."
Spencer mulled over portions of Mr. Wong's explanation again. "He said there were forces who wanted to suppress certain knowledge for their own greed and power," he said slowly. "There are people who know of this reality, he said, but would rather keep it a secret and manipulate the public. Are these forces the Tamisichians you're talking about?"
"That's precisely who they are—and they know all about the Shanzenians, unlike the Nirmanian World. Shanzenians are also the greatest influence in the true origins of Tiandihui, as I mentioned before… and that’s the biggest conflict within the society to this day, that the surface world is completely unaware of… even most members and organizations of Tiandihui themselves.”
Tom immediately added, "We're pretty certain that Drake was an agent from a Tamisichian order of one kind or other, but we don't know which one yet."
Nodding, Spencer asked, "Tom, how long have you been a Shanzenian?"
"I was born in Shanzenia," Tom said, "But I didn't become active until I was twelve. That's when my initiation took place."
"So your parents are Shanzenian. At least your mom, right?"
"Both Mom and Dad are Shanzenian," Tom explained, "but Dad
is on a special assignment, and has been for years now. That's the real reason you've never met him."
"Is he really a physicist? Or is that just part of a cover story?"
"Yeah, he's really a physicist." Tom sighed. "I didn't lie about that. And he did graduate from IFCU. A lot of Shanzenian operatives do." Tom looked in the rearview mirror, and Spencer could see in the reflection that his face had become as solemn as his voice. "Now his knowledge and training are being put to good use in his mission."
"Is everything okay?"
"I just miss him, that's all," Tom responded.
Tom's melancholic reminiscence of his father reminded Spencer of his own parents. "These Tamisichian forces, are they responsible for killing my parents and making it look like an accident?"
"Yes," Sean answered without hesitation. "I won't sugarcoat it, Spencer. Both your parents were Shanzenians; and your dad was a Satya commando as well. His U.S. Navy training was a breeze by comparison. I know because I'm a member of a related branch of the Satya. Think of mine as the Marines to your Dad's SEALs." Sean smiled sadly. "We were members of different branches, with different missions, but essentially we were agents of the same regiment and regime."
"I remember you at their funeral," Spencer recalled in a small voice. "Did you know my dad well?"
"We were great friends," Sean replied, in a voice that, to Spencer's surprise, was thick with emotion. "He was one of my best friends. I was part of his entourage at your parents' bonding ritual." The Satya's tone became more somber. "I'm sorry about your mom and dad, Spencer, truly. But I know Jace would be really proud of you for taking this major step in your life. He was always really proud of you anyway."
"Thank you, Mr. Galloway. Sean. I've been wanting to know exactly what happened for a long time now, and whether it was really an accident or not." He was quiet for a moment. "Now I suppose I have a little more closure." He pulled the medallion from his neckline and turned it around, looking at both sides, wondering what made the medallion so special. "Why are they after the medallion?" he asked abruptly.
"Beats me," Tom stated. "I never knew Mr. Callaghan had it."
Sean glanced at Tom. "We don't know exactly, but your father was given orders to safeguard it for you until the time was right," he explained, "which was why Tom never knew about it. The fact that he left it in Nirmanian hands means they really wanted to throw off the Tamisichians."
He sighed. "Don't you worry, we'll find out a lot more about the medallion when we get to Master Xin's place, I expect. He's high in the ranks, and he's got plenty of background in historical artifacts like this. If he doesn't know what it's for, he could probably teach us where it's from and who it belongs to at least."
It was nice to have some of his questions answered, but Spencer was having trouble processing it all. He lay there quietly, thinking for maybe ten minutes, before Tom said worriedly. "Hey Spence… Are you okay with everything you've just heard? It's a lot to take in for one day."
"You're right, it is," Spencer remarked. "But I couldn't be happier right now," he added, amazed to find it was true.
Apparently, Tom was also surprised by Spencer's final statement. "Really? Why's that?"
A gentle smile spread across Spencer's face. "Because I thought I'd have to keep this whole new part of my life a secret from you. But instead, I get to share this new adventure with my best friend."
Tom turned and looked at Spencer with a smile of relief. "I've kept this all hidden away for the last four years. I'm so relieved that I can finally let you in on everything."
Chapter Nine
Xin Manor
B y the time they arrived at their destination, dusk had already begun to cast its shadow across the sky. As the car slowly rolled to a full stop, its headlights shone through the rungs of a closed iron gate supported on both sides by elaborate masonry. Sean lowered his window and activated the security intercom next to his window, announcing their arrival. Seconds, later the gate parted for the car to enter.
They'd entered the grounds of what appeared to be a large estate, or at least some sort of compound, that was extensively landscaped. The driveway was long, lined with neatly trimmed trees and evenly spaced, uniform lampposts. Spouting and cascading fountains were lit by hidden lamps and emptied into shallow pools. One expanse proved to be a large rock garden, with the more decorative rocks lit up, many of which bore red painted engravings of traditional Chinese characters. Statues were strewn throughout the rock garden in the forms of dragons, lions, monkeys, and people whom Spencer later learned were legendary Chinese figures like Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Sun Tzu.
Their final destination—a mansion, Spencer assumed—wasn't immediately visible from the gateway entry; the driveway wound through small groves of evergreen trees along with the rock formations. The driveway even branched off in two or three places, apparently leading to other facilities on the premises. Luckily, Sean was familiar with the grounds, and knew exactly which route he had to drive. It was very easy for new visitors driving on the grounds for the first time to get lost, he noted to Spencer.
Suddenly a luxurious manor appeared beyond the trees. It was a tall, fortress-like complex surrounded by hedges and small trees. A massive fountain stood at the center of a roundabout driveway before the entrance. Windows of various shapes and sizes littered the face and wings of the manor, some of which were lit; most were not. Large wings extended far beyond the central portion of the manor, and there was one large, round turret perhaps five stories in height, capped with a conical roof—like something right out of the Middle Ages.
A slim middle-aged woman stood before the steps of the mansion's main entrance. Her stance was straight and unwavering, one hand holding the wrist of the other in front of her, as she waited patiently to greet Sean and the new arrivals and accompany them into the manor. As they exited the car, the woman greeted each of them and introduced herself to Spencer and Thomas as Shin Li, Master Xin's personal assistant.
Spencer gawked up at the magnificent home rising before him, and noticed an unusual figure partially veiled by the curtains in one of the windows two stories above. Oddly enough, it looked something like a life-sized plush ape. Its fur and face were so lifelike, in fact, that he decided it was a taxidermied gorilla—until it moved its shoulder and turned its head away. The ape's abrupt movement startled Spencer, but then he realized it had to be someone wearing an ape costume. Perhaps there was a costume party on the third floor of the mansion.
Keeping the observation to himself, he accompanied the others behind Shin Li, who led them up the wide stone steps toward a huge set of red double doors. The steps were flanked on both sides by large Oriental stone lions crouched on their own respective pedestals. The terrace between the steps and the doors was lined with flowering plants.
When they entered, they found that the mansion was like a museum of rare antiquities, with libraries and studies from one wing to the other. The main hall had a high ceiling with two red-carpeted staircases rounding both sides of the grand hall and meeting together into a broad foyer directly above the entrance to a long hallway. Shin Li guided the three of them past the foyer into the passageway. She informed them that the manor hosted tai chi, yoga, and meditation sessions, and in fact they passed several studio rooms where small groups were engaged in such sessions.
One small, dimly-lit room emitted a sweet, sinus-cleansing aroma and contained a middle-aged man sitting in deep meditation. The atmosphere was hazy with perfumed vapors lingering densely in the air. He had a thin beard, wore a traditional robe, and sat upon a cushion with his eyes lightly closed and his hands resting on his knees. He held a string of beads in his right hand, and took long, deep breaths at equally timed intervals. The room was completely silent, except of the sound of his breathing. Spencer stood for a moment watching the peaceful scene before they had to continue their trek down the hall.
Despite the manor's size, the ambiance was somehow warm and welcoming. At the same time, it felt uncannily
familiar to Spencer. Some of the tapestries, statues, and artifacts reminded him of the objects with which his parents had decorated their home; he even recognized some of the symbols on the paintings, woven into tapestries, or sculpted into the statues, though he still didn't understand the symbolism behind them. Some of the artwork contained the same intersecting circles Spencer saw on the medallion Shin Li was wearing.
He wondered if, had his parents lived, he would have been initiated into his birth culture when he was twelve, as Tom had been.
Shin Li asked them if they had eaten, and when they’d admitted that they hadn’t, she invited them to join her in the dining hall.
Just like the rest of the house, the dining room impressed the new visitors. The walls consisted of intricate wood-and-lattice work, either Japanese or Chinese in origin; Spencer suspected the former, but he wasn't sufficiently educated in Asian architecture to tell for sure. The chandelier hanging above resembled a large, ornate Chinese lantern with golden tassels, and the corners of the hall were occupied by tall potted bamboo plants. A pair of two-way swinging doors trapped steam that fogged up the circular windows at the other end of the hall. The kitchen was active with the sound of running water and the muffled clanking of utensils and dishes.
Shin Li left them seated at the end of a long, sturdy, well-polished table large enough to host a public banquet, and left on her own mysterious errands. Chefs and waiters soon exited the kitchen with carts and platters carrying an assortment of Chinese cuisine. They thanked the kitchen staff for their hospitality and the plentiful food.
Conversation was light; they were talked out, and food was the most interesting subject to the three of them at the moment. After dinner, Shin Li returned to the dining room and ushered everyone back out into the hallway. She brought them to a warm lounge room full of comfortable chairs, sofas, and small tables, but she had a separate destination in mind for Spencer.
