He was right in one aspect. Geogyn would escape. Whatever he would say, Geogyn was going to wait for the opportunity. He would escape and finish the mission. Not even God could stop that… or could he?
“I created them to be communal,” Val-Koorin continued. “They became more advanced in groups, not individually. They had to start civilization. They were aimless, until I intervened. I started appearing to the most advanced and idealistic geographical regions. Ironically, they were one in the same. I aided in starting the Mayan and Aztec civilizations.”
The migraine began to fade. Curiosity of revelation took over. It was becoming more than prattle. It was… substantial.
“They weren't progressing adequately.” Geogyn began to understand. Doubt faded along with the migraine.
“I had a team to help speed the process,” Val-Koorin said. “That was where worshiping a deity began. Each team member had a division of expertise. They began to teach the humans, but their capacity was too primitive. My team members used our technology to give them a basis for shelter, and agriculture.”
“Since they couldn't explain the actions, they worshiped your team as gods.” Geogyn was catching up.
“That worked for the Egyptians, Grecians, and Scandinavians. They were beginning their journey to creating a technological planet. My paradox was in order to create them to strive for my end result, I had to give them free will and curiosity. Living in a world where the animals killed each other for food, or territories that had food, misguided these tribes into becoming conquerors of other tribes for land. The reason I chose this planet was its ample resources. If you could adapt, you could live almost anywhere on it. Although the humans were comfortable where they were, they wanted more. Instead of sharing culture, they wanted to force their beliefs on others.”
Val-Koorin began to look past Geogyn, as if something was waiting for him in the future. That something was hostile and horrid. Val-Koorin had a look as if he knew the devastation of the end result.
“Humans believed their culture's way was the only way,” he continued. “Not realizing their method of worship was essentially the same as every other culture. Amazing how I created them with an open mind to enhance their evolution, and they became so narrowly intolerant of other civilizations. I didn't expect that.”
Geogyn began thinking about all the wars that had transpired in human existence. As much as the humans should've known, he knew God never wanted that. Especially the ones fought in his name.
“I tried to consolidate human worship of one God, in order to get them back to my initial goal,” Val-Koorin said. “I created my first rectifier naturally from a woman. The only irregularity was there was no human father. I couldn't give him advancements if he was fully human. These advancements were potent enough to allow many to worship him. I believed he would bring everyone together. It was a failed experiment. Those who couldn't believe his special advancements, even with their own eyes, killed him.”
Geogyn thought, He's talking about Jesus! Is that my purpose? Is that why I still live? Am I the second coming of Christ?
“Don't attempt to believe, or fathom to think you can be as beautiful as Jesus!” Val-Koorin hastily corrected his thought. “Jesus was the light of hope! A bastion of unity! Love of all humans personified! Sadly, humans didn't allow that to mature into bliss. You are plan B. Yes, you are the second coming, but you were designed to force a Utopia, because I tried peace and love before. It failed miserably. You are proverbially, my war, famine, pestilence, and death, Horseman.”
Geogyn always felt the darkness in him. Now he understood it wasn't just a feeling. He was Apocalypse. That was why killing was easy to him. That was why he had no conscious after obliterating his target. He didn't have to think about what came automatically.
“Within the last one hundred Earth years, humanity began to destroy the planet,” Val-Koorin continued as if the revelation of Geogyn's purpose was trivial at best. “I understood they were misguided enough to systematically destroy themselves, but to use the technology they've evolved to begin destroying the planet I so painstakingly chose for adequate habitation? It cannot be tolerated.”
Geogyn thought of how he was to force a Utopian society. The task was a daunting one. How could one man alter almost seven billion people to do the right thing? Then he remembered, he wasn't just a man. He was Apocalypse.
“You have the purpose of cleansing this planet of destructive ideas, incentives, and of course, people,” Val-Koorin told him. “You are the last component of this clean-up. I have other disciples that follow me. They are called The Lord Order. They recruit the humans who are the pinnacle of their profession to become teachers, and newborns to become the students. You will clean up the ‘mess’”.
Val-Koorin saw the concern in Geogyn's face. Knowing he just dropped a metric ton of bricks on Geogyn, he began to explain.
“Humans were created to be indigenous with this planet. They were fashioned off a hybrid of my species, and what they call primates. Their shells are disposable. Their souls aren't. Their souls were from our design. Their eternal soul is recycled through their shells. They, sometimes, skip a millennium, but they always exist. Some souls aren't wiped as clean. They have residuals of their former shells. They call it living past lives. If you destroy these shells, their souls remain intact. It's a natural occurrence of their race.”
Geogyn knew the incendiary device attached to his artery would make this quest ineffectual for Val-Koorin. He knew its timer made him a finite component of this plan. If he didn't report back to his mortal keepers in order to extend his life, that life would be cut short.
Val-Koorin interrupted his thought. “You mean this incendiary device?”
Val-Koorin held out an open palm. A mechanical apparatus was in his hand. It had small tubes, and a red blinking light.
“Did you think I would have been held hostage by under developed savages? You are too important for a narrow minded ‘mortal’ to hinder you.”
Geogyn realized he was free. His incarceration of compliance was no more. He could make a decision without compulsory influence.
He knew Val-Koorin made sense to him. He now knew why he was put here. He also knew with the humans not caring about the planet's ecosystem, they needed to be cleansed. Their greed and selfishness was directing this planet to an early death. It was morbid to him to think the humans had no other place to go to, but they kept destroying the only place they could call home. He realized it was in their nature.
He heard a whir, and a click. The pressure of the forearm gauntlets released. He began to feel the heat of freely circulating blood rush back to his upper limbs.
“You now truly believe,” Val-Koorin conveyed to Geogyn. “I could not have released you. Your confinement was impregnated with your belief as the key.”
Geogyn pulled his arms from the gauntlets. He stood in front of Val-Koorin, and realized he was the subordinate. He dropped to one knee, and bowed his head.
“Your compliance became galvanized when you mentally released yourself,” Val-Koorin said. “I have no need for human customs of worship. I know your commitment is pure; stand, Geogyn.”
Geogyn raised his head, and stood. “I am, and understanding, always was your disciple. I am… appreciative to say your will be done. Please instruct me on how to accomplish your will.”
Val-Koorin accepted Geogyn's admission of acquiescence, and said, “You will correct the planet. You will preserve the natural resources by eliminating the contradictory element of all the remorseless humans. I will instruct you on being Armageddon for the barbarous and avaricious.”
Geogyn understood the responsibility bestowed upon him. He said with grave conviction, “Your will be done.”
Chapter Eight: John 6:64
Ron was edgy. He hadn’t heard from Geogyn or Ghost Alpha in twenty six hours. A squad's S.O.P. was to contact base every seven hours. Ron began fabricating explanations of why they were not initiating procedure. It had to be a
nother reason other than the obvious.
“The satellites can’t penetrate that deep underground,” he rationalized to himself. “If they're closer to the Earth's core, the iron pyrite would disrupt the signal.”
He didn't want to believe the squad was no more. He believed that was a possibility for Ghost Alpha, but not Geogyn. He was a combatant. A veritable man-at-arms. Nothing on this Earth could eclipse his prowess. He was unstoppable.
That was the case, but actuality dictated another absolution. If they did not contact base, something must have stopped him and Ghost Alpha.
Ron came to the conclusion that whatever stopped them could not have been from this Earth. The chill that raced down his spine was relentless in its psychosis.
It's just a communication problem. Ron thought as he nervously tapped his pen on his desk. God, I hope it's just a communication problem, because if it isn't…
He was slightly startled by the knock at his door. Being lost in the doomed thought of his squad aided in that.
“Come in.” Ron adjusted his demeanor for his guest. It was Owen.
When Ron saw who it was, he returned, visually, to his worried state.
“No contact yet?” Owen asked Ron, sadly anticipating the outcome.
“They're professionals, Owen. They know standard operating procedures. I don't know how, but Ghost Alpha… and Geogyn are KIA.” Ron finally faced fact.
Owen was silent. He knew how devastating this was for Ron. He saw the downtrodden look on his face. He wanted to comfort his friend in this woeful situation. He began to speak.
“They are all DEAD, Owen!” Ron inadvertently interrupted. “Who, or better yet, what can kill Geogyn?!”
“We have no confirmation of their status, Ron,” Owen interjected. “Until we see bodies, believe they are alive until confirmation of death.”
“You like sugarcoating the obvious, Owen! All because we don't have proof!” Ron exploded at Owen. “It's taken me since the fourteenth hour without a com check from them to finally come to this realization. It's over, Owen. They are dead!”
Owen knew Ron was distraught. He understood the outburst wasn't intentionally designed to insult him. He was lashing out, and who would’ve been better to receive it, other than an understanding friend? Owen also knew Ron’s feelings had to be put on hold, so they could have an effective action plan. One that wasn't driven by frayed emotions, and who would've been better to get Ron back on track, other than an understanding friend?
“Yeah, Ron, they’re dead; wiped out. Something decimated the squad. Whatever that something was, it must have been a horrific force. It took out Geogyn. That means we must use nuclear technology to stop it, and hope nuclear technology can stop it.” Owen tried to bring Ron back into the game. “I know this is a shit sandwich, but you have to man up, and eat it.”
Ron sat farther back in his chair, and twirled his pen to remain calm. He looked at Owen's unwavering conduct, and said, “When we found out where those bastards were, we should have sent a shit load of rockets up their asses, but we thought Geogyn and Ghost Alpha would've executed with a positive outcome. Well, knowing what we know now, I'm sorry about any hostages they have. That entire area is about to become a radio-active wasteland. The casualties may be severe, but if it saves the world from crazy religious terrorist zealots, so be it.”
“Good plan, Ron,” Owen agreed, and was glad to see his friend back. “It's time to unleash hellfire, and worry about the innocent cinders at a later date.”
They knew what they had to do. As devastating as it was going to be for the Marrabios mountain range, and all of its people, it was an evil necessity to combat a lower, deeper evil. With the old saying of sacrificing the few to benefit the many ringing in his mind, the squad communicator started flashing on Ron's desk.
Ron was surprised by the light and beep. He went behind his desk to look at the screen of his computer.
“This contact is visual, Owen!” Ron said, elated. He tapped his keyboard, and said, “I'm routing it to the Plasma Hawk Boardroom, let's go.”
“So, my optimism had validity after all, huh Ron?” Owen asked with a smug look on his face.
“At least somebody got a communication to us. I'm betting on Geogyn,” Ron replied as they began walking briskly towards the boardroom.
“Your method of purification will be symbolical as well as literal,” Val-Koorin told Geogyn. Geogyn was ready to receive anything made to aid him in his quest.
Val-Koorin gestured towards a pedestal. A new light bathed it to show a metal gray handgun gracing the top. It was an intimidating firearm, with an obscene barrel. It glimmered menacingly in the light.
“Humans have an innate fear of a gun. This is much more devastating than what it appears to be,” Val-Koorin explained. “It looks like the most powerful production handgun made, a Ruger .480. What it truly is, is a Temporal Existence Deleter. It erases your entire continuance from time. Anything or anyone you've affected won’t have any trace of you, in memory or residuals.”
Geogyn realized its true purpose was absolute. That only God could’ve constructed such a weapon.
This gun blows you out of existence, he thought as he respected its reckoning.
“You are the purifier of nearly seven billion people,” Val-Koorin said to Geogyn. “Even with your advancements, that number is insurmountable for just one, without a form of help, Horseman.”
Geogyn had to accept his new title. The name carried a heavy burden with it. Humans stuck to rituals. Myths and legends were created when they witnessed events they didn't understand. It was a way to stay sane in earlier times. The Horsemen were the Omega of many beliefs. This time, those many beliefs were true.
“You have to destroy to rebuild perfection,” Geogyn said. “I will be the destroyer of man to assist you in your crusade to create Utopia.”
“You will inform them of the Rapture,” Val-Koorin told Geogyn. “The mortals you believed were your keepers will have one more chance to repent before Armageddon. I know you have concerns for a few of them, so I will allow you a chance to warn them.”
Geogyn was concerned about Ron. Ron was a fair man who treated him with respect. He deserved a warning.
“I will contact base. I will let them know so they can prepare.” Geogyn pulled out a beacon transmitter and a penlight camera. He set up the devices to contact Ron.
Ron and Owen made it to the Plasma Hawk boardroom. Ron got out the slim remote and turned on the massive display screen. He entered the code for access to Geogyn's communication. Within a few seconds, he saw Geogyn on the display which spanned across the boardroom's north wall.
“Geo! You’re still breathing!” Ron spoke to the display. “You’re kinda late. Don't freak us out like that again. Owen was a mess. Report.”
As Owen looked to Ron with the attitude of ironic bull, Geogyn spoke.
“This report may not be favorable from your point of view, initially.”
Ron looked beyond Geogyn, and saw no other squad member.
“Ghost Alpha's dead. I expected that. You have their dog tags for their memorial, I'm sure.”
“Yes, they are dead, but that won't be the most afflicting component of this report,” Geogyn revealed to Ron.
Ron became concerned once more. He saw Geogyn's somber face. He quickly tried to speculate what Geogyn was talking about. His thoughts became desperately futile in his seconds of conjecture.
Since he couldn't predict the outcome, he asked Geogyn, “My squad is dead. What is more important for me at this point?”
Geogyn paused for a minute to gather his thoughts. He took a breath, and said, “I believe your life is more important to you, Ron.”
Ron stepped back after he heard Geogyn say that. He was in disbelief at what he was hearing. Geogyn had threatened his life! This was a totally unexpected turn of events.
“What the hell is going on, Geogyn?!” Ron asked, offended he’d threate
ned his person.
“I am warning you about Armageddon, Ron. This isn't a ruse or fallacy. This is real,” Geogyn explained to Ron.
Ron was speechless. They’d actually got to Geogyn. They’d brainwashed him in a little more than a day. Cults were more powerful than he thought. They were masters at poisoning minds.
“This is complete bull, Geo,” Ron told Geogyn, hoping to shake him back to reality. “There will be no Armageddon.”
“Ron, I am begging you to listen to me,” Geogyn pleaded. “Believe me when I tell you there will be Armageddon.”
Ron had to get Geogyn thinking straight. He continued his argument to unsettle him. “No, there won't. How can they know about Judgment Day? Whoever they are, they are pulling your leg. They have no proof.”
“I am trying to save your life,” Geogyn said to a skeptical Ron. “They don't need any proof.”
“They would need some proof if I were to believe Judgment Day is coming,” Ron responded.
“The reason proof is not required is because I am the judge,” Geogyn replied. “I was created to be the Horseman.”
Ron had no response. Geogyn had turned on him. The only way this crazy cult could defeat him, was to change his mind. They managed to corrupt the most devastating force Ron's division had. Now, this cult wielded much power. Ron knew if they controlled Geogyn, the situation would be favored heavily towards them. He knew he had to stop their advantage. As much as he opposed it, he had to destroy Geogyn.
“Don't make me do this, Geo,” Ron said as he took a platinum chain from around his neck. The chain held a small device. It had numbers on the faceplate. Ron held it in his hand with his thumb on the number pad. “If you don't come to your senses, I have to remote detonate the bomb in your heart. Now, I don't want to do that. Please don't give me the reason to execute this dark, terminal action.”
“Ron, if you don't repent, and follow reason, I cannot be responsible if your outcome is not favorable.” Geogyn ignored his threat.
The Final Option Page 5
