Heaven and Hell (60 page)

Then Chris understood. “You harnessed the power of God?”

That brought a smile to Nick’s face. “Of course. God placed it there for us to use; it’s clearly stated in the Gospels. The Holy Spirit is the source of the power of the great miracles. It is mainly a hidden reservoir of pure energy that pervades the known universe. Its source is right here in Heaven, and it is here where it is least diluted. It is a far more potent power source than can be found in the chemical bonds between atoms or even within the atomic nucleus itself. It is clean and, as far as I can tell, inexhaustible.

“We utilize it to create what I like to refer to as temporal corridors, though I think the physicists of your time call them worm-holes. Through these corridors, we can journey from Heaven to the far reaches of the known universe, just as the angels do, unhindered by either physical or temporal distance.”

Chris turned once more to Johann. “You said that this was impossible for humans, that it might take you years to figure it out.”

Johann smiled. “I’m sorry I misled you, but I couldn’t let you know about this. Furthermore, it wasn’t me but Nick who figured out how to harness this power. We went to God many times about this very issue, expressing a desire to explore the universe. He agreed to allow us to do just that, so long as we didn’t visit Earth and make our presence known to the world of men and women. He even helped us over some of the more difficult concepts in the construction of this vehicle, but it was we who had to design and build it.”

“Have you ever flown it?”

“Oh yes,” confirmed Johann, “many times. We’ve visited the great nebula in Orion, the globular cluster of Hercules, and thousands of star systems—all powered by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. In very fact, we named our craft the Spirit. It provides us transportation and climatic control. These bodies of ours can tolerate the extreme conditions of space, but it is a far from comfortable experience. In fact, it is downright painful. The Spirit makes it so much easier.”

“Then you could fly it into outer darkness,” exclaimed Chris. “You could rescue Serena anytime you liked?”

“No, we couldn’t,” said Nick. “The Holy Spirit of God does not extend into outer darkness. We could fly there, but we would have no power to create the temporal corridor that would allow us to return. It would be a one-way trip.

“We’ve been trying to perfect a sort of high-energy capacitor that would store the power needed for a return trip. In effect, we would be taking a little bit of God’s Spirit with us. The field coils would absorb the energy, but the capacitor itself won’t retain sufficient power. When charged beyond a certain point, the containment field fails, the plates depolarize, and we lose power altogether. We will eventually solve the problem; I am sure of it, but it will take time.”

“That is the first problem,” Johann said. “The second is that we can’t bring Serena or Abaddon out of outer darkness. God exiled them from His universe, to return them to it would not be allowed. Anyway, they would decorporialize here. That is to say, they would become nothing more than a spirit.”

Johann paused. “So, we’ve come up with an alternate destination. Outer darkness is vast; we could remove Serena and Abaddon to a place where they would be safe, hidden from satan and his minions.”

This time Chris followed Johann’s train of thought perfectly. “The other star, the new world you discovered.”

“Exactly,” confirmed Johann. “I’ve taken a much closer look at it since we last spoke. It is even more lovely than Earth. It is the perfect refuge.”

“If we can get the capacitor to work,” said Nick, rising from his seat. “If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have something else I want to try before darkness falls. You’re right, Johann, time is running out.” Nick walked from the room, and David followed close behind him.

“We are very fortunate indeed to have Nick with us on this endeavor,” noted Johann. “We could not have accomplished so much so fast without him.”

“You know that I’ll want to go along,” said Chris.

“Of course,” confirmed Johann, but we’re only going if we can solve this equipment problem. Until then, this entire rescue mission is somewhat problematical.”

Chris followed Johann back to the Spirit. He watched for several hours as the three men worked with the incredible craft. He soon discovered where its various components came from. Just like the skilled craftsmen in the shops of Zion, Nick shaped the individual parts with his mind. They materialize before him out of thin air. Just at sunset, another test of the modified capacitor was conducted. The results were encouraging, or at least that was what Nick said. Still, it was not nearly good enough.

“You can’t rush genius,” said Nick, as the three researchers returned to Johann’s study. The lights in the study were dimmed and a large holographic schematic of the device appeared in midair before them, spinning slowly. The holographic projection slowed, then came to a halt. Nick drew close to it, looking at one specific component. “We’d considered this problem some years ago, but its only utility was a trip into outer darkness. None of us had ever given any serious consideration to such a hazardous expedition. For that very reason, we’ve only given it serious attention during the past month. We’ve made incredible progress, far more than I’d expected, but as I said before, these things take time.”

“But we don’t know how much we have,” objected Chris.

The holographic projection magnified, focusing on the component that Nick was interested in. “On Earth, none of us knew how much time we had. I understand your concern. If it helps ease your mind, we have had a series of major breakthroughs during the past three days. It has been, to say the least, miraculous. Before that, this engineering project had been mostly an exercise in frustration. I believe that we are very close to a solution.” He pointed to a series of oddly shaped components. “I still believe that our problem is here, in the induction manifold.”

David moved closer to the projection, until he stood at Nick’s side. “Yes, I agree, sir. We need to find a way to open the gate even wider.” He pointed into the floating phantasm. “I have an idea.”

Chris realized that he was about as useful to this group as a third wheel on a bicycle. He didn’t have the slightest idea what they were doing. He was only in the way. “I’d best be on my way. Please let me know if anything happens that affects my wife.”

“Just a moment, Chris. I have something for you,” said Johann, turning his attention from the schematic and walking to a desk in the corner of the room. From one of its drawers he pulled a large glass sphere, about 5 inches in diameter. It was attached to a curved black metallic base, flared at the bottom, to allow it to set upon a table without rolling off. “Walk with me.”

Chris followed Johann into the main hallway and then through the front door into the open air. The sun had already set, and a curtain of darkness was descending upon the meadow. The sounds of the night were slowly replacing those of the day.

Johann handed the strange implement to Chris. “Send this to your wife the next time Aaron makes the journey. It is very important. Instruct her to keep it nearby at all times and under no circumstances allow it to fall with any force to the ground.”

Chris was surprised to discover just how light it was. “What is this thing, a crystal ball?”

Johann smiled. “No, nothing as simple as a crystal ball. If all goes well, we might be able to use it to establish a direct link to her.”

“You mean…I’d be able to speak to her, and she’d be able to hear me and reply?”

“More than that,” replied Johann. “If all goes well, you’ll be able to see each other as well. It hasn’t been tested yet, at least not across the dimensional barrier, but I have high hopes that it will work.”

Chris looked it over carefully. In the fading light, it seemed to emanate a faint blue glow. “I take it that it’s very delicate.”

“It is, but that isn’t the only reason that it needs to be handled with care. To be used here in Heaven, it would only need a small receiver circuit to draw upon the power that is in residence all around us. It would even work on Earth, though not as well. In outer darkness, in Hell, there is no such field of power. The Spirit of God does not extend into those regions.

“For that reason, it has its own internal power source. It is a smaller version of the temporal capacitor in the Spirit. It doesn’t hold a millionth of the power of that capacitor; still, within it is confined a tremendous amount of pure energy.

“I have done my best to safeguard its more critical components, but if it is dropped, if the housing of the capacitor is compromised, it could explode with disastrous consequences. You must emphasize the potential hazard to Aaron, but more importantly to your wife. Though she would survive the blast, the dispersion of that much spiritual energy, in the ethereal vacuum of Hell, might draw the attention of any demons within a hundred miles.”

Chris held the sphere all the more carefully. He gazed up at the darkening sky. “Wait a moment, if this thing’s energy could be sensed by demons, what about the Spirit? When it arrives, won’t the demons sense it too?”

“Indeed they will,” confirmed Johann. “That is the one drawback of our plan. That is why we’ll need to get in and out in a terrible hurry. I’m hoping that Aaron and the angels who join him will be able to delay any demonic threats long enough to allow us to make our getaway.”

Chris turned once more to Johann. “Do you really think that Aaron will be able to enlist the help of other angels in a wild scheme like this?”

“That all depends. If we don’t manage to make this plan work, they probably won’t. It would be a hopeless fight. They’d be outnumbered and fighting in hostile territory, and for what? To delay for but a few minutes the return of a lost soul to the sea of fire? But, if we could give them some measure of assurance that Serena could be rescued…well, that would be another matter. Then there would be hope.” Johann paused, considering the state of angelic morale.

“You cannot begin to imagine the state of enmity that exists between the angels of Heaven and the demons of the pit. There are many who would give most anything for the opportunity to engage satan’s minions in battle. Not just to put their wicked spirit forms to flight, but to do battle with the demon behind that spirit. It is not a desire for vengeance, but a righteous anger that drives them.”

“But why couldn’t they just rescue Serena themselves?”

“Because they could never reach the other world,” said Johann. “Their only route to outer darkness is a narrow corridor formed by God Himself. It is carefully guarded so as not to allow anything unclean to escape the pit. The other world is out of their reach, and more importantly, out of the reach of demons.”

“But not out of our reach,” confirmed Chris.

Johann didn’t immediately reply. “I hope not. I’ve calculated just how much energy will be required to execute the two jumps that Spirit will need to make in outer darkness. We won’t attempt this rescue unless we have that much energy and then some. I hope you understand that.”

Chris nodded.

“I’ll be meeting with a delegation of angels in the morning,” announced Johann. “Aaron has made the arrangements. I will explain our plan in detail to them; try to make them believe that it is possible. If this operation is to succeed, it will require a high degree of coordination. There will be many details to work out. But it will help my case if the problems associated with the temporal capacitor are solved or at least reduced by that time.”

“I’d like to be there,” replied Chris. “I’ve gotta make them understand just how important this is to Serena… to me. I can’t let satan get his hands on her again.”

“You are not going to be there,” Johann said. His tone of voice left no doubt that his decision was final. “Do you know why I’ve kept you in the dark regarding our preparations up to this point?”

“No,” replied Chris, “I don’t.”

“It’s your state of mind. You tend to become irate and emotional in times of crisis. In those critical moments, you are prone to making very bad choices. I cannot take that chance tomorrow, Chris. You will not be there. You will respect my decision on this issue.”

Chris nodded, reluctantly agreeing.

Johann placed a compassionate hand upon the young man’s shoulder. “Go home now. I’ll let you know when we’re ready.”

Chris stepped away, preparing to open the portal to home, then he turned. “Thank you, Johann. I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate all that you’ve done.”

Johann smiled broadly. “Thank me when your wife is safe and on the new world. Now, get some sleep.”

A few seconds later, Chris vanished into the portal amid a flurry of glistening light. Johann walked back toward the house. He and the others would work through the night and into the next day. They would waste not a minute of precious time. They would strike a blow against the ultimate evil and deny satan that which he so much desired, the eternity of Serena Davis.