Authors: Paula Bradley
Aleris stood, eager to take up the tale. With a bow and a nod, Sateron graciously relinquished the audience.
“We collected specimens from all forms of life on Earth,” Aleris said in a calm and neutral voice that fooled no one. “We manipulated DNA codes and produced new species. Also, to our amazement, we discovered fifty percent of these new species resembled those common to Hakilam. Although we knew that dicit
-
E was not the source of dicit
-
H, nevertheless did we begin to realize that somehow, Earth had direct ties to Hakilam.” The Anorasian continued now in a voice filled with undisguised delight.
“It was our junior geologist, Maka’rius, who made the discovery which solidified our assumptions. From his personal transport vehicle, he performed low resolution scans of magnetic fields near Earth in search of deviations. He dropped altitude, completing his investigation with higher resolution scans, using the same instruments that measure minute fluctuations in a planet’s geomagnetic fields. In the northern hemisphere, Maka’rius found a crater in a body of water that measured one hundred and fifty miles in diameter: he thought it evidence of a tremendous meteorite impact. Into the crater he teleported a Particle Survey Device, which began to sample the layers of rock one thousand feet deep into the cavity. His laboratory instrumentation confirmed his supposition: the presence of iridium and chondrules left no doubt it was a meteorite, and the crust analysis proved that impact had occurred approximately sixty-five million years in the past.”
Fascinated, the humans watched the aliens psychically flash triumph between them. All were now on their feet, even the sedate and placid Siddhartha.
“Ton Re’Deutriion, he who was Master to Maka’rius and another ally, conducted the geological investigation of Izorach. The canyons captivated his interest as no other project had done for centuries. Maka’rius was most eager to accompany his Master, but Deutriion would conduct this experiment alone. He knew the psychic disruptions would be easier for him to manage than for his young apprentice.” Aleris’ voice quavered. All manner of recitation mode was gone with the increased excitement.
“It was there he found two anomalies that solidified our goal: two discoveries that opened the first of many portals.”
Aleris paused, noting that Sateron fairly burst with the need to speak. With a smile, he took up the telling, his voice filled with expectancy.
“Deutriion found irrefutable evidence that a colossal meteorite shower occurred on Izorach
at the precise same time
as did on Earth. Spectral analysis proved that the meteorites were made of the same material, but the impact on Izorach was more devastating, creating craters over seven miles wide. Coincidence? Never! The odds would be incalculable. Here was evidence both planets were
intentionally
destroyed, an atrocity perpetrated by a government bent on committing genocide.
“Our colleague then found one-cell fossil remains imbedded in strata five hundred feet below bedrock in the Agrist K’anna—with DNA codes matching dicit
-
E by ninety-nine point six percent and dicit
-
Hby ninety-eight point eight percent!” Feet braced apart, Sateron’s breath quickened as his chest expanded and his fist punched the air.
“
Now
have we substantiation that the source prime for
both
the Hakilam biologically-engineered complexity
and
the living entity on Earth is dicit
-
I, originating on Izorach.” Grinning delightedly at their open-mouthed stares, the geneticist had still more.
“The other find was microorganisms from bone cells, the DNA code proving them to be from sentient beings. All our records indicate that Anorasians were the only species with space travel sixty-five million years past. Therefore, we are certain Izorach and Earth were both inhabited by Anorasians.”
The facts were staggering. Sixty-five million years ago, the Min’yel’os had sent a bombardment of meteorites that would annihilate millions in an attempt to destroy not only the planet of Izorach (along with Ashtawr and Noreptal, its sister planets in the Zubeln Star System), but also Earth. All for the sake of a moss-like entity that could regenerate cells.
Breathing heavily, Sateron said, “Here, follow our conclusions. The Min’yel’os desired to demolish Izorach, the only known natural source of dicit without it seeming to be what it was: the extermination of a planet teeming with life, just to keep control of a cell regenerator. Thus did they need to create rumors of sedition on several planets to justify sending punishment in the form of meteorites, a warning to those who would defy their authority.
“Previously, Izorachian scientists had need to implant dicit on another planet to see if its capabilities would change. Consequently did they discover that Earth was a planet of similar environment and conducive to growth of the entity. Obviously, they could not have known it was coincidentally slated for destruction.” His chest heaved as if he exerted physically.
“So they teleported dicit
-I
to the scientists on Earth. The Eocene dicit’ledoni thrived. And eventually mutated, probably due to a virus.
“It has nearly the same properties as the dicit
-
Iprime. Notice, I say ‘nearly.’ We theorized initially its dissimilarities to dicit
-
H and dicit
-
Iof no consequence, as you three have shown no uniqueness. However, the teleportation of dicit
-
E into the human female, Mariah Carpenter, has proven our assumptions incorrect.”
Sateron stopped speaking, throwing back his head and laughing in that deep bass which made the ground tremble. With the light waning, his skin seemed to darken as his silver eyes gleamed intensely. In the silence, Emmanuel spoke in a voice barely above a whisper. “And is this the whole story?”
The alien’s smile broadened, his pointed teeth white against his dark skin. His voice was soft, yet still rang clear and strong.
“To borrow an expression I found on one of your digital media transmissions—not by a long shot.”
He had no more finished his cell phone conversation when his door flew open, banging against the wall behind it.
It was Raphael, his eyes wide, his body tight with fear. Winters didn’t need to ask what was wrong: he was on his feet, pushing the boyfriend back out of the office. The only thing that would cause the man this kind of agitation was Mariah Carpenter.
Raphael headed toward the kitchen, Winters breathing down his neck. As they entered the room, Winters stepped around Raphael who had come to an abrupt halt, the object of his anxiety standing in the middle of the room.
Winters walked around the still form. He didn’t know his eyes widened imperceptibly as he stared at Carpenter’s face.
She appeared to be relaxed; however, she was too still. Her hands dangled at her sides as she stared straight ahead, the pupils of her eyes to some point beyond them. Before making a comment, Winters also noticed that she was barely breathing. No, that wasn’t it: she took oxygen in but didn’t take another breath for sixty seconds.
“Ms. Carpenter,” he said quietly but firmly. Nothing. No reaction. “Ms. Carpenter.” This time his voice was authoritative, tight and expressionless, the voice she always hated.
Zilch. No change in her unblinking eyes, the color of which were almost black due to the enlargement of the pupils.
“She doesn’t look like she’s in pain. She finished breakfast. We were talking about what we were going to do today, and...” Raphael was babbling, but Winters remained still, taking in the information, “...and suddenly she stopped moving and talking. I put my hand on her shoulder,”—Raphael repeated the action in case Winters didn’t understand what he’d meant—“and she felt like a block of wood. I spoke directly in her ear. She didn’t react. Then I left her and went straight to your office.” He sounded like a frightened child who had run for daddy because his sister had fallen out of a tree.
Winters reached for the miniature flashlight he always carried in his pocket and shone the bright light in Mariah’s eyes.
No reaction in her pupils. No change whatsoever. He was at a loss. His instant thoughts were “doctor” and “hospital,” but somehow he instinctively knew they could do nothing for her.
Straightening, he spoke to Raphael, his tone assuring and loud enough to break through the boyfriend’s concentration on his girlfriend. “I wouldn’t worry if I were you. She’s done some strange things before, too numerous to count, and I imagine it’s just another phase of her development.” He saw Raphael’s anxiety lessen slightly, so he went on. “I think she’s in some kind of trance. Maybe she’s exploring the galaxy or her brain is ready for her to become proficient at vanishing.”
It had the desired effect. Raphael relaxed, even smiled. With a large inhalation of air, he said, “You’re right. I just freak when she does something like this.” Almost to himself he murmured, “When’s it going to stop?”
If they only knew what had happened to cause Mariah to become entranced, they would have been a lot more than uncomfortable.
Something had touched her mind. Instinctively, she had thrown up a block, but it was too powerful. It meant no harm, she felt no malevolence, but it was something strange and unyielding. She had no idea what (or who) it was, but she wouldn’t fight it. She doubted she could.
With a blue glowing light so intense it made Winters and Raphael cover their eyes, Mariah, once again, became engulfed in its embrace.
And in that warm brilliance, she felt a familiar touch.
Serenity enveloped her mind, as miraculous as the first time he came to her. His familiar embrace was, at first fierce, and then protective. Energy flowed from his body into hers.
She knew who held her, who joined his life force with hers—and her spirit soared in elation. Was her head actually pressing against his chest? Was the sound she heard the steady and hypnotic rhythm of his heart?
Take me with you, Father
. Her lips never moved, and no sound came out: it was her mind that spoke to his. The request was automatic, without thought.
She felt his warm hands move from her back to clasp her shoulders as he gently moved her apart from him, leaving a chilling sensation of abandonment. She opened her eyes. His gaze was both sorrowful and helpless.
A flash of stunning recognition filled his senses as his eyes widened extravagantly. Before him, the face so like the one lost to him two millennia past.
He was beautiful. Dark brown hair, nearly black, framed his oval face; swarthy skin spoke of long hours in the hot sun. His lips were full, expressive, surrounded by a coffee-colored beard of curly hair, deep auburn highlights interwoven among the brown. And he was muscular: a man used to long hours of hard labor.
Even though his deep brown eyes were the kindest and most compassionate she had ever seen, his words did not alleviate the melancholy and fear that had deepened with each passing day.
Would that I could, my child, but your time on Earth is not yet over.
The pain of disappointment cut her as sharply as a scalpel. His eyes clouded with sympathy, with remorse.
Then why are you here
? She knew her thoughts were plaintive, but she could not control the crushing sadness at his words.
A great sadness fills your spirit, my daughter. Your heart is filled with anger and revenge, elements both foreign to your true nature. I hoped to bring gladness and peace to your soul and a cessation of worry with words of encouragement. Further, to bring you peace knowing that you are not alone
.
She felt tears stinging her eyes.
I’m tired. Sometimes I don’t want to wake up. My life is a nightmare of constant and bizarre changes; physically, emotionally, psychologically. I’ve lost my freedom. I’m now forced into isolation. And I fear for those I love
.
I’m truly horrified at what I’m becoming. Surely I have done what was expected. Since I can’t go back to who or what I was, take me with you. Please. I beg you
.
His sigh spoke volumes, pain swimming in his eyes.
You have much to accomplish here, little one. In the not too distant future, you will understand why you must abide for now and why I cannot take you until the moment is right
.
Anger, hot and immediate, welled up inside her.
What more do you want from me? Let someone else do it! I have nothing in my life of any importance
.
He stroked her cheek, the feel of her soft and vulnerable.
You have the heart of a man who proffers love and devotion
.
Mariah shook her head.
I’m afraid to have faith in his love. Before long, he’ll grow tired of his self-imposed imprisonment and become as frightened of me as the others
.
Emmanuel’s smile was sweet and knowing.
Never underestimate the depths of his love, my daughter. He will follow you anywhere and protect you though it gains him not. In the end, it is only love given from the heart that sacrifices itself for the one so blessed to receive
.
Mariah sighed with resignation and weariness.
So I can’t change your mind. Then I’ll have to accept what you say, although not graciously. Tell me, Father: when I’ve done what it is I’m supposed to, will you come for me then
?
Most assuredly
. His smile was even brighter than the light that surrounded him.
Know that we will never forsake you. We love and support you no matter what you must do or what you will become
.
As the light began to fade, Mariah’s last conscious thought before she fainted was:
We
?
Blinded and startled by a light that suddenly filled the kitchen, Thomas became disoriented. When his eyes finally adjusted, he could still see Mariah, although faintly, through a blue haze. He called to her, his voice louder each time, but she either ignored him or couldn’t hear him. From what little he could see of her, he believed the latter.
He was not concerned for her well-being. For some reason, he knew she was safe.
She appeared to be behind a curtain of incandescent gauze. Impossible to understand, but the angle of her body told him she was now standing and was leaning against something.
Mariah suddenly straightened, her arms dangling by her side, her face tilted upward.