Soteria- The Crisis Forge

by Roberto Arcoleo

  Angela looked very bubbly, bangled and beaded as if she had just left a Grateful Dead concert. She was wearing pink wire-rimmed, psychedelic sunglasses that were “so in.” It was especially perfect to wear them at night.

  “Are you coming from a Janis Joplin look-alike party?” Saya asked, laughing.

  “Don’t I look mad? And look what I have,” she said, waving the videotape Cool Hand Luke in Saya’s face. “It’s my love, Paul Newman. I just saw it in the theater a couple months ago. I cannot believe the video store had it so soon. It must be one of the junky pirated ones. Paul Newman is so my macho man.”

  Saya laughed; she knew that Newman was one of her idols.

  “Don’t you look the mess?” said Angela. “Look at that hair. You’re lucky I love you and you’re so hot. Or else I would not let you get away with looking like this when I come over.” She sat on the couch and threw the tapes on the worn wooden coffee table. “Do you have an opener and some wine glasses? We should let this breathe a little. It is a really good bottle. You’re going to like it.”

  “Sure,” responded Saya. “I might even have some cheese and crackers.” Smiling, she returned with the glasses and corkscrew, already starting to feel better.

  “Okay, I’ll get to work rolling us some joints,” Angela said, dropping some pot and papers on the table.

  “Sounds good,” said Saya.

  Angela poured the wine and started to ramble about the club, going on about some of the other waitresses and the boss. Saya smiled and nodded, pretending to be interested as she went on. Aside from occasional sips of wine and tokes of her weed, Angela barely paused for twenty minutes. Saya thought… she has hardly taken a breath.

  “Nice wine, right?” asked Angela.

  “Really nice,” responded Saya, thinking, maybe she will stop this chatter now.

  Saya had a particular way of politeness leftover from her life in Japan, especially with women friends. Never interrupt. Always look interested, and never say something rude, unless one is directly offended.

  “Let’s watch the movie,” said Angela. “You are going to love it. Lots of sweat and pain,” she laughed.

  Angela put the cassette in the player, and they both started to cuddle up together. “This is nice,” said Saya.

  “Yeah… really nice.” Angela kissed her, but Saya pulled back after the first touch.

  “I kind of just want to be quiet tonight, if that’s okay, Angela. You know I dig you, but I’m not in that kind of mood.”

  “But you look so good in that almost nothing of a thing you have on… You mean you’re going to leave me in frustration?”

  “Maybe later, okay? I’m just not into it right now.”

  Saya was still too overwhelmed by Jason and all she had just learned. Worse, she could not tell that to Angela. She wished she could just let it all out, but she knew she couldn’t. Holding it in was agonizing. She needed a friend, and she wanted to share but was bound to silence. And while there was little jealousy between them, especially when they were all sharing each other, she knew that she would surely start an Italian volcano erupting if Angela found out Jason was on her mind when they were alone. Still, Saya appreciated her company. She put her arms around her and said, “It is really nice having a friend like you, Angela.”

  Angela put her head on Saya’s shoulder and turned on the TV. She had almost memorized the movie and kept interjecting with comments while it played. This was really starting to annoy Saya, but when the prison warden said to Newman, “What we have here is a failure to communicate,” and Angela echoed the words in her deep Italian accent, Saya went into hysterics.

  Next, Angela put on North by Northwest, but they did not make it halfway through before they were both asleep in each other’s arms, curled up like children on the plush, red velvet sofa.

  It was about 4 a.m. when Saya awoke. She felt an inward stir that she could not fully comprehend. It was fear, fear of something from afar, fear of something imminent. She got up off the sofa, leaving Angela’s arms. How sweet she looks, like a child, Saya thought. She is such a beautiful, innocent person, even with all her craziness. Saya walked down the hall into the kitchen, put up a pot, and closed the door as to not disturb Angela in the living room. I’ll make some chamomile tea and curl back up with her. That will be nice.

  Just then, the walls started to turn blue, then red, then green, then blue again. The furniture started to shake. The vase on the kitchen table fell and broke into tiny shards. A wailing hum filled her ears; then came a violent yell as if banshees were screeching.

  Instinctively, Saya dived out the window, flying across the alley onto the fire escape of the adjacent building. The turmoil faded as quickly as it came. She jumped back from the fire escape, rushing to see if Angela was okay, but she was gone; all that was left on the velvet sofa was a bit of ash and some stone beads.

  They killed her. They wanted me, but they got her.

  “Jason.”

  Chapter 43: Jason Waits

  The apartment was silent except for the sound of rain rapping against the window. It was a dark morning. Pigeons quivered, huddling on the fire escapes close to the exterior walls of the building. The smell of boiled cabbage seeped through the door from the apartment downstairs. Jason’s motorcycle jacket hung sportingly from the half-broken wooden chair he had picked up on the street. He looked out at the rooftops of the adjacent building; the rain was so dense it made the water tower vanish into the grayness. “It’s almost like nothing was ever there. ‘Nothingness,’ what a musical word,” he mumbled.

  Why hasn’t Mark responded to me? Is he blocking my thoughts? He must be having a really good time. Good for him; he should have some fun while he can. He is so serious about his relationships, always talking about love, its meaning, and those humans’ higher attributes. Why can’t he just relax?

  Jason was aware their realities were in transition. The bond between himself and Mark had grown since they started walking the earth together. He felt the portal’s call. He sensed its pull. Why is it yearning for me? Do they fear some loss of control? He could almost hear voices. He grew more and more restless with each passing moment. Mark, he again sent out his thoughts, please respond.

  More than an hour had passed before he heard in his mind: I’m coming, Jason.

  ***

  Mark was still in the bedroom with Helena and Gabriela. Helena had just fainted, and Gabriela, ignoring her, started to cry, “Oh, Mark. How can you just go?”

  “I’ll see you again, Gabriela. When I say I don’t know what will happen, I mean just that. I am not even sure what we will be asked to do. We are just afraid of the unknown. It may be a walk in the park, as you humans often say. Let’s be positive.”

  Gabriela caught her breath. “Okay, I’ll be positive. But I’ll miss you Mark.” Gabriela sat up straight.

  Just then, she looked down. “Oh shit. What’s happened to Helena? She is out cold. Do something, Mark.”

  “Listen, Gabriela. You will have to explain everything to her. My brother needs me, and I have to go. She is okay. I’ll wake her after I’m out of here. You will know what to say. She may freak out a little, but I know you can handle it.”

  “You’re leaving now?”

  “Yes, I’m sorry. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can.”

  Gabriela watched Mark get dressed. She looked over at Helena sprawled naked on the bed.

  “She’ll be fine,” responded Mark as he finished putting on his clothing. “I’m going to teleport myself to Jason’s location now. Close your eyes. There may be a bit of a flash that could hurt them. I’ll be in touch. I promise.”

  “Goodbye, Mark… I love you.”

  Gabriela didn’t want to turn her head away. She watched as Mark’s figure dissolved before her. A buzzing vibration of energy appeared, leaving only an outline of his being. It reminded her of when she was a child and had woken up in front of the television when the station had gone down: a grainy, frenetic sand of electric s
tatic emerged. Just then, she heard him say loudly, “Close your eyes. Close them now.” Gabriela instinctively obeyed. When she opened her eyes, he was gone.

  When Mark arrived at the apartment, he found Jason looking anxious.

  “Are you okay?” inquired Mark. “You look worried.”

  “I’m okay, but the damn portal has been gnawing at me, calling to me. It’s been like a siren in my brain, screaming. Do you hear it?”

  * * *

  On Eldern, Elgert and Dronin could see that both Mark and Jason were in the vicinity of the portal.

  “We should pull them in while we have them together,” Elgert said to Dronin.

  “But are we ready to meet with them? Have you addressed my concerns? Have you been able to increase Jason’s chances of survival? And in the worst-case scenario, have you developed a suicide mechanism for him?” asked Dronin.

  “They have enhanced their development on their own. After our meeting, they will be approaching our level of power; Jason’s new strength will give him some chance to maintain his integrity within the earth’s core. It all depends on how speedily Mark can rescue him. And yes, I will be able to give him a means of self-destruction.”

  Elgert was convincing in his deceptions; he enjoyed them, knowing one day he would control it all.

  “Well, at least we can spare him pain. That’s something anyway,” said Dronin.

  “According to The Prime, the chance of his survival has increased to roughly one in ten rather than one in a thousand,” responded Dronin.

  Elgert nodded, enjoying the darkness of his plans.

  ***

  Elgert activated the portal within the apartment, encompassing the area, filling the room with a violent rush, overpowering Mark and Jason.

  “Mark, what’s happening?”

  “I don’t know,” Mark answered. He felt his body being lifted from the ground. “It is too strong for me. I can’t control it.”

  The twins found themselves swept into the whirl of the vortex. Faster and faster, like wind spinning leaves lifelessly in air, they turned, twisting helplessly within the overwhelming power of the portal. They spun, with crippled senses and comatose limbs. They reached out, grasping hands and arms, their bodies but toys whirling aimlessly, until with surprise, they stood before the elders of their home planet.

  For the first time, Mark and Jason saw a glimpse of their home world. The two statesmen were standing in the middle of a large chamber, an ornate room decorated with various forms of art. Elgert and Dronin motioned for Mark and Jason to join them at a large table. The table was glasslike and emanated luxury, melodically changing in color from moment to moment. A large arch behind an open-air veranda framed the chambers. Lush foliage occupied the portico. Flowers of various hues filled the room, some as large as antelopes, moving sinuously on animated purple and green vines. They swayed as if they were dancing to some unheard music.

  In the distance, Mark and Jason could see the expanse of the city. Metallic and glasslike buildings shimmered in the light against a vermilion sky streaked with sweeps of crimson. Two suns – one orange, the other more yellow – shone brightly in the firmament. A pale blue moon timidly hid behind misty clouds. An aurora could be seen shimmering in the haze, boldly asserting its existence against the horizon.

  Amidst this, the Elders stood. They were tall; maybe eight feet in height, with long, narrow faces. Their hairless heads glowed porcelain white and swept back like the mantle of a snail; their eyes were but slits, their bodies whitish green, plasmatic and almost transparent. They seemed to undulate from a liquid energy that, to the twins, appeared to flow through them like a circulatory system without veins.

  “Mark and Jason, welcome. We are two of the three members of the Grand Council of Eldern, your home world. We have long awaited this day.”

  “Where are we?” asked Mark. “Are we on another planet?”

  “No,” replied Elgert. “You are still on Earth. You are seeing a projection of Eldern, the world you are from. We are the leaders of this planet and your guardians. We know that you have a million questions, and we will give you a million answers, but first we have some pressing matters to discuss. Please allow us this time to do that. And while it would give us the greatest of pleasures to educate you both about our world, it would be a cumbersome way to convey such vast knowledge. In due course, we will implant the history of our world into your memory, and many of these questions will be answered. We hope you will come to see Eldern as your home world, and that you will learn to value your heritage.”

  “And this is Eldern we are seeing now?” asked Mark.

  “Yes,” answered Dronin, “it is a rich planet and the largest in the federation.”

  “You said there are three of you?” asked Jason

  “Yes. I am Dronin, The Administrator. Here with me is Elgert, the planet’s Scientific Coordinator. The Minister of Culture and diplomat to other worlds is Allaceia. She is away on a mission and will talk with you later.”

  Elgert interjected, “You were created from Allaceia’s genealogy. She is your mother.”

  “Our mother?” exclaimed Mark.

  “Yes. Not in the way you have seen on Earth, but in the Eldern way. I am Elgert, and I have guided you from your inception. Allaceia, of course, nurtured you, but it was my job to protect and instruct you, looking after the details so you could maturate in peace. It was I who kept your identities secret and your lives concealed until adulthood. We have watched over you since your arrival on earth, and we are pleased to talk to you at last.”

  “But why have you waited so long, and why must we wait to meet our mother?” asked Mark.

  “Yes. I don’t understand. Why have we not met you before this?” Jason added.

  “We did not want to create a conflict within you. We felt you should mature peacefully and without yearning for this world. We needed you to mature solely under the influence of earthlings, but in a way, through the portal, we have been with you every day of your lives,” said Dronin.

  “And of course, there are your missions,” interjected Elgert.

  “Our missions?” inquired Jason skeptically.

  “Yes, you have several missions, all of which you will learn. We live very differently than the beings on Earth. You will understand our motivations in time, but there is one pressing and dangerous issue that must be dealt with immediately. When we discovered these beings, we became very interested in their existence, especially their ability to dream and have emotions. You were both sent to Earth to learn of these things and absorb all of what you experienced, but there is a pressing matter which I must discuss now: the earth needs your protection.”

  “Our protection?” inquired Mark, feigning ignorance.

  “I will explain everything,” replied Elgert.

  Dronin and Elgert continued talking. Mark and Jason listened attentively, trying to discern their motivations. They searched for any nuance of insincerity. Jason grew skeptical. He felt something was amiss, and he especially did not like Elgert.

  Jason said, “Please do. But first… You know a great deal about us, but we know nothing of you. Tell us something of yourselves, of your life on Eldern.”

  “Of course,” responded Elgert. “On this world, only a select few of us have independent thought. It is The Prime that guides our lives. This is why we are so interested in earthlings and the seeming anarchy in which they exist. We are fascinated by what you have experienced and what you have both become.”

  “You said there is a federation. What of these other worlds? Are they all like yours, absent of dreams and emotions?” asked Mark.

  “There are fourteen planets in all within the federation. Yes, they all live as we do in some degree or another. But there is one planet called New Tripton. It is a world hidden beneath an ocean. It is inhabited by strange but playful beings that live independently from the rest of us. They remain a mystery to us. Your mother is the only one with whom they allow contact. But this must wait, you wil
l learn more in time.”

  “Oh.” Jason thought of the furry little beings. “Have any others visited the earth?” He received no answer. He could see they did not want to respond.

  “We have never authorized any such visits,” responded Elgert.

  Sensing that Elgert was avoiding the issue, he thought it better not to press. “Okay then, now what? What are you asking from us?”

  “An asteroid is on a collision course with the earth. It is doomed for destruction without your intervention.”

  Jason interrupted, “So you want us to divert this asteroid?”

  “Before we give you the details, you must understand that the plan was derived from the need to keep earthlings unaware of the involvement of outside worlds… worlds far more advanced than their own. In the past, when civilizations as advanced as ours contacted primitive worlds such as Earth, the contact always led to the demise of their civilization. The federation now forbids contact with any world incapable of hyper-speed, and therefore intergalactic transportation. It is ruled that first contact must be initiated by the primitive society. Earthlings are many of their years away from being able to do this,” said Elgert.

  “But many of them know of us. Our existence is no longer a secret,” said Mark.

  “Yes, many are aware of you, but many Earthlings believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and vampires… Formal contact from an advanced civilization such as ours is very different. The knowledge of your existence can be controlled and easily explained,” replied Elgert. “If necessary, all memories of your existence could be wiped clean from the minds of all who know you. Your personal lives are not an issue.”

  “So then… What are we to do?” asked Mark.

  “According to The Prime, you will be able to divert the asteroid and cause it to crash harmlessly into Jupiter,” replied Elgert. “This will be a difficult and dangerous procedure. The reason why we have interrupted your lives at this time is that it is imperative that the energy needed to divert the asteroid remains minimal; its distance from the earth is the main variable. If we act now, there will be only minor disturbances. It is a complicated task, yet, it is one you will be equipped to accomplish.”