Soteria- The Crisis Forge

by Roberto Arcoleo

  “What! What the hell do you mean? Are you not listening to me? Holy shit, Helena. Stop talking crazy. I just spent the last twelve years with a man with his head in an equation and his brain soaked in scotch. I’ve been dreaming, hoping for a life, and now I find myself in love with an alien. And you’re telling me you have a crush on me? I am not trying to turn my life into a chapter from Marquis de Sade. Really, I’m not ready for all of this.”

  “Stop hiding in your books, Gabriela, just listen to me. You do have a woman with a crush on you, and since you’re already in this mess, we have to deal with it. And I know you are mad about Mark, so maybe we could work something out, get creative.”

  “Creative?” What do you mean ‘creative?’ You must still be very stoned. Can we just stay on subject please?”

  “Gabriela, this is the subject. We don’t have a lot of time, and maybe I am still high, but I know what I am saying, and I need you to understand me. After all, I’m trying to understand you. Can we at least talk about it? What I mean is if you want to be alone with him, I’m okay with that, but I would like to be alone with you sometime as well. Or we could all be together. I would love that, too, so what do you say? Let me in.”

  Gabriela’s mouth dropped open; words stumbled out. “I don’t know what to say… I was not thinking long term about you. I was kind of thinking this was like a thing you would go to confession for when you were young and never think about again. Secondly, he has to survive and come back. Besides, I’m more than the jealous type. This is too much for me right now.

  Gabriela stood up and paced back and forth in the tiny bathroom. “You mean you and me? You and me having a... I don’t know if I can do that Helena. Can we talk about this later, please?”

  “But I want to talk about it now,” Helena said, tilting her head with a smile.

  Gabriela gave her a questing look in return. “I do like you, but Helena, this is all new for me. I just want to wake up at home in my bed. Someone please tell me this is all a dream.”

  “I’m not a dream, Gabriela, I’m right here, and I’m serious, and I’m really into you. I know sometimes I can sound like a flippy rock-and-roller on acid, but I’m not that way with my heart. I’ve been hurt too many times for that. I’m careful now. Well, at least I’m trying to be. It’s weird for me to feel something for the both of you, but I do. You are so special, and he is completely something else. Yes, both of you… I want it, I do. Let me in. Tell me your ground rules.”

  “What do you mean ‘ground rules,’ and what do you mean ‘in’?”

  “Listen, I am not asking for a forever commitment. I am just telling you how I feel.”

  “Well…” Gabriela said pensively, “I can’t believe what I’m about to say, but I have feelings for you as well. I think we’re both completely nuts. Yet it would be great to keep seeing you; to be able to talk about him to someone without everyone saying I should be sent to a mental institution… and you are incredibly beautiful.”

  “Yeah, you and me. It will be great. I know you really like me; I feel it,” cried Helena. “And, I mean, who would ever believe this? At least we will have each other.”

  “Well,” Gabriela paused, half-dazed by the situation, questioning herself, “but damn, you’re just a kid. How old are you? You look maybe twenty-two. And Mark looks younger than that. What am I doing? I must be really going nuts.”

  Then, looking at her beautiful blue eyes, Gabriela continued, “I can’t believe it, but I want you too. Holy shit. Did I just say that? I have to warn you: this is all a first for me, and I have a possessive side, with Barcelona fire in my eyes when I get jealous. But since he may not be around to be possessed… Well, we can, I mean, we can take one day at a time. You and me, hmm...”

  “It’s going to be great. If he goes away, we will have each other. And if you really want him to rush back…” She smiled wickedly. “The more you are into me, the more we can get him going, really going. I have an idea. We could do something that will make him crazy.”

  “Yeah, and what’s that?”

  “Well, the two of us…” She grinned.

  “But we were together all night,”

  “That’s not exactly what I’m talking about.”

  Gabriela looked into Helena’s eyes questioningly.

  “Listen, once not so long ago, I was dating this Brazilian guy, and, well, anyway, we went out to this Latin club and we met this hot girl. We both liked her, and after a bottle of Bacardi and a lot of blow, we all ended up in bed together. Fabiana was her name, I think. Anyway, adding a third…well, it’s different.” She smiled. “I’ll do it again with you if you want me to."

  "What do you mean you’ll do it again? It is me I want him to never forget. Not you."

  "Okay, okay I get that. We are playing your rules as long as I’m having fun too. So listen, my boyfriend at the time told us later that watching us turned him on so much he completely lost it. That’s what you want, right? So, what do you say? Let's give him a real show. You know I’m such an exhibitionist, and when he sees my ass, I mean your ass, dancing in the air while we’re doing it… Well…”

  “I get it, but…” Gabriela hesitated. “It all sounds a little embarrassing.” Gabriela looked at the ceiling, rolled her eyes, and then gave a coy smile. “You’ll have to show me what to do? Right?”

  Helena responded, “Don’t worry. Once you get going, it will all feel natural. Just wait here a second.” Helena went into the other room and returned with her handbag. She placed some cocaine on the edge of the sink and handed her a rolled-up dollar bill. “This will take care of those concerns. Anyway, like I said, I am ready to ‘pinch hit’ for you. Try some of this, and you will be fine.” Helena smiled.

  As she snorted the coke, Gabriela said with a smirk, “Pinch hit,’ huh? I bet you are.”

  Helena continued, “Is all of this starting to turn you on? I see a little sparkle in those eyes. Here, snort some more.”

  “Hmm. Do you think I am going to need all this?”

  “Yeah, I do. In a few minutes, all you are going to think about is... Well, just take it.”

  “You’re right about one thing; the thought of this all is turning me on but… Wow.” Gabriela’s head jerked back as she sniffed in the coke. “Wow. Are you kidding? Are you sure this is just cocaine?”

  Gabriela could not feel her lips. Her tongue felt numb. She looked again at Helena. “I think this is enough of this stuff for now.”

  Helena snorted some more. “Great, isn’t it?”

  “You know, Helena, I’ve had fantasies about being with a woman lots of times, but I was never brave enough to go for it. But with what has been going on in my life these days, what the hell. If I don’t go for it now, I may never. God, I can’t believe what is coming out of my mouth.”

  Mark entered the bathroom, laughing.

  Gabriela blurted, “You heard all this? Damn, now I’m really embarrassed.”

  Mark smiled. “You don’t have to do this for me, and you don’t have to take all these drugs. I can make sure you are comfortable in whatever we do together.”

  “I know we don’t,” Gabriela said, announcing it to herself as much as to anyone else. “But we want to do it this the New York way. Besides, this is all just between us girls.” They laughed.

  Helena turned to Mark, and with a devilish grin said, “Yeah, we want to.”

  Chapter 45: A Mother Awaits

  Mananken and Allaceia exited the negotiations with the High Council together. The price for saving her children was severe, but reasonable, considering the situation. In return for their aid, Tripton would no longer have to pay for access to Mark and Jason’s activity on Earth. All recorded activities — past, present, and future – were in the contract. They would be given the exclusive rights to broadcast and share these recorded activities on their home planet, but they would not be permitted to sell the recordings to other worlds. In addition, they would be granted one millennium of Earth dreams without fee; ag
ain, all was contingent upon the survival of both of her children and the “demise” of Elgert. In the contract, the term “demise” was defined as “removed from any form of power or influence on Eldern.” Some of the Triptonians were insisting on the word “death,” but Allaceia would not agree to such a term.

  The negotiations had been difficult. Some council members thought it reckless to be involved, but Allaceia was a shrewd diplomat, and she skillfully laid forth her argument. Additionally, hiding all hint of nepotism, Mananken quietly slid the negotiations in her favor, fervently impressing upon the Council that if Eldern were to go in the direction Elgert envisioned, there would be dire days ahead for New Tripton, as well. The plan was ambitious; only the Triptonians’ advanced technologies could approach such a venture.

  Allaceia’s mind was swimming with doubt and trepidations. Can they do it? It will all depend upon Mananken’s abilities and Mark’s courage. She knew the immediate problem would be communicating to Mark and Jason that help was forthcoming without revealing her plans to Elgert’s spies. The brothers needed to be ready to accept her aid.

  But what plagued her conscience was the fact that she would not be able to reveal the whole story… the truth, for if they knew of the deceptions and she lost their trust, they might rebel. She felt an uneasiness churning in her center; it was anguishing keeping her plans from them. For a moment, she was about to change her mind, but then… No, I must lie to them for the sake of both my world and the earth. They must do this. I cannot chance it otherwise. With these torments within her she hid a message in the amulet, a message that help was coming. She was not certain that they would know how to open it, or even whether they would trust the message if they did. I cannot leave this to chance. I must talk to them now. Somehow, I must reassure them.

  The impenetrable oceanic atmosphere of New Tripton had been a double-edged sword. It made spying on them almost impossible, but it also prevented her from sending word to her children. In order to talk to the twins without alerting Elgert and Dronin, she needed a stealthy plan, a trick. She hurried to leave the planet.

  Allaceia departed, making a route for Eldern with hope as her only companion. New Tripton vanished from view. If our timing is right, the earth’s moon will rest between the earth and Eldern while they are still in the vicinity of the portal. I will have a few minutes to talk to them without the eyes of Dronin and Elgert upon us. She said to her captain, “Tell me when the earth’s star shields the earth from Eldern. Open communication to my children the moment it occurs.”

  Time slowed as if it were being dragged through sand. They approached their position, and she ordered the ship to a halt when it located the correct coordinates.

  “We’re near the sector,” called the captain. “We are activating the portal now, Grand Mistress. You can communicate momentarily.”

  “Good, Captain. Please initiate security encryption. We want no prying eyes.”

  “Yes, Grand Mistress, of course,” he replied.

  ***

  Gabriela forced herself not to cry, holding back the pain that ached within her. Instead she smiled and said, “I love you Mark, and I will love you forever.”

  Helena pulled the shades down. The only light in the room was the soft pink glow of a lava lamp left running from the night before. She turned to Gabriela, roughly pulling her close, manhandling her downward. Gabriela fell backwards, her skin filling with goosebumps. She felt the swirl of Helena’s tongue. A soft “yes, yes,” came forth, and she reciprocated. They both turned and twisted rhythmically as Mark’s hand touched Gabriela’s back. She felt warmth deep within her spine, strangely bringing with it a sense of safety.

  He understood that this was to be a gift, a gift of complete surrender and capitulation with his pleasure as its only object. He understood, but he didn’t. It must have been because they were human. Mark wanted to reciprocate in some way, give back somehow. His fingers and tongue sought responses. Helena and Gabriela’s arms and legs were swirling. Amidst their cries, Mark entered the fray, moving to please them both. When he sensed the moment was right, he started rubbing the tip of his penis around Gabriela’s anticipation.

  Gabriela could hardly breathe as he entered her, whispering, “Go slow.” With care, he delved, and his penis started to vibrate. Gabriela screamed. “Oh my God.” Helena cried, feeling something. “What is that? That can’t be your…” Mark’s tongue went electric, exploring every crevice. The three of them raged for what seemed like hours, although it was but minutes. Mercilessly, they devoured each other, like sharks feeding. Helena cried out, “How is this possible? You’re in more than one place at one time. I’m afraid to look. What are you doing to me?” Gabriela’s moans continued as they fell ever deeper into Wonderland.

  Gabriela smiled and said, “It’s okay, it’s all okay.”

  Leaving would be the most difficult thing Mark had ever done. “You both look tired,” he said sweetly. “Why don’t you rest awhile? I’ll see you soon.” Before they could react, Mark broke his rule. Using his ability to control minds, he placed them into a euphoric dream. Mark vanished, transporting himself to the home that housed his fears.

  ***

  When he arrived at the apartment, Jason was already there.

  “You didn’t waste your time. I had an eye on you while you were frolicking. You know, you actually put me to shame with those two. Where did you come up with all of that?” He laughed.

  “Well, you know I read a lot, and there was this one erotic Japanese print by Hokusai with an octopus that was inspiring. The physical aspects of the act were quantifiable, but other aspects were not… I think you could lighten up on the voyeurism thing. Aren’t you having enough kicks without watching me?” Mark retorted, a little annoyed.

  “Touchy today, aren’t we?” responded Jason. “Well, I just couldn’t resist a little peek, I mean really, you never partied like that before. That was your first real threesome, right? I wanted to see how you would do. Now I know you can handle yourself and won’t need any pointers.”

  “It was more than a party to me. Please don’t do that again.”

  “Okay, okay, I understand, but as they say in Rome, complemento. Next time I’ll turn my mind away as soon as I know you’re happy, I mean safe.” He assured him through a large grin. “I have no right to tease you like this. I too have been very moved by a human, and I am worried about her. I have created a person that is going to make the beings on our home world quite uncomfortable.”

  “You mean Saya?”

  “Yes, Saya. I have overstepped my bounds in affecting her in the manner that I have. It was unintentional, but I don’t think they will care about that. I have created something new. I should have taken responsibility and ended her life myself.” Jason looked down and then up again at Mark. He brushed the hair away from his eyes. “But I just can’t, strangely I have grown attached. I think I understand a lot less about myself than I thought I did. But I fear that rather than wonder, I may have created a target.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

  Just then, the portal started to churn, pulling Mark and Jason in. However, this time, they both knew what to expect and were not alarmed. A being appeared before them, slowly at first, and then, through a mist, she was there.

  Allaceia was not in the Grand Hall, but in a simple room, standing alone. The walls showed a damp grayness, atmospheric rather than formed. There were no trappings of opulence or grandeur as with the others, but rather her presence whispered of a stateliness, a majesty. Her beauty transfixed them.

  As they listened to the message, Mark and Jason were so distracted by her regality that they almost did not hear her words. The message told of their heritage and the uniqueness of their lineage. They learned about the valor and sacrifice of their family’s history, not only on Eldern, but also the many worlds that preceded it. The message was thoughtful, factual, and sincere. They understood that this is why Allac
eia was chosen to send forth her offspring to save the earth. They noticed that a pendant was suddenly hanging around each of their necks, on its surface the crest of the Purple Flower. They felt the power within it.

  “That was our mother,” exclaimed Jason. “Our real mother.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “She said nothing about these amulets, but I feel there is a message in them. I have to figure out how to unlock it…”

  “I think I see how to do it. Just give me a minute.” Taking the amulet in his hand, he turned to Mark. “Yes, here. Do you see it?”

  Just then, the portal started to stir, and Allaceia emerged from the fury.

  “Hello. Hello, my children, can you hear me? We have little time. Can you hear me?”

  “Yes, yes,” responded Jason. “And we see you, as well.”

  “You are Jason then, are you not? And you. You are Mark?”

  “Yes,” they both responded, realizing they were no longer listening to a recorded message.

  “My children, you must listen, for we have little time to communicate. Elgert and Dronin have not been honest with you, and the plan they have outlined is not only flawed, but it is also a lie. I am sorry to say that Eldern is full of treachery, and your lives are insignificant when weighed against agendas too complicated to explain now. You both are in danger.”

  “I have enlisted aid from outside my planet to guard your safety. Jason, you will be in the most peril. I cannot explain fully now, but Mark, you will rescue your brother with the help of my friend.” She turned to talk to Mark directly. “Mark, the fate of your brother is in your hands. My friend will explain when you meet him. Heed the words of anyone who shows you our flower, the Purple Flower of your heritage. This you will find upon the crest of the amulets I sent.”

  “I must say farewell for now, for many spying eyes may be lurking. In a few minutes, your earth moon will no longer hide you from Elgert and his spies. Trust in yourselves. You have more strength than you know. Farewell, my children. I will not wish you good luck, but rather, I say believe in your strength and you will succeed. Dronin and Elgert will be contacting you again soon. Do not mention this conversation. Again, have faith in your power. I am sending help.”