Chapter 37: Eliza and Vesha, Section 2
Database Moon Archive, Celestial-Sol Entry Date: 2019 March 26. Erin Carter, Yesha Alevtina’s Vice Commander, summarizes the experiences, journeys, and missions of Vesha Celeste assigned by Senator Eliza A. Williams. These memories are shared experiences from the minds of Vesha and Eliza, recorded within the Virtual Universe, interfaced within the Pathway Melrose Campus. Input by: Erin Carter, VP, 2018-2022, and President of Pathway, 2022-2029.
“Well, that was quite an evening, Yesha. Vesha was graceful through everything and as you witnessed through our compartmentalized link, her grace pretty much set a whole new precedent. The full Senate is now part of the UP; they and everyone present, to include Vesha’s intended killer, were all read-in successfully. We don’t have the Virtual Correction Matrix setup yet, but Joanne and Matsu are making progress on it in strides. Despite the challenges, we certainly have a lot to be grateful for. Would you like to come with Vesha and me to the space elevator? Oh and please invite Amber, Erin, and Najem?”
“Of course, Eliza,” said her friend, Yesha.
Eliza dampened her neural link and looked toward Vesha Celeste sitting on one of the other chairs in her Senatorial office. She looked fantastic and from the future and regal all at the same time. Of all things she and all of her friends had accomplished, to Eliza, bringing back Vesha Celeste was the most important for so many reasons. For all intents and purposes, Vesha had been resurrected, both immortal and quite powerful. There were also undoubtedly good vibes between them, and she had hoped it would stay that way for a very long time.
“What’s the matter, Eliza?” asked Vesha. “You seem nervous. I can see your glow and the expressions in your face are currently giving you away.”
“Oh, nothing’s wrong. I’ve been thinking about it, about last night, and for a moment there I was genuinely shocked. I was worried I was going to lose you again, and all too soon. I’ve seen brutality in the minds of many through experiences in the Virtual Universe, and I’ve seen the members of Pathway heal before this after something horrible took place, but never right before my eyes in the real world. I appreciate who you are, Vesha. I understand your ability to connect with others, and despite the circumstances, you are so well-balanced and considerate in your approach. What you did yesterday was perfect in timing in every possible way, and it all turned out in the best of all possible outcomes. Thank you for being the wonderful person that you are, Vesha Celeste. In just a short while, as soon as Yesha contacts Najem, Amber, and Erin, we’ll head up the space elevator the old-fashioned way, if you would like? Would you please accompany me to the space elevator? I need to talk with both you and Erin Carter.
“There are a lot of aspects of politics that are becoming clearer as far as the upcoming elections are concerned, the events of yesterday, and what our next course of actions should be. That aside, you ceaselessly impress me, Vesha, and I don’t know what to say, and I can’t say it enough. It is not too often of late that I share this world with others who think as deep and complex as it seems I do, it’s nice to have a break every now and then. Maybe it’s just this environment on Capitol Hill, but most of the time I feel as though I am the torch bearer being pummeled by those who need the light to meander through life, and sometimes I second-guess myself on things, or I forget the efforts others are putting into this too.
“But, who am I kidding? I would be lost without them, and I would most definitely be lost without you. Even with optimized physiology and neurology, I realize I am far from perfect, but I can’t ever forget the strength, the wit, and support I receive from everyone at Pathway and the UP. James, he does so much for Pathway, out there in the deep, dark, and cold void of space. I have to applaud him; he does it often, and he does it so well. Still, there is much more to do. I suppose I should be very grateful that our forests are filled with sentient animals who love to give me guidance and tolerate my sense of perfectionism and my bouts of solitude. Silly, isn’t it? I mean, just the other day I was talking to Amber’s favorite cow, Chloe, and you know what she said to me? She said it is okay for me to relax from time to time. I can’t always be on the go. It’s just that I get the sense that once the Universe has been saved from the expansion, then I will be able to relax. Maybe take James out for a cup of Jo, if he’s ever interested. But eventually, I know I will wonder what’s next. I still miss Charles. Remember our visits, before he died? Before you passed away? It’s been quite some time, and James, he must be terribly lonely. No matter, it shouldn’t matter. There is a lot that needs to get done. I don’t have time to wallow in what could, should, or ought to be, I, no, we need to help humanity.
“We could go to Eto tomorrow and bathe in the beaches of wine, but something else tells me that in due time, maybe all of us besties can do that, but right now is just not the time.”
Vesha looked at Eliza with peace, compassion, and with a sweet charm that only comes from someone who had truly lived the eighty-eight years she had, and in a very supportive manner she responded to Eliza’s concerns, “Everything is going to be okay, Eliza. Maybe you can go for that cup of Joe someday; you have to trust your heart on those things. I know there are so many things you want to do to help others. You’re not alone though, and you never were. Today, there are at least two-billion people who love you dearly, and James is one of them. I am by no means or by any stretch of the imagination even close to perfect either. Still, we do our best, and as a delightful lady once said, once we know better, we do better. You are a sweet soul, a darling of hearts, and I don’t know what would have become of humanity had it not been for the fire that burns within you. Eliza, I think about visiting my family all of the time, but could you imagine what they would say if they saw me now? I too am worried they’d be devastated.
“I’m far from the quirky grandmother I was three years ago. But, those experiences with Ralston, Daniel, Jillian, Chris, Avery, everyone I held dear, it all seems like a lifetime ago, but they are all as clear as day in my mind. Perhaps in the not so distant future, we’ll be able to spend more time with those we hold dearest. We’ll be able to take our besties, our families, and those we care about most and travel to the opposite ends of our known Universe, maybe to that cold patch in the CMB. Perchance we’ll be able to take the same trip the slow way, just to take in the ambiance and unwind. Perhaps it just takes us doing what we are doing, doing what we do best, so that eventually when the pieces of the Universal puzzle have all finally been found and put together in their right place, then, oh then can we celebrate and relax. We’ll be able to think about the past, enjoy the present, and plan for the future. Trust yourself, Eliza. You have a lot going for you, and I have no doubt that romance will be a part of your life for a very long time, even longer than you know.”
Eliza thanked Vesha, and reminisced just a little more, “I remember taking him through the Virtual Universe for his very first trip. He has such a beautiful and charming mind. I remember when we returned, and he, Yesha, and I went out by our pond, laid on our sleeping bags and gazed up at the stars singing some of our favorite tunes together. ‘But Not Tonight,’ from Depeche Mode comes to mind in some ways. In another way, it seems like all of that was a very long time ago, literally centuries or even millennia ago, yet in my mind, I can remember it as if it were yesterday. Memories like that keep me grounded, and they give me hope.”
“Those are wonderful memories to hold on to, Eliza. I’m with you now and always, my friend. No matter where I go, I will think of you, and we’ll still be connected. Perhaps you and James will have a chance to take a break together to relax and enjoy the Sun sometime soon?”
“I suppose,” Said Eliza, “but I’ll allow that one to take its course. Some things are best letting them be free and flowing. I will certainly not push the issue. I’ll just let it happen as it will.”
“We’ll keep this conversation between us. I’ll compartmentalize this in the ‘do not disturb’ area of my mind. We might as well be sisters and
besties. I love you, sis!” Vesha smiled.
It was a few moments later, traveling through Eliza’s jump gate from the other room of her senatorial office where they had been sitting. It was also early in the morning, and now they were at the border of New York and Ontario, where the first space elevator that had ever been built was located. Although several more had been constructed since, one for each prospective zonal command, they had chosen this as the first location, and now together, they rode this elevator all the way up. Once there, the view was breath-taking, and Vesha Celeste stood with Eliza and each of their closest friends on the broad platform which hovered in outer space above the Earth about one-hundred-thousand miles or one-hundred-sixty-one-thousand kilometers, and they each looked at every angle and quietly soaked in the ambiance.
Eliza was standing next to her on the left and Erin to her right. To Eliza’s left was Yesha and Joanne, and to Erin’s right was Amber, Jasmine, and Najem. Although the platform was encapsulated to provide safety to anyone who found themselves there for whatever reason, it was see-through, courtesy of Projected Invisibility Smart Technology as well as continuous maintenance from the assigned nano clouds for that platform. Each platform of this sort was like a series of huge sports stadiums, but with a series of spaceports that jutted out from each stadium ring, which left it almost resembling a giant gear that kept pace with its tethered anchor position on the Earth down below. For anyone of public standards, standing on one of the gear teeth or spaceports overlooking the Earth, back toward the Moon, and gazing toward deep space in every direction using only 20/20 vision was breath-taking in and of itself, so they spent time doing just that, before engaging their enhanced vision to reel in details on anything they wished. Eliza was looking down toward Earth, with her ever-glistening crystal blue eyes, and deep in thought.
“This is beautiful,” said Vesha, breaking the silence, and oddly enough without dismissing the sense of harmony the quiet had ushered in, bringing everyone back to their senses. “Look at the Earth down below. It’s amazing how the diamond-titanium-infused carbon nanotubes work. They’re stronger than steel and more flexible than softened rubber. The magnetic anchoring way below the bedrock was a brilliant way to integrate with and tie into the massive solar engines that keep the platform where it needs to be. Great job, Eliza and crew!”
“Nine years ago, I was looking up in the sky, watching the crane migration. Now, with my telescopic eyes, I can actually see Bonnie. Wow! I never dreamt something of this magnitude was possible. Impressive, Eliza. Impressive,” said Erin.
“It’s amazing how many have joined in the cause. Who would have thought that we little wee Earthlings could ever arrive at this? I hope that everyone down there can see the bigger picture soon,” said Najem, who had seen great satellite telescopes, all sent to space in her NASA days. “No matter, they can take their time now. You’ve done a lot to help humanity, Eliza.”
“You certainly have,” said Jasmine with a kind smile, looking past her close friends and sending her gaze toward Eliza.
“Eliza certainly has had a special mind since day one. We’d have none of this if it weren’t for her,” said Yesha and Vesha in unison, followed by a little bit of surprised laughter.
“Several years ago, all I knew of were songs, stages, and the T.O. Never in my life could I have imagined this before I met you, Eliza. Thank you,” Said Joanne.
Eliza finally broke out of her shell a bit and participated with the rest of them. She smiled, and trying not to cry, she said, “I love each of you. It wasn’t just me; it was all of you too. None of this would be accomplished if it hadn’t been for teamwork from some of the best, most brilliant, and remarkable of people. While not everyone we treasure is here, we cherish them just the same, and hopefully, hopefully, someday we can be with them here, looking down toward the beauty of our home world, and find gratitude for the luxury of one another’s company.
“I want each of you to know, that while I am cooped up on Capitol Hill, I still can see what each of you do, each and every day. Thank goodness to everyone in Pathway, and all that James and his crews achieve, we can take time to enjoy life every once in a while. I suppose it doesn’t all have to get done in one day.
“That said, I brought you all here today, to talk about what I would like to have each one of you achieve in the near future. Erin, you have done a fantastic job, with all those beautiful people and their families, the people who you helped and rescued. Now they have a beautiful home in the tech cities, and they do missions throughout the solar system and back on Earth, doing all manner of things to help humanity. Yesha, you’re doing a fantastic job as a solo-artist running the big show for Pathway, and you’ve done so much, while training Erin as your understudy. With big projects coming up, I’d like to see Erin voted in to be your Vice President of Pathway’s operations throughout Earth. I plan to begin my bid as a UP Candidate for President of the United States for the elections of 2024, and I would like Erin spun up to manage Pathway as the President, because I would like you to be my running mate, Yesha. Erin, that said, please work with Joanne as much as you can, because she will be your vice commander when you are the President of Pathway. Najem and Jasmine, thank you so much for working with Vesha to speed her up on Solar System Operations, with James. If you could both help Vesha and James, as far as mission tasking for the big journey ahead is concerned that would be wonderful. As you already know, the entire observable Universe will be divided into twelve zones, so could you please keep looking into ideal regions within each zone that the future IMC Commander can visit and leave behind with IMC command zone headquarters and observation posts? Vesha, could you please work with James, to help him with Solar System Operations, tech city governance, and begin the IMC Command Spacecraft project?
“There is a lot we do need to get done. There are still way too many people throughout the world that are suffering. Even though we’ve managed to rescue more than two-billion people, there are still close to eight billion people on Earth. Many of whom are stuck in a drab, boring, and horrible reality that I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Each of us will be doing something important when it comes to preserving our Earth and the people and living creatures within its biosphere. As President of Pathway’s tech cities spread throughout the solar system, I authorize and delegate power to each of you in any manner of your choosing to do as you see fit within your scope of responsibility. When I return to the Senate, James will resume Presidency of Solar System Operations, Yesha will resume presidency of Pathway Operations, and Vesha Celeste, I empower you to set up and take command of IMC Command Spacecraft Development and Operations.
“At any time, as always, you can visit me within the Virtual Universe. Feel free to call me on my neural link, and if I seem a little ‘away,’ please know that I am probably in the senate chambers conducting business, but I will get back to you soon. I am here for you, and please believe me; I know and am thankful for the fact that each of you, are here for me. I promise that if we continue to do as I have envisioned and shared with you, we will begin our journey throughout the galaxy in a little over a decade, with a reasonable population of the world sped up, ready for, and on-board with everything that we are doing. Do you currently have any questions?”
Everyone had taken note of Eliza’s gracious yet serious tone, and no one had a single question. They knew that if they could contact Eliza at any time, but for now Yesha, Vesha, Erin, Joanne, Najem, and Jasmine had their real-world orders, and after all, Eliza was the boss. She was never angry, and she had never been irate with anyone within Pathway. Instead, Eliza was always helpful, innovative, courteous, supportive, kind, and compassionate, as well as passionate about each detail of each item addressed. Each one of her closest friends, there with her that day, knew Eliza had a heart of gold and loved her leadership and the clarity of vision she possessed. She was already an excellent leader of more than two-billion people and counting, so no doubt, despite its profound complexity, she would still make a wond
erful POTUS; besides the US needed a leader with ethics and clarity.
Eliza let her words sink in, and together, with the same harmony as before, they observed the different aspects of outer space and the Earth below. Something about Eliza was a little off, she was frustrated and had perfected the ability to compartmentalize her mind to where Pathway could only detect what she wanted it to detect. The Twelve Database Moons were her creation.
Friends now shifted gears into co-workers who were stalwart and loyal, with their boss standing in the middle, and everyone else lost in thought, and with the quiet ambiance of space seemingly turned up a few decibels within their minds, Vesha was the first to speak up. “Although I am leaving room for flexibility here, I already have an idea of who I would choose as a team lead for each aspect from design to development and the building of the IMC. I believe you will be happy, Eliza. From what I can tell, this will create a new and intimate involvement with the IMC, for each of the Pathway members I believe you have in mind as IMC Commanders for Zones-01 through 12. For now, I’ll keep that information compartmentalized within a region of our minds that are only reachable by each of you, as well as James.”
And then Vesha sent a mental message that only Eliza could hear, “I’ll be prudent with how I talk to James, Eliza, regarding what’s going on in your heart. In a way, I sense that struggle within you. You have your feelings for him under incredible lockdown, so I’ll be careful, considerate, and kind. Still, no one else even knows how you feel about him. Perhaps even Yesha has no idea. He’s certainly done a lot for you, and I know that trust is one of the most important aspects in long-term connection and even romance. Please don’t worry, I’ll let you do this in your own time, and I’ve got your back. Whatever may be bothering you, you can always let me know.”
Further than Before- Pathway to the Stars Page 68