Seven Point Eight

by Marie Harbon

  In the background, ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ drifted over the airwaves, unnoticed by Paul, but Eleanor didn’t miss its significance.

  ***

  The study door remained open, as Paul became engrossed in star charts. Potential destinations filled his mind, and there were a number of stars relatively close by in astronomical terms. For example, Alpha Centauri lay only four light years away, and Sirius neighboured their solar system too. It occurred to him that even light took several years to reach them, but consciousness appeared to possess a quality that superseded light, as Tahra seemed to travel almost instantaneously to the planets she’d recently visited. An explanation of this expediency eluded him at the moment, but the mechanics of it were not a matter of urgency, only the practicalities.

  At 3:00am, he sat in his armchair, chin nodded to his chest and star maps on his lap. The lamp still cast its low level illumination into the room, and the radio had stopped broadcasting for the night. He never noticed the activity going on upstairs, and didn’t wake until late in the morning. By the time he opened his eyes, the sun had already risen, although the heavy curtains blotted out the full intensity of its rays. However, the sound of the door closing woke him. A strange silence filled the house and he sat for several minutes before moving the map, with the intention of making a cup of tea.

  As he walked through the sitting room, he realised something seemed awry. Paul wandered into the kitchen and proceeded up the stairs. Entering the bedroom, he was surprised, albeit not disappointed to see Eleanor absent from the bed. However, she wasn’t in the bathroom either. None of her clothes were draped over the back of the chair, and she’d emptied the wardrobe of her things.

  Paul sat on the bed, trying to absorb what had happened. He admitted he’d practically ignored her since New Year. If anything, he almost felt relieved she’d gone. However, now he had no reason to turn down Tahra’s amorous requests, and he was free to choose with no restrictions. If he revealed Eleanor had left him, she’d make her move and he’d succumb. They had to keep their relationship professional, in line with researcher and subject ethics. Paul decided to keep his new status quiet, for his and her sake.

  ***

  Tahra arrived on the 21st of May, buzzing with nervous energy. Synonymous with the new impetus the project had taken, Paul had also adopted a new look. He asked her opinion on the sideburns he’d begun to cultivate and the length of his hair, which started to curl past the collar of his shirt. She reassured him it was acceptably fashionable, although she didn’t add ‘for his age’.

  They exchanged glances, communicating a ‘we’re about to do something really important here’ with their eyes. Paul sensed her apprehension, and she looked less confident than usual.

  Taking the hot seat now became taking a step into the unknown. Paul showed her the star map and pinpointed the location of Sirius, not the nearest star to Earth, but certainly the brightest. It had connections to ancient Egypt and out of the many potential stars, he deemed it the most worthy of a visit. On carrying out a little research on the importance of Sirius, he found that the first night it became visible in the sky, or its rising, marked the New Year which coincided with the flooding of the Nile. Therefore, its marking of a new cycle seemed highly appropriate in terms of the next step taken in the OOBE project.

  Sensing her trepidation and without thinking, Paul gave her hand a squeeze and she reciprocated with a nervous smile. Briefly, she detected a subtle change in the way he looked at her, but now wasn’t the time to ponder on its significance. She simply studied the star map, pictured the desired location in her mind, and allowed her consciousness to work its magic.

  The initial process flowed as smoothly as normal. Tahra hovered above the Earth instantaneously, but the objective of the mission lay so far away she found it difficult to visualise Sirius. Usually, she could picture the terminus of the journey and ‘snap’ to it with relative ease, but for some reason, it didn’t happen this time. Previously, she’d conquered her doubts and used pure determination, however, the sheer distance made the target more elusive.

  “I just can’t do it. I’m not powerful enough, and no remote viewer has ever done this before,” she said, exasperated.

  “It’s all a matter of self belief,” he reassured. “Remember, you’ve had doubts like this previously, and you pushed beyond your fears.”

  Nodding and taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and he focused intensely, pinpointing the target from the stellar background. All she thought about was the distance, and she questioned the ability of her consciousness to detach so far from her body. She felt too weak psychically, her concerns regarding her abilities not unfounded.

  “I don’t have a clear enough frame of reference,” she explained. “Maybe we were never meant to travel so far out of body.”

  “Practice makes perfect,” Paul insisted. “What difference does it make if your target is five hundred million miles away, or eight light years? To your consciousness, there is no more of a separation.”

  “I’d have to train my mind on a daily basis for months, possibly even years,” she complained, in resignation.

  “Don’t give up on me,” he said. “I know you can do this.”

  “Everyone has their limits, even me.”

  He sighed, frustrated she’d had a crisis of confidence.

  “I can’t force you…maybe we could try another day.”

  “I don’t want to spend months training the hard way. You’re a scientist, you build machines.” She pointed to the camera he’d used to observe electromagnetic fields. “Create something that will help me and speed up the process.”

  He ran his hands through his hair, mentally masticating what she’d just suggested. Could he build a machine to push Tahra’s consciousness to the stars?

  “It’s certainly something I could think about.”

  It was definitely something he should think about.

  “Fantastic! Call me when you’ve got an idea, then we can make progress.”

  Paul surrendered the day to move onto a bigger concept, although he perceived no loss. She demonstrated her enthusiasm for moving the boundaries and extending out of the comfort zone. Like Tahra, he’d do whatever necessary to make his project a success, and after she’d left, he dragged all his previous research from the filing cabinets of his office.

  ***

  The new direction Tahra had instigated for the OOBE project definitely gave me something to think about. While I made no promises to her that I’d be able to construct something, I had a few ideas worth exploring, based on my research from the fifties conducted at The Establishment. In fact, it tied in to the project Max had assigned me concerning blocking remote viewing, the project that I’d stalled in favour of OOBE, one which Max would soon expect a progress report.

  My previous work had revolved around the effects of electromagnetic fields on people, both targeting their physiology and mental state. I’d attempt to adapt the methodology and equipment to affect the electromagnetic field of Tahra’s body. While she’d already demonstrated the strength of her abilities and electromagnetic field, I wanted to use technology to assist the projection of her consciousness.

  For the more advanced task of stellar travel, I’d amplify this field to give her a boost. Resonant frequency looked like another aspect of my research that was worth investigation. During my prior assignments here at The Establishment, I’d highlighted some destructive frequencies with mild to powerful effects upon the physiology of people. There had to be a frequency which would enhance the out of body experience.

  Consequently, there also had to be a frequency that would disrupt the electromagnetic field and hinder remote viewing. I banked on finding both. I didn’t want to risk permanently inhibiting Tahra’s capabilities, but it was a double edged sword so I’d need to consider other test subjects for this.

  By early June, I’d played around with the equipment and became ready to start testing a few resonant frequencies on Tah
ra. I knew which ones were harmful to the body, physically and mentally, so had already gone through the process of elimination.

  On the 3rd of June, however, something strange and quite surreal transpired. I sat in my office at The Establishment that evening, reviewing the old research data. A small black and white television flickered in the background, and the evening news came on. One particular news item made me smile. American astronaut, Ed White, had performed a space walk, floating free of his capsule, Gemini IV, for twenty one minutes. If only he knew, Tahra had achieved Earth orbit with her consciousness long before.

  This wasn’t the reason that evening affected me. I had an unexpected visit from Tahra. There appeared to be something about her I couldn’t put my finger on, an odd intensity she exuded. I looked at her, not displeased, just surprised.

  “How are you today?” I asked her.

  She didn’t answer my question and actually appeared to be concerned, so in a way she’d responded, albeit non-verbally.

  “What’s troubling you?”

  Finally, after what seemed a long moment, she replied, “Do you realise what you’re doing?”

  This wasn’t the Tahra I knew.

  “Of course,” I answered. “Have you got…cold feet?”

  “You need to think of the consequences,” she stated, keeping her distance from me.

  She puzzled me. The new direction of the OOBE project had been her own idea, she wanted to push it further than I dared, so why would she question the outcome?

  “This is something you want too,” I pointed out. “The consequences can only be positive, we’ll achieve our objective.”

  She shook her head, almost frustrated, as if in a hurry.

  “No, no,” she insisted. “You must think about the repercussions of pushing the boundaries too quickly. What happened when Pandora opened the box?”

  “But if we stay in the comfort zone,” I countered, “we’ll never learn anything, or evolve.”

  Tahra breathed deeply to stay calm.

  “It’ll change everything,” she said, sadly.

  “Isn’t that what we want? Don’t worry,” I reassured her, “don’t forget that Pandora shut the box just before Hope escaped. It’ll all be worth it.”

  She realised my mind couldn’t be swayed and changed her tactic.

  “Don’t go beyond sixty five,” she cautioned. “Sixty-five is safe, but seventy- five isn’t. Remember this.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean, Tahra.”

  I hadn’t allayed her fears, but rather than explain herself, she simply turned and left me sat there, still mystified. I didn’t hear a door slam but when I chased after her, she’d already left the building.

  What a bizarre visit, so unlike her, yet it clearly was Tahra. I did have fleeting second thoughts about the next experiment, but decided to plough on regardless. Today was a blip. She’d realise the haste in her anxiety.

  ***

  Summer solstice provided a beautiful sunny backdrop for the next mission. Paul sat in the back garden at The Establishment, cup of tea in his hand and the newspaper on his lap. He perused it, skimming over reports of the US using B52 bombers to attack guerrilla fighters in South Vietnam. Reading it in disdain, he wondered why humanity persisted in war and destruction. Why couldn’t they focus on peace, and exploring the cosmos? After skipping the fashion section on Mary Quant and Vidal Sassoon’s latest styles, he noticed Tahra, relieved she’d found him.

  She appeared breezy and enthusiastic, eager to see the equipment he’d designed and the methods he’d use. Paul felt baffled by the swing in her mood yet again, and she noticed his confused expression.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked him.

  “I thought you wanted to be cautious with the OOBE project,” he replied.

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Well, you came to see me, remember? You requested I think more about the consequences.”

  A perplexed expression replaced the bright and breezy air she’d carried in with her.

  “I haven’t seen you since the last experiment,” she said.

  Paul’s expression now reflected her confusion.

  “No, honestly, you paid me a visit a few weeks ago,” he insisted. “You were adamant about the potential repercussions of what we’re doing.”

  Tahra just looked at him blankly, so he gave up.

  “You must have been dreaming,” she concluded. “They seem so real sometimes. Maybe it’s your subconscious mind expressing your fears about the project.”

  Paul shrugged. Tahra’s visit seemed as convincing as her argument though. Her behaviour on arrival totally contradicted her demeanour today, so perhaps he had been dreaming and the image of her had indeed simply been his unconscious mind trying to express some repressed fear about the project. What other explanation could there be?

  “What have you created for me?” she asked, brushing off the blip in the conversation.

  “Well,” Paul began, “I’ve been looking at harmonic frequencies using an oscillator.”

  Tahra laughed.

  “In English, please.”

  “Vibration,” he explained. “Everything vibrates at a certain frequency: buildings, bridges, bodies…consciousness. Acoustic resonance brought down the walls of Jericho, and its effects are underestimated. If I find the harmonic, or resonant frequency of consciousness, I believe I can stimulate it and amplify it, but not destroy it.”

  “Will it make me more powerful?” she queried.

  Paul shrugged, putting his tea and paper aside.

  “It’s just a hypothesis, I can’t guarantee anything.”

  “Will it be harmful?” she asked.

  “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I’m aware of previous research highlighting destructive resonant frequencies, but I haven’t yet found the precise vibration for consciousness.”

  “Would it permanently…affect my remote viewing?” she asked, nervously.

  Paul shook his head. “All of my experience with resonant frequencies shows that once the oscillator is turned off, the effect ceases. To bring down walls, the resonance needs to be persistent. However, I think consciousness is more durable, like light.”

  “Your experience with resonant frequencies?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

  Paul winced and looked regretful.

  “Something I’m not proud of,” he declared.

  “Did you hurt anyone?” she enquired, sitting on the grass beside him, ready to listen.

  He lowered his eyes and paused, as if not wishing to re-live his time at The Establishment.

  “Yes. At first, I just tested for the existence of a field because I sought proof of the soul, but then it became a project to test the effects of electromagnetic fields on people, both their physiology and psychology. The testing gave way to an investigation into psychological warfare… We used electromagnetic fields and resonance on people to induce anxiety, mental illness, psychosis…you name it. We tried to wipe memories, and gave people hallucinogenic drugs…pretty insidious stuff really. In retrospect, it was a low point of my life, although Max finally relocated me to The Institute.”

  “You worked at The Institute?”

  “Yes, the most rewarding experience I’ve had until now. I studied all the residents there. It made me feel closer to my goal.”

  “Your goal?”

  “To find out the truth of our existence, as more than anything, I wonder why we’re here. What is the purpose of life, the universe…everything? Is there a God, or are we truly alone?”

  Tahra looked as if his words had touched not only her heart, but her soul, and she continued to listen.

  “You’ll play a major part in that discovery. Science believes it has the answers regarding creation, what with the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Relativity, but it can’t answer the most fundamental and crucial question…why? We search for the how, but never the purpose. There’s a reason for everything. Biology tells us we are physical bodies wi
th the sole purpose of reproducing, yet through my research, I know humanity goes way beyond the physical body. Why maintain a species just simply to reproduce? It makes no sense.”

  “We all have a real purpose in life,” she agreed.

  “I think you’re fulfilling that purpose right now,” Paul answered. “You were made for this project.”

  Tahra became aware of the rush of emotion flooding her body. Those words he spoke…so full of meaning… Unlike Max, he’d shared the less than stellar aspects of his life, his failings as well as his successes. He bolstered her confidence, and she realised how much she missed the attention of a man, a good man.

  Reaching out with her fingertips, she touched Paul’s arm and lightly stroked it, closing her eyes and visualising a wave of pleasure curling up his spine. She heard him gasp slightly, so she sent another wave of pleasure. Yes, Paul had the capacity to share his life, and she had the ability to share the dividends of her power.

  Opening her eyes, she noted his expression of pleasure, and he didn’t respond with fear or apprehension, he enjoyed her manipulation of the fire within. This time, he wouldn’t push her away, his heart had been stolen. In a way, life had stacked the odds in her favour, because she possessed the ability to affect the emotions and energy of others. Through using her remote viewing capabilities, she learned that Paul now lived alone. No woman stood in her way, and she could move in for the kill.

  Finally relinquishing, Paul leaned over and kissed her, and she stood up, their lips still locked together. Manoeuvring onto his lap, she allowed his hands to roam her body, enjoying the sensation of another man’s hands on her breasts. It felt intense, kissing him and she wondered if they’d both been waiting for this since New Year.

  They mutually unbuttoned each other’s clothing, feeling the fresh morning air on their bodies. The sun’s rays invigorated them and felt conducive to nakedness. Realising they couldn’t continue on the rickety garden chair, Paul placed his hands under her buttocks and carried her over to a smooth area of grass, somewhere a little more private from prying eyes viewing the scene from a window. He suppressed her giggling with a rain of kisses, lying on top of her, and progressed to exploring her body with his lips and teeth, removing the rest of her clothing with care.