Victim of Circumstance (The Time Stone Trilogy Book 3)

by Robert F Hays

  “How’s the communication between the systems?” Colin said. “Are they still in contact?”

  “They’ve been happily chatting away for six hundred years. I even got into the ships’ databases.”

  “So, how many are still alive and who are they?”

  “Both come from South East Asia, eight hundred and fifty thousand cryogenics chambers still working.”

  “How many Filipinos?” Edward said.

  “I knew you’d ask so I looked it up. Over two hundred thousand.”

  Edward reached up to wipe tears from his eyes. “That is more than we have here.”

  “How long would it take them to get here?” Colin said.

  “At the speed they travel three would take eleven standard weeks. The other one would take a lot longer. Only two of its twelve fusion drive engines are still functional.”

  “Anything on the Sangustins?”

  “Yep,” Ken said. “They arrived at about the same time as the first ship. It was a smaller one sponsored by several churches in the United States.”

  “Mystery solved,” Colin said. “The Pentacosts must be from the Pentecostal Church, but who’re the Sangustins?”

  “They’re from a place called St. Augustine,” Carlos said. “The name has been corrupted over the years.”

  “Florida?” Colin said.

  “I only know the name St. Augustine.”

  “You know more about them than they know about themselves,” Colin said.

  “They are an insular society; they don’t want to know about anyone. On the other hand, we find knowledge a necessity.”

  “That’s what I’ve come to believe,” Hansel said. “That’s why I’ve got to go back and teach my people.”

  “Slowly my friend,” Carlos said. “You’re challenging the beliefs of a lifetime.”

  “It’s got to be done,” Colin said. “We have to wipe out that disease planet wide. Either that or build a great wall around the Sangustins and kill anyone that tries to climb it.”

  “My husband,” called Minda from a distance. “The delegates from the other groups have assembled. They are ready to hear arguments from those nominated. They want to elect the President of this planet.”

  Edward laughed. “We’ve never needed a President before.”

  “Well, you’re about to be thrust into the realm of international intrigue,” Colin chuckled. “The President must be prepared for all the infighting, back stabbing and character assassination associated with modern government.”

  “It’s no different than the way we govern ourselves,” Edward laughed and turned to walk toward the village.

  “What now?” Ken said.

  “Haul out all the 3V and 2V video equipment. We have to record everything.”

  “We can transmit the two dimensional video back to Pellan but with all the security and parallel space redirection, the amount of data in the three dimensional will overload the system.”

  Colin nodded. “We’ll store the 3V for when we get back. When we’ve finished here we’ll go on a tour of the other three groups.”

  “I’d like to come too?” Hansel said. “I’d like to learn a bit on the philosophies of the people you call the Buddhists, but I have so much to learn here first.”

  “We don’t want to over burden your mind,” Colin chuckled. “The differences may confuse you.”

  “There are many commonalities between us and the Buddhists,” Carlos said.

  “We’ll pick you up on the way back,” Colin said. “Then we’ll go and demolish that wall in the pass.” He then turned to Carlos. “Why are the different nationalities separate? It appears that your people, the Thais, Vietnamese and Khmer get along quite well.”

  “To the original colonists it wasn’t a matter of national identity or animosity, it was more cultural identity. The different peoples wanted to preserve their own cultural heritage.”

  “There’s also quite a distance between the groups. For trade it’d be more efficient to live closer.”

  “The original colonists didn’t anticipate the disease that sent us blind. They expected an explosion in the birth rate and a rapid increase in the population. They spread out to give each group room for expansion. Mortality and a much lower life expectancy has kept the population increase at a very slow rate.”

  “Be prepared,” Yuri chuckled. “Once the disease is eradicated expect a major upsurge in the population.”

  “That is my concern,” Carlos said. “Due to infant mortality our people are accustomed to having many children. We’ll have to consult the experts.”

  “That won’t be a concern for some time,” Colin said. “You have vast amounts of land to expand into.”

  Chapter 26

  “Yes Edward,” Jim said. “I know Bugs Bunny had some very wise sayings but I can’t say that in the Commonwealth Council. They won’t get the joke. None of them have ever seen Bugs Bunny.”

  Jim rolled on his side, pulled the earpiece from his left ear and put it in his right; the long conversation was causing irritation.

  “You didn’t congratulate him on the election,” Carol whispered as she rolled over in bed. What’re they calling their planet?”

  “Uniseya,” Jim whispered at a volume that wouldn’t be picked up by the microphone. “And I wish they’d grasp the concept that it’s 2 a.m. here.” Jim raised his voice. “Yes Edward, I’m including my collection of The Three Stooges in the shipment, but I think it’s more important that your people get all the history videos so they can catch up on what has happened in the past two thousand years.”

  Jim paused to listen. “Yes, they’ll all have added narration so your people can hear them. Our movie people are doing it right now. One thing, I’d like to congratulate you on your election as President and I’ll be honored to be your representative at the Commonwealth Council. I’ll present your petition for entry to the Commonwealth at the next meeting, but because of the size of your population we may have to apply as a protectorate of another planet. I’d suggest either Batalavia or New Hope. Casia doesn’t have the resources but we’ll send advisors.”

  Jim paused to listen. “Yes, I know Marilou’s casting spells but I don’t know how effective they’d be at a distance of two hundred and seventeen light years.”

  Jim paused to listen. “Yes, my wife and I’ll visit as soon as we can so have the lechon baboy roasting.”

  Jim paused to listen. “Good, out here.” He removed the earpiece and put it on the bedside table.

  “When can we go?” Carol said.

  “As soon as it’s safe,” Jim said. “We’ll take the Lydia.”

  “Did they really believe in spells and magic back on Old Earth?” Carol said.

  “No, they were one of the most progressive countries in Asia, shopping malls, internet, rap music, that is if you call rap music progressive. They were very Christian religious but there was still a trace of the old religions, the earth religions, witches and witchcraft.”

  “Why’s it so prominent now?”

  “Chris has a theory, which he always does; he says it’s a substitute for the loss of technology. People have to have at least something that does things. Our friend Dr. Chris Brevis PhD in cultural anthropology will be one of the first on the planet when it’s safe.”

  “I love those videos Colin’s sending. They’re lovely people, so friendly, always smiling.”

  “He hasn’t sent any of the Sangustins yet, but he’s covered all the other groups. I wanted them broadcast on the 3V; add faces to the argument that they shouldn’t be used as pawns in a galactic power struggle.”

  “When’re the next ones on 3V?”

  “When Patty’s military techs get through with them. They have to color shift the sunlight. If the Bund analysts found the color components of their star they could find it by simply looking it up in the registry.”

  “They looked so happy. I wish I could live like that.”

  “And give up your sight?”

  �
��Yeah, that part I couldn’t do.”

  “From the data Colin sent, the Surgeon General calculated that their average life expectancy is only thirty four years. That’s why old people like that Hansel are revered and honored. They dodged the bullet.”

  “Dodged the bullet?” Carol laughed. “An Old Earth expression. That’s another time and place I’d like to experience, early twenty first century before the climate change.”

  “No you wouldn’t,” Jim chuckled. “Average life expectancy back when I came from was only seventy six years. Car accidents, a much higher crime rate, poverty, terrorists. When you lost an arm or leg the doctors couldn’t grow one back for you. Every winter there was a possibility of catching a virus. There was a constant fear of catching AIDS, hepatitis C or herpes. The only way to enjoy those times is to invent a time machine and take modern technology and advances in medicine back with you.”

  “Are you saying you were in a constant state of misery back then?”

  Jim laughed. “I was happy; I just didn’t know any better.”

  “In that case, invent a time machine and take me back and show me.”

  “I’ll work on it. I’ll build one in the garage using an old hot water tank and used computer parts. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

  “Darling, you’d better get some sleep,” Carol said. “You have that 3V interview tomorrow morning.”

  “Oh what fun.”

  “There’s just one thing. Could you please move those pyramids to another room? It’s silly but I do feel a little uncomfortable with all those soldiers in here and I’m in my underwear.”

  “Yes darling,” Jim said. “It’d be a little disconcerting having fifty thousand soldiers in our bedroom closet. I’ll move them to a spare room in the morning.” Jim shut his eyes for a moment then opened them again. “I don’t believe what I just said.”

  Chapter 27

  The people stood in fear in the town square. It was market day. The sellers stayed silent and didn’t shout out their wares. Tanni and Malia stood on the rock wall surrounding the fountain in the center of the square.

  “The visions are beautiful!” Tanni yelled. “I know where everyone here stands! I know what’s on a merchant’s table without having him tell me! I know where my friends are at a distance without seeing them.”

  “That’s impossible!” Kelsin yelled.

  “No, no, it’s possible, Kelsin. To your right is a woman. To your left is a man that’s slightly taller than you.”

  Kelsin reached right then turned back to face Tanni. “You said a man was on my left, who is it?”

  “I don’t know until he speaks. I haven’t yet connected the visions to a person. I will when I hear each of you speak.”

  “You didn’t know it’s Gant?” Kelsin yelled. “These wonderful visions you speak of are not very good if you cannot recognize someone you’ve known since birth!”

  “From now on I’ll know who it is. I didn’t have a name to attach to the vision. Now I do!”

  “Satan is whispering in your ear!” a woman yelled. “He told you a man was next to Kelsin, but the evil deceiver didn’t know his name because he’s a righteous person.”

  “Danita, nothing evil is whispering in my ear. The only evil in this place is a terrible disease and the ignorance of the people who have it.”

  “We’re ignorant?” Kelsin yelled. “Your parents, who gave you birth and raised you are ignorant? Who are you to say this? Do you think you’re above us? Do you think you’re superior? You’re the one who’s ignorant.”

  “You know where we are without looking?” Danita said. “As we can’t know where you are, that’s evil. You have a power over us. Is that what you want, the power to control us?”

  “The people from across the dark already have that power. At any time they could walk into this town and take what you have. Many of you where there when they used their weapons. They have more, ones many times more powerful than they used that day. They could make slaves of you, but they haven’t. They could force you to bow down to them and worship them as gods, but they haven’t.”

  “They gave you the unholy visions?” a man yelled. “By your evil talent you can now rule us yourself?”

  “I don’t have all they have. I still have no visions of what they call colors. They say my visions are only in black and white.”

  “They teach you to beat a husband and lay with other men?” the man yelled. “You’re truly evil now.”

  “Those words have different meanings for them. They have other words, blue, green, red. I don’t know what they mean yet, but I will. They’re good people only here to help us.”

  “Help us?” Bye said as he appeared from a side road. “They turn a father against his son and onto the paths of evil. They turn good and righteous people into followers of Satan.”

  “Your father isn’t against you; he’s trying to help you.”

  “Help? By turning to practices declared an abomination in the Holy Bible?”

  Tanni calmed herself before speaking again. “By the way, I have a message for you from your father,” she said slowly. “The missing sections of the Bible are on top of the bookshelf just under the ceiling. There’s a gap at the top.”

  “What’s this nonsense? The bookshelf goes all the way to the ceiling. There’s no gap at the top.”

  “Just stand on a chair and feel for it,” Tanni said.

  “Heresy!” Bye yelled. “Every word you say is heresy. If you weren’t protected by those people and their diabolical weapons you would be arrested and put on trial.”

  Tanni jumped from the wall and walked in Bye’s direction. “In that case we’ll both go and look.” She set out with a determined stride. Ken and Malia hurried to keep up.

  The crowd parted as they heard her approach. “She’s walking without looking!” a woman said as Tanni passed.

  Tanni suddenly stopped. “Well?” she said. “Are you going to step aside?”

  “Sweets,” Ken said. “You’re talking to a post. It’s that big one with the bell on top.”

  Tanni stared at the post for a moment then walked around it. “So it is.”

  Bye stood with a look of fear on his face.

  “Come with me Pastor,” Tanni said as she passed him.

  “Don’t be afraid,” Malia said.

  “I’m not afraid!” Bye yelled.

  “My visions of you tell me different,” Malia said. “Your face tightened and your mouth opened slightly. It was a vision of fear.”

  “What? You little abomination!” Bye yelled. “I’ll send you back to hell where you came from!” He advanced with fists clenched.

  A sudden snap was followed by a yelp. Ken stood with his pistol in hand. “Back off!” he yelled. “You were about to punch a young girl? There’s evil in this place and I’m pointing my weapon at it! I had it on a low power! Try it again and I’ll cook you like a leg of lamb!”

  “Come with me,” Tanni said. “We’re wasting time.

  * * *

  Tanni pushed the front door of Bye’s house wide open.

  “I’ll not have sons of Satan in my house!” Bye yelled.

  “Tough shit!” Tanni yelled back as she entered.

  “Tanni,” Ken said. “Would you stop using our expressions. I’m going to have to watch what I say from now on.”

  “I love your expressions,” Tanni said. “They’re so expressive.” She walked to the bookshelf and looked up. “There they are, right where Colin said they were.”

  “You lie,” Bye said. “There’s nothing there.”

  Tanni grabbed a chair and thumped it on the floor up against the bookshelf. “There, climb up and see for yourself.”

  “I’ll do it just to prove you wrong.” Bye climbed on the chair and reached up. “See, there is noth…” He went silent as his hand wrested on the stack of manuscripts. “These are not… uh…” he said as his face showed an expression of confusion. He pulled a handful of documents down, jumped from the chair and l
aid them on a table. His hand ran over the top sheet.

  “I suggest you put the first page aside,” Tanni said. “It has a hundred sun highs of dust on it.”

  “I can see that!” Bye snapped. “I don’t need Satan to tell me!”

  Tanni turned to the others. “Shall we leave the Pastor to his reading?”

  Ken led the way through the front door and the crowd that had gathered outside. They then walked back down the road in the direction of the town square.

  “I think our mission is FUBAR,” Tanni said.

  “Again,” Ken said. “Stop using our expressions.”

  “Well it is Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition,” Malia said. “Now they know it’s us, the merchants won’t sell us food.”

  “Not you too,” Ken said. “If you get to go to Pellan you’ll be banned from polite society.”

  “What went wrong?” Colin said as he, Ida and Hansel approach from the opposite direction. “You were supposed to buy supplies. Elder Hansel and I were supposed to confront his son with the missing parts of the Bible.”

  “We were recognized,” Tanni said. “The medicine you gave us to disguise the smell of our body didn’t work.”

  “It’s a hot day,” Ken said. “I think the sweat washed it off.”

  Colin’s pocket twittered. He reached in and pulled out a comlink. “The Pinoy’re calling.”

  “Colin, this is Edward,” came a voice from the comlink. “The Thai have sent us messages. Those Bund people have landed and are now in their villages.”

  “Shit,” Colin said and raised the comlink. “Tell them not to resist. They’ll be slaughtered if they do.”

  “The bund people have occupied four of their villages. They say they’re there to protect them but they’ve arrested all of the village headmen. The Thai say that if they do not release the headmen they’ll fight.”

  “Tell them no. Let our people handle negotiations.”

  The comlink twittered a second time.

  “Hang loose Edward, I have another call.” Colin touched a couple of controls. “Young here.”

  “Corporal Young, this is Admiral Myers. We’ve detected Bund warships in orbit around your planet.”