by Thomas Zman
“Steve!” cried a distant voice. I looked but saw no one.
Suddenly a parable we bestowed upon me:
Beware of he who hideth his eyes; beware of he
who approacheth when thou is weak. Taketh heed
of both these ill signs, for if he too speaketh a
great knowledge of thee, hasten away for he is
surely to do you harm. Free yourself of his
evil . . . . Honi Soi qui mal Y pense . . .
I turned back to the stranger and was overwhelmed by a putrid burning stench. His face was of melted flesh and oozing sores. His analogous orifice foamed the following phalliciousness: “Come you!” He bellowed. “Forsake what is told and follow me for I rule these Underworlds. I will give you escape back home if your thinking be kept as that which brought you laughter! Think about it!” He exulted a ludicrous roar that echoed his retreat into the void from whence he came.
My body shook to sobriety and my face streamed with tears. I hid my shame in trembling hands and it was then that I felt a comforting pair of hands upon me, and these caring words spoken:
“Steve. My God, are you all right?” It was April. “How did you get here? What happened?”
I could not speak, but only sob – uncontrollably.
“I was looking all over for you.”
I took refuge in her arms.
Places of Interest
Polished marble walls arched towards an exalted ceiling, engraved with immortally poised historians. I was present in the Archives with Frank and a Phoebian named Amanuensis – Aman, a terribly more docile alien (in appearance) – where the true accounts of world history were chronologically catalogued by the Sanctification. Frank and the Phoebian were across the study looking over a façade of glass cabinetry; a vast array of small clear drawers that contained discs, annals of the earth’s history starting with the Phoebians’ appearance on this planet some thirty four thousand years ago. As for myself, I had been to these premises several times already in continuance of what must surely have been the ultimate ‘social studies’ course and was now furthering my research, seated before a large viewing table amused by the three-dimensional consolidated evolution of the earth: Hot swirling gases cooling into a molten crust; thick Venus-like clouds appear, beneath which lay a barely distinguishable land formation. Lightning sparks the sky as the super-continent Pangaea rises to dominate the primordial oceans; this landmass then splits into three, four continents, separating, sinking, and growing into five, six, then seven, arranging themselves into their present formation . . .
“Steve, how were the movies over on Hollywood Ave?” Frank asked while pulling out a drawer labeled 7490 BC – 7205BC.
“Enjoyable. April really liked them. The oldies, you know. Films made before we were even born. I’d always heard about them but never got the chance to see any. Black and white, no less. Great stuff.”
“I know what you mean. ‘Originality’. Constance likes those, too.”
Frank changed his tone as he searched intently through disked epochs.
“BC 7485 – Retrospect (7000th millennium BC).” A puzzled look crossed his face.
“What does this label mean?” he asked.
“All documents are cross-indexed,” Aman telepathically clarified. “7485 is the true historic date the Phoebians transgressed time and cultivated the hominid species into a more suitable being.”
“Now Frank,” I guided him. “Go over to the cabinets labeled ‘millennium’ and look up 7000m BC.” My attention was still on the evolving earth before me.
“You know, this is only my first time in this place,” Frank complained. You could give me a hand over here. “God only knows what I’m supposed to be looking for.”
“Your friend has not told you?” Aman queried.
“I figured it would be more of a surprise if I let him find out on his own,” I interjected. “By the way Frank, how is Constance?”
He ignored my question. “Found it,” he then said. “The 7000th millennium. Now what?”
“Take the first disc labeled ‘Implantation’, and bring it here to the viewer,” I instructed.
Frank scoffed up the disc and brought it to me. I cleared mine and replaced it with his.
“Pay attention. This is mind blowing!”
“Before I proceed,” Aman prorogued the material, “It is necessary you understand that these chronicles contain information not yet discovered by your paleoanthropologists, yet are continuously edited to better reflect what has been accepted in the scientific community.” He moved his hand over a dial that materialized a written dissertation into the air before us. It began:
The counsel has decided that the course of earth’s history should be altered to better reflect our own existence on this world. We shall traverse thousands of millennium back into the Miocene Epoch, into what is known as the Late Messinian Period, and raise up a being that will surpass the species human upon its full physiological maturity in the year 7000 BC. This shall commemorate 25,000 years of Phoebian existence on this planet and milestone a more advanced life form to further develop this world as we set our goals to branch forth and bio-form others in this quadrant. In this year, 7485 BC it is know that the species human has now existed for 30,482 years. Man, at this time, has been studied thoroughly. We have the science necessary to genetically restructure, advance the DNA in an ancient hominid species known as Sahelathropus, so its offspring will evolve over the millennium into more progressive hominids: Orrorin, as they are currently known, shall multiply their numbers, interbreeding so that the stronger, more adaptable survive. Henceforth, they shall evolve to Ardipithecus, and so forth up through the evolutionary chain. Their descendants are to first be spread throughout the continent of Africa, then onto Asia, and Europe, where they will develop into different races and ascend . . .
“Do you mean to tell me that the Phoebians traveled back in time seven million years to make it look as if man evolved from the ape? That the Phoebians’ are the missing link?”
“ “This, my friend, is only half the story,” Aman replied.
A panoramic documentary unfolded before us along with a descriptive narrative. It showed laboratory treatments being given to the ancient hominids, then their return to the wild in the central plains of Africa and acceptance into their expansive families. There are continuous advances of the account, the subsequent interactions and mating of the species, the changing climate of their homeland from savannah to dessert, and their migration eastward into woodlands and small forest areas with abundant food and water supplies. Again, there are laboratory treatments shown to slightly different looking hominids, and again their return to the wild; a repetitive series that spans thousands of millennium, as evidenced by a digital time stamp to the corner of the viewing. The most prominent feature of the documentary is dominance of the hybrid hominid after each laboratory session and ultimately its offspring.
“I believe you would be more interested in the segment that contains the declining years of our experiment,” Aman stated, shuffling to the cabinets.
“So Frank,” I began. You didn’t answer me before.”
“About Constance?”
“Yeah. I though you two were getting along good?”
“We are. It’s just that she’s looking to get married. And, well, I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet.”
“I can see that. We’re just getting used to being in this place. But I must admit I can’t really recall how long we’ve been here.” Very odd, I thought.
“Well, anyway. She’s kind of hurt. We had words. Then, the ‘silent treatment’. You know how that goes.”
(Don’t we all)
“Here gentlemen,” Aman returned with another disc. “The ‘Termination’ annals dated 7000BC – Retrospect 37301 BC. It has been millions of years since our prodigy, as we called them, evolved up to true man. Although millions of years have elapsed during the ‘Commemoration Project’, only 485 have elapsed in actual earth ti
me for the Phoebians, who continuously traverse time to methodically advance the ape-man species. Here is our last documented retrospect.” Aman activated the viewer.
It showed primitive people dressed in animal skins living near a lake amidst a flourishing land. Livestock grazed at the water’s edge as giggling children played nearby. Mothers and daughters were seen cooking by fires while men taught their sons how to make tools for tilling the ground and hunting – the ways taught them by their forefathers.
“The people you see,” Aman explained, “are all descendants of Seth, the third son of Adam and Eve. They live by the laws of God and are firm in their belief of Him.”
The scene then changed to a semi-arid land of dry ground and small grasses. Haggard people tended their flocks, walking them over the hot, dusty plains in a continuing quest for new land. These people, who carried their homes on their backs and their dreams ahead of them, were wanderers, forever lost in the land of nod.
“Our prodigies, prior their full physiological maturity, had succumbed to repeated hardships of climate change, disease, and ultimately culminating in the great flood that finally wiped them from the face of the earth. It was then determined by the council to redirect its efforts, to the millenniums just prior to recorded history, to intervene upon God’s own Divine Plan. We relocated several of the offspring from Cane (Adam and Eve’s second son) about the earth to ease their hardships. Our technology was introduced to a select few of them, cultivating scholars, who in turn rose to power, where they rapidly advanced their communities, built great cities, and some even formidable empires. In just a matter of generations any nomadic obscurity we decided to aid would rise to greatness. We had in essence become their ‘gods’.
“But in the end, like our ‘Commemoration Project’, they would all eventually collapse. Their moral standards deteriorated, compromised by sin.
“In time it became all too apparent, that with all our sciences, we were just puppets manipulated by the hands of the devil. We had brought a hubristic crime upon ourselves. A crime we have come to call The Spiritual Transgression. And when it came time for our civilization to leave your planet it was levied upon us that we must remain here due to our abominations against The Almighty. Judgment was passed: Imprisoned were we within your planet until our sentence is served. Any attempt to do otherwise and our civilization would have been smitten, like so many of yours had been.
“For the Phoebians who repent here our cities could be called hades. Bound are we to this cosmic rock with no chance of transferring our civilization, our sciences, to other parts of the universe. Our mobility is restricted to limited excursions about the universe, mostly as learning or pleasure trips for your people.
“We trespassed God’s domain and are now held captive to this world until we help correct that which we helped corrupt. Thus The Sanctification was created.” Aman bowed his head in reverence to the word. “It is sad, however, that the same punitive measures could not be exercised upon the surface. For them, their paths invariably lead to obliteration.”
* * *
I later finished my business at the Archives, and a brief workout over at the fitness center, then walked over to the Celestial Gardens where I met April, who tended to spend a lot of her free time there. She looked exceptionally lovely. She dressed all in gossamer, with flowing angelic sleeves. Her hair was tied back in a bun with just a simple curl in front of each ear, and she wore a fragrance that reminded me somewhat of Jean. At the time I felt guilty having turned my affection to another woman. (But, if I was to remain here forever, then I might as well find love again) We sat talking while seated amidst the circle of flowers, before the Seven Temples. There were people going about the Temples, all pleasantly humbled by the geniality in the air.
“How were the Archives?” she asked.
“Enlightening. I have to say Frank was quite moved by the experience.” I noticed a timid squirrel at our feet. “I think after our visit Frank is getting the full picture. It was my third time to the Archives,” I talked, entertained by the small inquisitive creature, seeming to listen. “Each time I study there it instills in me more and more the importance of our being here . . . God knows I miss Jean and the children, but a new direction has been chosen for me. I feel . . . I feel . . . “ the squirrel cocking its head as if anticipating my words, “that I should always stay loyal to them, and live bearing the pain of their loss. Yet another thing tells me that I should open up to others here. That I should spend my time with – “
April smiled, and looked shyly away. The squirrel scurried off.
“We’ve known each other a while now,” I held her hand. “And just recently started spending a lot more time together. We go places, plays, movies, dances. We have fun, right? I don’t see anything wrong with it. Do you? We’re good friends and I’d like it to stay that way. And someday . . . who knows. It’s funny. You know Frank and Constance – “
“OOOOhh! Constance.” April angered, squeezing my hand. “Don’t tell me! That’s all I hear. She doesn’t know how to give people their own space. Always her way.”
I was surprised by April’s outburst; as if she’d been triggered. “Sounds likes like there’s opposition,” I said.
“Sure enough is! Then, if another person decides to agree with her, she changes her mind just to be difficult!”
“Defiance!”
“Always!”
April thought a moment, looking off into the distance.
“I’m sorry,” she said, calming herself. “It’s just that Constance and I just had a little disagreement before. That’s all.”
“It can be hard when a friend brings you into their disorder, and you’re not exactly on their side.”
April just looked at me.
“By the way,” I decided to change the subject (odd enough) “how was the Information Complex, today?”
“It was Okay. Now that I think about it, it was my last shift there. Tomorrow I get transferred to the Tenements for domestic duty. Can’t say I exactly relish the idea of being a maid.”
We both laughed.
“Well, it all equals out in the end. Besides, if you don’t like it you can always transfer out. It’s not that bad.”
“How about you? How is the training in the Water Separating Facility? That must be interesting. Do you get to see the huge vats of the separated minerals, silver, gold?”
“Yes, I do. Even had the chance to melt them down and pour them off into ingots. It’s surprising how heavy a little gold bar can be. But what’s even more exciting is that my name has come up for the ‘Grand Tour’! Aman told me before I left the Archives. A tour of our very solar system! Can you imagine? That’s a dream come true.”
A look of disappointment came upon April.
“It won’t be for a long time yet.” I tried to ease back the news. “There’s a lot of names ahead of mine, though.”
April was quiet.
“Are you alright with this?”
“I guess I’ll have to be,” she said, resting her hands on her lap. “I’ll just be left here listening to Constance’s complaining.”
“When I do finally go, I won’t be gone too long. I’ve heard that a saucer can travel distances equivalent to light-years in a matter of seconds by using warps in space. Leaps, I believe is the term.”
April fidgeted her hands; her disappointed look turning to wonder.
“I don’t exactly grasp the concept, but it cuts short travel that would normally take thousands of years by conventional propulsion methods to just a few months. Just like a long vacation. Holiday!”
“It still means that I don’t get to see you for a long time, Steve.” She grabbed both my hands.
It will be difficult being away from you.” I suddenly kissed her. It was entirely awkward. I pulled back and just continued to talk. “But a journey that long will give me time to think, sort things out. This new life I’m living has sent my mind on a whirlwind. Now space flight! Unbelievable.”
&nbs
p; “What do you say we go into church now?”
“Sure. It’s been a long time,” I said. You know, I’m glad you asked me to meet you here. I promised myself that I’d try to be a more devout person.”
“Well, come on then, let’s go!”
April sprung to her feet and pulled me up from the bench. She locked her arm in mine and we quickly mixed with the flow of worshipers milling about the steps of the Temples.
The Seven Temples were all similar, except for the center one called ‘The Pearl’. This most sacred of Houses wasn’t used. It was larger than the others, with more ornate gold trimmings faceting its exterior, and thick pillars supporting a belfry where it is told the bell never tolled -- but would in some future time ring in the Event. I stopped a moment to admire its beauty. We entered the Temple beside it.
This Temple, House of Worship, was more in the architectural design of a church. We seated ourselves in a pew about half way down the center aisle. I looked about and noted an array of worshippers bowed in prayer. These houses of worship were available at all times and people came and went as they pleased. The interior walls were richly decorated with true-to-life carvings of Abraham, Moses, Mary, and other such divinities. There was a starred crucifix of impressive dimensions suspended over behind the teakwood alter; the alter itself heaped with large scrolls, and surrounded by tall candles. Incense added a sweetness of myrrh to the air. The cathedral ceiling was adorned with cherubs set in a mosaic of stained glass, through which golden rays of light filtered down upon the congregation as if divinely sent from heaven above.