Coalescence (Camden Investigations Book 1)

by Gary Starta

  “I’m serious, Mitch. I need some clarification. I know I’ve dismissed anything and everything you’ve said about aliens. But if they do exist, I need to know what they look like, when they’re not impersonating humans.”

  “Well, let’s see. There are several varieties. Greys being one, another would be a reptilian like race—”

  She grunted.

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  “No. I’m sorry for interrupting. You were saying something about Greys? What do they look like?”

  “They’re essentially gray. They also have huge, bug-like eyes. No mouth. No ears . . .”

  “Wait, I’m sorry to interrupt again.” She caressed his face. The image of the alien in her dream vision was different. He wasn’t gray skinned. He did have big eyes, but not exactly bug-like. He had a mouth. He also had a greenish tint. “So tell me about the Reptilians.”

  “They have big ridges over their eyes. Their face is V-shaped . . .”

  Mitchell kept speaking but she had heard enough. The alien in her dream vision fit the reptilian description. He, or she, was the traitor among them.

  She let him finish his thought, this time. “So, which is worse? Which one would be the enemy alien that Galloway speaks of?”

  “I would think you already knew that: The Greys.”

  “How would I know?” She whisked her hair away from his face.

  “I thought you saw.”

  “I’m lost, babe. Fill me in.” She kissed his chin.

  “Galloway showed us.”

  She stopped kissing him. What had Mitchell seen that she apparently did not? If what he now said was true, he might have been able to interpret images better than she had. They had been communicating in a different means than she was used to. It wasn’t exactly psychic in the mainstream sense, that’s if psychic communication could ever be classified mainstream. They had been shown images from Galloway’s subconscious. And who knew how Galloway’s alien brain differed from theirs, especially when it came to the subconscious? If Mitchell had been open to more interpretation, it was quite possible he saw even more than whatever Galloway had willingly given DJ.

  Mitchell explained the enemy was the Greys. He was certain of it. They hovered in ships above the world they had morphed. What was once bountiful had become depleted; they ate resources. If this were so, then the Reptilians—like Galloway—were the so-called good guys. Maybe they were defending Earth, albeit for a selfish reason; their only satisfaction would be to watch the Greys wither and die along with them. They really didn’t care about humanity. But was that truly the case? Iris wondered. If a Reptilian was guising itself as a human, and it wasn’t Galloway, it might be a hybrid. Maybe Galloway lied or had been incorrect. He had blamed the enemies for spawning babies with humans. Yet, what if some of the Reptilians did this as well? Maybe it wasn’t part of some sick agenda, but a means to keep enough members of their race alive to continue their quest: to stop the Greys from taking Earth.

  Only it disturbed Iris in a manner that not only frightened her but angered her. If she had failed to see the ships in Galloway’s mind what else might she have missed? Again, what kind of leader would she make when her oversights might cost her team their lives? And now, she had more people to worry about. Mitchell’s team was also her concern now as well.

  She had to break her train of thought. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “Do you really believe we exist outside our bodies?”

  Mitchell laughed, but it was soft, not harsh or in ridicule. “That’s funny coming from you. You believe in ghosts.”

  “I mean, when we’re still in a living state. I’ve thought quite a bit about what Evan said. I had to. I was worried sick when you guys were gone.”

  “You mean you didn’t have any psychic vibe to tell you we were okay?”

  “To be honest, I did not. It’s not always switched on. I often can read my sister . . . but lately . . . even that’s been—”

  He kissed her. “Wait a minute. Slow down. I think I’ve already proved we can be tuned in, at least some of the time. I mean, I’m not psychic. Yet, I seemed to hook into Galloway’s mind—with help, of course.”

  “But you were linked with his subconscious. That might be more of a dream state.” She shook her head.

  “Is it? Are dreams and what we perceive as reality really two different states?”

  She laughed. “You know I’m not qualified to answer that. I don’t have any degrees.”

  “Then you have quite an investigative mind for someone with no training.”

  “Seriously, Mitch, do you think there is some kind of field we can tap into, or will tap into? If this rapid evolution event were allowed to happen, just for argument’s sake, would we be able to exist outside our bodies, communicate in ways even a traditional psychic might not imagine?”

  “I like to believe in Evan’s theories. Look at it this way. We can’t disprove it.”

  “I know lives must be saved.” She held a stop sign hand in front of his face. “I’m not going to argue that one. But should we prevent evolution? Look how hard it’s been for us to share ideas, thoughts. I’m just saying that if we did evolve and were to exist in different planes, what might we achieve? As a scientist, I’m sure that intrigues you?”

  “It does intrigue me. But scientists must also behave like humanitarians. Every life counts.”

  “So we go on? Muddling in our limited existence. How will we ever really ever communicate with one another?”

  “Oh, we’ll manage.” She felt him slip back inside her. He began rocking into her. The pleasure was too encompassing, and she moaned.

  As a few minutes passed, some of her ecstasy waned. Of all times! She was experiencing a dream vision. Only she was awake. At least, she thought she was. But what if it was her subconscious mind signaling her? Was she really awake? How could she tell anymore?

  She felt Mitchell continue his thrusts. She moaned again. She had to be awake. But the vision of the reptilian alien filled her mind’s eye, fighting her pleasure center. It was maneuvering along a steep passage. The surrounding area was clay like, nearly red in color. It must be Chaco. What would lie ahead? Or more accurately who would lie ahead for them?

  She shook her head back and forth. The vision seemed to be important. It appeared to be a real premonition. She continued her ride because she didn’t seem to have any other plan at the moment but sticking together—with Mitchell. Her union, at the very moment, seemed beastly, prehistoric and devolved. But if this was what humankind was at heart it would have to sustain them. It might be their defense. So as crazy as it seemed, she continued rocking, allowing the man inside her to get even closer. It seemed their union would be their best defense, because in the end—it would have to be.

  SHE LET MITCHELL sleep for a few hours after their love making. The man certainly deserved it. She was texting Rachel they would be gathering soon to plan a supply run. Mitchell grunted.

  “Ooh, sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb. Go back to sleep.”

  “No. We’ve got to get going. What were you doing?”

  “Just texting the team about what stores we’re going to . . .” She turned the phone to him. “See, it’s my new toy, a birthday gift from Dad.”

  “Wait a minute.” Mitchell struggled to sit upright. “Your father?”

  “Yes.” It then dawned on her. Like a ton of bricks. She felt the blood rush from her cheeks. “Oh, no. How could I be so stupid.”

  He lifted it out of her hand and deactivated it. Then, he flipped it open to retrieve the battery. “I’m sorry about your phone. I know it’s a gift and you love your father . . .”

  She placed a hand on his cheek. “Thanks for being so understanding. You really could have torn into me.”

  “If this was before I released my pent up sexual tension, I may have.”

  They kissed.

  DAN CAMDEN had felt nauseated ever since the MUFON scientist’s lab had been burned to the ground; h
e knew who was responsible. He was.

  Dan had to admit that the only way the arsonists could have known what was at stake in the lab was because of him. It was his phone surveillance that not only allowed him to keep tabs on his daughters, but others as well. In the back of his mind, he realized all this. But it didn’t stop him. He cared about his daughters. He wasn’t eavesdropping on them to glean some cold, hard facts about a yet-defined otherworldly artifact. Not this time he wasn’t. He was doing it to protect his family. To maybe, finally learn the secret of what it might take to get his daughters back into his life. He had known it all along. But he had always pushed it away when it surfaced. It was sacrifice. He just had to flip priorities around. This time he wouldn’t be sacrificing family for the Organization. He would be sacrificing the Organization for the family. He had given enough to the Organization. He had let them take away his gift by implanting a chip in his head to control when he could and couldn’t use it. He had secured countless artifacts to give the powerful their shiny, new cutting-edge technology.

  And now, someone in the Organization was prioritizing things against him as his reward. They had listened in on his family as well. The fact they knew about the super corn confirmed this. If they would burn a lab it was only a matter of time before more horrendous crimes were committed. They would leave no loose ends. His daughters, they surely knew something about an artifact. But fortunately, they hadn’t given the location of it. This may have kept them alive—for now. But if Dan had learned about the upcoming expedition to Arizona, he was sure his colleagues had as well. And even if the colleagues did secure their prize, they would not stop at quieting all civilians who knew of its existence. Dan Camden was sure of it. He had given his life to such a cause. Now it was high time that sacrifice came to an end.

  Chapter Fifteen

  DAN CAMDEN was aware how his Organization colleagues would operate. They wouldn’t just confiscate the object. They would follow it to wherever it might be put to use. It would make reverse engineering a whole lot easier. It was what kept the investigators alive, for the moment. They were fish in a barrel either way. The further they would creep into Chaco, the easier it would be to dispense with them. The rough terrain made for a great weapon in itself, not to mention it was still springtime and too cool in the evenings for an abundance of witnesses to be about.

  Dan’s anxiety prevented him from procrastinating. As he navigated his rented camper into Chaco’s campgrounds, he thought if only he’d acted as urgently when he realized his family was splitting apart, abandoning him like he had abandoned them, maybe he wouldn’t be in this predicament if he just listened to his heart and quit years ago. Because he hadn’t, he felt pains shoot throughout his chest. Because he hadn’t, he lay in wait for his daughters to descend into a shooting gallery where they would be a prime target for the Organization’s acquisition team. He had a pretty good idea who the acquisition team would be. Dan would wait for them. Then he would follow to hopefully save his daughters. Hope was all he had for a plan.

  THE ORGANIZATION’S “acquisition team” already knew what the paranormal investigators were up to.

  Jack believed he was the procurer of Earth’s future. He had a pretty good idea what the object was all about. He wanted to keep it that way. Especially from Dan. He whistled as he navigated his car into the ancient red canyon. Alongside was Will in the passenger seat. Jack continued whistling. Will was always in the passenger seat it seemed. He really didn’t care to share his special knowledge of Earth’s history and impending future with Will, but the damage was already done. Both had been privy to what they first thought to be only fiction. Years earlier, the Organization’s leaders regaled Jack and Will with predictions that a dramatic change was coming. They’d been enjoying a sumptuous feast where wine encouraged tight-lipped department heads to act with braggadocio. Jack recalled the evening in exact detail. He listened and nodded, frugally imbibing from his goblet. The heads said when Project Alteration was unleashed it would change not only history but the people fortunate enough to continue recording it. Jack observed Will, drinking with gusto, commenting and laughing as if he were suddenly on the same level as his superiors.

  Jack forced his anger down. He envisioned the day when Project Alteration would finally separate the leaders from the followers. Jack was certain Will would remain in the followers’ category. Jack had no intentions of running in place so to speak. He would grab onto the tail of whatever this alteration was and become empowered.

  The first step in the process was already cake to Jack. He had avoided adult inoculations. Adult inoculations were much different than those given to children. Once the body passed puberty, it was a warehouse for genetic change and those administering the inoculations weren’t concerned about protecting the individual so much as they were about changing the individual. Those who steered clear of inoculations had the best chance of not only surviving, but thriving, because the light—the Alteration—would be more dramatic then when man’s brain grew larger overnight. Humanity had chalked up that escalation of intelligence as a missing link. Some argued for evolution, but most hadn’t a clue what really transpired to bring humankind from cave dweller to mansion seeker. It did seem clear that a larger brain increased ambition.

  Enter the Organization and all those who sought control of others and the best for the fewest. With the brightest scientists on board, the Organization was sure rapid evolution was not a one-time event. In actuality, it was dangling just out of grasp, floating aimlessly about space until a greater, greedier hand could grasp it. It would come again. And thanks to the Organization’s partners, the Greys, it would arrive sooner than later. The Greys had a means to harness the great source of advancement, power and godhood. But their eon old nemesis, The Reptilians, was standing in everybody’s way.

  The Greys needed resources and they needed them now. They had all but wiped out their home world and their race many times before in battles with the Reptilians and other resistance fighters in this endeavor. The light bringer could not harness and emit the glorious energy required for transformation with a defense system in the way. And the Greys, as Jack and Will knew, were becoming weaker by the moment. The Greys’ home world was pitiful from what it once was, it was nearly barren, necessitating the last wave of Greys to navigate themselves to Earth where it was hoped the few could repopulate. Because the Organization leaders believed they had an agreement with the Partners, the acquisition teams no longer killed the Greys found at crash sites. The Greys promised the Organization that the technology they had found in past decades would pale in comparison to the next wave of genetic advancement. And like the first phase of rapid evolution, the attempt by the Greys to manipulate genetic material would not be the first.

  Eons ago, the Greys had visited Earth where they discovered, to their abject horror, that a reptilian race ruled the planet. The Reptilians were vile and harsh beings. They wouldn’t coalesce to the Greys plans easily. They were hard to dominate and impossible to conquer, in a fashion, which would leave them alive to serve the Greys needs. The Greys demanded servitude. And it was this behavior, which many evolved reptilians—or modern day humans—mimicked as a template. Needless to say, the Organization had made it their mission plan.

  Over the centuries, the Greys spent resources readily attempting to conquer other Earth like planets around the universe. In these endeavors, their technology sometimes fell from the skies. It fell into human hands on occasion. The Greys believed these errors would eventually benefit their cause. False agreements could be made with greedy humans. These humans would help facilitate their agenda to bring a mass of the population into servitude. The technology aided this effort because it distracted many of the humans to believe they were living an advanced life. But it was only the technology that was advanced. The humans were still limited in their brainpower, still unaware their leaders were intentionally distracting them with new technologies to keep them powerless. The awareness the mass populace needed to be
come empowered hung out in space like a wet sheet waiting to dry. By keeping the populace ill from unnecessary vaccinations and exposure to continued techno toys like phones, many in the Organization believed their service to the Partners would pay off. After all, they allowed many Greys to not only survive but to live among them, hidden in disguise, of course.

  The Greys dwindling population remained heartened by the notion that most human minds could be exploited without the victim even being aware. If they couldn’t repopulate Earth with Greys, the next best thing lay within reach—Project Alteration—because the project would ensure human servitude.

  The present day Greys cursed their ancestors for not annihilating the first Reptilians on Earth. These Reptilians never really died or became extinct by strict definition. They changed, starting with an upright posture and larger brains. But the first were still not quite desirable, so more genetic tweaking was necessitated. This was an exhaustive process that tapped the Greys resources over millennia. Then their scientists discovered a breakthrough: a means to harness the equivalent of a giant laser scalpel from space. But centuries before that, failed prior efforts to save their home world diminished the Greys numbers and resources. All the while, the numbers of humans continued to escalate despite their bad choices and unfortunate ecological disasters.

  The Greys never thought they would meet opposition by a number of Reptilian races. As if they were psychically connected with Earth’s past, these Reptilians were aware what the Greys had done to Earth’s first occupants. They fought to stop colonization. More resources were lost as a result. And over time, both sides paid heavily for their wars. Survivors of both species sought refuge on Earth. The last vestige of resources it would seem. The Greys utilized their genetic capabilities to shape shift so they could look like humans until the time came when they could unleash another rapid evolution shift and convert both the planet’s inhabitants and resources to sustain them. If the Greys ancestors had been more skilled in the past, Earth may have always been the Greys’ property. But while they were only few in number, they still had a chance to accomplish their dream thanks to humans who would willingly sell out their species. Still, the last remaining Reptilians would fight tooth and claw against them, not to emerge victorious, but simply to harbor vengeance for what the Greys had always done to Reptilians: annihilate them or manipulate them to their advantage. It was a war of spite.