Jacob's Trouble 666

by Terry James

  No wavering on the part of this man who would be savior, who inspired certainty that he could deliver what the Pope promised--leadership out of the calamitous mess in which the world found itself. That inspiration showed in reflected belief from the faces at Brussels. Krimhler was in the process of activating the germ of noble aspiration, which all people who were sane harbored dormant in their core beings. The German was able, Jacob knew now, to cause those coming under his influence to ignite others in a chain reaction that would ultimately link all together in the promised global familyhood. But, it would be a linkage in the form of manacles, because in order for that global design to succeed, stumbling blocks had to be removed--of which Jacob Zen was one.

  "My fellow passengers on spaceship earth, is it not time we put aside the prejudices and biases separating the family of man one from the other... a separation which would soon bring us to that Armageddon so long predicted by the myopic doomsdayers? Instead, should we not concentrate on the things common to all? The good, productive things... The human things which are the inherent right of every citizen of our world community to enjoy?

  "Make no mistake, if we do not take action beginning here, beginning now--and there is no one else to take action for us--we will be forever lost. The ultimatum is this: Build a great and glorious world in which there are none of the plagues humanity has endured since the moment man stood erect and began recording human events... or else disintegrate in the future fireballs of our own creative folly, and be consumed in the blackness of nuclear winter. There is no turning back. The Great Universal Mind, who issues the ultimatum, has also provided the technology and intellectual capability through which man can solve his potentially fatal dilemmas.

  "Do not worry for now about what has happened... about why millions have vanished. Be assured that the great giver of all knowledge will put into each and every mind, individually, the acceptance of what has happened, as each becomes individually able to comprehend. I will say, for now, only that for some who are gone from our midst, it is a great evolutionary reward, while for others it is, sadly, punishment for false teaching of things about the Father of all. Most crucially, we must understand that although this phenomenon seems a tragedy, it is in fact God's gift to His creation, offering a new beginning, a purified pathway to a higher evolutionary order."

  The German's piercing eyes, like when Jacob viewed the Naxos tapes, caused the feeling they were x-raying one's brain. That those black, intelligent orbs were invading, unveiling the soul. Krimhler stood with almost arrogant posture, surveying the silent, intensely attentive representatives, then turned his eyes again to the camera encased within its mobile, mechanized scaffolding just above the center aisle.

  "I must tell you also, although the end result of the course the Great Universal Mind has prescribed will be glorious beyond imagination... that course will require many sacrifices from everyone. Those who refuse to live within lawful boundaries must be dealt with and shall be treated as not worthy of our love, of God's love. Let us begin by understanding this precept, yet... with the prayer in our hearts that there will be none among us who will be so unloving and so foolish as to test our resolve as we begin our march into the glorious New Age of, ultimately... perfection."

  A gigantic reflective screen descended from the ceiling at mid-stage while Krimhler spoke. Its expanse covered the blackness that previously had framed the German and the lectern. Projected light streamed from above and behind the audience, lighting the screen with a graphic presentation which highlighted what Krimhler was saying.

  The Plan

  "The blueprint for perfecting mankind in a less sudden and less dramatic way than the great leap into perfection in which our now ascended brothers and sisters participated... ‘The Plan’ to make God's creation what he intended... I now give the world... Interface!"

  The screen above and behind the young German reflected the word: "Interface."

  "INterface... the joining together of human to human... linking, through our self-created miracles, each to the other... Oneness!"

  The screen above the platform was alive with brilliant visual effects. Krimhler's eyes seemed ablaze while the lights and colors burst, disturbing the general darkness of the chamber.

  INterphase

  "And INterphase, the period of learning to live together as true children of God's Universal Family. The final evolutional period that will lead each to the godhood locked within the inner-self. INterphase... to consist of the Six Ways.

  1. Terrorism and crime will dissolve into exemplary citizenship through joint effort and innovative discipline.

  2. Poverty and economic chaos will be eliminated by working together to share abundance equally through computer disbursal ingenuity.

  3. Hunger, like poverty, will be forever done away with through distribution of the wealth left by those who were taken in the great dissolution and evolutionary leap, plus, through sharing of the plenty. No more will there be Third-World nations.

  4. Ecological disaster caused by floods, earthquakes, wind and fire, can and shall ultimately be overcome through human determination and divine help within our technologies.

  5. Disease will be eradicated through intensive, concerted efforts of the world medical community.

  6. Peace shall replace war as man learns to give rather than only to take.

  This is the Six Ways design I give to you, my fellow citizens of the world."

  With the six points outlined in huge letters upon the screen, Herrlich Krimhler gestured with a motion of his right hand toward the projected image, then turned to again grip the lectern and address his global audience.

  "Every nation, every people is represented in this chamber. I appeal to each representative, on behalf of your people. Join in this effort... I implore you in the name of God. Endorse and embrace this gift of love, this gift of life and a future free from the threat of nuclear annihilation and all other of the horrible scourges outlined. It is mankind's last chance. Your only chance, my friends... My brothers and sisters." The graphic changed while Krimhler paused; he spoke again, his tone now grave, yet inspirational while his appeal rose to authoritative finality.

  "Join with me. Together let us create the world God meant for you to have.

  Six Ways to Law!

  Six Ways to Order!

  Six Ways to Peace!

  6! 6! 6!"

  Jacob felt what he knew those at Brussels must be feeling, what everyone who heard the dynamic young German's words must be feeling at this moment. A coursing of excitement, causing eruptions of goose bumps. He, like they, wanted to believe, to accept what Krimhler was saying. So desperate was the plight of every human being who prayed for something to give them hope. But even now, with the goodwill gushing from the many representatives in the Brussels chamber, he knew better. Knew at the most primitive gut level that the price Krimhler was asking for Utopia was too great ~ more than anyone should have to pay. Herrlich Krimhler walked toward the blackness, the screen having ascended into the ceiling, and paused to shake the hand of the Pope before departing the platform. A noise, indecipherable at first but becoming clearer, the volume increasing. A chant by the representatives, who were on their feet now and clapping hands while they gave the incantation in English.

  "Six Ways to Law!! Six Ways to Order!! Six Ways to Peace!! Six!! Six!! Six!!"

  The audio and video from the television set in front of Jacob and Melissa was that emanating from Brussels. The image remained for several seconds, before Lawrence Thorton again took control in the Washington D. C. studio, his image superimposed through chromakey over the scene at Brussels.

  "A most stirring and profound message," the newsman said, turning from watching a monitor to face the camera. "It would seem that the billions of people, represented by these national and religious leaders in attendance at U.E.S. Headquarters, will not have to pressure their leaderships into going along with this magnificent plan put forward by Herr Krimhler. I have never in my years of journalism s
een such complete agreement or enthusiasm by such a diverse group of government officials as we are now witnessing. It seems also that Herr Krimhler has inadvertently created what it looks like might become the battle-cry for 'ThePlan' he tells us comes directly from God. As you can hear in the background, they are chanting, 'Six Ways to Law! Six Ways to Order! Six Ways to Peace!' and capping off the appeal with the words, 'Six, Six, Six.' Herrlich Krimhler's message comes as a welcome harbinger of hope at a time when we all need above all else, hope."

  Jacob saw on Melissa's face the expression that asked if the journalist's words, if Krimhler's plan, could be a true effort at solving the world's great problems. It was the same question he fleetingly asked himself.

  No! It could not! More than that, it was a lie! A wicked lie of the most cruel sort. A deception that dangled in front of a chaotic, terrified world, hope for a solution, while the deceivers were even now tightening their deadly coil around their billions of victims. How appropriate, he considered while lighting a cigarette and looking to the screen that displayed the almost gleeful face of Lawrence Thorton, that he should compare the Naxos group to a snake coiling around its victim, snuffing out freedom. Man was first deceived and enslaved by a serpent, according to the legend. Yes... Hugo Marchek would have appreciated the analogy.

  "To the message given by the Pontiff, and by Herrlich Krimhler... I, on behalf of my fellow journalists throughout the world, say... 'Amen.' We will do our parts to disseminate that word of promise offered by the Six Ways Plan.

  "INterface should become a part of our daily lives now. The Six Ways to Peace, our motto. One gets the feeling that we are indeed marching into a New Age, which will see the end of these six great scourges of man... Crime, poverty, hunger, ecological disaster, disease, and finally, war. Most of all, peace will replace war."

  The network newsman looked to be in deep concentration; his tone was reasoning. "And the simple elegance of one part of 'The Plan' at which Herr Krimhler allowed us a brief look--that all wealth left behind by those gone in the dissolution will be distributed to the least of our brothers and sisters--demonstrates 'The Plan's' brilliance. It is a beautiful picture. A biblical picture, really, of the commandment to 'love thy neighbor as thyself.' Let us make that principle a part of our daily lives. 'Do unto others, as we would have them do unto us.' Only give even more... always more than we receive.”

  "Now we will go to the East Room at the White House, and the swearing-in ceremony for Grant Horton Halifax as President of the United States."

  Thorton turned again to the monitor. The ceremony was already underway, the Chief Justice holding the large Bible on which the right hand of Halifax rested.

  "...faithfully swear to execute the duties of the office of the President of the United States, so help me God," said Halifax, who smiled and took the hand first of the Chief Justice, then, in turn, the hands of each of the men and women gathered nearby him in the East Room. The new President made his way to a cluster of microphones, faced the cameras and smoothed white pages of paper on the top of the small lectern. He waited for the rustle of the guests and reporters to quiet down before he began reading in the polished New England brogue.

  "This is a bittersweet time for me. My wonderful friend, my President... is gone." There were tears in his eyes; he paused to regain control. "Herrlich Krimhler, another of my very dear friends and colleagues, has told us that many of those who have departed from us were taken to a grand cosmic reward, as was the destiny of those people at this dramatic juncture in universal history. Raymond Parley is surely in his heaven... the first to arrive... Smiling down on us and telling us to follow the dictates of the great cosmoginal mind... To heed the admonitions of God's man, Herrlich Krimhler. So I shall not mourn long for Raymond Parley's loss; rather, I shall celebrate his gain... and our opportunity to attain the same elevated state he now enjoys. That said, let us proceed. Let us, as Herrlich Krimhler said, and as John F. Kennedy before him said, 'make God's work here on earth truly our own.'"

  The tears in Halifax's eyes dried as quickly as they came, and Jacob smiled inwardly, admiring the new President's ability to carry the act through with such obvious feeling; at the same time, he hated Halifax for what he knew the man was about to do.

  "We, my fellow Americans, have the opportunity to invoke God's blessings by sharing in a way no other people on this planet can. We possess the technology to help assure each of our global brothers and sisters an equal right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

  Jacob's face tingled, his anger and exasperation constricting his blood vessels, forcing the blood painfully into his eyes and forehead. The birthright of every American was about to be wiped out with a few spoken words. The Constitution of the greatest nation in the history of the world was about to be dissolved by this Judas. While the tears filled his own eyes, he tried to calm himself with the thought that the disappearance calamity had probably already done both things anyway.

  "The good intentions of the great people of America shall no longer be doubted, because we will lead the way, take the first step, form the first link in the chain. Not a chain of bondage, but one of strength, which will assure true freedom by putting all our resources at the disposal of INterface. So, as President of the United States of America, I hereby invoke Executive Order 16,000 on behalf of the people of America for that purpose, and voluntarily offer this great nation to INterface Governing Council, within which I shall be Chief Deputy to Herrlich Krimhler, who has today been chosen INterface Chancellor. This does not abrogate any treaties between what was formerly the United States of America and any of her treaty partners; rather, it strengthens those treaties by bringing them under an umbrella of all nations who choose to link with the INterface network. Trade agreements will be treated likewise, that is, they will be considered part of INterface Commerce, assuring each trading family member equitable treatment, based on gross national productivity, under terms stipulated by INterface Governing Council."

  Halifax shifted his tone and demeanor, obviously wanting to become more personal with his viewing audience. "And now, my fellow citizens of the United States... and I must begin using the terms 'brothers and sisters' because we can no longer afford the divisiveness of nationalism. So, my brothers and sisters of INterface, we will begin distributing, at no charge to you, the interpersonal computer equipment known as the INterface Response Unit, also referred to as 'INRU.'"

  Halifax watched men in white coveralls wheel in the example device on a flat dolly, and park it beside the lectern so that the television camera could give the viewer a good look.

  "Because the great numbers of people who have the UNTIVUS can network with INterface to some extent, we will first concentrate on installing the INRU equipment in the homes and businesses which have only the obsolete computer units, as they are inadequate to interact on the level that will be required. In a short time, the old UNIVUS will be replaced by INterface Response Units in all remaining households and businesses, just as the European UNIVER systems will be replaced in Europe."

  The new President, who would shortly abolish that office to become Herrlich Krimhler's Chief Deputy, spoke in a tone that pleaded for understanding and cooperation.

  "Unlike when we instituted the UNIVUS, a system which during its time proved its usefulness a thousand times over, acceptance of this new system will be mandatory. If it were not so, if even a small portion refused to accept it, the networking effort would be harmed irreparably."

  Jacob heard no more of Halifax's words. His thoughts, instead, were on the hatred he felt for this man who had sold his country for personal gain. He considered calmly, premeditatively what he might do to oppose the dictatorship that was growing exponentially.

  "It's all happening too fast for me," Melissa said, jarring him from his thoughts of righteous treachery. "But it's just like you said. It all seemed so fantastic when you first told me about what was happening."

  "When people are panicked and desperate, it's easy
to get them to accept a rope. Even one that has a noose on it. They're beginning to get hungry. They'll grab on to anything to keep from going under. This thing has been in the works for a long time. It took more than a day to build that complex at Naxos, that's for sure. If this so-called dissolution hadn't happened, they would've manufactured something, some crisis, in order to get what they wanted. I'm not sure whether they manufactured the disappearance. I don't know how they could've... but it came with perfect timing, didn't it?"

  "The whole thing is crazy."

  "More than crazy. And there's more to it than a magician's trickery, more than merely sleight of hand. It's as if they really didn't have control over what happened, but were fully prepared to take advantage of the situation when it did happen. I know it doesn't make sense, but they are taking full advantage of the disappearance and the destruction of the Russian military alliance."

  Thirty minutes later, with the broadcasts from Washington and Brussels finished, and the soon-to-be Deputy Chancellor of INterface Governing Council having promised to tell more at a future time about the new way of doing things, Jacob set the videocassette recorder for the Naxos tape he had not yet viewed. His head throbbed violently, like it had off and on since the rush of events began following the car crash when the agent vanished. Melissa rubbed the back of his neck while he fidgeted with the recorder, then walked toward a bedroom.

  "I'll get some aspirin," she said; he pushed the play button and sat on the sofa.