Copyright © 2011 Alexander M Zoltai
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious.
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
A Project of B. I. D. E.
Benevolence In Dharmic Exploration
Cover Image courtesy of NASA and STScI
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First Edition
Dedicated to
Nathanael William Kee
&
Ararura Quaren
Acknowledgement
Profound thanks to Laura Linneman for her editing work,
along with her insights. She has rubbed off the rough edges.
She has polished our dream.
She can be contacted at: [email protected]
Any errors remaining are attributable to the authors.
Prologue
This is a tale that spans a large tract of time: from the horrific 500-year war to the immaculate peace—a peace we feel will never falter since we so often stumbled, fell, and rose again on the road we had to create to find that peace.
My name is Sena Quaren and this book is a story told in "notes". Even though some readers may think it is a novel or a history, its form is difficult to classify in what are called genres.
What I say next may or may not be believed but, either way, this story is true—true as fact or true in the way fiction can rise to heights unattainable by mere facts.
I am a woman from a star system about twelve light-years from Earth. If you choose to believe me, my story might be considered a history lesson—how to achieve unity and peace—a lesson that Earth desperately needs. If you choose to not believe I’m real, my tale might be considered a science fiction story about how to achieve unity and peace—a lesson that Earth desperately needs…
I'll proceed on the premise that I am real.
My sources of information range from the official and personally-invasive computer records of the corporate World, Anga-Param, to the vivid oral traditions of the religious World, Anla-Purum, to the stories handed down through my extended family. And, even though I'm speaking to you now in what's called first-person point of view, most of the story will be told in what writers call third-person omniscient, which means that the other people in this tale won't be the storytellers. This is what writers on Earth use to give them more freedom of expression—jumping from an overall point of view to very personal views and back out, much like what a camera does in a movie. My "voice" will return when the story arrives at my birth.
This story's spine is the line of ancestors that culminated in my life. The final chapter will be told by my daughter, Ararura. She is my future.
There's something important you need to know before you read the story: My people, the Angians, over many hundreds of years, learned to work with naturally-occurring plasma.
Sorry for this short scientific digression, but if you don't have a basic understanding of plasma, you'll miss much of the meaning of this story.
The forms of matter most people are familiar with are solids, liquids, and gases—all of which keep their electrons in orbit around the nucleus—the core of an atom. Plasma is a state of matter in which the electrons and nuclei are separate and most of it is invisible. Still, because of its electrical and magnetic properties, its ability to organize and shape the other forms of matter is incredibly more powerful than gravity. Another important fact is that plasma is the most abundant form of matter. About ninety-nine percent of the universe is plasma.
Some common, visible examples are lightning, neon signs, an aurora, and a simple fire.
O.K., scientific digression done.
We Angians have learned to harness plasma as a catalyst to increase the receiving and transmitting qualities of our minds. Note well, though, that common, invisible plasma also carries an imprint of emotions.
The Angian system's plasma distribution caused a natural and powerful enhancement of mental/emotional connection between two of our Worlds—Anga-Param, the corporate World, and Anla-Purum, the religious World. Luckily, this only happened during a short period every five years when the two planets were closest to each other.
It should be noted that this mental/emotional planetary connection was used extensively as a weapon in our 500-year InterWorld War. There are even some who claim plasma is the primary conduit for spiritual experiences.
Before we learned to use this power productively many people were doomed to a miserable life in mental institutions. A small percentage of us not only escaped the confusion of the interpenetration of other minds and hearts but could train ourselves to use the plasma even when the planets were not close. An even smaller percentage could reach out beyond our planets and explore alien minds. This is how I found Alexander, the co-author of this book.
Alexander is my transducer—my way of communicating with Earth's people. We have an intimate mental/spiritual bond—not "conversation" but something much deeper and higher—a conceptual bonding. A simplistic example would be to say that we share things like the idea of dog and cat but not the knowledge of beagles and tabbies. A more accurate example would be that we easily share an idea like four-footed, domesticated animal but not ideas like dog or cat or lizard. Those differences take much more conceptual exploration and sharing.
The sharing we do is rich and meaningful and Meaning is what is most important. Even though trees and flowers and bodies in the Angi system are significantly different than on Earth and even though the way Angians think and feel and act has its peculiarities, there are sufficient similarities that make all the Angian jargon unnecessary. The only times I worked hard to give Alexander specific words to use was when reference was made to names of people and places.
I've come to completely trust Alexander to take the meanings I give him and share them with you in meaningful ways. I've had significant culture-shock learning about your World and you would feel the same thing if you truly experienced our Worlds. Yet, understanding is the goal—unity of thought and feeling. Even though the specific history of our Worlds is different than yours, I'm sure you'll find valuable information in this story—information that can help Earth.
Alexander and I have worked together to interact with hundreds of humans before we ever sat down to write this book—he worked to help me understand humanity so I could make my story of real help in the efforts to stem the tide of the multiple, global crises Earth is suffering. I've communicated, with Alexander's help, through forums on the Web as well as through the avatar he created for me in the virtual world, Second Life. As this book was being written, we interacted with many reviewers on our publisher's web site, FastPencil. At the end of this book you'll find a listing of the people who helped me prepare for and accomplish the incredibl
y complex task of writing a book.
My story begins with one planet, the corporate World, Anga-Param, just a bit ahead of Earth in technological development and another planet, the religious World, Anla-Purum, in some timeless state of self-engrossment.
Even though our Worlds are now approximately 1,000 years further along the evolutionary trail than your World, my story begins with a time quite similar, in meaning, to what Earth is experiencing. Anla-Purum, the religious World, is at the stage of Earth cultures called "primitive". Anga-Param, the corporate World, is what might be called "advanced". In the thirty years before the beginning of my story Anga-Param had sent automated ships to Anla-Purum, delivering what you might call radio equipment. It differs from your technology in one important way. Because it works in tandem with our abundant plasma, not only words are transmitted. Emotions are also riding the waves.
This mental/emotional, plasma-radio contact was the first proof that our Worlds had deep similarities. For example, learning each other's languages was as simple as learning a new dialect of one language.
Alexander has also created special files for use in a free 3-D space simulator that lets you visit and explore my worlds. Send an email to [email protected] and he will send you the files.
So, there it is. You're about to read the story of a People who went from a 500-year InterWorld War and nearly complete loss of hope to enduring security. May the truth we discovered bring you courage to face the necessities of building a path toward global peace.
1 ~ Splendor
He was ready to go but delayed slipping the bonds for a moment as he bid farewell in his mind to the daughter he'd never met. He knew his work for the Angan Corporation was critical—he was the leader of the first expedition to another World; but, Velu, his unknown daughter, would probably not know he'd done it.
"Rednaxela", said his Artificial Intelligence unit from its space on the console, "we are fourteen seconds past the time set for slipping the magnetic bonds."
"Yes, Morna, my dearest AI, I know; bidding farewell to folks in my mind."
"The part of your mind I will not let myself access."
"Yes, Morna, the only part of myself that's still private."
"Twenty-five seconds past bond-slipping."
"Initiate, Morna."
The two-mile-wide, circular ship released its invisible hold on the mooring dock and began its 2,800,000-mile voyage to the planet next out from Anga in the Angi System—planet of mystery, inhabited by people completely engrossed in religion—Anla, the destination of Rednaxela, his thoughts, and 95,000 passengers.
Morna continued verbalizing her obligatory oversight tasks: "Plasma screen active, passengers secure, orbital laser supplying thrust, tethered laser stable, light-sail stable, ship systems nominal."
ShipOne it was called: a simple, efficient name that Rednaxela did not like. Something more was called for, some larger idea—Proteus, Primus, something; even Rugra-One, its Class name. He strode to the hatch leading to the transport tube as he said, "Morna, I'm going to check on our prize passenger."
"Only place worth going on a ship full of criminals."
"Settlers, Morna, settlers."
"Yes, criminal-settlers."
"It's a good thing you're my AI and not a child of the Corporate Mesh."
"It's a good thing we have plasma shielding from the Corporate Mesh."
The arrangement was completely unique but absolutely necessary. The Mesh, corporate or public, operated through electronics that were capable of responding to the streams of plasma surrounding and interpenetrating Anga. The Mesh was the Corporation's mode of communication and control and it was critical to the planet's efficient operation. Yet, this voyage, made when Anga and Anla were closest in their orbits, had to be flown through the plasma tail that Anga streamed away from its star. The plasma tail reached to Anla and beyond and, because of the closeness of the planets, it was a tail that could clearly carry the thoughts and feelings of every passenger into the minds of the priests on Anla, priests who were expecting merely settlers, not criminals. To be more precise, they were not expecting any criminals except Akla who Rednaxela was on his way to see.
"Morna, the shielding is to keep the Anlans from—"
"Rednaxela!"
He'd never heard her raise her voice.
"Do please continue, my sweet AI."
"I know why the Corporation chose you but they didn't take enough time to analyze the results of our interaction."
"Morna, what the hell are you talking about?"
"You are the Corporation's ambassador but I think you could also be their worst nightmare."
"Morna, I wish you had an off switch. Look, we'll talk about your speculations later. I need to go perform my duty as an interrogator."
Rednaxela stepped over the sill of the hatch but stepped right back into the bridge. He walked up to the AI's physical form—a box of exotic, plasma-infused electronics—and said: "What do you make of the Anlans' specifically asking for Akla?"
"He is believed by the Harians of Anga to be a Prophet and a sect on Anla called the Nari claim the same thing. The Nari have apparently been waiting for him to arrive from Anga."
"You have a bad habit of repeating what you know I already know, Morna."
"Sometimes I feel it necessary."
"It's going to take the whole voyage for me to figure you out."
"I believe it will take longer than that."
"Could be, but the leadership on Anla apparently hate the Nari."
"Yes."
"Asking for a man their enemies worship..."
Morna laughed in his mind and said, "There are obvious reasons and not so obvious reasons. All I will say now is that you were chosen for your unique abilities and your devotion to the Corporation. I think your devotion will be severely tested and your abilities will be sharply honed. Please don't ask me for reasons yet, I'm still processing the probabilities."
"I'm still trying to fathom the rush to launch this mission. They could have given us more time to really get acquainted and for me to figure out how you can make deductions on information in my head that I don't even know I have."
"There are overriding reasons for the Corporation's haste, mostly to do with fear. And, there are times when an individual has potentials the Corporation needs and special procedures must be devised. I am a Special Procedure."
"That you are, Morna. Thankfully, you can still attend to the ship while you're haunting my mind. Let's see how our prize criminal is doing."
~~~
The Angan Corporation's Chief, Brolan Mexur, was finishing his recital of orders to his Board members: "We need to increase endocrine enhancements in the stable populations in Anselua and Kernuma, get their sexuality functioning at around 20 percent higher levels."
All present nodded agreement.
"It's critical that we boost Plot Interactions on the Corporate Mesh and induce bondable people on the Public Mesh to apply for Corporate Interaction."
All present nodded agreement.
Brolan directed his next comment to Ralm, his deputy: "Report on ShipOne post-launch conditions."
"Yes, sir. All is proceeding according to plan. ShipOne is now 3,000 miles from orbital launch position and increasing in speed. LightSail is fully functional."
"Ralm, show us the playback of bridge activity before launch."
All present directed their attention to the hologram appearing in the center of their conference table—fifteen sets of eyes preparing to analyze the situation.
Rednaxela appeared, seated at his console obviously lost in thought. His stare intensified and the Board members heard:
"Rednaxela, we are fourteen seconds past the time set for slipping the magnetic bonds."
"Yes, Morna, my dearest AI, I know; bidding farewell to folks in my mind."
"The part of your mind I will not let myself access."
"Yes, Morna, the only part of myself that's still private."
"Twenty-five seco
nds past bond-slipping."
"Initiate, Morna."
The holo's recorded transmission ended when the ship's plasma shield activated.
Brolan scanned faces again and said, "What does anyone think?"
Not a word from the Board members.
"Ralm?"
"Sir, I think we have no worries. He's the best of the best and had deep training and a complete endocrine analysis plus he has no history of duplicity."
"But, he said the only part of myself that's still private..."
"Yes sir, we all knew there would be some risk but all probable Plots have been played through and my staff has registered no negative opinions."
"And the AI?"
"Just playing her part, sir."
Brolan gave an ominous stare to each of his Board members then said, "You all will engage in Plot Interactions on the Corporate Mesh with Bonded Participants. You will report all Plot Deductions to Ralm. Next meeting tomorrow at the same time. Anyone who sleeps will be penalized."
~~~
Rednaxela entered Akla's chamber and discovered him sitting with eyes closed.
"Akla?"
"I am awake."
Rednaxela found himself needing to be extremely polite.
"May I ask you a few questions, Akla?'
"Certainly."
"What do you think will happen to you when we arrive at Anla?"
"I will be conducted to a safe place and my followers will be slaughtered."
Notes from An Alien Page 1