by Nancy Madore
Gordon looked thoughtful. “I’m not sure,” he said. “I don’t know how to calculate the amount of energy we’re looking at here. But I do know that there’s a million kilowatts in every gigawatt. Which means that this patent is calling for three million kilowatts of energy—nearly one thousand times HAARP’s thirty-six hundred kilowatt maximum.”
“One thousand…” echoed Nadia.
“Times the maximum,” reiterated Gordon. “Which doesn’t even take into consideration the higher frequencies it’s calling for.”
Clive stopped what he was doing and turned to look at Gordon. “Are you sure about that?” he asked.
“I’m looking at the patent right now,” he said.
“Okay, you’ve got my attention,” said Clive.
“Maybe that patent is connected to what my father was trying to prevent,” said Nadia.
Will was bringing in their lunch on a tray. Nadia was surprised to see that it actually looked good. It was salmon in some kind of white sauce, served over noodles. The smell of garlic was making her mouth water.
“Nadia,” said Will, setting down the tray, “you need to remember that we’re investigating the threat that djinn present to humans, not the other way around. For all we know, Asmodeous had planned to infiltrate T.D.M.R. in order to use this technology for another attack like the one on D.C.”
“That still wouldn’t explain why there are patents out there calling for one thousand times the energy that’s safe according to their own standards,” she shot back, suddenly angry. Notwithstanding her anger, she picked up a plate and loaded a large serving of the salmon dish on it.
Gordon stood up. “For the sake of argument, I think we can all agree that Asmodeous’ interest in this would’ve related to protecting the earth.” He served himself some of the salmon as well. “He’s thinking of his future as a djinn.”
“With a complete disregard for humans in the here and now,” added Will. “Our job is to save lives in the present.”
“Granted,” said Gordon, between bites. “So we know where everyone stands. But that still leaves plenty of unanswered questions. What was Asmodeous after? Was he planning to use T.D.M.R. or to destroy it?
“I think he was gonna use it,” said Clive, getting up from the computer to join them in the feast. “I mean, he was communicating with someone at T.D.M.R. and heading there himself.”
“So what are we looking at?” asked Gordon. He turned to Will. “Any ideas, yet, about what T.D.M.R. is doing?”
“Nope,” said Will. “I couldn’t even confirm if they have access to the HAARP towers at their facility.”
“If they do, they’re probably continuing the experiments that HAARP began on the ionosphere in the nineties,” said Gordon.
“Yeah,” agreed Clive, suddenly warming to Gordon’s suspicions about HAARP. “And all we know about those experiments is from patents written over a decade ago.” He turned to Gordon. “Check out those patents you found. What was the last one they filed before they went underground?”
Gordon set down his plate and typed something into his laptop. “Here’s one from 2001,” he said. “Let’s see…it talks about sending radioactive beams to the moon. It claims they can create a powerful nuclear explosion…without a bomb!”
Nadia gasped. “Do they really have that kind of technology?” she asked.
“That’s what they’re claiming in the patent,” said Gordon.
“Okay, so at the risk of being accused of being a djinn sympathizer, can someone tell me why HAARP has this kind of technology?” Nadia asked.
“Science will always want to push the envelope,” said Clive. “Remember ‘Operation Fishbowl,’ in the sixties? They sent nuclear bombs into the atmosphere just to see what would happen. Someone thought that was a good idea.”
“I’m sorry, but I agree with my father on this,” said Nadia. “It’s wrong.”
“Let’s focus on where Asmodeous fits into this,” insisted Will. “Let’s take the possibilities one at a time. First, we have communications.”
“Many of the patents describe methods for both improving and disrupting communications, depending on the circumstances,” said Gordon.
“Okay, so we have the potential to control communications,” said Will.
“I don’t think that would draw Asmodeous into this,” said Clive. “It’s not big enough.”
“Another patent claims that by lifting large regions of the atmosphere, they can create drag forces that would disrupt missiles and other aircraft,” said Gordon.
“Fascinating, but again, what’s the application?” asked Clive. “Why would anyone need that kind of technology to take out an airplane these days?”
“Nine eleven?” Gordon reminded him.
“That wasn’t even remotely connected to the djinn,” said Clive. “Stay focused. The djinn don’t just kill people for fun. They always have a reason.”
“Okay, weather control,” said Gordon.
“Now you’re getting warmer,” said Clive. “No pun intended.”
“Just to play devil’s advocate here…” said Gordon thoughtfully—“According to the patents, the HAARP technology could actually help the planet in a lot of ways. They claim that they can create storms that will bring water to drought areas. I’m not sure why they’re not doing that already, if this is true. But there’s even mention of repairing the ozone layer…and altering atmospheric gases to dramatically improve global warming.”
“Now that would interest my father!” exclaimed Nadia.
“Not to be a downer here,” interjected Clive, “but I’m not ready to buy into the idea of Asmodeous infiltrating a top secret government agency with a plot to secretly repair the ozone layer.”
“Well…,” Gordon continued thoughtfully, “there are also many ways to use weather as a weapon.”
“If the ultimate goal is to stop the terrible West from corrupting the world…” began Clive, pausing here to address Nadia directly—“That seems to be the gist of it, right?” When Nadia didn’t reply, Clive continued. “I mean, isn’t that what he told you? I’m being serious here. You told us that Asmodeous said the West had to be stopped. Something about us going too far. Beyond the point of no return. Would you say that’s a fair assessment of his feelings about the situation?”
“Yes,” replied Nadia defensively. “I suppose that’s fair.”
“It sounds like he was trying to stop something that’s already been set in motion,” he concluded. “So what is it, that’s already been set in motion? And how was he planning to stop it?”
“Stopping the West using weather control seems like kind of a long shot,” remarked Will.
“True,” said Clive. “Which is why I’m leaning toward that bomb-free explosion thingie.”
“I don’t know,” said Gordon. “That doesn’t seem as earth friendly as Asmodeous would like.”
“You got a point there,” agreed Clive. “Ideally, he’d be able to kill—what did he call them, the right people?—without so much as crushing a dandelion. Take the D.C. plot, for example. Although that infectious plague would have been catastrophic to humans, it wouldn’t have left a mark on the earth…except maybe to lighten our carbon footprint. I don’t know much about this bomb-free explosion, but I’m guessing it would probably leave a mark.”
“And…seeing as how we haven’t found the perfect scenario….” Gordon paused self-consciously before continuing—“I’m just going to put it out there. Mind control.”
Clive laughed. “I don’t know,” he said, shaking his head. “How does that even work?”
“The patents that discuss this possibility aren’t very descriptive,” admitted Gordon. “They talk about controlling the masses, preventing riots and rendering an enemy unable to fight, but it doesn’t really say how they would do it, except that they would use extremely low frequencies, which they call E.L.F.s.”
“Even though we’re getting into some freaky shit here, I have to admit that it does soun
d like something that would intrigue a djinn,” said Clive.
Gordon nodded. “And someone found it credible enough to patent.”
“What are we missing?” asked Will. To their surprised looks he was quick to respond—“I’m not saying there’s something here. I still don’t think there is. You’re the ones who think that. So I’m asking you—what are we missing? What do we have here, that we haven’t already considered?”
When no one responded, Will continued—“What is it you think Asmodeous was going to do?”
“My first response when Gordon told me about HAARP was outrage,” said Nadia. “I’m thinking; ‘What right do we have to conduct these experiments, when they could affect everyone in the world?’ This is me thinking this, but a lot of it comes from my father.” She paused before continuing. “I think he would have wanted to stop HAARP, not make use of their technology.”
Will appeared to consider this.
“I mean, Gordon’s touched on it…but seriously, does anyone know what the consequences of these experiments might be?” she asked. “They’re heating and stretching the part of the atmosphere that protects us from the destructive elements in space!”
“The scientists who contributed to the book, Angel’s Don’t Play This HAARP, believed this technology poses a very real threat,” agreed Gordon. “One used the analogy of a spider’s web, which sends out signals to the spider in reaction to vibrations caused when prey or other outside forces come into contact with it. They link HAARP’s technology to a giant microwave finger, poking at the web, sending out confusing signals and perhaps even tearing and destroying parts of the web.”
“Okay, so assuming you’re right,” said Will. “First Asmodeous tries to undermine the West’s influence on the world by wiping out its key representatives at the World Bank meetings. You think the next step was to stop military powers from getting out of control?”
“If he’d pulled all this off, he could have set us back …what…fifty years or more?” asked Clive.
“I’m not saying that it doesn’t make sense,” said Will. “It’s just that it’s all speculation. We don’t have any proof that anything is about to happen. Even if you’re right about Asmodeous’ plans—and that’s a big if—I’m sure he probably had lots of plans. But he’s been captured. We might not be able to make him materialize, but I believe he’s trapped in that ring.”
His blue eyes rested on Nadia. “I really think you need to try and find the closure you seek in what Ornias is telling us about Asmodeous, because I don’t think you’re going to find it anywhere else,” he said.
“But…Lilith,” said Nadia. “And the one way ticket.”
“Lilith could be anywhere on this earth right now,” said Will. “We don’t have a single clue of her whereabouts. And I still think that ticket represented a new life for Asmodeous.”
“And the formula?” she persisted.
“It might be something he was working on,” Will conceded. “But he’s not working on it anymore. We need concrete evidence of an active threat with ties to a djinn to re-open this investigation.”
“I bet you’d get your concrete evidence if we could find someone to decipher that formula,” said Nadia.
“Maybe,” said Will. “But don’t forget that we have to keep this quiet. For one thing, this isn’t official business. And for another, we don’t want whoever was contacting Asmodeous from T.D.M.R. to find out that we’ve intercepted that formula.”
Nadia set down her plate. Suddenly she wasn’t all that hungry anymore.
“I know what’ll cheer you up,” said Clive. “Let’s get that creepy little blood sucker back out here to tell us more about your father.”
Chapter 24
It was peculiar how quickly even the most shocking things could be gotten used to. Or, at the very least, they got a little less shocking. Nadia almost felt at ease with Ornias now. She noticed that the others seemed more relaxed as well. Ornias hovered over them like a big, plumy bird as they gazed up at him from behind their masks. There was almost a festive quality to the event, reminding Nadia of Mardi Gras—minus the alcohol.
Nadia wished that she could speak. She would have liked to have had a much more in-depth conversation with Ornias about her father. His descriptions did not provide nearly enough detail. She wanted more.
Ornias also appeared to be adapting to the situation, and there were moments when he even seemed to be enjoying himself. Nadia got the impression that he was making the most of every minute that he spent outside the ring.
Gordon started the interview by getting right to the point. “You said that the last time you saw Asmodeous he spoke of Armageddon,” he began. “I’d like to know, specifically, what Asmodeous was referring to.”
Ornias shrugged. “I told you I don’t know.”
“You weren’t concerned?” Gordon asked. “I mean, wouldn’t the end of the world represent an eternity of darkness for you, too?”
Ornias’ expression darkened the littlest bit. Whenever he didn’t like a question, Nadia noticed that his grin became distorted so that it looked more like a grimace. “Yes, I was concerned,” he said. “I am concerned.” He looked away, as if embarrassed. “You might have guessed that I’m no hero,” he admitted self-consciously. “But it’s more than that. Even if I wasn’t the slothful coward you see before you today, I would still be useless.” Having said this, he seemed to relax a bit. “Asmodeous would’ve been a fool to trust me with important details, and he was no fool. We understood each other well enough. I think he knew that I would gladly be of use if I could do so without putting everyone at risk. I mean, for all of my faults, contributing to the end of the world—even inadvertently—is not one of them.”
Nadia was struck by the impact of his words. He spoke as if this ‘end of the world’ scenario was a looming reality.
“So you think that’s our goal?” asked Gordon, following Nadia’s train of thought. “To bring about the end of the world?”
Ornias narrowed his eyes. “Last I heard, over ninety percent of the world’s population affiliates itself with some kind of religion. And almost all of those religions have an end of the world scenario. They look forward to it! Armageddon! When all the wrongs will be put right for the sons of men—or so they think!”
“But nobody really believes it will happen!” protested Gordon.
“Exactly!” said Ornias. “Religion is just a game to the sons of men. A backup plan, if you will. You take your average Christian, Muslim, Jew—I don’t care which—and give them the choice to experience the rapture or keep living this rotten, sinful life, and they’ll take the rotten, sinful life every time. Oh, there are a few nut-balls out there who are always ready to die because they hate their lives so much, but I’m talking about normal people. You give your average worshiper the opportunity to meet their maker today, right now, and I’m willing to bet they’ll start singing a different tune.”
When Gordon didn’t refute this Ornias continued. “The truth is; Armageddon would be the worst possible thing for the people who promote it the loudest. Think about it…a heaven, where everything is fair and just. Where people turn their ‘swords into plowshares.’ Where ‘the lion lies down with the lamb.’ Where everyone gets an equal piece of the pie.” Ornias glanced at Will, his eyes twinkling. “Can’t you just hear those pious leaders of the religious right, screaming in outrage over having to give up all they have to socialism!”
A laugh burst from Nadia’s lips before she could stop it. Ornias made a good point!
“The irony is that Armageddon would be the worst kind of torture for the people who endorse it the loudest,” continued Ornias, enjoying the response he was getting to his little speech. “Which just goes to prove that they don’t believe what they’re saying. They’re using religion to manipulate the weak into accepting their oppression.”
“So you’re saying the sons of men who preach Armageddon in religion don’t believe, but the Qliphoth, who don’t believe in
religion, believe in Armageddon?” Gordon asked.
“Exactly,” said Ornias.
“Tell us why you believe,” said Gordon. “What do you know that we don’t?”
“Nothing,” said Ornias. “You have as much information as we do. You’re just too dense to see it.”
“So explain it to us.”
Ornias sighed. “Armageddon—or the end of the world, if you prefer—has been a very real threat since the existence of man. There is always the chance that living matter will destroy its host. This concept, by itself, is rudimentary, it goes without saying, and any thinking creature should be mindful of it in preserving their species. Yet mankind remains stubbornly resistant to the concept.
“Religion plays into it,” Ornias continued. “There’s always that hope of another, better world…with new opportunities.” Ornias seemed to smile, though it was hard to tell with the permanent grin affixed to his features. “In the event that this world really is destroyed, I do think I’ll find some comfort in imagining all of you in this new, perfect world according to the Others. I think you’re in for a big surprise!”
Nadia shuddered at the thought, and then wondered, once again, whose side she was on. It was frightening to succumb to such negative thoughts about the ‘Others,’ who, for all intents and purposes, appeared to be representing the wishes of the higher power. She wasn’t religious, but she knew enough about religion to realize that this was the stuff that blasphemy was made of.
“What else do you know about Armageddon?” asked Gordon.
“I know there isn’t an ‘appointed’ time, like people think,” replied Ornias. “It’s not set in stone. In fact, it’s not really supposed to happen at all. Armageddon is the last resort for humanity if they prove too self-destructive to survive on their own.”
“How do you know this?” asked Gordon.
“Same way that you know it,” said Ornias. “This world wasn’t created to be destroyed. This isn’t a test. Humans have drawn the interest of some pretty powerful beings out there in the universe, and now you’re caught up in the politics of an entirely different realm. You think your politics are bad? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”