Nell walked forward and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “Well it seems like this is your journey Saul, not mine. I don’t know what to make of all this, but its time for me to go back. To go back home.” Saul nods slowly in agreement.
The voice interrupted in its usual unemotional fashion, “I am afraid I cannot send you back alone Nell. Either Saul goes with you, which allows me to reverse the action completely, or you stay. But single return transportation, stemming from a double transportation is simply impossible.”
“Great! Just great!” Nell replies sarcastically. “So I’m stuck here now too?”
“So what you’re saying is that I must go on some sort of mission, which no doubt will be as strange as this current situation and Nell must come with me due to scientific restrictions preventing her going back on her own?” Saul questioned.
“Yes!” Came the stark reply from the hologram voice. “Exactly!”
“Do I have a choice to accept this mission or not?” Saul enquired.
“Of course. You always have free will in your life Saul and there is no exception here. However, your brothers and your brothers’ children will most likely have no world to inhabit should you refuse or fail in this mission.”
“What!” Exclaimed Saul, “what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It is not supposed to mean anything, it does mean what I say” Said the voice. “Without intervention now by a Sentinel, then we are in danger of losing planet Earth to Dark energy.”
Saul looked shocked. “Losing planet Earth? What exactly does losing mean in that context?” He questioned, feeling uneasy.
“You must decide first,” Said the voice. “You must decide whether to accept the responsibility you are now faced with, or return to the Museum with Nell, it is that simple. However, I must warn you that you were chosen for a reason. We do not have a line of possible recruits waiting for us to call upon them. Responsibility – Yes! But it is more a case of destiny Saul. So what is your decision?”
Saul looked straight at Nell, who shook her head in dismay. He looked quickly back at the hologram face and then immediately at Einstein. “I have no choice. No real choice. If I do this then Nell and I will face God knows what, but if I don’t, It sounds like everything we know will be lost. Where I come from, you stand up for what you believe in. you don’t simply give in because its too difficult! OK explain to me what I must do.”
Einstein stepped forward again, taking the lead from the hologram. “So I presume you are now happy with the concept of ‘Energy’? Both positive and negative versions.”
Saul Nodded, but said nothing, just glanced over at Nell, who was pacing angrily.
Einstein continued with his speech. “Dark energy has been attempting to manipulate and affect the elements. Namely water. Water is the most scarce and easily altered element in the Cosmos. The most prolific supply is here on planet Earth. Furthermore planet earth’s atmosphere creates water within its chemical cycles. So Dark energy has been trying to harness this process for some considerable time. You my young Sentinel are tasked with stopping this process. However, you must travel to three locations within the space-time continuum to achieve this. This action must be carried out in the three locations of past, present and future.”
“Why?” Interrupted Saul.
“Imagine you wish to create a parallel line from this line I draw here, on the blackboard.” Einstein scratches out a long chalk line then continues. “You would mark a point at the desired distance away from it. Followed by another mark at the same distance, at another location along the line. When you join up the marks, you would imagine you had a parallel. But should you miscalculate, even by the tiniest amount, your second line will not be parallel. It will be close but not exact. In terms of the Universe, this could be disasterous. Therefore three locations along the line is the minimum calculation required to ensure your second line is exactly parallel. In terms of the Universe, those three locations are commonly the past, present and future.”
Saul continued scanning Nell’s movement and behaviour, assessing her levels of annoyance. But he said little and simply listened. Einstein continued. “You must travel to Atlantis.”
Nell finally interrupted with a burst of criticism. “Oh sure! He travels to a mythical place to begin his mission – and how exactly does one travel to a mythical location? On a flying carpet?”
“Atlantis is,… Or was real my dear. It existed until the alchemists there accidentally destroyed is by misuse of the knowledge they were given, contained upon the Emerald Tablet. The tablet contained a coded formula for transformation and was provided by positive energy for the evolution of the human race.
As Einstein imparted his words to the students, the hologram one again transformed into a large projection showing a 3D visualisation of the Emerald Tablet, the image spinning around, enabling inspection from all angles. Again Nell approached the hologram reaching out carefully to touch the tablet, but her delicate fingers brushed straight through it.
“Transformation?” Questioned Nell. “Transformation of what? Into what?”
“Good question.” Responded Einstein, excitedly. “Initially, it was thought it was about transforming elements into other substances. Lead into gold for example. But it was soon discovered that the tablet contained a coded method of transformation for human beings. A method to transform themselves into higher levels of consciousness and evolution, but which in the wrong hands can become an extremely powerful weapon against humanity. That is to say – positive energy would use it for the furtherment of the whole human race’s evolution. Whilst negative energy would only keep its power secret and use it as a weapon to control the rest of the population and ultimately the balance of the universe.”
“Wow!” Said Saul, in a suitably awe-inspired voice, becoming intrigued by what he was seeing and hearing. Nell too was beginning to further lose her anxiety, becoming distracted by the floorshow. “OK Let me get this right.” Asked Saul. “So – Dark energy – or negative energy is attempting to cause havoc upon our planet and even in the whole Universe? I am working for positive energy to help prevent that happening and to do it I must travel in time and to Atlantis, where I must steal an ancient tablet which contains instructions that could destroy everything we have ever known? Is that a fair summation of the situation?” Saul was being woefully sarcastic, but was met with a brief response.
“YES!” The voice replied curtly. “Although, you are required to destroy the Emerald Tablet, not steal it.”
“And all we have to complete this task is my mobile phone – although, it now has some funky, suped-up chip in it. So what are we supposed to do – call the Cavalry?” Saul looked around pleased with himself at the Cavalry joke, but nobody noticed.
“Hey what’s this ‘WE’ business?” Corrected Nell. I think you will find its YOU!”
“Actually,…” Said the voice, “It IS the two of you now my dear, as I explained, Saul either moves forward and in which case, you must too,….or you both will be transported back to the exact time in the museum that you left. But either way, it will be the two of you going as that was the way you were transported here.”
“If you don’t stop calling me ‘My Dear’ I swear I will drop that mobile phone into a bucket of water and you will be no more, OLD MAN!”
“I would suggest you do not do that Nell.” The voice was monotone again.
“Why? Because it doesn’t suit your little plan for my friend here?” As Nell spoke Saul looked up surprised. “Friend?” He enquired.
“Well yes,.. Friend,.. What’s wrong with that?”
Saul smiled. “You’ve never called me that before Nell!”
“Well get over it FRIEND, as we have some far bigger shit than labels to sort out here!”
“Yes I guess you’re right.” Shrugged Saul, but inside he was feeling great hearing her description of him. He smiled at her and whispered to himself “Friend,.. I can work with that!”
As the two stude
nts bickered about their relationship status, the voice finally answered her. “I wouldn’t drop the phone into a bucket of water because I am pure positive energy and contact with water will undoubtedly produce a fusion reaction and an explosion equivalent to approximately two million nuclear warheads.”
“Oh! I see.” Said Nell embarrassed. “I must remember never to do that then!”
Chapter 5: H20 - Atlantis.
“We’re going!” Said Saul abruptly.
“Hey! Hang on a minute, we haven’t even discussed this.” Nell retorted, clearly panicking. “We just did discuss it,..” Saul countered. “What more information do you require? How many projections of your private life do you need to see before you understand this is real! This is happening to us,.. And it’s happening now.” Saul’s demeanor had changed from confused and worried to decisive.
Einstein interrupted the two young students bickering. “Well good luck my friend, you will need it.”
“Hold on – you said ‘We’.” Saul enquired.
“I’m sorry?” Said the old master.
“When you referred to the term Sentinel earlier – You said ‘We’ Sentinels? You are also a Sentinel?” Saul was excited.
“Oh yes I am. Well was, I mean I am dead in your timeline no doubt.”
“Wow! Exclaimed Saul. “You also had adventures? What did you do?”
“Mine was more about protecting the universe from Dark energy manipulating theoretical physics and thereby creating a whole new existence for humankind.” Said Einstein. “But let me tell you my boy, never underestimate the power of dark energy and its determination to wreak havoc. It is everywhere afterall. And is very dangerous. This is no game Saul. Be careful. Be very careful and ensure that young lady comes to no harm. You are the latest in a long line of Sentinels, including myself, Leonardo Da Vinci and even Alexander the Great, who first retrieved the Emerald Tablet. So you’re in good company, do us proud my boy. As I say I wish you good luck and safe passage.” The old physicist clasped his hands together around Saul’s hand in a sign of farewell and respect. Then he walked out of the room as quickly and as abruptly as he had entered.
Saul and Nell both turned towards the phone and the hologram emanating from it. “So what now?” Said Saul. “How long do we have to prepare for this trip of a lifetime?”
“Oh not long.” Said the hologram. “About an hour of your earth time.”
“An hour!” Exclaimed Saul.
“ABOUT an hour.” Confirmed the hologram.” Although, if the truth be known, time can be distorted and manipulated, allowing us to stretch that a little, but no point getting into that now. Oh and Nell, I suggest we change your footwear.”
Both students looked down at Nell’s shoes and in the most sarcastic terms she could muster Nell responded. “Yeah sure, I’ll just pop down to the local shoe shop and grab something more suitable.”
“No need.” Said the hologram, “I will help you with that. Take off your shoes. And take off your jacket please. Place them in a pile together on the floor.”
Nell looked suspiciously at Saul and did as instructed. The hologram shrank back into the phone with just its voice remaining and told Saul to hold the mobile phone pointing towards the pile of garments. From the phone came a high-pitched whine and out from the screen shot a beam of light hitting the clothing and shoe pile, which then began breaking down into billions of particles. The particles swarmed around in a swirling mass on the floor and slowly re-assembled into a pair of boots. Tan coloured ‘Timberland’ boots to be exact, which looked more suitable to construction, but which she immediately pulled on. “So how come I lose my jacket in the deal?” She said, clearly dissatisfied.
“Your shoes alone do not posses enough mass to equate to the boots, hence the added garment.” The voice explained plainly.
“Nice!” Said Saul. “We could do a great online business with that shit.”
“Or, we can go and save your planet to ensure you have a place for your online business?” Answered the hologram.
“Yours is better.” Said Saul, accepting the premise. “So do you have a name?”
The hologram went quiet for a second or two. “I have been called many things by many entities throughout the millennia. But no. Essentially, I do not have a name.”
“OK,” Said Saul, pausing. “I’ll call you ‘E’ – ‘E’ for energy.”
“A logical choice.” Agreed the hologram, emotionless once again.
“So, how does this work,” Saul enquired. “I mean do we have a plan, what must I do, where and with whom?”
“Firstly, we must leave here before you are discovered. So no time like the present, we should leave for Atlantis immediately. “Instructed ‘E’. “Although to be correct there is time like the present it just,.. “
“We get it! We get it,..” Interrupted Saul. “You may need to stop giving us every fact about everything, in the verbal version of longhand, when explaining things.”
“Dumb it down, in your language?” ‘E’ asked.
“More like speeding it up.” Replied Saul impatiently.
“If you are you both ready – then you should link hands.” Instructed ‘E’.
Saul looked at Nell with his hand outstretched Nell reluctantly, linked her hand with his. As Saul picked up his mobile phone he gazed deep into her eyes, preferring to focus upon this being the first time he had held her in any way, rather than the journey to come. Nell shook her head slowly and simply said “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”
As before in the museum the sound levels began to increase, becoming a roar and quite uncomfortable for the two students. Their surroundings began to blur and break-up up at the edges. Trillions of molecules breaking off every object around them and becoming one huge, swirling mass of matter. Once again the furniture disappeared into a molecular soup, followed by the walls and whole structure of the building. Once again everything swarmed around them gaining speed until it became a disorientating, psychedelic wall of colour. Saul and Nell remained intact and perfectly centered within the wormhole that was now created around them. Nell focused upon Saul’s eyes to lessen the nausea stemming from the peculiar phenomenon. Saul simply winked at her and they were gone.
This time there was no landing with a bump. Neither of them were trying to move or resist what was occurring and so when the mind-bending journey ended, it ceased with a reversed roaring sound like a gene returning into his lamp. Both students simply stood where they were, motionless. Slowly taking in a landscape, which would make the most seasoned traveller gasp in awe.
The breeze hit their faces. It was warm, something neither of them had expected. It was bright sunshine, but amidst the Atlantic Ocean, so mixed with a strong wind. They both stood on a building top. On what appeared to be an inner circle of land, or island. But surrounded by outer circles of land. Concentric circles of ground, with moats and waterways in between. It was huge. It was one of the largest cityscapes either of them had ever seen before and resembled a fantasy city, seen in computer games. Each building or structure towered above them like the New York skyline, but on acid. This city had larger spaces between structures, with each building, bewildering in sheer size and intricacy. It reminded them of Egyptian architecture from movies and photos, but this was something else.
Below them, there were people everywhere. Milling about. Walking, shouting and laughing. There were street traders and merchants, soldiers and children marching next to them, playing and mimicking the stride of their step. It was a true metropolis, but the overwhelming thought to Saul, was the cleanliness. He did not know what to expect, but he imagined some medieval village. This, on the other hand was a breathtaking backdrop of gleaming splendor, glistening and shimmering in the sunshine, where gold monuments sat in majestic splendor.
Nell looked at Saul and realised they were still holding hands whilst taking in the scene and so dropped hers, slightly embarrassed. They were both still silent and Nell was the first to speak. “I,… I still
don’t believe this is actually happening to me.” She muttered, quietly.
“I know.” Agreed Saul. “But look.” He pinched her arms gently. Then patted himself down. “We’re really here Nell. I can’t explain it either, but I know I’m real and I’m here,.. With you. So I guess it’s all real.”
“I guess so,…” Nell responded softly.
“Are you OK?” Saul sounded concerned.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say ‘OK’ is my current state,… But I’m physically OK, if that’s what you mean?” She assured him.
“Cool!” Saul nodded and held up his phone. “’E’ you there?”
“Yes, of course.” Came the curt reply.
“So you wanna tell us how we start this thing?” Saul sounded keen and began pacing around the sandstone platform, upon which they’d been ‘dropped’.
“Place the phone on the ground.” Instructed ‘E’.
As Saul did so, ‘E’ produced another 3D hologram of the city of Atlantis from the screen, spinning it around and zooming in on one particular location. “We are here on the rooftop of this building adjacent to the Main Temple of Poseidon, which adorns the exact centre of the city.” The hologram showed a stunning building in simple line diagram form. Saul was puzzled and looked up to see where this building was positioned within the real city, then still confused scanned the local streets below for a clue as to the specific location of it.
As Saul and Nell both checked for the landmark, they slowly turned around to look behind them and then gazed up in wonder once again, speechless by the towering edifice stood before them.
The Temple of Poseidon was looming large directly behind them. It stood stories high, with pillars on every side supporting the colossal roof. Statues of what appeared to be Gods were along both sides and stunning, decorative stonework adorned every surface, which neither student could adequately take in. Behind the pillars and through the gaps in between, they could see a magnificent golden statue of Poseidon himself, riding a chariot and pulled by two winged horses.
Sentinel: The Race Against Dark Energy Page 4