Ever-Life the Two Book Set: The C.P.T Incident and Time Trust

by Andrew Sarkady

  He and Rachel had rested and rejuvenated, after the opening festivities, some ten hours earlier, celebrating the transfer of power from GGM Gordon Swanson to Mathew Bellos. Jack stared spellbound.

  “What a party…It’s all too wild. No one would believe it, up there…Why don’t those things crash into each other? They just slide off, change shape…”

  He turned around, and raised his voice, “Rachel! Rachel! You know; I just cannot get my head around the fact that, all this has been here for thousands of years, not to mention the light. Where does all the damn light come from? How do those, whatever they are, fly around and not crash into anything. Look, there goes one disappearing right into the side of the rock wall…Shit! Honey; Rachel! What time does the serious ceremony begin, anyway? God, I have no idea what to say…Should we even ask ‘what time it is’ down here?”

  Rachel Sheldon walked out of the bath area and down the hall toward Jack. She was dressed and ready to go.

  “Silly, look at your watch, we have about an hour.”

  “Well; it’s disconcerting, to say the least.”

  “Stop it. We should be honored; and you know it. Mathew and Gordon have broken all their rules, just so we can be here.”

  “Rules? Obviously, there are no rules. Look at us. We were dead, for God’s sake. Don’t you ever wonder?”

  Rachel froze, wide eyed, and walked to the window.

  “Jack, do you remember anything? I mean, anything during the time you were…dead?”

  Jack walked over and put his hand on her shoulder.

  “I remember you, Honey. I remember you.”

  Rachel caressed his hand. “Mmm…”

  Then she turned and faced him.

  “…No; I don’t mean in a romantic sense. I mean, did you have an after death experience; like going into a light; you know, anything at all?”

  Jack sighed and walked toward the middle of the room, away from Rachel.

  “I don’t want to remember.”

  “Jack Sheldon, look at me! I never asked you, because I thought it would come out naturally. But you haven’t said one word to me in all these months?”

  Jack bowed his head and spoke to her softly, “It was nothing like a dream, no light to walk to, no pearly gate. For me, it was something I never expected or could have imagined. Please Rach, I don’t want to say anymore, not right now. Frankly, I don’t know if I ever will…Babe, what is really bothering you? What happened to you?”

  Rachel turned, and slowly walked toward the window.

  “That night; it went so fast. I remember some things; the joy I felt, seeing you wake up in that casket. I was so thankful and excited. I remember the sound of the guns; the bullets; staring at you, as you jumped out to save us all; but it wasn’t really you, was it? I get so confused sometimes…I remember feeling the shots go through me, so fast; and then, quick as a blink, I felt limp, floating, falling down; tasting blood. For a second, I remember seeing you next to me. I reached for you. I couldn’t blink anymore. I was staring at you, when everything went…black.”

  “Oh Darlin; come here…”

  They embraced. Then, Jack pushed Rachel, gently, off his chest, wiping her tears.

  “Come on, Hon; tell me.”

  “It’s just so unbelievable; bordering on silly. After all, I mean I do have four degrees, a Masters, and a PhD.”

  Jack laughed, “Well that doesn’t mean we know a hill of beans about anything important, in this world, or any other.”

  Rachel gathered herself.

  “I saw everything. I know how this sounds; but, a guide whisked me up and out, faster than I can explain. It was instantaneous, but real. It wasn’t a feeling, as much as a knowing, a consciousness, of sorts. The guide, whatever it was, brought me to a place. It was definitely a place…And, I wasn’t a body of flesh; obviously. I was more, like a body of knowledge and love. I’m not even sure if I should call it, love; but, that’s the only word I can think of, to describe it. I wasn’t what we would think of, as spirit, at all, though. It was something else.”

  “Hmm, very Gnostic; and, yet, quantum sounding too…Okay; so your ‘guide’ brought you to a place. What place?”

  “Jack, that’s not my point. And speaking of quantum, I read your new notes.”

  “My new notes?”

  “Yes; sorry Babe, but I wasn’t going to have a repeat of the C.P.T. fiasco.”

  “I had no intention of keeping anything from you. It just evolved, from what happened. I never imagined it would lead me into the whole Universe thing. I remember college.” Jack snickered a bit. “Besides what has it got to do with us, here and now?”

  Rachel grabbed his shoulders.

  “I am a doctor too, Jack. C.P.T. led your thinking? Obviously, something happened to you too…The thing is; I remember the moment of death. The moment my eyes fixed and dilated. So; was it in my mind that I had this sense that I went out of my body? And; here is my big question. All of your new proofs; everything in the C.P.T. manuscript refers to our knowledge coagulating, after ‘an hour of death’. So, my Darling; was I not dead and experiencing some mind-blowing euphoria, until I really died…Or was I dead; and C.P.T. brought me back; perhaps against all that is holy. Jack, did we violate some divine law? Are we here together now, when we really shouldn’t be?”

  Rachel grabbed her husband, around his waist, and held tight.

  “Jesus, Honey; it’s all right. The fact is, we are here together; that’s all that matters; isn’t it? Listen, I don’t have the answers. I am in new territory, now. We are working with Matt to transfer a lot of information, from his Time Trust and my notes, to the Campus. We will analyze it all and make a finding. You know the routine, better than anyone.”

  “Jack, I went through C.P.T. too. I want to be a part of this. Don’t shut me out.”

  “I won’t; but, you are a doctor; and, you have to be objective about this. Please, try not to get all wrapped up in the emotion and ethereal. Come on. Look, they are beginning to assemble out there. We should go.”

  “Christ Jack.”

  “It will be all right, Babe.”

  Rachel dried her eyes.

  “Your notes did sound, a bit, way out there.”

  “They always do, until the end.”

  “Yes; and what happened to me cannot be explained away as some ethereal vision, philosophy or religion.”

  “Yes, Dear.”

  Rachel picked up her shawl and walked by Jack, out the door. As he followed, he chuckled, “Besides, I would like to know what they are doing with it.”

  “With what?”

  “C.P.T…What have we been talking about, for God’s sake? We are going to have to finish this conversation sometime. I want to know more about that place you went; and that guide.”

  Rachel gave him a look.

  “Really, I expect the answer is in your new notes.”

  “Hah, hah; well, you brought it up. By the way, do you know where we sit, or stand, or what we are supposed to do, down there?”

  Rachel shook her head.

  “Jesus Jack, they will tell us if things change. Our seats are in the front row.”

  Chapter 4

  The Ceremony

  In another larger suite, some distance from Jack and Rachel’s; also overlooking the ceremonial park; Dr. Mathew Bellos, his wife Carla and their daughter Angie prepared for the formal GGM ceremony. While Carla engaged in last minute primping, in front of the hallway mirror; Angie stood in the main room, facing her father, dusting the front of his jacket. Bellos smiled and looked at his daughter, as only a father can.

  “We’ve come a long way, in a very short time, you and I; haven’t we, sweetie?”

  Angie smiled. “Mmm, my Dad, GGM; it is hard to believe all this is happening.”

  “I know. By the way; I meant to ask you a while ago; are you and Brian an item now?”

  “No; maybe; I don’t know; we’ll see.”

  Bellos kissed her on her forehead.

 
“He is a lucky young man; just be careful.”

  “I will. There; you look perfect. Are you ever going to tell us what being the GGM really means?”

  “Technically, I have to find out at the ceremony. It has all been quite hush, hush; even to me too.

  “Please, you two,” Carla said, “whatever it is; we are staying a family; together. That is all I care about”

  “Oh for goodness sake; it’ll be fine. I am the one, who is nervous here; and, I confess, ignorance is not bliss in this situation. Look at all that; all those gadgets and people. And why, in God’s name, do Gordon and I have to walk into the mouth of a beast the size of Manhattan?”

  Carla walked over to both of them.

  “Hmm; why indeed? All I know is; I will not lose either one of you again. Do you understand me, Mr.? When do we get to see this beast, anyway?”

  At that moment, a silent, blinding, white light exploded outside the window, and startled the three. They stared, as the light shrunk and defined itself.

  “Jesus, Dad; I think it’s here.”

  Bellos grinned a little.

  “Yes they like to make a grand entrance. How do you like the way it just hovers there.”

  Carla fixed on the spinning head.

  “It looks like a flying saucer. Is it waiting for people to move? Nobody seems bothered, at all.”

  “I guess I don’t rate a whole beast. That is just the head.”

  The people in the garden moved away, without fear. The rotating head landed in the garden area, below Bellos’s suite, behind the stage and podium.

  “How is that possible, Dad, its head just melded into the field.”

  “I know, Kiddo. Nobody has that answer.”

  “Honey,” Carla asked, “where is your friend, Jake Burns? I thought he would be here.”

  “He is on assignment. I’m sure there are no security questions, or he would be down there, right now.... I just don’t understand, though. I’ve been briefed less about this ceremony, than anything else in all my training years. How does Gordon expect me to handle all this?”

  Carla took Bellos’s hand.

  “You’ll be fine, my love. You will have plenty to handle, after the ceremony. After all, you got us back together. Come on, we better go. There is Grandpa waving at us. They have us sitting right in front of that thing.”

  Within half an hour, the assembly in front of the Carrier grew to over 7,000 spectators. Only the GGM guard, families and High Resolve Medical Research Staff, of the eight worldwide Posts, and their families, were invited. The ceremony would then be available, via Knofer to the populous.

  Once everyone was in place and seated, Gordon Swanson stepped up to the podium and looked out, over the crowd. The Carrier Unit’s mouth was his backdrop. As he spoke, his image appeared in 3D on all monitors floating around the field.

  “Good health to us all and welcome everyone.”

  The crowd applauded and Swanson continued, “Today is a joyous occasion; and, one that hasn’t taken place for over 200 years. While it is somewhat sad for me, I am happy and proud to introduce to you, our next Great Grand Master Dr. Mathew Jeremy Bellos…Mathew?”

  Everyone cheered. Bellos stepped up beside Swanson. He waived and whispered, “…So now what, Gordon…?”

  Swanson shook his hand, grinned and turned to the crowd.

  “We are also honored and thankful to have with us today, conducting the ceremony, our ambassador from Post 8, Carrier Unit 62712.”

  The crowd roared; and Bellos, again, leaned over to Swanson and whispered, “What do you mean conducting?”

  Swanson looked at him with a half smile, “This is the last time I can say this, Doctor, ‘be quiet!’…Ladies and gentlemen, and friends all over Ever-Life; I thank you, for giving me the best tenure any GGM could dream of, let alone ask for. I have been proud to serve.”

  The people shouted accolades and compliments. Swanson turned to Bellos and gestured behind him.

  “It’s time, Mathew…Come.”

  Swanson held Bellos by the arm; and, escorted him onto the extended wide tongue of the beast. It looked like a transparent plastic, but it was as solid and sturdy as concrete. They stepped up and stood looking at the crowd. Slowly, the tongue began moving, lifting the two men into the great mouth.

  “It’s not that I am afraid, you understand. It’s just that we have never entered a Carrier this way, before.”

  “Mathew, we will be fine. We are doing exactly what was done with me, and every GGM, since this started, well over 10,000 years ago.”

  “So, that makes me feel better?”

  Swanson grinned, as they descended into the Carrier. The great mouth closed, behind them, and darkness overcame everything. After their eyes adjusted, they could see only a blue glow around themselves; and, both men began to feel a warm, pleasing sensation.

  “Okay, Gordon; this is interesting. Remember, when you told me, years ago, that I would be asking ‘what’ a lot? I thought you were crazy. Now, I have so many more questions, and so few answers.”

  “Ah good; a sign of wisdom…”

  Then, the voice of the Carrier filled their minds.

  “Good Health to you GGM. I bring greetings from the council, and good wishes.”

  “Thank you, my friend. I bring you my choice; and, I present Dr. Mathew J. Bellos, to be our next Great Grand Master.”

  “As for the formalities, welcome Doctor…I ask you, Mathew J. Bellos; do you freely accept the responsibility and commit of the tasks before you?”

  Bellos raised one eyebrow, looked around at the dim light and replied, “I do…But, frankly, I do not comprehend the tasks before me.”

  Swanson squeezed his shoulder, “Not to worry, Son…He is ready, my friend.”

  “Then, let it begin.”

  There was complete silence. All around them became pitch black. Bellos squinted and tried to focus on the void before him.

  “There; look, it’s small; but, I see a light flickering, I think. Is that a star?” One by one, more lights appeared and Bellos said, softly, “Gordon, it looks like a plasma lamp.”

  “Yes, it does. Actually, it is all lightening. The life generating force of the Universe, my boy…Enjoy.”

  “Christ, I’m not a physicist. We have all been taught gravity, gasses and particles make up the Universe.”

  “Yes; that too; but, the ‘spark of life’; that is electromagnetic energy, electricity; in one form or another. That is what Ever-Life is all about, extending the spark of life. Welcome to your first day of school, Mathew.”

  All of it appeared like a movie fast forwarding; and it all grew, as Bellos watched in awe, while Nebulae, Star Clusters, Pulsars, and Galaxies…All manner of undefined cosmic wonders populated 360 degrees around them, appearing in 3D.

  “I’ll give you a hint, my boy; here, time as you understand it, does not exist. We men invented the abstract concept, anyway…It is not important.”

  It took Bellos a while, before realizing they were no longer on the beast’s tongue. They were floating. He was mesmerized, captivated, and, at the same time, he concentrated, to try and remember it all. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Swanson was floating away, getting smaller, in the distance, gesturing adieu with a smile. Bellos could feel a change coming over him. He began to comprehend, in a different way. He saw, in his mind’s eye, different kinds of text characters, each one a story, an education. His comprehension soared, in its scope. He understood the construct of atoms, inside and out; their component parts; what they do and what surface Earth called quantum theory. His mind understood ‘the beginning’-the Big Bang. He began seeing everything around him, in a kind of digital format; and, he thought, These are like the carved characters in my office bed and desk.

  It was the language of the Carriers. Their words and thoughts sucked into Bellos’s head like iron filings drawn to a magnet. His mind retained everything; new wondrous information, regarding all manner of subjects. He was a limitless hard driv
e, down loading the secrets of the Universe. Swanson was just a speck, far away, by then. Bellos squinted, staring at Swanson and whispered to himself, “Gordon, this isn’t just a headset or planetarium moment, is it? The energy and knowledge; they are coming from everywhere?”

  Then the Carrier spoke again, “Yes, it all comes from everywhere my GGM. I am your guide and a provider, from this time forward. You are seeing thought, in its purest form. Before anything was created, there was thought…I am committed to you, and the well-being of all life you represent. By becoming a Great Grand Master, you give up the choices of men and retain all manner of logic, knowledge and understanding. You are their guide now; and, I am yours. Do you accept this responsibility and commitment?”

  Bellos listened, and stared, into the vast timeless beauty before him. “I do.”

  “My friend, understand me. You may not, and must not, ever try to explain your experience here today. At no time, will anyone understand or accept what you say, and more importantly, there is a penalty associated with this code violation. However; you will have long life and a destiny of greatness ahead, as well as the wherewithal befitting a Great Grand Master. If there is any circumstance of illness, regarding your person, I will see to it that you stay well until that time your species finds a cure.”

  “I understand.”

  Bellos remained floating, in trancelike state of learning, for an indeterminable time. Then, something disturbed his concentration. He noticed that, in the upper right quadrant, a tiny white vortex appeared and grew. Slowly, it began to consume everything, and sucked Bellos toward it. As he accelerated and got closer, the bright light overwhelmed him. He covered his face and flinched; turning away; closing his eyes tightly; just as he shot into it. A rush of wind swirled around him; and then, everything stopped; complete silence. He sensed, he was standing, firmly balanced. Involuntarily, he wiped his blinking eyes and focused on the glowing, wet looking, transparent figure before him. Definitely humanoid, it was well proportioned and over twelve feet tall. It bowed, seemed to smile and offered his outstretched arms in welcome. He began speaking in the strange sounding language of the Carriers. Bellos knelt, listened; and, he understood every word.