“Viceroy Blair, I would not joke about such a matter. Jehoban is the creator of everything around us. All of the worlds were made by Him, all of the dimensions, the creatures, the very air we breathe was His thought made manifest.”
The tone of her voice triggered a memory in his head, and he recalled the truth behind her words. He could not show his ignorance of the matter and be seen at a disadvantage, so he laughed and said, “It’s good you know the truth. I had to make sure you truly believed or else I wouldn’t be able to work with you.”
“That’s good to know,” Juila replied even as she wondered about his sincerity. He did not seem to be a particularly religious man. “What do you need me to do?”
Since he had no other option and she was just a kid anyway he decided to be straight with her. “The ship’s crystal drive shattered and the replacement crystal we just installed from Tuala has cracked in half. For all intents and purposes, we’re also stuck here in space on very minimal power and even lower food supplies with the aquaponics plants not performing up to their expectations. If we don’t get everything back online soon, we’re all going to die out here in space.”
Juila’s eyes widened as he explained their situation. Her original plan of using the ship’s communications to get help was no longer an option with their crystal drive inoperative. To get right to the heart of the problem she asked, “How many people are on board?”
“I have ten crew and nineteen new recruits.”
“How long has this situation been going on?”
“The first crystal shattered as we were landing on Tuala to resupply the ship about two months ago. We were able to get the new crystal and install it almost immediately. While the new crystal was nothing like the old one, it worked even better than the previous one up until seventeen days ago when it broke in half.”
Juila nodded as she processed his information and asked one final question, “How many reserve supplies do you still have available?”
“If it were just my crew, we’d be good for about one week. As it stands, there’s only enough for about one to two days, and that’s on rations.”
The situation was worse than Juila had imagined it would be. She wracked her brain for a solution for everyone and kept coming up blank. Deciding to take it step-by-step, she asked, “Show me the grow room and I’ll see if we can get something going before it comes to starvation.” She stood up and made to move for the door.
“Not so fast, Juila. We need to set up some ground rules before you leave this room. Sit down.”
Juila took the one step back and resumed her seat. She looked up at him and wondered what he could possibly mean by being so bossy.
“First, you are not to be talking to my crew. Second, you will not poke around in areas where you are not supposed to be. Third, you will come right back here to this room when you are finished. Do you understand these rules and agree to follow them?”
“Yes, Viceroy Blair, I agree.” She could not possibly understand why these rules were so important to him, yet they seemed easy enough to follow.
“Do not cross me,” he warned as he moved over to the door, opened it, and told the man outside, “Take our guest to the grow room. Make sure she stays in the room and escort her back here when she is finished.”
“Yes, Viceroy!” The man saluted him and stood ready for Juila to come out into the hallway.
Juila took this as her cue to go ahead and leave the room. As soon as they were out of earshot of the Viceroy, Juila turned and asked the man, “I’m Juila. What’s your name? I’d prefer to be able to use your name instead of hey you.”
The young man looked confused as he answered, “The name’s Ozias, ma’am.”
“It’s nice to make your acquaintance, Ozias. Where’re you from?”
“I shouldn’t be talking to you about this, Juila.”
“Really, Ozias? What could it hurt?” she teased him, hoping to keep him talking. She slowed down her paces wanting to keep him talking longer. Unconsciously, he slowed down where he was leading her.
“All of the original crew is from a planet called Heliok. We’re really far away from home right now, and we should have been back almost a month ago.”
“So might your people have sent a ship out to find you?”
“I don’t think so.” He looked away and cleared his throat.
“Why not? Don’t you think they’re missing you?” Juila really was starting to wonder at his strange response to such a reasonable question.
“Our planet’s dying, and we have the last operation space ship on the planet. At least we did until it stopped running. Do you think you’ll be able to fix it so we can go home and try to save what’s left of our planet?”
Juila touched his arm in sympathy and replied, “I don’t know, Ozias, but I promise to do my best. Okay?”
His throat choked up with emotion, so he merely nodded his agreement and then began walking faster to get to the grow room. He believed this young woman would be able to help them. He was going to do everything he could to help her succeed.
Chapter Twenty
DR. GASCON WAITED for his next appointment to arrive in his office. This was not going to be a typical appointment as this man was not seeking treatment, rather he was seeking payment. The door opened, and the young, thin man entered the room.
It was pretty obvious from his medical experience that this person was used to taking drugs, probably methamphetamines based on the lesions on his skin. If he could have avoided this meeting, he would have; however, the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center was used to seeing all types so he would be less recognizable here than anywhere else. Mr. Smith sat down in the chair across from him and promptly began to fidget.
“I want to know if you were successful in getting into the estate. Also, tell me what you found out,” Dr. Gascon asked without preamble. There was no point in making small-talk with this man as he was not going to need any further association with him. He had been told his name was Mr. Smith which he knew to be false and yet satisfied him.
Mr. Smith crossed his ankle over his knee and began to shake his foot uncontrollably. He looked around the office and saw all of the awards hanging on the wall and the fancy desk. Thinking about how much money this doctor was worth made him wish he had taken more time in the other guy’s house.
“I don’t have all day, Mr. Smith,” Dr. Gascon spoke curtly.
“Yeah, I got in. It was easy walking into the gated driveway once the gardeners left. I walked around the perimeter of the property to make sure nobody was home. The house wasn’t even locked, and I came in through the back patio doors. That guy must be really rich to have a pad like that one.”
“Of course he’s rich! I want to find out how he’s making all of his money! What did you find out? Get to the details already!”
“I tore the whole house apart. I couldn’t find any records of any cult dealings as you suggested I might find. They didn’t even have any loose change or jewelry sitting around. I even checked both of the garages for any safes or hidden caches. One garage was completely empty, and the other one was full of vehicles. I’m telling you, I was thorough, and they do not have any records within the house.”
“So you’re telling me you have nothing to report,” Dr. Gascon said in disgust.
“I’m telling you there is nothing in that house to show they are doing anything illegal. There weren’t even any people living there except the parents and the two children. There’s nothing more to tell you,” he said with a firm nod. “I’ve done your job now where’s my payment?”
“I paid you to get me answers,” he complained even as he opened his desk drawer and pulled out a thick, white envelope. He negligently tossed it onto the desk in front of Mr. Smith. “There’s your money! I don’t ever want to see you again. Do you understand what I’m saying to you? Never again will you try to make contact with me.”
Mr. Smith uncrossed his leg and stood up. He picked up the envelope and weighed it in his h
and to make sure it felt heavy enough to be the agreed price for the job.
“It was a pleasure doing business with you,” Mr. Smith grinned as he pushed the envelope into the back pocket of his blue jeans. He swaggered out of the office wishing he could have figured out a way to get a second job from the wealthy doctor.
As soon as the door shut, Dr. Gascon pounded the top of his desk with his fist. That ploy had been a colossal waste of time and money. He still had one more ace up his sleeve. He called his secretary and informed her he was ready for his next appointment.
The private investigator entered the room and sat down in the same chair Mr. Smith had vacated. He put a briefcase down on the chair next to him and flipped the side locks open to open it up. He withdrew a thick manila envelope and put it on the desk for Dr. Gascon. He knew better than even to try to have a conversation with the doctor, so he remained silent while he waited for his client to review the reports and pictures.
Dr. Gascon pulled the envelope into his lap and pulled the thick stack of papers out. He skimmed the report and frowned at several of the entries. Next, he flipped through each of the pictures showing him who had come and gone from the Stel house. The more he looked, the angrier he became because it was obvious someone had messed up.
“How come you don’t have any record of Neal coming to the house and yet, here,” he flipped through the pictures until he found the one he wanted and poked his finger down on it hard, “clearly show him leaving the house with his mother?”
“He had to have been hiding in a vehicle because there is no error in the report. This is not the first time there have been people coming or going who were not reported. There has been someone on active duty outside their property ever since you have hired my firm. They are the best investigators, and they don’t miss details. There is definitely something strange going on in that house, but I can’t tell you what it is.”
“Is there another entry point to the property? A back gate? Anything?” Dr. Gascon asked as he tried to make sense of the inconsistencies.
“No, there is only one point of ingress or egress.”
“I want you to keep on this case. I also have another case for you, if you have enough men to spare.”
“Absolutely, Dr. Gascon. What else would you like us to do for you?”
“I’d like to get copies of all of Riccan Stel’s financial records. I’d also like you to put a tail on Nealand Taivas, Jr. so you can tell me the name of the doctor he’s seeing for treatment.”
“No problem. We can begin on both of those things right away. Would you like daily updates on Nealand as well?”
“Yes. How long for the financials?”
“I can have those for you within seven days. I could do it faster, but I want to make sure we leave no stone unturned.”
“Good enough. That will be all. I’ll expect to hear from you tomorrow then.”
The private investigator nodded and turned to shut his briefcase. He picked it up at the same time he rose from his chair. With a nod of his head in Dr. Gascon’s direction, he turned and left the room.
Dr. Gascon felt another stab of anger as he realized Amanda had thwarted him once again. He had been sure the pictures would show her bringing Neal to her house. On the contrary, it left him with yet another mystery surrounding their house. He did not like the idea of being outsmarted by a young girl, and he was going to find a way to take her and her husband down.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sofia did not know how to explain it, but she felt the overwhelming need to drive over to Juila’s house. Without second guessing her instinct, she grabbed her keys and headed out to her car. The drive only took about ten minutes, but she became increasingly agitated the closer she came to the estate.
She pulled into the driveway and was grateful for the gate recognizing her car as it swung open silently. Driving faster than normal, she parked her car next to Behn’s. She wondered what he was still doing here so late even as she got out of the vehicle and went to knock on the front door.
Nobody answered, so she knocked again louder. She wondered if everybody had gone around to the backyard by the pool, so she tried the doorknob and found it to be unlocked. She poked her head into the house and saw everyone sitting silently on the couches in the living room across from the front door.
“Hey,” she called out as she closed the door behind her. “Is something wrong?” She walked through the foyer and became aware of the stranger in the room.
“Oh, Sofia, now isn’t a good time,” Amanda began to say.
“Is there something wrong with Juila? I had the strangest feeling she needed my help, so I came over. Is there something I can do? Is she in trouble? Where is she?”
Rasa looked over from where she sat on the couch with her hands on Jena’s head. “If she felt something then she may be the key we need. Have her come in and sit down.”
Amanda leaned over to Rasa and said, “Sofia doesn’t know about our family, she can’t stay!”
“If you have any other ideas about finding Juila, by all means, send away the messenger.”
Amanda’s eyes widened at Rasa’s attitude. When Rasa had insisted they all return to Earth to help Jena re-link she had agreed immediately, now she was not so sure. She turned and addressed Sofia, “Yes, Sofia. Please come in and tell us what you know.”
Sofia wondered if the family was finally going to come clean about their origins and she was both excited and terrified to find out the truth. In any event, Juila needed her help, and she was going to do everything in her power to assist. She sat down next to Jena and grabbed her hand to offer comfort.
Deciding to tell them what she already suspected, she said, “I know you are from Tuala and I know Juila and Jena healed me after I got hit by the car. I also know about Behn, Val, and Jon being from Tuala as well. Please don’t keep me out of the loop because I might be able to help.”
Stunned silence met Sofia’s proclamations. Riccan was the first to recover as he asked, “How did you know there was a problem tonight?”
“I’ve been noticing something strange ever since Juila healed me. I’ve been able to see her thoughts even before she says them out loud.” She looked over at Jena and said, “I’ve been able to do it a little with Jena; it’s just not as strong as it is with Juila.”
Jena perked up and said, “Juila did take the lead on healing Sofia. It is possible there was some transference in our rush to keep her alive.”
Rasa nodded confirmation even as she was amazed to hear someone from Earth talk about everything so calmly. “So what did you see in your mind tonight?”
“This may sound crazy, but it seems like she’s in a giant space ship,” Sofia finished in a rush. Now that she had said it out loud it sounded even lamer than it had in her head.
Amanda frowned even as Riccan’s expression lightened with realization. “She might be on to something, guys! It would make sense if she were somehow in space, then she would not have access to elemy to be able to make contact so easily.”
“That’s great, but how did they end up in space when they were going to and from Tuala in the telepod?” Amanda asked what she believed to be the most obvious question.
Sofia’s eyes became huge as she heard their strange discussion. This situation was much worse than she had originally believed. She sat forward and listened avidly to what was going on with Juila.
“I don’t know that part, but it would also explain why I could still get a faint signal of the transponder on the telepod. It’s not designed to work in space. Luckily the telepod is pressurized and has its own oxygen supply.”
“Which won’t last forever. How much time do they have?” Amanda asked with growing anxiety.
“With three of them on board, I’d say it would probably last several days. We have time to locate them now that we know where to begin,” Riccan jumped up from the couch to go back to his patil to do some research.
“I’m glad he sees hope in this situation,” Amanda mut
tered.
Rasa turned to Amanda and said, “There is hope, Amanda. Trust in Jehoban, and He’ll never let you down. Everything happens for a reason; we just have to figure out what the reason is in this situation.”
Jena turned her attention back to Rasa and asked, “Do you think you could link Sofia and me together to try to touch Juila’s mind? Both of us have an established link, maybe combined we can reach her even if she’s so far away.”
“I don’t know, but I’m willing to try it if Sofia is,” Rasa answered as she moved her gaze over to the eyes of a scared girl.
Sofia could feel her heart begin to race even as she nodded her head in agreement. “It’s the least I could do after what Juila has already done for me. I’m glad to be able to return the favor. Do whatever you need; I just hope it won’t hurt.”
Rasa chuckled and said, “No, it won’t hurt at all; although, you might feel a strange tingling sensation in your scalp.” She put one hand on top of Sofia’s head and the other on Jena’s. She closed her eyes and began to pull a cord of elemy from the earth to join together with the life-lines of both girls. She mentally braided the powers together and began to search for a common strand between the two girls.
Just as she was about to give up, she found what she was looking for and pushed forward to connect with the spark of light which was Juila. All three of them gasped as they could see and hear everything happening around Juila. They watched as she stopped dead in her tracks and widened her eyes at the renewed contact.
Chapter Twenty-One
“ARE YOU OKAY, Juila?” Ozias asked as he saw Juila stumble beside him and stop walking.
Juila shook her head and inwardly smiled in recognition of her sister’s touch. What troubled her was she also felt the presence of two other people. She did not have the time to investigate at the moment as she had to pretend nothing had happened.
Ascension Vision- The Levels of Ascension Box Set Page 12