by Ken Hansen
Peregrine nodded his head slowly and asked, “You remember me?”
“Of course,” replied Isa. “How could I forget such a distinguished astro-technologist?”
Tomadus smiled knowingly. “I told you.” He and Peregrine laughed.
While still chuckling, Tomadus noticed Jochi standing a few feet behind one of the Ten. He almost had not recognized her, now stripped of her Romanus trappings and fitting comfortably with other women of the Way, wearing a simple chador. But he could not miss her bright face and coy smile, which she now displayed again to Tomadus. The Light struck him quick but deep. He began sweating as several emotions swept through him rapidly: love, guilt, heartache, loneliness, joy and finally, distrust. The emotions tracked his vision of a confession to a woman close to Huxley—the woman from the investigation, the woman Huxley loved yet could not love, could not trust. This last realization gripped him just as Huxley departed the scene, and then the vision and emotions faded away.
Isa seemed to notice the change in Tomadus’s visage and glanced over his shoulder. At this, Jochi hunched her shoulders and looked down and away. “Have you just experienced the Light, Tomadus?” Isa asked.
Tomadus swallowed and breathed deep, coming back to reality. He nodded in Isa’s direction, then gestured to Peregrine. “Isa, this man has also experienced the Light.”
Isa smiled but said nothing.
Tomadus crossed his arms. “He can see many of the same things in the other world that I see.”
“Other world?” Simeon bellowed, wrinkling his nose and raising his lip like he smelled a dead rat. “Does our favorite rich man believe in another world?”
Tomadus had not seen the man coming up behind him.
“I don’t…I don’t believe…in anything,” Tomadus said.
“Well, that is no shock,” responded Simeon, “for surely you still do not believe in God and probably would not even do so if he kissed you on the cheek. If you do not believe in anything, then how is it you can see another world? Are you cracked?” Now surrounding them, several of the other Ten roared with laughter.
Isa stepped between Simeon and Tomadus. “Do not ridicule what you do not understand, Simeon. All of you must keep your eyes and your ears open to everything, for the Father speaks to us all in different ways. Like Tomadus, admit your ignorance and search for the truth wherever you can find it.” The laughter stopped. “Though his path has differed from yours, you know not whether it will lead him to even greater illumination.” Isa turned toward Tomadus and Peregrine. “You have each independently searched for an explanation of your visions. Now that you have found each other, share with us what you know.”
Tomadus’s cheeks reddened and he forced a fake smile. He had never shared the visions with the Ten. “Well, it is complicated,” he said. “We are hoping that you will help us find the answers.”
Isa smiled softly and looked at Peregrine. “What do you think?”
Peregrine blurted out, “I think we have somehow seen or crossed through to another universe.”
Tomadus’s eyes widened. “Another universe? What can you mean?”
Peregrine shook his head. “I don’t know, but I have heard of a theory held by some astro-technologists. They believe our universe is just one of an infinite number of universes. Many of these are very similar to ours. Others are very different.”
“But how can that be?” asked Tomadus.
“There has been research into mathematical and physical laws to support it. They talk about decoherence between certain states of matter for small points of time, but it remains controversial.”
“I may be able to think of another explanation,” Isa said. “But let us assume there is such a thing. Do you think you two have somehow physically traveled between these distinct universes?”
Peregrine’s eyes narrowed. “No, I really do not know. Maybe our minds just act as windows to the other universe.”
“No,” said Tomadus. “If there is another universe, then I feel like some part of me has traveled between the two. It is just too real. It is not like a visi-scan display. It is not a story. It is in my memory. Somehow, I was this person. I see through his eyes; I sense his thoughts; I feel his emotions. I was this man. I am this man. I am sure of it.” He looked at Simeon to see if he were snickering; instead, the man’s face looked thoughtful. The Ten were all in deep thought.
Isa interrupted the silence. “How would you make this physical transfer from one universe to the next? Do you recall choosing this course? Is your body the same in both worlds?”
“No. I look different. I don’t know how it happens, but I know we both began having the visions right after you touched us.”
Isa smiled. “I have touched many people, but they do not speak of visions. Why do you now assume the science of astrophysics holds your answers, and why do you assume something physical? Have I touched you in any other way? Could there be another explanation?”
“I have not been able to think of any,” replied Tomadus.
“Ah, how miserable is the body that depends on a body, and how miserable is the soul that depends on these two,” said Isa mystically.
“What does that mean?” asked Tomadus.
Isa looked into Tomadus’s eyes. “I sometimes forget that you do not yet believe in souls.”
“Yet?”
“There is always hope,” Isa said. “Perhaps you two are like the Buddhists or Hindus—your souls travel a path toward the enlightenment of God through multiple worlds.”
A murmur arose among the Ten.
“Is this the Father’s plan, Master?” Simeon asked.
Isa looked around the group. “I see many of you are disturbed by this. It does not bother Tomadus and Peregrine because they do not, yet, believe in souls. But for you others who dispute this possibility, do you also dispute that there is a Heaven and a hell?”
Anders, the Muslim, weighed in, “The Great Book says of Heaven, ‘These will come face to face with their evil, but those who repent, who believe, who do righteous deeds, will enter Paradise. They will not be wronged in the least: they will enter the Garden of Lasting Bliss, promised by the Lord of Mercy.’ It also says, ‘For those who defy their Lord We have prepared the torment of Hell: an evil destination. They will hear it drawing in its breath when they are thrown in.’”
Simeon guffawed. “So, Tomadus, tell us—are you now in Heaven or hell?”
The other nine of the Ten joined his laughter until Isa frowned and shook his head. “You think this is a joke? Why do you assume the duality of Heaven and hell? If your soul is not ready for Heaven, Simeon, will you forever be condemned to hell? Could there be yet another possibility?”
Simeon lowered his head and muttered, “I am a sinful man. Perhaps there is no hope for me.”
“Simeon,” said Isa, “when you sin you risk separating yourself from the Father, but have I not taught you that the Father forgives? You need only ask and he will save you from Gehenna, for I will bring you back to him.”
Adin blurted out, “So then there is only the different worlds and Heaven and hell!”
Isa grinned and put his hands on Adin’s big shoulders. “Adin, you always see the truth so clearly. Let me ask you something.”
“Okay, master.”
“When you joined us, your parents were both dead, is that right?”
Adin nodded several times.
Isa smiled gently. “Do you remember your earthly father?”
“Oh yes, he was very nice. I loved him.”
“Did you ever do anything wrong in his eyes?”
“I tried to be good, but I made mistakes.”
“Of course,” Isa said, “you are human. When you erred and your father discovered it, did you ever ask for his forgiveness?”
“Oh yes.”
“And did your father forgive you?”
Adin nodded excitedly. “He told me he forgave me right away. He was kind.”
“Yes, Adin, he was a very good man,”
said Isa. “Now, I want you to think hard about this. After he forgave you, did he punish or try to correct you in any way?”
“Uh huh, but I didn’t mind so much ‘cause he wasn’t angry at me. He said I had to do that so I would learn to be better in the future.”
“Thank you, Adin. Your father did a wonderful job raising you.”
Adin beamed. “Thank you, master.”
Isa turned toward the others. “You all should take a lesson from this gentle man’s father, who taught him so well. Would not my Father in Heaven also find such a way to teach his children, to help their souls find the way?” Isa smiled and began walking away.
Tomadus and Peregrine walked after him, pleading for more explanation. Isa turned and nodded. “Like most children, you still have much to learn. Be neither afraid nor stubborn, and you may still find your way in this world or the next. Remember, I am the Light. I am the Sun. Turn your ship toward me.” Isa turned away and this time ignored their pleas for more.
Simeon shouted out to him, “Teacher, please, do not walk the streets alone. Do not forget the rumors.”
Isa responded, “Thank you for your concern, Simeon, but my time has not yet come.” He shuffled down the street alone. Simeon asked two of the Ten to follow Isa, and they obeyed.
Peregrine and Tomadus returned to Simeon. “What is that about?” asked Tomadus. “What rumors have you heard?”
“Some friends of the Way have told us there may be a plot against Isa by someone in authority. We do not know if the rumors are true, but it would be just like the bastards to grab him when he walks the streets alone.”
“Who told you this?” demanded Tomadus.
“It was someone highly placed. It is not the first time we have heard such things, but I begin to worry.”
Chapter 71
Cruising in a DC-10 that had just taken off from Reagan International on its way to Rome, Huxley stared at the glimmering Atlantic below, his thoughts flowing gently with the waves. Why was this cardinal still in hiding? Government agents were looking for him along with half the Carabinieri, yet they had found no traces. Maybe his Vatican friends could help, if they weren’t hiding something themselves.
The long plane ride gave Huxley time to try his new favorite game. He had Najwa’s phone in his hand and kept plugging phantom passwords into The Apostle app, without luck. The NSA’s super computers were still crunching the Jefferson Memorial and Jeff Thomas, III, clues. Something had to be missing. He figured the app had some sort of answer. Maybe he should have turned the phone over to the NSA, but he had to have a shot at it first.
He had inputted various portions of the Jeff Thomas entry, including the phone numbers, the address, the real address for the Jefferson Memorial, and the fake name of Jeff Thomas, III. The screen remained blank. He thought about the clue that had made him examine the Jeff Thomas entry closely: “Apostle of Democracy.” Nothing. He exited again and tried, “Jeff Thomas, III, Apostle of Democracy.” Still blank. He tried, “Thomas Jefferson, Apostle of Democracy.” The visible screen did not stir, but the phone vibrated. Nobody was calling and there were no texts coming in. He turned on the volume, exited and restarted the app, and again entered, “Thomas Jefferson, Apostle of Democracy.”
The screen remained blank, but a metallic voice said, “Speak so that you may hear.”
Huxley stared at the phone a few seconds, then he noticed a small microphone icon had appeared at the bottom left corner of the screen. He pressed it and said, “Thomas Jefferson, Apostle of Democracy.”
The metallic voice responded, “Voice match. Ask and you shall receive.” Huxley smiled. Yes, he would very much like to receive.
He hit the microphone icon and said, “What is the message?” Nothing happened. He exited and started over again, this time saying, “What is the key?” Again nothing. He tried a number of other variations on this theme until he considered the Jeff Thomas entry. He said, “Jeff Thomas.” Nothing. Then he exited and repeated the name along with “III.” Again nothing.
Huxley tilted his head and stared at the phone. He repeated the entire process, but this time he said aloud the first digit of the home telephone number from the Jeff Thomas contacts entry: “Two.”
The phone’s screen lit up for the first time with a smiling emoticon followed immediately by a series of seemingly random numerals separated by dashes:
☺ –1-1-1-2-1-3-1-3-1-1-2-1-3-8-4-2-1-6-3-2-1
Huxley grabbed his pad and pencil and wrote out the symbol and numbers. Then he spoke the second number from the home phone entry, “0,” and a small, hand-printed “t” appeared followed by a much shorter set of numerals:
– 1-1-3-1-1-8
After writing these down, Huxley continued through the digits of the home phone number, proceeded through the digits of the other two phone numbers and continued until he had reached the “o” in “Washington” in the home address. At that point, no entries produced any further output in The Apostle game.
Huxley sat back and looked at the sheets of symbols and numbers he had written:
☺ – 1-1-1-2-1-3-1-3-1-1-2-1-3-8-4-2-1-6-3-2-1
– 1-1-3-1-1-8
– 8-5-5-2-1-5-1-5-2-2-3-3-2-3-1-2-5-2-13-1-1-2-1-1-1-5-4-1-4-2
Δ – 1-5-2-1-3-2
☺ – 2-7-1-1-2-2-2-5-1-1-7-4-3-6-4-1-4-2-1-4-1
– 2-1-1-1-4-3-14-4-1
– 1-5-3-1-1-2-2-5-5-1-1-1-1-6-4-2-1-6
Δ – 1-3-3-2-1-2-1-5-8-1-2-2
☺ – 2-5-3-4-1-6-1-4-4
– 1-2-2-1-4-2
– 1-1-7-1-2-3-1-4-1
Δ – 2-1-7-2-1-2-1-2-1-2-3-1-3-2-1
☺ – 5-3-2-4-3-6-1-3-4-1-4-6
– 2-4-5-5-5-4
– 13-1-4-2-5-1-3-3-6-1-6-2-2-2-1
Δ – 3-1-1-1-7-3-14-7-3-1-5-4-1-3-1-4-1-4
☺ – 7-5-7-3-4-4
– 2-2-1-3-3-5-2-2-2-1-1-7-3-3-6-1-4-6-2-4-8-3-4-5
– 2-6-1-3-1-1
Δ – 3-5-1-15-3-7
☺ – 1-2-3-1-1-2-5-5-3-1-5-1
– 8-5-8-3-5-1-2-6-5
– 1-7-2-2-5-4-2-5-8
Δ – 2-3-3-4-1-1-1-4-1-1-5-7
☺ – 1-7-1-1-4-5-2-4-1-1-7-3-2-4-1
– 3-2-1-1-5-3-2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-2-2-3-1
☺ – 2-5-6-2-4-2-3-2-2
Δ – 5-4-1-1-5-1-1-4-2-14-7-3
– 3-4-2-2-1-3-2-3-2-1-1-4-14-6-1-2-2-3
☺ – 2-3-2-1-4-3-5-2-1
– 1-3-2
Δ – 4-6-1-1-6-3-1-1-1-1-7-6-2-3-4-1-7-8
☺ – 4-2-1-3-3-2-6-4-1
– 2-6-2-2-2-4-17-1-9-2-4-4-3-5-2
– 2-5-1-2-5-7-1-3-3-3-3-2-1-1-3
Δ – 5-8-1-2-1-6-1-7-1-1-6-2-1-7-2-4-5-3
– 7-7-1-1-7-1-2-5-9-3-1-3
☺ – 8-4-1-1-5-3-8-5-1
– 17-1-2-16-4-3
Δ – 17-2-6-17-2-8-17-1-8-16-6-1-16-6-2
☺ – 16-2-1-16-2-12-17-1-5-17-1-1
– 17-1-12-17-1-10-17-1-7
– 16-7-1-15-7-1-16-3-1-16-5-5-15-7-2-17-2-5-17-2-4-14-4-2
Δ – 16-3-1-16-3-2-15-3-7
☺ – 16-5-1-17-1-2-16-5-4-17-2-1-16-5-7-17-2-6-16-5-8-’
– 17-1-5-16-3-5-15-3-3-17-2-1
– 16-5-6-16-4-2
Δ – 16-4-5-14-7-3-15-4-1-14-5-2-17-2-9
☺ – 17-2-4-17-2-5-17-1-4
–16-2-2-16-2-6-16-3-1-16-2-7-16-3-3-16-4-1
– 10-4-1-16-1-1
Δ – 17-1-3-17-2-4-17-2-1-17-2-3-14-4-1
☺ – 15-4-5-17-2-3-17-1-6
– 15-5-7-13-4-2-16-2-3-16-1-3
– 7-5-3-17-2-2-17-3-1-16-5-4-17-3-4-6-1-6-17-4-1
Δ – 14-5-1-16-6-3
– 15-7-8-16-5-1-16-3-5-12-1-4
☺ - 17-2-2-16-7-2-16-7-3
– 17-1-1-16-5-1-15-2-2-14-1-7-15-6-2-17-1-11-15-5-4-15-1-3-17-1-8-15-5-2-14-6-2
Δ – 14-2-1-16-6-4-15-3-6-14-2-2
☺ – 13-6-5
– 12-3-4-15-5-3-16-4-2-16-1-2-14-3-8-12-4-3-14-4-1
– 13-5-2-16-2-3-14-6-4-15-7-6-14-6-3-13-7-5
-15-6-3-11-3-3
Δ – 17-2-2-17-2-7-13-5-1
☺ – 15-4-3-12-8-2-16-2-4
– 16-1-1-14-1-2-16-3-4-13-6-2-15-3-4
– 17-3-3-16-7-2-6-1-3
Δ – 14-3-4-12-1-4-16-4-6-16-4-7
☺ – 13-4-1-16-2-5-17-1-3-15-5-6-16-5-6-15-5-4-17-3-1
– 14-1-4-15-4-1
– 12-1-4-16-6-2-15-1-3-14-2-3
Δ – 9-6-2-16-4-4-15-3-1
☺ – 13-5-1-13-1-7-14-3-7-15-5-3
– 16-4-6-15-3-2-15-1-2
– 11-2-1-14-4-3-15-7-7-16-4-1
Δ – 14-3-3-16-5-1
☺ – 11-1-4-15-3-2-15-4-7-15-4-6
– 7-1-9-15-2-3-13-5-8-16-3-2-14-3-2-13-5-7-4-5-1-17-2-1
The list contained only 4 repeating symbols, but at first the number arrays did not appear to follow any cryptographic methodology he had seen before. Then he noticed a few interesting patterns. First, the symbols were generally in sequential order throughout the clue: ☺, , , Δ. Second, there was one instance of a symbol—it looked like an apostrophe—that was different than the other four symbols and appeared not at the beginning of a line but at its end. Then he noticed that the total number of digits on each line was a multiple of 3: the first was 21, the second 6, the third 30, and so on.
This multiple of 3 could not be a coincidence. He split the numbers in each line into units of three numbers each. Now the first line read: “☺ – 1-1-1/2-1-3/1-3-1/1-2-1/3-8-4/2-1-6/3-2-1.” After he did this, he saw that the first number of each grouping in the first half or so of the clue was almost always a smaller number between 1–4 while the first number of each grouping in the second half was generally between 14–17. That must signify some other demarcation point.
This was no simple substitution cipher. If it were, then each group of three numbers would refer to a single letter. He could then decode it through frequency analysis. This technique made simple ciphers ridiculously easy to break by assuming that the most frequent number combination in the message likely represented the letter “e,” the most frequent letter used in English. The next most frequent number combination was the second most frequent letter, “t,” and so forth. But as he viewed the cipher, he realized the units almost never repeated themselves, except across symbols. The symbols probably conditioned each three-number unit, so in actuality each unit consisted of four elements—the symbol plus three numbers. If he were right about that assumption, then the entire cipher contained only nine repeats, and a collection of 282 unique letters. That seemed highly unlikely in any alphabetic language.