Chapter
13
A Serialized Story of the
Not So Distant Future
April 10, 2005
Part Sixteen
Sam just stared at Madam Zeba, searching his mind frantically for
something to say.
"Oh stop it Zeba, you'll turn his hair white!" Gaby said.
Sam laughed, and managed to say:"Hi."
"What, no kiss?" Madam Zeba asked, throwing Gaby a wink.
"Have we met?" Sam asked.
"Actually, you've been working with everyone here for the last ten years." Gaby explained, "me too."
"Why don't I remember that?"
"You will in time, it has to do with shifting focus." Gaby said.
"Come on, I'll re-introduce you to everyone."
There were several people of varying ages standing around, the youngest was a small girl of about six, and the oldest was a woman in her forties.
"This is Pandora." Gaby said, indicating the little girl. "Don't be
fooled by her size, she's a lot younger than she looks."
"Um, hi." Sam said, he wasn't sure if Gaby was kidding.
"Hi Sam." Pandora said, giving him a little smile. She had pale skin with dark brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a pink dress that made her look the perfect little girl: "I know you don't remember this, but I am in contact with Sedna, and you have been our friend for many years." Her voice had that chirpy quality that little kids often had, but her attitude and manner were completely adult.
"This is Pamela," Gaby said, "she's a writer in Los Angeles."
"Welcome back to us Sam, we've missed you." Pamela said with a smooth rich voice. She looked about 30, and was a tall African American woman, with closely cropped hair and a slim, attractive build.
"Thanks," Sam said, liking her immediately, "this is all a little
overwhelming."
"Oh relax, you're family." This was the eldest looking woman, she had a matronly look about her with a warm, kind face, with curly light brown hair and wide set blue eyes. "I'm Rose, I'm actually a lot older - 92-" she whispered, "but this is how I like to look."
"How about me, is my hair white here?" Sam asked. It was too short
for him to see.
"It is dear, you decided that you liked it that way." Rose said,
reaching up to ruffle it a little.
"And finally we have Peter," Gaby said, indicating a shadowy looking
figure in the back of the room.
"Peter, come here and join us." Rose said.
Peter was about Sam's height and looked to be in his twenties. He was thin and pale with black hair and dark eyes. "Welcome back Sam." His voice was unusually high and lilting, as if he were speaking in a falsetto.
"Peter's very good with dreams," Gaby said. "He was helping you
relive the accident over the last few days."
"Oh, uh thanks." Sam said. "So, what exactly is this group about anyway? How are you related to the Chapter 13 that blocks traffic and gets blamed for military failures."
"Actually dear, you did that." Rose said. "With a little help from
the rest of us of course."
"I did what exactly?"
"The Naval sonar, I picked up the thought even though you didn't say
it. That's been an ongoing project of ours for some time."
"This is a little too much." Sam said, "can we back things up a
little."
"I know what you're going through Sam, I've been there myself." Madam Zeba said. "Like you, I've been near death, and had to learn dual focus."
"Dual focus?"
"You and I are able to bridge between the physical realm and the dream realm, it gives us the ability to do seemingly impossible things."
"Like when I ducked Anthony's punch." Sam said.
"Exactly." Gaby said, "I was there that day, actually I'm almost
always nearby."
"So what's this have to do with Chapter 13?"
"Chapter 13 isn't actually an organization," Pamela said. "It's an alliance of sorts, anyone who is opposed to oppression can call themselves a member. Because it has no overriding credo to adhere to, we thought it would be fun to use it on this level as well."
"So what exactly do we do here?" Sam asked.
"We're here to encourage and inspire people, and to influence events in a particular direction." Pamela said.
"And sabatoge the military?"
"When necessary, yes. Events of the last fifteen years have pushed this world to the brink of self destruction several times, we, and other groups like us, are here to insure that it doesn't happen."
"So how does the Navy's sonar fit in?"
"It's killing the whales!" Pandora said. "Sedna is not happy about
that."
"Environmental issues are a concern as well," Pamela said. "the earth can rebound from a lot, but we make a differnce where we can. The case of the sonar is twofold, it is killing the whales and dolphins, destroying the part of their brain that performs sensory navigation. But it's also a major part of a first-strike nuclear option, and underwater GPS system for tracking enemy submarines. If the Navy gets this system functioning, they will use it to find and neutralize the Chinese, Russian and Indian submarines in the area. Once that happens, they believe they can win a first strike scenario."
"What about inspiring and encouraging the people in charge?" Sam
asked.
"I have tried many times." Peter said, "as well as Rose and Pandora. We can't force people to listen, and it is easier to tune us out than you might think. There are other voices they listen to."
"Other voices like yours?" Sam asked.
"No." Peter went silent after that, his head moved down to his chin
as if in prayer.
"In order to operate on this level, you have to be working for the benefit of humanity as a whole." Pamela explained. "There is however the so called prophet. He is kept under wraps by the Pentagon, and has been a sculptor of events for the last twenty years. Like me, he can see possible futures, only his vision is highly influenced by his own religious and moral values. He believes, as do those who are protecting him, that he is guiding the world toward's Jesus' return."
"I'm not sure I'm ready for this." Sam said. "I'm sorry but this is just too much."
Gaby put her arm around his waist. "Trust me Sam, what we're doing here is right."
"I'm not sure what that is though," Sam said. "Maybe once I can remember, I'll feel differently. Right now, this is all too weird."
Sam felt strangly more uncomfortable as he was speaking. He felt a sudden need to get away, to run. The room started fading, and he heard Gaby saying something, but he couldn't make out the words.
"Aahh!" He woke up sweating. How loud had he yelled? Mom didn't seem to notice, so it couldn't have been very loud. He sat up in bed, catching his breath. Why was that so scary? It was only a dream, or was it? Gaby seemed so real there, as did the others. Madam Zeba? He probably just remembered her from the TV.
It was almost dawn, gray light was filling his bedroom. His mind was racing a mile a minute. He laid back down again and tried to get
some rest.
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