I grinned. ‘I’m the kind of man schoolboys call sissies; I hate guns and don’t enjoy taking the life of any kind of animal - apart from certain human beings who form a sub-species of their own.’
1281
With a grim look he replied, ‘I know what you mean - not long before Britain handed over the colony to the locals, my twin daughters were killed and my wife seriously wounded by Mau-maus who attacked our home while I was on safari. The doctors urged me to send my wife back to her parents’ home in Holland…which is where I am travelling to. It was bad enough losing my girls at twenty two, to lose my wife also would be unbearable.’ He flushed when he realised he had confided something so private to a stranger. He then added, ‘Something odd happened; when we lost our daughters, my wife turned to God, while I turned away, hating Him for allowing something so senseless and evil.’
Without thinking of what I was to say, I told him, ‘We all either find or lose God according to our personal need.’ He gave me a look, as if I’d said something wise which had lit a corner of his mind, so I tried to change the subject by asking him, ‘I have friends who have a coffee farm, Wilfred and Rose Teller. Do you know whether they too have suffered an attack?’
‘Wilfred Teller a friend? How odd - how anybody could think of such a sour-faced bastard as a friend, I don’t know. I doubt that even the Mau-maus want to see him. No, I have not heard of them being attacked, though a neighbour was.’
He could not provide me with a reason for Wilfred changing so drastically and confirmed he is known as a successful coffee farmer, even if his farm is on the small side. ‘He is good at organising and runs his farm strictly, yet it is said that none of his employees are afraid of him, which suggests he is fair. But when he comes to Nairobi, if he takes a seat at a bar, within minutes the area around him is empty. We all have enough problems without needing him to curdle our day.’
I spent a few days thinking about the news of Wilfred I’d been given and it troubled me. I had a feeling that if it is true, perhaps I’ll be able to use my gift to sweeten his thoughts once again. Feizal did not try to argue me out of my decision - he rarely does. He asked me to let him arrange how I’ll travel there and back and insisted I allow two of our men to come with me. Secretly relieved at the thought of having some backup, I teased, pleading he does not send me by dhow again.
We landed on a landing strip close to Nanyuki and I was transferred to a Landrover. Instantly another two Landrovers drove off in different directions. We drove through Naivasha and from Limuru we mostly used dirt roads, some passing through large farms. We must have been close to Thika when we turned onto another dirt road, but we soon arrived at the offices, homes and workshops of the farm. I was told we have arrived, so I stepped out as a white man arrived in his Landrover. He took a minute or so longer than I did, for him to recognise me.
‘John Smithson? By God, it is you!’
I reached for his hand as I told him, ‘You’re not looking much worse for wear, life in Kenya must agree with you.’
Though he made me feel welcome and his pleasure was genuine at seeing me again, time had sketched changes to his face that spoke of bitterness and a disposition turned sour by experiences which hurt him. He took a few moments to give some orders to his men, arranged for my companions to be housed in a bungalow close to the house and then he took me to his home. Rose was already by the door as I arrived, but her welcome was not as warm as I recalled it being; I had the feeling she was holding back and I saw in her eyes a hint of fear. I had the feeling that Wilfred saw the fear also and that it angered him.
When a little boy, almost four years old, entered the living room with a little black boy (whose shy eyes were filled with curiosity) and an ayah, he was introduced to me and like a miniature adult he gave me his hand. I was delighted, for I have adopted the Arab belief that it is important a man has at least one son to continue his name. I suddenly sensed I now understand why I am not happy, but I also knew I would never dare create this kind of joy for myself, for my source of life would be nothing more than a pawn to those who wish to control me - even worse, should she or he have gifts of the mind or soul.
I asked Wilfred whether he has seen Mt Kenya and then wished, ‘May the innocence of your son Robert, remain as pure and beautiful as the snow on your mountaintop.’
‘That is not the wish of a friend, for if it comes true, his life will be forfeited to the evil in the hearts of those who command the fools of this world.’ I had to bite back my retort, for though I disagreed, to argue would not convince him, but would estrange us so that I cannot influence him in more subtle ways. At that time, I still believed that all hearts can be reclaimed by generosity of spirit and love.
1282
I will admit the truth Robert, I do not understand why I cared so much, for time had not deepened or strengthened our friendship. Part of it may have been compassion for your mother, for Rose was losing her bloom without having first truly blossomed. Unfortunately I did not survive my visit unscathed - I too found myself instinctively withdrawing from Wilfred whenever he joined me.
The day before I was to leave, Wilfred asked me to join him as he inspects the work being done by his workmen. Once we were alone he parked under a tree and pretending to be inspecting the bright red coffee berries, he waited until I stood alongside him. ‘I am sorry that the man you came to visit was not available. John, I do have good memories of our trip and bonking that man on the back of his head may turn out to be the only thing I’ll have ever done that I can recall with pride.’
He leant forward to inspect closely some black spots on some leaves, let them go dismissively and then continued, ‘I told you on the first day we met that I am not cut out to be a businessman - and that is mostly what a farmer is nowadays. I have lived with a constant fear of failure and it has poisoned me, so that I no longer find joy in anything - even my wife and son are only further reasons for me to fear…that I’ll fail them. I guess I am a coward after all.’
I placed my hand on his shoulder. ‘To me you’ll always be the man who had the courage to save my life, even though you knew nothing but the fear on my face. Tell me, haven’t you managed to set aside any money for a bad year?’
‘Not enough to last us more than a month or two. There is always something urgent coming up, like a need for spares for the tractor, so I have not saved much.’
I was worried, for I was already getting old and I could not know for how long I’d be around to make any plan effective, then I had a brainwave - why not buy his farm on condition that he manages it for me and then I leave the farm to his son. I asked him what he could sell the farm for, made a show of being impressed at the growth in value and then offered him about twenty five percent over the price he’d given me, on condition that he agrees to run the farm for me under a ten year contract - which I mentioned I hoped he would agree to an extension of, for at least another ten years. I was generous in the salary I offered and I could see he was sorely tempted. I left him with my telex and phone numbers and asked he let me know what he decides.
I returned home and as the weeks slipped by I finally understood he would not be calling me. It saddened me to think of him condemning himself to a life of misery out of pride, but I had to respect his decision and leave him alone. I never tried to contact him again.”
Cherine gasped, a smile lighting up her face. “That’s why I felt I know you! It’s from sharing the memories of Robert when he was a child! You looked different.”
“It is nearly a quarter of a century…for us mortals, such a length of time makes a big difference.”
Cherine shook her head, “No, I think most of the difference is because I’d seen you through the eyes of a four year old child and sometimes Robert has an odd way of seeing things and people.” I laughed and hugged her.
I said to him, “You gave up on my father - it is why you never visited us again?”
“I think the changes in him mostly affected the way I think. There were a few moments when we were alone and reminisced about the past and his eyes softened, seeming to come alight for a few seconds. Those were like the false dawn in the desert, ephemeral and not truly real. Having made an effort to help him and being rebuffed made me feel I would not be welcome if I called on him again. I admit I also departed without the feelings I’d felt in the past and did not really care to meet him again.”
I could sense Cherine and Dommi were exchanging thoughts, but though they had not asked for privacy, I stayed out, waiting for them to finish. John must have sensed our attention had drifted, for he then asked me, “Do you have the time to listen to the rest of my story?”
I shrugged. “We have healers which seem to be extending our lives, so…probably.” I didn’t try to duck Cherine’s punch on my arm as she laughed.
He started talking with a smile. “I’ll return in time to the beginning of my stay in Dubai. Robert, I have not used the real name of my employer, though it would be easy for you to find it out. I’ll continue to call him Feizal.
1283
Whether it was deliberate or not, for the first two years he only called on the use of my gifts once and it was only to help the investor feel it is safe for him to invest in an Arab country. I never had reason to regret the use of my gifts, for the investor was treated fairly and made a lot of money. By the time Feizal required my services again I was already feeling twinges of guilt at taking his money for such a long time without providing any useful service in return, so I was glad to be called and walked into the room without taking any precautions. The investors we were meeting were headed by someone from the organisation - and he instantly recognised the existence of my trigger. The deal he had come to negotiate was important to the organisation, so he hesitated just long enough for Feizal to react to my alarm. Within seconds, men burst into the room and shot all the guests.
Perhaps my overriding reaction should have been guilt, but the truth is, it took a long time for my thoughts to turn in such a direction, for I was overcome by the evidence of loyalty Feizal showed me. The loss of a deal, of millions, plus the prestige such a deal would have brought him did not delay his instinctive reaction by even a second and I felt he had proven himself beyond my expectations. I was filled with gratitude and for a long time I was devoted to him like an immature teenager.” He hesitated. “I might as well admit it, for the first few hours I was in a blue funk and could not hide my terror. If you know anything about the Bedouin, you’ll know that they have no time or respect for cowards - and yet, Feizal did not let me sense even a hint of contempt and he saw to it that I had enough alcohol available to help me work my way back to normal behaviour.
On the fourth day, Feizal entered my home, dismissed his guards and my servants and ordered me to take a bath, shave and dress in clean clothes. When I returned, he did not wait for me to speak. ‘Explain to me the reasons for your fear - what I saw was not normal and I do not believe death frightens you to such an extent.’ Robert, do you know of the way they use souls?”
“The net? They tried to use it with me - a few times.” He looked amazed by my claim, but did not comment.
“I explained to Feizal that the trigger does not simply kill me, as I’d previously told him - it does destroy my brain, but it also holds captive my soul and they drain it so as to feed off it, in the belief it will open their own minds to any powers I have, stealing all possibilities of my having any future lives. He was horrified, both as a human being and as a Moslem.
‘We must find a way to have advance warning, before they meet with you or me - John, can they sense I have powers?’
‘Yes.’
He was worried. ‘If their power base is as widely spread all over the world, as you and my informers have claimed, then how do we protect ourselves?’
I had toyed with an idea and though I was not confident it would work, I asked, ‘Do you have at least six men or women you trust - absolutely trust with your life?’
He smiled. ‘Women? No. As for men, only two who grew up with me, their families have been with mine for three generations. How can they be of use?’
‘Feizal, we really need six - can you at least extend the list to four? With the excuse that I am training them in new methods for identifying potential assassins, I hope to heighten their sensitivity so that they can sense mutants without them acquiring any other extrasensory abilities - which means they will not be identified as having psychic powers. As you have probably deduced, they must be fearless but also unconditionally loyal to you, for their heightened sensitivity means they will sense both you and I are persons of the kind they are meant to identify and destroy.’
He stared at me without speaking for a while and then matter of factly told me, ‘It is very tempting to blame you for our troubles, but I believe they would have learnt of me during one of my travels to London or Paris and placed a trigger within my brain. John, I prefer to die a free man, so in a sense it was fortuitous that you ended up on our shores.’
He introduced me to three men, instructing them to obey me and to concentrate on learning from the training. Feizal stayed away, so as not to distract me or the men. I don’t know what his thoughts were, but, as for me, I sweated buckets day and night, for I feared that what I was striving to achieve is impossible, or if possible, I could not achieve what I want without causing their minds to open to other powers or gifts. When I succeeded in the limited sense I wanted, I was more astounded than Feizal and the three men. Robert, I can share with you the method, just as I can share other powers you do not have, but I ask you wait for the end of my story so that you learn what are my reasons for holding back - in a way that makes sense to you.”
1284
I was surprised that he was offering specific examples of his abilities and I admit I was now willing to wait, for I was hoping for hints of what other powers or gifts he has, though I also did not want to learn how to open them within me. “I’m pleased to see that you subscribe to the same theory I do…that sharing information is wiser than trying to gain an advantage by hoarding it.”
“It is not an axiom to be followed blindly, for sometimes, when the other party is not ready for the information, more harm can be caused than good.”
I chuckled. “Is that what you fear? That I am not ready?”
“I told you so even the first time we met. Robert, you have not found your own path for the Cherinians, to provide you with my ideas, theories or powers at this time could cause your path to be altered, to deviate from the true path which belongs to you alone. Once your dream is clearer, you may ask me anything you wish and I will answer in detail without evasions.”
Dryly I replied, “Perhaps if you sounded less altruistic, it would be easier for me to believe in you.”
He laughed. “And perhaps there is a lesson for you in what you just said?”
Cherine grinned. “Doris?” I nodded, surprised by his observation and her perceptiveness, and I grew more and more puzzled by the extent of his knowledge of the Cherinians and of our war with Doris.
“Feizal is one of the very few men who have wealth who are also liked by those who do not have money. I do not speak of those upon whom charity is bestowed, for that kind of gratitude is only a yoke around the shoulders of both the bestower and the recipient. All those he employs are paid more than they could earn elsewhere and he created a clinic for their families immediately upon his return from studies in England - yet he has a stern manner which can be disconcerting at times.
He insists that all of middle and upper management must travel to a city of their choice at least once, chosen from amongst London, Paris, New York and Tokyo, so as to broaden their ways of thinking. He is willing to send them overseas for studies at his expense and only asks that they work for him for at least five years afterwards, whereas other companies demand they sign a contract for fifteen years.
Many times I have seen him commit himself to solving a problem an employee has and afterwards he tries to avoid being present for them to lavish their gratitude. I sometimes joke that he became much of an Englishman when he came to our country to study, but the truth is, he is a sensitive soul, which probably explains why none of his powers are for hurting, killing or subverting minds to his will.
For the first two visits of organisation men, Feizal tried to avoid confrontations; during the first one he avoided the visitors who had travelled to meet him and for the second he chose more direct action and had a message delivered that the organisation must remain out of the Arab Gulf countries, undertaking in return that we will remain out of their sphere of influence. Surprisingly, they left us alone for three years, without communicating their agreement to our terms.
I warned that they are likely to attack us and Feizal extended our three men plus his guards into a group of forty - most of them being policemen who could take action if required, without Feizal becoming implicated. The ruler of Dubai would not take kindly to Feizal killing foreigners, so he had to remain well hidden from any investigations.
To justify my presence at the airport, Feizal purchased a controlling interest in two shops - not in the duty free area at that time, as we needed to watch for those who enter the country, not those who are only passing through. We only extended our interests because the profits were too large to ignore.
When people who have powers are among strangers they tend to feel slightly uneasy and remain watchful for others with powers. To make myself invisible, I had to constantly use my gift of broadcasting feelings that will make them feel safe, welcome and among friends. Part of what I broadcast also tends to make everyone want to come towards me and once they enter a shop they are less inhibited about making purchases. Profits almost tripled within the first month and Feizal was quick to work out the reason and he told me. I was pleased to know that I was helping to reduce the financial burden my presence was causing him and continued to use my gifts, with a more specific subliminal message that they wish to buy gifts for their loved ones or themselves. Feizal purchased a shop in the duty free area and at present he owns seven duty-free shops - and the small percentage Feizal has allocated me, make me a very wealthy man.’
“The policemen, is he bribing them?” Cherine asked.
1285
“Indirectly and directly.” He sensed her puzzlement. “Indirectly is achieved by allocating funds for the support of families of killed policemen, not that there are many in Dubai. He also pays the costs for those who wish to study so as to rise within their department. As for directly, the Dubai ruler is generous, providing homes, free education and medical treatment, so it is not easy to ‘bribe’ the men, unless you wish to make them wealthy - which would soon bring you to the attention of the authorities. By not targeting benefits only to those who are loyal to him, Feizal has not only become influential, he has also earned the respect and loyalty of those who have a sense of honour. Once we identified those who are the best and most trustworthy, we called them in for a meeting, with our three original men present. For the first time we told them the truth…or, most of it. They were quick to understand why we cannot make the information public and agreed to the training - as I pointed out to them, we do not require that they believe us; only that they agree to the training and that once they can sense those with extra abilities, they will know the truth directly.
We have not succeeded in keeping the organisation out, not completely. Banks and other companies they own have established branches in Dubai. However, every time they have sent men with psychic powers, we have either killed or driven them out. Then I made a terrible mistake and they attacked us with powers we could not fight. They managed to install a trigger in Feizal and for a time it looked as if we would be enslaved.
None of our forty had been sensed by the organisation and when our men learnt of what had been done to Feizal they went on a rampage, killing as many of those from the organisation as they could. They used weapons that kill from a distance, so it was not easy for the intruders to protect themselves and then another change occurred and the few left alive, departed.
Let me revert to my mention of my mistake. Feizal read, in a local newspaper, about the Angel of Athens. He showed me the article and I instantly knew what he is asking me. ‘Yes, I think he is one of us.’
‘Organisation?’
‘I don’t think so, if he were, they would have squelched the article at origin. Actually, I’m surprised they haven’t done so anyway, since it cannot be to their advantage that normal people learn of the existence of mutants. Do you have a trustworthy contact in Greece?’
‘People I do business with, but none I could ask this kind of question.’
‘Feizal, I think I’ll have to take the risk and go to Athens. Could you spare Amr and Nayeed? I’d feel naked on my own.’
He tried to convince me I should not take the risk, but I knew we have to learn about the angel, for if he is not of the organisation, we must help him, maybe by bringing him to Dubai, so that he is protected and we, as a group, grow stronger. With the typical generosity that characterises him, Feizal provided me with a hundred thousand dollars, mostly in travellers cheques, hinting that I should help the Angel if he is in financial distress, and he paid for the tickets and arranged for our accommodation to be paid by his representative in Greece - who I was not to meet, so as to not to endanger friendly innocents.
On arrival at the airport, I purchased all the newspapers and magazines I could find and went through them, even though my Greek is sketchy, just the little I recall from our Ancient Greek lessons in school. Basically I searched for the word ‘Άγγελος’. Once I had identified a number of articles, I found in the local English paper the telephone number of a translator and he met me at a coffee shop around the corner from my hotel. After I’d shown him the first articles, he informed me that if I am interested in the Angel of Athens, I could learn more than is in the articles by allowing him to tell me what he knows.
I grew extremely excited when he told me about Dominique Spiropoulos and her public fight with her family. He was also able to inform me that the angel is known to be named Robert and that the little girl lives somewhere in Kolonaki. Since Dominique was not with her parents and, I assumed, she is with Robert, who has gone into hiding, I was left with only the little girl. The translator asked a journalist friend to obtain a copy of the report shown on television, I paid through the nose for it, and we took stills of the interview outside the block of flats. I collected photos of the landlord, some other tenants and of the mother and little girl. I was convinced I was on the right track, so I did not mind over-paying for the information.
We divided the Kolonaki area into three and it did not take long for Amr to call us with directions. We met by the kiosk and watched, hoping either the girl or her mother will come out of the building. It was Dominique who walked out from the side of the building. She got into a car and since the traffic was fairly heavy, I had time to get our car and follow them. She led us to the home of Mr Alki Georgiades. Robert, you cannot imagine how he confused me, for I had a strong feeling he is part of your group, yet both my companions earnestly assured me that he does not have any powers. What excited all three of us was sensing that Dominique Spiropoulos does!
1286
Amr is a fairly tall man with the kind of thin hard face I would not like to meet in the dark when I’m on my own. Nayeed, however, is smaller and looks almost soft - he is less soft than Amr, but that is beside the point, what was important, was that we had to send someone to the back of the building, where Dominique had returned to, and, in case he was seen, we did not want Amr to frighten them.
Nayeed came back to us at a run. Urgently he told me to drive at least two blocks away and I immediately did as he asked. Once we’d parked, he told us his reason for the urgency. ‘Mr John, of all those we have sensed, even those we had to kill, none were as powerful as the person I sensed behind the door. I could sense it is a girl, younger than the one we followed - and she sensed me! She was coming to the door when I ran.’
‘Jesus! I thought it is impossible!’ I said, and excitement bubbled through me. I opened the folder and drew out the photo of the little girl with her mother and Nayeed pointed at Cherine and told me he is certain she is the one. I was flabbergasted, for I had never imagined a child so young could be so powerful, I’d thought the gifts and powers only grow as we age. Without pausing to consider my words, I told the men, ‘We came to make friends of these with powers, so violence is not allowed against any of them - especially the child. If they can become allies of Feizal, we will have increased our strengths ten times over. If you must, sacrifice my life for that of any of them.’
I could sense they did not believe me - or agree, for my death would dishonour them, but, should the time come, they might pause just long enough for me to stop them, even should I have to sacrifice them. You are probably asking yourselves why I would make such a decision when I had not even met you. At that time, it was not because of you being a child, Cherine; it was mostly because of Robert. The way Dominique had spoken of him, the way your mother did, it convinced me that he is not part of the organisation and therefore is, at least potentially, our ally. Once I came to understand all of you better, I also learnt how important you are, and yet Robert has continued to remain my main interest, for I saw that his are the dream and will that drive the Cherinians - am I right, Cherine?”
“Yes.”
“Now comes the part I’m not proud of. I spent the rest of my time in Greece spying on all of you. I was amazed that you had allies like Mr Georgiades, who were not gifted with any psychic abilities. Even more amazing was their devotion to the two of you…to the three of you. At first I was fascinated by you, but by the time I had to return, I was obsessed. When I met Feizal I told him all I had learnt about you and he was awed and in love with the potential you represent, so he did not argue when I told him I think I should return to Greece with enough of a force to protect you. He spent the night thinking on all I’d said and what I’d asked for, and then used his persuasive abilities to argue against my interfering with you - even if only by allowing you to become aware of me. I saw that he is right, but still, I worried about the safety of you and your family, for I hated the idea of them placing triggers in your minds and I knew they are bound to alter your dream, even if only in details, once your interests clash. Robert, changes in the details at the start of a journey become cumulative as they cause other changes and your dream was so beautiful that I could not bear the thought of it being destroyed by them. Even though I abhor violence, if I could have, I would have killed them all.”
I commented, “I’ve also been wondering why they didn’t try to use their trigger mechanism.”
Cherine suggested, “Maybe they did try, but couldn’t.”
I nodded in agreement, but before I could speak, John cut in. “You are both wrong. Please allow my story to explain itself.
Sometimes my need to return to Athens was so strong that it developed into a contest of wills and he was fair enough to allow me many chances to convince him it is worth the risk. One of the policemen working with us is of mixed origin, half Indian and half European, I think Belgian. He speaks good English and with his lighter appearance, he could pass as an Englishman or even as a Greek born overseas. Having been trained for undercover work, he has the ability to sit in the same coffee shops as those he is watching, day after day, without being noticed - especially when there is considerable movement of people arriving and leaving the shop. He took indefinite leave of absence and rented an apartment close to your apartment in Kolonaki. What a comedy of errors!” He explained with a smile, “In the meantime Mr Georgiades had rented you the house in Aghia Paraskevi.” The three of us chuckled and his mood lightened.
“If you had noticed him, it is likely you would have accepted him as one of those who automatically block their minds from us, so you would have had little reason for paying him much attention…”
1287
“You’re wrong; we see such ability as an indication of other gifts becoming available if we help them.” Cherine then asked, “What of the old man, the one you said questioned you before Feizal made his presence known to you?”
“He is the father of Feizal. He is a wily old man, but not strong psychically, so once Feizal learnt what dangers the organisation represented, he had him return to their original home, far outside the city of Dubai. In his younger days he was a very sharp trader, but age and the successes of his son have sweetened him. To return to our policeman, Yousef, he decided to remain where he is, deciding that fate had arranged it so that he decreases the chances of being found out by Robert or his females.
Our greatest moment of excitement was when Yousef called us to let us know that you had brought in another child, Wendy, and that within days she grew to have psychic gifts. At first I did not dare believe him, for none of us have succeeded in opening minds to their own powers, the closest being my success at sensitising our men to minds that have extrasensory abilities. It was not long after this that Yousef became aware of another person stalking your group.
She was, in appearance, about sixteen years old and she had the sexless body and face of an angel, yet, should your eye register her appearance, something would turn you away. A very disturbed Yousef called us to report the existence of the girl and that he sensed her powers are not of the kind that attack directly, he sensed her powers are like an evil dark mist that contaminate the soul. Over the next two days he was able to confirm that she is following you and he reported that her dark mist was only reaching for Robert. By now I had sensed and guessed enough to realise she was wiser than she appeared, for you would have sensed your girls being attacked, while your protector does not care enough about you for it to notice her attack.
Yousef killed her and disposed of her body so that it would not be found and, without informing us first, abandoned his post, returning to Dubai. Feizal met him and he told me he sent him to a camp in the desert.
‘Perhaps the harsh conditions will help clear his mind so that he sees the truth. I told him the body he saw is not what he killed, it is the evil of her power. Allah will see to it that she is reborn without the evil.’
Her death confirmed what had been suspected and the organisation attacked us. Those we identified numbered slightly over two hundred, but it is likely there were more of them. Because of me they were able to identify Feizal as being the man of power behind me and all their attacks were concentrated on achieving their target. Thanks to their torturing of him and the trigger, they were confident now that he is their slave and they relaxed their monitoring of him. Feizal felt that it is only fair that he warns his men.
I don’t know whether he expected the result. The men went wild and over two days and one night they killed one hundred and fourteen of the organisation men and women - three of them were women. Very few of the bodies disappeared, taken by the survivors without any reports to the police or customs, and the rest were taken by our men and burnt to ashes far out in the desert.
More organisation men arrived and it looked like it may develop into a full war, but I had persuaded Feizal to move out of the city and they could not trace his whereabouts, while our men were still free to kill them, so they suddenly left our country. Personally, I think they departed because our men confused them. If they were attacked by normal humans they would have wiped them all out, if they had been identifiable mutants, again they would have killed them all, but having untalented humans behaving as if they have powers confused them. I imagine they worried whether we have developed electronic mind spying equipment. Any such development would prove to be very dangerous for them, especially if we make them available to all the governments.”
Dommi asked, “You have not?”
“We have not, though it is possible that Feizal will fund such research, should it become the only way for us to remain free.”
I sent to the girls, *We’ll talk about it afterwards, I need to hear the rest of his story first.*
Dommi nodded. “Sorry I interrupted, will you continue with your story please?”
“Feizal can get very stubborn when he is convinced he is right. He sent Yousef and Nayeed back to Athens, promising them backup should they need it. Their only job was to maintain a constant surveillance on you and your family and prevent attacks or, at worst, help reduce the numbers of those attacking you. He explicitly ordered them not to kill all organisation operatives, only those they are convinced are about to harm you or any of your family.
1288
Feizal told me, ‘The organisation attacked us because they do not want to allow any competitors to survive, so they will go after Robert. John, I am sending another five of our men by ship to Turkey. From there they will unofficially cross the border into Greece and meet up with Yousef and Nayeed in Athens. They will remain in the background as a surprise backup when needed - for you may be certain that they will be needed.’
From that day, to the day I first met you in the airport, our men only killed two operatives of the organisation, even though they identified a number of them. They were not fooled by our subterfuge and soon hunters with a variety of powers were arriving in Dubai, determined to find Feizal. I did not go into hiding and stayed at the airport during this period and I am certain I was identified, but for some inexplicable reason my trigger was not set off. I had guessed they did not want to waste my soul…”
I cut in, “They would have no problem in delivering your soul to any part of the world. It could be that they were already planning to attack us in Athens and did not want to fight on two fronts at once, but I suspect I am wrong. Whatever their reasons, I am glad they did not.”
John sat back and there was a look of deep weariness in his eyes. “The need for us to attack grew and three years of killing strangers who had not tried to harm us, it affected all our men and as they grew reluctant to instantly attack, seven of our men died before we returned to our prior aggressiveness. It did mean that the organisation now knew a bit more about our men and we expected it to cost us - and then all attempts against us in Dubai stopped. However, within hours of the first death, all our men in Athens were killed. Not one escaped Robert, not one.
Feizal and I instantly realised that you were under attack and the news about the missile set off from the American base confirmed our fears. We attempted to send men to surrounding nations for them to infiltrate themselves into Greece without immigration knowing about them, but all of them were killed long before they arrived in Greece.”
I asked, “Do you know the exact time and location of their deaths?”
“Only for some of them.”
“We’ll discuss it later.”
He ignored me and continued, “Finally, late one night, the image of those events in the alley returned to me and I realised I know which one of them was the man with the ‘trigger’ power. I told Feizal and within days he had the man traced to a country house in Wales. We did not even discuss it and once we’d told our original three, they volunteered to travel to England and deal with the man.
What happened was a letdown for me. I had lived for so many years in fear because of what this man had done to me and then, when they returned, we were told that they found him, but that he was senile and like a child. They killed him anyway and they were pleased to advise us that there had been some strong talents visiting at the house and they’d also killed them. I was distressed to learn that the visitors had brought a child of theirs with, and our men had killed the child also. Robert, at the time I did not know of their practice of using the bodies of children for lengthening their own lives. Once I learnt that the child we killed was a victim, I lost heart and stopped planning for a better future for myself.”
I told him, maybe too casually for him to believe me, “The matter can be rectified and if you wish, the child can be brought to you - if you are willing to adopt it.” I thought I would be pleasing him with my offer, but instead, I felt it left him feeling shattered. Dommi wrapped him in her mother love for a while. While I waited for him to recover, I reconsidered. The child only died recently; it should be returned to its parents, if it has any. If not and it was taken from an orphanage, I’ll check its memories and if life was not good there, then he can adopt it - if he wants. When I could, I explained my thoughts and he agreed.
Cherine saw the truth before I did, as I’d become distracted by the death of the child. “Both you and Feizal were willing to make the sacrifice so as to save us from the trigger?” I then recalled that he’d told us that only the person who set it could dismantle or remove it.
I cut in, “Is your story ended?”
“Almost, there but remain details of what I can share with you…”
1289
I gave an embarrassed grin. “Would you mind ending this elsewhere? I need a cappuccino and I’ve run out of smokes.” The girls showed their amusement so he nodded his agreement, trusting us not to place him in danger. It was nasty of me and his shock was visible when he realised we’d brought him to our home in Greece. Of course our loves surrounded us for hugs and kisses, so he was given time to recover before he could talk to me.
“John, before you continue, I want to try something, but I’ll need your agreement. Will you allow me into your mind? I will not spy on your thoughts or memories, I just want to take a look at the programming you call a trigger. I promise I will not set it off.”
He visibly struggled to speak, “Do you think you can do something to…”
“Something, yes. What exactly, we’ll have to wait to see. John, if I can’t, then I’ll return to bring the soul of the man who created the trigger and he’ll get rid of it.”
“And Feizal?”
“Of course.”
He shook his head. “May I speak first? If you can rid us of the trigger, I might not be in a condition to speak coherently for some time.”
I chuckled. “Go ahead.”
“The power I spoke of sharing with you…it is for using on me…though it has many uses, as you’ll discover. I know about the worlds of Meli and I must caution you not to consider my power similar to her gift in any way.” He took a breath, nervous about speaking of his big secret. “I am able to open a bubble of another dimension within our space. For anything you place within it, time does not seem to pass, which is why I ask that you place me within such a bubble. Once you, Cherine and Dominique are agreed that you have formed and set your dream for the Cherinians, which I hope will include other gifted persons, such as Feizal and myself, I would appreciate you releasing me.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “I cannot agree to it. John, life throws too many surprises at us for me to lock you away, for if I am killed then you would remain locked in an eternal now, forever. How can we know that time does not pass in there? What if a second passes for each ten day, over billions of years, that would accumulate and your confinement would become an excruciating torture. You would be placing me under too much stress when…”
Cherine cut in, “We agree, John, we’ll do as you ask.” I sensed Samantha needed to speak, so I bit back my retort and gave her the nod.
“I am also concerned about Robert's dream for the Cherinians. I agree with John that the dream must be Robert's, without temptations or influences that could alter it, lowering the ultimate target or even altering the direction it takes. However, John, you are too late, we might have believed you, had you made your offer two or three years ago, but not now. You see, we have learnt that his dream must eternally remain alive, which means there must be changes all the time, until we truly have achieved the best we can - and maybe then it will be time for us to re-examine the dream and look for something more mature, wiser, in the hopes of bettering ourselves and the universe. The day we say, this is our dream, is the day the dream begins to die. If I am right, it means we will never reach the time when we can release you, for the target will keep moving into the distant future. A further point, if I may? John, do you have the gift of forcing your opinions on us? For if you don’t, isn’t your fear insulting to us?”
I kept my smile hidden and sat back. John has now truly met our Samantha and I wonder how he will handle her. As for Cherine. At first, as Samantha spun her logic like a spiderweb, she gave our love a venomous look, but as the meaning filtered past the barrier of her anger with Sam, she let go her dream and sent our love a hug and kiss. My little girl is maturing too fast! (Though I suspect she’ll regress a few more times…whenever I’m in danger.)
John made the mistake of trying to argue with Sam, with his arguments based on emotional appeals, but she shred them with her calm logic. Finally he turned to me. “Robert, I ask that you agree to do as I ask for at least ten years - even if I am wrong to wish it.” Samantha gave a slight shrug and looked away, as if moving on to other matters in her mind.
“Before we do as you ask, there are a few important matters to be taken care of.”
1290
I took Dommi and Cherine with me as we entered his mind. Neither Dommi nor I were surprised that it was Cherine who led us to the trigger. She did not approach, not for a while, and then we sensed her amusement. She asked that we return to our bodies.
“John,” Cherine said, “you heard Samantha talk about Robert's dream being alive and how it has to change all the time; didn’t you know that it is also true of our minds?”
He considered her question for a moment, but he was too agitated to think. “What do you mean…what are you saying?”
“The trigger has almost completely unravelled, it is not a threat anymore. John, doesn’t it explain why they never set off the trigger, even while you were killing their people? For god’s sake, you weren’t in hiding, you were a sitting target in the airport!”
It took a lot of convincing to make him believe her. While he worried and tried to believe, I sent in my healer, adding the instruction that it rejuvenate him back to about his twenty fifth year. As he felt it, I had a change of mind again, “Perhaps you better revert to being Ryan, as will befit your age.”
Ryan was soon anxious to take us to Feizal, but we insisted he stays with us in Athens for a few days, so that he has the time to stabilise mentally and emotionally. Now he had no need to keep his thoughts private and wanted to share. I refused. To do so at this time would be taking advantage of his unbalanced state, though I am curious about the pocket dimension he claims he can create.
Feizal had continued paying for the apartment Yousef had rented and since I was not ready to have all the men know about us, I brought them back within the apartment and Ryan arranged for them to return home. We were amused at their awe when they saw Ryan so young and we were touched when they refused to return for as long as he remains in Athens. As for their being brought back to life, none of them seemed to believe they had died.
Now Ryan did not want to leave us and the only way to convince him that he must return to Feizal was by suggesting I take him so as to check the trigger in Feizal. Wendy pleaded to be the one to come with me, so I agreed and Cherine told everyone she is happy Wendy will be the only one, so nobody else asked. Ryan had been to their camp so I shared the view and we jumped.
To say I was impressed by what happened would be an understatement. Within seconds of us arriving in the oasis, weapons swivelled from all directions to cover us. Taking Ryan as a young man was not the smartest thing I’ve done, for they did not recognise him and since Wendy, Ryan and I were sensed to have psychic powers, the order to shoot was given.
Holding on to the other two, I repeatedly teleported until we found the tent of Feizal and entered. Feizal was not there, but his father and some uncles were. Ryan called out, “Father, it is I, John Smithson - Robert has given me back my youth, that is why I look different.”
He peered at Ryan. “Tell me something only the son of smith would know.”
He rattled off some facts in Arabic and then added in English, “Robert has brought Wendy with because she wants to hear the real music of our people, not just what can be found on CDs.”
“She is the one who sings? It is an honour. John, how could you insult our guests by keeping them waiting by the entrance like tradesmen? Please, enter, sit and tell us what we can do to make you feel welcome.”
Of course, what he really needed was to be informed about the organisation and how I was faring in our war against them. I gave a very brief synopsis, downplaying my part in it to whatever extent I could without making a liar of myself. Wendy barely gave me a glance, as if she expected it of me.
Feizal had gone into the desert with some of his warriors to train twenty new recruits, so we waited until evening when he returned. He was astounded to learn that I was in his tent and rushed to greet me. After a few flowery phrases regarding the beauty of Wendy, he asked us to excuse them while they talk in Arabic. As with some of the girls, Wendy understands Arabic and can speak it, but with a different accent to what they use, so she shared what they said directly in my mind.
When Feizal sat by me, I chuckled. “When John told us of his life, which of course included some facts about you, he told us that he is using the name Feizal so that I don’t learn who you really are. I could not sense he was being dishonest whenever he mentioned the name, which confused me. It seems to me he has become more of a wily Arab than an Englishman.”
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)1st July, 2019
- posted on Steemit: 1st July, 2019