the mind invaders - laymansbookstore.com · things on earth.” —andrija puharich medical...
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BasedonanoriginalscreenplaybyDaveHuntandT.A.McMahonScripturereferencesaretakenfromtheKingJamesVersionoftheBibleorfromtheNewEnglishBible,©TheDelegatesoftheOxfordUniversityPressandtheSyndicsoftheCambridgeUniversityPress1961,1970.Reprintedwithpermission.Theauthor’sfreemonthlynewsletter,THEBEREANCALL,maybereceivedbysendingarequesttotheaddressbelow,orbycalling1-800-937-6638.Toregisterforfreee-mailupdates,toaccessourdigitalarchives,andtoorderavarietyofadditionalresourcematerialsonline,visitusat:www.thebereancall.org
THEMINDINVADERS
Copyright©2005byDAVEHUNTPublishedbyTheBereanCallPOBox7019,Bend,OR97708
ISBN:978-1-928660-35-4LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2005935596
Previouslypublished©1998byHarvestHouseunderISBN:1-56507-831-4OriginallypublishedasTheArchonConspiracy©1989
Allrightsreserved.Noportionofthisbookmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeanswithoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher.PRINTEDINTHEUNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA
“Wecastthismessageintothecosmos...thisisapresentfromasmall,distantworld....Wehopesomeday,havingsolvedtheproblemsweface,tojoinacommunityofgalacticcivilizations.”—JimmyCarter,presidentoftheUSAJune16,1977—-frommessageonVoyagerspacecraft
“Iampersonallyconvincedthatsuperiorbeingsfromotherspacesandothertimeshaveinitiatedareneweddialoguewithhumanity....Idonotknowwhattheylooklike,howtheyliveorevenwhattheirgoalsarewithrespecttohumankind...(but]Ihavecompletefaithintheirwisdomandbenevolentintentionstowardmanandlivingthingsonearth.”—AndrijaPuharichmedicalscientistwhoheldmorethan50patents
“[Eventually]psychokineticfunctioningwillbereasonablywellaccepted.Itknocksdownthepreviousmodelofthehuman;thereissomethingmorefundamentalthanthematerialwearemadeof.Wecan[psychically]control,externaltoourbodies,thematterthatisaroundus,andcontrolinternallythefunctioningofourbodies,bythewaywethink.’’—Ex-astronautEdgarD.Mitchell,addressingmembersofCongress
“Ifwebelieveintelepathy,webelieveinaprocesswhichmakespossibletheinvasionofapersonalitybysomeoneatadistance.Itisnotatalllikely...thatsaneandintelligentspiritsaretheonlyonestoexert[such]influence....Thereisnoreasonwhyotherscannotdosoaswell.”—JamesHyslop,ColumbiaUniversityprofessoroflogicandethics
“Ihadgreatdifficultytocontrolmythoughts.Therewasademoninme....”—CarlGustavJung,psychiatrist
TableofContentsANotefromtheAuthor[1]Contact![2]AppointmentwithDeath[3]Exit“theNine”[4]OutoftheDarkness[5]LivingProof[6]Changes[7]ACIAOperation?[8]AttheCrossroads[9]APartingoftheWays[10]TheFSBConnection[11]FortheRecord[12]ADesperateDecision[13]Paris![14]Discovered![15]SwallowedUp![16]ProjectArchon[17]ASurprisingProposal[18]Inside![19]AntonioDelSasso[20]ThePlan[21]CatandMouse[22]AFoolishAdventure[23]Invasion![24]PsychicWar![25]AnInfinitePotential?[26]CloseEncounter![27]AnAntichristRebellion?[28]Poltergeist![29]WomanandSerpent[30]KeepingtheFaith[31]GrowingDoubts[32]AWarning!
[33]Outwitted![34]AHoax?[35]ARivalPlan[36]ToSavetheWorld[37]WorldCongress666[38]Holocaust![39]AGreaterPower[40]TheArchonLegacyAlsobyDaveHuntTBCVideoProductionsAboutTheBereanCall
ANotefromtheAuthor
ThecollapseofcommunisminEasternEuropeandbreakupoftheSovietUnionbroughtanewcooperationbetweenRussiaandtheWestFormercommunistcountriesjoinedNATO.EvenChinaexperimentedwithmodifiedcapitalism.Worldpeaceseemedarealistichope.
ForgottenwasthewarningfromAnatolyGolitsyn,oneofthehighestKGBofficialsevertodefect,whoin1984hadpredictedthisveryscenario.WhentheWest,dupedby“peace,”hadfallenfarbehindmilitarily,thetrapwouldbesprung.
WhileCongresscanceledAmerica’sbestdefenseprojects,Russia(hypocriticallyaccusingtheUnitedStatesofpushingthearmsrace)preparedforwar.HergrowingfleetofSS-18Typhoonnuclearsubs(toosilentforustotrack)prowledoffshorewiththeirnuclearmissilesprogrammedforAmericancities.RussiacontinuedtoarmSyria,Iraq,andIranandheldperiodicjointmaneuverswithSyriafortheplannedattackuponIsrael.ThefrequentpracticeofpreemptivestrikesagainsttheUnitedStates(usingdummywarheadsandfaketargets)—andtheincreasedrailingagainstAmericabytheOrthodoxChurchandCommunistParty—hardlypointedtopeace.
WhiletheStateDepartmentandWhiteHouseslept,theCIAcontinueditsclandestinewarwiththeKGB’ssuccessor,theFederalSecurityBureau(FSB).ThenaluckybreakgaveAmericasuddensuperiorityinthemostincredibleweapon:psychicpower.Andthatiswhereourstorybegins.
Thesettingisinthenearfuture.Exceptwherepublicfiguresareclearlyidentified,anysimilaritytopersonslivingordeadisnotintended.Similaritytofutureeventsis.Itcouldhappensoon.
[1]Contact!
“You’renearingOmega!Steadynow.Letyourselfgo.We’retakingyoudeeper...deeper....”
ToKenInman,alreadydeepinaself-inducedtranceandstrappedintothesecretapparatushehadinvented,themetallicvoiceseemedtooriginateinsidehishead.TransmutedbyelectronicsfromKen’sbrainwavesintoanamplifier,theroboticvoiceseemedtocomeacrossvastdistancesofspaceandtime.ItechoedeerilythroughoutthelaboratoryfromaspeakerdirectlyaboveasecondfigurewearingawhitelabcoatandpoisedoverthecontrolsofabankofelectronicmonitoringequipmentBeneaththethinninggrayhairtherewerebeadsofperspirationontheman’sbroad,highforehead,andtheowlishlookbehindthesteel-rimmedglassesbetrayedsignsofgrowingnervousexcitement
Eighteenyearsbefore,whilestillinhismid-teens,KenInmanhadgraduatedsummacumlaudefromStanfordUniversity.Achildprodigyinmath,he’dgoneontoearn,atage19,adoublePh.D.atStanfordinbothelectricalengineeringandcomputerscience—afeatunprecedentedandunlikelyevertobeduplicated.Afterestablishinghisownhighlysuccessfulcomputersoftwarecompany,whichhestillmanaged,Kenhadbranchedoutintopsychicresearch.Itwasadecisionthatgreatlydisappointedsomeofhisformerprofessors,butonethatKenhadnotmadelightly.HeconvincinglyarguedwithhiscriticsthatparapsychologyofferedmorepotentialforbenefittomankindthananyotherHeld.Notahinthowever,didheeverdropofthesecretresearchthathadbeguntoobsessandfinallypossesshim:thesearchforpsychiccontactwithhighlyevolved,nonphysicalintelligences.
Afterfiveintensiveandsolitaryyearsofworkontheproject,Inmanhadbroughtinhisclosefriend,brilliantandpugnaciousStanfordUniversityprofessorofpsychologyFrankLeighton.Togethertheyhad
experimentedtirelesslyinthepursuitofsomethingtheywerebothconvincedwasbiggerthantheA-bomb,thelawofgravity,andthetheoryofrelativityrolledintoone.Andnow,atlastcontacthadapparentlybeenmade!
“WearetheNine.Trustus!WegotyourVoyagermessage...we’vecometohelp....”Thealienvoicesoundedsoothingandhypnotic.
Thoughinacarefullycontrolledalteredstateofconsciousness,Inmanfeltasenseofexhilaration.The“Voyagermessage”?Incredible!Sothey’reoutthere!Thethoughtsracedbyinrapidsuccessionashefelthimselfbeingdrawnintoavortexofmagneticconsciousnesssuchashehadneverimaginedexisted.
Breathingheavilyandfightingtocontrolthetremorinhisfingers,FrankLeightondartedprobingglancesatthedeeplytrancedfigurebeforehim.ThemassiverecliningchairintowhichKenwasstrappedwascompletelycoveredbyathickPlexiglaspyramidreachingalmosttothelaboratory’shighceiling.Amazeofwiresledfromaclose-fittingplastichelmetonKen’sheadandfromnumerouspositionsonhisbodytoanimposingarrayofelectronicwizardrydirectlybesidehim.Fromthere,twolargecomputercablesfedintothemonitoringequipmentlocatedoutsidethepyramid.Theentiresetupwasmountedonapentagram-shapedmetalplatform.This“launchingpadforjourneysintoinnerspace,”asKenandFrankaffectionatelycalledtheirsecretlaboratory,waslocatedabouttenminutesfromStanfordUniversity.
“Youareenteringthesuperluminal.Relax!”ThevoicesentcoldfingersofpanicclutchingatLeighton’sthroatandchest.Thisisit—thepayofftoyearsofhardwork!
Kenlaymotionless,hisfacenowadeathmask.Themonitorsshowedthatthetrancestatehadquicklydeepenedfarbeyondanythingpreviouslyattained.Pulserateandbloodpressurehaddroppedto35perminuteand80/40,respectively.ForamomentLeightonvergedonpanic,cursingtheparanoiaofsecrecythathadforbiddenthepresenceofamedicaldoctorduringthesedangeroussessions.
“We’vebeenwatchingyourdevelopment-^we’reheretohelpyoutakethenextstep,butthere’samentalbarrierblockingus.Openup!There’s
nothingtofear.”Inspiteoftheassuringwordsandmesmerizingcadence,something
chillinghadinterjecteditselfintothemetallicvoicecomingoverthespeaker.Leightonfeltthehaironthebackofhisneckrising.Keepcalm!Getholdofyourself!It’stheelectronicsthatmakesitsoundweird.Steady,Ken.Leighton’seyessweptfromKentotheneedlesandgraphsandbackagain.Hewipedadamphandacrosshisforehead.
“ToreachtheOmegapointwherehumanintelligenceinterfaceswiththeInfinite,youmustdropthebarriersurroundingtheself.Dropthebarrier!”Thecommandingvoicecompelledobedience.
Tohisconsternation,LeightonnoticedthatKenhadbeguntofighthiswaybacktonormalconsciousness.Convulsivelyhestruggledagainstthestrapsholdinghiminplace.Ahollowmoanescapedtherigidmouth.Bloodpressureandpulseratetookaquickupwardjump.Leightonwatchedhelplesslyasthemonitorssignaledaweakeningofthedeeptrancestate.
“Dropthebarrier!”Theotherworldlyvoicehadlostitsseductivequalifyandhadtakenonaharsh,authoritariantone.
“Noooo!”ThecryeruptingfromKen’sthroatsoundedmoreanimalthanhuman.Hewasfightinghisrestraintsdesperatelynow,likeadrowningmantryingtocomeupforair.
“Youmustopenyourself.Dropthebarrier...thebarrier...”Thevoicewaslouder,moreinsistent,butdisjointed,asthoughtheconnectionwerebeingmaintainedwithgreatdifficulty.
“Noooo!”Aterrifyingscreamrippedtheair.“OhGod!Noooo!”Thebankofmonitoringneedlesfluctuatedmadlyforafewseconds,
thenbeganasteadyascentbacktonormal—andbeyond.Cursingunderhisbreath,LeightonpushedabuttonandthePlexiglaspyramidbegantotiltinasmoothmotionoverontoitssideandawayfromhim.Thecontacttheyhaddreamedof,workedfor,andhadachievedatlast,wasslippingaway.
Ken’seyesopenedwildlyandhisheadmovederraticallyasthoughheweredesperatelysearchingtheroomforsomethingorsomeone.Panicwasclearlywrittenineverycontortedfeatureashestrainedinvainagainstthe
heavystrapsholdinghim.Bloodpressureandpulseratehadbothshotupabove200.NowtheybeganaslowdescentashiseyesatlastfocusedonLeighton,whowasworkingswiftlytoremovetheelectronicconnectionsfromhisbodybeforeundoingthecontrolstraps.
“Ken,Idon’tbelieveit!Whydidyouholdback—justwhenyoureachedOmega?Why?”
“Uh—holdback?DidI?”Eveninhisstill-disorientedcondition,Kenwasshockedbythereproachinhiscolleague’svoice.Deliberatelyheshookhisheadtoclearit“Whatareyousaying?”
“Wewerethere,andthenyoustartedfightingitYoudon’tremember?”“Fighting?Idon’tknow.Itfeltlikesomethingwastryingtotakeover
mymind.Itwashorrible!”AshuddershookKen’sbody.Heclutchedhisheadwithbothhands,sickenedandbewildered,strugglingtorecallthedetailsofahorrendousnightmarethatseemedtohoverjustbeyondhisgrasp.
ImpatientlyLeightonreachedovertotherecordingconsolebesideKenandalternatelypunchedthe“rewind”and“fastforward”buttons.Garbledsoundspunctuatedthetenseatmosphere.Atlasthefoundwhathewassearchingfor.“Hereitis.Weweremakinghistory!Listentothis!”
“You’renearingOmega!Steadynow.Letyourselfgo.We’retakingyoudeeper...deeper.”
Atthefirstsoundofthevoice,Ken’sbodyjerkedconvulsivelyandagroanescapedhiscontortedlips.Leightonpushedthepausebuttonmomentarily,thenreleasedit
“WearetheNine.Trustus!WegotyourVoyagermessage...we’vecometohelp.Youareenteringthesuperluminal.Relax!We’vebeenwatchingyourdevelopment—we’reheretohelpyoutakethenextstep,butthere’samentalbarrierblockingus.Openup!There’snothingtofear.”
Leightonwatchedhiscolleaguecarefully.Ken’sbodyshookuncontrollablyastheinsistentvoicecontinued.
“ToreachtheOmegapointwherehumanintelligenceinterfaceswiththeInfinite,youmustdropthebarriersurroundingtheself.Dropthebarrier!”
“Dropthebarrier!”Thevoiceseemedtofilltheroom.
“Noooo!”Thesoundofhisownvoicescreaminghystericallywaslikean
explosioninsideKen’shead.Thepainjerkedhimviolentlyagainsttherestrainingstraps.Reachingoutinpanic,Kenturnedofftherecorderandstartedpullingfranticallyatthebuckles.
“Wait!I’llgetyouout”LeightonputafirmhandonKen’sshoulderandpushedhimdown.
Kenwastrembling.Hehadtheeyesofatrappedanimal.“Somethingwasgrabbingatmymindagain!”Hetookseveraldeepbreaths,exhalingslowly,tryingtocalmhimself.“It’shorrible!Ineverexpectedthis,Frank!WhoaretheseNine?WhydidIsensedanger—somethingrepulsive?”
MethodicallyLeightonunstrappedhim,shakinghisheadinunmistakabledisapprovalashedidso.“Idon’tunderstandwhatyou’resaying.It’sjustincomprehensible!”ThefearandconfusioninKen’seyescausedLeightontoeaseoffabit“Canyouhandleanymore?”heasked.‘Yououghttolistentotherestofitrightnow?—whileit’sfresh.Youmightremembersomething.”
Kensettledbackinthechairandnoddedreluctantly.“Okay.Let’sgiveitanothertry.”Leightonturnedtherecorderbackon.
“Youmustopenyourself.Dropthebarrier...thebarrier...”Thevoicewasfadinginandout.
“Noooo!OhGod!Noooo!”Itwasascreamwrenchedfromthepitofhell.Kengrippedthearmsofhischair,tryingtohangontohissanityuntiltheterrifyingbutindistinctimagespassed.
Leightonturnedofftherecorder.“Welostthepatternrightthere.Weworkedforyearsforthismoment”Gonewasthemomentaryempathyhehadfelt.Thestakesweretoohigh.TherewasnoexcuseforwhatKenhaddone.Onceagainhemadenoattempttodisguisethedisappointmentandresentmenthefelt.HewaspeeringoverhisglassesatKen,butnotwiththedetachedclinicalexpressionsomaddeninglyfamiliartothestudentsinhisgraduatepsychologycoursesatStanford.Agreatprizehadslippedthroughtheirgrasp.Frustratedangerwasboilinginsideofhim.
“Whydidyoufightit?Why?”Leighton’squestionloomedlikeapalpablepresenceintheroom.“Wehadit,Ken!”
“Itoldyou.Itwaslike...likesomethingaliveandterriblyalienwastryingtotakeover—topossessme!Ican’texplainit...”Ken’svoicetrailedaway.
Leightonshookhisheadadamantly.“Ken,theysaidtheygottheVoyagermessageandcameheretohelpus.Doyourealizewhatthatmeans...theopportunitywejustblew?”
“Soit’smyfault,isit?I’msorry,butyoudon’tknowwhatitwaslike.”
“Iwaswatchingeveryflickerofthoseneedles,”Leightoninsisted,“andI’mtellingyoutherewasnoindicationofanyharmfuleffectonanyofthemonitorsuntilyoubegantoresist!That’swhenthingswentwrong!”
Kenbristled.“Iresentbeingblamedforthis,Frank!YouthinkIscreamedlikethatfornoreason?That’snotlikeme,butIheardit—andsodidyou.”
“You’renotexpressinganythingconcrete,Ken—justvagueandsubjectivefeelingsthatreflectonlyyourowninternalstateofmind,butnotwhatwasactuallyhappening.”Leighton’stonehadbecomeclinical,asthoughhewereanalyzingapatientorastudent“Iwaswatchingthemonitorsandtherewasnothing...”
Kencuthimoffangrily.“Idon’tcarewhatthemonitorsshowed!Iwasbeingsuckedintosomethinghideouslyrepulsivebeyonddescription!Ican’texplainitbutitwasterrifying!”
“Ihearwhatyou’resaying,Ken,andI’mtryingtosympathizewithyourfeelings.I’msuretheywererealtoyou.ButI’vegottounderstandwhatactuallyhappened.Wecan’tletithappennexttime.YouwereattheOmegapoint—adreamcometrue—andthenyoupulledyourselfout”
“YouthinkI’mnotjustasdisappointedasyouare?Iconceivedthisthingandbroughtyouintoit!Sogetoffmyback!”
“Okay,okay,”Leightonhalf-apologized.“We’lltryagainwheneveryou’reready.Itshouldbeeasiernexttime...”
“Nexttime?Yeah,maybe...butI’drathernotthinkaboutitrightnow.”Ken’spleadingeyesandcontortedfacereflectedthepanicofunreasoningterror.
“Youcandoit!”saidLeightonsoothingly.Nowitwashisturnto
panic.SurelyKenwouldn’tbackout?“You’llgetoverthiswithagoodnight’ssleep.Maybethiswasafluke.Maybenexttimewillbeabreeze.”FrankputhishandonKen’sarmonlytohaveitbrushedoff.
“Maybe—maybeyou’dliketotradeplaceswithmenexttime.”“I’dbehappyto,ifitmadeanysense,”returnedLeightonearnestly,
“butyoutrainedyourselfforyears:psychedelics,yoga,Zen...Howlongwouldittakeme?Comeon,Ken—I’veneverknownyoutobeaquitter!”
“Getoffmycase,willyou?I’lltryagain—ofcourseIwill.ButI—Ineedsometime.”
Kenstoodresolutelytohisfeethistall,athleticframetoweringoverhiscompanion.TheywerequiteacontrastLeightonobviouslylikedhisliquorandrichfoodstoomuch.“I’vegottogetoutofhere!”mutteredKen,asmuchtohimselfastoLeighton.Heshookhisheadagain,thenhelditinbothhands,wincingatthepainandconfusion.Stillshakinghishead,hestaggeredoutthelaboratorydoorandslammeditbehindhim.
Leightonmadeafewhesitantstepstofollow,thenstopped.Hestoodstill,thesoundoftheslammingdoorechoinginhismemory.Caughtupinawhirlwindofconflictingthoughts,hesurveyedthelabthatKen’sgeniusandperseverancehadbuiltIthadbecomehisownmagnificentobsessionaswell.
We’vemadecontact!Thethoughtbroughtafierceexhilaration.Hewentquicklytoaphoneonanearbydeskandpunchedanumber—anumberthathenevercalledexceptfromlocationswhereitcouldn’tbetracedtohim.
Thephonerangandrang.Finallyanefficientfemalevoiceontheotherendanswered,“CIA.”
Leightonclearedhisthroat“Hawkins,please.”“WhoshallItellhimiscalling?”“Tellhimit’sHerbertGeorgeWells—withthebignewshe’sbeen
waitingfor.”
[2]AppointmentwithDeath
Uponleavingthelab,Keninstinctivelydrovetowardthecoastalhills.Somanytimeshehadgonethereinthepasttowanderinthewoodsandthinktoughproblemsthroughtoasolution.Thistime,however,whenhefoundhimselfonthewindingmountainroadthatheknewsowell,andfacingthelate-afternoonsunthatwasabouttosinkintothePacificjustbeyondtherangehewasclimbing,hecouldnotrememberhowhe’dgottenthere.Norcouldheremember—somewherealongtheroute—pushingJamesTaylor’sSweetBabyJamesintothetapedeck.ItsnostalgicsoundsblaredathimfromthequadstereoofhisMercedesSL-600.
Inspiteofthewealthhiscomputercompanyhadbroughthim,Kenwasfartoodedicatedtohisgoalstohavetimeforthemanyluxurieshecouldsoeasilyafford.TheMercedeswastheonesymbolofsuccessheallowed,theonepossessionthatpossessedhim.Itwashisprideandjoy.Yetnowhehadthebizarrefeelingthatthisfinelytunedmachine,whichhadalwaysbeeninstantlyresponsivetohislightesttouch,wasfightinghim,likesomeliving,breathing,untamedanimalEventhatstrangerealizationseemedvagueandunreal.Onlyonethoughtobsessedhimnow:theterrifyingimperativetoescapefromanelusivebutdreadmemory.Thathauntingnightmarebecamesteadilyclearerandmorepainfulastheeerievoiceshammeredthesamephrasesrepeatedlyandloudlyinsidehisthrobbinghead.
“You’vereachedOmega...Omega...thesuperluminal...superluminal...superluminal...”Itwasmorethanamemory.Themetallic,menacingcommandsseemedtobeemanatingfromhisverysoul,asthoughhenowbelongedto“theNine,”whoevertheywere.EachstabbingsoundheightenedhisdesiretoescapeandthepanicofknowinghecouldnotHisbrilliantmind,thegeniusthatintimidatedtheproudestintellects—what
goodwasitallnow?Astrangetransformationwastakingplaceinhisphysicalperceptions.
TheMercedesthathehadbeenbattlingbegantofeelmoreandmorelikeanextensionofhimself.Thenthetwoofthemweresomehowonesharedbeing—fleshandmachinefusedintothesameessence.Hisarmswerenowfrozentothesteeringwheel,movingasitmovedinwildmaneuvers;andhisfootandlegwerepartofthepumpingacceleratorthatgoadedthepulsatinghulktoitslimits.Atthesametime,onanotherlevel,heknewhewasactingirrationally,butthatwildsurgeofpowerseemedhisonlyhopeforretaliationagainstthehauntingvoices.Evenifitmeanthisowndestruction.Thatwouldsilencethem!Thethoughtwasinsaneandheknewit,butstillhisfootgroundintothefloorboardinobediencetosomeinnercommand.
“WeNinewillguideyou.Youmustopenyourself...openyourself...”Theroadhadnarrowedandsteepenedsharply,becomingaseemingly
endlesssuccessionofdangerouscurveswindingalongtheedgeofadeepandprecipitousgorge.Thebrilliantblueofsky,thetreesrushingbywiththesettingsunslantingthroughtheirbranches,thesurgingpowerthatengulfedhim—itwasexhilarating.He’dhadthatsamefeelingatthefirstmomentofcontactwith“theNine.”Andnow,asthen,ecstasymetamorphosedintofearandconfusion.OnablindcurvetheMercedesswepteffortlesslyaroundalaboringtruckladenwithhayasthoughitwerestandingstill.Itwasadeadlychancethathewouldnevertakeinhisrightmind,butsomethingirresistiblewasnowincontrol.Therealizationthathewasmorethanplayingwithdeath—thathehadanactualappointmentwithit—seemedvagueandunimportant
Isthisalladream?Instunnedandfrozenfascination,hewatchedasahugecobraslitheredoutfromunderthedashboardandupbetweenhislegs.Itstaredathimwithunblinking,hoodedeyes,thenwrappeditselfquicklyaroundhisleftarm.Kenscreameinterrorandclaweddesperatelyforitsneck,buthisfreehandfoundonlyemptyair.Yetitwasthere.Itseyesstaredhypnoticallyintohis,anditsdartingtongueflickedmenacingly.
Histerrifiedpreoccupationwiththehideousserpentwasshatteredby
thesuddensoundofsquealingbrakesandablaringhorn—andtheterriblerealizationthathehadwanderedacrossthenarrowroad’sdoublelineandintothelaneofoncomingtraffic.Inoneinstantthedeadlyserpentvanishedandinitsplace,fillinghisvision,wereatruckandtrailerloadedwithhugeredwoodlogsheadingdirectlytowardhim.Thetruckdriverbrakedandswervedfrantically.Kenpulledthesteeringwheeldesperatelytotheright.
ForasplitsecondKenthoughthe’dmadeit—untilthetruck’shugebumperstrucktheleftrearfenderofhiscarwithadeafeningimpact,flippingtheMercedesovertheguardrailandsendingitcatapultingnearly500feetdownaprecipitous,rock-strewnslope.Thecrumpledmassoftwistedandpoundedmetaldroppedthelast20feetstraightdownintoadrycreekbedinthebottomofthecanyon.LandingwithasickeningcrunchthatKenneverheard,thecarsatwedgedintothenarrowcrevicebetweentwomassiveboulders.
Thesteepterrainandtalltreesmadeitimpossibletocallinahelicopter.Whenparamedicsfinallyreachedthewreckage,theyfoundKenunconsciousandstillstrappedinbytheseatbeltthatwouldhavetobegivencreditforsavinghislife—ifhesurvived.Inspiteoftheenormousbloodlossfrommultiplecompoundfracturesandthepiercingofalungbyoneofhisbrokenribs,therewasabarelydetectablepulse.Ittookmorethananhourtocuthimoutofthetwistedmetaltombandhaulhimupthecliff.Intubatedimmediatelyandrespiratedbyhandwiththeambubag,hewasstillclingingtolifebytheslenderestofthreads.Usingalarge-boreneedle,theparamedicsstartedanIVofnormalsaline,astheracingambulancereachedthehospitalinPaloAlto.
Therethebloodtransfusionsbeganinconcertwithemergencysurgery.Twoofthebestsurgeonsinthecountry—Dr.HaroldElliottandhisassistant—workedheroicallybut,bytheirownestimation,futilely.Thepatienthadfixeddilatedpupilsandnospontaneousrespiration.YethisCTscanwasnormal,indicatingthatthecomawasnotduetointra-cerebralhemorrhaging.
“Diffusebraininjury—possiblysecondarytohypoxia,”Elliott’sassistantmutteredmatter-of-factlywithascowl.“Worstpossible
diagnosis.We’reprobablywastingourtime.”“Hmm...maybe,”wasallElliottrepliedashecutandsewedrapidly.
Hewasthinkingofanotherandpossiblyevenmorehopelessexplanationforthecoma—anonmedicalonethathisassistantwouldscoffat,sotherewasnopointinmentioningit
“WecouldscheduleanMRI—ifhesurviveslongenough,”suggestedtheassistant.
“Perhaps,”saidElliott,preoccupiedwithotherthoughts.Thepatient’snamewaswell-knowntoanyonewhokeptcurrentwiththelocalnews.Theguy’sanoutspokenpromoterofEasternmysticismandpsychicpowers.Asinvolvedinthatstuffashe’sbeen,hecouldbeheavilydemonized.Thatcouldexplainhispeculiarunconsciousstate...maybe.
Bythetimethetwosurgeonshadputtheirinstrumentsdown,Ken’sfiancee,CarlaBertelli,hadarrivedatthehospital.Theyoungwomanthatnownervouslypacedthewaitingroomfloorhadgottenhermaster’sdegreeinjournalismattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,sevenyearsafterKen’sdoubledoctorate.TheyhadmetwhenCarlaattendedaguestlectureseriesKenhadgivenonparapsychologyattheuniversity.Ithadbeenlove-at-first-sightforbothofthem.Shehadadmiredhisgenius,senseofhumor,andespeciallyhissuavehumanismandcleverput-downofallreligionsthatreinforcedherownrejectionoftheChristianfaithinwhichshe’dbeenraised.Andhehadseeninher,inadditiontoeverythingelseamancouldeverwantinawoman,thatraretenacityofpurposethatreflectedhisown.AtfirstKenhadmadefrequenttripstodateCarla.Attimes,however,itmightbeatwo-hourdriveeachwaybetweenPaloAltoandBerkeley,dependingonthetraffic.Kenwasalreadyputtingin16-hourdaysdevelopingcomputerprograms.Whenheaddedpsychicresearchontopofthattherewasn’tmuchtimeleftforromance.
FromherItalianfather,Carlahadinheritedheroliveskinandlarge,dark,almond-shapedeyes.HerIrishmotherhadendowedherwithauburnhairandlong-limbedbeauty.Winsomelyaffectionate,stubbornlydeterminedandloyal,Carlawasadream-cometrueforthededicatedyoungscientistPursuedbyothersuitors,shehadkeptfaithwiththemansheloved,evenwhenhehadbecometooinvolvedwithadoublecareerto
havethetimeorenergytomakethelongdriveexceptonrareweekends.CarlawasmuchlikeKeninthatrespect.Onceshe’ddetermineduponanobjective,therewasnoturningaside.Itwasthatwaywitheverything.Shehadturneddownseveralpromisingoffersfrommodelingagenciesinordertopursuethecareerinjournalismthathadbeenhercalculatedgoalsincehighschool.
CarlaspenttwoyearswithTheWallStreetJournalandanothertwowithTheWashingtonPost,thendecidedtofreelance.Shehadfoundday-to-dayreportingoncorporatetakeoversandWallStreetscandalsIess-than-challengingandhadsethersightsonaPulitzerprize.Tobefreetopursuethebigstorywhenitcamealong—thatwasnowwhatshewanted.KenhadeventuallyflowntotheEasttotellCarlahowmuchhemissedher,andittooklittlepersuasiontoconvincehertomovebacktoPaloAlto.She’dneverlostthedeepinterestinparapsychologywhichKen’selectrifyinglectureshadearlieraroused,andunderhistutelageshehadbeguntowritearticlesonthesubjectItwasanenthusiasmthathereditorshadnotsharedatfirstDivulginginformationthatnooneelseknew,Kenhadfedherselecteddataabouthisownsecretresearchandintroducedhertothemostfamousscientistsinthefield.Itwasnotsurprising,then,thattheyoungwomanwhowassoontomarryKenInmanhadalreadybecomerecognizedamongtheworld’sjournalistsasoneofthetopexpertsinparapsychology.Indeed,shehadgivenanewandbadlyneededrespectabilitytosuchreporting.
Carlaleapedtoherfeetapprehensivelythemomentthetall,grayingdoctoringreensurgicalscrubswalkedintothewaitingroomandlookedaround.Shewasattractedimmediatelybyhisface—ithadtobethekindestshecouldremembereverseeing.“Ishe?...”ShehadalreadylearnedfromEmergencythedetailsoftheaccidentandthegrimprognosisanddidn’tknowhowtofinishthequestion.“Willhe?...”
“I’mDoctorElliott”Shefeltheroutstretchedhandenvelopedwarmlyinbothofhis.“He’sinacomabutclingingtolife—barely.We’vedoneallwecan.There’saslimchancehemaysurvive,butthedamageissoseverewe’lljusthavetowaitandsee.”Hepausedforamomentandputasympathetichandonherarm.“Wehaven’tdeterminedthecauseofhis
coma,”headdedsolemnly,“andthat’snotgood.”“MayIseehim?Weweregettingmarriednextmonth.”‘”I’msorry.Novisitorsuntilwegethimstabilizedintheintensive
careunit.Wedon’tknowhowlongthatwillbe.Whydon’tyouleaveyourphonenumberatthenurses’station?They’llnotifyyouwhenit’sokaytocomein.There’sreallynopointinwaitingaroundhere.Thebestthingyoucandonowistogetsomerest—andpray.”
Carlalookedmomentarilystartled.Pray?Areyoureallyserious?I’mcountingonKen’sdeterminationtolive—andyourmedicalskill.HowcanItrustadoctorwhomixesmodernsciencewithDarkAgesmumbojumbo!
“Thanks,”sheresponded,abiticilyinspiteofherattemptnottoshowherfeelings,“butIdon’tbelieveinprayer—andneitherdoesKen.”Shedidn’tmeantobeungracious,buthonestyaboutwhatshebelievedwasveryimportanttoher.Nofalseimpressions,nocompromiseofprinciples...especiallywhenitmatteredsomuch.
“Well,IbelieveinGod,”respondedDr.Elliottsoftly,lookingherstraightintheeye,“soIprayforeachofmypatients,andyou’dbeamazedhowoftenHegraciouslyanswersprayer.Andinthiscaseit—itwouldn’tbehonestifIgaveyoutheimpressionthatthere’sanyotherhope.”
[3]Exit“theNine”
PrayerwasamajorpartofDr.HaroldElliott’slife—afactthatdrewvariedreactionsfromhiscolleagues,fromshruggedshoulderstoveiledhostility.Thiswasnotduetohiscritics’lackofinterestinalternativemethodsofhealing.Thehospital,infact,sponsoredseminarsineverythingfromyogatoshamanisticvisualizationandwasconsideredtobeonthecuttingedgeofholisticmedicine.TheproblemwithElliottwashispolitebutuncompromisinginsistencethattheGodrevealedintheBiblewastheonlytrueGodandthatHealonecouldintervenemiraculously,andthenonlyasHegraciouslychose—therewerenotechniquesthatcouldguaranteemiracles.
Elliottwasconsiderednarrow-mindedforhisflatrejectionofpseudoscientifictechniquessuchashypnosisandbiofeedback—whichhebluntlycalled“religionmasqueradingasscience”andwouldnottolerate.Noonecouldfaulthim,however,forthesurgicalskillthathadearnedhimaninternationalreputation.Andeventhosewhocalledhimadogmaticfundamentalistgrudginglyadmittedthatamonghispatientstherehadbeenanamazingnumberofmedicallyinexplicablerecoveries.
EachThursdayeveningElliott’slargehomewasthesiteofaprayermeetingthatoftenwentonuntilaftermidnightandusuallydrew30ormoreparticipantsfromamonghiswidecircleofChristianfriends.Ofcourse,Dr.Elliott’spatients(firstnamesonly)wereroutinelyincludedonthecarefullycompiledandupdatedprayersheetwhichthemembersweregivenasareminderfortheirowndailyintercession.Ken’snamewasaddedtothelengthylistattheregularweeklygatheringwhenitmetthreenightsafterhisaccidentInfact,hebecamethemajorfocusofearnestprayerthatevening.
“Ihaveaspecialburdenforthisyoungman,”Elliotthadexplainedat
thebeginningofthemeeting.“Foryearshe’sbeenabrilliantoutspokenenemyofChrist,advocatingEasternmysticismandpsychicpowers.It’shardtobelievethatanyonethatheavilyinvolvedintheoccultwouldn’tbedemonizedtosomeextent
“He’sstillinacoma,yetthebrainscansshownohemorrhaging.Ordinarily,thatwouldmostlikelyindicatediffuseaxonalinjuries,orhypoxia—conditionswhicharevirtuallyhopeless.Inhiscase,however,Isuspectanonmedicalreason—somekindofdemonicinvolvementLet’smakeKenaspecialprayerprojectaroundtheclockandseewhetherGodinHisgracewillintervene—atleasttorestoreconsciousnesssothathecanhearthetruthandmakearationalchoice.Ithinkhe’sbeentooheavilydeceivedtohavebeenabletodothatuptothispoint.”
Inresponsetothisappeal,thegrouphadspentnearlyanhourinearnestprayerforKen,whenElliott’swife,Karen,calledhimoutofthelivingroomintohisnearbystudy.
“Hal,it’sICUagain!”shewhisperedasshehandedhimthephone.“ThisisDr.Elliott,”hesaid,hopefulthattheremightbesomefurther
goodnews.Thepatienthadshownsomegradualimprovementinhisrespiratorystatusoverthelastfewhours.Elliott,infact,hadordereddecreasedsedationbecauseofmomentaryflickersofconsciousness.
“Doctor!”saidtheexcitedvoiceontheotherendoftheline,“IthinkyououghttogetinhereandseeyourpatientInman.We’vebeenfollowingtheweaningparameters.Iextubatedhimat19:20.He’sbeenbreathingbetterat20perminute,bloodpressurestableat130over80,andhispulseinthe90s.Hispostextubationbloodgaswaswithinnormallimits.Herestedpeacefullyforaboutanhour,nodistress—andthensomethingfrighteninghappened.Eerie,inhumanvoicesbegancomingoutofhim!”
“He’sstillinacoma?”“Yes—butI’dswearI’veseenhimmove!Doctor,Itookthelibertyof
puttinginavideotape.Ithoughtthisshouldberecorded.”“I’llberightthere—andkeepthattaperunning.”Elliottputdownthephoneandturnedtohiswife.“Honey,Ineedyou
tocomewithme!”Asthetwoofthemhurriedthroughthelivingroomtowardthefront
door,Dr.Elliottpausedtoexplaintotheprayergrouptheirsuddendeparture.“I’vejusthadacallfromthehospital.Kenisstillinacoma,buthe’simprovedsomewhat.They’vetakenhimofftheventilatorandhe’sbreathingonhisown.Andnowstrangethingsaregoingonthatcouldbedemonic....Karen’scomingwithme.Pleasebackusupwithprayer—forhiscompletedeliveranceandhealing.”
......Theintensivecareunitconsistedof12patientroomsarrangedina
rectangleandsurroundingacentralnurses’station.Whilethereweresolidwallsbetweenthem,theroomsallhadglassfronts,allowingforobservationofeachpatient.OverthebedsinfouroftheroomswereTVcamerasconnectedtomonitorsonwhichthemostcriticalpatientscouldbemorecloselyobservedfromthecentralstationatalltimes.
ItwasaterrifiedandbewilderedICUchargenursewho,alongwiththreeassistants,wasapprehensivelywatchingKenInman’sTVmonitorwhenDr.Elliottandhiswifearrived.
“Arewegladtoseeyou,Doctor!”sheexclaimed.“I’veseenalotofpsychoticpatientsandplentyofweirdbehavior—butnothingIikethis.”
ElliottglancedfromtheTVscreenshowingInmanlyinginbed,totheothermonitorsthatcontinuouslyexhibitedhiscurrentmedicalstatus.“Nothingunusualatthemoment,”heobserved.“Let’stakealookathim.”
ThechargenursewalkedthefewstepswithElliotttoInman’sroom.“It’sbeenquietforthelast20minutes.Butevenworsethanthevoices,there’ssomethingintherewithhim!Youcanfeelit!”
Theywerestandingnowjustoutsidetheroomandlookingthroughtheglass.Inmanwasclearlyinview.Hisrightlegandleftarmwereincasts.Becauseofthepuncturedlung,therewerechesttubesprotruding.Suddenlythecomatosepatient’srightarmflailedabout,thendroppedlimplyathisside.
“Didyouseethat!”exclaimedthenurse.“Getbacktoyourstation,”saidElliott“MywifeandIaregoingin
there.Makesurethattapeisstillrecording!”AllwasquietwhenDr.Elliottandhiswifeenteredthesmallroom.
Thedoctordrewthecurtainacrosstheglassfrontthenapproachedthe
patientAquickevaluationindicatedthathewasstillinacomaand,afterthebriefimprovement,sinking.Thebedsidemonitorsindicatedaseriousdeteriorationinhisstatus.Karenprayedsilently.AsElliottleanedoverandpulledbackthelidofoneeye,Ken’sfacesuddenlycontortedintoanevil,mockingexpression.Atthesametimehislipsbegantoformwordsandataunting,gutturalvoicemuttered,“Keepyourhandsoff!He’sours!”
WhileKarencontinuedtopray,nowaudibly,Dr.Elliottcommandedtheentitythathadspoken:“IntheNameofJesusChrist,tellmewhoyouare!”
Anominoussilencewastheonlyresponse.“IntheauthorityofJesusChrist...”beganElliott,whenhewasinterrupted.
“He’sours!”cameasneeringvoice,thisoneclearlydifferentfromtheonethathadfirstspoken,butonceagainseeminglyemanatingfromthepatient’smouth.“Youcan’tsavehim!”saidathirdvoicederisively.Ken’sface,whichhadseemedlifelessmomentsbefore,contortedagainintohideousexpressions.HisunbrokenrightarmsuddenlyflexedviolentlyinathreateningmotiontowardDr.Elliottthendroppedbackontothebed.Achorusofvoicesjoinedinmocking,jeeringlaughterthatexplodedfromKen’snow-leeringmouth.
“FatherGod,”prayedElliottaloud,“intheNameofJesusIcryouttoYouforthisyoungman.Pleasedeliverhimfromthepowersofdarkness.”Thenonceagainhecommandedfirmly.“IntheNameofJesusChrist,tellmewhoyouare.”
“Wewillnot!”cametheinstantreplyinadefiantlycontemptuoustone.
“IntheNameofJesusChristofNazarethandthroughthepowerofHisbloodsheduponthecrossforsin—tellmenowwhoyouare!”
HellishgroansissuedfromKen’sthroat,andthencamethegrudgingadmission:“WearetheNine...therulersofthedarknessofthisworld.”Ken’sbodywasshakenviolentlyasthoughbysomeinternalstruggle.Histongueshotoutrepeatedly,liketheforkedtongueofasnake;hiseyesopenedwide,thentookonahoodedreptilianmalevolence;andhisrightarmflailedaboutfuriouslyonceagain.HalandKarenbothsensedaheavy,serpentinepresencethatseemedtobetheembodimentofevilmoreancient
thanthepyramids.‘Thisonebelongstous,”criedanewandmorecommandingvoiceinaburstoffury.“Hehasbeenoursformanyyears.”
AgainElliottturnedtoprayer.“LordJesus,YouaretheCreatorofthisuniversewhobecameamantodieforoursins.YourWordsaysthatthroughYourdeathuponthecrossYou‘destroyedhimthathadthepowerofdeath,thatisthedevil,anddeliveredthemwhothroughfearofdeathwerealltheirlifetimesubjecttobondage.’Lord,weaskmercyandgraceforthisonewholiesneardeathandishelplesstocombattheevilonewhonowholdshiminhisgrip.”
“Heisours!”shriekedthedefiantvoices.“HeisnotaChristian!HerejectedChrist!Youcan’ttakehimfromus!”
“Youhavedeceivedhim.Nowcomeoutofhim,intheNameofJesusChrist,andenternomoreintohim.”Elliottpulledoutahandkerchiefandwipedtheperspirationfromhisbrow.
“Wewillkillhimfirst—andyoutoo,andyourfamily.Leaveusalone,andwewillnotharmhim.”
“Youlie,youdeceivingspirits.Yourthreatsdon’tfrightenus.Youhavenopower.Satan,yourmaster,wasdefeatedatthecrossbyJesusChristYouknowyouhavetocomeoutsodoitnow!”
“I’mleaving,”saidaweakvoice.Kenwasshakenagainlikearatinaterrier’smouth.Thenhelaymotionless,envelopedoncemorebyominoussilence.
“Thatwasatrick,”saidKaren.“Nodemoncameout”“Iknow,”repliedHal.
......Theensuingbattlewaslonganddraining.TogetherHalandKarenhad
beenthroughsimilarstruggleswithdemonsmanytimesbefore.HalhadbeenraisedbymedicalmissionaryparentsinSriLankawhenitwasstillknownasCeylon.Asayoungman,hehadparticipatedinexorcismsledbyhisfather,aphysicianwhohadinspiredHalalsotoenterthemedicalprofession.AftergettinghisM.D.degree,Halhadreturnedtothemissionfield—thistimetoEastAfrica,wherehehadmetandmarriedKaren.Theirministrytherehadofteninvolvedcastingoutdemons.ReturningtotheUnitedStatestoputtheirfourchildrenthroughuniversity,theyhadbeen
astonishedtofindasmuchdemonisminNorthAmericaasinanyThirdWorldcountry.IntheWest,however,demonpossessiontookamoresophisticatedformandwasoftencalledbyvariouspsychologicalnamesinsteadofbeingrecognizedforwhatitreallywas.
Ken’sexorcismturnedouttobethemostdifficulttheElliottshadyetexperienced.Attimesthecomatosepatient’sbodywasthrownviolentlyaroundonthebed.ThedemonsloudlyaccusedElliottofmedicalmalpracticeandwarnedthathewouldbeputinprisonforcausingKen’sdeath.Yetonebyone,grudgingly,thedemonscameoutasHalandKarencontinuedtoinvoketheNameandauthorityofJesusChrist
Whenthelastoneof“theNine”departed,animmediatechangecameoverKen.Colorbeganreturningtohischeeks,andhiseyesopenedbriefly.Hestaredmomentarilyatthetwobendingoverhisbed,thenclosedhiseyesanddroppedoffintoadeepsleep.
“PraiseGod!”exclaimedHalandKareninunisonandbowedtogetherinprayertogivethanks.ThenElliottthrewopenthecurtain.TheICUchargenurse,whohadbeenobservingtheexorcisminastonishmentfromthecontrolstation,metthedoctorandhiswifeoutsideInman’sroom.Herfacewasashen.“Incredible!Ican’tbelieveit!”wasallshecouldsay.
“Ithinkhe’shadamajorhealing!”saidElliottconfidently.“Ifhecontinuestoimprove,asI’msurehewill,I’mgoingtomovehimoutofheretoaregularpost-oproom.Callmeassoonasheawakens.Iwanttobekeptadvisedofeverything.”
Thenursewasstillbadlyshaken.“Isthisthingover?”sheaskedanxiously.“Imean...?”
“It’sfinished—completely,”saidElliot“sorelax.AndIwanttheSurgicalReviewCommitteetoseethatvideo,sobesuretosetitaside,okay?”
“Youreallythinkyouwantthemtoseeit?”askedthenurse.Shelookedasthoughshewereabouttofaint
“OfcourseIwantthemtoseeitWhynot?Say,areyouallright?”“I’mokay—justconcernedaboutyou.Youknowsomeofthecriticism
you’vebeengetting,andthestoriesinthesurgicallounge.Thisvideoisn’tgoingtohelp!”
“Oh,Ithinkitwill,”respondedElliott“Itcoulddothemalotofgoodtoseethis.Mightevenstopsomeoftherumorsandreplacethemwithfacts.”
Unconvinced,andwiththestrainstillshowinginherfeatures,thenurseagreedreluctantly.“Okay,doctor,I’llsetthattapeaside.It’llbethereanytimeyouwantit”
“Now,aboutthepatient,”addedElliott,“Ithinkwe’regoingtoseearemarkablerecoveryfromthispointon.”
[4]OutoftheDarkness
WhenKenawakenedabouteighto’clockthenextmorning,hefeltasthoughhewereascendingslowlyoutofadarkpitMercifully,themockingvoicesandhideousimagesseemedmorememorythanrealityandfadedawayastheroominwhichhefoundhimselfcamesteadilyintoclearerfocus.Thesunwasslantinginthroughalargewindowtohisleft.Itswelcomerayswereglintingfromametallicapparatusstandingjusttotherightofhisbed.Hehaddifficultyturninghisheadfarenoughtoseeitclearly,buttherealizationslowlydawnedthatitwasanintravenouspump—andthatitwasconnectedtohim.
I’minthehospital!Thethoughtseemedimpossibletoconnectwithhimself.HowdidIgethere?Whathappened?Hehadavaguercollectionofleavinghislabanddrivinghiscarsomewhere,butbeyondthateverythingwasblanknomatterhowhestruggledtoremember.Inutterexhaustionhegaveuptryingtounderstandforthemomentandjustlaytherestaringattheceilingandtryingtogetbackintouchwithhisbody.Adull,throbbingpainseemedtoenvelophim.Hecouldmovehisrightarm—theonewiththeIVinit—buthisleftarmandrightlegseemedtobeweighteddown.Liftinghisheadupslightlywithgreateffort,hecouldseethatthoselimbswereencasedincasts.
Kenbecameawarethatsomeonewasmovingaroundneartheheadofhisbed,justoutofhislineofvision.“Soyou’reawake!”saidapleasantfemininevoice.“Howdoyoufeelthismorning?”
“I’mtryingtofigurethatoutI’mnotsurethisisreallyme.HowdidIgetinhere?”
“I’mafraidyourcarwentoveracliff.Youweremoredeadthanalivewhentheybroughtyouin.”Nowthenursecameintoviewandstoodtherelookingathimwithobviousempathy.
“Acliff?Really?Idon’trememberbeingnearanycliffs!”Kentriedto
adjusthispositionandgroanedatthepain.“Wasanybodywithme...anybodyelsehurt?”
“No,Idon’tthinkso.”“Whendidithappen?”“Thisisyourfourthdayinhere—andthefirsttimeyou’vebeen
conscious.Youdon’tknowhowluckyyouare!You’veimprovedsomuchinthelasttenhours.It’sjustincredible!I’mgoingtoslowtheIVandseeifyoucantakesomeclearfluids.Thedoctor’smovingyoualongasfastasyoucango.”
Thenursereachedforthecontrols.“I’mgoingtoraiseyourheadupabit.There.Nowlet’sseehowthisgoesdown.”
Itwaspainfulswallowingatfirst.Afterseveralswallows,however,thepleasantliquidwithaslightlemontastewentdownsmoothlyandseemedtosoothehisthroat.Hemanagedmostoftheglass,thenlaybackexhausted.Ashedozedoff,heheardthenurse’svoicedriftingthroughafog:“I’llbebacksoon.We’regoingtomoveyououtofintensivecaretoanotherroom.”
......“How’sthemiraclepatientdoingtoday?”Atthesoundofthe
enthusiasticvoice,Kenturnedhisheadpainfullytoseeawhite-garbedphysicianburstingexuberantlyintohisroom.Thelean,energeticman—lookingmuchyoungerthanhis56years—seemedtotakeinKen’sentiresituationataglance.Itwasobviousthathewaspleased,verypleased,withwhathesaw.
“Doing?I’mplottingmyescape—that’swhatI’mdoing,”retortedKen,managingawrysmile.Hewasproppedupinbedanddrinkingfromaglassofwaterthathewasholdingwithhisonegoodhand.“WhendoIgetoutofhere?Andwhatdoyoumeanbymiracle?”
“Well,youareonthemend!There’snobettermedicinethanagoodsenseofhumor,”saidthedoctor,ignoringhisquestionsforthemoment“Icanseewe’regoingtohavetotieyoudown!”Elliottstoodthereforamomentgrinningathispatientapprovingly.Atlasthesaidquietly,“Amiracle,myfriend,issomethingthatonlyGodcando—andyou’reit!”
Thetall,wiryfigurebentoverthehospitalbedtolayahandgentlyon
Ken’sgoodshoulder.“Bytheway,I’mDr.HaroldElliott.YoucancallmeHal.I’mthedirectorofTraumaSurgery.MyassistantandItriedtoputyoubacktogethertheotherday.”
“Wereyouabletodoit?”askedKen,eyeingwithinterestthetousledblackhairwithstreaksofgrayandtheintensebutkindlyfacesonearhisown.Heglancedathispain-rackedbody.“Itlookslikeyouhadalotofmendingtodo.Seriously,doctor,what’sthe,uh...prognosis?”
“Yesterday—practicallyhopeless.Today—excellent.Completerecovery.Andthat,myfriend,isoneofthebiggestmiraclesI’veeverseen!”
“Boy,areyoueverhungupon‘miracles’!TheluckoftheIrishiswhatI’dcallit”
Elliottletoutashort,good-naturedlaugh.“The‘luckoftheIrish’wouldn’tevencomeclosetowhatyouneeded!Andyoucan’targuewithme,becauseyouweren’tevenconsciousanddon’tknowwhathappened.Andthat’swhatwe’vegottoworkonabit.Startingfromrightnowandgoingbackintime,tellmewhatyoucanrecall.”
“Touche—endofdiscussion.Bing,bing,bing.You’renotadoctor,you’reabulldozer.”KendecidedhewasgoingtolikeElliott“WhatdoIrecall?Well,ithasn’tbeenexactlywhatyou’dcallpartyingitup—justaverage,run-of-the-millhospitalfunandgames.”HiseyesmetElliott’s,andtheybothlaughed.TheresultantpainbroughtasharpmoanfromKen.“ThenursejusttookmyIVoutandmovedmeinherefromwhereverIusedtobe...andpromisedmesomethingabitmoresolidforlunch.ShesaidI’drun
mycaroveracliff....”“Doyourememberthat?”Elliottinterrupted.“I’vetried,butsofar—well,I—Ican’trememberanyofitDoIhave
amnesia?”“Hardly.Youtoldthenurseyournameandaddressthismorning.
Temporarylossofasmalltimesegment.Nothingtoworryabout.Whatyouandyourcarwentthroughwashorrificandjustaswellforgotten,butthat’snottheworstofit.What’sthelastthingyourememberbeforeitallgoesblank?”
Kenshookhisheadslowly.“Well,Irememberdrivingsomewhereinthecoastalrange,butit’svague.Idon’tknowwhetheritleduptothisaccidentorwhetherI’mjustrememberingsomethingearlier.Iusedtodriveuptherealot.”
“It’llhelpifyoutrytothinkwhereyouwerewhenyougotintoyourcar.”
“Iwastryingtorememberthatwhenyouwalkedin.IthinkIwasatthelabwithmyassociate.AndIdon’thaveagoodfeelingaboutwhateverhappenedthere,butIdon’tknowwhy—andI’msureit’sirrelevant”
“Irrelevant?Youthinkso?”Elliott’stonebecameveryserious.“That’swhatputyouinhere!Ifyouhadn’tgotteninvolvedinpsychicresearchyouwouldn’tbelyinginthatbed.”
“Doctor,withallduerespectyoudon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”
“AsamatteroffactIdo.Yourassociate,FrankLeighton,calledthehospitalyesterday,concernedaboutyourcondition.Insistedontalkingtome.Youwerestillinacoma.Saidhe’dbeeninvolvedwithyouinpsychicresearch.WhenIaskedhimaboutcontactwithspiritentities,hetriedtochangethesubject.”
“Whywouldyouaskthat?”“Youknowwhy.Anyoneasdeeplyinvolvedasyou’vebeenwith
eitherdrugs,mysticism,orpsychicphenomena—andyou’vebeenintoallthree—isboundtohavemadecontactwithspiritentities.”
Kensmiledwearily,andtherewasnowanewrespectforElliottinhisvoice.“Soyoudoknowabitaboutmyfield.”
“You’vebeenplayingwithfireforalongtime,”saidElliott.“I’vefollowedyourresearchandexploitsinthepapers—andyoufinallygotbadlyburned.WhatIwanttoknowishowmuchyourememberabouttryingtocontactso-called‘highlyevolved’extraterrestrialintelligences.”
“Ithinkyou’replayinggameswithme,”respondedKentestily,suddenlywaryofElliott.“Frankwouldn’tgiveoutinformationaboutourresearch.”
“I’mnottryingtogetatyoursecrets,”saidElliott.“I’mtryingtohelpyourememberwhathappenedwhenyoumadethis‘contact.’It’svery
important.”Kenhesitatedforamoment.“Okay,”hesaidatlast,“butI’mgoingto
chewFrankoutforthis.Yes,weweretryingtomakecontact,andallIcanrememberis...therewerethesevoicesinmyhead.Notlikemyownthoughts,butfromsomewhereelse...andaudible!It’shardtoexplain.”Hefellsilent.
“Leightondidn’ttellme,”saidElliottmatter-of-factly.Kenstaredathim.“Thenhowdidyoufindout?Andwhydidyousay
myresearchputmeinhere.Why?”Hiseyespleadedforanexplanation.Dr.Elliott’sbeltpagerwasbeeping.Hesaidafewwordsintohiscell
phonethenturnedbacktoKen.“Excuseme,”saidElliott,“I’vegotsomeotherpatientstosee.And,
anyway,youneedtogetsomerestbeforewetalkanymore.”“I’mnotlettingyouoffthehook,Doctor.Youmadesomepretty
strongstatementsthatIwantclarified—okay?”“YoucancountonitI’llgetbackherethisafternoon,andthenwe’ll
talksomemore.Inthemeantime,haveagoodsleep!”
[5]LivingProof
WhenDr.Elliottreturnedafewhourslater,hewasaccompaniedbyawomanwhowasapparentlynotanurse—atleastshewasn’tinuniform.Thedoctorclosedthedoorbehindthem.Thenhepulleduptwochairsandtheybothsatdownnexttothebed.
“Ken,”hesaidtothepatient“Iwantyoutomeetmywife,Karen.Sheworkswithmeoncaseslikeyours.”
“Youareanurse,then?”Kenlikedherimmediately.SheexudedthesamewarmthandthesamequietconfidenceasElliott—andhersmilewascontagious.
“I’manRN—longretired,”sheresponded.“ButIdon’tgetinvolvedwithHal’smedicalworkanymore—onlyspecialcaseslikeyours.”
Kenlookedfromonetotheotherquestioningly.Thenheglancedathisachingbody.“Itlooksprettymedicaltome.”
“It’sawholelotmorethanmedical,Ken,”declaredElliott.“Medically—well,youshouldbedead.GodhadHishandonyou,
that’sforsure.Otherwiseyouwouldn’thavesurvived.”“Look,Doc,withallduerespect,asIalreadysaid,I’dratheryoukeep
Godoutofthis.”“Yousoundalotlikeyourfiancée.”“Carla!You’vemether?”“Once—briefly,”saidHal.“I’vebeenaskingthenurseswheresheis.”“She’sbeeninandoutseveraltimes,butyouwerestillinacoma.
They’vebeentryingalldaytoreachhertoletherknowyou’reconscious—justgotherafewminutesago.She’sonherwayover.”
“It’llbegreattoseeher!We’regettingmarriednextmonth,”announcedKenproudly.
“Congratulations!”saidKaren.“Nowlook,”saidKen,turningtoElliott,“youseemedtoknowsome
stuffyoushouldn’thave,andyousaidmypsychicresearchlandedmeinhere.”
Dr.Elliottnodded.HeleanedoverfromwherehewassittingbesidethebedandputhishandgentlyonKen’sshoulder.“Thisisn’tgoingtobeeasyforeitherofus,butyouhavetoknow.”
SeeingtheapprehensioninKen’seyes,Elliotthastenedtoadd,“Ithasnothingtodowithyourprognosis.”Kenlookedimmediatelyrelieved,andElliottcontinued.Thedutynursecalledmelastnight.Youwereinacoma,yetyouwereemittingstrangevoicesandyouwerewrithingonthebed.KarenandIandseveralnursesallwitnessedit.”Hepaused.
“Sowhatwasgoingon?”askedKen.“There’snoeasywaytotellyouthis,”saidElliottsolemnly,“soI’ll
justbeblunt.Youweredemon-possessed.”Kenwasindignant“Comeon—Idon’tevenbelieveindemons!”“Youdon’thavetobelieveincholeraforittokillyou,”putinKaren
quickly.“You’remixingmetaphors,”retortedKen.“Youcanidentifycholera
germs.”“Youcanalsoidentifydemons,”counteredHal.“Thereisn’ttimeto
beataroundthebush.Humanbeingsdon’thavepsychicpower—it’sdemonic—andyourinvolvementinitnearlygotyoukilled.”
“Waitaminute!”protestedKen.“I’llbowtoyourexpertiseinmedicine,butIresentitwhenyoutrytostraightenmeoutonpsychicresearchaswell.Isn’tthisalittleoutofyourfield?”
“Notatall,”returnedHalquickly.“IgrewupinCeylonandspentmuchofmylifeinAfrica.I’vedonealotofpsychicresearchbothoverseasandinAmerica,andIcantellyouthere’snodifferencebetweenwhatWesternparapsychologistsaretryingtoreproduce‘scientifically’intheirlaboratories,andwhat’sbeengoingonintheThirdWorldindarkseanceroomsandprimitivejunglehutsforthousandsofyears.”
“Thatdoesn’tprovedemonsarebehindit”saidKenfirmly.
“We’veproveditmanytimes,”interjectedKaren.“Ineverycasewhenwecastoutthedemonstheso-calledpsychicpowersended.Andwe’vefacedwitchdoctorswithpowersthatwoulddazzleWesternparapsychologists.”
“Thatwouldscarethemtodeath!”addedElliott.“It’snotdemonsyou’recastingout,”saidKen,“it’sjustthatyour
brandofdogmaticfundamentalismissonegativethatitdestroysthepositiveatmosphereneededforpsychicpowertomanifestitself!”
“Thatdoesn’tspeaktoowellforpsychics,then,doesit,”quippedKaren,“iffalsesuggestionsfrom‘dogmaticfundamentalists’canstripthemoftheirpowers!”
AfaintsmileonKen’slipsacknowledgedthatthepointwaswell-made.“YousaidIwaspossessedwithdemons...andyouknewI’dtriedtomakecontactwithextraterrestrials…”
“Wehaveaprayermeetinginourhome,”beganElliott,“andyouwereourmainfocuslastnightforseveralhours.”
“Soyouprayed,”Keninterruptedimpatiently,“Iwokeupfromthecoma,andyoucallita‘miracle’—andthrowinthe‘demons’asabonus.Isthatit?”
“Notquite,”saidElliott“Thechargenursecalledmeinthemiddleofourprayermeeting,toldmeaboutthevoicescomingoutofyou—andthatyouweremovingwhileinacoma.KarenandIcamerightoverwhileabout30peopleinourhomekeptprayingforyou.Whenwegothere,thevoicesclaimedyoubelongedtothem.Theywereintheprocessofdestroyingyou.”
“They?”askedKenapprehensively.“Whoarethey?”“Theycalledthemselves‘theNine.’”“TheNine?”ThecolordrainedfromKen’sface.Heclosedhiseyes
andwincedwithpainasmemoriessurfaced,unbiddenandhorrible.Elliottwaitedpatiently.FinallyKensaidweakly,“Goahead.I’m
listening.”“YouwonderedhowIknewyou’dtriedtocontact‘highlyevolved’
extraterrestrials,”continuedElliott.“Whenwecommanded‘theNine,’intheNameofJesusChristtotellushowtheyhadtakenpossessionofyou,
theyconfessedthey’dpretendedtobeETIs...andsaidyou’dfallenforit.”“Theyreallysaidthat?”Helookedstricken,likesomeonewhohadjust
beenrobbedorwaswatchingafireconsumehishouseandallofhispossessions.
Dr.Elliottnoddedsoberly.“It’stheperfectscamthatthewholescientificcommunityisbeingsetuptofallfor.Maybeyourexperiencewillserveasawarning.”
“It’snotascam,”saidKen.“Itmakesgoodsense.Justimaginewhatitcouldmeanifsuchentitieswouldsharetheirincredibletechnologyandpsychicsecretswithus!Everyhumanproblemcouldbesolved!”
“Andyoumadecontact?”askedElliottpolitely.“Ithinkso,butit’svague.Somethingwentwrong,andItriedtofight
themoff.IhaveahazyrecollectionthatFrankcouldn’tunderstandandwasupsetwithme.ThatmustbewhyIleftthelab.Itfeltliketheyweretryingtotakeovermymind.”
“Theydidtakeover—andtriedtokillyou.Eyewitnessesreportedthatyourdrivingwasinsane.”
Kenshuddered.“IwishIcouldrememberwhathappened.”Helaythereinsilence,lookingfromHaltoKarenhelplessly.“Theirname,”heaskedatlast.“Howdidyoucomeupwiththat?”
“Youknow,ofcourse,that‘theNine’arewidelyknowninoccultcircles.”Kennodded.“It’sanidentitydemonsoftenassume,”continuedElliott“’TheNine’areevenmentionedintheBible.Butwedidn’tassumethatwaswhotheywere.IntheNameofJesusChrist,Icommandedtheseducingspiritsthatpossessedyoutoidentifythemselves.”
“Andtheysaid,‘We’retheNine,’justlikethat?”Dr.Elliottshookhishead.“Theyscreamedobscenitiesandthreats—to
killyouandus.KarenandIhavebeenthroughthismanytimesbefore.Thegroupwaspraying,andwedidn’tbackdown.”
Halpausedforamoment.Kenwaslisteningintently.“Yourcasewasunique,”hecontinued.“Andthat’swhyitoffersthekindofproofyouwant.Remember,youwereinacoma.Vitalsignsveryweak.Yettheveinswerestandingoutonyourneck,andloudvoices—notyourown—werespeakingthroughyou.Itjusthappensthateverybitofitwasrecordedbya
TVcameraoveryourbedintheICU.Whenyou’restronger,we’llputitonyourTVforyou—ifyouwanttoseeit.”
Kenwasstunned.“You’renotkiddingme?Youreallyhavethatvideo?”
“Absolutely.”“I’vegottoseeit!”“Youwill.It’sallthere:thesneeringvoices,theunbelievable
contortionsyourbodywasgoingthroughwhileyouwerecomatose.Nottheleastofitweretheexpressionsyourfacetookon—itwasbeyonddescription!”
“Thatcouldhavebeenapurelypsychologicalphenomenon,”suggestedKen,gropingforanotherexplanation.“The‘voices’representedsplitsofmydeeppsyche,andthethrashingaroundwasanunconsciousreleaseofpsychicenergy.”
“GivethatalittlemorethoughtKen,”saidElliottfirmly,“andyou’llrealizeit’sabsurd.Whydoesn’tyoursubconscious—andeveryoneelse’s—dothatsortofthingallthetime?Thefactis,whenthelastdemoncameoutyourcomaended—thatfast.”Elliottsnappedhisfingers.“You’regoingtohealsorapidlynowthatitwillboggletheentirehospitalstaff!You’llbewrittenupinmedicaljournals—andtheskepticsstillwon’tbelieveit.”
Kenwasshakinghishead.“I’vegottoseeitbeforeI’llbelieveit!”“Youwill,butyouneedsomerestnow.”Kenlookedtired,buthedesperatelywantedtounderstand.“Youdon’t
likemytheoryabouttheunconsciousorsplitsofthepsyche,butdon’tyouthinkit’sabitarchaictotalkaboutdemons?”
“Islovearchaic?”askedKaren.“Orjusticeorbeautyortruth?Somethingsneverchange—andgoodandevil,GodandSatan,angelsanddemonsareinthatcategory.”
“Icouldgiveyoulotsofreasonsforcallingthemdemons,”addedHal.“Butyoudesperatelyneedtosleep.Foronething,theyadmitthat’swhotheyare.Andtheycryoutinrage,thenfear,whenthey’reconfrontedwiththeauthorityofJesusChrist...thentheygrudginglyobey.You’llseeitallforyourself.Thenyoucandecide.”
Dr.Elliottandhiswifestooduptoleave.“We’vestayedtoolong.Yougetsomesleep.”
“Yeah,Iwill,”sighedKenwearily.Halpattedhimaffectionatelyonthearm.“We’llbebacktonightwith
thatvideo.”Ken’seyelidsdroopedandclosedashefoughttostayawaketoponder
theshatteringpronouncementsofthesetwoobviouslyintelligentandsincerepeople.Hewouldhavedismissedthemasfundamentalistfanaticshadhenotbeeninthathospitalbed.Thatfactgaveunwelcomecredencetowhattheysaid.Andthevideo!Ican’tbelieveit.There’sgottobeanotherexplanation.Butwhatifthey’reright?Whatifthey’reright!Thatunwelcomepossibilityhoundedhimtotheveryedgeofunconsciousness.
[6]Changes
Itwasastill-apprehensivebutveryexcitedCarlaBertellithatthechargenurseledintoKen’sroomaboutanhouraftertheElliottshaddeparted.Theyfoundtheexhaustedpatientstillsleepingsoundly.“Youmaysitbesidehimandwait,”thenursesaidsoftly,“butbecarefulnottoawakenhim.Heneedsalltheresthecanget.”
“He’soutofdangerand—he’sgoingtobeokay?”AnothernursehadalreadyassuredherofthatbutCarlahadtohearitagain.Itwasalmosttoowonderfultobelieve.
“Oh,definitely.Thedoctor’sverypleased.”Carlaletoutanothersighofreliefandsankdowninachairthatwas
rightbesidethebed.Therewasanotheronenexttoit.Sohe’dalreadyhadtwovisitors!Shewonderedwhotheycouldhavebeen.Nevermind.Shewasonlytoogratefultobeabletositnexttothemanshelovedandwaitnomatterhowlong.Ithadbeensohopeless,butnowshecouldallowherselftobeintoxicatedonceagainwiththeeuphoricanticipationoftheweddingtheyhadplannedwithsuchhappyexcitement.ThedreamshehadsharedwithKenandthathadseemedshatteredonlyafewhoursearlierwasnowaliveagain.Infactitwaslessthan24hourssinceshe’dlastvisitedhiminintensivecareandbeentoldbythenursethatthingsdidn’tlookatallgoodandthatsheshouldkeepintouch.
Whenshe’dcomehomeforlunchandfoundthemessageonheransweringmachinetocallthehospital,she’ddreadedpickingthephoneupanddialing.Thelastthingshehadexpectedtohearwasthewonderfulnewsthathewasoutofdangerandonhiswaytoaveryremarkablerecovery.It’sreallyhappening!Shekeptremindingherself,assheturnedhereyesnowandthenfromKentotakeinthebedsidetablewiththeprofuselybloomingpottedazaleashe’dsent,thebroadvistaoflawnand
treesthroughthewindow,thestarklymodernhospitalparaphernaliaremindingherthathewasbeingwellcaredfor.He’saliveandgettingwell!Itreallyistrue!
Herthoughtswereinterruptedbytwodoctorsleadingagroupofinterns,allofthemdressedingreensurgerygarb,whosuddenlymarchedinandgatheredaroundtoviewthepatientTheypassedfromonetoanotherthechartshowingKen’simpossiblysuddentransitionfromanapparentlyhopelesscomatonormalconsciousness.Soabsorbedweretheyintryingtounderstandwhattheyapparentlyregardedasauniquecase,theyscarcelyseemedtonoticehersittinginthechairbesidethebed.
“IassistedDr.Elliottwhenthepatientwasbroughtinfromemergency,”commentedoneofthesurgeonssoftly.“NormalCT,fixeddilatedpupils,nospontaneousrespiration—moredeadthanalive.”Hehesitated,thenadded,“Ican’ttellyouhowsurprisedIam....There’sjustnoway!”
“Incredible!”saidoneoftheinternsashelookedoverthechart,thenletoutalowwhistleofastonishment.
Afterabriefsilencetheothersurgeonturnedtohiscolleagueandsaidinaconfidentialtone,“Isupposeyou’veheardthatHal’sprayergroupwasinvolved,andtherearerumorsaboutanexorcism!Igetabituncomfortable...”
Carlawashangingontoeveryword,butwithafewmoreexclamationsofaweinterspersedwithmedicaljargon,thedoctorsweregone.
Theausterehospitalbed,thestarkfurnishingsoftheroom,theantisepticodorfadedawaymomentarilyasCarla’smemoryparadedbeforeher—vividscenesofthedeliciousmomentstheyhadshared.ShesawKenonceagainlecturingattheUniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,thenighttheyhadfirstmet;sherelivedsomeoftheirweekendstogether;shesmiledhappilyassherememberedhownervoushe’dseemedthenighthehadproposed—thenwasusheredabruptlybacktopresentrealitywhenKenmoanedsoftlyandbegantostir.Suddenlyheopenedhiseyesandwasstaringattheceiling.“Darling!”shewhispered,leaningoverthebedtostrokehisforehead.
Nowhesawher.“Carla!”Hecouldsaynomore.
Sheheldhisheadinherhands,coveringhisstitchedfacewithsoftkisses.“Iloveyou!Oh,I’msohappy,sohappyyou’realive!”
“Iloveyou,Carla!”hemanagedtosayandreacheduptoembraceherwithhisonegoodarm.
“Theytoldmeyou’regoingtobefine!”Carlabubbledonecstatically.“Inevergaveup.Iknewyou’dmakeit!What’sthelatestfromthedoctor?”
“Hesayseverything’sgoingtobeokay.”Carlawasnowstandingbesidehim,holdinghishand.Helookedupather.“It’ssogreattoseeyou!”Theysmiledintoeachother’seyes,andshestoopeddowntokisshimagain.
WhatifDr.Elliottandhiswifeareright?Eveninthisrapturousmomenthecouldn’tescapethetroublesomethoughtthathadbeentormentinghim.Whatifthey’reright!HowcanleverexplainthattoCarla?Whatwillshethink?
“Theytoldyouwhathappened?”heasked.“Imean...isn’titincredible?”
“Ican’tbelieveitLastnightIthoughtyouweredying—andnowlookatyou!You’vegotcolorinyourcheeksandtheoldsparkleinyoureye!”
“I’msogladyouweren’tinthecar!Istilldon’tknowhowithappened.Iloveyou,darling,sovery,verymuch!I’msorryforwhatyou’vebeenthrough.Itmusthavebeenhell…”
“Itwasunbearable!Ikeptfrombreakingdownbyplayingtheinvestigativereporter—justhadtofindoutwhathappened.Butitnevermadesense.”Shepaused.“Wouldyourathernotthinkaboutit?”
Kenshookhishead.“No,goahead.Iwanttohear.”“Ieventalkedtothetruckdriver.Hesaidyouwereonhissideofthe
road,andhedidhisbesttomissyou.”“Idon’trememberanything.Thedoctorthinksitmaygraduallycome
backtome.”“Ihikeddownandsawthecar—whatwasleftofitaftertheycutyou
out”Shedugaroundinherpurseandcameoutwithanaudiocassette.“Thiswasinyoursmashedstereodeck—stillingoodshape.”Shehelditupsohecouldseeit.“SweetBabyJames?Thatfigures.”
“Icheckedtoseeifitwouldstillwork,”addedCarla,“anditdoes.Areyoucuriousatalltoknowwhereithadstopped?”
“Idon’tknowifitmeansanything,butwherewasit?”“Justbeforetheendof‘FireandRain.’”Sheputthecassetteonthetop
ofthebedsidetablenexttotheflowersshe’djustbroughtin.“We’llleaveitrightthere—untilthehappydayyoucarryitoutofhere!”
Hewaslookingatherappreciatively.“I’veneverknownyoutobesosentimental.Iloveit!”
Shesqueezedhishand.“Darling,it’smorethansentimentIfyousawwhatwasleftofyourMercedes,you’dknowwhyIhadtoholdontosomethingforhope.There’snowayyoucouldhavesurvived.”
Kenlookedsuddenlytroubledandbewildered.“I’msorry,darling,”saidCarla.“Ishouldn’thavementionedthat.”“No,that’sokay.ItjustbothersmethatIdon’trememberanyofit.
I’vegottoknowwhathappened—howithappened.”“Youweredrivinglikeamaniac,thereportssaid.Ofcourse,you
alwaysdid,butatleastyouwereasafemaniac.”Shebrushedsomestrandsofstrayhairbackfromhisforehead.“Fromwhatthehighwaypatroltoldmeofeyewitnessreports,thistimeyourdrivingwascompletelyinsane.Ijustdon’tunderstandit.”
“Thatfits,”sighedKenreluctantly.“Fitswhat?”“WhatDr.Elliottsaid.”“Well,whatdidhesay?”“Ineedtothinkaboutitsomemore.”“Darling?”Shewasfrowning.“He’sthatprayingsurgeon.It’sso
unprofessionaltomixmedicinewithreligion.It’slikehethinksprayercouldactuallymakeadifference.Heeventoldmetopray!Ifeltlikesaying,‘Comeon,Doc,getintothetwentiethcentury!’Agroupofdoctorswasjustinherewhileyouwereasleep,andsomeofthemdon’tlikehisapproach,either.”
“Didtheysayso?”“Igotthatimpression.”“Whyweretheyhere?”
“Theywerecheckingyououtlikesomerarespecimen—reallyboggledbyyoursuddenrecovery.Calleditimpossible.”
“SoElliottwasright.HesaidthewholehospitalstaffwouldbecomingintoseemeandthatI’dbewrittenupinmedicaljournals.”
Carlawasfrowning.“Theysaidsomethingaboutanexorcism.Ken,didthatdoctorgothroughsomehocus-pocus?”
“Isthatstorygoingaroundthehospital?I’mreallyupset!”declaredKenangrily.
“Well,lookatthat!AmIdreaming,orhastheworld’sgreatestelectronicgeniusreallycomebackfromthedead?”ItwasProfessorLeighton’sboomingvoicecomingfromjustinsidethedoor.
“Frank!”exclaimedKen.“Comeonin!Nowwe’vegotthebestmanandthebride.Allweneedisapreacher.”
“Ajudge,”correctedCarla.“Itwouldbewonderful,buthoneymooningwithaplastermanintractionisn’texactlywhatIwasanticipating.Icanwaitalittlelonger.Howlongwillitbe?”
“Thedoctordidn’tsayhowlong...buthesaidIwouldbeoutofherealotfasterthananyonecouldimagine.”
“Look,Idon’twanttobargeinonyoutwo....”Leightonwasstartingtobackaway.
“That’sokay,Frank.”KenlookedquestioninglyatCarla,andshenoddedherassent
Leightonwasclearlyexcitedasheapproachedthebed.“I’vegotalottotellyou,Ken!ButIcancomeback.”
KenlookedatCarlaagain.“No,it’sokay.It’sgoodtoseeyou.”Leightonhesitated.“There’vebeensomeincredibledevelopmentsin
justthelasttwodays.We’veestablishedsolidcontact.”“You’vewhat?”“Icouldn’twait,Ken!Youwereinacoma,andtheydidn’tgiveyou
muchhope…”“Youdidthatallalone?”“Ibroughtsomeonein—someoneI’veknownaboutforseveralyears.”“Ibroughtyouin,andnowwithoutevenconsultingme—”“Icouldn’tconsultyou!”
“Whoisit?”“Ifyou’reworryingaboutleaks,forgetit.He’saJesuit.Apriest.
Nobodykeepssecretsbetter—youknow,theconfessionalandallthat.Sodon’tworry.Andhe’sthebestnaturalpsychicI’veeverseen.Youwon’tbelievewhathappenedthefirsttimeIhookedhimuponthe‘launchingpad’!”
“Frank,I’vegottotalktoyouaboutthat.TherearesomedangersthatIthinkwehavetogooverandworkoutbeforewegoaheadwithanymoreresearch.”
“Wecan’tholdup,Ken!It’surgent.Everydaycounts!WethinktheRussianscouldbeonthevergeofasimilarbreakthrough.”
“Thewho?WhatintheworlddotheRussianshavetodowiththis?Andwheredidyougetthatkindofinformation?”
Franklookeduncomfortable.“We’vegottotalk—alone.I’llcomebacktomorrow.You’llbefeelingstronger.”
“Yeah,wemayreallyhavesomethingtotalkaboutafterIseeacertainvideothatyouandCarlahavetowatch,too.”
“Avideo?”theybothaskedatonce.“I’msorry,butyou’llhavetoleavenow.”Anursehadenteredthe
roomandwasmotioningthetwovisitorstowardthedoor.“Ireallyletyouoverstay.”
Carlagavehimalongkiss.Stillhoveringoverhim,shewhispered,“What’sthevideoabout?”
“I’lltellyoulater,sweetheart.It’stooinvolvedtogetintorightnow...”hemurmured,thenfellonceagainintoadeepsleep.
......Dr.Elliottandhiswifereturnedaftervisitinghoursthatevening,when
theyknewtheywouldn’tbedisturbed.ThedoctorhadanorderlyconnectaVCRtoKen’stelevision.Afterclosingthedoor,heinsertedthecassettehe’dpickedupatthenurses’station.
“Now,I’vegottowarnyou,”saidElliottsolemnly,“thismaybemorethanyoucanhandle.Ifitgetstobetoomuch,I’llturnitoff.You’resureyoufeeluptoit?”
Kengavehimanaccusinglook.“Areyoutryingtotalkmeoutofit?Is
theresomethingfishyaboutthistape?”“You’llseewhatImean.”Dr.Elliottpickeduptheremoteandturned
iton.Theywatchedthewholethingtogether—nearlyanhourofintensive,andattimesveryfrightening,spiritualwarfare.ElliotthadtoturnitofffrequentlyforKen,whowasseeinghimselfonthescreensayinganddoingtheincrediblybizarre,tobeabletohandleit.Eachtimeitwasinterrupted,however,Kenwouldinsist,aftergainingcontrolofhisemotions,thatthevideobeturnedonagain.
WhentheexorcismwascompleteandElliotthadturnedoffthetelevision,Kenlayquietlyforalongtime,stunnedbywhathe’dseen.Thewholething,frombeginningtoend,justasElliotthadwarnedhim,hadbeentoomuchtohandle—likelivingtheplotofahorrormovie.Hehadseenhimselfonthatscreenwithhisowneyes,hearditallwithhisownears,andtherewasnodenyingwhatwasobviouslyall-too-true.Thevoicesissuingfromhisownmouthhadsoundedfrighteninglyfamiliarandhadmadehimrelivetorturedmemoriesfromthelabandthecaronceagain.Whathadshakenhimthemost,however,hadbeentheastonishingvarietyofhideousexpressionshisfacehadtakenonrepeatedly—andwhilehewasinacoma!Atthosetimesthefeelingthatsomethingsupremelyevilwasincontrolhadbecomeoverwhelming—anevilsopalpablethatithadnauseatedandrepelledhim.Yetatthesametime,therehadbeensomethingfascinatingaboutitsabhorrentwickednessthathaddrawnhimstrongly—apervertedbutalmostirresistibleappealthathadlefthimfeelingill.
TheElliottsprayedsilentlyastheywaitedpatientlyforKentoexpresshimself.Hemadeseveralattemptsbutbrokedowneachtime.Whenatlasthewasabletospeak,hesurprisedhimselfbythestubbornnessheexpressedaloud,whichwasnotatallwhathereallyfeltinside.
“I’veseenitwithmyowneyes,butIstilldon’tbelieveit.Itchallengesmywholeworldview—notjustmine,buttheconsensusoftheentirescientificcommunity.Itcan’tbetrue.There’sgottobeanotherexplanation.”
“Youwantedproof,”Dr.Elliottsaidgently.“Letmeremindyouthatyouwereinacoma,withvitalsignsalmostnil.Aftershowingsome
apparentbuttemporaryimprovementyouweresinking.Somealienbeings—itcouldn’thavebeenyourconsciousorunconsciousmind—wereanimatingyourbody.Youcan’tescapethatKen.Andifthatmeansthescientificconsensusiswrong-well,rememberyou’retalkingofmaterialisticscience,andthisobviouslyinvolvessomethingoutsidethephysicaldimension.”
Kenwassilentagain,thinking,desperatelytryingtofindadefenseforhischerishedbeliefs,butknowingwithinhisownheartthattherewasnone.Thosevoices—whattheysay—andthewaytheyhateandfeartheNameofJesusChristandreluctantlysubmittoHisauthority—thatcan’tbeexplainedasdeeperlevelsofmypsyche,orarchetypalimagesfromthecollectiveunconscious,oranythingelseI’dliketobelieve.Elliott’sright!They’reright!Thehumblingthoughtkepthammeringathim.Ican’t
believeit!Itcan’tbetrue!I’vegottoknowwhatFrankandCarlathink.They’vegottoseethis.Butwhatotherexplanationisthere?
“Comeon,Ken!”chidedElliott“You’reascientist.Sowhynotfacethefacts?Yousawitwithyourowneyes.Theentitiesyoumadecontactwithinyourlabpossessedandtriedtokillyou.Whyisitsohardtoadmittheymighthavebeendemons?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidKenwearily.“It’sjustthatitundermineseverything...”Afteralong,painfulsilence,“Okay,supposingIgoalongwithyourscenario,Doctor.Sowhat’stheirgameplan?”
“Deception,destruction,”saidKaren,“butallundertheguiseofhelpingmankindestablishaNewAgeofpeace,love,andbrotherhood.”
“AndtheNameofJesus—whydoesthatsilencethemandforcethemtoobey?”
“We’rerebels,Ken,”saidElliottquietly.“Wewanttobeourowngods,justlikeSatan,andthatbringsusunderhispower.ThepenaltyisseparationfromourCreatorforever.ButHelovesussomuchthatHebecameamantopaythesentenceHisownjusticedemanded.Indyingforoursinsandresurrectingfromthedead,JesusChristputanendtoSatan’spower.ForgivenessanddeliveranceisavailableasafreegiftofGod’sgracetoallwhowillinglyrepentandacceptHisdeathuponthecrossasthepenaltyfortheirsin.”
“Youcouldn’thavegottenmetolistenfivesecondstowhatyou’vejustsaidifIhadn’tgonethroughthishideousexperienceandseenthatvideoformyself.”Kenseemedalmostpersuaded.HelookedatHalandKarenearnestly.“Frankhastoseeit—andCarla.Iwanttoknowwhattheythink.CanIborrowit?”
“Ofcourse.”Halslidopenthedrawerbesidethebedanddroppedthetapein.“I’mputtingitrighthere.Itbelongstothehospital,sotellthemtheycanmake,copiesiftheywantto,butIhavetohavetheoriginalbackagain.”
“You’reworriedaboutFrankandCarla,”saidKarensolemnly.“Whataboutyourself?WhatareyougoingtodowithJesus?‘TheNine’won’tletyougothiseasily.YouneedHisprotection.”
Kenhesitated.Theycouldseetheinnerconflictmirroredinhiseyes.“Iguessyoucantell,whetherIadmititornot,”heconfessedatlast,“thatyou’veshakenme.”Heclosedhiseyeswearilyandlapsedintopainfulsilenceagain.
Ican’t,justlikethat,throwoutbeliefsI’vespentalifetimebuilding—andI’mnotgoingto.Ican’tdenythattape,andwhattheysayaboutJesusmakesalotofsense,butstill...WithgreateffortKenopenedhiseyesandturnedtotheElliotts.“Youcan’timaginehowharditiseventoadmitasmuchasIhave.I’vegotsomebigdecisionstomake,butI’dliketoknowwhatCarlaandFrankthink....”Hewasfading.
“Sure,Ken,sure,”saidElliott.“We’llseeyoutomorrow.”
[7]ACIAOperation?
I’mnothappyaboutthis,Frank.Notabit!”saidKenforthethirdtime.
Themorningsunwasstreamingthroughtheopenwindow.Kenhadbeenenjoyingthesoundofthebirdsoutsideandthescentoffresh-cutgrass—andfeelingravenouslyhungryandimpatientforbreakfastSuddenlyFrankhadbeenstandingbesidehisbed.He’dgottenpermissionfromtheRNondutytodropinearlybeforevisitinghours.AnemergencyhadaffectedKen’sbusiness,he’dtoldher,andhe’dpromisedtotakeonlyfiveminutes—tenatthemost.
“There’snothingtoworryabout,”respondedFrankagain,reassuringly.Hepulledoverachairnexttothebedandsatdown.“ItoldyouDelSasso’saJesuit—apriest—andyouknow,they’re...uh,trainedtokeepsecrets.Itrusthimcompletely.”
“That’snotwhatI’mworriedabout.Iwantthatresearchstopped—atleastfornow.It’sdangerous.Lookwhathappenedtome!”
“YouhadanaccidentKen,that’sall.Itcouldhavehappenedtoanyone.Maybeyoufellasleep?”
“Idon’tfallasleepatthewheel—andcertainlynotatfiveintheafternoon.Comeon,Frank!Doyouknowwhattheeyewitnessessaidaboutmydriving?”
“Ihaven’theard.”“Iwasdrivinglikeamaniac.Idon’tdothat!Idon’ttakechanceson
blindcurves,driveonthewrongsideoftheroad....There’saconnection,butIcan’tproveitbecauseIdon’thaveanymemoryofwhathappened.WhatstateofmindwasIinwhenIleftthelabthatday?”
Frankseemedembarrassedbythequestion.HestoodupandstaredoutthewindowforamomentAtlastheadmitted,“YouwereveryupsetYou’d
hadabadtimeintrance.Ishouldhavekeptyouthereuntilyoucalmeddown,butIhadnowayofknowingthiswouldhappen.”
“Idon’tthinkweshouldcarryonanymoreexperimentation—atleastnotfornow,underthesecircumstances!”
“It’ssooutofcharacterforyoutosaythat!Thiswasyourmagnificentobsession!Ken,DelSassohasestablishedapermanentcontact.We’removingforward.Thispartnershipwith‘theNine’willaccomplisheverythingyou’vedreamedofandmore!”
“Partnership?Theytriedtokillme!”“That’sawildstatement,Ken.Idon’tunderstandthissudden
negativism.It’snotlikeyouatall.DelSassohadsomeproblems,too,atfirstTheentitiestoldustocutthepowerundertheplatform.Theelectromagneticemanationswereputtingthebrainhemispheresoutofsync.”
“Idon’tbuythat.Theyweretryingtotakeovermymind.”“You’vebecomeobsessedwiththatdelusion.”“It’snodelusion.Lookatme!That’swhyI’mhere!”Frankbegantopacebackandforthingrowingagitation.“Wecould
argueaboutthat,anditwouldn’tproveanything.ThesimplefactisthatwhenwefollowedtheArchons’directionsandcutthepower,DelSassotunedrightin.Thatwastheoneflawinyourdesign.”
“Ibuiltthatequipment,andIdon’twantituseduntilIgetoutofhereandhavecheckeditovermyselfandamsatisfiedthatitisn’tthedoorwayto—well,demonicpossession!”
FrankstoppedbesidethebedandstareddownatKeninastonishment“Areyououtofyourmind?Wheredidyougetsucharidiculousidea?Sincewhendidyoubelieveindemons?”
“I’mnotsayingIbelieveinthem.I’monlythrowingthatoutasahypothesisthatwecan’taffordtooverlook.”
Frankmadenoattempttohidehisexasperation.“Youkeeptalkinglikethat,Ken,andI’llhavetoputyouinapsychiatrichospitalfortreatment!Yousoundlikeyougotsomewirescrossed—andjumpedthetrack!”
TheireyesmetandwhatKensawfrightenedhim.Ithinkyoujustmightdoit.Thethoughtwasterrifying.I’mlyingherehelpless!Inever
knewhowvulnerableapersoncouldbe—completelyatthemercyoftheshrinkswhosetthecriteriafor“sanity”insociety.
Frank’svoicebroughthimbackfromtheoreticalpossibilitiestopresentreality.“Look,Ken,wehavetocometoanunderstanding.You’vehadonegoalinmind,butfromtheverybeginningI’veseenadifferentpotential.ThisresearchisabsolutelyvitaltothedefenseoftheWesternworld.Stoppingitwouldbeanactofsabotage—treasonagainstourcountry!IftheRussiansgetthispowerfirst...”
“You’reparanoidabouttheRussians!Thecoldwarendedyearsago.Maybe‘theNine’you’vejoinedinpartnershipwitharetheonesyououghttobeworriedabout!”ShallIgiveittohim?WillitjustgivehimmorereasontosayI’minsane?Afteralongsilence,Kenpointedtothebedsidetable.“There’savideocassetteinthatdrawer.I’dlikeyoutowatchitandtellmewhatyouthink.”
“I’msorry,Dr.Leighton.You’llhavetoleavenow.I’vegivenyou11minutes.Thepatientisexhausted.”Leightonwonderedhowlongthenursehadbeenstandingjustbehindhimandwhatshe’dheard.
Heopenedthedrawerinthebedsidetableandtookoutthevideocassette.“I’llwatchit,”promisedLeighton,wavingthetapeasheheadedforthedoor.Kenhadalreadydozedoffagain.
......“I’msorry,MissBertelli,he’sjusthadlunchandhe’stakingamuch-
neededrest”ThenurseinchargehadseenCarlaheadingdirectlytowardKen’sroomandhadhurriedovertocutheroff.“You’llhavetowaitintheloungedownthehalluntilheawakens.I’llcallyou.”
“Butyesterday,”Carlaprotested,“theyletmegointohisroomandsitthereuntilhewokeup.”Thenurse’ssternexpressiondidn’tchange.“Iwon’tmakeasound,”pleadedCarla.“Iwanthimtogethissleepasmuchasyoudo.”
“Ican’tvouchforwhatsomeoneletyoudoyesterday,”saidthenurseinanantiseptictone.Sheseemedasunbendingasherstifflystarcheduniform.“Dr.Inman’svisitingschedulehasgottencompletelyoutofhand,andwehavetorestoreasemblanceoforder.Themanwaspracticallydead36hoursago,youknow.Thisisahospital,notGrandCentralStation.”
“You’vereallygotagrouchondutytoday,”CarlatoldKenwhenhehadawakenedandshewasfinallyallowedintohisroom.“Shesaysit’sgettingtobelikeGrandCentralStationaroundhere.HowcomeeveryoneelsegetsinandIhavetowait?Who’sbeenhere?”
“OnlyFrankthatIknowof—andDr.Elliott,ofcourse.Maybeshe’supsetbecauseFranktalkedherintolettinghimcomeintoseemebeforebreakfast.”
“WhywasFrankinheresoearly?Wastheresomethingthatimportant?”
“Notreally.Hewantedtotellmewhatwasgoingon—andIwasn’thappyaboutit.Idon’twantanymoreresearchgoingonuntilIgetoutofhere.Hemadeasortofguardedthreattohavemecommittedtoapsychoward.”
Carlawasfurious.“Thatdoesn’tsurpriseme!I’vegottensomeinformationaboutFrankthatmakesmesuspecthismotives.Didheevertellyouthathe’dbeenwiththeCIA?”
“No,butthereareprobablylotsofthingsabouthimthathe’snevertoldme.Itmusthavebeenalongtimeago—he’sbeenatStanfordfornearly20years.”
“AsIstartedtotellyouyesterdaybeforetheythrewmeoutI’vebeendoingsomeinvestigating,”saidCarla.“Justimaginewhatwasgoingoninsideofme—wonderingwhyyouweredrivingonthewrongsideofthehighwayinthepathofaloggingtruck.Frankwouldn’tcooperate.Hestonewalledme—verypolitely,butveryfirmly.Protectingsecretresearchisonething,butitwasmorethanthat.”
“He’sbroughtinapsychictoworkwithmyinvention.Hethinkshe’scompetingwiththeRussians.”
“IheardhimmentiontheRussiansyesterday.ThatfitsperfectlywithwhatIfoundout!Listentothis!Iwasn’tgoingtoletFranksweet-talkme.Ihadtoknowwhatwasgoingonovertherewithyouinthehospital.So,onahunch,Iusedsomeconnectionsandgotalistingofthephonecallsfromyourlabduringthetimeyouhaven’tbeenthere.At4:10intheafternoononthedayofyouraccident—itmusthavebeenshortlyafteryouleft—heplacedacalltoLangley,Virginia,andtherehavebeenquiteafew
since.”“Langley?CIAheadquarters?”“Exactly.SoIdidsomemoredigging—throughsomeofmyfriendsat
TheWashingtonPost.Ifoundoutthathewasn’tjustsomeonewithcasualties—aninformant,perhaps—butagraduateinthemid-fiftiesoftheCIA’s‘WestPoint’nearWilliamsburg.‘TheFarm,’astheycalledit,involvedcovertactiontraining.Theguy’sbeenseriouslyinvolvedforyears,Ken—andobviouslyhestillis!”
“Maybe.Notobviously.Pastinvolvementyearsago,okay—butsomephonecalls...that’snoproof.Ijustdon’tseeFrankasaCIAagent.”
“You’renotsupposedto.Thebestagentsaretheonesnoonewouldeversuspect”
“Butparapsychology?Itdoesn’tfit.”“Whatdoyoumean‘itdoesn’tfit’?Darling,youknowtheCIA’s
interestinpsychicresearch.”“Well,therehavebeensomepublishedreports,butI’veneverknown
howtruetheyweretotheactualfacts.”“Don’tbenaive!Frankknows—youcanbesure.AndIthinkthat’s
whyhegotinvolvedwithyouinthefirstplace.”“Buthe’sbeenteachingatStanfordallthistime,”protestedKen.“And
workingwithme.I’veneverseenanything,aslongasI’veknownFrank,toindicatehewasinvolvedinsomeclandestineactivityontheside.”
“ShallIremindyouwhereStanfordislocated?”Carlapersisted.“RightnexttoSiliconValley,withoneoftheheaviestconcentrationsofforeignagentsinthecountry.Idon’tthinkhisdutiesatStanfordwouldinhibit—ratherthey’dprobablyenhance—whateverrolehe’sbeenplayingwiththeCIA.”
“You’vebeenreadingtoomanyspynovels,sweetheart,”laughedKen.Evenashesaidithowever,herememberedwonderingwhyithadbeensoeasytopersuadeFranktojoinhim.Infactnowthathethoughtaboutit,Frankhadinitiatedtheidea,butthathadn’tseemedsignificantatthetime.
......Leightonwasbackearlythatevening.Adifferentnursewasonduty
andhedidn’thaveanytroublegettinginforhisusual“fiveminutes,tenat
themost.”Kenwasawake,feelingsomewhatstrongerandtryingtosortoutsomeharddecisions,goingbackoverwhathe’dseenonthatterrifyingvideo.WhathadFrankthoughtofit?WhatwouldCarla’sreactionbewhenshesawit?ThensuddenlyLeightoncamebargingintotheroomandunceremoniouslyinterruptedhisprivatethoughtswithoutsomuchasa
solicitous“Howareyoudoing?”orapolite“Goodevening.”Leightonseemedinahurryanddidn’tpulluptheusualchairtosit
down.“Wasthissomekindofjoke?”heasked,wavingthevideocassetteatKenandthentossingitonthetablebesidethebed.
“Whatdoyoumean?”“It’sblank.Nothing.”“Frank,Idon’tknowwhatkindofgameyou’replaying,butthat’s
unacceptable.”“I’mtellingyouitwasablanktape.”“AndI’mtellingyouitwasn’twhenyoutookitoutofhere.Itbelongs
tothehospital,anditwasaveryimportanttapetome,too.Iwantitback.”“Ijustgaveittoyou.Youcancheckitoutyourself.”FrustratedangerthatKenhadsuppressedforsolongnowcametothe
surfacesuddenly.“Whateveryou’reupto,youdidn’thavetowipeoutthattape!”
“Iknowyou’vebeenthroughaterribleordeal.”Theresponsecamebackclinicalandsympathetic.“You’renotyourself,Ken.That’sclearenoughfromthetroublewe’vehadcommunicatingsinceyoucameoutofyourcoma.Idon’twanttooverstayandtireyoufurther.”Hepulledanenvelopeoutofhisinsidecoatpocketandputitonthetablebesidethetape.“You’llwantyourlawyertolookthisover.It’sacontractforthepurchaseofalloftheequipmentinthelab,includinganypatentsandallrightsofanykind,for$1.3million.Ithinkthat’safairprice.There’sacashier’scheckforthatamountI’dliketopickupthesignedcontracttomorrowevening.”
Kenwasstunned.“Wheredidyougetthatkindofmoney?IstheCIAinvolvedinthis?”
“I’vemadesomeluckyinvestments.Look,Ken.Youwanttoputeverythingonhold,andIwanttoproceed.We’reatastagewhereit’s
urgentandvitaltogoaheadwithoutanyinterruption.Ifyoufeellikegettingbackinwhenyou’refullyrecoveredandyouroldselfonceagain,nothingwouldpleasememore.ItookthelibertyofnotifyingbothyourCPAandattorney.Theyeachhaveacopyofthecontractandwillbestoppingbyfirstthinginthemorning.Inthemeantime,getsomerestoldbuddy,andtakecare.”
“SothisisaCIAoperation,andifIdon’tagreetotheirtermsthey’vegottheirways.Isthatit?”
Frankwasalreadywalkingoutthedoor.
[8]AttheCrossroads
Doyouhaveanothercopyofthetape?”askedKenanxiouslythemomentDr.Elliottandhiswifesteppedinsidehisroomlaterthatevening.
“Isthereaproblem?”askedElliott,instantlyapprehensive.“Isthatthetapeyougaveme?”Kennoddedtowardthesidetable.“Why,yes,”beganHal,pickingitupandexaminingit.“Itcertainly
lookslikeit.There’sthehospitallabel.Why?What’swrong?”“Leightonsaysit’sblank.”Ken’seyestoldthestory.“There’sonewaytofindout,”saidElliott.Hetookthetapeand
hurriedfromtheroom.Whenhereturnedafewminuteslaterhelookedgrim.HehandedthecassettetoKaren.“Somebody’serasedit!”hesaidangrily.
“IloanedittoLeighton.Ineverdreamed...”Kenlookedstricken.”Ishouldhaveknown.”
“Don’tberateyourself,”saidHal.“Weneverlettheoriginaloutofthehospitalwithoutmakingacopy,andIslippedup.”Heturnedtohiswifeandshruggedhelplessly.“Ican’tbelieveit!IftherewaseveratapeIwantedtheCommitteetosee...”
“It’sanotheroneofthoselessonswekeeplearning,”saidKarensolemnly.“We’reinaspiritualbattle,andweletourguarddown.”
“IwantedCarlatoseethatvideo!”Ken’svoiceshook.“Ifshecouldhaveseenitherselfitmighthavepersuadedher.”
“Doesthatmeanyou’repersuaded?”askedKarenhopefully.“I’mpersuadedthatwhatIsawonthatvideowas—well,genuine.As
forwhatitultimatelymeans,I—uh—I’mstillthinkingaboutthat.IwantedCarta’sreactiontoit—andFrank’s.”
“Thewholegroup’sprayingforCarla,”saidHal.“Andforyou.‘TheNine’aren’tgoingtoletyougowithoutafight—infactwesuspect
something’sgoingonthatinvolvesmuchmorethanjustyouandyourpresumed‘accident’”
“Whatdoyoumean?”HalpulledupachairnexttoKaren’sandsatdown.“Look,Ken,I’m
nottryingtobuildacase,buttheNewTestamentwarnsaboutincreasingdemonicactivityinthe‘lastdays’justbeforeChristreturns—involvingseeminglysupernaturalpowers—tosetuptheworldfortheAntichrist.”
Kenrolledhiseyes.“Lastdays?Antichrist?Iwouldhavelaughedyourightoutofherethedaybeforeyesterday.OfcourseIcouldn’tlaughthen—andwouldhavebeendeadifyouhadn’tcastthosedemons—yeah,that’swhatIthinktheywere—outofme.ButAntichrist?”
Karenlookedathimsympathetically.“Iunderstand.Butdiditeveroccurtoyouthatthisdeviceyouinvented—theone‘theNine’usedtopossessyou—couldbejustthethingforSatantousetodeceivethewholeworld?”
“Areyoukidding?”protestedKen.“Don’tyouthinkyou’regettingabitmelodramatic?”
HaldugaroundinthedrawerofthenightstandnexttoKen’sbedandtookoutaGideonBible.“Thisisn’tmyownideaorsomeone’sspeculation,Ken.Here’swhattheBiblehassaidforthepast2000years.Listentothis:‘NowtheSpiritspeakethexpresslythatinthelastdayssomeshalldepartfromthefaith,givingheedtoseducingspiritsanddoctrinesofdevils.’That’s1Timothy4:1.”HepulledhischairclosertothebedandheldtheBibleinfrontofKensothathecouldseeitforhimself.
“NowlistentowhatJesussaid,”continuedHal,“inMatthew24,whenHisdisciplesaskedHimwhatsignswouldmarkthelastdaysbeforeHisreturn:‘Takeheedthatnomandeceiveyou….ForthereshallarisefalseChrists,andfalseprophets,andshallshowgreatsignsandwonders;insomuchthat,ifitwerepossible,theyshalldeceivetheveryelect.’”Heturnedthepagestoanotherpassage.“Lookatthis.Herein2Thessalonianschapter2theApostlePaulalsowarnedaboutdeceptioninthelastdays.ConcerningtheAntichrist,hewrote:‘AndthenshallthatWickedberevealed...whosecomingisaftertheworkingofSatanwithallpowerandsignsandlyingwonders.’”
Dr.ElliottclosedtheBibleandputitontopofthenightstand.“Thoseareonlysomeofthepropheciesaboutthe‘lastdays.’InRevelation13,theApostleJohnevenwarnedthatultimatelythewholeworldwouldworshiptheAntichrist—andSatanaswell,whowillgivehimhisseeminglysupernaturalpower.”
“That’sincrediblestuff—wayoutofmyleague,”saidKen.“Itsoundslikesciencefiction.IneverreadtheBibleinmylife.”
“Whynotbroadenyoureducationabit?”Karenchallengedhim.“Youcan’tdismisstheBibleonhearsaywithoutreadingit—orbecauseitchallengessomeofyour‘scientific’ideas.”
Kenwasquiet.Atlasthesaid,“Ifeelsohelplessjustlyinghere.Leighton’sbeencarryingontheresearchwithoutme—claimshe’sestablishedcontactwith‘theNine’andisworkinginpartnershipwiththemtosavetheworld.Almostsoundslikewhatyoujustread.”
“Ken,hemaynothavewipedoutthatvideo,”suggestedHal.“TheymayhavedoneitHecouldbecompletelyundertheirpower.”
“Idon’twantanythingtodowithentitiesthattriedtokillme.ItoldFranktoholdupontheresearchuntilwecanbecertainwhat’sreallygoingon.Butherefuses,eventhoughI’mtheonewhodesignedandbuilttheequipmentandthelab.Hesaysit’surgenttokeepaheadoftheRussians.”KenpointedwearilytotheenvelopeLeightonhaddroppedonthetablebesidehisbed.“Inthere’sacontractandacashier’scheckFranklefttobuythelabfrommefor$1.3million!WhatshouldIdo?”
HalandKarenexchangedastonishedglances.“I’llcallthegroup,andwe’llhavespecialprayeraboutthis,”saidHal.“DoesLeightonhavethatkindofmoney?”
“No.Andthisistoofasttogetagroupofinvestorstoputitup.CarlathinkstheCIAisbackinghim,thathe’sbeenworkingforthemallalong.”
“Thatmakessense,”agreedHal.“It’sprettycommonknowledgethattheRussians—liketheSoviets—havebeeninvolvedinpsychicresearch—presumablyfaraheadofus.SoIcanunderstandLeighton’surgencyandtheCIA’sinvolvement.”
“Butifallpsychicpowerisdemoniclikeyouclaimitis,”queriedKen,“thendoesitreallymakesense?Imean,woulddemonsgivehelptoboth
theRussiansandAmericans—againsteachother?”“Whynot?”respondedHal.Hestoodupandlookedoutthewindowat
theexpansivelawnrimmedwithshrubsandflowerssoftlyilluminatedbycoloredfloodlights,thentotheglaringartificialbrightnessoftheparkinglotandthedarknessbeyond.“Outthereinthe‘real’world,that’sthewayitworks.Internationalbankersbackallsidesineverywar.Theydon’tcarewhowins,solongaseveryoneremainsdependentupontheirfinances.Whywoulda‘psychicwar’beanydifferent?Satancouldcareless—solongasheretainscontrol.”
Therewasalongsilence.AtlastKensuggested,“Buteventheinternationalbankersdon’twanttodestroythewholeworld—thatwouldputthemoutofbusiness.Ithoughttheywantedaoneworldgovernmentfortheirownselfishreasons.”
“That’strue,”agreedHal.“Andthat’swhattheBiblesaysSatanwillattemptthroughtheAntichrist—tobringpeaceandprosperityunderanewworldordertoprovethatmankindcanmakeitonitsown.Ifwereallyareinthelastdays,thentherewillbeapushforworldwideunity—peace,love,andbrotherhood.TheRussiansandAmericansaregoingtohavetocometogether—alongwiththeChineseandeveryoneelse.”
Ken’sexpressionhadchangedfromskepticismtoconcern.Heshookhisheadwearily.“You’vereallygotmeconfused.Idon’twanttobelieveanyofit.It’slikeanightmare.”Thenheadded,“IcareaboutFrankalot—inspiteofthewayhe’sobviouslytakingadvantageofmybeingoutofthepicturerightnow.I’msurehebelieveshe’sdoingwhat’sright.”
“YoumaybetoogenerouswithLeighton,”suggestedDr.Elliottsolemnly.“Heimpressesmeassomeonewho’shungryforpower,andthatsetshimupforanyliethatpromisesit.Truthhastobemoreimportantthananythingelse,andwe’regoingtobeprayingthatyou’llpursueitwithyourwholeheart.”
......“Dr.Elliotthasscheduledyoutostartphysicaltherapytoday,”saidthe
nursecheerfullywhenshecameintotakeKen’stemperatureandabloodsamplefirstthingthenextmorning.“Doyoufeeluptoit?”
“DoIfeeluptoit?Areyoukidding?Iwanttogetoutofhere!Nothing
personal,youunderstand.Whendowestart?”“They’llcomeandgetyouabout9:30.Youwantyourusual
disgustinglyhealthybreakfastthismorning?”“Yougotit.Ieatthat365daysoutoftheyear.That’swhatkeepsmein
suchgoodshapethatIhavetogetbangedupnowandthenandgointoahospitaljusttobringmebackdowntonormal.”
Kenhadnosoonerfinishedhisbreakfastwhenanurseusheredinhislawyer,PhilGold.Momentslater,GordonStuart—hisCPA—walkedin.
“We’vebothstudiedthecontract,”Goldassuredhim.“It’salllegalandinorderifyouwanttoacceptit.That’suptoyou.Ihavenoideawhether$1.3millionisafairofferorwhetheryouwanttosellatanyprice.”
“Yourtaxbaseislessthan$100,000,”cautionedStuart.“Therearetaxconsequencestothinkofwiththatkindofprofit.Ifyouwanttosell,theremightbebetterwaystogoaboutitthantakingallcash.”
“Idon’tknowwhatIwanttodobutIdon’twanttosellit.Imaywantthewholethingdestroyed.”
TheybothlookedatKenasthoughhewereoutofhismind.“WhynotletLeightontakeitoffyourhands—andpocketthecash?”
suggestedthelawyer.“Ifyoudon’tknowwhattodowith$1.3million,”headdedwithalaugh,“Icouldmakesomesuggestions.”
“It’stoocomplicatedtoexplain.”Theystooduptoleave.“You’vegottomakeyourowndecisionbased
uponyourpersonalgoals,”saidhisCPA.“Butfromjustalegaloraccountingstandpoint,otherthansometaxplanningwedon’tseeanyreasontoturnitdown.”
......Carlawasflabbergastedwhenshecameinlaterthatmorningand
learnedofLeighton’soffer.“Don’tsellatanyprice!”shewarned.Thenafterthinkingitover,sheaddedquickly,“There’sahotstorybuildinghere!”Shewasobviouslyveryexcited.“I’vegottogettothebottomofit.IsmelltheCIA.Somethingbigisbrewing.I’dliketoknowwhattheRussiansarediscovering.Weknowthey’vebeeninvolvedinthesameresearch.”
“Idon’tknowabouttheRussians,andIdon’tcare.AllIknowisthat
Frankhasmadesomekindofpartnershipwiththeentitiesthattriedtokillme.That’swhatI’mconcernedabout.”
“Triedtokillyou?”“SweetheartIwasliterallyamanpossessed.That’swhyIdrovelikea
madman.I’mrememberingpiecesofitnow!”Carlalookedathimsympathetically.“Youwereinacomaforthree
days.Iwouldn’trelyonmemoryforwhatyouthinkwasgoingonatthetimeoftheaccident.”
“I’vegotmorethanmemorytogoon.”Kenturnedaway.Outside,themockingbirdswerepretendingtheywerecanaries,andagentlebreezewaftedthearomaofabouquetofspringblossomsthroughtheopenwindow.Itwassuchabeautifulday.HereIam,miraculouslyalive,withthewomanI’msoontomarrybesideme—andinsteadofbeingecstaticallyhappy,I’mafraid!
Heturnedbacktolookearnestlyintoherfaceoncemore.“Carla,yourememberwhenwewenttoseeTheExorcist?Wecouldn’timaginethatanyintelligentpersoncouldbesogullibleastobelieveWilliamBlatty’sclaimthatitwasbasedonatruestory.WelostalotofrespectforJ.B.Rhine,the‘fatherofAmericanparapsychology,’whenwelearnedthathe’dinvestigatedthecaseandsaiditwasgenuine.Remember?”Hepausedforbreathandcourage.
“Iremember—anditscaredmetodeatheventhoughIknewitwasnonsense.”Shelaughed.“Andyouwerescared,toolButwhatmadeyouthinkofthat?”
“Thereissuchathingasdemonpossession.Iwouldn’thavebelievedit,exceptthatithappenedtome.”
“Demonpossession?”Carla’seyesflashedinsuddenanger.“Sothat’swhattheymeantaboutexorcism!AndyouletDr.Elliott—thatprayingsurgeon—talkyouintothat?Howanintelligentmancanperformhighlytechnicalsurgerythatshowshiscommitmenttoscienceoneminuteandstooptomedievalhocus-pocusthenextisbeyondme!”
“Hedidn’ttalkmeintoit,Carla.Hegavemetheproof—avideoofmyexorcism.”
Carlawasstandingnow,handsonhips,indignant,readyforaction.
“Sothat’sthetapeyoumentioned.Whereisit?”“It’srightthereonthetable,butit’sblanknow.IloanedittoFrank
andsomehowitgoterased.”“SoElliottperformedexorcism?”Thelookshegavehimsaid,You’ve
surebeenbrainwashed!“YouthinkI’veflipped—braindamagefromblowstothehead,lostit
allinthecoma,somethinglikethat.Sweetheart,youdidn’tthinktherewasanythingwrongwithmeuntilIsaidthis.”
“Whendidthis—thisexorcismtakeplace?Ithadtobehereinthehospital,andthat’saviolationofethics!”
“Please,Carla.Don’tgetonthewarpathnow.YouandyourIrishtemper!”
“Yes,Iamupset—andwithgoodreason!Thatadoctorwouldtakeadvantageofapatient’sweakenedconditiontopushhisreligioniscriminal!”
“Sweetheart,givemeachancetoexplain.ItwasthenightthenursecalledtotellyouImightnotmakeit.Iwasn’tina‘weakenedcondition’—Iwasinadeepcomaandsinking.Dr.Elliottandhiswifecameinandtalkedtothe—callthementitiesifyoudon’tliketheword‘demons.’CommandedtheminthenameofJesusChristtocomeoutofme.Itwasallrecordedbyahospitalvideocameraovermybed!Isawthewholething—itreallyhappened.Itwashorrendous!”
“SothatsneakyElliottconvincedyouofthis,”saidCarlaevenly,holdingbacktheangerwithgreateffort.“Heshouldsticktosurgeryandforgetthe‘clergery.’He’sacharlatan.Heshouldlosehislicense!”
“Carla,Isawitmyself!Andtheirvoices—Irecognizedthem.TheywerethesameonesI’dheardinthelabandinmycar.Theycalledthemselves‘theNine’—exactlythewaytheyintroducedthemselvestomewhenIfirstmadecontact.ElliotthadnowayofknowingthatIheardthevoicesofnineseparateentities.Theywerereal!”
“Ofcoursetheywere,buttheyweren’tdemons!”Carlareachedoutandtookhishandandstrokedhisforehead.“Comeon,honey,therearescientificexplanations.Youknowwhattheyare.Withyourconsciousmindsubmergedinacoma,deeperlevelsofyourpsychewerereleased—
splintersofyourpersonality,orarchetypesfromthecollectiveunconscious.Frankcouldgiveyouadozenpsychologicalexplanations.Whenthesearchetypesweresuddenlyintegrated,youcamebackintotheconsciouslevel.”
“Mycomawasn’tpsychological.Iwasatdeath’sdoorfromphysicaltraumatomybrainandbodysufferedinahorriblewreckthatyouyourselfsaidIcouldn’tpossiblyhavesurvived!WhatIsawandheardonthatvideowasn’tElliottandhiswifeputtingmethroughJungiandepthanalysis.TheywerecommandingthesedemonstocomeoutofmeinthenameofJesusChrist.Andtheydidcomeout!That’swhathealedme.”
“Darling,ifyoubuythatyou’vegottotakethewholepackage—angelsandGodandJesusChrist!”Carlaturnedawayandbeganpacingbackandforthbesidethebed.“You’reascientist,”shecontinuedinfrustration,“andtherearelawsofsciencethatyoujustdon’tbreak.”
“Lawsofscience”herepeated.“I’vesaidthatathousandtimeswithoutrealizingthegiantegobehindit.Sciencedoesn’tmakelaws—scientistsdiscoverthelawsthatGodestablished.Wecan’tbreakthem,butHecan—andthat’samiracle.”
“Soyouhaveboughtthewholepackage!”“Ididn’thaveanyotherchoice.Ifonlyyoucouldhaveseenthat
video!”“Thatwouldn’thavechangedanything,Ken.”Shestoppedpacingand
stoodthereclosetothebedlookingdownathimwithpity.“It’ssowrongwhatthatdoctorhasdone—takingadvantageofyourweakenedconditiontobrainwashyou!ToseethishappentothemanIlovejustkillsme.Ken,darling,youknowthere’snoGodorSatanordemons.Religionisacop-outthatkeepspeoplefromtakingresponsibilityfortheirlives!”
Kenshookhishead.“IusedtobelievethatCarla,butitdoesn’twashanymore.LastnightItooktheBibleoutofthatdrawer.I’dheardalotofintellectualgarbagespoutedagainstit,butI’dneverreaditformyself.OnceI’dstarted,Icouldn’tquituntilIwasabsolutelyexhausted.IreadthewholebookofMark—allaboutJesusChrist,whoHeis,whyHecame,Hisdeathforoursins,andHisresurrection.There’saverseinthefrontofthisBiblethathasbeentranslatedinto1100languages.It’sJohn3:16.”
“MymothertaughtittomewhenIcouldbarelytalk,”interjectedCarla.Foramomentshesoftenedatthememoryofthewomanshehadlovedandadmiredalmosttothepointofworship—theonepersonwhotrulyhadlivedtheChristianitythatherfather’shypocrisyhadcausedhertodenounce.
“Ineverhearditbefore,”continuedKeneagerly.“IlearneditlastnightLetmeseeifIcanstillsayit‘ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhosoeverbelievethinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.’ItwasthebestnewsI’deverheard—andIbelievedit.”
“SodidI,asachild,”saidCarla,“butnotanymore.”“Listentome,Carla!Ican’texplainitbutsomethinghappened.I
foundforgivenessandpeaceandjoylikeIneverknewcouldbepossible!”Thereweretearsinhiseyes.
ForalongtimeCarlastoodbesidethebedandstaredinstunnedsilenceatthemanshepassionatelyloved.Atlastsheleanedoverandkissedhimlightlyonthelips.“Youlookawfullytired,honey,”shesaid.“Getsomerestandthinkthisthingthroughagainwhenyou’refeelingbetter.”Thensheturnedtoleave.Assheheadedforthedoor,Kenheardhersayunderherbreath,I’vegottogetoutofherebeforeIexplode.WhenIfindElliott!...
[9]APartingoftheWays
WhenDr.Elliottstoppedinaloneonhislate-eveningrounds,hefoundKencheerfulinspiteofthenewconcernsthatwereweighingheavilyuponhim.LeightonhadcomebyearlierwithhislawyerandanotarypublicaswitnessestocertifyKen’sshakysignatureonthetwocopiesofthecontract.Kenwassurprisedthathenowfeltagreatsenseofrelief.ForLeighton,however,hefeltanoppressiveheavinessandconcern.AsforCarla,heknewherwellenoughtorealizethattherewaslittlehopetosalvagetheirrelationshipunlessherenouncedhisnewfoundfaithinChrist.ThatrealizationwasalmostmorethanKencouldbear.Atthesametime,however,hehadanewjoythatseemedtobeindependentofcircumstances.
“Ididn’thavethestrengthtofightFrankandtheCIA,”KentoldHal.“Itwouldn’thavedoneanygood,anyway.WhileI’mlaidupinhere,theycouldcopyeverythingI’vedoneandbuildtheirownmodel.There’snowayIcouldstopthem.AtleastIgotsomecashoutofthedeal.”
“Idon’tseewhatelseyoucouldhavedone,”saidHalsympathetically.“NowputthatbehindyouandleavetheresultsinGod’shands.”
“That’snotsoeasywhenIfeelresponsible.IfmyinventionisthemeansofbringingFrank—andwhoknowshowmanyothers—underdemoniccontrol,howcanIfeelgoodaboutthat?”
“Thatdevicewon’tdoitKen.Whateveryouinvented,it’notwhatyouandLeightonthink.It’snottheingeniouselectronicsthatmakestheconnectionwith‘theNine.’”
“Howcanyousaythat?”askedKen.“Witchdoctorshavebeenintouchwith‘spiritguides’—whichis
basicallythesameidea—-forthousandsofyears,”saidElliottdryly.“Demonshaveavarietyofdisguisesdesignedtoappealtoeveryone.The
‘extraterrestrialintelligence’maskisforscience-fictionbuffsandscientistswhoimaginethattimepluschancecouldproducegodlikebeingsoutthereonsomeplanetlight-yearsaway.”Elliottshookhisheadindismay.
Kenpausedtothinkitthrough.“Whenyousaidsomethinglikethattheotherday,Ididn’tlikeit,butnowitmakesalotofsensethattoday’sparapsychologistsarejustcivilizedwitchdoctors.Ithinkyou’reright—it’sthesamethingunderanotherlabel.”
“Exactly,”saidHal.“Whethertheycallthemselves‘theNine’or‘AscendedMasters,’orwhatever,demonshaveperpetuallybeenincontactwithmankindthroughassortedyogis,witchdoctors,mediums,andothershamans.Sodon’tberackedbyguilt.ThedeviceLeightonfoolishlypaid$1.3millionforisnobetterthanaOuijaboardoracrystalball.”
KenlookedatHalandlaughed.“Youmeanallmysupersophisticatedelectronicswasjustwindowdressing—andIdidn’tknowit?”
“Right.Therearedozensofdivinationdevices,andthat’sallyoudesigned—justonemore.Ontheotherhand,‘theNine’mayhavespecialplansforyourversionbecauseitseemssoscientificandsophisticated.ThatcouldbetheidealcatalysttosetinmotionafulfillmentofthepropheciesconcerningtheentireworldbecomingdeceivedenoughtohailtheAntichristasitssavior.”
Kenturnedhisheadandstaredoutthewindowinsilence.AtlasthelookedatHalandsaid,“Itsoundslikeascience-fictionplot,butitalsomakesalotofsense.IthinkI’mbeginningtounderstand.It’snotthatthedeceptionitselfissoconvincing,butthathumanprideissoblind.Icanseewhyitappealedtome.”Thenheaddedsomberly,“Thethingthat’stroublingmemostofall--well,youknowwhatitis.”
“Iunderstand,”saidElliottsadly.“Carlacorneredmeinmyofficethisafternoon.Shewaslivid—claimedI’dbrainwashedyou,vowedtoreportmetothehospitaladministrationforpracticing‘clergery’insteadofsurgery.”
“She’lldoit.That’sCarla—youcancountonit.Whenshedecidesonsomething,there’snoturningback.Ihopeitdoesn’taffectyourpositionhere.”
Dr.Elliottsmiled.“Shecancomplainallshewants.Itwon’tmatter.I
haven’tdoneanythingunethical—orthatIwouldn’tdoagain.Sodon’tworryaboutit.”HereachedoutandputhishandonKen’sshoulder.“Shedidn’tspellitout,butIgottheimpressionshe’sbreakingtheengagement—andIfeelatleastpartlyresponsible.Ican’tbelievethatI’dletavideogetoutofthishospital—especiallyonethatimportant—withouthavingacopymade!”
“We’vebeenoverthat.Shesaysitwouldn’thaveconvincedher,andI’msurethat’strue.Youhavetounderstandwhereshe’scomingfrom.Shemockinglyreferstoherselfasap.k.—youknow,apreacher’skid.Herfatherisstillapastorofahugechurch,butfromwhatshesays,hemustbetheultimatehypocrite.She’sbitteraboutthat.Whenshemetme--well,Iwasanatheistandhadalloftheintellectualandsupposedlyscientificargumentstosupportherrejectionofeverythingshe’dbeentaughtasachild.”
“Andnowyou’vepulledthatpropoutfromunderher.”“Sheneverneededanyproppingup.She’saverystrongperson.Carla
won’tcompromise—andsheknowsIwon’t.”“Alotofpeopleareprayingforbothofyou,”saidHal.“Don’tputany
limitsonwhatGodcando.”“I’mtryingtolearn.Karencameinthisafternoonandreadtomefrom
theBible.Ireallyappreciatedthat.There’ssomuchtotakein,andit’ssuddenlylikeIcan’tgetenough.Shewasreadingfrom,IthinkitwasPeter.Somethingaboutfaithbeingtested.IhopeIcanstandthetest.”
“NoneofuscanonourownwithoutHim,”Dr.Elliottassuredhim.“Faithisn’tsomepowerwewieldtoslayspiritualdragons—oraimatGodtomanipulateHimintoansweringourprayers.FaithistrustinGodinsubmissiontoHiswill.ThatmeanslettingHimdothingsHisway!”
“I’vebeenseeingthat,butithelpswhenyouexplainitThere’ssomethingexcitingabout—well,thiswholethingoffaiththatIusedtothinkwasonlyforuneducatedpeoplewhocouldn’tthinkforthemselves.”Kenranoutofwords,buthiseyeshadanewlightthatspokevolumes.
“Hey,you’vecomealongwaysinceIsawyoulast!”exclaimedHal.“It’salwaysexcitingtoseesomeone‘bornagain’andstartingtogrow!”HecouldonlysqueezeKen’sarmastheylookedintoeachother’seyes
withanewsenseofbrotherhood.“I’mgratefultoyouandKarenfornotgivinguponme!”“Goddidn’tgiveuponus,”respondedHalwhenhe’drecoveredhis
voice.“That’swhat’ssofantastic—toknowthattheCreatoroftheuniverseloveseachofuspersonally.Icannevergetoverthewonderofit.SoitmakessensetosurrenderourselvesintoHishands,becauseHehappenstobequiteabitsmarterthanweare—andHereallydoesloveus.SoHiswayisalwaysbest.Onceyou’rethoroughlyconvincedofthat,everythingelsetakescareofitself.”
Kennodded.“I’mconvinced.It’stheonlythingI’veeverfoundthatreallymakessense.AndIusedtothinkthat‘faith’wassomekindofirrationalleapinthedark!”Evenashespoke,therewasaninnerjoythattranscendedthesenseofimpendinglossthathenowfeltsostrongly.
......Carlacameinlatethenextmorningtosaygoodbye.Hereyeswere
red-rimmedandswolleninspiteoftheheavier-than-usualmakeup.Shewasstrong,butherloveforKenwasstrongaswell.He’dbeendreadingthismomentandithaddrivenhimtotryhishandatprayer.Ithadbeenaratherclumsyattempt,butalreadyhe’dexperiencedalighteningoftheburdenandastrengtheningforthebattlesahead.
“Ken,Idon’twantthistodeteriorateintoanemotionalcatharsis,”Carlabegan.“Webothknowthatabarrierhascomebetweenus.”Shehadtoturnawaytohidethetears.
“Carla,Iloveyousomuch!I’ddoanythingthatIhonestlycould.”“Exceptrenounceyournewbeliefs—andIwouldn’taskyoutodo
that.”“Ihopeyoucanrespectmybeliefs.”“Irespectyouandyourrighttobelievewhateveryouwish,butIcan’t
respectwhatyounowbelieve.Ioncebelieveditmyself—andIknowitisn’ttrue.”
“Icouldarguethat,”saidKensoftly,“butIdon’tthinkthatwouldhelpeitherofusrightnow.”
“Iloveyou,Ken—asmuchasever.Iwantyoutoknowthat.”Theireyesmet,andforonebriefmomenttheysharedtheiranguishtogether.
“AndIloveyou,Carla,evenmorethanIeverhavebefore.That’swhythishurtssomuch.Ourloveforeachother—wecan’tletthatbedestroyed.”Theireyesmetagainbriefly,inwordlessempathyforeachother’spain.
Carlawasthefirsttobreakthesilence.“Lovehastohavehelp,Ken.Youknowthat.Eventheclosestrelationshipshavetheirtimesofstrain.Itwouldn’tworktostartoutthisfarapartinsomethingthat’ssoimportanttobothofus.”Shelosthervoice,andtherewasanotherlongsilencebeforeshewasabletocontinue.“Itjustwouldn’twork,”sherepeated.“Itjustwouldn’t.”
“Iwishyou’dgiveussometime.”Ken’seyeswerepleadingwithher,butshecouldn’tmeethisgaze.
“There’llbeplentyoftime,”shesaidinafarawayvoice,“whatevergoodthatwilldo.Itwouldbeagonyforustobeneareachother.I’vealreadymadeupmymind.I’mmovingbacktoD.C.I’vegotlotsofconnectionsthere.”
NowKenhadlosthisvoice.Therewasanotherlong,traumaticsilence.
“Ijustcan’tbelieveit,”Carlaaddedatlast“YouweretheultimateatheistWhathappenedtoallthosearguments?”
Hetookadeepbreath.Godhelpme!“Carla,Idon’tthinkthereissuchathingasaconvincedatheist.IalwaysknewthatGodexisted.Youcan’thonestlypretendtheuniversejusthappenedbychance!Ijustdidn’twanttofacetheconsequences—thatIwasmorallyaccountabletomyCreator.”
Carlacuthimoff.“Ken,Ididn’tcomeheretohaveyoupreachatme.I’veheardplentyofthatmostofmylife!”
“Youaskedmeaquestion.Please,listentome!There’snotadoctorornurseinthishospitalthatcandenythatI’malivingmiracle!Youcan’tdenyit!”
“Oh,can’tI?Myfatherpreachedmiracles.And,ohhowhepreachedagainstsin.”Derisivelyshespatoutthosetwocontemptiblewords.“Andyouknowwhathedid?Hecommittedadultery—notjustwithonewomanbutwithwhoknowshowmany.Eventuallyheranoffwithhissecretaryanddivorcedmymother.Whenshefinallyfacedthehorribletruth,itkilled
her.Shediedofabrokenheart.”“I’msorry,”saidKen,“butthatdoesn’tprove—”
Carlacuthimoffagain.“Prove?I’mgivingyouthefacts!Myfatherhasahugechurchtoday.Hislifestyledoesn’tseemtokeephimfrom‘success’intheself-righteousChristianworld!”
“ButCarla,thereareplentyofChristianswhoarejustasnauseatedbyyourfather’shypocrisyasyouare.Andyourmother—you’vetoldmewhatasaintshewas—shewasaChristian.SohowcanyoucondemnChristbecauseofyourfather?”
Hefellsilent.Whatelsewastheretosay?Shehadturnedaway,unableanylongertobearthepainoflookingintohiseyes.Shepulledthestrapofherpurseoverhershoulderandpreparedtoleave.
“Iwishthishadn’thappenedthisway,”shesaid.“Ididn’tcomehereforadiscussionorargument—justtomakeasimplestatement...andsaygoodbye.”
“Weloveeachother!”Kenpleaded.“Wecanworkourwaythroughthis.”Thenherememberedtheaudiocassetteshe’dbroughtinandtriedtogetitfromthebedsidetable,butitwasjustbeyondhisgrasp.Outofthecomerofhereyeshesawwhathewasreachingforbutmadenomovetohelphim.
“’FireandRain.’JamesTaylor.Youbroughtitbackfromthewreck,”heremindedher.“’Morethansentiment,’youtoldme—itwasahopeyouheldonto.Doyourememberthewords?”Shenoddedalmostimperceptibly.“Iwashummingitthismorning,”hecontinuedeagerly,“andthinkingithadtobemorethancoincidencethatthestereowasplayingthatsongwhenIwentoverthecliff.”
Hebegantosingitsoftly,“LookdownuponmeJesus,You’vegottohelpmemakeastand.You’vejustgottoseemethroughanotherday.Mybody’sachingandmytimeisathand.Iwon’tmakeitanyotherway.”Hereachedouttotouchher,butshepulledherhandaway.“Please,Carla!IplayedthatdozensoftimeswhenIclaimedtobeanatheistandneverthoughtofwhatthewordsmeant.We’velistenedtoittogether.Younevertoldmeyoufoundthewordsoffensive.I’veonlybelievedinJesuslike
thatsongsuggests.Whyhasthatbroughtawallbetweenus?”“StopitKen!There’snopointinprolongingtheagonywebothfeel.
Youknowthatneitherofusisgoingtocompromisewhatwebelievesodeeply,solet’sgetthisbehindus.”Abruptlyshestoodupandwalkedresolutelytowardthedoor.
“Iloveyou,Carla!”hecalledafterher.“Iloveyou!”ForamomentCarla’sfacebrokeasshepausedandhalf-turned.“If
youloveme,thendomeonefavor:Don’teverwasteyourtimeprayingforme!”
Throughabluroftearshewatchedhelplesslyasshewalkedfromtheroomandoutofhislife.
[10]TheFSBConnection
Forsometime,hopeforgenuinecooperationbetweentheWestandRussiahadpervadedtheclimateofinternationalpolitics.ThatalltheformercommunistnationsinEasternEuropehadbeenacceptedintoNATO,madethishopeseemreasonable.Inthemeantime,however,acovertanddesperaterivalrybetweentheCIAandFSB(successortotheKGB)thatwasneverreportedinthepresshadreachednewintensity.IfanoutsideobserverhadbeenabletolookinonacertainclandestinepsychiccommandobasesecludedinthedeepwoodsanhournorthofMoscow,hewouldhavefounditsactivitiesandgoalstobeincompletecontradictiontothepeaceinitiativesbeingoutwardlypromotedbyRussia‘snew“democratic”leaders.
OnablusterydayinlateApril,twoyearsafterthesaleofKenInman‘ssecretlaboratorytotheCIA,RussianArmycolonelAlexeiChernov,commanderofthesecretcommandobase,stoodwatchingaplatoonofhiselitetroops.TheywerepracticingHwarangdoonasoggyfieldthatstillheldafewpatchesofsnowinthealmost-perpetualshadowsofthe12-foot-highwallmarkingthehighlyclassifiedinstallation‘ssouthernperiphery.Chernovwasapowerfulbruteofamanwiththearrogantcockinessofaprofessionalfighter.Insuperbphysicalcondition,heappearedtobemuchyoungerthanhis52years.HavinglostbothparentsintheBattleofStalingrad,hehadcomeupthehardway—throughlifeandinthearmyaswell.Hewasasurvivorineverysenseoftheword.
Onthisparticularday,statuelike,witharmsfolded,Chernovremainedlongerthanusualonapathbehindahedgethatmadeitpossibleforhimtowatchhistroopsunobserved.Anastysituationhaddevelopedatthebasethatoccupiedhisthoughtsandkepthimfromseeingwhatheappearedtobelookingatforsolong.Atlastheseemedtorememberthatheshouldbe
elsewhere.Spinningaround,hetraversedamuddyparadegroundandturnedontoawalkwaythatledbetweentwolongbrickbuildings.Heseemedtobeheadingforthelargeststructureonthebase,straightaheadofhim.Twosoldiersarmedwithautomaticweaponspatrollingjustinfrontofitpreparedtosalute,whenthecolonelsuddenlyturnedofftohisrightdownanotherwalkthatledtowhatappearedtobeagymnasium.
AlargeredsigninfrontoftheguardedbuildingdeclaredinboldCyrillicletters:BEKTEREVRESEARCHINSTITUTE--AUTHORIZEDPERSONNELONLY.Theinsidewasamazeofcorridorslinedwithofficesandlaboratoriesofvarioussizesanddegreesofimportance.Inthecenterwasalargeandelaboratepsychicresearchlaboratorytowhichallcorridorseventuallyled.Itconsistedofamainroomwithseveralauxiliaryroomsadjoining,eachofwhichhadatleastonewindowofone-wayglassopeningontothelab.Thusitwaspossiblefromanumberofanglestoobservethelaboratoryactivitywithoutdisturbingtheconcentrationofthoseinvolved—andofcoursewithoutthoseparticipatingintheexperimentsknowingtheywerebeingwatched.
One-wayglassfromfloortoceilingbetweenthemaincontrolroomandthelabprovidedabroadviewofallactivityfromalocationthatwaselevatedabouttenfeetforbetterobservation.Insidethatvantagepointthescientistincharge,ViktorKhorev—aslim,prematurelygrayingandscholarlylookingmanofabout40—wasdirectingtwoassistantsthroughafinalcheckofacomplexbankofinstruments.Byreasonofdiligenthardworkandanundeniablebrilliance,Dr.KhorevhadestablishedhimselfasthetopRussianinvolvedinadvancedpsychicresearchsosecretthatevenwithintheKremlinitselfonlyahandfulofleadersknewaboutitHisonlyapparentflawwasatroublesomehabitofindependentthinkingthatdidn’tfitwellintotheRussianmilitarysystem—aflawwhichsofarhadbeenlargelyoverlookedinrecognitionofhisgreatvalue,particularlyinrelationtohispresentwork.Inthelabbelow,twootherscientists—PyotrDobrovsky,arelativenewcomer,andDmitriPetrekov,Viktor’sclosecolleagueandconfidantofseveralyears--wereconnectingthelastwirestoamanwho,fromtheperspectiveabove,lookedundersizedandvulnerablewherehereclinedataslightangleinaspecialpaddedarmchair.
Viktorfollowedintentlythequick,suremovementsheobservedbelow.Hisowncomposurewasastudiedprofessionalism.Beneaththesurface,however,likeeachoftheotherscientists,hewasverymuchawarethattheexperimenttheywereabouttobegin—anexperimentwhichhehadnotwantedtoperform—wouldverylikelyendindisaster,ashadthetwoimmediatelypreviousattempts.
“We’rereadydownhere!”crackledDmitri’svoiceovertheintercom.“Iwanttoknowtheinstantanyonedetectstheslightestabnormality—
anything!”orderedViktoroverthemicrophoneinfrontofhim,wherehewasnowseatedatthemaincontrolpanel.“Isthatclear?”
“Right!”cameDmitri’spromptresponsefrombelow.ThetwoassistantsseatedbesideViktornoddedwithouttakingtheireyesfromthepanelbeforethem.There,ondozensofgraphs,needleswerealreadytracingoutbrainwaves,heartbeat,bloodpressure,oxygenlevelinthebloodstream,andothervitaldata.
“You’reclearedfortrancestate,Yakov,”saidViktorquietly.Inspiteofhimself,hisvoicereflectedhisownreluctanceandapprehension.
Thepsychic,securelystrappedintothehugechair,noddedalmostimperceptibly.Hewasalreadywellonhiswaytoout-ofbodyreadiness.Hishands,whichhadgrippedthearmsofthespecialchair,hadnowgonelimp.Totalrelaxationmarkedeveryvisiblemuscularcapability.
“Yakov.Listencarefully.”Viktorwasspeakinginaslowandeven-pacedcadence.“Atthewordstop,youwillinstantlycomeoutofit!Isthatclear?”
“Yes.”Yakov’svoicewasbarelyaudible.Viktorpressedabuttononaspecialpaneltohisleft.Onthescreen
immediatelyinfrontofthepsychicwasprojectedaslideofagroupofseveralbuildingssurroundedbyahighwall.Thenthescenechangedtothecentralstructureofthecomplex.
“ThatisyourtargetYakov.ThelocationisinthecoastalhillssouthofSanFranciscoabout12mileswestofPaloAlto,California.Agentsinthefieldindicateit’saCIAinstallationinvolvedinadvancedpsychicresearch—perhapssimilartoourown.”Viktor’svoicewasdeliberatelyhypnoticnow.“Enterthetargetbuildingandgatherallpossibledatainthetimewe
canallow.Ifyouhaveanytroubleofanykind—eventheslightest—communicateittomeimmediately.Isthatclear?”
Yakovnoddedslowly.Hiseyesglazedoverandontheirsurfacethetargetstructurewasnowdimlyreflected.Theheavylidsdroopedandclosed.
Viktorpushedanotherbuttonandthescreenbegantoreflectacomputer-enhanceddigitalconversionofwhatYakovhimselfwasseeinginhispresumedout-of-bodyjourney.ThepicturewastakendirectlyfromhisbrainwavesthroughaningeniouselectronicenhancementprocessthatViktorhimselfhadonlyrecentlydeveloped.Indistinctandintermittentatfirst,theimageslowlybecameclearerandmorerecognizable.EverythingwasbeingrecordedonvideotapedirectlyfromtheinstrumentprojectingthepictureasYakovwasseeingitinhisbrain.
Theimagebecamesharperasthebuildingwasapproached.Therewasasenseoffloatingthroughspace.WithaslightjerkandamomentaryblackoutthetargetwaspenetratedbyYakovandtheviewwasnowofitsinterior.TheinsidewallsseemedtohavelittlesubstanceasYakov’sprobingmindrepeatedlypassedthroughthemintheprocessoftraversingcorridorsandenteringrooms.
Suddenlytwoshadowyfiguresapproachedfromthebackground,onefromeachsideofthescreen.Forafleetingmomentthefaceofthefigureontherightwhoseemedtobeinalong,hoodedrobe,becameclearlydelineated.Hehadneverappearedinpreviousexperimentsofthisnature.Viktorletoutagruntofrecognition,however,whenthefaceofthemanontheleftcamebrieflyintoview.Thoughhisfeatureswereslightlydistorted,helookedunmistakablylikeStanfordUniversityprofessorFrankLeighton,recentlyarisingstarininternationalpsychicresearchcircles.Hispresencewasquicklyrecordedonacomputer.
“I’minside—nothingspecialtoreportyet.”Yakov’swordscameslowlyandwithgreateffort.“Isensethatthecentrallabisofftomyright.”
SuddenlythehoodedfigureblockedYakov’sprogress,pointingthreateninglyathisinvisibleposition.Inthenextmoment,theimageprojectedfromYakov’sbrainbecameawhirlingkaleidoscopeof
distortions,aphantasmagoriaofgyratingsubstanceandline.Theneedlesmonitoringthepsychic’svitalsignswentberserk.
“Help!”Yakovscreamedinterror.Tmbeingpulledin!They’vegotme!”
“Stop!”Viktoryelledintohismicrophone.“Stop,Yakov!That’sanorder!Stop!”
Yakov’sfacehadbecomeadeathmaskofagony.Hisbodybegantoconvulse,strainingdesperatelyatthestrapsholdinghim.SuddenlytherewasablindingflashasYakovwastornloosebysomeincrediblepowerandthrownacrosstheroom.Hittingtheoppositewall30feetawaywithafrighteningimpact,hisshatteredbodyseemedtohangforamomentbeforedroppingtotheconcretefloorlikeaslabofrawmeat.
“Seetohim!Now!”Viktoryelledintothemike,thenturnedtorunforthestairsleadingtothelabbelow.
DmitrireachedYakov’scrumpledbodyquicklyandrecoiledinhorror.“MoyBog!”hegasped,andstareddownhelplessly.Rushinguptotakecommandoftheemergency,ViktorcouldonlystandtransfixedbesideDmitri.TheviolencewreakedonYakovwasclearlyfarworsethaninthetwoprevious“accidents.”Theredidn’tappeartobeanunbrokenboneinhisbody.YethislefthandgrippedafeltpenofAmericanmanufacturethattheinvestigatorslaterwouldnotbeabletoidentifyasbelongingtoYakovorhavingbeeninthebuildingpriortothatmoment.
AsViktor,Dmitri,andPyotr—thethreescientistsontheproject—watchedinfrozenterror,thatlifelessarmbegantomove.Inclear,blocklettersitprintedabriefsentenceinGreekonthebarefloor.Thescratchingofthefeltpenaddedafinaleerietouchtothemacabrescenebeforethem.Thenthesilenceofdeath.
Stillinshock,Viktorstruggledfranticallytogatherhiswits.“Getacomputertranslationofthatmessage,”hetoldPyotr,whopulledapadfromhispocketand,scarcelyknowingwhathewasdoing,managedtocopythestrangewriting.Withapprehensivebackwardglances,hehurriedfromthelab.
Viktorturnedtoastunnedassistant“Yuri!GetColonelChernovhereimmediately.”
......Inthegymnasium,thecolonelwasseatedinyogapositiononaraised
platformfacingabout40newlyinductedelitetroops,alsoinlotusposition.Hehadjustledthemina20-minutemeditation.Thelast“OM”fadedintothewalls.Eachrecruit,likethecolonel,waswearingablackgiwithFederalTroopsinsignias.Chernovstoodsuddenlyandextendedhisarmswithfistsclenchedtowardthemen.
“Openyoureyes,”hecommandedandmotionedfortwoassistantstobringaheavyslabofconcreteandholditoutinfrontofhim.“Youareabouttowitnessbio-energyextension,”heexplained.“Youwillbetaughttoprojectthisenergybeyondyourbodies.Meditationisthekeyfordevelopingit.”
“Hiyah!”Withaquickkaratejab,Chernov’shandsmashedthroughthesix-inch-thickslab,sendingconcretesplintersflying.“Youassumeitwasmyhandthatsmashedtheconcrete,butyoureyesdeceivedyou.”Chernovpauseddramaticallytolettherecruitsthinkthatover.“Infactmyhandmadenocontact.Theinvisibleforceextendingfrommyhandshatteredtheslab.Thatforce,whenyoulearnthroughmeditationhowtofocusit,actsasaprotectiveshieldovertheentirebody.”
Athinsmiletuggedatthecornersofhismouthashereachedforadelicateglassbeakerandslidhisrighthandintoit.Hemotionedfortwoothermentobringanotherconcreteslabandholditupinfrontofhim.
“Hiyahl”TheColonel’sglass-encasedfistlashedoutwithlightningspeedandagainthedemolishedconcreteslabsplinteredintoahundredpieces.Steppingbackintriumph,Chernovletthedelicateglassbeaker,stillintact,dropfromhishandtothefloor,whereitshattereduponimpact
Arrivingfromthelaboratorystillinshock,Yuriquietlyenteredthegymnasiumandstoodrespectfullyattherear,anxiouslytryingtogetthecolonel’sattention.Therewasnomistakingthelookofterroronhisface.AtlastChernovnoticedandquicklymotionedforhimtocomeforward.
“Yakovhasbeenkilled!”Yuriwhisperedbreathlessly.Chernov’seyesblazedwithanger.Withoutaskingfurtherdetails,he
puthisassistant,MajorRusak,inchargeandimmediatelyhurriedfromthegym,followedcloselybyYuri.
......BythetimeChernoventeredthelab,Viktorwasbackinthecontrol
roomgoingoverthedataandshakinghisheadinpuzzledunbelief.Seeingthecolonel,hecamedowntojoinhimbesidethebody.
“Thismanwasyourresponsibility,Dr.Khorev!”barkedChernov.“No!”Viktorrespondedfirmly.“Iwasnotinfavorofriskinganother
life.Thatwasyourdecision.”“TheCommitteegavetheorder.”“Butonyourinsistence.”Thoughsofrailincomparison,Viktorstoodhisgroundalmostnoseto
nosewithhispowerfullybuiltsuperior,staringhimdownwithunwaveringeyes.Thecolonelhadlongfoundthisunbreakableman’sindividualityandunorthodoxbehaviormaddening.Watchingatasafedistancewhiledirectingtherestofthestaffinshuttingdownequipmentandgatheringrippedwiresanddebris,Dmitrifeltagrowingsenseofdread.
Chernov’smindwasmadeup.He’dhadonepassionformonthsnow:tonailKhorev’shidetothewall—andthiswasmorethansufficientjustification.“Yakov’sdeathhasjeopardizedtheprogram.Youlethimdie!Why?”
“Hedidn’tdie,”Viktorsnappedback.“Hewaskilledliketheothers—bysomethingbeyondourcontrol.Itoldyouthatwewerewarned,butyouwouldn’tletmetellthattotheCommittee.”
“Warned?That’sfantasy!”“Colonel,listentothistapeofYakov’slastwords.”Viktorquickly
wenttoanearbycontrolpanelandpushedabutton.Yakov’svoicecameoverthespeaker.“Help!I’mbeingpulledin!They’vegotme!”
Turningoffthesound,Viktordemanded,“They’vegotme.Whoarethey,Colonel?Certainlynooneinthislab.HewasoutofbodyinsidethatCIAlabinCalifornia.That’swhotheyare,Colonel!They
gothim—justliketheygotthetwobeforehim—andthat’swhyIdidn’twanttoriskanotherman,butyouinsisted!”
“Hewasincoherentatthatpoint”objectedChernov,pointingtothewritingonthefloor.“Lookatthatgibberish.”
“Yakovwasdeadbeforehewrotethat!”
“Impossible!”“Wehavethedatarecordedonthemonitors.”“Hewasrippedoutofthewires,”saidChernov.“You’vegotnothing
whenhewaslyinghere!”“Lookathisbody—andhismangledleftarm.Evenifhe’dstillbeen
alive,hecouldn’thavewrittenanything!”AtthatmomentPyotrreturnedandhandedapieceofpapertoViktor.
“Here’sthetranslationofyourgibberish,Colonel.ItwaswritteninGreek.”ViktorhelditoutforChernovtoseeforhimself,thenbegantoreadaloud:“DeathtoPrometheus.Archon.”
“Thisisthethirdwarning,Colonel.”“Prometheus?Archon?”growledChernov.“Ifthosearecodenamesfor
Americanagents,we’llhuntthemdown—ifittakesthewholeFSBworldwidenetwork!”
“YoumighttrylookingfirstonMountOlympus,headquartersofthegods,”suggestedViktorcaustically,makingnoattempttosoftenthederisioninhisvoice,eventhoughheknewhowdangerousitwastobaitChernov.“SurelyyourememberfromyourwidereadingthatinGreekmythologyPrometheusstolefirefromthegodsandtheypunishedhim.It’squiteobviousthatArchonhaspunishedus!”
Chernov’sfacebecamelivid.Whathelackedineducationhemadeupforinnativecunning.Viktor’sstingingsarcasmwouldberepaidnotwithbrutestrength,butwithafalseaccusationhewouldfinddifficulttodeny.“You’resayingthegodsdidthis?Doctor,theCommitteemeetstomorrowtoinquireaboutthetwopreviousdeaths—andnowwehaveathird.We’llseehowamusedthey’llbewithyourfairytales!”Heturnedabruptlyandstormedoutofthelab.
Dmitri’sconcernhadturnedtodismay.Hewasterrifiedforhisfriend.“Come,takealookatthis,”hesaid,motioningViktortowardtheshatteredchair.Astheybentoverittogether,Dmitriwhispered:“He’sadangerousman,Viktor,andheintendstodestroyyou.Don’tmakeiteasierforhim!”
Viktor’smindwaswrestlingwiththeimmediatepuzzlebeforethem.“Thecolonelisright”hesaidsoftly.“Deadmendon’twritemessages.”
“Butweallsawithappen!”
“Yakovwasdead,Dmitri.Andevenalivehisbraincouldnothavecommandedhisarminthatconditiontomove.Sowhathappenedcouldn’thavebeenYakov’ssubconscious.That’stheestablishedtheorywe’vebeenclingingtoinspiteoftheevidence.Butwecan’tescapethetruthanylonger.Ifitwasn’thisunconsciousmindwhenhewasdead,thenitneedn’thavebeenwhenhewasalive!Somethingelseisincontrol—evenwhenwedon’trealizeit!”
“Whatdoyoumean?”“We’rebeingwatchedandmanipulatedbysomehigherintelligence.
Archon,whoeverorwhateverthatrepresents,islettingusknowthatitholdsthekeytopsychicpowersandisnothappywiththewaywe’reusingthem.”
Dmitriwastoostunnedbythisrevolutionaryideatoreply.“I’lltellyouwhatelseitmeans,”suggestedViktor.“Archonmustexistoutsidethematerialdimension,butwiththecapabilityofinvadingitatwill!”
InstantlyDmitriputacautionaryhandonhisfriend’sshoulder.“Youkeeptalkinglikethatandyou’llendupinalaborcamp!”hewhispered.
Theybothglancedanxiouslyaroundandnoticedasoldierstandinginthedoorwayandstrainingtohearwhattheyweresaying.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Viktordemanded.“We’vecomeforthebody,sir.”“Well,takeitthen,”hebarked,thensaidtoDmitri,“Ifeellikesome
freshair.”Viktorturnedtotherestofhisstaff,whostillseemedtobetoo
shockedtofunction.“Ithinkitwoulddousallgoodtogetoutofhere.Getsomerest.Tomorrowisthehearing,andyoushouldallbepreparedtogiveaclearaccountofwhatyou’vewitnessed.”
......Outside,thetwocomradesfoundabenchinasecludedplace,where
theykepttheirfacesturnedawayfrombuildingsthatmighthideeavesdroppingdevicespoisedintheirdirection.EarnestlyViktortriedtopersuadehisfriend.“Listentome,Dmitri!Everyoneadmitsthatiflifecouldstartonearth,itcouldhappenonotherplanetstoo.Therehastobeintelligentlifeoutthere,andfindingitisasignificantpartofthespace
program—forusandtheAmericans.Isn’tthattrue?”“Ofcourse,”concededDmitri,wonderingwhatthishadtodowith
Viktor’sunthinkableperformancewithChernov.“We’vehadcontactwithintelligentlifefrombeyondearth!Can’tyou
seethat?Butitisn’tthekindwewereexpecting,andwedidn’tfindthemthroughprobingouterspace.They’vecometous—ininnerspace.Wehaven’tseentheirbodiesbecauseIdon’tthinktheyhaveany!”
“Watchyourstep!”respondedDmitri.“Thinkit,ifyouwish,butdon’teversayit—noteventome.IftheCommitteeeversuspectsyouthinknonphysicalintelligencesexist—well,don’texpectmetovisityouinSiberia!”
“ForgettheCommitteeandgivemeahearing,comrade.You’retheonlyoneIcantalkto.Now,supposetheseentitiesdoexist...”
“Whatentities?Yourthesisispurefantasy.Wesawtwofiguresonthevideo.Youthinktheywerenonphysical?”
“Dr.Leighton,ofcourse—yourecognizedhim,too,I’msure—wasphysical.Hecouldbeinchargeofthelab.Buttheotherfigure—thehoodedone—theforcecamethroughhim.I’msureofit!SincewhendoestheCIAwearsuchrobes?ThatwasanArchon—dressedlikedeath!”
Dmitrilookedaroundapprehensively.“Keepyourheaddownwhenyoutalk,”hehissed.“You’regettingcareless.Theyhavedevices.”
“Iknowthedevices.We’retoofaraway—solongaswefaceawayfromthebuildings.”ButheleanedclosertoDmitriashecontinued.“Nowlistentome.Idon’tthinktheAmericanshavethecapabilityofdoingwhatwejustsawtoday!ArchonkilledYakovandtheothers.ArchonisnotacodenamefortheCIA!Idon’tthinkArchonhasabodyofitsown;itusesthebodiesofothers.MaybeitkillsCIAagents,too.Itmusthaveitsownpurpose.WhoorwhatisArchon—andwhatisitupto?I’vegottofindout!”
Fromwherethetwofriendssattheycouldseeamilitaryvandriveuptothefrontdoorofthelabcomplex.Feelingstrangelydetachedfromthehorrortheyhadjustexperienced,theywatchedastwosoldiersemergedfromthebuildingcarryingYakov’scrushedremains.Theyshovedthebodyintothevehicle,climbedin,anddroveoff.
DmitripleadedearnestlywithViktor.“Youcan’tbringYakovandtheothersbackbysacrificingyourself!WhatisthepurposeofangeringChernov?Don’tdoit!Andifyouwanttosurvivetopursueyourresearch,thendon’ttrytobeahero.JusttelltheCommitteewhattheywanttohear!”
“Ihaveaplan,”saidViktorcryptically.AndwhenDmitri’seyesaskedtoknowwhatitwas,Viktoronlyshookhishead.
[11]FortheRecord
ThecommitteeoverseeingPsychicWarfareResearchhadalreadybeenscheduledtomeetforafullhearingtoinquireintothecauseofthepreviousdeathsoftwopsychics.Nowtheyhadathirddeathontheirhands.Understandably,theatmospherewasextremelytense.Viktordidhisbesttoappearincommandofhimself(althoughacertainamountofnervousnesswasexpectedasamatterofrespect)whenhewascalledatlastintothesmallconferenceroomdownthehallfromthelaboratory.Itwasaclosedhearing,withonlythefourRussianArmyofficerspresent—twogeneralsandtwocolonels—asjudgeandjury.Sosecretwasthesubjectmatterthatnotevenastenographerwasincluded.Theofficersmadetheirownnotesasthehearingprogressed,and,ofcourse,itwasallrecordedonaudiocassettes.
AlthoughViktorhadnotbeenconsultedinitscomposition,heknewexactlywhatColonelChernov’swrittenreportstatedbecausehehadbeengivenacopylatetheeveningbefore.Itwastheusualhead-in-sandnonsensethatechoedthematerialisticline,anditangeredViktor.Itwouldtakeallofhisself-controltogoalongwithit.Thenewdemocratizationhadchangedlittleatthislevelofoperations.
HeandDmitrihadtalkedlateintothenight,andheknewthathisfriendwasrightItwouldbesuicidetoattempttogetthecommitteetounderstandwhathesuspected.TheonlysensiblecoursewastoparrotChernov’sreport,hissupposed“findings,”whichwassimplywhatthecolonelknewhissuperiorswantedtohear.Dialecticalmaterialismwasstillthecontrollingideologydespiteexaggeratedreportstothecontrary.Defendingestablisheddogmaswasfarmoreimportantthandiscoveringthetruth,eventhoughofficiallythatstateofaffairswasnowdeniedandrelegatedtothepast.Somethingsweresimplyapartofhumannatureno
matterwhatregimemightbeinpowerandwhatidealsitmightespouse.AllofhislifeundertheformerSovietsystem,Viktorhadnourished,
andsuppressed,abitterhatredofthenecessityforsheersurvival’ssakeofneverexpressingone’strueopinions.Perpetuallytornbetweenhypocrisyorprison,hehadalwaysswallowedhisprideintheendandoptedfortheformer—thoughsometimesbythenarrowestofmargins.Andnow—underthenew“freedom”—solittlehadchanged.Deepinhishearthemaintainedhisintegrity,andheknewthatthedaywouldeventuallycomewhenthedamwouldburstandpourforthafloodofcherishedconvictionsthatwouldsendhimtoprisonwithhisheadheldhigh—atlast.Onthisoccasion,however,Viktorhadapreeminentmotiveforcontrollinghistongue.Hisplandependeduponsurvivingthishearing—aplanthathedarednotdisclose,atleastnotyet,eventoDmitri,theonemanontheentirebasethathetrusted.
Customarilyonlyonewitnesswascalledinatatime,andnodiscussionbetweenwitnessesofanytestimonywaspermittedoutsidethehearing.Nooneworkinginthelabwastoknowwhatanyoneelsehadtestified.ViktorwaitedinthecorridorformorethantwohourswhileChernovmadehispresentationbeforetheCommittee.AsthecolonelexitedandViktorentered,neithermanlookedattheother.Thatwascustomary—anindicationthattherewasnocollusionbetweenthem.Eventheslightestchangeinexpression,theinterplayofaglance,couldbecauseforsuspicion.
ViktorcametoattentioninfrontofGeneralNikolaiGorky,thesteelyeyedchairman.Seatedtohisright,behindthesameslightlyraisedtable,wasGeneralAliyev.ToGorky’sleftsatthetwocolonels—OstapenkoandLutsky.Therewasnoattempttosethimatease.UpontheshouldersofthesemenlaytheresponsibilityofpreparingtheRussianRepublicforthedeadliestwarfareeverconceived,aresponsibilitythattheycarriedwiththeutmostsolemnity.TheonlymaninRussiawhofullycomprehendedwhattheywereinvolvedwithwastheFSBdirectorhimself.Therewasnoroomforerror,andanythingatthesecretbasethatwastheleastoutoflinehadtobedealtwithharshlyandimmediately.
Viktorknewbyexperiencethathewasjustapawnonthechessboard.
Likealloftheothers,includingColonelChernov,hewasamanwhoknewfartoomuch.Hissurvivaldependedsolelyuponhisabilitytocontinuetoproducewhatwasvitaltotheprogram.Ifheeverfailedinthat,hewouldendupsomewhereinthegulag—iftheydecidedtolethimliveatall.HealsoknewthatbynowtheunbendingsuperiorshefacedhadalreadycometotheirconclusionsbaseduponChernov’sbullheadedinput,andhemustnotsayanythingthatwouldrocktheirboat.Hehadsurvivedthisordealfourtimesbeforeandwasdeterminedtodoitagain.
GeneralGorkywasshufflingthroughsomepapersandbarelyacknowledgedViktor’spresencewhenheentered.FinallyhefoundwhathewantedandlookeduptostareViktorcoldlyintheeye.“Dr.Khorev,theautopsydeclarescardiacarresttobethecauseofdeathinbothcases—andnowinthethirdaswell.Weallunderstandthatthetypeofexperimentthesemenwereinvolvedin—so-called‘outof-body’journeysforthepurposeofintelligencegathering—putsagreatstrainontheheart.Werethereanywarningsignstoalertyou?Ifnotwhynot?Andifso,whydidyounotstoptheprocedureintime?”
“Sir,asyouknow,”beganViktor,choosinghiswordscarefully,“mymedicalassistant,Dr.Chevchenko,whoispresentduringallofourexperiments,wasbroughtintotheprogramtwoyearsagobecauseofhismanyyearsofexperienceasacardiacexpertandsurgeon.Hedetectednosigntoindicateanimminentheartattackinanyofthesubjects,norcouldhefindanyindicationaftercarefullygoingoverthegraphswithmeseveraltimessince.Wesimplyhadnowarningthatanythingwaswrong,andthustherewasnowaywecouldhaveabortedtheprocessintimetosavethelivesofthesemen—comradeswhowereveryclosetomeandsoimportanttowhatwearealldedicatedtoaccomplish.”
“Thenhowcanyouexplainwhathappened?”“IhaveaskedDr.Chevchenko,andhehasnoexplanation.Heisgiving
firstprioritytoestablishingadditionalsafeguards,buthehascomeupwithnothingasyet.Wewillkeepworkingonthat,butIthinkweallrecognizebynowthattheseexperimentsareextremelydangerous.”
Gorkyturnedtohiscolleagues.“Doesanyonehaveanyfurtherquestionsregardingthematterofmedicalproceduresandsafeguards?”
Thethreeofficersshooktheirheads.“Nowwecometosomethingfarmoreserious,somethingthatisnot
discussedintheofficialreportgiventoyoubyColonelChernovlastnight.HehasinformedthisCommitteethatyoumadesomereferenceto‘gods.’Weareassumingthatwasinjest,butthatyouwerenotjestingwhenyoustatedtohimthatwearebeingwarnednottoproceedwiththisprogram.Iviewthatstatementwithgreatconcern.Whatdoyouhavetosayforyourself?”
Viktordrewaquickbreath.“OfcourseIwasnotseriousaboutthe‘gods.’WhileIpresumedColonelChernovrecognizedthatIadmititwasanill-advisedremark.I’mafraid,also,thatmyotherstatementstothecolonelmayhavebeenhasty.”
“Hastyinwhatregard?”“Well,there—uh—couldbeotherexplanations.Imayhavebeen
overreactingunderthestressoftheoccasion.Icantellyouthatwhatwewitnessedyesterdaywasnotonlyawesomebutterrifying—asIthinktheotherswhowerepresentwillalltestify.”
“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion.Hastyinwhatregard?”“Iexpressedanopinionaboutthemeaningofthemessagethatwas
givenunderthestressofthemomentandhadnotbeencarefullythoughtouttoaconclusion.”
“Haveyoucometothatconclusionbynow?”“No,sir,Ihavenot.‘DeathtoPrometheus’doesseemtobeawarning.
Itsexactmeaning,however,remainsamystery—whichmayindeedbetheintent.”
GeneralAliyevhadbeenshiftinginhischairrestlesslyanddrumminghisfingersonthetableasiftoshowhisimpatiencewiththelackofprogress.Heinterruptedatthispoint“Therehasbeenaconsistentpatterntotheseso-calledmessages.Isthatnottrue?Foronething,eachhasbeensignedby‘Archon.’Youareresponsible,Dr.Khorev,todeterminetheirsource—andalsotheirmeaning.ThisCommitteeiswaitingtohearsomethingsubstantivefromyou.Instead,you’vegivenusnothingbutvagueapologies.”
“IfyoutookapolloftheleadingRussianpsychologists,”replied
Viktorquickly,“I’mcertaintheconsensuswouldbethatthesourceofthesemessageshastobethedeepunconsciousofeachpsychic.Thatthreedifferentindividualshave,intheirdeaths,givenusmessagesthataresoconsistentincontentmustbeattributedtothecollectiveunconsciousthatissharedbyallmembersoftherace.Theconsistencyinthepresentationofthemessagescanalsobeexplainedonthesamebasis,whichiswhyIwouldpersonallyconsiderthistobetheonlypossibletheory.”
ColonelLutskywasshufflingloudlythroughsomepapersinanapparentshowofdisapproval,andColonelOstapenkohadclearedhisthroat,shovedhischairback,andturnedhisheadseveraltimestowardGeneralGorky.AsforGorky,hissteelyeyeswerestaringwithunblinkingintensityintoViktor’s.
Determinedtokeephistrainofthoughtandnottobeunnerved,Viktorpushedonwithhisexplanation.“Inthealteredstateofconsciousnessthatasyouknow,istheonlywayweknowofforengagingintheseexperiments,thesubconsciousmindcontrolsthemotormuscles.Thisoftenresultsinwhathasbeencalled‘automaticwriting.’Ineachcase—”
“We’refamiliarwiththemechanics,”interruptedGeneralAliyevimpatiently.“Whatwemustknowistheinterpretationofthemessage.”
“I’mleadinguptothatGeneral,”respondedViktorrespectfully.“Tomakeaninterpretation,itisimportanttoconsiderthesource—whichiswhyIgavesuchalengthyexplanationtosupportmybeliefthatthesubconsciousistheculprit,atleastbyalloftheindications.”
“Suchaswhat?”demandedAliyev.Viktorwastroubled,wonderingwhythegeneralseemedtoberesisting
theveryexplanationhehadbeensocertaintheywantedtohear.TherewasnowayofknowingwhatAliyevortheothersmighthaveinmindifitweren’tthematerialisticline,andViktordidnotdaretochangehisplannedresponse.Thiscouldbeatrap—anattempttoencouragehimtobetrayhimself.
“Foronething,wehaveineachcaseareferencetoGreekmythology.”Viktorwasdoinghisbesttoseemrelaxedandsincere.Theremustbenoindicationthatthequestioningwasbotheringhim.“Yesterday,forexample,itwasPrometheus—afigurethatcouldindicateasubconscious
fearonthepartofYakovthathewastreadingondangerousground.ManyRussianpsychologistsagreewiththetheoryofCarlJungthatthecollectiveunconsciousisrichwithprimitivememoriesembodiedinarchetypes,someofwhichhavebecomethesubstanceofmythology.Itwouldbeentirelyconsistentwiththistheorytoexpecttheverykindsof‘messages’thatwehavebeenreceiving.Theinterpretation,then—”
Gorkycuthimoff.“Doctor,youdon’tseemtounderstandourconcern.WhatGeneralAliyevissayingisthis:Wehavebeengetting‘messages’fromsomesourcetellingusnottoproceed.Isthatnotthecase?”
“Yes,sir.”“Nowwhowouldmostbenefitifweshutdownourresearch?”Viktorwasstunnedbytheunexpecteddirectionthequestioninghad
taken,butdidhisbestnottobetrayhisemotions.“TheAmericans,Isuppose,”herepliedcautiously.“ButIdon’t—”
Gorkycuthimoffagain,andhistonehardened.“ThreeofourbestpsychicsdiewhileprobingwhatwebelieveisanAmericanintelligenceinstallationdoingadvancedresearchsimilartoourown.Doesn’tthattellyouanything,Doctor?”
“Idon’tthinktheAmericanshavethecapability—”“Youdon’tthink—youdon’tthink!Opinionsareuseless.Weneed
facts.Yourjobistofigureouthowtheydoit—andstopthem!”“We’vebeendoingourbest,General,todiscovertheirmethods
throughpsychicprobes,butIdon’tseehowwecancontinueourpresentapproach.Don’twehaveagentsabroadwhocanpenetratetheirorganizations?”
“Thathasnothingtodowiththishearing,”Gorkyremindedhimcoldly.“Yourlaboratoryhasitsownreasonsforexistenceanditsspecificassignments.Areyousuggestingthat,infact,ithasnofunctionthatisdifferentfromagentsabroad,andthatweshutitdown?”
“No,sir,IamnotsuggestingthatIunderstandyourpointandwearedoingourbesttofulfillourfunction,butweseemtohaveconfrontedaforcethatisbeyondourpresentcapabilities.”
“Precisely!”returnedGorky.“Andthatistheintolerablestateofaffairsthatthishearingisintendedtoaddress—andtoresolve!”Thegeneral
hesitatedforamoment,asthoughuncertainwhethersomethingoughttobementioned,thenproceeded.“ThefeltpenwithwhichYakovwrotethemessageisofAmericanmake.SuchapenisnoteasilyavailableinRussia.HowdidYakovobtainit?”
“Ihadneverseenitbefore,norhadanyoneinthelaboratory.Iwouldswearitwasnottherepriortotheincident.”
Gorkyheldupthepeninquestion.“You,Dmitri,andPyotrpersonallyobservedYakovwritingwiththispen?”
“Yes,sir,andwithhislefthand.Hehappenstoberight-handed,andIhaveneverknownhimeventoattempttowritewithhisleft.Ofcourse,inatranceanythingispossible.”
“Idon’tthinkanyoneputsmuchimportanceinthat,Doctor.It’sthepenwewanttogetstraight.”
“It’sanAmericanpen!”interjectedGeneralAliyev.“NotGerman,notFrenchorEnglish,butAmerican.”
“Ofcourse,”Viktoraddedthoughtfully,goingalongcompletelynow,“hewaspsychicallyinAmericaatthetimethisoccurred.Wedon’tevenknowwhatsuchastralprojectioninvolves.ConceivablysomethingfromAmericasomehowbecamepsychicallyattachedtohimandappearedinthelabatthetimehesuddenlycamebackintohisbody.”
“Canwebesurehe‘cameback’?”Gorkyaskedsharply.“WhatdoesDr.Chevchenkosay?”
“Hedoesnotknow,sir.I’mafraidthattheunknownsoutnumbertheknownswhenitcomestoout-of-bodytravel.”
GorkyturnedtoAliyev.“Youwantedtosaysomethingelse,General?”“We’redealingwithaforce,”declaredAliyevgrimly,“thatcould
maketheatomicbomblookprimitive.IftheAmericanswintheracetocontrolpsychicpower,that’stheend!WehavebeenassuredforyearsthatAmericanscientistsridiculepsychicpower,thattheirgovernmentspendsverylittleonsuchresearch,andthatwearefaraheadintherace—sofaraheadthattheycannevercatchus.Thatnolongerseemstobethecase.Andyou,Khorev,willhavetoshouldertheblame!”
“Thisisasuddenturnthathascomeonlyinthepastfewweeks.”Viktorwasreelingnow.Hehadbeensoconfidentthathecouldweather
thisprocedure.“IwouldnothaveriskedYakov,believeme,butIunderstoodthatthecommitteeinsisteduponit.”
“Youhadanotherplan?”askedAliyevderisively.“Whydidn’tyoutellus?”
Ofcourse,hecouldn’ttellthecommitteethattheywerestubborn,mulishfoolswhodiscouragedanygenuineexchangeofideas,buthewantedto.Oh,howhewantedtodojustthat!“Idon’thaveaplanatthemoment,and,untilwedoIdon’tthinkit’swisetomakeanotherattemptofthisnature.”
“Wehaveaplan,”interruptedGeneralGorky.“Tomorrow,whenyouflytoParisfortheopeningoftheFirstInternationalCongressonParapsychology,therewillbesomeadditionstoyourdelegation.Everyone—includingyou—willbeunderthecommandofColonelChernov,whowillposeasyourassistant.Theremustbenohintthatyouarenotreallyinchargeofthedelegationinyourpublicappearancestogether.Isthatclear?”
“Yes,sir!”respondedViktorquickly,relievedtoknowthathewasstilltobeallowedtoleavefortheWestThatwasessentialtohisownplan—orwasitadream?—thathe’dbeengoingovercarefullyforseveralmonths.
“I’vedraftedastatementwhichyouwillincludeinyouraddresstotheCongress,”continuedGorky.“Itcallsforstrictcontrolsontheuseofpsychicpowerandforthefreeexchangeofresearchfindings.Yourassignmentistoseetoitthatthisresolutionisadopted.AndIexpectyoutocomebackwithaninvitationforyouandtwoassistantstovisittheCIA’sCaliforniainstallation.Inreturn,youwillinviteDr.FrankLeightontovisityouhere.”
Gorkyturnedtohisfellowofficers.“Ifnooneelsehasanythingfurthertoadd...”
“Sir,themedicalreport,”ColonelLutskyremindedhim.“Indeed.Onemorequestion,Khorev.”ToViktor’srelief,Gorky’stone
wasnolongerthreatening.“YourreportseemedtosuggestthatYakovdiedpriortowritingthemessage.Obviouslyimpossible,isitnot?”
“Thatwasanoversight,sir.ColonelChernovhadalreadypointedouttometheobviousfactthatthemonitorshadmalfunctionedbeforeYakov
wasrippedfromthecontrols.Andoncethewireshadbeentornfromhim,ofcourse,wenolongerhadanymeansofdeterminingexactlywhenhedied.InthatcasewecanonlygobycommonsenseandIheartilyconcur.Thereportwillberewrittenandtherecordscorrected,sir.”
[12]ADesperateDecision
EverythingelsewasmereformalityafterViktor’sacquiescencetothe“correction”inthemedicalreport.TheCommitteespentlittletimequestioningDr.Chevchenko,Dmitri,andtheothers,whosetestimonyaddednothingtowhatwasalreadyknown.WhenColonelChernovreturnedtobeapprisedoftheCommittee’sofficialfindings,hestronglyexpressedonceagainthesamesuspicionsthathehadconsistentlypresentedinthepast.
“WhileIhavenoproofasyet”Chernovdeclared,“IamconvincedthatDr.Khorevisthemainlinkinallthreedeaths.Furthermore,IalsosuspectthatheneverwasaMarxist.HehasalwayshaddisloyalleaningstowardtheWest,eventhoughsofarnothingofthatnaturehasbeenpickeduponanyofthemonitorsinhisofficeorlaborapartment.IurgetheCommitteenottosendhimtoParis.He’sahighriskbeyondourborders—heknowstoomuch!”
“Weunderstandyourfeelingsandhaveourownsuspicions,”repliedGorky.“ButwithoutKhorevtoheadit,ourdelegationwouldnotbetakenseriously,andthatwouldjeopardizeourentiremission.Youdon’tdenythat?”
“I’mthinkingoftherisk,sir,ofhavingadisloyalmanontheteam.”“Youareincharge,Colonel,”Gorkyremindedhimicily.“Areyou
suggestingthatyoucan’thandlethesituation?TheCommitteethoughtyouwerecompetent—inspiteofthefactthatweentrustedyouwiththeinvestigationofthesedeaths,andyourlatestreportaddsnonewinsights.”
“Iapologizeforthelackofprogress,sir.”“We’reinterestedinresults,notapologies,Colonel.Youhaveyour
assignmentArethereanyfurtherquestions?”“No,sir.”
......WhenDmitrireturnedtothelablateinthedayafterhistestimonyhad
beentaken,therewasnoopportunitytoaskViktorhowhehadfaredbeforetheCommittee.Dr.Chevchenkowasthere,goingbackoverthechartsforallthreepsychicsagainandagain,searchingforsomecluehehadnotbeenabletoseeinhismanypreviousreviews.YuriwasassistingPyotrinrepairingthewiringthathadbeenrippedout,andtheotherlabworkersweregoingoveralltheelectronicsineverymonitoringmachineandrecordingdevice,tomakecertainthattherewasnohiddendamage.AppearingbeforetheCommitteehadgiveneveryoneafreshmotivationforworkingovertimetomakeupforthefailuresofthepast.Thatburdenwassharedbyallunderthecommonguiltofthethreedeathsthattorturedmemoriesandcastapalluponthefuture.
Astheeveningworeon,exhaustionovertookthemonebyone.Atlastwhenthehandsofthelargeclockonthelaboratorywallhadmovedpastmidnight,onlyDmitriandViktorremained.BythistimeViktorwasdownthehallinhisoffice,whereDmitrihurriedtojoinhim.Hefoundhisfriendgoingthroughfiledrawersasthoughhislifedependeduponit.
“Thesefileswillstillbeherewhenyougetback,”Dmitrisuggested.“Yououghttobehomepackingandgettingagoodnight’ssleep!”
“Iampacking,”saidViktor,continuingtoworkwithoutlookingup.“I’mgatheringsomepapersthatI’llneedonmytrip.”
“Allofthat?”askedDmitri,wavingatanalreadyoverstuffedandverylargebriefcase.
Viktorwipedhisbrowandsatdownbehindhisdeskwithatiredsigh.“I’llhavetimetosleepontheplane.Thisisveryimportant.”
“Well,tellme,goodcomrade,howdiditgotoday?I’vebeendyingtofindout!”
“Ithinkitwentwell,Dmitri.ThereweresomeanxiousmomentswhenIfearedmytripwasfinished,butintheendIthinktheyweresatisfied.IwentalongwiththeirtotallyinsaneideathattheAmericanshavebeenkillingourbestmen.Thatmadethemhappy.”
Dmitriquicklyputawarningfingertohislipsandshookhisheadvigorously,horrifiedthatViktorwouldspeaksocarelesslyinhisoffice.
“Don’tworry,oldfriend,”Viktorresponded,laughingattheexpressiononDmitri’sface.“Doyouthinktheycanhideanelectronicbugfromme?IputtogethermyowndetectionequipmentandIuseittosweepthisofficeeverymorning.Asfastastheyputtheirbugsin,Itakethemout.”
“Youdo?”DmitriwasastonishedatViktor’sboldness.“Ido.Itwascostingthemaczar’sransom.Thosethingsareexpensive.
Finallytheygaveup.Ihaven’tfoundoneforweeks—andIjustcheckedagainthismorning,sodon’tworry.”
Dmitrilookedrelieved,butstillapprehensive.“Don’tworry,”Viktorassuredhimagain,reachingintohisshirtpocket
topulloutascrapofpaper.DmitricouldseethatitwastheveryoneonwhichPyotrhadcopiedthemessagefromArchon.“I’vebeenthinkingalotaboutthis.”
“Youshoulddestroythatbeforeitdestroysyou!”exclaimedDmitriinalarm.
“Ican’tI’mobsessedbyitTherehastobeanoutsideintelligencebehindthesemessages.”
“Ifyouwanttosurvive,”Dmitrirespondedquickly,“you’dbetteragreewithGorky.TheAmericanswerebeingprobed,theydidn’tlikeit,andtheyretaliated.It’sthatsimple.Itcertainlymakessense,sowhyfightit?”
“Certainly,certainly.”Viktor’svoicedrippedsarcasm.TheAmericanscankillanyofusatwillfromthousandsofmilesaway!Doyouwanttobethefirsttosurrender,orshallI?Ihaven’tnoticedGorkywavingawhiteflag—it’sstillblood-red!”
Viktorpausedtoletthatsinkin,thencontinued.“There’sonlyoneexplanationthatfitsthefacts,Dmitri.I’vewrestledwiththis,butyoujustcan’tescapeit.We’redealingwithintelligencesfarmorehighlyevolvedthananyAmericans.I’mconvincedtheArchonsdon’thavebodies,buttheyhaveincredibleminds.Theymustbethemastersofthepsychicpowerwe’vebeenseeking.Andthey’renothappywithwhatwe’redoing.”
“Please,Viktor.Stayawayfromsuchideas.”
“BecauseI’mafraidofChernovorGorky?Whataboutthefacts?Asascientist,Ihavetoknowthetruth!”
Thereisalsosuchathingasbeingpractical,”arguedDmitripassionately.“Itwon’thelpthecauseoftruthtogetyourselfsenttoalaborcampinSiberia!Yellyour‘truth’asloudasyouwantupthereforallthegooditwilldo.Youmayconvincethewolves,butnobodyelsewillhearyou!”Hestood,resolutely,putbothhandsonthefrontofViktor’sdesk,andleanedoveruntilhisfacewasonlyafootfromhisfriend’s.“Youmaynotlikethis,Viktor,butIdon’tthinkyourtheorymakesanymoresensethanGorky’s.Takethematterofamotive,forexample.TheAmericanshaveagoodone.Buthighlyevolvednonphysicalintelligences?Whatwouldsuchentitieswantwithhumans?We’vegotnothingtoofferthem—iftheydo,infact,exist.AndwhywouldtheyinterferewhenwetrytoprobetheAmericansbutletusproceedwithallofourotherexperiments?Itellyou,itdoesn’taddup!Evenifhe’swrong,Gorkycanmakeabettercasethanyoucan.”
Thatoutburstended,Dmitrisankbackintohischair.Thenheaddedinamoreconciliatorytone,“AndIthinkyou’rebothwrong.”
“Youdo?”askedViktorinsurprise.“Thentellme:What’syourtheory?”
“Ican’texplainitwellenoughyet.ButwhenIcan,thenI’lltellyou.”“Nowyouhavemecurious,Dmitri!ButIcan’twait.Thisthingdrives
medayandnightI’vegottofindtheanswertothispuzzle!”Viktorsearchedaroundanddugsomephotocopiesofmagazine
articlesoutofadrawer,wavedthematDmitri,thendroppedthemontothepilethatwasoverflowinghisbriefcase.“I’vebeenreadingsomepapers—likethese—byanAmericanpsychicresearchernamedKenInman.Hearguesverypersuasivelyfornonphysicalintelligencesbeingbehindallpsychicpower.Hehassomerevolutionaryideasthatarequiteconvincing,butIcan’tgetanythingrecentfromhim.It’sallatleasttwoyearsold.Supposinghe’smadecontactwithsomeentities—likeArchon,perhaps—andthat’swhyhesuddenlysaysnothinganymore.ThiscouldbethesecretbehindtheAmericans’newpower.Theycertainlydidn’thavesuchcapabilitiesashortwhileago.”
“That’snotlikeyou,Viktor—acceptingtheoriesfromtheAmericans.Itcouldbedeliberatemisinformation.”
“Itmakessense,Dmitri!Moresensethanthepigheadedmaterialismwe’restuckwithoverhereinspiteofthesupposedfallofcommunism!YousawwhathappenedtoYakov.That’snotmisinformation!I’mawedbysuchpower.It’ssomekindofmindenergy,andit’sfarbeyondanythingweortheAmericansarecapableofonourown.”
“Iagreewithyou,butyou’refightingarisingtidalwaveofpopularopinionthatyoucan’tstop.YouknowtheAmericans—someofthemotivationalexpertstheKremlinhasbroughtintohelpusinstallamodifiedcapitalism—talkabout‘unlimited’humanpotential.”
Viktorsmiledderisively.“Anychildknowsbetterthanthat!Thereareobviouslimits,Dmitri,andwhatwe’veseenwithourowneyesislight-yearsbeyondanythingreasonable.”
BothfriendslapsedintothoughtfulsilenceasViktorreturnedtosearchingthedrawersofhisdeskfordocumentshewantedtotakewithhim.Atlasthepausedinhisworkandpickeduptheconversationagain.“I’vesearchedeveryencyclopediawehaveandtriedtorecalleverythingIknowfromhistoryormythologytofindsomeclueastotheidentityofArchon.”
“Yes?Tellme!”respondedDmitrieagerly.“Ithoughtthissubjectwastaboo.Areyousureweshouldn’tjustdrop
it?”“It’stoolatetoplaygames,”saidDmitriearnestly.“Don’tjokeabout
somethingsoimportantNowcomeoutwithit.”“ArchonistheGreekwordfor‘ruler.’TheArchonswereagroupof
ninemagistrateswhoruledancientGreece.Ithinktheseentitiesusethename‘Archon’toindicatethattheyareahierarchyofbeings—mostlikelyagroupofninehighlyevolvedintelligences—whoruleinthepsychicrealmandcontrolpsychicpower.Theyprobablyhavesuchincrediblepowersthattheywouldseemlikegods,comparedwithourlevelofdevelopmentThiscertainlyfitswiththereferencetoPrometheus.”
“IthoughtyouweremockingChernov—butyoureallythinktherearegodlikecreaturesouttherewithoutbodieswhoareinterestedinwhatwe
andtheAmericansaredoinginourlabs?Tellthattoanyonebutmeandyouwillendupinalaborcampunderthecareofpsychiatrists!”
“Notgodsinthemythicalorreligioussense—althoughtheycouldbethebasisforthatideainvariousreligions—buthighlyevolvedentitiesthatourancestorsmistookforgods.”
“Ididn’tknowyouwereareligiousman,Viktor.”“I’mnot.”“Thatsoundslikeareligiousideatome.Areyourgodlikecreatures
anydifferentfromthegodsoftheancientGreeksortoday’sshamansinSiberia?”
Thisisascientifictheory!”retortedViktorindignantly,losingpatiencewithhisfriend.“Theseentitiesevolvedtotheirpresentlevel!”
“Callitscientific,ifyouwant”insistedDmitri,“it’sstillreligion.AndIdon’tthinkscientificreligionmakesanybettersensethananyotherreligion.Ifyour‘gods’werecreatedbyevolution,they’renobetterthanthegodsofthemostprimitiveandsuperstitiouspeoples.Theycertainlycouldn’thavecreatedtheuniverse!”
ViktorleanedbackinhischairandgaveDmitrialong,curiouslook.“Ineverknewyouwereinterestedinreligionatall!Thisisasideofyou,myfriend,thatIneversuspected.Haveyoubecomereligiousrecently?”
“We’retalkingtruthandfactsandwhatmakessense,”repliedDmitri,deliberatelyavoidingthequestion.“AllI’mtellingyouisthattheonlyGodthatmakessensewouldhavecreatedtheuniverseandwewouldallberesponsibletoHim.TherecouldbebeingsHehascreatedwithmorepowerthanwehave—angelsordemons—buttherearen’tany‘gods’outtherefortheatheisttolookupto.”
“Youamazeme,Dmitri.Isthisrelatedtoyourtheoryofwhat’sbehindpsychicpower?”
Dmitrinodded.“I’vebeenhopingwecoulddiscussthis—perhapswhenyougetback.Nowisn’tthetime.”
Viktorgavehimanotherlonglook.“Andwealwayshavetobesocareful,don’twe,withwhomwespeak,whatwesay—alwayswiththecloudoverourheadsthatsomeonewillreportus.”Viktor’svoicewas
risinginanger.“Materialistideologycontinuestobeanalbatrossaroundournecks!Itstiflesourresearch—andmakesmesick!Thewholehumanracemaybeindanger,andwecan’tpursuecertainpossibilities.SoMarxandLeninstillruleusfromtheirgraves?”
Confrontedbythehopelessnesstheyfaced,thetwofriendslapsedintosilencewhileViktorcontinuedpullingpapersfromthedrawersinhisdesk.AtlasthedecidedthathehadtosharewithDmitrithesecrethe’dbeenguardingcloselyforsolong.
ViktorstraightenedupfromhisworkandleanedacrosshisdesktofaceDmitri.“I’vemadeabigdecision,oldfriend.WhatisimpossiblehereispossibleintheWestThey’reopentoconsideringanonphysicalextensionoftheuniverseandintelligentlife.”
Dmitrilookedfromtheopeneddrawerstotheoverstuffedbriefcase.Thetruthwasbeginningtosinkin.“Viktor!You’renot...?”
“I’vegottotalkwiththeAmericans.IwanttofindDr.Inman.Wehavetocompareinformation.”
“YoucandothatinParisattheCongress!”exclaimedDmitrihopefully.
“WithChernovbreathingdownmyneck?EvenifIhadcompletefreedominParis,we’reonlythereaweek.That’snotenoughtimetoscratchthesurface,andInmanmaynotevenbethere.Dmitri,oldfriend,we’vebeentogetheralongtime,butIthinkwemustnowsayfarewell.”
Theireyesmetinalongsilence.Nowordscouldexpressthelookthatpassedbetweenthem:whatitmeanttotrustsomeoneinasocietythatdestroyedalltrustwhereone’sbestfriendorevenalovermightbeaninformer.Orafriend,mightturnintoaninformerforanadvantageorbeforcedintobetrayalagainsthisorherwillinanyoneofahundredtriedandprovenways.Suchanexistencecouldneverbeexplainedtothosewhohadnotexperiencedthenightmareoffearandthepainofbitingone’stongueathousandtimesaday.
Ironically,hereatthistop-secretbase,where24-hoursurveillanceofeveryindividualwaspracticedinitsultimateperfection,theyhadfoundoneanother.Ithadnotbeeneasy.Therehadbeenweeksofguardedlookspassingbetweenthem—covertlyatfirst,tentative,questioning.Nowords.
Justanoccasionalfleetinghintintheeyes,untileachthoughtheknew.Thenoneofthem—ithadbeenDmitri—hadmadethefirstcarefulremark,testingViktorinthemiddleofasentencewithawhisperedsarcasmabouthiddenlisteningdevices.Viktorhadmadenoverbalresponse,buthiseyeshadtoldDmitriwhathehadsensedforsometime.Eatingtheirsandwichesalonetogetherlaterthatdayonasecludedbenchoutside,theyhadlooseduponeachotherafloodofpent-upresentmentsagainsttheregime,thenlaughedalmosthystericallyattheintensityofthecatharsis.
Secretlyandwithgreatcarenottogiveanyoutwardsigntotheothersonthebase,theirfriendshiphadgrownfirmanddeep—andnowitwastobenomore.Theybothstoodsuddenly,andViktorcamearoundfrombehindhisdesk.Therewasaswift,fierceembrace.
Theyheldeachotherforanothermomentatarm’slength.“Ifyoumaketheattemptandfail,youknowwhatthatmeans.”Dmitriwassomber.“I’llbeprayingforyou,Viktor.”
Viktorlookedathisfriendinamazement“Youpray?”Dmitrinodded.“Sothat’swhatyouweretellingme—you’reabeliever?”Dmitrinoddedagain.“It’ssomethingverynewwithme,andI’m
beginningtowonderhowIcanstayinthiskindofwork.Ofcourse,oncetheyfindout—”
“I’mnotabeliever,”repliedViktorfirmly,“andIneverwillbe.Youcanprayifyouwant,butIdon’tthinkthe‘gods’willlisten.Whyshouldthey?Asyousaid,whatcanweofferthem?Thewholeuniverseisajungle—thesurvivalofthefittestI’mjusttryingtosurvive.”
“Iwillpraythatyoudo!AndthatyouwillverysoonbelieveinthetrueGod.Ofcourse,wehavenothingtogiveHim—exceptourselves.Andthat’swhytheforgivenessHeoffersisagiftofHisgrace.Heislovingandkindandgracious.YouneedHim,Viktor—andHewillnotturnyouawayifyoucalluponHim.Pleaserememberthat!”
“Andyouwatchyourstep,too,”Viktormanagedtosay,puttingahandonDmitri’sshoulder.“I’llbeworryingaboutyou!”
Theyembracedagainbriefly,tearswellinguptoblurtheirvision,voicesnowtoochokedforfurtherspeech.
Dmitrialmostranfromtheroom.Atthedoorheturnedaroundandmadeafeeblelastgestureoffarewell,butViktorwasonceagainengrossedinhisfeverishstrippingoffiles.Dmitriunderstood.Hehurrieddownthehall,thevoidwithingrowinginsizeandpainwitheverystep.Thesilencehadbegunagain.
[13]Paris!
Duringthehour-longearlymorningridetoSheremetyevozInternationalAirportjustnorthofMoscowontheLeningradskyhighway,ColonelChernovhadagreatdealtosaytoeveryoneelseinthesmallbus,buthedidn’taddressonewordtoViktor.Itmadehimfeeluncomfortablylikeanoutsider—whichindeedhewas.TheyweresupposedtobeadelegationoftopRussianparapsychologistsledbyinternationallyknownDr.ViktorKhorev.Infact,Chernovwasincommand,andoutofthesix“delegates”fromthesecretbase,onlyViktorandPyotrwerepsychicresearchers.TheotherswereeithermilitaryorFederalSecurityService(FSB)officers.AndViktorhadhissuspicionsaboutPyotr.
HehadrequestedthatDmitri,whowassecondincommandofthelab,shouldcomealongashisassistant.YetDmitrihadbeenrejected,andPyotr,arelativenewcomer,hadbeensentinstead.Why?ThatquestionhadbotheredViktorforsometime.Hadhistoo-closefriendshipwithDmitribeennoticedafterall?Therewasnouseworryingaboutitnow.Hewouldbewatchedeveryminuteandcouldlooktonooneforhelpinmakinghisescape.Itwouldnotbeeasy.ChernovwouldlikenothingbetterthantobringhimbacktoMoscowasacriminalcaughtintheact.
“Staywithme,”orderedChernovastheyclimbedoutoftheirvehicleinfrontofthebusyairport.“Ihaveyourpassportsandtickets.”Thereminderwashardlynecessary.NomemberofthepartywouldseehispassportagainuntiltheyhadreturnedtoRussia.
ItwasagreatshocktoViktorwhentheywerejoinedbyeightmore“delegates”attheairport—FSBagentswhowouldposeas“secretaries,labassistants,andresearchers.”SomeofthemwouldstayintheWestaftertheCongresstocompletetheirassignments.“Theywillaccomplishbyothermeanswhatyouhavefailedtodo!”ChernovtoldViktorpointedly.This
wasaterriblelast-minuteblowtoViktor.Ithadalreadybeenanimpossibledreamtobeabletoslipawayfromthesmallergroup—butfrom13ofthemnowsharingthetaskofkeepinghimundersurveillancearoundtheclock?Howcouldhedoit?Somehow,somehow...
Astheymovedthroughtheairport,Viktordidhisbesttosuppresshisexcitementandtostiflethefearthathewouldbeheldbackatthelastmomentbysomeunforeseentechnicality.Thathe—withallthesecretsheknew—shouldbeleavingthecountryatlastseemedtoogoodtobetrue.Ittookallofhiswillpowertomaintainanoutwardfacadeofcalm.HesteeledhimselftoignorethesuspiciousstaresthatChernovcontinuedtoaimathisbulgingandveryheavybriefcase.
“Openeverything!”Thecommandwasbarkedbyagrim-facecustomsofficerassoonashehadliftedhisbaggageontothelongcounter.He’dhopedthatanofficialpartywouldbeexemptedfromcloseinspection.Therewasnothingtobeconcernedaboutinhissuitcase,butasheopenedthebriefcasehecouldscarcelycontrolthetremorinhishands.
Thecustomsofficialdugaroundwithpracticedfingers,deliberatelydumpingpreciousdocumentsoutontothecounter.AchiefaimofallborderinspectionswastopreventthesmugglingoutofanyinformationthatmightweakenorharmtheRussiancause.Theparanoiaforsecrecy—acarryoverfromSovietdays—interpretedthislawsobroadlyastoincludethemostmundanefactsandfigures.TheofficerstraightenedupandgaveViktoranaccusinglook.
“Whatareallthesepapers?”Thequestionhe’dfearedtookhisbreathaway.Desperatelyhefoughtagrowingfeelingofdizziness.Getholdofyourself,Viktor!
“I’mpartofanofficialdelegationtoaconference.”Viktorgesturedtowardtheothermembersoftheparty,whowereinfrontandbehindhim.“Ihavetogivesometalks.Thisismy—uh—documentation.”Theofficerstaredathimcoldlyforamomentlonger,thenwavedhimon.ItseemedtoViktorthathewouldnevergetthepapersstuffedbackinside,butonthethirdtryhejustmanagedtojamthebriefcaseshutThefactthatChernovwasstandingnearbyandwatchinghimcloselydidnotmakeiteasier.
“Youshouldhavetakenasuitcaseforyourpapers!”hissedChernovin
alowvoice,comingalongsideofViktorasthedelegationmovedthroughtheshufflingcrowdstowarditsdeparturegate.“Didyoubringyourwholeoffice?Youmusthavelotsofclassifieddocumentsthere!”
Viktorgrippedthebriefcasetightlyandkeptwalking.Anyhesitationorhintoffearwouldbeanadmissionofguilt“IhavesupportstatisticsincaseanythingIsayinmytwospeechesischallenged,”herepliedfirmly.“AndIhavelotsofworktocatchupon.Idon’tintendtowasteanysparetime!”
ThelookChernovgavehimsaid,Idon’tbelieveyou,butitdoesn’tmatter.We’vegotyouunderthemicroscope!
AtleasthehadmadetherightdecisiontoputthepreciousvideooftheYakovdisasterinaninsidepocketofhisheavyovercoatHaditbeeninthebriefcase,itwouldhavebeendiscovered.Morethananythingelse,hewantedtoshowtheAmericanswhatYakov“saw”intheCIAinstallation—andhisbrutaldeath.HehadtoknowhowitallcorrelatedwithwhatwasactuallygoingoninAmericanpsychicresearch.WasLeightonreallywiththeCIA?Wasthatorganization,likeRussia’sFSB,tiedinsocloselywithpsychicresearch?WhywasInmannolongerinthenews?Andwhataboutthehoodedfigure?Heseemedtobethefocusofpower!Wouldhefindtheanswertothesequestions?WouldheactuallymakeittotheWest?Hehadto—failurewasnotanoption.
......OnlywhentheAeroflotIlyushin86jethadrattleditswaydownthe
longrunway,shakenitselflikeahugebird,andliftedintotheairtobeginclimbingtowardthesouthwestdidViktoratlastleanbackinhisseatwithacontentedsighandbegintobreatheeasier.Theflightofferedachancetorelaxandtimetothinkaboutaseriousproblemthathadbeentroublinghim.Hehadoriginallyplanned,attheearliestopportunity,toconfidetotheAmericandelegationhisdesiretodefect.SurelytheycouldbecountedontogetwordtotheAmericanEmbassy,whichwouldinturncontactsomebranchofintelligencetoprovidethehelp—andaboveall,theprotection—hewouldneed.
ViktorhadbeenconfidentthattheAmericanswouldconsiderhimaprizeandthusbewillingtodowhateverwouldbenecessarytoeffecthis
escape.AfterYakov’sdeath,however,hewasnolongersocertain.Itseemeddoubtfulnowthathehadanyexpertisetoofferthattheyneededorwouldwant.ForyearsithadbeencommonknowledgethattheRussianswerefaraheadofallcompetitorsinpsychicresearch.Thatnolongerappearedtobethecase.SomethinghadhappenedtomaketheAmericanssuperior.Afterall,theyhadbeenprobingaCIAinstallationwhenthethreepsychicshadbeenkilled.Coulditbethat“Archon,”whomhehadlongsuspectedwastherealpowerbehindpsychicphenomena,wasrepresentedbythehoodedone?AndwasArchon,then,insomekindofpartnershipwiththeAmericans?TherewasnoescapingtheimplicationofDr.FrankLeightonstandingnearthehoodedoneintheimagethathadbeenprojectedonthescreenfromYakov’sbrainjustbeforehe’dbeenkilled.
Theimplicationsbecamemoredisturbing—forhimpersonallyandforhisplannedescape—thelongerheallowedhisthoughtstoruninthatdirection.LeightonseemedtobelookingdirectlyatYakov’sposition.WouldthatmeanthathehadknownthatYakovhadpsychicallypenetratedtheirsecretresearchfacility?WouldhenotalsobeawareofRussianintentionsandcapabilities,andofViktor’spartintheprogram?Wouldthehoodedone,whohadmadethethreateninggesturesandwasapparentlyresponsibleforYakov’sdeath,beattheCongressinParis?ItseemedstrangethatRussianintelligencehadneverevenhintedattheexistenceofsuchauniquefigureamongtheAmericanpsychics.Leighton,ofcourse,wouldbeattheCongress.HewaslistedastheheadoftheAmericandelegationandakeynoteplenarysessionspeaker.
IfItellLeightonIwanttodefect,willheturnmedown—perhapsevenbetrayme?ThatwouldbeonewaytosettheRussianprogrambackafewyears.There’snoonetoreplaceme.WhatcanIoffertheAmericansinexchangeformysafety?Ifnotinsightsintopsychicpower,certainlyabriefcasecrammedwithinformationabouttopsecretRussianresearch.That’smytrumpcard—orisit?DotheyreallyneedanythingI’vegot?
SuchthoughtsgaveViktorlittlecomfortandmuchconcern.Nevertheless,underthemesmerizingeffectofthethrobbingenginesanddespitetheapprehensionschurninginsidehim,hedozedoffatlastfromsheerexhaustion.Almostimmediately,itseemed,someonewasgripping
hisshoulderandshakinghim.Withgreateffort,hegropedhiswayoutofalabyrinthofunconsciousnessandbacktothepresentAtlasthisstartledeyesfocusedupontheunwelcomefigureofColonelChernov,nowoccupyingtheseatbesidehim.
“I’vebeenstudyingyourspeeches.Somethingshavetobechanged.”Thecolonelwaspointingaccusinglytoawordhehadcircledintheveryfirstparagraph.“Telepathy.”Hespatitoutcontemptuously.That’samysticaltermincompatiblewithscientificmaterialism.”
“It’snotmystical.That’sthecommontermintheWestandmyaudiencewillbemostlyWesterners.”
“Changethatto‘biologicalradio.’”Itwasanorder.Viktorsnortedindisgust.Forhisownsurvivalhehadtoplayittough.
“Westernscientistswilllaughatthat.Biologicalradio!Thestrongestbrainwaveshardlycarrymorethanameter,andthesubjectsinthisexperimentwerenearly2000kilometersapart!”
ThelookinChernov’ssteel-grayeyespiercedtoViktor’ssoul.“Let’sgetthisstraight,Dr.Khorev,sowehavenomoremisunderstandings.I’mincharge.You’retakingordersfromme.Nowisthatclear?”
IfIlethimbullymeanddon’tfightback,thiswholetripcouldbecomeadisaster!He’llcontroleverythingIsayanddo,andI’llcomeoffasabumblinglackeyofMarxismmaterialismthatnoonewouldhelpdefect!Theywouldn’twantme!ButwhatcanIdo?Viktorfoughttocontrolthepanicwellingupinsideandtoconcealanyoutwardexpressionofthefearandconfusionthatmadehimfeelsuddenlyill.Gettough,Viktor,gettough—foryourownsurvival!You’vecomethisfar.Don’tbucklenow!
Steelinghimself,ViktorreturnedChernov’sicystarewithoutflinching.“AndIconsidermyselfdutyboundtogiveyousoundtechnicaladvice,sir.”Itrequiredatremendousefforttokeephisvoiceeven.“Ifyourefusetotakeitthenyou,sir,willberesponsibleforholdingRussianpsychicresearchuptoridiculeinfrontofthewholeworld!”
“Don’tplaygameswithme.IknowyourleaningstowardstheWest!”Chernov’sangryvoicehadrisenabovethedullroaroftheaircraftandseveralothermembersofthedelegationwerestealingcuriousglancesintheirdirection.“Yousteponecentimeteroutofline,andI’llsendyouright
backtoMoscow!”Viktor’sflashingeyesdaredhim.“YouthinkPyotrcantakemyplace?
Withoutme,youdon’thaveadelegation.Sendmehomeandyou’velostallcredibility—youmightaswellallpackup.Idon’tthinkthecommitteewouldbehappyaboutthat!”
Chernov’sfacewasredwithsuppressedrage.HeheldthepageinquestionunderViktor’snoseandthrustapenintohishand.“Nowdoit!”
SlowlyanddeliberatelyViktorscratchedout“telepathy”andwroteinaboveit“biologicalradio.”Thenhehandedthepen,coveredwithicysweatbacktothecolonel,whowasnowaseethingvolcanoonthevergeoferuption.
“Notsofast,comrade.You’vegotlotsofotherchangestomake!”Chernovflippedthroughthepagesmethodically,pointingoutViktor’sfurtherdeviationsfrommaterialistorthodoxy,eachofwhichhehadalreadymarkedinred.
SlappingthepenbackintoViktor’shand,thecoloneltwistedarounduntiltheywerealmostnosetonose.“Youdon’tfoolme,Khorev,”hehissed.“I’mgoingtogetyouifitkillsme!”
ThosewordshauntedViktorfortherestoftheflight.WhatifChernovdidsendhimback?ThemanwasamaniacandjustmightdoitthenblamehimforsabotagingtheRussianmission.Alreadythetriphehadlookeduponwithsuchhopewasturningintoanightmare.Toenhancehischancetoescape,hecouldjustgoalongwithChernov’sstupiddemandsandevenpretendtoagreewiththem.Therewas,however,suchathingasprofessionalprideinone’swork.ItwasonethingtopacifyChernovbymakinghisridiculouschangesonpaper.Itwassomethingelsetobehumiliatedbeforeaninternationalgatheringofscientistsbymakingfoolishstatementsinaspeech.Itwasaterribledilemmathathe’dhavetodealwithwhenthetimecame.
......TherideinthelongblacklimousinefromCharlesdeGaulleAirport
throughthesuburbsofParis,thenacrosstheSeineoverPontdeNeullyanddownthebroadandstatelyAvenueCharlesdeGaulleleftViktorgapinginawe.MoscowandLeningradhadtheirbroadavenuesaswell,
buttherewasnodenyingthattheyweredrabincomparisonwiththegracefulelegancebeforehim.Everythingwasbrighterhere:thefestivestorefrontsandrichwindowdisplays,therainbow-coloredumbrellasunfurledabovethewell-dressedParisienssippingwineorteaattheinnumerablesidewalkcafes.Thegreatabundanceoffruitsandvegetablesdisplayedinthefrontofshopaftershopwasstaggering—andnobodystandinginlonglinesforanything,anywhere.Itwashardtobelieve.Andthetrees!Everywherealongtheavenuesthereweretrees,gracefulandgroomed,lendinganalmostfemininesoftnesstothegrayofstoneandexpanseofboulevard.
Thecrowdsmovingalongthesidewalksseemedtoexudeanalmosttangiblegaiety.Hehadreadofit—-whattheFrenchaffectionatelycalledjoiedevivre.Avibrantenthusiasmhungintheair,asaucy,brazenindividualitythatseemedshockingbutappealing.Viktorwincedatthevividlyrecollectedcontrastthestolid,impassivedoggednessofthetypicalRussianshopper,whorarelyfoundanythingeveninthelargeststorestomakehimorherhappyandwasconsistentlybulliedbyclerkswhocouldcarelesswhethersomethingwassoldornot.CouldParisbeonthesameplanet?
Therewasasophisticationandanobviousaffluencethatwasutterlyforeign.Theheavytraffic,withsomanyluxuriousautoshe’dneverseenbeforeandwhosenameshenowstrainedhiseyescuriouslytoread—Mercedes,BMW,Volvo,RenaultAlfaRomeo--lefthimbreathless.ThiswastheWesthe’dheardaboutandlongedtovisitforhimself!Tobehere—atlast!Forthemoment,caughtupinthekaleidoscopeofwondrousimages,heevenforgotChernov,whowasridingintheotherlimousineprovidedbytheRussianembassy.
AstheyenteredthehugetrafficcirclefedbynineconvergingavenuesinfrontofthePalaisdesCongres,themagnificentArcdeTriomphelaydirectlyahead,justvisibleinthedistanceattheendofAvenuedeLaGrandeArmee.BeyonditstretchedthefabledChampsElysees.OfftotherighttheEiffelTowerpiercedthebluesky.Thefewphotographshehadseenwereenticing,butParisinreallifeexceededhisdreams.Moscow,whichhadalwayslookedsoimpressive,nowseemedsomberandpoverty-
strickenincomparison.EvenStPetersburg—thatmagnificentcityoftheczars—appeareddullanddismalinretrospect.
WhileChernovwasregisteringthedelegation,Viktortookinhisdazzlingsurroundings.Heglancedthroughacolorbrochureshowingsomeofthehugeconferenceroomsandexhibitionhalls,the3700-seatauditorium,luxuriousshopsandrestaurants,andthethousand-roomhigh-risehotelthatmadeupthehugePalaisdesCongrescomplex.Moscowhaditsproudhotelsaswell.Whiletheylookedsplendidfromadistance,closerinspectioninevitablyrevealedthedisappointinglyshoddyworkmanship.Thestarkcontrasttotheflawlessproficiencynowbeforehimcouldnotbedenied.Itwashisfirstglimpseofthe“evilfruitsofcapitalism”hehadhearddenouncedmostofhislife,andtoViktorthegrandeurandopulencewerebeyondbelief—buttheretheywere.
ChernovherdedtheRussiandelegationuptheelevatortothetwelfthfloor,wheretheembassyhadreservedablockofrooms.Beforegivingthemtheirseparatekeys,thecolonelheldabriefmeetingforeveryoneinhislargeandluxurioussuite.Viktorwascertainthatnooneelseinthegroupwouldhavesuchquarters!
“Twopeopleineachroom,”recitedChernov,asthoughhehadgivensimilarspeechesbefore.“Onekey,keptbytheseniorofficer.Westaytogether.Noonegoesanywherealone.”HewaslookingdirectlyatViktor.“Andeverycontactwithanyoneoutsidethisdelegationmustbereporteddaily.Youknowyourassignments.”
Viktor’sroommate,Fyodr,wasarathersuaveyoungmanofabout30.FyodrhadalreadytriedtostrikeupaconversationwithhimintheMoscowairportwhiletheywerewaitingfortheplaneandhadriddenbesidehiminthelimousinetothePalais.ItwasquiteobviousthathisassignmentwastogainViktor’sconfidenceinordertocatchhiminanincriminatingslipofsomekind.ItwasagameViktorhadplayedallhislife,agameinwhichhewasconfidenthecouldbestanyinformant—andonewhichheevenenjoyedattimes.ButnotinParis.Itwouldonlyaddtohisburdensandstandinhisway.
Viktor,Pyotr,Fyodr,andChernov—whowasposingasaparapsychologistnamedDr.AlexandrPavlov,allegedlyViktor’sassistant--
wenttogethertothemagnificentdinnerandreceptionforalldelegatesheldlaterthatevening.Itwasaget-acquaintedtimebeforetheopeningsessionoftheFirstInternationalCongressonParapsychologytobeheldthenextmorning.ThecolonelneverleftViktor’ssideashemingledamongthenumerousWesternerswhowerefamiliarwithhispublishedresearchandwereeagertomeethimatlast.
SuddenlyChernovstiffenedandgrabbedhisarm.“Thereheis!RightoutofYakov’svideo!SoitwastheAmericans!”Outofthecornerofhiseye,ViktorcouldseeDr.FrankLeightonedgingoverinhisdirection.Atlasttheycameface-to-face.
“Dr.Khorev,whataprivilegetomeetyou!”LeightonshookViktor’sextendedhandvigorously.ThisisyourfirsttimeinParis?”Viktornodded.“We’resopleasedtohaveyouandyourdistinguishedcolleagueshereonthishistoricoccasion!”HereachedouttoshakeChernov’shandaswell.
Thisismyassistant,Dr.AlexandrPavlov,”saidViktor.“Weareveryhappytobehere.I’mlookingforwardtoexchangingideasandsharinginformation.”
Leightonwasobserving“Pavlov”curiously,anundisguisedlookofamusementonhisface.“Anyrelationtothefamousbehaviorist?”heaskedwithexaggerated,innocentinterest.
“Hewasactuallyagreatuncle,”responded“Pavlov”smoothly.Leightoncontinuedhisscrutinyforanothermoment,thenaddedinan
offhandedanddisarmingtone,“IwasjustthinkingthatyoubeararemarkableresemblancetoColonelAlexeiChernov.Youknowhim,I’msure—thecommanderoftheeliteRussiancorpsofpsychiccombattroops.TheyhaveabasenorthofMoscow.”
Therewasnomistaking,atleasttoViktor,whatLeightonwasdoing.He’stryingtoshakeusup...letusknowhowfaraheadtheAmericansare...whatincrediblepowertheyhave...thatwe’reanopenbook.IfheknowswhoChernovis—notbyordinaryspyingtechniques,butpsychically—thenheknowseverythingwe’vebeendoing,andallaboutmeaswell.Sowhywouldhehelpmeescape,orevenwantmeintheWest?
“Iwasn’tawareoftheexistenceofsuchacorps,”repliedPavlovinfeignedsurprise.HelookedoveratViktor,whoshookhisheadin
confirmationofthenonexistenceofsuchtroops.“Wheredidyougetsuchanintriguingidea?”askedViktor,notknowingwhatelsetosay.
Leightonthrewhisheadbackandlaughed.HepattedPavlovgood-naturedlyonthearm.“Isn’tthatthewayitalwaysis?Youonlyhearthenewsofwhat’shappeninginyourownbackyardwhenyou’rethousandsofmilesaway.”
HeturnedhisattentionbacktoViktor.“I’mveryeagertohaveyoucomeandseeexactlywhatwe’redoing.We’vemadesomeremarkableprogressthatIhopewillcontributetointernationalpeace.You’llbegettingaformalinvitationtovisitourcountrythroughtheproperchannels.”
“Iwouldbeveryhappyifthatcouldbearranged,”repliedViktor,wonderingwhetherthemanwasseriousnow,butseeingafaintglimmerofhope.“ItismyprivilegetoinviteyoutoRussia.”IfonlyChernovweren’thangingoneveryword!“We’llhavetogettogetherbeforetheconferenceisovertoworkoutthedetails.”IfonlyIcouldseehimalone!
“Let’sdoitoverlunch,”suggestedLeightonwithenthusiasm,“inanicesecludedsettingwherewewon’tbebotheredbyyourmanyWesternfansinterruptingus.Howabouttomorrow?Iknowarestaurant—veryFrench—withthemostdeliciousfoodyou’veevertasted.It’snotfiveminuteswalkfromhere,justoffBoulevardVictorHugo.”
“I’dlikethat”saidViktorwistfully.“Tomorrow,then?”ViktorfeltChernov’ssteel-likegripclosinginonhisarm.“My
assistant,ofcourse,alwaysaccompaniesme,”headdedobediently.“Ihopethat’sagreeable.”
“Ofcourse,”respondedLeighton,givingChernovapenetratinglook.HeturnedtoViktor.“Iunderstandfully.You’llbothbemygueststomorrowafterthemorningsession.I’lllookforwardtoseeingyouthen.”
......“Nexttimeyouwon’tforgettotellyourWesternfriendsthatyounever
goanywherewithoutyourassistant,willyou!”whisperedChernovthreateningly,astheyrodetheelevatoruptotheirroomswhenthegalareceptionbrokeuplatethatnight.“I’msurethey’llallunderstand.”
“Leightonseemstounderstandplenty,”returnedViktorcaustically.
“Likewhoyoureallyare,forinstance—andprobablyeverythingwe’redoing.”
“Andourjobistofindouthowhegetsthatinformationandtopreventitinthefuture!”
Viktortooksomecomfortinthewordour.AtleastChernovwasbeginningtorecognizehowimportanthewasandwouldn’tbelikelytoshiphimbacktoMoscowwithoutsufficientreason.Buthowwouldhegetawayfromthisleechlongenoughtoseekasylum?Thatwasgoingtobefarmoredifficultthanhehadanticipated!PerhapshecouldslipanotetoLeightonsomehow.No,therewastoomuchtoexplain;theriskofmisunderstandingwastoogreat.Therehadtobeanotherway.
[14]Discovered!
Asoneofthetopparapsychologyjournalistsinthefield,CarlaBertellihad,ofcourse,beenlookingforwardtotheCongressformonths.ShehadplannedtoarriveearlytorelaxforafewdaysinParis,butalast-minutedevelopmenthadforcedachangeinitinerarythatbroughtherintoParistheverymorningtheCongressopened.Eagertocatchatleasttheclosingminutesofthefirstday’sopeningsession,CarlahaddrivendesperatelyfromOrlyAirporttothePalaisdesCongresinadrivingrain.Tosaveprecioustime,shedecidednottocheckintoherroomyet,whichmeantshehadnoaccesstohotelparking.Instead,shelefttherentedVolvoC-70convertiblecoupeinfrontofthePalaisinano-parkingzone.Hopingthattheofficial“Press”documentsshe’dstuckinthefrontwindowsonbothsideswouldholdoffthelocalgendarmerieuntilthenoonbreakbetweensessions,shehoistedherumbrellaandranupthebroadstepsintothemainentrance.
Checkinginattheconventionregistrationdesk,CarlareceivedherofficialCongresspressbadgeandhurriedtothecrowdedconferencehall.Asshemadeherwayasinconspicuouslyaspossibledownasideaisle,Dr.ViktorKhorev,thesecondandfinalspeakerofthemorning,wasjustclosinghisaddressbeforeentertainingquestionsandreactionsfromtheaudience.Sheslippedintoherassignedseatinthe“ReservedforthePress”sectionnearthefrontandsettledbacktolisten.CarlahadbeenfollowingKhorev’sresearchforyears—thatportionthatwaspublishedinorleakedouttotheWest—tryingtoreadbetweenthelinestocatchhintsoftherealdatahewasn’tsharing.Thisconference,atlast,wasgoingtoprovidetheopportunityforapersonalinterviewwiththiscelebratedRussianparapsychologistonhisfirsttriptotheWest,andshehadsomeverypointedquestionstoask.
Lookingyoungerthanshehadexpected,Khorevhadanhonest,openfacethatmadeonewanttotrustwhathesaid.Heseemedrelaxedbutearnestashereachedtheclimaxofhistalk.
“...SothisCongress—andthefutureinternationalcooperationthatmustresultfromit—involvesthehigheststakes,theverysurvivalofcivilization.Insummary,letmeremindyouofthefollowing:
“1)Inspiteofwidespreaduseforyears—andanalmostblanketacceptancebymedicine,psychology,education,andcrimedetection—hypnosiscanbeusedasapowerfultooltoeffectmindcontrol.NooneknowshowitworksorwhatforceisbehinditNotonlymustwehaveinternationalcooperationinsuchresearch,butwemustalsoeffectameansofpreventingharmfuluseofthispower.
“2)Contrarytopopularbelief,asubjectcanbehypnotizedwithouthisconsentorknowledgeandmadetoactagainsthiswill.Ihavegivenyouseveralexampleswherewehavedonethisatdistancesupto2000kilometers.
“3)Thepossibilityofremotementalinfluencebeingexercisedovertheentireworldisnolongersciencefiction.Itcouldhappen!AmajorpurposeofthisCongress,therefore,mustbetopreventsuchaneventuality.
“4)Hypnosisisonlyoneexample.Psychicpowercanbeexercisedinmanyother,andevenmoredangerous,ways.Itistheultimateforcethatmightverywellmakeobsoleteeveryconventionalweapon—possiblywithinaslittleastenyears.Internationalcontrolsmustbeestablishedbeforeitistoolate.Forthisweneedthecooperationofallnations.Timeisshort!”
Khorevpausedtoshufflethroughhisnotes.“IhaveastatementwhichIhavebeeninstructedbymygovernmenttodeliveratthisopeningsessionoftheCongress.”Findingwhathewassearchingfor,hebegantoreadverbatim.“Inthenameofthepeace-lovingpeoplesoftheRussianFederation,IcalluponthedelegatesofthisthefirstInternationalCongressonParapsychologytoformulateanagreementforstrictinternationalcontrolsuponfutureresearchanduseofpsychicpower,andforthefreeexchangeofalldata.Nowhereisglasnost,oropennessasyousayintheWest,sodesperatelyneededasintheareaofpsychicdevelopmentThe
RussianFederationispreparedtocooperatefullywiththeothernationsinmakingcertainthatpsychicpowersareusedonlyforpeacefulpurposes.Thankyouverymuch.”
Theapplausewasthunderous,notsomuchbecauseKhorevhadsaidanythingthatwasnewtotheotherdelegates,butbecauseoftheemotionalappealofhisfinalstatementOnebyone,membersoftheaudiencestoodtotheirfeetastheclappingcontinued.Atlast,thechairmanfortheday—tall,thin,andpersonableDr.HansEricksonofOslo,Norway,whohadreplacedDr.Khorevatthemicrophone—managedtomakehimselfheard.
“Youmaybeseated.We’rerunningabitbehindschedule,butIdon’twanttocutshortthequestion-and-answerperiod,sowemaygo15minutesorsointothenoonbreak.WhenIrecognizeyou,pleasedirectyourquestionstoDr.Khorev—andconfinethemtothetopichehasjustaddressed.”
“Yes,Dr.JacquesRouzier,ofFrance.Yourquestion?”ThechairmansteppedasideandViktorreturnedtothemike.
TheFrenchscientistwasobviouslyagitated.“Dr.Khorev,areyouimplyingthatbrainwavescantravel2000kilometers—thedistanceoverwhichyourhypnosisexperimenttookplace?”
“Obviouslynot.Brainwavesonlytravelafewfeet.“Thenwhydoyouusetheterm‘biologicalradio’?”GrippingthepodiumandclearinghisthroatViktorfoughttocontrol
theangerhewantedtodirecttowardChernov,seatednearbyattheRussiandelegation’stable.“It’smerelyamatterofsemantics.InRussiaweusethatterm.IntheWest,ofcourse,youcallit‘telepathy.’”
Rouzierwasnotsatisfied.Clearlyheintendedtopressthepoint.“Thereareprovenexperimentsofmentaltelepathyhalfwayaroundtheworld.Ithasbeendemonstratedtofunctionoutsidethe
limitationsofspace,time,andmatter.Wouldyouagree?”Swallowinghard,Viktorconceded,“Ican’targuewiththeevidence,
butofcoursetheexactexplanationisamatterofinterpretation.”“Butitobviouslyisnotsomeformof‘biologicalradio’—andtheuse
ofthattermismisleadingintheextreme.”HewaitedforKhorevtoagree,butgettingnoresponse,Rouziercontinued.“Whatabouttheinvolvement
ofintelligenceswhomaybesohighlyevolvedthattheyarebeyondthephysicalstateandexistaspureconsciousness?Couldtheynotactperhapsevenwithoutourperception,asthecouriersortransmittersoftelepathiccommunicationthatwouldthusoperateoutsidethelimitationsofourphysicaldimension?”
ViktorwasstaringangrilyatPavlov”withan“I-told-you-so”look,andscarcelyheardwhatRouzierwassaying.Onlywithgreateffortcouldhetearhiseyesoff“Pavlov”andconcentrateuponthequestion,whichwasbecomingverylong,complicated—andembarrassing.
“ThishasbecomeamajortheoryintheWest”Rouzierwassaying.“DotheRussiansacceptthisasaviablepossibility?ThereasonIask,ofcourse,isbecauseinordertoengageintreatiesforthecontrolofpsychicpowers—andIagreethatitshouldbedone—itwouldseemthatweneed,firstofall,anagreementconcerningthenatureofthatpower.Andifotherentitiesare,infact,involved,thenitmaynotevenbepossibleforustoexertcontroloveritwithouttheirpermissionorcooperation.HavetheseconsiderationsbeendiscussedintheRussianFederationatall?”
IfIagree,Chernovwillshipmebackasatraitortothematerialistcause!IfIdisagree,Iwillonlyopenthistopicforfurtherdiscussion,whichwouldbedisastrous!TherewasonlyonewayforViktortoresolvehisdilemma.TurningtoHansErickson,hestrenuouslyobjected,“Mr.Chairman,Ithinkwe’rewanderingfromthesubjectofmypaper.”
“Notatall,”protestedRouzierquickly.“Ifhumanbrainwavesonlycarryafewfeetyettelepathyhasbeendemonstratedacrosscontinents,thentheinvolvementofhigherintelligencesfromanonphysicaldimensionwouldbeagoodhypothesis,woulditnot?”WhenKhorevagaingavenoresponse,Rouzierpersisted:“Haveyouhadanyindicationofthatinyourexperiments?”
SensingChernov’smurderouslook,Viktorheardhimselfrespond,“Ithinkyou’veraisedsomeimportantquestions,butasI’vealreadysaid,theRussianinterpretationwoulddifferfromthatcurrentintheWest—andthatcouldverywellcauseproblems.It’ssomethingthatIagreeshouldbeexplored.”
Quicklyheturnedagaintothechairman.“Thereareotherhandsout
there.”“Yes,overthere,”saidErickson,pointingtosomeonewithhandraised
justbehindthepresssection.“No,notyou.Membersofthepresswillhavetheirspecialchancetoaskquestionslater.Justbehind—Ibelievethat’sDr.MitsuoNakamotoofJapan.Yes,Dr.Nakamoto.”
......Atthatverymoment,backatthesecretbasenorthofMoscow,Dmitri
wasalsobeingconfronted—notbyanardentaudienceoffellowparapsychologists,however,butbythefearedCommitteeOverseeingPsychicWarfareResearch.Thiswasnotageneralinquiry,butaprivateoneinvolvinghimalone,anditwasbeingheldinViktor’sofficeforominousreasons.TherehadnotbeentimetocalltogetherthefullCommittee.Onlytwomemberswerepresent
GeneralNikolaiGorky,hisfacedarkwithsuppressedrage,satbehindViktor’sdesk,withColonelLutskyseatedgrimlybesidehim.Lookingfrailandvulnerable,butwithhisheadheldhigh,Dmitristoodbeforethem.Twosoldierswereguardingthedoor.
Thegeneral’saccusingeyesneverleftDmitriasheangrilypushedthebuttonstooperateataperecorderonthedeskinfrontofhim.
“Well,tellme,goodcomrade,howdiditgotoday?I’vebeendyingtofindout!”Dmitri’spulsealmoststoppedatthesoundofhisvoicecomingfromthemachine.
“Ithinkitwentwell,Dmitri.ThereweresomeanxiousmomentswhenIfearedmytripwasfinished,butintheendIthinktheyweresatisfied.IwentalongwiththeirtotallyinsaneideathattheAmericanshavebeenkillingourbestmen.Thatmadethemhappy.”
GeneralGorkystoppedthecassetteplayermomentarily.“YouadmitbeinginherewithDr.Khorevtwonightsago?”Dmitrinodded.“AndyouadmitthatwehavejustheardyourvoiceandKhorev’s?”Dmitrinoddedagain.Gorkyturnedthemachinebackon.
“Don’tworry,oldfriend.”Viktor’svoicewasconfidentandcontemptuous.“Doyouthinktheycanhideanelectronicbugfromme?Iputtogethermyowndetectionequipmentanduseittosweepthisofficeeverymorning.Asfastastheyputtheirbugsin,Itakethemout.”
“Youdo?”“Ido.Itwascostingthemaczar’sransom.Thosethingsareexpensive.
Finallytheygaveup.Ihaven’tfoundoneforweeks—andIjustcheckedagainthismorning,sodon’tworry.”
Gorkypushedthepausebutton.“Somuchforyourcockycomrade’scompetence!Unfortunately,wedidn’tcheckthetapeuntilthismorning,orhewouldnotbeinParisnow—butyoumaybecertainthathewillbeonhiswaybackveryshortly.”
Thegeneralfast-forwardedthemachinebriefly.Whenitbegantoplayagain,DmitriheardthoseshockingwordsfromViktorthathadbeenhauntinghimeversince.Thencamehisearnestbutineffectivepleading.
“Partyideologyisanalbatrossaroundournecks!Itstiflesourresearch—andmakesmesick!Thewholehumanracemaybeindanger,andwecan’tpursuecertainpossibilitiesbecauseMarxandLeninwouldbeoffended!Theyruleusfromtheirgraves!”
Therewasalongsilenceonthetape,thenViktor’svoiceagain:“I’vemadeabigdecision,oldfriend.WhatisimpossiblehereispossibleintheWestThey’reopentoconsideringanonphysicalextensionoftheuniverseandintelligentlife.”
“Viktor!You’renot...?”“I’vegottotalkwiththeAmericans.IwanttofindDr.Inman.We
havetocompareinformation.”“YoucandothatinParisattheCongress!”“WithChernovbreathingdownmyneck?EvenifIhadcomplete
freedominParis,we’reonlythereaweek.That’snotenoughtimetoscratchthesurface,andInmanmaynotevenbethere.Dmitri,oldfriend,we’vebeentogetheralongtime,butIthinkwemustnowsayfarewell.”
Thegeneralstoppedthemachineandpoundedthedeskinarage.“You,DmitriPetrekov,knewthatKhorevwasplanningtodefectinParis!Doyoudenythat?”
“Iknew,”saidDmitrisoftly,butwithoutshame.“Itriedtopersuadehimnotto.”
“Youkepthissecret!”Gorkywaslivid.“Youputatraitoraheadofyourowncountry!You’reatraitor,too!Notonlythat—”Gorkypausedas
thoughwhathewasabouttosaywastoorepugnanteventoexpress.ItseemedaneternitythathestaredwithcontemptintoDmitri’sunrepentanteyes.“Tellusonceagain,”hesaidatlast,“exactlywhatitwasyouweresearchingforwhenyouwerediscoveredearlythismorninginthisoffice.”
Dmitrireturnedthegeneral’sstare—notdefiantlybutfearlessly.“IwaslookingforthelisteningdevicethatIsuspectedmightbehere.”
“Andwhyshouldyoubeconcernedaboutsuchadevice?”askedGorkycoldly.
“Iwantedtoprotectmyfriend,”camethehonestreply.“Youwantedtosaveyourownskin!”“Youmaythinkwhatyouwish,sir,butIwasnotconcernedfor
myself.”“Everymanlooksoutforhimselffirst!”interruptedColonelLutsky.“Twomonthsago,”continuedDmitricourageously,“Iplacedmyself
inthehandsofGod—theGodIhadbeentaughtallmylifedidnotexist.Whateverhappenstomenow,IwillacceptasHiswill.WhatIhavedonewaswithagoodconscience.ViktorKhorevhasbeenloyalandconscientiousinservinghiscountry.Hewasnotable,however,totelltheCommitteewhathereallybelieved—thatnonphysicalbeingswereinvolvedinthedestructionofourpsychics—becauseyouwouldnothavelistenedtoanythingthatwascontrarytoMarxistmaterialism.”
Thegeneralhelduphishand.“Stop!”heordered.“Wedon’tneedanyfurtherproofofyourguilt—muchlessareligiouslecture.”Hewasmakinganobviousefforttocontrolhisanger.“Youunderstand,ofcourse,”headdedevenly,“thatyouhavenorighttoapublictrial—whichisapity,becauseI’dliketomakeapublicexampleofbothyouandKhorev.Butthisworkmustremainsecret.”
GorkyturnedtoColonelLutsky.“I’mtakingPetrekovbacktoMoscowwithme.I’vealreadysentacabletotheembassy.KhorevwillbeonthenextplaneoutofParis.I’mlookingforwardtomeetinghimmyselfattheMoscowairport!”
......AttheFirstInternationalCongressonParapsychology,Chairman
Ericksonwasrecognizingafourthquestioner.“Yes,Dr.DerekBalfourof
theBritishdelegation.”Viktorsteppednervouslybacktothemike.Hisquestionerswerebeingpolite,buttheywerealsoobviouslyattemptingtodiscreditbeforetheworldthenarrow-mindedmaterialismofhard-coreMarxismthathadsupposedlylostitspowerinthenewRussia.Chernovwasbecomingincreasinglyagitated.
JustastheaudiencemicrophonewasbeinghandedtoBalfour,Viktor’sattentionwasdistractedbythesuddenentranceintotheconferencehalloftwoburlymenwhomadetheirwayquicklytowhereChernovwassitting.Oneofthemleanedoverandspoketohimquietly.Whatcouldbesourgentthattheycouldnotwaitthefewminutesuntilthesessionended?CastingfrequentglancesatDr.Khorevonthespeaker’splatform,thethreeheldahurriedconsultation.Thecolonelseemedtogrowmorefuriouswitheveryword.Viktorfeltasuddenoverwhelmingsenseofimpendingdisaster.
AlthoughthetwomenquicklyfinisheddeliveringtheirmessagetoChernov,theyremainedsquattingintheaislenexttothecolonel.IttookgreateffortforViktortoconcentratehisattentionuponBalfour’squestion—whichitselfonlyincreasedhisapprehension.
“Inout-of-bodyexperiences—suchastheclinicallydeadlookingdownontheirbodiesfromabove,hearingandseeingeverything,”Balfour’stonewasjustabitpatronizing,“asaMarxist,doyouthinksomethingphysicalisoutsidethebodylookingbackatit?”
AvoidingChernov’sunnervingstare,Viktorreplied:“TheRussianpositionwouldbetocallthisaprojectionofconsciousness.”
“Aphysicalprojectionofconsciousness,Dr.Khorev?”persistedBalfour.“SurelyevenaMarxistwouldsee...”
Jumpingindignantlytohisfeet,Chernovinterruptedwithanangryroar.“IsthepurposeofthisCongresstoridiculeMarxism?”
Startledbythisuncivilizedoutburst,theBritishscientistookedtothechairmanforhelp.
EricksonsteppedquicklytoViktor’ssideandspokecalmlyintothemike.“ThisisAlexandrPavlovoftheRussiandelegation.Ithinkhisobjectionisalegitimateone.”
“Mypointis,”insistedBalfour,standinghisground,“thatthenarrow
materialismofKarlMarxshouldnotbeallowedtolimitthepossibleexplanationsofpsychicevents.”
“AndthisCongress,”shouted“Pavlov,”“shouldnotbeanexcuseforattackingpoliticalbeliefs!Idemandanapology!”
“Isaidnothingthatwarrantsanapology.MyremarkswereaddressedtoDr.Khorev,andIwouldliketohearhisresponse.”
“Pavlov”wouldnotbeputoff.“Mr.Chairman,IwillgivetheBritishdelegationandtheCongressSteeringCommitteethreehourstodeliveranapology.Ifnot,thentheRussiandelegationiswithdrawingfromtheCongress!”
ChernovhadnowrevealedthathewastheoneinchargeoftheRussiandelegation.Thatcanonlymeanonething!Viktorfeltasinkingsensationinthepitofhisstomachandhadtoholdontothepodiumasamomentarydizzinesssweptoverhim.HewatchedinconsternationasalloftheRussians,followingChernov’slead,stoodtotheirfeetandheadedforthenearestexit.Viktorwasstunned.Heputhisnoteshastilybackinthebriefcase,closedit,andstoodtheretooshockedtothink.HelookeddesperatelyandlonginglyinthedirectionofDr.Leighton,whoseemedinastateofshockalso.ShouldheruntotheAmericansrightnow,cryingoutforpoliticalasylum?BeforeViktorcouldrationallyevaluatethatdesperatethought,Chernovgrabbedhimbythearmandsteeredhimtowardthedoor—withthetwonewcomersfollowingcloselybehind.
Theconventionhallbrokeintopandemonium.Thegrowingbabbleofvoicesbecamearoarasdelegationshuddledtogetherinearnestconversation,tryingtocomprehendthisstartlingdevelopmentandtoseekwaystoresolveit.JumpingtoherfeetCarlahurriedtocatchthedepartingRussians.IthoughtKhorevheadedtheirdelegation.WhoisthisPavlov?Hemustbebluffing.They’renotpullingout!Whatiftheydo?Ican’tletKhorevgetawaywithoutaninterview!
WhatCarlanowobservedheightenedthemystery.WhiletherestoftheSovietdelegationheadedfortheroomelevators,“Pavlov”andthetwomenwhohadbeeninsuchearnestconversationwithhimpushedandpulledanobviouslyreluctantDr.Khorevoutofthelobbyanddownthefrontsteps.Carlaburstouttherevolvingfrontdoorjustbehindthem.The
rainhadstoppedandthesunwastryingtoshinethroughthethinningclouds.TheRussiansseemedtobeheadingtowardalimousineparkeddirectlyinfrontofthehotel.
Hurryingdownthestepsinhotpursuit,Carlapushedherwaythroughthecrowdthathadgatheredonthesidewalk.Shewasjustintimetosee“Pavlov”shoveKhorevroughlyintothebackseatofthewaitingcar.
“Dr.Pavlov!”shecalled,runninguptohimbreathlessly.AbouttoclimbinbesideKhorev,Chernovpausedandturnedaround.CarlapointedtoherCongresspressbadge.“I’mwiththeofficialpresscorpshere.”
Chernovcutheroffwithanangry“Nyet!”Themerciless,cold-bloodedlookinhiseyesmadehersuddenlyafraidforDr.Khorev.Severalotherreportershadwormedtheirwaythroughthecrowdandwereedgingupto“Pavlov”andCarla,withtaperecorders,cameras,andnotepadsready.“LeDr.Khorev,s’ilvousplait!”Thetwomenwhohadbroughtthelimousinebeganshovingthejournalistsback.
Carlatriedtostepbetween“Pavlov”andtheopendoor,onlytobepushedroughlyasidewithsuchforcethatshealmostfelltothepavement“I’vecomeallthewayfromWashington,D.C.,”sheprotestedloudly,“tointerviewDr.Khorev!”
“Nyet!”Slumpedinthebackseat,athoroughlydejectedandconfusedViktor
Khorevwastryingtocomprehendthissuddenturnofevents.WhyhadtheothermembersoftheRussiandelegationapparentlygonetotheirrooms,andonlyhehadbeenhustledouttothisvehicle?Itwastruethathehadbeenspeaking,butsurelyhewasnotbeingblamedbyChernovforwhathisquestionershadpersistedinsaying.Wasthere,afterall,adevicerecordingwhatDmitriandIsaid?Icheckedthatmorning,butnotafterIhadtestifiedbeforetheCommittee!OrhasDmitricrackedandsoldoutourfriendship?Somehowthey’velearnedofmyplantodefect!
Withterrifyingcertainty,herealizedtherecouldbenootherexplanationforwhatwashappening.ThebesthecouldhopeforwouldbeaSiberianlaborcamp—ifhesomehowescapedthedeathpenalty.Hismorosethoughtswereinterruptedbythesoundsofaloudcommotiononthesidewalk.Peeringouttheopendoor,hecouldseethatChernovandthe
twoRussianEmbassyFSBbodyguardshadtheirbackstohimandwereviciouslypushingbacksomeWesternersandyellingattheminRussian,whiletheWesternerswereyellingbackangrilyinEnglishandFrench.Inthatinstanthemadeadesperatedecision.Bettertomakeevenafutileattempttoescapethanjustsithere!
Clutchingthepreciousbriefcase,Viktorshovedthedooropenonthestreetsideandjumpedout.RecklesslyhebegantothreadhiswayasfastashecouldthroughfourorfiveirregularlanesofheavytrafficattheconvergenceofBoulevardsGouvionandPereire.NotknowinghowbesttoplothiscoursebecauseofhistotalignoranceofParis,heangledtowardasmallerstreetthathecouldseejustbeyondtheswirlingmassofhurtlingvehicles.IfhecouldonlygetintherebeforeChernovsawhim!BrakessquealedandhornsblaredasswervingcarsracingaroundPortedeMaillottriedtododgethisinsanepedestrianchallengingtheminthemiddleofthewidetrafficcircle.AttemptingtoavoidViktor,asmallRenaultsedandrivenbyanelderlywomancutinfrontofaracingtaxiandthetwocarscollided.Threemoreinrapidsuccessionpiledintothem.Withinmoments,thehugeroundaboutwasjammedwithbumper-to-bumpercarsandfrustrated,angrydrivers.
Atthesoundofscreechingbrakesfollowedbytherapidlyrepeatedcrunchofimpactedandcrumplingmetal,Chernovwhirledaround.OverthetopsofaswarmofautoshecouldseeViktorbreakingclearofthetrafficjamandenteringRueDebarcadere.Reachingthesidewalkatlast,thefleeingwould-bedefectorranasfastastheheavybriefcasewouldallowhim.
Following“Pavlov’s”gaze,CarlacaughtafleetingglimpseofthemanshewantedtointerviewjustashedisappearedinthedirectionofPlaceFerdinand.Thensherememberedthathercarwasconvenientlyparkedonlyafewyardsaway.Pushingherwayclearofthegrowingcrowd,sheranquicklytowardtheVolvo.
[15]SwallowedUp!
YellingacommandinRussian,Chernovracedintothestreet.Becauseofthenow-stalledtraffichewasabletomakemuchfastertimethanViktorandhadgainedconsiderablegroundonhisquarrybythetimeheenteredRueDebarcadere.ThetwoFSBofficersjumpedintothelimousineandtookoffwithtiresscreaming,buthadtoapplythebrakesalmostimmediately.AstheyturnedleftintoPortdeMaillottomaketheirwayaroundthetrafficcircle,theirprogresswasimpededbythemassofautosandtrucksbackedupbehindthefive-carcollision.
Carlamadeahurrieddecision.PushingthebuttontoretracttheroofoftheVolvoconvertible,shebackedoutoftheentrancetothePalaisintheoppositedirectionfromthatwhichtheRussianshadtaken.Thenshespunhercararoundandangleditacrosstheoncomingtrafficontheoppositesideofthehugecirclefromthebarelymovinglimousinewhichhadnowdisappearedfromherview.Driverssworeandshooktheirfistsather,butbecauseofthecollisionblockage,onlyatrickleofcarswasgettingthroughinherdirection.Afterseveralnear-disastersshehadsafelynegotiatedthehead-ontrafficandwasabletoturntheVolvointothesmallstreetthatDr.Khorevandhispursuerhadentered.
Bythistime,Viktorwasbadlywindedandhislegswerenearparalysis.Heseemeddetachedfromhimself,asthoughhewerewatchinghisownagonizingperformanceinslowmotionfromadistance.Thebriefcasewasnowanimpossiblyheavyburden,anunreasonableimpedimenttohisescape.Wheneverthatthoughtsurfaced,however,hegrippedthepreciouscaseallthetighterandpushedon.Eachtimehetwistedhisheadaroundtolookbehindhim,hecouldseeingrowingpanicthatChernovwasgainingevermorerapidly.Shouldhetakerefugeinsideoneoftheshopsorcafeshewaspassing?No,Chernovwouldtearthe
placeapart.Ifonlytherewereagendarmeinsightbutthiswasasmallstreetandtheyweren’tlikelytopatrolhere.Whatcouldhedo?
RueDebarcaderewastoonarrowtoallowCarlatopassothervehicles.Fortunately,however,thesparsetrafficwasmovingfairlywell.Fiftyyardsintothesmallstreetshesaw“Dr.Pavlov”charginglikeawildbullalongthesidewalkjustaheadonherright,bowlingoverpedestriansinhismadracetoovertakethefugitivewhowasnowalmostwithinhisgrasp.Passing“Pavlov,”shepulledalongsideanearlyspentDr.Khorev.Facecontortedwithterrorandtheagonyofextremefatigue,hehadscarcelythestrengthtocarrytheheavybriefcaseanylonger,buthestillclutcheditdesperatelyasthoughhewouldratherdiethanabandonit.
Honkingherhornandwavingtohimfromtheopenconvertible,Carlayelled,“Dr.Khorev!Dr.Khorev!”Shewasdirectlybesidehimnowandslowedthecartomatchhisexhaustedpace.“Getin!Hurry!”
Viktorhadnoideawhothisyoungwomanmightbe,butshewashisonlyhope.Staggeringintothestreet,hethrewhispreciousburdenintotheopenautoandwithhislastremainingstrengthdoveinafterit,withChernovnowonlyafewpacesbehind.JustasCarlapushedthegaspedaltothefloor,thecolonel,withasuperhumanleap,graspedthebackseatandhungonwithagripofsteel.Legsflailingemptyair,tryingdesperatelytofindthebumperforsupport,Chernovstruggledagainsttheaccelerationofthevehicletopullhimselfinside.Foronemadmoment,Viktorattemptedtobatterhispursuerwiththebriefcase,buthisstrengthwasgone.
“Droptothefloor!”screamedCarla.Stillaccelerating,sheenteredthetightcircleofPlaceFerdinandatmorethan70kilometersperhourandmadeasharpturntotheleftintoRueBrunel.Thecarskiddedcrazily,throwingthereararoundandslammingtherightwheelupagainstthecurb.TheforcewastoogreatevenforColonelChernov’sbrutestrength.Helosthisprecariousgripandflewthroughtheair.Caromingoffthetopofasidewalkcafétable,thecolonelcrashedthroughaplate-glasswindow.Thecareeningcartilted,nearlyturnedover,thenrighteditselfasCarlaregainedcontrolandspedaway.
ThroughtherearviewmirrorshesawtheRussianlimousineenterPlaceFerdinandandpulltoastopatthecurbwhereshehadshakenoff
Khorev’spursuer.Thedriverandhiscompanionleapedout.Theywerehalf-carryingastaggeringandbadlybleeding“Dr.Pavlov”backtotheirvehiclewhenCarlalostsightofthemasshemadeasharprightturnontoBoulevardPereire.Almostimmediatelysheturnedrightagain,thistimeontotheequallybroadAvenuedesTernes.Atlastshebreathedasighofrelief.
“We’regoingtomakeit!We’regoingtomakeit!”sheshoutedhappily.
Inastateofshock,Viktorwascrouchedonthebackfloor.Hewasstillclutchingthebriefcase,hischestheavinginagony.
“TheAmericanEmbassy!”hemanagedtogasp.“That’swhereI’mheaded.Don’tworry.It’sastraightshot—andnot
far.”CarlaknewParisalmostaswellassheknewWashington,D.C.Just
pastPlaceDesTernestheAvenuenarrowedandbecameRueduFaubourgSt.Honore.ShefolloweditsslightlyskewedrouteasfarasitwentViktorpulledhimselfupontothebackseatandslumpedagainstit,stillgaspingforbreath.EveryfewmomentsheturnedhisheadfearfullytosearchthetrafficbehindthemforsignsoftheirRussianpursuers.Theywerenowheretobeseen.
TurningrightatlastontoRueRoyale,Carlaexclaimedexuberantly,“We’vegotitmade—theycan’tcatchusnow!”
ForViktor,theterrifyingnightmarehadmetamorphosedintothesurrealistnumbnessofadream.Directlyahead,inthecenterofPlacedelaConcorde,hiseyesfocusedinsurpriseuponahugeEgyptianobelisktoweringabovethetraffic.Itallseemedunreal--liketurningthepagesofaschoolbooktoseeonceagainapictureofthis3000-year-oldtreasureofRamsesIIbroughtfromLuxor’sancienttemplegrowingrapidlylargerinhisvision.Wasthisactuallyhappening?
“Theembassy?”Ittookallofhisconcentrationtogetoutthewords.“Looktoyourright!”yelledCarlaintriumph.Turningabruptlyonto
AvenueGabriel,shepulledalmostimmediatelyovertothecurb.Alargebuildingsetfarbackcouldbeseenoverthetopofahighstonewallsurroundingit.Therewasanentranceforautosleadingtoacirculardrive
goinguptothefrontofthebuilding,buttheheavymetalentrygatewasclosed.OneithersideofitpacedamemberoftheFrenchgendarmerieholdingasubmachinegun.Abrassplaqueonthewallread:“No.4,AvenueGabriel,AMERICANEMBASSY.”ThedefectorfromtheRussianFederationcouldnotholdbackasobofrelief.
AsCarlaandViktoropenedtheirdoorstogetoutofthecar,thenearestpolicemanmovedquicklytowardthem,wavinghisgunandshouting,“Parkinginterdit!”
Viktorshrankbackintotheauto,butCarlakeptmovingandmotionedtohimtofollow.“Pleasehelp!It’sanemergency!”shecalledbackinFrench.“He’saRussiandefector!We’rebeingpursued.”
“D’accord!”Quicklythepolicemanwavedthemtowardalow,narrowstructurebuiltintothewalljusttotherightofthemetalgateand,withhisgunattheready,turnedtowatchfortheirpursuers.Enteringhurriedly,theywereconfrontedbytwoyoungUnitedStatesmarinesinfulluniform.
“He’saRussiandefector!”Carlaexplainedagain.“Wehavetogetinside!”
“Yes,ma’am,”cametheanswerinawelcomeSoutherndrawl.Themarineshardlychangedexpression.“Let’shavethepurseandthe
briefcase.Juststepthroughthismetaldetector.”Theybothlookedbackovertheirshoulderstowardthestreetseveral
timesastheyhalf-ranacrossthecourtyardandupthestepsofthemainembassybuilding.Overthetopofthesteelgate,therewasstillnosignoftheirpursuers.
“Wemadeit!”exclaimedCarla,givingViktoratriumphant“thumbs-up”signastheyenteredthroughthebroaddoors.Safelyinsideatlast,theyweremotionedbyanotheryoungmarineguardtowardareceptioncounterontherightjustbeyondagroupofsofasandchairs.ThereCarlaconfidedinalowvoicetoaclerk,“ThisisDr.ViktorKhorevfromtheRussianFederation—averyimportantscientistHewantspoliticalasylum!”
Theyoungwoman’seyeswidened.“Pleasetakeaseatoverthere,andsomeonewillberightwithyou.”
Throwingbackherlong,auburnhairandtakingafewwelcomedeepbreaths,Carlasaidwithawarmsmile,“Well,nowthatwecanfinally
relax,Iguessit’stimetointroducemyself.I’mCarlaBertelli.”“CarlaBertelli—theAmericanjournalist?”Dr.Khorevasked
tentatively.“YoumeanI’mknowninRussia?Idon’tbelieveit!”“I’vereadsomeofyourarticles.Excellent!”Helookedather
admiringly,thenblurtedout“Ithoughtyouwere—well,mucholder.”Theybothlaughed,thetensiondraining.Therewasabrief,
spontaneousembrace.Viktorheldheratarm’slength.Thereweretearsinhiseyesagain.“Yousavedmylife!Doyouknowthat?”
Carlanodded.“Isupposeso.Ididn’tunderstandwhatwashappening.IguessIjustactedonimpulse.”
Wearilytheysankdowntogetheronalongsofafacingthereceptioncounter.Viktorwasshakinghisheadinrelief.“Ican’tbelieveit!I’mfree!Ididn’tthinkitwouldhappen.HowcouldIeverrepayyou?Ioweyoueverything!”
“Well,Ididhaveaselfishinterest,”saidCarla,turningtowardhimwithanimpishgrin.“I’vebeenlookingforwardtohavinganinterviewwithyouformonths—andIwasn’tgoingtoletanythingpreventthat.”
Shehesitatedamomentandthengrewseriousagain.“I’lltellyouwhatyoucoulddoforme,Dr.Khorev--avery,veryspecialfavor.”
“Yes,tellme!”saidViktoreagerly.“Howaboutanexclusiveinterview?”“YoumeanIdon’ttalktoanyotherjournalists—yougetthewhole
story?”Carlanodded.“Isthataskingtoomuch?”“Toomuch?”exclaimedViktor.“Ioweyoumylife.Howdoyousayit
inAmerica?—you’vegotadeal?You’vegotadeal!”“Dr.Khorev?”Abaldingandratherowlish-lookingmanofabout45in
animpeccablebusinesssuithadopenedaprivatedoortotheirleftandwaslookingquestioninglyintheirdirection.
“Yes,I’mKhorev,”repliedViktoreagerly.Themanmarchedoversomewhatpompously,almostlikeaparadeof
one,bowedslightlyandshookViktor’shandwarmly.“I’mKarlJorgensen.Doyouhaveanyidentification?”
“YesIhave.”Viktorpickedupthebriefcaseandpatteditaffectionately.“AndI’vegotmoredatainherethanyoucouldimagine!”
Jorgensen’seyebrowsraisedjustslightly,andathinsmileformedonhislips.“Ifyou’llpleasecomewithme.”
“AndMissBertelli?”ViktorgesturedtowardCarla.“Shebroughtmehere—rescuedme,savedmylife.”
“Wemusttalktoyoualonefirstofall.”HeturnedtoCarla.“Ifyou’lljustwaithereforafewminutes,wehavesomeformalities.”Hesmiledreassuringly.
“Yes,ofcourse.”Atthedoor,Viktorhesitatedandturnedaround.Carlawaved.“I’llberighthere,”shecalled.
......WhentheFirstInternationalCongressonParapsychologyreconvened
thatafternoon,theRussiandelegationwasconspicuouslyabsent.TheconferencehallwasbuzzingwithrumorsthatKhorevandPavlovhadquarreledandthatKhorevhadlastbeenseenrunningacrossBoulevardPereireintoRueDebarcaderepursuedbyPavlov.IttooktheCongresschairman,Dr.Erickson,longerthanusualtoquiettheconfereesandtogettheirundividedattention.
“IhavebeenunabletogetintouchwitheitherDr.KhorevorDr.Pavlov,”beganErickson.“NoneoftheRussianshascheckedoutofthehotel,yetIhavenotbeenabletocontactanyofthem.IdidreachtheRussianEmbassy,however,justafewminutesago.AlthoughtheycouldnothelpmeinlocatingKhorevorPavlov,theyassuredmethattheirdelegationhadnotwithdrawnfromtheCongressandwouldaccepttheformalapologythathadbeendeliveredtothembytheBritishdelegation.
“TheAmericansandanumberofotherdelegations,”continuedErickson,“havealsoexpressedtheirgoodwillandtheirdeepconcernthattheRussiansnotwithdrawfromthisCongress.Wehaveremindedthemhowvitaltheircontinuedparticipationintheimportantdecisionsyettobemadeatthisconferencewillbe.I’msureeverythingwillworkout.Inthemeantime,wemustproceedonschedule.
“Andnowletmeintroduceourfirstspeakeroftheafternoon,thedistinguishedphilosopherandmathematicianaswellasoneoftheworld’s
best-knownparapsychologists,Dr.BernardRogersofCanada.”Thebriefapplausewasquicklyenvelopedbythesolemnhushof
anxietythatstillhunglikeapallovertheconference.InspiteofErickson’sassurance,theRussiandelegation’ssectionwasempty,andthatspokelouderthanthechairman’swords.SosomberwastheatmospherethatRogerswondered,ashelookedupfromhisnotesandclearedhisthroattospeak,whetherhisaudiencewouldbeabletoforgetthepresentcrisisandactuallyheartheimportantpointshehadtomake.
“Thetitleofmypaperis‘PsychicApplicationsintheSearchforExtraterrestrialIntelligence,’”hebegan.“Asweallknow,theexistenceofextraterrestrialintelligencessomewhere—andprobablyinmillionsoflocationsthroughouttheuniverse—isnolongerdoubtedbymostspacescientists.Theonlyquestionishowtomakecontactwiththem.Thebasicproblem,obviously,isthevastdistancesoverwhichcontactmustbemade.”
ItwasatthatpointthatthethoughtsofDr.FrankLeighton,whohadbeguntolistenwithgreatinterestwereinterruptedbyamessengerpresentinghimwithaUnitedStatesEmbassyenvelopeandareceiptformtosign.Intriguedastowhatitcouldcontainofsuchurgency,hehastilytoreitopenandreadthemessagewithin,whistlingsoftlyunderhisbreathashetookinitsimportance.
AsLeighton’sconcentrationwasdrawnintothemessagehewasreading,theCanadian’sspeechbecamemuted,asthoughitwerereachinghimfromanotherdimension.“Travelingatonemillionmilesperhour—40timespresentcapabilities,butperhapsconceivableinthenot-too-distantfuture—itwouldtake30,000yearsforvisitorstoreachearthfromthenearestsolarsystem4.5light-yearsaway.Ourgalaxyis100,000light-yearsacross,anditis15timesthatdistancetothenextgalaxy.
“Obviously,thelikelihoodofface-to-facephysicalcontactwithbeingsfromotherplanetsistooremotetotakeseriously.Icertainlywouldn’tstayawakenightsthinkingaboutwhattodoifitshouldhappen.Evenradiocontactwouldtakeanine-yearround-triptothenearestsolarsystem,andhundredsorthousandsofyearstoanyreallylikelylocationswhereintelligentlifemightexistwithinourowngalaxy—tosaynothing,of
course,ofthemillionsofyearsitwouldtakeforradiocontactwiththoseinothergalaxies.
“Idon’twanttoholdCarlSagan’sMemoryandhissuccessorsandtheentiresearchforextraterrestrials—towhichtheworld’sgovernmentshavecommittedtensofmillionsofdollars—uptoridicule,butyoucanseethatsomeotherapproachisneeded.NordoIneedtotellyoutheonewaythattheproblemposedbythesevastdistancescanbeeliminated.Ofcourse,I’mtalkingaboutpsychiccontact
“Thereisanotherevenmoreintriguingpossibility—thattherearenotonlyextraterrestrialintelligencesoutthere,butextradimensionalintelligencesaswell.Exactlywhatthismeansintechnicaltermsneednotconcernusatthemomentsolongasweareconvincedthatitisaviablescientificpossibility,whichIhavenodoubtthatitis.Thatthissubjectisoftheutmostimportanceandurgency...”
CatchingtheattentionoftheAmericandelegation’svicechairmanseatednexttohim,Leightonleanedoverandwhisperedinhisear.“There’sanemergency.IhavetoflyimmediatelytoWashington,D.C.Pleasetakeoverforme,willyou?Fortunately,Idon’tdelivermypaperuntilFridayandhopetobebackbythen.Ifnot—Ihatetoputthatburdenonyou,butwouldyoumindgivingitforme?”
“I’lldomybest”wasthewhisperedresponse.Leightonpulledafilefolderfromhisbriefcaseandhandedittohis
obligingcolleague.“It’salltypedinfinalorder,nohandwrittennotes.”Heshutthebriefcaseand,withawhisperedwordintheearofanothercolleague,walkedquicklyoutoftheconferencehall.
......Carlalookedimpatientlyatherwatchforatleastthetenthtimeinthe
lastfiveminutes.Dr.Khorevhadbeenbehindthatcloseddoorformorethantwohours.Hadsomethinggonewrong?
Shewenttothereceptiondesk.ThetwoyoungwomenwhohadbeentherewhensheandKhorevhadcomeinhadbeenreplacedbytwoothers.OneofthemlookedupandsmiledpleasantlyasCarlaapproached.“MayIhelpyou?”
“Well,Ihopeso.Ibroughtsomeoneinherenearlytwo-and-ahalf
hoursago,andI’vebeenwaiting.Iwastolditwouldonlybeafewminutes.”
“Well,letmecheckforyou.Whatkindofbusinessdidthispersonhave,orwhoweretheyseeing?”
“HewasaveryimportantRussianscientist—adefector.Heneededpoliticalasylum.”
“Idon’trecallanysuchperson.We’vehadnothinglikethatsinceIronCurtaindays.Noonedefectsanymore.’”
“Youweren’therewhenwecamein.Anyway,aMr.Jorgensen—IbelieveitwasKarlJorgensen—tookhimthroughthatdoorrightoverthere.SaiditwouldbeafewminutesandaskedmetowaitI’vebeenwaiting,andwaiting.CouldyouchecktoseewhatishappeningwithDr.ViktorKhorev—that’shisname—andhowmuchlongerit’sgoingtobe?”
“Certainly.”Shepickedupaphoneanddialed.“ThisisArleneoutinfrontThere’saladyherewhosaysshebroughtinaRussiandefectoracoupleofhoursago—aDr.ViktorKhorev.DoyouhaveanyinformationIcanpassontoher?She’sbeenwaiting.”
Thereceptionistputdownthephone.“He’sgoingtocheckandletmeknow.Itcouldbeafewminutes.Whydon’tyoujustsitdownagain?”
“Thanks,butI’llstand.”Carlapacedbackandforth,agrowingfeelinginsidethatsomethinghadgoneterriblywrong.
Thephonerang,andsheturnedeagerlytothereceptiondesk.Arlenepickedupthephoneandlistenedforafewmoments,thenputitdown.ThereisnorecordofanyRussiandefector—thatjustdoesn’thappen.Areyousure?”
“Whatdoyoumean,amIsure!Ibroughthiminheremyself.”Arlenelookedsympatheticandgenuinelypuzzled.Thatwasthe
ambassador’ssecretary.Believeme,ifanyRussianhadcomeinhere,shewouldknow.”
“Idon’tcarewhatshesays,”returnedCarlaevenly,leaningoverthecounter.“She’slying.IbroughtDr.Khorevinheremyself!”
“Letmeassureyou,nooneliesaroundhere—certainlynottheambassador’spersonalsecretary!”
“Thisisincredible!IwanttotalktoKarlJorgensen!Gethimout
here!”“Idon’tthinkDr.Jorgensenhasbeenintoday.Heusuallydoesn’t
comeinonThursdays.”“Gethimouthere—now!”Shaken,Arlenepickedupthephoneagainanddialed.Afterabrief
conversation,shehelditawayfromherearandsaidtoCarla,“JustasItoldyou,KarlJorgensenhasnotbeeninallday.Infact,he’sgonebacktoWashington.”
“Listentome!JorgensenornoJorgensen,Idon’tcare.Justgetsomeonewithauthorityoutheretotalktome!”
Arlenesaidafewhushedwordsintothephone.Abouttwominuteslater,thesameprivatedooropenedandanotherwell-dressedandpolishedembassy-typegentlemancalledtoher.“MissBertelli?”
“Yes!”Carlahurriedovertohim.“WhathaveyoudonewithKhorev?”Hehadshutthedoorbehindhimandstoodwithhisbackagainstit.“I
thinkthereceptionisthastoldyouthatwehaveneverheardofaDr.ViktorKhorev,hasshenot?”
“Andwebothknowthat’sablatantlie.”Hisfacereddened.“Thoseareharshwords,MissBertelli.Icouldcall
youaliar,too.”“Mywordagainstyourword—isthatthegame?”Carla’seyeswere
flashing.“Howdoyouknowmyname?”Hehesitated.“Yougaveittothereceptionist.”“Ididnot—andshementionednonameonthephone.”Carladrewa
deepbreath.Shestaredathimcontemptuously.“Look,I’mnotanobody.Ihappentobeaverywell-knownjournalistwithaphotographicandindeliblememorythat’sbeenrecordingeverything.”
“Don’tbeafool!TheRussiangovernmentwillofficiallydenythathe’smissing.You’vegotnostory.”
“You’rerightI’mnotpublishinganything—untilIhavethewholestory.AndI’llgetit!”
“Goodluck!”“IsavedDr.Khorev’slife.I’msureyouknowthatHepromisedmean
exclusive,andI’mholdinghim—andtheU.S.government—tothat
promise!Don’tforgetit!Andrememberthis,too:IknowwhereDr.Khorevisbeingtaken—andifhe’snottreatedfairly,Ipromiseyou,thewholeworldisgoingtoknow!”
[16]ProjectArchon
“Ican’tsaythatI’mexactlyshattered.I’mtoocynicalforthat.Butit’sstilldisillusioningwhenyourowngovernment—oratleastthosewhorepresentit—lietoyou!That’sthesortofthingweexpectfromtheRussians,butnotfromourownpeople!”
Angryandfrustrated,CarlawasspeakingbyphonetoaclosefriendinNewYork,oneofthesenioreditorsofTimemagazine.Asshetalked,shepacedimpatientlybackandforthwithinthelimitsofthephone’sshortcordinherfourteenthfloorroomatthePalaisdesCongres.Perfectlyframedinherwindow,therebeforehergazeatthefarendofAvenueRaymondPoincarelaythemajesticmonumentofPlaceVictorHugoandthesprawlingPalaisdeChaillot,whilejustbeyondarosetheblackfiligreeoftheEiffelTower.Shefixedhereyesonitsfamiliarandstolidbeautyasaframeofreferenceforaworldgonebadlyawry.
“Whyshouldyoubeshocked?”cametheunruffledvoicefromtheotherend.“EisenhowerliedtothewholeworldaboutGaryPowersandtheU-2spyplanetheSovietsshotdownin1960;JohnKennedyliedabouttheBayofPigsin1961;NixonliedaboutCIAattemptstofixtheChileanelectionsin1970,aswellasabouthistapesand—Icouldgoonandon.Denialisn’tjustthenameofthegame;it’sanhonorabletraditionandit’sstillinvogue.Youdon’texpecttheembassyboystosay,‘Yes,MissBertelli,wehavetakenDr.Khorevtoasecretlocationforourownnefariouspurposesandaren’tgoingtoletanyoneknowaboutituntilwe’regoodandready,sopleasedon’tbreatheaword.’”
“Iknow,George,Iknow.Butit’sterriblyinsultinganddemeaningwhenyougetliedtorighttoyourface!Ican’tletmypersonalfeelingsgetinvolved,butitstillmakesmescreamingmad!”
“Look,Carla.Iknowyouthinkyou’reontosomethingbiggerthan
Watergate,butyou’realsoawareofthegeneralfeelingamongeditorsaboutpsychicresearch.That’stabloidstuff.Youcouldn’tgetalegitimatepaperormagazinetotouchitwitharobot.IfKhorevwereaphysicistoranovelistorinthemilitaryoranathleteoralmostanythingelse—butaparapsychologist!That’sthekissofdeathonyourstory.Mosteditorswouldsay,‘Oh,anotherUriGeller,huh?Well,thatfadhasdiedoff,thankfully.Sorry,we’renotinterested.’”
“He’snotapsychic,forheaven’ssake.He’sascientistwhochecksuponpsychics—andhe’soneofthemostbrilliantintheworld!”
“Mostifnotallpsychicsarephonies,sowhydoeshehavetobesobrillianttocheckuponthem?”
“George,theCIAisinvolvedinthisuptoitsears.”“Howdoyouknow?”“I’mnotatlibertytorevealthatyet,butI’veknownitforacoupleof
years.Anyway,it’sfairlycommonknowledgethattheCIAisinvolvedtosomeextentinpsychicresearch.Iftheytakeitseriously,thatoughttogiveitsomecredibility.”
“Oh,nowyou’vereallyconvincedme.ShallIremindyouofsomeoftheabsolutelykookythingstheCIAhasbeeninvolvedin,theblundersit’smade,thebungled,harebrainedassassinationplotsagainstCastro,Lumumba,andothers—workingwithpeoplelikeNoriega,theendlesslistofliesandmisinformation?”
“ForgetitI’vereadWoodward,Agee,Marchetti,Stockwell,Snepp—alltheexposesbyexagents.”ShepausedandfrownedattheEiffelTower.“Okay,soifIcan’tgetanoldfriendlikeyouinterested—”
“I’minterested.YouknowthatI’mjustremindingyouofwhatyou’reupagainst.”
“Pleasedon’tI’vehearditforyears.ButI’mtellingyou,somethingisgoingonthat’swayoutoftheordinary.”
“Convinceme.”“Well,youknowwhyI’moverhere.Thisistheworld’sveryfirst
InternationalCongressonParapsychology.Andit’snotabunchofout-of-touchprofessorssittingintheirivorytowerstalkingtheory,either.Theseareofficialgovernmentrepresentativesdiscussingactualapplicationsof
psychicpower,andveryconcernedaboutit.”“Likewhat?”“Look,Idon’thavetimetogointothat.”“That’stheproblem,Carla.It’salwayssovague.”“George,ifsnotvague—believeme.Butpleasehavepityonme—I’m
payingforthisphonecall.TheRussiansaresoconcernedthatinKhorev’sspeechthismorning,addressingtheentireCongress,hecalledforinternationalcontrols,freeexchangeofinformation—andhewasdead-seriouswhenhewarnedaboutthedangersofpsychicpower!”
“ButyouthinkhewasbeinghustledofftotheairporttobetakenbacktoMoscow?”
Thereisn’tanyotherexplanationforwhatIpersonallywitnessedandgotinvolvedin.Wecouldhavebothbeenkilled!”
“ThenapparentlytheRussiansweren’thappywithhisspeech.”“I’mnottalkingabouthisspeech.Thiswasapreparedstatementthat
hisgovernmentinstructedhimtoread.”“Youthinkhechangedit?”“No,there’ssomethingelsebehindthis.Listen.Igetnothingfrommy
friendatpoliceheadquartershereinParis.AtopRussianscientistdefects,andoneoftheirdelegationhastobeinahospitalheresomewherewithdozensoffreshstitchesinhim,andthere’snotapeep.”
“You’vecheckedthehospitals?”“Everylastone.Theyreallyhavethelidonthis!TheAmerican
Embassygoessofarastotellme—me,thepersonwhobroughthimin—thatKhorevdoesn’tevenexist.Hideadefector—that’sstandardprocedure.Butyoutelltheworldyou’vegothim,andtheothersidescreamsforhisrelease.Whyisnobodysayinganything?There’ssomethingIdon’tunderstand,andwhateveritis,it’sgottobebig—reallybig!”
“Well,I’lladmititstinksalittleworsethanusual.I’llgiveyouthatmuch.”
“Andtotopitoff,Dr.FrankLeighton,headoftheAmericandelegation,hasvanishedaswell.Iwouldbetyouanythingthathe’sonthesameplanewithKhorevheadingfortheU.S.rightnow.Andletmetell
yousomethingelse—Leighton’sbeenworkingfortheCIAforyears!”“Sohavealotofotherpeople.”“He’snotjustapaidinformer—he’sinvolvedinsecretresearchthat’s
incredible.ButIcan’tevenwriteaboutthatyet.I’vebeensittingonitbecauseitwaspassedontomeinconfidence.”
“Okay,whatdoyouwantmetodo?”“JustrememberwhatI’vetoldyouandletmeknowanythingthat
comesoverthewiresthatseemstobeevenremotelyrelatedtothisstory.”“Okay.IcanreachyouatthisnumberinParis,right?Thenyou’re
backinWashington?”“No,whenthisCongressendsSaturday,I’monlystoppingin
Washingtonlongenoughtopickupsomethings.ThenI’mheadingforCalifornia.I’llcallyouwhenIgetoutthere.”
“California?”“I’mreluctantIt’sgoingtobepainful.”“Ken?”“Idon’tthinkthere’sanyotherway.He’sstillgotaconnectionwith
Leighton,andthat’showI’mgoingtofindKhorev.”HereyehadwanderedovertolookdownonRueDebarcadereandPlaceFerdinand.Foramomentshehadahorrifyingvisionthrougharearviewmirrorof“Pavlov”bouncingoffthetableandflyingthroughthatplate-glasswindow.Sheshuddered—andthenasmilebegantospreadacrossherface.Itservesyouright,youcontemptiblegorilla!I’dlovetoknowyourthoughtsrightnow.
“Areyouthere,Carla?Hello?”“Sorry—Iwasjustthinking.Oneofthesedays,George,I’mgoingto
handyouoneincrediblestory!That’sapromise.Talktoyoulater.”ShehungupthephoneandstoodlookingdownuponPlaceFerdinand
forafewmoremoments,relishingthememory.Thenithither.Whydidn’tIthinkofthisbefore?They’regoingtobelookingforme!Theydon’tknowme—buttheyknowmycar!
Shedugaroundinherpurse,foundherrentalpapers,andhurriedlydialedanumber.Whensomeoneanswered,shebegantalkingrapidlyinFrench.“ThisisCarlaBertelli.IpickedupablueVolvoC-70convertible
fromyouthismorningatOrly.Yes,Iknowitwasforaweek,butIcan’tdriveitanymore.No,there’snothingwrongwiththecar,justwithme.I’mincapacitated.Someonewillhavetocomeandgetit.I’matthePalaisdesCongres.Nevermindthecancellationfee,penalties,pickup—oranythingelse.Idon’tcarewhatitcosts.Andthere’sa100Francpourboireifsomeonecangetherewithinthehour.I’llbewaitinginthemainlobbynearthecheckoutdesk.”
......Viktorhadprotestedvehementlyatbeingtakensuddenlyoutaback
exitfromtheembassyandintoawaitinglimousinewithoutbeingabletothankCarlaBertellionceagainforsavinghislife.“It’sextremelyurgenttogetyououtofFrance,”Jorgensenhadinsisted,“andsafelytotheUnitedStatesbeforetheRussiansraiseaninternationalfuror.”
“ButwhataboutMissBertelli?”hehadasked.“She’swaiting,youknow.”
“Oneofmyassistantswillexplaineverythingtoher.She’llunderstand.”
Nowthesenseofeuphoriabegantobuilduntilhethoughthewouldburstwiththejoyandrelief.Onthewaytotheairport,Viktorkeptrunninghishandoverthebriefcaseclutchedonhislaptomakesureitwasstillthere.Itallseemedunreal,especiallywhen,withoutgoingthroughcustomsorpassportcontrol,hewasescortedaboardalarge,sleekjetthatapparentlybelongedtosomeagencyoftheUnitedStatesgovernment.Hewastreatedwithgreatcourtesyandcare,asthoughtheflightandeveryoneonitexistedforhisbenefitalone.Itwasnotlongbeforeherealizedthatwasindeedthecase.
Assoonastheplanehadattaineditscruisingaltitude,Viktorbecamethecenterofattention—attentionthatbeganwithquestionsthatseemedatfirsttoreflectgenuineinterestinhimasanindividual,butwhichsoonturnedintointensiveandeventuallygruelinginterrogation.Forthefirsthourorso,ithardlyseemedtomatter.Hewasalmosttoointoxicatedwiththewonderofitalltoanswerthequestionsthatwerebeingfiredathiminrapidsuccession.However,thetruthfinallymovedfromsurrealismtocoldreality.HewasindeedhighabovetheAtlanticOcean,speedingtoward
Washington,D.C.,andithadatlastbecomecleartohimthathisfellowpassengerswerealleitherembassypersonnelorCIAagents.HewasnowcertainthathisinterrogatorshadtobewiththeCIA.
“Doctor,we’resorrytobeaskingsomanyquestions,butyouunderstandwhywehavetobeasthoroughaspossible.It’sforyourprotectionaswellasforours.”Jorgensenhadsaidthatatleastfivetimes,buthesoundedsincereandViktorappreciatedhissolicitude,evenifitseemedoverdone.AtlastViktorleanedbackinhisseat,completelyexhaustedwiththeeffort.
Theseatswerearrangedfacingoneanotheronbothsidesoftheplane.Viktorwasinthemiddleontherightaislefacingtowardtherear,withfiveothermensittingaroundhim.Threewereobviouslyprofessionalinterrogators.ThentherewasJorgensenandanaide.Therewereatleastadozenothersontheplane,buthe’dhadnocontactwiththemasyetalthoughtheywereapparentlypartofhisescort.Lookingaround,he’dseenseveralmenengagedinphoneconversations.Itwasanimpressiveoperation.
“Takeusthroughyourreasonsforwantingtodefectjustoncemore,Doctor,ifyoudon’tmind.”Whydidtheykeepsayingthat?Ifhedidmind—andhedid—hecouldn’tsayso.Thispolitenessseemedsounnecessary,andcertainlystrangeincomparisonwiththewaytheCommitteebackatthebase,forexample,operated.
“Well,asI’vesaid,”beganViktoronceagainwearily,“theevidenceIaccumulatedoverthepastfiveyears—andIhaveasmuchofitasIcouldcarryinmybriefcase—ledmeindirectionsthatIcouldn’tpursueinaMarxistsocietywherematerialismhassolongbeenthesacredcow.Idon’thavetotellyou—thatevennow—there’slittlefreedomtothinkforyourself—especiallyatcertainlevelsinthemilitaryandclassifiedwork—andI’mstarvedforfreedom.Ineedfreedomformyresearch,whichismywholelife—andpersonalfreedomjusttobeahumanbeing.”Hepausedandshrugged.“Andthat’sbasicallyit”
“AndtheParisCongressgaveyouthefirstchanceyou’dhad?”“I’mnotaCommunistPartymember,neverhavebeen,andwithout
thatyoucouldn’tgetoutofthecountry—andevenveryfewParty
membersevergottotheWestThere’sjustnowayyoucanescapeacrossthebordertoFinlandorTurkey—atleastnotanywaythatIwoulddaretotry.There’ssupposedlyanewfreedom—butnotforpeopleinmyposition.Theywouldn’thavesentmetotheCongressifithadn’tbeennecessarytogivethedelegationsomelegitimacy.Everyso-called‘delegate’exceptmewasworkingfortheFSB.”
......Inacurtained-offsectioninthefrontoftheplane,FrankLeighton,tie
loosened,lookingtiredbutclearlyveryexcited,wasseatedwithtwoothermen—theembassy’stopRussianexpertandtheCIA’sWesternEuropedivisionchief.TheywerecloselywatchingKhorev’sinterrogationonclosed-circuittelevision.
“Idon’tthinkhe’saplant,”saidtheembassyofficial,foraboutthesixthtime.HehimselfhaddefectedfromRussia20yearsbefore.EverythingaboutKhorevrangtrue,notonlytothisexpert’sintimateknowledgeoftheRussiansystem,buttohisintuitionaswell.
“Iknowhe’snotaplant,”insistedLeighton.“He’stooimportanttothemtorisk—andIneedhimimmediatelyoutinCalifornia!”
“There’snowayyoucanputhimtoworkyet,”protestedtheCIAdivisionchief.“Soforgetthat.”Andthenheaddedcautiously,“Hewouldn’tbethefirstbigfishthey’vethrownourway.”
“He’snota‘bigfish,’”retortedLeighton.“He’stheirtopmaninpsychicresearch!Theycouldn’tpossiblyaffordtousehimthatway.Canyouimaginehowmuchit’sgoingtosetthembacktolosehim?”
“Istillthinkhecouldbeaplant,”cautionedtheCIAwatchdog.“He’sgottobekeptoniceuntilwecancheckhimoutthoroughly.”
“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”demandedtheRussianexpert.“TreathimlikeyouguysdidYuriNossenko,lockedupforthreeyearsinatinyroomwiththescrewsturnedevertighter,tryingtobreakhimbecausesomebodywasafraidhewasadoubleagent?”
“Don’tkeepbringingthatup,”counteredtheCIAman.“IknowYuriwasyourfriend,butthat’sanisolatedcase,abadmistake—andplentyofmistakeshavebeenmadeintheotherdirection,too.Don’tforgetFedoraandTophat.TheirmisinformationaboutSovietICBMsledusastrayfor
years.AndhowaboutColonelPenkovsky?NowtherewasthedarlingofBritishIntelligence,andourownalso—supposedlythegreatestWesternintelligencecoupofthecentury.Andyouknowthedoubtsabouthimtoday.Ijustwanttobesure.”
“There’snowaytobesure.Liesbecometruth,defectorsturnouttobeplants,someofourownagentsareworkingfortheotherside.Molesareeverywhere,andprettysoonyoudon’tbelieveyourownjudgmentandblack-and-whiteevidencewhenit’sunderyournose.”Hethrewuphishands.“Everything’sacalculatedrisk.”
LeightonhaddeliberatelywithdrawnfromtheargumentItwasirrelevantasfarashewasconcerned.HehadalreadyplacedacalltotheDirectorofCentralIntelligence(DCI)andwouldmakehisappealdirectlytohim.NoticingLeighton’slackofinterestintheirdiscussion,theothertwojoinedhiminleaningbackandwatchingthetelevisionmonitorinsilence.Khorevwasgoingintomoredetailsthanhehadbefore,tellingaboutthelastexperiment.
“Thiswasthethirdpsychicwelost.Hewasoutofhisbody—atleastthat’smypresentunderstanding—probingatargetthattheFSBhadgivenusseveralpicturesof...quitealargecomplexsupposedlylocatedoutsidePaloAlto.WeweretolditwasaCIApsychicresearchlab.”
ThequestionersseatedaroundKhorevexchangedskepticalglances.Inthefrontoftheplane,Leightonsuddenlysatupstraightandleanedforwardontheedgeofhisseat.
“Didhedescribewhathesaw—anydetailsofinterest?”Viktornodded.“Yes,butbetterthanameredescription,Idevelopeda
meansoftransferringtheimageinahumanbrainontovideofilm.Mybriefcase—someonetookitfrommewhenIcameaboard—”Viktorlookedaroundquestioningly,justatraceofworryinhisexpression.
“Wecangetitforyouwhenyouneedit.”“TherearethingsinthereIreallyneedtoexplain,”putinViktor
hurriedly.“You’llhaveplentyoftimeforthatlater.Nowyouweresaying—?”“I’vegotacassetteinthereofwhatourpsychicsaw.Isupposeyou’ve
heardofDr.FrankLeighton—oneofyourtopparapsychologists.You’ll
seeaglimpseofhimonthevideo.”Behindthecurtain,theRussianexpertandtheCIAchieflookedat
Leightonquestioningly.Hestoodabruptlytohisfeet.“Thishasgonetoofar!Iwantthequestioningstopped—now.I’lltakefullresponsibility.”Hepulledthecurtainaside,andthethreeofthemhurrieddowntheaisle.
“Hewasdeadbeyondadoubt,”Khorevwassayingastheycameupbehindhim.“Andthatmangled,lifelessarm—holdingafeltpenthatnoneofushadeverseenbefore—printedoutinGreeklettersthemessage:‘DeathtoPrometheus.Archon.’”
Followingthegazeofthemenseatedoppositehim,Viktorturnedaroundandwasastonishedtoseewhowasstandingtherelistening.LeightonleanedoverandpattedViktorontheshoulder.Surprisedandoverjoyed,Viktorreachedupandthetwoshookhandswarmly.
“Imissedyouatlunchtoday,”quippedLeighton,“butdinnerwilldo.AndIthinkwe’llbothbejustashappythatyour‘assistant’won’tbelisteningin.”
Viktormanagedaweaksmile.“Youmusttellmehowyouknewwhohewas.”
“Oh,I’llexplainthatandawholelotmoreinduetime.Chernov’sanastyone—fillsuponeofourthickestred-flaggedfiles.Butyouwon’thavetoworryabouthimanymore.”
“That’sright!”exclaimedViktor,andthenrepeatedthewordsasthoughhewerejustbeginningtounderstandhisnewfreedom.“You’reright—nomoreChernov!Youcan’timaginewhatthatmeans!”Thetensiondrainedfromhisface,andhejoinedLeightoninanexhilaratinglaugh.
“IwaslookingforwardtoshowingyouthesightsofParis,”addedLeightonabitwistfully.“ButhowaboutWashington,D.C.instead?AndafterthatSanFrancisco!”
“It’sjusttoomuchtobelieve.”Viktor’svoicewaschoked.“AmIreallyhere?Isthisreallyhappeningtome?”
“Itsureis.We’rehappyforyou.Andyoucancountonusforanyhelpyoumayneed.NowIthinkit’stimeweallhadsomethingtodrinkandrelaxedabitbeforetheyserveussomedinner.”
......InthemiddleofdinnerLeightonwascalledawaytoaphone.Itwas
theDCIreturninghiscall.“Iunderstandyou’vegotKhorev,”saidthedirector.“Right.That’swhatIwascallingabout.”“Congratulations!I’llhearhowithappenedlater.Howdoeshelook?”“Cleanasahound’stooth!Imean,thisisViktorKhorev—theoneand
only.He’snotplayinganygames.”“I’dtendtoagreewiththatjustbecauseofwhoheis.”“We’vebeenthroughhisentirebriefcase.You’veneverseenanything
likethetreasureofdocumentshe’sbroughtus.Iguaranteehehasn’theldanythingback.”
“That’sagoodsign.So?”“I’vegottohavehimimmediatelyoutinCalifornia.”“That’snotthewaywedothings.”“Iknowitisn’tbutthisisauniquesituation.”“YouknowI’lltakesomeheatfromsomeoftheOldGuard.”“Iknow,butcan’tyouseewhereKhorevcouldplayakeyrolein
gettingthePlanacceptedbytheworld?Thinkaboutit!”Therewasalongsilenceontheotherend.Whenfinallythedirector
spoke,therewassuppressedexcitementinhisvoice—excitementthatheneverallowedtointrudeintohisprofessionallife,butwhichhecouldscarcelysuppressnowasthetruthofwhatLeightonhadsaidgrippedhim.“You’vegothim.Ononecondition:Hedoesn’tleavethebase.He’sgottobekeptthereunder24-hourguard—forhisprotectionandours.”
“I’llseetothat!”respondedLeighton.“Andlisten:ThisprojectissosensitivethatifKhoreveverstepsone
centimeteroutofline,he’shistory!”“DoyouwantmetobringhimtoLangleytoseeyouonmyway
through?”“I’mleavingfortheMiddleEasttomorrow.I’llstopbywhenI’mnext
outontheWestCoast.Thisisabigbreak—congratulationsagain!”......
Whendinnerwasover,LeightonmotionedforViktortofollowhim.
Togethertheywenttowardthebackoftheplane,awayfromtheothers.“WhatI’mgoingtotalkaboutnowissosecret”Leightonsaidina
confidentialtone,puttinghishandonViktor’sshoulderandleaningclose,“thatnooneonthisplaneknowsaboutitexceptme—andsoonyou.Sodon’tmentionthistoanyone—anddon’tdiscussyourvideooryourwork,nomatterwhoasks.I’vegiventheorderfornoonetoquestionyouanyfurther.Soifsomeonetriestodothat,justcallforme.”HepausedforamomentsmilingwarmlyatViktor.
“I’vereallybeentreatedverykindly.”“Andyoualwayswillbe,”saidLeightonsolemnly.“NowIdon’tknow
whatyourhopeswere—ImeanwhatyouexpectedtodoinAmerica?”“Ofcourse,Iwanttocontinuemyresearchhere—ifthere’ssomeplace
Icanfitin.”HelookedatLeightonquestioningly,knowingthatwhathehadinmindwasreallytoomuchtoask—atleastatthisearlystage.“Ihadhopedtobeabletolearnaboutyourresearch,butIknowitmaybeverysecret.”
“That’snoproblem.I’llbehappytoshowyoueverything.”“Wouldyou?Thatwouldbewonderful!”Viktorbegantofeelthathe
andLeightonwouldbegoodfriends.“IhopeIcanseeyousometimes—Imean,Idon’tknowwhereImightbetaken.”
“That’suptoyou,really.”“Itis?”Viktorcouldn’tbelievehisears,butthenthiswastheWestand
hewasgoingtoAmerica,thelandoffreedom.Thatgavehimcouragetoasksomethingelse.There’ssomeoneI’vewantedforyearstomeet.”
“Who’sthat?”“Dr.KenInman.I’vereadsomeofhispapersandfindhistheories
particularlychallenging,butheseemstohavedroppedoutofsight.Ihaven’tseenanythingrecentfromhim.”SomethingchangedslightlyinLeighton’seyesthatViktorcouldn’tinterpretNowhewasfearfulthathehadoversteppedhisbounds.“I’msorry—Ishouldn’tbeexpressingmyselfsofreelywhenwehardlyknoweachother.”
“No,that’squitealrightSoyouwanttoseeInman.Youknow,hehasn’tbeeninvolvedinthisfieldforabouttwoyears.”
“Didheretire?Ithoughthewasquiteyoung.”
Leightonwasthinkingofapossibilitythatmighthavesomerealpromise.“I’msureIcanarrangeforyoutomeethim.Thatwouldn’tbedifficult.Whetherhe’dbewillingtotalkabouthispsychicresearch—that’sanotherquestion.Buttoyou—yes,Ithinkyoumightbeabletodowhatsomeoftherestofushavetriedtodowithoutsuccess:stirhisinterestagain.”
Viktordidn’tunderstandwhatLeightonmeantanddidn’tknowhowtorespond.Theystoodfacingeachotherinsilence.AtlastLeightonputhishandbackonViktor’sshoulderandhistonebecameconfidentialonceagain.
“Youmayhavebeenhopingforalittlevacation,andIcanprobablyarrangethatlater.There’samatterofsomeurgency,however,andIwaswonderingwhetheryou’dbewillingtojoinmystaffatthatspecialresearchinstallationinCalifornia?”
Viktor’seyeslitupandagrinbeganspreadingacrosshisface.“Youreallymeanthat?Isitpossible?”
“I’llhavetogetsecurityclearanceforyou,whichisn’tusuallygrantedatthisstage,butI’vegotalotofconfidenceinyou.”HewassearchingViktor’seyes.“Youwon’tletmedown,willyou?”
“Never!”saidViktorearnestly.“Thisissuchanhonor.Ineverdreamedofsuchathing!”
Leightongrippedhisarm.“You’regoingtofindwhatwe’redoingfascinating.Remember:Nooneelseonthisplaneknowsaboutthisprojectsodon’tmentionaword.”
LeightonmotionedViktorovertoaseat.TheysatdownandLeightonleanedinclose.“Whatwe’reinvolvedinoutthereisthemostexcitingchallengeI’veeverfaced.Letmetellyoualittlebitaboutit.ThecodenameisProjectArchon.’”
[17]ASurprisingProposal
Carlaslowedtherentedcartoacrawlaswavesofnostalgiasweptoverher.Thecurvingstreet,theelegantnewhomessetfarbackonacrelots,thepleasantlyrollingfoothillterrainand,atlast,thehouseshehadn’tseensinceithadbeenintheframingstage—itallseemedreminiscentofadreamshehadlongforgotten.It’sbeautiful,butIcan’tbelievehe’slivedinthathugeplaceallalonefortwoyears!I’msurehehasn’tmarried—atleastIhaven’theard.Plentyofwomenwouldbeinterestedinhim!Heprobablyhassomeoneinmindifheisn’tengagedbynow.
Sittingatopasteeplyslopingandivy-fringedlawnattheendofthecul-de-sac,thehomewasallshehadimaginedandhopedfor—inanothertimethatnowseemedunreal.Thelow,sprawlingsilhouetteofitsoverhangingroofofbeigeconcreteshakesblendedintothelushlandscapingofstatelyconifers,bloomingazaleas,andrhododendrons.Themagnificentnativeliveoaksthathadbeenleftinplacecompletedthetastefulartistry,appropriatetothebackgroundofwoodedhillsrisingjustbeyond.Ithadbeenlittlemorethanrawacreageandadreamthelasttimeshe’dseenit.
Shehadcomedirectlyfromtheairport—hadn’tevengonetoherhotelyet.AtfirstCarlahadthoughtofcallingfromthere,butthatwouldhavemadeitevenmorepainful.Ithadtobeasurpriseforhim—andsheknewthatifshedidn’tgetitoverwithimmediately,shemightnotfindthecouragetofacehimlater.Courage?Shefeltatotallackofitas,withgrowingapprehensionandembarrassment,sheforcedherselftoclimbthosebroadstepsontothefrontporchandringthebell.Maybehewon’tevenbehome.Offonatripsomewhere—orwhoknowswhat.Ishouldhavephonedfirst.Thisiscrazy!Anxiouslylongmomentsprecededthesoundoffamiliarfootstepsbeyondthedoor.Thenitswungopenandthere
hewas,alookofshockedandopenmouthedunbeliefwrittenonhisface.“Carla!?”“Yourememberthecartoonoftheguywhowentbyplane,thencanoe,
andfinallybydogsledtoreachacabindeepintheArctic,andthensaid,‘ThoughtI’ddropbywhileIhappenedtobeintheneighborhood’?Well,Ijusthappenedtobeinthisneighborhood.OnlyallIdidwasflyinfromD.C.—nocanoesordogsleds.”
Hedidn’tlaughatherlittlejoke—didn’tevensmile.Heseemedtoostunnedtoknowwhethertoinviteherin.Itwas,afterall,astaggeringsurprise.
“Actually,”continuedCarla,“I’mpursuingastory.AndIdesperatelyneedyourhelporIwouldn’tbehere.”Hervoicequaveredjustalittleintryingtogetoutthecarefullychosenwordsthroughamouththathadbecomesuddenlyverydry.
That’sCarla—stillthesame.Abrupt,honest,everythingupfront.That’soneofthemanyreasonsIlovedhersomuch.Kenstoodthereforwhatseemedanothereternity,tryingtoconvincehimselfthathiseyesandearswerenotdeceivinghim,thatitwasreallyhappening.Carlawasactuallystandingthere,lookingmorebeautifulthanever,facinghimonthefrontporchofthehometheyhaddreamedofandplannedtogether.
“Well,comeonin,”hefinallymanagedtosay,openingthedoorandsteppingaside.“YouknowI’lldoanythingIcantohelpyou.”
“Iknow.That’swhyIcame.”Shesteppedinside,herfullskirtswishingagainsthimasshepassed.Nowhesmelledherperfume,thekindshe’dknownwashisfavorite.He’dtriedtoforgether,andthoughthehadprettymuchsucceeded,knowingthatwasbest.Hehaddatedseveralotherwomen,butnoneofthemseemedright.Andnowsuddenly,inspiteofhimself,hefeltthatoverwhelmingattractionagain.Getholdofyourself,Inman!It’sfinished.
Theystoodwithoutspeaking,justinsidethedoor,lookingatoneanother.Shewassearchinghisfaceforscarsandnotfindingany.“It’sgreattoseewhataremarkablerecoveryyoumade.Areyouassoundasyoulook?”
Henodded.“Perfectcondition,sothedoctortellsme.Andyourjob?I
confessIhaven’tseenmanyofyourarticles—don’treadtherightjournalsanymore.”
“Noneedtoapologize.Iwouldn’texpectyouto.”Hereyewastakinginthecomfortablebutsimply-furnishedsunkenlivingroomjustofftheentryhall.Itshugewindowsreachedfromfloortoloftyopen-beamedceilingandlookedoutuponabreathtakingviewofthecityinthedistancebelow.Thelargestonefireplaceandraisedhearthwithitssweepingcurveacrossthefarcorneroftheroomhadbeenoneofhermanycreativeideas.Theplanstheyhadworkedontogetherhadincorporatedfarmoreofhertastethanhis.Hefinisheditthatway—andstilllivesinit!
Foramomentshecouldseethemstrollinghandinhandovertherawland,thenmerrilywalkingthroughthefloorplanthathadbeenlaidoutonthefinishedfoundation—andfinally,thelasttime,justafterithadbeenframedandjustbeforetheaccidentlikechildrenplayinghouse,goingthrough“theirhome”together,excitedtogettheirfirstrealsenseofthesizeandlayoutoftherooms.Sheputahandquicklytohermouthsohecouldn’tseethatherlipsweretrembling.Thatsurprisingupsurgeoffeelings—feelingsthatshehadassuredherselfwerelongdead—caughthercompletelyoffguard.Shewasamazedattheirintensity.
Heledherintothelivingroomandpulledupachairforhernearhisinfrontofthefire.Theysatforamomentinanotherbriefbutawkwardsilence.
“Haveyouhaddinner?”Kenaskedatlast“Momisfixingitrightnow.”Seeingherlookofsurprise,heexplained,“MydaddiedjustbeforeChristmas.I’vegotthisbighousehere,youknow,thatwe...”Hisvoicecaughtandheturnedawayforamoment,thenmanagedtocontinue.“Well,she’southerenowstayingwithme.ThewintersareprettytoughinMaine.She’llkeepthefamilyhomebackthereforthegrandchildren,forsummers.It’srightonthebay—well,youremember.”
Carlasuddenlyfeltlikecryingonhisshoulderastheguiltsurfacedonceagain.Walkingoutonhimwhenhewasstillinthehospitalsoclosetodeath.Itseemedsoheartless.Shethrewherheadbackinsteadandlaughed,thatrollicking,liltinglaughheknewsowell.
“What’ssofunny?”heaskedinfeignedoffense.
“You!Youlooklikeyou’vejustseenaghost.”“Well,haven’tI?”Theybothlaughednervously.“Dinnerisoutofthequestion,”saidCarlafirmly.“I’mnotstaying
long.IjustgotofftheplanefromD.C.andcamerighthere.It’sratherurgent”Shewaslookingaroundtheroomagain,takingitallinwithevidentapproval.“You’vedoneagreatjob,Ken.It’sbeautiful.”
“Wouldyouliketoseetherestofit?”heaskedeagerly,jumpingtohisfeet.Shedidn’tmove,asthoughshehadn’theard.Hehesitated,lookedembarrassed,thensatdownagain.“Well—whydon’tyoutellmehowIcanhelpyou?”
“You’restillintouchwithDr.Leighton?”“YoumeanFrank?Notreally.Why?”“Butyoucouldbe?”“Isuppose,butIdon’thaveanyrealreason.We’vehardlyhadany
contactsinceheboughtmeout.That’sgottobetwoyears.”“Andhemovedyourequipment—thatyouinventedanddeveloped—
toanotherlocation.Doyouknowwhere?”Kennodded.“I’vebeenthereonce—maybeayearago.Heneeded
sometechnicaladvicewhenitwasbeingreinstalled.ButI’moutofthatfieldcompletely.AndFrank’sverysecretivenow.YoumayhavebeenrightabouttheCIA.”
“Iwasright—aboutthatandafewotherthings.”Shestaredthoughtfullyatthefireinsilence.“He’dreallyliketohaveyouinvolvedoncemore,wouldn’the?”
“He’stoldmethatafewtimes.”Kenlookeduncomfortable.“What’sthissuddeninterestinFrank?Iheardyoucrossedhimoffyourlist—whichsurprisedme,really.Hecouldhavebeenagreatsource.”
“Itwasmutual.Butyou’restillongoodterms.Right?”“AsfarasIknow.But,asIsaid,wehaven’treallyhadanycontactfor
alongtime—forreasonsthatI’msureyouremember.”Shelookedabituncomfortableforamoment,butchosenottotakeup
thechallenge,ifthatwaswhatheintended.Insteadshesurprisedhim.“Listen,supposeIsaidthatI’minagreement—thatLeighton’sinvolvedinsomethingevil?”AtKen’shopefullook,Carlaheldupacautioninghand
andshookherhead.“Please,don’tjumptoconclusions.I’vegotdifferentreasonsthanyouhave,ofcourse,butIdon’tlikewhatIthinkisgoingon.”Shepaused,choosingherwords.“Look,I’vegotcertainsuspicions,okay,thatIhavetocheckoutsomehow.”
Kengotupandthrewonanotherlog.Hestoodtherewithhisbacktothefire,lookingatherquestioningly.“Whydon’tyoutellmeexactlywhatyouhaveinmind?”
“Idon’tknowexactly.That’stheproblem.Ijusthaveabadfeelingaboutsomething.”Shehesitated,thenshruggedandcontinued.“It’stoomuchtogointo,really.There’sahotstory,asyouprobablysuspect.It’sgoteverythinginit—CIA,FSB,aRussiandefector—andIsuspectthatFrankisrightinthemiddleofit.”
“Thebigstorythatcomesalongonceinalifetime?”interruptedKen.“Pulitzerprize?”
“Forgettheprize.Thisisfarmoreimportantthanthat.Isavedsomeone’slifeinParis.You’dknowhisname—ViktorKhorev.”
“You’rekidding!Howdidyoudothat?”“Well,Ijusthappenedtobeintherightplaceattherighttime.
RescuedKhorevwhenhewasmakingabreakforitandjustabouttobecaught.IgothimtotheAmericanEmbassyinParis.Theytookhimintoanofficeforaninterview,andthentheydeniedthatI’dbroughthimthere—triedtotellmethey’dneverseenhim!”
“Thismustbesomebaddreamyouhad,”interruptedKenskeptically.“You’resayingtheyjustoutrightliedtoyou—itwasthatblatant?”ShenoddedandKenlaughed.“TheStateDepartmentdoesn’tknowwhatahugemistakeitmade.They’vegotatigerontheirtailnow.Andyou’regoingtoshowthem.”
Carlasmiledandheldupbothhandsinmockhumility.“Okay,okay—that’spartofit.Butgivemecreditforhavingsomeheart.I’mdeeplyconcernedaboutKhorev.Idon’twanttoseehimexploited!That’shappenedtoomanytimestodefectorstoletmefeelcomfortablerightnow.He’sgottobesomewhereinthiscountry,ofcourse,andIthinkFrank’sgothim.”
“And,ofcourse,”addedKenfacetiously,“incidentalthoughitmaybe,
thereisastoryinvolved—anditsoundslikeabigone.Soyouwouldn’tpassthatup.”
“I’mnotallheart.Afterall,Khorevowesmehislife—andhepromisedmetheexclusiveonhisstory.ButIthinkhe’sgottenhimselfinvolvedinsomethingmuchbiggerthanhisdefection,andhe’sgoingtobemyentreetothataswell.”
“Ithinkyou’reprobablyrightabouthimbeingwithFrank--eventually.ButIdoubtthathe’dbeinvolvedouttherealready.”
“Ithinkheis,andI’vegotmyreasons.Butagain,that’stoomuchtogointonow.”
“Andyouwantmetofindout,ifIcan,whetherKhorev’sactuallythere,andgenerallywhat’sgoingon.Isthatit?”
“Iwantmorethanthat.Iwanttogetinsidethatinstallationmyselfandseefirsthandwhat’sgoingon!”
“Whydon’tyoujustgodirectlytoFrank?YoucouldreachhimatStanford—that’swhereI’dhavetocall.Hestillteachesacourseortwooverthere.Infact,he’sheadofthedepartmentnow,incaseyouhadn’theard.He’dbegladtobebackintouchwithyou—probablyinviteyououttherehimself,ifhethoughtyou’dgivehimagoodwrite-up.Ofcourse,hewouldn’twantyoutomentionanyofhissecretwork.YouknowhowparanoidFrankisaboutthatsideofthings—hisfearoftheRussiansandallthat.”
Carlashookherhead.“Nochanceofthat!Youdon’tknowthewayItoldFrankoffthelasttimeIsawhim—fortakingadvantageofyouwhenyouwereinthehospitalandstealingyourlife’sworkforafractionofwhatitwasworth,andforafewotherthings.Idon’tthinkhe’dgivemethetimeofday.”Shestoodtoherfeet.“AmIaskingtoomuch?”
“Ken,supper’sgoingtobereadyinaboutfiveminutes.Doyouhearme?Whereareyou?”Hismother’svoicedrewnearerasshecamedownthehallfromthekitchen.BeforeKencouldanswer,shewalkedintothelivingroomandstoppedinsurprise.“Oh,Ididn’tknowyouhadavisitor.”Thenshesawwhoitwasandputbothhandstohermouthinastonishment.
“Carla—I--well,howwonderfultoseeyou!”SherushedoverandgaveCarlaahug.“Wouldyoujoinusfordinner?”
“It’sniceofyoutoask,butIalreadytoldKenIcouldn’t.”“Well,I’mmuchmorepersuasivethanheis.Itwouldbesuchatreat!
Wouldyou?”“Ican’t.”Carlastartedtowardtheentryhalltoescapewhatwas
becomingincreasinglyemotionalandembarrassing.Kenhurriedafterher.Heopenedthefrontdoor.“I’llseewhatIcando.WherecanIgetintouchwithyou?”
“AttheHilton.Butonlyifyoucangetmeinoutthere—orhavefoundKhorev.”
Shestarteddownthestepsandhefollowedhertothecar.“Hotelsareterriblyexpensive.Youcouldstayhere.Iwouldn’thassleyou.There’sasuite,youknow,attheotherendofthehousewithitsownbedroom,study,andbath—anditsownentrance.”
“Iknow.Thatwasmyidea,remember?”Thishouseisfullofyourbrilliantideas,andtheyallworkedoutgreat
—exceptthebombshelterunderthegarage.Solidgranitebeginsaboutsixfeetdown.”
“Thatwasyourinspiration.”“Well,youthoughtitwasagoodidea,too.”Helookedather
longingly.“Youreallyoughttoseehowitallturnedout.”Sheputahandonhisarm.“Yourmother’sassweetasever.Tellher
I’msorryIcouldn’tstay.Andmaybeyoushouldn’tevenmentiontoFrankyetthatI’mouthere.”
......Assoonasdinnerwasover,Kengotonthephoneandcalledthe
Elliotts.Karenanswered.“Everythinggoingokay?”sheasked.“WemissedyouThursday.Hal
wasgoingtocallyou.”“Imissedbeingthere.Hadatouchoftheflu,butI’mokaynow.IsHal
in?Heoughttogetonthephone,too.”“No.Emergencysurgery.What’sup?”“Carta’sbackintown!Shejustlefthereafewminutesago!”“PraisetheLord!”“Well,yeah—butI’msureshe’sjustasfarfromtheLordasever.
Therewasn’tanychanceatalltobroachthatsubject”“Iwouldn’teventhinkofthatyet,Ken!”saidKarengently.“It’snot
yourjobto‘witness’toher.You’vealreadytriedthat.Sheknowswhat’sright—nowit’shermove.IftheLordopensthedoor,andsheshowssomeinterest...okay.Inthemeantime,youjustneedtobeafriendtoher,ifshe’llallowthat.LetherseetheloveandforgivenessofChristinyourlife.”
“Well,Ithinkitwasprettyclearthatshehasnointentionofevengivingmeachancetodothat.Shewantsmetodoafavorforher,whichI’dbehappytodoifitwasanythingelse.”Kenhesitated.Finallyheadded,“Idon’tfeelcomfortableaboutit,butIpromisedher...”
“Promisedherwhat?”“ShewantsmetogetbackintouchwithLeighton.”“Ken!”“Don’tworry.Youknowit’scompletelyoutofthequestionthatI
wouldgetinvolvedagainintheslightest.ButIpromisedI’dcontacthimtotrytofindoutsomethingforher.She’sworkingonabigstory.”
Therewasalong,thoughtfulsilenceonbothendsoftheline.“Itwasgreattoseeheragain,andthere’sstillalotoffeelingthere,that’sforsure.Itreallysurprisedme—andconvictedme,too.IhavetoconfessthatI’vetriedsohardtoforgetCarlathatIhaven’tprayedforherlatelyasIshould.ButI’mgoingtofromnowon.”
“I’veneverstopped—dayandnight.GodhasgivenmearealloveandconcernforCarla,andHalfeelsthesameway.Well,thisisinteresting!Soyou’regoingtocontactLeightonafterallthistime.Andatleastyou’rebackintouchwithCarla.I’llnotifytheprayergrouprightaway.”
“Yeah,that’swhyIwascalling.”“Soshe’sworkingonabigstorythatinvolvesLeighton—that’s
interesting!Isthereanythingelseyoucantellmetopassontothegroupsowecanprayspecifically?”
“Notyet.It’shersecret.Shethinksit’sthebiggeststorythat’severcomealong.IfifswhatIthinkitis—youknow,ifArchonisgoingtomakethemovelikewe’vebeenexpecting—thenwe’dbetterstartprayingaroundtheclockandgettingalotofotherstojoinus!”
......KencalledFrank’sStanfordofficefirstthingthenextmorning.“You
justcaughtme!”exclaimedLeighton,soundingbothsurprisedandpleased.“It’sbeenalongtime.”
“I’vebeenwantingtogetintouch,butyouknowhowtimeflies.Howarethingsgoing?”
“Youmeanhereatschool,oratthelab?”“Oh,Ireadaboutyouinthealumninews.Iapologizefornotcalling
soonertocongratulateyou—newheadofthedepartmentandallthat.Butactually,Iwaswonderingabouttheproject.”
“StillworriedthatI’mtraffickingwithdemons?”“Frank,I’mnotcallingtopushmybeliefsunlessyouwanttotalk
aboutit.Ireallyaminterestedtoknowwhat’sbeenhappening.”“Ken,I’dlovetoshowyou.”Leightonwasbubblingwithenthusiasm
now.“Whenyouseewhatwe’redoingandwhereit’sleading—well,you’llforgetallaboutthose‘powersofdarkness.’Ican’ttalkaboutitonthephone.It’stoobig.”
“Andtoosecretofcourse.Iunderstand.”“Well,that’strue.But,actually,we’renotgoingtokeepitsecretmuch
longer.Nottotally,anyway.We’vegottograduallyleakittothepress.Thepublichastobeinformed.”
“Really?You’vecomethatfar?”“Youcan’timaginewhat’shappened!It’sinterestingyoucalled,
becauseIwasjustthinkingofyoulastnight—andyourex-fiancée.IcaughtaglimpseofherinParislastweekattheCongress.She’dbethelogicalonetowritesomekeyarticlesaboutourresearch.”
“Frank,thisisamazing.Ihaven’tseenorheardfromCarlasinceshebrokeourengagement,butshejustgotintotownlastnightandweweretalkingaboutyouandtheproject.Sheexpressedalotofinterest”
“Really?Listen.Whataboutthis?DelSasso—yourememberDelSasso?”
“Inevermethim,butyou’vetalkedabouthim.”“Right.Well,DelSassoisgoingtobedoingsomeworkinourmain
labtomorrow.Whydon’tyouandCarlastopin?Thatwouldgiveyouboth
agoodideaofhowfarwe’vecome.Yourememberwherewe’relocated?”“Icanfindit.Whattime?”“It’sgoingtobeat10:00inthemorning,soyoushouldbehereby
9:30.Actuallywe’redoingthisforsomeonewhojustarrivedfrom—well,you’llmeethimtomorrow.Infact,Iwasgoingtocallyou,becausehe’sveryanxioustomeetyou.Seemstobeagreatfanofyours,”
“Can’timaginewhothatwouldbe.Anyway,we’llbethere.Seeyouat9:30.”
“Onething,Ken.There’salotofsecurityaroundhere.Justsomeprecautions.I’llleavewordsothey’llletyouin.”
......CarlawasoutwhenKenphoned.Shereturnedhiscalljustafterlunch.“HowwouldyouliketoseeyourRussianfriendtomorrow?”heasked.“Look,Mr.PracticalJoker,thisistooserioustokidabout.”“I’mnotkidding.”Heheardhergaspontheotherendoftheline.“You’renot?”“Nope.HowaboutifIpickyouupatthehotelat9:00tomorrow
morning?Ipromisenottodriveoveranycliffs.”Therewasamoment’shesitation,then,“Whydon’tIcometoyour
house?I’llfollowyoufromthereinmycar.I’dfeelmorecomfortablethatway.Andyou’rereallynotputtingmeon?”
“Comeon,Carla,you’remakingmefeelbad.Where’syourconfidence?WhenyouputSupersleuthInmanonthetrail—well,yououghttoknowit’sinthebag!Tomorrowyougettofindoutwhat’s
goingon.We’rebothinvitedtowatchDelSassodohisstuffinthelab—youknow,he’sFrank’sprizepsychic.Andyouturnedouttoberightagain.I’mjustaboutpositiveyourRussianfriendwillbethere.”
Shewasecstatic.“Thisisfantastic,Ken!”“Oh,that’snotall,”headdedmatter-of-factly.“Canyoutakeanymore
goodnews?”“Ifyoutrytomakeitanybetterthanthis,thenI’llknowyou’reputting
meon.Whatmorecouldtherebe?”“Franksaysthey’regoingtobeginleakingdevelopmentstothemedia,
andhe’dlikeyoutowritesomekeyarticles.Howaboutthat?”
“Youjustbrokethroughmycredibilitybarrier.Idon’tbelieveawordyou’vesaidnow.”
“Carla,it’salltrue—everyword.”“SoIwasrightonthis,too.ItoldyouFrankwouldbeeagertogetyou
involvedagain.That’swhatdidit.”“ButyouandIknowthatisn’tgoingtohappen.AndIdon’twantto
misleadhim.I’mjustgettingyouinsidethere,andthenyou’reonyourown.Thatwasourdeal—right?”
“That’sright.”“Okay.Seeyoutomorrowmorningouthereat9:15.I’maboutten
minutesaway,andwe’resupposedtobethereat9:30.”“I’llbethere.AndKen,thanks.Ireallydoappreciateit.”
......GeneralNikolaiGorky’sofficewasonthethirdfloorofthemodern
high-risebuildingtheKGBhadmovedintoduringthesummerof1972andwasnowoccupiedbyitssuccessor,theFSB.Thehugecrescent-shapedcomplexwashiddenbehindathickwoodjustofftheroadencirclingMoscow—muchlikethesequesteredCentralIntelligenceAgencyheadquartersoutsideWashington,D.C.ThearchitectureevenseemedtohavebeenpatternedaftertheCIAdesign.GorkywasoneofthefewpeopleinthenewstructurewhohadcomeupthroughtheranksintheoldAll-RussianInsuranceCompany’sbuildingonMoscow’sLubyannskayaSquarethattheinfamousCheka,predecessortotheKGB,hadoccupiedin1918.Hewasveryhappynottobeinthatancientedificeanylonger.ManyFSBofficeswerestillhousedthere,alongwiththenotoriousLubyankaPrisonwhereGorkyhadgottenhisstartasaguardandlearnedtheexquisiteartofextractingconfessionsbytortureforwhatevertheStatewanted—whethertheyboreanyrelationshiptowhattheprisonershadactuallydoneornot.Hehadcomealongwaysincethentobecomeresponsibleforanelitecorpsofcommandostrainedinpsychicpower,whoseveryexistencewasunknownevenamongtopRussianleaders—exceptfortheFSBdirectorhimself,thePresident,andtheGeneralSecretaryoftheCommunistParty,andaveryfewcloseaides.
Gorkyhadalwaysexudedasmugandseeminglyjustifiedconfidence
inhisperiodicreportstothoseabovehim.Onthisday,however,hewasstillsmartingfromthehumiliatingexperienceofameetingwiththetwomostpowerfulmenintheKremlin—ameetingthathadgoneonintotheearly-morninghours.He’dhadtoconfessthattheAmericanshadapparentlykilledtheirthreemosttalentedpsychics.Andontopofallthat,themostbrilliantandproductiveRussianpsychicresearcherhaddefectedrightunderthenosesofthepsychicforce’sfieldcommanderandtwooftheirbestFSBagentsandwasnowworkingwiththeAmericans.
Gorkywasinnomoodtofaceanyone,butthematterwasurgentandtimewasoftheessence.NorwasColonelAlexeiChernovinclinedtowardpatienceandkindnessthatday.Thestitcheshadonlybeenremovedthatmorning.Twolongscars,stilluglyandred,wereall-too-conspicuousforamanwhoneededtobeabletoblendintothecrowd.Onescarangledacrosshisnoseanddownhisleftcheek,andtheotherslashedacrosshisneckbeneaththechin.Anotherfewmillimetersanditwouldhaveseveredhisjugular.ThesetwoproudbutnowhumiliatedandfuriousmenfacedeachotherinGorky’soffice,eachknowingthatsomethinghadgoneterriblywrongintheiroperation,butneitherwillingtoadmitit,muchlesstotakeresponsibility.
“YouhadyourordersinParis—andyoufailed.”ThewordscamepainfullyfromGorky,knowingthatfailureofthoseunderhiscommandeventuallyreflecteduponhim.
Chernovstoodstifflyerect“Therewillbenomorefailure,exceptbytheAmericans.IhadneverbeeninfavorofKhorev’smethodofpenetratingtheCIAbyprojectionofconsciousness.Onthespot,wewillaccomplishourmission.Ihavenodoubtaboutthat.”
“Don’tbesococky,”cautionedGorky.“Youknowthatoverconfidencecanbringdefeattothesuperiorforceinanyconflict.”
Chernovnoddedgrimlyandshifteduneasily.“Iwillnotbeoverconfident,justconfident—andwithgoodcause.I’mtakingmytwobestmen.Togetherwecanaccomplishtheimpossible.”
“Areyouforgettingthehoodedone?Fromthenewinformationwe’vejustgotten,he’sextremelydangerous!”
“Wewilldestroyhim.”
“IwantKhorevalive—don’tforgetthat.Wehaveconfirmationthathe’sworkingwithLeightonandisbeinghousedonthePaloAltoinstallation.It’safortress.”
“Iwanttoseehimdead—andthewoman,too--butyouknowIobeyorders.”
“Dowhateveryouwanttosatisfyyourthirstforrevengeagainstthewomanwhohelpedhimescape.HernameisCarlaBertelli.She’sgottobeaCIAagent.Hercareerasajournalistisjustafront.She’sinPaloAltoalready.”
Thegeneralstoodabruptly.“Remember:IwantKhorevalive,righthereinfrontofme!Iwanttosweatandbleedhisfullconfessionoutofhimpersonally.”
Gorkypickedupalarge,thickenvelopefromhisdeskandhandedittothecolonel.“Theseareyournewidentities,passports,andinstructionsforyouandyourmen.They’llbeexpectingyouattheconsulateinSanFrancisco,buttheyknownothing.ColonelLutskyisbeingassignedthereasanadvisor.Youreportonlytohimortome.Don’tfailthistime,comrade!”
[18]Inside!
Thethickfogthathaddriftedoverthehillsfromthecoastduringthenightwasvanishingunderthewarmingraysofthemorningsun.Thefewlingeringwispsofvaporlentamomentarytranslucencetotheair,givingtheleavesandblossomsontreesandshrubsadelicate,glisteningsheen.Itwasamorningofrarebeauty—whichonlyseemedtoaccentuatethebittersweetmoodthatgrippedKen.InspiteofthefactthathehadlongsincegivenupanythoughtofrecoveringhispastrelationshipwithCarla,theirbriefmeetingthenightbeforehadstirredemotionsforherthathehadthoughtwerelongdeadandthathedarednotnourishnow.
KenbackedoutofthegarageandeasedhisGMCYukondownthesteepdrivewayjustasCarla,inherrentedChrysler,camearoundthecurveandstoppedinthecul-de-sactowaitforhim.
“Perfecttiming!”calledKen,ashepulledupbesideher.“Followme,andwe’llbethereinafewminutes.”
Traversingtherollingresidentialareathroughamazeofcurvingstreets,theycameatlasttothemainhighway.HereKenturnedleftandheadedhigherintothecoastalrange.Astheybeganclimbingintothefoothills,afloodofmemoriespouredoverhim.Thiswasaroutehepurposelyavoidedforthatveryreason.Tenmilesaheadwasthecliffhe’dgoneover.He’dbeenupthereonlyoncesincethatfatefulday.Lookingdownfromtheroadtothechasmbelow,he’dbeenoverwhelmedbyamingledaweandgratitudeatthemiracleofhissurvival.Asaresultofthatfearfulplungethatshouldhavebroughtdeath,hehadfoundanewlifeasdifferentasnightanddayfromwhathe’dknownbefore.
Alittlemorethanamileupthewindinghighway,thetwocarsturnedrightontoanewlypavedroadmarked“Private:KeepOut.”Afteranothermileofmeanderingthroughathickforestofyoungpines,theroadledinto
astandofmatureredwoods.Itwasoneofthefewgrovesthathadsurvived—throughbelatedgovernmentintervention—theearlierindiscriminateslaughterinthe1800softheseancientgiants.Soonanothermuchlargerandobviouslynewersignwarned:“RestrictedGovernmentProperty.NoTrespassing!”Shortlythereafter,theycameoverasharpriseandthetreesopeneduptorevealabroadmeadow.Herethewindingapproachstraightenedandranalongaten-foot-highstonewallthathadnotbeenthereontheonepreviousoccasionwhenKenhadvisitedtheclandestineinstallation.Exceptforthecoilsofbarbedwireontop,itwasvaguelyreminiscentofanancientmedievalcastle,completewithmoat.
Kenpulledleftintoanarrowentrance.Therewerenosignstoindicatewhatkindofgovernmentoperationthismightbe.Theheavy,solid-steelgatewasnearlyashighasthewallandrevealednothingbutafewscatteredtreetopsbeyond.Builtintothewallnexttothegatewasafortifiedguardstationmannedbytwomencarryingautomaticweaponsandwearingflakjacketsovertheircivilianclothes.OneofthemapproachedKen’svehicle,whiletheotherremainedinside,onthealert.
“Dr.Inman?”theguardasked.“That’sright.”“Identification,please.”Heleaneddownandlookedthroughthe
window,searchingtheinteriorofthecar.“IsthatMissBertellibehindyou?”Kennodded.“Wouldyoupleaseopentheback?”askedtheguard.Abriefsearchfollowed,thenthebusinesslikeordertocloseit.OnlyafterthesameprocedurehadbeenfollowedwithCarladidtheheavygateswingslowlyopen.Itclosedwithponderousprecisionthemomentthetwocarshadmovedinside.
Fiftyyardsdirectlyahead,attheendofabroaddrivelinedwithflowersandexoticshrubs,stoodthemaincomplex—awide,two-storybuildingofheavyconstruction,fewwindows,andasolidfrontdoorshelteredbehindastonewallofaboutshoulderheight.Otherbuildings,lowandrambling,linedthewidelawnthatstretchedouttotherightandleftoneitherside.TheinstallationhadbeengreatlyenlargedsinceKenhadvisiteditearlierandnowformedagiantU-shape,opentowardwhatseemedtobetheonlygateinthemassive,highwallsurroundingthe
property.Infrontofthemainbuildingthedrivewidenedtoallowadozen
spacesfor“VisitorParking”oneitherside.ThereKenandCarlalefttheircarsandwalkedtheshortdistancetotheentranceunderthevigilantsurveillanceoftwomoreguardswearingflakjacketsandwithautomaticweaponsslungovertheirshoulders.
“Justyouraveragepsychicresearchlab,”whisperedKenwithpretendednaiveté.“NoreasonatalltoimaginetheCIAcouldpossiblyhaveanythingtodowiththisfriendlylittleoperation!”
“Iknewsomethingwasgoingon,”returnedCarlasoftly,“butthisisawesome—afarcryfromanyparapsychologylabI’veevervisited!”
“MayIseeyourbag,MissBertelli?”askedoneoftheguardshalf-apologeticallyastheyapproachedthefrontdoor.“Justaformality.”Whileheperformedthatinspection,hiscompanionranametaldetectorovertheirbodies.“Okay.Goonin.Dr.Leightonisexpectingyou.”
Leightonwaswaitinginthesmalllobbyjustinsidetheheavycarved-oakfrontdoor,whichKensuspectedhadasteelcore.Astheyentered,Leightonrushedovertogreetthem,armsextendedexuberantly.ShakingKen’shandvigorously,heexclaimed,“Youdon’tknowwhatyourcallmeanttome,Ken!It’sgreattobebackintouchandtoknowthatyou’reinterestedagain.Wecouldsureuseyourexpertise!”
“AndCarla—whatawonderfulsurprisethisis!”Leightonbegan,turningtogreetherwarmly.Shegavehimherhandtentatively.Heshookitgently,thenhelditinbothofhisforamoment.“IhadplannedtotalkwithyouinParis,butthenIhadtoleavesuddenly.Andnowhereyouare!”
Thentobothofthem,Leightonexplainedapologetically,“Ihopethetightsecuritywasn’ttoobothersome.It’sjustaprecaution.”
“DoIdetectthatsameoldparanoiaabouttheRussians,Frank?”Kenshookhisheadinmildreproof.“Ithoughtitwasallpeace,love,andbrotherhoodnow,witharmsreductionandallthatgoodstuff.”
“Itis!”repliedLeighton,winkingatCarla.“However,we’vemadesomereluctantconcessionstothenormalworldofbombsandbullets—butnotforlong.Whatwe’redevelopingherewillbringrealandlastingpeace
totheworld,notjustaslogan.AndIdon’tmeandecadesorevenyearsfromnow,butinamatterofmonths!”
“Ifyoucandothat,Frank,”saidKensincerely,“thenyou’vegotmeandeveryoneelseonyourside.I’dbeveryinterestedtoknowhowyou’regoingtodoit.Iguessthat’swhatwecameheretofindout.”
“AndhaveIgotatripforyou!”Frank’seyesweregleaming.“Buckleyourseatbeltsandhangon.”
Motioningtothemtofollow,heledthemdownalonghallway,pausingbesidethefirstdoorontheright.“We’llstopinmyofficeforamoment.”Withhishandontheknob,heturnedtoCarla.“Areyoureadyforasurprise?Someoneinthereisveryanxioustoseeyou.Canyouguess?”Shelookednonplussedandshookherhead.Itwouldn’tdotolethimknowthatshehadsuspectedKhorevwashereandhadactuallycomeinsearchofhim.
Leightonopenedthedoorandledthewayinside.Aslightlybuiltmanofmediumheightwithdark,prematurelygrayingcrewcuthairandSlavicfeaturesjumpedupfromthesofafacingthehugedeskandrushedtowardCarla,armsextended.
“MissBertelli!”“Dr.Khorev!”Therewasaquick,affectionateembrace,thena
momentaryawkwardsilence.“Theydidn’tletmesaygoodbye,”beganViktoratlast“I’msorry.Of
course,theyexplainedtoyou.”Carlastartedtosay,“No,theydidn’t,”butglancedoveratLeighton
andsomesuddeninstinctcausedhertoswallowthosewords.“It’ssogoodtoseeyouheresafeandsound!”sheexclaimed.“Th’t’sallthatmatters.”
PuttinganarmaroundCarlaonceagain,ViktorturnedtoLeighton.“Youcan’timaginehowbraveshewas!Ifitweren’tforMissBertelli,Iwouldn’tbehere!”
FrankmotionedtowardKen.“Viktor,thisisKenInman—themanyouwantedtosee.He’sactuallythegeniuswhoinventedthePsitron.”
“It’sagreathonortomeetyou,”saidKenenthusiastically,givinghimawarmhandshake.“I’vefollowedyourworkforyears—whatlittlewecouldlearn.I’vereadeverythingofyoursthat’sbeenpublishedinthe
West.”“It’sagreaterhonorformetomeetyou,Dr.Inman.Dr.Leightonhas
toldmeaboutyourresearch—andyourterribleaccident.IonlyarrivedlastnightandI’mlookingforward—”
“Let’sdropthe‘doctor’stuff,Viktor,”interruptedLeightongood-naturedly.ViktoracknowledgedthereproofwithanodandreturnedLeighton’ssmile.Theyhadapparentlybeenoverthatbefore.
“Aboutfivemoreminutes,Frank!”Thepenetrating,slightlyabrasivevoicebelongedtoatall,spare,andratherattractivefortyishwomaninawhitelabcoatwhohadmaterializedbrieflyinthedoorway,thendisappeareddownthehall.
Leightoncalledafterher,“Comebackhere,Kay!”Shereappeared,smiling,andtooktwoshortstepsintotheroom.
“ThisisKayMorris,”saidLeighton.“She’sinchargeofourlabs—andwhatshesaysgoes.”
“Wanttoputthatinwriting?”respondedthewomanwithashortlaugh.“Thatwouldbetheday!”
“Kay’smadesomefantasticcontributions,”returnedLeighton,soundingalmosttooeffusive.Carla’sinvestigativereportinginstinctsweresuddenlyaroused.Asabachelor,andnotaveryhandsomeoneatthat,LeightonhadalwaysbeenknownatStanfordasacoldfish.YettherewasanuncharacteristicwarmthbetweenhimandKay—anintriguingchemistrythatobviouslywentbeyondthemostamiableemployer-employeerelationship.ThatinitselfwouldnothavebeenenoughtopiqueCarla’sinteresthaditnotbeenforsomethingelseshesensedasLeightonhurriedonwithhisintroductions.
“Kay,youhaven’tmetViktorKhorevyet.He’sjustcomefromRussiatojoinourteam.”Viktorhalf-bowed,andKay’ssmilesuddenlyfrozeassheseemedtonoticehimforthefirsttime.Quicklysherecovered.
“Nottheworld-renownedparapsychologist!”sheexclaimedsmoothly.“You’reright!”wentonLeightonwithgreatenthusiasm.“Thisisthe
ViktorKhorev—freshfromthebaseweknowsowelljustnorthofMoscow.He’sgoingtobequiteanadditiontoourstaff,andIknowhe’llhaveagreatdealtocontribute.”
“I’msurehewill,”respondedKay.TurningtowardViktor,shesaidwithless-than-ampleenthusiasm,“I’mlookingforwardtoworkingwithyou,Dr.Khorev.”
Somethingwasn’tright,butCarlacouldn’tputherfingeronit.Isshe,perhaps,paranoidaboutRussians?Ordoesshefeelthreatenedbyamaleworld-classparapsychologistcomingintothepicture?Oraremyjournalisticinstinctsoutofcontrol?Idon’tknow,butthere’ssomething...
“ThisisCarlaBertelli,thejournalist,”Leightonwassaying.“I’msureyou’vereadsomeofherstuff.”
Kaymanagedamoreconvincingsmilethanshe’dgivenViktor,andseemedalmostrelievedtoturnherattentionawayfromhim.
“Yes,infactIhave.Mostinsightful.Whatapleasuretomeetyou,MissBertelli.”
“Andlast,butfarfromleast”continuedLeightonhurriedlynow,glancingathiswatch,“thisisKenInman,whoinventedthePsitronafewyearsbackandwantstoseewhatwe’reuptonow.”
Kayextendedherhand.“Ithinkyou’llbeastonished,”shedeclaredwithashowofrealenthusiasm,“toseehowfarwe’vegottenusingyourincredibleelectronicdevice—andsomeoftheinnovationswe’veadded.”
“I’mlookingforwardtothat,”repliedKen.Kaynoddedtoeachoneagain.“It’sanhonortomeetallofyou,”she
saidcordially.Then,glancingatherwatch,sheadded,“I’msorry,butIhavetogetrightbacktothelab.I’llseeyouoverthere.Inabouttwominutes,”sheaddedpointedlytoLeighton,thenturnedandhurriedfromtheroom.
“Ph.D.inroboticsfromMIT,”saidLeighton,withevidentpride.“Brilliant,efficient.ThesmartestthingIeverdidwashireherthreeweeksago.Shehasreallygottenusorganized.”Hehesitatedasthoughhefelthemighthavewaxedabittooenthusiastic.“Idon’tneedtotellyoutheconnectionbetweenKay’sexpertiseinartificialintelligenceandwhatwe’reinvolvedinhere.”
Hestartedtowardthedoorandmotionedforthemtofollow.“Wecantalkmorelater.ThemanIwantyoualltomeetisAntonioDelSasso,themostremarkablepsychicintheworld.He’salreadyinthelabpreparing
himself—andAntonio’sasticklerforpromptness,sowe’dbettergetoverthere.”
Leightonledthemoutintothehallagainandaroundacornertotheright.Carlawasstillpreoccupied.SupposetherewasaromancebetweenFrankandKay.Whileitwasnoneofherbusiness,shehopeditwouldbringtherealhappinessthat,aslongasshe’dknownhim,shehadsensedFrankdesperatelyneeded.Addtothestrainsinherentinsucharelationshipwithone’sbossthetremendouspressureKaymustbeundertoperform,andnowtheunknownelementsbeingintroducedwithViktor’sentry—perhapsherreactiontoViktorhadbeenonlynatural.Carlafiledtheimpressionsawayforfurtherreferenceanddeterminednottolettheminhibitherrelationshipwiththisratherunusualwoman.
AgainLeighton’seffusivevoicecommandedCarla’sattention.“AntonioisthefirstonetobefullydevelopedonthePsitron.He’sbeenunderthedirectionoftheArchonsfortwoyears.Theyhaveaprogramfordevelopingotherpsychics—infactaplanfortheworld.”
“You’reintouchwithArchons?”askedViktor,lookingatLeightoninsuddenconsternation.
“IthoughtI’dexplainedthat.”“Youinvitedmetojoin‘ProjectArchon,’butIhadnoidea...”Viktor
seemedalmostfrightened.Leightonstoppedinfrontofadoormarked“Laboratory1”.Aboveita
largeredlightwasflashingthewarning:“Experimentinprogress.”HelookedatKhorevwithconcern.“WouldconstantcontactwiththeArchonsandguidancefromthembotheryou?”
Viktorhesitated.“Theyhavedoneyounoharm?”“Harm?”returnedLeightonwithalaugh.“Ofcoursenot!They’reour
mentors.That’swhatthiswholeprojectisallabout.ForgetanycontactyoumayhavehadwiththeminRussia.You’reonoursidenowandthere’snothingtofear.”
Viktorseemedrelieved.“Thatexplainsafewthings.IthinkI’mbeginningtounderstandwhatIreallycametotheWesthopingtofindout.”
LeightonputhishandonViktor’sshoulderandgesturedtowardKen.
“MygoodfriendhereoncethoughtthattheArchonsweredemonsuptodeviltry.Ithinkwhatwe’reallabouttowitnesswillmakeitclearthattheyareindeedhighlyevolvedintelligencesthatwanttorescuemankindfromself-destruction.”
“I’llbelieveitwhenIseeit”saidKenwithagood-naturedgrin.“Solet’stakealookatwhatthisDelSassocando.That’swhywe’rehere,isn’tit?”
“That’sright!”Leightonwasbeamingonceagain.Puttingafingeroverhislipsforsilence,hepushedthedooropen.
[19]AntonioDelSasso
CarlacouldhardlycontainherexcitementasLeightonledthemquietlyintoalarge,high-ceilingedroom.ItseemedalmosttoomuchtobelievethatshehadlocatedViktorKhorevand,ontopofthat,tohavebeensoeasilyinvitedinsidethistop-secretpsychicresearchinstallationthatshewascertainattheveryleastwasbeingfundedbytheCIA—andmorethanlikelywastotallyunderitscontrol!Wereherhopestoohighandherimaginationtookeenlyincited,orwasthisthePulitzer-prizestoryshehadbeensocertainshewaspursuing?Whateveritturnedouttobe,shemustkeepherobjectivityinordertopresentthefactstothepublic,andshemustnotbeswayedbyFrank’spersuasiveness.Evaluatingpsychicphenomenawasaverytrickybusiness,asshewellknew.Itwasnevereasytoseparatethesmallamountofgenuinefromthevastamountoffraud.
Onceinsidethehugelaboratory,Kenlookedinvainforthe“launchingpadforjourneysintoinnerspace”thathe’dinventedandthatFranknowcalledthePsitron.Itwasnowheretobeseen.
Frankdetectedthequestioningsearchandwhispered,“ThePsitron’sinanotherlab.DelSassodoesn’tneeditanymore.HegoesintoOmegainstantly.We’vestartedtrainingtwoothersonit.They’rejustthefirst.Onedaythere’llbethousandsandeventuallymillionswithDelSasso’scapabilitiesineverycountryaroundtheworld.It’sfantastic,Ken,fantastic!”
Inthecenterofthewalloppositetheentrancewasaraisedplatformoccupiedonlybyanoversized,cushionedchairwithbroadarmsandahighback.Inappearanceitwasalmostthronelikeandlookedquiteout-of-placeinanexperimentallaboratory.Onthisloftyperch,inyogaposition,satamanwhosegiantsizeandcommandingdemeanormadehimanintimidatingfigureeveninthepassivityofdeepmeditation.Thefull-
lengthmonk’srobehewore,withhoodthrownback,wasjet-blacklikehisthickeyebrowsandheavy,close-croppedbeard.TherewasnoneedforLeightontoannouncethatthiscompellingpersonwasthehighly-acclaimedFatherAntonioDelSasso.
Thehoodedone!Viktorwasstaggered.SoYakovhadbeeninsidethisveryinstallation!WasitDelSasso,ortheArchons,whokilledYakov?Maybetherewasnorealdistinction.ViktorsensedthatLeightonwaswatchinghimandtriedhisbesttocontrolhisfeelings.
KayMorrisgaveLeightonanalmost-imperceptiblenod,thenturnedbacktoherrelentlesslyefficientdirectionoftwoassistants.Onelabworkerwaspreparingaremotelyoperatedbroadcast-qualityvideocameraonwheels;theotherwasreadyingacomputernexttoabankofmonitoringneedlesandgraphs.KennotedthattherewerenowiresconnectedtoDelSassoandwonderedwhatwasbeingmeasured.
AgainLeightonsensedtheunspokenquestionandwhispered:“Antoniogeneratesanincredibleelectromagneticfieldandananti-gravitationalforce—andsomeotherstrangeforceswehaven’tbeenabletoanalyze.I’llexplainmorelater.”
Thentoallthreehewhispered,“Youaren’tgoingtobelievethis!”Withtheuseofasmallforklift,thetwolabassistantsbeganhauling
frombehindastoragewallonthefarrightsideoftheroomanumberofheavyarticles.Thesetheycarefullyspacedabout15feetinfrontofDelSasso.Therewasanempty50-gallonsteeloildrum,alate-modelautomobilegasolineenginemountedonwoodenskids,alargeelectricmotorsimilarlymounted,andabarbellwithnumerouslargeweightsonit,which,Leightonwhispered,weighed“morethan1000pounds!”
WhentheobjectswereinplacetothesatisfactionofKayMorris,shemotionedtoherassistantstojoinherbehindaheavysteelshieldthatsurroundedthemonitoringequipmentandcontrols.Thenshequietlyaddressedthemeditatingpsychic.“We’reready,FatherDelSasso.”
Alongandalmostpalpablesilencefollowed.CarlaandViktorglancedatLeightonapprehensively.Heflashedthemaquick,confidentsmile.Suddenlytheoildrumwasliftedstraightupbysomeinvisibleforce.Itremainedmotionlessabouttenfeetintheairforafullminute.Then,witha
soundlikeasonicboom,itwascrumpledintoaballanddroppedbacktothefloor.
ViktorandCarlawerestunned.TheylookedatoneanotherandthenatLeighton.Hewassmilingandnoddingatthemagain.Ken’sfacialexpressionhadnotchanged.Somberandthoughtful,heavoidedlookingattheothers.
Nowtheautomobileenginestartedwitharoarandrevveduptoafastandsteadyidle.Thentheelectricmotorstartedaswell.Nocordorcableconnectedittoanysourceofelectricpower.Thebarbellliftedfromthefloorandcontinuedslowlytorise.Withatriumphantgrin,LeightonthrewaquickglanceatViktorandCarla.Theyweretransfixed.
Ken’seyes,likeDelSasso’s,wereclosed.“Father,”heprayedsilently,“intheNameofJesusChristandthroughHisbloodshedonthecrossforoursins,IaskYoutobindthedemonswhoareempoweringDelSassoandthatyouwilltherebyexposetheevilbehindhimandthetruesourceofhispower.”
Suddenlythebarbellhesitatedinitsponderouslevitationandbegantowobble.Somethingappearedtobegoingwrong.ViktorandCarlalookedinsurpriseatLeighton.Hisfaceregisteredstunnedincredulity.
DelSassomoveduncomfortablyinhischairandbecameincreasinglyagitated.Thesuspendedbarbelljerkedanddodgedaboutcrazily.Eventhedriverlessforkliftbegantorockbackandforthasthoughshakenbysomeunseengianthand.Thetwomotorssputteredandbouncedspasmodically,thenfelloverontheirsidesandquit.Atthesameinstanttheheavybarbellslammedagainstthesteelshieldprotectingthecontrolcenter,bouncedoff,andcrashedtothefloor.Thenallwassilent.
Dr.Morrisandhertwoassistantsfranticallycheckedthegraphsandcomputerizedmonitors.Leightonseemedparalyzed.DelSassoopenedhiseyeslikeamanawakeningfromanightmare.Hesatinawesomestillnessforamoment,staringatKen.Thenaterrifyingroar—ofanguishatfirstandthenrage—eruptedfromDelSasso’sthroat.Jumpingtohisfeetwitheyesblazing,hepointedanaccusingfingerstraightatKenandscreamed,“Hedidit!Gethimout!”
Unperturbed,Kencalmlyreturnedhisgaze.Viktorlookedin
bewildermentandapprehensionfromonetotheotherofthesetwoapparentantagonists.
“You’dbetterleave,”urgedFrankinalowvoice.“Hehasaviolenttemper.”
“I’mnotafraidofhim.Areyou?”Ken’schallengewasclear.“Ken,Idon’twantaconfrontation.”“Gethimoutnow!”DelSassothundered.“Let’sallgo,”whisperedFrankinconsternation.Kenwillinglywent
alongasFrankhurriedlyledtheway,followedcloselybyViktorandCarla.
Outsideinthehall,withhisbackagainstthecloseddoor,FrankturnedtoKenonceagain.“Nowwhatwasgoingoninthere?Whatdidhemeanyoudidit?Whatdidyoudo?”
“CouldhebejealousofKen?”suggestedCarlatentatively.“KeninventedthePsitronandwasthefirsttomakecontact.Psychicscanbeverytemperamental.”
“Heisaprimadonna,”concededLeighton.“Andhecanexplode.Buthe’sneveractedlikethis.Butthen,I’veneverknownhimtofail.”Wipinghisbrowwithahandkerchief,heturnedtoViktor.“Whatdoyouthink?”
Viktorwasoverwhelmed.“Idon’tknowwhathappened,butI’veneverseenanythinglikethis!DelSasso’spowersare...are...”HegaveuptryingtofindtheproperEnglishsuperlativeandshruggedhisshouldershelplessly.
“Ifhehassuchgreatpowers,whydoesn’theworkthemonme?Whydoesheaskyoutoescortmeout?”AgainKen’svoicecarriedthatunmistakablechallenge.
LeightonlookedatKeninamazement“Whatareyoutryingtosay?”“He’safraidofme,andIknowwhy.”“You’recrazy.He’snotafraidofanythingoranyone,Icanguarantee
that.AndIalreadytoldyouI’mnotgoingtohaveaconfrontation.Idon’twantthatkindofademonstration.Nowwhatdidhemeanyoudidit?”
“IknowwhathemeantandheknowsthatIknow.ButI’mgoingtolethimtellyou.Youwouldn’tlikemyexplanation.”
“SomehowKenbrokehisconcentration,”suggestedCarla.
“Concentrationhadnothingtodowithit,”retortedKen.“That’samyth.”
“Thenwhatwasit?”demandedLeighton.“Frank,Itoldyoutoaskhim.”“I’maskingyou.Didyoudeliberatelydosomething?”Kenturnedawaywithoutreplyingandbegantowalkbacktowardthe
lobby.Frankandtheothersfollowedhim.“Ken,Iwanttoknow—fromyou!”demandedFrank.Kenturnedslowlyaroundtofacethem.“DelSassodoesn’thaveany
psychicpower,”hesaidquietly,lookingFrankintheeye.“You’rebeingdeceived—badly.”
FrankturnedtoViktorandCarlainfrustration.“Nopsychicpowers?”herepeatedscornfully.“Isthismancrazy?Yousawit.”
“Oh,weallsawpower,”retortedKen.“Lotsofpower.Butitwasn’tunderDelSasso’scontrol.Ijustprovedthat.Humansdon’thavethecapacityforpsychicpower.There’snowaytheycandevelopit.That’spartofthedelusion.TheArchonsareusingDelSasso—andyou.Thatman’spossessed—likeIwas.”
“ComeoffitKen!Ithoughtyou’dgottenoverthatfixation.”“YouaskedmetotellyouwhatIdid,”saidKenevenly.“Okay,I’lltell
you.Ijustveryquietly,intheNameofJesusChristaskedtheonetrueGodtobindthedemonsthatwereputtingonthatshow.Andyousawwhathappened.”
Leighton’sjawdropped,andforjustamomentheseemedshakenanduncertain.Thenhisfacereddenedinanger.“That’sacoincidence,”hespatback.“Antonioisaverysensitiveperson.Hesensedyourhostilityanditbrokehisconcentration.Thisisadelicateprocedure.”
“Ken,Ifindyourexplanationchildishandself-serving!”Carlawantedtodistanceherselffromhisreligiousfanaticismimmediately.Aworld-renownedjournalisthadanimagetomaintain,especiallyifthatjournalistwasawoman.
Viktorwaswatchingandlisteninginperplexedsilence.SuchaconversationcouldneverhavetakenplaceinhislabinRussia!WhatdidKenmeanbypossessed?Washereferringtodemons,andwashe,like
Dmitri,abeliever?AtthatmomentthelaboratorydoorburstopenandDelSassoexploded
intothecorridor.HeimmediatelysawKenanderuptedwithrageonceagain.“Itoldyoutogethimout!”hebellowed.“IfIeverseehimhereagain,I’llkillhim!”
“Why?”askedKenquietly,inaverycalmvoice.“Why?”“Getout!”DelSassostartedtowardthem.Kenstoodhisground,staringfearlesslyintoAntonio’shate-filled
eyes.“I’mnotafraidofyou.GreaterisHethat’sinmethanthedemonsthatareinyou.”
DelSassoletoutaroaroffrustratedrage.LeightongrabbedKenbyanelbow,turnedhimaround,andstartedmovinghimhurriedlytowardthelobby.Kenwentalongwithoutresisting.Astheyturnedthecornerinthecorridor,Leightoncalledbackoverhisshoulder.“I’llseethatheleaves,Antonio.I’mtakinghimoutrightnow.”
“Waitformeinmyoffice,”Leightonaddedtotheothers.Ashesteppedintothelobby,withFrankstillpushinghimalong,Ken
heardCarlatellingViktor,“I’mgladwecameinseparatecars.”Thewordswerelikeaknifeplungedintohisback.
Outside,theywalkedsidebysideinstubbornsilence.Whentheyreachedthecar,FrankputhishandonKen’sarm.“Ican’tbelieveyou’ddothistome!”
“Dowhat?”“Youdeceivedme!IthoughtyouweregenuinelyinterestedorI
wouldn’thaveinvitedyou.”“Iwas—andIam,Frank.AndI’mconcernedforyou.”“Ithinkyoudeliberatelycameheretodisrupttheprogram.Youincited
DelSasso.You’veresentedthatIboughtyouout,eventhoughI’vealwayskepttheofferopentobringyoubackin.”
“Idon’twantbackin.ButIcameheregenuinelyinterestedtoseewhatwasgoingon,andI’mgladIdid.I’vemetDelSassonow,andheonlyconfirmedwhatIalreadyknew.I’mwarningyou,Frank:You’reheadingfordisaster.”
“Idon’tknowhowyoucansaythatKen!Ifyouonlyknewthe
potentialavailabletomankind,notjusttoDelSasso—he’sonlythefirst—buttoallofus!”
“Iknowthefulldeceptionofthatfalsepromise,Frank.AndIknowwho’sbehindit.Theytriedtokillme,andthey’llkillyouwhenyou’veservedtheirpurposeandtheyhavenofurtheruseforyou.”
“Ken,Ialreadytoldyoutherewasaflawinyouroriginaldesign.Itwasaslightmistakethatanyonecouldmake,butitwasanimportantone,andthatwaswhyyoufreakedoutanddroveoverthatcliff.TheArchonsidentifiedthatflaw,toldushowtocorrectit,andwedid.Thisisn’ttheory.We’veprovedthatwhattheysaidwastrue.Afterwemadethatmodification,Antoniohadnomoretrouble—nottheslightest.”
“He’scompletelypossessed!”“Idon’twanttohearthatagain!”“Whetheryouwanttohearitornot,it’sthetruth.”“Ken,listentome.Ifyouwouldonlydropyourfixationaboutdemons
andtakeanotherlookwithanopenmind.”“Itookalook.”“Butwiththesameoldsuperstitiousprejudice.Ken,we’reonthe
vergeofsolvingallhumanproblems!We’regoingtohaveanewworldwithoutpovertyordiseaseorwar!”
“AndwiththeArchonsincontrol,right?”“So?”Frankconceded.“NowIsupposeyou’regoingtofind
somethingsinisterinthat!Howcoulditbeotherwise?It’stheirplanandtheyhavetheknowledgeandthepower.Theyhavetobeincharge,butonlyuntilwe’vegotthepowertodoitourselves.”
“Alackofpowerisn’ttheproblem,Frank.Youshouldrealizethat.Youknowwhatthisgenerationhasbeencalled:‘nucleargiantsbutmoralmidgets.’Remember?Andthat’sdangerous!”
FrankgrewsilentKenclimbedintohiscarandloweredthewindow.“WhoaretheArchons?”
“They’rehighlyevolved,nonphysicalintelligenceswho’vebeenguidingourevolution.”
“They’vedonealousyjob!”“That’swhythey’reinterveningnow—topreventanecologicalor
nuclearholocaust.Ifwedestroyourselves,thatcouldsetbackthekarmaofthewholegalaxy.”
“Whatyou’regivingme,Frank,isbasicHinduism.Whyisthatacceptable,butChristianityisunthinkable?”
“It’snotHinduism.It’sscience.”“Youknowbetterthanthat.Karma,highlyevolvedMasters,magic
powersthroughyogictrance—that’sscience?”Frankdidn’tanswer.Hespunaroundandstartedtowalkaway.Kenleanedoutthewindowandcalledafterhim.“SoI’mpersonanon
gratafromnowon?”Frankstoppedandturnedtofacehimagain.“Iwishitwereotherwise,
butwhatwouldbethepoint?AnotherblowupwithDelSasso?”“Yououghttobeaskingyourselfsomeseriousquestions,Frank.For
example,whathappenedtoDelSasso’sgreatpowers?AndwherearetheArchons?Aretheysoweak?Theynearlykilledmeonce,butIhavenofearofthemanymore.Facethefacts!Itoldyouthetruth—whatIactuallydidinthelab.IshutDelSassodownwithasimpleprayer!”
Leightonlookedathimwithastonishment,andthenwithcontempt“Abrilliantmindgonetoruin—that’swhatyouare.Eversincethataccidentyou’vebeensufferingfromreligiousdelusions.Youneedprofessionalhelp,Ken.Icouldarrangeforthebestpsychiatricdiagnosisandtreatment.”
“Forgetabout‘analyzing’me,andanalyzeyourownsituation.You’regettinginoveryourhead.YououghttostayawakenightsaskingyourselfhowyouknowtheArchonsaretellingyouthetruth!Whydoyoutrustthem?Supposethey’renotwhotheysaytheyare,andI’mrightafterall?”
FrankstaredatKeninsilence.Thenheturnedawayonceagainand,withoutanotherword,hurriedtowardthefrontdoor.
Kenbackedhiscaroutofitsparkingplaceanddroveslowlytowardthegate.HefelttheweightofaheavygriefforFrank,andforKhorev,too—andanoverwhelmingsenseofforebodingforCarla.AsforDelSasso,themanwasevilpersonifiedandcapableofalmostanything.TheArchonshadchosentheirinstrumentwell.
[20]ThePlan
WhenLeightonreturnedtohisoffice,hefoundDelSassoinarelaxedandaffablemood,sittinginaneasychairdeepinconversationwithCarlaandViktor.Theyhadbeenprobinghimwithpointedquestionsaboutthedangersoftheincrediblepsychicpowertheyhadjustseenhimdisplay.Whatifitgotintothewronghands?Andhowcouldthatpossibility,afterall,bepreventedifpsychicpowerwassimplyanormalhumanpotentialandthusavailableequallytoeveryone?Whatafrightfulworlditwouldbeifeverypersonhadsuchdangerouscapabilities—aworldofsorcererszappingoneanotherwithunlimitedpowersofthemind!
DelSassohadlaughedattheirfearsandassuredthemthat,contrarytopopularmisconceptionsaboutunlimitedhumanpotential,psychicpowerwasagifttomankindfromhigherintelligences—theArchons.Afailuretorecognizeandhonorthetruesourceofthisforcewas,infactthereasonfortheslowprogressandfrustrationthathadplaguedthefieldofparapsychologyworldwidesinceitsinceptionattheendofthenineteenthcentury.Thebreakthroughcamewhenthissecretresearchcenter,directedbyFrankLeighton,hadbeenwillingtoenterintoanagreementwiththeArchonstobecome,undertheirdirectionandcontrol,thedistributorsofthispowertotheworld.ThatpartnershiphadcatapultedtheAmericanslight-yearsaheadoftheRussiansandeveryoneelse.
ItallmadesensetoViktor.Infact,thecriticalquestionsthathadloomedsolargeforhimseemedtobeintheprocessofbeingansweredwithoutevenaskingthem.DelSasso’sexplanationoftheroleplayedbytheArchonswasinperfectagreementwiththeconclusionsViktorhadarrivedatinRussia,andfilledinmostofthemissinggapsinhistheory.Thereasonfortherepeatedwarnings,andthehorrifyingeventsinhislaboratorynorthofMoscowwhentheypersistedinpursuingtheirresearch
alongforbiddenlines,nowseemedclear.ForCarla,however,whoknewnothingofwhathadhappenedin
Viktor’slab,DelSasso’sstatementsweretoorevolutionarytoacceptwithoutfurtherproof.Ofcourse,shehadlittledoubtaboutthestaggeringpowerhehaddisplayed,buttoattributeittomysteriousnonphysicalintelligencesseemedtoraisemorequestionsthanitanswered.WhoweretheseArchonsthatLeightonandDelSassospokeofinsuchfamiliarterms—andthatViktorseemedtohaveknownaboutandfeared?Whatwastheirintentandmotive?Italsoremindedher,uncomfortably,ofsomeofthethingsKenhadsaidinthehospital.Whileshecouldnolongerbelieveindemons,yetiftherewerehighlyevolvednonphysicalentitiesouttheresomewhere,wasitnotpossiblethatsomeofthemcouldbeevil?Sheresolvedtokeepanopenmind,butnottosurrendertheskepticismthateveryjournalisthadtoapplycontinuallytoeachstorybeinginvestigated.
“Howdidthatlunaticgetinhere?”demandedDelSassothemomentLeightonwalkedthroughthedoor.
Leightonshookhisheadinembarrassmentanddisbelief.“It’smyfaultforinvitinghim.I’msorry,Antonio.Ihadnoidea.”
“Don’teventhinkaboutit,”repliedDelSassocontemptuously.“He’safundamentalistfanaticcompletelyparanoidaboutdemons.ImetdozenslikehimwhenIwasonlecturetourfortheSocietyofJesus.They’dconfrontmeatmytalks,quoteBibleversesthat‘proved’thepopewastheAntichrist.WhenI’dagreeandsay,‘Maybeheis,’they’dbespeechless.Youknow,ofcourse,”headdedconspiratorially,“thattheJesuitshaven’tgottenalongtoowellwiththepopeforyears.”Thenhiseyesnarrowed.“Don’tletmeseethatmaniacinhereeveragain!”
“You’vegotmywordonthat,”saidLeightonwithconviction,seatinghimselfcasuallyonthefrontofhishugedesk.“Nowtellme,whatreallyhappenedinthere?”
DelSassoleanedbackcomfortablyandlaughedashelookedfromonetotheotherofhisadmirers.Heobviouslyenjoyedhiscelebritystatus,butheexudedawinningsincerityaswell.Hischarm,whenhewantedtoturniton,seemedalmostsupernatural.Keepyourfeetontheground,andyourheadoutoftheclouds!Carlaremindedherself.
“IwasinOmega,”saidDelSasso,“withmyeyesclosed,waitingforthestartingsignalfromKay.Thenyouallcamein.ThemomentheenteredthelabIknewhewasthere,eventhoughwe’venevermetTheArchonsidentifiedhimasanenemy.”
DelSassoletthatsinkinforamoment,thencontinued.“Itriedtoignorehimandcarryonfortheirsake.”HegesturedtowardCarlaandViktor.“ButIwassotunedintothecollectiveunconsciousthathisnegativethoughtswerelikeradiostaticjammingthefrequencyonwhichIwasreceivingtheenergy.Itinfuriatedme.FinallyIjusthadtocallahaltandgethimoutofthere.”
“Hetoldusheshutyoudown,”saidCarla.ShewantedtohearfromDelSassoadirectresponsethatwouldlaytorestKen’sfundamentalistfantasiesonceandforall.
DelSasso’swarm,browneyesinstantlyignitedinablazeofanger.CarlafoundthesuddentransformationtooJekyllandHydeishforcomfort.Yetwhathesaidwaspersuasiveenough.“Whatmakesamanlielikethat?Ikneweverythoughthewasthinking—pitiful,archaicsuperstitionsaboutdemons.”HerolledhislargeeyesincontemptthenturnedtoViktor.“Howdidthelittleyousaw—beforeIstoppedit—comparewiththelevelyou’vereachedintheRussia?”
“There’snocomparison.You’resofarbeyondanythingwe’veachieved—well,it’sobviousthatyourexplanationabouttheArchonsisaccurate.”Viktorleanedforwardandnoddedhisheadslowlyinawedassent.“Itcertainlyconfirmsmyownresearch,andexplainssomemysteriouseventsinmylabthatIsuspectyouknowallabout.”
SuchconfirmationfromViktormadeastrongimpressionuponCarla,butshestilldidn’tknowwhattheyweretalkingabout.
Leightoncouldnotsuppressasmugexpression.“SoAntoniohasbeenexplainingabouttheArchons,hashe?”SeeingCarla’spuzzledlook,hesuggestedtoViktor,“Nowthatyou’rereunitedunder,shallwesay,morerelaxedconditionsthanwhenyoumetinParis,itwouldbeagoodidea,whenthere’stime,totellCarlasomeofyourpastexperienceswiththeArchons.”
“You’vebeenincontactwiththem,too?”askedCarla,turningto
Viktorinsurprise.“We’vebeenchastenedbythem—severely,”herepliedsomberly.“I’d
liketoseefurtherevidence,ofcourse,butsofar,everythingDr.DelSasso—”
“Antonio,please,orFatherDelSasso,ifyouprefer,”interjectedthepsychicgraciously.
“—Antoniohassaidringstrue,”continuedViktor.HeturnedtoLeighton.“PerhapsIcouldshowMissBertelli—Carla—”Hischeeksflushedslightlyashecorrectedhimself.“PerhapsIcouldshowhermyvideo.”
“Agreatidea!”respondedLeighton,lookingsuddenlylikeamanwhohadjustrememberedhehadsomeextraordinarysurprisesuphissleeve.“Thatwouldgivehersomeinsights.Andthat’simportant,becauseeventuallythepowerthattheArchonsaretrainingustousemustbesharedwiththeworld.”HeturnedtoCarla.“That’swhereyoucomein,ifyou’rewilling,ofcourse.We’lldiscussthatlater.Ithastobeplannedcarefully.”
LookingquestioninglyatDelSassoforconfirmation,Leightonsuggested,“Idon’tthinkAntoniowantstogobacktothelabandstartoverafterthatrudeinterruption.”
Antonioglancedathiswatchandshookhishead.“I’vegottogetovertolabfour.It’salmosttimeforthedailytransmission,andIhavetogetwiredup.”Standingtoleave,heshooktheoutstretchedhandsofCarlaandViktor.“Itwasapleasuretomeetyou.I’mlookingforwardtoworkingwithyouboth.”
“Iwouldbehighlyhonored,”saidViktorenthusiastically.“Well,you’vecertainlyimpressedme,”addedCarla.“DoIunderstand
thatyou’rewillingtogivemecompletefreedomasaninvestigativereporter?”
“Wewouldn’twantitanyotherway,”DelSassoassuredherinstantly,lookingherdirectlyintheeyeswithanexpressionofchildlikeinnocencethatencouragedtotaltrust.
AsDelSassolefttheroom,Leightonwalkedaroundandseatedhimselfintheoversizedexecutivechairbehindhishugedesk.Theveryfewpapersontopofitwereneatlyarranged.Heobviouslyranatightship
andwaswell-organizedhimself.Claspinghishandsbehindhishead,heleanedfarbackinevidentandjustifiablesatisfaction.“Well,youjustgotitfromthehorse’smouth.Antonio’ssomethingelse,isn’the?Incaseyou’rewondering,he’sstillanactiveJesuitpriestbutnotanarrow-mindedadherenttoChristiandogmabyanymeans,asIsupposeyoucantell.Hisdoctorate’sinOrientallanguages.WhenIfirstmethimhewasalreadyatoppsychic—developedhispowerswhilestudyingBuddhisminJapanshortlyaftertheKoreanWar.IknewimmediatelyhewasanaturalforthePsitron.SowhenKenhadhisaccidentanddroppedout,IbroughtinAntonio.Hemadealmostimmediatecontactwith‘theNine,’andit’sbeenanincredibleadventureeversince.”
Leightonpauseddramaticallyforamomentthenadded,“Insteadofjusttalkingaboutit—-sinceyougotcheatedoutofseeingwhatAntoniocanreallydo—whydon’tIjustboggleyouabitbeforewebreakforlunch.Okay?”
“Boggle?”askedViktor.“Astonish,amaze,astound,”explainedCarla.“Soundsgood.Let’sgo
forit.”ThensheleanedoverandpattedViktor’sarm.“That’sahighbrowword.Iwouldn’tworryaboutit.YourEnglishissomuchbetterthanmyFrenchorGerman.AndasformyRussian,aboutallIcansayis‘Goodmorning,’‘Howareyou?’and‘Goodbye.’”
Leightonpushedabuttonandspokeontheintercomtohissecretaryinanadjoiningroom.“Holdallmycalls—Iwon’tbeavailableuntilafterlunch.”
Heselectedavideocassettefromamongseveralstackedneatlyinonecornerofhisdesk,walkedovertoaVCRconnectedtoahuge,curvedtelevisionscreennearby,andinsertedit.Pickinguparemotecontrol,hecameovertojoinhistwoguestsonthelongsofa.Ashestartedthevideoheremindedthem,“Ifyouhaveanyquestions,justletmeknowandI’llstopit.”
ThevideobeganwithDelSassoseatedinanoffice,eyesclosed,athinwireinhishands,whichhewasmovingslowlyinacircularmotion,holdingithorizontallyaboutsixinchesabovealarge-scalemapspreadoutonthedeskbeforehim.Suddenlythewiretwistedinhisfingersand
pointeddirectlyatthemap.Atthesameinstant,withhiseyesstillclosed,hishandsstoppedtheirmotionandseemedtohover.Anassistantappearedfromthesideandputacalibratedmagnifyingdeviceonthemapinthedesignatedspot.Thecamerazoomedinonanearbycomputerwherethepreciselatitudeandlongitudeappearedonthemonitor.
Leightonpushedthepausebutton.“ThisisoneofthefirstpracticalapplicationsoftheArchons’powers.Thecoordinatesyousawonthecomputerwereobviouslychanged,butotherwiseyouwitnesseditexactlyasithappened.Armyengineersarestillmappingoutthearea,butalreadyitpromisestobethelargestpoolofoileverdiscovered.It’sinawildernesslocationwithinthecontinentalUnitedStates,asitethatwouldsurpriseanygeologist—whichmaybewhyitremainedunknown.They’vedrilledanumberofwells,tested,andcappedthem.Thelocation,ofcourse,issecretatthemoment.”
Thenextscenethatcameonthescreenwastheinteriorofahugehothouseshapedlikeapyramid.Itwasfilledwithawidevarietyofvegetableandmelonplants.DelSassocouldbeseenwalkingslowlyupanddownbetweenthelongrows,stoppingtoholdhishandsbrieflyovereachplant.Thatscenemergedintoanothershowingseveralworkersinthesamelocationharvestingastonishingquantitiesofcabbagesandcantaloupesthesizeofbasketballs,aswellashugetomatoes,carrots,beets,andotherproduce,allofprodigioussizeandsuperbquality.
AgainLeightonpausedtocomment.“Thisisanotherpracticalapplicationthatwillbenefittheworld.Everythingyoujustsawwasgrowninabouttwo-thirdsthenormaltimeandwithhalftheusualamountofwaterinverypoorsoil,yetwithavitaminandmineralcontentfarhigherthananythingbeingpresentlyproduced.Thesecretisaconversionofpsychicenergyinnateinspace,eveninavacuum.ThesameresultscanbehadintheSahara,oranywhere.Idon’thavetotellyouwhatthiswillmeanfortheworld.”
“Nowthat’ssomethingworthwhilethatIcouldgetexcitedabout!”exclaimedCarla.“Isitbeingdonenow?”
“Notyet.WeneedthousandsofDelSassos.Theyhavetobetrained,andthatcanonlyhappenwhenthePlanhasbeenrevealedandacceptedby
theworld’sleaders.ThatwillbringthedawningofaNewAgebeyondimagination—paradiseonearth!”
“ThePlan?”askedViktorwarily.“Whatplan?”“Wedon’thaveallthedetailsyet,buttheArchonshaveadefinitePlan
forimplementingtheirsolutiontothecriseswenowface.We’llgetintothatlater.IwanttoshowyouonemoreexampleofwhattheArchonscando.It’ssomethingIthinkyou’llagreecouldguaranteelastingpeaceamongallnations—andevenamongindividuals.”
LeightonstartedthevideoagainandViktorgasped.ThescenewasnowinsidehislaboratoryinRussia.ThequalityoftheimagewasalmostasgoodasifitwerebeingtransmittedliveoveraclearTVchannel.YakovwasbeingstrappedintohischairbyDmitri.Viktorsawhimselfbusilydirectingtheoperationfromthecontrolroomabove.Thewholetraumaticepisodeunfoldedagainbeforehiseyesexactlyasithadhappened.HesawYakovrippedoutoftheapparatusandthrownacrosstheroomtohisdeath.Viktorgroanedandlookedaway.
Unconsciously,CarlaputacomfortinghandonViktor’sarm.Leightonstoppedthefilm.“I’msorry,”hesaid.“Ishouldhavewarned
youbeforehand.IguessIgotcarriedawaywantingtosurpriseyou.”“No,it’sokay,”respondedViktorsolemnly.“Ineededtoseeitagain.
Sometimesitseemssounreal—likeanightmare,orsomethingI’vefantasized.”HeturnedtoCarla.“IguessyoucouldtellthatwasinsidemylabnearMoscow?”
“Thatactuallyhappened?”sheaskedinastonishment.Viktornodded.“Thatwasthethirdpsychicwe’dlost.”“Youbroughtthefilmwithyou?”“Ibroughtsomefilm,butnotthat.”HeturnedtoLeighton.“NowI
knowwhatyoumeanby‘boggle.’Idon’tknowwhattosay.Soyouactuallykneweverythingweweredoing?”
“Everything,”saidLeightonmatter-of-factly.Carlastilldidnotunderstand.“Howcouldyougetanagentinsidehis
lab?”sheaskedLeighton.“Andhowcouldhetakethatfilmwithoutanyoneknowingit?”Beforehecouldrespond,sheturnedtoViktorinbewilderment.“Didyoueversuspectthatoneofyourownmenwasdoing
this?”“That’snothowithappened,”repliedViktor.“IknowwhatFrankis
goingtotellusbecausewedidsomewhatthesamething,butourresultswereStoneAgeincomparison.”
Hitchingaroundonthesofasothathecouldlookdirectlyintotheireyes,Leightonleanedinclose.Itwasagestureofconfidentialitytowardthesetwowhowerebeingtakenintotheinnercircle.“DelSassotookthatfilmwithhismind,sittingrightinthatlabwhereyousawhimtoday.”Hespokecalmly,buttheexpressiononhisfacewasacrescendooftriumph.
“Ican’tbelieveit!”exclaimedCarla.ShelookedoveratViktor.Hewasnoddinginawedconfirmation.
Leighton’seyesreflectedanexcitementthathecouldhardlycontain.“InourvaultsherewehavethousandsoffeetoffilmofsecretRussianexperiments,notonlyfromViktor’slab,butfromotherlabsofvariouskinds—evenfilmsoftop-secret,high-levelKremlinmeetings.”
Leightonloweredhisvoiceandleanedevencloser.“WhatI’mtellingyouishighlyclassifiedinformation.It’snottobesharedwithanyoneuntiltheArchonsgivetheword.Youcouldcountononehandthepeopleoutsideofthisbasewhoknowaboutit.NoneofthefilmIjustmentioned—andImeannoneofit—hasbeenseenbyanyoneintheFBI,theStateDepartmentthePentagon....SuchknowledgeandpowerwillnotbeusedagainsttheRussians,oragainstanyothernation,solongastheygoalongwiththePlanwhenthetimecomes—whichwillbeverysoon.”
Leightonletthatinformationsinkinforafewmoments.Hestoodandbegantopacethefloorinsilence.Atlasthebegantospeakwithpassion.“Canyouseewhatthismeans?Warwillbeimpossible.Peacewillbepermanent,andevencrimewillbenomore.IntheNewWorldnoonewillbeabletohatchsecretplots.There’llbenosubversion,noterrorism.Itwillbeimpossibletohideanythoughtordeedfromthoseincontrol.Paradisewillberestored.”
“Thoseincontrol?”askedViktorpointedly.Hesuddenlylookedapprehensive.“Whowillthatbe?”
“TheArchonsatfirst,ofcourse,”declaredLeightonwithouthesitation.“Thenthosewhohavebeenchosenbythemaschannelsoftheir
power.”“Andifsomenationsrefusetoacceptthisneworder?”suggested
Carla.“What’sthealternative?”shotbackLeighton.“They’dbeinsanenotto
goalong.Therewardsforcooperationarevirtuallyunlimited.Everynationwillhaveitsownpsychics—thousandsandevenmillionsofthem—withpowerslikeDelSasso’s.Fortheaverageperson,thiswillbringaboutanentirelynewwayofperceivingthemselvesandtheworldaroundthem—atransformationthatwillfollownaturallyfromthedailyandroutinedisplayofwhatusedtobethoughtofasimpossible.Ithinkyoucanappreciatefromeventhelittleyou’veseenonthevideothatsuchpowerasthiscreatesaradicalchangeinconsciousness,anentirelynewwayoflookingatrealitythatremovestheillusionoflimitationsthathaveneedlesslyenslavedusasaresultofourpastconditioning.Thenewconditioningprocesswillcomeaboutthroughtheverydisplayofthispower.Thatinitselfwillproduceanewworldviewand,asaresult,anewworld.”
Viktorhadscarcelyheardtheirexchange.Hewasstillsostunnedbywhathe’dseenthathecouldhardlyfindwords.“Thisisabsolutelystaggering,”hemurmured,moretohimselfthantotheothers.“IthoughtitwastheArchonsthatkilledYakov,andmysuperiorsinsisteditwastheAmericans.Whowasit?”
“Itwasboth,”repliedLeightonsimply.“Why?”interjectedCarla.“WhywouldtheyhelpDelSasso,andkill
theRussianpsychics?”“ForthesamereasonthatViktordefectedtotheWest:Marxist
materialismstilldominates.Itrefusestoadmittheexistenceofentitieswithoutbodies.TheArchons—well,youhavetobelieveinthemtoworkwiththem.”
“Istilldon’tunderstandthefavoritism,”persistedCarla.“What’stheirpurpose?”
“Theywanttohelpus,andthatmeansthewholeworldeventually.Butatthisstagethey’reworkingthroughtheAmericansbecausewe’retheoneswhomadecontactandhavefaithinthem.”HelookedatCarla
sympathetically.“ThatwasKen’sproblem.Hewouldn’ttrustthem.”“Butwhoarethey?”sheasked.“That’salmostlikeaskingwhatisgravityorenergy.Idon’thavea
completeanswertothatquestion,andweprobablyneverwillbecausethey’resofarbeyondus.Basically,asI’vealreadysaid,they’rehighlyevolvedbeingswhohaveadvancedbeyondthelowerstatesofbodilydependence.Fromtheirhigherdimensionthey’vebeenguidingmankind’sevolutionforthousandsofyears.There’snodeathortimeintheirdimension,andtheysaywe’vereachedacriticalphasethatrequirestheirdirectinterventiontopreventusfromdestroyingourselves.”
“Idon’tdoubttheneedfortheirintervention,”murmuredCarla,notentirelyconvinced.“ButI’mnotsureIlikethewaythey’regoingaboutit.”
“Youwon’tquestiontheirwisdomorabilityonceyou’veworkedwiththem.Iguaranteethat.”
Viktorstillseemedstunned.“Suchstaggeringpower.Howdoesitwork?Whydotheyneedtochannelitthroughhumans—notjustone,butthousandsandevenmillionsofDelSassos?”
“Theyhaven’texplainedthat.Idon’tthinkifssomuchthattheyneedtoworkthroughahumanchannel.Ithinkit’smoreacaseofwantingustoberesponsibleforourselves.”Leightonbegantopacebackandforthagain,ponderinghiswordsashespoke.“TheimpressionIgetisthattheydon’twanttodoeverythingforus.We’vegottolearntodoitonourownsowecanbeindependentofthemeventually.SotheydoneedDelSassos.Millionsofthemhavetobetrained.That’souronlyhopeforsurvival.Timeisshort,andtheymusthavethecooperationoftheworld.”
HestoppedinfrontofCarlaandstoodlookingdownintoherupturnedface,studyinghercarefully.“That’swhereyoucomein.It’saverydelicatesituation.Ifwedon’tbreakthisnewsjustright,itcouldcauseworldwidepanicorskepticism.Oneisasbadastheother.Wehavetogeneratebeliefandgenuinetrust,oritwon’twork.RightnowDelSassoisouronelink,ouronehope.Ifsomethingshouldhappentohim—well,Idon’tevenwanttothinkaboutit.”
......
ThatnightKenandhismotherattended,astheyregularlydid,theweeklyprayergatheringatthelargehomeofHalandKarenElliott.Therewere,asusual,anumberof“praiseitems”thatwereenumeratedatthebeginningofthemeetingbytheleaderofthegroup,RogerAndrews,alocalattorney.Itwasconsiderednolessimportanttogivethanksforprayersthathadbeenansweredthantomakenewrequests,ofwhichtherewerealwaysseveralimportantones.
WhenKen’sturncametomakehisprayerneedsknown,hestoodtoaddressthegroup.“We’vehadCarlaBertelliandFrankLeighton,asyouknow,ontheprayerlistforalongtime,”hebeganearnestly.“I’dliketoupdateyousoyoucanpraymorespecifically.CarlaisbackintownandmaybegettinginvolvedwithFrank’spsychicresearchprogram—thesameonethatgotmedemonizedandalmostkilled.PraiseGod,thatwhatSatanmeantforevil,Godturnedintogood.Andthat’showIcametotheLord,asmostofyouknow.”
“Thankyou,Lord!PraiseGod!Thankyou,Jesus!”Theshortexpressionsofthanksgivingweremurmuredsoftlyaroundtheroom.MostofthosepresenthadprayedearnestlythenightthatHalandKarenhadgonetothehospitaltocastthedemonsoutofKen,andtheyhadwatchedwithjoyandexcitementhisrapidgrowthinthefaith.
“Thepsychicwhotookmyplace,”continuedKensolemnly,“isheavilydemon-possessed.Idon’tthinkthere’sanydoubtaboutthat.I’mafraidCarlaissoimpressedbywhatshethinksarepsychicpowersthatshe’llbesuckedrightintothewholedelusion.Sheneedstohavehereyesopenedtothetruth.Pleaseprayspecificallythatshewillbecomedisillusioned—thatthemaskwillslipenoughfortherealevilbehindthistobecomeobvioustoher.”
Hestartedtositdown,thenrememberedViktor.“PleaseprayalsoforthetopRussianscientistinpsychicresearchwhohasjoinedLeighton’steam.Ithinkhehassomedoubts.PraythattheLordwilldeliverhimalso.”Afteramoment’spause,headdedthoughtfully,“Ofcourse,they’llbothhavetobewilling.It’sachoicetheyhavetomake.SojustpraythatGodwilldoeverythingpossibletoconfrontthemwiththetruthsotheycanatleastmakeanintelligentchoice.Rightnowthey’reunderheavydeception,
whichcanonlygetworseaslongastheyremainundertheinfluenceofLeightonandhisteam.”
Therewere,ofcourse,manyotherprayerrequests,andthemeeting,asusual,wentonuntilnearlymidnightThesepeoplehadcometothefirmconvictionthatprayerinvolvedmorethanbrieflystatingastringofcasualrequests.TherewasaferventearnestnessandpersistenceintheirprayersastheynotonlylaidbeforeGodthemanyneeds,butappealedrepeatedlytoScriptureandGod’sgraceandloveinsupportoftheirrequests.
Thoughthehourwaslate,theparticipantslingeredwhenthemeetingatlastbrokeup.DonJordan,theFBI’sWestCoastDirectorofCounterintelligenceandstationedatthelocaloffice,shookhandswarmlywithKen.“Goodtoseeyouagain,brother.I’llsurebeprayingdailyforthoserequestsyoumentioned.”HetookKenbythearmandsaidinalowvoice,“Couldwestepoutsideforamoment?”
Whentheywereawayfromthehouseinacornerofthedimly-litbackyard,Jordansaid,“IwonderifIcouldaskyousomething.YousaidaRussianscientisthasjoinedLeighton’steam?”Kennodded.
“NoRussianthatwouldqualifyforsuchajobhasbeeninthecountrythatIknowof,”addedJordan,“whichmeanshe’sgottobeahigh-leveldefector—andaveryrecentonethatIdon’tevenknowabout.Isthatcorrect?”
“That’sright.Carladidn’tgivemeanydetails.SheonlymentionedthatithappenedinParistwoweeksagoattheFirstInternationalCongressonParapsychology.Sheapparentlyplayedakeyroleinhelpinghimmakehisbreak.”
Donshookhisheadindisbelief.“Thatmeansonlyonething:Leighton’soperationmustbeundersomegovernmentagency,andIsuspectit’stheCIA.Nobodyelsecouldhaveatop-leveldefectorthatquickly.Itusuallytakesmonths,andevenyears,forclearance.You’resureaboutthis?”
“Absolutely.Iwasthereandsawhimmyself.”“There’snothinglikebureaucracy,”saidDonwitharesignedshrug.
“Thelefthandnevertellstherighthandwhatit’sdoing.You’dthinksomebodywouldhavetoldusthatabrand-newRussiandefectorwasgoing
tobeworkinginourarea.TheRussiansmayverywellmakeanattempteithertorecoverortokillthisman.Butdoesanyonetellme?No,Ijusthappentofindoutbyaccident!”
“DotheRussiansnormallygoafterdefectors?”askedKeninsurprise.“Youdon’treadaboutthatsortofthing.”
“Itrarelygetsintothenews.Ifhe’sabigenoughfish—whichthismansoundslike—they’dgoafterhimiftheyknewwherehewas.That’spreciselywhydefectorswithhigh-levelclassifiedinformationtogive,orcovertties,aregivenanewidentityanddisappearatleastforafewyears,untilthey’renot‘hot’anymore.Idon’tthinkthere’sanydoubtthattheRussianswillfindoutwhereheis—andthatmeanswe’vegotproblems!”Heshookhisheadagainindisbelief.“Ican’tbelievetheCIAwouldn’ttellus.”
“Maybetheyplannedtotellyou.Hejustgottherelastnight.Anyway,it’slikeafortressoutthere,”addedKen.“Idon’tthinktheRussianscouldpossiblygetathim.”
Donsmiledandshookhishead.“TheRussianshaveanelitecorpsthathandlesjustsuchjobs,andthey’reveryefficient.I’mgoingtocallmyofficerightaway.”
“TheCIAmustknowwhatthey’redoing.”“Iwouldn’tcountonit—notifmylifedependedonit.”Heputahand
onKen’sshoulder.“Andyou’resureyourex-fiancéehelpedthisdefectorescape?”
Kennodded.“That’swhatshesaid.”“IftheRussiansknowthat—andtheyprobablydo—thenshe’sinbig
danger.Revengeisapowerfulmotive,evenfortheFSB.Doyouknowwhereshe’sstaying?”
“AttheHilton,asoflastnight.”“I’llhavesomeonecheckonhernowandthen.That’sthebestIcan
promise.TheCIAshouldreallyhavesomeoneassignedtoherdayandnight.”
[21]CatandMouse
ItwasverylatewhenCarla,witharestrainedyawn,finallystoodtoherfeettosayareluctantgoodnight.FrankandViktorstoodupstifflyaswell.Ithadbeenanemotionallyexhaustingdayforallofthem.DelSassohadretiredearlierwithabadheadache,whichhadbecomeafrequentoccurrenceforhimlatelyandgaveLeightonagreatdealofconcern.
“Thishasbeenincrediblyinformativeandfascinating,”saidCarla,“butIjusthavetogetsomesleep.Don’texpectmebeforenoon.Whataboutyou,Viktor?Whereareyoustaying?Doyouneedaride?”
“I’mstayingouthere—Inoneoftheguestapartments.It’snicerthananythingI’veeverlivedin.”
“It’sforhisownprotection,”addedLeighton.“Ifwegavehimanewidentityandlethimdisappear,he’dbeofnovaluetothePlan.ButasthetopRussianscientistinthisfield,withaninternationalreputation,hisendorsementwillmeanalot.Sowe’reguardinghiminherewherehe’llbesafeuntilthePlanhasbeenimplemented.Thenanywhereintheworldwillbesafeforeveryone!”
CarlagaveViktoraquickhug.“It’sbeenwonderfulseeingyouagain,andknowingthatyou’reinsuchgoodhands—andthatyou’llbeinvolvedrightawayinthekindofresearchyouwerehopingtogetinto.”
“Icanneverthankyouenough!”heresponded.“Withoutyourcourage,thiswouldn’thavehappened!IhatetothinkwhereI’dberightnow.”
“Well,don’tforgetourlittlearrangement.”“Never!AndI’msohappythatyou’regoingtobepartofthisproject
too.Isthatright?”Helookedquestioninglytobothofthemforconfirmation.
“Icertainlyhopeso,”saidLeighton,turningtoCarla.“Areyou
acceptingtheassignment?”Shehadbeenmovingslowlytowardthedoorastheytalked.“I’llbe
backtomorrowtogetacloserlookandafewmorequestionsanswered.”Carlapausedforamoment,thenaddedcautiously,“I’dbecrazytoturndownanopportunitylikethis!Yes,I’dliketoacceptthechallenge,Frank—providedIcankeepmyindependenceasajournalist.”
“That’sunderstood,”Frankremindedher,“sodon’tevenmentionitagain.”
Astheheavysteelgateswungshutbehindherandsheturnedhercarontotheaccessroad,Carlabreathedalong,satisfiedsigh.Wow!Whataday!Incredible!DoIwanttotaketheassignment?IguessIplayedthatcool!HereIthoughtitwouldbesodifficulttofindoutwhatwasgoingon.InsteadI’minvited—almostbegged.Itwasallbeyondanythingshewouldhavedaredtohopefor.Yet,inspiteofherexhilaration,therewasagnawingpangofdoubt.Somethingbotheredher.
Wasittoogoodtobetrue?OrwasitthefactthatDelSasso,whocouldbesocharmingandsincere,hadshownanothersidethatwasfrighteninglyvicious?AndtheArchons—weretheyreallyhighlyevolvedintelligencesorsimplydeeperlevelsofthehumanpsyche?Frankhadassuredherthathehadpersonallymetthemandthatshewould,too,eventually.He’dalsosaidthattheiractualidentitywasn’tallthatimportantandwasprobablybeyondhumancomprehension,anyway.Afterall,thepotentialforbringingpeaceandprosperitytotheworldwaswhatreallymattered,andthereseemedlittledoubtaboutthat.Andyet,shehardlyknewhowtopinpointtheunsettlingfeelingthatsomethingwasn’tquiteright.
Itwasalongerdrivebacktothehighwaythansheremembered.Theremotenessofthenarrowroadandtheintensedarknessunderthetalltreesheightenedanotheranxietythatshehadmanageduntilnowtosuppressentirely.SupposethemenwhohadpursuedViktorandfromwhoseclutchesshehadliterallysnatchedhimtriedtofindhim?Thatwouldnotbeunlikely.Ofcoursetheywouldn’tbeabletoreachhiminsidethatCIAfortress.Intheirfrustration,mighttheynottrytotakerevengeonher?
Suddenlytheunexpectedglareofheadlightsinherrearviewmirror
startledherbacktopresentreality.Shetrieddesperatelytosuppresstheimpulsetopanic.Surelyitwasparanoideventoconsidertheterrifyingfearthatnowhadherheartbeatingwildly.Butwhocoulditpossiblybe?Nooneelsehadbeenleavingtheresearchcenterafterher.She’dheardoneoftheguardsatthegatemakethatremarktohiscompanion.Andtheroaddead-endedthere.Carsdidn’tmaterializeoutofthinair.Hadsomeonebeenhidinginthewoods,waitingforher?Shepressedtheacceleratorharderandhertiressquealedinprotestassheskiddedaroundsucceedingcurves.Thepursuingcarquickeneditspaceaccordingly.
Bythetimeshereachedthemainhighway,afeelingofhelplessterrorgrippedCarla.Shepulledontoitwithoutstopping—directlyintothepathofafast-movingcar.Thescreechofbrakes,alongskid,andithadcareenedbrieflyoffandbackontotheroadway.Blinkingheadlightsandblaringhornsignaledthedriver’sanger.Atleasttherewassomeonebetweenherandwhatshewasnowconvincedweredeterminedpursuers.SherememberedKen’sinvitation,butresistedthetemptationtoturnoffontotheroadleadingtohishouse.Thatwouldbetheday!She’dmadetherightdecisiontwoyearsago,andnowthatshehadgottenwhatshewantedfromhimitwouldbeinsanetohaveanyfurthercontact.Seeinghisincredibleperformanceatthelabhadmadethatcrystal-clearonceagain.Hehaddevelopedintoanimpossiblefundamentalistfanatic,justasshehadfearedhewould.
Allthewaydownthemountainthecarthathadfollowedherontheaccessroadmadenoattempttogetdirectlybehindheragain.Whenthehighwayleftthefoothillsandleveledoffinthevalley,theinterveningcarturnedoffatanintersection.Nowtheothercarhungback.Butbythetimeshehadmadeseveralturnsintownanditwasstillbehindher,therecouldbenodoubtofitsoccupants’ultimateintentions.
Ifshecontinuedontoherhotel,theywouldknowwhereshewasstaying!Shouldshedrivedirectlytothepolicestation?Thatwouldaccomplishnothingexcepttomakeherlookfoolish.Think,Carla,think!Shewilledtheterror-driventhoughtsintosubmission.Yes,shehadit—aplan—awaythatshecouldgettoanotherhotelwithoutherpursuersknowingit.Therewasnowaytolosethembytryingtodrivefasterthan
theydid.Shewouldgointoherownhotelfirst.Iftheyfollowedherintotheparkinggarage,however,shewouldbetrapped.Toavoidthat,shepulleduptothefrontdoorandgaveherkeystothebellman.Asshedidso,shenoticedthatherpursuershadparkedjustdownthestreetandturnedofftheirlights.
InsidethelobbyCarlacheckedatthedeskformessages.TherewasonecallfromhereditorfriendinNewYork.Shehurriedtotheelevator.Onceinherroom,shewouldphoneanotherhotelforareservation,gatherherthings,andcallacabtomeetherattherearserviceentrance.Anelevatorwaswaitingwithitsdoorsopen.Shesteppedinsideand,withasighofrelief,pushedthebuttonfortheeighthfloor.Twomensteppedinquicklybesideherjustasthedoorsclosed.
Shefoughtoffthefirstwaveofpanicandtriedtothinkrationally.Fromwhatshe’dseenastheyhadenteredandcouldnowobserveoutofthecornerofhereye,theydidn’tlooklikeRussianagents—ordidthey?Howcouldonebesure?Theywerefortyishand,inspiteoftheirbusinesssuits,lookedunmistakablymuscularandveryfit.Shetriedtoassureherselfthattheycouldn’tpossiblybetheoccupantsofthecarthathadfollowedher.Thensherememberedthatshehadcarelesslystoodwaitingforhermailataportionofthefrontcounterwhereasidedoor,throughwhichtheymighthaveentered,wasnotvisible.Idiot!Andtheydidn’tpushanumberfortheirfloor!They’reobviouslyplanningtogetoffattheeighthwithme!Whattodonow?
Theelevatorstoppedatthesixthfloorandayoungcouplegotin,lookingabitembarrassedandhasteningtoexplainwhytheywereoutandaboutintheirpajamasandbathrobes.“Theicemachinewasn’tworkingonourfloor,”theymumbled,asthoughremindingoneanother.Theypushednumberfive,andthenthemanexclaimed,“Oh,wethoughtthiswasgoingdown.”
“Well,wegetanextrarideforourmoney,honey,”addedthegirl,whichtheybothfoundsomehowhilarious.
Attheeighthfloortheelevatordooropened.Thetwomenmadenomovetogetoff.Carlasteppedtoonesideandmotionedtothem.“Thismustbeyourfloor,too.Goahead.I’mnotgettingoff.IjustrememberedI
havetogobacktothelobbyforsomething.”Shereachedoutandpushedthefirst-floorbutton.
“Whatacoincidence!”saidthetallerofthetwo.“We’vegotthesameproblem.”
Don’tpanic!Think!There’sgottobesomeway.Whatshouldshedo?Whatcouldshedo?Theelevatormadeitswaytothetopfloor,thenstartedbackdown.Thetwomenwerelikesphinxes.Oblivioustoherpredicament,theyoungcouplechatteredawayhappilyinlowvoices.Shouldshegetoffwiththem?No,theywouldbenohelpatall—andshemightgetthemkilledaswellforwitnessingwhathappenedtoher.Wasthisallparanoia?Asthoughinabaddream,shefelttheelevatorcometoastopatthefifthfloor,sawthedooropen,andwatchedhelplesslyastheyoungcouple,stilltalkingnonstop,gotoff.Thedoorsclosed,leavingher—alonemouse—tofacethesetwocatswhowerereadytopounce.
Shedeterminedtoconfrontthem.Perhapsbytakingtheoffensiveshecoulduseupthetimeitwouldtaketoreachthelobby.Justassheopenedhermouthtospeak,however,themanclosesttoherreachedquicklyinsidehiscoatpocket.Insteadofthegunshefearedwouldbepointedather,heheldoutabadge.
“We’rewiththeFBI,MissBertelli.Wejustwantedyoutoknowthatwe’llbecheckingwithyoufromtimetotimeincaseyouhaveanyproblems.”
Carlagaspedinrelief.Thenawaveofangersurgedoverher.“Youtwogoonsreallygavemeascare!IthoughtyouwerefromtheFSB!Whydidyouwaitsolongtotellme?”
“Weweregoingtogetoffwithyouonyourfloor,andthenthatyoungcouplegoton.Wecouldhardlyidentifyourselvesintheirpresence.I’msorrywefrightenedyou.Buttellme,whywouldyouevenimaginewewerefromtheFSB?”
Theelevatorcametoahaltonthegroundflooranditsdoorsopened.Theysteppedoutintothelobbytogether.Carlawasstillfuming.“IfyouhadidentifiedyourselvesrightawayyoumighthavecaughtsomeFSBagents!Idon’tknowwhoelsewouldhavefollowedmehere!Comeon,I’llshowyou.They’reparkedoutonthestreet.”
Thetwomenranforthefrontdoor,withCarlafollowingasfastasshecould.Whenshejoinedthemoutside,thecarwasnowheretobeseen.“Theywererightoverthere,”shesaid,pointingtowhereherpursuershadparked.“Followedmeallthewayfromupinthehillswestoftown.”
“Canyougiveusadescriptionofthecarandanyoneinit?”“Theywerealwaystoofarbehind,andtheyparkedhalfablockaway.
Ithinkitwasafour-doorsedan,darkblueormaybeblacklate-modelFord,I’dsay.”
“We’llcruisetheneighborhoodandtakealook,”saidthespecialagentwhohadshownherhisbadge.Hehandedherhiscard.“Ifyouhaveanyproblems,callthatnumber.”
“Iwasgoingtocheckoutofhereandintoanotherhotel,nowthatwhoeverfollowedmeknowsI’mstayinghere.ShouldIdothat?”
“Thatwouldn’thelp.They’dfindyouwhereveryouwent.Betterthanthat,stayhereandI’llrecommenda24-hourwatch.Wecan’tguardyou,exactly,butwecanwatchforRussianagents.Ithasthesameeffect.”
“SoI’mthedecoy?Wow!Idon’tlikethis!ButwhatcanIsay?”“We’renotaskingforyourpermission.It’llhappen,whetheryouwant
itornot.Wewon’tcomeuptoyouinpublic,andifyouseeus,don’tshowanysignofrecognition.Okay?”
“Okay.Andthanksalot.Pardonmytemper.Ifeelawholelotbetternow.”
[22]AFoolishAdventure
WhileprayingforCarlathenextmorning,Kenfeltoverwhelmedbyasenseofresponsibilityfortheparthehadplayedinleadingherintoherpresentdanger.Afterall,hehadintroducedhertothefieldofpsychicresearchandencouragedhertoever-deeperinvolvementevenwhenshe’dhadlittleinterestinitherselfandhereditorsatthattimehadnotbeensupportiveofthisnewdirectionherwritingwastaking.Shewouldn’tbeassociatedwithFrankandheadingforwhocouldsaywhatultimatedelusionordestructionatthehandsof“theNine”haditnotbeenforhisinfluenceinthepast.Thatrealizationbecameanoverpoweringburden.
InsteadoftakingthisfeelingofguilttoGodforforgivenessandaskingGodforHisdirection,KenbegantothinkofwhathecoulddotomakeupforhavingledCarlaastray—somethingtohelphernow.Inthatobsessiveframeofmind,theinsistentthoughtwouldn’tleavehimthatheoughttocalltheCIAinSanFrancisco.Itreallydidn’tmakesense,butdrivennowbyacrushingsenseofguilthebecamethevictimofanirrationalcompulsion.Checkingwiththeoperator,hefoundthattherewasnolistingthereorinLosAngeles.EventuallyhecalledVirginiainformation,gotthenumberoftheheadquartersinLangley,anddialeditwonderingexactlywhathewouldsay.
“CIA,”intonedthegirlontheswitchboard.“Ineedtotalktowhoever’sinchargeofyourWestCoastoperations.”“Whatkindofoperations?”“Itinvolvesapsychicresearchinstallation.”Afteralongsilence,shecamebackonthelineandsaid,“Idon’tfind
anylistingforpsychicresearchoranythingwith‘psychic’init.”“Listentome!”demandedKen.“Thisisterriblyimportant!Someone’s
lifeisindanger!Justgetmesomebodywithsomeauthoritywho’s
connectedatallwiththispartofthecountry!”Quicklytheoperatorassuredhim,“I’llputyouthroughtosomeone
whomaybeabletohelpyou.”Afterafewmomentsamalevoicesaid,“Hogan.”“Mr.Hogan,mynameisKenInman.I’mcallingfromPaloAlto.
There’ssomeoneoutherewhoisworkingforyou,andIwantedtoletyouknowthatherlifeisingreatdanger.”
“Hmm.Whatkindofdanger?”“FromRussianagentsseekingrevenge!”“Really?”“Really.ShehelpedRussia’stopparapsychologistescaperecentlyand
—”“Howrecently?Andwhere?”“Lastweek—inParis.”“Ithinksomeone’sbeenpullingyourleg.Therewasn’tahigh-level
Russiandefectionanywhereintheworldlastweek.Iftherehadbeen,I’dhaveknownit”
“Look,Hogan,I’vegottopsecurityclearancewithNASAandthePentagon.I’vedesignedcomputersystemsforyouragencyaswellasformilitaryintelligence.I’mnotakook.IknowwhatI’mtalkingaboutandifyoudon’t,thenIguessifstoohighlyclassified.DoyouknowanythingaboutasecretpsychicresearchinstallationnearPaloAltorunbyFrankLeighton?”
“IfIdid,obviouslyIcouldn’ttellyou.”“AcitizenoftheUnitedStateswhohelpedaRussianscientistdefect—
andwho’sgettinginvolvedwithyouragency—isingreatdanger.Shehastobeprotected,andnothing’sbeingdoneaboutit!HowdoIgetsomeaction?”
“Mr.Inman,Idon’tdoubtyourclearanceleveloryoursincerity,butIdoubtthevalidityofwhatyou’retellingme.Someonehasmisinformedyou.Andevenifwhatyousayweretrue,amanofyourintelligenceknowsIcan’tgoonhearsay.Ifyourfriendisindeedapartofoneofouroperationsinvolvinganykindofpersonaldanger,youmaybecertainshewillbeprovidedallnecessaryprotection.”
“ButIdon’tthinkyouknowshe’sworkingforyou!”interruptedKenanxiously,realizingthatdidn’tmakesense,buttryingdesperatelytokeepHoganfromcuttinghimoff.
“Thosethingshaveawayofgettingsortedout.Ireallywouldn’tbeconcernedaboutit,Mr.Inman.Iappreciateyourcall.”Withthathehungup.
Kenrealizeditwouldbefruitlesstocallback.Itdidn’tmakesensenomatterhowhetriedtoexplainit.Bureaucracyisanincurableplague!Thisisincredible!Iknowshe’sindanger,buttheCIAprobablydoesn’tevenknowshe’sworkingforthem.MaybeLeightonhastakensomesteps,butIdoubtit.
Histroubledthoughtswereinterruptedbythephoneringing.Hepickedupthereceiver.“Hello.”
“Ken,thisisDonJordan.IjustwantedtoletyouknowthattwoofourmencheckedinwithCarlalastnightShe’sstillattheHilton—gotinverylate.Shewasfollowedinfromsomewhereinthefoothills,butwedon’thaveanyleads.We’vegotherhotelroomunder24-hoursurveillance.”
“Don,Idon’twanttoseemtobeinterfering,butwhataboutwhenshedrivesbackandforthfromFrank’slab?Ifshewasfollowedfromouttherelastnight...?”
“Ken,ifitweren’tforyourtop-secretclearancelevel,Icouldn’tevendiscussthiswithyouandshouldn’tbe.WhateverLeightonisdoingoutthereisapparentlysohighlyclassifiedthatIcan’tfindanyoneintheCIAwho’llevenadmitthathislabexists.We’llpickherupalongtheaccessroadaboutamilefromthehighwayandfollowherin—attheU.S.Governmentsign.Butinside,that’sunderCIAjurisdiction.Ourmenwouldlooksillygoinginthere.Wejustcan’tdoit.”
“Sillyornot—”“Iunderstandhowyoufeel.Believeme,I’mdoingallIcan.Infact,
I’mreallystretchingit.”“Iknowyouare,andIappreciateitThanks,brother—andpleasekeep
praying!”......
Kenlefthisofficeathiscomputercompanyearlythatafternoon.He
couldn’tshakeofftheinsistentthoughtthatCarlawasinimminentdangerandthatheoughttodosomethingaboutit.ItseemedalltooclearthattheCIAwasn’tgoingtotakecareofher.Shehadfallenthroughabureaucraticcrack.AtleasthehadaccidentallyalertedtheFBIandtheywerewatchingher,butnotalongthemostdangerousstretchofaccessroad.Hedecidedtodriveuptheretocheckitouthimself.IftheRussianshadsentateamtogetViktorandfoundthathewasguardeddayandnightinsideafortress,hehadnoideahowtheywouldtacklethatproblem—butCarlawasclearlyvulnerable.Themostlikelyspotforthemtogoafterher,nowthatthehotelwasbeingguarded,wouldbethatisolatedstretchofaccessroadthattheFBIwasn’tcovering.Maybeit’scrazy,butI’mgoingtocheckthatoutmyself—atleastseewhatitlookslike.Onhiswayoutthere,hestoppedbyhishousetochangeintosomejeans.Asalast-minutethought,hegrabbedadownjacketandanolddeerriflehehadn’tusedforyearsandsomeammunition.
Hismotherwassittingoutsidereadingwhenhehurriedbyonhiswaybacktothegarage,“Don’tmakeanysupperforme,”heremarkedcasually.“It’llprobablybelatebeforeIgethome.”
Shelookedupathimoverherglassesashewalkedby.“Mygoodness!Ididn’tknowitwashuntingseason!Whereareyougoinginsuchahurry?”
“I’mjustgoingtodoalittlescoutingaroundupinthehills.Seeyoutomorrow.Takecare.”
“Youtakecare!”shecalledafterhim.“Youhearme?Takecare!”Drivingslowlypastthe“RestrictedGovernmentProperty.No
Trespassing!”sign,Kenbegantofeelratherfoolish.ItwouldbeveryembarrassingtomeetLeighton—orCarla,forthatmatter—ontheirwaytoPaloAlto.Whenhecamewithinsightofthewallsurroundingtheproperty,heturnedaround,droveafewyardsuntilhecouldnotbeseenfromtheinstallation,thenpulledovertothesideandsattherewithhisengineidling.So,I’velookeditover.WhatdoIdonow?I’vejustwastedmytime.There’snothingIcoulddo.Herememberedseeingabout100yardsbacktowardthehighwayanopeninginthetreesnexttotheroadthatcouldconcealavehicle.Hedecidedtocheckitoutonhiswayhome.
Duskwasnowsettlingfastunderthetallredwoods.Whenhecametothenarrowclearing,hegotoutofhiscarandinspecteditwithhisflashlight.Itwentdeeperintothewoodsthanhehadthought—morethan20feet—andhenoticedthereweretiretracksthatcontinuedbackunderthetreesfartherthannecessaryifoneweremerelyturningaround.Someonehasbeenparkinghere!Ahunter,perhaps,poachingongovernmentproperty?Notlikely—gameisscarceinthisarea.Thetrackslookveryfresh!
Afoolhardythoughtcrossedhismindandherejectedit.Butitcamebackagain...andagain.Gettingintohiscar,hedroveonanotherquarterofamileandpulledofftheroadasfarashecouldatoneofthefewspotswheretheshoulderwasabitwiderthanusual.Thenhescribbledanoteonascrapofpaper—”Ranoutofgas.I’llberightback”—andstuckitunderthewindshieldwiper.
Loadingtherifle,heputsomeextraammunitioninapocket,lockedthecar,andstartedoffdowntheroadwiththegunwrappedinthedownjacket.Fiveminutesofbriskwalkingbroughthimbacktothenarrowclearing.Itwasnowaftersixo’clockandnearlydark.SupposeRussianagentsareplanningtousethisspottonight!Somebodyparkedinhereveryrecently.Iwanttoscarethemaway,butI’dalsoliketobeabletoidentifythem.HowcanIdothat?Afraidtousehisflashlighthegropedarounduntilhefoundsomelarge,loosebranches,twonearbylogssmallenoughforhimtodrag,andsomeheftyboulders.Hecarefullymadealowbarriersomewhatlessthanacarlengthinsidethetrees.Adriverbackinginwouldnotbelikelytonoticeitinthedark,especiallyifhehadbeentherebeforeandhadbeenabletodrivebackmuchfartheroutofsight.
Kenfoundahidingplaceinaclusterofhighfernsabout20feetaway,justbehindalargetree.Therehesettleddowntowait.Thenightairgrewcold—goodthinghe’dbroughttheheavyjacket.Heshovedhishandsdeepdownintoitswarmpockets.Theriflelayacrosshislap.Onehourwentby,thentwo.Hemusthavedozedoff.Thesoundofacarengineapproachingfromthehighwayjoltedhimawake.
Nowhecouldseeitslightscomingintermittentlythroughthetrees.Itslowed,stoppeddirectlyinfrontofhim,thenbegantobackintothe
narrowopening.Ken’sheartbegantopound.Hereleasedthesafetyandmovedovertocrouchupagainstthetree.Inthedimilluminationofback-uplights,hecouldjustmakeoutthelowbarricadehe’dconstructed,butthedriverapparentlydidn’tseeit.Therewasacrashasthetailpipehitalargeboulder,thegrindingofanotherboulderunderthegastank,andadullthumpasthereartiresstrucklogs.
Doorsopenedandtwomenjumpedoutandranbacktoinvestigate.ThevolleyofangrywordsleftnodoubtthatthesemenwereRussians!Hefrozeagainsttheshelteringtreetrunk.Theyshinedflashlightsonthedebrisandkickedatitinanger,thenyelledsomethingatthedriver.Hepulledthecarupandtheystartedtomovetherocksandlogsoutoftheway.Thentheyseemedtohavesecondthoughtsandstoppedtheirwork.Thereweresubduedmutteringsastheyheldabriefconsultation.Hurriedlytheygotbackintothecaranddroveoff.SothereisaRussianteamonCarlo’strail,andtheyhadplannedtowaitforherhere!I’vegottogetwordtotheFBI!
Shouldhegototheguardsatthegate?They’dprobablyjustrunhimoff—wouldn’tevenlistentohim.AndifhefollowedtooquicklyinthedirectionthattheRussianshaddriven,theymightbewaitingforhim.Whatiftheycameback?Afterabout20minutesofanxiousindecision,Kencautiouslymadehiswayouttotheroadand,afteranuneventfulhike,reachedhiscar.Nothinghadbeentouched.Thenotewasstillonthewindshield.Gettingin,hedroveouttothehighwayasfastasthecurveswouldallow,withoutseeinganyone.ItseemedforeverbeforehecametoapublicphoneonthewayintoPaloAlto.FromtherehedialedhisfriendDonJordan’sresidence,anumberthatheknewbyheart.
Afterafewrings,therewasatired,“Hello.”ItwasDon’swife.“Gloria,isDonthere?”“Whoisthis?Oh,Ken.Ididn’trecognizeyourvoice.Don’sgetting
dressedrightnowtogointotheoffice.There’sanemergency.”“I’vegotanemergency,too.SomethingawfullyurgentCanyouput
himonforjustaminute?”“Holdon.”Therewasabriefwaitthen,“Hello.I’mreallyinarush,
Ken.”
“Listen!IwasupontheroadintoLeighton’sfortressandIranintosomeRussianagents!”
“Youdid?HowdidyouknowtheywereRussians?”“IwashidingnearaspotIthoughtsomeonemightusetoparkoutof
sight—about200yardsfromtheinstallation—whenthiscarbackedin.TwoofthemgotoutandtheyweretalkingRussian!Thentheytookoff.”
“Howlongagowasthat?”“About40minutes,maybealittlemore.”“Youcanbeverythankful,Ken.Wehadtwospecialagentsinacaron
thatroadbeginningaboutnineo’clock,waitingtofollowCarlabacktoherhotel.TheymusthavegottentherejustbeforetheRussiansdroveoutTheyradioedthattheywereattemptingtopulloveracartheyhadpursuedoutoftheprivateroad.TheychaseditdowntowardPaloAltoandthenitturnedofftothenorth.Bythetimeourback-upunitsandthehighwaypatrolfoundtheircar,ourmenweredead.WehaveanAPBout,butwedon’tknowwhowe’relookingfor.Wehaveavaguedescriptionofthecar,butnolicensenumber.”
“Youmeantheyweretoomuchforyourmentohandle?”gaspedKen.“Whoaretheseguys!”
“It’saspecialRussianteam,likeIsuspectedwouldbecoming.”“YoumeantheSpetznas?”“No.Asecretpsychiccombatgrouptentimesmoredangerous.We
don’thaveanyoneontheWestCoastcapableofdealingwiththem.We’vesenttoVirginiaforsomespecialcommandos.They’llhavethatroadblanketedbytomorrownight.”
“WhataboutCarla?”“Idon’tthinkshe’sinanyimmediatedanger.We’veprobablyscared
themoffforthemomentatleast.Butwe’vegotanotherteamoutontheroadnowwaitingforher.They’llescorthertothehotel.Ken,I’vegottogo.I’llkeepyouuptodate.”
Thanks,Don.”“Listen,domeonefavor,willyou?”“What’sthat?”“Don’ttrytoplaycopsandrobbersanymore.Youmayhavesaved
Carla’slifetonight,butstayoutofthisfromnowon.Imeanthat!Foryourowngood—andforCarla’s!Isthatclear?”
“Ihearyou,Don.”
[23]Invasion!
TheisolatedstretchofaccessroadwasemptywhenCarlaatlastdroveouttothemainhighwayafterleavingtheinstallation.Shehad,ofcourse,noknowledgeofthedeadlydramathathadbeenactedoutalongthatrouteearlier.Nordidsheknowthatshehadreacheditsjuncturewiththemainroadjustminutesbeforetheback-upFBIteamassignedtoescortherarrived.Consequently,themensatwaitingfornearlyanhourbeforetheywerebelatedlynotifiedthatshehadalreadydriventoPaloAlto.
Twentyminuteslater,shewasracingupthestepsofthehotel.AquicksurveyofthelobbyrevealedoneofthetwoFBIspecialagentsfromthepreviousnight.Hewassittinginaneasychairandglancedatheroverthenewspaperhewasreading,thenwentbacktoitwithoutaflickerofrecognition.Justseeinghim—togetherwiththefactthatshehadn’tbeenfollowedthistime—madeherfeelimmeasurablybetter.UncleSam’smenreallywereonthejob!Carlaresistedasecondglance.
Theremustbeaconvention!shethoughtasshetookinthecrowd.Peopleeverywhere!Aboutadozenofthemsqueezedintotheelevatorwithher.Ordinarypeople,itseemed—exceptforthetwomenonthefarsidethatshenoticedjustasthedoorshut.Therewassomethingstrangelyfamiliaraboutoneofthem.WashetheshorterofthetwoFBIagentsshe’dencounteredintheelevatorthepreviousnight?He’dhadabeard.Shestoleanotherlook.Pavlov?No,itcan’tbe!Heturnedtolookather,andtheireyesmet,justasherlipsframedhisnameindisbelief.
Sheturnedherheadquicklyaway,butwasdrawnirresistiblybacktothatfaceagainforanotherfurtiveglance.Itwasimportanttobeabsolutelycertain.Hewasnotlookingather,soshewasabletostudyhimforamoment.Thenewbeard—perhapstocoversomenastyscars—hadalmostfooledher,buttherewasnownodoubtaboutit.Themanwas
unquestionablyDr.AlexandrPavlovfromParis,who,asViktorhadexplainedtoher,wasinfactColonelAlexeiChernov,aRussianArmyofficerinchargeofaspecialcontingentofpsychiccombattroops!Norcouldtherebeanydoubtastohisintention!
Insteadofexperiencingthewavesofpanicshe’dalwaysimaginedwouldpossessherifsheeveractuallyfacedsuchasituation,Carlafeltstrangelydetachedfromherselfandeveryonearoundher.Wasthisreal?Theelevatorbegantospin.Wouldshefaint?Shelongedfortheoblivionofunconsciousness,butfoughtitoffinterror.Sheleanedagainstthewallandclenchedherfists,tryingdesperatelytohangonandthink.WhatcanIdo?NowayamIgoingtogetoffonmyfloor!Andgettingoffwithsomeoneelseisnobetter.IfIrideittothetop,I’llfinallybeonitalonewiththetwoofthem.ShouldIscreamrightnow?Theymightkilleveryone!
Therewasonlyonethingtodo.Clutchingherleftside,shefellagainstthemannexttoherandinaweakvoice,butloudenoughforeveryonetohear,pleadedwithhim:“Imustbehavingaheartattack!Pleasegetmebackdowntothelobby!Ineedanambulance!”Gaspingloudlyforbreath,sheclutchedherchestwithonehand,andwiththeothergrabbedathimfranticallyforsupportassheslidhelplesslytothefloor.Peoplecranedtheirneckstosee.Shehadturnedashenwithpanic,andthusgaveinvoluntaryauthenticitytothescenarioshewasplayingoutsodesperately.
“Standback!”Themanjustbehindherhadtakencharge,easingCarlatothefloorandpushingpassengersbacktomakeroomforher.“Givehersomeair!Howcanwegetthisthingturnedaround?”
“Youcan’t,”saidawoman.“Where’severybodygettingoff?”“Thereareonlyfourfloorspunched,”saidsomeoneelse.“Don’tanyonegetoff!”wailedCarla.“Pleasestaywithme.Helpme!”“Okay,lady.Keepcalm.Everyonestayaboard,”thereassuringand
authoritativevoicebarked.“Pushthe‘closedoor’buttonassoonasitopens.”
“AnyoneknowCPR?”askedaconcernedmalevoice.“Ido!”respondedafemale,“butshedoesn’tneedityet.We’llneedall
ofthementohelpcarryherwhenwegetbacktothelobby!”
Amazingly,noonegotoff.Thedoorwasclosedpromptlyeachtimeitopenedandinnotimeatalltheywerebacktothegroundlevel.Throughaforestofshinsandankles,CarlahadwarilyobservedthefeetandlegsofChernovandhiscompanion.Theyhadshuffledaroundonthefarsideoftheelevator,buthadmadenomovetowardher.Nowasothersbentovertocarryher,shesawthetwoRussiansscurryoutintothelobby.
“FBI!”Carlascreamed,pushingawaythosewhowerebendingovertolifther,andgettingwarilytoherfeet“Help!FBI!”sheyelledevenlouder.Thespecialagentwhohadbeensittinginthelobbywhenshe’denteredcamerunningaroundthecorner,andanotheronerushedupfromtheoppositedirection.Carla’sfellowpassengersfellbackinsurpriseandstoodnearbystaringatherinshock.
“TwoRussians—onewithabeard!”Carlamanagedtotellthem.“Theyheadedforthefrontdoor!Thatway!”Nowshebecameawarethatshewastremblingfromheadtotoe.
ThetwoagentsranoffatgreatspeedandCarla,stilltrembling,followedthemcautiouslyatasafedistanceacrossthelobbyandoutthefrontdoor.Thereshestoodandlookedanxiouslyinalldirectionsbutsawnothing.Inafewminutestheycamebackseparatelyandempty-handed.Acrowdofthecurioushadgatheredinfrontofthehotel.
“Wecan’ttalkhere,”saidtheagentwhoseemedtobeincharge.Heshowedherhisbadgeandintroducedhimselfandhiscompanion.“I’mCarlRichardson.ThisisGeorgeLawton.Let’sgetoutofhere.”
Theyledhertoanunmarkedcarparkedbythecurbandputherinthebackseat.Richardsonclimbedintherewithher.“Nowtelluswhathappened,”hedemanded.
Asshetoldherstory,Lawtondroveslowlyaroundthearea,thenparkedablockdownthestreetsotheycouldkeepthehotelinview.“Thatwasquickthinking,MissBertelli,”Richardsonsaidwhenshe’dfinished.“Itprobablysavedyourlife.WehaveathickfileonChernov.He’sthemostviciousanddangerousmantheFSBhas.Butweneedascompleteadescriptionasyoucangiveusofhispresentappearance,andoftheothermanaswell.”
“Well,physicallyChernovhasn’tchangedsinceIsawhimlessthan
threeweeksagoinParis,”saidCarla,tryingtopicturehim.“Helooksabout45yearsold,anevensixfeettall,powerfullybuilt—I’dsayabout200pounds.Sharpnose,squarejaw,hiseyesaresortofsunkenandnarrow,broadforehead,thickblackhaircutveryshort,butitliesdownflatHisbeardisextremelyshort—itcan’tbemorethanthreeweeksoldbecausehedidn’thaveabeardinParis.Hiscompanion,alsopowerfullybuilt,isabouttwoinchestaller,butIreallydidn’tgetagoodlookathim.Ithinkhehadshort,sandyhairandbroadcheekbones,butthat’saboutallIremember.Theywerebothwearingdarksuits.”
Asshegavethedescriptions,Lawtonrepeatedthemoverthecarradio.“That’sgoingimmediatelyoutonanAllPointsBulletin,”explainedRichardson.“Itgoesnotonlytoouragents,buttolocalpolice,sheriffs,highwaypatrol—everylaw-enforcementagency.Unfortunately,wedon’thaveadescriptionoftheircarotherthanwhatyougaveuslastnight,whichisn’tmuchtogoon.”
Theydrovebacktothehotel,thistimeparkingaroundthecorner,andthethreeofthemwalkedinthesidedoorandhurriedacrossthelobby.Immediatelytheywererecognizedandseveralofthemostinquisitiveguestsfollowedthem.“Standback!”orderedthetwoagentsassoonasanelevatordoorhadopened,andtheypreventedanyoneelsefromentering.Thedoorclosedonthethreeofthem,andRichardsonpunchedfloorsfour,six,andten.RespondingtoCarla’squestioninglook,heexplained,“Someofthosepeoplewillbewatchingtoseewhatfloorwegetoffatandthey’llliterallysnoopalongthehallstryingtofindoutsomething.”
Atthefourthandsixthfloorshepunchedthebuttontoclosethedoorimmediately.Whentheelevatoropenedatthetenthfloor,theygotoutandtheFBIagentsledthewaydownthestairstotheeighth,whereCarla’sroomwaslocated.
Sheopenedthedoortoherroom,andtheywentinwithhertocheckitout.“LawtonandIhaveblownourcover,”explainedRichardson.“Youwon’tseeusagaininthelobby.We’lltradeplaceswiththeteamthathasbeenoccupyingtheadjoiningroom.”Hepointedtotheaccessdoorbetween.“Thedooronoursideisopenatalltimes.Ifyouhaveanemergency,justopenyoursideandcomeonin.We’llbethere24hoursa
day.There’sanotherteamintheroomdirectlyacrossthehallwatchingyourdoordayandnight.”
“Youreallymakemefeelsecure,”respondedCarlagratefully.“Ididn’tknowIwasthisimportant.It’shardformetobelievethatsomeoneactuallywantstokillme.That’sahorriblerealization!”
“Fromwhatyoutoldus,younearlykilledChernov,”saidLawton.“He’snotthekindtotakethatwithoutgettingrevenge.”
“Don’tforget,however,you’renothisprimarytarget,”addedRichardson.“That’sinyourfavor.He’safterthedefectoryourescued.Henowknowsyou’llbewatchedaroundtheclockafteryourecognizedhimtonight,andhemaydecideitisn’tworththeriskandeffort.Wehopeso,butifhetries,we’vegotyoucovered.Nomoreelevatorridesunescorted.Everywhereyougo,someonewillberightthere.Youwon’talwaysknowitbutyoucancountonit.”
Carlawasinbedtryingtofallasleepandfindingitimpossible,whenthephonerang.“MissBertelli,”saidadeepmalevoice,“thisisDonJordan.I’minchargeoftheFBIteamsthathaveyouundersurveillance.Ijustwantedtoexplainacoupleofthings.Firstofall,youmightbeinterestedtoknowthatthemenyousawintheelevatorwereapparentlyontheprivateaccessroadoutneartheresearchcenterearliertonight—probablytowaylayyou.Amutualfriendofours,KenInman,seemstohavefrightenedthemoff.”
“You’rekidding!WhatintheworldwasKendoingoutthere?”“Exactlywhatheshouldn’thavebeendoing—andI’vewarnedhim
aboutthat.Buthehadsuchconcernforyou,hejustdidn’trealizewhathewasgettinginto.Butheknowsbetternow.ThisisaverydangerousRussianteam.Theykilledtwoofourmenwhotriedtoarrestthemalittlelater.”
“SoKensavedmylife—andriskedhisowntodoit?”“Iguessyoucouldsaythat”saidJordan.ForamomentCarlasawherselfwalkingoutofahospitalroomand
heardKencallingtoher.ThensherealizedthatJordanwastellinghersomethingimportant
“...wedon’tknowhowmanymoretheremaybeinthiseliteRussian
team,butwe’vegotacompanyofspeciallytrainedArmycommandoscominginfromVirginiawhocanhandlethem.Bytomorroweveningthey’llbedeployedallalongthataccessroadleadingfromthemainhighwaytothelaboratorysoyouwon’thaveanythingfurthertoworryabout.”
“Areyouexpectingamajorassaultonthelaboratory?”askedCarlainsurprise.
“Ican’tsaywhatwe’reexpecting.Ofcourse,everythingI’vesaidtoyouisconfidential.Imainlywantedtoletyouknowthatwehavethesituationundercontrol.Justrelaxandhaveagoodnight’srest.”
“Ireallyappreciatethis,”saidCarla.“Iwashavingaterribletimetryingtogettosleep.Idon’tliketotakepills.”
“Definitelydon’ttakeanyunderthesecircumstances!”Jordancautionedher.
“Thanksagain.You’vemademefeelsomuchbetter!”......
Carlasleptfitfully.Nightmaresmergedwithwakingfantasies.Thewholeoflifehadbecomeabaddreamfromwhichshehopedonedaytoawaken.Wasitworthgoingon?Ofcourseitis!shetoldherselfwheneversuchathoughtsurfaced.TherewasnodoubtthatshehadaPulitzer-prize-winningstoryinthebag,atleastfivemilliondollarsinmovierights,andalloftheotherendlessbenefits.Shewasnotonlysittingonthestoryofalifetime,butshewaslivingit,participatinginitsfrighteningdevelopment,experiencingitallherselffromtheinside!Hadanyotherjournalistseverbeensoluckyastostumbleuponsuchanopportunity?
Afteralatebreakfastinherroom—deliveredbyanFBIagent--shedressedandwentdowntohercar.Themaninthehallwhogotontheelevatorwithherandfollowedherintothegarage,theunmarkedcarwithtwomeninitthatpulledoutjustaheadofher,andthesimilaronethatfollowedjustbehindandstayedwithherallthewaytothegateoftheinstallation,gaveherafeelingnotonlyofimpregnablesecurity,butalsoofimportancethatwasmorethangratifying.Shewouldn’twanttolivethatwayforlong,however.AtleastitwasquiteapparentthatChernovwasnotgoingtobeabletocompletehisdesignsuponher—andcertainlyViktor
wasbeyondhisreachinLeighton’simpregnablefortress.“Ihearyou’vehadsomeadventures,”exclaimedLeightonthemoment
shewalkedintohisofficejustbeforenoon.“Ihadsomeanxiousmoments,butI’mreallynotworriedanymore,”
saidCarla,tryingtobeblaséaboutthewholething.Thensheaddedwithalaugh,“You’dthinkIwasthepresidentoftheUnitedStatesifyoucouldseethewaymyhotelroomiswatched—andtheescortIgotrightuptothegate!”
“Well,you’resafeouthere—that’sforcertain.ThisplaceisguardedbetterthanFortKnox.MaybeIcanpersuadeyoutomovein.You’dhaveyourownapartmentlikeViktor,greatfood—theHiltoncan’tofferanythingbetter—sauna,gymnasium,swimmingpool…”
Carlalaughedandshookherhead.“AndmissthecelebrityfeelingIgetwithescortsandguardsfollowingmeeverywhere?Iappreciatetheoffer,butI’mnotworriedanymore.Theytoldmethey’regoingtohaveawholecompanyofspecialArmycommandosguardingtheroadbyevening,soeventhatspookystretchthatusedtoscaremetodeathisgoingtobeapieceofcakefromnowon.”
“Iknow,”respondedLeightonwithascowl,“andIthinkit’saridiculousoverreaction.Theescortthey’vegivenyoushouldbeenough.Idon’tlikesomuchattention—notthatkind.Somesenatorcouldstartaskingquestionsthatwecan’tansweryet.”Heshruggedandmanagedahalf-smile.“Look,I’mnotsuggestingit’syourfault.Anyway,we’vegotajobtodoouthere.LetmegetthelabontheintercomandseewhatDelSasso’supto.Viktorisalreadydownthere.We’vegotalotofgroundtocovertoday.”
......Thenightwaspitch-black.Notonlywasitthedarkofthenewmoon,
butaheavybankoffoghadcreptinlandfromthecoastafewmilestothewestandupandoverthemountains,seepingdowntothegroundthroughthetreetops.Silenceandimmobilityreigned.Thetwoguardsondutyatthegatewerefacingtheusualeveningboredom.Itwasnowabout8:30p.m.andtherehadbeennoactivitysincethelabassistantsandsecretarieshadleftinthenormalday’s-endexodusshortlyafterfiveo’clock.
Thiswasnotajobthatlentitselftocardsortelevisioninoffmoments.Eventhoughthedailyroutinewasmostlywatchingandwaitingforsomethingthatsofarhadneverhappened,vigilancewasdemandedatalltimes.Theguardstookturnspeeringfromtheirfortifiedstationthroughthesmall,thickpaneofbulletproofglassatthefogswirlingalongthefloodlightedroadinfrontofthesteelgatetheyweremanning.ThereportthatRussianagentswereknowntobeinthevicinitystalkingMissBertelliandwerelikelytoattemptapenetrationoftheinstallationtokillDr.Khorevhadputnervesonedge.
“Ican’tbelievetheythinktheycanattackthisfortress,”musedtheyoungerofthetwoguardsforthefourthorfifthtimethatevening,moretohimselfthantohiscompanion,whowastiredofhearingit
“Yeah,yeah,I’veheardthatopinion.Myself,Idon’ttakeanythingforgranted.”
Theyoungermanturnedawaywithaloudyawnfromanotherlookatthefog-enshroudedroadleadingtothegate.“Ifyouhadthejobofgettinginsidehereandkillingsomeone,howwouldyougoaboutit?Notafrontalassault.”
“Iwouldn’teventry.I’dwaittilltheguycameoutwhichhe’dhavetodoeventually.I’dlielowandgethimwhenhewasonvacationsomewhereandnotexpectingit.”
“Supposetherewassomereasonwhyyoucouldn’twaitthatlong?”“You’dhavetowait.It’simpossibletocrackthisplace.Youknowthat.
Youcan’tgothroughthewall,andevenifyoucouldgetoverorunderit,theelectronicswouldtriggeranimmediatealarm.You’dhavetocomethroughhere—overourdeadbodies.AndIdon’tknowhowanyonecouldgetatus.”Hetookhisturnpeeringintothenight.
“Helicopter,maybe?”persistedtheyoungerone.“Don’tbesilly.You’vebeenwatchingtoomuchTV.”“Well,howaboutparachutes?Someoftheseguyscanlandona
dime.”“Inthemiddleofthesetalltrees—andatnight?Nowyouaregetting
crazy!”“Tap,tap,tap.”Atthesoundcomingfrombehindthem,thetwomen
whirledaround,automaticweaponspoised.Theycouldseeafamiliarfacepeeringintothesmallwindowintheheavysteeldoorthatgavethemaccesstotheinsideofthecompound—aretreatroutetheycouldtakeifitwereeverneeded.
“Well,lookwho’shere,”saidtheyoungertohiscompanion.“It’snotoftenwegetavisitfromthe‘bigwheels.’”Hewentover,unlockedthedoor,andopenedit.“Outforastroll,areyou?”
“Yeah.Mybrainwasgettingfoggy,soIthoughtI’dclearitwithashortwalkaroundthebase.Thatneverfails.”
“Well,comeonin,”saidtheolderguard,“andrelieveourboredomforafewminutes.We’resupposedtobeonalert,butwhat’sthepoint?ThewoodsarecrawlingwithArmycommandos.AnyRussianagentsouttherecouldn’tgetwithinacountrymileofthisplace.Andiftheydid,I’dliketoseethemtrytogetin!”
Suddenlythevisitor,whohadsteppedinsidethesmallstation,staredwithshockedexpressionpasttheguardsthroughthesmallwindowandaskedinahushedvoice,“Whatwasitthatjustmovedoverthereacrosstheroad?”
Thetwoguardssteppedquicklyovertopeeroutthroughthebulletproofglassintothefog.“Straightacross?”theelderoneasked,half-turningbacktowardthevisitor.Ashedidso,henoticedaquickmovementoutofthecornerofhiseye.
Withalightningmotion,thevideosurveillancecamerahadbeenshovedtooneside.Wearingaderisivesmile,thevisitorwaspointingahandgunfittedwithasilencer.Theguardhadnochancetoaimhisownweaponindefense:Thethreeslugstoreintohisfaceandhead,killinghiminstantly.Hisyoungercompanionwhirledaroundbutwasdeadbeforehecouldraisehisgun.
Instantly,thevisitorpushedthebuttonthatopenedthearmoreddoor,steppedquicklyoverthetwobodiesandintotheopendoorway,andwavedattheemptyroad.Fourmenindarksweatsuitsracedswiftlyoutofthethickwoods.Chernovwasthefirsttoentertheguardstation.“Harasho!”hegrunted,takingthegunthathadjustkilledthetwoguards.Itwouldleavethebasewithhimwhenheandhismenhadaccomplishedtheir
mission.Whenallfourwereinside,the“bigwheel”closedtheautomaticdoor
again,pointingoutthecontrolbuttontotheothers,andsaidinfluentRussian:“Givemetwominutestogetbackinside.Thenyouanglelefttothesideentrance.Getimmediatelyawayfromthewallandstayawayfromit.That’swheretheelectronicsurveillancedevicesare.Otherwiseyouonlyhavetocontendwithdogsandguards.”Steppingquicklyouttheinnerdoor,the“bigwheel”wasgone.
[24]PsychicWar!
Chernovandhismenmovedswiftlytogetthesurveillancecamerabackintoplace.Bothcorpsesweredraggedupnexttotheinsidedoor,outofthecamera’snormalviewingangle.Oneofthemenputonaflakjacketthathadbeenquicklystrippedfromabody.Hishairandweightweresimilartothoseofoneofthedeadmen,andfromtherearhecouldpasstheperiodiccursorylookfromthesecuritycontrolcenterinside.Quicklythecamerawasmovedback.Thentheywaited.Twominutesseemedaneternity,butitwasabsolutelyessentialtoprotecttheidentityoftheiragentontheinside.Whenthelastsecondhadbeencounted—leavingthenew“guard”peeringoutthesmallwindowtowardtheroad—Chernovledhisothertwomenintothecomplex,closingthedoorsecurelybehindthem.
Ashort,fastrunofabout90feetbroughtallthreetoaclumpofsmallfirtreesneartotheendbuildingontheleftsideoftheentrydrive.Theretheystoppedoutofsighttosurveythesituationandorientthemselveswiththemapofthepropertytheyhadmemorized.TheyknewtherewerefourtrainedandextremelyviciousRottweilerattackdogsthatroamedthegroundsafterdark.Itwouldbeonlyamatterofafewmomentsuntiltheywouldpickuptheintruders’strangescentsandbeuponthem.
Thenumberofguardspatrollingandtheroutestheytookvaried,sothethreeRussianswererunningtheriskofbeingdiscoveredatanytime.Theycrouchedandwaitedforthedogs.Itwouldbebesttodisposeofthemfirst.Chernovsmiledtohimself.Dogsandguardswerenogreatchallengeforhimandhismen.Itwasthehoodedonethatconcernedhim.
ThesoundofbarkingcomingatthemfromtwodirectionscausedChernovandhismentocrouchlower.Twooftheconvergingcaninesweredispatchedwithsingleshotsfromsilencedgunsassoonastheycamewithinrange.Thentheinvadersjumpedoutoftheshelterofthetreesto
facetheothertwo.Snarlingferociously,thedogschargedwithfangsbared.Thecolonelsteppedbacktowatchthesetwomenthathehadcarefullytrainedperform.Theguarddogsdidn’tstandachance.Lightningkickstothethroatbroketwonecksinmidairlunge.
Chernovgruntedhisapproval.“Now!”hewhispered,andtheyracedfortherowoflowbuildingsontheirleft.Oncethere,theycreptcautiouslyalong,keepingclosetothewallsandtraversingquicklytheshortopenspacesbetween.Reachingthefarendofthelaststructure,theypausedforbreathagainandsurveyedthearealeadingtothesidedoorthattheyknewwouldbeunlocked.
“Freeze!”Thesterncommandwasbarkedfrombehindthefurtivefigures.Aguardhadjustcomearoundtheotherendofthebuildingandspottedthem.Heapproachedrapidly,automaticweaponoutinfront,readytofire.
“Handsup!Getupagainstthewall!Now!”Chernovandhismenobeyedgrudgingly.“Spreadyourlegs—nosuddenmovements.”Heapproachedthemcautiouslytogetabetterviewinthedimlight.Howdidtheseguysgetinhere?Helookedaroundwarilyincasethereweremore.
Hehadtonotifycentralcontrolimmediately,andhewasalsogoingtoneedsomehelp.Keepingacarefuleyeontheintrudersandhisguntrained,hepulledhiswalkie-talkiefromhisbelt.Outofthecornerofhiseye,Chernovsawwhatwashappeningandknewhehadtoactinstantly.
Whirlingaroundfasterthantheguard’seyecouldfollow,thecolonelmadeasweepingmotionthroughtheairwithonehand.Hetouchednothing,yetthewalkie-talkiesplinteredintodozensofpieces.Theautomaticweaponwastornfromthehandsthatgrippeditandthrownagainsttheconcretewallofthebuildingwithsuchforcethatthebarrelbentandthestockshattered.Inanotherblurofgracefulmotion,Chernovbrokethehelplessman’sneckwithaflyingfoot.Theydraggedhisbodyquicklyunderalargebush,thenhurriedtothemainstructure.
Keepingasmuchastheycouldintheshadows,theyquicklyreachedthesidedoortheyknewwouldbeunlockedwithoutencounteringanyotherguardsandmadetheirwaynoiselesslyinside.Followingtheblueprintsofthebuildingtheyhadmemorized,theyheadedswiftlyand
silentlyforLeighton’soffice.“Remember!”whisperedChernov,repeatinganorderhehadalready
drilledintohismen.Thetallhoodedoneisdangerous.Shoothimonsight!Andthewomanismine.”
......Afteranotherexhaustingdayofwatchingexperiments,recording
explanations,andanalyzingthedaily“transmission”fromtheArchons,CarlahadbeeninanintensestrategysessionalleveningwithViktor,DelSasso,Morris,andLeightoninthelatter’sspaciousoffice.TheArchons’“transmission”thatdayhadgiventhefirstdetailsofhowthePlanwouldbepresentedtotheworldandthenecessarystepstobetakenthereafterforitsimplementation.Followingtheexactprocedurewasabsolutelyessential.Theprocesswouldrequireanumberofnews“leaks”byCarlatohereditorfriendinNewYorkinadditiontoherownsyndicatedarticles,allofwhichhadtobewrittenandhandledwithextremecare.
CarlaandLeightonhadbeenleftaloneforthepasttenminutes.Kayhadexcusedherselftodosomepreparationinthelabsforthenextday’swork.Viktorhadsteppedoutsidetoclearhisheadwithashortwalk.AndDelSassohadgonetohisapartmenttochangeclothes.“Ihaveanintuition,”he’dexplained,“thatI’mnotsupposedtowearmyusualrobetherestoftheevening.”Hehadn’tyetreturned.
“Hisheadachemayhavegottenworseandhewenttobed,”suggestedLeighton.
ViktorhadjustrejoinedthemwhenCarlamadeadecision.“Isthatofferofaroomforthenightstillopen?”sheaskedLeighton.
“Itsureis!”camethequickreply.“Well,maybeI’lltakeyouuponit—fortonight,anyway.”“It’salongdriveback,Isuppose,”suggestedViktor.Carlahesitated.She’dbeendebatingwithherselfalleveningwhether
totellthemwhathadhappened,andhadfinallyconcludedthatsheshould.“Ididn’twanttoupsetyou,Viktor.Ofcourse,everyoneknowsthattheaccessroadisnowguardedwithacompanyofspecialcommandos.”
“That’sridiculous!”retortedFrankimpatiently.“Whoneedsthoseguys?”HeturnedtoViktor.“Someonethinkstheyspottedaspecial
Russianteamapparentlyheretoassassinateyou.”Viktorsuddenlylookedfrightened.“Don’tgiveitanotherthought,”Frankcontinued.“Look,Viktor,whathappensoutthereisnoconcernofours.Insidethisfortressisanotherworld,andnobody’sgoingtobreakinhere,believeme!That’swhyyou’reinhere.”
“There’ssomethingyoudon’tknow,Frank,”interruptedCarla.“WhenViktordoveintomyconvertibleinParisandwemadeourescape,aRussiandelegatetotheCongressthatIonlyknewasDr.AlexandrPavlov,arealbruteofamanwhowaschasingViktor,leapedontomycar.Hewasclimbingin,andwouldhavehadus,whenImadeafastturnthatbrokehisgripandthrewhimthroughaplate-glasswindow....”
Itwasn’t“Pavlov”shewasseeingnowintherearviewmirror,clingingtohercarinParis,butChernovintheelevatorinPaloAlto—withrevengeinhiseyes.Shehadtostoptogetcontrolofhervoice.WhydoIfeellikethis?There’snothingtobefrightenedofanymore.ForViktor’ssake,getholdofyourself.Don’tmakeitworseforhim!
Viktorpickedupthestory.“Asyouknew,Frank—althoughIhadnoideaatthetimehowyouknew—’Pavlov’wasreallyColonelAlexeiChernov,thecommandantofthesecretinstallationwheremylabwaslocated.Itwasalsoamilitarybasefortrainingspecialtroopsinpsychicwarfare.”
Leightonsmiledandnodded.“IknewwhohewastheminuteIsawhimthatfirstnight.Asyoubothnowknow,we’vegothimonlotsoffilm.”Thenheaddedwithachuckle,“IblewhiscoverattheCongress.Privately,ofcourse.Yourememberthat,Viktor?”Viktornoddedsoberly.
“Chernovishere!”continuedCarla,lookingatViktorsympathetically.“Healmostgotmeatmyhotellastnight!”Shepausedagaintocontrolhervoice.“I’msurehe’safterbothofus!”
“Thenyouhavetostayhere!”exclaimedLeighton.“Notjusttonight,butuntilthePlanhasbeenimplementedandallnations,includingtheRussians,arepartofit.OnlythenwillthethreatfromChernovandhismenbeended!”
AllthecolorhaddrainedfromViktor’sface.Leightonnoticedandtriedtoreassurehim.“There’snothingtobeafraidof,Viktornothingat
all.Chernovcan’tevengetclosetousoutherewithawholecompanyofcommandosdeployedalongtheaccessroad.Itwouldtakeanarmywithtankstogetpastthem.Andit’satleastathree-milehikethroughthickwoodswithnotrails,soyoucanforgetaboutthatAndevenif,bysomemiracle,theygothere,Iguaranteeyoutheycouldnevergetinside.It’simpossible!Sojustrelax.”
“Youdon’tknowthecapabilitiesofthesemen,”saidViktorinaweakvoice.Hesoundedresignedanddefeated.
“Forgetit!”insistedLeighton.“NowCarla,letmeshowyoutoyourapartmentIt’srightnexttoViktor’s—allmadeupandready.Doyouhavesomethingsinyourcar?”
Shenodded.“Justafew.”“Wecanpickthemuponourwayoverthere.Areyoucoming,too,
Viktor?”Viktornoddedlistlessly.Helookedlikeacondemnedmanwhosedayofexecutionhadarrived.
Leightonstoodtohisfeet“Viktor!Itellyou—there’snothingtobeafraidof.Iwishyoucouldseeyourselfinamirror.It’scomical.Comeon,man,cheerup!”Thenherememberedsomething.“Waitaminute.Ialmostforgot.LetmecalltheFBIsotheyknowyou’restayingheretonight.”
......OutinthehallandjustaroundthecornerfromLeighton’soffice,Del
SassowasbeingkiddedabouthisattirebyoneoftheCIAguards,adevoutCatholic.“Ialmostdidn’trecognizeyou!Isaidtomyself,‘Wholetthatstrangedudeinhere?’Youdon’tlooklikeyourselfwithoutthatrobe,Father.Ithoughtyounevertookitoff.”
“Oh,Idohaveitlaunderedonceayear,whenItakemyannualbath.I’mquitecivilized.”
Atthatmoment,Chernovandhistwomen,movingquicklydownthemainhallfromthesidedoor,steppedintoview.Theagentsawthematthesametimetheysawhim.Hewentintoanimmediatecrouch,swinginghisautomaticweaponquicklyfromwhereitwasslungoverhisshoulder.Therewasnotimeforhimeventoaim.AvolleyofmuffledshotsfromChernov,andhismenlefttheguarddeadinapoolofblood.DelSassoslowlyraisedhishandsoverhishead.
“He’satallone,”saidChernov.“Usehimforashield!”Oneofhismengrabbedthepsychic,putaguntohishead,andmarchedhimalonginfrontofthem.TheyarrivedattheofficedoorjustasLeightonopenedit.
“MyGod!”criedLeightonandjumpedbackintotheroom,tryingtoclosethedoor.Chernov’sshouldersmasheditopenandknockedLeightontothefloorunconscious.WithoneoftheRussiansstandingguardatthedoor,thecolonelandhisothermanchargedintotheoffice,pushingDelSassoaheadofthem.
CarlascreamedandChernovsmashedheracrossthemouthwiththebackofhishand,knockingherdown.Fromthefloorshewatchedinsemiconsciousterror.
“Pavlov”stoodoverher,enjoyingthismomentimmensely.“So,wedomeetagain,MissBertelli.YouwerequitebraveinParis,andthatwasabrilliantpieceofactingontheelevator.Thistimethere’snoescape!”
“Don’tharmher!”pleadedViktor.Eyesblazingwithhatred,Chernovslammedhimacrossthemouth,
knockinghimtotheflooralso.“I’mtakingyouwithme,Khorev—backtoMoscow.I’dratherkillyourightnow,butyouhavesomedebtstopaytothecountryyoubetrayed!”
Thecolonelglancedquicklyaroundthelargeofficewithoutfindingsomeonehehadexpectedtobethere.LeaningoverViktor,hedemanded,“Where’sthehoodedone?”
“The‘hoodedone’?”stammeredViktor,pretendingnottounderstand.WithonepowerfulhandChernovgrabbedViktorbythebackofhis
neckandpulledhimtohisfeet,shovingthebarrelofhispistolunderViktor’schin.“YouknowwhoImean!Whereishe?”
“I’mtheoneyoucallthe‘hoodedone,’”saidDelSasso,“andyouarealldeadmen.”HepulledawayfromtheSovietwhohadbeenholdingtheguntohisheadandfacedthemwithatwistedsmileonhisfacethatstunnedViktorandCarla.Itwasderisive,contemptuous,andmocking—likethesmileofabullygloatingoveracoweringvictim.HerewasafrighteningsideofDelSassothatViktorandCarlahadtriedtoforget.
“Youweregoingtoshootthe‘hoodedone’onsightThenshoothim.”DelSassowaslaughingnow,tauntingthem.
ToCarla,theveryatmosphereintheroomseemedtohavebeenchargedwithsomemysteriousforce.Yetitwasn’tsomuchapowerasapresence—primordialandhorrifying—likenothingshecouldfathomorlabel.TheArchons?
ThebarrelofthegunthathadbeenpressedagainstDelSasso’sheadbentandtwistedandtheuselessweaponwaswrenchedfromthehandthathelditandfelltothefloor.Thetoughandseeminglyinvinciblewarrior,“tentimesmoredangerous”thantheSpetznas,whohadbeenholdingDelSasso,wasnowquakinglikeanaspenleafinthewind.Helevitatedslowly,begantotwirlatincreasingspeed,thensuddenlyshotthroughtheairandcrashedintohiscompanionwhowasguardingthedoor,sendingthembothintothecorridor.Thedoorslammedshut.Therewasavolleyofshotsfromthedirectionofthelobby,thenfootstepsrunningtowardthemandababbleofvoices.
NowDelSassoturnedhisattentiontoChernov.TheoldMasterwasdesperatelyattemptingtoaimagunthatseemedaliveandrefusedtopointatthe‘hoodedone,’whomhenowrecognizedatlast.AslightquickgesturefromDelSassoandthegunwastornfromChernov’sgripandskiddedacrossthefloortowardViktor.Viktorgrabbedforit.
ChernovmadeafeintasthoughheweregoingafterViktorandthegun,thenspunsuddenlyandwithblindingspeedarchedhislethalfoottowardDelSasso’sthroat.Instantlyhewasthrownagainstthefarwalloftheoffice,justasYakovhadbeeninthelaboratory.Batteredandbloody,hepulledhimselfupfromthefloor,shookhimself,andbeganawaryadvancetowardhisincredibleantagonist.
“Idetestviolence,”saidDelSasso.Carlanoticedthathisvoicehadtakenonaverycontrolledandalmostconciliatorytone.“Surrendernowandnomoreharmwillcometoyou.”
Withacryofrage,Chernovcharged.Hehadnottakentwostepswhen,toherutterterror,CarlasawtheheavyglassthatprotectedthetopofLeighton’shugedeskabruptlyliftintotheair.Spinninglikeahigh-speedcircularsaw,itsailedswiftlythroughChernov’smidsection,bisectinghisbodyatthebeltline.Smashingintothewallbehindhim,theglassexplodedintoathousandbloodyshards.Carlagaspedinwordless
horrorandlostconsciousness.Whenshecametohersenses,Carlafoundherselflyingonasofain
thelobby.Ghastlypaleandinshockhimself,Viktorwasleaningoverher,dabbinggentlyatherbleedingmouthwithdamppapertowelsheldintremblinghands.
“Areyouokay?”askedViktor.Shenoddedweakly.“Ican’tbelieveit.Ijustcan’t.”Badlyshaken,butwithawildlookoftriumphinhiseyes,Leighton
wasnearby,alternatelytalkingonaphone,andbarkingorderstothosepresent.Hewasverymuchinchargeonceagain.KayMorrishoveredathiselbow,consultingwithhimbetweenphonecalls.
Carlawatchedthefranticactivityoutofafog,tryingtoregainhersenses.Atfirst,theroomwasswarmingwithguards—morethanCarlahadimaginedwereonthebase.TheyconferredtogetherinlowtoneswithMikeBradford,thedirectorofsecurity,shooktheirheadsinunbeliefatwhathadhappened,thenhurriedbacktotheirassignedduties.Unruffledandcomposed,asthoughhewereinanotherworld,DelSassostoodnearLeighton,watchingandlistening.Therewasanunearthlypeaceabouthimthatseemedsupernatural.
Viktorheldbothofherhandstightlyinhis.“Itwasawful!”“Isitallover?”Carlaasked.“Theothertwomen?”“WhenDelSassoknockedthemthroughthedoortheywereshotby
someguardswhowerecomingdownthehallsearchingforthem.”Carlastruggledandmanagedtositup.Herearwasstillringingfrom
theblowChernovhadgivenher,andonesideofherfacewasswollen.ShesawLeightonhangupthephone.Hecameoverandsatdownbesideherandputanarmaroundhertenderly.
“Areyouokay?”heasked.Shenodded.“ShouldIcalladoctor?”Helookedatherswollenfaceandcutlipwithconcern.
Sheshookherhead.“I’mokay,Frank—really.”“Ican’ttellyouhowsorryIamthatthishappened,”hetoldher.“Please,it’snotyourfault.”TurningtoViktorapologetically,Franksaid,“Istillsayit’simpossible.
There’snowaytheycouldgetinhere.Theymusthavecomeupthrough
thewoods.Somehowtheygotintotheguardstationatthegateandkilledtheguards.Theymusthavetrickedthem,buthow?Ijustcan’tbelieveit!”
“Antoniosavedourlives,”murmuredCarla.Heturnedandsmiledatheracrossthelobby.“Youweremagnificent,Antonio!”shecalledouttohim.
Hewalkedover,pulledupachair,andsatdownheavily.“I’msorrythathehurtyou,Carla.Andaboutyouroffice,Frank—thingsreallygotoutofhand.Ididn’twantitthatway,butsometimestheonlywaytostopviolenceiswithgreaterviolence.”Heseemedalmostlikearepentantchildapologizingforsomemisdeed.
“Please,Antonio!”saidLeightongratefully.“Ifitweren’tforyou,we’dallbedead!”
DelSassoturnedtoViktorandCarla.“Iofferedhimhislife.Youheardthatdidn’tyou?Iaskedhimtosurrender.You’remywitnesses.”
“We’reyourwitnesses,”saidViktorsolemnly.Hestillseemedtobeinastateofshock.
“IhearditandIsawit,”Carlaassuredhim.“Somuchblood!”murmuredDelSasso.“Idon’tlikeit.Basically,I’m
agentleperson.”Heseemedobsessedtoprovethathehadn’tintendedsuchbloodyviolence.Carlawonderedatthat.
Sheputahandgingerlytoherswollenface.Shehadn’tknownthatshewouldbegettingintosomethinglikethis,couldneverhaveanticipateditWell,therewasalwaysapricetobepaidforanythingthatwasworthwhile,andtherecouldnolongerbeanydoubtthatshewassittingonastoryfarbiggerthanshehadevenimagined.Whateverthecostinthefuture,therewasnoturningbacknow.
CarlawasextremelygratefultoDelSassoforsavingherlife,butatthesametimetherewassomethingterrifyingaboutthepowerhecontrolled.Ordiditcontrolhiminsomemysteriousway?Wasthatwhathewastryingtotellthem,andwhyhewassoapologetic?WasDelSasso,afterall,justapawnoftheArchons?Itwasafrighteningquestion.
[25]AnInfinitePotential?
“Welostfourgoodandbravemen,”intonedLeighton.“Menwhobelievedinwhatwe’redoingandgavetheirlivesinthelineofduty.Wewillnotdishonorthemandtheirmemory—orthebereavedfamiliestheyleftbehind—byabandoningthenoblecausetowhichtheyhaddedicatedthemselves.Letthisbeatimeofsolemnrededicationtothehigh-mindedidealsofinternationalgoodwillamongallpeoplesandnations.”
Theoccasionwasamemorialserviceheldinthelargetheaterinthecenterofthemainbuildingthedayaftertheslainguardshadbeeninterred.ItwasnowfourdaysaftertheRussianattack.Carlawassurprisedatthelargenumberofpersonnelinvolvedatthesecretcomplex.Therewereabout50employeespresentfromscientists,labassistants,andsecretaries;tocooks,janitors,andofcoursetheinternalsecurityforce—whichhadnowbeenincreasedbyeightmeninadditiontoreplacingthefourwhohadbeenkilled.Theentirestaffwasinattendance—astaffthathadcomethroughaterribleordealwithobviouslyhighmoraleinspiteofthelossesithadsustained.
Leightonfinishedhisspeechonapositivenote:“Wewillcarryonwithoutlookingback.Wewillletnothingandnoonedeterusfromourgoal.WeareworkingforaNewWorldofpeace,love,andbrotherhood—aworldwithoutfearofwarorcrime,aworldwithouthunger,amodelsocietyofequalopportunityandoflonglifeforall.Wearewithinsightofthatgoalanditwillbeachieved!”Fromhereandtherecamethestaccatoofenthusiasticapplause.
“Thisveryauditoriuminwhichyounowsitwillsoonbefilledwithleadersfromallnations,whowillmeettoimplementthePlanforthatNewWorld.ThatPlan,asyouallknow,isstilltoohighlyclassifiedtoshareopenlyevenonthisoccasion.Yourindividualcontributionstotheprogram
andyourconfidenceinmeasyourdirectorhavebroughtustotheverybrinkofsuccess,andIamgratefulforthespiritofloyaltyanddedicationthatcontinuestomotivateeachofyou.Itwillnotbelongnowuntileveryoneintheworldwillknowthesecretandreapthebenefitsofyourpersistenteffortshere.IampleasedtosaythatIhavejustreceivedconfirmationofthefullbackingofthePresidentoftheUnitedStates.PreliminarycontactsarebeingmadewithkeyleadersintheSenateandHouse,butofcoursenodetailscanbesharedwiththemuntilthattimecomes—whichIassureyouwillbeverysoon.”Therewasanotherburstofapplause.
Leightonpulledanenvelopeoutofhispocket,openedit,andunfoldedapieceofpaper.“Iwanttoreadtoyoupartofatelegramreceivedfromthepresidentonlyafewmomentsbeforethisgatheringconvened.Therestisconfidential,butwillbedisclosedtoyoulater.Hereitis:‘IhavespokenbyphonewiththeRussianpresidentanddescribedtohimtheattackbyRussianagentsuponyourinstallation,whichisdedicatedtothepeacefuluseofpsychicdevelopmentforallpeoples.Hehasassuredmethathewasnotawareofthisassaultteamandistakingstepstopreventsuchanoccurrencefromeverhappeningagain.HehasgivenmehispersonalwordthatpeaceishistoppriorityandthathiscountrywillparticipateintheforthcomingCongressforwhichyouarenowpreparing.Icongratulateyouandyourcolleaguesforthepartyouhaveplayedandwillcontinuetoplayintheestablishmentofapeacefulandprosperousworldforallmankind.’”Leightonpauseddramatically,andagaintherewasanenthusiasticresponsefromhislisteners.
“Youcanseethatourpresidentbacksourmission100percent.Youalsoknowthat,whilenotdoubtingthesincerityoftheRussianpresident,andbeingthankfulforhispromiseofpeace,weshallnotrelaxourvigilanceuntilourgoalhasbeenreached.IamdeterminedinmyownheartandIcalluponyouaswelltojoinwithmeinapledgetoourhigherselves,thatthosewhosememorywehonortodaywillnothavediedinvain!”
Therewasthunderousapplause,andtheaudiencestoodtoitsfeetLeightonacknowledgedtheirendorsementofhisleadershipgraciouslyfor
afewmomentsbeforesteppingdownfromthepodiumtomarktheendofthemeeting.Therewasabriefbabbleofvoicesasstaffmemberscameuptoshakehishandandexpresstheirsupportoncemore,beforereturningtointerruptedtasksinlabsandoffices.
......BackinhisofficeatlastLeightonheldacouncilwithhisinnercircle.
PresentwereMorris,DelSasso,Khorev,Bertelli,andMikeBradford,headofsecurity.Itwasasolemngathering.
“IthinkyouallknowMike,”beganLeighton.“I’veaskedhimtomeetwithustodiscussthemosttroublingaspectoftherecentattack.”
MikewasaveteranofCIAcovertoperationsfromCubatoVietnamandAngola—andmostplacesinbetween.Hewasastoughandsmartastheycame,andhewasclearlyverydisturbed.Hescannedthefacesofthosepresentcarefully,thenclearedhisthroatandbegan.
“WewerehitbadtheothernightIstilldon’tbelieveit.I‘vebeenpuzzlingoverthisthingeversince.Whathappenedwasimpossible.TheRussianassaultteamenteredourcomplexwithouttriggeringanyelectronicalarms.Thatispossibleonlyiftheyenteredatoneparticularplace—whichleavesonlyoneexplanation,anditisn’tapleasantone:Someonefromtheinsideletthemin!”
Thestunnedsilencespokelouderthanwords.Mikefoldedhisarmsandwatchedthereactions.
“Areyoucertain?”askedViktoratlastobviouslybadlyshaken.“Nothingis100percentcertain,”admittedMike.“Theymighthave
trickedourmensomehow,butthat’ssounlikelyitcanbecategoricallyruledout.”
“Butitisapossibility,”interjectedKayMorris.“Veryunlikely.Canyouimaginehowourmencouldhavebeen
inducedtoopenthedoortotheirfortifiedstationandletsomeonein?Andwewereonalert!”
“Hypnoticcontrol,perhaps,”musedViktor.“IcantellyouthatChernovhadincrediblepsychicpowers.”
“Let’sgetthepicture,”saidFrank.Thegatewasclosed,butbothdoorstotheguardstationwerewideopen.Thatistheonlypossibleentrance
route—andapparentlyanexitaswellforatleastoneRussian.”Inresponsetothequestioninglooks,Mikeexplained,“Oneoftheflak
jacketsismissingandwasprobablybeingwornbysomeonewholeftinahurry.Howmanyotherstherewere,wedon’tknow.”
“Thisreallybothersme,”saidKay.“Idon’tthinkweshouldevensuggestitwasaninsidejobuntilwe’reabsolutelycertain.Thethoughtofatraitorwithinourownranksisnotonlyrepugnant,itbreedsanatmosphereofsuspicionthatI,forone,wouldfindimpossibletoworkin.Ifthatassaultteamhasbeenabletoleaveuswithasuspicionthatwilleatatus,theninasensethey’vewonafterall,andIdon’twanttoconcedethat!”
Leightonwastakenbythethoughtandnoddedinagreement.“IagreewithKay.Youallrealizethatanatmosphereofmistrustcouldliterallyshutusdown—itwouldbeapsychicvictoryfortheRussians.IttakesfaithnotonlyintheArchonsbutinourselvesandinoneanotherforthePlantosucceed.”
“That’swhatconcernsme,”continuedKay.“Ican’timaginehowtheygotin.ButsupposetheRussianswereabletocoveralltraceoftheirentry?Thatwouldaccomplishtwothings:Itwouldleavethatmethodsecretforafutureteamtouse;anditwouldallowthemtoleave‘evidence’thattheygotinbywayoftheguardstation,whichwouldseemtopointtoaninsidejobandbreedsuspicionamongusall.”
Therewasalong,uncomfortablesilence.“Whataboutthispossibility?”suggestedCarlaatlast.“TheRussiansgotinside—wedon’tknowhow—andthetwoguardsatthegatewerethefirsttodiscoverthem.Theycameoutoftheirstationandwerekilled,draggedbackinthereoutofsight—”
“Theywereshotinsidethestation,”interruptedMike,whohadbeenlisteningquietly,whileshakinghisheadwithevidentdispleasure.
“Sotheywerecapturedandthentakenintothestationandexecutedtofurtherthe‘insidejob’theory,”saidMorrisquickly.
LeightonturnedtoDelSasso.“You’vebeenawfullyquiet,Antonio.HavetheArchonsgivenyoutheanswer?”
“Theydon’ttelluseverything,forreasonsthatIdon’tentirelyunderstand—somethingtodowithresponsibilityandpersonalgrowth.I
thoughttheFBIwasinvestigating,soI’dliketoknowwhattheythink.”FrankgesturedtowardMike.“Well?”Mikelookedembarrassed.“Actuallytheyhaveprettymuchthrownout
theinside-jobtheory.TheyseemtofavorsomethingmorelikewhatDr.Morrisissuggesting.”
Leightonlookedpleased.Hisprotégéhadprovenheranalyticalcapabilitiesonceagain,andthedreadpallofsuspicionhadbeenlifted.“I’llbuythat,”hedeclaredemphatically.NoticingMike’sdisappointment,Frankpattedhimontheshoulder.“Ofcourse,ifMikecomesupwithsubstantialevidence,that’sanothermatter.ButuntilthenIthinkweoughttolayasidesuspicionsandgetonwithourwork.Andforyou,Mike,thatmeanssomehowfindinghowtheyreallygotin!”
Leightonstoodtodismissthemeeting.“Ineedn’tremindyouthatwhatwehavediscussedheremustbeheldinthestrictestconfidence.Forthesakeofmoralewecan’talloweventheslightestsuggestiontoleakoutthatitmighthavebeenaninsidejob.Itwouldpoisontheatmosphereamongtheentirestaff.”
......Carladialedafamiliarnumberandleanedbackcomfortablyather
desk.ShehadfinallymovedintoherownofficejustdownthehallfromLeighton’sandwasenjoyingtheprivacy.AtFrank’ssuggestionshewasbelatedlyreturningastringofphonecallstoherhotelfromhereditorfriendatTimemagazine.ProjectArchonwasbackonschedule,andshewasnowauthorizedtodropsometantalizingpiecesofinformation.Ittookafewminutestogetthrough,andwhenhecameontheline,GeorgeConklinwasupset.
“Carla!Aren’tyougettingmyphonemessages?‘TwoFBIagentsslaininPaloAlto—routinelineofduty’comesoverthewires.Maybeitisroutine,butmyjournalisticnoseistwitchingandIthinkIsmellsomething—maybesomeconnectiontoyourbigstory?ButIcan’tevenreachyou.Where’veyoubeen?VacationinginHawaii?”
“I’vebeeninvolved,George,rightinthemiddleofthisthing.It’snotjustabigstory,it’sthebiggestyouorIwilleversee.Iliterallyhaven’tbeenabletogettoaphone.Thisismyfirstchance.”
“Soyou’retellingmethereissomeconnection?”“Youbetterbelieveit!”“We’vehadateamofourbestbloodhoundsouttheresniffing
everywhereandtheycameupwithnothing.We’reprintingnextweek’seditiontomorrow,sowhat’stheconnection,andwhat’sthestory?Canyoutellmeyet?”
“I’msorry,George,buttheanswer’s‘no.’Thisthingisstillgettingbiggereveryday.ButI’mgoingtogiveyousomeinfothatyoucanprintifyouwantto—withoutmyname.You’llbequoting‘areliableinsidesource,’andwhatI’mgoingtotellyouistheunvarnishedtruth.Okay?”
“Mytaperecorder’srunning.”“George!Youburythattape!”“Don’tworry.Itdoesn’texistunlessIhavetoresurrectit.Sowhat’s
goingon?”“Your‘reliablesource’informsyouthatthetwoFBIagentswere
killedwhentheytriedtointerceptaspecialRussiancombatteamhereonasecretmission.”
“You’rekidding!”“IwishIwere!Isawthisthingfirsthandandalmostgotkilledmyself.
Butdeletethat.Backtotheprintablestuff.TheRussiansattackedatop-secretpsychicresearchlabnearPaloAltorunbytheCIA.Why?BecausetheAmericanshavemadearesearchbreakthroughthatputsthemlight-yearsaheadoftheRussiansandeveryoneelseinthedevelopmentofincrediblepsychicpowers.”
“Ialreadytoldyou,”interruptedGeorge,“thispsychicstuffisstrictlyforthesleazetabloids.”
“TheRussiansapparentlyhaveadifferentview,”returnedCarlapointedly.“Isawtheteamtheysentwithmyowneyes,andIcantellyouthisistop-prioritystuffwiththem—andwithourowngovernmentaswell.Getyourheadoutofthesand,George!”
“I’lladmit,”camethegrudgingresponse,“thereareCongressmenandex-astronautsandNobelscientistsinvolvedinthisthing.Why,Ican’timagine.”
“Givethemcreditforsomeintelligence,okay,George?Andlisten—I
haven’tgottentotherealpointyet.AndIdon’twantyoutoprintanyoftheaboveifyouleavethispartoutThereasonwhytheAmericansaresofaraheadis—hangontoyourchair—they’vemadecontactwithhigherintelligencesthathavebeenguidingourevolutionand—”
“Isthisyourideaofajoke?”interruptedGeorge.“Comeon,Carla,you’rewastingmytime.”
“Thisistheabsolutetruth.Youthinkhumansaretheonlyintelligentlifeintheuniverse?”
“So‘we’renotalone.’Howmanysci-fifilmshaveusedthoselines!‘They’ve’beenhereandnowwe’vegotsome‘littlegreenmen’oniceatanairbase.”
“Isaidnothinglikethat!”“YousaidtheCIAisintouchwith‘higherintelligences.’Wecan’t
printthat.”“ThenIguessI’llhavetogotoTheWashingtonPost.Iwanttogive
youthehotteststoryofyourcareer.Thisisjustthetipoftheiceberg.Butyouknowyourstandards,andifyoucan’thandleit,then—”
“Carla,they’dlaughusoutofbusiness.Higherintelligencesaretakingover?Isupposethey’rearrivinginUFOs!Youknowhowcrazypeopleare.Youcouldstartanationwidepanic—likeOrsonWells’‘Martianinvasion’!”
“Ididn’tsaythey’retakingover—andthey’renotarrivinginUFOs.You’retheonewho’smakingitludicrous.I’mtellingyou,George,psychiccontacthasbeenmade.”
“Doyouknowhowfaroutthisis?”“Andhaveyouforgottenthat‘truthisstrangerthanfiction’?Ifyou
needanangle,here’sone:TieitinwiththeSearchforExtraterrestrialIntelligencethatCarlSaganfoundedandhasonlygrownlargersincehisdeath.Wouldyouprintitiftheymaderadiocontact?Butthat’sawholelotlesslikelythanwhatI’mtalkingabout.Itcouldtakehundredsorthousandsofyearsforradiotogettothenearestinhabitedplanet,butpsychiccontactisinstantaneous.It’shappened,George!Iknowthatforsure!Butsayithoweveryouwantto—hintatitasapossibilitysuggestedbyyour‘insidesource.’Idon’thavetotellyouwhattodo.”
Therewasalongsilence.FinallyGeorgemumbled,“ThisisreallythestorybehindthedeathsofthetwoFBIagents?”
“Thetipoftheiceberg—withmoretocomeifyouwantit.”“It’sthestoryofthecentury,ifit’strue.”“’Ifit’strue’?Nowyou’reinsultingme!Look,George,you’veknown
meforhowlong—sixyears?DidIeverexaggerateorgiveyouanyinformationthatwasn’tsolidgold?I’mtellingyouthatsomethingbiggerthanyouorIhaveeverimaginedisgoingtobreaksoon.Anddon’ttrytoverifythis—you’llonlygetdenialsfromtheWhiteHouseondown.”
“Carla,youknowI’vegottohaveconfirmationfromsomeone.”“Notonthisstory,youdon’tGeorge!Thisisfroma‘reliableinside
source.’There’snowayyoucangetverification.Youeitherprintitthatway,oryou’vegotnothing.”
“Yougivemefits,Carla.I’vegottobecrazytoprintthis.Listen—doabetterjobofkeepingintouch,willyou?”
“I’lldomybest.Takecare.”Assoonassheputthephonedown,shedialedLeightononthe
intercom.“IjustfinishedtalkingtoGeorge.He’sgoingtoprintitbutyouweresurerightaboutresistance.HeclimbedthewallwhenImentioned‘higherintelligences.’Evensuggestedthatsuchareport—ifpeoplebelievedit—couldcauseworldwidepanic.”
“That’samajorproblem.Scornfuldenialorpanic—thosearethetworeactionsthatcouldkillus.TheArchonshavetobeintroducedtotheworldinawaythatgeneratesacceptanceofthemandtheirmission,andfaithintheirabilitiesandgoodintentions.That’swhyyouhavesuchacrucialroletoplay.”
“Well,Icanseeitisn’tgoingtobeeasy.I’mworkingonmyfirstarticle.I’llhaveittothepointwhereyoucangooveritbytomorroworthenextday.”
“Great!Don’tforget:We’remeetinginmyofficeagainrightafterdinner.”
......KayMorrisexcusedherselffromtheplanningmeetinginLeighton’s
officethatevening—therewerethreelabstoprepareforthenextday’s
experiments.AlltheotherswerepresentViktor,Antonio,Carla—and,ofcourse,Frankhimself.FrankhadnoticedthatViktorhadseemedwithdrawnthelastfewdaysandfinallydecidedtofindoutwhatwaswrong.
“Something’sbotheringyou,Viktor.We’reinthistogether,andoneoftherulesisthatwedon’tkeepanysecretsfromeachother.What’stheproblem?”
“It’ssomethingIhavetoworkoutinmyownmind.”“Well,comeoutwithit.We’dallliketohelp.”Hesitantly,Viktorbegan:“Youhavetounderstandmybackgroundofa
lifetimeunderoppressivetotalitarianism.Yes,theIronCurtaincamedown,andwesupposedlyhavenew‘freedoms’andthere’splentyoftalkaboutdemocracy,butinactualfactaneliteinnercirclerunsthecountryandnooneelsecandoanythingaboutit.”
“Butyou’veleftthatbehind,”saidLeighton,tryingtobeencouraging.“Andyouwon’tbecoopedupbehindthesewallsfortoomuchlonger.”
“I’vegotnocomplaints,Frank.I’mverygratefulforallofthat.Whattroublesme—well,it’slikewe’vesoldoursoulstotheArchons.Whatevertheysaygoes.Period.We’retoldthatthePlanwillbeimplementedsoon.Acouncilofsuperiorbeingswho’vebeenwatchingoverourevolutionareabouttointervenetokeepusfromdestroyingourselves.Whynotjustadmitthatthey’regoingtotakeovertheworld?That’swhatitamountsto.Don’tyouseewhyitlookstomelikewe’rehelpingtoputthewholeworldinthegripofanewtotalitarianismthatcouldbeevenworsethantheoneIescaped?”
Franksmiledbenignly.“Therearesomehugedifferences,Viktor,betweentheoldSovietandnowthenewRussiansystemandtheNewAgetheArchonswillbringtoearth.Foronething,theArchonshavenoselfishinterests.Theygetnothingoutofthis—nomoney,power,property.They’rebenefitingus,nottakinganythingfromus.They’resofarbeyondourevolutionarystageofdevelopmentthattheydon’twantanythingfromus.”
“That’strue,”concededViktor,“butsomethingstilltroublesmeaboutthewholething.It’snotthatIwanttobackout;pleasedon’tthinkthatat
all.Ibelieveinwhatwe’redoing,butI’mjusttryingtounderstandsomeaspects.”
DelSasso,whohadbeenlisteningquietly,nowstoodtohisfeetandwalkedovertositononeendofLeighton’shugedeskwherehecouldcommandaviewofeveryone’sface.“There’ssomethingmuchdeeperthatyou’remissing,”hebeganconfidentially,“andthisisprobablyasgoodatimeasanytoexplainit.”
CarlanoticedgladlythatthiswasnottheDelSassoofafewnightsago—thepsychicwarriorwhohadexudedsuchapalpableevilandwhohadcommittedsuchanatrocityagainstChernov.Nowheemanatedanequallysuperhumanloveandcompassionthatwasnolesstangible.
“I’vebeenincommunicationwiththeArchonsforabouttwoyears,”Antoniocontinued,“andknowthembetterthananyone.”HeturnedtoViktorandCarla.“You’vereadorlistenedtoonlyafractionofthetransmissionsfromthemsofar.LetmeexplainthatthePlaninvolvesawholelotmorethanpsychicpowerandpeaceandprosperity.TheArchons’ultimategoalistobringoutthebestinmankind,thetrueinnergoodnessthathasbeenputdownbythousandsofyearsofnegativereligionsexaltingfalseandoppressivedeities.Theywantustorealizethatwearegoodnesspersonifiedandreallygodsourselves.”
“Nowthat’ssomethingIcanreallygetexcitedabout!”exclaimedCarla.“Itresonatessotrulywithmyownexperience!Youcan’timaginetheput-downsIsufferedgrowingupwithafatherwhopastoredafundamentalistchurch.Hisonemissioninlifeseemedtobetodriveintothecongregation—andespeciallyintome,hisonlychild—whatworthlesswretchesweallwereandthatwewereundercondemnationbyaGodwhowouldsendusalltohelltoburnforeverifwedidn’tknuckledownandlivethestraight-laced,soberandsad,self-denying,miserablelifethatwasrequiredofallChristians.Italmostdestroyedme,especiallywhenIfoundoutthatmyfatherdidn’tlivethekindoflifeheforcedonothers!”SheturnedtoViktor.“Talkabouttotalitarianismandoppressivesystems!Youcan’timaginetheliberatingsenseoffreedomwhenIrealizedthatIdidn’thavetobelieveinanygodbutmyself!”
DelSassohadbeennoddingwithapproval.“YouknowI’maJesuit
priest,butwhatCarlahasjustsaidisexactlywhatIbelieve.I’mashamedthatmyownchurchhasbeenamajorforceinoppressingmankind—especiallywomen—injustthewayCarlaexperienced.YetaJesuitpriest,PierreTeilharddeChardin,iscreditedwithbeing‘TheFatheroftheNewAge.’Andbytheway,TeilhardwroteoftheveryOmegapointatwhichpsychiccontactisfirstmadewiththeArchons—thepointatwhichhesaidmankindwouldmergeintogodhood.”
“ThoseideasarequiteadeparturefromwhatbothCatholicsandProtestantshavealwaystaught,”remarkedLeighton.“Ittakesagreatdealofcouragetobreakwithsomanycenturiesoftradition.”
“Ithastobedone,”affirmedDelSasso.“TheBibleisanunfortunateperversionoftheancientnaturemythsheldincommonbyallpeoples.AsoneverypopularCatholicpriesthaspointedoutso-called‘originalsin’wasreallythe‘originalblessing.’The‘serpent’isnottheenemyofmankindbutitssaviorandtruestfriend.ThereismuchwisdomhiddeninthemythoftheGardenofEden.Theserpent’sofferofgodhoodwasnotalie,buttheliberatingtruththatdeliversusfromtheoppressivebeliefinajealousgodwhosetshimselfupassuperiortoallothers.That’saninsulttotheintegrityofanyhumanbeing!Infactwe’reallequalbecausetheforcelatentintheuniverseisavailabletoall.”
“Youdon’tknowhowgoodthatmakesmefeel!”declaredCarlawithconviction.“It’ssogreattohearamanoftheclothspeakoutlikethisandvindicateidealsI’vetriedtopromoteforyears!It’slikeabreathoffreshair.Ionlywishmymothercouldhaveheardthisbeforeshedied.”
DelSassowalkedoverandsatdownbesideViktor.HeputhishandonViktor’sshoulderandlookedathimcompassionately.“Soyousee,Viktor,theNewWorldweareworkingforisnotatallliketheoppressivesystemofaStalinorKhrushchev,ortheunjustsuperstructureofcapitalism.Theveryreasonwhyyourejectthosesystemsisthatyou’reagodwhomustbefree—youcan’tberuledbyanyone.We’rearaceofgodswhohavelostourway,forgottenourtrueidentity,andneedtorememberwhowereallyare.TheArchonsdon’twanttotakeover;theywanttosetusfreetoexperienceourowninfinitepotential.Theirultimatepurposeistorestoreapositiveself-image,aglorioussenseofselfesteemtoaworldofbeings
brokenunderaloadofnegativismthathasstifledtheirfulldevelopmentascreaturesofthecosmos.”
Carla’seyesweresparkling.SheleanedoverandgaveViktorahug.“Can’tyouseethetruthinwhathe’ssaying?”sheasked.
“Ithinkso,”saidViktor.“Ithinkso.”HewassmilingashehadnotsmiledsincefacingChernovandapparentdeathfournightsearlier.Andthemanwhohadsavedhimthenwasnowpointingthewaytoabrighterfuturethanhehadeverimaginedpossible.
“IthinkIunderstandsomethingalittle.betternow,”musedCarla.“YoumeanaboutthewayIactedthefirsttimewemet,”saidAntonio,
asthoughhewerereadinghermind.“Exactly.Icanseewhymyex-fiancée’spresenceenragedyou.He’sa
narrow-mindedChristianfundamentalistwhorepresentstheveryantithesisoftheliberatingtruthyou’vejustexplainedsobeautifully.That’swhytheArchonsidentifiedhimasthe‘enemy.’”
“Youdounderstand!”saidDelSassowarmly.Therewassomethinginfinitelygentleandcomfortinginhisvoice.
......LyinginbedatherhotelthatnightCarlafoundsleepeludingheronce
again.ForallofherenthusiasmearlierthateveningwhenDelSassohadexplainedthingssowell,hereshewasplaguedbysomeofthesameolddoubts.HowcanIbesosureonemomentthattheArchonsandDelSassoaregoodnesspersonified—afterall,he’stheironlyrepresentative—andthenextmomentbetroubledbybasicconcerns?Andwhydon’tIeverthinkoftherightquestionstoaskwhenI’mwithDelSasso?I’msooverwhelmedbyhischarismathatIlosetheabilitytothinkformyself!
DelSasso’spersuasivepronouncementsaboutinfinitehumanpotentialandtheinnategoodnessandpowerineveryonehadbeenveryappealing.Yetnowsheremembereddistinctlythathehadsaidjustasclearly,whentheyhadfirstmetthatsuchabeliefwasadelusion.Afterall,therecognitionthathumansdidn’thavepsychicpowerswithinthemselvesbutthattheycamefromthese‘higherbeings’hadbeenthewholebasisforthegreatbreakthroughthathadcomeinpsychicresearch.TheirwillingnesstohonortheArchonsasthesourceofpsychicpowerwaswhytheAmericans
hadleapedaheadoftheRussians.Whatwasthetruth,andwhydidDelSassocontradicthimself?Were
theretwotruths—onetobetoldtotheworldatlarge,andtheothertobeknownonlytotheinnercircle?WhyhadDelSassobeenpresentingastruththateveningwhathehadformerlyidentifiedasalie?Ofcourseshenolongerbelievedit,butitdidtroublehertorememberthattheBibledefinitelyidentifiedtheideathatmanisagodwithinfinitepotentialasthegreatlieofSatan.Sheremembered,too,asagirl,hearingrevivalpreacherswarnofamanwhowouldspeakgreatliesanddeceivethewholeworld.ItwouldbeparanoidtoconnectthatbiblicalmythwithDelSasso,theArchons,andthePlan,buttherewasatroublingsimilaritythatshefounddifficulttodismiss.
[26]CloseEncounter!
“IseeaPulitzerprizeinyourfuture!”Thesoundoftheexaggeratedgypsyaccentpompouslyintoned,causedCarlatolookupfromhercomputerwithastart.DelSassowasstandingintheopendoorwaytoheroffice,actingtheconsummatefortune-teller.“Yes,Iseetheworldofjournalismworshipingatyourfeet.”
“Thenyoucan’tseeverywell,”returnedCarlawithalaugh.“You’reobviouslyacheapphony.Theworldofjournalismwouldbegreenwithenvy,notworshipingatmyfeet.”
Smilingbroadly,hesteppedinsideandstoodtheretoweringoverher.“Stillworkingonthatfirststory?”
“You’rebadlyinformedallthewayaround.Ithoughteveryoneknewthebignewsbynow.Ifinishedmyfirstarticleyesterday,andTheWashingtonPostgrabbedit.Theythoughtitwashot.Otherpaperswon’tbeabletopickitupuntilthePostprintsittomorrow.I’mreallyexcited!”
“Magnifique!Well,I’vegottogetovertothemainlab.Don’tmissthetransmissiontoday.There’sgoingtobesomethingspecialforyouandViktor.”
......Afterashortbreakforlunch,CarlaandViktorwalkedtogetheroverto
thelabwherethedailytransmissionfromtheArchonswasreceived.Itwasinthefirstbuildingontheleftasoneenteredthecomplexthroughthegate.Theytookthelongestpossibleroute,enjoyingthebeautyofthewell-landscapedgroundsandthetoweringredwoodsthatcouldbeseenjustbeyondthewall.
“Doyourealizethisisoneoftheveryfewchanceswe’vehadtotalkalone?”remarkedCarlaastheystartedalongthewindinggravelpaththatledawayfromthemainbuilding.
“Ihadn’tthoughtofitthatway,”musedViktor,“butnowthatIlookback,you’rerightIdon’tthinkthere’sbeenanyintentiontokeepusfromtalking.”
“Oh,Ididn’tmeanthat.We’vebeenextremelybusydayandnight.”Carlastoppedandpointedtoanexceptionallylargeredwoodjustoutsidethecomplex.“Sometrees,huh?Didyoueverseeanythingsohuge?They’retheoldestlivingthingsonearth!”
“ThepicturesI’dseenjustdidn’tpreparemefortherealthing,”respondedViktorappreciatively.“There’ssomethingawesomeyoucouldn’tpossiblyunderstandwithoutexperiencingit!I’dlovetogetoutthereandspendadayjustwalkingthroughaforestlikethat!”
“You’venoideahowawesometheyareupclose.We’lltakeagoodlonghikethroughthosetreestogether,Viktor—soon.”
Helookedatherfondly.“Isthatapromise?”“That’sapromise.”“Weneedtospendsometimetogether,Carla,justtotalkandget
acquainted,andit’simpossibleinhere.Everythinggoesatsuchafeverouspitch.IhadnoideaAmericansworkedthishard!”
“Mostofthemdon’t,”laughedCarla.“Frank’sunusual,buthe’sdrivenbyasenseofurgencythatImustadmitIshare.”
“Oh,Idotoo.I’mnotcomplainingaboutthat.YouknowwhatI’mtryingtosay.”
“Iknow,andIfeelexactlythesameway.”Therewasapoignantsilence.WhenCarlabrokeit,therewas
suppressedexcitementinhervoice.“AntoniosaystheArchonsaregoingtotellussomethingspecialtoday.FrankthinksthefirstWorldCongressandtheinaugurationoftheNewAgewillcomewithinamonth.It’smovingfasterthanIthought!”
Theywerenearingtheendoftheirbriefwalk.Viktorslowedthepaceandloweredhisvoice.“I’vewantedtoaskyousomething.WhatdoyouthinkofDr.Morris?”
“Kay?She’squitearemarkablewoman,ifthat’swhatyoumean.”“No,somethingelse.”Carlastoppedandlookedathimclosely.“Areyoutryingtosay
something?”“Justaskingwhatyouthink.”“Well,sinceyoumentionitI’vehadastrangefeelingaboutherever
sincewefirstmet,butIdon’tknowwhy.”“Ithinkshe’saRussian!”saidViktorabruptly.“Youwhat?”“Infact,I’malmostcertain.”‘Viktor,comeon!She’sagraduateofMIT—withaNewYorkaccent!”“Iknowitsoundscrazy,andIprobablyshouldhavekeptittomyself,
butI’vebeenwatchingher.It’slittlethingsthatI’venoticed,likemannerismsandthewaysheputssentencestogether—evensomeexpressionssheusesseemtobepeculiarlyRussianbuttranslatedintoEnglish.”
Theyresumedtheirwalkveryslowly.Carlawasflabbergasted.“HaveyousaidanythingtoFrank?”sheasked.
“Notyet.Itwouldn’tdoanygood.Icouldn’tproveitandmaybeitmeansnothing.”
“SheleftFrank’sofficethatnightabout30minutesbefore—”Carlabegan,thenstopped.“No,it’snotfaireventothinksuchthoughts.Afterallshe’sthedirectorofthelabs,andsheworksashardasFrank.She’sreallycommitted.”
“DoyouthinkFrank’sinlovewithher?”“Soyoupickeduponthat,too.He’ssmittenforsure,butIthinkshe’s
verycarefulnottoshowtoomuchfeelinginpublic.Peopledofallinlove.”HershoulderbrushedagainstViktor’s.Theireyesmetandheldforthebriefestofmoments.
“I’vetalkedtoMike,”continuedViktor,“andhesayshe’scertainthatsomeoneontheinsideshottheguardsandletChernovin—butnottomentionittoFrank.IsthatbecausehethinksKaymightbetheone?”
“Whydidn’tyouaskhim?”“Icouldn’tdothat!”“Ireallyfeelbadaboutthiswholeconversation,”saidCarla.“Itisn’t
fairtoKay—”Shestruggledtofindthewords.Theirwalkhadtakenthembehindthebuilding.BeforeCarlacould
finishthatsentence,theycamearoundacornerjustintimetoseeLeighton,whohadhurrieddirectlyacrossthelawn,approachingthefrontdoorofthelabatalope.“We’lltalkaboutitlater,”whisperedCarla.
“Well,lookwho’sbeenoutforastroll!”exclaimedFrank,obviouslyingoodspirits.“I’msorryyoutwohaven’thadtimetogetbetteracquainted.”Hepulledthedooropenandmotionedforthemtoenter.“Youmakeaveryhandsomepair.”
“We’llacceptthatcompliment”laughedCarlaassheputherarmthroughViktor’s.Heblushedslightlyandlookedpleased.
Enteringthelab,theytooktheirseatsquietly.Asusual,DelSassowasalreadyinplace.Dr.MorrisandanassistantwereintheprocessofconnectingwiresfromvariouspartsofhisbodytoabankofmonitoringequipmentAssoonasthatwasdone,theassistantleft.Onlytheinnercirclecouldbepresentatthesesessions.Antoniowentimmediatelyintoatrance.Hebreathedrapidlyforafewmoments,thensettleddowntoaslow,rhythmicpace.
Suddenlyhiswholebodyjerkedandhisheadcockedtooneside.Aneerieandstrangelymetallicvoicebegantospeakthroughhimatahighpitch.TheNinegiveyougreetingsfromanotherdimensiondirectlyadjacenttoyours.Therecentattackonyourinstallationwasanecessarytest.Youpasseditwell,butmorearetocome.Thequestionofentryisamysteryyoumustconfrontandsolveforyourownspiritualgrowth.Everystepisimportantaswemovetowardourgoal.CarlaBertelli’sarticleswillplayakeyconsciousness-raisingrole.ViktorKhorevmustgivethekeynoteaddressattheCongress.”
“Itisthereforeessentialthatthesetwoseeusforthemselves.Theymaynotapproachus,buttheywillbeallowedtoenterandwitnessourmeetingwiththethreehigherinitiates.Thiswilloccuratprecisely3:15thisafternoon.AtthattimewewillannouncethedateforthecomingWorldCongress.Farewell.”
ThemomentDelSassocameoutofhistrance,aeuphoricLeightonhurriedovertoCarlaandViktor,whowereveryexcitedbutalsoconfusedandapprehensive.“Congratulations!”exclaimedLeighton.“Youcan’timaginewhatgoodnewsthisis!Wecouldn’treallygoforwarduntilwe
hadthatdate,anduntiltheArchonsacceptedyoubothintothePlan.Thisisgoingtochangeyourlivesforever!”
“Whatdidtheymean—seethem?”askedCarla.“Withourphysicaleyes?Ididn’tthinktheyhadbodies.”
“Ithastobeasurprisethefirsttime,”saidLeightonenigmatically.......
Promptlyat2:30LeightonherdedDelSasso,Morris,Khorev,andBertelliintoalate-modelCadillac.FrankgotbehindthewheelwithKaybesidehimandtheotherthreeinthebackseatTheyleftthebaseescortedinconspicuouslybyacarinfrontandonejustbehind,each—inadditiontoitsdriver—carryingtwoheavilyarmedCIAagentsdressedinworkmen’sclothes.OntheothersideofPaloAltotheyenteredaseedy,run-downindustrialparkanddrovealongawindingstreet.Itendedinacul-de-sac,mostofwhichwastakenupbythesprawlinggroundsofanextensivebuilding,apparentlyabandoned.Therewerenocarsintheparkinglot,andthelandscapingwasnoticeablyunkemptThethreevehiclespulledintoadriveandparkedbehindthebuilding.Everyoneexceptthetwodriversintheothercarsclimbedout.
“TheCompanyownsthisproperty,”confidedLeightonastheywalkedaroundtothefront.
“Company?”askedViktor.“That’swhatweaffectionatelycalltheCIA.”Wavingahandatthe
run-downappearance,Leightonadded,“Wepurposelyletitlookabandonedanduseitfornothingbutthesemeetings.TheycomeirregularlyattheArchons’command.”
ThetwoCIAagentsintheleadcarhadremainedattherearofthebuildingtopretendtheyweremakingsomerepairs,whiletheothertwostartedtopullafewweedsinfront,oneneareachcomerofthewidestructure.Leightonledtheothersupashortbrickwalktothefrontdoor,whereheproducedakeyandletthemallin.Heturnedonnolights,andinthesemidarknesstheywalkedthroughwhathadoncebeenanofficestraighttowardareardoor.
Leightonpausedbeforeopeningit.“CarlaandViktor,”hewarnedthemsolemnly,“whatyouareabouttoseewillshockandperhapseven
terrifyyou.Staybehindusatalltimesandkeepyouremotionsundercontrol.Don’tpanic,andundernocircumstancestrytoapproachthevehicle.Wethreewilldosoattheappropriatetime,butforyourownsafetyyoumustkeepyourdistance.”
“Vehicle?”askedViktor.Hewasliterallytremblingwithfear.TheywereactuallygoingtoseesomeArchons?Carlawaseagerwithanticipation,butatthesametimealmostafraidtogothroughthedoor.
“Itmustbeasurprise!”saidLeighton.“Remember?Sodon’taskanymorequestions!”Thenheaddedsolemnly,“Kayhadherinitiationherejustaweekbeforeyoutwoarrived.”
Openingthedoor,heledthemintowhatappearedtobeahugewarehousewithaveryhighroof.TheystoodtogetherjustinsideforamomentThenLeighton,DelSasso,andMorristooktwostepsforward,puttheirpalmstogetherinfrontoftheminthetraditionalOrientalgreeting,andbowedinunisonninetimes.Puzzledandfearful,ViktorandCarlaremainednearthedoor,watchinginwonder.Peeringaround,theytriedtoadjusttheireyestothedimlightthatfilteredthroughdustyVenetianblindsdrawntightacrossloftyskylights.Thebuildingappearedtobeempty.
Suddenlyavibratinghumbegan,likeathousandmonkschantingthe“OM.”Itseemedtochargetheatmospherewithanalmost-tangibleelectricalcurrentThenthereitwas—asthoughithadmaterializedoutofthinair.“Look!”whisperedViktorinastonishment
Agiantspacecraft,lookinglikesomethingoutofascience-fictionmovieandfillingthefarendofthewarehouse,wasnowhoveringjustoffthefloor,itstopcrowdedupagainsttheroof.Itwasnearlythesizeofa747butwithoutwingsandofafuturisticdesign.Carlanearlyfaintedfromshockandfright.“Itcan’tbe!”shewhisperedback.“Youseeit,too?”
“It’simpossible!”saidViktorhoarsely,unabletobelievehiseyes.Atthatmomenttwolightsonthetopoftheobjectcameonandbegan
torotate,flashingpurpleandgreenastheyspunroundandround,revealingastrange,unearthlysheentothemetallicsurface.Asifthatwereasignal,thecraftseeminglybegantopulsatewithlife,asthoughitwereabouttometamorphoseintosomepredatorycreature.Strickenwithanunreasoningterror,CarlaandViktorcouldhardlyretaintheirsanityand
stifletheinstincttoflee.Involuntarilytheyshrankbackagainstthewall.Ashimmeringpyramidofbrilliantwhitelight,withabaseofabout35
feetoneachside,suddenlyappearedinfrontofthehoveringcraft.ThelighthadapeculiarradiancethatmadeCarlafeelinstantlydizzy.Thedizzinesspassed,however,asquicklyasithadcome.Nowshefeltanirresistibleattractionfortheglowingpyramidofunearthlyincandescence—asthoughhermindweresomehowbeingdrawnintoanotherconsciousnessthatwasmergingwithsomethinglivinginsidethatstrangelight.Anoverpoweringpresencecouldnowbefeltinthewarehouse.CarlasenseditwasthesamepresenceshehadfeltinLeighton’sofficewhenDelSassohadtakencontrolfromtheRussians.
“That’soursignal,”saidLeightoninanexcitedvoice,motioningtoViktorandCarlatoremainbehind.“Youwaithere.Don’tmoveunderanycircumstances!”
WithLeightoninthelead,thethreemovedslowlytowardthemysteriouscraft.AsViktorandCarlawatchedinterrifiedfascination,nineluminousandalmosttransparentbeingssuddenlyappearedinthecenterofthepyramid.Theyworeshimmeringrobesoflightthatcoveredtheirentirebodies,leavingexposedonlytheirreptilian-likeheadsthatseemedtoflareoutfromtheirbroadshoulderslikethehoodsofcobras.Therewassomethingawesomelysupernaturalaboutthecreatures.Theyseemedtobegrotesqueandbeautiful,repulsiveandattractiveatthesametime.IneeriesilencetheyquicklyformedacirclearoundLeighton,DelSasso,andMorrisasthethreeearthlingssolemnlyenteredthepyramidoflighttogetherandprostratedthemselvesinworship.TheleaderoftheNinemotionedforthemtoarise.
“Idon’tbelievethis,Idon’tbelievethis.”Carlakeptrepeatingthewordstoherselfthroughchatteringteeth.Shewasshakingasthoughfromachillingsub-zerowind.
“Wecan’tbothbehallucinating,”saidViktor,wipingthecoldperspirationfromhisforeheadwithahandthatwasalreadydamp.
TheNineseemedtobeconversingwithLeightonandhisparty.Astheydidso,firecameoutoftheirmouthsandtheirbodiesbecameathousandpointsoflightthatcastweirdshadowsofbothhumanand
inhumanformsonthewarehousewalls.Inspiteofherterror,Carlafoundherselfunabletoturnhergazefromthisunbelievableperformance.Asherfascinationgrewtoalmosthypnoticproportions,herfearsubsidedandthepresencethatchargedtheatmospherebecamebenevolentandall-wise.Shewasnolongershaking,butwasnowovertakenwithafeelingofgratitudefortheprivilegeofwitnessingsuchascene.Howblessedtheworldwastobevisitedbysuchcreaturesoflovewhohadcometorescuemankindfromself-destruction!
[27]AnAntichristRebellion?
Thecircleofunearthlycreaturesopenedassuddenlyasithadclosed.ViktorandCarlawatchedinstunnedbewildermentastheirthreecolleagueswalkedslowlybacktowardthem.Thepyramiddisappearedinstantly,andtheNinevanishedwithit.WhenLeighton,DelSasso,andMorrishadresumedtheiroriginalplacesfacingthestrangecraftjustinfrontofViktorandCarla,theyputtheirpalmstogetherandbowedninetimesagain.Thevibrating“OM”fadedandinitsplaceastrangewhirringsoundaroseandgrewinvolume.Totheirconsternation,ViktorandCarlarealizedthattheUFOhadswungaroundtopointintheirdirection.Itwasgatheringspeedandheadingdirectlytowardthem.
Leightonsensedtheirterrorandreachedbackacautioninghand.Withouttakinghiseyesfromthestrangecraft,heyelled,“Don’tmove!”
Thewhirringsoundhadbecomeahigh-pitchedscreamwhen,atgreatlyacceleratingspeed,theUFOpassedwithininchesovertheirheadsandoutthroughthesideofthewarehouse.CarlaclutchedViktorandtogethertheyclungtoeachotherasabriefwaveofnauseapassedoverthemandsubsided.
Carlahadcringedinanticipationofthedevastationasthespacecrafttorethroughthewalls.Tohercompleteastonishment,thewarehousewasnowemptyandstillintact.HereyesmetViktor’s,andforamomenttheyclungtooneanotherinsheerrelief.
“Youtookitverywell,”saidLeightonwhentheirearshadstoppedringing.“BetterthanIdidthefirsttimeIhadthisexperience.”Hecouldnothidehisowntrepidation,however,evennow.Morrisseemedtobecontrollingherselfwithgreateffort.OnlyDelSassowascompletelycool.ItseemedtoCarlathathewasalmostindistinguishablefromtheArchons,socloselyhadhebecomeidentifiedwiththem.
Leightonledthembackoutside.TheCIAagentswerestillpullingweedsinaboredandhalfheartedmanner.Hadtheyseenthisgiantspacecraftcomeburstingoutofthesideofthebuildingsooftenthatitnolongeraffectedthem?ViktortookholdofLeighton’sarm.“Whatdoesitlooklikefromoutherewhenthatthingcomesshootingoutofthebuilding?”
LeightonputafingertohislipsandshookhisheadtoremindViktorthattheirexperiencewasnottobesharedwithothers.“Theysawnothingouthere!”hesaidinalowvoice.“SofartheArchonshavechosenonlytorevealthemselvestousandonlyinsidethatbuilding.Outherethey’reinvisible.Butonedaytheywillmakethemselvesknowntotheentireworld.”
“Whenyouwereinthatpyramidoflight,”whisperedCarla,unabletorestrainhercuriosity,“whatdidyoutalkabout?”
AgainFrankputafingertohislipsandshookhishead.“We’llsharethatlater,”hesaidandledthewaytothecar.
Onceinsidetheirautoandontheirwaybacktothebase,Frankgaveventtohissuppressedexcitement“We’vebeengiventhedate!”heannouncedtoViktorandCarla.“SixweeksfromnextFriday.Thatdoesn’tgiveusmuchtime.Carla’sfirstarticlewillbeprintedtomorrow,andtheArchonspromiseanenthusiasticreactionfromboththemediaandthepublic.”
Stillstunnedfromtheirexperience,CarlaandViktorseemedscarcelyabletocomprehendwhatFrankhadsaid.“Didn’tyouhearme?”heasked.“We’vegotthedatefortheWorldCongress!”
“That’sfantastic,”saidCarla,“butI’msodisorientedthatIcanhardlythink.I’vejustseenwhatlookedlikeahugesolidobjectsailrightthroughthesideofabuildingasthoughthewallsweren’tthere.Andthenyousayit’sinvisibleoutside.Whatwasthatthing?”
“CallitaUFO,ifyoulike,”respondedFrank.“TheNinesaythere’snowaytheycanmakeusunderstandsucheventsatourpresentlevelofdevelopment.It’ssomekindoftransmogrificationofpsychicenergy.That’salltheycantellus.”
Viktorwasbesidehimself.“Frank,whatwe’vejustseenmakes
Columbus’discoveryofAmerica,theBolshevikRevolution,manwalkingonthemoon,andeverythingelsethat’shappenedinhistoryseemlikenothingincomparison.Thisisit!Thisistheultimate.”
“VisionsoftheVirginMaryarethesameorderofevent”putinDelSassocasually.“Allreligionsoriginallycamefromsuchapparitions.”
“Apparitions?”askedCarlainsurprise.“Whatwesawwasn’treallythere?”
‘Itwasanditwasn’t,”respondedFrank.“It’stheoldquestionofwhat’sreal,andyouknowthere’snoanswertothat!”
“Isawitwithmyowneyes,”saidViktor,stillovercomewithawe,“ornoonecouldhavegottenmetobelieveit!”
“Oh,Ialmostforgottotellyou,”saidFrank,addressingCarlaandViktoragain.“Theyinformedusthatthegatheringofleadersistobecalled,‘WorldCongress666.’”
“Ilikethat!”saidDelSassowithaheartylaugh.“Infact,Iloveit!”“’666’?”askedViktor.“Doesitmeansomething?”“Now,there’soneoftheadvantagesofgrowingupinanatheistic
society!”laughedCarla.“NoAntichristmythstogivelittlechildrennightmareslikeIusedtohave.”
“Antichrist?”askedViktor,stillnotunderstanding.“Sorry,”saidCarla.“He’sasatanicfigureintheBiblewho’s
supposedlygoingtobeworshipedas‘God’andtakeovertheworld.You’llfindithardtobelieve,Viktor,butintheWestthissuperstitionissostrongthatthenumber666—whichissupposedlytheAntichrist’snumber—reallyfrightenspeople.EvenmajorHollywoodfilmshaveexploitedthefearitgenerates.”SheturnedtoFrank.“I’mmystifiedastowhytheArchonswouldwanttoidentifytheirNewWorldOrderwithasymbolthat’scertaintoarouseparanoiaandopposition.”
“Theydidn’texplainit,”saidFrank,lookingabitperplexedhimself.“I’mascuriousasyouaretoknowwhytheychosewhatmostpeopleconsidertobeanegativesymbol.”
“There’snoneedtoexplainsomethingsoobvious,”brokeinDelSassoimpatiently.“It’sastrokeofgenius—andaboldone.TheAntichristmythhasobsessedWesternersforcenturies.Evenpeoplewhodon’tgoto
churchwillpaytowatchamoviethatdepictsthatnonsense.Andinsteadoflookingatitlikeanyotherhorrorfilm,theysittheretransfixedwiththefearthatitreallycouldhappen.”
“That’sexactlywhatIwassaying,”interjectedFrank.“Using666canhardlyarousemuchgoodwillandsupport!”
“Andyou’reapsychologistFrank?”returnedDelSasso.“ShameonyoufornotrecognizingwhattheArchonsaredoing.They’reincrediblepsychologists.They’regoingtoforcetheworldtofacetheobsessivefearoftheAntichristhead-onandgetridofitonceandforall!”
“ButthinkoftheoutcryfromChristianseverywhere!”protestedCarta.“Use666andthey’llpointtoBiblepropheciesandcallthisthefulfillmentThey’llbeabletosay,‘Aha!Wetoldyouso—it’sanAntichristplot!’”
“Letthemsayit.That’spreciselythestrategy.It’singenious.”DelSassoleanedbackandwentintoparoxysmsoflaughter.“It’sbrilliant,”headded,wipingthetearsfromhiseyeswhenhehadrecovered.“IfthefundamentalistwatchdogswereabletosniffaroundandcomeupwithsuspicionsofsomeAntichristconnection—well,thatmightcatchon.Buttocallgovernmentleaderstoa‘666Summit’makesitsoup-frontthatnoonecanmakechargesaboutahiddenagenda.Don’tyousee?”
FrankandMorriswerenoddingtheiragreement“Itisbrilliant”saidKay.
“I’msureitgoesfarbeyondwhatanyofusunderstandsatthispoint,”addedDelSasso,“butthere’ssomethingdeeperandofgreaterimportanceinvolvedthat’sratherobvious.Canyouseewhatitis?”
“It’sgottobemorethanjustaclevermeansofdisarmingtheopposition,”suggestedCarla.“Ithinkit’salsoadeclaration—almostastatementoffaiththey’rerequiringfromworldleaders,andeventuallyfromearth’sentirepopulation.Isthatwhatyoumean?”
“Voila!DelSassoreachedoverandgaveCarlaaplayfulpatonthecheek.“You’rereallygettingtunedin!TheArchons,whoarewatchingyoucloselydayandnightmustbeverypleased.”
“You’velostme,”saidViktor.“It’sactuallyrathersimple,”saidDelSasso.“And,asyouknow,
simplicityisoneofthemarksofgenius.Byidentifyingthemselveswiththeforbiddennumber666,worldleaders—whoareobviouslynotfollowersofsomemythicalAntichrist—willdestroythissuperstitioninonestroke!”
“Talkaboutpullingtherugout!”saidLeighton,becomingmoreenthusiasticwitheverynewinsight“AnyonewhoaccusesthisNewWorldOrderofbeingafrontfortheAntichristwillbelaughedoutofcourt.”
“Exactly!It’slikethechiefinaprimitivetribeviolatingataboo,”wentonDelSasso.“Heeithergetskilled,orheputsanendtotheprohibitionandtherebyliberateshisfollowers.Byidentifyingthemselveswith666,participantsintheCongresswillliberatetheworldfromasuperstitiousfearthathasinhibitedrealprogressforcenturies.ThatwillbetheendoftheAntichristmythforever!”
“Pardonme,Antonio,”addedCarlawithexcitementmountinginhervoice,“butthere’sanevengreatergeniusbehindthisboldmove.”SheturnedtoViktor.“You’rehavingdifficultyunderstandingthisbecauseyouwereraisedinanatheisticenvironmentfreefromtheharmfuleffectsofChristiansuperstitions.IfyouknewwhatastronggriptheideaofanAntichristhasintheWest,you’drealizethatinordertousherintheirNewOrder,theArchonshavetodestroythisidea.TheBiblesaysthat666representsamanwhowillestablishaNewWorldOrderinrebellionagainsttheSupremeBeing.‘Shame,shame!’theChristianswillcryagainstthosewhotakethatnumber,but‘Bravo!’sayI.It’sarebellionthathastohappenandwhosetimehascome.Itwillliberatetheworldforeverfromthedemeaningliethatmankindcan’tmakeitonitsownandhastogrovelinconfessionofitssinandinadequacyandliveoffthecrumbsof‘grace’that‘Christ’dropsnowandthenfromhissumptuoustable.”
“SoitisanAntichristrebellionafterall,”saidViktor,beginningtounderstandatlast.
“Ofcourseitis!”DelSasso’sjawwassetandhiseyeswereflashingwiththefireofindependence.“WewillindeedestablishwhattheBiblehascalledtheruleofAntichristItwon’tbeevil,however,liketheBiblewarns,butamonumenttotheinnategoodnessanddeityofman.Anditwillbeledbyamanwhoembodiesthisdeityinitsgrandeurandfullness!”
[28]Poltergeist!
Afteranearlydinnerinherroom,Carlalayinbedflickingthetelevisionchannelsbackandforth,tryingtofindsomethingthatheldherinterest,andhopingmostofallthatshewouldsomehowdozeoff.Gettingtosleepwasbecominganightlyproblem.AtlastsheturnedofftheTVandlayinthedark,goingoverrecenteventsandconversationsandwrestlingwithherownthoughts.
Whentheyhadarrivedbackatthelabcomplexlatethatafternoon,noonehadfeltlikedoinganythingfurtherthatday.ThemeetingwiththeArchonshadbeentooemotionallydraining,andtheirannouncementssoexhilarating.Frankhadgiveneveryonetheeveningoff.YetthesleepCarlaneededsodesperatelyeludedher.
Itfrustratedherthatshekeptcomingbacktothenumber666.AsmuchasshetriedtodenyitthefactthattheArchonshadchosentoidentifythemselvesandtheirPlanwiththesymboloftheAntichristwastroubling.EverythingDelSassohadsaid,andtowhichshehadsocleverlycontributed,madesense.Itwaslogical,evenbrilliantastheyhadallagreed.Yetthatveryfactworriedheraswell.Itwasalmosttooingenious.Andinspiteofitsbrilliance,itlackedoneessentialelementanymeansofprovingthatitratherthantheopposingChristianview,wastrue.Sellingthistotheworldwouldnotbeeasy,andthatwasherjob!
Themosttroublingthoughtseemedchildishlysimple:ThesettingupofaNewWorldOrderassociatedwith666wasanundeniablefulfillmentofBiblepropheciesconcerningtheAntichrist!DelSasso’sinsights,thoughverycunning,weresimplyanattempttodenytheobviousfacts.Nomatterhowonetriedtoexplainitaway,thefactremainedthattheBiblepredictedthatthecomingAntichristwouldsetuphiskingdomusing,insomeway,thenumber666—andthatwasexactlywhattheArchonswereproposing
todo!Carlahadtoldherselfforyearsthatshedidn’tbelievetheBible.Yetit
stillmadeherexceedinglyuncomfortabletoseeherselfparticipatingineventsthatseemedsomuchlikewhattheBiblepredicted—eventsthatestablishedanAntichristkingdomandwouldthereforeincurthewrathofGoduponthoseinvolvedinthem.ItwasparticularlydevastatingthatDelSasso,inspiteofhisdeviousexplanations,evenadmittedthatthePlanwasclearlyanAntichristplot,andthemanhe’dsaidwouldheaditup—washereferringtohimself?Howcouldshecommunicatethefactstotheworldwithoutarousingsuspicion,opposition,andevenpanic?Thatthiswasherpersonalresponsibilityasajournalisthadbeguntohaunther.
Ithadallseemedcrystal-clearthatafternoonwhenshehadagreedsowholeheartedlywithDelSasso,butnowshewasn’tsosure.ThePlanwassomethingthatshedesperatelywantedtobelieve.Itofferedhopeforaworldonthebrinkofdisasteranditmadealotofsense,butwasshereallyconvincedthatitwouldallworkoutexactlyastheArchonspromised?Tryasshemighttogiveanunequivocal“yes”tothatquestion,therewasanaggingdoubtthatplaguedher.Andthatfactwasveryunsettling.DelSassohadsaidthattheArchonswerewatchingherdayandnight.Couldtheyalsoreadhermind?Werethey,then,displeasedwithher,ordidtheyconsiderdoubtnormalforhumanbeings?
TheArchons!EverytimesheclosedhereyesshecouldseethatUFOcomingdirectlytowardher,thenpassingincomprehensiblythroughthesideofthebuildingoverherhead.Frankhadsaiditwasn’taphysicalobject,butithadcertainlylookedphysical.Nophysicalobjectcouldflythroughwalls—orcouldit?Relativity,uncertainty,blackholes,antimatter—whocouldkeepupwithwhatmightbepossible,andwhowasreallyqualifiedtomakedogmaticassertionsthatsomethingwasimpossible?IftheArchonsthemselveswerenotphysical,however,thenwhateveritwastheyflewaroundinwouldn’tneedtobephysicaleither.Didtheyreallyneedthesevehiclestotransportthemselves,ordidUFOsservesomeotherdeceptivepurpose?
CarlahadneverbelievedinUFOs.Theveryterm“unidentifiedflyingobject”hadseemedlikeacop-out.Nowshe’dseenoneforherselfatclose
range,anditwasstillunidentified.AndthebeingsthatcameoutofittotalkwithLeighton,DelSasso,andMorris-whydidtheylookso...reptilian?Grantedthattheyhadevolvedbeyondbodilyexistence,butiftheyweregoingtomaterializetemporarybodiessotheycouldbeseenbyhumans,whydidtheychoosetotakeaformthatseemedtobenotonlyrepulsive,butdemonic?Sheshudderedatthethought.WasthiswhatKenhadwarnedheraboutandforwhichshehadridiculedhim?Hadhe,infactbeenrightallalong?No,shecouldneveradmitthatherfather,insteadofhavingbeendestroyedbyChristianity,wasactuallyanevilmanwhohadpervertedthetruth.
SleephadcomeatlastwhensuddenlyCarlawasjoltedtotransfixedwakefulness.Thebedwasshaking,butthiswasnoearthquake.Thewholebuildingwasn’tmoving,justthebed—thenitstopped.Thedrapeswereopen,andinthedimlightcomingthroughthewindowfromthestreetbelowshesawwhatappearedtobeashadowyfigureglidequicklyaroundthecornerintothebathroom.Shefrozeinterror,ascreamcomingsoundlesslyfromherparalyzedlips.
Suddenlythebedbegantoshakeagainandonesideofittiltedup,dumpingherontothefloor.Lights!Turnonsomelights!Staggeringtoherfeetsheswitchedonthebedlamp.Thebulbglowed,butitslightdidn’tshineout—asthoughthedarknessintheroomwereabsorbingit.Shefeltherwayovertothelampthatstoodononeendofthelong,lowcombinationbureauanddesk.Asshereachedovertoturniton,itslidawayfromheroutstretchedhandasthoughitwerealivingthing.
Shefeltutterlyhelplessandvulnerable.Whatcouldshedo?Asshetriedtowrestlewiththatterrifyingquestion,shenoticedthatastrangeluminescentglowwasemanatingfromthehalf-openbathroomdoorintowhichthatmysteriousfigurehaddisappeared.Nowsheheardgutturalmutteringsintherethatmadeherskincrawl.Shewouldhavetogopasttheretogetintothehall.Thethoughtoffleeingfromtheroomturnedterrorintopanic.
OutofthecornerofhereyeshesawflashingagainstthewalloppositethewindowthesamepurpleandgreenlightsthatshehadseenearlieremanatingfromtheUFO.TheArchons!Werethey,asshehadfeared,
displeasedwithherdoubtsandweremakingathreateningshowoftheirpower?Weretheyjustfrighteningher,ordidtheyintendsomepunishment?
ShouldshegotothewindowandyellintothenightthatshebelievedintheArchons,sothisnightmarewouldend?Believeintheirexistenceandpower,thatshedid—butwhowerethey,really,andwhatweretheirintentions?Thequestionsthatmatteredthemostwerethehardesttoanswer.Shefoundherselfunabletomakethetotalcommitmentoffaithsheknewtheydemanded.WouldthisbetheendofherinvolvementwithLeighton?Wouldshedaretogobackthereagain?
NowshefeltthatPresenceintheroom—oppressive,ugly,reptilian,horrifying.Yetithadbecomelovinginthewarehouse.Woulditmakethatsametransformationnow?IfonlytheFBIstilloccupiedtheadjoiningroom,shewouldappealtothem!WhynotappealtotheArchonthatwasapparentlyintheroomwithher?
Shestoodinthemiddleofthefloorfeelingfoolishasshepouredoutherwordsintothedarkness,butdriventodosobyanoverpoweringfear.“Please,mayItalkwithyou?Ifyouwantmetobelieve,don’tscaremetodeath.Pleaseleavemealone.I’monyourside.IwantthePlantowork,butIhavesomequestions—please!”
Theluminousglowleftthebathroom,thegutturalgrumblingsstopped,andthelightfromthelampshehadturnedonilluminatedtheroom.Withanaudiblesighofrelief,Carlasankdownontothebedandbegantocry.Theyhadheardherandhadleft.Shewasgrateful.Buttheverythoughtofgoingbacktobedseemedinsane.Eveniftheyhadgone,therewasnowayshewouldstayinthisroom!
Shepickedupthephonetodialthedesktoseeifanotherroomwasavailable,atleastfortherestofthenight.Insteadofadialtone,however,sheheardcomingoutoftheinstrumentintoherearthatgutturalvoicethathadearlierbeenmutteringinthebathroom:“NoonedefiestheNine...noonedefiestheNine....”Itwaslikeabrokenrecord—andutterlyterrifying.
Instantlyshedroppedthereceiverandstumbledovertothebureau.Hersuitcasewassittingontopofit.Inafrenzyshetooksomeofherthingsfromadrawerandthrewthemintothesuitcase,sobbingoverand
overasshedidso,“I’mnotdefyingyou...I’mnotdefyingyou....”Whenshehadfinisheddressingitoccurredtoherthatthe
manifestationshadstopped.Thatgaveherfreshhopeandcourage.Cautiouslyshewenttothebathroom,reachedinthroughthehalfopendoorandflippedthelightswitch.Thelightcameon.Everythingseemedtobenormalagain.
Carlasteppedonefootinsidethebathroomandgrabbedhertoiletrycasecontaininghertoothbrush,comb,andothersimilaritems.Asshestraighteneduptostepbackoutshelookedintothemirror.Insteadofherownreflection,therewastheclose-upimageofoneoftheArchonsjustasshehadseentheminthepyramidoflight.Itwasstaringatherwithunblinking,hooded,reptilianeyes.
Withashriekshejumpedbackandslammedthebathroomdoorbehindher.Alargepictureonthewallnexttothebedcrashedtothefloorandsplinteredintopieces.Thesoundofshatteringglassresurrectedahorriblememory.ShecouldseeChernovbeingcutinhalfagainandthebloodiedglassdesktopexplodingagainstthewall.Thathorrifyingvisionpushedheroverthebrink.
Withuncontrollablesobsgushingfromathroatnowtightenedinpanic,Carlamanagedsomehowtoputthecasefromthebathroomintothesuitcaseandcloseit.Shudderinginterrorasshehurriedpastthebathroomdoorwiththesuitcaseclutchedtightly,shefledintothehallway.
......AllthatdayKenhadfeltaninsistentburdenforCarlaandan
overwhelmingsenseofdangeronherbehalf.Hehadlefthisofficeshortlyafterlunchtocomehomeandhadspenttheafternoonandeveninginhisbedroominearnestprayer.HehadcriedouttoGodtorescueherfromtheseductiveinfluenceofDelSasso,toprotectherfromevilandthedestructionthatheknewthePlanwouldleadtoforthoseinvolvedinit,andtodowhateverwasnecessarytoopenCarla’seyestothetrueidentityoftheArchons.Theburdenhadfinallyliftedaboutnineo’clock,andhewasconfidentthathisprayershadbeenheardandwouldbeanswered.Hehadgoneintohisstudytodosomecomputerworkthathadtobereadythefollowingday.Havingfinishedthattask,hewasreadinghisBiblebefore
goingtobed,whenthedoorbellrang.Thebellcontinuedtoringfranticallyashehurriedtothefrontdoor
concernedthatthesoundwouldwakenhismother.Whocoulditbeatthistimeofnight?Therecentviolenteventshadcausedhimtobecomecautious.Beforeopeningthedoorhecalledout“Whoisit?”
“It’sCarla.Please!”PraiseGod!Heopenedthedoorandthereshestood,hairdisheveled,
eyesswollenfromcrying,panicandterrorwrittenalloverherface—andholdingtightlytoasuitcasefromwhichseveralitemsofclothingprotruded.Kentookthebag,andwithanarmaroundCarladrewherquicklyinside.Sheclungtohim,sobbing,“Something’safterme!Ialmostdidn’tgethere.Thecarwasfightingmelikeitwasalive!”
ForonereelingmomentKenrelivedhisownexperiencewithacarthathaddrivenhimoveracliff.
“Iknowwhatyoumean.Youdidtherightthingcominghere,”heassuredherasheledherintothelivingroom.Shesankdownontothesofaandfoughtbackthetears.Hesatbesideher.“Canyoutellmewhathappened?”
“Allhellbrokelooseinmyhotelroom!”Thewordspouredoutinafloodoftears.Thebedwasshaking,picturescomingoffthewall...voices...ahorriblePresence.Itwasterrifying!I—Ican’ttalkaboutit.”
Kenputanarmgentlyaroundher.Itsprotectivepressurereleasedmorepent-upsobs.“I’msorry,”shesaidwhenshehadrecoveredsomewhat.“Youknowthisisn’tlikeme.”Shestraightenedupandsmoothedherhairandwipedhereyes.“I’mgoingtobeokay.Youofferedtotakemein—isthatstillopen?”
“Foraslongasyouwant!”“Ken,thisissogoodofyou.It’sjustuntilIcanrecovermywits.Ifeel
likeafool,blubberinglikeababy.”“Carla!Whathappened?”Mrs.Inmanhadcomeintothelivingroom
andhurriedtoputanarmaroundCarlaaswell.“Demonicmanifestationsinherhotelroom—horrible,”saidKen
softly.“Shecan’ttalkaboutit.”“Youpoordear!Letmeshowyoutoyourroom,”saidMrs.Inman,
takingCarlabythehand.“Ken,youbringthesuitcase.”Theywalkeddownthehalltogethertothefarendofthehouse,where
Ken’smotheropenedthedoortoaspacioussuite.“Thebed’smadeup,”shesaid,leadingCarlainside.“Thebath’sthroughthatdoor.I’llgetsometowels.Theotherdoorgoestoastudy.Thisendofthehouseisallyours.”
Mrs.Inmanhurriedtopullsometowelsandanextrablanketoutofalinenclosetjustoutsideinthehallandputthemonthebed.Kensetthesuitcasedownandstoodthereuncertainly.“Wouldyouliketocomeintothekitchenforabitetoeatorsomethingtodrink—andunwindalittle?”
“Icouldfixsomething—whateveryouwant,”addedhismother,pattingCarlaonthearm.
Idesperatelyneedtotalkthisover,butnotwithhim.He’lljustlecturemeaboutdemons....“Thankssomuch.It’sverykind,butit’ssolateandI’mabsolutelywipedout.IfIcanjustgetsomesleep.InthemorningI’lltellyouallaboutit.”
“Yousleepinaslateasyouwant”saidMrs.Inman.“Breakfastiswheneveryougetup.”ShejoinedKeninthehall.“Seeyouinthemorning,Carla.”
“GoodnightAndthankssoverymuch.”Itdidn’ttakeCarlalongtogetintohernightgown.Leavingthe
bathroomlightonandthedooropenacracksothatherroomwouldn’tbecompletelydark,shecollapsedintobedcompletelyexhausted.Peace...safety—thehouseanditsoccupantsexudedthefeeling.Theeventsofthelastfewhoursrecededintoalimboofblessedunrealityasshedriftedofftosleep.
Howlongshesleptshedidn’tknow,butsomethingsuddenlyawakenedher.Shestruggledtoopenhereyes.Throughthedrawndrapescamethedimflashingofvioletandgreenlights,apparentlyfromjustoutsidetheslidingglassdoors.TheirUFOagain!Asixthsensecausedhertoturnherhead—andtherehewas.Shesawhimdistinctlyinthedimlightandgaspedinsurprise.Thelongblackrobeandhoodwereunmistakable.
“Antonio?”shewhispered.“Whatareyoudoinghere?”Thefiguremadenoanswer,butmovedtowardherominously,seeming
toglidewithouttouchingthefloor.
“Antonio!”Hewasstandingoverhernow,motionlessandsilent.Insidethehood
shecouldnotmakeouthisface—onlytheglowingeyes.Suddenlyhebentoverandreachedout.Shescreamedjustashishandsgrabbedherbythethroatandchokedoffthesound.
[29]WomanandSerpent
Kenwasturningoutthelightinhisstudywhenheheardthestifledscream.HeracedacrosstheadjoininglivingroomanddownthehalltowardCarla’sroom.Heflungopenthedoorandburstin.ThehoodedfigureleaningoverthebedreleasedCarlaandturnedquicklytomeetthischallenge.
Therewasnomistakingthetallfigure,thefull-lengthmonk’srobe,andthedeliberate,almostflowingmovements.Foronebriefmomentofconfusionandindecision,KenwonderedhowDelSassohadgottenin.Thenheunderstood.
NowonlyafewstepsawayandmovingrapidlytowardKen,thehoodedfigurepointeditsrighthandthreateninglyathim.InthesameinstantagiantcobradroppedfromtheceilingontoKen’sheadandshoulders.Fromwhereshelay,clutchingherthroatinpainandstillgagging,Carlawatchedintransfixedhorror.
“God,helpme!”criedKen.Instinctivelyhegrabbedatthethickbodythatwaswrappingitselfaroundhim,andfoundonlyemptyair.Thememorycamesurgingbackofanothertimesolongago,whenhehadbeenhelplessagainstasimilarattack.Nowheknewwhattodo.
Inafirmandauthoritativevoice,hecommandedthehugeserpentandhoodedfigure:“IntheNameofJesusChristofNazareth,begone—anddonotreturn!”Instantlytheyvanishedfromtheroom.
KenhurriedovertoCarla.Shewassobbingquietly.Heputanarmaroundhershoulder,andsherecoiledinfear.They’regone,”hesaidsoftly.“Areyouokay?”
“I’mterrified,Ken!”shesaidinaweak,hoarsevoice,findingitverydifficulttospeak.“Wheredidtheygo?”Shesearchedtheroomwithfrightenedeyes.
“Nevermindwhere.They’regone,andIpromiseyoutheywon’tcomeback.Nothere.You’llbesafeinthishousefromnowon.”
“Mythroat—Icanhardlyswallow.”“Howaboutsomethingwarmtodrink?Whatwouldyoulike?I’llrun
tothekitchenandmakeit.Itwon’ttakeaminute.”Sheclutchedathisarm.“Don’tleaveme,please!”Shestruggledout
ofbedandtoherfeet.“I’llcomewithyou.”Hehelpedherintoherrobeandsupportedherastheywalkeddown
thelonghallpastthelivingroomtothekitchenontheothersideofthehouse.Carlasankintoachairwhileheputonakettleanddugaroundforsometeabags.
“HowdidAntoniogetinhere,andwheredidtheygo?”sheaskedinbewilderment
Hesatdownatthetablewithherandlookedatherearnestly.“Idon’tknowhowtotellyou,Carla.Youknowwe’vehadsomemisunderstandingsandIdon’twantto—”
“Please,Ken.Justtellme.I’lllisten.”Shereturnedhisgazewitheyesthatweretired,defeated,anddesperate.
“Itwasn’tDelSasso.”“ButIsawhim!”“Isawhimtoo,butthat’snotwhoitwas.Itwasanevilspirit...”“Aspirit?Howcanyousaythat!Icanstillfeelthosehandsonmy
throatLook—theremustbemarks!”Heleanedovertolookclosely.“Therearemarks,butnotmadebyDel
Sassointheflesh.ItwasoneoftheArchons,andyouknowwhoI’vesaidtheyare.They’redemons!”
Carlawinced.“Iwasafraidyou’dsaythat.Buthowcouldsomethingwithoutabodychokemeandleavephysicalmarks?”
“Didyouseeanybodyshakeyourbedorripthatpicturefromthewall?”heasked.Sheshookherheadinconfusion.“Isitbodiesthatthrowthingsaroundinagenuinehauntedhouse—orspirits?”Kencontinued.“DoesthattellyouanythingaboutthefeatsDelSassopullsoff?”
Theysippedtheirteatogetherinsilence.Shewasstillthinkingoverhisquestion.Atlastshesaid,“Psychicpower—we’vealwayscalledit
‘mindovermatter.’”“Whosemind?”heaskedpointedly.“Well,presumablythemindofthepsychic.”“Whycouldn’titbesomeothermind—themindofaspiritbeingthat’s
deceivingpsychicsintothinkingit’stheirmindthat’sdoingthegreatfeats?”
“Butspiritsaren’tphysical,”protestedCarla,“andthere’salotofphysicalphenomenainvolved.”
“Herewegoagain.Isapsychic’smindphysical?”askedKen.“IguessI’vealwaysequatedmindwithbrain.”“Haveyoueverseenapsychic’sbrainreachoutandphysicallymove
someobject?Isthatwhat’smeantby‘mindovermatter’?”Carlalaughedruefully.“Oh,thathurts!”sheexclaimed.She
swallowedtheteaslowlyinsilenceonceagain,lettingitshealingwarmthsootheherthroat.
“You’reknockingalotofpropsoutfromunderme,Ken,”sheadmittedgrudgingly.“Whyhaven’tIeverthoughtitthroughlikethis?”
“DoIdaresaypride?Thatwastheprobleminmycase,anditsthebesettingsinoftheentirehumanrace.TheArchonsknowthat.Sotheybaitthehookwiththeideathatpsychicphenomenarepresentapowerthatwehave,apowerofourminds,thatthere’saninfinitepotentialineachofusthatmerelyhastobedeveloped.Andallthetimethey’rechannelingtheirpowerthroughusinordertodeludeusandbringus,intheend,undertheircontrol.”
Carlashookherheadinbewilderment“Thatcallsforanothercup.Makeitalittlestrongerthistime,willyouplease?”
Kenbroughttheteatothetableandsatdownagain.“There’salsoanelementoffearinvolved.Thethreatfromsomethingphysicaldoesn’tcausenearlyasmuchfearasthethreatfromsomethingnonphysical.”
Shenoddedsolemnly.“Ifoundthatouttonight!”“SoyouunderstandwhatI’msaying.IfItoldyoutherewasalionin
thenextroom,you’dhaveoneleveloffear,andyou’dquicklythinkofwaystodefendyourselfwhenitcamethroughthedoor.ButifItoldyoutherewasaghostabouttoenterthisroomandyoureallybelievedinsuch
things,you’dexperienceaterrorfarbeyondwhatanyphysicalthreatcouldgenerate.AmIright?”
“Believeme,”shesaid,“evenwhenyouclaimyoudon’tbelieveinsuchthings,you’restillterrorized.BackinthehotelItriedtotellmyselfIdidn’tbelieve,andImusthavelookedlikeablobofjellywhenIgothere.”
“Carla,theentirehumanraceknowsintuitivelythatevilspiritsarereal.Butbecauseofprideandfearwepretendtheydon’texist.Wehidebehindthediscreditedmaterialisticbiasof‘modernscience’asourjustificationfordoingawaywithSatanandGod,demons,andangels.”
Carlahadfinishedherteaandwasturningtheemptycuparoundinherhand,studyingitcarefully.
“Butthat’snotreallyrelevanttowhathappenedtometonight,”shesaidatlast“Youhaven’tconvincedmethatdemonswereinvolvedatall.IreallythinkitwastheArchons,andIstillbelievethey’rehighlyevolved,benevolentintelligencesfromsomeotherpartoftheuniverse.Idon’tseewhythatcan’tbetrue.”
“Theycertainlyactlikedemons!”saidKensharply.Carlaputthecupdownandstartedtocrysoftly.Sheburiedherheadin
herarmsonthetabletostiflethesobs.“They’retryingtofrightenme,andIdon’tunderstandwhytheythinktheyhaveto.”SheliftedherheadandlookedatKenthroughthetears.“Iknowyouwon’tunderstandthis,butIstillwanttoworkwiththem.Yes,theyscaremetodeath,butIthinktheirPlanmakessense…“
Kenshookhisheadindisbelief.“Carla,ifwhatyou’vebeenthroughhasn’tconvincedyou,Idon’tknowwhatit’sgoingtotake!”Heswallowedtherestofthesentence.
“Ken,yourBiblesaysthatGodchastisespeople—sometimesveryseverely,”saidCarla.“Andyouthinkthat’sokay.”
Henodded.“Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay,anditdoesn’twork.Godisinfinitelyjustandloving,andHiswaysareperfect.YoucantrustHim.ButifyoutrusttheArchons,Carla,you’refinished!”
“Letmetellyouwhathappened,”insistedCarla.“ItalkedtotheArchonthatwasinmyhotelroom,Ken—honestlyIdid.Andtheystopped
frighteningmeforawhile.Ithinkit’shorriblewhattheydidinthehotel,butsupposetheyweretryingtodisciplinemefordoubting,likeyoubelieveGoddoes?Ijustdon’twantittohappenagain.Iwasterrified!”
“Andhereinyourbedroom?”“IthinkthatwasdifferentSupposingtherearebadArchonsoutthere,
andtheydidthattoturnmeagainstthegoodonesandtheirPlan?”“AndIthinkyou’retootiredtoberational,”saidKeninfrustration.
Heglancedupatthekitchenclockandstoodtohisfeet.“It’snearly3:00a.m.I’mbushed,andyououghttobeinevenworseshape.Let’sgetsomesleep.”
Carlapushedherchairbackandgotupreluctantly.“I’mafraidtoleavethesecurityofthiskitchenandgobacktobed.”
“I’llmakeyouapromise,Carla,”heassuredheragain.“They’renotcomingback.Believeme.”
“You’vegotpoweroverthem.I’veseenthat.That’swhatmakesmefeelsafehere.”
“It’snotmypower,”putinKenquickly.“IcanonlycommandthemintheNameofJesusChrist.Thatoughttotellyouwhotheyare!”
Hereyeswerepleadingwithhim.“CanIaskyouoneotherthing?Iwasphysicallychokedbyaspiritentityofsomekind—andcouldhavebeenkilledifyouhadn’tsavedme.Isawthathorrible,hugecobrawithmyownphysicaleyes.AndtherewasDelSasso,onlyitwasn’thim,anditwasn’tarealsnake.That’swhatyou’retryingtotellme,isthatright?”
Kennodded.“Whyme—andwhat’sitallabout?”Kenstartedtospeak,thenhesitated.Afteralongthoughtfulsilencehe
saidatlast,“Carla,there’stoomuchinvolvedinthosequestionstogetintothemwhenwe’rebothsoexhausted.We’lltalktomorrowmorning,orwheneveryouwantto.”
Togethertheystartedwalkingslowlybacktowardherbedroom.“I’llsaythismuchrightnow,”saidKen.“Whathappenedtoyoutonightisn’tanythingnew.It’sbeengoingoninvariousformssincethebeginningoftime.”
“Ithas?Likewhenandwhere?”
“Well,itallstartedwithawomanandaserpentinagarden.Youknowwhenthatwas.Insteadofthreateningher,however,thatserpentseductivelyofferedherinfiniteknowledgeandpower.Butitdestroyedherandallofherdescendantswithaningeniousdeception.”
“Oh,Ken—youknowwhatIthinkaboutthatstory.IfIweren’tsotired—”
“Youamazeme,Carla.I’dthinkthatwhatjusthappenedtoyouwouldhavebeenmorethanconvincing!Yousawtheserpentwithyourowneyes,andyouknowthattheBiblealwaysidentifiesSatanas‘thatoldserpent.’Whatisitgoingtotake?”
“AreyousayingthatwasSatanhimself?”demandedCarla.“Itcouldhavebeen,”saidKenwithouthesitation.“Whetherthat’sso
ornothewascertainlytheonebehindwhathappenedtoyoutonight.”“DelSassohasanentirelydifferentinterpretationoftheGardenof
Edenmyth,”saidCarlasoftly.“ItmadeanawfullotofsensewhenheexplaineditandIwassosurethen,butnowI’mconfused.Idon’tknowwhatIbelieve.”
“IknowverywellwhatDelSassoandotherslikehimteach,”respondedKenevenly.“They’veturnedthewholethinginsideoutsothattheserpentbecomesthesavior.Andthepromiseofgodhood,insteadofbeingtheseductiveliethatenslavedthehumanrace,ispromotedasthe‘truth’thatsetsusfree.”
“Istillthinkitmakesalotofsense,”saidCarladefensively.“StopandthinkCarla,please!Can’tyouseethattheliehasn’t
changed?AndtheLeightonsandDelSassosandKhorevs—yes,andalltherestofus—arejustasvulnerabletodayasEvewasthen.”
AtthedoortoCarla’sroomtheystopped.“Youcanbeverythankfulforwhathappenedtonight,”Kendeclaredwithconviction.
Carla’sinstantlookofprotestdemandedanexplanation.“You’llbethankfuloneday,Carla.It’sgoingtoforceyoutomakea
decision.TheArchonsrealizeyou’vegotdoubts,sotheycan’tdestroyyoubydeceit.You’renotbuyingthewholelie,sothenextthingtheytryisfearandviolence.You’veseenbehindthemasktotheirtruecharacter.GodhasallowedthisinHismercy.Lookattheevidencenow,andmaketheright
choice!”Carlacouldrespondonlyinstunnedsilence.“Goodnight,”she
murmuredatlast.“Goodnight—andGodhelpyou!”
[30]KeepingtheFaith
WhenCarlaenteredthekitchenlatethatmorning,Kenwasonthephoneandhismotherwassqueezingorangejuice.Fromapotonthestovecamethegentle“plop-plop”ofoatmealcooking.Thewholesomefragrance,thehomeysound,theinstantwelcominghugthatMrs.Inmangaveherlentarestorativenormalcytolife.
“I’msogladyoufeltcomfortableaboutcominghere!”camethesincerewordsfromthematronlyfigureintheblue-spriggedapron.“Andtheninthishousetohavesomethinglikethathappen—Icouldn’tbelieveit!Kentoldmejustalittlebit.Ihopeyouwereabletogetsomesleepafterthat.”
“Believeitornot,Izonkedoutcompletelyandjustwokeupafewminutesago.ButIstillfeelexhausted.”Shesmiled,tookMrs.Inman’shand,andadded,“You’rebothsokind.Iappreciateitmorethanwordscanexpress.”
“Youjustmakeyourselfrightathome.”Sheturnedherattentionbacktotheorangejuiceandcarriedonoverhershoulder.“I’dapologizeforthisSpartanbreakfastbutKentellsmeyoueatthesamestuff.Idon’tevenhaveasliceofbaconinthehouse.Hecallsit‘junkfood.’”
“You’vegotsomeplainyogurt,Ibet.”“Lotsofit.Andlecithingranulesbythequart,ifyouwantany.”“Toujours,ofcourse,”laughedCarla.“Youmanagetosurviveinspite
ofKen’sdietaryparanoia?”“Well,Idosneaksomethingunhealthyonceinawhile,butIdon’t
thinkhe’sthatparanoid.Abitwiserthansomeoftherestofus,perhaps.Buthetellsmeyou’rejustasfanatical.”
“Almost.”Kenhungupthephone.“So,yousleptwell—nomore‘visitors.’
That’sgreat.”“Idon’tevenrememberhavingadream.”Therewastheusualsmalltalkasthethreeateatthekitchentable
together.KenseemedreluctanttobringuptheeventsofthepreviousnightorcarryontheirdiscussionunlessCarlawasready.Whenshedidbroachthesubject,hewassurprisedbyherquestion.
“WhatdoyouthinkaboutUFOs?”sheasked.“They’re‘real,’butcertainlynotphysical,”repliedKenwithout
hesitation,givingheraquestioninglookandwonderingwhatthishadtodowiththehorrorshehadjustbeenthrough.
“Whydoyousaythat?”“Therearelotsofreasons.IthinkyouknowthemaswellasIdo.For
example,they’vebeentrackedonradarmakinga90-degreeturnat7000milesperhour.Physicalobjectsjustcan’tdothatwithoutdisintegrating.UFOshovermotionless,thenacceleratethroughthesoundbarrierwithoutmakingasonicboom.Again,aphysicalobjectcouldn’tdothat.Andthereareotherreasons.Butwhydoyouask?”
“I’llgiveyouonemorereason,”interruptedKen’smother.“YoucantellthemtobegoneintheNameofJesus,andtheyvanish.Youdidn’taskmyopinion,butI’llgiveittoyouanyway:They’redemonicmanifestations,andIwouldn’thaveanythingtodowiththem!”
Carlalookedfrommothertosoninmocksurprise.“SoKensweptyouintothefold,too!You’renotthesameladyIremembervisitinginMaineafewsummersago.”
“Ihopeyoulikethisonebetter,”saidMrs.Inman.“Icertainlydo.”“You’vegotmyvoteonthat.”Carlacontemplatedheroatmealfora
momentthenreluctantlycontinued.“InfactasmuchasIdon’twanttoadmitit,you’vebothgotapeaceandcontentmentandaquietconfidencethatI,uh...well,frankly,admireandenvy.Thisplaceislikeanoasis.”
Therewasalongsilence.Carlatookaswallowoforangejuice,leanedback,andstudiedtheglass.“I’malmostafraidtoaskthesequestions.YouknowverywellthatbeforewhathappenedlastnightIwouldn’thavewantedtohearyouropinion.”Shefellsilentagain.
“WhydoyouhaveUFOsonyourmind?”askedKen.
Carlahesitatedandthendecidedtotellpartofit.“Iwassworntosecrecyonthis,butafterwhattheytriedtodotomelastnight,I’vegotsomelegitimatequestions.”
“We’llkeepitconfidential,”promisedKen.“I’dappreciatethat.Well,whatevertheyare,IsawmyfirstUFO
yesterdayafternoon—veryclose.”Carlatriednottosounddramatic.“Andlastnight—bothatthehotelandoverhere—whenallofthathorrificstuffcamedownonme,thesamelightsthatwereonthatUFOwerejustoutside.”
Mrs.Inmanwasshocked.“YoureallysawaUFO?Closeup?Thatfrightensmeforyou,Carla!Idon’tevenwanttoknowwhatitlookedlike!”
“IpresumeitwasrelatedtotheArchons,”saidKen.“That’sright.TheArchonstoldustobethere.ApparentlyFrank,Del
Sasso,andKayhavebeenmeetingwiththemthiswayforsometime.”Kenwasgrim.“Carla,youknowmyopinion,soIwon’tstateitagain.
Youdon’tfoolaroundwiththisstuff!Youcouldgetintothissodeepthatyoucan’tgetout.Whatwasyourreactionwhenyousawthisthing?”
“Itleftmeshaken—andveryconfused.Itwasahorribleexperienceonemoment,butthenextIseemedtobedrawnintoitlikeIwasbeinghypnotized,andfromthenonitseemedwonderfulanddesirable.It’sreallystrange:Itwasevilandrepulsiveandyetgoodandattractiveatthesametime.Therewassomethingveryseductiveaboutitthatdrewme.”
“That’swhatIwasafraidof,”saidKen.“WhatdidtheUFOdo—Imean,whatwasthepurpose?”
“ItwasanincredibleencounterwiththeArchons,butIreallyshouldn’tsayanymore.IjustwantedtoknowwhatyouthinkofUFOs,andyousaidprettymuchwhatIexpectedyouwould.Isawthiswholeepisodewithmyowneyesandstillcan’tbelieveit.Viktorsawit,too.TheArchonsandtheircrafthadtobereal,butI’mnotsureanymorewhatthatmeans.”
“LikeDelSassoandtheserpentlastnight,”Kenremindedher.“Thatwasreal,too,wasn’tit?”
“Andevenmorefrighteningandconfusing.”
“They’rethesamekindofevent,Carla.AndIthinkyoucanseethatyourconsenttobeinvolvedintheone—andthenhavingdoubtsaboutit—broughtontheother.Ifyouwon’tbelievetheirlies,thentheironlyoptionistodestroyyoubeforeyoubelieveintheOnewhowilldeliveryoufromtheirpower.”
ShewincedattheobliquereferencetoChristandlapsedintothoughtfulsilenceagain.Atlastsheremindedhim,“AsIsaidlastnight,Idon’tthinkthey’retryingtodestroyme.Theycouldhavedonethatifthey’dwantedto,buttheystoppedthemanifestationswhenIpleadedwiththemtoleave.Well,therewassomethingafterthatbut—”
“Look,Carla!”saidKenearnestly,“there’salotofprayergoingupforyou,andiftheArchonsdidn’tdestroyyoulastnightinthehotel,I’dgiveGod’smercythecreditratherthantheirbenevolence.”Heleanedacrossthetable.“Idon’twanttogiveyouthewrongimpression,either.Alltheprayerintheworldisn’tgoingtoprotectyouifyoumakethatfinalrejectionofChrist—andonlyGodknowswhenthathappens.”
“Idoappreciateyourprayers,”saidCarlasoftly.“EvenifyouleaveGodandSatanoutofthis,”Kencontinued,“surely
itmustoccurtoyouthatwhetheryouthinktheArchonsaredemonsorhighlyevolvedextraterrestrials,youhavetheknowledgeandthepower,asajournalisttobecomeathreattothem.”
“That’swhatfrightensme.”“Iftheynolongerlookuponyouasanassetbutasaliabilityintheir
scheme—”Heleftthesentenceunfinished.Afteralongsilenceshesaid,“Doyouthinktheycanreallyreadmy
mind?”Heshrugged.“I’mnotsurewhatdemonscanandcan’tdo.Their
powerislimitedbyGodandbyourrelationshiptoHim.Ifyouplaybytheirrules,you’regoingtosuffertheconsequences.Idespisethemutterly,andIhavenofearofthematall.”
“Irespectandadmireyouforthat,Ken,”“That’snicetosay,buthowdoIgetthroughtoyou?HowisGod
goingtogetyoutothepointwhereyou’lladmitthetruth?JesusChristisyouronlymeansofescapefromthedestructionthatFrankandDelSasso
aredraggingyouinto.Ifyoudon’topenyourhearttoHim—”“AreyoutryingtogetmetoacceptJesusforself-preservation?”she
askedaccusingly.“Thatcan’tbetheonlymotive,butit’slegitimate.Inthefinalanalysis,
however,youreallyhavetobelievethatHiswayisbest.IftheArchonsareactuallymorelovingthanChristandcandomoreforyou,thenyou’dbeafoolnottofollowthem—andIwouldn’ttrytopersuadeyouotherwise.ButifChristwinsinthosedepartments,then—well,Idon’thavetotellyou.”
Carlawithdrewintosilenceagain.Herlipsweretremblingwhenshespokeatlast“Youknowwhatthiskindofdiscussiondidbetweenusbefore.It’sbestifweavoidit.”HereyesmetKen’sinamomentofsharedsorrow.Brieflyherhandtouchedhis,thenshedrewitback.SheturnedquicklytoMrs.Inman.Shewasjustopeninghereyes.Thepossibilitythatshemighthavebeenprayingwasstrangelycomforting.“Itwasadeliciousbreakfast”Carlaproffered.“Thankyousomuch.MayIhelpwiththedishes?”
“Oh,don’tbesilly.I’vegotalldaytoputteraroundhere.You’vegotfarmoreimportantthingstodo.”
Carlapushedherchairbackfromthetable.“Well,Ireallyshouldgetoutthere,Frankwillwonderwhathappenedtome.”
“Heoughttowonderaboutmorethanthat,”saidKenpointedly.ThedoorbellrangandKenjumpedup.“I’llgetit.Ifyoucanspare
anotherfewminutes,Carla,it’ssomeoneyoureallyshouldmeet.”InamomentKenreturnedwithasandy-hairedmanofpleasant
mannerandmilitarybearing.“Carla,IwantyoutomeetmygoodfriendDonJordan.He’sgotsomethingextremelyimportanttotellyou.”
KenpulledoutachairforDonandtheybothsatdown.“Youdon’tneedme,”saidMrs.Inman,gettingupandgatheringtheremainingdishesfromthetable,“andI’vegotworktodo.Now,beforeIgo,canIgetsomethingforyou,Don?”
“Somecoffee,ifyou’vegotit.”“Willinstantdo?”“That’sgreat—Itakeitblack.”
CarlahadbeenlookingfromKentoDonquestioningly.“Thatnameisfamiliarforsomereason.”
“I’mwiththeFBI,”Jordanbegan.“Wetalkedonthephoneafewdaysago,ifyouremember.”
“Yes,Idoremember.Youwereinchargeofthemenwhowerewatchingmyroomandfollowingmeeverywhere—usingmeasadecoytocatchthoseRussians.”
Donlookedabituncomfortable.“Wedidallwecould.”“Oh,youmisunderstandme,”cutinCarlaquickly.“I’mnot
complainingatall.Iappreciatedtheprotection!”Jordansmiled.“Thanks.Kensaysyouhavetogetbackouttothe
researchcomplex,soI’llbebrief.WhatI’mabouttotellyoumustbeheldinthestrictestconfidencefromeveryone,andthatincludesLeighton,Khorev,Morris,DelSasso,andanybodyelse.Areyouwillingtoabidebythat?”
CarlahesitatedandglancedoveratKen,buthehadlookedaway.Thiswastobeherdecision.“Ifyouthinkit’ssomethingIreallyoughttoknow,andifthosearetheconditions—okay,I’llagreetothat.”
Jordanleanedforward.“YouhaveaRussianagentworkinginsidethatinstallation,”hedeclaredbluntly.Carladrewinaquickbreath.Kenlookedgrim.“I’mtellingyouthisinpartbecauseofmyfriendshipwithKenandhisconcernforyou,whichIshare.ButalsoIwanttoenlistyouasoureyesandearstoletusknowanythingatallyoulearnfromtheinsidethatmightbeevenremotelyrelatedtothiscase.Idon’tthinkthatwillplaceyouinanydanger.Infact,itwillprobablycontributetoyoursafety.”
Carlawastryingtodigestthisinformationandassessitsimplications.“Idon’tknowwhoitcouldbe,”shesaidthoughtfully.“CertainlynotViktororLeighton.Oneofthesecuritymen,perhaps?”
JordantookasipofthecoffeeMrs.Inmanhadplacedinfrontofhim.“Asfaraswe’reconcernedatthispoint”hesaid,“everybodywhowastherethatnightisundersuspicion.”
“Well,IsupposeIshouldaskwhyI’mnotonthatlist,too,”saidCarlawithawrysmile.“OrIguessIshouldthankKenforthat.Well,thisisinteresting!MikeBradford—youknow,theheadofsecurity—isconvinced
itwasaninsidejob,too.YetLeightonwon’thearofit.InfactweweretoldthattheFBIwasconvinceditwasnotaninsidejob.”Carlagavehimaquestioninglook.
“It’sabitlikepoker,”saidJordan.“We’vehadtomisleadthemastowhatwebelieve,andwehaveourreasonsforthat.Asforwhethersomeoneontheinsidewasthekeytothisoperation,theresimplyisn’tanydoubt.Iwon’ttaketimetogiveyouthemanyreasons.OneofthemostinterestingissomethingthatMikedoesn’tknow:ThepersonwhokilledthetwoguardsatthegategavethemurderweapontoColonelChernov,theleaderoftheRussianteam.HehaditwithhiminLeighton’sofficeatthetimeofhisdeath.ItwasAmerican-made,notRussian.We’retryingtotraceit.”
Carlawasstaggered.“Iseewhatyoumean—theredoesn’tseemtobeanydoubtatall!ButwhynotletFrankknowthetruth?Surelyheisn’toneofthesuspects!”
“Fortworeasons.Firstofall,wewanttogivetheRussianagentafalsesenseofsecurity.Second,wewanteverythingtoproceednormally.ItwouldbeverydifficultforLeightontoprovidenormalleadershipifheknewwhatI’vejusttoldyou.”
AsenseofhelplessincredulitygrippedCarla.“IthoughtIwashotonthetrailofabigstory,butIhadnoideaitwoulddevelopintothis!It’sgoingcompletelyberserk.”
“Ifyouhanginthere,whichIwishyouwouldn’t”saidKen,“it’sgoingtogetevenwilderiftheArchonspushittoaconclusion.”
“I’mnotbackingoutnow,”declaredCarlafirmly.“AndIdon’tthinkMr.Jordanwouldwantmeto.MymajormotiveatonetimewasaPulitzerprize.There’salotmorethanthatatstakenow.It’sironic,Ken,thatevenifyourargumentsaboutwhotheArchonsareandwhatthey’reuptoarealltrue,thatgivesmeevenmorereasonnottobackout!”
Kenlookedatherinalarm.“Youlostme,Carla.”“IgotintothisbecauseIjusthappenedtobeintherightplaceatthe
righttimetosaveViktorKhorev’slife.AndIcertainlywon’tabandonhimnow—demonsornodemons!”
“Idon’tknowexactlywhatthetwoofyouaretalkingabout,”said
Jordan,standingtoleave.“Youunderstand,MissBertelli,thatsomeoneonthestaffoutthere,someonethatyoumayworkwitheveryday,isaruthlessmurdererwhoshottwoguardsincoldblood,undoubtedlyletthespecialassaultteamintothebase,andisprobablystillcommittedtothesameobjectives.Doesanyoneatallstandoutinyourmindasapossiblesuspect?”
“Notreally,”saidCarla.Shehesitated.“Well,perhapsIshouldsaythatViktortoldmehethinksKayMorrisisRussian.Ofcourse,shecouldbeRussianandnotbetheone—”
“We’vealreadycheckedheroutalongwitheveryoneelse,andshecertainlyisn’tRussian!”saidJordan.Hepulledapadfromhisinsidepocketandmadeanotation.“We’llgobackoverthedata.”
“Well,IguessI’mgameforwhateveryouwantmetodo,”saidCarla.“Great,”saidJordan.“We’llcountonyoutotipustoanythingyou
thinkweoughttoknow.Nothingistooinsignificant.Anythingatallthatstrikesyouassuspiciousorout-of-the-ordinary,letmeknowaboutitrightaway.”Hehandedherhiscard.“Don’tcallmefromthephonesoutthere.Iguessyouknowthey’reallbugged.”
“Iassumedthat,”shesaid.“AndIwon’tcarrythiscardwithme.I’llmemorizethenumber.”
Thethreeofthemwalkedtowardthefrontdoortogether.Jordanreachedintohiscoatpocket,pulledoutasnub-nosed38r
evolverandhelditouttoCarla.“Doyouknowhowtohandleaweaponlikethis?”
Shetookitbrokeitopen,andspunthecylinder.Itwasempty.“I’vedonequiteabitoftargetpractice.Yes,Icanhandleit—andevenhitwhatI’maimingatbelieveitornot.”
“Kensaidyoucould,butIwantedtoseeformyself.”Jordanopenedhisbriefcaseandbroughtoutaboxofammunition.“Hereyouare.I’dloaditrightnow,anddon’tgoanywherewithoutit.I’vetakencareofthepaperwork,soyou’reauthorizedtocarryaconcealedweapon.Don’thesitatetouseitifyouhaveto.”
CarlalookedgrimlyfromtheweaponandammunitioninherhandstoJordanandKenandbackagain.“Well,Isuregotmyselfintosomething,
[31]GrowingDoubts
Onherwaytotheinstallation,Carlawentbythehotel.Enteringbythesidedoor,shewentquicklytotherestaurantThereshewentthroughthebreakfastbuffetpickingupsomefruitandjuiceandapieceoftoast.Hurriedlyeatingasmuchasshecould,shechargedthetickettoherroom.Itwastheweakestofcoverstomakeitappearthatshehadspentthenightthere.Nextshewenttothefrontdesk.
“Ineedtopickupmymessages.CarlaBertelli,room815.”“Oh,Ms.Bertelli!”exclaimedtheyoungmanonduty.“Everybody’s
beentryingtoreachyou.Wehaven’tgottenanyanswerinyourroom.”“I’vebeeninandoutandhavescarcelyhadaminute.Letmehave
them.”Shestartedtowalkaway,thenrememberedtheconditionofherroom.“Bytheway,apicturefelloffthewalllastnightandshattered.I’venoideahowithappened.”
“We’resorryaboutanyinconvenience,Ms.Bertelli.We’lltakecareofit.”
Therewerenearlytwodozenphonecalls.Carlatookaquicklookthroughthemasshehurriedfromthelobby.Everymajortelevisionnetworkhadcalledatleastonce,sometwice.Ineachcaseitwas“urgent.”Georgewastryingtocontacther;themessagesaiditwas“anemergency.”ReportersfromtheSanFranciscoChronicleandtheLosAngelesTimeswerealsotryingtoreachher,aswellaslocalradioandtelevisionstations.HerarticlethatmorninginTheWashingtonPosthadobviouslycreatedquiteastir!ShewouldhavetoconsultLeightononhowtorespondtotherequestsforinterviews.
Onthedriveouttotheinstallation,herecstasyovertheresponsetoherarticlewassubmergedinarenewedwaveofconcern:HowcouldshefaceDelSassoaftertheeventsofthepreviousnight?Didheknowwhathad
happened?Itseemedunrealistictoimaginethathehadnoconnectiontotheattackuponherbyafigurethatlookedexactlylikehim.IfithadbeenanArchon—goodorbad—whyhaditimpersonatedDelSassoinitsattempttoterrorizeorevenkillher?Therehadtobeareason—someconnection.Ofcourse,hewastheArchons’linkwiththeworld,sowhoelsebutDelSasso?
Couldithavebeenhis“psychicdouble”thatchokedher?TherewerereportsthatSatyaSaiBabaofAnanthapur,SouthIndia,hadappearedintwogeographicallocationsatonce.SohadthefamousstigmatistPadrePio.Shehadalwaysrejectedsuchideasasreligioussuperstition.Nowshedidn’tknowwhattothink.SaiBabaandPadrePio—aHinduguruandaCatholicpriest—supposedlyknewwhenandwheretheir“doubles”appearedandwhateachwasdoingandwhy.WouldDelSassoknowwhathadhappenedtoher,andbeawareofhisconnectiontothishorribleevent?WasthistheendoftheirfriendshipandthusofherinvolvementinthePlan?Shecouldn’tletthathappen!
Carlaarrivedjustintimefortheusual11:00A.M.meetingoftheinnercircle.Antoniowaswalkingdownthecorridor,approachingFrank’sofficefromtheoppositedirection,asshewalkedup.Theymetatthedoor.Playitcool,Carla!Actlikenothinghashappened.Shedidherbest,butthepsychicseemedtosensesomethingunusual—ordidhereallyknoweverythingandwasjustpretendingtopickuponsomethingnow?
“What’sthematter,mydear?Seenaghost?”hequeriedandputacomfortingarmaroundhermomentarily.
“Youareremarkablyperceptive!”respondedCarlanonchalantly,asthoughsheweregoingalongwithsomemake-believegame.“Asamatteroffact,Ijustsawoneleeringatmeinthelobby,butIgaveitakaratechopanditdisappeared.”Walkingpasthimintotheoffice,shetookaseatonthesofanexttoViktor,whonoddedtoherandsmiledasAntoniocontinuedhismonologue.
“Appearanceslikethatcanhappen,”persistedDelSassosolemnlyashefollowedonherheels.“Negativethoughtsattractpsychicenergythatmaylingerfromatraumaticexperienceandcanevenseemtogiveitsolidform.”Heloweredhishugeframetothefloornearbyandsettledintoa
yogaposition.Whywashepursuingthisideaofpsychicappearances?Well,ifhe
wasexpectingtogetsomeemotionalreactionfromher,hewaswastinghistime.Therewasnowaythatshewasgoingtotellanyoneaboutherhorrifyingexperience—notevenViktor.HadtheArchonstoldDelSassothatshehadsomedoubtsaboutthem?Iftheywereupsetenoughtoattackher,wouldn’ttheydenounceherinthenexttransmission?Yettheyhadnotidentifiedthetraitoronthestaff.Why?Apparentlytheywerenotall-knowing,soperhapstheycouldn’treadherthoughtsafterall.Itwasallveryconfusing.
PretendingtohavenofurtherinterestinwhatsheandDelSassohadbeensparringabout,CarlaturnedtotalktoViktor.Justatthatmomenthowever,LeightonburstexuberantlyintotheofficewithKayMorrisinhiswake.Herushedtohisdesktograbtheremotecontrol,hurriedovertositonthesofanexttoViktorandCarla,andmotionedtotheotherstotakeseatsforviewingthegiantTVscreen.
“Everybodytakeaseatwhereyoucanseethescreen,”hesaidbreathlessly.There’saspecialnewsbulletinonallthenetworksat11:00.We’rejustintimetocatchit.”
Whenthescreenlitup,thenewscastwasalreadyinprogress:“...accordingtoabriefarticleinthecurrentissueofTimemagazine.NothinghasarousedsuchintensebipartisaninterestonCapitolHillsincetheIsraeli-PLOpeaceagreement.FearingtheymayhaveanunauthorizedCIAclandestineprojectontheirhands,membersofbothHousesareclamoringforaninvestigationunlesstheWhiteHousemakesafulldisclosure.Sofarthepresidentisinsistingthattheinformationishighlyclassifiedandthattherehasbeennowrongdoing.AsfortheTimeallegationsaboutasecretCIApsychicresearchbreakthrough,theDirectorofCentralIntelligence,whoappearedwiththepresidentatthenewsconferenceearlierthismorning,admittedthattherehavebeensomemajordevelopments,butrefusedtodiscussthem.
“Congresssuddenlyfindsitselfcaughtshort.ThereisnocommitteeofficiallyoverseeingpsychicdevelopmentbecausemostmembersofbothHouseshaveuntilnowrefusedtotakesuchphenomenaseriously.There
arenocontrolsorguidelinesbecausetheproponents’glowingdescriptionsofwhatcouldbedonewithpsychicpowerhaveconsistentlybeendismissedbycriticsasimaginationatbestandfraudatworst.IftheCIAhas,infact,notonlydeveloped‘psychicwarfare’capabilities,but,astheTimearticlefurtheralleges,hasemployedtheseweaponsagainsttheRussians,whosentaspecialcombatteamtodestroytheCIA’ssecretpsychicresearchinstallation,thensomeonewithinthetoplevelsofgovernmentmaywellhaveengagedinactivitiesnotauthorizedbyCongress.ThusfartheonlycommentfromtheKremlinhasbeen‘nocomment.’
“Andnowintothishighlychargedatmospherecomesanarticleintoday’sWashingtonPostbyCarlaBertelli,whoisgenerallyregardedasthemostreliablejournalistreportingpsychicresearch.Thereisspeculationthatshemaybethe‘insidesource’quotedinTime.Ms.BertelligoesevenfurtherthanTime’sastonishingclaimthattheCIAhasmadecontactwith‘higherintelligences.’Sheallegesthattheseextraterrestrialsareinfactresponsibleforthepsychicbreakthrough—andthattheirultimatepurposeistosharethispowerwiththeentireworld.ThisnetworkhassofarbeenunsuccessfulinitsattempttoreachMs.Bertelliforaliveinterview.Staytunedforperiodicupdatesasthisfast-breakingstorydevelops.”
FrankswitchedofftheTVatthatpointandjumpedtohisfeet.“Well!Howdoyoulikethat!”heexclaimed.“ThingsseemtobemovingalongexactlyastheArchonspredicted!”Hewalkedoverandsatonthefrontofhisdeskwherehecouldfacehiscolleagues.“Weshouldallbeveryencouraged,butthere’salongwaytogoanditisn’tgoingtobeeasy.We’vegotplentyoftopgovernmentleadersonoursidenow,andthat’swhatittakesfortheWorldCongress.Butthesecondphaseinvolvesthegeneralpopulation.We’vegottogetthemfullybehindus.TheArchonshavealreadytargetedkeyleadersinentertainment,business,education,andethnicandotherminoritygroups.Self-hypnosisandsubliminaltapesandsuccess-motivationseminarswillplayabigpartwhenwegettothatpoint.”
HeturnedtoCarla.“Akeyfactorinlayingthefoundationforallofthat,astheprogramwejustwatcheddemonstrated,willbeyournews
leaksandarticles.Howarewedoing?”CarlahadbeenuncomfortablyawarethatAntoniohadbeenobserving
hercloselyduringthetelevisionnewsbroadcast.ShewasgratefulthatLeightonhadremindedhim—andtheothersaswell—ofthekeyroleshewasplaying.
“Myphoneatthehotelhasbeenringingoffthehook,”sheannounced.“Ididn’tknowwhattosay,soIjustdidn’tansweritandpretendedIwasn’tthere.”ShepulledthesheafofphonemessagesoutofherpurseandwavedthematFrank.TheseaccumulatedjustthismorningsincethePostarticlecameout.Everytelevisionnetworkisaftermepluseveryotherkindofmedia.WhatdoIsaytothesepeople?”
“Ithastobehandleddiscreetlyfromhereon,”cautionedLeighton.“I’vebeenonthephoneoffandonallmorningwiththeDCI.He’secstatic.AntonioandIareflyingintoD.C.nextweek.TheDCI’ssettingupsomemeetingsforuswithsomekeysenatorsandcongressionalleaders.”
“Butwhataboutthesephonecalls?”interruptedCarla.“DoIgiveinterviews—andifso,whatdoIsay?”
“Iwasgettingtothat.That’swhatI’vebeendiscussingwiththeDCIallmorning.Youmustnotgiveanyfurtherdetails.ThosearetoberevealedonlyinyourarticlesorspecificnewsleakstoyourfriendatTimeastheArchonsdirectus.Inthemeantime,yousimplyexplainthatyou’renotauthorizedtogiveoutanyfurtherinformationyet.Andyoukeephammeringawayonthreesalientpoints.Wordthemdifferentlyforvariety,butheretheyare:1)explainthatsomethingabsolutelynewisgoingtohappenonearththatwillbenefitallofmankind;2)emphasizethatnopoliticalpartyornationwillberesponsiblefororabletocontrolthisprocessforitsownbenefitand3)thateverythingwillbeunderthecontrolofhigherintelligenceswhohavebeenmonitoringourevolutionarydevelopmentforthousandsofyearsandarenowsteppingintopreservelifeonearthandtousherinaNewAgeofpeaceandprosperity.”
“ButamIauthorizedatthispointtogoonTVandradioandtogiveinterviewstoreporters?”persistedCarla.
“Definitelynot.Thatwouldbepremature.You’regoingtohavetoput
themoff.LetthemknowthatthedirectorandpsychicfromthissecretresearchinstallationwillbegoingpublicinWashingtonnextweek,anddropsomehintsoffurtherdevelopments.Butnothingmorethanthat.”
“I’mworkingonmynextarticleforthePost.It’sduenextweek.”“Yes,ofcourse.Continuewiththat.”“AndIreallyneedasecretaryofmyown,Frank.ViktorandIhave
beensharingthesameone.”“I’lltakecareofthatimmediately.You’llhaveoneinthemorning.”“Ihaven’tyetmetwithCarlatogivehermyinput,”interjectedDel
Sasso.InresponsetoCarla’squestioninglook,Frankwavedhishandat
Antonioandsaid,“Whydon’tyougoaheadandgiveusallabriefsummary.”
DelSassostoodtohisfeetandpositionedhimselfsohecouldobserveeachface.“Weallknow,”heremindedthem,“thatthePlancouldfailbecauseofeitherskepticismorfear.EithernobodybelievesinitortheybelievebutareafraidtotrusttheArchons.Alotofpeopleequateextraterrestrialswithspaceshipsinvadingearthtoenslaveus.Psychologists,psychiatrists,sociologists,andalotofacademiciansandeducatedpeopleareveryskepticalaboutthepossibilityofcontactwithextraterrestrials.Sowe’vegottogivethemsomethingtheycanbelievein.Weletthemthinkthatwe’reonlypresentingtheArchonsashighlyevolvedextraterrestrialstocatertotheimaginationofthecommonpeople,butthattheArchonsarereallyJungianarchetypescomingtousfromthecollectiveunconscious.Sowesatisfyeveryone.”
“Youmean,”interruptedCarla,“thatthetruthdoesn’tmatter?”“Truth?”respondedDelSassoabitcontemptuously.“Whatdoesthat
mean?”“It’snoteasytodefine,butIthinkweallknowwhatitmeans.”“Ontheelementarylevelofmathematicsandthephysicalsciences,
perhaps,”concededDelSasso.“Butthesecrettohumanhappinessandfulfillmentliesoutsidescienceintherealmofconsciousness,andtherebeliefiswhatcounts.WejustwantthemtobelieveinandtrusttheArchons.Itdoesn’treallymatterwhoanyonethinkstheyare.”
Carlalookedabitnonplussed.“I’lldropbyyourofficelaterthisafternoon,”DelSassotoldher,“andgooverthisagainwithyou.Themostimportantthingtorememberistokeepwhateveryouspeakorwriteonapositivenote.Alloftheproblemsintheworldtodayhaveresultedfromthefactthattheraceofgodslivingonthisplanethasbeencaughtinthedescendingspiralofitsownnegativethinking,whichhasloweredself-esteem.Mankindneedstobetrainedtocreateanewrealitythroughthepowerofpositivethinking.”
......Backinherofficethatafternoon,Carlafoundthatsheneededmore
thanapositiveapproach.Whenshereturnedthemanyphonecalls,mediarepresentativesconfrontedherwithaproblemshehadn’tevenconsidered,andforwhichshecouldn’tgivethemaverygoodanswer.Thepracticalconsiderationsofmoralaccountabilityinrunningagovernmentwerethecenteroftheirconcern.HerconversationwithGeorgeConklinwastypical.
“I’mgettingalotofflakfromupstairs,”saidGeorge,whenCarlareachedhimatlast.Theythinkthiswholethingsoundslikeanelitegroupofinsidersaccountabletonoonebutthemselves,operatingagovernmentwithinthegovernmentmakingtheirownrules.”
“George,thisisnotanelitistoperation,”sherepliedquickly,anxioustoputthatargumentdownimmediately.“It’snotwhatwe’veseensomuchofintheCIAinthepast—agroupofzealotsanswerabletonoonebutthemselves.ThePlanforaNewWorldOrderhasbeenconceivedandisbeingdirectedbyhigherintelligenceswhoplaynofavorites.Theywanttobenefittheentireplanetandallmankindtogether.”
“Carla,Idon’tknowifI’lleverlivedownprintingyourlineabout‘higherintelligences.’Nobodyherebelievesthatstuff,andyououghttoseeourmail.We’regettingrippedbyskeptics.”
“Alltheletterscan’tbenegative.”“Ididn’tsaytheywere.”“Sowhatarethepercentages?”Therewasanembarrassedpause.“Idon’thavethatfigure.”“Comeon,George.Youmusthavesomeidea.”“Okay,sothevastmajorityarefavorable.Buttheskepticsrepresent
thebetter-educatedandmoreintelligentreaders.”“Oh,sure.DoyouhaveIQtestscoresforeachofyourreaders?Oris
thelevelof‘intelligence’determinedbywhethertheyagreewithyourskepticismornot?ShameonyouelitistsatTime!Doyoureallythinkthathumansaretheonlyintelligentbeingsintheentireuniverse,orthemosthighlyevolved?”
“Ofcoursenot,butsofarthere’sbeennocontact,anduntilthereis—”“That’swhatI’mtellingyou,George.Therehasbeencontact.”“Thenproveit.Let’sseetheselittlegreencrittersintheOvalOffice.
Afterall,that’swherethey’dgo,isn’tit?Youknow,‘Takemetoyourleader.’”
“You’llseetheminduetime,andsowillthewholeworld.AndGeorge,they’renotgreen.”
“Areyoutryingtotellmeyou’veseenthem?”“Iam—andIhave.Butthat’snotforpublicationyet.”“WhataretheyputtinginthewateroutthereinPaloAlto?”“That’snotkind.Iwasn’thallucinating,andI’mnotlying.”“Well,putthemondisplaythen,andwe’llallbeconvinced.”“George,youdon’t‘putondisplay’beingsthatareasfarbeyonduson
theevolutionaryscaleaswearebeyondworms.They’recallingtheshots,andthey’llshowthemselveswhentheappropriatetimecomes.”
“That’sasmokescreen.I’msorry,Carla,butthecutelittlephrase“whentheappropriatetimecomes’isn’tgoingtocutit.You’vethrownussomescraps.Ifyoudon’tfollowupwiththewholemealprettyfastyou’regoingtoloseallcredibilityandthereputationyou’vebuiltovertheyears—andIdon’twanttoseethathappen.”
“Look,George,you’retheonewhotoldmethatifcontactreallyhadbeenestablished,thenbreakingthenewstoosuddenlycouldcreateworldwidepanic—fearofanattackfromMarsor,evenworse,somehorrifyingInvasionoftheBodySnatchers.Remember?”
“Thatwasnearlyaweekago,butwehaven’tseenanythingeithertobeafraidofortogetexcitedabout.Sowhat’shappeningnow?”
“Icanonlytellyouthis:Nextweekthepsychicwhohastheseincrediblepowersandisindailycontactwiththeseentitieswillbecoming
toD.C.withthedirectorofthesecretresearchfacilitytomeetwithkeyleadersontheHillandtoletthemallseefirsthandwhathecando.Therewon’tbeanyskepticsinWashingtonafterthat.Ifyouwanttoseeitforyourself,contactthedirectoroftheCIAforapressinvitation.”
TherewassilenceforamomentWhenGeorgereplied,whathesaidshookCarlawithanotherpossibilitythatshehadn’tevenconsidered.“Yeah,I’llthinkaboutthat.But,youknow,IalreadytoldyouthatitsmacksofanelitegroupinsidetheCIAmakingtheirownrules.”
“AndIexplained,George,thattheArchonsareincontrol,nottheCIA!”interruptedCarla.
“Yeah,Iheardyou,”saidGeorge,“Andthat’swhatreallybothersme.It’stheperfectsetupfortakingovertheworld.Ifthisgroupcouldsomehowconvinceeveryonethatthey’reonlycarryingouttheinstructionsofextraterrestrialintelligenceswithinfinitepowerswhoareimposingaNewWorldOrder....YouseewhatI’mthinking?”
......KenhadspentmuchoftheeveninginprayerfulstudyofPaul’sepistle
totheEphesians—especiallychaptersixthatdealtwithspiritualwarfare.HewasstillupverylatewhenCarlareturned.Sheknockedsoftlyandhehurriedtothefrontdoor.
“I’msorry.Icompletelyforgottogiveyouakeythismorning,”saidKenapologeticallyasheletherin.“You’vegotyourownentrancearoundthesideifyouwanttouseit.Andyouneedyourownremotesoyoucanputyourcarinthegarage.RemindmeatbreakfastandI’llgivethemtoyou.”
“Askingforakeynevercrossedmymind.AllIcouldthinkofwasthatmypursewasawfullyheavy,andwhatiftheywouldn’tletmecarrythatgunonthebase.OfcourseIcouldn’ttellthemthatIwascarryingittoprotectmefromwhatmighthappen—notinthecrueloutsideworld,butinsidethatinstallation.”
“Didtheytakeitaway?”“No.Theguardsfoundit,ofcourse.IshowedthemthepermitDon
hadgivenmeandexplainedthatitwasbecausemylifewasstillindangerontheoutsidefromtheothermembersofthatRussianteam—whoeverand
wherevertheymightbe.TheycheckedwithFrankandhesaidokay.”“CanIgetyousomething?Hotchocolate,tea,somejuice,fruit...
anything?”“I’mwipedout,butI’msokeyedupthatmaybesomesteaming-hot
decaftea,ifyou’vegotit,willhelpmeunwind.”“We’vegotit.”Theywalkedintothekitchentogether,whereKenputonsomewater
toboil.“Franksuremustbeaslavedriver!”hesaiddryly.“Isthisthelengthofanormalday?”
“Normal?”laughedCarla.“Idon’tthinkIknowwhatthatmeansanymore—notjustinrelationtoaworkday.Imeaningeneral.”
“Something’sbotheringyou,”suggestedKen.“AnythingImighthelpwith?”
Carlahesitated.Finallysheasked,“There’satheorythatourmindscreatetherealityaroundus.What’syouropinion?”
“It’sludicrous,”declaredKenwithoutanyhesitation.“Howcanyousaythatwhensomanytopscientistsbelieveit?”Hepouredtheteaandsatdownwithheratthetable.“Infact,veryfew
ifanyreputablescientiststakethatideaseriously.It’sbeenpopularizedbyahandfulofwriterssuchasCapraandZukov,buttheyrepresentaverysmallfringeelementinphysics.In30secondsIcanshowyoujusthowstupiditis.”
“Goahead.”“Didyou‘create’thecupIpulledoutofthecupboardtopouryourtea
into,ordidI?”“Well—”“Youdidn’tevenknowwhatcoloritwasgoingtobe,orwhatshape,
andIwasn’teventhinkingofthat.Soobviously,neitherofus‘created’it.Right?”
“That’sprettystraightforward,I’dhavetoagree,butthatstillleavesthepossibilitythatitwascreatedbysomeoneelse’smindandwejustacceptedthat.”
“Andthatotherperson’smindhasbeenmaintainingitsexistenceandspatialpositionwithoutevenknowingwhereitwas?”Hegavehera
reprovinglook.“Comeon,Carla!AndwhataboutthemillionsofmicroscopiccreaturesinthewaterIboiled,orthemoleculesandatomsinthewater.Whosemindcreatedthatreality?”
“Ineverthoughtofthat.”Theshapeandcolorofthatcupareverysuperficialimpressions
interpretedbyoureyesandhavenothingtodowithwhatthecupinitselfreallyis.Itlooksfardifferentthroughanelectronmicroscope,forexample.Andthere’sawholeuniverseofmoleculesandatomsandsubatomicparticles—includingsomeparticlesthatsciencehasn’tevendiscoveredyet—thatmakeupthatcupthatnohumaneyehaseverseenorhumanmindconceived.Youthinkthatrealitythatwedon’tevenknowaboutyetistheproductofhumanthought?Canyouseriouslyimaginethatthedistantgalaxies,theinteriorofstars,blackholes,andmyriadwondersofauniverseneverseenbyhumaneyeandpredatingourexistence—thatallofthatwascreatedbyourminds?I’msorry,butIdon’thavemuchpatiencewithpeoplewhocalltheaccountofCreationintheBibleamythandthenfallforridiculousideaslikethat!”
Carlaheldupherhandsinmocksurrender.“Igiveup,”shesaid.“Boy,whenyougetonyoursoapbox!Okay,soit’sludicrous.Thenwhydoesthistheoryseemsoreasonabletosomanyintelligentpeople.Why?”
“I’vealreadysaidit,Carla.It’spride.Thecolossaldimensionsofthedelusionareonlyexceededbythegiganticegosthatswallowit.Farfromcreatingrealitywithourownminds,we’restrugglingtodiscoverthesecretsofauniversethatwascreatedbyanotherMindwhoisinfinitelybeyondus.”
AMindinfinitelybeyondus,thoughtCarla.He’sgivingmeanargumentfortheexistenceofGod—andIaskedforit!Theysippedtheirteainsilence.Atlastsheasked,“WhatwouldyousayifIsuggestedthattheUFOandtheArchonsthatIsawinthatwarehousewereanillusioncreatedbymovieprojectorsriggeduptodeceivemeandViktor?Andthatthesamemechanismwillbeusedtoconvinceothers?”
Kenthoughtaboutitcarefully.“It’spossible,butnotlikely.Whatgaveyouthatidea?”
“OneoftheeditorsatTimeI’veknownforyears.He’ssuspiciousof
thewholething.ThinksitmightbeaploybyanelitegroupinWashingtontotakeovertheworldbymakingeveryonethinkthey’refollowingordersfromhigherintelligences.”
“Idon’tknowwhathappenedinthewarehouse.Iwasn’tthere.ButIcanassureyouthereweren’tanymovieprojectorsinyourroomtheothernight—hereoratthehotel.Andthereweren’tanyinthelabwhenDelSassoputonhisshow.There’sdefinitelysomeheavydemonicinvolvement.”
“Italwayscomesbacktothat,doesn’tit,”saidCarla.Therewasjustahintofbitternessinhervoice.
Kenshrugged.“That’slikesayingeatingalwaysinvolvesfood,or—”Carlaheldupahand.“Okay,don’toverwhelmme.Igetthepoint.”“I’msorry,”saidKen.“Whatyourfriendsaidaboutanelitegroupin
WashingtonorwithintheCIA—hemighthavesomethingthere.I’dbearitinmindandseeifanydevelopmentsthatcomealongseemtofitthatscenario.”
“Youreallythinkso?I’msurprisedyou’dsaythat.”“Evilalwaysoperatesontwolevels,”saidKen.“Thedemonicandthe
human.SatanhasthesameegoproblemswithhisdisciplesthatGodhaswithHis.IfChristianleadersoftentrytobuildtheirownlittlekingdoms,it’snotsurprisingthatthefollowersofAntichristwould.”
Carlasmiledandshookherhead.“Youamazeme,Ken.Twoyearsagoyouweretheconsummateatheist,andnowyou’retheultimateChristian!”
“Ifthat’sthewayIcomeacross,thenI’vegottorepentofit,”saidKen.“I’msofarfrombeingtheultimateChristian.”
“Well,yousurehavethisthingwired.AndIdon’tmeanthatinabadway.I’mreallyimpressed.You’vegotauniquewayofsayingthings:‘SatanhasthesameegoproblemswithhisdisciplesthatGodhaswithHis.’”Sheleanedbackandlaughed.“That’squiteawaytoputit!”
“I’mnottryingtoplaythebigexpert,”respondedKen.“YoucouldlookitupintheBibleforyourself—anythingI’mtellingyou.Thenlookattheworldaroundyouthroughthatwisdomandyougetawholenewperspective.Youdon’thavetobetoobrighttorealizethatFrankandDelSassocouldpossiblyhopetousetheArchonsfortheirownends.That’s
nottoofarfetched,knowinghumangreedandpride.”“Isupposeyou’reright”concededCarla.“Whichdoesgivesome
supporttoGeorge’sconcern.”“Whateverthecase,”saidKenearnestly,“I’lltellyouonethingfor
sure.Intheend,everyoneinvolvedwiththeArchonswillbecomevictims,andI’mprayingdayandnightthatyouwon’tbeoneofthem!”
[32]AWarning!
“Ken’sleftfortheofficealready,”hismotherinformedCarlawhensheenteredthekitchenthenextmorning.SeeingthedisappointmentonCarla’sface,sheadded,“Heworksmuchtoohard—alwayshas,evenwhenhewasaboy.Foreversomeurgentprojectorother.”
“That’soneofthethingsthatattractedmetohim,”saidCarla.“Hewasonamission,goingsomewhere,notwastinghistimebutdoingsomethingworthwhile,goal-oriented.”
“Hestillis,”saidMrs.Inman,“butofcourse,thegoalshavechangeddrastically,andforthebetter—believeme,theyhave!”Carlastartedtofrown,thensmiled.
“Well,whatwouldyoulikethismorning?”Mrs.Inmanaskedher.“Somebaconandeggsforachange?Iboughtsome,justincase.”
“Youmeanyouwantmetojoinyouinaminirebellionagainstthetyrannyofhealthfood?Okay,let’sgoforit!”
......KenhadgottenupearlytospendconsiderabletimecryingouttoGod
onceagainforCarla.HeprayedthatthedemonicevilwouldbesoobviousthatCarlawouldnotbeabletodenyit;thatGodwouldputashieldofprotectionaroundher;thatViktorandFrankwouldhavetheireyesopenedaswell;thatthePlanwouldbefrustrated—andingeneralthatGodwoulddoallHecouldwithoutviolatingCarla’spowerofchoicetomakethetruthclearenoughtoherthatshecouldmakethatchoicewithoutanydeludinginfluenceuponher.
ItconcernedKendeeplythatinspiteofthefrankdiscussionstheyhadbeenabletohave,insteadofescapingtheArchons,itseemedshewasbeingdrawnindeeperandwaspreparingtoplayakeyroleinpersuadingtheworldtoembracetheirseductivePlan.Hekeenlyfelttheurgencyto
prayspecificallythatshewouldseethroughthemasktotheevilbehinditandbecomethoroughlydisillusioned.Andthatshewouldbeprotectedfromthedemonicpowerthatheknewwouldbeunleashedagainstherinrenewedfuryifshetriedtobackout.
Inthequietofearlymorning,KenhadconcludedthattherewaslittlepointintryingtoreasonwithCarlaanyfurther.Hehadsaidmorethanenough.AllhecoulddonowwastokeepprayingandbelievethatGodwoulddoeverythingpossibletobringhertothepointofdecision,atwhichtimeshewouldhavetoexerciseherpowerofchoice.TherewasnothingthatevenGodHimselfcoulddotomakeherchoosetherightpath.
ThephoneranginthekitchenjustasCarlaandMrs.Inmanwerefinishingbreakfast.“It’sKen—foryou,”saidhismotherasshehandedthephonetoCarla.
“Goodmorning!”saidKen.“Ijustwantedtomakesurethatyougotthekeyandremotegarage-dooropenerIleftonthecounterinthekitchen.”
“Yourmotherpointedthemouttome.Thanksalot.”“Iseverythingokay?”“Yeah,justfine.”“AnythingIcando?”“Well,Iwasthinkingofaskingyoutomeetmeatthehotel.Ireally
needtogettherestofmythings,andthere’snowayI’mgoingbackinthatroomwithoutyou.”
“Iunderstand.Didyouwanttodoitthismorningortonight?”“Well,ifyoucanfititin,doyoumind,sayinhalfanhour?”“Noproblem.Seeyouinthelobby.”
......“Itlookssomundaneinhere,so‘everyday-commonplace-business-as-
usual,’”saidCarlaastheylefttheelevatorandwalkeddownthehalltowardherroom.“Ifeelkindofsillyaskingyoutohelpmegetsomeclothes.”Inspiteofthebravewords,Carla’svoicebetrayedheranxiety.
“Iknowexactlywhatyoumean,”respondedKen.Carlaopenedthedoor.Shetookastepinside,turnedonthelightand
screamed.“Ken!Look!I—Idon’tbelievethis!Why?”
Herushedinpasther,thenstoodtransfixedbythedestructionthatmethiseye.Themattressandbedclotheshadbeenrippedofftheking-sizebedandthrownintoacorner,smashingalamp.Threepicturesnowlayshatteredontheflooralongwithtwootherlamps.Thedrawershadbeendumpedoutandthedrapesrippedfromthewindows.
Carlasurveyedthesceneinanguish.“TheArchonsweren’tthisvicious,”shesaid.Thisisincredible!”
“Youdon’tthinktheArchonsdidit?”askedKeninsurprise.“Okay,Ken,youseeademonbehindeverything.ButwhatIseein
hereistheworkoftheCIA,FSB—oreventheFBI.Theywerelookingforsomething.That’sobvious.”
“Whatdoyouhavethattheywouldwant?”“Nothing,thatIknowof,buttheyobviouslythoughtIhadsomething.”“Carla,bereasonable!TheCIAorFSB—andcertainlytheFBI—
wouldhavenoreasonfordoingthis.ButtheArchonswould.”“Why?”askedCarla.“Iwasn’tevenhere.”“Maybetheyjustwantedtoletyouknowhowvulnerableyouare—
thattheycanpullyourstringsandmakeyoudowhattheywantyouto,likeapuppet!”
Carlajuststoodandstaredathiminshock.“Comeon,”hesaid.“Let’spackyourthingsandgetoutofhere.”Togethertheygatheredherclothesandputthemintohersuitcase.Onthewaydowntothelobbyintheelevator,Kentoldher,“Iwas
thinking,Carla,thatthismayworkoutforthebestanyway.Itgivesyouareasontocheckout,presumablyforanotherhotel.Here’swhatIthinkyououghttosay.”
......Backatthefrontdesk,Carlaturnedinherkey.“I’mgoingtohaveto
checkout,”shebeganinalowvoice.Shewasvisiblyshakenanditwasobviousthatshehadjustbeenthroughatraumaticexperience.“Someonegotintomyroom—thankGodIwasn’tthere—andtoreitcompletelytopieces.”
“I’mterriblysorry.Idon’tseehowanyonecouldgetin,”saidtheyoungmanwaitingonher.
Sheleanedforwardinagestureofconfidentiality.“YourememberwhentheFBIwashereafewdaysago?”
“Yes.”“Well,youwouldn’thaveknown,buttheywereprotectingme.”She
noddedinKen’sdirectionandtheclerkraisedhiseyebrowsknowingly.“Wethoughtthethreathadended,butapparentlywhoeverisaftermegotintomyroom.ObviouslyI’mnotsayingwhereI’mgoing.I’llcomebacktomorrowtopickupanymessages.Doyouhaveanynow?”
“Wecertainlydo.Ialmostforgot.You’vegotastackofphonecalls.”IntheparkinglotKenputthesuitcaseinCarla’scarandheldthedoor
openassheclimbedin.Quicklysheriffledthroughthephonemessages.“ABC,CBS,NBC,NewYorkTimes—everybodywantsmetobeontheirtalkshowordoanarticlefortheirnewspaperormagazine.I’veneverbeensomuchindemand.”Shelookedupathim.Thereweretracesoftearsinhereyes,buthervoicecarriedtheolddeterminationonceagain.“Don’tthinkyouhaven’tmadesomepoints,becauseyouhave.I’vethoughtseriouslyaboutchuckingthiswholething,butIdon’tseehowIcan.”
“Carla!”“Look,I’mnotapuppetonastring,butI’vemadeacommitmentto
Frank.”“Youdon’toweFrankathing!He’sonapowertripandhe’susing
you!”“Maybe,butIcan’tabandonViktor.”“Andthereisastoryyou’reafter.”“Don’tfaultmeforthat,Ken.Iamajournalist,andI’vegottoseethis
storythroughtotheend!”“I’llbeprayingforyou!”Therewasnothingelsetosay.“Pleasedo,Ken.”Carlabitherlipandlookedaway.Shestartedthe
engineandleanedoutthewindow,forcingasmile.“I’vegotanassignmentfromyourfriendJordan,too,youknow.Ican’tlethimdowneither.Whenit’sallover,maybeI’llwriteabook:IWasaSpyfortheFBI.”
......Carlahadjustturnedontotheaccessroadleadingintotheinstallation
whenshesawaheadofhertheflashingredlightofapolicecarapproachingrapidly.Itpassedatgreatspeedonitswayouttothemainhighway.Shedroveonslowly,warily.Whatisitnow?Asshecamearoundabendwithinafewhundredyardsofthefrontgate,theoverwroughtsenseofdangeranddéjàvupeakedasanothernightmarelaybeforehergaze.Policecars,uniformedandplainclothesofficers,thepronebodyofawomanontheground....Carla’sreactionsmovedintoslowmotionandaprotectiveunrealitydescendedoverthescene.
Unaware,sheslowedhercartoacrawl.Auniformedofficerwavedheron.I’vegottoknowwhoitis...what’sgoingon!Ithoughttheviolencewasover.Innumbeddefianceoftheorder,shepulledovertothesideoftheroadandgotout.
“Here,letmehelpyou,”saidakindandfamiliarvoice.ShebecameawarethatDonJordanwasbesideherwithhishandunderherelbow.
“Whathappened?”Carlaasked,avertinghergazefromthefigurenowbeingcoveredwithasheetnearby,andfearfulthatwhoeverwaslyingtherehadsomeconnectiontotheinstallation.
“Shewasfoundhanginginatreejustbackfromtheroadearlythismorningbyoneoftheguardsonhiswayintowork,”camethetersereply.
“Whowasit?”“Ayoungwomanabout25namedIngerKrieg.”“Ohno!Suicide?”“Thathasn’tbeendetermined,butwethinkso.”“Didsheleaveanote?”“Yes,apparentlyinherhandwriting.It’sbeinganalyzed.Iunderstand
sheworkedatthebase.”“Shewastheotherpsychic,”saidCarla,fightingthefeelingoflight-
headedness.“Well,we’vehadseveral,butnoneofthemworkedout.IngercameallthewayfromWestGermanyaboutthreemonthsago.NoneoftheothersseemedabletoadapttothePsitron.Theyallendedupbasketcasesmentally.Twoofthemarestillinthepsychiatrichospitalintown.ButInger,shewasdoingverywell.Isawsomeofherwork.ShewasbeingtrainedbyDelSasso.Shewassuchalikableperson.Thisisterrible!”
“I’dbettergetbackoverthere,”saidJordan.“I’msupposedtobein
chargeoftheinvestigationsinceithappenedongovernmentproperty.Ihaven’theardapeepoutofyou.Nothinghappening?”
“Nothing—no—nothingthatI’venoticed.NothingincriminatingonKayMorris.She’sworkingveryhardandseemstobe110percentcommittedtotheproject.”
“Icheckedheroutagain,andsheseemstobeclean.We’vegotthreeofourpeopleintherenow.Night-shiftguardStanKirby,dayshiftguardArtDenham,andlabassistantAnneWhite.Youcansendmessagestomebyanyofthem,andifyouneedhelpatanytime,relyonthem.”
“Havetheycomeupwithanything?”“Notyet.I’llseeyoulater.”
......AsCarlapulledintoherusualparkingplace,shesawViktorwalking
acrossthelawnfromthetransmissionlabbacktothemainbuilding.Shejumpedoutofthecarandcalled,“Viktor!”Hisfacebrightenedwhenhesawhercomingtowardhim.Theymetinthemiddleofthelawnandhuggedeachotherbriefly,thenbeganwalkingslowlytowardthefrontdoortogether.
“DidyouhearaboutInger?”sheaskedimmediately.Viktor’sfacedarkenedandhenodded.“Leightonannouncedittothe
staffearlythismorning.”“Whatdidhesay?”“Hecalleditagreattragedy.Itapparentlyhappenedsometimelast
nightHesuggestedthatitwasdespondencyduetohome-sickness.Idon’tbelieveit.”
“NordoI,”agreedCarla.“Thisisnumberwhat—six?Whycan’tanyonebutDelSassomakeitonthePsitron?”
“There’ssomethingfundamentallywrong,”saidViktorgrimly,loweringhisvoiceastheynearedthefrontdoor.
No,seven!thoughtCarla.Kenwasthefirst,andthatmakesseven.ThenwhydidDelSassotaketothePsitronlikeaducktowater?Frankhasusedthoseexactwordsatleastadozentimes.Whyisthatpriestsospecial?CouldKenberight?SheglancedoveratViktor.Heappearedtobedealingwithhisowninnerconflicts.
“ThePlanissupposedtobringpeace,love,andbrotherhoodtotheworld,”hemurmured,moretohimselfthantoher.“Ironic,isn’tit?”
......Laterthatmorningatthe11:00staffmeeting,Carlasensedthat
Leightonwastiredanddiscouragedasheaddressedtheinnercircle.HepacednervouslybackandforthinfrontofhisdeskashetalkedaboutthelossofInger.
“Thisisaterribleblowtotheprogram.WeneedmillionsofAntonios,andsofarwe’velosteveryonewe’vetriedtodevelop.Ijustdon’tunderstandit!”HeturnedtoViktor.“You’vebeenanalyzingtheprogram.IknowyouworkedcloselywithInger.Doyouhaveanyideas?”
“There’ssomethingfundamentallywrong!”saidViktorwithconviction,echoingtheverywordshehadspokentoCarlaearlier.“We’vehadproblemswiththementalstabilityofthepsychicsinthepast,sowemodifiedtheapproach,sloweditdown.Wewererushingthemalongtoofast.Ingerwasthefirstunderthenewapproach,andshewasdoingwell.ShewasalmostanotherAntonio.InfactIcalledherthatjustyesterday—andnowthis!Whydon’ttheArchonsexplain?”
“Theyhave,”DelSassocutin.“We’vebeenpremature.It’sourfaultforrushingtheprogram.YourecallthatwewerenotspecificallyinstructedbytheArchonstostartthetrainingprogramyet.Evenso,Idon’tthinkweshouldbediscouraged,Frank.Foronething,itwasthekarmaofeachoneofthesepeople.Theywillcomebackthebetterforitsowedon’tmournforthem,deadoralive.Andwe’vealllearnedsomethingintheprocessthatwillbeinvaluablewhenthePlanisbeingimplementedworldwide.”
“Antonio’sright,”agreedKay.“Ifyouwentbackoverthetranscriptsofallofthetransmissions,asIdidrecently,youwouldn’tfindanyinstructionstotrainotherpsychicsyet.InourzealIthinkwe’verushedahead—acostlylesson,butonewecanbenefitfrom.”
“OnethingnoneofuscanaffordtoforgetIguess,”addedFrank.“We’repioneersinanewfield,explorersofinnerspace—andtherearedangers.Thinkoftheliveslostinthepastforeachnewadvancemankindhasmade.There’salwaysapricetopay.Itcouldyetcostsomeofusinthisroomourlives.Butwhenyouthinkofthebenefitstotheentirehuman
race—well,Ithinkwehaveatremendousprivilege!”“There’ssomethingelse,”cutinDelSasso.“Ishouldn’tbetheoneto
sayitbecauseitmaysoundabitegotisticalandself-serving,butit’sbeenagreatmistaketoattempttotrainothersonthePsitronatthisstage.Ifwehadanumberofpsychicswithpowersequaltomine,therewouldbenoclearleadership,maybeevenrivalry.Thatwouldn’tbegoodatthispoint—right?”
“Ithinkyou’reright,”saidFrankabitreluctantly.“I’dwantedtohaveatleastoneotherPsitron-trainedpsychictoshowoffattheCongress,butIletmyownambitionsinsteadoftheArchons’wisdomrule.NowIcanseewhytheArchonshaveheldbackthedevelopmentofthepsychics,whowillbenecessarytoimplementthePlan,untilit’sbeenadoptedbytheworld.”
“Allofthiswisdomnowisn’thelpingIngerandtherest,”saidViktorsolemnly.“I’vegottotakemyshareoftheblame.”
“Well,let’snotblameoneanother,”saidFrank.“Thatisn’tgoingtohelp.Weneedtogoforwardagain.AntonioandIleaveforD.C.inthemorning,andIexpecttohavesomeexcitingnewswhenwereturn.”
Leightonstoodup,signalingtheendofthemeeting.“Youknowwhattodo,”hesaid,turningtoKay.“There’salotofworkinthelabsthatneedstobefinalizedwhileAntonioisgone.Viktorwillhelpyou.Butrememberthatpreparingforhisspeechtakestoppriority.Right,Viktor?”Leightonslappedhimontheback.“You’rethekeynoter,youknow.”
Viktorlookedsolemn.“That’sabigresponsibility,butI’mlookingforwardtoit.”
“AndCarla,”addedLeighton,“assoonasyoufinishtheroughdraftofthenextarticle,youshouldgoontothethirdone.I’llgooverthembothwhenIgetback.”
......“Knock,knock—mayIcomein?”CarlalookedupfromherworktoseethatDelSassohadopenedher
officedooracrackandwaspeeringin.Sheleanedbackandstretchedwithawearysigh.“Pleasedo.All
packedandreadytogo?”
Hepushedthedooropenandsteppedjustinside.“Oh,Idon’ttakemuchwithme.Ijustthrowafewthingstogetheratthelastminute.That’sthewayI’vealwaysdone.”
“Really?You’vetraveledalot?”“Allovertheworld.”“Ididn’tknowthat.Youhaven’ttoldmemuchaboutyourself,
Antonio.”“Whenisthereevertimearoundheretovisitwithbeautifulwomen?”
Theglintinhiseyestartledher.“Whatdoyouwant—thebarefacts?IwasborninRome,grewupthere,becameaJesuit—andhavelecturedallovertheworldasaspecialenvoyfortheblackpope.”
“Theblackpope?”That’swhattheycalltheheadoftheSocietyofJesus,becausethe
successortoIgnatiusLoyola—that’sourfounder—wearsablackrobelikemine,whilethepopewearsawhiteone.”
“Howinteresting.Ineverknewthat.”Antoniolookedathercloselyashehadbeendoingeversincethat
night.Henoticedherdiscomfort“Havenofear,”hesaidinasoothingvoice.“Iamnotheretoreproveyouforyourdoubts.Everypersonmustdealwiththeminhisownway,andIhaveconfidencethatyouwillcomethroughyourpresentperiodofconflictwithfirmconviction.”
“Well,thankyou.”Whathesaidnextcaughthercompletelyoffguard.“Youknow,Carla,
Dr.Inmanisrightinawayaboutwhathecalls‘demons.’”“Really?”Apparentlyhecouldreadhermindafterall.Thatthought
wasdevastating.“Psychicdevelopmenthasitspitfalls,”continuedDelSasso.“Andthe
psychicworldisadangerousone—aspoorIngerjustfoundout.”“Itwassuchatragedy!”repliedCarla,wonderingwhathewasleading
upto.“Shewassoyoung—andfulloflife.”“Itriedtowarnher,butshewouldn’tlisten.There’sadarkside,you
know.”Noreplywasexpected.Ishewarningme?“Neverrelyonsomeoneelsetosaveyou,”saidDelSasso.“That’sthe
majormisunderstandingmostChristianshaveaboutChrist.Youmustlooktothedivinewithinyourself,notwithinanother.Realizeyourownonenesswiththecosmos,andthenthesemisguidedcreaturesDr.Inmancalls‘demons’havenopoweroveryou.”
Carlafoundherselfnoddingassentpropelledbytheveryforceofhispersonality,yetunabletomakeanaudiblereply.WashetellingherthatherdoubtsabouttheArchonshadbroughtontherecentfrighteningexperiences?Washewarninghernottodoubtinthefuture?
“There’saplaceforhonestdoubts...uptoapoint,”saidDelSassoabruptly,apparentlyreadinghermindagain.“IntheearlystagesofthePlan,discussionoftheissueswillbeencouragedinordertoclarifythethinkingofthosewhosincerelyseekthetruth.”Hecamecloserandstoodtheretoweringoverher.“Regretfully,itwilleventuallybenecessarytoeliminateallopposition.Thestakesaretoohightodootherwise.Idon’tneedtotellyouthatChristiansare,unfortunately,thechiefoppositiontothePlan.They’llhavetobepersuaded...orelse.”
“IfIunderstandwhatyou’resaying,Antonio,”saidCarla,“thenIthinkyoumaybeoverlookingsomething.TherearemillionsofChristians—peoplelikeKenInman—whowouldratherdiethandenytheirLord.Doyoureallymeanthey’llhavetobeeliminated?”
“There’snootherchoice.It’snotbecausetheArchonsareopposedtoreligion,whichthey’renot.Butnarrow-mindeddogmashavetogoinordertomakewayforamuchmoreappropriatereligionbroadenoughfortheentireworldtoembrace.”
DelSassospokethewordswithoutanimosity,muchlikeadoctordictatingaprescription.“Thenewworldreligionwillbeecumenical,embracingallcreeds—except,ofcourse,thosethatclaimtobeexclusivelytrue.TherearemillionsofChristianswhoposenoproblem,whounderstandthatChrist,regardlessofwhattheBiblesays,neverclaimedtobetheonlyway,butrepresentativeofallways.TheywillfitintotheNewOrderwithoutanyproblems.Asforthenarrow-mindedfundamentalists,however—whetherChristiansorMoslemsorJews,orwhateverreligion—iftheydon’tvoluntarilygiveuptheirobstructive,negativedogmas,thenofcourseothermeasureswillhavetobetaken.Atstakeisworldwide
peace.Narrowsectarianbeliefscan’tbeallowedtostandintheway.”Hestartedtoleave,butturnedtopauseamomentinthedoorway.“I
wantedtowarnyoubeforeIleavefortheEast.Nevertrustanybeings,nomatterhowhighlyevolvedtheymayseemtobe.SomeofthemostenlightenedhavechosentousethedarksideoftheForce.Theycanbeverydestructive.Andifyouallowthemtofrightenyou,thenyou’reintheirpower.”
Sohedidknow!Carlafoughttocontrolarisingpanic.Sheheardherselfsaying,“Thankyou,Antonio.Iappreciatethisverymuch.ItexplainssomethingsI’vebeenwonderingabout.”
“I’mawareofyourquestionsanddoubts.Itwouldbeatragedynottoresolvethemintherightdirection.”Hiseyesseemedtopierceintoherverysoulasheheldherwithhisintensegaze.Thenheturnedandleft,closingthedoornoiselesslybehindhim.
[33]Outwitted!
Thenextfewdayspassedquicklyanduneventfully.Absorbedingettinghernewsecretaryorientedandcatchinguponbackphonecalls,Carlahadlittletimetodevotetolong-standingdoubtsandconflicts.Theyhadonlybeenputasidetemporarily,however—notsilenced.Disappointingly,Kenhadbeenoflittlehelplatelyinsortingthemout.Heseemed,infact,tobeavoidingher.Onthefewoccasionstheirscheduleshadbroughtthemintocontactoverbreakfastoralate-nightcupoftea,hehadbeenuncharacteristicallyreluctanttocarryontheirdiscussionsofthepast.Shecouldn’tunderstandthat.Diditmeanthathe’dgivenuponher?Afewdaysagothatwouldhavepleasedher,butnowitbotheredhergreatly.Shefeltneglected.
TheresearchcenterseemedemptywithoutFrankandAntonio,andCarlarealizedthatshehadagreateraffectionforbothofthemthanshehadbeenwillingtoadmit.Theyhadimpactedherlifeinmanyways,andshefeltarealsenseofcamaraderieinsharingwiththemthemutualgoalofbringingpeacetoaworldthatteeteredonthebrinkofdisaster.WhetherProjectArchonwouldactuallyturnouttobetheanswerornotitwasanobleventure.ShefeltastrongcommitmenttoworktogetherwiththemtoseethePlanthroughtoasuccessfulconclusion,ifthatwereatallpossible.
DuringthistimeshehadseenlittleofViktor.HeseemedtobeworkingdayandnightwithKay,andCarlawonderedhowtheyweregettingalong.Shehadintendedtoaskhimthatatlunchthatday,butViktorhadnotappeared.Itwasnownearly2:00p.m.,andstillnosignofViktorinhisofficeacrossthehallfromhers.Shepushedbackfromhercomputer,stoodupandstretched,anddecidedtocheckontheirprogress.
Therewerethreelabassistants—twomensheknewandayoungwomanshehadnevermet—workinginthemainlabwhenshewalkedin.
KayandViktorwerenowheretobeseen.“DoyouhaveanyideawhereImightfindDr.Khorev?”Carlaasked.
“HelefthereawhileagowithDr.Morris,”saidtheyoungwoman.“Bytheway,I’mAnneWhite.I’veseenquiteabitofyou,butIdon’tthinkwe’veevermet.”
“Hownicetomeetyou,”saidCarla.ShegaveAnneaslightnodandaknowinglooktoindicatethatsheknewwhoshewas.“Anyideawheretheywent?”
“Igottheimpression,”saidoneofthemen,“thattheywerehavingaseriousdisagreementMaybetheywantedtogosomeplacewheretheycoulddiscussitalone.”
“Really?Doyouhaveanyideawhattheproblemwas?”“Ireallycouldn’tsay.Idon’tthinkitwasanythingabouttheworkin
here—somethingpersonalbetweenthem,maybe.”“Howlongagodidtheyleave?”askedCarla.“Abouttenminutesago,wouldn’tyousay?”saidtheyoungman,
turningtoAnneforconfirmation.Shenodded.“AboutthatI’dguess.”“Well,theycertainlydidn’tgotoViktor’soffice,”saidCarlahalfto
herself.ShepickedupanearbyphoneanddialedKay’soffice,thenFrank’s,thenViktor’sjusttobecertain.Secretariesateachplacesaidtheyhadn’tseeneitherofthemallafternoon.Shedialedthestafflounge,buttheyweren’tthere—thenViktor’sapartment,buttherewasnoanswer.Carlawasbeginningtofeelapprehensive.
“Well,theycan’tjustdisappear,canthey,”shesaidaloudtonooneinparticular,tryingtosoundnonchalant“Iwantedtotalktothemaboutsomethingthatreallycan’twait.Maybethey’rebackinViktor’sapartmentandjustaren’tansweringthephone.I’lltakealookoverthere.”
Frankhadapparentlynotbeendeniedanythinghe’dwantedinconstructingthesecretcomplex.Behindthemainstructurewasasetofsixluxuryapartmentsinalong,two-storybrickbuilding.OneapartmentwasreservedforthedirectoroftheCIA,whohadnotappearedsinceCarlahadbeenthere,butwho,sheunderstood,haduseditfrequentlyinthepast.Frankusedanotheroftheapartments,asdidMikeBradford,theheadofsecurity.Viktor,ofcourse,whowaskeptonthebasecontinuouslyforhis
protection,hadhisownapartment,whichCarlahadvisitedacoupleoftimes.
Approachingthebuilding,shecouldseethatthedoortoViktor’sapartment—number5,inthemiddleontheupperlevel—washalf-open.Assheclimbedthestairs,Carlasmiledtoherself.ThatwasjustlikeViktor.Hewasabitprudishandwouldneverhaveawomaninhisapartmentwithouthavingthedoorajar,somaybethatwasasignthatheandKaywereinthereafterall.Ifso,itwasoddthathehadn’tansweredthephone.Thatwasn’tlikehim.
Whenshereachedthetopofthestairs,sheheardsubduedbutangryvoicescomingfromwithin.Peeringcautiouslyinsidethehalf-opendoorshecouldnowhearthemplainly,butshecouldn’tmakeoutthewords.Thenithitherlikeafreighttrain:Theywereconversingintheirnativetongue!SoViktorhadbeenright.ShewasRussian!HadheconfrontedKayinthelab,andthentakenherupheretohaveitout?
Carlacautiouslypushedthedooropenabitwiderandslippedquietlyintotheentryhall.Fromthereshecouldseepartofthelivingroomandkitchen.Thevoiceswerecomingfromfartherwithin.Takingthegunfromherpurseandreleasingthesafety,shemovedquicklythroughthelivingroom.Beyonditsheverycautiouslyenteredalonghall,holdingthegunready.Thevoiceswerecomingthroughanopendoorontherightwhichsherememberedwasalargestudy.Slidingalongthewall,shecreptcloser.
NowshecouldseeViktor,sittingatthefarendoftheroominfrontofthefireplace,hisrightprofiletowardher.HewasspeakingRussianrapidlyandhistonewasclearlyangryandaccusatory.Anotherstepnearer,peeringcarefullythroughtheopendoorway,andshesawKayfacinghim,lookingsurprisinglycomposed.Infactsheseemedtobeenjoyingherself.WhatdoIdonow?Justwalkin?Wait?OrshouldIgobackandgetsecurity?InthenextmomentCarla’sheartfrozeinherchestasthatdecisionwastakenfromher.Kay’seyeshadwanderedoverandseenher!
Withherheartbeatingwildlynow,Carlasteppedquicklyintotheroomandpointedthe.38revolveratKay.Therewasnothingelsetodonowthatshehadbeendiscovered.Whatfollowedastonishedhercompletely.Kayjumpedtoherfeetandgreetedherwithapparentrelief.
“Carla!AmIgladtoseeyou.Yougotherejustintime!”Viktor’sreactionsurprisedherevenmore.“Carla!Howdidyougetin
here?”hedemandedwithevidentdispleasure.Kaystartedtowardher.“Holditrightthere!”commandedCarla,
aimingtheweaponatherheadtoletherknowthatshemeantbusiness.“Notanotherinch!”
“Whyareyoupointingthatgunatme?”demandedKaywithapuzzledlookandhurttone.“Ithoughtyou’dcomeintoarresthim!Youhave,haven’tyou?”ShelookedatViktoraccusingly.“I’vejustblownhiscover.”
“Waitaminute!”hissedViktor.“Mycover?Youthinkyou’llgetawaywiththat?”
“Youareasmoothone,aren’tyou,”Kaysaid,turningtowardViktorandstaringathimcontemptuously.ThensheaddedtoCarla,“That’sthekindittakestomakeadoubleagent.He’saplant—andagoodone!”
“She’slying!”saidViktorangrily.“Youdon’tbelieveher,Carla—doyou?”
“Isurehopeshe’slying!”saidCarla.SheturnedtoKay.“IheardyouspeakingRussian.Explainthat!”
Kaylaughednervously.“Sothat’swhathasyouconfused.OfcourseIspeakRussian.Myparentswereimmigrants.WespokeitathomewhenIgrewup.That’soneofthereasonstheCIAputmeinhere.”
“TheCIA?”askedCarlainsurprise.“EvenFrankdidn’tknow,”saidKay.“Noonebutthedirectorof
CentralIntelligencehimselfknowswhoIamandwhyI’mhere—tospotRussianinfiltrationofthisoperation.Viktoralmostfooledme.”
“Waitaminute!”interruptedCarla.“IhappenedtohavebeentherewhenheescapedfromColonelChernov—thesameonewhocameinheretotakeViktorbacktoRussia.”
“That’sright,”cutinKay.“TotakehimbacktoRussia.Hewasn’tgoingtokillViktoralongwiththerestofus.Youinnocentlybecamepartofastaged‘defection’inParisthatgaveKhorevtheperfectcover—untilIgotontohisgame.Hethreatenedtokillmejustbeforeyoucamethroughthatdoor!”
“Carla,thismonsterislyingthroughherteeth,”saidViktor.“Iknew
I’dseenhersomewhere,andfinallyremembered.She’sChernov’slover!”“Viktor!”exclaimedCarla.“Youexpectmetobelievesomethingthat
incredible?”ViktorstoodtohisfeetandtookasteptowardCarla.“Holdit!”she
commanded,pointingthegunathishead.“Stayback!”“Listentome,Carla!”hepleaded.“I’veseenherpictureonChernov’s
desk!She’schangedherappearance.That’swhyittookmesolongtorealizewhoshewas.Butsheadmittedit.”
Kaywasnowlivid.“Khorev,youlyingsnake,you’regoingtothechair!”SheturnedtoCarlaagain.“Look,wedon’thavetostandhereandlistentothisgarbage.There’saphoneoverthere.PickitupandgettheDCI.He’lltellyouwhoIam.I’llgiveyouthenumberthatgoesrightintohisprivateofficeattheheadquartersinLangley,Virginia.Ijusttalkedtohimtherenotmorethan30minutesago—justbeforethisRussianplantandIcameupheretohaveourconfrontation.”
She’sgottobelying,thoughtCarla.IknowViktor.He’snoplant!Butwhatifheis?Ican’ttrusteitherofthem!
“I’mnotcallingLangley,”announcedCarla.“I’mgoingtogetsecurityupheretoarrestbothofyouandthenwe’llsortitoutfromthere.”
“Nowyou’remakingsense,”saidKay.“Justgethimintocustody—that’sallIwant.Andthenwe’llfindoutwho’slying.”
“Shutup,bothofyou!”commandedCarla.Tohersurprise,shenoticedthatViktornowlookedworried.“Ifit’sgoingtobemywordagainsthers,”hesaid,“Idon’tstandachance.YouknowthatCarla.”
“Isaidtoshutup!”respondedCarla.“Idon’tknowwho’stellingthetruth.Sogetthis:I’llshooteitherofyouifyoumakeamove!Stayrightwhereyouare.”ShewalkedsidewaysovertothephonesittingonatableattheendofthesofajusttoKay’sleft.Shepickedupthephone,withherlefthand,holdingtheguninherrightandkeepingitpointedatKay.Whensheheardthetone,sheputthereceiverdownandbegantopushthebuttonswithherlefthand.Todoso,shehadtoturnhereyesmomentarilydowntothephoneandthegunwaveredslightlyofftarget.ThatwasalltheopeningKayneeded.
“Lookout!”Viktoryelled,butthewarningcametoolate.
BeforeCarlacouldreact,Kayhadcoveredthedistancebetweentheminoneleap,andaflyingfoothadknockedthegunfromherhand.Inanotherblurofmotion,sofastthatCarlawashardlyawareitwashappening,thesamefootsweptbothofCarla’sfeetfromunderher.AndinthenextinstantKaywasstandingoverherwiththeguninherhandpointedatCarla’shead.
“Getup,Ms.Bertelli.”Kay’svoicewaslikesteel.Carlastruggledtoherfeet“Now,overinthatchairwhereIwassitting.”Shewavedthegun.“Khorev,sitbackdownagain.”Therewasnothingtodobutfolloworders.
“Youwon’tbelievethis,”gloatedKay,“butMoscoworderedmetogetoutofhereandcomehomeaweekago.Iwouldn’tdoit.Nothingwasgoingtorobmeofmyrevenge.ButIneverdreameditwouldbehandedtomeonasilverplatter!Youreallysurprisedme,Carla.Ihadnoideayoucarriedagun—andthat’sjustperfect!”
“WereyoureallyChernov’slover?”askedCarla.“That’swhyI’mgoingtoenjoythissomuch!”“ButyourNewYorkaccent?”“That’swhereIgrewup,stupid.MyfatherwaswiththeSoviet
delegationattheUN.Butthat’senough!Idon’thaveanymoretime.”“Yousuredon’t”saidCarla.“You’recover’sblown,lady.Thisroom’s
bugged—everything’sbeingrecorded.Whateveryoudowithus,youwon’tgetawaywithit!”
AderisivesmileformedonKay’slips.“You’reright.AndIknowwhereallofthatequipmentis,soyouwon’thavethesatisfactionofthinkingthatI’llbecaught.”
ShemovedoverandstoodbehindCarla.“It’sgoingtobeaveryobviousmurder-suicide.You’reinlovewitheachother,aren’tyou?I’veknownthatforalongtime.You’vebeenhavinganaffair,quarreled,andyoukilledhim,Carla.Thenyouturnedthegunonyourself.WithallthementalillnessandsuicidesattributedtotheArchons,you’lljustbetwomoretragiccasualtiesinthequestforgodhood.”
SheshovedCarlatoonesideinherchairandkneltdownbehindhertoaimatViktor,whoclosedhiseyesinanticipation.“Ihavetogettheanglesjustright.”
Ashotrangoutfromthehallway.Viktordoveforcoverbehindhischair.CarlawassuddenlyawareofKay’shead,sonearherown,jerkingviolentlyandturningredasKaywasknockedtothefloorwiththebullet’simpact.Asthoughinadream,CarlaturnedtoseeAnneWhiteracingthroughthedoortowardher,guninhand,pointedatthenowmotionlessbodyofKay.Shestoodoverherforamomentthenputthegunbackintoherpurse.
“Thatwasclose!”Annesaidinrelief.Viktorwaspickinghimselfupfromthefloor.“Areyoualright?”sheaskedCarla.
Carlanoddedweakly.Thehorriblerealityofthelastfewminuteswasjustbeginningtohither.“Ican’tthankyouenough!”Sheclosedhereyes.ItcouldbemeandViktorlyingonthefloorinsteadofKay!ShefeltanarmaroundherandlookedupintoViktor’sface.Hewastrembling—likeshewas.“I’msorry!”shesaid.“Sosorry!”
“Please!”saidViktor.“Shewasagoodliar.Youhadtobesure.”“Ididn’twanttokillher,”saidAnnematter-of-factly,“butIhadno
choice.Icouldn’ttakeachancethatshe’dshootyouifItoldhertodrophergun.”
“Youfollowedme?”askedCarlaweakly.Anneshookherhead.“No,notimmediately.ButthemoreIthought
aboutyoucomingoverhere,themoreworriedIbecame.SoIprayed,‘God,pleaseshowmewhattodo.’ThankGodthatIgotherejustintime!”
“ThankGod,youdid!”saidCarla.“ShewasamemberofChernov’spsychiccombattroops,”explained
Viktor.“SheadmittedtomethatshekilledtheguardsandletChernovin.”“Bothofyouwillbematerialwitnesses,”saidAnne.“Nowlet’svacate
thisapartment—andbecarefulnottodisturbanythinginthisroomonyourwayout.I’lljustuseyourphoneinthekitchenforaminute,Viktor.”
[34]AHoax?
Anhourlater,whenCarlapickedupherofficephone,itwasanextremelyexcitedLeightonwhowasontheotherend.
“Youwon’tbelievewhat’sbeengoingonbackhereinWashington!”hebubbled.“IwantyoutogetKayandViktor,andthethreeofyougointomyofficewhereIcantalktoyouallatonceonthespeaker.I’llcallbackintenminutes.”
“I’vebeentryingtoreachyou,Frank.Kay,uh—sheisn’thereanymore.She’s...dead.”
“What?”exclaimedFrank.“Itwasaninsidejob,Frank,andKaywastheonewhokilledthe
guardsandlettheRussiansin.”“Idon’tbelieveit!Andyousayshe’sdead?”“AnFBIagentshotherjustintime.Shewasabouttokillmeand
Viktor.ShewastrainedbyChernov—shewashislover.IthappenedinViktor’sapartment.”
“Chernov’slover?”Therewasananguishedsilence,thenthechokedresponse.“Ican’tbelieveit.ShewasjustasexcitedaboutthePlanandjustasdedicatedasanyofus.IwasveryfondofKay.Wewereveryclose.I—Idon’tunderstand.Howcouldshedeceivemesocompletely?”
Therewasalongsilence.“Frank,areyouthere?”“Whydidn’ttheArchonstellusabouther?”heaskedatlast“Theytoldusitwasamysterywehadtosolveourselvesforour
spiritualgrowth—remember?”“Iremember.ButtothinkitwasKay—oneoftheinnercircle,ahigher
initiate!Icaredalotforher,Carla,andIwassureshefeltthesameaboutme.Wehadsuchrapport.HowcouldIbesostupid?”
“IwonderhowmuchshepassedontoMoscow?”askedCarla.
“We’vegottoassumeshepasseditallalong.TheRussiansknoweverything!Idon’tthinkthatwillhurtus,butit’sagoodthingthePlanisgoingintoeffectsoon.Ijustcan’tbelieveit!”
“I’msorry,Frank.Itwasagreatshocktome,too.ShouldIgetViktorandcomeintoyouroffice?”
“Idon’thavethehearttotalkaboutitnow.We’recomingbacktomorrow.We’lljustwaituntilthen.”
......CarlacalledViktor’sofficeontheintercomtotellhimofher
conversationwithLeighton.Hissecretaryanswered.“He’snothere,”shesaid.“HemaystillbebackathisapartmentAnFBIagentcameinhereaboutanhouragoandsaidthataMr.Jordanwantedtoseehimoverthere.”
“Thanks,”saidCarla.ShehungupthephonejustasViktorwalkedthroughthedoorofheroffice.
“Soyou’vealreadyhadyoursessionwiththeFBI,”saidCarla.“Iwishthey’dgettome.Idon’tfeellikehangingaroundhereanylonger.It’simpossibletodoanythingproductiveafterwhatwe’vebeenthrough.”
Theywanttotalktoyounow,”saidViktor.“Jordanaskedmetocomeandgetyou.DidyoueverreachFrank?”
“Idid.Hetookitveryhard.HewasinvolvedwithKay,andIguessshelethimthinkshecaredforhim.”
“Shewasincredible.”Viktorshookhisheadindisbelief.“Viktor,Ican’ttellyouhowsorryIam.Shehadmesoconfused.I
couldhaveshotyou!”“Please.Idon’tevenwanttothinkaboutit!”“It’sboggling!”sighedCarla.“Thisisaworldofspiesand
internationalintrigueI’vereadaboutbutwasneversurehowmuchwasfactorfiction.Andtosuddenlyfindmyselfpartofit!”
“TheFSBmakesitsownrules,”saidViktorbitterly.“Evilbecomesgoodandmightisright”Hehesitatedforamoment,andthenplungedonasthoughtherewassomethinghe’dbeenholdingbackandhadtoexpress.“AndIhaveaterriblefeelingthatwhatevertheArchonsrepresentoperatesexactlythesameway.Idon’tlikeit,Carla.”
Sheputafingertoherlipsandshookherhead.“We’vebothhadourdoubtsfromtimetotime,”saidCarlaquickly,“butthat’sonlynaturalwithsomethingofthismagnitude—andespeciallysomethingthat’ssorevolutionary.Nothinglikeithaseverhappenedinthehistoryoftheworld.AndIunderstandyourresentmentthatwehavetotakeordersfromtheArchons,butafterall,it’stheirPlan.Thewholeworldisgoingtobegratefultothem—andus—someday.That’swhatkeepsmegoing.”Shestoodwearily.“Well,yousaidtheFBIwantedtotalktome—Isupposetogetmyversionofthisnightmare.Sowhydon’tyouleadmetothem.”
Whentheywereoutside,CarlascoldedViktor,“Haveyouforgotten?Ourofficeshaveears!Youcan’ttalklikethatinthere!”
“Idon’tknowwhetherIcareanymore,”saidViktorangrily.“I’mbeginningtofeellikeI’mbackintheSovietUnionofthepast—ormaybethatI’velandedinsomethingfarworse.I’mconfinedtothisprison,can’tevengooutside,andtheArchonsdictateoureverymove—andsoonourthoughts!”
“ButiftheArchonsarewhotheyclaimtobe,”insistedCarla,“well,Imean,they’resofarbeyondus,itonlymakessensethatweshouldtakeordersfromthem.”
Theyhadstoppedtotalkandwerestandingnowbetweenthemainstructureandtheapartmentbuilding.ViktorleanedclosetoCarlaandwhispered,“SupposetherearenoArchons.SupposethewholeArchonthingisahoax.”
“Youcan’tbelievethat,Viktor!”“I’vebeentormenteddayandnighttryingtofitthepiecestogether,
andhere’swhatI’vecomeupwith.There’snodoubtthatAntoniohasinconceivablepowers—beyondimagination,really.Inallmyyearsofpsychicresearch,Ineverevendreamedofanythingclosetowhathecando.”
CarlacouldseeJordanstandingonthelandinginfrontofViktor’sapartmentwatchingthem.Shewavedathimandhewavedback.“Jordan’swaitingforus,”shesaid.“Wecoulddiscussthislater.”
Heheldherbythearmandcontinuedtotalkrapidly.Shehadneverseenhimsoagitated.“I’vegottosharethiswithyou—now.Listen!
Antoniohasallthepowerheneedstotakeovertheworld.Nobodycouldstophim.Butbillionsofpeoplewouldresentwhathe’ddoneandtherewouldbenoendofrebellion.SohepretendstheArchonsaredirectinghim.Insteadofdoingithimselfandarousingresentmenthegetsinstalledasworldrulerbythisgroupof‘highlyevolvedextraterrestrialintelligenceswhohavebeenguidingourevolution.’It’saningeniousidea.Ofcourse,DelSasso,likeeveryoneelse,mustfollowtheirorders—andthatmakeshimnotthevillainbutthehero.Theideaof‘highlyevolvedintelligencesfromanotherdimension’hasenoughromanceandscience-fictionappealsothateveryonewouldwanttogoalongwithitorbeafraidnotto—atleastuntilhe’ssofullyestablishedthatrebellionjustwouldn’tbepossible.”Viktorranoutofbreath.
Carla’sheadwasspinning.“Areyouserious?Ineverwouldhavedreamedit,butthen—”ShecouldhearthevoiceofGeorgeonthetelephoneagain,andsuddenlypiecesbegantofallintoplace.“DoyouthinktheremightbeanelitegroupwithintheCIAconspiringwithDelSassoonthis?”sheasked.
“That’spossible.Ihaven’ttriedtothinkofsuchdetails.I’vebeenhauntedbythisnightmareeversinceInger’sdeath.IthinkDelSassodrovehertosuicide!”
“Inevertoldyouthathealmostkilledme.”“When?How?”“Well,maybeitwasn’treallyhim,buttherehadtobeaconnection.A
figurethatlookedexactlylikehim,hoodedrobeandall,camerightintomybedroomwhenIwasasleepandtriedtostrangleme!”
“Thatsoundslikehispsychicdouble!Whydidyoucomebackhereafterthat?Andwhydidn’tyoutellmesooner?”Viktorwasclearlyupset.
“Ididn’twanttoabandonyou,butIdidn’tknowwhattosay.Thewholethinghasbeenveryconfusing.I’vewantedtotalkaboutit,butthereneverseemstobetherighttime.”
“Well—howdidyouescapefromDelSasso?”askedViktorearnestly.“Ican’ttalkaboutit.”“Carla,ifsonlyyouandme—justlikeinParis.Onlyitisn’tChernov
who’safterusnow.We’reupagainstsomethingmuchbigger.Idon’teven
knowwhoourenemiesmightbeanymore.Itcouldbeanybody!Wehavetosticktogetherandsharewhatweknow.”
Carlaspokereluctantly.“Someonerescuedme.He’dhavetoexplainhowhedidit.”
“WasitDr.Inman?”Shenodded.“I’dliketogethisreactiontoyourtheory.”“SowouldI,”saidViktor.“HeinventedthePsitron,buthe’soneofthe
fewIwouldtrust.I’dliketoknowwhathethinks—whyDelSassoistheonlyonewho’sbeensuccessfullytrainedonit.We’velostsix.”
“Seven,”correctedCarla.“KenwasthefirstandtheArchonsalmostkilledhim—remember?”
“Itwasn’ttheArchons—itwasDelSasso.”“Buthewasn’teveninthepictureatthattime.”“Ithinkhewas,butnooneknewit—exceptFrank.They’vegottobe
inthistogether.TheybothworkfortheCIA,andIdon’tseeanydifferencenowbetweenthatandtheKGBoritssuccessor,theFSB.”
“ButhowcouldDelSassocontrolKen’smindthen,ifKenhascompletepoweroverhimnow?”
“Hecan’tstanduptoDelSasso’spower!”respondedViktor.“I’mcertainthathecan,andthathasmeconfused.”“Youmeanatthelab?DelSassoexplainedthat.”“I’veseenotherevidencesincethenthatIreallyneedtosharewith
you.ButIcan’tdoitwithoutKenpresenttogivehisownexplanation.”CarlathoughtforamomentThere’sgottobesomewaytogetyouout
ofheretomeetwithKen,andIthinkIknowhow.Comeon.Don’taskmehowIknow,butJordanissomeoneyoucantrustaswell.”Theycontinuedtherestoftheshortwalk.Atthebottomofthestairs,CarlastoppedandcalleduptoJordan,“Canweaskyouaquestiondownhere?”Henoddedandcamedownthestepstwoatatime.
ShemotionedtoJordan,andthethreeofthemwithdrewfromtheswarmsofsecuritymenandFBIagentsaroundViktor’sapartment.“Don,ViktorhassomethingthatIthinkyououghttohear.Hecan’ttellyouinsideofthiscomplex,becauseKenhastohearittoo.Weneedhisopinion.It’sreallyimportant.IstheresomewayyoucouldgetViktorout
ofthisprisonlongenoughtodiscussthiswithKen—likethisevening?”Jordanthoughtforamoment.“Yeah,”hesaid.“Thatcanbearranged.
He’samaterialwitnessandIsimplyneedtobringhimintomyofficeforsomemorequestioning.I’lltakehiminmycar.IwasheadingbackthereassoonasI’dgottenyourstatementanyway.”
“Terrific!”saidCarla.“I’dfeelmorecomfortableaboutsayingcertainthingsifyoutookmystatementinyourofficeaswell.Isthatokay?”
“That’sfine.Infact,Iwasgoingtosuggestit.”“Okay.I’llfollowyouandViktor.Howlongdoyouthinkyou’llwant
tospendwithme?”“Halfanhour,maybealittlemore.”“Good.Onemorething.Viktorhasseennothingbuttheinsideofthis
sterileinstallationeversincehearrivedintheUnitedStates.Whenyou’redonewithme,insteadofhavingthediscussionwithKeninyouroffice,howaboutanicerestaurant?Justalittlefavorforamanwhohadsuchhighhopeswhenhedefected?”
“Iseenoproblem,”saidJordan.“Wheredoyousuggest?”“HowabouttheOldWharfFishHouse?It’s4:30now,solet’smakeit
7o’clock.Okay?”“That’sfine.Letmeclearupafewthingshere,andViktorandIwill
bewaitinginmycarbythegatein15minutes.”“I’llphoneKenfrommyofficeandmakesurehecanmeetus,”added
Carla,withobviousrelief.Backinheroffice,shegatheredafewpapersintoherbriefcase,then
calledKen’scompany.Apolitefemalevoiceanswered.“SensitronicsInternational.MayIhelpyou?”
“Yes,I’dliketospeaktoDr.Inman.”“Justamoment,please.”Therewasapauseastheswitchboard
connectedherwithKen’ssecretary.“Dr.Inman’soffice.”“ThisisCarlaBertelli.IsKenavailable?It’sratherurgent.”“Justamoment,Ms.Bertelli.”Ken’svoicecameontheline.“Carla!Areyouokay?”“I’mfine.Ken,isyoureveningclear?”
“Itcanbe.What’sup?”“Oh,Ijustthoughtitwouldbenicetogettogetherwithyoufordinner
attheOldWharfFishHouse...sayabout7:00?”Therewasapauseontheotherend.“You’renotpullingmyleg?”“No,I’mnot.Somethingawfulhashappenedouthere,andIreally
needsomediversiontotakemymindoffofit.Itwouldbeverynice,Ken.”
“Ithinkitwouldbefabulous.ShallIhavemysecretarygetreservations?”
“Please.Makeitforfour.”“Forfour?”“Yeah.Thereareacoupleofpeopleyouabsolutelymustmeet.”
[35]ARivalPlan
KenwasattherestaurantwhenCarlaarrived.WhiletheywaitedforJordanandViktor,shefilledKeninonwhathadhappened—whoKayMorriswasandtheclosecallsheandViktorhadhadthatafternoonandhowthey’dbeenrescuedinthenickoftimebyanFBIagentnamedAnneWhite.
“Iknowherverywell,”saidKen.“We’vedatedafewtimes.”“Really?She’squiteattractive,”saidCarla.“Averyniceperson.You’dlikeher,”saidKen.“Herrealnameis
AnneBartkowski,butshegoesby“White’onspecialassignmentslikethat.”
“HowdoyouknowherandDonJordan?”“TheybothattendthesameThursdaynightprayermeetingthatmy
motherandIgoto...theonethat’sheldinDr.HaroldElliott’shouse.I’msureyourememberhim.”
“HowcouldIforget?”saidCarlawithafrown.“Well,Imustsay,youcertainlyhaveaninterestinggroupof‘Christianfriends’—andyousureseemtolookoutforoneanother.”
ViktorandJordanarrivedatthatpoint,andtheywereseatedimmediatelyattheirtable.Astheywerelookingoverthemenu,Carlarememberedsomethingshe’dforgottentotellJordan.“Don,youknowAnneWhitegotmygun,”shesaid.“Isupposeit’spartoftheevidence,butIwantedtobesureyouknewwhathappenedtoit.AndI’drathernothaveanotherone.Thanksjustthesame!”
“Youdidyourjob,sowe’llletyougointoearlyretirement,”saidJordan.“Annetoldmeallaboutit.ShesaidthatyouandViktorhandledyourselveswell.”
“Thatwaskindofhertosay,andit’strueofViktor—butIwas
completelyoutclassed.IneedednotjustagunbutatankagainstKay.I’veneverseenanythinglikeit.AndAnne—shewasfabulous.Shesureknewwhatshewasdoing.Shesavedourlives—justintime.”
“She’soneofthebest,”saidJordan.“She’sour‘AnnieOakley.’Well,what’severybodyhaving?”
“I’mgoingtotakethecombo,”saidCarla,“andthat’swhatyou’vegottohave,too,Viktor.”Sheleanedoverandpointedtothatselectiononthemenu.“You’veneverhadanythinglikethisinMoscow,beingsofarfromtheocean.That’swhyIwantedustocomehere.It’sacombinationplate:chinooksalmonfromAlaska,theworld’sbestlobsterfromtheCaribbean,andgiantprawnsfromtheGulfofMexico—everythingflowninfresh,andtheprawnsareinthemostdeliciousbatteryou’veevertasted.It’sfabulous!Howaboutit?”
Viktor,whohadneverevenimaginedsuchascene,hadspentasmuchtimelookingaroundtherestaurantashehadgoingoverthemenu.“Itsoundsamazing,”hesaid.“Ifyourecommendit—”
“Youwon’tregretit,”saidJordanenthusiastically.“I’mgoingtohavethesamething.”
“AndsowillI,”addedKen.“Well,thatmakesitunanimous,”laughedCarla.Aftertheyhad
ordered,shewastednotime.“Beforewegetdowntobusiness,IjustwanttoaskDonwhethertheFBIcan’tpersuadetheCIAtoletViktorseewhatit’slikeintheoutsideworldatleastonceinawhile.Iknowtheexperiencethiseveningisgoingtodohimalotofgood,andIdon’tseehowhecanbeinsuchbigdangeranymore.Right?”
“It’sstillunpredictableattheKremlin,”repliedDon.“Ithinktheyreallywantpeace—fortheirownreasons,ofcourse.AndtheRussianpresidentseemstobegettingalongwellwithourpresident.IftheRussianpresidentcansurviveanotheryearorsowithoutamilitarycoup.”
“DoyouthinkKayMorriswastellingthetruthwhenshesaidshe’dbeencalledbacktoMoscowandrefusedtogoinordertogetrevengeonmeandCarla?”askedViktor.
“Fromalltheinformationwehave,Ithinkthat’strue.Buttherecouldbeotherrenegadeagentsoutthere.IfIwereyou,Viktor,I’dundergoa
completechangeinidentity.Thisisabigcountry.Youcoulddropoutofsightveryeasily—atleastuntilyou’renolongerofanyimportancetotheRussians.”
Viktorlookedsomber.“That’snotpossiblebeforetheCongress.MyidentityiswhatmakesmevaluabletoLeighton,andhesaysit’sessentialthatIgivethekeynoteaddress.”
“ThenI’dasktheCIAtotakecareofitimmediatelyaftertheCongress,whenyourpresentidentityhasserveditspurpose.Andinthemeantime,Iwouldn’tleavethatfortress.I’vegotfourmeninhereguardingyourightnow.ThisisaprettyexpensivemealforUncleSam.”
“You’rekidding!”saidCarla,lookingaroundtheroom.“Ididn’trealizethatwouldbenecessary,butIthinkit’sgoingtobeworthit.ViktordesperatelywantedtodiscusssomeideashehaswithKen—and,asyouknow,Kenispersonanongrataoutthere.Sothiswastheonlyway.”SheturnedtoViktor.“Whydon’tyouexplainwhatyoutoldmethisafternoon.”
“IwasenthusiasticwhenIfirstcamehere,”beganViktor.“SeeingDelSasso’spowerschangedmywholethinking.AndthePlanheldoutsuchhopeforrescuingplanetEarth.ButIbecameuncomfortableatthewaytheArchonsdictateeverything.Theirwordislawandhastobeobeyedorelse—justliketheoppressiveMarxistsocietyIgrewupin.InoticedthateverythingtheArchonsdidincreasedDelSasso’simportanceandpower.He’sthekeytothewholething.Eachdaya‘transmission’comesfromtheArchonsthroughDelSassotellinguswhattodo.Butthere’snowaytoprovewhethertheArchonsarereallyspeakingthroughDelSasso,orwhetherhe’sjustputtingonanact.Thatbegantotroubleme.”
Viktorwastryingtoeatashetalked.Hehadobviouslyneverseenalobsteranddidn’tknowwhichendtogoafter.“Who’swinningthebattleoverthere,”Carlakiddedhim,“youortheseamonster?”
Notwillingtoadmitdefeattoacrustacean,hesaid,“IthinkI’mgoingtocomeoutontop,”andwentbacktoattackingaclaw.
“Here,letmeshowyou,”saidKenwithalaugh.“Mmm!Reallydelicious!”saidViktor.Whenhe’dgottensomegood
chunksofthesucculentwhitemeathecontinuedearnestly.“ThePlan
promisesthatDelSassoisonlythefirst.Therewillbebillionsjustlikehimwhocanusethispsychicpowerforthegoodofmankind.Yet,sofar,wehaven’tbeenabletoproduceevenone.We’vehadsixpsychicsinsuccessiontrainingonthePsitronandeveryoneofthemhasmetdisaster.Fivebeganactingstrangely,losttouchwithreality,andtwoofthemarestillinapsychiatrichospital.Thelastone—that’sInger—apparentlyhungherself.”
“Wehaven’tresolvedthat,”interjectedDon.“It’saverystrangecase.”“Anyway,thepointis,”continuedCarla,“anyonewhoseemstobe
developingpowersthatcouldposeanykindofchallengetoDelSassogetseliminatedonewayoranother.”
“Evencommunismsoundsgoodonpaper,buttheparadiseitpromisesneverquitematerializes,”saidViktor.“It’slikethatwiththeArchons.Theypromisepeace,love,andbrotherhood,butallwe’vegottensofarhasbeenviolenceanddeath.Toputitbluntly,IthinkthewholeArchonthingcouldbeahoax,andthePlanissimplyDelSasso’sclevermeansoftakingovertheworld.IsuspectFrank’sanaccomplice,butmaybehe’sbeenfooledliketherestofus.”
CarlaturnedtoKen.“Well,whatdoyouthink?”“YouknowwhereI’mcomingfrom.Viktordoesn’t,soletmeexplain
abit.TheBiblesaysthatanevilmancalledtheAntichristisgoingtotakeovertheworld.”
“Youmean‘Mr.666,’”saidViktor.“Soyoubelievethat?”“Yeah,Ido.There’vebeenafewgoodcandidatesinthepast.Hitler
cameawfullyclose.ItcanonlyhappenwhenGodallowsitandtheAntichristwillprobablybeanincarnationofSatan,who’salsoknownastheserpent.WhethertheArchons’Planisthewayitwillhappen,Idon’tknow.PowerfulasDelSassois—atleastatthispoint—Idoubtthathe’stheAntichrist.Buthecertainlyhassomeofthequalifications.”
“Suchas?”askedCarla.“SecondThessalonians2:9,10andRevelation13:4explainthathe
manifestsallthepowerofSatanin‘signsandlyingwondersandwithalldeceivableness.’ThatcertainlyfitsDelSasso—andbeingborninRomedoesn’thurt.ButIthinktheAntichristwillalsohaveapowerfulpolitical
basetostartfrom,soit’satoss-upatthispoint.”“IsthisDelSassoreallythatgreat?”askedJordan.“Incredible!”saidCarla.“Hispsychicpowersarecomparableto
anythingtheNewTestamentsaysaboutJesus.Ihaven’tseenhimraisethedead,butIwouldn’tdoubtthathecould.Notonlythat,buthe’sgotirresistiblepowersofpersuasion—charismalikeyoucouldn’tbelieve.He’scertainlyqualifiedtoheadupthePlan—which,bytheway,Ithinkisingeniousandreallydoesoffergenuinehopefortheworld.Itmakesgoodsense.Frankly,Istillhopeitworks.”
Kengaveheradisappointedlook,thenturnedbacktoViktor.“Whateverelsecomesthroughthetransmissions,orwhetherDelSassofakesitattimes,Idon’tknowbecauseI’veneverbeenpresent.ButfromwhatlittleI’veheard,Idon’tthinkit’sDelSasso’sPlan.It’stheArchons’—andthey’redemons!”
KennoticedViktor’scynicalsmile.“Iwasasmuchaskepticasyouare,Viktor—probablymoreso.You’reaskingmyopinion,andIhavetogiveyouatleastsomeofthereasonswhyIholditoritwouldmakeevenlesssense.”
“I’mnotobjecting,”repliedViktor.“Iwanttoknowexactlywhatyoureallybelieve.”
“Okay,”saidKen.“DelSassomayverywellhopetobecometheworldruler.Andwithhispervertedtheology,hemayevenfeelthatbeingtheAntichristwouldbeagreathonor.Thatcouldexplainwhyhehasprobablyeliminatedanyonewhoseemedtobedevelopingpowerscomparabletohis.ButtheArchonsreallyexist.Youmustknowthatthehistoryoftheoccultisfilledwithreferencestothem—thoughthey’remostoftencalled‘theNine,’astheyfirstidentifiedthemselvestome.”
Viktornodded.“SoDelSassodidn’tpullsomethingoutoftheair.Hepretendedtobeintouchwithtraditionalentitiesthatoccultistsandpsychicsatleastarefamiliarwith.ThatgivesthePlanacertainlegitimacy.Maybetherearesuchentities.Idon’tdisputethat.Infact,itwastheconvictionthatnonphysicalentitieswerebehindpsychicphenomena—andthedesiretopursuethatpossibilityinmyresearch—thatcausedmetodefecttotheWest.”
“Thenwhatareyousaying?”demandedCarla.“Ithoughtyousuggestedtheydidn’texist.”
“Imeantheydon’texistasDelSassorepresentsthem.Idon’tknowwhoorwhattheyreallyare,butIthinkhe’smadethemintosomethingelseforhisownends.”
Kenreachedintoaninsidepocketofhisjacketandpulledoutasmallblackbook.HehelditupforViktortosee.ThesewererareintheSovietUnion.Withthenewso-called-freedomthey’rereadilyavailable,butyoumayneverhaveseenone.”
“Whatisit?”askedViktor.“ANewTestament—partoftheBible.”“You’reright.It’sunfamiliartome.”“Letmejustreadafewversesfromit.”KenglancedoveratCarla.Her
lookofanticipationpleasedhim.“BelieveitornottheArchonswerementionedinhere1900yearsago,”headded.Carlalookedsurprised.
“AJewishreligiousleadernamedSaul,whohatedChristiansandhadthemputinprisonandkilled,claimedthatJesusChristresurrectedfromthedead,cametohim,andconvertedhim.ThatseemstobetheonlylogicalexplanationforSaulsuddenlybecomingaChristian.HebecameknownastheApostlePaul,andfacedprisonanddeathhimself.I’mreadingfromaletterhewrotetothechurchatthattimeinEphesus—atownthat’sinmodernTurkeytoday:‘Finallythen,findyourstrengthintheLord,inhismightypower.PutonallthearmourwhichGodprovides,sothatyoumaybeabletostandfirmagainstthedevicesofthedevil.Forourfightisnotagainsthumanfoes,butagainstcosmicpowers,againsttheauthoritiesandpotentatesofthisdarkworld,againstthesuperhumanforcesofevilintheheavens.Therefore,takeupGod’sarmour;thenyouwillbeabletostandyourgroundwhenthingsareattheirworsttocompleteeverytaskandstilltostand.’”
Viktorseemedunimpressed.“Sowhatdoesitmean?”“Theword‘authorities’inthisEnglishtranslationcomesfromthe
word‘Archons’intheoriginalGreekinwhichPaulwroteit.WhenIsawthatoneeveningwhileIwasreadingthisScripture,itnearlyknockedmeoutofmychair.”
“IknewitwasaGreekword,”declaredViktor.“ButIneverknewtheBiblewasoriginallywritteninGreek—likethosemessageswegotinmylabbackintheRussia!”HewasgivingKenhisundividedattentionnow.
“TheArchons,asyouprobablyknow,”continuedKen,“weretheninemagistrateswhoruledAthensinPaul’sday.However,Paul—whoclaimedtobeinspiredbyGodtowritethis—makesitclearthatheisreferringtoAthen’srulersonlyasawayofexplainingthatthereisasimilarhierarchyofdemonicbeingsdirectingtheforcesofevilinthisworld.Hespecificallysaysthatthebattleisnotagainsthumanfoes,butagainstspiritualbeingsofgreatpowerandwickednesswhoareapparentlyunderthecommandofwhatPaulhimselfcallstheArchons,ortheNine.”
CarlahadbeenlisteningtoKen’sexplanationwithobviousastonishment“Whydidn’tyouevertellmethattheBibleidentifiedtheArchons?”shedemanded.“Thisisamazing!”
“Youweren’texactlyeagertohearanythingfromthisbook,remember?”
“ButDelSassoknowstheBible,”persistedViktor.“HemustknowthatittalksabouttheArchons,andthatonlygivesonemorereasonforhimtopretendthey’redirectinghim.”
“Notpretend—theyaredirectinghim,”saidKenfirmly.“Youcametotheconclusionthatsomenonphysicalentities—-notthepsychic’smindasispopularlythought—werethesourceofpsychicpower.I’mconvincedofthesamething.TheArchons,ortheNine,havetobethesourceofhispower!”
“ButwhosaystheyhavethePlanthatcomesthroughDelSassointhese‘transmissions’?”insistedViktor.“Whatiftheydon’tcarehowthispowerisused,sohe’spretendingthey’redirectinghimsothathecanmonopolizeitanddominatetheworld?”
“Thenmanyotherpsychicsshouldhavegottenthesamepower.ButyouadmitthatDelSassoseemstobeunique.Thattellsmehe’stheirchosenmanfortheirpurpose,nothis.ThisthingisbiggerthanDelSasso—oreventhehumanrace.There’sacosmicstrugglegoingonbetweenGodandSatan,andmankindjoinedSatan’ssidebybelievingtheliethatwecouldbecomegods—theveryliethatisnowbeingpresentedthrough
thePlan.”“IfGodissoall-powerful,”objectedCarla,“whydoesn’tHejustslam
SatanacrossthemouthwiththebackofHishandandlockhimawayandbedonewithit?”
“MayIgetawordinhere?”askedDon,whohadbeenfollowingtheconversationwithgreatinterest.
“Peasedo!”saidKen.“It’snotamatterofrawpower,”suggestedDon.“Theissueisamoral
one.Goodandevilhavenothingtodowithforce.MightdoesnotmakerightThere’samoralchoicethateachpersonmustmakewillingly.TheonlywaythatGodwouldwanttowinthisbattleforthehumanheart—andindeedtheonlywayHecanwin—isthroughlove.HelovedussomuchthatHebecameamananddiedforoursinssothatHecouldjustlyforgiveus.ThosewholoveGodinresponsetoHisloveandbelieveinChristastheirSaviorandLordaredeliveredfromSatan’sclutchesandintheNameofJesusChristhavecompletepoweroverSatanandhisdemons.”
KenleanedacrossthetableandspoketoCarlaandViktorearnestly.“YoubothsawmeshutdownDelSasso’spowerinthelaboratorythatday.Iunderstandheofferedanotherexplanation,butthat’salie.YousawthatIwasnotafraidofhim.AndCarlacouldtellyouthatwhatseemedtobeDelSasso—althoughitwasreallyanArchonusinghisform—camerightintoherbedroomandwasabouttodestroyher.Butwhen,inthenameofJesusChristIcommandeditandwhatseemedtobeahugecobrathatwasattackingmetogetout,theyimmediatelydisappeared.Satanisconsistentlycalled‘theserpent’intheBible.”
ViktorlookedatCarlaquestioningly,andshenoddedvigorously.“That’swhatImentionedtoyou,butIwantedyoutohearKen’sexplanation,sincehe’stheonewhomadethemvanish.Iwasreallybeingchokedandwouldhavebeenkilledifhehadn’trescuedme.”
“I,too,wasrescued,Viktor,”saidKen.“Asyouknow,IinventedthePsitronandwasthefirstonetomakecontactwiththeArchonsthroughusingit.AsaresultIwaspossessedbytheNine.Theytriedtokillme—andwouldhavesucceededifthesurgeonwhoworkedonmehadn’tbeenaChristianandcastoutthosedemons.That’swhotheyare.Soitmaynotbe
DelSassoatallwhokilledIngeranddrovetheothersinsane,butrathertheArchonsthemselves.Theyalmostsucceededindoingmein.”
“SoyoureallydidshutdownDelSassointhelabthatday,”musedViktor,onlyhalf-convinced.“Thatmeansyouhaveagreaterpower.Soyoucouldtakeovertheworld.Isthatwhatyou’resaying?”
“ThepowerthatIwasthevehicleforthatdaywasnomoreminetouseasIpleasethantheArchons’powercanbeusedbyDelSassotohisownends.Andneitherkindispsychicpower,Viktor.It’ssomethingaltogetherdifferent.TheauthorityIhaveandtowhichtheArchonsandSatanhimselfmustyield—whichiswhyIhavenofearatallofDelSasso—isintheNameofJesusChrist.JesusChristconqueredSatanbydyingforoursinsandresurrectingfromthedeadasproofthatthepenaltyhadbeenpaidandthatallwhowouldreceiveHimastheirLordandSaviorwouldbeforgivenandwouldcomeunderGod’sprotection.That’sexactlywhatDonjusttoldyou,butIwantedtosayitagainbecausethere’snootherwayforyoutobeprotectedfromDelSassoandtheArchonsbehindhim.”
“Idon’tintendtosurrendermyintegritytotheArchons,”declaredViktorangrily,“nomatterwhoorwhattheyrepresent.AndIwillnotbeDelSasso’sorFrank’s—howdoyousayit?—lackey.”
“That’sbravelyspoken,Viktor,”saidDon,“andIadmireyourcourage.Butremember,you’renowupagainstthepowerthatwipedoutChernovandhismenwithoutworkingupasweat!HowdoyouproposetodefytheArchonswithoutsufferingthesamefate?”
“Idon’tknow,”respondedViktorgloomily,“butI’mnotgoingalongwiththisnewtotalitarianismthat’sevenworsethantheMarxismIleftbehind!”
“Viktor,please!”pleadedCarla.“You’rebothingravedanger,”warnedKen.“You’vebeenofvalueto
thePlan.ButifyoutrytoopposetheArchons,andtheyrealizethatthey’llneverbeabletogetyoutobelieveinthem,they’lltrytodestroyyou.Godhasabetterplan.It’sforallthosewhorepentoftheirrebellionandbelieveinJesusChrist.”
Viktorthoughtaboutitforsometimeinsilence.Atlasthesaid,“I’ve
[36]ToSavetheWorld
ItwaslatethatnightwhenCarlareturnedtoKen’shouse.ShehadgonebacktothebasetotrytoreasonwithViktor—withoutsuccess.Kenhadwaitedupforher,andtogethertheysatatthekitchentabletotalk—thefirsttimehe’dbeenavailabletodothatinnearlyaweek.
“IreallylikeViktor,”saidKen,“butI’veneverseenanyonesostubborn.Didhetellyouwhatheintendstodo?”
“No.Hejustrepeatedwhathesaidatdinner—thathehashisownplanandknowsexactlywhathe’sgoingtodo.Buthewouldn’tspellitout.I’mworriedabouthim.”
“AndI’mconcernedforbothofyouandprayingforyou.YouweregoingtohanginthereforJordan,andthatassignmentwascompleted.Iknowyouhaven’twantedtoabandonViktor,butCarla,he’shaditalllaidoutforhimandmadehischoice—andhewon’teventellyouwhatitis!Idon’tthinkyou’reobligatedtohimanymore.”
“ImadeacommitmenttoFrank,andIcan’tgobackonthatnow.Andthere’sastoryhere,Ken—thestoryofthecentury,ifnotofallhistory!AndIstillkeephopingthattheArchonsreallyarebenevolenthigherbeingswhoputusonearthandhavebeenwatchingoverourevolution.”
“Whatarewe,”askedKensarcastically,“somekindofexperimenttheycreatedinalaboratoryandmovedtothisplanet?Orifwe’rejustanevolutionaryformoflifethatsprangupspontaneouslyonearth,howdidtheygettobethezookeepersoftheuniversewiththerighttocontrolourdestiny?Furthermore,iftheArchons‘putushere,’thenwhoputthemthere?Andwhoputthemthere—there,adinfinitum,adabsurdum?”
“Zookeepersoftheuniverse?”Carlaleanedbackandlaughed.“Youdon’tleaveapersonmuchroomtowafflearoundin,doyou,Ken?Okay,soitisabsurdthattheyputushere,someyet‘higher’creaturesputthem
there—reductioadabsurdum.”“Sowhatdoyoudowhensomething’sabsurd?”hedemandedquickly.“Hey,backoffabit.”Sheheldupbothhandsinprotest.“Everything’s
soblack-and-whitewithyou,sosimple,butIdon’tseeitthatway.IguessI’mtornatthispoint.TherearetimeswhenIwanttoscreamforhelpandrunoutofthereasfastasIcan.ButatothertimesIsensesuchagenuinewarmthandlovesurroundingAntonio.GodknowswedesperatelyneeddrasticsolutionsifplanetEarthistosurvive.AtleasttheArchons,whoeverorwhatevertheymaybe,offersomethingpositiveforachange—thefirstplanthatI’veheardofthatmakessense.”
“Itdoesn’tmakesense.Ithasnomoralfoundation,nobasisforindividualfreedomofconscience,andthusnogenuinelove—anditreeksofevil.Viktorsensesthat.”
“SodoIattimes,butnotalways.IguessIjustwantittoworkbecausethereseemstobenoalternative.”
“There’sanalternative,Carla,thatdoesmakesense.AndyouknowwhatImean.”
Carlatracedthepatternonthetableclothforawhilewithaspoonhandle.Finallyshesaid,“IseemyselftoaremarkabledegreeinViktor.Perhapsthat’swhyIfeelsoclosetohim.HishatredofMarxisttotalitarianism,andnowhisfearthattheArchonsintendtocontroltheentireworld,ismuchlikethewayIfeltaboutChristianityasateenager.Itseemedsorestrictive,andIwantedtotalfreedom.”
“Ifthatkindof‘freedom’existed,”saidKen,“we’dallbehostagetotheuninhibitedactionsofothers,whichwouldinevitablyclashwithourown.Realfreedomcanonlyexistwithinlawsthatdefineit.Obediencetouniversallawsgivesusthefreedomtoflyairplanesorhanggliders,traveltothemoon,usetheenergyintheatom.Listen!Theincrediblescientificadvancementmankindhasmadehasalwaysbeenthroughobediencetothelawsthatgovernthephysicaluniverse—workingwithinthem,nottryingtooverthrowthem.Therearealsomoralandspirituallawsthatmustbeobeyed,andthegreatdelusionthatwecandoourownthinginviolationoftheselawsisthecauseofallourills.”
Noresponsewasforthcomingso,afterwaitingafewmoments,Ken
continued.“TheonlyrealfreedomisfoundinJesusChrist.AndtheonlyreasonsyoucanofferforrejectingHimallinvolvepeoplewhomisrepresentedHim,notChristHimself.It’sunfairtoblameHimforwhatothershavedoneinHisName.Justremember:Helovesyou,andHe’swillingtoforgiveallyouranimosity.”
Carla’sexpressionalternatedbetweenangerandamusement.“IfinditamazingthatI’msittingheresocalmlywhileyoutrytoconvertme,”sherespondedatlastwithanuncomfortablelaugh.“Iwouldhavestormedoutofhereifyou’ddaredtosaysuchathingonlytwoweeksago.Youhaven’tconvincedme,ofcourse,butI’mgladwecanatleasttalknow.”
......UponhisreturnwithDelSassofromWashington,D.C,Leighton
calledtheentirestaffintothetheatertogivethemhisreport.Beforedoingso,hehadafewwordstosayaboutKay,buthedidnotmentionhername,nordidhegiveanydetailsofwhathadactuallyhappenedinViktor’sapartment.Kay’sbodyhadbeenhurriedlyremovedthatnight,andtheCIAandFBIhadputalidofsecrecyonthewholeaffair.AnneWhitehadsimplynotcomebacktoworkthenextday,andthecomplexhadbeenbuzzingwithrumors.ThetwoguardswhowereworkingfortheFBIremainedasaprecaution,butevenMike,asheadofsecurity,wasnotawareoftheirtrueidentity.
“Wehadforsometimesuspectedthatatraitorwasinourmidst,”beganLeighton,andCarlanotedthathisvoicewasfirm.HehadapparentlybeenabletoputKayandhisrelationshipwithhercompletelybehindhim.“Amurderer,”continuedLeighton,“whokilledtwoguardsandlettheRussianattackteaminsidethesepremises.Well,thatpersonhasnowbeeneliminated.Wemustnowputthisinthepastandmoveonintothefuture,which,Iamdelightedtotellyou,hasneverlookedbrighter.LetmegiveyouafewdetailsofwhathasjusthappenedinWashington,D.C.
“Thepresidentiswholeheartedlywithus.HegatheredatCampDavidaselectgroupofambassadorsfrom40or50countriesaswellassympatheticmembersoftheHouseandtheSenate.AlmosthisentireCabinetwasthere,alongwithanumberofhigh-rankingPentagonofficers.Iwishyoucouldallhavebeentheretowitnesswhatoccurred,butthe
mediawasn’teveninvited.YouwouldhavebeenproudofAntonioDelSasso.Beforethisaugustgroupheputonanincredibleperformance—andIdomeanincredible.
“Ofcoursetherewereskeptics,”continuedLeightonwithalaugh,“andAntonioputthemintheirplacewithfinesse.TherewasthisseniorsenatorfromtheSouth—theconsummateskeptic.AntoniohadjustlevitatedanArmytankbroughtinforthatpurpose.Heleftitsuspended50feetintheairforafullfiveminutes,whilehelecturedtheaudienceonthepeacefulusesofpsychicpower.Can’tyoujustimaginethetotalbewildermentandconsternationthatcreated!Everybodywasabsolutelystaggered!—exceptthisindividual,whoshallremainunnamed.Hewasconvinceditwasatrick.Sometrickthatwouldbe!ThentherewastheCongressmanwhothoughtthewholethingwasawasteofvaluabletimeandinsistedinaverypompoustone,‘Ican’tseethatthismindpowerthat’sbeingdemonstratedtoustodayhasanypracticalandpeacefulpurposes.’
“Antoniowasthesoulofpatience.Thepresidentisatrapshooter,youknow.SoAntonioaskedforatraptobesetup.‘ImaginethoseclaypigeonsaremissilesfiredbytheRussians,Americans,oranyothercountry,’hetoldeveryone.‘Nowwatchthis.’Asthetargetscameoutofthattrap,Antonioshatteredthemalmostinstantlyoneaftertheother.”FrankwasinterruptedbyloudapplauseandmotionedtoDelSassotostandupandacknowledgetheacclaimofhiscolleagues.
“Letmetellyou,”Leightonconcluded,“bythetimeweleft,Antoniohadthemeatingoutofhishand.Theonlyproblemwehavenowisthesizeofthisauditorium,because,believeme,everyonewantstocomeandparticipateintheCongress.I’veleftittothepresidenttoinvitethoseindividualswhowouldbemostinfluentialintheircountries.Throughhissupportwe’renowassuredofsuccess!”
Therewasastandingovation.Aftershakinghandsandreceivingcongratulationsfromeachpersonthere,Leightonhurriedtohisoffice.Therehegatheredwithhisinnercircle,nowdiminishedbyKayMorris’death,topresentthemwithfurtherdetails.Firstofall,heturnedtoViktor.
“Icouldn’thelpnoticingtheexpressiononyourface,Viktor,whenI
wasspeakingtothestaffinthetheater.Iknowitmusthavebeenaterribleexperience—whatyouandCarlawentthroughwhileweweregone.Isthatit?”
“It’snothingnew,”saidViktor.“I’vementioneditbefore,andIthoughtI’dresolvedit,butIhaven’t.”Watchit,Viktor!Carlagavehimaquickwarninglook,buthepaidnoattention.Thewordsseemedtogushoutasthoughpropelledbypassion.“I’mstillbotheredbytheauthoritarianismoftheArchonsandthesimilaritybetweentheNewOrdertheyproposeandtheoldSovietsystemthatIgrewupwith.”Heseemedtogetcontrolofhimselfandshruggedhelplessly,lookingapologeticallyfromLeightontoDelSasso.“Idon’twanttobetheonetoholdthingsback.”
“Itistheirprogram,”saidCarlasoftly,butwithconviction.“Andthey’resofarbeyondusthatweoughttotaketheiradvice.Idon’tseehowitcouldbeotherwise,orwhat’swrongwiththat”
“It’snottakingadvicethatconcernsme,”reiteratedViktor,“it’ssurrenderingourselvestotheircontrol.”
Leightonlookeduneasy.HeturnedtoDelSasso.“ViktorhashonestlyexpressedhisconcernsabouttheintegrityoftheArchons.Istheresome‘sign’wecouldgivehimthatwouldrestorehisconfidence?”
Antonionoddedsolemnly.“I’mconfidentthattheArchonsarewillingtoattesttotheirgoodwillinamannerthatViktorcannotdoubt.”
Quicklyheassumedtheyogapositionandwasalmostimmediatelyindeeptrance.Fromhisthroatissuedthevoiceofanelderlyman.Loudly,deliberately,solemnlythevoiceintonedamessageinalanguagethatCarlacouldnotidentifyandwhichapparentlywasunknowntoeveryoneelseintheroomalso—everyone,thatis,exceptViktor.Hesattransfixed.
Thevoiceceasedasabruptlyasithadbegun,andDelSassocameslowlyoutofhistrance.“Well?”heaskedimmediately.
Viktorwastremblinguncontrollably.Whenatlasthecouldspeak,itwastostammer,“He—it—wasspeakingtomeinanobscuredialectspokenonlyinthesmallSiberianvillageofKarkaralinskwhereIusedtovisitmygrandparentsinthesummerwhenIwasasmallboy.”Overcomeonceagainwithemotion,hehadtopausewhilehewipedtearsfromhiseyes.
“Itsoundedexactlylikemygrandfather,”ViktorcontinuedatlastThesamemannerismsandphrases—likeheusedwhenhe’dscoldmeforbeingafraidofthemilkcowthatusedtobullymewhenIwasverysmall.ThevoicesaidthatImustnotbeafraid,butImusttrusttheArchons,forlikethatcowtheirpurposewastonourishmeandallmankind.”
EmotionovercameViktoragain.Atlastherecoveredhimselfandcontinued.“Ionlynowrememberedthatitwas20yearsagotodaythatmygrandfatherwentintotheforestandneverreturned.Nobodywaseverfound.Thatisthesignthevoiceofferedtome,butIdon’tknowwhatitmeans.”
“Itisquiteclear,”saidDelSassoquickly.“Theworld,likeyourgrandfather,iswalking‘thepathofnoreturn’andmustberescued.Youcouldnothelpyourgrandfatherthen,butyouareinapositiontohelptheentireworldnow.”
Headbowed,Viktor’sshouldersshookconvulsively.“I’msorry.Ifeelashamedofmyselffordoubting.”
LeightontriedtopickuptheconversationagaintotaketheembarrassingattentionfromViktor.“WeknowthattheArchonshaveincredible,Isupposeinfinite,power.Iftheirintentionswereevil,theycouldhavefinishedusofflongago.”
“Ofcourse!”agreedCarla.“AndIcan’timaginewhattheywouldwantfromusanyway.”
......Carlawasnotsurprisedthattherenewedassurancetheincredible
demonstrationgaveherdidn’tlastlong.ShehadbeenonanemotionalrollercoastereversincesnatchingViktorfromChernov’sgraspinParis.Andlatelyshehadbeguntofearthatherfluctuatingemotionswereindangerofgettingoutofcontrol.Olddoubtsthatshehadwrestledwithrepeatedlycamebackagain,nowstrongerthanever.Shehoped,however,thatViktorhadatleastgivenuphis“plan.”Whateverthatmightbe,shewassureitwouldbringhimintodangerousconfrontationwiththeArchons.Andsheknewwhatthatcouldmean!
ThepromiseCarlaandViktorhadmadetospendmorequalitytimetogetherhadfallenvictimtothehecticpacetheywerebothmaintaining.
CarlawasnowgrantingsometelephoneinterviewsandhadbeentoSanFranciscotwicefornetworktelevisionappearances.TwodaysafterDelSasso’sremarkableperformanceinLeighton’soffice,however,shemadeitapointtodropinonViktor.Hewashunchedoverhiscomputerandconcentratingsodeeplythathedidn’tevennoticeherenterhisofficeuntilshewasstandingoverhisdesk.
“Arethoseyourmemoirs,orareyoustillpolishingthatkeynoteaddress?”shequeriedlightly.
Helookedupandsmiled,thenleanedbackandstretchedhiscrampedarmsandback.“No,IwasaskingthismachinetotellmehowintheworldIgotfrommysmallvillageintheUralstothis—this—”Hesearchedforwords,thenshruggedandthrewhisarmsoutwide.
“Wishingyouwerebackthere?”Heshruggedagain.“Maybe.Whenyouthinkaboutwherethisworld
isgoing,youeitherwanttocloseyoureyesandwishforthegoodolddaysortrytodowhateveryoucantomakeitbetter.AndI’mnotsurethatoneisanylessfantasythantheother.”
“Itwouldn’tbehardtobecomeacompletecynic,”respondedCarlasympathetically.“Ifeelthesamewayattimes.Hey!Whydon’twegooutsideforabreathoffreshair.Ineedagoodwalktoclearmyhead.”
Onceoutsideandawayfromthebuildingsandwalkingalongthepathjustinsidethewall,shesaidquietlytoViktor,“Well,yougotyour‘sign’theotherday.Ithoughtitwasprettyimpressive.”
“Itwasmorethanimpressive,”admittedViktor.“Itwasincredible.Thatwasmygrandfather’svoiceandhispeculiaridiomsandinflections!”
“Icouldtellfromthelookonyourface,”saidCarla,“thatitwasgenuine,thoughIdidn’tknowwhatwasbeingsaid.”
‘Itconvincedmeatthetime,butIrealizedlater,ofcourse,thatitwasnomorea‘sign’ortheproofIneededthananythingelseDelSassodoes.Iwaslikeputtyinhishands,andthatmademeresolvethatmydecisionswillbemadealone,notwhenI’mwithhimandFrankoranyoneelse.I’mashamedofmyself—thewayIbrokedown.”
“Idon’tthinkyoushouldfeelthatwayatall.”“IknowwhatI’msaying,Carla.WhenIthoughtaboutitafterward
withaclearhead,IrealizedthatallI’dseenwasanotherdisplayofpsychicpower,andIhadmistakenlyacceptedpowerasasignoftruthfulnessandsincerity,whichisstupid.”
“You’reright!”saidCarla.“Ithoughtofthesamething,butdidn’twanttodestroythefaithithadgivenyou.Kenhasbeentryingtopointthisouttomeforalongtime—thatmightisn’trightandthatpowerprovidesnomoralfoundation.ButIdon’treallythinkit’sfair—atleastnotyet—tolabelDelSassoandtheArchonswiththiserror.”
Viktorstoppedtogazeatthatgiantredwoodjustoutsidethecomplexthatalwaysgavehimsuchasenseofawe.WhenheturnedtofaceCarlaagain,hiseyeshadnarrowedandthesterndeterminationwasbackinhisvoice.“IriskedmylifetoescapeMarxistoppression.Yes,itstillhangsoninthe‘new’Russia—andit’scomingbackwithavengeance.NowI’mgoingtoriskmylifeagaintohelptheworldescapeanevenworsetotalitarianism.IrealizethatImaydieintheattempt,butthereisnootherhonorablecoursetotake.”
“Don’tbeafool,Viktor!I’mterrifiedforyou.”“Ihadaverygoodfriend—myoldlabassistant—whosaidmuchthe
samethingtomeinMoscowwhenItoldhimIwasgoingtodefect,”reminiscedViktor.“HewasaChristian,likeyourfriendKen.IwonderwhathappenedtoDmitriafterIleft.”
“IwishIknewwhatyouwereplanningtodo.IsthereanywayIcouldhelp?”
Viktorshookhishead.“Youwillseewhenthetimecomes.”
[37]WorldCongress666
ItwasJune14—adaynevertobeforgotten.Thisdate,convenersofWorldCongress666weredetermined,wouldgodowninhistoryasthedayofthekeyeventthatlaidthefoundationforaNewAgeofunbrokenworldpeaceandeconomicandecologicalwholeness.Theywereconfidentalsothatitwouldalwaysberememberedandcherishedasthedaythattheplanetwasrescuedfromanalmostcertainholocaust.Forresidentsofanareafamousforitsfog,itwouldcertainlyberememberedasoneofthemostbeautifulJunedaysinhistory.TheunusualweatherprovidedthedignitariesfromallovertheworldflyingintoSanFrancisco’sInternationalAirportacrystal-clearandsweepingview—fromthePacificOceanandGoldenGateBridge,overNobHillandtheskyscrapersalongMarketStreet,acrosstheOaklandBayBridgetoBerkeley,andonintotheWalnutCreekarea,overwhichMountDiablocouldbeseentoweringinthedistancelikesomebroodinggiant.
ToregularcommutersthatFridaymorning,therewasnothingunusualinthenumberofforeignersattheSanFranciscoairport,manyinnativedressfromrobestoturbans.Buttothediscriminatingeye,thequalitywasquiteremarkable.OnewouldhavetogobacktotheApril1945SanFranciscoConferencethatbirthedtheUnitedNationstofindatimewhenacomparablenumberofinternationalleadershadconvergeduponthispartoftheworld.Andeventhenthecomparisonfailed.In1945onlyabout50nationshadbeenrepresented;onthisdate,high-leveldignitariesfrommorethan120nationspouredintotheBayarea.Fromtheairport,however,theseinternationalrepresentativesdidnotproceednorthintothemetropolitandistrict,butsouthinasteadystreamoflimousineswhosedestinationwasacertainsecludedand,untilrecently,unknownCIAinstallationintheredwoodswestofPaloAlto.
Elated,yetwithunresolvedconflictsstillstirringwithin,CarlapacednervouslyinherofficeawaitingthecallontheintercomthatwouldtellheritwastimetojoinFrankandtheotherVIPstoformallygreettheirguests.Herexcitementgrewasshecaughtglimpsesthroughthewindowofthelimousinesarrivingoneafteranother.Therewerediplomatsfromaroundtheworld,includingthosefrommanyThirdWorldandCommunistcountries(evenChinaandNorthKoreawererepresented),aswellashigh-levelofficersrepresentingthePentagonandNATO.AmongthefirstarrivalswasaU.S.Armystaffcarwiththeflagofafour-stargeneralflyingfromthefrontfender.Afterthetwodozenparkingplacesinsidethecomplexwerefilled,thedrivershadtodropofftheirfashionablyattiredpassengersandthendrivebackthroughthegatetoparkoutside.Theguardswerestilltheretocheckidentitiesandtohandouttheofficialpacketofmaterialstoeachinvitee,butthegatewasnowleftopeninhonorofthisgreatevent.Fromthisdateforwarditwouldremainperpetuallyopenasasymbolofthenewtrustthatwouldhenceforthprevailamongallnations.
Therewas,ofcourse,alargepresscorpspresent,butbecauseoflimitedseatingcapacityintheauditoriumwherethemainmeetingwastobeheld,mostofthemwererequiredtowaitjustoutsidethegate.Therenearly200congregatedandhadtobeheldbackbypolicetopreventblockageofthenarrowroadinfrontoftheentrance.About30representativesofthemajormediagiants,eachonehandpickedbyCarla,wereallowedinsidetominglewiththeguestsandtoseethishistoriceventunfoldfromtheinside.
Promptlyat4:00p.m.ajustifiablyproudandbeamingFrankLeightonledhisinnercircleoutsidetostandbesidehiminareceptionlinetogreettheirdistinguishedguests,whohadalreadybeentakenonguidedtoursthroughmuchofthefacility.ForthisauspiciousoccasionLeightonwasattiredinadarksuitwithalmostindistinguishablepinstripes.OnhislapelheworeadiscretelydesignedbadgeidentifyinghimasfounderanddirectorofthePsychicResearchCenter.Acrossthetopofthebadgewereemblazonedthelargegoldnumbers:666.Inthepacketgiventoeachdelegatetothecongresswasasimilaridentificationbadgebearingeach
one’sname,country,andoffice—andofcoursethesameprominentnumericaldesignation.
ToLeighton’sleftstoodAntonioDelSassowearinghislong,blackmonk’srobe,hoodthrownback,smilinggraciously,andprojectingacaptivatingcharm.NextcameCarla,radiantlybeautifulinafull-skirted,floweredsilkdress;andfinally,apaleandtenseViktor,feelinguncomfortableinaveryexpensivesuitthatFrankhadorderedtailor-madeforhim.Asthekeynotespeaker,hehadtolookthepart.
“There’sawarmandbeautifulpresenceofloveoverthiswholeplace,isn’tthere?”CarlawhisperedtoViktor.“Haven’tyoufeltitgrowingstrongerallday?”
Heshookhishead.“Ihadn’tnoticed,”hesaidinafarawayvoice.“Areyouokay?”whisperedCarla.Henoddedandlookedaway.“I’m
worriedaboutyou!”Viktor’sjawstiffened,buthemadenoanswer.Theinviteddelegatesfiledslowlyby,shakinghands,bowing,honored
tomeetLeightonandthrilledtoshakethehandofthegreatestpsychictheworldhadyetknown—theonewhowouldleadmankindintotheNewAge.CarlaandViktor,too,weretherecipientsofrepeatedcongratulationsfortheircontributiontothesuccessoftheresearchcenter.Intheeuphoriaofthatgrandmoment,shefeltherselfwantingtobelievemorethaneverbeforethatthePlanwouldindeedcuretheworld’sills.WhatadayitwouldbeforplanetEarthanditsinhabitantsifonlythatcouldbetrue!
U.S.Marinesindressuniformstrolledamongtheguests,carryinglargetraysloadedwithavarietyofdrinksandhorsd’oeuvres.Longtablesholdingthesamefarehadbeensetupontheexpansivelawnontherightsideofthedrive.Theretheguestsmingledwithoneanotheruntilatlastallhadarrivedandgonethroughtheformalityofthereceptionline.Leightonthenmovedtoamicrophonesetuponasmallplatform.
“MayIhaveyourattention,please!”Thebabbleofexcitedvoicesdieddown.“Beforewegointotheauditoriumtoproceedwiththeactivitiesofthishistoricoccasion,AntonioDelSassowouldliketowelcomeyouandsayafewwordsaboutthebadgesyouareallwearing.Bytheway,isanyonenotwearingabadge?”
Therewasananxiousflurryhereandthereasdelegateswhohad
forgottentoputontheirbadgesdidso.Inthemeantime,DelSassosteppedtothemike.
“Welcometo‘WorldCongress666,’”beganDelSassoinawarmbutboomingvoice.“Youareallawarethattheverynameanddateandsubstanceofthisgatheringwasdecreedbyhigherintelligenceswhohavebeenwatchingourprogressformillennia.TheyhavechosentointerveneatthiscrucialtimeinordertorescueusfromaprobablenuclearholocaustandtolaythefoundationforarevolutionarynewpoliticalandeconomicsystemthatwillusherinaNewAgeofpeaceandprosperityandfreedomforallpeoples.
“I’msureyouallknowthenamePierreTeilharddeChardin,theJesuitpriestrightlyknownas‘thefatheroftheNewAge.’Youmaynotknowthathepredictedthisdaywoulddawn—thedaywhenmankindwouldtakeaquantumleaponitsjourneytowardtheOmegapointwhereweeachrealizeourtruegodhood.Thishasbeenthehopeofallreligions.Yettherearecertain,shallwesay,‘badly-informed’fundamentalistelementsamongJews,Christians,andMoslemsthatwillnotacceptthisgreattruth.Suchnegativismcannotanylongerbeallowedtoholdbackthedevelopmentoftherace.Therewillbespecificinstructionsconcerningthislater.Inthemeanwhile,thedestructionoftheAntichristmyth,whichwearetogetheraccomplishingtoday,isthefirststepalongthatpath.
“Youareeachwearing—andwithgreatprideanddignity,Itrust—thenumber666onabadge,alongwithyourname,country,andoffice.Thesignificanceofdoingsohasalreadybeencommunicatedtoyouintheliteratureyoureceivedwithyourformalinvitation.Yetmanyofyou,incomingthroughthereceptionline,hadquestionsaboutthisandsomeseemedquiteconfused.Indulgeme,therefore,whileIgiveabriefexplanationofthemonumentalimportanceofthismoment.ThoseofyoucomingfromtheEastmaynotrealizeit,buttheWesternworldhaslivedforcenturiesunderthehauntingfearofacomingAntichristtakingoverthisplanetandrequiringeveryinhabitanttowearthenumber666onpainofdeath.Yourcourageandconvictioninidentifyingyourselvestodaywiththatdreadnumberhasbrokenthatpowerfultabooandhasdeliveredtheentireworld,fromthismomentforth,fromthedebilitatingAntichrist
superstitionthathasenslavedsomanyinthepastTheworldcannowbreakfreefromthenegativeideasofsinandredemptionandthedemeaningdelusionthatmanisdependentuponsomemythical‘God.’
“Yourbraveexamplewillbefollowedbymenandwomenofgoodwilleverywhere,whowillidentifythemselveswiththeNewOrderbywearingasimilarbadge.SoIcongratulateyouontheroleyouareplayingtoday.Letusalldrinkatoasttoeachotherandtothegloriousfreedomfromthedestructivereligiousbeliefsthathavefortoolongstrangledprogressandfosteredintolerance.”
Theapplausewasfollowedbygood-naturedbanterandtheclinkingofglasses.CarlafeltsomeonetapherontheshoulderandturnedaroundtolookintothesmilingfaceofGeorgeConklin.Heraisedhisglasstotouchhers,andwithawinksaid,“Here’stothepeacefuluseofpsychicpower!”
“Comingfromyou,George,”shelaughedassheraisedherglasstotouchhisagain,“that’sthebiggestcomplimentI’veevergotten!”
“Ireallymeanit,”hesaid.“Thanksforgettingmeinside.There’sanincrediblepresenceofloveinhere.IfeltitthemomentIcamethroughthegate,andit’sgrowingstronger!”
“Beautiful,George!Isn’titfantastic?”“YouknowI’mnotgiventosuperlatives,butthisisreallyuplifting.
I’veneverfeltanythinglikeit!”“Youcan’tevenimaginewhatyou’regoingtoseethisafternoon!”
addedCarla.“You’reatoughnuttocrack,butbelieveme,you’regoingtobecompletelyboggled—andconverted.Therewon’tbeanydoubtsaftertoday!”
Sheturnedtotouchglasseswithothersofdifferentcomplexions,dress,andcultureasthegueststoastedtheneweraofpeaceeachwasconvincedwasdawning.Sweptalongasonthecrestofawaveofoverwhelmingloveandecstaticoptimismthathadallbutsubmergedtheconflictsstillstirringwithinher,Carlafoundherselftouchingherbadgewithpride.Itwassuchanhonortoshakehandswithandhugandexchangesincereexpressionsofbrotherhoodandsisterhoodwiththesemenandwomenofworldrenown,eachthereonbehalfofthescoresofcountriesthathadsentrepresentatives.Itwaslikegettingasneakpreview
ofthenewworldsoontoberealizedthroughtheirjointcommitmenttothePlan.
ShehadlostsightofViktorandwonderedwhetherhehadbeensimilarlystirred.DotheArchonsknowwhateveritisthathehasuphissleeve?WillitbedetrimentaltothePlan?Ifso,whatwilltheydotostophim?ShouldItellFrankthatViktorhasaplanofhisown?Wouldn’titbeforViktor’sowngoodaswellasforthegoodofthewholeworld?
Carlasensedthatsomeonewasstaringather.ShelookedupintotheeyesofAntonioDelSassowhowasnowmovingslowlythroughthecrowdafewfeetfromher.Hewassmiling.Shereturnedhissmileandblewakissinhisdirection.
Franksteppedtothemicrophoneagain.“WewillgoinsideinafewminutesandthereyouwillallwitnessforyourselvestheawesomecapabilitiesthatresideinAntonioDelSasso,whoisminglingamongyourightnowtogiveyouanopportunitytoconversewithhimpersonally.AsyoualreadyknowfromtheWhiteHousereportthatwassenttoeachofyou,Dr.DelSassohaspowersthatnootherperson,deadoralive—includingKrishna,Buddha,JesusChrist,orMohammed—haseverdisplayed.
“Ourpurposeisnottoworshiphim.Neitherisithistosolicitourworship.Heisaveryhumblemanwhoseonlydesireistoservemankind.Antoniocontinuallyremindsmethathehasbeenchosenbyhigherintelligencesmerelyasaprototypeofthemillionsandeventuallybillionsofotherswhowill,throughhisexampleandguidance,induetimedevelopthesamegodlikecapabilities.ThisistheheartofthePlanandtheonlyhopeforanewworldofpeace,love,andgenuinebrotherhoodamongallpeoples.Onlythencanwebeacceptedintotheintergalacticcommunityofplanetarycivilizationsthathaspatientlyawaitedforcenturiesourlong-overduecomingofage.Whataheritagetopassontoourchildrenandgrandchildren!
“Wheneveryouareready,youmaybegintomovetoyourrightthroughthetwoentrancestotheauditoriumwhereyouseethemarineguardsstanding.Haveyourofficialbadgesprominentlydisplayedforentrance.We’llconveneinthereinabout15minutes.”
......Formorethanaweek,Kenhadexperiencedaheightenedconcernfor
Carla.Forthatconcernhehadconcludedthathenolongerhadanyrecourseexceptferventprayer.They’dhadlittlecontactinthelastfewdaysasshedailyseemedtobecomemoreandmorewithdrawnanduncommunicative.He’dbeenreluctanttotrytobreakintoherprivateworld,sensingthathemustleavehertodealwithherconflictsalone.Neitherprayernorpersuasioncouldforcehertomaketherightdecision.Itwouldhavetocomewillinglyfromherownheart.Argumentsandcoaxings—he’dgivenhermorethanenoughofthoseinthepast.Sheknewthetruth,anditwasnowamatterofactinguponitwithoutanyfurtherinfluencefromhim.AsthedayoftheCongressdrewnear,hehadagonizedforherinprayerthatGodwouldleavenostoneunturnedinconfrontingherwiththetruth.
Shehadshowedhimherbadgeatbreakfastonthemorningofthethirteenth,makinglightofthelarge666,andhehadbeenappalled.“Ican’tfindwordstoexpressmyhorroratthis!”he’dsaid.“You’retriflingwithyoureternalsoul!”
“Backoff,Ken,”hadbeenherinstantresponse.“I’veneverseenyoureactlikethis.”
“Carla—yourmother,ifshewerestillalive,wouldbefarmoreshockedtothinkofyouwearingthenumber666thanbyyourfather’sunfaithfulness!”
Shehadputthebadgebackinherpursewithoutanotherwordandhadleftthetable,leavingherbreakfastuntouched.
“Thosewhotakethatnumber,”hehadcalledafterherasshehadhurrieddownthehall,“willsuffer‘thewrathoftheLamb’!Don’tbringthejustjudgmentofGoddownuponyourself,Carla,please!”
Shehadleftthehousewithoutanotherword.Withanurgencyvergingupondespair,KenhadappealedtoHaland
KarenElliott,whomhelookeduptoandrespectedashisfatherandmotherinthefaith.“Prayerisn’tgoingtochangehermind,”Halhadsaid.“ButwecanpetitionGodtointerveneandpreventthisdiabolicalPlanfromcomingintobeing,atleastfornow,sothattheworldwillhavealittle
longertoturntoChrist.”Withthisinmind,ithadbeendecidedthatasmanyascouldwouldtakethedayofJune14offfromworkandwouldspendittogetherinprayerandfasting.
CarlaandKenmetonlybrieflyatbreakfastthatmorning.Ken’smotherhadtriedtogetaconversationgoing,withlittlesuccess.KenhadwaiteduntilbreakfastwasovertolovinglyattemptonceagaintoimpressuponCarlatheseriousnessofwhatshewasabouttoparticipatein.Shehadpolitelythankedhimforhisconcern,thenhadhurriedofftotheinstallation,callingoverhershoulderasshewentoutthedoorthatthiswasthe“bigday.”AfewminuteslaterKenandhismotherhaddrivenovertotheElliott’shouseforwhatwastobea“bigday”forthemaswell.
Itwasasolemngatheringofabout20whomettogetherinthefamiliarlivingroom.“I’mconvincedthatthisisthegreatestchallengewehaveeverfacedasagroup,”saidElliottastheypreparedtopray.“Asyouallknow,thisisthelong-awaiteddaywhentheattemptwillbemadebyFrankandDelSassotopersuadedelegatesfromaroundtheworldtoturntheircountriesovertotheArchons.Ithinkyou’reallfamiliarwiththefactthatArchonistheGreekwordinEphesiansfor‘principalities’intheKingJames—thedemonsthatPaulidentifiedasdirectingtheevilpowersofdarknessoverthisearth.Thedelegates,ofcourse,don’trealizeit,buttoembracetheArchons‘PlanistantamounttoturningtheworldovertotheAntichrist.Theyareevenbeingpersuadedtowearthenumber666inordertomocktheprophecywarningagainstthisinRevelation13.Ibelievethere’sagreatspiritualbattlebeingwagedintheheavenliesrightnow,andourprayerscouldplayasignificantpartinitsoutcome.
“Ofcourse,ifthisisGod’stimetoallowSatantotakeover,thenourprayerswillnotchangethat.SomehowIcan’tbelievethattimehascomeyet.Ifithad,I’mconvincedwewouldalreadyhavebeenrapturedoutofhere,andthatobviouslyhasn’thappened.Solet’sprayinfaithandbindtheforcesofevilintheNameofJesusChristfromdeceivingthosewhoareatallopentothetruth.Let’spraythatSatan’spurposeswillbefrustrated,thatthePlanwillnottakeshapeyet,thattherewillbeatleastalittlemoretimeleftforthegospeltobepreachedandformanymoretocometoChristbeforeifsforevertoolate.”
“AndpleasepraytwospecificthingsforCarla,”Kenadded,“thathereyeswillbeopenedcompletelyandshewillhavethecouragetoturnfromeviltoChristandthatshewillbekeptinphysicalsafety.Thatwholesceneoutthereisapowderkeg.Almostanythingcouldhappen.AndpraythesameforViktorKhorev,theRussian,aswell—andforFrank,andforthedelegatesfromthesemanycountries,thattheywillhavetheireyesopenedalsoandbedeliveredfromtheliesandpersuasiveinfluenceofseducingspirits.”
SoitwasthatwhileFrank,histeam,andavastassemblageofworldleaderssavoredtheirmomentofdestinyoutattheinstallation,ahumblegroupofsuppliantswaskneelinginprayerthatthesesamehighhopesmightnotcometofruition.
......Whilethedelegatesproceededthroughtheoutsidedoors,Carlaand
theotherstaffmemberswhoweretobeseatedontheplatformenteredthroughthefrontlobby.TurningtotheirleftalongthecorridorpastLeighton’soffice,thentotherightpastthemainlabwhereCarlaandViktorhadfirstseenDelSassodemonstratehispowers,theybranchedleftagaindownanarrowpassagewaythatledthemontothestagebyabackentrance.JoiningLeighton,DelSasso,Viktor,andCarlainspecialseatsontheplatformbehindthepodiumwereMikeBradford,headofsecurity,hisassistantLeighton’spersonalsecretary,andformerCalTechprofessorDr.ChrisBurton,whohadrecentlyarrivedtotakeoverasheadofthelabsinplaceofKayMorris.
Fromherplaceofhonorontheplatform,Carlawatchedinfascinationastherepresentativesfrommorethan120countrieshurriedtoclaimthefrontrowsinthesmall250-seatauditorium.Thesesophisticatedpersonages—manyofthemworldrenownedseemedaseagerandexcitedaschildrenjostlingtheirwayintoaSaturdaymoviematinee.TothinkthatthepresidentoftheUnitedStateshadbeendelugedwithrequestsfromaroundtheworldfromambassadors,membersofparliamentsenators,andCongressmentoattend—andthatthousandshadbeenturnedawayforlackofspace!Suchanoutpouringofacceptanceandsupportatthisearlystage—evenbeforethefullstoryhadbeentoldtotheworld—hadhadatelling
effectuponCarla’sownthinking.InfactithadbeenoneofthekeyinfluencesduringthepasttwoweeksineasingherdoubtsandrenewinghercommitmenttothePlan.
Anarmyofsoundandelectronictechnicianstosupplementtheirownstaffhadbeenbroughtinandcouldbeseenattheirpoststhroughouttheauditoriumonvideomachinesandinthesoundandrecordingbooths.Thentherewastherewiringthathadbeendonetoputearphonesateveryseatforsimultaneoustranslationin20languagesbythe40translatorswhohadbeenbroughtin,somefromothercountries.Theywerenowseatedintheirspeciallyconstructedboothsalongthecurvingrearwallbetweenthehuge,laminated-oakbeamsthatsupportedthedomedroof.Andbehindher,loominguptotheslopingceilingfromitsbaseontheplatform,wasthenewlyinstalled,giant,curvedtelevisionscreen.
ForCarla,itwasawesometoseeitalllaidoutbeforehernowandtoremembertheeventsthathadbroughthertothisincrediblepointintime.Howquicklyithadalldeveloped—andnowtheculmination,withtheeyesoftheworlduponthem!AndtothinkthatithadallbegunbecauseshejusthappenedtohaveacarintherightplaceattherighttimeinParistorescueViktorKhorev,themansittingbesideheratthisverymoment—themanwhowastogivethekeynoteaddresstothisaugustgathering.Itwasanhonorandresponsibilityhesurelyhadneveranticipatedwhenhemadethecrucialdecisiontodefect!Shedesperatelyhopeditwouldbeforhimatimeofvindicationandhonorandacceptancebytheworld,whichhesojustlydeserved,andthatitwouldbringthehappinesshesoevidentlylacked.
HertrainofthoughtwasbrokenbyFrank’slow,whisperedvoiceasheleanedoverclosetoViktor.“Areyoufeelingalright,Viktor?”
Viktorwavedhimoff.“Justnerves.I’llbeokayonceIgettothepodium.”FrankseemedsatisfiedandwentbacktohisseatnexttoDelSassotoawaitthemomentwhenhewouldofficiallyconveneWorldCongress666.
CarlalookedoveratViktorinconcern.Hewasgoingthroughhisnotes,underliningkeyphraseswitharedpen.Therewasnopointintellinghimagainthatshewasworried,orinwarninghimnottodo
anythingfoolish.Shehadalreadysaidthattoomanytimes.Shewouldunderstand“whenthetimecomes,”hehadtoldher.Apparentlythatmomentinhistoryhadnowarrived.Shewasexcited—andsuddenlyterriblyafraid.
[38]Holocaust!
Ladiesandgentlemen,distinguishedrepresentativesoftheworld’snations,selectmembersofthemedia,”Leightonbeganatlast,“itisagreathonorandjoytowelcomeeachofyouheretodaytothismostimportantoccasioninthelongandtoo-oftentragichistoryofourrace.WearegatheredjusttothesouthofSanFranciscowhere,in1945,hopefuldelegatesfromlessthanhalfofthenationswerepresentmettolaythefoundationfortheUnitedNations.Todaywelaythefoundationforsomethingfarmoresignificant—notjustanorganizationofnationsthatremainhopelesslyseparatedbynationalrivalries,butaNewWorldOrderthatwillmakeallpeopleandallnationsequalandone.Whenwehaveprovenourselvestobeunitedandatpeace,thenwewillqualifytoapplyforentranceintoanintergalacticcommunityofcivilizationsthathaveevolvedfarbeyondusandwhostandreadytosharetechnologyandsupernaturalpowersthatwillgiveusundreamedofaccesstothevastuniverseofspaceanditslimitlessresources.
“Wemustcrawlbeforewecanwalk,takebabystepsbeforewecanrunandthenfly.ThekeytothisNewAgeliesinthefirststepwemusttake:qualifyingforandreceivingthegiftofpsychicpowerdispensedbyhighlyevolvedintelligenceswhohavebeenwatchingoverourevolutionforthousandsofyears.Whenwefirstmadecontactwiththeseentitiesmorethantwoyearsago,Iselfishlyassumedthatthispowerwasformyownnation’sexclusiveuseinanongoingrivalrywiththeRussiansandChinese,whowerealsoattemptingtodeveloppsychicwarfarecapabilities.Isoonlearned,however,thattheintentionoftheArchonswasforustosharethisknowledgeandpowerequallywiththeentireworld.
“HereagainweseeanotherverysignificantdifferencebetweenwhatweseektoaccomplishtodayandwhathappenedattheSanFrancisco
Conferenceof1945.ThenalsotheUnitedStateshaddevelopedanincrediblenewpower,butoneitwasafraidtosharewiththeworld.Thatpowerhasbeenthecauseofmuchsufferinginthedeadlyrivalrythatensuedandleavesustodayinfearofanuclearholocaust.Now,asthen,itistheUnitedStatesthatholdsthesecrettoanincrediblenewforce.Butthistime,fortunately,itisunderthecontrolofhigherbeingsandistobesharedwiththeworld—nothoardedforourselvesandtherebycreatingarivalrywithotherswhowouldfeelcompelledtostealit.Indeed,equalsharingisthemajorconditionunderwhichthispowerwillbedispensed.Thatfactaloneshouldseteverynationateaseandassurethesuccessofthisgreatadventurethatweareprivilegedtolaunchtodayforallmankind.Thiswillbe,indeed,aquantumleap.
“Youhaveallbeengivenadraftoftheagreementtobesignedbyallnationsintheworld.ThisCongressisnotmeetingtomakechangesinthatagreement.IthasbeendictatedbytheArchonsandcannotbechanged.However,youwilleasilyseethatitissimpleandgivesnopreferencetoonenationoveranother,butisdesignedforthemutualbenefitofall.YourpurposeinbeinghereistoseeademonstrationofthepowerthatisbeingofferedtoyournationifyouwilljointheNewOrder.Thenyouaretocarryyourreport,togetherwiththeagreementandyourrecommendation,backtotheleadersofyourrespectivecountries.Wehave90daysinwhichallofthenationsoftheworldmustuniteinsigningtheagreement,ortheofferwillbewithdrawn.Itisinconceivablethatanynationwouldnotwishtobetherecipientofthispower,butitmustbelefttoindividualdecision.Therewillbenocoercion,butthedecisionmustbeunanimous.
“Asyouwillsee,receivingthepowerentailssubmissiontothedirectionoftheArchonsuntiltheydeterminethatwearewell-establishedintheNewOrderandcapableofcarryingonbyourselves.UntiltherearecomparablepsychicleadersineachcountrytoformacompetentWorldCouncil,theArchons’orderswillberelayedthroughAntonioDelSasso.HeisthemanwhomInowwishtopresenttoyouonceagain—firstofallonthegianttelevisionscreenjustbehindme,andthen,inperson,ashegivesfurtherdemonstrationsofthesecapabilities.”
Theapplausewasthunderous.Thelightsweredimmed.Viktorand
CarlasawonceagainbasicallythesamevideothatLeightonhadshowedthemthatfirstdayinhisoffice.Therewas,firstofall,thelocationofoil,butnowinsertedinthevideowerestatementsbyseveralgeologistsconcerningtheamazingsizeoftheoilpoolthathadbeenverifiedtobeundergroundatthisseeminglyunlikelysite.Alsoaddedwasa“transmission”fromtheArchonsthroughDelSassopromisingthatsimilarpoolsofoillayinmanyotherlocationsaroundtheworld—someinareasofextremepoverty—andwouldbedisclosedaccordingtoafairdevelopmentschedule.
NextcamethesamesequenceshowingDelSassointhepyramid-shapedhothouseholdinghishandsovertheyoungplants,thentheharvestingofthehugeproduce.AtthatpointthevideostoppedandthelightscameonbrieflywhileanassistantsecretaryofAgriculturefortheUnitedStatesdisplayedsomeoftheactualproduceonthestageandexplainedthatitcouldbegrownindepletedsoilandinaridconditionswithoutfertilizers.
“Theonlythingstandinginthewayofthisbountybeingavailabletothepoorestareasoftheworld,”hesaidenthusiastically,“isthetrainingofpsychicsfortheindividualcountriesandlocalities.ThesoonertheworldadoptsthePlan,thesoonerwecanseethecompleteeliminationofallfamineandmalnutrition.Iurgeyoutorecommendearlyacceptancewhenyoureturntoyourhomecountries!”
ThevideoresumedwithsomeshotsinsideViktor’slaboratorynorthofMoscowandshowedhimatthecentralcontrols.ButthehorrorofYakov’sdeathhadbeencutout.Finally,therewasanastonishingmontageofbriefscenesinrapidsuccessionaroundtheworld:RussianleadersinaseriesofsecretmeetingsinsidetheKremlin,similarsecretmeetingsofChineseleaders,generalsandtheiraidesconferringinanemergencymeetingatNATOheadquarters,thepresident’sCabinetmeetinginclosedsessionintheWhiteHouse,drugczarsmeetingsecretlyinColombia,atop-levelMafiaconclaveinSicily,thepopeinprivateprayerinhischambers,andofficersconferringoveramaponthebridgeofaRussianSS18Typhoonnuclearsubmarineunderthepolarice-cap.SubtitlesinEnglishexplainedeachscene.
Thelightswenton,andLeightonsteppedquicklytothepodiumamidabuzzofwhisperedcommentseruptingthroughoutthestunnedaudience.“Youarewonderinghowwetookallofthoseshotsofsecretmeetingsaroundtheworld,”saidLeightonwithasmile.“You’dneverguess!TheywereallshotbyAntonioDelSassofromalaboratoryjustdownthehalltoyourleftandrecordedfromhisbraindirectlyontovideotapejustasyousawthem.”Hepausedtoenjoytheapplause,continuingwhenquiethadonceagainbeenrestored.
“YousawDr.Khorev,forexample,”Leightonwenton,“inhislaboratorynorthofMoscow.Thatwasbeforehecametothiscountry,andhewasunawarethatthevideowasbeingtakenatthetime.Andremember,thatwasinasecretandheavilyguardedcommandobasewhoseveryexistenceisknowntoonlyahandfuloftopRussianleaders.Ineednottellyouthepotentialofsuchcapabilities,notonlyforendingwar,butcrimeaswell.ThatiswhyweselectedtheshotsofthesecretmeetingsofdrugczarsinColombiaandofMafialeadersinSicily.Thosemenhavenotbeenarrestedyet,butyoumaybesuretheywillbeoncethePlanhasgoneintoeffect.Bothwarandcrime,ladiesandgentlemen,willbecomeobsoleteonthisplanet!”
Enthusiasticclappinginterruptedhimfornearlyafullminute.Asitdiedout,however,theinitialenthusiasmregisteredonthefacesbeforehimquicklygavewaytoawaryconcern.Leightonsmiledknowinglyashecontinued.
“Iknowwhatsomeofyouarethinking.Thiswillbetheend,aswell,ofallprivacyforeveryone!Indeednot.Youcanputthosefearsatrestrightnow.DelSassoisnotpeeringintobedrooms.Therewillbenospyingonbusinesscompetitorsorsportsrivals.TheArchonsimposeapsychicscreeningprocessthatallowsonlyillegalactivitiestobemonitoredandthatblacksouteverythingelse.Theonlyexceptionwouldbeincasesoflife-threateningdangerstothepartiesconcerned.Thebenefitsarealmostlimitless,whilesafeguardswillpreventanyabusewhatsoever.
“Now,forthemomentyou’veallbeeneagerlyanticipating:whenAntonioDelSassogivesyouafirsthandlivedisplayofjustasmallsampleofthepowerstheArchonsstandreadytodispensetotheworld.Andnow,
ladiesandgentlemen,onceagain,Dr.AntonioDelSasso,anextraordinaryJesuitpriest—butmuchmorethanthattheArchons’ambassador-at-largetotheworld!”
TensionpeakedandfoundmomentaryreleaseinathunderingstandingovationasDelSassostoodmodestlywithheadbowed.Atlasthewavedhisarmsforquiet“Justabriefexplanationfirstofall,”beganDelSassowhenthewelcomingapplausehadsubsided.Thoseofyouwhoknowanythingatallaboutthepsychicresearchthathasbeeninprogressaroundtheworldforthepastcenturyrealizethatthishasbeenamostdifficultfield.Togetanyresultsatall,theconditionsmustbejustright.Theoutcomesofthemostfruitfulexperimentsareverydifficulttorepeatevenunderpreciselythesameconditions.Moreover,psychicpowerhasbeennotoriouslyunpredictableandunreliable,andtheeffectsachievedaredisappointinglysmallatbestanddifficulttocontrol.
“Withthatinmind,noticethattheconditionsareofnoconcerntome.Youdon’thavetobequiet,thelightsneednotbedimmed—Idon’tevenhavetobeclosetowhateverishappening.Yetitisallunderperfectcontrol—notmine,buttheArchons’.Imentionthatagain,becausethekeytoreceivingthispowerisingivingcreditandsubmittingtothosewhodirectitforourbenefit.Icanonlydowhattheyallowmetodoandwithinthelimitsofthepowerwhichtheyarewillingtodispenseatthetime—which,bytheway,willbeunlimitedwhenthePlanhasbeenfullyimplemented.”
AtthispointthetraceofagrintouchedDelSasso’sface.“Wehaveamongustodayabout30representativesofthemajormediagiants.Theyaresittinginasectiontomyrightandtoyourleft.Iwon’taskthemtostandorraisetheirhands,becauseyouwillallbeabletoseethem.Takealook!”
Totheutterastonishmentoftheaudienceandtothechagrinandfrightofthemediapersonalities,all30ofthemweresuddenlyliftedoutoftheirseatsandlevitateduptotheceiling.Pandemoniumbrokeout.“Wewon’tallowanyheartattacks,”saidDelSassoquickly.“Themedicalbenefitsofthispower—wehaven’tevenmentionedthemyet—arestaggering.Thepotentialforhealingalldiseaseontheplanetandgivinglonglifeto
everyoneisunlimited.”Hewavedahandandthosesuspendedslowlyreturnedtotheirseats.
“Now,”saidDelSassowithalaugh,“I’llshowyouhowselectivethispowercanbe.Youwouldcertainlyexpect—wouldyounot?—thateveryonewhohadjustlivedthrougharemarkableexperiencesuchastheoneyou’vejustseenwithyourowneyeswouldnowbeanenthusiasticbeliever.Butthatstrangelyenough,isnotthecase.Theskepticismofreportersandnewscastersisbeyondbelief.Someofthemarestillconvincedthatwhatjusthappenedtothemwassomekindoftrick.RightnowthosewhoremainskepticalofthispowerandthePlanaregoingtogothroughthesameexperienceagaintoseeifwecanmakestaunchbelieversoutofthem.”Instantlyfivemenandtwowomenshotupoutoftheirseatsandfoundthemselvesneartheceilingonceagain.CarlanotedwithsatisfactionthatGeorgeConklinwasnotamongthem.ThenDelSassoloweredthemamidlaughterandapplause.
NowDelSassostoodfacingtheaudience,armsfolded,eyeingeachpersonthoughtfully.Onecouldsensetheapprehension.Whatmightthismandonext?Thenheburstintoagood-naturedlaugh.“Don’tworry,”heassuredeveryone.“I’mnotgoingtohaveanymore‘audienceparticipation.’”Therewasanaudiblesighofrelief.
“SomeofyouwereatCampDavidafewweeksago,”continuedDelSasso,“whenIwaschallengedbyacertainwell-knownSouthernsenatorwhodoubtedthecontributionthispowercouldmaketoworldpeace.Atthattimeatrapwassetup,andasitpropelledtheclaypigeons,Idisintegratedthemintoathousandfragmentswithmymind,suggestingthatICBMswouldmeetthesamefateshortlyaftertheywerelaunchedanywhereintheworld,oncethePlanwasinforce.Ofcourse,thefirststepwouldbetodisarmanddestroyallsuchmissiles,sincetherewouldnolongerbeanyneedforthem.
“Thequestionwasraisedlaterwhethersuchdestructionofnuclearmissilesinflightmightnotdetonatethemorinsomewayspreadnuclearwasteorcontamination.Thatwasaveryperceptiveobservation.Actually,wewouldn’tdisintegrateICBMsthesamewayIdidtheclaypigeons.Iwassimulatingwhatashotgundoes.Withnuclearmissiles,however,we
would,iftheneedarose,simplydisengagetheirconnectionwiththisuniverse—inotherwords,dissolvetheirexistence,makethemdisappear,asthoughtheyhadrunintoalumpofantimatter.
“Ineedavolunteerfromtheaudience—amanwithconsiderablestrength.Quickly.”
Fromthefrontrowauniformedandveryathletic-lookingyoungUnitedStatesArmycolonelofabout35jumpedtohisfeet.Judgingfromthethickneck,cauliflowerears,andbentnose,hehadbeenaboxeratonetime.DelSassomotionedtohim,andthecolonelhurriedontotheplatform.Lookingatthe666badgehewaswearing,DelSassoreadofftheinformation:“ThisisColonelRobBlaisley,adjutanttothecurrentNATOcommander.”Hereachedoutandshookthecolonel’shandwarmly.“I’mpleasedtomeetyou,Colonel.”
Alabassistanthadwheeledupalargemetalgrocerycartfilledwithroundobjects.PointingtoitDelSassosaid,“Thereareaboutadozenbowlingballsinthereandacoupleofsteelshotputs.”ThecolonelwasheftingandcheckingthemasDelSassospoke.“Isthatright,Colonel?”
“They’relegit,”saidthecolonel.“IlovetobowlandIusedtoputtheshot.Thesearen’tcreampuffs.They’reregulation16poundbowlingballsandsolid-steel16poundshots.Whatdoyouwantmetodo—throwthematyou?”
“Say,we’regoingontourtogether,youandI,”retortedDelSassowithalaugh.“You’vegotsomegreatlines.We’dmakeaterrificact!No,don’tthrowthematme.Throwthemattheaudience.Thebowlingballsfirst.”
Thecolonelpickedupabowlingballandpreparedtothrowit,whenDelSassosaid,“Dropitonthefloorfirstofallsoeveryoneknowsit’ssolid.”HehelditoverhisheadanddroppeditTheimpactwasconvincing.
“Ididn’tmeanfromthathigh!”saidDelSasso.HeturnedtoLeighton.“Weneedtoreinforcethisfloorifwe’regoingtodothatagain.”
“Pleasedon’t!”respondedLeightonquickly.“Okay.Startthrowingthemoutthere,”saidDelSasso.Thecolonelhesitated.“Areyousuresomebodyisn’tgoingtoget
hurt?”heasked.Withthathewasliftedofftheflooruptotheceiling.
“Youseewhathappenstodoubters,”quippedDelSasso,easinghimbackdownagain.“Nowthrowthatthingrightoutthere.You’vegotafour-stargeneralonthefrontrownexttowhereyouweresitting.Aimitathim.”
“Notonyourlife,sir!”saidthecolonel,andthrewtheballquicklytowardtheothersideoftheauditorium.Ithadnottraveledmorethantenfeetintheairwhenitsuddenlydisappeared.Therewasaloudgaspsimultaneouslyfrom250throats.Thecolonelthrewanotherinaslightlydifferentdirection,withthesameresultThenathird.DelSassohelduphishand.
“Ithinkthat’senoughofthose,Colonel.There’snopointindestroyingmorebowlingballs.Theycostmoney,andtheArchonshavenotyettoldmehowtobringthemback.Now,howaboutthosetwoshots?Howfardidyouusedtobeabletoputa16-poundshot?”
“Sixtyfeetormoreinmycollegedays.Iwasn’tthatgreatatitbutIcompetedinalotofmeetsandwonafew.”
“Okay.Iwon’taskyoutodropthatontothefloor—itwouldgorightthrough.Butjustleteveryoneknowit’ssolid.”
“It’ssolidsteel,”saidthecolonel,heftingtheballbackandforthfromonehandtotheother.
“Now,let’sseehowfaryoucanputthatthingoutintotheaudience,”saidDelSasso.
Thecolonelgaveamightyheave.Thesteelshotlaunchedinahightrajectoryoutovertheaudience,thensuddenlydisappeared.
“Idon’tthinkweneedtobotherwiththeotherone,”saidDelSasso,“unlessyouwantto.”
“Yeah,let’sdoitagain,”saidthecolonelenthusiastically.“Okay,heave-ho,”saidDelSasso.Outwentthesecond16poundshotofsolidsteel,archingtowardthe
audience,thenvanishingintothinair.Therewasaroarofapprovalfromtheaudience,thenthunderingapplause.DelSassohelduphishandforquiet,thenmotionedtotherightofthestage.Frombehindthecurtainalabassistantbroughtoutastrangecontraptionandthrustitintothearmsoftheastonishedcolonel.
“Wouldyoucaretotelltheaudiencewhatthatis?”DelSassoaskedhim.
Thecolonelseemeddumbfounded.“It’sa—aflamethrower!”hesaid.“WhatamIsupposedtodowiththis?”
“Strapitonyourbackanduseittoburnmetoacrisp.”“Youdon’tmeanthat!”“Yes,Ido.Youwantedtothrowbowlingballsatme.Imuchprefer
flames.Goahead.”ThecolonelstrappeditonhisbackwhileDelSassotalked.Hebacked
offafewpaces,andfromabout20feetturnediton.AsheetofflameshotoutaimeddirectlyatDelSasso,butdisappearedwhenitgotwithinafewfeetofhischest.Hebeganwalkingtowardthecolonel,andtheflamesrecededasheadvanceduntilsuddenly,whenhewasstandingdirectlyinfrontofittheflamethroweritselfvanished.
Spontaneouslytheaudience,whichhadbeensittinginbreathlesswonderduringthisincredibledisplayofpower,cametoitsfeetclappingandcheering.DelSassosmiledimperceptibly,bowedseveraltimes,thenreturnedtohisseat.
Thestandingovationwasdeafening.Leightonhelduphishandsforsilence.“Youunderstand,ofcourse,”hesaidwhenhecouldatlastbeheard,“thatwhatyou’vejustseenrepresentsonlythetiniestfractionofthepowerbeingmadeavailabletomankindthroughthebenevolentinterventionoftheArchons.Moreover,aswehavealreadymentioned,theirPlanwillinvolvethedevelopmentofliterallymillionsofpsychicswithpowersequaltothoseofAntonioDelSasso.Infacttherewillbenolimit.Eachnationwillbeabletotrainasmanyshamansasitdesires.Thereisunlimitedpoweravailabletoall—eventothetiniestandpoorestcountries.Ultimately,eachpersononearthwillhaveunobstructedaccesstotheforceinnatewithintheuniversewithoutgoingthroughtheArchons!
“Ofcourse,todothisitwillbenecessarytomanufacturelargenumbersofthePsitron—that’stheingeniouselectronicdivinationdevicethroughwhichinitialcontactismadeattheOmegapointwiththeseentitiesandwhichservesastheofficialtrainingmechanism.Wealreadyhaveacommitmentfromaconglomerateoftheworld’sbanksforaloanin
theamountoffivebilliondollarstosetupmanufacturingplantsforthePsitroninstrategiclocationsoneverycontinentTheguaranteeforthisloan,ofcourse,willcomefromthesignatoriestotheNewWorldConstitution,which,asyounowknow,willofnecessityincludeeverynationonearth.
“Naturally,considerabletechnicalexpertisewillberequiredtocarrythisthroughtoasuccessfulconclusioninasbriefatimeaspossible.WearefortunatetobejoinedinthiseffortbyamanwhoisundoubtedlythemostbrilliantparapsychologisttheformerSovietUnioneverproduced.Irefer,ofcourse,toDr.ViktorKhorev.InitiallyhedefectedfromRussiaindesperationtojointheprogram.Now,however,Dr.KhorevisaheroinhisowncountryandhehasrecentlybeencommendedtothisworkbytheRussianpresidenthimself.
“Itnowgivesmegreatpleasuretopresenttoyouourkeynotespeakeroftheevening,amanwhosepresenceisasymbolnotonlyofscientificgreatnessbutofthesolidaritybetweenourtwogreatnations—theUnitedStatesofAmericaandtheRussianFederation—Dr.ViktorKhorev.”
SlowlyanddeliberatelyViktorsteppedtothepodiumandtookhisnotesoutofaplainfolderandspreadthembeforehim.“Representativesoftheworld’snationsandhonoredguests,”Viktorbegan,lookingoutovertheaudience,“sincecomingheretothisremarkableresearchcenter,IhavebeendoingwhatallofyoumustcarefullyandcourageouslydotonightThatis,Ihavebeenattemptingtounderstandtheever-moreincrediblehappeningsintheselaboratoriesandtheirimplicationsforallofhumanity.
“Whatyouhaveseenonvideotapeisalltrue.Itislight-yearsaheadofanythingwewereabletoaccomplishorevendreamedofaccomplishingduringmyyearsofpsychicresearchintheSovietUnionandthenintheRussianFederation.Andthesamecanbesaidforthepsychicresearchinanyothercountry.Thereisnoway,asbothDr.LeightonandDr.DelSassohavealreadycarefullyexplained...”HereViktorhalfturnedandnoddedtowardLeightonandDelSasso,”...thatsuchpowercouldbedevelopedapartfromtheseentitiesknownastheArchons—or‘theNine.’Icantellyouwithoutfearofcontradiction,baseduponmymanyyearsofresearch,thatnohumanagencyhasorcandevelopsuchpowers.Theycome
exclusivelyfromtheArchons.Theycontrolthispoweranddispenseitastheywillandtowhomtheywill.Andtheyhavenowdeclaredtheirwillingness,throughAntonioDelSasso,tomakethispoweravailabletotheworldinordertopreventthedestructionofthisplanet—adestructionwhichotherwiseseemsinevitable.
“Fortheworldtoreceivethispower,aswehavealreadybeentold,wemustofnecessitysubmitourselvescompletelytotheseentities—throughtheirambassadorAntonioDelSasso,ofcourse.IthinkyouareallconvincedoftheimportantparthewillplayinthePlan,andofhisuniquequalificationstodoso.Naturally,ifwearetosubmittotallytotheArchons,thenwemusttrustthemcompletely.Itwouldbefollytosubmittobeingsthatwearenotcertainareabsolutelytrustworthy.
“ThereinliesthecruxoftheproblemthatIhavewrestledwithoverthesepastfewweeks.IwanttotakeyouthroughtheprocessofdoubtthatImyselfhaveexperienced,andthenbringyoutothehappyconclusionIhavereached.IrealizedthatifIandallofus—theworld—aretotrustthem,andthatisanecessityforthePlantobeputintooperation,thentherearecertaincriteriawhichwemustassess.
“HereisthereasoningprocessImyselfstruggledthrough.Firstofall,Iwasraisedinanatheisticcountryandamanatheistmyself.YetIrecognize,aseveryreasonablepersonmustthatonlyGod—ifsuchabeingexisted—couldbetrustedtotally.ThisistruebecauseGod,byverydefinition,islovingandkindandabovecorruptionevenbyHisowndesires,beingself-existentandinfiniteandthusneedingnothingfromanyoneoranything,beingHimselftheCreatorofall.AndbecauseGodis,againbyverydefinition,unchangeable,wecanonthebasisofbothHischaracterandHispastperformancehavecompleteconfidenceinwhatHewilldointhefuture.Unfortunately,Goddoesn’texist,sowearelefttoourowndevicesanddarenotputourselvesatthemercyofanyoneelse.And,asIthoughtitovercarefully,thatseemedlogicallytoincludetheArchonsaswell.
“BeinglessthanGod—indeed,theydenytheveryexistenceofasupremedeityandclaimthateachofusisagodinhisownright—theArchonscouldconceivablybecorruptedbytheirownselfishdesires.Here
Ifacedagravedilemma.SincetheArchons,highlyevolvedthoughtheymaybe,arelessthanGodandthuscapableofchange,wehaveaseriousproblem.Eveniftheyhadbeennothinglessthancompletelybenevolentintheirdealingswithmankindforthepastthousandyears,wecouldnothaveabsoluteconfidenceonthebasisofthatimpressiverecordthattheywouldnotturnagainstordeceiveusinthefuture.”
Atthispointinhistalk,ViktorturnedandgesturedagaintowardLeightonandDelSasso,whobothworeexpressionsofconcern,butseemedgenerallypleasedwithhisapproachthusfar.“Dr.LeightonandDr.DelSassohaveknownofmydoubtsandhavegivenofthemselvesmostgraciouslyinhelpingmetoworkmywaythroughthem.Itwasnoteasy,becausetheproblemwasamostdifficultone.WearecalledupontosubmittotheArchonstotally,eventhoughtheyarelessthanGodandcouldbepursuingselfishintereststhatareunknowntous.Ofcoursetheytellustheyarebenevolent,buthowcanweacceptsuchassurances?
“OnepersuasiveargumentisthefactthattheArchonsaresofarbeyondmanthattheyreallydon’tneedus.Thereisnothingwecanofferthem,itwouldseem,thereforenothingtheywouldwantfromus.Andsotheywouldhavenomotivetolietoortrickorharmusinanyway.Afterall,whatwouldbethepurpose?ForsometimeIacceptedthislineofreasoning.Ieventuallyhadtofacethefacthowever,thatiftheyhadnointerestinharmingus,thenwhywouldtheybeinterestedinhelpingus.Whywouldtheybeinterestedinusatall?Thatquestionleftmepuzzled,andthenIrealizedthattherewassomethingIhadoverlooked.”
Viktorpausedtodrawseveraldeepbreathsatthispointandtogatherhiscourage.Astillnessthatcouldalmostbefelthadsettledovertheaudience.EveryeyewasfixedinunblinkinganticipationuponViktor.CarlanoticedthatLeightonseemedfrozeninhischairandDelSassowasominouslymotionlessasthoughheweregoingintotrance.Shefeltagrowingsenseofdread,yetatthesametimesheseemedtobestrangelyinsulatedfromwhatwashappeningaroundher.
WhatViktorhadsaidaboutGodhadhitherwithstunningforce.HerewasanatheisttellingherwhoGodwas—if,ashesaid,therewasaGod—andwhyHealonecouldbetrusted.Hisreasoninghadbeenpowerfully
persuasive.Ithadloosedafloodofdeepandgrowingconvictionsthatshehadbeensuppressing.Timeseemedtostandstill,theauditoriumrecededintounreality,andViktor’svoicebecameadistantdroneasconversationsshe’dhadwithKencamebackwithnewforce.Hislogiccouldnotberefuted,andnowcouldnolongerbeignored.AndtheverypointsViktor,anatheist,wasmaking—whichsheseemedtobehearingasthoughforthefirsttime—reinforcedandgavenewcredibilitytowhatKenhadtriedtopersuadeherofthesepastweeks.
Viktor’svoice,nowbetrayingthestrainofagrowingfear,yetringingwithacouragebornofconvictionandtheurgentdesiretowarntheworld,caughtherfullattentiononceagain.“Therewasnoneedtospeculate.Theevidencewasstaringmeintheface,butIhadbeenunwillingtoacceptit.Itisamatterofrecord,ifFrankLeightonwillbewillingtoadmitit—andifnot,thereareothersherewhomayhavethecouragetodoso(hereheglancedquicklyatCarla)—thattheArchonshavebeenlessthanforthrightintheirdealingswiththoseinvolvedinthisprojectevenfromtheverybeginning.Theyhavepromisedpeace,love,andbrotherhood.Insteadtheyhaveproducedviolence,involvingeventhedeathorinsanityofthosewhohavebelievedtheirpromisesandsubmittedtotheircontrol.IncontrasttothemillionsofpsychicsinadditiontoDelSassotheypromise,theyhavenotproducedevenone—inspiteofdiligenteffortsattheselaboratoriestotrainothersonthePsitron!Inowdoubtthattheyeverintendedto.WehaveobedientlygiventheArchonscompletecontrolofthisprojectandourlives,andtheresultssofar—otherthanthepowersDelSassodisplaystoseduceus—havenotbeengood!”
AtlastitwasallcomingtogetherforCarla.Whydidn’tIlistentoKen?shethoughtWhatiftheArchonsaredemons?Viktorismakinganairtightcaseagainstthem.They’reevil,withoutadoubt,bentupondeception,domination—andperhapsevendestruction.ShefeltanoverpoweringurgetogetupandrunforthenearestexitButViktor!Whatwouldhappentohim?Shecouldn’tleavehim.Soshesatthere,transfixedbythehorrorshefelt,andwhichsheknewwithastrangeandterrifyingcertaintywasabouttoexplodebeforeher.
Fromtheaudiencecamearestlessstirring,arisingmurmur.Carla
sensedthatthepresenceoflovethathadearlierbeenfelthadgone,andinitsplacewasthereptilianpresencesheknewalltoowell.Leightonstartedtorisefromhischair,thensankback,seeminglytoostunnedtoreact.Nowanominoussilencehadsettledintheauditorium,likethecalmbeforeastorm.Theaudiencewastransfixedinsilentalarm.Onlytheeeriesoundofbreathingcouldbeheard.
Viktor’swordscameinatorrentnow,asthoughheexpectedtobestoppedandwasrushingtogetitallout.“It’sthecompletecontroltheydemandthatconcernsme.I’veexperiencedtotalitarianism.Iunderstandthattherearemanychangesbeingmadeevennowinmynativecountry—acountrythatIdearlylove.However,thatcountryisfarfromthefreedomthatallmencherish,afreedomthatIsoughtintheWestandwhichIfindislackingevenhere.”
Carlacouldnotbelieveherears.AnditseemedevenmoreunbelievablethatLeightonhadnotintervened,andthatDelSassohadmadenomovetocuthimdown.WeretheyreluctanttocreateanevenworsesceneinfrontofthisaudienceandthereforewouldsimplyallowViktortofinishandthendiscredithim?AndwhatoftheArchons?Whyhadtheymadenomovetosilencehim?
“Thisisacrucialgatheringandyoudoindeedholdthefutureoftheworldinyourhands.EverythingdependsuponwhetheryoubowtothewilloftheArchonsorresistthem.Iwarnyounow,tosubmittotheircontrolwillbetoturnthisworldintoonevastprison—notofbodiesconfinedwithincells,butofmindsnolongerabletothinkforthemselves.TheparadisetheArchonsofferwillinfactturnouttobetheindescribablehellofavicioustotalitarianismworsethananythingthisworldhasyetseen—dictatedbyalienintelligenceswhointendtouseusfortheirowninsidiouspurposes.”
Leightonhadshakenhimselfoutofhisparalysisandjumpedtohisfeet.HerantothepodiumandtriedtopullthemicrophoneawayfromViktor.FightingoffLeighton,withalasteffortViktorshoutedintothemike,“CloseyourmindstotheArchons’influence.Fightback.Don’tletthemimposetheirwill.”AtthatpointasecurityguardgrabbedViktor,torethemikefromhishands,andthrewhimontotheplatformfloor.
TheunleashingoftheArchons’furycameatthatmomentandwithaviolencethatsweptallrationalthoughtbeforeit.ThestillnesswasbrokenbyacryofragefromthethroatofDelSasso,horriblyreminiscentofhisreactionwhenKenhadshuthimdowninthelaboratory.Yes,CarlawasnowcertainthatKenhadindeedshuthimdown.Ken’slastwordscamevividlybeforeher:ThewrathoftheLamb—thejudgmentofGod!Yes,sheadmittedatlast,JesusisGod.HeisallViktorhasattributedtotheCreatoroftheuniverse,andhere,inthisbuildingHeisnolongerrestrainingthemurderouseviltheArchonsrepresent.ThosewhobelievedthemarereapingthefruitofrebellionagainstthetrueGod.
Thefloorbegantobuckle,thenitsuddenlyopenedbeneaththemediarepresentatives,swallowingthemenmasse.Seatswererippedupfromthefloorandflewthroughtheair.Theaudiencewasthrownaboutlikesomuchflotsamonastormysea.Theentireauditoriumwasinastateofmassiveupheaval.Hugechunksoftheroofcavedin,crushingscoresofdelegatestodeath.Andmosthorribleofall,thelaminatedwoodbeamsthatsupportedtheceilingsplinteredoffintolongspears.Theyflewthroughtheairlikeguidedmissilesandimpaledthosewhostillremainedaliveandweremadlyscramblingoverbodiesanddebrisinanattempttogettotheexits.
Thosedelegateswhomanagedtoreachtheexitswithoutbeingspeared,climbingoverpilesofbodiesandwreckageintheprocess,foundthedoorslockedandtheirexitfromtheholocaustdenied.Poundingwiththeirfistshelplesslyonthedoorsandwalls,somediedofhysteria,whiletheremainderwerecrushedundertherainofdebrisfromthecollapsingroofthatseemedtobeaimedatthosebelowbysomeall-seeingintelligencethatwasdirectingthedestruction.Clearly,nosurvivorsweregoingtobeallowedtoescapetotellthehorribletruthofwhatactuallyhappened.
Leighton,inthelastspasmofablasteddream,cursedtheArchonsandburstsuddenlyintoflames.HisscreamwasquicklyswallowedupintheintenseheatandhisbodyseemedtomeltandturntoashesbeforeCarla’shorrifiedgaze.Thenshesawotherexamplesofspontaneoushumancombustiontakingplaceamongthefewwhostillremainedalive.The
flamesbeganleapingfromtheirbodiestoconsumeotherswhowerealreadydead.MikeBradford,headofsecurity,washitinthemiddleofthebackbyaheavypieceoftheceilingthatknockedhimtothefloor.Hestruggledupononeelbow,pulledhisrevolverfrominsidehiscoatandinaragefiredseveralslugsintoLeighton’sdisintegratingbody.ThenheturnedituponDelSasso,whowassittingentrancedinhischairinyogaposition,butthegunwastornfromhishandandaheavybeamcamecrashingdownandcrushedhisskull.Hisassistantleapedfromtheplatform,onlytovanishbeforehelandedontheauditoriumfloorbelow.
Viktor,whohadbeentoostunnedtomovefromwherehelay,wasslowlyregainingconsciousness.Hestruggledtohisfeetandbegantostaggerdesperatelytowardtherearoftheplatform.Hehadonlytakentwostepswhenahugesectionoftheoverheadstagelightingcrasheddownuponhimandpinnedhimtothefloor.Helaymotionless.Carla,miraculouslyuntouched,wascertainthathewasdead.Shehadalreadystartedtoruntowardthebackstageexitwhereshehadentered,whensheheardhernamebeingcalled.
Turningaround,shesawthatViktorhadregainedconsciousnessonceagainandwasstrugglingtogetfreeoftheweightthatheldhimdown.Hiseyeswerepleadingwithher.Togotohimwouldbealmostcertainsuicide,butshecouldnotabandonhim.Shemadeherwaybackasquicklyasshecouldoverthedebris.
“LordJesus,helpmegettohim—helpme!”Itwasthefirstprayershehadutteredinover20years.
[39]AGreaterPower
Kenhadbeengrowinguneasyastheafternoonprogressed.Itwasnowafter5o’clock.Whatwashappeningoutthere?Wasitenoughjusttopray,orwastheresomethinghehadtodoaswell?Decisivelyherosefromhiskneesandannouncedtotherest,“I’vegottoleave.IjustknowI’msupposedtogetouttotheinstallationassoonaspossible.Idon’tknowwhatImaybegettingintoorwhytheLordisdirectingmetodothis,sopleaseprayforme!Youknowtheguardshavemypictureandinstructionsnottoletmein.”
DonJordanwalkedoutsidewithhim.“You’renotevengoingtogetoffthemainhighway,”hetoldKen.“They’llhavethataccessroadblockedoffforsure.You’llnevergetthrough.I’mgoingtogetonmyradioandcontacttheheadofthelocalhighwaypatrol,givehimadescriptionofyourcar,andaskhimtoletyouthrough.Thatwillgetyouontotheroad.Whatyoudoatthegateissomethingelse.Ican’thelpyouthere.We’lljustkeeppraying.”
“I’lltrusttheLordforthat,”saidKenashehurriedtohisJeep.“He’llmakeawaysomehow!Thanksalot!”
Sureenough,aCaliforniahighwaypatrolvehicleandthreelocalpolicecarswereattheentrancetotheaccessroadandapolicebarricadeacrossit.Kenpulledinandanofficerwavedhimtostop.Theofficerlookedathisdriver’slicense,grunted,andhandeditback.“Hey,movethatthingandletthiscarthrough,”heyelled,wavingattwoofficersstandingnearthebarricade.
Therewasanotherpolicecheckpointjustinsidethe“GovernmentProperty”sign,butwhenKenwavedhisdriver’slicenseattheofficersmanningit,theymotionedhimon.Thelastquarterofamiletotheinstallation,onesideoftheroadwascompletelytakenupwithparked
taxis,limos,andprivateautos,theirdriversstandingaroundtalkingandsmokingornoddingintheirvehicles.Nearingthegate,hesawthatitwassurroundedwithtelevisionfilmcrewsandothermediapersonnelwhohadn’tbeenallowedinside.Theywerewaitingtogetpicturesofthedignitariesandhopingforinterviews.Itwastotalcongestion.ForamomentKenhadamentalimageoftheopeningdayoftroutseasononasmallcreekinLosAngelesCounty.Youalmosthadtobringinyourownrocktostandon.
KendrovehisJeepslowlythroughthemillingmassandfinallyreachedthegate.Tohissurprisehefounditstandingwideopen.Ashewaseasinghisvehicleonthrough,aguardcamerunningoutofhisstation,yellingathimtostop.“Hey!Youcan’tgointhere.Therearen’tanyparkingplacesinside,”saidtheguard,cominguptohiswindow.“You’retwohourslate,anyway.LetmeseeyourIDandyourinvitation.”
“Idon’thaveaninvitation,”saidKen,“butI’vegottogetthrough!IwassentoutherebyDonJordanoftheFBI.”
“He’sgotnojurisdictioninhere.Say,aren’tyouKenInman?”Kennodded.“IthoughtIrecognizedyou!Okay,justbackthisthingupandgetonoutofhere.Youknowyou’renotallowedonthepremises.”
......ReachingViktor,Carlawasabletoliftthebeamenoughforhimto
slidefree.Shehelpedhimtohisfeetthengettinghershouldersunderanarm,shehalf-carriedandhalf-draggedhimtowardthebackstageexitthatledofftherearoftheplatformintotheinteriorcorridors.Theyreacheditsafelyamidthecontinuingrainofdebris.Bysomemiraclethedoorwasajar.Shetookonebriefbackwardlookatthechaos.DelSassowasstandingwithupliftedheadandhands—unscathed,untouchedbydeadlymissiles.Heappearedtobeinanattitudeofworship,asthoughhewereofferingtotheArchonstheimpaledandcrushedbodiesasalibation.Thenheturnedandsawher.Evenatthatdistance,shecouldseethesearinghatredinhiseyes.
Viktorwashalf-stunnedanddraggingabloodyandbatteredlegthatwasnearlyuseless.HeclungtoCarla,terror-stricken.Ifitwerenotforhishelplessness,shecouldhavebeenoutsidebynow.Buthowcouldshe
abandonhim?“WhathaveIdone?”Viktorkeptrepeating.“WhathaveIdone?I
thoughtwecouldfightthemifwealldidittogether.DidIcausethedeathsofallofthosepeople?”Heleanedagainstthewall,gaspingforbreath.“Someonehastoescapetotelltherestoftheworld.Yougoonwithoutme.It’senoughifonlyoneofusmakesit.Theworldmustbewarned!”
“We’renottheonlysurvivors,”saidCarla,tryingtopullhimgentlyalong.“DelSassoisalive!We’vegottogofaster,ifyoucan.”
“Ican’tmakeit—goonyourself.TellthemtheArchonsareevil.Tellwhatthey’vedone.They’vekilledeveryonesonoonewouldknowthetruth.”
“I’mnotleavingyou,Viktor,”shesaidfirmly.“We’regoingtomakeittogether.Comeon,youcandoit!Don’tgiveupnow!”
Slowlydescendingashortstairwayandpainfullystaggeringalongthenarrowhall,theyreacheditsjuncturewiththemaincorridorthatwentpastthecentrallabandontotheoffices.Astheycamearoundthecornerintothebroadhallway,theyweresuddenlyconfrontedbyColonelChernovblockingtheirpath.Itwasimpossible.Hewasdead.Shehadseenhishorribledemisewithherowneyes—buttherehewas,apparentlyintheflesh,atwistedgrindefacinghismouth,hisfaceamaskofevil.Revengewasclearlywritteninhismalevolenteyes.
Chernovseemednottonoticeher,sointentwasheuponViktor,whomheaddressedinRussian.Viktorrepliedinhaltingphrasesandseemedtobepleadingforhislife.
“It’snotChernov.”Carlayelledathim.“It’sanArchon!”Viktorstaredback,uncomprehendingly.“TellityoubelongtotheLordJesusChrist.UseHisName—believeinHim!Hewillsaveyou!”
Carlawasamazed.Hadthosewordsissuedfromhermouth?Thensherealizedtheywerecomingfromherheartaswell.“Ibelieve,”shecriedaloud.“IdobelievethatJesusdiedforme!”Nowshehadanewreasonforsurviving—notonlytowarntheworld,buttotellKen.Here,inthisextremity,attheveryapexofherlife,shehadyieldedherrebellioushearttotheOneshehadsolongrejected.
Viktorwasshakinghishead.“Christdemandssubmission,too.Iwon’t
doitIwanttobefree!”“Christgivesfreedom—fromyourself!”Shewaspleadingwithhim
now.“TherealdictatorisViktorKhorev!You’reaslavetoyourself,Viktor!Christwillsaveyou.Hediedforyou.”
“No!”saidViktor.HestaredatCarlaforonebriefmomentwithwideandglassyeyes.Tohersorrow,shesawtheunreasoning,frightenedlookofamanlostinawildernessanddespairingofeverfindinghiswayback.
Hetorehishandloosefromhergripandbeganbackingawayinterror.Chernov,histwistedsmilenowturnedintoasnarl,wasstalkinghimlikeatigerpreparingtospringonitsprey.
“Viktor!”sheyelled.“BelieveinJesus!Hewillprotectyou!”ButViktorseemeddeaftohervoicenow.
Inasuddenblurofmotion,Chernovspunaround.HisflyingfoothitViktorinthefacewithadeadlyforcethathurledhimagainstthewall.Eyesinstantlyglazingover,Viktor’slimpbodydroppedtothefloor.
NowChernovturnedhisevilintentionsinherdirection.“Helpme,LordJesus!”shemurmured,andChernovvanished.Sobbinguncontrollably,sheranalongthemaincorridor,pastthelabwhereshehadfirstseenDelSassodisplayhispowers,thenturnedleftpastLeighton’soffice,wherethenightmarehadbegunandwhereshehadspentsomanyhoursanddaysandnightsstrugglingwithherconflictsandfinallycommittingherself—tothis.
Assheburstintothelobbywithfreedomnowinsightshesawhim.Hewasstandinginfrontofthedoorinhislong,blackrobe,hoodthrownback,barringherescape.ThiswasnoArchon.ItwasDelSassohimselfintheflesh!
“What’sthehurry,Carla?”heaskedwithexaggeratedconcern.“Thepartyisn’tover,anditisn’tpolitetoskipoutlikethiswithoutthankingyourhost.”Heregardedherwithanexpressionofgreedyanticipation.
Carlahesitated.Shouldsherunbackdownthehallforthesideexit?No,hewouldcatchherbeforeshetookadozensteps.Hecouldmovelikeacat.
“Youdon’thaveyourKen-boyheretohelpyouthistime!”gloatedDelSasso.“You’reallmine!”Hestartedtowardher,andshebegantoback
towardthecorridor.“You’remad,Antonio,”shesaid.“Completelymad!Youwere
enjoyingthatholocaust!YoudidenjoyslicingChernovinhalf,didn’tyou?”
“Ilovethepower,”hesaidsimply.“Whynot?It’slikebeingGod.Icandoanything.You’llsee!”
......Withtheguard’swordsringinginhisears,Kenbegantopray.Lord,
pleasehelpme.I’mnotbackingoutofhere.IhavetogetthroughtoCarla!Suddenlyoverthemainbuildingappearedapulsatingglowofalternatinggreenandpurple.Thenhesawit—agiantUFOallaflamerisingrightoutoftheroofofthetheaterinthecenterofthemainbuilding.Therewasadeafeningroarandtheroofseemedtocollapse.Itwasobviouseventoatheistsandagnosticsthataholocaustofsupernaturalproportionswastakingplace.
“Isaidbackthisthingup!”theguardwassnarling,reachingforhisweapon.Thenheheardtheexplosionandturnedandsawittoo!Atthatmomentapervasiveandancientreptilianpresenceseemedtohavebeenloosedthroughtherupturedroof—apresencethatwasterrifyingbeyonddescription.
Foronebriefmomenttheguardstaredinstarkterror,thenheturnedandran.Kengunnedhisengineanddroveforward.Intherearviewmirrorhecouldseethethrongofmediapersonnelscatteringinpanicandheardtheirhorrifiedscreams.TheUFO,lookingmorelikeaballoffirenowthanaspacecraft,haddroppeddownandwasheadingdirectlyforthegateatacceleratingspeed,skimmingalongjustabovetheground.
“Helpme,LordJesus—thankYou!”Therewasn’ttimetosaymore.TheUFOwasuponhim.HegrippedthesteeringwheelandclosedhiseyesforonebriefmomentHiscarpassedrightthroughit“Thankyou,Lord!”Nowhecouldseethattherewasnoplacetopark.Thefewspaceswerefilledwithlimousinesandmilitaryvehicles.Hepulledupinfrontofthestonewallthatprotectedthefrontdoorandjumpedout.Theywouldbeinthetheater.Heranthehundredfeetalongthebuildingtohisrightandtriedbothdoors,buttheywerelocked.Thehandleswerealmosttoohotto
touch.Nosoundcamefromwithinexceptthestillnessofdeathandthecracklingoffire.Hesteppedbackadozenfeetandlookedup.Dense,blacksmoketingedwiththeredofleapingflameswasbillowingintothesky.Thetheaterwasengulfed,completelyablaze.
......Carlaturnedtorundownthecorridor,butDelSassoreachedout
quicklyandcaughtherlong,auburnhairinonehugefist.Shescreamed,scratched,kicked,buthewasfartoostrongforher.Shefeltherselfbeingdraggedbackintothelobby,wherehethrewherdowninthemiddleofthefloor.Shelaytherehalf-stunned.Standingoverher,DelSassowaspreparingtooffertotheArchonsamostacceptablesacrifice—anewChristian.
“LordJesus,helpme!”Carlacried.“Godhelpme—please!”“Jesusishelpingme!”intonedDelSasso.“HebelongstotheArchons
now.TheycrucifiedHim,andtheywantyouaswell.”Theybothheardthehandleturnandthenthefrontdoorswingrapidly
openandslamagainsttheoutsidewall.Kenrushedinside,headingforthecorridor.Thenhesawthemandstoppedinsurprise.DelSassowhirledtofacehim.
“YousaidyoushutmedownandthatIwasafraidofyou.AndIsaidIwouldkillyouifyouevershowedyourhatefulfaceinhereagain!Nowwewillsee.”DelSassograbbedaheavyceramiclampfromatable,rippeditfromthewall,toreofftheshadeandgrippeditbythenarrowtoptouseasaweapon.Warily,headvancedonKen.
“Let’sgo,Carla,”saidKenfirmly.“We’releaving.Headforthedoor.Now.”
“LookoutKen!He’s—”ShestruggledtoherfeetandbegantocirclewidelyaroundDelSassotowardthedoor.
“Whydoyouneedaweaponlikethat?”askedKencalmly.“Whatabout‘psychicpowers’?Whynotusethem?Youknowtheywon’tworkonarealChristian,don’tyou,youdemonsofdestruction!”
DelSasso’smouthmoved,butnosoundcameoutHehesitated,eyeingKenmurderously.Carlahadreachedthedoor,pusheditopen,andhelditasshewatchedinfrightenedfascination.Kenbegantoretreatslowly
towardtheopendoor,nevertakinghiseyesfromDelSasso,whowasfollowing,brandishingthelampuncertainly.
“I’mnottalkingtoyou,Antonio.You’rejustashell,”saidKeninanevenvoice.“I’mtalkingtothedemonswhopossessyou.Whoeveryouare,howevermanyofyouthereare,intheNameofJesusChristandthroughthebloodofHiscross--we’releaving.Youcanhavethisbuilding!”
KenhadreachedthedoornowandmotionedforCarlatoleave.“GettotheJeep!”hewhispered.Sheturnedandran.Kensteppedquicklyoutside,stillkeepinghiseyeonthepsychic.DelSassoletoutaroarofrageandthrewthelampjustasKenslammedthedoorshut.HeheardthelampsmashharmlesslyontheinsideofthedoorasheturnedandhurriedtojoinCarla.ShewasleaningupagainsttheJeep,sobbing.Thedoortothelobbyhadnotopened.
“Hewon’tfollowus,”saidKen.“PraiseGod,you’resafe!”Shefellintohisarms.Heheldhertightassheshookwithsobs.“You
can’tbelievewhathappenedinthere!”shemanagedtosay.Andthenthewholeworldstartedtospinandeverythingwentblack.
Hecarriedherintothecar,thenclimbedinbehindthewheelandstartedtheengine.Inthedistanceheheardthesoundofsirensapproachingrapidlyalongtheaccessroad.Filmcrewswererushingthroughthegate,settingupcameras.Reportersweretalkingintorecorders.Kendroveslowlyaroundthecircledriveandthroughthegatheringcrowd.Lookingback,hecouldseethatthefire,drivenbyastiffbreeze,hadspreadfromthetheaterandnowengulfedalmosttheentirestructure.Thefour-starredflagwasflappingproudlyabovethefenderofthegeneral’scar.
[40]TheArchonLegacy
CarlarecoveredconsciousnessaboutaquarterofamileawayfromtheinstallationwhenKenpulledovertoletthefirstfireengine—withsirenwailingatear-splittingamplitude—roarpast.Sheopenedhereyes,lookedaroundinterrorforamoment,thenrealizedthattheyweresafeandonthewayhome.Hehadtopulloverandstoptoletanotherfireenginegoby,andCarlatookholdofhisarm.Heturnedandtheireyesmet.Shewascryingagain,butnowshewassmilingthroughthetears.
“Lookatme,Ken,”shesaidbetweensobs.“Somethinghappenedtome—somethingwonderful.Canyoutell?”
“Areyoutellingme...?”Shenodded,andhereyestoldhimwhatshecouldn’tfindthewordsto
say.Heputhisarmsaroundherandheldhertightbothofthemsobbingnow—tearsofjoy.ThankGod!Oh,Carla—thankGod!”
......FiremenfoundAntonioDelSassofacedown,unconsciousfromsmoke
inhalation,inthemaincorridorjustoutsidethenarrowpassagethatledtothebackstagedoor.Theyspeculatedthathehadbeenfelledbythepowerfulexplosioninthetheaterearlier,hadcometo,andhadbeenabletomakehiswayonlythatfarbeforebeingovercomebythesmoke.Otherwisetherewasnoexplanationwhy,ifhehadescapedinjuryinthetheater,itwouldhavetakenhimsolongtogosuchashortdistance,orwhyhehadn’tgottenoutsafelyalongthesameescaperouteasCarlaBertelli,theonlyothersurvivor.
KencalledtheElliottsthemomenthehadgottenCarlasafelytohishouse.Therewasmingledjoyandsorrowatthenewsheconveyed:joythatCarlahadnotonlysurvivedbuthadsurrenderedtoChristatlast,andsorrowforViktorandFrankandthemanyotherswhohadperished.As
firemenwouldlaterreport,theall-consumingholocausthadbeensofiercethatonlyasheshadremainedandlittlecouldbelearnedofitscausefromexaminingtheruins.Ofcourse,Viktor’sbody—notfivefeetfromDelSasso—hadbeenfoundaswell,theonlyonerecoveredofallthosewhohaddied.
“Wehavetobecareful,”HalElliotthadcautionedthegatheringasheannouncedthenews,“thatwedon’timaginethatourprayershavethepowertofrustratecompletelySatan’splansforthisworld.Ourprayersplayedaparttodaybecauseit’sclearlynotyetGod’stimetoallowtheAntichristtosetuphiscounterfeitkingdom.Andwemustalwaysrememberthatit’snothowloudlyorhowlongwepraythatcounts.Wearenotheardforour‘muchspeaking,’asJesussaid.WhatmattersisthefaithGodgivesus,andtheholinessofourlives.‘Theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavailethmuch,’accordingtoJames5:16.Godwon’tuseuncleanvesselsforHiswork,nomatterhowoftenwecrytoHimandclaimHispromises.AndHeonlyanswersaccordingtoHisperfectwill,towhichwemustbeinobedientsubmissionorwewillnotbeheardatall.”
Tothe“Amens”andnoddedagreement,Haladdedanotherexhortation.“Insteadofrestingonwhatwemightimaginewasagreatvictory,weneedtospendstillmoretimewhilewe’rehereinlettingGodsearchourheartsandperhapsrevealthroughHisWordthesignificanceoftoday’sastonishingevents.Wheredoesthisfitin,ifatall,withBibleprophecy?Whatdoesitmeanforthefuture,andwhatarewetodoaboutit?Ithinkwe’reatacriticaljunctureinworldhistory,andwebelieversneedsomefreshinsightanddirectionfromGod’sWord.”
WhileheagreedwithHalandwaswillingtocontinuetoprayalongwiththeothers,DonJordanhadthesuddenconvictionthatanothertaskhadbeengiventohimatthatmoment.HecalledKenandtoldhimthathewascomingrightover—thatitwasurgent.
WhenJordanarrived,briefcaseinhand,Carlawaslyingonthesofainthelivingroom,pouringouttoKenthewholeunbelievabletale.“You’redoingtherightthing,”saidJordansympatheticallytoCarlawhenhejoinedthem.“You’vegottogetthisoffyourchest,shareitwithsomeonerightaway.That’swhyIwantedtobehere.”Hepulledataperecorderoutofhis
briefcase.There’sanotherandmaybeevenmoreimportantreason,also.Isuspectthatyourversionofthestoryisgoingtobeverycrucialinthefuture.YoumaybecertainthatDelSassowillhaveadifferenttaletotell,intotalconflictwithyours.”
“Idon’tknowhowfaryou’vegotten,”hesaid,asheputtherecordernearCarlaandturnediton,“butyou’llhavetostartover—withthismorning,firstofall.Takeusthroughtheentireday,anddon’tleaveoutanydetail.Thenwe’llgobacktowhenyoufirstmetViktorinParisandbringitforwardfromthere.Takeyourtime.Ihavenoofficialstatus,andprobablyneverwill.ThiswillbehandledbytheCIAtobeginwith—andthenafederalgrandjury,Iwouldimagine—orperhapsaSenatecommittee,dependingonwhichwaytheywanttogo.TomorrowIcouldn’tdothis,solet’sgetatitwhilewecan.”
......Itwasaftermidnightwhentheyfinishedatlast.Theprocesshadbeen
anexhaustingandhorriblytraumaticoneforCarla,butsheheldupwelltotheveryend.Thenshewentofftobed.KenandDontalkedawhilelonger.ThelatterwouldnotleavethehouseuntiltheyhadmadeacopyofeverytapeforKentoputinhissafedepositbox.Jordantooktheoriginalsforhisfiles,tobeproducediftheappropriatetimeevercame.Havingheardthestory,heknewthathehaddonetherightthing—andthathewouldnothesitatetotakethewitnessstand,evenifitmeanthisjob,whichhewasnowconvincedmightverywellbethecasesomeday.TherewerepeoplehighlyplacedinWashingtonwhowouldratherdiethanhavethetruthcomeout.Hewasnowsureofthat.
AnearlymorningphonecallfromJordanrelayedtheexpectednews.“Ken,we’vejustgottenorderstobringCarlainforquestioning.Itisn’tgoingtobeunderourjurisdiction.AsIsuspected,theCIAwillbeincharge,buttheywantustobringherin.Twoofmymenareonthewayovertherenow.Don’twakeupCarlauntiltheygetthere—butIwantedyoutoknow.Idon’tknowforsure,butIgettheimpressionthatDelSassohasalreadysaidsomethingsthatmayimplicateCarla.”
“Implicateher?”respondedKen.“Inwhat?”“Inthecauseofthedestruction.”
“That’sinsane!”Kenfelthimselflosingcontrol.“Getholdofyourself,Ken.Andmakenostatementstothetwoagents
whentheycome.Justkeepcool.That’swhyIcalledyou.Okay?Prayaboutit,brother,andlettheLordtakeover.You’vegottowalkintheSpiritnowifyoueverdid—notintheflesh!Andnotaword,ofcourse,abouttherecordingwemadelastnight,oraboutthisphonecall.”
ItwaslateafternoonwhenCarlawasfinallybroughtbacktothehousebythesametwoagents—bothofwhomhadpreviouslybeenondutyattheHilton.Shelookedexhausted—andstunned--whenKenopenedthedoortoletherin.“Remember,you’renotunderarrestyet,”oneoftheagentswassaying,“butyoushouldn’tleavetownwithoutcheckingwithusfirst.”Kenopenedhismouth,thenbithislipandtookCarlabythearmandledherinside.Sheputherarmsaroundhisneckandclungtohim,tryingtoholdbackthetears.
Heheldheruntilshehadstoppedshaking,thentheywalkedtothekitchen,hisarmaroundher.Heputsomewaterontoboilandtheysatdownatthetable.Carlawipedhereyes.“Ididn’tletthemseemelikethis,Icanassureyou,”shesaid.“Iwasstrongdownthere.Butit’ssounbelievable.”
“Tellmeaboutit.”“Ican’t—theywon’tletme.”“Whatdoyoumean?”“I’munderacourt-imposedorderofsilence—can’tdiscussthiswhole
thing,frombeginningtoend,withanyone,notevenwithyou.”Ken’sthoughtswereracing.Jordanhadn’tjustbeenguessing.What
wasgoingtohappen?Thiswasincredible.Hewouldfightwitheveryounceofhisstrength.Theywouldn’tgetawaywiththis—whateveritwastheyweretryingtogetawaywiththatCarlacouldn’ttellhimabout.Theshrillsoundofthekettlebroughthimbacktothepresent
Whenhehadbroughtthecupsandteapotbacktothetable,hesaid,“Youcanatleasttellmehowitwent,andwhyyou’resoupset.”
“Ken,I’mnotsupposedtosayanything.”HerememberedwhatJordanhadsaid.“Aretheyblamingyouinsome
way?”heasked.“Don’tsayanything—justnodyesorno.”
Shenoddedslowly.“Butthere’snowaytheycanmakethatliework!”heexclaimedangrily.
“Maybetheycan.There’ssomethingIoverlooked,Ken.Wealloverlookedit—evenJordan.”
......TheUnitedStatesgovernmenthadimmediatelysetupanarmedpatrol
tokeepthecuriousfromenteringanypartoftheproperty,includingtheaccessroad.Ablanketofcompletesecrecyhadbeenpulledovertheentireaffair.Thefactthattherehadbeenahugeexplosionandfirewiththelossofnearly300lives,manyofthemwell-knowninternationalleadersandtopmediapersonalities,couldnot,ofcourse,bekeptquiet.NewsreportsandgraphicfilmfootageofleadersarrivingfortheCongress,thethrongofjournalistsoutsidethegate,thenthefire,wereflashedaroundtheworldinamatterofminutes.Beyondthat,however,themediawaslefttospeculateonitsown.Othergovernments,ofcourse,whoserepresentativeshadperishedinthedisaster,weredemandinganswers.Eachreceivedthestandardresponsethatnocommentwasyetavailableandthatafullinquirymighttakemonths.
NointerviewsofeitherBertelliorDelSassowereallowedtothemedia.Itwasrumored,however,from“reliablesources”thattheirtestimonywasinseriousconflictandthatthereweremajorholesinBertelli’sstory.Itwaseasyenoughtospeculate,andalotofthatwasdoneopenlyinthepressinthedaysthatfollowedthedisaster.Therealmostseemedtobearesentmentbysomeofherformercolleaguesthatshealone—incontrasttothe30othermediapersonsinsideatthetimeofthedisaster,eachofwhomshehadpersonallyinvited—hadsurvived.Why?Somethingdidn’taddup.Foronething,DelSassohadbeenfoundunconsciousnotfarfromthetheater,whileBertelli,ontheotherhand,hadmadeitoutwithoutevenabruise.Howcouldshehavebeeninthetheateratthetimeofthehugeexplosionthathadbeenwitnessedbythemediapersonnelclusteredaroundthegateatthetime,andbythetwoguards?Whywasshetheonlysurvivor,andhowcouldshehaveescapedunscathed?Sotherumorsflew,andwhentherearenofactstogoby,rumorfeedsuponitself.
Afteraweekinthehospitalundercloseguard,DelSassoseemedtobecompletelyrecovered.The“source”leakedenoughtoknowthatDelSassocouldremembereverythinguptothetimeoftheexplosion,butnothingthereafter,whichwas,afterall,whatonewouldexpect,giventheforceofthatblast.YetBertelliknewallthedetails,beforeandafter—andsomeofthemwereabsolutelyunbelievable.Science-fictionwriterswouldhesitatetopaintthescenarioshehadcomeupwith,soitwasrumored.
AsforthegiantUFO,noonehadgottenapicture,andthereportswereextremelyconflicting.Somesaidithadn’tbeenaUFOatall,butahugeballoffirepropelledbytheexplosion,andthatitjustseemedtolooklikeaUFO.OtherssworetheyhadbeenabletomakeoutthemetalbodyandthewindowsandtheclassicStarWarsshape.OnlyonewitnesssaidhehadseenKen’sJeepdriverightthroughit,butobviouslythatcouldn’thavehappened—ithadtohavepassedjustoverhim.
Inthefinalanalysis,theUFOtheoryfellundertheweightoftheunbelievablescenariothatwouldhavetobeacceptedifitweretrue.Foronething,thewitnesses—morethan100ofthem--were
nearlyunanimousthattheobjecthadcomeoutofthedomedroofofthetheaterontherightsideofthemainstructure.Sincetherewasnowayaspacecraftofsuchhugeproportionscouldhavegotteninsidethebuilding,itwasobviousthatonedidn’texitthebuildingeither.SotheobjecthadtobenotagiantUFOringedwithflames,butahugeballoffirethatbysomefreakofnature—relatedpossiblytothekindofexplosionorthewindcurrentsatthetime—hadbeenpropelledinahorizontalvectorandhaddissipatedinthetreesjustbeyondthegate.Thatseveraltreetopswerebadlyscorchedinalinearpatternleadingawayfromthetheaterseemedtoconfirmthislineofreasoning.
......KenandCarlarefusedtoallowgovernmentprohibitionstodictate
theirpersonallives,especiallywhenitcametothatwhichmatteredsomuchtobothofthem.TheweddingthathadbeencancelledmorethantwoyearsbeforebecauseofKen’sconversiontoChristbecamearealityatlonglastbecauseofCarla’sconversion.Therewas,ofcourse,awholedifferentlistofguestsnowthanhadbeenproposedoriginally.Everything
hadchanged.Carlafoundherselfinvolvedwithanewworldoffriends,mostofthemfromtheprayermeetingattheElliotts’andthechurchKenattendedandaweeklyBiblestudyinhishomethatheled.
“Asyourhusband,”Kenhadsaidwhenhe’dproposedforthis,thesecondtime,“I’llbeabletosharesecretsyoucan’ttellmeotherwise,sowecanfightthisthingtogether.”
Carlahadlaughed.“Areyoutryingtojustifythisgrandproposal?Somemenmarrywomenfortheirmoney--whichIdon’thave.Andothers—well,areyoumarryingmeforthesecretinformationI’mprivyto?”
Originally,theyhadhopedtohoneymooninHawaii,butthatwasoutofthequestionnowwiththeimposedprohibitionontravel.Itwouldhavebeenalocalresort,hadnotJordanintervenedontheirbehalf.Underhispressure,theCIArelentedandletthemtravelasfarasCarmel,amere50milestothesouthofPaloAlto,butinmanywaysnolessbeautifulorpopularwithnewlywedsthanMaui.
Duringthenextsixmonths,CarlawassummonedtoWashington,D.C.severaltimestotestifybeforeaclosedSenatehearing.Therewasmuchpressureinthemediatoliftthelidofsecrecy,butthegovernmentwouldnevergiveintosuchdemands.AnditsoonbecamecleartoCarlaandKen,whoalwaysaccompaniedher,andtothetwolawyersKenhadhired,thatCarlawasindeeptrouble—andwhy.
“You’restillstickingtoyourstory,”askedthechairmanoftheSenateinvestigatingcommitteeonCarla’sthirdappearancebeforethatbody,“thatitwasColonelChernov—amanwhohadbeendeadforseveralweeks--whokilledDr.Khorevinthecorridorasthetwoofyouweretryingtomakeyourescape?”Hepeeredatheroverhisglassesincredulously.
“AsI’vealreadyexplained,itwasn’tChernov.”ShewasfindingitincreasinglydifficulttoholdherIrishtemperundercontrol.Theyseemedtobedeliberatelyinsistingthatshehadsaidwhatshehadn’tandattemptingtodiscredithertestimonyineverywaytheycould,simplybecauseitdisagreedwiththatoftheirstarwitness,AntonioDelSasso.Herdemandtoconfronthimface-to-facewasrepeatedlydenied.
“Butyousaiditlookedexactlylikehim!”thechairmaninterruptedsharply.
“IexplainedthatitwasanArchonmasqueradingasChernov.”“AndDr.DelSassosaysthatthewhole‘Archonscenario’was
somethingthatViktorKhorevinvented,andthatyouwentalongwithit.Apparentlythetwoofyouhadthisagreementfromtheverybeginning.Wehave,ofcourse,yourpublishedarticlestoverifythis.Youdon’tdenythem?”
“OfcourseIdon’tdenythem.AndI’mtellingyouonceagainthatDelSassoislying.HepresentedhimselfastheArchons’ambassador-at-largetotheworldandstatedonmanyoccasions,includingatthegatheringunderinvestigation,thatthepsychicpowershemanifestedcameentirelyfromtheArchons.”
“Andyouexpectthiscommitteetobelievefantasiesabouthighlyevolvedextraterrestrialswithoutbodies—spiritbeingsthatyounowcalldemons—whogoaroundmasqueradingasdeadRussianofficers?”
“Idon’thaveanycontroloverwhatthecommitteebelieves.IonlyknowthatI’mtellingyouthetruth,whetheryoubelieveitornot!”
“Andyoustillsticktoyourstory,”putinanothersenator,“thatyouencounteredDr.DelSassointhelobbyaftertheexplosion—inspiteofthefactthatfiremenfoundhimlyingunconsciousjustoutsidethetheater,farinsidethebuilding?”
“Iam—andmyhusband,KenInman,hascorroboratedthatfact.”“Yes,wehavehistestimony,anditdoes,indeed,agreewithyours—as
wouldbeexpected.”AtthatpointKenjumpedtohisfeettoobjectonlytobepulleddown
byhistwolawyers.“ItookCarlaoutinmyYukon.Therearewitnesseswhosawuscomeoutofthelobbytogether!”hewhisperedtotheattorneys.“AndthatprovesnothingaboutDelSassobeinginthelobby!”wasthesternresponse,witharemindertokeepcoolandletthemhandleit.Afterall,thatwaswhathehadhiredthemfor.
“Weareurgingyoutotellthetruth,Mrs.Inman,”thechairmansaidagain.“Youhavenothadacriminalrecorduptothistime,andIwanttoappealtoyouonthebasisoftheloyaltyyouonceseemedtohavetowardyourcountry.Worldleadersdiedinthatholocaustplacingthestabilityofourrelationshipwithothernationsatjeopardy.Icannotofferyou
clemency—thatwouldbeforajudgetodecide—butIcanofferyouthesatisfactionofknowingthatyoucanatleastinsomedegreeredeemyourselffromthisunspeakablecrimebytellingthetruthnow.”
“Ihavetoldthetruth,”wasallCarlacouldsay.Sheseemedtohavelosttouchwithreality.Thiscouldn’tpossiblybehappening!
“Youknowthatitmakesnosenseatall,”persistedthechairman,“thatDr.DelSassowouldbeinthelobbyastepfromsafety,andthengobackintoalmostcertaindeath.Infactifthefiremenhadnotfoundhimjustintime,hewouldhavebeendead.Whywouldhegoback?Hewouldhaveknownthateveryoneelsewasdead.Andhavingcomethatfarinhisefforttoescape,hecertainlywouldn’treenteraburningbuildingfornoreason.”
“Maybehewasashamedofwhathe’ddoneandwantedtodie,”respondedCarla.“Idon’tknow.You’llhavetoaskhimwhyhewentback.Butsincehe’sobviouslylying,therereallyisn’tmuchpointinaskinghimanything.AndIstillwantaface-to-faceconfrontationwithhimbeforethiscommittee.”
Thatwasawishthatwouldneverbegranted,inspiteoftheargumentsKen’slawyersablypresentedandsomebehind-thescenespressurefromJordanatconsiderablerisktohimself.
......Sothehearingsdraggedonmonthaftermonthinverydisappointing
fashion,inspiteoftheprayersofthegroupthatmetattheElliotts’housethatthetruthwouldcomeouttowarntheworld.Dr.Elliott’sremindertotheprayergroupthatthereweretrialsoffaithandthatGod’swillwasalwaysbestandthatHewasincontrolinspiteofappearancestothecontrary,wereagreatcomforttoKenandCarlaandtoeveryoneintheprayergroup.TheyhadconfidenceinthegoodnessofGod,thattheywereinHishands,andthatinHistimethetruthwouldindeedcomeout,thoughthatseemedanimpossibledream.
Itwas,afterall,Carla’swordagainstDelSasso’s.Theoldsaying,“Truthisstrangerthanfiction,”certainlyprovedtobeaccurateonceagain.Inthiscase,thetruthwastoostrangefortheSenateinvestigatingcommitteetobelieve.Itwasn’tthatanyofthemwerenecessarilyconspiringwiththosecertainpersonshighupinWashingtonwhoknewthe
truthandwanteditsuppressed.ItwassimplythatCarla’sstoryseemedbeyondcredibility.Withoutanintimateknowledgeofthefacts,itcouldn’tbeotherwise.
Inthemeantime,DelSasso’sentireapproachhadbeenrevised.HenolongermentionedtheArchons,sincetheywerebeingtotallydiscountedintheSenatehearing.Insteadofhighlyevolvedspiritentitiesexternaltomankind,hespokeofJungianarchetypesthatcouldbecontactedthrougharevivalofancientshamanistictechniques—andinsistedthatthishadbeenhisthesisallalong.Bythismeans,hesuggested,onecouldtapintotheinfinitepowersofthemindthatlayunusedintheunconscious,butthatcouldbeawakenedanddeveloped.HeformedacompanycalledShamansUnlimitedtoofferinstructioninsuchtechniquesandbecameveryquicklythemostpopularguruonthehumanpotential/positivementalattitude/successmotivationcircuit.Therewere,ofcourse,manyothersbringingthismessagetobusinessandpoliticalleaders,toeducatorsandpsychologists,butDelSassohadanexclusiveonthepsychicpowerswithwhichtobaithishook.Hedid,however,tonedownthosepowersconsiderablyinhisdemonstrationsundertherationalethathedidn’twanttogetanyone’sexpectationstoohigh,atleastinthebeginning.
“Itisironic,”Kentoldtheprayergroup,“thatwhatseemedatfirsttobeadisasterfortheArchonshasturnedouttobeagreatleapforward.It’salmostasthoughtheyplanneditthisway.WhereDelSassowasonceknowntoaneliteupperechelonofleaders,he’snowknowntotheentireworld.Thankstothenewsmedia,whichhastreatedhimasahero,hisnameisoneveryone’slips.Overnighthe’sbecomeaninternationalcelebrity.
“AsforthePlan,nothinghasreallychangedthatmuch.Itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryoucallthem‘Archons’or‘archetypes’fromthecollectiveunconscious.They’restilldemons,andDelSassoisstilltheirnumber-oneman.Theendresultwillbethesame:thedemonizationofcountlessmillionsinpreparationfortheAntichrist.Now,however,DelSassoisusingamoreeffectivemeansoftakingthedelusionofgodhoodandinfinitepotentialtothemasses.”
“That’sright,”Halhadagreed.“Prophecywillbefulfilled.Satan’s
‘Archonplan’hasnotbeenshutdown—ithasonlychangedform.Andyoucancountonit.Thepublic’sappetiteandgullibilityforthecounterfeitsupernaturalhasn’tbeenshutdowneither—it’sgrowing.We’rejustseeingacleveradjustmentintheprogramforsettingtheworldupforthegreatdelusion.We’renotgoingtostopthat.Wewon’tsavetheworld,nomatterhowmuchprayingandpreachingwedo.Thekeyisthechurch.Ifitwillawakentowhat’shappeningandproclaimthetruegospel,thenmaybeamultitudeofthesedeceivedsoulscanbesavedbeforeifstoolate.Carla’sanexample.Sheseemedhopelesslyentangled,but—thankGod!”Hal’ssmilesaidtherest.
......Itwasnearlyeightmonthsafterthefactwhenthecommitteefinally
reacheditsverdict.ThefindingswereacceptedbyCongressandtheWhiteHouseandcommunicatedtothemanynationswhohadlostleadersintheholocaust.KenandCarlawerecalledbacktoWashingtontobepresentwhenthepublicannouncementwasmade.“Arewegoingtobearrested?”theyaskedtheirattorneysduringtheflight.
“Notfromtheinformationwe’vereceived,”theywereassured,“butyou’regoingtobeveryunhappywiththefindings.”
Indeedtheywereunhappywhentheymetwiththecommitteeandlearneditsverdict.Theywerenotallowedtoreply—allargumentshavingended—butwererequiredtolistensilentlyasthelistofchargesagainstthemwasread.Theywerethentoldthatduetolackofevidence,thechargeswerebeingdropped,butthattheinvestigationwasnotover.Thentheywentoutsidetomingleinthecrowdandlistentothepublicannouncement
ItwasacoldandblusteryFebruaryday,withleadenskiesthreateningtodumpconsiderablesnowonthenation’scapital.Nevertheless,theannouncementwasmadefromtheSenatesteps.Publicclamorforthefactshadprecludedrevealingtheverdictatanordinarynewsconference.Thepublicdemandedtobepresent,andthousandshadgatheredinthechillwind,someofthemtowaitseveralhoursforthelong-expectedpronouncementThepresidentoftheUnitedStateswasmeetingwithhisCabinetatCampDavid,sothevicepresident,asleaderoftheSenate,read
thepreparedremarksinhisplace.Theywerebrief.“Thefull,writtenreportwillbeavailabletoanyonewhowishestogo
insideafterthisstatementandpickitupattheinformationcounter,”heannouncedintothemicrophonethatcarriedhisvoiceoverloudspeakerstothevastthrong.“Inbrief,theconclusionthecommitteehasreachedisthis:Thedeathsof289personsandthedestructionofthepsychicresearchfacilitynearPaloAlto,California,lastJune14wereduetoanexplosivedeviceplantedbyViktorKhorevwhohadonlyrecentlypretendedtodefecttotheWest.Hewasnothowever—andwewantthistobeveryclear—actingasanagentoftheRussiangovernment,butaspartofaplanengineeredbyacertainColonelAlexeiChernovwithouttheknowledgeofhissuperiorsinMoscow.WhentheirfirstattempttodestroythepsychicresearchfacilityfailedandChernovwaskilledthroughtheheroiceffortsofDr.AntonioDelSasso,Khorev—actingwithotherpersonsunknown—accomplishedthatgoalwithapowerfulexplosivedevice.WehavetheassuranceoftheRussianpresidenthimselfthatKhorevandChernovandcertainotherrogueagentswereactingontheirownandwithoutthesanctionsorbackingoftheirgovernment.Intensiveinvestigationwiththehelpofouralliesoverseashasverifiedthetruthofthatdeclaration.
“Well-knownjournalistCarlaBertelli,nowCarlaInman,hasalsobeenimplicated.ItwasshewhohelpedKhorevandChernovstagewhatwenowknowwasafakeescapeinParisaspartofKhorev’sphonydefection.ShewasaclosefriendofKhorevduringthetimetheyweretogetheratthefacility,andapparentlyjoinedhimintheconspiracytodestroyit.ShepublishedarticlespresentingKhorev’sfakethesisaboutmythicalbeingswithoutbodies,calledArchons,touseasacoverfortheirplotandeventriedtoconvincetheSenateinvestigatingcommitteethatthe‘Archons’weretheonesresponsibleforthedestruction.Bertelliescapedwithoutsomuchasascratch,somethingevenKhorevfailedtodo,soitisatleastpresumptivethatsheknewwhentheexplosionwouldtakeplaceandleftthetheaterintimetoavoidit.
“Reluctantly,theSenateinvestigatingcommitteehasdecidednottoindictMrs.Inmanandherhusbandatthepresenttime,forlackofevidence.Theinvestigationwillcontinue,however,andifatsomefuture
timethatevidenceiseverputtogether,thentheywillbearrestedandprosecutedfortheirpartinthisdiabolicalscheme.Inthemeantime,theyarefree.
“Iknowthatthemediarepresentativesheretodayhavemanyquestions,butthisisnotthetimeorplaceforaskingandansweringthem.ThepresidentismeetingatthisverymomentwiththeCabinettodiscussthisvitalmatterandhowitaffectsourrelationshipswithothernations,manyofwhomlostsomeoftheirtopleaders.Hewillholdapressconferencenextweek,andatthattimehewillansweryourquestions.”
KenandCarla’sattentionwasdistractedmomentarilyfromthevicepresident’sdroningvoicewhenareporterfromTheWashingtonPostwhohadknownCarlaforyearswormedhiswaythroughthecrowdtoreachthemandstartedaskingquestions.
“Iwasreallyshockedbywhatwejustheard,”hesaidtoCarla.“Andverysorry.Ifinditunbelievable.Doyouhaveanycomments?”
“WecantalknowthatthegagorderhasbeenremovedandI’vebeenfalselyaccusedpublicly—andwewill.Infactwe’lldomorethanthat,”saidCarla.“Iintendnotonlytodefendmyselffromtheslanderousaccusationsyou’vejustheard,buttoclearthegoodnameofViktorKhorevaswell.MyhusbandandIwillnotgiveupuntilthetruthhasbeentold.Youcancountonthat!”
Thevicepresidentwasjustconcluding,andwhathewassayingcaughttheirattentiononceagain.“Onemorething,ladiesandgentlemen.Dr.AntonioDelSasso,theonlysurvivoroftheblastandtheonewhoheroicallyriskedhislifeinattemptingtocarryDr.Khorevtosafety,isherewithus.ThepresidentwillbeawardinghimamedalinaspecialceremonyattheWhiteHouselaterthisafternoon.Iwanthimtostandherebesidemewhereyoucanallseehim.Ladiesandgentlemen,pleaseshowyourappreciationtothismanforhiseffortstobringprosperityandbrotherhoodtothisplanet.”
Thecrowdwentwild.Nowgarbedinaturtlenecksweaterandtweedsportcoat,DelSassoinclinedhisheadslightlyandsmiled.Yes,thePlanwouldgoforward.Thefewlivesthathadbeensacrificedwereonlythebeginning.ItwasallpartofthePlan,allnecessarytokeepitmoving.
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LESTWEFORGET:ADocumentaryofAnti-SemitismPastandPresentThisfilmdocumentsaconcertedcampaigntode-humanizetheJewishpeopleandde-legitimizethenationofIsrael.Asviewerswillseeinthisexclusivefootage,today’sArab-sponsoredstate-runpropagandaisalarminglysimilartothatofNaziGermanyduringWorldWarII,andpresentsaclearandpresentdangertoJewishpeoplearoundtheworldtoday.74minutes.
OBSTACLETOCOMFORT:TheFaithMinistryofGeorgeMüllerGeorgeMüllerofBristolbecamealegendinhisowngeneration.Hewasthebuilderofschools,asupporterofmissions,andafathertosome10,000orphans.Theamazingissueofhislifedoesnotlieinwhathedidbutinhowheaccomplishedit:byfaith—refusingtotellanyoneofhisneeds,mentioningthemonlytoGodinprivate,onhisknees.74minutes.
AWOMANRIDESTHEBEAST:TheRomanCatholicChurchandtheLastDaysMost“endtimes”discussionsfocusonthecomingAntichrist,butheisonlyhalfthe
story.InRevelation17,thereisanothermysteriouscharacterattheheartofprophecy—awomanwhoridesthebeast.Traditionsaysthis“mystery”womanisconnectedwiththechurchofRome—butisn’tsuchaviewoutdated?RemarkablecluesinScriptureremovealldoubt.60minutes.
THESECRETSEDUCTION:ExposingOprah’s“NewSpirituality”intheLightofScriptureViewersofthiscriticalexaminationofTheSecretwillbetruthfullyenlightenedasDaveandTomuseGod’sWordtonotonlyexposetheoccultrootsofNewSpirituality,butidentifyitsconnectiontounbiblicalmovementswithinthecontemporaryevangelicalchurch.90minutes.
PSYCHOLOGYANDTHECHURCH:CriticalQuestions,CrucialAnswersWhilesupportingtheexhortationforbelieverstobearoneanother’sburdensthroughprayer,fellowship,andtheWordofGod,thisvolumesimultaneouslyexposes—inabiblicallyincisivemanner—underlyingconcernsthathaveplaguedtheevangelicalcommunityasaresultofembracingwhatistantamounttoacounterfeitreligiouspracticewovenintothefabricofcontemporaryChristianity.412-pagebookwith60-minuteDVD.
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TheBereanCall(TBC)isanon-denominational,tax-exemptorganizationwhichexiststo:
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IMPACTthechurchofJesusChristwiththenecessityfortrustingtheScripturesastheonlyruleforfaith,practice,andalifepleasingtoGod
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