Sadly we stared at the space they’d emptied and each of us hoped with all our hearts this farce will end soon, it is hurting too many of our friends and loved ones.
If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 08, use this link button to open the LC Book Index:
6401
The Council announced they’d given us permission to stay for another two weeks. After that we have to leave or submit to a hearing and sentencing. Now more people felt free to visit us. It is depressing how few they are.
I was in tears, clinging to Efineh. “I’m so sorry, I wanted your wedding to be your best day ever and now this will be the wedding with the least friends. I should have thought of it, it’s my fault.”
“It will be the best ever, I’ll have you and the family, Alki will marry us and I’m getting the best husband in all the realities. Shall I tell you a secret? I’m glad you tricked me and I didn’t marry Sebura.”
“Yes, but all our friends…”
“Our real friends will be there, even Solomon.”
“What!” I sat up in shock, my distress almost forgotten. “How can he do that!”
She smiled. “Sol, Solace and Elpida will be with, how much more of Solomon could we want?”
I looked at the young woman who held me as if I were her daughter and marvelled at how she has grown up. “Just a teeny bit more?” She laughed and I managed to laugh with her a little so as not to darken her heart. The truth is, I still feel down about it.
The media gave the details of the visit by Solomon and Socrati and what was said. The Chinese president spoke to his own government and commented, declaring I had spoken correctly and the Chinese people will wait for Robert to return and exonerate himself, as he is certain will happen. I guess others decided it would be prudent to show the same confidence in us and we were soon inundated by messages from people all over the world that they believe in his innocence and stand by us. Nearly all of them were Normals! When we had Hettie check, it turned out that most of them come from ordinary working families and those suffering due to lack of employment. Her check came up with something flabbergasting. One of the messages was from a person listed by our network as an Ipohin!
With those messages came congratulations and wishes for the bride and groom, some of the envelopes and e-mails included small amounts of cash and a plea that they buy something to remember their good wishes by. I was not the only one crying as I read the letters.
Michael casually mentioned in public that he is going to the wedding of his sister and suddenly hundreds and then thousands let us know they will also be coming. Hettie also forwarded pleas from the media to be allowed to cover the wedding. The Chinese announced that all guests to the wedding will be considered as having legally entered Tibet, even if they jumped there or were taken by Cherinians without reporting to immigration, as long as they leave after the wedding. For a moment I had the nasty thought that it would be funny to ask the Dalai Lama to come, but it was only a stray thought meant to amuse me for a few seconds.
A delicius ‘damn!’ We had arranged with the monks to have the ceremony at an area that would fit about ten thousand. Now we need somewhere much larger and I’m told they’ve already started preparing the site! It seems everyone wants to come since they heard that Arthur is going to put in an appearance.
6402
I paid a quick visit to Hettie and asked her to instruct the media that they only film Arthur while he is taking part or talking. Afterwards, when his body hangs around they must stop. She promised not only to make it a condition but to also enforce it with the help of a number of Cherinians.
The day of the wedding arrived with mother (me), family and bride suffering from nerves and wedding blues. Robbie got dressed and then messed up all his careful preparation as he walked along the beach nervously tossing a small ball of energy from one hand to the other while asking us every few minutes if we are ready.
The first wedding ceremony was supposed to start at ten, that is why Freddie turned night into day from two in the morning. We had to arrive by eight to give them time to prepare the bride and groom and we also had to be there to oversee the arrival of our guests, which included Hiereneko, Piakera, her little brother, the elders with Sebura included. All Cherinians knew that they had to assist their Normal guests to adjust to the altitude and their healers watched over them. This is to be one of those rare occasions others will see me as an adult, close to thirty in appearance. I did not feel comfortable giving away Efineh before so many strangers with her as an adult and me a child.
The Unation spaceship personnel have been busy the last two days erecting seating stands, toilets and so on. They extended a ledge hundreds of metres beyond the cliff so as to fit more people (held up by anti-gravity engines, I suspect). Other species projected as Terrans and assisted the arriving guests to seats so that no bottlenecks develop. Awed by what was happening I soon forgot myself as I felt Efineh. I went to her in the hope of calming her and she turned to me with an aggressive look.
“Next time you cry about something I’m going to run as far as I can!” She got kissed by all her mothers for scoring a point at such a moment. She really has turned into a Teller girl!
The Tibetan ceremony is starting Arthur.
The ceremony was beautiful and thanks to Claudia and a few others with her gift, everyone understood the words. I found it, the words, their prayers and chants beautiful, graceful and deep in meaning. We could sense the locals were happy when it was over and they could relax. I spent almost the entire time by the computer wondering what is wrong, why you are silent! Is something wrong?
6403
The place of Cherinian ceremony had been prepared and covered in garlands of exotic flowers. Alki took his place and the couple stood before him. I joined them, standing to the one side of Efineh and Robbie on the other. Robbie took Efineh’s hand and placed it in Ifran’s and the two of us stepped back a few paces.
The ceremony was beautiful, but I concentrated just as much on watching her internal world, discretely sharing her happiness. There was a disturbance during the ceremony and Alki stopped, waiting as we all turned to watch. Arthur moved without anything being written here, his steps unsteady. He went to a three year old Akiard child and stared down at him as if puzzled. He sank to one knee and picking up the child stood again. They stared into each others eyes and we sensed the bewilderment in the child. From Arthur we could not sense anything. When Arthur turned to stare at the couple again the child relaxed, carefully settling against Arthur so as not to cut him.
6404
6405
Efineh is over the moon. When I let her read his comments she was excited and proud that because of her he’s broken through the barriers of his assumptions two times.
What has happened is too important for us to allow our local situation to influence what we do. Leonidas does not have the experience Solomon does so we asked him to visit us. He read the diary and then Robbie took him to the time stasis bubble to see Arthur. They took the stasis field to the Sparkler World and released it. They examined the image as quickly and as thoroughly as they could (as did we) and then locked it up again.
Arthur has turned our world topsy-turvy in so many ways! We arrived, thinking we had problems we could not handle, so he throws another ton of them at us. He thinks he is sending part of his soul, but we cannot find any evidence of its presence. Then, to top it all, his image refuses to behave like a good mindless image should and confounds us all.
“If I’m right, he did not plan what happened. I think he really came just for the wedding. He then had the idea, became excited and forgot there are limitations to his assumptions because of his own attitudes. I would take his assertion that he managed to send motes of his soul with a pinch of salt. I think he was just hoping he did. We’ll find an answer to the problem of the behaviour of his image, but I doubt it will be anything startling.”
“I hope you are wrong Allan.”
Samuel King was deep in thought. “Robert, are we certain our souls are not made of atoms?”
“Yes. I think we have proof. How else would souls survive a nuclear blast?”
“They survived, but they were also shredded. If energy can affect energy, then what does that suggest the energy of a soul is? Could it be they were not affected as atoms, since they should have been consumed by the explosion as all other matter was, because their hold in our reality is too tenuous?”
Robbie asked, “If they are that tenuous, how do they affect our bodies?”
“Maybe only the mind part does.”
Dommi asked, “But would that part of our souls not be just as tenuous, or even more?”
Robbie became interested, even excited. “If we can identify some form of matter in our souls, even at a sub-atomic level, we could check planets for their souls. The Eqkee planet would be an ideal starting point since we know there is a planetary soul.”
6406
The entire world was outraged by the attack on Arthur, but there was no proof for blaming anyone. Perhaps for this reason, the media asked for a debate between the governments of the Normals (they now call themselves Normals also, still amused at our expense by the implications), Cherinians, Ipohin and our family. Both Michael and us were not keen to take part, but the idea caught hold of the imagination of the majority of the people and we had to call for Solomon and Socrati again.
“If we agree to the debate we’ll end up staying beyond the two weeks we agreed. Would the Council grant an extension?”
“Since this is requested by leaders of all governments, I think we’ll have to. Do you undertake to leave within three days after the debate ends?”
“We do.”
I’d guess the media moguls met behind closed doors and came to some agreements. The interview is to be shown on all channels simultaneously and only interrupted by advertisements during our breaks. Each media company will use their own advertising to cover their costs. Because we seem to have a rapport with David, they made him sign so that he could not make any claims above the agreed fee and he was announced as our host. They then spent days brainstorming and coming to an agreement as to the topics to be discussed. We were handed a copy and I grinned. Anybody wants a debate with Robbie, better be prepared for it wandering off into uncharted territory.
Somehow the United Nations was brought into the debate and it was agreed the facilities would be provided by them. Although they will not need the translators for those at the meeting, the audience in various countries will. The job of translation will be easy since they will hear what is said in their mother tongue, making it easy for them to translate, if the language they are supposed to be translating to is not their mother tongue. However, it does mean all that is said will mostly be repeated in a dead voice, all emotions stripped. I don’t know why they don’t use computers to do the job, they translate accurately, even the various idioms, while their voices inflect as in the original language and reflect the emotions of the speakers. Another advantage for everyone is that the UN already have the correct space and facilities.
It was felt by all that the debate is too important and serious for it to be held in the relaxed atmosphere most talk shows use. The General Secretary welcomed us and then handed over the proceedings to David. He welcomed us and then announced that Robbie asked to make an announcement before the debate begins. He confirmed he has agreed to the request as it contains no political statements and has little direct bearing on the topics to be discussed.
Robbie was the only one who’d been fitted with a microphone, everyone else using the ones on the desk before us. He left his seat, amid some frowns, and walked down into the open space. “Greetings, humans of all species and Mother Earth. (Oh-oh, isn’t that a political statement of sorts, bringing the aliens into the debate? Oh well, nobody complained.) I have asked to speak so as to request your indulgence on two minor points and one important one. As many of you know, I am not comfortable in such serious and official surroundings and being forced to stay seated would be a handicap for me. I have asked the organisers that I be allowed to walk around whenever I talk. The second request is that we keep the debate as informal as possible. Please use my first name. Should any questions be addressed to my family, it might be suitable that you address them in a similar manner. The next point I am forced to make at the insistence of my legal counsel. As you are all aware, the Cherinian Council has held a trial and judged me. Since I have refused to speak before them, it would not be correct that I or my family enter into discussions on that topic, as it would be disrespectful and could prejudice my case should I decide to appeal their decisions. Thank you.”
Michael quickly replied in almost a mocking tone. “Since Robert Teller basically considers himself an artist and not a politician, we understand that he lacks the self-discipline to sit still while debating. There is one more point to be made. He has publicly stated, a number of times, that he thinks better on his feet. We do not wish to have it said later on that he was held at a disadvantage so we agree to his request.” I’d not expected the gloves to come off so early and was worried. Not Robbie. He smiled and thanked Michael when no one else demanded the right to answer. A chair had been placed for him so he sat down as David switched on his microphone.
6407
“Thank you Robert and Michael. This debate was requested as all governments and people of our planet are concerned by certain developments. While the Cherinians appeared to be one body, represented by one man, our people, those who are called by you Normals, came to feel comfortable about dealing with him as a leader who is unorthodox, but does not seem to have any malicious intents with regard to our people. Then, in recent years, the Cherinians split into two factions, the new part naming themselves the Ipohin. We are now advised that the Ipohin have also split though we have no name for the new party.”
Without asking for permission Campbell switched on his microphone and interrupted him. “We do not accept the insulting name Michael Teller uses. You may call us Sons of Man.”
Shock had barely registered when another shock followed. Jesus appeared and without bothering to use a microphone spoke loudly, “That name has already been taken, choose another.” He must have used a spell for the sense of power emanating from him was terrifying. Campbell almost stuttered.
“We meant no disrespect sir. Er, may we call ourselves Future Man?”
“It is presumptuous, for I do not see you as that, but it is not my right to object.” He turned to David. “I apologise for arriving without an invitation.”
“Would, would you like to join us?”
“No, this is not my world, if your own Jesus decides to put in an appearance you may invite him. Good day ladies and gentlemen.” He disappeared. Once we recovered, a lot of Cherinians were chortling in their minds, feeling this was a good start for us. Only Michael was openly smiling, making Campbell flash him a look of pure hatred. (I presume Jesus knew we’d all want to hug him, for he was not in Freddie when we returned.)
As a talk show host, David is skilled at handling shocks that rattle him and he began the discussion fairly smoothly, asking questions regarding the intent of Cherinians with regard to Normals. Mostly Robbie answered, Hettie, Eddie, some of my wives and even I one time, handling some of the questions asked. Since nothing we said differed from what the government leaders knew about us, their questions were few and not hostile, until the president of France took the floor.
“Robert Teller, you have mentioned a number of times that governments must treat their citizens as adults and force them to accept responsibility for their future. Your remarks are offensive since you were speaking as a leader of another nation - and the truth is, we are more used to hearing that kind of idealistic talk from our students.” A couple of leaders tried to smother their chuckles, aware Robbie had been insulted in a couple of ways. Robbie smiled and nodded. “A number of governments have tried to change their systems to accommodate you with disastrous results. It is unfortunate that this has mostly occurred in third world countries where there is already overwhelming poverty. All governments have explained why it is crucial we halt the increase in our populations, but in those countries where you were blindly obeyed, their populations have increased in the last ten years at a rate above what was recorded over the previous twenty. Do you still insist your theories on governance are correct?”
Robbie grinned. “I suspect I am damned either way, whatever I answer.” He turned serious and started walking backwards and forwards across the floor. “It is in the nature of all human beings that they resist new truths - and especially new responsibilities. I would suggest that you have just proven me correct. The countries you are referring to happen to be countries where the governments were the most paternalistic, treating their citizens as children without the rights and responsibilities any normal adult should be accorded.
Am I right, will all people mature and stop following others blindly? Mr President, I am not infallible nor am I inflexible. As an ultimate goal I still think I am right, but the changes have to be evolutionary, gradually changing the new generations. No such radical changes should be thrust on adults unprepared to handle the stress of being responsible for themselves and their children.
6408
Something you said brought a memory back to me. I trust, as one example only, that you recall how it was that Greece rid itself of its dictators? Were those students not idealistic as I am accused of being? Were they wrong just because they were young and idealistic? We all need to dream big dreams if our world is to grow closer to a realisable Utopia for all humans. Those of you who have children, it might not be such a bad idea to debate with them some of your points of view. Do so with an open mind and you might recall some of your own dreams.”
Dommi switched on. “Robert is not wrong. Even without Cherinianism we cannot afford to have our populations doubling, not even every thousand years. We are aware of the problems mentioned, but I wonder, why weren’t the statistics of more advanced countries quoted? Haven’t the people of those countries reduced the number of children they bear because they are educated and understand the calamities that an irresponsible growth in our populations will cause? Are there not thousands of couples already refusing to bear any children so as to try and reverse the trend, for the sake of all mankind? For those able to understand the warnings scientists and other intelligent men and women have given repeatedly over the last half century, facts remain inflexible, even if Robert claims he is not.”
Us girls tried not to grin when Jade switched on, her pixie face trying to appear intensely serious. “I dislike what Robert asks of us. Why shouldn’t he make all decisions and leave me free to enjoy myself? After all, it’s not as if we force him to stay seated while he worries how to save species or in which direction Cherinians should grow.” Now there were a number of audible chuckles, even Michael grinned. “Imagine a world where we wake up in the morning and the radio or tv gives us our orders for that day. For example, ‘All citizens are ordered to wear warm clothing today, class WVC as defined in the government gazette and article number 44,678 due to the temperature being below normal. Those not obeying will be fined, as disobeying could lead to such persons becoming ill, costing the rest of our citizens in reduced productivity and increased taxes. Do not forget that the quota of smiles for this week is a minimum of seven. This helps to reduce tension in your fellow citizens, assisting in making the environment more pleasant for all and increasing the productivity. Failure to comply is not only seen as anti social, but betrays a mental need for help and you will be forced to attend therapy.’ I go to work and at lunchtime I am provided with food that has been designed to maximise my health. See? I don’t have to think for myself, I’ll be living in a designer world suited to me so I can concentrate on doing my job and having fun.”
They’ve all seen her and Cassie as the imps so they did not take umbrage to the extent they would have with any one else speaking the way she did. However, they were aware that all their citizens were glued to their television sets so they protested, explaining to her that this was not the appropriate time for levity. Even if they did, I doubt that their citizens missed the point she was making.
Michael asked for the floor. “I am perturbed that Robert feels he has the right to comment on the way Normals govern themselves while he remains effectively a dictator of the Cherinians. I would be interested in hearing how he justifies his double standards. Does he view us all as children that he has to create a designer world for, as my mother Jade gave an example of?”
Before Robbie or I could respond, Cherine did. You could have heard a pin drop as there was an instant respectful silence.
“My Robert a dictator? A dictator who is dictated to by every single one of his subjects? Michael, a dictator who taught you and the Sparklers how to become the void, sharing his most effective power? A dictator who allows a child to take over leadership whenever she asks? Would he ever have refused you my son if you had asked? A strange dictator who demands that his people think for themselves and refuse him if they disagree.
No, my Robert is not a dictator, he is a dreamer. Why else would so many advanced species acknowledge him as their leader? Do you truly believe they need a leader? All they want from him is that he continues to dream for all of us so that we continue to grow to become whatever our ultimate potential is.” She stood up and suddenly she was the Light, reaching out to all so that they could sense her perfection, the love that she is made of, bringing tears of awe and joy to all hearts but one. She reverted to being her normal self again. “Could that exist if he was a dictator?”
Michael bowed his head and the cameras focussed on the tears wetting his cheeks, the adoration that filled his eyes. Cherine, I suspect, has caused our Michael great damage among his followers.
6409
The harsh words, even though spoken in civilised tones, were too abrupt a change for everyone to accept. “We all know you have weapons for affecting our emotions, your demonstration was unnecessary, unless you expected to prevent us thinking for ourselves.
The truth is that Robert is a dictator, demanding and enforcing his own dreams and ambitions on everyone, whether they suit us or not. If I am wrong, then explain why there are Ipohin and…Future Man.” Someone chuckled at the awkwardness of his new title for himself and his followers and we sensed Robbie and Michael suddenly go on alert for danger. His eyes were icy as he stared at the man who’d been amused.
Robbie laughed. “Why don’t we concede Mr Campbell the right to call me a dictator and continue with a more constructive debate, as we were doing until now.”
The debate continued for another two hours, we then had a break and privately I sent my thoughts to Robbie and Cherine. They agreed with me so I was ready when we were all back in our seats.
“David, we have concentrated on the Cherinians and I would be happy to continue in a similar vein tomorrow for as long as it takes. I do feel however that before we do that, in the interests of helping everyone balance their thoughts tomorrow, we first spend some time on the other interests represented here. I suggest we allow the Ipohin to make their positions on all the topics Cherinians were questioned, evident. After all, they are a puzzle. They claim to be dedicated to serving their fellow human, but at the same time they elevate themselves above everyone else, demanding we allow them wealth, power and respect, whether they’ve earned it or not.” My family sent me a grin as they felt Michael galvanised once more into thinking with the full use of his extraordinary mental faculties.
“Well Michael, are you willing to satisfy Samantha’s curiosity?”
He chuckled. “Nobody can achieve that, but I’ll do the best I can. For the sake of those who do not know how it is I came to part from my father, I’ll give a very brief history and then answer any questions asked.
I was born with the knowledge that I’d returned from the future to kidnap my father or mother and that I’d been killed. If any of you can recall your early years as a child, you will understand how appalled I was to imagine myself wanting to harm my parents. I vowed not to allow it to happen. Samantha took the time to help me see that I had to do what I had already done or else I might disrupt time with disastrous consequences.
Arthur insisted on my family taking me on a long tour that would last many years, in the hope it would bind me to my family. I do not think it was necessary, but it is true, I love each of them and would die to save any one of them. Love is a strong emotion and its importance in our lives should not be denied. However, we, as humans, are also cursed with ambitions and needs that are not always the same as our family have. I knew that a million years from now I would still be son of Robert, but nothing more. I wanted more. I wanted to prove myself. I had other needs they do not have. These led to arguments with my father and our gradual estrangement.
I enjoy pitting myself against minds as strong as mine, I enjoy the feeling success in putting a deal together brings. It is not just about the money, after all, with my gifts I could collect enough diamonds and gold from the bottom of the ocean to keep myself in luxury for thousands of years. I met other young men, sons of successful tycoons, and I discovered they held the same dreams and ambitions as I did. We gradually began to work together to make our dreams come true.
The truth is, I never was exactly as them. I grew up with Cherinian dreams and my way of thinking is coloured by them. I strove to meet my challenges in ways that did not conflict with what I believe in. If I could force my father and the ADFI to help Cherinians who were suffering financially while making a monumental profit for myself and my colleagues, then why not? If I could force the ADFI to invest in our industry in a positive manner instead of just subsidising the shareholders, but also make billions in profit, why not?
6410
My father started off life as an artist and has the simple ideals of an artistic soul. Making money is not something he is interested in, so he does not understand why others feel such an urgent need to be successful. To him, all that matters is that we love each other, not only as a family but as Cherinians and humans. He sees it as a sacred duty that we protect and help those he calls Normals. I have no argument with much of what he believes in, but they cannot be the be-all and end-all of who I am and what gives my life value.
Our ways strayed apart and when a number of Cherinians showed they preferred my way of thinking, my family named us the Ipohin. I was aware of the meaning of the word. It is an Eqkee name for a plant that kills everything, in other words, is inimical to life. I accepted the name as a badge of honour, determined to prove to them that these Ipohin are less poisonous than his ideals and dreams make him.
I have always been viewed by some of the Ipohin with suspicion because of being my fathers’ son and because I refuse to hide the love I still feel for them. Under Arthur Campbell, they conspired to have me kill my father and Cherine, my prime mother, shredding their souls so that they cannot return. They did succeed and all three of us were killed and others badly injured. The violence in a Sparkler World was also an offence against the best friends any species could have. Our ultimate father, Arthur, intervened and saved us, reversing what had happened without any thought to what effects he could be causing time - it seems he is the only one free to do so. What Campbell and his friends had done angered me, and after further provocation, I demanded that they leave us.
They have given themselves a name that implies something glorious. They should have named themselves the Cave Men, as what they aspire to is total dominion, absolute power and the death of all progress. Any efforts to bring about what they intend will not only bring the wrath of my father on them, I will join him with all my followers.
One last point in answer to Samantha. Yes, I have said that we represent all that has helped Man, humans of all species, to grow. We want to not only challenge the Universe, we want to challenge ourselves. Yes, we want to be extremely wealthy or famous, each according to our own needs, we want to be admired and respected for what we achieve and the power we command. All this must come about while also caring for and benefiting those less fortunate than us.
I leave it to you to decide which of the two of us, the Cherinians or Ipohin, represent the dreams of the Normals.”
As Michael talked we felt how the Normals relaxed, the tensions and fears at the back of their minds soothed. Michael has a beautiful voice, very manly and inspiring of confidence in him. The way he presented himself astounded us. We had not expected him to give out so much information that we’d kept secret. As for the yearnings and motivations he claimed drove him, are they not those of any hot-blooded man or woman? I would not be surprised to hear that he has gathered new supporters from our Cherinians. What is more astounding is that the Normals are not thinking it through to the future results of doing as he claims, or the repercussions that will flow from his stated beliefs, and they sympathise with his ambitions.
We sat back and admired the way he handled their questions, doubts and fears. These were almost exclusively men and women with vast experience, hearts locked to anything that threatens their positions or countries and yet they were lapping up all he said as if he were the next messiah!
Throughout this, Campbell sat without moving, not betraying his thoughts, sometimes even smiling. If he was angered by the way Michael spoke of them, as I’m certain he was, he did not show it. The session lasted nearly two hours longer than was programmed and the Normals were very tired. We stayed to take them to their homes, arranging to pick them up the next day and returned to Freddie.
Robbie was relieved. “That turned out better and worse than I’d expected.”
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)- posted: 14th April, 2020
If you wish to read from an earlier book, from Book 01 to Book 09, use this link button to open the LC Book Index: