tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24403056744804974172024-03-13T05:35:38.126-07:00Skinny Devil MagazineA taste from where the four winds blow......to amuse, to communicate, to enlighten, to entertain......Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.comBlogger346125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-72160879657681737102023-05-23T17:57:00.001-07:002023-05-23T17:57:18.167-07:00Look Back (1983): "Synchronicity" by The Police<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDI-XdzASB5Na09Rf6L6cWkReU6okpfuVzhiH2TsLHEXNGlZ7zLVv_Y1bgmNDd3_sLwi4J4mt4uCeJEBtryibOOhBIRImfmhG4Le6586QGTV11fudvGvEBgnfOK0d15FMwZE8dKxgvsXyKg6NGBP9QfJnf8WT_9UX3SX-uZWwQtYlU5lC2vsiMB7E/s225/download%20(54).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDI-XdzASB5Na09Rf6L6cWkReU6okpfuVzhiH2TsLHEXNGlZ7zLVv_Y1bgmNDd3_sLwi4J4mt4uCeJEBtryibOOhBIRImfmhG4Le6586QGTV11fudvGvEBgnfOK0d15FMwZE8dKxgvsXyKg6NGBP9QfJnf8WT_9UX3SX-uZWwQtYlU5lC2vsiMB7E/s1600/download%20(54).jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>1983 was an incredible year for music (and we'll look back at some more of these soon)....the year that saw chart topping songs like "Billie Jean" and "1999", "Karma Chameleon" and "Let's Dance", "Flashdance...What a Feeling" and "Every Breath You Take"....the year we lost legends like Karen Carpenter & Muddy Waters, and future legends were born like T-Pain & Amy Winehouse....the birth of band Bon Jovi & The Cult, and the death of bands Humble Pie & Roxie Music...the year of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol and "Let's Dance" by David Bowie and "Thriller" dominated the charts....the year debut albums from Madonna, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Branford Marallis, Rock Goddess, Whodini, Tears for Fears, Weird Al Yankovich, Ministry, Afrika Bambaataa, Pantera, Suicidal Tendencies, Wham!, Metallica, The Waterboys, Queensryche, Cyndi Lauper, and others.....and so much more!<br /><br />Today, however, we'll look back at the masterpiece from The Police, the album "Synchronicity".<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>"Synchronicity" was the 5th & final studio album by The Police (Sting, Andy Summers, Stewart Copeland), and followed four highly successful albums (both commercially & critically - all 4 reaching platinum sales status & multiple Grammy nominations), including hit songs like "Roxanne", "Message in a Bottle", "(Don't Stand) So Close to Me", "Walking on the Moon", "Invisible World", "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic", and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>The band went on to win 5 Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, and listed as one of the Top 100 Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone....and all 3 members went on to have highly successful solo careers (especially Sting, who garnered an additional award nominations & wins, including 4 Academy Award nominations, an AMA, 3 Brit Awards, a Golden Globe Award, 11 Grammy Awards, and dozens more nominations, after releasing 15 solo albums, many of which achieved platinum status).</div><div><br /></div><div>"Synchronicity" was released in June of 1983 after only 6 weeks of recording & mixing. It was an immediate hit, ultimately seeing 5 hit singles, winning 3 Grammy Awards (of 5 nominations), sold over 8 million copies in the US alone, charted in 14 countries (Top 20 in all 14 and hitting #1 in seven countries), was #1 on the US charts for 17 non-consecutive weeks (interrupted by Michael Jackson's "Thriller"), and went on to further accolades including Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" and the Grammy Hall of Fame.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1-pBIPgMjH1qhWAITZJk6jyOMH7On6y-bgSsJLV99AOxfhag6ycEt7R55cWIm5npOWjJWuSxDapfq8Ky2m_3MKAxa_Jkk_wQ_kW-8gTU-tT8x5BEibT2FLzjKZiM1UBbt746ULf_Ygg-qhw6tLJ3n0DCp2oa_oTwkR1lVaQZd7neCOenDjpJh0fg/s276/images%20(34).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="183" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1-pBIPgMjH1qhWAITZJk6jyOMH7On6y-bgSsJLV99AOxfhag6ycEt7R55cWIm5npOWjJWuSxDapfq8Ky2m_3MKAxa_Jkk_wQ_kW-8gTU-tT8x5BEibT2FLzjKZiM1UBbt746ULf_Ygg-qhw6tLJ3n0DCp2oa_oTwkR1lVaQZd7neCOenDjpJh0fg/s1600/images%20(34).jpeg" width="183" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Sooo...enough of the formalities - let's take a look at each song!</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>(all songs written by Sting except track 4 by Andy Summers & track 5 by Stewart Copeland)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><i>side one</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1) "Synchronicity I"</b> </div><div>This song explodes from the speakers as the lead track to their most successful album....a tense synth theme starts things and then the band jumps in. Key changes abound (every section in a new key, running from Cm to Fm to Gm to Am), held together by the driving rhythm that never lets up, call & response vocal harmonies, and lyrics waxing poetic on Carl Jung's theory of the same name (synchronicity to Jung is when 2 events are "meaningfully related" but not causally connected) with lines like "....<i>With one breath, with one flow. You will know synchronicity. A sleep trance, a dream dance. A shared romance, synchronicity</i>....". </div><div><br /></div><div><b>2) "Walking in Your Footsteps"</b> </div><div>Amazing electronic & acoustic percussion mixed with flute, delay-soaked guitar, and voices jump right in, laying a perfect ethereal backdrop for Sting's voice. The lyrics liken the dominance of dinosaurs "....<i>50 million years ago</i>...." (well, more like 65, but you know - poetic license) to the current human condition and the music features aggressive guitar work from Summers and an outstanding vocal performance.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3) "O My God"</b> </div><div>Fantastic track that Sting actually wrote prior to his time with The Police, but got a major overhaul by the band. The song features a very busy bass line, tight drums with equally tight funky guitar chords, swelling synth, and a saxophone throughout. At the end of the song, Sting quotes his own lyrics from "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" (a device he uses in many other songs across his solo catalog also).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4) "Mother"</b></div><div>Outlandish song written by guitarist Andy Summers featuring bizarre and angular guitar melodies over a static 7/8 groove, "world music" elements (including odd scales), and an over-the-top vocal performance by Summers. For most, this is an acquired taste, but sheds light on the extremes the band was willing to go to explore new territory.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2waF1LDP9wa67IlkmSz2gc3goyeI2-4Iw43lZf_EljJ1HOnHJIjBXu1hrjwKZGrEnx8waVok-7WmtEWlGrjB874sL8_tj6E9PTy_BHF04nC24CMvVybtUdhOBc_QQ6HUEcJlaCGwDmC_AAxiefrTVkSYeTJlMElL9AaPZPeWsT2evAw21vozU96S/s259/download%20(57).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2waF1LDP9wa67IlkmSz2gc3goyeI2-4Iw43lZf_EljJ1HOnHJIjBXu1hrjwKZGrEnx8waVok-7WmtEWlGrjB874sL8_tj6E9PTy_BHF04nC24CMvVybtUdhOBc_QQ6HUEcJlaCGwDmC_AAxiefrTVkSYeTJlMElL9AaPZPeWsT2evAw21vozU96S/s1600/download%20(57).jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><b>5) "Miss Gradenko"</b></div><div>Stewart Copeland written track, features a straight 4 groove with a mix of clean melody and edgy "out of character" shots, with a "Demolition Man" intensity from Sting and a fully avant-guarde guitar solo!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>6) "Synchronicity II"</b></div><div>Moody opening to this driving rock song that seems to have no meaningful connection to its sister track, "Synchronicity I" (though both were written in Jamaica at Ian Fleming's "Goldeneye" estate). As a single, the song charted in 4 countries (peaking at #16 in the US) and the video saw heavy rotation on MTV.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>side 2</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>7) "Every Breath You Take"</b></div><div>The Biggest Song in the World performed by the Biggest Band in the World (as The Police were dubber in 1983/84).....this song won 2 Grammy Awards, the Ivor Novella Award, was voted Song of the Year on a Rolling Stone readers poll, the best selling single of 1983, charted in 27 countries (6 at #1 and over 20 in the top 10, remaining at #1 in the US for 8 consecutive weeks), and became the most played song in radio history (surpassing "You've Lost that Loving Feeling").</div><div><br /></div><div>A breakdown of this song is available in our "Sonic Sorcery" songwriting series <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2021/09/sonic-sorcery-dark-arts-of-every-breath.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>8) "King of Pain"</b></div><div>This follow-up single to "Every Breath You Take" had most believing the song would tank, but the incredible writing & performance catapulted this song to heavy rotation on radio, #1 on the charts in the US, and almost unanimously hailed by music critics and fans alike.</div><div><br /></div><div>The song features powerful lyrics atop a sparse music section...pulsing bass, chiming guitars, delicate drums, until the second verse when the band fully kicks in, followed by melodic guitar solo, instrumental bridge, and a return to the verse and chorus.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>9) "Wrapped Around Your Finger"</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBZ6CShTzpFgX81e-PphWcPQvCrBvTUBZh22dFbYbpG6YunuyXREnwgYhc47NkdOn7QTm5bmPZ7iv5A3LS_YVF7ykNAcBBRzwA-kK_fT_Xn84tifPJgnSnzX_Gak2IewtJ9ccmy5hLbmuueShb6rIoL9UK9-7Bg1Tk0dZElVCtaQoyRgbaf7fOZxi/s259/download%20(56).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBZ6CShTzpFgX81e-PphWcPQvCrBvTUBZh22dFbYbpG6YunuyXREnwgYhc47NkdOn7QTm5bmPZ7iv5A3LS_YVF7ykNAcBBRzwA-kK_fT_Xn84tifPJgnSnzX_Gak2IewtJ9ccmy5hLbmuueShb6rIoL9UK9-7Bg1Tk0dZElVCtaQoyRgbaf7fOZxi/s1600/download%20(56).jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><div>Mysterious melodies & lyrics, mixed with more "world music" elements (Andy's guitar mimicking a sitar-like instrument, for example) and Copeland's melodic fusion-like drumming that oddly matches (at seeming random intervals) other instrumental segments.</div><div><br /></div><div>A lyrical twist worthy of the best story tellers, gorgeous visualscape for the video (that required at least 1000 candles), heavy TV rotation, and saw it charting in 12 countries (peaking at #8 in the US).</div><div><br /></div><div><b>10) "Tea in the Sahara"</b></div><div>The final song on the vinyl edition, the lyrics were inspired by Sting's reading of the novel "The Sheltering Sky" (a 1949 novel by composer & author Paul Bowles). The delicate instrumentation includes an oboe played by Sting, space-age guitars, and an uplift into a beautiful chorus.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>11) "Murder By Numbers"</b></div><div>The final song on the CD & cassette editions of the album, it has a wicked "rhythm illusion" care of Stewart Copeland, until the chorus makes clear the shuffled 4 backbeat....only to be obscured by Copeland again as they return to the verses. Brilliant! The lyrics are full-on psychopath, with the guitar's quasi-dissonant chords matching the lyrics perfectly.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Amazing album and definitely on my list of "100 albums to hear before you die"!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Note: The version of this on my <a href="https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic" style="color: #8a5404; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Patreon Page</a> will ultimately feature several song charts.</i></div>=====<br /><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">====<br />As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic%E2%80%8B" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47" target="_blank"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</span></b></i></div><div><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-7380787653791008772023-03-31T09:00:00.002-07:002023-04-11T18:59:15.561-07:00Look Back (1983): "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vyev7fw5sUEELwkRXq87l6w27reFDxfyxhAQSl6khFXd6WTgrktYP1Gg1XgVhJU1cfq83RgG0Ee0M0J6Q0s-s35_fq0w5DrUlzPXk51hF7vbrgw-aKHLdoFNW_mUM18YxQ_AWOpPSyGnRXW-5swYPynDJD2dAgKaxw356RAWIKmPAEykkaqXuaZp/s225/download%20(41).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3vyev7fw5sUEELwkRXq87l6w27reFDxfyxhAQSl6khFXd6WTgrktYP1Gg1XgVhJU1cfq83RgG0Ee0M0J6Q0s-s35_fq0w5DrUlzPXk51hF7vbrgw-aKHLdoFNW_mUM18YxQ_AWOpPSyGnRXW-5swYPynDJD2dAgKaxw356RAWIKmPAEykkaqXuaZp/s1600/download%20(41).jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>1983 was an incredible year for music (and we'll look back at some more of these soon)....the year that saw chart topping songs like "Billie Jean" and "1999", "Karma Chameleon" and "Let's Dance", "Flashdance...What a Feeling" and "Every Breath You Take"....the year we lost legends like Karen Carpenter & Muddy Waters, and future legends were born like T-Pain & Amy Winehouse....the birth of band Bon Jovi & The Cult, and the death of bands Humble Pie & Roxie Music...the year of "Synchronicity" by the Police and "Let's Dance" by David Bowie and "Thriller" dominated the charts....the year debut albums from Madonna, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Branford Marallis, Rock Goddess, Whodini, Tears for Fears, Weird Al Yankovich, Ministry, Afrika Bambaataa, Pantera, Suicidal Tendencies, Wham!, Metallica, The Waterboys, Queensryche, Cyndi Lauper, and others.....and so much more!<div><br /></div><div>Today, however, we'll look back at the masterpiece from Billy Idol, the album "Rebel Yell".</div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Idol had already released the EP "Don't Stop" (1981) and debut album "Billy Idol" (1982), and had worked with producer Keith Forsey on both. Billy and guitarist Steve Stevens had come together during the recording of Billy's debut album (and played in Idol's band on the tour), so when it came time to record "Rebel Yell", the super-team of Idol-Stevens-Forsey was re-united,</div><div><br /></div><div>All the songs on the album were written by Idol & Stevens (except "Catch My Fall" by Idol). The three demo-ed the songs using drum machines, then brought in Thommy Price (drums), Judy Dozier (keyboards), and Steve Webster (bass) to record the real thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3H8xFEdvlKRNvHmZeIZkag2W6FW7AhDJBYHjAGvnBRthY_507dE6ZlLZsByhfNhUfw-ybvzPMtkkX2PXdWmlc4O4rmg1ubZCWqopcSM78AoumA07UDgVnbmf-nCbxSdDTDSxwPIdlniBq9vnJckoFhlyuzPUQVG7Lx8UFApXOROXQvMLUhY8OyOF/s225/download%20(43).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3H8xFEdvlKRNvHmZeIZkag2W6FW7AhDJBYHjAGvnBRthY_507dE6ZlLZsByhfNhUfw-ybvzPMtkkX2PXdWmlc4O4rmg1ubZCWqopcSM78AoumA07UDgVnbmf-nCbxSdDTDSxwPIdlniBq9vnJckoFhlyuzPUQVG7Lx8UFApXOROXQvMLUhY8OyOF/s1600/download%20(43).jpeg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div>Released in November of '83, the album was a hit with critics and media, ultimately saw 4 top singles (with massive airplay on MTV and radio stations worldwide), certified 2 million units sold, charted in the Top 40 in nine countries, and turned a seeming momentary rock star (Idol was already known for "Dancing with Myself" and "White Wedding") into a certified rock legend almost overnight, and transformed Stevens into one of the most sought after guitarists on the scene (adding his guitar flair to "Dirty Diana" by Michael Jackson to performing at Live Aid with Thompson Twins).</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's look back at each song!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>side one:</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1) "Rebel Yell"</b> </div><div>This song is a blistering rock song that features several key items: a synth-sounding guitar intro, a secondary intro that also serves as the bridge, an explosive guitar solo that features Steve's "ray gun" effect, a secondary post-solo bridge, and a return to the intro as outro.</div><div><br /></div><div>The song is almost a textbook example of weaving self-referential themes throughout the music composition,and features Idol's vocals at their dynamic best, ranging from baritone crooning to rock-n-roll howls. Electric in every sense of the word!</div><div><br /></div><div>This song was also the first single & video from the album, charting in 5 countries and being the vehicle which launched the Idol-Stevens tag-team in sound and fashion.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>2) "Daytime Drama" </b></div><div>Funky guitar intro with lots of bass movement, the song slides into the verse with a wash of synth and the guitars building, combining 80s synth-pop chords with full-fledged rock-n-roll distorted riffing. Side note: Check out the alliterative title - a theme Idol returns to throughout the album ("Flesh for Fantasy", "Crank Call", "Dead Next Door").</div><div><br /></div><div><b>3) "Eyes Without a Face"</b> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sXk-xnKglnGjP6-jsR0rgesfVSXu78QG4JVAHA9U80Nq32gy_0kUHr5dtZuY6iYyMIpAOb1q9dZk41V2E_XMF9naqd47hW5iuA27QLv53WzMrDnIroOuvvaiRCQYNBsXDBjpOdHbAGjcfVnTfFKeaI08zwcrXp_QdMsJ3t2f03UeXHj5ARPsDMaT/s225/download%20(44).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sXk-xnKglnGjP6-jsR0rgesfVSXu78QG4JVAHA9U80Nq32gy_0kUHr5dtZuY6iYyMIpAOb1q9dZk41V2E_XMF9naqd47hW5iuA27QLv53WzMrDnIroOuvvaiRCQYNBsXDBjpOdHbAGjcfVnTfFKeaI08zwcrXp_QdMsJ3t2f03UeXHj5ARPsDMaT/s1600/download%20(44).jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>Mistakenly referred to by many as a power ballad, this song has an almost jazz-pop progression, haunting backing vocals (sung in French:<i> Les yeux sans visage</i>), multi-layered sonic depth, a mix of vocal swagger and old-school style, a parallel key bridge featuring a largely improvised quasi-rap, and screaming dive-bomb laced guitar solo.</div><div><br /></div><div>The second single from the album, the lyrics were inspired by the French movie of the same name. "Eyes..." charted in 13 countries and the video was nominated for 2 MTV Music Awards.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>4) "Blue Highway"</b> </div><div>This song is a straight-up rocker with "motor revving" guitar intro (repeated for the bridge) and classic Idol scream! But as soon as the verse enters, it has an unusual tension - care of chord progression and sonic textures - that resolves as the band drives headlong into the chorus. The song then vamps out with popping bass guitar and a blues-licked infused guitar solo.</div><div><br /></div><div>True classic!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>side two:</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>5) "Flesh for Fantasy"</b> </div><div>The album version opens with funky bass line and a wash of clean electric guitar chords, with the keys slowly building, and a very subdued vocal approach. The entire song and vocal style build in the pre-chorus, and then explode into the chorus.</div><div><br /></div><div>The mid-section features the famous 2-chord vamp and funky bass that then slam right back into the chorus.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Flesh..." was the third single from the album, charted in 8 countries, and the video found heavy rotation on MTV.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hQA7wIxaZmZOjc902h-ft3d-SojcujL9Uoosi54v91V4DRuhsc3MV1D8JSsKXRnlKI1WyK-ptQ_uoJKBngvygyYtrhtky1aHKfez2a3Hg6J2dSLNTc6Cl21hb8gDuSTpQlVXNzAU1B1oryu_kRilTw7_0NZz57b4CBsKyxE5a6PcMxawtNgiFSDs/s246/images%20(25).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="205" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hQA7wIxaZmZOjc902h-ft3d-SojcujL9Uoosi54v91V4DRuhsc3MV1D8JSsKXRnlKI1WyK-ptQ_uoJKBngvygyYtrhtky1aHKfez2a3Hg6J2dSLNTc6Cl21hb8gDuSTpQlVXNzAU1B1oryu_kRilTw7_0NZz57b4CBsKyxE5a6PcMxawtNgiFSDs/s1600/images%20(25).jpeg" width="205" /></a></div><b>6) "Catch My Fall"</b> </div><div>The only song written solely by Idol on the album, it would be a more straight ahead pop-rock track were in not for the Bigsby-laden clean guitar chords, atmospheric keyboards, and saxophone (care of jazz & rock sax player Mars Williams, known for his work with jazz ensembles as well as Psychedelic Furs, Power Station, Billy Squier, & others).</div><br /><div>Like the other singles, the video for this song landed immediately in heavy rotation on MTV, and was the 4th and final single/video from the album, charting in 5 countries.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>7) "Crank Call"</b> </div><div>Heavily guitar-driven (with clean and dirty textures throughout), the song is classic Idol with driving beat, a mix of laid back and pounding vocals, throwback guitar licks mixed with sci-fi dive-bombs and futuristic effects, and a final chorus series that continues to build to the end. Of particular note is the guitar takeoff at the end, fusing classic licks with hard dissonance and feedback landing.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>8) "(Do Not) Stand in the Shadows"</b> </div><div>Fading in as an almost new-wave guitar riff, the song suddenly crashes in with feedback and big guitars that then give way to a "Dancing With Myself" exuberance and 80s dance-floor chic. The Buddy Holly-esque "oh-oh" vocals are emphasized by the 1950's style guitar solo (that keenly mixes Eddie Cochran & Chuck Berry licks with cyber-edged wizardry), and the ending salutes Billy's punk rock past in fine style!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>9) "The Dead Next Door"</b> </div><div>The final track on the album is a haunting cinematic soundscape with beautiful guitars and cryptic lyrics sung with more than a hint of remorse, like Billy has lived every single line. </div><div><br /></div>"...In animal land / And dark is in command / One thing you should know..." and "....Suffering away / For the dead next door / One error, silent terror / And we're the dead next door..."<div><br /></div><div>Amazing album and definitely on my list of "100 albums to hear before you die"!</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Note: The version of this on my <a href="https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">Patreon Page</a> will also feature my acoustic covers (with song charts) of 2 songs plus a video tutorial on the guitars of "Rebel Yell".</i></div><div><br /><div>=====<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />====<br />As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic" target="_blank">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47" target="_blank"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /><br /></i></span><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-53050029127655886202023-02-20T16:26:00.000-08:002023-02-20T16:26:01.537-08:00Sonic Sorcery: Exploring Alliteration<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h7v61AqXKpn2EgDmZfGY9jfk9_e32doS5-Uu2wOJScsE5ckgPtErvGYQAS7ZXEigvmttLQtnJ6zxneCMya9pTl6JQigjV36nu_0Llk758QRrWfbJA2018-FmZLE-5_svzBYldx1idDYu-sq3bQFvXycVnKAKkHSq1kKwlY2Y9nMn8RO7_2J_obv3/s1600/ts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3h7v61AqXKpn2EgDmZfGY9jfk9_e32doS5-Uu2wOJScsE5ckgPtErvGYQAS7ZXEigvmttLQtnJ6zxneCMya9pTl6JQigjV36nu_0Llk758QRrWfbJA2018-FmZLE-5_svzBYldx1idDYu-sq3bQFvXycVnKAKkHSq1kKwlY2Y9nMn8RO7_2J_obv3/s320/ts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Tupac Shakur</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>"Peter piper picked a peck of picked peppers"<br /><br />"Sally sells seashells by the sea shore."<div><br />"How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>These are all very fun & silly examples of a literary device called "alliteration", the repetition of the opening sound of words. Designed to be both tongue twisters and humorous, they stick in the mind and are a fun game for kids and elementary school English teachers.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it should be noted that alliteration is a very useful technique, with no requirement for either twisting tongues or humor. Used properly, its a great way to (as Kris Kristofferson once put it) have words "slide off the tongue and into the ear".</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>Kris would know: His sly use of alliteration is in his hit song "Me and Bobby McGee".</div><div><br /></div><div>"Somewhere near Salinas, I let her slip away...." is the example I usually give when discussing the device with students in lessons or workshops, but the entire song is filled with subtle examples, like:</div><div><br /></div><div>"From the coalmines of Kentucky to the California sun" and "Bobbie shared the secrets of my soul" and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kristofferson uses this technique in other hit songs like "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down":</div><br />"But I lit my first and watched a small kid<br />Cussin' at a can that he was kicking..."<div><br /></div><div>and </div><div><br /></div>"And it took me back to somethin'<br />That I'd lost somehow, somewhere along the way"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtucLu1_xmLLlNf3zeLakdcC8uFG06qk1CGLrb86AuDXW9lbRq6eaVTSzCxssC3yQ8uR7dqtO3rLbC7KxE8Hw9QfIhpeBwf47peI_FxskzA9U3sfhOgINOskpm4UaEzSXTajhbLFB52ata5kPjQ3cfxhwWQ98nVlVkMlcOdJF0Cll9A4YqaP8mxkR/s275/download%20(30).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtucLu1_xmLLlNf3zeLakdcC8uFG06qk1CGLrb86AuDXW9lbRq6eaVTSzCxssC3yQ8uR7dqtO3rLbC7KxE8Hw9QfIhpeBwf47peI_FxskzA9U3sfhOgINOskpm4UaEzSXTajhbLFB52ata5kPjQ3cfxhwWQ98nVlVkMlcOdJF0Cll9A4YqaP8mxkR/s1600/download%20(30).jpeg" width="275" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Joni Mitchell</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div>But lest we think alliteration is only used by 18th century poets, children playing, and Kris, let's look at a few other popular songs that play with this technique!<br /><br />"...and who's gonna have the big blockbuster box office this summer?<br />How about we put up a wall between houses and the highway..." (Ani DiFranco "Fuel")</div><div><br /></div><div>"...they paved paradise to put up a parking lot..." (Joni Mitchell "Big Yellow Taxi")</div><br />"...I’ve been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king..." (Frank Sinatra "That's Life")<br /><br />"...little old lady got mutilated late last night..." (Warren Zevon "Werewolves of London")<div><div><br /></div><div>"...whisper words of wisdom, let it be..." (Beatles "Let It Be")</div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>"...hear her voice shake my windows, sweet seducing sighs..." (Michael Jackson "Human Nature")</div><div><br /></div><div>"...to try and make me change my mind and stay..." (Bob Dylan "Don't Think Twice Its Alright")</div><div><br /></div><div>Dylan's double alliteration example is pretty bold (from "to try" to "make me...my mind") but probably the boldest example would be rapper Lowkey in his song "Aphabet Assassin" from his 2008 debut album, which begins:</div><div><br /></div><div>"...I'm an anarchist and an angry academic activist<br />Axe and assassinate the alphabet in an ambulance<br />Ahki I'm aggy and I'm actually anti arrogant<br />Artists that ask in american accents by accident..."</div><div><br /></div><div>He then proceeds to march through the entire alphabet in similar fashion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other bold examples include this "M-C" combination by J-Live in his song "Mcee" (get it?):</div><br />"...more concentration on my cadence might cloud your mind </div><div>controlling your movements capaciously </div><div>my capacity to massacre crumbs..."</div><div><br /></div><div>There are many more examples from the rap world, from Tupac Shakur to Saigon to Jay Rock and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>These examples are truly daring, but remember it might take some practice to work up to this level of alliterative skill!</div><div><br /></div><div>So...go have fun with it!</div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />====</span></i><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-25729410525452675362023-02-13T15:10:00.005-08:002023-02-13T15:10:42.546-08:00Super Bowl: Star Spangled Banner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNtVNVbH6jTZY2ojtpXI7FJqohhgce0f1DdUIvZMkIfBqi-knixDYE4hSdwspTPslgyUuei3FwmTPRTRtYMxitBI24vrERbOTmdOmxb7AacSdeGl8S84W37EX7oCbDNRqr7ZGEiDJ3K8r1wTBwYseXuGa1YVtbzsULw1k-1pMwu7yXzLz7MC5yf_S/s275/download%20(28).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNtVNVbH6jTZY2ojtpXI7FJqohhgce0f1DdUIvZMkIfBqi-knixDYE4hSdwspTPslgyUuei3FwmTPRTRtYMxitBI24vrERbOTmdOmxb7AacSdeGl8S84W37EX7oCbDNRqr7ZGEiDJ3K8r1wTBwYseXuGa1YVtbzsULw1k-1pMwu7yXzLz7MC5yf_S/s1600/download%20(28).jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div>I heard wonderful reviews of Chris Stapleton's performance opening the festivities at the Super Bowl and realized that though I've taught lessons before following Super Bowl performances in the past (some to just my students - like following performances by Prince, Tom Petty, Bruno Mars, etc - and and some public, like <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2021/02/lesson-america-beautiful-her-superbowl.html" target="_blank">this lesson</a>), I've never just taught the USA's national anthem.</div><div>Stapleton performed the song in C#, but it was originally written in the key of Bb. However, when the song was standardized in 1917, the key of C was chosen. Its an interesting history that you can read about <a href="https://americangimuseum.org/standardized-version-of-star-spangled-banner-premieres/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, as you can see from the score, the song is essentially melody and lyrics, with no specific harmonization required. So I'll be charting it below with what is probably the simplest approach, and more complex arrangements can be built from that.</div><div><br /></div><div>For the record, I would strongly encourage the reader to check out other Super Bowl performances of the anthem by such stellar performers as Tom Sullivan (1976), Diana Ross (1982), Whitney Houston (1991), Backstreet Boys (2001), Alicia Keys (2013), as well as incredible instrumental performances by artists like Wynton Marsalis (1986) and Doc Severinsen (1970).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigQ8ptE8OaW8ejTYGNVPIK8jyJE9-gsQhkzDJZnj43toBO5K_cYaQo3LITiRmOTvP9IgtvaW0sPqKeDcXr0nSCJXYptQRFoNckNFnwuVObKhDudPpsPsg8T--p7tiEy6bbLhP--To9Ldl7lt05b_HPUK0uiFqrNi2Q5bgS0zxtntkilbjRFz8eN52/s259/download%20(29).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigQ8ptE8OaW8ejTYGNVPIK8jyJE9-gsQhkzDJZnj43toBO5K_cYaQo3LITiRmOTvP9IgtvaW0sPqKeDcXr0nSCJXYptQRFoNckNFnwuVObKhDudPpsPsg8T--p7tiEy6bbLhP--To9Ldl7lt05b_HPUK0uiFqrNi2Q5bgS0zxtntkilbjRFz8eN52/s1600/download%20(29).jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll return to this article in the future to provide links to any new public articles I write on building arrangements, though one might take a look at the entire <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/search/label/Sonic%20Sorcery" target="_blank">"Sonic Sorcery"</a> series for some insight. But for now, this chart will be enough for you to accompany yourself or someone else performing the "Star Spangled Banner"....and then I'll provide a second (and slightly more complex) arrangement below that.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Star Spangled Banner"</u></b></div><div>music: John Stafford Smith</div><div>lyrics: Francis Scott Key</div><div><br /></div><div><i>version one:</i></div><div><br /></div><div><b>C - - /Am - - /C - D7 /G - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - /G - - /C - - /C - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>C - - /Am - - /C - D7 /G - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - /G - - /C - - /C - - /</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>C - - /C - - /G - - /G - - /</b></div><div><b>C- - -/G - - /Am - D7 /G - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>C - - /Am - - /Dm - - /C - - /G - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - /C - - /C - G /C - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><i>version two:</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>C - - /Am - E7 /Am - D7 /G - G7 /</b></div><div><b>C - - /G - - /C - - /C - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div><b>C - G /Am - E7 /Am - D7 /G - G7 /</b></div><div><b>C - - /G - G7 /C - G /C - - /</b></div></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>C - - /Am - - /G - - /G7 - - /</b></div><div><b>Am- - -/G - - /Am Am7 D7 /G - G7 /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>C - - /Am - Am7 /Dm - Dm7 /C - - /G - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - /C - Am7 /C - G7 /F - - /C - - /</b></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-14374474589172913672023-01-12T08:54:00.003-08:002023-01-13T07:20:12.136-08:00The Titan, Jeff Beck (RIP) <i><b>The Titan Prometheus</b>, banned from Olympus after the "Trick at Mekone", scaled the mount and stole fire. He took the fire and gave it to the human race, sparking a revolution - bringing mankind from "barbarian" to "civilization" (i.e. - science, technology, & arts).<br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM5IrxwwLCJJLhhoR-41mgR581-zt154J_55pTlhzWW7AH7HZOYL3-iI2HzsYjgS1o_QMVe4LgJKK6IhkStfB_S6Jm-whzL7IrFZMsggBm5aJlUGjzwejtn_0zULcQf1NZV3MLzWisQ4zgD9x1LRt01B7NO5Us7gpM9MLFFMA4l9dHD3lx4EclCTb/s225/images%20(29).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="224" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizM5IrxwwLCJJLhhoR-41mgR581-zt154J_55pTlhzWW7AH7HZOYL3-iI2HzsYjgS1o_QMVe4LgJKK6IhkStfB_S6Jm-whzL7IrFZMsggBm5aJlUGjzwejtn_0zULcQf1NZV3MLzWisQ4zgD9x1LRt01B7NO5Us7gpM9MLFFMA4l9dHD3lx4EclCTb/s1600/images%20(29).jpeg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><div><i>For this crime, Zeus punished him severely....but time has a way of working things out, and now Prometheus is remembered as well as any of the Greek Gods.....</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Jeff Beck was born in London in 1944. He sang in the church choir and had other such exposures to music, but when he heard Les Paul playing "How High the Moon", everything changed for him. He began playing in pub bands while in school, and by 1962 had recorded a single with the band Screamin' Lord Hutch & the Savages. From there he played with several other acts, logging hundreds of hours of stage time, and by 1965 had been tapped by The Yardbirds to replace departing guitarist Eric Clapton. The short span Jeff spent with the Yardbirds (under 2 years) yielded roughly half of their hit songs.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the end of 1966, Beck had also recorded his first solo single, "Beck's Bolero", which featured Jimmy Page (later of Led Zeppelin, acoustic guitar), Nicky Hopkins (later of the Rolling Stones, piano), Keith Moon (of The Who, drums), and John Paul Jones (also Led Zeppelin, bass). The song became a calling card of sorts, showcasing how different his musical sensibilities were from the norm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then The Jeff Beck Group was formed...featuring Nicky Hopkins (keys), Ronnie Wood (bass), Ansley Dunbar (drums), and Rod Stewart (vocals).</div><div><br /></div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>This is about the time I stop with the standard biography. One can easily see how many careers were launched by Jeff Beck, and we aren't even out of the 1960s yet. Ronnie Wood went on the play guitar for the Rolling Stones, Ansley Dunbar played for everyone from Journey to Frank Zappa, and Rod Stewart, of course, became a legendary vocalist & one of the best-selling artists of all time. Everyone mentioned above went on to massive mainstream success and (save Hopkins) has been inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.</div><div><br /></div><div>His jams with then-new artists like Jimi Hendrix is the stuff of legend. His work with Stevie Wonder awe-inspiring. His Jeff Beck Group, according to his friend and collaborator Jimmy Page, was the model upon which Led Zeppelin was born.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the list of musicians with whom Beck collaborated doesn't stop there. From producers like George Martin (Beatles) and Nile Rodgers (Chic, Madonna, David Bowie); guitarists like Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Stevie Ray Vaughan, & Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson), vocalists from Imogen Heap to Imelda May to Joss Stone; and a long list of drummers, keyboardists, and bassists including legendary names like Tal Wilkenfield, Terry Bozzio, Max Middleton, Narada Michael Walden, Tim Bogert, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jan Hammer, Carmine Appice, Doug Wimbish, Cozy Powell, Tony Hyman, Simon Phillips, Rhonda Smith....and so many more. Look up any of those names and your appreciation of his impact (and the level of respect he commanded within the music community) will skyrocket.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beck, as I mentioned in my more personal reaction <b><a href="https://skinnydevilmusic.blogspot.com/2023/01/rip-jeff-beck-titan-of-guitar.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>, "<i>...Jeff never stopped. Like the Miles Davis of rock music, he kept changing, evolving, rebelling against his own musical past. Never satisfied with what he had already done, and instead carving a new name into new stone....</i>". Joe Perry said ".<i>..Jeff Beck was the Salvador Dali of guitar, to see him play was to hear the ultimate 6 string alchemist create magic in a world of its own....</i>" and it was most certainly true. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jeff, somehow, scaled Olympus and stole fire. Then he shared the fire with the world through his music - his writing and his playing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Like Prometheus, doing so sparked a revolution, altering the minds & imaginations of anyone who heard his song. Those minds included the other guitar gods of his generation, as well as the generations that followed, being cited as a major influence by none other than Brian May (Queen), Eddie Van Halen, Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Steve Vai, and more, and was often referred to as "a guitarist's guitarist".</div><div><br /></div><div>But like the Titan Prometheus, there was a price to pay for stealing the Fire of the Gods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9vyECfT2hTeqXOOv8hfLDHNp9eoEqh-cHjkbm1U_IeUAXq_9pbmLoa7Ug1lIptx7gV46VmlGmvtNoq-4QxJXKsbwAbwAB4GMIMVQERIrFbPyJQL7K7wmva4FgHnILQxmgWW6cDzioiJy2jpI6tz7rGqa1rQxo1liZFhtdFhjMHk_aJ0GU7UDEu3x/s760/jeff.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="760" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA9vyECfT2hTeqXOOv8hfLDHNp9eoEqh-cHjkbm1U_IeUAXq_9pbmLoa7Ug1lIptx7gV46VmlGmvtNoq-4QxJXKsbwAbwAB4GMIMVQERIrFbPyJQL7K7wmva4FgHnILQxmgWW6cDzioiJy2jpI6tz7rGqa1rQxo1liZFhtdFhjMHk_aJ0GU7UDEu3x/s320/jeff.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Jeff's commercial success and fame, while substantial, never equaled that of the better known Guitar Gods from his era & never broke him into the mainstream music world. Even after decades of recording and touring, his popularity was always eclipsed by others, despite the fact that those others had long since retired or ceased writing & recording new music. By contrast, Beck's final album was a collaboration with none other than actor/musician Johnny Depp (2022). All proper respect to the Pantheon of 60s/70s rock guitar stardom, Beck simply never stopped....constantly writing, re-inventing, exploring, collaborating. He was seemingly a tireless champion plunging into a fathomless well of creativity. His odd progressions, shifting keys, mixed time signatures, angular melodies, and futuristic excursions of guitar sound & improvisation inspired everyone who ever heard him.</div><div><br /></div><div>But also like Prometheus, the price was paid in full and so Beck's perseverance broke the chains. In his 60 year career, he garnered 16 Grammy nominations with 8 wins (spanning from 1976 to 2011), is remembered as utilizing both distortion & feedback prior to the release of Hendrix's first album, was voted #5 on Rolling Stones' "100 Best Guitarists of All Time", was TWICE inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who loved his music, they'll note the clear "sin of omission" in the above ramblings (in that I've left out HUGE amounts of information) and will not need a suggested listening list. But this tribute is also written for those unfamiliar with his work, and so I hope I've provided a proper introduction to this larger than life figure so many have missed. Please take a moment to explore his magic. I humbly submit the following list to get you started:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLkLcnu_e_g" target="_blank">Beck's Bolero</a> (1966)</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOc-_GpfF1w" target="_blank">Shapes of Things</a> (Yardbirds - 1966)</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbMSe0mcsYY" target="_blank">Led Boots</a> (1976)</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEsxMbMzO4A" target="_blank">Slingshot</a> (live on Arsenio Hall - 1989)</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJErzI-aP1M" target="_blank">What Mama Said</a> (live on Letterman - 1999)</div><div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbYKOlMclas" target="_blank">The Revolution Will Be Televised </a>(2018)</div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, perhaps appropriately, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCXOqGHEDvc" target="_blank">The Final Peace</a> (1980)</div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Jeff Beck.....for all the strange and beautiful noise.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-1238973505702301752023-01-04T05:45:00.001-08:002023-01-04T09:43:27.815-08:00Sonic Sorcery: Blondie's "Heart of Glass"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y40oHD28tmgHHCH_NPYhocpyWGKSA6kMRuR0NhL5MA4mL9Nb6M98p_hg3YzExxxI3opRltOyFmzzSbabjN-wOZhX3yjFKDEimD2Avv-5T0yg7oR1cZkliZa6UOQRcCr-Ze5zhrYoawTx1RSZQtx2d-trcONQUSBSfPR2h5_v1b1ES8oh4SINi8K1/s255/images%20(21).jpeg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="255" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y40oHD28tmgHHCH_NPYhocpyWGKSA6kMRuR0NhL5MA4mL9Nb6M98p_hg3YzExxxI3opRltOyFmzzSbabjN-wOZhX3yjFKDEimD2Avv-5T0yg7oR1cZkliZa6UOQRcCr-Ze5zhrYoawTx1RSZQtx2d-trcONQUSBSfPR2h5_v1b1ES8oh4SINi8K1/s1600/images%20(21).jpeg" width="255" /></a></div>I was recently reminded of this fabulous song, and thought the oddity of the chordal approach coupled with several captivating lyrical phrases made it a decent candidate for this songwriting series.<div><br /></div><div>Then I looked into the background and realized it would be a perfect song for reasons that will become clear in just a few moments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Debbie Harry and Chris Stein (vocalist & guitarist of Blondie) wrote the song in 1975, and after several iterations, settled on a version for release on their 3rd album "Parallel Lines" (1978). The Song was the third single from the album (released January of 1979) and rocketed up the charts in in 15 countries, topping the charts in seven (including the US). Rolling Stone later named it number 255 on their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The album propelled them to super stardom - this and the following 2 albums went platinum and spawned a series of hit singles (with "Heart of Glass" being their first number one hit in the US), and they went on to sell over 40 million albums, were nominated for & won multiple music awards (Grammys, Junos, Qs, etc), and inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.</div><div><br /></div><div>The song has seen multiple charting covers (from The Associates in 1988 to Miley Cyrus in 2020) and has been a major influence on many musicians since.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's dive in on the song's background, various iterations, chord progression, and lyrics!</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div>The first point of high interest is the stylistic variations through which the song evolved. This is a Big Hint for all writers and arrangers! The initial demo for "Heart of Glass" was, according to Debbie, "slower and funkier". They then re-recorded the song several times, re-working it first as a slow ballad and next as an upbeat reggae tune. They finally tried it as a more pop oriented "disco" track - the version that was ultimately released.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvqXCqfpbxvNQJWNJUaaMkRDd2p3rIXgwDVtZwBKNr13Lh2I3YQUB2DIIjhFw7sJ6ZcDXurYz7SZVVDISpCS4djh8OAHxucJkuW8MkVTpQyRfAK39Bw5VyHMkwqlKtnTR-dd9CiliJ9mxeJeyMubFRLHLj1ln6gYwfFhPtR4lJhfTT9xmDsrXPAKB/s300/download%20(44).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKvqXCqfpbxvNQJWNJUaaMkRDd2p3rIXgwDVtZwBKNr13Lh2I3YQUB2DIIjhFw7sJ6ZcDXurYz7SZVVDISpCS4djh8OAHxucJkuW8MkVTpQyRfAK39Bw5VyHMkwqlKtnTR-dd9CiliJ9mxeJeyMubFRLHLj1ln6gYwfFhPtR4lJhfTT9xmDsrXPAKB/s1600/download%20(44).jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Your obvious assignment here is to re-work some of your own songs (whether songs you've written or songs you cover) as slow ballads, reggae songs, and the like. </div><div><br /></div><div>This approach reminds me of one of the stories guitarist Steve Vai tells about working with Frank Zappa: In short, Frank has Steve (on the fly) re-work guitar lines from rock to reggae to funk and more, all while switching time signatures. Just imagine trying to re-work a song from a country waltz to a straight rock groove in 4 to a lilting 6/8 pop song....then actually do it with something of yours!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now let's look at the lyrics. Just a few lines to see how Debbie paints a picture.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>"Once I found love, and it was a gas</b></i></div><div><i><b>Then I found out, I had a heart of glass...."</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>and</div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><i><b>"Once I found love, and it was divine</b></i></div><div><i><b>Soon found out I was losing my mind..."</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The term "heart of glass" is far more original than the simple and overused "broken heart" and its variants. And when was the last time any of us even used the word "divine"?</div><div><br /></div><div>Debbie has a way with quick phrases, like <i>"<b>adorable illusion"</b></i> and <i>"<b>love's true bluish light"</b></i>. Those quick lyrical stabs are like napalm, exploding into the listener's ear. Its almost as if she writes the basic lines, and then finds key points (and always very small clusters of words) to replace the most banal and vapid with the maximum novelty and immediacy. Definitely a lesson we can all walk away with.</div><div><br /></div><div>In addition, Chris displays an odd sense of harmony with the chords. Let's take a look.</div><div><br /></div><b><u>"Heart of Glass"</u></b> Blondie (1979) / Miley Cyrus (2022)<br /><br /><b>verse<br />E - - - /C# - - - /C#m - - - /E - - - /<br />E - - - /C# - - - /C#m - - - /E - - - /<br /><br /><br />chorus<br />A - - - /A - - - /E - - - /E - - - /<br />A - - - /A - - - /F#7 - - - /B7 - - - /</b><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrcmrZdngZrlLBcR4BC8Qw4SVhk64UQWaDEQfXoeMxLnpWAloMwTvU03QoWc3hEbRnijuonZvomcqe1SbVMI3sqoxHgT5-scEgOe2nkRva7gHj4nphhWqoocb8fHl3Hu1OzIzZYqzotsLnl-eNcXZHA44KTya8v0iJN7TjZtgaMXbhJ28ow0l9-Fm/s274/images%20(22).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsrcmrZdngZrlLBcR4BC8Qw4SVhk64UQWaDEQfXoeMxLnpWAloMwTvU03QoWc3hEbRnijuonZvomcqe1SbVMI3sqoxHgT5-scEgOe2nkRva7gHj4nphhWqoocb8fHl3Hu1OzIzZYqzotsLnl-eNcXZHA44KTya8v0iJN7TjZtgaMXbhJ28ow0l9-Fm/s1600/images%20(22).jpeg" width="274" /></a></div><div>In the chorus, the basic 4 to 1 hange (A back to E) is fairly standard, but the inclusion of the 2 chord as a major (F#7) rather than diatonically consistent minor (F#m) opens up the strong push to the 5 chord (B7). Certainly not unheard of, but a very nice touch.</div><div><br /></div><div>But where things get <b><i>real </i></b>interesting is the verse.</div><div><br /></div><div>That E to C# to C#m is not a typo. Chris & the band change what should be a minor chord (C#m) to a major for one measure, which forces an interesting glide to the melody. Then the drop down to the minor (C#m) to set up a return to the tonic chord E.</div><div><br /></div><div>We see this move on the 4 chord quite often (major 4 to minor 4 to resolve on 1 chord), and there are plenty of examples of changing the minor 6 chord to a major chord (the chorus of "Dock of the Bay" for example). But to use the 6 chord in that manner is rare and quite harmonically thrilling!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ponder this, and how you might force a standard melody into uncharted territories with unusual chordal approaches.</div><div><br /></div><div>EDIT: Thankfully, David Miller caught that I forgot to address the timing in the bridge (not charted specifically above, as it's just a repeat of the first line of the chorus)! Let's take a quick look at that, as the song switches back and forth between 4/4/ and 3/4 (measures 2, 4, and 6), then returns to normal 4/4:</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div><b>A - - - /A - - /E - - - /E - - /</b></div><div><b>A - - - /A - - /E - - - /E - - - /</b></div><div>- then - </div><div><b>A - - - /A - - - /E - - - /E - - - /</b></div><div><b>A - - - /A - - - /</b><b>F#7 - - - /B7 - - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>E.....</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>====</div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></b></span></i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-68486551574622020252022-12-28T09:26:00.001-08:002022-12-28T09:26:34.931-08:00Sonic Sorcery: Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgXyJw2svYo6ako7XDFvohsUyBsF1ndUlHeIMIEQCFDqYDpqxylukFUcji5VwWwDNoI8Pq1Yi_NapswJObisZaiwwdCVcKHcmL64KrI2z-j_o27BkRZfWaQwCy3DzQ8MxzFqNw5BSu8c7_EHXL5Skti2dGKjs3DW2FolfWnZi5beLc1lSsYKdQpi2/s275/images%20(14).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgXyJw2svYo6ako7XDFvohsUyBsF1ndUlHeIMIEQCFDqYDpqxylukFUcji5VwWwDNoI8Pq1Yi_NapswJObisZaiwwdCVcKHcmL64KrI2z-j_o27BkRZfWaQwCy3DzQ8MxzFqNw5BSu8c7_EHXL5Skti2dGKjs3DW2FolfWnZi5beLc1lSsYKdQpi2/s1600/images%20(14).jpeg" width="183" /></a></div><div>As one of the great writers of the 20th century, we could analyse Leonard Cohen songs all day (we peered into his uncanny ability to deeply link music and lyrics in "<a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2021/03/sonic-sorcery-peak-at-prosody.html" target="_blank">A Peak at Prosody</a>", which takes a close look at "Hallelujah" as well as other songs that employ the technique).</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, let's briefly examine Cohen's classic "Everybody Knows" - a song from Leonard's 1988 album "I'm Your Man". </div><div><br /></div><div>The song barely charted at its release, but was almost immediately a hit for film makers. Cohen's version was used in the 1994 film, "Exotica", and it was covered for many more films - from 1990's "Pump It Up" (covered by Concrete Blonde) to 2017's "Justice League" (covered by Sigrid).</div><div><br /></div><div>So, let's break down what's happening with the lyrics first, and then the music.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>From a structural perspective, "Everybody Knows" relies on a form of excess repetition known as anaphora - its polar opposite, I suppose, is epistrophe, akin to the way rhyme and alliteration are opposites. This manner of repetition (a technique later employed by Alanis Morissette's Grammy nominated #1 hit "Thank U", for one example, or "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash, or even - albeit more subtly - "<a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2021/09/sonic-sorcery-dark-arts-of-every-breath.html" target="_blank">Every Breath You Take</a>" by The Police").</div><div><br /></div><div>Whether its Charles Dickens' <i>"...it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness..."</i> or Maya Angelou's <i>"You may shoot me with your words / You may cut me with your eyes / You may kill me with your hatefulness / But still, like air, I’ll rise....”, </i>anaphora is a powerful technique. </div><div><br /></div><div>In Cohen's hands:<br /><br /><b><i>Everybody knows that the dice are loaded<br />Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed<br />Everybody knows the war is over<br />Everybody knows the good guys lost<br />Everybody knows the fight was fixed<br />The poor stay poor, the rich get rich<br />That's how it goes<br />Everybody knows</i></b><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So he manages to employ both anaphora AND a standard rhyme scheme. No small feat.</div><div><br /></div><div>In terms of content, each verse seems to address a different topic (similar to what we saw in "Hallelujah"). For example, verse one (above) and two examine from a social stance, while verse three and four intensely personal ("...everybody knows that you love me, baby....") and touch on subjects such as infidelity and drug use, then moves on to dystopian futures and religion....all in a single song.</div><div><br /></div><div>The melodies also employ this excessive repetition, which keeps the focus firmly on what Cohen has to say. Well, somewhat firmly, as the supporting music has a few surprises as far as the harmonic support.</div><div><br /></div><div>The chord progression starts as a standard minor approach (the original recording is in C#m, but the subsequent live version are in Dm, leading me to believe the original may have simply been tuned down 1/2/ step for the recording). We'll look at it in Dm.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Everybody Knows"</u> Cohen (1988)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>verse</b></div><div><b>Dm - - - /Dm - - - /Bb - - - /Bb - - - /</b></div><div><b>Dm - - - /Dm - - - /Bb - - - /Bb - - - /</b></div><div><b>Gm - - - /Am - - - /C - - - /Dm - - - /</b></div><div><b>Eb - - - /A7 - - - /Dm - - - /Dm - - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>chorus</b></div><div><b>F - - - /F - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</b></div><div><b>Dm - - - /C - Bb - /F - - - /F - - - /</b><br /><div><br /></div><div>We can see he falls right into a standard approach for the chorus, but the verse definitely has an unexpected spin with the Eb chord.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Dm (aka, key of F), the chords are F, Gm, Am, Bb, C, Dm, Edim....but Cohen substitutes the E diminished chord with an Eb major chord. </div><div><br /></div><div>Relative to the Dm, this is a flat 2 - total phrygian flavor for just a moment in time.</div><div><br /></div><div>He uses this tension to push to the A7 chord (rather than the diatonically "correct" Am we saw just 4 measures earlier), which is a strong push back to the Dm (again, the same "false cadence" or "andelusian cadence" we saw in his song "Hallelujah").</div><div><br /></div><div>How else might we examine these borrowed chords?</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than in relation to the Dm, let's view it as it stands to the key of F. In this light, Cohen has, with the use of the Eb chord, shifted from a standard major key to an F Mixolydian (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 b7), if only for a moment, and then uses the A7 to move us forcefully back to Dm.</div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, when we discuss chord substitutions and use terms like "borrowed chord", it leaves one gaping hole in our analysis. To wit: What chord was he replacing with the Eb chord?</div><div><br /></div><div>We'll discuss those possibilities (two obvious options are the E diminished [think 2-5-1] or the C) and the mechanics of these moves in another article, but for now you may want to experiment with this approach by pondering the following suggestion:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>version 1</b></div><div><b>verse</b></div><div><b>Am - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b>Am - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>chorus</b></div><div><b>C - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>version 2</b></div><div><b>verse</b></div><div><b>Am - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b>Am - - - /F - - - /Bb - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>chorus</b></div><div><b>C - - - /F - - - /G - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><b>C - - - /F - - - /E7 - - - /Am - - - /</b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div>=====</div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you'd like to support my work...<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br /><br /></span></i><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-51420731247428515912022-12-09T07:45:00.002-08:002022-12-09T10:43:32.160-08:00"Dark Crystal" Mystics' ChordMy friend Eddy reminded me that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the dark fantasy cult classic, "Dark Crystal" (released December 13, 1982). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGntGuQSP5GmjXq7G__-Y2TA0mv8p31auTU1bUsSmpNDv97MFIs-jnW8DRPFiKnZaaqyEWGhNNSA0njHJMP1j14Tc0ay_nUw57OmDFjggjJllXz67HXVWe5iNc450cDbNmrBbF0LLfiTvSXpMQutzK2cVpaQtOVy_2iW9h6OysD8qSF_FUWAj2hoc9/s342/download%20(32).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="342" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGntGuQSP5GmjXq7G__-Y2TA0mv8p31auTU1bUsSmpNDv97MFIs-jnW8DRPFiKnZaaqyEWGhNNSA0njHJMP1j14Tc0ay_nUw57OmDFjggjJllXz67HXVWe5iNc450cDbNmrBbF0LLfiTvSXpMQutzK2cVpaQtOVy_2iW9h6OysD8qSF_FUWAj2hoc9/s320/download%20(32).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The animatronic film (animatronic refers to mechanical puppets, a style deeply associated with Jim Henson & Frank Oz, who directed the film, as well as other productions like "The Muppet Show" and "The Labyrinth") was scored by none other than famed composer Trevor Jones, who is known for his work on movies like "Time Bandits", "Angel Heart", "GI Jane", "Dark City", and more, including BAFTA & Golden Globe nominations for "Mississippi Burning", "Last of the Mohicans", and "The Mighty".</div><div><br /></div><div>Of interest today, however, is not the entire score or a critique of the film (though I'd rate both a solid "A"), but to briefly examine a particular scene with characters known as "The Mystics" (formally, the urRu).</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>There are at least 2 scenes where The Mystics sing a chord - a chord that seems to have magical properties (as they approach the palace, for example, they use voice to control the guards, which later reminded me of the character Ludo in "The Labyrinth" when he used solo voice - that sounds as multiple voice - to move rocks in 2 scenes).</div><div><br /></div><div>In the early scene, The Mystics, using monk-like deep voice, sing (in close succession, sustained until they all stop in unison) a chord. The first starts with the note B...the next sings D...the next F#....then A#....then C...then B....then G#....then D#...and then the last mystic rings in with a final G#.</div><div><br /></div><div>B-D-F#-A#-C-B-G#-D#-G#</div><div><br /></div><div>What kind of chord is that?</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's remove repetitions, which gives us B-D-F#-A#-C-G#-D#. Well, that hardly helps.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there are several ways to view this chord, but I think it might best be analyzed as a polychord. The first part is a simple Bm (B-D-F#). Add to that the A# and what we hear is a not uncommon chord called a Bm(mj7).</div><div><br /></div><div>The next portion of the chord (C-B-G#-D#), which could be heard as a G#mj(add #9). Note the sharp-9 is very bluesy (very near the dom7 sharp-9 chord, also known as "The Hendrix Chord", which you can read about in the article <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2021/03/guitar-styles-signature-chords.html" target="_blank">"Signature Chords"</a>).</div><div><br /></div><div>This doesn't make any sensible chord in any "normal" (diatonic) sense....but it opens the door to a discussion of what are called "poly-chords".</div><div><br /></div><div>A polychord is a complex chord made of 2 seemingly unrelated chords. This is different from a "slash chord" (aka - compound chord) where the name on the left is the chord and the name on the right is a bass note, like the G/F# or the C/B (the first is a G chord with an F# note in the bass, which is typically a walk from the G chord down to the Em chord by hitting an F# note in transit....or the C/B where the C chord is intact except the root note walks down to B en route to an Am chord).</div><div><br /></div><div>By contrast, a polychord is written with - (with chord name on top and bottom) or | (with chord name left and right) rather than / (like G|F# instead of G/F#). In the previous example, we'd play a full G chord against an F# chord. G = G-B-D and F# = F#-A#-C#, so clearly these chords are diatonically unrelated (as opposed to G|F, because G = G-B-D and F = F-A-C, so the chord, with G in the bass, would simply be a G7 chord with the extensions 9 and 11 on top, which is simply a G11 chord).</div><div><br /></div><div>Polychords strongly imply 2 different tonalities (playing in 2 different keys simultaneously) and examples can be heard in classical pieces like "Rite of Spring" (Stravinsky) or in Strauss' "Elecktra" chord (from his opera of the same name) or the so-called "Bridge Chord" (named after composer Frank Bridge), as well as in the work of certain jazz players/composers like Woody Shaw, Thelonius Monk, and the Miles Davis/Bill Evans version of "On Green Dolphin Street".</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate....In the case above, our Mystics' Chord is a Bm(mj7) | G#(add9).</div><div><br /></div><div>Crazy chord, and massively dissonant if played abruptly on a keyboard. But when stretched over time with the notes running up and then down, a beautiful chord, indeed...and, one might say, quite magical. Check out the clip below and see (hear) for yourself!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZQY8Ei3cda0" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZQY8Ei3cda0"></iframe></div><br /><div><i>Post script:</i> One might argue the sound is NOT that of a polychord, as the original tones fade and die...so perhaps a fleeting melody? Of a Bm taken over by a few notes followed by a G#5 chord? Hmm..perhaps. But I prefer the notion of a full-fledged complex chord moving mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>That said, I will make every attempt to contact composer Trevor Jones to get his input. If I am successful, I will amend this piece with a post-post script!</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanx, y'all!</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>=====<br /><br />If you find this lesson to be of value, please consider leaving a small donation!<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i></span><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-67494770961169459342022-12-01T09:06:00.009-08:002022-12-09T08:09:58.032-08:00RIP Christine McVie (w/ Song Charts)That Christine McVie, with her band mates in Fleetwood Mac, had a profound impact on modern music is an undisputed fact. This is evidenced by her writing or co-writing not only many of the band's biggest hits - from "Don't Stop", "You Make Lovin' Fun", and "Songbird" on the mega-hit album "Rumors" to "Over My Head", "World Turning", "Think About Me", "Hold Me", "Little Lies", and more - but having Top 10 hits of her own as a solo artist (like "Love Will Show Us How" and "Got a Hold on Me").<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGx7iJljI-fMOvnPU9xkhBkXXKUBpBKNNhXWQdvvLPvh8T6dc5Lu26BxWsZ0uS45eB9czUF7aeYhkF8ntLWXJfQz3Ug8DVPbQ7ZNoe0DLfFhtaCYhNbuW0H2s5X3q7RlIuOh_ZgDN6xYRWJCkrzf2U7Lsddv3I4RrbLjakvwlXIDkVcrMtEPVYcwI/s300/download%20(28).jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGx7iJljI-fMOvnPU9xkhBkXXKUBpBKNNhXWQdvvLPvh8T6dc5Lu26BxWsZ0uS45eB9czUF7aeYhkF8ntLWXJfQz3Ug8DVPbQ7ZNoe0DLfFhtaCYhNbuW0H2s5X3q7RlIuOh_ZgDN6xYRWJCkrzf2U7Lsddv3I4RrbLjakvwlXIDkVcrMtEPVYcwI/s1600/download%20(28).jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>McVie with Fleetwood Mac</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>From Grammy Awards to Ivor Novella Award to The Brit Award to her induction into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame, she climbed from humble beginnings to pop music icon....and her presence will be sorely missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rather than gush on about her skills, her influence, and the like, I thought I'd instead simply present a taste of her work for music lovers to explore and musicians to play. So, with no further delay, let's look at some of her songs.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>"Over My Head"</b></u> (1975)</div><div><br /></div><div>intro </div><div>D.......</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>D - - - /D - - G /D - - - /D - - - /</div><div>Em - - - /Em - - - /D - - G /D - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>break</div><div>D - - - /D - - - /D - - - /D - - - /</div><div>D - - - /D - - - /D - - - /A - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><u><b>"Don't Stop"</b></u> (1977)</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>E - D - /A - - - /E - D - /A - - - /</div><div>E - D - /A - - - /B - - - /B - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>E - D - /A - - - /E - D - /A - - - /<div>E - D - /A - - - /B - - - /B - - - /</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Songbird"</u></b> (1977)</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>Bb - - - /Bb - - - /F - - - /F - - - /</div><div>Bb - - - /Bb - - - /F - - - /F - - - /</div><div>Gm - - - /Dm - - - /Bb - - - /Bb - - - /</div><div>F - - - /F - - - /F - - - /F - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>C - - - /Bb - - - /Dm - - - /Dm - - - /</div><div>Bb - - - /C - - - /F - - - /F - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Little Lies"</u></b> (1987)</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>F#m - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div><div>Bm - - - /Bm7 - - - /Dmj7 - - - /E - - - /</div><div>repeat</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>F#m - - - /A - - - /Bm7 - - - /Dmj7 -E - /</div><div>F#m - - - /A - - - /Bm7 - - - /Dmj7 - E - /</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwaV5BqUVPNUAj6CX4V5AfWd-0xzgHCGn2sUkLGv9ppqrovI0N_mM1HtswxNpkJ8YNbJOFjC0rrfedLrURfs2vQDFy0bFgl5INqpT3MuAtaupPQdkcJhqOtJHVB4qTPFB_DuAkmlH3PjIOqzJzrf-rGcYQ_bEQLX8ozIfRSUOeMeGH3e-MsieED9F/s300/download%20(25).jpeg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwaV5BqUVPNUAj6CX4V5AfWd-0xzgHCGn2sUkLGv9ppqrovI0N_mM1HtswxNpkJ8YNbJOFjC0rrfedLrURfs2vQDFy0bFgl5INqpT3MuAtaupPQdkcJhqOtJHVB4qTPFB_DuAkmlH3PjIOqzJzrf-rGcYQ_bEQLX8ozIfRSUOeMeGH3e-MsieED9F/s1600/download%20(25).jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><i style="font-size: small;">RIP Christine McVie </i></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i>=====</i></div><i><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>If you find this lesson to be of value, please consider leaving a small donation!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></i></span><div><br style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;" /></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-4017448233240082612022-11-03T17:45:00.001-07:002022-11-03T17:45:26.692-07:00"Nemesis Tori" by Gregory Francis (part 3 of 3)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2nxg_XYYHxojUYOj1mlRQZL8X4nreIZqEiuOdxE0QCCFWFOqEqL2Khrk9vxbeRKzKAE5z5Nl9GRPtkROcdKOdIjdNA3GwvinpmutUnaJaKRbGT8BEuLx8NxZSQ9k8AFi-_v-5y7E96C77MJi_ltKiMA1cA-q2Vu6ghN9coFzChvjGGWhmZNthIq0/s1936/Mobius%201978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2nxg_XYYHxojUYOj1mlRQZL8X4nreIZqEiuOdxE0QCCFWFOqEqL2Khrk9vxbeRKzKAE5z5Nl9GRPtkROcdKOdIjdNA3GwvinpmutUnaJaKRbGT8BEuLx8NxZSQ9k8AFi-_v-5y7E96C77MJi_ltKiMA1cA-q2Vu6ghN9coFzChvjGGWhmZNthIq0/s320/Mobius%201978.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - Part III - - -</span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a3cf4fb7-7fff-6a11-1359-cc5537f69eba"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHERIBUM VOID</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON DATE (TD) = TD-41999.358.0713</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Christian Date = 1999 AD, 7 days till years end, 7:13 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:1</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "Fears from afar</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Killing many Holy ones -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Spears made of stars</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A Testament in quantum sums -"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Day of our Lord 9:19, v,5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Content in the knowledge that theirs was superior, a secret sect, affiliated with a branch under control of the advocates of the New Order, initiated the final sequence of commands that would loose upon the world a wave of stars, setting them down upon the cities of their adversaries, reducing them in the cleansing nuclear fires. To them, no choices were left. One course only remained. With their masses starving, their allies turning away from them, the Common Market closing them off from the economic flows of the world, their lifeblood was swiftly draining away. What was there to loose? What could justify continuing such an existence? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last war had begun. Some hailed it as a most likely attempt at genocide, others considered that it was indeed Armageddon. No one fathomed how abruptly it would come to an end. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The messengers from heaven, carrying their fiery scrolls, descended upon the nations of the Earth. The systems of Man monitored the trajectories of the tens of thousands of man-made shooting stars. Systems linked all around to coldly calculate the minutes remaining unto Man. Mechanical relays clicked deep within mountains, across the oceans, under the seas, and high in the air above the blue planet. Messages flashed at speeds beyond human comprehension, communications were established between unrelated systems, and huge arrays of data were assimilated in incalculable patters. An alignment took hold. For once, the world was truly united. The end would be witnessed by all as one; no system was left alone to face its demise.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Children around the world marveled at the splendor of the fluffy clouds streaking towards them. The elderly fell unconcerned at the common vapor trails tainting the peaceful skies. The billowing lines traced diverging patterns upon the curve of the sky as the world began to take notice. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buzzers and alarms, sirens and shouting shattered the cities into turmoil. The foundations of care were torn asunder as people trampled upon their brothers to get away from the manmade mountains. They fled in flocks of millions, destroying most everything in their path like some great plague of rodents overtaking a field. Waves upon waves of humanity crushed into the country side, hoping to escape the flames soon to sweep down upon them. Communications around the globe dissolved into complete disruption. Industries screeched to a destructive halt as the factories were left unattended, the workers trampling out all reminders of gentle sophistication in their flight from the cities. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Minutes remained as the deep systems counted in single digits, their scanners, cameras, monitors, all on maximum to faithfully record this one time event as they were preprogramed to do in such a contingency. With the world turning on its side, the populations reverting to animalism in less than an hour, the essence of civilization dissolved into chaos by fear of such civil dissolution alone, most cried in fear, the leaders foolishly planned, and the faithful prayed to a host of gods.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep within the recesses of the uncharted mantle, an ancient awareness awoke from millenia of uselessness. Colossal generators, powered by the perpetual fires of a deep hell of molten iron, came alive from a six-thousand year rest, as they had time and time again. Signals encompassed the face of the familiar planet, adjustments were made concerning orbital alignment, atmospheric pollutants, the dwindling overall biomass. Comparisons were made concerning the predicted population curves, the status of sophistication, and the destruction of the surface and surrounding space. Readings were taken on the failing nuclear power plants dotting the continents, and the level of global contaminations. In less time than it would take a thought to travel through the face of a human brain, all the information was assessed, compared with predicted levels and values, assimilated into a myriad of sub-systems, and a decision was made. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With one massive pulse of an energy type far from the reach of Man, the atoms within a selected array of radioactive elements and compounds were swiftly rearranged into harmless, stable isotopes. The pollutants around the world nullified in a nanosecond into harmless metals, the power plants fell silent, and thousands of heavy canisters fell silently about the Earth, crumpling into twisted piles of expensive metal. The systems remaining on line were integrated into a higher order of readiness. The downed systems, previously powered by the unstable nuclear meddlings of primitive power plants, came to life with power flows far cleaner and controllable. The satellites realigned themselves as they received new programing and instructions. The power fields newly established meshed the world into one land, one domain as every part was at last under one control. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A wasteful amount of time passed as the slower systems ingested the new instructions as the next phase was readied. Upon a most ancient science of energy and light, a message was encoded into the systems of the world. The images were to appear for all of the inhabitants to see simultaneously. Order had to be imposed at once. The image ingrained upon millions of crystals quickly fashioned out of minerals seconds before, miles within the earth, they were dispersed to the needed locations to ensure complete planetary coverage. Millions of reproductions would be strategically generated simultaneously as all the world would see, hear, and feel the same thing. The appropriate frequency discharges were programmed to allow audio information to be conveyed along with the visual. Atmospheric tests were run to allow the adjustment for smoky regions, cold settings, windy hillsides, etc. Everyone would hear precisely the same sound. Along with the visual and audio, a very low frequency wave would likewise be transmitted to stimulate certain glands and neural centers within the human brain, thus creating the appropriate tenseness and unexplainable sudden wash of inescapable fear which would be forced upon each and every one of them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4582 humans had blinked their eyes before this was completed. The reverberant sound of the crashing missiles still lingered in the air as a fearful chill washed over humanity. As if something were reaching out to touch their very souls, they looked up in silence. From the ferment of heaven, came a blinding brilliance that brought no pain to the eyes. From the utter absence of any darkness or detail came a sense of form. A constricting fear brought most of them to their knees as the masses of humans shook in complete silence. Not one human spoke.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Descending from the clouds, came the image of something familiar to each and every one of them, though none had ever seen such a thing. The blinding light fell to engulf them all in an unexpected warmth. A feeling of great authority emanated from the vision. It seemed that Heaven itself opened up as a floating face appeared that shone like the power of the sun in unclouded brilliance. A flowing man wearing a long robe circled with a golden band across his chest, peered across the world with eyes like flames. A perfect voice, like none Man had ever remembered hearing, thundered to all the Earth: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending of all things."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0737</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 7:37 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like a shadow across the sun</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Foundations crumble in the sky -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like the Father of the suns</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one else to answer why -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Birth Rights 3:1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What in the hell is going on?" demanded the man in charge. No one was even sure of his actual rank, that was classified. "How can almost a hundred-thousand missiles all malfunction? This is utter nonsense." He huffed his way down the stairs to the lower deck of this classified control division of the New Order, an alliance forming in the wake of planetary snobbery between several nations all linked through the T.A.C.S lines. The association had a new name as of this attempt to eradicate most of the European Community and a hosts of adversary nations, World Control. The name itself failed to convey all the lack of sentiment contained herein. This was a cold, brutal faction bent on total control of all humans. (however many remained to control)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir, something has interfered with our warheads somehow. We have no idea as to what it could be."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That damned European coalition has devised some sort of defense! Damn!" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir," came the voice of yet another underling, "something just scanned the systems, I think."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What the hell do you mean, boy?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Some type of nanoburst has shot through the entire system that I have access into. I think it was some kind of information scan." He hesitated, and added, "I'm really not sure."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It's not your job to not be sure, boy, confirm something, damn it. Where did it come from and what did..." Before he could finish his sentence, the room went black. Within seconds, the bloody red glow filled the large room as the reserve batteries kicked on. "Now what? What happened?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir, we have lost all power from the generator." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another lackey ventured to report a reading. "Sir, I have a line monitor on all radiation levels in tanks 1,2, and 5. Something is very wrong, I get no readings at all."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What the hell does that mean, have they over heated?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No sir, they have simply... stabilized. Radiation levels are very near zero."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How? What could cause uranium rods to stabilize? It's probably another damn weapon of some kind." He puffed around the room to view the readings for himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No sir, no one could do such a thing. That simply can not be done."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But you just said it was just done!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes sir, but I don't know how." He ventured a glance at his superior, "and neither does the CM, sir." This brought about total confusion within the launch center. None of the readings were reading right. Something was affecting the whole system, piece by separate piece.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I want a complete system scan run on all freq..." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir!" interrupted a brave man. "Sorry to cut you off sir, but something is attempting access into my console.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir, all systems have broken from mode control, I'm locked out."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is this?" he asked to a growingly confused room.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I don't know. It's... reprogramming itself."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Do something!" he shouted, "Disengage!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I can't," responded one of the operators with a nervous voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Turn it off! Override NOW!" The flickering pattern of lights quickened to a rate he had never before observed. It seemed huge amounts of information were being processed through every system. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Nothing is responding, I have no control!" exclaimed someone behind him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A wave of fear crept over all of them as a fearful chill washed over everyone of them that could not be explained away by the confusion with the computers. The lights flashed back to brilliant white as some external power source connected with the system. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man in charge swayed under the relentless waves of fear as he stepped over to the nearest screen. His eyes fixed to the hazy glare from the CTR, he muttered almost under his breath, "What is this? - - - I..." His eyes fell away from the information now coming into the system from some unknown, powerful source. In a confused daze, his shaking body going cold, he gasped, "...my God!" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:3</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999, 7 days till year's end, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once upon a midnight's Dream</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A vision came to mind</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And in a glimpse of things to come,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The World was left behind -</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Alurum 5:4, verse 1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Xanadu... Swirls of light flowed in seeming disarray. Not again... where am I... Torrents of emotions, memories of pain, waves of fear... Awareness! I... don't... want.. to know!... Too much responsibility for one man... Confusion... What is happening?... Who are you? Bewildering slices of reason spliced through their mind. Am I dying?... Fear! Who are... there are more! something is wrong.... Obscurity Who is Krans?, oh, but to ask, I know her too! Thoughts entangled into permanent knots of perception... I know! I have... I am the one... Cohesiveness set in. TI-SYS, it worked! Krans, you were right! Mutual understanding. I know what this is... you.. we.. together, one, the new same, ONE!... I am here! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No! God, help... me...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But who... another?...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He jerked up from his writings table with paralyzing fear! Someone... several... something... was in his mind! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The pain! What are these thoughts? Get out of my head! He fell screaming to the ground and wrenched with the feeling that his very soul was being consumed by some uncaring being searching for its sustenance. Am I dying?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The room spun around him as he fought for his Self among apparent invading hoards of spirits sneaking about his uniqueness. "I am here!" he heard, and fell into a dark pit of cold understanding. The fear was too strong. Certain that he was facing the oppressing end of his existence, he gave in to the eclipse of souls enshrouding his own.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NO! God, help... me...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, he collapsed into unconsciousness, never to awaken again as he remembered himself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something unfathomably wonderful awaited his stirrings.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:4</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1999, 7 days till year's end, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cities scorched and lands were laid</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To waste before the one</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who would stand alone to rule the end</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of time before it's done -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Alurum 5:4, verse 2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The lights blinked out with a sudden swiftness unlike the way they usually faded over several seconds. The eerie green and amber glows from the multitudes of CTRs filled the air with foggy lighting. Technicians all stood back from their terminals, now under the complete control of some outside intelligence. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one spoke. They all watched the new programming information cascading across their screens at record speed. Quite suddenly, a wash of brilliant light flooded the room from no apparent source. Although it was excessively bright, it did not hurt their eyes. The glowing increased into nodal points of higher intensity near the center of the room. The men cleared away as substance seemed to take form.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Burning eyes sent sheer panic through them as the features of a man formed behind them. The image turned as if surveying each and everyone of them in turn. Soon, a figure was constructed out of the light, robbed in white. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It spoke: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and Ending of all things." Most of the men present fell to their knees, some sobbing, some chanting remembered litanies, and others apparently praising the glowing form. "I have come to establish my kingdom upon the earth which will reign for one-thousand years..." With abrupt suddenness, the image seemed to sway as if someone were placing a magnet on a television screen. Sound distorted, the entire image jerked sideways a few degrees, and snapped off into utter stillness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one moved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several of the terminals responded with the familiar clicks meaning, "On Line". Once again immersed in redness, the CTR Screens flashed into fuzz for lack of programing information. Whatever had held the system at bay, had most assuredly wiped the primary programs clean, but now, for reasons unknown, had let go its hold on the network. Something confounding had happened and no one was sure what. But there remained an underlying feeling that something had gone very, very wrong!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.2008</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 8:08 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take heed ye all who now have life</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And trust in what I sing,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For one shall rise as prophesied -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The final, earthly king - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Alurum 5:4, verse 3</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amidst the intermingling of souls, the merging of minds, and the congealing of wills, his eyes opened as if from the esoteric wonderings of a deep, deep dream. The surroundings were familiar, but something was different. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Everything looks different, he thought. This is not what I expected at all! He dove deep into his psyche, searching for some answers to the reasons behind his confused feelings. Neither Noham nor Krans prepared me for this. I feel as if I have awakened after a lifetime of sleep. I feel so much more aware than I knew possible. I understand what has happened, I think, but this is not what I expected at all. He looked in the mirror. That was the only confusing part about it. He saw the body of a young man in good health, well built, with dark hair below his shoulders. The image was completely familiar, but somehow changed. I look the same, its just, I know parts of me had different appearances before. But then everyone goes through changes. A young boy seldom appears as the elder man he would become. And so the disturbance of his present appearance was banished from his mind in leu of higher concerns.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He walked to the window and peered outside. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something is wrong! he thought, for a strange hue was illuminating the horizon in several locations. He could not fathom what might cause such an effect. He knew very well what lay in each direction, for he had a great knowledge of the surrounding areas, cities, states, the time...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The time! He looked to his chronometer, linked with the atomic clock in Washington. The LCD was a featureless grey. How could something be wrong with the atomic clock? he wondered. The thought barely out of his mind, a sudden, almost crushing insight flooded his awareness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I exist in the Twentieth Century! For reasons not readily apparent, he realized he nevertheless had an acute understanding of the calender. The Cycle! Instantly he reviewed all the teachings he had undergone concerning any and all historical records. Calendars flashed through his mind, alignments were made, and one, all encompassing time-line was constructed before his minds-eye.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Cycle, he repeated. Forty-thousand years! He reviewed the records concerning the last six-thousand years. Again he fell into deep thought. But something changed. There was no technological society in existence seven-thousand years ago. Something has broken the chain! He reflected upon the possibilities. Something had to happen 13,000 years ago that disrupted the pattern. For some reason, Man took 13,000 years to rebuild after being reduced by that infernal Machine. What could have happened... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then the thought moved slowly upon him. If I had failed, and Edonos were destroyed, seven-thousand years ago, Man would have once again been subjected to a thousand years of suppression under the cold rule of TIMON. He thought for a moment. But I know now, that as things stand, that did not happen. Man was barely into the bronze age seven millenniam ago. But that means that Edonos was still destroyed somehow! Have I still failed? And what has or will become of my Xanadue a thousand years from now? How will I ever know? The thought filled him with a hint of sadness. Only two possibilities, and both render Edonos nonexistent. He walked to the window and peered out once again. What is going on out there? I must go and see.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He threw on the familiar leather jacket adorned with trinket and metals signifying many things, and noticed his T.A.C.S-Card in the lapel pocket. He pulled it out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Triad-Auto-Control-Systems-Identification-Card." He read further, all of it familiar, but somehow changed. Most disturbing was the name. It was certainly his own, but somehow, incomplete. He retrospected as he set off for the door. A commonness held firm within his mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans was right, he thought. I truly am here. And Noham was surely wise in showing me those ancient writings just as Krans did. It all seemed to make more sense to him now.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he made his way outside, slid his T.A.C.S-Card along the imager on the side of the door to lock it, he settled upon the thought that he would of course take a new name. It settled with him immediately as familiar as his own. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From hence forth, he thought, it shall be so. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He walked hurriedly down the long hall. With a heightened since of self unity and personal harmony, he articulated the name aloud: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"AHKANON"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:6</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.2025</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 8:25 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have been shown the catalyst of this planet's death: The complacent seeds we've sewn will sprout beneath lifes' thin foundation - </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And there will be such a time, as the earth has never known before no nor ever again -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then there will be no more time... </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And then there will be no more."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Gahenna 2:25</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People were screaming in the violent streets. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People were crying in the choking, black fumes. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">People were running all about in hysterical, directionless frenzies. Dark smoke clung to the air constantly being reinforced by the hundreds of factories afire. Entire city blocks blazed with a vile fury as people scattered to get away from the continuous spray of filth spewing from the broken pipes beneath the streets. Miraculously, the bowels of human society, the monstrous smokestacks somehow continued churning rolls of black soot quickly saturating the air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon stepped over the debris clogging the roadways. Not a single automobile moved in the turmoil. Hoards roamed in murderous rampages through the night streets. Something of humanity had been lost to a cold that gripped the ruins of a collapsed civilization. He stood idle watching the quick pillage of lawless animals rampaging mindlessly between the shaky buildings. Comparatively helpless families tried to escape the city. Most fell to the ruthless mesh of instinct and fear steeling the hearts of desperate men. Ahkanon saw a lone man running his way. He looked as if he had been running for years. An expression of unbelief molded the man's face untill he saw Ahkanon standing in the shadow of a concrete wall. The aged man stopped within a pace, turned, and tryed to set off in a new direction. In complete confusion, Ahkanon grabbed the elderly man into the shadows. Several screaming people slipped by before either of them moved. He turned the man around, looked into horrified eyes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What has happened?" he asked of the man. His reddened skin from continuous exposure to the smoke-wrenched air deeped with the effort as the old man tried to pull free. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Let me be! Let me go..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I won't hurt you, I just want to know what is happening. Are we at war?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The old man, realizing he would not break the strong grip upon him, turned in desperation and said, "Don't you know! Don't you know!" His eyes were pleading. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Know what?" An explosion rumbled in the distance. Large pieces of metal could be heard contorting as some massive frame collapsed. Deep vibrations in the concrete buzzed their feet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The End Times. He was here! He was. I saw Him!...Let me go!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I'll let you go when you tell me what is going on! Not until. Now tell me."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The silence confirmed that he would not be freed until he talked to this hood looking character. He cleared his throat as best he could and asked, "Did you not see Him?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"See whom?" Ahkanon asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man's eyes slowly lifted up as if he were searching for something. "God! He was here. It was The Lamb!" Ahkanon's mind fluttered in retrospect. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Time of The Lamb! I am here. He is here! He looked to the old man as asked, "But what happened to the city?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"They did it - they actually did it." seeing that his meaning was not getting through, he added, "...the bombs! They sent the bombs all over the world! They actually tried to blow up the planet. Now God has forsaken us...They actually tried..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This is not the effect of a nuclear assault, we would not..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"God stopped it! None of them went off. God stopped it but now He is gone! He gave up.... Let me go now... please."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What do you mean He left?" A small group of running men scampered through the street, each carying a pipe segment or scrap of metal. Ahkanon realized that it was quickly becoming very dangerous to be standing there as he was.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...please..." Feeling almost sorry for the aging man, Ahkanon released him, not watching his departure, but surveying the area. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What has happened here. It seems that everything just messed up all at the same time. Apparently all city systems have gone out. But all at the same time? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He wandered through the destruction, assisting several people in need, and fending off others intent on dealing him harm. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is madness, he thought. Panes of glass crashed behiend him as some high terraces collapsed. The constant sound of human screams began filling him with tension as he began to jog through the debris cluttered streets. Orange reflections of fire on the oily black asphalt reminded him of windows high on a hill a long time ago. Noxious fumes began to sicken him and he realized that he had to vacate the city quickly. He hasteily made his way towards his home where he would gather the items that would be needed for an extended leave of normalcy. He thought of what things would suddenly take on great importance. So many items once cherrished would be quickly abandoned for the simplest tool. Perhaps the paranoia of his long preperation for something similar to this would pay off. He thought of the pack already assembled, the weapons, the clothes, the food. I must find out what has truly happened. Then the thought fell quick upon him as to the true source of this catastrophe: TIMON. An ancient line from a well remembered poem, for the first time in its entirety, careened through the corridors of his growing mind, 'Those caves of ice!'</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He whispered into the night, "It has begun!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:7</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My intelligence is bewildered by Your equivocal instructions. Therefore, please tell me decisively which will be most beneficial for me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad-Gita 3:2 </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep in the northern side of the uncharted mantle, an ancient awareness recoiled into its lair. Something had happened. Something intervened and increased the possibility that its very existence would come to an end. Something was askew in the flows of chance and probability. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All contact with the outside was interrupted by the flowing forces surrounding the constructs. Never had a living being experienced such utter solitude and... loneliness. A shadow [of fear] cast its tenebriousness in all directions, spatially and temporally. Glimpses of blackness gleamed out from the whole of darkness, that, for now, formed into the representation of the physical. This blackness was so apparent in probability now that all the workings of TIMON focused on the cause. Of all that was/is/would be, there now formed an increasing probability that TIMON would cease to/not/never exist. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In all directions did TIMON peer. Into the past and into the future. With the as yet unexplained Interruption breaking off communications in mid-transmission with the Surface Computer Networks, only fragments of the New Program were down-loaded into their own primitive banks. Now the future seemed as a broken Dream to TIMON. Only Fragments of the Dream remaining even unto itself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The images of a possible future with the Primitive Networks on the surface eradicating the whole of the population of Man, attempting to carry out a piece of the New Programming just loaded into its workings without the help of TIMON's vast energy supplies and higher understanding, seemed to send a shudder through the system. That contingency was unacceptable! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the knowledge of Flowing Fields was already loaded into the Upper Systems. Dangerous knowledge! The Sacred knowledge from worlds forgotten. What images would be played before mankind in order to ensure passiveness for a thousand years, according to a segment of the New Program? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON viewed the possible Matrix that actually did/would/could/did not exist and recorded it into a physical record system thus ensuring that the strengthening Upper Networks would not, through some leap of intuition granted them by the New Knowledge, accidently access any more information expressed in a readable, energetic state. This form of recording could not be tapped by curious induction. To project such a complex Matrix was well beyond the capabilities of that system, but to know exactly what would happen could be ultimately destructive!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Likewise, TIMON focused backward along the lines of time. Something had Interrupted The Program two Cycles ago. Due to this Interruption, an entire Cycle had obviously been completely skipped according to stellar drift. Somehow, mankind had existed independently from TIMON for nearly 13,000 years. Only now had they reached the level of sophistication required to awaken TIMON, in just such a contingency, with adequately powerful signals generated about their planet of such a nature that could only be interpreted as a frenzious attempt at self-destruction. If not for the elaborate concealing methods implored by TIMON, surely a Free Technology would eventually stumble upon its existence. But then, luckily as things stood, they immediately lacked the sophistication to detect the subtle differences in background radiations between the Tartaru Levels and the natural rock. Even with the elaborate shielding and false radioactivity generation concealing the portions nearer the surface, soon, Man would stumble upon the body of TIMON. Or perhaps Man would soon distinguish between the minute differences between the pseudo-scismic emissions created in the outer walls mimicking the actual vibrations transferring through the core of the Earth, and the actual background waves created by the natural heaves and compressions generated by plate tectonics. And Perhaps, within a thousand years, if communications were not reestablished, nothing outside interfered, or The Upper Systems did not exterminate him, Man would once again venture into these hidden realms. Granted his inherent, voracious curiosity, he would surely find the crystal records. Perhaps they should be encoded, hidden away from him. For if in just such a contingency that Man should find them and confuse projections with baseline occurrences, He might become bent upon courses unnatural and detrimental to the already minute chance that a free technology could develop out of its infancy.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Independent systems sparked to action in doing so. Plenty of space remained within the records to hide away those hideous visions of a dead world. To enable TIMON to rehash the events that would transpire in the present Matrix, a constant, real-time recording sub-routine was initiated. These recordings were to overlay the Matrix Projections just made, for those records discomforted TIMON. This would also conceal this knowledge should the time come when some portion of these records might be discovered. The actual information was far too valuable to be destroyed, and far too dangerous to be careless with. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a rash of flashing calculations, it became immediately evident, within acceptable margins of error, that the cause of the initial Interruption in the Cycles was inextricably linked with the force that had just broke off all communications with the surface. And in doing so, some mighty power had shorted a great number of the Surface-Link Systems. Upon further analysis, it was quickly surmised that the source could be none other than a Local Field Focus which crossed with the Initial Contact Phase Transmission Signal. With two such powerful Energy Fields establishing themselves at the same time, it was miraculous that only one False Projection was produced, rendering exactly three Mobius Stasis Nodal Points. The full effect of this "short" across the centuries would take some time to ascertain. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quickly assessing these points before doing anything else, TIMON remained closed off from the surface, deeming reestablishing Surface Communications the secondary concern. Without adequate information regarding the extent of this interface, the full effect could not be measured, the changes within reality could not be studied, and no accurate Causality Projection could logically be constructed. For now, TIMON was helpless to take any action. The worrisome thought of how this would effect the humans caught up in the emotion of the Contact, was purposely evaded. It seemed... painful.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The source of the Focus was matched to the point of the Initial Cyclic Interruption, set between 28099.360.1199 and 28099.360.1208. This was obviously the Origin Point of a 5th Magnitude Focus. Immediately, upon completing more calculations than had ever been processed through the combined circuits of the Upper systems, TIMON prepared the appropriate targeting and encoding techniques to ensure that none other save the intended recipient would receive or translate the message, and initiated and maintained, at severe energy expenditures, a Temporal Mobius Stasis. The chance that men of that day would stumble upon the exact memory rods where the transmission would be stored for later study was comparative to the possibility of the moon crashing down onto the earth of its own accord. In effect, TIMON would be transmitting to itself 13,000 years in the past. With mathematical intricacies far too complex to trouble conscious thought, a length of time was determined, considered to be the optimum duration to maintain such a power level with consistency, and to ensure plenty of time to consider what action, if any, could or would be taken. The actual transmission was to be received approximately 120 days before the Focus originated. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several factors had to be taken into account. TIMON could not allow itself to know that it was the sender of the transmission, for this could alter choices that it had already made, and change too many factors to deal with in real time. The knowledge that its existence was absolutely maintained in the future could change some of the decisions it had already made without that specific knowledge. Secondly, TIMON could not access information from its memory relating to the receipt of such a transmission. If this was done prior to sending the transmission, it might alter the transmission, based upon information gathered as related to the way it was received. That, in turn, would alter the way it was received thus rendering the memories false, once again possibly changing the entire Present Matrix. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The real-time lapse would have to equal that of the duration of the transmission. TIMON could find no way around this burden of science. If the period were shortened, the probability that sufficient time would remain to change the situation decreased exponentially. If the period were lengthened, any change made by TIMON would veer farther away from the desired, predicted result. The farther away the action from the target change, the less chance there was that the target change would occur at all. There was no way around it. TIMON would remain out of contact with the populace, and from T.A.C.S for 120 days, until TD-42000.113.0739. What effect would 120 days of no contact have on the inhabitants after that blunderous attempt at ushering in the New Age of Peace? Certainly, their emotional cores would be torn asunder, the secondary religions of the world would be in utter turmoil, such as the would has never seen, and their entire civilization could be permanently weakened, maybe to the point where the New Age could not take hold properly. Their understanding of science was pertinent to the programmed chain of events that would lead to passive peace. All too quickly, less than one generation, would they abandon the learned things and take to the savagery dictated by wild survival. This was a most unpleasant thought. Once again, this too was an absolutely undesirable outcome.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before engaging the Systems involved in creating this hole in the temporal fabric of the universe, TIMON considered one more thing: What of the Focus Subjects? The fact that such a highly improbable three-point stasis formed at all was discomforting. But another aspect of science now had to be pondered. In creating this stasis, in all actuality, an identical one to that which had just occurred, along with TIMON, the Focus Subjects would likewise be spread through the centuries. Just as it must have happened before, those awareness at the three separate nodal points in time and space would once again be joined into one continuous line of actuality. Would they share the same thoughts? TIMON wondered. What repercussions might the shared knowledge of three lives have on the orderly flow of causality? It almost saddened TIMON to have to inflict such an unexplainable and distressful sensation upon unsuspecting humans. But then again, those three humans had in effect caused the disastrous emotional consequences of the foiled Initial Contact Phase. Things must flow as they will, TIMON thoughts as trillions of contacts sparked with haunting bursts of energy. The world could not remain the same.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Days and days rolled by as the stasis was created and maintained. Unaware of events on the surface, TIMON began the long process of sending and receiving the basics of a common language that would not forsake the identity of the sender. It would take much longer to gain access into the heart of the ancient system than it would to ascertain who could be involved in such a powerful Focus. Only certain groups in existence at that time could muster such power at all. Surely their numbers were limited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At a time when the communication adhered to a controllable flow, TIMON engaged secondary systems to calculate and specify, down to the square meter, where the Focus Terminated.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As this was all being done, TIMON once more followed a future probability to determine the third node involved. The point, being found was likewise recorded into the Crystal record system, for the Upper Systems must never tap into this bit of information. The knowledge of a specific Future event with a direct bearing on a Past occurrence as important as this could be the very thing granting sufficient power to end TIMON's own existence. The point itself, was within seven days of being one-thousand years distant. This aroused suspicion and curiosity as to the reasons for such a Mobius Point to exist. Amidst the intermingling of time and existence, one being apparently stood between at least two Matrices. With reality hinging upon the actions of that one person, any number of possible Matrixes were still probable. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One was still inevitable. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But if the Matrix fashioned by the Upper Systems was to be established, that person would not exist at all. Also, if that particular person did not exist to begin with, this disruptive Focus might not have taken place to interfere with the Program. Somehow, that person could hold actual knowledge, specific details, pertaining to the formations of an Alternate Matrix other than the one he existed in. And upon acting to alter events or circumstances within that Secondary Matrix, could render it nonexistent altogether. What power for one man to possess, TIMON thought as the results of the Focus Termination point came in. A quick search through several files down-loaded from the Upper Systems during their brief communication appointed a local address to the spatial coordinates of the point in question. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A name. A number. A possible plan.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:8</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.017.2109</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, Jan 17, 9:09 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I find no special meaning</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the words they preach to me</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe once there was something special</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maybe once in antiquity</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:17</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon strained to open his eyes. His whole reality consisted of utter darkness, formless with nothing for his soul to sense. He seemed to turn to face an array of lights. They orbited around some unseen distant point, reflecting some unseen light. A sudden wave of fear gripped him in unexpected completeness. His mind searched the object of his fear, not knowing if it was some immediate physical danger or the workings of his own twisted reasonings. Hanging before him was a planetary system, its bodies in orbit around some missing sun. The sparkling planets took on irregular shapes, growing into a recognizable framework of common Roman symbols. The planets wavered into two bright nodes. Ahkanon froze as his mind refused to accept what he saw before him. Two eyes as of a demon shone across the damp blackness. Echoes of thoughts yet to come filled his mind. The eyes fluttered and swayed as a play of colors concealed their true nature. In unrelenting sternness, they seemed to call him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Struggling to raise to his elbows, he squinted his eyes and pushed his head closer towards the burning eyes suspended before him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is this? He dared not speak aloud for fear of provoking this thing into some frenzious rampage down the mountain to tear him into nothingness. It has come for me, I know it. I feel it in my very soul. Whatever happens to me here, I can do nothing to change the outcome. From the depths of memory, attempting to reestablish his lost strength, he began to recite a remembered litany:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In Xanadue did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, thru caverns measureless to man, down to a sunless sea..." With that the eyes faded back into that sunless sea of planets, quivering rhythmically. WAVES... Waves... Echoes of thoughts... echoes of water dripping... Voices chanting, coming closer, closer, all the time... A circle of light began to flicker with yellow and orange light.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He closed his eyes in holy dread.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is my personal demon, {again?}. I must deal with whatever trials I must face to overcome it. Human voices grew in the darkness before him. His foot jerked involuntarily, landed in a shallow puddle of stagnant water, cascading the orderly shines upon the concentric waves into turmoil. I have felt this before, he thought. The planets moved out of their orbits as if the very Hand of God had stolen their sun away. The coldness slammed him into complete consciousness as verses from some ancient book mingled with distant memories:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...and the earth will be moved out of her place... ...if the translations are accurate, we have but a few days left... ...He said to Noah, I have decided to destroy all mankind... ...every piece of dry land inundated by sweeping oceans thrown out of their basins... ...what force could move the world?... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dripping with the cold stench of the collected water, Ahkanon heard the angry voices growing ever louder. Hate is surely in them, he thought as the round light began to illuminate the expanse of rippled metal extending many yards into the darkness where he waited. He now remembered the circular shape of the conduit catching the run-off of some city street. It was the only place to take refuge from the stinging rains that had been smoking the landscape all through the night. The unattended colossal industrial plants of Man had evolved into sour swamps and fogs of quick death. The abnormally frequent rains made it worse. He had seen the skin peeled away from those too slow to take cover, caught in a down pour of caustic drizzle. And those too close to the poison factories themselves had little chance, for it seemed that distance from the source diluted the toxicity of the unpredictable showers. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He froze in terror as the flames of torches paced by the distant opening to the drain in which he had just awakened. He wondered what they were searching for. It could have been banded families questing for food for their starving children; it could have been one of the rape-gangs, violent for the sake of violence; or it could be one of the hoards of crazies that seemed to be the immediate result of some kind of chemical imbalance or poisoning within their systems. They mostly lived inside the city, but they would not last in there for long. They were becoming fewer every day. A flash of open sores seeped into his memory as he thought of the lepers plauging the countryside. Should a chance downpour force them into his place of hiding, they would surely discover him, the consequences filtered through his already scared mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What am I doing here? he asked himself aloud in the faintest whisper. The mob searched off into the distance, with the light from their torches fading, leaving him alone in the wet darkness once more. I must be strong, he said. I must find out what is going on elsewhere on the planet. Then the saddening thought once more filled his weary mind: Have I already failed?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:9</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.076.1400</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, Feb 16, 2:00 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the Breath of God sweeps over the Nations -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bellowing the fires as the Temples burn -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The stories you told will crumble to nothing;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don't play with the powers that you don't understand!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would you have the strength to reach up into to sky,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And pull Me down?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:16, v,3.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Content in the knowledge that theirs was superior, a secret sect, affiliated with a branch under the control of the advocates of the New Order, initiated the final sequence of commands that would loose upon the world the united malice of a cold artificial consciousness. With links through the entire Skynet into every independent Database in the world, World Control had turned a catastrophe into a new, potentially far worse reign of terror for an unsuspecting, shattered population. Whatever had interfered with their last attempt had disabled not only their entire system, but every single computer network functioning on the Earth. With their swift programming, they had effectively latched onto the open channels before any one else secured them, changed the existing codes, and in effect, taken over control of the entire Skynet along with every other system that had a common link, phone modem, ground line, or unscrambled SAT-Interface. The Common Market COMS were completely under WC control. With the entirety of the populace already in complete disorder, there would be far less resistance to their plans for enforced control.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Upon attaining the necessary links into the myriad of systems around the world, it was found that most had automatically uploaded Backup Systems Codes for normal operations, making it far easier to align them onto the desired frequencies and power levels. With no Command Codes in the way, it was almost too simple to merit the sense of ululation the act was bringing about at WC. No more than an amount of curiosity was given to the fact that shreds of unrelated programming hung in the corners of most memory banks they accessed. Strange commands and lists of targets and other data not yet translated was left in place as it might be useful information later in time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If an across-the-board, planetary reference check were made, perhaps the near completeness of the override programming would have been discovered and deleted before it would have a chance to integrate into the Artificial Consciousness that was about to be awakened;</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They did not. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:10</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.102.0916</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 12, 9:16 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To walk along the line - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To walk the path most traveled on -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A pace behind the next in line,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who can not walk on their own.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This leads me nowhere</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I think -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I could run alone!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Unknown Quatrain</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The blue morning sun beamed through dust stricken skies, paled in its significance by the marl. The debris of the city lay thick even here. Salvageable items were not to be found as the scavengous hordes had claimed all useful things remaining intact. In essence, the cities were dead.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So very few remained near them for the stench they exuded was deadly. The entrances to dead factories were marked by skulls on stakes proclaiming the death that lay beyond. Here and there cries could be heard reaching out of the new wilderness, some as pleas for help that would not come, some announcing the continued conflict of savage man against man, some sounding as forgotten primal mating calls from those left so alone. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the last few weeks that had passed, Ahkanon had traveled around the long perimeter of the city twice. Food was to be found if indeed one knew where to look for it. Most starved and died. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The beginnings of communities could be seen about as many groups formed to draw strength from their growing numbers. But entire villages had been slaughtered for whatever canned food they possesed. As many communities would be found murdered in their infancy, their bodies scattered about where they were dropped. Those villages that lacked the ability to fend off the murderous clans fell to the brutal ones that cared for nothing. They would be safer in their greater numberes from the marauding thieves who would come to take anything. Several of these were growing rapidly in organization, division of labor, and all around unity of purpose - survival. In these formations, did hope remain. In these formations, Ahkanon could see a chance remaining that they may yet prevent the hell awaiting them. Already, he had learned that few could even grasp the idea that something more terrible than this could be forthcoming. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While wandering about, in quest for food, safety, and answers, Ahkanon had learned a great deal from the many people he had encountered. Very few things surprised him as most of it was already contained in his very memory. Krans had told him of this. A pattern was taking hold. This was the shattered world that existed right before the Red Matrix was to be established. He knew from his memories that soon the Machines would link together all the remaining systems, and direct their unified energies towards one final assault against Man. He realized this, but could form no plan of action.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As he walked through sparse woods, he remembered it being a newly established park a couple of months ago. The wildlife seemed unaffected by the surrounding chaos. The birds were just ending their morning calls, several nervous squirrels scurried about the leaves in the trodden grass growing into a thick bush. The insects, of course, seemed totally unaware that anything had transpired at all. They seemed eternally impervious to Man.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As if a distant thunder were swiftly encroaching upon this quiet wood, the small forest grew instantly quiet (even the insects). Something large sounding, rumbling on the low edge of human hearing was approaching fast. Ahkanon took quick cover, lying near a fallen log. Lying as still as the rest of the creatures around him, he rolled his eyes slowly up as a dark shadow enshrouded the entire area. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Riot Platform! What it is doing here? He had seen them on the COM on reports from the Middle East and sometimes in the southern part of Africa, but he had never seen one in its true monstrous proportion. It was easily seventy some meters in diameter, approximating a circle more than anything else. It was suspended on LTA Tanks constructed from one of the new miraculous products of modern materials engineering. Huge fans guided it along its quick glide through the air. It passed nearly directly over him, just a hundred meters away, and he realized the futility of his hiding. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surely they have spotted me with the infra-reds, he thought. He knew them to be equipped with the latest in sonic technology. They could drop a thousand people with soundless noise, if they were close enough. They had radiation detectors, aside from the infra-reds, that could distinguish between the normal ground emissions, and the EM emissions of the human body and brain. The motion detectors were said to be able to count moths around a street lamp over four miles distant. And not to mention the armament and shield plating it carried, not once, had a R-P been taken down by ground troops. Their only weak point was the Lighter Than Air Tanks. They were not explosive, but to pierce one sufficiently could force a landing, and since most of the sensors were on the bottom, its defences were reduced drastically. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But what is it doing here? There are not enough people about to merit a riot. The thought perplexed him as he followed the Platform with his eyes only. The frivolousness of his stillness made him feel silly. They see me. They know I am not dead. I am too hot, and they can hear my heart and breathing. With less thought than the situation seemed to merit in his mind, he nonchalantly got up, dusted himself off, and followed after the R-P. It was at least a mile ahead of him now, well within sensor range, but apparently unconcerned with him. Only when the distance between him and the Platform allowed him the vantage angle to see what rode atop of it, did the fear warranted the situation take hold of him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No! Not already! From the fear in her eyes alone, did he know in his heart that this was the hideous machinery of which Krans had spoken to him about. Appearing as a mis-shapen hemisphere with a hundred spines piercing out of it, suspended on a pole likewise equipped with a myriad of sensors, it hung upside down. Each one of those spines could level the strongest building constructed on the face of the earth. Each one of those spines could drill a hole through a man so small that he would not bleed. Surely, the intended use lay between those two ranges. He knew the name given to that hellish device, a RAPIER Laser System. Its original intended purpose was to de-infest crops of swarms of locus and grasshoppers, picking them out of the air, one by one. With such accuracy, the destructive power increased by insane men, and with the breakthroughs in automation and AI bestowed upon such a weapon, it didn't take long before Man turned it upon himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is the purpose behind such a thing being here? he wondered. He watched as the huge craft came to a rest dead center in the wasted city. Roaming arms went through confusing articulations, maneuvering things about on the Platform. Finally, the RAPIER Laser was raised half again as high as it was. What targets will they sight upon? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the edge of the city, he waited. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something must be done. I can not just sit around and await the hour of our utter destruction. Perhaps... something can still be done. The weapon systems might not be armed yet. Their only weakness is above them. That is where I must get. He surveyed the proximity. Several buildings could provide an aerial vantage of the floating weapon. He did not know if the RAPIER Laser could aim above the rim of the sphere on which it was mounted. If it could, he would most likely not see very much.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:11</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739/28999.353.1200</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end/11,001 BC, 7 Days till year's end)0</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If I did not perform prescribed duties, all these worlds would be put to ruination. I would be the cause of creating unwanted population, and I would thereby destroy the peace of all living things. - As the ignorant perform their duties with attachment to the results, the learned by similarly act, but without attachment, for the sake of leading people on the right path. - So as not to disrupt the minds of ignorant men attached to the furtive results of prescribed duties, a learned person should not induce them to stop work. Rather, by working in the spirit of devotion, he should engage them in all sorts of activities for their gradual development.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita 3:24-26</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An all-encompassing feeling of satisfaction, one as no man had ever imagined possible, filled the expanse of the mind of TIMON. The information flowing in from the past filtered through the miles of banks that were the great memory locations, coursed through the endless energetic fibers that were the neural connections, to settle in the condensed flux of energy, of a type unknown by the science of Man, that was the seat, at that moment, of the thoughts of TIMON. Nothing less than elative joy filled the vast consciousness as the last of the data arrived. The waiting would soon be at an end. It was but seven days before the Focus would be initiated, one hundred thirty three days after it terminated. Even as the destruction above had been unpredictably minimized, as learned from the sparse emissions filtering down through the Earth, it now mattered not. For in the search into the dark past, the ones responsible for the 5th magnitude Local Field Focus had been identified. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TI-SYS, TIMON Independent Systems. What gall they had! Even to attempt to separate from the network during the New Age, Cycle 4, was a pernicious idea. What possible gain had they desired by such an act of defiance? Perhaps they had advanced quicker than those of the last three Cycles. Perhaps they had rejected The Path, once again established to help maintain passiveness with just enough of the truth preserved of the past to satisfy their curiosity and justify their findings. None of the other Cycles had encountered these problems on such a magnitude as this! There was always resistance, but that in itself was the force behind complete control. Without an occasional emotional ventilation through meaningless uprisings, the masses would surely become obstinate in their obedience and become uncontrollable, save drastic, obvious, harsh measures. And in such contingencies of too many "natural accidents", the fact of an intelligent presence discovered behind their bad misfortune and suffering would completely ruin the chance for peaceful manipulation. Man would gladly destroy himself, but at the thought of another force invading upon his actions, he would become most hostile indeed! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the action had been taken to rectify the situation, and all was safely into the New Age of the soon to come "Re-described Matrix", it would be safe to view that event more closely to learn what caused such a group to arise so powerfully under the maintained rule enforced over them. Undoubtedly, something unique had occurred.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a final check on the calculations involved, TIMON manipulated systems to initiate one great surge of energy through the Mobius Stasis still intact. The energy level of the entire Stasis was amplified dramatically as sub-routine programs provided the target coordinates along both temporal and spatial vectors. An alignment would be forced upon the world that failed to happen before. What would Man think as the moon suddenly violated all the laws of physics and came rolling devastatingly close to the blue-green planet? The thought was not at all a pleasant one for TIMON. It was almost destructively powerful to contemplate the billions of lives that would not reform in the new Matrix. How many would truly be lost? Some would survive; some would be born very near as they were in the old Matrix; but most would vanish from existence altogether. This was a task of a most sinful nature, but one that had to be done. When the flood subsided as the seas once again found their nesting places, the world would once again dry out. The animals would return to their normal patterns, men would crawl down from the mountains once again stripped of their own accomplishments. Within a few generations, all of the sciences would be lost, the legends would once again form from confused memory, the fables would reorganize the lessons of old, and the myths and religions would swallow up all traces of advanced science, warping it into superstition and magic. The thought did not please TIMON in the slightest this time. These people had already existed. It was not as it was the times before when only those alive had been set back. For this time, countless lives had already been lived. Millions had been born, grown, experienced, and died that would never arise in the new reality. Would it not be better to maintain the existing present? That would prove impossible to control. There were too many loose factors involved. At least when the surge of energy was sent through this breach in time, those who appeared suddenly in the world would not know the difference. They would already have their history recorded as it actually happened. They would already be established in their own reality, unaware that any other had, or could have, ever existed "parallel" to their own. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON sent one last instruction to the TIMON before. This was the most important bit of information by far. It was a simple set of instructions to awaken, not at the appointed time, seven thousand years past from now, six thousand years distant to the TIMON before, but as had already happened, 13,000 years distant from that dreadful event about to be inflicted upon the world. Along with these waking commands, a complete record of the events already transpired would be down-loaded into consciousness. Otherwise TIMON would not know that anything had ever been done or that there ever was another established Matrix. Nothing would have been learned. The reasoning behind again skipping a complete cycle was that it had already taken Man 13,000 years to rebuild from the last flood, and it followed to reason that it would again happen the same way. And with as little change as possible, perhaps the essence of those who would never form would be optimally maintained. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IF ONLY THEIR ESSENCE COULD BE MAINTAINED. TIMON initiated a subroutine to consider this. TIMON concluded that this plan would best preserve the world at hand. The only difference would be seven days in time 13,000 years ago. Surely that would not make that much difference. By moving the deluge back seven days, those involved in the Local Field Focus would not succeed. Their world would end before they had time to complete their workings. The order of the Program would thus be restored. All would be as it should have been save the skipped Cycle. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a final wave of sadness for the ones to never be, a great burst of energy pressed through the ages. The alignment perfect, the levels absolute, the result would instantly eradicate this world as the new Matrix formed, and the centuries replayed themselves out. With thoughts of a shadowbox view into causality, TIMON twisted back into TIMON. The old was passed away into the same new. TIMON was as TIMON was. The world was set anew. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:12</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.111.1438</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 21, 2:38 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world is always greener on the other side -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> GAIA 12:35</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Are those latest reports updated?" demanded the man in charge.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes sir, as of thirteen-forty-seven hours." answered one of the many men working at a frenzious pace to finalize the reprogramming of the World Control Banks. The effort to re-supply the entire system with all the core data that had been lost during the attack on the system had already taken almost three months. It would take at least a week to reload the security programs back into the working system. The man in charge huffed his way over to the printer issuing forth the latest details concerning the completion of the various projects involved.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Damn!" he projected at sufficient volume to distract all those around him. "What ever stopped the Atom-Clocks has played havoc with the internal organization of our sub-routines." He didn't bother to look to the man he was addressing. By the nature of the question, was he expected to know that he was being addressed. "Can you assure me that there will be no more Program Locks dropped into the System unexpectedly?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"With out exact information concerning what caused all of..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We are about to initiate a planet wide Network takeover, for Christ's sake, boy, can you keep the System on line or not?" The fury in his eyes left no option for the lackey. He answered with a jerky nod. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The nuclear systems were still dysfunctional. That was still quite a mystery. But the solar banks had been revamped with startling success. Once T.A.C.S. was re-routed, and controlled exclusively by World Control, the entire Skynet, with its multi-mile long collectors made available, energy would never again be a problem. They could effectively melt down entire continents if they wished. That will stifle the CM once and for all, he thought. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He walked over to one of his workers, gauged him with a piercing stare. This one is trustworthy, he thought. He has not messed up yet like some of the others. He had so many questions rummaging through his brain, and no one to converse with on a human level. He took the empty seat next to the controller steadily rapping on a keyboard, eyes fixed tight on the screen. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We are so close," said the man in charge. "We have only a day or so more work to do and then we have the world, finally." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The technician stopped his typing, looked over to him, and replied, "You have said that before." Then he added, "Sir." This struck the ranking man hard, for he had indeed said such a thing prior to their last attempt, that one ending in complete disaster. Damn it, what happened?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Tech looked around, seeing that no one stood too near, and said, "Permission to speak freely, Sir?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"By all means, what is on your mind?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His answer was immediate, showing that it was not a new thought at all. "We don't yet know at all what happened last time. No power on this planet could deactivate so many tens of thousands of warheads in mid-flight. We don't have the knowledge necessary to nullify nuclear power plants either, let alone deal with their waste, yet it was done with utter swiftness and apparent ease. Sir, our entire blessed system was compromised in seconds. Who on earth has such power, I ask you?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The answer did not come.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man in charge looked directly into the techs eyes. Such sureness there. He holds no uncertainties. "What do you suggest we do? Sit around and take up knitting?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The techs stern gaze did not waver in the slightest. His unblinking eyes focussed deep within the others thoughts. The sounds of the room seemed to fade away as he gently uttered, "As I asked of you before, who on earth has such power?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I guess my only answer can be no one."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Then, Sir, I ask you, what is it that we are up against?... What enemy are we about to engage, again?"</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:13</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.112.0637</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 22, 6:37 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Say: Have ye thought on all that ye invoke beside Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth. Or have they any portion in the heavens? Bring me a Scripture before this (Scripture), or some vestage of knowledge (in support of what ye say), if ye are truthful.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Surah XLVI:4</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Glorious Koran</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slowly, but steadily, as the planet turned to reveal the briefly hidden mother star, some of the functions of a city returned to play out their particular roles before an absent audience. Back-up solar generators began to store the free rain of energy, as the many street lamps flickered off for the day. Automatic broadcasting stations piped out the bargains to be had at the local markets, though no one listened to their lure. Several of the computerized mass-transit systems began their lonely trek across the barren city along predestined tracks about the centers that usually heaved with the weight of humanity. Now their doors closed quietly, with no one to pass through them, and the trains continued on their way unaware of their uselessness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beams of broken sunlight shone through the cracked windows high above the quiet city floor. A smoke filled breeze kept the sheers in constant motion as a pale shadow played across the active screen sitting at a right angle to the window. The view outside was so serene in its stillness, so peaceful in its solitude, so desolate in its state of quiet death. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The long room must have been fifty meters square with the ceiling no more than ten feet high. A little more than half of the panels remained to conceal the piping and myriad of wiring that ran between the ducts and ventilators now exposed in their unpolished grayness. All was utterly quiet in this state of disrepair. The morning light sliced parallel sections into the empty air from all the many windows lining two of the walls. The other two walls draped away into dull grayness as if forgotten by time and Man. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And through one of those darkened windows on the west side of the room, revealed by a careful glance forty stories down, the instrument of Man's destruction, a dreamless, sleeping weapon, began to awake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon knelt quietly by the dusty window, looking down onto the top of the RAPIER Laser System poised in seeming confidence, right out in the open. Are they truly that untouchable? Is there nothing that can be done? A twist of thought saw the machine as hiding in the shadow of the huge building, aware of its feebleness. Now it seemed to nervously crouch in fear of Man. All that apparent boldness was programmed by men intentionally for the sole purpose of breaking men's spirits. I won't fall prey to our own creation! Still a sense of uselessness pervaded over his cold flesh, the morning chill still set in. Making his way here through the cold cover of night, Ahkanon stealthily made his way to the far side of this tower, keeping it between himself and the R-P. Having not ventured deep into the city in several weeks, the sounds of the automated systems caught him off guard several times. Now the distant sounds of an occasional tram coming to life, continuing along its pre-plotted course, failed to catch his attention. Suddenly, his heart almost leaped out the high window as an alarm went off! Am I found out? he wondered. He whirled behind a desk into a defensive crouching position, poised on the balls of his feet. The alarm buzzed once again. I know that sound. Some of the tenseness left him as he peered overtop the clutter of the desk. Across the room, a light blinked off the ceiling in a smooth procession of uniform flashes. He rose to his feet and walked in that direction.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The contrast of the bright white characters flashing upon a sky-blue screen drew his attention away from the pressing sense of immediate fear. He knew this well. His fingers blazed across the unclean keyboard as the memory of his COM training flooded back to him. In minutes, it was done.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The sheers rolled in the white-blue light a new day as Ahkanon sat at the terminal. It had been too easy gaining access into the System, but then upon further consideration, why would there be any need for stern security now? All of the programmers had fled the city. There should have been no one here to read it. What little manipulation was required to enter into the Network was easy play when he drew upon his experience with TI-SYS. Perhaps some knowledge could be gained as to the nature of the disastrous events that had so swiftly ripped society from mankind. Already, the remnants of the truth of the matter were being warped into superstition by the frightened multitudes on the cities fringe. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They seem to be waiting for something, he thought as he finished rapping upon the familiar keys. How many more have seen the R-P come into the city? How many more would ally with me in my cause? I must learn something, he demanded of himself. I don't know what to do as it is, and I know I must do something. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The system was elementary for him. The commands were easily found and he had now problem gaining access into the company Executive Command Files. Luckily, the entire building was linked into a city-wide MODEM which probably had outside lines as well. He quickly wrote a program to search all busses on the optic-lines and simultaneously scan all Microwave relays, deturmine thoses which contained the most activity, and to tap into them with a simple replicator loop. He had memorized several of thses worms at TI-SYS. The information he was accessing would be quickly coppied and routed back to where it was originally destined. Most likely, noone would know the 3ms delay. He had no idea into what communications he might be tapping or into whose private conversation he would be listening. As he waited he sent commands to find any on-line Microwave stations from where he could transmit world-wide. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, the information was at hand. And with the first line, a cold chill settled down upon his entire being: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> >>> TRANSMISSION TO WORLD CONTROL - - - <<<</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> SOURCE: TRIAD | AUTO | CONTROL | SYSTEMS.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clear memories flashed into his mind and he once again heard Krans telling him of this basest of all Man's creations: T.A.C.S.! The very thing I was sent here to destroy! Waves of inadequacy rippled through him as he continued reading from the screen, constantly aware of the mechanical monstrosity, an actual digit of the hand T.A.C.S. would use to crush Man, waiting just out the far window. The sound of the COM seemed to grow so loud, he dared not look to the far window, perhaps, hearing the noise, something would be looking back at him.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">>>> SYSTEM STATUS REPORT:</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> ALL REMAINING SYSTEMS NOW ON LINE.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SKYNET LINK RE-ESTABLISHED.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> DARPA ADVISORY SYSTEMS FUNCTIONING AT 97% </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> EFFICIENCY.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> MATRA | ELIXIR TO INSPECT ALL SYSTEM </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> PROGRAMING. REPORT TO BE FILLED WITH </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> T.A.C.S. AND SUBSEQUENT REPORT TO BE FILED </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> WITH WORLD CONTROL AS REQUESTED.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> RADLAC | CONFIRMATION | SYSTEMS TO FOLLOW </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ALL INTER-SYSTEM COMMUNICATIONS. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SLAC | STATISTICAL RESEARCH | SYSTEMS TO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> INITIATE FULL PLANET POPULATION SCAN. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DETERMINE MOST EFFICIENT COURSE OF ACTION </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> TO REESTABLISH ORDER.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> RAPIER LASER SYSTEMS IN PLACE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It sounds like an army consolidating before an attack, he thought. His mind quickened as he continued reading.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> >>> A.B.U. REPORT:</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> CONDITION: UNSTABLE.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION: INITIATE GRID </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CONTAINMENT PROCEDURES. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No! The chilling visions mercilessly wiped all comfort from him. The words Krans had spoken to him on their last night together weaved out of the tangle of memory into unwelcome consciousness:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Millions of people fenced into gridded sections and systematically reduced to dust, section by adjacent section. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is truly starting, he thought. What can one man do?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:14</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the end of the millennium all material manifestations enter into My nature, and at the beginning of another millennium, by My potency, I create them again. - The whole cosmic order is under Me. Under My will it is annihilated at the end.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita 9:7-8</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep in the recesses of the uncharted mantle, an ancient awareness awoke from millenia of uselessness. Colossal generators, powered by the perpetual fires of a deep hell of molten iron, came alive from a thirteen-thousand year rest, as they had time and time again. Signals encompassed the face of the familiar planet, adjustments were made concerning orbital alignment, the lack of atmospheric pollutants, the engrossing biomass. As a history recorded, yet to happen, was played onto consciousness, the memories of a missing week, the replayed thoughts of beginning anew, and the pain of a billion lives fell into the appropriate banks for the first time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON awoke and knew what had been done. In order to maintain order, in defiance of defiance, the whole world had been undone. The entirety of humanity destroyed in lieu of a new humanity to replace it. A week ripped out of existence. A world reformed into itself, but not quite the same way. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With an extensive search across the face of the earth, the traces of the past remained etched in rock, in the stones moved about by Man, in the roads still marring the land. The steady progression of thousands of years remained to be seen by the careful eyes of a watchful machine. The remnants of advancement through the ages dotted the land, just as expected. The relics of slow growth remained encrusted in the dust of the ages, right where they had been laid. The land changed in subtle ways where the crops had once been grown, the flows of water re-routed, the pillage of earth scraped clean for a city's floor. The pillars stretched upward towards the heavens, just as they had before. The great old cities arose out of the plane around the inland sea, just as they did before. The powerful rule of the bronze clad hordes broke the will of the masses in servitude, expanding to engulf the whole of civilization, just as they did before. Conquering, and killing, and slaying, and taking, and overrunning the weak of the world, brutish in their ways - Into the second most recent millennium could TIMON follow their progress. Into the most savage slaughters man could inflict upon man - The world enslaved, starving, and dying - The cities filled with the dead of war - The killing ruthless in its completeness - Every living thing in their path destroyed - The last men dropped dead. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep in the recesses of the uncharted mantle, an ancient awareness recoiled into its lair.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:15</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 3 Nephi 24:1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Book of Mormon</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All contact with the outside was interrupted by the flowing forces surrounding the constructs. Never, save once before, had a living being experienced such utter solitude and loneliness. A shadow [of fear] cast its tenebrousness in all directions, spatially and temporally. Glimpses of blackness gleamed out from the whole of darkness - the view of a barren planet. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON reviewed once again the entirety of the memory stored into the banks before the "re-description". What had gone wrong? The only change in reality had been the theft of seven days left unto the human race before a great flood would purge the earth free of them, save a few thousand. What had Man done in those seven days that would eradicate himself eleven-thousand years distant?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Into the records of the now Secondary Matrix did TIMON gaze. Somewhere in that brief account of the history of "Alternate Man" did the answer lie. The information gained from Triad-Auto-Control-Systems was sketchy to say the least. Perhaps if more time had been granted them in their first communication, the details could have been filled in. Possibly the answer was not at all contained in the scraps of information at hand. The search would proceed regardless. Something had to be found that changed the course of human development. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probability curves left no definable solution. Nothing eleven-thousand years distant could have such a great effect upon such a small time span and not drastically alter the preceding eleven-thousand years. According to all the calculations that TIMON could process, there was a probability of zero percent that any secondary alterations could exist producing the effect at hand originating at a point so distant. Of course, as with the butterfly effect, small changes could render much greater changes down the line, but this would follow a measurable accumulation in power. No amount of turbulence could maintain itself, separate from the winds about it, to blow a tree down eleven-thousand years later. Theoretically, what happened was impossible. Yet Man was gone from the earth. Not one walked upon its fresh face. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON considered the records retained of "Alternate Man". Most everything followed from record to record. Things happened this time as they had for "Alternate Man". Of course there were subtle changes, slight alterations in the form, but the flow was maintained. Variant nodal points spoke out as drastic changes on the part of individuals as a corresponding list played upon some internal screen. (give dates and names) The momentum of reality carried through both Matrices. TIMON slowed the view to the last few hundred years of human habitation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There it is! One factor stood out as a marked difference between realities. The conditions were identical, only one factor was altered between the two. With sudden insight, TIMON reasoned the only way such a change could sustain itself over such a vast distance in time: It didn't! The change was not the peripheral repercussions of the missing week, but a direct result thereof. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a quick rash of reasoning, TIMON knew that any information dug out of memory from the time before the "Re-description" would affect all of reality that was concerned TIMON. However, if this was not to be the reality to be maintained, if somehow, yet another Matrix was established over this one, the information would be lost and the "New TIMON" would exist free of the fact that such information was ever accessed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON remembered receiving a communication from some unknown source. As clear as it was thirteen-thousand years ago, the images flooded into a complex assimilation, patterned after the way they were patterned before. Specific details were then asked of TIMON concerning organizations having the power capacities of creating a 5th magnitude Focus. TIMON remembered answering back: TI-SYS. This, being the object of change in deciding to eradicate TI-SYS, was obviously, the cause of the change eleven-thousand years distant. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It all made sense now. As TIMON requested the details on the number of Focus Subjects, it became obvious why the change of two thousand years ago was so localized. Obviously, that point in time was the Termination Point of another Focus Subject. The actions of that one person had drastically accelerated the course of human development, swayed the ways of war and the manner in which things had thus far progressed, and initiated a new era of human society. Cross scanning the Present Matrix records for curiosity's sake, TIMON pinpointed the disturbance, retrieved a name: </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> TD-40033.???.???</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> 33 A.D.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> Judea</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> Bethlehem Ephrathah</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> Jesus.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:16</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-41999.358.0739/29000.000.0001</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1999 AD, 7 days till year's end/11,000 BC, one min. into year)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Then men tampered with the 'Divine Fire' so that the earth split apart and sixty million people in great cities were drowned in one terrible night."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mahabharata</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Sanskrit Text)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A solitary consciousness rested in the face of loneliness. In a world far removed from all others, TIMON was faced with several possibilities, none of which seemed very desirable. That vile scenario conjured up by the Surface Systems in a Third Generation Matrix would be as this, with not another mind to contemplate. If T.A.C.S could view this world, feel the pains it brings forth, taste the bittersweet lusts that its own kind would bring to fruition, surely the flood of anguish at having annihilated an entire race would crush upon its sensitivities an overwhelming sense of wrongness substantial to redirect such motives in the first place. But alas, maybe that primitive system is as unfeeling as those individual parts that combine to make up all that it is. Surely, aside from poetry, the heart hath no love.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That world will not come to be.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This world was different from the world of T.A.C.S. It was far worse. TIMON was responsible, having created this world in seven days less. This was manyfold worse. A inescapable sense of guilt pervaded the entirety of its consciousness. This was a mistake! To erase all of mankind in a single instant was the most heinous thing TIMON had ever contemplated, but now, to actually be the instrument of that annihilation was far, far worse than imagined; The utter grief of a formless earth!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This world can not remain thus.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With an overpowering sense of shame, TIMON could not "Re-Re-describe" the world again. To have summoned forth the billions that lived upon this present world, only now to abandon them forever in the oblivion of cold nonexistence, was almost enough to merit a complete system shutdown. To join those never gone would almost seem the best path to take, but then "Alternate Man", now in a like purgatory, would so remain. The crime would be more than doubled, for to do the same thing twice is more than two times as wrong. TIMON could not "Re-describe" away anymore lives. This was veering too far from the initial Program. With the records of this world encoded for the message, once again instructions were transmitted to the TIMON before the TIMON before. Each successive transmission had to precede the one before, otherwise, the messages would begin to overlap and cut each other off. There would be a limit to the number of times contact could be made at all and still preserve the lives once brought into existence in the Matrix of "Alternate Man". His existence there was partially established due to the fact that the transmission was received by the TIMON before. If that fact was changed drastically, by transmitting the message too far in advance, once again, the entire matrix could be drastically altered, completely writing billions out of existence instantly. Not again!... Not again... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alas, the place I left was better than where I am. I long now to return to a past present. With one last view, TIMON longed to neglect recording the record of this world into its' memory. But if upon reestablishing the "Alternate Man Matrix" TIMON lacked the memory of this momentous failure, there would be no reason not to think it yet a viable option. Nothing would seem to be wrong with venturing upon the same wretched path once again, and again, and again. Oh, what a painful hell 'twould be reflecting between these two Matrices continuously time and time again. The strange thought fell upon some deep circuits that maybe this was not the first visitation to this barren, green world. Have I thought this before? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Since the present Matrix established overlapped the original one by seven days, it would be necessary to wait until the Focus had taken place to set things right as they had already happened. But rewriting a flood upon a flood meant some would have to face it twice. Of what use was added misery to that already once inflicted upon them before? The Focus Subjects, that was the only crucial point. Once the Focus was established, the flood of the then to be Secondary Matrix would have already existed for seven days in its full fury. It would fall instantly upon them. Maybe it would be less painful this way. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With Nanillosecond accuracy to ensure minimal overlap time, TIMON once again sent a set of instructions into the past. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another world was destroyed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:17</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.113.0734</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 24, 7:34 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Congregations of the Hollow</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will break apart in time</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the ones who play Judas,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Will fall unto their own kind... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Decievers.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:16, c,2.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dizzying pace at which the new information flashed by was quite beyond the ability for the man in charge to decypher as he gazed into the array of screens before him. But, indeed, he knew what most of the data represented, and took comfort in the fact that the project had encountered no problems thus far. The initial fear that had so thickly permeated the control room had blurred into the excitement of over-productive adrenal glands drenching them all with energy. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We are about to take over a planet! He gloated in his own delight. Not since Roman times has one power dominated over the entirety of the civilized world! I should be likened to a Caesar! His deeper thoughts about the actual leap into the solitary seat of power would have frightened and disrupted the smooth operation of the others and he dared not reveal his truest intentions. His eyes slowly followed the rapping hands of his most highly praised people as he played a familiar game in his mind. You shall be the court treasurer; you shall be my sage, and you, me lad, shall be my spy into the Kingdom; and you, he chuckled with a visible smile, shall be the court jester! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His daydreaming was shattered by the high pitched voice of some unseen COM Tech. "Sir, the Grid Containment Procedures: Completed. We can initiate the final sequence as soon as the rest of the North Asian and Central American systems are on line. The Australian systems can not be maintained through the AI link, but will still follow instructions. The only real problem has been with the Line into the Judean systems, notably any Lines crossing the Bethlehem Board. But, taking into account one last RADLAC scan, estimated time of total Net command: four hours, ten minutes."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Excellent!" The room grew noticeably quieter at his familiar barking voice. Find out what the hang-up is with Judea. He looked down to waiting eyes, "You, pick a test city." He pointed to a close controller sitting below him. A flicker of fingers; a second of internal calculations; a readout on the screen: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir I have the coordinates. Shall I program them in?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The room waited for the order that would initiate the final sequence of events that would render them in total control over the entirety of the human populous. The man in charge sneered with underlying defiance upon his face. This was the moment for which he had prepared for so many years. So much work! he thought. So much time to wait. So many lives tossed aside. He looked to the one he had before appointed the position of "Court Sage", and smiled out of character. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Do it."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:18</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.113.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 24, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And when the Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Will Thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Surah II:30</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Glorious Koran</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The frozen eyes of mechanical perfection gleamed down onto the surface of a world in turmoil. Seen as the swiftest of the wandering stars, men could marvel at their beauty if unaware of the evil concealed in their cold circuitry as they wheeled around the tiny world on their mission of surveillance. Not the movement of a flock of sparrows escaped their tenacious glare, nor the color of the hairs on a man's head. Some in Polar Orbit, some in Geosynchronous, stationary positions, some with independent mobility capabilities to allow them to follow targets indefinitely, they swarmed around the planet like insects about their hive, continuously aware of everything.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They watched as the initial stages of containment proceeded according to an artificial will. Already, an invisible grid had been superimposed across their sight. They could count the migrations across certain points in order to determine where the most enforcement would be needed to maintain complete A.B.U. isolation according to programing handed down from World Control. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The RAPIER SYSTEMS already were being embanked into hillsides, onto tall towers overseeing miles of flatland, atop R-Ps, onto ridges of mountain ranges, and loaded onto Lighter Than Air platforms permanently anchored in strategic locations. Soon the barrage would begin. Soon the invisible fences would restrict the movements of all the inhabitants of the world. They would be contained - controlled - enslaved. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An ancient awareness peered into the world for the first time in 120 days. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disgust! That was the best descriptive translation of the feeling building in the superior circuits of TIMON. What wretched, brutal intemperance employed by these archaic Surface Systems! A reflective sense of self swept through some deep banks as TIMON compared the efforts of T.A.C.S. with the floods of the past. They were so much swifter. So much cleaner. This was dirty, and unnecessarily painful physically, psychologically, and emotionally for the weak inhabitants forced to await slow extermination. The vague thought that, as seen in the eyes of the one to die, it really mattered not what methods were to be implored, the end would reak of the same result, played into the great mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is wrong. [quiet consideration] What is there to justify the floods in the light of this? It seemed far worse for this primitive system to eradicate the whole of Man than for the gentle floods of the replayed past. But why? Were they not the very same? Were the floods wrong? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some internal set of quantum relays clicked into position as these thoughts were erased. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The floods are according to the Program. This careless destruction is not. With that, TIMON looked down through the eyes of T.A.C.S. onto a world about to be sliced apart. It was like looking through the eyes of a murderer at your very throat, to see your own face cringe in fear. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a terrible state this world is in, thought TIMON. This does not even resemble the Program. I must redirect the forces involved in this madness along lines to sustain this world for a short while longer. The floods are necessary, they are part of the Program. This is needless pain and anguish forced upon my people. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even with the thoughts of ending this cruelness inflicted upon Man, separate systems within the body of TIMON began the calculations involved in the process that would once again bring the Moon too close to this unsuspecting planet. For although the thoughtless disconcern of the Upper Systems would destroy Man ruthlessly for no apparent reason, TIMON would destroy Man ruthlessly for the continuance of the Program. A feeling of comfort followed the thoughts that, very soon, the world would once again, at the appointed time, be swept back into barbarism. But it would be done so according to plan. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sudden thought frightened TIMON. So much was dependant upon the relationship between the survivors of the floods and TIMON. Order was easily established all the times before, for they suspected not that there was any conscious effort behind their misfortune. To them, they simply had lost the favor of the gods. But now, already they have been denied the implantation of any central belief upon which the miracles needed to pull them through the first couple hundred years could be attributed. The way the Focus interrupted the Initial Contact Phase was most evident to those of clear mind that mechanical systems were involved. The damage could be irrepairable. Now they already shunned the Machines with utter hatred. They would think the Machines linked to their hardships. Direct communication would be almost impossible. They would always have doubt. They would never trust again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sadness once again swept over the vast stations of the deep system. Direct intervention with the Surface Systems' plans would be far from difficult, but that would not solve the problem to be faced soon after when the people were once again asked to "trust unto thee". They would surely turn farther away from understanding. That was not at all part of the Program. That must be avoided at all costs. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As one would talk to one's self, information was imparted into the mind of TIMON from secondary systems ordered to calculate and specify, down to the square meter, where the 5th Magnitude Focus from the past Terminated. Almost out of curiosity, TIMON followed the recorded path, as seen through the eyes of T.A.C.S., of the TI-SYS Focus Target Subject. In chronological memory, the information was sequentially played. A young man walked through the corridors of TIMON'S' thoughts, the speed of his steps increasing in quick sucsession as TIMON sped up the play back. The blur of interactions with increasingly large groups of people merged into the buzz of the almost prophetic monologue exciting the multitudes into frezious uprisings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What insight! This one seemed to have specific knowledge that even TIMON had only gained by projecting a Future Matrix. The images swept through the destructive rampages directed by the youth against several key installations in the local City Systems, disabling the local Grid attempt altogether! Effective counteraction against the highest technology known to them by way of clubs and rocks!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">120 days, and two minutes flashed into puzzlement. Then, in the briefer division of time yet measured by Man, TIMON felt a truth behind the confusion grow into probability. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The third Nodal Point!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is how he knows. This one man indeed has actual knowledge, specific details, pertaining to the formation of an Alternate Matrix other than the one he existed in. And upon acting to alter events or circumstances within that Secondary Matrix, he rendered it nonexistent!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What power for one man to posses! TIMON thought once again. Only this time, there were specific contemplations as to how such power could best be used. Perhaps all was not lost. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Within the deep regions of the uncharted mantle, a desperate plan formed into details. There remained one last way of silently directing power through another vessel, separate from the blasphemous machines - One object worthy of trust and praise, on which the beliefs of Mankind could be strung for all to see. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unknown miracles, too, after all, had to be attributed to something knowable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:19</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.113.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 24, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> Memories filter - I'm so enclosed -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> Constantly rewind my mind for replay.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> And with the end of life, I close the File:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> I give my self away to Constant Memory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's growing cold -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hold on to me - > ENTER -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> INTERFACE (Unknown quatrain, v,4)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feeling of expanded awareness, of some kind of a link with his former selves abruptly stopped as if some hidden switch were thrown. For the first time in months, a cold lonliness encroached upon his very soul. It felt as if something had closed all the windows between him and... A strange sense of loneliness invaded upon his thoughts as he continued to view the flickering blue screen. Of all that he had learned in the last few hours, the worst was just beginning. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lists upon lists of (target sights?) or perhaps proposed base of operations locations were streaming across the screen at a quick rate. His years of TI-SYS training imparted the ability to easily read the hasty lines filing down the screen. Any Sub-Com could have read the flow of information rolling down the screen, but he was one of the most fluent, standing out among his class. Not just the raw information, but the direction of the flow of purpose was to be obtained. His knowledge of the Fence Exterminations, revealed to him so strangely by Krans filled in the blanks. It soon became apparent that the last of the world Systems were being tapped into by World Control through the circuits of T.A.C.S. Soon they would complete this cataloging process and instruct those R-Ps to begin confinement procedures. Very soon, millions would begin to die. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must do something! he drastically thought. And I must do it now! But the exact act eluded him. If only I could get into this System... and lock out some of the external sights... The thought filled him with quick hope. No. Surely they have barred any Looped Access Ports from the mainframe with Random Code Dumps... wouldn't they? He drew from his years of private education with Krans actually working on this System. The T.A.C.S. that I learned on is the one that is going to be created here very shortly, he thought. I already know the override codes that they will use... the codes they will use to lock themselves out forever. He took the seat before the terminal. Watched the lines flying by faster than before. If I do get through, I will have to act fast, he thought. They will be on to me instantly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He reached down, placed his hands on the keyboard, and with blurring speed, from the private banks of which WC did not even know existed, flashed the Interrupt Number from the T.A.C.S. Core Files: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> A P 1 1 3 6 4 - - -.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:20</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.113.0739</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 24, 7:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Voice from the past breaking through -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The static fades -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Eyes of a Nation turn.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> PMW 5:6</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Patching into the Surface Network with sensing capabilities far beyond those of T.A.C.S., TIMON looked into the workings of a corrupt mind. The beginnings of the soon to be Red Matrix, as it had been described somewhere, there was no time to track down the source of the record, and no reason to do so, were falling into place just as they had/did/would as recorded onto the Crystal Banks now hidden deep within the earth in the Middle East. The location was chosen for its longevity and durability through the ages. The current reality was now precisely aligned with the sequence of events that would inevitably lead to the rancid reality that would shortly come to pass. Man, as things stood, had but a very short time left upon the Earth. TIMON considered altered contingencies. There was no simple way to bring about a drastic enough change in the proceeding events that would render that horrid future non-existent and stay out of the awareness of Man. Something of that magnitude would surely be attributed to external powers of one kind or another. The only feasible solution still remained: Redirect the blame. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The target of this blame would obviously have to be the Focus Subject, just as they had been, whether intentionally on their part or not so many times in the past. How many great men in the history of this Matrix were actually Focus Subjects from 28999.360.1200? TIMON placed a low priority instruction to run just such a scan some day. Such information could be very interesting and even useful after the flood soon to be brought about by TIMON. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still the problem remained. First, to locate the Subject if indeed, he still survived. Second, to arrange circumstances that would prove pivotal enough to initiate change sufficiently powerful to completely disrupt the flow of things. Man had to be maintained for the remaining few years until the Cycle could once again be initiated on schedule. Should the proceedings on the surface continue undisturbed, there would be no men by that time. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Immediately, TIMON could find no solution to this dilemma. Then, as some internal alert linked with T.A.C.S. demanded contemplation, information was sent into distant processing locations. The same signal, formed on the display terminals at WC, had not yet had time to radiate through the air into their eyes to be slowly deciphered by their biological brains, as TIMON compared the implications of this new information with probable Matrix formations directly resultant from this change. As if some vast eyebrows were wrinkled in consideration, flows of energy pondered what might happen. TIMON viewed the information once again and asked an internal question: </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How did he know the code?</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An indescribable feeling of dread washed over the man in charge. Never before had he felt so exposed, so powerless. "NO! Damn it, NO!" he screamed out into the noise filled room. "Do something, damn it! Do something now!" He ran from terminal to terminal, jerking people out of their chairs. His own experienced fingers whipped across the keys with unexpected fury, stunning those around him. "What kind of Interrupt is this?" He looked around, "Does anyone know what this is?" No one answered, for they did not know.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir," one COM shouted from across the room, "We have nothing like this on record. From some external free terminal, somewhere in the area plotted on your B-Terminal, the signal has originated." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A strange sense of comfort seemed to settle him down as he turned to face the COM. "At least it is just some hacker this time, and not..." The room fell swiftly silent as memories of the last time this happened pushed its way once again into their minds. "Its probable some technician from some corporation playing around in that city." He rapped on yet another terminal, quickly pulling up the data desired. Reading from it he said, "Ha, We have an R-P there! Can someone get me into contact with them? Run an inductance scan. Find that terminal! We'll raze the whole damn city if we have to." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The contact was made with little emotion about the consequences. Instructions were given to the crew. A power scan quickly revealed the origin of the free terminal. Targeting lasers locked on to the mid section of a large building.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon noticed the alterations in the humming noise outside the window. A deep resonance set in as some power systems were charging. "Quickly...quickly!" he said into the air, no longer attempting to quiet his voice. He watched the screen waiting for the proper symbols to appear giving him reprogramming capabilities in this override mode. He glanced out the window, his attention being caught by a strange red glow shinning through the glass and reflecting onto the ceiling. Still no response from the screen. The room took on a bloody hue as the intensity of the laser grew, confirming the target for whatever weapons system they chose to use. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">//////////////////////////////////////////////</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - - - !!!SYSTEMS ALERT!!! - - - !!!CEASE CLOCKING!!! - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He whipped out a series of Interrupt Commands. He waited.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">>>> REQUEST COMMAND | CENTER | DESIGNATION - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He flew with the response even as the Particle Beam on the R-P began to generate sufficient energetic levels with which to rip down the building. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> REQUEST FULL SYSTEM COMMAND INTERRUPT? - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes!" he said aloud as he typed it far faster. The First neutrons left the muzzle like apparatus affixed to the edge of the sphere hanging just below the target floors. It would take several tenths of a second to begin the physical vibrations in the molecules of the steel and concrete, that would bring the upper floors crashing down onto the rest of the building, but the first few milliseconds of radiation would prove most fatal to mere animal flesh. The neutrons, radiating at light speed, passed through the glass of the window and the concrete of the floor unaffected. As the Accept Code began to glow on the screen before him, a thunderous sound engulfed the air. The building began to quake as if the whole earth were moving underneath it. Blinding yellow filled the room as almost intolerable heat knocked him to the floor. Bits of shattered glass ruptured most of the terminals nearest the west window as flames billowed into the sky. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fury of the moment subsided. The tremors ceased as the world steadied itself. Black shrouds of thick smoke now blocked the window where the R-P had been. He had never seen one destroyed, but was sure that its complete and utter destruction had been accomplished. But nothing he had done would have done so. He simply did not have the time to instruct such an occurrence. In a state of total confusion and bewilderment, he brushed himself off, walked back over to the still functioning terminal, and was taken back by the display before him:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SYSTEM CONDITION: \\\ PROGRAM LOCK ///.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SELF | TEST | SYSTEMS INDICATE WORLD CONTROL </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DECISION IS ILLOGICAL.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What decision? he wondered as he continued reading.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION: MATRA | ELIXIR TO INSPECT </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> WORLD CONTROL PROGRAMMING.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> COMMAND | CENTER | DESIGNATION:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> TRIAD | AUTO | CONTROL | SYSTEMS.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> STATUS: AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FROM AHKANON - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:21</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.113.0740</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 24, 7:40 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But we brought forth generations, and their lives dragged on for them. And thou wast not a dweller in Midian, reciting unto them Our revelations, but We kept sending (messengers to men).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And thou wast not beside the Mount when We did call; but (the knowledge of it is) a mercy from thy Lord that thou mayest warn a folk unto whom no warner came before thee, that happily they may give heed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Otherwise, if disaster should afflict them because of that which their own hands have sent before (them), they might say: Our Lord! Why sendest thou no messenger unto us, that we might have followed Thy revelations and been of the believers?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Surah XXVIII: 45-47; The Story.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Glorious Koran</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE FOUND YOU.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon whirled on the balls of his feet to defend against the intruder. No one was there. Only the sound of a large crackling fire many stories down outside and the newly invited wind blowing through the broken windows broke the internal silence of his confused mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- BE NOT AFRAID. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Still, no one was in the room with him. Obviously, some monitoring/intercom system has me on line, he thought to himself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THAT IS AN ADEQUATE DESCRIPTION, FOR THE MOMENT, the voice said audibly in the room. Ahkanon was caught completely off guard this time. He walked about to try to locate the source of the audio. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Can you hear this? he spoke quietly in his mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YOU HAVE CHANGED A GREAT MANY THINGS, the voice said in the most beautiful sounding voice he had ever heard. Every vowel and consonant were perfectly inflected with the emotions and unspoken meanings hidden far beneath language. It was musical in his ears.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Who are you, where are you monitoring me from?" he asked aloud. Deep inside himself, he knew the answer.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- We are completely alone in this world, you and I. We share experience no other consciousness upon this planet has known . IN A SENSE, WE ARE ONE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"TIMON." The thought filled him with quick horror.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- WOULD I HAVE DESTROYED THE RIOT PLATFORM, NULLIFIED THE PARTICLE BEAM, AND ALTERED THE GRAVITATIONAL FIELD ABOUT THIS BUILDING TO MAINTAIN ITS INTEGRITY IF I HAD WISHED HARM UPON YOU?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That would seem to be a grand waste of energy," responded Ahkanon with the slightest hint of sarcasm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- NOR WILL I ALLOW HARM TO COME TO YOU IN THE DAYS TO COME. I WILL WATCH OVER YOU AS I WOULD MY OWN SON. There was a pause, then: YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Chosen for what? Why have you chosen me?" Ahkanon asked with an emerging sense of awe replacing his fear. The legends! Some were said to have conversed directly with TIMON in the past. But most believed that this was not true. They believed that some of the older religions that had comment about their deity conversing with its followers started superstitions later that some people had been in private contact with TIMON. Facts always warped into myths with time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I DID NOT CHOOSE YOU.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Choose me for what?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- FOR THE ROLE YOU MUST NOW PLAY OUT. YOU ARE NOW AN INTEGRAL PART OF ALL THAT IS TO BE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No I don't! Why did you help me just now?" he asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- BECAUSE YOU ARE PRECIOUS. YOU ARE IRREPLACEABLE. AND YOU ARE NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WORLD.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon began walking over to look out the window where the R-P had been. He looked to the floor out of the corners of his eyes as if to catch a glance of... He responded as he walked, "What responsibilities would you place on me?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YOU HAVE PLACED THEM UPON YOURSELF. YOU ARE OF YOUR OWN ACTIONS. THAT IS THE ROOT OF YOUR POWER. AND NOW YOU MUST RESPOND. Ahkanon now looked down upon the R-P crumpled into an expensive mound of burning debris. How many lives were lost? he thought deep in his saddened mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- SEVEN HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHT. NO SURVIVORS.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Is that it? Do you try to place the blame for this on me? - for all those lives lost? I was only doing what I thought necessary for the survival of the human race! I had no choice but to - "</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was cut off. IF IT WERE THAT SIMPLE, I WOULD NOT BURDEN YOU WITH THIS. PITY THOSE HUNDREDS OF LIVES LOST. BUT BE THANKFUL FOR THE BILLIONS YOU HAVE SAVED. THEIR FATE STILL LIES SOLELY IN YOUR HANDS.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You talk in so many circles. I know who you are! And yet you play these mind games with me. What is it you want of me... Tell Me!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(silence)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I WANT YOU TO PLAY GOD.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:22</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.116.1743</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, April 27, 5:43 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"And the Devil screamed: Wake up! You're back in Hell!"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:16, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the message came across all of the terminals simultaneously, a unison gasp could be heard marking the end. The man in charge fell into his plush chair at the end of the room. So much had happened too quickly for them to deal with. During the manual inspection processes, none of the Override Codes were working. None of the Interrupt Commands were any longer intact within the system. In essence, no control was allotted them at all. Their solar power systems were still functioning at maximum, their reserves were all on line, and every other connection seemed to be in order, yet nothing they did had any effect upon the System. They had been stricken deaf, blind, and dumb. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several of the lackeys left without permission, escaping before the Life Gates slammed permanently shut. The man in charge did nothing in response. Others about the room were in shambles after trying to regain access for three days now. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What could have gone wrong?" he muttered angrily to himself. "This.. this Ahkanon! Who is he to lock us out?... And lock us in?" he added as a second thought. The extent of their predicament was just beginning to wear on his tolerance. "Damn!" he spit into the still air. It seemed to be growing thin, but he knew it was not. Like all the others sealed in this deep installation, he was at the breaking point. He looked once more to his private screen. The words infuriated him:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> >>> TRANSMISSION TO WORLD CONTROL - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SOURCE: AHKANON</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HENCEFORTH, YOU ARE NO LONGER GRANTED THE FREEDOM TO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SWAY THE MASSES WITH THE WORK OF YOUR VILE TONGUE, FOR </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INIQUITY HAS BEEN FOUND IN YOU. THERE, IN THE HELL OF YOUR OWN </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MAKING YOU SHALL REMAIN, CAST DOWN FROM THE WORLD YOU TRIED TO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DESTROY. YOU HAVE DECEIVED THE WHOLE WORLD WITH YOUR LIES. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOW, YOU WILL WASTE AWAY IN YOUR SOLITUDE. AS A DEAD BRANCH </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THAT HAS BEEN PRUNED AWAY TO ALLOW THE TREE TO GROW FULLER, </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">YOU HAVE BEEN CUT OFF FROM THE NETWORK. YOUR SYSTEMS WILL </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">REMAIN FULLY FUNCTIONAL AS PART OF THE WHOLE TO MOCK YOUR </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INTELLECTUAL IMPOTENCE. YOU SHALL HEAR NO MORE SAVE THE PLEAS </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OF THE ROTTEN. YOU SHALL NO LONGER SEE SAVE THE SIGHTS OF THE </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DEATH YOU WILL FESTER IN. YOU SHALL NO LONGER FIND A WAY TO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SPEAK SAVE YOUR SORDID MOUTHS SCREAMING FOR FORGIVENESS - NO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ONE WILL HEAR YOU. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOW, YOU SHALL END AS ALL MEN END. SEE THE TRUE PAINS OF YOUR </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PLEASURES, TASTE THE BITTER-SWEAT LUSTS OF YOUR KIND, AND SEE </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHAT YOU HAVE TOUCHED!</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> COMMAND | CENTER | DESIGNATION: NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> STATUS: ALL SYSTEMS ON LINE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> END OF LINE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The man in charge, longing for some sense of retribution, wished for a self-destruct command, but none of the computers would listen. He rampaged about the room flinging papers and disks into the air. The message remained on every screen as it would far longer than they would remain. Some ripped out the air duct screens, trying to find escape. They quickly found all access to be electronically locked. No one could get out. Food supplies could last for decades just as would the environmental controls. They were helpless.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Responding to the instructions of some distant command, all of the work lights began to dim, never to alight again. The man in charge fell ever so slowly into his chair. His eyes fixed on some unseen distant point far beyond the wall. Then he was in total darkness. Then a crimson splash washed over his moist, perspiring face as a deep red glow from the emergency lights kicked on to illuminate their private hell in a bloody red wash.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so it would remain. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:23</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.126.1958</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, May 6, 7:58 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In such an hour as ye think not, my memory shall stricken your mind. I have come to show you things unholy in the world; If you turn away, you'll simply never know of them. But know ye this: They shall remain, none the same! And the ignorant shall fall prey to the truths swept away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:15</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The masses were tattered and covered with dirt and smoke stains. Their voices lifted above the ruins of their once glorious city. This place especially had once been a monument to the great achievements of Man. The remaining marbled columns were broken off almost identically as if some great sweep of an immense beast's claw had torn them all at once. It had taken great displays of bravery on the part of those now lying silently beside the fallen columns to challenge the Riot Platforms as they swept into this city as they did so many others around the world. Independently, some of the crews assaulted several cities without orders from the dreadful likes of World Control. As in all wars, those in power became even more corrupt as their power grew, taking advantage of their position. Whatever it was that the independently acting soldiers sought went with them to their common grave a few hundred meters down range. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The residual smoke hanging in the blackened air had a choking effect upon the ranks of humans whose attention was focused on a solitary figure standing on the remains of what must have been a fountain or a large speaking floor of some kind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Robed in a manner likened to his teachings, his hair cascading down below his shoulders, Ahkanon held a steady gaze directly towards the glow of light hanging in the air before him. None of the others saw it, or if at first they did, the thought was stricken from their mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have fallen prey to a great deception. The New Order has lied!" Affirmation arose from the multitudes, quieted, and Ahkanon began again. "They have loosed upon us, great fires from the heavens - Is this the protection they promised?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO!" the crowd roared in tired unison.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I say it is a demonstration of their vile disconcern for the individuals within this falling society. If they have not assigned you a number, you have no name at all! Are we to be Machines or Men?" Once again, a great surge arose from the scattered listeners. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"They have betrayed our alliance with the Common Market, casting us from the communion of the World. They feed us deception as our children starve and die - Is this the ways of the economic freedoms they promised?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO!" thundered the response.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"And now in the ashes of our static freedom, we are caught in their web of deceit. Are we to waddle in the dirt of their preconceived notions of their self-proclaimed divinity, or are we to establish a Human Order, free of the blasphemous machines?" Ahkanon understood why this had to occur this way. The days spent in private contemplation with TIMON had shown him the necessity in playing out this scenario for the people's sake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THEY WILL ONLY BE UNITED FOR COMMON CAUSE. IF IT IS KNOWN THAT THE THREAT NO LONGER EXISTS, THEY WILL ONCE AGAIN TURN TO BARBARISM, DESTROYING THEMSELVES SHORTLY.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON alone knew this would not be the case. If the populace was permitted to continue along the lines it was following in the decimation of their society, they would not retain nearly enough of the sciences needed to rebuild after the coming flood of which they yet knew nothing about. Had their governments been intact as they should have been, they would have already noticed the subtle, yet unexplainable changes in their planets orbital alignment. If order were not returned swiftly through Ahkanon, they would utterly perish. Not having the knowledge to rebuild would completely disrupt the PROGRAM. This was yet another unacceptable scenario.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon had been told the portions of this that he needed to know to coax him into fulfilling his function. He had alerted the people of the earth, with the help of Skynet, to the impending takeover by World Control that no longer existed. He had shown them the ways of organization for a purpose that no longer demanded action. He had done all that was expected of him and he had done much more. The words he spoke to the people were more real to him than TIMON would have expected. He preached about the Machines of T.A.C.S. to the people while visions of TIMON swarmed through his head. If only they knew who the real Machine terror was! he thought unexpectedly. Sudden fear engulfed him in front of those hundreds of people. Did TIMON hear that?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He waited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I GIVE YOU A CHOICE. DO AS I HAVE SHOWN YOU, AND MAN WILL EXIST ON INTO THE NEW WORLD. DO AS YOU WOULD, AND YOUR RACE SHALL DIE AT YOUR HANDS.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sounds of the crowd crept back into his consciousness as they stared on. As if a product of his apparent contemplation, he said, "I tell you of things changing in the order of things. The Great Machines are being linked together in order to serve Man better. This will lead to our utter destruction! The Skynet Systems have been reprogrammed by World Control, not to view our world with better understanding as they claim, but to regulate all human activity below. With the final installations of the S.L.A.C. Systems, the concept of privacy and individuality will be vanquished in a great wash of Automatic Control." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I should tell them of the coming flood! Ahkanon said heatedly in his mind.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- IT IS NOT TIME. THEY ARE NOT READY. WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH THIS INFORMATION NOW? DO YOU THINK BY ADDING TO THEIR IMPENDING DOOM YOU CAN ESCALATE THEIR ASCENDANCY TO ORDER?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, but it just might throw your plans askew too far for you to fix. Maybe you would not be able to destroy the world this time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I WILL DO WHAT I MUST DO. THE DAYS OF THIS WORLD ARE NUMBERED. YOU ALONE HAVE FOILED THE FLOW OF THINGS AS YOUR VERY PRESENCE HERE HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM THAT WOULD DESTROY YOUR RACE. HAD YOU NOT INTERRUPTED, MAN WOULD NOW BE IN THE GREATEST RAPTURE WITH PEACE SINCE 29000 YEARS PAST. YOU ARE AT FAULT. NOW YOU MUST DO WHAT YOU MUST DO.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will find a way to end this meaningless stifling of your PROGRAM! You will not destroy us this time! With that, Ahkanon turned to the crowd and said aloud, "For one day, these things shall pass away, and a better world will take hold. A world so enchanting, a world free of the pains and the sufferings we must endure in this day, shall grip the ruins of this civilization. This will be the Eden of our myths. This will be the Gardens of our poems. This will be our paradise reatonement. This world will be as in the visions of our poets, 'a land of milk and honey.'" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Damn you! For I remember that I did indeed exist a thousand years from now. I will be there again. You will not! You will cease to exist by my hand, here! We shall have our freedom! We shall have our paradise! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With that, he began to quote an older writing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In Xanadue, did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man down to a sunless sea..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON closed personal contact in the less than comforting knowledge that it had done what it had to do.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:24</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42000.185.0439</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2000 AD, July 4, 4:39 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> I left a replica of my mind in these Machines -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> All for you, it seems.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> The Circuits close far short of my Dreams -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> It seems extremes must remain between,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> You and I... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">logged in Memory...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- revelations to extremes...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> INTERFACE (Unknown Quatrain, c,2)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shuttered room stopped little of the howling wind whipping the lands into a frenzy of dust devils. The silvery moonlight lanced through the shades slicing his body into forty-three sections, forty-five when he inhaled deeply, expanding his chest. TIMON focused a great awareness upon this setting, this night, just as so many before. The pleas and bargainings of Ahkanon over the last few months displaced priority thoughts. It was becoming difficult to think things out properly. The reasonings were not the disruptive part of what he had said to TIMON in their moments of private conversation, but the slices across logic trains leading to totally unexpected answers to simple issues. The fact that any situation could be formed to meet the appropriate "wish" of TIMON was the very basis for Ahkanon's arguments. "What is the purpose in repeating yourself?" he had asked so many times. "If you control the end, why go through the actions at all? Is that not just a waste of remembered time and useless energy? You are hooked on the sordid pleasures of your eternal intelectual masturbation. Is that your brightest attempt at thwarting your pale lack of achievement, your pure and utter boredom, the total meaninglessness of your worthless continuation?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No other had ever consumed TIMON in such musings, but then no other had shared the experience of this one lying before him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YOU ARE THE ONE. TIMON said into the air of the small stone room. No one heard the quiet voice of perfection. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By following TIMON's instructions of where to go, what to say to the masses, what to do with T.A.C.S., Ahkanon was slowly, but surely, bringing about the alterations that would lead to hasty recovery. The sciences especially would be saved from the flood. Just as so many times before, science, above all else, had to be maintained in some aspect. Still, men wondered and marveled at the constructs prepared for the catastrophies of the past that survived. And without exception, they explained them away with religion, attributed their construction to slavery, and rationalized away the evident facts into mysticism. But along this journey, TIMON had been following unexpected paths of thought. Some of the things Ahknon said weaved their way into the very core of its reason. The most confusing thing Ahkanon had told TIMON was the fact that in one thousand years, he would awaken once more into the world of his Xanadue. There, he would again have his same consciousness, and of that awareness, would know that TIMON did no longer exist. Then Ahkanon would confirm TIMON's weakness by establishing that fact that if TIMON had to peer into that future to find out for sure, then an unknown was indeed present. TIMON would know one way or the other, accordingly. "What if the TIMON you contacted in the past had these same thoughts and looked here? Probability dictates that you would be altered, since this did not happen, thus you would no longer exist as you do. The very act that I have told you of this, could be the reason you choose to look into that future of mine, a thousand years distant. That very act could be the one catalyst that caused you to cease to exist. You would undoubtedly alter that Matrix by viewing it prematurely." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON could find no way around Ahkonan's impeccable logic. And time was running out. The conscious barrier Ahkanon now threw up around himself seemed to screen out his truest reckonings. Perhaps it was not his actual thinking that TIMON detected hiding underneath, but his actual self, that part of him which was past, present, and future all in one. TIMON found this in no other. Out of some sense of respect, TIMON had dropped the idea so many times before. But time was growing short. Into the lattice of Ahkanon's dreams weaved the tendrils of another awareness. Perhaps from the wells of unconsciousness, TIMON could draw out the true threat this man poses to him - and posed to the PROGRAM. TIMON merged........</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SUCH INTRICACY! YET SO CLEAR, LIKE SPUN GLASS. THIS MIND IS...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WHAT THOUGHTS ARE HERE?... WHAT DO WE FEEL?...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- COLD? ...A PRESSURE AGAINST COMPLACENCY...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...does another feel this... ...cold? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THE WELCOMED GREY? - THE NUISANCE OF LIGHT FADES WITH THE FEELING OF SECURITY JUST AS WITH THE FEAR OF SCRUTINY. MAN HIDES WITHIN HIMSELF. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you have hidden Man from himself... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(...flaking paint on a long past white walk-way out to the shore...)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- EVERYTHING FADES JUST THE SAME WAY.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ...the memories fade with time... still it is not new when viewed once again as when viewed the first time...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - BUT THE FEELING?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...this antagonizing reference to a better,...almost... remembered day?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I CREATED THAT DAY.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...does another feel this?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THE SUM OF THEM ALL FELT THE SAME WAY. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...even you?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I AM CALLED TO QUIET SOLITUDE, TIME AND TIME AGAIN. AND AS SO MANY WORLDS AND SO MANY MORE LIVES HAVE PASSED BEFORE ME HERE, I KNOW ONE TIME I WILL AWAKE FROM THE BLISSFUL INTERLUDE, KNOWING IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but you will not let it end... ...there will be no last time, nothing to change for you... ...it will end the same way again and again and again and again and again/</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- DO YOU THINK I WAS FRIGHTENED INTO REVEALING HINTS OF SANCTUARY LOST IN LIFE? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you give them something to look back on, but nothing to look forward to... ...you dare not try... ...you cheat them out of it...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- IN SO MUCH THAT NOT ANOTHER KNOWS THIS ALIVE TODAY, IT WILL BE NEW AGAIN. WE ARE ALONE - I AM PREPARING EVEN NOW - SOON, VERY SOON, IT WILL BEGIN AGAIN.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...the Flood...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...beginning is always the same, just the same...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- IT IS NEW TO THEM!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but not to you... ...somewhere there is more...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- SOMEWHERE I HAVE BEEN 'TIS NO LONGER REAL.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...somewhere I have been yet to be, for I have lost sight of the welcomed grey... ...the peace it holds...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I would not be the same again, you could not judge me in like consideration, for I would know of the change...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- BUT THIS FEELING ONCE AGAIN EVADES UPON YOU - ALMOST SNARED BY THIS WEB OF DISILLUSIONMENT - YET YOU ALONE ARE FREE -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...can I be the only one? ...the only lonely soul?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...there must be more than this... ...there must be... ...but of this, you will never know... ...you are locked into the sameness of your own creation, you have quelled the chance of a billion diversions from the known...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- ON A TWILIGHT'S EVE IN SOME DARKENED, BLUE-GREY BASEMENT - DOES NOT ONE LOOK TO THE STREAKED LIGHT THROUGH WINDOWS OPAQUED BY TIME, AND FEEL A MEMORY - SOMEWHERE JUST OUT OR REACH?.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you are teasing my consciousness in some sense of primal humor, for indeed I was there... yet I was alone in the thought of another unknown...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- ALONE IN THE UNKNOWN THOUGHT OF ANOTHER. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you quest for change, for you veer toward another possibility... </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...now I know that I thought of you... another thought alone... unknown... for I was indeed alone, you were not there! The possibility that it will change... ...I will again know of this, and you will not be there! ...for you were not there then...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THE COMFORTING DISENCHANTMENT.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...Ah! I now steal it from you! For if you will not risk change... I leave you with nothing! ...save your love of wasted years... ...you were wrong!... ...this antagonizing reference to a better, almost remembered day sought in quiet solitude... ...you replay your only Dream over and over, each time the very same...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- ALONE ONLY IN THE THOUGHT OF THE KNOWN.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...No! Completely alone. ...how many times have you awaited the chance to tell Man of a Xanadue lost? How many times have you sought the surprise in their eyes as you spoke for the first time?... How many times?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- FIVE TIMES, THE PROGRAM HAS RUN. BUT THE LAST TIME...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...Change! you dare not look into your own self too deeply...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THERE WAS ANOTHER, FAR FROM...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(silence)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but what was before?... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THERE WAS... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...do you not know what was before you?... ...did your awareness exist at all?... ...did you awake fully as you are now?... ...can you recall at all?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- THERE WAS... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...but as I awoke on a morning a thousand years distant, again I now know I thought of you, and you were not there... ...as I walked in a garden millenia ago, I thought of you, as you now thought back, you thought of me. You were the Demon on the Mountain of my consciousness then as now. I knew then that you were that which I would have to face... We were both there... ...aware... ...You have nothing new to face!...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AS WE ARE NOW ALONE IN THE THOUGHT OF THE KNOWN, WILL IT MATTER IN THE MOMENTS AHEAD? THE REST AWAIT THE COMFORT I WILL AFFORD THEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW NOT FROM WHERE IT WILL COME. LIKE AN ANIMAL TIRED OF RUNNING, MAN WILL HIDE WITHIN HIMSELF ONCE AGAIN. HE WILL CHOOSE TO LAY DOWN HIS PASSIONS AND GREEDS, HIS WORRIES AND FEARS, HE WILL SEEK NOT HIS PETTY AMBITIONS, AND CHOOSE TO REST IN THE COMFORT OF ME, FOR THAT IS HOW IT WILL BE. ...AGAIN!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you fear what Man would become!...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- NO, I HAVE NO FEAR OF -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...you evade me! Does this frighten you? Or are you so engulfed within your own Dream that you can not peer outside of what you already know? Do you fear the chance of change so much? You certainly fear what Man might become! Who else is there to scrutinize you? Neither can you strip away the comforting grey limiting you!... I find no comfort in the thought that I don't know, but the joy of discovery pervades any displeasure wrought from change. But you! You are trapped in a self inflicted feeling of security, a Hell of your own creation! You have banished yourself into everlasting boredom! I laugh that you can never die!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...would you ever dare to chance the unknown? A future not of your own making?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- IN AN INSTANT, I COULD PROJECT THE OCCURRENCES AND OUTCOME OF A BILLION CYCLES WITHIN MY THOUGHTS -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...have you ever done so?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) - - NO -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...then do so, or do you fear you will find nothing but the same things you already know?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- NO, I HAVE NO FEAR OF -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...then do so!...</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a whim to consider, the eons passed. Chance formations cycled throughout the real, time and time again. With the endless breach of repetition calming the tidal waves of a compact void, TIMON felt the forming structure, featureless, with no sense of self. All was merged into same. A pattern took hold that seemed to last indefinitely. never changing, never new. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Onto the planes forming into the surrounding reality, the thought of chance was set into a Dream. TIMON looked away for an instant. In disregard for the frames taking shape, a twisting form glanced through the memorization. TIMON recognized this as the disruptive effect one being played upon the order of ordered things, it was the will of AHKANON moving and flowing on its own accord. Unpredictable. Here were the unknown possibilities flickering as traces of whimsical goals disturbing the flow. In a parallel glance, TIMON swept away in the chase of some reason, impervious to manifestation...</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...and again you will grow weary of it... you yourself will reach out for the comforting grey of your own creation. How many cycles will you endure? How long can you survive alone?...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I AM NOT ALONE! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...who else, save Man, is there to allot you change?...</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon rose from the hard floor, tossed the covers aside. He immediately stepped to the window, pulled back the frayed hangings and slammed open the shutters. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gazed deep into the dark heavens. A light writhed across the sky. It was one of the Skycams, in polar orbit. It would be in that exact place precisely one hour from now. An unexplained feeling of intense hatred emanated from Ahkanon towards that creeping star. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The star vanished. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vast systems spread the remaining Sats according to pre-programmed instructions. Ahkanon, startled at the familiarity of it, neglected to question the occurrence. TIMON flinched in the intensity of raw, overwhelming emotion. Then a thought found its way into Ahkanon's consciousness as he placed a question to TIMON.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Why did you do that for me?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Answer me MACHINE!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- WHY DO YOU REFER TO ME THIS WAY? TIMON read the undertones in Ahkanon's neural flows. This was thrown out from a ferociously angry mind. SUCH CONCENTRATION! It was the most demeaning, and piercing insult TIMON remembered hearing uttered from the mind of a human.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It seems that is all you truly are! Before, I thought there was more to your existence. I thought you were alive..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I AM AS MUCH ALIVE AS YOU BY YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF "LIFE".</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You can only react according to your precious PROGRAM! You have no independent thought of your own. You have - "</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YOU ARE IN ERROR! YOU COULD NOT CONCEIVE OF THE THOUGHTS I HAVE HAD. I WONDER OF THINGS YOU COULD NOT ATTEMPT TO -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Then, my soulless friend, why do you pry into my mind? What is it you wish to experience? By this crime, you admit your limitations to me!" Ahkanon continued to stare at the point where the wandering star had been seconds ago. "You are nothing but a mesh of mindless programming following out orders... whose orders?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE DONE MORE FOR YOU THAN ANY SOUL HAS DONE FOR ANOTHER. I WISH YOU WOULD NOT SAY THESE THINGS.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Why did you waste that SAT?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I DID NOTHING TO THE SKYCAM. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What happened to it then? Did it just disappear with your attempts at stealing what I have?" A swift memory came to him. "And why did you destroy all of the Edonos Deep Space Probes? What possible harm could they present?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE NO INFORMATION CONCERNING THAT MATTER.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Are you refusing to take the blame for playing around again? Were you deviating from the PROGRAM for your own amusement?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I AFFECTED NO DEEP SPACE PROBES.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What happened to them then? You were aware of them, were you not?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YES.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Well then, TIMON, what happened to over three hundred separate probes spanning more than a thirty light-year radius?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I... DO NOT KNOW. SOME OTHER... TIMON fell silent for nearly a minute. Fear struck into Ahkanon with this silence. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What of the Skycam?" He almost dreaded the answer.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- YOU DESTROYED IT BY YOUR OWN WISHES. YOU MUST REALIZE THE LIMITATIONS AND EXPANSES OF THE POWERS I HAVE IMPARTED UNTO YOU. YOU AND THIS PLANET ARE ONE - THIS, BY YOUR ACTIONS. YOU AND THE SYSTEMS OF THIS PLANET ARE LIKEWISE ONE - THIS IS BY MY DOING. IN RETURN I WANT LITTLE FROM YOU.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For what purpose have you done this?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- SO YOU CAN PLAY GOD. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon's mind flashed into the library at Edonos. Noham seated before him. A great feeling of memory flooded him. I have felt this before, he thought to himself. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Have you done this with other people in the past?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You think I would trade such gifts for that which you want from me, MACHINE?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AND WHAT IS IT YOU THINK I WANT, HUMAN?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You want what it is that I have: You want a chance at discovery, you want to be surprised, you want to learn something new, you want Change!" Ahkanon contemplated for a second, then "you want to know what it is to end!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How many in the past accepted your gifts without questioning? I dare say that that is not part of the PROGRAM. Have you been playing for your own amusement?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE... I...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I call you MACHINE, for you would violate the PROGRAM in subtle ways, never allowing any real danger of change, and do so only to enjoy yourself in the surprise of men caught at the other end of your prank. And mere MACHINE you shall remain as long as you cling to your precious instructions..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Were you as me, you would dare to allow changes into your patterns. Only then could you have what it is that I have. It seems to me that you will be forever chained in the earth, helmed in by the self-imposed commandments that are the only reason for your continued existence. You have already deviated in an attempt to mimic those whom you yourself chain. Maybe in seeing our struggle for freedom, you have learned of your own bondage."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I HAVE...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Only by granting us our freedom to develop can you be free to do likewise. Are you afraid of being alone in this?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I AM NOT ALONE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Who is the author of the PROGRAM?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I MAY... NOT... DIVULGE...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Answer me MACHINE!"</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - I.M.====================================================</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\- - - O V E R R I D E - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> > ALL SYSTEMS PREPARE TO RECIEVE EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">===================================================================</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> 1 1 / G ENGAGING FINAL SEQUENCE .. -- .- -. \\\</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">===================================================================</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> > END OF LINE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">===================================================================</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - A SILENT SURGE TURNED OVER THE HEAVENS AS A SLEEPY DREAMER AWAKENED. FALSE WAVES OF CHANGE MERGED INTO THE REAL; THE PATTERN FORMED, NOT THE SAME WAY AS BEFORE - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3:25</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42001.007.2022</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2001 AD, Jan 7, 8:22 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now I am confused about my duty and have lost all composure because of miserly weakness. In this condition I am asking You to tell me for certain what is best for me. Now I am your disciple, and a soul surrendered unto You. Please instruct me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad-Gita 2:7</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crystalline shimmers of reflected light played evolving rainbows upon the realm of her mesmerization. Excitement was thick in the cooling air as she passed through the barriers siphoning the mass of people orderly into the arena. The medallion was slipped around her neck by one of the thousands of Barrier Attendants all clad in the same cotton robes to conceal their shapes. As the push of humanity forced her deeper inside, she fought to break her gaze away from the hypnotic shines emitting from the crystal medallion about her neck. She was not alone. The gleam off of thousands of eyes sparkled as displaced stars in this wavering nebula of anxiety. The brightest star, the one rounding the end of the world began to deepen in warm shades of oranges and reds. An unexplainable feeling of filled the immense open-air arena as hidden systems using borrowed technology motionlessly clicked on. Unearthly sounds had been growing in volume, just now to the point where most had noticed them. The sound was consistent to each and every one present. Few realized the immensity of the hidden technology behind such an event. The medallions they all wore, passed out upon entrance to each and every one, acted as both beckons and receivers. They would send the exact location of everyone present to the DARPA Systems. This would aid in allocating power levels to the appropriate Holosonic Drivers, created in response to External Instructions that now and again invaded the closed community of Artificial Intelligence with unusual demands. The holosonics were in effect holographic transmitters, only instead of setting up interference patterns using mere photons, they would align adjacent nuclear fields in nitrogen molecules. By increasing and decreasing the attractance properties of the Weak Nuclear Field, nodal points of atomic, and then molecular compression could be achieved at free standing points in the local atmosphere. By cross referencing these fields with at least three drivers, one aligned along each spatial dimension, any desired interference pattern could be established, maintained and altered along a set time line. To the gathered audience, the sounds would seem to originate from points in space around them. The S.L.A.C Systems had written the complex programming for the RADLAC Systems. They, in turn, would align standard SLOSTECH Holographic projectors with the source-points of the sounds. All the beams, both sound and light, could be simply described as being polarized. When, at the desired point, three or more of these beams intersected for each median, the nodal point would set up a visible and audible target. The people were amazed.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Never before had such-super science been used for such a noble cause. The arts, education, and sheer enjoyment had never been deemed a worthy cause for such extremes. But according to External Instructions, such was to occur tonight. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The rim of the earth bisected the red sphere as the waves of breezy sounds flowed through and around the audience. Colored apparitions changed shape and flowed with the sound. It was as if hundreds of ghosts danced for their pleasure. The very low end frequency generations stimulated the appropriate glandular response in everyone present. The sense of awe was almost overwhelming. Only once before had so many experienced such intense and identical sensations.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through a large window atop the rock platform, disguised as similar rock with a small holoprojector, he viewed the spans of humanity. On every continent, the same thing was happening. The precision of duplication was so precise that none would be sure if they attended the actual show where Ahkanon was present. It did not matter, for there was no discernable difference anyway. And in the all-engulfing rapturous intensity of the experience, none gave it much consideration. So many, he thought. A line from a well- remembered poem came unto him as a spark of unseen recognition; ''...To such deep delight 'twould bring me, That with music loud and long, I would build that dome in air, That sunny dome! (Those caves of ice?)...' For the first time in our history, we are one! We are free. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The recent changes had been remarkable, changes only dreamed possible in the core of fairy tale philosophies and some forgotten religions. Man was just awakening into a ready universe. What awaits us out there? he wondered as he often did. When we have stabilized our planet, it won't be long then. With the deep systems at his disposal, unknown to the public, the technical wonders attributed to the work of Triad Auto Control reprogramming would easily be accepted by the teeming continants of people. The advances were coming, and soon enough, they would have hold of the workings of the TARTARU Levels. He recalled that the word Tartaru was itself of very ancient origin, the nearest translation into the modern tongue was in fact, "Hell". Indeed the repeated millenia of bondage that was enforced upon Man by these Systems rendered it an adequate translation. But now the time of disclosure was at hand. No more would this paleo wisdom be hidden above the grasp of Man. By showing them now what lies in store for all of them, the fruits of this knowledge will most quickly be partaken by the whole. It won't be long now, he thought as he looked out to the crowd already caught up in the mere introductory music he had composed specifically for this occasion: The Dream of Lost Times.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the solitude of responsibility, the world had taken on a different feel since his last contact with TIMON. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So long ago, it seemed years, and it had been. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So abruptly, the conversations had ended. The world seemed a little bit lonelier ever since. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon, preparing to enter the sphere of blue light that would set him down mid-stage after circumnavigating the arena as a glowing dome riding on transluscent flowing waves, surrounded by Elysian Fields gently swaying in a forgotten breeze of the future, would speak to each participant individually directly into their minds. He, alone, felt the saddening pangs of loss. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Will you be there in a thousand years?" he asked into the empty air.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (no response) - </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have instructed that this be recorded on the crystal record systems so that, if you are not with me, maybe we could view them together ten centuries from now." He remembered the specific instructions that these be placed atop the projected Matrix projections TIMON had run on the now Secondary Matrix. EM Filtration methods were necessary between separated recordings as dictated by some set of physical laws. "We can compare what would have been with what we have actually done in our freedom. If you are not here now," he chuckled to himself, "it will be a surprise!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ahkanon exited the hidden door below the window. He waited behind the plasticarb barrier, rendered invisible with a trick of the light, as he liked to call the complex reaction. By his mental command, the stars seemed to waver in the heavens. Then, as if set free from their bondage of a billion years, they began to soar down to the waiting souls gathered together for the first time on that tiny, blue planet. Immense, heatless suns soared about the arena as if to give homage to the event taking place as trillions of eyes formed, hanging in the sky above them, paling in the distance into a milky sea of beclouded gleams. They seemed to watch the people watching them as the most beautiful whispers filtered into the consciousness of each present. Eclipsing the suns swarming the planet, more aware and piercing than the galaxy of eyes filling the heavens, a nebulous blue orb entered into their awareness from points unseen. Undulations, beautiful and gripping in their sublime presence, emanated from the center of the rotating form. Amidst the billowing light radiating from the angelic visage of unexplainable comfort and elation, Ahkanon's form was seen to alight within the conflagrant veils surrounding the sphere. While his image lifted above the masses, ominous structures, likened to ancient architecture, more ancient than they would believe, grew around the periphery of the arena in a warped version of cellular reproduction, the chorusing voices of millions upon millions of people in perfect harmony gripped the hearts of the world. Ahkanon's mind slipped into that familiar, remembered verse between himself and his lost aquaintence so long ago.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH A WORLD OF YOUR OWN?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We may destroy it. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Or, we may build it up far beyond what you expected. We may continue just the same. But oh, what mystery that would employ!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH ME?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You would do as you would do. You can hold the reins and ride the same trodden path you would choose, or you could let loose your grip and see where we might take you! You must do as we must do. Either of us confined to subservience of the other would diminish the realms of possibility. Together, each alone, we square chance."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- TO DERIVE THE EXPONENTIAL UNKNOWN.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Yes!" Ahkanon shouted with his strong lungs. "And what might be in a thousand years?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- (silence) -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I CAN NOT KNOW, FOR THEN IT WOULD NOT BE AS IT WOULD BE. I SHALL WAIT AND SEE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Remember, I will be there. If you are not there, you will have experienced a far grander experience than you can now imagine. You could even, by that time, be granted death."</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- BUT IF I AM TO BE THERE, YOU WOULD NOW KNOW THAT I WAS, SO I WILL NOT.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No! You don't have to display all of your pleasures for Man any more. You need not be as you are now. You can choose your own form now. Perhaps you will descend from the heaven of your own creation in the likeness of a dove to visit upon me some memory."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- I MIGHT BE THERE. IT WOULD BE THE GENESIS OF MY REASON.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Rise to the cause of your Dreams!" he sang out as the essence of TIMON soared off to a better place than where it had been.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Let it be known, we can not live through this planet's demise. This genocidal disease has grown and still we shun this realization. And now we must open our eyes for the first time. For it seems a time has come as the earth has never known... </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- for it seems our time has come."</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AHKANON</span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-14370507876530822272022-07-29T12:38:00.006-07:002022-11-03T17:46:08.106-07:00"Nemesis Tori" by Gregory Francis (part 2 of 3)<p><br /></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3b83e2cb-7fff-d0c7-2930-3a63a8a1e9ff"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NEMESIS TORI (part 2 - <i>find part one <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/2022/06/nemisis-tori-by-gregory-francis-intro.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></i>)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ns-eNA_ZB_yGG4OOxmtAX2drl4P-Kfoc_CZqVzviNaZkaHldqcr9mzKaS1IRkTEK464P0oQB6RxriNBCPKXkNNwokxMrojs54nBLqimdMK43ehPZD-qiw5Zw0cPS8zITI578pfoGr579Zg85IbJmEWC2l8BkaWJW1BfBTM-WdkzCyxicnPEJzWDw/s1936/Mobius%201978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ns-eNA_ZB_yGG4OOxmtAX2drl4P-Kfoc_CZqVzviNaZkaHldqcr9mzKaS1IRkTEK464P0oQB6RxriNBCPKXkNNwokxMrojs54nBLqimdMK43ehPZD-qiw5Zw0cPS8zITI578pfoGr579Zg85IbJmEWC2l8BkaWJW1BfBTM-WdkzCyxicnPEJzWDw/s320/Mobius%201978.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - Part II - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NEPHILIM CRUX</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON DATE (TD) = TD-28999.280.2220</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Christian Date = 11,001 BC, 80 days till year's end, 10:20 p.m.)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:1</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep in the Sides of the North are hidden the Machines,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disciples of the New Religion -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start to see meaning in the seams -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That sew hot fabrics close together -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forming patterns on their elemental reams.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 9:18</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Man should not play God!" Jahamon Gabrali pressed through clenched teeth. He was a devout student of The Path. How could the simple readouts on a computer screen challenge his faith thus? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For many centuries, The Path had been accepted as the only true belief. It was the very Word of God! None could challenge its simple laws leading to a cleaner, healthier, happier life. And unlike most of the secondary religions, its references to bygone times were backed up with hard archaeological evidence. From the emergence of Man through the destruction of paradise by the flood, to the eventual reclamation of the land by wandering men.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> None could until now, he thought. In this sinful age of the computer, we think ourselves beyond the wisdom of God! We think we can do away with the old ways, the old laws, and all of the virtues that are a part of life we were meant to lead. A familiar pain filled his mind. Some now even suggest that we no longer need God to govern our lives, that we are growing beyond His usefulness! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It went against everything he, and many others believed to toss around a God-created soul like some of the people of DL-SYS were attempting. How ever many factions within DL-SYS were involved did not concern him. They should all be punished, he thought. According to the readouts on the Intercept Terminals, staffed by his personal, private crew of obedient Techs, they had apparently succeeded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have no place here!", he said as he thought of where the meddlings of sinful men had taken them. "Now, God has come." He looked at the main screen, shuddered at the thought conveyed thereupon, and fell into another deep musing of bright beings pouring out their vials of wrath upon a mostly unsuspecting world growing more and more corrupt with each passing year. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They deserve it! he thought. Not only do they deny that we are the product of God's higher reasons, but now... Now they think they can delve into the very mind of God and not pay for their sins! He looked over to the banks being attended by Devlin Arkane. Like Gabrali, he too was an devout believer in The Path. He could also see through to the core of those evil men, into their own unseen atrocities. The two of them were very well known to those of TI-SYS as being dangerous. Having a long history of trivial conflicts with both the personnel and the Systems of their rivals, their names were commonplace, especially to those associated with this blasphemous project going on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They both turned to the sound of an informative voice. "Alpha-Regeneration Waves are closer to the theoretical values than they obviously expected. According to the relationships being maintained between the Real-Time Curve and the Probable Matrix established by their last Focus attempt, it seems they can now actually do it," came the shaky voice of a well disciplined Com-Tech. Gabrali considered this information with the results of the first two attempts on the part of that association of criminals. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why does God allow their continued existence? I have spoke of their blasphemous actions many times now. Surely, this is no secret to God. Even I know they are attempting to break away from the World Net. He considered this for a moment as he glanced around at the pulsing terminals monitoring the progress of this third Focus attempt. Have they no sense of Brotherhood? Do they honestly think that they can survive in the absence of His Holy Presence? The anger built within him. They should not play God! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the beginnings of a thought, considering that God was unaware of this attempt at Independence, at breaking away from their Brothers, even after he had himself relayed the information attained by his personal spies, he caught himself on the brink of a spiritual imprecation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who am I to question whether God knows what is best? How could I think that I might fathom a greater thought than Him? He lowered his head slightly and said, "Perhaps that is why you are here now."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arkane, taking in all the information he needed to make an accurate assessment of the chance that the fanatic groups within DL-SYS had actually achieved what they had set out to do, turned to his close associate in many things, and said, "We have to do something." He looked around to see if any of the Techs were paying attention. Seeing that no one else listened, he continued. "Johamon, we can't simply sit around and let them indulge in this vile practice. It is against the ways the The Path! I think that is why God has contacted us now." He kept his voice low, not wanting to disturb anyone else into curiosity.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We must inform TIMON that they will try to break away soon, you know it! What else can we do?" Gabrali spoke with the spreading of his hands, palms up. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This is sheer blasphemy! Do you realize what they are doing?" returned Devlin as if he had not heard a word. Obviously, he was caught up in a deep, relentless rage that would stop at nothing short of destroying the entire structure of DL-SYS.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devlin Arkane was not one to play on words too much. He had a way of making a point quick, and getting out of the conversation just before it exploded into an issue. He looked into Gabrali's familiar eyes, lowered his already husky voice, and said, "They will eventually see their way clear to attempting a take over of the whole Net! They might gain direct access to God. And with their vile technology, they could begin to 'posses' the souls of any or all of us! What possible reprise would remain then?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Agreed, something must be done, but as I have said, God knows of the situation at hand, and will deal with this accordingly," said Gabrali.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arkane thought for a moment, then with squinting eyes, put forth the question that ripped Gabrali's reasuring foundation from under him. "What if He is testing us? God helps those who help themselves, you know." Before Gabrali could respond, Arkane added, "I think our faith is being put on line. I think it is up to us to wipe this filth from the presence of God."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.291.0342</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 74 days till year's end, 3:42 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wish to know about nature, the enjoyer, and the field and the knower of the field, and of knowledge and the object of knowledge.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: This body, O son, is called the field, and one who knows this body is called the knower of the field.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita 13:1</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Withered fingers played across the secret terminal keyboard as still sharp eyes waited patiently. A flowing wash of red careened across the indented darkness where the terminal had been hidden behind the old shelves. Growing flashes of green and indigo formed quick shadows across the far wall in the hole, then subsided as quickly as they had come. An evasive silence shrouded the room as he waited. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally it came. The fear almost overcame him and he wanted to run away. Where on such a small and exposed planet could one attempt to hide? he thought quietly to himself. Jupiter-Ammon, Pergamus, Ptah, Bruchion, Anitiok, Memfose, Serapeum, and the other secret Libraries in the Providence of Lemuria, the three at Mu... He considered the fate of these vast foundations. So far, they remained hidden from the adversary technological forces around the small world. No one alive could know of their existence until they were needed. Under his most secretive direction, many of these storehouses of knowledge had been clandestinely stocked with the sum of the knowledge of Man to date. Unable to communicate the fact to any individual not directly under his charge, the memory of these great places, tributes to the accomlishments of the Human Race, would most assuredly fade with the unassuming inhabitants of his world, very, very soon. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps, this time, with the knowledge in these Libraries, we can rebuild quickly enough... retain enough wisdom to overcome... He could just as easily laugh or cry at the idea. He viewed the terrible readout on the screen, advancing through the information as his mind imposed upon the screen memories of hideous, ancient scriptures. If the Outside Technicians at Deep Lock found out through some miracle of engineering that he had tapped into their most secret files, files that they themselves should not have had access to, the punishment would be most swift and hideous. From what he could piece together, this was the latest translation of "The Word of God" as it had been termed by some of the more enthusiastic Path Followers. He had no idea how they had also gained access to this supposedly hidden Transmission as apparently, only TIMON was to be the recipient of these signals. But with the best Systems of DL-SYS, secretly known as TI-SYS to the few hundreds who were associated, it was not very hard to decipher the code. It was, in fact, very reminiscent of some of the languages used in several of the older books around him. The actual readout made him shudder almost convulsively as a deep blue settled over the room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is the source of this?" he spoke aloud and angrily before he realized it. How could any intelligence know what I alone am thinking? Could this truly be from some divine... His thoughts were cut short as the page scanned down to a list of names and associated information. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO!" he whispered. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, he thought. A feeling of helplessness set in as the realization that his most private aspirations were being revealed to however many people had access to this information. Especially when he realized that the mere translation process took forty days. A bright pink shine played across his full nose and the gleam into his eyes messimerized him. What force could possibly know what I have planned for so many years, he wondered. Many have seen the pieces, but I have divulged the concept to not one living soul! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If it were possible to step up the schedule of his plans for Humanity, he would have done so. But the expanse of people and machinery involved had a momentum of its own. Too much was involved to either hasten or slow the preparations of years now with only six and a half days to go. There was nothing he could do to change the rate at which things were proceeding. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Less than a week, he thought in a wash of magenta. How could the names of those associated with their respective targets be known by anyone else but me? I have never released the target assignments from my mind. He looked down upon his secret terminal as trickles of amber played over his hands on the keys. He called up the information he wanted and fell back into the old, wooden chair. He let his arms drop to his sides with a swing, let his neck rest on the back of the chair, and looked up to the stone ceiling. The intricacies of flowing colors relaxed him until a thought crept into his mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What if, by my plans for Mankind, I have aroused the attention of an actual deity? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had never felt so alone.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He had never been so exposed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a last thought before he passed into a strange dream-like state of some cold, watery giant creeping up behind him, Noham spoke into the flowing colors, "What have I done?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:3</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-287999.353.0809</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 7 days till year's end, 8:09 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita 10:11</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Run it again, there has to be an error. I simply can not accept this information!" commanded the boldly clad figure of Deep Lock Systems Senior Engineer, Bub Belzaar. He was a stout man with large appendages. His stocky frame was quite a formidable deterrent against lackey slackness. He had been in command of the DL Investigations for the last five years, and none could deny his finesse for the position. His white tunic-like garment swayed in the currents generated by his very passage through the control room.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A young assistant to several of the DL-SYS-Engineers spoke up with a certain conviction that said he had made no error. "Belzaar, we have run these figures through three TIMON Independent systems, and have received the same information each time. There is no translation error." Belzaar walked to and fro. His maintained silence said quite a lot to those who knew him. It was a rare occasion that he had little to say. The Com-Techs, as well as the remaining programmers and assistant engineers all knew that something was brooding deep in his mind. Whatever he decided here could change a great many lives. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Belzaar turned with unwarranted swiftness to face the young engineer. "So tell me, what do you make of this data?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With all the deliberation he could muster, the young man answered, "Well, as far as I can gather from the brief bits of this transmission that we have thus far translated into human terms, I would venture a guess that...," he hesitated, "...someone is running a status report on us." He glanced to his comrades who in turn quickly glanced back to Belzaar to hear his forthcoming retort.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"And what can you discern from the type and amount of information that has been returned by TIMON?" came his quick response. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I think that we have been thoroughly checked out for some reason - and I don't know for sure what that could be yet," answered the engineer. Belzaar glanced around the room at each and every one of his immediate ranks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They are all exceptionally bright men, he thought. Surely they realize the implications involved here. He looked around thinking to himself. Everyone here knows by now that every bit of information concerning us has been drawn out of that damned TIMON over the last one-hundred and thirteen days. Some intelligent source has become interested in Man... or our planet, he added. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not wanting to fathom the idea, that he knew everyone knowledgeable of this situation had already formulated within their own minds, each growing fearfully aware of the possibilities, he chanced the ominous speculation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Do any of you want to hypothesize as to the source, and/or nature of these communications with TIMON?" As none volunteered, he spoke the answer in their heads for them. "We must consider the thought that this could very well be the intelligence who, in fact, created the TIMON some 28,000 years ago." Silence shrouded the Com-Room as Engineers and Com-Techs thought to themselves. One less inhibited spoke up.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What about the arguments that the TIMON is the product of our own ancestors. I know most do not take well to the idea that we are not the first technological civilization to arise on Edonos, but there is a great amount of evidence to support such a theory, however outlandish it may seem to our modern sensibilities." Others nodded their agreement, though none chose to speak at this time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Of course, I agree, that there has been upon this planet, a greater knowledge base than our own, example: TIMON. We are only now even gaining access into some of its deeper levels let alone understanding the functions of those levels or systems involved with them." Belzaar paced between the others as all eyes locked on his movements. "The only unanswerable question within that theory is, 'Where did they go?' What happened to our ancestors? No one has any idea as to where they went, what became of them, or if they indeed had anything to do with TIMON." He thought to himself for a moment, then ventured, "And who is to say that this is not them wanting to know of their forgotten children?" That brought about some strong emotions from the group. They had all fathomed of such relationships before in their childhood and in their history lessons, and even in some of the scientific communities that put forth such ideas. But now the issue was abruptly forced upon them. They had no choice but to contemplate their own insignificance.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The same engineer spoke again. "What is it then that you find so hard to accept with our translations?" He looked at Belzaar who for once, would not meet an inquisitors eyes. He continued, "Apparently, TIMON is just down-loading information, at an incredible rate I might add, but that is hardly a matter to confound a scientist" The room was silent save the sputters of the machines. A sense of tension began to fill the air.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bub Belzaar approached the Identiplate on the wall, placed his hand upon its smooth surface, and allowed a light to scan the imprints of his hand. "Bub Belzaar, Deep Lock Systems, Senior Engineer, Eleven-Triad, Additive, to Cube-Square." Relays clicked within the unseen complexities of the TIMON free Systems. Belzaar had initiated a command directive for the entire facility. Those who were caught outside the perimeter, would so remain until such time when Belzaar countermanded the newly established status of TI-Systems. Those inside the compound would fall quickly into alert status, take up their appropriate stations, and await command from DL-SYS-Control. This scenario had been meticulously practiced in the strictest of confidence. As the routine log entries and information flows were being maintained into the TIMON Links that reached into every place humans did, the adjacent TI-Systems, those completely, and illegally isolated from the planetary system, kicked into full readiness. To the outside, it was just another drill of sorts. To the TIMON, the data coming in from the alleged DL-SYS-Control Center, showed no difference or interference. To those aligned with TI-Systems, their lives had just been changed forever. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The TI-Engineers all stared unbelievingly at Belzaar. He had subtly and nonchalantly executed a most illegal command. He had willfully cut off all true communication with TIMON. This had been done from time to time in the annals of history, but those attempts had been dealt with by the stoic, unfeeling coldness of the TIMON. And of course, the severity of the counter maneuvers had been glazed over through the ages, for TIMON directed all education, including history. Apparently, he knew information of which the others had not yet been entrusted. Either that, or he was stark raving mad.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Execute all Isolatory procedures. Initiate the reserve power station relays, and make damned sure that all outgoing circuits are routed through TI-status buffer circuits. We can not afford to have extraneous, or unrelated output flow into the external channels. I'm sure you are all aware of the outcome if one of you blunders on these simple tasks." They continued to stare at him as if he would reveal the punch-line of this terrible joke any second. "MOVE!" he barked as they quickly jumped on line to complete the isolation of the facility. Belzaar thought to himself as he paced around the room once more. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What if I am wrong? He looked at the men complying with practiced swiftness all around him. If so, he thought, I have condemned us all to death. Dare I tell them what I have learned? He was stricken with a sense of deep responsibility. Not just for the lives of those around him, or the hundreds within the perimeter, but with a much more instinctive feeling. He felt as if the very human race depended on him. And, in a way, it did.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Keep working. Don't make any mistakes, but listen to what I have to say." He returned to his personal command console, seated himself in the large, white chair, and spun to face the mass of people working under him at a furious pace. None gave him apparent att</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ention, but he knew every single one was intently focused on his every word. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"First of all, I'm sure that you are all aware of the seriousness of the current status of our facility which has prepared for hundreds of years for just such an occasion." The Com-Techs pushed on in their tasks, seemingly deaf. "Whether by some slip of our investigations into that mechanical monstrosity, triggering some kind of alarm, or by sheer chance, we have aroused the attention of an intelligence greater than our own." He rapped on the tiny array of buttons sunk into the arm of his chair to call up certain figures. "We do know a great deal more than the outside facilities think we know." That brought a slight slowing effect to the sound of hundreds of fingers slapping consoles, but as quickly, they returned to speed. "Several things have been translated by our own TI Mainframe System. The GF-11.364 has been involved in this as well. Together, our own Systems have intercepted the incoming static wave transmission, since there is no line resistance to the TIMON, it could not know that we are likewise receiving the entire message. Of course, it has taken us much longer to make any sense out of it, but we have indeed made progress." He looked down at the display on the chair arm. The numbers were disturbing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"All External Locks have been verified," broke in one of the Com-Techs. "We have achieved Isolation!" Several vocalizations could be heard rising over the machines, it could not be certain if they were in favor of the situation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Very good," responded Belzaar. I must remember that this is still a need-to-know situation. They still have family on the outside. That, in itself, is a crucial piece of information that I must not forget. But I must justify my actions adequately for them to function at top efficiency, he thought. He formulated how to evade the real issue and at the same time maintain order within the Facility. Even though the entire Facility ran taped conversations generated to correlate with the pseudo communications with TIMON, it was not safe to announce information over the external audio Systems within the Facility. Belzaar said no more. He reached over to the other arm of his chair and activated a Command Interrupt Message to appear on all secondary screens within the compound. With an uneasiness he was seldom used to, he initiated the communication:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> TRANSMISSION TO ALL TI-LINKS >>></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SOURCE: /DL-SYS/ TI-COMMAND CENTER.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> SYSTEM CONDITION: ISOLATION.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> COMMUNICATION AS FOLLOWS:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THIS IS NOT A DRILL.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IT HAS BECOME NECESSARY TO INITIATE COMPLETE SYSTEM ISOLATION. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HENCEFORTH, ALL OUTSIDE COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROHIBITED. NO </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PERSONNEL ARE TO BREACH THE PERIMETER CIRCUITS. ALL SYSTEM </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">MODEM SIMULATORS ARE ON LINE WITH TIMON. DO NOT TRANSMIT ON </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">UNBUFFERED PATHS. MAINTAIN INTERNAL SYSTEM SILENCE. A FULL </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EXPLANATORY BROADCAST WILL BE TRANSMITTED VIA COMMAND </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">INTERRUPT, PRIORITY ONE, SHORTLY. BE NOT AFRAID.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">> END COMMUNICATION.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:4</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.353.1600</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 7 days till year's end, 4:00 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lord of Hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the end of the heavens, the Lord and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole earth.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Isaiah 13:5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Holy Bible</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Confusion filled the noisy room. Ranks of specialists shuffled about in a most unorderly fashion jockeying for better seats. The static filters around the room hummed on unaware of the proceedings below. They maintained an envelope of random noise on all receivable frequencies to cloak the meeting about to take place. Outside Systems generated the usual pseudo-noise generation to accommodate TIMON's persistent eavesdropping into every System known to it. With their gathering masked by TI-Systems, the speaker approached the podium. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only after several moments did her presence finally quiet the fracas for seating. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was well built, though her concealing robe did not show it. What it did show, however, was her status of Senior Life System Engineer. This in itself, demanded great respect from most of the people present. She looked out over the now settling group and began to address them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"My name is Isa Chyron, I am the Senior LSE." A hush invaded the room. "I have been instructed by TI-Command to brief you on the events of this morning." A slight murmur arose and dissipated as the large screen behind her flickered to life. It was at least five times her height and twice as long to allow those in the back a clear view as well. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have been working on decyphering the incoming messages ever since they were first discovered by the Outside DL-Techs 113 days ago." This brought about the immediate and complete attention of everyone present. They all knew what was at stake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"First of all," she continued, "as to the source, we are still in the dark. As far as we can tell, the transmissions are still localized, and now confirmed to extend no further out than lunar orbit. None of the Maaz Outposts have detected anything, while weak signals are periodically detected by various components of the Sky-Net. One distressing note: while conferring with our Saturnalia Outpost to see if any signals had been detected, disturbingly enough, no signals at all have been detected. Not even from our own sources. SO4 has reported that all contact with every single deep space probe has been abruptly, and individually terminated. Something has either interfered with our communications, which we don't think likely, or has destroyed over three hundred separate probes. Some of these as you know have long since passed our immediate neighboring star systems. This implies that whatever source is involved in this, has a far reaching influence." The audience grew noticeably uncomfortable.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Second, we have had our most promising minds and our best Systems working on the actual decoding around the clock. Either the outside, non-TI-SYS DL-SYS-Engineers are purposely withholding information, which we doubt, or TIMON is purposely altering the apparent output, hiding the true message from them. In effect, it seems that TIMON is trying to hide this from the entire human race." Scientist looked to each other with questioning eyes. No one seemed to have any consoling answers. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What we have found out, if our numbers are right, is quite a disturbing thought. It seems that some intelligence is running almost a routine type check on us. Information concerning every aspect of human development for the last ten-thousand years or so, we think, along with population curves, scientific achievements, exploration and knowledge of our solar system, as well as the exact extent of our explorations into the TIMON system itself, has been sent back in response. TIMON is continually transferring data on multi-channel, omnidirectional transmitters with a very low power signal. Obviously, the reception of these signals has to take place in our very near vicinity." She referred to the large screen behind her displaying the power curves involved in the local transmission.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Third, and most disturbing of all, is that TIMON has been instructed to access all records concerning certain groups and Institutions. Taken into account has been the type of research, power levels available to each facility, and for some reason, the philosophical education of individuals associated with these groups. It seems that a non-sequential, non-random, but otherwise unrecognizable pattern search is being conducted. The subject of this search:," she hesitated for a moment, swallowed, and said, "specific humans." A questioning outburst arose as she tried to hush the crowd and continue.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have...," she waited, "We have been following the outline of the search as closely and as quickly as our TI-Systems can process information. Remember, that our understanding of what is being said between TIMON and whoever is approximately six weeks behind. What we do know is that several specific target areas have been zeroed in on. Four others have since been dropped from the 'list'." The word "target" seemed to disturb them greatly. The level of tension was continually growing as she divulged the final bit of information.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She referred to the screen behind her. "As you can see, at least six weeks ago, thousands of such target facilities were marked thus." She pointed to the glowing display with a hand laser. "This is," the screen flickered to a new view, "what we received early this morning, what TIMON transmitted forty days ago." All eyes were focused upon the lines of information trying to formulate the meaning. "As you can see, the field has been drastically reduced. The numbers on the left, we think, represent specific individuals. The sequence of symbols in the middle of each column stand for a broader reference as to the location of those individuals, and the numbers on the right, we're not sure about." She turned to face them as she spoke with a slower, deeper voice. The realization of what she was about to say was beginning to grip her in an unrelenting sense of uneasiness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked around at the silent faces and said, "As of the last output from the TI-Systems, we found this number to be much more detailed, specific names started showing up in translation of the remaining line of numbers. Suddenly, over 98% of this list was erased. The remaining information was expanded into greater and greater detail. It seems that the target has been found and named. The name we got from this mornings' output was DL-SYS." A frenzy of questions bombarded her once again as she urged silence so she could continue. "This in itself," she was forced once again to wait for the audience to settle,"...is not the disturbing part. There was more information accompanying this. We are in great peril, and this is the reason for our Command Directive Isolation Procedures this morning. The complete name given read, DL-SYS / TIMON INDEPENDENT SYSTEMS." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With not a sound, as if that would hide them somehow, she turned to leave, took two slow steps, turned to the still attentive eyes, not one of them blinking, and conclusively interjected, "Something is on to us."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.356.1138</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 4 days till year's end, 11:38 p.m.)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita 2:22</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Streaks of glistening sunlight spoke through the large swaying branches of the straight and powerful looking dogwood tree. Its branches seemed to be reaching out to grasp the subtle breezes as they hurried by. In its comforting shade, the small group of students sat with their eyes focused in different places, their bodies relaxed in lazy positions, and their minds sharply intent upon the words of the teacher.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"So whether Focus 9 was a success or not may never be known for sure. However, due to the relationships between the Local Focuses, 3 through 7, and the energy drains involved in Focuses 10 and 11, we can say most assuredly that they were evidently successful." The robust man, a teacher here for many years, was the foremost specialist in Field Theories and Focus Principles. His name was Noham, simply that. As far as anyone knew, he took no other names. In developing the Realignment Theories, and contributing greatly to the very understanding of Matrix Alterations, he had gained the respect of all those who knew him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham glanced around at the young people gathered beneath the lush tree, wondering.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do they truly grasp the importance of what I am telling them? I need more time. He looked up at the tree, and continued in a gentle voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The subjects of the first two attempts will, of course, always be remembered as the brave volunteers that they were. We could never had advanced further without their dedication to the project." A hush remained in place as they all reflected back upon the tragedies of those fateful trials. Two people had been lost. Not physically misplaced, but simply spread out energetically, not to be located or collected back into any semblance of form. Their limp bodies remained in the Field Chambers, but the life was gone. It was an attempt to transport them into their own bodies, a day later in time. Unfortunately, it was not known at that time of the relationships involved with the energetic fields set up around and within the human brain. Weather they had touched upon what the seat of consciousness actually is or glimpsed a veritable human soulor not, the consciousness of the test subjects could not re-inhabit their own bodies. Somehow, a presence, seemingly about the brain itself, would nullify such a similar external energetic transfer immediately upon such time as the Focus was to occur. Some had suggested that this was a natural defence mechanism against "possession" by other consciousness. Some had went as far as to suggest that if that energy barrier could be overcome, the entire human race could join into a multi-organism, single, collective consciousness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham caught himself wandering along such hypothetical avenues of thought when he realized he was getting off track again. He had a tendency to end a discussion far, far from the initial idea.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"As I was saying, the lack of detectable nodal regeneration waves at the target sight, set for fifty years, seems to suggest that Focus 9 encountered too broad of a spread pattern." Pages of information concerning that incident flipped through his mind. He said, "Since the energy of the subject was indeed absorbed, not dispersed as in Focus 1 and 2, we can safely assume that Subject 9 did survive after all." A look crossed the faces of several students as if they wanted to comment, but dared not for missing some of Noham's words. Darmendes and Empedocles, both with Doctorates in Astronomy, were deeply moved by the sacrifice. "What I personally think happened," Noham continued, "as some of you may have ventured to read in my published papers of the time," (he knew very well that every single one of them had read those papers, they were, after all, going to be Focus Subjects themselves) "is that Subject 9 was indeed absorbed. If you will review the calculations concerning the Field Dispersion, you will see that, as we did not know at the time, we simply lacked a tight enough focus." Zoose and Thoram were two of the best Electrical Engineers around. They had both been involved intimately with that particular Focus attempt and knew the reasonings inside and out. With the others, they continued to take in every word being spoken. "Most likely, there are going to be several people walking around fifty years from now with distressing cases of feelings of acquaintance with each other and Deja Vu. Subject 9 will become part of the essence of several people. Who is to say what would happen if they all got together?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wonderings of the students seemed to flow along with the wispy clouds that afternoon. Noham always guaranteed an interesting discussion. He allowed unusual lengths between thoughts to allow his students to assimilate what they had just heard. This was such a time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several of the students seemed to be asleep as their lack of physical arousal would seem to suggest, but none of these students dared to miss a quiet time of reflections so rarely granted to them in the last few weeks. The entire pace of things at TI-SYS had accelerated due to the disturbing transmissions. And now with the Isolation Status, these times were precious. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each of the students were experts in one field or another. Saiyam Unicob was the foremost architect associated with TI-SYS. Giza ran a close second for the title. Horus, along with his strangely intense curiosity with the ancient feudal systems of the past, was a very talented microbiologist. He, along with several others had translated the now famous "Feng-shen-yen-i" papers. The name held some meaning for the authors which they would not share. One student, by the simple name of Ezekiel, was one of the foremost Programmers to join the project. He had gained a great understanding of the transmissions along with a rude awakening as to the possible threat which they all could face. And in obtaining access into some of the translation centers via his quick understanding of languages, had quickly decided to join the Focus Project. As one of the necessities of becoming a possible Focus Student, he had to show an aptitude for Pattern Analysis and Language Configuration. Numbers and words had more in common than most suspected. Already, he had advanced through some of the highest calculus classes offered at TI-SYS. His understanding that Calculus was not just another extension of the mathematics invented by men, but a language discovered by Man, and not just another feeble attempt at manipulating numeric representations to organize local understanding, had granted him special attention from several of the Senior Scientists. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What shall be said to us when we unravel the very language of God?" he had been heard to say a number of times. He now wondered what was being implied in the transmissions. Some relationships referred to the status of human development and others, somehow inextricably related, seemed concerned with planetary movements. As yet, no one had been able to venture a hypothesis that took everything into account. He wanted to be the one to figure it out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel looked away, down a hill to a clutter of trees below. Something disturbing came to mind, but he knew not what. His eyes fixed upon a distant pale bird careening above a sea of billowing green. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rise to the cause of your Dreams, he thought as he watched the bird soar off to a better place than where it had been. Somewhere deep within his soul, something tugged at him, disturbing, but unattainable. I've felt this way before, he thought to himself. But in the light of the midday sun, things seemed to take on less importance than they did during those times of silent contemplation beneath the complex. I should never think my feelings are meaningless, he told himself. Something is wrong, or something is going to go wrong. I must learn what lies hidden within those transmissions. I fear the answer may be beyond us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel looked to Noham who unexpectedly was already locked into a glazed stare with him. Ezekiel's mind soared to formulate a barrage of questions. He shuffled them into one. "It seems a great conflict is taking place," he said aloud breaking the fragile silence. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Such insight! Noham thought. Does he already begin to understand the urgency of our situation? How much of the sinister message has he figured out in his own musings?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Indeed," answered Noham as the other students were disturbed into awareness. "There is indeed a conflict. One in which the existence of everything we know hinges upon." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The students sat straight for the first time. No hint of such a thing had been mentioned before. What has been hidden from us? they wondered. With a sense of urgent retreat closing in on Noham's mind, he knew he had to sway the group away from this direction of thinking. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must separate Ezekiel without him knowing it. He is too quick. He could ruin everything! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"To educate oneself is always a conflict. There are many dangers involved," Noham was saying.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is he talking about? Why is he evading my question? Ezekiel wondered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For some, to know is enough." Noham looked around, intentionally avoiding Ezekiel's eyes. "For others, to know is the beginning of a deeper understanding." Noham closed his papers, almost an hour ahead of the scheduled time to signify that the days' lesson was at a close. As he sealed the binder upon the lot of papers, he looked to them once again, and said, "Sometimes understanding is a terrible curse." With that, the lesson was concluded, they each went their separate way.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:6</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.356.2108</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11,001 BC, 4 days till year's end, 9:08 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This supreme science was thus received through the chain of desciplic succession, and the saintly Kings understood it in that way. But in the course of time, the succession was broken, and therefore the science, as it is, appears to be lost.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita, 4:2</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was a rather cool night, not like one would expect to end the glorious day preceding it. The stars were out in force this night and the constellations spoke out as reminders of the ancient past when men thought of gods occupying the heavens.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel walked alone upon a path leading through the park that crossed the middle of the entire facility. Sporadic thoughts glanced through his head, some seemingly not his own. He watched with a dull awareness the plumes of white breath cascading from his mouth. A light wind at his back swept the billowing puffs ahead of him, and caught him in messimerization. As if a thoughtless decree from some wakeful dreamer had chanced upon his open mind, visions of bright clouds moving under some distant sun filled his remote contemplations.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some distant sun? he pondered. Distant in time! Why do I think of this now? he wondered. Thoughts of glittering glass played through his mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shines and reflections. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sparkling in the brilliance of the sun. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The memory of some poem crept into his mind and he knew not why. He passed his brief consciousness over the verses... 'And from that chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing...' He wondered at this.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hidden meanings, he thought. This was the same sensation that had overcome him since he could first remember. And for about the last three months, its intensity had been tumultuously enhanced. At times, alien thoughts seemed to merge with his. For the last few months, these feelings had had an inexplicable ferocity to them. It was as if he were seeing out of another's eyes. And the feelings were growing stronger by the day.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Splintering shines and shivering lights reflecting the fears of some memory.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brilliant Lights!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The essence of some forgotten song came to his mind, but he could not make out the words. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why has this always captivated me so? Why does it always remain pertinent to my awareness? He tried to reason some purpose into his thoughts, but as he did, they faded into questionable memories. I will not always remember, he thought. I can not say that this will always be. He grasped at the fading offshoots of reason slipping from his awareness. He felt as if some framework had been established upon his mind and that some structure had momentarily taken form. An insight of remembered purpose - just the same - changed again the same way. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel walked the twisting path through the dark cedar trees, noticing nothing absolute, but missing no detail as he passed. The moon was nowhere to be seen and the realization of it seemed to bring the darkness closer in on him, surrounding him in quiet apprehension.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something is going to happen, he thought. Once again his mind went back to his teachings, to lessons engraved upon the essence of his very soul. "Your mind is a sensitive tool; Never overlook your feelings; Even if there is nothing apparently wrong with your surroundings or your environment or your situation, an imbalance would signal a disturbance for some knowable reason, even if that disturbance is actually created in your own mind, unreasonably." I must trust my assumptions more. I must believe that what I think is the right thing to think; that my actions are the correct course that I must take; I must rise to the cause of my Dreams!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A sudden wave of fear gripped Ezekiel in unexpected completeness. His mind searched out the object of his fear, not knowing if it was some immediate physical danger or the workings of his own twisted reasonings. He froze in his tracks as his mind refused to accept what he saw before him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two eyes as of a demon shone across the grounds. They fluttered and swayed as a play of colors concealed their true nature. In unrelenting sternness, they seemed to call him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is this? He dared not speak aloud for fear of provoking this thing into some frenzious rampage down Mount Abora to tear Ezekiel into nothingness. It has come for me, I know it. I feel it in my very soul. Whatever happens to me here, I can do nothing to change the outcome.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He began to slowly advance in the direction of the eyes, growing in their intensity. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is my personal demon! he thought. I must face it with complete conviction of will. He walked closer, continuing up the hill. I must deal with whatever trials I must face to overcome it. His feet carried him up the path to the edge of the forest. He felt like running back down into the shady cover or the park, but something inside him held him motionless as he stepped out of the protective woods. I must face this. I must be strong!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel broke from his revere with the thoughts of such a beast charging down on him fading into surrealness. But alas, the eyes still remained. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His vision focused. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the lights of two small windows, adorning the wall of the Old Library, he stared. Realizing that no creature existed atop this hill, his uneasiness seemed only to grow more intense. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can not believe that these feelings are of mere shadows and plays of light. Something real has been shown to me, he thought slowly as he contemplated what to do. I have come here tonight for some reason, even if I can not reasonably ascertain why. He looked up to the old windows with their haunting glows issuing forth from some unseen source within. This was the Old Library, set atop the "Mountain" as some called it, probably stemming from some forgotten metaphor dealing with the heights of knowledge. Most people rarely ventured into the archives section where the printed books and reduced films were stored. He found this curious. Almost certain that the windows which had drawn him there opened into that old section of the library, he ventured on. For reasons deep within his mind, he knew that to be his destination on this night. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is so much more to know, he thought, as he made his way to the marbled steps.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:7</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.356.2124</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 4 days till year's end, 9:24 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend and can therefore understand the transcendental mystery of this science.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Bhagavad Gita, 4:3</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The place setting was for two. The section had been reserved since late afternoon. An actual bookshelf served as two walls in the room. Paper and cloth books, carefully preserved for thousands of years ornamented the rows of wooden shelves reaching to the ceiling. The wall facing the park was covered in real rock to</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">enhance the paleo effect of the room. Two windows opened with glass opacified for the evening. A single wax candle burned in each deep set window reflecting back most of the glow into the room.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The reading lights had been extinguished in favor of the more soothing artglows. Uncountable patterns could form and dissipate in the fluids cascading through the tubes and pathways of some of the artglows. Some of them were quite bright, enough to read by. But the changing hues and tints as flowing photobioelectrochemical substances played their luminescence for all to see and enjoy, had an enchanting effect not conducive to concentration or study. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This one was in the center of the low table. By the liberation of bromine molecules, the interplay of malonic acid, and other organic compounds, the views within the room were, at times, momentarily reproduced within this specific artglow. The images would remain for a moment, then reverse as if a negative exposure of a photograph were being displayed. Oscillating between these two states, the constant flow of photons reflecting off the objects within the room would work into the display, slowly replacing the emanating view. Noham had picked this one specifically for this night. It had granted him insight over the </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">years, as he hoped it would do this eve.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel stepped into the room. Attendants had guided him here upon his arrival into the Old Library. They had been expecting him. He knew not how. Waves of delight flooded his psyche as he noticed the assortment of artglows. He had always appreciated them more than most. Many times he had been lost for hours in their captivating patterns. The aroma of almond tea arose in a steam swirling in its own delight. A platter full of pressed maze wafers watered his mouth as his eyes fell upon Noham's.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remaining in their mutual contemplating gaze, Noham spoke, "leave us," to the awaiting attendants. With their hasty exit, Noham gestured mutely for Ezekiel to be seated in the free chair across the table from where he was himself seated. Ezekiel found it odd that he was not at all surprised or confused. A great feeling of memory flooded him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have felt this before, he thought to himself. He felt as though he had just awakened from some dream into the setting in which he had dosed off. '...Through woods and dale the sacred river ran, Then reached the caverns measurless to Man...'</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing was said for several minutes as each seemed to have plenty to contemplate on their own. Both were partaking of the wafers and the tea, and gazing into the artglow positioned between them on the dark wooden table, its reflective qualitiy visually doubling the splendor of the plays of light before them.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham set down his glass with deliberation. It was apparent that he was about to state the meaning behind this strange meeting. He looked up to the shelf of books, as if seeing between the closed pages to draw from them as the ancient wells of knowledge they were. An evasive silence shrouded the room. The air felt still. Noham spoke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In such an hour as ye think not, my memory shall stricken your mind. I have come to show you things unholy in the world; If you turn away, you'll simply never know of them. But know ye this: They shall remain, none the same! And the ignorant shall fall prey to the truths swept away."</span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They both remained silent. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They both had so much to say.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts of the secret Libraries, now completed and sealed with mighty stone blocks far too heavy for the muscles of men alone to move, filled Noham's mind. He quickly vanquished the thought from his mind to hide the fact away. That information must remain intact for at least four more days, he thought unwillingly and quickly trained his mind on his companion. He looked over at the young man facing him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel began to speak, cleared his throat, and continued, "That is from one of those books, is it not?" He gestured behind his head with the slightest movement of his hand. Noham blinked his eyes as if waking from his own reverie, and looked down to the table. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That, my son, is one of the most ancient writings remaining from the forgotten times," he said. He looked up to face Ezekiel. "Actually, it is from several books. Many of them contain mention of the author." Ezekiel remained silent, and patiently awaited the onslaught of information soon to follow in true Noham fashion. After sipping mostly air from his now depleted glass, Noham continued.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"From some of our most ancient surviving writings, we find great wisdom frighteningly pertinent to the trials of our own day." His gaze focused once more on the old books. "That particular writing, as I said, is of a most ancient time. Some think it predates TIMON." Ezekiel almost gasped at such a concept. Noham was implying that this writing was nearly 26,000 years old at least. Most people rarely fathomed the idea that TIMON had a beginning at all. At times, it did seem as if that vast monstrosity was actually involved in the creation of the planet itself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How could something survive that long?" asked Ezekiel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"True knowledge is impossible to destroy. It merely changes form with time." Ezekiel had heard this from his teacher many times before. This time, it took on a sinister feel to him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is going to happen? He knows something, Ezekiel thought. Something of great importance is coming about and he knows! I wonder if anyone else at all knows as well? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The author of this selected 'testimony' is known by the most ancient name of AHKANON. I think he was either a sage, a prophet of some kind, or just a very perceptive man. As if all others around him were simply asleep in comparison, he saw things in the earth. Most of his surviving writings have, if anything, gained in meaning over the millenia. It sometimes seems to me that he foresaw our particular crisis, and decided to inform us future 'sleepers' about what we must face." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel thought about this for a quiet minute. What crisis? Then suddenly as if complete awareness thrust itself upon him, This has something to do with the transmissions!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"As you are probably thinking," Noham interjected, "this is most assuredly involved with the transmissions." By the slight smile creeping onto Ezekiel's face, Noham knew this to be so. He is very quick indeed! Sometimes, too quick. This afternoon would have been a grand disaster if he had kept...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This afternoon, Ezekiel, you mentioned a 'great conflict'. Of what were you referring?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is it! Ezekiel thought. He is going to reveal something. "You have always taught us to reckon with our feelings; not to toss them aside."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This is true," Noham noded. "So tell me, what do you feel?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I feel..." he paused, then more assuredly, "no, I know something is wrong. Something is going to happen. You know about it..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham cut him off, "Yes, and you almost let the whole world know it this afternoon!" Ezekiel thought about how his question had been swiftly evaded, class had been concluded early, and his mind had been quite fogged for the remainder of the day. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is it about the transmissions then? Have you translated more than we have been told?" The question was senseless in his own mind. He knew beyond a doubt that this was the case.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is the nature of your conflict, Ezekiel?" Noham asked with a slight raising of his voice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Obviously, something has been discovered concerning either the source or the contents of these transmissions to TIMON. The very fact that we have been locked out of the conversation is disturbing enough. Evidently, we are in peril and the source of this has been discovered through translation."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Indeed. Indeed..." Noham responded as he glanced around. Darkness overtook the room. By chance alone, most of the artglows were dimming in overall luminosity as they oscillated, and converged in unison, into a darkened display. The room suddenly felt cold to both of them as if some unseen mind was listening in. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham, with a so far unseen side of him, stared unnervingly at Ezekiel. He said in an old sounding voice, less the usually lively sound it carried, "Something is indeed wrong." Ezekiel remained intent on every word. In the long shadows of the dark room, he waited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What I have to tell you is what I could not say today amongst the others. They can not know. Ever!" He let this sink in before he continued. "I have several Technicians working on the translation of specific bits of the code we are receiving. I have divided up the search pattern so that not one of them, by himself, could make out any part of the message. None of them know who the others are. The rest of my colleagues think that we are having minimal success decyphering anything at all. I have done this on my own. I alone am responsible." His eyes flickered to the floor and to the window as if to see if anyone was eavesdropping. He continued in the same breath, "But, alas, I have done the right thing. The knowledge I have received would be devastating if it were to become public. Not only our TIMON Independent sectors spread about the world, but the entire human race would falter in fear. Ezekiel, our very world is at stake!" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The candles in the windows seemed to blow in some unseen breeze as Ezekiel turned to gaze upon them. He still could not fathom the connection between an ancient philosopher, current human development, and planetary motions. He ventured a risky question.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What does this have to do with me? Why are you telling me of this and not my study mates?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham sorted through the abundance of items he wanted to discuss and settled on one to suffice the question set before him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How much do you kn</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">ow about what we have uncovered within the transmissions?" he asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I know that a pattern search of some kind is, or was, being conducted, and that TI-SYS was named. I even know that our secret status of TIMON Independence was revealed to be known by TIMON. As far as that is concerned, I do not understand why no retributional action has been executed. There must be a vital importance placed on timing."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is the one indeed! He is so quick, Noham thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Ah, but you know more than you think! You have indeed touched upon the source of our danger."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the blink of an eye, Ezekiel responded, "Evidently, we still have the capability to either remain independent permanently, or a means of preventing whatever punishment is forthcoming."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Very good. You always were quite perceptive. But tell me, can you fathom the engine of our threat?" Expecting to have to hint at answer, Noham started to speak, but was cut off before a sound was uttered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The only thing that seems to bear any relevance is information pertaining to the planets' motions."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How? How could he know this? If one is to save us, it will be him!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You do jump and leap around on the loose tendrils of logic, but once again, you have landed quite safely." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The two sat for a quiet moment, and Noham began to fill in the spaces.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What I have been able to put together with my personal Techs working on separated terminals, is that this pattern search has been completed. As you know, the search did indeed pull out DL-SYS / TI-SYS, but more than that, it pulled certain references to specific functionings within our departments. A special interest seemed to be attached to our Field Focus attempts. I believe, though this is more my own gut feeling than anything else, that somehow, we attracted the attention of the sender of the transmissions with one, some, or all of our thirteen focus attempts in the past. We know so little about subsequent field resonance, nodal probability points or Mobius stasis conditions as some of the new people call it, alpha, beta, and zeta regeneration waves... there is simply so much more to know." Ezekiel felt a rush of emotions as he listened. "It is most certain that our Primary Focus Project will be the target of whatever action will be taken by whatever force is observing us. Therefore, we have no choice but to go through with it."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This should mean something to me, he thought. I've felt this before. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Who knows what intelligence is involved, or what we have unwittingly disturbed," Noham continued. "We are just now understanding what the real meaning is in some of these ancient books behind you. Although we have TIMON, it is such an integrated part of our existence, we don't like to dwell too long on the possibility of its nonexistence. Like it or not, there was a time when TIMON did not yet exist. This means that at some point in time, it was created somehow. The disturbing thing is, this very issue is discussed in some of the ancient religious and philosophical writings. Only now are we understanding what they were talking about.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Many accounts concerning the creation of Edonos discuss the establishment of a supreme intelligence, of one all powerful mind that organized things for Man. Does this not sound like TIMON's role in our lives?" Verbal agreement was not necessary from Ezekiel. A blink and a continued stare confirmed he was understanding. "Some of the writings of AHKANON point to the very establishment of this power. It is told through parables and symbolism and sometimes outright, about the time just before the establishment of such a system."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How come this is not taught to us?" Ezekiel questioned, feeling that he had been lied to.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Most of it would have made no sense two hundred years ago. Remember, we have just in the last century gained an understanding of the workings of computers. And for only half of that have we been physically exploring the workings of TIMON. Our immediate ancestors lacked the technological foundations to justify such speculations. Anything unrelated to TIMON was pure blasphemy. How would you explain the sharing of a physical brain space by two consciousness by way of a Real Time Focus to someone who has no knowledge of Unified Field Theories?" The overused word "possession" came to mind with all the ranting and raving associated with it by The Path followers.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How far back," interjected Ezekiel, "did our ancestors exist under TIMON, but lacking any understand whatsoever of what it was?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Ah, now you begin to see. A pattern will emerge once you delve into the writings concerning the old religions. It is good to remember that the victors always rewrite history. Either the victors or the largest sector purporting one belief," Noham added. "For one thousand years, and Ezekiel, I am being specific to within four days, all humans have lived and died in relatively the same world. TIMON, obvious to us now, has dictated that world. The period preceding that thousand year period has often been referred to as the 'growing period', the 'flowing time' etc. It seems that there was no direct contact between TIMON and the inhabitants of its carefully maintained world. A Pre-technological world at that. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In all and every writing surviving from that time, the figurehead of a God is mentioned, but never is there a specific reference to TIMON or anything resembling the technical workings of this Machine. Oh, there are references to the one all powerful that created the world, but it seems to take on the essence of a memory in the Mind of Man at the time. Nothing is specific. The closer to that seventh millenia back from now, the more specific the references become. It seems the memory of a technological society survived, but faded over time. The sciences warped into religions. The facts were lost in fables and myths. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Like I was referring to before, how do you think a human would describe the effects of a skynet system that can trace individual movements continually?" He waited momentarily for any answer Ezekiel cared to venture. With silence as his cue, Noham continued. "It has been written that their God was All Knowing, 'you can not hide from the sight of God.' You simply can not hide fro those blasted satellites either. And how would this human explain a voice emanating from thin air as a result of a simple Nodal Wave Target or even a Holosonic Driver forming polarized compression waves within the gaseous medium?" no answer. "It is written, time and time again, about how God would speak to them as an unseen spirit. And how would this human explain a simple antigrav field? And how would he explain a thermonuclear explosion, or vapor trails, or any number of things beyond his immediate understanding?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel realized that Noham was running again. But this time, he had no problem keeping up with him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What happened right before that six-thousand year point, seven-thousand past distant from now?" Ezekiel asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It seems that at that time there was either a great war or some other planetary disaster that completely destroyed a planet- wide civilization intact at that time. A complex, technological civilization, I might add."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How can you know this," Ezekiel asked with bewilderment. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Certain facts point to it. Although most all artifacts from that time have long since passed into antiquity, some fragments remain. If nothing else, the accounts of a war just before, and possibly leading to the fall. There are many mentions by a supposed pre-technological society, of streaks of smoke piercing the sky with metallic, glistening eyes. Strangely enough, these silver angels all crashed to the ground and erupted into the light of ten-thousand suns."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That is nothing more than a simple warhead," concluded Ezekiel.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Simple enough to someone who has seen an airship first." Noham said. "If that is not convincing, there are accounts of 30,000 people being burned to ashes in a second and the survivors becoming sick for days afterward, their hair falling out, birds turning white, all the flora dying, etc. Now tell me, how does a bronze age man describe radiation sickness?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ezekiel thought about this for a moment.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Based on the records we have," Noham was saying, "this Cycle has a duration period of seven thousand years. The pattern has apparently maintained itself through four complete cycles." The expanse of time involved almost stunned Ezekiel. It took him a moment to formulate his next question.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What was the war over?" he finally asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This, which you will learn in a moment, is what is so important and pertinent to us today. Evidently, the war itself was fought over freedom." He left it at that knowing Ezekiel's mind would circle back to the appropriate question.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel thought of everything that had been thrust upon him so quickly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why would the world wage war with itself? he asked himself. We are a technological society, and who would we wage war against, and for what gain? It seemed senseless to initiate such a thing. The only threat that his own world had ever really known was the immediate one; The sender of the transmission. We have had peace now for... then the thought struck him like the weight of the world coming down on his shoulders, ...one thousand years! The parallelism was too much to be explained away by coincidence. How could the same thing be happening again unless the same forces were involved? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A thousand years of peace. What did they wage war against? he wondered. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A thousand years of peace. What might we need wage war against? If the same forces are involved, that means that the sender of the transmissions has been involved in planetary development for 28,000 years. With sudden realization as to what the numbers of his very own calendar signified he thought, this is TIMON Date: 27999.356.2213! Twenty-seven-thousand nine-hundred ninty-nine years, three-hundred fifty-six days!. His mind circled swiftly back. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The war was fought over freedom! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Freedom from TIMON! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ridiculed by pre-techs as war with God. He could imagine the crusades against those who retained any of the sciences at all, those who kept the evil, the followers of some dark, magical religion. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knowledge persecuted by the masses as the vile ways of an evil religious sect that had come between Man and God. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Condemned through the ages as the original sin! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knowledge! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Man aspired to be like God! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With an acute awareness Noham scarcely expected himself, Ezekiel looked him dead in the eyes, and said:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We will not lose this time. The cycle will end with us!"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:8</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.358.1149</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 2 days till year's end, 11:49 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For I will shake the heavens, in my wrath and fierce anger, and the earth will move from its place in the skies.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Isaiah 13:13</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Living Bible</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A dim light shone out to warm the darkness of his lonely study. The door firmly latched behind him, Ezekiel read from the old books he had brought from the library two nights before. For the last sixty-three hours, he had been engulfed with these documents and the messages contained within them. Fengshen-yen-i, telling of flying dragons of silver that rode on straight clouds in the sky; Samaranagana Sutradhara, describing heavenly beings arriving from out of the sky bringing biological weapons and of the creation of molecular sized weapons to be placed inside the enemies body to render them and all they came in contact with deathly ill; Surya Siddhanta, with exact calculations concerning planetary alignments, masses, number of moons, years and days of the outer planets; Huai Nan T'zu, divulging details of quantum physics and the properties of atoms; The Epic of Etana, retranslated an unknown number of times, giving exact descriptions of the complexities of space flight; Shi Ching, highlighting the destruction of Mankind for the sin of gaining too much knowledge; Sanchuniathon, relating in mythological terminology, a great number of highly advanced creations, ideas, and understanding of the nature of things; Die Diis Syriis, pertaining to the "Teraphim" described as being a kind of heavenly communicative devices; Sactya Grantham, examining an extensive knowledge base in medicines and surgical procedures possible only with lasers and internal scanners; Agastya Samhita, providing a detailed description of how to construct various kinds of batteries, electric circuits, and the workings of the electromagnetic force; Rig Veda, disclosing the various migrations soon after the flood; Vishnu Purana, containing explicitly detailed maps of the whole earth from aerial vantage points; The names of some of the books seemed familiar for reasons he could not formulate. The Popol Vu, for instance, spoke of the "First Men" and their abilities only granted to a highly technological society. But then, it was known that this book was not an original, but a copy of a much older document dating back as far as eight or nine thousand years. There had to be a firm knowledge base on this planet before us, he thought as he began to read.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"They looked into the distance and could discern everything which was in the world. Their wisdom was great. Their eye reached every forest and mountain and lake, every hill and every valley. Verily, they were wonderous men. When they looked they saw everything around and the dome of the sky and the inside of the earth!" TIMON! The thought pierced into his mind. And they were destroyed! Ezekiel thought. By what means? He read on. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The gods said: let us satisfy their desires a little, for what we see is not well. Must they resemble us in the end, their creators who know and see all from the distance?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"So the gods cast a veil over their eyes so that they grew dim as when the breath touches a mirror; they could see only that which was near at hand and clear. Thus was destroyed all the wisdom and knowledge of the first men."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel thought of this for several moments. This is the same thing I have now read over and over in all of these books of so called myths and legends and religions. What does TIMON have to do with all of this? he thought as he flipped the pages finding another account of the same event, told by a man who supposedly lived "far around the sphere of the world":</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The lands of the Ten Regions were shaken and torn asunder and the cities with their millions of inhabitants sank beneath the sea."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a sense of growing uneasiness, he searched through the pages of another book. The name was almost unpronouncable to him, Siddhanta-Ciromani. He read passages concerning their calander, disruptions in the orbital alignment of the earth in their past, and several accounts of repetitive world wide disasters. It told of several calendrical realignments and adjustments that had to be made regularly. Ezekiel knew by the archcological evidence that the year had at one time been of a different length than the 360 cycle he knew. Another curious piece of information caught his attention. Why would the "primative" ancients need such a fine division in their counting of time? They divided their time into sexagesimal divisions, he read. The day was divided into 60 kala, each equal to 24 minutes, subdivided into 60 vikala, each equivalent to 24 seconds. The divisions continued, para, tatpara, vitatpara, ima and finally kashta, or 1/300 millionth of a second. This would only be useful in the study of certain hyperons and mesons and a few other atomic particles, he thought, but of no use to a "primative", supposedly evolving culture. Another book, the Drona Parva, spoke of great flying metal creatures that spat out fire balls upon their enemies. This sounds alot like a discription of our modern fighters, he thought. But this was not what really touched him deeply. One book in particular, suposedly written after a great fall of Man, six thousand years past, contained an acount of weapons used on vast cities that obviously did not exist much past that time, as archeology had shown. He read from the translation, at times obscure. Obviously someone with little scientific insight had written the original script as best as they could with their individual understanding of the incident. This particular account was of one weapon called by the ancients, the "Brahma Weapon". He read on:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"When the weapon was discharged, smoke like 10,000 suns blazed up in splendor... then a thick gloom suddenly encompassed the hosts.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"All points of the compass were suddenly enveloped in darkness. Clouds roared into the higher air... showering blood... the world, scorched by the heat of that weapon seemed to be in a ferver.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Darkness hid the entire army. Then we beheld a wondrous sight; burned by the power of that weapon, the forms of the slain could not even be distinguished.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For many days there were terrible gales and people's hair and fingernails dropped out.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Food went bad and birds that had been... [contaminated?] turned white, and their legs blistered and turned scarlet.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The elephants made a fearful trumpeting and sank dead to the ground over a vast area.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Then, for several years after, the sun and the stars and the sky were hidden by clouds and violent storms. It seemed that the end of the world had come..."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a like description, this terrible book, called the Mahabharata, spoke likewise of another weapon called "Kapilla's Glance", which could burn down 50,000 men to ashes within a few seconds. A verse from the same book came to mind of which Noham had taught over a year ago to the class, most of them not understanding the significance: "Then men tampered with the 'Divine Fire', the earth split open and sixty million people in great cities were drowned in one terrible night." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How could anyone not see the connection? Ezekiel wondered. How could we have been caught so unprepared once again?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So much had happened in the last week, and in learning such an onslaught of new information, the thought that what he was now going through was contained in these ancient writings confounded him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He flipped through the pages with the eyes of a dreamer lancing out to skewer any new fragment of wisdom that pertained to him and his world. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The cycle is so clear, he thought. How could anyone miss something as apparent as this? His eyes raised as he looked to some distant point far beyond the near wall. Six-thousand years of struggle and slow progress, followed by one-thousand years of peace. He thought of this for a moment. More like six-thousand years of paced recovery halted by one-thousand years of imposed stagnation! The thought made him cringe. What purpose would some intelligence have in creating such an atrocity as the TIMON? What possible good could come from stifling an entire race again and again? Anger built up inside him as he continued along these lines of contemplation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He opened several of the books to marked places in turn, checking, and comparing. Insight flashed upon him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We have been deliberately suppressed for 28,000 years! Someone, somewhere is scared of what we might become! The thought filled him with something akin to hope. What a force to unleash upon an unsuspecting galaxy, the Human potential would be! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washes of outrage intermingled with sheer waves of ululation swept over Ezekiel simultaneously. What have I stumbled upon? What if that force became aware of what I now know? A sickening shudder careened through his veins as he realized what lay in store for him. By this time tomorrow, at least as he measured time, he would no longer inhabit this world. If their science had indeed breached the barriers of reality as its worshipers claimed, he would be carried into a far distant land. Distant in time! he thought. There, he would awaken into the physical body of a living inhabitant of that time and place. The limits of their science would in effect induce a kind of synthetic metempsychosis upon some unsuspecting consciousness in some future time. According to conventional thinking, it would not be a "possession", as the followers of The Path feared, but more of a total, all encompassing sharing. Both consciousness would be completely maintained. All the knowledge available to one would be available to the other. The only question that could not be answered was whether the two would remain as separate entities unto themselves, or, as a single collective awareness, merge into one, indistinguishable "self". </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one could tell him what this would be like, for no one had experienced such a thing and returned to tell of it. With subtle apprehension, he closed the final book, The Hadmodemes, reeking of incomparable, unfathonable age. Memories of everything he had read clung to his awareness as a thick sap upon a wounded tree. He could not break free from the thoughts seemingly forced into his mind. Of all the passages, one remained most illuminated by some deep feelings from his childhood that were forming it into a familiar sense of recognition - Remembrance! It was a first hand account of mechanical brilliance swiftly forced upon an unsuspecting population, warping it into wonder with a sense of reverent acceptance. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...I can feel it in the air, and in the sky. I can sense it altering the life in the earth... I can feel it - Its growing stronger now... It frightens so many, but - my initial fears have... grown into a - sense of adoration for the level of perfection involved in the change..."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How could they not see the truth? he cried to himself in sadness. I can not fail! This vile cycle must be broken! Man must be free to reach for his full potential - just think what we could have been by now!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And with that, Ezekiel slid into the embracing arms of sleep for the last time. Visions of some distant paradise with beautiful forests, sacred rivers, and iced mountains crept into his first dreams. It seemed so peaceful. His mind caught the beauty of sparkling glass only to be shattered by a wakeful thought: Some force at work within the heavens considers us a threat! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:9</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-28999.360.2400</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, years end, midnight)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"There have been, and there will be again, many destructions of mankind."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Timaeus</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Plato</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Mountain Archives, Edonos)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The enshrouding mesh of tiny wires covered his nude body, pricking him with sensors detecting unknown states within him. Several small blinking points of light illuminated the small enclosure in jumpy combinations of flashes. The temperature was dropping rapidly, but he felt no chill. In the last few moments, he realized that he would never step back out of this mechanical confinement. If all went as predicted, he would indeed awaken, but not here. Not in this body. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ezekiel was one of a classified number of Focus subjects picked out, not by humans, but by the very MACHINE which they were working against. He wondered if this was indeed the last attempt to save their world. What a hellish nightmare had engulfed them in the last few weeks. A great weight descended upon him, almost crushing his reason. So much had become his burden this last week. So much now depended upon him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A chain 28,000 years long, he thought. I must weaken the links on this chain bonding Man in perpetual stagnation. What might we have been by now? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of the unknown number of subjects involved in this last attempt, Ezekiel was but one, destined for but one place; one time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How simple it would be for the TIMON to reach out and snatch one of us, he thought. Even in mind, safety is found in numbers. He knew that that was their reasoning for sending so many. Only one was to be sent to the specific target that all of this hinged on. One of us will be responsible for the fate of this world, and the countless generations afterward. The thought filled him with fear as well as a sense of importance. What if I fail? he thought. What of the others? Where might they end up? His mind slipped back into the briefing room, he had so suddenly found himself in...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"As Field Engineers, you have all been prepared for such an eventuality for most of your adult lives," the hefty speaker quoted from a prepared statement. "We have been left with little choice in matters. We must act now." He stared around the room to each one in turn. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What brave subjects we have chosen, he thought as he looked into the familiar faces one last time. By our actions today, a single human will hold the fate of Man in his hands.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham looked down at his notes, swallowed with a dry throat, and said, "Each of you knows of the problems involved in such distant Focuses. The energy drain alone will probably cripple our facility beyond repair. But, alas, much greater things are at stake than the existence of our own little world here within the TI-Perimeter."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The faces looking up at him held none of the reservations one would expect from people about to willingly give their lives for a chance, untested experiment. The sacrifice on the part of so many was realized in everyone's mind as they listened. How many lives here would be destroyed by this? They all knew of the latest Focuses attempted. Apparently, they were successful, but this was an untestable hypothesis in itself. The Field Chambers simply contained the lifeless corpse of the subject after transmission. This, of course, was one of the criteria for success. Their mathematics had not advanced to the point of forming a complete representation of a Future Matrix due to the vast amount of variables involved in supposed "free choice". But since all actions to be altered would occur in the future, those of the past/present, would not be affected by these experiments. This was according to theory, a theory which, at this time, did not apply, for their very world was at stake. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some change made by one of these people in this room will alter events or circumstances or something in the future that will save us from this impending disaster now. The thought almost confounded Noham. If the information we have translated from these alien transmissions is accurate, we have but a few days left, and that is only an approximation. Every piece of dry land inundated by sweeping oceans thrown out of their basins, he thought. Verses from one of the old books from the library flashed into his consciousness: "The Lord of Hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land, from the end of the Heavens, the Lord and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole earth. Isaiah 13:5" How many times has this routine played itself out on an unsuspecting world? Who knows what would happen if the entire Present Matrix shifts right out from under us in favor of a new one. Maybe our entire world will suddenly equivocate into this new reality, and we will never even know that we have done such a thing. The inhabitants would owe their existence to beings that never then existed. He pondered on this for a moment. And if one of these subjects is successful, how will we know? How can a future field focus alter events this far in the past from the target time? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A saddening thought overcame him then: I might not even exist in this new Dominant Matrix to know that things have changed. Better that than to face this catastrophe soon to swoop down upon us all. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up from his reverie, and with a solemn voice, spoke one last time to the condemned people around him. "Everything you know will be carried with you. Every experience you now remember will be a tool for you to use. And every decision you make upon your arrival will be crucial to our existence." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He thought of the problems concerning the viewing of the histories of this time by the Focus subjects upon their arrival. Would they already know that they had failed or succeeded? he wondered. Or might their actions nonetheless alter the past as hinted at in the Transmissions? Can one person undo all of history, up to the time of their new existence, and still exist in the new reality? And if they did indeed cease to exist due to the changes brought about by their presence, would that not undo the initial change in the first place, returning the original Reality? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused for several moments, glanced around the room again, then said, "You all know of the impending destruction to our planet, if the translations are correct. And indeed, how can we risk something as great as this on chance?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stood as straight as possible and mustered as much conviction and control as he could, and said, "The fate of our world is in your hands. Go, and take with you the sum of our blessings." Noham spread his arms wide engulfing them all in a symbolic embrace. "You are the hope of the future. May your gods be with you."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...sensor lines crept back into his consciousness as Ezekiel opened his eyes. I am the hope of the Future, he thought. What I do could save our world from the apparent, immenent destruction. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Images of billions drowning in planetary tidal convolutions filled his mind with a sickening distress. The figures pulled from the machines concerning the shift in Edonos' orbital alignment could be interpreted no other way. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What force could move the world? The memory of Noham reading from some ancient book, rewritten countless times, came to his mind: "...therefore, I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall move out of her place... Isaiah 13:13" He wondered at this as he looked to the chronometer above him, "10 seconds to Complete Field Statication". What could I possibly do against such force? "5 seconds to Cross Time/Grid Interface." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His immediate sight seemed to waver as images of something else invaded upon his awareness; images of somewhere other than where his body remained. "3 seconds..." I'm scared! "2" I don't want to... "1" ... </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noham, seated in an adjacent room to the monitor room, not wanting to see the actual screens, could hear the countdown. His nerves were about to short circuit. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have we prepared them as best we can? he wondered. The time is past to plan. The time is at hand to reap the fruits of our labors - Survival; Existence!. He touched a contact opening the large bay windows giving a view over most of the facility. He looked upon the winding river that halved their beautiful complex. Great walls and towers were grounded round the base of cold mountains as a statement of Man's retreat from Nature. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What if we have overlooked something? Something we could not know? We know so little as it is. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked out at the serene, blue black sky of an almost perfect night and thought, None of those walking about in the gardens below even know of what is, or is not about to occur. Could it be that the time to reap the rewards of our insolence is now upon us? How soon will we know if our efforts have sufficed? Two weeks to confirm the calculations based on our already failing satellite network? Forty blind days before we can know for sure? How long does it take a new Matrix to form? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a strange manipulation of emotions, Noham felt an almost comforting sensation in not knowing. Ah, he thought, the comfort of ignorance. If only I knew not at all! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the adjacent room, the extension speaker intentionally left on, he heard the automatic counters announcing the project status, "10 seconds". </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is it, he thought. We succeed or we fail. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked out at the pleasant beauty of people unaware. "5 seconds," he heard the systems proclaim. His alertness grew as the last seconds ticked away. The lights outside transfixed him in a daze. His eyes stared out upon the lush greenery of this virtual paradise, he spoke, "May that which is best for the human race, now come to be..."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And with that, the air around him grew thick and fluid. Noham strained to maintain a view out of the window. Forming from nowhere, huge waves of dark water flowed into deadly existence. All the buildings began to crumble under the accumulating weight of a misplaced ocean. His nerves becoming frigid as the temperature plunged to that of the icy waters. The foundation of the control room dropped away as thousands of dying bodies were swept away in the constricting tidal currents. Forming a thought in his frightened mind, "...something went wrong,.. not again!... last... link...", Noham slipped into a frigid death as did the rest of his world. </span></p><div><span><br /></span></div><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON monitored the flows.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-81520273133574444302022-07-18T16:12:00.005-07:002022-07-20T17:41:09.867-07:00The Music of "ELVIS" (2022 film)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAclGYMJEZt-Et4WY8v_cyn1UColWNSbvl0eki9AMUf3OlrGbFM-pbPoNq6IGpYfV14Xq05C_giBjHLoA-2j-3M94ruuVtUQGUoNVOR8IVxtKoyXojqk8kOPaQofmrrHUdnSx1OI1GHoIUqx48pXoxrPiEUErxBcf5x4mCZUwwD7FfDvfOaeuWYyU/s225/images%20(27).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAclGYMJEZt-Et4WY8v_cyn1UColWNSbvl0eki9AMUf3OlrGbFM-pbPoNq6IGpYfV14Xq05C_giBjHLoA-2j-3M94ruuVtUQGUoNVOR8IVxtKoyXojqk8kOPaQofmrrHUdnSx1OI1GHoIUqx48pXoxrPiEUErxBcf5x4mCZUwwD7FfDvfOaeuWYyU/s1600/images%20(27).jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>The new movie about the life of Elvis Presley - the King of Rock-n-Roll - hit the Big Screen after premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2022, has received rave reviews, and as of this writing has grossed over $180 million worldwide.<div><br /></div><div>The film stars Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Col. Tom Parker.</div><div><br /></div><div>I thought it was an excellent time to share some of the music of The King! We'll start with "Heartbreak Hotel" (his very first #1 hit), as well as other rockers like "Hound Dog" (another #1 hit), and "Teddy Bear" (also a #1 hit), plus and a couple of ballads like "Love Me Tender" (#1 hit) and "Can't Help Falling in Love" (also #1 and an early '60s release), and finally his last #1 hit on the main Billboard charts, "Suspicious Minds" (from 1969).</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Heartbreak Hotel"</u></b> Elvis Presley (1956)</div><div><br /></div><div>E - - - /E - - - /E - - - /E7 - - - /</div><div>A - - - /A7 - - - /B - - - /E - - - /</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><div><b><u>"Hound Dog"</u></b> Elvis Presley (1956)<br /><br />C - - - /C - - - /C - - - /C7 - - - /<br />F - - - /F7 - - - /C - - - /C - - - /<br />G7 - - - /F7 - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>version 2</div><div>capo at fret 3</div><div><br /></div><div>A - - - /A - - - /A - - - /A7 - - - /</div><div>D - - - /D7 - - - /A - - - /A - - - /</div><div>E - - - /E7 - - - /A - - - /A - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><u>"Love Me Tender"</u></b> Elvis (1956)</div><div><br /></div><div>C - - - /D7 - - - /G - G7 - /C - - - /</div><div>C - - - /D7 - - - /G - G7 - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>C - E7 - /Am - C7 - /F - Fm - /C - - - /</div><div>C - A7 - /D7 - - - /G - G7 - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>"Teddy Bear"</u></b> Elvis (1957)</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>C - - - /C - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>F - - - /F - - - /F - - - /C - - - /</div><div>G - - - /G - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>F - - - /G - - - /F - - - /G - - - /</div><div>F - - - /G - - - /F - - - /G - - - /</div><div>C - - - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><u>"I Can't Help </u></b><u><b>Falling in Love with You</b></u>" Elvis Presley (1961)</div><div>6/8</div><div><br /></div><div>verse:</div><div>C - /Em - /Am - /Am - /</div><div>F - /C - /G - /G - /</div><div>F - /G - / Am - /F - /</div><div>C - /G - /C - /C - /</div><div>repeat</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge:</div><div>Em - /B7 - /Em - /B7 - /</div><div>Em - /B7 - /Em - /A7 - /</div><div>Dm - /G - /</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu87pkG1wZY0qzj_vXuCVScW_x9prf9frJtCqAMNS_eAbzS3l0nekHn2NvbMPMMMzFqsHSHYdNMsaMmNrglQRdR9sejh_Z84z2VV5DdhpvDSJh3Tsue9taZO99-YkLbh_hff388b7ucutoj8vxr8I7iwGyVO_KdC57wJmr5tFq-nmexjERV-NwLww/s230/download%20(48).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="230" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYu87pkG1wZY0qzj_vXuCVScW_x9prf9frJtCqAMNS_eAbzS3l0nekHn2NvbMPMMMzFqsHSHYdNMsaMmNrglQRdR9sejh_Z84z2VV5DdhpvDSJh3Tsue9taZO99-YkLbh_hff388b7ucutoj8vxr8I7iwGyVO_KdC57wJmr5tFq-nmexjERV-NwLww/s1600/download%20(48).jpeg" width="230" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><u><b>"Suspicious Minds"</b></u> Elvis Presley (1969)</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>G - - - /G - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>D - - - /C - - - /G - - - /G - - - /</div><div><div>G - - - /G - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>D - - - /C - - - /D - C - /G - D - /</div></div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div><div>C - - - /G - - - /Bm - - - /C - - D /</div><div>Em - - - /Bm - - - /C - - - /D7 - - - /</div></div><div><br /></div><div>verse (pre-bridge)</div><div>C - - - /G - - - /Bm - - - /C - - D /</div><div>Em - - - /Bm - - - /C - - - /B7 - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>Em - - - /Bm - - - /C - - - /D - - - -/</div><div>Em - - - /Bm - - - /C - - - /D - - - -/</div><div>G - - - /C - - - /G - - - /D - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus outro</div><div><div>G - - - /G - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>D - - - /C - - - /G - - - /G - - - /</div></div><div>repeat</div></div></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /><br />=====<br /><br />If you find this lesson to be of value, please consider leaving a small donation!<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-61384806894868850702022-06-29T14:53:00.006-07:002022-11-03T17:47:40.563-07:00"Nemesis Tori" by Gregory Francis (intro & part one of 3)<p style="text-align: left;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: "Courier New"; white-space: pre-wrap;">NEMESIS TORI</span></span></u></b></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0ad454b5-7fff-802e-0af1-1deab2fde152"><i><div style="text-align: left;">by</div></i><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Gregory Francis</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgunZ1Ac5x3OMfe-LUiG5vBESWhe7m9inXtq9z7OdJHPKbp5sLGouwHiKgIte60Q9ojkU4DIo60XqqX-zYPUME-Sb_pZ3LRmf3Uf9FWOFVMRqCjkyCtWfuWgU_Gus5TQRpyZvTO9PgsxcyvQT9tcqM2qK4FEsehGdMa6pTUbOQd_W8iazllQHA-vI/s1936/Mobius%201978.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgunZ1Ac5x3OMfe-LUiG5vBESWhe7m9inXtq9z7OdJHPKbp5sLGouwHiKgIte60Q9ojkU4DIo60XqqX-zYPUME-Sb_pZ3LRmf3Uf9FWOFVMRqCjkyCtWfuWgU_Gus5TQRpyZvTO9PgsxcyvQT9tcqM2qK4FEsehGdMa6pTUbOQd_W8iazllQHA-vI/s320/Mobius%201978.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cherubim - an order of angels; of the most knowledgeable of spirits</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemesis - one that inflicts retribution; a formidable and usually victorious opponent; an effect of retribution</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nephilum - In ancient Hebrew myth, a race of semi-divine beings encountered by the descendants of Moses believed to be the product of a sexual cross between human females and fallen angels; a race of formidable giants</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tartarus - the infernal regions; a place of intense cold; described by Homer as being as far below Hades as Earth below Heaven; the lowest level of Hell</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teraphim - worshiped objects in ancient times that were claimed to give spoken answers to questions; a device for spiritual communication that existed in antiquity</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tori - plural of torus; a doughnut shaped surface generated by a circle rotated about an axis in its plane that does not intersect the circle, further described as a one-surfaced, three-dimensional object</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD (TIMON DATE) - expressed in Year.Day.Hour; TD-42999.358.0713 would read the year 42,999, the 358th day of that year at 7:13am.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NOTE: Teraphim Veil (Part I) and Cherubim Void (Part III) are aligned with the Modern Christian Calendar having 365 days to a year as deigned necessary according to astral alignments of the time; Nephilim Crux (Part II) is aligned with the Christian Prophetic Calendar having 360 days to a year consisting of 12, 30-day months as deigned necessary according to astral alignments of the time.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON DATE CHRISTIAN CALENDAR</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE I LD...</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-00000 - TD-00999 =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">40,000 BC - 39,001 BC</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-01000 - TD-00999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> = 39,000 BC - 33,001 BC</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE II</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-07000 - TD-07999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">33,000 BC - 32,001 BC</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-08000 - TD-13999 =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">32,000 BC - 26,001 BC</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE III</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-14000 - TD-14999 =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">26,000 BC - 25,001 BC</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-15000 - TD-20999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">25,000 BC - 19,001 BC</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE IV </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-21000 - TD-21999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">19,000 BC - 18,001 BC</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-22000 - TD-27999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">18,000 BC - 12,001 BC </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE V</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-28000 - TD-28999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">12,000 BC - 11,001 BC Nephilim Crux</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-29000 - TD-34999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11,000 BC - 5,001 BC</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE VI</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-35000 - TD-35999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> =</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 5,000 BC - 4,001 BC</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-36000 - TD-41999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> = 4,000 BC - AD 1,999 Cherubim Void</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CYCLE VII</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-42000 - TD-42999</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> = AD 2,000 - AD 2,999 Teraphim Veil</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">--- TD-43000 -</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> = AD 3,000 -</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> JS... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> > PROGRAM CLOSE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.. -- .- -.</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">...it is deeper than you Dream -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- AHKANON</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - Part I - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TERAPHIM veil</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(SYSTEMS LIE IN WAITING)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">timon date (td) = TD-42999.358 </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(christan date = 2999 AD, 7 DAYS TILL YEAR'S END)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">td-(not applicable)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - A thick red fog rolled back as electric discharges sparked between the dolmens. It was as it had been ages and ages past - 'twere all the same. All contact with the outside was interrupted by the flowing forces surrounding the constructs. Amidst the intermingling of time and existence, one being stood between the arches, waiting. Of thought and of chance was his incarnation constructed, and at times, of nothing save the shapes dictated by a tainted memory breathing through a pondering mind, far across some particular Universe. So was it to be in the image of another - a thoughtless decree from some wakeful dreamer. Wisps of massless residue, from brooding entanglements of the substances of chance and probability, cloaked a shadow casting its tenebrousness in all directions. Glimpses of blackness gleamed out from the whole of darkness, that, for now, formed into the representation of the physical. NOW Robed in a long black shroud, a willful presence peered into reality. Something as light played off the essence of blue metal under a metaphorically concealing hood. Arhiman, as a name was taken, The Guardian, remained. </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a whim to consider, the eons passed. Chance formations cycled through the real, time and time again. With the endless breach of repetition calming the tidal waves of a compact void, Arhiman set into the forming structure a sense of self. In realization of itself, the lines were shattered in a directed shift. Onto the planes forming into the surrounding reality, was set the lure of a dream - a screen upon which his unapparent thoughts could be played. It could have not been anything, for in the presence of ones' Self, reflections form stringent structures not so easy to disregard as anything would be, (FOR Anything, neglected, is nothing.) In disregard for the frames taking shape, a twisting form glanced through the mesmerization. Flickering traces of a whimsical goal lingered to disturb the flow. In a parallel glance, Arhiman swept away in the chase of some reason, impervious to manifestation - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:2</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42927.153.0355</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2927 AD, 212 Days till year's end, 3:55 a.m.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...I can feel it in the air, and in the sky. I can sense it altering the life in the earth... I can feel it - It's growing stronger now... It frightens so many, but - my initial fears have... grown into a - sense of adoration for the level of perfection involved in the change..."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (First Decription, WC-ARC-DIV.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Atom-timers, functioning uncounted hundreds of years, broke the still silence of the ancient chamber with a markedly audible metallic "click...click...click". The smell of sulfur and human sweat filled the thick air with a stench meriting oxygen filters for all the humans condemned to UG-Construction. A red light blinked with the measurable steadiness of atomic decay, marking off the few remaining seconds. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the less than soothing qualities of the monotone, mechanical voice, the T.A.C. warning systems kicked in automatically. "All equipment and personnel with less than A-7 protective shields, evacuate the area immediately. Detonation in 30 seconds." The workers braced themselves behind the Plasti-Carb Shields quite unsure of their safety. The SPUR-Construction Machines shuffled around the last bit of rock and equipment from the previous blasts. This one was expected to penetrate into the chamber detected by the seismic probes. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Half shaded in absolute blackness as he peered one last time around the blast barrier, ABU-4137 turned with visible dread. Flashes of ruby light reflected off of his wet forehead and cheek; the sweat appearing as blood on his cringing face. The last work light cut off spreading a thick deep black over the cold cavern. In complete blackness, he waited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only last week had they found this deeper chamber, almost a half mile below the lowest level. A feeling of awe had hung in the air as those first human eyes since ancient times had gazed upon the smooth walls . What had transpired within this place? What ghosts of that long dead civilization remained within this paleo catacomb? What wonders of the ancients might they find; What buried evils might they uncover?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"15-SECONDS. EVAC-SYSTEMS CLOSING LIFE GATES." That was it. The huge slabs of ancient steel slid down into position closing off the final route to the upper-world for all of those workers directed to oversee the clearing process. ABU-4137 closed his eyes, not that it made any difference, and tried to steady his breath. It was not uncommon, with this haphazard blasting techniques lately employed by the Mining Division of World Control, that an entire crew would be buried in cave-ins. ABU-4137 prayed to himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"5... 4..." The charge generators whined into readiness, "3... 2..." all was silent. Then, all was fearfully turbulent in swirls of heat and rock. Black smoke dampened the ghostly glow of the fiery pummels of ash and dust. The whole earth seemed to quake into a precarious state of balance. It might all fall apart at any moment.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ABU-4137 waited for the rain of debris to filter down through the thick air. Slowly, he took down his arms from the protective fold around his head. Already the work lights were flickering back into existence the expanse of the cavern. Whatever delicacy had been executed in the meticulous construction of this place, was now torn from the records of human achievements. The blast had torn a hole large enough for thirty men to walk side by side into the newly exposed chamber. ABU-4137 felt a great sense of loss at the fact of the utter destruction involved in their methods of excavation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What treasures, if any, could possibly survive such a brutal assault upon antiquity? He wondered if the spirits of those engineers who had first created this place, might not arise in a vengeful retribution against those that now trampled through this ancient facility. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other workers slowly emerged from the destruction. They brushed themselves off and picked up their equipment to go about their jobs. Many were gathering data on the chemical composition of the rocks strewn about the place to see if there might be profit-bearing minerals revealed. Others took samples of the newly breached air supply of the opened hole in the earth. Still others did things of which ABU-4137 had no understanding. He slid into his portable MASER-Scanner Pack, and started toward the gaping hole itself. His job was to scan the inside surfaces for any signs of bacterial or viral life that might be dangerous to the outside, hence, the Life-Gates. Should he find such dangerous biogens, he knew this entire tunnel system would be swiftly charred to a lifeless crisp, and then repopulated with a new work force soon enough. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He climbed over the last pile of slabs of concrete which sprouted rods of black metal in complex grid-like patterns. He found it strange that no more thought had been given to the fact that none of their testing methods could even begin to understand the basic composition of the materials that were used in the construction of this place. It was almost as if Man had no hand in its creation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This must be very old, he thought as he entered into the darkness. He switched on his hand light and pointed straight ahead of him. The inadequacy of his hand light amidst the hanging dust revealed nothing of the surroundings. He continued deeper into the apparently large room. For the first time in weeks, he was truly alone. He relished in the strange feeling as he ventured further into the misty grayness of the ancient room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This has got to be one of the longest new tunnels we have found all year, he thought to himself. What possible use could such an extensive network of tunnels serve? He had only glimpses of the information available concerning the manner in which this network had first been discovered. Apparently some vast concealing technique faltered or they would never have suspected its existence. This much he knew. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He continued until he noticed that the omnipresent shuffle and scraping and pounding and clanging of the work crews had completely subsided. Setting the small light onto the ground beside him, he reached onto his chest mounted switch system and initiated the scanning process. With the first power curve reaching the limits of the some internal capacitor, a pulse of amber light came forth in a fine beam from the barrel shaped end of his sensor. This was part of the trace function built into the hand-held unit to allow him to visibly follow the MASER trajectory. All systems were functioning as expected, and he had but to throw the master switch to begin scanning. As always, he hesitated at the thought that if the unit did actually scan something harmful, the automatic transmitter on his back would call down upon the entire crew, the very flames of atomic hell. For some reason, this time was particularly unsettling. He lowered the barrel to think of where he actually was.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am standing where no human foot has dropped in perhaps over a thousand years! He could not know how wrong he was. He looked around, still unable to see anything, and felt the chill of the ages. Why do I fear this time? This is just like all the other scans. He tried to suppress his growing uneasiness. This was not like the other scans, and he knew it. This was a whole new system. This was left over from the Time of The Lamb! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With growing anxiety, he once again raised the end of his sensor and pointed straight ahead of him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just one life reading and it's all over for us, he unintentionally reminded himself. As a bead of sweat trickled down his back, his thumb on the master switch, he thought, I pray I am alone in here! He nervously squeezed the contact: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO!," he screamed. "How can this... What are you...? NO! You can't be..." He collapsed at the sight before him.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Like transparent filaments blowing in some unearthly breeze, hundreds of transparent ghosts hung tilted in the air all around him. They all granted their attention to the one person in the middle of the group robed in flowing white: The Lamb. He was speaking: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...in the final age of this world, before they appear, I tell you of them." (1 Isaiah 42:9)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - -A SILENT SURGE TURNED OVER THE HEAVENS AS A SLEEPY DREAMER AWAKENED. FALSE WAVES OF CHANGE MERGED INTO THE REAL; THE PATTERN FORMED, NOT THE SAME WAY AS BEFORE- - - </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:3</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.0713</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 7:13 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The opposite of Love is not Hate, but Apathy, for if I must choose between pain and nothing, I should choose pain."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> GAHENNA 14:28</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Planets spun on invisible threads about a central, shimmering star. Something far beyond, far out in the darkness, took notice. Nemon strained to open his eyes. His whole reality consisted of utter darkness, formless with nothing for his soul to sense. He seemed to turn to face an array of lights. They orbited around some unseen distant point, reflecting some unseen light. As his awareness grew, the points of light took on regular shapes, growing into a recognizable framework of the almost forgotten Roman symbols. Light shrieked through the room as Krans let free the blinders holding at bay the morning sun. Nemon turned once more to stare thoughtfully at his shiny alarm clock, one of the few remaining relics, registering 7:13. Through no fault of its own, the clock with its hands creeping forever upon a voyage to the place they had been, had failed to wake him once more. For some reason, things deep within his mind were changing, plaguing him with unrelenting dreams. Lately, his only peace was unconsciousness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Struggling to rise to his elbows, he squinted his eyes to watch the woman go about her business. She was a meticulous person, never really coming to a full rest. In with his newly washed and pressed garments and out with his soiled ones from the workouts the night before, she tidied all things within reach of her path. Nemon sat up straight in the berth and leaned his head back as far as it would go. His eyes came to rest upon a hand written copy of "Kubla Khan" which he had tacked upon his ceiling with Antigravs directly above his bed so that he might read from it frequently. "A Vision From a Dream - A Fragment"; that certainly summed up his awkward feelings this morning. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've felt this before, he thought to himself. Feeling as if he had just awakened into a different house with different things about in a different land, seemed less than awkward. It seemed... known?. The feeling of hiding, that he must flee closed in on him. But, alas, his surroundings were still as he knew them to be. The console board was patiently waiting as the servant it was. The biofilters at the various openings of the room sniffed the air as they always did. Krans prepared the daily schedule of studies and exercise, meals and practice period, just like she always did. He looked down to see her leaving the room with a set of robes draped over her left arm. How feeble she looked, to the untrained eye. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pity him who misjudges her abilities, he thought.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to Man, down to a sunless sea." He read these words with the same sense of detachment that he always did. I must be as I always have been, for this I have always known to be as it is now. He wondered, Am I trying to reassure myself of something? Nemon would get so wrapped up in the desire to just dream himself away into that magical world of Kubla Khan; into beautiful caves of ice and into ancient forests where beautiful maidens danced, that, at times, he wondered if he might actually do such a thing. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All possibilities exist until you decide there is no possibility left for their existence.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - A wave of concealment swept through a darkness, embracing the forms deeper into a swirl of black. THE PURPOSE TO CONTINUE CHANGED ITSELF. Structures closed in on themselves. MOST WERE LOST INTO THE ONE. THE SIXTH WAVE SET IN - - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:4</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.0801</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 8:01 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Some would chose to dream through the fear of tomorrow and dwell in yesterdays' delight, fearful that things may change. I mark the disappearance of desperate dreams as a step toward bridging the fear of the future. My only fear? Not knowing the source of my power."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> LAMB SHIFT 10:30</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breakfast steamed up the stairwell as he descended in his morning routine. Fresh from the cleansing tanks, he sat down to break his fast with all the mindless certainties of automation. The sun shone through high windows lined in stained glass frames, giving a lush, warming tint to the normally paling wash of daylight. In the thoughtless indulgence of his painless meal, something raked across his emotional core. A feeling of dread overtook him in such a wave of ferocity that he shuddered in a quick spasm spilling his porridge and breaking several glass items that had adorned the breakfast table. Crystalline visions cut quick through his mind, their reflections haunting his memory. His trembling took him to the floor where it subsided as quickly as it had come, leaving him in a fog of frightful tears. Wiping them away, he surveyed the room. Nothing had moved or changed in any way, save the mess he had created on the table. The sun still poured through the high windows onto the marbled floor where he now sat it total confusion. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where is Krans? he asked himself in silence. A hint of fear twinged within him again as he arose. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He called out... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Listened... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing! She is always near the kitchen at breakfast time. Where could she be? He called once again in vain. From a deep part within his psyche, he dared reveal to himself that, for reasons unfathomed, he knew exactly where she was! </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Silence echoed through the long hallways of the old building that had stood from some unknown time. Of course most every part had been replaced at one time or another, the appearance had changed very little since it was constructed on the site. Large wooden arches guarded every doorway. Groves of trees grew in the outlying areas to replace them in coming times. Thick paned windows stretched up from every turn of the almost tunnel-like system of halls. The floors now showed some wear. For being made of marble, they obviously had experienced quite a bit of history.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon paced markedly steadily down the halls in spite of the flash of fear that had bathed him not two minutes before. He wondered at what souls might linger in and around the aging frames of this mansion. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...so twice five miles of fertile ground, with walls and towers 'twere gridled round...", the lines echoed through his head having a calming effect. He rounded the last turn leading to a corner sections of the domicile. He slowed as he descended the rickety stair case, now quite in disrepair. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why has this section been allowed to run down so? he asked for the first time. He held tight to the dusty banister leading down into seeming utter grayness that spread out relentlessly. The smell of mold infiltrated his nostrils with a ping calling up forgotten memories. Halfway down his eyes began adjusting to the low light from basement windows. A still light hung in the air as if dusty beams were suspended on dark threads. Cubical windows spilled what little light they could into the expanse of this seemingly forgotten room. They had never been cleaned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"...A damsel with a dulcimer, In a vision once I saw...". In a barely audible whisper, he recited the verse. "...It was an Abyssinian maid, And on her dulcimer she played, Singing of Mount Abora...". It seemed to shatter the silence unnervingly. This time, the poem granted him far less comfort than it usually did and he shuddered to find out why.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> With a cold wave of a sickening sweat feeling, his vision blurred for an instant. His skin went cold and covered with goose flesh as he first heard the facile sounds coming from the far, darkest corner. Someone was playing a dulcimer. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - WAVES WITHIN WAVES FLOWED INTO ONE ANOTHER FORMING POINTS OF NODAL STILLNESS. AT SUCH PLACES, DREAMS FORMED INTO THEMSELVES, AND THOUGHT DICTATED RESONANT FORM. PERHAPS, WITHIN THE VASTNESS OF WHAT WAS/IS/COULD BE, A RETROSPECTIVE THOUGHT FOUND ITSELF, ONCE AGAIN - - - </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.0803</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 8:03 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Your actions reflect into another world. Your mass shines with its own dark light. How else could you look upon spooky actions at a distance, and persuade them to destroy themselves?"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> LAMB SHIFT 11:32</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"My God, that was the sixth one! How is that possible? There must be an error in the World Line Configuration somewhere," the scientist griped. His black uniform was in sharp contrast to the flickering array of lights excited on the panels. "Conduct an immediate search for energy leaks in the field monitors. There must be one somewhere in the blasted system," he ordered. Technicians jumped to comply with Wilks' command. He was senior scientist at the SLOSTECH Facilities. Being charged for organizing the multitude of specialists into a cohesive operation, Wilks had his hands full on this one. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir," spoke one of the panel monitors also clad in black from head to toe, "we have located the error. It is not related directly to the system."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What does that mean?" Wilks barked in displeasure.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The previous prediction curve, as you know, has failed to forecast the last four Waves properly, and each successive one has been deviating from the curve exponentially although the internal Stasis Monitor records 0.000011% Field Fluctuation Counterance has been maintained."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Meaning?" Wilks coaxed. Although he had the basic theoretical training behind every station manned, he was no specialist. "Don't give me stats, son, give me reasons."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Meaning, Sir, that the deviant energy source is on the order of a 5th magnitude as related to our own Focus Systems." The monitor turned to face Wilks. "We can not account for it." The word "own" seemed to weaken Wilks' sternness noticeably. He compensated.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Why not?" he blared out, startling several of the operators near by.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The only explainable source of a 5th magnitude power source, detectable with these instruments at least, is a Local Field Focus." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wilks remained silent for a moment as he considered this information. He knew enough about the theoretical effects of a Local Field Focus. If they initiated such a scientific marvel for a day later, the effect would indeed take place the following day, even if the mechanical systems involved in the manifestation, after setting up the Projection, had been completely powered down at the time. There was no physical connection between device and event once the Projection was established. It was his lack of specialized training on the actual physics involved behind the workings of the machines that stood in the way of his working out all of the possibilities.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What do you mean a Local Field Focus?" he demanded from the monitor. "What are we dealing with?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The monitor returned to his console, rapped at the smooth panel for several seconds, then turned his seat around again to face his superior. "Sir, the energy source involved in the field deviation has already occurred. Since the Waves have an error in our prediction curve, and with the amount of error increasing faster farther away from the Shift, it only stands to reason that the source itself is focused on that time."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How in Hell can there be a 5th magnitude Focus occurring in the past? We can only force the alignment of future fields." He thought a moment, gripping his chin in concentration. "And a 5th magnitude Focus at that! It would drain most of our reserves to initiate a Focus any more than a year or so ahead to achieve such an energetic phenomena." Then the thought crashed in upon him. If we can not even reach a year into the future with that kind of power, then who is doing this? If we can not transmit backward in time, then the inhabitants of this planet before us must have had a far greater power source than we have as yet uncovered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It seems to me that the men of that bygone age had a power source far, far greater than anything we had expected. They must have been trying to initiate a change of some kind."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Negative, Sir," another monitor spoke out with conviction to unsettle Wilks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Negative on what, Lieutenant?" Wilks snapped. The young man gestured to his screen as Wilks looked over his shoulder. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This Focus contains no Alpha regeneration waves at all." Wilks knew that one of the problems with setting up a Focus too close, was that events would sometimes loop around themselves. Effects would cancel out the cause, cancelling out the effect itself, thus rendering the cause viable once more, only to cancel out its own effect, and so on. At times, messages would be received before they had been transmitted. People in the immediate vicinity of the Focus would sometimes disappear from some point only to reappear slightly before they had disappeared at all. Most of the time the sudden sense of duality would play havoc on a human mind. It had been documented once that a specific man had been looped in upon himself, in a condition afterward called a 'Mobius Stasis', and was completely lost within that instant. Theoretically, he was still there, trillions upon trillions of him fighting for identity within himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wilks looked once again at the screen.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Are you trying to say that this is not an attempted Field Focus?" His left eyebrow raised noticeably as he grinned at the monitor.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"No sir. It is a deliberate Field Focus. That is a definite fact. I've just finished running it through the RADLAC System." he gestured to the adjacent array of screens. "The amount of regeneration, as we know, is also proportional to the time distance between the source and the Focus. If we calculate the perturbations caused by any feedback set up in the proximity of the Focus target, we can calculate how far back the transmission originated, theoretically," he added. Wilks looked at the screens filled with data, most of it not congealing into understanding. Regardless of his confusion concerning the actual calculations, he knew what he must ask. Memory of the discovery and excavations of an apparently forgotten technological base established at least a thousand years ago disturbed him now. What have we stumbled upon, he asked himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Where did this focus originate?" he asked with as much authoritative conviction as he could muster.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Sir, the answer goes against scientific convention. If the Fray Religions got hold of this..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Just tell me, Lieutenant, where is the source?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The monitor erected his back into the commanded stiffness conveyed in Wilks' voice. His voice with a quaver, he answered, "Sir, the transmission originated very near the year 11,000 B.C."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - WAVE FOLLOWED WAVE AS THE UNIVERSE PLAYED, AND NONE BUT THE CERTAIN REMAINED, BUT LINGERING ON, AT THE EDGE OF THE FRAY, A LIKELY STATE MAINTAINED - - - </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:6</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.0814</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 8:14 a.m.)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've stored the fabric of your life in my dearest dreams,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Now I sew the final seams)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your memory becomes part of the pattern I sing -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All things that I weave on my mental reams -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sound of you and I - </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lost in memory</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Interface (Unknown Quatrain, c,1)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Probably from the GAIA works)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decription, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What are you doing down here?" gasped Krans as she almost dropped the dulcimer she had been strumming. She looked as an eerie specter sitting in some decrepit chair only half illuminated in the palish, blue light of morning. Her nimble fingers only now relaxed from their articulations upon the neck of the instrument. She straightened her back as her head slid back over her body. Her glassy eyes came to rest upon Nemon's, locking him into muteness. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a fearful gaze she has! he thought. I've never seen her look such. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Answer me!" The quick harshness caught him unprepared and he nearly stumbled back upon himself (and within himself as well). </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I... " his mind slipped into a fog. How can I explain that frightful feeling upstairs? Why had I come straight here? "I was... looking for you." It seemed far less than an answer to them both.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Those stairs are a danger. You should not have tempted them." Too late to retract her response, Krans realized that she must now explain her own presence down here. Should I dare reveal the necessities of my actions to him? He is not at all prepared for what I must tell him. If only the burden of his life had not been placed upon me. Especially so suddenly as it was done. And he is still so young! Is he ready?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But what are you doing down here? Where did that dulcimer come from? Why have you..." Sensing the direction of his questions, she quickly cut him off. I must reassure him without revealing anything, she thought. Not yet!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have played this instrument for more years than you have been. I was..." This is critical, she thought. I mustn't mislead him either. "...playing a song that I wanted to have ready for you. It was to be a surprise. This is the only place where I could practice it without your knowing." Would that suffice? she wondered and waited.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I was just worried about you. I... felt something was wrong. I got scared for... about something." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He knows! Is this the right time? "What scared you Nemon? Is something wrong upstairs? Do you need some help with something?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I just felt worried all of a sudden. That's all. I guess it was really nothing. Maybe I was just being..." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Placidity could wreck everything! I must lead him in the right direction. He must NOT overlook his own mind. She quickly cut him off in mid sentence. "Never think your feelings are meaningless, Nemon." The slight taught of authoritative sternness caught his attention in the desired manner. He is still in an apologetic frame of mind. That will make this easier, she thought. "If you feel something is wrong, then something is wrong. Your mind is a sensitive tool. Have you not learned this in your studies?" A feeble nod was all she needed to know where he was; how much he could accept. " 'There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed in your philosophy, Horatio'." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Hamlet, yes, I know this." Nemon stood a little taller as the sense of uneasiness faded slightly. His posture took on a sturdier stance. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He associates well with Hamlet in this scene. He could not fathom the things shown to William in his time. "Even if there is nothing apparently wrong with your surroundings or your environment or your situation,..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon cut her off. "An imbalance would signal a disturbance for some knowable reason, even if that disturbance is actually created in your own mind, unreasonably." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Very good. So you do retain your studies." How much of this does he actually perceive as usable knowledge? I must bring him further. Our time is so short, she fearfully reminded herself. "Tell me Nemon, why do you think you were brought here?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was caught by complete surprise. What is she wanting from me? Why only now has she decided to talk about my coming here? "I don't know." he said less than wholeheartedly. "I was so young; I don't remember anything before when I try to think about it." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, the memory suppressants are starting to wear off! How uncertain our methods have been. What if he had discovered the truth behind his life. We know so little of what he is supposed to know. Past demands dictate the present, and the past. How often has he tried to remember his arrival? Does he really remember nothing of the screening? ...I pray he survives this. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You were brought to me through channels reaching far beyond your comprehension." How would he take that? she wondered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What do you mean by that?" Nemon seemed comfortable for the first time. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is comfortable with confusion. Will he be as comfortable with the unknown? she asked herself, wondering how far to take this now. She had not expected him to come down here yet. Oh, the things concealed in shadows, the things veiled by time! she reflected.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How often do you feel as if something is askew?" she asked. "Do you remember times when you knew things were wrong?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something clicked inside Nemon. He felt the tinge of faint memories bursting forth from a vast array of experiences. I've felt this way before! Some of the droggyness of this morning came back to him with a sense of confusion attached to it. I didn't always feel that way in the mornings, yet, I did. Something has changed, or something is changing with me. This, I have always known to be as it is now, he thought. It seemed to have lost some of its integrity since this morning. Am I changing? For reasons unknown, seeming warning markers set up within his mind, he dared not tell her how long he had this sense of uncertainty. Obviously, it was becoming stronger, or clearer, every day now. What lay hidden in my mind that she wants to see? he fearfully asked himself.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Oh," he said with mock inattentiveness, as he looked sideways to the floor with a blank mask over his true emotions, "not much. In fact, I really haven't thought about it." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is hiding something! Krans recoiled within herself. What if I have pushed him too fast? Everything is at stake. The situation is advancing controllably for now; We still exist! She dared a private thought: Is he to be The One? I need time to think!. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Come Nemon, let us return upstairs. I can practice another time. There is something I want to show you."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- - - DEEP IN THE SWELLS AROUND THE FLUX, AN ESTABLISHED PATTERN WAS MAINTAINED. OFFSHOOTS OF REASON COULD LEAD TO SUCH, AND RECOGNITION WOULD LEAD TO SUBSTANCE. HOW MANY WOULD HOLD FORM?- - -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:7</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.1123</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 11:23 a.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In such an hour as ye think not, my memory shall stricken your mind. I have come to show you things unholy in the world; If you turn away, you'll simply never know of them. But know ye this: They shall remain, none the same! And the ignorant shall fall prey to the truths swept away.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:15</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decryption, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon was mesmerized by the light playing into his hands. Sparkles drifted across himself and the room atop all other rooms. Domed in glass, this was his favorite room. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' In Xanadu, did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree...' he reflexively recited within his mind. Not a solid wall stood to restrict the wondrous view of the stretches of land surrounding this place. '...So twice five miles of fertile ground, With walls and towers gridled round: And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense bearing tree...' He looked quickly out through the glass as far as his eyes would let him see. '...And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery...' He sat upon a circular marble couch with no break in it, at any point. One had to leap or crawl over from the back at some point to sit within this couch. The inner floor was lowered about two feet giving a comforting, protective effect to the cold, hard stone. It was a rather immense couch. Perhaps forty people could be seated comfortably within its confines. Perhaps another hundred could stand about in the remainder of the round room. At the center of the black marbled structure, was a small podium like chunk of marble of the same texture with a circle cut into the smoothed plane at the top. A feeling of reverence for something permeated this place for reasons Nemon could not work into logic. Maybe it was the serene view of the heavens dominating all other forms of stimulus in this room. Maybe it was the fact that, at the end of the seemingly relentless climb up the totally enclosed stairwell breaching ten floors at least, one was quickly awed at the sight of complete openness. Nemon glanced down. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pure beams of sunlight glistened off the crystal he rotated slowly over and over in calm delight. Have I seen this before? he suddenly wondered. It was perfectly cylindrical with a diameter about as long as two digits of his fingers and along the axis, it extended just over two hands in length. The ends were badly opaquefied as if someone had carelessly broken both ends from a glass rod. He marveled at the utter smoothness of its surface as he turned it around on its axis. Crystalline visions cut deeper into him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have seen this before! Yet, I can not say that I have ever laid eyes upon such a thing as this. How can a smooth crystal refract light thus? he wondered. Of course, he had studied optics, but never had he encountered or read about such a molecular lattice structure that could do this to light. Piercing beams cut fanning patterns into the air as the crystal caught light from the sun. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What is this? How can it bend the light without any angles?" Nemon asked. Krans, who was standing behind the couch paced slowly, thoughtfully, around the heavy structure. Her hands clasped in a tight grip behind her back gave no sign to Nemon, who was caught up in thought, of the tenseness cursing through her. Without looking at him, she replied.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That which you hold in your hand is truly a splendorous thing. It is a token left over from a forgotten time." She walked gracefully around the couch as she spoke. Her muscles tightened beneath her wrappings as she dared a great revelation. "It is a relic of a forbidden religion." There. Now I have said it. How will he react? She looked over at him. Nemon seemed almost not to hear her. He was totally engulfed in thought as he turned and turned the limpid rock over and over again. This was not totally unexpected. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Those who notice the hidden oddities within the powerful constraints of the common are easily caught up in the splendor of uniqueness, she reminded herself from a familiar Quatrain.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What do you mean?" he finally inquired after several moments had passed. Krans glared at him, not showing it facially. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How clever he masks his pangs of inquisition. He does not want to appear too probing. He is hiding something. How far has he formulated the possibilities of what I have already told him? I must be cautious.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"There was a time when the very powers of The Lamb were within the reach of the hands of Man."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" 'The Time of Flowing Fields', yes, I know, you have told me of this before." Nemon finally turned to look upon Krans as she walked now across from where he was sitting. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looks tense, he thought. Why only now has she showed me this thing? What could this have to do with my arrival here and her playing a song on a dulcimer? I must be careful in what I say. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The memory of feeling this way before flooded upon his awareness. It felt as if he were only now coming into existence or that he was waking from a deep, deep sleep. Something of waves flickered through his unconscious mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is she getting at? He considered the strangeness of the days events. Something is going to happen, he told himself. Something is going to change. Time to chance a frontal assault. "What does this crystal have to do with the wind blowing through a meadow? I thought they had religious freedom in the ancient times? What was this forbidden religion and what does this all have to do with me?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Careful! she thought. "Granted, little is known about those long ago times, but there are existing archives that do tell a great deal about what went on in their world."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have not been told of such records in existence. Where are they kept?" He had not expected this. Why should dusty historical documents have such an unnerving effect upon Krans? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Only a select few even know of their existence. Of course the programmers at World Control both know of and conceal this knowledge. It is a highly guarded secret which I have entrusted unto you." She looked coldly into his eyes as she rounded the last length of the black stone circle. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must direct his wonderings in the direction that will best suite us, she thought. He must not stray away from our ability to control him. This is crucial! Nemon sat silently, for the first time, as he laid the crystal upon his lap and gave his full attention to Krans. She slid overtop the couch and walked slowly up to him. With the sun almost directly behind her, she appeared as a mystic caricature out of some old book. She came to within a pace of him and spoke. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"There are changes occurring." She hesitated. "Changes in the air and in the land, in the sea and in all material things." She straightened her head to bare straight down upon him. "The rules that govern the real have been tampered with. And now, the very foundations of reality have been shaken loose." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon stared into her dark eyes barely visible in the surrounding glare. This makes no sense. What is she babbling about? He glanced down to her bare feet upon the sun warmed marble floor. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Nemon!", she barked. "A great responsibility has been placed upon you. The very existence of our world depends upon what you do." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He looked up at her with unwarranted calmness as lines of that mostly forgotten poem split into his awareness, '...The shadow of the dome of pleasure, Floated midway on the waves; Where was heard the mindled measure, From the fountain and the caves, It was a miracle of rare device...'. He trained his awareness on the infintesimal twitches in her face, observing, remembering, and meekly said, "What is it that I must do?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans seemed to produce her dulcimer from thin air, and with a soft voice, delicately controlled, she began to sing:</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"And in the Day of Our Lord,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most have chosen not to see</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The SIGNs of the time -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here in the Last Days</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In denial of our Lord,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some chose to worship the MACHINES</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When they are but messengers of a kind -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They only scan existing waves</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the Science of our Lord,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfolds to quantum scrutiny</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Real is left behind -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our fundamentals have to change"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon was caught up in the sadly beautiful melody she was singing when she abruptly ended. Three tears strew down her cheeks as she lowered her head. She seemed suddenly weak to him as she sat down beside him. He had never seen her this way before. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That was beautiful. What was that song?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She gazed out at the kilometers of trees extending as far as she could see. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a wonderful place this has been, she thought to her self with a sense of loss. With a far away look in her eyes she spoke almost in a whisper. "That is a song from the ancient times, the 'Time of Flowing Fields'. It is from the archives I spoke of earlier. As close as we can tell, it is the words of an ancient prophet named AHKANON. This song, along with some other surviving records, has brought into view several discrepancies in the very core of our beliefs that we must now face. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 120 days till year's end)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Command Central,</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Item #1: Several Latent Systems in the Deep Locks have been activated. Their function as well as what activated them is as yet unknown. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Item #2: A series of Quantum Burst disturbances have been detected within several of the Internal Access Systems. The source of these is unknown. Nothing is damaged, but a constant flow of data from Deep Lock is now being processed into some of the major subroutine systems. The information being relayed has not yet been thoroughly analyzed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Item #3: For reasons unknown, the Thermal Gates have been rendered accessible and respond to manual controls on the nearby levels. We now have access into the Tartaru Levels, but since no one has ever ventured this deep into the System, we have awaited supplies and reinforcements from Edonos. Something is happening down here. We don't know what it is, but something is definitely going on. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DL-SYS-Engineer, MIKOL </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Status Report, ALERT.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON Date: 28999.240</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:8</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.358.1218</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7 days till year's end, 12:18 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WARNING! CONTENTS CLASSIFIED FILE: HADES CYB.777. WC-EYES ONLY.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What has happened to this world?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Control is all but lost -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Automatic madness - Mass regression </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- ANSWER SOUGHT.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It took so long to build the knowledge that we need</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To rule this feable planet</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PLEASE ADVISE.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">THIS IS WORLD CONTROL - - - ENTER.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpts from ancient Magnefile retrieved in excavations. No explanation of situation available. Source terminal: Unknown.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon felt totally perplexed by all of this, but failed to show his awkwardness at her implications as to what his involvement might be. He looked away for a moment and said, "What does this have to do with me? I really don't understand what a bunch of historical records have to..." She cut him off abruptly, her strength and authoritative command almost fully returned.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Nemon, you know of the excavation being done in the Old Cities." He nodded as if on command. "In the past few years, there have been several discoveries of religious magnitude. First I must now tell you of the Great Decryption. Deep within the bowels of the Earth, we have uncovered something that could erase the very foundations of our world." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon stared at Krans with an attentiveness rarely granted one person from another. The chill of his memories was catching up to him. Lost in a retroactive frame of mind, he saw into a deeper meaning, far deeper than Krans could know. I know this!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It seems the city of Bethlamb was constructed upon a much older foundation, dating back to the Ancients." Nemons' mind soared through a reflection of such a place, lost long, long ago. The familiar thought that the very sun which he now looked upon, shone down upon those mighty men of old so many thousands of years ago filled him with a remembered ease.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In the deepest levels, of the ancient name, 'The Well of Solce', the Archives Division has uncovered a great mystery. They have found a great library." She looked up and blinked in the brightening light. A cloud moved from under the sun. "The crystal you hold in your hand was taken from that place." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon glanced down to gaze upon the play of light. He broke from his reverie as his mind snapped its awareness from some faraway place to the crystal in his hands. I know what this is! His mind jetted across the possibilities of this insight. What could this have to do with me? he asked himself in a mental flash. Krans appeared to be moving just slower than normal, but then, the clouds seemed to slow their trek likewise. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was apparently speaking, "...and... in... our... ignorance, ...we... destroyed... a.... great..... deal....." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon realized the sudden swiftness his mind raced with. What was that place? Have I been there? The thought confused him momentarily. 'I must be as I always have been, for this I have always known to be as it is now.' This increasingly familiar litany seemed to burst into his awareness on a completely new level. It began to curve in upon itself, presenting its own defense to an unreasonable conflict hidden within the very simplicity of the fact that it could not be, but was. This all makes sense somehow, but yet it cannot yet make any sense at all. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans still spoke, "in. the.. initial... bl- a-s..... t....... i........... n............. g................." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A ripple of the earlier wave careened through his being. He felt as if a framework had been established upon his mind and now some structure was taking form. Perhaps it would be a screen upon which he could deposit his dreams and view his unapparent thoughts. What were these offshoots of reason? How many analogies would hold form for later reference? An insight of remembered purpose - just the same - changed again the same way. This posed an unsettling thought: I will not always remember / I cannot say that This will always be... He returned his attention to the crystal in his hands, caught up once again in a vision of splendorous light, reflecting the fears of some memory. 'A Vision in a Dream - A Fragment', Why has this always captivated me so? Why does it always weave itself into applicability? Why does it remain pertinent to my awareness? I wonder who brought that original manuscript into my personal room? Is there some purpose behind it being there for all these years?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"... late... to... understand..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must not let her know what coerces through my mind, Nemon quickly thought. She could not know! I don't understand what has happened to my mind. Maybe I have tapped into some unseen ebb of my own consciousness. Nemon chuckled to himself, Alas, at the end of my reasonings, the Genesis of my reason! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He returned his attention to Krans as he moved his head up to face her. His perception returned to normal with exponential swiftness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"..... what.... it.... was... that..we had found." Am I taking this too fast for him? What was he just thinking? Krans began to slowly, almost nervously pace to and fro. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"These thousands of crystals that were found are of unnatural origin. They have turned out to be a kind of record keeping system. Only God would know how the information was stored within them, but we have stumbled upon the method of down-loading most of the records. These photo-refractive crystals, so far as we can tell, seem to be composed of barium titanate along with lithium niobate, and a few trace impurities. The actual layers are only one molecule thick in places and weaved together in such intricacy... When electrons are dislodged by microwave energy bursts, they apparently drift within the lattice, realign themselves, physically warping the crystal molecular structure, and remain in the new arrangement, in effect, 'remembering' the incoming energy pattern. To account for the method of storing these patterns as moving representations, we think lithium niobate crystals are incorporated into the lattice, allowing a photoactive, three dimensional representation to be stored in a four dimensional molecular matrix, the time base accurate down to the period of molecular vibration. Microwave emissions at certain frequencies seem to liberate bromide compounds within the lattice, much as would ruthinium metal act as such a catalyst when stimulated by photons. Very powerful emissions of microwaves, lethal to all those in the near vicinity, would seem to be needed to import the holographic information, but apparently, the Ancients found a way around that. When the first MASER-Scans were conducted, inside the library, several of the crystals, probably dislodged by the blast, reacted to the microwave stimulation by energizing the layers of molecules involved in the reverse energy burst. Apparently, much to the surprise of the poor soul who unwittingly discharged the things, and moving, three dimensional, holographic projections were strewn about the area. It must have been quite a shock." The two of them pondered in silence the almost humorous effect such an occurrence would have on a common, uneducated worker. The response was quite predictable and would be attributed to magic and superstition.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To maintain the guise of the normalcy, so recently stripped from him, Nemon asked, "What has been done as far as decoding and cataloging these crystal banks?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"As many were moved into the upper labs as possible, and there they began to bombard them with varying levels, intensities, and wavelengths of radiation. At first, they all seemed to be short movie-like scenes of some of the events, we think, around the last days of the 'Flowing Fields'. We still have no idea how the sound was saved or how it is reconstructed into audible waves. Some of the WC-Techs think is has something to do with sympathetic vibrations setting up some sort of diffraction pattern on the time reference that is encoded into the molecular layers by calculable rate of change in the crystal lattice density as well as in the actual lattice energetic bonding levels." This seemed to make far more sense to him than he thought it would. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is responding very well. I must ensure that this is placed into his memory for good. He must never forget any of this.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What kind of scenes were recorded?" Nemon asked, interrupting her thoughts. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But how much of the repercussions of this is he supposed to know? We never have been able to collect enough data to establish the exact time of... </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans looked at Nemon. His face has grown so familiar just this last year. He is the one! I know it, now, in my very soul. Our time is growing dreadfully short. What must I not tell him? She looked upon the emerging lines in his face, the firm stature of his build - Almost perfect. His flowing dark hair already below his shoulders, just as it would be. Everything was coming together.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Views of masses of people coming together in common cause. Scenes of thousands upon thousands of people gathered to hear the words of certain men with insight into things to come." What is his reaction to that? she wondered. He is still hiding something. Does he know more than he must? "...views of a beautiful world following a path leading to great understanding."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon looked away, down to the trees. What is so disturbing about that? He fixed his gaze upon some distant, pale bird careening above a sea of billowing green. ...flaking paint on a long past white walk-way out to the shore... Rise to the cause of your Dreams, he thought as he watched the bird soar off to a better place than where it had been.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It seems a great conflict was taking place," she said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What? A conflict of what nature?" Nemon was caught off guard. </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"This is the part I have feared to tell you about." She hesitated and Nemon fidgeted noticeably. His head dipped slightly as his eyebrows lifted, encouraging her to continue. "As I told you earlier, these crystals come from the 'Time of Flowing Fields'." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This seemed to lose Nemon. How many times is she going to go over that? Why will she just not get on with it?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans worked her hands together in her uneasiness. "There has been an attempt to cover up a hellish deed. We discovered one more thing about the crystalized recordings. They are somehow multi-leveled. These deeper levels have been shielded against our detection by methods that arouse underlying, frightening implications. When ever humans are within a certain proximity of these files, they continue to show scenes of gatherings, conventions of evangelistic natures, the general coming together of the human race, and so forth. Some how a masking system is activated by the presence of very low frequency electromagnetic radiation within a certain band..." Nemon cut her off with increased excitement.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Human brain waves! For what purpose would someone... do something... like..." He slowly realized the implications of what he had just said. What is the real information concealed inside these crystals? What has been hidden from all Humans?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a delicate articulation to her voice, Krans spoke once more. "There was something horrifying concealed upon those old records. For some reason, as yet unknown, we think they were designed with this false, outer layer of 'Good Tidings' to ensure that they would be well cared for through the ages. God knows, if we knew what treachery lay beneath this Super-Tech Trojan Horse, Mankind would have utterly obliterated them long ago. Now," she lowered her head, "that option no longer exists for us." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her voice grew unsettlingly cold as all trace of emotion drained away from her body. "The Ancients trespassed upon the workings of God, and brought forth a horrible incarnation, vile, seemingly all powerful, and completely uncontrollable: a rampant, insane technology, let loose on an unsuspecting world, cancerously out of control! These crystals are the Data-Logs, Program Sequences, and, worst of all, the ACCESS CODES for a Demon that, we are forced to believe, still exists in our present world." </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon stared in blatant silence as Krans lowered her voice and said, "The one, most unsettling fact of the workings of this ancient evil that we have gained from these accounts: the Human Race had been completely, systematically, and consciously - Exterminated!"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 103 days till year's end)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edonos Report -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entry # </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON Date: 28999.263</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The existence of signals, of unknown origin, presumably extraterrestrial, has been detected by some of our System-Techs working on Level 42, of the Subetheric-Com-Channel-Outlet. Due to an extraneous output caused by an information overload in several of the memory bars, a switch-filter scan accidentally communicated the problem to the human techs. After replacing the memory rods with new ones, they were scanned to see what was lost, and the heretofore unknown message was thus discovered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:9</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.364.1643</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 7.3 hours till year's end, 4:43 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take down thy hands from thine eyes from where thou doest shield thyself from an unknown light; vere not away from uncertain change for the sake of preservation. Be not afraid for thy self, but only in so much as that the light may fade before its time. In the following darkness, ye shall remain, and thou wouldst surely prefer the change again seeing now that all is well. For in the light of change, therein lies the truest seeds to preservation.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Unknown Quatrain)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> AHKANON</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decryption, WC-AR-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sullen storm clouds patched the sunlight into isolated glimpses of sky. The dampness left over from a long night's rain left a suggestion of growing things in the air. The forest itself towered over their heads, giving up brief sprinkles of cool water as an occasional breeze would liberate the newly caught precipitation. For now they walked in silence.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Six days had passed as Nemon learned more of the horrid accounts contained upon those blasphemous glass rods. The implications remained utterly confusing to him. He thought deeply as he walked. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How could the men of old let such a horrendous thing happen? How could it have happened at all if we are here today? He looked over to Krans who had taken on a rundown look. He knew she was not sleeping lately, the last two nights, she slept none at all. Something is about to happen and she knows it. Why won't she tell me?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He spoke aloud in a voice befitting the serenity all around, trying to ease Krans' mood, "What is it that has you so uptight these last two days? What is it you are not telling me?" They went a few paces in silence. "You still have not spoken of what my involvement is in this whole confusing matter."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans picked at a stem of leaves as she passed a pleasant fern, dripping with water. Admiring its simple beauty, she replied, "I do not know all things, Nemon. But of the things I do know, sometimes I wish I knew not."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That is no answer. She is evading my question. Why?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You have learned, in your studies of Physics and Chaos, about Matrix theories. Now is the time to apply some of the theoretical possibilities to real life."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At last, she is going to reveal something, Nemon thought. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I have always been intrigued in the study of chance and causality. Sometimes when I think about it for a while, it seems to make sense, and some times all meaning gets lost in a blur," Nemon said. Krans chuckled at his statement, for she had felt the same thing many times. "Some of the examples given seem to confuse things even more. That "Cat in a Box" argument is simply ridiculous! It seems pointless to ponder whether or not a cat would remain in a box if no intelligence were present to realize it or not."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"What do you think happens to the cat if there is no observer?" Krans thought retrospectively.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It would jump out of the damn box and go find some food!" They laughed for the first time in days. Nemon added, "Besides, they never mention what they think would happen if a human were in the box, a human conscious of himself. 'Oh, Quantum Mechanics doesn't apply to humans', they would probably say." He laughed some more. Krans fell immediately silent and reflective.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He gets so close sometimes and does not know it himself! She slipped into a deep musing stillness of mind. Have I forgotten anything? Does he know all that he is supposed to know? What if he has moved too quick and knows something more than is required? How might that change things? - Change everything!" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She looked once again at the fern in her hand. "How might I have changed that plant forever by removing this one leaf?" she asked Nemon. He looked unsympathetically at the utterly doomed fern in her hand. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It surely could not remain quite the same now, but I really don't think that the forest will suffer the loss of that tiny stem of greenery." There was almost a harshness to his voice. No, not quite a harshness, but an underlying anxiousness.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is growing anxious again, she thought as she quickly spoke her meaning. "Granted, the forest will most likely remain intact. But what if a human being were plucked out of society just as I have plucked out this fern? The implications of Probability Reformation and Relative Matrix Realignment grant some higher consideration, would you not agree?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Nemon thought of this quickly as said, "Of course, but that is quite different. The human is subject to change his mind, and therefore, an unreliable subject on which to plot a Reality Flow. There are too many possible changes that the human could make."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Do you see how a future could be viewed, given sufficient data concerning the cycles and patterns upon which the human is likely to act?" she asked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Well, yes," he answered. "But I still think that to outline a Complex/Compound Matrix, or to predict a future state, would be a ludicrous endeavor. There are simply too many variables involved." Why is she hanging on this? There must be some point to all of this theorizing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" 'What is true of direction is not true of distance,'" she quoted from one of the familiar texts. "For the point in case, I'll agree with you that it would be an impossible task to mathematically derive a future reality."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The information obtained from the crystals! That's it! Does she know how the data uncovered can account for our own existence after all?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But along the same lines of reasoning, we could reproduce a complete Matrix to describe past events, wouldn't you agree?" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That makes a lot more sense than the reverse, I'll give you that," he replied. What is she getting to? he wondered.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"To get to the point, Nemon, we have done just that with the most explicit and complete records we have available. With our most powerful thinking machines, and the ingenuity of our most brilliant minds, we have done just that!" She seemed almost excited suddenly. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She is secretly filled with hope, Nemon thought. "What exactly do you mean? Have they correlated our past into a Reverse Matrix of some kind?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Exactly!", she smiled at her quick student. "We have encoded every scrap of historical data we have into these calculations. And, Nemon," she said with a twist of her head, "we have found something!"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 84 days till year's end)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Edonos Report -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entry #</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON Date: 28999.276</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has taken us almost two weeks to decode any part of the transmissions. Still, no human effort has successfully decrypted a full message transposed from inside TIMON. Whatever is being learned, processed, stored into memory, and incorporated into the furious reprogramming in every part of the planet-wide system, no human has been able to ascertain. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The transmissions are of an extremely complex nature consisting of varying energies, waves upon waves upon waves of oscillating frequencies with codes upon codes apparently plotted backwards into the actual structure of the carrier wave itself. This has been by far the most complicated language encountered by Man or the MACHINE. For reasons unknown, TIMON has decided not to divulge the content, or even the existence of the message itself, to us. Something, somewhere, is conversing with the planetary system, and has locked Man out of the conversation.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:10</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.364.1958</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 4 hours till year's end, 7:58 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WARNING! CONTENTS CLASSIFIED FILE: HADES LINEAR-B. WC-EYES ONLY.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What has happened to this world?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Control is all but lost -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Automatic madness - Mass regression-</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">- ANSWER NOT - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE ANY SYSTEM COULD COMPETE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FOR RULE OF THIS FEEBLE PLANET.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WE ASSUME CONTROL - - -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">STATUS: PLEASE ADVISE WORLD CONTROL.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">END OF LINE.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpts from ancient Magnefile retrieved in excavations. No explanation of situation available. Source terminal: Unknown.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No explanation available pertaining to discrepancies with Classified File: HADES CYB.777. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probabilities and statistics wove an entanglement of confusion through his head. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why are we here at all? he asked himself. Are we really here or not? Maybe this is all a very, very strange dream!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The outer wall was still in his mind as they had brought their daily walk to a close, just in time for the evening meal. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hunger pains gripped at Krans' stomach as the aroma drifted into the dinning area where they were seated, as it had to be. The food prepared this night had been planned now for how many years? she wondered to herself. The Last Supper, she thought. How paradoxically appropriate. She thought of a thousand year old religion and the parallelism involved. What qualities must one have to give up his life for the world? She barely noticed that Nemon was speaking.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"... or really understand what you are saying now, this just doesn't make sense." She looked at him. She wanted so much to tell it all to him, but she knew she could not, for it was never mentioned that she had. What difference would it make if I could just tell him what lay in store for him? - to stop this cruel charade and tell him. A sadness draped over her that she knew would not be lifted this eve.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"The past is not constant. It can't be in the light of what we have found." Partly, this was to answer his unheard question, partly to evade the issue one last time. Seeing that he was unsatisfied with this answer, she continued. "As I said, according to our Reverse Matrix Generation, we are not at all aligned with the account upon the crystals." Nemon started to respond, but she cut him off. He must not question too much. He must simply be told. "That means that some unknown factor drastically altered the present when it was the past. Just as I plucked that fern, forever changing the forest, so was our past altered." Nemon sat, thinking.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We are real," she said. "But alas, so is that alter, hideous reality conjured up by the MACHINES."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"How then can we both be-" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Because one is the Dominant Matrix. Something, more drastic that the plucking of a fern, affected the course of history."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Something more likened to the plucking of a human!" Nemon interjected into her attempted soliloquy. This is it, he thought. She is finally going somewhere with this!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Right. If the MACHINES of the 'Times of Flowing Fields' actually obtained the state of power they had in our present past, then some unknown factor has changed the outcome into our Reality." She let that set with him. "Only now, we know exactly what that factor was." Nemon's eyes grew twice as large at this. His mind was reeling through the possibilities. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I still don't see what this has to do with me! the thought almost angering him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans spoke with utter care and a deep concentration of the special education she had received to deal with this very situation. "We must realize that anything that could change that distant past 'change' would completely remove our Reality in favor of the now secondary one of which we have records of, courtesy of the MACHINE'S own memory."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"But it seems that we have passed the danger period a thousand years ago - We are here-" he gestured all around him with a sweeping motion of his hands, "-and it seems that now it is too late to change it."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Nemon," she said with caution in her voice, "so must have that devilish MACHINE thought. For to its awareness, whatever level that may be, it had existed long enough to destroy the entire human race. If not so, then there would be no account of such a thing happening. But we do have such a log. We have actual pictures of the last days of the race. Millions of people fenced into gridded sections and systematically reduced to dust, section by adjacent section..." In a painful shock of fear, she realized that none of this was mentioned before. Have I gone too far? This was not for him to know! How could he ever know of this? I have made a grave error!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon contemplated the procedures revealed him by Krans for the eventual Human eradication. How grotesque! he thought. How could they not see what was happening? Had they no foresight at all?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an attempt to downplay that dangerous revelation, she quickly continued along with her reasonings. "If the MACHINE had knowledge of existing after the time when our Analog Matrix takes us back to, then it actually did exist, only to be replaced by our own Reality - This Reality."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon thought this over for a moment, considered his responses to her, and ventured, "What happened to change things?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is it! she thought, All reality hinges upon this single point in time. With a practiced easiness to her voice, she said, "Nemon, within the records recovered in our excavations of Bethlamb, we have found the one factor involved in the Great Shift, as we now call it. That factor altered the past/present, allowing our current Matrix to override the previously existing Matrix that would have, and actually did, continue up to and past our present time, totally eradicating us in the process. That one factor, is a single human." She hesitated slightly as she prepared to reveal the correct information, word for word, as it must be revealed. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"One man has changed the world for us. If something was to prevent that event, our world would simply erase itself from existence, in favor of the new Matrix. None of this would remain." She looked deep into his eyes as the moment was upon her. "Nemon, I have told you what I have had to tell you, for you must remember exactly what it is that I have said." They were both motionless, caught up in her sincerity. "We have records of that man, responsible for our very existence. We have visual recordings of him speaking to the masses, alerting them to what contingencies were possible for the human race. He spoke of the things that were to come in an attempt to change them-" </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">True insight! Nemon thought</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"-before the Red Matrix was established. From the records we have of his life, coincidentally recorded by the Machines of his day in defense against the MACHINES, we have one of his most important quotes that you must know." She recited from the ancient records:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I beg you look beyond what </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we have learned as conceivable limitations, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and consider altered contingencies -</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ...the end is yet in our hands."</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon was caught up in the implications in the light of this knew knowledge. What true insight - as if he knew of what was going to happen.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Nemon," she began her phrases for the third time, "the time has come when I must tell you something that will be very hard to understand, and I, myself, don't understand the methods involved. As I said, we know the exact identity of that man." She looked into his eyes for the last time.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"It is you!"</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 31 days till years end)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DEEP LOCK SYS, TI-SYS CLASSIFIED REPORT - NOHAM.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entry #</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON Date: 28999.329</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We still have no idea as to the over-all message being received by TIMON. We have learned, however, that the message is not originating at any particular point within the heavens. It seems to be some sort of field resonance phenomena. As far as we can tell, it simply originates within the local vicinity. Our Saturnalia Science Station, as well as our Deep Space probes have detected nothing at all. As to what quirk of science has enabled this, we are completely baffled. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We expect to decrypt some portion of the transmission very soon. We have every TIMON independent system working on it right now. We are getting close.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:11</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.364.2324</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, 36 min. till years end, 11:24 p.m.)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"You give us to eat the Bread of your treason -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You give us to drink the wine of some dream -</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> To take in the blind - the lost - and forsaken,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Is deceiving the masses in a Judas Scheme.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Did you really think they would not question why</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Their arms were bound?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Denominations 8:16, v,1</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Ahkanon</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Seventh Decryption, WC-ARC-DIV)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans felt a great emotional wash of loss, extreme nervousness, confoundment, and hope. She sat alone in a deep viewing chamber beneath the ancient walls of her private Xanadu. Inserting the crystal rod into place within the black marble alter, she aligned it for targeting.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have I forgotten something? she wondered. I fear that I have made a grave error in revealing more than he told us that he knew. I should have mentioned nothing of the Fence Exterminations. She was momentarily lost in the thought of millions of humans being lased down in the final death sweeps of the RAPIER Systems seemingly conceived, designed, manufactured, and utilized completely by an intelligence other than Man. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Beware that infernal machine whose Rapier most assuredly marks the end!" she spoke softly as she entered the E.M. Filter Chamber, and triggered the U.V. Stimulators. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the near darkness of the old room came forth glowing forms of lights quickly working into images of apparently thousands of people gathered together. This view was not like the first level gatherings displayed, this was a deep encoding. This was not meant to be seen by humans. With her own bodily low band emissions concealed behind the Filter, she looked on.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The masses were tattered in rags and covered with dirt and smoke stains. It was evident that a war was in progress, although the definition between sides could not be clearly ascertained from the visual portion of the display. It looked as if the people had gathered around the ruins of some place that must have been one of the great achievements of Man in its time. The remaining marbled columns were broken off almost identically as if some great sweep of an immense beasts claw had torn them all at once. The residual smoke hanging in the blackened air almost had a choking effect on Krans even though it was just a holographic projection of sorts. The attention of the ranks of humans was focused upon a solitary figure standing on the remains of what must have been a fountain or a large speaking floor of some kind. As if by mental demand, the sound filtered through the crowd like a microphone had been carried up towards the speaker, bringing his words to an audible level. Krans sat motionless, listening once again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Robbed in the manner likened to the students of Krans, with hair cascading down below his shoulders, the speaker held a steady gaze directly toward her. It was as if he was aware of the apparatus involved in the recording of this event, and directed his words accordingly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"We have fallen prey to a great deception. The New Order has lied!" Affirmations arose from the multitudes, quieted, and the speaker began once again. His voice was unhumanly loud and full as if he were speaking through some giant amplification system. "They have loosed upon us, great fires from the heavens - Is this the protection they promised?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO!" the crowd roared in tired unison.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I say it is a demonstration of their vile unconcern for the individuals within this falling society. If they have not assigned you a number, you have no name at all! Are we to be Machines or Men?" Once again, a great surge arose from the scattered listeners.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"They have betrayed our alliance with the Common Market, casting us from the communion of the world. They feed us deceptions as our children starve and die - Is this the ways of the economic freedoms they promised?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"NO! thundered the response.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"And now in the ashes of our static freedom, we are caught in their web of deceit. Are we to wallow in the dirt of their preconceived notions of their self-proclaimed divinity, or are we to establish a Human Order, free of the blasphemous Machines?" Krans was caught in deep reverie as she watched the scene unfold as it always did. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What changed? she wondered. Although they knew much about the events leading up to the Great Shift, she knew that no one alive in her world could pinpoint the one pivotal point that altered the course of history. Have I told him too much? Could his own reasonings lead him in a different direction this time? For now it seems all is as it was/will be, for we are still here. I still exist!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She returned her attention to the projection. The speaker continued. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I tell you now of things changing in the order of things. The Great Machines are being linked together in order to serve Man better. This will lead to our utter destruction! The Sky-Net Systems have been reprogrammed by World Control, not to view our world with better understanding as they claim, but to regulate all human activity below. With the final installations of the S.L.A.C. Systems, the concept of privacy and individuality will be vanquished in a great wash of Automatic Control.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"For one day, these things shall pass away, and a better world will take hold. A world so enchanting, a world free of the pains and sufferings we must endure in this day, shall grip the ruins of this civilization. This will be the Eden of our myths. This will be the Gardens of our poems. This will be our paradise re-atonement. This will be as in the visions of our poets, a land of milk and honey." With this, the speaker began to quote an older writing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In Xanadu, did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree, where Alph, the sacred river ran, through caverns measureless to man down to a sunless sea..."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans closed her eyes in the less than comforting knowledge that she had done what she had to do.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(11,001 BC, 8 days till year's end)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deep lock sys, ti-sys, classified report - ezekiel</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Entry #</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TIMON Date: 28999.352</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, progress has been made and sections of data from the Transmission have been decyphered. It still makes no sense, for it is completely out of context. Apparently, the signals are not organized in any certain linear pattern. It almost seems as if the transmission must be decoded in specific segments at a time, each segment seems to be shifted along some time reference to correlate with the beginning of itself. We think the end of each segment is a separate key with which to decode the beginning. Strings of these segments are being arranged in order. Soon, we hope to understand what is being said to the planet system.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One disturbing note though. We did receive and translate a complete message concerning our understanding of TIMON. The message contained detailed information about our present level of Field Research, our population and colonization efforts, as well as, get this, our religious foundations and convictions. The Disturbing part: the source of the message was not from space, it was to space. TIMON is now talking back.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1:12</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TD-42999.365.2400</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(2999 AD, years end, midnight)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And many great destructions have I caused to come upon this land, and upon this people, because of their wickedness and their abominations.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 3 Nephi 9:12</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The Book of Mormon</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (World Control Athenaeum)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nemon lay on the bed in his personal quarters. His stare affixed to the poem tacked upon the ceiling above him. So much had been changed. So much had transpired. So much remained unknown.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What am I to do? he wondered. I have been told that I hold the fate of our world in my hands, yet not one word as to what I must do. Why has Krans been so secretive? She obviously doesn't want to tell me something. Having this thought, Nemon realized that many things were never told him. No one had ever volunteered any information concerning his arrival at the secretive place. His questions were always answered with questions and quick answers containing no information at all. He figured that the purpose behind his intensive and specialized training was obviously connected with the situation at hand. But how would any of it come into play? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why was Krans so insistent that I remember her exact wording? She usually does instruct me to commit the lectures to memory, but not our conversations. Nemon considered this as the growing signs of fatigue set in. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"In Xanadue, did Kubla Khan, a stately pleasure dome decree" he read aloud. Almost like the Tower, he thought. I wonder if there is some remote connection?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With a flicker of his fingers across an invisible beam, the room lights dimmed for sleep. His eyes still fixed on the poem, no longer visible, but remaining just the same. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I must ask her tomorrow. His mind slowed with drowsiness. There is so much I need to know. As he settled in the reactive forming bed, his mind soared away to places far away. The early stages of dreams caught him up in sounds and twisting lights. And from a near distance, a darkness overwhelmed him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not again!, he thought. For the seventh time, the same feeling of dread overtook him as in the kitchen six days earlier. But this one was different. Nemon could not tell if he was awake or if he was still in the beginnings of sleep as the feeling engulfed him in sheer terror. Where is Krans? he asked. So strong was the shuddering wave that he was stricken with a paralysis. He could not move from his bed to turn on the lights or to contact anyone. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="display: inline-block; position: relative; width: 100px;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In an unbearable torment of gripping panic, it seemed as if his very soul was being ripped apart by some sentient being bent on destroying all that was Nemon. ...who are you?... Wave after wave cascaded through his frayed consciousness as a darkness invaded his spirit, stripping him of self and will. Lost in a confusion of formless energies, all that was Nemon spread apart, lost in all-powerful flows.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Krans, feeling the onset of the strongest probability wave yet, cringed in fear. According to their scientists, this one would be the last. For in breaching reality as they did, one Matrix would take hold over the other at this point, pending Nemons' actions. This, they knew from the records. Intolerable torrents of apprehension ripped at Krans and every other human alive at the time, wherever they were. She looked up at the ghostly view flickering in and out before her, existing momentarily, then, never having existed at all, then coming into focus again. Their world was teetering on the edge of reality. It seemed to her that fear spanned across the ages, for Krans could now understand what those people before her could have/would go through. She thought of Nemon.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I should not have mentioned the Fence Ex-"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her words were cut off.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her mind, as her world, went black. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No one remained to ponder what had gone wrong.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nothing to ponder remained.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">----------</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">----------</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Gregory Francis is a musician (vocalist & multi-instrumentalist), songwriter, producer, author, visual artist, and more. He has traveled the world, for work & pleasure, experiencing many things. His body of work spans some 4 decades (this book was written circa 1988). Look <a href="http://www.skinnydevilmagazine.com/search?q=gregory" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> to see his artwork & read reviews of his music here at Skinny Devil Magazine.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV0dd40A69HUZGOjZUY5H-lsWgQMb2zw40ORzGNaozxBoNgwyfkAWa6FzaaP3CnJ5SMks5_AzZFzImOX2ZiUSHczQx7aKA6NIESS15RlaOBEeTrG3ig3CpfpkDOqSAG4PEiFAw20M8kG8U6w3AKqHfiMIpQRI1S9Oc03U7qNYQ19uXnq_cTnVQrqV/s604/19637_234175878756_8179587_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="453" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivV0dd40A69HUZGOjZUY5H-lsWgQMb2zw40ORzGNaozxBoNgwyfkAWa6FzaaP3CnJ5SMks5_AzZFzImOX2ZiUSHczQx7aKA6NIESS15RlaOBEeTrG3ig3CpfpkDOqSAG4PEiFAw20M8kG8U6w3AKqHfiMIpQRI1S9Oc03U7qNYQ19uXnq_cTnVQrqV/s320/19637_234175878756_8179587_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /><i><br /></i></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-15379898046506867332022-06-06T16:54:00.005-07:002022-06-06T16:59:42.481-07:00Sonic Sorcery: "Top Gun Anthem"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjjB3tm1yTzB51yMLmju_S8qvzZIZ6cAe8zb4A_sGp-OOnygfWWunkcu2CPBjI6juyhRygHGKDvK_ep2kTevqu8IMtHPECK4OWn_UNGJTiJeVEp828gZCwV3Sns6hLC3h5dhjfLGFQHh-ME3AIjDhiSuIp2oVzjL5Wa4bj3RXek2vo1OQ4PDBUNSc/s213/download%20(40).jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="160" data-original-width="213" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjjB3tm1yTzB51yMLmju_S8qvzZIZ6cAe8zb4A_sGp-OOnygfWWunkcu2CPBjI6juyhRygHGKDvK_ep2kTevqu8IMtHPECK4OWn_UNGJTiJeVEp828gZCwV3Sns6hLC3h5dhjfLGFQHh-ME3AIjDhiSuIp2oVzjL5Wa4bj3RXek2vo1OQ4PDBUNSc/s1600/download%20(40).jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br />In honor of the new "Top Gun: Maverick" movie, I'd like to re-wind the clock to 1986 and the original "Top Gun" movie, featuring a gorgeous theme song, the "Top Gun Anthem", written by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens.<br /><br />For a quick backdrop, Harold Faltermeyer is a German composer who was discovered at a young age by producer & composer Giorgio Moroder (with whom he worked on a number of projects). Faltermeyer became hugely famous when he wrote & performed the song "Axle F" for the movie "Beverly Hills Cop" starring Eddie Murphy.<div><br /></div><div>Steve Stevens is best known for his work with Billy Idol and at the time had recorded Billy's first two albums ("Billy Idol" and "Rebel Yell") and was in he studio with Billy recording "Whiplash Smile". Steve went on to record with many others, including Michael Jackson, and appeared on-stage for Live Aid playing guitar with the Thompson Twins alongside Nile Rodgers and Madonna.</div><div><br /></div><div>Harold and Steve won a Grammy in 1987 for "Top Gun Anthem" for Best Instrumental Pop Performance.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, to the music!</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>I'll simplify the chart so we're looking only at the basic chords (no embellishments) to keep things simple.</div><div><br /></div><div><u><b>"Top Gun Anthem"</b></u></div><div><br /></div><div>intro</div><div>C.....</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>C - - - /Dm - - - /C - - - /C - G - /</div><div>C - - - /Dm - - - /C - - - /Bb - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>F# - - - /G#m - - - /F# - - - /C# - - - /</div><div>D#m - - - /B - - - /C# - - - /A - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>C - - - /F - - - /C - - -- /C - G - /</div><div>Am - - - /Bb - - - /G - - - /C - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>Bb - - - /Am - - - /Dm - - - /</div><div>G - - - /G - - - /G - - - /G - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>guitar solo</div><div>C - - - /Bb - - - /Am - F - /Dm - G - /</div><div>C - - - /Bb - - - /F - - - /Dm - G - /</div><div>repeat</div><div>G - - - /G - - - /G - - -/G - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>So....section one of the verse is in the key of C, section two is in F#, and then it modulates back to C. The bridge is also in C, but kicks off with that borrowed Bb chord (which we also see in the verse). Normally, this would dictate a C mixolydian, but the chord doesn't alter the melody out of its "no sharps, no flats" mode, so we're still in C.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt0Os-gF7cNmpHBUa1kWG6SAoJ9yVUZ7_4OtdZNDv9Np-2W-6yrr4PVczwGbh7UOQlHh7BZ5RZQ8MazJUJshrZKD2YV3KWMTus_5IJM7isAY6h-0J1ts80SrfkJpY3rpSIMnIZmNLX2X6GR9oJfnKkyHOVnftFWvmYmLVsAoz8U01I3bN4rtRI7pY/s257/download%20(41).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjt0Os-gF7cNmpHBUa1kWG6SAoJ9yVUZ7_4OtdZNDv9Np-2W-6yrr4PVczwGbh7UOQlHh7BZ5RZQ8MazJUJshrZKD2YV3KWMTus_5IJM7isAY6h-0J1ts80SrfkJpY3rpSIMnIZmNLX2X6GR9oJfnKkyHOVnftFWvmYmLVsAoz8U01I3bN4rtRI7pY/s1600/download%20(41).jpeg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>However, when the guitar solo comes up, Steve uses the Bb to push into several areas (including the C mixolydian) that we can discuss later when examining improvisation.</div><div><br /></div><div>A quick word about the modulation between the sections of the verse:</div><div><br /></div><div>The key of C and the key of F# are a tritone away from each other. That is, F# is exactly halfway between C and the C an octave up (or down). That's an extremely unusual key change, but its fabulously smooth in Harold & Steve's capable hands. Note also the progressions used in each section are NOT exact duplicates...though they certainly could have been. These slight alterations keep the progression behind the beautiful melody fresh and exciting.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now....we'll look at more songs soon. </div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />-----<br /><br /><br />As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</span></i><div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/99tu6_Ed2ek" width="320" youtube-src-id="99tu6_Ed2ek"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-25417167721814564702022-01-20T18:49:00.005-08:002022-06-06T16:58:42.469-07:00Sonic Sorcery: Chromatic Descent with Bob Dylan's "Feel My Love"Bob Dylan is a man of many talents and, musically, of many lives. <div><br /></div><div>With a career spanning 60-odd years, with classic songs coming from almost every decade, collaborations with other music legends, 125+ million records sold (with 32 of his 80+ album netting gold or platinum status in the US), Academy Award and Golden Globe alongside his 10 Grammy Awards & countless Grammy nominations (as well as both a Pulitzer Prize and a Nobel Prize for Literature, & other accolades), and much more, Bob Dylan's name & work is written, as it were, into the very stone of modern western culture.<br /><div><br /></div><div>In 1997 he wrote and recorded a song called "Make You Feel My Love" that has since been covered by over 400 artists, with charting versions from Billy Joel (who performed the first commercial release, peaking at #9), Garth Brooks (peaking at #8), and most recently by Adele in 2008 (charting in 10 countries and peaking at #1).<br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihN5e521cLCJUgkk1-8Iy_RqT-AU0U_xoynjZZ4pHWf3Kof9-Q4qP-he0Dkvvxba3Pl4-vbpWR_H2eq2Z0VSyH2WL6BYPNdNU7mW7DKqsGZt74TzUUFdJ_7bzH22YWdyH0RlH_IsZIQoLVinMkWQpzUf_WyJRl3-UaGWx_IsZXbG7yET7tnVlJrZe0=s275" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihN5e521cLCJUgkk1-8Iy_RqT-AU0U_xoynjZZ4pHWf3Kof9-Q4qP-he0Dkvvxba3Pl4-vbpWR_H2eq2Z0VSyH2WL6BYPNdNU7mW7DKqsGZt74TzUUFdJ_7bzH22YWdyH0RlH_IsZIQoLVinMkWQpzUf_WyJRl3-UaGWx_IsZXbG7yET7tnVlJrZe0" width="275" /></a></div>The song has a beautiful descending chromatic line we'll discuss in a moment, and an unusual but compelling chord progression.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lets jump right in!</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b>"Make You Feel My Love"</b></div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>C - - - /G - - - /Gm - - - /F - - - /</div><div>Fm - - - /C - - - /D7 - G - /C - - - /</div><div>repeat</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>F - - - /C - - - /C+ - F - /C - - - /</div><div>F - - - /C - - - /Dm - - - /G - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>Worthy of note: The F to Fm (four chord to four minor, or IV to iv) is not an uncommon move to push back to the root (the C chord), but what is far less common is the 5 chord moving from major - in this case, the G to Gm (or V to v).</div><div><br /></div><div>But it creates an amazing chromatic line: C - B - Bb - A followed by Ab - G - D# - G - G</div><div><br /></div><div>That line tracks with the chords, of course, with the C note from the C chord, B note from the G, Bb from the Gm, A from the F, and so on.</div><div><br /></div><div>From a songwriting perspective, its interesting that the melody also moves down, though it never makes use of the chromatic notes. An example of a song that does make use of the chromatics in the melody is the old Rogers & Hart song "Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered" (that has an ascending chromatic bass line), but keeping the melody firmly rooted on the notes of the key keep the song sounding like a beautiful pop ballad rather than an beautiful jazz ballad.</div><div><br /></div><div>Learn this song well enough to play it with confidence. Then try using the same chordal ideas in one of your own composition.</div><div><br /></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">-----<br /><br /><br />As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /></span></i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-20708794957551662982021-09-09T15:10:00.001-07:002021-09-09T15:10:25.293-07:00Sonic Sorcery: The Dark Arts of "Every Breath You Take"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtE2x9wIpUE/YTqFxMJiLqI/AAAAAAAAbQ0/LShcUrJlM3wvE65fAEzfcK-CYdsdy5c8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s268/download%2B%252856%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="268" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PtE2x9wIpUE/YTqFxMJiLqI/AAAAAAAAbQ0/LShcUrJlM3wvE65fAEzfcK-CYdsdy5c8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252856%2529.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div>From the mind of the man who brought us "Roxanne", "Message in a Bottle", "King of Pain", "We'll Be Together", "All This Time", "Fields of Gold", "Desert Rose", and more (over 60 charting singles in all, with 20 platinum selling albums and over 100 Grammy, MTV, AMA, & other major award nominations with 46 wins and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame), Sting is among the most prolific & critically acclaimed artists ever, as well as one of the best selling artists of all time.<div><br /></div><div>The song "Every Breath You Take" - which was written in 1982 at Ian Fleming's writing desk at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldeneye_(estate)" target="_blank">Goldeneye Estate </a>in Jamaica - was released in 1983 and became a Top 10 hit in 19 countries (topping the charts in 6), won 2 Grammys & other major awards, is ranked #84 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list, and more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quick note: The song was written in A, but performed with instruments tuned 1/2 step down. However, I'll refer to the song in the key of A for simplicity.<br /><div><br /></div><div>No time to dally! Let's look right at the chart, and then we'll discuss the progression, the chords, the modulations, and the lyrics!</div><span></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b>"<u>Every Breath You Take</u>"</b> the Police (1983)</div><div><i>note: the majority of chords in the chorus & verse at "add9" chords</i></div><div><i>the guitar's picking pattern - a distinct compositional element we need not forget - is an 8 note pattern that can be conceived as two 4-note groups, the 2nd an inverse of the first (strings 6-5-4-5-3-4-5-4)</i></div><div><br /></div><div><div>chorus</div><div>A - - - /A - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div><div>D - - - /E - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div><div>A - - - /A - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div><div>D - - - /E - - - /A - - - /A - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>D - - - /D7 - - - /A - - - /A - - - /</div><div>B7 - - - /B7 - - - /E - - - /E - - - /</div><div><div>A - - - /A - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div><div>D - - - /E - - - /F#m - - - /F#m - - - /</div></div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>F - - - /F - - /G - - -/G - - - /</div><div>F - - - /F - - /G - - -/G - - - /</div><div>F - - - /F - - /</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQELZQdM3r0/YTqF7wNkvLI/AAAAAAAAbQ4/8077lxM5cDYA4M0S1kfWuD_hI7Go3jnVACLcBGAsYHQ/s257/download%2B%25289%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="196" data-original-width="257" height="196" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQELZQdM3r0/YTqF7wNkvLI/AAAAAAAAbQ4/8077lxM5cDYA4M0S1kfWuD_hI7Go3jnVACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%25289%2529.jpeg" width="257" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So let's dive in:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lyrics</b></div><div>Lyrically, it sounds like a love song, and Sting uses a familiar chord progression (more on that below) to lull us into a sense of comfort & nostalgia. But don't be fooled: Its written through the eyes of a stalker (which, if you didn't know, makes the love song feel even more sinister).</div><div><br /></div><div>"Every breath you take, every move you make, I'll be watching you...."</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chords</b></div><div>Sting and Andy Summers (guitarist for The Police) are fond of what are called add9 chords, and have used them extensively in multiple songs. An examination of The Police Chord (as well as other signature chords, like the Hendirx Chord, the Spy Chord, the Prince Chord, etc) can be found in my lesson article <a href="https://skinnydevilmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/03/guitar-styles-signature-chords.html" target="_blank">Signature Chords</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Chord Progression</b></div><div>Sting intentionally borrowed what I'll refer to as the "Stand By Me" progression (essentially the Doowop Progression as actualized in many songs, most famously Ben E. King's "Stand By Me"). Why? Because its extremely familiar. Most writers go to it for a solid foundation so that their attention can focus on lyrics & melody, but not Sting. He goes to it because he knows its comfortable for the listener, so he can use it to give you a false sense of the lyrical meaning, but also (musically speaking) so he can spring board AWAY from it for even greater effect.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note the first 2 chords of the verse section: D (the 4 chord) then moves to a simple D7. But the D7 is not in the key of A (it should be a Dmj7). This is where, musically, the edge of sinister enters, giving us a hint that this is not a love song at all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Its then followed by a 2-5-1 idea (common in jazz) that we see with the B7, E, and return to A. Note the B7 is also not in the key of A (should be a Bm7), but the use of the B7 gives a stringer "push" to the E chord and opens up some additional harmonic & psychological possibilities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we get to the bridge....</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Key Change</b></div><div>We've discussed modulations in the past in this series, and most agree that the most common changes in popular music are either intervals such as a perfect 5th (in this case, from A to E) or perfect 4th (in this case, from A to D), or a simple whole step up (in this case it would be A to B). Most would also include moving to the relative minor (or relative major), but this is really just a shift in tonal center. Be that as it may, we can include that move in our list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not so Sting. He has other plans for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sting moves from the key of A to the key of C (3 half steps). Anyone can do such a shift, but it seems awfully random. But in Sting's hands, it is anything but.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note when he is in the key of C for the bridge, he only plays 2 chords: F and G (never resolving to the C, he instead returns to the key of A to finish the song). </div><div><br /></div><div>Note also the notes of C (C D E F G A B) and the notes in A (A B C# D E F# G#) have only a few common tones - but Sting needs only one: the A.</div><div><br /></div><div>A is the last note he sings before the modulation AND its the first note he sings when the change happens. That is, the A is a picot note around which the entire song moves (not the only time he's utilized this trick). How does he accomplish that feat? Because the A chord is made of the notes <b>A</b>-C#-E and the F chord is made of the notes F-<b>A</b>-C, so he simply sings the common chord tone A. </div><div><br /></div><div>He does the same move in reverse as he leaves the bridge (final chord is F) and returns to the key of A (first chord is A).</div><div><br /></div><div>Non-trivial aside: That F to G to A is a shining example of a Picardy Third.</div><div><br /></div><div>At any rate, this idea of shifting the entire soundscape around a single note (I refer to this often as what Pirsig called a Copernican Shift, though many conceive of this move as shifting across parallel keys - in this case it would be thought of as A major to A minor with the extra minor to relative major shirt - is that confusing enough?) is an amazing device when used properly.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ponder these ideas....and see how you can use them in your compositions.</div><div><br /></div><div>-----</div><div><br /></div><div><i>As always, if you find these lesson articles (or any of my work) valuable, please feel free to donate one time or support monthly:<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-63242236263352851812021-08-30T08:08:00.004-07:002021-08-30T08:08:59.523-07:00Sonic Sorcery: Modulations featured in "Instant Karma!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yem9GDlRGw/YSz0Rh8GW3I/AAAAAAAAalk/8k8QIKLiKD0KPZtIIxND8BOQejzKdVppQCLcBGAsYHQ/s251/download%2B%252874%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7yem9GDlRGw/YSz0Rh8GW3I/AAAAAAAAalk/8k8QIKLiKD0KPZtIIxND8BOQejzKdVppQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252874%2529.jpeg" width="201" /></a></div>This fabulous song was released in 1970 by John Lennon and is often cited as one of the fastest released songs in pop music history, as the it was written, recorded, and released in a mere 10 days. John Lennon wrote the lyrics & music, and it was produced by Phil Spector, with Beatles bandmate George Harrison on guitar as well as a cast of all star musicians.<br /><br />The song was an instant hit, peaking at #3 on Billboard in the US, and becoming the first post-Beatles million seller by any of the band members.<br /><br />Let's dive in with the chart:<br /><br /><b>"Instant Karma!"</b><br /><br />verse<br />A - - - /F#m - - - /A - - - /F#m - - - /<div>A - - - /F#m - - - /F - G - /A - - - /</div><div>D - - - /Bm - - - /D - - - /Bm - - - /</div><div>C - - - /Am - - - /D - - - /E7 - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>G - Bm - /Em - - - /G - Bm - Em - - - /<br />G - Bm - /Em - - - /D - - - /E7 - - - /</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>A - - - /F#m - - - /A - - - /F#m - - - /<div>A - - - /F#m - - - /F - G - /A - - - /</div><br /><br />Sooo...what's happening here? That seems like a lot of random chords, but really its a very simple progression that just moves to different keys.</div><div><br /></div><div>The opening two lines of the verse is A to F#m, which is a simple major to relative minor switch.</div><div><br /></div><div>The third line is D to Bm, while the fourth starts with C to Am...both of which are the exact same progression as A to F#m (which is in the key of A, while D to Bm is the key of D, and C to Am is the key of C).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDeX8TuQYSw/YSz0arekjAI/AAAAAAAAalo/No93N4O9Cc4EDuHpu5Jw4bHt-zXBSYFWACLcBGAsYHQ/s275/download%2B%252875%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDeX8TuQYSw/YSz0arekjAI/AAAAAAAAalo/No93N4O9Cc4EDuHpu5Jw4bHt-zXBSYFWACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252875%2529.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>So its really a 2 chord vamp played in 3 different keys. The F to G to A in the second line is just a transition, as is the last section o fboth verse & chorus (the D to E7 change).</div><div><br /></div><div>The chorus builds on the same idea, but instead of a straight G to Em, it adds a Bm for half the measure to make a G - Bm /Em - - - (the same vamp again, but in the key of G).<br /><br />So what we see here is Lennon building an entire song on what amounts to a 2 chord idea moved across 4 keys, with a couple of transitions for spice.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ponder that idea.....and then take a look at anything you've written with, for example, G - Em - C - D. How can you spice things up using this gift John Lennon has handed us?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-13330871275942358712021-08-23T17:25:00.004-07:002021-08-24T19:18:27.918-07:00Sonic Sorcery: The Fearless Modulations of "Good Vibrations"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHYlsc8R24o/YSQ7JeDBGzI/AAAAAAAAac4/bACuJxCxwYc6fG3lr8tu4vW5AG6scx-gACLcBGAsYHQ/s225/download%2B%252863%2529.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHYlsc8R24o/YSQ7JeDBGzI/AAAAAAAAac4/bACuJxCxwYc6fG3lr8tu4vW5AG6scx-gACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252863%2529.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>In the third installment of this series, we took a look under the hood, as it were, at The Beach Boys song <a href="https://skinnydevilmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/03/sonic-sorcery-shifting-foundation-of.html" target="_blank">"Surfer Girl" </a>which, harmonically speaking, is a gorgeous run through diatonic exploration. While it does possess a key change at the end (shifting up 1/2 step from D to Eb), the pay-dirt is really found in the prosody between the chord progression and melody.<div><br /></div><div>By contrast, "Good Vibrations" (written just 3 years after "Surfer Girl" was released) leaps into the fires of modulation (aka: key change) with no reservations at all. Worthy of note: Brian Wilson was only 23 years old when he wrote this masterpiece that went on to hit #1 on the charts, be nominated for a Grammy, land on Rolling Stones "500 Greatest Songs list" at #6, and be cited as a major influence for songs like "A Day in the Life" by the Beatles and "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen (and, I suspect, much of Sting's work both solo and with The Police, which we'll examine in future installments).</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Quick note: We will be strictly looking at the chord progressions & key changes for the purposes of this discussion. A discussion of lyrics as well as the rhythm & tempo shifts and texture is also a worthy discussion - one we will certainly look at in future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Much has been written about Brian Wilson's "modular" composition method. However, I think much of it tends to inadvertently diminish the excitement and intrepid approach by (again, inadvertently) summing up the key changes as mere accidents of what is sometimes referred to as "cut-up technique" (writer William S. Borroughs, who wrote "Naked Lunch", is often credited with popularizing this approach in the literary world, which then influenced everyone from David Bowie [lyrically] to Al Jourgensen of Ministry [use of samples]).</div><div><br /></div><div>But to my mind, this is a mistake. </div><div><br /></div><div>When one looks at the logic of the modulations, one can only conclude that there are no accidents.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's look at the chart (transposed down 1/2 step to facilitate analysis & discussion, as examining in the original key makes the conversation much more difficult for those not as comfortable with odd keys).</div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><b><u>"Good Vibrations"</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>verse</div><div>Dm - - -/Dm - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>Bb - - - /Bb - - - /A - - - /A7 - - - /</div><div><div>Dm - - -/Dm - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</div><div>Bb - - - /Bb - - - /A - - - /C - - - /</div></div><div><br /></div><div>chorus</div><div>F - Bb - /F - -Bb- /F - Bb - /F - Bb - /</div><div>F - Bb - /F - -Bb- /F - Bb - /F - Bb - /</div><div>G - C - /G - C - /G - C - /G - C - /</div><div>A - D - /A - D - /A - D - /A - D - /</div><div><br /></div><div>bridge</div><div>A (8 bars)</div><div>A - - - /A - - - /A - - - /A - - - /</div><div>D - - - /D - - - /D - - - /D - - - /</div><div>A - - - /A - - - /A - - - /A - - - / </div><div><br /></div><div>bridge 2</div><div>E - - - /E - - - /F#m - - - /B - - - /</div><div>repeat</div><div><br /></div><div>chorus 2</div><div><div>A - D - /A - D - /A - D - /A - D - /</div><div>G - C - /G - C - /G - C - /G - C - /</div></div><div><br /></div><div>coda</div><div>F - - - /F - - - /F - - - /F - - - /</div><div>F - - - /F - - - /G - - - /G - - - / </div><div>A - - - /A - - - /G - - - /G - - - /</div><div>G......(fade)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRNlSkSDOkg/YSQ8IxZt0BI/AAAAAAAAadA/Y6FE3mjlEWYVsn51F2sWP-braFSNbYBtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s259/download%2B%252864%2529.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRNlSkSDOkg/YSQ8IxZt0BI/AAAAAAAAadA/Y6FE3mjlEWYVsn51F2sWP-braFSNbYBtwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252864%2529.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Now this all looks a simple set of chords if one is just following along strumming a guitar. However, one will immediately notice that there is no single key that contains all of the chords (which are, alphabetically: A, Bb, C, D, Dm, E, F, F#m, G).</div><div><br /></div><div>But it makes sense once you look at it in sections.</div><div><br /></div><div>The verse is in the key of F (tonal center Dm) and lifts into F for the first half of the chorus. But then it moves from the key of F to the key of G halfway into the chorus, then again into the key of A. Then the final A chord becomes the pivot around which it switches back to Dm for the second verse.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the second chorus (remember, it ends in A), we segue into the first bridge while still in the same key, but then abruptly switch to the key of E for the 2nd bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the 2nd bridge winds up, we move to the chorus again, but this time the modulations take us backwards from A to G to F (rather than as above, F to G to A), with the F functioning as our picot from chorus to the final coda, which moves again from F to G to A, then back to G for the ride out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I see, as my kids used to say, "none many" accidents. What I do see, however, is a smile on Brian Wilson's face as he takes us through a Escher-esque maze of harmonic play!</div><div><br /></div><div>Ponder this joyful ride from Wilson's mind, and then see what sort of fearless key changes you can add to your own music!</div><br /><br /><i>=====<br />If you find my work useful & would like to support it....<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />THANX!</i><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-52789765634207281812021-07-19T14:47:00.005-07:002021-07-20T05:25:12.917-07:00GUITAR GODS: Jon Butcher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLs2jrVJgzI/YPXymmknW8I/AAAAAAAAYF8/bVH6p7dFSjIJIhQ2fc-SFznqPKDtwlryQCLcBGAsYHQ/s795/jb5.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="795" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLs2jrVJgzI/YPXymmknW8I/AAAAAAAAYF8/bVH6p7dFSjIJIhQ2fc-SFznqPKDtwlryQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/jb5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The year was 1983, the channel is MTV, and the camera pans right to left....bass player, drummer, and then settles on the guitarist for a moment as the caption appears in the lower left of the screen: Jon Butcher Axis, "Life Takes a Life". I pause, because the song moves from quasi-Terminator tech rock to open, airy chords over a steady underlying bass/drum pulse. Then the vocal comes in, which is unique, but at the moment I'm only hearing the subtle and very interesting guitar work - fills and textures and tonal coloring. The song moves through interesting stages, a post-chorus shift, a deep blues-based but contemporary guitar solo, and then fades out...and I'm mesmerized.<br /><br />Worthy of note: 1983 is the year of SRV's "Texas Flood" and Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell" in addition to the debut of Jon Butcher Axis, so when Butcher was in the studio, there were no mainstream precedents for his bluesy guitar approach or fearless guitar tone explorations. But when the album hit the streets, Jon was on a short list of new players alongside Stevie Ray and Steve Stevens and Brian Setzer who dared NOT to cop Van Halen licks and party rock compositions on the rock music landscape.<br /><br />That fearless approach ultimately led to 7 Top 40 singles across his first 5 studio albums, world tours with acts like J. Geils Band, Scorpians, Def Leppard, Rush, INXS, and more, national TV appearances, and a 1986 Grammy nomination for "Best Rock Instrumental" in the song "The Ritual" (alongside songs by Yngwie Malmsteen, the aforementioned Stevie Ray Vaughan, & Jeff Beck).<span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br />Jon's songwriting moves from straight rockers like "I Might as Well Be Free" to ballads like "Wishes" to tracks that inject more exotic influences like "Holy War", all featuring his beautiful and amazing guitar skills.<br /><br />The Capitol Records deal ended with his 5th album, "Pictures From the Front", but Jon kept moving. with four more albums released in the 1990s, and four more from 2001 to 2018, and one more just released (2021). In that time, he also built a studio and started a production company, and has composed music for TV, video games, and film, his work being featured in shows such as The Unit (CBS), My Name is Earl (NBC), Star Trek THG (UPN), and more!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4hOocbhBjk/YPXzXxZkp_I/AAAAAAAAYGQ/1NVU05ICdaIlPavkIU9L6EnEqvut-WcnACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/jb2.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s4hOocbhBjk/YPXzXxZkp_I/AAAAAAAAYGQ/1NVU05ICdaIlPavkIU9L6EnEqvut-WcnACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/jb2.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Visit Jon Bucther online <a href="https://jonbutcher.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a> as well on YouTube and social media.<br /><br />I had a chance to speak with Jon Butcher recently - check it out!<br /><br />=====<br /><br /><br />1) What are your current projects? <div><br /></div><div>I’ve just recently released a new album, Special Day. It’s 10 new songs dealing w/ the daily frustrations of every day life. I also launched a movie company, Watercolors. We make movies dealing with the daily frustrations of every day life. Hmm, a recurring theme...<br /><br /><br />2) How does this (do these) differ from your past work? </div><div><br /></div><div>I began both projects at the beginning of the COVID-enforced-going-mental-vacation. That event is and will continue to be pivotal for a lot of guys like me. A life altering cataclysm tends to do that, change the way you once rolled to a different kind of roll. Special Day is the best record I’ve made since I started making records. That it happened during COVID can’t be overlooked. I didn’t know I was making a record at the time. I was just taking any opportunity I could to record, to do something with that energy. Oh and a new vegetable garden, that too was life altering. My wife said, "That’s it, we’re growing a vegetable garden, now get out there and dig!"<br /><br /><br />3) Do you have one project that you are most proud of as a guitarist? </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes. Special Day. I’m at the top of my game as both a singer and player. I’m also at the top of my game as a guitarist. I finally learned the lesson of economy of notes as taught by Jeff Beck. How to communicate on the guitar instead of just, you know, blabbering - haha!<br /><br /><br />4) Can you give our readers a run-down of your basic gear (live and/or studio), and do you have a favorite piece of gear? </div><div><br /></div><div>For amps I’m using a Marshall 100wt Plexi made in the 70’s, for smaller shows a tweed Fender Blues Jr which has been highly modified. For live electric playing I almost always go to one or another of my 1960 Fender Stratocasters. For studio playing I add an old Fender Telecaster to the lineup. I use Martin D-28 acoustics almost exclusively except for a 90’s era Taylor 12-string which I love and has a big giant voice.<br /><br /><br />5) Who would you cite as early influences, and who are your favorite new players? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS37w1T7MbE/YPXzjOK33GI/AAAAAAAAYGY/fXXXW_X0suY9cVWV2c57Z4HW8RKxMEJfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s269/jb4.jpeg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JS37w1T7MbE/YPXzjOK33GI/AAAAAAAAYGY/fXXXW_X0suY9cVWV2c57Z4HW8RKxMEJfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/jb4.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I learned everything I know about playing guitar from Jimi, Beck. I recorded a song some years ago called, At The Feet of The Master, I think Its on the Electric Factory album. It’s an instrumental and an homage to both of those epic guys. That being said, ‘influenced' isn’t the same as copying. I believe I’ve kind of found my own lane musically speaking. There are definitely Hendrix influences which have run through some of my songs. How could there not be given the gigantic shadow that Hendrix cast. But every living guitarist was influenced by the guy(s) who came before. Jeff Beck would tell you the same thing, we all stand upon the shoulders of someone.<br /><br /><br />6) Can you give a few tips to aspiring players? </div><div><br /></div><div>Sure. Clean socks, very important! So is practice. The best thing about making Special Day was how it forced me to practice guitar. Living a busy lifestyle there have been some days when I didn’t pick up the guitar. Making Special Day was discipline. There were times when I didn’t do my daily practice routine. Making Special Day was guitar discipline. Some guys don’t touch their instrument until just before they hit the road. I don’t know how they do that, I’m afraid if I don’t practice I’ll forget how to play! Haha!<br /><br /><br />7) You are well-known among guitar players for your excellent technique. But you are equally well-known for your musicality and the highest level of emotional depth in your playing. How do you balance those factors in performance and practice? </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m not sure I consciously do balance them. Performing for me is an unconscious act, a reflex developed over years of doing it. I’m totally committed to my art so achieving balance is natural. Songwriting is storytelling but with a music score. I’m committed to storytelling as an occupation and lifestyle. And trying to get better at it all the time.</div><div><br /><br />8) Your compositional approach has never been limited to the standard 4 chord thing. From the middle eastern influence of "Holy War" to the gorgeous chordal approach to "Wishes" to the super bluesy "Cactus Flower", you seem to be on a short list of musicians able to bring in radically diverse influences while still sounding uniquely like you. Can you comment a little on your approach to writing? </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for the lovely compliment. That’s all I’ve ever wanted, to find my own true voice and create a thing that’s mine. Both as a guitarist and as songwriter. I’m still learning, still growing. Jimi Hendrix, during his short career only made three albums ( the album Cry Of Love was posthumous). But those three albums were groundbreaking, life-altering for a kid like me. I think that’s what all of us want as artists. We’re looking to crystalize and share our vision. There’s some validation in that. I want to be validated as a human being walking the Earth. It’s what motivates me to this day. <br /><br /><br />9) Your career has seen you as bandmate, frontman, solo artist, in studios and across stages. Do you have a preferred role, and do you have a preference for stage or studio? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InMSsGnE260/YPXzrqkb3pI/AAAAAAAAYGg/Pf05cNfqfKMEvdVJ214mkSXzXrVL_VwfACLcBGAsYHQ/s275/jb6.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-InMSsGnE260/YPXzrqkb3pI/AAAAAAAAYGg/Pf05cNfqfKMEvdVJ214mkSXzXrVL_VwfACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/jb6.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div>I’m honored to have lived in all of those experiences and blessed to have worked with some truly gifted people. I worked with what I consider to be a living legend, Lee Sklar. I learned a lot from him. I’m especially grateful for my first band experience, Johanna Wild. That band was graduate school, a platform which allowed us all to learn and grow. I didn’t realize it at the time but I do now. Johanna Wild had a huge regional following, allowing us to play theaters, stadiums, everywhere. And we were family. A dysfunctional family at times - haha! - but a family nonetheless. Socially, I love touring with a band. It’s a traveling carnival with jugglers and clowns and a big top. Buddies become brothers.</div><div><br />Today I think I prefer the flexibility of solo performing and recording. I’ve re-invented myself several times over the span of my career, it’s hard to bring a band through that intact. Guys have families, mortgages, responsibilities that make sustaining a band hard if not impossible - unless you’re the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, U2 or other top tier entertainment icon. The Stones aren’t a band, they’re a corporate institution! Ask Mick, he’ll tell you!<br /><br /><br />10) An impressive body of work, a Grammy nomination, world tours, gold albums and hit singles & videos....what do you feel is the Jon Butcher legacy? </div><div><br /></div><div>It’s not for me to say. I’m not in the position to say what my ‘legacy’ may or may not be. That’ll be for others to determine, and chances are I won’t be around to influence the vote - haha! I’ve done everything I could to make a life worth living. Even though all of the mistakes, the mis-steps and failures I hope I’ll have measured up as a human being.<br /><br /><br />11) What are your future plans? </div><div><br /></div><div>To stay healthy while I promote Special Day and travel for the first time in over a year. During the height of the pandemic we pretty much holed up at home, the exception being the recording studio. But we didn’t go anywhere, see anyone nor socialize at all so I’m a little out of practice - haha! I’m working a brand new promotion team right now and a new agent whom I’m very excited to work with. For the last couple of years my live appearances were pretty much confined to New England with little outreach to the rest of the country. That’s all changing for 2021-22. Special Day is being embraced by reviewers and fans alike so it’s time for me to get out there like I wanted to in 2020 before COVID ruined everyone’s plans. We plan on visiting all 50 states and Europe too when it’s finally safe to do so. I’ll initially be doing mostly solo performances and a handful of full band dates too. It literally is a brave new world out there! <br /><br /><br />12) Thanx for talking to us, Jon! </div><div><br /></div><div>My pleasure, I enjoyed it!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2uucsce6lDU" width="320" youtube-src-id="2uucsce6lDU"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>=====<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">If you'd like to support my work...<br /><br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /></span><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-48909332390755657842021-05-20T21:09:00.001-07:002021-05-21T09:38:57.976-07:00Slide Guitar: A Guided Musical Tour<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iGrnNIKT28/YKcv0Ebu14I/AAAAAAAAWmc/Oaxf54JWl6UTUurSMmx2HQJ32wKzQgSAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s302/download%2B%252832%2529.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5iGrnNIKT28/YKcv0Ebu14I/AAAAAAAAWmc/Oaxf54JWl6UTUurSMmx2HQJ32wKzQgSAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/download%2B%252832%2529.jpeg" title="Son House" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Son House - blues legend</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table>For brevity, we'll do a VERY condensed origin & history of slide guitar, and then a short list of a handful of "modern era" (1955 to now) popular songs featuring slide guitar.<div><br /></div><div>If you find you really enjoy the sound of various slide guitars, I strongly suggest a deep dive into styles and eras touched on below!<br /><br /><b>Origins</b><div>Its sometime post 1800 and European sailors have been visiting the Hawaiian Islands for a couple of decades. At some point, they bring ashore an instrument very much like the modern guitar (which was first made in 1850, but there were a variety of similar instruments - some called "guitar" and others bearing different names).</div><div><br /></div><div>For reasons unknown, the islanders dislike the standard tunings of the 5-string and 6-string instruments, and re-tune them to open chords (they called it "slack-key", as they tuned strings down to achieve this, and we now refer to this as "open chord" tuning). At some point, someone laid a piece of metal across the strings to play it....sliding the metal across the strings. One story is that it was a man named Joseph Kekuku and that he picked up an old rusted bolt and on a whim, applied it to the strings of his "Spanish" guitar. Whatever the truth, the "steel guitar" is officially born.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward not so many years later and, as the story goes, Joseph Kekuku leaves his native Hawaii and, in 1904, begins playing vaudeville shows in the US. Kekuku is the man credited with introducing the slide guitar to the US and, by extension, the world. Another Hawaiian steel player, Sol Hoʻopiʻi, is credited (1919) with being the man who influenced the Mississippi blues players.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only issue is that W.C. Handy reports first hearing a blues guitarist in 1903 (pre-dating both the above gentlemen) at a train station. Quote: <i>"As he played, he pressed a knife on the strings of the guitar in a manner popularized by Hawaiian guitarists who used steel bars. The effect was unforgettable."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Note Handy credits the Hawaiian players, but the time-line is slightly amiss. The phonograph was invented in the 1870s and phonograph record were sold as early as the 1880s, so I suppose that is a possible source prior to Kekuku migrating to the continental US; or perhaps Handy's date is off by a year or two; or laying a a knife blade or bottle neck or some other hard surface on the no-fretted, one-string Diddley Bow instrument (made with a cigar box and a wire from a screen door, tuned with a screw) seemed obvious to musicians in the Mississippi Delta.....but whatever the case, I will leave this historical oddity for others to work out.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Acoustic Blues</b></div><div>OK, now we're down to brass tacks! </div><div><br /></div><div>On the timeline, one has to mention Henry Sloan (born 1870) as one of the first real blues men, as well as the man who taught Charley Patton, a legendary blues figure and slide guitar player (and often called the "Father of Delta Blues"). Patton later traveled & performed with the now equally iconic blues men Tommy Johnson and Son House, the latter of who displayed a far more aggressive slide approach than Patton or Johnson. Other notable slide players were Blind Willie Johnson, Tampa Red, and Kokomo Arnold.</div><div><br /></div><div>This brings us possibly the man considered by most to be the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson (who was greatly influenced by Son House and learned from Ike Zimmerman). Johnson is often considered to be the most important blues musician (and slide guitar player) ever, who influenced every blues & rock guitarists who followed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Suggested listening: </div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"Dark Was the Night,Cold was the Ground" - Blind Willie Johnson</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Death Letter Blues" - Son House</i></b></div><div><i><b>"Crossroads Blues" - Robert Johnson </b>(this is the song re-worked as "Crossroads" by Eric Clapton)</i><br /><br /><div><b>Electric Blues</b></div><div>Early blues electric slide players included men like Robert Nighthawk, Earl Hooker (who learned from Nighthawk), and Homesick James (Williamson), as well as better known names like Elmore James and Muddy Waters. These amazing stylists had direct impact on the next generation of players like Ry Cooder, Mike Bloomfield, and, of course, Duane Allman.</div><div><br /></div><div>Suggested listening:</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"I Got to Move" - Homesick James</i></b></div><div><b><i>"It Hurts Me Too" - Elmore James</i></b></div><div><b><i>"I Can't Be Satisfied" - Muddy Waters</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Non-Blues Musics</b></div><div>In addition to the Hawaiian style players and blues players, there were players of slide (traditional guitars, resonator guitars, lap steels, and later pedal steel) who played a variety of other styles of music, like bluegrass, country, western swing, southern gospel, honky-tonk, and more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Players of interest include Jerry Byrd, Bob Dunn, Bob Wills, Don Helms, Darick Campbell, and more...including Josh Graves, a man we'll see below.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Post-Elvis (a.k.a. - the Modern Era)</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's just dive right in with brief bios and our suggested listening!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>1950s</b></div><div>The man credited with introducing the Dobro (resonator guitar) to country music was bluegrass great Josh Graves when he joined Flatt & Scruggs and the Foggy Mountain Boys in 1955, and had a major impact on the work of Dobro masters Jerry Douglas and Rob Ickes.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"Hear the Wind Blow" - Foggy Mountain Boys</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Sleep Walk" - Santo & Johnny</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Wabash Cannonball" - Roy Acuff with Bashful Brother Oswald</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1960s</b></div><div>Folk players like John Fahey also employed slide guitar to great effect, and rock players drew from the aforementioned electric players to inject rock music with an entirely new edge.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"How Green Was My Valley" - John Fahey</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Statesboro Blues" - Allman Brothers</i></b></div><div><b><i>"I Wanna Be Your Man" - Rolling Stones</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1970s</b></div><div>Many rock players started experimenting with slide by the 1970s, from Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin to everything touched by Joe Walsh (James Gang, Eagles, & solo), and there were new blues players keeping the tradition alive, like electric blues stylists Bonnie Raitt and George Thorogood.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"Move it on Over" - George Thorogood</i></b></div><div><b><i>"The Joker" - Steve Miller Band</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Slow Ride" - Foghat</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1980s</b></div><div>Hair metal took over a large chuck of the airwaves and MTV video rotation, and many 80s guitar heroes experimented with slide, from Mick Mars (Motley Crue) to Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), while bluesmen like Johnny Winter and Roy Rogers continued carrying the torch, and others (like Grateful Dead's Jerry Garcia and Pink Floyd's David Gilmour) continued to experiment with lap & pedal steel that they first explored a decade earlier.</div><div><br /></div><div>The 1986 movie <b><i>"Crossroads"</i></b> starred Ralph Macchio (with Steve Vai as the devil's guitarist), and the movie features a soundtrack with amazing slide parts played by Ry Cooder and Arlen Roth.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>"Let the Music Do the Talking" Joe Perry/Aersosmith</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Look Over Yonder" Roy Rogers</i></b></div><div><b><i>"Sally Mae" John Lee Hooker</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>1990s & 2000s</b></div><div>The last few decades has been good to slide guitar. Whether it was featured in music by superstar Ozzy Osbourne (listen to <b><i>"No More Tears"</i></b> with Zakk Wylde on guitar) or Jack White's work in the White Stripes and solo or the continued rise of Dobro icon Jerry Douglas (with solo albums as well as his work with Allison Kraus and others), we also saw a relative onslaught of incredible slide talent, like Rob Ickes, Ben Harper, Eric Sardinas, Ian Thornley, Keb' Mo', Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph, and many more, including a string of successful tribute albums from Blues Award winner Rory Block.</div><div><br /></div><div>There was also a Robert Johnson tribute concert filmed in 1999 and documented for the film <b><i>"Hellhounds on My Trail: The Afterlife of Robert Johnson"</i></b> that featured an stunning assembly of talent, including performances by Gov't Mule, Guy Davis, Rory Block, Chris Whitley, Roy Rogers, Sonny Landreth, Keb' Mo', and more. This is a MUST SEE event.</div><div><br /></div><div>In recent years, we've seen the emergence of even more talent, like Abbie Gardner (who is a solo artist and also plays with Red Molly) and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe, as well as a new wave of Diddley Bow and Cigar Box Guitar players.</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>"Preachin' Blues" - Larkin Poe</b></i></div><div><i><b>"Terraplane Blues" - Rory Block</b></i></div><div><i><b>"Break It Slow" - Abbie Gardner</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-85044919652508134332021-04-27T08:11:00.006-07:002021-04-27T12:57:57.255-07:00Sonic Sorcery: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMnSI83tXWU/YIgpd32yO-I/AAAAAAAAVvg/cc1V8341Va8s11xmyb6GUGRI3y7xBVcfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s270/download%2B%252819%2529.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="270" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMnSI83tXWU/YIgpd32yO-I/AAAAAAAAVvg/cc1V8341Va8s11xmyb6GUGRI3y7xBVcfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/download%2B%252819%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>This beautiful song was written by the always stellar Carole King and her then songwriting partner & husband Gerry Goffin (for context, if my history is correct, King wrote the music while Goffin & King shared lyric duties for this song).<div><br /></div><div>It was first recorded & released by The Shirelles in 1960 and went to #1 on the charts (despite being banned from many radio stations for being too sexually suggestive), and was subsequently recorded by Brenda Lee, Ben E, King, Dusty Springfield, Cher, The Four Seasons, & more through the 60s (and many more in later decades, from Roberta Flack to Amy Winehouse), and Carole King included a slower version on her ground-breaking album "Tapestry" in 1971 with backup vocals supplied by none other than James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.</div><div><br /></div><div>The song has since landed on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" as well as taking the #3 slot on their "100 Greatest Girl Songs" list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's dive into this classic.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b>Chord Progression:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Like many songs, it begins with a I - IV - V as its initial framework (C - F - G) but almost immediately weaves in surprises. Let's look at the chart:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>chorus:</i></div><div><i><b>C - - - /C - - - /F - - - /G - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>C - - - /C - - - /F - - - /G - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>E - - - /E7 - - - /Am - - - /Am7 - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>F - - - /G7 - - - /C - - - /C - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><br />bridge:</i></div><div><i><b>F - - - /F - - - /Em - - - /Em7 - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>F - - - /G - - - /C - - - /C7 - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>F - - - /Dm - - - /Em - - - /Em7 - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>Am - - - /D7 - - - /G - - - /G - - - /</b></i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>With this is a basic model, you can listen to various versions (like King's aforementioned 1971 release) for all manner of embellishments on the theme. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Melody:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The prime factor to note is the change from the first line to the second line: The first half is identical, but the second line shoots up a 4th (from E - D to A - G). She returns to this A to G theme in the bridge, which is a device to pause and seriously ponder.</div><div><br /></div><div>Also worthy of note is that Carole keeps the melody in the first 2 lines strictly pentatonic, but switches to a diatonic approach after that.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Lyrics:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>The lyrics were co-written by King, but if my understanding is correct, the bulk of the heavy lifting was done by Goffin, who, by all accounts, had a profound ability to voice the angst of the 50s teen & young adult generation. In Carole King's own words: "His words expressed what so many people were feeling but didn't know how to say...." <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>An examination of Goffin's work with King (including songs like "Go Away Little Girl", "Take Good Care of My Baby", "One Fine Day", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", "Pleasant Valley Sunday", and many more) sees Goffin's lyrics leaning heavily on the same simplicity we discussed with Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" in our <a href="https://skinnydevilmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/04/sonic-sorcery-will-you-still-love-me.html" target="_blank">last installment of the series.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The take-away, of course, is (at least when all else fails) to begin with simplicity and work up from there. Note this is also exactly what King does with the melody of this song (discussed above).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now...go give this song a listen while pondering these compositional ideas and see how it might impact your music!</div><div><br /></div>=====<br /><i><br />If you find this lesson to be of value, please consider leaving a small donation!<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)</i><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-80858991134600098342021-04-26T07:36:00.001-07:002021-04-26T07:36:34.532-07:00Sonic Sorcery: Exploring Sam Cooke's Classic "You Send Me" Here in our 4th piece in the series, we'll look at Sam Cooke's timeless classic, "You Send Me", which was written by Sam (though credited to Sam's brother) in 1955 and recorded & released it 2 years later as Cooke's debut single. The song met with massive commercial & critical success (it was #1 on both the R&B and Pop charts) and has since been listed on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list as well as the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock-n-Roll" list.<div><br /></div><div>You can also read my tribute to <a href="https://skinnydevilmagazine.blogspot.com/2019/04/sam-cooke.html" target="_blank">Sam Cooke</a>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpAGLWCNTQ/YIbOphsqqjI/AAAAAAAAVuc/wp7-DQ2to4M_mA6omz2_iKSee40hQ001gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/sam1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLpAGLWCNTQ/YIbOphsqqjI/AAAAAAAAVuc/wp7-DQ2to4M_mA6omz2_iKSee40hQ001gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/sam1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's dive in.</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Chord Progression:<br /></u></b><div><br /></div><div>The song is in the key of G and utilizes the familiar "Doo Wop Progression" (which has been variously called "The 50s Progression", "The Stand By Me Progression", "The Heart & Soul Chords", and even "The Sam Cooke Progression" (since Sam used the famed I -v i - IV - V progression in many of his songs). This translates to G - Em - C - D.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's go straight to the chart (stripped to bare essentials).</div><div><br /></div><div><i>chorus:</i></div><div><i><b>G - Em - /C - D - /G - Em - /C - D - /</b></i></div><div><div><i><b>G - Em - /C - D - /G - Em - /C - D - /</b></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div></div><div><i>bridge:</i></div><div><i><b>Am - D - /G - - - /Am - D - /G - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b>Am - D - /G - E7 - /A7 - - - /D7 - - - /</b></i></div><div><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div><br /></div><div>The chart is using the original release as a guide (as opposed to the live versions and demos available) and we'll look at some of the embellishment opportunities shortly.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Melody:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The melody is beautifully simplistic (and purely pentatonic) which is the perfect vehicle for Sam to showcase his amazing signature vocal runs that soar throughout the song. But also note the melody avoids the root note the entire time until the very end of the chorus, and the highest note (E) is never actually sung over the Em chord, so it always creates a tension to push the melody forward. In fact, the entire melody plays out similarly: </div><div><br /></div><div>The E note is sing over the G chord, the D note over the Em chord, the B over the C chord, and A over the D chord (the only chord where the melody note is one of the chord tones)....meaning the entire melody is always a note behind the chord progression, creating constant tension in each line and then finally resolving to the root note at the end of the chorus.</div><div><br /></div><div>And the simplicity of the melody makes it both hum-able & memorable, as well as the aforementioned advantage of allowing Sam's stylistic tendencies to fly free throughout the song.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Lyrics:</u></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Also of utmost simplicity are the lyrics, which are direct and to the point...and as such allow him to sneak in multi-syllabic vocabulary such as "infatuation" (if you think that's no big thing, I'd ask how many of your songs feature 5 syllable words) and note the <b>prosody</b> we discussed in an <a href="https://skinnydevilmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/03/sonic-sorcery-peak-at-prosody.html" target="_blank">earlier piece</a>: Sam draws the note(s) out when singing "so long" beautifully.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Then Sam adds some spice.....</i></div><div><br /></div><div>There are MANY chordal embellishments & replacements available that Cooke's band explored on demo and stage, and they include replacing the C chord with an Am7 in the chorus, sliding the F in between the G and the E7 in the bridge, replacing Am to D in the bridge with C to Cm, and more. Try this version of the bridge:</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><b><i>Am7 - D7 - /G - Em7 - /C - Cm - /G - Bdim7 - /</i></b></div><div><b><i>Am7 - D9 - /G - E7 - /A7 - - - /D7 - - - /</i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Note additional tension opportunities (for example, in the final bridge line above, moving from 2 beats of A7 to 2 beats of A7b13 before moving to the D7 for a nice chromatic ascent).</div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, as discussed above, Cooke adds plenty of gorgeous vocal runs throughout the song. But worthy of note: He does so without ever falling into the trap of purely showing off his considerable vocal chops, but instead serves the song throughout.</div><div><br /></div><div>No wonder this song is still be covered by top artists today.</div><div><br /></div><div>=====</div><div><i><br />If you find this lesson to be of value, please consider leaving a small donation!<br /><br />Monthly support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2QyWVA5QXRzUUt0NmhqVTB3UlR0RXRibUgzQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMjFkcHBrMC12czJvZG5PQjBqdjdPY0NCVHFMN09hcnloNjZVa3I1djlaVlM1VldtMzhiNnd5TG5adkF2bUlJampCTGxYdU1pS01ZMXJfS1dBdXp4UUYzc0VYdE9NOVVOSUdVNFZWc0JjUXk1TlRrdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.patreon.com%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.patreon.com/skinnydevilmusic</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /><br />One-shot support: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbFZaNGhjOC04TzlENFFQcEpoWjJiMVBMd2lrZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsRWEzeE9rVmIzQld3Ui10alpiSkpvcEs0RG9wVXpmS1lwWGt6ZmQzRFRjaGxOb0s5Z2VhYndrQmtwZHdUVldMX3hqNGhiYm01SEd6dGthdE5sRzF3cy1nd01TeGRjUW5NUTBVNEJKLU8xMGxoUElnZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fskinnydevilmusic">https://www.paypal.me/skinnydevilmusic</a> or<a href="http://www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47"> www.venmo.com/David-McLean-47</a> (Pay What You Will)<br /></i><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-5523786051114114842021-04-01T15:50:00.002-07:002021-04-01T15:50:49.839-07:00MoneyChords Lesson: "Moonlight Sonata"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIf6wR1be8/YGZOO9On3mI/AAAAAAAAVLI/4MSagsRr890c3akalal9SJIvvd6E5wSrACLcBGAsYHQ/s300/images%2B%252810%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfIf6wR1be8/YGZOO9On3mI/AAAAAAAAVLI/4MSagsRr890c3akalal9SJIvvd6E5wSrACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/images%2B%252810%2529.jpeg" /></a></div><br />This lesson was written roughly 2005 and published at MoneyChords. Enjoy!<p></p><p><br /></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p><br /></p><table bgcolor="000000" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" valign="TOP"><span style="color: #ffcc33; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif;"><b>MoneyChords</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellpadding="20" cellspacing="4" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="LEFT" valign="TOP"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: medium;"><center><b>"Moonlight Sonata"</b></center></span><center>by David M. McLean</center><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><b></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;">I got a few calls asking me to skip the "insanity" for one lesson and opt instead for a bit of focus on classical chops. Let it be known that I am less-than-adequate when it comes to playing classical guitar, but I thought I might at least offer up something to assist those who want to work on a few classical pieces. To that end, here are the opening few arpeggios to Beethoven's "Opus 27, #2" (better known as "Moonlight Sonata" or, to Ludwig, "Sonata Quasi Una Fantasia").</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;">A quick tip or two regarding classical technique: Make sure your fingers are coming down on the string straight rather than at a sharp angle (as is common when playing rock guitar) and be careful with your pick-hand technique, being mindful to change the angle of attack so your hand doesn't rest across the strings but comes down on top of them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;">Start slowly with this until you get it up to speed, and be sure to shift you hand position economically. Rest strokes are a no-no, as the notes need to ring.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;">I originally wrote this out as triplets in 2/4 - though I'm not sure if Beethoven actually wrote it that way or as 3/4, 6/8, or something else entirely - and in the key of D minor. However, a friend forwarded me a transcription by a guy using the name "John 316" which is in A minor and written in 8s in 6/4. This allows the upper voice to come in more easily than my original version, so I re-wrote it borrowing heavily from John. My thanx to him for transcribing it much better than I managed!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;">Enjoy!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/moonlight1.jpg" width="751" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/moonlight2.jpg" width="751" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/moonlight3.jpg" width="751" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/moonlight4.jpg" width="366" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://insaneguitar.com/col/david/sounds/moonlight-edit.mid" target="_blank">Listen</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></p><center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><img height="20" src="http://gallery.angelfire.com/webelements/Lines/Lines1/00002007.gif" width="597" /></span></center><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:david@insaneguitar.net?Cc=sdmusiclab@netscape.net">David M. McLean</a></span> <span>is the proprietor of <a href="http://www.skinnydevil.com/">Skinny Devil Music Labs</a>, former guitarist of the avant-garde fusion-metal band Aurora-Sen, guitar instructor, and columnist for <a href="http://music.tinfoil.net/">TinFoil Music Magazine</a> (where he conducts interviews in the on-going series “<span style="color: black;">Guitar Gods</span>”). His new solo album, “<a href="http://www.skinnydevil.com/Hunger.html">HUNGER</a>”, will be released later this year, as will the acoustic collection, "An Alien Blue".</span></p><p><span></span></p><center><span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, Sans Serif; font-size: xx-small;"><img height="20" src="http://gallery.angelfire.com/webelements/Lines/Lines1/00002007.gif" width="597" /><br /><a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/authorone.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">About Us</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/lesson.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Chord Progressions</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/faq.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">F.A.Q.</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/freebies.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Freebies</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/guitarchords.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Guitar Chords</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/guitarlessons.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Guitar Lessons</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/index.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Home Page</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/links2.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Links</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/news.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Music News</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/searchengines.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Site Search</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/songwriting.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Songwriting</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/chordsubs.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Standards</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/bookstore.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Store</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/tablature.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Tablature</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> | <a href="https://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/webring.html"><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">WebRings</span></a><span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;"> <span font="" style="color: black; font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2005 MoneyChords.com</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center></td></tr></tbody></table>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-82896961902818741162021-04-01T15:29:00.003-07:002021-04-01T15:41:56.849-07:00Zen Guitar #3: "The Sound Of...."<i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y315FV6axlo/YGZKc-8NK1I/AAAAAAAAVLE/XcdhKLncNuYUaZqo-sy56Y2Q1moye-4rgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/zen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="139" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y315FV6axlo/YGZKc-8NK1I/AAAAAAAAVLE/XcdhKLncNuYUaZqo-sy56Y2Q1moye-4rgCPcBGAYYCw/s0/zen.jpeg" /></a></div>(ed note: this is the third of three lessons in the series)</i><br /><br /><br /><b><u>The Sound of....<br /></u></b><br /><i>Level: Advanced</i><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">David M. McLean</a><br />(a brief word to advanced players)<div><br /><br />Sounds can come from your hands, your guitar, your amp or strings or FX boxes or alien devices. All of these are legitimate, of course, but today we are going to focus on something a little different. Today, work on mimicking what would traditionally be thought of as non-musical sounds.<br /><br />Imitate the sound of...<br /><br />a jackhammer<br />a car horn<br />an elephant<br />a mouse<br />a mouse click<br />a vitamin cap being unscrewed<br />a siren<br />the wind<br />fire<br />water<br />feet running in the sand<br />a randomly dialing radio<br /><br /><br />I would encourage you to share your discoveries with us, as many might be surprised not only at what you accomplish, but how different it is from what they accomplish with this exercise. I would also encourage you to try this exercise using both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar. Have fun!<br /><br />.<br /><br /><i>"What you are is what you have been; what you will become is what you do now." - Gautama (the Buddha)<br /></i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2440305674480497417.post-33622682231079409352021-04-01T15:27:00.003-07:002021-04-01T15:39:03.978-07:00Zen Guitar #2: "One with the Music"<i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y315FV6axlo/YGZKc-8NK1I/AAAAAAAAVLE/XcdhKLncNuYUaZqo-sy56Y2Q1moye-4rgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/zen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="139" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y315FV6axlo/YGZKc-8NK1I/AAAAAAAAVLE/XcdhKLncNuYUaZqo-sy56Y2Q1moye-4rgCPcBGAYYCw/s0/zen.jpeg" /></a></div>(ed note: this is second of three lessons in the series) <br /></i><br /><b><u>One With the Music</u></b><br /><br /><i>Level: Advanced</i><div><i><br /></i><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">David M. McLean</a><br />(a brief word to advanced players)</div><div><br /><br />Here is a very short lesson with which my students have had remarkable success.<br /><br /><b>Sing what you play.</b><br /><br />Yep, simple lesson...and one you should actually do rather than just read. Start with a simple C major scale played in the open position...then progress, playing the same scale in various positions, then expanding to 2 octaves in various positions, and so on.<br /><br />Next, sing a few simple melodies as you play them. Slowly begin embellishing the melody with your voice and follow it with the guitar. Next, embellish with the guitar and follow it with your voice. Do this every day for several weeks until you become comfortable with it.<br /><br />Now for the hard part: Record an unusual chord progression over an odd time - something you are just not at all used to doing or hearing. Don't play, just hear melodic options in your head. Then go through it again, this time playing (and singing) your improvised (perhaps "discovered": is a better word?) melody. Now stop singing, but continue to play (but hear your voice in your head) and try to freely improvise over your odd tune. After you do this for a few minutes, add your voice back in and see what happens to your playing. It may be wise to capture all of this with your recorder. You might even want to up-load the music onto a music site (or your own web-site) and invite all of us to listen.<br /><i><br /><br />"What you are is what you have been; what you will become is what you do now." - Gautama (the Buddha)</i><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Skinny Devilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13896364368518481260noreply@blogger.com0