I hear the thunder of a thousand horses. Opening my eyes I am on a wide open snow covered plain riding bare backed upon a dappled Appaloosa stallion. I am wearing leather buckskins and am sporting a great lance. Around me there are many men and even a few children all whooping and inciting each other on to continue the chase. Before us a mighty herd of American buffalo are racing in thunderous unison toward the edge of a cliff. As the bison plunge over the cliff to their doom, the men around me give a great whoop and their horses come to a stop a few dozen feet from the edge of doom. One fellow painted heavily in ghost white paint and adorned with feathers and a bison hat jumps off his horse near the cliff's edge and lights a rope of sweet grass. "Great Spirit, father of the Lakota nation, we thank you for persuading our brothers the mighty buffalo to sacrifice themselves so that we may live. We make humble offerings to you and our brothers and hope that you may take pleasure from these herbs and find our prayers to you pleasing."
A powerful warrior claps the shaman on the back and grins mightily. "Our friends, the bison will have gladdened hearts because of your words Black Elk. I will call the women and together we will gather the meat, the skins and the bones of our brothers so that we may live".
Black Elk smiles back at the warrior and says, "Crazy Horse you always know how to gladden the hearts of all who hear your voice".
I dismount from my horse, mouth agape. I must be dreaming. Black Elk was one of my heroes when I was in college. His words had gone to my heart like no other and I had fervently wished I had been able to meet him and speak with him before he had died. I find I have nearly run into Black Elk as he is planting a red hoop into the Earth and is making a wide circle on the plain as he dances around, lost in prayer. I ask myself how I got here.
He stops dancing and looks on at me with a piercing gaze. He begins to speak to me, "Mr. Archer, dreams are wiser than waking. You are here because you need to be here. The spirit realm is the real realm, and only from here can you hope to help your people".
I reverently kneel before the shaman and with tears in my eyes say, "I am sorry for what the white man has done to your people. I am so sorry for what we have done to all Native Americans. It seems my people are barbarians, incapable of love, incapable of honor, unable to respect nature. Your people should have wiped us out when we first arrived on your shores as a warning so that no more white people would dare to follow the first explorers".
Black Elk looks down at me, "Mr. Archer, The Great White Father in Washington promised that these lands would be ours as long as the grass grows and the river flows. He also rubbed us out, men, women, the old, the children because he still wanted our lands. We were happy to share with him and invited him to our dances and asked him to make peace with us and to have pity upon his poor red children. He had no pity. Now the Great White Father in Washington seeks to rub out his other children as well. I swear to you we are brothers, but there can be no peace among nations until you find true peace in your own heart".
I nearly fall over staggered. "But Black Elk, my very existence is based upon resisting peace. I am revenant. I am revenge for the evils that The Great White Father in Washington has committed against his children. If I come to terms with my rage, if I forget the shame I have for the wrongs I have committed, I will cease to exist".
Black Elk laughs from deep down in his belly. "Mr. Archer, we do not cease to exist, we simply move between the realms of men and the true realm. Finding peace will give you more power, not less. You will still remember all of your deeds but they will cease to own your heart. How could we speak if this were not true?"
With the words of Black Elk echoing in my mind I notice a young child in buckskins approaching me. Dimly I recognize her as the child I accidentally shot when my bullet ricocheted off the Abrams tank during my fruitless attempt to gain revenge against Cooper for killing my dog. I flush with shame. "Don't be sad Mr. Archer. It's not your fault. My mommy told me not to play out by the street. You were trying to kill the bad man. I wanted to see. You are my hero Mr. Archer!"
The child hugs me fiercely as I choke back tears. "What...what is your name child? I never even got to know your name". I say trembling.
The little girl smiles warmly, "My name is Dawn sir. Don't tell my mommy I was out where I promised not to go and I won't tell anyone you are a terrible shot!"
Her infectious smile brings a half smile to my own face, "I promise to do better Dawn. Thank you for believing in me".
I look up again and Black Elk is the only Lakota who still remains nearby. Black Elk speaks, "Grown men can learn from very little children for the hearts of little children are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them many things which older people miss".
I smile at the shaman and it is as if the power of lightening flows through my veins. "I must break the circle of war and aggression and return the sacred hoop of nations to the Earth. I will remind our brothers how we are intended to live. No longer will I be the flaming weapon of revenge. I have become a tool to teach the Great White Father to treat his children with the kind words of peace".
Black Elk clasps my hand and says, "Mr. Archer, you will still need to use your gifts to aid the children of the Earth, but now you have performed your vision quest and can see clearly the path that was blocked by large rocks before."
Slowly my eyes open. I am in a cell. I do not know how much time has passed. A quartz crystal bracelet is on my right arm. My thoughts a blur, I am dully aware of the sound of my wife's voice from the adjoining cell, shouting obscenities at someone. As my vision clears, I realize that my form has taken solid flesh. I take a deep breath and can smell the scent of overly-filtered air. Attempting to stand I fall back dizzily. I take another deep breath and more cautiously get to my feet. I see my friend Joe sitting on a stool outside my cell and his flesh is as solid as my own. I walk toward Joe and am jolted by a strong bolt of energy that distorts as my flesh contacts it.
Joe says, "It's a force field dude. Just temporary until we can make assurances that the two of you aren't going to go on a berserk rampage".
Remembering my vision, I smile wickedly and say, "Well my old friend, we have much to discuss." I look down at my arm and understand that the crystal band controls my form and will it away through the force of my thoughts. As the crystal arm band falls off of my wrist and I lose mortal form, I slip through the force field effortlessly and go to embrace my friend.
Joe says, "Whoa! Whoa!! Whoa!! Dude, I'm not the bad guy!"
Faster than thought I am standing next to Joe, "Of course not", I say. We engage in an elaborate fist bump hand shake and Joe visibly relaxes. "I rarely accept friends, and even more rarely give up on them." I say. I ask Joe, "How did you die"?
Joe looks visibly shocked by my question. He hesitates for a moment, seeming to debate what he should say but finally says, "I got in over my head dude. I was looking for The Society. I had researched for months for their location and met up with a few contacts in Ann Arbor. One of those contacts told me he had a lead that I needed to meet. He told me to meet him in downtown Ypsilanti at midnight at the Wooden Nickel. I was ecstatic! This was the break I had been waiting my entire life for. I showed up at midnight. The bar was closing down, but there were a few older dudes in the back dressed in high end suits. They were definitely not the sort of crowd that hangs out at the Wooden Nickel. We exchanged a few words; they told me to meet them out back. They had a long Cadillac stretch limo out back. I got in. They told me to put a hood over my head. I did as they told me. They told me we had to drive for a good way out of town where we would exchange cars with someone from The Society who wanted to meet me. After 30 minutes, we stopped. I got out of the car. There were...three shots. Then I blacked out. I cycled for a while before I realized I was a ghost. I discovered that it was much harder to hide secrets from a determined spirit. It still took me some time, but eventually I found some low-level Society operatives. I guess intelligent ghosts like us are actually pretty rare. Most ghosts never stop cycling. The ones that do are usually a pain in the ass until someone sends out a spirit assassin to get rid of them. Anyway, I never did find out who killed me or why I was considered a threat. The real Society said they had never heard about me until I showed up as a ghost."
Joe is lost in thought for a moment, but looks over at me and asks, "How the hell did you break out of that cell? The Society is advanced in science and technology far beyond the level our government has attained. That was a fourth generation plasma force field and you were fitted with an energy to matter stabilization band that should have kept you stuck in a mortal form until The Society decided to remove it."
I flash my now trademarked wicked smile at Joe and say, "Because I wanted to. You see..."
Apparently my wife is tired of listening to us because she interjects at this moment, "Enough with the love-fest! Use your Jedi-magic and get me out of this cell dear husband...or I MAY forget that I have decided to offer your friend a temporary truce until I determine what the hell is going on in this place."
Joe says, "I really don't think that is a good idea. She killed four of our men!!"
Life says, "The number will be A LOT higher if I spend one more minute in this cage!!!"
Before this escalates into a nuclear attack, I reach through the plasma shield and take hold of Life's arm. With a thought I pass on the information she needs to free herself of the band. Seconds later, her band slips from her arm and she steps outside of the cell and stands next to me. She says, "I can't say I'd ever thought to be glad to lose the chance to take human form again, but being a ghost suits me better anyway." She glares briefly at Joe who now seems indifferent to her presence.
Suddenly Life bursts out emotionally, "What right do you people have to gas the Michigan militia? What good is your stupid society? How dare you! You asshole!!! I am fed up with this or that group telling people what to do! If there are so many of you that you could help everyone escape and take all the equipment back with you, why the hell didn't you just help us fight that evil pastor and his mercenary lackeys? Did you kill them? Where the hell is Fast Eddie and his people...and why the hell do those society members dress like idiots? The Will Smith, Men in Black look is moronic! Why not just dress like the Three Stooges? Maybe I should just kill you after all Joe, and we will be on our way!!"
Joe holds out his hands defensively and says, "Whoa, whoa, whoa sunshine! How about one question at a time! Nobody ate your friends! They have all been given ample living quarters, fresh clothes, good food and they are free to come and go as they please! You will meet up with them in the assembly soon enough!"
Life interjects, "Oh so we are the only people subjected to the Gitmo treatment!?"
"That was just temporary until you calmed down. You two are a lot more dangerous than the rest". Joe says.
Before my warrior princess can ask another question Joe says, "Okay, so let me tell you what I can about The Society. As far as I can tell The Society was formed during the Italian Renaissance period in Naples. They tried to depose monarchies and end the concept of divine right rule. Although they achieved much success there was a heavy backlash from powerful monarchist movements who also aligned themselves with the Catholic Church. Assassinations of prominent Society members were becoming so common that The Society was forced into hiding. Some scattered throughout Europe and Asia. Others headed to the New World. The Society regained some standing and reentered regular societies through philosophers and writers. While other groups were spreading nonsense about the Holy Grail and the Ark of the Covenant, The Society was spreading the philosophy of reason, enlightenment, the search for scientific answers, equality for all and the inalienable rights of man. Our greatest success was in France and the United States. The Bill of Rights is something The Society is particularly proud of. "
Life asks, "Why the clown routine with the same suits and clothes?"
Joe says, "The Society has become very isolated over the centuries. They are very careful as to who is allowed in and therefore very little new blood enters the mix. Quite a few members have become light sensitive over the generations. The head to toe clothing is to protect the skin and eyes. As a sign of solidarity, members who do not have this condition dress the same when dealing with outsiders. "
I ask, "So answer Mrs. Archer's question, why did The Society wait until the last second to help? I presume you knew about the Michigan Militia for quite some time. Why wait until we were being bombed?"
Joe looks apologetic, "The Society is very secretive…Sometimes so much so that they are trapped by the inertia of the layers of their secrets. They are very much a pacifistic society and are terrified of doing something that will result in the further escalation of warfare. Perhaps their worst secret is that there are not that many of them left. The Homeland Agency of Defense discovered quite a few members of The Society through diligence, luck and because our members do not blend into regular society that well anymore. The Society survives because of their secrets, but even they have come to understand that the time for shadows in the dark may be nearing an end."
Life looks at Joe with a tiny bit more respect and asks, "So Joe, why are you our keeper?"
Joe lets out a brief laugh, "I've been assigned to you because they know we are friends and because as a fellow spirit, they felt you would adjust to them better if you talked to someone like yourselves first. Hey, you've been out for a long time. The others are getting restless and there is a meeting scheduled for today in the assembly. I was going to use drastic measures to wake you two if you hadn't snapped out of your cycling today. So let me give you a tour of this place and take you to the assembly room to meet The Society".
Tired of talk, we both nod in agreement and follow Joe out of the room.
I had thought we were in some sort of natural cave system based upon the area we were detained in but it is now clear that this complex is entirely man made. Joe leads us down the hall continuing a monologue about the great deeds The Society has done for the betterment of mankind. I am more interested in the lighting system and the panels of monitor screens laced in an orderly manner along the corridor.
I ask, "Joe, where do they get power to run everything?"
Joe breaks in mid-sentence from whatever he was talking about and says, "Fusion dude! The Society discovered a safe way to sustain fusion reactions in 1953. They decided after seeing how governments used fission not to offer fusion technology to the world".
Amazed, I ask, "What other Sci-Fi stuff have they made available for practical use?"
Joe says, "Dude, its best you not worry too much about it, but if the mind can think it these guys can make it happen. When mankind loses his focus on warfare and superstitions and throws himself entirely at tackling a scientific issue, there really isn't too much we can't do".
Life touches the flat screen monitor but nothing happens.
Joe says, "Just think it on. Once the monitor comes up just talk to it or think what you want to know and you will be guided through a directory of options."
The monitor comes on suddenly and a young lady on the screen asks,
"What sword smith would you prefer as the maker of the Katana in question? We have three Amakuni Yasutsuna swords.
Here is a map to property disposition.
You are welcome".
Joe and I look over at my wife and she flashes a broad smile.
I look at my wife and say, "I'm glad someone out there can read your mind!"
I notice we are approaching a series of statues and wall plaques. Statues of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, John Adams, Socrates, and many other thinkers and philosophers guard the hallway. I read some of the inscriptions.
He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. -Thomas Paine.
The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest breaks up the foundations of society. -Thomas Jefferson
There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty. - John Adams
Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
- Thucydides
He who is the author of a war lets loose the whole contagion of hell and opens a vein that bleeds a nation to death. -Thomas Paine
If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest -Thomas Jefferson
As I read the words of these wise men, I wonder how we ever got to the place where we banned all of these men as heretics and subversives. Then I remember I could have been arrested and sent to Gitmo just for voicing that statement. Life says, "How could we have forgotten these men. America died a long time ago."
Joe says, "We are about to enter the assembly. Please, if you won't wear the bracelets they gave you, at least appear visible to them so they know who they are talking to. The assembly is specially designed to make it easier for ghosts and the living to communicate. You will have no problem being heard."
We enter the assembly and our jaws are clearly hanging open in amazement. The chamber is shaped in the form of a perfect circle. There are many tiers of seats; all are made of highly polished obsidian. I would guess that 50,000 people could attend the assembly. A gold statue of Thomas Paine is prominently displayed in the central speaker's circle. Also in the speaker's circle is a very old looking American flag with the thirteen stars and stripes of the original flag, but inside the circle of the thirteen stars in the center is the symbol of The Society.
Joe notices our gaze and says "That is the very first American flag. Betsy Ross was a member of The Society. When The Society fell out of favor the flag was moved to the secret archives at the Smithsonian. Someone from the Society retrieved it from the archives. The chapters of The Society share it. Currently we have the honors of protecting it."
We notice that the assembly is filled with members of the Michigan militia movement. Fast Eddie, Mrs. Ivanova, Franky and all the others are present, all looking healthier, better fed and well dressed. Even Fast Eddie's brother Rodney is here and is sitting next to his brother. While many of the Men in Black figures are present (although apparently unarmed), many other men, women and children of all ages and ethnicities are also present. There is a sudden gasp from the crowd and it is obvious to us that we have been noticed. I cue my wife and together we perform our favorite cheesy entrance, flexing our ghostly muscles, pretending to stoke the crowd to cheers, and then taking a deep bow. The silence that follows rates the success of our actions.
As if embarrassed, our friend Joe introduces us, "These are my friends Mr. and Mrs. Archer. They seek an audience with The Society and have pledged themselves to the cause of equality and peace." We look at Joe with the discomfort one shows when one doesn't like others put words in one's mouth.
A very old woman has appeared in the central speaking circle. A golden light shines on her withered form from above. Monitors throughout the assembly light up and display her image around the chamber. "I have been elected by you all to speak on the behalf of The Society. Anyone who does not wish to participate in this discussion is free to leave. You will be armed, provided with supplies and released in a zone that is not known to be inhabited by government troops". The choice is yours. If you stay you have agreed to suffer the burden associated with membership in The Society. Our secrets must be protected to the death and beyond."
"Um, yeah, Why should we be belivin ya about any of this? My experience is that those who be keepin secrets will sell out commoners like me iffin to keep those secrets safe at first convenience. What keeps us from being fodder for the probes? How do I be knowin you don't have ya a hotline to Homeland Defense with my mug on it?"
Connie's image is broadcast on all viewing screens as he speaks. As soon as he stops for breath a deep baritone voice echos thorough the assembly, "The assembly recognizes speaker Simon Conrad".
The old woman smiles at Connie and states in a strong voice, "Mr. Conrad, I understand your fears. We are a secret organization. We work in shadows. We gassed you rather than talk and explain ourselves. Please let me apologize to you for our rude behavior sir. I promise you we shall never treat you unjustly again. We have made mistakes. We are a secret group but we are not a government. Governments inevitably abuse their power the moment people let down their guards. We underestimated the influence of the forces working in American government to create a hegemony of power. We thought those forces could be contained without a violent response. Once we fully understood how willing those forces where to utterly ignore the meaning of the US Constitution we scrambled to act. Mr. Conrad, you cannot understand how close we came to the end of days. The US, Russian and Chinese military all tried to launch a full nuclear arsenal on each other. Before we could scramble their access codes and disable their arsenals they managed to blow up much of the Middle East. Once they realized their nuclear arsenals had been compromised they went to conventional warfare. We abhor war. We have devoted ourselves over the last four centuries to ending conflict between people.
We have begun to act outside our comfort zone in an attempt to adjust to a changing world...contacting other groups like yours, and our methods need to become more refined. I know we are asking much, but if you chose to trust us, we will provide you with access to any information you request and try to answer any questions you might have freely and without hesitation. Our libraries are available to you. Knowledge is power and we want you all to be our equals in all things. The US government must be stopped at all costs or everything we have worked to attain for brotherhood and equality will be lost forever".
Connie nods his head, grunts wordlessly, shrugs his shoulders at his friend Tomas and takes his seat.
Fast Eddie stands up and before he can speak his face comes up on all the monitors. The deep baritone voices states, "Edward Gerald Silverstein is recognized as the speaker before the assembly."
"Call me Fast Eddie dude. Last time somebody called me Edward I suplexed him through the mat...and don't think because you are a computer voice I can't body slam you so to speak."
The old woman addresses Eddie, "Please try to contain your violent tendencies while speaking before the assembly sir".
Eddie clears his voice. "What I mean to say is that my guys...we are a team! If we join your little cause, I don't want to break up my team. We were doing just fine before you showed up and gassed us into oblivion!"
"The old woman smiles at Eddie and says, "Mr. Eddie, we do not wish to disrupt your team in any way. On the contrary, The Society is very impressed with your leadership skills. You saved countless lives and did your best to provide for all your people in the fairest manner possible given your limited resources. What we are proposing is for your team to join up with our team. We can bring you up to speed on technology and intelligence gathering and you have a well-trained group that can help us be more effective in infusing positive change in this region."
Eddie says, "What if we try things your way and decide we want out?"
The old woman says, "Mr. Eddie, I assure you that once you are in, you will not want to leave our alliance, but if you do decide you cannot work with us we will allow you to leave unharmed. You will however be transported to a region outside of the influence of our immediate enemies for our own safety".
"How do you know your society won't make things worse?" I ask. The deep baritone voice of the assembly computer says, "The assembly recognizes the speaker as the revenant." A hush falls over the assembly as all monitors focus on my form.
The old woman looks at me and says, "We have you and your formidable wife Mr. Archer, that is why I know we will not make things worse."
I frown deeply and say, "What you say, you cannot be certain of. If The Society interferes in the affairs of government through the use of violence you will be teetering on that slippery slope that fells even those with the most noble of intentions".
The old woman replies, "How can you say such things Mr. Archer, you are for reason's sake the embodiment of revenge as prophesied in our greatest works. You are a cleansing fire, designed to restore governments to the path of righteousness."
"I shake my head vigorously indicating my dissent; "I may seem to appear in your prophecies, I may even have believed myself to be the figure mentioned in your books, but I remain at my core who I have always been. I do wish to restore our government to rule by the people for the people. However, any part I take in the events of the future will not involve the heavy hand of revenge, no matter how pure the intentions. We must reconcile aggression with peace. Civil wars are among the bloodiest and most costly. If the good citizens of our nation do not remember our foundation, we are already lost."
There is a long silent pause after I utter these words. People across the assembly then begin looking at each other and muttering lowly to one another, caught up in the moment and their individual reflections. Finally Franky, the techno-geek from Eddie's Michigan militia stands up. The computer recognizes him as Franklin D. Rosenberg. Franky says in a nervous voice, "No disrespect, to Mr. Archer or anyone else, but we have to try. I'm willing to do whatever I can to restore the United States to what it should be...a shining beacon of hope and freedom, a doorway for emigrants to seek a better life, a place where we are equal in rights no matter who we are. I would die for that country. We have to try..."
Arguments, suggestions, and debate continue for many hours but it is apparent to everyone in the assembly that the alliance between the Michigan militia and The Society has been consummated. Roles, duties and goals are discussed deep into the night and when the assembly finally disbands a plan has evolved. It is a plan that will change everything.
In the weeks that followed the assembly meeting Fast Eddie's team has gotten well acclimated to life within The Society. Many of the former CNC members have spent their time pouring over The Society's extensive library and have received mentoring from Society members in the use of advanced science and technologies far beyond the current understanding of modern society. Some Michigan Militia members were angered when they discovered that The Society had simple, cheap scientific solutions that would eliminate concerns for water and food shortages around the world but Society offers to make these tools widely available were actively fought by the world governments. The Society even had solutions for climate change and vehicles that do not need fossil fuel, but whenever such advancements were offered, governments wanted to either hoard the technology to gain power, or they flatly refused to consider it. Franky was most upset to find that even The Society had not advanced a working teleportation device.
For my wife and I, this few weeks has been a joyous opportunity to spend time together, reflect on changing plans and the events that led us to this point. Of course we have also been taking advantage of The Society's technology and discovered ways to phase in and out of corporal form at will, and use and enhance other of our natural traits without expending much if any energy. We have both chosen some formidable weapons we hope not to need. The flip-side of our time here with The Society is that everyone is much more comfortable with us. I might even say they are way too comfortable with us. If I hear one more person ask me how it feels to be dead, and what is life like on the other side, or hey would you say hello to my Aunt Mildred and my dog Fluffy-face...The mundane questions are not nearly as bad as the poorly disguised attempts by The Society scientists to study us like lab rats. I may forget that I have chosen a path of peace.
I am pulled from my musings when Fast Eddie enters the library and asks, "Have you heard dude"?
"Depends" I say.
Eddie says hurriedly, "The plan is almost ready. I've noticed over the last few days that The Society has actually drawn in close to 10,000 people from various local militias unless my eyes are lying to me. Some of them look totally bad ass, some look like the Ann Arbor cannibal gangs. Creepy! I swear people in Ann Arbor would eat their own arms if they didn't need them to hunt."
Life ignores the last mental image and asks, "Eddie, how ready is your team?"
Excitedly Eddie says, "They are totally ready to kick Emergency Manager butt! I swear, I thought we were pretty awesome before, but now, with what we've learned from The Society I think we'd kick Kirk and Spock's butts mano y mano!"
I calmly say to Eddie, "Do not be too eager to use violence. IF our intelligence is true and all of the Emergency managers, major religious leaders and even the Governor are going to attend this special powwow in Lansing then we need to gather as much information as we can. They are planning something big. I believe a small team of operatives is still the best way to be effective against whatever plans would draw them all together."
More seriously, Eddie says, "I'm pretty sure we can convince The Society to let a small group do some recon first. If we screw up, we will still be bringing a lot of firepower to the house, but if we succeed, maybe we can knock those bastards out of the game entirely."
Noticing that my wife and I look deeply lost in our thoughts, Fast Eddie says, "Well until tomorrow then. Most of us need to get some good sleep to prepare for the trip to Lansing. I can't wait to finally see you two in action!"
Most of the people have gone to bed, but my wife and I continue to absorb as much information as we can from The Society's electronic library. I am surprised to learn from The Society's intelligence system that in the days leading up to the nuclear attack in the Middle East many former US. Military veterans did try to stage a coup against Homeland Defense, briefly captured the Pentagon and did a lot of damage to the naval yards in San Diego. The reports indicate that the US lacks the expertise to maintain it's navy or air force with just the mercenaries and a handful of veteran troops who refused to go AWOL when called to duty. The US has been relying heavily on their drone fleet and local religious leaders to keep the remaining populations under control. The Society estimates that 72% of the US population has been lost to deportation, warfare, starvation, radiation sickness and plagues. I shake my head in disgust.
Joe and a middle aged member of The Society enter the library. Joe says, "This is Pablo. He does not have a last name. He is very eager to meet you two. He asked that I bring him to you so that he could talk privately with you." Joe leads us to a series of cubicles hidden behind some wall shelves. We enter one and close the door behind us, leaving Joe to slide the wall shelves close to give us more privacy. The lights inside the room come on and we are left with the mysterious Pablo.
Pablo stares at the two of us for a moment, for the living it might seem an uncomfortable amount of time to stare but we just wait him out until he seems ready to speak. Finally Pablo says in a whispering voice and an accent I do not recognize, "I am a historian, like every generation of my family going back to the time of Herodotus. Historians learn to be careful before coming to conclusions and what I am about to tell you is my theory. I cannot prove what I am about to tell you is true, but neither can I disprove it. I have learned secrets that even The Society does not know. To tell them my secrets could set about a chain of reactions that would destroy The Society and any hope I might have of seeing a future that is brighter than the future I see today".
Before either of us can interrupt Pablo with questions he continues his monologue, "Have you ever wondered how a secret society with the power and knowledge that this society has accumulated has not been able to achieve its goals of brotherhood, equality and peace? We have traitors in our midst. I do not say this to spread rumors of suspicious unsubstantiated opinions but because the facts will not allow any other conclusion. My own mentor found enough evidence that several of our scientists and at least a few of our elders have been working with the State government, giving them as much technology as they can steal without notice, explaining weaknesses in our defenses, even pointing out when several of our members were vulnerable, leading to their capture. Whenever one of the monks from my order attempted to bring together the assembly, that monk and all of his or her evidence vanished, never to be seen again. When questions surfaced concerning where those monks have gone we have been met with answers that are meant to draw suspicion against our own order."
Life says with irritation in her voice, "You keep talking about evidence. I do not see any. You have names? Someone we should at least look out for?"
Pablo says, "You spoke to one at the assembly. The old woman chosen by The Society to represent us during negotiations with the Michigan Militia is the one I speak of. Her name is Angelica Campton. She is a fourth generation member of The Society. She was the one chosen to retrieve the original US Flag. My mentor personally saw her take weapons technology plans from the library. He followed her to Lansing, taking a cloaking device to hide from her view. Angelica was arrogant and did nothing to see if she was being followed. Angelica personally met with the Governor of Michigan, handed him the weapons plans and some other items and shook hands with the man. He gave her something, but my mentor was never able to find out what it was."
Pablo gets up to leave. "I will be missed," He says. "I must get back to my studies before people start wondering if I have taken ill. There is much more I wish I could explain to you. Whatever path you take, be cautious. Take advantage of our hospitality and arm yourself with anything and everything that might help you. Trust no one. Not even me."
With that Pablo takes his leave and Life and I are left to absorb his words.