Far Pangaea 73 : Orient Asian

As the messenger shuffled away Psi Chii returned to her office and sat down behind a large cherry desk and poured herself a cup of tea. A tiny grid to her right kept a pot of water full at all times. Heated to perfection. Greyson's tech remarkable. The tea beyond description. A rolling of her eyes with every sip it was just that delicious.

With a scan of her hand across a pad on her desk she was gifted with a hologram array in mid air. Each new arrival pops up in individual screens. Some less than appropriate. Noting Renee Ramse in the shower led Psi Chii to quickly lower the image to Renee's feet out of respect. It was bad enough monitoring them without their knowledge. Some things would be sacred. Besides, if anything would require further investigation an alarm would force her to re-evaluate her camera feeds. Respect then thrown out the window. Settling back Psi Chii enjoyed the show.

General Obadiah Ridge left his darkness behind. Entering his room led to past memories. He recalled the day. Coming home from his station in Iraq to see his wife Madigan holding their newborn daughter Piper Sophia in her arms. Bundled up in a knitted blanket. He was so happy to see them. The images brought tears to his eyes. He couldn't believe what was unfolding. A reminder that this was a memory halted the homecoming. Growling Obadiah calls out to empty air.

"Enough memory lane. I want the real family. Let's get to it Greyson."

Images change. Desert scenery. Iraq. Only not the Iraq he recalled. Only desert. A desert that altered before his gaze. Dunes fade away. Mountains shift and crumble and rise again. Lush vegetation grows. Rivers teeming with fish. Shifting back and forth like some trick on a History Channel production. Images find substance. A ship appears on dry land. Further study he recognizes the ship. The Eldridge. The Philadelphia Experiment. Only from the outside. As if being watched as it arrives there then glows purple before vanishing once more. As the ship disappears he spots an impression in the soil where its weight had rested. Intrigued he looks to his feet. It was as if the desert was below his feet. No sounds. No scents. No heat of day. Only the sensation of really being there. Without moving he looks forward and behind. Footprints in the sand. His own by recognition of boot.

"What the hell?"

Looking about him he spots a ghost. A real ghost. His wife Madigan Ridge hovering with a look of sadness. Older than she was the day she had vanished. This was obviously moments after her warning of Lucas Dorsey. After leaving the book inside the Eldridge for the future to find. She was almost within his reach. Moving about his room to get directly under her he stretches up on his toes and attempts to touch her feet. So close. The sun blinding him from getting a better look. In seconds the image of his wife was gone. Replaced by darkness now. The night sky remarkable. Zero pollutants blocking the Heavens. Even more the moon was enormous. With a beautiful blue corona.

Narrowed eyes Obadiah realizes something, "Two moons. One behind the other. This is the beginning of time. How?"

A shimmering red light in the sky attracts his attention. Blinking in repetition yet with spaces.

"Morse code. H-E-L-L-O...G-E-N-E-R-A-L. Good God." He swallows dryly, "W-E-L-C-O-M-E...T-O...P-A-N-G-A-E-A."

As he recites his last letter and forms the sentence the room goes dark and the door slides open. In awe he steps out and finds a large Sumo Wrestler waiting for him. "Follow me General. Love a Man in Uniform." He wiggles an eye brow smirking.

Looking back down the hall he notes the doors closed. Pale he stands with the giant. He didn't much care for the fawning eyes the Sumo directed toward him. Regardless he remained quiet about it.

SeVen stood within his room alone. Images of others of his kind surrounding him. He had been in these rooms before. He knew full well what they represented. Today he would learn something new. Without voices to be heard he knew very well he was in front of a jury of Elders. Seeing himself stripped of rank and uniform he was accused and banished. Thrown to the wilderness of Earth. By peering skyward he witnesses Airliners flying to predict his timeline. This was the future. The very near future at that. Careful examination of himself he notes a hicky on his neck. The same hicky he wore at this very moment. Eyes lowered he surmises his days of banishment were close. He was helping humanity in something other than mere contact. That was forbidden. It would be obvious that his aircraft would be tracked. Save for disappearing into Lost Horizon. Here where his tracking would be impossible. Once he left here they would come for him.

"Goodbye My People." His choice made. The door opening he greets Buku and Obadiah. Obadiah noted a distance in SeVen's gaze and opted to let him remain in his own thoughts. Now all they had to do was await Serena to join them.

Within her chosen room Serena Dorsey found herself in her Great Grandfather's cabin in Montana. Her grandfather a child at the moment. Easy recognition due to having seen photographs in family albums. Even though adopted family was family. Silent she observes her Grandfather sneaking about watching Lucas Dorsey whom she had never once physically met sneaking about. Peeping into the night as Dorsey was digging by lantern light around the old outhouse. Her Grandfather expected to be asleep. A calendar on the wall confirmed her suspicion of the timeline. The 60's.

Stepping to look over her Grandfather's shoulder she realizes she can't touch him. Noting the digging she literally walks through the wall and turns to see her Grandfather still watching. The wall intact. Attention curious she walks up the hill and stands behind Dorsey. As if sensing her he turns with shovel in hand and looks directly at Serena. Her heart froze.

Lucas narrowed his eyes and pulled something from his coat pocket. It was the finger of her true Mother. Wrapped well in life fiber. The ring gleaming in the moonlight. Glowing even. As she observed her own ring began glowing as well. As if recognizing it shared the same dimension. She quickly hides her hand under an armpit as if not wanting to give herself away. By doing so Dorsey placed the finger back inside his coat. Once the dig was deep enough Lucas removed the metallic safe from a saddlebag and opened it using the fingerprint which was encompassed by the fiber. The material allowing not only preservation but access to identity. The box opened under lantern light she spots the book. He takes the time to open it and wave the finger across the writing. The writing reverted to English before her eyes. Looking closer she gathers numbers. Coordinates. Memorizing them was easy. She had a photographic memory. After a few more verses written obviously by Dorsey himself from the past she realizes that Lucas was communicating with himself. All she could gather was a few passages.

"Kym'Ani is gone. History must be changed. The future is mine for the taking. We repeat this as often as necessary until we achieve my goal. Kym'Ani must be found if Godhood is to be obtained. My child must be returned to me for sacrifice. It is the only way. Try, try again. Failure is not an option."

Dorsey seals the book instantly and shows a glimmer of determination. Evils the devil incarnate. The lantern's glow only added hatred to the mix. Serena grew afraid of her Great Grandfather instantly. Box placed in the ground Serena's visitation switches scenery.

A sudden burst of light forces her to hide her eyes until an adjustment. A mushroom cloud of Atomic energy in the distance. The Moon above like a colossal eye. Two moons she realizes. Like a laser beam from the Heavens she notes alien ships leaving Earth escaping the devastation for safety in the stars. Thousands of ships. It was beyond comprehension.

"Whoa!" She whispers.

The scenery shifting again to space. Looking down upon the oncoming traffic. She could see the Earth in its entirety. The land masses all connected. Some land long forgotten in modern times. Absorbed by the ocean surrounding the continental plates. It was breathtaking. How could she be witnessing this?

Once more the scenes shift to a secluded cavern where she witnesses her birth. For the very first time she see's the face of her Mother. Tears fall instantly. She was so beautiful even battered, cut, and bleeding. Screaming during child birth. Alone. So very alone. Save for softball sized orbs floating about her as if caretakers. Recording her birth. Kym'Ani weak from wounds delivers her child. Humanoid in appearance. Placing her in something akin to a metallic crib. Markings on it are recognized. Serena swiftly reaches behind her to grab her bag and remove the golden box the book was in. It was the same design only smaller. Following her Mother's trembling fingers she notes her touch certain aspects of the crib. Feeling the same areas of the box in her hand it becomes heavy. Forced to sit it on the floor she observes the box grow. It becomes large enough to accommodate a baby. Serena loses her balance and drops to her knees. The box was her crib. A transport crib. A Time capsule literally.

"Mother?" She sobs.

Her Mom severs her finger right before her eyes as she rests it under the baby Serena. Darkness comes. The lid is sealed. As if moments later the lid rises again. Scenery changing one last time. This round reveals a face she recognizes instantly. One that hadn't aged a second.

"Judith Lamb. What the heck?"

Images fade. Serena shivers at her encounters. So much. How could she even bear witness to any of it? As the door to her room slides open a draft captures her reality. Outside stood SeVen and Obadiah.

"You alright?" Obadiah expels.

Serena crawls to her feet and points at the box. They hadn't realized it had grown. Both SeVen and Obadiah look at each other as confirmation of what was before them. Following her fingers trace as before Serena observes the box return to its original size. Exhales all around. Even from the Sumo.

"That was pretty intense. Anyone ready for Tea?"

The trio followed Buku. Nobody wanted Tea. Only answers.

Renee enjoyed her hot shower immensely. Eyes sealed she looks up at the cascade when she feels a coolness flutter around her waist. Eyes reacting to any intruder she turns swiftly to find nothing. Yet her shower door was open. Turning off the water she hides herself by grabbing a large towel and wrapping up loosely. The basin mirror was fogged up but something about it made her drop her jaw. In it was a message in progress. As if an invisible finger was etching words.

"Sorry I didn't have time to say goodbye. Love Jack." She read, "Oh my God. I'm in a madhouse."

Refusing to believe in her situation she takes a tissue and wipes the words away. Huffing loudly she dried off a bit to see better. Taking a moment to cautiously move into the bedroom. It had altered in appearance. This was now a Hotel Room in Paris. Eyes immediately journey to the bed. Beneath the covers was obviously two people having sex. It was simple enough to realize. Yet there were no sounds. Eyes narrowing she approaches from the side for a better look. Instant recognition of the man was easy. "Ben-Zion?" She spots a woman's clothing on the floor. Obviously not her own Renee delves closer. To her shock she sees something that would haunt her forever. He was having sex with an alien. The woman looked bronze in color. Bald. Not even eyebrows or lashes. Shock led to shock. The woman in her throes of passion opens her eyes and literally winks in her direction. A thin finger pointing toward Ben-Zion's cellphone on a dresser. Her attention returning to Ben-Zion's lust.

Stepping to the cell she recalls her own cell not having bars. How could his be working fine? Yet, when trying to pick it up it was obviously an illusion. Her hand passing through it. Still she could see it light up as if ringing without the pings itself. A language unknown to her left texts for her to read. Almost like hieroglyphs. Egyptian? Code perhaps from his Intel Superiors? He was Mossad after all.

Looking up slightly she notes the dresser mirrors reflection of the cell. The words were different in the mirror. In English now. Tilting her head to read it better the words became clear.

"Assassinate the Osirian. Dispose and extract. Return to the Hive." Her thoughts muddled she snaps a glance back toward the bed. Ben-Zion was now strangling the woman. In her flailing the woman glances in horror at Renee. Her hand once again pointing at something as if she knew Renee were there. Impossible right? Still Renee followed the tense finger toward a window. She hadn't recalled any windows before now. Peering out she spies a desert surrounded by lush trees and grasslands. Ancient Egypt it looked like. A boy down below was waving up at her. Using modern day sign language. Luckily, Renee knew signing. Her brother Sam deaf she learned the language as a child.

"Friend of Jack. I am James Ian Pryce. Traveling through time in all of my past lives. Tell Milo I need his help. Give him the code phrase, What would Jesus Do? Do not trust Ben. Bad man. The woman dying before you is that man's descendent." He points at a large male dressed in robes. He was definable by his enlarged cranial capacity. The male ordering a guard to lash out at James to get back to work. Behind them slaves were building the Sphinx. Mind blown she returns her gaze to see Ben-Zion standing by the bed nude. The alien woman a corpse now. Yet, she smiled.

Stepping over to face Ben-Zion she waved her hand over his eyes. As if sensing her he flinches but ignores her. He wasn't really there. Was he? Shrugging she attempts to punch him in the gut her fist passing through him. Yet, he did double over as if struck. A glint of stress upon his face. The images fade away and return to normal. Renee was alone. The window was gone. The bed her original bed. Still freshly made.

"LSD in the water. Has to be."

A knock on her door leads Renee to investigate. sliding it just enough to look out into the hall. Before her stood the Sumo and three others. Instant recognition of Obadiah led her to open the door further and salute. Instinct. That led to her dropping her towel. Embarrassment struck as all eyes lowered to check her out. All traumatized by their revelations it was not met with further distraction.

"Nice try Blondie. I told you I'm gay. I got my eyes on the suit back there. I was saluting him long before you did." Buku chuckles, "Get dressed. Master Greyson is waiting." Renee swallows and watches as Obadiah returns her salute hesitantly. Why were there so many sexy women around? She did look familiar though. Then, it dawned on him, "Wait! You're Jack Ramse's wife. Rhonda or something."

"Renee, Sir. May I get dressed now."

"You may. We apologize for the imposition."

"No need Sir. Going crazy already started."

"That it has." Obadiah waves her on.

Ten minutes later Renee returns wearing all black. Jeans with a turtleneck. Her wet hair pinned back. Joining them she notes the alien SeVen. This was her first living breathing alien that wasn't a hologram. She thought. A hesitant caress upon SeVen's shoulder gave her a severe chill. Not too mention a sneer from Serena. Two blonds not having so much fun.

"He's real." Obadiah informs Renee, "I met your husband once in Iraq. Damn fine Sniper."

"So was I. We never met face to face but I have seen you in person. Afghanistan briefly. I know why I came here but what about you folks? I mean I know you lost family too General. Is that why you're here?"

"Affirmative. Beat you to it Iceberg." Obadiah grins at SeVen, "This Greyson guy requested a meet. This is Serena Dorsey. The albino is SeVen. They're an item."

Renee winces at Serena, "Sorry. I just needed to know who was real from who wasn't."

"Quite alright." Serena pauses, "We're all spooked. Nice to meet you Ms. Ramse."

"Like wise. You're a Fiction writer right? I think I've seen your picture on the back cover of a book. French bookstore."

"Yes. Not so much fiction now is it?"

"I'm thinking not. At least I have company now. I'm here looking for my son."

"I'm here looking for my Mother."

"My wife and daughter." Obadiah adds.

"You?" Renee glances at SeVen.

Stopping to ponder he lowers his dark gaze at her giving her shivers, "I am...merely here."

Serena senses his sadness and uncertainty. Racing into his arms he hesitantly surrounds her with his hands. His chin atop her hair. It was a comfort to both.

"You guys coming or what?" Buku halted ahead of them.

All grumbling at him at once their journey reaches a large sitting room. Leather sofas and more ornate statues surround them. Smaller fountains. Paintings from artists of the Renaissance proudly displayed upon the walls. Glass encased swords. Ancient by appearance. Armors from various periods. A literal collage of different Empires. Unique to say the least.

As everyone filters in going their own ways to explore the antiques Psi Chii returns. Joining them she ushers Buku out, "Go! Feed the dragon."

"Aww Maaan! I hate herding in the sheep."

Smiling at his departure Psi Chii closes the doors behind Buku and turns to eye the remaining inhabitants. All seemed mesmerized by the contents. That or distraught by the visions earlier. Psi Chii having witnessed their encounters via link understood completely. It was her honor to be allowed into such matters by Master Greyson. She would take her knowledge to the grave. Dedication was in her genes.

Obadiah squints at the artwork, "Is this a Da Vinci?"

"It is. A lost piece of art. It is called, "The Hiding Thought."

"Never heard of it before."

"That is because the Nazi's stole it during World War 2. Many of their stolen items ended up here for safety. Master Greyson believes in preservation. This secret location secures that."

"Shouldn't this art belong to the world? What gives him the right to hoard it all to himself?"

"You will need to ask the Master for yourself."

"Where the hell are we? Shangri La?"

Psi Chii smiles, "That would be in my native China."

SeVen tilts her direction, "You are wrong I fear. Shangri La resides no where yet everywhere. Perhaps we lie on the border."

"Perhaps." She puckers.

"Let's get down to business. Where's Greyson?"

"Right behind you Yankee Man." A distinctly childlike voice travels from a distant corner. All eyes follow the voice. A squeaking noise becoming evident. Like metal grinding in repetition. SeVen takes the first steps toward the voice.

"Greetings Milo Greyson. It is good to see you again."

"See?" Obadiah grunts, "Where?"

"Right in front of your face. Look harder."

Obadiah moves next to SeVen, "Point him out."

SeVen nods raising a muscular arm to point at thin air. Obadiah squints queerly as Psi Chii also steps beyond them to talk toward open space.

"I do not think you are on the right Frequency Master."

"Shoot! So right. One moment please."

Serena hangs back with a puzzled Renee. Both looking at each other to discern that they were similarly insane. Then, before them all an image appears before their eyes. Shocked by the unexpected Obadiah steps back.

"Sweet Jesus."

"Why yes he was General Ridge. May I call you Obadiah?"

The squeaking became louder as his reveal proved rather healthy. Before them on an exercise bike rode an ancient Chinese man in a jogging suit. Long moustache whipping about with each rotation of his pedaling motion. Grinning from ear to ear.

"Spry for your age." Obadiah grunts, "General is fine."

"Wonderful Obadiah it is." Milo cackles, "Thank you for all coming. Just getting in my morning exercise. Please forgive the body odor. Sweat I do."

"Whatever." Obadiah steps closer until Psi Chii moves between them smiling.