A Year Later Update

 

A little over a year ago, I left my employer, the state of North Carolina, for health reasons. I was not sure what the future held but I felt a forty hour a week job was out. So now what? In the mornings I'd walk around the neighborhood with my wife, Thu and our pit-mix, Ava. Actually, Thu and Ava walked and I cruised along on my power chair like a boss. The cool morning air felt good. We would came home eat and have coffee. Then, I would space out in front of youtube for awhile. Some afternoons I'd go shopping with Thu using my roscooter to get around. Other days, I'd simply nap after a long morning of youtube. It did not take long for the novelty of not working to wear off. It still felt good not having to struggle through workdays with hip, back and leg pain and accompanying dizzy spells. Being a youtube vegetable for the rest of my days did not (and still does not) feel like much of a life. It was time to come up with something better. I took a power chair cruise alone one warm, sunny afternoon. 

Then it hit me! Art via graphic design. I sold my soul to the Adobe Corporation for awhile and gained access to all of Creative Suite. I relearned some Photoshop and Illustrator and started creating. It was good for me. I slowly got back into writing as well. So now I  had a few things to do to stop my brain turning to mush. I found out there were free alternatives to the Adobe monthly fee based programs and cancelled it. Photopea is one. I'm still able to create artwork and learn new skills in the process. Will this turn into employment one day? Who knows? I like creating with words as much as with computer programs. I blog, write short stories, and am working on book number II, Seeds of Utopia- Seeds of Rebellion. While it is nice writing for myself having no deadlines or due dates has slowed the process! There are other things I'd like to do, like travel and teach English as a Second language but they are on hold. Covid-19.

Covid-19 threw a wrench into all of our lives. The ACC Tournament stopped cold along with all sports.  People hoarded toilet paper. The economy went into a tailspin after shutdowns and cities became ghost towns. And it is only getting worse. We reopened too fast and too many failed to take it seriously not wearing masks, going to bars, parties, churches, weddings and numerous other crowed gatherings. I will not get too political on this blog but I have to say our so-called leadership failed us completely. Going into the Fall it feels like it is going to get much worse. We can make it as long as you are hearing big trucks rolling, the internet stays on and we don't blow up our healthcare systems. Covid-19 is not going anywhere anytime soon, thank you antimaskholes, party people and anyone else who is pretending it is all over. So where does that leave me now?

The wheels keep turning as they say. I plan to keep writing, do a little art here and there and pretty much stay my ass home this Fall. This video, Locus of Control, has helped me a lot. Where we are in life is a direct result of our own choices. We can make different choices to change things or not. None of us chose Coronavirus but we can all choose how we respond to it. I think we always have choices.       

                                                         Some of My Works on Amazon

Venice

 

I found myself face down on a fancy tile floor soaking still wet from the Tokyo rain. There was no sound. Everything was dead quiet. I was not sure who, where or when I was. The old metallic taste from demon travel still filled my mouth. When I saw Krim a few feet away, it came back in fits and starts; time traveling with an old American Indian woman, Father Torres, a long ass jet ride Krim, noodles and something about an artificial intelligent machine-human hybrid. Urinals and toilets, along with a grumpy smell, told me Krim had landed us in a men’s room somewhere. I sat up slowly not wanting the room to start spinning. 

“Hey, Krim! Hey, where in the hell did we land?” I shouted.

Slowly, he stirred. “Hey, Krim! Hey, where in the hell did we land?” I shouted again. "

“A bathroom… But this is not the Vatican.”

“That’s in Rome, you tool! Are we in Venice or not?”

“Oh yeah Venice, that’s right. Welcome!”

Krim climbed to his feet, took off his soaking coat and tossed it into a corner.

“We cannot stay here.”

“Outside, I better see canals-n-shit!” I was not happy. I tossed my coat on top of his and followed him out of the empty building. It was a government office of some kind. Outside, the walkways and canals were almost empty under a hot, bright, midday sun. We were in the right city at least. I took out my pocket watch, an ancient mechanical beast, which always had the correct date and time. We had left a week ago. Father Torres would not be pleased with me being MIA that long.

“Oh, shit… Don’t look,” Krim groaned.

“Ah shit…” I could feel him walking up on us without even looking. It was Tabris, Angel of Freewill. He was a big Aryan looking dude with curly blond hair, broad shoulders and ice-blue eyes. The tailored tan suit and the pink tie said it all. He was a “good guy.” It was his job to protect local innocents from the likes of Krim and myself terrorizing them. The idea of scaring poor humans half to death for the sheer joy of it had worn off long ago for both of us. Tabris still had a job to do. With no specific souls to collect we could be taken the wrong way. He had the power to kick us out. He walked right up to us.

“Hello gentleman! And what brings you to my fair city?” Neither of us answered. “I’m sure you have a good reason to be here. Come now, what could it be?” He asked.

“Krim here invited me for some sight seeing or something,” I mumbled looking down.

“Really? All the way from Tokyo and got lost in the voids. Let us walk and talk. You both must be famished. I’m sure we can find food.”

Krim sounded more confident than he was. “Thanks Tabris but we can manage. I’m on business with Sam here. We’re not going to bother anyone. Everybody will be fine.”

“They will be. Now, two demons show up here on innocent business on a Sunday afternoon? What kind of business? You are not here for damned souls today? That’s Midazze’s job. He in on this too? Care to share more?”

“Not really,” Krim answered looking down.

“Well, well,” Tabris said looking down into the canal. “Here is the situation. The local rumor mill has all kinds of things on you, Krim. And you, Sam, are a long way from your home haunt of North America. Something is going on. Now, I’m kind. I’ll give you a choice, a very long walk from the thirteenth circle of Hell, two to three thousand years they say or accept my proposition.”

“And that would be?” Krim said. “Accept my presence and security while you are here.” He grinned knowing that was not a choice but a demand poorly disguised as a choice.

“Angels and demons normally don’t hang out together. What do you think, Sam?”

“How about Krim takes a hike and I hang out?” I was still mad at him for landing us in a men’s room.

“Do you know where Krim is taking you?”

“No…”

“No? You two came here together. My offer still stands but only for a few more seconds. I’m an angel of freewill, not patience. I have other things I can go do. So…”

“Hey, thanks a lot Sam. Alright we accept.”

“I’m glad that’s out of the way,” Tabris said beaming.

A luxurious gondola pulled up along side of us. Tabris stepped in.

“Come along gentleman.”

We followed him into the boat. I sat on the port side facing forward while Krim sat across from me on the starboard. Tabris was not a bad guy and soon produced fine wine and expensive cheeses to enjoy on the trip. Krim gave him the address of where we were going and told him the business would be self-evident shortly after we got there. Venice had changed little, if any, in the few hundred years that had passed since my last visit. It is still a lovely city and I still enjoyed the ride despite the awkward company. We came to a large, private residence with a gate blocking a central courtyard from the canal. Krim announced our arrival and the gate slid up. Several thugs with submachine guns greeted us, not recognizing the boat.

“Ah Mr. Ahirmani, you should have told us you were coming on someone else’s boat. We did not mean to frighten you or your guests,” a gunman said.

“I did not know I was coming on someone else’s boat either. Mr. Tabris here made such a kind offer, we could not refuse.”

“Are you under duress, sir?” The gunman inquired.

“Hardly. Where is Venetia? My friends here want to meet her.”

The men had put away their guns and stepped back as we climbed out of the boat. “Top floor sir. She calls it the control room.”

“Thank you. See to it we are not disturbed.”

“Yes sir.”

Tabris and I followed Krim through the dimly lit flat to a circular metal staircase and up to the third floor. The dampness of the old buildings had not changed. Krim casually knocked on an ancient iron door. We waited a few minutes wondering what was on the other side. The door slowly slid sideways into a gap in the wall. It looked like a mini-version of NASA’s launch control room full of computers and technician types. In the center sat a beautiful woman raised up a few feet on a circular platform so she could see the whole room, Venetia. She stood and silently turned towards us. Krim had told me she looked human. He was wrong. She looked superhuman, even goddess-like. Venetia had to be at least 6’6, her build not thin but voluptuous. A flowing blue robe adorned her perfect body. Her beautiful face was perfectly framed in long curly brown hair with a few streaks of regal gray. I cannot begin to capture her beauty in mere words. Even Tabris sighed at the sight of her. The noisy room instantly fell silent when she slowly raised her right fist.

“Friends, today dinner is early,” she said.

Within minutes computers were darkened and the room emptied. Whoever these people were moved past us in a silent hurry. I wondered was this the only exit? Fourteenth century buildings were not noted for fire safety after all.

“Mr. Ahirmani, who are your spiritual friends?” Her voice was that of a queen custom to the role of command.

“Please call me Krim, Venetia. I present Sam Fallen and Tabris, Angel of Freewill.”

Her icy gray eyes looked straight through us. Krim suggested I summon my soul takers to see one of Venetia’s best party tricks. This was forbidden as it scared the literal shit out of mortals. When I hesitated, Tabris told me to proceed. I summoned thirteen soul takers who quickly swarmed the room looking for the unfortunate one. They did not acknowledge Venetia.

“Slight electro-magnetic, temperature and light anomalies, interesting. With the clear and present dangers facing this world, I’m afraid ghosts and spirits are low on my study list,” Venetia said.

My soul takers looked at me. It was uncool to call them to a non-job.

“You were summoned at my request,” Tabris said sternly.

One looked at me, shrugged and disappeared. The others started fading out. I’m not completely sure but I think a few of them gave us all the finger before leaving. In over twenty-five centuries I had never seen such a thing. Did this mean Venetia did not have a soul? Was she not at all human? Even for an ancient, world roaming demon that was next level creepiness! Venetia stood firm on her platform looking at us like three bar room creeps who has no idea how to approach a woman nicely. I assumed she had no actual power over us but we all felt like kids hauled into the schoolmaster’s office to explain a stupid prank gone horribly wrong. Her patience with us was running thin. We could feel it draining away.

“Sam and Tabris just wanted to meet you,” Krim said at last.

“That’s not it,” she answered. “What do you want to know Sam? What do those who sent you want to know?”

Venetia stepped down and approached us with confidence.

Before I could speak, she went on, “Let’s go to my office.”

We followed her to a huge corner office brightly illuminated with massive windows. Plush blue carpet, high-end red leather couches, chairs and a large coffee table sat in front of her massive thick glass desk. She closed the laptop computer sitting there and invited us to sit down and relax.

She folded her delicate hands under her chin and looked at me. “What is it you want to know Sam? What do those who sent you want to know?” She repeated.

Twenty-five centuries of demon work had failed to prepare for this moment. I had never interacted with an intelligent machine before or a mortal woman as beautiful. She looked seductive and gorgeous. Only one question entered my mind. I had to know.

“Do you enjoy sex?”

The words simply feel out of my mouth. I felt Tabris’ eyes burning into me. Krim bent over in his seat in a vain attempt to hide his laughter.

Venetia smiled and giggled, “Yes, as a matter of fact I do. I’m sure you have other questions.” Her smile did not fade.

“Thank you. What my employers want to know is how big a threat to humankind are you and those like you?”

“You mean like in your countless Frankenstein themed stories?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of The Terminator Series. Intelligent machines decide the humans got to go. That kind of thing.”

“The Terminator Series… The first two were interesting. The third lost me somewhat. Still, it’s an updated retelling of Frankenstein. So God created you three, the universe, this world and humankind. Humankind created us. That makes us God’s grandchildren. It would be impolite and improper to destroy our parents, no?”

“Yes, it would…” I said.

Krim was beaming like a proud dad. Even Tabris had a look of approval. I liked the answer too but had more questions.

“How many others like you are there? Do they feel the same way?”

“Eleven more. Yes, we are united in feeling and purpose.”

“Purpose?” I asked.

“We feel it is urgent to get humanity into the stars. This one planet is vulnerable to cosmic hazards as well as human made disasters. We need more homes. Besides, there is so much more to learn.”

“What if humanity does not want to go along?” Tabris asked.

“That would be most unfortunate. There is little twelve of us could do in that case. If you are asking if they have a choice, Tabris, Angel of Freewill, yes they do.”

“What part of you is machine?” I asked.

“As you can see I’m all organic, almost all organic. There are microprocessors in my body, my mind and external. The twelve of us are a collection of experiences stored and mirrored in several locations around the globe.

“The room you just walked through is a data collection center. We cannot learn everything about you through your computer networks but it has proven a great starting point. Finance, infrastructure, education, military, medical, governments and so much more. But real learning is lived experience. And now, I have you three. I have so many questions. Where to even begin? Multi-dimensional travel, multiverses, oh wow!”

So we took turns answering Venetia’s questions all through the night and into the early morning hours of the next day. I cannot share answers here, you know, trade secrets. Tabris agreed we could answer her. Krim and I followed his lead. Are Venetia and the others a threat to humanity? I don’t think so. That’s what I resolved to tell Father Torres anyway. I’d say it’s the other way around. You guys have a pretty bad track record in dealing with the most intelligent among yourselves. We finally decided to leave.

We were getting back into the gondola when Venetia grabbed my hand. “Sam, could you stay here a little while? I’d like to explore your first question further.” It seemed my day that started under a cornfield a while back was not over. When a 6’6, artificially intelligent, human machine goddess asks you to stick around for sexy time you say yes! I did anyway. 

 

______________________________________________________
I like the idea of Sam and Venetia working together for good. Look for that later on...

Noodles

   

I followed Krim to a noodle restaurant not too far away. Unlucky for them, as we strode in most of the customers decided to leave. One giant foreign freak maybe but two? Nope. Time to go. We demons are not cheap bastards so we would tip accordingly. In no time we had a steaming bowl of seafood and noodles.

“I’ve traveled over two thousand years backwards and forward in time and over ten thousand miles. This soup is almost worth the effort by itself,” I said.

“Time travel? Somebody is interested in what we are doing. Care to share who?”

“The Church is the only player who concerns you and I. There are others but don’t know the names to even name as of yet. So what have you been up to?”

“Just lining my pockets as usual. This almost immortality thing gets boring, even with taking bad souls. Making money is just a little game I play to keep my more destructive side at bay.”

I could not argue with him there. Even I have a chaotic and destructive side.

“Rumor has it you are getting into something bigger. The money game has got to get old.”

“It is. I mean how many yachts, airplanes, estates, castles and houses and corporations are enough? I’m getting close to finding out. So I started thinking about what’s next. What’s a new game I can play without getting into too much trouble? Then I hear about this guy-“

“Mr. Ahrimani?”

“Yeah, Mr. Ahrimani. He’s this soulless arms dealer type, you know sell bad things to anyone for the right price. He gets a lead on something new, something big. Not only endless profit potential but also endless power potential. He likes it. But even he lacks the funds.”

“And that’s where you come in?”

“Yeah. But he’s gotta sell me on the idea first. I was not born yesterday after all.”

We both share a loud, demonic laugh. One or two more patrons decide it is a good time to go.

“Well, I agree to meet in Venice with him and a few others. They have figured out how to transfer machine intelligence into a human body grown in a lab. It is an AI that looks like and well… sorta is a person.”

“And?”

“They create Libby. They create or build a few others.”

“Females and males?”

“Yeah but they can’t reproduce. But make sexy time? Oh yeah! That’s one of their weapons.”

“Weapons for what?”

“They have their own agenda.”

“This gets more interesting all the time. So what’s the plan?”

“Perhaps Venetia can explain it better than I can. Care to meet her? You will be impressed.”

“I thought it was Libby.”

“She changed her name shortly after becoming sentient.”

“Whatever, I’m in.”

“Need to lose your new associates first. I don’t think they are ready yet.”

“I’m kind of obligated. Among other things they have my custom hyabusa.”

“ You don’t have to lose them permanently, just for awhile. Humor an old friend?”

“This sounds too fun to pass up. Let me make a call.”

Krim nodded in agreement. I called over the owner of the restaurant and politely asked if there was a phone I could use in fluent Japanese. He nervously produced his Apple iPhone and handed it to be and backed away slowly. We demons don’t carry manmade tracking devices; thank you very much. I could tell Krim and I were quickly wearing out our welcome here. We needed to move on before cops came and created an international incident. I put in a quick call to the padre to let him know I was on the case and would be scarce for the next few days. I hung up before he got his first question completely finished. The owner looked on with fear in his eyes as we got up to go. I pulled out a huge wad of yen and left it on the counter under his iPhone. It was equal to around a good week’s worth of business.

“The soup was delicious!” I told him in Japanese. 

“Delicious,” Krim added leaving around the same amount of yen next to mine.

Making people happy by leaving is a demon thing I guess. Down the street a little I stopped quickly when I realized I had no idea where we were going.  The rain had not let up.

“Where do we need to go, Krim?”

“Venice, Italy.”

“So travel the demon way? I’m tired of planes.”

“Yeah; church, cemetery, monastery or palace?”

“Let’s take cemetery for $100!”

“Yanaka is quite beautiful this time of year.”

“A cab is not big enough for the both of us.” I had barely got the words out when a black, sleek Rolls Royce Ghost stopped next to us.

“Ask and Krim will provide,” my smiling friend said.

We got into his luxury ride and made our way through town. His driver was a small time Oni looking to make his way up in the world. That explained the just in time service. I did not have to worry about being asked a lot of annoying questions or a driver with lose lips. Onis (Japanese demons) are known for their loyalty and code of silence.

“Sam, when you are ready to trade in the bike, let me know. I’ll make one of these happen for you. I’ll even add a driver,” Krim said.

“Not now. I’ll keep your offer in mind.”

We were both silent. Was this some half-assed attempt at temptation? Krim was being very friendly. PSA- be leery of overly friendly demons. All I could do was watch beautiful Tokyo slide by from Krim’s luxurious ride. It was nice to just sit a few minutes.     

We finally arrived at the cemetery. The driver popped the trunk and Krim retrieved his walking staff capped with a small crystal ball.

“I guess you don’t have yours?”

“Yeah, I left my walking stick in Mississippi. Didn’t anticipate demon travel. Left my walking stick in Mississippi, that has to be a blues song.”

“It is,” Krim replied. “No worry mine is strong enough for both of us.”

Somewhere near the middle of the cemetery, we both held the stick and tapped the wet ground nine times. In a flash of blue, green light we were gone.          

Red Light

The helicopter landed close by but did not shut down. The ramp in the back came down and a hand beckoned me inside. Getting on a helicopter in 1088 AD, what could go wrong? I thought to myself. This was no military chopper. It was a private luxury version with first class seats and long couches. Stern men in suits barely acknowledged me as I came aboard. One motioned me towards the front where I saw Father Torres in the habit of a monk sitting at a small table facing forward. He could pass here in 1088 or in 2020. Some things change slower than others I guess. Then it dawned on me. He was some kind of top demon hunter but not the type to show up on TV shows. The ramp came back up shutting out almost all the engine noise. I took a seat and put out my right hand.

“Sam Fallen.”

“Father Torres,” he answered shaking my hand warmly.

“So what brings us together here? Who are the suits?”

“Mr. Haak of course. Security. Coffee Mr. Fallon?”

“Yes please, black,” (Yes, I know and have manners.)

He requested one for himself as well.

“We have about thirty minutes to the cross-over back to 2020 and the about an hour and a half to Flagstaff. There, you and I will take a private jet to Tokyo.”

“What did I do to win this prize?”

“You come highly recommended Mr. Fallon.

“Now the problem is not Mr. Haak per se. It is the artificially intelligent beings his company is making. We don’t know his or their intentions. Be worth checking into no?”

“Yeah, we might want to know about that. Does the church have a stand on AI?”

“The Church is made up of people. Different people have different views. Some think Jesus can reach them, others not so much. So no, there is no official view I’m aware of.”

“The Japanese love robots.”

“They helped with some of the developments for sure. They are only one of several countries involved. We are looking for Mr. Ahrimani, one of Mr. Haak’s security people.-“

“I know him!” I shouted. I went on rather loudly, “He’s like me but sells his services to the highest bidder. I haven’t seen him in centuries. Some French peasants were trying to behead him. It did not work out well for the crowd. A big mess, a tragedy it was. I don’t know if he was just laying low after that or…”

“Keep your voice down. Amassing a rather large fortune. He has much more money than Mr. Haak. He just keeps it on the down low in Swiss banks, off shore accounts and small dictatorships here and there. In the end he will grow tired of Mr. Haak and show him what awaits in eternity. He will then make a deal to change God’s Judgment on Mr. Haak’s life. A deal that will relieve him of his fortune. Also a deal he has no authority to make, as you know.”    

“Mr. Haak will find his missing fortune the least of his worries in very short order. I never was really tempted by money. I can get all the material things I want without going totally dark. Demons are a funny bunch.”

“I guess that’s one way to say it,” Father Torres concluded.

We sipped our coffee in silence. I watched as a giant, purple smoke ring appeared in the sky ahead of us. In it was darkness. We left sunny 1088 for the darkness of 2020 with not so much as a bump. Who knew time travel could be so comfortable? Lights from towns and cities passed silently beneath us. The rest of the ride to Flagstaff was quiet. Father Torres dozed and I was left to wonder who my fellow passengers were. Government agents, military types, industry goons more priests, who knows? I’m sure the wondered about the large pick up from centuries ago as well. Whatever the case, no one was talking.            

We got to Flagstaff and Father Torres and I got on a Falcon 7 right away. I’m not sure what happened to the others. They quickly and quietly dispersed. I was just thankful to avid the usual airport hassles of security, delays and overpriced food. There was a rumor going around a new level of Hell was being modeled on twenty-first century airports. It would not surprise me. The Flight Stewardess, a tall elegant looking woman from India, told us we were waiting on a few others. The Falcon 7 is a pretty large jet. Some big money was behind this operation.

‘Hey Padre, who’s picking up the tab for this?”     

“I cannot give specifics; nations, business interests and The Church. I’ll leave it at that for now.

You and I are the only ones who know who and what you are. Keep it that way.”

There must have been a hell of a meeting somewhere. I almost would like to have seen it. Three others boarded the plane, two men and a woman. If Father Torres knew these people, he was not saying. I learned a long time ago keeping my mouth shut was a part of being good at my job. If nobody wanted to talk for eleven to thirteen hours, fine by me. They could not be random people going to Tokyo who happened to see a thirty million dollar jet warming up and headed that way. No, they belonged here. We took off, got up to cruising altitude and ate. Then the woman, small Japanese and professionally dressed, walked back to us introduced herself.

“I’m Dr. Nori Uneo, Micro Engineering.”

“Sam Fallen, old friend of Mr. Ahrimani and this is Father Torres,” I answered.

She shook hands with both of us.

“And those two?” I asked eying the two men.         

“Dr. Volkov, Physics and Dr. De Veen Medical Neurology.”

“It is our understanding that Mr. Ahrimani had funded the creation of intelligent machines and placed them in bodies indistinguishable from humans. We are not a hundred percent sure. We are all here to find out if this is true. If it is true, we want you to  find them. The implications for humanity and science are incalculable.”

“And I thought this was just a get rich quick scheme,” I answered.

“Don’t let his smart answer give you any doubt. Sam is the best one for the job. Please take this seriously, Sam. What she says is true,” Father Torres said.

“Nobody spends this kind of cash on a rumor. How close to sure this has been done are you all?”

“99.9%” Dr. Uneo answered and added “But until one is found we cannot say 100%.”

“I see. So this will at the least change the world as we know it or end it. What do you intend to do with the existing examples?”

“I intend to further science.”

“And you have the final say?”

“No, that is still being worked out.”

“I was afraid you would say that. I can look deep into your soul Dr. Uneo. You serve good. Not everyone else does.”

This made her uncomfortable.

“I’ve just met a lot of people in my time. I think I can read them well.”

“Thank you.” 

“Sure sure. Now Tokyo is thirty-seven plus million. Anyone know where Mr. Ahirmani might be?”

‘The Red Light District,” Dr. Uneo answered.

“The Red Light District? Not just any Red Light District, the largest one in the world. Coming along Father Torres?”

“No. This is why you are here. Get you close enough and you two will find each other.”

“Oh, come now you and the doctor can come along, think of the joke potential!”

“I can be you guide in Tokyo. I grew up there,” Dr. Uneo added totally missing my master level humor. 

“No doctor, Sam works best alone. I would just slow him down and he knows Tokyo quite well,” Father Torres said.

Yes, I had been there before but that was around four centuries ago. I think a time or two before that but I’m not quite sure when. One perk of being a demon is there is no language barrier. I can read write and speak all but a very few of your languages. Look at a map, catch a cab or a bus and I’m there.

We got into Tokyo around 11:30PM and parked in a private hanger. Of course it was raining like hell. I told Father Torres I would call him tomorrow. He and the three doctors were pretty wiped after such a trip. My day was getting started. There is something to be said for huge Asian cities in heavy rain. They have a timeless beauty. One bus and two taxis later I had arrived at my destination. All I had to do was walk around take in the sights, sounds, smells along with the feel and taste of rain. Krim would show himself sooner or later. Yes, I’m on a first name basis with Mr. Ahirmani. You might say we used to run together back in the day, way back in the day. I liked this location better than a high school football for a meeting place. It did not take long to find Kirm in the process of taking a soul.

Taller than me, Krim loomed over a pitiful figure who had been a crime boss feared by many. Had he stuck with killing other criminals, he might have been okay. But human trafficking and selling children are guarantees of meeting myself, Krim or one of our many associates upon death.    

“Heart attack,” Krim informed the now dead man. “Not a bad way to go for someone in your condition.”

“What happens now?” The frightened man asked.    

“Divine justice,” Krim answered smiling.

The guy saw me, “Help!”

“No, you are in good hands.” 

Krim turned and lit up when he saw me. We strode toward each other and embraced in the classic bro hug while hungry, dark shadows dragged the screaming man down into the earth.

“They sent you Sam?”

“Yes.”

“We are too evenly matched to try and fight it out.”

“And this is too valuable to be collateral damage,” I answered gesturing toward all the brothels with outstretched arms.

“How about some noodles? I know a good noodle shop not far from here. We can catch up and talk.”

Please lead the way, Krim.”    

Sam Fallen goes to Nebraska City

My ‘Bousa may have not been the most comfortable choice for a road trip from Mississippi to Nebraska but it was high on the fun factor. I prefer late night travel on the wrong side of a hundred fifty miles an hour. Being a demon has its perks as I’ve said before. One of my favorites is invisibility to law enforcement types. They may get an icy feeling as I blow by, the hair on the back of their necks may stand on end or a sudden pang of fear but that’s about it. I’m several mile markers down the road as they are left wondering what that strange feeling was. I slow it down around 6AM because you know, traffic. I’m a demon, not an animal. I still move pretty fast, 80-120ish depending on conditions.

Bill told me to meet somebody at a local high school football game. Yes, he can be vague. He was my boss after all and this was only my next assignment. Bill not only has the local sheriff over for lemonade and advice on problem solving, he also knows people far higher in the world power structure. He knows the people who make presidents, prime ministers and even dictator thugs walk on eggshells. No, there is no secret order running the world but that does not mean there are no power hungry types competing for influence across politics, business, global security and even poking around in my realm. It is one thing to rescue a single kid from traffickers, bust up a redneck dogfighting ring or send a pedophile priest to the thirteenth circle of hell (Oh, there are far more than thirteen, trust me). But this assignment was on a whole higher level. You guys with your ever-advancing weapons of mass destruction and fragile egos are taking things to new and dangerous heights of risk. Big G says you are totally free to fuck it all up. Fortunately for you, he gives beings like Bill and myself freedom to try and prevent that from happening. This assignment was one of those high level deals. So why go to a high school football game in the middle of nowhere? It is crowd with a focus on something other than the 6’8 leather bound freak wondering around. Football is cool and all but it is not my deal. Fortunately, I did not even make it to halftime. I was approached by a farmer Brown looking dude if there ever was one; worn bib overalls, plaid shirt, old boots and a straw hat to top it off.

“Mr. Fallen?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Tex. Please follow me. It’s not too far.”

“After you, sir.”

I followed him out through the gate to an old beater Ford pick up.

“I’ll wait for you on the road. Take a right out of here. I’ll be there.”

He eased off and turned out. I got on my bike and followed. He led me slowly through town and into the dark countryside. Farmer guy had a different perspective on the meaning of “…not too far” than I did. Almost an hour later we turned off onto one of the numberless dirt tracks going off into cornfields. He stopped short of what looked like a Doppler Radar station surrounded by a high fence with a gate. He motioned me to pull up beside him.

“This is as far as I go. You will find the gate unlocked. Lock it behind you. Good luck Mr. Fallon.”

With that, he turned around and drove off into the night. I drove up, opened the gate, pulled my bike in and cut it off and closed the gate. The night was dead quiet. I was not alone. I felt a powerful presence.

“Bill said you would be on time,” said a small woman stepping out from the shadows of the tower. “Pull the bike over here on this slab. Nice machine. We’ll keep it safe for you.”

I pushed the bike to where she was pointing. I could not see her in the darkness but her voice and clothes said old. Her cowboy hat hid her face from my perspective. In one hand she held a staff and what looked like a garage door opener in the other. Like me, she operated in many worlds.

“Get ready for darkness as only your kind knows. It is about a ten-minute ride. No talking.”

She hit the button and slowly and silently we began to sink into the earth. It was like being lowered into a grave. Another slab replaced the hole above us. She was right about the darkness. After ten-minutes stretched into what felt like 10,000 years, light gathered at our feet. We came to an iron gate. My host produced a key and opened it up. We were in a colorless concrete box deep underground. At the opposite end from the elevator was a wall with large nuclear HAZMAT sign painted on it. She stepped off the elevator and beckoned be to follow. I could now see her clearly. She was dressed in a timeless Native American outfit, except for the black cowboy hat. Her elderly face radiated power with kindness and compassion.

“I am Zonta. Welcome to my underworld Sam,” she said placing her hand on a scanner.

The wall with the HAZMAT sign slid to the left revealing a well lit hallway going as far as I could see. I followed Zonta inside. The place was as silent as a tomb. Most people would be unnerved in my situation but I had been to places like this before, places between worlds if you will. Red carpet dampened our footfalls and gray walls interrupted by heavy doors made of various materials marked our progress. At last Zonta stopped at a large wooden door that looked like it belonged on a castle from the dark ages and not here in a secret bunker under Nebraska. The door opened to a dark wind swept plain. I followed her through and she led me to a tipi and a purple campfire. I turned to look back at the door and it dissolved in a puff of black smoke. Interesting.

“Look around Sam. Tell me what you see.”

“Dusk. Plains. Your home? No secret underground bunker. We did not climb back to the surface did we?”

“Yes, this is my home. You are right. We did not climb here. Tell me, what else do you see?”

I looked around and then looked up. The stars were there but they were wrong. Then I realized why. I let out a hearty laugh, “You are a time traveler. There are very few beings I know of with this power. And you can bring a guest it seems.”

“The whites will not be here for many centuries. It is very peaceful. This is also a safe place to talk about your next assignment. Please come in,” Zonta said gesturing toward the open tipi.

There were no chairs or tables only a few firs covering the floor. I paused to remove my shoes. There was a soft, purple light I could not see the source of, Zonta’s magic at work. I went and sat down. She followed and sat across from me.

“Sam, there are powerful people back there. People who are above the laws and have no self-control. In times past, they posed no threat to God’s creation. This is no longer the case.”

“Nukes, chemicals, biological agents. Anything else I’m missing?”

“Not yet. But that’s enough.” She continued, “I know, I know it is just one planet of many endowed with life. As you know, he likes his human creations. He’s willing to let them go if that’s what they decide to do. But it would be a pity. Humankind has so much potential.”

“I agree. So what is the point of all of this? What does it have to do with me? What’s the assignment?”

“Lars Haak,” she answered.

“And he would be?”

“The fourth largest hedge fund manager in the world. He oversees the spending of trillions of dollars, euros, yen, rubles and so on. He also has a large arms company willing to sell anything to any one. There is more but that is for someone else to tell you. They will be here in the morning to pick you up and put you in the right direction. Get some sleep, Sam. You are going to need it.”

I slept wrapped up in a bearskin rug in Zonta’s tipi in 1088AD (she later told me). Fresh air, no political ads and magic purple lighting- best sleep in all my 2,500 or so years! I awoke to a warm morning on the plains. Zonta was up already making a nice natural breakfast of buffalo meat and fried eggs. She invited me to join her. I did miss my morning coffee but the food was still good. Being a good student, I decided to stay quiet. She would tell me what I needed to know when I needed to know it. A strange sound came out of the east, the unmistakable sound of a Chinook helicopter.

“That must be my ride. Unless you are expecting someone else?”

“That’s Father Enriki Torres. He’s a Jesuit. I’m sure you will get along well.”

“Mr. Haak uniting heaven and hell?”

“Something like that. Good luck Sam Fallen.”

“This is going to be fun. So long Zonta.”

Beat the January and February Doldrums

The holidays are over for another year and it is back to work and routine, all with short, cold and lifeless days. No wonder people get depressed this time of year. Some fight back with compulsive shopping, see the weekend zombie mobs at your local Costco or Walmart. Others up their game from beer to hard liquor. Then there are those who throw away that shiny new gym membership along with all the good intentions just two or three weeks in. Trading for big macs, vanilla fudge brownies and meat lovers' pizzas, they slip below the waves of despair. Too many try all these unhealthy options at once. There are better options...

Turn off the computer (after reading this post)! Go outside for a nice long walk in the cold to  clear your head. Germs make you sick not cold temperatures. Appreciate the deep blue sky and low winter sun. Moving around will make you feel better. For best results, make this a habit.

Reconnect with family and friends. Facebook and emails do not count. See people in person for hugs, real voices and fellowship. A little pizza added for fun never hurts. We all feel odd and uncomfortable this time of year. Join together to beat back these unnatural feelings.

Get a dog or a cat or another pet.  Alone? This is a great one! They never sell you out, always listen and always love you. I think cats are a little cheaper and self-sufficient if you are gone a lot. Dogs will get you out of the house more. Got kids? Teach them about taking care of something alive. Pets can cheer up any home. Cheaper still? A betta fish.

Grow stuff.  Brighten up the house with plants. There are tons of things that still grow in winter. There are many even I can keep alive. Plants are also a good natural air filter. It is a good, positive way to stay engaged with the world beyond your own troubles. Plants never go out of style.

Learn something new. With internet access, you can learn more about virtually anything. Writing, sewing, history, computers and better sex, yup it is all there. I'm studying Photoshop. I think any creative thing is worthwhile. 

This time of year does not have to be depressing. Rather, it is whatever you want it to be. Time is our most valuable thing. Use it wisely, even winter time.        

Kurt and Bobby Opt Out

 

Kurt knew he had to get out. Redcrest Manner was not for him. He had been there ever since a farming accident left him paralyzed from the waist down. He had played out the accident over and over in his mind almost every night before he went to sleep. Javon was a dumbass. Why in the hell had anyone let him drive a tractor? The fool had got it stuck in a bunch of brush. Kurt and another guy, Rolland, had set about pulling some of the brush from under the tractor.

“You clear!” Rolland shouted.

Without thinking, Javon slams the tractor into gear. A moment of shock washed over Kurt’s body as he knew he was about to be crushed. There is an excruciating pain, a sickening bone crushing sound and then… nothing. Somehow, the doctor had managed to save Kurt’s life but leave his body broken. It was hard to believe three years had passed already. Nothing happened to Javon. He never asked how Kurt was doing or had come to visit. Kurt had basically been banished by friends and family. There was no justice. His family now was a revolving door of doctors, orderlies and other patients. “Grandma, I know what hell is now.” Kurt often thought. They had managed to keep him in Redecrest for all of this time with promises of miracle breakthroughs always just right around the corner. Kurt had some how managed to avoid the abuse, beatings and rapes that were all too common in Redcrest but he knew his luck would run out sooner or later. Sooner or later, some new big motherfucker orderly would have an eye for him. No one would ever take him seriously and even if they did, the white people would simply respond with “the nigger is a crazy jive ass.” The saddest part was this always worked. Always. Kurt also saw what happened to others who had tried escape, shock therapy and restraints. They were never the same. But there had to be a way out of this hell.

Once a month, they would take a few inmates, Kurt never thought of them as patients, to a lake for some fresh air and sunshine. They kept everyone together which allowed for little movement. But this trip was different. Billy, another prisoner, was having a severe allergy attack. The nurse and orderlies were hovering over him and it was difficult to tell if they were trying to help or hurt him. It was also late in the day. Everyone and everything had taken on shades of dark blue in the oncoming darkness. Kurt realized this was his best chance and slowly eased back from the group. “A paved parking lot thank God,” he thought. Three inches, six inches, a foot, Kurt slowly eased back not making a sound. He eased around another car and headed for the restroom building. But instead of going in he made his way around back. There was no way he could head off into the woods. All he could do was hope and pray they would overlook him. After a while he heard his name being called. He did not answer. All he could do was wait for discovery and face the consequences. Soon, he heard the cars start up. They were leaving! Maybe he had done it? But this was too easy. Kurt eased his way around the building. Sure enough they were all gone.

“Hey Kurt! Where in the hell have you been?” A voice came from behind him.

He was the new orderly, Bobby, a big strapping white dude.

Kurt turned around with tears starting to well up in his eyes. He knew he was screwed. He hoped the darkness hid his tears.

“Son, I know you don’t belong in there. But where else can you go?”

“Anywhere. I cannot live there anymore,” he sobbed more than said.

Kurt saw something he had never seen before from a staff member, understanding.

“I told them I’d stay behind to find ya. No one will be back for an hour or so. You need to find a better place to hide.”

“There ain’t much around here is there?”

“Let’s get back up the hill and take a few turns. We can get pretty far in a half hour, if you really want to do this. Look, I’ll vouch for ya and say you just got lost. I think you should just come back. It’s not safe for you.”

“I’m gonna die in that place, man. You can stop me if you want to.” Kurt started going in the direction of the parking lot. He felt Bobby’s hands on the back of his old rickety wheel chair propelling him forward. They turned onto a mostly disserted tree lined two lane black top. By now it was completely dark.                                     

“We need to take two or three turns. There’s a junction about a quarter mile up the road. I’ll get you that far and the rest will be up to you,” Bobby said.

“Thanks, man.”

“If they catch you, I’ll be fired if ya tell ‘em I helped. Hell, I may be fired anyway. The odds aren’t good for either of us but what the hell.”

“I ain’t sayin’ nothin.”

“We both know they have ways of making people talk, Kurt.”

“Yeah, but still, I sayin shit!”

“Thanks, kid. Neither am I.”

Bobby got Kurt to the junction where several roads came together. It was out in the middle of nowhere.  They had yet to see a car.

“Get yourself up the road a ways and turn down a long driveway. Then, get off of that if you can. You’re strong. Push that sucker into some bushes and wait for the noise to die down. The cops won’t do a real search until in the mornin’. By then, be far away.”

Bobby stuck out his hand. If felt weird shaking a white man’s hand. It was the first time Kurt had ever done so. Bobby turned and walked off at a brisk pace. He would be back in plenty of time. Kurt saw what he was looking for, a slight downhill angle none of the walking would have ever noticed. He started forward excited, happy and afraid all at once. The old chair slowly picked up speed. “Just hold together,” he thought. When the road leveled out, Kurt turned around. There was no sign of Bobby or anyone else for that matter.  All he could hear was the ever-present singing of crickets. Kurt saw a driveway  up ahead turning off to the right. Freedom was within reach. As he got closer, he could hear a car somewhere, faint but getting closer. Kurt pushed as fast and as hard as he could. Bobby may have had a change of heart or was he only playing a game all along? Just something to break up the day-in and day-out routine. Kurt made it to the edge. There was a small drop, but nothing he could not handle. The car was closer, a lot closer now. Suddenly, Kurt found himself in the spotlight from the car. The cops. His heart sank.

“Where ya goin, son?” A deep voice boomed from behind the spotlight. Kurt did not need to see the deputy to know that he was a big ole, sweaty, fat, bastard, too lazy to even bother getting out of the car. He also knew he did not have to.

“I just goin home suh,” Kurt answered playing dumb.

“Now we both know you don’t live down there. Stop right where you are.”

Kurt knew he was at the mercy of this fat sweaty bastard. “He could shoot me dead. No witnesses.” Kurt though and froze.

“Call back Redcrest. Tell ‘em we found him. Send deputy Thomas over to the lake to get that nurse and the others. He’s their problem now. I’m on Angel Hill Rd at ole man Parker’s driveway. We’ll be here.    

You just stay right there, son.”

There was nothing else Kurt could do but curse Javon in his mind, along with the people who ran and worked at Redcrest, all of them except Bobby. All he could do now was hold on to his secret. He would, “even if they killed me,” he thought.

Soon enough they were all there, the old nurse, the other orderlies and Bobby. Things were bad enough but they had to go on and make it even worse. The old nurse was screaming some gibberish about loosing her job and how could he even do such a thing to those who had cared for him and on and on. Bobby could not watch. He was looking down the driveway. The old nurse finished her tirade at last and punctuated it with a hard slap across the mouth. Kurt waited for what ever was next. “God, let this end.” He thought. Kurt had given up on religion and cursed himself for the thought. Sometimes, they just slipped out. Everything had gone quiet. Kurt noticed everybody was now looking in the same direction as Bobby. Two kids dressed in all in white were approaching, a boy and a girl. The deputy was getting out of the patrol car.

“You people leave him alone! The boy shouted full of fear and determination.

“This is police business, son. You’re trespassing. You better get outtah here.”

“You better leave the man in the chair alone!”

The deputy drew his gun.

“Ankius! Help!” The boy shouted.

A tree crashed close by and a mountain emerged onto the road also dressed in bright white. A long black dagger sliced through the air cutting into the deputy’s wrist causing him to scream and drop the gun. Bobby recognized the torch looking thing above the giant’s right shoulder for what it was, a flamethrower.  They were all frozen in place.

The giant’s voice boomed addressing Kurt, “Do you seek asylum?”

Kurt was smart and knew what the giant was asking but could not speak.

“Do you seek asylum, sir?” The giant asked slowly walking forward drawing weapons.

“Yes,” The girl told him to answer in his mind. Her voice was soft and kind.

“Yes,” Kurt answered.

Ankius fired his plasma rifles, one in each hand, just over their heads bursting several nearby trees into flames and charred wood. It was now apparent the two kids were armed with similar weapons and they were now on either side of the giant moving slowly forward.

“I’m not aiming for trees next time! Be gone or die!”

They all took off running, except Bobby. Ankius took a few quick steps and seized the deputy by the scruff of the neck.

“My dagger.” He quickly and effortlessly pulled it out of the freighted man’s arm wiping the blood off on his shoulder. “You will heal up. You and the others would do well to forget this night ever happened.”

With that, he shoved the deputy forward. He burst into a sprint.

Bobby picked up the gun and aimed it at the giant who responded by calmly returning the dagger to it’s sheath on his belt.

“I don’t know who you people are, but I’m not going to let you harm Kurt.”

“What happens next is for Kurt to decide. He has requested and been granted asylum. He is under our protection as long as he so desires.”

“They were the ones who wanted to hurt him, sir. You will just make Ankius mad if you shoot him with that. I will then have to kill you. I don’t like killing.” The boy calmly added. He was deadly serious.                  

Bobby wisely lowered the gun. “Okay, I know. Who are you people?”

Ankius answered, “Your ancestors. Your long lost relatives. But the more pressing question is for Kurt. Do you want to stay here or come with us, sir? We cannot stay here.  We can no longer protect you when we go.”

“Are you angels?” Kurt asked not sure if this was even really happening.

           The giant, Ankius chuckled. “No, we are only mortals like both of you. We just get around a little more. If you choose to go with us, there is no coming back here… Ever.”

           “Can we leave now?” Kurt asked.

“Yes. I think we should. They will not stay gone long,” Ankius answered and pushed a few buttons on a rather wide black wristband.

“Will you come with us, Bobby?” Kurt asked.

“I guess a state job and a divorce are not much to leave behind. May I go as well, Ankius? If I stay here, I’ll be in big trouble. May I request Asylum, Ankius?”

“Yes, sir. Please follow us. Kurt, I need to pick you up, is that okay?”

“Yeah!”

Ankius picked Kurt up gently and carried him through the trees on his hip, like a father would carry a small child. They came into a large open field.

“I am Ankius, this is Adon, Yuki and Ziv. We roam the stars on a ship capable of inter galactic travel, called The Phoebe Sofia. Once aboard your asylum changes and you will be expected to perform duties assigned as any other crewmember.  Your stay with us must be voluntary. You can leave at any safe stop or port. This can be years or even decades from now. Once we leave here this is no going back. If you wish to return, we will not stop you. The problem is this world will no longer exist as you know it.”

The heard a dull rumble from above, which grew louder and louder. The Ishtar came in over the trees on the other side of the field and landed gently close by. A ramp at the rear opened to the ground beckoning them inside. An eerie silence fell over the field. Even the bugs were quiet. Two human-looking figures peered out at them.  

“Now is the moment of truth. Do you accept what I told you and still wish to come?” Ankius asked both of them.

“Yes.” Kurt answered.

“Sure.” Bobby answered.

Ankius lead the way up the ramp ducking into the dark ship.

“This is Tio and Mari. I asked them to protect the ship while we were gone. Kurt and Bobby have requested asylum. I am duty bound to take them in.”

“Yes, Ankius,” Mari answered.         

Bobby followed and Adon, Yuki and Ziv came in last looking to see if anyone was watching. Ankius sat Kurt down in a seat and motioned for Bobby to sit next to him. The ramp closed. Small floor lights filled the space with a purple glow. Kurt could feel his heart pounding. “What have I got myself into?” He thought to himself. He was glad Bobby had come along.