		“The Catalyst” Series Book 6
		“Building a Legacy”
		Crumbly Writer All rights reserved © 2013


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19: Larger Visions Beyond Death and Oblivion

“So have you made any headway on your ‘inter-dimensional GPS’?” Becky teased. Though the question was serious, she and the others were trying to pull Alex out of his shell. They were driving through downtown Portland and Alex had been silent for most of the trip, as he often was recently, only now he looked even more troubled. Becky and the others had left him alone to work it out, but now that he needed to deal with new followers, Becky was anxious to see what he’d discovered.

“I’ve been considering it, but I just can’t figure out the necessary mechanism,” Alex sighed, frustrated after considering the question repeatedly with little success. “Humans just don’t have any internal brain functions which allow someone to locate signals in some other dimension.”

“Well, obviously they do, since people have been dying for ages,” Winona shouted from the other end of the bus, demonstrating she couldn’t help overhearing the discussion, but didn’t actually appreciate it. Alex shot her a look, but didn’t seem disturbed by the critique.

“I need to know how to tap into an existing structure,” Alex responded, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness, “something I can use to either grab information or boost an innate ability. If there’s some structure I don’t know about, then there’s no way to take advantage of it.”

“You know,” Becky said, smiling knowingly at her brother, glad to offer him some advice for a change, “usually when someone runs into an intellectual roadblock, it’s a sign their approach isn’t working.” As much as she loved spending so much time with him, she felt frustrated she wasn’t as good as Cate at coming up with answers on the spot. “Generally when that happens, it’s best to go back and take a different tack. ‘Thinking outside the box’, if you will, allows you to come up with a whole new tactic.”

“Hmm, it makes sense,” Alex said. “I haven’t gotten anywhere with my current approach, though I’m at a loss about new options. I mean, if I don’t understand how I do what I’m currently doing, trying to figure out something I’ve never done might be asking for the impossible.”

“Well, maybe approaching it from a new direction will spark ideas you hadn’t considered,” Becky offered, although truth be told, she didn’t have any suggestions either. Alex was correct, it was certainly a quandary.

“What if you don’t do anything to the human brain?” Melinda suggested.

“Uh, and what good is boosting a rock?” Alex asked, cocking his head in curiosity.

“Well, if we’re thinking outside the box, maybe we need to consider something completely different,” she said. “How about if you worked with a non-human mind? Recent studies have shown that certain bugs use astral navigation to find their way, and don’t bees tap into multiple dimensions when doing their dances to show other bees where to find flowers?”

“Well, look who’s been catching up on her reviews of recent scientific studies,” Alex said with a smile, proud that his middle sister—who’d never shown an interest in science until recently—was now quoting the latest research findings.

“Actually, the as yet unsubstantiated theory is that they somehow sense extra dimensions in space here on Earth, and convey that in two-dimensional dances. That’s not even close to what Alex does,” Becky corrected her.

“Besides, how is that going to help?” Alex asked, still trying to figure out how he could use this—or any idea. “I boost a bee so it can guide us into the afterlife?”

“No,” Melinda replied defensively. “But wasn’t the idea to brainstorm? To think of different approaches and see whether any new ideas pop up? You could use a large beetle’s or a bird’s brain and then link that into one of your follower’s brains?”

“Hmm, I’ll have to consider that,” Alex said, stroking his cheek as he considered the idea. “Again, I’m not sure what to attempt with them, but it would make sense to experiment on something other than humans. I tried that initially with Cate’s mice, though. The links I created in their little brains were too big and I ended up with brain dead mice.”

“Uh, not to pose stupid questions which will bring this discussion to a screeching halt,” Gini offered, “but if everyone jumps to a new species when they die, wouldn’t killing an insect be as bad as killing a human?”

Alex frowned, unhappy he hadn’t considered that option. But Becky jumped in, hoping to prevent the discussion from going off-track. “There’s no indication insects have the kinds of emotions humans do. If we jump, then the assumption is we’d jump to similar creatures, at least something capable of emotional and intellectual functioning. If this inter-dimensional communication has any purpose, it would be to allow the dead to find a compatible body to transition into.”

“I don’t know about that,” Steve Blanco, the band’s drummer interrupted, “but I don’t think you have time to thrash it out anymore. We’re here at the hotel,” he announced as he eased over in front of a large building. “The place we’re playing is over twenty miles from here, so we’re just checking in, dropping off our stuff, and then we’ll head for the Sleep Country Amphitheater.” He motioned towards the door, while leaning back and taking a drink of his coffee, putting his feet up on the dashboard showing he wasn’t going any further. “We know you like to tool around the city, looking for people before the concert, so we didn’t think you’d mind, but we’re offering you front door service since I’ve got to sit here waiting for everyone to get back.”

“Well, thank you, my good man,” Alex said, getting up and bowing in an exaggerated, playful manner. “Can I offer you a tip, say maybe the keys to heaven, or if you can’t use that, maybe a wooden nickel?”

Winona punched his arm as she passed. “You’re a real funny man. It’s a good thing you have other talents, because you’d never make it as a comedian. Come on, walk me inside. This is probably the last time I’ll actually see you until we get back tonight. Unlike your followers, I can’t see you glowing from miles away.”

Winona proceeded to lead Alex outside the bus, hugging his arm tight.

“Uh, wait a minute, let me grab my bag,” Alex told her, turning back and shrugging her off.

Becky, seeing the look in Winona’s eyes, could see trouble developing. She knew that look well and was also familiar with Winona’s temper. Alex had been ignoring her—just as he had everyone—but Winona didn’t like being ignored. Becky realized if she didn’t do something, Winona would be on the warpath again. So far, she’d gotten along pretty well with both of Alex’s sisters, unlike how she’d reacted to Cate, so Becky didn’t want to get on her bad side if she could avoid it. She knew Alex would always pick them, but there’s no sense setting yourself up for trouble if all it takes to avoid it is a little diplomacy.

“Don’t worry, Alex, we’ll get it,” she assured him with a gentle wave of her hand.

“Are you sure? I’m right here and it’s easy enough for me to—”

“Nonsense, you go ahead and check us in. That way we won’t have to stop. Now go ahead and let us handle all this grunt work,” she teased with a gentle laugh she hoped would ease his mind.

Shrugging, Alex turned back. When Winona smiled sweetly at him—he’d missed the scowl she’d shot his sisters—he wisely figured out to take her arm in his, allowing her to cuddle up against him.

“You know, you’ve been so distracted the past several days I’ve been nervous about disturbing you.”

“Yeah, I’ve been pretty busy considering a lot of things,” he answered distractedly, completely missing her whole intent.

“Oh, really?” she asked sweetly, staring into his eyes as she batted her eyelashes. “What’s wrong? Anything I could help with?”

“Nah,” he said, not thinking this was the kind of thing she’d be good at. Winona was very single-minded, but intellectual puzzles weren’t her big suite. “Just some ‘angel’ stuff. So are you ready for tonight’s concert?”

“Oh, I’m more than ready,” she told him, the gleam in her eyes showing she’d taken to the whole stage persona. “But I’m pretty tense. I suspect we could both use some relaxation.”

“Well I … wait, how rude of me,” he said, suddenly noticing the heavy bag she was carrying while cozying up to him. “Let me grab that for you,” he offered, missing the fairly obvious signals she was sending.

“Oh, thank you. That’s so nice of you,” she said, oozing sweetness even as she gritted her teeth at his obtuseness. She didn’t know whether he was really that distracted or he simply wasn’t interested in her anymore, and frankly, she didn’t like being ignored any more than she liked being rejected.

The hotel lobby was fairly busy for that time of day—meaning instead of being empty, there were several people waiting to check-in. Without thinking, Alex grabbed Winona’s bag in his primary hand, his right, which had been the one Winona had been clinging to—which didn’t improve her temperament any.

Approaching the front desk, Alex motioned her forward. “After you,” he said graciously, still not seeing the inconsistency in his behavior.

“No, no, I couldn’t,” she said, still more interested in getting through to him even though she was under a tight time limit. “You go ahead, we’ve got time.” She’d been expecting him to politely decline, but once again he missed the subtle signals she was trying to send and walked on ahead of her.

“I’m with the Jennings’ party,” he told the clerk, a tall intelligent looking man who looked up and smiled at him. “There are four of us. We have reservations.”

“Jennings … oh yes, here it is. Your companion has already checked in, but I have your key right here.”

Alex looked confused. “No, no, that can’t be. They’re still in the…,” but by then he’d already handed Alex his keycard, so Alex decided to just go with it. “I actually need all four keys,” he told the desk clerk.

“Oh, of course,” the man said, showing all the grace and consideration Alex was so badly lacking. “And give me a second. I believe your suitemate is waiting in the bar. Give me a second and I’ll give her a call for you,” he said as he picked up a telephone.

“No, wait, you must be…,” Alex tried to interrupt before he gave up, as the man began talking to someone at the bar on the house phone. The clerk turned and smiled in acknowledgment at him, but before he could say anything, a voice rang out.

“ALEX!” Suddenly a small bundle of energy launched itself at him, almost knocking Alex over as it landed on his back, holding him tight as she proceeded to both hug and spin him.

“Cate?” he asked, showing he wasn’t any quicker with voice recognition than he was at social clues. Turning, Cate stepped back so he could see her, and when he did, she launched herself at him again, only this time she tackled his front side.

“I’ve missed you so much! Let me just hold you and soak up some of that wonderful energy of yours once again. Man, it’s amazing feeling it course through me when I’ve done without for so long.”

“Wait…, what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t supposed to return for another couple of weeks?”

“That was the idea, but I changed my plans,” she told him, planting a big kiss on his lips. “When I heard about what you went through with Mickie, I immediately booked the next flight out. I knew you’d take it personally and I couldn’t bear the thought of you suffering out here without me.”

“Hello, Cate,” Winona said icily from the sidelines. Cate hadn’t yet so much as acknowledged her existence.

“Oh, sorry, Winona. I was just so glad to see Alex again I kind of zoned out,” Cate said as she wrapped her arm around Alex and they both turned to face Winona before Cate leaned across Alex to briefly take care of one last thing. “Thanks, Phillip. You were great. I knew it wouldn’t take him long before he saw through your little diversion, but you managed to keep him guessing for just the right amount of time. He was SO surprised,” she gleefully told him, smiling brightly at the young clerk, whereas she’d hardly recognized Winona at all.

“Don’t worry,” Phillip assured her. “It was fun and you’ve been a delight.”

“How long have you been here?” Alex asked, still trying to piece the puzzle pieces together.

“I got in early this morning. About 7:20. But that’s not all. I brought a couple people with me I met at the airport.”

Alex turned to glare at Gini. “You could have mentione—”, but Cate held on to him so tightly he couldn’t turn around.

“Not yet. As always, timing is everything,” she said as she looked over her shoulder, even as she prevented him from doing so. “And no one else knew about my plans. So don’t go blaming anyone else.”

When she was ready, she turned him slightly, and he was stunned to see both Ahmed and Akilah Asghar, two people he hadn’t been expecting to see for some time. However, not only was Ahmed dressed in a very professional business suit, but Akilah was dressed in a beautiful ensemble and looked very much the delightful, confident American socialite.

“It’s so wonderful seeing you again,” she enthused, moving to hug and kiss Alex before her husband had a chance to shake his hand. Whereas Alex missed his own social clues, he certainly recognized that one and it surprised him.

“You’re certainly looking confident,” he answered, stepping back to regard them both. “And your dress,” he added, trying to press home the point. “The last time I saw you, you’d dressed up, but you didn’t look so relaxed in it. But this time….”

“A lot has been happening,” Akilah enthusiastically said. “As for the confidence, you can blame this man,” she said, indicating Ahmed, who finally reached forward to shake Alex’s hand. “He’s been pushing me to open up and be more assertive. He’s got me leading a school, meeting with business and political leaders. He’s been encouraging me to speak up for myself and to be more assertive.”

“Well, it’s certainly working,” Alex told the bubbly woman before turning to Ahmed. “You may have created a monster here,” he suggested with a wink.

“It’s good to see you again, Alex,” Ahmed answered happily and enthusiastically with only a trace of an accent. “But before we get too carried away, we’re officially here on business. We’ve developed a school for future career women in both Saudi Arabia and throughout the entire Middle East. We found several with certain interesting ‘traits’ I thought you should meet.” And with that, Cate—who was now grinning like the Cheshire cat, spun him around so he was facing three well-dressed women, who although dressed almost as nicely as Akilah, weren’t quite as confident. They seemed to be afraid of him, and when he looked, they immediately glanced down.

“Ladies!” Akilah sternly told them. “Haven’t I told you it’s impolite in the Western world not greet strangers as an equal?”

Almost as one, the three women glanced at her, then looking guilty, turned and lifted their eyes to meet Alex’s gaze. Each jerked back before catching themselves, their eyes rapidly contracting as they each had to glance away quickly.

Alex recognized the motions immediately and realized the game they’d been playing, both keeping him in the dark and having him activate them without anyone else noticing. He knew they were trying to prove something, but he really didn’t want to hazard a guess at the moment.

“Ladies, it’s a pleasure to meet each of you,” Alex said as he stepped forwards, holding each woman by the arms and kissing them briefly on the cheeks in the European fashion. As he did, each suddenly stood up straight, looking much more confident and self-assured, and they now began to look about as if suddenly proud to be there for all the world to see.

“Did I miss something?” Ahmed asked, cocking his head at the sudden transformation.

“I just gave them a full briefing, as well as telling them all about me and how to treat me,” Alex explained.

“But … you didn’t …”

“Close your mouth, dear, you’re creating a scene,” Akilah playfully laughed at her husband with a gentle light giggle. “It seems our little American angel has refined his techniques, and he’s now better at this than either of us ever anticipated.”

“It’s all done with simple body language,” Alex explained with a wink, trying to provide a cover for anyone listening in, like Phillip. “All right, girls, you’ve had enough time to take in your surroundings.” They each tried to look at him directly, but had to quickly glance away. “Don’t worry, my boyish charm can be a little intimidating. It’s best if you look askance at my innocence,” he teased, which they seemed to immediately understand. Alex then quickly introduced everyone, including Winona, Gini and his other two sisters, who’d entered while this was taking place. Even Winona’s band was busy watching the show.

“It looks like we have much to discuss, young man,” Ahmed told Alex. “As for myself, I hope to tell you of my plans for the future. It seems dear Akilah here is making quite a name for herself in my country,” he concluded, smiling proudly at his wife, the same woman he’d hardly acknowledged when Alex had first met them arriving at the LA airport only a couple weeks ago.

“You know, Ahmed, if you want to see the extent of what I’ve learned,” Alex said before turning to the three new Saudi girls again. “Girls, it was delightful meeting you,” he said as he made a casual, desultory wave and again each one’s head jerked just a little and their eyes opened wide. Almost instantly, Akilah grasped her husband’s arm as she was inundated by two of the new girls speaking to her at once.

“You … you’ve learned how to spontaneously boost them?” she asked in amazement. “I mean, you occasionally did it before, but you’ve mastered the process?”

Alex merely nodded, smiling knowingly.

“Now that is truly amazing,” Ahmed said, congratulating Alex. “It’s too bad you couldn’t have learned it two weeks ago, so you wouldn’t have had to make love to my wife,” he added with a bit of a hard stare, but he quickly shook it off. “No matter, everything in its time, I guess. Is there any way you could do this kind of thing, say, from across the world?” he asked hopefully.

“Alas, no, I don’t think it’s possible,” Alex told him with a frown, knowing how useful it would be for them not to have to send each new girl they discovered all the way to physically meet him. “Although these techniques aren’t spatially constrained, the initial activations and the subsequent boostings seem to be,” he added obliquely, still not wanting to say too much out loud in a semi-public environment. “Look, let’s move aside, get everyone get checked in, and then we can discuss this in a little more privacy.”

“Wait,” Akilah said, stopping them before they could leave. “The girls have something to say before we all slink off.” She smiled as she stepped back, waving them onward, and the three women stepped forward with big smiles.

“We be pleased…,” said one woman, a young brunette.

“to meet someone who…,” said the second, picking up where her companion left off.

“has influenced us so much,” finished the third, in what was clearly a carefully orchestrated moment. Even though they couldn’t look directly at Alex, they each grinned as if they’d achieved something vitally important.

“We practiced that the entire flight over,” Akilah explained giggling lightly. “We had to teach them the words and the pronunciation, as none of them know much English, and only one has ever had much formal training beyond your grade school.”

“Well, it was delightful and it’s an honor to receive such a welcome in my own tongue,” he told them. They each smiled, nodding enthusiastically as if they understood every word, which they had, since Alex had given them a simultaneous translation telepathically. With that he turned, waving them forward, and led the whole group to the private area in the lobby where they could discuss things more privately. As he walked off, Cate glanced at her sisters, who nodded resignedly as they carried everyone’s bags up to the room while Cate hurried after Alex, grinning like she’d just won a lottery.

“It sounds like you’ve been busy since we were last here,” Ahmed said after everyone sat down in the common area.

“Actually, it hasn’t been long since you were last here,” Alex reminded him.

“True, but it’s even more impressive you’ve accomplished so much in so short a time. Your powers are increasing … tremendously,” Ahmed said, clearly impressed though his tone indicated there was something else on his mind.

“I detect a ‘but’ there,” Alex replied, arching an eyebrow.

“Well…, we’re a little concerned you may be … pushing yourself a little too much,” Ahmed observed, trying to word his concerns carefully.

“Ahmed!” Cate warned, glaring at him.

“Hey, I’m sorry,” he told her, holding his hands up in a mock surrender, although he didn’t heed her warning. “But we’re trying to create a movement of your people in our country, and it’s hard enough finding people when they aren’t magically drawn to you. It certainly won’t help if you aren’t around to activate and boost those we do manage to find.”

Cate was about to object again and Akilah seemed to be very ill at ease, but she had prepared for this knowing Ahmed planned to tackle the issue directly, his background in Middle Eastern diplomacy not making him very subtle in his approach. But Alex held his hand up, effectively silencing Cate’s objections. Instead she sat back and glared at Ahmed, her displeasure apparent.

“We all knew I only had a limited amount of time,” Alex reminded him. “While I’m not eager to depart this Earth, there’s no reason denying what’s obviously the case.”

“That may be true,” Ahmed conceded, “but there’s a theory you’ve been bringing it on yourself. Each time you stretch your abilities, trying to accomplish more than you’re able, you increase the amount of BCM flowing into you. That’s why your health is declining. By trying to take care of everyone and make meaningless scenes, you’re threatening your entire movement,” Ahmed concluded.

Cate gasped and Gini held her breath, but instead of answering Alex leaned back and pressed his fingers together before him. He didn’t say anything for several moments, as everyone around him held their breath waiting for his response.

“Actually, I can’t deny that. But I haven’t had much of a choice. I don’t chose to have someone try to shoot me, or run me over, but when I respond, not only do I get this unfortunate increase in my abilities, but I also gain necessary insights which helps everyone. I see it more as a personal sacrifice I make in order to help my followers.”

“Ah, but what about your future followers?” Ahmed countered, glancing at the three women he’d flown all the way from Saudi Arabia.

“If we were simply discussing interesting new abilities, it would be one thing. I mean, as much as I appreciate the automatic boosts, it’s not really essential. What is, however, are the insights into what’s behind these abilities. I consider the knowledge about how each of my people can cross over and spread our message in another life on another place essential, and frankly, well worth a couple days or a couple of weeks of my time.”

The three new girls gaped at this simple fact, having already been briefed by Alex about what they’d learned, and though she already knew Alex’s position, Cate looked visibly disturbed. Ahmed himself sat back and considered this, copying Alex’s behavior almost exactly.

“Did I miss something again?” Ahmed asked. “What’s this about ‘crossing over’?”

Akilah leaned in and whispered to her husband, quickly informing him of Alex’s recovered memories. Once again, Ahmed seemed impressed. Still, he wasn’t done.

“While I wasn’t aware of these newest discoveries, I take it you’ve no intention to slow down? You need to take it easy to give yourself time to find more followers; for us to find, educate, train and bring more women from around the world to you!”

“Both are valid objectives, clearly,” Alex conceded, leaning forward and meeting Ahmed’s challenging gaze. “But frankly, I suspect we’ve got enough genetic diversity now to last us for some time. What’s more, we’re spread out enough we should be able to withstand any direct attack on us, assuming we don’t do anything stupid to bring public attention down on us,” Alex added, reaching over and knocking on the wooden table before him for good measure. “But if this all ends when I die, then what’s the point? I’ve done as much as I can to produce someone to take on my role after me, though we won’t know whether it’s successful for quite some time. But if I die, and everyone who’s been influenced by me dies in the next twenty, thirty or forty years, then where are we? On the other hand, if each of us dies, but can then go on to spread my movement to another world, to a whole new group of people. Then we’re taking this movement not just to another country, but to whole new dimensions, to completely new worlds, where they can each develop slowly, gradually increasing in size.”

Alex glanced away, examining his hand as he flexed his fingers. “This will never be a movement of numbers. I’m not looking to become the newest televangelist. I don’t want to win a bunch of people unrelated to the movement to my side. The people who can utilize these abilities are a very small percentage of the population. Thus the key is to stay small but reach as many people as we can in a slow but careful process. We’ll never form the majority here in the U.S., or on Earth, but what if we can expand to multiple planets, multiple dimensions, each of which now has the basic knowledge that those other worlds exist? Just think of the potential. And not just for the movement itself, think of what it would mean for humanity? For each of those … people? We’re dealing with the ability to communicate between worlds. We’re learning about whole new branches of physics we never even knew existed. If we can advance humanity’s basic knowledge of how these multiple dimensions work, think of what we as a species can accomplish, even if we can’t do much with it for a long, long time. But that knowledge itself will drive people, and it’s that drive which pushes advancements. We’ve made these advancements because Cate and I are driven to discover what’s behind these abilities. If I was anyone else, I would have thought ‘Oh wow, girls are suddenly into me, I can sit back and have my choice of beautiful women and I never have to do a thing again’. But I didn’t. Instead, my drive makes me willing to sacrifice my own life in the hope I can allow each of my people to achieve something greater than themselves. Just think of it. If each of my followers can effectively become a space traveler, traveling to places we can’t even see with the most powerful telescopes on Earth, then what can we hope to eventually discover, to achieve?”

No one said a word. The whole time Alex had been going on, slowly working himself up, getting more and more enthused, those around him all leaned in, taking in every word, trying to imagine the world, no, the multiverse he envisioned.

“Well, when you put it like that…,” Ahmed said, trying to break the heavy mood with a little humor. “Suddenly the few people I can help in my own country seem much less … I won’t say ‘important’, as the thought of my wife, Akilah doing what you describe is positively mind boggling, but I’ve got to agree. Given what you’re ultimately aiming for, reaching a few more people both here and in my country seems like a very poor substitute.”

“It may be for you,” Cate retorted, her tone rising sharply as she glared at both Ahmed and her brother. “But some of us here are more concerned for Alex himself. Beyond anything else, Alex is an individual, not some ‘Grand Messiah’. Alex never asked for any of this, and he was always willing to surrender all of these abilities if he could. That’s why I asked you not to broach the subject,” she said, shooting Ahmed a murderous glare. “But because Alex feels obligated, not just to those people clamoring for him but for all of humanity and for people and beings we can’t even imagine in our wildest dreams, it’s simply too much to ask of a single man.

Cate’s ire was rising. She stood up, browbeating the two larger men. “Alex needs … no, Alex deserves time to be himself. He needs to be able to care about himself. Right now, Alex is so concerned with every other person on the Earth he can’t even acknowledge how much he’s suffering. Instead of dealing with his own impending death and taking time to grieve, he’s putting on a brave front, hiding his own fears even from himself. Asking him to always think of other people is asking too much. In trying to reach other worlds, you’re asking Alex to abandon his own humanity. Just let him be who he is!” Cate pleaded, tears streaming down her face.

“I’m sorry,” Ahmed apologized, reaching out to Cate, even though it was Gini who enfolded her in her arms—an act not typical of the normally remote bodyguard. “I’ve been thinking of myself. Well, myself and my own people. It’s hard to forget a lifetime of national and religious training. It’s clear Alex’s movement involves much more than any one nationality, or even a single species or planet. But in the same way, we can’t expect him to be less than who he is. While I’m upset at the pace he’s driving himself, I now have a better idea of why he does it.” Ahmed took some time to gather himself before continuing.

“Alex should take all the time he needs to compose himself. This is a major event for anyone, but even more for someone who has done so much for so many people, all without receiving much real emotional support from the rest of us. I’m truly sorry if I’ve overstepped myself. What you are facing, Alex, is truly humbling. You are truly an even greater man for managing those responsibilities on your own when all everyone else wants is … more of you.”

“I really can’t say that others aren’t willing to help,” Alex struggled to respond, his heart breaking as he watched his sister crying over his impending death. “Everyone in this movement would clearly sacrifice themselves if they could only buy me a little more time on this planet. And they’ve each helped me in their own way. But this is the kind of thing one can only approach alone. The kinds of decisions I have to make can’t be made with a majority vote. The issues are much too … expansive to allow myself the luxury of solitude and grief. Even though I never chose this role, now that it’s been given to me I can’t very well shirk it simply because it’s gotten onerous. As all of you know, there’s absolutely no one else who could take the role over from me. It was either me, or no one.

“But more than anyone, I don’t want to leave the job unfinished. If I am to be the last one with these abilities, then I plan to spread the knowledge I can impart with it as widely as possible. By advancing the science, hopefully I can help anyone who comes after me, helping them avoid the mistakes I’ve made. And by helping everyone understand what’s involved, it equips my followers with the tools they need to teach the others they find. True, it won’t be as easy if they can’t speak telepathically with each other from across the globe, but knowing what’s ultimately involved, they can teach what’s really important and not just focus on finding as many new followers as possible making it a giant cosmic game of ‘tag, you’re it’!”

“Spoken like a true revolutionary. Like a real messiah,” Ahmed said, eyeing Alex with a newfound respect even more powerful than the tremendous awe he’d previously held him in. “I’ve said my piece, and you’ve answered me quite eloquently. You’ve opened my eyes to things much larger than my own world. I’m ready to redouble my efforts. Even if we can’t get any more of our women here to meet you in person, I now realize what you’re teaching us can help us even more than I’d previously imagined. But I think it’s time we left the two of you to yourselves so you can deal with the unfortunate truths I’ve forced you to face.”

“No, no,” Alex said, finally standing and walking over to Cate, who stood up, leaving Gini’s arms to wrap herself around her brother. “Just give Cate and me some time alone to gather ourselves. We’ve got too much on our plates to stop because we’re having a simple emotional crisis. I’d like you and your people, Ahmed, to observe us in action as we meet people in the street. I think it would help everyone you’re working with to experience that.”

Cate didn’t object, even though Alex still couldn’t devote himself to either her or his own anguish. She too, knew that the two of them represented much more than two isolated individuals. However, now that she had him in her arms, she held onto him tightly, pulling him firmly against her as she continued to cry quietly against his chest. His thin, scrawny pale chest appearing more masculine than the most powerful man she’d ever seen. They might look better, but her brother was sacrificing much more than any other pretty-boy would be willing to.

“I think we’d best retire to our room for a few minutes while the rest of you get your stuff settled,” Alex offered. “After that we can get started on the rest of the day. Can you make it to the concert tonight, Ahmed?”

“Most assuredly,” Ahmed assured him. “We booked our tickets to the concert before we’d even booked the flight here.”

“Booked a flight my ass,” Cate commented, her voice muffled by Alex’s chest. “They flew their own Learjet.”

“Alas, we did,” Ahmed conceded. “But, when the stakes are this large, I can be forgiven spending a few extra dollars in an attempt to bring my own people here a little faster. After all, this is much more important than any of us even dreamed about before.

Continued

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