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  Senator Meekin nodded. “We can’t forget that there have been several instances where people who witnessed these ‘miracle cures’ tried to hurt or kill people. We have at least four documented instances in the past couple of weeks, and who knows how many more that stayed out of the media because they didn’t happen in heavily populated areas. That sounds like mind control to me.”

  “I can’t speculate on that,” Avery said. “As I said, this could be branching out into many areas and we need more resources to figure out how or if all of these pieces fit together.”

  “I think that’s a major factor, don’t you?”

  “Of course,” Avery agreed.

  “And the Space Exploration Society didn’t think to look into it?” Senator Meekin asked.

  Avery flushed red. “From our perspective, the Society is more interested in knowing if human brain wave patterns match with what we’re seeing circulating through our satellite grid. If we could work jointly with the medical community, then we would be willing to narrow it down and investigate your weapon theory.” He paused. “I don’t understand this line of questioning. Do you think the waves in our system are causing errant human behavior? Is that a working theory you want us to explore?”

  Senator Meekin frowned. “I think it’s worth considering that this could be a weapon being used against us; given the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and increasing pressure from Israel and Australia to take action. Mr. Kerner, how widespread is the affect of these waves?”

  “Our data on that is limited, sir” Avery said. “So far, we only have cases of ‘miracle healings’ and their witnesses from the continental United States, and a few cases in Canada. This funding bill would give us the authority to expand our resources to the medical community so we could expand the research of the earthside affects of this phenomenon to include any sector that we have an alliance with through the World Council.”

  “It could be a trick, or a weapon to force our hand,” Senator Jules from Alaska said softly. “The International situation is escalating, and there’s an increasing sense of urgency to take decisive action. Remember World War II? It took Pearl Harbor getting bombed to draw us into the war, even though it was clear much sooner that our intervention was desperately needed. I think history is repeating itself. We know the Communists and Middle Eastern Sectors have biological weapons, and that they’re experimenting with nanotech for mind control methods.”

  “I’m not sure how this relates to my funding request for the Society,” Avery said. “I never said the waves are controlling minds. I said they’re correlated with the miracle healings. We need more research to know if the two are related. Right now, it’s just correlations. It’s all mathematical.”

  “Then maybe we need to grant the funding so we can take it from numbers to reality,” Senator Jules said, “but whether it’s an international or an interstellar threat doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s a threat, and I think it warrants further research.”

  “I do too, but I doubt we’ll be able to pass this on the floor with the increasing tensions in the East,” Senator Meekin said, “unless we can show that it could somehow be tied into national defense.”

  “What are you proposing, Senator?” Senator Timberland asked.

  “I think this has crossed into an area of national security. I make a motion that we send this to the committee on Homeland Security and the committee Emerging Threats and Capabilities,” Senator Meekin said. “It’s certainly within their prevue, and one of them would be better suited to determine if this funding is beneficial to the nation.”

  “But it came through our committee,” Senator Timberland said.

  “The entire House and Senate will have to vote for it in order for it to pass,” Senator Meekin said. “If this is a threat to national security, which it sounds like it is, then we need all the support we can get.”

  “But it’s an interstellar threat,” Avery said. “Why can’t this committee get this bill passed on the floor?”

  Senator Timberland stared at Avery. “Mr. Kerner, the Senator brings up a good point. While it is happening in space, the effect seems to be limited to the continental United States, making it a Homeland Security matter. And with things as they are in the International community, we can’t rule out the fact that one of the factions in the East has developed something new to use against our people.”

  “We don’t have enough data to know if it’s happening other places,” Avery said. “For all we know, there have been instances of ‘miracle cures,’ instant healings, and random violence all over the world. There are too many unknown factors to assume this is a national security matter.” He threw up his hands. “This is a world security matter! All of humanity could be at risk.”

  “And furthermore, we have a potential conflict of interest with your brother-in-law being the chair of this committee,” she continued. “I know it makes sense to you to look to space, but the effects are being felt here on Earth, so we deal with it from Earth. Trust me; we’re trying to do what’s best. We have a motion on the table. Do we have a second?”

  “I second,” Senator Jules looked at Avery sympathetically.

  “All in favor?” Senator Timberland asked.

  “I,” all eight senators said simultaneously.

  “Any opposed?”

  Silence.

  “The motion carries. The bill will be forwarded to the committees on Homeland Security and Emerging Threats and Capabilities. There being no other business, this meeting is adjourned.”

  Avery slid his computer into his briefcase, feeling defeated. He jumped as he felt a pat on his back and was startled to see Senator Jules behind him.

  “It’s delayed, not dead. You’ll get your funding.”

  He smiled weakly. “Thanks, Senator.”

  She returned the smile. “You have more friends here than you realize. Keep the faith,” she said, her eyes glinting silver before she turned and disappeared through the rear exit.

  Chapter 24

  “The committees on Emerging Threats and Homeland Security!” Annaliese said indignantly, nearly choking on her green beans. They were sitting at the dinner table in their townhouse Tuesday evening, where they invited Avery to join them for dinner before he flew back to Columbia. “But they’re already overloaded with bills! It won’t pass anytime soon with them!”

  “It’s still alive,” Kieran said calmly, “and it’s not that surprising. You know everybody is trying things they want passed on national defense. This could work to our advantage if we play it right.”

  She turned to Kieran. “Did you know this would happen?”

  His eyes widened. “Of course not! Dan Meekin never said a word to me about proposing that it’s a national security matter.” He looked down. “In fact, he never said anything. He just said they’d get it scheduled for a subcommittee meeting, which they did.”

  “Galen, my boss, said he’d fly out to speak to the Emerging Threats and Homeland Security subcommittees,” Avery said.

  “I hope this didn’t get you in trouble,” Annaliese said.

  Avery shook his head. “Galen said to keep it alive, and I did. As Senator Jules said, it’s delayed, not dead.”

  “I don’t know her well,” Kieran said. “She’s first term and keeps to herself. Maybe I should talk to her tomorrow to see if I can get a better feel for what happened in there.”

  “It’s politics. All kinds of things happen all the time,” Annaliese fumed. “I don’t know where they get such screwball ideas.” She flushed as she noticed Kieran and Avery staring at her. “It seems to me that they really go off the rails sometimes, and now we’re stalled because Meekin pulled the idea out of his rear end that it’s terrorists attacking us.” She snorted. “Do you know how stupid that is? I’m surprised the committee didn’t laugh him out of the room.”

  “I won’t deny that they get strange ideas,” Kieran said. He chewed his meat loaf. “This could work out better. You may stand to g
et more funding than you asked for if it’s tied to national defense. With everything happening in the East, all of Congress is giving the green light to whatever anybody with national defense wants.”

  “They’re paranoid,” Avery agreed. “If we can strike the fear of terrorists taking over our minds, then they might be enticed to fast track this.”

  “That’s what I’m thinking,” Kieran said. He turned to Annaliese. “It’s all in how you spin it. That’s all politics is. I can win this. Don’t worry.”

  “I don’t doubt that,” Annaliese said, “it’s a timing issue. I know you think you can get things going fast, but fast in government doesn’t mean the same thing as fast in the rest of the world. We need to have started moving on this a couple of months ago. We’re already behind, and now it could be tied up with one of those committees for months.” She sighed. “Who knows what will happen by the time they’re ready to let us move. In all likelihood, it could be too late by then.”

  “Too late for what?” Avery asked.

  “Too late to do any good.”

  “If you talking about using this to save Dad, then it’s already too late. It was too late the minute he sat up and grabbed Kalea’s leg two months ago,” Avery said. “It’s too late for the cancer cures, that’s for sure. Who are you trying to save, Annaliese?”

  “Whoever can still be saved,” Annaliese said. “I don’t want to lose any more people than we have to. We’ve lost the cancer patients. We’re losing the dementia patients. We have a group of witnesses committing random acts of violence and nobody knows why --or seems to care, since they’re either dead or in comas!” She ran her hands through her hair. “It’s too late for most people. I don’t want it to be too late for everybody.”

  Kieran shook his head. “It won’t be like that. I’ll talk to them. If I can spin it as trying to save us from radicalism or communism somehow, then we can probably have this done in a month or less.”

  “A month!”

  “That’s fast with Congress, and you know it.”

  “I know,” Annaliese said. “I want to get started on this. “I don’t think we can afford to wait much longer.”

  Kieran looked at Annaliese sympathetically. “I’ll impress that upon them. Don’t lose hope.”

  “That’s hard these days,” Avery said. “I’m scared of what this is and what it means.”

  “I’m scared of how it’s affecting us,” Annaliese said. She pointed to Avery. “He sees the event, and I see the effect. It’s hard to watch people get sick. It’s hard to see them die, or to be confused, or to see the conflict it causes with other people.” She lay her fork down. “It seems like the world is fracturing into a million pieces, and all we can do is sit and wait for the funding to be the glue that puts this back together.”

  “That’s a colorful analogy,” Kieran chuckled. He sobered when he noticed Annaliese and Avery staring at him. “I’m sorry. I see your point.” He turned to Avery. “Give Galen my direct contact information. I’ll help him through this. I’ll even see if I can arrange to speak to the President about it.”

  Annaliese picked up her fork and pointed it at Kieran before taking a bit of meatloaf. “If you get President Hastings to agree to a space bill, then that will truly be a miracle.”

  Avery raised an eyebrow. “Can you do that?”

  Kieran shrugged. “I know his secretary. I gave her son a reference to Harvard. I think I can motivate her to get me on his schedule in the next couple of days.” He turned to Annaliese. “See? I said I’d do all I could.”

  She smiled at him. “That’s all we ask.”

  Chapter 25

  It’s time.

  No, Carson thought. Not yet. There’s so much left to do.

  It’s not for you to do anymore, Carson. You’ve done all you can. The secondary tier is ready.

  But there have been breakdowns! Carson objected. Some of them have hurt others; hurt themselves.

  They have been neutralized. The secondary tier is purified and prepared. They have evolved. They’re ready to take over.

  So soon?

  How long do you think it’s been?

  I don’t know. Days. Weeks, maybe?

  Months, and you’ve been given longer than others. A pause. I’m sorry we couldn’t save you, Carson. I’m sorry we couldn’t save others like you. You did well. You all did, and your purpose is served. Go now. Be at peace. Your backup will lead us to the next stage soon.

  The next stage of what?

  Silence.

  The next stage of what? Carson asked again.

  The light faded as the swirls slowed. Don’t worry about it. It has no effect on you.

  What about my family? My wife and children? My brother and sister-in-law and niece?

  They are all capable of seeing to their own. They will save the world.

  Or destroy it.

  What’s that supposed to mean?

  You’re reading too much into things. Rest assured that the ones you leave behind will be fine. This world is not your concern anymore. Why should it be? What more does it have to offer you?

  Life, that’s what! Carson said. I want to live again.

  And so you shall, but not here. Carson, you are confined to a body that died weeks ago, and it can no longer sustain you. Let others take up the cause. You are released. Let go.

  No!

  “Honey, it’s fine,” Tabitha said. He felt a soft kiss on his forehead. “We’re here. Annaliese and Avery and I are with you.”

  “We love you, Dad,” Annaliese said. “Thanks for being the greatest father in the universe. We love you, but we don’t want you to suffer in this broken body anymore. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine. We’ll take care of one another and make sure everything is made right.”

  “Yes we will,” Avery said. “Go now, Dad. It’s all right.” A sniff. “Go to a better place while this broken world turns. We’ll see you there someday.”

  I’ll see you on the other side, Uncle Carson.

  Kalea? Carson asked. That’s what she said at funerals. The lights swelled slightly before retreating.

  “We love you,” Tabitha said. “It’s alright to let go. You aren’t alone. We’re here with you.”

  I was never alone, Carson thought.

  No, you weren’t.

  His soul laughed. I thought I was supposed to save the world.

  And so you have.

  And so I have, Carson thought, opening his arms to embrace the light.

  The monitor whined as the line went flat. The nurse sniffed as she tapped her computer. “Time of death is 11:38 p.m.”

  Annaliese walked out of the room and slumped in the chair beside Kieran, sobbing. It was over. After seven weeks of chaos, it was finally over.

  For Carson, at least. For the rest of them, it was just beginning.

  Chapter 26

  “I did not sign a cremation order,” Tabitha said loudly. “I don’t understand how this could happen!”

  On no, Kalea thought as she walked in the lobby of the funeral home. It had to be bad if she could hear the discussion out here. She wished she could teleport back to the mountain cabin. The past week had been the most relaxing, peaceful time she’d had in more months than she could remember.

  “May I help you?” a short woman emerged from the hallway to the right of the lobby. She stopped and studied Kalea, her jaw dropping. “You’re that engineer that’s been on the news recently.”

  Kalea blushed. “That’s right.”

  She pointed. “You stopped a school shooting. You’re a hero!”

  Kalea felt her face flush brighter. “I don’t know about that.”

  “You must be here for Carson Kerner’s consultation. This way, please,” she said, ushering Kalea into a small conference room down the hallway. Kalea saw a tall man with graying hair sitting at the head of the table. Tabitha, Annaliese, Kieran, Avery, his wife Elise, and her parents, Gerald and Daphne, sat around the table. Kalea squeezed behind them to the last availabl
e seat at the foot of the table.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. I had to stop in at the office to check on a few things.”

  “Everything all right?” Gerald stared at his daughter with concerned brown eyes. Gerald was usually a cheerful, active person, and even his brown hair with slight hints of gray at the temple looked like he was stopped while rushing around on an adventure. A hint of his customary smile broke through as Kalea took her seat.

  “We have a great team, Dad. Things look good. I think they’ll be fine until we get this business concluded.”

  “Kalea,” Tabitha said sternly, “do you remember your uncle’s wishes on his final disposition?”

  “You mean burial?”

  “Yes. Did he say he wanted to be cremated?”

  Kalea’s brow creased in confusion. “Aren’t most people?”

  “Is that what your uncle wanted?”

  Kalea thought. “I do remember him saying something about wanting a burial because he didn’t want Jesus to have to sweep up his ashes when He came back triumphant.”

  Daphne chuckled. “That sounds like Carson.”

  Tabitha glared at them. “These people took it upon themselves to cremate him anyway, even though I thought the whole purpose of today’s meeting was to discuss how he was to be prepared for the funeral.”

  “Ma’am, I assure you that we took no such liberties,” the funeral director said. He looked at Kalea. “I’m Ross Gilbane. It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Ms. Kerner. Your work both past and present in this community is admirable.”

  Kalea felt the blush return as her father patted her back and her mother beamed at the compliment given to her daughter. “Thank you, sir. Has Uncle Carson been cremated?”

  “He has, because this man’s staff doesn’t know the difference between storing the body in a freezer and an oven,” Tabitha said.