12
NEW
ADMINISTRATION
The JCP
Board of Directors
Lanon
helped Jesse arrange the chairs in the main
Conference Room for the specially called Board
Meeting, as Jesse confessed his reluctance to
tell the Board about the ultimate purpose of the
Portal.
“Maybe if they can accept that there is
other intelligent life in the universe, they’ll
be more likely to accept their afterlife
alternatives, but no mortal likes to think about
death, not even Zooids.”
Recalling the test he took in Doc Will’s
lab, Lanon agreed. “Well, the immediate issue is
whether or not they are willing to work with
us.”
“Yeah.
It might not be necessary to tell them
about that specific side-effect of open
communication.”
“Let’s just see how it goes.”
When Doc Will and the twelve members of
the Board were present and seated as assigned
there were four extra chairs conspicuously
arranged at the table.
Jesse stood and surveyed his associates.
“I want to thank you all for coming on
such short notice, he said, taking command.
“I want to first acknowledge our
member-at-large, Dr. Blackstone, who is here at
my request.”
They readily and affectionately
acknowledged Doc Will and, the meeting now
having been formally established, Jesse sat and
resumed speaking to his associates in an
intimate and confidential tone.
“We have a lot to discuss today, but I
think that if we are all succinct, we can do
this without running too far into the evening.
Lately there have been …” he began, but
his voice trailed off.
“ ... certain new developments .…” He
struggled for the right words.
When he looked to Doc Will, as if for
inspiration, the old man shook his head and
shrugged. “I don’t know how to say this,” Jesse
stammered, “but recently, I’ve become aware of
... certain new developments that have affected
… and will continue to affect the future of the
JCP and the Zooids.”
He paused to rethink his approach.
“This morning I called and talked to
Professor Vessey about these ... changes, and he
suggested I simply introduce you to ... to some
new personalities who have found their way into
our organization.” The Board members respected
Jesse’s confiding in them and would hear him
out, but he was unable to put his concerns into
words.
Finally he said, “Doc Will, would you
invite our guests in, to join us?”
Doc Will crossed the large room and
opened the heavy wooden doors expecting to see
only Lanon and Angus, but his eyes fell also
upon the visage of Flora and Cybelle for the
first time.
He was stunned.
Not only were they beautiful, they seemed
to be the very embodiment of self-mastery.
When he intuitively made way to allow
them passage, the four Supernals entered the
room with super-human dignity.
The
goddesses, being so beautiful, captured their
eyes, but it was Angus, with his non-material
aspect, who captured their attention.
In full awareness of their effect on the
mortals, the visitors crossed the room and took
their seats at the conference table.
“As
you can see,” he said, “these visitors are quite
unique.”
Rather than stare, the members of the
Board directed their eyes to their leader, who
gave them something to think about. “These
visitors are interested in the Zooids.
They have been observing our development.
Some of them may be here only
temporarily, some may stay, and others will
surely follow, but it is apparent that the JCP
is on the threshold of something that involves
not only a new colony but a new era, a new age.”
Receiving puzzled looks and raised
eyebrows, he said,
“It seems we Zooids have been
instrumental in building a bridge between the
JCP and other intelligent life in the universe.”
Drawing blank stares, he stated, “These
entities are here to establish an inter-galactic
liaison.”
This statement brought forth such a surge
of stimuli in the twelve, that the very
molecules of the air were affected.
This alteration in atmospheric conditions
was clearly visible to the keen sense
perceptions of the Supernals.
Flora and Cybelle fairly giggled with
delight, underscoring for the Zooids that
something revelatory was taking place.
Jesse cleared his throat to corral their
wandering attentions.
“I want you to realize that what we tell
these visitors about our work with the JCP is as
important for them to hear as will be for us to
hear what they will have to say about their
work, so please speak freely,” he said.
This seemed a logical plan; no one
objected.
“I will begin with a short introduction.”
At once Cybelle focused her full
attention on him, virtually lifting him out of
his seat, and so he stood, took his pointer and,
as would any consummate instructor, approached
his class.
“The Jural Colony Project is a young
society. We
have been in existence for only a quarter of a
century,” he said to the guests.
“Since we are human animals, we are
rightfully a field of zoology, thus we
affectionately refer to ourselves as Zooids.
Zooids are defined as ‘comparatively
independent animals living and functioning
together as if they were a living organism’ --
which is, of course, true of any society.
We are essentially an experiment, in that
there are no guidelines for what we are
attempting to do.
“The society of Zooids is organized under
the aegis of the Jural Colony Project, the JCP.
Jural refers to our system of
government; our law is Natural Law.
The Colony concept reflects our
desire to work as a unit, a community.
And we are a Project because we
are a society based on spiritual principles.
This simply indicates that while we do
not represent any particular religion, we do
regard ourselves as children of divinity.
“Our social values and ethics are derived
from our personal relationships with divinity.
In other words, we live our lives as if
we were in the presence of God, and while this
reflection of spirit reality will be unique for
each of us, we honor that spirit, no matter what
you call it.
Beliefs are personal.
We are not a church.
We are a society.
“Simply put, Zooids are people who have
grown tired of seeing, hearing, feeling,
tasting, smelling, sensing, experiencing and
tolerating gross imperfection, whether it is in
ourselves or in others. When and if we discern
gross imperfection in our families, co-workers,
friends or ourselves, we commit to its
correction.
We define gross imperfection as
destructive thoughts and selfish actions such as
rudeness, carelessness, aggression, hostility,
discord, negativity, self-pity.
In short, we are people who became tired
enough of the status quo to actually do
something about it.
“Instead, we claim relative perfection,
and this is acquired by living by what you would
call The Golden Rule.
Our way of life entails giving up
feelings of worthlessness, guilt and shame, and
focusing on developing those qualities of
character, such as trust, devotion, honesty and
service for ourselves and others that will allow
us to live in progressive harmony.
We are, however, non-doctrinal.
“Our philosophy is that each individual
is responsible for his own religious experience
and this does not entail dogma so much as
attitude.
This adds a new dimension of reality to
our way of life, in that, we aren’t here to
convert anyone to any particular belief system,
nor do we meddle in each other’s personal
theology.
However, we function as a self-conscious
organism.
We are mindful of the effects our beliefs
and attitudes have on others.
“As I said, we are essentially a social
group.
Our social ideal is seen as the ability
to share, to communicate, to negotiate, to be
creative and productive, to foster peace,
security, harmony and a sense of well being.
Our goals are to attain and maintain a
civilization which provides each and every Zooid
with intellectual peace, social progress, moral
satisfaction, spiritual joy and cosmic wisdom.”
Jesse paused in his presentation and took
a sip of water, reviewing his audience.
Cybelle was intent upon his every word
but the Board members were only half listening.
They were far more intrigued by the
demeanor and appearance of their visitors,
particularly Angus, and while they did not
stare, they did study the guests who, in
contradistinction, focused their attention
completely on what Jesse had to say.
And so he continued.
“The JCP is completely self-governing.
We buy our property outright, upon which
we build our communities with our political
structure and economic system.
Currently there are nearly 50,000 of us,
inhabiting over 72 active colonies throughout
the United States.
We have made in-roads into the Canadian
Provinces as well as the Common Market countries
of Northern Europe and word of us has reached
around the globe.
We are in the planning stages of creating
an International School of Zooidal Philosophy
for World Peace, which will be built within the
next five years on property we have already
purchased in Switzerland.”
Here Jesse sat down and became somewhat
more familiar.
“We started this would-be Utopia a little
over 25 years ago with this original Board of
Directors.”
The guests now turned their attention to
the Board members, openly studying them as Jesse
explained,
“On my left is Andrew.
He is Co-Administrator, sort of like a
Vice-President; Andrew is truly indispensable to
the administration of the JCP.
“Next to Andrew is James, who is in
charge of our computers or, as we like to call
them, TASCs.
This stands for Transmit/Access System of
Communications, and through our TASCs we are all
able to communicate with each other almost
instantaneously.
Since we manufacture our own TASCs, every
Zooid speaks the same computer language.”
Addressing the guests, Jesse added, “You
might regard these devices as somewhat clumsy,
but they are a great advancement for our
civilization.”
“Sitting next to James is his brother
John who is in charge of Logistics.
John sees to the orderly relocation of
Zooids as well as our products by the
intelligent management of our Transit Lines from
one Colony to another, sort of like an Air
Traffic Controller.”
He paused then, recognizing how
elementary the JCP must seem to these advanced
beings.
“Again, this might seem backward to you,
but for our world it is quite sophisticated.”
The phrase “our world” seemed to cause
some consternation in some of the Board members
so rather than explain, Jesse went on.
“Peter oversees Mediation, Arbitration
and Legislation which involves our Elders.
Nathaniel recruits and orients newcomers.
Matthew is our financial and legal
liaison with the Outside.
Thomas is in Engineering and
Construction.
Phillip is the warden of Penn State
Reserve, the rehabilitation center.
Samuel heads up Resources, Sales and
Distribution.
Joseph there is our man in Philosophy and
Education.
Rebecca handles Aesthetics and Public
Relations.
And last but not least is the lovely
Erica who oversees Domestication and Values.”
Through this brief introduction, everyone
had a chance to look each other over – except
for Angus, of course.
Their eyes could not see him clearly, but
the Psychist perceived them readily enough.
He saw their attitudes projected toward
him in their emotional currents and these
psychic antennae indicated very clearly to Angus
that each one of these Zooids either feared him
or were in awe of him -- a natural enough
reaction.
He projected back to them “Relax!” and,
without knowing why, they all resigned
themselves to his presence and returned their
attentions to their CEO.
“We are entirely self-sufficient,” Jesse
continued.
“Nearly half of our colonies are
agricultural, and those which are not totally
agricultural, grow so much of their own food
that we have excess that can be stored,
preserved or given to those who need it.
We are not strictly vegetarian; we also
have colonies for animal husbandry and fisheries
enough to provide for our total supply of meat,
fish and poultry.
“We have no fossil fueled vehicles,
although we do use solar-energized carts on a
limited basis.
In fact, one of our industries is the
manufacture of solar power packs.
Let’s see.
What else can I add?”
Cybelle took advantage of the lull.
“Your description of the JCP indicates
your consuming devotion to your work, Jesse
Brothers.
This is a highly commendable attribute.”
Jesse demurred at once, “I couldn’t’ve
done anything without the Board here, not to
mention the Zooids themselves!
The Board can give you an idea of how we
manage.
Go ahead, Andrew, tell us what you do in
the JCP.”
Andrew seemed reluctant to divulge the
inner workings of their society to strangers but
the realization that their mentor Alexius Vessey
had urged the meeting swayed him to proceed,
albeit with a cursory sketch and not his usual
in-depth analysis.
“With your permission, Jesse, I’ll table
the minutes of our last meeting.”
“Understood, Andrew.
This is an atypical meeting.
Just give us an overview.”
“Very well.”
Andrew was a tall, slim man with chiseled
features.
He wore his brown, curly hair short
enough to wisp at the collar.
He had an air of competence and
efficiency.
He took in a deep breath and commenced.
“While Jesse has been concerned with the
outbreak of the pox and making your
acquaintance, I have been making the routine
rounds of the colonies, overseeing whatever the
Zooids feel should be brought to our attention.
These issues come up by way of our
political structure which I will hold off boring
you with.”
He paused before continuing.
“By the way, Jesse, the Swiss government
has asked to lease our land there since we
aren’t planning to build on it for a while yet.
I told them we’d discuss it and get back
to them before Winter Fest.”
“Did they say what they want to use it
for?”
“Some kind of commercial venture.”
Erica spoke up.
“I’d like to know more about what kind of
commercial venture they’re planning, Andrew.
That parcel is very important to the
future of a United World and it must maintain
the vibrational integrity we found there when we
purchased it.
I really would need to meet with the
people first and find out what they plan to do
there before I could give my consent.”
“Alright,” Jesse said. “We’ll table that
for the next regularly scheduled meeting.
In the meanwhile, Andrew, see if you can
get a concrete idea of the nature of their
needs.
Anything else?”
“I have been negotiating a parcel of land
in Nova Scotia as a possible site for a new
fishery but the deal has complications and
negotiations are far from complete.
I’ll have more on that at our next
meeting.”
“Very good.
Peter,” Jesse said.
“What’s being mediated these days?”
Peter was a thick, burly man with long,
thin hair that he wore pulled back and tied with
a leather strop.
His complexion was ruddy and his eyes
twinkled when he revealed, first, that his
daughter had just given birth to his first
grandchild.
Congratulations were extended all around.
“Aside from that,” he said, “I have been
busy with the matter of a barking dog.”
This gave rise to a group chuckle.
“Each of the residential colonies,” he
explained to the newcomers, “is comprised of
clusters with seven residences per cluster and
each cluster is allotted one dog.
Colony Homestead in upstate New York has
acquired an extra dog.
The original dog, which is quite old, and
the new dog are carrying on a loud conversation
until the wee hours of the morning and this is
disturbing the residents to the point where they
have made an official issue of it.
The matter is now in arbitration because
some feel the old dog should be retired.”
He admitted, “The new one is quite
likeable.
“This leads to another matter also under
discussion at that same Colony, and that is the
fence.
The new dog apparently was dropped off
along the side of the highway that runs near
Homestead, and the dog naturally wandered onto
the property in search of food and shelter.
Construction of a fence for Colony
Homestead has been brought up and tabled before,
but now the residents feel that something must
be done.”
He explained, “Homestead is a 240 acre
residential colony with agricultural interests.
A fence for a parcel that size could be
expensive.
Timing is a factor here, too, since we’re
coming into harvest season, and nobody can stop
to construct a fence during harvest.”
Joseph offered, “I’m sure the students
would be glad to take a week or so out of
session to put the fence together.”
“I think I know just the type of fence
for Homestead, Peter,” Rebecca offered.
“That’s a beautiful area up there and it
would lend itself well to one of those gracious
fences that they use for horses.
Not barbed wire, of course, but a ranch
style, wooden slat fence, painted white, maybe
criss-crossed, with a screen installed at the
ground level to keep out small animals.”
Samuel suggested, “We could get the wood
from Coastline and install plain old chicken
wire on the lower level barrier.”
“Study the options;” Jesse said, “remind
us at the next meeting.
James, what’s the
word in Communications?”
James, a rather bookish fellow of good
stock, was pleased to report, “Use of the TASCs
has improved since we added the Viso-Phone.” He
explained, “We’re constantly updating the
programs.
Of course, I’m very curious to know what
the new program is that I heard about last night
at dinner.
Dr. Spencer seems very well versed in the
computer sciences and I’m looking forward to
showing him the TASC manufacturing plant.
Otherwise, that’s about it.”
“Okay.
Phillip, how are things at PSR?”
Phillip was a large man of good humor.
“Good,” he said, then acknowledged Lanon.
“Nice to see you, Mr. Zenton.”
“Have we met?” Lanon asked.
“No, but you were at PSR the morning
after the black-out.
You and Ms. Blackstone stopped to gas up
and use the rest rooms.”
His voice was slow and deliberate.
“Yes, we did.
I remember it well.
I wanted to stay and meet you, Phillip,
but Audley was in a hurry to get home.
From the brochures I read, that’s a fine
place you run there.”
“We do alright,” Phillip agreed, nodding.
“We graduated ten residents last week,
then checked ten new ones into South Field.
One of ‘em is up for murder but I think
he’ll be okay.
His wife is coming through Orientation
next session.
She’ll be in Colony Midway, close by.
That’s what we like.
Family support.”
Samuel asked him, “How’s productivity?”
Phillip nodded, his fingers intertwined
on the table.
“Rebecca showed us a nice new upholstery
fabric last week.
It’s going to make some fine new
furniture.”
“Do you need anything?” Jesse asked.
“Matter of fact we do, Jesse.
Guys at West Hill want some new book
entered into the TASC.
It’s something new on Real Estate.
I got the name written down here
somewhere,” he said,
rummaging in his pocket.
“Here it is.”
He passed the slip of paper down to
James.
“We got it,” James noted. “It’s scheduled
to be added to the library this production
period.”
“All right,” Jesse said, moving things
along.
“Nathaniel?”
Nathaniel was an attractive man.
It’s difficult to say what made him
attractive, for his features were not
outstanding, but he had an aura of natural good
will.
He was ideal for Human Relations.
“Well, as you know, Jesse,” he said,
pausing to look at the guests as well as his
peers, ”we just had Orientation.
Of the 65 people attending, 52 were
accepted.
Fact is, we are due for another colony.
Our capacities are virtually reached.”
“Colony Willow will be ready for
occupancy next month,” John said, adding,
“That’s a residential colony in Kentucky.”
“A gorgeous location,” Rebecca stressed.
“With impressive agricultural
capacities!”
“Is everybody settling in alright?” Jesse
asked.
Nathaniel grinned.
“As well as can be expected, considering
it’s a new life-style for everybody and they all
come in with their own ideas of what an ideal
society ought to be.”
“What happens when they don’t get along?”
Lanon asked.
“We’ll get to that, Lanon,” Jesse said,
“Please be patient.”
“Oh,
sure.”
Lanon sat back.
“I’ll wait.”
Jesse continued.
“Thomas, what’s up in Engineering and
Construction?”
“Well,” Thomas launched, “I have yet to
hear the details but I understand we’re looking
to build a new colony just over the hill from
Gateway.
It’s being referred to as the Portal and
if my recollection of Latin serves me, that’s a
door.
I don’t know what the door is for, but
the specs for construction are very unusual.”
He addressed his peers.
“I was out there this morning with John
and Rebecca after we all met yesterday to review
the specs that Lanon showed us.
It’s a God-forsaken spot, that’s for
sure.”
Cybelle put her hand on Jesse’s and
caught his attention at once.
“There is no such thing, Jesse Brothers,
as God-forsaken.
It’s not possible.”
Flora placed her bouquet of wild flowers
on the table and concurred. “Cybelle is correct,
Thomas. By some miracle these grew in the barren
desert.”
Thomas was at once defensive.
“It’s just a figure of speech,” he said.
“I didn’t mean to hurt anybody’s
feelings.”
“It’s alright, Thomas.
Nobody’s upset.”
Jesse urged, “Go on.
Just try to be mindful of your
semantics.”
“Matter of fact, that’s where we ran into
these two ladies.
Anyway, we’re going to build something
out there that’s designed to withstand ‘energy
implosions,’ whatever that means.
Maybe it has to do with the Nellis Air
Force Base just over the next hill.”
He dared to defy Flora by adding, “We
won’t be growing any flowers out there, that’s
for sure.”
“I beg to differ,” Erica interjected,
indicating her support of Flora.
“You will notice that our headquarters,
Gateway, is also built in the desert and it is
an oasis of green growth, including food.”
Thomas scowled.
“You know, I think I’ll just pass the
floor to Matthew.”
Everyone chuckled good-naturedly before
Matthew reported, “Well, financially we’re
maintaining a good lead.
Politically, though, we have the usual
snags.
We have the on-going meddling of outside
people who swear we are involved in some
communist plot to overthrow the government or
deny people their civil liberties.
They think we have brainwashed the Zooids
into giving up all their worldly goods and God
knows what all.
“We have a new discrimination suit filed
against us by Senator Braggins on behalf of his
son when PSR rejected him because of his
incorrigible attitude.
There is a hospital in Colorado saying we
are murderers because we encourage termination
of life in certain appropriate circumstances.
Of course, there are the usual protests
of the right-to-lifers or the just-say-no folks.
So you can see that this division of the
JCP has its hands full.”
In the gesture of pencil pushers
everywhere, Matthew adjusted his eyeglasses and
concluded, “On the whole, though, we’re doing
fine.”
He smiled and relinquished the floor.
“Thank you, Matthew.
Joseph?”
Joseph was a diminutive man with a
resounding voice that hardly fit his slight
frame.
He pulled himself up and said, “Zooidal
philosophies are constantly expanding, therefore
the educational colonies are constantly
upgrading.
Change and growth is the hallmark of the
JCP.
Zooids are constantly developing new
thoughts, mental constructs, ideals, and
subsequently they move to a colony where they
can intermingle with people of like mind.
Each new configuration generates even
more change, more educational adaptations.
“The pinnacle of zooidal philosophy is
here at Gateway with the Elders, which gives me
the opportunity to be here often, but I am also
away a good deal of the time in educational
colonies, of which there are seven at this
time.”
“Would you tell our visitors something
about our educational format, Joseph?”
“Be glad to.
To a Zooid, the mind is a gift and
education is a lifetime pursuit.
The mind is not just for intellectual
pursuits and scholastic certitude, but for the
rightful understanding of our purpose in life as
we relate to ourselves and to others. Thus, life
itself is an education.
Knowing how to live and how to die is an
on-going process, and this includes learning how
to rise above the debilitating effects of
prejudice, ignorance, arrogance,
self-aggrandizement, greed, jealousy, distrust
and other negative emotional conditioning and
behaviors.”
“Excuse me,” Lanon interrupted.
“You said, ‘knowing how to live and how
to die is an on-going process.’
What do you mean when you say ‘knowing
how to die’?”
Before Joseph answered, he acknowledged
the Chairman of the Board.
Jesse directed Doc Will to respond.
“We’ve talked about this before, Lanon.
People only think about death when they
are forced to.
For example, this pox.”
He addressed the Board at large.
“In case you hadn’t heard, a pox has
broken out here at Gateway, and Jesse called me
in to take a look at it.
Since I am not a medical doctor, but a
doctor of Mindal Science, I have focused my
research on the psychiatric aspects of the
affliction.
For some confounded reason, I felt the
pox was a way of getting some of the Elders to
pay attention to the fact that they might be
getting ready to die.
As a result of that fool theory, I’ve
managed to scare some of the patients.
Fact of the matter is, I’ve managed to
catch the damned pox myself, and I’m probably
projecting my own fears onto the others.
But the point is, as I was saying earlier
to Lanon and Angus, if we know we’re
going to die we can deal with it.
If we fear we’re going to die, we
can become debilitated by the anxiety no matter
now intellectually prepared we are.”
“Thank you, Doc,” Jesse said. “I think
this would be a good time to take a break.
Why don’t we resume in, say, ten
minutes?”
Doc Will got up to stretch and the Board
members turned to the common interests of their
particular domain.
Angus and Flora, sitting next to each
other, remained silent and composed, but a keen
observer could easily have detected that they
were engaged in a non-verbal conversation.
Lanon discretely turned a deaf ear to the
pair and found diversion in the discussions of
the Board. With an ear to the murmuring of the
group, Jesse was simultaneously captivated by
the lovely Cybelle.
“Jesse Brothers,” she said, turning her
undivided attention to him.
“Yes?”
He now turned his full attention to her
and the rest of the room fell away.
“Are you all Brothers?”
He nodded.
“We are.”
In the business of the Jural Colony
Project, Jesse was confident.
“We agreed to adopt the name to indicate
our commonality.”
“And the females had no objection?”
“No.
At least they didn’t voice any.
Our culture has always used the masculine
to designate both sexes, as in mankind.”
“Humankind seems more inclusive somehow,”
she remarked.
He was humored by her.
“Are you a feminist, Cybelle?”
“No, Jesse Brothers, but I am feminine.”
He couldn’t help but say, “You certainly
are.”
After a moment, she turned to him again.
“Do you have a mate, Jesse Brothers?” she
asked.
He smiled.
“No.
Do you?”
“Not that I have been made aware,” she
said, her voice tinkling as music.
“Why do you ask if I have a mate?” he
ventured.
“Because of the way you look at me.”
“Does it embarrass you?”
“No.
Why should your admiration for me be
embarrassing?”
“You are very beautiful,” he said.
“You are also pleasing to the eye.”
“Ahem!”
It would seem from his impatience that
Doc Will had been trying to get Jesse’s
attention for some time.
“Oh, excuse me!”
Jesse’s apology was directed more to
Cybelle than to Doc Will.
“What is it, Wilhelm?”
“Your guest, Flora, might have something
on that pox.
Look.”
He extended his forearms to indicate that
the blisters were gone.
“Don’t they usually go away about this
time of day?” Jesse questioned.
Doc shook his head.
“Not that fast.
She just rubbed some little blue wild
flower on it and it stopped itching right away.
I just sat there and watched the blisters
disappear!”
Jesse excused himself from Cybelle and
turned to Flora who sat composed and silent.
“Flora,” Jesse said.
“Can you tell me about that flower that
you rubbed on Doc’s arm?”
“Certainly,” she said.
“The flower contains a certain nitrogen
which is required for life.
There is apparently not enough nitrogen
in the diet to compensate for what is
unavailable in the synthetic atmosphere created
by the polyglass enclosure.”
“So you’ve solved the mystery of the
pox!”
“It was no mystery.”
“It was to us!” Jesse insisted.
“Would you tell us how to utilize the
flower to counteract the symptoms of the pox?”
“As I have explained to the doctor, the
diet is to be augmented with the petals of this
flower.
Not the stem or the leaves, which are
poisonous, but the petals.”
“How much?”
“At least four petals per day.
All your inhabitants should receive
nitrogen in this way as a dietary supplement.”
Doc Will was elated.
“So we’re not going to die?”
“Not from nitrogen deficiency,” she said
with a smile.
“That is wonderful news!” he exclaimed.
“Wonderful!
Thank you!”
Flora pressed her hand to Doc’s happy
face.
“Of course.
You are certainly welcome.
This is my gift to you.”
There was little doubt that Doc Will took
it personally.
Angus was impressed that Doc Will’s
disposition had cleared up as well.
Jesse called the meeting again to order.
“All right, ladies and gentlemen,” he
said.
“We are progressing well.
We can still finish this meeting before
dinner if we get on with it. Shall we proceed?
John?”
“Yes, Jesse.
As Thomas was saying, we were at the new
site this morning.
I think that if we need a new Transport
Line, it could be installed within a month.
The Gateway shuttle was done in six weeks
and I see no reason why the Portal shuttle can’t
be done in less.
It’s only eight miles, compared to the 42
or so from Las Vegas.
Maybe even less than a month, since I’m
given to understand that it will only be for
human transport.
No industry.
No residences.”
“That’s correct,” Jesse allowed.
“Otherwise there’s nothing new to report
except that the Minor Transport Line in Colony
Orchard is working out very well.”
He explained to the newcomers, “Orchard’s
Transport Line is set up among the trees much
like an assembly line.
By the time it traverses the field, the
fruit is picked, weighed, washed and packaged
for distribution.
It’s cut down on labor considerably.
That’s it.”
Samuel, distinguished by his completely
bald head, took his turn to discuss Resources,
Sales and Distribution.
“We’ve worked out a trade agreement with
an outside firm: their Styrofoam for some of our
surplus textiles.
This project is designed to foster good
will with the outside since they are burying
themselves in their own garbage.”
Turning to Lanon he said, “As soon as
you’ve decided what kind of building materials
you want to use on this Portal, let me know so
that I can get it in here.
You have any idea what it’s going to be
made out of?”
You say it has to withstand a lot of
energy?”
“Energy implosions,” Lanon offered.
“Hmm.
Never heard of it.
Well, just let me know.
Some materials are hard to get hold of.”
Lanon thought to ask, “In this trade
agreement, how much Styrofoam will you be taking
in?”
“More than enough.
As much as we can use.”
“Where is it being stored?” Lanon
persisted.
“Nowhere yet, but if you’re interested,
I’d be glad to work with you on it.”
Jesse suggested they get together after
the meeting.
Next in line to speak was a professional
woman who wore her maroon jumpsuit like a
military uniform.
Rebecca Brothers was as blond as Flora
but not as fair; she wore her thick hair in an
easy pageboy that flattered an otherwise rigid
facial expression.
“My name is Rebecca Brothers.
My field is Aesthetics and Public
Relations.
It’s nice to see you again, Lanon,” she
said, then smiled broadly to the other
newcomers.
“I’m very serious when it comes to my
work,” she said.
“To my mind there is virtually nothing
that does not have the elements of aesthetics
and public relations.
It is absolutely vital that we adhere to
practices of tact and tolerance.
Aesthetics involves not only that which
meets the eye, but also that which meets the ear
and the nose and the tongue and the skin and the
spirit.
“The matter of a fence, for example, is a
matter of great significance.
It implies the keeping in or keeping out
of something unwanted, and so it must be handled
with sensitivity, with diplomacy, so as not to
cause offense, even in the unconscious levels of
the mind.
“These seemingly trivial matters occupy
me constantly!
The design of a residence, the layout of
a cluster, the packaging of fruit, all these lie
within my purview.
The work is never done.
Fortunately, Zooids are fairly sensitive
to aesthetic qualities and I am pleased that
they call on me for advice, usually before it’s
too late.”
Concluding, she said, “I have viewed the
site of the Portal and am most interested to
hear of its purpose. My work will then begin in
earnest.”
Rebecca relinquished the floor to Erica.
“Thank you, ‘Becca.”
Erica was as dark and delicate as Rebecca
was fair and formidable.
“Hmm,” she pondered.
“How do I describe my work?
We Zooids strive for perfection but we
aren’t perfect just by an act of will.
Domesticity does not strive for
conformity but for individual uniqueness.
Since we are all different, we aspire for
unity with diversity.
Much taming of the human animal is
required to effect the desired result.
“As with any society, we have domestic
uprisings, sibling rivalries, insurrections of
various kinds, a restiveness that will set in
with even the most replete of citizens, and
these need to be focused on, identified, worked
through and brought to rest.
All this activity on the conscious and
unconscious levels is a matter of values coming
into conflict.
There is no growth with conflict, however
bothersome, and if Zooids are doing anything,
they are growing - growing both in value and in
values.
So my work is subtle, but I feel it is
important.”
She paused.
“I love my life with the JCP and feel
honored to be a part of it.
I guess that’s all I have to say, Jesse.
“Thank you, Erica.
Thank you all.”
They had now reached the unique guests.
Attention focused on the four.
A hush came over the room as Jesse said,
“Lanon, would you be so kind as to tell
these people who you are and why you are here?”
Lanon stood.
“I am designated 0802-LZ.
I come from the Constellation Zenton and
I am here to ascertain the evolutionary status
of the Zooids.
If you meet the standards of my universe
supervisors, and if you are willing, the Jural
Colony Project will be brought into open contact
with other intelligent life in the universe.”
The Board members exchanged significant
if unspecified glances.
As Lanon sat down, Flora stood and
graciously addressed the group.
“You may call me Flora,” she said.
“My art is to study life.
I specifically study vegetation, and even
more specifically flora, hence my nomenclature.”
The handful of wild flowers she held took
on new meaning.
“I come from the Constellation Uriah.
My companion and I arrived on our ship
just this morning.”
She paused to allow another surge of
psychic excitement to settle down.
“I suspect it was our arrival that
prompted our host to introduce us at this
meeting, for if, after all, you are to be
received into the Stream of Time, the door will
be open for such visitations.”
Something about her intonation made this
an immensely alluring proposition.
“You should know that we visit worlds for
many purposes and you should also know that we
greet you with affection.”
Flora passed the floor to Angus.
The conference room now was quiet enough
to hear people breathing.
Angus stood.
In this gesture his ultimatons stirred
the atmosphere and so he became somehow more
visible, but when he was up, he vanished again,
except for his mysterious voice which came from
somewhere undetermined.
“I am called Angus,” he said.
“I come from ... another place.”
He went on, “For many thousands of years
I have been called upon to study psychism as it
develops on young inhabited worlds.
Psychism is simply sense perception as it
affects the mind and therefore the
decision-making processes of human behavior.”
No one was sure if he had finished
speaking, or even if he was still there, but
they waited until at length he added, “I am not
particularly involved in 0802-LZ’s mission.
Entities such as we arrive at about the
same time in the evolution of a world because of
the nature of planetary development itself.”
After another pause he said, “I am
harmless.”
The air stirred as Angus sat down and
Cybelle stood.
“While I am here I am called Cybelle.”
The sound of wind chimes tinkled in her
voice.
“You will know my name on your world as a
nature goddess.
The realms of nature are the most
conducive to worship, and so my work is
performed within that context.
I am accompanying Flora on this excursion
at the recommendation of Our Mother, thus I am
only here to visit and, the occasion being
auspicious, to welcome you to the universe.”
The Conference Room remained silent even
after Cybelle sat down.
Every one of the Board members looked to
Jesse for an explanation.
He thanked the group at large, then
directed his words to his associates.
“But before we proceed, I’d like Doc Will
to tell you about the nitrogen deficiency here
at Gateway.”
Doc Will was only too pleased to announce
the solution of the pox and to testify to the
matter by rolling up his sleeves to show his
unblemished forearms.
Although most of the Board members’ faces
reflected a pronounced positive attitude, there
were some non-committal expressions as well, and
Thomas’ expression was particularly dour.
Sensing their conflict, Jesse said, “I
would like for us to proceed with our meeting,
but I will not insist unless and until you are
all comfortable with this new development.”
Everyone seemed to sigh deeply, as if suddenly
burdened with a monumental decision and, since
no one spoke up, Jesse pacified them by saying,
“I don’t expect you to respond to this
immediately.”
The question before the Board is: Are the
Zooids willing?
You will need to talk this over among
yourselves and air your reactions.”
As Co-Administrator, Andrew took the
floor.
“Thank you, Jesse.
We appreciate this consideration,
especially in view of the tremendous influence
you must be feeling from these ... as you say
... very unique guests.”
He looked at each one as openly as he
knew how, in order to indicate his good faith,
before telling Jesse,
“I’d like to request the Board have an
opportunity to meet in Special Session to
reflect on this as a group and to speculate how
it might impact our civilization as a whole.”
Jesse nodded his approval.
“Do you want to do that now?” he asked,
“Or do you want to sleep on it first?”
Erica spoke up.
“I think this is something we should talk
about right now, Jesse!
We’re all here.
It is the issue at hand.”
At her impetus, the group unanimously
agreed to meet there and then.
“Yeah,” Thomas grumbled.
“Let’s get this over with.”
“Very good,” Jesse commended.
“I’ll be in my office.
This meeting is recessed while we await
your decision.”
DOC WILL went at once to the clinic to advise
the pox victims that a cure had been found for
their mysterious malady.
The fact that two of the victims were
actually disappointed to have been cured,
underlined Doc Will’s theory that they were
subconsciously dealing with the subject of
death.
He was not the only one, then, making
preparations to depart.
JESSE INVITED THE VISITORS to join him for a
light supper in his private apartment while the
Board met in Special Session.
“Angus and I are of an Order that does
not partake of material food,” Flora explained,
“but we will accept your hospitality.”
“I, however, will accept your offer of
nourishment,” Cybelle said.
“I am hungry!”
As Jesse grinned, Lanon asked, “Shall I
get the cart?”
“No, I’ll get it, Lanon.
You take our visitors in and make them
comfortable.
I’ll just be a few minutes.”
The Supernals were in no hurry to go
indoors.
They lingered on the deck in apparent
silence until at length Flora asked,
“Where is your mate, Lanon?”
Lanon pulled his focus back to the
present.
“I don’t know,” he confessed.
“I haven’t seen her since last night.”
Angus knew.
“She left on a Transport Line this
morning with Sylvia.”
By way of explanation he added,
“She is confused about her feelings for
you, Lanon, and is trying to sort through them.”
“Confused?” Lanon asked with a puzzled
look.
Angus’ directed his words to the females.
“Audley is trained to be an objective
reporter.
She is not accustomed to dealing with her
subjective emotions.
She fears that if she conjoins with
Lanon, she will lose her objectivity and thus
her ability to survive.”
“She has no reason to fear!” Lanon
argued, but Angus only shrugged.
“Fears aren’t necessarily reasonable,
Lanon,” he said.
“Perhaps she is intimidated by Lanon’s
standing in the universe.” Flora suggested.
“But that’s ridiculous.
In the Stream of Time we are all equal!”
Cybelle objected.
“We know that, Cybelle,” Angus counseled,
“but you have to appreciate Audley’s limited
cultural conditioning.
She is not accustomed to thinking in
terms of eternity.”
Cybelle’s pretty face crinkled in
distaste.
Flora mused further.
“Perhaps she is unsure of herself because
she feels she cannot understand him.”
Cybelle objected.
“The female will never understand
the male, any more than the male will ever
understand the female!
One must not let that mere lack of
understanding interfere with union!”
She then suggested, “Perhaps she is
daunted by the nature of your mission, Lanon.”
He gestured helplessly. “I have told her
I need her and she seems very willing to assist
me,” he said, adding,
except in the matter of sex.”
Angus again enlightened the ladies.
“Lanon has confided to me his concern
that his lack of human experience will interfere
with his ability to court Audley effectively.”
This time Flora balked.
“I cannot believe that Lanon lacks for
anything.”
“But enough of my problems,” Lanon said,
pleased and bolstered. “Let me take you inside.
I have missed the broadcasts. What is
going on in the rest of the universe?”
All talk of universe broadcasts ceased
when Jesse returned with the cart of food.
Cybelle took it upon herself to examine
Jesse’s natural habitat while Lanon set the
table and Jesse saw to the comfort of Flora and
Angus, seating them to socialize.
When Cybelle found her way back to the
table, she inhaled deeply and said, “It all
smells so wonderful, Jesse Brothers!”
Seating her next to him, he said, “You
know, Cybelle, it isn’t necessary to use both of
my names.
‘Jesse’ will do.”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “Jesse will do
fine.” Everyone recognized that Cybelle had just
made Jesse an offer he had no intention of
refusing.
Flora said,
“We have been discussing the unique
challenges of personal relationships between
mortals and other-terrestrials”.
“How intriguing!
Please continue,” he urged.
Angus prevailed,
“Relationship challenges are more
cultural than anything”.
“What do you mean?” Lanon asked, mindful
of his awkward liaison with Audley.
Angus, not eating, began talking. “It’s
all in what you’re used to.
It’s a matter of cultural conditioning.”
Jesse asked, “You mean if you are Irish
and you marry an Italian, you learn to eat
pasta?”
“That cultural frame of reference is not much of
a problem,” Angus suggested.
“All races enjoy the taste of good food.
It is more insidious than that.
It has more to do with ideologies.
For instance, if you are both Catholic,
it should not matter much that you have cultural
differences.
But if you’re a Jewish academician from
New York, you might have trouble connecting with
a Baptist gospel singer from Georgia.
“Any successful relationship requires a
degree of compatibility in personal politics.
If the politics are not the same, there
needs to be compensation. I don’t mean
governmental politics, I mean personal politics.
For instance, in the American culture, a
Republican and a Democrat can find marital
happiness because there are personal politics
that can override that value system, but a
materialist will have difficulty communing with
a spiritualist unless they find something in the
middle they can agree upon.
“It’s the same thing with Urthlings and
other-terrestrials, or mortals and supernals.
If you can find out what you have in
common and focus on the similarities, the
differences should not present a problem.
It should rather present unique
perspectives that are available to consider.
Mind you, I did not say the perspectives
have to be adopted, simply acknowledged.”
“Then Audley and I ought to be alright in
a relationship if we operate from the
perspective that we are both reporters,” Lanon
suggested.
“It may take more than mutual careers to
hold a union together,” Jesse offered. “If you
change jobs, you might not have much in common
any more.”
Cybelle clearly understood the principle.
“Jesse and I will find happiness in our
devotion to the Jural Colony Project which
represents our mutual interest.”
Flora concurred.
“Yes, a mutual cause, providing it is a
big enough cause, will unite a pair.”
“Then what we must do,” Lanon realized,
“is expand our recognition of our common mortal
career to that of a common eternal career.”
“That would, of course, be helpful,”
Flora suggested.
“She must become aware of an
eternal perspective!” Cybelle insisted.
Flora shared, “This anxiety that Audley
is experiencing reminds me of when I first met
my soul mate.
I was mortal and he was not.
I could not conceive of what an eternal
career might be!
It took me nearly 200 years to resolve my
conflict.”
Lanon peered at Angus, then exclaimed,
“Angus!
Flora is your mate!”
Angus grinned mischievously and nodded.
“Well, then,” Lanon allowed, “I must
agree with you!
She certainly is still voluptuous,
sensual, caressable and desirable!”
“As a matter of fact,” Flora said,
gliding past Lanon’s obvious compliment, “I
chose this particular planet for my
gathering mission this season because
Angus and I are soon to celebrate our third
anniversary and I wanted to be near him for the
occasion.”
Jesse, the quintessential host,
suggested, “I’d better arrange for you two to
have a honeymoon suite!”
Flora deferred.
“That won’t be necessary, Jesse.
We no longer sleep.”
“What about you, Cybelle?” Jesse
ventured.
“Do you sleep?”
“I rest,” Cybelle said modestly.
“I’m of a different Order than Flora and
Angus.
I am much younger and not as Ultimate as
they are.
I will accept your bed.”
The high color in Jesse’s cheeks prompted
Angus to say, “You know, Cybelle, when I met
Flora, the nature of my form precluded a
physical relationship.
Might I suggest that if you and Jesse are
so destined, you not wait until his terrestrial
escape to partake of the pleasures of the
flesh.”
“And might I suggest, Angus,” Cybelle
countered graciously, “that you mind your own
business!”
The mirth generated by their good spirits
permeated the air.
AFTER A REFLECTIVE REPAST served to them by a
zooidal aide, Andrew called the Special Session
to order.
“We’ve all had a chance to think on it,”
he said.
“The floor is open.”
All the Board members started speaking at
once, so Nathaniel suggested, “Why don’t we take
a vote to find out where we stand?”
“Good idea,” Andrew said, passing out
paper and pencils.
A secret ballot was cast as to whether to
wholeheartedly go with the new development or
not.
To not go with it was not to rule it out,
but to find out where the concerns were.
The vote was seven to five for
acceptance.
“Alright,” Andrew said when the votes
were counted.
“We’ve got some work to do.
Who wants to start?
Shall we go around the table?
Peter?
What does Mediation and Arbitration have
to say?”
“I’m in favor of it.”
“Any reason in particular?”
“No.
It just seems right.
I mean, if what we do here is advanced,
which we know it is, why shouldn’t we break
through to something new?
It’s not going to hurt any of us to learn
how they mediate differences.
They might be more highly evolved than we
are, but I’m sure they have their differences
just like anybody, and I’d appreciate their
input.
I don’t always know what to say or do.
I don’t have all the answers -- nobody
does -- but I am interested in the perspective
of someone who might have a new insight.
“What did that fellow Lanon say was going
to happen?
He said if we were approved,
communication would be opened between us and
higher intelligences in the universe?
Hey,” Peter averred, “they might have
gone through some of the things we haven’t
worked out yet and
I’m game to listen to an outside
opinion.”
“Okay.
James?”
James took a moment to check the clarity
of his lenses before he embarked on his reason
for voting no.
“I’m just not convinced they ought to be
meddling in our affairs.
I mean, don’t they have their own world
to take care of?
I can’t imagine setting aside my TASCs to
go messing around with IBM or Mac.
I have enough to do right here.
“I’m also concerned about the overload
factor on the TASCs.
That fellow Angus is obviously some kind
of powerhouse, and who knows what kind of energy
it would require to handle his power blasts if
someone came in and opened up a new program?
We have a lot invested in these TASCs.
People are just now starting to take full
advantage of them.
The Educational Colonies use them, of
course, and the younger Zooids have really
caught on, but the older Zooids are just
beginning to appreciate what a TASC can do
besides entertain them.
That’s one worry.
“My other concern has to do with
Dissemination of Information.
How do you disseminate information from
someone who isn’t even all there?
Angus’ face wouldn’t even show up on one
of the TASCs and I can just see him scaring the
children.
And even if they didn’t get on the TASCs
themselves, how would you disseminate such
information as they gave us today?
I’m afraid the Zooids would lose faith in
us.”
He concluded, “I don’t know if they’re
really believable or if we were simply impressed
by their appearance.”
“I appreciate your candor, James.
John, what are your thoughts about it?”
“Well, I can see what your point is,
James, but I think it would be great!
Can you imagine what Transportation and
Relocation would be like with those people?
I mean, we’re talking about going places!
It’s not impossible that these beings
arrived here in a space ship.
Are you aware of how much we could learn
from them in terms of getting from here to
there?
Imagine what we could accomplish in
Transportation with those people working with
us.
I think it’s very exciting.”
“I wish I could be as excited about it as
you are, John,” Phillip said.
“I might have my head in the sand but, we
are a long way from zipping around in space
travel.
The men at PSR are still crawling, man!
They haven’t even learned to walk yet,
and here we are trying to get them to fly.
I’m afraid it would scare them, if you
want to know the truth.
I’m afraid they’d be intimidated into
regression.”
“Okay,” Andrew coached.
“What about you, Nathaniel?”
“Oh, why even bother to ask?
You know I’m in favor of it!
Those people know how to get along!
Okay?
Lanon is from some place called Zenton.
At least one of the women is from a place
called Uriah, and the metaphysical one is from
somewhere entirely different.
And they sat there in total accord!
Unity in diversity!
And did you hear the way they talked?
I mean, their voices were dripping with
graciousness and authority.
I could learn a lot from them!
“And as for Orientation, why shouldn’t
new people coming into the colonies know from
the start that we are in contact with
other-terrestrials?
Just because the Air Force doesn’t want
us to own up to intelligences beyond ours,
doesn’t mean we have to deny them!”
Andrew interrupted.
“I think I should remind you that they
didn’t say they are here to help us.
Each one of them is doing their own
thing.
It doesn’t mean they’re going to be
active Zooids.
What about it, Matthew?”
“I don’t think they’d do a thing for our
financial status or for our legal matters
either, for that matter.
I don’t mean to sound inhospitable and
think only in terms of what they can do for us,
but we do need to consider the extra work they
would cause us.
Like, who is going to pay for this new
structure, the Portal, and what’s it for?”
“Thomas?”
“I agree with Matthew.
I don’t know who would benefit by their
being around.
Matter of fact, I like the idea of the
Zooids being their own people.
Lanon says we’re highly evolved and
that’s why they’re interested in us.
If that’s the case, then where were they
when we really needed some help?
I didn’t see any space ships or magic
flowers around when we were working twenty hours
a day to do something about the mess this world
was in.
The mess the world is still in, I
should say.
So why are we acceptable and interesting
all of a sudden?
Call me a doubting Thomas, but I think
they ought to leave us alone.”
“Samuel, what do you have to say?”
“You know me, Andrew.
I’m always interested in generating good
will.
If we can generate good will with other
life in the universe, I’m all for it.
My opinion is not based on Resources,
Sales and Distribution, but on my personal
philosophy.
I figure if they’re bright enough to
visit here, they’re bright enough to stay out of
our way if and when we need to do it ourselves.
I vote to encourage it.”
“You know,” Joseph philosophized, “if
they had been here twenty years ago, we wouldn’t
be able to claim our status as our own
accomplishment.
There is really nothing as good for
self-esteem as an accomplishment, and I think it
is important for us to take credit for our
efforts and to give credit to each other for all
we’ve done.
Praise is a major motivator, and the fact
is we have attained this evolutionary
status by ourselves and through our own actions.
Had they been here when we first started,
we would not be able to claim it.
We would still be back in the age when it
was said that all good things come from above or
from some outside source and we wouldn’t be able
to feel the pride of our combined
accomplishments.
“The fact is,” he continued, “we did
do it.
We reached this point by ourselves, by
working together, and our reward is a level of
attainment.
My understanding of this new era Jesse
spoke about is that they have acknowledged our
level of attainment.
By denying these communications, these
visitations, we are saying, ‘Keep your gift; we
don’t need your acknowledgment,’ and that is an
anti-zooidal philosophy.
So my vote is, of course, to become an
active part of the advancement of civilization,
even to cosmic citizenship.”
“Thank you, Joseph.
Well said.
Rebecca?
I sense some reluctance on your part.”
“Speaking for Aesthetics and Public
Relations, I believe they would make life
difficult.
I know, Nathaniel, you think it would be
an added incentive for newcomers at Orientation,
but consider that it could cause an adverse
affect.
If new people know we are in
communication with other-terrestrials, they
might think they wouldn't have to put forth so
much of an effort.
Being a Zooid is hard work!
Not only are we productive and
self-disciplined, but we spend inordinate
amounts of time in simply growing!
Just getting along takes time, and I
don’t want the new era, as they call it, to
bring about sloth and indifference.
“Aesthetically speaking, Cybelle and
Flora and Lanon are some of the most
aesthetically pleasing beings I’ve ever laid
eyes on, so I’m not blind to their value.
I’m just concerned about what kind of an
impression they might have on the others.”
“Okay.
And what about you, Erica?”
“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!
And the reason I urge you to consider
what this would mean to us is that we would be
helped just by their presence!
They are a positive force.
They are sensitive, intelligent, witty,
and considerate.
They are Zooids!
They are like us, if you could see that
point. They want the same things we want.
They have the same things to offer.
They are growing, contributing, loving
members of the universe and I, personally, don’t
see how we can deny anything they want!
I know that what they want is what we
want, and if we should run into difficulty with,
for example, people on the outside, I am
convinced that they would know how to guide us
in our resolutions.
Difficulty or no, I vote yes!”
“Okay,” Andrew said.
“We have a few opinions to take under
advisement.
First, let’s go back and recall what it
was they said.
Lanon, I believe, is the one who is here
to…. Let’s see.
My notes say, ‘to ascertain the
evolutionary status of the Zooids and, if you
meet with the approval of my supervisors, and if
you are willing, the Jural Colony Project will
be brought into open contact with the rest of
the universe’.
Right?”
“Right,” Peter said.
“And then the other guy, Angus, has got
nothing to do with what Lanon is here for.
He just came because he does that when a
planet reaches this stage in evolution.
He has nothing to do with us.”
“Except,” Thomas added, “he’s an example
of what we could expect to be coming and going
all the time, and if he has the nerve to show
his face, such as it is, who knows what else
will show up!”
“Well, really, Thomas, what makes you
think you’re so cute?” Erica put in.
“Obviously if they were listening to this
conversation, they wouldn’t think we were so
advanced.”
“Anybody have any objection to the
phrase, ‘if they meet with the approval of my
supervisors’?” Andrew asked.
No one could object
“Well, just what do you think it means to
be in contact with the rest of the universe?
Anybody?”
“Evidently it means we’ll be having more
contact with people like Lanon, Angus, Cybelle
and Flora,” Rebecca suggested.
“Yeah, well, I can see that
other-terrestrials like that might come here,”
Joseph pondered, “but don’t you imagine that we
would be able to go to wherever they come from,
also?
I mean, they did call the new project the
Portal, after all, and a portal is a door. A
door to the universe, I suppose.”
“Well, if that’s the case,” Matthew
offered, “and they get to be more trouble than
they’re worth, we can shut them out.
It’s our property.
I assume we’d hold the key.”
Phillip nodded.
“That’s what we do at PSR.”
“I think what you just said is important,
Matthew,” Erica suggested.
“We hold the key.
I think this contact with the rest of the
universe is totally dependent on our free will
decision.”
“Another point I think we should
remember,” Rebecca said, “is that Jesse seems to
be very pleased about it all and we’ve never had
reason to distrust his instincts.”
“He’s certainly pleased with the
redhead,” Peter noted, “and that’s an instinct
we haven’t seen Jesse use before.”
Joseph added, “Remember that it was
Professor Vessey who suggested that Jesse
introduce us.”
James asked, “What’s that got to do with
it?”
“If it weren’t for Professor Vessey, we
wouldn’t even be here.
We’d still be living outside wondering
what was the purpose of life, wondering why
there was no joy in living, wondering how to
make ends meet.
Professor Vessey is the founding father
of the Zooids and he sanctioned our meeting
these ... beings.”
“I agree,” Samuel concurred.
“I trust Professor Vessey implicitly,
even if I do have reservations about ... all
this.”
“Alright then,” Andrew went on.
“Assuming for a moment that this is
something we decide to undertake, what do we do
about our reservations?
What’s really the problem here?
Is it fear?
James, you say you don’t think they ought
to be meddling in our affairs.
You’re concerned about the energy
required for a new program for the TASCs.
And, you’re afraid the Zooids will lose
faith in us if they are asked to swallow this.
Anybody have any ideas to help James see
the other side of the coin?”
After a moment Phillip admitted, “I
really don’t think that picking a few of our
wild flowers is meddling.
And Angus, who has evidently been here
for some time already, did not show his face,
such as it is, until he was formally introduced.
Which tells me they are showing some
respect for our feelings, our reactions.”
“It would seem,” Samuel added, “that they
are sensitive to our sensibilities, yes.”
“Cybelle was certainly charming,” Erica
noted.
“Both of the females, in fact, welcomed
us to the universe and were quite enchanting.”
“As for the power,” John suggested,
“we’ve got power.
The sun isn’t going to dry up on us.
Plus, did it take any of our power to get
them here?
We didn’t fuel the ships.
Their coming and going hasn’t affected us
at all, so why should we worry that we’re going
to have to provide the energy?
Anyway, nobody ever said they were going
to use the TASCs, James.”
“You mentioned the impact they might have
at PSR, Phillip.
Would you care to elaborate?”
“Oh, not really.
I was just thinking aloud about how the
men might react.
As I think about it again, though, maybe
it would be a good idea for them to realize that
they aren’t just rehabilitating themselves for
the colonies or the outside, but for a potential
life in the universe.
It kind of opens up a door for them, too.
So I’ll retract my ‘no’ vote at this
time.”
“Matthew, you mentioned you felt they
would cause us extra work.
You want to give us anything else on
that?”
“I don’t want to, but I will because I
have to admit to being lazy here.
Anybody that far advanced, who can
traverse space, who can function without a body
like Angus, anybody as beautiful as those
females, of course they’re going to cause
us extra work. We’re having to work right now
just to accept them!
So I was not speaking so much in the
sense of labor as I was in the sense of psychic,
emotional or social work.
And, in that, I was just being lazy, so,
never mind.
I’ll get used to it.”
“It’s not a question of getting used to
it, Matthew,” Erica remonstrated.
“It’s a matter of being willing, of being
actively enthusiastic.
Here we go again, it’s a basic zooidal
philosophy.”
“Need you be reminded, Matthew,” Joseph
said, “that there are rewards to be had at each
new level of growth.
As we experience rewards from what we
build here in the colonies, we will also
experience rewards as a result of being open to
universal concepts and personality adaptation.”
“I know that,” Matthew growled.
“I told you, I was just being lazy.
And you all know that when it comes right
down to it, I’m not lazy.
But I did want to put that on the record.
Where is your sense of humor?”
“Ha Ha.”
“Well, doubting Thomas, are you still
steadfast in your belief that they are
johnny-come-latelys?”
“You voted ‘yes’, huh, Andrew?”
Andrew nodded.
“Am I the only one left?” Thomas asked.
“Rebecca had misgivings as well.
Related to extra work, too, as I recall.”
Rebecca flared slightly.
“Andrew, you know full well I am not
afraid of work!
I simply said I didn’t want these new
entities to get the impression that if we know
them, we can sit on our duffs and not produce.
I didn’t want the new Zooids to think
that our battles were won or that it was all
going to be handed to us on a platter.
My concern was not so much extra work as
it was just the opposite!”
“Are you still concerned about that?”
“After this discussion?
Heavens no!
It’s more than evident that much work
remains to be done, even among ourselves.”
“So I guess I’m the only one left then,”
Thomas lamented.
“Alright, I’ll change my vote.”
“You will not!” Andrew objected.
“If we’re going to go through with this,
we’re going to do it enthusiastically or we
aren’t going to do it at all!
So let’s hear it, Thomas.
Maybe you can sway us all to your point
of view.”
“Well, that would be a switch!” he said.
“No, really, I mean it.
I’ll go with the program.
Enthusiastically even.
We aren’t finished yet.
There’s still a lot of growing and
improving to be done and if they just got here,
so what?
Better late than never.”
“Alright,” Andrew said.
“That was easier than I thought it would
be.
Obviously there’s a lot of merit to Lanon’s
proposal.”
“But what does it mean?
That’s what I don’t understand,” Peter
remarked.
“What does it mean to be brought into
contact with the rest of the universe?
What’s out there?”
Andrew admitted, “I don’t know what it
means.
We called this meeting to decide if we
would be willing to usher in a new era and we
are.
What the effects will be, we have yet to
learn.
But at least when we encounter one of
these ... other-terrestrials, we will be able to
greet them cordially.”
Matthew cautioned, “And I don’t think,
John, that it will mean we will be taking rides
on their space ships.”
“Although we might!” John insisted.
“Let’s ask Jesse.”
THE SPECIAL SESSION CONCLUDED, the Board
members, followed by Doc Will, filed into the
Main Conference Room once again while Andrew
went to notify their Chairman they were ready to
proceed.
In deference to his colleagues, Jesse
excused himself from his guests and dutifully
returned to his work, calling the meeting again
to order.
“Has the Board reached a consensus,
Andrew?”
“Yes, Jesse.
The Board has voted to embrace the new
era.”
“Thank you.
Thank all of you,” Jesse repeated
with a gratified grin.
“I am not able to act without you, nor
would I, so I appreciate how quickly you’ve
responded to the situation.
I am also glad we will all be involved in
what I call ‘our extended existence into the
galaxy’ because I know of no other way to
describe it.
I am as new at all this as you are.”
“Didn’t you say you talked to Alexius
earlier?” Andrew asked.
“Yes, I did, but he was taking everything
in such stride I couldn’t remember all the
things I had wanted to be alarmed about.”
He grinned sheepishly.
“We
do have some questions we’d like to ask.”
“Yes, you are entitled to some answers.
I’ll call Lanon back in.”
“We’d like to see all of them, if that
would be alright.”
Jesse nodded.
Doc Will once again opened the doors for
the Supernals who entered and again took their
seats. This time the Board’s scrutiny was overt,
but they all saw reflected back to them zooidal
qualities of love, joy, harmony and cooperation,
confirming for the Zooids that they had made the
right choice.
“The Board has agreed to cooperate,
Lanon, so it appears you may proceed with your
Zooid mission.”
Lanon acknowledged their decision with a
formality they had not expected.
“This is not only my mission, Jesse.” he
said, representing the authority of his Home
Station in his response. “It has been your
mission throughout your life and the lives these
Board members, whose dedication to the
fellowship of its members rises to the standards
of the Constellation Zenton.
In truth, this civilization of Zooids has
been the mission of all co-operative and
intelligent life, for it fosters those values
that promote truth, cultivate beauty and reveal
goodness throughout time and space. My Zenton
supervisors have asked me to commend your
courage and to thank you for your cooperation.”
Jesse spoke for the Board.
“Please tell them we appreciate their
regard.“
Andrew added, “We have some questions we
would like to ask.”
“What are your questions?”
“What will it mean for the JCP to be in
open communication with other intelligent life
in the universe?
And what is the purpose of The Portal?”
Angus offered to explain.
“Intelligent life has been watching the
development of your world and worlds similar to
yours for millions of years.
This unique civilization of the Jural
Colony Project, that you have created here with
the Zooids, has now reached a point of evolution
where it is capable of maintaining conscious
contact with these intelligent life forms.”
“What would they want to talk to us for?”
Thomas asked.
“If they’ve been watching us all this
time, they should know all about us.”
Angus’ voice wore a wry smile.
“It would be more to your advantage to
want to talk to them!”
“But how?
The universe is a pretty big place!”
“A method of direct communication is
being programmed into your TASCs so that you
will be able to communicate one-on-one.
I would say ‘face-to-face’ but... You
understand my reluctance to use that phrase.”
Several of the Board members twittered,
fully appreciating Angus’ already-manifesting
sense of humor.
Doc Will, not to be left out, said, “You
might think of it as cable television after
having only the major channels.
You get a much wider range of ...
entertainment.”
Flora’s maternal nature expounded, “It
will be a comfort to you when you fully accept
that your world is not
isolated, that you are an integral part
of a vast network of inter-connected life
throughout the far-flung universe.”
Cybelle added, “You will be personally
encouraged by our presence in your lives.
You will find us able helpers for your
physical needs and in your problem-solving
efforts.”
Jesse was sold.
“Does this mean that we’ll be able to
visit your worlds like you can visit us?”
Matthew dared to inquire.
“No,” Flora said.
“That is not within your purview.
Your arena is here.
Perhaps later, when you leave this sphere
and have received some training, you will travel
throughout space, but while you are housed in
your tabernacle of flesh, you will remain here.”
Something in her warm, wise voice did not
induce disappointment in John by that
announcement.
“The Portal.
What’s that for?” James asked.
Jesse nodded to Lanon, who proceeded to
say, “One of the side-effects of open
communication with the universe will be the
elimination of death as you have known it.”
Thomas exclaimed, “The elimination of
death!?
What do you take us for?”
Flora said, “We take you as you are,
Thomas,” and the conviction of her unconditional
acceptance left him stunned.
Doc Will now took the floor.
“The whole idea of death on this planet
is morbid.
This morbidity seems to be perpetrated by
those who profit from grief.
Frankly, I’m thrilled that something is
finally going too be done about it.”
“Death is merely a passage,” Lanon went
on.
“It’s a journey through a door, and the Portal
is the door you will go through to arrive at
your next incarnation.”
“The dread with which you regard death is
precisely because you have not been in open
contact with the universe,” Flora added.
“From this day forward, you will become
increasingly aware that life and love are truly
eternal.”
“And far from occasioning concern,”
Cybelle said, “terrestrial escape is an occasion
for celebration!
It is a graduation, and should not bring
about grief, but joy!”
In general, the Board members did not
look joyous.
Jesse assured them, “Going through the
Portal is not a requirement.
It’s only for those of you who want to
use it.”
“And I do!” Doc Will said simply, and all
eyes riveted on him. He nodded.
“Just as soon as they get that computer
rigged up, I’m going to be the first to
volunteer.”
“Actually, Doc,” Lanon clarified, “it’s
not a matter of volunteering.
You have to ask for permission.”
“Oh.
Well, then I’ll ask for permission.”
Doc Will guffawed.
“If I can remember how!
I don’t think I’ve asked permission for
anything in the last fifty years!”
“If it’s any consolation to you,
Wilhelm,” Angus said, “I have to ask for
permission for something every day.”
Doc Will smiled.
“We’d like to know who’s going to pay for
all this,” Matthew demanded.
“Where do we get the materials to build a
building that will withstand these mysterious
energy implosions and who’s going to build it?”
Angus enjoyed tit for tat.
“I guess if the powers-that-be can build
a planet, they can build a Portal.”
After a pause, Rebecca asked, “What about
aesthetics?
What’s this building to look like?
It seems to me that even if it needs to
be well constructed, it shouldn’t be so
formidable as to exclude aesthetics.”
“I agree with you entirely, Rebecca,”
Cybelle volunteered.
“My work and yours are very similar in
that regard.
It is my feeling that the Portal should
resemble a temple or a shrine, and should induce
a feeling of awe or splendor, don’t you agree?”
Rebecca blinked.
“Absolutely.”
“I would be happy to study examples of
architecture while I am out gathering, if that
would help you,” Flora said.
Rebecca, now part of the solution, was
surprised at how quickly and thoroughly she had
become caught up in the new era and the new
entities.
“That’s very kind of you, Flora.”
“Erica,” Jesse said, “would you like to
join this emerging Women’s Committee for the
Design and Beautification of the Portal?”
Erica, fully supportive of the new era
and all it entailed, was pleased to join.
“Providing my work allows me to,” she
said.
“I can see that this new development
might play havoc in the minds of some of the
Zooids.”
“Which reminds me,” their administrator
said.
“If you will, this is not for general
dissemination yet.
We have not yet been approved, although
Lanon feels assured that we will be.
We’d like to wait until the channel is
open, the Portal is completed, and we have
experienced at least one successful transmission
before we tell the general populace.”
Doc Will grunted.
“Yes, please!
Wait 'til I’m gone!
I’m getting too old to put up with their
mental gymnastics.”
Angus disagreed.
“You’re still a pup, Wilhelm!”
“If you say so.”
He reached for a sheaf of papers he had
with him.
“This pup would ask the Board’s
permission to have this questionnaire sent
around to the Elders.”
Distributing them to the Board members,
he explained, “This is part of my original
research on death and dying and I think it would
help clarify how the Zooids in general, and the
Elders in particular, will feel about the
Portal.”
“We’ll take that up in our general
session, Dr. Blackstone.
Do any of you have any further questions
of our guests?”
Everyone had more questions but they held
them in reserve, each resolving to go about
their lives as usual, but to be prepared to meet
again, on short notice if necessary, at the
first noticeable development.
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