9

 NEW SOCIAL PARADIGM

The Zooids’ of the Jural Colony Project

            Having declared 0802-LZ medically fit and mentally ready to mingle with humanity, Doc Will prepared Lanon to enter the JCP arena. 

            "Get dressed," he told him.  "And get busy figuring out how to work this TASC.  We've been invited into Gateway, so find out everything you can about it while I gather up my notes.  We leave in one hour."

            Exchanging his comfortable lab uniform for the fudge-colored slacks and forest green jersey, Lanon sat at the Transmit Access System of Communications that was at the heart of the JCP, studying the keyboard for a few minutes, deciphering the many codes.

             JCP Headquarters, "Colony Gateway", was enclosed in a polyglass dome to deflect the severe temperature extremes of its Nevada desert locale.  Gateway was recently constructed and, like his Home Station, was built on a septenary theme, reflected in sevens.  The JCP Headquarters colony was .07 kilometers high and seven kilometers across.  There were seven floors in the obelisk-shaped high-rise structure in the center of the colony, and radiating outward from it were seven escalator arms stretching across the complex.  This Minor Transport Line accessed the 777 apartments of the permanent Zooid Elder residents, employees and guests.

            Studying the layout, Lanon saw that the landing dock of the Major Transport Line connecting them from Las Vegas, Nevada, was located underground, as was the power plant where solar energy was collected and stored in massive batteries, a primacy source of energy for Gateway and the other JCP communities.  

            The ground floor of Gateway Headquarters was the social hub of the community.  The Center comprised a large lounge and reception area, complete with a lobby bar, surrounded by the kitchens, dining rooms, reading rooms, as well as several game areas.  These all fanned out to the patio,  which was highlighted by an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  Courts for tennis, volleyball, badminton and shuffleboard were situated between the walk-ways which led into the well-tended, park-like grounds, generous with trees, flower beds and park benches. 

            Between where the polyglass dome attached itself to terra firma and the apartments, space was allotted for “back yard” private gardens.  These gardens provided much of the food needs as well as a major form of physical therapy and socialization for the Elders. 

            The second and third floors of the high-rise were devoted to housing, testing, orienting, classifying and dispatching new inductees.  The fourth floor was dedicated to physical fitness.  In addition to exercise areas, saunas, spas and an indoor pool, there were massage tables, a clinic and a lab.

            Zooidal courts comprised the fifth floor where judicial proceedings, arbitration and mediation took place, all of which could be viewed by the Zooids, if they so chose, by way of their individual TASCs.  All manner of personal, family and group counseling sessions took place in this area.

            The sixth floor was the learning center, dominated by the main database of the zooidal system of communications, the TASC (Transmit/Access System of Communication).  A massive library was available to all.  Several separate rooms were set aside for Planning and were used often by the Elders when setting policy and by the members of the Board when working on Special Projects.

            The seventh and uppermost floor comprised the headquarters offices, the main Conference Room, and Jesse’s private apartment.  The balance of the seventh floor was a deck, accessible to all Zooids and their guests, from where one could enjoy the panoramic view.

            "Ready?" Doc asked, suitcase and briefcase in hand.

            "Yes, sir," Lanon responded, rising.  The woman standing next to Doc Will smiled at him. 

            “You must be Martha," he said.  “I've been looking forward to meeting you."  As Doc Will led them all to the car, he said,  "I’m glad to have a chance to let you know that I appreciated all those delicious meals you prepared for me over the past several days.  I especially enjoyed the little cabbages."

            "Brussel sprouts," she replied.  It was easy for her to see why Audley was smitten with him.  Not only was Lanon well mannered, he was extremely good-looking.  "You are very welcome."

            Doc Will interrupted their tete-a-tete.  "I don't know when I'll be back, Martha," he said.   "Screen my calls.  If you need to reach me, we'll be at Gateway.  Jesse's number is on my desk."

            "I know it by heart," she said.  "I'll hold down the fort, Doctor.  You just enjoy yourself.”

            At the Santa Barbara airport, the men boarded a small plane and, in spite of the noise and the smell of fuel, Lanon loved the experience of flying.  When they landed at the Los Angeles airport, they did not change planes to go on to Nevada, but took a shuttle bus to one of the major hotels.

            Lanon was disappointed.  "Where are we going?  Aren't we going to fly again?"

            "No," Doc said.  "We'll take the Transport Line.  It's faster."   They rode the hotel elevator to the underground parking level then entered an adjacent elevator, large enough to contain an automobile.  Here Doc pressed the palm of his hand to a metal panel and punched in a series of numbers.  Another door opened, leading them onto a platform where they stepped inside a private train.

            "This mode of transportation belongs exclusively to the JCP," he explained.  "When you become a Zooid, you are identified by your individual electro-chemical system.  That's what I was doing there, letting that metal panel know who I am.  It identified me as a member of the JCP and I entered the code for my destination."  They entered the train car, sat, and secured themselves into their seats.  "Make yourself comfortable.  Next thing you know, we'll be there.

            There were no windows in the car, but Lanon could feel the vibrations of the transporting vehicle.  "How does it work?" 

            Doc Will reached up and lowered a TASC, adjusted it to Lanon’s eye level.  "Look it up," he ordered.  His own agenda was to review the files he had brought with him.

            Lanon scrolled down the Index until he came to Transport Lines then pressed a red button; the screen for Major Transport Lines lit up, revealing a chart of the route connecting the 72 colonies.  When commanded, the TASC focused on the Los Angeles-Gateway Major Transport Line.  275 miles, total travel time 36.5 minutes. 

            Another command, another chart appeared, this one showing the route of the Line across the United States.  On this rendering there were many circled numbers.  He pressed one number to find a full explanation, in laymen's terms and in technical terms, how the Line was constructed and how to run it.  A flashing red light on the chart indicated their current location. 

            He keyed in Gateway Shuttle.  At once the route appeared: Las Vegas, Nevada, bus terminal NNW to Colony Gateway; total 42 miles; travel time 7.5 minutes. 

            Since Doc Will wasn't inclined to converse, Lanon experimented now with the Communication aspects of the TASC and found himself suddenly confronted with the smiling face of Jesse Brothers.  "Hello." 

            Doc Will looked up from his papers, saw Jesse's image on the screen, and pressed the Audio button.  "Haven't you got anything better to do than spy on us?"

            Jesse grinned.  "No, I was too curious."  Jesse hadn't really expected Lanon to be a film-industry rendition of alien life, but he had been sufficiently piqued to tune into the TASC on the incoming Transport Line in order to peer at the man from Zenton. "You're only a minute away from arrival," he said.  "I'll meet you at the landing." 

            As Jesse's image left the screen, Doc Will connected with "Satellite Projection" to reveal Colony Gateway now directly above them.  They had only seconds before the screen went blank as they were drawn into the underground terminal of the Jural Colony Headquarters. 

            As the door of the car opened, they encountered Jesse already on the platform, his hand outstretched to first clasp Doc Will's.  "It was good of you to come on such short notice, Doc."  Jesse was dressed in a one-piece navy blue jump suit with sock-like slippers on his feet.  He was a mature man and very attractive with blue-gray eyes and fine bone structure.  Gracefully svelte, with white hair flowing, he had the aura of a poet.

            "I’m glad you called!” Doc responded.  “We had just finished with all the tests.”  He jerked his head toward the man from Zenton.  “This is Lanon Zenton who you’ve heard about.  Lanon, meet Jesse Brothers."

            Jesse had intellectually prepared himself to meet a man from another Constellation, but he wasn't prepared for the psychic satisfaction he experienced when Lanon shook his hand and smiled.  The entity from Zenton was utterly convincing as a human being.  There was nothing even remotely alien about him.  And, despite an earlier fleeting anxiety for the welfare of the Zooids, Jesse liked Lanon at once.  "Welcome, Lanon."    

            "Thank you," Jesse replied.  "It's a pleasure to meet you."

            "Same here.  Well, let’s go up!"  Jesse led his guests into the elevator.  

            As the glass elevator lifted them up through the open lobby of the main floor and on up to the seventh floor deck, Doc Will wanted to know, "What in Sam Hill is Audley doing in Spain?"

            Jesse shrugged.  "Professor Vessey invited her over," he explained, “because of her association with our visitor here.  She may be doing some work for us.  She'll be here in a day or two," he added. 

            When they reached the top, Jesse led them to the edge of the deck where they stopped to look out over the flawless expanse of lawn, trees, and flower beds below.  Along the walkways, park benches accommodated happy, chatting Elders and the lawn chairs spread out near the busy pool were all in use as well. 

            “It’s not always this crowded,” Jesse explained.  “We just finished an Orientation yesterday, so today the Elders are taking advantage of the lull.  Would you like to sit?”      "Why don't you tell me about this mysterious pox and let me get to work, Jesse," Doc said.  “I know that you and Lanon have a lot to talk about.” 

            “Alright.”  He directed them to a nearby table and chairs.  "It's hard to describe, Doc.   Each case is unique."

            "How many cases are there?"

            "As of this morning, seventeen.  The first case was diagnosed a couple of weeks ago.  The only thing consistent is that in each case the patient gets something like a rash on his or her forearms every afternoon that subsides by early evening."

            "In the heat of the day, huh?  It's not a heat rash?"

            "No.  It's more like a blister.  Maybe two or three on each forearm, and they itch."

            "Maybe an allergy.  What else?  Fever?  Nausea?"

            "That's the strange part, Doc.  Each manifestation is different.  Some are lethargic, some are hypersensitive, some feel nausea, and some have hallucinations.  One victim giggles all afternoon.  They're all different, and that's what's makes it so hard to diagnose."

            "And you have no idea what's causing it?"

            "None whatsoever.  I don’t believe it’s contagious."

            "Are the victims in quarantine?"

            "No, but four of them are in the clinic."

            Doc Will stood.  "Why don't I run down and take a look at these mysterious blisters before they fade for the day?  Lanon, you'll be alright here."

            "Oh, yes," Lanon agreed. 

            As soon as Doc Will was gone, Jesse turned to Lanon, “You’re safe here,” he assured his guest.  “I’m to keep an eye on you.”

            Lanon nodded, “I appreciate your providing me sanctuary.”  Lanon sat.

            Unable to contain his fascination any longer, Jesse was full of questions.   "I heard from Alexius this morning," he said.  "He told me about you.”

            "Alexius Vessey, yes," Lanon said.  "He is the contact personality."

            "I've always been very impressed with Alexius and his ideologies.  I always knew he had a progressive mind, but I had no idea that the philosophies that are the basis for our zooidal way of life were coming from higher intelligences."

            Lanon smiled.  "Don’t give all the credit to the supernals," he said.  "It’s you who have done the work!"

            "I didn't do it by myself, I assure you!  Our society is the result of the Zooids’ efforts, their dedication and talents.” Jesse deferred praise.  “But tell me about your mission, Lanon.  What is it, exactly, that you're here to do?”

            Lanon explained, "I’m to investigate your society and determine its level of evolution.  If they meet certain universe criteria, and if they are willing, the Zooids will be incorporated into the Stream of Time.  What that means basically is that a channel of communications will be opened up between the JCP and the rest of the universe." 

            "The rest of the universe?  But who?  And why?  Other forms of life in the universe are far removed from my frame of reference, Lanon.  I’ve never even considered that there might be other-terrestrials, much less that they would be watching our developments or interested in helping us.  I can’t begin to speculate what that would mean to the Zooids.”

            "The Zenton civilization has been watching worlds like yours for hundreds of thousands of years," Lanon said.  “Their interest in this world is fairly recent.”

            “Why?”

            Lanon shrugged.  "Because they have been enjoying watching the development of this Jural Colony Project and the growth of its inhabitants, much the same as you have been.  And they would enjoy contributing further to your development.  They don’t want to take anything from you.”

            Jesse realized that if it was true what Alexius and Lanon were saying, the very existence of the JCP was because of these Zenton intelligences.  For a moment he felt as if he were a galactic guinea pig and that the universe had used him for some unknown cosmic purpose.

            Lanon encouraged him.  “What you have done here is heroic!  The JCP is a very impressive piece of work!”         

            “It’s probably just as well I wasn’t aware of it,” Jesse admitted, considerably appeased.  “But what would it mean to be in contact with other intelligent life in the universe?”  

            Lanon shrugged.  “You would no longer be alone.  You would be able to seek the counsel of those who were older and wiser, more experienced.  You would have access to the records of hundreds, maybe thousands of other forms of evolved life to aid you in your development.”

            “Like having an older Brother, sort of.”

            “Very much like that.  Like having many elder brothers, but they would not invade your privacy or take over or try to coerce you or get you to do something you didn’t want to do.  You would still be very much your own JCP organism made up of your own Zooid entities.  The only really significant difference would be the elimination of mortal death.  That’s one of the side-effects of being inducted into the Stream of Time.”

            “The elimination of death?”  This was not believable!

            “Well, the elimination of death as you have known it.  You still have to leave this world, but it isn’t regarded as a death, it’s entering into a new way of life.”

            Jesse scowled.  “I’d have to know more about that.”

            “Of course, you would,” Lanon agreed.  “We can discuss it anytime you like.”

              After a few moments Jesse asked, "What’s the criteria?  Are you comparing the zooidal way of life to other life on this planet?"

            "No.  The rest of this planet is of no concern to us.  We know that life on Urth is only semi-civilized.  We are not comparing the Zooids to anything.  They’re unique and, like any other evolved group, they can’t be compared to any other way of life, because they have evolved their own identity, their own level of reality."

            This Jesse understood and he appreciated Lanon’s acknowledgment, but he persisted, "You aren't comparing us to other life in the universe either?"

            "We aren't making a comparison at all!   We are registering a level of evolution.  We're recording an actuality status.  It either is or it isn't.  The society stands on its own merits."

            Jesse acknowledged it was a basic zooidal principle that each Zooid stood on his or her own merits without comparison to the others.  He returned to the question.  "You said that a side effect would be the elimination of death as we know it.  How can death be eliminated?"           

            “The Portal.”  Lanon struggled to find a way to express this concept so that it could be understood.  “It’s . . . let me think of an analogy.  It’s like a ‘knowing’ comes upon you.  You let that ‘knowingness’ happen and you don’t fight it.  Instead of giving up your life, you embrace your bigger life and it ‘takes’ you to its new level of existence.”

            “Are we talking semantics here?” Jesse asked.

            "Since you haven’t died, since you are not connected to the Stream of Time, since you do not know of the immensity of the universe and what myriad lives lay ahead of you, and because of your religions that instill in you the fear of god and the wrath of his judgment, you tend to look at death as an end of life.  It is only the end of life as you have known it.   We discourage the use of the word ‘death’ for in truth nothing dies.  It metamorphoses.”

            Jesse shrugged.  “We’re talking semantics.”

            “Alright then, let’s use the term 'terrestrial escape' as a new semantic, or ‘home transport’.  This new phrase will eventuate in a new attitude and with the new attitude a new belief system is developed and with a new belief system, we create a new paradigm of reality.”

            “Through the power of words.”

            “Yes.  But no matter what semantics we use, no matter what we call it, the natural process of going through the Portal generates a great deal of energy, a gigantic implosion of energy.  Thus, if the Zooids were to approach terrestrial escape as an affirmative action, as a positive experience of passing from this life to the next, they would need to design and build a structure that would be able to withstand the impact of that kind of energy transfer.”

            Jesse pondered.  "Does this have anything to do with transmigration of the soul or something?  I ask because, as a society, Zooids don’t subscribe to any particular theology.”

            "No, Jesse.  It has nothing to do with religion.  Religion is a personal matter and I am not here to convert anyone.   I am not here to address the matter of souls or spirits or anything like that.  Whether the Zooids have a deity of any kind is not my concern.   I'm here only to report my findings and to open up communications between the Zooids and other forms of life in the universe, if you are willing."

            "This elimination of death theory.  Have you discussed it with Doc Will?" he asked.

            "We have discussed death as a door, and he seemed interested in that as an aspect of Mindal Science.   He has done considerable research on the topic, probably due to his wife's terrestrial escape.  But I have not discussed with him the details of my mission, nor have I told Audley, although I believe they are both eager to help however they can."

            "Well, so am I, for that matter, but I'm still not sure what this is all about.  My main concern, of course, is the welfare of the Zooids."

            "That is our concern, as well," Lanon said, and Jesse had no reason not to believe him.

THE THING ABOUT THE POX that most fascinated Doc Will was knowing that most non-communicable illnesses are caused by mental distress.  His challenge was to find the distress that led to the symptoms.  The only consistent symptom was the rash, or more aptly, a blister or two but not more than four, located on the forearms of the victims.  In each case the blisters itched for several hours during the afternoon, subsided in the evening, were dormant through the night, then became inflamed and itchy again the next afternoon.  Scratching them did not make them spread.  Other symptoms manifested on the third day but there was nothing at all consistent in these subsequent, secondary symptoms.

            The four victims he examined in the clinic had four reactions.  One had a high fever; one was nauseous; one had diarrhea and one had uncontrollable muscle spasms.  On their chart, he read about the other thirteen victims.  He noted their symptoms were vertigo, hot flashes, cold chills, lack of appetite, insomnia, hallucinations, giddiness, hives, myopia, joint inflammation, gout, indigestion and headache.  Doc was nonplused.  All 17 victims, being Elders, were between the ages of 60 and 93.  Several of the victims had various allergies, such as cat fur or codeine, but the answer didn’t seem to be in independent allergies.

            When he returned to Jesse’s quarters after reviewing the files on the pox victims, Doc asked, “Where’s Lanon?”

            “I took him to his room,” Jesse said.  “He said something about wanting to check in with his Home Station.  What did you find out about the pox?” 

            Doc Will confessed, "I don't know what to make of it, Jesse.  I see no evidence of it being contagious, so I don't think there's any threat of an epidemic.  I'll review their medical histories to see if there's anything specific they have in common aside from being old, but I'm not hopeful."

            "You're talking about 1,000 cumulative years there, Doc," Jesse observed.

            Doc Will shrugged.  "I wasn't doing anything else anyway," he said.  "Did you get to visit with Lanon?"

            “I did.”  Jesse nodded.  "It's a good thing Alexius was the one to break the news to me.  I don't think I'd have believed Lanon otherwise."

            Doc Will acquiesced, “No reason why you should!”

            “He doesn’t look alien at all!” Jesse reiterated.

            “Oh, I know,” Doc Will agreed. “He's human in every way, at least in medical and mindal science terms.  He’s emotionally retarded, though."

            "There's something here I don't understand, Doc," Jesse confided.  "If you've tested him and find no reason not to believe he is who he says he is, that would seem to indicate that we're being honored somehow by getting to know him, help him.  Wouldn't you agree?"

            "No doubt about it."

            "Then why don't I sense any enthusiasm from you?  I'd think this kind of thing would be right up your alley."

            Doc Will scratched the back of his neck.  "Academically, yes.  Intellectually, yes.  Scientifically, yes.  But personally?  It scares the hell of me, Jesse."

            "What does?"

            "His relationship with my daughter for one thing.  She has turned her life around for this guy and I don't like it.  I want my girl to live a normal life.  I want her to marry and have children.  I want grandchildren to carry on the Blackstone genes."  He sighed.  "But it's also about death.”

            Peering at his old comrade, Jesse realized that Doc was facing his own mortality.  "You're talking about yours!"

            "Yes, I am," he avowed.  "You know, when Lanon told me who he was and started talking about this Stream of Time stuff, he asked for my help and you know what my response was?  I asked, 'Am I expected to die?'"

            "But you aren't.  Are you?"

            "No, but it's like something in me volunteered!  Something in me said, 'I want to do it!  I want to be the first one to go through that door!'  Jesse, I don't want to die.  But the door!  The Portal!  That's different.  I don't know why it's different, but it is."

            It was Jesse's turn to sigh.  "Well, look, Doc, we don't know that much about it yet.  We haven't really discussed it fully.   I'm going to have to talk to the Board members about it and the Zooids themselves are going to have to be consulted.  I wouldn't start making out my Last Will and Testament already if I were you."

            It was meant as a way of keeping Doc in perspective, but it seemed to have come too late.  "I already have," he said.  And there was finality in his voice.  And resolve.

SYLVIA’S FIRST INSTINCT was to reach across the rumpled covers to feel Brad next to her.  She caressed the downy, silken hairs of his body until he woke to make love with her again.

            "Penny," he said afterward, watching her supine and sated.

"Hmm?" she purred. "Happy, happy, happy."

            He smiled down at her and kissed her nose.  "I'm glad."

            She hugged him again before she'd let him get up.

            "What do you eat breakfast?" he asked, pulling on his robe.

            She sat up.  "I don't know.  I don't usually get up in time."

            "Brunch then," he said, heading for the kitchen.  "How about coffee?"

"Umm, yes.  Where are you going?"

            "To the shower," he called.

            "Wait for me."

            They were still lathering when Oscar arrived.  He helped himself to the fresh perked coffee and browsed through the papers lying next to Sam.  Brad came out in time to find him holding the "For Your Eyes Only" envelope.  "Oscar!" he snapped.  "What the hell are you doing?"

            Oscar met him coolly.  "Just waiting for you, boss."

            "You aren't authorized to look at my data."

            "I ... I really didn't look at the data.  I was just looking at that seal.  It's pretty neat."

            "Never mind that seal.  Never mind any of my stuff.  I ever catch you near my data again, I'll have you removed as my Aide.  You got that?"

            "Yes, sir.  But I didn't see anything.  Really."

            "I want you to arrange for a car and a plane.  Sylvia and I are flying to Malibu.

            "Ain't I coming?"

            "No.  I need you to go to the library and look up everything there is to know about potassium."

            Oscar was visibly dismayed.  "Potassium?"

            "That's right.  Find out who discovered it, when and where.  Find out what they do with it, who uses it, is it mined and if so where.  Is it combustible, flammable, biodegradable, everything."

            Oscar shrugged.  "You're the boss."

            "And don't bother finding Ms. Watergate an efficiency."            

            "Yes, sir."  That was information Oscar could understand.  He grinned impudently.

            "Wipe that smirk off your face."

            "Yes, sir.  When will you be back?"

            "I don't know."

            At that point Sylvia emerged.  Oscar's look to her left no doubt as to what he thought of her taking over his job.  He didn't like it one bit.

            "Good morning, Oscar," she crooned.

            "Ma'am."

            "Be a good boy, Oscar, and get us some doughnuts."

            "Anything else, sir?"      

            "Oh, and Oscar," Sylvia went on.  "Do you still have the metal detector or did you return it already?"

            "It's in the car.  I was just going to take it back."

            "Bring it up," she instructed.  "When you bring the doughnuts."  She returned then to the sanctity of Brad's bedroom.

            "That'll be all, Oscar," Brad said in dismissal, then went in to find Sylvia brushing her hair.  He liked the way her eyes lit up when he came into the room.  He liked the way she made him feel, supporting what was important to him.

            "Penny?" she asked.

            "Just thinking."

            She stood up. "I know you were."  Her arms slid easily around his slim waist.  "'Bout me?"

            He nodded, took her in his arms and kissed her nose.  "I was just thinking that in all the years I've known you, I've never really known you."

            "I’ve never really known myself."

            "What happened?"        

            Lanon came along, she thought, but she shrugged and said, "Life."

            "Well, I'm glad."

            She burrowed her head in his chest.  "Me, too.  Happy, happy, happy."

            By the time Oscar returned with the doughnuts and the metal detector, Brad and Sylvia were ready to leave, having locked all the data away. 

            Late that afternoon they pulled their rental car into the driveway of Audley's Malibu studio where a red Lamborghini and a yellow Ferrari announced that, since Audley wasn't home, who was?  A very flashy young man in tiger-striped bikini briefs and a fishnet tank top answered their knock.  Behind him in the studio, three other gaily-clad fellows were enjoying their music loud.         

            "Who are you?" Sylvia demanded, over the din.

            "Who are you, darling," he returned.  A certain lisp and inflection told her all she needed to know.  The music stopped and she turned on the charm.

            "I'm Audley's friend, Sylvia.  This is Audley's fiancé, Dr. Bradford Spencer.

            He sized them up. "I'm Eugene, Audley's house sitter."

            "Her house sitter?  Where did she go?"

            Eugene shrugged.

            "How long will she be gone?"

            He shrugged again.  "Six months, maybe more, maybe less."

            Sylvia pouted.  "Mmm, I see."

            "Anything else?  I don't know where she can be reached."

            "Well,” Sylvia brightened, “never mind about her.  What I'm really here for is,” she said conspiratorially, “last week, when I was Audley's house sitter, I think left a diamond here."   

            Eugene remonstrated, "Oh, I assure you there's no diamond here, Sylvia.  I would have noticed."

            "It's just a chip.  I think it fell out of my ring.  Would you mind if I took a peek?"

            Eugene was too charmed with Sylvia's style to deny her.  He gestured her inside.

            "Brad, would you bring up the device?"

            Brad was down the stairs and up again in a flash, with the metal detector.

            "I slept on the couch when I was here," she said to the curious on-lookers.  The metal detector glided easily over the sofa and the carpet near the music center.

            "I didn't know you could detect diamonds with a metal detector," Eugene observed.

            "It's a new model.  State of the art."  It registered high levels of potassium.

            "Why would it be registering potassium?" asked a sharp-eyed fellow with long red fingernails.  "Where would that come from?"     

            Sylvia gave him one of her sultry looks.  "Maybe a banana."

            Red Fingernails giggled.   Sylvia prepared to leave.

            "Well, I guess you're out of luck, Sweetie," Eugene said as he accompanied them to the door.  "No diamonds.  Just potassium."

            Sylvia was undaunted.  "But I'm a gold digger, Darling.  Any old thing will do."  She touched him on the arm.  "Thank you so much for letting us take a look."

            Eugene had been entertained; he didn't mind.  "Come again, Sylvia, and bring your toy.  We'll go beach-combing."

            "Thanks for the invitation, Eugene.  Don't forget to water the coleus!  Ta-ta!"

            "What now?" Brad asked, in support of Sylvia's path of investigation.

            "Now we go to Doc Will's."

            Brad balked.  He didn't want to see Doc Will.  Rather, he didn't want Doc Will to see him with Sylvia. "What's Doc Will got to do with your investigation?"

            "Nothing.  But Doc Will won't be there," she said.  "He and Lanon left yesterday."

            Brad was alarmed.  "Where did they go?"

            "That's what we're going to find out."

            Brad had no more idea what Sylvia was doing than the man in the moon.  He didn't really care.  He was away from Oscar, away from the IOF, away from Lassater and away from Audley.  To him, this was a well-deserved vacation.  They headed north.

             Sylvia was beside herself with her new evidence.  To her, the potassium was proof that Lanon was an alien who had landed in Twilah Leighton's gully the night of August 14^th and whose arrival had caused the blackout.  Her conflict, however, was that she couldn't tell Brad about her theory.  For all of it, she still had a loyalty to her best friend.    By nightfall they were in New Santa Barbara where Martha was surprised and pleased to see them.           

            "Come in, come in," she said.  "I was just fixing myself some dinner.  Can you stay and join me?"

            "That would be great," Sylvia admitted.  The airplane fare had long since digested.  "We've been hard at work!"

            "Where's Doc Will?" Brad asked on the way to the kitchen.

            "Oh, he and Lanon left," she said.  "Didn't Sylvia tell you?"

             He shrugged and made a place for himself at the kitchen table.  "Somewhere I had the idea they would be right back.  Where are they?  When did they go?"

            "They left early yesterday morning to see Mr. Brothers," she said, putting out two more place settings. "Mr. Brothers called here and asked Dr. Blackstone to come and investigate a virus or something."

            Sylvia ran her stockinged toe along Brad's ankle under the table.  "Did he say how long he would be gone?" she asked.

            "No, he didn't.  He just said 'indefinitely' and that could mean anything."

            "Did he say specifically where they were going?  Was it Gateway?"

            "He wrote it down," Martha said, serving Brad a portion of ragout.  "It’s on his desk.  He always leaves me instructions and a number where he can be reached in case of an emergency."  She handed Brad the salad then thought to ask,  "This isn't an emergency, is it?"

            "Oh, no," Brad assured her.  "Just routine."

            "Why don't I go in and get the note and find out where he is for you?" Martha offered.

            Sylvia beat her to it.  "I’ll get it, Martha," she said, getting up.  "You stay here with Brad and make sure he gets enough to eat."

            Once inside Docs' study, Sylvia latched the door, quickly went to the desk drawer and took out the key to his file room.  Under "Z" she found the file on Lanon Zenton, which contained reams of psychological and physical test results.  Most of it was scientific gibberish.  She flipped through the pages until she came to Doc Will's handwritten summary:

            "Subject extremely susceptible to stimuli.  Shows no inclination towards violence or passion, likely due to underdeveloped emotional framework.  Acutely aware of all environmental factors/influences.  Subject has well-defined value standards and advanced ideologies.  Does not respond to negatives.  Does not accept death.  Innate gregarious tendency exhibited (conflicting with undeveloped emotional framework).  Refined sensibilities. Enjoys silence. Keen appreciation for truth and beauty; has aversion to discord.  Well-moderated sex drive.  Sterile (unverified).  High potassium levels tapered to normal on day 5."

            Sylvia copied Doc Will's notes verbatim, returned the file, locked the file room, and replaced the key in the desk.  She turned the light out in the study and returned to the kitchen.

            Brad greeted her with, "Hey!  Did you get lost?  We were about ready to come looking for you."

            "Gee.  Can't a girl powder her nose?"  She sat.

            "Did you find it?" Martha asked.

            "It was on his desk, just like you said.”  Picking up her fork, she complained, “Okay, now we know where Doc Will and his patient are, but what I want to know is, where's Audley?  She didn't even call me to tell me she wasn't coming to my party!"

            "I don't know where she is, Sylvia, but she's been gone for several days,” Martha said.  “How was your party?”

            "Fine, thanks, except nobody came!”  She pouted, then plunged into her dinner while telling Martha in great detail about the guests who attended, the food she served, and all the gossipy details they enjoyed.  

            When they were finished with dinner, Brad suggested they push off for Gateway but Martha objected.  "You don't have to go tonight, do you?  Why don't you just stay here and go on to Gateway in the morning?  Both of you know your way around upstairs.”  She wasn’t born yesterday.

            "That's very gracious of you, Martha," Sylvia purred.  "And there's a clock in Audley's room, so you won't even have to bother waking us up in the morning."

            "Oh, you're no bother."  She wouldn't hear of them helping her clear the table.  "You young ones run along and enjoy yourselves.  I'll fix you breakfast in the morning before you go."

            Brad and Sylvia got a little more sleep that night than the night before, but not by much, and the following morning, after a gluttonous breakfast, they set out for Nevada, driving into the rising sun, feeling in their souls that it was a brand new day.

BY THE TIME SHE CLIMBED THE HILL to the Vessey household, she had filled herself with dread that she had somehow done the wrong thing in making the acquaintance of the enigmatic Angus.  To assure herself that she had said or done nothing to endanger Lanon, she insisted on sharing with Alexius the details of her experience in meeting the Psychist and repeating their conversations in the cow pasture, but Alexius could find no fault with her actions.

            “He invited your friendship, Audley. Feel honored. Don’t be anxious about these new developments; learn to enjoy yourself!”

            Somewhat appeased, she asked, "What is a Psychist?”

            "Something like a clairvoyant, I suppose.”

            “A mind-reader?”

            “It's not so much that a Psychist reads minds as it is that he perceives the Light.  Did Lanon mention Nucleus to you?"

            She nodded, "He mentioned it; I don't know what it is."

            "It's something like your soul," he said, confusing her even further.  "Mortals don't know much about Nucleus, but Angus is an expert.  Ask him about it when you see him.”         

            “I invited him to come here for dessert this evening.  I hope that was alright.”

            “I’m glad you did!  Maria has the night off, and Dierdre is taking the children to see a play.  This will give us both a chance to get to know Angus better.” 

            When Angus arrived at the door, wearing Audley's sunglasses and without his hood, the sunglasses appeared to be suspended in mid-air.  As she reached for them, giggling, Alexius took the chocolate torte Angus extended.

            Accepting the portion of torte Audley cut for him, Alexius said, "Audley tells me you might be returning to the States with her.  If you do, you will get to experience the zooidal society we have created with the Zentonites!”  He then accepted the portion of torte that Angus declined.

            "Yes," the visitor said, following Audley and pushing Alexius in the wheelchair into the living room.  “I’m told there is an upsurge in psychism taking place there!”

            "There’s an upsurge, alright!” Alexius agreed.  “The Zenton civilization has sent an emissary to investigate the evolutionary status of the JCP, which is our creation!" 

            Audley had been reluctant to tell Angus of her association with Lanon and his mysterious mission, but Alexius seemed to regard Angus as one of the family. 

            "Aha!" Angus said, pushing his host up to the table.  "That's why the upsurge!  Yes, of course," he agreed.

            "Tell me about psychism, Angus," Audley said, urging the guest to sit.  "How long have you been a psychic?”

            "Oh, I’m not a psychic,” he said.  “I’m a Psychist.”

            “I guess I don’t know the difference,” she said.

            “Well," he ventured, "a psychic reads minds.  They sense.  They intuit and maybe even predict.  I don’t just read minds, I anticipate them. Sometimes I do psychic surgery. I manipulate how the mind works - to turn on the Light.”

            “You mess with people’s minds? Isn’t that dangerous?”   Angus chortled.  “I’ve had a lot of experience.  I've been in existence for some 5,000 years, much more than that by Urth’s measurement of time, and I've been practicing psychism since I was a youngster.  I qualify as an expert.”

            “Yes, I see.”  It was too preposterous to consider anyone being 5,000 years old, so she reduced her inquiries to something she could more readily grasp.  “What’s going on with Lanon?" she dared to ask.

            "Oh, he's having a marvelous time!" Angus revealed.

            "Isn't he tired of being cooped up in Dad’s lab?"

            "But he isn't in a lab!” Angus said.  “He’s in the desert."

            "That would be Gateway, headquarters for the Zooid society and Jesse Brothers' base of operations,” Alexius said, glad for the update.

            "How did you know that, Angus?" she asked.

            "Keen sense perception.  Psychism."   Her confusion was evident.  She could not see Angus, and Alexius would only smile, but at length he elaborated,  "Very few people use their higher sense perceptions.  Most people are too intellectual, too skeptical, or too caught up in making a living to practice psychism.”

            "You see," Angus went on, "the denser life forms are simply too self-absorbed.  For instance, here you are face-to-face (as it were) with 5,000 years of experience and all you care about are your emotional attachments."  Her face burned in embarrassment as she suddenly realized the degree of her own self-absorption.  "But that is not to be deplored," he consoled.  "This is what’s to be expected on the path of evolution.  The race must survive in order to grow up and survival requires a certain amount of self-interest.  Once basic survival has been assured, however, and the higher energy levels begin to emerge, my specialty enters in.”

            She thus inquired, "How do you recognize these higher energy levels?"

            "As a light.  Some lights flicker, some lights burn steadily.  Many Urthlings have no perceptible light at all and I simply can't see them."

            She made so bold as to ask, "Then how do you keep from running into them?"

            "Well, they do have an energy field,” he explained.  “They're easy to avoid.  I prefer to go after the lights that burn steadily, like Alexius here."

            "Does this happen often, Alexius?" she asked.  "I mean, do other visitors pop in on you like this?"

            "Student visitors visit the planet often,” he replied.  “They don't always come to dinner.  They don't even necessarily come to Guadix.  But they do come to Urth.”

            "Are there many?"

            Alexius and Angus responded in unison.  "Many."

            "Why?  I mean, what do they come here for?  Are we such a curiosity?"

            "Yes, we are!” Alexius laughed.

            “Your world is like a baby," Angus offered. "And all elders enjoy babies."

            She envisioned a massive parental universe cooing down at the planet, hearing it cry for food and to have its diaper changed.  The image brought a smile to her face.

            "Like an infant," Angus continued, “Urth was been born and it is now starting to get into things.  It needs attention, and so we visitors come to tend to Urth in our different capacities."

            Alexius enlarged the concept for her.  "Lanon, on the other hand, has come to see just how grown up some of us have become."

            "It seems odd to me that Lanon would be the one to do that," she said,  “since he’s not very experienced.  I mean, compared to you, Angus."

            "That may be the wisdom of the selection, since he is a bit of a babe himself.  Do you see?"

            "I guess."

            "You feel very protective of him," Angus observed.

            She nodded, thinking about how the visitors must feel, protective of people.

            "Audley has been teaching Lanon the art of living," Alexius added.

            "So!  You are working for the universe already!"  Audley was pleased to recognize the compliment in Angus’ words, "It is no wonder, then, that I saw your light shining."

ALTHOUGH THEY VISITED until late and Audley woke early, she felt rested, prepared to return to the States, and enter the JCP.  Dierdre met her on the patio for coffee.  “Did you enjoy your last evening in Guadix?" she asked. 

            “Yes, I did,” she said simply, having no idea how to explain Angus.  “I enjoyed every bit of my visit here."

            "I’m glad,” Dierdre smiled.  “It has been wonderful having you as a houseguest, Audley.  My sister also enjoyed meeting you."

            Audley was surprised at how fond she had become of Dierdre in such a short time.  "I'll never forget you, Dierdre, and all that you've shared with me.  If you're ever in America, please come and visit me."

            "I shall.  If I ever leave Guadix."  The children ran across the lawn, calling attention to the gate where Angus waited, shrouded in his velvety cloak, waiting to accompany Audley to the train station.            

            As they walked down the Via de Comprende, Audley found herself beset by anxieties about re-entering the mainstream of life.  She had felt safe here in Guadix with these people and with Angus.  Her immediate worry was how people would react to the Psychist's still very nebulous presence.

            Sensing her anxiety, Angus whispered, "Don’t worry about me.  I have not lived for 5,000 years without learning survival techniques and without gaining insight into other life forms."  Of course, her concerns were ridiculous.  At the train station, however, he whispered, "Watch." 

            Angus then detached himself from her and walked  away, standing alone on the platform, a stranger.  Instantly he was just another person, so insignificant he wasn't even worth taking time to notice.  And then, on the train, Angus sat alone, hunched over as if asleep, merging quite effectively with the other passengers, leaving Audley free to once again enjoy the Andalusian countryside.

            Her perception of the landscape had changed.  She now felt tenderness towards the Urth.  She saw the life-style of the cave dwellers as a living museum, a reminder of prehistoric humanity.  She saw the fertility of the fields and the billowing clouds as a nurturing relationship. The vivid red poppies reminded her of blood, and the rain, tears of joy.          “I perceive, Lanon.” she smiled.  “I perceive!”

            In Madrid, they taxied to the airport and then, without warning, in the hustle of getting their tickets and boarding the flight to New York, her mood took a nosedive.  Were it not for Angus in the adjacent seat, she would have allowed herself to succumb completely. 

            “How rude people are to each other!” she observed, “pushing their way to their own ends.”  It saddened her that people were so impersonal.  Why had she never noticed this before?  Had she, like them, been in such a big hurry to get somewhere, too busy to notice, too preoccupied with herself to acknowledge the simple existence of other people?

            Angus, in the adjacent seat, patted her hand and shifted towards the window.     He didn't have a thing to worry about.  No one would see him.  He was invisible, as was she, as are we all until someone takes the time to notice.              “How much mankind is missing!” she realized. Simple acts of courtesy, thwarted by the very nature of a self-absorbed lifestyle.  In such a hurry to get where?  To attain what?  “People don't really know each other because they don't really know themselves,” she concluded, “and they seem afraid to find out.”

            She felt the weight of her musings as a dark cloak, similar in essence to Angus', and she recognized how having insight carried with it certain responsibilities.  No wonder people didn't develop keen sense perception.  They would have to develop tolerance and compassion and patience as well.  They would come to see the world as a living thing and all life in it as precious.  Most people don’t act precious, and it's hard to love unlovely mankind.

            Of course the Zooids made perfect sense now!  All that talk about selflessness that her father had spoken of, that she had ignored for years.  She now understood what he had been working towards all this time, and what a failure she must appear to him.  Her eyes filled with tears to think of the distress that she must have caused him.  She would look at him now, really look at him.  She would look at Martha, too, with her loyalty and devotion and pride in service.  And all of this was being brought home to her because of the man from Zenton.  What an impact his presence had made on her life!  More than ever she was determined to protect him from the likes of the semi-civilized, from people who would demean him and destroy him.  She would go with him into the JCP communities.  She would go with him to the ends of the Urth!

            Angus reached over and patted her hand.  At last, she slept.

            At the airport terminal in New York, she made connections for the next leg of their journey.  A call to Santa Barbara confirmed that Doc Will and Lanon had gone to Gateway.  Calling that number, she was surprised when Jesse himself answered the phone.

            "Don't you have a secretary, Jesse?" she asked.

            "Matter of fact, I don't," he said.  "The word secretary comes from the Latin word 'secret' and Zooids don't have any secrets.  What can I do for you, Audley?"

            "I just got back in the States.  I've been visiting with Professor Vessey for … what? A week?"

            "I know.  I spoke with him."

            "Did he tell you I have a traveling companion?"

            "Yes.  Another visitor."

            "Well, can we come to Gateway?"

            "Yes, of course.  You’re calling from New York?”

            "Yes.  Where do we go from here?"

            "Fly into Las Vegas.   When you get there, go to the bus terminal and ask for the Gateway Shuttle."

            "The Gateway Shuttle," she repeated.  "Alright.  How is Dad?  And Lanon?"

            "They're both fine.  We'll be expecting you."      

            She didn't know how much Jesse knew of all this, but she knew he was in on it, whatever it was, and that made them comrades.  "Thanks, Jesse," she said sincerely.     "You're welcome."  So did he.

            She ordered breakfast but it was terrible.  After the café con leche in Guadix, American coffee was insipid.  The eggs were like rubber.  The potatoes were cold.  Everything was tasteless and over-priced.  There was no courtesy, no real service.  Unsightly litter was strewn everywhere.  She was  embarrassed to be an American citizen.  She couldn't wait to get out of New York.

            At last, it was time for the flight.  Once on board, however, the flight was delayed.  The plane sat with all its engines running while the clock ticked away.  Ten minutes, fifteen minutes.  She began to fidget. Other carriers in front of them, unable to take off, taxied on the runway, queuing up, milling and swarming.  Half an hour.  Forty-five minutes. 

            Flight attendants were conspicuously unavailable to complain to.  Over an hour now, with all their engines running.  The air, even in the compartment, was thick with fumes.  Poor baby Urth.  How much fuel oil was this taking up?  And for what?  A pilot?  A faulty carrier up ahead?  No answers, no excuses, no comment.  Just waste.  A waste of time, a waste of fuel.  A hideous, inexcusable waste.  No wonder it cost so much to fly!

            Angus patted her hand.

            "Angus," she demanded somewhat irritably, "where do you go?  Are you here with me or are you off somewhere?"

            "I am right here.  Resting."

            "How can you rest?"

            "What else is there to do?"

            "I don't know."  What else indeed was there to do?   She did feel like such a baby.

            No sooner had the plane left the ground than Audley fell asleep again, acknowledging that psychism took a lot of energy. 

            Las Vegas at twilight was a sight to see. She hadn't been to Vegas for years, but she had no thought to stop.  The experience she was having was a gamble of a lifetime.  When they found their way to the bus terminal and asked the attendant for the Gateway Shuttle, she was surprised to see that it was not a bus, but a something like a subway, a Transport Line.  The attendant keyed in a code and the car sped away under the desert.

DOC WILL AND LANON met them at the landing.  The embrace between Lanon and Audley was spontaneous and sincere, but it didn't sit well with the good doctor.  Angus,  emerging from the Transport Line, noticed Dr. Blackstone’s disgruntlement.  "Young love is so beguiling, is it not?" he said to Wilhelm, directing him discretely away from the young couple.  "I can remember when I was first in love, can't you?"     

            Doc Will couldn't take his eyes off the mysterious visitor.  The scientist couldn’t decipher the gauze-like aura concealing the face and eyes of this peculiar visitor, but his mental acumen was well aware that he was being brought up short for being impatient with the infatuation between Audley and Lanon.     

            "What kind of an apparition are you, anyway?"  Doc Will blurted.

            "I'm an old man just like you, and just as cantankerous if I choose to be, so what of it?"

            Doc Will was jarred to his senses.  "Well.  Sorry.  Didn't mean to be rude."  He extended his hand then quickly pulled it back.  "I'm Wilhelm Blackstone."

            Angus bowed.  "I am glad to greet you, Wilhelm.  Your light shines true."

            "What light?"

            "The light by which I recognize you."

            "Oh.  Alright."  He muttered something about foreign potentates and stuffed his fists into his pockets as Lanon and Audley came up behind them.  Audley hugged her father, and true to her resolution to truly look at him, peered deep into his eyes.  Doc Will pulled back.   "What the hell are you looking at?"

            She giggled and hugged him again.  "You!  You're so funny when you act the grouch."

            Doc Will harrumphed but his attention perked up when he noticed that Angus and Lanon seemed to be engaged in some kind of telepathic communication.  Audley smiled, knowing that Angus was reveling in Lanon's keen sense perception.

            "This is Angus, Daddy.  I met him in the Village of Guadix through Professor Vessey.  You're really going to like him once you get to know him." Lanon and Angus still stood locked into each other's energy systems.  Finally Audley yanked on Lanon's sleeve and said, "Lanon, let me introduce you to Angus."

            "We've met," Angus said to her, releasing the connection.  "We've been reminiscing."

            "I was just a boy then," Lanon revealed.  "What brings you to this planet, Angus?"

            "The usual.  Psychism on a young planet.  I’m told this is your first assignment."

            "It’s just a reporting assignment, actually," Lanon said modestly.  "I take notes, report in."  On hearing this, Audley recognized she and Lanon shared the same career.

            "And opening new doors, perhaps," Angus said.

            "Well, we hope to, of course, but I've hardly begun the work.  Being human takes some time to get used to."

            Angus nodded toward Audley.  "You certainly have a comely companion."         

            Lanon smiled at her, causing her to blush.  "Her father does not approve of me, however."          Doc Will, who had been gaping at the interchange between the two entities, cleared his throat to speak but at that point Jesse approached in a jubilant mood.

            "This is all really very exciting," he announced to them all.  "Welcome, Angus!"  He slightly bowed to the visitor who bowed in return, almost as a whisper, then nodded to Audley who acknowledged him kindly.

            If the truth were told, Doc Will was experiencing a spasm of jealousy.  He had always been the elder, the most revered, he always had the most startling information and insights.  He was dwarfed by these two aliens, while Jesse was completely taken in by them, as was his daughter.

            "Well, Audley," Jesse continued, playing the host, "you must be very tired from your trip."

            "No!" Audley objected. How could she possibly sleep?  “I slept. So did Angus." Lanon and Angus exchanged a grin.

            "How about some refreshment then?"

            "In the lounge?" Lanon suggested, drawing Audley close to him.

            "That's the best idea you've had all day, Lanon," Doc piped.  "I could use a drink!"

            Jesse guided the entourage up the elevator and across the lobby to the lounge. Doc Will poured and downed a double shot of bourbon while everyone got situated.  Audley and Lanon were enmeshed on a settee facing Angus in a wingback chair, obviously delighted by the developing love affair, but Audley became so unnerved by Angus’ glee, she relocated herself to a nearby ottoman.  

            Jesse served drinks and snacks then pulled up a chair and for a moment no one spoke.  "Doc, " Jesse finally urged, "Tell us about our pox victims."

            Doc was honored to begin the socializing process.  "Well," he expressed to the group, "I had a hunch early on  that this was a symptom of psychic disturbance.  The only thing these victims have in common is that they are Elders, so I probed for their reactions to the prospect of dying.  Without exception they all felt they were living on borrowed time already, which is common for people their age."  Dr. Blackstone was gratified that everyone, including the enigmatic Angus, was paying attention.  "Aside from the pox," he continued confidently, "they are all in relatively good health, so my hunch was that the symptoms of the pox are caused by the prospects of their imminent demise."

            Lanon asked, "Are you saying they are afraid to die?"

            "No, they're not afraid to die.  They're afraid they're going to, and there is a difference.  If you know something, you can deal with it.  They don't know what's happening to them.  They know they're afflicted with something, but they don't know if they'll die of it.  It's the prerequisite to dealing with the fact."

            Although Angus nodded his head in agreement, Jesse said, "I don't understand.  These are Elders who have benefited from an entire course in Aging and Dying as part of our educational system.  Why should they be having adverse reactions to something they know about?"

            "Well, Jesse," Doc explained, "they're educated but they're not experienced.  Knowing something in your head is not the same as knowing it in your gut!"

            Lanon added, "I understand that, but it doesn't explain the blisters."

            "No," Doc admitted, "it doesn't.  Not yet.  But these patients’ secondary symptoms reveal a lot about their specific anxieties.  My interpretation is that each patient is manifesting his or her preconceived notion of what will happen when they leave here.”  Having now their full attention, he sat down on the settee Audley had vacated, and elaborated.  “The giddy one, for example, simply can't wait to go!  The one with diarrhea is scared shitless.  The one with cold sweats is insecure.  I am oversimplifying, perhaps, but in terms of Mindal Science, it seems pretty obvious.  Except, as you say, it doesn't explain the blister.”

            Lanon nodded, “But the blister identifies the victim.”

            The air stirred as Angus swept it with his quasi-visible arm.  "The answer is near at hand," he announced with full confidence, then resoundingly changed the subject by asking,  "Lanon, is your assignment of a confidential nature?"

            "No, it’s not confidential," Lanon said.  "It's selective."

            Audley added, "It's Lanon that's confidential."

            "To those who are not approved, my origin and purpose are confidential, yes, but, of course, everyone here is approved."

            "Tell us, then, about your assignment.” Angus urged.  “What is your Mission?"

            "My mission, simply put, is to study this Jural Colony Project and, depending upon how evolved it is, recommend the opening of a channel of communication and a method of terrestrial escape.”

            “Only this one society?”

            Lanon nodded.  “It is the only society on this planet I am interested in because it is the only advanced group of people in residence here.  Dr. Blackstone, perhaps you could tell Angus about the global situation of this world.”

            Doc Will, who had warmed to the discussions, was delighted to elaborate.  "In general, human society on this planet is backward and extremely self-oriented.  It's a very troubled world."   He shook his head and used his favorite profanity:  "It’s primitive.  It's filled with violence, sick with apathy and disease. It's polluted. It's politically, economically and geographically fragmented, so there is nothing to congeal its differences.  The imbalance of wealth ... well," he ran his fingers through his hair, "the more advanced nations are rampant with greed and corruption, while the more backward nations are stagnating in sloth and despair.  On all levels, illicit drug and alcohol abuse are testimony of the need for some kind of higher reality, or at least a more equitable reality."

            "There are exceptions,” Angus suggested. 

            “Of course,” Jesse said.  “We hope to assimilate them.”

            “But tell me more about these Zooids.  I understand them to be the brainchild of Zenton, and brought into being by you, Jesse, through Alexius' connection with Zenton intelligences."

            "Yes." he acknowledged, appreciating the perspective of the alien.  “Let me explain.  Zooids are the inhabitants of this society, the Jural Colony Project, which now comprises 72 individual communities, or colonies.  Zooids are people who are united by their ideals.  They are connected by their own transportation system and by their communication system.  Including Penn State Reserve, the population of the JCP is in the neighborhood of 50,000.”

            "You say they are united by their ideals...." Angus urged.

            "Yes,” Jesse continued.  “Our societal behavior is based on interaction.  Zooids are inter-dependent.  Even though we are individuals, we function as part of an organism.  In this kind of a living system, one cannot rise higher than the others, since all are parts of the whole.  In the communities, for example, there are no wealthy people and no poor people.  Our value system is not based on economics."

            "Doesn't this foster mediocrity?"

            "On the contrary," Doc Will elaborated.  "Our goals are for higher levels of perfection.

            "But if one cannot rise higher than another...."

            "Well, we function as a living organism and, as such, we are always alert to retrogression and dis-ease, for when one aspect of an organism is dysfunctional, the entire body is affected.  When the organism is healthy, however, when it is functioning optimally, it develops an energy that is larger than the sum of its parts.  Since this societal organism is alive, it takes on more energy, more power, more potential than it would if it were operating as each man, or woman, for himself."

            "Or herself," Audley put in.

            "Thus," Angus said, "the greatest barrier to your success would be individual ambition.  Self-determinism.”

            "Yes.  Asocial aspirations," Doc Will said. "A self-absorbed life pays off only in externals which do not provide permanent satisfactions.  Zooids are people who have come to recognize the emptiness of a self-centered existence and have set out to create a life-style which pays off internally rather than externally."

"Let me guess," Audley offered.  "Morality, responsibility, values, and maturity?"

            "Among others," Doc grinned, appreciating his daughter’s quantum leap of growth. 

            “But,” Jesse added, "personal expression, such as creativity, is certainly encouraged."

            Angus nodded.  "Unique," he offered.  "I’d be glad to assist in any way I can."

            "As a matter of fact you can help," Lanon suggested.  “If Audley is willing to do some research for us, her fact-finding would be greatly aided by your powers of perception, Angus.  Maybe the two of you together could investigate some of these colonies and report your findings back to me.  I could then forward them on to my Home Station as reference material when I submit my findings.  Is that something that would interest you both?"

            It interested Audley a great deal but Angus balked, "Before I agree, I should point out that Audley is somewhat concerned about her financial condition."

            "Angus!" she chastised.

            "He's right, Audley," her father affirmed.

            Jesse suggested, "How does ‘Journalist on Contract’ sound?"

            "That sounds great!" she acknowledged.

            “We’ll work out some amicable terms.”

            Angus smiled.  "Then we would be delighted.”

            "Excellent!”  Jesse stood.  “Check in with me in the morning, Audley, and we’ll discuss your assignment.”  He stood and paused before his guests.  "My friends, you must excuse me.  It's been a full day and there are still several things on my desk I need to attend to before I turn in.  I just want you to know how pleased I am to be part of this.  Please, make yourselves comfortable.  Lanon, Doc, if you would show Angus and Audley to the guest wing?”   

             “You bet, Jesse,” Doc said, making his way to the bar for a nightcap.  “Anyone else for refreshment?”  He tossed a skeptical glance toward Angus and raised an eyebrow to Lanon.

            Angus lifted himself up and drew Lanon with him.  “We will leave you to visit with each other.  Audley has many new insights she would like to share.”  Angus was the quintessential elder.  “If you will excuse us, I’d like to have a chance to visit more with Lanon about his mission.  No doubt we will see you both tomorrow.”

            “No doubt,” Doc responded with a nod, disliking the look that lingered between Lanon and his daughter.  “What about it, Aud?  You ready to turn in?” 

            She was not at all interested in sleeping.  “No, Dad!” she complained, “I’m wide awake!”   She watched as Lanon and Angus disappeared into the night.”

            “Let’s have a nightcap before I show you to your room.  Tell me where you’ve been, what you’ve been up to.” 

            “Well, alright.”  She adapted to the situation and warmed to her father’s presence, doting on him and looking at him as she promised she would, regaling him with details of her adventures in Spain.  She told him about the beauty of the terrain, about Dierdre and Alexius, including his fascinating recital of 40 years’ communications with Zenton intelligences. 

            After they finished their drinks, they walked out to sit on a park bench and there, while telling her father about sensing the vibrations that led her to the pasture where she met the mysterious Angus, she began to realize the magnitude of her situation.  For the first time she was able to clearly see that Lanon was not a man at all, but was 0802-LZ, Zenton’s materialized representative.

            Seeing her sudden introspection, Doc Will asked, “What’s the matter, Audley?”  He suspected what she was experiencing.  It was just what he’d wanted to protect her from.

            She shook her head, struck by the ludicrousness of her emotional involvement.  “Nothing,” she lied. “I guess I just realized how tired I am, from the trip.”

            “Well,” he murmured, “it’s all a lot to absorb.  You’ll feel a lot better when you’ve had a chance to get a good night’s sleep.  Why don’t I show you to your room?”

            “Alright, Dad.”  They walked in comfortable silence to the guest area, both of them trying to process the revelations of this evening. 

            How could she accept what she heard this evening, that that Lanon was an emissary from another world, here on a temporary assignment?  She didn’t want Lanon to be a man with a mission; she wanted him to be just a man!  But there was nothing anyone could do about it.  He was who he was, and she couldn’t even be angry with him.  He couldn’t possibly know what she was experiencing because his emotions were ... not even alive, and hers, it would seem, were about to die.  Would Lanon ever, truly, be mortal?  Would she ever, truly, get over the fact that he wasn’t? 

            When they stopped walking, in front of the many doors, she asked, “What do you think about all this, Dad?  Can you believe it?”

            Doc Will did believe it.  He had been as much a co-conspirator as any of the Zooids.  He was a man who believed in possibilities, who believed in potentials, and now he was seeing them actualize!  Imagine!  His own life’s efforts had helped bring about this evolutionary leap into a cosmic connection.  Still he felt flabbergasted and dumbfounded.   It was overwhelming.

            “No, I can’t believe it,” he argued,  “At least not for a day or two.  But I will. I’ve got a good head start on you.  But I’m worried about you, Audley.  How are you going to handle this?  I know you have feelings for that man from Zenton.” 

            Was it ridiculous of him to be so protective of her?  No.  She was his baby girl, and Lanon was an alien, no matter how you looked at it. 

            “Oh, come on, Dad.  I’m a big girl.  I can take care of myself,” she said bravely, not being a baby, not reverting to tears.  “I’m a reporter!” she said, hugging him,  “You just go on to bed and get some rest.  Don’t worry about me.  I’ll be fine.” 

            He placed a quiet kiss on her cheek and with incredible tenderness, said, “Good night, daughter.  Sleep deep.”

            She slipped inside her room, quickly shaking off the self-pity she felt pressing in on her.  If she was going to survive this with dignity, she had to be professional about it.  She would need a good work environment.   Turning on the light, she saw that this would do just fine. Immediately inside the room, in front of a large draped window, two delicate but comfortable upholstered chairs sat on either side of a tall lamp table, and opposite the daybed were a desk, chair and yet another lamp.  To the rear of her guest quarters was a small complete bathroom with vanity and closet.  On the back wall was a window, in front of which was a kitchenette with a counter and bar stools.

            Someone had placed her luggage and camera case on the floor near the daybed.  She set out to unpack her clothes and put some things to soak, but when she opened the closet she discovered it to be full of garments such as Jesse and the Elders wore.  These were uniforms of a sort.  They came in two styles of various colors.  One style was a djellaba and the other was a one-piece jumpsuit.  At the foot of the closet, she found two types of footwear.  One was an open sandal and the other was more like a sock with a slim sole.  She decided to forego the unpacking.

            In the drawers of the vanity area she found fresh linen for the bed and bath, as well as several more garments, again in two styles.  One was loose fitting, similar to a T-shirt, and the other was a body suit, to be used as underwear or for play.  She took one of the T-shirts into the bathroom where she found the cupboards supplied with everything she might need, including items of feminine hygiene.  She decided to forego the hand laundry.

            Sinking into a warm bath, she allowed the last two weeks to fade away.  Had it really only been two weeks since she set out to cover the IOF Convention?  Not much more than that, certainly.  Funny, she mused, how you can go along at a comfortable pace, not even knowing you're in a rut, when all of a sudden something turns on the lights, kicks your engine into overdrive, and away you go on a brand new adventure.   Blocking out her feelings for Lanon, she allowed herself to visualize herself in flight, circling above the Urth, with thoughts of destiny, whirling, swirling.

            She caught herself starting to doze off.  She rinsed off and slipped on the T-shirt.  Looking in the refrigerator, she discovered fresh milk and juice, fruit, bread and cheese. She took an apple with her to turn down the covers on the daybed.  On the desk she found a chart of Colony Gateway and studied it to see where she was in relation to the residents, the headquarters tower and her father.  She reviewed each area as to what purpose it served, then put the chart in her purse as part of her job research.

            Temporarily secure in the attitude that even if she couldn’t have him forever, she could work with him for awhile, she ate the apple, decided to forego the cigarette, and fell asleep.

ANGUS AND LANON DID NOT SLEEP.  They walked the grounds and talked.  And throughout the course of the night, Lanon learned much from Angus who, as he explained to Lanon, had been "working the universe" for some 5,000 years Urth time.  This, compared to Lanon's 2,000 or so, made Angus' experience invaluable to the neonate.

            On the other hand, Angus had never taken on human form, and so he found Lanon's experience interesting.  Gradually they got around to discussing personal perspectives, and when Angus confessed to Lanon that he had met his own soul mate millennia ago while she was still a mortal and he himself was on an assignment, Lanon ventured to confide in Angus about his and Audley's awkward emotional development.

            Over the centuries Angus had developed into quite an expert on the many variations of love.  As such, he was pleased to give Lanon some pointers on how to become an effective lover.  "Women are women throughout eternity, Lanon," he said, "and they all enjoy the same aspects of love.  Women like romance."

            "What do you mean by romance?"

            "Romance," Angus extolled, "is a sentiment, a refinement of emotion.  Romance calls up feelings of tenderness and beauty.  Graciousness."  He embellished his lesson with inflections and gestures.  "The ideals inherent in the romantic situation are represented by things that depict romance, such as music and flowers.  And gifts.  Or candy."

            Lanon was duly attentive.

            "Women also long for adventure," Angus continued.  "They want their hero to take them to new and exciting places.  Not just physical places, but places in the heart and in the imagination.  They do not want to be constantly taking care of things.  Women appreciate a break from nurturing.  They want to soar, and they want their mate to go with them on the flight."

            After a while Lanon asked, "What about men?  What do men want?"

            "Ah, you are such a babe!" Angus heaved.  "Men want to feel important.  Not a pompous kind of importance, but they want to feel that what they do is meaningful."

            "Well, I do feel I'm doing something meaningful, but how would that affect Audley?"

            "Well, she's crazy in love with you."

            "She is?"  Angus nodded.  “How do you know?"

            "Because, dear boy, she looks at you, and when she looks at you, her eyes light up.  She looks to you for confirmation of her existence, for reassurance.  She is so impressed with the importance of your mission, she was willing to give up her own career, risk her father's affection, and even go half way around the world to find ways to help you, and at her own expense!"

            "I hadn't thought of it that way."

            "Apparently not.  You could begin appreciating her efforts and you could let her know you appreciate her.  Have you ever thanked her for teaching you how to be a human being?  No? Well, you're not being very romantic, then."

            "Angus," Lanon ventured after another long moment.  "What about sex?"

            "Sex is wonderful.  What about it?"

            "I don't understand it.  I've seen Audley's frame, but ...."

            "Her what?"  Angus interrupted.

            "Her frame."

            "Her body, dear boy, her body!  Her voluptuous, sensual, desirable, caressable body!"

            "Not her frame?"

            "Not her frame."

            "Alright.  I have seen Audley, and I believe she knows that I appreciate her voluptuous, sensual, desirable, caressable body, but she won't let me make love with her."

            Angus threw up his hands.  "Well, that's probably because you were approaching her as a frame!  That goes right back to what I was saying about romance, Lanon."  He warmed to his subject.  "Woman is, of course, a mass of flesh and bone and nerves and organs arranged in a frame, but the whole woman is so much more than that!  The whole woman lies in her charm, her personality, her soul, and her feelings.  These things aren't literal, but they are real, and they comprise the female.  This is why romance is so important!  To love the body is only part of the mystery.  To find the female inside and love that is also only part of the mystery.  To love the body and the soul together, is to love the whole woman."

            "How do I find the female inside?" he wondered aloud.

            Angus studied the stars for a moment and sighed deeply.  "Give Audley a chance to show you.  Let her know you care about who she is, how she looks, what she thinks, how she feels.  Women are vulnerable, Lanon, or at least they like to think they are, and they are very protective of those tender feelings, which could be ignored or abused by an insensitive male.  You get her to reveal her inner nature by being romantic."

            "If it's that easy, wouldn't she know that I was trying to get her to reveal herself?"

            "She wants to reveal herself!"

            "Are you sure?"

            "Of course I'm sure.  You just have to assure her that when she does reveal herself, her inner self, you won't make light of her sincerity or disdain her frailties."

            "I see.  And then we can make love?"

            Angus shook his head and chuckled.  "Yes, Lanon, ideally that is what will happen.  But you must be patient!  When I was courting my soul mate, we knew from the first moment that we would spend eternity together, but she made me wait for almost 200 years."

            Lanon was aghast.  "But by then she had discarded her voluptuous, sensual, desirable, caressable body!" he objected.

            "This is true," Angus admitted, "but she was still voluptuous, sensual, desirable and caressable.  Some things never change."  The smile on Angus' countenance was akin to smug, but Lanon was downhearted.  "What troubles you?" Angus asked.

            "Audley is a strong woman.  Emotionally she is stronger than I am.  I am still concerned that I will not be able to court her effectively."

            "Then you must wait until you become more human, Lanon, or until she becomes more divine."

            It was Lanon's turn to look at the stars and sigh.

            "I perceive that you are becoming more romantic already!" Angus said.

            And many more things they discussed before the sun rose and the two entities went their separate ways to take in energy and prepare for the new day.