The CherInguel scientists claim that now they know how the machines work, they are trying to breed a range of plants to mimic the machines in the hope that there will be differences that add to our body of knowledge. Hang on Arthur, we’re going to find you. The scientists don’t dare fail, they are all terrified.
We’ve accepted that when Michael is part of a plot against us or to empower his followers, he does not give us advance information. It seems fair enough to me as we might become tempted to prepare countermeasures that would betray his true allegiance. When their plans are geared towards economic benefits, the Roberts of the various realities have to mostly depend on their Hettie and Eddie. Alki, Elia and other Cherinian businessmen are astute, but they do not have the widespread network Hettie and Eddie have available to them.
This time the news had nothing to do with corporations. As far as anybody could work out they were courting various smaller and poorer countries. That was all we knew in advance. What is just as surprising is that none of the major governments even suspected what was happening. Could it be the Cabal has withdrawn from them so as to concentrate on the more powerful countries? With Cherinians healing entire planets every six months and the people having food machines, they gave up in every reality on the vaccinations and GMO drive for destroying Mankind. It also helps that all pharma corporations have shut down. I’m hoping Michael finds a way to harm the financial sector - it should not be difficult for him to prove to his members that the Cabal are their main enemy, as they want the same things the Ipohin do, power and wealth; not what us poor idealists dream of.
Twenty seven countries made an announcement on the same day and, inter-reality-wise, the same relative time. Though they mostly had no or little common cultures to attract them to join, they all had one thing in common. Their economies were in the red and suffering with large percentages of their population unemployed. Having been abandoned by the Globalists, the leaders no longer had an incentive to destroy their countries, so they were happy to do any deal that re-establishes their status as political leaders of their countries. Their announcement was made to their United Nations and to the media simultaneously. They have named themselves the Ipohin Federation, each government remaining in power locally, but with powers similar to those of State Governors in America. The Federal government is two tiered, the Lower House that is composed of the leaders of the countries and the Upper House, made up solely of Michael and other Ipohin followers.
Michael must have taped his first speech as President of the Ipohin Federation for it was aired in all eighteen realities at the same time. Despite his promise and our supposed ‘immunity’ in our own reality, our reality was included.
Here is the gist of what they did.
Twenty seven countries handed over their sovereignty to the Ipohin Federal government.
This happened in eighteen realities.
The Ipohin Federal government is not local to any one reality. They represent 486 countries in total as an inter-reality government.
They resigned from their local United Nations.
They demanded the ADFI renegotiate with them.
They brought out a common currency that is also valid in all eighteen realities.
I could carry on listing what was announced for another ten pages but I think the above cover the most important points. Oh yes, wherever the member states already had embassies or consulates, one would remain to represent the IF and the others would close - subject to the host country having recognised the IF.
I’m going to have to spend a lot of time recalling every single conversation held during the years Michael lived with us so that we are not caught napping again. His strategy was often discussed by us through the years, but we’d felt it was not the right time yet to begin consolidating the Earths of every reality and feared creating a dictatorship that could grow to resemble the plans of the Cabal. He found a way to do it by solving many of the problems of their member states, guessing that people would be happy to sacrifice their rights (which in some of the countries did not exist equally anyway), for satisfaction of their needs. I’m amazed that national pride did not prevent this happening. I was glad to see he has not included the realities of Orgg and Efineh. Perhaps they see no advantage in trying to take them over yet.
Robbie was angry with himself. “I’d worried about the high number of assassinations of leaders or other political personalities over the last twenty months but, because they all occurred in small and poor countries I did not attach the correct significance to the events. Damn it, we have some of the best minds in each reality helping us and still we don’t succeed in stopping them before it becomes fait accompli.”
Samuel laughed. “I almost wish I’d joined Michael, he’s brilliant! I bet all the major governments are stunned.”
Goldi’s voice was teary. “Who do you think did the assassinations?”
“Even if it was not Michael, which I’m certain is the case, he still bears ultimate responsibility.”
I shrugged, not really bothered. “I’m certain it was Michael, he had to.”
His face paled. “What do you mean? To ensure the loyalty of his followers? That is too high a price Samantha.”
I smiled. “No, he had to do it so as not to kill them. I bet we’ll find them in some far out reality in perfect health and living in luxury.”
Robbie laughed. “Sometimes I could just kiss you!”
Jade made everyone laugh. “Maybe you better. Can you imagine if she joined Michael? What would we do then?”
I’ve come to the difficult part. I have been fuming for ten minutes now. I don’t wish to belittle the idea Akiar had, but it is obvious (the kind of ideas I love thinking up) and I’m so angry with myself for not thinking of it first - a long time ago. Okay, here is what happened.
“Father, we are all puzzled. Is Arthur not interested in offering his advice?”
Akiar persisted, “What I meant was, why is he not here taking part, here in this room? Would he not be more effective if he was part of the discussion? He did it for the weddings, so why shouldn’t he be here with us. Is he not our wise Great Father?”
“You mean we should bring the computer here?”
“Samantha could not write for him on the computers in here?”
So, do I transfer a copy of the diary to the conference room?
“Should we do the same with the rest of the countries to prevent any more joining them?”
“We can discuss that later Allan. I’d prefer to examine and decide on our reaction to their demand that ADFI renegotiates with them.”
“I’d say that is their weak point Robert.” Samuel said. “If we refuse and do not supply them with any of our products, their new federation will collapse.”
Athia shook her head. “No, Michael will have already planned for that possibility, he’ll use our refusal to prove that we are intent on establishing our own domination over all nations. He’ll use emotional arguments, maybe even what Samantha calls politically correct arguments, and probably double the size of his federation.” She grinned wryly. “Considering Cherinianism is all about emotions, it is ironic that our common sense arguments will not be as effective.”
“I suggest we insist that since the United Nations are our partners that all negotiations will have to be through them.”
I thought I saw a danger in Dommi’s suggestion. “If I was Michael, that is what I would be planning on. It gives them an excuse for a confrontation between Normals and Ipohin.”
Robbie said, “We can’t very well give in and renegotiate Sam.”
“Why not? Renegotiating does not necessarily equal agreements. We can think up enough tough conditions that they won’t accept. I think we should declare that until we do arrive at an agreement that is also acceptable to the United Nations, we undertake to continue supplying them as per present conditions. That way we can take forever to come to any agreement.”
“It will fail if they do. Robert, studies of your people by our scientists has shown that any such agreement would be doomed to failure.” If the Anadir think so, then we have to drop that idea.
Samuel spoke again. “Perhaps it would be wiser to first examine how we think the other governments will react.”
Manoli frowned. “However they react it will cause problems. Even if they do nothing.”
“I agree.” Allan added.
Haven: “I don’t understand how all this is supposed to lead to us being declared criminals.”
Athia: “They are busy building up a powers base in terms that Normals will fear. Then they’ll act against us in such a way that any action we take or don’t take will lead to us being branded criminals against all of mankind.”
Me: “I think it will have to be against all humans so that no alien species joins us. How else could they convince the Sparklers to decide against us?”
Allan: “What if we quietly suggest that each country joins with their alternates. An inter-reality federation of the United States alone would be so massive that the Ipohin Federation cannot be effective. Maybe Samantha could talk to the Chinese governments.”
edited as the discussion continued for hours
Manoli suggested that all Cherinians of Terran origin vote for their local Teller family to take over as leaders. A lot of people have never liked the fact that no Robert has any official position, only the loyalty of those who love them or who love Cherine, so, outside of our direct family, this was enthusiastically endorsed by nearly everyone. I noticed that the Hetties and Eddies with us kept quiet.
“No. That must not happen.” I could almost sense the fear in Robbie that all would oppose him on this. “As long as they do not hold a position officially, the Ipohin have no excuse for attacking them. We also need them to stay neutral so that they can keep us informed.”
Cherine’s eyes turned dark with anger, but she spoke calmly. “If all those Roberts were alone, you would have demanded they join us long ago. You are only trying to protect their Cherines. Why? Am I not a Cherine? Which one of them is lesser in your eyes than I am?”
Nobody has to be a Cherinian to sense her emoting, experience has taught us all to keep quiet, even if we agree with Robbie and feel sorry for him. Only the person who calls himself a coward dared to speak.
“Cherine, not only Robert feels that way, so do I. They must not take an official position. Not only for the reason Robert gave, the Ipohin are aware they are passing on information to us and one day they’ll neutralise them. Cherine, if they become leaders then they will be attacked and have to leave to join us. They cannot help here, but by remaining as symbols for our people, they are far more effective as a reminder of all you and Robert stand for.” He lit a cigarette. “You were not fair to Robert, you know that all the other Cherines are at far greater risk than you are.”
Yes, oops! When you said that, Cherine looked as if she’d bitten a lemon and then she laughed. “Well, I guess that puts you in a different kind of hard spot Robert.”
I hadn’t thought of this before. We are at a tremendous disadvantage. We cannot take the Ipohin to Solomon to be judged, but they can take us. Since none of us can think of a strategy, we’ve decided to return home. Our presence should help a little and we can get that ADFI thing out of the way, or rather, start it on its endless journey.
We announced our arrival by Freddie appearing in our skies. Instantly we were visited by more Cherinians than we’ve ever had arrive in one go. Thank goodness they can’t arrive simultaneously at the same spot. Not far behind them came requests from dozens of leaders asking for a meeting. After welcoming our friends and sharing a drink we asked them to jump to other realities to let them know we are here.
Eddie and Hettie were deep in conversation with Robbie when Michael arrived, his deep voice startling them so that they showed their upset for a moment.
“Father, mothers, I’ve missed you.” He looked around at the crowds. “Gosh, are you planning on taking all Cherinians with you and leaving this reality to me?”
“Michael!”
“Sorry dad, I found the idea amusing.”
I hid my grin as I asked, “Not so amusing if we really do it eh, Michael?”
“Samantha, what do you mean?”
“Oh, was just thinking aloud, the idea amused me.”
Robbie stared at me with suspicion. “You must be joking!”
“Oh, maybe. Yes and no, let’s consider it. Let’s say we go on a crash course and prepare eighteen planets, return here and take all the Cherinians and Normals. They’ll have pristine planets with all the minerals still available. Of course all our Cherinian aliens would want to follow, so we would have to shut down ADFI and move everything out. I guess the Ipohin would count it a success that they now have eighteen realities for them to play around in. So, everybody is happy! Isn’t that amusing?”
As I talked I sensed Michael try to hide his momentary worry and grinned at him. Within seconds he was by me and swung me up for a kiss and squeeze. “What would I do without you to challenge me my dear mother? Would you leave us the Normals of our Federation?”
“Those who want to stay.”
He looked at his father and grinned. “It is a tempting suggestion.” He laughed as he sensed the emoting of all Cherinians. They were aghast at the idea. He kissed the tip of my nose. “Say you did, what would stop us from raiding new realities and building up a population of Normals for us to play with?”
“Are you really ready to declare open war? You know we would not allow that.”
“I was just playing around with your ideas.” He put me down and hugged each of the girls, leaving Cherine for last. He picked her up and putting her on his lap he sat by his father. “So dad, since you’re not going to take everybody, will you be meeting us to negotiate the ADFI contracts?”
“Since when do I get involved in business matters? You’ll have to deal with Hettie and her army of legal advisors.”
“Ah, so you will renegotiate; my followers and citizens will be pleased to hear that.”
“After this, things will turn serious dad.”
Robbie waved it away. “Did you find the man who tried to kill us?”
“No. Searching for him did uncover the fact that there is another powerful talent keeping to himself. Since we can’t find him I think he might be more powerful than I am.”
“We have two to worry about! Do you see how it proves we are right son, we cannot allow those who wish to use their powers for their own purposes only, to do as they wish. There will always be someone with a new gift that is a danger to all. Only by the Cherinians being one people can we survive and grow.”
Michael looked morose, his hands trembling. “How am I going to kill Cherinians and Normals dad. What about our alien friends, how do I sit by and allow them to be killed? I’m thinking of sending Zenon back. I think he’ll fall apart once we start killing.”
“It’s your decision Michael, how will you tell him?”
“I don’t know. Dad, I need you to do something for us.” No one spoke as we waited for him to find the courage to ask. He avoided Cherines’ eyes as she stared up at him. “We should have thought of this long ago, but I want to do it before we start killing. Dad, can we go to the void with you, for you to help split our souls and leave the one half in stasis until this is over?”
“What then son?”
“When it’s over, bring our other halves out of stasis and use the eraser on us before rejoining us.”
Cherine dug her face into him as she clung tightly and moaned “No.” Robbie just looked lost as he tried to hold his pain to himself.
Haven broke the frozen tableau. With quick strides she reached him and slapped his face. “Coward! No son of mine hides from what he does.”
He did not emote any resentment. “Not for me mother, I cannot bear to think of how it will affect Ahnì and the others. They won’t agree if I don’t do it also.”
By now everyone was ignoring him. All our hearts raced as we felt Cherine go into shock and Robbie grabbed her from Michael. Someone had to do something quickly, she was falling apart, the ghosts of the past searing her mind. Alki, Marian and then other close friends appeared among us, their fear quickly concentrating them on Cherine. Someone had to do something quickly and it seemed no one would
I spoke loudly. “That’s a good idea Michael. Why don’t we all do it?” He tore his anguished gaze from Cherine to me, his shock at what was happening to her deepening as my words got through. “Do you think you will be the only one killing? We’ve already killed you and others once and I’m certain we’ll have to kill more. Why should we live with the memory if your group is exempted?”
I went to him and took his hands in mine. “Michael, as your father is the blood pumping through my hearts, so are you. I refuse to allow any part of you to be lost to us. That Michael of the future, do you think he will be loved by any of us less than you are today? Would you have our moment of joy turned to a grieving that will never end?
As for Ahnì, Simito and all those who stand or will stand by you against us, do we treasure any of them less than you? When the time comes, return to us so that we all find surcease from pain in our love for each other.
Deliberately I built up my anger until they could all feel it. I turned to Cherine and pulled at her face so that she was forced to see mine. “As for you, go back to whichever reality you’ve come from and return our Cherine to us. Our Cherine would never give up on those she loves, she’d fight tooth and nail to keep them.” I jumped to my apartment and strode up and down the balcony until the effects of my false anger had dissipated. I collapsed onto the sofa and wept bitterly.
“You did not tell me anything I had not thought. I could not listen to those thoughts for I was fixated on my decision. Samantha, I should have accepted when you offered to join me.” His eyes still looked bruised, but I could feel he’d found the resolve to face his future. Tears filled my eyes again. He surprised me by laughing. “God! When you told mum that she was not our Cherine, you should have seen her face! You sure broke her out of her mood.”
Later on he said, “You turned what is distasteful and distressing into a game between us, helping me think more effectively. Thank you.”
The others jumped to our home in Athens and I put on walking shoes and wandered around Freddie. Ordinx found me finishing the lunch Maria had sent me.
“I’ve suggested the ADFI change our logo to a butterfly.”
He waited a while as I stared off into nothing, not responding to his sally that was meant to get me going.
“What are you thinking?”
“How sad it is.” I looked at him. “So many things about Arthur are sad. He does not fit within his own society so he created a dream. According to the Muyzith that is all we are, a dream to his reality. Ineffective in his world, he is almost a god in our cosmos and yet, again he failed. Even a god cannot escape from the nature of humans. He tried to create a cosmos where nobody is truly evil, where we could live as he dreams for himself, but he allowed us freewill and we’ve messed up his dream. He must be feeling very depressed.”
“You are projecting your own depression onto him? Why would he consider this cosmos of his a failure, is it not filled with Cherinians of species after species who care for each other as one family? Does it not hold an uncountable number of Cherines, Goldies, Samanthas, never mind all the other hearts he treasures? He might be anxious on our behalf but I think he is also very proud of us.”
“We were wrong Ordinx, we should not have allowed Michael and his family to assume the role they have.”
“A Cherinian speaks of ‘allowing’ another Cherinian?”
“I’m a hypocrite? I guess I am, my beliefs too often fly out the window when it is someone I love who is hurting.”
“Then we all are Samantha, it is part of being human and loving. What you are inside you, what you wish, none of it defines us. What do you do? That is all that counts. You did not stop them and if faced with the same decision again, you would let them go, again.”
“How do I handle what it is doing to them?”
“I would have thought that was obvious. By handling what it is doing to you.”
“Poor Cherine, it must have seemed her…”
I must have stared at him with nothing to say for a while. I shook my head. “No, it is time I rejoin my family and get it over with.”
“They plan something unpleasant for you?” I heard Cherine giggle in the back of my mind and I laughed. I hugged him and jumped.
When we go out, we can tell who is an Ipohin. We sense their Cherinian style link that forms the basis of their powers, but their feelings, often boldly emoted now, give them away. They coldly and pointedly ignore us and we return them the favour. We prefer to use our outings as a time to enjoy being together or for bringing our friends closer to us.
Sheena contacted her friend and spent a few days with her at the orphanage where she helps. Sheena was a great hit with the staff so nobody thought of telling her she is not allowed to be there. Sheena made the mistake of telling a few kids a story (an episode out of her life) and she was flooded by pleas to tell stories every day. She is amazed that though the children yearn to be adopted, desperately needing to be part of a family, they are basically healthy of mind and happy.
We brought baby Cherine and her parents to Athens. We dare not let them stay alone in a hotel as we are not certain they will not be attacked. Cher is a toddler now and talks faster than anyone I know, gobbling up half her words. She is not used to being on a planet filled with Normals and Cherine has to spend time each day shielding her. It is good for her to feel how the Normals suffer so we do not shield her all the time. Staying at our home helps as an antidote, as she soaks in the love our family emote almost all the time.
Empathia must be the first bride on her honeymoon who is not in raptures half the day. She spends her time worrying, just like the rest of us, and Robbie has been trapped by the demand for him by government leaders. He returns from days behind locked doors arguing to prevent them from taking action that could provoke the Ipohin into attacking Normals. If they do and we have to protect them, how will the prophecy come true then? Some wonder why we are so determined to see the prophecy validated by the facts. We think that if we want to see an end to this nightmare, it has to happen that way. Becoming a hero for the Normals and other Cherinians would prevent them from declaring him a criminal.
“I’ve told them I will not be available for the next three days. Empathia, where would you like to go?”
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“Can we go to Buckingham Palace as the guest of the king?” We tried very hard not to snigger. Whatever his brides ask for, even the impossible, Robbie feels compelled to do for them. He hated the idea but started to scheme for ways to get Hettie to have them invited. Cassie burst into giggles she couldn’t stop.
“Robert, all you have to do is let them know you want to go and they’d invite you.”
“I couldn’t do that!” After all these years, after all our experiences, he still is a little English boy at heart and thinks of his Royal Family as special!
“Could we go to Florence? They have some amazing architecture and art works there.” I’m glad to see that she’s still as cunning as ever.
If anyone kills a child, they collect cells for Robbie to bring the child back. They give all the information they have about the killer and promise the parents (or those who love them) that the child will be brought back sans the terrifying last memories. This was made public knowledge and after a couple of killers were apprehended (with a lot of publicity) deaths of children have almost stopped. It can’t stop entirely because a certain number of such killers are not sane and don’t care if they are caught or even want to be caught.
A woman who had given birth to a baby boy found a strange solution to a desperate situation she found herself in. Despite the neighbourhood being under constant surveillance, she somehow managed to enter and reach our front door without being caught. She did this in the early hours of the morning while we were asleep. Robbie woke up, feeling that something was wrong. When he noticed that Dommi was the first to wake up after him he realised a child must be involved. Dommi quickly got up and rushed to our front door and opened it. On the step she saw a basket with a baby in it.
‘Kyria Cherine, I cannot keep him. Please look after him and help him grow up to be a Cherinian. Please do not send him to an orphanage, I grew up in one and I will die of pain if you do. I have not baptised him so you may give him any name you choose. When he grows up, please tell him I love him, that is why I gave him up.’
What she did, the risks she took, they were all for nothing. All governments in our time have DNA samples of all their citizens and they would be able to trace the mother and father. We were not concerned that much by the legal problems, we had a baby in the house! I guess all us girls went bananas for a while and pleaded with Robbie to be allowed to keep him.
“You want him to be our son?”
It did not take long for us to change our mind. All we had to do is envision the first time we take him to the void. If we could not express our love physically for our Michael, this baby had no chance, however much we would grow to love him.
Savva was called and he jumped to us despite the unearthly hour. He listened to us and Wendy put the baby boy in his arms as he thought about it. Sheena apologised and left to be with Kalliopi at the orphanage as she does most days.
Savva asked, “What do you want to do?”
“We’d like some choice as to who adopts him.”
“They won’t agree, they’ll think you want to give him to a Cherinian couple. They are already worried about the rate Cherinianism is growing at, and the existence of the Ipohin, and the threat they pose has frightened them.”
“All we want is the opportunity to check out the couples they choose and pick out the ones we think will make good parents.”
Candy had taken the baby from Savva and she was cooing at him as he smiled at her. We felt her sudden excitement. “I think I have a better idea. Savva, would they allow a single woman to adopt him?”
“A Normal?”
“Yes.”
“Then we must ask for them to allow Kalliopi to adopt him. He will make her forget her pain forever!” We all loved the idea and so began our secret campaign to have it arranged without Kalliopi or Sheena knowing what is being attempted.
The Cherinian embassy was inundated by emails asking that we have a birthday party for all the birthdays we’d missed. Hettie advised against it, saying it would give the wrong impression during a crisis that is perceived to mainly affect the Normals. Robbie came up with a different answer that kept everyone happy. He announced that we will be putting on a musical show that will star a number of the top groups of our time plus our own little nightingales, so as to show everyone how happy we are to be back home again. When it was mentioned that we will also be playing music composed by the Paerins and adapted to suit Terran ears by Wendy, everyone became excited by his proposal.
Bruce and his wife are jumping to us almost every day. Mostly he comes because Hettie has tried to change Robbie’s opinion about some political decision and he’s refused to listen to her. I bet it aggravates her that nearly half the times Robbie gives in, it is because Bruce offered a softer compromise that satisfied him. I found that I was not interested in listening to their conversations, preferring to play or, sometimes, just walk around Kefalari or some beach on my own. Gradually an idea took hold.
I waited until Hettie, Eddie and Bruce happened to be with us before talking. “I’ve decided I want us to do something. It is not a political decision, I’d define it as part of our future conflict with the Ipohin. Because of your present struggle to solve the crisis of the Ipohin Federation, I thought I should ask you all to consider how my proposal could affect your negotiations.”
“Would it be wise to initiate new action before solving the existing problems?” Bruce asked.
“There will always be existing problems Bruce, Michael will make certain of that, he has to otherwise he’ll be challenged again.”
“Again?”
We told him about Michaels’ death and his suspicions of Arthur Campbell. Since we had not done a telling nor passed on the information to any Robert, they were horrified and shocked that things had escalated to this degree without them being advised. We apologised and promised to keep them posted of all future events.
“I’m more concerned about those two unknown men. How are they able to hide their powers from us?”
“Eddie, we only know that the one of them is a man. The other could be a woman or even an alien.”
“What!” Robbie was shocked by the concept. “What makes you suspect it is a possibility?”
I gave a small smile. “Dad, for all we know it could be our Jesus, the one of our reality. Didn’t you say he would be alien to us? I had no reason, I was just trying to keep the possibilities open for us to consider. For all I know he could be a dolphin or whale. What we do know is that he is not against us. I suspect it was his energy shield that saved you and Cherine.”
Once they’d settled down and begun to consider the various possibilities Eddie said, “So, we have two unidentified persons of powers unknown, one seeming to favour us and the other Michael.”
I felt it was important we are clear in our minds about the situation. “No, the other is a tool, or chooses to be for his own purposes, a tool of those Ipohin who wish to be rid of Michael.”
“Granted. Do we allow their existence to affect our plans?”
Robbie shook his head. “Only as far as the manner in which it could endanger Michael.” He turned to me. “What is it you were about to tell us?”
