Lemuria by Burt Clinchandhill (most popular novels of all time .txt) 📗

way to the Logynous headquarters again with my friend, and we’re wondering if we’re still on the right road?”

“Ah, let me see.” She blinked a few times. “You are on Park Road about two point three miles from the Logynous headquarters. Keep right, and keep your current speed, and you should arrive in approximately three minutes. I do not see an appointment with any of the staff members here. Can I announce your arrival to someone?”

“Um,” De Cremonese stammered. “We’re here to surprise Eldin Mulder, so we rather you didn’t announce us. If you don’t mind.”

Lea didn’t respond to the question. “If it is okay with you, I will continue to monitor you in the background, and should you go wrong, I will let you know.”

“That’s great, thank you,” De Cremonese answered. Lea disappeared from the screen, and phone menu appeared again.

“Amazing piece of technology,” Bishop repeated. “But she must not be programmed to handle surprises,” he joked. “What were you saying before about those creationists, the Young Earth Movement?

“As I said before, I know of similar organizations, but they’ve never used violence before. Those movements strongly reject evolution in favor of the supernatural design, and they are known for their verbal attacks on science education. The only violence I know of was when one of them smeared a college wall with graffiti for refusing to teach evolution, but that’s as far as the aggression goes.”

“So, what do they want?”

“In the early days they tried to get schools into teaching ‘Creation Science,’ taking the book of Genesis, and its consistency with the scientific ages of the Earth and universe, literally. Which I happened to agree with.”

“But not any longer?” Bishop concluded.

“Nowadays, most of them switched to ‘Intelligent Design.’”

“A distinction without a difference?” Bishop asked.

“Is that a question or an assumption?” De Cremonese sounded intense.

“Sorry,” Bishop pleaded. “I meant no disrespect. I have little knowledge of the subject, and I just assumed—”

De Cremonese interrupted him, furrowing his bushy black unibrow. “Assumptions can be dangerous, professor.”

“Again, I’m sorry.”

De Cremonese burst out laughing. “I’m just yanking your chain. Not a problem. I fully understand not knowing the difference. Let me explain.”

Bishop sighed in relief.

“First of all, creationism is always based upon a religious text, like proving the book of Genesis. Intelligent design doesn’t use sacred texts and solely uses pure empirical data to claim their arguments. In his fifth, and final proof of God, Thomas Aquinas presented God’s existence as a syllogism—that’s intelligent design. However, believers in intelligent design don’t have to be religious or can even be anti-religion.

“Second, creationists always believe in a kind of divine creator—a god, if you will—any kind of god. Intelligent design doesn’t describe the designer, only the design itself. It recognizes only the data.”

“I understand now.” Bishop smiled. “Thanks. So, what do you think about the theory that the creationists kidnapped Amie?”

“To be honest, I find it hard to believe. There’s no news on the subject, and somehow the same Mulder who was so fiercely threatened by the movement at first, is now nowhere to be seen on the subject in any form or shape of media. I feel there has to be another explanation.”

“But what?” Bishop asked, as the Jeep passed the security booth and drove onto the Logynous grounds.”

Lea appeared on the phone screen. “You know the drill?”

“Yes. Just leave the car in front of the central entrance and leave the keys in the ignition.”

“Great. I’ll see you at reception.”

Bishop smirked. “She can be demanding too.”

After parking the car, the two men walked into the building.

Bishop looked around the glossy white entrance. “I like it,” he said.

Lea’s hologram appeared in the center of the entryway. “Father De Cremonese and Professor Bishop. Good to see you’ve arrived.”

“Thank you, Lea,” De Cremonese replied.

“You said you wanted to surprise Mr. Mulder?” Lea asked.

“Yes, I would love to speak with him.”

“One moment, please. I’ll see if I can find him.”

Bishop walked to the Pollock painting on the wall. “That’s a Jackson Pollock. Is it a real one?”

“It is,” Lea replied. “From his drip period. Did you know Time Magazine gave him his nickname ‘Jack the Dripper’ in 1949?”

“I didn’t know that,” Bishop answered.

“I’m sorry, but I am afraid Mr. Mulder cannot see you at the moment. He’s in a meeting.”

“Can we wait?” De Cremonese asked.

“You can, but it could be a while, possibly up to a few hours. You are free to have a look around and use the facilities. There is a playground at every quarter of the compass, where you can play ping-pong, Xbox, and many more fun games, and if you follow the hallway, you will find our restaurant. Please feel free to enjoy anything you want. Courtesy of Mr. Mulder and the Logynous company.”

“That’s great,” Bishop agreed. “And Mr. Mulder’s office, is that also on this floor?”

“No, sir. That would be on the fifth floor. If it is okay with you, I will call you on Father De Cremonese’s phone as soon as Mr. Mulder is available.”

“That’s great. Thank you, Lea. We’ll hear from you later.”

“Have a great time,” Lea said, and then faded away.

“Is that also on this floor?” De Cremonese asked Bishop, as they walked into the right corridor. “Am I right in thinking you’re up to something?”

“It can’t hurt to have a look around, can it?” Bishop claimed. “She said so herself. We’re free to have a look around.” He stopped at the door to the stairwell. “What do you think? Shall we?”

“Sure, sounds exciting. Let’s have a look around.” De Cremonese’s boyish eyes sparkled as they ascended.

“That wasn’t as easy as I expected it to be,” De Cremonese said, panting as they reached the fifth floor.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I’m fine. Just keep going.”

Bishop exited the stairway into the corridor, followed by De Cremonese.

“Which way?” De Cremonese asked, still panting.

“I have no idea,” Bishop replied. “Right?”

“Sound like a plan.”

They looked into the first rooms they passed. The floor seemed surprisingly empty. Conference rooms were completely unoccupied, most of them even