Synarchy Book 1: The Awakening - DCS (my reading book txt) 📗

Director of the project it provided them the needed privacy and clearance to pull these little 'missions' off. Two floors connected by a winding staircase were devoted entirely to them, accessible by a limited number of personnel. There were only two cameras on the floor and they were in front of the elevators. That deceptively simple gesture was a sign of trust from his employer that was not to be taken lightly. Antonia Bianca–Vaughn, his grandmother, had been one of the personal bodyguards to the head of the Terenzio family back in the day. The Vaughn’s were looked upon by the Terenzio’s as blood relatives and Derek was very aware that a big part of that trust was because of that bond. Until they could figure out what the hell was going on, he sincerely hoped they would stay under the radar.
He stood on the roof of the building chugging down a Styrofoam cup of coffee as the helicopter landed. The implications of this find were mind blowing. He could not remember the last time he had felt so skeptical, scared and excited all at once.
When the deafening noise stilled he tossed the cup in the trash bin near the door, and went jogging forward to meet them. His steps faltered then picked up again when Shirley climbed out first, her arm around a man who looked as if he had just walked off a movie set. Their stranger’s hair was silvery gray and down to his shoulders. He wore a deep burgundy silk toga that nearly sparkled. When the man lifted his head, his eyes were an elegant feline green. Now, Derek wasn't gay, but this man was beautiful. His appearance alone added a little credibility to the story of how he had been found.
"Let's get him inside Shirley," Derek said eager to get to the bottom of this mystery. "Has he spoken?"
"In a language we can't understand. We can't even place it, Derek," Shirley said with an incredulous expression on her face.
Abe emerged from the cockpit of the helicopter carrying a golden pole with the crystal attached to the top.
Derek gawked at Abe as he approached. The crystal he carried was pulsing with some sort of energy you could just…feel. "What the hell is that?"
"No idea. It was pulling him up to the surface."
Derek paused then shook his head, turning to follow Shirley. "Let's try to make sense of this."

§

Loki had done it, just as Menes had envisioned in his dream. The moment the crystal was removed from its balance in the temple, Rainbow City had collapsed. Menes had run from his office as the buildings of stone began to topple and the dome that surrounded their city began to crack. Baphomet, Thoth, Pyrrha, Laura, Phoroneus, Astrea, Enoch and Solon did nothing to save themselves, only smiled and waited for the inevitable. Astrea had walked up to Menes, kissed him, let her energy surround him in a great wave of love and told him to go. Baphomet brought the final crystal to him while the others began to channel their energy together, recharging the crystal so it would protect him on his way to the surface.
Even though Menes knew it was going to happen, and could accept it readily he still felt pain for the loss. But, he consoled himself with the knowledge that soon he would be able release his hold on the vessel of his body so that he might go with his loved ones to that mysterious ethereal plane and begin on this world, or even others anew.
"Speak to them, Menes. Make them understand you."
The words entered his mind as naturally as the air entered his lungs. His spirit guides. And his higher self. He closed his eyes and sagged against the stranger that led him. Human kind was still so primitive, it was a shame. These scientists, though, he recognized them. He had seen them before in Atlantis, but understood they didn't remember him. That didn't matter; they had been chosen. Through their research and the ability of their employer to manipulate the reality of this world, mankind would stand a chance through the difficult times ahead. A choice was upon them; it was imperative that choice be granted.

§

To get into their department from any entry point you were required to have an access card, and pass a retinal scan. Derek used his to clear them through the door on the rooftop and the group moved quickly but cautiously to the main lab room.
As the soundproof door slid closed behind them Abe gave the rod to Derek, and helped Shirley get the man onto one of the examination tables. He had given their strange guest a brief examination after they pulled him out of the water, now Abe wanted to be more thorough.
Derek found it hard to take his eyes off the crystal as he followed the pair into the room. He walked over to the table across from Abe, and snapped on the glaring overhead light. He pulled his glasses from the front pocket of his shirt, sliding them over his dark brown eyes to investigate the strange artifact under the superficial light as Shirley stepped up beside him.
There was gentle amusement in Menes eyes as he watched Abe pull out the stethoscope. It was like seeing the hammer of a cave man. He began laughing only to wince as a sharp telling pain shot under his ribs. Time was of the essence. Lifting his hand, he pressed it against Abe’s forehead. Abe blinked in surprise at the motion, but did not pull away. Warmth suddenly wrapped around Abe’s body, like nothing he had ever felt. He gaped in awe at Menes trying to understand the overload of loving emotion he felt when he noticed a second sensation. This time it was probing at his mind.
Probing at his mind? For a second Abe truly believed he had gone insane, but no, there it was again. Without control or resistance he began speaking; not for himself but for the strange man touching him.
"I am Menes."
Shirley and Derek looked up simultaneously, eyes widening. Abe was glowing. A gentle green light surrounded him and the man they had "found."
"Derek, is…?" Shirley couldn't form the words, but Derek understood the half spoken question. He felt like he was crazy because the longer he watched the scene in front of him, the more familiar it began to feel. As if he had seen something like this before.
Menes smiled at the other two and began to speak through Abe. It was easier this way; he had not spoken English in several decades. "A great age is upon you. You are closer to the truth than you have ever been." He hesitated, choosing the words carefully. "I warn you that what you uncover will shock you, anger you, and terrify you. It will also soothe your souls, and you will know come to understanding why the knowledge has been withheld from you. You must find the Cave of Creation before the next winter solstice. It is this final step that will bring man into full consciousness. The Ascension must not fail again." He drew in a shaky breath, his energy wavering and he willed it to stay with him a little longer.
“Loki - you must find him. He will alert the Anunnaki and they will try to stop you. Those you work for have means to protect you, to help you lift the veil so all will know, as above in heaven, so below on Earth. Do what you will, love is law." He could say no more. Sighing, he ruffled Abe’s hair affectionately, before he broke the connection and lay back down on the table. He could hear the other dimensions calling him, the voices of those he loved welcoming him back. He closed his eyes and with perfect trust and acceptance he released his hold on his physical body. His heart ceased, his breathing stopped and his soul peacefully ascended to the next plane, eager to decide what to return as.

§

The calm silence after Abe, Menes, whoever stopped speaking brought undeniable knowledge; Menes was dying. Tears sprung to Shirley's eyes as she walked over to Menes’ body, holding his hand through his final breath as if she had known him her entire life, and not just those few short hours.
Even though her heart ached she couldn't shake the feeling that death wasn't the end. She would see him again. The notion was completely illogical to an agnostic but somehow she just knew she was right.
Derek sunk down on the edge of an empty exam table, overwhelmed. Abe looked equally as torn as his back hit the wall, his face pale.
"What…what do we do now?" Abe whispered.
Derek swallowed hard and shook his head. He was at a complete loss. "I don't know."
Shirley turned to both of them. "Call Terenzio. As bizarre as this all is, we've still got work to do. And if Menes is right we're going to need backup."

 
Chapter 3
“Modern morality and manners suppress all natural instincts, keep people ignorant of the facts of nature and make them fight drunk on bogey tales.”
- The Confessions of Aleister Crowley, chapter 57


June 7th, 2012
Loyalty Airlines Airport
Alcyone Island 12:12 AM

In 1925 the United States Congress passed the Airmail act which allowed private airline companies to place bids on picking up routes for delivery of U.S. mail. At the time it took a huge burden off the U.S. Postal Service and gave a boost to a slowly growing airline industry.
In 1925 Stefano Vasco Terenzio saw not only a way to change the public image of his two-year-old freight airline company, but also a nearly foolproof way to bridge the gaps between the mob groups around the country. Another step in solidifying his control over them. Under the cover of delivering mail, Loyalty Airlines transported stolen items acquired off the black market, laundered cash, drugs, weapons, whatever was required. Backroom deals, boardroom meetings, constant bribes and the occasional roughing up of a few public officials ensured Loyalty Airlines status as a powerhouse in the aviation world.
By 1930 the budding seeds had been planted and S.V.T. turned control of the airline over to his sister, Liliana. At the time her (fourth) husband, formerly of the U.S. Air force, then Colonel of Alcyone Islands AF, had a few friends in the engineering department at Boeing who were willing to share secrets for a hefty price, keeping Loyalty ahead of their competitors as far as technological advancements went.
By the late 1960s the public had become comfortable with flying and Loyalty jumped right into the commercial markets. In 2000 it bought out a major U.S. carrier and two smaller international companies, then expansion stopped with no plans for anything further.
There was only one airline at the Loyalty International Airport on Alcyone Island, and that was theirs. No matter what other carriers tried to get a terminal, no amount of money would change a policy that had been set in place by S.V.T. himself. No one got on the island that Terenzio didn't know about. As tickets were booked the information was transmitted to the Phoenix Island Command Center where background checks, credit checks, personal history, even medical records were run and shared with the MP database. Unknown to the tourists that simply came to the island to have a good time, cab rides, rental cars, hotel rooms, and everything in between were bugged with video and audio surveillance. When you brought someone into your home, you took no chances.
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