Chapter 1: The Future is the Past is the Future
Many millennia in the distant future:
The final battle was finished. The enemy was no more. The rubble and dead hulks of thousands of ships lay drifting in space before the Fleet Commander. For hundreds of kilometers the space junk resembled an asteroid belt. This last battle had been a slaughter of the remnants of the enemy fleet. No one could have even thought that the enemy would be successful here, even the enemy. Yet they had still committed to the battle after being offered the opportunity to withdraw back to their own galaxy.
Peace would finally reign once again, but at such a cost. The last man, woman and child of the enemy were no more. The war had gone on for so long. Millions had died in battle on both sides of the conflict. The final solution had been drastic and oh, so very final.
The Commander's conscience weighed heavily. It wasn't that he'd failed to protect his people – he had protected them. The solution was what was weighing on him. While it was necessary, that did not mean he liked having to make the decision to implement it. But, all other options had failed to bring an end to the conflict. Now, even as congratulatory praise came in message after message – he knew. He knew that while some may always consider him a hero for the plan which had saved them, he would also be known as the destroyer of an entire race of people. The enemy had rampaged throughout his and other less fortunate galaxies; leaving only death and destruction in their path.
With all of their technology they had been unable to effectively combat the threat at first. Diplomacy had failed. Strategic battle plans had been brilliantly executed; all of them successful. Yet, they still failed to detour the enemy from their path. The enemy was single minded in their pursuit to control and subjugate this galaxy. The final solution had been the only solution other than surrender.
Years had passed since the enemy was no more. The Commander was still unable to come to terms with what he had found necessary to do in order to save his people. A man of peace, he had been forced to become the ruthless commander of their military forces. After thousands of years of a peaceful existence, his people had only had a minimal defensive force. After the invasion of their galaxy they had used the technological superiority to swiftly build a massive military force. The call had gone out across the galaxy – the people had come together to defend their homes. Although it had initially appeared that they would face the same fate as countless other galaxies, they clawed their way out of the dark days and turned the battles back against the enemy.
Still, after all this time he was still disturbed by what had been necessary for him to do. If there had only been another way. This thought consumed him for the rest of his life – was there a way to go back and 'fix' it so that he would not have this burden of guilt constantly reminding him of what he had become.
The solution finally came in his death. With death came the unexpected: ascension. It was here on the higher plain that he learned how he could change what he had been forced to do. How those here on the 'higher plain' could have altered the path of the enemy. Once he discovered this, then there was the fight to take the actions needed to accomplish the change. He argued and cajoled; debated and intimidated to no avail. Finally another took it upon himself to break the 'rules', and help the Commander do what the ascended should have done before. He knew the Commander was right because he had found ascension after being killed in battle.
Chapter 2: The Beginning
The man stood up and stretched after having sat for so long. Walking across the space of his office, he opened the French door and went out on the balcony facing west, stepping out in the evening desert heat. He had just spent a number of hours scanning through the pages and pages of reports, while videos played around him, he was exhausted from the brutal boredom and exhilaration of the accomplishments. . The most recent history of the Chappa'ai laid out before him.
The Americans had been busy since finally getting it to connect to another world. He had known of course, that this day would arrive. But it had come so quickly. Mankind was just so inquisitive… Once again he would have to make a direct intervention in politics.
'Why now,' he thought to himself.
'It is your destiny,' the voice chided him. 'The time draws near for events that are so critical for the future.'
Recent world events were troubling. Certain governments had made significant leaps in science without any substance to support the new knowledge. Almost, as though they had 'purchased' the knowledge from someone. At least now, he knew why. They had purchased it.
This problem along with several other incidents troubled him. What has been occurring in the American government? It was time to address the issues.
Walking back inside, he called for his assistant. He issued his instructions for the assistant to inform the executive leadership of his corporation. He would fly out at first light for Washington, D.C. It was time to take the bull by the horns.
There was a furor of activity late that night. Preparing for his departure, he had issued the necessary orders. There was nothing left for him to do in preparation. He once again stood on the balcony staring in to the Bahrain night sky as he had done untold thousands of nights before. Only this night it was different. A new purpose lay before him. He thought back, over the years. To that time in the distant past when he had 'become'.
He awoke with a start. Cold, wet and naked. Slowly sitting up he looked around. He was on a beach somewhere. 'But, where? And why?' he thought.
'You are here because it is where you belong.' he heard.
Turning at the sound of the Voice, he saw a woman standing in the shadow of the tree line. But that made no sense. He heard her clear as the day was bright, yet she had to be nearly 50 yards away. Then, suddenly she was beside him.
'All will be apparent soon.' she reached up touching his forehead lightly, lovingly. The man's eyes opened in surprise. Then they narrowed upon his understanding. 'So, I am here. But, why me?'
'Because you volunteered. You chose to sacrifice yourself for this cause.'
'But, the Others will object.' he stated.
'They can do nothing. You have been brought here of your own choosing. Your memories were removed, but will return over time and as you need them.' she said smiling.
'You play a dangerous game with the rules, Mother.'
'The others of this time and galaxy are unable to do anything. You are their future – a paradox if they were to try and interfere.' she said.
'Besides, I have observed their ignorant rules. You have a very long journey ahead of you, yet the task is most important. This planet, these people require guidance to in order to survive. They could even exceed what we have accomplished, if only they survive.'
'It is worth it?' he asked, still missing some of the pieces.
'Yes, I listened to your arguments with the Council. Most eloquent even though they were too arrogant to see the solution as you did. If they had done what should have been done to start with, you would never have been placed in the position you were. You saw first-hand the horror of having to destroying an entire species. This is your chance to correct that horror – to change what you were forced to do and to guide these people to a better way. They could be so much more than they were.'
'Will I see you again, Mother?' the man asked looking in to her eyes.
'Maybe. It is a long journey and creation is vast. If you are successful we may never know. If the actions which forced your decision to come here do not come to pass you would not have needed to come here.'
'There will be others you meet through time. But whether they recognize you for what you are is yet to be seen. Guide and protect them my son, and nature will take its course.' He heard her voice as she faded from his sight.
