PREPARATIONS
The
day was here. Jason had thought it would never arrive,
but it had. Now he was beginning to think he was in
over his head. He walked into the living area where
Winston, Brett and his mother were waiting.
"You ready Jase?" Brett asked.
Jason was deep in thought, until Winston spoke,
catching his attention.
"Jason," Winston began, "there
is an old Chinese saying, 'A handful of patience is worth a
bushel of brains'."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jason
asked.
"It means that if you aren't ready to go
through with this," Winston said, "then there is no
shame in waiting until you feel more comfortable."
"He's right Jason," Dianne added,
"remember this is supposed to be something you feel good
about, so if you don't feel comfortable about it, you can always
put it off until you do."
"Thanks guys," Jason replied as he
addressed the group, "but this is something I have to do."
Heading down to the mini-sub, the four of them
filed into the small craft, with Winston and Brett in the rear
two seats, and Dianne and Jason in the front. After
completing the pre-launch sequence, Jason pressed a button. The
sub disengaged from NOREO and sped away.
* * *
Arriving at the Great Pyramid, Dianne, Jason,
Brett and Winston exited the mini-sub and moved into the main
chamber. Inside they met Neri, Mera, Queen Shalamorn
and Ilona who were already waiting for them. After
greeting one another, Queen Shalamorn approached Jason and spoke.
"Jason," Queen Shalamorn began,
"while I have great respect for you as an individual, I am
unsure as to whether this is the right thing for you to do at
this time."
Jason paused for a moment, then asked, "Why?"
"While I have no objection to you joining
with my daughter," Queen Shalamorn began, "you need to
understand that this is a one time test. If you do not
pass it, you will not be permitted to join with Neri, and you
will not be permitted to try the test again."
This was something he hadn't considered. Although
he didn't expect to fail the test, he never thought that if he
DID fail it he would be banned from ever having the chance to
marry Neri. That alone upped the stakes, and he knew
he had to go through with this now before he lost his nerve.
As instructed, Jason approached the controls of
the Great Pyramid, and placed his hands on the smaller pyramid
that sat on the rectangular podium. After doing this,
he said the word "Shushali." A bright light immediately
surrounded him, bathing his body and permeating his being. Jason's
body began to tingle all over, and a shiver ran down his spine. He
could feel something scanning his mind, undulating in a regular
rhythm.
The power of the pyramid seemed to slow and
then the light surrounding Jason vanished. At that
moment Queen Shalamorn said "The process is complete, you
may step away."
Jason paused for a moment, as it took a few
seconds to clear his head and regain his senses. Blinking
a few times, he looked around and then stepped away from the
podium.
"Historically" Queen Shalamorn said
with distinction, "the Shushali has been a test for the
males of our species. However, there is nothing that
has been set down by the Ancient Ones that says we should deny
the request of an off-worlder to participate."
Turning towards Jason, she continued, "The
Great Pyramid has examined your consciousness, and has determined
the test that is necessary for you to prove your worthiness. However,
it has also has added something never before seen."
Jason was really starting to worry now. It
was bad enough he had to do this test, which he still didn't know
what it was. Now she is saying there is something that
even THEY haven't done before.
"Neri," Queen Shalamorn announced,
"you will be taking part in this test as well. Although
your role will be different, it will still determine your fate in
this matter. Of course you can decline to do this
test, but it will mean that a joining will not be allowed to take
place."
Neri was somewhat shocked by what her mother
had just said. She had come here to witness Jason take
the test, and now she had to take a test as well. Nervous
but restrained, Neri simply nodded her acceptance to Queen
Shalamorn.
"Jason," Queen Shalamorn continued,
"your test will involve sacrifice. In the next
room is a pool of water. You will need to remain
underwater for a period of time. How long you stay
underwater will determine whether you are allowed to be joined
with Neri. If you do not stay under long enough, the
test will be over and you will not be allowed to join with Neri."
This test was somewhat like a good news/bad
news announcement to Jason. Brought up near the ocean
he was an excellent swimmer and scuba diver, but he knew there
must be a catch to this.
"Neri," Queen Shalamorn said as she
again addressed her daughter, "I will explain your role in
this once Jason is prepared to do the test. At that
time you can decide whether you will agree to participate."
It had been a long time since scuba classes,
and Jason was not sure how long he could hold his breath. He
knew he couldn't hold it nearly as long as Neri did, but he was
somewhat reassured that the test would be based on 'the limits of
his body' and not the limits of an Ocean Planet body. At
least that's what he thought it would be.
At that moment a wall slid open and a
passageway was revealed. Queen Shalamorn nodded to
Ilona. Walking over to Jason, Ilona took his hand and
led him to the antechamber. Jason looked back
longingly at Neri as Ilona gently pulled him along.
Jason was getting nervous now, and was
beginning to consider backing out. He carried on
however, taking a deep breath as he entered the next portion of
the pyramid.
He had never seen this portion of the pyramid
before, but it looked somewhat like the area where they parked
the mini sub, except there were steps into the water. The
procession followed, with all witnesses filing into the room in
single file. Ilona continued to lead Jason over to a
pool of water, and he could now see there was a platform there. It
was a clear platform, and now he could see restraints.
"Hey wait a minute," Jason objected,
"no one said anything about restraints."
"Jason," Queen Shalamorn responded,
"I will remind you that you are free to end this at any
time, and there will be no shame on your part. You
should only continue because you want to do so, and not for any
other reason."
Jason paused only for a moment before he nodded
his acceptance. Then turning to his right he announced
"This is for you Neri," as he looked in her eyes. He
could tell she was concerned, but hopeful.
Ilona again gently tugged Jason as he walked
down the steps onto the platform in the water. It sat
on the water's surface, and had a slight depression where his
body would lie. The water around the platform was calm
and quiet, and not a ripple could be seen. Ilona
gestured to Jason to lie down, and he complied.
"First," Queen Shalamorn announced,
"we will test the release mechanism. This will
assure that if you wish to end this test at any time, you may do
so easily and without risk. Please lie back and place
your hands and feet into the bonds."
Jason took his time moving into position on the
platform. He noted that it was somewhat comfortable
considering the position he was in. The headrest was
elevated about 3 inches above the rest of the platform however.
Ilona began to secure the restraints, which
seemed simple to engage. One at a time starting
with his hands, she used her foot and pressed down on his wrists
after which the restraint clicked into place. She had
needed to use her feet since the bonds were spring loaded and too
difficult to engage by hand. Doing the same to secure his feet
she moved up to his head.
Queen Shalamorn spoke to Jason, "It's
important that you understand how this works Jason. Although
you are in bonds and will be submerged underwater, you will be
able to discontinue this at any time. In a moment
Ilona will push down on your head and you will hear a 'click'. At
that time the platform would normally sink underwater. Once
she has engaged the mechanism, I want you to wait a moment, then
lift your head up. If all is working properly, the
bonds will open. Do you understand?"
Jason was listening intently, and nodded his
understanding while answering "Yeah, OK."
Ilona moved to the head of the platform, and
placing her right foot on his forehead, began to press down. He
felt pressure, but it certainly wasn't unbearable. In
a few moments he heard a 'click' behind his ears, after which
Ilona removed her foot from his head and stepped away.
Jason waited a few moments and then lifted his
head up. Once he had moved it up about an inch or so,
there was a loud 'snap' and all four of the restraints sprang
open. "Well that was easy enough," Jason
announced as Ilona put him back in the four restraints.
Once complete, Ilona did not engage the head
piece, but instead moved away while quietly saying "Good
luck."
Queen Shalamorn then spoke aloud saying, "Is
anyone not satisfied that Jason is indeed in no direct danger,
and that he is free to end this at any time?" There was
silence, and no one dissented. "Very well then,"
she continued, "let us move on. Jason, as you may
be aware the Shushali is a sacred event that dates back to the
age of the Ancient Ones. You will now be put to the
test so chosen by the Great Pyramid. Let no one
intervene."
This derivitive work is copyright to Jonathan M. Shiff Productions Pty. Ltd. and the author Savant, ©2001