A Future History of the United States

Tim spent the remainder of Monday in preparation for his trip to Dallas. Ron, Claude, and Dennis took turns teaching him the things he needed to know to be ready for an audience with Archbishop Paul. The finest details were explained, demonstrated, and rehearsed numerous times until Tim could play his part to perfection.

During one of his sessions with Ron he asked, “What’s the hurry? Can’t this wait a few days? I would like to spend some time with Jane and Billy.”

Ron had been demonstrating the proper way to act upon first entering the Archbishop’s office. He walked over to Tim and put an arm around his shoulder, “I know you would. I have a family down here, too. I think I’ve been able to spend a total of five days with them in the past two months.”

“Since we located you, things have been very hectic. We hoped to have more time to prepare, but when you were brought before the Archbishop and accused of heresy we knew we had to act right away.”

Tim interrupted, “What do you mean, once you located me? I couldn’t have been hard to find. I’ve lived in the same house for the past twelve years.”

“We know that, Tim. There’s a lot more to this entire project, and your part in it, than you would believe right now. I’ll explain more when the time is right. For now there are some things we can’t explain without making it more difficult for you to do what needs to be done. Now, let’s get back to work.”

Later that evening Dennis proclaimed Tim ready for his next adventure. Saying they would see him at 6:00 A.M. to get him on his way the three departed leaving Tim to his thoughts.

The stresses of the past few days had left Tim physically and emotionally drained. His last thought before falling into a dreamless sleep was, He never did tell me exactly what the big rush is.

True to their word, all three were at Tim’s door at 6:00 A.M. As they escorted him from his room he confronted Ron, “If I’m so important to your plan can’t you tell me more about why we are in such a hurry.”

“I’m sorry.” Ron looked at the other two. He apparently received their approval, “While travel and communication are slow out there on the surface, the Archbishops do have the ability to exchange messages by an old technology known as ‘Telegraph.’ They can’t talk to each other, but must send these messages in a code consisting of a bunch of dots and dashes.

“Sending these messages is time consuming and difficult, so they do it rarely. With something as big as what we have started in St. Louis, I am sure Archbishop Rand will be notifying all the other Archbishops soon. The message you are taking to Archbishop Paul needs to get there before he has time to get the one we are sure will be coming.

“We don’t think there is any way the message from Rand can get there before Wednesday evening. He will need some time to think over what’s happening in the city. Then he will probably talk to his priests before he sends any message. That’s why it’s important for you to see Archbishop Paul no later than Wednesday morning.”

“What makes you so sure he won’t do it earlier?” Tim was looking worried as he asked this.

“I admit there is a slight chance he might. That’s why your mission to Dallas is somewhat risky, but we think he will delay notifying the other Archbishops. He won’t want the others to think he is overreacting to some minor problem that he should easily be able to handle. Archbishops have been removed from power for lesser reasons. When Archbishop Paul reviews what he gets from Rand with what you tell him, it should really stir the pot.”

They had arrived at the transfer station. Tim looked at his means of transport with a feeling of concern. It was a cylinder about five meters long and three meters in diameter. Each end was rounded making it look like a ball had been cut in half and a pipe inserted in between. There were bands around it near each end that extended about four cm. out from the tube portion. A portion of the side had been lifted up to expose four seats within.

“The seats are very comfortable,” said Dennis. “As you start out you will feel like you are being pushed back into the seat due to the sudden start. That won’t last long. Just before you get to the other end, the seat will automatically turn around so that you will be pushed back into it again as you come to a stop. I will be traveling with you to Dallas, but once we get there you are on you own.”

Dennis entered the capsule first. Somewhat reassured by his casual manner, Tim followed him and took the nearest seat. As Ron closed the access door he said to Dennis, “I’ll see you in a few hours,” Looking at Tim he said, “and I will see you tomorrow afternoon.”

The inside was softly lit, but there were no windows. Dennis anticipated Tim’s question, “Windows would do us no good. We wouldn’t have anything to look at. All that’s out there is the completely smooth wall of the transport tube. Early versions had clear plastic sides, but that didn’t work out very well. The vision of walls rushing by you at over 1,000 kilometers per hour was rather disturbing.”

Tim sensed a slight movement. Suddenly he felt as if two or three men sat in his lap. The cushion of his chair seemed to enfold him as he was pushed back into it unable to move a muscle. After what seemed an eternity, but was really less than thirty seconds, the pressure eased and he was able to breathe again. Looking over toward Dennis, he could detect not the slightest hint of discomfort or fear. This helped quell his rising panic.

Dennis smiled, “The first time is the worst. We could have tried to explain it better before we started out, but nothing takes the place of the actual experience. It won’t be so bad at the other end. We will slow down by compressing the air in front of us and that helps cushion the stop.

“Dallas is only about 700 kilometers from St. Louis. This tube moves us along at about 500 per hour so it takes a little under an hour and a half to get there. Try to relax and take a nap.” He then touched a button that caused his seat to recline, closed his eyes, and was soon snoring lightly.

Tim found it impossible to relax. Once the sudden force of the start had eased off, he felt no sense of further motion. In spite of all the other wonders he had seen since Ron had taken him from the Archbishop’s compound, he still found it hard to believe he was traveling as fast as Dennis had said. Maybe they are playing a trick on me and trying to get me even more confused than I already am.

He then decided it must be real. He didn’t think they would go to all this trouble just to play a practical joke on him.

He was unsure how long it had been since they entered the capsule when Dennis’ chair came to an upright position, waking him from his nap. Tim started to comment on this when a soft voice said, “Prepare for deceleration. Your seats will reverse position in thirty seconds.” There was a pause then the voice resumed, slowly counting down from ten. As it reached zero the chairs swiveled about to face the opposite end of the tube.

Tim prepared himself for a repeat of the experience of the departure, but this time the pressure built up slowly. He could feel himself being pushed back into the chair but it was surprisingly comfortable. This lasted for about three minutes before easing completely.

Dennis looked over at him and, “Welcome to Dallas.” With this, he touched a control that lifted the side of their compartment.

He assisted Tim out onto the platform. The space looked almost identical to the one they had departed from a short time earlier. “Before we left we made sure you had all the same equipment you had before. You will need your portal locator, your portal key, and your direction finding disk, as well as the bishop’s passport.” Seeing Tim’s confusion he explained, “That’s the thing we gave you that we said was your meal ticket.

“I have one more thing for you. We hope you will not need this. If things do not go as planned, it will save your life and also avoid having our entire plan collapse.”

He handed Tim a small cube that fit comfortably in the palm of his hand, “As with everything else we’ve provided, this will work only for you. It has been carefully set so that it will have no effect on you, but will affect everyone within one hundred meters of your location. As long as you keep this red button depressed, this zone of protection will travel with you.”

“Those affected will seem outwardly to be acting normally, but they will not be able to see or interact with you. It will also wipe out any memory they have of being around you within the previous twelve hours.

“If you should have to use it, make your way to the nearest portal. Once inside our system, release the red button and press the green button twice. That will bring someone to assist you.

“If everything goes as planned, you will return here just after noon tomorrow. I will be waiting for you.” With this Dennis stepped back into the capsule and closed the door.

As Tim watched, the capsule moved slowly toward one of the walls. The end touched and then seemed to be engulfed in the wall. He heard a loud “swoosh” and it vanished.

Turning around, he made his way up a ramp that seemed to end at a blank wall. Using his portal key, he stepped out into the heat of a late summer day.

Looking around, he could see tall buildings off to his left. Directly in front of his position was what had once been a very wide roadway. Behind him was what appeared to be a rock wall. It had obviously been cut with some type of power equipment in the distant past. On the other side of the roadway he could see a similar outcropping of rock. In constructing the roadway the workers had cut through a hill rather than building the road up and over it.

The roadway had two strips of pavement, each a good thirty meters across with a ten meter strip of weeds between them. He could only wonder at the amount of traffic this road had once carried. Now it seemed deserted. Following the instructions he had been given, he started walking toward the buildings in the distance.

Between the sun in a cloudless sky, and the heavy bishop’s outfit he was wearing, Tim began to long for the comparative cool of St. Louis. The sun was almost directly overhead before he saw another person. A man with a pack upon his back was walking away from the city along the other portion of the roadway. When he noticed Tim he did an elaborate bow, almost losing his pack in the process, and continued on his way without a backward glance.

He had been walking for well over two hours, yet the buildings in the distance looked no closer. Feeling the effects of the heat, he was tempted to pull the hood from his head, but that was something no bishop would ever do. Trudging along with his head down he was startled by a voice beside him, “How are things in Son City?”

Looking up he saw a young man, apparently near twenty-five years of age, with a pedicart. As Tim looked, the man put his left hand on the seat beside him and began making what at first seemed random motions. Watching carefully Tim saw he was actually drawing a circle with his index finger.

He responded, “Things are getting brighter all the time.”

The young man smiled. “Hop on board bishop. You look plumb tuckered out from this heat. I’ll give you a ride on into town.”

Had anyone been watching, they would have noticed nothing unusual, it was common courtesy for a pedicart driver to offer a ride to a walking bishop. Often the bishop would decline, but sometimes the press of time, or simple fatigue, would result in the acceptance of such assistance.

The pedicart traveled at least four times as fast as Tim’s walking pace, but even so it was late evening before they pulled up in front of a small house near some of the large buildings. There had been no conversation during the ride. The young man’s entire effort had been focused on making the best possible speed while Tim had been reviewing his task for the next day.

The young man indicated an ornate building about one kilometer ahead, “You will find the Archbishop on the third floor of that building. Vaya con Dios!”

It took Tim a moment to recognize the phrase. Its unexpected use brought back memories of a childhood friend who had once lived in the southwest. That memory seemed a lifetime and a world away. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he said, “and to you also, go with God.” He then stood and watched as the young man peddled away.

The door to the house was unlocked, but no one else was around. Tim carefully checked all six rooms. In the kitchen he found a note on the table that read, “Bishop Adversi, You will find a meal waiting for you in the cupboard. I hope to see you tomorrow afternoon.” The note was signed, Bishop Leber.

At first Tim was puzzled. Who was Bishop Leber? Why would he be seeing him tomorrow afternoon? He would be back “home” by then. As he was retrieving his meal from the cupboard he remembered. When taking Tim from his guards Ron had introduced himself as “Bishop Leber.” He found this comforting. It was clear that some of the group were staying close by in case of an emergency.

After eating, Tim carefully checked to be sure all doors were locked. To be sure no one could intrude on him without warning; he placed various items near the doors so they would make enough noise to awaken him if someone were to intrude. He then went to bed. He was sure tomorrow would be most interesting.

When Tim awoke Wednesday morning, he found breakfast prepared and waiting for him in the kitchen. Seeing this, he checked to see if any of his “protection” near the doors had been disturbed. It had not. Smiling, he thought, “There’s a portal to Son City somewhere in this house.”

After eating he made sure his portal locator was properly positioned against his chest and began a careful examination of the various rooms. Finding what he was looking for in what appeared to be a storage room, he finished adjusting his bishop’s garb and left for his meeting with Archbishop Paul.

The morning was reasonably cool and the walk to the Archbishop’s quarters was uneventful. Arriving at the first floor of the building he was greeted by a man of indeterminate age, wearing a simple clerical robe bearing no indication of his rank. “Welcome, Bishop?” The inflection clearly indicating he expected the visitor to identify himself.

“I am Bishop Adversi,” Tim stated in his best bishop’s voice. “I was contacted during my travels by the Prelate and ordered to convey a message to Archbishop Paul. It is for his ears only.”

“Is the Archbishop expecting you? He …”

Tim raised his voice slightly, “Do not delay me any longer. Take me to the Archbishop at once!” His tone clearly indicated that any delay would result in serious repercussions for whoever was responsible.

“Of course, Sire.” Bowing until he was almost doubled over he waved Tim inside, “This way. He is in his office on the third floor.” As he said this, he was already on his way to a flight of steps near the back wall of the room.

Arriving at the Archbishop’s office, the man tapped lightly on the door, opened it slightly, “Your Excellency, a Bishop Adversi has just arrived. He says he has a message from the Prelate for you.”

A deep voice replied from within the room, “Show him in.”

Stepping briskly into the room, Tim marched over to the Archbishop’s desk. He did not bow or make any other sign of obeisance to the Archbishop. To have done so would have been out of character for some one bringing a message directly from the Prelate.

Coming to a stop, he looked at the Archbishop and then at his escort. Getting the message, the Archbishop turned to the man, “You may be excused. And don’t try listening at the door like you sometimes do!”

Looking somewhat deflated, the man stepped through the door and carefully closed it behind him.

Archbishop Paul held up his hand to indicate Tim was to remain silent. After waiting quietly a few moments he carefully and quietly walked to the door. Pulling it open suddenly he found his shocked servant standing in the middle of the opening, his head inclined as if it had been against the door. Grabbing him by the arm he called, “Stephen, come get this man and put him in the stocks.” With this he pushed the servant so hard he almost fell down the steps.

Turning back to Tim, the Archbishop said, “Now we can have a private conversation. Seems like someone is always trying to overhear what goes on in here. I suspect there might be a conspiracy behind my back, but I haven’t been able to prove anything yet.”

Tim had watched this unfold with a combination of amusement and concern. It was clear that this was someone you did not want to offend, but at the same time he was pleased to hear that things were not operating entirely smoothly in the Dallas region.

“Your Excellency,” Tim began, knowing that even a message from the Prelate had to be delivered with some showing of respect for the position of Archbishop, “I have been instructed to tell you that a major problem has developed in the St. Louis region. The Archbishop there has developed some mental problems. He is convinced there is a conspiracy to overthrow the Church.

“You may receive a message from Archbishop Rand alleging widespread disorder and disobedience. This message will say that an unknown bishop secretly entered his domain, kidnapped a priest, conducted some wild church service, and then disappeared. Since you are the Archbishop nearest him, and have the strongest civil authorities in the Country, he will be asking you to send him help immediately.

“Humor him by saying you will send assistance, but do not do so. The Prelate is taking action to quietly replace Archbishop Rand. He does not want word of this problem spread abroad.

“The Prelate will be grateful for your full cooperation. Now that I have delivered His message, I must be on my way. May God be with you and bless you.” Without waiting for a response Tim turned and walked slowly back the way he had come. As he walked out he was thinking, Just let me get back to that house before he decides he wants to question me.