The Valhalla Covenant

Eventually the day of the Sydney meeting arrived. It was the last for the time being and the biggest, and it was to be held in the open air in The Domain.

Since the beginning, Sky had made every attempt to stay in touch with Jos so she could be around Reimas. She regarded him with a sort of blind awe, which he tried very hard not to notice.

Right now, however, talking to Sasha was almost as good as talking to Reimas, and there was of course the fringe benefit of learning as much as she could about what was going on.

“Are you sure you’ll be able to sort the sheep from the goats, Blaze?” Jos asked, about half an hour before they were due at the meeting.

“You mean the aliens from the humans,” Reimas laughed. “I still can’t quite come at that idea, myself, but we can’t afford to rule out any possibility. Given that, a three-pronged strategy would probably be good enough, but we have five.”

“Really, I haven’t been keeping track on that score.”

“Well, there’s the scanner of course, the assessment of body language during the initial introductions, stress detectors, weapons detection and last of all, good old intuition.”

“Never to be discounted, eh? How useful do you think the scanner will be?”

“Laurence maintains that the readings should be clear if we do come across anything not actually human. It should look as if there are little or no emotions. We’ve been trying it out on all and sundry in the Institute so we’ve got a good baseline now of their patterns and reactions. That should give away anyone else with a highly unusual signature.”

“So what happens if we do come across something like that?” Sky asked, her wide blue eyes captivating, and betraying little of the self-doubt that plagued her when she had anything to do with Reimas.

“We have that worked out,” Jos reassured her. “We’ll meet the early arrivals one on one and then we’ll have a string of screening groups with our scanners checking everyone moving into the site. If we come across any anomalies we can keep a team close and watch what they do.”

“So you’ll just let them go afterwards?”

“Nothing else we can do at this stage. We’ll try to find out who they are and keep track of them after the meeting, but we can hardly detain them solely on the strength of our suspicions.”

“Of course you can’t,” Sky agreed. “Even the police can’t do that.”

Jos raised his eyebrows but let the point pass.

It was nearly time for Reimas and his already selected inner retinue to depart for the Domain and only one thing remained to be done. A specialized team was in the process of making a last minute sweep of the area with the scanners.

When Jos received a call from Sean assuring him that all the security checks were complete, the party left in Sean’s Valhalla flyer, with the cloaking on.

***

Shortly before eleven, Sean dropped the flyer down to a low hover at the bottom of the wide grassy slope that was the meeting site. Members, guests and members of the public all knew the appointed time and place and many had gathered at the top of the hill already.

Several groups of Institute members had greeted everyone as they entered the area and had covertly vetted them with the brain scanners.

Many of the guests were already in the Little River and were financial contributors. Beyond that, there were quite a few who had been approached because of their publicly expressed leanings, or because of the general stand they took in their lives or business activities.

Despite the intense covert probing, the atmosphere on that sunny morning in the park remained welcoming. It had been set up in every respect to be so, and the team was well rehearsed in the techniques of greeting people in a manner designed to minimize stress, in part to reduce its potential for masking unusual characteristics.

By ten past eleven, a steady stream of arrivals kept the attendants busy. The widespread dissatisfaction for the GU administration had not been more clearly demonstrated in years, after the steady application of a regime of subtle and overt repression.

Of around a thousand people in the area, in the end only three showed anomalies. One strongly built middle-aged man seemed overly suspicious about the purpose of the meeting and caught the attention of the greeters because he consistently avoided eye contact, even though nothing unusual registered on the brain scanner.

Laurence was not sure whether he was simply some strange paranoid or if there was something more to it, but he assigned a team to shadow the man and follow him after the meeting. Another two, apparently a couple, actually both showed anomalous readings on the scanner and a second team was assigned.

Behind the watchful eyes of a well-blended crescent line of Institute people, the meeting began with a strong atmosphere of anticipation. By the time everyone was seated, the key team members were sure that the screening had done its job.

Then came the first surprise. Jos climbed out of the single upper hatch onto the top of the still cloaked flyer, calmly surveyed the sea of faces before him, and cleared his throat several times in the time-honoured tradition. Institute members had been forewarned that their guys would be in disguise so they wouldn’t be shocked to see a pair of strangers. They’d also been primed about their appearing in mid air and were told to spread it around that it was simply technical trickery.

“I’d thank you now for coming,” he began, “but I believe that before long you’ll all be thanking your own good judgment. What we face is something that affects us all, and will only affect us more in the future if nothing is done.

“Please welcome our primary speaker — no names, no heartaches but you can be well assured of his experience and commitment.”

A delayed storm of astonished and delighted applause came at just the right time to welcome in Reimas who also rose up quite suddenly out of the blue. He stood with his arms raised in the air for a minute, acknowledging the enthusiasm of the crowd but with a single downward motion, as he dropped them to his side, silence fell over the hill.

“This world has been taken over by a machine,” he began. “It’s not a thing of metal and wheels, but a social structure that inhibits and defies the true nature of humankind.”

He paused, and the collective drawing in of breath was like the whisper of a breeze through pine trees.

“It wrecks cultures, destroys habitats, and deludes people into believing that they’re totally dependent on its cash engine products.”

A big burst of cheering, clapping and whistling temporarily silenced him.

“It seeks to make us all dependent on a range of increasingly suspect consumer goods,” he continued eventually, “while it commandeers then destroys the land and resources that people around the world have relied on for tens of thousands of years.”

“Traditional cultures have been stripped of their ability to maintain a sustainable living, while those who have caused the problem fail to provide these desperate people with any substitute means.”

Everyone got to their feet and cheered loudly again. It was the serious and the sublime all at once. Laurence’s idea to use the flyer as an element of magic in presenting the speaker would mean that the message would spread in the wake of the meeting, like wildfire.

“There’s no need for one human being to exclude another from a reasonable degree of wealth,” Reimas continued as soon as he could, “yet our social structure now ensures that just this happens, so that some have excessive privilege while many others endure grinding poverty. We can’t all live as equals. The Earth simply couldn’t sustain it, but too great a disparity is just as destructive. All too often, we condition ourselves to accept it without resistance, simply with the spurious justification that it doesn’t really matter.

“Some might even actively argue that life is short and everyone dies in the end anyway so what does it matter if some are poverty-stricken all their lives and die a little earlier than others?”

A pause.

“Yet the essence of the matter has to do with the quality of life as well as the length of it. What we have lost, as soon as we forget those around us, is something far more important than any material wealth we could ever gain. Think carefully about what I say here. When you shut off any part of yourself from what goes on around you, it’s like carving a great slice out of your own consciousness. You live like a shadow of your true self, and the fruits of prosperity turn to dust in your mouth.”

Applause, even more enthusiastic, brought a significant further crowd to gather around the first to see what all the fuss was about. An electric atmosphere filled the area, and with the additional applause, Reimas had to wait for the best part of two minutes to continue.

“The trouble is that when we cut off the part of our consciousness that would seek to raise everyone up sufficiently for their needs and destiny, we cannot be aware of it, except as a vague nagging anxiety, a strange niggling sense of something unfulfilled in our lives, and we’ll not know what we have lost.

“What we have in material terms we can always see, even if we don’t truly enjoy it, and its presence gives us some comfort simply by virtue of its apparent continuity — the fact that we are able to rely on its ongoing material presence in our lives.

“I’d call it the psychology of the dragon except that I don’t like the perversion of the original wise dragon icon of gentler pagan times. In any case, such terrible greed and possessiveness is more like modern man.”

The crowd murmured uncomfortably but not disagreeably. At the same time Jos nudged Reimas and drew his attention to a hastily written note held in the palm of his hand.

“Even so, man is not inherently evil. A specific evil may have guided us in this direction — an inimical force that has no sympathy for humanity — but we have only to disown it and bend ourselves towards cultivating a more benevolent, far sighted approach.”

More cheers came, loud but short-lived, in part because many of the crowd saw several black helicopters approaching over the fringe of the skyline.

“Evil works through social and psychological processes, and the primary cause of evil in our cultural makeup is the belief that the individual exists to serve society, rather than society being there solely for the support, nurturing and inspiration of individuals. It is precisely this sort of subjugation of the spirit that leads to the terrible social divisions we now see manifest — divisions that are most clearly characterized by the spurning of the old and the widespread abuse of the young — in many ways, not only sexual.”

Reimas sensed an undercurrent of protest concerning that last point so he elaborated, noting as he formed the words in his mouth that the choppers were still drifting in slowly, like lionesses creeping in preparatory to the final lethal dash.

“No, the current shallow admiration for youth rarely extends to truly valuing its innocence and enthusiasm. For a while, a generous view of youth was the last storehouse of our humanity, but now we see only a dangerously mechanistic obsession for youth by any means.

“This antisocial obsession ultimately has a negative effect on everyone, young or old, in some way or other. The essence of this social disease is no more or less than that which renders an individual incapable of joy, of easy laughter, of vibrancy and enthusiasm.

“In other words, when we’re past having fun, past judging everything on its own merits, and past caring about all that we encounter, the machine has taken us. Though age really has nothing to do with it, we feel ourselves becoming old, in the sense of being weak and cast down, when we succumb to it.”

At this, the applause was not deafening but seemed heartfelt and appreciative.

“This absence of imagination, vibrancy and playfulness is the prime manifestation of the mechanistic thinking that appears to bind our world so cruelly. It is terrible to be so enveloped in spiritual darkness that we habitually, institutionally reject others based only on their age.

“It may be that the use-by-date has expired, or some arbitrary age of qualification has not yet been reached, but it is worse, far worse, when we can not even embrace our own consciousness with the sort of enthusiasm that makes life worthwhile, simply because we think we’re past it.”

The crowd loved him, inside the ring of Institute people and outside. Whistles, shouts and cheers filled the area again and, given that the choppers hadn’t dashed in for an immediate attack, most seemed to have forgotten them.

“More so than by colour or class, it is the division of people by age that most effectively separates people in society. Without caring for each other, we can so easily be conquered and enslaved as a herd for the casual use and abuse of those who have consciously chosen to pursue evil objectives. When we fail to listen to the old and experienced, and to notice the spiritual pain of the young, the machine has stripped from us our most potent defence.

“We can see our wealth, but we cannot see our lost hearts. We can see the glitter of expensive jewellery, but we’re blind to the rich colours of our hidden, repressed consciousness. We can see the wild imaginings of the machine in holographic movies, but we relinquish our own grasp of inner expression in the daily grind to seek material wealth — a spurious goal that does little more than contribute daily to the increasing degradation of our precious planet.

“Finally, I must ask you all, since it seems such a mystery to me, why it is that we can swallow the assumption that somehow we are not all fully-fledged owners and caretakers of the world? Surely each and every one of us inherits the unquestionable right to challenge and move positively against active degradation at any level, whether it involves governments, corporations or individuals.

“The time has come to co-operate and work in a determined way for a different form of government, a newer better approach to living that can be sustained and lead to the rapid healing of our sick world.

“We in the Global Institute have been attempting to do that for some time, but now the world has reached a critical point and events demand that we grow. It’s time for you to join us. It’s a simple as that.”

Reimas raised both arms in the air and the crowd roared. He had been curious about how his audience would react to his vision, but now he knew the strength of emotion in their faces and voices.

After several minutes, the cheering ceased and he invited questions. Several raised their arms then, and he chose a man near the centre.

“I don’t mean to cast any doubt on the worth of this idea,” he began, “but this is an enormous battle that you’re proposing. Do you really have the resources to do that?”

In response, Reimas looked down towards his feet and just as he was about to speak, smoke trails shot out from the hovering choppers, which, now that many in the crowd turned and looked again, were much closer. Each of the three had launched a pair of missiles and there was no doubt about their destination.

Reimas held out the palm of his right hand in a symbolic blocking gesture — futile but brave many thought — but to everyone’s astonishment, before they could even think to flee, the missiles turned in wide arcs and shot back towards the choppers.

Each of the machines blew up in massive balls of smoke and fire and debris rained down over the harbour.

Reimas turned to the crowd again and said.

“So you can set your minds to rest on that score. Our resources are greater than our enemy knows. Now, any questions?”

Many hands shot up, and over the course of an hour much was asked, although not all was revealed, including the matter of what it was he and Jos currently stood upon. Eventually the flood of questions waned, and Reimas, after answering what he chose to be the last, bowed a little. He and Jos stepped down through the hatch and disappeared.

A minute later they emerged with several minders onto the grass from another apparent hole in space, and began to move in amongst the crowd.

The first person he met was a tall, well-built man, about his own age, mid thirties, with dark wavy hair, bright blue eyes and a beak of a nose. His name was Zane it was very clear that Reimas’s speech had fired his enthusiasm.

“It’s about time someone stepped up,” he said, “but if you step up so should everyone else who can. I will anyway, and I am into survival.”

“In what way?” Reimas asked.

“Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do, explosives, archery, abseiling, rock climbing, and quite a few other things,” he said. “It’s stupid not to care about the survival of the planet. If you care about your own survival then you’ll care about the world. My friend, if you want me, I’ll guard you with my life and my skills ’til it’s all over. My time was my own. From now on it’s yours, if you can use it.”

Reimas looked him in the eye and shook his hand, but he was reluctant to let someone new in so close. In reality, it would be just one more person to watch. All the same, there were many other ways that such a man could be usefully employed.

“My personal security is already taken care of,” he said, “but we can definitely use you. My people will sign you up.”

Zane’s face glowed with satisfaction. The ambitions Reimas had begun to visualize needed much energy and commitment if they were to be completely realized. He knew how vital it was to get people well fired up, and he found it satisfying to see results so early in the piece. Once the switch had been turned on, he knew he could do it again.

As soon as he turned, he met another pair of eyes. They belonged to an individual called Kyle, who had long braided hair. He was a popular musician, known to just about everyone, and, on his own account, he was a voice for reason. Taking Reimas’s right hand firmly in his own, he said:

“Like you, I’m totally committed to alleviating the world’s distress, and your offer couldn’t come at a better time. I’ll help in any way I can.”

A young woman at Kyle’s side seemed to be waiting for an introduction, and Reimas recognized her as the popular new singer known simply as Arabella. She smiled warmly and introduced herself in the end, despite the fact that very few would not have known her.

“You have a lot to offer,” she said, smiling, “but it’s clear that there’s far more in this gig than you’ve made plain from the outset. I’ll give it a go, and I think you’ll find me helpful in a number of ways.”

“Glad to have you,” he said with a grin. “Sign yourself up and we’ll get you in for a preliminary briefing. It is a full time job though.”

She nodded.

“I know. Nothing matters but this now, until it’s fully resolved. It is my world.”

“You got it.”

Reimas could not help but notice the torrent of energy she effused. Good-looking celebrities were so often prey to the failing of taking the easy way out in everything since so many things were laid out on a platter for them, but Arabella clearly wasn’t the type to give a tinker’s toss about what was laid on a platter for her if it was not her thing.

Then there was Zoe, a small, dark-haired girl with a deceptively sweet and innocent face, who looked as if she was barely sixteen but was actually twenty-seven.

“Glad to meet you,” he said when she stood still in front of him.

“You took the words right out of my mouth,” she replied,” but that doesn’t matter because I just wanted to tell you I’m happy to help, full time.”

“What do you do?”

“I protect the defenceless.”

She was barely five foot one and someone nearby hid the impulse to laugh with a cough.

“Good on you,” Reimas replied, and went on to ask, “How do you do that?”

She was calm and clearly took no offence.

“With good strategic planning,” she replied, “but I’m also highly proficient in karate. I think you’ll find my insights into strategy more important though.”

“We have to be careful how soon we feed people into roles like that, but we certainly won’t discourage development in the area you’ve chosen.

“You see things clearly,” she said as he began to turn away, “yet despite the enormity of this challenge your passion to change things remains undiminished. You have vision and courage, but from all I’ve heard about visionaries, they’re actually pretty tough people deep down.”

“I’m not denying it,” he replied. “There’s a job to do, and we’ll all have to be single-minded about it if we want to succeed. Tough we need to be, but …”

“…not unfeeling,” she said, finishing his sentence.

“No.”

There was barely a moment to spare a thought for what she had said before Reimas met the eyes of the next person to greet him. She introduced herself as Cameron, and he was delighted by the familiar Celtic lilt of her voice — more pronounced even than his own.

As they spoke, he had the feeling on several occasions that she could see straight past any mask he might have been projecting, but whenever he began to feel overwhelmed by that strange connection she smiled in a reassuring way.

At least a dozen faces followed hers, one after another, before his memory began to blur.