"Mission" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tilley Patrick)

'So does that mean that part ofus goes on?' I said. 'That reincarnation is possible?'
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'It's more than possible,' he replied. 'It's a necessity.'
'To provide continuing protection for the Am-folk that are trapped here...'
He nodded. 'Yes.'
'So, in fact,' I concluded. 'We are the aliens. The extra-terrestrials.'
'Yes. Except, as I've explained, the individual psyche is now composed of elements drawn from several of the Am-folk. It's one of these things that is complicated to explain but it has something to do with planetary configuration at the time of birth, plus a host of other factors. That goes for Miriam, and everybody else too.'
'Are any of the bad guys mixed up in there too?'
He shook his head. 'No. They work in a different way. They get to your brain through your body. It's the easiest way to keep control. The way we manifest ourselves is through the intellect, imagination, instinct and the positive emotions. By that, I mean love, compassion; not desire and the urge to screw.' -
I mulled over this new disclosure. 'What you've said could explain a lot of things. My star sign is Gemini. Now I have a plausible explanation for my 1atent schizophrenia. Would I be correct in thinking that these twelve Celestial sleepers are tied in with the signs of the Zodiac and the whole astrology hit?'
'They're tied in with everything, Leo. There isn't time to go into all of it now. Just believe me when I tell you that it all hangs together. If I seemed callous when I said that you were expendable, you must understand that I was talking about my feelings on the approach phase of thus mission. From the Empire's standpoint - the overview, if you like - your bodies were, and are, just vehicles. Mobile homes. The only thing we are interested in is the drivers. It was only ~n my own journey through the world that I began to realise the depth and strength of the bond that had been forged between the Am-folk and their host-bodies, and the pressures that 'Brax had brought to bear on both of them. It was pretty discouraging to discover that most of them had accepted their fate. They'd had enough. They didn't want to be liberated. As Iiir as they were comicerned, someone else could fight the war. For them it was over.' He smiled. 'In the same way that you wish it was over. You resent roe disturbing your cosy routine.'
'That's not fair,' I protested. 'I never said that.'
'True,' he said. 'But do you deny it?'
I shrugged petulantly. 'If you're reading my mind, you must also
know I'm trying hard to come to terms with what you're telling me. At the moment, I'm not quite sure how it relates to the big wide world out there.'
The Man smiled again. 'Do you want to know something, Leo? Clever people, like you, are always the last to understand. The Truth is incredibly simple; but it's not easy to find The Way. You must first get rid of all the ga'rbage that has collected inside your head. You have to create a clear path that leads to understanding. It takes time and a great deal of effort. The bad guys are constantly laying down smoke screens. Creating diversions. Feeding you false information. They will do anything to stop The Truth getting out. It takes a brave man to stand up against them. They have immense power, and many ways to break you. They can sap your will, corrupt you, ridicule you and, if all else fails, they can destroy you.'
It sounded as if I might do better to put my money on the other team. 'Can't you do anything to stop them?' I asked.
'We've got the power,' he replied. It's right here in the air, the earth, the sea, rocks, trees and every other living thing. Our big problem is persuading people like you to use it.'
5()
Chapter 4

Miriam arrived about half an hour behind schedule in a borrowed Pontiac station wagOn. She got out from behind the wheel looking nervous and excited. 'Is he still here?'
'Yes, relax,' I said. 'I have a feeling he's planning to make a night of it.' By this time I'd become adjusted to the idea of spending the weekend with Jesus. The trouble would come when he decided to apply for a Grcen Card. I put my arm around her shoulder. 'Come on in and say "hello".
'Hold on,' she said. 'I've got some stuff in the car.' She opened up the tail-gate. The rear of the Pontiac was packed to the roofwith food.
"I'his must be the first time anybody's robbed a supermarket and taken the store instead of the money,' I said.
A\liniam gathered up two bulging check-out bags. 'Save the jokes. Just help me get it inside.'
Actually, I'm exaggerating a little. There wasn't all that much. Just enough to feed a football team for a week.
She caught me rolling my eyes. 'Listen, you told me you'd asked him to stay on here. Most of it can go in the freezer.'
We ferried the food through the back door into the kitchen. ~I'he last item was a case of red wine. 'Now that really is something we don't need,' I said, as we dumped it on the counter. I told her about the magic bottle in the living-room.
'I .eo,' she said primly, 'that isn't very funn.'
'Miriam,' I replied. it's true. I swear it. Honest to God.' I reached for one of the hot tIes she'd brought. ~\%rIiit is it, l~rench?'
'No. Californian.'
I pulled out the bottle and checked the label. 'Ifyou're the soul ol
sensitivity should you really be serving him this brand?'
She began to put things away busily. 'It wa~ marked down. Listen, you can tell him abou.t.Chavez and the grape-pickers later.'
We packed the ice-box and the freezer and crammed the rest into the cupboards then she freshened up her face with cold water from the sink tap and r~n a comb nervously through her hair. I watched with amusement as she tucked her blouse neatly into her skirt and adjusted the sleeves of her jacket.
'Would you like me to go upstairs and put on a tie?' I asked.
'Don't be such a smart ass,' she hissed. 'Go and see if he's still there.'
I edged towards the door, glanced over my shoulder into the living-room then signalled his presence with a grave nod. She moistened her lips, swallowed hard, picked up her black bag and allowed me to usher her into the living room.
The Man looked over his shoulder as we came in then rose to face us with a smile. 'Hello, Miriam,' he said.
I didn't bother to introduce him. They shook hands. Miriam didn't let go. She looked as if she'd fallen under a spell. And despite my confused, self-centered response to the situation, I knew how she felt. To come face-to-face with The Man with the full knowledge of who you were looking at was a unique, and overwhelming experience, despite the lurking premonition that we might later pay dearly for the privilege.
When Miriam finally found her voice, the tone was blandly professional but I knew from experience that she was hiding her emotions behind her matter-of fact medical persona. I)eep down, she was a wide-eyed New Jersey kid whose own heart was pounding too loud for her to be able to hear anything through her stethoscope. 'That's a good resetting job somebody did on your nose. No sutures, or post-op bruising.'
Listen, you have to start somewhere. If that makes you smile, put yourself in her place. After you'd got up off your knees what would you use for openers?
'I heal fast,' he said.
'Good,' said Miriam, swallowing hard. 'Is it, uhh - okay ifl check Volt out?'
'Yes, sure, whatever you want.' Just like that.
Miriam t brew me a nervous glance. I gave what I hoped was a discreet, reassuring nod. It didn't help to know that he was probably
monitoring all this inner turmoil and quietly laughing up his wide, pale brown, woollen sleeve.
Miriam extended a hand and ushered The Man towards the stairs. I followed them up to the master bedroom and peeked round the door. 'Is it okay if I watch?'
'Sure,' he said. 'Come in.'