Chapter Eight
Magda sat opposite Cassie and Circe, looking from one to the other. She had to make them understand what needed to happen now. They needed more people. They needed to increase the frequency of the group meditations, and the entire group needed to be involved.
“I think we can get most of them to come,” said Cassie.
“We should just tell them they don’t get to eat unless they come to the meditations,” said Circe.
Cassie guffawed and sat back in her chair, putting her hands on her hips. “That might just work,” she said jokingly.
“I don’t think forcing them into the meditations is going to help,” said Magda, anxiety coiling in her stomach. She felt like she wanted to puke. Having this kind of responsibility had never been something she was good at. She didn’t even feel like she belonged in the same league as Cassie and Circe. These two women were heroes, real leaders; she was just a mind hacker who was good at The Program. Why Michael had chosen her, she still didn’t understand, and no matter how much she loved him, and wanted to be with him, she regretted that she was in this position in the first place.
“You guys, this is serious,” she pleaded.
“Magda, you need to relax,” said Circe as she patted Magdalena’s hand. Magdalena took a deep breath and groaned.
“I can’t freaking relax. The fate of the world rests on my shoulders. It totally sucks. I don’t want this. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“None of us have any idea what we’re doing,” said Cassie. “So, anyway, Michael said we need more people. A critical mass or something. Well, there are a lot more kids in the domes. Rafe and I could go on another extraction mission. That might get us another couple hundred people. And most of the kids inside the domes have experience with The Program. That might help a lot.”
“True,” said Magdalena. “But I don’t think that’s exactly what he meant. While I would love to work with people who actually knew what they were doing, I still think he means a lot more people than that. Like a lot more people. And I have no idea how we will get in touch with that many people and how we will bring that many people into a group meditation all at the same time. It’s driving me crazy.”
“Well, I can contact witches through the fourth dimension. Most of us have access to it. Our power might be helpful in bringing the rest of the group into higher awareness.”
“That could be really helpful. But the majority of the people on Earth, as far as I can tell, were mutated into shifters. We need to contact as much of the population as we can, and that means contacting shifters.”
“I know that there’s some kind of rudimentary internet that some wolf packs use. Rafe told me about it. I’m sure he and Emilia could pick something up so they could get a message to other packs. I don’t know how far it could reach but each pack can contact the next.”
“That doesn’t seem very definite to me,” said Magdalena with a sigh, leaning back in her chair. She crossed her arms over her chest and bit her lip. It was the best idea she’d heard so far, but she still didn’t think it would work.
Circe stood, excusing herself to go find Rafe and Xavier. Magda stared at Cassie with a frown. She would give anything to get the hell away from this situation. For one thing, she didn’t think their plan would work. For another thing, it all just kind of sucked.
She wanted freedom from the Anu as much as anyone. She’d been held prisoner by Pyramid Corp for five years inside the dome, and they’d mutilated and murdered her brother. She simply didn’t want to be the one responsible for saving the world.
“You need to snap out of it, Magda. The girl I met in the dome was capable of helping me free all those kids. Why can’t you believe in yourself now?” Cassie asked.
“The stakes are a lot bigger this time.”
“Not really,” Cassie said. A moment later, Circe came back with Rafe and Xavier. They all sat at the table with Cassie and Magda.
“So I hear we need to tap into the Internet?” Rafe asked, looking from Cassie to Magda.
“Michael has told Magda that we need a lot more people involved in the meditations. Not just the entire group here or any other groups we can bring here. We need a lot more people. As many people as we can possibly contact,” Cassie explained to Rafe. He watched Cassie with an intensity and focus born out of deep respect and their work together in liberating the domes.
“We can reach a few groups. The range is pretty limited. It all depends on who is hooked up to the network. The good news is, they can always transmit the message to networks beyond ours.”
“The dragons can contact other groups who aren’t connected. Usually it’s only wolves who are interested in such technology. The bears and mountain lions tend to be more traditional,” Xavier mused.
“That’s true. The most important thing, from what I understand, is that we coordinate the group’s meditation precisely at the same time. The power of that many minds, amplified by the mountain’s computer system, should bring us several steps further towards our goal,” Circe added.
“It sounds like it could work,” Magda said, shrugging. The rest of the group looked at her—apparently they expected more. She didn’t have anything else to offer.
“All right then,” Rafe said. “I will get together with Emilia and a few other engineers and we will begin to rig a connection to the primitive Internet system. We’ve been studying the mountain’s computers and the technology is far beyond anything we could understand, but Emilia’s got half her workshop already up and running.”
“Good,” said Circe. “And we’ll begin having group meditations every day, with the entire population of the mountain,” she added.
“Everyone? Every day?” Xavier asked. “I don’t know if I can get them to cooperate with that.”
“It’s the only way,” Magda finally said. “We need everyone working on this round the clock. They need to wake up. This ascension is the only way to open their awareness to the fact that the human race has been enslaved for hundreds of thousands of years. If we don’t get the group working, they can’t ascend. If they don’t ascend, they won’t wake the hell up!” Magda shouted.
“Okay, okay, I’ll talk to them. I get it, Magda. Don’t get so worked up,” Xavier said, trying to soothe her.
“I can’t help it. This is the only way we can save the world and get rid of the Anu. The Council won’t help us otherwise, and we can’t beat the Anu without them. Don’t you want them gone?”
“Of course, Mags. We all do. Look, kid. We’re all in this together. I think you need to take a break or something. Go get some sleep. You look like hell,” Rafe said, patting her back.
“I’m fine,” she said, brushing him away and moving toward the door. “Come tell me when the transmission is ready. Tomorrow we start our practice with the whole group.”
Chapter Nine
With Cassie and Circe by her side, Magda sat at the center of the meditation room surrounded by the entire New San Diego group. Even the hybrid babies were in the room, nestled in their mothers’ arms. After what Magda had seen in the trailer back at New San Diego, she knew that the children were developing at an accelerated pace. The mothers had never brought them into the meditation chamber before.
As she sank deeper within, she could feel the magnitude of the energy of the people before her. The collective consciousness of the entire group washed over her like a tidal wave. She sank deeper, Cassie and Circe’s quiet confidence beside her. She could feel something else as well. The influence of the tiny children seemed to be the missing ingredient she had felt they needed before.
The longer they sat, working with the computers, the closer she felt they were to bursting through to the fourth dimension. Lights shot across her vision and she could feel the energy barreling toward her as her consciousness expanded. All three women at the center of the group took a deep breath in unison as the group came to the edge of the boundary.
For a brief moment, she felt them tip over. A hum
sounded within the group as their minds expanded and connected on the other side. Magda’s heart pounded with excitement, feeling she might actually have led them to their ascension. But as soon as the group touched the fourth dimension, it came tumbling back down.
The group’s consciousness retracted and Magda opened her eyes to see the group blinking blankly at her. She sighed. They’d been so close. They’d almost made it. They had made it over the edge, but they needed to be able to stay there for greater lengths of time.
Cassie and Circe looked at each other, pleased. But Magda felt disappointed. She stood and told the group they’d done well and were dismissed for lunch, but she couldn’t help but feel a growing lump in her stomach.
She followed the rest of the group out and met with Cassie and Circe in Emilia’s workshop with Rafe. She sat down and looked around at Emilia’s human computer equipment that interfaced with the alien technology.
“We’ve connected with several wolf packs,” Rafe began. “I’ve explained our goal to them. I have to admit, most of them are deeply suspicious of the plan, but most have agreed.”
“Good,” Magda said. “That’s good. Have you given them our schedule?”
“Yes. They’ve agreed to share the schedule with other groups in their network.”
“Well, that’s a start,” Magda said.
“And we’ve contacted as many witch covens as we can. They are spreading the word as well,” said Circe. “Things are progressing well, Magdalena. We will succeed.”
“I hope so,” she said, giving her friends a fake smile. Things were progressing fast enough. She would have been much happier if the group had stayed in the fourth dimension longer during the meditation.
She got up from her chair and excused herself. She knew everyone was worried about her, but the pressure was really getting to her. She needed to be alone.
Magdalena hurried down the hallway and into the chamber she shared with Michael, hoping to find him there. He usually spent his time in their rooms or patrolling the cavern, interacting with the people. He usually spent this time of day in solitary meditation, but today he was absent.
She searched all the rooms looking for him, but he was nowhere to be found. Sighing deeply, she flopped back on the bed and looked up at the glossy white ceiling made of some kind of metallic looking plastic. She wanted to tell him they’d made progress. Whatever little progress that might have been.
Long moments passed and she sat up from the bed and went into the kitchen area of their shared chamber. She had the food processing machine make her a salad and a bowl of noodles, and she sat at the table to eat. The processed food was always perfect for her taste buds so the experience satisfied her hunger.
After she was done, she put her dishes and utensils in the auto-clean and went to the living room to sit on one of the white couches that furnished the room. Closing her eyes, she sank into the depths of her meditation.
Her consciousness dipped through a tunnel and came out into the white light of the fourth dimension. A haunting feeling overtook her and somehow she knew that Michael was gone and not coming back.
She came out of her meditation with a shocked intake of breath. She didn’t want to believe it could be possible that he would leave her. They would be lost without him, and she had no idea what to do next. Anger and despair flooded her senses. How could he do this?
Springing from her seat, she was determined to find him, though deep down she knew her fourth dimension insights were correct. Magdalena stormed out of her chamber and into the main hallway. For the rest of the day she searched for him. She asked everyone she met if they’d seen him, but no one had.
Cassie told her to go back to her chamber and get some rest, and that Michael would surely turn up soon. Magda didn’t want to rest. She knew he was gone. With nothing left to do, she went back to her chamber and passed out late in the night.
She slept late the next morning and missed meditation practice. She woke to Circe knocking at her door. Magda let her in and the older woman swept into her chamber with an air of superiority that made Magda sick to her stomach. She watched Circe sit down, her long auburn hair glinting in the full-spectrum lights.
“You need to snap out of it and grow up, Magda. If Michael is gone, he’s gone. But we have a mission to accomplish with or without him. I know you love the man, but you must pull yourself together and start thinking of your people. We all have responsibilities and it is time that you live up to yours.”
“I don’t have to do anything, Circe,” Magda bit out. With every moment she was growing angrier “I’m tired of people telling me what do to. I’m tired of all of this.” She started for the door.
“Where are you going?” Circe asked.
“I’m leaving.”
“Magda, you can’t. We need you. I’m sorry if I came off harsh. But…”
“Save it. I’m out of here.” Magda opened the door and marched down the hallway toward the main cavern, where she turned and stormed toward the cavern exit.
She could hear Circe behind her, calling for her to stop and trying to apologize. She didn’t care. She was done with this. She was done with it all. Better to take her chances outside than to stay cooped up in the cave with all this meditation crap all day every day. These people would never learn to control their minds, and she was sick of trying to train them.
Chapter Ten
Hurrying out of the cave, she began to make the trek down the mountain. Wind whipped up the slopes, blasting against her ears. Her eyes watered as the wind assaulted them. She didn’t care. She had to get away from it all.
Michael leaving her alone to figure this all out without him was too much. Her mind rebelled. There was nothing left for her there if he was gone. Magdalena hurried down the mountain trail out of sight from the cave entrance. She heard people calling behind her, but no one gave chase. They couldn’t stop her. Maybe they wanted her to go. She was just getting in the way with her negative attitude and doubts. They’d be better off without her.
As she descended the mountain, she realized she’d left without any food or water and was wearing the thin uniform of gauzy fabric that most of the inhabitants had begun wearing. It was comfortable to sit in meditation for long hours inside the climate-controlled compound, but it did nothing to keep her warm.
She cursed herself for her lack of foresight. Whatever. She needed a break. She’d go back up the mountain before nightfall. For now, she needed to get away from the constant demands of her position in the group and clear her head.
It took her an hour to walk down the mountain to where the trees began to grow again. The early summer warmth had melted most of the snow below the cavern entrance, and as she approached the forest, the air became warmer and more comfortable.
Her lips were parched and her face felt sunburned. There had to be a creek or something nearby where she could get some water to drink. If she didn’t find some water, this whole excursion would end in her being critically dehydrated. No matter. She’d figure it out. She hadn’t been on her own and free from external control in her entire life.
Before the war, she’d been a young teenager with parents and teachers and rules. In the dome, she lived a life of complete regimentation. In New San Diego, she still had to contend with the rules and authority of the compound. She never felt she made her own choices or did things for herself.
Even the momentary sense of freedom was liberating. A thrill ran through her and a smile broke over her chapped lips. She didn’t care that she was thirsty as hell. She was free for once in her life. It felt fantastic.
Flocks of small birds sang in the forest, and squirrels chattered overhead as they munched on pine nuts. She found a cone and tried to pull the nut out of it. Taking the little white seed, she popped it in her mouth. It tasted good but made her even thirstier.
Magdalena continued on, keeping her senses open for the sound of running water as she munched on pine nuts. Her mind began to relax as she walked, feeling the subtle
tranquility of nature all around her. She broke through a clearing and found herself on the bank of a small stream. Completely relieved, she sank to her knees and cupped her hands under the water. After drinking her fill, she stood and found a place to cross the stream. Walking aimlessly, she continued through the forest.
A while later, she came to the edge of a road and began to walk down it. After about a mile, she ended up at the edge of a small village that consisted of a gas station and a few other buildings. She went into the gas station through a broken window and looked around. Even way out here, the place had been completely looted long ago. She shrugged. People needed to eat.
Maybe it was time to go back to the compound. The sun was tipping toward late afternoon, and she felt better than she had in a long time. Stepping out through the broken window, Magdalena heard the sound of tires screeching to a halt. Fear jumped up her throat when she saw what had made the sound.
Pyramid Corp soldiers jumped out of a jeep and hurried toward her, heavily armored and holding guns. Magda screamed, but there was no one to hear her cry. The men grabbed her and forced her into the back of the jeep.
“Let me go,” she screamed.
“You’re a human, escaped from the dome. You’re coming with us. We have strict orders to get back all the kids who’ve been stolen. We’ve tracked a whole lot of you up here,” said one of the soldiers.
“You tracked us?”
“You kids all have genetic signatures that can be tracked. The attacks on the domes set us back, but we’ve been reequipped and we’re getting our property back.”
“Property?” she asked as the jeep lumbered down the road. “We aren’t anyone’s property.”
“Oh, yes, you are. You’re property of Pyramid Corporation and the Anu. Don’t forget it. You owe us your life, kid. Now shut up and tell us how to get the rest of the kids and this might be easier for you.”
“No.”
He slapped her and another soldier got out something that looked like a Taser on steroids. Electricity sparked between the two prongs the guy pointed at her face.