Father Once Glimpsed

By Thomas Davis

A warrior Session just made it to the sleepmat before his body began to respond, and her pheromones paralyzed his mind and excited every nerve in his body. He felt the sting then and knew he'd lost all capacity to resist.
Female Sessions for generations had sounded the call to battle and Merrick, like all males before him, responded with single-minded rage and speed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Davis
• Release date: Sep 18, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452396415

Thomas Davis

Thomas W. Davis has a great love for science fiction of all kinds and has a BA in Biology and BS in Software Engineering. Possibilities abound in this world and the next. What changes might we see and how will we use them to make our world a better place. That is really the question that peaks his interest in all that is in this world and the next. If you believe we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg here, then our story will continue unabated in life everlasting in the next world. He has written two novels and three short stories with much more to follow in the near future. Check back often and let us know what you love and hate about the characters we develop. Where do you think our world is headed? Discover other titles coming soon by Thomas W Davis at Smashwords.com: Serpent Wars (Sequel to Father Once Glimpsed) GeneDoub Lifeform The Internet Flash in the Pan Godless Plague OrganPlnt Tabatha Check us out at Facebook, Twitter, and our promotional website at http://www.webnarc.com for the latest news and projects on the near horizon. Email us at : [e-mail] with ideas and science interests you would like to share.

Book preview

Father Once Glimpsed/T. W. Davis/Page 153

Father Once Glimpsed

by Thomas W Davis at Smashwords

Copyright 2010

Discover other titles by Thomas W Davis at Smashwords.com:

Sarrek's Revenge

GeneDouble

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Tani

Chapter 2 - Haskins

Chapter 3 - SAI - Session Artificial Intelligence

Chapter 4 - Haskins Search

Chapter 5 - BR Morgan and Draco

Chapter 6 - SAI Meets HC

Chapter 7 - The Awakening

Chapter 8 - The Contract

Chapter 9 - Merricks' Trek to Pilgrimage

Chapter 10 - Tanis' Search for Truth

Chapter 11 - Pilgrimage

Chapter 12 - Starnet

Chapter 13 - Utopia Revealed

Chapter 14 - Another World/Oreon

Chapter 15 - SAI Sentient Debate

Chapter 16 - The Mission

Chapter 17 - The Miracle

Chapter 18 - Assasination

Chapter 19 - Dereks' Quest

Chapter 20 - The Lure

Chapter 21 - War and Oreon

Chapter 22 - Armageddon

Chapter 23 - Selak

Chapter 24 - Escape

Chapter 25 - Anarchy

Chapter 26 - Blissful Death?

Introduction

Session emotions are controlled by pheremones. They have enjoyed a two thousand year history of improving peace, but are suddenly thrown into the turmoil of war.

A warrior Session just made it to the sleepmat before his body began to respond, and her pheromones paralyzed his mind and excited every nerve in his body. He felt the sting then and knew he'd lost all capacity to resist.

Female Sessions for generations had sounded the call to battle and Merrick, like all males before him, responded with single-minded rage and speed. Small chemical reactions in his brain stimulated similar responses in his muscles and he became a killing machine that would know no limits.

Chapter 1 Tani

Tani stepped out from the underground burrows and breathed a sigh of deep satisfaction. The simulated monitors made the metallic walls easier to take, but it was nothing like the fresh air above. His nose picked up the heavy floral scent of wildflowers rustling in the breeze, a bright carpet of purple assaulted his eyes scattered amongst the sparse trees in this area of the country.

The trees were large standing well over a hundred feet tall and sometimes thirty feet in diameter. He could see clearly between them, his vision only obscured when he raised his eyes heavenward. The tree canopy overhead was dense, but it still allowed sunlight through to nourish the plants below.

As he started forward down the path to the lake, he stopped at the frantic buzzing sound and bent to look at his feet. He’d stepped on one of his favorite creatures. The dance bug was tiny, about the size of the first digit of his thumb. He picked it up, knowing that it could sting, but concerned for its welfare. It was intact, but stunned.

As he watched it began to revive. It staggered to its six feet and he caught a whiff of its defensive pheremones. It was an acrid smell, almost enough to cause him to drop the poor beast. He laughed wonderingly.

A split second before it happened, he knew the little beast was going to sting. It was not life threatening, at least not to him. But, he didn’t relish a swollen hand. Too late, he put it down and watched for a little while, until he was sure it would be able to fly. His hand began to ache immediately and he held his wrist in an attempt to alleviate the pain.

Some of the scientists argued that the Session people were closer along the genetic tree to the dancebugs than to the monkeys many of the experts traced them to. The dancebugs communicated via pheremones and the intricate dances that they performed. Some scientists likened the mating dance of the Session female to that of the dancebug.

Tani wondered what the mating dance ritual was really like. No adult Sessions would talk about it. He knew the dancebug queen performed a dance that lured the male to her side and once finished, she would sting him to death and his body would become food for the young ones. He didn’t relish a fate like that. But not knowing about the female Session anatomy fascinated him.

He began to feel alarm as he glanced down at his hand. The swelling was creeping up his forearm. He’d never been stung before. Had never given it any thought.

When the swelling began to engulf the area of his neck, he started to run toward the lake. Looking around for anyone that could help him. He felt the presence of the boys before he could hear or see them.

He stopped for a few seconds to watch as two boys took turns grabbing at a rope tied to one of the larger Great trees by the lakeside. He couldn’t yell, so he ran toward them helplessly. His breathing was being threatened, now. He could felt a great weight on his chest and his breathing rasped as he tried to get air into swollen tissues.

The younger of the boys saw him first and yelled to his brother. He went to his pack instinctively. He seemed to know what the hands around Tani’s neck meant. He ran to the collapsed Tani while ripping the packing from around the device in his hand. He plunged it deep into Tani’s shoulder and waited expectantly.

Tani blacked out and his face turned blue. The boys worked on his chest, pumping it rythmically and then breathing into his mouth. It went on for what seemed a long time. For twenty minutes they took turns, trying to revive him. Still he remained unconscious.

Mical, the oldest of the boys began to cry. Go for help, he yelled angrily at his brother Sideon.

Sideon had seen the tears and reacted emotionally. He too began to cry. But, he left to get help. His brother was depending on him.

Mical continued to pound Tani’s chest and breath forcefully into his mouth. His crying was uncontrollable, now. This boy couldn’t die on him! He would not accept it. He was too young to have such responsibility thrust on his shoulders.

He thought of his own brother Sideon. This was probably someone’s brother like him. He would not be the one to say he couldn’t revive him. That he had died. It could not be! Father help me! He prayed. The rope was knotted in several places to provide purchase for feet and hands. As one boy ran and jumped on, the other pushed him high out over the lake.

He couldn't resist and moved closer to watch. The boys were laughing and screaming, as both grabbed the rope and sailed out over the lake. As the swinging rope slowly came back, they noticed him standing there, and jumped off. Mical, the older of the two, came over first, closely followed by his younger brother, Sideon.

Mical studied Tani closely. First their eyes locked. Tani's a quiet blue set off by dark eyebrows and a mouth now set in a disarming smile. Tani was tall, well-muscled, but his stance was non-threatening.

He held a roughened hand up, palm flat in the customary Session greeting, My name's Tani, he said, with a smile and laugh for his new friend.

Mical smacked his hand, palm flat and gestured to his brother. My brother, Sideon. I'm Mical. He grinned.

Sideon rushed forward to offer the same greeting. Fully a head shorter than Tani, his blocky frame powerful in its compactness. He gestured for Tani to join them on the rope swing. Holding it out, he demonstrated the placement of feet and hands to gain leverage for the swing and motioned for Tani to jump on.

Grab the rope here and when you jump on push your feet out toward the lake. Pull back on the rope with your arms. You'll swing out farther. He assured him.

Tani took the rope and walked to the edge of the cliff that overlooked the lake. He noted the rocks directly below, twenty feet or so, but enough to start his heart pounding. The water was at least ten feet out if he should fall.

He tested his weight on the rope and glanced up. It was secure. Glancing at Mical and Sideon, he could see that his mettle was being tested. His newly found friendship was dependent on his next move.

His heart pounding, he ran toward Mical until he came to the end of the rope. Then he leaped on throwing his weight away from the lake. As gravity pulled him back he threw his feet out and pulled back on the rope, forcing all of his weight and mass to the bottom of the rope.

IEEE...! He screamed as he approached the cliff edge. Out and over it he shot, his head thrown back. He saw the branch of the tree shift as his weight pulled toward the lake. A slow motion bending of the branch downward. He glanced at the rocks below, then he was out over the water, the branch continuing to bend.

He reached the peak of his arc over the lake and again glanced at the branch. Time seemed to stop and for moment he felt his forward motion stop. He was over water. He could swim for it if the branch broke.

But, the branch held and he was jerked back toward the cliff edge. Exhilaration coursed through his body. The fear receding as he approached the bank of the cliff.

Mical and Sideon laughed and patted his back as he reached them. Mical jumped on and threw his weight back as the rope reached the zenith of its arc. They both threw their weight to their feet to force their swing farther out over the lake.

As they reached their greatest span over the lake, Tani again watched the branch bend and wondered, dramatically if it would hold. It did, and snapped them back to the cliff edge.

This time Tani got off, relieved and thrilled at the same time. Sideon jumped on and they waved and screamed as they headed out again.

When they returned they came running over to him excitedly. Let's swing out and jump to the water, Sideon challenged. It's only twenty feet or so down, he chided when Tani shook his head no.

Are you afraid of a few stories of kids drowning here?

Careful would be a better way of putting it. Tani spoke seriously. There has been a spat of possible drownings, but no bodies have been found. No one knows for sure that they drowned.

I heard a whole family disappeared. They were out swimming and then they were just suddenly gone! Sideon added dramatically. I think it was the Chasion family.

It was only the two kids. Mical corrected him. They thought maybe one tried to save the other one or they waded out too far and couldn't get back.

But, they still don't know for sure. Some say its a monster in the lake taking its fill of Session babies and children. There have been sightings! Sideon added excitedly.

Okay, Sideon, calm down. Those are only tales from the grand mamas to keep us out of the lake. Come on let's go.

Wait a minute! Have you checked the water below the tree? Tani screamed after them. Is it shallow or deep? There could be rocks or tree stumps just under the surface! Listen to me!

They both turned to look at him, feigned irritation in the faces. Then they took off running to the cliff edge. Holding hands as they reached the edge they jumped. He could hear the screams as they disappeared over the edge. He prayed to the Father that they would reach the water. It didn't look like they had jumped out far enough.

Tani ran to the edge and looked down, expecting to see two bodies on the rocks below. They weren't there. But, then he heard the laughter, as he searched directly below him for the source. They were standing just below him, holding the ropes they had used to repel down the cliffside. How they had managed to grab them on the way over the edge he couldn't fathom, but his anger at them was real and instantaneous.

Let's go, Tani stated simply. He repelled down the ropes they had used to go over the cliff edge. As he reached the water's edge he could see the rocks below the surface of the water. Tani swam out with Sideon and Mical following hesitantly. They really did believe the stories about the creature in the lake devouring Sessions..

Thirty feet out they could still stand with their heads above water. Tani dove under. The water was murky but he could see a maze of boulders dotting the muddy bottom. It's not safe for diving he decided, but the tangle of rocks and boulders would make this an interesting place to swim.

He stood for a moment taking another deep breath and cleared the water from his eyes and nose. He looked around for Mical and Sideon. No sign of them. No ripples in the water to give away their location.

Putting his face to the water he looked around in all directions. Again. No sign of them.

Coming up for air, he heard Mical calling to him excitedly.

Tani, over here. Quick! Mical yelled. He saw Sideon dive and Mical quickly followed. They had been a good fifty feet farther out and treading water.

They sounded excited, not panicked, but he swam quickly anyway, his eyes locked on the spot where Mical had gone under.

He got there just as they surfaced again, breathing heavily. Look! Down there, Mical gasped. You've got to see this Taking several deep breaths he dove again.

Tani and Sideon followed. As they dove deeper, the water turned darker and he could just see Mical's feet kicking in front of him. Then suddenly they touched bottom.

And, he could see. He could see Mical and Sideon floating in front of him, gesturing all around and pointing. The light seemed to come from nowhere, yet it bathed the lake bottom as far as they could see in all directions.

Tani swam forward trying to determine its source. The water was still murky. He could only see a few feet in front of him, but it did seem to be brighter in this direction.

He got another few feet before his lungs demanded more air and he launched for the surface. His fingers met a rocky wall, and he suddenly realized he was trapped with little air.

Panic hit him, and he felt the strength flow to his arms and legs. He struggled mindlessly toward the light, his will for self-preservation associating the light with air.

He drove himself and pushed himself, praying for air. Praying to reach the light. His lungs wanting to burst, wanting to take that breath to relieve his agony. He knew he couldn't breathe, he could only fight it back.

Father, help me. he called. Give me strength to make it. I can't let my dad down! Father give me strength, he prayed over and over as he struggled.

When he felt it was all he could do and he was lost, he resigned himself to his fate. As he began to lose consciousness he felt the hands pulling him up. They grabbed both his shoulders, and he could almost see them out of the corners of his eyes. They were dressed in white flowing robes, yet they were swimming with him in the water. He was being propelled somewhere. To heaven then, if I must go now, Father. He blacked out.

******

Mical and Sideon reached the surface, their lungs gasping for air. It was a few seconds before they realized Tani wasn't with them. They looked at each other, sudden dread in their faces.

Each taking a deep breath, they dove for the bottom. For minutes they searched, but could find no light. They dove again, desperation in the hearts, knowledge in their minds. They couldn't find him. They couldn't find the light.

We've got to get help, Mical screamed. Come on, Sideon.

It took only moments to summon emergency rescue teams to the scene. Mical and Sideon flew in with them to point out the target area. Buoys were dropped from the floaters and divers hit the water to begin the search.

Mical watched as floaters crisscrossed the lake in ever widening search patterns. It was taking too long, they should have found him by now. Underwater sensors were able to map the lake bottom in minutes and enhanced scanners could peel through layers of murky water layer by layer to find the body.

Somehow, he felt responsible. There should have been something he could have done . He had been the one to call Tani out to see the light phenomenon. What about the light? The rescue teams dismissed it as an underwater craft or an active imagination he supposed.

He shot a glance at his brother who was glued to the viewscreen Sideon didn't seem concerned in the same way. It was almost as if it was just another adventure to him. The reality of someone dying hadn't hit him ,yet.

Could this have happened to his brother? No, he and his brother looked out for each other. He had never lost sight of Sideon during the entire dive.

Thinking back, he replayed the scene just before he and his brother had decided to go up for air. He could see Tani in front of him and had glanced at Sideon to signal the move to go up . When he had turned back Tani was gone and he had assumed he'd gone up for air.

That was the problem. He had assumed and that could have been the moment Tani had run into trouble. He kicked himself mentally. Tani was his responsibility, as well, he felt. He found himself sobbing uncontrollably with the guilt of the sudden revelation.

Mical! It was his brother calling, crying to him. What's wrong? He'd never seen his older brother break down in public It's my fault. It's my....fault! He screamed.

He hit the wall trying to gain control to make something hurt more than the pain, the guilt in his heart. Sideon grabbed him his arms encircling his brothers' to prevent another attack on the wall. He was crying, too, but he cried because of his brothers pain.

It's not your fault anymore than its mine! He asserted. He was a strong swimmer. Maybe he got caught on something or something fell on him, or he got overconfident and couldn't make it up before.

No! Mical broke Sideon's grip. I'm the oldest. I called him out. I lost him in the water. I was his partner!

Suddenly, it hit Sideon, too. The Session Credo. Never lose sight of your partner. Never dive alone. He had not applied it to an outsider, but he could understand his brothers dilemma.

It was an accident. Sideon said weakly. Tears came to his eyes.

Mical stared hard at him. Yes, it was an accident. He had gained his composure back. He reached for Sideon hugging him close. They were close brothers. He couldn't imagine what he would have done if this had been his brother. He knew he wouldn't have been able to come back empty handed. He would probably have died trying to find him.

Again, he felt the terrible guilt. The fact was Tani had not been his brother, and he had handled it differently. He didn't know if he would ever be able to reconcile himself to the fact, that he had truly done all he could have. We were responsible for him, too. Mical said simply.

Chapter 2 Haskins

Investigator Haskins stared at his screen. Another emergency bulletin, a missing child report, possibly a drowning, no evidence of a body. He stared at the boys face, committing his features and vital statistics to memory.

Sixteen, He muttered. Nope, seventeen, jet black hair, strong, intelligent. So what's happened to you, son? He wondered.

Name, Tani Youngsen. Location, Fullbar Station. Vidlink Youngsen 45785601230.

He grabbed his portabrief and left a message that he was out on assignment. A burrough this size only warranted one investigator, but he could access planet wide resources when he needed them.

His floater took him to Fullbar just as dusk was hitting the landscape. He punched the vidlink code as he arrived to set up a meeting with Youngsen 45785601230. An older face filled the screen. Yes? said the older Youngsen. Curiosity about Haskins uniform an obvious concern to him.

Sr. Youngsen, I'm investigator Haskins of the Session Military Police...

Military Police?

Yes.

Why? I mean what do you want?

Sr. Youngsen, don't be alarmed. I simply want to ask a few questions.

Youngsen looked distraught, his composure breaking, his attitude clearly indicating he'd heard enough questions for one day.

Sr., I know you're concerned about your son...

That's stating the obvious.

I'd like to help you find him. I offer my resources to help locate him.

Youngsen was glaring at him, trying to fend him off with his eyes. It was hopeless, he realized. Okay, he finally nodded, throwing up his arms in a helpless gesture.

Come in, he continued, releasing the door.

Haskins took in the room with a glance. Modest furnishings of a typical living area, but the wall paintings caught his eyes. They were covered with canvas paintings very much like art galleries of old.

He checked them closer. They were obviously new, but they had life in them that seemed to grip your soul. Simple scenes of the outdoor life and activities , but always with a figure in them, overlooking the scene, or in the background.

As he went from painting to painting, he found one city scene, a mass of people congregated outside a religious church. A group of priests at the entrance in black robes overlooking the crowd and obviously addressing them. His eyes panned the scene going from face to face.

It took him a moment, but he found the figure overlooking the scene. This time the figure was painted in at one of the high windows in the central spire of the church. The angelic face seemed to take in the whole crowd. No matter what angle you viewed the picture you were drawn to it. Drawn to a face that seemed to give life to an otherwise ordinary scene.

My son paints them. Youngsen said quietly. I see he's hooked you as well.

They're beautiful, Haskins muttered. They almost have a life of their own. I can almost see each scene unfolding, not just a captured instant in time,, but the essence of what took place.

Yes, life the way it should be, Youngsen said sadly.

Can I see his room? Haskins asked gently.

Sure, Youngsen shrugged. It's a mess , but he's a very creative boy. He has lots of hobbies. Youngsen refused to believe his son was dead. He refused to speak in the past tense.

The room was cluttered with ongoing projects, a painting in progress, a book open on the bed,, a well used vidisc library and the usual clutter of clothing seemingly thrown on the floor.

The wall scene showed the beautiful country outside from a ten foot high perspective, slowly panning a 360 degree point of view. Fullbar Station was a beautiful place to live, he mused.

Haskins started to leave, but his eyes were drawn to the partially finished canvas. He stared in disbelief.

You said your son was creative. Has he always painted from life experience? From real life experience? He turned urgently to Youngsen.

Sometimes, he seems to, Youngsen agreed.

The church, the temple. Was he there? Was he there at the window looking out at all those people?

He was there, Youngsen said thoughtfully.

Haskins gripped the canvas in both hands. Youngsen stared over his shoulder. It was an under water scene. a lonely figure swimming toward a diffuse light that bathed the underwater scene.

It's not possible, Haskins muttered. But, maybe it is a clue. The scanners didn't pick him up. It's worth a shot.

What? Youngsen demanded.

He may have found a cave! Haskins shouted on his way out.

I'm coming with you! Youngsen shouted excitedly. He said a silent prayer for his son, as he entered the floater. Hoping against all odds that everything would be all right.

Floaters still criss-crossed the lake as they arrived, but Haskins had an open line to the leader, and nothing had been found.

Try some more soundings in the area where the boys went down. Look for a cave entrance or potential hollow.

There are no known caves...

"Have you found