Downward Spiral

By Natalie Buske Thomas

Can Serena Wilcox, former private detective and happily married mother of three, reverse the horrifying downward spiral of humanity? Imagine a world without war, without poverty, and without pain. Imagine a world with no mortality, no morality, and no miracles. This is the future, where everyone is the same and independent thinking is eradicated. World leaders and other powerful people want a perfect world at any cost. But is the cost too high?

Downward Spiral (book 7 in the Serena Wilcox Mysteries) takes off where Project Willow ended. More information about the Serena Wilcox Mysteries:
The Serena Wilcox Mysteries began with three novellas published from 1998-2000 that developed a cult following (Gene Play, Virtual Memories, Camp Conviction). The Serena stories evolved into a popular series of fast-paced full length thrillers beginning with book one, Angels Mark. The series has a total of 12 books, plus a spin-off series called "10 Chapters".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Natalie Buske Thomas
• Release date: Apr 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311504401

Natalie Buske Thomas

Natalie Buske Thomas is the author of the Serena Wilcox Mysteries, the Dramatic Mom comic stories, Savannah's Inky Imagination and the Thriving in a Hateful World series. She is also an oil painter and entertainer. Her paintings have been in exhibits, galleries and on tour. Please view her website to see her list of titles, pictures of her paintings, life stuff on her blog, and more!

Book preview

Preface

Serena Wilcox is an investigator for GSI, the Göbel Solutions Institute, where time travel technology is now possible. During Project Willow, Serena exposed malefactors whose pursuit of ideal humanity had led to a one-gendered, one-race population of men ages eighteen through forty in perfect health. Through genetic modification, passionate emotional responses had been eliminated. The crime rate is now statistically zero. World peace has been established. But these genetically modified people are not fully human, and even though Abaddon has been defeated, another power-hungry villain immediately took his place. Serena’s work for Project Willow has only just begun. The fate of humanity is in the hands of Serena Wilcox, former private detective, time traveler, and mother of three.

Chapter 1

Serena Wilcox was standing once again in front of Willow, the apparent leader of his community of genetically modified humans. Willow would refute this characterization if asked. He refused to claim the title of President, Director, Chancellor, or even Community Leader, as he insisted that his people had no need for government. Nonetheless, in his self-governing society Willow had emerged as a leader. Serena spoke only to him. And to do so she utilized time travel technology to meet him on his pod—a space station that operated as a tiny planet for thousands of people. Actually, Serena was only guessing at the number of people that the pod hosted. Willow had not been forthcoming with information and her attempts to ask questions were met with a refusal to speak with her.

Willow said, I have told you before. I will not answer more questions than necessary for the specific mission at hand. Your knowledge of the future must be restricted to stay within the perimeters that…

Serena cut him off. Yes, I know, I know. But what I was saying is that I have failed. Our work for Project Willow didn’t reverse the genetic modification program. All I did is get some baddies out of the way to make room for more nefarious plots to unfold. I don’t know what more you think I can do.

Willow blinked. You do not recall that I warned you of this? You are up against a movement, an ideology. You will not reverse the program with one swing. You must stay in the game that you are playing. You cannot choose not to play. You can only choose to win or lose.

Serena laughed. It’s that easy then? I can simply choose to win?

Willow tilted his head and blinked his eyes twice. His mechanical movements were a tell. Serena knew that he was thinking, like a computer runs through data. He said, You can manifest the desired outcome, yes.

I hope that you’re right, but I have to say, I’m not feeling optimistic.

Willow said, Is optimism not the foundation of faith?

Serena said, You’re singing a new tune. Have you had a change of heart about religion?

Faith is not to be muddled with religion. Religion is political. Faith is a spiritual state of being.

Serena studied him. I thought that you couldn’t experience religion. You said that your people were genetically modified to be incapable of the passion that you claim is required for people to have faith.

Willow said, No, you misunderstood. We do not experience extreme emotional highs and lows that are required for people to be religious. We are not susceptible to blindly following any tenants. We examine all matters from a logical viewpoint.

Serena said, I’ve never heard an atheist say that faith is logical.

You are confusing an atheist with an agnostic. An agnostic is open to the concept that a higher power may or may not exist. An atheist is absolute. Willow rested his right arm on top of his right arm, making him look like a genie on the brink of granting her wishes.

Willow’s oddly discordant posture distracted Serena from his lecture. She said, Are you saying that you are agnostic?

Willow maintained his genie position and added to this posture. He extended his chin like a chicken suspended in mid bob. The concept of faith can be tested by scientific means. I can logically formulate a hypothesis based upon world events and the divine order of the universe.

Serena ignored Willow’s cringe-worthy awkwardness. You didn’t answer my question. Are you saying that you might actually believe in God? Could you definitively answer that question for the entire world to know?

Willow said, If you need the answer, you do not have faith.

Serena studied the genie-chicken genetically-modified human in front of her. You aren’t going to answer me are you?

Willow said, No.

Serena gave up. Did any good come out of Project Willow? Can you at least tell me that?

You made progress, yes.

Serena said, Going forward, what do I do now?

Continue with your investigation.

Serena mimicked Willow’s genie-chicken posture. That’s helpful, thanks.

Willow dropped his arms and relaxed his neck. I have informed you that I can detect the mechanism of sarcasm and yet you continue to use it.

Serena said, Sarcasm isn’t a trick or a puzzle for you to figure out. I’m expressing frustration. I know that you don’t experience frustration, but I do.

Willow tapped her on the shoulder. You want me to give you the answers when you can discover them for yourself. If either of us should experience frustration, it is I.

Serena covered Willow’s hand to stop him from tapping further. He had been tapping continuously and her shoulder was starting to hurt. Hmm. So, why did you want me to come here?

Willow dropped his hand. You need answers to questions that you have not thought to ask.

Serena said, And will you give me those answers? I highly doubt it.

Willow ignored her question. I cannot give you the answers but I can give you the questions. You must ask yourself why any government, corporation, or person would benefit from a society that does not practice religion. You must ask yourself how the absence of religion fits into the ideology you are up against. You are a detective. You must find the motive and then you will find the culprit.

Serena said, You said that there is more than one culprit, and I’ve already come across multiple parties that want the research to move forward. And they’re still not satisfied! It’s not enough for them to have perfect bodies and perfect lives but now they want to live forever, too!

Willow resumed his genie pose and then caught himself. He relaxed his posture. Behind the masses is one culprit—Evil.

Serena laughed. I’m up against evil itself? I’m going to need backup.

Willow said, You should not make light of serious situations.

Serena said, Why not? Humor makes no difference to the outcome one way or another. Laughter lightens the journey.

Willow said, I do not laugh.

Serena paced. Her feet were sore from standing in one place for too long. Of course you don’t. And you aren’t much help either. Are you saying that I should look into religious connections to the entities backing the genetics program? Do you mean extremists, like terrorists? Or do you mean mainstream religions that basically follow the law and give food to the poor? Are these organizations sponsoring the program? Oh, that’s it, isn’t it? Religious groups are funding the research!

Willow tilted his head and blinked. You are not asking the right questions.

Serena said, It’s the other way around then? Religious groups don’t want the research. Why did I think they’d be on the side of wanting it, that doesn’t make sense, given that the program will eventually squash religion?

Willow shook his head. No. You were correct the first time. You must question the funding.

Serena said, Then where did I go wrong?

Willow started to say something and then reconsidered. After a pause he said, You are questioning the difference between extremists and mainstream religious groups.

Serena stopped pacing. But they’re very different.

Willow tapped her on the shoulder, gently this time. Are they? That is the question you must ask.

"You don’t have the shoulder tap thing down. It’s one tap, Willow. You don’t need to keep tapping. She brushed her hand from her shoulder. I don’t understand what you’re telling me."

Willow said, Ask the questions, then you will gain understanding.

Serena drew a circle on the floor with the toe of her shoe. We’re done here, aren’t we? You won’t give me any more insight?

Willow blinked. Remember, only passion was eliminated by genetic modification. The expunging of religion was merely a logical consequence of blocking strong emotions. Without fervor, there is no religious zeal. Before you argue my assertion, I will tell you what you said to me. You said that your faith is about commitment, not zeal, and that the collapse of religion was well underway before the genetics program came about. You also said that my society—I will quote you, ‘may have put the final nail on the coffin, but then again, maybe it would surprise us both to find that some of your robotic colleagues are people of faith.’ Do you recall saying this?

Serena said, Vaguely, yes. And I remember that you changed the subject.

Willow reflected upon her words for several seconds before responding. My colleagues may well indeed be people of faith. I myself may be a person of faith. You have misunderstood my definition of religion. Unlike you, I separate faith from religion. Therefore, any religious entity may or may not reflect peace, love, or goodness.

Serena shrugged. So it’s organized religion that you have a problem with.

Willow said, No. I am explaining to you that there is no such thing as organized religion. It is impossible to unify diverse populations. There will always be a rouge element, and that is what I must draw your attention to. Whether you can identify a group as ‘extremist’ or not, is irrelevant. In every societal group there exists a minority who oppose the tenants of the group, do you understand? You must look for individuals within these entities. Some will become whistleblowers. Others will betray you. You cannot destroy the group itself, but you can target the individuals within the group.

Serena threw up her hands. What? You’ve been warning me that I’m up against an entity or ideology, not an individual. And now you’re saying to go after individuals. We did that with Project Willow and we didn’t get very far. The genetics program is still moving forward, only under different leadership.

Willow said, Yes, you are up against an entity, an ideology. However, no individual is insignificant. The addition or removal of just a few individuals will change the chemistry of the entire group. Find the whistleblowers. Stay away from the betrayers.

Serena said, And I’ll find the whistleblowers in the bad groups, the betrayers in the good groups, right? Is that what you mean?

Willow tilted his head and blinked more rapidly than he usually did. "There is no good or bad. There is only good and bad."

Serena raised her eyes to meet Willow’s. Making direct eye contact with him was a slippery exercise that almost ended in futility, but she refused to speak until he met her gaze. To make sure I’ve got this, you’re saying that I should look for religious groups who are supporting the genetics program and the religious groups who are opposed. But I still don’t understand why religious groups would be for the program. I’d assume that they’d be unanimous in opposing it.

Willow said, "You are assuming that they have an understanding that genetic modification will not support the existence of religion. You are also assuming that if this information were known, these groups