The Forest

By Paul Stephanus

200 years ago a life form of unfathomable proportions appeared on Earth : a Tree whose roots spread through the Earth, pulling all life into it, leaving the rest of the planet barren and dead. Now, many generations later, Marco Young must journey to this Forest to find a cure for his dying son. Along the way he uncovers long hidden truths about his heretical father and the true nature of humanity.

“Look at this Tree. What Life could possibly have given rise to this colossus? How did it come about, and from where did it originate? Were its genes engineered by the A.D. scientists? Did its seed arrive here from another planet? Or was it an appendage of the Earth, a retaliation, an answer that had laid dormant for 4 billion years?
“Whatever it is, you cannot deny its omnipotence. It is progenitor to countless species, hundreds of impenetrable forms of perception. With its canopy it encompasses every aspect of reality. This Forest, in its entirety is an ambassador from the chaotic Universe. We will never understand her just as we will never fully grasp the cosmos. We will penetrate neither and must merely be content to bask for our lives in stupid wonder.

“But you...you have chosen to bathe in the blood of a God, and will see everything as she does. You’ll be emptied of the things that make you who you are, and replaced with the entirety of the Universe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Stephanus
• Release date: Sep 18, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301639021

Paul Stephanus

Paul Stephanus is an American who was born in Tokyo and raised in Singpore. He's lived in many countries and done all sorts of things - mountiain guide, engilsh teacher, theatre director, creative event organizer - but the thing he likes doing most is writing. He currently lives in Melbourne.

Book preview

Stephanus / Forest / 231

The Forest

by Paul Stephanus

Part 1: The City

I

Thirteen of you. And all so young. They keep sending them to me younger and younger. David surveys the group of initiate Ecologists sitting cross-legged in a crescent before him, their white tunics blending into the floor of white fungus beneath them. He smiles widely, showing a weathered set of teeth.

You know what? I just realized that this is the thirteenth of these inceptions I’ve presided over. What an auspicious day. Thirteen young minds for the thirteenth time. This could easily be my last too; I am getting old.

The students shift uncomfortably and laugh politely. He lifts his eyes away from the group and scans the lower canopy. Falling season has just begun and the white seeds are floating down in torrents from above, scattering themselves everywhere throughout the wide open expanse of Niche Algaric: settling on the students’ hair; sweeping like powdered snow across the fungal outgrowth, saturating the air. He lets out a contented sigh and returns his gaze to the group.

This must be quite unnerving for all of you. But not to worry. That is why they have me here. I’m not Incorporated myself, so I can’t tell you what it is like. Not what it will feel like at any rate. But, as you may know, I was the closest of companions with both elder Conrad Young and Marco Young. I knew them both before and after their Incorporations, and I must say the change in them was only for the better. And I’m not just talking about their ability to study the Forest. They were just easier to get along with. They stopped worrying so much, and seemed suddenly blessed with an increased sharpness of wit. And I’d also say that they moved a little closer to God. It’s a difficult thing for most to observe, proximity to the divine. But for a man like myself it’s easy. I’ve had plenty of experience. Yes, it was a benefit bestowed upon those two men that I envied greatly. But, alas! Incorporation is still designated only for use by Ecologists. Maybe one day I’ll get my chance too.

The group was still tense, but this seemed to loosen them up a bit. These students are right on the cusp of a new generation: on one side, the people railing against Incorporation as an absolute evil, a communion with pure evil, while on the other side it is believed to be the only natural process for the progression of the human race. David smiles again and gestures to the rows of Ederesapiens behind him who have come to attend the students’ transformations.

I’m sure you’ve heard this a hundred times, but I’d better reiterate just to put your minds at ease. As you know there will be massive changes to your body after your genome is reconfigured, but the only change clearly visible to the outside world will be these lovely wide brimmed, white-toothed smiles that you see on these fine creatures behind me, he gestures at the gathered Ederesapiens. Not such a bad thing! Your bones will become slightly stronger; your skin less susceptible to the harsh dryness of the City climate, when you are in the City; and of course your fingernails will fall off and eventually stop growing altogether. So nothing serious. At this point David leans in and says in a mock whisper, And they say that the Incorporated of Niche Algaric are very good lovers. The class laughs nervously at this, taken aback that it’s coming out of a priest’s mouth.

So, David finishes his thought, you won’t have to worry about finding a mate. You’ll be hot property. Before the students could react again David carries on by pointing to a blond-haired student in the front row, sitting in an awkward cross-legged position.

You. Yes you, son. What’s your intended area of study? asks David.

Well, nothing has been approved by the department yet, but I’m interested in new methods of translating the sensory perceptions of the R Gland in the post-reptilian families of Habitat A. Dr. Harrison believed that this perception was a result of a single component in their cells. If we can isolate and gather a large enough quantity of it, this could be added to Incorporation pools.

David laughed and said, I think you’ve just proved the point I was driving at, but I’ll continue. Now, you. David says, pointing to a young girl.

"I hope to collect some samples of Flora Orchis Fly, on this trip actually, and set up some cross-breeding experiments in the lab when I get back."

A little over my head, but what do you expect? What about you? David points to yet another student.

Mine might not be achievable, but I’d like to collaborate on a taxonomical expedition to the Primary Canopy.

An adventurer, then, David smiles at the student.

David now addresses the whole group, saying, "Expeditions to the Primary Canopy; City-based breeding programs; isolating Forest proteins; altering the process of Incorporation…

"I’m sure you all realize that fifteen years ago access to the Forest had been strictly banned for decades? I was the only member of the City allowed to reside permanently past the City limits, entrusted with the upkeep of Joseph’s Birthplace. During those thirty years, or more, I didn’t see a single soul cross the Landbridge to the Forest. The periphery stations had long been abandoned, the Landbridge had petrified and turned gray from lack of use.

"Of course, as you know, you’ve all been through basic history classes, Forest study had been thriving years before, during the Renaissance, but even then all Ecologists were completely dependent on isolation vests, and they were much more primitive models than the ones you’re wearing now, I might add. Those who wore them could barely make it this deep into the Forest without a complex system of sensory deprived navigational songs to guide them. A highly poetic and honorable, but extremely dangerous and primitive way to travel – muttering esoteric songs to oneself while stumbling in a hallucinogenic delirium through the Forest!

"On top of all that the City outlawed any material to be taken from the Forest, at all, and among the great sins was the act of bringing natural life back to the City.

"What I'm saying to all of you is that you’re very lucky. Although the phrase hasn’t quite caught on yet, I’ve started to call this time of our existence the Second Great Renaissance. Not such a creative turn of phrase, perhaps, but accurate. Maybe you could slip that into your reports when referring to the here and now so I can see it in writing and feel validated. It’s good to have young friends like you. You see, I’m an old man now, but I’m overjoyed that I will die in this age of new found enlightenment. And it is you Ecologists that brought us here, and largely you who reap the rewards.

"And, if you like it enough, you can move to Niche Algaric for good. I know we’ve only spent a day or two exploring the area, but it is a choice that has been made over and again during these past thirteen years. Some of the most loving relationships and most beautiful offspring I’ve ever borne witness to were a result of a sapiens and ederesapiens cross. Fifteen years ago this would have been considered a heretical blasphemy!" David finishes this last line in the style of a doomsday prophet and gets a few giggles out of his audience. He tries to keep the ceremony light-hearted. Besides there is no way to express the gravity of how different their lives will be after Incorporation. So why try?

Well, you can see your pools being prepared behind me, and it will take a while before they’re complete. So we’ve got some time to kill. Which leads me to my favorite part, the story. I’m no Ecologist, but a priest, and therefore my specialty is in storytelling. You are about to alter your human Genome, and in my approximation, narrow the gaping chasm between yourselves and God. I don’t say that facetiously, I believe it in my heart. We humans withstood the temptations of the Forest many years ago. While all the other living creates of this Earth were subjecting their genomes to the will of the Forest, fusing into one another, and becoming inseparable from the creatures they shared their Niches with. A small group of humans held back, suffered our austerities, and remained unaltered, completely human. And now, because of our patience, we have the ability to fuse our DNA directly with the Sap of the Tree. Evolution brought us close to God, but it is the gift of our human intuition, imagination, and daring that will bring us even closer. How much closer can we get?

David settles himself cross-legged in front of his audience, incredibly agile for such an old man, his eyes wide and beaming. He lifts his hands up, as if shaping the story in the air before them, and begins:

We’ll start with Marco Young, age 33, when things first started to turn for him. He is in the Great Chamber, standing in front of the Grand Quorum, and has just finished reading the final requests of his father. Let me paint the picture for you…

Marco reads the final sentence aloud and lifts his eyes from the brown parchment to look up at the Quorum, those twelve ancient men sitting behind their long, oak desk. Although Marco knows the Chairmen of the Grand Quorum to be trained and experienced in reserving their emotions, he can easily make out the amazement through the layers of wrinkles shielding their eyes.

Quite an unexpected request Marco, says the elder sitting behind the massive octagonal emblem of the City mounted into the center of the desk. The oldest and most domineering, his oval head elevated high above his companions.

Yes, quite, says another.

Yet, I still wonder why he didn’t let us know earlier.

The entire council seemed to Marco like a single organism, expressing different aspects of the same thought. His eyes shift diplomatically between the members, giving them equal attention.

Truly, quite dangerous thoughts to have kept hidden from the community for so long, not to mention the Council.

It was Conrad’s way though, wasn’t it?

Of course, yes, but I never expected anything to this degree.

And after we have shown your family such leniency, Marco.

Marco waits until they’ve all had their say, and all eyes are again focused on him. He lets the silence play out respectfully, then brings his eyes up from the ground and catches the cloudy luminescence of the emblem of the City, in which the white robe of Moroni radiates, fluttering imperceptibly.

I realize this must come as quite a surprise, but as I mentioned, it was my father’s wish that the manuscript only be discovered after his death. I waited until the allotted mourning period had passed before reading his death letter, and came straight to the council as would be expected.

I see, murmured a chubby and somewhat disinterested head at the far left of the table, I see.

Of course, Marco, we are truly sorry about your father’s passing. It is a loss not only to the scientific community, but also to the City.

Marco waited tensely to hear what the chairman would say about his request, his body held rigid.

On the subject of your request to be allowed access to the Forest... here the chairman paused, looked down at his desk purposefully and then quickly back up to meet Marco’s eyes. He continued quickly, his fist pounding lightly on the desk, I truly don’t see how your father’s unlawfully hidden account of the people of Niche Algaric has any bearing on the current status of the Forest. You more than anyone should know why access has been restricted. And this ‘report’ your father compiled… he waved his hand dismissively through the air, Marco, your father’s re-habitation into Human life in the City has been confirmed a miracle by the High Authority, but his Absolution does not negate his Great Sin. All thoughts, materials, ‘reports’ compiled during his time of Incorporation were soulless, and therefore can be disregarded. We will confiscate the manuscript he has left behind, and put it away, just as we did with the original draft 28 years ago. You will hand it over without reading a word. Is that understood? Nothing has changed since this Quorum’s original decision on the matter.

The aged and almost homogenous heads on either side of The Chairman began nodding back and forth in lethargic agreement. He took a moment to breath and went on, more slowly.

"Marco…Your father was a top Ecologist—the best the City has ever had. He was a fine individual and a brave human being. But what he was not—he was not a servant to the City of the Great Salt Lake. Your generation does not remember the hardships we had to go through to achieve the stability we enjoy today. The stories have not been softened, we do not hide the children from the truths, but words never truly live up to the experience itself.

I am afraid, Marco, that although you have proven yourself to be an upstanding citizen and a fine servant to the needs of the City, you may have some overzealousness still lingering on in your blood. I don’t begrudge you that, it is what brought fame and respect to your line, but I do suggest that you rely upon on your well-honed intelligence and not…the baser aspects of yourself. That, after all, Marco, is what separates us from those who left civilization for the Forest. If we compromise or question that distinction, we lose our identity, and that will be the beginning of the end.

Marco felt his body relax. ‘The Grand Quorum is incorrect,’ Marco thought, ‘I haven’t an overzealous cell in me.’ Indeed, his relief at the council’s reply crept surely through him. His blood ran more smoothly and his back muscles softened. His spirit was so very soothed by their response that he became unaware of the thickening silence that spread through the chamber-hall. His glazed eyes leapt to life and flicked from chairman to chairman.

Ah, yes. Of course, yes, that distinction will remain uncompromised, I swear it. I will of course adhere to the decisions of the Grand Quorum and may the holy water bless you. Marco bowed clumsily, took a few steps towards the long desk and lay down the wooden bowl he had been holding throughout the meeting, with as much grace as he could muster, at the Head Chairman’s left hand. The Chairman filled the bowl with water from a dark hardwood container, and it was passed back and forth along the desk solemnly as each chairman washed his hands. Marco in turn washed his hands and rubbed the water along the undulating image of Moroni in the City Emblem, and without a word backed silently out along the hall and through the main doors.

Once he was out of the Chamber Hall he wove between the stones of the temple gardens, and made his way back out onto the City walkway. Before he crossed the boundary of the Temple Gardens, he knelt down and poured the water from the wooden bowl along the threshold that marked the barrier between the Temple Gardens and the street. He handed the bowl to a man who was standing patiently on the threshold, waiting his turn to consult the Quorum. Marco then turned up the dusty road, stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets and walked home, content.

II

In a classroom of the Ecology Department at the University, Marco stands behind his desk, organizing papers silently while the students chat. It had been three months since his petition to re-open access to the Forest was denied, and Marco had all but forgotten about the incident. He glanced briefly up at the students and then knocked his papers into order twice upon his desk. He stood up straight and scanned the classroom. Immediately the chatter subsided.

Welcome to the 4th week of Forest Ecology. Before we begin I’d like to congratulate you all on your Second Baptism. I see some of you still have the salt caked in your eyebrows. When was your order submerged? Five days ago was it? So it’s been nothing but sand baths since then Michael?

The class all laughed at this, for it was obvious that Michael was pushing the ritual past its intended limits. His body was dry and dusty and lines of hardened salt were deposited in the wrinkles of his smile.

Right, begins Marco in a more serious tone, I truly am proud of you, and all your hard work, trials and dedication. You all look far more mature than you were the day you left for the Baptism. I will not name those who I notice are missing, but let us pray a moment for their souls…They are Greater than we, chosen to be by God, to be at his side before we are granted that blessing. Amen.

Amen, the class repeats in unison.

Now, says Marco with a definitive clap of his hands, "before you left we'd gone over general creation, The Principle of Stasis, and some of the more widespread evolutionary webs that arose during the formation of the Forest. We've taken a look at the general processes of the Forest and you all, if you've been keeping up your reading, should have a solid understanding of some of its processes in isolation.

So, for the next two weeks we’ll be focusing on specific case studies during the first wave of Ecological research, starting with Niches Thoroughfare, Frogawk, and Gordon. We will also look closely at the well-known phenomenon of Incorporation; what we have learned from those who have fallen to it; and the technological developments to guard against it.

This part of the curriculum had always been difficult for Marco. He’d been a professor at Brigham Young University for seven years, and had given this lecture more times than he could remember, but still, when it came to mentioning his father, that mythic name that changed Forest Ecology forever, he always found himself fighting to retain composure.

He takes a deep breath, swallows his nerves and continues, "And for the next two weeks after that we will make a leap forward in time, devoting our study to the more interior expeditions of the late Renaissance and Professor Conrad Young’s voluntary Incorporation in Niche Algaric. And that, I believe, will bring us to the holidays.

"Now, if you'll all turn to page 212 of your Case Studies textbook we'll start by taking a look at the unique studies of Drs. Clarkson and Lew in the Niche of Chameleon, eponymous with the A.D. creature that could alter its skin-color to match its environment. I’m sure you remember from A.D. Biology.

"Their groundbreaking work uncovered for the first time the co-dependency triangle of the Rosa Translucere, the Mangrove Lemur, and the semi-flightless Accipritidae Lew, or Lew Eagle, named after the doctor himself.

Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, the study of this Niche was instrumental in establishing the limits of the protective technology at the time. Looking at your Forest chart you’ll see that the eco-Niche of Thoroughfare is adjacent to Chameleon through a thin strip at the westernmost periphery of the Forest. Many of the early Ecologists chose this as the site for their first experiments because of accessibility and the relative tranquility of the environment and species there. The 2nd Ferry/Rider Base was established at the entrance to this Niche, serving as a bridge between desert and Forest...

Marco, hands behind his back, now into the swing of the lecture, begins to pace back and forth in front of the class. As you know, all personnel had to pass through the screening procedure whenever entering or exiting the Forest. And after the devastating Incorporations that occurred at the 1st Ferry/Rider Base, you can be sure that every precaution was taken. Marco spins on his heels and begins to saunter back the other way when he catches a glimpse of the frantic, chubby face of his cousin-in-law, Charlie, at the glass door to his classroom. He is breathing heavily and gesticulating wildly.

"Uh...Please excuse me for a moment class, there seems to be someone