Pilgrims Passage: Brave World

By Joe Buda

Betrayal, exploitation and manipulation cast the shadow on this adventure in Slovakia and the East Coast of the United States. Governments collude to experiment with children’s minds, a Nobel Scientist plagiarized his pregnant wife’s work, and deception on individual and organizational level abounds.

Yet, revenge is not the victims’ go-to. Instead, InterMission emerges as their Phoenix. It’s truths are captured within the Book of ONE. Claudia and Richard share these bare truths at an international forum. Maria, the wife of a former Nobel Scientist candidate, as well as, Paul and Karl, victims of government tests as children ban together to model: unconditional love, compassion and forgiveness.

InterMission disrupts silence. Speaking through marginalized children, immigrants and women, their needs erupt. The Book of ONE guides these non-violent revolutionaries on a common path to ask why can’t there be an alternative to greed, domination and ego-seeking? Brave World takes you to this place of hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796051995

Joe Buda

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Copyright © 2019 by Joe Buda.

Library of Congress Control Number:     2019911661

ISBN:                Hardcover                       978-1-7960-5197-1

                         Softcover                         978-1-7960-5198-8

                          eBook                              978-1-7960-5199-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 02/03/2020

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Selective Truth

Chapter 2 Experimental Brothers

Chapter 3 One Invitation

Chapter 4 ONE Science

Chapter 5 Alignment Conference

Chapter 6 Pawn Roulette

Chapter 7 ONE Presentation

Chapter 8 File Work

Chapter 9 Father’s Work

Chapter 10 Table Talk

Chapter 11 Father’s Gift

Chapter 12 Like Father

Chapter 13 Connecticut Bound

Chapter 14 Second Screening

Chapter 15 Physical World

Chapter 16 Empire Exploration

Chapter 17 Brain Teaser

Chapter 18 Surprise Visitor

Chapter 19 Madonna Quad

Chapter 20 Parental Incarceration

Chapter 21 Lost Message

Chapter 22 Unwanted Questions

Chapter 23 Mindful Percentages

Chapter 24 Test Results

Chapter 25 Family Secrets

Chapter 26 Full Disclosure

Chapter 27 Presidential Visit

Chapter 28 Talisman Beliefs

Chapter 29 Never Sleeps

Chapter 30 Hand Off

Chapter 31 Sound Hermitage

Chapter 32 Jacques’ Inferno

Chapter 33 Guardian Mother

Chapter 34 Special Gift

Chapter 35 Tables Turned

Chapter 36 Courting Divorce

Chapter 37 Root Bound

Chapter 38 Mom Time

Chapter 39 Halfway Hub

Chapter 40 Breaking News

Chapter 41 Energy’s Talisman

Chapter 42 Bold Move

Chapter 43 Timeless EagleMan

Chapter 44 Dawn’s Light

Chapter 45 Shadow Governance

Chapter 46 Foggy Bottom

Chapter 47 Glimmering Pinnacle

Chapter: 48 Popcorn Testimonial

Epilogue Truth’s Path

Reference

Characters

To all those who believe that life is

more than the accumulation of power, wealth, and physical possessions and that true fulfillment can occur when giving and receiving become one, leaving our physical world behind

Acknowledgments

My daughter, whose butterfly spirit, energy, uplifting style display life’s freshness in all she does

My son, whose wisdom from birth brought inspiration to my soul and exemplified the courage to overcome any obstacle in one’s path

My wife, whose thirst for knowledge and unconditional love brought the courage to constantly grow, even when the spirit was willing but the flesh weak

My mother, whose unassuming style and forever-young spirit gave me the freedom to be whoever I wish

My father, whose short life but deep love for his family taught me that life is quality rather than quantity, and strength comes from within, not by physical force

My sister and brother, who, like salt and pepper, spice my life with their support and love

My nephew, Donald Buda, who patiently helped wordsmith this book into its present form

Pat Estill, who listened to the reading of the final review and provided great insight that enabled the story to stay on track.

My uncle, Brother Michael Lobo S.T., who dedicated his life to the common good and the spirituality of life, rather than the collection of physical possessions

To Cory Creason, who appeared in our family’s life and brought with him an unquestioning spirit of compassion for others and a fresh outlook to life

His short life of twenty-five years made those who knew him realize that it is quality of life rather than quantity that truly impacts the world around us. He showed us that acts of kindness within the eternal now are truly cumulative, building a legacy that will be remembered and then modeled long after his physical form departed.

All those who touched my life and became a point of reference with their wisdom and kindness and so openly shared their pilgrimage through life

Author’s Note

Within this book, the shadows cast upon the lives of Paul Bardeck and Karl Vloda by their ancestors take on new meanings as seemingly dark secrets from the past come to light. For some, one’s heritage can take the form of heavy baggage that they decide to carry their entire life. For others, this heritage can light their path and help guide them to their desired goal and ultimately to true fulfillment. As the reader will soon see, these two seemingly polar opposite reactions can intertwine, allowing one to rightfully question the motives of those they love while at the same time releasing new truths that can set one free.

What will consume those who hear these new truths? Will fear of potential repercussions and blinding hatred of those who seemingly betrayed them drive them to violent reactions? Or will they learn from the past, then channel their energy to create a better world for all, where the past need not repeat itself?

Other books by the author

Double book publication:

Pilgrims’ Passage: Into a New Millennium

Pilgrims’ Passage: Rebuilding the Past

Pilgrims’ Passage: Darkness to Light

Chapter 1

Selective Truth

Paul hesitated before opening the fireproof box that Karl Vloda had given him that same morning. He realized that as soon as he opened it he would perhaps forever be watched, monitored, or even arrested, as the box included copies of a multitude of documents marked Top Secret, while an even thicker stack held an even more exclusive classification of Born Classified. His hands began to tremble as he released the latch and opened the box. Paul spent the entire day reviewing his life from a perspective that he never realized existed, from his early days, when he was four years old as a lab experiment, to when he discovered the monk’s journal in that old cabinet that changed his life forever.

It was late in the night when Paul closed the box and placed it under the table. The only item he kept out was a small thumb drive that held every document that was in the box.

As he placed the small piece of plastic and metal in the center of the table, he heard a faint knock on the door. Paul, are you still up? his best friend Claudia was somewhat embarrassed asking the rhetorical question through her friend’s bedroom door.

Come on in, replied her friend as he stood and opened the door to his makeshift bedchamber that was once a storage room for grain within the old monastery they painstakingly restored that was nestled in the foothills of the Slovakian High Tatras.

Claudia brought in a tray filled with cheese, dried sausage, and bread, as well as a small decanter of red wine. You haven’t eaten all day. You need to eat something before you get some sleep.

I’m not sure how much sleep I’m going to get after reading those files, replied Paul as he pointed to the box below the table.

Paul, I know it’s going to be hard, but you need to see those files as ancient history, not as your current reality. If not, they’ll continue to keep you captive for the rest of your life.

I tell you, Claudia, it’s really hard not hating everyone noted in those files—especially those who knew and never told me. My family. My closest friends. That’s by far the hardest part.

That’s the reason Manny, who owned this monastery, gave you the monk’s journal: to help prepare you for this moment. He knew that without grounding yourself in the wisdom of the monk Michael and the Book of ONE, you would most likely self-destruct.

Paul fell silent and stared into the embers of the fire. He was right—but it still kills me to know that even you knew what was going on and didn’t tell me. My mother knew right from the beginning and didn’t tell me.

You have to know that they couldn’t. They would have instantly risked your life as well as your family’s life if the experiment was shared with you.

Experiment! Right! One word seems to sum up my entire life, doesn’t it? Nothing more, nothing less.

Claudia knew that nothing she could say would calm down her friend. Ancient history, Paul. You really need to look at it as ancient history.

Paul sat there nodding his head, but in his eyes, Claudia could detect that payback was the only thought that filled her friend’s mind. Please try to focus on the eternal now. That’s the only time we really have control over. What do you think you want to do next?

I’m going home to talk to whoever is left. I already made a list and prioritized it.

Who did you put at the top five?

Paul took out a sheet of paper that he had in his shirt pocket. "My mother is number one. There is the man who was my handler until his retirement in 1999. My sister is number three, and Bill Johnson, my neighbor in San Carlos California, is the fourth."

The fifth?

You made the top five, Claudia.

Claudia nodded. I understand. I’m sorry. I did it to protect you, not to see you harmed.

Paul nodded as tears began to pool in his eyes. Claudia stood up to hug her friend, but Paul remained seated at the table with his hands over his face so as to hide his emotions.

Claudia stood behind him with her hands on his shoulders and kissed the top of his head. When do you think you’ll return to the States?

I haven’t thought about it. Sooner than later. I want to talk to some of the older ones while they’re still around.

I understand. If you agree, I’ll stay here with my children, Sara and Brian. I don’t want to take them out of their new routine here in Slovakia. With Sara settling into her home schooling curriculum and Brian getting into the groove of college life over here in Europe, I think I’ll just continue to do my research and help establish InterMission that will link groups to help each other to align energy around making this world one. Sound okay to you?

Yeah, I think that would work best all-around for everyone right now.

Have you given any thought to having Karl come back to the states with you? His name must be all over the early reports, with both of you participating in the same experiment and all.

Paul paused then nodded. You’re right. I’ll check with him. If he is interested, we can then divide and conquer concerning the research on our early years in the 1950s.

Chapter 2

Experimental Brothers

Karl sat quietly as he analyzed Paul’s offer to come to the States and help him research their early childhood years as part of the experiment.

Karl, I think it would be good for you to try and get closure. I know it will be for me.

But you have US citizenship. You still have some rights to ask uncomfortable questions. I’m a half-breed. Yes, my father was a military hero in the OSS, but at this time, his leadership role in the Black Star Pact may be more of a detriment to us than a benefit.

Agreed—but his family may know something, or even his second wife.

"First wife. The bastard never married my mother. He did not want to tarnish his Boston pedigree. That is what made me the ideal sacrificial child when they approached him to do his part in the experiment. Of course, his part was just saying that it was okay to brainwash his bastard son, Karl, when I was not even five years old. So much for a father as a role model! I get disgusted every time I think of him turning me over to those scientists from the no-name agency tucked away in some far corner of the Atomic Energy Commission."

"I do understand, replied Paul. It’s hard to believe my father allowed me to be used for an experiment that had its roots in some diabolical lab in Germany during World War II so that they would have unsuspecting agents available any time they wanted to activate them. So what do you think? Do you want to come along with me to do research back in the States?"

Karl fell silent and began staring out the small window that overlooked the old monastery’s courtyard. You know that you are going to turn over some rocks that once turned, you will not be able to turn back over. Your mother, for example, may be at risk if she tells you everything she knows.

I understand. I’ve given this a great deal of thought, and I’m going forward with my research. What you gave me to review seems to be only the tip of the iceberg. The experiments that were done in the early ’50s and then followed up on right through to the present time are not just illegal but immoral. This should never have happened to us, Karl.

I think the messiest part if we go forward will be from 1943 through the end of the war, let us say, the time when both of your grandparents on your father’s side were murdered. Your grandfather, the day before Mother’s Day, and your grandmother, the day before Father’s Day. This was done to send a clear message to your father, Paul, to never discuss what he did during the war.

I know—that’s why I need to find out who killed them. Not just them, but also my mother’s mother, who died even before the war, with a communion host on her tongue. I sense that was the start of the killing to cover up what was going on even before the war started.

Karl nodded. It appears that such actions set the foundation for us to later be offered as sacrificial lambs to the power of not just the Black Star Pact, but also the military-industrial complex and the infrastructure they built in the post-war era to sustain a perpetual state of the threat of war always being present.

So will I be traveling alone, or are you willing to come with me to turn over some rocks? asked Paul as he slid out with his foot the box Karl had given him.

Yes, my friend. However, most of my research will be in Boston while yours will be more in Connecticut. But we can indeed work together to put the pieces of this puzzle together. My mother’s wartime journal written within the time she spent with my father, will surely give us some leads. You know that none of the documents I gave you to review can be brought into the States, right? These documents were all collected through the Black Star Pact.

I know—that’s why I’m going to find a way to have them accessible electronically when I arrive in the States. Noted Paul.

Sounds interesting. When are you planning to fly back?

Next week. This will give me enough time to have all the documents accessible when I arrive. I’m planning to use my sister’s house in central Connecticut as my base of operations. She is already setting up time for me to spend with my mother, who still lives in the same house she lived in when she married my father in 1946. This is the same house that my dad’s family lived in since around 1910. If there is any clue to be found related to my dad’s family, it’ll be in that house.

Sounds like a solid plan. I will start in Boston. That is where my father’s Irish American family had its roots in America.

Were both of your father’s parents Irish?

Yes, his grandfather and his wife came over to the States during the potato famine. I think it was around the 1840s on his grandmother’s side and the 1850s on his grandfather’s side. After my relatives took the place of some rich family’s kids on the battlefields of the American Civil War, they worked hard to become part of the early Irish inner circle in Boston. It was that same inner circle that worked to free their homeland from the English and gain a foothold in the inner workings of Boston’s politics. Karl nodded and, with a crooked smile, added, I am sure I will be turning over a lot of rocks that my relatives will not be pleased I turned over!

So, Karl, do you really think the truth will really set us free?

I am not sure, my friend. I only know that the truth needs to be told and then learned from, so that such horrible things will not happen to children again. Karl then proceed to roll up the shirt sleeve on his right arm exposing a blue dot the size of a dime. I’ve been meaning to ask you, do you have this also?

Paul’s eyes widened as he stared at Karl’s upper arm. For all these years I though the mark was a birthmark. Paul rolled up his shirt to expose the exact same mark on his upper arm. I do recall one time asking a doctor if this was indeed a birthmark. The doctor shook their head, but wouldn’t speculate what the mark was."

Karl nodded, If we checked all the eleven people that were part of the experiment I believe we would find the same mark on their right upper arm also..

The two men briefly stared at the other’s upper arm and nodded as if examining each other’s tattoo for the first time.

Chapter 3

One Invitation

As Paul prepared to return to the States in just two days, a special delivery envelope arrived for him. Claudia, you need to check this out! It’s an invitation for us to speak at a scientific conference that is being held not far from here.

Claudia read the invitation letter handed to her and smiled as she read it. You know this is really perfect! They want us to present the Book of ONE to their scientific community and then give them the opportunity to ask questions. It looks like they can even challenge the basic premise of the Book of ONE in a respectful manner.

Too bad I won’t be here. Are you up to doing this alone?

Claudia paused before responding. I’m not sure. I think it would be fun and would also provide us the opportunity to actually have a mixed lot of the scientific community throw darts at the teachings.

"Just as long as they don’t start throwing the darts in your direction!" interjected Richard as he walked into the room.

What have I missed? Claudia, you’re going to enter a dart competition? Paul and Claudia both laughed at Richard’s light-hearted remark.

No, Richard, nothing like that. Claudia then went on to explain the invitation letter.

Perhaps you would like to co-present with Claudia. I think your time as a monk, outstanding academic background, and your work at the Vatican Library would provide an interesting perspective to the discussions.

Thank you, Paul, but I am not sure I will have very much to add. You and Claudia are the ones who really researched the Book of ONE.

But I believe you actually live it more than anyone else I know, interjected Claudia as she handed Richard the invitation letter.

As their friend read the letter, Richard nodded his head as a smile appeared. Yes, I do believe this would be quite a stimulating discussion indeed!

So you will agree to take my place on the podium, as it were?

Yes, Paul. It would be my honor. I hope that I will be able to represent you in front of such a distinguished audience. Some of the names listed in the letter are very impressive and represent the Who’s Who in their respective fields. I also find it interesting that the conference coordinators were able to get such a collective group of scientists into the same room at one time to discuss such an obscure topic as the Book of ONE.

I believe that the unification theory has been with us since the earliest belief systems were put in place, even before the written word, so having scientists review such an ancient document may not be as unusual as one would think, noted Paul. It is agreed, then, that you and Claudia will present at the upcoming conference while I am in the States. When I return, I’ll be very interested in finding out how you as a dynamic duo were able to persuade this esteemed group that we are all indeed one and need to start acting as if we really are one!

Chapter 4

ONE Science

Richard and Claudia walked into the monk’s dining hall, where Paul was lost in thought as he stared into his first cup of morning coffee.

Rough night? asked Claudia as she pulled out the seat next to him and waved her hand in a wand-like manner between him and his coffee mug. Earth to Paul.

Oh, sorry. I was just going through a dream I had last night.

Care to share?

Sure, Richard. I just finished going through it again, so I think it should make some sense. Paul cleared his voice then took a sip of now-lukewarm coffee. I was on top of an old building in some city. There was a walking area cleared around the perimeter of the rooftop and along the center core was a square building. Along the side of this building were old wooden signs with their center part covered with a clear plexiglass cover as if to protect what was written on the signs. These covers were crooked, and it looked like they weren’t doing a good job protecting the old signs. The fourth one down from the right was one sign that caught my attention.

What was so special about it?

Well, Claudia, the symbol in the center of the wooden sign was the same as an old colonial newspaper had back in Connecticut where I grew up.

I knew you were older than me, but I had no idea!

Paul laughed and shook his head while glancing at Richard, who was trying to hold back a laugh. I knew I should have worded this part better! Set myself up for that one, right?

Richard smiled as he nodded. So yes, I understand the symbol on the sign was very old. Oldest in your country, yes?

I think it could be, but I’m not sure. So anyways, this sign I stared at for a while. I know there was meaning there, but I haven’t yet figured this part out.

Claudia, who had now gotten used to Paul’s lengthy dream discussions, decided to prod him along, as she was planning this very morning to go into town and review some of the ancient documents that the nuns had at Angelica’s Place. So what’s next? I gotta get going soon.

Sure, Claudia. Almost at the end. Well … sorta at the end. So where was I? Yeah, so anyway, I stared at the old sign with its crooked plexiglass cover over its center for a while and then we turned the corner of the building, where we saw standing there an old man and woman. They were dressed up and looked like they were from the Victorian times. He had a cane, and she was wearing a formal-looking hat. He was also wearing a hat. A bowler, I think they call it. There was another couple there also dressed similarly, but they were looking at the view of the city.

We? There was someone with you?

Sorry … Yeah, there was an older, gray-haired woman, maybe in her mid-seventies, who was escorting me as if I was at an art gallery. But in this case, it was an old rooftop cluttered with metal stuff that you had to be careful not to rub against so as to not rip your clothes. She didn’t say anything to me in the dream but was instead more of a guide.

Okay, we got it. So did the couple of older people say anything to the two of you?

"Sorry, I know you gotta get going, Claudia. Yes, they did. The man, who was to the right of the woman, said, ‘We will help’. That was when I