AWAKEN: GREED IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL

By Sylvana Candela

In a dystopian future, greed and corruption have led to the rise of The Council. Together, with the Lords and the Masters, they rule over the people of One World, whom they regard as their slaves. The Council fears an uprising if the people ever awaken to their true powers, therefore, they constantly devise more evil and invasive means of "dumbi

• Language: English
• Publisher: Peaceful World Publishing
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781737670612

Book preview

Prologue

Who is this Beast?

His father is Lust; his mother is Fear,

His insatiable desire is for Power.

He stalks the lonely; smells their sorrow,

Lurks in shadows, devouring Light.

Who is this Beast,

Of ancient times? Always haunting,

Always taking, always needing more and more.

The more he takes, the bigger he grows,

The more destruction left behind.

Who is this Beast?

What is his name? His fury never ending,

He rages on and on; into the night,

Into the soul of humankind.

Reveal yourself, Oh horrid Beast!

Very well . . .

My name is Greed.

Introduction

GREED HAS GROWN. The lust for power and control has become the driving force of the Council who now rule One World of planet Earth. The Council consists of three rulers; one for each of the three Continental Territories of One World. They are Panamerica, ruled by PA; Euroslavica, ruled by ES; and Sinopacifica, ruled by SPA. The Council rulers are unknown and unseen; their identities are well hidden by their protectors, the Lords. The Lords rule over the Masters and together the government of One World is referred to as the Upper Crust (UC). The rest of the population is composed of the people (or servants), and unbeknownst to the people, the UC refer to them as slaves.

Over time, greed and cataclysmic global events, have greatly reduced the population. Big cities have almost entirely disappeared, and people now live primarily in small towns and villages.

The basic rights of the people have been gradually removed over the years: the right of free speech, to bear arms, own property, get legally married, congregate in a house of worship, own anything of intrinsic value – including all forms of currency, receive a formal education beyond age 12, and work at a job for a salary. Housing is provided by the UC in exchange for servitude, and the people are given a meager number of points per week to use for food and basic necessities. Homelessness and poverty are rampant for most people all over One World.

PA, ES and SPA’s ultimate fear is to lose power over the people. After all, people far outnumber the rulers, and there is bubbling fear within the UC that the people may realize their innate power, rise up and one day overthrow them. Thus, the objective of the UC is to pare down the populace through worldwide genocide and replace the people with artificial intelligence. AI is far more efficient and will not be subject to rebelliousness. To keep the people oppressed and oblivious to their true powers, the UC must maintain vigilant control over the people while covertly reducing the population . . . into extinction.

PART 1 DARK CLOUDS

Chapter 1 – Flight

TWO INCOMING SIGNALS ALERT ES AND SPA. Each is receiving a message from PA to accept his transmission. The Universal Translator activates, and the Council members begin to communicate with each other, each in his own language: PA in English, ES in Russian and SPA in Chinese.

PA: Greetings, my Kinsmen.

ES: Greetings to you, my Brethren.

SPA: Greetings, fellow Highest Ones.

PA: "An urgent matter has recently come to my attention that we need to act upon immediately.

ES: Is it the matter concerning the Ebola outbreak? My Lords of Euroslavica have also brought this to my attention.

PA: Yes, Brother ES, that is the matter at hand.

SPA: And I have been informed about the Ebola outbreak as well, fellow Highest Ones. A rather interesting situation, is it not?

The other two agree that the deadly outbreak is in fact intriguing.

PA: This may be the opportunity we have been waiting for, Brothers. The one we spoke about when the last outbreak hit.

ES: My thoughts are already with you, PA. And I am ready to take action.

SPA: Remember how it failed the last time, though. We do not want the same mistake to happen. The slaves almost caught on and it caused several uprisings.

ES: This is true, Brother SPA, although the commandos were able to snuff out the insurrectionists.

PA: I concur, Brother ES, and our mind-control methods were swift and effective as well.

SPA: Yes, yes, this is all very true. However, we might need something slightly different this time.

PA: Yes, SPA. I concur. In fact, my Lords and I have come up with an idea which we feel has great possibilities at being most effective . . . and deadly.

ES: What is it, PA? Do tell us, Brother!

SPA: Yes, yes! Do tell us!

PA: "We let the slaves know that this is a new, more deadly strain, and that they will need a new and improved neutralizer to save them. But what they don’t know is that we will be mixing in the same old effective neutralizer with something else.

While some will actually be receiving the real neutralizer as a deception to the real agenda and will, therefore, survive, the others will receive something else—a bioweapon made of live Ebola. This will give us a great opportunity to drastically reduce the population over a very short span of time.

SPA: That is truly excellent, Brother PA!

ES: Yes, yes! Truly excellent!

PA: Yes, yes, it is. We think it will be effective in carrying out our goals. I propose we get our Lords and Masters moving on this immediately.

ES: I concur, Brother PA.

SPA: And I concur as well, my Brethren.

PA: Very well, then. It is done.

ES and SPA: So it is, and so it shall be.

The transmission terminates.

* * *

Mimi finishes her journal entry before heading down to the boardwalk to see her sweetie one last time. She writes:

The news today was not good. But before I do anything, I must see my darling Ryan and let him know what is happening and what I am about to do. It breaks my heart to share this with him; although, I know he will understand. Please give me the strength and courage, Lord, to face this day and do what I must in the struggle that lies ahead.  Your faithful servant, Mimi.

From the oceanfront boardwalk of Amber Beach, in Southern California, Mimi stares out at the golden sunlight sparkling over waves that crash to the shore. Her soul is heavy as she moves her gaze to search for the one who lives in her heart. Mimi spots her gentle man picking up trash around the picnic area. As Ryan finishes his work to head home for the day, Mimi sprints to catch up with him before he leaves, so she can deliver the news.

Ryan is a warm-hearted man in his early forties. His sandy brown hair tends to be unruly in the ocean breeze yet accentuates his hazel-green eyes that are always expressive. Since Ryan is a soft-spoken man of few words, those eyes often speak more than the words through his lips. His soul speaks directly from his heart. He delights in his job of keeping the beautiful Amber Beach spotless.

Ryan ties up the plastic garbage bag and places it in the dumpster behind the restroom. He catches a glimpse of Mimi, a youthful, energetic woman of fifty-going-on-twenty-five quickly coming toward him. Her long blond hair is blowing in the breeze, bouncing in stride with her anxious pace. Ryan smiles when he sees Mimi, although he detects a sense of foreboding in her hurried step. He closes and locks down the lid of the trash bin as Mimi approaches.

Hi there! Mimi calls out to Ryan when she reaches the edge of the picnic area.

Trying not to seem too fearful Mimi slows down; although, she has lost all control of the beating fury in her heart. Her eyes meet Ryan’s and the couple moves toward each other in sync, their gazes locked. Before Mimi opens her mouth to speak again, she orders herself to breathe.

Ryan smiles tenderly at Mimi and speaks first. Hey there! he whispers to her.

Panting, heart pounding, and out of breath (her self-command was all but futile), Mimi nods at Ryan, forces a smile and lets out a barely audible, Hi, Ryan, have you heard the news today about the virus?

Ryan’s smiling eyes turn to confusion, and Mimi knows that he has not heard the latest update.

Mimi explains, According to the Council, this virus is not the average, every day, run-of-the-mill Ebola; you know, the one that we have a neutralizer for? Apparently— Mimi pauses and closes her eyes for a moment. When she opens them, she looks intensely into Ryan’s face and whispers, It is a new strain. Oh sure, the Council reassures us that all is well, that the neutralizer we have now will work just fine, that we are not to worry about a thing, blah, blah, blah . . .

Ryan lowers his eyes for a moment digesting what he has just heard. Returning his gaze back to Mimi’s intense brown eyes, he murmurs tenderly, I’m sorry.

Tears begin to well up in Mimi’s eyes, and she spills out the rest of the information. "It’s even worse than that, my friend. Our communication system is now on Emergency Use Only. So much for ‘we are not to worry about a thing’ eh? Oh, Ryan! Mimi sobs, I’m so worried about my daughter and her family up in Oregon. I tried to reach them as soon as I heard the news, but personal communications were already shut down, and my little granddaughter, Elli, is only three years old." 

Ryan folds his arms around Mimi pulling her close into his chest and they hold each other for a few moments. But for the two companions, moments feel like an eternity; indeed, their eternity is at stake as Mimi shares her plans.

"I hope you will understand what I have to do—what I must do now, she begins. Ryan’s hazel-green eyes are only inches from Mimi’s upturned nose so she can see the sadness growing in him as she reveals the rest. I must go to Oregon and be with Elli, and I must leave right away, dear friend, first thing tomorrow morning before we are all sent to the Shelters like the last time."

Trying to say more, Mimi is overcome with emotion at the thought of how much she is going to miss Ryan. She knows it is going to be dangerous for her to make this journey, and she hopes Ryan will be reasonably safe sticking to his usual routine at Amber Beach.

Sweet Ryan, I’m so sorry. I have to go, says Mimi.

Ryan gently touches her lips with his finger as if to say, It’s okay.  You need say no more; I understand. He presses his lips softly against hers.

Wiping her tears away, Ryan looks mournfully at Mimi and once again says, I’m sorry.

Saying one last goodbye to Ryan, a sudden thought occurs to her. Ryan, please promise me that no matter what happens, you will do your best to keep your distance from people. And if you are ever told to go to a Shelter, PLEASE DO NOT GO! Just have a few things packed and be ready to lock yourself into the boardwalk restroom here, and do not let anyone know where you are. After a while, you can leave here but only travel by night. Try to find others who are also on their own, toughing it out on the outside. But DO NOT TRUST ANY OF THE OVERSEERS. And if you can, come and find me. I am headed for Salena, Oregon, just north of the California border. Please promise me this, Ryan.

Okay, Mimi. I promise.

Mimi walks away and heads back toward her beachfront dwelling.  At the edge of the picnic area, she suddenly stops and turns around one more time knowing that she may never see her beloved Ryan again. She catches Ryan’s eye only a short distance from her. Mimi points to her heart and then points to Ryan; she forms the words l love you with her lips, pointing to herself, patting her heart, and pointing to Ryan with each word.

Ryan flashes an ear-to-ear grin while repeating the same motions and words with his own lips, pointing at Mimi and patting his heart, expressing his love for her in return.

Looking up to the heavens, Mimi says a simple prayer as she watches her love disappear from sight. Please, Lord, please watch over my Ryan.

* * *

Back at her dwelling, Mimi is fixing herself a meal and getting prepared for the next morning’s journey. She knows she will have to travel light, taking only what she can fit into the sidecar of her autobike. Although people are generally allowed to move around and go about their business during a state of emergency, they must still be on the alert to receive instructions from the Council and ready to follow orders at a moment’s notice.  The hand-held electronic communication device everyone possesses, referred to as My Buddy, is issued by the Upper Crust and all notifications to the people are transmitted by the Overseers through My Buddy.

The Buddy System was originally conceived by the Council and set up and organized by the Lords. The system is now maintained by the Masters who write the scripts for the Overseers. Every minute part of the Buddy Communication System has been planned and implemented from top to bottom of the hierarchy in order to be a most effective form of population discipline. After all, that is what children need most from their loving parents, as the people are constantly reminded through the Buddy Communication System.

My Buddy allows everyone to communicate with each other and to be entertained by various programs, except, of course, during times of emergencies. It is what Mimi and all of the world’s population tune into every day when they check in to see what news and instructions they are being given by their loving leaders.

Mimi checks My Buddy to hear the latest news about the Ebola outbreak.

Listening to the news, she hears the reassurance that the neutralizer for the new Ebola strain is forthcoming, and that

Everyone is to hunker down and restrict your activities for the time being.

The Overseer announces:

There will be no need to go outside much other than to your places of servitude and to obtain food from your local Centers. Any other activities should be limited until we have the neutralizer ready. And that should happen very soon, Dear Ones.

There is no mention of the sick or those who are dying of Ebola because it is considered too frightening for the people to hear. Only hopeful and positive messages are allowed to be spoken of and transmitted at all times, but especially during times of an emergency.

Suddenly, Mimi is gripped by a fear that she may be too late and unable to safely leave the area. Oh Elli! My precious little darling! Gramma is coming! Gramma is coming!

Mimi realizes that the opening of the Shelters is imminent and she must leave at once. Her immediate plan is to pack camping gear, leave before dawn, and work her way slowly up the west coast. But she must get some sleep first. During the night, Mimi has a vivid dream:

In a field of wild California Poppies somewhere along the California coast, the sun is bright and there is a fragrant breeze flowing through the field of Golden Poppies. Mimi turns her face upward toward the sun and feels its strength as it enters her body. The Poppies beckon to her as she drops to her knees and caresses them. From the middle of the field, she notices a little sprite emerging from the golden landscape. It is a childlike figure dancing happily in the flowers, coming toward Mimi. As the creature approaches, there is a familiarity to her and Mimi recognizes that the fairy-child is none other than her darling little Elli!

Hi Gramma! Elli sings out with a joyous sparkle in her little voice.

Oh my! Hello my precious baby! Gramma is SOOO happy to see you!

Elli and Mimi dance together in the middle of the Poppy field. They laugh and sing and twirl, filling Mimi’s soul with renewed strength and hope.

Just as Mimi begins to awaken from this beautiful reverie, she hears Elli calling out to her, Don’t cry Gramma, everything is gonna be okay. Elli loves you; Elli is just fine! Don’t cry Gramma . . .

The dream fades and Mimi awakens with a sense of dread.

* * *

In the darkness of early morning, Mimi prepares to leave. Her rations of dehydrated food along with toiletries, some light-weight articles of clothing, and camping gear are all packed and ready to go. She turns on My Buddy to see what news and instructions there are for the day.

Good morning, Dear Children, and what a beautiful morning it is, indeed! This is your Overseer, bringing you the highlights of the day ahead. Your instructions will follow, making it a truly wonderful day, indeed! First you should know that the Council has everything under control with Ebola and that you, their precious children, have nothing to fear.

A musical pause interrupts the announcement with a nursery rhyme jingle.

"My, that was fun! Ha ha! Yes, indeed! Remember to eat all of your fruits and veggies that the Council has so lovingly provided to you at your local Center Market. This will keep you all nice and strong against the Ebola virus. Yes, indeed! To keep you in good spirits, we are going to show you a variety of funny programs today, because as you all know, a happy heart is a healthy heart! Indeed, it is! Ha ha! One last thing, Dear Ones, here are your instructions for today: in case you do start to take ill, the Shelters will be opening up shortly. Be sure to stop by and receive your good medicine. The neutralizers will be here very soon, and they will protect you against the new strain. So, for now Dears, watch the funny programs, ha ha! Eat your fruits and veggies and stay happy! This is your Overseer, signing off for now, indeed!

Mimi turns off My Buddy and looks down at the device. SCHMUCK! she mutters.

Stepping outside, Mimi feels trepidatious about the uncertainty of her journey ahead. However, there is another unfamiliar feeling awakening within her that feels calm. A voice whispers in her heart one word: Freedom.

I wonder what freedom is? she thinks to herself.

* * *

Mimi’s first stop is at The Center, an all-in-one shopping plaza where people go for all of their daily needs. There is a Market for food and all of one’s basic needs; a Coffeehouse to sit, relax, and socialize with others; and a Rest Stop for those who do not have indoor living accommodations. The Rest Stop provides people with a shower and a place to roll out their sleeping bags at night, especially during inclement weather.

In spite of the Council’s promise to keep everyone housed, the promise is, of course, dependent on having a place to be of service. The UC believes homeless people have disobeyed their Overseers, and that is how they have come to be in their predicament. The Overseers constantly remind everyone:

If you follow the rules and do as you are told, you will easily find a place to serve a Master. The Master will be very happy to keep you in his servitude.

However, the reality is there are nowhere near enough places of servitude for everyone.

Mimi is steeped in thought about all of this as she looks at the Rest Stop and the people sleeping on the floor in the pre-dawn hours. The tiny flame of freedom that lit inside of her turns up a notch as she reflects, I used to look down on these people, or at best just feel sorry for them. Now I’m not so sure.

Inside the Center Market, Mimi grabs a couple of sandwiches and some fruit and veggies for the day. She scans her points card and prepares to leave. Looking around she catches sight of the Center Overseer, the only human who actually serves at the Center as everything else is automated. His function is more about security; that is, to make sure that everyone behaves and no one causes any trouble. If there is a problem or any suspicious activity, the Center Overseer will report the incident immediately.

Mimi had the misfortune on more than one occasion to witness such a scene, and she knows how effective public humiliation is in helping to keep everyone in line. While watching him, she wonders if he can read her mind and know what her plans are. Although leaving the area is not exactly forbidden, at least not yet, during the current phase of the Ebola outbreak, Mimi knows that she has very little time before the situation could change, and with potentially serious consequences to herself. Without another thought she leaves The Center and heads north.

* * *

In a little coastal California community called Floraville, Doctor Penny is coming in from her gardening. She has been tending to her Marigolds, Lilies and Sunflowers, which are the centerpieces of her wildflower garden and the delight of her spirit. It is getting near dinner time and Dr. Penny, or Doc as the people of Floraville refer to her, begins to cook a scrumptious soup from the vegetables she grows in her backyard. Doc normally has a few people over for dinner, especially those who are without a dwelling to live in. But since the Ebola outbreak, she has been specifically told by her local Security Overseer to temporarily cease and desist from such activities. So, tonight there will be plenty of leftovers at Doc’s empty table; a table that is normally graciously attended by those who are in need, and who provide much needed company and good conversation for Doc.

As the sun goes down in Floraville, Doc prepares a table for one, saying a prayer for those who are not present this evening and thanking the Lord for the bounty of her garden. Doc eats mindfully, cherishing every morsel. She feels the sacred healing properties of the food as it supports her body with wonderful nutrients. She is sad that she cannot share this meal with anyone else this evening. After dinner, Doc solemnly clears the table, washes the dishes, and puts the leftovers away for the next day. She sits down in her cozy chair with My Buddy and listens to the day’s news and instructions:

Hey there, Good Children! Good evening! And a good day it was, indeed! I just know that you all had a wonderful time today listening to the humorous programming provided to you by your most kind progenitors of the Council. That did make me laugh out loud a whole lot today! Ha ha! Yes, indeed! Since you have all been so good about hunkering down and restricting your activities today, you are all being rewarded with extra points on your food cards! Yes, indeedee-doo!

For more good news, Children, the new Ebola neutralizers are expected to be ready and delivered to you any day now. Since we know you will all be in a rush to get neutralized, we are opening up the Shelters tomorrow. WOO HOO! So those of you who feel like you are most at risk, just come on down to your local Center, and the Overseer there will direct you to the nearest available Shelter. Yes, indeed! We know that you are all honest, Dear Ones, so you will only come tomorrow if you feel you are truly a high-risk person.

And now, a little good-night music and lullabies to finish off your day and cuddle you into dreamland. Ha ha! Yes, indeed. Good night and sleep tight.

Soft music begins to play as Doc turns off My Buddy. She contemplates what she has just heard, and a dark feeling begins to creep into her gut. After sitting a while with the deepening feeling that something is not quite right about all this news of Ebola, there is a startling knock on her front door.

Doc rises from her chair and goes over to the door. Hello? she calls through the door cautiously. Who is there?

I’m sorry to bother you this time of the evening, ma’am, but I was sent here by some of your friends from the Coffeehouse at the Floraville Center, says a woman from the other side of the door.

Yes? Doc is a bit worried as she opens the door enough to peek at the stranger with long blond hair and a weary expression in her big brown eyes.

Hi. My name is Mimi.

Chapter 2 – Refuge

MIMI AND DOC STAND IN THE DOORWAY looking at each other, both women uncertain of what to expect from the other. Doc breaks the silence.

Won’t you come in, Mimi?

Thank you, Ma’am, Mimi says as she steps into Doc’s inviting cottage. It was a long day for Mimi. Her tired mind and body are grateful to be invited into a safe place.

Are you hungry? Doc asks Mimi.

Oh yes, Ma’am. I certainly am! Mimi says with a chuckle.

Doc