T.O.R.N.: There's Only Right Now

Chapter 27 The Choice

The years following Asante and Emily's meeting by the lake in the heartland of America were of exploration and transition. The new frontier that they chose that night would transform the face of not only the United States but of every nation in the world. Each woman started on a path that evening that they would journey until the end of time. They took their first steps a few weeks later when Emily Farraday gathered all the leaders of The Sephiren in a televised news conference at the Palace of Westminster in London. Besides The Sephiren's leaders, in attendance were representatives of political and religious groups from around the globe.

"We have gathered here today to present the world with a choice. A choice based on the foundation of what it means to be human." Emily Farraday began as she stood in the hall where three hundred years previous the voices of men were heard and paved the road to the fork where the world now stood.

"The Sephiren has been making this choice for mankind since the dawn of civilization." Gasps of shock coupled with disbelief could be heard throughout the chamber. "And in that time we've been responsible for the progression of humanity. Just think where the world was only three hundred years ago when this building housed the first parliament of Great Britain. Humanity has had its shining moments as well as its darkest hours, but all-in-all we've been a part of man successfully continuing to move through time." She paused while applause sprinkled throughout the hall.

"So the choice that we have been burdened to carry for you has been for all of our benefit. We only have had all of our best interests in mind, which was the intention of our founders when The Sephiren was created. So what I'm about to say may sound jarring at first, but if you give me a moment to explain all will become clear." She paused again to wait for her words to sink into the minds of all that watched her from around the world.

"Just as we have provided order for the steps of men, The Wave has been attempting to provide a viable alternative as well. One which our founders, as well as ourselves, believe will bring an end to all that we have accomplished.

"But here we are, and just as humanity has evolved, so must we. The Sephiren will no longer be an unseen hand working on behalf of you, but a partner, collaboratively working with you." Applause sprinkled through the hall.

"The Wave believes, if given a choice, man will not continue down the path that has been our destiny since the dawn of time, but travel to a new place where our history and the backbone of our achievements don't exist. So the choice we are asking you to make is not one of nation, creed, or religion but of consciousness. Continue with us through time together at the helm of your definition amongst the infinite. Continue to enjoy life as you know it or dissolve into the abyss of the unknown and possibility that The Wave offers." Applause now erupted in the hall and in the hearts of hundreds of millions of people around the world.

"In light of this choice we know that education and restructure must happen first. So we have met with The Wave and have agreed to each hold a conference to facilitate moving forward in transparency and peace. The destruction of the eastern seaboard of the United States, as well as the millions of lives lost, is an error that neither side would like to repeat.

"Today is the first day of our summit and it will run for the next hundred days. In that time the new map of the world will begin to form. In the Northern Hemisphere, the way of The Sephiren will be reestablished, only now with new governance and elections based upon our unified choice to continue down the halls of time. In the Southern Hemisphere of the world, The Wave will establish the same based upon their aims. I now will open the floor to questions for the next hour, then we will need to begin the process of defining our next steps."

* * *

"That went better than expected," Chelo asserted to Asante as he turned off the television monitor.