Notes from An Alien

13 ~ Power

In spite of recent riots and deaths, the Worlds' economies were thriving. The three Created Worlds were fully inhabited and had begun their contributions to the Worlds' commerce and services. The agricultural World was already contributing twenty percent of all the Worlds' food, the applied technology World had programs running for improved transportation (both land and space), and the World for general exploration of learning potential had formed a strong bond with the applied technology World. They were also eagerly awaiting the creation of the final three Created Worlds, slated to begin in two years—Worlds for pure research, cultural advancement, and art. The farm, factory, and school would be joined by the lab, salon, and studio.

~~~

The banishment of the Independents from Anglana's World did nothing to slow their machinations. They were working to build bridges between their movement and certain communities of the Disciples of Faith. The Disciples, since the death of Xela, had become fractured into a number of sects ranging from those who were very close in their practices to what the Aklans believed to those who had corrupted their beliefs to conform to the changing economic and cultural expectations. The most corrupt sect was the Reformed Disciples of Faith. They were also the most numerous and the one that the Independents were targeting. The preferred method of engagement was to have certain numbers of Dissatisfieds "convert" to the religion. It took only a matter of months until the leaders of the Independents were able to claim the allegiance of sixty Communities' memberships.

Those Communities changed their name to the Independent Reformed Disciples of Faith.

~~~

The Created World devoted to a general exploration of learning had begun a project, in concert with the applied technology World, to enhance a person's abilities in plasma communication—lifting the natural reception of generalized thoughts and feelings between worlds to a disciplined ability to receive and transmit specific thoughts and feelings. The trained abilities would only be usable during the close approaches of Anga-Param and Anla-Purum. It took the enhanced flow of plasma between those Worlds to enable the ability. The Created Worlds were using a special plasma apparatus to mimic the necessary conditions.

There were, however, certain people who had an innate potential and could sense and transmit thoughts and feelings wherever they were, though only with those in close proximity. Velu and Zena had been the first people recorded with this ability. The researchers were hoping they could eventually train others in these abilities.

The plasma communication abilities of Delva were superior in all respects. She could influence people in very specific ways based on her keen reception of their thoughts and feelings. It was said she could even convince someone intent on harming her to immediately confess and beg forgiveness.

Mura would soon have abilities exceeding even Delva's.

~~~

Anglana had desired the attendance of Delva and Mura. They found their way to their favorite portion of Anglana's extended consciousness and began to commune.

Anglana: This will be the most important of any of our gatherings.

Delva and Mura: ?

Anglana: Delva, you now have the opportunity to end your physical life in a way that will give birth to Mura's child. This will be a gift of Akla.

Delva and Mura: ?!

Anglana: You now must discuss this between yourselves.

"Mother, I don't want you to end your life."

"Mura, dearest, I would only have mere months to live even if I refused this offer."

"Mother, I haven't told anyone yet but, if you have your heart set on this, you must know. I have accepted Akla as the Prophet for this Age. I am an Aklan."