The Genesis Illusion

Chapter 8

The Arcadia headquarters compound sprawled over an entire island in the Mergui archipelago off the southern Myanmar coast. The imposing main building, decorated with gold, yellow, and red. An elaborate pagoda-like peaked roof covered the spacious living quarters. Carved dragons, lions and other beasts adorned the support columns and roof-line of the royal palace.

Separate residences within the building surrounded a large open courtyard elegantly landscaped with exotic flowers and attractive shade trees. Bright Sun and her daughter occupied the largest and most luxurious house. Located at the far end of the courtyard, visitors had to trudge the entire distance across the spectacular garden and up the imposing staircase before reaching the home of the queen.

"May May (mother in the Myanmar language), I'm working on my new genetic modification technique today," Ann said, knowing it would provoke her mother. Andromeda used her nickname, Ann, except in formal meetings. "I was making good progress before I had to leave it to review the launch plans with our Bangkok chapter leaders."

Bright Sun bristled hearing her daughter's veiled complaint. Her facial expression and body language instantly transformed into that of a teacher dictating the daily lesson. Although special teachers provided advanced instruction on technical subjects, she did all the home-school teaching when Ann was younger. Her educational curriculum was far more advanced that any institutional school.

"You know this shift in focus is only temporary," Bright Sun said. "We must concentrate on our efforts to establish the land of Arcadia. The world will take notice when we have millions of followers and secure borders for our citizens. Our subjects will thank us for taking care of them and for their better life." Bright Sun was now in full lecture mode. "You and I have a gift that comes with a solemn responsibility. We must accept our destiny as supreme leaders of a new, better world."

"But Sam and I..."

"Sam again?" Bright Sun cut off her daughter with a sharp stern voice. "He's not one of us." Crimson replaced Bright Sun's usual facial color. Her brow wrinkled and lips spread as rage replaced her kind motherly facade.

"He's my fiancé. We agree that I should concentrate on developing innovations that can help people. Not preparations for war."

"We've had this discussion before. But it's Sam. He must be..." Bright Sun caught herself. Then speaking like a dictatorial boss to an unruly employee, she said, "Listen to me. We are going forward with my plan and your genetic research must wait." Bright Sun's stern glare drilled into Ann's heart delivering an unmistakable message, obey.

Ann succumbed by nodding in agreement and slinking away back toward her room. She doesn't even hear me. She hates Sam. He's my fiancé, and she'd better accept him.

Bright Sun's oldest and most loyal supporters, Carlson, Lim, and Wong, paraded into the room through the open entrance portico. The three, now elderly, devotees waited together for Bright Sun's acknowledgement. Ann, seeing them, halted her exit and lingered behind them in the doorway.

"Thank you for being so prompt," Bright Sun said. "The time we have been waiting for is almost here. Our new nation will soon emerge. You have been with me from the start and now..."

"We still need to field test our defenses," Ann interrupted by shouting from the distant room threshold.

Annoyed, Bright Sun commanded, "As planned, next week, you are to direct a test of our expansion method. This will be a large enough operation to assess our readiness for the launch. Our three trusted friends will monitor the mission from here in the command center." Hearing this, the three disciples departed leaving Ann and Bright Sun alone again.

"I want Sam to join me at the test. He'll see no one will be hurt."

"I don't need his approval, but if you insist."

Then Bright Sun glared at Ann motioning with her finger pointing down at the floor as if she was a monarch making a demand. "I think it would be best if you would refer to me as Bright Sun whenever we are with others. I am the leader of Arcadia and you are my daughter but to outsiders I am Bright Sun and you are Andromeda." Really? I will call my mother Bright Sun?

"That's ridiculous. You're my mother and everyone knows it."

"It's necessary to show respect for my position."

"What then is my title? Shooting Star? Little Moon?" Ann sassed a sarcastic retort.

Bright Sun lashed back, "You'll do as I say."