“What about atheists, then?”

God laughed. “They see me as they want to as well. But you are missing the point; you have to see me as you! You have to see that there are no individuals, there are no egos. When you realize that all things are one, then you will see yourself as everything. I am there only because you, as a civilization, see me to be so. Time has seen other beings that imagine me as something else, concepts unimaginable to you, because they are on higher dimensions. Just realize what you are doing and why you’re doing it. Everything: Karma, Destiny, Life, Ego, Faith, Belief, and all the other terms are just terms. What’s more important is the power behind them, and that power is consciousness. Therefore, realize the prophecies of your father are real and they do mean something. You must follow them, only when you think you must. Otherwise don’t follow them at all.

“Everything, sound, light, music, shadows, everythingis just a part of your thoughts, your perception. They don’t have meaning unless meaning is given to them, and the one who gives meaning to it is you! Heaven means this to you, because of your conditioning. Leave it all, or enjoy it all, and in any way, all are bound to realize the Truth! This life, this world, this Universe, is like this because of your perception and the meaning you give to certain things. When that meaning ceases, then the actuality will be known!”

“Then, that means I am not dead. I am not alive, but rather I AM, because I say I AM.”

“More importantly, you are because you just are. Realize everything is because it is. Don’t take anything out of it or add anything. See it for itself. Life is just for observance, for witnessing, for education and when you finish it, you can choose to go back, or choose to stay here depending on your perception. If your perception and your choice of perception cease, then Truth will be.”

“Then, that’s what I want.”

God laughed. “Because you force, because you see it as that, because it is a goal, a desire, it cannot be within truth. Yes, all things are within Truth, but they do not lead to the ultimate. It must be, and then Truth will be; it cannot be taught, spoken, felt, forced upon; it must just be! It cannot be waited for either, it cannot be a desire; it just is!”

Alex said. “Destiny doesn’t matter.”

“Exactly. Just let it be.”

“I understand; I must go with the flow and things will be the way they are, regardless of my thoughts, my words, my feelings, and my conditioning. I will let them be. No good, no bad, just be!”

“Let things go and see them for what they really are.”

Alex nodded to God, who still looked exactly like himself.

“Now, go!”

“Wha–

With a jolt, he felt his body being pushed and pulled. It automatically backed away from God, the throne room and the gates of Heaven and went back to the River of the Dead. The next thing Alex knew ... he was back in his body!

“He’s alive!” he heard a voice say. He opened his eyes slowly and saw people around him, looking at him from above as if he was being operated on. When his eyes adapted to the Earth light again, he could see the Rebels, as well as Nikolas and Daniel looking warmly at him as if to ensure him that his worries were over.

He shook up from his bed and gasped.

“Okay,” said Daniel, “Now that you’re back, get ready.”

“For what?”

Daniel smiled. “The Council.”

Alex felt constricted in his body once again and he didn’t like it. He remembered God, took a deep breath and just let it be. He and the Garengs were seated in the helicopter, heading for London. “So, how are you feeling now?” asked Nikolas. “Is everything alright?”

Alex looked deep into his uncle’s eyes. In the crimson iris, he saw a light. Alex realized that light was Nikolas’s soul. He concentrated on it and without moving his lips or using his voice said, “No. But you’ll soon know why.” A flame glittered in the soul region of Nikolas’s eyes.

He was surprised by Alex’s use of telepathy. His eyes showed everything, including something quite unexpected: malice. Alex suddenly realized that malice exists in people who take the lives of others. The soul never darkens, only the ego, with or without knowing it. This was the difference between good and evil. A person who knows evil and turns away is good, and a person who knows evil but continues with pleasure is evil. But then what about someone who has no choice in anything? This was where dualities ceased to exist.

“Well, are you alright?” Daniel repeated his father’s statement.

“Yes.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Nikolas. “Remember to say nothing about yourself. Speak as little as you can and keep to the point.”

The helicopter landed on the helipad and they stepped outside.

Central Command Center 1 had been a magnificent man-made metallic island with blue, crystal-clear water everywhere. The sun shone splendidly and warmed the island. But this place, London, was frigid! Nikolas offered him a thick coat. “No,” Alex said, shivering, “I don’t think I’ll need it.”

Nikolas laughed, “Just because Daniel and I aren’t wearing anything doesn’t mean you can’t”

“I have to learn, don’t I?” he said.

“Look at you! You’re shivering,” Nikolas laughed, placing the jacket around Alex’s shoulders. “Come on.”

London was different now. Alex had come to understand a different city from the many books that he had read on its history. He looked across the helipad and saw air-cars, taxis and buses traveling to and fro in different zones of the sky. These zones started from the ground and stretched up as far as the eye could see. There was a complex network of arteries that led to different sections of the city. There were shopping areas and office areas with large skyscrapers made of glass and steel. There were also residential complexes in suburban areas where thousands of people were housed. There were large stone and marble structures, much like the Supreme Court and Headquarters of the Regnum, but bigger.

As Alex looked down, he saw a few people walking on the pavements, going about their day to day business.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” said Nikolas.

Alex nodded and his face lit up with exhilaration as the feeling that he was finally on the Earth sunk in.

They walked to the doorway, which had an elevator leading to the Main Hall. There were two guards inside, with their faces covered entirely by black helmets and wielding large plasma rifles. They came out to escort them to the Council Chambers. They entered the elevator and went down to the ground floor. The doors opened and they stepped out into a lavishly decorated lobby. Large windows brought in the sunlight all around them. To his left, Alex saw a majestic spiral staircase, with china vases filled with exotic flowers. Immediately he felt the warmth of central heating and of a large fire place, almost eight feet in height and twice as wide, near the reception desk.

The guards led them to a large hallway leading to several rooms. Before they entered, Alex noticed the receptionist was a beautiful woman. She looked like she was in her late twenties, but he somehow sensed that she was older. There was a huge man at the reception desk. He seemed to be making an important appointment. Alex registered his face, just in case it might be important; he intuited it would be.

The guards took them to the end of the dark hallway. There were rooms and offices on both sides. When they reached the end, they took a left and walked through another hallway which ended at a large double-door protected by two guards, dressed in dark suits. The guards held their palms out, stopping Daniel and Nikolas. Only Alex was allowed to enter. He turned to Nick who nodded and winked at him.

Alex entered the Chamber and sighed. He couldn’t make much out in the darkness. He had the distinct feeling he was being watched. As his eyes adjusted, he saw the outlines of the Twelve Council Elders. He hadn’t heard much talk of them except for what Daniel had said in the helicopter. He knew they had been chosen by Anaxagoras to deal with the overall affairs of the Earth. Fire suddenly blazed from torches hung on the walls. A chair was brought forth at will and Alex heard a cold, malevolent voice command, “Sit!” He did so reluctantly.