Final edition of 'Last Trek'

LAST TREK OF THE THIRD DIMENSION

By J.M.MacLEOD

Part Three

THE INTER-DIMENSIONAL TELESCOPES

            Amy steered the ATV across the moon’s dust-gray field toward an isolated structure. It was an observatory. Kyle noted that they were the very first to leave the History of Species Man Exhibit, and in the relative quiet of the moonscape, Kyle took the opportunity to mull over the change within himself. Amy subtly kept an eye on her charge, smiling at his brooding; it was the best of all reactions a guide hoped for.

As they drew near the observatory, Kyle asked, "What happened to the Corrupter? Obviously he isn't destroyed, for you said he might yet play a part in the final throes of the nations?"

            "The answer to that question lies just ahead; this is the observatory of the inter-dimensional telescope. Oh look, I believe your father is standing by the railing?"
            "Yes, it is." Kyle waved tentatively, wondering if his Dad was able to recognize him at that distance.

            "He'll be pleased to know you're the first to graduate."

            Amy parked the vehicle and rejoined Kyle who was already at his father's side.

            "Any trouble?" Glenn asked Amy.

            Amy flipped through a clipboard and answered with a bright smile, "Just a little, at the same place, according to our records, you also balked. It's a good thing I checked, or I'd have been concerned."

            Glenn laughed. "How many exhibits?"

            "All of the first, and two thirds of the second."

            "Really? It took me four fifths of the second."
            "Kyle has a good understanding; he'll do well."

            "I now know how much I owe Our Defender, Dad. Can't wait till my Pilgrimage when I actually meet him."

            Amy said, "Your first act as a pilgrim now is to see what would have become of you had Our Defender not intervened."

            "The telescope, right?"

            Amy pointed to a steep stairway with a secured door at the top.

            "Are you sure I'm ready?"

            "Kyle, nothing can prepare you for what you're about to see. Just remember this: such drastic measures are absolutely necessary.”

            "Well, lead on."
            "No, now that you’re a pilgrim, you must go alone. Your father and I will wait here. Another will be your guide in there. Few of us from the Blessed Generations can witness those things more than once."

            Glenn Stone had a somber expression on his usually buoyant face.

            Kyle turned toward the stairs, suddenly finding it hard to swallow. His knees felt weak as he climbed and knocked on the portal.

            “Enter,” came a deep voice.

Except for small lights embedded along the sides of the ascending stairway, it was dark inside. Kyle closed the door behind and paused, unsure what to do next; the stairs were steep—almost like a ladder.

            "Come up," said came the same authoritative, masculine voice.

            At the top of the steps was a robed figure. Though the room was dark, and his cloak was dark, there was no lack of light around him, indeed, the man himself seemed to glow. His deep voice was firm but friendly. This was one of the Rulers. Kyle sucked in a deep breath and climbed.

            "You recognize my office?" The Ruler asked when Kyle arrived at the top.

            Kyle could only nod.

            "You’ve eaten the fruit?"

            Kyle nodded again; afraid to speak lest his voice squeak.

            The Ruler turned and sighed, or so it seemed to Kyle, as he said, "Every duty is a joy—except this one. Nevertheless, it’s required. You’ll understand.” He pointed and said,  “Sit in that seat and look into the eyepiece."

            The “eyepiece” was a two feet square screen suspended from the ceiling and angled over the seat. Kyle tried to make himself comfortable despite his unease at being in the presence of one who had died during the Great Purge, yet lived.

            The Ruler went to an instrument panel and began dialing knobs and throwing switches. "Relax, Kyle. Nothing is expected of you except to observe. Tell me what you see."

            Kyle cleared his throat. "Okay."

A panel slid away from the screen, revealing three glowing orbs.

            "What do you see, Kyle?"

            "I'm not sure. It sort of looks like three stars, but not any I've ever studied before."

            "Correct. You’re looking farther than any earth telescope has ever looked. You’re seeing the Three Guardians of the Third Dimension. Beyond is another dimension. Photons, quarks, isotons, etceteras are worthless past that point. The images you’re about to see consist of mattons—the primary particles of existence in all dimensions. There’s a vision translator mounted to your eyepiece so you can make sense of what you see." He pressed a button, and the eyepiece crackled as it warmed with electricty, then turned greenish-gray. "Talk to me, tell me what you see."

            "Uh, I see some kind of opening, hold on, it’s barred. But there’s a hole in space."

            "Correct. Continue."

            "It's like I'm flying through the opening, and umm, I see pretty lights with odd little things swirling around."

            "Look closer Kyle, those aren't lights. What are they?"

            "Uh, I see better now. Fires! The fires seem to be connected somehow, but they are flames, right?"

            "And the odd little things swirling around?"

            "I can't quite… identify them. They're unlike anything I've ever seen before. Oh! They're alive! How can creatures live in such intense fire? Oh wait… they have faces and arms and..." Kyle pulled away from the eyepiece and looked at the Ruler, his eyes wide, brows raised and lips slightly parted.

            "Keep looking Kyle, and never forget. They’re just waiting in that hellish prison now. But the final judgment soon approaches. Then their anguish will increase like they never thought possible."

            Kyle reluctantly watched the writhing human souls. Each person had been reduced to a worm-like creature, retaining vestigial arms and legs and fully recognizable facial features. Whenever one wriggled too close to another it turned savagely like a viper, biting, hissing and gnashing its teeth.

            "I personally knew the one on the left," the Ruler said. "He often boasted how it would be better to reign in hell than serve in heaven, quoting a popular song of our day."

            "It's horrible."

            "It’s just."

            "Eating the fruit deserves this?"

            "Worse. And for eternity, relentlessly. All of Creation would unravel if disobedience went unchecked."

            Kyle felt nauseous.

            "Remember Kyle, they chose their fate. Nothing could persuade them to turn from their own ways. Keep watching as I shift the scene."

            The screen panned over billions of writhing souls until there was a vast gap. Kyle released his pent-up breath.

Then, at the edge of three dimensional existence Kyle beheld a fiery lake.

            "Where are they now?" the Ruler mused to himself, searching his viewfinder. "Oh, I see them. Take a close look, at the one on the left, Kyle. That’s the Imposter—we called him the Beast, the Antichrist. I believe you asked what he looked like? The other man was his prophet. These two were as monstrous as the Corrupter himself, warranting judgment immediately, not waiting the time out as the others who languish in their fiery prison.

            Kyle was un able to take his eyes off the two men; their flesh bubbled and boiled as they gnawed their tongues in agony. He turned away. "That place is much hotter, it seems. Those waiting in prison will be sent here too, won’t they?"

            The Ruler made no reply.

            "This is the price for taking what was forbidden?"

            "This is the consequence of disobedience. With good reason was the knowledge of good and evil forbidden at the time of beginnings."

            "And what of the one who started this corruption?"

            The scope panned to a new position. "Look there on the border, the very edge of Hell. Do you see the pit of nothingness? Look closely along the sides."

            Kyle studied the area and made out a large half-reptile, half-man creature that was suspended by a chain—shackled to the sides of the pit. His features sagged in grief. From his emaciated body drooped leathery wings that scraped the side of the pit. His expression declared he was the most wretched of all creatures. He mouthed a phrase over and over. Kyle tried to make out what he was saying.

            As if reading Kyle's thoughts, the Ruler said, "He's speaking in the Cerubi tongue, saying, 'I'm sorry, so, so sorry. I never knew it would turn out this way. I wish I'd never started it. Is there any hope I can make things right? Can I be redeemed?' He's been saying that exact phrase since the moment he was shut up there some nine hundred plus years ago."

            "He seems sincere. Does he mean it?"

            "I’m not allowed to say. But I can tell you this: the fate of those in hell hinges on whether he’s still rebellious when he’s finally released. As of yet, only the Beast and the false prophet have been sentenced to the eternal death—thrown alive and never to physically perish into the Lake of Fire. At sentencing, all those ‘worms’ will be clothed with human bodies again, to stand judged as humans, not disembodied spirits. If deemed worthy of punishment, they’ll be cast into the Lake of Fire, fully fleshed with indestructible, yet sentient bodies, always existing, never to cease suffering. Their fate will be sealed when the Corrupter is released from his prison and final evidence is presented to render a verdict."

            "I don't wish to be rude, but … I've seen enough. Is there anything else I must see?"

            "You have seen enough. Congratulations, pilgrim."

                                                                        ~

            It was late when Kyle crept into his bedroom. Scooter was still awake however, waiting. "Hey Kyle, how was it? Tell me all about it."

            "Hi Scooter. It was... well, great, I guess. I'll never be the same. It’s just too much for words. You'll see when you get to go."

            Scooter flopped down on his pillow. "That's what everybody says," he sighed.

But, his last trek would come.

The End… for now…