Last Trek of the Third Dimension--Part One

Last Trek of the Third Dimension

by

J.M.MacLeod

THE JOURNEY

            Kyle Stone tried to make sense of the incongruous voice invading his dream. Dreams always made sense, and the absurdity of the new voice roused Kyle to consciousness In his dream, Fluff, Kyle's pet lion, cavorted and showed off the awards he’d won in the city-wide competition for his young master, bragging about the care and attention he’d received. It was then that Fluff's voice changed, and the dream became surreal.

            "Get up son. It's a long journey to the Orb of Lebawnah."

            Kyle slowly opened his eyes and smiled. He recognized the face looming over him in the semi-darkness. It was his Dad, Glenn Stone. The thirteen-year-old sat up and stretched. "I dreamt that Fluff won the Ruler's Grand Prize. Do you think it'll happen?"

            Glenn stood and said, "Hard to say. This much I know, every other pet owner in Springfield is having similar dreams. Fluff has certainly blossomed under your care. You've as good a chance as any at the Excellency Awards. Hurry now, time to get ready. Remember, it's going to be warm, so dress accordingly."

            "I will. Are Uncle Bill and Danny here yet?"

            "No, they can't come. Something came up. Maybe they'll go tomorrow or the next day. Looks like we're on our own today."

            "Yea! And no girls, right?"

            "Right. Shirley and Anne have already been, and don't care to go again. They said parts of it were too horrifying. So it's just you and me. Hurry and get ready while I make my famous surprise omelet for breakfast."

            "Dad!" Kyle shouted. "Don't put beans in it again!"

            "Shhh! Not so loud. Besides, I've learned my lesson."

            After his Dad left, Kyle checked the lower bunk. "Hey Scooter, You awake?"

            No answer.

            Kyle thumped to the floor. "Scooter."

            Still no response.

            Kyle nudged his brother's shoulder. "Scooter."

            "Huh?"

            "Hey, me and Dad are going alone."

            Eight-year-old Oliver 'Scooter' Stone blinked sleepily. "You and Dad alone? That's great. I wish I could go too. Remember to tell me all about it."

            Kyle was already pulling on his Explorer's shorts replete with pockets and pouches, loops and other useful appendages. "I'll try. Shirley said there was so much to see and experience that it overwhelmed her. She never did tell me much."

            "I wish I was old enough to go," said Oliver wistfully as he watched his older brother go out the door.

            Breakfast and morning chores finished, Kyle bid Fluff farewell and, following his father, bicycled out the lane. "Bye Kyle, I'll be waiting," the nearly-grown, tawny lion called after his master.

            Kyle pumped hard to catch up to his Dad and finally did just before the long downgrade where they could coast. Kyle had never seen his Dad so serious. He was usually joking and laughing, full of mirth; fun to be with. Did it have something to do with the ordeal that lay ahead?

            They arrived and parked their bikes in the wall slots provided at 'The Car' depot where they’d catch their ride to the Orb of Lebawnah. Kyle was anxious to board the wondrous Car and be underway. This first step of manhood made this the most important day of his life. That’s why, when he nosed the front wheel of his bicycle into the slot, he just dismounted and walked away, forgetting to take the necessary precaution.

            Glenn Stone said, "Aren't you forgetting something, son?"

            "What?"

            "Do you expect to find your bike when we get back?"

            "Oh, yeah! I forgot." An embarrassed smile revealed sparkling white teeth. He returned to the wall slot and removed an embossed tag bearing the number '89', corresponding to the wall slot. He slipped it in his pocket and rejoined his Dad.

            "That's better. Yours is a popular model, and you might accidentally take someone else's." Glenn fingered a similar tag in his own pocket and reminisced about the time his father had brought him on his 'Last Trek'. "I called Grampa last night."

            Kyle looked up; interesting stories often resulted when the topic of his grandfather was brought up. "How is Grampa?"

            "Fine, fine. He and his brothers are going mountain climbing after duties today to visit their father in his lodge."

            "Great Grampa Stone? I thought he was on some deep sea diving expedition?"

            "He was, but upon being informed that your great, great grandfather has been notified to prepare to enter the ninth dimension, he wanted to return and bid him farewell."

            "I'll miss him."

            "Me too."

            "Dad, why can't we just stay in the third dimension forever?"

            "You’ll know the answer to that after today's trek. Say... did you know that people used to lock their belongings when they left them, like our bikes back there?"

            "Lock their belongings? What does that mean?"

            "Ummm... make them secure... against other people... it’s hard to explain... against other people wrongly using them."

            "How could it be wrong if they needed it?"

            "You may find this hard to believe, but the Corrupter influenced people into taking other people's things for no good reason. And what's more, they never returned them."

            "You're right Dad, that is hard to believe."

            Father and son topped the ramp and quietly chatted while waiting on the depot's platform amidst a gathering crowd. Kyle noticed that most adults were accompanied by a youth Kyle's age. All told, there were a couple of hundred talking pleasantly amongst themselves, waiting for the Car.

"Here it comes!"

            Kyle saw a flat-bottomed cylinder descending from the open, blue sky. There was no noise, smoke or flame issuing from the Car, yet, as evidenced by its rapid approach, it was obviously under some dynamic of propulsion. The huge transport soon filled the entire staging area on the platform. Commuters, parents with trekkers and students emerged, laughing and talking, happily going about their business.

            A purple light signaled “enter” and those on the platform passed inside the vast vehicle. Soft lighting filled the auditorium—a mobile theater. Rows of ivory-colored stuffed chairs filled the interior and a wall to wall, plush magenta carpet covered the floor. A sign on the wall instructed:

            ' TREKKERS SIT TO THE FORE WITH PARENTS.'

            The trekker seats were tilted to provide a better angle of the screen. As soon as Kyle rested his head a friendly voice from the headset greeted, "Welcome Trekker". He sat forward; the voice stopped.

            "How did it know I was sitting there and not you, Dad?"

            "Weight sensors, I think."

            "Is yours talking to you?"

            "Yes, only it calls me 'Trekker Parent'."

            Kyle sat back again and the voice picked up where it had left off. "This will prove to be a most memorable day for you, Trekker. Your parents, in conjunction with your city's rulers, have agreed that you are ready to acquire this knowledge of the past. When this day's trek is over you’ll not be the same. Among other things, you’ll be leaving your home planet's atmosphere for the first time. You’ll witness things from the past that will amaze you. The Overlords extend their congratulations, and invite you to attend the next pilgrimage to the holy city, ‘Our Defender Is There’. Today you graduate from Trekker to responsible planetary citizen.

“When the lights dim, please focus your attention to the sign directly in front. Enjoy your Trek."

            "Dad?"

            "Mmmm," said Glenn.

            "Why is this year of my life so different from the others?"

            "Our Defender was about your age when he first traveled from his home city with his parent and guardian to begin confronting the forces that held the entire planet in bondage. It’s quite normal for you to have curiosity about why things are the way they are.”

            "But I have no idea how things could be different."

            "And that's what this Last Trek is all about. I warn you, some of what you’ll see and hear won’t be pleasant. But you must be made aware before you can make pilgrimage."

            "If I do well, might I qualify to become a City Ruler, Overlord or Council Member?"

            "Afraid not son. Those positions are special rewards given to those who’ve made great personal sacrifices serving Our Defender in the days of his warfare."

THE CINEMA

            The lights gradually dimmed so that the sign became the auditorium’s sole source of light. Then the sign faded away, and Kyle saw that the sign was actually a projection from somewhere inside the theater. A person materialized before the screen. By his robe and crown, Kyle recognized him as one of Dicontinenta’s overlords.

            "Is this real?"

            Glenn answered carefully, "No, this is one of the few inventions still allowed from the 'Old Age'. They called it a hologram in the old techno-speech. Beams of light recorded the actual Overlord when he performed this function once, so he could welcome Trekkers from many generations and still be free to do other duties."

            The image spoke: "Welcome Trekkers." Kyle swiveled his head in a vain attempt to locate the source of the projection. "Our journey to the Orb of Lebawnah, or the 'Graveyard Zone' as you may have heard it referred to, will take slightly more than one-twenty-fourth of an earth day. You’ll land in what was once known as the Sea of Tranquility. There you’ll meet your guide who will drive you about in archaic ‘Old Age’ vehicles.

“In the Bubble Dome you’ll see exhibits that will stretch your credibility. You’ll tour the Museum of Abominations and the Hall of Species Man. Finally, after you’ve been sufficiently prepared by those exhibits, your day will culminate with a visit to the Inter-dimensional Telescope. Nothing I can say will prepare you for that experience. Only then will you fully appreciate what Our Defender has accomplished with his victory over the dark forces. This day you will lose your innocence.

            "Without further ado, let our journey begin. Keep watching this screen, for it will provide a basis for understanding the rest of the day's events."

            The hologram disappeared and Kyle felt a slight rumble. The Car was underway to the moon.

At the disappearance of the hologram, the screen lit up, covering a third of the interior, circular wall. On the screen was an old-fashioned, leather-bound book. The edges were gilded with gold. Kyle's headset narrated: "You need no introduction to this book. This is a copy of the Great One's thoughts, words and deeds. Herein is revealed the code of honor by which the valiant ones lived, fought, and resisted the darkness that overwhelmed the planet prior to the cleansing."

            The book opened, revealing an ancient script. The narration continued: You are familiar with the names, stories and oracles contained herein, but..." the book finished flipping front to back, "...until now, you’ve been unaware of what happened between the third and fourth dimensions as these events took place. Understand then, that human events in the third dimension were preceded and influenced by fourth dimension occurrences of incredible magnitude. Behold the origins of the powers that once ravaged the realm you presently occupy."

            The book faded and the entire auditorium was plunged into blackness. A rumble of thunder was followed by a dazzling spectrum of rays filling the screen. The light rays gathered into small, glowing orbs. But, the glowing spheres were far more voluminous than the empty spaces. A circular movement began among groups of these orbs, then the groups themselves revolved around a center, where the brightest of lights dwelt. Then from this blinding white center flowed a continuous corona of amber light, permeating the entire screen.

            "The Dance of the O-yar-su,” Kyle's Dad said. "Remember how you worked so hard to learn the positions and steps in first grade?"

            "Oh, I see it!" Kyle was entranced by the colors separating and re-blending into each other in the cosmic promenade. "So this is what that represented? I never thought it would be so… beautiful."

A soft undulation of harmonic melodies filled Kyle's ears. All at once spots of light left the glowing orbs and followed the amber rays back to their source where a celebration was taking place in the presence of the One in the center. Then they returned to their orbs, all moving in perfect unison. This pulsation was performed at regular intervals,

Gradually the screen focused on the central, brilliant light.  There were many phase shifts bringing the subject closer and Kyle saw a throne at the epicenter of the amber undulations of light. Creatures that defied description stood at attention around this throne while winged beings hovered in attendance upon the One upon the throne. But the One on the throne was veiled from view by the wings of the hovering beings.

Again the spots of light, which Kyle now recognized as spirits, obeyed the universal impulse to celebrate before the throne in song and dance, reporting their accomplishments and receiving new instructions. Gradually the attention focused on one winged being that gathered all the songs to present before the throne. After that, the assembly was dismissed and all creatures returned to their proper dominions.

The spirit who had presented the songs to the throne drew aside to observe a small, obscure, brown and blue globule of matter revolving around a yellowish glowing orb. Great events were happening on that globule, for each time it rotated on its axis there was something new to be seen. In fact, this little globule had become of great interest to many of the spirits.

            "Erets Admah," Kyle whispered to himself. "Earth."

            The Song Presenter watched as living things suddenly appeared in the seas and in the air. On the sixth rotation Kyle perceived that during this succession of events, a dimming was happening to the Song Presenter. The amber light emanating from the throne no longer passed through him as easily as it once had. In fact, he seemed resistant to it, although all the other spirits enjoyed and even thrived on the amber light.

            "Behold the beginning of corruption," the speakers said.

The Song Presenter brooded, becoming more and more preoccupied with the primary couple inhabiting this spinning globe.

            Another impulse from the throne invited the spirits to celebrate. The Song Presenter obeyed, but with a different attitude. Upon arrival before the throne he spoke covertly to some spirits near him. Instantly he turned a shade darker; some of the ones he’d spoken to also dimmed.

When it was time for him to present the songs, he hesitated, as if pretending for a brief moment that the songs were in his honor instead of for the One on the throne.

The guardians before the throne noted the subtle change and drew weapons.

            "You’ll be given to understand the words they speak,” said the speakers, “but remember, this in only a representation of what transpired long ages ago. Our Defender has neutralized each dangerous concept and action, You need not feel threatened at the Corrupter’s suggestions."

            A red tint occurred in the center in the amber light from the Creator, and the guardians lowered their weapons but did not put them away.

            The Corrupter, still holding a bowl containing the offered praises, stood in  hesitation before the throne.

Simultaneously a curious event rippled through the assembly; others were resisting the amber light and spreading a message; whenever another spirit was persuaded, it too resisted the amber light and turned a shade dimmer. Barely a moment had passed until all the assemblage had heard the message of the Corrupter’s occult evangelists. The majority of the spirits rejected the message, still basking in the amber light; but a full third, intermixed throughout the crowd, had turned darker.

            A flash of red light erupted from the throne and the Corrupter raised his head. "Not really a doubt, more like a question."

            Another flash brought a gasp from the gathering.

            "Oh no, O Worshipful One. I know the impossibility of that. May I speak freely?"

            A red beam went only as far as the Song Presenter.

            "Thank You. Seeing you have created all that is, and finding myself among your works, then it follows that you have created my ability to choose—that is, unless you ultimately control even that, making all this rather… pointless."

            A murmur ran through the crowd.

Little by little, the interspersed shadowy specters congregated behind their leader.

None of the beings luxuriating in the amber light noticed the shades gathering behind the challenger. But the guardians raised their weapons in warning.

            The Corrupter ignored the threat, continuing, " … and if you have given us the freedom to choose, is that freedom not wasted if unused? Have you created things only to be wasted? Yet you declare all who resist your way as being… unfit! My argu—uh—question is this: isn’t this just the appearance of liberty when in fact, it doesn't really exist?"

            With a rumble of approval the darkened shades surged closer to their champion. A black shadow appeared around them—a rip in the fabric of the amber light. The spirits still in the light were aghast.

Another red glow came from behind the vigilant guardians.

The Corrupter bowed, then raised his head yet again to say, "May I press my question to its logical conclusion? For your say so isn’t enough for me, nor, I suspect, for those who’ve aligned themselves with me, whose songs I also carry. I believe we deserve a more complete explanation." He turned, and for the first time saw how large his support had grown. He smirked and turned back for a response.

            Thunder emitted from the throne with an accompanying brilliant flash of lightning, followed by a red beam directed to the Corrupter only. All beings fell on their faces, including the Corrupter.

“Oh, yes, Holiest," the Corrupter picked himself up, "…I understand the consequences, as do my followers."

Kyle detected a hint of pride in the way the dark angel said, “my followers”.

"And yet,” said the Corrupter, “are you not the Creator of my desire to know these things for certain? You declare—without evidence, I might add—before these my peers, that I am defiled and a Corrupter! But where is the evidence? Do these singers not deserve to know the truth of the matter? Would you pronounce sentence without giving my suggestions fair play? I ask not for myself alone, but on behalf of all singers gathered here, those who agree with me, and those who don't. Would you allow your judgments to be mistrusted among your servants? If I am convicted without evidence today, when will your unilateral judgment likewise condemn one of them?" He pointed first to his shaded compatriots, then to the greater assembly.

The seeds of doubt were planted.

            "Majesty, you pronounce that I desire to ascend to your status, to sit enthroned, receiving adoration, benignly observing the assembly come to honor me, to rise above the cloud-like guardians—to be like you!"

            A hush filled the universe.

Kyle leaned forward to the edge of his seat. Would the One on the throne tolerate this abuse, or had He endured enough?

            After several moments the Corrupter raised his head with the audacity to continue. 

Kyle remembered he needed to have his ears between the speakers to hear the conversation and sat back.

"… I do not deny the charges, but . . . is my desire so un-good? Is it really a threat to harmony, or . . . is it just a threat … to you?"

            Another murmur of approval arose from the shades.

A gasp of outrage came from the lights.

The guardians made ready to step forward and seize the former Song Presenter but a beam of red from the throne prevented them.

            "See how blind obedience has perverted justice!" crowed the challenger. "Even my own order of Cerubi would strike me—without evidence!"

Cheers from the shades greeted this outburst. The rift of darkness surrounding the conspirators deepened.

Confusion and anger raced through the lightened spirits. Open hostility manifested between the diverse groups; violence threatened.

Only the One on the throne was calm. The amber light from the throne intensified, turning colors: green representing life of an unknowable, joyful intensity; blue was goodness beyond comprehension; purple was grief and sadness at what must happen; red—a message known only to the Corrupter and his followers; and finally, amber again. Somehow Kyle was given the perception of the meanings of the various colors as they sped throughout the universe.

            "But, let others judge, not you only. How can one of the litigants judge in a dispute? If your followers and my followers struggle while you and I watch, then let victory establish what truth is." Even as he spoke, weapons on both sides were drawn; war was imminent.

            Red splayed from the throne and all hostile movement ceased.

            "Ah, you say your goodness and love are more powerful, but I say violence and hatred—my inventions—are just as strong, maybe stronger, and certainly quicker. As a god I will rule, letting hatred be my eminence. Rise up my followers, make violence your garment!"

            Weapons clashed as the ex-Song Presenter made a vain dash to get past the guardians. He was halted, but not overcome. Everywhere lights struggled against shades; chaos threatened. Though outnumbered two to one, the shades could not be overcome, nor could they prevail.

            The One on the throne sent forth a blast of white light and all lightened combatants stood away from their foes. Each shade had been branded with a smoldering, black spot from the white blast. This spot was hypersensitive to the amber rays flooding all creation, bringing such searing agony to the bearers that they could no longer abide the light. The rebels were in great discomfort from the smoldering brand; the amber light didn’t allow the burning sensation to fade, but kept the pain fresh as a reminder of what awaited. The Corrupter gathered his whimpering hosts about him as the lightened beings cleared a pathway for them to flee.

            "All right," raged the ex-Song Presenter as he retreated, "Your power is greater, but does that make for justice? If you hadn't intervened, my way would eventually have carried. How can you know that self-serving is not better than good?"

            A rumble of thunder came as an answer.

Corrupter paused, his followers cowering behind him.

            "Very well, if I’m allowed to combat you personally, I'll agree, but, you must let me consolidate my position before you approach, if a true rendering is to result."

With that, the Corrupter and his horde fled to the blue, green and brown mottled globe. They entered the most succulent place on the planet, the home of the two regents, the highest created species, the sole couple of their kind.

Corrupter studied them carefully for many rotations beneath their yellow star. Meanwhile, the other shades, suffering from their branding, busied themselves seeking refuge from the amber light’s torments. They tried hiding beneath mountains and rocks, ocean depths and even dwelling inside the bodies of animal life forms, all of which proved unsatisfactory, for nothing prevented the amber ray's penetration. Even the dark side of the planet’s rotation held no relief.

            The Corrupter entered a huge, two-legged reptile and led it into the garden where the two human regents ruled. The male was clearly the leader, yet never gave cause to make the female feel inferior. It was a reflection of their relationship to their Creator as well, and so, Corrupter reasoned, must be distorted and exploited if he was to make any inroads. Corrupter made his move when the male was nearby but engaged in training a vine to hang a certain way on a tree so as not to interfere with the tree’s vascular system. This left the female in a corner of the garden, gathering fruit for their evening meal.

            The giant reptile approached, acting clumsy, making her laugh. He fell to the earth, legs uselessly flailing the air. The female regent approached, laughing, chiding the huge beast. The reptile spoke and the woman paused, then looked longingly at a tree at the far end of the field. This tree bore fruit of variegated, intertwined color.

The woman and the reptile, again on his feet, engaged in conversation. The basket half full of ripe fruit lay forgotten on the ground as the woman and reptile walked toward the far end.

            The screen went blank.

            Kyle, not realizing he’d been holding his breath, released it in a sudden gasp.

            “You know the result of that episode, don’t you, son?” asked Glenn Stone.

            Kyle looked at his dad and slowly nodded. “I never thought about what happened before—.”

            “Shh, pay close attention to this next part that takes place many years later.”

The screen gradually brightened again, showing the yellow star with its orbiting planets. The third planet from the center was drastically changed; its dark side was truly dark, not just shadowy, and elsewhere on its surface the amber light had been greatly reduced. A layered network of strong shadows filtered out the amber light, guarding the planet’s atmosphere. On the planet’s surface lived offspring of the glorious regents of the previous scenes—though much diminished in size, countenance and nobility—and running amuck in fulfillment of greedy desires!

Inside these fallen sons of men lived the weaker shades who had found in their unwitting hosts a shelter from the amber waves of light that tormented their blistered, black spots. The amber light was unable to pass through defiled flesh and blood.

The entire planet had changed from its original beauty to something old and eaten with decay. The carefree, cavorting beasts Kyle had seen at play in the garden were now hostile and fearful of man. Everything was in decline. Darkness had taken total control of the planet; and was the only place in the universe where the rebellious shades found relief from the burning, amber light. The shades were thus imprisoned in that atmosphere of darkness amid the universe of light; but it was a prison under their control, and they ran riot upon the original species’ offspring.

The speakers continued, “The fallen spirits tried to forget the lofty height from which they’d tumbled, having foolishly traded it for this run-down world—the results of their usurpation. In their hatred they assaulted every vestigial reminder in nature of the One who had created the planet, for any reminder of Him burned them afresh with shame and anguish at what awaited them.”

“Did the darkness win, Dad?” Kyle asked.

“Watch,” said Glenn.

Suddenly a spearhead of bright spirits was released from the realm of glory, entering the dark atmosphere unannounced and unexpected, piercing through the screening veil of darkness. The spearhead proceeded to a certain place on the planet’s surface where they sang songs of the glorious realm to some herdsmen on a hillside.

            "And so begins the most marvelous event in the history of the universe," said the narrator.

The screen focused on a small village where a baby had just been born—a most unusual baby—a child aglow with the universal amber light which had been all but cut off from this gloomy globe.

Scenes of this unusual Child growing to manhood passed before Kyle’s eyes in rapid succession.

            Then the lightened hosts again clustered outside the dark atmosphere, not to enter, but to observe.

The Amber-emitting man had made himself conspicuous, shining the amber light on men, driving away the shades that dwelt within or around them. Those who followed this man reflected His glow, and were again made aware of the truth about the One on the throne, gladly basking in that revelation. Darkness was put to flight wherever this man and His followers went.

In desperation, the Corrupter gathered his retreating forces and manipulated the minds of the people still under his control into resistance against Him. The forces of human officialdom, usually at odds with one another, allied themselves against this man who was the exact expression of the One on the throne—the Word. They hated the light this man emitted, becoming as black at heart as the shades they unwittingly sheltered from the amber glow. But the man was unstoppable. Everywhere he went, he and his followers drove shadows away, setting people free from the bondage they hadn't even realized they were under. And people began again to sing to the One in spirit and truth. The dark planet threatened to become enlightened, no longer providing a haven for the spirit rebels.

Then the unthinkable happened.

The lightened spirits outside the atmosphere were aghast as the man was falsely accused and seized by the authorities, abandoned by His followers, beaten by His captors, and condemned to a horrible, slow death by the very ones he’d come to liberate. He didn’t resist, but yielded to their will… and died.

The amber glow was gone from the man's body, and so was its reflection on His followers. The planet’s darkness deepened; a sense of revelry permeated the realm of the shadows. The Corrupter and his minions celebrated at the ease with which this war had been won.

            Outside the atmosphere weapons had been drawn among those watching, angry determination on every countenance. But a wave of red light forbade action, yet, they didn’t put up their weapons.

            Two rotations of the planet passed in succession and on the dawn of the third a burst of amber, green, blue and red light erupted from the tomb where the man had been laid.

Kyle had learned these events by rote, but watched in awe at this “virtual” manifestation.

Many rotations later a red light opened a rift in the skies of the dark atmosphere. The followers of the man with the amber light were bathed in this red corona from deep heaven, and began glowing like their risen leader. As they watched He lifted off the planet's surface and returned to the throne amidst the dance of the O-Yar-Su, leaving the task of touching other men with this red and amber light to his followers.

These men, and the men and women they touched, became a wild, racing fire across the darkened globe, spreading the amber/red light across nations and continents.

            The screen faded.

"Relax, son. You're squeezing your arm rests.
            "Wow, Dad! I never understood before..."

            "Shhh, there's more, and you don't want to miss any of it."

            The narration continued: "... in school you learned how many revolutions the planet made around its star until the evidence against the Corrupter and his followers—human as well as phantom—was fulfilled. During those centuries the bearers of the light never knew when the evidence gathering would end and the trial begin; nevertheless, they held fast to their confidence, knowing their Defender would return as He promised."

            The screen lit up. The planet was again whelmed in darkness, yet pinpricks of light occasionally erupted into a wildfire of activity until dark forces rushed in to quell the outbreak. The dark forces were not successful in quenching all the lights, nor could they for long hold sway over any area, for the harder they quashed the outbreaks, the more the sparks scattered, igniting yet more fires.

            Outside the atmosphere, still observing (though some were occasionally sent down on errands) lightened spirits maintained an armed vigil. This elite guard needed no further evidence that the Corrupter’s ways wrought destruction. Desire to unleash wrath against those of their order who had defied the One and His  Begotten was strong. Corrupter's disobedience had only brought about havoc; certainly not a viable, alternative kingdom. If somehow this rebellion escaped from this orb, the whole of the third dimension would be in jeopardy. The guards were zealous that this not happen.

            Kyle watched as the darkness deepened on the planet, opposing the remaining amber-glowing humans, threatening to exterminate all semblance of amber light from the planet.

The narration continued: "In the final days of the age, Corrupter indwelt and controlled a powerful and popular leader who vigorously attacked every remnant of amber light. The man, through threats and intrigues, quickly enslaved the planet’s population, achieving the perverted goal of the Corrupter, though it summoned punishment nearer to the deluded myriad that followed him—human and spirit alike. This monstrous man basked in the worship of those he’d deceived, receiving adoration from such as they’d become under his corruption. They no longer were the noble beings once created, but merely existed now with dulled minds—a selfish, pleasure-mad people. This was a far cry from the worship of worthy, intelligent beings that the Corrupter had originally craved to control, yet these depraved vestiges of humanity, instinct-driven brutes, would suffice. He was lord of a dunghill. Only those few remaining, annoying sparks of light robbed him of total victory."

            A trumpet sounded. Throughout the universe lightened spirits gathered just beyond the ring of guardians. The throne suddenly appeared, and other thrones were set up as a jury. At the right hand of the throne was the Amber Man, now the visible source of the amber light flooding the universe. At a signal from the One on the throne the Amber Man arose, and with Him the armies of lightened hosts stood to the ready, weapons in hand.

            "The Corrupter sees his days are numbered and is outraged," said the narrator. "A vindictive blood bath will accompany his fall as god of that world.”

Kyle watched in grim silence; violent storms, earthquakes, thunders and voices were unleashed. The planet itself seemed disgusted with its polluting occupants who were the Corrupter's puppets.

Those who bore the light lifted their heads in expectation when everyone else ducked for cover; the gathering of evidence was nearly finished, their Defender was coming to the rescue.

            "The Begotten rode forth to war,” said the speakers, “followed by legions of enraged spirits intent upon avenging the honor of their Sovereign. The assembled jury declared that whatever action taken by the Begotten would be fully justified. All doubt of His justice was erased from the minds of his servants. The third dimension would be well rid of Corrupter’s malignancy, and none would question the severest punishment, for the integrity of the harmonious universe was at stake. The Corrupter and his followers must be punished by the destiny they themselves had chosen when they resisted the light of His love."

            Kyle saw a beam of red light from the Begotten strike the two who’d allowed the Corrupter to indwell them. They were flung to a place at the farthest edge of the universe. Then one of the Cerubi entangled the Corrupter in a great chain and dragged him off the planet.

A joyous profusion of amber lights sprang up from beneath the ground, joining those who were alive; together they welcomed the Amber Man, the Begotten of the One, as He took up His rightful rule. Upon His head was a crown encrypted, “Our Defender.”     

            The screen went blank, and the lights came on.

The hologram of the Overlord re-appeared. "It was necessary to remind you of these things so you’d get the most out of your visit to the Graveyard Zone. Only after seeing the Museum of Abominations and the exhibit of Species Man will you be able to comprehend the sight the inter-dimensional telescope will bring you. Pay close attention to your guides, trust them implicitly, you will learn much from them. Ask all the questions you like, for this is your graduation from innocence to knowledge.

“You’ve witnessed the confrontation between the forces of light and darkness; now you’ll gain insight into the Corrupter’s methods to keep humanity under bondage."

The hologram disappeared, and the auditorium lights came on. The screen was once again just a sign reading:

            TREKKERS AND PARENTS PLEASE WAIT FOR YOUR GUIDE.

To be continued…