Transcendence (eBook)

S.A. Wallace (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2018 | 1. Auflage
300 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
978-1-5439-5491-3 (ISBN)

Infos

This is the third and final volume of the Mirrored Worlds trilogy about two planets, separated by light years that are both populated by the people of earth. One is on the verge of self imposed extinction on a world that has slipped into technological darkness. They are desperate to figure out how to use a long abandoned satellite array in an attempt to make contact with their ancestors on another world that they only recently found out existed. Dying from a genetically induced inability to produce antibodies, they discover that the only cure is waiting in the blood of their ancient ancestors. The other world discovered ancient writings hidden in a desert. The man who financed the dig had long ago received a hoard of ancient devices that he was convinced could help him overcome a medical condition that placed him in a wheelchair. He used his immense wealth to hire experts from nearly every discipline of science to break the code of the mysterious texts and to determine how to operate the devices. When they discovered that the origin of both were related and probably came from an alien source, they would pull out all the stops to complete the tasks assigned by their boss. Both were desperate to achieve their goals but for different reasons. Both were bound together across time and space to accomplish the impossible but neither knew for sure that the other still existed.

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Transcendence is the third volume of the Mirrored Worlds trilogy that began with some incredible discoveries on two different worlds in 'Cognizance'. The saga continued in 'Ascension' where it was revealed that the two worlds were almost mirror images of each other and that they were populated by a race that originated on Earth but found a way to escape to another star system. The second volume details the struggles on both worlds to not only decipher the ancient texts discovered but also to uncover the mystery of how this relationship occurred. This third volume describes the continuing efforts to complete the work that began with fantastic discoveries and the desire to find out the truth behind our mysterious past. The reasons were very different, but both worlds desired to discover the other. Only one had the technology required to make this connection but, ironically, it originated from the other world and there were alien writings left that held the necessary instructions. The total desperation of one world to save their very civilization from a self inflicted genetic anomaly rises to a frantic fervor. They discover that they are a dying race and only the genetics of their ancestors that are located on another planet can cure them. It becomes a mad race against time, rebellious citizens and broken technology to complete the communication systems that would hopefully contact an unknown world. Even if they could manage to send the message there was no assurance of it being received or understood. The second world incorporated a large contingent of scientists from many different disciplines in an attempt to decipher alien texts. This effort was being driven by a billionaire who believed that the answers that lie within these ancient texts would hold a cure for his ailment that had resulted in him being confined to a wheelchair. He had a host of ancient devices that he believed were tied to these texts and hoped that instructions for their use were also locked inside the documents. What they both discovered was an amazing past that began together centuries ago and would be required to end together if all the answers and desires were to be met.

Textauszug

Chapter One – Theory Confirmed

 

The room sat in stunned silence with the exception of the sound of paper being turned while half a dozen scientists wrote furiously, filling page after page of notebook paper. It resembled a room of military code decipherers seen from WW II. Those that were writing barely heard the words with any comprehension. It took all their faculties to simply document the oratory.

Those that were not writing were standing or sitting in total shock. At first many of them thought it was some kind of joke or a well designed stunt for some unknown purpose. It soon became apparent that it was neither. Vince had disappeared into some deep and unnerving trance and his words were measured and almost robotic in tone.

In what sounded like an introduction or preamble, he described the devastating effects of the comet as the earth passed through its tail. He chronicled the ensuing discovery and the horrifying realization that the entire population of the planet had become infected with a genetic abnormality. Aberrant DNA sequences that served as precursors to cancer. The story was intense but the detail lacked a little clarity, almost as if the authors were condensing an edited version of a long and storied history.

The pace was exhilarating and Vince was picking up stone after stone and reading almost as fast as he could trade one for the next. Those scientists who were watching him began to doubt its legitimacy based on the speed alone. It felt as if he were ‘winging’ it instead of reading at all. Also, there was no way to determine if his words correlated in any way to the number or complexity of the characters chiseled into the stone. The original hope was that his rendering could be verified through traditional translation, that sense could be made of the characters themselves and that a key could be developed from it. It became abundantly clear, however, that this was not to be the case and at best only a transcript of Vince speaking would be obtained.

The look of excitement and wonder on Ramendien’s face had all but been replaced with mild to serious irritation. He was beginning to think Vince had pulled a fast one on him which infuriated him far more than keeping the spiraled notebook a secret. His weakened hands gripped the arms of his chair with all the strength they had. He was on the verge of stopping this charade and make Vince admit fraud when he noticed the large dark blue leech that clung to the speakers’ neck and had stretched up onto the side of his head. It was pulsing with life, looking as if it would extract itself from his skin at any moment to escape.

“The medical and scientific communities were working furiously to develop a cure by any …” Vince faltered and his voice disappeared momentarily and then erupted in an anguished scream as he dropped the tablet and clutched at the leech on the side of his head in desperation. The tablet fell crashing to the floor and splintered into a hundred pieces. Vince collapsed in a heap, losing consciousness before he landed on the tile beneath.

Marcus and all that were watching emitted a collective gasp but were unable to react quick enough to stop the fall. The two closest archaeologists hurried to Vince’s side and knelt down to check for signs of life. The erratic breathing was enough evidence to convince them of his survival and one of them turned to the others and nodded affirmatively to acknowledge as much.

The purplish vein had receded substantially, turning to a deep red and fading rapidly. It had left its mark, however, in the fact that blood was running from Vince’s nose and his eyes were bloodshot from burst micro-capillaries. Once the immediate concern for life had passed, the two men lifted Vince up onto a table where others who had obtained water and wash cloths attempted to revive the unconscious leader. The alien helmet still lay on the floor where it dislodged from the wearers’ head.

Just as Vince was being laid upon the table several of the esoteric team entered the lab. They had been standing just in the doorway observing what had just transpired. Bobby, Chris, Ted, Drew and Jon realized immediately that they had just witnessed something of great importance. Simultaneously, Bobby could see that Vince was in bad shape and in need of medical attention. Although he wasn’t truly a doctor, he had studied a lot of traditional medicine during his education and quest for knowledge in spiritual healing. He rushed to the unresponsive man and pulled up one eyelid with his forefinger and thumb.

“Hey, you’re not a doctor!” shouted a worried but irritated Marcia. “I’m not even sure you are a PhD much less a medical doctor!” She literally hissed the last part, reminding Bobby of a giant snake.

“I have extensive medical training required to complete my studies” explained the young man without actually addressing the insults of the irate woman standing before him. He managed to not even look in her direction which infuriated her even more.

She was preparing another volley to sling his way when Marcus wheeled his chair between the two and speaking to Bobby while looking directly at Marcia, said “Well, I am certain that you have far more training than anyone else in this room.” His voice was strong and stern and directed straight at the middle aged woman. “Please do what you can for him and tell us if we need to get him to the infirmary and some true medical assistance.”

Marcia scowled and faded into the crowd silently, knowing when to let something go. She watched with an eagle eye, however, to make sure that the young scientist wasn’t pulling a stunt or using any ‘magic’ to arouse his patient. She continued to glare at him even long after it became apparent that he did have at least a modicum of medical training and background. Marcia never realized that her emotions were not related to the medical capabilities of Bobby at all but simply that she distrusted them.

A preliminary exam convinced Bobby that Vince would recover completely and probably without any side effects save a massive head ache. “He is going to be just fine. I think he just needs to rest here a bit before we try to wake him up. So what caused the bleeding and made him pass out anyway?” The empty helmet on the floor had been scooped up by Marcus while Bobby was performing the exam and this did not go unnoticed by the quizzical young man.

Tapping gently on the helmet in his lap, Marcus told the newcomers about the newly found ability that Vince had and explained that he was in the middle of reading the text when it happened.

Jon removed his wire rimmed glasses and was twisting them around and around in his hand between his thumb and forefinger by the earpiece. This was more than his normal nervous twitch. His mind was racing with the information they had just received from Marcus. ‘Vince can’t be the only person that can tap into the power of that helmet. I wonder how many of us could read the text with it. Perhaps if all who could access it took turns it would not be so devastating to the wearer.’ His thoughts were interrupted by the struggled sound coming from the man lying on the table.

Vince sounded like a man waking from a three day bender but was far from conscious. The discoloration of the main vein in his neck and head was reduced to a rosy pink with no apparent signs of internal bleeding like bruising would cause. There were no additional physical symptoms and his vitals were nearly normal.

Drew noticed the constant gyrations of Jon’s glasses and sidled over to his associate and spoke in a low tone. “Hey man, what’s up? I can almost hear you thinkin’, I just don’t know what about.”

Jon looked toward the sound of the voice while pausing the revolving spectacles in his hand. He spoke slowly, as if emerging from a trance. “Uhh, I was just thinking, you know, ah … that, maybe … maybe some others could wear the helmet and have the ability to read the stones like Vince. It really would make no sense if he were the only one. I mean, surely in this crowd we could find a few more. Just think about how much safer it would be if several people could trade off before they collapsed like he did, or even worse!” Jon pointed toward Vince as he finished his sentence.

Jon had failed to hold his voice down as Drew had done and Marcus was within earshot, listening to his entire response. The look that overtook his face was both enlightenment and excitement. He was already amazed that the helmet had given different powers to both Vince and himself. When he had allowed all the scientists to don the device earlier he had no knowledge of it providing the ability to read the alien text as Vince could. He realized that the abilities granted could be dependent on both the individual as well as the need at hand. It was truly random that Vince discovered that he could read the text so perhaps others could as well.

“Once we are certain that Vince will recover fine, we will begin to screen other individuals for the ability to read the texts. I would also like to have a group of the archaeologists compare the notes from today with the tablets and attempt to make some sense of the language. I guess I am not totally convinced that the two match which makes me wonder if the helmet is allowing the text to be interpreted or if it is somehow creating the monologue that it wants us to believe.” Marcus rubbed his chin in consternation as he completed the final thought.

Most of those in the room had crowded in around Vince and heard what Marcus had just said. Several nodded in affirmation to the last sentence, indicating that they were feeling similar doubts regarding the validity of Vince’s newfound...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 23.11.2018
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Fantasy / Science Fiction ► Science Fiction
• ISBN-10: 1-5439-5491-X / 154395491X
• ISBN-13: 978-1-5439-5491-3 / 9781543954913