QBLH

by

Lazarus Cain

Episode Forty-Seven

Sea People

"Well, Jim it seems that you are destined to lead these people to America, and you do know it is quite a simple deal for you to correctly lead these people to a new land. It is far easier than trying to part the Red Sea. Antiope and Helen can communicate effectively, but Ayesha could be much more effective."

"Yes, but Ayesha is dead to these people. She sacrificed herself for their welfare. She wouldn't permit herself to be seen by them alive, nor would we be able to successfully retrieve her without performing a continuum violation."

Idiot thought a few seconds. "My compliments to you, Jim. You out thought me on that one. You are correct. We cannot reinsert ourselves into Artemis space via our drop-off route more than once. We don't wish to collide with ourselves."

"I must return to Lateisha and Tateisha. She can see me walking towards her after I dropped her off. She and I both know it will be our appointed rendezvous in the pleasure dome and she will ask me what I did to save her people. When I tell her that I gave them all a one way ticket to America, she should be somewhat amused, but happy as well."

"My compliments, Jim. Your humanity amazes me. We machines could never be expected to arrive at such artistic solutions."

"It seems that YAOHUSHUA tolerates some of my acts as a means for encouraging me to do other such foolishness."

"I would hardly say that is foolishness, Jim. It shows that you have excellent judgment."

"You sound like Shaltain praising Isis."

"Now Jim, be fair. I do not flatter, I was only speaking the truth. and don't be overly self- critical."

"And just where is that fine line between being self critical enough to exercise proper self control and overdoing it?"

"Don't ask me Jim. I'm not programmed with free will, so self control means nothing to me."

"Idiot. We are grounding ourselves by being caught up in the affairs of these people, and I'm not sure I want to endure all the time we are talking about here."

"Unfolding time events has that effect Jim. By being at rest. Earth grounded, we must experience the same time field."

"Then I am fulfilling destiny by taking these people to America?"

"What else would you prefer to do?"

"You know, Idiot; that is really not a bad idea. If there are any other humans there, I'm sure they can intermingle peacefully if I suggest it."

"May I suggest that you tell them that their custom of human sacrifice accomplishes nothing but the taking of life. You do want to tell them the truth about their bad habits, or so you programmed me to remind you."

"Very good, Idiot. Yes I do remember programming that instruction within you. Perhaps we could wait a few months before landing in Greece."

Jim felt the need to get some surveillance of Earth, but Earth in the 16th century BC had no eyes in the sky for him to tap into. He also did not want to extend himself too much in this time period. He had the Dutchman's onboard computer still though and Idiot's memory systems would be able to provide him somewhat distorted guidance. Looking back at the volcano erupting, he reflected that the local area would not have much to offer these people and he didn't want Isis to learn anything more about the event. Taking the remnant to America would culturally isolate these people from future Amazon influence, and he would have them turn away from the practice of human sacrifice and give them a new land for their own.

Indeed, Egypt, Crete and all of the Aegean civilized arena was about to go through a great social upheaval. Moses would be leading his people to the Promised Land. The current Egyptian dynasty would end and be overrun by invaders from the east. The local nobles would find themselves displaced as a new order came to power.

The physical effects of the volcanic eruption reaped havoc on the religious leaders of the day as they were proven to be frauds. Thousands of Egyptian priests were executed because of their inability to account for the plagues brought by the volcano.

Cretan nobility miraculously survived the holocaust by concealing themselves within the labyrinth of the palace. The great wealthy and commerce center however was now gone. All ships of the area were fleeing the region of the volcano. West lay open sea and the promise of new land, and Jim was certainly a very competent navigator. Ayesha would certainly love the fact that he had taken her people to America. Ayesha had always wanted to go to America herself, but had never had the chance.

Returning to above decks, he greeted Helen and Antiope with a broad smile.

Next Chapter

Venetia Home site

All Files