PURSUIT OF WITCH MOUNTAIN

PURSUIT OF WITCH MOUNTAIN (DREAM SCENE) A motor home is making a dash, for a remote section, of America. While the driver is, in fact, violating speed laws, the driver has ample reason, for this "reckless" driving. After all, the motor home IS being targetted, and shot at, by automatic weapons fire, probably from helicopters. The pursuit continues, for several, very LONG miles, until the motor home closes in on the vicinity, of a remote town, which is located near a mountain. As if "out of the blue", the pursuing gun-ships break off the chase, even as disc-shaped shadows seem to appear, near the motor home. As the driver, of the motor home, begins reducing travel, to a safe speed, a young boy tries for a better look, yet his grand-father reprimands the boy, saying "Stay DOWN!". When the boy would ask his grand-father "Why?" the grand-father would say "Just a few more miles, and we are home, free". While remaining crouched down, in the wheel-well, the boy would wonder about some mysterious sounds, which he was hearing. Then, even as the boy saw the delight, in his grand-fathers face, as though the senior was happy to see the disc-shaped shadows. When the boy heard what he THOUGHT were special effects, from a science fiction movie, he would watch as his grand-father relaxed, as the senior would say "We made it". The senior would, then, turn to the rear, of the motor home, asking someone "Everybody all right, back there?" Every time the boy was preparing to turn, and see who else was in the motor home, the boy would, no-sooner, glance, at the rear, of the motor home, when... He would awaken, from the dream. When his own father would ask "That dream, again?" The young man would say "Same as always. Grandpa, and I are in the motor home, and have someone chasing us, and shooting at us". The father would say "Calm down, son. It was only a dream." The young man would say "But, it seemed so REAL!" The father would say "Ofcourse, it seems real. Your grand-father has told that story, so many times, even I know it, by heart". When the son would ask "Do you think it is true? COULD there be aliens, living, right here on Earth?" The father would say "Your grand-father means well. Un-fortunately, the only "aliens" are in his imagination". When the son would ask "Dad, if aliens did exist, I wonder what they would be like. Maybe, the monsters from "War of the Worlds"? Alien? Preditior? I really wonder" All that the father would say was "I wonder what your mother has, ready, for breakfast. Now, come on, lets get dressed" Then, the father would leave his son, and join his wife, in the kitchen. When the wife would say "The dream, again". Her husband would say "Yeah. I guess I better tell my dad, again, to stop re-telling that story. The very idea of his own father helping stranded aliens". While the mother expressed concern, for her sons well-being, the father would promise "He's just a growing boy. He will grow out of it". The mother would say "I hope so." Even as his wifes voice faded, as the man recalled bits, and pieces, of his own youthful adventures, with his own father. While it had been exciting, eluding the police, the younger man had, always, wondered WHY his father only took interest in CERTAIN children, whom they found, along their journeys. And WHAT was so important, that his father was willing to drive, in all kinds of crazy ways? The husband would be "recalled", to THIS world, when his wife mentioned the name "Witch Mountain", saying "The school wants to dispel these myths, and legends. The hope is that, when the class visits a place called, of all things, "Witch Mountain", that the class will see that there are NO witches, just like there are no dragons, guarding the paths, leading to this Witch Mountain". When the husband would ask "Remind me, again. WHEN is the class visiting this mountain?" The wife would say "Next month. That is, IF the weather holds." Later, while the man was out, for a walk, he remembered a few, of the times, when he had seen sparks, fly from the body, of grand-fathers motor home. He remembered the "pings", and remembered his grand-father saying "Almost there". What the man could not remember was WHERE "there" was. For some reason, the man found himself standing before his grand-fathers storage shed. When the man opened the shed up, the man saw the vintage motor home, sitting there, covered in dust. He could, also, see evidence, of where something had dented the paint, in so many places. The man remembered that his grand-father had been so annoyed, that the "touch-up paint", which he purchased, from automotive stores, never matched the body color, of the motor home. As a result, grand-father gave the motor home a complete re-painting, on a regular basis. Now, when the man opened the drivers side door, and saw the vintage interior, he wondered why grand-father had, never, done any thing more than paint the body, of the motor home, and kept tuning the engine. Throughout his childhood, his own father had fussed with that engine. Always trying to get more POWER, and performance. The man knew the reason why his own father had stopped making nationwide trips. It had to do with the mans own mother. The man had been baffled when, during his youth, his own mother was, always, asking his father "Why do YOU have to be the one, rounding up those kids? Why cant someone else take over?" Father had said "You dont understand. These people NEED my help. No one else understands what they need, and how to help them reach safety". The man would have wondered WHAT made the children so "special", except that he had seen evidence, of the childrens "talents". Now, sitting there, in grand-fathers seat, and looking at the odometer, which registered only 150 miles, the man wondered how many times, over the years, the odometer had done a full cycle, re-setting to zero. The man smiled, at the vintage, rotary, dials, of the speedometer, as well as the gas, oil, radiator, and so on. That, and that crazy, A.M. only radio. (This rig was a museum piece, for sure, the man thought). The man never ceased to be amazed when, as he opened the engine cover and found: Man! had his grand-father had this thing revved up. Why? the man never knew. As the man sat there, recalling the past, a local deputy would arrive, saying "Your wife asked us to locate you. Something about your grand-father." The man would say "Probably, grandpa is getting fresh, with his care-giver, again". The deputy would watch, as the man re-locked the shell over the engine, then locked up the shed. Only after this, did the deputy ask the man "Why do you keep that antique? It hasn't seen the highway, in "ages" The man would say "Grand-father would dis-own me, if I sold his precious "traveller"" This is when the deputy would remember "Oh, yeah. Those stories he told. Picking up Martians, of some, such, things." The man would defend his grand-father, saying "HE believes he was helping stranded aliens to find their people." When the deputy would say "Yeah. At some place called, what was it? Witch Mountain?" The deputy would add "Well, anyway, I guess your grand-father wants to see you. Odd thing, though. WHY didn't your wife just call your phone?" The man would say "VERY good question", as he took out his phone, only to relaize that it was turned off. When the man turned the phone on, and called his wife, to confirm that he was on his way to see grand-father, his wife would ask "Would you mind collecting OUR son. He wants to see your grand-father. I agreed." The man would say "All right. Just so long as the boy behaves, and doesn't start grandpa on those stories, again." When father and son would visit the senior citizen, though, it would be the senior who was the bearer of news. From his bed, the senior would tell the father "I KNOW that you never believed. Even when you SAW the evidence, for yourself." When the man told the senior "We really dont have TIME, for "witch hunting" stories. Why have you called us here?" The senior would say "Tony and Tia". When the young man would ask "Tony and Tia Who?" His father would say "Long story", then asked the senior "We know this story, too well. What about Tony and Tia?" The senior would say "Tony and Tia appearred, to me, last night." When the man would ask "They appearred?" The senior would say "In my dream, they came to me" When the father would say "You had the police track me down, to talk about a DREAM?!" The senior would say "Not a dream. A VISION!" When the man would say "Fine. A VISION. Did they call, to say "Hello, old friend?" The senior took his sons hand, saying "I KNOW your mother was opposed to my aiding the children. I Know they need us, now, more than ever" When the man would say "Calm down, grand-father. By now, I am sure that Tony and Tia have retired. No-doubt, someplace nice." The senior would look at the teen, saying "Boy, my top dresser drawer. Documents box. The one with the key." When the teen retrieved the box, for the senior, the senior placed a hand, on the box, saying "My time is done. I pass my legacy on, to you, and your son. They need OUR help. It is up to us." Then, as if looking off, into space, the senior would smile as he said "Tony, Tia." then the senior was gone. (What father, and son, did not know was that, when the senior looked away, it was not into blank space. Tony and Tia, looking as radiantly childlike, as ever, would appear, before the senior, smiling, and saying "Your journey is complete. Time to come home".) When father and son, took the key, and opened the box, neither was sure of what they would find, within the box. All that they found, though, was an old map, with countless lines, drawn upon it, as well as travelers journals. While father and son took the box, to the family home, it would be the wife who was first to make the "connection". When she said "Oh, my god", her husband would ask "What is it?" When his wife would say "Remember those weekends, at the lakes, cabins, and small towns?" When the man would smile, as he said "Yes, those were the days. Different place, every time. Man, did we put MILES on the old camper" When the wife would ask "Did he, ever, tell you WHY he wanted to visit THOSE places?" The man would say "Sure. He claimed he was doing research. I never saw him publish anything. He just wrote in those books. I never found out WHAT he was researching". His wife would say "I think that I know" When the husband would say "Well, dont keep me in suspense. WHAT was he researching?" His wife would say "Not what. WHO" When the husband would say "Fine, WHO was he researching?" His wife would, no-sooner, say "Aliens", and the man would say "non-sense" This is when Tony and Tia, would, slowly, appear, before the couple. Tia would say "Not non-sense, and, please excuse me, ma'am, but we are not, really, aliens". When the husband would ask "WHAT are you?" Tony and Tia would look at one another, as if baffled, then Tony would say "We are human. Just from another planet". When the wife would ask "What do you want, from us?" Tia would say "A group, from yet another planet, was supposed to visit Earth, to review how were are interracting with humans" When the wife would ask "How ARE you doing, among us?" Tia would say "Your people continue to fear, and hunt, us. As long as we limit contact, your people seem to respect our privacy. There is a problem, though". When the husband would say "There always is", Tia would say "One, of the ships, planning to visit, had a navigational failure. While our ships have stealth capabilities, the ships can be viewed, when powered down. Whether the ship has crashed, or landed, we need someone, from among your people, whom we can trust, to transport our people to our colony." When the husband would ask "Dont you have your own ships?" Tony would say "Yes, un-fortunately, to find the survivors, our ships would have to expose themselves, to use sensors. Your planets militaries would LOVE to get their hands on our ships. Since your government has declared US "hostiles", for not sharing our technology. Result: Our ships must be used to protect our base." Tia would add "This is why we need you. If you would continue your families work, of bringing our people, to us, we would be most appreciative". After Tony and Tia would fade out, the husband and wife would take the grand--fathers box, to the kitchen, and compare the journals to the map. Based upon the contents, of the journals, each line, on the map, represented a child, with one of those star-cases. While there had been suspicion, years ago, that the man was travelling, to have affairs, the journals, and the map, showed childrens homes, were the REAL focus, of the travels. Grand-father had done his best, to track certain children, then took trips, to verify if children were of the alien race. According to the journals, each time the man verified that children were "alien", documents would "appear", inside the motor home, giving the man permission to transport the children. The "normal" cover-story was that the man was an "uncle", who was tracking lost relatives. According to the journals, the man had written "At each cirled location, I was detained, for up to a week, while my paperwork was checked, and verified. At each point, marked "X", I was required to drive away, as fast as possible, from gun-fire. I want to make sure to note that neither Charles, Christine, Toby, keith, nor Fred, were, really, responsible, for people firing guns, at us. I think that, until the children reach a certain age, their "talents" are beyond their control. Loud noises, and threats, caused un-explained things, such as material levitating, or flying about. While it IS true that although Allycia DID cause a man to be stabbed to death, I blame his death on the fact that he thought it would be "cute", to scare a young child. In a moment, of panic, her powers out of her control, and Allycia, with no intent, sent a butcher knife flying, into her tormentors chest. Since I did not want to have to explain, to the police, I grabbed Allycia, and got out of town, as quickly as possible. When the camper radio listed the man was Murdered: No Motive. If I were not bound, by my promise, to deliver these children, to their people, I would have told the truth. The man caused his own death." When the wife would ask "Does it say what this "promise", to these aliens, was?" The husband read on. "For the record, I feel like punching anyone, who refers to these people, as "aliens". Sure, they are not of this Earth, but that is NO reason to hunt, or kill, them. Certainly no reason to refer to them as "alien"." When the wife would say "He, sure, seems passionate, about helping these "people"" The husband would say "Here it is." then continue the seniors account. "In the time since Tony and Tia, came along, and their Uncle Bene informed me that there were more children, from the same ship, all lost, I made Bene a promise, to locate as many, of the children, as possible." The journals then went on, to describe the mans travels, and how, whenever possible, the aliens left information, for him. The man had criss-crossed America, many times, collecting children, and delivering his "load", to the Witch Mountain colony. After the third delivery, the aliens had modified the motor home engine, for increased power, and stealth. If the journals were correct, it would seem that, by the time a wife had ordered a husband to stop travelling, in search of children, to be delivered, to Witch Mountain, the man would have recovered dozens of children. When the wife would say "So, your grand-mother was NOT joking, when she said that mortor home had over 700,000 miles on it." It was when the husband wondered "How DID the aliens track the children, and tell grand-father WHERE to collect the children?" At this moment, the family's home computer came to life, wwith an update, of a tracking program. When the wife said "Look at that", the husband saw a software package, which was atleast a century ahead of anything, currently under human development. As the file opened, the couple found the most amazingly detailed tracking program, in existance. The next question would be about "stealth transportation". Grand-fathers old traveller was far too old, for the open road. What no one could explain was HOW a next-generation Winnebago cruiser would appear on the family property. When the wife asked her husband "If they can do ALL of this, WHY not just move any downed craft, to Witch Mountain?" The husband would say "You read the journals. every time the aliens make a move, the army, and the air force, are ready to retaliate". When the wife would say "Fine, when do we start out?" The husband would say "We do not start out. If the aliens want our help, **I** intend to pack this thing, FULL, of their missing members, on each trip." Whenn the wife would say "Swell, you see the world while I am stuck, here". The husband would say "Stop complaining. This is NOT some sort of "vacation"". When the wife would ask "What would YOU call it?" The husband would say "Rescue Mission". Still, the husband wondered. If the aliens could provide stealth technology, racing engines, and brand new motor homes, HOW was it they could not make contact, with their own, lost people?" When the man thought about this, in a focused way, he received a "vision", of groups, of scanners. ALL focused on Witch Mountain. It seemed almost as if the government was expecting Witch Mountain to attack America. It would be two weeks, before the first location was made known, to the family. With the gas tank topped off, and cupboards, full of supplies, the husband would set off, on the next "leg", of a very long, old, road, trip. Following his wifes suggestion, th man would cruise the highways, of America, at a rate, which would not arouse suspicion (Even if the speed was incredibly boring) The man just hoped that the two-day trip, was worth the five, missing, children, who had been reported, at the childrens home. As the man exited the motor home, he heard a sound, which he had not heard, before. It was not an un-pleasant sound, yet it was unusual. Entering the grounds, the man noticed that he could, suddenly, "hear" childrens thoughts, such as "I am scared", and "When will they come, for us"? When the man would think "Help is here", the children would ask "Who are you?" The man would think "I am a friend, of the Earth colony". When th children would think "Where are our parents?" The man would think "I, really, dont know. I have been sent to collect you, and bring you to your people". By the time the man saw the children, he KNEW which were the aliens. The four of them were in a group, off by themselves. The man did not know WHAT the children saw, when they looked at him, however, after a moment, it was like they recognized him, like he was a relative. When the man looked about, then thought "Are there not FIVE of you, here?" The young girl would think "Tony got sick, when he stepped from the ship. I dont think he likes this place". When the man asked "Did Tony get sick, on the ground?" A boy, named Matthew, would think "No. He was fine, inside the ship. He got sick once he began breathing Earth air." When the man thoughtt "Where is Tony, now?" Matthew thought "In the place, for sick children". The girl would ask "Is he gonna die? Are we ALL gonna die, here?" The man would think "Lets get you to Witch Mountain, and see what THEY say" When Matthew would think "You can read our thoughts, AND you know, about Witch Mountain? What race are you?" The man would say "Earth Human" While the man thought he would have to bluff his way past hospital staff, and risk arrest, by removing the child, from care, he would be surprised at what he found, when he brought the other four children to the motor home. They found Tony, inside the motor home, and breathing a mixture, of gasses, which, for Earth humans, would have been lethal. By the time the childrens home staff realized that five, of their charges, were missing, the Winnebago was cruising, miles away, down a highway. While the original destination was to be Witch Mountain, it would seem that Tony's condition warranted more immediate, direct, action. The husband was given alternate directions, and informed to use the optional, over land, trail, to reach the rendezvous. What the husband was NOT told was that two, security, saucers, would disable all of the cars, belonging to the childrens home staffers. Sure, following paths, meant for horses, did make for a bumpy ride, for the motor home. On the plus side, however, the trail would discourage pursuit. Later, by the time the Winnebago was stopped, and searched, more than an hour later, the husband was allowed to proceed, when NO evidence, of the children, was found, inside the motor home. The husband, then, stopped off, to re-provision, while the colony verified his next pick up. It would seem that the motor home was stopped, and searched, twice, since departing the childrens home, since staff insisted that **A** motor home had been seen, near the time of the "abductions". As a result, every motor home, in the area, was checked, and re-checked. It would be two days later, before the husband was provided his next task. This time, however, the coordinates were those, of a mental hostpital. According to the details, a boy, and a girl, were brought in, with a diagnosis of P.T.S.D.. This was the only way which doctors could deal with two children, who seemed to understand one another, yet no one else. When the husband parked the Winnebago out-of-site, of the hospital, then approached the perimeter fence, he "heard" a young voice calling "Danger, the fence is electrified". When the husband thught "Thank You. What is your name?" The child would ask "You are one of us?" The husband played along, to gain the childrens cooperation, thinking "I have been sent, to bring you to Witch Mountaiin". When the two children heard "Witch Mountain", they asked "Are our parents okay?" The husband WANTED to lie, but decided upon the truth. "Once you arrive, at Witch Mountain, they will know more than I do". When the children asked "How do we get out of here?" The husband was looking around, while saying "I wish you could just walk through walls. That would be the easiest way". When the children suggested something called "trans-dimentional interface", the husband said "If that allows you to walk out, un-detected, then meet me at the motor home". Both the husband, and several children, inside the fenced play area, stopped to watch, as the alien children, easily, emerged, from the building, then "floated" over the perimeter fence. After that, they joined their benefactor, who lead them to the motor home, even as the other children set off the alarms, by trying to climb the fence. Once underway, the boy hazarded to think "Mister. I dont remember you, from the ship. HOW are you able to link with us?" The husband would think "Witch Mountain made it possible." Over the motor home stereo, the group listened as a police report claimed that children had gone missing, and were considered "dangerous". When the man thought "dangerous? To whom? They are just grade schoolers". The boy would ask "Why do these people think we are dangerous? All we want to do is get home". Over the next week, the motor home would make more stops, than planned for. In order to maintain peace, the husband pulled off the road, a few times, to let the children relax. Even with one hundred miles still to go, before reaching Witch Mountain, the husband received his next coordinates. Since the area, around Witch Mountain, held camp grounds, for public use, no one suspected the Winnebago, for being present. When Uncle Bene appeared, to thank the husband for his efforts, The husband would ask "Why do I feel like I am being watched?" Bene would say "There are humans, watching us, at this moment. They, still, think that we intend to attack, and that THIS is why we came, to your world." When the husband wuld ask "Is there anything **I** can do?" Bene would say "Right now, you ARE doing all that we can ask, of an Earth man. I only wish there were more Earth people, like you". The husband would mention "I dont mind collecting your people, for you, but I hope you understand that the motor home can only carry so many, at a time." Bene would say "Oh, we understand. We did not expect you to side-track, with a full load. We just wanted you to be ready, when you depart." This is when the husband understood the meaning, of the message. When the husband asked "How is it that your people are ending up all over the place, like they are?" Bene would say "It is proving a problem, hiding from that Integrated Laser Radar. While our ships are immune to your regular radar, whose use we gave up centuries ago, this I.L. Radar is much closer to our own tracking systems. If our ships are not operating at 100%, then your people can use I.L.R. to target our ships." When the husband would ask "Why would we target your ships?" Bene would say "Your people, still, consider anything "alien" to be deadly, and bent on attack. We know since we have viewed your television, and movies, for many years." When the husband would ask "What about E.T.?" Bene would ask "What about War of the Worlds, and Independence Day? No exactly welcoming, to other races, are your people?" The husband would say "SOME of us are not friendly, while others want to be. They just need TIME, to understand your people." When an unusual sound filled the air Bene would say "Well, we better be off. Best of luck, with your travels." The husband would say "Until later, my friend". Later, while the husband was enroute, to secure more survivors, his wife would call, with news. "Dear, did you know that your travels are making headlines?" When the husband would ask "What for?" His wife would say "According to the media, an "as yet un-identified, terrorist, cell, is aiding "enemy aliens", in securing safe haven, within America's borders."" While the husband was not so certain about the "enemy" part, he did agree that he WAS aiding aliens, in seeking safe passage, to meet their own people. But "enemy aliens"? Was that not a bit of a stretch? When his wife would suggest "Why not come home, until the "heat dies down". You can aid the aliens, once the police are off your tail". When the husband would ask "What do I tell Bene? What do I tell the stranded aliens? Better luck, on your next trip?" The wife would remind him "You Do have RESPONSIBILITIES, here at home, you know." Ofcourse, the man knew he had duties, at home, but he, also, knew what would happen, if either the federal government, or worse, private enterprise, got hold of the aliens. That passage, in great-grand-fathers journal. The entry, which stated that a member, of law enforcement, had hoped to terrorize a child into giving up her people, to police. The man remembered the entry, where the senior had stated that the child has been terrorized to the point where she lost all control, over her talents. Once the interrogation had gone too far, the girl had, sub-consciously, wished the man would go away. This desire had translated, into the knife, plunging into the man. In the family's point-of-view, the law enforcer would be alive, today, had he not frightened a child, hallf to death. The husband knew that this was true, since his own children had, at times, "lashed out", when parents acted, in a terrifying way. This is why he KNEW that, like his senior, HE had to be the one, to AID the lost. He, even, remembered his senior telling him "Sure, they are from other planets, but the question we need to ask ourselves is "Are they "evil", for being alien, to Earth?" When the man considered the fact that, with Americans preparing to land, on OTHER planets, WE would become the aliens, on the other worlds. How would WE feel, if a local population attacked US, just for being different? This is why the man told his wife "I will be home, soon. That, I will promise you. And no un-necessary risks. I will simply, retrieve as many, of them as possible, then I will be home." After retrieving another load, of travellers (the ships crew was staying behind, hoping to repair the ship, then meet the motor home, at Witch Mountain), the man would ask the travellers if Earth was, in fact, their final destination. When the aliens did not seem to understand the man, he thought "Would you ask that question, of Bene?" The adults nodded. When the motor home came to a check-point, and the man saw police, and federal officials, questioning drivers, he was anxious, but only for a moment. Once the man heard, and saw, that the search parties were looking for people, from the Middle East, and people carrying concealled, automatic, weapons, the man relaxed, as he drove to the blockaid, and encouraged the agents to check his "ride". When a lead agent told his officers "Look for any weapons, including AK-47, M-16, machine guns, or rocket maunchers." When the husband would ask "Just curious, but WHERE, inside a motor home, would someone HIDE those kinds of weapons?" The agent would say "I have my orders", then he would tell other officers "Make sure you check the gas tank, as well." When the husband heard this, he asked the agent "Would you like to strip-search ME, as well. I MIGHT have a nuke "up there"." The agent just gave the husband a questioning look, even as an officer came to report "Nothing in the fuel tank except motor home grade diesel." When the agent would ask the husband "When did you, last, stop for fuel?" The husband would say "At one of those by-the-highway places." When the agent asked "The NAME, sir?" The husband would pull out his wallet, saying "lets see". (He did not guess, this time, since, the last time he gave a wrong answer, i.e., the name, of a station, in another state, he ended up being finger-printed, until his story was verified.) This time, he played it safe, pulling out the receipt, for his fuel. When the feds asked about his passengers, the man would be more-or-less honest, when he said "Going to a reunion. Since I have this vast, motor home, the family suggested that I could give others a ride. I agreed, in return for gas money. When the feds asked "Where are you headed?" The man would say "You know that town, about five miles from that place. I think people call it Witch Mountain?" The fed would say "I am from New York. Spent most of my time in Jersey." Since the man knew this was a trick question, he would add to it, saying "Well, where we are headed, the fishing is great. If you have a rod and reel, I suggest you visit, sometime. Folks are really nice". Once federal officials departed the motor home, saying "Nothing there. Just some passengers, who are ready to get moving." When the lead agent would say "No weapons, at all?", the man would say "Thats not true. I keep a rifle, locked away, for when I go hunting". The lead agent would say "Not the kind of gun we are looking for. You may proceed." After more check-points, and more searches, the motor home would find its way, to the area, of Witch Mountain. The husband would stop, in the next town, though, when a child would ask what "that thing" was, which one of the men had placed on the vehicle body. When the husband pulled over, and asked the child "Will you show me WHERE the man was, when he put that on us?" When the child showed the adults the device, the man was careful to make the gesture for "Dont say a word", then lead the men a discreet distance, from the motor home. Only here would the man say "No wonder they were so casual, with the conversation. They were planting that transmitter, on my home. Question is: DO we destroy it, or let them find your people?" One of the aliens had an idea. Instead of using the modern, interstate highway, with its safety rails, the aliens encouraged the husband to use a much older bridge. A richety unit, with just ropes, to prevent falls. In order to prevent suspicion, the aliens removed the tracker (a primitive unit, by their standards), using plastic, then as the motor home passed over the bridge, the tracker would be tossed into the water. The aliens would say "The battery should last a few hours. Your people will think we stopped, for a rest." When this group reached Witch Mountain, and were greeted by the aliens, the husband would ask "Just want to know your intentions, while on Earth." When the aliens looked confused, the man would suggest "You dont intend to attack us, do you?" The aliens just looked confused, then laughed, as they said "This is just a stop over. We are just visiting, to see how life is different, on various planets." While none, of the aliens would admit to which planet they were from, or headed to, ALL agreed that, in future, they would AVOID Earth. Never had they felt so un-welcome. When the husband would list various concerns, such as September 11th, 2001, as the reasons for the increased paranoia, the aliens would agree that they would inform other races not to visit Earth, for a couple of more centuries. "We will let your race grow up, more, before we make contact. As it is, your race is still, what do you call it? A child, who has found a parents loaded gun. Is that the correct analogy?" The husband would say "Close enough". While staying, for a reunion dinner, Bene would inform the husband "Best you are returning home, for a spell." When the huband asked, Bene would say "Your government is growing suspicious of your movements. Best we "Let sleeping dogs lie"." By the time the husband returned to his family, he would have his own tales, for his own son. Tales of putting over 100,000 miles, on the motor home, before coming home, to rest. Tales, of meeting Bene, and of conversing with Tony and Tia. When the son would ask "HOW? I thought they were kids, back in grandpa's day" The husband would say "Son, since they are not of Earth, their lives are different from ours. They not only have space travel, but they have learned to make their bodies stronger, to last longer." When his son would ask "Are Tony and Tia still children?" The father would say "No, son. They are adults, just as you, eventually, will be. They are human, just like us. They just have a different way of life". After this, the family would return, to thier regular lives, for the next three years, even as the father taught his son not only HOW to drive, but how to maintain the motor home. There were features, which the aliens had either added, or super-charged. When the teen son was, later, charged, with "statutory rape", for "attacking" a girl, at a party, the family was about to call in an attorney, when an adult Tia would appear, before the family members. Tia would offer this token, of generousity: "In return for your family aiding our family, over the years, we have agreed to aid your quest for justice. This, we do, to Thank You for returning our brethern to us". Twenty-four hours later, local police received a reecording showing the events, at the party. The video, plainly, showed the teen sons drink being drugged, while a "popular" girl spoke to him, for the first time. The teen was so taken, that the girl spoke to him, that he did not notice his drink. After consuming the drink, the teen had passed out, and the video showed the details, of the people, who had created the scene. The way the scene played out, the girl snuggled up, to the teen, once he passed out, and pretended that the two had been together. After the video presentation was finished, and the pregnant girls parents wanted the video suppressed, the detective, in charge of the case, would say "Wait, there is more". When the girls parents looked infuriated, at what was happening, the detective would suggest "Before you say anything, you should read this." The detective then handed the parents a copy of a toxicology report, which had been delivered, with the video. The report was simple, and direct: Results of drug testing, on white, male, youth, etc. Testing confirms that male ingested as much as five grams, of hallucinagenic drug. Since this is a near fatal dose, either male was attempting to commit suicide, OR the male was drugged, without his knowledge. The five grams were more-than-enough to cause memory loss. Recovery, of memory, is doubtful. See schedule 3, sub-section 5, for further details. When the girls parents would insist "They are just trying to get that boy off the hook, for raping our daughter. That video, and the report, are as fake as a politicians election year promises." The detective would respond "Sory to tell you this, but forgery was the very first thing that we checked for. We checked, three times, to be sure. The video, and the report, are 100% authentic". When the girls father would demand "Who RAPED my daughter?!", The detective would say "As far as we can tell, she was NOT attacked. No signs, of struggle, have been found." When the girls mother would say "You are not suggesting..." and the detective would just nod. Later, at home, when the teen would ask his parents "How can I thank Tony and Tia, for their aid?" The father would say "Oh, I am sure that they know." Just a week later, Tia would visit the family, right during dinner time. Tia would say "Pardon the interruption, but a task needs to be completed, within the next week." When the wife would say "Let me guess. Another saucer is down, and you need a pick up crew". Tia would say "Not exactly, but your assistance would be appreciated." When the husband would ask "Can this wait until AFTER dinner?" Tia would say "Pardon me. I will await you, in the living room". After dinner, Tia outlined what was about to happen. "A ship, from one of our sister planets, is passing by the area. They only need to stop by Earth, long enough for engine repairs, and to reset navigation." When the husband would ask "What is it you want, from us? All we have is the Winnebago. We have no way of reaching outer space." Tia would say "We would not need your services, beyond the atmosphere." When the husband would ask "What would you ask us to do?" Tia would say "Draw off some heat. IF our ship needs to land, to make repairs, we need a diversion. Something to make your government look in another direction." When the teen son would say "Cool! Count me in". The father would say "What is it that you suggest?" Tia would say "Fake them out. Make them think that we are where we are not." The parents were just considering HOW they could do this, when the son suggested "Too bad we dont have another Winnebago. We could psyche them right out. Dad going in one direction, and me, in the other". The father had only just said "Dont be ridiculous. You know how expensive those Winnebago's are? I would never ask..." and Tia would say "I believe that it is an excellent suggestion." The father would be quick to tell his son "NO joy riding. These things are for us to HELP the colony. NOT for picking up girls, understand?" With the agreement made, Tia would finish with "The preparations will be in place, within two days. Be prepared to depart, once we have more information". The wife just nodded, in surrender. Now, she was losing both her husband, AND her son, to aid a group, of aliens, who she had, never met, in person. For just a short time, the woman considered calling the police. The question was "What will I tell them? That my husband, and son, are aiding, and abetting, a group of extraterrestrials?" She would be laughed off the phone. Besides, the alien had said that aid only MIGHT be needed. If the aliens could repair their ship, in space, her family might not have to go travelling. Her hopes were "dashed" when, four days later, another Winnebago appeared, on the property. This one, registered in the sons name. When the home computer came to life, on its own, and began giving data-points, the woman found her husband choosing west, while her son agreed to north-east. From Tia's most recent message, the ship, in question, only needed to land, long enough to replace its air supply. It seems that a mechanical short had "dumped" the ships entire air supply, into space. The ship needed twenty-four hours, on the ground, to re-fill its tanks, and continue, on its way. The problem was that, while the alien ships were on the ground, either for repairs, or re-supply, their cloaking tech would be off-line. It was when the ships pilots would radio their probable landing area, that father, and son, would depart their home, seeming to travel in the general direction, where the ship would be landing. Both, however, would break off, once they had the feds attention, and moved off, in different directions, each with directions, for a possible pick up. While the feds split their forces, to follow both Winnebago's, the problem was that Washington D.C. had approved the use of only ONE Integrated Laser Radar. The pursuing feds had to decide which motor home to have the unit pursue. If they chose the wrong one, the aliens would be, safely, on the ground, and un-detectable. Just as the family had planned, with each motor home travelling equally distant, from the proposed landing area, the I.L.R. was sent after the father, since it was supposed that the son would neither be reliable, nor responsible. As his father had cautioned the young man, though "Just because you do not SEE the feds, does NOT mean that they are not near." Once the young man knew the feds were following his father, the young man would begin to, subtly, alter his course, until he was headed into the general area, where the ship was to land. By the time the young man arrived, at the coordinates, his father would have texted "Son, they are HOT, on my tail. Take care. Success is your responsibility." While the young man rememberred his grand-fathers tales, of the amazing craft, which the aliens used, NOTHING could prepare him for what he was about to see. While the alien ship was, in fact, LARGE, there was nothing "terrifying" about it. It was, simply, a wingless craft, with some beautiful strobes. When the ship settled, to the ground, the young man noticed that it did not extend landing gear. It seemed to balance on a field of pure energy. It was a beauty, and a wonder, to behold. When the aliens came forth, to test the air quality, the young man realized that the aliens could pass, for human, anywhere in the world. Then, the young man realized the reason WHY the aliens had asked the motor homes to meet the ship. It would seem that the ships had taken some internal damage, and they had some passengers, who needed a place to rest, until repairs were complete. Six hours later, when the feds realized that the father was just heading "nowhere", they abandoned pursuit. Or, to the mans mind, maybe they just WANTED him to THINK they had abandoned pursuit. The man would be left to wonder why the feds did not learn from their mistakes. Specifically, the idea of hiding their transmitter, always, in the rear, right, wheel well. Before altering course, to meet up with his son, the man would stop, long enough to remove the latest tracker, from the motor home, then plant the device on a semi. (The aliens had been right. The government would wait, HOURS, before checking the status, on the transmitter). Once the man had the semi going one direction, and he was travelling, in the opposite direction, the man would begin his trek, back, to the ship. What neither father, or son, knew, was that someone, else, had "joined the game". The father only learned, of the "new player", once well on his way back, to the landing sight. His first "lesson" came when, without warning, a streak, of high-powered gun-fire, tore into the road, just ahead of the motor home. After this, came a voice, which filled the air "That was just a warning shot. Any attempt, to deceive, and the mext rounds go right threw the drivers window. Understand?" When the father made an abrupt turn, and the helicopter over-shot, then came back "on-station", the voice called out "Very well. You were warned". While the father could, clearly, see the machine-gun armed craft, aiming directly at him, the father was amazed at how bad a shot, the pilot was. The man had a clear shot, at the driver, but every, single, round, missed. Shortly after this, the soon received a text message, saying "Under attack. Not police. Protect the colonists. Will join, when possible" When the son asked the pilot "How LONG will this take?" The ships pilot would tell the young man "We need six hours, to process the air supply, and another eighteen hours, for a proper star-fix". When the son would say "Way too long. I will take a load, to Witch Mountain, then return for more." With this, the young man boarded the mobile home, and set out, with a load of passengers. Destination: Witch Mountain. This time, however, the normally un-eventful ride, would take an ominous turn, when the motor home picked up a group, of attack helicopters, of their own. The soon was just amazed at how bad a shot, the pilot was. Here, the pilot had an enormous target, with plenty of opportunity, yet none of his shots came close to the mark. While no bullets hit the motor home, the boy remembered something his father had said, about being hunted. "Wait until dark, then move, as quietly, as possible." The son decided to move the motor home into a space, with plenty of cover. As the motor home left the road way, the aliens did not have to be told "Silence on board". They KNEW, from past experience. Still, the son gave the helicopter pilot his due credit. The pilot circled the area, for an extended time, and only left, when his fuel was running low. While the "hiding place" was not optimal, it was safe, until night fall. The young man just wished he could "hide" the engine heat, when the trek continued, after dark. Sometime, during the waiting period, another helicopter came by, and this one shot, blind, into the leaf cover. Leaves, and bullets, rained down, around the motor home, yet none found their mark. The young man just hoped his father was correct, and that, come sun-down, the hunters would leave. Come sun-down, though, the helicopter might have moved off, but not before dropping flares, into the immediate area. Withh twilight upon the motor home, and flares reflecting off the motors surface, the young man decided it was time to move out. He did not dare engage the head-lights, until the unit was atleast ten miles down the road. Sure, the "Rules of the Road" said this was illegal, but, then again, the "RULES of the Road" did not cover being shot at. The young man figured that his father would be angry, when the young man took the time, for three loads, of passengers, to deliver a single load. This is why he was surprised when his father would tell him "Tony came to me, to tell me what was happening. You did right, son". After two more, perilous, trips, the motor homes were on their final leg, of the trip, when the alien ship zipped past, and met them, at Witch Mountain. After this group was, safely, back, with their ship, father and son set off, again. This time, back to the mission, of finding other, lost, travellers. Along the way, though, the man would spot a piece, of artwork, and inquire of the artist. While the man thought that $100.00 was a rather high price, for the work, he paid this, for the artists information. He knew he was "on the right track", when, as he approached the residence, he "heard" the childrens voices, wondering "When will they come for us?" When the man approached the property owner, the owner warned "Them kids aint right. They dont talk right". When the man asked "May I speak to them?" The owner would say "Be careful. I dont trust no one, who dont speak English". When the man went to the children, "asking" "Would you be from a ship, headed for Witch Mountain?" When a voice would ask "How do you know this?" The man would "say" "Your people have sent me, to return you, to them." When the voice would ask "How do we know who you are?" The man would "say" "Read my thoughts. If I am not real, then you may remain here, until someone comes for you". When the children read the mans thoughts, they came forward, asking "How is it that an Earth man can speak with us?" The man would say "I am a friend, of Witch Mountain. Call me a retriever, if you want". While the children agreed to accompany the man, when the girl would "say" "My star case. I was told to keep it with me. I have to get it". The man would "say" "Dont worry. I KNOW what is inside the star case. It is where I am taking you." Sneaking away, as silently as possible, the three would be inside the motor home, and miles away, from the artist, before he even knew his un-wanted guests were gone. The next morning, when the man rendezvoused, with his son, at the ship, he would receive more news. This ship needed another twenty-four hours, of "cover", for un-expected repairs. The colony had sent a message, suggesting that one motor home make its way, with passengers, to Witch Mountain, while the other drew off the pursuers. As the man would argue, though, the feds would KNOW which motor home carried the passengers, since this would be the one, headed for Witch Mountain. The father and son would spend the next twenty-four hours, trying to think of a way, to get the aliens to safety. This, while the ships staff would be working on repairs. By the time father and son gave up, on plan number 17, the ship was ready for take off. Now, all the men had to do was un-load passengers, back to the ship, and send it on its way. That WAS the plan, anyway. While both father, and son, had found the latest, federal, tracking devices, and removed each, from the motor homes, what the men had forgotten about was the built in devices, which modern vehicles are equipped with, from the factory. This is the reason why the feds halted pursuit, after a time. The government had decided to use the built-in trackers, to follow the motor homes, to the alienns ship. The father and son knew this to be true, when, shortly after the ship went into "launch mode", they heard a sound, like a generator powering up. Shortly after this, the ship began to waiver, in the air, then skidded, back to the ground. Seconds later, powerful spotlights bathed the craft, in blinding light, as a voice called out "You are surrounded. Throw out ALL weapons, then come out of the craft, with your hands over your heads". While the father and son could see that the aliens obeyed, the military were not so impressed. No doubt, this is why, as the aliens marched into the spotlights, each was cuffed, then pushed into waiting transports. As for the ship, itself, since no one hand any idea, of how to shut it down, some one had the idea of throwing a satchel charge into the opening, where the aliens emerged. What amazed both father, and son, was how, at the moment, when the charge SHOULD have gone off, a blue light, accompanied by a soft wind, was all that happened. This is when the commander, of the soldiers, called in an airstrike. If a satchel charge would not destroy this thing, maybe a missile would. After the soldiers departed the area, father and son would enter the alien craft. When they found the "control room", the father and son would no-sooner say "I wish I could READ this language", when the ships controls seemed to "translate" their titles to English. Since the father was hesitant, to try, the son suggested "Why not let ME fly it. You can meet me at Witch Mountain. Once you arrive, we can return for the motor home." The father would remind his son "No fancy stuff. Remember. This is NOT our property." The son would say "Right, dad. Meet you at the mountain". Once his father exited the ship, th son sat in the "pilots" chair, and thought of Witch Mountain. Moments later, he found himself, flying into the forbidden area, of the colony. When Tony and Tia met him, at the landing pad, they told the young man "For the purpose of returning our property, the penalty, for entering prohibited space, has been waived. Tony and I will see you to the recreation area. There, you will meet your father." Tony, and Tia, both had to suppress smiles, as the young man tried to "mark" the path, which the group followed, to the recreation area. When the father showed up, to collect his son, Tia would say "Your son did an admirable job, of returning our ship, to us. We thank you for this". When the father sensed a "but" was coming, yet the aliens walked away, back into the forest, the father would ask his son, who told him "Father, I KNOW how to get to the alien camp. I remember the trail". This, too, was a story, which grand-father told, as well. In fact, the man had tried, dozens of times, to retrace his steps, and find the alien colony. This is why the father would suggest "Why dont we pick up your wheels, first. We can worry, about finding the "camp", later on". Finding the camp would become a very LOW priority, once the message came through, about the prisoners. Messages, about torture, and about the humans demanding that the aliens translate their tech into human terms. What the interrogators simply did not understand was that the aliens, on their other planets, had abandoned most of our most advanced designs, centuries ago. These races no longer thought as humans do. This is why the Earth base was nothing more than an information depot. These races no-longer used explosives, and projectiles, to cause harm, or death. While one thought, among Witch Mountains community, was to transmit a message, to an alien command center, asking for a battleship, just to "scare" the humans, into freeing the aliens, The father was first to say "Wont work. If we see your ship approaching, the government will open fire, before you ship reaches orbit." Whn his son would suggest "Too bad you dont have a transporter, like on Star Trek. If you did, you could just transport your people here". A colonist would reply "We have been working on transporter technology, since before Star Trek went on your television. So far, our achievement has been, sorely, limited." When the son would suggest "Too bad you could not do like they did, in Commando, or even Preditor. Sneak in, blast the bad guys, and sneak out". The head, of the colony, would say "We will consider that, ONLY as a LAST resort". When the father would ask, the leader would say "Our laws prohibit interference, in planetary affairs." The son would add "Like the Federation Prime Directive". The leader would say "Precisely. We have no desire to affect your evolution. We, simply, wish to live in peace." Somehow, the father felt that this would be impossible. No way would ANY government allow these beings to live in peace. Not with the technology, which this race had access to. No, once humanity found a way around the "alien" defenses, the human race would strip the aliens of everything, which the race valued. The beings would be trucked off, just as the occupants, of the ship had been. When the son would ask "Where were your people taken to? Gitmo?" The leader would say "No, son. Guantanimo Bay has become far too well-known. No, our people will be taken to a place even your own people know nothing about. It is from there, that we will rescue them." When the father would ask "What then?" The leader would say "Your people have made it clear, that we are not welcome, on your world. We will search for another world to call home." When the father would state "Dont judge all of us, by the actions of the few". The leader would say "We understand that most of you would like to live, in peace. Un-forutunately, there are enough, who want war, death, and destruction, that they would, never, allow us to live in peace." When the son would ask "Can we come with you? We dont like war, either." The leader would ask "Son, do you remember your first day, of school. How you felt, about learning your A.B.C.'s?" The father would say "I remember those days, very well. Learning is, never, easy." The leader would say "Correct. This is why you would not be happy, with our people. You would need to learn a whole new life. One I am not certain that you would enjoy". Once the aliens boarded their ships, and went airborne, the son would ask his father "Do you think WE will, ever, have ships, like that?" The father would say "Only if we live, long enough, to learn to live in peace." It would be three weeks later, that "news" would be leaked, over the internet. News, which claimed that a "terrorist cell" had attacked a military installation. When the family heard "Attacked, by "forces unknown", with un-defined weaponry". When the son asked his father "Do you think?" The father would say "More than likely. I dont think we need to worry, about any more trips. They have their people, and Earth will be "marked" as "To be AVOIDED, at ALL costs". Atleast until we grow up". It would be just after the family routine came back to normal, that the father would just be relaxing, in bed, and preparing to drift off, to sleep, when he would hear a voice, calling out. "I wish they would find us. I am so scared. WHAT will these people DO to us, if they find out WHO we are?" When another voice would ask "Why did they shoot at us? We meant no harm. I wish I knew where my parents were." Suddenly, the man felt as though he were watching a "war of the worlds" movie, as his dream showed him two, fighter, craft, closing on a third craft. Design unknown. When the man heard a pilot say "Target in sight. Design unknown. No identification. Orders?" A voice would call to the pilot "Unless confirmed friendly, assume hostile intent. Repeat: assume hostile intent". When the pilot would say "Roger that. Opening fire" Like he was watching a movie, the mans dream would show him no less than four missiles, honing in, and impacting, the surface, of the unknown ship. Inside the unknown craft, people would be rushing about, trying to put out fires, while checking for injury. For some reason, the crafts shields would not raise, even as the crew screamed, in terror, at the un-provoked attack. As the ship went out-of-control, its occupants would strap in, for a crash landing. Just before the ship crashed, the man had a clear vision, of the crafts location. As the ship crashed... The man bolted awake, to find himself in his own bed. "Man, I have got to lay OFF of the science fiction" He would whisper, to himself. Hopefully, it was, all, just a dream (Or, was it?)

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE MEDIUMS

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE MEDIUMS Let it, NEVER, be said that I speak un-justly, of the dead. If I speak evil, of the deceased, it is because I know that, from life experience, that I can back my words. The living, however, are a completely different story. The living can be far more treacherous, than the dead could, ever, hope to be. I guess that the REAL problem, which Tami and I had, with these fakers, was how these people offered their services, to the berieved, for "nominal fee's". That, and those ridiculous incantations. One such cretin Tami found easy to expose. The fool had taken a popular, seventies, song, changed the rhythm, and put on a foreign dialect, to make it SEEM like they were chanting. When I had listened, then asked Tami "Why do I think I know those words?", Tami had gone to the home owners stereo system, selected the hit song, and watched as the faker cringed, when the music played, and the victim said "I THOUGHT I knew that song", as the melody played back, over the homes speakers. While the faker packed, to leave, they had said "A CURSE upon you all". Tami just smiled as she said "Make it a good one. The Chairman LOVES a good curse". Tami knew how fake the person was when they did not even know WHO the Chairman was. In the current case, a family was concerned, since a woman had been "lost", since her husbands death. It seems that the two had been so much, in love, that they never considered death. After the death, of her beloved, the woman was desperate for ANY communications, with her beloved husband. If the case-file was accurate, the womans family was right to be concerned. The grieving widow was paying out large sums, of money, for any information, which the medium provided. Such is the nature of grief. The family was asking if there were any way, to give the woman peace of mind. Without bringing her husband back, from the dead, we had no idea of how to help the woman, other than exposing the hoax. Tami's concern was 'What happens when we destroy her belief, in the medium? What will become of the widow?" Un-fortunately, there were no "easy answers". Grief caused death, everyday. Then, Tami had a thought. A thought which brought Mother Superior to us, like a magnet. The nun would remind Tami "I am NOT an telephone operator, and Heaven is NOT AT&T. We do NOT send spirits, just to comfort loved ones." When Tami would suggest "Why not just a message?" The nun was adamant "The woman must get on, with her own life." When Tami suggested "Why not let her husband tell her that?" The nun had no response. While finding a place, for G.S.2 to park, on the families land, was no problem, Tami had requested, in advance, that the widow be told nothing, and that the staff only be informed that the widow had visitors coming. No-doubt, this was the reason why, when Tami and I arrived, at the family home, we found the medium doing some sort of "chant/dance". While I found the dance sort of like the snake charming dances, of various, classic, movies, I had to wonder if I was imagining things, about the mediums "costume". I say this because, as a life-long fan, of the original Star Trek series, I think I can spot a yeomans Star Fleet uniform, from a block away. Now, while this medium seemed to be wearing a fleet uniform, what threw me off, for awhile, was how the costume was decorated. While the uniform was the standard blue, color, of a science section lieutenant, the medium had added veils, "drapes", and jewelry. When I whispered, to Tami "Am I just imagining?" She whispered back "No, that does resemble a yeomans uniform." This is when a third voice joined ours, saying "I loved that show, too. I just cant believe that my wife is falling for this". The "show" continued, until the medium saw Tami and I watching, as well. The medium then stopped, in mid-dance, asking the widow "Whom are these intruders?" I knew that Tami could not resist asking the medium "You mean, with all of your skills, you do not, already, know WHO we are?" When the widow would say "Relax. They are friends. My children invited them over". The medium seemed to look us over, then say "They are not true believers. Your beloved will not make an appearance, while these non-believers are present." When the husbands spirit whispered, to Tami "Who made THAT rule?" Tami just smiled. With that, the medium seemed to pack her stuff, then hustle off, as though late for a ride. After the widow greated us, she would say "I dont know what got into her. She was going so good. I really thought I would communicate, with my beloved." After Tami would ask the widow "Just what did you husband look like?" The widow would produce a picture, suggesting "You should add a few years, and some pounds. He was a good man, and a good father." When Tami compared the picture, to the spirit, which stood before us, she knew who the spirit was. Tami also knew how to handle this situation, with the tact, of a diplomat. While Tami would ask the woman "If you could speak to your husband, what would you say to him?" The widow would say "I would tell him how much I miss him, and that I love him." After the husaband replied, and Tami suggested "What would you say if he were to say..." and Tami repeated the mans words. Tami then served, as an "interpretor", for the rest of the conversation, during which the man promised his wife that he would, always, watch over her, but that it was time for her to "get on, with her life"." While the man did not yet understand how to materialize, before his widow, Tami's many contacts, with deceased persons, had given her an "edge". She could see the deceased, with no effort on the part of the deceased. While Tami was busy, in the sitting room, with the widow, I was dealing with another ghost, just outside the front door. It would seem that a childhood friend had been watching over the woman, since the womans husband had passed on. A woman who had known the widow, since childhood. It was when the ghost told me "If she doesn't snap out of this, I swear, by the Lord, holy Jesus, that I am going to slap her so hard, she will remember it, just like she did, the first time". When I asked the ghost, about the previous time, the woman said that, when the widows first love dumped her, for a more popular girl, the young woman had gone into such a funk, that her friend, finally had to grab her, slap her about, and saying "Snap out of it, girl. There are more boys out there, than you know". When the young woman had said "And other, pretty girls, as well", this is when the friend had slapped the girl, hard enough to leave a bruise. Then, the girl had asked the stricken woman "Are you gonna come out, with me, and have some fun, or do you want me to slap you around, some more?" Turns out, the slap was exactly what the girl had needed. The friends had gone out, forgotten their lives, and forged ahead. When I asked the spirit "What became of you?" The woman would say "Boy, you just dont give up, do you. Just like the "big man" said you is." When I asked "Whats wrong with asking a question?" The woman would say "I suppose there aint no harm in tellin you. I had me a passel, of children, and then I had me some grand-kids. I died, happy." By the time Tami was finished, with the widow, I had us follow this other spirit, and stop by the ghosts former home. This is where Tami noticed, even before I did, that only the womans two oldest children were "true" Negro. When Tami asked, the woman told us "That boy was beautiful. You know, **I** was his first woman. Seems his parents trusted me more than my own did. And, yes, I did give him some children. No, my husband never knew, or my husband never cared." In short summary, it seems that, while her husband was willing to take life, as it came, her "man" not only gave her some children, but he spent enough time, with the family, to make sure the kids could read, write, and count. When Tami would ask "What happened to him?" The woman would say "My husband, eventually, went into a paupers grave. No headstone. No sense, seeing as how he never did anything, with his life." When Tami refined her question, asking "What became of the father, of your children?" The woman answered by showing us some writing awards, which the man won, as well as the fact that the man worked on building several race cars. When she added "He even built four homes. That boy had such potential." When Tami asked "Did he, ever, go professional?" The woman would say "He TRIED. Several times, he tried. He gave up his hope, after his family found out about our children. They dis-owned him. Still, I will say that he did his best, to make the most out of life." When Tami asked "Where is he, now?" The woman would say "His family only took him back, to bury him on the family grounds. He has a plain marker, just like his fathers. Funny, though. His father was a drunken womanizer, while my man only drank a glass, at social occassions. I dont think he had any other women. Still, since we had some children, the family decided that he was not Christian enough. Result, he got a plain headstone." When Tami would ask "Why do you stay around?" The woman would remind Tami "I am only here, until I know my friend is "back in the world." Once I know that she is taken care of, I can move on"". Although it would seem that our arrival had "scared off" atleast one medium, Mr. Brown had other mediums for us to look over. Still, we waited just long enough to verify that the widow was keeping her promise, to her late husband, and getting on, with her life. Once we knew this was "in the works", we said goodbye, to the womans life-long friend. The woman then dissolved, just as gently as a breeze. According to the updated file, our next medium would be a "real treat". This fake had learned enough, about the victim, to be able to manipulate the surviving spouse into signing away power, and control, of assets, claiming that this was the wish, of the departed. When the deceased spouse found us, on-board G.S.2, the spouse was most adamant in saying "I NEVER said a word, to that phony, about my wife giving up control, of the money. That creep has my beloved "over a barrel"." When Tami asked "Why dont YOU step in?" The man would say "I dont know how to explain this, but, that creep has placed something around the house. Claims it is for her protection, but if I go near her, it "zaps" me." When Tami would ask "Just how much value does this person now control?" The man would say "Maybe $25 million. He keeps telling my wife that he is doing my bidding. That I want him to do these things." When Tami would ask "You say he now, controls $25 million. How much does your wife still control?" The man would say "Only $10 million". When Tami looked at me, I KNEW that look. It was the same look she gave me, on a previous case. With the aid of the dead, our plan was to scare the life out of the creep. While I would not say that the family was "wealthy", or lived "richly", the widow did have a nice home, and a support system. In fact, until the creep came in, promising to place her in contact, with her late husband, she had been as close to neighbors, as to family. Now, the creep was taking the woman, for everything she was worth, while promising "It is what your husband wants." Tami and I had to smile when, as the creep said that the deceased would say something, the actual deceased would tell Tami and I "If I could only kick his (you know), just once." Using the mans own life story, Tami and I turned the family home into a more-or-less "haunted house". Thanks to some un-verified aid, from the Chairman, consisting of some storms, we scared the creep into making the right moves. The deceased was wonderful, by the way he used his ghostly voice to tell the creep "If you want to be free, of my vengeance, you will sign my documents back over to my wife." When the creep asked "If I dont. What can you do, to me? You are dead". Suddenly, the creep found the room spinning, around him, as the deceased put on an award winning performance. Thunder, lightning, wind, and rain. Toss in some ghoulish moans, and some locked doors, barring the creeps escape, and he signed everything back to the widow, before running out, into the night, with only the clothes on his back. Once the creep was gone, I am "certain" that it was the Chairman, who provided Mother Superior, with the spell, which vanquished the "zapper", which kept the spirit away from his widow. Once the "zapper" was dealt with, Tami then acted as "translator", again, as husband and wife said their final farewells (after the husband mentioned that his wife might like the local mechanic). When Mr. Brown would send us another update, he would say "Be careful, of this one. Mr. Black says that they have researched YOU two, as much as we have, them. Dont be surprised if they pull your own pasts up, to frighten you." When Tami would say "Big deal. So I was a rebellious teen. After that, I left home, and went into drugs, and booze. I wanted my own life. Sir, you know my life atleast as well as I do." I would add "Big deal, for me, too. Thanks to the demons, and my coven in-law, I have no secrets, either." Mr. Brown would say "Even still. Be cautious. You never know what bit, of your past, which you might have forgotten, that the the fakers might have found." When Tami and I would say "Bring them on!", in our case, un-like George Walker Bush, we meant this more like General Patton, in World War Two. Meaning "We challenge you to a face-off. Man to man. Bring it, we DARE you". The only thing, which we did NOT expect, in this encounter, was for the truth to be so distorted. In Tami's case, at one point, she found herself looking at a used needle, and a medical report, which stated that she HAD, in fact, given herself the mystery overdose. The reports said her prints were on the syringe. It would seem, though, that, in MY case, the "worst" that the fakers could come up with was both altering my rental record, to show that I had been evicted, from three dozen places, over only five years, and that I was under a payee, at present, by court order. I, also, was presented with a "record", which stated that I used drugs, seven times per day. This meant that I was listed as a "habitual drug user". I really dont know which was more laughable. My alleged thirty-six evictions, or the distortion, over my drug use. I just wonder what a court would say when I admitted "Yes, I use prescription dugs, seven times per day." When Tami showed me her own, forged, record, asking "You DO believe me, dont you?" I would send our copies, of the "evidence", to Mr. Black, asking "How long would it take to forge these documents?" When, just ten minutes later, we had new forgeries, and Tami asked Mr. Black "HOW?" Mr. Black would say "Remember those C.D.'s, called 100 federal, and state, forms, on disc?" When Tami would say "Yes, I remember when we used them, on a case". Mr. Black would say "Same thing, here. You just enter what you WANT the form to show, then print it out. Its just that simple." What did un-nerve both of us, though, was when the mdium, somehow, got into our sub-conscious, found long-forgotten nightmares, and began "looping" these, while we slept. It would seem that my "worst nightmare" would be having dozens of women all accusing me of fathering their children, and demanding support, for crying babies. Tami made a point of telling me that her nightmare was about what she would do if she found herself working as a cheap whore, to pay for a drug, and booze, habit. She would tell me "What was most strange, about the dream, was the fact that, when I looked at the needle, which stuck out of my arm, I noticed that, as the needle wiggled, my arm did not bleed. Atleast, not until I THOUGHT about it." Tami, then added, "With the booze, it was, equally, bizzarre. No matter how much I drank, it went right through me, non-stop, even as I sat on a toilet. I could not get drunk, it went so fast." While Tami knew that a VERSION, of the dream, WAS her truth, what baffled both of us was the idea of my dream being about the crying babies. Tami knew that I wanted children about as much as I wanted a bullet, through my head. This is when Tami mentioned "What about that case. The one about the fake, Chinese Communist, woman, and the demons, who wanted to alter our lives?" When I remembered and said "Thats right. The demons tried to get me to accept that I had died, as a child." When Tami would say "Yes, they tried to kill me off, as a child, as well". When I would suggest "You dont suppose..." and Tami would say "Why not? After all, there are those who believe that, if we die, in our dreams, we die, in life, as well." The question, before us, now, was "How do we make sure the dreams remain dreams?" After some thought, Tami would ask "What do we, REALLY, know, about this medium?" I would say "About what we know, about our other cases. We know what is in the case file." Tami would jump up, go to her computer, and link with Lysia (while asking me "I hope you dont mind"). While I had heard rumors, about Lysia, and other men, even discreet inquiries informed me that more than one man had dumped Lysia for calling out MY name, during sex. How much truth was there? All I knew was that Lysia had yet to marry. She was committed to her research. While she wanted, eventually, to be a "Mrs.", and a mother. She wanted to wait until her credentials came through. She wanted to be a ME, before becoming a WE. WAS it just "coincidence", that Lysia was doing research, on the very mediums, which Tami and I were investigating? Lysia's data showed that SHE was researching the mediums, over a claim that some ships captains had kept mediums on-board, to predict the weather, and the outcomes, of battle. Lysia would add "It is rumored that more than a few captains "kept" the mediums, until the men either got bored, with the women, or the women got pregnant. After that, the ships dumped the women, at the closest port". When Tami would ask "Just how much of this is confirmed FACT?" Lysia would say "About as much as the "fact" that I loved your partner." I was just grateful, when Tami asked Lysia to aid our investigation, into the mediums. What I did not expect, was when Tami asked Lysia about her dreams. Lysia would smile as she said "My dream is, always, about me and him (me). I put aside my dream, and goals, to become his wife, and mother, of his children." When Tami would ask "How does it end?" Lysia would say "I am full of regrets. I am a mother, and grand-mother, but my NAME will not be remembered." THAT would be Lysia's nightmare. She wanted, so much, to BE some one. The idea, of dying, in anonymity, was something which Lysia could not stand. That is why she was working, harder than ever, for her credentials. While working on the research, the ladies, and, sometimes, myself, watched some of the "seances", and other devices. Some, of this mediums moves were downright sexual, in nature. None of us could figure out what sexuality was used for, in contacting the deceased. While Lysia stepped outside, to deal with her "female need", Tami remained baffled as to how something, very similar to a nude scene, from a mens porn video, had to do with contacting a deceased relative. After Lysia "took care" of her need, she did some web-searches, and found some distant, and remote, remarks, about the deceased. Someone had written that the man had (killed?) a chieftain, then taken the mans harem, and produced maybe 100 children. The story said the man could not "keep his pants on". When Tami asked about verification, Lysia would say "Even **I** am suspicious of this one. It was written by a woman, who hoped the man would marry her, just because they spent ONE night together". Tami would say "Throw it out. Its just a woman, trying to get even for a man not marrying her". Lysia, however, would suggest "Why dont we take this before the family, first". When the mediums next performance, was to be in the nude, claiming that the man never liked clothes, and the family questioned nudity, in the presence, of children, the medium suggested that the children depart the room. Once the children departed, the woman did a strip-tease, which gave even ME a hard on. When the woman began making thrusting movements, while saying "Yes, I am in contact. Oh, YES! He is here". When the family looked on, un-easily, Tami gave Lysia her cue, and Lysia stepped forward, even as the family was asking "Is she, really, in contact?" Lysia would say "The only thing she is in "contact" with is an obscure web-site entry, which claimed that the man could not control his sexual urges". When the family looked confused, Tami stepped forward, to add "According to an entry, in a womans diary, the man spent a night, with her, then left. Since he did not offer to marry her, she created the story, about the man being a sexual wild-man". The medium seemed to be full of climatic pleasure, as she maintained her performance, until Tami would tell her "The jig is up." When the woman stood up, asking "What happened", Lysia would say "You did a strip-tease, hoping that the men would be so engrossed, that they would not recognize it, when you got up, and pocketted what you could carry, out of the house". When the woman of the house, would say "Young lady, I HOPE you can PROVE these charges". Lysia picked up what had appearred to be a sheer veil, and shook out the hidden pockets. Out fell family belongings, with an estimated value, of maybe, $2.5 million. It was when the family was thanking us, for saving their belongings, that the REAL spirit showed up, asking Tami to foward a message. The man was fine, and in his best health, ever. And, would his wife PLEASE find a version, of the Bible, which did NOT portray the angels, and Heaven, like some, ultra-exclusive, country-club? When the wife said "Thats my husband. Comes right to the point. Tell him that I will love him, forever". Tami would look at the smiling, fading, spirit, and Tami would know he understood. Well, talk about theatrics. The next medium used enough tech, and special effects, to, ALMOST, make believers, out of the three of us. While the "show" was fantastic, it was, still, just professional showmanship. What Lysia did not count upon was when her credentials came through. It would seem that her work, on OUR case, had proven that Lysia COULD multi-task, while reaching sound conclusions. Lysia would confide, only to Tami and I, that Lysia had hoped for a more climatic feeling, when her credentials were approved. Something important. Lysia would tell Tami and I that Lysia thought the credentials would make her feel like she did, after a night, with me. As it was, Lysia felt no different, or more knowledgeable, than she did, on any other day. In fact, it seems, aiding Tami and I, with exposing the fake mediums, seemed more rewarding, than the credentials. It would be weeks before Lysia and I would discover another mediums "prepartion area", where the medium prepared for each performance. Lysia and I had been looking for a place, where we could contemplate, in a quiet setting. It was while we were whispering, that we saw the medium, and her dresser, come into a section, of the house, even WE did not know about. (Man! Did these people do research, or what?) As Lysia and I hid and watched, the dresser not only fitted the medium, into an outfit, which was an amazing fit, but the man informed the medium "We are going to need another $300,000, by the way we are going through supplies." When the medium would say "No sweat. I will just tell them that the old man wants us to have a "token, of his esteem". When Lysia began to move, whispering "Why those..." The only way to stop her was with a deep kiss. This, even as the medium would ask her dresser "What was that?" and the man would say "I did not say a word". Thankfully, the woman would say "I guess it was just my imagination". (Thankfully, I had turned on my recorder, in case Lysia and I made any breakthroughs). While Tami listened, at length, to the recording, in case the people said something, that we missed, Tami only listened to the lead up portions, more than once. She neither needed, nor wanted, to hear, what Lysia and I were doing. When Lysia asked "What do you think? Plenty of evidence, right?" Tami would suggest "Before we submit it, to the family, I suggest we edit out that later part. The family does not need to listen to that". While, I guess, one might say that we "altered" the conversation. All that we, really, did, was remove the material, which was not "relative" to the case. (Tami had to suggest, to Lysia, "Try to hide that smile, better") Just as the medium was about to go into her act, and before her "aid" brought down the lights, Tami and I would ask to see the mediums costume, up close. When the medium declined, first Tami, then the family, asked "What could it hurt, just to take a look." Not surprisingly, the medium declined, and, with her aid, withdrew, from the home. When the family asked "What was all that about?" Tami would say "The aid did not want you to see how the controls worked. It seems that, whenever the two wanted money, they put on a show, for you". When a son asked "How do you know this?" Lysia would step foward, saying "We did an internet search, and found that the two have other "clients", who bankroll them, as well. As near as we can figure, that "couple" has "taken" as much as thirty-five million, from families, such as your own. People seeking one, final, message, from "beyond"." After leaving this family, Lysia took a look, at our next destination, then asked "Mind if I tag along?" When Tami would say it was up to me, I would, only, ask Lysia her reason. Lysia would say "That man is an old friend. I have witnessed him making contact. It is amazing, how he can tell people things that only family would know". When Tami and I would say "Research.", Lysia would say "I agree. I would love to prove, to you, how good he is.", then she would look at me, and say "Professionally, that is". While Tami and I could find no fault, in the request, we DID remind Lysia about the point, of the investigation. What the trip, to see tha man, did point out, was that Lysia knew things, which even the Brown Agency did not know. Things, including the fact that Lysia did not even know the man was married, until his wife threatened a divorce, unless he stopped "seeing" Lysia. Lysia was, also, the driving force behind the man declining some questionable appearances. Not the least of which was a nudist colony. A place, which wanted both performers to appear, in the nude. When the man had said that he needed his cape, for some of his performance, as well as Lysia needed her costume, the nudist colony had said "Nude, or nothing." Lysia made the apologies. To our surprise, while the man had a new assistant, Tami was first to notice that he retained a framed photo, of Lysia. The man was, however, more paternal, with the young model. While he dressed, like a magician, when he "read" people, even I could FEEL his thoughts, probing us. While Lysia insisted that she had not spoken to the man, since before working with us, the man would mention that "There is a man, present, who has a dilema. He has two women, whom he loves, and who love him. I would want to say that both are his mistresses, yet neither are. More like co-workers. His dilema will not be easy to resolve. I wonder who this, lucky, man is?" When no one came forth, the man said "He will know, in time.". After the performance, the man told US, about our plane (which he described as "bat-like"), and described how Tami and I had come to work together. He, then, told Lysia "My girl, I can see that you love him, as well. I dont have to read your thoughts". When Tami asked about the very young assistant, the man would say "She is for the audience. A beautiful, young, woman, will grab almost anyones attention." The man, then, seemed to answer our questions, before we, even, asked them. He told US, about the Brown Agency, and highlights, of our past cases. He even told us about how Lysia and I met, and so on. When Tami was about to suggest "Internet research", the man would say "Computers. Never bother with them. Give me a newspaper, anyday." When Tami asked "Okay, HOW do you learn, about your subjects?" The man gave her a deep look, then told her "I see. You left home, thinking life, on your own, would be better than your mothers rules. Didn't work out, so well, did it?" When Tami asked "Name my first boyfriend" When the man asked "Boy friend, or lover?" When Tami said "Fine, first lover". The man listed the name, of a boy, whom Tami barely, mentioned. When the man said "Sorry. I didn't realize that you had hoped for more than he was willing to give". When Tami asked the man more questions, and the man, easily, provided answers, I would ask "Just curious?" the man would say "Heather Hunter. Great body. I can see why you like Lysia." When I asked "Tom Cruise?" the man would say "You have dis-liked the man, ever since he fibbed, about driving the Indianapolis 500." When he added "I agree with you. Classic movies, in black-and-white, WERE the best. Real plot-oriented stuff". What surprised both Tami and myself, was when the asistant joined us, wearing street clothes, yet looking as beautiful as ever. The man asked if we would see the girl home, safely. When we saw the girl home, Lysia would recognize the house, saying "You are Grandmama's girl, arent you?" When the girl would agree, Lysia would say "No wonder the man chose you. Her talents are legendary." The girl would say "That can be a bore, sometimes." While, at the next intercept, Tami recorded what Lysia and I did, on-stage, all that Lysia and I remembered was walking up, on stage, then joining Tami, at the exit. (What I could not understand was why I felt so refreshed, upon departing the stage. Why was Lysia smiling?) At G.S.2, Tami played back what we did not remember. Lysia just could not believe that we had done something, in front of an audience. No matter how we checked the video, we saw that all the performer did was place us into a "trance", then tell us "Do what will make you, both happy". No suggestions. No "Do this", or "Do that". Only "Do what you want to do". It seems that we did, and that was why, at G.S.2, we snacked out. While Lysia and I watched ourselves, then asked "How could we NOT remember?" Tami would show us a "trick", which had been used, in olden times. When SOME men did not want to "get caught", with certain women, the men cast a spell, which wiped out the womens memory. When I would say "Thats fine, for Lysia, but what about me?" Tami would show me a version, of the spell, which worked on BOTH sexes. All Lysia would say was "I dont know whether to be proud, or ashamed. I mean, before an audience." Tami would remind us "The magician DID tell the audience, in advance "Now that the subjects are under, they will have no memory of what they are about to do". Lysia would say "But THAT! HOW could a woman not remember?" We found out HOW, after the mans next performance. This time, we did not attend, or volunteer. This, because Lysia had said "If anything happens, I want to enjoy it". What we saw "behind the scenes", was the man hypnotizing a girl, while showing her a magic book. She thought she was reading a book of spells, while he had his way. After he was done, he asked how she liked the book. The girl left, none-the-wiser. Thanks to our recorders, though, this was the mans final "performance". When Tami put in our report, on this man, Mr. Brown would say "Time to move on". When Tami would ask "Aren't there more fakes, out there?" Mr. Brown would say "Like a battlefield continues to produce ghosts, so there will, always, be more charlatins." Away from G.S.2, Lysia and I considered that video, and snuggled, as she asked "Do we, really, love one another THAT much?" I could only say "You heard the video. The man did not tell us to do anything. He just said "Do what your hearts desire". When she kissed me, and said "Baby, he didn't say that." I kissed her as I said "Sounds better my way. More romantic. Dont you think?" After a shared "I love you", I did not return to G.S.2, until morning. Lysia caught another flight, heading back to the university. She had work to catch up on. Tami and I were headed off, on another case.

ODE TO A BICYCLE THEFT

ODE TO A BICYCLE THEFT My, what I have learned, in the days since my first bicycles were stolen, on September 1-2, 2016. For one thing, I would learn that, despite months, of a renewed exercise plan, that my body was not in nearly as good, of shape, as I thought I was in. In the time, since my first two bicycles were STOLEN, out of the basement, of my apartment building, I have learned that my leg exercises were not half as effective, as I thought these had been. In the time since I purchased a replacement bicycle (which was STOLEN, within 24 hours, of purchase. AGAIN, from the basement of my apartment building), My legs have been groaning, with the renewed effort, of WALKING around town. Now is the time when I feel that my body is, REALLY, getting in shape. While I have had SEVERAL people suggest that I purchase a FOURTH bicycle, my question has been "Why bother? When it will just be STOLEN, again" As for the police department, of my city, while many, of its officers are true, and dedicated, law enforcers, those members, in the bicycle crimes section, hold the attitude of "Who cares?", and "Just go buy yourself another "toy"", in regards to bicycle theft. While I KNOW that I NEED another bicycle, to get around town, th question is: HOW do I prevent the theft, of the next bicycle? After all, no victim is "made of money". It is much easier, to STEAL a bicycle, than to work, to PAY for one. Still, I THINK I may have an idea. Oh, how I miss my property. I hope the thieves are "enjoying" my STOLEN property.

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER While Tami and I were amazed, to see the seal, of the President of the United States, on a case file, it seems that the contents, of the file, were what warranted thee presidential seal. When Mr. Brown would say "That is correct. This request came from the Oval Office. Un-officially, ofcourse. Still, it is from the president." When Tami would inquire "I thought the president does not believe in ghosts?" Mr. Brown would say "If you observe, closely, you will find the details, of the case, and what the president wants done." According to the case-file, during the re-building, of the World Trade Center, there had been fears, that the new buildings would come, already haunted, by the spirits of those, who died on September 11th, 2001. This is why all building functions were to be controlled by Black Ops contractors. The goal being to SILENCE any ghost rumors, as they started up. For awhile, the process had worked beautifully. All reports, of spirit activity, were given to Black Ops, which filed the reports away. This was okay, as long as it was only occassional sightings, of various spirits. The problem was the "publicity hound" types. The charlatans, who began coming, to the plaza, doing all kinds of rituals, while saying things like "I feel the pain, of loss, and grief..." Most, of these people, security just escorted off of the premises. This was done as quietly as possible, since the president wanted to respect the privacy, and dignity, of the survivors. The time, when the White House was compelled to take action, was when people began sending letters, to Capital Hill, and the White House, with all the letters claiming that there were "souls, in pain", and that, for a "nominal fee", these people could lay the dead to rest. The ones, who were arrested, were those who included threats, such as "If you do not hire me to lay the souls to rest, then the dead will "rise up, and exact revenge", upon the un-believers." While most of these people were, discreetly, taken in, one television reporter went what even Tami and I would consider "too far". By the time the woman was arrested, and her film confiscated, the president requested that the woman be held, without bail, until she answered for her actions. Her "crime" was simple: She pretended to interview some of those, who had DIED, on September 11th. While the interviews were "captivating", even the president was offended, that the woman sought a bonus, from her network bosses, for appearing to interview deceased persons. This is why the president gave Tami and I a clear directive: IF these reports are false, as in live performers being paid, to pretend to be the deceased, I want them identified, and turned over, to the F.B.I., for interrogation. The file said that the Brown Agency was chosen, to investigate the matter, due to our discretion. Since almost no one knew, of our existance, this is why the president chose us. When Tami had asked "One question, sir." When Mr. Brown would say "Speak up", Tami would ask "Just on the off-chance, that these hauntings MIGHT be REAL..." Mr. Brown would say "That is why I want the two of you, on-site. If the ghosts are fakes, you will be the first to know. Whereas, IF the spirits are "real", you will follow standard procedure." About the only GOOD news, in the file, was that all government workers were to give us full cooperation. That included Black Ops. It was doubtful that we would need the aid, of the soldiers, unless the frauds were human. Still, the question lingered: "What if the spirits are REAL?" I would suggest "THAT may be the EXACT reason why WE have been called in. The off-chance that this might be an actual haunting.". As it would turn out, I was right. While the president could not, OPENLY, admit to the idea, that the new World Trade Center MIGHT be haunted, it would seem that, whether the perpetrators were alive, or spirits, the president wanted definitive answers. As the case file pointed out, there had been dozens, if not hundreds, of "psychics", who visited the plaza, ALL of whom had said "I feel a presense..." There had, also, been letters, to Capital Hill, claiming that un-specified persons were "in pain", and that, for a "minimal fee", various persons were willing to lay the dead to rest. Less than a handful, of correspondents, were arrested, by the F.B.I. All of these arrests were due to writers being foolish enough to write "If I am not hired, to lay the dead to rest, then the lost souls, from that terrible day, will "rise up", and "strike down" the White House, and Capital Hill." Then, there were three arrests made, when "performers" invaded the lobbies, of the new buildings, disrupting activities, with all manner of performances. This, while telling the "audience" "I feel the presense, of pain and suffering..." In the file, the president noted "Were it not for "Freedom of Speech", I would have had them arrested, and held, in prison, until this issue is resolved." Tami and I could not agree, more. We KNEW who the real people were, both mortal, and immortal. The fakers, often, turned our stomachs, while mixing things which were combustable, to say the least. This is the reason why the president had made it clear that the Brown Agency was their choice. The agency's history, of discretion, was legendary. (The presidents greatest hope was that our investigation would never be discovered.) The main problem, with this, was that the spirits, of 9/11 victims, were showing up all over the new plaza. Even according to Black Ops, there was no pattern, to the hauntings. Sometimes, it was a business person, in a suit, or a woman, in a Fifth Avenue dress. Maybe, it was one of the children, who had been on a field trip, on that September day. As a result, Tami and I spent WEEKS, even working with Brown Agency computers, trying to find ANY kind of pattern. It was thanks, to the construction contractors ingenuity, that Ghost Ship Two "vanished", while on site, underneath some "Under Construction" tarps. People forgot that our stealth ship was present, in no time. Still, no matter how we "sliced" it, the hauntings seemed completely random. HOW were we supposed to track spirits, inside buildings, where humans were active round-the-clock? Even the school girl, whose body had been recovered, from a pile of rubble, of what had been a lobby level, was being "witnessed", towards both the middle of the building, and the upper floors, as well. One, of the women spirits, was "witnessed" near several of the boutiques, and restaurants, inside the new building. The man, sometimes dressed in a dark blue, three-piece, suit, and a silk tie, had been "witnessed" near offices, such as a diamond processing office, a stock firm, and was even making appearances at an investment firm. When Tami and I asked the head of Black Ops, if they even considered closing the building, completely, then trying to apprehend the spirits, all that Black Ops would tell us was "Sorry. That was one of our primary idea's. Trap those sons of... But management said "No can do". We have to let business operate, on its own schedule." While Tami, myself, and even Black Ops ALL thought we had "visuals", over the next two months, everytime we checked, the "spooks" were living, breathing, people. Even as our tracking luck continued to produce negative results, security continued to receive reports. As Security pointed out, "If one of those THINGS would just injure a person, we could go after it, "guns blazing"" When Tami would ask "What good would that do? These people are, already, dead". The Black Ops director would say "Figure of speech, ma'am". While Tami and I understood what the soldiers meant, Tami and I also had experience, with mortals who DID try to shoot the dead. In fact, one of the funniest jokes we, ever, heard, was when we saw an officer pull a gun, on a spirit. When the officers partner had asked "What good will that do? They are already dead?" The officer, confronting the spirit, would ask "Any better ideas?" At that moment, no one had ANY ideas. Back in the present, it was not until the newest addition, to the World Trade Center, was finally ready to open, that Tami hoped for some "real action". While no, official, reports had been made, the file stated that, while the spirits "tampered" with construction, of each, new, building, the dead had made a point of showing up, at each Grand Opening. And, NO, I dont mean like whisps of smoke, or demons, or monsters. I mean, the dead showed up, as though prepared for either work, or school. In fact, many times, the only way to know when the living were talking to the dead, was when the living would ask "What do you think, of the new building?" It was when the dead would say "I have no idea. I died, on September 11th, 2001." With that, the spirit would dissolve. Now, Tami had a great idea. Since the spirits enjoyed appearring, at such occassions, Tami had us add our own detection meters, to the lobby decorations, even before the set up, for the ceremony. OUR goal, was to attract atleast ONE spirit, to us. This way, we could learn the reason why the spirits remained. That was SUPPOSED to be the plan, anyway. WHO would have thought that the spirits had their own, "game plan". Just as the lights, for the newest building, went bright, as though welcoming the public, the power went back off, and the buildings shadow seemed to take on an ominous, dark, shape. Shortly after this, the entire World Trade Center Plaza went dark, as section-by-section, lights shut down. Point of note: Odd thing was, neither New York City, nor Ghost Ship Two went dark. Man, though, did the spirits get a laugh, out of what happened next. As party-goers were looking around, at the darkness, wondering what was going on, a deep, male, voice broke out in the kind of "evil" laughter which, normally, is only heard, in classic, horror, movies. For reasons, which Tami and I failed to comprehend, just because of this loud laughter, party-goers panicked, and ran for the "safety", of New York City's lights. I can only guess that, after so many cases, and pursuing so many spirits, that Tami and I were "immune" to such theatrics. When a man, in a sea captains uniform, approached us, asking "Are you not scared, and chilled to your bones?" Tami would ask "Why?" When the man, whose voice was like a booming stereo, with the bass turned up, to loud, would ask "Do you not fear ghosts, creepy-crawlies, or even dying?" Tami would shrug her shoulders as she said "Everybody dies. It is just a question of where, when, and how." When the sea captain shook some, nearby, tree's, while making a ghostly wail, Tami would say "Cut the theatrics. Are YOU one of the resident spirits?" When the man would ask "Resident what?" Tami would ask "Are you one of those, who perished, at the W.T.C., on September 11th, 2001?" The man would say "My dear, this IS September 11th, 2001". When Tami would ask "Wanna bet?" The man would check his wristwatch, then say "See, I told you." as he showed us his wristwatch "It is 9:15 A.M., September 11th, 2001". This is when Tami would ask the man the "shocker question". "If it is 9:15 A.M., then WHY is this place as dark as midnight?" When the moon appearred, overhead, and Tami asked the man "Since when does the moon, and stars, come out, in the morning?" When the sea captain asked Tami "Fair lady, just WHAT date do YOU think it is?" When Tami told the man the current date, and time, his next question was natural. "Where have **I** been, all this time?" Tami would soften her approach as she would say "I would like to think that you have remained, to watch over your loved ones". When the man would say "Do not be absurd, young woman. I am a life-time member, of the Merchant Marine. I am dedicated to only one mistress and her name is the sea" When Tami would ask "What about the other spirits?" and Tami began listing names, the man would, only, say "I do not know those names. I do know that there are others about the area." When Tami would ask "Would you ask some of them to step forward, and talk to us?" The man would caution "Be aware. Most of us prefer our privacy" Tami would add "Just as we do, in life." By this time, the plaza was vacant, of the living, so Tami felt no problem in calling after the man "How about turning the power back on?" While the merchant marine turned, to look back, at us, section-by-section, the plaza's lights returned to life. When Tami would call out "Thank You", the merchant marine would say "It was not I" He would, then, fade away, leaving us with more questions than answers. Later, on-board G.S.2, Tami and I would agree. While the merchant marine was a bit "heavy handed", in his theatrics, we just did not see him as being behind the laughter, or the black-out. No, someone ELSE wanted our attention. The question was: WHO? While we did not find out WHO, for some time to come, we DID locate a reasonable explanation, for WHY. According to the records, when the twin towers fell, the debris flattened this location, burying an un-specified number, of victims, inside. People who died, under the crushing weight, of hundreds of tons, of debris. Sure, the debris had been removed, and sifted, for body parts, however, the one thing, which no search gear is designed to locate is the human soul/spirit. This is where Tami and I came in. I would use all of my senses, to locate the spirits, while Tami held conversations, with the spirits, including final requests. The most difficult part, of this exercise, however, was in holding a rabid media at bay. It would seem that someone had started a rumor, about New York bringing in the 1980's version of the Ghost Busters. The media was swarming the plaza, with each reporter HOPING to be the FIRST to spot the ghost busters ambulance. For a few hours, the media was "alive", with speculation, about when, where, and how, the ghost busters would be called in. At the suggestion, of the White House, New Yorks mayor declined to issue a statement. New York, and the White House agreed "Let the media think, and say, whatever they wanted to". While New Yorkers were waiting, and watching, for Ecto 1 to drive into town, I had located as many as twenty souls, which I forwarded to Tami. Most, of what we encountered, inside the building, was neither menacing, nor frightening. Most of the souls were, simply, lost, and scared. People who did not understand. Death had been upon them, so quickly, they had no time, for final thoughts. Atleast one woman was fearful, of coming forward since, according to her story, after her children were born, she had accepted a promotion, at work, and began working longer hours. Since a co-worker was more "accessable", than her husband, the two were involved, in a prolonged affair, on that fateful day. Now, the woman was fearful that 9/11 had been God's way, of punishing her infidelity. While some, of the souls, were joyous, when Mother Superior appearred, others were fearful, when the Enforcer Demon appearred, as well. Even I was amazed at how, whether in a nun's habit, or a business suit (which the nun, currently, wore), Mother Superior commanded RESPECT. In my personal opinion, I believe that Mother Superior could command respect, even in a bikini. The woman just had an "air" of "IM in charge". The same air as the high priestess, of each, Wiccan, coven. The souls only seemed a bit relaxed when the Ennforcer Demon would inform us "I am here, strictly, to ensure that the transition proceeds smoothly". When Tami would suggest "You want to avoid a repeat, of that, other, incident, correct" The Enforcer Demon would say "The paperwork, for that one, was a real nightmare. I will spare you the details. Like the nun, I am here, just to observe, and verify". Mother Superior would correct the Enforcer Demon, saying "**I** am here, to ensure that the Lord's children make their way, to the Heavenly gates". When Tami would suggest "You MAY have a boatload full, on this trip." The nun would say "The chairman ALWAYS has plenty of room, for his children". Of this, neither Tami, nor I, had any doubts. Now, I will grant that, over the next week, there were some "unusual" cloud formations, over the World Trade Center Plaza, however, it really took some imagination, for someone to produce those internet pictures, of the new towers. Pictures, which displayed demons "embracing" the new towers. While the pictures were pulled, within an hour, over 1.5 million copies had been downloaded, by that time. When Tami decided to play a joke, on the "vandals", who published the pictures, by having Mr. Black create some "divine fakes", of our own. When Tami's pictures were published, with one showing two angels, kneeling, on opposite sides, of the new towers, and another picture, showing an angel, embracing the buildings, and yet another, showing the Chairman/God appearing to lay praise, on the new towers, even Tami could not believe how FAST downloads exceeded 250 million. Via comm-link, Mr. Black would joke, with Tami "Split the profits, with you, 50/50". Tami laughed at this, as well, since even SHE knew Brown Agency policy, in such matters. Still, it was fun, to laugh, about it. Between my partner, and the nun, the processing went fairly smoothly. Ofcourse, there were the usual questions, such as spirits asking "Am I worthy of Heaven?", as well as "What will happen, when I go before Gabriel?" Mother Superior, always, got a laugh, out of the mortals, who thought that the Arch-Angel was either a monster, or a "fire-and-brimstone" judge. As Mother Superior had said, many times "As angels go, he's a pretty nice guy". While I, sometimes, wondered if **I** would have to atone, for THINKING about other mens wives, Tami's concern, since meeting Mother Superior, had been "HOW will I atone, for my days, of drug, and alcohol, use? How will I atone, for failing to honor my parents?" While Mother Superior would not commit, Tami and I just HOPED that our deeds, in aiding the living, and the deceased, would earn us some bonus points, when our times came. Still, Tami and I agreed that, the more souls we aided, the more peace we brought, to the living. As many as 250 families, now, had peace of mind, due to our services. The children, from the tour group, were the most difficult, to cross over. This, because a bully, among the students, was taunting class-mates, with whispers, of how anyone, who was not, totally "perfect" would be cast out of Heaven, to burn, forever, in the pit of Hell. When Mother Superior found the bully terrorizing some students, the nun taught the child the meaning of "Corporal/capital Punishment". When the nun tossed the bully, to the Enforcer Demon, and the bully cried out "Thats not fair!" The nun would ask "Not fair?" When the bully said "That right" The nun would ask "Was it fair, when you were terrorizing your class-mates?" When the bully said "Stupid whimps. Not an ONCE of courage. They get what they deserve". When the nun would say "In that case, say Hello to Lucifer, for me". The last we saw, of the bully, was when the Enforcer Demon was dragging the yelling, crying, bully away. Demon, and bully dissolved, into the night. Still, my partner, and the nun, had their "hands full", for the next few days, as more souls came forward. For a few, of the most deeply religious, their family members spirits would appear, before the souls, with open arms, to bring the souls to Heaven. While the ladies handled the processing, of the souls, I returned to G.S.2, and started processing "last messages". While most of the messages were responded to with "Thank You", the one request, which the Port Authority refused, flat out, was to stop all commercial development, at the plaza. The request was to turn the plaza into a huge memorial. As the Port Authority would say "That is PRIME real estate. It is worth millions, in income. The city NEEDS this income." Tami and I agreed to leave the GREED, of the mortals, to the JUSTICE, of the spirit world. We were just messengers. If people did not like the messages. That was their problem, not ours. While Tami and I were certain that not everyone, at the W.T.C. was "processed", there was nothing we could do, to force the issue. After all, HOW does one compel a spirit to do anything? When G.S.2 departed the World Trade Center, to proceed to an air force base, for fuel and supplies, we heard the pilot tell the co-pilot "This time, listen and obey. Stay away from that bar maid. Got it?" The co-pilot would say "If you say so" It would be while re-fuelling, and re-provisioning, at the air force base, that our next case file arrived, from Mr. Brown. This time, Tami and I were being requested to aid a mortal, whose relatives thought the woman was being scammed, by a fake "medium". It was another of those "I can feel the presense of..." types. Tami and I had run across them, before. We were just happy, that these fakes hated us as much as we hated them taking advantage of people. Seances, and rapping on tables. Pure childhood games. Still, a family was asking our help. On to the next case.