THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE HAWAIIAN SPIRITS

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE HAWAIIAN SPIRITS While Tami and I had succeeded, in identifying, and conversing, with a European spirit, the problem was in negotiating a compromise, between the living, and the dead. While the angry spirits, who were causing the problems, were well over 4,000 years old, the spirits held the opinion that, while it was fine, for the young to defend their homeland, from definitive threats, such as the massing, of American soldiers, along the border, What the spirits were, openly, opposed to was this so-called "War on Terror". For weeks, Tami had responded to both the deceased, and the living, ALL of whom were asking WHAT is the GOAL, of this WAR?" Tami understood this question, as well as I did. The answer, to this question eluded even the American public. Not just the Europeans. And, yes, after September 11, 2001, America, our host nation, and many other nations, had taken part in joint military, actions, aimed at bringing those, allegedly responsible, to justice. It was only after those, who were BLAMED, for the bombings, had been executed, that Europe had decided "Mission: Accomplished". This, in thinking that, by this time, the military would disperse, back to defending national homelands. When Washington D.C. had announced "We MUST CRUSH Islam! We must wipe this "terrorist religion", from the face of the Earth!" This is when Europe had decided to pause, and consider these words. Now, of course, IF Washington D.C. had a DEFINITE GOAL. An achievable target, Europe would have re-considered their position. The reason why the European Union had pulled OUT, of the invasions was because of Washington D.C.'s vague, un-focused, ranting, about "We MUST outlast the "terrorists", no matter how LONG it takes". When Europe had heard this vague, un-focused, rationale, for attempting to "destroy" a religion, international support, for the invasions, had dissolved. Since that time, Washington D.C. had been trying to BRIBE nations, into supporting "our" actions. When bribery was met with a demand for FOCUSED goals, this is when rumor began to spread. Rumors, of spraying the French Republic with a deadly mist, until France agreed to re-join the un-focused invasion. Rumors, of bombing Buckingham Palace. Rumors, of invading any nation, which would not side, with Washington D.C., in the "War on Terrror". What Tami and I were learning, from the spirit world, was that our ancestors were growing fed up, with this decades-old "conflict". As the spirits, of Romans, Germans, British, and other nations, soldiers, would inform Tami and I, time and time, again "In MY day, soldiers wore uniforms. Each side killed as many, of the other, as possible. The last side standing WON the war." Many soldiers would add "This "war", on "terror", makes no sense, at all. HOW can you hope to destroy something, which has no BODY?" Christianity was, often, sited, as such an example. Whether women were being hunted down, tortured, then killed, after being "convicted", of witchcraft, or whether, in more modern times, Christians had BOMBED DOZENS of clinics, executing doctors, and assaulting patients, who were seeking health care, at such clinics, WHO was holding the Christians accountable, for THEIR actions? Several spirits inquired as to whether radical Christians would be the next "religion", to be dealt with. By the end, of the case, the only compromise, which Tami could come up with, was the promise to inform Washington D.C. that the spirits were just as fed up, with the never-ending, un-defined, combat, as the living were. Tami's compromise included Tami's promise that, as long as Tami delivered the spirits message, to Washington D.C., the spirits would agree to "behave themselves". Mr.. Brown had agreed to convey the message, to Washington D.C., if, in return, Tami and I agreed to review a case, concerning the state of Hawaii. According to the case-file, it would seem that the spirits, of Hawaii's ancestors, and the islands dieties, were becoming more active than was normal. The case-file stated that the ancestors were appearing, to the modern generation, carrying a dire warning. IF the witness reports were accurate, the ancestors were warning that, IF a construction project were not halted, VERY soon, that Hawaii would become the latest location to fall to the fate of the legend of Atlantis. The file, also, contained drawings, based upon witness memories. Memories, both from dreams, and from visions. Now, based upon how similar the drawings seemed, I asked Tami "I wonder if islanders are holding meetings, where their fellow islanders are being "warned", of alleged effects, of the development?" Tami would ask "You think islanders are manipulating their fellow citizens, into a certain thought pattern?" I would suggest "Remember George W. Bush, and his statement of "Either you stand with ME, or you are a terrorist sympathizer." If Mr. Bush was allowed to do this, on a national level, what would prevent certain islanders from doing this same thing, just on a more local scale?" Tami would say "That is a STRETCH. Possible, though. What we need is more on-site information. I dont think we should report anything, until after we have something to back our thoughts with." I would suggest "In the meanwhile, why dont we ask Mr. Black for any information, on this construction project." By the time G.S. 2 had arrived, in sunny Hawaii, it would seem that a protest was in progress. The protest was centered around one, of the nearby islands. When our Hawaiiian greeter approached our plane, the young womans first question was "Your plane is not a bomber, is it?" Tami and I would agree "No, miss. Our plane in a mobile operations center. We carry no warheads." The greeter seemed relieved to hear this, as she said "In that case, follow me." Just as Tami and I had hoped, Hawaii, like many, of our other clients, wanted secrecy. The islands would be happiest if no one knew we were even on-site. While the man, in charge, was an islander, (whose name I will not insult, by trying to pronounce it), it would seem that this mans assistant was a much younger man, who had a name which, roughly translated, into English, as "Henry". When I inquired, of our host, about our plane, the elder man would say "While many, of my people, have viewed American bombers, in the past, mostly making practice runs, near an old, naval, base, we have become accustomed to seeing depth charges making tall water spouts, as charges ignite. My people, as well, know the shape, of the American B-52, very well. Recently, however, a new type, of plane, has been observed, in our skies. The planes are shaped much like your own. What concerns us is that these planes fly without navigatiion lights." When Tami would ask "Then, how do you know..." and our host would say "ON Hawaii, we honor, and respect, the gods. However, many, of our young people, have pledged to honor the gods, through service, to the nation. My own son is one of these. My son serves as co-pilot, of a B-2 stealth bomber. While my son tells me that B-2's make attack runs, over American cities, nightly, the program was expanded, to include Hawaii, after September 11th. I would add that, on these flights, the air force drops no bombs." I would mention "Exercise attacks." When Tami would ask "Why all the interest, in OUR plane?" The elder woulld say "My people are having visions. Visions which show that, if these ships, and some drill ships, moored off three of our islands, are allowed to proceed to drill, into our volcanoes, the resulting explosions will begin the process, of sinking the islands. For this reason, some, of our young people, have been staging "Greenpeace"-style interventions." When Tami would say "Okay. We have protestors, volcano drillers, and air force bombers. How does it all fit together?" The elder would say "The diesel ships are pretending to drill in some of our finest fishing beds. This, we know to be what you call a "cover". We know this because the ships have been observed un-loading supplies, to boats, which come in-land." Whn I wuld add "There's more to it than that, iisn't there?" It would be Henry who would say "Some, of our young boaters, have witnessed the dark B-2's, dropping canisters, into the water. Some land very close to our boats. The survivors are being treated for severe, electrical, burns." Well, atleast NOW Tami and I understood the reason why G.S.2 was being suspected. NOW, come the serious questions. Tammi would suggest, to the elder "Your people report "visions", of volcanoes, and vents, being capped, and explosions. How do you know these are not just nightmares? How do you knoow that these visions might be nothing more than the result of camp-fire stories?" The elder would remind Tami "OUR stories, of thew ancestors, are meant to inspire reverence, foor the past. MY people have no desire to cause fear, or nightmares. Hawaii only wish our young too understand our historyy, and traditioons." When Tami would suggest either illness, of the body, or thhe miind, as causes, for the nightmares, it would be Henry who would say "Of course, we are nt perfect. However, by and large, Hawaiian nightmares, normally invoolve mythical mmonsters, sent by the gods, for a variety of reasons." When Tami would mention "Sounds like conscience, to me." Henry would say "Most correct." When Tamii would ask "What types of dreams are the result of the illness, of the body?" Henry would say "Normally, such dreams involve the subject of sttanding in fire-pits. Dreams, oof being "on fire". Most of these dreams, however, occur in victimms, who are running high fevers." When the eelder would, quietly, rewmind Henry "Dont forget the dream, of evil." Henry woulld say "A few, of the islands wommen, have had a "dream of evil". When Tammi would say "Explain", Henry would say "It has been reported that, when SOMME women are pregnant, they have "frrankenstein-style" drreamms. Dreams, of demented doctors performiing pain-filled abortions." No-sooner would Tami say "Hormones", when Henry would add "Local doctors say it is nothing mre than a womans, natural, fear, of her children not beiing born healthy." Tamii would look at me, saying, softly "As I said: hormoones". Henry would say "OOnh that point, our doctors seeemm to agree with you." When I would ask If illness, injury, and pregnancy, can, each, cause such nightmares, then WHY can these factors NOT cause the kinds of dreams, which we are being asked to investigate?" The elder would say "We have loved our land, since the beginniing oof tiime. It is our desire that our children love the land, as well. We hope our young will learnn to love, revere, and protect, the land. For these reasons, we never, suggestt stories, of white men, coming to the islands, to cap/control our volcanoes." After our discussion, with the elder, annd Henry, Tami and I knew what our nextt courses, of actioon, would be. While II would ask our pilots to check with their air force buddies, I woulld begin checking out the locations, where trouble was either reported, or imagined. This, while Tami took her notebook, and recorder, and began her "foot work". The part, of our investigations, which Tami was the very best at. Taking locals onh a "trip, doown memory lane". This, while searching for clues, too the nightmares. Up too this oint, the only facts, that we had were that an energy coompany was, in fact, negotiating the rights, to cap the islands volcanoes, AND the accompanying vents, in order to use thhe steam to generate electricity. Just exactly HOW thhe project was too proceed, was not being revealled, to the public. Only the fact that a massive, generator, station was beiing planned, and would be constructed on thhe sturdiiest ground the island had to offer. Maybe three days, intoo our investtigation, a wooman, who woulld only identify herself as "Barbie Doll", met with Tami, on the strict condition that the reports shoow that the women had NEVER met, period. When Tamii agreed, "Barbie Doll" would say that there was a growing conceern, among her employers. When Tami woulld ask, "Barbie Doll" would say "MY employers are wondering WHERE the locals are obtaining the desiigns, for the generating complex." When Tami woulld ask "WHY is a corporation so concerned, over the drreams, of villagers?" "Barbie Doll" would say "This wiill sound nuts, but the drrawiings, the people are making. The drawings look almost identical to the companys construction plans. This is why thee boosses are certain that thhere is a "leak". Villagers drawings are just too close, to the real documents, for pure coincidence." When Tami woulld ask "Isn't it possible that locals are dreamiing of "What IF"?" "Barbie Doll" would, only, say "IF the sketches were simple generalizations, no one would, even care. The problem is that the descriptions are just too specific." When Tami would suggest "Any way I could take a look at the real plans?" "Barbie Doll" would smile, as she passed my partner a flash-drive, while reminding Tami "This never happened, either." Just in case anyone WAS watching, Tami went into an excellent impression of "meeting an old girlfriend, and sharing memories". After this, Tami gave "Barbie Doll" a sisterly embrace, and the women shared a mutual "take care", before parting. While the ladies were doing this, I was back, at G.S.2, studying Hawaiian geography, including both above-ground, and undersea vents. While I was working on this, our pilots came to inform me "We thought you should know something. While NO U.S. Air Force bombing runs have been carried out, on the territory, of the Hawaiian Islands, our fellow pilots report having witnessed planes, similar to ours, in, and around, this area. Planes neither authorized, nor deployed, by the Pentagon." When I would ask "Who else would WANT such a plane?" Our pilots would say "Good question." then add "Even if someone DID have such a plane, this leaves the question of "WHY drop electric charges, into the ocean?" A place where electric current would dissipate, in no time." When I added the possibility, of another stealth ship, operating in the area, to my question of "HOW could anyone hope to control every volcanic vent, along the Hawaiian Island chain?" These pieces added up to nothing except more questions. Then came Tami, with her report, of meeting with the woman, who only called herself "Barbie Doll". When Tami loaded a copy, of the utilities master plans, into G.S.2's computer, the results were amazing. (Of course, before uploading anything, to G.S.2's computers, Tami and I ALWAYS made a point, of scanning every document, with Mr. Blacks software. Mr. Black's team, of computer workers, had no superiors, in the world. This is why Mr. Brown, and Mr. Black, had recruited these people, in the first place.) Once uploaded, to the ships computer, even **I** could see how similar the islanders drawings were, to the utilities master designs. In fact, most of the drawings appearred to have been sketched, directly, from the original plans. Copied by someone who had access, to the master plans. Since Tami had, previously, confirmed that the utility comppany was NOT employing Hawaiian's, in order to keep the utilities plans secret, this left nothing except questions, as to HOW locals could dream, or even imagine, how such a project would look. For reasons which I will not even try to understand, maybe a week, into our investigation, a man, dressed, as a Hawaiian diety, appearred, aboard G.S.2. When Tami mjade a cautious "He-llo", the man would, in basic English, state his Hawaiian name, saying "Yes, I speak your language. Mother Superior suggested a visit. The good sister even suggested that I speak your language, so that you will not need to waste time in translating my Hawaiiian dialect." When Tami would ask "The words you have just spoken. Would you mind repeating them, in your native tongue?" (Note: this was NOT to tease the spirit. Tami and I were just curious, about the Hawaiian language.) When the spirit repeated his words, in his native tongue, Tami and I might not have UNDERSTOOD the words, but the tone quality was beautiful. When Tami told the man "Thank you." The spirit would say "Think nothing of it. After all, I am here to ASSIST you. I, also, bring this warning" When Tami would say "Lay it on us", the spirit would say "Take hands, then take my hand." When Tami would suggest "Not a flight, through time, I hope." The man would say "Nothing so elaborate as Charles Dickens story. Just follow my lead. Watch, and learn." When Tami and I followed the directions, given us, we watched as G.S.2 "dissolved", and we found ourselves observing another piece of land. On this island, a culture flourished, using the heat, and steam, from the island's volcano, to operate their machinery. The place looked like paradise, with children playing, while adults handled cooking, mending, and so on, while other adults seemed to be studying. Then, as if out of a nightmare, fissures began to form, and new steam vents began to blast open. Suddenly, the ground shook, so violently, that the ground split open, into enormous fissures. Those islanders, who did not slip, and fall, into the magma, beneath the cracks, fell into the boiling water, around the island. What Tami and I took particular note of was the DESIGN, of this place. It seemed identical, to Hawaii, in every detail. Even the devices, which capped the volcanoes, seemed identical to those, planned, for Hawaii. When I asked the spirit "Are we looking at the past, or the future?" The spirit would say "I am forbidden from showing mortals the future. I am restricted to showing the past, and present." When Tami would suggest "Are you showing us what WILL, or just what MIGHT, happen?" The spirit would say "To be correct, this is what happened, before. I have been trying to warn my people, of the possible future, which awaits them." As the landmass sank, into the ocean waves, Tami would say "Let me guess. You have been showing your people this image." When the spirit would say "Correct. It seems, however, that my descendants, while noble, and reverent, are more skeptical, than my generation was." When Tami would ask "How may WE be of assistance, to your people?" The spirit would say "Try to communicate the knowledge that attempting to control Mother Earth will bring only disaster." When the three of us re-appearred, on-board G.S.2, Tami and I would inform the spirit "We will do our best, however, let us be clear. If the utility owns the land, it might not be possible to prevent the destruction." The spirit would say "Let us hope that common sense wins out. If not, Hawaii MIGHT be the next landmass, re-taken by the ocean." Now, by this time, Tami and I had learned, very well, from Mr. Brown, HOW to request information, without anyone being the wiser (or blocking requests). Instead of contacting the U.S. Geological Service, directly, and requesting that a surveyor visit the Hawaiian Islands, Tami and I did what any student can do. We logged in, to the "public access" area, and submitted the same, generalized, questions, which could fit thousands of islands, world-wide. Making certain NOT to be to specific, Tami was able to access many references, regarding Hawaii's active volcanoes, simply using a search for "Volcanoes, active in the 20th, and 21st centuries". While there was no doubt that Hawaii had some active volcanoes, as well as many steam vents, the site also contained information, on cracks, and weaknesses, in the islands crust. This information left Tami and I with a question, which was best left to scientific, and technical, minds. The question of "IF the volcanoes, and vents, were placed under pressure, to operate turbines, and generators, COULD this cause new fissures to form?" While Mr. Black used the next two days, to run scenario's, and projections, Tami put her time to good use, as well. My partner attended three rallies, in order to ask islanders "Why do you oppose the capping, of the volcanoes, and the vents?" While the answers Tami would receive would vary from "It will disturb nature", to "It will be ugly.", to "All the utilities care about is profit. Not lives, or the land." While Tami was busy with these conversations, I asked an islander to SHOW me WHERE he said he had, just, witnessed a "god", appearing near some steam vents, and with a warning. The islander would inform me "In English, the spirit would have said: Be warned! If the white man tries to suppress Hackathema, god of the volcano, the god will bring rath of the sky, and ocean, upon the white man." When I asked "Just curious. Since the utility, which is developing this plan, is American, WHY did th spirit not say "Upon the Americans? Why say Upon the white man?" Tthe islander seemed thoughtful, about this, for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, said "You got me?" Then we continued our walk, to the site of the vents. Now, normally, in my line of work, I treat the deceased with the deepest of respect. Not that it is statutory law. The Brown Agency simply considers this "good manners". After all, which would people rather cooperate with? Hostile forces, or friendly forces? What I found suspicious, about this volcano character, at the vents, was HOW he appearred. When my guide, and I, arrived, at the vents, I could see several places, where humans could hide. Not to mention the cloud-like quality, of the vents, themselves. While I, truly, believed that the islander had seen SOME-ting, I hoped I was not rude as I mentioned "I hope they come back. I would love to see this volcano god, for myself." A moment later, a vent did what I half-expected it to. As if under pressure, from compressed gases, the vent flared, and expanded (conveniently), to human size. When the vent returned to normal output, there stood, behid the vent, a man, whose "outfit" might have been borrowed from a television show. A show, such as Gilligans Island, Hawaii 5-0, Relic Hunter, or others. (And WHAT was with that "shaker-rattle"?) When I asked the figure "Can you understand me?" I was surprised when the figure said "You, paleface. Intrude on our land. Bring death, to my people. Be gone, pale-face." This is when I faced the figure, saying "Just to be accurate, I am an American. Actually of German ancestry. Born of America. Just curious: From WHERE do YOU originate?" When the figure mentioned some chamber, I noticed that even my guide seemed confused, by the reference. When I asked the figure "Will you give me the coordinates, of this chamber? I would wish to see it with my OWN eyes." For some reason, the spirit, which had visited G.S.2, appearred, beside me (and the islander seemed fearful, of the figure, even when the spirit would say "Have no fear") The spirit would look, at the masked figure, saying "This one is not one of us. No one dresses like that, except in your American movies, and in television." I could not dispute this since, to date, everyone, from Mother Superior, to the enforcer demon, to the werewolves, and vampires, presented themselves, to Tami and I, in human form. (Not one mask, among them) With the spirits proclamation, the figure was, suddenly, surrounded, by steam, then he was gone. When I walked over, to look at where the man had been standing, the spirit would hold me back, saying "I KNOW where that one has gone. That tunnel leads to a bay, of sparkling blue water. The American utility company OWNS the land." When the islander would gaze upon the spirit, saying, "Noble one. You do not speak as we are taught". The spirit would say "One of the "perks" of being dead. Spirits may use any language which we choose." When I asked the spirit "Is it possible that the utility is trying to sew fear, and dis-trust, among the islanders? Make islanders question their own, and other peoples, sanity?" The spirit would say "Better still. Since some, of our legends say that, under certain conditions, ALL Hawaiian's are to depart the islands, as quickly as possible." I would suggest "Of course, male islanders would THINK that the gods want a general evacuation. Locals leave..." The spirit would say "...and the utility claims salvage rights." Well, atleast one "god" would not be making an appearance, any time soon. Back at G.S.2, Tami would report, to the Brown Agency, "Suspicious as it may sound, of all the arguments, against the utility, no one has mentioned Atlantis." Via comm-link, Mr. Brown would ask "What is it that islanders fear, then?" Tami would say "Near as I can figure it, islanders are more afraid of scenario's, such as James Bonds "Man with the Golden Gun", or "2012"." When Mr. Brown would ask "You dont mean that islanders are afraid that the Hawaiian Islands will be hollowed out, to build a military base?" Tami would ask "Why not? Plenty of precident. Not the least of which is Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado." As Mr. Brown contemplated this, then posed the question What WOULD happen, IF the islands WERE hollowed out?" Tami was about to say "I am not certain", when Mr. Black entered the conversation, saying "My staff has prepared a simulation." When Mr. Brown would say "Proceed", we would, soon, find ourselves, ALL, viewing what could, easily, be a scene, from any science fiction movie, about Atlantis. After presenting a video, which held the appearance, of 100 million megatons, of nuclear devastation, all showing the island chain being destroyed, in an explosion, which would make Krakatoa seem like a "minor tremor", by comparison, Mr. Back would lay out the details, on a model. As Mr. Black would explain "While it is known that the volcanoes, of the Hawaiian Islands, ALL have magma pockets, which are held in check, by the body, of the volcano, just imagine the pressures, and magma flow, if all of that volume were, suddenly, dis-placed. Even if the diverters worked, perfectly, the machines could not last, forever. If the upper sections were hollowed out, for the installation, of generating equipment, and the hillsides were left as nothing more than veneer, if the processing equipment suffers a single failure, you can say "Goodbye, Hawaiian Islands." When Mr. Brown would ask the obvious question, of Mr. Black "You have all of these conclusion in the file?" Mr. Black would say "Of course, sir. Any time you need them." Mr. Brown would, then, address Tami and I, as he asked "Do you think the Hawaiian gods, the REAL gods, would cooperate?" Tami would say "I dont see why not. The spirits have been helpful, up to this point." No-sooner had my partner said these words when G.S.2's multi-million dollar, automatic defense, systems would deploy our port chain gun turret, after some character came to close to the plane. The figure, dressed as a Native American, had just begun some sort of "dance", along with some "shakers/rattlers", and what sounded like a terrible imitation, of Cherokee, Sioux, of Cheyenne. When G.S.2's wonderful, female, weapons systems voice would call out "You have violated this aircrafts security perimeter. Withdraw, immediately, or this unit WILL open fire." Even Tami agreed that one thing was for certain. This "visitor" was no spirit. (As a general rule, spirits do not set off G.S.2's automatic defenses. Only humans do.) When the targetting laser locked onto the persons chest, did Tami and I actually hear the "visitor" speak, in clear English, saying "You would not DARE". Since G.S.2 was programmed to try "Deterence, first", the turret put out a single, three-round, blast, at the "visitors" feet. After the shots were fired, DID Tami and I hear the "visitor" actually say "You WOULD", as they turned, and ran away. On the weapons panel, in our cockpit, our pilots chuckled as, on a video monitor, the words "Stand By" flashed, on the screen, while the figure ran away. Once the "visitor" had fled, the chain gun turret withdrew back into the planes fuselage, even as a spirit appearred, inside G.S.2, saying "Very impressive. What else can this plane do?" When I would suggest "With our pilots, at the controls, it would be easier to say what the plane can NOT do". (Which was, practically, nothing). As it would turn out, the spirit was NOT one, of the Hawaiiian "gods", at all. The spirit was of a man, who had served, in World WarTwo. Once Tami called up the mans service record, which was verified, by the Pentagon, our pilots seemed happy to show a fellow soldier all of the modern wonders, which had come into existance, in the years since the mans post-war death, in the 1970's. The soldiers then spent a couple of hours, trading war stories (No doubt, with plenty of embellishment), before the spirit bid us ALL a "Good night". It was, maybe, a couple of days later, when Tami and I had a "run in" with another, supposed, "god". In this case, however, it would be more correct to refer to the character as a "god-ess". Tami had made the decision, that just studying facts, and history, would NOT solve this mystery. When my partner decided that we should "become acquainted", with Hawaiiian culture, we set off for some, lcal, festival. (I wont pretend to know its name, or meaning). What I DID notice, as did local men, was the young woman, who was doing something between a Hula Dance, and something, almost, Saudi Arabian. While I will admit that, as a man, I was more interested in the girls skimpy costume (which, BARELY, covered her breasts, and womanhood), Tami, and a native woman, noticed what we men had not. Both Tami, and the native, noticed that, while the dancer was DRESSED as, and acting (more or less), like a Hawaiian, her features were just far enough off that Tami used one, of Mr. Black's remarkable, hidden, camera's, to videotape enough, of the girls performance, for G.S.2's computer to analyze. What I, and the native men, found suspicious, was how, once the "dance" was completed, and without a word, the young woman seemed enveloped, in either mist, or fog. When this cleared, the young woman was gone. Back at G.S.2 (and once my head was "clear"), Tami had the local woman join us, as Tami ran a search, for the young performers identification. If the performer was NOT Hawaiian, then this left the question of "WHAT was her nationality?" By the time the computer matched the womans facial features, to an indian tribe, of the American Plains, A follow up search arrived, listing the womans indian name, as well as her crimes, against the indian nations. It would seem that this young "squaw" had managed, in just a few years, to not only SELL her familys land, to the utility, but the young woman had seduced her way into the utilities executive offices. According to the indian nations records, the young woman had conned the indians into allowing the sale, of the land, claiming that the utility was promising to build a "cultural center", on the nations land. Problem was, the young woman had been "very LOOSE", with the term "cultural center". As it would turn out, the ONLY, native indian, reference, to the power supply station, was a cartoon, of an indian, which hung on the perimeter fence. Well, atleast now we knew what we were dealing with. A group, of first-class con-artists. People, who were using Hawaii's own history, to trick the islanders. By the time I was prepared to inquire just WHERE the young woman had disappearred to, after the mist enveloped her, the male spirit joined our group, saying "Its about TIME you asked WHERE she went". When the native woman woulld ask "Pardon me, but HOW would YOU know?" The spirit would say "We, spirits, get around, just as well as you humans do." When the native woman would say "I thought that ghosts only haunt the place where they died." Tami and I would suppress smiles, as the spirit would say "Young woman, movies, and television, enjoy encouraging this myth due to the fact that it is CHEAPER to wire up a single set, than to set up, and take down, location-after-location." When the native women would suggest "The stories, of the ancestors, say that some protect the forrests, while others serve the water, and sky." The spirit would correct the young woman, saying "Stories, of spirits, "bound", to distant places, are told to discourage nightmares. If such stories allow children to sleep, peacefully, through the night, all the better. Truth is, while the ancestors DO watch over, and protect, the lands, and people, the ancestors are, by no means, "prisoners"." When the spirit realized that he had "struck a nerrve", he promised the young woman "Just as with the Christians Lord, God, and the Jewish Jehovah, our spirits are boundless. We can be anywhere that we are needed." When Tami would ask "Then, tell us this. WHY was that indian woman dressed as an islander, and giving that public performance? What was to be gained?" The native woman would chime in with "Of course! Now I remember. The utility company was insisting upon adding something to the disputed lands. The ceremony took place at the same time the work was planned for." Tami would say "That makes sense. Distract local men, with a nearly-naked girl, while the utility does its work, elsewhere." When I would ask "WHERE is all this work to be done?" The native woman would say "The exact OPPOSITTE side, of the island, from where the performance was staged." Awhile later, when the native woman lead Tami and I, to the general area, where the work was to be done, none of us were surprised to find a security fence in place. The native woman would inform us "The only other way in is via the water." While it is a matter of record that, during the mystery, of the Egyptian Artifact, that our retired, air force, pilots had un-packed our Black Ops hovercraft, in record time, this time would be different. With hours to spare, before sun-down, the retired professionals went through a pre-launch check-list, which would have made Strtegic Air Command proud. While the native woman wondered how the hovercrafts enormous engines could go anywhere (and NOT be heard, for miles around), Tami and I promised the woman that she would be surprised, by the hovercrafts performance. And surprised she was, especially when the engines were engaged, yet the massive units were as quiet as a compact car. (Note: The primary reason why the Pentagon had rejected this design was due to the fact that, while the manufacturer had promised a craft, capable of 500 miles per hour, "our" craft was only capable of a maximum of 250 miles per hour (in full, combat, mode). In "Stationary" mode, the engines were quiet enough for the occupants to hear nearby, night, creatures. Even in "Cruise" mode, waves could, often, be heard, over the sounds, of our engines. While we were not, "officially" at war, our pilots would prepare their combat helmets. The very ones which Mr. Black had modified, to provide even more, optional, features, than "normal" "Heads Up Displays" (H.U.D.). Our pilots could see midnight, on a moonless night, just as easily as viewing high noon, on a sunny day. While we, really, did not EXPECT trouble, with our "cruise", and with our pilot at the helm, of the hovercraft, as we approached the target area, our co-pilot made himself comfortable, at the "weapons station". As the veterans had told us, before "Better to be overly-prepared, and laugh about it, later, than to be under-prepared, and risk either capture, or death." While our jet-black hovercraft cruised into the waterway, and onto the shore, with ease (appearing, to the naked eye, as nothing more than a shadow), it would not be until our craft skimmed, through some tree's, that "all hell broke loose". We had, no-sooner, found the crudely-designed, nuclear reactor, when our on-board, radiation, detectors, sent out a shrill, warning, indicating radiation, reaching toxic levels. This is when "all hell broke loose", as rifle-men, and machine-gunners, opened fire, on our craft. When Tami and I dove on top of the native woman, all three of us lying flat, on the crafts bottom, even as our pilot made a turn, which no one would believe possible, in a hovercraft, and accelerated even as our co-pilot returned fire, from our on-board weapons. Our pilots just found it laughable. The thought of how many, of the shooters were aiming, NOT at us, but, rather, at our flotation skirt. Like rifle, or machine-gun fire, would penetrate the five-layer thick, Titanium-re-inforced Kevlar fabric. Our pilot wondered what the machine-gunners would think if they KNEW that our craft had a hull, and skirt, which was designed to repel anything, short of a howitzer shell. Our pilot, also, wondered WHY the machine-gunners kept firing at our hovercrafts armoured engine housings. This craft had been, originally, designed for use against Russia's biggest, and baddest, armaments. Our pilot, however, kept the crafts speed at a mere 30, or so, miles per hour, until we reached open water. Then, to the complete surprise, of the guards, monitoring the waterway, no-sooner had our craft come into sight when our pilot pushed the throttles to "Combat Forward". By the time the guards had un-packed the detonator, for the underwater explosives, and had armed the device, the guards were left to scratch their heads as our hovercraft, practically, "took flight", as our engines caused the craft to surge forward, to as fast as 275 miles per hour. In the couple of minutes the guards had taken to prepare to blow us out of the water, the Black Ops designed engines had hurtled our hovercraft five miles out to sea. While the pilot would return the craft, to "cruise mode", our co-pilot, retired, but still "by the book", walked the entire length, of the craft, thoroughly checking, for damage. By morning, no-sooner had the native woman reported the illegal reactor, to the police, when everyone rushed outside the government building, to see what had caused a massive blast. Sure enough, right at the place, where the reactor HAD been, a cloud, of thick, black, smoke, hug in an otherwise bright, sunny, morning sky. Still, the police took no chances. Helicopters, and Jeeps, were dispatched, to recon the explosion. As the local commander would inform us "We have seen cases, before. Criminals, who would risk exposure, set off explosives, to make police THINK that illegal items have been destroyed. This is why we observe, with our own EYES." Not surprising, however, is the fact that, by late afternoon, ALL patrols had reported in. While the fuel rods, for the reactor, were missing, the reactor, itself, had been blown, to bits, with regular dynamite. Add to this the fact that, while the gunners positions had been abandoned, ALL weapons, ammo, and troops, were missing. The only, surviving proof, of the operation, were the guards shacks, along the river. That, and the underwater explosives. While Tami provided the indian womans information, to the police, when the airport was contacted, airport personnel verified that a woman, matching that description, had boarded a private jet, shortly after sun-rise. By noon, the jet would be over California. Since the airport had no record of the fake "gods", who had been apppearing, near the steam vents, the police had contacted the harbor, for recent sailings. Sure enough, as many as twelve men, matching the "gods" measurements, had been seen, boarding a motor yacht. Sometime between 2-3 A.M., the motor yacht had travelled to a utility company work-ship, which was moored in deep water. The dock-master recalled the sailing since the yacht was, also, loaded, at its stern, with large crates, large enough to be steamer trunks. Look-outs, on land, reported that the yacht pulled up, to the "blind side", of the utility ship, which then set sail. By 4 A.M., ships, men, and baggage were in international waters. Still, this left the question, of the capping, of the vents, and the volcanoes. Since the Hawaiians were, already, suspicious, of the operation, a "hold" was placed, on the construction permit, while local government reviewed the project. The goal being not-so-much to stop the capping. Rather, to verify that the capping was, in fact, what the project was for. For reasons, known ONLY to the utility, permission, for state officials, as well as law enforcement (and Tami and I), was delayed by 72 hours. The utility's excuse: "We need time to prepare for the visit". While state officials, and police, were ready for a "prepared tour", what these professionals were NOT preparred for was what Tami and I had been expecting. While the tours, of the control rooms, and machine shops, were about as "thrilling" as watching grass grow, it was not until the group was using a passage, between an "auxiliary control room", and the "Main Control Room", that the tour became interesting. In the tunnel, before our group, appearred a woman. Maybe five-seven, slender, and radiant enough to bing any man to "attention". While the woman had the same, jet black, hair, as both of our island contacts, the womans facial features were, without a doubt, Hawaiian. When state officials, and the police, knelt, before the woman, and Tami asked "Why?", an official would say "Out of respect for her majesty. We are in the radiant presense, of Pele. The TRUE Goddess of the Volcano." After Tami gave Pele a respectful curtsey, and I, a gracious bow, Pele, magnificent, in a summer dress, of vibrant color, would turn towards a side tunnel, then gesture, as if to say "Follow me." When our group DID follow, both the state officials, and the police, admitted that neither knew that the spaces, which Pele was leading us through, even existed. The spaces might appear natural, however, none of our group had been here, in recent memory. It was not until our group reached the edge, of a cauldron, of magma, that Pele stood before us, silently, until the group was all present. When a state official would say "Oh, mighty Pele, protector of our lands, and our people, enlighten us as to your reason for bringing us to this place." Pele would raise a hand, and point overhead. There, dangling, over the magma, was a 50-kiloton warhead, mounted on a tri-pod. When a naive, state, official would ask "I wonder what THAT is for?" Pele would indicate the warhead, then make a rapid, falling, motion, followed by a gesture, for an explosion, and magma shooting up, under incredible pressure. It would be only after inspecting three, additional, sites, (With Pele leading the way, each time), that the commission came to a terrible decision. To the horror of Tami, and myself, the decision was identical to the vision, which another spirit had, previously, showed us. Whether the vision was of the past, or the future, no longer mattered. A utility was preparing to set off as many as ten, 50-kiloton, nuclear warheads, inside Hawaiian volcanoes. One, of Mr. Black's scenario's was about to become a deadly reality. The capping, of the volcanoes, was only step ONE, of the master plan. The pressure, to run the turbines, to produce power, was far greater than normal, volcanic, activity, would produce. Once the nuclear warheads were dropped into the magma, the detonation would cause pressures, which would force the volcanoes to operate at 100, to 1,000 times normal rates. While the utility had PROMISED Hawaii that "Our equipment is DESIGNEED to operate, under these conditions." The REAL question was "How would the CRUST react, to the detonations?" While Washington D.C. was, currently, of the opinion that "We must let business operate as business see's fit. Over-regulation will strangle the economy." U.S. Geological, however, did NOT agree. In fact, within 72 hours, a federal team was on-site, and reviewing our data, line-by-line. No matter HOW the feds read the data, officials concluded that Mr. Black was correct. The warhead detonations would not only cause a violent increase, in magma activity, however, between the hydrogen, already present, in the volcanoes, and that, of the warheads, not only would the volcanoes explode, with un-predictable violence, but, the fissures, which allowed the steam to vent, would be blasted into casms. If Hawaii was "lucky", its islands would vanish, in the explosion, and be reduced to littering the sea floor. If Hawaii was "Not so lucky", the state would resemble the aftermath, of Hiroshima, and Nagasaki. When the utility made the decision, to abandon the project, islanders OFFERED to assist, yet were ordered to "Stay away, or be prosecuted, for trespass." About the only problem, which the federal government had, with dis-mantling the project, was when the U.S. Army was sent to recover the warheads. When the utility refused to turn over the warheads, saying "These are OUR property", the soldiers were issued combat orders. "Take the warheads, or destroy them." Only AFTER the warheads were removed, from the volcanoes, did the Atomic Energy Commission become "interested". The A.E.C. could understand the reason WHY the utility had NOT wanted the warheads inspected. The devices were "black market", and there was enough leakage, that removal workers were required to wear hazmat suits, to work on the devices. While this was going on, on Hawaii, on the mainland, corporate executives, quickly sold the company to an investment group (which had no knowledge, of the volcano plan). Once the company was sold, the board of directors, took flights, to nations which had "Non-Extradition Treaties", with the U.S. The investors, who purchased the company, could not be indicted for something they knew nothing about. All that the Justice Department was able to do was declare the company bankrupt. The purchasers would lose every penny they had invested, in the utility. It would, also, seen that news spread, just as FAST, throughout the spirit world. This was proven when Pele, Goddess of the volcano, would appear, dressed in Hawaiian dress clothes apparrel, and, this time, SPEAKING even better English than I am able to. Pele would inform Tami and I "On behalf of my people, I want to thank you for saving our beloved islands. While so much has changed, over the centuries, I am pleased that my people retain their heritage." After Tami and I would address the woman, saying "You are most welcome". Pele would turn and, as she strolled away, every inch a woman, she would dissolve, into thin air. Our next, "gods" visitor would be Kanaloa, God of the Ocean. In equally superior English, Kanaloa would appear, wearing a simple, white, workers, t-shirt, and blue, dress pants, while informing Tami and I "On behalf of the various life-forms, both human, and aquatic, which call Hawaii "home", I wish to express my appreciation, for your assistance. May I ask one favor, though?" When Tami would say "Name it", Kanaloa would ask "Would it be possible for me to board, and view, that magnificent "speed boat", of yours. Never before have I witnessed such a craft." When Tami and I would agree "I am sure it can be arranged." Then add "We, also, want to add that it was our HONOR to be of service, to your people." Shortly after this, Kanaloa would shake our hands, then mention "As with Pele, I, too, have much work to attend to. Good luck in your travels." As Kanaloa would walk away, from us, he would dissolve, just as gracefully as Pele had. Later, after islanders had aided our packing, of G.S.2, the four of us would just be strapping in, for take-off, when Mr. Brown would vid-link with us, saying "Congratulations on a job, well done." When Tami would look at me, saying "Here it comes", Mr. Brown did his famous "I'm hurt" imersonation, before saying "Since you are off the West Coast, anyway, I would appreciate it if you reviewed the enclosed case. It seems a bit "Run of the mill, but..." Tami would add "But, you would like us to check it out, anyway. Maybe find out if the case is worth our resources? Determine if agency resources should be assigned." Mr. Brown would say "Thats my girl. Full of spirit.", then he would fix his gaze on me, saying "You could learn a thing, or two, from your partner". When I would say "I know", Mr. Brown would say "Anyway, give me a preliminary report, as soon as possible." At that moment, I wondered: Whoever it was who said "No rest for the wicked" SHOULD have said "No rest, for the successful, profitable, and dedicated", instead. On to the next case...

ADVANCEMENT VIA MURDER

ADVANCEMENT VIA MURDER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The author, of this fiction, wishes to thank the psychotic plot-lines, of such movies as "The Purge" and "The Hunger Games", for the inspiration, for this equally psychotic piece of fiction. When the day would come, that destitute Americans would stop believing in the rhetoric of "Just give it TIME. EVENTUALLY, SOME-day, the economy will recover, on its own." While spouting this rhetoric, the federal government held out hope that something, which the federal government, secretly HOPED for, for many years, began to take root, in America. As social services were dismantled, and destitute Americans were told "Deal with it!", the "final straw" was broken. Just as politicians had hoped, for decades, destitute Americans, finally, brutally, and murderously, began turning on one another. The plan began beautifully, as destitute parents began robbing/killing shoppers, right as the people left grocery stores. Not just for cash, either. In the majority, of cases, the robber took the cart of food. Just as planned, those, who were destitute enough, for this kind of theft, proved more-than-willing, to KILL their victims. In Washington D.C., Congress, secretly CHEERED the success, of the plan, even as supermarket homicides escalated. The destitute even began killing motorists, in cold blood, in order to use automobiles to try to FLEE un-employment. The next step was when homeless shelters were left with no alternative except to turn away the needy, from already-overcrowded shelters. This, ofcourse, lead to a new wave, of home invasion. This, quickly, became an accepted practice, for finding shelter. Destitute people simply smashed out one, or two, windows, in a home, murdered the occupants, and set up house-keeping. For Congress, however, PROOF, that the "recovery" was, finally, underway, was reported, when the un-employed began walking into businesses, gunning down workers, only to have management smile, at the murderers, as management told the murderers "You have drive, and determination. I like that. How SOON can you start work?" (This, even as workers bodies were dragged away, to trash dumpsters.) Soon, the media would report "American homicide rate increases by 3,000%" This, even as Congress would cheer "Un-employment now at 50 year low!" What Congress would not bother to mention was that the decrease, in un-employment, was due to destitute Americans resorting to murdering one another, for everything from food, and clothing, to shelter. What corporate board rooms liked, about this, was the fact that, once the public learned that homicide was the BEST was to survive, in the "New World Order", both new, and senior, workers, would begin ignoring corporate "chain-of-command". The new "rule", of advancement, in corporate America, had become "The person, with th most ammunition, will rise, to lead the company." Congresses "happiness", with the record high, homicide, rate, which had created "zero percent un-employment", was short-lived. What Congress NEVER considered was that Congress persons were human, and subject, to homicide, as well. In the "ultimate fire-fight", which would bring an END to the "fabulous" "New World Order", Capital Hill, and White House, security, would be "mowed down", by destitute Americans, who had lost all hope, and had NOTHING left to lose. The halls of Congress, and the corridors, of the White House, would be bathed, in the blood, of both law enforcement, and the "human wave", which did not cease attacking, until both the first family, and the vice presidents family, lay dead, in pools of their own blood. (According to some sources, it would, reportedly, take YEARS, for any survivors, to clean the blood from the House, and Senate, chambers) Like the White House, Capital Hill had been deluged, by a "human wave", who saw nothing to lose, in executing those persons who had spent DECADES saying "It will just take TIME. EVENTUALLY, SOME-day, the economy will recover, on its own". Now, those, who had made these empty "promises", decade-after-decade, were stuffed into garbage bags, and tossed in trash dumpsters. There was only one problem, which the destitute had not considered. In eradicating a non-compliant government, the survivors were left with the question of "WHO will rule what is left, of America, now?" Ofcourse, Washington D.C. was NOT the only location, to suffer this fate. Across the nation, 80% of America's chairmen-of-the-boards, as well as boards-of-directors, lay dead, in pools, of their own blood. Now, destitute Americans were left with the question of "WHO will clean up the mess?" and "WHO will direct company operations?" The very Congress, which had held such high hopes, for ending un-employment, by sending the nation on a killing spree, had, themselves, fallen victim to their own hopes, and dreams. Once Congress, the White House, and corporate America, were, all, dead, the survivors were left with the question of "What do we do, now?" What the public had not paid any attention to, was the fact that, while the homicide spree was in "full forward" mode, the most intelligent governors, and state legislators, had, SILENTLY, slipped away, into hiding. Thanks to the rank paranoia, of Homeland Security, and its "The bad guys are EVERYWHERE!" rhetoric, maybe 60% of the states had aided these paranoid delusionals into setting up a "secure" communications line, between the various states governments. Once the homicide spree was in full force, state officiials had locked themselves, and staff members, inside bomb-proof bunkers. Here, they would "hole up", listening to favorite music, or reading books, while, outside, a nation tore itself to pieces. All in order to "reset" itself, for a "new age". State governments hade planned to "play dead", until the homicides ended, then they planned to MARCH forth, commanding "WE are the government, NOW! You WILL obey us." Just one problem. By the time satellite communications showed that the homicides were at an end, and state government came forth, prepared to RULE, state officials were in for a shock. What state officials had never considered was that, with the END, of the "New World Order", state officials found themselves emerging to face a "brand new" America. A land they no-longer "ruled". Territorial males had taken to forming into "squads". Some "squads", armed, in case the communities were attacked, by "outsider" Americans, while other "squads", were assigned to farming, machine repair, general clean-up, etc. While the males covered these roles, the surviving women began negotiating, with other communities, to trade for what each group might need. The shocked, state, officials, would, soon, learn that the only groups to be spared extermination, during the homicides, were hospital staff, doctors, nurses, and fire-fighters. Police departments were replaced with local militia, as survivors tried to plan for an un-certain future. When state officials saw this situattion, they realized "We dare NOT ORDER these people about. Best to negotiate." As utilities were, slowly, restored, and lights, and radios, began to work, again, groups, of Americans, began to see hope. The time, when hope was, really, restored, was the day when water pumps began deliveriing fresh water, to faucets, again. Running water meant that people were able to return to a more normal life. The "roughtest" part, for this new nation, was in re-building trust, between the seperate terrritories. While re-building the devastation would take many years, first one, then more, communities began to realize how the people, of the original thirteen colonies, had felt, after years of combat, with the British Empire. While automobiles might have been common-place, in the pre-homicide era (When gas was plentiful), now, the process, of converting diesel, and gasoline engines, to mooshine, lead to cheers, each time an engine not only turned over, but ran, on moonshine. As high-rises began powering up, again, communities would begin to negotiate, to borrow the people, who would know how to operate the buildings systems. It would not be long before it was obvious which communities were home to organized labor. The organized labor communities were the first to be back "on-line", while administrative, and corporate communities were slower, to catch up. While NO one was in favor of setting up a new, federal, government, even to act as mediator, in state negotiations, it would turn out that such a bureaucracy would be needed, after all. This was, especially true when each territory wanted its OWN representative, at inter-territory negotiations. The new, default, "leaders", of each territory, would ask their people to VOTE for the person whom the people felt would be best, at negotiating, on behalf of the territory. While some territories offered as few as three negotiators, for the "panel", other territories wanted dozens of representatives on the panel. In order to "keep the peace", the new "leaders" would select the representative, with the most negotiating experience. Before these people could, even meet, however, to begin trade discussions, the very FIRST thing, which each territory was compelled to do was to inventory all goods. Ironically, while many Americans had, in the past, complained that the ONLY thing the federal government was "good" for, was generating paperwork, now, these same Americans came to understand the REASON, for all of the paper-work. What some citizens had thought should resemble a "grocery shopping list", turned into the size of a pocket dictionary. This was due to the DETAILS, regarding what supplies were available, for trade. Each negotiator needed to know how much, of each item, they had, available, to bargain with. While a "complete inventory" would take months, under prevailing conditions, once inventory was completed, and negotiators were dispatched, on their journey, locals HOPED this would be the end of the story. The negotiators were supposed to go forth, do their biddiing, and report back, to the territories. It would seem, however that, just as it had been, with the original, thirteen, colonies, this, new, panel would be stuck with MORE than simply negotiating the trading of supplies. Several, group, members would bring up issues, such as law enforcement, as well. One, of the most controversial issues, which the negotiators would face was the question, of womens rights. During the homicide era, not only were large numbers, of women, slain (for a variety of reasons), however, atleast one terrritory insisted that four girls preparatory schools had been bombed. Of course, when asked "WHO was responsible, for the bombings?" and this question was met with a reply of "Who cares? We need WOMEN, for our, young men." The group would find itself spending the coming weeks deciding such questions as "Should the 19th amendment be repealled?" When a representative, from the "bombed" territory, would submit "If this board does not agree to supply us with women, then we will ATTACK, and TAKE what we want." As if out of the "blue", the panel would find itself splitting into factions. The majority saying "If you want OUR women...", while the minority stood, silent. It would take another three weeks, for the majority just to convince the minority that, 'just because a place blows up, from time to time, that is NOT proof of murder. Nor is it a justification, for threatened theft.' Accidents DO happen. After another three months, of negotiations, the panel would agree to take a thirty day "recess". (After all, with territiorial crops coming up to harvest, ALL hands would be needed, for harvesting, atleast until farm machinery was, fully, converted to moonshine.) While it would take three YEARS, for the territiories to write up agreements, which ALL members were willing to sign, it would turn out that the proposed repeal, of the 19th amendment, would NOT be necessary. Dozens of women would offer to be traded, in order to increase communications (and, maybe, trust) between territories. Even with such increasing interraction, between the territories, convoys, of supplies, travelling between territories, were guarded/escorted, by militia members. This would be a "Safety First" rule, until the territories learned to trust one another, again. Not just theft, from other territories, but theft, from the remaining bands, of outlaws. People who "did not get the memo", that the homicide time was behind the nation. From time to time, these people attacked convoys, taking supplies, and murdering transporters. Territories KNEW each time these criminals attacked, since the criminals made a point of "returning" convoy members bodies, with messages, such as "Thank you for the building supplies. They will come in handy, when we return, to KILL you, ALL!". There was ONE subject, which EVERY territory agreed on. The homicide era would, forever, be known as "America's DARKEST Hour". A moment, of total insanity, which had ripped a nation apart. In time, stone carvers would turn their skills, from repairing housing, and automobiles, to carving headstones, for the victims of the homicides. While family, friends, and, in many cases, murderers, left flowers, as penetence, for killing, in order to survive. Still, the territories were left to ponder their future. Parents wondered what KIND, of America, their children would grow up in. Would/Could the future, be brighter than the past? So many questions. So much work to do. Would, or SHOULD, the territories, of America, one day, return to being a UNITED nation?

THE HAUNTING PAST MYSTERY OF THE ROMAN SOLDIERS

THE HAUNTING PAST: MYSTERY OF THE ROMAN SOLDIERS After concluding the task, in regards to the "Mystery of the Egyptian Pyramids", Mr. Blue HAD been preparing our next case. The Brown Agency had been requested to investigate a case, near New York City. It would seem, however that, by the time Tami and I had begun reviewing the file, Mr. Brown contacted us, with updated news. Mr. Brown would tell us "It seems that it wasn't a ghost, after all. It was a case of a husband, using high tech tricks, to cause his wife to THINK that she was being haunted." When Tami would ask "For what reason?" Mr. Brown would say "It would seem that the husband wanted another woman. Under the terms, of the couples marriage agreement, however, the only way for the husband to have both his favorite woman, AND remain financially secure, would be either his wifes death, OR, if the wife was found to be un-sound, of mind." When Tami would ask "What caused him to confess?" Mr. Brown would say "The report says that the husband HEARD that our agency was being called into the case. It seems that our reputation is growing, beyond anything which even **I** might have dreamed possible." When Tami would ask "Does this mean that we are losing our anonymity?" Mr. Brown would say "Hardly. It, simply, means that criminals dont want to tangle with us." When Tami would ask "If this case is resolved, then what is our next case?" Mr. Brown would say "Under development. For the present, may I suggest that the two of you take a break, and ENJOY the holidays." Within hours, G.S.2 would be crossing the American Atlantic Coast, then proceeding to our local airport. At our pilots suggestion, Tami had, discreetly, contacted her family's neighbor, and asked for permission for G.S.2 to use his field, once more. The reason was simple. While Tami, still, felt like an outsider, since the day when she had walked out, on her parents, years before, for some reason, her family, or more specifically, her sister, Crystal, was inviting Tami to visit the family, for the holidays. While Tami had WANTED to "bail out", on the invitation, it would be Crystal's determination, in saying "I wont take "no" for an answer." which had caused Tami to agree. Her one condition was that their parents not be told Tami was coming. (Even now, years after Tami had walked out, on her parents rules and regulations, saying "I want my OWN life. Not the one you THINK I should live." Tami remembered how bitter the parting had been. WHY couldn't her mother accept the fact that her daughter had grown up?) Now that the sisters had an agreement, and a deal was made, with the neighbor, G.S.2 would land, on the neighbors land. Once Tami debarked her car, and some clothes, giving her neighbor a "thank you" kiss, for allowing the plane to land, Tami had watched as G.S.2 rose, into the air, then set off, for the airport, and the un-impressive hangar, which the Brown Agency used, for its aircraft. According to company "stories", Mr. Brown had "taken over" the hangar, after it sat, un-used, for years. No one even remembered who the previous owner was. While Mr. Brown had a tech team, and a security firm, overhaul the hangars interior, into an ultra-modern space, from the outside, the hanger looked as un-remarkable, as any of thousands of others did, nationwide. As for Tami, while she was pleased that her sister had invited her to their parents home, Tami remained hesitant about spending Christmas, with her family. (The same family Tami had walked out on, once she was old enough) Tami just HOPED that her mother would NOT spend endless amounts, of time, reminiscing, about her childrens childhoods. While Tami's parents were no worse, than any other parents, Tami, and her siblings, often, grew tired when their mother would say "I remember when you were..." Father was the more mature, of the parents. While father "kept tabs", and "status checks", on his childrens careers, the man was more interested in the young peoples present, than their pasts. Father never got enough of asking things such as how successful the long-haul trucking business was, for one of Tami's brothers, as well as how active the construction trade was, for Tami's other brother. Father just never knew how to guage Crystals career, as an artist. Sure, father knew that Crystals works were on exhibit, all over town, as well as the county, and the state. Problem was, since Crystal remained a "student", and not a "master", yet, her work was credited to her teacher, for whom Crystal was a payrolled employee. Of all of his children, father knew that Tami was the one child, among the siblings, about whose "career" the man knew least about. Sure, Tami's parents knew that, for an extended period of time, Tami had been on disability, as a "potential suicide risk". This, however, had been a while in the past. Nowadays, no one, in the family, really knew what Tami did with her time. Not even when we had visited to aid Crystal with a spirit problem. Nowadays, the most, that Tami's parents "knew", of their daughter, was that Tami flew around, in a fancy plane, and visited various places. On a previous visit, when mother had felt that, as a mother, she had the "right" to go through Tami's purse, while Tami was enjoying the outdoors, mother had been surprised to find a REAL, OFFICIAL, Private Investigators, I.D. badge. Mother was, further, surprised to find that her "suicidal" daughter had both a gun owners permit, and a un-restricted drivers license. When mother had asked Tami's intent, especially with the gun permit, Tami had promised "It is only to verify that, should I need to USE a gun, that I am qualified, to use it." When mother had asked "Qualified? For what?" Tami would say "My partner and I, sometimes, run into very bad people." (Tami would not risk telling her mother what we did, for a living. In this town, every wife knew the details, of each of the towns members. In fact, the ONLY thing, which no one knew anything about, was G.S.2) When Mother had father "confront" Tami, however, father had been more diplomatic, in asking his daughter "Keeping yourself busy, I hope." When Tami promised "My activities keep me on the move." Father had said "As logn as you are healthy, and happy, I am happy for you." Tami could think of nothing else to say except "Thank you, father." Now, when Ghost Ship Two deposited Tami, near her home, even the crisp, fall, air could not hide the scent, of mothers obsession, with holiday baking. Tami had thought it hilarious, when Crystal had, previously, e-mailled Tami, saying "Thanks to you, and your partner, mother now has control, over three drive-ins. If you can believe it, Mother has the schedules set, and tickets pre-sold, for the next two years. In more recent e-mails, Crystal had included the following message: P.S.: Any chance you might be home, for Christmas?" (Mother is, already, into full, holiday, baking, mode.) Tami had, cautiously, responded with "It depends on my schedule." Now, as Tami approached the family home, she not only caught the scent, of mothers home cooking, but Tami could tell that father, and her brothers, had been busy, both inside the house, and outdoors. Tami had to smile at the fact that, while many husbands used personal time, to rest, before televisions, with a beer, and some snacks, Tami's father was one of those men for whom beer was a drink, to wash down food with. Tami never once saw her father drunk. In fact, over the decades, father had "gutted" the family home, one room at a time, remodelling the drafty, old, house (Which had more than a few ghost stories, of its own), into her mothers dream house. Father had, even, bought holiday decorations (during the off-season), then hard-wired the decorations to wall plates. Each was marked either "Halloween", "Christmas", "New Years", etc. For over a decade, any time mother wanted to set a "party mood", all the woman had to do was choose which mood she wanted, then flip the wall switch. To make his wife happy, father had, even, ripped out part, of the living room ceiling, to make space, for the 25 foot Christmas tree, which mother had asked for. While mother was proud, of her four children, mother had, early in life, HOPED to have produced a much larger family. As for father, he had been ingenious, with holiday decorations, but he had been inventive, in regards to his childrens belongings, as well. While other parents just stored toys away, in boxes, marked "toys", father had gone beyond this. Using school yearbook photos, father marked each box by the childs age, picture, and other, vital, data. Father had decided to do this after hearing his own mother claim that, as a child, the boy had played with "dolls". In fact, father knew that the closest he came, to playing with "dolls", as a child, was when he played with his "Matchbox", and "Hot Wheels" cars. Sure, the boy knew that these were toys, but these, like his dump truck, and skate-board, were NOT "dolls". Atleast, not to the boy. As the young man learned, years later, while most parents referred to model airplanes, toy cars, stuffed animals, toy guns, and so on, as just "toys", father had been stuck with a one-of-a-kind mother. A woman who called every toy either a "doll", or worse, a "dolly". Now, with his own children, father wanted MORE than just memories, of his childrens lives. He did not want to have to resort to video's, or d.v.d.'s, and TRY to remember details, of his childrens lives. This is the reason why the man built a "Remembrance Vault", inside the homes attic, to store the childrens past. While mother had said that her own memories were good enough for her, father had said "Just wait a couple of decades." Father had been correct. Now that their children were grown, and off, on their own, mother was beginning to spend more time, than ever, in the "vault". This was, especially, true, when insomnia was upon mother. Still, the house, itself, was not fathers only achievement. While other men were out, at bars, father got his share, of "ME" time, digging the trenches, around the property, into which he laid the wires, for the property decorations. At the start, progress was slow, since father worked alone. Once Tami's brothers were old enough to aid their father, the work went more rapidly. As a result, for the past, seven, years, mother could not only choose indoor decorations, by the flip, of a switch, but father had provided his wife the same control, over the whole property. Of course, father OFFERED to help other men achieve the same results, for their own homes, yet the basic response was "Maybe later". Now, as Tami approached the family home, with dusk just coming on, Tami could see that fathers efforts had not been in vane. The entire property "emitted" the aura of "Welcome to our home". Her parents choice, of Christmas decorations, radiated classic charm. Lights, attached to tree's, with zip ties. Home-made, and store-bought, decorations. Father had even been ingenious enough to install some speakers, around the property. This way, even when outdoors, family, friends, and visitors, could have soft music, in the background, while enjoying either nature, or conversation. While all six, family, members held house keys, Tami felt that she should knock on the door, and be invited into the home. Tami knew that this was, mostly, because of her prolonged, rebellious, absense. In some ways, my partner, still, felt like a "visitor", in this house. Tami never ceased to be astonished that, when father answered her knock, the first thing the man asked was "Forget your key?" When Tami found herself whispering "May I come in?", father gave Tami THAT look. The one which says "You know, you ARE part of this family". After being welcomed, warmly, by her family, Tami, soon, noticed that mother was continuing her habit, of keeping each childs room fresh, as if the young had departed, just that morning. Boy! Did Tami's room hold some memories. Some she cherished, and some, she, downright HATED. (How many "secret meetings" had Tami, and Crystal, shared, in this space? Not to mention those times, when their brothers thought it would be "cute", to peek, on their sisters, or snap photo's, of the girls, either naked, or wearing costumes.) Sure, the girls had gotten into trouble, at times, especially when they stayed awake, past midnight, then had to "drag" out of bed, the next morning. (How mother had known that the girls had been up late, and especially how mother knew what the girls had conversed about, never ceased to baffle Tami.) All Tami knew, for sure, was how mother would say things like "Its you OWN fault, for staying up, and gossiping, about Flora." After a dinner, of far too much delicious food, Tami and Crystal went out, onto the porch, and shared some beer. This is when Crystal reported "Since you sent that woman's spirit away, the dreams have ceased." When Tami asked "I'm glad that worked out. Now, what projects have my sister been working on, recently?" Crystal would say "The SHOP has a commission which I am not certain that we can complete." When Tami asked, Crystal would say "A client wants a personalized fountain, made of glass. Three levels. The master is trying to figure out the design, at this time. Now, what about you?" Tami would ask "Would you believe it if I said that I jet around, in that black plane, talking to ghosts, while working for a detective agency?" Crystal would say "Yes, I would believe that." then add "When mother found your I.D., and gun permit, mother asked me if they were real." Tami would give a small "huff", as she said "Mother asked me the same thing. Did mother HOUND you, about my gun permit, like she HOUNDED me?" Crystal would say "Mother only asked me WHY you would have a gun permit. By the way, Why DO you have a gun permit?" Tami would say "Part of the job. My partner and I run into some very nasty humans, from time to time". When Crystal would clarify "You mean people", Tami would say "Exactly". When Crystal would ask "This Brown Detective Agency. I never heard of it, before. What do they do?" Tami gave a short summary "The agency, as a whole, handles everything from home burglary, to murder. My partner and I have a specialized field. One which, I am surprised, is so much in demand." When Crystal would ask "So, you are ghost busters?" Tami would say "I HATE that term". When Crystal would ask "What do you LIKE, then?" Tami would say "I dont have a term, or word. My partner and I assist spirits in finding closure, and peace." When Crystal would ask "If this Brown Agency is so successful, WHY is it not as well-known as "Columbo", "Rockford Files", "Banacek", or others?" Tami would summarize "Would you believe how much money clients are willing to pay, to AVOID publicity? This is why no one has heard of the Brown Agency. Our clients like their privacy, and we ensure that cases NEVER see the "light of day". Crystal would say "And, people pay EXTRA, for privacy?" Tami would say "This is how my partner and I were rewarded with two airplanes. Almost none of our cases has seen any publicity." Funny thing was, when mother saw her daughters, drinking beer, on the front porch, the sisters listened as mother asked father "Our girls are on the front porch, drinking BEER! WHAT are you going to do, about THAT?" Father would respond "Since both our daughters are grown women, of legal age, unless they get falling down drunk, I am not going to do anything." When mother let out a growl, father would remind the woman "Crystal and Tami are NOT children, any more." It was obvious that mother was, still, having a difficult time accepting the fact that her children were grown adults. While Tami found herself actually ENJOYING the holidays, with her family (mother was behaving herself, both on the issue, of wanting grand-children, and about Tami's leaving home). Now, at Christmas time, the family seemed to forget all cares, and worries, and just enjoy having the whole family together, again. Point of note: It will seem strange, however, any time that Tami was invited to "parties", over the holidays, she, always, thought back, to fathers RULE, about alcohol. While father NEVER preached sobriety, what he did "preach" was "moderation". In fathers view, one, or two, drinks, to be sociable, were fine. What neither father, nor mother, would tolerate, was being drunk. Sharing a "moment", with friends, was fine, but returning to mothers home, too drunk to stagger, into bed, was NOT permitted. The only time when family members were allowed to stagger was due to illness, and injury. None, of Tami's siblings, ever challenged this, like most young people do. The reason was simple. NEVER, in their entire lives, had any, of the siblings, ever seen their parents drunk. The siblings did not complain, about the rule, since EVERYONE, in mothers house, followed the SAME rule. Even mother, herself. While Tami was enjoying the holidays, with her family, I would spend my holidays alone. The only difference was that, NOW, I was in a home, which I not only owned, but had designed, myself. Sure, I was invited, to a few "parties", over one Christmas, given a choice, I would have preferred to have attended parties, in Tami's hometown. (Her family KNEW how to have a GOOD time.) The problem, with these "good times", was that mother made a habit of recording, and storing, plenty of videotapes, and, nowadays, DVD's. Mothers rationale: Mother loved to record the times, when her family acted like overage children. This is what had, eventually, replaced recording childrens activities, during actual childhood. Mother recorded everything, from volley ball, to wrestling matches, and other activities, during the summer. Recordings, of snowball fights, and building snowmen, were the main, video, attractions, of winter time. Mother always made a laugh, when father tried to act as if he were twenty years old, again. Then, there were the evenings, when the VCR, and the DVD players, took turns, showing the family what fun they had, in years past. To this day, Tami, still, could not believe that mother had, somehow, managed to record Tami's first kiss. (Of course, when questioned, all mother would say was "I know you, better, than you think") Nowadays, six adults sat back, in the living room, laughing at their funniest (and most embarrassing) moments. This "celebration" would continue all the way to New Years Eve. Tami's primary concern, over the holidays, was how "inviting" her old bedroom, still, seemed. The years Tami had spent, in that room. The nights, looking up, at the ceiling, wondering what was "beyond". The snowy days, of Christmas vacation, when a young girl could let her imagination "fly away", and she could visualize herself as an ice, or snow, skater. Then, there were those awful days, when Tami was confined to her bedroom, either for illness, or, at times, for discipline. These days were the worst, in the summer, when all the girl could do was WATCH her friends having fun, after dark. Ofcourse, Tami and Crystal, HAD snuck out, a few times, to meet with friends. About the only thing, which had "changed", about this room, over the years, was the fact that the child-sized bed, from her grade school years, had been replaced with a full size, adult, bed. That was father, for you. Each childs furnishings changed, as the children grew. While childrens bed linens might be stored, in plastic, in the "vault", the furniture changed, as the siblings needs changed. Memories, however, remained. Father even remembered that "transitional" year, when Tami was changing, from a child, into a teen. That awkward age, when the female body is starting to change, in fifty directions, at once. One day, when Tami, and her brothers, had come home, from some sort of automotive competition, father had reminded Tami "The day will come, young lady, when the boys will look AT, not THROUGH, you. Do you, REALLY, want the boys to see a "grease-monkey"?" Still, helping her brothers tear apart, then re-build a car, maybe not FASTER, but, definitely, better, than their friends did, had been an achievement. Funny thing was that, while Tami's siblings had the slowest time, in the contest, it was THEIR car which was the only one which STARTED, the first time the key was turned. The other "teams" might have been faster, in the re-building process, but, without operational motors, the cars were nothing more than paper-weights. Being back, in her old room, just brought back so much. As for me, my "highlight", of the season, was when I met a couple of women, who asked if I had anything "special" planned, for New Years Eve. What I remember, about New Years Eve, was staying as far, to the REAR, of the party, as possible. This, because the "partiers" had the music so loud, I was surprised that the police were not called. For the record, I only accepted some reefer after a drunk knocked a piece of furniture on my leg, practically breaking my leg. Thankfully, even I know that inhaling reefer, while in pain, ONLY subdues the pain. This is true, so long as the user stops inhaling once pain is neutralized. At midnight, the other "partiers" raised beers, and toasted the New Year. Shortly after this, one of the ladies brought me a container, asking me "Smell this. Is it me, or does it smell "funny"?" The last thing I remember is sniffing the contents, of the container, then having a vision, of a meadow of flowers, in a wide open field. I, then, had a vision/dream, of making deeply passionate love, to both of my beautiful, new, friends. Somewhere along the way, and after the dream, I must have fallen asleep, since all I remember, is darkness, followed by waking up, with a woman, on either side of me. (All three of us, nude) Using every bit, of skill I had learned, as a Brown Agency detective, I slipped away fom the women, dressed, then got my bearings, on the stairs. Reaching the downstairs, I realized that the "party" had raged, far into the night. This was obvious by the "pile" of nude bodies, "littering" the rooms. (Something told me that hang-overs, and memory loss, would be the "order of the day", when people woke up.) Instead of returning, to an empty house, however, I would travel to G.S.2, and load my "tracker unit" number. (I wanted to find out WHERE I had been, and what I had done. I just HOPED I had not done something stupid, like streaking.) According to my agency tracking device, I had not left the party property, until I returned to G.S.2. While I was working to re-construct the events, of the previous night, a video file uploaded, to my e-mail account. The title was "About last night". When I "scrubbed" the video, and found it "clean", I played the recording back, what I had HOPED was just a dream/fantasy. There, on the screen, however, was me, enjoying both of my ladies, both in, and out, of bed. (Whoever made this video MUST have had camera's mounted all over the place. I realized this, due to the number of close-up video shots. It was like watching an adult feature. In the end, the women had chuckled, as I passed out.) This video left me wondering "WHAT was in that container?" For a moment, a memory, from 1980, flashed to life. The difference, between the past, and present, however, was obvious. In 1980, the bottle, which I had been offered a "sniff" of, was as tiny as my nasal mist, and the container was made of brown glass. I, still, remember the migraine headache I received, from sniffing that stuff, even once. This is why, when the owner brought the bottle back around (in 1980), asking if I wanted another "sniff", I said "No WAY!" In the present, on this New Years Eve, the container, which I sniffed, was more the size of a bottle of tea powder, or a jar of peanuts. In the present, I did not remember smelling any scent, from the container. I dont recall any headache, either. All I do recall is sniffing the container, seeing the field of flowers, and then it was blank. When I remembered the on-board, drug testing, eqiupment, I used this on my nostrils, and the results were "less than satisfying". Sure, the test results showed "trace amounts", of Marijuana. This was accounted for, by the reefer, for the leg pain. While the other compound was listed as "Unknown", the computer displayed its components. These results I e-mailled to the Brown Agency, asking for a more thorough analysis. Later, Mr. Blue vid-linked with me, asking "No migraine headache?" When I said "No." Mr. Blue would ask "What about nausia? light-headedness? Vomiting?" When I declined all of these, Mr. Blue asked "What is the last thing you remember?" When I mentioned the field of flowers, Mr. Blue would say "It could not be THAT, then." When I asked "Couldn't be what?" Mr. Blue would say "New, street drug. For people who are into feeling extreme PAIN, and delusions. Normally, it starts with a blinding headache. After that, users see their worst nightmares." When I would clarify "There was no pain. Just the vision." Mr. Blue would say "Only one thing is for certain. You were drugged." After Tami returned to G.S.2, and reported that Christmas, with her family, as "Paradise, on Earth" (holidays, with her family), Tami and I were just reviewing a case, involving Rome, and Italy, when a contact came to my e-mail. While I paid it no attention, preferring work, over e-mail messages, I guess that I was more into the file, than I suspected. According to the Brown Agency file, Italian citizens were reporting seeing Roman Centurians on the streets, and in parks, as well as around housing area's. The file stated "The very first thing, which we (the Italian government), did, was to verify that no film crews were working in the area's, in question. After that, we checked all costume rental locations. After we verified that no Centurians uniforms had been rented, we contacted Vatican City. Our concern was that, just perhaps, the Swiss Guard had been witnessed, in public. If the Swiss Guard were in public, it was certain that the pope would have been informed. When the Cardinals College verified that ALL Swiss Guard uniforms were accounted for, we contacted Interpol. The problem, which we would appreciate your inquiry into, is HOW, on atleast four occassions, so far, local police have spotted the Romans, and given chase, only to have the Romans "vanish" into nothingness. IF, as alleged, by witnesses, that these are the spirits, of Imperial Roman soldiers, then this leaves the question of WHY. While Italy is a deeply spiritual nation, as well as home of the Vatican, our people are un-certain, in regards to dealing with Romes ancient dead. This is why we have been referred to the Brown Agency. We have been promised your discretion. Above all, however, we need to find out if these "Romans" are just performers, using cheap tricks, to scare our people. If this is, in deed, a horrible joke, Italy has been assured that the Brown Agency will bring the guilty to justice." When Tami would suggest "Next stop, Rome?" I was about to say "Looks like it", when my e-mail beeping brought my attention to my work-station. When I "called up" my mail, I recognized the address, from the previous message. This is why I had Tami work her computer skills, and send duplicate copies, to the Brown Agency, before I opened the primary copy. I was not surprised, at all, when I saw both of my "New Years" friends, holding up test strips, followed by men, appearing, on-screen, accusing me of impregnating their women. I wont use the mens profane language, here, but the "gist" was "My woman is pregnant, by YOU. If you dont want the world to know, I expect payment, by (date)." When Tami would say "So what? Women get pregnant everyday. Unless they can PROVE the children are yours." I would TRY to call up the previous video, only to find that it had "self destructed", after I viewed it. Leave it to Mr. Black. The tech genius found a way, not just to dis-arm the second message, but to re-boot a copy, of the original message. When Mr. Brown linked with me, and I asked "How soon do you think we can clear this up?" Mr. Brown would suggest "Best results would be when, or IF, children are born. I just wonder WHY the men, in the video's, are demanding that you pay, now." When Tami would suggest "Sounds like a set up, to me. After all, WHO does my partner have, to risk "expose" to?" Mr. Brown would suggest "I am going to recommend a D.N.A. test, before moving forward. Lets make sure that the accused is guilty." And with this, Tami and I were off, to Italy. Note, while on this case, I would be amazed when, first, the video men had demanded immediate pay, for their silence. Second, the video men REFUSED to let women be tested, insisting that I was guilty, because the men SAID I was guilty. Third, when Mr. Brown petitioned, for a court ordered D.N.A. test, the video men, suddenly, jumped state lines, and "vanished". When the New Years Eve women asked the Brown Agency "What do we do? We are carrying his children." Mr. Brown would correct the women, saying "Granted, you are pregnant, but that does NOT guarantee that my employee is the "guilty" party. Whats say we wait for the test results. See if my employee matches, shall we?" Eventually, Mr. Brown would have a judge issue an order, for testing. It is only when the women were arrested, and brought in, for testing, that the truth would be made known. Mr. Brown would come to understand the womens reasons, for attempting to avoid the tests. Especially when one, of the newest, tests, available to law enforcement, could tell, within a few days, just exactly WHEN, if not by WHOM, a woman was pregnant. Mr. Brown, however, would not accept the test results, until four, seperate, tests were performed. ONLY when all four tests verifed that the women had been pregnant, since before, or just after, Christmas, Mr. Brown would vid-link, with me, saying "Sorry, but you are off the hook. The women were pregnant, before Christmas, and you did not meet them, until New Years." When Mr. Brown read the look, on my face, he would terminate the link. By the time this report came in, Tami and I had travelled, to Italy, in the HOPE that we were dealing with modern actors. Reason: The ancient Romans, like the Vikings, were powerfully built men. Men who could "snap" a modern man, in half, with little effort. No matter how good of shape Tami and I THOUGHT we were in, even we would be no match, for real, ancient, Romans. By the time we had arrived, in Italy, Tami and I had spent hours, reading up on the legends, and lore, about Rome, and her wide variety of gods. Un-like Christianity, and its "one size fits all" god, Imperial Romans had gods, for almost everything. Gods for wine, vengeance, property protection, wealth, fertility, etc. It was like the Romans had a god, for just about every circumstance. One rule, of good, detective, work: NEVER judge a case, based upon ones own beliefs. Review the beliefs, of locals (Just in case a criminal is attempting to exploit a belief system). While attempting to narrow our search, Tami started with the Roman god, who is reported as leading the deceased from the world of the living, to the world of the dead. After this, we expanded our search, to include the god of wine, god of water, god of offerings, and god of food. By the time G.S.2 had been given permission, to enter Italian air space, Tami and I had "narrowed" our search, to just twelve of the gods. As to which of these gods we would be addressing, this would have to wait until we located some spirits, which were willing to converse with us. While G.S.2 was permitted to land, at a marble quarry (temporarily closed, due to "reports", of Romans being witnessed, marching about the work area). Tami, soon, realized what was going on, at this location. In a test, of workers powers, of observation, Tami mixed the design, of the Roman Centurians uniform, with Klingon, Federation, American, and even Russian, uniforms. Out of two dozen "witnesses", only two of these men, gave accurate descriptions, of the Romans. The rest, of the "witnesses" seemed to be a little less exact, in their descriptions. This made Tami and I wonder if these people were reporting their OWN sightings, or just repeating what others had mentioned. When Tami and I asked the witnesses if the Romans had attempted to attack, workers denied any such action. When Tami asked "What frightened you, about the Romans?" At this, the men slipped into the Italian language, and an interpreter would inform us "The men say the Romans were massive. Massive bodies. Massive muscles. All carrying massive swords." When Tami would ask the interpreter "Why are the men frightened? Why have they returned to using the Italian language?" The interpreter would say "It is a legend. The legend states that those, who view the ancestors, are next to JOIN the ancestors." True, such "legends" have existed, for many centuries. Then, ofcourse, there is an American version. The one which goes "Whenever you see a hearse go by, you know you are the next, to die". I guess that the tale was "safer", in my original hometown. A place served by only one funeral home, and where hearses are, rarely, seen. In my current hometown, however, due to its population, businesses, and government centers, we are served by four funeral homes, and hearses can be seen almost as often as mass transit buses. Still, even I respected the Italians belief systems. If Tami and I caused offense, on any case, we wanted it to be purely UN-intentional. After speaking with quarry workers, Tami and I would move on, to the Polizia (Italian police). At the police station, Tami and I would receive updates, on the latest sightings. The people, in, and around, this area, were in a panic. According to the police: "More of our people are witnessing these soldiers. Whether these are performers, or something else, these men are scaring our people." When Tami would raise the logical question: "How many, of your people, have, actually, been attacked, by these Romans?" When the watch commander would say "At this point, no citizen has reported any violence. Why do you ask?" Tami would say "From the reports, of witnesses, at the marble quarry, the workers seem fearful that even SEE-ing the Romans is an "omen of doom". Is this not correct?" The watch commander would say "Yes, everyone knows the story, of viewing the deceased. I, however, am a police officer. Much like yourselves, I work with what I can SEE, FEEL, and HEAR, for myself." When Tami would suggest "So, you have not SEEN the Romans, yourself?" The watch commander would say "Most correct. Until I do, I am most hesitant to believe any of the stories, which are coming in." When Tami would ask "Have you any idea WHY these "soldiers" might be appearing?" When the watch commander would ask "Why now? Why not long ago?" Tami would say "Correct. What has changed?" The watch commander would say "Seeing that I grew UP, in this village. I played on its streets. I did some things, of which I am not proud. This village has been my life. As far as I know, the village has not changed, in centuries. Well, a few buildings have burned down. Then, there was World War Two. Other than that, village life has remained constant, for centuries." When Tami would ask "May I see a list, of those, who have come forward, with reports, of the soldiers?" The watch commander would ask "The FULL list, or just those whose stories we have yet to finish?" Tami would suggest "Those, whose sightings, you feel are most legitimate." The watch commander would offer to provide a print out, just as quickly as the Egyptians had. The commander would say "Your Mr. Brown requested this information be prepared, for your arrival. He seems to think you can figure out what we have not." When the watch commander offered to print out the information, which we were asking for, Tami produced a 128 GB flash drive, saying "This should save your printer, and ink." The commander thanked Tami, in Italian, then we copied the files, before heading back to the quarry. That night, while our machinery did its job, Tami thought back, on a Christmas, from YEARS ago. In fact, it was, maybe one, or two, years before Tami had decided to pursue her own life. Under the light, of a full moon, the family's property tree's seemed to shine, as if father had added extra lights. Tami did not know why, but, on THAT night, she THOUGHT she saw the tree's shifting colors (Like those new breed, of LED lights). She remembered watching those tree's, their limbs swaying, in the breeze. So free were the tree's. They lived their lives, the way they wanted to. After this, Tami remembered how, on THIS latest, holiday, season, when the siblings could not seem to sleep, all four had gathered, in mothers kitchen, and had their own, after-hours, "party". Even without VHS, or DVD, Tami's siblings remembered things which they had not thought about, in years. Tami's truck-driver brother even mentioned how he had seen a bat-shaped plane, a few times, while driving deserted highways. When the man asked "Could any of those have been your plane?" Tami would say "Its possible. We fly from coast to coast, and beyond." When Crystal would say "Ooh! Real world traveller." Tami would correct her sister, saying "So far, only to England, China, Germany, France, Afghanistan, and Ireland. So, no, I would not say I have seen the WHOLE world." Her tradesmen brother would say "Sounds like you have seen a-LOT more than **I** have." Tami would remind her siblings "All the travel I do is work-related". Crystal would add "For this Brown Agency group." By the time the siblings finished with reflections, and comparisons, of careers, they knew how upset mother would be, if her kitchen was not "sanitary", when she was ready to make breakfast. This is why, with dawn closing on them, the four had scrubbed the kitchen, into first class shape. (No way could they replace the food, and drink, which had been consumed, during the night. The hope was that mother would be appeased, that her kitchen was as clean as the night before) As Tami, now, lay in her bunk, on-board G.S.2, trying to figure out why that PARTICULAR memory had come to her, at that moment, she wondered, for a moment, if food had something to do with the sightings. Contaminated food HAD caused similar "visions", before. When Tami went to check the computers results, so far, all the machine had was that not even half of the people had eaten at the same place, or the same food. Come morning, when Tami called the commissioner, of police, and was answered by an English-speaking operator, Tami asked the operator "I hope you do not take offense, however, I do not speak Italian. Would you recommend an interpretor?" The operator would say "Relax, my American friend. Yours is the second language, of most of our people. There are very few Italians, who do NOT speak English." When Tami would say "That is most comforting, however, just in case I am in such need." The operator would say "Just contact our local Guards station, and they can provide what you need." When Tami would say "Thank you for your time.", then terminate the call, she would remember hearing the same thing, across Europe. While most Americans only, barely, spoke English, the remainder, of the world knew English, far better than Americans did. Another thing, which was for certain. That was that, after a week, of her mothers, home, cooking, Tami had to remind herself that our planes ration packs were military surplus. While mother fussed over quality, and taste, the military only cared about promoting health, and energy. As a result, Tami's first breakfast, back on the plane, was one she found, barely, edible. When I reminded her "Remember how small those portions were, when we used to eat, in motel restaurants?" Tami remembered how small, AND how BLAND, that "food" was. That is the primary reason why, before Ghost Ship One, we had eaten at fast food places. Tami groaned, and reminded me "Those are times I would rather FORGET." (Funny, this is exactly what she said, about the time when she left home, to start her own life.) After breakfast, Tami headed out, to begin the interview process. Taking even more people down "memory lane", while recalling memories, from the past, and present. This, while a group, of local men, found me looking around, and asked if I wanted a tour, of their town. (No way was I saying NO to such an offer.) When the men would caution "Some places are not safe. Best to stay with us. We will show you places, which tourists do NOT see." When I asked "Why not?" A man would say "Tourists come for the sun, beaches, cathedrals, murals, and other beauty, of our wonderful nation. Very few people want to see the past." While Tami was "enduring" endless drinks, snacks, and conversation, all while gathering information, either about those, who had WITNESSED the Romans, or had information, on the last, of the local garrisons. I would be working, by "torch" (flashlight, in America), as my group worked our way through the relics of antiquity. Thankfully, these men understood that I was here, to learn about the Romans. As a result, we focused on Roman sites, as the men shared their knowledge, of Italy, with me. It was while a woman was relating a family history, of one of her grand-mothers alleged "affairs", with one of the last, of the garrison members, that Tami received word of an "attack". While locals were speaking, in rapid-fire Italian, Tami had to wait for someone to inform her of what the "fuss" was about. From what Tami was told, a "film company" was creating an "adult" video, at a location, in town. According to the video producers, the "film" was to be a "new interpretation" of Italian history. As the group was preparing to depart, to provide aid, to anyone, trapped in the "event", Tami would be informed "While the producer claims that this feature is a "new interpretation", of Italian history, you should be prepared. My son has been working on the set, and he informs me that the film is not so much about our nations history, as it is a feature, about how sexual our people are supposed to be." When Tami would suggest "Let me guess. Brothels everywhere." The womans face showed her shame, at even mentioning the subject. While the citizens arrived, to find the BUILDING still standing, it would seem that the damage was contained, within. Rigs, lights, camera's (the OLD style, mounted on pods), and so on, seemed to have been thrown about, as though an all-out fight had taken place. While some locals provided blankets, for performers, who must have been working, during the attack, most of the effort was to dig through the mess, looking for the living. While Tami never had any intention, of "stepping on the toes", of the police, my partner did hold multiple conversations, before the police arrived. In a combination of stress-reduction, and venting, Tami encouraged production members to share their experiences, with her. Some of the facts, which Tami learned, included: This was NOT the first, adult, feature to be filmed, in Italy. (Most sources confirmed, to my partner, that as many as seventy-five, previous, films had been shot, on location) This did not even contain the number, of major, and minor, motion pictures, for regular distribution. Second was the fact that filming was going according to schedule, for the "regular" scenes, as well as the lesbian scenes. Even the scene, where Roman soldiers were portrayed, as masturbating, in the streets, went off with very few problems. (The Italians DID wonder WHERE the producer got the idea that Roman soldiers were so shameless.) According to those, on-scene, the Romans did NOT make themselves known until a scene in which Roman soldiers were to be filmed dragging young boys off of the street, for homosexual sex. One, young, man, who admitted that this was his third and (He HOPED), final, homosexual, rape, scene, said he found it strange that he had not even SEEN the Romans, until the scene in which he was supposed to cry out, in pain, as a Roman soldier raped the boy, repeatedly. As Tami spoke with other performers, and crew members, just about all of these people agreed with the young mans story. No one remembered seeing the Romans, until the rape scene. Coincidence? When the police arrived, to take official statements, only to hear that many people had, already, spoken to Tami, my partner had her I.D. ready, as the police approached. When the police asked "Pardone, you are not with the police department, are you?" When Tami would admit "I am a private investigator." The police would suggest "Then, may I suggest you limit your activities to your investigation, and leave the police work to us." Tami just gave a curtsey, then went on, to speak with other citizens. Even I knew the difference between police questioning, and Tami's interview skills. While the police are known for firing off questions, like a machine-gun, on full automatic, Tami felt it was more informative to let her subjects talk. According to Tami's reports, in the past, she had found that people remembered much more, of the "little things", when simply talking, than they do, under scrutiny. The very same tactic which had solved dozens of cases, across America, as well as in Europe. While the police were busy "picking" the studio apart, looking for any evidence, of the alleged Romans, Tami was off to interview some of the locals, who had descended from the local garrison. While my partner was busy with this, my "guides" were showing me the remains of one of the last Roman barracks (which was being preserved, as part of Italy's history). While my guides would admit that the Romans were no "angels", the men, all, agreed that ALL were offended with the newest video, being filmed. One man even told me "My grand-father remembers a time, when the last, of the soldiers was stationed here. Grand-father insists that, at NO time, did ANY Roman, ever, masturbate, in public. There is, also, no PROOF, that Romans raped our children." When I suggested "Isn't this video supposed to be a "revisioning" of Italian history. A pornographic version, as well?" Another man would say "It is a SACRILEDGE, to the Italian people. Italian men do NOT rape children. We never have!" When I would suggest "Would you say that it is enough, of a "sin", to kill over?" The men went quiet, for a moment. After this, the men lead me to a series, of brothels. Places where, in the past, soldiers could have every desire fulfilled. No need to attack children, when everything that one could want is available, for a price. While Tami was contemplating the reason WHY Romans would attack a fiction film making company, she would visit with more descendants, of the Romans. Not surprising, on this case, was the fact that, anyone, who knew about the film, was opposed to the production. No matter how many jobs the film provided to the economy. The Italians made it known, often, to my partner, that no one would be happy, until the unit closed down. Tami was greeted with plenty of Italian profanity, regarding the film. When she asked "Who would benefit, most, from the film not being completed?" The list consisted of almost the entire community. As one local would inform Tami "The ONLY reason why we extended greetings, to the film company, was the hope that cast members would patronize our shops. Buy gifts, to send home." When Tami would ask "Would you shed a tear, if the production went into bankruptcy?" The answer, almost universally, was "Not really." When Tami defined the question, asking, first, about the equipment, then about the characters, then about the performers, themselves, the answers were just as well defined. No one held any grudges, against any of the props. Everyone hoped that no "disaster" would befall the performers. As to the characters? The general opinion was that it was hoped that Lucifer would find a place, for the producer, in the under-world. When Tami would inquire "Has the Vatican made any repsonse, to this taking place, practically right on holy ground?" My partner would be told "The holy church has expressed its dis-apporval, with the production. His Holiness, however, says that business must be allowed to operate. Even when we do not approve of it." Over the next two weeks, additional events would occur. In one instance, a man, found beating his daughter, for being lazy, and not planting crops, fast enough, was found, in his own field, staked out, in the tradition of the Romans. The daughter would inform both the police, and Tami "By my faith, in the word of God, the men, they were Romans." When Tami had asked the woman "By chance, did you see which direction these soldiers came, or went?" The young woman would say " I did not notice them, until they grabbed my father, off of me, and used very old Italian words, while punishing my father." When Tami would ask the young woman "Did the soldiers head off, in any direction, after they struck your father." The young woman would say "I was too frightened to think. They might have gone to the old cannon tower." A police officer would say "Dont talk nonsense." to the young woman, then inform Tami "The old cannon tower has been closed off, for close to two centuries. No one goes there. No way in. Government saw to that. No one goes in, until the tower is repaired, and made safe." When Tami would, softly, say "No one, human, that is." The police officer would look at my partner, as if wondering about Tami's sanity. In another incident, a group, of Romans appearred, outside a tavern, where a drunk was spoiling, for a fight. When the drunk seemed to grab a male patron, at random, and demand a fight, the patrons, of the bar, would notice that the Romans were at the mens side, in a moment. Speaking a form, of Roman, which only the older crowd understands, it seems that the soldiers ordered the drunk to un-hand the patron. When the drunk asked "If I dont?" The leader, of the Romans, drew a sword, and, it seems, asked "Which hand would you prefer to lose." After the drunk released the bar patron, then challenged the soldiers to "step outside", it seems that no one, not even the bar-keeper, thought to call the police. Everyone wanted to watch the Romans deal with the drunk. Patrons knew that the man was drunk since, when his blows went wide, past the soldiers, and the drunk slurred "stand still", the drunk, then insisted that his blows went right THROUGH the soldiers. According to what patrons told Tami, after the fact, it seems that the reason why the drunk was skewered was because the drunk profaned the god of Victory in Battle. Patrons, also, informed bboth Tami, and the police "The drunks blows did not pass THROUGH the soldiers, thee soldiers ducked his blows. He was just too drunk to notice." After the drunk topped this, by calling the soldiers "cowards", the Romans ran the man through, then hung his corpse from the balcony (Where police were retrieving it, while Tami talked to patrons). Over the next three weeks, the production company had packed their surviving equipment, and, to massive cheers, left town as quietly as they had come. Over these same, three, weeks, Tami was hearing increasing numbers of stories, about some, new, project. A project which, if successful, would bring dozens of new jobs to the area. Tami heard, over and over, that no one was opposed to a resort, coming to the area, provided that it was a place to relax. What concerned locals, though, were the rumors that this was going to be yet another GAMBLING resort. While the media were forbidden to report on just how MANY gamblers ran up tabs, which they could not pay off, in ten lifetimes, then committed suicide, to be rid of debt, it was true, both in Europe, and the United States. People, who had lost jobs, had taken any stake they could find, including checking, and savings, accounts, and "shot the works", all in the hopes of earning enough money, to pay bills. After these people lost their life savings, then took their lives, governments had made certain that deaths were kept SECRET. It was bad news, for the gaming industry, to recognize how many suicides, per year, were over gambling debts. Italy wanted no more part, in this "action", than they, already, had. In fact, most Italians believed that Italy was in too deep, already. In fact, as Tami was informed, the ONLY people, pushing, for more legalized gambling, were government officials. When Tami took this information, to the police commissioner, the man would say "Sure, I am aware of this project." When Tami would ask "Why did you not mention it, before?" The police commissioner would say "For one thing, the project remains in the planning stage. There is NO resort, yet. The property is yet to be acquired. No one is even considering hiring, yet." When Tami would ask "Just curious. WHEN did the Romans begin showing up. Or, should I ask When did people begin reporting the soldiers?" When the commissioner would say "It has not been so very long. Let me check the records." When the commissioner checked the file, then stated "Here it is." then listed the date, and time, of the first reports. When Tami would ask "Just curious, WHEN did the project begin to come into existance?" The commissioner would look into another file, then quote a date, just two weeks prior to the first report. When the commissioner would say "This is impossible. If the Romans are un-happy, with the gambling, WHY did they wait two weeks, to show up?" Tami had no answer, which the commissioner would believe. Back at G.S.2, Tami would report her findings, to date. As for me, all I had, to report, was finding that atleast part, of the proposed resort would, probably, be built, on top of some ancient ruins. When Mr. Blue would ask "Even I knew that the Romans were not averse to gambling. It was part of their culture, as it is, in ours." Tami would say "I have not figured that part out, yet. If only some Romans would come forth, and speak to us. I just have not dicovered, as yet, how to "provoke" the soldiers, into appearing." When I would suggest "It seems that violence draws the Romans out", Tami would say "REAL violence draws them out. I doubt that, even if we play-acted, we could draw the soldiers out." When I suggested "What if I raped you?" Tami would say "Be serious." Mr. Blue would add "Remember: Even when you are on-board that plane, you are on American soil. Rape is a felony." I would advise both of them "I was only suggesting a possibility." Mr. Blue would say "Think of ANOTHER. A non-felonious act." When I suggested "What about Arson? We could find an empty house, and set it on fire." Mr. Blue would say "Better", while Tami would say "The soldiers only come, in times of duress. People have to be in REAL danger, for the soldiers to show up." This is when another voice would join Tami and I, from behind our backs, as the voice said "Since when?" When Mr. Blue would say "I think I will sign off, now. You have work to do." This is when the viewer went dark, and the centrian asked "What magic is this? Where did that man go?" as the Roman looked at the wall, behind our monitor. Knowing better than to try to explain 21st century technology, to a three thousand year old spirit, Tami would say "I will trade you. A question, for a question." And, thus, the question-and-answer period began. The problem, with speaking across millenia, is the problem, of both sides having trouble understanding one another. Terms, which Romans had used, on a daily basis, were all-but-unknown, to modern day man. The same was true, of modern day terms. How does one explain radio, telephones, aircraft, and even electricity, to a person who lived without these things? (never mind cell-phones, computers, and stereo.) Tami would note that even establishing "titles" was a laborous task. After all, in Roman times, a womans place was keeping her husbands home, and caring for his children. That is, except, of course for tavern wenches, and harlots (hookers). The Roman spirit would have to get used to having a woman act as a mans equal. In Rome, women were limited to behind-the-scenes maneuvering. The idea of women having a vote would not come along, for millenia. Still, the Roman seemed to cooperate, with qustions, and provide answers, as best he could. This, even as he came to grips with the idea of a nation, in which men and women were of equal value. The soldier did have a hard time accepting that women would even be CONSIDERED as soldiers. Tami was able to ignore much of this, since she remembered how many previous cases had involved this same content. This is why, even when the soldier asked "A woman, who talks to strangers, and asks questions? My, how the world has changed." With quite a bit of effort, Tami would draw the soldier around to the subject, of the recent, public, displays. Why had the soldiers waited, so long, to make their presense known? The Centurian would "spell it out". "First of all, gambling was, never, conducted out, in the open. Despite what your moving pictures say. Yes, in CAMP, we did have games, but these were NEVER held outside the camp. The very idea, of combining food, lodgings, and gambling. Ceasar would, never, have approved." When Tami would suggest "I thought that Romans loved to gamble." The centurian would say "Yes, we had gambling PARLORS, and we had restaurants, and we had living accomodations. None were intermixed, like your modern day places." When Tami would say "Okay, you are opposed to the gambling resort. What about the movie set. Why did the soldiers attack the set?" The centurian would say "We thought a child was in danger. That is why we attacked that place. We wanted to make sure that people knew that hurting children, with intent, is against the Roman way of life". When Tami mentioned the public masturbation, she could not believe that THIS made the centurian blush. When she asked "Is it because I am a woman?" The centurian would say "Such matters are to be handled, quietly, and privately. Such are not matters for public discussion, or display." When she asked "Your thoughts, on the scene?" The centurian would shift, in his seat, as he would suggest "No man, of honor, and dignity, would do such a thing." When Tami would suggest "So, like the people of Italy, you are opposed to the film." The centurian would say "If that is what you call it, then YES, we are opposed." When Tami would ask "How many of you are there?" The centurian would say "Locally, we number five hundred. Throughout the empire, thousands, the last time I heard." When Tami would ask "Do you remember the date, the last time you heard it?" Tami realized that this man had lived LONG ago, when he mentioned how HOT winter had become, and how blankets were needed, in the summer. This connected, well, with an imperor, who, according to history, noticed that the seasons were so far "out of whack", with the calendar, that history records the imperor resetting the calendar, to the seasons. The calendar, which we, still, use today. Since the centurian lived prior to this, tracing his age would be close to impossible. The best Tami could hope for was to try to deliver the solders messages, to the living. Whether the humans believed the messages, was up to the humans. While the local population was more-than-thrilled, with the Roman suggestion, emphasizing "We love our nation, and we wish to have a STRONG economy. An economy built of jobs which will last. We want no more gambling". The Italian government would say "At present, the only monies, available, are for gambling. If we do not increase gambling, then we cannot pay for needed improvements. It is just that simple. Either we allow gambling, or the people can forget public improvements." To the governments surprise, the noble, Italian, people, would choose letting repairs wait, until REAL jobs were available. (There was, even, talk, of considering the more modern, Socialist, style of living). The government would be quick to emphasize that this was only a discussion topic. This, the government did, after reviewing the fact that, since the 2001 invasions, of the Middle East, America had shown no hesitation, to attack any nation, whose government, or religion, America did NOT agree with. Since Italy had seen much too much destruction, during World War Two, the last thing the nation wanted to to enrage the now openly hostile Unted States government. A government, which had proven, repeatedly that, "If we do not accept your form of government, we are willing to use bombs, and bullets, to "change your minds"." No, Italy had far too much precious, in irreplacable, art, to risk offending America. If the Italian people wanted no gambling, then there would be NO investment, in Italy, at all. While the spirit, of an Imperial Roman engineer, would guide me to the sites, which Rome wanted protected, from "modernization", Tami would begin work on her latest "compromise", between the living and the dead. In this case, as in several, previous, cases, most of the living agreed with the dead. Do not build in certain locations, due to religious, or safety, reasons. It would be the politicians who insisted that sites be developed, since these were the sites, where business WANTED to build. While Tami's negotiations proceeded, the spirit would show me exactly why the Romans did not want modern day man to dig up atleast a few sites. The engineer would admit that, on three, of these sites, even the Romans had made the mistake of building, first, then studying why structures collapsed. In one location, where a twelve story, hotel, was to be constructed, the Romans had tried, and failed, three times, to build simple, three story, buildings (only to watch the buildings collapse, under their own weight.) In another location, where a vice house was to be erected, the spirit showed me what was buried under the ground. When I asked "Roman soldiers?" The spirit would say "priests, of the holy order. This was the churches cemetary." When I presented my information to Tami, the government, and the Brown Agency, it would seem that everyone was in favor of, sinply, MOVING the casino, and brothels, to another location. Everyone, except the financiers. When the head financier would command "What do the Romans care what we build, on this location? (the church cemetary) The Romans have been DEAD, for over 1,000 years. I am building, here, and thats final!" Moments later, a massive man (probably a Roman general) would appear, walk up, to the business man, take the man by the collar and ask "You would desecrate our honored dead?" When the business man would say "Un-hand me, you brute! Those morons have been dead for longer than even England has existed. They wont care WHAT I build, on this site." At hearing these words, an entire battallion, of Roman soldiers, would appear, looking about as "happy" as irate parents. When the business man would ask the spirits "What are any of you doing, here? You have been dead, for over 1,000 years." A centurian would step forward to say "While we have passed, from your mortall life, we stand to protect the glory, and honor, of Rome, and Italy." It was not until the business man would have no less than twelve spears, pointed at him, that he would agree "Lets talk deal." When Tami said "Thats the spirit!", then looked at the spirits, saying "Sorry, modern humor. Forgive me." It woulld seem that the spirits took the comment, at face value. While the towns mayor, and the county commissioner, brought forth maps, showing much better places, to build the resort, Tami watched the faces, of the dead. Anytime the business man wanted ridiculous items, such as exchanging 200 years, of property tax relief, for every foot of ground, which the resort moved, from its original location, the man would be jabbed, with a spear. After several, such, jabs, the business man would say "Fine, I willl move the resort." The Romans next request was a very simple one. A partition, between the gambling, and sex, on one side, and the restaurants, and hotel rooms, on the other side. The Romans wanted two sentries (security guards), at each entrance, primarily to keep the young out of the vice area. While the business man would have hoped to have free-flowing sex, and gambling, all under the same roof, as the restaurants, and hotel rooms, neither the Romans, nor the Italians would accept this. Only once the business man would accept the spirits terms, of seperate spaces, would the Romans, and the Italians agree. Once the deal was negotiated, and approved, The Romans bid the Italians, and Tami and I, a gracefull bow, and a heart-felt "Your kindness, and generousity, have saved much pain and suffering. We are in your debt." While Tami gave a curtsey, I bowed, to the spirits, whose commander would say "Gentlemen, I believe that the humans have things well under control. Shalll we return to our rest?" The Romans dissolved, into thin air, even as the Italians crossed themselves. When the business man would say "Now that those "ghosts" (said mockingly) are gone, now I can get back to work." That is, until a beefy hand tapped his shoulder, and the business man saw the Roman commander wagging a finger at him. Message understood. When Tami filed our final report, on this matter, she did have to report "While communications, with spirits, of the deceased, from over 1,000 years ago, is tedious work, I do believe that progress was made. The resort is being moved AWAY from the Roman cemetary, and the Italian government (now that they know where the cemtetary is located) will mark cemetary land "off-limits", to development. Since the resort will no-longer be on the water-front, with private docks, for incoming ships, the compromise is that a private runway will be installed, on the project. Locals may be employed, at the resort, but guests will be deterred from leaving the resort, for the village. The Romans have agreed NOT to interfere, with operations, so long as their descendants receive adequate protection, from resort guests. The resorts owners have agreed to this. It would be after Tami filed this report, that Crystals message came through, asking Tami to visit, once again. When Tami responded "Whats up?" Crystal would, only respond "The family is having an "end of holiday season" party, and mother has, directly, requested that I invite you." Due to the time difference, Tami would only state "I will let you know when I am near. Thank everyone for the invite." When the next contact came, from headquarters, it was Mr. Blue, saying "Good work. The agency is proud. Another successful case." When Tami would ask "Whats next?" Mr. Blue would say "We are developing a case. Something about a spirit, of some 3,000 year old man, who is scaring people away, from a home?" Details still being processed. There is another problem, which needs to be resolved, in case you take the case." When Tami would ask "What would THAT be?", Mr. Blue would say "There is talk, that the United States is considering invading ANOTHER nation, providing that the nation declines to enter the "war on terror", on America's side. Currently, Mr. Brown is contacting his sources, in Washington D.C., to verify, or deny, these rumors." When I would ask "What does this "war on terror" have to do, with us?" Mr. Blue would remind me "Ghost Ship Two, IS, technically, an American bomber. There are suspicions, that you might try to "sneak in" a few nukes." When Tami would ask "What is the target nations opinion, of the "war on terror"?" Mr. Blue would say "Publicly, they have dis-avowed the "war", as a waste of man-power, and resources. A "war", with-OUT any tangible goals, or targets." When Tami would ask Mr. Blue "Do you blame them? After all, American invasion forces have been inside Afghanistan, for over 20 years. What do we have, to show for all of this?" Mr. Blue would say "I understand. Mr. Brown is trying to convince interested parties, that the Brown Agency has no intention of attacking. We are not advanced scouts, or recon. The clients, however, want Washington D.C. to issue a WRITTEN document, stating that NO attack is being planned, or executed." Tami and I would, together, say "Good luck, with that!" This, we KNEW to be true, mostly because, in the time since September, 2001, Washington D.C. had REFUSED to denounce any attack rumors. All that Washington D.C. kept spouting, to every inquiry, was "ALL options (including invasions), MUST remain ON the table." WHY? While Mr. Brown continued the negotiations, for our next case, Tami would visit her family, for a "winding down the holidays" party. (Mother always did like to make home cleaning a joyous event, not a chore.) Food and drinks, meshed with storage, and clean-up. While Tami knew that she had, finally "come home", she knew that she wanted to continue her work. She enjoyed talking to the dead. Sometimes, she found them more fascinating than the living. She did wonder, though: What will it be like, to speak to a 3,000 year old ghost? Happy Holidays! Then, on to the next case...