Chapter 2

Note: When the conversation is a telepathic exchange, it is indicated by italics font.

In the conference room on Dóchas, several of Sarah’s Clan had just finished assisting Cathal, Charles, Brad, Eric and Casey in fully enabling their telepathic ability. With them were Muireann’s Clan from Intelligence and some Security teams. Those on the bridge were linked to them telepathically.

Muireann said, “To give you some experience with telepathic communication, let’s use it to review what you’ve told us already regarding the lodge along the US – Canadian border.”

“Good idea,” responded Terry of Sarah’s Clan. “Bear in mind that it is now early morning, so do we want to continue or wait till later.”

Cathal said, “Let’s keep the review brief and then finish, presuming we can sleep later.”

When they finished the review Shannon said, “Brad, you indicated earlier that a different group was involved in several incidents. Could you elaborate? If you are comfortable with communicating this way, then it will likely take less time. It is your choice.”

“I’ll try it this way,” replied Brad. “In some ways it is like dreaming while being aware of your surroundings. I’ve outlined what happened to Lisa and our families, would it help for you to see my memories.”

“I don’t think so,” replied Muireann. “However, if we run across someone you know was involved, be sure to tell us.”

“I suspect we will, because many of the rebels are now government officials and I don’t think the conditions have changed. Anyway, I spent several months trying to find them and trying to get the government to take some interest. It ended when one of those assisting me told me it was time to leave, or I wouldn’t be in any condition to help anyone. On my flight back to the states that I began to really put together all the pieces of information I had acquired. I did many ‘what ifs’ in trying to fit the data together, and didn’t like any of the conclusions. During one flight, I struck up a conversation with a Marine returning to the states. During our conversation, I shared some of my story with him as he told me about some of the places he had been. By the time I arrived back in the states, I had decided that joining the Marines would be a good first step toward avenging the deaths of my family and friends. At the same time I felt like I would assist in making the world a safer place. ‘Avenge’ may not be the best word.

“I joined as an enlisted man even though I could have probably been commissioned. During those first years, I worked my way toward joining a special ops unit. Once in, I always did my best to see that the bad guys paid the price. It was shortly after joining them that I started working with these guys, and others who aren’t with us anymore.

“We didn’t start out doing intelligence analysis. We learned very quickly that we could be more successful if we did our own analysis of any information, before going out. With this insight, our success rate quickly rose to be one of the highest. Once this was recognized, we were given more difficult assignments. With this change, we became more aggressive in gathering the intelligence we thought was needed for planning a mission. This pushed us more toward intelligence analysis, as well as ruffling a few feathers. Using our analysis we were able to guide mission planning to achieve a resolution that was more than just a short term solution. In each of those missions, I felt that there were clues indicating that the chaos might have been directed by an outside interest. I was hesitant to share it with these guys, at first. We were working on a particularly difficult problem when I raised the idea during a brain-storming session, looking at the clues from different angles. When I laid out the scenario they didn’t laugh, but it was clear they had their doubts about it. Those doubts disappeared when the pieces began to fit together for that project. We laid it out in a report, along with a proposed solution. The evidence was all circumstantial and the report closed with an assessment of what would happen if the proposed resolution wasn’t taken.”

“Let me guess,” said Danny, “your report hit the nail on the head, while at the same time, causing the politicians, elected or otherwise, to be wary of your future analysis.”

“Yes, on that project no action was taken, and our predictions were correct,” replied Casey. “It was so close one would have thought we had written the script. That project was the first time we used our new approach. From then on, we would choose that approach if we couldn’t find a simpler combination of interests. It only took a few projects before we were moved to doing intelligence analysis almost exclusively, with very few field forays. We did manage to go on some missions, by not being totally frank about how a resolution should take place or which resources should be employed. Each time we were criticized for taking the risk, while also being thanked for getting the job done.”

“I presume it was one of these missions that brought you to the attention of the President,” asked Lydia.

“Actually, it was likely our analysis on the dynamics driving the Afghanistan turmoil, and why the same scenario is taking place in other countries in that region. Afghanistan just happens to be front page news.”

“It is very early in the morning,” said Sarah. “Let’s get some sleep, and then go over what we have tomorrow afternoon.”

“That is an excellent idea, as I am beat,” replied Cathal. “Once we have done that and decided on an action plan, the five of us want to receive the genetic virus treatments using the incubators.”

“Why?” responded Judy, with some concern showing in her voice.

“We want to go with the Security teams to Ireland and England. To do that safely, we understand that we need to be able to wear and operate the tactical suits.”

“We think it is imperative,” said Charles, “that we are included with the teams.”

“In the short a time we have, your changes won’t be far enough along. This will lead to some problems in integrating you with the suit’s AI functions.”

“Let’s try it. Our motivation is that we think our field experience will be useful.”

“Your field experience will likely be very useful,” said Judy, “but you won’t be. The structural changes in your body won’t be ready for the stress.” All five men started to speak. “Wait, let me finish. There are alternatives to how you participate. There is time for you to do the incubator element, which is a plus. Your bodies will still be changing when the trip to Ireland begins. So it will be quite susceptible to injury, so going is out of the question. We don’t want you or anyone else injured. The best choice is for you to mentally link with a bot.” The five newcomers now sported puzzled expressions, as Judy paused for a moment. “This is where you mind-link with one or, possibly, two bots. The bots will be in tactical suits at the scene with our teams. You will see, feel and sense everything they do from a shuttle overhead, and I do mean everything. You will be suspended in a nearby shuttle, so you have full freedom of movement and can share that input with them. As a result, the two of you will act together. Although we haven’t done it, our data shows this to be very effective, when preceded by the appropriate training. We probably have enough time for that to work.”

“All of us agree that you being on site would be very beneficial, ” said Rusty. “We also know that acting remotely through a bot has been as effective as actually being on the ground. On the other hand, we have not needed to implement this approach before now. Success is very dependent on the closeness of the bond you and the bot develop. Are you willing to try?”

“I wouldn’t say we agree, but we don’t object, either,” said Brad. “We do fully understand Judy’s concern, and your reasoning behind this approach. My hesitation is based upon not fully understanding how this combined capability works. It seems to imply that this mind-link with a bot would be very similar to the one that I appear to be developing with my female friends.”

“Brad, you’re right, it would be very similar to a spousal mind-link. In fact, in some ways it will be closer. I can assure you that you will sense and feel everything.”

“What happens to the bot after all this is over?” asked Eric, with a concerned look.

“It depends very much on what the two of you and your family want.”

“Are you saying they can become part of our clan?”

“Sure. There are quite a few mixed clans at An Clochán.”

“So that’s what I saw,” replied Eric. “I knew something was different with some folk, but that never occurred to me. I don’t know about these other dinosaurs, but I’m in.”

“Just what the hell do you mean calling me a dinosaur,” exclaimed both Cathal and Casey. The room erupted into laughter.

“I know what Eric was referring to,” said Cathal, “and, in that light, I think Judy’s proposal will work just fine. It also seems to be our best choice. Ladies, I know you’re listening, so I hope you agree with my thoughts.”

He smiled when he felt their positive response, “Why haven’t you used this technique before?”

“First,” replied Sarah, “it is better to actually be there in person since responses are usually more precise. Second, because fully integrating your minds is a challenge, so much of a challenge that only a few can do it effectively. All of us think the five of you definitely have the potential, and you have the motivation. Also, our society makes no unnecessary distinctions between biological and robotic entities.”

“Oh, my. My comment wasn’t meant to infer a difference.”

“We understand your intent, but felt that this was a good time to make the point. You have offended no one.”

“Brad,” said Shannon, “can you quickly tell us the key elements of your analysis?”

“Sure, but now you have me curious as to why.”

“Once we understand the key elements your group uses, we can task our AI with analyzing the data she can access on Earth, along with what we already have. It could give us a broader view.”

“Good idea. Why don’t I just share it with the group now? The AI can pick up from that, correct?”

“Yes.”

With that Brad began running through his memories of each of the events he had flagged as having had an outside push. As he shared his memories, his team members added various details that they thought would help. It didn’t take very long until the key elements were shared and the AI had a full description of the information.

“Now, let’s get some rest!” said Judy. “Let’s get back together late this afternoon. If you can’t sleep, just relax. Your girlfriends will be here later this morning. Based upon what we just learned, we are going to need the rest.”

“Before we go,” said Rusty, “we initially thought the Chosen Ones were behind the kidnappings in Afghanistan. Were we mistaken?”

“Sort of,” replied Brad. “They don’t appear to be directly involved. Their activity looks like skimming. The embassy employee who was assassinated was being used by both, but had strong links to Chosen Ones.”

“So it would be easy to draw the wrong conclusion.”

“Yes. However, the recent deaths among the Chosen Ones has had an impact on those we think are behind the chaos.”

“Well hello, Cathal, Casey,” said Pat O’Brien when the two entered the conference room late in the afternoon, “It’s been a long time. This is Kaelee, one of my significant others.”

“It’s good to see you,” they both responded. “Hello, Kaelee. It is nice to meet you. We heard you were here, but didn’t see you the last time we visited.”

“I think we were gone part of the time then. We heard you came to stay this time.”

“Yes,” said Cathal, and then added uneasily, “if they will let us.”

“Why would you think they wouldn’t want you to stay?”

“It just seems too good and so different from what we are used to. I spent most of the day becoming better acquainted with my girlfriends. I am amazed by everyone’s openness.”

“You’ve just done too much cloak and dagger stuff on Earth. Kaelee and I came here as a couple. Our TTC experience in Afghanistan brought us very close together. Once we were here, we never contemplated going back to Earth. We thought it unlikely that we would add other spouses to our family even though, when we came here, we knew that there were six to ten adults in most families. Our family now consists of six adults. It is wonderful. The mind-link makes many things so much easier. I know our family is much closer than Kaelee and I were before we arrived.”

“We’ve noticed,” replied Casey. “While we were renewing our acquaintance with our girlfriends, we also need to mind meld with a bot.” Pat and Kaelee laughed.

“You’re letting your experiences on Earth color your thinking. You will probably not know you are working with a bot unless they tell you, well maybe not in this case. The mind-meld is a total sharing. It includes your senses, thoughts, reasoning and everything except the essentials, like eating or breathing.”

“So are you saying one of my girlfriends could be a bot, and I might not know it?”

“Yes,” said Kaelee. “It is not our nature to keep a secret like that, but yes, it could be a long time before it was apparent.”

While they had been talking, the rest of the group had begun to gather for a short briefing before dinner.

“Would everyone take a seat?” asked Shannon, as she tapped on the table.

“Thanks, we don’t think this will take very long,” said Lydia. “Some of you may already have looked at what has been accomplished by the Als while we were resting.” Several in the room nodded their heads. “Let’s cover the key points. Our AI requested assistance shortly after we left here last night so we are now using three AIs, working as a neural network, to collect, organize and analyze the data we have. The data I am referring to is what we had already acquired, plus what we added using the techniques Cathal’s group brought us last night.”

“The additional AIs are those that have been installed in our two sister ships,” continued Muireann. “They are nearly identical to ours. With the addition of Brad and his buddies’ insight, they have identified two groups who are likely to be a threat to those going to Ireland or England. These groups appear to be acting separately, with different agendas.”

“There are some other potential groups,” said Shannon, “but these two seem to be the most active threats. The first group we will call W4. The name is based on the fact they have sufficient funds or wealth to buy many countries outright. Four people comprise W4’s core group and they may be the only active participants. There are links between these people and the group Brad mentioned earlier this morning. We don’t know how active the links are, but the other group doesn’t seem to be actively involved. Based on their position in society and other factors, we believe W4 group will promote an attempt to kidnap some of our choir. We concur with Cathal’s analysis that their primary purpose is to gain access to our technology. They will likely try to make the kidnapping as invisible as possible. By assisting us in their release, they believe they will gain unlimited access to us and our technology. Based on their background, we think they will renege on any deal made to obtain the return of our family members.” While Shannon was making her points, Brad, Casey and Cathal were nodding in agreement.

“We were already aware of this group as a potential risk,” continued Danny. “However, until Cathal arrived, we didn’t know their plans. Since they use a lot of electronic communication, we are now sure that we will know them well before our group leaves for Ireland. We plan on placing one or two drones, along with spiders, in their estate. The other group will be more difficult.”

“The second group we will refer to as S1,” said Lydia. “They will be difficult primarily because it appears that all of their planning and activities take place in rather primitive or isolated locations. We can get the information we need, but it will take resources. We used S to indicate that the group’s prime purpose is enslavement. The one just indicates that it appears to be led by a single individual, with significant assistance from the country’s president. The man leading this group has a strong alliance with the leader of a country in Africa. This also happens to be the same country where Brad’s family were taken captive and apparently died.”

“How did you sort that out?” asked Brad. “I, or should I say we, hadn’t identified anyone in that area.”

“It is an outgrowth of the data views you brought, supplemented with data we already had. A major contribution stems from knowing about the disappearance of people that we had approached to join us. In virtually every case, these people were very interested in joining us, but were already set to leave on an extended vacation. Many indicated that they would contact us when they returned. None of the vacations seemed to have the same itinerary. The reasons these people never returned covered the gamut of possibilities.”

“Using your methodology, and our combined data,” continued Muireann, “we think we may now know the real reason many didn’t come back. It is all very circumstantial, but now we have a place to look for more information that we hadn’t noticed before.”

“Do we have enough time?” said Cathal.

“Yes. We have about five weeks, perhaps a little more, which should be more than enough.”

“What about mission objective, planning and practice runs?” asked Casey.

“We know the objective,” replied Muireann, in a voice so cold it chilled the room. “We will eliminate the threat!”

“Casey, Cathal,” said Pat, “by tomorrow we will know what both sites look like from the outside. Our training can begin using 3-D simulators. All of you will start working with us through your bot presence. Based upon our previous experience, we can be fully ready for a new mission in less than 72 hours. If necessary, we can go without prior practice, but that obviously increases the risk.”

“Wow. How can you do that?”

“Many reasons, such as our telepathic links, virtual site practice, full visualization of our objective and our suit AI to name but a few.”

“You said we would practice with you, through bots,” said Casey. “I don’t understand.”

“Tomorrow you will meet a group of bots that have worked with Security teams before,” replied Adam. “Together, we will determine which ones seem to fit well with each of you. It is kind of a ‘get to know you’ time. Each of you will tell Pat which three bots you would like to work with. The bots will tell Pat which of you they wish to work with. From then on each of you will spend all your time with your combat partners, except while you are in the incubators. I would expect our first run-through to be tomorrow afternoon.”

“Together, all the time?” queried Brad.

“Yes, meals, sleeping, working and relaxing. Don’t worry, your girlfriends will understand.” The five men blushed at the comment about their girlfriends. “Your girlfriends will also assist you in becoming more adept with telepathic communication. This will help you and the bots in building your link with each other.”

“Boy, this will be different,” commented Charles, with the others nodding their agreement.

“Pat,” said Danny, “we would like to plan on conferencing just before lunch and just before dinner for the next week or so, to go over any new information.”

“Good.”

“We may cut back on frequency,” said Lydia, “but thought we ought to start meeting more often. Once we begin working with one another, our telepathic exchanges will increase, speeding up the discussion of new findings and how they fit into the overall scheme.”

“How are you going to get more information on S1?” asked Brad.

“By monitoring the people who visit his estate and the president’s home. Many will be followed, to see where they go. We are placing drones and spiders in both locations. These devices have sound and video capabilities. We are using similar devices with the W4 group.”

The dinner chime sounded. “Wow, that time went fast,” said Sarah, “let’s get ready for dinner. I know all of you are very interested in resolving this. Remember, you need rest in order to do your best. If you don’t, you will put everyone at risk.”

As Aine and the other five mentors walked toward Sarah’s Clan’s suite they were mentally linked, reviewing the information the ‘Old Ones’ had sent them. They had been surprised when Sarah had asked them to join her clan in their suite that evening. She had sought them out to tell them that the clan had asked Star to make a set of collars for them.

The Mentors knew that none of Sarah’s Clan were aware of the collars’ potential significance. Even they were not fully aware of the impact wearing one would have on the members of the clan. After Sarah’s invitation they had gathered to discuss what they remembered about clan collars, along with the impact on a clan. All of them vaguely remembered that there was something unique about a group collar, but it had been such a long time ago that any of them had thought about it that none of them could remember the specifics. Only Aine had seen a clan wearing them, but she remembered little else about the collars or their affect upon the group. In their clans, prior to becoming mentors, they had been as tightly bonded as Sarah’s, but none had chosen to wear a collar. In fact, no one could remember even considering it as a clan. As a group, they queried the ‘Old Ones’ about the wearing of collars, and why they were interested. In searching Dóchas’s library, they had found quite a bit of information on collar designs, but almost nothing else.

When the mentors arrived at the suite, the door slid open and the children loudly greeted them as they entered. This was followed by a warm welcome from Sarah, her spouses and the nannies.

“Aine,” said Maeve, “have you ever seen anything like this?” Maeve pointed to the fine mesh metal collars lying flat on the table.

“No,” replied Aine. “We have never seen anything like them. A long time ago, I saw a group wearing collars, but it was so long ago that I barely remember it. In fact, it was quite a while after I talked to Sarah before I remembered it at all.”

“Have you looked into the history or background of clan collars?” asked Brigit.

“I did,” responded Aoife. “All I could find was the design information, and a couple of vague references to wearing them. One comment indicated that, once fitted, they were permanent.”

“You did better than us,” said Creidne. “We only found the design information, along with instructions concerning how to put them on.”

“We consulted with the ‘Old Ones’,” continued Aine. “As most of us had a vague memory that there was something unique about a clan wearing collars.”

“Your clan is probably the most unique one we have ever met, and we mean unique in a very positive sense,” continued Eithne. “We can see all of you growing closer together. From our perspective, we now see your group as a single entity with 14 faces. Each facet of your clan has distinct edges, while at the same time it is very evident you are one.”

“Based upon what the ‘Old Ones’ told us,” said Aine, with a bit of envy in her voice, “once a clan closes all the links on the collars, the distinctions between each of you blurs even more. Or, as we see you, the edges of your individual facets of the clan entity will blur. Aoife, your information was correct, once the collars are latched on each of you, they cannot be removed. Why? Because, within a short time they physically become a part of you. Their primary impact upon you and your clan will be to bind you more tightly into a single entity with 14 bodies.”

“How can that be?” asked Maeve.

“Believe it or not, that is something even the ‘Old Ones’ don’t fully understand. What you are planning to do is very rare.”

“So what you are saying,” said Sarah, “is that once we have sealed our collars, we will have a continuous mind-link, and, to an extent, the collars while visible will be absorbed by our bodies.”

“That is what we understand,” said Deidre. “We think the reason it is rare is that it can’t be undone in this life, and that you will all fully share each other’s knowledge, memories etc.”

“So, it is like baring our souls to each other and we should consider it carefully,” said Joyce.

“Oh, yes,” replied Fidelma.

“The ‘Old Ones’ were not surprised by this,” said Tara, “were they?”

“No. They weren’t. We are, nonetheless, apprehensive as to whether this is the right time for your clan to take this step.”

Aoife asked, “What happens if we have another join our clan?”

“What?” responded her spouses while drawing questioning looks from their mentors.

“My sense is that we may gain at least one more spouse.”

“I believe it would proceed in the same way,” responded Aine. “Until they put on a collar, their relationship to all of you would just not be quite as strong. But they should not receive a collar until they are as close as you are to each other now. That will take time.”

“Okay, that makes sense,” responded Sarah’s Clan.

“The ‘Old Ones’ provided more details than was in the library regarding putting the collars on,” said Brigit. “You probably noticed that the collars have 14 latches on them. You will only be able to close a latch in the middle of your collar. Each of the others must be closed by a different member of your clan alternating above and below the first one.”

“We understand your concern,” said Sarah’s Clan, “but we believe this is the perfect thing for us to do.”

As they finished speaking, each collar rose up off of the table and floated toward them. Many of the children murmured at the sight of the collars floating in air. As the collars floated up to their necks, each spouse reached up to assist the telekinetic handling of it. They gently pressed the collar around their neck so that the ends met at their mane. With almost perfect timing, they each closed the middle latch on their collar. Once the first latch was closed, they formed a circle to close the remaining latches. As each latch was closed, they shifted within the circle so that they were behind another spouse. Once all the latches were closed, they kissed and hugged each other before forming a ring, holding hands, with the mentors in the center. Seeing the ring form, the mentors joined hands with each other to stand facing them.

“You came to us as our mentors,” said Sarah’s Clan, “and we are very thankful for that. Beyond that, you have given us love and much, much more. From our perspective, all of you are family, now and forever. We will always be there for each of you.” As Sarah’s Clan had spoken, tears filled each of the mentors’ eyes and rolled down their cheeks.

“Thank you,” said the mentors, in unison.

“Oh, I already like this,” exclaimed Alison. “Our link is so much clearer now, and I thought it was clear before.”

“Yes, it now appears as if all of our individual abilities are now our personal abilities,” said Claudette.

“This gives ‘we are one’ a new meaning,” said Terry.

“Your collars look very beautiful and chic,” said Eithne. “You may want to consider mentioning something about them at dinner.”

“Good idea,” replied Judy. “I suspect some of the other clans will also want collars. I sense that if the circumstances are not right for wearing them, the wearer will have difficulty with them.”

“Judy,” said Alison, “I don’t think that will happen because it seems we are less prone to the ‘me to envy’ syndrome.”

“You’re right Alison, some things are hard to forget. Mentors, are the collars a reflection of our previous depth of bonding, or of how well we fit together?”

“We would suspect it is related to all aspects of your link, and perhaps more,” said Creidne. “The significance of bonding at this level seems to be as well-documented as how leaders in our society come to fill their role.” Several chuckled at the way she worded her response.

“Yes,” said Brigit with a smile, “no one knows the specifics, only that it works. I have seen others attempt to document the history of a group who became leaders with the idea of mimicking them. They were surprised by how quickly their attempt failed.”

“So, does that mean there is a guiding hand behind all of this?” asked Maeve.

“It would seem so,” replied Eithne, “but calling it the guiding hand of a deity, as many of those on Earth would be inclined to do, is flawed.”

The group sat and chatted for several hours, sharing visions and experiences, as the children sat around watching very quietly. It was quite late when Karen and Theresa noticed the children nodding off. The two of them, along with the other nannies, began gathering them up for bed. Their movement caused the discussion to pause as everyone began assisting.

Cathal and Eric were surprised by the crowd in the conference room. Both were expecting a normal update and review of the intelligence information relating to the visit to Earth. Cathal sat back and immediately began reviewing everything they had seen since they arrived. He had just finished sorting through the information, when the Command Staff entered the room.