Page 107, THE SWORD AND THE SICKLE

PART THREE: MEET ME ON NEW MADRID

CHAPTER-ONE

EVEN THE GODS ARE UNAWARE

©2017, Olan L. Smith

Iphigenia spoke for the first time and said, "We sense you're inquisitive. Don't worry, we are unable to read your minds in the temple, and will not read them outside that we may gain your trust. Follow us into the temple that we may plan our strategies." The four led them into the main part of the temple. Walter and William were stunned by the grandeur of the Temple of the Voice, and they were in shock by the beauty of the followers' nakedness. Iphigenia stated further, "We have no shame in our nakedness, and if you like you may return to the showers, so you too may walk naked in our presence; it is up to you."

William Alderman replied, "I do not feel comfortable in the nude, so we will remain fully clothed."

Iphigenia said, "No need for formalities here, we will use your first names William and Walter, is that comfortable to the two of you? If you can shed your formal names, perhaps later you will feel at home and shed your clothing as well. We know you carry no weapons under your clothing, even if you're armed they will not discharge. You will discover we make love both in public and in private, so don't feel uncomfortable is you see couples or groups making love. Everyone here who wears the mark on their ring finger has agreed to be married to the community; this is a choice given them upon the sacred age of consent, which is twelve years of age...our sacred rite of passage into adulthood. If open sex or communal marriage offends you we suggest you avoid those areas where it's practiced. If after spending time with us, you wish to engage in sexual activity with one of our members it's not forbidden, but it must be consensual and with one who bears the mark. In the temple our deacons deal with all matters of disharmony. If you violate any rule and cause discord the deacons will banish you from the temple and all matters of collaboration will end. Is this understood?" Walter and William nodded in agreement. "On the second floor is the war room...we will head there next.

Walter and William spied a group women nearby in the throes of passion, and thought it seemed hedonistic. They wonder how a religious group would allow such behavior, but their inner eye remained unseeing, and their crown chakra closed to the knowledge of the universe. Finally, William asked, "How is it you are so open in your sexuality?"

Reuben answered, "It is not our goal to convert you, just accept it as the way we practice love. Your concept of monogamy is not how God designed the species. You practice serial monogamy, if you can call it monogamy, for most of you cheat. You proclaim to the world you have only one wife...after a period, you may divorce her, and choose another wife, making her wife number two. In the Kingdom to come we will shed these bodies and will have no reason to propagate. In this realm sex serves only as a pleasure we indulge in; sort of like shaking hands, we don't propagate. We are all married in this temple who bears the mark of consent, and this way we mimic how it is in paradise where no one enters betrothal to a single individual. The war room is ahead, and inside we will explain to you our battle plans." The six individual entered the room to find a situation room that is beyond any of the two visitors ever witnessed...it was state of the art with six chairs, and each of their names are carved in the granite walls.

William said, "You knew we were coming when this temple was first designed. Our names are not newly carved."

Greta replied, "We knew of this event since the first particle of the universe was made. The Greta you knew didn't understand, yet she knew. You knew of this day also. It is buried deep within your unconscious mind. It is a matter of opening your mind."

With a strong voice Walter asked, "You mean everything is written out ahead of time and we are just puppets on a string that God pulls?"

Ruben answered, "We can stand here trying explain the workings of the universe, or we can get down to business."

Iphigenia interjected, "My husband, they inquire. We told them we would not force them to believe, and we will not, but they see their names etched in marble and are inquisitive. Dear Walter, if we answer your question you will become one of us, for no person who hears the Voice ever remains unknowing. It is not the will of the Lord that we reveal this secret unless it is the freewill of both. William, do you also want to hear the Voice of God. Do you want to understand the mystery of the universe?"

William answered before Walter could open his mouth, "Of course we want to know. If this story already as an ending then this is a waste of our time, and we might as well give up...fuck the whole thing."

Alicia giggled, and then spoke, "Gentlemen, do you mean just because a book is already written, you would not want to read it? Just because the story is written doesn't mean that you know the ending. We are on page two hundred of the story, and you are already giving up. You are professional security men hired to secure a nation, where is your enthusiasm?"

William replied, "We are not quitters, and it is not quitting if the deck is stacked."

Iphigenia stated, "We are getting off the subject. I asked did you want to know, but you did not comprehend my words. It is not a matter of sleight of hand, William. It is a matter of opening your mind, to understand and hear the Voice, and by your answers I know you are not ready."