D. MacHale - Raven Rise

Naymeer surveyed the site proudly. “Not long ago this area was littered with derelict warehouses and ramshackle homes. Now it is owned and controlled by Ravinia. I’m going to call it ‘Horizon One.’”

“What are you making?” Courtney asked. “A mall?”

Naymeer chuckled. “This is the first of several compounds that are being constructed to house the people we refer to as Horizon Class. We will provide simple single-family homes, recreation, shopping, hospitals-everything they will need to live comfortable lives.”

“And all be surrounded by a big fat wall to keep them inside,” Mark said somberly.

“You make it sound like a prison,” Naymeer countered. “It isn’t. The Horizon Class will live normal lives. Most will work outside the compound. It will be their choice to live here or not, though they would be wise to come here, for there will be nowhere else for them to go. Slums will be razed to make way for progress. There will be no more poverty, for there will be no place to harbor the poor. Eventually there will be immense compounds like this built all over this country, and then the world. It is a model that will be copied throughout Halla.”

Mark and Courtney shot him a look.

“You’re serious,” Courtney said in awe. “This isn’t just about here, it’s about Halla.”

“That is what I have been telling you!” Naymeer said with excitement. “Once societies are free to flourish without restriction, we will truly achieve paradise.”

Mark frowned. “So everybody who isn’t pulling enough weight will be thrown into these compounds so they won’t interfere with progress.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” Naymeer agreed.

“They’ll be treated like cattle,” Mark groused.

Naymeer shrugged. “The choice is theirs.”

“No, it isn’t!” Courtney shouted. “The choice is yours! This isn’t a housing compound, it’s a concentration camp! What happens when overcrowding becomes a problem? Or disease? Or crime?”

Naymeer gave them a dark look. “Those who cause problems will be marginalized.”

Courtney winced. Mark balled his fists.

“Earth is actually behind the curve,” Naymeer said lightly. “Things have progressed further on Denduron, but life is far less complicated there. Change will be brought about with much less fuss.”

“Denduron?” Courtney exclaimed. “What’s happening there?”

“Every territory will have its own spiritual leader,” Naymeer explained. “As each Traveler is cast aside, they will be replaced by a Ravinian, who will guide the world toward its new and greater destiny. I believe the name of the fellow on Denduron is Rellin.”

Courtney felt dizzy. Things were coming at her too fast.

“And everyone will answer to Saint Dane,” Mark declared, stunned.

“Of course,” Naymeer said with a shrug, as if that went without saying. “After all, this is his vision. He is the architect. We are merely devout followers who believe in his plan.”

“Why are you telling us all this?” Mark asked. He had to work to control his voice from turning into a cry. “You know we’ve been helping Bobby to stop Saint Dane.”

“I was hoping to appeal to your common sense,” Naymeer answered. “You have played as large a part in this revolution as anyone. You are acolytes. You could be instrumental in shaping the future of Earth.”

“You can’t be serious,” Courtney said, incredulous.

“Let me show you one more thing,” Naymeer said, heading down the scaffold stairs.

Courtney and Mark stayed on the scaffold, staring at the expanse that would become Horizon One.

“This is it,” Courtney said softly to Mark. “This is Saint Dane’s vision for Halla. He wants to create an elite society at the expense of the common man.”

“It’s more than that,” Mark said. “Saint Dane is taking away people’s ability to control their own lives.”

“Coming?” Naymeer called as he strode toward his limo.

Mark and Courtney had no choice but to follow. They climbed down, got in the car, and rode the rest of the way in silence. Their destination wasn’t a surprise. When the car finally stopped, they found themselves in front of the Sherwood house in Stony Brook. Naymeer’s home. The location of the second flume.

Naymeer’s black Lab ran up to meet his master. The dog was all wags and smiles as Naymeer petted him lovingly.

“I thought people who liked dogs were the good guys,” Courtney said caustically.

“Having the strength and vision to make difficult decisions doesn’t make me a bad person, Courtney.”

“Depends on the decisions you make,” Mark countered.

Naymeer shrugged and looked to one of his red-shirt guardians. “Bring them to my study.”

Naymeer hurried off toward the front door, his dog running alongside obediently,

Courtney looked at Mark and frowned. “Where’s a quig when you need one?”

They were escorted into the house and brought to a warm, wood-paneled room near the front door. Mark and Courtney had been there before. When it was empty. Before things changed. Naymeer sat down behind a large mahogany desk. Wooden bookcases were lined with leather-bound books. A welcoming fire crackled in the fireplace. Naymeer’s dog was already curled up in front of it.

“Inspiteof what you might think, I am not a monster,” Naymeer said, taking on the friendly grandfather role once again. “I truly believe in the vision of Ravinia. Every world of Halla is flawed. You cannot deny that. Our vision is to mold Halla into aUtopiawhere there will be no wars. No strife. No prejudice. It is not a bad thing to encourage greatness.”

Mark said, “Sure, so long as it’s not at the expense of everyone else.”

Naymeer stood and rounded his desk toward them. “You of all people should understand, Mark. You are brilliant. You are the father of the dados.”

Mark winced as if Naymeer had hit him.

“We are on the verge of something wonderful here,” Naymeer continued. “When the United Nations General Assembly convenes, they will vote to make Ravinia the world’s spiritual leader. Many, many people agree with our way of thinking. Once we are validated by the UN, there will be no stopping the change. We offer something that everyone so desperately wants. Clarity.”

Naymeer held up the ring in front of Mark.

“This is what allowed it to happen,” he explained. “This is proof that life is greater than our own singular world. This is what people believe in. They will not be disappointed.”

“I’ll ask again,” Mark said, seething. “Why are you telling us this?”

Naymeer walked to the far corner of his study. “I am a wealthy man,” he continued. “Donations to Ravinia are staggering, as you might imagine. It isn’t enough. Not if we are to expand throughout the globe.”

“What do you want?” Courtney chided. “A donation?”

“Something like that” was Naymeer’s strange answer. He stopped at a closed door that might have been a closet. “I want you to join me. Given time, I believe you will understand that my way of thinking, our way of thinking, is the only way to ensure a peaceful Halla for all eternity. To expedite matters, I suppose you could say I do indeed need a donation.”

Mark looked to Courtney. The two burst out laughing.

“Sure!” Mark laughed. “I’ve got a couple of bucks.”

Naymeer smiled. “You have much more than that.”

He opened the closet door. Mark gasped. Courtney held on to him for strength. What they saw inside the closet…was Mark.

“I had some very good financial advice many years ago,” Naymeer continued, enjoying the reaction his revelation caused. “I invested in a company that showed great promise. You may have heard of it. Keaton Electrical Marvels.”