Chaos Mortalitus (3 page)

My mother is an amazing woman and an even better parent always supporting my art and choices in life, even those that hindered my progress. She is a psychologist, so along with my father; they make for a most interesting couple. I place my cell phone on a level rock in front of me and try and find a dry spot to sit. The earpiece activates as I wait for my mother to answer her end. Once she picks up the phone generates a holographic display of her in high definition. We speak freely as if she's joined me on the beach this morning.

"Hey mom, how are you this morning?"

"Hi Ash, I'm fine, how are you?" She asks. "Excited about tonight?"

"Yeah, I've actually had something else on my mind though mom. Something's goin' on, I've just had a bad feeling." I reply, doing my best to stress my concerns without worrying her too much.

She pauses for a moment before responding. "You're probably just stressed, it's been a lot to take in lately. With all this hype going on with your art show, no wonder you're having doubts. Don't worry, you'll do great, I'm so proud of you and your father is too!"

"I suppose you're right, I've just been a little worried. I want you guys to know I love you both, with all my heart. You have always been great parents to me, thank you for your support."
I say, as if it might be my last chance
.

"Look, I can tell you're upset but not another worry, we'll discuss it tonight. Your father and I should be there around seven or so. We'll see you then, we love you Ash." She says, with a mother's tone.

"See you tonight."

"Bye for now sweetheart." She replies as she clicks off and the display fades away.

Returning my cell phone to my pocket, I stare out onto the Pacific Ocean for a while getting lost in my daydreams. In the corner of my eye at the edge of the horizon, I see a glowing dot just sitting there flashing. Strange at first, I just assume it's a boat or something as I decide its time to get this show on the road. Standing up, I stare for a moment longer at the glowing dot as it remains in the spot on the horizon and then dust off my pants, heading back to the front of the beach. On my way I hit a button on my cell phone to have my car meet me in the parking lot.

Continuing up the shoreline, back to a fast paced world taking small strides as I breathe in the ocean air, listening to the sounds of life in motion. Passing the same iron posts from my childhood, their paint a now faded red chipping away slowly with the shoreline's erosion. My car an automated coupe, sits in the parking lot waiting for my arrival. Jet-black, my car is a green vehicle as are most vehicles these days, emission friendly. Our generation missed out on the hot rod of the past, though they still exist; the price is ridiculous in upkeep. We all pitch in to undo the effects of global warming our forefathers left for us.

"Passenger door open." I ask as I approach my car. The passenger door opens upward as I crouch down to sit inside, with my car's processor linked to the Omega System. Automated vehicles came about around 2016 A.D.; the technologies first application was military in 2011 A.D. Cars of today run on hydrogen and electricity and solar cars are beginning to pick up momentum as well. Super processing units are the brains of the operation linking all vehicles through the Omega Global Network. Vehicles can travel at high speeds and high volume without incident.

Since its application in 2016 A.D., globally there have been four thousand and twenty six vehicular deaths worldwide, based on road hazards or acts of God. I program a daily schedule of locations through my direct link to Omega so that my commands are kept to a minimum. Usually I just want to collect my thoughts and relax when driving. "Omega, take me to scheduled locations and play mix one."

"Yes Mr. Mortal."

Attack choppers circle high overhead as Tyler Morgan slowly turns the ignition off on the speedboat that floats silently in open water on the Pacific. Surrounded on all sides, the cavalry closes in on the singular target as images from the last twelve hours riddle through his mind. His heart has fury to its beat, for there was so little time for strategy. Quickness of breath while he tries to calm his adrenaline filled nerves as the United States militaries have cornered him. With courage he made it this far, watching his dear friend leave his home on 4983 Utopia Drive only hours ago.

He was quick to his doorstep holding the package close, walking the path destiny has chosen and truly today is the beginning of something beyond imagination. "KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM OR YOU WILL BE SHOT!" A voice says over a loudspeaker, with all iron sights locked on target.

"Here we go." Tyler replies lifting his hands into the air.

CHAPTER: 2

THE PYRAMID

Tensions flare in a dark interrogation room poorly lit with a central light that rocks gently with the ocean currents. Tyler Morgan sits shackled to a chair at a stainless steel table as two mysterious dark figures hover, drilling him with synchronized attacks. "Where is the Payload Tyler?! Where have you taken it?!" One of the soldiers says with a stern voice. "Do you realize your implication in all this?!"

"Being a matter of national security, you can be held indefinitely…without trial. Hell they can even try you for treason and then its all gas for you buddy!" The other soldier adds with a smirk.

Tyler looks up blinking steadily from the flickering light swaying above, his senses sharpened patiently refined. Mirrored glass in the back of the room camouflages the interrogation while a group of military personnel review a comprehensive analysis of Tyler's mannerisms during the procedure. Strangely enough the harden tactics have no effect on the man. "This is God's plan, for all of us, even the both of you. Can't you see it, the approach of destiny? I've seen revelations, I've seen what the fates might hold and your eyes will watch the heavens change as trumpets roar by the thousand, a new age approaches." Tyler replies with a strong voice.

"Keep tellin' yourself that bud! Keep in mind this isn't a joke smart ass. You're in a whole lot of trouble. This isn't a traditional branch of the government, we have no restrictions of any kind, meaning bad news for you Mr. Morgan, really bad news." The soldier says swinging across the table striking Tyler in the face, causing his head to jet downward with a spray of blood. "TELL US WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW DAMN YOU!!!"

"Greg, chill out!" The other soldier yells to his comrade.

"I've seen it… so will you… do what you will, I'm done with these questions." Tyler replies softly and turns his head away, shutting himself down in a sense.

Staring back at Mr. Morgan ominously, the two soldiers realize this man has no intentions of giving them the information they need. The two men exit the interrogation room and walk down a long hallway with piping catwalks over head. Coming to a stop in front of a double doorway at the end of the hall, they open the door and enter the room. Inside they find an older man standing in front of a fireplace in a large office. A fire rages as the man calmly stands sipping a glass of scotch, three ice cubes.

The man turns to the soldiers revealing an aged face with a dark stare. Sloshing the ice cubes about, the man sits in an executive recliner. "So we have potentially the biggest discovery of all time sitting in the other room, locked away in a madman's mind." The mysterious man says.

"Sir, Mr. Morgan isn't cooperating, he can't be broken Sir." One soldier says standing firmly at attention. "All his mannerisms report normal, he's a rock Sir."

"Any man can be broken, you need only find his weak points and apply pressure. First and foremost let's review here. Eight weeks ago a small object entered our atmosphere at speeds defying all known aviation physics as we know them. Upon entry, the object appeared a hundred miles off the coast of Southern California, reducing its speed to a complete halt and remaining stationary."

"The objects radar signature then began to expand instantaneously while still holding a stationary position. Our vessel, the U.S.S Solitude was first on scene, confirming the presence of this pyramid now on the ocean surface. Out of nowhere this small object came to Earth and turned into a pyramid on the ocean surface. Reports say it's almost twice the size of Egypt's Great Pyramid, and composed of an unidentified crystal like material." The mysterious man continues using subtle hand signals.

"Sir, is there no word on the composition of the structure?" One of the soldiers asks.

"None so far. The entire area has been sealed off by our military, including airspace as we are trying to keep a lid on this thing. We are the only government currently having any dealings with the pyramid. I've talked to the President and we've discussed our plans to evaluate this objects threat level to the National Security of the United States of America."

"On first approach of the object the assumed entrance seemed to be open. First excavation team infiltrated and determined autonomous delivery as no signs of life were found inside. Inside the main chamber our team reported unknown markings, similar to hieroglyphics and a cylinder shaped centerpiece standing eight feet high. The cylinder has twelve rings, with each moving right or left, designed to line up under a center marker, similar to a modern day combination lock."

"Each ring has a thousand symbols on it, making twelve thousand total. Our combination specialist is saying that not knowing the meanings of the symbols associated with the language has produced a stalemate and for weeks now this pyramid has sat silently waiting for Mr. Morgan. Gathering the top minds in the fields necessary to evaluate this extra terrestrial object was our first agenda. Leading archeologist Tyler Morgan is brought in based on his extensive study and ability in deciphering ancient languages."

"Late last night Mr. Morgan somehow manages to break into the pyramid site undetected and unlock the cylinder using the mysterious combination for the twelve rings. We believe Tyler retrieved an unknown object we have codenamed The Payload. He then steals a military speedboat and makes it back to the mainland of San Diego. He is gone for five hours until he is apprehended returning in the stolen boat. After a thorough search nothing of interest is found, so at this point we know he took something from inside the cylinder object."

"He then dropped the object codenamed The Payload, off somewhere not far from the shoreline and was then apprehended and is now sitting one hundred feet down the hall. Would you say that about sums everything up gentlemen?" The aged man's presence is daunting as the soldiers take in the current events.

"We also know he made a transmission to someone from the ship just before acquiring the boat to the mainland. Mr. Morgan has encrypted the transmission so at most it will take us twelve to sixteen hours to get the information." One of the soldiers adds.

The aged man stares at the soldiers for a moment shaking his head. "You can't write shit this good, for God's sake, we are the United States government. FUCKING FIX THIS NOW!" The mysterious man's tone escalates as he throws his drink into the fire.

I hear the car come to a stop at Super Burger, a place Angela and I have loved for years now. A small building, family operated, not quite a sit down diner, definitely not fast food, where the staff knows your name by face, sharing your experiences in life, a friendship even. I sit in the parking lot realizing I'm a bit ahead of schedule. Angela should be here shortly, so I decide to give my partner a call to make sure the gallery show is on schedule. "Omega, open a video transmission to Kalden Skamar."

"Yes Mr. Mortal." Omega responds.

The seats in my car face inward in the front and rear, the center console a counterpart linked to the Omega System in my home. I sit rear middle usually, something about going forward and facing backward that doesn't agree with me. A holographic touch screen window appears centered in front of me. Kalden picks up the call and I get a direct video feed to him. "Hello my friend, how are you?" Kalden says, greeting me with a bow.

"I'm good, just waiting on Angela. We're grabbin' some lunch at Super Burger before we head to the gallery."

"I don't see what your interest is in that place, every time we eat there I end up in the bathroom for an hour." Kalden says humorously.

Four years ago I met Kalden Skamar, an amazing fine artist with works nothing short of inspirational. Using multiple mediums and original techniques that imply artistic genius. Kalden is thirty-three and enjoying the single life, absolutely devoted to our art studio and the name it represents, Skamar & Mortal Art Company. A Tibetan Buddhist, Kalden grew up in Dharslama India with the Tibetans in exile until the age of fifteen, when he was sent to a prestigious art institute in London for display of his superior artistic talent.

He remained at the institute until he was twenty-four years old, when he moved to California and built his own private studio. Kalden's art styles are very 20
^th
century, still using a very traditional approach, captivating the viewer through use of color and texture. It was late in the summer of 2021 A.D. that Kalden first came to me having seen my work through a mutual acquaintance. With ideas and concepts I'd never heard of, he brought a new sense of art into my life, with his views on Buddhism helping corral a widely arrogant point of view I had generated over time.

Such amazing man giving as much as possible from his success to the Tibetan men, women and children still living in exile. "Well everything looks like it's going well Ash, I expect a large turn out tonight. Oh, I got that lighting issue taken care of in your exhibit." Kalden says with a smile.