C ore Beliefs - Chapter 58 - The Second Meeting of Dlrow Wen

Core Beliefs – Chapter 58 - The Second Meeting of Dlrow Wen

When Matt’s team returned from Africa, there was a backlog of tasks to complete.

 Matt, Ling, and Timmy headed to Wichita to help prepare for the second assembly of the Council of Dlrow Wen. In Matt’s mind, the meeting had tremendous potential for progress, but also the possibility of everything coming unglued.

One joy helped keep Matt from fretting too much on the 16th. Suchet’s birthday. Matt wanted to take time to be with the brilliant man whom Matt held in such high regard.

The following day, Saturday, March 17th, dawned overcast but not rainy. Pitched next to the garden at Armonia House stood a large tent.

By 10:30, cars began arriving. People from the first meeting greeted each other. Thirty minutes later, other cars turned into the drive and were directed to parking spots. These were the new invitees, among them Senator Saulman Coldwell and his family.

The casual atmosphere belied the significance of the gathering. Matt watched from the upstairs window of his room, Ling by his side.

“What have I done?” Matt asked. “A year ago, we were talking pipedreams and what-ifs. I’ve pushed us headlong into a corner where the whole thing could blow up in my face!”

His eyes darted across the yard, picking out the individuals he trusted and those he hoped would not bring this dream crashing to ruin.

“Matt,” Ling whispered. “You only have to ask one question.”

He turned to her. The soft smile on her face gave him comfort. Air eased from his chest.

“Do you believe in what you hope to accomplish?”

He gazed into her eyes. She always knew how to cut through the BS.

“Yes.”

“Then we have no choice. Let’s go change the world.”

At noon, Chris, Suchet, Charlotte, and Doug ushered everyone into the tent and asked them to find their assigned seats. The tables were lined up in rows, facing the front, where a small platform had been erected.

Joe stepped up to the platform and asked for everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, particularly those who join us for the first time, welcome.

“As we begin, it is important to acknowledge that we are dedicated to certain core beliefs. I would like you to join me as we recite these.”

The words were projected onto a large screen beside the platform.

“All human life is precious and valuable.”

The group recited the phrase in unison with Joe.

“There is no just reason to willingly take the life of a human being.”

Again, the voices responded together.

“All technology should be used only for the betterment of life.”

“The creators of technology are morally responsible for its use.”

***

Though Senator Coldwell had not heard these before, he immediately saw how they fit with everything he and Matthew had discussed.

***

A buffet was opened, and after everyone had served themselves and finished most of their meal, Matt took the platform.

“Good afternoon, my friends. I am indeed glad to see each of you again and also to welcome those who are joining us for the first time. I want to start where we left off at our last meeting and give you a report on some of our ongoing activities. Afterward, we will invite anyone who wishes to join us on a tour to see the updates to the facility.

Matt recapped the trip to Africa, “We left a power supply and converter set to generate water.”

He described how Dr. Kumar and Dr. Martin had wondrously camouflaged the equipment into an old refrigerator. There were smiles and scattered laughter. Matt continued talking about the work of the Morgans and other aid workers, and the point of desperation in the camp prior to the trip. He added that he had received a report that morning that the camp would soon pick the first food these people had grown for themselves in three years.

“Though these measures are insufficient,” Matt said, “there is hope where once only despair existed, and I am very proud of all who helped make it possible.”

Next, Matt went into the purchase of the island. He didn’t mention the amount or location, but he did advise that they had people on the island working to develop it.

Suchet climbed the steps next and talked about continued improvements to the power supply. He pulled the unit Matt had shown the senator from his pocket, picked up a large extension cord, and plugged it in. All about the tent, thousands of lights sprang to life. The response exploded instantaneously as the assembly rose and applauded.

Chris stood next, highlighting the converter technology, and advised that more complex molecules had been produced and more research remained.

Again, enthusiastic applause rocked the tent.

Matt returned to the platform, and Ling joined him.

“I have an offer for each of you,” he said. “It’s not eternal life, but it could extend your life to unknown lengths.” The room grew absolutely quiet. “Over the last year, we’ve worked and developed a method that will allow your body to perpetually heal itself.

“There are, however, some side effects. You will feel good all the time, and you won’t be able to take any more sick days.”

There was a roar of laughter. He raised his hands, and quiet returned.

“Your mind will become far sharper regarding both memory and cognitive functions. You will remember everything, and you will have to deal with everything that has ever happened in your life, along with the emotions that go with it.

“This is not to be taken lightly. I can tell you from personal experience that suppressed emotions can kill you.”

There was no laughter or applause this time. Matt looked at Ling, and she nodded.

“Finally, you cannot bring children into the world unless both you and your partner have had the treatment. If you impregnate a woman who has not been treated and does not get the treatment, she will die! If you, as a woman, become pregnant and do not have your unborn child treated, it will die before birth.”

Matt took a few seconds to look around the room to make sure his words were understood. “As I said earlier, this is serious and not to be taken lightly.

“I have not set any rules other than that children already born will not be allowed to receive the treatment until they reach the age of eighteen, and that each recipient will go through an orientation process prior to receiving the treatment.”

Matt’s voice became softer, “We believe that this has the potential to heal many diseases and offers great hope to the world, and over time, we want to make it a reality for all humanity.”

Ling spoke, “We also believe we need to start somewhere, and that place is here with you. We request that you carefully consider what has been said. Think of your family, for you may outlive brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, and possibly your children.

“In spite of the longevity, there will come a day when you will have decided that you have lived long enough, or the body finally decides for you that it no longer wishes to go on.

“If you would like to discuss this further, meet us in the family room in the house after this meeting.”

The mood was thoughtful, and the silence held as Matt and Ling left the platform.

“I know that even for us who have been a part of this for a while,” Joe took the platform, “it all can be overwhelming. Starting in 15 minutes, we will have a question-and-answer session in this tent, chaired by Dr. Christopher Martin, Dr. Suchet Kumar, Mr. Douglas Lehman, and Mrs. Eleanor Coblentz Lehman. As many of you know, they are the heart and soul of our research effort. I wish to advise that there are areas they will not discuss; therefore, if they advise that a question is out of bounds, I ask that you respect their position. Withholding information is as much for your protection as theirs.”

The meeting broke up, and Matt walked over to Senator Coldwell, his wife, and their son. They shook hands.

“I had no idea,” the senator said, “and still cannot comprehend what I’ve heard.”

Before Matt could answer, the son, now seventeen, asked, “Is this real? I mean, it all sounds impossible.”

“At one time,” Matt said, “sailing across the Atlantic Ocean was impossible. It was thought that if you sailed too far, you would fall off the edge of the world.

Matt smiled, “People once believed it was impossible to go into space, but we are in space. The fact is, impossible is a word for those who have given up on dreams.” Matt grasped the young man’s shoulder. “We choose to believe that nothing is impossible and that it is in each of us to discover new worlds beyond our wildest imagination. We succeed because we do not believe in failing.”

“Wow!” the son replied. “Way deep. I like it.”

“When Saulman told me that we were coming,” the senator’s wife, Merriam, said, “and that it would be the most enlightening day in my life, I thought he was bringing me to some motivational conference, but Mr. Lehman, all I can say is I agree with what you stand for and will support you any way I can.”

“I suggest you take the tour,” Matt said. “There will be time later to talk about other things. By the way, Saulman, there are no corporate presidents, university professors, or senators here. We’re all just people.”

“I think I like it that way,” Saulman said.

Matt headed for the house, and the senator and his family stayed to hear the technology discussion.

The conversations in both meetings had intensity but did not get emotional. The technology meeting focused on identifying applications to implement the new technology without drawing attention. They listed several good possibilities with implementation requirements. Chris and Doug discussed measures taken on all technology to prevent tampering and to render the equipment unidentifiable.

They completed the session, and Suchet advised that transport would arrive shortly to take them to the facility.

***

Matt’s group included Matt, Ling, and Charlotte as they fielded questions from about fifteen attendees. Charlotte discussed the psychological aspects and the need to ensure people were mature and fully in control of their egos. She advised that risking one’s life because you thought you would heal fast was foolish. “The reality remains that you can still die of stupidity.” Her eyes peered hard at each of those present.

Ling asked anyone who wished to pursue the idea of receiving the treatment to fill out a form.

“We will be contacted in the coming months,” Ling said. Murmurs began, and questions spontaneously erupted from the group. In essence, the session was just starting.

***

Elvin Coblentz pulled a rented bus to the front of Armonia House, and most of the attendees boarded.

The bus rolled out, heading for the silo.

‘So, this is where it’s happening,’ the senator thought to himself as the bus pulled up to the metal building.

It took multiple trips to ferry everyone down the elevator, the newest members going first, including the senator’s family, Rubin Coruthers, his wife, and two children, as well as several others. Ellie guarded the hidden door, gathered the children, and whispered the magic word to them.

“On three.” She said, “One. Two. Three!”

“Open Sesame,” they shouted. The wall magically started to withdraw and fold back. The pearlescent tunnel was revealed. One of the “Fantastic Four” led each group.

Those who had seen the tunnels before were still mesmerized. The new attendees gaped in wonder. They were guided through the various areas, then trekked along a long descending passage, emerging into a huge room.

Suchet cited the dimensions: “150 feet in diameter and 100 feet high, with a 14-inch titanium shell.” His hands gesturing.

“The space will serve as a primary chamber for a series of new, exciting experiments,” Suchet advised.

The chamber didn’t have a continuous luminescent ceiling; instead, it had luminous strips of light that curved from the dome’s peak down the walls, like the arms of a starfish.

“It’s about time to leave,” Matt announced. “Remember, everything you’ve seen and heard is committed to secrecy.” People filed out, many shaking his hand, others hugging him.

“Whatever we can do, we will,” Saulman said as his family passed by.

After the last person left, Ellie changed the password.