Updated – August 25, 1998
Fate or Free Will
Chapter 1 - Part A
October 26, 1997 - Akashic temple - somewhere in California
With the first rumbling and explosion, everyone assumed that an earthquake was occurring. Their had been so many earthquakes in the past weeks that it was becoming an overlooked fact of life. Salan heard these sounds and instantly knew it was from weapons' fire. He quickly acted to move everyone out of the large dining hall of the temple.
When he’d awoken that morning, he thought it was cruel fate to end up having to get kitchen duty. He had complained to his mentor and friend Master Soo Tzu the night before. Now he saw he wasn’t the only one at the temple who was going to have a bad day today.
At this early time of the morning, the youngest students used the dining hall, all around twelve years in age. He ushered the children to the back of the temple, away from the weapons’ fire. He wondered who would attack the temple. From the sound of the weapons, it was some sort of high-powered artillery. He began to feel a quickening in his heart. He hadn’t felt this way in years. He almost laughed at how easily the sounds he heard and his imagination drove him into a past he had hoped to leave behind.
None of the children understood what had driven Salan to such agitation. They continued down the temple’s stone halls and posed questions to him about what was happening. As the other masters and students appeared from various rooms in the halls, he yelled warnings to them. He reached another student like himself, Indoros. Salan handed the children over to him and told him to take them out through the escape routes the elders had set. Indoros seemed in a state of total shock and stood frozen. Salan grabbed the man and firmly stared into his eyes yelling his orders again. Now he acted and began to lead the kids out towards the exit of the temple.
When they were out of sight, Salan grabbed a master running past him, to the sound of the continuing fire.
He yelled over the explosions saying, “Where is Master Soo? Are the defensives going well?”
The man nodded to him saying, “He and the rest are meeting in the front to hold them back. It is not going well Serene Falcon. It is the Technocracy. They are going to kill us!” He seemed quite frantic then he calmed. “We will try to hold them until the younger ones are able to escape. You should join us now.”
He let the man go and began running with him to reach Soo and the other masters. As they reached the main entrance he saw that nine masters, including Soo, were in deep meditation. The nine men sat in a small circle before this doorway. An eerie golden haze covered the large entranceway. The man he had arrived with stepped over to the focused masters and relieved Soo of his place in the circle. Soo was an older, tall, and sturdy man that one could only guess at the age of. Soo stood and grimly looked at Salan. As he walked to Salan he ushered him to the further hallway to speak.
“The Technocracy is starting to break through our defensives. They will soon enter the temple. James, I need you to check the sleeping quarters for any children that may have hidden from the explosions.”
Salan was somewhat surprised at the request. “Sir? I thought I should be here. Ready to stand with you for a last stand.”
Soo sternly frowned at his prized student saying, “No! It is the duty of no man to die. We stand here to save lives, not to give ours up. If we are to suffer, I need you to help make it a reasonable sacrifice.”
Struck by the words, he bowed to his mentor and turned to run as Soo spoke, “Remember this lesson.”
He ran down the halls again as the explosions continued to ceaselessly spread across the exterior of the building. He was amazed that it was able to stand so soundly. He knew it was only possible due to the power and focus of the ten men that now fought to focus their combined will at deterring the antagonists outside. He swore he’d get the others out. Then he’d get back in to help. Or maybe he could go around behind the Technocrats and see what he could do. It would be interesting; he’d never seen one of their soldiers up close.
Suddenly, a section of the ceiling collapsed behind him, they were almost in. He would have to act fast if he were going to get back for the fun. Fun, hardly the word.
He had begun the day thinking he was having a bad day. He realized he was no longer alone in this.
*****
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