Working title: Rosetta Stone

An excerpt from a story I'm working on.  I would appreciate your thoughts ... but be kind.

Introduction:

Those who followed the Prophets could never quite understand that Jesus was the fulfillment of the very prophecies they gave! Born the only son of the Creator, he was the door that opened out from a life of nothingness and damnation and onto a life of Grace, forgiveness and joy. Such is as it had been since the earliest days and was so now. Two schools of belief existed on Erets: The teachings of the Prophets (unfulfilled) and the teachings of Jesus (fulfilled prophecies). True, there were those who followed other paths, even those who claimed to follow no path at all ...but even small children understood that in order to follow no path at all, you were in essence following a path. Even if it was a path to avoid all the other paths. But such were the claims of the people who'd gathered on the steps of the Great Temple. The news had gone out that the Great Commission was coming to its final phase, that having reached all of Erets, the next step was to reach out to the stars.

And so we begin:

It had been long believed that on the many little lights visible in the night sky that God had created worlds where other races lived. People such as the citizens of this world, maybe even people who knew of the God of Heaven and Erets. But such was a leap of Faith that many did not wish to take. “Leave the heavens to God, we have enough issues to deal with here.”

The crowds milling on the Temple steps were a diverse group. Physicians, lawyers, common laborers, skilled tradesmen … even students and housewives were there. Far up in the Temple tower, Pahr stood, looking down at the scene below. This had been a long day for him. The Temple gates were locked tightly, fearing a rush of protesters wanting to force their way into the Temple Gardens shouting for an audience with the Council. Some on the Council still followed the Prophets, though more and more were siding with those following Jesus. The Jesuine councilors, Pahr included, presently held the majority of the seats on the Council. As such it fell to them to choose the path that the Council would follow during their tenure.

Many years prior, the government of Erets had been established. Following the traditions of the Prophets, the council had been established with council members being considered Judges. Much of this history was running through Pahr's mind as he watched the crowds below. His revelry did not last long however as his personal comm crackled to life with the voice of his wife Clariss, “Pahr, should the guards disburse this crowd or do you even see what is going on?” Inwardly Pahr sighed. In so many ways, Clariss was the perfect mate for him, but on rare occasions like this she almost seemed to think less of his ability to even recognize what was going on.

“Not to worry Clariss. The guards have assured me that the gates are more than up to the task of a crowd twice as big as this. We are safe here.”

“But what if they were to force the gate? What if they brought explosives or cutting tools?”

Looking down through his window, Pahr acknowledged that that would indeed be a problem. He however also knew that there was sensory equipment installed in every possible hiding place throughout the Temple complex that would reveal the presence of any substance or tool that could potentially be used against either the Temple or its inhabitants. The system, nicknamed “Samson” had been installed over the years, with additions and revisions made as technology brought new options to the fore. 

 

“Not to worry dearest. Samson is watching. We shall be fine.” A small chuckle could be heard through the his ear piece as Clariss responded, “I sure wish you'd put as much trust in me as you do in that machine.” Clariss' aversion to just about anything mechanical, let alone computerized was a trait Pahr had always considered endearing. He had to admit however that occasionally it was somewhat frustrating. But he reasoned, he was sure he wasn't always a barrel of fun to deal with either.