Virtually Real Page 5

  Eli, in encouraging his v-followers would often impress upon them at this time that the troubles they experienced in their world would be nothing compared to the blessings he would bring them into. He even generated visions for a few so that they could see for themselves something of what it would be like in the future.

  Eli also shared with them that he was in charge of all that they experienced and that each v-person would achieve the full consequences of the direction they chose. Those who trusted him and were selfless would be well served; those who essentially relied on themselves alone and used others would endure consequent pain and loneliness. It was a natural out working of the rules by which the whole project had been set up.

  He also reminded them that each of them carried in their essence a form of ‘genetic’ code which would always exist, and that it only needed to be imparted into a suitable hyperspace energy relationship to be made ‘real’ again. It was by this means, he explained, that their apparent ‘death’ in their present world only represented a transfer of the individual’s embedded codes, from one hyperspace domain to another.

  By this means they would experience continuity of existence beyond the world in which they were now ‘living’.

  Lucas, true to form, replicated all that Eli did but with his own ‘spin’. He too gave some of his v-followers visions and dreams. He implied that Eli was not as powerful as they thought, but that he, Lucas, could give them all they wanted. And he was very successful.

  Many of the v-people found Eli’s exhortations to persevere, to be patient, to believe his promises when all the circumstances seemed to be to the contrary, too much. It was almost a relief, a lifting of oppression when they just let go and followed their self-preserving instincts and emotions as these ebbed and flowed.

  Lucas was so much easier to believe and follow, and it appeared much more enjoyable to have a series of short term gains even if there was long term pain. Thus the pleasures of drugs, sex, violence, and lying were too hard to resist. Sometimes not even Eli’s most devoted followers were able to totally control these passions in themselves but at least they were not given over to them.

  The real world

  Eli gathered his team. By now the original intent of the project had become a personal battle for the loyalty and affections of the v-people to either Eli or Lucas.

  Eli wanted the v-people to come to a clear, open and mutually loving relationship with him so that he would be able to transfer them, through the hyperspace codes, into his own real world. Lucas wanted control and he wanted the allegiance of the v-people toward himself. One sought the allegiance to be by genuine affection; the other by direct or indirect coercion.

  Lucas would use all kinds of allurements, lies and stratagems to get the v-people to either be committed to him or to believe that they were totally independent of anything but themselves – even though it was obvious they were not. Lucas could influence the mental perceptions of the v-people so that they would be blind or confused. Many on Lucas’ team were now actually enjoying, in a perverse way, exercising cruelty on the v-people. They would entice v-people to do inhumane or cruel things to other v-people – especially to those that sought to follow Eli’s way.

  Eli spelled out clearly to v-people the good that they would enjoy if they did right, and the suffering they would experience if they did what was wrong. But Lucas caused confusion of what was right and good and what was wrong and corrupt. There was found in the v-world no one who lived as Eli would have liked – all of them missed the mark!

  All that Eli required of the v-people was that they recognise their inability to do what he required yet want to be right living and to believe that Y’shua had given himself on their behalf. If they believed this, and submitted to his influences as they became aware of them, then he would change the corrupted coding within each of them.

  Even though some of their present behaviour was detestable, they would be changed. Those who were enthusiastic on these things would be given greater blessing in due course; those who took a minimalist approach in seeking to work with Eli would receive minimal rewards. Eli had no favourites, but he was drawn to bestow greater favour on some more than on others.

  Unbeknown to Lucas, Eli had in mind that at the end of the project he would start again. The v-people who pleased him would have their codes re-activated in a new world he would make for them to live in.

  The codes of the others would be activated to another world where the full consequences of self-centredness would be continually experienced – because once the codes were in existence they could not be undone and the time of death in the v-world meant that no further change took place. They would also have the enjoyment of Lucas’ personal presence!

  The enmity between Lucas’ team and Eli’s team continued to grow.

  All human history to that point had been replicated. The v-people had experienced all that humans had experienced up to the ‘now’ point and henceforth the project would seek to predict outcomes for the future.

  The question of an exact representation of Eli and Lucas in the v-world was a point of debate with those involved in the project and it was decided that the project and its real world people would not be a part of the inhabited v-world. Yet there were v-people who had their core codes aligned with Y’shua and though there were weaknesses and transgressions, they were, as far as Eli was concerned, Y’shua’s representation in the v-world.

  Lucas had by now a vicious hatred of all v-people – especially those who in one way or another acknowledged Eli. He was still under some of Eli’s constraints and would use the v-people he controlled for his own purposes. He would even cause images of himself and some of his followers to manifest in the v-world and mix with them. He did not know that the result would be like mixing iron and clay!

  The virtual world

  The countries and nations of the real world were by now fully replicated. The United States had been eclipsed as a super power. Its demise came about in the way of all empires – great and small. The decline started within.

  With prosperity men of principle and integrity declined in numbers and influence, licentiousness and lawlessness grew, family stability became the exception. Corruption undermined her in trade and economics, and after a time of being an unprincipled international bully, the United States was overtaken by China whose military might, economic clout and disciplined, albeit coerced citizenship made it unassailable. In each of the preceding two major wars China had won more territory and influence. Taiwan, Japan and Korea were now puppet states. China ruled with an iron fist and even other South East Asian nations kow-towed to the political whims of Beijing.

  Europe had also extended her influence. The European Community, by a series of political manipulations, managed to destroy national sovereignty in all but name among its member states, and this without the sanction of their peoples. National defence, police and the courts came under the bureaucratic control of the Brussels headquarters, yet some tokens of national identity were retained for illusion. The leader of the European Empire and Middle Eastern Economic Community (known as EEMEC), Antoni Meschiac, is a charming, charismatic, and very deceptive leader of Arabic lineage, but to those who have experienced his displeasure he is known as the ‘Butcher of Brussels’ or the ‘Butcher of Brunei’ depending on the location.

  Antoni knew that without strong government the nationalistic tendencies of the populations would break the power of his empire and with it the corrupt politicians and bureaucrats who are, by now, the equivalent of ruthless medieval war-lords. His own corrupt ‘empire’ and power has to be kept intact, and v-people like Jens, a believer in Y’shua, could influence too many people and set them free from the controlling fear of Brussels his capital: then power would be lost!

  Other nations found themselves at the mercy of either of those two power blocs and were treated as mere pawns. Only the United States kept some autonomy for herself – but that was all she could do. Nuclear devastation had ruined the heartland a
nd the States themselves were barely ‘united’.

  What was universal, however, was a hatred of the followers of Y’shua and the nation of Israel. On the surface the world was in a time of peace and economic co-operation, but underneath the surface good people were crushed and dispirited and many gave up life or gave themselves over to the corrupt anaesthesia the world provided.

  Israel was respected for her skills and wealth but a seething underlying hatred against her seemed to reflect the division between Eli and Lucas though this aspect was generally unbeknown to the v-people.

  Chou Ling Yi, president of the Chinese Republican Empire was calling his counterpart, Antoni in Europe.

  “May your peace continue,” he began with the now universal greeting.

  “And your peace be with you.”

  “Mr Meschiac, I wish for us to meet together privately sometime. I have some issues I would like to discuss before getting either of our officials involved. Would you be interested?”

  “Of course, Chou Yi. I too have been thinking of ways in which our two empires can become more cooperative to our mutual benefit. And I recognise that we, as leaders, have to have a close understanding of each other first. This will enable each of us to keep any foolishness on the part of our officials in check. I would certainly like us to know each other much better.”

  The two of them did not trust or like each other, but each had an uncanny sense of knowing how to keep power and keep their own interests as first priority.

  “Good. I’m glad we understand the need for this meeting. I suggest we meet in relaxing surrounds in a neutral area. Perhaps a country that is civilised but not too sophisticated. I suggest, say, New Zealand. Perhaps near one of their National Parks. I hear they have good scenery, excellent trout fishing and as much solitude as we may require. I’ll have my staff contact yours for the details.”

  “That sounds fine by me. I’ll do the same.”

  And so it was that Antoni and Chou Yi met.

  Chapter 9

  Future Times

  “Ah it’s good to see you, my friend,” said Chou Yi to Antoni. “English still seems to be the language we use on these occasions, but it will probably go the way of your Latin and Greek in time. I already see the younger generation finding it distasteful. We might even hear Mandarin spoken as the universal language.”

  “I see that you are just as expansionist as ever my old friend,” Antoni replied, “But we must not let such predilections detract from the purpose of our meeting. What is it you have in mind that has prompted this occasion in tranquil New Zealand? This country has become such a backwater and doesn’t know whether its best interests are with you or me. But it’s so remote that neither of us needs worry about it. It has almost no strategic value.”

  “I’ll let him think that thought,” said Chou to himself. “If I’m going to completely control Australia I need it to be threatened on as many sides as possible.”

  “I’ll let him think that thought,” said Antoni to himself. “Australia is in our influence and we need it protected on as many sides as possible.”

  “I’m pleased we have this friendship and can talk to each other honestly. What I have in mind, Antoni, is to attain better control of the Middle East. I know it’s mainly under your control and influence but I know that there are many in that hot bed of violence and intrigue that wish to see a greater influence of the Chinese Republican Empire. It is of no use to you or me or our respective empires to be caught into fighting each other through their machinations.

  “Besides, I know you have a hatred of Israel in spite of the warm fuzzy speeches you make in public forums. Israel seems to be very blessed. Her desert produces more than our best land, she has some of the best scientists, holds major patents and always seems to come out the winner in trade and commerce. Ever since her population went through what appeared to be a spiritual conversion and chose to follow this Y’shua she has been an irritation in our side. Always making moral judgements. Her secret service agents always seem to know what we are up to and expose our plans, and discontents in our own lands are being drawn to this Y’shua too. Israel is only a small country but she is causing us too much trouble. With the exception of Egypt, which is becoming just as bad, the whole Middle East wants to see her demise.”

  “What are your thoughts on all this?”

  “You are right Chou Yi. I have pondered this question myself and I believe that it is something in which we have a common cause. But we need to attack on two fronts; undermine their religion and morality, and overwhelm them with military might. This will show our peoples that this Y’shua belief has no real power or influence. Let us meet again tomorrow after considering some tactics. We have to keep this quiet until we are ready.”

  Each of them was thinking. Antoni knew that, though his expanded European Empire included the whole of the Northern Russian regions through to Vladivostok, Chou Yi resented this and would take any opportunity he could to get the Yakut territories north of Mongolia. It was hard enough keeping his Asiatic peoples under control as it was.

  Because of its association with the cold northern regions, and the chill and gloom that pervaded the nations under his cold and ruthless rule, Antoni was sometimes known also as, ‘The King of the North.’

  Chou Yi’s empire extended well below the equator and included many desert areas. And its peoples lived a joyless life. Although his empire had much, its people had little, and Chou Yi was often called the ‘King of the South.’

  Meanwhile in Israel itself Rabbi Moesh Jacov was reading the old books. Moesh was a very devout rabbi and follower of Y’shua. He also spent much time praying and listening to the impressions that Eli gave him. Ever since he decided to totally trust Y’shua to change him where he needed changing and to be obedient, willingly, to his love and promptings, Moesh had an inner peace that he had never experienced before. This was in spite of suffering many painful illnesses, false imprisonment when he visited Rome once and losing his wife after only a few years of marriage. Those who knew Moesh felt the love in him and saw in his eyes the acceptance that only suffering can produce. They knew he did not accept any behaviour that dishonoured his God or, for that matter, dishonoured any other person.

  Although now over 80 years old, Moesh had come to be respected by the government of Israel and was a special friend of Judah ben David the Prime Minister.

  Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand against the Lord and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters...”

  As he read these words he had an uneasy sense of their relevance for Israel at that time. Everything appeared peaceful. Trade was good, and apart from some political rhetoric and sabre rattling among neighbouring states there was nothing serious for the country to be concerned about. Its people felt secure. But Moesh could not get these words from his mind.

  “El what are you saying to me? Why do these words keep coming back to me?” he prayed.

  “These words are true. Already the King of the North and the King of the South are sitting at the same table and lying to each other. Israel is in danger and the plots are only just beginning.”

  Moesh was startled at the clarity with which El impressed on him the events that were even now taking place.

  The project

  There was much excitement in the project team. Eli had called them all together – including Lucas and his key workers.

  Eli addressed them all. “I have called you all here because of what we have now started in this project. For the first time we have witnessed our ability to replicate, in a virtual reality world, all the existing situations that we humans have found ourselves in right up to the present time. This includes the developing political situation in the world.

  “But more than that, we are now speeding up the outworking of future events in the hope that the predictions will enable us to change course where disaster looms and to enhance
blessing and peace where we see the conditions that can bring that about.

  “Any questions?”

  “Yes.” called someone at the back, “Are we just to let the experiment run from now on or are we to actively participate in influencing the v-people, and outworking their beliefs?”

  “Will this project only show us the inevitable outcome of the human race or will it, because of freedom of choice, make the outcome indeterminate?” called out another.

  Meanwhile Lucas, who had been invited, pondered the implications. He well knew that though Eli was always fair, he seemed to always have more understanding and insight of the workings of the project than he conveyed. For all his skills and sharpness of mind, Lucas sometimes was not sure that he could outplay Eli. But his followers must never be aware of these doubts.

  “What are your answers, Eli?” Lucas smiled.

  “First,” Eli replied, “I want you all to know that you are to continue exactly the same as you have been in working through the past. This has produced accurate replications of all the pressures, thoughts and feelings experienced by the virtual people and the actions they have taken as a result. This has brought us to where we are now.

  “Even your work and your ways have contributed to this outcome Lucas!”

  Lucas was not sure if Eli was genuine or if there was a slight hint of derision in his voice. He only knew that his anger at Eli was growing. Eli wanted free will outcomes whilst he wanted total control – that was the difference.

  Eli continued, “What you will see, will represent in the virtual world, the inevitable outcome for all of us as human beings. What we do not yet know is how long it will take and who, of the v-people will belong to me and who of the v-people will belong to Lucas. Already each of us has the final codes of many of the v-people who have died and these will again be activated in a different setting. Some will have a new life of joy, a sense of well-being and belonging; and the others ... Well Lucas understands.”