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54: The Envoy
Hadar sailed along through space, running along her previously determined route along the Gamilon perimeter. All was quiet here, this far out into the void. The near stars shone brightly and did not twinkle as they did when looked upon by one standing planet-side, their beaming brightness dimmed only by the years that separated them from the observers.
Here, time did not seem as important as it had before they began this interminable journey. Only Masterson Talan kept careful track of the days as they rolled past.
Most of the crew were aware of what was transpiring back home, but few, if any, knew the true extent of it.
Erats was to be overthrown, her people slaughtered or cast out. This was now common knowledge among many of the had also become common knowledge was that Gamilon itself was decaying, dying a slow death, and that, within five or six years, the world would be unlivable.
Public opinion was grudgingly in favor of the Leader's plans to pursue finding a new home, though the general populace did not know that that "new home" was to be Erats itself.
There were those who opposed the venture for various reasons, and there were many who had already fled Gamilon to find refuge on other worlds.
The people were in a state of uneasy compliance. With the recent strike on the palace by the zealots and their subsequent, rather humorous, defeat, the fear of the Guardiana followers had – for now – almost disappeared. Coupled with that, the Malha had seemingly disappeared from Gamilon again, which severely helped the situation, though no one really knew what would happen if she decided to appear again.
Pondering all of this, Masterson gazed once more out at Kochav Melek and wondered, "How will it end, my Lord? How long... how long will he be allowed to go his own way before he must come face to face with himself?" His sad eyes sank from the brilliant star down to the base of the viewport he faced, the visage of Desslok burned into his somber mind.
He closed his eyes, blocking out the darkness of his quarters only to replace it with the darkness of his solitude. And, suddenly, in that moment of darkness, he remembered the one important thing that he, in horror, realized he had forgotten in his misery and shock at recent events.
"I am not alone, for Thou, Adonai, art with me. Thou knowest the way that I take and hast set before me the path I must trod now in this moment," he nearly wept as he thought it, "I have spoken with You, my Lord, but I have not consulted You – not as I should have," he held his face in his hands, "Help me, my Aba, for You are the only One who has the wisdom to guide me in this. I am here, in the middle of nowhere, far removed from the very one I was charged to protect. He himself has sent me here. What am I to do?" he let his hand drop to his side and he looked once more upon the great Star and nearly jumped when he saw, not one face staring back at him in the glass, but two.
"W – who are you?" Masterson asked, turning cautiously to stare at the stranger.
The man chuckled and smiled, "A friend of yours knows me." he replied, "We met... recently, or perhaps you would consider it some time ago. Men measure time; we do not have to."
Masterson's eyes widened, "One of the malakim!" he exclaimed, then immediately said, "What have I done to warrant such company?"
The stranger chuckled again, "Masterson Talan, son of Raymond Talan, and child of Adonai; honored guard of one who despises the Lord that bought him; keeper of histories and secrets; great lover of souls; one who delivered the child Deror from spiritual death mere days before he perished at the hands of the servant of Abaddon; you have, as you have said, forgotten your Lord in this dark hour. But He has never forgotten you."
Masterson nodded and bowed his head, whatever words he had had prepared seconds before, now long erased from his memory.
The stranger stared out into space and continued, "You are... a most remarkable man, Masterson Talan. The malakim themselves watch you, and speak with Adonai on occasion – when your actions are beyond our understanding."
Masterson looked surprised.
The stranger laughed heartily at the expression on the man's face, "Do not look so amazed, Masterson. We malakim are soulless creatures." he folded his hands behind his back, "We wonder at the actions of those redeemed by the One Lamb, for we cannot comprehend such a state." the stranger's face turned sad for a moment, "Sometimes my brothers and I wish that we could dwell in that state. What would it be like, to have a soul? To know that, though we have transgressed the Lord's Law, we can be forgiven, and when the shell you call a 'body' wears down so far as do expel your soul, you have only to open your new eyes and look upon Mashiach, Who became your Atonement. That is the end of your mortal journey, and the beginning of your immortal one."
The stranger sighed and went on, "The creature you call time shall one day die, never to be revived. His death will mark the beginning of something no man has ever seen or heard – something too wonderful even for the malakim to fathom." he smirked, "You men think that, because we dwell with Adonai that we know His every plan and purpose. And while we do know much, we do not know all. We are His messengers, not his council."
Masterson listened in growing fascination.
"And now, son of Adonai, I will tell you my name." he turned to Masterson as Talan looked up to meet the celestial creature's own eyes. "I am Arach."
Masterson's face changed from a look of fascination, to one of amazement. "You – you –" Masterson stuttered, "You're the one..."
"I am." Arach nodded, "And you must not give up on him."
Masterson tried to reply, "Never would I... even consider..."
"I know." Arach replied, "None of the malakim have been so sure of something in a very long time. We know you will never cease to intercede on behalf of this most stubborn of men, this Desslok of Gamilon. But," Arach paused, then said pointedly, "remember that whatever his choice may be, it must be his choice."
Masterson nodded, "I understand."
Arach stared at him hard, "Adonai has sent me here to tell you that, there will be times that you will want, more than anything in this fallen universe, to make this man's choices for him. You must resist this urge; to give in to it, will mean the end of everything you hold dear – everything you've fought so hard to protect." Arach's gaze seemed to look deeply into Masterson's soul, "Do you truly understand the promise you must make?"
For a long, intense moment, Masterson did not reply, then finally he said, "I cannot say that I truly understand what is given only to Adonai Himself to fully comprehend," he took a deep breath, "But with all that is in me, I promise that, by the hand of El Shaddai, the Almighty, I will do as my Lord has asked of me."
"Good," Arach nodded and smiled. "He said you would say that."
"He would know." Masterson replied, finally letting a smile escape him as he looked back out into space, his head bowed.
"Indeed," Arach chuckled. "Indeed."
"But... what am I to do now?" Masterson asked.
There was no response.
Masterson looked up and saw his own solitary reflection floating once more in the glass.
"Time is passing too quickly..." Starsha paced back and forth across the darkening room. The sun was setting on the fifth day after Astra had decided to leave for Erats with the message of hope that she and her sister had constructed over the past several days.
They had just last night completed the content of it. The translation matrix had been the most complicated feature to create and install, as neither of the Iscandari women had previous experience with such things. For that particular endeavor, it had been necessary to consult with Naomi Talan – clandestinely of course, who had complied the matrix herself and delivered it to them mere hours ago.
Right now Astra was preparing for the journey, packing supplies that she would desperately need.
The trip would be of an unknown duration, as they had only a mostly-complete flight plan, extrapolated from the Gamilon warships that had been sent out to or towards Erats. The data had been carefully checked over and over again to ensure that it was as accurate as it could be under the circumstances. It was vital that they not miscalculate anything. To be imprecise now was to sentence untold millions to death.
Starsha forced herself to breathe. Every time she thought about the upcoming journey she felt odd, determined, but somehow anxious. And Astra's last words to her before beginning the packing were just as disconcerting now as they had been several hours before.
"Such a long journey..." Starsha said hesitantly as she studied the map that Astra would follow on her way to Erats.
"Perhaps," Astra replied, "But not such a long return I think."
"Why do you say that?" Starsha asked, puzzled.
"Oh," Astra shrugged and looked away, "It never seems as long coming back as it does going."
Starsha nodded slowly, and closed down the map portion of their message,"I suppose... so..."
The sisters didn't say anything for a long moment, then, all of a sudden, Starsha embraced her sister and whispered, "Come back, Astra. Whatever you do, please come back."
Astra hugged her sister back, but said nothing.
Slowly, tears began to well up in the young queen's eyes and she stopped pacing right in the middle of the room. She fought to keep from crying, walking over to the window and staring up at the stars, twinkling brilliantly tonight.
A few clouds floated through the darkened sky, blocking out the moon for a brief moment. When the moon's light returned, Starsha wiped away the few tears that had managed to fall in the silence.
She turned to leave, having resigned herself to helping Astra finish her packing. Her eyes shot wide open and she nearly screamed when she saw a stranger standing only a few feet behind her.
"Don't be afraid, Starsha of Iscandar." he said, holding out a reassuring hand, "I am here to deliver a message to you – a message from Yahweh Himself."
"Who are you...?" she breathed. "How did you get in here?"
The stranger smiled kindly, "I arrived as I always do. Suddenly."
Starsha continued to stare.
The stranger returned her look calmly and continued, "As for who I am... I am a messenger, one who comes bearing the gift of knowledge."
"Knowledge... of what...?" Starsha whispered, still unsure of whether or not this man was sane.
"Knowledge of what is to come." he replied, "I know you doubt me. Yahweh said you would not be easy to convince."
Starsha nodded, looking at the man strangely, "You are correct, I am not so easy to convince."
The stranger nodded, "I understand. You have seen much these past many years, much that is unjust and much that is heartbreaking... But Sasha believed me when I told her what I have come to tell you now."
Starsha stood speechless.
"She knew this day would come, and she knew she would be spared from it and all that is to come after it." the man said. "The day Astra departs on this momentous journey is merely the beginning of something...something the world will never forget."
"What do you know about my sister's journey?" Starsha demanded, suddenly more wary than before.
"I know that her voyage will be long, hard, and many times she will want to give up, but she will not. She will triumph in the end."
"How do you know this?"
The stranger smiled, "The Most High knows all, Starsha of Iscandar. He knows the end from the beginning, and all that is in between. He has only imparted to me the portion of knowledge I need to carry out the tasks I have been sent to complete."
Starsha was still skeptical of the stranger. "How can I trust you...?" she countered.
"You were once so trusting, last Star of Iscandar. You believed a complete stranger who spoke to you from the darkness of Gamilon. You believed that a man you had never met, and who you couldn't see or speak with could send you the help you so needed. You believed in men. Will you not now believe in the envoy of your Lord?"
Guilt washed over the young queen so suddenly that she fell to her knees with the weight of it.
"I am... so sorry..." she choked out, realizing how stubborn she was being. "It's only that... it's been so long... so very long since I truly trusted..."
"I know..." the stranger replied softly as he knelt beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder. He lifted his face toward Heaven and said, "Shaddai, grant this one sight beyond herself, beyond her world. You have said she was to have it; and now she is in need of it." The stranger bowed his head again and looked at Starsha.
She looked back at him and gasped as she saw something she couldn't explain. "You – you have a strange glow about you..." she said quietly to him.
The stranger nodded, "Though it is not strange for my kind." he smiled, "It is a tiny remnant of the Shekinah.* We who dwell within Yahweh's realm retain a mere shadow of it when we travel here to your world to speak with His children, but only a few are able to see that awesome shadow."
"I thank you..." Starsha whispered, overwhelmed.
"Do not thank me." the stranger said, "Thank Yahweh. He is the One who has given you this gift."
Starsha nodded and a warm smile spread across her face, brightening the darkness that had been there. She bowed her own head and said, "My deepest thanks to You, my Lord. May I ever use this gift for Thy glory."
"Now," the stranger said, "Will you accept the message I bring to you."
"Of course," Starsha nodded as she and the stranger both stood, "How can I not accept one of the malakim?"
The messenger smiled, then his expression sobered, "Starsha of Iscandar, Yahweh charges you with this one task;" he met her gaze and said with authority, "You must not leave Iscandar until Yahweh Himself removes you from her. Do not step foot off of this world. Do you understand this charge?"
Starsha let the implications of the message sink in. That would mean that, no matter what, she would never be able to leave her home, never travel to Gamilon, or any other planet under the control of the Gamilon-Iscandari Alliance. Then she thought to herself, "What does ' until Yahweh Himself removes you' mean?" but finally, she nodded and replied, "I understand..."
"Very well." the man said, "Do not forget this charge in the years to come, for you will be sorely tempted to go against it. No matter what, do not give in to that temptation. To do so will cost you more than you are willing to pay."
Starsha nodded, feeling the sobriety of the task she had been given. This, she had no doubt, would be one of the hardest things she would ever do.
"I must go now." the stranger said, "Back to my Lord, where I will receive the next task He has for me."
"But –" Starsha began, then faltered when the stranger responded to her interruption by looking at her expectantly.
"You may continue." he said gently.
"What may I call you? What name?" she asked.
"Arach." he replied, "I am Arach, of the malakim."
Then, he vanished.
Starsha embraced her sister fiercely as they stood at the base of Astra's ship's boarding ramp. "I don't want you to go... but I know you have to." Starsha said to her elder twin.
"I know you would come if you could." Astra replied, still in her sister's embrace.
"I would," Starsha said, finally pulling back, but holding onto Astra's arms firmly with her hands, "But I cannot. You must bear the goodwill of us both."
"A cargo of great value." Astra replied, "I will guard it with my life."
"I know you will." Starsha finally let go of her sister's arms. "Please, make sure the heart of the message capsule gets to them safely as well."
"I will."
"If it is cracked or damaged in any way, it will not – "
"I know, Starsha," Astra held up a hand to stop her sister, "I know. I will take the utmost care of it. I promise you." she smiled at her younger sister. "I wish we could simply bring the technology with us to Erats and heal her from the damage that has been inflicted upon her already... But that is not to be..." she said sadly, "And we must do what Yahweh would have us to do. You cannot go, but I must."
Starsha nodded slowly, reluctantly, "I still do not wish for you to go... Not now... not when there is so much happening on Gamilon that I do not know about."
"It is shrouded in mystery," Astra agreed, "as it always has been – or rather, as it has been for most of our lifetime."
Starsha sighed, "Indeed..." she said nothing more for a long moment, letting the silence fall heavily between herself and her sister, then suddenly she said, "Go, Astra. Go with Yahweh."
"I will." Astra replied as she turned and took her first step up into her ship. "Do not worry about me. I will do this. And then, I will come home."
"You do that." Starsha replied as she stepped back a safe distance from the small ship.
As she watched Astra walk up the boarding ramp, she thought she caught the barest glimpse of something walking alongside her sister. At first she thought it was her imagination, but then the glimpse came into focus and she saw the brilliant presence that accompanied her only living sibling into the ship.
The vessel lifted off and shot through the sky, out into the void of space beyond.
Long after she had lost sight of it, Starsha gazed up into the night sky and whispered, "Farewell, Astra. Farewell."
Chapter 54 Inspired by:
- "Everything to Him I Owe" found on the Bill Rice Ranch CD "Carry on the Cause"
Chapter 54 Notes:
* Shekinah – the blinding glory that surrounds God the Father; a historical example of someone who bore a tiny fragment of that glory after seeing only the barest trace of God is Moses in the book of Exodus, chapter 24