Chapter 29

Ursus woke me up early the next morning. "Time to get up, Master; you don’t want to be late for your own meeting." I noticed that the five invited men were already awake, with some of them coming into our bathroom fresh from the shower. Grey was the man I was looking for and he was not with them..

"Are you looking for me? " I turned toward the sound and saw Grey. He was a muscle daddy. He had just enough fat to smooth out his muscles. When I smiled at him, he smiled back and flexed, his muscles becoming more defined, veins popping out in some places. His face resembled what a muscle Santa would look like: a long, full, mostly white beard and mustache, with a balding head on top. I was pulled out of my silent admiration when Jesse spoke.

‘You like him a lot, don’t you? ’

‘I can’t deny it; he’s like the grandfather I never knew. But much better: kind and caring, commanding when he needs to be, calling me by my name like he’s known me all my life.’

‘Okay, I get it, but we have to get ready for this meeting,’ Jesse reminded me.

*****

We arrived just a few minutes before the meeting was set to start. I had Cetus create a table to display all the different renderings. As I observed the members arriving for the meeting, I noticed that most of them were very different from those I had seen during the first meetings when Karl introduced us to the miners. If what I saw was indicative of the pack/den, we were going to be a co-op that was definitely not stereotypical—no lean men with overbearing wives. These men looked… well, let’s just say, big and brawny.

"We have called this meeting because Karl, Keith, and I have decided to combine the mine and the new park. Since Keith is more knowledgeable on the matter, I’ll let him take over. Keith, you’re up," Jesse said, shifting the focus to him, knowing I was preoccupied with the men in the audience. I came back to reality just in time.

"Good morning, everyone. After speaking with Karl, we decided that building a theme park out here, in the middle of almost nowhere—especially since we are off the main travel route for the state—would require more to attract visitors to come and stay. Karl’s team will be building a luxury hotel because the town’s current hotel will not be enough to attract high-end tourists. As a group, we will be helping him build a large-capacity service station, since the town’s only gas station will not be able to handle the numbers we want no, need to bring in."

"I know what you’re thinking: how will this affect the town? Karl is looking into whether the current operator of the town’s gas station is willing to manage the new station while also keeping the original open for the convenience of the townspeople. The new hotel, as I mentioned, will be a high-end option and should not detract from the towns current motel, which is a low-cost alternative. In fact, we believe it will actually bring them more customers."

"Since this area is not geared toward many travelers, we will also be building an RV park behind the park, complete with all the amenities. This part of the tunnel will be enlarged to create space for a mining museum at the entrance. To encourage visitors to stay here even in the off-season, this area will also be transformed into a camping space for tents and trailers, with bigger campers with busses and fifth wheels having their own sites outside of the mine. The tunnel/cave will feature areas designed for exploration, both as a mine and as natural cave structures. The mine area will even lead campers to a large natural hot spring. I understand that these elements are not typical of a mine, but we will make it happen with the help of the spirits."

"Please take a look at all the plans and renderings. If you see a better solution or have suggestions for a more appealing visual presentation for visitors, please share your input. The mine will have a mine and natural cave theme, but you are already aware of that. I apologize for being a little off my game. The park’s theme will focus on how it’s possible to create something so wonderful in such a remote area. That’s just my take for now, as Karl has not yet assigned a specific theme to the park. "

"Since Jesse and I are not experts in construction, we need skilled individuals who can be leaders and ensure others follow their directions. If you think you can contribute to this endeavor, there are sign-up sheets at the table. Jesse and I will be available if you have any questions. With that, please come up and take a look at what we will build together." I concluded my pitch to the members.

*****

With the internet operational and the search program running smoothly, we entered a new stage of our growth. We needed agents in almost every country, and they had to speak and understand the local language. Our priority was to recruit new members who could become our overseas agents. Within the first few days of the program being active, hundreds of potential members were listed on the national screen, displaying their locations and information. Each person we highlighted was researched in depth by the program, and more details about them appeared when we hovered the cursor over their names.

I was dumbfounded when I saw Grey at the terminal’s display. "What are you doing here, Grey?"

"I was an intervention counselor in my off time before I came here. Ursus thought my background would make me the perfect candidate for this job. With all the information the program displays, I now have much more insight into who will be more accepting of our offer. Plus, I feel like I’m really making an impact on our cause, " Grey said.

"Have you found any matches that could work in countries with a high number of recruits?" I asked.

Grey pulled a sheet from his binder. "These will work for some of the countries. Some speak more than one dialect; they are all rated by the program as very likely to accept our recruiting offers."

"Thanks, and welcome to our inner circle."

"I’m glad I could help. You already know I’m available whenever you need me, right?" Grey gave me a smile and a wink. ‘Oh yes, I would like that.’

‘Earth to Keith, keep focus,’ Jesse said.

"Oh yes, you’ll be my first choice if I need help."

"Man, I love being here," Grey said as he returned to his work.

I looked over the list: five men—three in Asia, one in Australia, and one in South Carolina. ‘Other than the guy in America, how do we recruit these men?’ I thought to myself.

‘You let me take you to them, of course,’ Omega answered me.

‘You can do that? It’s on the other side of the planet!’ I replied.

‘If you want, Jesse can come too. With the power I have, it’s child’s play.’

‘Like Jesse would let me go alone. I would most likely need him, anyway.’

‘Not so. When we get there, we would turn back into the five. They could make the offer to the men the same way they did here in the mine.’

‘You’re forgetting the fact that the men were first given dreams, and those who acted on the dreams were given the offer.’

‘Yes, you are correct. We need to be in proximity to them to influence their dreams.’

‘You’re definitely not going without me,’ Jesse said.

‘Didn’t say I was.’

‘Omega, how long would it take for us to reach this Lee guy in Hong Kong?’

‘Within minutes. We can be anywhere on Earth within minutes. It’s possible for you to see all five men today.’

‘What are you thinking, Keith?’ Jesse asked.

‘We could go to each man, and I could send some power into each. The spirits would use the energy I give each man to alter their dreams. With the power in them, we could monitor if and when they accept the offer. The spirits must make the dreams more realistic, allowing each man to choose within the dream. We would then bring them here, again using Omega’s power, and train them.’ I said.

‘Let’s do that then. I’m coming to you. We can leave when I get there.’

*****

I was almost twenty-four hours ahead of the time zone when we arrived in Hong Kong, so there was no jet lag. It felt almost like that movie Groundhog Day or something like that. Omega guided us to the right location, but Lee was nowhere to be found.

‘Grey, do you have details on where this Lee candidate works and the places he frequents?’ I asked.

‘Sure do. This program is like the best spy. He should be at the Bank of Hong Kong; his office is about two miles from…’ Grey replied.

We examined the information screen Grey had pulled up. ‘We will go to all the locations he is typically at this time of day, starting with this one,’ Omega said.

‘Sorry about that, Grey. Omega copied the screen. Thanks for pulling it up,’ I said.

Jesse and I changed into business attire. Upon entering the bank, we asked to speak with Mike Lee. The receptionist informed us that Lee was a loan officer. Shortly after, an average-sized older Asian man approached us and introduced himself. Jesse initiated the conversation, allowing me to send some energy into Lee. After a few questions and answers, Lee offered to continue the discussion in his office. Suddenly, Ursus rushed into the bank and said, "Sir, we have an emergency back at the site."

"We’re sorry, but we have to go. Can I get your card? We’ll make an appointment for next time," I said apologetically.

Lee was very understanding and handed me his card. "I understand; some things can’t be helped."

As we exited the bank, the moment the door opened, we disappeared.

‘Kat? is the next name on the list,’ I said.

‘Yes, Hiro Kat?. We had Grey show us the details of all the men on your list. He is a YouTuber. Somehow, he manages this while being homeless, which is odd in a country that reports zero percent homelessness,’ Omega explained.

"Is that in the report?" Jesse asked Omega skeptically.

"No, but with the internet up, Ursus and the others are researching again. Or maybe Leo did the research" I told Jesse.

Omega led us to a park near a large river, its edges lined with cement walls on both sides_. ‘He should be around here; the last video entry on his YouTube page shows him working on a project here. We have his photo. Wait here, and we will find him.’_ Before I could ask why he couldn’t just take us there, Omega was gone.

‘Found him,’ Omega said as he popped back in, picking us up and then we were behind a tree right by the river. There was a small tent on the other side, and we could see Hiro. I sent my energy to him as he emerged from the tent. A YouTuber in Japan must make some money; he was definitely not malnourished. He had more American features than Japanese ones—tall, overweight, with more facial hair.

"Keith, we need to leave before he sees us," Jesse whispered in my left ear. I felt Omega grab me, and we were off again.

We found ourselves on a rooftop garden high above the ground. "Is this Marina Bay Sands? We’re in Singapore!" I said as I took in the over-the-top views.

‘Correct. This is where Simon Tan works as a server. Or is it Tan Simon? He’s the closest of the three servers getting drinks over there; okay, he’s the one who just left to offer drinks.’ Omega was giving me a play-by-play.

I was too far away to be sure I would hit Simon. I scanned the outfits of the clientele and changed my clothes so I would blend in. Jesse was right behind me, also in the same type of outfit. As I walked right past Simon, I sent the energy. ‘You got him,’ Omega notified me, not that I needed it. I was so close to him that there was no way I could miss.

We were heading to a men’s restroom. Omega appeared as we entered, and we were gone again.

We found ourselves in the backyard of an Edwardian-style home. "It’sgot to be Brisbane, Australia," Jesse said in an almost imperceptible voice.

‘Joshua Williams, house to be exact. Works from home, accountant, hates his job, overeats, no exercise. You’re normal average male today in Australia.’

"Okay, we get it. He’s not in the best condition. You don’t have to berate him, Omega!" I said.

"Well, he is not your type; we all know that."

"You too, Jesse. We are looking for men like us inside, not what they look like on the outside."

‘His report says he should be taking a nap. We could process him right here and now, if you wish, Master.’

"Can you get us in quietly, Omega?"

‘Sure thing, Master.’

We appeared in his bedroom. The report was accurate: Joshua was out, snoring loudly. He would wake his neighbors if it was bedtime. ‘From the sound alone, he must be a heavy sleeper,’ Jesse stated the obvious.

I sent him some energy. His snoring stopped, and his eyes were moving beneath his eyelids. ‘He is having his first dream. It should not take long. If we wait, he should wake up in about an hour. Shall we continue or go back to base camp? ‘ Omega offered.

"Base camp is what you call home?” I asked Omega, surprised.