open images in a new tab to view full sizeSo Tripp arrives - and there's an opportunity for some shopping, and Brody and Tripp spend most of the afternoon after Tripp arrives in the Hotel gym while Jim, Ethan and Glen go for a daylight look at the Chaco Canyon while waiting on a further message to be given to Glen. Eventually contact is renewed but everyone is in for a big surprise - meanwhile the 'Boss', Novius and Josh arrive in Memphis and meet the 'other' Presley.
So it was up bright and early - into the shower, slap on some cool clothes and cologne and and down to breakfast.
And then Ethan wanted to go shopping.
 |
| Cottonwood Mall - Albuquerque |
Now the previous evening Ethan had managed to pick up a leaflet highlighting some of the 'attractions' of Albuquerque - and the first one that attracted his attention was the 'Cottonwood Mall'.
Jim and Ethan, along with Glen, then decided to drive there in Jim's convertible, and Brody and Tripp, both at a 'loose end' decided to join them - with Brody using the excuse that he would act as 'security' for Jim, despite the fact that Zac had not yet bought Brody a hand gun, whereas both Jim and Ethan were armed, and already trained in the use of fire-arms - not that Jim felt particularly in need of protection in a city where he was completely unknown.
And so they set off.
Ethan was excited as there were at least some shops in this mall that he had actually heard of.
So, after parking outside the mall, they headed first to 'Visonworks' for some new sunglasses - an essential in the bight sunlight of New Mexico.
So, after parking outside the mall, they headed first to 'Visonworks' for some new sunglasses - an essential in the bight sunlight of New Mexico.
Then it was on to 'American Eagle Outfitters' for some moderately priced shorts and T shirts, 'Footlocker' for some trainers, and of course 'Hollisters' for some 'cool' casual wear.
In the end Jim and Ethan left Brody and Tripp at 'Body Mass Foundation' which proved to be an excellent professional style gym.
Before using the gym, Zac took Brody and Tripp to a gun shop and bought Brody a small 'Colt', with holster.
However, Zac kept the gun with him, as he didn't want Brody to have access to it until he had been instructed on how to use the weapon.
Before using the gym, Zac took Brody and Tripp to a gun shop and bought Brody a small 'Colt', with holster.
However, Zac kept the gun with him, as he didn't want Brody to have access to it until he had been instructed on how to use the weapon.
 |
| McDonalds - Albuquerque |
Having found a relatively safe place to leave Brody and Tripp in the care of Zac, and having explained to them about getting a cab back to the Hotel Chaco, Jim, Ethan and Glen went off for a drive round in search of a McDonalds so that Ethan could have his daily 'fix' of cheeseburger and Pepsi-max.
They eventually found a suitable McDonalds, and while there, they planned they their afternoon trip to Chaco Canyon.
The trip to Chaco Canyon, according to the information that Faunus had, should take about two and a half hours.
 |
| The Road to Chaco Canyon - New Mexico |
Apart from that, Jim, Ethan and Glen were keen to see the site about which they had heard so much previously .
Before setting off, Jim made sure that they took both food and drink with them, just in case they got stuck anywhere.
They knew that Faunus could always arrange to have them rescued, but the day was hot so they needed some refreshments if they had a wait of any length of time.
And so they set off, and it was hot, dry and dusty - much to Ethan's annoyance - and it seemed a longer journey than they had imagined.
 |
| Entrance to Chaco Canyon - New Mexico |
Instead of saying 'Chaco Canyon' - it said 'Chaco Culture'.
Not only was that odd, but the condition of the sign was equally odd.
The sign, bearing the logo of the U.S. National Park Service - and stating that the area was a 'National Historical Park' and a 'World Heritage Site', looked thoroughly neglected, and in urgent need of a good 'paint job' - and one wondered if the site itself was equally neglected.
Regardless, Jim drove on.
 |
| UFO as seen from the Cessna |
"So what do you think about this business about the flight ?", Ethan asked Jim.
Ethan was referring to the fact that while at the Mall, Brody and Zac had talked about how surprised, and alarmed they had been that the Cessna had been 'buzzed' by what appeared to have been a UFO.
"Well they both saw it, and Brody had been told nothing about 'aliens', so I think it was a genuine sighting.", Jim replied.
"Me too....", Glen concurred.
"So the question is - was it 'our aliens', or was it just a complete coincidence ?", Jim asked.
"Well the pilot apparently said it 'was quite common in that area' - so maybe it was a coincidence......", Ethan replied.
"Or maybe the 'aliens' had some way of sensing that Brody was on board, and were just flying by to check.", Glen said.
"Well, regardless we need to talk to Faunus about it when we get back to the hotel.", Jim said.
"Well I don't like it.....
You never can tell what those 'pesky aliens' are up to.
Personally, I don't trust them.", Ethan said.
So finally, with a good view of the site, Jim parked his convertible.
"Well there it is.....Chaco Canyon....", Jim announced dramatically.
"Yes....and as I said before, it's all a bit 'crumbly'....and in a few hundred years, this is probably what the Hotel Chaco will look like.", Ethan said.
"Well I wouldn't pay lots of money to come here and look at all this as a tourist...", Glen said.
"Ah...but we're here for a purpose.....scouting out the terrain for a midnight rendezvous with our 'pesky little aliens'.", Ethan explained.
They walked round the dusty ruins, not really very impressed.
"I wonder why the 'aliens' were so keen on us meeting them here ?", Ethan mused.
"I wonder ....", Jim began.....
"Well look at that kiva....", Jim pondered.
"What's a kiva ?", Ethan asked.
"A kiva, Ethan, is one of those round things - like a big hole in the ground.
Now the archaeologists don't know if they had a roof over them, or if they were open to the skies.
If they were open , then they look a bit like landing docks for 'saucers' ?", Jim suggested.
"So you think that this is where they might land ?", Glen asked.
"It's possible....", Jim replied.
"So we'd better make a note of where the big 'kiva-thingys' are...so we can find them again if we need to locate them some time in the dark", Ethan suggested to Jim.
"Good thinking, Ethan.", Jim said, taking out his small digital camera.
After making a brief survey of the site - looking for large kivas, they went back to the parked convertible.
"Well the pilot apparently said it 'was quite common in that area' - so maybe it was a coincidence......", Ethan replied.
"Or maybe the 'aliens' had some way of sensing that Brody was on board, and were just flying by to check.", Glen said.
 |
| Chaco Canyon - New Mexico |
"Well I don't like it.....
You never can tell what those 'pesky aliens' are up to.
Personally, I don't trust them.", Ethan said.
So finally, with a good view of the site, Jim parked his convertible.
"Well there it is.....Chaco Canyon....", Jim announced dramatically.
"Yes....and as I said before, it's all a bit 'crumbly'....and in a few hundred years, this is probably what the Hotel Chaco will look like.", Ethan said.
"Well I wouldn't pay lots of money to come here and look at all this as a tourist...", Glen said.
 |
| Great Kiva - Chaco Canyon - New Mexico |
They walked round the dusty ruins, not really very impressed.
"I wonder why the 'aliens' were so keen on us meeting them here ?", Ethan mused.
"I wonder ....", Jim began.....
"Well look at that kiva....", Jim pondered.
"What's a kiva ?", Ethan asked.
"A kiva, Ethan, is one of those round things - like a big hole in the ground.
Now the archaeologists don't know if they had a roof over them, or if they were open to the skies.
If they were open , then they look a bit like landing docks for 'saucers' ?", Jim suggested.
"So you think that this is where they might land ?", Glen asked.
"It's possible....", Jim replied.
"So we'd better make a note of where the big 'kiva-thingys' are...so we can find them again if we need to locate them some time in the dark", Ethan suggested to Jim.
"Good thinking, Ethan.", Jim said, taking out his small digital camera.
After making a brief survey of the site - looking for large kivas, they went back to the parked convertible.
A small hole is often found in the floor of a kiva (dug into the earth). This hole serves as the symbolic place of origin of the tribe. The Hopi word for this element is sípapu. In the Native communities of the Southwest's belief systems the archetypal deities appear as visionary beings who bring blessings. A vast collection of religious stories explore the relationships among people and nature, including plants and animals. This is a culture who left behind stone markers and petroglyphs that suggest that they believed that they were visited by and connected to 'Star People', or ancient aliens.
"So Glen, have you had any further contact with these 'alien' guys ?", Ethan asked as they made themselves comfortable in Jim's auto.
"Well that's what's strange.
They said all this business about 'monitoring' me, but I've felt nothing, and no further dreams or anything.
To begin with contact with 'aliens' bothered me, but now I feel a bit 'left out' - like they've forgotten about me.....and now here we are, where they said they wanted to meet us, and ...nothing.", Glen said.
"Well....no matter....Let's get back to the hotel and have a chat with Faunus.", Jim said, as he started the convertible and they began the rough and uncomfortable journey back to the main highway, and from there to Albuquerque and the Hotel Chaco.
To begin with contact with 'aliens' bothered me, but now I feel a bit 'left out' - like they've forgotten about me.....and now here we are, where they said they wanted to meet us, and ...nothing.", Glen said.
"Well....no matter....Let's get back to the hotel and have a chat with Faunus.", Jim said, as he started the convertible and they began the rough and uncomfortable journey back to the main highway, and from there to Albuquerque and the Hotel Chaco.
While Zac, Brody and Tripp had been training in Albuquerque, and Jim, Ethan and Glen had been shopping and 'checking out' Chaco Canyon - the 'Boss', Novius and Josh (and of course Glaux) had been making their way to Memphis in an appropriately large black Cadillac.
The only two individuals who seemed to be doing very little were Faunus, although he was actually researching the whole matter of 'alien incursions', and Teddy, who was taking it easy, on his favorite pillows, in Ethan's lavish bedroom at the Hotel Chaco.
On crossing the State Line of New Mexico, the 'Boss', Novius and Josh would have to take Interstate 40, and travel some way through Texas and Kansas and Arkansas - (Arkansas being somewhere even the 'Boss' had never visited) - and then on to Tennessee.
The only two individuals who seemed to be doing very little were Faunus, although he was actually researching the whole matter of 'alien incursions', and Teddy, who was taking it easy, on his favorite pillows, in Ethan's lavish bedroom at the Hotel Chaco.
On crossing the State Line of New Mexico, the 'Boss', Novius and Josh would have to take Interstate 40, and travel some way through Texas and Kansas and Arkansas - (Arkansas being somewhere even the 'Boss' had never visited) - and then on to Tennessee.
Confederate States of America Arkansas is a state in the southern region of the United States, home to over 3 million people as of 2018. Its name is of Siouan derivation from the language of the Osage denoting their related kin, the Quapaw Indians. The state's diverse geography ranges from the mountainous regions of the Ozark and the Ouachita Mountains, which make up the U.S. Interior Highlands, to the densely forested land in the south known as the Arkansas Timberlands, to the eastern lowlands along the Mississippi River and the Arkansas Delta. The capital and most populous city is Little Rock, located in the central portion of the state, a hub for transportation, business, culture, and government. In 1861, Arkansas withdrew from the United States, and joined the Confederate States of America during the Civil War. On returning to the Union in 1868, the state continued to suffer due to its earlier reliance on slavery and the plantation economy, causing the state to fall behind economically and socially, and white rural interests continued to dominate the state's politics.
Seal of the Arkansas Senate
 |
| Interstate 40 |
"I know of a good quality hotel in Oklahoma City, with good service and food.
You'll like the décor, Novius - plenty of marble to remind you of 'home'." ,the 'Boss' explained.
Novius and the 'Boss' had spent most of the first part of the journey discussing the situation with regard to the 'aliens'.
Novius, not surprisingly, knew very little about 'UFOs' and 'beings' from 'outer-space', but he could see that, as the 'Boss' had explained, these were probably some form of modern 'projections' of ancient concepts of 'elementals' and 'daemons'.
They were, the 'Boss' suggested, a form of modern 'mythology'.
Now while Josh knew something of what had been going on with regard to 'aliens' and suchlike, and he listened intently, as usual, eager to learn.Unfortunately the word 'Daimon' has become wrongly associated with the word 'demon'. This was a purposeful ploy by the christians, who systematically destroyed the civilization and culture of the classical world, and replaced it with the so called 'religion' and 'slave morality' of the Semitic tribes of the Levant, (the Levant is an approximate historical geographical term referring to an area in the Eastern Mediterranean. In its narrowest sense, it is equivalent to the historical regions of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria). Equally the ancient knowledge of the supernatural was described as 'mythology' by these same christians, in an attempt to undermine the essential truths of classical religion and philosophy. This, of course, explains why the whole issue of 'non-human' entities is so problematic in later times.
Daimon
 |
| Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City |
"It's a nice hotel, Josh, but not as modern as the one where Jim chose to stay in Albuquerque - so I've heard - but I think that choice of the Hotel Chaco was mainly made by young Ethan.", the Boss' said.
"Well as long as we can get a good meal, and a good night's rest it will be fine for me....", Novius said.
Seal of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Lying in the Great Plains region, Oklahoma City has one of the world's largest livestock markets. Oil, natural gas, petroleum products and related industries are the largest sector of the local economy. The city is in the middle of an active oil field and oil derricks dot the capitol grounds. The federal government employs large numbers of workers at Tinker Air Force Base, and the United States Department of Transportation's Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. Since the time weather records have been kept, Oklahoma City has been struck by thirteen strong tornadoes. Oklahoma City was settled on April 22 1889, when the area known as the 'Unassigned Lands' was opened for settlement in an event known as 'The Land Run'. Some 10,000 homesteaders settled the area that would become the capital of Oklahoma. The town grew quickly; the population doubled between 1890 and 1900. The State of Oklahoma was admitted to the Union in 1907. Oklahoma City has a very active severe weather season from March through June, especially during April and May
 |
| Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City - Reception |
Having had the Cadillac parked for them, the 'Boss', Novius and Josh (with Glaux) proceeded to the reception desk in the lobby.
"As you can see, Josh, this is a hotel built some time ago in a modernized 'Art Deco' style - but it has been kept updated, unlike some hotels I've used.", the 'Boss' explained.
Now when we check in just pretend that Glaux is not on your shoulder, and as I've stayed here a number of times, I am sure there will be no problem.", the 'Boss' said confidently.
And there was no problem, whatsoever - after all, Mr Johnson, (the 'Boss'), was a regular and extremely wealthy guest - and if he wanted to keep a baby owl in one of the suites he had booked - who would possibly object ?
 |
| Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City - Suite |
One of the most interesting things that Josh noticed on his way from his suite down to the Restaurant were the Art Deco elevator doors.
They were, the 'Boss' told him later, made of nickel and bronze - but oddly, and also usefully - the elevators included a mail box.
These doors, like much else in the hotel were swathed in heavily figured, dark grey marble.
On leaving the elevator, there was a wide corridor - again, like so much else in the hotel sheathed in beautifully figured and very expensive looking dark grey marble.
On leaving the elevator, there was a wide corridor - again, like so much else in the hotel sheathed in beautifully figured and very expensive looking dark grey marble.
The Colcord Hotel was finished in 1909 and has been considered Oklahoma City's first skyscraper. It is 145 feet (44 m) tall and has 14 floors. Originally an office tower developed by Charles Colcord, the building was renovated and reopened as a luxury hotel. The Colcord Hotel is a member of 'Historic Hotels of America', the official program of the 'National Trust for Historic Preservation'. It was the first steel-reinforced concrete building in Oklahoma, because Colcord had seen the devastation to lesser buildings in San Francisco following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and resulting fires.
Art Deco Elevators
Originally designed with two wings, only the east wing and connecting elevator/stair segment were constructed. Architect William A. Wells was a protégé of Louis Sullivan, a founder of the Chicago School style of architecture. Sullivan designed the molds for the decorative terra-cotta ornamentation on the first, second, and twelfth floors of the Colcord. Every luxury of the time was incorporated in the construction. Marble adorned the columns and walls of the main lobby, the original nickel and bronze letterbox and elevator doors shone, and an ornamental plaster ceiling crowned the space. This landmark was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Colcord also built the Biltmore Hotel.
Entrance - Flint Restaurant - Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City
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| Flint Restaurant - Colcord Hotel - Oklahoma City |
Josh waited there for the 'Boss' and Novius to join him.
As he waited he looked discretely through the glass doors to see a very sophisticated and expensive looking restaurant.
Josh didn't have long to wait, as the 'Boss' and Novius, both looking very formal and smart, soon arrived in the corridor outside the restaurant.
 |
| Yale |
Now usually the 'Boss' was against any of the 'boys' drinking alcohol (and this included Josh - despite the fact that in their previous life it was the Roman custom for young people to drink 'watered' wine).
On this occasion, though, as Novius was intending to drink wine, the 'Boss' decided to make an exception.
 |
| Jack Daniel's |
The 'Boss' and Novius, however, were still persueing the question of the nature of the 'aliens'.
Novius had a very strong feeling about this issue.
 |
| Restaurant Open-Air Foyer - Colcord Hotel |
Equally he knew that the distance between the earth and any planet outside the solar system was so great that 'aliens' would hardly be likely to spend vast periods of time travelling to the earth to simply to have a 'chat' with a small group of young earth-men (the 'Penthouse Gang') - and their 'ship', as it had been described to the 'Boss', was hardly suited to such journeys.
The question that Novius was putting to the 'Boss' was firstly where had they come from, and how real was the 'craft' in which they had apparently used to travel to earth ?
More to the point, maybe, was the fact that Faunus must already be aware of such questions - and maybe knew the answer - but so far had not been prepared to say what he actually knew.
"So Novius, what is your solution to this problem ?", the 'Boss' asked, looking perplexed.
"Well this is where it all gets very difficult......", Novius began, and the 'Boss' predictably smiled.
"How did I know you were going to say that ?", the 'Boss' replied.
Novius, however, ignored his old friend, and continued.
"You Gnæus, of all people, should know that things are not always what they seem.
Before Faunus came we perhaps did not realize that simple fact....but now we know better."
 |
| 'Flying Suacer' |
"I don't think that these 'aliens' are all that they seem, and I think that the 'flying saucer', as it's called, that they use is possibly a simulation - an illusion projected into people's minds.
Maybe that's why the helicopter pilot, at the last meeting, couldn't even see it.....
I think they are playing some sort of 'game', and have latched onto this reported crash that was supposed to have happened at that place you told me about called 'Roswell'.", Novius explained.
"So are you saying that the Roswell incident was just another illusion ?", the 'Boss' asked, obviously becoming intrigued by Novius' theory.
 |
| 'Aliens ?' |
Perhaps what we have become involved with here is something far closer to 'home'....maybe not in space, but in time.", Novius said enigmatically.
"So you are maybe suggesting that these beings - 'entities' or whatever, might be 'time travelers'.... ", the 'Boss' said questioningly.
"Maybe, but more to the point, I do not think they are 'human', or even 'alien'....Novius replied.
"What then.....transcendental, numinous ?
It is not surprising that the 'Boss' should use the term 'numinous' as numen, pl. numina, is a Latin term for 'divinity', or a 'divine presence', 'divine will'. A 'numen' (a divinity) is not personified (although it can be a personal attribute) and should be distinguished from deus (a 'god').... so Novius is not saying that the 'aliens' are 'god' or 'gods', but that they have the attributes of 'gods'. - this is an important distinction for pre-christian ancient peoples.
"Numinous....", Novius said, leaving Josh very puzzled.
At that point, the 'Boss' decided that they had better dine.
At that point, the 'Boss' decided that they had better dine.
 |
| Hotel Chaco - Albuquerque - New Mexico |
Meanwhile, back in Albuquerque, Jim, Ethan and Glen had arrived back at the Hotel Chaco.
Having arrived, Jim called Faunus - asking if they could speak to him, while Ethan took the elevator to his suite in order to check on Teddy.
Teddy, sulking because he had been left alone, was giving a very good impression of being 'dead' - in a vain attempt to get Ethan very worried and upset.
Ethan, of course, knew that Teddy had simply switched himself off.
Teddy, pretending to be suffering from some 'fatal fault', pretended to not know who Ethan was, or what was happening, but soon his curiosity got the better of him.
"So where's all the bags with new clothes and stuff ?", Teddy asked, getting up off his pillows and looking round.
"Downstairs.", Ethan replied grumpily, not very impressed with Teddy's pathetic attempt to frighten him.
"OK....let's go.", Teddy said, as if nothing untoward had happened.
Faunus, Zac and Jim were waiting for Ethan and Teddy in the private lounge.
(Brody and Tripp - to no ones' surprise had locked themselves away in the suite they shared.....less said the better...).
"So where's Glen ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh he went to bed early.
Said he thought he'd got a bit too much sun, and felt very tired - and thought he should get an early night.", Faunus said.
Jim thought it was a bit off, but remembered that Glen had been complaining about the heat.
"So anyway, I've been asking Faunus what he thinks about this UFO buzzing the Cessna....",Jim began.
"And...?", Ethan asked.
"Well...it' a bit of a coincidence...but there's not much to go on.", Faunus said, being rather non committal.
"And Glen hasn't had any more dreams of any other communication from the 'aliens' ?", Teddy asked.
"No...at least he hasn't told me.", Faunus replied.
"That's true...,
He was saying, on the drive back from Chaco Canyon, that he hadn't heard anything from the 'aliens' and was wondering if there was anything wrong.", Ethan said.
"Well as it happens I've had a 'phone call from the 'Boss' while we were waiting for Ethan and Teddy, and he says that Novius has just come up with a new theory about these 'aliens' ....but I need to look into it , so I'll tell you more in the morning......
So I think the best thing now is if we have our evening meal, and have an early night.......take an example from Glen.", Faunus said.
But Glen's example might not have been a good example to take.
Glen went up to his room barely able to keep his eyes open.
He flopped down on the bed, and in a matter of moments he was in an unnaturally deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Jim and Ethan were enjoying themselves showing Teddy their new sunglasses, shorts, T Shirts, 'cool' casual wear, and trainers.
Faunus, on the other hand, was settled in his suite, chatting to Novius on his 'cell-phone', and following up some of Novius' speculations.
Teddy, sulking because he had been left alone, was giving a very good impression of being 'dead' - in a vain attempt to get Ethan very worried and upset.
Ethan, of course, knew that Teddy had simply switched himself off.
Teddy, pretending to be suffering from some 'fatal fault', pretended to not know who Ethan was, or what was happening, but soon his curiosity got the better of him.
"So where's all the bags with new clothes and stuff ?", Teddy asked, getting up off his pillows and looking round.
"Downstairs.", Ethan replied grumpily, not very impressed with Teddy's pathetic attempt to frighten him.
 |
| Hotel Chaco - Private Lounge |
Faunus, Zac and Jim were waiting for Ethan and Teddy in the private lounge.
(Brody and Tripp - to no ones' surprise had locked themselves away in the suite they shared.....less said the better...).
"So where's Glen ?", Ethan asked.
"Oh he went to bed early.
Said he thought he'd got a bit too much sun, and felt very tired - and thought he should get an early night.", Faunus said.
Jim thought it was a bit off, but remembered that Glen had been complaining about the heat.
"So anyway, I've been asking Faunus what he thinks about this UFO buzzing the Cessna....",Jim began.
"And...?", Ethan asked.
|
| UFO 'Buzzing' the Cessna |
"And Glen hasn't had any more dreams of any other communication from the 'aliens' ?", Teddy asked.
"No...at least he hasn't told me.", Faunus replied.
"That's true...,
He was saying, on the drive back from Chaco Canyon, that he hadn't heard anything from the 'aliens' and was wondering if there was anything wrong.", Ethan said.
"Well as it happens I've had a 'phone call from the 'Boss' while we were waiting for Ethan and Teddy, and he says that Novius has just come up with a new theory about these 'aliens' ....but I need to look into it , so I'll tell you more in the morning......
So I think the best thing now is if we have our evening meal, and have an early night.......take an example from Glen.", Faunus said.
But Glen's example might not have been a good example to take.
Glen went up to his room barely able to keep his eyes open.
He flopped down on the bed, and in a matter of moments he was in an unnaturally deep sleep.
Meanwhile, Jim and Ethan were enjoying themselves showing Teddy their new sunglasses, shorts, T Shirts, 'cool' casual wear, and trainers.
 |
| Chaco Canyon - New Mexico |
Glen, by then asleep, in his 'fevered'
dream, however, was back in the sweltering heat of Chaco Canyon.
Soon, though, the heat abated.
 |
| Nile Panorama |
Instead of the sound of the wind blowing through the dusty ruins, he could hear the ripples of water, and above him he saw a deep blue sky, spangled with bright, twinkling stars.
At last he was able to relax, and breath freely, away from the dust and the scorching heat of the sun.
The view of the river then slowly 'morphed' into what Glen recognized as the Pyramids of Egypt - at night - with three very bright stars hovering over each of the largest pyramids.
 |
| Pyramids of Egypt |
What this all meant Glen had no idea, as it all seemed far away from his previous dreams of the Devils Tower and Chaco Canyon.
Then his dream dissolved into swirling clouds, and through the clouds came an alarming vision of what appeared to be an animal's head.
What animal Glen was not entirely sure.
It could have possibly been some kind of bird, or maybe a wolf-like creature, or maybe a weird dog.
Whatever it was, it did not appear to be 'flesh and blood', but made of some kind of metal - like the head of some massive gold or bronze statue.
 |
| Upuaut - the 'Opener of the Ways' and 'Master of Secrets' |
"From the place of the ever living,
From the far horizon of the gods,
From the 'moment of the beginning',
From the 'Foundation' of all things,
I - Upuaut,
'the opener of the ways'
Come to you.....,
May your spirit live,
May you spend millions of years,
Sitting with your face to the north wind,
Your eyes beholding happiness.
O night, spread thy wings
As shine the imperishable stars......",
a voice said to Glen in his dream - seemingly from the masked being.
Your eyes beholding happiness.
O night, spread thy wings
As shine the imperishable stars......",
a voice said to Glen in his dream - seemingly from the masked being.
Glen awoke seemingly refreshed.
 |
| Glen - Hotel Chaco |
His memories about the previous night's dream were clear and sharp, although he had no idea what they were all about.
What puzzled him was that he felt that it must have something to do with the 'aliens' - but he also knew enough about history - mainly from watching TV - to know that the images he saw, and the words that he heard seemed to have something to do with Egypt - an Egypt of apparently long ago.
So the first thing he knew he should do was to speak with Faunus.
Glen met Faunus in the private lounge, and explained his dream of the previous night.
 |
| Novius - Video Link from New Mexico |
Faunus listened carefully, but passed no comment, only to say that he thought it would be a good idea if - using a 'video-link' - they discussed the matter with Novius, who at that time was in Oklahoma City with the 'Boss' and Josh.
Faunus explained that, judging by the description of the dream, Novius, who was a renowned scholar with regard to Egyptian religion and mythology, would probably be able to help.
Glen agreed, and the link was established.
It took very little time for Faunus to get the link set up, while at the same time Zac, Jim, Ethan and Teddy joined them.
Jim flipped up the 'engaged' sign on the door of the lounge in order that Brody and Tripp wouldn't disturb them and would hopefully simply have breakfast, and then use the hotel gym, and possibly the pool.
Jim flipped up the 'engaged' sign on the door of the lounge in order that Brody and Tripp wouldn't disturb them and would hopefully simply have breakfast, and then use the hotel gym, and possibly the pool.
"So what's this 'weird dream-thingy' ?", Ethan asked.
"Just wait, Ethan, and let's first give the information to Novius.", Jim said, reprovingly.
"OK...sorry....", Ethan said, regretting his enthusiasm.
"I know what it's about....", Teddy said quietly, under his breath - but everyone ignored the telepathic little bear, as they fiddled with their digital technology.
'One day...', Teddy thought to himself, 'all this digital stuff will stop working, and then they'll need real brains, but by then they'll have forgotten how to use them.
It's happened before...and it will happen again.... but these silly humans never learn......'
At that point, Teddy's musings were interrupted as Novius' face appeared on the laptop screen.
"Hello.....can you see me ?", Novius began.
Being an ancient Etruscan 'augur', it was obvious that Novius was not familiar with using a video link.
"Yes, we can see you, Novius, and we are anxious to know your opinions about a dream that Glen had last night.", Faunus said.
Glen then proceeded to describe his dream to Novius.
Glen had remembered, in detail, what the 'being' in the mask (if it was a mask) had said.
After the initial remarks in which the being, who called himself Upuaut, had introduced himself, and given what Novius described as a form of a 'blessing', the being had continued by explaining why he was communicating with Glen.
"Well, son, that's very interesting.
And you've never heard of the name Upuaut before ?", Novius asked.
"Never, Sir...I don't even know what it means...", Glen replied, sounding genuinely puzzled.
Upuaut - Anubis Now Novius didn't give Glen all this information - for obvious reasons - but here's some facts that may help: - In Egyptian mythology Upuaut was originally a war deity, whose cult center was Asyut in Upper Egypt. His name means 'Opener of the Ways', and he is often depicted as a canine, standing at the prow of a solar-boat. Upuaut was usually seen as one who opened the ways to, and through, the 'Duat', for the spirits of the dead. Through this Upuaut became associated with 'Anubis', a deity that was also worshiped in Asyut. In later pyramid texts, Upuaut is called 'Ra who has gone up from the horizon', perhaps as the 'opener of the sky' - and so Upuaut also becomes a solar deity - associated with 'Time'. 'Anubis' is a Greek rendering of this god's Egyptian name. Upuaut/Anubis was also known as 'First of the Westerners', 'Lord of the Sacred Land', 'The Dog who Swallows Millions', and 'The Master of Secrets'. The oldest known textual mention of Anubis is in the Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – c. 2181 BC), where he is associated with the burial of the pharaoh. Anubis is the son of Ra and Nephthy In Hellenistic times Anubis was merged with the Greek god Hermes, and associated with the star Sothis (Sirius - the 'Dog Star'). Greek writers from the Roman period of Egyptian history designated the role of 'psychopomp', a Greek term meaning 'guide of souls' (Hermes) to Anubis, and funerary art from that period represents Anubis guiding men and women into the presence of Osiris - the 'God of the Dead', Anubis had male priests who wore masks with the god's likeness when performing rituals. His cult centre was at Cynopolis in Upper Egypt, but memorials were built everywhere and he was universally revered.
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| Statue of Upuaut |
It appeared that Upuaut had been responsible for the other contacts that had been made by the 'aliens' - but that the 'beings' that the 'boys' had seen were just 'fake beings', somewhat like 'cyborgs' or 'biological robots' - 'beings' that Upuaut referred to as his 'servants', (or less pleasantly called 'slaves'), but that he, and other beings like him, were the 'masters' (Neteru) - (hence 'Masters and Slaves').
Rather as Novius had suggested to the 'Boss' the previous evening, Upuaut pointed out that it was unlikely that they would travel many light years to earth just to 'chat' - and that in reality the method by which they made contact was by 'manipulating time'.
(that remark got Novius worried, as he began wondering if Upuaut, or whoever he was, had been able to 'monitor' in some way the recent conversation that he had with the 'Boss' and Josh).
Upuaut claimed that the Neteru had originally come from the region of Sothis (Sirius).
Sothis The god 'Sah', who is probably better known by the Greek name, Sothis, personified the constellation of Orion, and the bright, first magnitude star Sirius (the 'dog star') respectively. Orion was, to the ancient Egyptians, the most distinctive of all the constellations in the night sky, and it rose directly before the adjacent star Sirius, thus explaining the connection between these two ancient gods from a very early date. Orion was imagined as being swallowed at dawn by the Underworld but had the power to emerge again into the night sky.
Upuaut explained that the star Sirius is eight and a half light years (by modern Earth reckoning) from the Solar System, and the Neteru traveled in many stages, apparently by 'folding space-time' as he put it, to reach the Earth, eventually landing in the land of Kem - what is now known as Egypt.
The Neteru are 'numinous beings', Upuaut claimed - and for various reasons have contacted humans - although exactly why Upuaut did not explain.
The meeting that Upuaut was intending to arrange was to be on fourth day of July - which Upuaut maintained was when what he called the 'canem diebus' began - and the meeting would take place in the 'Great Kiva' at Chaco Canyon.
Upuaut also explained that across the reaches of space and time, ancient and modern, cultures with no apparent connection have universally associated the star Sirius with the wolf or the dog.
"OK then Teddy....perhaps we should swap you for a cute little puppy-dog....", Etna said.
Teddy was not amused....
"So why the Mayan connection ?", Jim asked, puzzled by the new revelations.
"Well I don't think there really was one - apart from the involvement of the 'Boss' with the Mayans, when he was in Mexico.
From what I know the 'aliens' never said there was such a connection - we just assumed it was there.", Faunus said.
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| Alien Clones |
In fact they told us very little - apart from not having any emotions, and all that 'cloning business'." Ethan said.
"So Novius.....what do you think....?
Are we to believe all this new information about Egypt, and Sirius and Upuaut ?", Faunus asked.
"Well, in as much as it has given us a definite date for a further meeting - then we can test it.
If they appear for the meeting, and this 'being' Upuaut shows himself, then we shall at least have some evidence.", Novius suggested.
"And why the 'doggy' connection ?", Ethan asked Novius.
"Difficult to say, Ethan.
The names of stars and constellations are really still a mystery.
Why people in the distant past, when looking at a sky filled with stars, should pick out certain ones, and form them into pictures is impossible to say.
Even stranger is the fact that the names of stars and constellations are so similar in almost all places and times.
Sirius is part of the Latin-named constellation 'Canis Major' - the 'Great Dog', but they were not the only ones to give the star a canine connotation, and neither were the ancient Egyptians.
The ancient Chinese called it 'Tsien Lang', or 'Heavenly Wolf', while the inhabitants of Mesopotamia bestowed numerous dog- and wolf-related epithets on the star - and In ancient Chaldea (present day Iraq) the star was known as the 'Dog Star that Leads, and in Assyria and Akkadia it was said to be the 'Dog of the Sun'.
Even today, Sirius is associated with the so-called 'Dog Days' ('canem diebus') of Summer that date back to us ancient Etruscans and Romans.
Perhaps most intriguing of all such traditions is found among many of the Native peoples of America - perhaps that's your 'Mayan Connection'.
Here, in the Americas, there exist a remarkable number of occurrences of names for Sirius, and legends about the star having to do with dogs and wolves.
The Cherokee in particular paired Sirius with Antares, as dog-star guardians of the 'Path of Souls' - rather as Upuaut and Anubis were 'guardians of the Egyptian Amduat.
If we need any more information we'll be in contact - and give our regards to the 'Boss' and Josh.", Faunus said as he 'signed off'.
"And why the 'doggy' connection ?", Ethan asked Novius.
"Difficult to say, Ethan.
The names of stars and constellations are really still a mystery.
Why people in the distant past, when looking at a sky filled with stars, should pick out certain ones, and form them into pictures is impossible to say.
Even stranger is the fact that the names of stars and constellations are so similar in almost all places and times.
Sirius is part of the Latin-named constellation 'Canis Major' - the 'Great Dog', but they were not the only ones to give the star a canine connotation, and neither were the ancient Egyptians.
The ancient Chinese called it 'Tsien Lang', or 'Heavenly Wolf', while the inhabitants of Mesopotamia bestowed numerous dog- and wolf-related epithets on the star - and In ancient Chaldea (present day Iraq) the star was known as the 'Dog Star that Leads, and in Assyria and Akkadia it was said to be the 'Dog of the Sun'.
Even today, Sirius is associated with the so-called 'Dog Days' ('canem diebus') of Summer that date back to us ancient Etruscans and Romans.
Perhaps most intriguing of all such traditions is found among many of the Native peoples of America - perhaps that's your 'Mayan Connection'.
Here, in the Americas, there exist a remarkable number of occurrences of names for Sirius, and legends about the star having to do with dogs and wolves.
The Cherokee in particular paired Sirius with Antares, as dog-star guardians of the 'Path of Souls' - rather as Upuaut and Anubis were 'guardians of the Egyptian Amduat.
Duat is the realm of the dead in ancient Egyptian mythology. It has been represented in hieroglyphs as a star-in-circle. The god Osiris was believed to be the lord of the underworld. He was the first mummy as depicted in the Osiris myth and he personified rebirth and life after death. The underworld was also the residence of various other gods along with Osiris. The Duat was the region through which the sun god Ra travelled from west to east each night, and it was where he battled 'Apophis', (not a character from 'Stargate', a fictional story that may be present in your alternative reality), who embodied the primordial chaos which the sun had to defeat in order to rise each morning and bring order back to the earth. It was also the place where people's souls went after death for judgement. Burial chambers formed touching-points between the mundane world and the Duat."Well that was very informative, Novius.
If we need any more information we'll be in contact - and give our regards to the 'Boss' and Josh.", Faunus said as he 'signed off'.
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| Ethan Puzzled |
"Yes...a problem....", Jim replied. sounding equally puzzled.
"Well.... we do seem to have a definite date - fourth day of July - that's tomorrow !", Zac said.
"Yes, and what about Brody ?
He was supposed to be coming to this meeting with the 'aliens', but then this new guy - Upuaut, or Anubis, or whoever - he said nothing about Brody...", Ethan said.
"Well if we take Brody, we only have one day to get him used to the idea of chatting with 'aliens'.....
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| 'Body Mass Foundation' |
That might be a problem....", Jim said.
Now Brody and Tripp had left a message at reception to say that they had gone off to the weirdly named 'Body Mass Foundation' gym, and and were also 'hanging out' in the 'Cottonwood Mall', so it was just a matter for Faunus catch up with them
Now Faunus, of course, had a way of inviting people to spend time talking to him which they simply couldn't refuse - and soon, instead of taking a cab back to the Hotel Chaco, Brody and Trip were accompanying Faunus in his ridiculously pink Edsel.
Once back at the Hotel, Tripp was sent off to 'chat' with Jim, Zac and Glen (about nothing in particular).
Ethan, wisely, took Teddy back to his room to give him a thoroughly good brush, while Teddy explained lots of fascinating, but probably irrelevant facts about ancient Egyptian mythology to Ethan.
Meanwhile, Faunus took Brody up to his suite.
Now Faunus' explanations to Brody were long, and quite involved, and if you wish to follow them yourself then the connection with the 'aliens' began in Chapter 25, when the 'boys' first met 'Roger' (who later became Glen - confused ?).
To recount all that happened after that event would be tedious and repetitious - but for Brody it was all a completely new 'revelation' as, throughout the period in question, he had been in Las Vegas - and had purposefully not been told of these strange events.
And now that - in a sense - 'all had been revealed', at least to Brody, - Faunus, by means of his subtle powers of 'mind control', had been able to convince Brody that everything that had happened was perfectly explicable and reasonable, and that on the following night Brody would 'step up' and take his essential part in the momentous events of 'alien contact'.
So then it was just a matter of waiting for the 'meeting with Upuaut'.
Now Brody and Tripp had left a message at reception to say that they had gone off to the weirdly named 'Body Mass Foundation' gym, and and were also 'hanging out' in the 'Cottonwood Mall', so it was just a matter for Faunus catch up with them
Now Faunus, of course, had a way of inviting people to spend time talking to him which they simply couldn't refuse - and soon, instead of taking a cab back to the Hotel Chaco, Brody and Trip were accompanying Faunus in his ridiculously pink Edsel.
Once back at the Hotel, Tripp was sent off to 'chat' with Jim, Zac and Glen (about nothing in particular).
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| Faunus' Suite |
Meanwhile, Faunus took Brody up to his suite.
Now Faunus' explanations to Brody were long, and quite involved, and if you wish to follow them yourself then the connection with the 'aliens' began in Chapter 25, when the 'boys' first met 'Roger' (who later became Glen - confused ?).
To recount all that happened after that event would be tedious and repetitious - but for Brody it was all a completely new 'revelation' as, throughout the period in question, he had been in Las Vegas - and had purposefully not been told of these strange events.
And now that - in a sense - 'all had been revealed', at least to Brody, - Faunus, by means of his subtle powers of 'mind control', had been able to convince Brody that everything that had happened was perfectly explicable and reasonable, and that on the following night Brody would 'step up' and take his essential part in the momentous events of 'alien contact'.
So then it was just a matter of waiting for the 'meeting with Upuaut'.
According to 'Upuaut', the first of the 'Days of Sirius' arrived , and Faunus, Jim, Ethan and Teddy - and Glen and Brody set off for Chaco Canyon - and while the fireworks, family reunions, concerts, barbecues, picnics, parades, baseball games all get underway the boys, unnoticed, make their way to Chaco Canyon. - (It was 'Independence Day' - July fourth)
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2023
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2023
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 2023