The Search for Malaclypse

[Malaclypse 666]

Malaclypse nodded to Charlie Koskinin, acknowledging his question. In the history of Sirius, only one man had ever flown with the Phantoms and lived to tell it about it. As "Epopt to the Phantoms", Charlie had served the Goddess well.

"It's still about Eris, Charlie. She just wants me to change the focus a bit here.

"All 'Deities' serve the same purpose. They provide an example of the Divinity humanity may someday achieve. The also provide 'clues' as to how this Divinity may be attained. 'As Above, so Below'.

"Enlightenment is not an easy path, Charlie, you know that. Eris just provides a bit more fun along the way. As to my 'next move', that is largely dependent on the results of my little 'brain change' experiment tonight and over the next few months."

"Tomorrow, I and the Neophytes chosen here tonight will be flying to Med Force 1, with Doc's permission. We will undergo complete 'baseline' physical and neurological workups. I can't explain why at the moment, but you and Cid there are welcome to join us if you wish."

Mal's attention then turned to the hooded figure standing alone near the far wall. While the questions he posed seemed a bit impertinent, they were indeed the right questions.

"You have me at a disadvantage sir," Mal replied. "I do not recognize you as a member of TAZ, or any of its former incarnations. I will answer your questions, in exchange for your name.

"There is a difference between 'magic' and 'Magick'. The former is useful because it allows the observer the option of saying 'It's a trick! It's done with smoke and mirrors.' And yes, my sermon was 'conventional' in the sense that any good holographic technician could, or may, have duplicated the effects you witnessed."

The level of dusky fluid in the Reposado bottle dropped again as Mal refilled his glass. He was indeed "warming" to the subject...

"You see, primates are notorious for defending their cherished paradigms. The will react with anything from denial to outright hostility to justify and protect their favorite reality tunnels from new 'memes'. The terms 'neophobe' and 'Homo Neophobe' were coined centuries ago to describe this behavior. As you can imagine, 'Homo Neophobe' is an unlikely candidate for Illumination. Are there any limes?"

Mal paused for a moment while Lev worked his own brand of magic, and a small bowl of lime segments "appeared" on the low table next to his chair. He bit into one before adding a swallow of the smokey aged tequila. Lighting another cheroot, he peered a moment at the hooded figure before continuing:

"Now, 'Magick' can be loosely defined as the use of external stimuli, symbols, or ritual to create internal change, either in oneself, or in a receptive 'observer'. The only thing required by the observer is a mind which is open to new ideas, new information, new ways of thinking. Such 'Homo Neophile' minds are quite rare.

"The entirety of tonight's 'Sermon', both the 'smoke and mirrors' and the content, was specifically designed to quickly identify and separate the 'neophiles' from the 'neophobes'. My first impression is that the 'experiment' was successful.

"As I mentioned to Charlie, my next task is to establish 'baseline' medical and psychological profiles for myself and the individuals who were chosen tonight. Once that is done, the 'experiment' can continue.

"Hopefully, that answers your question, 'Brother'. Now, return the favor. Who are you?"

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