Dreams Unleashed (18 page)

"Why?"

"Well, for example, we might have a candidate who's a vivid dreamer and creative thinker, but we learn through our testing that he or she has some undesirable tendencies, such as grandiosity or a lack of remorse---sociopathic leanings. Or maybe they're emotionally weak. We require very unique talents in our project, but the person must be able to obtain a security clearance and be ultimately trustworthy. That makes you, Ann, quite unique, and we are glad to have you," he sincerely offered.

I'm glad to be here too...and glad I'm not a sociopath.

"Let's cover some more remote viewing basics, okay?"

"Okay."

"The impressions you'll get when remote viewing will be competing with all the background noise that constantly occupies your mind. It's challenging to tune out these distractions, and you'll have to work to refine that skill. We've learned that images that are clear, bright, and sharp are noise---it's the opposite of what you would think. The mental images that we're seeking in remote viewing are indistinct or vague---something that seems
just out of reach
. It's similar to trying to remember the details of a dream just after you've woken up. As you practice, you'll work through the differences of what is the target data and what is noise."

"How do I learn the difference?"

"This is where sketching comes in. By sketching images you perceive, you'll hone your viewing skills. With time and practice, you'll find that your images start to take shape, accurately depicting your target. You'll also start to acquire other senses, like tastes, smells, and colors."

"Does it matter that I'm horrible at drawing?"

"No. It's not like you're drawing a scene to hang on your wall. Think of it as giving clues to a scene."

"Okay. How long will my training take?"

"It depends. Every remote viewer in training has had different growth rates. It could be years. We don't know. There doesn't seem to be a standard here. It depends entirely upon the individual viewer."

Years
?

"It sounds like I'll spend my whole Air Force enlistment here."

"You will. Once we get you here, we won't let you go."

"Okay. When will I start my training?"

"Tomorrow."

Cool
.

"Since your psychological testing told us that you're most creative in the early evening, your shift here will be three PM to midnight," he informed me.

I grinned. "Wow, you guys didn't miss anything. I certainly am a night-person."

"Getting the details right is what we do here, Ann."

"Okay," I replied sheepishly.

"Why don't you split, and we'll start fresh tomorrow?"

"Okay."

"Don't forget, you can only discuss the project here, among our team. No one outside this room has any need to know what we're doing on this project. Even the name of our project is classified," he reminded me.

"Why is the project
name
classified?"

"All classified projects have a classified name---call it CIA tradition."

"Tradition...okay, got it," I confirmed. "I'll see ya tomorrow," I offered with a smile.

"See you then," he replied.

Holy cow, I'm in the big leagues now
, I thought, returning down the hall I had come through earlier.

What will Dad think of this
? I wondered, and then I realized that I couldn't tell him.

Continuing down the hall, I passed the alphabet doors and then came to the cipher door exit. Since I didn't have to enter a code to leave, I pushed open the door and felt the heavy door quickly latch closed behind me. I breezed down the hall.

* * *

The following day, I easily aced the cipher lock challenge.

As I entered the long hall, John met me there, his hand outstretched. "Hi, Ann," he swiftly greeted me. "From now on when you come to work, you can enter the viewing room through this door," he said, gesturing to the door we walked through, which was marked E.

"How was it when you left here yesterday, thinking through everything you learned?"

"It was incredible. I feel honored to be here. What you said about the connection between dreams and remote viewing pretty much blew my mind."

"Why is that?"

"Because dreams have been the nemesis of my life."

"Isn't it true that everything has its opposite, in order to balance life?" he asked me.

"I suppose so. I guess it could be that the opposite of nightmares is that I'll be able to see things in other times and other locations. I suppose it's the yin-yang balance my dad taught me about."

"Exactly. Your dad seems like a smart man. Won't it feel good to be able to take that nemesis and use it as a blessing for your country?" he passionately asked.

I paused. "Yeah, it will."

"Are you ready to get started with your first lesson, then?" John asked with a smile.

"I am," I replied.

"You saw one of the beginning lessons yesterday with Bob."

"Yeah. Then Bob explained some basics to me in the observation room," I clarified.

"What do you say we jump in and try it, instead of just talking?" he asked.

"That sounds perfect."

Chapter 15

BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON

The Year 2015

I was in my BYD, heading to the office the day after the Shanghai earthquake, driving with a half-conscious mind. Finally I pulled into an electric-only designated parking spot near the front door of AlterHydro. Lulu and I entered The 1910, making our way through the large vestibule where the office manager sat at the front desk, sulking into her keyboard.

"Good morning," I smiled cheerfully.

"Morning," she glumly responded, head down.

Maybe she's depressed
.

Passing her, I rounded the corner and approached the stairwell. Raymond Brown saw me first.

"Ann," he called out.

I stopped. "Hey, Raymond. How are you? I haven't seen you much lately."

Raymond and I had been friends since his first week at AlterHydro. He was one of the most attractive black men I had ever known, both on the outside and the inside. Raymond had the most joyous smile I'd ever seen, was six feet tall, and had the body of a professional baseball player, but he actually loved basketball. He was one of the kindest people I knew.

Raymond was the marketing director, and he was perfect for the job because he really did love people. We often had overlapping projects. He could get along with anyone and do it with a smile. In many ways I looked up to him and respected him.

He was devoted to his family, but his wife was a jealous beast. One summer, AlterHyrdo hosted a summer picnic for everyone and their families, and of course both Raymond and I were there. He brought his wife and children; it was the first time I had met them. Anytime Raymond and I spoke to one another, his wife would pop up out of nowhere, grab Raymond's arm and hold tight, staking her claim. What was really irritating was that there was never an ounce of physical attraction between Raymond and me. I liked him as a person---and believed it was reciprocated---but there was never any reason for his wife to act like she did around me. She quite obviously felt threatened, and, based on what Raymond told me, it wasn't just with me. The woman had rage too near the surface, and I wondered if one day she'd pull a Bobbitt on him. I steered clear of her whenever I saw her.

"I was off visiting my family in Arkansas; I brought the boys and my wife."

"Oh, that's nice, I bet you had a nice time. Did you fly or drive?"

"We flew. I know, I know, two boys under the age of four, but I didn't have the vacation time to drive. My wife was so happy when we landed; you wouldn't believe it."

"I bet. I'm sure it was good to see your mom after so long."

"It was, it was. How is Elinor?" he asked, smiling.

"As you know, she's away, in her first year at the university. She's barely called me. But I guess I should be grateful that she calls me at all---even though it's only when she needs more money deposited into her account. Thank goodness she did one year of college through the Running Start program at high school. That saved a year of tuition."

"I did Running Start too and was able to finish my associate degree before I started at Western," Raymond said proudly.

"That's wonderful. Isn't it a great program?"

"It is that, it is that."

Raymond had the funniest way of repeating things twice. It always made me smile.

"So tell me how your boys are. Did Shawn's arm heal? Is he out of the cast?"

"Yes, thank you for asking. He's all healed and tearing around the house like a madman again."

"Oh, I'm so glad," I said, smiling.

"I can see that Lulu is doing well," he said, reaching down to pet her.

"She is. She's still running alongside me on the treadmill," I boasted.

"Lulu's the only dog I ever knew who did that."

"If I didn't have her running with me, I think she'd be tearing up our headquarters." I laughed.

"I could see that, I really could."

"Well Raymond, duty calls me to the dungeon, so I've gotta run."

"It was good to see you. Let's catch up sooner rather than later, okay?" he asked.

"That sounds good---lunch," I offered.

"Mexican," he replied.

"Next week," I clarified.

"Okay, done," he smiled. "See you then, Ann. Good to see you."

"Good to see you too," I confirmed with a wave. Lulu and I started making our way down the stairwell.

As the blast of cool, damp air came up my nostrils, I saw my co-workers already in.

"Hi, guys," I greeted loudly with a wave.

"Hi, Ann," they responded in unison, and then looked at one another across the room.

I laughed.

"Well, Edwin, what's on the microwave menu today?" I stopped, bantering.

"I never know that until I get further into my day," Edwin replied seriously.

Paul and I both laughed out loud.

As I moved to my desk, Paul left his computers and came over to me. I started unpacking my workbag as Lulu took her rightful place on her dog bed.

"Can you believe that earthquake?" he asked me.

"I can't. It freaked me out," I responded, meeting his eyes.

"Did you know someone there?"

"Well, not exactly," I hesitantly responded.

There was silence between us, and he looked at me with questioning eyes.

"It looks like I should pull up a seat."

"You know, can I take a rain check and maybe talk with you at lunchtime? Do you want to run outside today, with Lulu?"

"That sounds great, and it's supposed to be a beautiful afternoon," he confirmed, obviously pleased with my invitation.

"How about we head out at twelve-thirty?" I suggested.

"Okay. Twelve-thirty it is. I'll meet you just outside the foyer," Paul agreed.

At twelve-fifteen, Lulu and I went to the gym locker room to change.

"Lulu, it's a special day; we're running outside today."

Her bottom wagged.
Does she know what I'm saying
?

I took Lulu's leash, and we headed toward the foyer, past the glum office manager. We met Paul outside as planned.

He ran on the street side; he had an old-fashioned sense of chivalry about him. I ran next to him with Lulu on my left. She did love to run. We had gone about two miles, chitchatting the whole time.

"So tell me what's up," he prodded.

He sure is direct
, I thought, glancing his way. It unnerved me a bit, being this open with Paul. I had not confided in a man since Armond's death.

"It was the strangest thing," I started slowly in breathless jog-talk, then decided to dive right in. "This morning I awoke from a vivid dream. I'd traveled to Shanghai. It was so real that I didn't even realize it was a dream right away. I remember every part of the dream too, every taste, scent, color, texture, feeling, symbolism, and even the cultural significances. At the end of the dream, there was an earthquake starting in the hotel I was in. That's when I woke up. It took me a few seconds to realize that I was home and not in Shanghai. Once I realized that, I knew something was really wrong. I asked for the news, and as she began, I was horrified to learn of an earthquake there," I said loudly, speaking above the sound of cars as we ran up to the entrance of Boulevard Park.

"It sounds like a coincidence."

"I don't think so---"