29 Jun 2011
Beyond the Farthest Star: Prologue
In the country that lies beyond the farthest star there is a giant, golden city. Nothing that is abominable, or evil, or false can ever enter this celestial paradise. It is home to not only the righteous, but to the Holy One. Its glory outshines the sun, and it is an eternal city that will never fade away.
In the heart of this city is a tall tower – a golden spire that overlooks the city itself. In the top of this tower is a vast, circular room. Around the edges of the room is a walkway that overlooks a pit. Within the pit are images of a world that is lost in shadows.
Amanda Stryker was standing in that room, leaning over railing balcony and staring at the scene that was unfolding below. The image was crystal-clear. She could see her sister standing in a room filled with communications equipment, angrily screaming at a very old man. Her rage was palpable:
“Adrian!” Amy screamed.
The elderly man jumped up in surprise and whirled around. A look of surprise crossed his face. “Amanda?” he said uncertainly.
“Oh no,” Amy said bitterly. “Amanda can’t be here right now. Do you know why? It’s because you killed her! You killed her, and the Artilect, and my entire family. But you missed one, Adrian. You didn’t kill me.”
“And you are?” Adrian asked.
“I’m Amanda’s twin sister Amy – and I have all of her powers. I don’t need the Artilect, Adrian. I’m quite capable of destroying your planet without it.”
Adrian looked surprised. “A sister! But – that is, I didn’t know she had a sister. Where have you been all this time?”
“Of course you didn’t know! Why, if you had known then I would be dead too. You murderer! My family came here to save you and you killed them.”
Amanda made a motion with her hand and the image froze. She quietly stared at the picture of her sister. Grief and longing tugged at her heart. “You’re in so much pain, Tiger,” she said.
“She is indeed,” Jones replied. “I suspect you would be too if you had lived and she had died.”
The girl turned her head to look at Jones. “Oh – hey there! I didn’t see you come in.”
“When I entered this room I saw that you were busy, and I did not wish to disturb you by calling attention to myself. But I can see why you were distracted. You’re worried about Amy, aren’t you?”
“Of course! Well, not worried, exactly. But I care about her. I know she’s in pain and I know she misses us. I wish someone could be there with her, but all of us are up here and she’s alone. She doesn’t have anyone to lean on, and she really needs someone right now.”
“She has the Lord,” Jones replied.
“Oh, I know,” Amanda said. “But it’s not the same. I mean, I know Jesus is there, but He’s not there the way He’s here. Jesus is physically here – He can actually hold me. Down there, well, it’s different.”
“But it’s not as different as you think. Even in the shadowlands below there are still people who serve the Lord. Amy’s life is about to change, Atzi. The Lord is going to bring her into contact with people who will care about her and comfort her. Through them He will hold her, and give her the strength she needs to do the most difficult thing she will ever do.”
“What’s that?”
“Show mercy to Adrian,” Jones replied.
“But he doesn’t deserve it!” Amanda protested. “He betrayed all of us to our deaths, and he knew we would be killed when he did it! He deserves to be punished.”
“That’s what mercy is, Amanda – a gift to people who don’t deserve it. A second chance for people who have no right to it. Mercy is why you are standing here now, instead of in Hell with Carroll Lane. Mercy saved you, and your family, and me – and it can even save Adrian Garza.”
Amanda glanced back down at her sister. She saw the tears on her face and the utter rage that filled her heart. “She’s a long way from forgiving him, Jones.”
“Give her time,” he replied. “With God all things are possible.”