Mark asked, “So Naymeer’s vision for the future says the poor, the sick, the handicapped, the people who need the help of society will be considered irrelevant and treated differently?”
“Not just the poor and sick,” Patrick corrected. “It includes anyone whom Naymeer doesn’t consider to be exceptional. That means your average person will be treated as a liability to society.”
“What about old people?” Courtney asked.
Patrick shrugged. “If they don’t contribute to society in some significant way, they’re not part of Ravinia and will be treated as second-class citizens.”
D. J. MacHale
Raven Rise
Courtney added, “Wasn’t that kind of what the Nazis were all about? Creating a Super Race?”
“Yes,” Patrick answered. “At the expense of several million people who didn’t fit the profile.”
“How can people buy into this?” Courtney complained. “It’s just…wrong.”
“Not everybody does” was Patrick’s response. “There’s a whole countermovement to Ravinia. They call themselves the ‘Foundation.’ They’re fighting the cause of the common man, saying how everybody has value, and to follow Naymeer would lead to destruction. Look at this.”
Patrick looked to Mark’s computer and announced, “Play Gastigian.”
On the monitor screen, a video triggered. They saw the image of a dark-skinned man speaking directly to the camera for a TV interview.
“That’s the guy from the protest!” Courtney exclaimed. “The guy with the bullhorn.”
“Shhh, listen,” Patrick admonished.
The man on the screen spoke with passion. “Naymeer and the Ravinians are putting us on a dangerous course. To disrespect the common man, upon whose backs this world was built, is not only a grave act of injustice, it will certainly bring about the downfall of modern society. If the United Nations votes to accept and perpetuate the teachings of Alexander Naymeer, it will mark the beginning of the fall of modern man.”
The video ended on the frozen face of the passionate man. “Strong words,” Courtney said. “He’s predicting doomsday.”
“Who is he?” Mark asked.
“His name is Haig Gastigian. A philosophy professor from New York University. He’s the leading voice against the Ravinians. From what I’ve seen, he’s a hero to many, and an outlaw to the Ravinians.”
Mark shook his head in wonder. “What he’s saying is just common sense. You’d think everybody would see that.”
Patrick answered, “Many do. But Naymeer’s philosophy is pretty appealing to a lot of people. People with power. I guess people like easy answers, and he’s promising them a better world. It’s great, as long as you’re on the right side.”
Mark asked, “What’s this thing with the United Nations? Ravinia is going to be recognized as the spiritual voice of the world? How scary is that?”
“The UN General Assembly is voting on it soon,” Patrick offered. “It could very well be the beginning of the end.” Mark asked, “What do you mean?”
Patrick sighed. “It means Naymeer’s vision is wrong and dangerous. The proof of that is on Third Earth. It’s created nothing short of chaos and despair. I’m sure he hasn’t shown that particular vision to anybody.”
“Could that be it?” Courtney asked. “Could that be the turning point for Second Earth? The acceptance of Naymeer’s vision by the UN?”
“This isn’t Naymeer’s vision,” Mark corrected. “This is pure Saint Dane. What happened on Third Earth could be the fate of every other territory. Saint Dane is revealing the existence of Halla through this Naymeer guy. This is the ultimate mixing of the territories. How can any society follow its own destiny when they’re aware that so much more is out there? Saint Dane is probably going to follow the same model on every other territory.”
“Then this is it,” Courtney said with finality. “This is the Convergence. Saint Dane is spreading this vision throughout Halla. He’s rewarding the strong and punishing the weak. If he succeeds, then what?”
The three fell silent, the weight of those words sinking in. Nobody wanted to ask the next obvious question.
Mark took the plunge. “What do we do about it?”
“I told you,” Courtney announced, jumping to her feet. “We travel. This is where it’s all coming down. Second Earth. We can’t handle this on our own.”
“Then why should we leave?” Patrick asked.
“To get Bobby. And anybody else who can help. Alder, Loor, Siry, Aja-“
“Aja’s dead,” Mark corrected.
“She’s dead on Ibara. Not on Veelox. If we went to Veelox, we’d find her.”
“And do what?” Mark asked.
“Bring them here! Saint Dane says it’s over. I don’t think it is. We still haven’t hit Second Earth’s turning point. Maybe this UN thing is it. I don’t know. But things are still happening. The Convergence might have started, but it isn’t finished. Naymeer is still gathering his power. We have to try to stop him. No way we can do it alone. The Travelers should be here. All of them.”
“What about Bobby?” Mark asked soberly. “What if he really meant it when he said he quit?”
Mark and Patrick looked to Courtney. She didn’t answer at first. She knew the importance of her next words.
“I can’t pretend to know what’s going through Bobby’s head after all he’s had to deal with, but you know him as well as I do, Mark. No, you know him way better than I do. He may have been frustrated. He may have been tired. He may have felt totally overwhelmed and needed a long rest. But in your heart, do you really believe that he quit?”
Mark and Courtney gazed into each other’s eyes for several seconds.
“No,” Mark finally said. “No I don’t.”
“Neither do I,” Courtney announced with confidence. “Let’s go get him.”
Mark looked up to Patrick and said, “Are you up for this?”
Patrick looked pale. “I’ve never been anywhere but the Earth territories. I–I’m not sure how I’ll do.”
“You’ll do fine,” Courtney said dismissively. “Besides, you’re a Traveler. We can’t use the flume without…” Courtney stopped in midsentence.
“What’s the matter?” Mark asked.
“I smell something.”
“Stop bagging on my room,” Mark whined. “I haven’t been here in months.”
Courtney frowned and walked quickly to the bedroom door. She felt the handle with suspicion, then threw the door open. Black smoke billowed into the room.
“Fire!” Courtney shouted.
“They found us,” Mark gasped.
Courtney tried to step through the door, but the smoke drove her back. She closed it quickly. “Can’t go that way,” she shouted.
Mark went for the door. “I’ve got to get my parents’ papers. And pictures.”
Courtney held her arm against the door, not allowing Mark to open it. “Are you crazy?”
“Courtney! My family’s life is in that room.”
“Your family’s life is on First Earth. They can’t come back, Mark. This place doesn’t mean anything to them anymore.”
Mark reached for the door again. “But I have to save-”
Courtney grabbed his arm. She looked him right in the eye and said with dead seriousness, “You have to save us.”
Mark thought and nodded. “You’re right.” He glanced around and ran for the window. “We can crawl across the roof and climb down the maple tree. I’ve done it a million times.”
“Wait!” Courtney shouted. “Whoever did this is probably out there.”
Mark weighed the problem, then yanked the window up. “I’ll see.” Quickly he ducked out onto the roof. Patrick didn’t move. “Go!” Courtney ordered.
The Traveler followed Mark. Courtney was right behind him. The shingled roof was sloped, but it wasn’t hard
