EarthShift by Judith Horky, novel of planetary and social changes

BOOK TWO in the 'EarthShift' Series: SOUL SHIFT - click here

Prologue

    Bill squirmed in his chair, sticky sweat dripping down his back as he adjusted his lanky six-foot-frame in the small hard chair next to the video production console. The countdown had begun. TV cameras were focused and the satellite feed from the Oval Office in Washington was tracking. The President began speaking.
     Bill's engineer, Tex, and his team were tense but capable of handling any emergency. Well, most any, Bill thought. He hadn't realized how much extra time would be eaten up by all the security measures for both equipment and crew, and his stomach was in knots. Live TV always raised his blood pressure. No re-takes, no editing. The damn power hits didn't help any, either.
   He wondered what this "big announcement" was all about. Obviously it was important. Anything that pre-empted the almighty sitcoms had to be. Even more important at the moment was how things would go when Washington threw it to them in L.A. Bill's venue was filled with, in his opinion, a bunch of egghead scientists padding their egos with big words, each one "knowing" the answers but all the answers were different.
     Bill took a deep breath to calm down, stretched his neck in all directions, and uttered a curse when he banged his knee re-crossing his legs in the cramped quarters. The President's voice penetrated his thoughts.
     "...experiencing phenomena that, although measured scientifically, cannot be explained easily and is causing widespread concern. We do know that what has been and is now occurring -- the geographic upheavals, massive storms, changing weather patterns -- will continue to affect us throughout the world. Earth, and the space around it, is undergoing severe unrest. So in order to prepare you for the possible ramifications and to alleviate anxieties, I've asked a team of scientists to present information on this subject. Time is of the essence. We will go now to Los Angeles and the Chairman of the..."
     "Here they come, " Bill hissed at this production team.
     The director's voice boomed over the headset. "Stand by, audio. Ready, camera one. In four, three, two, one. Take it -- cue him!"
    They were up. It looked okay, Bill thought, wiping his forehead on his sleeve.
    "...difficult to admit we don't have all the answers. Our first speaker, Dr. Ray Donahue, will present some background information on ..."
     Bill's throat felt like it was closing when he saw a glitch on the screen caused by another power hit. "Jesus Christ," he muttered and glared at the engineer, who merely shrugged. Some things just couldn't be explained.
     Bill had to ignore the speech and focus his attention on themonitors and his own responsibilities. The next introduction caught his attention and he tuned back in.
     "...internationally known author and lecturer, Dr. Dwight Atwood has had professional careers in the earth sciences, aerospace, and computer industries, and has integrated his knowledge into the -- ah -- spiritual realm. He has been called a psychic. In this time of crisis, the administration will remain open to all possible avenues of enlightenment. We are hoping Dr. Atwood can shed some light on what appears to be a universe going haywire. Dr. Atwood?" A slight smirk tweaked the corner of Donahue's mouth as polite applause accompanied Atwood to the podium.
     Interesting intro, Bill thought. The poor guy faced an uphill battle for credibility, at least in present company, but the name was familiar. In fact, he was sure his mother, Julie, had given him some of Atwood's books to read.
     What really drew Bill's attention to Atwood was his face. Deep lines ran from his nose to the corners of his mouth, reminding Bill of a Native American. His shoulder-length gray hair added to the image. The timbre in Atwood's voice had the sound engineer making a few hasty adjustments on the audio board.
     "Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen. I am honored to be asked to discuss the photon phenomenon occurring at this time in history. There are no known precedents for the recent events. Our Earth is nearing the completion of a cycle initiated nearly two hundred thousand years ago. The ancient ones called it "The Shift of the Ages." I will present my theories in laymen's terms and urge you to be aware of the seriousness and time frame of the possible -- and probable -- result of Earth's changing vibrations."
     Power hits interrupted the signal more frequently and the air turned blue with four-letter words blasting through headsets. "We can't find the damn problem!" Bill said to the Washington producer, who didn't buy it. "We've triple checked everything. There's no logical reason for this to be happening." Bill wished to hell he were somewhere, anywhere, else.
     "... the intensity of the planet's magnetic field, a forerunner of the polar reversals, has decreased due to the slowing of Earth's rotation. At the same time, the rate of fundamental vibration, the Earth's heartbeat, has increased from the standard eight hertz to thirteen. This fluctuation is significant in that Earth's vibration rate affects our own. Each holographically tuned cell within our bodies is attempting to match this vibration. In other words, we and our Earth are being transformed."
     The audience erupted with questions as Atwood paused to scan audience reaction with an intensity that made Bill's heart beat faster. "We are spiritual beings living in physical bodies. As such, those people who are ready spiritually will shift to a higher frequency. It will be accomplished through awakening to unconditional love and compassion. We must let go of fear! I ask -- no, I pray -- that you keep an open mind. It is imperative. The Zero Point of the Shift is upon us -- perhaps a month away, or a week. Possibly hours. For the sake of mankind, I implore you to become aware." Atwood's knuckles whitened as he gripped the sides of the podium.
     Bill shivered. This was the kind of stuff his mother talked about. Atwood was passionate, yes, but what made him think all this stuff was imminent? What's he know that he's not telling, Bill wondered.
     He glanced at the monitors and swore under his breath at the unsteady waves drifting across the screen. He glared at Tex, who was frantically pushing buttons and turning dials, his face sweaty. What the hell is going on, he thought.
     "...only those materials that resonate with the Earth will survive the coming disruption. Is plastic resonant? Rubber? We've already experienced severe power failures. Will fuels survive the Shift? I ask you to consider what the future holds..."
     Everyone's attention was riveted on Atwood. Bill heard, "Oh, my God!" and "That's bullshit!" through his headset.
     The audience peppered Atwood with questions as phrases from his lecture caught and stuck in Bill's mind. We're in something called Photon energy -- it's getting very close to a peak -- the potential magnitude could be -- will be -- overwhelming. Bill felt hot and cold, wanting to not believe, but knowing deep down that he was hearing the truth.
     Bill thought of Kathy, his wife, and their two children. Joey and Erica were growing up while he was on the damn road. He knew the traveling put a strain on his marriage but what the hell could he do about it? It took money to eat and this was the best way he knew to make it. His eyes stung with unshed tears as a wave of longing swept through him. He wondered if Kathy was watching the broadcast and, if so, how she felt about it.
     Atwood leaned forward and, taking a deep breath, lowered his voice and spoke with intensity. "Ladies and gentlemen, to the degree that you can trust in a Higher Power, release fear and judgment, and love unconditionally; to that degree you will be prepared to survive the coming Shift emotionally, physically, and spiritually."
     Bill clenched his fists as he struggled to comprehend the warning, "...broadcast technologies will be unable to function..."
     Bill and Tex glanced at each other, then at the wall of electronic video equipment. It was impossible to imagine the chaotic ramification if Atwood was speaking the truth.
     Atwood spoke of physical sensations many people had been experiencing for the past year. "... flu-like symptoms, including aches and nausea, forgetfulness, fatigue, tension and unreasonable anxiety, vivid and meaningful dreams. Time seems to pass more quickly than it used to. Events seem to be speeding up due to the body's attempt to match the rapid pulsations of Earth's vibration. This and more will..."
     All heads were nodding, including the President's. At the moment, Bill's symptoms were worse than ever. He knew exactly what Atwood was talking about.
     "What will it be like after this so-called Shift?" someone asked, voicing everyone's thoughts.
     "I can only speculate. Some people will remain in the dense Third Dimension until -- and if -- they're ready to ascend to the Fifth Dimension. Those who have grown spiritually will shift to a higher frequency. Those who have developed a complete trust in the God Force will ascend. They will experience a different kind of life, one filled with peace and love. It will not include those left behind."
     Bill recalled that for the past few years, every other movie had seemed to be about shifts in consciousness or dimensions. The same for sci-fi television programs. We're being prepared for something, Bill thought. Some people will go and others will stay. What if Kathy and the kids do this thing and I don't? Or what if none of us -- what -- ascend? What if we're left in a world filled with war and fear and disease? A wave of panic swept through Bill.
     At that moment the furniture, the lights -- the entire building -- began to shake. Screams of "Earthquake!" filled the room as glass shattered and cameras fell to the floor. People dove under the large conference table or headed for doorways, falling over chairs and each other. The noise was horrendous. Blackness filled the room.
     Bill watched in terror as the equipment console fell to the floor tearing out cable and power lines.
     "Oh God, it's happening. It's really happening!"

BOOK TWO in the 'EarthShift' Series: SOUL SHIFT - click here