This is episode twenty-two of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise
. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by.
The Members of The Cosmos
Two days passed. The Tramp Islander sailed effortlessly with the wind. Although there was no proof, everyone thought they moved faster and smoother with the blue sails.
Trace lifted the mic from its hook. He called everybody to assemble in the mess. He waited a couple of minutes, strapped the wheel, and climbed down the companionway. He entered the mess. Everyone sat at the table with curious faces. He sat at the table’s head.
Trace removed his hat and tossed it on the bench in the salon. Curiosity continued.
Trace looked at everyone. “How many of you have studied some of the contents of the box?”
Everyone raised their hands.
“How many are familiar with the island?” Trace asked.
Everyone raised their hands.
“How many of you are familiar with the compound, the building, where Franks’ kid and the girl are, the airstrip, and so forth?” Trace asked.
Everyone raised their hands.
“That’s good,” Trace said. “Remember, Cally said, to know it like the back of your hand, like you have been born there.”
“How many of you have read Haywood Demeter’s books and the articles about him?” Trace asked.
Only Cally and Adam raised their hands.
“I was afraid of being converted,” Coyote quipped.
Everyone chuckled.
Trace grinned, shook his head, and continued. “I think Adam, Cally, and I will agree that everyone doesn’t need to know Demeter’s philosophies, his strategies, the way he thinks, his background, or how he organizes. We certainly want no converts among us.” Trace grinned. “However, it is important I have some understanding, as well as Dad and Cally. So I’m going to fill everyone in together on a few things about Demeter and his religion. And Cally, Dad, jump in wherever you want to.”
“First of all, Demeter is well educated. He has doctorates in psychology and theology. And they’re from prestigious universities, not mail-order paper.”
“He accepted a position with an Episcopal Church and soon had a revelation. He claimed to have come into contact with the true custodian of the universe. He was careful not to call him God. The Creator had died or become disinterested and turned things over to a custodian. His name is Omni.”
“Omni trained Demeter, so he says. He trained him during his dreams and thoughts, plus long sessions of meditation. Eventually, Omni dictated a book to him. The book is called The Law of the Cosmos.”
“That book was meant as a guide for mere mortals. Or, the people who follow Demeter.”
“Omni bestowed the title of Me’Ahed on Demeter. That’s what he is known as and what he is called. It means ‘unifier or uniter’ in Hebrew.”
Sage raised his hand. “Just curious, why Omni, which is Greek, and Me’Ahed, which is Hebrew?”
Trace grinned. “Maybe that’s one you can ask Me’Ahed yourself.”
Trace continued. “He has complete authority on all matters. If a man and woman want to marry, he decides. If a member wishes to leave the island, it is an arduous process which ends in large sums of money being paid by families to free the member.”
“There is a period of indoctrination—brainwashing. A new member is deprived of sleep and driven to reveal all secrets about the family they came from, rich families. In turn, those families are blackmailed. Demeter knows just how much to bilk them for without them going to the law or to seek private action. He doesn’t break them, they just with they to be broken.”
“Until Franks,” Pete said.
“Right,” Trace said, “Franks had nothing to lose and the girl’s father has nothing to begin with. Demeter likely knew nothing about Franks. Franks’ entire life is built on shame. You could never shame him or subject him to blackmail. What are they going to blackmail him with? Your ole man is a cheating, lowlife, criminal. And Franks only has to say, ‘Is that all you got?’
“Demeter teaches that this life is only temporary. And if you lead a life of devotion, to Me’Ached, Omni, and The Law of the Cosmos, you pass on to the next life.”
“And what that?” Makani asked.
“You will be transported to a planet matching the Earth. It will be your planet to inhabit, manage, procreate. If you are a man and not married, you will prepare a home and wait for a wife. And the same with a woman. If married, the couple will go together.”
“Much of their study is how to start new civilizations. That starts with purifying their spirit; elevated thoughts, and new-age mumbo jumbo and gobble-dee-goo. The words all sound like they should mean something, but they don’t. Everyone seems to understand him, but they don’t. They are afraid that if they don’t, they have not reached the degree of spiritual enlightenment expected of them. Which reminds me, there are 49 degrees of spiritual enlightenment. Demeter, of course, has received all 49. The closest to him is 22. You must achieve seven to be invited to the island.”
“What happens?” Sage said. “Does a little bell ring when you’ve achieved a degree?”
“Anyone who achieves the seven degrees can bestow up to six on any other member. It’s a rigorous process. Of course, a lot of money changes hands first. All degrees of spiritual enlightenment after six are only conferred by Demeter. He has three or four conclaves a year with those who can come up with the money or something of equal value. He tests them by asking questions about the Cosmos.”
“Is it possible to reason with them to deprogram them?” Sage asked.
“What’s the old joke?” Trace said. “How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb? One, but that’s only if it wants to change. I suppose a bold demonstration of reason beyond doubt might help someone, but generally, the person has to have the seed of doubt already planted.”
“Let’s remember, if I got this right,” Cally said. “We’re not there to convert anybody, just to rescue two souls who have already gone astray.”
“That’s right,” Trace said. “There will not be time for interaction. Remember, these people, sorry to say, are useful idiots. And you can’t reason with an idiot.”
Trace spoke for almost another half an hour. He surveyed the room. He felt the general mood might be that The Members of Cosmos were a subset of humanity and mentally ill.
“Hold on for just a minute,” Trace continued. “I don’t want to leave you with the impression they are walking zombies. They are intelligent and engaging people. However, behind that facade is a person who listens only to Demeter. What they believe is no stranger than Catholicism or Hinduism.”
Cally lifted his hand off the table.
“Go ahead, Cally, you have something to say?”
“I’ve been watching Adam,” Cally said. “He’s had his nose in Demeter’s books quite a bit; what do you think?”
Everyone looked at Adam.
Adam appeared reluctant to speak.
“Go ahead, Dad,” Trace urged.
“I’ll sound like a broken record,” Adam said. “My son and I think alike. At least that’s what he leads me to believe. Anyway, the only thing I have to add is that I think they’ll put up a brave front, maybe even fierce. They’ll back down. True, there may be a few true believers, but I think in the end, we might even see Demeter melt into a pool of tears. He’s a coward with power.”
Everybody’s eyes glanced back and forth from Trace to Adam.
“Hope I didn’t overstep,” Adam said.
“Thanks, Dad,” Trace said. “That’s what I was going to end with.”
That sent a signal to everyone that the meeting was over. Coyote and Pete heaved sighs of relief.
“As bad as church,” Coyote said.
“If we done, I get beer for everybody,” Makani said, “and Trace, you get back to wheel.”
“Aye, aye,” Trace grinned.
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