Archangel Crusader by Vijaya Schartz Page A

forbade coercion, however, he would let his friends make up their own mind. He’d have to trust in their good will.
    "So, are you going to tell us what brought you to the capital?" Debbie asked, as if on cue, producing caramel custard cups on a tray with a pot of fresh coffee.
    "I thought you'd never ask." Michael collected his thoughts, reclining slightly in his chair.
    "As much as we like each other's company and conversation, I know that you didn't come just to visit with me." Debbie sat, looked for a cigarette, then stopped herself and served coffee.
    Michael smiled with sympathy. He knew what she was going through. Addiction made a powerful contender. He felt appalled at his own conduct of the day before.
    "I can't tell you everything yet," Michael started, alert and a little nervous. "But I'll tell you this: I had some kind of revelation... Don't ask me how or what... I want to start a consciousness movement. A planetary quest to elevate the ecological and spiritual awareness of the people of America first, then of the whole planet. I'd like to call it the Earth Crusade. What I need is some exposure, maybe TV coverage."
    "Don't you think the world has enough gurus and TV preachers?" Walter vehemently stirred sugar in his cup. "They made a bad reputation for themselves over the years."
    "I'm not asking for financial support," Michael explained, ignoring his coffee. "My purpose is just to make people aware."
    "Something like the Hunger Project in the eighties?" Debbie suggested, seemingly more open to the idea.
    "Yeah... An appeal to the masses to support whatever organizations are already in place and functioning. Everything from ecology to anti-racism and charity, including anti-violence, the study and development of psychic abilities, UFO research..."
    "That's quite a spectrum!" Walter interjected. "How do you expect people to take you seriously if you spread yourself so thin?" He unbuttoned his blazer and sat back, crossing both hands on his stomach. "Besides, some of these issues are very iffy. These are not the sixties anymore... UFO research? The serious viewers may take you for a flake. Even the network may object under the pressure of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission. As for psychic powers, I personally think they are a hoax. I never met anyone who could prove or demonstrate them beyond the shadow of a doubt." Walter lifted an eyebrow at Michael, in challenge.
    Although he appreciated Walter's honesty, Michael had not expected him to resist so much. If the trick with the flower vase hadn’t impressed him, Michael would have to resort to a more dramatic demonstration.
    "I have good reason to believe in psychic faculties from first hand experience." Michael slowed his breathing, concentrating on a point low in the center of his forehead, at the level of the pineal gland. "Have you ever seen an aura? You know... The magnetic field around the body?" As four avid eyes stared in silence, Michael continued. "Watch, and tell me if you think this is a hoax."
    Eyes closed, Michael heard static and felt the warmth radiating from his body. The air around him sizzled with electricity. Surprisingly, his head hurt with the effort. When he opened his eyes, the room shimmered with blue brilliance.
    "Beautiful!" Debbie marveled with a bemused smile. "Did you do that? How?" Her wide, brown eyes sparkled.
    "Impressive trick," Walter admitted, "but this does not constitute hard evidence. Optical illusion, magnetic phenomenon... This house could be rigged for such a demonstration. David Copperfield made the statue of Liberty disappear." He sipped at his coffee.
    Michael could see the hurt on Debbie's face. "Then what would it take to convince you?" he asked. "Materializing something where there was nothing before? Moving objects from a distance? Walking through walls? Speaking from mind to mind?"
    "Let's be reasonable here." Walter spread his hands in conciliation. "These things are scientifically