FEAST incorporating challenge - Proust's quote.


Is the shield coming off today?

Alan Rooney tentatively felt the flexicovering covering the upper portion of his face.

Yes. I have instructions to remove it in the presence of Dr Crander. The compnurse's soothing voice responded.

Today! Rooney could hardly believe that five years after since radiation from a nova storm had destroyed his eyes during a mission to Alpha Centauri he would be able to return to active duty. He had been reconnoitring the local star field area for possible military bases and further expansion of the Empire. Earth had built her galaxy-wide power upon the formation of such bases but these were coming under threat by the ferocious alien Medusas who had a nasty habit of materialising out of thin air to transform any human they met into a million sparkly particles by the simple expedient of looking at them hence the nod to ancient greek legend. It was therefore felt to be the responsibility of any responsible earthling to respond in kind with a cell torsion gun. The resultant explosion was considered to be highly satisfactory and Rooney could hardly wait to blast some of those bastards again.

His heightened sense of hearing picked up footsteps approaching the bed. Good afternoon, Commander Rooney.

Dr Crander. Rooney nodded in the direction of the clipped voice.

I am sure you must be looking forward to removing the shield today.

You bet. Is it guaranteed that this procedure will work?

There was the slightest hesitation before the voice answered. I believe it will. Commander you said at the time, that you were prepared to try anything if it would restore your sight to you.

I did. Rooney answered cautiously. Why? What have you done?

We captured a Medusa. It was killed but remarkably, the head remained intact. We found the cells in its eyes had remarkable qualities of regeneration and when our tests discovered that they were compatible with human tissue we decided that we would try to repair your eyes, using the cells from the Medusas vision.

Rooney swallowed. Hell, Doc when I said Id try anything.well.

I assure you, responded the Doctor crisply, we would not have proceeded if there had been any perceived threat. Are you ready to have the shield removed?

Rooney swallowed nervously while the compnurse gently removed the shield.

Please, Commander, open your eyes.

He took a deep breath and raised his eyelids. After a few giddy seconds, his vision cleared.

Then he saw.

Then he understood.

My God. His eyes widened as he stared at Crander. Is that what they see?

He swung himself out of bed and, stumbling to the window, stared out across the facility lawns and gently swaying trees towards the distant mountains. His gaze followed the progress of two chatting nurses as they walked towards the building. He looked up at the sky then, amazingly, he stared straight at the sun.

Crander touched him on the shoulder in concern and as Rooney turned to him, he saw that tears were running down his face.

Commander. You were looking at the sun!

Oh yes. Rooney shut his eyes, and leant his head against the window frame. "The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes," He murmured. Sighing he glanced at Crander who could have sworn that he could see sparks flying across the brilliant pupils.

The door opened and a junior doctor walked in, only to step back in alarm at the look he encountered from Rooney.

Dont! Rooney snapped. Dont be afraid. He gripped Crander by the elbows. We didnt understand. We never knew we never SAW!

Crander noticed, to his relief that the Junior was edging towards the panic sensor. Calm down, Commander. We never sawwhat precisely?

Rooney stared at a vase of flowers and laughed. Its beautiful. Everythingis beautiful. Its a feast. A feast for the eyes. He released the Doctor. My God. To think we couldnt see just what we are. What everything is. But he Medusas can see this. They are this.

What what for Gods sake?

Doctor were all energy. Everything is glorious, scintillating, sparkling energy. Everything I can see is part of.. He fell silent then those shining eyes turned to the Junior who swallowed nervously. Part of God. Its incredible. I can see into eternity. And the only thing thats keeping us from being aware of the divine is our own perceptions. We only perceive the heavy, fallible, limited body we live in. Yet the Medusas recognise our captive light and pity us.

Under his sparkling gaze, the Junior dissolved into a mist of glittering particles. As Crander dived desperately for the panic sensor he could hear Rooneys ecstatic voice, Doctor - Theyre not trying to kill us. Theyre trying to liberate us!




~You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do~
(including visiting MIRABILE VISU )

Photo by Balazs Karman and Laszlo Novak