Excerpt from The Recruiter
“We don’t have very much time, and speaking right now goes against protocol. But, since I am here under extraordinary circumstances, I get to bend a few rules. First, thank you for accepting my invitation.”
I don’t know that I’d call it an invitation, Jessica thought to herself.
“Oh, but it was, designed specifically for you,” Ori said out loud.
Jessica gasped, “Can you—”
“Read your thoughts? Yes, not that it’s difficult at the moment, but we will get into that at another time,” Ori said. “We have a grave request for you. We need someone to do unbiased reporting on the trial.”
“Trial, what trial?” Jessica asked.
Ori continued, “There is a trial underway now, at the very highest of levels. Evelyn and I have been on a mission to prove that these people are worth saving. I believe that if we can bring this trial and the progress being made out into the light, for the public to witness, then there is a chance that we will win.”
“Who are these people in this scenario?” Jessica asked.
Evelyn placed her hand on Ori’s forearm. “Jessica,” she said, her voice calm, “this is a trial unlike any before and will be unlike any after. This is a trial that could determine the fate and future of all you know.”
“What?” Jessica exclaimed. “This sounds extreme.”
“I know this may be a lot to digest.” Ori looked back at Jessica. “Think about it like this: the universe is a living thing, and just like any other living thing, its objective is to grow and expand. The Earth is meant to play a critical role in this universal expansion, but can only do that when human beings do what they are meant to do. There was a time when Earth was marvelous. However . . .,” Ori paused, “let’s just say that, currently, there is a lot of room for improvement. And what happens on Earth can cause a ripple effect throughout the universe.”
“I suppose that sounds like it could be true,” Jessica said thoughtfully. “Things have been getting better over the past few years though.”
“And you’ve already started to write about these changes, which is exactly what we need,” Ori said. “Things were bleak for so long that a total reset was being considered. Fear, violence, ego, and war were running rampant. An advocate proposed that if we were able to confine those negative forces, then Earth and its people could get back on the right track. We,” Ori motioned to his group of friends, “have been charged with carrying out this task.”
“And what is the right track?” asked Jessica, her head swimming.
“Every individual has greatness in him. The right track is when people are pursuing that greatness and not allowing these destructive energies and efforts to derail them.”
“Okay . . .” Jessica thought for a moment. “Let’s say that what you are telling me is true. Who will be the judge? How do you win a trial with the universe?”
“You collect as much consistent evidence as possible to support that Earth is still a beacon of light,” Ori said.
“What does that kind of evidence look like?” Jessica asked.
“The only evidence that the universe cares about is people like you: people doing what they are meant to do, what they were built to do.” Ori looked at his watch. “My job is to recruit as many people as possible, people who want to do the right thing with the gifts that they’ve been granted. The more people we have, the greater the chances of winning. All I ask of you is to simply document what you witness. That’s it.”
“That’s it?” Jessica asked skeptically. “Document what I witness?”
Ori raised an eyebrow and gave a lopsided smile. “Are you in?”
“Well, it just kind of sounds like my job. But tell me this,” Jessica paused. “Who are you, really?”
“It’s a bit complicated, but in the flesh, I’m the Ori that you see. But my soul, or my spirit, is . . .” Ori searched for the right words, then smiled. “It’s something very different. Something older than time.”
“So,” Ori extended his hand, “if you choose to shake my hand, you’re making a choice to document only what you witness. Nothing more, nothing less. And by shaking my hand, I will grant you the gift of sight. This will allow you to see what is at stake. Do you agree? Will you join us?”
“Oh, why not!” Jessica firmly grabbed and shook Ori’s hand.
“Great,” Evelyn said, clapping her hands. “We’ve got the record keeper.”