counseled the principal players, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Adams, and Hamilton should be brought into the conspiracy from the beginning, starting with telling them the truth about their future and proving it to them with a very comprehensive video, and some graphic demonstrations of what kinds of equipment and men they would bring to the party. He also said that Arcadia would score a lot more points if she fixed Washington’s teeth and cured Franklin’s gout.
Eventually the voice and the glowing orb disappeared, leaving Arcadia and Sampson sitting alone in the Emerald Cathedral.
“What just happened?” asked Sampson with a shaky voice.
“Instructions, I think,” said Arcadia. “Is there any doubt in your mind we just received a divine mission?”
“None whatsoever,” said Sampson. “If the Lord is in control of everything, why not time as well? Are you up to the task, Arcadia?”
“I think so, are you?”
“It looks to me that all I have to do is provide you with the manpower and materials you need,” said Sampson. “That’s easy enough. All we need is to build you a base of operations. Given the present environment, I doubt anyone will question what we’re doing. I’m also sure that we can’t announce what just happened.”
“True enough,” said Arcadia. “We’ll build the base, recruit the people we need and move them in. When the time shift occurs, I can brief everyone on the mission. It won’t be like they can do anything about it. Besides, I think everyone will be excited to get started in the process of changing the world”
Everyone was still in the tech center, working on establishing communications and a command and control structure. “There’s nothing more you can do here tonight, Arcadia,” said Sampson. “Why don’t you go home and get some sleep.”
Arcadia admitted she was tired, so she said goodnight to all and headed back to the bungalow. The rest of the family was still awake, watching the news. Arcadia decided that this was no time to relate any of the momentous events that had occurred in the Emerald Cathedral, so she just hugged her mom and dad, and her brothers and said she was very tired and was going to bed. She was surprised to that she fell asleep so quickly, and slept soundly the rest of the night.
4
The sun was shining through her window when Arcadia awoke the next morning. She glanced at her clock and saw that it was past eight. Quickly she got up and jumped into the shower. She brushed her teeth, combed her hair, sprinkled on a very modest bit of make-up, and dressed in jeans and a light Park sweatshirt. When she was ready, her mother made her a quick breakfast and she left, headed for the tech center.
As she came in, she found it was still a beehive of activity. Walt Sampson was on the phone, he looked haggard and had probably worked all night, but waved at her as she came in. He hung up the phone and motioned for Arcadia to join him privately outside.
When they were alone, Sampson said, “It’s really remarkable. It looks like we’ve been given a chance for a Do-Over and the tool to pull it off is you. What’s your plan?” he asked.
“I got really caught up in all the modern technology introductions and missed the more important first consideration,” said Arcadia. “As our vision reminded us, we’ll have plenty of time to phase in an educational system that allows for the development of advanced knowledge, know-how, equipment, tools, and expertise. However, we have to win the war and establish a government of the United States, before we do anything else. In order to do that, we can’t wait for American Colonists to develop the means.