This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change

What Reviewers, other Authors and Readers are saying about This Is/Is Not the Way I Want Things to Change, Volume III, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.

Because this reads like a documentation of actual events, I came away from it feeling like my own little life is petty and trivial and a waste of 'time.' Like, I’m not part of The Movement and I ought to run right out and start a victory garden or a recycling program or find an ESP trainer and get started learning how to TK or....

The entire series is such an astounding creation it amazes me that it’s the production of just one person.

---Devorah Dee Fox, Dee-Scoveries, fantasy/thriller author, journalist, columnist, 9/25/15

http://devorahfox.com

5 Stars for This Changes My Family and My Life Forever,

Volume II, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.

"One thing I like very much about The Spanners Series is the message that we can all live together in peace, learn from each other, be there for each other. All differences (religious, racial, gender, and even between species and inhabitants of other planets) are overcome. I mean, how cool would that be to be able to communicate with animals - and not in a jokey, Eddie Murphy-Dr. Dolittle-kind of way, but accept them and their needs / interests as equal to humans? And those people who resist change (yes, there will always be those, even if it is clear that the change is for the better) will not be eliminated, but gently persuaded to recognize what is best for them."

--Peggy Farooqi, The Pegster Reads, 5/31/14

http://thepegsterreads.blogspot.co.uk

What Reviewers, Readers and other Authors are saying about This Changes Everything,

Volume I, The Spanners Series, by Sally Ember, Ed.D.

is now FREE everywhere ebooks are available!

"This Changes Everything by Sally Ember is a well-written, complex work that is going to add a strong title to a genre that can sometimes become bogged down with the same old, same old. This Changes Everything is a book that I am very happy to have had the chance to read and I would recommend it to any sci-fi/fantasy fan."

--Zach Tyo, Indie Reviews, 10/4/13

http://indiebookreviewer.blogspot.com /

The details that Sally put into this book were amazing, and if I could have given her more stars, I would have. If you like, sci-fi, fantasy and or aliens this is the book for you. I do recommend this book and I hope you try it because you won’t be disappointed. Well done Sally I look forward to your future books!!

--Sandra Love, author, Broken, 1/5/14

Wonderfully original!...You have created your characters very well. I feel for Clara, I imagine her alienating a lot of people because her enthusiasm and drive and ability to push herself makes her someone who doesn't suffer fools gladly. I would have liked more of the reporter's life and I didn't like Epifanio at all. He sounded arrogant and selfish. I loved that the aliens were chosen by lottery. You had so many good touches like that, which made the book a continuing surprise. I...have to say it is one of the most challenging, exciting and original books I've read.

--(Mary) Josephine O'Brien, author, Sharing Skies, 9/14/13

You have written a wonderfully imaginative and original story with plenty of twists and turns. I really like your multiuniverse setting with different timelines and the concept of the 'Many Worlds Collective.'

--Sophekles (Anthony Rohlwink), author, The Serotonin Transfer, 10/8/13

I love your sense of humor. I literally laughed out loud when Clara said that she had given him the name 'Led.' I also like that this is an alien story where the aliens are helping, rather than trying to take over the world. It's a refreshing angle.

--S.M. Koz author, Pangalax, Book 1, The Veya Trilogy, 9/4/13

"[This Changes Everything] is highly-imaginative, but for so many different reasons, and outside of the normal scope. There are times when I felt that I was reading an actual research report of true to life events. Honestly, I’m sitting at my laptop, questioning if Clara has provided this work to Ember, or if the two are one in the same. The experience is mind-altering, and would challenge readers to think beyond the bubble that we live in. I would surely recommend This Changes Everything to anyone that enjoys a well-written and researched Sci-Fi series. I will point out that it pushes the envelope, and toys with one’s perception. Well done! 5 Stars."

--Janice G. Ross, author, 11/11/13

http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com

http://jgrwriter.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/review-this-changes-everything-by-sally-ember-3/

Quality writing, creative and original story...The writing is complex and done extremely well....There were times when I almost forgot I was reading a work of fiction and not a news account of real events, and I would consider that to be skilled writing indeed....[D]id I enjoy more of it than not? Yes. Four stars. Did I like the overall content? Most of the time. Three stars. Was the writing of good quality? Oh, definitely yes. Five stars. My overall rating: four of five stars.

--Lynda Dietz, 11/6/13, Easy Reader

http://ilovetoreadyourbooks.blogspot.com

An Intelligent, Funny, Multi-Generational, Multi-Timeline, Multi-Story...Ember's stories are like a brain dump of all her education, knowledge, experiences, philosophies, hopes and dreams, and observations. Ember is the Alice Walker of the Spanner Generation.

--April, 2/2/14, anonymous reviewer

This Is/Is Not The Way I Want Things to Change

Volume III, The Spanners Series

by Sally Ember, Ed.D.

Copyright 2015 Sally Ember, Ed.D.

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it and did not receive it directly from the author for no charge, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com or another retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author and Timult Books.

DEDICATION

To all the Claras, Epifanios, Steves and others who struggle with whom to choose and how to love and be happy. May we all be able to care for and be cared about by others with compassion and respect in all moments of this and every timeline of the multiverse.

May all beings have peace and the circumstances for peace.

May all beings have happiness and the conditions for happiness.

May all beings have joy and the causes of joy.

May all beings benefit.

All logo art and covers for The Spanners Series are original, by WillowRaven

For the annotated list with synopses and updated publication dates of all ten Volumes in The Spanners Series, see Appendix A in this and every Volume.

DISCLAIMER: Any resemblance to people and events living or dead depicted in The Spanners Series is due to the fact that "anything that can happen is happening, a function of the multiverse in which we live. If it's not true" here, it's true somewhere, sometime. However, if you or your events are described and you don't appreciate the depiction(s), please contact me. Let's talk.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

Excellent Skills Program (ESP)

Final Test, Level 11-A:

Clara Branon, Ph.D., Chief Communicator (CC), and

Moran Ackerman, Chief of OverSeers covert and Special Operations (OSOps)

Occurrences: January 14, 2015/ November 2, 2014

CHAPTER INTERLUDE ONE

Epifanio Dang, Student and Instructor, Excellent Skills Program Training

Recorded: June 30, 2017

CHAPTER TWO

Interview with Rose Vogel, Clara’s Mother: Esperanza Enlaces, Interviewer/Transcriber

Interview date: June 14, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE TWO

Epifanio Dang's First Visit with the The Band

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER THREE

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log,

Clara Must Confess Her Mistakes

Recorded: March 28, 2014

CHAPTER INTERLUDE THREE

Epifanio Dang's Excellent Skills Program Trainings: Esperanza Enlaces,

Interviewer/Transcriber

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER FOUR

Pareidolia and Paranoia Among Fraggers and Trenchers and the Birth of Reverters

Occurrence: March 25, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE FOUR

Epifanio Dang on Clara Branon and The Transition

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER FIVE

Interview with Cassandra Ackerman and Violet Engel, Clara’s Sisters: Esperanza

Enlaces, Interviewer/Transcriber

Interview date: June 16, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE FIVE

The Romantic Life of Clara Branon as Chief Communicator:

Epifanio or Steve or ... Clara Alone or with a Partner

Recorded: August 22, 2016

CHAPTER SIX

Interviews with Thomas Ackerman and Raisa Nadel Ackerman, Clara’s Brother and

Sister-in-Law: Esperanza Enlaces, Interviewer/Transcriber

Interview date: June 18, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE SIX

Epifanio's Excellent Skills Program trainings: Esperanza Enlaces,

Interviewer/Transcriber (continued)

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER SEVEN

Conversational Interview with Abraham Wood, Franco Galino, Lama Sangyay and

Esperanza Enlaces: Esperanza Enlaces, Transcriber

Conversation dates: June 20-21, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE SEVEN

The Transition Years, Epifanio Is/Is Not with Clara: Esperanza Enlaces, Interviewer/Transcriber (continued)

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER EIGHT

Esperanza Enlaces, Chief Media Contact, Transition Interview: Esperanza Enlaces, Transcriber

Recorded: May 21, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE EIGHT

Epifanio's Problem with Espe

Recorded: June 12, 2018

CHAPTER NINE

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, Clara and Led Prepare to Meet with the Global Unity Leadership Council for the First Time

Recorded: June 8, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE NINE

The Transition Years, Epifanio Is/Is Not with Clara

Occurrence: early December, 2014

CHAPTER TEN

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, Dr. Steve Jasny Visits Clara

Recorded: June 25, 2017

CHAPTER INTERLUDE TEN

The Transition Years, Epifanio Is/Is Not with Clara (continued)

Occurrence: February 20, 2015

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, The Ending of Elections, Nations and Political Boundaries and the Beginnings of Global Unity

Recorded: January 3, 2016

CHAPTER INTERLUDE ELEVEN

More about the Psi-Defiers' and Psi-Warriors' Utilization of Excellent Skills

November 22, 2014

CHAPTER TWELVE

Zephyr and Clara talk about Dancing, Music and All Arts Xchanges: ProtectArts

Occurrence: August 3, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE TWELVE

There is no Law of Relationships and Gravity Varies:

Even the Chief Communicator Has Dark Days

Occurrence: April 27, 2017

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, Trouble with the Psi-Defiers

Occurrence: May 26, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE THIRTEEN

Relationships and Off-Planetary Travel: Worm Holes and Quantum Entanglement, Speech at Pandemonium Day Celebrations, given by Dr. Steve Jasny, M.D., Trainer at the Excellent Skills Program, and Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, Ph.D., Earth's Chief Communicator

Occurrence: July 14, 2017

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Clara and Moran talk about the Psi Wars and the Qed

Occurrence: April 27, 2016

CHAPTER INTERLUDE FOURTEEN

Multiverse, Polycosmos: We're All in This Together in Every Possible Way;

Espe Tries to Make Sense of It All

Occurrence: June 19, 2014

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Espe has Permission to Record the Ackerman Sisters:

Violet and Cassandra Earn Points with Clara

Occurrence: May 30, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE FIFTEEN

Dr. Steve Jasny's Research:

Being Tinted (Blued and Redded) and the Roles of Hormones in Human Relationships

Occurrence: July 5, 2018

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

How the Psi-Warriors Win: Nanobots, Cephalopods, Chameleons and iDs

Occurrence: July 1, 2015

CHAPTER INTERLUDE SIXTEEN

Clara to Receive Nobel Peace Prize and Ponders Being a Role Model

Occurrence: September 22, 2016

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Band Members Discuss the Psi Wars, the ReInvolved and Re-set with the two Chiefs

Occurrence: February 10, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE SEVENTEEN

What Happens After Happily Ever After?

Occurrence: October 22, 2017

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, DO NOT 'Gimme That Ole'-Time Religion'

Recorded: March 17, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE EIGHTEEN

Clara and Epifanio at Transition's End

Recorded: November 13, 2017

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, After A Day in the Life of the Chief Communicator, Post-Transition

Occurrence: August 21, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE NINETEEN

Why Epifanio Dang Joins the Fraggers

Occurrence: August 22, 2018

CHAPTER TWENTY

"How To Get Comfortable with the Multiverse and Timultaneity":

Transcript of the Valedictorian Speech at the Excellent Skills Program's Graduation

Occurrence: May 19, 2018

CHAPTER INTERLUDE TWENTY

Excerpts from the Chief Communicator’s Occasional Log, How do We Know That Anyone is Better Off?

Recorded: November 12, 2018

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Clara Plans and Delivers her End-of-Transition Speech, "Science-Fiction, Science Facts:

Predictions and the Many Worlds Collective's Interventions"

Occurrences: December 12, 2018/January 5, 2019

About the Author

Interacting With and Finding Sally Online

News and Other Information

Special Thanks

Appendix A: The Spanners Series Annotated List of Volumes I - X

Appendix B: Preliminary Glossary for The Spanners Series by Sally Ember, Ed.D.

as explained by Esperanza Enlaces, Chief Media Contact for Chief Communicator, Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, Ph.D.

Appendix C: The Dark Side of The Spanners Series by Sally Ember, Ed.D., as explained by Dr. Clara

Ackerman Branon, Ph.D.

Appendix D: Actual Human Visits/Contact by the Many Worlds Collective Before Public Contact and

those Referred to in The Spanners Series (partial list), Journalists, Photographers, Artists, Musicians and Writers

Appendix E: Ackerman-Branon Family Tree in 2021

Appendix F: Excellent Skills Program Training, Levels 1 - 12, divided into Beginning, Intermediate,

Advanced Sections

Excerpt from Volume IV here!

Changes in Attitude, Changes in Latitude, Chapter One

Chaya, the First Third-Generation Ackerman in the Excellent Skills Program:

Tales from Students' Journals

THE SPANNERS SERIES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In the Special Thanks section before the Appendices in this and every Volume, I detail those to whom I owe immense gratitude: please read and consider each of those people for their help in supporting the creation of this series.

For all the richness and fulfillment in my life, my spiritual education and nourishment, ongoing support and inspiration, I acknowledge and immeasurably thank my root Lama (teacher), Lama Padma Drimed Norbu, our teacher, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, and all of his teachers and their teachers back to the Buddha and all those who inspired them: may the precious dharma [teachings] flourish and all who seek them be able to find and learn from them alongside excellent sangha [spiritual community members].

I also owe a great debt to every physicist, astronomer, xenobiologist and writer of speculative fiction and to all who enjoy learning and reading about our possible futures. I hope we all keep growing and improving ourselves along with Earth, its inhabitants and all the diverse beings and locations of the multiverse.

Fantastic accomplishments seem like something unattainable and everyone doing the extraordinary seems to be unlike you until YOU do something amazing. Then, you realize those talented, heroic leaders are not different from you in any important ways.

---Clara Branon, Ph.D., Earth's Chief Communicator, 2012 - 2042, responding, at her retirement, to: How do you feel about being the first global leader and liaison for Earth to the Many Worlds Collective?

CHAPTER ONE

Excellent Skills Program (ESP)

Final Test, Level 11-A:

Clara Branon, Ph.D., Chief Communicator (CC), and

Moran Ackerman, Chief of OverSeers covert and Special Operations (OSOps)

January 14, 2015 & November 2, 2014

Level 11-A: PRECOGNITION / POSTCOGNITION (stage II)

Improving accuracy

Discernment of others' accuracy

Earthers' Chief Communicator (CC) and OverSeers special Operations (OSOps) Chief

Final Test Report to InterGalactic Council (IGC)

from Led and Mick, Assigned Trainers, Many Worlds Collective (MWC)

Excerpts from Video Transcript

[Simulation begins. Room appearance shifts to the setting of the exam. They are in a high-ceiling, large room of a rocky cave. It is mostly dark, but some stalactites glimmer above their heads, reflecting light from the cave's entrance. A large pool of water is in front of Clara and Moran, between them and the entrance. There are stalagmites around and in the center of it, some apparently quite large. The way to the entrance seems blocked by them and the water, whose depth is unseen. The stalactites' dripping into the pond are the only sounds.]

[Suddenly, the entire cave shudders several times. Rocks fall on Clara and Moran as the roof and walls crack. The pond roils. Some stalagmites crack and tumble down, further blocking the entrance. A few large rocks also fall and roll toward the entrance. A lot less light is visible at the mouth of the cave. Clara and Moran appear, seated on the cave floor, in the center.]

CLARA: Damn it, Moran. A cave? Why a cave? And, during a quake? Are you completely insane?

MORAN: It is fine, Aunt Clara. I timult our simulation and we do great.

CLARA: Great? Define great!

MORAN: You can trust me, you know.

CLARA: Trust is not my strong suit, as you well know.

MORAN: Noted. But, by Level 11, I believe you are supposed to be more, well, trusting. At least of me.

CLARA: I pick a city setting. Fraggers and Trenchers attack. We do great in that sim as well. Why do you override my choice?

MORAN: Because I can. No, seriously: because this one is better. I promise. We ace it. For sure.

CLARA: Look out!

MORAN: Whoa. Another earthquake! [He stands up to protect Clara from falling rocks.]

CLARA: [stands up to push Moran away from the center, toward the wall.] Closer to the wall is safer! Come on!

[Outside the cave's mouth are sounds of shouting, many people running, but none can be seen from where they stand.]

CLARA: The Trenchers and Fraggers can find us here and then we are trapped. I can feel some of their psi-activated scouts searching for us now. SHIELD!

MORAN: Shield up. Thanks. I am trying to timult our way out of here. Can't feel them and timult at the same moment, yet.

CLARA: Sure. Sure. Okay. [breathing hard] Moran? Do you feel them now? About six or more, I think.

MORAN: And counting... Yes, seven. I sense two more powerfully. Those are the ones to monitor. Setting up surveillance.

CLARA: Quakes coming again. Not as strong, but several.

MORAN: How many more?

CLARA: I think three. Maybe. I can't tell. You?

MORAN: InKC [Inner Knowing Center] time. [closes his eyes.]

CLARA: Right. [closes her eyes.]

MORAN: Two more, I think. Each weaker, but creating more damage. We do survive this, CeeCee, although I see many larger cracks occurring and this entire part of the cave's collapsing. We have to go deeper into it and find another way out.

CLARA: Absolutely not! I don't see the collapse. Going deeper is going nowhere, unless you see another exit. Do you? And, where are the psi-scouts? They can capture us as we exit!

MORAN: Maybe. Not sure. Checking. [closes his eyes]

CLARA: Well, I'm not going deeper if you're not sure and I can't timult it myself for whatever reason. I think we can move one of those larger rocks and get out this way. Use our telekinesis.

MORAN: No. That pond could be very deep and cold. How do we get across it? How do we not get bisected by one of those... pointy things on the way? TK doesn't help that. Maybe if we levitate...

CLARA: Stalagmites. Stalagmites try with all their might to reach the stalactites, which hold on to the ceiling with all their might. Can't believe I remember that, from fourth grade.

MORAN: Plus, you can't move squat. Your upper body strength is terrible. You know that.

CLARA: Desperate times...And, TK does not require physical strength. Let's try.

MORAN: Worth a shot.

[Moran and Clara close their eyes, then open them and point their fingers at the largest rocks, but not the same ones.]

MORAN: Aunt Clara, not that one: this one!

CLARA: Oh. Why? This one is blocking it more.

MORAN: Well, that one is closer to the entrance, but it's larger. If we move this one, we can squeeze by and get out. I know we can move this one.

CLARA: Do you see that or are you guessing?

MORAN: Well, estimating. Can't timult anything about that. You try.

CLARA: Nope. No views.

MORAN: Let's try the smaller one, then.

CLARA: Okay.

[Entire cave shudders again. More falling rocks. Moran is covering Clara's head with one arm and his own with the other. Larger rock rolls over the entrance, almost completely blocking it. Smaller rock near it cracks and falls apart. They cling to the wall, More shouting and running from outside the cave.]

MORAN: I can't precog the rest of this for love or money. What is my problem? Can't feel the psi-scouts, either.

CLARA: When we use our TK for something so large, all the other Excellent Skills are temporarily blocked. That happens to me frequently in difficult assignments. [coughing.] Oh, oh. Gas. Probably CO².

MORAN: How do you know?

CLARA: No odor. The other poisonous gases in caves would stink and burn our eyes; this one doesn't. We're lucky it's not ammonia, sulfur dioxide or methane.

MORAN: [coughing] Great. Clear eyes, but I can't breathe. Less oxygen, more CO². What now?

CLARA: This is my phobia: suffocating in some way. Anything that deprives me of air freaks me out. I don't even like to be in vehicles or buildings without air moving, probably because of my having asthma attacks when I am a lot younger, right? Almost don't learn to snorkel or SCUBA dive because of my fears. And, my general mistrust of equipment made by humans doesn't help, either.

MORAN: A snorkel is hardly equipment, Aunt Clara. Really. The only failures with snorkels occur by the user's incompetence. [laughs]

CLARA: So? I admit to being so scared I choke. I breathe at the wrong time, I sputter, I forget the correct procedures, all due to fear. I know it's my fault. That's the mechanism of phobias: we make our own misery. What about you?

MORAN: Okay. Claustrophobia. Don't put me in a tight space where I can't move, can't see, can't get enough space to think. I freak. Probably due to my two older brothers' sandwiching me in all kinds of places when they're bigger and stronger. They think it's funny. Kuni lemls [goofs, idiots; Yiddish].

CLARA: Like a cave whose entrance is getting more blocked with each quake? Like this?

MORAN: Don't rub it in.

CLARA: We expect The Band to force us to face our fears, so here we are. This is our test. Perfect.

MORAN: We are going to succeed in this. I know we can.

CLARA: My latest method for overcoming my fear of not breathing is to practice dying. You know, when we leave our bodies, when we die, our last breath is an out-breath. We exhale and never inhale again in that physical body. But, our brains are not dead, not inactive at all. I have this extreme fear that, at my death, when I exhale that final breath, I have a total internal freak-out because my brain knows it wants air and can't get it any longer. I know I am ridiculous, but at the same time, that must be what happens, if we're awake and know what's going on, right? So, I practice. I am making progress.

MORAN: How do you practice dying?

CLARA: Like this. Tune in. [demonstrates three long, slow breaths, inhaling, exhaling, then not inhaling after the third exhalation. Moran watches intently. When she gasps loudly, he startles.]

MORAN: Wow! You are truly panicking in there, CeeCee. Is that progress?

CLARA: Yes, Moran. It is. I can go longer and longer without breathing again. When I do take a new breath, it's not from fear; it's a choice, now. Can't help how I feel, but I can be better at controlling what I do and my motivation for doing it. Those are my signs of progress, with everything.

MORAN: Another quake is coming. Feel that?

CLARA: Yes.

MORAN: Bracing. [looks around, eyes wide open. Stands up, move around. Pushes against the walls, which are stable. Checks for movement; returns to their wall positions.]

CLARA: Breathing. [Taking long, slow breaths again. Coughs at the end of them.]

[Cave shudders again. More falling rocks. Clara uses TK to keep them from hitting her or Moran. Moran senses that and joins her efforts. They create a telekinetic shield above and around them.]

CLARA: Perfect. Should be doing that all along. We raise our psi shields against the scouts and forget to protect ourselves from rocks right here. We're dopes. [coughing]

MORAN: Assuredly. Less dopey, now. Good shield, CC.

CLARA: Not bad, Chief!

MORAN: Ready to try that entrance, again?

CLARA: Giving up on going deeper?

MORAN: I can't tell if that's best. [coughing] We're running out of air, here. How could it be better further in? I might be wrong...

CLARA: [coughing] Try to timult again. Timelines are shifting quickly. [coughing] I can feel them but can't get details.

MORAN: Well, if you can sense them, why can't you timult for both of us? [coughing]

CLARA: Don't know. [coughing] You try.

MORAN: Okay. [closes his eyes. Opens them immediately.] YES! There is another way out, or in. Many, actually. I see them, now. [coughing] We can go deeper and get out. C'mon. [pushes her away from the wall.]

CLARA: Hold on. Are you sure? [coughing] We could try to TK that rock, again. As long as we're here...

MORAN: [coughing] We can't stay here. Good air is running out too quickly. [Hands appear in the space above the rock blocking the cave's entrance. Shouting from outside the cave. They're in here!]

CLARA: We have to get out of here. NOW. [coughing] Can you teleport the rocks?

MORAN: No. [coughing] Feeling too weak. I can move US, by walking. Let's go!

CLARA: What if you're wrong? [coughing] What if you merely see what you want to see? That happens a lot, you know. [coughing] Happens to me all the time. How can you tell? Let's try to move that rock, first. [coughing]

MORAN: No. I'm right. [coughing] We're moving. That's it. [coughing] Now. Another quake any minute; we lose what air is left. [coughing] MOVE!

CLARA: Let me try....[coughing] Oy. I have thirty years on you and mild COPD. I can hardly breathe, now. [coughing a lot longer, panting]

MORAN: Aunt Clara: You have to trust me. [coughing] Go! [coughing]

CLARA: [coughing] All right. I'm going. [coughing, panting]

MORAN [takes her hand and leads them toward the darker part of the cave.]

Both [coughing almost continually, not talking much. Cave shudders again. Falling rocks around them; their TK shield protects them as they move.]

CLARA [looks back to see another rock falling, completely blocking the entrance; moves faster behind Moran, who is almost running, pulling her along.

Both [move quickly]

MORAN [stops]: Wait. Wait here. [coughing] I have to.... [closes his eyes, then a ball of light appears in front of him.] There. Okay. Now we can go. [coughing]

CLARA: When do you learn to do that? I don't remember that class. [coughing, panting]

MORAN: Mick. [coughing] Special lessons. OSOps. Comes in handy.

CLARA: How much further? [coughing]

MORAN: Not much.

CLARA: I'm getting tired. [coughing]

MORAN: Energize, then.

CLARA: What?

MORAN: Energize. Like this: [blows two quick breaths out, then three quick in. Repeats.]

CLARA: [imitates Moran] More from Mick?

MORAN: I guess. I don't know what you aren't getting. Sure.

CLARA: [imitates his breathing, twice.] That works! Thanks! Less coughing, too.

MORAN: Not much further. There! [points to a ray of light to their left.] That one!

CLARA: The air is better, now. You save us, Moran.

MORAN: Perfect. It's large enough that we can walk right out!

CLARA: Wait. Check for psi-scouts.

MORAN: Right.

CLARA: Clear?

MORAN: Clear!

CLARA: I'm sorry for not trusting you. You are good at this, Nephew!

MORAN: Getting better, for sure. Thanks. Ready to 'port back?

CLARA: Teleport us in your best style, please, Chief!

[They exit the cave, then emanate at The Campus.]

[Simulation ends.]

Evaluation Summary

Clara and Rabbi Moran engage in day-long simulation as Final Exam for ESP Pre- & Post-cognition, Level 11-A, January 14, 2015, Earth Calendar

Rabbi Moran disputes Clara's assessments in several sections. Arguments ensue. Without Clara's concessions to Rabbi Moran and Rabbi Moran's successful assertions of his correctness, they both must re-take the exam.

KEYS:

Certainty in discernment of others' accuracy.

Elimination of attachment to one's own rightness.

Appropriate confidence vs. inappropriate/ misplaced pride.

Trust in the other's abilities.

Managing phobias to think clearly.

PASS

APPLICATIONS:

They utilize their strengthening capabilities to trust one another to argue, concede, decide, move on, in many situations, e.g., when capturing Eli Kriegsman and when Liora Ackerman is kidnapped, alternating who concedes, who assesses accurately, with greater ease.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Clara to practice relinquishing control and attachment to being right.

Rabbi Moran to assert his assessments with more confidence, particularly with senior OSOps.

Clara to build on this to trust Rabbi Moran more.

Both to continue to manage phobias.

Both to continue to check and double-check the other's assessments often.

CHAPTER INTERLUDE ONE

Epifanio Dang, Student and Instructor, Excellent Skills Program Training

June 30, 2017

EPIFANIO: Clara, The Band, you and a few others return from the third annual Global Unity Leaders Council meeting, which happens every year on June 8 at the former site of many global peace talks during Earth's modern history, what Spanners call The Hague in old Holland, former The Netherlands.

Even now, several years later, it's still odd for me to have phrases like that come out of my mouth. Global Unity Leaders Council is a great name, though, isn't it? I suggest that to Clara! She likes it and BOOM: we're famous.

Okay. She is.

A few weeks after that meeting...

[Espe? Is it all right to say after? I'm trying to be on board with everything timultaneous and speak only in the present tense, but it's still not natural to me]

[I can fix it later, Fanio. Keep going.]

EPIFANIO: All right. Thanks. So, Clara gathers together all of the Excellent Skills Program trainers and leaders from all the Campuses at the first Campus, where I am an Instructor/Trainer.

That meeting is the first time I meet so many amazing Earthers of many species as well as other off-Planet leaders, all ESP Instructors/Trainers. The Band members are in their hologram forms and some others also send holos, but some of the faculty from off-Planet are here in their actual physical forms, which is fascinating.

I also meet Steve Jasny. That's Dr. Steve Jasny, M.D., the one Clara knows from her high school years, the one who introduces her to meditation, the one who got away, from when they are romantically linked after high school, briefly.

Yes; that one.

I find out at this meeting that he's joining us here at our Campus. And, apparently, Steve is arriving to join with Clara as more than an Instructor.

Why do I feel so...jealous? Clara and I aren't together. I don't feel that way about her. We're friends, we're colleagues, we share a long history of knowing each other. That's all.

Need to ponder that.

Onward.

My task for this portion of our enormous documentation project, the one Espe and Clara call The Spanners Series but which many of us call CC's recordings, is to explain here how I become an ESP trainer. I want to start with how I first learn about the ESP training, from Clara.

Funny story. Have to back up, first, to 2013.

[I have to say it that way. All right?]

ESPE: [nods]

*********************

EPIFANIO: For all of 2013, APC [After Public Contact], I don't see Clara in person. I try, but she's on vid a lot and seems completely occupied. I am understanding, so I wait.

We don't usually see each other all that often, but that year we go about nine months without even a call or email. I get curious as to how she's doing as Chief Communicator and I kind of miss her.

I decide to email her to ask if I can meet her somewhere for lunch, as we sometimes do BPC [Before Public Contact], but Espe is the one who responds.

You vidcall to tell me: Clara is not available. Could you please be patient?

Before I can respond, you add: Could you come to her place for your meeting when we schedule it, since Clara is so busy?

This is my first conversation with you. I'm surprised to be talking with you and not Clara. I know who you are, of course, but, still. I don't know you (yet).

I'm a personal friend, I tell you. May I please speak to Clara? I make sure to ask politely.

You, all steely voiced, tell me: I know who you are, Epifanio. When Clara has time, she calls you back. Then, you click off!

Something about the way you say my name irks me. Plus, what do you mean, anyway: I know who you are?

What can I do?

Be patient.

All right. No choice.

I wait.

I wait some more.

I see Clara on almost-daily vids. I am amazed that I know the person who is in charge of the world and during the oddest time ever in human history. The ways things are changing.... I have so many questions.

We're friends. Old friends. Why can't I get to see or talk with my long-time friend? I know, Dr. Clara Ackerman Branon, Ph.D., is now a super big honcho... honcha. Chief Communicator is quite a title.

But, c'mon: we're friends! For decades!

I email again some time in December of 2013. First year of Transition is now ending. Things may be calmer, now.

Again, you respond via vidcall. Hi, Epifanio. Clara is sorry that she's not able to find a minute even to email or call her friends all year. What about in April? Come to our new Campus? It is open and we live there starting in March.

April? I echo, baffled. "That's four months away! I first contact Clara about a year ago and she can't see me until next April? But..."

Epifanio, you interrupt, in that iron-clad voice: "Clara must make her Chief Communicator duties a priority, especially in these Transition Years. She can ill afford unnecessary distractions. I'm sorry, but April is the soonest she can see you. She hopes not to have to postpone. Yes or no?"

"Yes, if that's all that she can offer. Yes, please, Espe," I respond smoothly, but my stomach tightens and I know I'm ready to boil over, so I click off.

April? April!? What is the deal with her... Her, You AND Her, Clara?

Fine. April. I am plenty busy myself.

I am busy. My meditative dance choreography is spreading to many studios, across the globe and even off-Planet, and my outdoor sculptures are selling well. I hire two assistants, one to track the residuals and franchises for my dances and manage requests for appearances and instruction and one to respond to inquiries about my statuary art and assist with shipping pieces.

I wonder if Clara wants a specially designed, Epifanio Dang-original statue for this new Campus? Maybe more than one. Campus, I mean. Statues, also. I should email her and ask....

In April. I can ask in April.

In February, my then-partner of the last three years or so decides she wants to break up with me so she can go do age-appropriate things, like get a master's degree in counseling and have kids and such (she's in her thirties, so: sure). I'm sad, but it is inevitable that a guy in his fifties can't stay with a woman in her thirties who has goals like that, which she should.

I'm happy for her and sad to lose her companionship, but it's time to part ways.

I work and meditate best and have better health when I have a lover. While I consider how I want to approach finding a new one, Clara keeps popping into my mind. I usually talk about these things with her. She's so good at understanding me and knowing why things happen....

I think: I should call Clara. But, I know to wait.

For April: I'll talk with her in a couple of months.

In early March, I see on the vids that Clara, Espe and The Band members are under attack by what they call "Fraggers and Trenchers. At first, these groups are mostly merely annoying, like with picketing and 'verseweb rants. They carry or post signs like Earth is for Earthers! and Aliens Go Home!" But, in March, they are getting increasingly violent, throwing smoke bombs and even actual pipe bombs as close as they can to Clara's house in Kirov.

The news reporters explain that Clara moves out of her cottage to an undisclosed location and Espe joins her, for her own protection. They are to stay there until their secure facility is ready to receive them.

Wow! That looks dangerous. I wish I could talk with Clara. I hope she's all right. I guess that is what Espe means about their moving in March. How does she know that ahead of these events, though?

By the end of March, I complete a series of excellent sculptures especially for Clara and her new Campus, even though we don't get to talk about these or whether she wants them, yet. I decide to bring photos of them to my lunch with her so she can choose which ones she wants and where to place each of them.

I'm sure she wants them. I can gift them to the new Campus, and her. A Transition gift. Yes.

As I prepare the photos, I feel closer to Clara and I kind of have imaginary conversations with her.

Like, I imagine that Clara asks me: How do you come up with so many different ideas for your statues, Fanio?

Then, I can explain the origins and meaning of each one, in detail.

I also plan to ask her questions about each one and then explain my artistic point of view, such as: Do you like the curve on this? I shape that to demonstrate the continuity between Old and New Earth. See how the sweeping curve connects this lower part to the top piece? How does that make you feel?

Maybe she says things like, Really? That's so creative of you.

Well, she does not actually speak so formally to me. I know that.

I am missing her, so this is how I cope: fantasies.

Our April lunch date rolls around.

Finally. I am so ready.

As I am grabbing the digital camera and keys, hand on the knob to open my door to leave, the vidcaller chimes. My stomach flips.

Oh, no. Not again...

I slip my phone out of my pocket.

Flaming misery! It's you, again.

Epifanio. So sorry. Clara has to postpone. Urgent CC business. I'm sure you understand. I can reschedule with you for... mid-May. Yes?

I