Extremists, seeing Christianity as a threat, take advantage of the nuclear war raging in the world by orchestrating sneak attacks on the churches. In the aftermath, society entered the Second Dark Age, where anti-Christian dictators obliterated Christianity, and people became ignorant of any biblical knowledge.
New hope arises when a man and woman discover versions of ancient books l in a fireproof safe while working on historical preservation and resettlement of a western city. Angelique and her husband Zechariah work as historic preservationists and book collectors. They search for forbidden and lost knowledge of the world before the beginning of their civilization.
On April 1, while on assignment, Angelique spotted the ruins of a church, prompted her curiously, and informed her husband of her discovery. At first, Zechariah disbelieves his wife because they taught him in school that no evidence of churches existed in the past. Angelique noticed her husband’s puzzled impression prompt her to question his forgetfulness. She recalls Zechariah confiding her about his deceased grandparents’ storytelling abilities.
“Did you forget the legends of Christianity and biblical history your grandparents told you at bedtime?
“My dear Angelique, it’s been over twenty-five years; my memory is fuzzy, but maybe seeing the ruins will trigger it.”
“We can explore the place and perform an archeological analysis before nighttime,” said Angelique with excitement.
“It’s too dangerous outside the sanctuary after sunset.” There are cannibalistic mutants of the human and animal varieties that seek prey for dinner.” said Zechariah with fear in his eyes. Angelique laughed at Zechariah’s suggestions.
The thought of being outside the sanctuary after sunset terrified Zechariah. His mind vision mutated cannibalistic humans and man-eating animals seeking prey for dinner. Angelique sensed her husband’s anxiety comforted by reminding him they have protection against foes. She shows him their laser guns and other weaponry.
“You do not have to worry about cannibal mutated humans in these parts. “The extremist Anti-Christian governmental leaders committed nationwide genocide of individuals displaying disabilities or any mutation caused by radiation.” Unfortunately, mutated animals existed that found humanity tasty. I had an unpleasant encounter with them.”
“Scientists ten years ago designed weapons that effectively kill the deadliest of the mutated creatures roaming the landscape,” said Angelique, taking her laser gun out of her bugout bag.
” I am not surprised about the scientists’ creation”; however, I am shocked the military did not weaponized the scientists’ development for their own use.””Why did officials allow them to create weapons without their authorization?
Zechariah,” the military knew about the experimentation because they funded the project in a top-secret program.”They were under strict orders not to reveal their research and development of combat weapons to the public.”
“Angelique, Is it similar to the Manhattan Project in the 1950s & the 60s that involved the atomic bomb?
“”So far, one similar aspect concerns governmental secrecy and a confidentiality agreement with them”. Ten years ago, I served in the military for four years in college. Angelique grinned at the memory.
Both Angelique and Zechariah lost track and got distracted by their small talk. The sun dims, and the darkness rises. Wildlife wakes up from their slumber.
“Did you bring our lantern? asked Zechariah in a playful tone. Angelique laughed.
” Course I did. “I also brought an emergency kit with medical supplies and lighting equipment.
“We had little time to explore the church ruins before moonrise and completed darkness,” Zechariah said in an anxious tone.
Angelique lighted her lantern and handled it over to her husband.”, Let’s examine the site and see what secrets or knowledge we will uncover.”Angelique smiled like a child in a candy store. Both Angelique and Zechariah strolled to the church with apprehensiveness and excitement.
Zechariah recognized the exterior of the ancient building and the sign Western Baptist Church in bold purple colors with a calligraphy type of writing. He suddenly recalled his grandparents telling him stories about their parents taking part in the services there before the purge.
“Angelique, an archeologist, excavated the site earlier.” “, said Zechariah.
“Why did you believe that? questioned Angelique.
“There is no evidence of further damage, plus some ruins appear in better shape than I thought.”Zechariah point to the writings and it,s surroundings.
“How recently do you think the archeologist studied the site? Questioned Angelique curiously.
” I am thinking possibly 6 months or a year ago? There are signs of restoration because the archeologist repaired the damaged sign by repainting it. “
“Strange,” Angelique said, glancing at the ruins.
” I agree with you. ”
“, I wonder what we will learn about the Christianity before it’s destruction? asked Angelique.
“We could gather information about the archeologist who explored the ruins before us.”
“, There is the Journal of Anthropography and Archeology of Religion still in existed.
“Surprising” said Zechariah
“I guess scientists secretly hidden forbidden knowledge during the purge.”
“, Archeologists and Anthropologists are outcasts from society”.
“That is a shame,” said Angelique
“They provide insight into civilization’s culture, history, and evolution of society.
A mysterious figure appears nearby, observing the couple. He is in his mid-fifties and medium built with dark black hair. The man’s name is Dr. Ramon Daniels, who is an anthropologist of religion and a historian. Dr. Daniels visited the ruins around a year ago, confirming Zechariah’s assumption. His superior sent him on a second expedition with reservations. He had just arrived and wondered if he should introduce himself to the young couple. He waited and continued his observation of them.
Angelique and Zechariah finished their conversation, then took pictures of church ruins with their specialization camera. They are unaware of Dr. Daniel’s presence. Angelique noticed a suspicious shadow on the photo. Angelique’s imagination drifts toward the supernatural visit from beyond the grave. She enjoys sci-fi-horror books and movies that explore the spiritual world. Angelique recalls her husband’s stories about sensing a heavenly presence while in hostile territory or an explicit threat to his life.
She used a lighting filter on her camera and applied the enhancement feature to correct the error. Angelique studied her enhanced photo, discovering the desaturation of the coloring, triggering the removal of the shadows. She sent a copy of the picture to her husband’s tablet for further analysis and a second opinion. Zechariah received Angelique’s photograph, prompting him to use his photo analysis program to check for tampering, alternation, and internal errors. After putting Angelique’s photo through, Zechariah doubled- check his results, then sent the information to his wife’s email. Angelique heard the beep verifying an incoming message with the three options: accept, decline, or answer back. She chose the third option and wrote a short thank you note after giving her feedback on the analysis. Angelique wrote these words: “I appreciated your diligence and steadfastness in providing your honest opinion, then sent it.
A few minutes later, Zechariah received the message. Writing back, you are welcome. Both Angelique and Zechariah discovered no corruption of metadata or tampering or alternation of the photographs. Angelique and Zechariah conducted an internet research on the identity of the shadowy figure after scanning the mysterious photo with a computer scanner. The results surprised them.
Worlds of Science-Fiction 