Alexander closed his eyes and for a moment seemed to be very deep in thought. He was but he was communicating with Samantha at the same time:
"Hey sweet, are the kiddos as good as exhausted?"
"Yes, they are and believe me our Honeybee will need a nap. The way they have been running after everything has exhausted them."
He heard her laughter in his head and doubted he would ever get used to it because every time she laughed, he got a whole swarm of butterflies in his stomach.
"I can imagine that, and David and Sarah probably won't be far behind. Would you like to come to the throne room? I'm almost done and want to brainstorm with our little clique for a while."
He heard her voice which now sounded quite serious but also a little concerned:
"Alex, love, I am an outsider. It is one thing to put me on a throne beside you when that throne has no power anyway. It is quite another thing to involve me in the policymaking of this universe."
She felt the mischief in his voice as he replied:
"We are going to call it a consultant role for now. You are from another universe so your knowledge and insight can be invaluable."
"Alex you can be quite sneaky."
She smiled warmly:
"I'll be right there. First, put I'll Elise to bed, and then I'll be there."
"Next to my office I have set up a spacious playroom for the kids and a small peaceful separate room in case they need a nap so feel free to come through the throne room. I'll provide direct access to the garden through my office later."
"Oh, that's really convenient. We'll be there in a few minutes. Please be sure the children don't get to see those bastards."
He clearly understood what she wanted to say. The children had been through enough trauma, enough suffering that they should not have to face their torturers again. He shifted his attention back to those present at the table.
"I know what I just said sounds damned harsh. But the extinction of mankind is going to happen if we don't intervene and if they really don't want to get off their asses to save themselves. That is why I would like everyone here at the table to take a moment to seriously consider the options. That we can brainstorm about it together and make a decision about how we're going to do it."
It was Ella who replied with a frown:
"Why is it so important MyLord? I, as a human being, do not doubt it for a minute. If I could vote here, I would say help without hesitation."
Alexander took a deep breath and replied:
"I am half human Ella, so my first reaction is also to intervene and drag humanity by their ear into the next step in their evolution. However, the consequences of open intervention will be enormous. Making ourselves fully known to humanity will have enormous consequences. Tens of millions, probably hundreds of millions of people will die after we make ourselves known. And that is only the first wave. Panic, unrest, short but fierce religious wars. Some groups will accept that we are who we say that we are. Others will say for example that we are aliens and that we are there to invade and conquer earth. Ironically some will want to go to war with some groups that support us saying that I'm not God but the Antichrist and want to destroy mankind."
Some around the table snickered at these words. Alexander said:
"Trust me I'm well aware of the irony that they are right because I am Lucifer's son and therefore the Antichrist form literature and Hollywood stories. The sad part of that is that they will want a war for all the wrong reasons. It is very probable that we will see even limited nuclear wars between the superpowers if we are lucky and they do not go full-scale nuclear which I do not consider impossible. At the very beginning of my planning for all of this I still had the naive hope that if I learned enough about humanity that I would be able to predict their behavior somewhat. I gave up on that because I came very fast to the conclusion that the bigger the group is the less predictable the behavior is. Not to mention a now unforeseeable number of suicides. The latter mainly among the poorest because they know there is an afterlife, and they will see the proof. Those who have to live on a dollar a day in Africa and Asia for example. Put yourself in their place. You work yourself rotten every day for 1 single dollar and suddenly you know that there really is a paradise in the afterlife. Are you going to continue in your existence on Earth? Or do you think you will step out of life to go live in that Paradise? The chance that our attempt to save humanity will unintentionally explode completely in our faces is very much present because it is impossible to predict the reaction of humanity in a group of billions. Instead of saving eight billion people, we could be left with a few hundred million, at worst a few million or even less if it comes to a full-blown nuclear war. There are currently nine countries with nuclear weapons; if they all go off, the consequences are simply incalculable."
There was silence at the table and Ella went a little pale. None of them had thought that fully revealing their existence would have such consequences. Quite a few of the Angels at the table had at first been immediate advocates of intervention. Now they were more cautious.
"That is why I would like you to think about it and take your time. It is not as if this problem is immediate. We have this misery with Hell to solve first and then we'll see."
There was slow nodding in agreement at the table.
Samantha, the children, Maximus, and the two Angels entered the throne room. Alexander stood up immediately because he knew this was the moment Maximus would come to greet him. The big cat flew toward him and jumped into his arms.
"You are no longer a kitten Max, and my arms are not long enough to carry you."
And again in his husky voice, Maximus made himself heard. It seemed to be a cross between joy to be back with his master and disappointment that Alexander couldn't carry him in his arms anymore. After petting the cat for a while, he said:
"Okay Max, honeybee needs a nap and David and Sarah are going to the playroom. Would you please keep them company?"
Max chuckled and accompanied the children and the Angels to the new room Alexander had created from the throne that morning.
Samantha took her place next to the new God and the meeting continued. He turned to Aziraphael:
"Azi, could you put together a selection of books for the children later in the playroom and upstairs in the suite? You are an expert when it comes to books so let your imagination run wild but limited to what is suitable for children no older than fourteen. From reference books to fantasy. My only input would be Tolkien and the Harry Potter series. And please start with booklets for the really little ones, as many pictures and little words as possible because none of the three have ever seen a book up close and need to learn how to read from scratch."
Aziraphael thought for a moment and then replied:
"Of course, MyLord, Tolkien is an excellent choice and for the rest, I think I can put together a good selection."
"O Azi..."
Said Alex played nonchalantly. That what would be coming for Aziraphael in his next words was huge for the Angel:
"You may have noticed that unfortunately there is no longer an Archangel of literature?"
"Yes, unfortunately, MyLord."
"Well as a thank you for six thousand years of faithful service I would like to offer you two things."
Everyone at the table waited in suspense as they were already beginning to know Alex a bit and suspected that this would be a bit overwhelming for the poor Angel of a rather low rank.
"You don't have to give me anything or thank me MyLord, it was an honor and a true pleasure to serve you during those years and I will keep serving you!"
"And yet I want to do it anyway, Azi. Look, I intend to make a new island. On that island, I want a whole series of libraries and in those libraries, I want everything, but absolutely everything ever written by mankind to be housed. But also, everything written by Angels and Demons, no more segregation. And I definitely want a copy of the library of Alexandria, you know that library that was named after me."
He said with a mischievous smile in his voice.
"E...e... everything MyLord?"
"Everything Azi, which is of historical importance and general interest, indeed."
The Angel swallowed audibly a few times and then almost whispered:
"But our Cottage MyLord?"
"Oh don't worry, I'll make sure your nice house disappears on Earth and reappears here, the only difference will be the nature around it so your future one will salivate that is a promise from me to you."
Aziraphael eyes began to become alive again.
"But what about Crowley MyLord?"
"O Anthony is more than welcome on two conditions I would like to discuss with him in a moment."
"If Crowley wants to live with me here in Heaven then I accept, otherwise I will return with him to Earth. But what is the second then?"
"That will have to wait until I speak to your partner, okay?"
Aziraphael merely nodded and could not wait to find out what his God had in mind for Crowley.
"Anthony, my great evil Demon..."
Immediately several Angels, a Demon and Ella chuckled.
"Your job is actually finished and so I would like to give you something to pass your time now that you are actually retired. My friend, how would you feel about me creating an island where you and a bunch of Human volunteers can indulge yourselves?"
A little suspiciously, he looked Alex straight in the eye.
"What do you want me to do in that so-called free time MyLord?"
Alexander waved his hand and above the table appeared a three-dimensional image of an island:
"You could do this, for example. As you can see there isn't much on that island yet. Except in the middle a big pond and in the middle of that big pond an island, in thepond all kinds of ducks, waterfowl from around the world and white and black swans and on the island three trees. Can you guess which ones they are Anthony?"
The latter nodded and said softly:
"The tree of knowledge, the tree of wisdom, and the tree of life."
Alexander nodded at him:
"Indeed. Of course, they have always been powerless, more symbolically. Symbols for anchoring humanity to nature because that's where the actual wisdom, the knowledge and life is to be found. These are of no actual use to mankind, let alone the souls in Heaven. The only thing that makes these special is that they will never be without fruit and will bear not only apples but also pears and oranges. Along the edge of the pond, there will be baskets full of fruit that will never run out. The idea is that people can eat an apple or so just for fun when they visit the pond. Something like pretending for a moment that they are Adam and Eve. But that's definitely not all, but only if you really want it."
"What else do you want then MyLord?"
"I want to be able to find an example of every plant, every flower, every vegetation you can find on Earth on that island. For example, the tulip fields from Holland including windmills, and the lavender fields from The Provence. But also, a piece of tropical rain-forest from South America including hidden ruins. They do not have to be exact copies, think of amusement parks and their invented cities of invented lost peoples. You could collaborate with our friends from the arts departments to create those. Same with the dark jungle of the Congo. Part of the Sahara with oases. Look soon there will be hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, of people living in the city and they need distractions but also the Angels would probably appreciate it. So think of it as one big amusement park but without roller coasters and souvenir shops, just enjoying nature."
Crowley sat watching with huge eyes and a lower jaw almost resting on the table:
"That's a gigantic project MyLord, that's going to take I don't know how long to get complete."
Alexander nodded:
"You are immortal Mister Crowley so you have more than enough time."
The latter merely nodded and then asked suspiciously:
"But you mentioned two conditions MyLord. What are those please?"
Alexander looked at the two playfully and said as if it were nothing:
"Oh not so crazy much. First Azi accepts it to become an Archangel because at this table there are only Archangels. You agree to become an Archdemon because, as mentioned, at this table there are only persons with Arch in their title. Second, unfortunately, there is no other way, you two must be willing to be in public...well... married."
And that hit like a bomb around the table. The two stuttered not knowing what to say and Alexander continued because he wasn't finished with his idiots:
"Of course, you have time to think about it and give your answer, let's say 24 hours. Besides, we have to take a vote now to see if everyone agrees. After all, I promised that new members for the council would only be appointed after a vote in the council."
In a playfully official tone, Alexander said:
"Well ladies and gentlemen you hear it we have to vote to include Azi and Anthony on our council. One as head of the revamped literature department and the other as head of our new botanical department. Will everyone in favor please raise their hands?"
Immediately all hands flew into the air. Even the Angels who did not know the two idiots voted in favor. If an Angel and a Demon were such good friends with their new God and had faithfully served him for thousands of years, they granted them this wholeheartedly.
"Fine"
said Alexander:
"That's decided then. Welcome aboard gentlemen."
Ella was oblivious but she was next in line.
"Oh, Miss Lopez..."
From the title of the address Alexander used, she knew something mischievous and big was about to follow.
"As a human being, you have a unique perspective of the things a person would need most if dumped in a totally strange place. I suppose this human could be somewhat or seriously disoriented. I am left with two problems. The volunteers coming to town from the human fields and Earth and then the souls we are going to rescue from Hell. I want to create a new department, the Department of Integration. What do you think? Do you feel like getting wings without Red Bull?"
She didn't really grasp what was happening, that what Alex was offering her was so big. She couldn't formulate an answer with any possibility.
Samantha said mischievously with a broad smile:
"Of course, it has a side benefit, You can house-train your Devil and be together forever!..."
Those were the only words she had to say because Ella nearly cried out:
"YES!"
"Oh yes, I had forgotten one little thing. Unfortunately, since you are going to lead your own department, I am forced to elevate you to archangel. I hope you have nothing against that."
He didn't give her a chance to say anything and said quickly:
"Good that's settled, then. Ladies and gentlemen, a second round of voting, so new round new chances..."
Once again, all hands flew into the air. It was clear to everyone what this little Latina meant to Lucifer. After being on his own for such a long time and receiving such severe punishment from their father, none of his siblings would deny him the chance to finally embrace the love in his life. Alexander pretended to make a note in his notebook, but it was only scribbles. Without looking up from his pad he said:
"Oh Celine, did you think I had forgotten you or that you could repress?"
She got a red head about the same color as a tomato and preferred to sink into the ground and crawl away.
"Heaven doesn't really need an army anymore. Maybe for symbolic tasks in the future. I have long discussed with Michael how we are going to turn around the duties of his people in the future. What I do need is a police force and peacemakers. The influx of so many souls into the city and through the Hell Project may cause frustrations among the people so small skirmishes will crop up from time to time. I want a corps composed of Humans and Angels who can work together and keep the peace and tranquility. So, what do you say, fancy leading your own department and becoming Archdemon?"
In a very quiet and very small voice, she said:
"Yes, MyLord."
He took pleasure in it by saying:
"What did you say Celine I couldn't really hear you."
She absolutely knew he had heard her very well but still, she said loud and clear:
"Yes MyLord!"
"Nice and for the last time today, hands in the air for all who want Celine on board."
For the third time that day, all hands flew in the air and with that Celine had also become a full member of the council.
"I know that I said that we would vote for the last time. However, I would like to add one more round of voting here."
He looked Samantha lovingly in the eyes and asked:
"Lady Samantha, fancy becoming our exclusive consultant with full voting rights at this table? You come from another universe and thus have a unique understanding of how certain things work and I REALLY NEED YOU, A FUTURE GODDESS, BY MY SIDE!"
She knew exactly what he was doing, he had just confirmed her position as de facto Goddess in a tone that could not be misunderstood by the other members. All she could do was nod. It was Celine who interrupted Alexander:
"I'm Sorry MyLord, but I must object. I cannot agree to that as a new member and the former bodyguard of the Princess. Lady Samantha is the Crown Princess in her Universe and for that reason, not to forget the protocol rules, The princess is entitled to more than just the role of consultant. At the very least, her role should be that of Goddess ad interim!"
Celine grinned at Alex. Not only could she get back at him after he had spotlighted her earlier but at the same time, she could give Samantha equal status with Alexander. God and Goddess side by side on the throne and side by side at the counsel table. He looked into her eyes. After six thousand years on the road together, she could read him like an open book. He didn't have to say a word she could read in his eyes his heartfelt gratitude. The rest of the council was already nodding in agreement with that proposition. To the inner circle around Alex, who knew very well what she meant to him, she had long been the new Goddess. To the other Angels, after he manifested a second throne this morning and placed her on that throne, it was an established fact that someday she would become the new Goddess. Alex felt obliged to propose it, something that was passed unanimously. With that, Samantha was the new Goddess of the universe, albeit ad interim but everyone knew it would not stay that way for the two and nobody cared about the word's ad interim. In other words, she was the Goddess. All playfulness disappeared from Alexander's voice.
"One more thing remains before everyone can get to work and begin their project proposals."
He clapped his notebook shut:
"Amenadiel and the other scum! General Michael, will you have them brought in?"
This one merely nodded, stood up, and made his way to the door.