Sham Fusion (SF)—When a null FA's desire for fusion is so great that they enter a state of denial, believing they are achieving levels of fusion when they are not. This is a tragic occurrence.
Xelton Name (XN)—When the FA reaches the fifth level, his TO will be able to discern the name of his or her xelton. The name always contains a double-o.
Lapsed Fusion Aspirant (LFA) (unofficially called a "lapser")—An FA who progresses well, then exhibits sudden LFP (see below) tendencies. A meeting with the local temple's Fusion Progress Review Board (FPRB) is mandatory; punishment must be accepted or the LFA will be designated DD.
Low Fusion Potential (LFP)—This can be anyone deemed too skeptical, too questioning, not accepting enough. Although it's highly unlikely they'll ever achieve FF, they are allowed to take the courses but are closely monitored.
Wall Drone (WD)—Most of humanity. They are content to allow things to remain as they are. They aspire to nothing better than their present circumstances. It is the Church's mission to win them over to Dormentalism so that they may proceed with the fusion of their xelton with its Hokano counterpart.
Unwelcome Person (UP)—Anyone who unintentionally causes ripples in the tranquil pool of Dormentalism. These are often people with disruptive personalities incompatible with the Church's goals.
Detached Dormentalist (DD)—LFAs who have become too frustrated or have lost their direction and refuse to accept their punishment from their FPRB. They are banned from all temples and no Dormentalist is allowed any contact whatsoever with them. The DD has a high potential of becoming a WA.
Wall Addict (WA)—The greatest threat to Dormentalism: These are ruthless, disturbed persons who, for whatever reason, want the Home and Hokano worlds to remain separate. They infiltrate and attempt to interfere with, undermine, and sabotage the Church's mission to break down the Wall of Worlds. They act as roadblocks on the path to maximal human potential and should be treated as enemies of humanity.
Negative Null (NN)—A WA subset; as a rule, nulls are to be pitied, but there are some nulls who, out of spite, envy, or resentment, try to undo the Church's work.
In Season (IS)—A WA, DD, or NN who poses such a threat to the Church that they must be brought down by any means necessary—lawsuits, character assassination, wiretapping, physical and mental harassment, the works.
Jack shook his head in amazement. "These folks are crazier than I ever dreamed."
"Just don't confuse crazy with stupid. Look how they've covered their asses with the Null category. If someone spends a small fortune going through a whole bunch of rungs on the FL and still isn't finding any new powers, he must be a Null. But no way he gets his money back."
"I think I'll designate myself LFP now, just to save them the trouble."
Grant's laugh broke up into a phlegmy cough.
He glanced at the two sheets again. This would save him hours and hours of reading.
"Can I have a copy?"
Controlling her cough she waved at him. "Take it. I've got it filed on my computer."
"One more thing," Jack said. "You mentioned you might have a better source. Mind telling me who that might be? Once inside, maybe I can—"
"Forget it. That's my exclusive. And believe me, it just might overturn the Dementedist rock and shine a—you'll pardon the expression—light on all the slimy things beneath."
Jack watched her. What—or rather, who—was she hiding?
"You told me The Light isn't afraid of anyone. How about you? These Dormentalists scare you?"
"Shit, yes. But that doesn't mean they're going to stop me. Installment two hits the stands next Wednesday."
Jack smiled and nodded. "Good for you."
This Jamie Grant was one tough broad. He liked her.
4
Jack left The Light and turned east, heading for Lexington Avenue. He put in a call to Ernie as he walked.
"It's me," he said when Ernie answered. "My shipment ready for pickup?"
"Not yet, sir. I have confirmation that it's in transit, if you know what I'm sayin', but it ain't here yet. I expect it tomorrow."
"What's the holdup?"
"Well, sir, this item was pretty freakin' hard to find and took longer to track down than I originally thought. Plus it's real delicate, so the packin' has to be perfect, if you know what I'm sayin'."
Jack knew what he was saying. "Let's hope it's worth the wait."
"Oh, it is, sir. Some of my best work." Ernie's voice took on a gleeful tone. "You might even say it's a, whatchacallit, work of art. Yeah. A work of art, if you know what I'm sayin'. Should be ready first thing in the morning."
Jack kept walking toward Lexington. From what Jamie Grant had told him, he wouldn't need a full set of ID when he signed up. Might as well get the intake process out of the way so he could set up his first Reveille Session for tomorrow.
He remembered Grant's vaguely malicious grin when she'd mentioned the Reveille Session. What was he getting into?
5
When Jack arrived at the Manhattan Dormentalist temple, he had to admit it was pretty impressive: twenty-plus stories of red brick and white corner blocks, with setbacks at the tenth and twentieth floors. And spotless. Looked like it had been scrubbed with a toothbrush. No New York City building had a right to be so clean.
According to Grant's article, the Dormentalist Church owned and occupied the whole thing.
As he approached the arched entrance he saw a group of half a dozen people, four men and two women, exiting onto the sidewalk. All wore steel gray double-breasted jackets buttoned all the way up to their high military collars. Two of the jackets sported braided fronts.
Jack occasionally had seen similar uniforms on the subway and around the city, but hadn't connected them with Dormentalism. As the group approached he considered asking them whether they were going for the Sergeant Pepper or the Michael Jackson look, but decided against it. He simply nodded and they smiled back and wished him a good afternoon.
Such happy people.
He stepped through the etched glass front doors and stuttered a step when he saw the metal detector. Another one? Why hadn't Grant mentioned it? Not that it mattered; he was still unarmed.
The detector stood to the left; to his right was a turnstile. A smiling, young, uniformed woman stood behind a barrier table between them.
Jack opted for the turnstile but the young woman called to him.
"Sir? May I see you over here?"
As he turned and approached her, Jack put on an uncertain expression that was only partially feigned.
"This is, um, my first time here and…"
She beamed at him. "I could tell. My name is Christy. Welcome to the New York temple of the Dormentalist Church."
Jack detected an uppercase C in her tone.
Christy wore her dark hair long and couldn't have been much past twenty. A college girl, maybe? She had three braids across the front of her jacket. She also had circles under her eyes. Looked tired. Probably one of the volunteers Grant had told him about.
"How may I help you?" she said.
"Well, I'm interested in, um, joining the Church, or at least looking into it, and—"
"Were you at the rally yesterday?"
"Rally?"
"Sure. In Central Park. We were there to spread the word."
Jack remembered passing a cheering group on his way to Maria Roselli's.