The Power of Twelve by William Gladstone Read Free Book Online

for which he was responsible, and had thus earned the only slightly ironic nickname Kingmaker from his fellow Council members.
    Unlike Karl, who tried to maintain control at all times, Freddy the Freeroller was in constant motion. Freddy’s focus was on adventure and exploring new ideas. His curiosity kept the Council on its toes, as he would often propose outrageous experiments whose purpose seemed to be little more than change for change’s sake.
    Abigail the Adventurer was Freddy’s closest friend on the Council of Twelve. Like Freddy she lived for adventure, and no project could be too vast or too dangerous for her. She was fearless, but also clear-thinking and competent in all that she endeavored. She was an anchor for Freddy, who sometimes would leap without properly looking.
    Terry the True had a capacity not just for honesty but for discerning even in the most complicated of situations the underlying truth that was so often invisible to others.
    The final member of the Council of Twelve to arrive was Mother Magnificence. Magi, as she was affectionately called by her fellow Council members, loved all creatures, putting none above another and ensuring that each being in her presence would grow and flourish to its highest destiny.
    â€œThank you for coming so quickly,” the Thirteenth Apostle told the Twelve with heartfelt thanks. “This is the first time I have ever, while substituting for The One, called us together. As you can imagine, asituation has arisen that is very serious. I know how busy all of you are on your own planets and in your own universes, and I would not have drawn your attention here were it not absolutely critical.”
    â€œHas something happened to The One?” Mother Magnificence inquired. “I told him his plan of incarnating on planet Earth was fraught with danger. Has something gone wrong?” she continued with a worried tone in her voice.
    â€œNo. Quite the contrary,” the Thirteenth Apostle replied. “We might conclude that things have gone too well for The One on planet Earth. He has decided to remain there in the form of Max and explore fully the nature of human love. A noble and joyous experiment for him, perhaps,” he added, not able to resist voicing some of his dissatisfaction with the responsibility Max had thrust on him, “but in my opinion a potentially dangerous distraction with what may be lethal consequences for all our universes.”
    Harold guffawed. “All our universes. Come on, Number Two. That seems a bit of an exaggeration. Even if things mess up in a universe or two, that should not impact all of the universes. Aren’t you overstating the gravity of the situation?” he asked with his ever-beaming smile.
    â€œI know it seems improbable, but William the Pen has reported to me that the Collector of Data has found a toxic interruption on Earth 769 in Universe 769 that is polluting the balance and weave of the timeless time of the creation and expansion of the universes. If it continues, it could leak and contaminate all beings in all universes simultaneously,” the Thirteenth Apostle explained with a slight expression of panic in his eyes.
    â€œBloody hell,” exclaimed Madman Michael. “Why haven’t you brought this directly to the attention of The One?”
    â€œThat is exactly what I did, but Max—I mean, The One—seems to feel that this is a matter that I can handle on my own. I fear he is wrong, and that is why I have convened the Council. I need your help. I am not really certain what steps to take.”
    Sophia gestured to the Thirteenth Apostle and spoke ever so softly. “This is truly a serious issue, but there is a solution. I suggest weeach meditate and take a walk in the gardens. The solution will come to us and we can reconvene refreshed and focused.”
    â€œExcellent suggestion,” confirmed Karl and Lily, as the Twelve descended the spiraling stairs toward