Paranormal Police-Book 1 - Foundations

Private Conference Room #1, Australian Parliament House, Canberra

Most everyone in Australia has heard of the Bunyip, and it seems quite a few people know someone who says they saw one. Yet it is often impossible to find a person who has actually caught a glimpse of one. This may be why descriptions of the Bunyip vary widely. In some tales, it is a dog-like or seal-like creature. Bunyips have been described as being big as a horse and as small as a dog. They may have flippers, fangs, tusks, one or two eyes, shaggy fur, scales, or horns. Descriptions of the animal’s behaviour also vary widely, from a man-eating monster to a timid plant-eating creature that shies away from humans. worldbook.com.au

Anna stood behind the main podium and started the meeting. “Thank you all for attending this meeting at such short notice.”

“The AFP has an ‘off-the-books’ group that investigate anything paranormal. Recently, this group has discovered that ‘shifters’, those able to change into an animal shape, exist, at least in Australia. We are still investigating to rule out any other logical explanation and don’t expect that investigation to be complete for weeks, or potentially months, but all the preliminary findings point to this being correct. Meanwhile, we have been contacted by a group calling themselves ACoS, the Australian Council of Shifters, who want to work with us, representing those shifters. Also, I was contacted this morning by the Dean of …” At this point Anna referred to her notes and then continued, “…ACoMP, the Australian Council of Magical Practitioners, supposedly representing, well, Magical Practitioners, whatever they are. Pandora’s box is well and truly open. So, really, we need to come up with a framework for how we are going to move forward. I know this is going to be hard to take, so I have arranged a demonstration.”

A buzz of conversation was slowly growing.

She waved Alexa forward and looked around until she spotted Janette. She said, “Janette, could I get you to give me a hand with this demonstration?”

Janette nodded and moved down to the front. Anna and Janette held up a piece of fabric so that only Alexa’s head was visible. Alexa undressed and then in a coordinated move, she squatted down as the fabric was lowered as well. She took a deep breath and changed into a wedge-tailed eagle. Janette pulled the sheet out of the way, as a gasp ran through the room.

Janette turned to Alexa and said, “Alexa, would you mind if I touched your wing?”

Alexa nodded and extended out her wing.

Janette let her hand lightly stroke the leading edge of the wing, saying “Beautiful. Thank you, Alexa.”

Alexa nodded.

Anna said, “If anyone would like to examine Alexa, please come down the front.”

Over the next fifteen minutes, Alexa became more unsettled as her handling became rougher. After someone tried to pull a feather out, she changed back and said, “I am this close to charging you with battery. How about I pull out some of your hair and see how you like it?” She grabbed the fabric and wrapped it around herself.

“Commissioner, can I go and change?”

“Yes, Alexa. Thank you for your help, please come back in once you have changed.

Janette said, “Let me escort you out, Alexa.”

Alexa nodded, accepting her help.

The door closed behind Alexa, cutting off the conversation. They went across the corridor to a unisex accessible toilet.

Janette sat on the bench seat, turning away so Alexa had some privacy. “Well done in there, you were very brave.”

Alexa mumbled something generic.

“Could you pass a message on to your father for me?”

“Do you know him?”

“We go way back.”

“Ahh, sure.”

“Janette says ‘Hi, congrats on becoming a politician, always thought that job would suit you.’”

“You’re pulling his tail, aren’t you?”

“Yep. Especially since it’s got those cute spots on it. Ready to go back in?”

Alexa’s eyes widened at that. This woman somehow knew her dad shifted into a spotted quoll.

“No, but we’d better do this anyway.”

Janette laughed and the pair of them went back into the Conference Room, just as Anna finished her introduction.

“…been able to answer some questions.”

They sat down next to each other.

“The first area of investigation is Australia’s security. We are specifically looking to see if Shifters are less trustworthy than non-shifters. While I would like to know if they are more trustworthy, that would cause a lot of problems for the government, so we are limiting ourselves here. We are in early days, but so far there is no indications there are, or even will be, issues.”

A mid-level bureaucrat from ASIO said, “Why are you limiting yourself? Why would it create problems?”

Anna looked across at the various groups from the Parliament and said, “Do any of you want to explain this?”

After a minute’s silence, Janette said, “Honestly, sometimes you’re a bunch of spineless jellyfish.” She turned and looked at the ASIO group and continued. “Sooner or later, this will end up public. At that point, everything the government has done will be under scrutiny by a bloodthirsty, ravening bunch of academics and journalists. If it can be shown that the Government had an ‘agenda’ going into this, favouring any group, they’ll do a re-enactment of feeding time at the piranha exhibit down at Taronga Park Zoo. Therefore, the initial investigation must concentrate on the negatives. Once we’re past that, we can ‘accidently’ discover other things, but then we’ll run the gauntlet of ‘profiling’ and the rest of the tools used to stop excellence. Anna, please continue.”

“Maybe a slightly more cynical explanation then I would have preferred, but it works. The next area is law enforcement. We have confirmed that there are shifters involved with criminal elements and there are also shifters who are in law enforcement. Initial investigations show that this area would benefit from the presence of shifters becoming public. There has also been some…suggestions…that in the past if a shifter did something to bring attention to, well, shifters, there was an existing group of them that would go and ‘have a polite talk’ to them. So, the apparent use of shifter abilities is currently very low in crime in general, but especially organised crime.”

“Next, we have National Security, which poses several issues. What do we need to change, considering the risk from shifters working for foreign interests and terrorist organisations? A major review across the board will be required, again this would be easier if we could tell people why, but we could get around this. Basically, we must redefine observable areas and levels and redefine what an ‘incursion can entail. Someone who can shift, generally has better eyesight, hearing, smell, strength, reactions, and so on, plus the ability to infiltrate as an animal.”

Alexa said, “Ma’am, maybe a demonstration?”

Anna waved her hand in a ‘the floor is yours’ sort of way.

“Could someone please go stand at the back of the room and hold up a standard page of printing?”

Standing next to her, Anna noticed the colour of her iris’ changed slightly.

Alexa then proceeded to read the page, to everyone’s shock.

“As an eagle shifter, my eyesight is significantly better than human standard, even without shifting to an eagle. Be aware that as an eagle it’s even better. Thanks, Ma’am, sorry for interrupting.”

“No, that’s fine, it will be demonstrations like that which will help us accept ‘the new normal’.

“Lastly, Personal Protection of the shifters is the final area we need to look at. This covers many different areas. Firstly, exploitation by individuals and government. Secondly, a review of all laws at all levels of federal and state to confirm the current wording does not create problems for shifters or on the flip side, that the current wording means a shifter can get away with something a non-shifter can’t. Thirdly, ensuring being a shifter cannot be used to blackmail or influence. Lastly, confirm if there are any grounds to bar supernaturals for certain jobs, identify any national awards that need to be tweaked, identify any changes to Medicare and medical standards, plus hospital and first-aid training, and see what changes will need to be made to Occupational Health, such as the provision of changing rooms, clothing allowance, safety equipment, and so on. Hmm, I suppose we also need to deal with an employer trying to force an employee to use their shifted form. It should be the employee’s decision to make their shifted form available and would probably involve a different award to cover them while shifted? That’s going to complicate things? Maybe not? Maybe it will already be covered under the current Industrial Relations law?”

Anna shook her head and continued, “If we can work out our position on these issues, I think we would be on the road to a good start. We should also develop our stance on whether there should be a reveal.

“Oh, there has been some talk of a treaty, but until we’re in a position to finalise the one for our First Nation people, I would expect it to cause more damage and unrest then help. Plus, as the shifters are spread across the whole of our society, there would probably be no reason for such a treaty.

“We also have a legacy issue we will need to deal with at some point. If Shifters do not go public, there is an issue with the increased lifespan. A shifter may live two or three times longer that a ‘non-shifter’. We’ve discovered that this is quietly handled by a certain level of forging of public records. I am not saying that we need to prosecute anyone but, going forward, we should determine how we can stop having to do this or standardise it so that we minimise problems and remove security risks.

“Both the Australian Council of Shifters, ACoS, and the Australian Council of Magical Practitioners, ACoMP, have agreed to provide people for these groups to assist, plus, the AG has confirmed he would like us to appoint someone from the AFP to advise on any further sub-committees.

“Questions? Comments?”

---***---

Two hours later, preliminary agreement had been made on areas of responsibility. The AFP, at the AG’s direction, would take Australia’s internal security, law enforcement, protection for the shifters and legacy legal issues.

ASIO, with help from ASIS, ACIC, ONA and the Australian Defence Forces would handle National Security and International Terrorism. The Office of the Prime Minister would deal with the Treaty issue, to reveal or not to reveal, and act as coordinator with the various State and Territory governments, while the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement would take on the role of legislation coordination and review.

Some key people in the medical area would be read in on the situation, so a plan would be created on any required changes. Plus, planning could then start on ongoing education to cover the new reality.

The Prime Minister, Kevin Macon, finished up the meeting, saying, “Time will tell what external groups like the UN will decide, but let’s start with an assumption that while ‘human’ may not end up expanding to cover everyone we are about to meet, at a minimum ‘person’ will. Let’s move forward in cooperation unless that becomes impossible. Anyone in any of these groups that acts aggressively is to be removed. We have an opportunity to make history, let’s not make the wrong sort. Australia’s already got too many instances of that on our public record.”

On the way out of the room, Janette asked Anna if she could come over to her office that afternoon. There were a couple of things she needed to speak about, and Anna agreed.

Kevin called Anna, Janette, Katie Sequeira, the Deputy Leader and Boris, Leader of the Opposition, back and indicated the chairs around him.

Kevin said, “Are you sure there are no Shifters in Parliament?”

“We have been assured that is the case for Federal Parliament, and so far we have no reason to suspect otherwise.”

“Anna, I’m concerned about this in several ways. I’ve been raised that all supernatural is evil…”

Anna raised her hand and stopped him. “Sorry, but this is causing a conflict of interest.”

Kevin continued. “I’m a bit confused.”

Janette said, “Sorry, Kevin, this is my fault. I told something to Anna in confidence earlier, expecting it to not cause a conflict. Yes, there are no Shifters in Federal politics at the moment, yes there have been in the past and there are some in a couple of the State parliaments but, there are other supernaturals in the Federal Government.”

“Other supernaturals?”

“Me, for example. I’m a magi. As for any others, it’s not my story to tell. Would you like me to leave while to continue this conversation?”

Kevin sighed and said, “You had better stay.”

Katie interrupted, saying, “Me too. I’m also a magi.”

Kevin looked to his left then right and said, “I’m surrounded…”

Anna interrupted, “By the way, Janette, paranormal or supernatural? Which should we be using?”

“Either will be OK. There are not really good definitions of either but technically think of it as paranormal is stuff you can’t explain, yet. Supernatural you will probably never explain. So, it’s fine using them as you are.”

Shaking his head, Kevin continued, “So, Anna, my biggest problem is that I have trouble accepting that supernaturals can be good. This makes me more conflicted, because after working with Janette and Katie, I’ve realised that Janette is a cast-iron bitch as a political opponent, but her integrity and passion for Australia, frankly, makes me ashamed. Not to mention Katie. Again, her passion for Australia leaves me breathless and her dedication to her colleagues is exemplary.”

Katie blushed.

Anna sighed. “I’m not qualified to address this. As a functional agnostic, my idea of right and wrong isn’t going to help here. Ladies? Do one of you wish to deal with this? Janette?”

Janette thumped her head against the table a couple of times.

With a smile, Anna said, “Hey, that’s my move, get your own.”

Looking at Anna she said, “You’re right, it does feel good when you stop. Alright Kevin. What were you brought up as and what are you now?”

After thinking for a moment, Kevin said, “Raised as Anglican and now? I supposed a lapsed Anglican.”

“Did you ever read C.S. Lewis’ ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’ series?”

“Yes.”

“What about his ‘Out of the Silent Planet’ series?”

“No.”

“Alright. As an active Christian, none of this causes me any problems. I have found that the world itself is permeated in power, whether you call it magic, power, woo-woo juice, doesn’t matter. In addition to this there is spiritual power. This has two ‘flavours’, good and evil or holy and demonic, whatever labels you are comfortable with.

“The two are different and what I wield as a magi is the woo-woo juice. The same woo-woo juice allows shifters to shift.

“Spiritual power is wielded by, for want of a better term, priests. Actually, let’s be specific, as this will make things clearer. It is wielded by believers. A lot of witchcraft, as distinct from what magi do, is using this energy to affect change. This is all about intent. To access ‘good’ power, your intent is to love, build, grow, encourage, heal. To access ‘bad’ power, your intent is to control, push down, manipulate, curse. In the Christian scriptures there is a list of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, that is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness gentleness, faithfulness, goodness and self-control. These are the kinds of results you get from using ‘good’ energy. Again, the Christian scriptures list the fruits of ‘bad’ energy, called ‘acts of the flesh’. These are more around being out of control, indulging yourself, illicit sex, idolatry, sorcery, discord, jealousy, temper, selfishness, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and, well, you get the idea.

“So, I can do exactly the same thing, with exactly the same words and actions, but because of my intent, I can end up using ‘good’ energy or ‘bad’ energy or 'woo-woo juice'.

“This is often what trips up or confuses a lot of people, assuming that some priest is automatically using ‘good’ or ‘bad’ energy, based on their action, when is their intention, or heart, that determines what is happening.

“A child, using their child-like trust in their Heavenly Father will have access to more good energy that a thousand withered up, bitter, controlling practitioners ever could.

“It might be worth re-reading at least the final book from CS Lewis’s Narnia series, ‘The Last Battle’. Terms do matter, but intent is far more important. Oh, and read the ‘Out of the Silent Planet’ series from Lewis as well.

“So, as a working definition, ‘bad’ is accessed by the practitioner using verbal or somatic components, strutting around trying to force spiritual powers to bend to their will. This is actually the biblical definition of witchcraft and is used, unintentionally, by many religious types when they use a ceremony or religious practise to try and manipulate God. ‘Good’ is accessed by the humble, kind, empathetic and non-compromising, crying out for justice, for relief, for hope, for joy.

“Back onto magic, it is not of itself good or evil, it can be wielded by the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’, depending on the heart of the practitioner. Spiritual power, however, is always good or evil.

“What is your conscience telling you?”

Kevin was quiet for a moment, then said, “To wait.”

“Then wait. As with anything else, ‘let our actions speak louder than our words’. It’s not going to stop you guiding all this shit. Just do your best. How does that sit inside you?”

Kevin sighed. “It’s not going to be a fun ride.”

Janette, Anna and Katie all laughed.

Katie turned to Janette and said, “So what do you think our chances of re-election are if the big reveal happens?”

“Dunno. I’m going to start succession planning anyway, and if it looks like it’ll be detrimental to the group I’ll just step aside.”

Katie nodded, “Sounds like a plan.”

Kevin looked at the pair of them in wonder. “It almost hurts me to say this, but I hope not. I would miss you. You lot make me feel inadequate, sometimes.”

He thumped his head against the table a couple of times and said, “No, not for me. All it does is increase my headache.”

Janette blushed and Katie laughed.

Katie said, “It’s all right Kevin, I won’t tell anyone you’ve got the hots for Janette.

Kevin blushed.

The women laughed.

Boris looked around the table and said, “I can’t see how we can put this cat back in the bag. I expect that there are a few specific people in parliament that will have to know this, such as the whips, party leaders and deputies, and I can’t see this staying a secret.”

Janette said, “It’s why last time, in World War 2, we insisted on a very small number of people knowing, and most of them only knowing the minimum we could get away with. But I agree that this time that won’t work.”

Katie looked at Janette and said, “I think we’ll need a set of Truth Chairs permanently available here.”

“Voluntary?”

“Would have to be, as there would be a number of people who could be conscious objectors.”

Boris asked, “What are you two talking about?”

“There is a magic item that some mages can make. They’re usually made to look like a set of dining chairs. When you are seated in them, you cannot lie. What’s more, you want to help whoever is asking you a question to understand what you are saying to their best ability, so you will try to give as full and complete an answer as you can. They’re very hard and expensive to make but having a set available for things like Royal Commissions would be useful. Also, as a voluntary way to clear your name. We’d always – semi-jokingly - talked about using them for election campaigns, allowing the candidates to voluntarily declare they are free of coercion or influence. I can see the intelligence community wanting to use them to regularly check their staff above a certain level. The issue is that there will be some people who would refuse to use them, as they will perceive them as demonic. I really hate forcing people to do things against their conscience.”

Boris looked at Kevin and said, “Fortunately, we don’t. the Australian Constitution is very clear, Australian Law trumps religious belief.”

Anna looked around the table and hit her head against the tabletop a few more times.