Derek Rayne, Ph.D.
Precept
San Francisco Legacy House
Angel Island, CA
Ruling Council
To the Honourable Members of the Ruling Council:
As I write this letter, which will be delivered to you along with my death certificate, I
realise that you will already be aware of much that is included herein. For that I apologise and
pray that you bear with me. It is difficult to write of what was, is, and what we've always known
would be. It is possible that some information which I here disclose will not be known to you in
any other manner. Darkside surveillance is unremitting. Satan's spies are here. The House is
infested with the vermin and veritably oozes with evil. As the time draws closer, it is becoming
more difficult for me to maintain the masquerade. My own emotions are riding a somewhat high
and I am becoming increasingly susceptible to deceptive attempts upon my "Sight". To allow
myself some relief and freedom, I try to be away from the island as much as possible, yet I cannot
be away so much or so illogically that it arouses the enemy's suspicions. As the time approaches, I
must remain close at hand to the portal itself.
So, tonight I stay at the St. Francis Hotel. The name, however, offers little protection -
even here I sense a vague, vile presence. To give myself a reasonable excuse to remain in the city,
I have paid a young lady for her company. She enjoyed the best meal the hotel could provide and
a few hours off her feet, out of the chill, and in return all she had to do was watch TV for a few
hours, soak in a hot jacuzzi, and sleep alone in a king-sized bed. I gave her more than enough
money for a plane ticket home, but I doubt she uses it for that. Were I to return tomorrow night
to that Mission District street corner, I am certain I should find her awaiting her next client. Still,
as her presence allowed me respite, so I can provide her an equal kindness.
It is now beyond doubt that Kristin Adams' sacrifice as a "Chosen One" failed to seal the portal.
The ultimate step, which we discussed in London, will have to be taken. I must confess, I don't
know how I shall ever do what I know I must do. I love that house. But rest assured, I shall carry
my burden. My one consolation is that I shall not survive the place I love so much. It's odd that I
could love a place so tainted, and yet that island and that house have always been a vortex of
good and evil. I am so very tired.
Events are transpiring more quickly than we had anticipated. The sepulchres have not yet been
touched, but I suspect that will be the Darkside's last move. As you requested, I have set down a
record of as many of my dreams and premonitions concerning the portal, the true "Golgotha
Testament," and the sepulchres as I can recall. I have also enclosed my translation of the Qumran
"Golgotha Fragment," which I did a many years ago for Prof. Yadin, courtesy of the Israel
Antiquities Authority and the Shrine of the Book. It too is from memory, but with luck the
Darkside has overlooked my original handwritten translation retained in the collections at the
Rockefeller Museum in Jerusalem. That fragment is the only text that I have found to differ from
my own copy and those other copies scattered around the world. I am sorry, but I could not risk
consulting my old journals - Satan's eyes and ears are everywhere. By this writing, my report
should be in the hands of Fr. Thomas. It actually will matter little. If our battle plan succeeds, it
succeeds - portal and sepulchres will have been dealt with - if it fails, it fails and the truth has,
indeed, become darkness.
If any of the sepulchres or pieces thereof survived, I suggest they be scattered amongst various
Legacy Houses with no one knowing precisely what they or anyone else has - a shell game. You
might even consider throwing in some fakes to muddy the waters.
I expect you to uphold your end of the bargain. The House will be rebuilt as per my plans and a
chapel dedicated to St. Michael is to be placed atop the site of the old house. I trust you will find
suitable positions for all household and Luna staff until they can regain their equilibrium. Ample
funds are in reserve for all of these projects. Remember, every dust mote that comes from within
those walls must be reconsecrated. Watch your people, and mine, closely. We do not know what
residual affects the portal might have.
If he chooses, Nick Boyle is to be named my successor as precept. But, whether or no, he is to
have my ring and the sword. You will have problems with Mr. Boyle. He will not accept facts at
face value. Let him run with the ball as he wishes. I have made arrangements to reel him in when
it becomes necessary. With seasoning and a chance to heal, he will make a superb precept. He has
his father's most admirable qualities, but tempered with a reasonably level head, a very bright
mind, and a kind heart, but, I assure you, he can do the job without qualm or hesitation.
If any of my team chooses to leave the Legacy, you will give them the option of returning at any
time. This includes Philip Callaghan. They will be shaken for a very long time to come and will
need your help - your compassionate, unintrusive help - not your interrogations and debriefings.
After all, you know more than they do. They will not only have lost their precept, but their home,
as well as years of work.
You will offer Alexandra Moreau the next "ring" that becomes available. I wish her to make her
decision on whether to leave or to stay with the knowledge that the Legacy values her service.
Given a couple of years on her own, out of my shadow, she too will make a precept worthy of the
title.
Rachel Corrigan may chose to distance herself from the Legacy, to step into more of a
consultancy role. I'm not certain. She fears her own talents and her psychiatric practice is very
important to her. Her daughter, Katherine, is an extremely potent psi-talent. Stay away from her.
Allow her to come to you. Her mother, my sister, Ingrid, and the others will see to her. I have
taken precautions, so beware.
One person upon whom you might wish to keep an eye and perhaps cultivate is David Royce of
the SFPD. He is an excellent connection, but I also sense great strength, an open mind, and a
willingness to accept and battle the Darkside. He faced Horton without hesitation, even after he
understood what he was. I could foresee him as a great asset to Nick's new House. He is older,
but then Maj. Boyle was older than I, when I became precept. Yet I could not have asked for a
steadier right-hand in those early years.
My friends and family are never to know of these arrangements, nor that I foresaw and
orchestrated my own end. Their hearts will tell them all the truth that they need to know. I wish I
could find a way to preserve some of the things in that house and some of their personal
mementos, so that they will at least have something upon which to rebuild. However, there can be
nothing out of the ordinary that might arouse the opposition's curiosity or suspicion. In order to
maintain the charade, shall have to jump through whatever hoops the Darkside presents. The
thought wearies me. I would send my team all off on some trumped up case, but I know I shall
need help in those last few hours, and all must proceed as though we are totally ignorant.
As we discussed, I believe suicide will be the best cover. I see no other logical option. Those who
know me will not believe it in any case. The explosives will be detected by civil authorities, whose
interference not even you will be able to prevent. I want no aspersions cast upon any member of
my House. Although most of the house's contents are uninsurable, I have seen to it that the
foundation is well protected and is an entity unto itself. Funding for the Legacy will continue
uninterrupted, but I warn you all - the Luna Foundation is well able to defend itself.
Lastly, I know that over the years we have had our differences. As you well know, I have never
been a "company" man, but I have tried to my utmost to do my duty to protect the innocent. I
hope I have done so with honour, dignity, and courage.
Yours sincerely,
P.S. Copies of this letter have been placed in certain hands ~ the hands of someone who would
take great pleasure in revealing its contents. This person also has certain files that I long ago gave
for safekeeping. If needs be, my reach will be able to extend well beyond the grave, or the Hell's
Mouth, I promise you.
London House
Pall Mall
London SW1W 0EL
England
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