Chapter 3: Crazy he calls me
Location: Pandoran skies
Date: May 11th 2385 05:29
The flight back was filled with a tense silence, neither wanting to speak of what they saw or heard only a few short hours ago. His hands still shook and his throat so dry it made swallowing next to impossible, as his mind refused to escape the loop of memories. A dark circle pressed against the forest like a burn wound, the red lights flashing rhythmically bathing it in an ominous glow. The hundreds of trees cut down; each with cuts so smooth he shuddered at the sharpness of the blades that felled them and the buzzing that sounded like it was coming from all around them, as if a thousand hellfire wasps were threatening to kill them. They both had been hunters, fear was not a new sensation but what they had felt was more than that. It was not the mortal fear of death, of glowing eyes in the darkness; for these things were of Eywa and all would someday return to her embrace. This though; it was something fundamentally wrong, unnatural as if entering your home and your mind telling you something had changed but didn't know what.
This loop continued, his mind going deeper and deeper until he felt Seze began to tilt before correcting herself pulling him from his thoughts and onto the back of Neytiri whose muscles held as much tension as any bow. Looking behind he could tell Seze felt the same; her riders' mental state empathetically filtering into her, affecting her flying as her wings flapped only as much as they needed to keep themselves from falling.
Placing a hand on Neytiri's shoulder she flinched before returning to her own mental loop but he thought the gesture would at least ease her somewhat. After several long minutes with each breath slowly releasing her mind from its trance she finally spoke.
"Probably should have brought my bow" she said, her voice hallow as she tilted her head to look him in the eye. The ghost of a smile on her face; but it was not the kind of smile born from happiness but the kind you make when all you could otherwise do is cry. Arvok turned to the horizon as the sun began to rise over Pandora, casting its rays onto the clouds creating long streaks of shadow over the forest.
"I don't think it would have helped much" he said knowing it would not ease her but was all he could think to say as he shifted his hand to her arm.
The worst part was that it was most likely the truth, even with a bow what could the two of them have done against whatever did that. This was quickly becoming more and more dangerous not only for them but for the Omaticaya or even all the Na'vi on Pandora.
"I'm sorry" she said as she hung her head, her ears sagging down with the weight of the situation.
"It was my idea to go looking for those things… and I nearly got us killed". She continued and Arvok could tell she was holding back tears.
"No, Neytiri I was the one searching for It." he pleaded trying to stop that train of thought before it could gain momentum.
"And I was the one who took us" she snapped back in anger more at herself than at him with Seze roaring into the morning sky and through his ears as she felt her riders' anger.
"And I didn't try to stop you" he said not stepping down. It would be better for her to be mad at him than herself.
Neytiri glared at him, lips pursed before the anger behind her eyes began to die as she averted her gaze, and her shoulders slumped.
"We can't tell anyone what we saw" Arvok whispered, the idea of the Na'vi having to fight them almost causing him to return to his loop.
"Why not, you saw what they did" she responded in surprise. He voice quickly turning from defeat to anger.
"And what do you think will happen if we tell them?" Arvok argued in a gentle tone as he tried to get her to see it his way.
"If we gather the clans, than we can defeat them" she countered, slapping her fist against her thigh.
Arvok could only smile at that, though he did so inside his mind. She was always like this even when faced with something like this, she refused to simply lay down and accept what was coming.
"We don't know anything about these things. We don't know if that's the only place they've been to, how many there are, what they are truly capable of… or if those round creatures are only the beginning" he whispered, the last part sending a chill up his spine.
"Then what should we do, are we to just stand by while they desecrate Eywa" Neytiri said in an exasperated tone as she sighed.
"For now we watch, we watch and we learn. We know one place where they've been; we keep an eye on it and see what they do. There has to be something more going on, we just can't see" he answered rubbing his head in frustration.
"What if someone asks where we were though" she asked.
That would be a problem, they had not been subtle when they left and the two of them being seen repeatedly riding into the night only to reappear hours later would definitely cause rumors.
"I'll think of something" was all he said as they returned to silence. He had the beginnings of an idea for what they were doing but for it to work she couldn't be told; for Neytiri was many things but a good liar was not one of them.
It took several more hours before the welcome sight of Hometree graced their eyes; their moods lifting with its appearance. They could see their fellow tribes begin their morning rituals. Some in the fields gathering fruits whilst hunters were being waved away by their mates. Finally flying into the canopy they were greeted by his brother and Sylwanin who seemed to have gotten over their brotherly fight as well as Takuk, likely getting ready to go hunting.
"Now would be a good time to tell me your plan" she whispered through her teeth.
"Follow my lead" he tried to say with confidence as his face grew dark blue with embarrassment.
As Seze landed, her wings creating gusts of wind blowing through their siblings' hair Arvok could almost laugh as the trio shared a look that was as focused as it was vacant. Like a group of statues they stood until finally his brother was able to regain his mind.
"Where have you two been" he said; his question shaking Sylwanin and Takuk from their trance.
"She wanted to take me flying" he said with a straight face.
"You were gone all night; what else did you do" Takuk said pushing himself between the couple.
"Be quiet; don't insult my sister" Sylwanin hissed, glaring daggers at him.
Arvok's eyes narrowed for a second before a smile crept onto his face as he held Neytiri's hand.
"She has soft hands" he said, shrugging his shoulders and pulling Neytiri through the trio with Sylwanin's eyes growing as wide as dinner plates as she alternated between him and her sister.
Neytiri for her part did not resist his hold as he led them away back to the trunk of the tree only releasing when they snuck into one of the trees hollows and out of both sight and earshot.
"Alright it wor…" his voice caught in his thought as he turned around to be greeted by a wide eyed Neytiri. In truth he had expected this along with yelling and maybe getting hit. This had not entirely been his plan, hearing Sylwanin's backhanded insult had angered him and had led both of them into this situation.
There they stood staring into each other's eyes as Arvok began to wonder if he should run before Neytiri burst out laughing, the kind of laugh you make when you don't care who hears as she shook her head and pressed her hands to her face as the laughter began to alternate between muffled screams and back.
This went on for nearly a minute before Arvok decided to join in on the laughter though he didn't know what was so funny. Than the all too familiar feeling of being hit graced him yet again as Neytiri slapped him across the jaw the fire returning to her eyes and threatening to burn him alive.
"Are you serious?" she said through gritted teeth.
"We just come back from nearly being killed by creatures from the stars and you say that" she said trying her best to now scream her head off.
"Well your hands are surprisingly soft" he answered before being rewarded with another slap.
"Ow! Ok I get it; but it was surest way to draw attention away from what we were actually doing" he argued as he rubbed his cheek.
"BY SAYING WE MATED!" she nearly shouted, her fist clenched and biting her lip in frustration.
Arvok could hear the strain put on her throat to keep some measure of silence as he put his hands in front of him; both to try and calm her and protect himself.
"I didn't say that; I merely suggested" he said watching the fire in her eyes turn into an inferno, teeth beginning to bare.
"What were we going to say?" he pleaded, annoyed by how she was getting so angry "We were gone all night and neither of us brought our bows, so we weren't hunting".
Neytiri looked ready to argue her point, opening her mouth until Arvok could see the gears turning in her mind behind her eyes until she closed it in defeat as his point was proven; still not happy but at least willing to listen, which he thanked Eywa for.
"Look the only people who think we've… done that is Tsu'tey, Sylwanin and Takuk; our siblings will most likely come to us to get details before speaking to anyone else and Takuk is the kind of guy where if he said the sky was blue you'd look up to make sure" he explained.
"Also the only person who hangs out with him is Maru and she doesn't seem the kind of person to spread rumors. All we need to do is get our siblings to keep quiet and we can leave as many times as we need to without having to come up with a different excuse every time" he explained, his hands on his hips as he looked at her to see if she was understanding.
"Do you really think they won't just tell everyone" he said sarcasm in her voice as it was clear she needed further convincing.
"Yes; you want to know why?" he said with certainty; as she motioned him to get on with it.
"Because of who we are" he answered as Neytiri tilted her head in confusion.
"Look at me and look at you" he said pointing to each of them
"What's that supposed to mean" she demanded incredulously her face hardening at the perceived insult.
"You; beautiful daughter of the Olo'eyktan, rising huntress and descendent of the great Toruk Makto" he said as he noticed the slight change in her face and posture at the compliment.
"Me; the moron who nearly got his arm bitten off trying to get a banshee and village fool who ran around like a drunken Sturmbeest yelling about strange shimmering creatures" he said in a self-deprecating tone as he pointed to himself and Neytiri stifled a laugh at the comparison.
"No one would believe them, didn't you see how your sister reacted" he announced; a knowing smile on his face as he laid his hands on her shoulders.
"All we need to do is convince them not to say anything about our 'nightly activities' and we will be free to go whenever we want" he assured as he smiled at her; her laughter returning though far more mirthful as she groaned.
"Yes, you are a moron" she said.
"Yes and now we have to make up a story about how you fell for him" he answered back.
The two laughed, each a little embarrassed but enjoying the situation as best they could; given the circumstances. They would spend the remainder of the day getting their story straight and when their siblings came, they would be ready.
Location: Omaticaya village
Date: May 11th 18:12
The familiar feeling of bark pressed against the soles of his feet had begun to ache Arvok's feet; drawing his mind away from the sea of scenarios he and Neytiri had gone through in preparation for the intense interrogation that was surely going to happen. The two of them stood in his newly favourite tree as they watched the hunters return. As the sun was beginning to set the screech of banshees and the thunder of direhorses began to filter in every few minutes as they carried or dragged their kills back. He was thankful to Eywa for their successful hunts and guessing from their reactions that they hadn't found that place.
Several minutes later the sun had set and the perpetual twilight of Pandora took its place, the moons shining bright
"They're coming" said Neytiri; herself lying against the trunk of the tree, one leg dangling in the air as she point to the quartet of blue coming towards them.
"See told you" he responded, a smug smile on his face as she rolled her eyes. At the head was Sylwanin marching like a single step could crush stone and right beside her was Tsu'tey his face unreadable to Arvok which was not something that he had ever seen.
Lastly behind them was Takuk and Maru the latter trailing behind, her eyes looking to the floor.
They watched as they came closer and closer until they were right below their tree each not saying anything until Sylwanin opened her mouth.
"Come down here now" she said though it was more of a command and her eyes were so focused on her sister that Arvok wondered if she even saw him. Looking over to Neytiri they nodded to each other as it did not seem she was in the mood for a debate. Leaping of the branch in unison Arvok only caught the barest glimpse of a hand as they landed and Sylwanin pulled her sister away; pulling her out of the clearing and out of earshot with Maru tailing behind them, Leaving Arvok alone with his brother and Takuk.
"Look before you…oof" he tried to say as he felt his brother wrap his arms around him in an embrace that knocked the wind out of him and made him wonder if he was trying to kill him. He could feel his bones begin to strain under pressure not even having the air in his lungs to protest before finally being released. He consumed the fresh air like the sweetest nectar as he focused past the stars that danced across his eyes.
"Good for you"
Refocusing his vision he looked up to see Tsu'tey beaming at him with the biggest smile on his face as he grabbed his shoulder.
"Now how in Eywa's name did you pull that off" Tsu'tey said between bouts of laughter.
"Well after you ran after Sylwanin, she stayed behind and we began to talk about that thing we saw." Arvok replied happy that not only he believed the lie but had seemed to forgiven him for their brotherly spat.
"Us embarrassing ourselves in front of everyone brought you together?" Tsu'tey laughed.
"I didn't think you would find it that funny" Arvok continued as Tsu'tey struggled to calm himself, a nascent giggle escaping his lips every few seconds.
"This is calm compared to earlier" Takuk said arms crossed and ears flat.
"He would have laughed during the entire hunt if Sylwanin hadn't given him the kind of look that could stop a charging hammerhead" Takuk smiled.
"You're one to talk about being quiet, especially after what just happened" he shot back at him a smile still on his face.
"Wait what happened" Arvok said trying his best not to sound worried. The four didn't look like they had seen that horrible place.
"When we got back Maru came to us to ask how the hunt went and then this guy…" Tsu'tey said pointing back to Takuk without even looking at him. "Opened his mouth and told her".
"Was Sylwanin mad" Arvok asked, only serving to cause another bout of laughter from his brother as Takuk scowled.
"I have never seen her soooo angry; honestly it's nice for once to be on the outside looking in at her anger"
"That mad huh… I hope she isn't giving Neytiri a hard time over this" he said gazing off in the direction she had taken her.
"No, she loves her sister; she's probably just asking how it started"
[Meanwhile]
"I know your lying" Sylwanin said as she released Neytiri from her grip. She had taken them far from the boys, far enough that she couldn't hear them at any rate.
Internally she warred with herself; she hated lying and considered it cowardly but Arvok had the right idea. She knew her sister, if she told her the truth she would run to their parents and they would send their warriors to destroy those horrid creatures. The thought brought her happiness before the image of her father in that dark place, robbed of Eywa's beauty by cruel hands and then hearing the buzzing, the noise that threatened to drown out your very thoughts. So she steeled herself even as the words that left her felt like daggers in her throat.
"Who are you to say that I'm lying; besides you have been promised to Tsu'tey" Neytiri shot back trying to take the offensive.
"Please; I have been promised to Tsu'tey for nearly two cycles and before that I begged father to promise me to him" she said snidely her arms folding in front of her.
"You though… you made no such advances towards Arvok, I cannot even remember you speaking his name" she pressed dong her best impression of their mothers look as though to pull the truth from her.
"I did not want to tell you, and from how you reacted I was right" she admitted and even now she did not fully understand her apprehension.
"Why are you against us being together, if I must say again YOU ARE WITH HIS BROTHER" she exclaimed punctuating each word.
"Yes and he is a brave and courageous man, a great hunter and warrior, while Arvok is pathetic. He sits in that tree all alone looking for those things he fantasizes about and nearly died trying to claim a banshee. You're too good for him" she deadpanned doing her best not to be goaded into a screaming match by Neytiri.
"Is that you talking or our parents?" she questioned. It was known that the brother's parents had a reputation and because of it Sylwanin had to beg so hard to accept their proposal.
"Don't you dare bring them into this; I am to be the future Tsahik of the Omaticaya, to be the bridge between Eywa and the people. I cannot afford to make the wrong decision, unlike you" she hissed.
"You don't see Arvok the way I do" she said, jaw tight and cheeks turning a darker hue as she spoke.
"He is smart, kind and has a… way of thinking I've not seen in anyone else and I couldn't care less if he has yet to claim a banshee" she raged at her sister, both for her insult towards him and for forcing this conversation on her.
"They have been seen being in each other's company for many days" Maru whispered as the siblings look to the edge of the path, her head hung low still cowed by the elder sister's mood.
"There; Maru speaks the truth. I have chosen Arvok and that's the end of it. And you would do well not to tell anyone" she glared at her sister, teeth bared and brow furrowed in deep crevices that marred her face. Sylwanin stared back; upper lip quivering before huffing off back towards Hometree, stopping only long enough to turn one eye to her sister.
"No one will know of this travesty" she spoke through grinding teeth as she left the two other women in the deafening silence.
"Congratulations, I hope you make each other happy" Maru spoke quietly releasing some of the tension in the air as Neytiri released a breath she didn't even know she was holding. Turning her head she could see the scarred women had come closer a gentle smile on her face, Neytiri's beginning to mirror hers ever so slightly as they too began their walk back home.
Location: Lucian Republic, Los Alamos, the Nuclei
Date: May 15th 2385
Los Alamos; it was a name that was steeped in history from its very inception; the place where mankind discovered the power of nuclear energy and the testing ground for the first nuke ever detonated. Now though, now it had become something far more than that. Now it was known as the Nuclei, the capital city of the church of Atom.
Father Sullivan walked along the cobblestone roads, his shoes clicking with every step. He wore only a modest white robe with his face marked with two ritual scars in the shape of orbits marking his station in the church. On each side buildings lined the street, reminiscent of the ancient world, before even the creation of the country once known as America. He watched as pilgrims from every species walked alongside him. From standards to metas, deathclaws to tunnelers, young and old they all walked the path.
Sullivan was immersed in his thought until a feminine voice tinged with both wonder and concern brought him back "I wonder what business the high confessor could want with you".
Sullivan turned to see his bodyguard and assistant sister Ophelia. She had been with him for nearly five years and in that time had proven herself to be both dutiful and enjoyable, a rare combination in their vocation. She wore a modest white robe mirroring his own that did its best to hide her figure, even as the desert wind would press up against them; though it was the parts of her that were not obscured that drew the eye of both the young and old. Her skin was an olive green tanned by her days in the harsh sun, her hair was a mane of fire that reached to the small of her back and flapped lightly in the breeze, piercing green eyes surrounded by thick eyelashes and a defined jaw that framed her face that was covered in a dark burn scar that circled from the middle of her forehead and down between each eye until meeting beneath her lips. On her right hand was a power fist, the hydraulic weapon signaling to anyone who thought to harm her charge.
"Whatever it is, we would do best to not keep him waiting for long" he answered turning his head to her for a moment before returning to the crowd.
On and on they walked with the crowd each pilgrim giving them a respectable distance as they entered into the center of the holy city, a massive plaza capable of holding thousands and the monument that made its home there. The plaza was massive, capable of holding thousands without being suffocating, though the summer sun did have its effects. The smell of food was thick in the air as stores lined the plaza with feasting worshippers eating well for the month of fasting that was a few weeks away.
The monument itself though was almost insultingly small compared to others; perhaps because the people of the old world looked at such a holy moment with shame and wished it forgotten but at the same time could not deny its power. Perhaps he thought; that it was the only reason it still stood or at least unchanged with it being only about 10 feet tall and made of simple black stone and mortar, for the blind have been made to see.
The two payed their respects bowing deeply before the mark of Atom as fellow pilgrims did as well praying silently, clutching their prayer beads as they carried on leaving the crowd and ascending a set of marble steps, leading them into the Nuclei itself a large pyramid whose surface shined in the midday sun and its yawning archway supported by massive white pillars that made it look as though they we entering into the mouth of some massive creature.
Once at the summit they were greeted by two of Ophelia's Ionic sisters each in power armor. But it was not the older type, whose lumbering forms could be heard from afar with the hiss of hydraulics and the rumble of their heavy steps. Like knights of yore the armor spoke of power, plates of ceramic and metal encased them from head to toe, the only noise being the slight wafting of heat from the power packs on their backs and the slightest scrunching of the fibrous muscles beneath the armor and ballistic weave. The armor was ornate with swirls of yellow on the greaves and gauntlets. Where the designs were not though were black as night and so polished that Sullivan could see his reflection. All except their scapular, a long piece of cloth reinforced with ballistic weave that hung between their legs; coloured a light green and laced with golden atomic Symbols that swirled in complex patterns. It flowed up and over their bodies to forming a cowl over their helmets, shadowing them so that only the dark red, cross like visor could be seen.
In each of their arms they held their massive radium rifles, the 50. Caliber rifles were each slightly shorter than his body and tipped with what looked like a radar dish on the barrel.
"Greetings Father Sullivan, you have been expected." One of the sisters said her voice altered slightly from the speakers in her helmet.
"We have been asked to escort you" the other said picking up where her sister left off.
"Thank you sisters" he said as the two formed up behind him, Ophelia pulling up the rear as the sisters swung their rifles behind them attaching to the magnetic strips on their backs as they pushed the massive doors open revealing a grand, ornate cathedral. Sullivan had only been here once before and even now it almost stunned him. Through the incense filled air he could not see a single inch of the walls that were not used, each bit a painted mural or stain glass depicting historical events. Large golden chandeliers hung from the massive vaulted ceiling nearly 100 feet tall.
It was like a wave washed over him; setting off his goosebumps as his mind tried to take it all in and he could imagine Ophelia feeling similar, this being her first time here. It seemed however they had interrupted a gathering of worshippers as the door closed behind them silencing his fellow priest for a moment before continuing only to notice the stain glass effigy of a Necro human on a cross that was behind him. His skin glowing green as it shined on the people in the image.
Noticing a water font the two briefly stopped, dipping their fingers in the blessed water they drew the infinity symbol on their foreheads before continuing on the sound of the priest's service echoing against the walls.
"I say unto you that Christ was a son of Atom, for he died but was reborn, like the TRUE Necro-humans on the day of division his body was beaten and torn, forced to wear a crown of thorns and made to hang on a cross. And when Mary and Magdala went to his tomb to see his body, they saw the body of a Necro, his skin was torn muscles shown and his hair not but strands but from that tattered body shined the brilliant light of Atom. And he said unto them "BE NOT AFRAID" and so they were for the voice of Atom spoke through him such that a great earthquake shook the ground. The two women returned to his disciples with fear and great joy and for two days and three nights he once again walked with the living but on the third night he spoke eight words.
"One day I shall return with the sword"
And a bright flash of light that turned the night into day blinded his disciples and when their vision returned he was gone.
And on the day of division he did; as Atom Mars the old world died and their sins burned away, the raptured made to be fathers and mothers of universes with their spirits now lying with our lord god in Atom Christ's name we pray, unity through division" The priest recited.
"Unity through division" the congregation repeated their voices getting farther and farther away as they left.
They continued to walk; passed the paintings and the glass, passed his fellow clergy men giving only a nod to confirm they saw each other as they moved through hallway after hallway until they came to a large wooden door, masterfully carved. One of the sisters moved lightly knocking her knuckles against it.
He could not hear what was said from the other side but the sister nodded her head before pulling away and looking at them.
"The High Confessor will see you now… alone" she said, the last word hanging in the air, causing Sullivan to tilt his head to Ophelia who nodded in affirmation, bowing her head to him before walking towards the opposite wall to stand guard.
The armored sister opened the door its hinges swinging silently as she permitted him to enter. Walking through he saw a massive room with a floor like a chessboard squares of black and white moving diagonally across its flawless surface. Past that were large fluted pillars holding up silk veils as their edges fluttered in the air, obscuring what lay behind them. And in the center was a lone figure, his back turned to him. He like him wore a white robe though over it he wore a purple scapular; his head covered in a headpiece weaved in the image of an atomic structure. Thin orbits made of gold with electrons made of precious gems supported by iron holding it all together.
"How have you been my child" the high confessor said in a haggard tone.
"I am doing well your Radiance" he answered still unsure of the reason for his presence here.
The pair was silent for a moment before a low wheezy chuckle escaped his lips, shoulders bouncing lightly as he turned to face him.
His elderly frame hidden well away by his thick robes but even from here his condition was obvious. His face was a battleground between his ritual scars and the wrinkles of age, his shoulders were hunched and he held himself with the aid of wooden cane in his liver spotted hands.
"Come closer child, I'm not going to bite" he said with a wholesome smile that gave the look of a grandfather speaking to his grandchild.
Sullivan had never personally met the man and had only seen him through videos and recordings and as the door swung shut behind him leaving the pair alone he could feel a force coming from him and doing as he was asked walked forward until they were nearly within arm's reach.
Sullivan watched as the High Confessor looked him up and down as though he was a statue or a painting through squinted wrinkled eyes.
"Yes you will do well for the path ahead" he finally said finishing his observation.
"I'm sorry but, what path" Sullivan asked, his confusion at the situation becoming clearer and clearer on his face.
The elderly man only turned back around and began to walk towards the veil of curtains, the click of his cane reverberating in the empty space. He only stopped at the precipice to signal Sullivan to follow.
Pulling back the curtain with his cane the confessor revealed a large circle courtyard easily the size a baseball stadium with rows upon rows of Tomatoes circling around a large metal cylinder in the center.
"Have you heard of the discovery" the high confessor asked, and it was clear as to what discovery he was talking about.
"Yes; I'm sure it will go down as one of the most important events in history" Sullivan answered as the two continued walking, replacing the clicking to a crunch as their feet left the stone and landed on loose dirt. The sun was at its highest now and Sullivan worried for the confessor that it might be too much.
"I'm sure it will, but it presents a new opportunity for us as well" he responded.
At that the pieces finally aligned inside his mind as his eyes went wide and shot towards the High Confessor.
"Your Radiance; I'm honored, but surely there is someone more qualified for such a mission" Sullivan said never expecting something like this.
"You were personally named by Cardinal Gabriel for your actions in South America, I'm sure you will manage." He assured not even slowing down until they were in the shadow of the large cylinder.
The memories of his time in that jungle snapped back to the forefront of his mind, it had been a place of great gain and loss for him and he struggled to maintain his composure.
"But this is more than simple preaching; even the most isolated of human tribes were touched by Atom in some way. But these aliens will have no reference to understand" He politely argued, not wanting to offend.
The high confessor seemed to quiet for a moment before tapping the large cylinder with his cane.
"Do you know where we are" he asked as he waved his cane over the field of tomatoes.
"I do not your radiance" he answered truthfully, the confessor breathing a sharp sigh.
"It is called a gamma garden; it was used by the people of the old world. Inside this container is a rod of uranium 235 that is used to bathe the plants. And they found that when introduced to radiation it would cause mutations he explained though once again he did not understand the purpose of the explanation.
"They found that the ones closest would always die, the mutations were two severe… but the ones furthest away would sometimes yield beneficial mutations. Making them taste better or make them more nutritious" he said turning back to face him, his eyes steely and focused.
"Slowly; little by little, one step at a time, that is how you shall do it for he calls to us to accept change, to accept the inherent chaos of both his creation and our decisions and survive" he said, confidence in his eyes before turning them to the ground.
"But our faith is young Sullivan and tentative; after the incident of Far harbor I thank Atom and the Wanderer that we were not hunted down"
"It worked out in the end, and thanks to it we now have the Ionic sisterhood" said Sullivan only gaining another dry chuckle from the aged man.
"We cannot count on luck forever; if our faith is to last we must show that it can spread beyond us and these aliens present us with the perfect opportunity. You will go there and spread the glow to these people and give eyes to the blind, you will show them the power of Atom" he said, the last part filled with religious fervor that caused the hairs on Sullivan's neck to stand on end.
Sullivan was quiet for a moment before returning his superiors gaze and nodded his head. The confessors face lit up like a firework and clasped his hand, Sullivan being surprised by the strength of his grip.
"Thank you my son, your transport has already been secured for you and Ophelia" he smiled gently.
"When will we be leaving, I've heard the expedition is months away" he asked the time scale making him question why he had been asked so early. This caused the wizened to sigh as look at him.
"Sooner than you think"