*the man stood with a white robe but his hood was down. he looked normal except for the purple halo around his head. it was odd though because rumors or.. pictures of infectied humanoids often looked monsterious.. but this person was definately infected.. he had light leaking out of everywhere .. but in the blink of an eye.. plain old Tom*
I am master Teacher Thomas. Or.. Three-Winds as the divine ... sing. *he sat next to chris*
Chris sighed. - Yes. Well, at least, not with life really, but with mahself, mankind in general. Ya know, ah was an orphan. Ah was raised in Evergreen Orphanage, in Planet Manhattan. Mah parents dropped me there when I was... 2 months old, I think, at least that's what they told me. That orphanage showed me the worst side of the human beings. Ah never felt loved there. Ah was a sad and lonely kid. And my shield was my aggressiveness. That and the fact I've always been a pyromaniac. - Chris took a deep breath and continued his tale - When I was ten, they took us for our first tour around New York. The Orphanage rented an armored transport for that ocasion, which was the only time they'd spend any money on us, and carried us to space. That was the first time I felt really happy. But that happiness ended as soon as I saw the LPI, the most useless organization ever made. They were a waste of time, money and people. They didn't really protect people from threats. They protected the rich, the companies, the donut sellers, but they didn't care for civilians. My hatred to them led me to join the Rogues, only to live unhappier times. Life as a Rogue was miserable. And even more miserable because I wasn't fulfilling my only dream: When I realized of all the evil in mankind, I decided I had to redeem myself. Soon after the end of the nomad war, I heard about there nomads. They were the enemy of my enemy, so I had to help them. And here I am. I want to redeem myself. -He knelt - Please, let me serve these superior beings.
I grew up on Malta. My parents where killed by.. well.. our genetic brothers and sisters.
But man.. is often a product of his environment.. the corsairs that killed my mother and father had to eat their own to survive... and while that seems grotesque, they civilized it. They know that anyone marooned in a place where life cannot survive..that against all odds one must attempt it. Loved ones sacrificed themselves ... to facilitate thier survival.
And because Malta was such a bountiful world there is a grudge... a hatred. It might not be wise to hate fate, but man does.
The corsair forefathers abandoned ship... their choice was valid. it wasn't right or wrong, it may "seem" as if
we got the better deal here on Malta but... That would be quite ignorant.
They continue to sin.. as in their nature. So that is all we can do. is wait for a time when survival isn't the primary "need" of man.
Your upbringing however... In house space... the apocalypse has been going on since we raised a fist in anger. Houses are the.. echos of a dead society... Their all zombies they worship fiction and illusion. Credits are a number sequence encrypted in live memory.. that a MAN input during the first banking accords.
Those accords where just a repeat of consolidating ledgers of gold and other valuables held by the ancient country's of the common era. Its a legend of... nothing.. There more reality in me giving you a gift.. then humanity working for a wage of fictional numbers.
We have long had the technology to provide mans needs for free.. yet in house space.. people starve.... still.
The Zoners have mastered making credits by being both inside and outside the system... but thier freedom will die the moment they depend fully upon thier credit accounts and not the sweat of the labor.
...No.. its true alot about house society is corrupt.
But its done something good. It brought you here.
Life has purposes we... don't always understand. Until after the desired effect has been reached.... The ghost of the past sneaks up behind you and shows you a litany and path of pain and sorrow.... leads you to a brave new world you were always fated to inhabit.
Service to the divine takes vary little... But we must Task you. We must test you... we must unmake the man you've had to be.. so that you can be completely free. Like the divine is.
Do you intend to see this through? Do you need time to contemplate this? ... We will not judge you... or rush you.
*Thomas sat back looking at the purple light.. Chris had to think about this... Tom remember his own trials... they were not easy*
"This is the most important moment of my life" he thought. "Every moment... every moment of my life... led me here... I don't know in which ways my life will change, but I want it to change." Chris, after a few minutes holding his sight towards the floor, thinking, made his decision.
-I've always lived in poverty. I'm not bound to credits, except for the few ones I need in order to survive. But still, I don't believe I'm free. I'll only be free from now on. I'm willing to take the tests and suceed, or die in the attempt. I have everything to win. -Chris nodded- I want to be free and serve the divine.
Thomas's eyes flares purple for a moment ( lol insert SG-1 joke here), Chris has said something wise.. did he know it?
"Mar Sara decrees you will begin your trials. You... have everything to win." Three-Winds said.
Calling his two aid's whom where in grey robes.
"Aquinas and Francis here will inspect your vessel and take you to the purification wing to ensure your psychical healthy for indoctrination.. Liquid cardamine is the next step.. and .. if you are to have true hope ..acclimating the the indigo nectar is an improvement.
After this the Nine will summon you... My position chooses your position, but only the nine can truly see you as you truly are. They see things in all dimensions... Through times eyes. Fear no judgement... the truth will set you free."
The two men where pale and bald under the grey robes not like Thomas at all who has a full set of dark hair and the olive Maltese complexion.
Francis the one on the left confirmed which ship Chris's was outside.. and departed to ..."park" it.. And Aquinas.. pale white eyes led Chris himself to a rather... archaic chamber that.. had an oddly artistic robot with a human face but clear parts.
It came to life when Chris came close enough and it began examining him with a series of surface scanners.
"This will take time. This one will summon the aid when ready.. " the Robot said.
Aquinas left Chris.
"Take a seat on the obsidian slab.. this one is scanning for genetic malady's you do not .. perhaps know of any medical conditions?"
Chris, already nervous because of the strange-looking men, did as ordered, and sat on the obsidian slab. It was cold. The slab was deep black, but from a certain angle, you could see purplish glows. He answered the robot.
-The ones from the Orphanage used to keep records on each of our medical conditions. I don't think I have any problems. The Rogues also examined me when I joined them, though it wasn't really exhaustive, but didn't find anything.
-Hmm... I've consumed Cardamine before, but the normal one, not the Liquid. I saw liquid cardamine only once in my life, as it didn't usually arrive to the Rogue base I used to be at. A rogue offered me some, but it was really expensive, and I thought it was too heavy for me, so I didn't take it... But now, I guess I feel ready.
"Great, we are done here you will be experiencing... effects. " Orb said stowing away gear and.. leaving its humanoid 'puppet' limp and in standby mode.
Aquinas was there.. like literally out of nowhere to take chris.. who might have been starting to feel light hallucinogenic effects to a room.
Simple room. Single bed. Pile of books on one side.. Robes on a hanger on the other side.
"When your feeling stable the grounds are open for you to explore... Though your first trial will be... the long night from this... point. You will see things.. but its all within your mind."
While Aquinas was carrying Chris, he was out of his mind. Visions ans hallucinations populated his mind as they crossed the corridors towards the room. Each step they walked made Chris see colors coming from the floor, every breath vibrated and tickled in Chris' lungs, every blink took an eternity. When Aquinas helped Chris to lay over the bed, he felt like he was sinking in it, but it didn't take long before he got deeply asleep, without any worries populating his mind, for the first time in a long while.
He woke up full of energy, and eager to continue his path as a servant of the Superior Beings. He put on the robes, which fitted perfectly, and headed towards the grounds. There he saw...