Brother Amaethon

[Xenakis]

Faye Bingham; young, idealistic and utterly bored; is resting her two adolescent legs on the maintenance desk of Islay Base's Docking Control Room. A new recruit to the Gaian cause and she is lumped with a job that seems to take care of itself. Even her semi-comatosed supervisor Willy Thornbee seems to be unreservedly confident in the automated docking systems and treats the DCR as good place to get high in a bit of peace and quiet. But today there is a new ship appearing on the long range scanner and of course Miss Bingham is the first of them to pick up on it.
First indications are a Farmers Alliance Mamoru Bomber. Not a class of ship that often finds its way among the rank and file Gaian down at Islay and this is the first FA ship that Faye Bingham has come in contact with. She flicks the com switch and in a learnt generic tone hails the incoming vessel.

"Unidentified FA bomber, you are on our scanners'€¦. please state your intentions and identify!"

~crackle crackle~

"Greetings Sister, It is I, Amaethon '€¦.. submitting access codes through a secure channel."

~crackle~

Seconds later, a face that can only be described as poccessing eager confusion is thrust into the direction of supervisor Thornbee'€¦'€¦ and eager and confused are two characteristic that this middle aged man really doesn't appreciate in his current state.

Faye: "Don't recognise the name but the codes check out '€¦ whatcha think?'

A very unimpressed look is flicked in Faye's direction and Willy fumbles around the controls for a minute and flicks the com switch.

Willy: "Ok pilot, you're cleared for docking bay 1"

The new trainee sits down in a huff with the impression that somehow procedures weren't properly adhered to. Baited into it and unable to get a sense of peace in a room full of '18-year-old-girl-angst' supervisor Willy, against his better judgement, turns to the grumpy face.

Willy: " What are all these looks about girl? The codes match '€¦. and '€¦. the reason we have access codes is so that the people with the bleedin' codes get to come onto our little rock here '€¦. and yeah '€¦.. I reckon I have heard that poncey name before '€¦. spiritual looney '€¦. fanatic type '€¦.. if i recall correctly dear girl, he used to be a writer '€¦ pop, science, fiction, '€¦ spiritual fiction '€¦. err you know '€¦. pseudo spiritual science fiction for the masses '€¦.. probably got too into it and felt he had to change his name and outfit and whatnot."

He types something into his neutral net.

Willy:"'€¦ Aha'€¦..Yeah thats the nutter '€¦ used to be quite popular too '€¦ but before your time girl '€¦. here, I'll transfer this one to you. Used to be a best seller all over Bretonia. 'THE ROOTS OF THE SYSTEM' by Dr. A.D. Adlington '€¦ you'll like it, definitely appeals to that wide eyed idealism of youth."

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The Mamoru gently touches down on the landing pad of Islay docking bay 1 and as the hooded figure of Brother Amaethon descends from his vessel, a crowd of curious Gaians have already gathered to inspect the new comer. Amaethon drops his hood and then with a temperate touch, holds the shoulder of the nearest bystander and addresses the multitude.

"Greetings my brave bredren, it has been long since I have been warmed by the sight and sounds of our brothers and sisters. Even now, when I can see we are so few, I can feel our spirit reverberate with reaffirmed devotion for what needs to be done. I have been away for many painful cycles meditating on our losses, consolidating my inner demons and redeeming my own faith in Mother Gaia. It was not with an easy heart that I placed myself in exile after the Gallic Invasion and that shame followed me to Tottori where I remained under the guardianship of the Hogosha. But Mother Gaia eventually enlightens all minds and now I have returned. Do not close your arms from me my bredren. Embrace me as a brother once again."
"Gaia est mater ominia, Eius lacrrimis absorbent nostra peccata, Eius furor purgabit aethera."
[Gaia is mother of all things, her tears shall flood away our sins, her fury shall purge the skies]

Upon the silence of finishing an unknown hand leads Brother Amaethon away into Islay. And with that the crowd disperses, unsure about what they have witnesses and go about their routines.

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