Eris on Cardamine

[Emissary]

"The good will..." - Anje sighed quietly, sinking heavy thoughts into another wine sip. She looked at the Nomad artifact and it "responded" with mesmerizing patterns shifting on its surface. The silent but visible communication between the two went for a minute or two during which Anje facial expression changed a few times, sometimes as if she was protesting against whatever the entity or entities on the other side were 'saying'. Finally she turned back at John again.

"Very well. You wish to learn more about them, you also wish to attain peace with them. What you can learn and what peace you may have will depend on how much trustworthy you really are. Which is not for me decide, for I'm only a messenger here."

Anje put the glass away and slowly raised up.

"Tomorrow I'll be returning to their homeworlds. You are... invited. You can come or you can stay. The choice is yours to make. Take your time to think and weight your decision. When I leave you'll give me your answer."

"If you choose to come then you will have to put your 'black box' aside. It'll be of no use to you there. I came here unarmed and alone, and same is expected of you. There is no trust to be gained if you're unwilling to risk."

"But if you choose to stay then I shall take our 'token' back for it would be of no further use. You can continue to live your life as it were, it would not matter to us."

"Now, reaching the destination will take a few days, but how much time you'll be spending there depends on you and their reaction. While they 'guarantee' safe passage to their homeworlds know that once there you'll be on your own and I will be unable to help. I'll provide the guidance I can during our journey and will answer your questions. It is only the clarity of your thoughts and your belief will make all the difference. Being privy to the work my associates are doing is a great responsibility and even greater burden to carry. It can be unsettling and terrifying at times. If you'll be able to convince them and prove yourself then your life will change, and your intents, if they were truly sincere, will have a purpose. The knowledge gained will change you irreversibly. For now with your permission I shall take a good rest. Flight towards this corner of the Sirius has been quite exhausting, and it's a long way back to Omicrons ahead."

After the explanation the artifact slowly faded, becoming dormant and lifeless again. There was nothing in it anymore.

"Thank you for your hospitality. I have no doubt the knowledge you seek will be yours in time, if you are ready for it. The price to be acknowledged is high, but the choice is yours to make, and you are free to decline the offer and I would understand. Very few are given such a rare opportunity and fewer have the will to take it."

Anje slightly nodded to Doc before leaving.