Commune Series; Volume 1

[Chrysalis]

SACRAMENTS
unknown planetary atmosphere, date unknown

A congregation was gathered. Under the bright neon lights, inside the speeding shuttle, stood men clad in white armor. Other than the hum of the engine, and the turbulence that shook the aircraft - all was silent. They observed a man that stood in front and opposite of them. His blue-tinged robes contrasted their white power armor. He too was silent, his posture and expression that of a stoic. A murmur passed through the congregation, a series of silent whispers. The priestly looking man raised his right hand and placed his left over his heart. He inhaled vigorously and started ministering in a deep, but soothing voice.

"It is said that before the beginning there was the Word. And that Word was the Light. And the Light ushered in the beginning, and through it - all things were made."

"It is thought, by men of scientific proclivity - that the purpose of life is to consume and procreate. To multiply."

"We know now, through intimate revelations, the purpose of life is to coalesce. To be united, so that its whole will be more than the sum of its parts. So that the essence of its future forms is made greater than what preceded them."

"From the very beginning. From the very first protozoic life-forms, over the first multi-cellular organisms, towards groups of social animals. Towards the advent of intelligent species of this galaxy. Towards Man. To the formation of first civilizations, and their works both beautiful and terrible. Their written word, their art, their love, their hatred and their war. Their life and death."

"To this day. To us; Those first truly made aware of the purpose of it all. Those Illuminated by the truth. The great coming together that we seek to bring about."

"Our Great Work is one that transmutes the universal truths from a time before time. The truth you've felt inside your hearts and minds even before you came to us. The Light we nurture and grow inside each of us."

"For our love of Truth that is the Light, we are misunderstood. Hated and feared. But this doesn't hold us back. It propels us forward in spite of it all."

The priest lowered his hands and took a pause. Alert lights blinked all over the shuttle. All present solemnly closed their eyes for a short few seconds as the NGM buzzed instructions through their implants. Their irises glowed silver as the surge of information overcame them. The communion with their dreaming deity pushed the congregation in a trance. Then it stopped, as suddenly as it came on. The priest continued, one last passage.

"And to this end, we say these words. We beseech the Uncreated Light, and the Guiding Song of the Matrix."

"From darkness, lead us to Light. From ignorance, show us the Truth. From death, deliver us to Immortality."

The shuttle doors opened. The sound of roaring wind filled the interior as clouds flew by. All present placed their helmets on their heads, and sealed them to the locks. They stood at attention, motionless and ready.

"Hail the Commune. Hail the Light. Hail the Matrix."

The squad repeated in unison, with nearly one voice. And then with one motion, made their way to the opened shutter. Lining up, they stood by the gaping chasm, the surface not even visible at this altitude. Their sturdy parachutes and jetpacks all they would rely on. Seamlessly, they leaped one by one, in perfect synchronization. Into the clouds and whatever awaited down below. The shutter closed behind them.

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