“Have the Worm’s had any problems on their mission?” A tall man draped in an even longer robe stood over a man hunched over in a desk. His face was cool and serene, like a still lake. His features were sharp, accentuated by the gray beard that came to a point at his chest.
The man at the desk was ever so cautious in his work, carefully copying the characters from a large book onto a blank sheet of paper. He did not even pause in his efforts when the robed man spoke to him. He continued to write until the page was done, carefully putting the old quill back in its place and closing the book with gloved hands.
“They are proceeding as expected, Acolyte. Unfortunately it seems that it will take more than just devotion to learn their secrets.”
The tall man stroked his beard as he listened, staring intently at the large book. His eyes were a strange gray and they held a spark of something that seemed to make his otherwise human visage seem odd. He moved to look out the window, where he stared at the men and women lined up in perfect rows.
“Do I hear doubt in your voice?”
“No sir, but simple faith will not change the minds of lesser beings. I understand why The Holy Unifier wishes for us to investigate them, I just believe that our mission would be completed far sooner by wiping them out for good.”
“Perhaps, but we do not question the Unifier, do you know why? Do you Jacob?”
The tall man let his robes slide off to reveal a uniform of black and gold. It revealed that the seemingly old man was far larger than he appeared. Muscles and veins lined his arms, while the shirt barely closed around his massive chest.
“Because the Holy Unifier allows God to speak through him and onto us.” Jacob sat straighter in his chair, the bored expressionless face cracked for a single moment.
“Exactly. You have transcribed his texts, copied them in over a dozen languages, you probably even have his messages memorized, yes?”
“Yes sir.”
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The tall man walked closer to the desk, looming over the Holy Text. His eyes were wide with devotion and faith at seeing the original texts so close. But only for a split second, as his once bright eyes cast a gloom when looking at the cowering man in his desk.
“Then why is it that you of all people should question him. Why is it that you are incapable of seeing his vision of purity and faith? How dare you ever question his judgment.” He voiced his curiosities as he questioned the man’s lack of faith in the Holy Unifier. It was like trying to watch someone attempt to walk through a closed door, they were never going to be able to do it. Why would they continue to suffer with every attempt when the answer is so clear.
“I wasn’t questioning his judgment sir, I was just wondering why he chose this method.”
“YOU DO NOT WONDER, YOU DO NOT QUESTION! All you do is sit and copy his word so that others may read it. That is what the Unifier told you to do, so that is all you will do.”
“Yes sir.”
Then with a slam the door behind them slammed open, a man came rushing into the small sanctuary. He held his arm with a pained expression on his face, with nothing more than a simple sling to keep from exacerbating the damage.
“I am sorry to barge in, sir, but I was found out.”
“HOW COULD THEY HAVE KNOWN?”
“I don’t know sir. It came out of nowhere, I was sleeping in the bunkhouse they have and then this massive man comes in and pulls me from the bed.” He gestured to his broken arm to show how the injury occured.
“How could they have known? Although we are better than the humans of this planet, that is in mind alone. So what did you do?”
“I don’t know sir. He pulled me from the bed and screamed for me to leave, then threatened my life as I left the compound.”
“Well, then that is our answer isn’t it Jacob?”
The man with the broken arm left after his quick report, there was no need to turn the Acolyte’s rage on to himself. A quick bow and a quiet exit left Jacob and the Acolyte by themselves.
“Yes sir, the Holy Unifiers reason for scouting out the others is clear to me now.”
“Good, do not doubt him again.”
The anger that flared up so quickly also left in an instant. Grabbing his robes and leaving without a noise, closing the door gently and leaving the copier to his duties. Sitting staring at the door after the tall man left, waiting for someone to take him out back and shoot him. But as the minutes passed and nothing more than a few people passed the door with no more commotion.
He attempted to steady his breath but every little noise made him jump in fear. Approaching the window, he looked at the sun high in the sky. It was the afternoon so drills wouldn’t stop for another few hours. Watching as nearly fifty odd warriors were replaced with the next group, all standing in rows following orders.
“They will fight and die for the Unifier. Lucky”
The small light that once filled the man’s eyes became dull, months of being cooped in this room. He knew his purpose was requested by the Unifier himself, but he just couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t what he was meant to do. He was a warrior, he wanted to be out there fighting and training. Killing and dying to help bring unity to this disgusting planet, but he wasn’t allowed to.
Turning back to the small desk that had become his home, sitting and grabbing a new pair of gloves. He opened the book and continued his work. It was not as fulfilling as being a soldier but it was the work of the Unifier. That at least he could take pride in.