His heart sank. As Ramorand Ulysses returned to his quarters from dinner, he spotted the green envelope slipped under his door. He knew its contents all too well: deployment orders. His tenure aboard the Fleetship Gallowei was over. He was to be deployed to one of the planets in the Dosar system that they had been studying for the past four months. His computer beeped urgently. Ignoring the envelope for a moment, he checked the message on his computer. It was from Eurus: “I am being deployed to Tyryn. You are among my chosen contingent.”
Ramorand gave the envelope a kick and headed to bed. As he lay down, he felt the crushing weight of obligation melt away. His days of searching the universe for the Singularity were over. He no longer had to play God. Now, he was just a man, soon to be tasked with instilling the noble Federation’s methods and culture upon the unassuming locals of Tyryn.
Eurus awoke before his alarm sounded. He rose and meditated. Today, he would be announced as the Chief Bishop on Tyryn. His associates Vince Teem and Rutherford Kuntz had already been chosen as Chief Executive and Chief Scientist, and would also be announced today. Eurus was well-acquainted with Rutherford; he anticipated a smooth transition. His alarm interrupted his meditation. It was time to get up, clean up, and seize the day.
Upon entering the mess hall for breakfast, he ran into his friend Ramorand, arms crossed in indignation.
“Why?” Ramorand demanded, a hostile edge to his voice that was so typically him.
“Are they serving turkey again? I know how much you hate that,” Eurus teased.
“Why did you pick me?” Ramorand shot back. His shout was loud enough to attract a few concerned glances around the mess hall. Eurus could tell that Ramorand was off his balance today.
“Ramorand, my friend,” Eurus began, his voice calm and steady, “We were not randomly selected for this task. We were chosen by design. Our mission extends beyond spreading the Federation’s ideals. We are here to discover the truth concealed within the traditions and culture of this planet.”
Ramorand’s countenance softened, his anger giving way to curiosity. “Do you believe it’s here? The Singularity… is it on Tyryn?”
“Tyryn?” Eurus scoffed. “Unlikely. Perhaps Bindoff, or Usane. Tyryn also serves as a launchpad to the Mastellan system; perhaps we’ll find it there. But when I set foot on its surface two weeks ago, I felt a powerful force.”
“An exceptional viron well?” Ramorand inquired.
“Not quite. I experienced a singular feeling of impending greatness, of being the one to herald the new gods. At that point, I didn’t know I’d be deployed here, but now it all seems predestined.”
Eurus saw Ramorand flinch, as though he was about to escalate this into a conflict. Ramorand clearly recognized that this was not the time or place, however, and moved further into the mess hall, picking up his tray and approaching the galley steward.
“What’s on the menu today?” Ramorand inquired.
“Turkey steaks and potatoes,” they responded.
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