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The Lord's Work
Vin Dex was amazed at how different the base looked. He stood among a small crowd of citizens on the obversation concourse looking out of the synthglass window. This was the first time in years that the blast shields were raised so the outside world could be seen.
Vin remembered it must have been around eight years ago when he was last on this level, at this window. The surface of Planet looked different then. The dry and rocky ground next to the bases perimeter was full of mining equipment and ugly holes in the ground. Pollution was so thick from the constant churn of the machines that the sky always looked a hazy brown.
But now! The ground outside was beautiful! The mines had been removed and in their were fruit trees and gleaming hdryoponic mini-domes. The sky was blue and flecked with gold and primary star of Chiron shone brightly in the sky. Next to him, a young boy shouted “Look, Papa!”. Vin turned to see the boy pointing outside at the approaching Terraforming team, outside. The boy’s father patted his head and smiled at Vin.
“I wonder what kind of fruit they are growing there.” Vin said, mostly to himself.
“Apples, I heard a terraformer crew talking about it.” The man answered him.
“Apples….” Vin whistfully said. He had seen apples before, but he had never tasted a real one. Synth Stew and artificial nutrient mash was the common meal for drones at Yang Mines. But this base was no longer Yang Mines….today it had been renamed Godwinson’s Hope.
So much had happened in the past few years that Vin could hardly believe it. Everything was different. The Hive Wars had ended shortly after the Believers captured Yang Mines in a combined assault with the University of Planet. Before that day Vin Dex was a mere Delta Grade Drone. Delta Grade drones were the lowest grade anyone could possibly be in the Hive. Delta Grades had no rights, whatsoever. They were considered expendable and treated worse than slaves; and the worst part was that before the base fell, Vin believed that was right. Every lash of the psych whip he felt, every trip to the punishment sphere, every indignity he had to endure was for the good of the people and in service of the Human Race. In the final days of the battles University Air strikes had severely damaged the farmland outside of the perimeter. Food suddenly became scarce and drone rations were cut a full 75 %. Many drones literally starved to death, but not before collapsing from fatigue and malnutrition. Vin himself became ill from the lack of proper nutrients, and when he fainted from this weakness he was treated to a session in the punishment sphere. His overseer had warned him that the work must continue for the good of the human race....and Vin had believed it! He was put back to work as a loader in the mines and told further infractions would cost him his life. A delta grade that couldn’t work wasn’t worth feeding.
Those words haunted him, even now. Onya, his mate, became sick and delirious from the heat in the mines. A few days rest and more food might have saved her life, but the Believer chaos regiment was closing on the city. The overseer refused to let Onya rest or to order rations for her. Instead he ordered Vin himself to carry her to the recycling tanks. Refusal would mean death. Vin remembered how Onya begged him to obey so that he would not die as she would. When they threw her in the tanks she was she was still alive. The guilt Vin carried for that was heavier than the mass of Planet. Delta Grades were not allowed to marry but they were allowed to take Mates. Female Deltas were sterilized and only allowed to procreate when the need for more workers warranted it. Vin glanced at the man next to him and his son....he must have been a Beta Grade Drone, Vin thought. Beta grades weren’t treated much better, but they were allowed to have limited families.
Vin’s mind wandered back more, to the last days of the war. When the Believer troops arrived at the base Vin thought he would surely die that day. The overseers had ordered the drone workers to mass at the main gate and fight the soldiers with their bare hands....for the good of the people and in service of the greater race. This manuever had one purpose. To slow the believers down long enough for the remaining Hive garrison troops to fire on them. If the drones got hit too, so be it. Vin obeyed, and only by sheer luck was he not struck down by the chaos bolts and shredder fire in the air around him. Many died that day, but the Believer forces stormed through the base and quickly overwhelmed the Hive forces. The talents and upper echelon citizens fled in terror, some even made it to safety in Great Clustering, the nearest Hive Base. It was then that Vin’s life changed.
Vin expected no better treatment from Believer overseers. His entire life had been one of toil and degradation. Why should it change now? Many drones rioted, and they expected to be cut down or nerve stapled...but the believers didn’t do that. They maintained strict control, of course. Overseers that were still alive at Yang Mines were captured and sent away to New Jerusalem for trial. Talents and upper echelon citizens were sent to The Coming of the Lord for reeducation. Average citizens and drones were given food and medical care. The Believers sent missionaries and teachers, doctors and psych chaplains to Yang Mines. For the first time in his life Vin was taught in a real school! As a Delta Grade he was told he could not learn anything past how to labor. But the believing missionaries taught him about mathematics, literature and most of all, the Love of God.
God....Vin had heard the word but didn’t know what it meant. But he learned quickly. He went to the makeshift chapel on the drone levels everyday and took part in the services. Oh, how he loved it. They sung hymns, and prayed. Vin volunteered to help the monks distribute bibles and food to the starving drones. He heard from the missionaries how God loved him and how he was not a mere drone, but a living breathing child of the Lord. For the first time Vin felt loved. When one of the monks called him “Brother” Vin, he broke down and cried.
Vin wathced the terraform machines come into the base...he knew that it was almost time for the ceremony. He turned and walked slowly through the concourse to the transport tube where he caught the next turbotrain. His destination was level One. Level one in the former Yang Mines was the seat of its administration. Vin had been there onl a few times. Drones were not allowed there unless they were assigned a work detail there. It was a cold sparse place. The open courtyard was sterile and undecorated, gray and dreary. When the believers had captured the base they began massive reconstruction efforts. Level one was closed off and no one had seen what was done to it until today. As Vin approached the open courtyard he could not believe his eyes!
It was full of people, drones and talents, citizens of all kinds. The air inside for once smelled sweet. Gardens had been planted and the buildings were no longer box like gray structures with few windows, but ornate buildings with tall spires, colorful windows and statues of saints. Monks walked through the crowd handing out apples and oranges to the people...a treat from God’s bountiful generosity. But the biggest change was the old Central Command building...it had been torn down and replaced with a huge, towering cathedral!
The noise of the crowd was deafening, but as Vin was busy studying the cathedrals spires, a hand fell on his shoulder. He turned and saw Brother Alex, a monk that had helped reeducate him.
“Greetings, Brother Vin!” Alex smiled at him.
“Brother Alex!” Vin was overcome with joy. He hugged Alex suddenly almost crushing him in his brawny arms. Vin had rarely seen Alex in his ceremonial robes...white with golden designs. Usually the monks wore brown robes, except for special occasions like today.
“Vin, I am so pleased to see you,” Alex said, “Remember when you told me you wanted to do the lords work? I’ve talked with the leaders of my order and they believe you would make an excellent monk.”
Vin was taken aback. He did want to do the Lord’s work....he wanted to help others the way the Believers had helped him....he just didn’t feel he was worthy of being a monk. “I...I don’t know what to say, Brother Alex.”
“No need to make up your mind, now Vin.” Alex said patting Vin’s shoulder. “The Lord has many ways for us to serve. You have shown the proper aptitude to do a great many things in the work of God, and I know this is a new beginning for you.”
“Thank you, Brother.” Vin said, a tear welling in his eye. Then the crowd broke into cheers suddenly. Vin looked up and there was a podium on the Cathedral steps. Monks stood all around it and in the center was...Vin could not believe his eyes...Sister Miriam Godwinson!
Miriam was almost a legend to the former Hive drones. Like Vin, all of them expected to be returned to work under the same harsh conditions only with a different master. But Sister Miriam and her Believers had shown great compassion. Drones no longer lived in squallor. The drone quarters were remade and pristine, now. Drones now were educated, not told they couldn’t learn anything. Chapels and missionary houses were constructed all throughout the base. To the former Hive workers Miriam was a true avatar of God.
“Miriam is about to give her speech!” Alex said, but Vin had gathered that already. He had heard that Miriam might travel to this base now that a truce had been arranged between the Believers and the Hive, but he never thought that would happen.
“My friends!” Miriam began, clasping her hands to her heart. “It quickens my heart to see all of these children of God, come to celebrate the bounty the
Lord has given us!”
The crowd cheered again wildly. Vin himself cheered. Though far away, Vin could see her image on the huge holoprojection screen over the cathedrals center spire, put there so all could see and hear the speech. She was as beautiful as an angel, Vin thought. Her blazing red hair and diamond blue eyes. Her beautiful white robe. Only an angel could be so beautiful.
“God has truly gifted us today, ‘ Miriam continued, “Our terraforming efforts are done....instead of mines we have farms for food....instead of slave labor we have citizens willing to work and able to serve the Lord...instead of despair we have hope.”
“Our battle with the Hive was not one of hatred, but one of Love. Love for God. Chairman Yang and his followers have no faith in God and that is why they will ultimately fail. They believe that a psyche whip is the only way to achieve results...but I know of a better weapon...” Miriam raised her right hand in it she held a large book, “The Bible!”
Again the crowd went wild with cheers. The people all raised their hands and all of them carried a bible. Vin felt suddenly ashamed. He hadn’t bought his bible today. It was in his quarters on his nightstand. But Brother alex reached into his robe and produced a small bible. He put it in Vin’s hands and smiled gently. Tears ran down Vins rugged face.
“One day,” Miriam spoke, “The Hive will want to reclaim this base. Chairman Yang has made it clear that he does not recognize it as a legitimate Believer base. I tell you that is fine...it matters not what he wants it matters what the Lord wants. We are all his servants, and he loves us all so much he has given us this world, this base, and he will not let us lose it if we have faith. But today let us talk not of war. Let us celebrate this shining new cathedral and celebrate the love of God! I invite you all to partake of the fruit and food we have sown and to join me inside for prayers as we consecrate this new base...it is no longer Yang Mines...it is Godwinson’s Hope!”
The crowd went absolutely berserk with cheers. Miriam left the podium and the immense crowd began walking into the huge cathedral. Vin still stood the clutching the small bible. Miriam’s words had a deep meaning for him. The Believers had fed him. They had treated him like an equal. They had taught him about God....and Miriam said that Yang would one day try to return and make him a slave again?
“Coming, Brother Vin?” Alex said, tugging Vin’s sleeve towards the cathedral.
“Brother,” Vin choked out between tears. “I will be along. I now know what I must do to serve the Lord. I will join you in awhile.”
Alex looked at Vin deeply. Then he hugged him and walked towards the cathedral.
Vin fought his way through the crowd, going the opposite direction. Even though the Believers had reconstructed Level One some of the offices still held the same functions. And he found the one he was looking for. He stopped and made a silent prayer to the Lord to thank him that it was still open. He read the decorative panel on the door.
THE BELIEVER DEFENSE ARMY RECRUITER
be all that you can be...be a Christian Soldier.
The panel had a picture of a soldier in full battle gear, with the sybol of the cross superimposed on it. Vin imagined himself in that uniform. He would never be a Delta Grade again, and he would make sure that Yang and the Hive burned in hell for defying the Lord’s Will. He opened the office door and stepped in...ready to do the Lord’s work....
Vin remembered it must have been around eight years ago when he was last on this level, at this window. The surface of Planet looked different then. The dry and rocky ground next to the bases perimeter was full of mining equipment and ugly holes in the ground. Pollution was so thick from the constant churn of the machines that the sky always looked a hazy brown.
But now! The ground outside was beautiful! The mines had been removed and in their were fruit trees and gleaming hdryoponic mini-domes. The sky was blue and flecked with gold and primary star of Chiron shone brightly in the sky. Next to him, a young boy shouted “Look, Papa!”. Vin turned to see the boy pointing outside at the approaching Terraforming team, outside. The boy’s father patted his head and smiled at Vin.
“I wonder what kind of fruit they are growing there.” Vin said, mostly to himself.
“Apples, I heard a terraformer crew talking about it.” The man answered him.
“Apples….” Vin whistfully said. He had seen apples before, but he had never tasted a real one. Synth Stew and artificial nutrient mash was the common meal for drones at Yang Mines. But this base was no longer Yang Mines….today it had been renamed Godwinson’s Hope.
So much had happened in the past few years that Vin could hardly believe it. Everything was different. The Hive Wars had ended shortly after the Believers captured Yang Mines in a combined assault with the University of Planet. Before that day Vin Dex was a mere Delta Grade Drone. Delta Grade drones were the lowest grade anyone could possibly be in the Hive. Delta Grades had no rights, whatsoever. They were considered expendable and treated worse than slaves; and the worst part was that before the base fell, Vin believed that was right. Every lash of the psych whip he felt, every trip to the punishment sphere, every indignity he had to endure was for the good of the people and in service of the Human Race. In the final days of the battles University Air strikes had severely damaged the farmland outside of the perimeter. Food suddenly became scarce and drone rations were cut a full 75 %. Many drones literally starved to death, but not before collapsing from fatigue and malnutrition. Vin himself became ill from the lack of proper nutrients, and when he fainted from this weakness he was treated to a session in the punishment sphere. His overseer had warned him that the work must continue for the good of the human race....and Vin had believed it! He was put back to work as a loader in the mines and told further infractions would cost him his life. A delta grade that couldn’t work wasn’t worth feeding.
Those words haunted him, even now. Onya, his mate, became sick and delirious from the heat in the mines. A few days rest and more food might have saved her life, but the Believer chaos regiment was closing on the city. The overseer refused to let Onya rest or to order rations for her. Instead he ordered Vin himself to carry her to the recycling tanks. Refusal would mean death. Vin remembered how Onya begged him to obey so that he would not die as she would. When they threw her in the tanks she was she was still alive. The guilt Vin carried for that was heavier than the mass of Planet. Delta Grades were not allowed to marry but they were allowed to take Mates. Female Deltas were sterilized and only allowed to procreate when the need for more workers warranted it. Vin glanced at the man next to him and his son....he must have been a Beta Grade Drone, Vin thought. Beta grades weren’t treated much better, but they were allowed to have limited families.
Vin’s mind wandered back more, to the last days of the war. When the Believer troops arrived at the base Vin thought he would surely die that day. The overseers had ordered the drone workers to mass at the main gate and fight the soldiers with their bare hands....for the good of the people and in service of the greater race. This manuever had one purpose. To slow the believers down long enough for the remaining Hive garrison troops to fire on them. If the drones got hit too, so be it. Vin obeyed, and only by sheer luck was he not struck down by the chaos bolts and shredder fire in the air around him. Many died that day, but the Believer forces stormed through the base and quickly overwhelmed the Hive forces. The talents and upper echelon citizens fled in terror, some even made it to safety in Great Clustering, the nearest Hive Base. It was then that Vin’s life changed.
Vin expected no better treatment from Believer overseers. His entire life had been one of toil and degradation. Why should it change now? Many drones rioted, and they expected to be cut down or nerve stapled...but the believers didn’t do that. They maintained strict control, of course. Overseers that were still alive at Yang Mines were captured and sent away to New Jerusalem for trial. Talents and upper echelon citizens were sent to The Coming of the Lord for reeducation. Average citizens and drones were given food and medical care. The Believers sent missionaries and teachers, doctors and psych chaplains to Yang Mines. For the first time in his life Vin was taught in a real school! As a Delta Grade he was told he could not learn anything past how to labor. But the believing missionaries taught him about mathematics, literature and most of all, the Love of God.
God....Vin had heard the word but didn’t know what it meant. But he learned quickly. He went to the makeshift chapel on the drone levels everyday and took part in the services. Oh, how he loved it. They sung hymns, and prayed. Vin volunteered to help the monks distribute bibles and food to the starving drones. He heard from the missionaries how God loved him and how he was not a mere drone, but a living breathing child of the Lord. For the first time Vin felt loved. When one of the monks called him “Brother” Vin, he broke down and cried.
Vin wathced the terraform machines come into the base...he knew that it was almost time for the ceremony. He turned and walked slowly through the concourse to the transport tube where he caught the next turbotrain. His destination was level One. Level one in the former Yang Mines was the seat of its administration. Vin had been there onl a few times. Drones were not allowed there unless they were assigned a work detail there. It was a cold sparse place. The open courtyard was sterile and undecorated, gray and dreary. When the believers had captured the base they began massive reconstruction efforts. Level one was closed off and no one had seen what was done to it until today. As Vin approached the open courtyard he could not believe his eyes!
It was full of people, drones and talents, citizens of all kinds. The air inside for once smelled sweet. Gardens had been planted and the buildings were no longer box like gray structures with few windows, but ornate buildings with tall spires, colorful windows and statues of saints. Monks walked through the crowd handing out apples and oranges to the people...a treat from God’s bountiful generosity. But the biggest change was the old Central Command building...it had been torn down and replaced with a huge, towering cathedral!
The noise of the crowd was deafening, but as Vin was busy studying the cathedrals spires, a hand fell on his shoulder. He turned and saw Brother Alex, a monk that had helped reeducate him.
“Greetings, Brother Vin!” Alex smiled at him.
“Brother Alex!” Vin was overcome with joy. He hugged Alex suddenly almost crushing him in his brawny arms. Vin had rarely seen Alex in his ceremonial robes...white with golden designs. Usually the monks wore brown robes, except for special occasions like today.
“Vin, I am so pleased to see you,” Alex said, “Remember when you told me you wanted to do the lords work? I’ve talked with the leaders of my order and they believe you would make an excellent monk.”
Vin was taken aback. He did want to do the Lord’s work....he wanted to help others the way the Believers had helped him....he just didn’t feel he was worthy of being a monk. “I...I don’t know what to say, Brother Alex.”
“No need to make up your mind, now Vin.” Alex said patting Vin’s shoulder. “The Lord has many ways for us to serve. You have shown the proper aptitude to do a great many things in the work of God, and I know this is a new beginning for you.”
“Thank you, Brother.” Vin said, a tear welling in his eye. Then the crowd broke into cheers suddenly. Vin looked up and there was a podium on the Cathedral steps. Monks stood all around it and in the center was...Vin could not believe his eyes...Sister Miriam Godwinson!
Miriam was almost a legend to the former Hive drones. Like Vin, all of them expected to be returned to work under the same harsh conditions only with a different master. But Sister Miriam and her Believers had shown great compassion. Drones no longer lived in squallor. The drone quarters were remade and pristine, now. Drones now were educated, not told they couldn’t learn anything. Chapels and missionary houses were constructed all throughout the base. To the former Hive workers Miriam was a true avatar of God.
“Miriam is about to give her speech!” Alex said, but Vin had gathered that already. He had heard that Miriam might travel to this base now that a truce had been arranged between the Believers and the Hive, but he never thought that would happen.
“My friends!” Miriam began, clasping her hands to her heart. “It quickens my heart to see all of these children of God, come to celebrate the bounty the
Lord has given us!”
The crowd cheered again wildly. Vin himself cheered. Though far away, Vin could see her image on the huge holoprojection screen over the cathedrals center spire, put there so all could see and hear the speech. She was as beautiful as an angel, Vin thought. Her blazing red hair and diamond blue eyes. Her beautiful white robe. Only an angel could be so beautiful.
“God has truly gifted us today, ‘ Miriam continued, “Our terraforming efforts are done....instead of mines we have farms for food....instead of slave labor we have citizens willing to work and able to serve the Lord...instead of despair we have hope.”
“Our battle with the Hive was not one of hatred, but one of Love. Love for God. Chairman Yang and his followers have no faith in God and that is why they will ultimately fail. They believe that a psyche whip is the only way to achieve results...but I know of a better weapon...” Miriam raised her right hand in it she held a large book, “The Bible!”
Again the crowd went wild with cheers. The people all raised their hands and all of them carried a bible. Vin felt suddenly ashamed. He hadn’t bought his bible today. It was in his quarters on his nightstand. But Brother alex reached into his robe and produced a small bible. He put it in Vin’s hands and smiled gently. Tears ran down Vins rugged face.
“One day,” Miriam spoke, “The Hive will want to reclaim this base. Chairman Yang has made it clear that he does not recognize it as a legitimate Believer base. I tell you that is fine...it matters not what he wants it matters what the Lord wants. We are all his servants, and he loves us all so much he has given us this world, this base, and he will not let us lose it if we have faith. But today let us talk not of war. Let us celebrate this shining new cathedral and celebrate the love of God! I invite you all to partake of the fruit and food we have sown and to join me inside for prayers as we consecrate this new base...it is no longer Yang Mines...it is Godwinson’s Hope!”
The crowd went absolutely berserk with cheers. Miriam left the podium and the immense crowd began walking into the huge cathedral. Vin still stood the clutching the small bible. Miriam’s words had a deep meaning for him. The Believers had fed him. They had treated him like an equal. They had taught him about God....and Miriam said that Yang would one day try to return and make him a slave again?
“Coming, Brother Vin?” Alex said, tugging Vin’s sleeve towards the cathedral.
“Brother,” Vin choked out between tears. “I will be along. I now know what I must do to serve the Lord. I will join you in awhile.”
Alex looked at Vin deeply. Then he hugged him and walked towards the cathedral.
Vin fought his way through the crowd, going the opposite direction. Even though the Believers had reconstructed Level One some of the offices still held the same functions. And he found the one he was looking for. He stopped and made a silent prayer to the Lord to thank him that it was still open. He read the decorative panel on the door.
THE BELIEVER DEFENSE ARMY RECRUITER
be all that you can be...be a Christian Soldier.
The panel had a picture of a soldier in full battle gear, with the sybol of the cross superimposed on it. Vin imagined himself in that uniform. He would never be a Delta Grade again, and he would make sure that Yang and the Hive burned in hell for defying the Lord’s Will. He opened the office door and stepped in...ready to do the Lord’s work....