“The war, of course, furnished many examples of this pattern: the casual fact, the creative imagination, the will to believe, and out of these three elements, a counterfeit of reality to which there was a violent instinctive response. For it is clear enough that under certain conditions men respond as powerfully to fictions as they do to realities, and that in many cases they help to create the very fictions to which they respond.” ― Walter Lippmann, Public Opinion

Astyanax stopped to catch his breath, scanning the sky for signs of pursuit or surveillance. Vesta panted next to him, urging him on. Shortly after setting out, he received the communication from his leadership notifying him of Danae’s capture. How had they known? They commanded a conversation, but he needed to speak with his own groupmind contact beforehand. He checked the signal strength and finally responded to the encrypted comm request. He followed the sequence creating the secure channel and immediately recognized the characteristic machine generated voice.

“Where are you? Where is the girl?”

Astyanax took a deep breath. “I proceed to their location. They were travelling to meet you as planned.”

“You did not follow the plan. You were to accompany her. Something is wrong.”

“What happened?”

“It is not clear. This person in this area has knowledge.” Astyanax looked at the transmitted visuals on the screen. “He operates this vehicle. Find him and compel him to lead you to the girl. No harm must come to her. Do whatever it takes.”

He broke the connection and mulled these new orders. No mention of Danae. Vague concerns about the girl. Yet, this command violated all their rules of engagement with the humans. His groupmind contact commanded something unprecedented. Find a human and compel it? He pondered the conflicts between the oaths and duties he was bound by, to the groupmind for this duty, to his sister, to his people. He wrestled with this knot of obligations.

Finally, he submitted to the awkward reality that he must respond to the communication command of his own leaders. He switched to the frequencies used by the scouts and signaled. After several long minutes, he received the reply.

The response was worse than he expected.

“I cannot advise you. I must contact the Elders. They may consult Forseti. Take no action until you hear back.”

Astyanax broke the connection and resumed running, Vesta loping alongside, following the ridgeline south under cover of the trees. After nearly an hour, the comms chirped again.

“What have you done?” It was Crius, one of the Elders from Northhall, who sat with Surt and the others.

“Only what was commanded by the groupmind. I was told to find a girl and bring her to a place.”

“But what of your sister?”

Astyanax hesitated. “That was my decision. She sought a quest. She seemed ready.”

“That is not our way. There are rites for that. You did not have authority or permission to undertake that training on your own.”

“I understand.”

“What are you doing now?”

“I am directed to find the girl. Danae should be with her, but the groupmind does not seem to know that.”

“Who gave you such an order?”

“The groupmind. One of their agents.”

“Our channels to the groupmind have no knowledge of such a task. We have consulted them. They want to know who you communicated with.”

“I…I don’t know a name. He is related to the girl. He communicated through the usual channels of the groupmind we use. He spoke as if this was all known and approved.”

“Then what went wrong? How did the human girl escape you? How did you let her fall into the hands of our enemies? And what of your sister?”

“I tried to do too many things. I sought out a holy person of the alloioi, a priest.”

“For what purpose?”

“To seek answers. To learn more about their faith, their God, our Shaddai.”

“Why do you look beyond the teachings of our people, our own books and lore?”

“That is all of the alloioi. From Abba. The priest is of the same faith as Abba. It was Abba’s own faith that drove him to teach us as he did. I want to seek instruction from those who taught Abba.”

This temporarily silenced Crius.  Astyanax waited for him to speak.

“You have brought dishonor on the Laos.  You made oaths without sanction; you imperiled a young one in your care, a female no less. You jeopardize the future of our people. If she comes to harm, you will be …”  Crius stopped.  “This will be a matter for the Elders. They will judge you and assess your punishment.”

“Yes, Crius.”

“Find your sister and bring her home. Save the girl if you can. The groupmind commands it. Your people command it. Reinforcements are coming. Report your location morning and evening. Go. Redeem yourself, if you can.”

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