By this time he was thoughtful and subdued.
Then suddenly he raised a single brow.
“Enough of my world. You must think me rude.
Let’s talk about life on the inside now.”
“It’s not like that at all; we don’t feel trapped.”
She was unsure of how much to reveal.
She had no secrets, but this guy was apt
to bend her words to fit his crazy spiel.
“We live for God; our hope lies in his grace.
And after that, the Mission,” she explained.
“If we must go, it’s to a better place.
As chosen ones, our rank is preordained.”
When asked how she was chosen, and by whom,
she said her ancestors had volunteered.
“The tubes, however, had but little room.
The founders picked them as the comet neared.”
“This mission that you mentioned—what’s the scoop?
These founders must have forked out lots of cash
just to provide your forebears with a coop.
There wasn’t that much warning of the crash.”
“Society gave them the wherewithal
to start the Mission, and they could predict
that something bad would come—if not that ball,
God’s punishment would have been just as strict.
“The Mission is the reason we’re confined.
The goal was not to save our mortal blood.
The founders were among those left behind
when these arks disappeared beneath the flood.
“We have been charged with keeping lit the flame
of Western culture, that it may be spread
when Earth is ready. That’s our Mission’s aim.
For that the carriers and we were bred.
“The founders by their sacrifice inspired
each generation afterward to keep
the wisdom from the one before acquired.
It will be ready when we make the leap.
“Is it not you who cannot comprehend
a meaning much beyond your puny soul?
With no philosophy that can transcend your skin,
how can you question any others’ goal?”
©2011 Louis A. Merrimac
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