Jerome Huxley Introduction

It is a mildly cloudy saturday. The sun lit up the neighbourhood in a way that isn't too overbearing. It was just after lunch time when there is a knock on the door. As Jerome was just lounging in the Living room, he got up to open the door just before another of his family member does so.

Infront of him, is two men dressed in matching black business suits and sunglasses. Both of them seem well built, and have a stone cold demeanor.
"Good Afternoon Mr Huxley. Sorry for interrupting your day, but we have an important message for you. We are agents of the governing body of The United Advancement. And as such, our business is highly confidential. However, there is no punishment if you refuse to comply. The Advancement desires all who does service in the advancement of humanity to be voluntary. And as such, we seek your consent to follow us into the car so that we may bring you to the appropriate meeting place."

The men step back and gesture to the black car parked along the road.

"Sorry sir, but I'm afraid we can't show you our IDs. However, we do have one proof. It's this envelope that we are to pass to you if you refuse to come with us."

The man speaking takes out a white letter from his suit and shows it to Jerome. It is stamped with a seal that has the logo of the Department of Off-Planet Exploration and Advancement, or DOPEA. It has the image of a rocket taking off.

Jerome couldn't judge the men well. They don't betray any signs of uneasyness, as if they might have rehearsed this encounter. What he knows at least is that he would have a hard time overpowering them if things go wrong.

One of them shakes his head. "Nothing needed. In fact, the less the better. But, there is this extra thing we need of you. We need to have you wear a bag over your head when we move you. This is for the sake of keeping the meeting place confidential."

After a few seconds of silence, one of them reply.
"Yes, you would be in a vulnerable position. But, this is one of our only ways to avoid the meeting with our representatives to leak too much information to our enemies. Foreign spies would cause activities of both the United Advancement and the DOPEA to become complicated. We require a man of your profession to aid us, and you not being too much of a public figure will reduce excessive suspicions.

But as said, if you refuse our invitation of a face to face meeting, there are other ways we can safely communicate. This envelope here contains enough information that our employers are willing to risk being exposed if you intentionally or accidentally shown it to others."

"Appologies, we are given only a bag to cover your eyes. Right this way."

Jerome is led to the back of the car, where one of the men takes the driver's seat. The one in the back seat with Jerome retrieves a black bag and hands it to the reluctant priest. As Jerome puts it on, he can feel the car moving out.

While the ride isn't too long, it was still slightly uncomfortable. The bag isn't as suffocating as was thought, but it still wasn't pleasant.

Thankfully, the trip comes to a close as the car comes to a stop and the engine is cut off. Frustratingly, the men tells Jerome that he should still keep the bag as they lead him out of the car. With their arms wrapped around his, it felt like he is being dragged. A thought came up that this might be what the victims of the executions the Church of the Maker had performed experienced.

Soon, a door is heard opening and closing and the bag is pulled up at last. Jerome now finds himself in a small metal room with a large table in the middle. Seated on the other end is a man in a suit wearing glasses and combed back hair. He is fair skinned, unlike the two men.

"Good afternoon, Mr Huxley! Sorry for rudely taking you out for a surprise business meeting. But I assure you, the quick and cautious arrangements is necessary. You may call me Mr M, short for Mystery. Had to keep my actual identity a secret, y'know.

Oh, and you two can take watch outside with the others."

The two men walk out of the door. Jerome could briefly see that outside has another guard and is the bright outdoors with dirt on the ground.

"So, before I continue, is there anything you would like to share?"

The man smirked a little as he pets the file near him.
"I assume that your experience of us so far isn't that good. So, I won't beat around the bush too much.

I have your file, and it says that you were from the Theocracy that is the Made Men, or the Maker's Church. Now, I won't ask you too much about sharing the ties your father had with them, whether good or bad. We have made up our mind that you are a suitable candidate for a space mission we are planning in a month's time.

Why do we need a priest for a cause that is focused on science? Well, some our people are religious, and feel that whatever is out there requires some spiritual guidance. Now, I won't share what exactly they find, but I'll at least tell you it is something the colonists feel that they need a man of God to share his wisdom and assurance. I hope you that when you do get there, you won't become disturbed..."

While Jerome expressed his confidence about the Maker of All's plan in the scientific community, something bothered him a little. If they only wanted to hire priest, why must they do it in such a secretive manner?

Mr M nods his head before continuing.
"Mhmm, I am aware that the Theocracy can be quite harsh and extreme. Especially to us who believe in the Advancement Creed. They believe that some space demons are out there ready to kill us just because we leave our planet. And the Union also think the same, except that they are angels instead. Ha ha!

But, yeah. There are a few of the staff at the colony base that wish to have a chaplain to speak with. We have decided to entertained their request, as long as it doesn't cause disruption to their work. Of course, we won't have you work without pay. You will receive Credits under your name when you complete the mission they have for you. And if you still wish to look for jobs off-planet, you can still choose to remain out there.

So, do you accept this arrangement?"

Mr M shows more of his teeth in his grin. "Excellent! As for the secrecy, we don't wish to cause a panic. Or scandal. The world's leading collection of scientists wanting to work with a local priest? That would be awkward for our image.

Eh, sorry, no offense. It's kind of our first time to seek service from someone like you. But I'm sure it will not be the last.

Here is my business card. It is not official, but it provides the information on contacting me, and for the address of the DOPEA building that you are expected to arrive to on the date of departure. Before you may return home, do you have any further questions?"

He hands out his card with the logo of the DOPEA from his briefcase.

Mr M takes back the letter.
"Ah yes, this envelope. Looks like you haven't opened it yet. But it's OK, it is merely an introduction, of which I have already done.

The mission will start in about a month's time. As for a congregation, I wouldn't call it that. You will depart from Darst with at most four other missionaries, though it may be lesser if we can't find enough in time. There will also be a few other engineers that will run the rocketship. As for the number of people at the destination colony, it would be about 200.

One final thing. You may bring with you any of your personal items when you depart, as long as it doesn't bog you down."

After giving brief thanks, Mr M calls for the men in black suits to send Jerome back to his home. Jerome is disappointed, but not surprised, to find that he has to wear the same bag again on his trip home.

His children felt curious about their father's government business trip, but figured not to push too much. Meanwhile, as he looks back at the photograph of his wife, Jerome's worries about the mission is put at ease.