Ultimate Line Ch. 02

He rested his hands on the arms of his chair as he leaned back into his seat. "The relationship the Ultimate has with man is their affair, stay out of it. Despise them if you wish, but do so from afar, and do not touch them. I speak the truth to you. He is jealous over them, and champions them whether they appreciate it or not. If it matters not to Him if they believe, then it does not matter to us. We know there is much in the unseen and are not ignorant of the higher powers. We tap into it daily to survive." He tapped a finger on top of the papers that lay on his desk to drive home his point.

After a moment of silence, Garritt spoke. "I have heard that the Ultimate will put us out if there is too much disturbance." He leaned back in his chair, appearing relaxed and unruffled at the warning he'd just received.

Warily, Waliff looked at him. "You heard wrong. We can leave at any time if the majority chooses. However, if an individual disobey the rules, that person will be destroyed. Our numbers will continue dwindling until we learn to live harmoniously."

"Humph. Why would He destroy us after going through all that to save us?"

Scoffing, Waliff tilted his head to the side. "You act as if what He did taxed His strength." He knew Garritt didn't understand the breadth or depth of the state of affairs. "What was life altering and complicated to us, was merely a thought for him. He knew when we requested to maintain our essence that we would later require changes; that's why we always have access to Him through the Madre."

He took a glimpse at his visitor's face, before continuing. "Most of our race calls this place home and has no desire to leave. What will you do now? The longer we stay; we become more acclimated to this way of life. We are breeding. The young do not know the old way of life. We have changed and operate in family units, another thing uncommon on Valdoon. Emotions, strong desires, lusts, and yes, even perversions are a solid part of our makeup now. I don't see that changing, so tell me what will you do?"

Garritt stood, stretched, and began pacing, his boots the only sound in the room. No doubt, his mind raced over all he'd been told, Waliff mused. Most he knew already. Garritt wasn't crazy, at least not yet, and he understood the terms of the canon. He just didn't like it.

Finally, Garritt spoke while looking out towards the mountains. "I still believe the ancients committed a gross injustice to our people. Earth was never the answer; it compounded the problem. We are quickly losing our identity. Most of us are more human than Valdine. Our people have become lazy through the centuries, they refuse to survive without what they consider comforts." Hands spread wide, he appeared lost. "I also believe our people are casualties in a master game between the Trickster and the Ultimate. Yes, we were told of the Trickster prior to the bargain between the ancients and the Ultimate. But Waliff, there was no way to understand how intimately the Trickster dwelt with man and his kind. We were desperate and had no frame of reference. We were, and still are, pawns." Garritt's head hung as he made his last remark into the quiet of the room.

"You ask what I will do. I...I do not know." He sounded bleak. "I cannot settle this thing in me. A war rages inside, and I'm having a difficult time controlling it. Orton has deep concerns over my stability and helps more each day with the training. We have decided to take only a handful of students and even that will be curtailed. I admit, I cannot continue this path. It tears me apart. One minute I know what you say is true, we had little choice, the next I feel as though we have been betrayed and become enraged."

Sighing, he executed a short bow. "I have heard your words, and I know they are true. We are indebted to the Ultimate, although I do not like it." Garritt shuffled towards the entrance, shoulders slumped, his earlier bearing changed.

Inwardly, Waliff grieved for his comrade, yet he recognized the danger the unstable man presented.

"I thank you for the time you have taken with me today," Garritt spoke from the door.

Waliff returned the bow and watched him leave. "Do not allow the Trickster to fool you into doing something that will destroy you."

Waving his hand tiredly in reply, Garritt continued down the path.

Waliff sat and began writing the notes from this meeting, reflecting on all he'd heard. Although Garritt did not commit to anything, his words set hard upon Waliff's shoulders.

Garritt was right; their people had known nothing of deceit or immorality. There had been no concept of right or wrong prior to entering this realm. The seduction began soon after their arrival. Greed, jealousy, and pride followed shortly thereafter, causing many to forget the canon they'd formed with The Ultimate.

He'd seen it all, had participated himself at first. It was not one of their more shining moments as a species, but they'd gotten a handle on it and began turning things around. Humans called them Vampires, and they were correct, he thought. They preyed upon man in order to live. No one should have to live like that.