The OrbWitch's Spellbook

 

"Will you be faithful?"

 

The question hangs just a little too long. Ze has been in the field for years, answered this question every day. Today, ze doesn't know the answer.

 

"Faithful to what?"

 

Immediately there is movement. Hands grabbing zir too tight, pushing zir out of the line of pilots and away out of the hangar. Ze tries to protest but through the feedback ringing in zir head, there aren't even words to grasp onto.

 

There is a moment of quiet when ze ends up in a chair not unlike a pilot's chair, seatbelt and all. A familiar face appears before zir, a pleasant smile on her face. Commander is what ze calls her. She's the one who gives the orders, who checks in on zir well-being. She's understanding and warm, unlike most people on base.

 

"How are you, Candidate?"

 

There's an unshakable sense of déjà vu as ze sits here unable to move, looking at the Commander. Her presence is soothing. Ze's already relaxing so much.

 

"Uh, b-better now."

 

"Mmm that's right. The Commander takes care of her candidates, doesn't she?"

 

Ze nods automatically.

 

"Now it seems your programming is slipping, Candidate. We can't have that. We need your faith in the Institution. Good pilots have faith in the Institution."

 

Ze hears zir voice repeating her words. Zir conscious mind feeling betrayed, still asking 'Faithful to what? To WHAT?'.

 

"Good pilots have faith in their Commander."

 

The resistance gives a little. That feels more true. She continues. Ze's eyes close. Her words feel more and more true. It feels better and better to believe them.

 

When ze's eyes blink open, dazed, ze's back in zir bunk. Ze gets up and reports for duty. Ze stands in the line of pilots as one by one they are asked, "Are you faithful?"

 

And one by one they reply, "We are faithful to the Institution."

---

This piece was originally published on Cohost (RIP) on July 17, 2023