The Deacon sat in his dimly lit room, hidden away from the rest of the research facility. The only light came from a small flickering lamp on the desk, casting eerie shadows across the walls.
The air was musty and thick with the scent of incense, the source of which was unknown. The walls were adorned with dark tapestries depicting strange symbols and rituals.
The Deacon watched through a hidden camera as Laihud, Vimur, Alina, and Jay made their way out of the facility. His eyes narrowed as he observed their movements, analyzing their every step.
"They are sharper than I thought..."
The Deacon knew that they were onto something, that they had discovered the truth about the research facility and his involvement with the Cult.
He sat back in his chair, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. He knew he had to act fast to prevent the crew from exposing his true nature and the Cult's plans.
"The Bishop would be furious if our plan failed here." The Deacon whispered, massaging his temples. "Even after years of service, one minor mistake would be enough to get thrown out of the Cult."
He stood up, his tall and lanky figure casting a long shadow across the room, and approached the door. As he walked, he muttered to himself in a low voice, almost as if he were reciting a prayer.
A Prayer to give him strength and curse the enemies. His hand brushed against the rough fabric of his dark robes, feeling the weight of the Cult's symbol hanging around his neck.
As a loyal servant of the gods, it was his duty to protect the Cult's interests at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing those who stood in his way. And with his loyal soldiers, doing so would be easier than fooling the Xylopians.
The Deacon emerged from the room, his eyes scanning the empty corridor for any signs of the crew. He knew that they were still close, that they could still pose a threat to his plans. He took a deep breath, his mind focused and his senses sharp, ready for whatever lay ahead. The hunt was on.
***
"So, what do you think it means?" Laihud asked, breaking the silence.
They were back on the ship and had contacted others about their discovery. But everyone was as clueless as the person next to them.
But they all agreed on one thing, not informing the Xylopians about what they found as they might be involved with it and turn hostile against the Ghosts.
Vimur shrugged. "Could be anything. Maybe some local gang leader or a rival corporation."
"That's unlikely," Otiga chimed in. "The Xylopians are known to preach non-violence. As such, there are no criminals in their midst... at least there shouldn't be any."
Anna looked up from her tablet. "Or it could be a religious title."
Laihud stopped pacing and turned to Anna. "What do you mean?"
"Well, the term 'Deacon' is often used in religious organizations. It's a title given to someone in the church who has a leadership role," Anna explained.
Jay chimed in, "So, it could also be a cult, right?"
Everyone's mind went off simultaneously. So far, the involvement of the Cult behind the irregularities was just a theory, but now they were confident that was the case.
"Now I remember, while we were on Occuna, I heard someone mention something about the cult's hierarchy." Laihud pushed his head into his hands, trying to recall what he had heard. "The Deacon could be a low-ranking official of the cult!"
This was the chance they were looking for! Someone who might actually have some information about Cult and their whereabouts.
"I have to inform Reaper about it." Anna got up and left immediately, not even bothering to disconnect the call.
Well, no one could blame her. This was a once in the lifetime kind of opportunity. If they played their cards correctly, they just might put an end to the Cult and its debauchery.
"Laihud, Vimur, listen to me carefully. The Deacon knows about you and won't hesitate to stop you at any cost. You have to be prepared and defend yourselves until Reaper comes up with a plan." Otiga warned the duo.
Laihud rubbed his chin thoughtfully while Vimur clenched his fists in frustration.
"What can we do, Otiga?" Laihud asked. "God knows how many creatures are under the Deacon's influence, and to make matters worse, we don't know where this Deacon is hiding."
"I suggest you fortify your position and ensure you have enough weapons and ammunition," Otiga replied. "And keep your communication lines open.
She continued, "I have faith in Reaper, but it may take some time before we come up with a solution. I would have asked the Xylopians for assistance, but I doubt they'll be helpful."
"Be careful, Laihud and Vimur," Leon said, his voice laced with concern. "The Deacon is not to be underestimated. We don't know what kind of tricks the fucker is hiding under his sleeves."
Laihud nodded. "Understood. We'll do what we can."
As the video call ended, Laihud turned to Vimur.
"We need to take Otiga's advice seriously," he said with urgency. "We have to fortify our position and ensure we're prepared for any attack."
Vimur nodded grimly. "I'll gather the soldiers and make sure we have enough weapons and ammunition. You take care of the fortifications."
Laihud nodded in agreement and set to work, ordering the soldiers to gather building materials and set up barriers around the ships. He made sure to position the soldiers strategically and set up traps to catch any unwary attackers.
The Ratacules also helped them in their own way. They holed up in the trees and grass, acting as perimeter alarms that squeaked whenever unwanted guests appeared.
As night fell, Laihud and Vimur stood to watch over the ships, their eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement. The air was thick with tension, and the sound of rustling leaves and twigs seemed louder than usual. The Deacon's threat hung over them like a dark cloud, and they knew they were in for a long and challenging night.
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