The excitement in his eyes makes them bulge and light up, as he
arrives in the door to the simple house on the island.

"Hey, have you heard? The Ethos is splitting up. Yeah, there's a
new part of it, that have better technology. They've got a massive
ship, that'll be able to protect us from the wels, and the 'sinful
hermits'. I heard it off a guy just back from the Thames.".

Only a stare from his wife, sitting at the table, and children,
looking mystified. Such fire was rare in their father.

"The thames are with these guys, too. I dunno, but if ya ask me, I
say that that Erine has been softening up the -Ethos- since bishop
Stone left. Yup. She's not the same as him. They said that brother
Franco was like another Bishop Stone, that he was able to figure
out the controls of the ship as soon as they found it. They said
he went in, and came out with a new vision for the Ethos. That
there's gonna be some changes, and the time is now. And I say he's
right. Damn right!"

There is silence for a moment as this is taken in.

"But, isn't Erine's Ethos much more powerful then these guys?".

His eyes grow even more fiery with revulsion. "No! When was the last
time you saw one of Stone's patrols clearing out the islands? Eh?
Not since Stone left. Now, get packed.".

"Get...What?".

"We're going. I'm not standing for living in fear any more. Mikos
from the thames says he can get us over there on a supply transport.
Half the village is going!"

"But...what about the house? All our belongings!".

He stares at her with an almost fervent surprise. "We don't need
them. All we need is the -Ethos- protection, and our faith. Hurry!
The transport goes first thing tomorrow!".

Across the village, lights are burning into the night. In the morning,
they will all be gone.

A shadowy figure in a nearby copse of trees smiles, as the lights gradually
blink out. The light from a cigarette is extinguished on a tree branch, and
the figure moves silently away through the forest.

By Who on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 10:54 pm:

*The X-files theme plays*