The missionary

In a far‑future settlement known as the Promised Land, an Adept finds himself bound to a chilling conversation with Wolverton, a silver‑eyed, persuasive figure who seems to embody both the devil’s charm and the cold logic of a colonizer. The Adept’s broken leg and relentless itch set a physical backdrop for a mental duel, as Wolverton spins unsettling analogies about rabbits, ecosystems, and the relentless march of humanity onto new worlds.

The dialogue turns to the stark reality of dwindling farmland, soaring birth rates, and the ancient edicts of the Word that demand endless fertility. As the Adept clings to his faith‑driven convictions, he is forced to confront a future where survival may require abandoning sacred doctrines. The opening stage sets a tense, philosophical battle that pits belief against practicality, hinting at the larger struggle for humanity’s place among the stars.