Ok, ok, calm down. Take a deep breath. You have to nail that first impression !

Now, just wait for him to notice the stone. He should remember the dream I sent him this morning, and pick it up !

Then you just start a nice little conversation, not being too forceful even if he will be inclined to trust you. You want to avoid another brainwash repeat ... So you have to ask nicely for him to walk toward a most certain death in hope of offering a beautiful future to the children.

See ? Easy ! Everything is going to be fine !

No need to be nervous !

The plan is perfect !

Ok, he is standing up, get ready. Any minute now !

....

Any minute now !

...

Wait, what are you doing ! No, Don’t leave ! You missed the stone !

NOTICE ME SEMPAI !!!

***

About an hour later, George reappeared in front of the graves, looking frantically …

After a few minutes, he sighed, disappointed ...

“I knew it, it was just a stupid dream ...” Voiced George as he prepared to head back.

“There is no such thing as a magic stone that would solve all my problems, I was stupid to even look for it ! All that just because of a few dumb dreams, this is stupi ~” He continued, stopping as his gazed eventually rested on a little white stone.

Advancing, he picked it up, examining it closely. The stone was quite tiny, five of them could fit easily in the palm of a hand. It was a perfect sphere, the core deep white, but the outer ring a paler kind of white mixed with shades of grey …

It was strangely pretty, enough to spare it a second glance at least. The surface was smooth but, for some reason, it was not really pleasant to hold in hand. Like carrying a used baby diaper … not quite disgusting but certainly a bit uncomfortable …

As George pondered on his weird dream, a voice appeared, seemingly coming from every direction at once.

“Finally ! Ok, before anything else, I wanted to present my most sincere condolence for your wife and friends !”

Surprised by the voice, George looked around, trying to locate the source.

As he realised there was no one around, George started feeling uncomfortable. Switching the stone to his left hand, he quickly took an item from his pocket with his right hand. His body tensing at the ready.

“Is that a switchblade ? Oh boy ! You know those things are illegal, right ?”

Alone in the darkness, George started feeling really anxious about the strange voice. The uncomfortable feeling didn’t help …

“Who are you ? Show yourself !” He said, half screaming as he pressed a button on the object he carried in his right hand. The next instant, a small blade appeared, shining in the light of the fullmoon.

“Ok, ok, calm down ! No need to be so tense, I’m right here ... in your left hand’s palm !”

George incredulously looked at the small stone he carried in his left hand. Cautiously keeping an eye on his surrounding.

“Hello !” Shined the little rock. A very faint vibration being felt in his palm as the world sounded.

“What the fuck !” Shouted George as his eyes went wide, dropping the stone as fast as he could to get away from the strange thing …

Immediately, the rock went back to a dimmer shade. The surrounding turning silent ...

“What the ...” said George, incredulous.

***

“Well … So much for the first impression ...” ~Author

Yeah ...

***

“So” began George while talking to the little rock “Let me resume ... You are some kind of spirit, called Cyndic, that seeks to return Earth to the paradise it once was. In that endeavor, you asked ME to bring this little rock to the most dangerous place in the whole country, not really willing to specify why … In exchange for my help, YOU promise to ensure Jenny and Mark safety and well being for the rest of your existence. Is that it ...” He finished with a septic voice

“Yeah, that’s the gist of it ...” Shined the little rock, unsure about where this was going

“And on what basis do you expect me to believe that this isn’t some stupid kind of prank ?” Asked George with a relatively menacing tone.

“... because I’m a shiny talking rock ?”

“... That’s what I thought …” Sighed George “... So much for getting my hopes up ...”

“So ... that’s a no ?” Shined the rock in a disappointed tone.

“I promised to my wife and friends to protect the children, not to bring them to all the most dangerous place on Earth ...” Responded George, realising his was trying the comfort the little stone for some reason.

“I see … well, maybe you could keep the rock around, sleep on it a little. And make the final decision tomorrow ? Yes ?”

“My decision is already made …” Sighed George “but fine, I feel like you are somehow trustworthy … even if I don’t get why … I will sleep on it ...”

***

… Well that didn’t quite go as planned, as always … but that’s not too bad ...

“Yeah … Honestly, I still don’t get why you want to use that guy. I mean, the second lieutenant clearly seems far more useful ...” ~Author

Yeah, but I have a good feeling about him … and I might need an engineer if I want to realise my super vacuum project …

“... Don’t tell me that’s still the best idea you got ?” ~Author

Huum … Maybe a twenty point trust command wasn’t enough, let’s give him another fifty point push. See how that goes …

“... Stop ignoring me !” ~Author

***

“Why am I doing this ?” Grumbled George while placing supplies at the back of the green military Jeep.

“You okay George ?” Shined the little stone

“Yeah yeah, I’m fine, I just have a bad feeling about this. Like I’m doing something I shouldn’t ...”

Responded George in a low voice. Trying not to wake the soldiers ...

“I see … don’t forget the protective suits !”

“Already in the car, all three of them. I made sure to get supplies for two week and a few spare car batteries” Responded the engineer while pointing toward the back of the car.

“Damn, those thing got so small …” Grumbled Cyndric while looking at the twenty fist sized batteries. Five of them were sufficient for a good 200 km trip … That’s just too efficient !

“What are we missing ?”

“Nothing Stony, just need to get the children !” He said with an annoyed voice, walking toward the tent.

“Don’t call me Stony … I have a name”

George ignored him. Walking inside the tent, he gently picked up Jenny and brought her to the car, coming back for Mark just after. The two sleeping toddlers didn’t even wake up.

The man then took position of the driver seat, ready to start the car by turning the key. He however stopped short of doing it.

“Are you sure it’s okay to steal their car.” He asked

“Yeah” Shined the stone “They have a spare one full of supplies and spare batteries, it will be fine ! We need to do this, for the children !”

George seemed unsure for a moment, then turned the key. The car started with a small noise, and rapidly bolted on the cracked streets.

Seeing the second lieutenant running out of his tent in the mirror. George thought out loud.

“I hope I’m not going to regret this ...”