Author's Note: This story was written before the airing of "The Cloister".
Words between are --thoughts heard through the Commonality. Words in italics are internal thoughts.

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For Those Who Remember

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Prologue

It was a vague concept, this ritual which now stood before them. They had been taught not to fear death. But it was not to be forgotten either. And they must not forget those lost to the void.

They stood in silence, forming a perfect circle around the brazier. Firelight drew dancing shadows on the blue and purple walls. The already eerie atmosphere was intensified by the dim light.

Some performed ancient motions with their hands. Graceful minuets guided in intricate and revered detail. Others kept perfectly still, lest they break the holy communion which was taking place. Only the racing lights beneath their transparent "skin" gave witness to their own life.

One mind recalled those in its life which were now gone. Names followed one upon the other, faces envisioned and thoughts shared.

Sa'al, Kee'sha, Beckett, Qo'on, Rho-ha, Ne'eg, Boone.....

Others as well. The Taelon reached farther back into its memories and extracted the pains and joys buried so long ago. The Taelon examined each one, turning it over in its mind until nothing was left to explore, nothing more to learn.

Yet there was one memory left, one moment in time which was untouched.

The Taelon acknowledged its own fear and reluctance. Each time the required phase was upon them, it would faithfully recall its companions and bring them once more to the realm of living thought. But this one it could not summon. The pain seemingly too great to bear.

But this day it would be different.

The Taelon would honor this memory, for only one other deserved such reverence. It reached into itself and withdrew the precious remembrance.