The Sisters

Welcome to the underground. This bunker is deep beneath the mountain and surrounded by a cavern of wires, dials, buttons and monitors. Situated in the center is a magnificent garden lush with brilliant flowers and coconut palms fed with light from the Bennett generators and water from the underground springs, that sprinkle from above patting the large leaves. In a quiet moment a great waterfall pounds, almost imperceptibly in the distance. There is also an orchestra of birds unlike any from the overground. It is a peaceful place, undisturbed by the perils above. Here the nine sisters gather each day to work.

The forum is surrounded by white pillars and flowing drapes. This afternoon was like any other. Poly walked from behind the marble podium and approached the front row of seats, calling the meeting to order. Cleo rushed in late and took her post at the laptop, collecting herself and nodding that she was ready. The day's topic was happiness, but that is all we were told. There is great bustle in the mousaion these days, so the sisters are still a bit anxious from the morning shift. We could tell they were delighted with the subject, having covered sadness, anger, and loathing all in the same week. But this was a subject of scarcity in their line of work, and proceeded with apprehension. The language they use is exotic and inpenitrably cryptic by anyone but the sisters. Even "L'il Red" the ubiquitous supercomputer surrounding us cannot decipher it. We only know their results, and neither their methods nor motives. We only know they are helping.

It is reasonable to assume the discussion began with the most precious segment of the overworld's resources, the children. The sisters are diligent with the children, who, because of their mere inconsequence, are relatively safe. But, to their great stress, happen to be devastatingly receptive and relentlessly mischievous. Such great care is taken that they are seldom dealt with directly, usually only through a teacher or parent. In a case of extreme precociousness, they have been known to do their work in the opposite direction, but this is an anomaly, and hardly worth mentioning. Incidentally, even more exceptionally rare and equally as precious, is an individual we call the firewalker.

This individual is the ultimate embodiment of the conscientious open mind, a contradiction so profound only the most resilient, audacious and self-aware can achieve it above a certain age. Fortunately for the sisters they are often disregarded by the population of the overworld as inconsequential, even nutty. Additionally, while self-aware, they have no idea they are indeed a firewalker. Another contradiction infinitely frustrating to the sisters. But, beyond their irresistible curiosities, they are of particular concern. Their behavior, although harmless, can appear to be so profoundly and senselessly mischievous that there is sometimes a genuine concern about who is in charge (although the sisters have been known to play games with each other using these individuals - which is strictly forbidden.) Most importantly, the sisters must protect them. Their rarity and influence make the firewalker the overworld's most valuable resource, and although strong, their will can be broken by the careless and ignorant. There is hope for the overworld because of them. I'll let you know if we see any.

Anyway, I digress, there is much to see in Helicon.