Sue’s work had just begun. She had barely made it through the dimension slip in time where she met her fellow gatherers. What took you so long we have been calling for you for an eternity and why did you delay with that creature before passing through? I had to leave her some things to remember me by, you know that is not permitted they said, I will face the consequences of my actions but that creature as you called her is quite special. I’ll explain later, what’s to be done?
The great tear which caused Sue to be flung into the human realm had spewed millions of unwelcome beings into other dimensions they had to repair the damage immediately before any more could escape. They quickly made their way to the tear it was gigantic and took all their combined energy to repair it. The repair done it there was now an urgency to locate those who had escaped and were already causing chaos in the other dimensions. Their escape had almost caused a chain reaction of disturbance, two dimensions had already imploded and luckily for those who had resided there had managed to escape with the aid of the other gatherers in what remained of their collective.
Sue being the youngest and least experienced of the gatherers remained behind at the tear whilst the other gatherers proceeded to collect those escapees. She now had time to start to reflect on the actions she had taken. No one had foreseen the great tear happening and its devastating results, the collective of gatherers knew that Sue had been flung from their reality into the unknown and had been searching for her finally reaching her and telling her that she must seek help to return. Sue had searched for some considerable time before encountering Alec who in her mind had the resolve to carry out what needed to be done, but the bonus was Claire. Claire was the unexpected there was something about her that was so different about her from the rest of her female species. There was something there within her Sue knew she could tap into to ensure success for her return to her world. Sue had gone over and over what she had done and decided that she could not have done anything differently and would face the consequences of her actions whatever they may be.
It took the gatherers an immense amount of their time to locate and return those who had escaped but finally their task was done. They then all return to their collective and all twelve together now and the chaos diminished they then turned their attention to Sue. The gatherers then invited Sue to join them in one mind, she had only done this once before and she didn’t like it as she would not have any control her mind it would be open for all to see and search, but she knew she must do this. The one collective mind then examined Sue, taking every single detail from her mind for scrutiny before they released her to consider their judgement.
Finally Sue was called into the gathering and it was the Elder that spoke to her. After great deliberation we cannot fault the actions that you took as they were your only options and without the assistance of these other beings you would have been lost to us forever and you would have been suspended in a world where you do not belong. You are not to be punished in any way but further tuition and guidance will be required of you. What you have possibly discovered and it is something that I have only heard in legend is that many eons ago and long ago even before my time there was said to be two gatherers who left the collective we do not remember why, it is said that one was pure of heart the other good but mischievous. We do not know what became of them, as you know should any gatherer leave the collective we always know where they are unless there is disturbance and they may be lost to us temporarily just like you were. These two have been lost to us I feared for ever until just now and your return for you have brought with you the essence of one that was lost to us. Which one? asked Sue, I do not know he answered and in time this one you may have discovered will have to be brought before us. That will be difficult Sue said for if the essence of this gatherer is within the one called Claire she is mortal and will no doubt perish if we were to try to extract the essence.
