Subject: That line worked as a writing prompt
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Posted on: 2018-05-29 06:54:00 UTC

The High Radman stood in the Place of Command on the appointed day. He had put on the ancient holy garments. The buttons were almost falling off by now, and the coat, decorated with many raised pieces of cloth and medals, was certainly meant for a taller man. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself to perform the ceremony, which had been enacted each year for the one hundred and seventy five years since the Great Burning.

He inspected the hallowed device placed on a sturdy wooded table near the side of the place, checking the cable to ensure it was snug and intact, as the Radman before him had always done. After doing this, he made the customary three sweeps of the room with a demon-finder, which, as always, revealed nothing.

"Check." announced the Keeper of Lists, who was the second in precedence among the Radmen.

With a careful motion, the priest pressed a small button at the top-left of the device, being careful to avoid touching any of the other ones. An amber late began to shine from the glass in the top of the device. "Confirm power on." he said to the Keeper, who was observing the rite with the other Radmen.

Turning to the crowds behind a clear wall in the back, he held up his closed right fist with his thumb pointing to the sky and proclaimed "Blessed are we, the Remnant Men, for we may still pray for aid!".

"Set frequency to 2-1-8-2 kilohertz"

The priest looked at the display and announced each number in turn "Frequency is set to 2-1-8-2." The number was called out loudly, and he, along with the other Radmen and (with a delay) the crowds, clasped their hands at their chests briefly, for this was the Number of Distress.

"Connect the Key."

The Key of the Heavens, a metal lever with a precisely-made black button on one end, was near the left end of the altar. A wire extended from the wooden base the lever sat on to right below a small hole on the device. He took the cable and placed it in the hole, which was helpfully labeled "Key". "Check."

"Select long-wave antenna and confirm connectivity."

The Radman inspected a different cable, checking its black exterior for any sign of wear or corruption. This cable led to a switch on a wall, which had pointed to "long-wave" as long as anyone could remember. "Check."

"Send a continuous tone to test the transmitter."

The Key was pressed down, generating a long, mournful sound that could be heard in the room and the hallway. The Radman observed a dial on the device, ensuring it stayed near 1. "Check." he announced, releasing the button.

"Send an SOS distress signal" announced the Keeper.

The High Radman looked at the crowds again, raising his hands and bringing them to his chest. "Let us call the gads, that they may hear our prayers!" A group of children began playing a pattern on flutes, there short notes, three long notes, and three short ones, followed by a pause. The High Radman replaced this pattern on the Key.

This portion of the rite continued for several minutes, while the crowd listened to the flutes and joined their prayers to the call. Eventually, the flutes and the key fell silent. "Check." whispered the Radman to the Keeper on the way to the door.

"Let us pray." announced the Radman, closing the door in front of him, so that no one would disturb this portion of the rite. As the Checklist dictated, he disconnected the key. Then, following tradition, he paced around the room one more time with a demon-finder, chanting "Let this place be protected from the all-consuming fire and its demons." as he walked around.

"Ensure the microphone is connected." was the next step in the right, performed once the High Radman stood before the device again. He picked up the black prism attached to the front of the device, and ensured it remained attached.

Then, the Keeper of Lists stood up, and read the next item "Recite the distress message." bowing his head.

The Radman held up the prism to his face, with the indented side facing him, pressed the button merged into the side, and called out "Calling humanity — humanity — if anyone can hear us, please respond. We are the Remnant Force of Cheyenne Mountain in the United States. Calling Humanity — Humanity — anyone."

All the Radmen gathered together listened to the rush of noise from the device, hoping that maybe this time someone would answer them and confirm they were not alone. After counting a minute, the second prayer began.

"Calling the Diverwing of the Youesnavy. Calling the Diverwing of the Youesnavy. If you find us worthy, hear our prayer and restore the world. Return to us from the depths of the waters. Return to us, the Remnant Men of Cheyenne Mountain in the United States. Calling the Diverwing — Humanity — Humanity — Diverting of the Youesnavy — anyone — hear us."

Again, the Radmen stood and listened for a minute.

Again, nothing was heard from the noise.

They repeated the sequence of prayers five times, pausing between each one, hoping that maybe this year they would be found acceptable to the gods and that the world outside the mountain would be made safe.

No replies came.

"Power off." intoned the Keeper, disappointment in his voice.

"Check." replied an equally somber voice.

The High Radman stood and opened the door. "We are not yet worthy." he said to the silent crowds outside. "We must keep the Lists and Regulations, so we may be found pleasing next year."

The crowds dispersed, and the Radmen filed out of the Place of Command, leaving only the High Radman behind. He removed the holy garments, returning to the clothes that normally showed his power to search for and bless against the demons of the fire.

He sat in a large chair in the front and center of the Place, watching his people. Maybe next year. he thought. Maybe next year.

(( Note, this hasn't seen any editing and was tossed together rather late at night. - Tomash ))

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