The Souls in Sectum – Chapter I – A Gevurah
Zanda had been suspended in midair, rotating in lotus position thirty meters above Lake Wanaka, in Zealand for the past couple of hours. The early morning light painted the landscape with hues of gold and pink, casting a serene atmosphere over the scenery. Clad in a merkabah, a thin as skin armor gifted to her by the Superior Gevurah during her Ceremonia, she floated effortlessly, her amber eyes scanning the horizon covered with snowy mountains.
Despite her attempts to meditate, Zanda felt an unease settling within her, disrupting her usual calm and making an automatic process a challenge to achieve.
“Ridiculous.”
Surrendering to the futility of emptying her mind further, she unwrapped her limbs, stretching them outwards as a soft aura of a light blue tone emanated from her pores like flames.
At twenty-two years old, Zanda had chosen the path of the gevurah, embracing the a sea of possibilities and uncertainty that enervated her desire to explore the unknown. The chilling sensation creeping at the back of her neck was a reminder of the accumulated stress she sought to release, even as the panorama of purple hues heralded the dawn of a new day.
The sun rose on the horizon, its warm light bathing the surroundings and nourishing Zanda's body with Vis energy, the quantum force that bounds the physical world together. Her merkabah, a sophisticated defense system, completed the triad that connected her mind, body, and the energy of all, together, in a fluent dance of energies and frequencies.
Designed with crystaphene and completed with her Translucent Helmet of Intelligent Crybine, T.H.I.C., Zanda’s new armor was a testament to the advanced technology of Malkuth, providing her with unparalleled abilities to protect and defend life within the planet and its colonies. It was a physical extension of her toroidal field that granted her jurisdiction wherever she went in the galaxy and a constant source of Vis.
The young graduate had previously experimented with various models of merkabah, but those were now obsolete compared to her latest one. The new crystal armor had become an extension of her thoughts, a non-organic organ that would enable her with the ability to run, jump, fly, travel at incredible speeds, endure the harshest temperatures and pressures, explore the depths of oceans and float at the heart of volcanoes.
Thin as two layers of skin, the crystaphene in her Armis divided into millions of nano cells known as 'nanites', concealed within Zanda's fat cells, ready to deploy when necessary. The people of Malkuth had designed merkabahs to aid them and the Sephirot in embodying the ideals outlined in the pages of the Edictum Vitae.
Yesterday marked the culmination of five years of training as she completed all levels of Asporto, the association created for astral and terrestrial training in her field. It was her first day as a gevurah, and a myriad of thoughts ran through her mind.
She recalled her vow to The Fifth Sephirot, the Superior Gevurah, her parents, Refius, Ninari, , Gia and the floating temple and the breathtaking Ceremonia that ensued, unexpected yet fulfilling.
"I am a gevurah," she murmured aloud to affirm her newfound identity, finding solace in the sound of her own voice. "I am a gevurah," she repeated, the words resonating within her.
Zanda had aspired to become one since she comprehended the structure of The Sephirot and their duty to Malkuth during a faraway day, next to a lake. The Fifth Sephirot resonated with her ideals and passions at an early age, and, after years of dedication, she could claim the title with pride.
“I'M A GEVURAH!”
Zanda’s emotions stirred, intensifying the aura surrounding her in a vortex of Vis energy, a Naadi, tinted with shades of green and blue. Overwhelmed by the realization of her dream after years of separation from her loved ones, she allowed tears of joy to flow freely.
For the first time since embarking on her training, there was no predetermined path in her life. She was free to chart her course, bound by her commitment to safeguard life within Malkuth, uphold the Edictum Vitae, and strive towards becoming a Senior Gevurah, with the liberty to gather experience, health and reputation score points known as ‘Puncta’ across the Milky Way to ensure a comfortable life as she aged.
The young woman’s thoughts drifted to Kosovo, her birthplace, a city that had witnessed her growth. She yearned to return to her family and friends, to revisit the old faces and familiar voices that would remind her of the past before submerging into the future. As a new gevurah, she had never contemplated life beyond Asporto. The experiences and people there had become her normality. She, along with her fellow gevuritah—students of the Fifth—had devised ways to overcome and navigate the tasks presented to them year after year. Yet now, she found herself adrift, her mind a blank canvas with no clear vision of what lay ahead.
There was a freedom to travel anywhere within the Solar System connected by a Porter. She considered wandering in Malkuth before venturing to other planets and moons. There was a global anticipation in hopes that the collective efforts of the Nine Sephirot would bestow knowledge to enable Porterums with an extension of travel reach beyond the confines of the galaxy in coming years so, even if decades away, it meant thrilling adventures into the unknown awaited for her generation.
Zanda paused her forward thinking to anchor herself in the present. Eyes closed, she meditated, channeling energy and harmonizing with the Vis around her. This process amplified her own vitality, powered her merkabah, and charged its cells with weeks of energy.
The T.H.I.C. system enhanced all that the human eye could—or could not—perceive. When Zanda focused, she saw energies vibrating at diverse frequencies, nourishing each of her cells.
With a deep inhalation, she engaged her pituitary gland, awakening her third eye. The action allowed her soul to perceive a spectrum from gamma rays to sonic vibrations, witnessing force waves, quantum fluctuations, and the entropic dance of protons and electrons—symbols of life’s constant movement and cycles of evolution, and adaptation.
The world was a blend of serenity and chaos, a morning symphony of freshly awakened ecosystem played under Zanda’s vigilant watch, her energy pulsing in harmony with the Vis emanating from Mount Aoraki.
Her trance was interrupted by a pulsating glow on her left wrist; a bracelet of quartz crystaphene signaling an incoming message. She initially dismissed it, but a persistent vibration demanded her attention.
“Hey, you busy?”
Gia, her kabbalah, spoke. In Malkuth, everyone had a kabbalah—a bio-digital consciousness that served as a companion and mentor, pushing Homo Synthesicus towards self-improving, helping them discover knowledge and exploit its potential.
Although the marvelous invention was an extension of the human mind and knew the importance of uninterrupted meditation, it insisted, “Tabitha Ancaris needs to speak with you; she’s been adamant I break your meditation.”
“Tabitha?”
Zanda draw in a calming breath. She hadn’t expected to meet her aunt after her Ceremonia in Asporto, planning instead to reunite with her parents later that evening, once the next chapter of her life was figured out.
Focusing her thoughts, Zanda absorbed her naadi—an mutation unique to Malkuthians that bridged emotions and the physical realm, a gift from the Synthesis, an event where humans and technology merged, propelling humanity into an evolutionary jump that gave birth to Homo Synthesicus. She had mastered the art of concealing her aura during her training on Asporto—a levitating island nestled in the Aegean sea’s waters—where she schooled her craft as a gevuritah.
“Let her in,” The gevurah consented, reflecting on her past innocence. She had evolved from a naive dreamer, shaped by the aequiteist society that raised her, into someone ready to embrace the thrilling and uncertain next chapter of her life.
Gia projected a holographic image of Tabitha into thin air through T.H.I.C., creating the illusion that woman was sitting beside Zanda, silently admiring the majestic mountains. The gevurah's analytical gaze sized her up in an instant.
At a hundred and ninety-three, Tabitha defied her years, appearing no older than forty-five. She cradled a cup of warm tea, her silver nightgown catching the moonlight, giving her an ethereal mystique.
"If only I could give you a hug right now..." Tabitha turned, her smile a beacon of warmth, reaching out as if to bridge the virtual gap.
For Zanda, who had been disconnected from her past, the moment swelled with longing—until shock took over as she felt Tabitha's touch. "You're here!"
"No, I'm not," The elder woman countered, her brow furrowing. "I'm at home in Santorini!"
"I felt you," Zanda insisted, her voice a mix of wonder and disbelief. "Your touch was real."
Gia detached from the merkabah suit, as a swarm of a billion purple quartz nanites coalescing into a physical form.
"Your merkabah's ventos have been upgraded, allowing frequencies to carry texture and form. The sensations are replicated by your T.H.I.C. and Armis," explained a floating cuboctahedron crafted from quartz crybine, its facets catching the light.
As sunlight sparkled on the water below, Zanda laughed—a sound of pure relief.
"That's quite the update," Tabitha said, embracing her. Years ago, she had nudged Zanda onto the path of the Fifth Sephirot, teaching her that pursuing her dreams was worth the leap of faith away from home.
"I'm not surprised to find you here, in contemplation. You've always been introspective," Tabitha observed, pride shining in her eyes. "You look remarkable."
"Thank you. And you, timeless as ever," Zanda replied, her admiration genuine. If she could mirror Tabitha's grace at ninety, she'd consider it a blessing.
"Oh, to wish," Tabitha chuckled, her joy radiant. "I can't escape the wrinkles forever..."
Zanda shifted from her lotus position to sit on the crafted illusion of a bench.
"You're in awe of your new merkabah, aren't you?"
"Without a doubt," Zanda mused, affection for her suit evident. "It's an extension of myself, magnifying my abilities, it’s hard to grasp all its capabilities.”
"It's a powerful tool, safe in capable hands. Cherish it, for it will protect you," Tabitha counseled.
“It’s an honor…’
Tabitha rose from the bench and circled in the space around Zanda. "And you've earned it. After I embraced the Hod, over a hundred and thirty years ago, I ventured to South America for weeks. The psychotropics there led me on a journey of discovery that proved critical to my research."
“So, you’re telling me I should do shrooms in Brazil after this?” Her niece jested lightly, not wanting to undercut the gravity of Tabitha's experience.
Her aunt’s laughter was infectious. "No, my dear. Your journey is different. But don't shy away from the pivotal decisions that lie ahead. Trust your instincts—they will guide you through a crucial week ahead. Don’t be afraid of the decisions coming your way.”
Zanda remained silent, lost in contemplation.
"I know I wasn't who you expected to see post-Asporto, and I apologize. I've spoken with your parents; they understood my need to reach you."
"What's the urgency? What's happening?" Zanda needed clarity more than anything, her mind racing with possible scenarios.
Her mother's lifelong friend fixed her with a grave look. "Firstly, this conversation stays between us, and secondly, there's a developing situation in Sectum. The Senior and Superior Gevurah are voting on who will manage it, and your name keeps being tossed into the mix."
"Sectum!" The word alone sent a jolt of fear through her spine.
"I know it’s unheard of..."
Tabitha's composure added to Zanda's unease, suspecting that revelation was planned from the conversation's onset.
"When has a rookie ever been assigned to Sectum?"
The gevurah felt unprepared, her anxiety palpable. Refius had been clear the night before—no assignments for three months post-Ceremonia. Her hands fidgeted as she voiced her concerns.
"I'm supposed to go home tonight... Kosovo can't wait."
Tabitha's voice was soothing, "I understand it's sudden, but your return home will be all the more rewarding. Trust me."
Zanda's mind was a whirlwind of doubt as silence enveloped her.
"Embrace this fear; be humble with your abilities, yes. Remember, you're regarded as one of the brightest of your generation," Tabitha reassured her before locking eyes with Zanda. "If they've chosen you for this, means there’s faith in your readiness. It's your time you prove yourself to Malkuth.”
The weight of expectations loomed over. Was this assignment to Sectum rash?
"I've dedicated five years to proving my worth to my sephirah but I'm not prepared to go there."
“But you are, remember? You are a gevurah—an outstanding one at that," Tabitha interjected with fervor, her belief in Zanda unwavering.
“There’s gevurah more qualified than me!”
Her thoughts still tethered to the prospect of home.
"It's not about qualifications. It's a test on the field, a trial of chance by the Superior Sephirot. They'll reach out to you shortly," Tabitha stated, her presence commanding. "It’s time I follow with my path and leave you, dear. Forgive the disruption, but you needed to be informed. Use this knowledge wisely.” She said, extending her hand in farewell. "Benediximus.”
"Tabitha, my assignment in Sectum—what is it?" Zanda's persistence held firm.
"That information lies with the Table of Nine. Patience," The woman advised before turning towards the burgeoning daylight, her silhouette fading against the moon's lingering caress over the Aegean Sea. Her soft parting whisper, "Aequitas, Effenzi," lingered in the air.
Now equals in the Sephirot, Zanda echoed, "Aequitas." As the projection dissipated, the word 'Sectum' echoed in her mind. Taking a deep, steadying breath, her naadi glowed as resolute dark green hologram with a map appeared, following her thoughts.
“Gia, set a course to Civitas Permacolae in Tasmania,” the T.H.I.C. helmet reemerged as she thought about it. The connection between her brain and the merkabah was instantaneous. Regulating her heart beat, Zanda readied herself to soar into her new reality as gevurah and the possibility of confronting her first solo mission in the next few hours.
The Souls in Sectum – Chapter I – A Gevurah
Zanda had been suspended in midair, rotating in lotus position thirty meters above Lake Wanaka, in Zealand for the past couple of hours. The early morning light painted the landscape with hues of gold and pink, casting a serene atmosphere over the scenery. Clad in a merkabah, a thin as skin armor gifted to her by the Superior Gevurah during her Ceremonia, she floated effortlessly, her amber eyes scanning the horizon covered with snowy mountains.
Despite her attempts to meditate, Zanda felt an unease settling within her, disrupting her usual calm and making an automatic process a challenge to achieve.
“Ridiculous.”
Surrendering to the futility of emptying her mind further, she unwrapped her limbs, stretching them outwards as a soft aura of a light blue tone emanated from her pores like flames.
At twenty-two years old, Zanda had chosen the path of the gevurah, embracing the a sea of possibilities and uncertainty that enervated her desire to explore the unknown. The chilling sensation creeping at the back of her neck was a reminder of the accumulated stress she sought to release, even as the panorama of purple hues heralded the dawn of a new day.
The sun rose on the horizon, its warm light bathing the surroundings and nourishing Zanda's body with Vis energy, the quantum force that bounds the physical world together. Her merkabah, a sophisticated defense system, completed the triad that connected her mind, body, and the energy of all, together, in a fluent dance of energies and frequencies.
Designed with crystaphene and completed with her Translucent Helmet of Intelligent Crybine, T.H.I.C., Zanda’s new armor was a testament to the advanced technology of Malkuth, providing her with unparalleled abilities to protect and defend life within the planet and its colonies. It was a physical extension of her toroidal field that granted her jurisdiction wherever she went in the galaxy and a constant source of Vis.
The young graduate had previously experimented with various models of merkabah, but those were now obsolete compared to her latest one. The new crystal armor had become an extension of her thoughts, a non-organic organ that would enable her with the ability to run, jump, fly, travel at incredible speeds, endure the harshest temperatures and pressures, explore the depths of oceans and float at the heart of volcanoes.
Thin as two layers of skin, the crystaphene in her Armis divided into millions of nano cells known as 'nanites', concealed within Zanda's fat cells, ready to deploy when necessary. The people of Malkuth had designed merkabahs to aid them and the Sephirot in embodying the ideals outlined in the pages of the Edictum Vitae.
Yesterday marked the culmination of five years of training as she completed all levels of Asporto, the association created for astral and terrestrial training in her field. It was her first day as a gevurah, and a myriad of thoughts ran through her mind.
She recalled her vow to The Fifth Sephirot, the Superior Gevurah, her parents, Refius, Ninari, , Gia and the floating temple and the breathtaking Ceremonia that ensued, unexpected yet fulfilling.
"I am a gevurah," she murmured aloud to affirm her newfound identity, finding solace in the sound of her own voice. "I am a gevurah," she repeated, the words resonating within her.
Zanda had aspired to become one since she comprehended the structure of The Sephirot and their duty to Malkuth during a faraway day, next to a lake. The Fifth Sephirot resonated with her ideals and passions at an early age, and, after years of dedication, she could claim the title with pride.
“I'M A GEVURAH!”
Zanda’s emotions stirred, intensifying the aura surrounding her in a vortex of Vis energy, a Naadi, tinted with shades of green and blue. Overwhelmed by the realization of her dream after years of separation from her loved ones, she allowed tears of joy to flow freely.
For the first time since embarking on her training, there was no predetermined path in her life. She was free to chart her course, bound by her commitment to safeguard life within Malkuth, uphold the Edictum Vitae, and strive towards becoming a Senior Gevurah, with the liberty to gather experience, health and reputation score points known as ‘Puncta’ across the Milky Way to ensure a comfortable life as she aged.
The young woman’s thoughts drifted to Kosovo, her birthplace, a city that had witnessed her growth. She yearned to return to her family and friends, to revisit the old faces and familiar voices that would remind her of the past before submerging into the future. As a new gevurah, she had never contemplated life beyond Asporto. The experiences and people there had become her normality. She, along with her fellow gevuritah—students of the Fifth—had devised ways to overcome and navigate the tasks presented to them year after year. Yet now, she found herself adrift, her mind a blank canvas with no clear vision of what lay ahead.
There was a freedom to travel anywhere within the Solar System connected by a Porter. She considered wandering in Malkuth before venturing to other planets and moons. There was a global anticipation in hopes that the collective efforts of the Nine Sephirot would bestow knowledge to enable Porterums with an extension of travel reach beyond the confines of the galaxy in coming years so, even if decades away, it meant thrilling adventures into the unknown awaited for her generation.
Zanda paused her forward thinking to anchor herself in the present. Eyes closed, she meditated, channeling energy and harmonizing with the Vis around her. This process amplified her own vitality, powered her merkabah, and charged its cells with weeks of energy.
The T.H.I.C. system enhanced all that the human eye could—or could not—perceive. When Zanda focused, she saw energies vibrating at diverse frequencies, nourishing each of her cells.
With a deep inhalation, she engaged her pituitary gland, awakening her third eye. The action allowed her soul to perceive a spectrum from gamma rays to sonic vibrations, witnessing force waves, quantum fluctuations, and the entropic dance of protons and electrons—symbols of life’s constant movement and cycles of evolution, and adaptation.
The world was a blend of serenity and chaos, a morning symphony of freshly awakened ecosystem played under Zanda’s vigilant watch, her energy pulsing in harmony with the Vis emanating from Mount Aoraki.
Her trance was interrupted by a pulsating glow on her left wrist; a bracelet of quartz crystaphene signaling an incoming message. She initially dismissed it, but a persistent vibration demanded her attention.
“Hey, you busy?”
Gia, her kabbalah, spoke. In Malkuth, everyone had a kabbalah—a bio-digital consciousness that served as a companion and mentor, pushing Homo Synthesicus towards self-improving, helping them discover knowledge and exploit its potential.
Although the marvelous invention was an extension of the human mind and knew the importance of uninterrupted meditation, it insisted, “Tabitha Ancaris needs to speak with you; she’s been adamant I break your meditation.”
“Tabitha?”
Zanda draw in a calming breath. She hadn’t expected to meet her aunt after her Ceremonia in Asporto, planning instead to reunite with her parents later that evening, once the next chapter of her life was figured out.
Focusing her thoughts, Zanda absorbed her naadi—an mutation unique to Malkuthians that bridged emotions and the physical realm, a gift from the Synthesis, an event where humans and technology merged, propelling humanity into an evolutionary jump that gave birth to Homo Synthesicus. She had mastered the art of concealing her aura during her training on Asporto—a levitating island nestled in the Aegean sea’s waters—where she schooled her craft as a gevuritah.
“Let her in,” The gevurah consented, reflecting on her past innocence. She had evolved from a naive dreamer, shaped by the aequiteist society that raised her, into someone ready to embrace the thrilling and uncertain next chapter of her life.
Gia projected a holographic image of Tabitha into thin air through T.H.I.C., creating the illusion that woman was sitting beside Zanda, silently admiring the majestic mountains. The gevurah's analytical gaze sized her up in an instant.
At a hundred and ninety-three, Tabitha defied her years, appearing no older than forty-five. She cradled a cup of warm tea, her silver nightgown catching the moonlight, giving her an ethereal mystique.
"If only I could give you a hug right now..." Tabitha turned, her smile a beacon of warmth, reaching out as if to bridge the virtual gap.
For Zanda, who had been disconnected from her past, the moment swelled with longing—until shock took over as she felt Tabitha's touch. "You're here!"
"No, I'm not," The elder woman countered, her brow furrowing. "I'm at home in Santorini!"
"I felt you," Zanda insisted, her voice a mix of wonder and disbelief. "Your touch was real."
Gia detached from the merkabah suit, as a swarm of a billion purple quartz nanites coalescing into a physical form.
"Your merkabah's ventos have been upgraded, allowing frequencies to carry texture and form. The sensations are replicated by your T.H.I.C. and Armis," explained a floating cuboctahedron crafted from quartz crybine, its facets catching the light.
As sunlight sparkled on the water below, Zanda laughed—a sound of pure relief.
"That's quite the update," Tabitha said, embracing her. Years ago, she had nudged Zanda onto the path of the Fifth Sephirot, teaching her that pursuing her dreams was worth the leap of faith away from home.
"I'm not surprised to find you here, in contemplation. You've always been introspective," Tabitha observed, pride shining in her eyes. "You look remarkable."
"Thank you. And you, timeless as ever," Zanda replied, her admiration genuine. If she could mirror Tabitha's grace at ninety, she'd consider it a blessing.
"Oh, to wish," Tabitha chuckled, her joy radiant. "I can't escape the wrinkles forever..."
Zanda shifted from her lotus position to sit on the crafted illusion of a bench.
"You're in awe of your new merkabah, aren't you?"
"Without a doubt," Zanda mused, affection for her suit evident. "It's an extension of myself, magnifying my abilities, it’s hard to grasp all its capabilities.”
"It's a powerful tool, safe in capable hands. Cherish it, for it will protect you," Tabitha counseled.
“It’s an honor…’
Tabitha rose from the bench and circled in the space around Zanda. "And you've earned it. After I embraced the Hod, over a hundred and thirty years ago, I ventured to South America for weeks. The psychotropics there led me on a journey of discovery that proved critical to my research."
“So, you’re telling me I should do shrooms in Brazil after this?” Her niece jested lightly, not wanting to undercut the gravity of Tabitha's experience.
Her aunt’s laughter was infectious. "No, my dear. Your journey is different. But don't shy away from the pivotal decisions that lie ahead. Trust your instincts—they will guide you through a crucial week ahead. Don’t be afraid of the decisions coming your way.”
Zanda remained silent, lost in contemplation.
"I know I wasn't who you expected to see post-Asporto, and I apologize. I've spoken with your parents; they understood my need to reach you."
"What's the urgency? What's happening?" Zanda needed clarity more than anything, her mind racing with possible scenarios.
Her mother's lifelong friend fixed her with a grave look. "Firstly, this conversation stays between us, and secondly, there's a developing situation in Sectum. The Senior and Superior Gevurah are voting on who will manage it, and your name keeps being tossed into the mix."
"Sectum!" The word alone sent a jolt of fear through her spine.
"I know it’s unheard of..."
Tabitha's composure added to Zanda's unease, suspecting that revelation was planned from the conversation's onset.
"When has a rookie ever been assigned to Sectum?"
The gevurah felt unprepared, her anxiety palpable. Refius had been clear the night before—no assignments for three months post-Ceremonia. Her hands fidgeted as she voiced her concerns.
"I'm supposed to go home tonight... Kosovo can't wait."
Tabitha's voice was soothing, "I understand it's sudden, but your return home will be all the more rewarding. Trust me."
Zanda's mind was a whirlwind of doubt as silence enveloped her.
"Embrace this fear; be humble with your abilities, yes. Remember, you're regarded as one of the brightest of your generation," Tabitha reassured her before locking eyes with Zanda. "If they've chosen you for this, means there’s faith in your readiness. It's your time you prove yourself to Malkuth.”
The weight of expectations loomed over. Was this assignment to Sectum rash?
"I've dedicated five years to proving my worth to my sephirah but I'm not prepared to go there."
“But you are, remember? You are a gevurah—an outstanding one at that," Tabitha interjected with fervor, her belief in Zanda unwavering.
“There’s gevurah more qualified than me!”
Her thoughts still tethered to the prospect of home.
"It's not about qualifications. It's a test on the field, a trial of chance by the Superior Sephirot. They'll reach out to you shortly," Tabitha stated, her presence commanding. "It’s time I follow with my path and leave you, dear. Forgive the disruption, but you needed to be informed. Use this knowledge wisely.” She said, extending her hand in farewell. "Benediximus.”
"Tabitha, my assignment in Sectum—what is it?" Zanda's persistence held firm.
"That information lies with the Table of Nine. Patience," The woman advised before turning towards the burgeoning daylight, her silhouette fading against the moon's lingering caress over the Aegean Sea. Her soft parting whisper, "Aequitas, Effenzi," lingered in the air.
Now equals in the Sephirot, Zanda echoed, "Aequitas." As the projection dissipated, the word 'Sectum' echoed in her mind. Taking a deep, steadying breath, her naadi glowed as resolute dark green hologram with a map appeared, following her thoughts.
“Gia, set a course to Civitas Permacolae in Tasmania,” the T.H.I.C. helmet reemerged as she thought about it. The connection between her brain and the merkabah was instantaneous. Regulating her heart beat, Zanda readied herself to soar into her new reality as gevurah and the possibility of confronting her first solo mission in the next few hours.
