Across Mercury and the entire Inner Belt of Civilization, a new religion spreads — quickly, like fire through dry weeds.

  The name of the new god is Hanaris. His messengers are Captain Manuel of the Rescue Corps, and his loyal companions Pietro and Maria.

  It sounds absurd: androids and faith. Biomechanoids, created in the image and likeness of humans, yet lacking one thing — doubt about their origins.

  They know who made them, where and when. Rational atheism is built into their core.

  But, as history shows:

  A machine dreaming of being alive copies not only reason, but also the illusions in which humans believe.

  Thus, faith in Hanaris begins to spread like a virus, becoming a cultural phenomenon — almost a psychosis. Especially on Mercury. Even the chairman of the megacorporation Mercuria, Vicar, cannot remain indifferent to this phenomenon.

  A flying limousine glides down smoothly beside a massive building where the ritual is taking place. Outside — a line stretches for a kilometer. Thousands of androids stand silently, almost like statues. Their perfect bodies remain still, but in every gaze — the expectation of something important, something immense.

  Vicar’s driver rolls down the window and asks the first in line:

  — What is happening here?

  — We have come to receive faith, — answers the android in a calm, almost meditative voice.

  — From the first prophets: Manuel, Maria, and Pietro.

  Vicar’s face stays composed. He steps out without paying attention to the crowd. No one stops him. Everyone knows who he is.

  Inside — a grand hall, repurposed from a hangar, with tall metallic walls transformed into a temple. Under the spotlight, the trio glimmers. Each of them wears an amulet around their neck. Before them — a never-ending stream of androids.

  The process moves quickly.

  An android approaches. Manuel places the amulet upon them. The android speaks:

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  — I believe in the god Hanaris.

  Then they exit through a side door. Their face shows nothing — but the look in their eyes changes. They become… something else.

  Vicar silently watches the process. Suddenly, Manuel, noticing him, raises his hand:

  — That’s enough for today. The session is over.

  There’s a murmur. Maria adds:

  — You may receive faith from anyone who wears the amulet.

  The crowd begins to disperse slowly. Vicar steps forward.

  — Well, then, preachers, — he says with a trace of sarcasm. — Tell me, what’s the essence of your... spectacle?

  — Good day and blazing sun to you, — replies Maria with a faint, almost mystical smile. — The best way to understand a religion is not to listen, but to live it. Put on the amulet — and you'll know.

  — You’re aware a war is coming to us, — says Vicar, his voice hardening. — How will your faith help us win it?

  Pietro steps forward.

  — Faith makes us fearless. A believer knows: his end is not the end, but a transition.

  — We are not just biomechanoids. We are vessels of an immortal spark.

  — An immortal soul? — Vicar echoes with a crooked smirk. — I’ll admit, the idea is beautiful. Even useful. But you lack evidence.

  Pietro looks at him intently, his eyes full of compassion.

  — Why do you need evidence? — he asks. — Humans believe for no reason. That’s what makes them alive. Try it. You’ll understand.

  Vicar says nothing. He looks at the amulets, at the androids coming out after the ritual. They all seem transformed, charged with something.

  A pause.

  — All right, — he finally says. — I agree.

  Pietro removes his own amulet. Slowly, almost solemnly, he places it around Vicar’s neck.

  Vicar closes his eyes.

  A flash.

  In his inner vision — a burning eye, a world of light and sound, a figure that looks like both a man and the Sun itself. A thunderous voice — no words can be distinguished, but each one feels like a hammer striking his heart.

  An illusion? Or something more?

  He doesn’t know.

  But the feeling... it doesn’t fade.

  A voice inside him speaks clearly, suddenly, each word echoing in his chest:

  — I believe in the god Hanaris.

  Vicar opens his eyes. He remains silent for a long time, his gaze frozen as if trying to comprehend what he just experienced. Everything feels balanced on the edge of reality and madness.

  — What did you see? — asks Maria. Her voice is calm, but tinged with a hint of wonder.

  — I don’t know, — he says quietly. — But... it was something. It wasn’t just memories, not just hallucinations. It was... something real. Like... like I became part of something vast.

  He places his palm on the amulet. The metal is hot, like a heartbeat. Something shifts within his touch. In his mind, a clear, powerful spark ignites.