[ WP ] Two Generation Ships leave earth for a distant planet . One ship makes it to the planet , the other is delayed 1700 years . During this time the settlers on the planet and the settlers on the ship develop a religion about each other . They finally meet .

Mass was the same as ever today. I sat with my family in the back, resting on the ancient brickwood of the pew, and tapping my fingers impatiently against the Holy Book of Destiny in my lap. My journal rested unused next to me, this sermon far too mismatched to take notes for anyway. 
 
 I tapped my watch out of boredom, and its shimmering blue display emerged from a slit on the top. 11:24. I sighed at the unwanted revelation: the sermon had only been in progress for 9 minutes. I glanced sidelong at my family, trying not to attract attention to myself- the last thing I needed was Dad going off on me again for being distracted during church. 
 
 As usual, Dad ’ s hand was going a mile a minute through his notebook, probably capturing every nuance of the priest ’ s voice in his quaint, tiny cursive. His deep, brown eyes rarely left the priest, so I really had no idea how he was able to write like that. Better for him, I suppose. Mom was absently rubbing the bottoms of her shoes against the pew in front of us as she sifted through the Destiny, occasionally jotting down a bullet point in her journal. Funny, she ’ d probably warn me against rubbing my shoes like that, the church here was coming on 1700 years old, after all. Not a soul was allowed in the sanctuary any time other than morning service, and it scared me to think of the consequences of vandalism, accidental or not. My sister seemed just as bored as I was, but had taken to drawing small doodles in the corners of her pages, some of the doodles even venturing into the Destiny itself. 
 
 Losing interest in their activities, I decided to focus back on the priest. Maybe his sermon was becoming a bit more organized by now… 
 
 He certainly seemed excited about whatever he was going on about, throwing his hands up as he proclaimed, “ To Earth go the sinners in life, and to the mighty star Lucidum go those faithful to the Wanderers! ” 
 
 “ Blessed! ” Called someone from the front of the church, an older man in sharp dress. 
 
 “ May the Wanderers find us and save us! ” The priest continued, raising his Book high so all the congregation could see its broken leather. “ Let us open to book of Esa, chapter 1. ” He paused for a moment, taking a breath. “ And this journey will be undertaken by thousands of men and women. Only the strongest, most able, most intelligent individuals will be selected to lead this journey to save the human race. Two massive ships shall set out and arrive in the orbit of Lucidum, and there find prosperous land to continue on survival of humanity, should they follow the detailed instruction within this book. ” 
 
 The priest set the book down and addressed the crowd. “ The Wanderers seek Lucidum, and will arrive there only upon following the commandments within this book of Destiny. They will find us too, and carry us there. Stay faithful. Always faithful. ” 
 
 After considerably more rambling and singing, my clock finally read 12:00pm. I looked over at my family wearily, my sister immediately returning the look. Mom and Dad were talking quietly with one another as they put their materials away and stood up, finally ready to lead us out to the open air, and, hopefully, lunch. 
 My sister and I followed like ducklings, cutting through the crowd of people as we made our way through the church ’ s delicate structure and out through a massive, arched doorway to the clear, green skies beyond. I breathed deeply, glad to be out of that cooped space. The air was much fresher out here, and scented with the salty brine of the nearby ocean. 
 
 “ Where do you think Mom and Dad will take us to eat? ” My sister sounded much perkier having finished church for the week. She beamed at me, her wavy, brown hair dancing in the wind. 
 
 “ I ’ d love a good bur- “ I slammed into the back of my dad before I could finish, almost toppling both me and him in the process. He reached back to steady me, apologizing quietly for having stopped so suddenly. By now, my mom and sister had both stopped as well, glancing at my dad curiously. 
 
 Silently, he pointed up. 
 
 Far to the east, possibly even farther than the nearest island to ours, meandered a massive, gray object in the sky. It part through clouds with ease as it slowly eased its way closer and closer to the surface of our ocean-filled planet. “ What is that? ” I mumbled, not entirely sure I ’ d even said a word. Still, my dad must have heard. 
 
 “ It ’ s the Wanderers. It has to be. ” A light filled his eyes and he nearly leaped for joy, my mom with him. 
 
 “ They ’ re here to save us! ” She sang out, her voice riling up anyone around to pay attention to the object if they hadn ’ t already. Soon, the whole church congregation was calling out in celebration. People screamed blessings and welcomes, and I was pretty sure I heard a couple of stray curses around too. For certain, everyone ’ s eyes were on the ships. Even those who had already loaded their waterpods had stepped out to see this giant beast of an airship in the sky. 
 I watched with uncertainty in my stomach as several smaller ships broke free of the massive ship and began descending to any available surface they could find. Was it true, then? Were these really the Wanderers here to save us? 
 
 And then, somewhere deep in my heart, I wondered. Have I been faithful enough to go with them? 
 
 
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 Okay that was SO much fun to write! May write from the arriving ship's perspective sometime, or the result of their meeting... Do n't know yet. Thank you for such an inspiring prompt!
