The Naming of A Wayfarer

What's in a name?

The doors to the archive flew open. A soldier bearing a rifle entered. Mute watched, the soldier's eyes directly on him.
Caydie cocked her head and crossed her arms. She was about to speak, but The Archivist greeted him cheerfully.
"Welcome. How can I help you?"
"Not here for you, archivist. I'm here to speak to Jacob Burnley."
Mute glared as he spoke, "Yes?"
"You're training as a wayfarer?"
"Yes." Mute replied, clenching his fists.
"The elders have authorized emergency powers to wayfarer recruits. This elevates all trainees to active duty, bypassing the naming ceremony."
The archivist perked up. "Excuse me?"
The soldier ignored him. "Atlas Falls, and you will bear his burden."
"What the hell does that mean?" Mute asked.
The soldier shook his head. "Report to Dawn for assignment. You're needed in the The Depths ."
"I don't think so," The Archivist said. He stepped forward, putting himself between the soldiers and Mute. "He hasn't even been through basic combat training. Not only is it bypassing a critical rite of passage, it's beyond unethical."
The soldier tried to stand firm, but stepped back before responding, "It's not really your call, sir."
The archivist tilted his head to the side as. "Dear boy, you are making an unhealthy life choice." The Archivist straightened his posture, towering over the soldier. "That's okay though." He placed his hand on the man's shoulder, his knife-like fingers scraping together. The soldier's bottom lip quivered and The Archivist nodded before continuing, "It's alright. We all stumble from time to time." The Archivist brought himself within inches of the soldier's face, "Allow me to educate you."

The naming ceremony shares many similarities with traditions on earth, particularly those commonly associated with one's coming of age. It's a rite of passage. Bypassing it as if it's merely red tape getting in the way would do these recruits a great disservice.
On earth, when one was old enough to operate a vehicle, they may well have been given one. The Wayfarers give a ship to each member, provided they have the training and skill to operate it. Those who don't sign on as members of that ship's crew.
The name of the ceremony alone expresses its importance. The wayfarer gets to take a name of their own choosing. Denying such a thing would be… unwise.

A New You

The naming ceremony is not unlike baptism, though it's entirely metaphorical and the religious connotations are thankfully absent. The old you is washed away, the only thing left behind are the varied connections with family.
The person you were is gone, and the name you choose reflects who you truly are outside of that which is forced upon you at birth. A wayfarer's alias is a reflection of their true self. It's who they are, who they wish to become, or a statement concerning what the person they wish to avoid becoming.
It's remarkable. What originally began as a way of maintaining secrecy in electronic communications became a statement of identity, a crucial part of what it means to be a wayfarer. While names given upon birth are still used by friends, family, and colleagues, some wayfarers find it awfully offensive when you use their birth names, especially when you are none of the above.

The Ceremony

The event is quite a beautiful thing to behold. All wayfarers in the system will attend. They gather at the colony of Dawn , at dawn. They surround the statue of the first wayfarers erected at the bunker's entrance, and each recruit is allowed to introduce themselves with their new name.
Being human is wearing a mask before your peers. We all do it. Have you ever felt that the mask you wear is a poor reflection of what's underneath? Imagine the feeling of removing it. Imagine the person under that mask being accepted, their first breath of fresh air accompanied by thunderous applause.
The ceremony is brief, but that is not a reflection on how important it is. No one has the right to take that from them, certainly not those who sought to kill them in the not so distant past.

The choice

Rules on what names are allowed to be chosen by a wayfarer are nonexistent. A wayfarer can choose any name they desire. It's never taken lightly. One's name is a matter of identity, and they always seek to choose a name that matches who they are.
Many choose to name themselves after animals, especially those from Earth. These animals have a mythical status among those who were born long after we left our home.
Others choose names based on myths and legends told throughout our species history. They relate to it, seeing a part of themselves reflected back every time they hear the story.

"Listen, I'm just following orders, here," the soldier said.
The archivist nodded. "Yes, but I'm afraid you'll either be leaving here empty-handed, or not at all."
The soldier was silent for a moment, coming to terms with both the threat on his life and the consequences of leaving. "That's not going to end well for anyone."
"Ah, yes." The archivist backed away and pointed to Mute, "In accordance to the law, Mute is bound to answer the call to action unless otherwise detained."
"Which he is not."
The Archivist laughed. "But they don't know that, do they? Why, I was just about to assign him an urgent mission."
Mute narrowed his eyes and scrunched up his face. "I wasn't even a wayfarer until he walked into this room."
"You're only a wayfarer by technicality. The naming is what makes you a wayfarer, not the elders of Safeharber." The archivist clapped his hands together. "I've been saving this trick for some time. As the keeper of the archives it's my sworn duty to pursue knowledge and the elders have granted me certain powers to do so in whatever way I deem necessary."
Caydie pondered the words and caught on quickly. She smiled, shaking her head. "You're declaring a special operation."
The soldier's eyes went wide. He opened his mouth to protest, only to close it as he considered it further. "That'll work, I'll notify them." He turned away breathing a sigh of relief.
When the soldier left the archive, the archivist turned to Mute. "I am serious. I'd like to ask a favor."
"Of course." Mute said, nodding. "Thank you for stepping in."
"I'll not have you, of all people, defending into the depths to die." The archivist replied, pulling a small memory stick from a port on his arm. "This has all the information on the sin eaters I've gathered. It also contains settings for optics that will allow one to see them. Now that you're a wayfarer, you can claim a vessel." He handed Caydie the memory stick and continued. "Inspect the vessel for any invisible stowaways, take it out of the system, and seek out The Sea of Names."
"You want to help the enemy of mankind?" Mute asked with a raised brow.
"She assisted in bringing Caydie home. This is my way of paying her back."
"You're not obligated to help her," Caydie said. Her breathing was fast and shallow. "I can't go out there again. What if-"
The archivist held his hand out, "There is no telling what's going on in the depths. They wouldn't be bringing in recruits unless quite a few wayfarers have died. For once, it may be safer out in the void."