Farmer, Philip Jose Night of Light

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has won it. We are outnumbered, and we cannot continue to occupy this roof.
How do you know they outnumber us? Carmody asked.
Look down there, Yess directed.
Carmody leaned over the rampart to examine the street. He gasped, for he saw thousands of
men and women, and even a few children. As he watched, he heard them break into song.
Where are my worshipers? Yess said.
Don't give up hope, Carmody replied. He took a small metal case from his beltbag, pushed a
button and began to speak. There was no response. At first; then a voice came from the transceiver.
Carmody looked up. The sun was shining on a huge metal hemi-sphere slowly descending toward the
spaceport some twenty kilometers away.
TheArgus, he said, a Federation astrophysical research ship. It's been in orbit while the crew and
its scientists Slept. Now, they've come back to investigate the aftermath of the Night. They'll answer our
call for help, I'm sure. We'll have a way of escape from this roof.
The vessel hovered, then moved toward the Temple. A minute later, its immense flat belly was
half a kilometer above the rooftop. A port opened, and a gravsled came through. Within minutes, Yess,
Carmody, Tand, and the priests and priestesses were aboard theArgus.
An hour later, the ship landed near the beach on the western shore of the continent.
John Carmody said good-bye to Yess just before he and his disciples left the ship.
I will take up the struggle here, Yess said. This place is far enough from Algul to give me time to
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organize before he finds out where I am and sends his killers.
I'd stay with you, the priest replied. But I must report to my superiors in Rome, and then I must
go where they send me.
Yess smiled. Ah, and what will your report say?
Only the truth. Rather, what I heard and saw, which is only a small facet of the truth. But I must
tell you this. I am going to give my honest opinion, which is that Boontism is not all it claims to be. It is not
the super religion which will displace all others. It will not displace my Church or any firm Christian faith.
It may lure many converts, but Boontism is not the true, the universal faith.
Why do you say that? Yess asked, still smiling.
Would a true god be defeated by the forces of evil? Or, would a 'good' god commit what is, to
me at least, such an evil act as your commandment that all go through the Night?
I am the Son of the Creatrix, Yess replied, as Christ was the Son of the Creator. Yet, I am no
more omnipotent or omniscient than Christ was in His fleshly incarnation. Nor am I perfect or absolutely
'good.' Remember that it was your own Christ who reproached a man for calling Him good. He said that
He was not good; only God was good.
I am not the Mother Boonta. But I am Her right-hand son, and the right hand is the favored hand.
I believe that I am destined to win -- for a long while anyway. I will win, not only here but on all other
worlds. Mother has permitted this seeming victory by Algul for reasons of Her own. I will find out in due
time.
Of course, She may be truly indifferent to the outcome, in which case it is entirely up to me. If so,
I am confident. Do not think that, because Kareenan civilization has been wrecked and evil has gained
the field, that Boontism will be out of the galactic picture for a long time to come. Surprising things may
come of this and far more swiftly than you could dream. Your own history tells of many nations that were
wrecked, utterly prostrate; yet, within a few years, they recovered and swept over their conquerors.
He indicated Carmody's beltbag and said, You will hear the last chapter of the Book?
On the way back to Earth.
I do not know why I am not to read it now. But I will find out in good time. Boonta smile upon
you, Father. May we meet again under happier conditions. I love you.
He embraced Carmody and wept. Carmody felt his own tears start. He returned his son's kiss
and said, God be with you.
Yess walked out of the port. A bird, a tiny yellow long-beaked creature with black circled
around its eyes, swooped by him and uttered seven long notes. Yess made the circular sign at it, but he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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