Chapter Seven
The Messenger
Captain Hope and his men had settled down and were engaged in everyday conversation when the Captain glanced to see one of the computer banks that jutted out into the control room. Sitting on it was a winged Being he judged to be about six feet tall.
The Being was covered with plush fur except for around its face and hands. It wore a garment that resembled a Roman tunic. The Captain kicked the foot of his exec across from him. "Howard," he asked, "how's the nitrogen levels? Could we be hallucinating?"
"I just checked them," the number two answered. "They're fine, sir. Why?"
The exec saw where the Captain was looking and looked in that direction himself. "Oh my God!" he muttered.
An ensign distracted from his own conversation by that of the officers looked around. When he saw what they were looking at he began to draw the pistol at his side. "Stand by, mister!" the Captain snapped. "Put that away!"
"Yes sir!" the younger man snapped.
The Captain cleared his throat. "Who are you?" he asked, "WHAT are you?"
The Being smiled. "Irrelevant questions, Captain," it answered, "answers to which you are not ready to understand. Let me just say I am the one responsible for your current difficulties."
"Why are you doing this?" the Captain answered.
"Because I am forced to," the Being continued, "because ignorant men are trying to interfere with something far beyond their understanding and far beyond their power. We do not like to take such actions as these. They are not part of our nature. But when forced to we will defend ourselves, I assure you. My actions are in no way, personal. I have the deepest respect for all of you, and will be glad when this business is over."
"How did you get in here?" the exec asked.
The Being again smiled an almost mischievous smile. "I can be," he answered, "denser than steel or so thin that I am invisible, and can pass through seemingly solid walls by slipping my essence through the spaces in the atoms."
"Jesus!" the exec moaned.
"A good comparison," the Being continued. "He used quite similar capabilities."
"Why did you show yourself?" the Captain asked.
"Boredom," the Being answered, "and I admire brave men. When I can I like to talk to them. Tell me, Captain, have you ever wished for a miracle, for something that could only be done by the supernatural?"
The Captain looked startled but he thought a minute. "Well, yes," he answered. "There's a little girl at church. She was born blind. I don't know how many times I've asked God why He can't make her see."
The Being smiled and looked away for a moment. "Done!" he commented.
"What?" the Captain asked.
"She can see," the Being answered.
The Captain stared in bewilderment. "You mean," he asked, "that you'd destroy the world if you had to, yet just because I ask you make a little blind girl see?"
"Doing the second," the Being answered, "is far more enjoyable than doing the first. What about your number two, Mr. Day? Have you ever wanted a miracle?"
"Well one of my neighbors has Alzheimer's," the exec remarked. "He's getting quite bad. I don't think it's fair. He's been a good man all his life, always done for others. I don't see why something like that should happen to him. Could you fix it?"
The Being looked away, then looked back to the exec with a sad expression. "I'm sorry," he answered, "can't do that. He won't let me. He's done for others, Mr. Day. Now it's their turn to do for him until he's ready to leave this world. Would it be right for me to take away the opportunity for them to return his kindness? I think not. Ah! But there is another problem closer to home. Your brother's son. Nasty things these brain tumors. Now that's something that can be dealt with. That's your miracle, number two!"
"Yes! Yes, sir!" the exec muttered.
"Time is running short," the Being remarked. "I have time at the moment to do only one more thing. But be assured, gentlemen, I have not enjoyed putting you through this terror, and in return I will do something for each and every member of the crew. They will know that it was done for them. Young man, you, on the helm, come here!"
The young man hesitated. "Come here, seaman," the Captain ordered.
The young man rose and came over. "Peary, isn't it?" the Being asked.
"Yes sir," the young man answered, "William Peary, sir."
"Young man," the Being continued, "we are all of us, responsible for our actions. When we do something that pleases us we have to be responsible for the results of that action. You have been given something the richest of men, the most powerful of beings, something they cannot buy with all their wealth and all their power, yet you would walk away from that treasure because you are counseled by men who are lacking in responsibility and trust. I think you know what I'm talking about, young man, and I think when you return home you will do the right thing, won't you?"
The young man smiled. "Yes sir!" he snapped. "Thank you for making things clear, sir."
The Being smiled back. "We'll meet again, Mr. Peary," he remarked, "someday, under more pleasant circumstances. Now, Captain I think you'd better get back to the communications console. The President's calling you."
The Captain rose. "Yes sir!" he snapped. "Back to your station, Mr. Peary. We'll have a long conversation about your problem later. You will need my assistance."
"Yes sir!" the younger man snapped, returning to his post. The Captain barely got the headset on, when he was saying, "Yes, Mr. President, yes. I'm here!"