The channel remained open, but the screen went
blank. A few moments later it lit up again. "My crew," continued Bright
Moon, "is aware of the situation of which we speak, and shares my
feelings that somehow a solution must be found. We can talk freely in
front of them. Yes,
I have tried twice to get it to Command by various means. Both attempts
failed. Why do you think Commander, you can be more successful?"
62 "Because I don't intend, " announced North, "to send the information
to Command. That's what those involved EXPECT me to do. I intend to
send whatever information I obtain DIRECTLY to The Lord God! I think He
is the only one that can handle this situation under the present
circumstances."
63 There was dead silence from the other ship for some time. Then,
Bright Moon spoke. "To get off this floating pile of scrap that this
System Governor jokingly refers to as a ship, I'd take almost any risk.
Call back in ten minutes, and be ready for a high speed data transfer.
I've got a lot. That's the only way I can give it to you."
64 "We'll be ready!" North acknowledged. The screen went blank, and for ten minutes they sat in silence, waiting. Then,
North nodded and Communications reopened the channel.
65 Bright Moon appeared on the screen. "We're ready!" he announced.
"It's coming over."
66 It took less than five minutes to transfer the data. Then Bright
Moon saluted. "Good luck!" he said. "I hope you can get through to The
Lord God. If you do, things are going to get hot!"
67 "That's why you had better remain in space," North warned him, "make
some excuse that will keep you up for a couple of days, until I can get
some protection to you!"
68 The screen went blank, and North turned to Communications. "The
computer's working on it," announced