21 As The Lord God finished fastening the
General's tags, he gripped both of North's shoulders strongly. Then,
The Lord God turned and picked up the ribbon to the medal. "This," he
continued, "is for The Empire's Finest, the bravest of the brave, the
truest of the true. As long
as he lives The Light Of The Empire will always shine."
The Lord God motioned with his hand for North to back up and turn
around. "Company," ordered The Lord God, "salute!"
22 Every service person present came to their feet and saluted. North
answered the salute and the crowd broke into a roar of applause and
cheers. When it died down The Lord God motioned for North to return.
"Stand at my feet," he ordered, "at my left side, for the rest of the
ceremony."
23 North took his place. Morn marched in his crew and presented them
with their awards. Then he, too, began to march across the field and up
the steps. North noticed the ovation for Morn was lighter than it had
been for him. Many
seemed to be holding back. This North could not allow. He broke
tradition and began applauding, himself, and crying "Morn! Morn!"
24 Soon the Officers around him picked it up, and the cry soon echoed
like thunder over the grounds until Morn reached the top of the steps.
Then North stopped, fell to one knee before Morn, and the crowd fell
silent. "I salute," North said as his words were picked up and carried
through the P.A. system, "The Son Of Sons, The Lord Of Lords, The
Prince Of Princes, The King Of Kings. Let his reign be long and in the hour of his glory may he serve his
people well! Unto him I pledge all that is mine my body, my mind, my
Soul."
25 The Lord God descended from his throne. "As usual," he praised,
"General Northern Star, with his boldness, acts before others. But it
is only fitting
that it should be so. For he is my son's greatest friend,