ceremony must be added to that day. To make sure
that The Hashons understand that their Old Ways are ended, and
they are now completely part of The Empire, and to prove your loyalty
to The Empire without question, you will personally, in their Great
Temple, execute this Council Of Elders, the last remnant of these
ridiculous ideas they call a religion, this absurdity, that question my
Divine Right, your Divine Right to rule.
34 This act will prove without question, where your loyalties lie. You
are the Son of The God Holy, Heir to the Throne. You will free The
Hashons, but you will tolerate no heresy to Imperial Law, to its Divine
Glory. Yes, this capture is perfectly, perfectly timed. The Holy Ghost
has brought matters to hand at the best possible time.
35 You will carry out my instructions to the letter, and the ceremonies
will be broadcast throughout the entire Empire. This will be your day
of Ultimate Glory!"
36 Morn was stunned. He had planned to imprison The Elders for a while,
learn as much as he could from them, then quietly release them,
forbidding them to practice their religion anymore.
37 "Father," he argued, "these are harmless old men, believing in a
harmless religion that does no great harm. As long as The Hashons are
obedient, what matter if they believe in these old superstitions?
Surely it is nothing worthy of death!
38 Let us not consider execution, let us instead show our kindness and
understanding by permitting The Hashons to follow Their Old Ways, as
long as they continue to serve us faithfully and do our bidding."
39 "Heresy," screamed The Lord God, "is not doing Our bidding, calling
me an insane Spirit because I claim my Divine Right as Creator of The
Universe is not obedience or respect. It is treason ...treason against
the