this war, but we must have it with honor. That is
our people's way.
7 The demonstration will be ready in a month. We will destroy
an abandoned city in the desert to show your Priest of
Priests the power of our weapon. After that, if he does not surrender,
a month later we will start destroying your cities, one a week, until
you lay down your arms.
8 Your Priest of priests must come. He must see the demonstration, know
the terrible power we possess."
9 The Representative of The Oneness bowed his head. "I will communicate
with him immediately," he agreed, "and pray he understands the nature
of the mercy that you are giving. I will encourage him to come."
10 A few hours later all was total confusion in Faith, as The Priest of
Priests read the message. He called in all of his Scientists. "Can such
a weapon," he inquired, "be possible? Could they destroy an entire city
with one bomb, and leave the land poisoned for thousands of seasons?"
11 One of his Scientists came forward. "We have detected," he said,
"several very strong ground disturbances emanating from the same area
in their Holy Land. We are not sure, but we think they have been
testing an atom bomb, something we have been working on. If that is so,
if they already have a working weapon, then it could very possibly do
exactly what they say it will.
12 If they are as powerful as the ones that caused these tremors, there
would be nothing left of our cities but burning rubble. But to be sure,
we should see this test. Then, we could tell you one way or the other.
If it is a fake, some kind of trick, we could easily tell."
13 Another Scientist came forward. "We must hold