"Continuing Time - 98 - Lord November" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moran Daniel Keys)

УI donТt really know, Bear.Ф Behind the polarized faceplate, drops of sweat
gathered on Father MichaelТs forehead. The inside of his suit stank with the
smell of all old pressure suits, of ancient human sweat and metallic, recycled
air.
They moved forward inexorably toward the alien ship, ground gliding away beneath
their feet.
Bear Corona said patiently, УAre you going to do what they want you to do? Or
are you going to tell them to go to hell again?Ф
Father Michael did not take his eyes from the ship. Closer still. УI donТt know.
I donТt know what they want me to do. BearЧФ
УYes?Ф
УI suspect you of having made up some of the sins you confessed.Ф
Bear laughed aloud. УThis old fellow goes running into Church, ducks into a
confessional, and says, СFather, Father, I just made love to a twenty-year old
girl, committed adultery with her twice. And the priest recognizes his voice,
says slowly, СAbieЕAbie Martin? Abie, youТre not a member of my
congregationЧyouТre not even Catholic. Why are you telling me this?Т Ф
Father Michael joined in with him on the punch line. УTelling youЧIТm telling
everyone.Ф
УYou know it.Ф
УIf it concerns priests, IТve heard it. Usually from another priest. Did you
make up those sins?Ф
Even through the paired layers of partially polarized faceplates, Father Michael
could see Corona hesitate a moment; then BearТs bushy beard moving from side to
side, and Corona said in a voice gone completely flat, УNo.Ф

УI thought you said the debris was going to miss us!Ф
УIt was when we ran the first trajectories. They nudged one of the rocks.Ф
Adrienne Gordeau closed her eyes briefly, looked wearily around at the people
waiting for her to tell them what to do, wishing that Bear, or Evans, or even
the priest, were here to help her. Finally she said, УFather Michael is outside.
I think we must decide whoТs going to give final confession.Ф

They stood uncertainly before the ship, watching, waiting for the emergence of
the Dalmas, a Missionary of the Zaradin Church, who had claimed to be inside.
The Dalmas did not emerge; instead the ship began to glow.
It began as a discreet thing, crawling like a viscous fluid along the
interstices of the hip. Then it went hazy, and flowed down into the empty
vacuum, fountained down like a wave of mist towards the seven waiting humans.
The haze enveloped them, in a warm, golden fog that penetrated their pressure
suits, penetrated even Peaceforcer EvansТ armored scalesuit.
УThy rod and thy staff,Ф whispered Father Michael, Уthey comfort me.Ф The warm
fog embraced him. УThou preparest a table for me in the presence of mine
enemies.Ф The golden haze swirled around them, and a bulkhead broke apart before
them. The Presence drew them forward, pulling them like puppets on a string.
УThou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.Ф He shook violently, the
words coming harshly, without rhythm or beauty. УSurelyЧФ
Father Michael Wellsmith screamed suddenly, УGod!Ф
For a brief cold second, the warm Presence was gone, and Father Michael stood
straight and alone.