"John G. Hemry - Kyrie Eleison" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hemry John G)

This time the chorus held the note of finality. “For those who trust in the
Captain!”

Garvis sat down the lamp, turning to face the crowd full on. “Those who trust
in the Captain will be rescued! They will be taken up to the stars from whence we
came and live in a place of plenty with the Captain just as our ancestors did. Those
who do not follow will be left behind to toil in this world of pain to which our
ancestors were banished for their failures to serve the Captain well.”

Francesa had heard it all so many times she could have recited it in her sleep.
She tuned out the droning voice of First Officer Garvis, thinking of the cold, the
poor harvest, and the thin bodies of those in her family. When the call to duty was
made and everyone bowed their heads as Garvis intoned thanks to the Captain along
with promises of obedience in all things, Francesa couldn’t help wishing the Captain
would send them something better than a promise of eventual rescue. After well over
two hundred “standard” years, as carefully measured and recorded by the Second
Officer, she didn’t see rescue coming with nearly the certainty of hunger and cold.

But she didn’t say such thoughts out loud. Two lashes today would be bad
enough.

First Officer Garvis eventually finished his instructions, holding up a copy of
the writings with reverence. “Here are the rules, set forth by the Captain. Heed them.
Always ask your Officers for what the rules say and what they mean. Do not attempt
to read them yourself and spurn those who offer what they claim to be true copies.
They are only seeking to mislead you. Only the copies of the rules kept on the
Bridge are the true words of the Captain, and only the Officers may read those rules,
by order of the Captain.”

Once again everyone touched their brows, Francesa thinking as she did so of
her father’s disdain over the claim that no one but an Officer should read the
writings. Tattered copies still existed among the workers, treasured and read by any
who asked. Francesa had read them herself, finding comfort in the old words and
their firm advice on how life should be lived.

The First Officer left, followed by the other Officers, then the Crew. Even as
the last of the Crew left the Bridge, stern members of the Watch left their posts
against the wall and began herding the workers out. “Back to your labors! Earn the
mercy of the Captain by your sweat!” The workers openly grumbled before the
Watch, but went as ordered.

****

The Report had eaten up more than an hour, granting a tedious but welcome
respite from work. Unfortunately, the remaining hours of the morning saw Francesa
scrubbing the stone walls of the Crew’s lodgings. After a short mid-day break and a
too-small food ration, Francesa was ordered to tend fires again.

The afternoon was well along before that task was handed off to another