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

Garvis Skein stood closest to the strange object. Francesa narrowed her eyes,
but couldn’t tell if Garvis was really shaking with either fear or excitement.

With absolutely no warning or fanfare an opening appeared low in the side of
the object. The rectangle seemed large enough to hold several people, but only two
stood there. A low moan swept across the crowd as the two stepped down to the
stones of the courtyard. Francesa squinted again, trying to make out details, then as
the two walked forward was able to tell one was a man and the other a woman,
though both were garbed in outfits which seemed impossibly wonderful to her eyes.

The two stopped before Garvis Skein, standing side by side.

Garvis raised his right hand to his brow. “The First Officer greets you in the
name of the Captain!” he cried. Then, his voice holding the first note of humility
Francesa had ever heard from Garvis, a humility she was sure was totally false, he
spoke more quietly to the man. “Are you the Captain’s image upon this world?”

The woman cleared her throat. Garvis gave her an annoyed look before
focusing back on the man. “We are obedient followers of the Captain. As you
know, of course,” Garvis added hastily.

The man spoke with apparent care, his voice oddly accented, his eyes looking
toward the woman. “If you want the captain, I can introduce you.”

“He’s not here?” one of the other Officers blurted.

Garvis shot an ugly glare toward the offender before smiling at the man again.
“But if you are the Captain’s image, or ... or representative...”

The woman finally spoke, her crisp voice carrying clearly to Francesa. “If you
want the captain—”

“Excuse me,” Garvis interrupted with a frown. “I know you accompany the
Captain’s representative, but I am the Captain’s First Officer. I speak to Him and to
his other Officers.” Garvis ended with a smile toward the man.

“The Captain’s a man?” the woman asked, sounding not the least abashed by
Garvis’ rebuke.

A shocked murmur ran through the crowd of Officers and Crew. Garvis
frowned again, deeper this time, his face reddening in a way Francesa knew all too
well. “Of course the Captain is a man. It is clear that only a man can be the Captain.
How could it be otherwise? The Captain we knew was a man, every First Officer
chosen to speak for Him on this world has been a man, and it has been foretold that
He will return. Is this a test?”

Far from appearing intimidated, the woman smiled tightly. “Perhaps it is a
test.” The man with her started to speak. “Oh, no, Kayl. Let this man tell you what
he wants to say.”