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

The man addressed as Kayl nodded at the woman’s words. Francesa
watched, her puzzlement growing. The man Kayl actually seemed to be deferring to
the woman, though if he was an Officer or even Crew, she couldn’t possibly have
any authority over him. And surely Kayl was an Officer. Who else could have come
in such an amazing craft?

But First Officer Garvis seemed oblivious to the by-play between the man and
woman. He faced the man called Kayl, his arms spread wide. “We are ready to
depart with you.”

Kayl’s face grew wary. “You’re descended from survivors from the Verio,
right?” A murmur arose from the crowd and everyone, Francesa included, brought
their right hands to their brows at the mention of the ship’s Name. Kayl seemed
startled, then nodded. “This is a pretty empty area of space. Ships very rarely
traverse it. We’re only here because the Bellegrange was chartered to make some
observations that required the properties of this part of space. That brought us close
enough to detect the distress beacon the Verio left orbiting your sun. But even after
we report on survivors here it may be a long time before anyone comes back again,
since you do appear to be able to survive on this world independently.”

Garvis smiled and nodded, even though Francesa doubted he really
understood what the man had said. “You have come and that is all that matters.”

Kayl shook his head. “I have to explain. That’s important because even
though our ship is much bigger than the one your ancestors came here on, the
Bellegrange still has limits on internal space and life support. As much as we’d like
to, we can’t take everyone,” he stated with the air of someone declaring an
unpleasant but unchangeable truth.

Francesa felt her heart sink as the little hope there vanished. All around her,
other workers slumped in resignation, but she could see Garvis and the other
Officers and Crew smiling, and see how Kayl seemed surprised by the happy
reaction among that group.

Garvis spread his arms again. “It has long been known that all would not be
Rescued. That only those deemed worthy would be taken up to the stars again. The
worthy stand before you, those who have accepted the authority of the Captain
without reservation, who believed He would return for his chosen and obedient
followers.”

Kayl looked around, his expression wary, then at the woman with him as if,
Francesa thought, he was seeking guidance, absurd as that seemed. The woman
murmured something so low that even Garvis frowned over not being able to hear.
But Kayl obviously did. He gave Garvis a confident look. “We’ll need whatever
census data you have. Information on everyone here.”

The Officers and Crew shuffled their feet, looking at each other in open
surprise. Garvis also seemed to wonder at the request. “Everyone? But—”

“Everyone,” Kayl repeated firmly.