Notes from An Alien

5 ~ Light

Exploratory talks between members of the various Leadership Councils continued. Face-to-face meetings became the norm because a smaller LightSail craft was rapidly developed and nine were initially built, on Anla-Purum. The deteriorated conditions on the corporate World of Anga-Param made any construction of spaceships a non-priority when just keeping the basic infrastructure intact was the only task possible; and, even that was severely hampered by the wild swings in weather conditions and the virtual non-existence of a government. Everyone was willing to do whatever was necessary. Angan life was stark and utterly confused.

Anlan life, however, was ripe and evolving. Not having had an ecological disaster to deal with was a distinct advantage. Having four different religious groups to unify was a supreme challenge. The settlers, as a group, were the most eager to work toward unifying the two Worlds.

~~~

Velu and Zena were back in the Unholy Lands, after much traveling between Worlds, to be with Akla as he prepared to die. They were the only two permitted to attend to Akla's final physical needs. Akla was comforting them as they did what little they could to make this passing peaceful and easy. They could do small things like fetch a drink or open a door for a breeze but Akla poured out such blessing on them that the three would often share laughter at the ironic nature of the normally dire and dismal event.

After Akla's last physical breath, Velu and Zena prepared the body for burial, as specified by Akla in the Aklan Book of Laws. After the body was secure in its elemental rest, they lingered at the site. Zena, after many long minutes of silence, said:

"He died."

"His body died, Zena."

"His spirit will live on in the Book and writings left to us."

"His spirit is very active in the Eternal World, Zena."

"We have long ago agreed to disagree."

"Yes, my love."

~~~

Velu was attending another meeting of the Religious Leadership Council on Anla-Purum. Her plasma-communication talents had grown much stronger since Akla's passing and she was much more careful to use them with discipline and compassion. The representative of the Lord's Army, the priest, Urnun, was finishing his report:

"Our numbers seem to have stabilized. Our births are infrequent and God has demanded few Gifts. Also, our position on accepting the decrees of Akla have not changed."

Velu sent Urnun a compelling burst of acceptance and he continued with:

"We... still... do not see... how we can reconcile Akla's words with our beliefs."

Velu sent Urnun more feelings of acceptance and said:

"You are at least clear about what you cannot accept."

"Yes, Velu, we have made specific mention of which words trouble us."

"Yes, Urnun, and you have also said that most of Akla's moral or ethical sayings are completely acceptable, right?"

"That is true but coming to an awareness that the Lord's Army or the Faith of Eternity or the Disciples of Faith can agree on simple moral laws does not bring us to an agreement with the Aklans that all our religions are one Faith."

"How many Gods are there?"

"Velu, do not play with me."

"How many?"

"There is but one God."

"Why would one God want various religious groups to disagree about the means of providing for a safe and secure life on this planet?"