A Just Farewell Read Online Free PDF Page A

body
x-rays.”
     
    “The attack on our rockets have put all us
governors on edge.”
     
    General Harrison nodded. “And that’s a good
thing. I was thankful for the scrutiny.”
     
    “Do you think they can reach us in our
castles?”
     
    The general shrugged. “I don’t know for
sure, but our castles are too delicate for any uncertainty. One
bomb, detonated at the right location, could bring an entire castle
burning into the atmosphere. We didn’t think the savages could harm
our rockets, and yet we’ve just lost five transports filled with
innocent civilians trying to retreat a world not yet conquered by
so much hate.”
     
    “And you think the ultimate answer is the
only thing that can protect us?”
     
    “I do.”
     
    Kelly pressed a touchpad hidden on the arm
to her theater chair, and the black and white movie on the screen
vanished. “Did you suspect I was the one who voted against that
proposal?”
     
    “I might’ve guessed your name after a few
attempts.”
     
    “You must think I’m weak and naïve to
hesitate to give my approval.”
     
    The general shook his head. “I think quite
the opposite. I think it showed that you have the conviction to
follow your heart. It’s a shame that more governors don’t have your
courage to vote according to their true conviction when presented
with a proposal of such enormity.”
     
    Kelly’s fingers again tapped at her armrest
before the cinema’s projector hummed to introduce new ghosts to the
screen.
     
    “I hoped to show you something,
General.”
     
    The greatest achievements of humankind’s
creation flickered upon the screen – photographs of the magnificent
artworks and structures long ago razed upon the planet and stolen
from civilization. Beautiful temples, churches, mosques and domes
graced the screen. Pyramid peaks stretched high above jungles and
deserts and reached towards the sun. Tall spires stood upon giant,
granite arches, with windows of stained glass to tell tales of
magnificent creatures and gods that once tumbled through man and
woman’s imagination. There were photographs of pious monks turning
massive prayer wheels while snow-covered mountain ranges in the
background silently listened to their prayers. Golden calligraphy
shimmered across the screen, holy words carved and scribed by
master craftsmen. There were so many photographs brimming with
bells and organs, with instruments shaped to sound wonderful
music.
     
    Kelly and the general silently watched the
images glow upon the movie screen. Great oil canvasses and
watercolors reminded them of how a brilliant world’s colors once
burned before madness set all the forests on fire. There were such
graceful and powerful sculptures that through marble captured the
male and female form. Fine jewelry bent and shaped by lithe fingers
sparkled like the very stars. There were great chalices shaped from
glass. Strange statues of metal and steel stood in the middle of
great, green gardens of fishponds and topiary menageries. Kelly and
the general exchanged not a word. They hardly breathed. They
watched the great creations, and they envied those who lived in the
world before the clerics and the savages murdered and destroyed
everything they feared was never created by their terrible
Maker.
     
    General Harrison was the first to speak
after the last image faded from the screen. “Angkor Wat.
Teotihuacan. Thebes. The Vatican. Westminster and St. Paul. The
Blue Mosque. The Buddhas of Bamiyan. All of them beautiful. All of
them incredible.”
     
    “So you know what humanity was once capable
of creating.”
     
    General Harrison nodded. “Perhaps once,
Governor. But all of those great works are destroyed. All of them
lie in ruins. All of them pulled down by the savage tribes. All of
them judged by the bearded clerics as blasphemies and affronts to
their Maker god.”
     
    “And do you believe such things can never
again be realized on Earth?”
     
    General Harrison instantly answered.