Power Play - Anne McCaffrey [22]
“What a nice kitty!” Una Monaghan said.
“But Governor Shongili, what of us? When shall we, how shall we, where shall we meet with the Beneficence?” Sister Igneous Rock asked. Sean had to hand it to the white robes. They had been very patient and quiet throughout the proceedings.
“You’re the ones who should stay with Clodagh,” he decided, knowing that he was probably going to regret it.
6
Brother Granite did not have to go far to find the believers he sought. Many people were already searching for something better, something they didn’t have, something to lift them out of the ordinariness of their lives, to put them in touch with greatness.
What could be greater than an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-embracing planet? Even Dr. Luzon, who had been very difficult for Petaybee to convince, recognized that precept now. That was why Dr. Luzon had sent him forth, to spread the news to those in need of hope.
“Braddock, my boy, I was in error,” Dr. Luzon had said from his hospital bed. “That planet is indeed sentient. I mocked it, and it rose up against me.”
“Oh, Doctor, I’m so glad you agree,” Braddock had said with considerable relief. “I, er, came to the same conclusion.”
“Well, of course you did. You’re a very perceptive fellow. That’s why you have my trust. And you do have it, son. In fact, now that we know the truth about Petaybee, hallowed be its name, it occurs to me that our doubts may have been for a very special reason, that we may have been where we were, when we were, for a very special purpose.”
“Protecting the company’s interests . . .”
A look of annoyance momentarily crossed the doctor’s high brow and ascetic mouth. His expression changed so quickly that Braddock felt that the doctor had probably suffered a twinge of pain. After all, he had been severely injured in the earthquake. “No, my boy, I mean an even higher purpose. We were doubters and we were made to believe in the positive force of Petaybee. I see now that we were put on the spot as witnesses. It is our duty now to go forth among other worlds and spread this news to others. Indeed, it is up to us to make sure that others are able to contact Petaybee so that Petaybee can expand its influence beyond those few insular settlers we met.”
“But, sir, I didn’t get the impression that any more people were wanted.”
“Not by the settlers, perhaps. They wish to keep the wonder to themselves, to have Petaybee serve them alone. As for the planet, because its people are selfish, it has had little opportunity to expand its influence to others. That is our purpose.”
“Ours, sir?”
“As I have lain here, reviewing all that happened to us on Petaybee, I have reached some inescapable conclusions, besides those I have just imparted to you. One is that I must use my resources and facilities to help, in as selfless a way as possible, to expiate my sin to Petaybee. However, my physical condition”—he waved his hand at his legs, stretched before him on the bed—“prevents me from taking as active a part as I would like. There is also the fact that my name and my connection with the company might be construed as a conflict of interest in what I propose we do. Therefore, so that association does not stand in the path of my expiation, I must begin by firing you.”
“I’m afraid I don’t quite understand, sir,” Braddock said cautiously. Normally, if the doctor was unhappy with him, he had no problem figuring out exactly where he had failed his employer. But the doctor had not given him any indication that would cause Braddock to anticipate being fired. Why, even the beaming, kindly expression on his intelligent face did not look like the expression of someone who was firing someone else.
“Only so that you will no longer be associated with me, of course,” Dr. Luzon said hastily, noticing Braddock’s confusion. “In fact, I don’t even want it known that I am setting you up in a business that will facilitate our mutual desire to help people discover the magic of Petaybee.