The God Algorithm by J. Don Wright

Author:J. Don Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion in space, Evangelizing new races, Religious persecution, Godless society, Mysticism
Publisher: Front Porch Associates
Published: 2020-07-17T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

The cacophony of voices all talking over one another reigned until I called it to a halt with a piercing two-fingered whistle. All faces turned to me except for the four supplicants. They were writhing on the ground in pain, arms wrapped around their heads protectively. I had forgotten how intensely loud noises affected them. Sampson, Sherry, Mica and Jovi had each moved to the side of one of them and were offering them comfort.

“Bea, issue four sets of noise-cancelling ear protection to our guests right away until we can come to a more permanent arrangement.” She hustled off to obtain the gear. Returning my focus to Mica, I pulled my comm device from my belt again and set it to record the conversation. “Mica Chen, please explain, in as great detail as you are able, the specifics of which you referenced regarding the four Minsa here with us,” I said formally.

She cleared her throat and stood stiffly as if presenting a formal report. “In Chinese religious history, there have been four figures which were prayed to, worshipped or otherwise identified as having god-like qualities,” she began. “They are represented by astrological symbols visible within Earth’s sky. Their names are Zhi Ming, Ling Guang, Meng Zhang, and Jian Bing.”

Pausing, she looked around for comment or question. Everyone sat immobile in rapt attention. “They represent the cardinal points north, south, east and west respectively. They each have an animal character as well as a color, season, and elemental association. North, or Zhi, is the Black Tortoise which controls water, and is the winter spirit. From the south, Ling is the Vermillion Bird, sometimes mistaken for the Phoenix which controls fire and is the summer spirit. East is Meng, the Azure Dragon which controls earth and is the spirit of spring. West is the White Tiger which controls air or wind. Jian is the spirit of autumn.”

She was flushed after finishing her recitation and all four of the little old ladies were standing passively side-by-side. Each wore an indecipherable expression which might have been elation or awe.

“Do you know anything about this?” I asked them.

Ling spoke first. “For several hundred cycles now, we have individually had dreams or visions of creatures with elemental powers. We have never spoken of them to anyone until we met and became a pod. We believed until now they were the main reason Central Service considers us aberrations.”

“Would it be possible for us to see a representation of these creatures?” Zhi asked Mica.

“I’ll be right back,” Jovi replied as she quickly made her way toward the Command Center.

“There have been no seasons to speak of on Marsingna which any memory can recall. I do remember hearing of a time when the temperature turned colder and warmer before the protective net covered us,” Jian offered.

Meng had been watching her sisters in puzzlement and now spoke. “Sisters, do you not recall how easily I can form a compartment in a tree?” Turning to the entire group, she explained. “I have been blessed with an affinity for green plants.

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