Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from Analog Science Fact & Fiction December 1961. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.
the helpful hand of
god
... Can be very helpful indeed. But of course, it's longbeen known that God helps those who wisely helpthemselves....
BY TOM GODWIN
ILLUSTRATED BY BARBERIS
(From "Vogarian Revised Encyclopedia":
SAINTS: Golden Saints, properly, Yellow Saints, a term of contemptapplied by the Vogarian State Press to members of the Church Of TheGolden Rule because of their opposition to the war then being plannedagainst Alkoria. See CHURCHES.
CHURCH, GOLDEN RULE, OF THE: A group of reactionary fanatics whoresisted State control and advocated social chaos through "IndividualFreedom." They were liquidated in the Unity Purge but for two-thousandof the more able-bodied, who were sentenced to the moon mines of BelenNine. The prison ship never arrived there and it is assumed that thecondemned Saints somehow overpowered the guards and escaped to someremote section of the galaxy.)
Kane had observed Commander Y'Nor's bird-of-prey profile with detachedinterest as Y'Nor jerked his head around to glare again at thechronometer on the farther wall of the cruiser's command room.
"What's keeping Dalon?" Y'Nor demanded, transferring his glare toKane. "Did you assure him that I have all day to waste?"
"He should be here any minute, sir," Kane answered.
"I didn't find the Saints, after others had failed for sixty years, tothen sit and wait. The situation on Vogar was already very criticalwhen we left." Y'Nor scowled at the chronometer again. "Every hour wewaste waiting here will delay our return to Vogar by an hour—Ipresume you realize that?
"It does sound like a logical theory," Kane agreed.
Y'Nor's face darkened dangerously. "You will—"
Quick, hard-heeled footsteps sounded in the corridor outside. Theguard officer, Dalon, stepped through the doorway and saluted; hiseyes like ice under his pale brows and his uniform seeming to bristlewith weapons.
"The native is here, sir," he said to Y'Nor.
He turned, and made a commanding gesture. The leader of the Saintsappeared; the man whose resistance Y'Nor would have to break.
A frail, white-bearded old man, scuffed uncertainly into the room instraw sandals, his faded blue eyes peering nearsightedly toward Y'Nor.
"Go to the commander's desk," Dalon ordered in his metallic tones.
The old man obeyed and stopped before Y'Nor's desk, his hands claspedtogether as though to hide their trembling.
"You are Brenn," Y'Nor said, "and you hold, I believe, the impressivetitles of Chief Executive of the Council Of Provinces and SupremeElder of the Churches Of The Golden Rule?"
"Yes, sir." There was a faint quaver in old Brenn's voice. "I welcomeyou to our world, sir, and offer you our friendship."
"I understand you can produce Elusium X fuel?"
"Yes, sir. Our Dr. Larue told me the process is within our ability.We—" He hesitated. "We know you haven't enough fuel to return toVogar."
Y'Nor stiffened in his chair. "What makes you think that?"
"It requires a great deal of fuel to get