Divinity | Page 9

to believe in it, either. I
guess they found out I wasn't a god before I did. But it didn't seem to
matter to them." He sighed, and turned toward the new village. "Do you
mind, if I sort of--well, hold a farewell ceremony before we go? They
won't understand, but they'll feel better than if I just go off...."
Malevski shook his head firmly. "No, no time for that. I'll have to get
out a full report, and we're in a hurry to get off. Any word you'd like to
have sent out to your mother, Bradley, before we blast?"
* * * * *
Bradley looked back again, and his shoulders came up more firmly.
He'd taught his people here, and led them; but he'd learned a few things
himself--he'd found he could take what was necessary. He'd found that
the easiest way wasn't always the best, that getting drunk was no way
out, and that real friendship and respect meant more than the words of

big-shots. Maybe he'd learned enough to be able to take regeneration....
He managed to grin, a little lopsidedly, at Malevski. "Yeah. You might
send her a message. Tell her I'm fine, and that I've learned to wipe my
own nose. I think she'll be glad to hear that."
"She will," Malevski told him. "When she hears that you're Provisional
Governor of this planet, she'll even believe it."
"Provisional Governor?" Bradley stood with his mouth open, staring.
He shook his head. "But what about regeneration...?"
Malevski laughed. "You're appointed, on the basis of my first report
about what you're doing here, Bradley," he answered. "As to
regeneration ... well, you think about it, while we bring in the supplies
we're supposed to leave for you, before we blast out of here."
He went off, chuckling, towards his ship, leaving Bradley to puzzle
over it.
Then, just as Malevski disappeared, he understood. Damn it, they'd
tricked him! They'd left him here where he had to be a god and assume
the responsibilities of a god. And through that, he'd been
regenerated--completely, thoroughly regenerated!
Suddenly, he was chuckling as hard as Malevski as he swung around
and went back to face his former worshippers. And they were coming
forward to meet him, their friendly smiles matching his own.

Transcriber's Note
This etext was produced from Space Science Fiction 1953. Extensive
research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this
publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have
been corrected without note.

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