"This is the Prophet," the African said. "Sit on the ground and wait for him to speak. I will leave you now but I have you covered." He withdrew about twenty yards and squatted on his heels, his blaster across his knees.
Jan sat down and waited. The prophet sat abnormally still, his legs crossed like a yogi. He was staring upward, almost directly into the sun. He was a lean, youngish man with a beaked nose that give him a cruel, hawk-like look. The beard, yellow as young cornsilk, fluttered slightly in the breeze. Otherwise, there was no movement. Jan could not even see him breathe.
After a long time, during which Jan felt his face numbly aching from the African's blow, the Prophet suddenly fixed his eyes on him with the same unwavering stare he had devoted to the sky.
The Prophet took no notice of the remark. "Allah has seen fit to grant me wisdom," he said. "In a dream he has revealed to me the purpose of science."
"Science exists so that a handful of the elect can escape from this doomed planet. It was Allah's will that you should come to us this morning."
"I perceive by your uniform that you are a spacecaptain. How many men can your ship carry?"
"It would perhaps be better for you to cooperate." The Prophet glanced meaningfully toward the African.
"It's no secret. About 100 passengers and a crew of 50."
"About standard size. I suppose about half of your men are on duty."
"And that is enough to man the ship on a peaceful mission?"
"I have no intention of manning the ship right away."
"I will decide that. We blast off as soon as we can get to Chicago."
"You'll get mighty hungry in space. The ship isn't provisioned."
"We have an airtruck loaded with standard rations. There is no use discussing the matter. You and your men will cooperate or die. Brother Samuel, take charge of the prisoner."
The Prophet arose and walked slowly to the platform beside the Crescent. The singing stopped.
"The time for departure has come. The chosen ones will come forward. Sister Jessie, will you 'phone the hangar?" Brother Samuel marched Jan over to the chosen group.
Jan looked at the hundred men and women and decided that it would be hard to find a better band of pioneers. They were stalwart, healthy, very serious young people.