Sunday’s Serving – Clans of Kalquor 8: Alien Caged (WIP)

Captain Joseph Walker sat in his chair, staring at the vid transmission of a man almost everyone thought was dead.  Holy Leader Browning Copeland had not only survived Armageddon; he had escaped Earth and the subsequent trials the Galactic Council of Planets had imposed on those in Earth’s leadership positions.  Hiding on another rogue battlecruiser, he flew about space much as Walker’s vessel did, hiding from those who would see him answer for the deaths of billions of people.  The Galactic Council of Planets would not care that he had been the Voice of God on Earth.  He would be made to pay for murder if they ever caught him.
The Holy Leader showed few of the trials Joseph’s crew had endured since the end of Earth.  His wavy hair was carefully combed back, the white of it gleaming with an aura of almost divine radiance.  It put the white of his robes to shame, making them seem dingy in comparison.  His crystalline blue eyes were creased at the corners, a slight testament to his 68 years since gracing Earth with his birth.  Besides the few lines that marked the passage of time, Copeland’s complexion was flawless, almost ageless.  His shoulders were broad and strong.  Even over the vid he projected serene grace.  Despite having evidence that Copeland was not the infallible messenger of God all had revered him as, Joseph still felt insignificant and duty-bound to worship him whenever they spoke.
Right now, the Holy Leader looked quite pleased with him, and it took all Joseph had to not scream his unworthiness at Copeland’s satisfaction.  Damn it, the man was nothing but a charlatan.  The whole religion had been a sham, at least the way Earth’s government had used it.  Still, Joseph’s officers and a lot of his remaining crew continued to believe, to the point of being dangerous to the rest who now had every reason to doubt as the captain did.
So why was his first reaction to Copeland’s approval always unmitigated joy?  Why did he still feel unworthy when the Holy Leader seemed disappointed or, even worse, disapproving? 
Releasing October 2013