26.1

“Hunter, imagine if the Regeneration was allowed to run its course, and a date was chosen for the call for God to appear on earth. Imagine that moment, that final moment.”

“I’m sorry but I don’t think I can do that.”

“Imagine if there was no appearance by God. What do you think would happen? If we’d done our best to present ourselves to God, and nothing happened, what do you think would flow from that?”

John waited for the President, forcing an answer.

“It would be a disaster!” the President said at last.

“I don’t think so. I think it would merely be a shock, that you, with your immense popularity, could lead us out of. If anyone could do it, it’s you.”

“Do… what exactly?”

“Move us forward, to the Government we need. With you it’s first ever leader.”

The President laughed this off.

“That’s an interesting sentiment,” he said. “But frankly, I’m surprised to hear you speak like this John. You sound like you don’t even believe God would appear yourself.”

“Of course I do, but… I may be wrong. What Shard is saying is that we need to move on, regardless of who’s right and who’s wrong about God. We need to move on to a better world, while we still have the time and energy oil provides to set it up.”