pdf file - Notes from An Alien

"We share a healthy dose of religious skepticism, Mura. You father was devout to the end but he always
showed extreme rationality. Oh! I forgot. Morna?"
"Yes, Delva. You have a beautiful daughter."
"Morna, introduce her to your son."
"Mura, meet Rednaxela."
Rednaxela said:
"Mura, I should warn you that you're in the presence of two intelligent AIs, a very wise woman, and an
unfathomable mystery called Anglana. Share your thoughts with caution."
Mura burst into laughter.
Delva began to cry.
Their conversation continued for four hours.
As the light of Angi gave way to the glow of the Mother planet, Mura said:
"Mother, I'm feeling like I've totally wasted my life."
"What would you do to redeem it?"
"Can I stay here?"
"You're welcome to do that, I'd treasure getting to know you again, but you need a new plan, a fresh goal
to shape your actions."
"You've already taught me the worth of the Worlds' present form of government and the weaknesses of
the Independent Movement. And, you've hinted that you know of ways to foster a new form of peace that would
completely do away with war and violence but, from what I can gather, it would take a very long time."
"Yes, longer than I have left to live."
"How long, mother?"
"Anglana says two years."
"Then I'll stay with you and learn from you."
"Mura, you barely know Anglana but I must ask, do you trust her?"
"It makes me doubt my sanity but I have to say yes."
"Then let yourself incorporate some of Anglana's essence. She assures me that you have powers within
you that are buried under the waste from your impetuous life-style. You're naturally intelligent but you have the
capacity to pass far beyond the combined intelligence of your father and me. Anglana says you also have powers
that Verluin and I lack."
"Mother, it sounds like you think father is still alive."
"In a way he is—in my heart. Anglana thinks its more than that and she's been extremely patient with my
lack of faith."
"Faith?"
Morna chimed in with:
"Mura, my best estimation of what others call faith is a state of consciousness that blends
the intuitive creativity used in art with the theory-forming power of normal rationality and uses that feelinginducing
state to impel the will to action that brings dreams into reality."
"Morna, I hate to admit it, but that makes sense to me."
The laughter swelled into a chorus of joy and was accompanied by a light show from Anglana.
The laughter was followed by a somber silence. Mura broke it with:
"Mother, these powers you and Anglana say I have will, hopefully, help me if I'm to carry on the work
you've begun, but..."
"But...?"
"Well..."
"Say it, Mura."
"I've slept with many men. With no protection. I wonder if..."
Delva's voice had the low, liquid tone of Anglana when she said:
"Mura, I've waiting for you to arrive for years. Akla tells me that you are an extremely important part of
His Plan. If you incorporate with me, I can heal you and give you the ability to bear a child."
"Mother? Are you there?"
In her normal voice, Delva said: