Tangle in the Dark - Kassidor

data here to make a very accurate determination of the extentof this heaven, but this represents our best estimate. We havebeen able to determine that there are one hundred and fortythree worlds in this heaven producing souls, and we believefive of them are human. We have found no way to get ourpresence to any of the others, though we have managed to seeinto them.""Five have humans?" Ava asked."Yes, two of them are without gravity where humansswim with flippers on their feet. Only two planets in thisheaven have species that we can unequivocally state are 'moreadvanced' than humans but neither one is building starships."She wanted to ask about the other two human planets, buttwo more men entered the room, “Charles, Sigmund, I’mhonored to see you here,” Learned Maroclo said.“We just heard about this conference,” Charles responded,“and just couldn’t miss it.”After greeting them, they took seats farther down the tableand Maroclos went on to the point he was really trying tomake. "Some property of this heaven, this area of space inwhich we live, this enormous collection of what you callcomets, is what has called our souls from the dead. We don'tknow why...”“As it is said,” Charles interjected, “‘who can know themind of God?’”“For whatever reason,” Maroclos continued, “we havebeen saved and given eternal life in heaven.”500