Antoni Uzzian

(Christian Adult Science Fiction/Fantasy Adventure)
part three Part II

It was the dead of night. Antoni awoke from a sound sleep in his bed. He had a sudden urge to look out his window at the stillness.
The moons were reflecting off the sea. Low clouds on the horizon glowed with their light. Waves broke on the shore below. The port was still and quiet. Above, stars gleamed in the night.
"ElShaddai. I see the work of Your Hands. I know you are real. I believe all things happen to Your glory. But it is hard to live where doubt and fear roam the corridors. Pain and anger come calling. Uncertainty and doom wait around every corner. But in You I find strength. At least I try. But if You could give your servant a word, a sign. That there is a reason for all this."
He nodded at the sea. And went back to bed.

Antoni.
He thought he heard a voice.
Antoni Uzzia.
There was nothing else to do but answer. "Yes?"
What would you consider a sign that I am the I AM.
To Antoni, there was no doubt in his mind he was speaking to ElShaddai. "I don't know Lord."
Would you be satisfied with a new animal? Do you know all the animals that live now so you would recognize a new one? A tree that has never existed before? You have seen every tree that has sprouted toward the light have you not? A new star in the night? You have named them all, correct?
With each point Antoni felt smaller. He did not reply as the voice continued.
Have you considered the very stuff that makes the particles that make the atoms that make the cells of your body? Do you track the galaxies that comprise the cosmos? Are you mindful of the flight of the barking bird, do you watch the comets on their course?
Antoni could only shake his head.
Who has numbered the children of man and knows each by their name? Who stands the last watch of the night over all? Who tells the flowers to bloom? Who calls forth the wind to dry the rain? You? You who could not even retain his own hair?
Antoni finally answered. "But all I am is a man."
All you are is a man. A created being. You are born. You live. You die. You know not where you came from. Or where you go. From one minute to the next you are alive then you are not. You can do nothing about it. I AM WHO I AM. You are a man. The son of a man. The grandson of a man.
"That is all I can be. It is all You have commanded me to do. To fear You, and keep Your Word."
And have you done so?
"You know."

Antoni didn't hear anything else. He woke up to light streaming through his window. His bed was soaked with sweat. He was shaky and felt worse than he had in days. He got up and washed. His cleaner jumpsuit was beyond wearing until it had been washed. All he had to wear was his Port Master uniform.
Looking out he saw a new spacecraft on the one usable landing pad the port had. He wondered about it until his door opened.
"Antoni Uzzia?" A being in a heavily decorated uniform said to him. There were several other people behind him. A few he recognized. One of them was Ambassador Maszor.
"Yes."
"We are relieved you are feeling better. May we come in?"
"Actually I was just going to walk down to the com center."
"Excellent."

By the end of the day he was restored officially to Port Master.
Except now it was Star Port Commander.
The Allurian Authority was paying for the repair and upgrade of his station as partial settlement for all the havoc their ship, which records had showed was overdue for regular maintenance, had caused. The government of Frunin was contributing workers and material for the project.
The fleet was donating transports and supplies to bring the base up to standard.
Antoni's wife returned. Much relieved to be home and restored to her husband.
One thing was missing.
As the work progressed Antoni received an official letter from his older brother.

Dear Brother Antoni
As you know, my wife passed many years ago. My health is now failing. As my home world is suffering a drought I am sending my children and their children to you. Please care for them as if they were your own. They are coming on the Star Cruiser Josiah. The medico has told me that by the time this letter, and they, reach you. I may have passed.
Your God comfort you. Calimoni

Antoni choked back a sob as he read the letter. It was to have been delivered last week. But was delayed because of the quarantine. His brother was almost certainly dead now. His health had been failing for years. He prayed that his brother's ending was gentle.
But, his children. He had five, no six, sons, and four daughters. And several of them were married. And with children. A chill ran through him. He had another, even larger, family. He turned back toward his office, and stopped.
And now he had a new, and even larger port to run.

"Port Master Uzzia to landing pad Alph. Port Master Uzzia to landing pad Alph. Your family is waiting on board the Josiah." The com spoke into the air.
"Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!!! Praise Him All Creatures Here Below!!!" He sang as he walked through the corridors to the landing pad.

End Uzzian

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