Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction
Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction
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drops sub-light, <strong>the</strong>n kill <strong>the</strong> engines, I'll still have control of <strong>the</strong><br />
fusion motors <strong>and</strong> maneuvering system, so I'll be able to avoid hitting<br />
<strong>the</strong> planet. I'll also be able to call a Mayday, <strong>and</strong> maybe <strong>the</strong>y can send<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r starship to help. With luck I'll save <strong>the</strong> ship <strong>and</strong> myself, too."<br />
Dr. Thompson looked at Jan in disgust. "Damn. First right<br />
answer all day. You smart-asses take all <strong>the</strong> fun out of this test.<br />
You're hired. Have your gear brought on board."<br />
From <strong>the</strong> Confessions:<br />
At <strong>the</strong> risk of making excuses, I will begin my story from my<br />
youth. Perhaps you will feel that I am a stereotype, <strong>and</strong> I suppose I<br />
am. I was trained to be that stereotype. But how well do you really<br />
know that type, or <strong>the</strong> many o<strong>the</strong>rs which comprise my culture?<br />
I chose my new name only recently, <strong>and</strong> have gone by several<br />
over my lifetime. Back <strong>the</strong>n I went by <strong>the</strong> name Shahid Kahlid. Zeid<br />
Qoli <strong>and</strong> I were best friends from early childhood. As young boys, we<br />
played with plastic toy soldiers, setting fire to <strong>the</strong> Shah's forces <strong>and</strong> to<br />
those of <strong>the</strong> Great Satan. Later, we progressed to throwing rocks at<br />
<strong>the</strong> monarch's goons. We thought alike back <strong>the</strong>n. We quoted <strong>the</strong><br />
Koran, <strong>and</strong> we hated <strong>the</strong> Peacock Throne.<br />
We joined <strong>the</strong> Shia Ali toge<strong>the</strong>r. We could not have been more<br />
than sixteen, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> time was growing ripe for <strong>the</strong> Second <strong>Islam</strong>ic<br />
Revolution. Oh, how we longed for battle against our persecutors!<br />
We did not have long to wait.<br />
We went into combat as so many martyrs had done before,<br />
barefoot <strong>and</strong> armed only with faith <strong>and</strong> burning hatred. We both<br />
acquired weapons with <strong>the</strong> impact of a single mortar round, at <strong>the</strong><br />
price of <strong>the</strong> lives of several armed comrades. We won that battle,<br />
fearless on account of our boiling blood, <strong>and</strong> were hailed as heroes for<br />
<strong>the</strong> feat of destroying a column of trucks. After <strong>the</strong> battle, Zeid found<br />
flesh <strong>and</strong> chips of bone from <strong>the</strong> h<strong>and</strong> of his rifle's previous owner<br />
imbedded in its stock. It was only <strong>the</strong>n that <strong>the</strong> magnitude <strong>and</strong> danger<br />
of what we had just been through struck us. We found a secluded<br />
spot <strong>and</strong> wept.<br />
Our bravery won us respect <strong>and</strong> praise, though, <strong>and</strong> that is an<br />
addictive brew to impressionable pups. We quickly adapted to <strong>the</strong><br />
horrors of war, <strong>and</strong> hardened ourselves into efficient killers. We<br />
already hated <strong>the</strong> enemy, <strong>and</strong> it was easy to consider <strong>the</strong>m sub-human.<br />
Our own losses became easier to accept with <strong>the</strong> doctrine that <strong>the</strong><br />
fallen faithful were assured a place in Paradise.<br />
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