
On the barren, low‑gravity surface of Phobos, the high priests Grg and Yrl stand vigil beneath a crimson horizon, waiting for a glittering emissary that the ancient myths call “the God.” This alien visitor, an octopodal mirror of the priests themselves but forged of shining stone, promises answers to the deepest questions of their people—how to free themselves from the deadly plllnk parasite, what the cosmic purpose of their race might be, and whether the universe watches them with benevolence or judgment. Their anticipation crackles as the mysterious craft descends, its red flame a beacon against the black sky.
The God’s landing is abrupt and imperfect, its twin tentacles crippled by the impact, yet it steadies itself and assumes a posture of communication. As the priests confront this enigmatic being, listeners are drawn into a tense first encounter that blends awe, cultural ritual, and the fragile hope of revelation. The story unfolds with vivid alien world‑building and a suspenseful dialogue that asks: what will this god reveal, and how will it reshape the fate of those who await?
Language
en
Duration
~8 minutes (7K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2016-09-12
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1923–1998
A sharp, imaginative voice in mid-century science fiction, this American writer helped shape both magazine-era sci-fi and some of the genre’s most memorable screen stories. His work ranged from short fiction and editing to screenplays for film and television, including episodes of Star Trek and The Twilight Zone.
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