The White City

Kandrigi was not warmed by the woollen blanket that covered him, his bowels were like ice.

  It comes in time. All are helpless against time.

  It comes through cold eternal space.

  Be warned, let your race be warned.

  I have seen it. It is a great body, capable of great destruction.

  Let your race be warned, for I grieve for them and their destiny.

  Through time it comes from afar; in time it will cross the path of your earth.

  Believe me, believe me, I grieve for you and your race. There is no stopping the body, for it goes beyond my power. I warn you. Let your race be warned, so that they might prepare themselves for their destruction.

  It comes in time. It comes with time. Tell your people, that they might prepare. Nothing else can be done. I have seen it. Irresistible it is, plunging through dark immensities of space.

  Be warned, it will grow large in tour sky and you will know then that you have been forewarned.

  You must tell them, for I cannot. They will honour you till the end of your race. They will honour you for your wisdom and grace.

  Believe me, I grieve. You do not understand me, as I feared. I cannot save your race, I can only warn it. But one of the race must reveal the coming destruction, for if I were to tell all, there would be madness and despair. One man must tell all men, so that they can weigh the warning within human comprehension.

  You are honoured, for I honour you with this revelation.

  Kandrigi felt himself being lifted from the couch.

  I have vowed not to speak.

  Chapter Twelve