"Acting, but yeah. He says you're going to start feeling the worship directed at you soon."
"I already have, I think. The other part of what made me think he was right. Sort of a cross between extra energy and feeling like I've eaten too much." Cortin smiled at him. "Keeping it from me this long was a favor, Mike—and now, telling me that I'm only Acting is a definite relief. I can handle it for awhile, knowing I won't have to do it forever." She turned to the Pope. "How long, and who's the real one?"
"Less than six months, and I do not know. If I did, I am certain I would not be allowed to tell you." He gave her a thin smile. "Despite my powers, I do operate under constraints; only the Creator is all-powerful, and I, like you, am one of the created."
Cortin chuckled. "Less than six months I can handle, and I'm sure I'll know the real one when He or She appears."
"At the proper time, if not immediately. In the meantime, can you answer my question?"
"Mike?"
"I don't see any harm," Odeon said.
"I'll do it, then. Provided Mike and Dave are also concelebrants."
"That would be even better," Lucius agreed. "It would also be well if Lieutenant Chang were to offer the Communion of Promise afterward."
"I would be pleased to do so," Chang said. "Does your change of heart include reparations for the damage you did to Colonel Cortin?"