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ACovenantwithDeath
(ThePeacockTrilogy–Book3)
ACovenantwithDeathisaworkofFiction.Names,person,eventsandincidentsareaproductoftheauthor’simaginationandusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetopeople,places,oreventsispurelycoincidental.
PublishedbyWildSideNovelsintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
Copyright©2015byBillWetterman
Othernovelsandnon-fictionworksbyBillWettermanare:Room1515(ThePeacockTrilogy-Book1(2012)Madness(ThePeacockTrilogy–Book2(2013)TheFifthStep(2012)Busted(2013)TheLiteraryMurders(2014)
SoYouWanttobeaPublishedAuthor(2014)
PrologueSixmonthspassedsince
Ammadal-Sistani’sfatherdied.AmmadputabroadsmileonhisfaceandsteppeduptoaGlobalRealminductionstation.“Iwishtobecomeacitizen.”
Theadministratorglancedupward.“Onemoment,letmefinishclosing
mylasttransaction.Themanbeforeyouisheadingtohistestingbooth,andthesign-inmustbecompletebeforehebegins.”
Ammadswallowedhisdisdain,knowingpatiencebringsgreatrewards.Onceprocessed,heheadedtohistestingbooth.Fortywell-briefedfollowerswouldenrollafterhimandembarkonalong-termmissioninthe
hopesoferodingtheGlobalRealmfromwithin.Ultimately,AmmadplannedtoendthereignofFirstCitizen,ArthurPendleton,andreplacehimovertime.
HisupbringinggavehimauniqueunderstandingoftheracialandreligiousviewpointsintheMuslimregionoftheworld.Heselectedcareerpathsincommunicationsand
negotiationsinCore412,PacificationoftheNon-CitizenWorld,Division51-Sociology.
Asheansweredthequestions,thinkingasagoodcitizenwould,heremindedhimselfthatallpriorhumangovernmentsbeganwithgoodintentionsanderodedintochaos,evidentiallyfallingintoruin.Why,becausetheywerehumangovernments.
OnlyaCaliphaterunbyAllah’sruleswassustainable.
Heandhisfollowersknewthelocationofhiswhitegarments.Oneday,howeverAllahworkedthingsout,Ammadwouldemergetobringthisworldoutofdarkness.Hefinishedhistestandtheresultsplacedhiminthetop85thpercentile,qualifyinghimtoselectoneofthreeopenpositionswithin
theGlobalRealm’sSocialSciencesResearchandImplementationDivision.
Heturnedandfollowedthesigns,stillwritteninbothEnglishandArabic,tothefardoortohisleft.Asheopenedthedoor,aguardexaminedhispapersandpointedhimtoanofficialwiththesilverstripesofanupperlevelsupervisor.
“Areyoumarried?”
“No,myfamilydiedinthewar.I’vewanderedthemountainsidesuntilIcametomysensesthatunderthisGlobalgovernmentpeopleseemhappier.”
“Soyouhavenofamilyandnotiestothisprovince?”
“No.”“Verywell,Ammadal-
Sistani,youwillgothroughsixmonthstraininghereinMashhad.”
Thismanwasn’tPersian,maybeMongolianfromhisfacialstructure.Thenameal-Sistanididn’tleaveanimpressiononhim.Ammadrefusedtohidehisbackground.TheGlobalRealmforgavetheenemieswhocooperated.Admirable,hethought.
“Aftersixmonths,youwillberelocated.Doyouhaveapreferencebetween
Irkutsk,Bern,orPhiladelphia?”
“Bern,Switzerland,youmean?”
“Yes.”“Iwouldprefer,Bern.”“Sonoted.Hereisa
housinglist.Pickanybluelocationforhousingwhileyouareintraining.”
“Thisone.”AmmadpointedtoaunitnearMalekAbadPark.“I’mfamiliarwith
thearea.”Theparkservedasa
meetingplace.Heandhisfriendscouldmaketheirplansfromthere.
ThegovernmentprovidedAmmadauniform,astripeindicatingatrainee,andaroomkey.Securitythoroughlysearchedhisbag.Theyfoundnothingofasuspiciousnature.
Ammadremembered
thefacesofhisenemies.Hewouldfindthem,andwithtime,killthemall.Theadvantagehehadoverhisfatherwashisage.
AllahAkbar.Hekeepsmestrong.
Thefaceofonepersonembeddeddeepinhismind,afiercefighterwithredhair.Shekilledwithouthesitationandseemedtoenjoytheact—findherandhewouldfind
theothers.
Chapter124yearslater
“DirectorChui,”GeorgePendletonsaid.“MayIaskafavor?”
“BeforeyoureturnfromtheAlphaCommandStationorafter?”
“Ihaveanuneasyfeelingaboutal-Sistani’slatestshipmentstoSpace
Complex8,”Georgesaid,ashegazedattheuniversefrom200milesabovetheearth.“Couldyourpeopleassessthecarriershuttle’sclimbrateagainstreportedcargoweight?”
“Yoususpectaheavierpayloadthanreported.”Chui’svoiceranginagreement.“Ialreadyhadmytechniciansruntheanalysis.Heavierthanreportedbyover
aton.”“Ishouldletmyfather
know.”“Whichwould
accomplishwhat?”Chuiclearedhisthroat.“I’lltellyouwhathe’llsay.‘Thankyou.I’lllookintoit.’You’llneverhearanythingagain.”
“We’llrecordourfindingsandamassasetofdatatobackupoursuspicions.”
“Sayhellotoyourmother,”Chuireplied.
“IndeedIwill.”Georgedisconnected
thecallsadtohavetoagreewithChui.Hisfatherwoulddonothing.He’dbebackonTerraFirmasoonanddealwithhisfatherinperson.BeingtheeldestsonoftheGlobalRealm’sFirstCitizen,ArthurPendleton,carriedwithitaheavyburden.A
logicalmind,asteadytemperament,andanI.Q.of159helpedhimhandletheresponsibilitywithease.
Hismother,Laverna-SmythePendleton,heldaspecialplaceinGeorge’sheart.Contrarytoherprofessionalruthlessnessasanassassin,shegaveherloveunselfishlytoherchildren.AndGeorgeconnectedwithhermuchmorethanwithhis
father.“Departuretime,2300
hours.”Thecharmingvoiceof
theautomatedattendantcapturedhisattention.Hestillhadelevenhoursbeforehewastoleave.Withagoodsleepbehindhim,hecoulddevotethetimetothehistoryhewaswriting,entitled,TheGlobalRealm—TheFirst25Years.
Lookingattheformerworldthroughtheeyesofhisfamily,thestepstakenbyhisfatherseemednecessaryandlogical.Yettheelderleadershipunderhisfatherbelievedmuchofthesoulofhumanityhadvanishedalittleatatime.Georgeweighedbothashewrote.OnMaslow’sHierarchyofNeeds,allthehumanbasicsweremet,butfreetimelefta
greatnumberofthepeoplepsychologicallydisturbedwithnowheretogoandnothingtodo.
Manyconflictingviewsofhistoryexisted.Onlyonewouldbetaught.Hisfatherrelatedhisexperiencesinone-sidedcommentaries.Georgewroteamoreexpansivetext,takingtheopinionsofseveralprominentobserversintoaccount.
Fromhisquartersorbitingtheearth,hescouredtheoceansviasatellite,comparingdatafromtwelvemonthsearliertothepresent.Thebattletosaveaquaticanimalsandplantlifehadstoppedthedevastatingeffectsontheoceansfromhumanpollution.Globalwarming,althoughslowed,continued,andwouldforseveralcenturies.Oneofonly
twopossibilitiesremainedforhumankind.LeavetheEarthforMarsorayetunidentifiedlife-supportingplanet.Orstayandfacetherealthreatofhumanextinctioninasfewastwohundredyears.
Hisfatherbelievedthecomplexescouldlastfarlonger.Georgedoubtedthatwarpedviewofthescience.ArthurPendletonlistenedtoHansVanMeer,hissecondin
command.VanMeerwasn’tascientist.
“Commander.”ThestationnursesteppedthroughtheopendoorwayintoGeorge’slivingquarters.“Timetotakeyourvitalsbeforereentry.”
“Yes.Yes.Thankyou...”Heglancedathernametag.“NurseMarshall.”
“You’rewelcome.Openyourmouthandstickoutyour
tongue.”Withoneinsertionofthemedicalwand,histemperature,bloodpressure,bloodoxygen,heartrate,andamini-EKGwererecorded.“Everything’speachy.Haveagoodtrip.”
Georgeturnedbacktohiswriting,whichincludedtheachievementsanddreamsofhisfamilyandthebuildersoftheRealm.Atage22,heproposedtheMars
ExplorationProjectbeexpandedtofullcolonization.SincehehadalreadydesignedaworkingmodeloftheStanfordTorus,apermanentself-sufficientorbitalhabitat,theGlobalRealmDepartmentofSpaceScienceandExplorationappointedhimtoheaduptheproject.Nowat28,GeorgePendletonwasreadyforspaceexploration.
Hemeticulouslyrecordedthechanginglandmass.Theportionremainingabovesealevelvariedweeklyitseemed.Overthepasttwentyyears,tenpercentofthelandmasshadvanishedbeneaththedeep.AnothertenpercentoftheEarth’ssurfacewouldsubmergeinthenexttwohundredyears,whenalltheiceintheAntarcticdisappeared.Still,fromhis
vantage-point,thewhitish-bluespherebelowhimofferedabreathtakingpanoramaoflightandcolors—thegemofthesolarsystem.
UsingthetrappedmethanegasundertheGreenlandicecapasanenergysourcedramaticallylessenedtheenvironmentalcatastrophethatcouldhaveoccurredwhentheicemelted.
TheGlobalRealm’sengineersworkedfranticallyinstallingequipmentinAntarcticatoperformthesamefeat.Swiftresponsewaspossible.Hisfatherunifiedtheworld,andmankindhadachanceforsurvival.
Fascinatedbytheconstructionmiracles,Georgejotteddowntheamazingprogressmadebytechnologythatremovedsolidrockfrom
mountainsandbuiltnewhumancities.Followingstrictenvironmentalstandards,demolitionandreconstructioncrewshadworkedtwenty-fouryearstearingdowntheoldcitiesandbuildinggiganticenvironmentallyfriendlycomplexeswithinsturdierinfrastructurestoreplacetheformerdwellingsofmen.Thesecomplexes,borderedbyeight-footthick
rockwallsadheredtogetherbycompoundsresistanttoweatheranderosionextendedsomethreehundredfeetintotheair.
Supportedwithsteelinternal-beamconstructionandcoveredwithamaterialthatfilteredoutdangeroussolarrays,thelivingquarterstheGlobalRealmcreatedprovidedtheircitizenrywithabundantnutrients,renewable
energy,andenvironmentallysafelivingconditions.
Theonlyoceantravelcamefromtouristsandafewexpeditionships.TheroadsremainingweremadefrommaterialunheardofbeforethePendleton.Indestructiblecomposites,strongerthandiamondsorGraphene,madethenewroadscapableofhandlinganyweightyetcreated.Fewvehiclestraveled
onthem.Environmentallysafetransportationhadbeendevelopedreplacingpollution-creatingvehicles.
George’scommunicatorbuzzedandheputdownhispen.
“Commander,ThadClineisholdingforyou.”
“Puthimthrough.”“George.”TheDirector
ofGlobalScience’svoicesmackedwithconcern.
“Yes,Thad,”Georgeanswered.“HowcanIhelp?”
“IneedyoutoconvinceGlobalSecuritytoinspectMuslimcargoshipments,”Clinegrumbled.“SofarI’vebeenstymiedwhenImakethesuggestion.Theysayregionalproceduresaresufficient.”
“We’reallconcerned.I’llbeincontactwithmyfathertomorrow.”George
hadhadlittlecontactwithArthurPendletoninthepastfewmonths.“He’sheadingtotheBeringStrait.OnceI’mdebriefedinTaipei,I’llcallhim.”
“Ifhedoesn’tlistentoyou,noonewillbeabletoreachhim.Ammadmaybeasaint.ButIthinkhe’sasinner.Haveasafetriphome.”
“Rogerthat.”George
disconnectedthecall.Ammadal-Sistani,the
mastermanipulator.Whydidn’thisfatherseethethreatal-Sistaniposed?ThemanexploitedtheRealm’smajorweakness,boredomandlackofvigilance.Asapeople,mankindexplodedtheboundariesofknowledgeandscientificunderstanding.MotivatedcitizensoftheGlobalRealmlivedworry-
free.Keeptherulesandliveatpeace.Yes.Therightwaytolive,Georgethought.
Butsomecitizensdidnotagree.Tothemthenewwayboredthem.Theyoverwhelmedtheentertainmentcentersduringtheirfreedays.Self-centered,godlessmenandwomen,hejudgedthem.
OverabillionenemiesoftherealmfelltoGlobal
forcessincethetakeover.Enemycombatantsnownumberedunder500million,mostlocatedinformerlyIslamiccountries.Ammadwooedthem,offeringpeaceandinclusionoutwardly.Butinwardly—GeorgefearedAmmad’smotives.
Manyhumans,twohundredmillionofthem,chosenoside.Theyroamedfreeonthefaceoftheplanet.
Nomadsandloners,theyweresubjecttotheelements,otherhumans,andthegrowingnumberofanimalpredatorsanddisease.Ammadignoredthesepeople.Globalcitizenscalledtheoutsider’scondition“theSecondDarkAges”.TheylivedStoneAgelivesorworse.
EminentdangerconcernedGeorgemorethan
weatherortheoutsiders.Hisfather,Arthur,ruledasFirstCitizen,butoppositiontohimgrewfromtwoseparatesources.Ammadal-Sistani,thesonoftheformerGrandAyatollah,gatheredpowerinhisroleaspeacemakertothoseoutsidetheRealm.HetestedsecondonlytoArthurPendletoninleadershipcapabilities.Ayearago,Ammadrefusedtoallow
inspectionteamsintopredominantlyMuslim-controlledcomplexes,andhisdisobediencewentunpunished.
ThesecondchallengecamefromformerGeneralTzuChui,aclosepersonalfriendofGeorge’s.ChuiheldtheFarEastRegionfirmlyinhisgrasp.Overtime,Chuihadworkedbehindthescenes,gainingfavorasa
manofforwardthinking.IfanysignofweaknesswasfoundinGeorge’sfather,Chuiwouldmovetograbpower.GeorgebelievedChuirespectedArthurPendleton.HewouldstrikedownAmmadandallowGeorge’sfathertoretirewithhonor.
Tothoseoutsidehisinnercircle,ArthurPendletonshowednosignofweakness.Buttothoseclosesttohim,
thechangeswereobvious.Sincethedeathofhisclosestadvisor,MiltonRogers,theFirstCitizengrewmoreindecisivewitheachpassingday.
Georgeputawayhiswritings.Inafewhours,hewouldpilotGlobalOrbiter5backtoEarthfromAlphaCommandStation200milesabovetheplanet.TheGlobalSpaceStationandOrbital
SpaceComplexeslikeAlphaCommand,modularindesign,formedanetworkofscientificanddefensestationsthatpreparedforinterplanetaryspaceexploration.ThedevelopmentofaworkinghabitationwheeldesignbyajointRussian-Americanteamprovidedgravitytomostspace-craftsandstations.
IfIcouldpickanytime
inHistorytobealive,I’dpicknow,Georgethought.AchancetoexploreMars,unbelievable.Apacifist,unlikehissister,ConnorAnn,heheldnointerestinmortalcombat.Connorsurpassedhismotherinthatskill.
IfIweren’taChristian,I’dbefilledwithfearforthefutureonEarth.
Chapter2“MyGod,I’marguing
withanapparition,probablyfrommychemo.”LavernaSmythe-Pendleton,akaPeacock,placedbothhandsonhermattressandgrinnedatthetall,glowingmalefiguretoweringoverher.“AftersixoperationsandthemedsI’mon,I’mluckyyou’refriendly
andnotsomehorneddevil.”“I’mnotanapparition.”
Hegaveherawarmsmile.“YouandIhavetalkedfourtimesbefore.”
“Oh,sorry,”sheanswered.“Idon’tremember.”
“Ofcourseyoudon’tremember.Youdon’trememberanythingafewweeksaftertheyoccur,andyouhaven’tinoverfive
years.”Notdangerous,butnot
ofthisworld.Hisimagecouldbrightenaroomatwill.Definitelyamale.Hiseyesreflectedagespast,andhiscalmandreassuringmannersoothedher.Handsome?Beyond.Therewasnowaytodescribehim.Theembodimentofwisdomandpower,anangelofGodmostlikely.
Hegrewtallerandspreadhisarms.“Inyourprivatejournals,lookatBook5,page73.”
She’dkeptprivatejournalsfrombeforethecancerdestroyedherabilitytorecallnear-termevents.Sherememberedwherethejournalswerestored,unlockedthebureaudrawer,andgasped.Continuoussurpriseruledherlife.Her
journalsnumberedseven,yetsheonlyrememberedauthoringthree.PullingoutBook5,sheflippedthepagestopage73.
Ahalf-hourlater,shelookedupfromherreadingtoseehervisitorgrinningather.“WhateveryoutellmeI’llwritedownimmediatelyafteryouleave.I’msorryIdoubtedyou.”
“Godasksthatyou
warnyourhusbandhisruleisending.HeistofollowGod’scommandandreadytruebelieversfortheLord’sreturn.”
ThejoyinLavernaevaporated.Guiltfilledeverypore.“You’redeliveringmessagesfromGodtome,awhoreandamurderess.WhywouldGoduseme?”
“Youwerethosethings.”Theroombrightened
ashespoke.Inagentle,voiceheasked,“WhatwereyoudoingwhenIappeared?”
“Praying.”“Questionanswered.”“Arthurwon’tlisten.”“Goddoesn’tholdyou
accountablefortheresult.Heasksthatyouobey.”
Shegulped,hardlyabletobreathe.Accordingtoherjournal,she’ddeliveredfourmessagestoherhusband.
Eachtimehe’dignoredher.EachtimeGod’smessageprovedcorrect.
“I’lldoasyouwish.”Shepaused.“Arthur’sagoodman.Stubborn,buthelovesGod.”
Theangel’sheadtiltedslightlyleft.“YourhusbandacceptedJesus.ThathelovesGodisforGodtojudge.Stillheisrebelliousandthatdetractsfromhis
effectiveness.”“WillIlivelongenough
toseeourLord’sreturn?”Thefigurevaporized
andblewawayasifawindcarriedhim.Buttherewasnowind.Lavernafellonherbedfacefirst.Tearsrushedforth,andshedidnotwipethemaway.Rahabaprostitute,RuthaMoabite,andTamaraseductress,allwonsalivationandthehonortobeincluded
inthelineageofChrist,yetshecouldn’tpictureherselfinthesamelight.
Iobeyyourpreceptsandyourstatutesforallmywaysareknowntoyou.
AknockatthedoorstartledLaverna.“Lovey,weleaveinfiveminutes.”
“I’llberightthere.”Wipinghereyes,sherushedintothebathroomandstaredintothemirror.Combatscars
anddarkblotchesmarredthebeautyshestillpossessed.Sheappliedhermakeup,carefulnottolooklikeamanikin.Herfigure,curvedandalluring,remainedhergreatestasset.Herhusbandcravedherbody.Forsomereason,sheheldthesamepoweroverhimnowasshehadwhentheyfirstmet.Ignoringthefactshe’dturnedfifty-three,Arthursawheras
twenty-fiveandnotadayolder.
Thepathwaytoheridremainedexpress-trainfast,luckyforArthur.Shesmirked,rememberingDoctorBeatriceKolb,thefiendwhoimplantedmind-controldevicesinherbrain—theaffectsnowprovenirreversible.Oneofthosedevicesoverstimulatedherlibido.Anadvantagetoher
eversince.Shechangedintoher
GlobalRealmbusinesssuitstoredinhercloset,joinedherhusbandinthehall,andgraspedhishand.“Leadon,nobleprince.”
“KingArthur,Darling,”hesaidandwinked.
“Hardly,”HansVanMeerpokedPendletoninhisego.“Hisroyalpaininthearseismoreappropriate.”
“I’llcallhimwhateverheasksmeto.”
VanMeerhuffed.“Yes,youandtheotherfivebillioncitizensoftheRealm.”
NexttoVanMeerstoodLaverna’sbestfriend,FeliciaLange-VanMeer,lookingdrop-deadgorgeous.VanMeerpickedFeliciatomarry,becauseshehadn’tmindedhisearlierindiscretions.OnelookatFelicia’sbeautyand
jealousyroseinsidePeacock.Shequicklyquotedascripturesheusedtokeepperspective.ThouShaltNotCovet.
AllthesouthwesternblockofroomsinBalmoralCastlehadbeenconvertedintoresidencesforthePendletonfamilyandtheiradministrativestaff.Therestofthecastlehousedconferenceroomsand
executiveoffices.LavernalovedBalmoralandtheScottishcountryside.WhenArthurtraveled,she’dhikeupthehillsidetoaglenhe’dshownherontheirhoneymoon.ThoughtheEuropeanIceAgefrozethegroundsixmonthsoftheyear,therestofthetimelifeflourished,plantandanimalalike.
Thedecisiontomove
GlobalRealmHeadquarterstotheIslescameaftertheeruptionoffivevolcanosinIcelandandItaly.TheashanddebrisdroppedtemperaturesinEuropeanaverageoftwentydegreesandcausedsnowfallfromNorwaytoTurkeytoleapupfifty-fivepercent.Thathappenedeightyearsearlierandhadn’timprovedmuchsince.TheIslesexperiencedalesser
coolingofsevendegreesonaverage,soPendletonmovedlocations.Lavernadidn’tunderstandthescience,butwhileEuropefroze,therestoftheearthcontinuedtowarm.NorthAmericanwinterswereabalmy65onaverage.Summersreached118,asfarnorthasMaine.
ThefourarrivedatBoardroomGlobalAdminA.Beforetheyentered,Laverna
whisperedtoherhusband.“Ihadanothervision.Canwetalkaboutittonight?”
Hepulledherclose.“Remember,you’retravelingtotheBeringStraitBridgetomorrow.I’llgiveyouanhour.Thenit’stobedbynine.”
“Thankyou.”Withhercancerandhermemoryproblems,sheneededmorerestthanshereceived.
Lavernatookherseattotheleftofherhusbandattheheadofthetable.VanMeerpositionedhimselfonPendleton’sright.FifteenscientistsfromtheGlobalWarmingTaskForcefilledouttheattendees.Nowdonningspectaclesatage62,Pendletonscannedseveralpagesofrawdata.
“Synopsizethisforme.”Hefrownedand
scratchedhishead.“Toocomplicatedforanovice.”
Thespokesmanforthegroup,athinItalianwithcurlyblackhair,answered,“Bluntlyput,we’rewinningthebattlewiththeoceansbuthavealreadylostthebattleoftheweatherandtheland.”
“Howso?”“Throughcontrolling
methaneandourspeciesharvestingpractices,the
oceansarerebounding.That’snottosaythey’lleverreturntotheirformerstate.Butanew,healthyenvironmentforaquaticlifewilldevelop.”
“Shouldn’tGlobalwarmingbecurbedaswellbecauseofmethanecontrol?”
“Sir,”thecurlyhairedmansaid.“We’retoolatetosavetheland.”
“Don’teversaythat!”Pendletonflushed.
Lavernarubbedhisarmtocalmhimdown.
Theresearchertookadeepbreath,butdidn’tflinch.“We’veseenanincreaseinthedevastationfrommassivecyclonicstorms.Theriversareaspureaswecanmakethem,butstillpollutedandbelowpar.Inanotherdecade,mostofNorthAmerica,Africa,Asia,andtheMiddleEastwillproducelittleof
ediblevalue,requiringustorelyonSouthAmericaandAustralia,pluswhatweproducewithineachcomplextosustainthepopulation.Eventually,theminiIceAgewillend.Earthwillrepairitselfwithtime,butnotfastenoughforourpresenthumanpopulationtosurvive.”
“Well,that’salljollygood.Areyouplanningforustohaveanotherseriesof
volcaniceruptions,sotheIceAgegoesonevenlonger?”
Herhusband’ssarcasmescapedbeforehecouldholditback.Wherewashisself-confidence?Lavernathought.
“Allright.”Pendletoncrackedhisknuckles.“Savetheoceans,butIwon’tgiveupontheland.Doublethemanpowerworkingonasolution.”
“Thetopfiftypeoplein
theworldhavetackledtheproblemallwiththesameconclusion.”
“Unacceptable.Puttheup-and-comingscientistsonthetask.Lookforanewprospective.”Heslammedhisfistandwavedtheteamaway.
Afterthisgroupleft,Pendleton’sdailyscheduleflashedbyinten-minuteblocks—ameeting,aquick
decision,anothermeeting.Troublesmountedwithfewsolutions,Lavernaleanedinclose.“Ididn’tthinkthingswerethisbad.”
Thelastreportonworldtopicsoccurredtwomonthsago,farpastherabilitytorecall.
Pendleton’slipspursed.“Forthreeyearsnow,we’vefollowedtheland’sdecline.We’vehadproblemswith
rebels.Peopledied.Ihategivingupontheland.”
VanMeer’sheadtilted.“Peoplediedbecauseyouputthemtodeath.”
“Theyweren’tputtodeath!”Pendletonpoundedthetable.“Combatantsdiedaidingrebels.ThoserebelswereassistingAmmadal-Sistani,thesneakybastard.”
VanMeertouchedPendleton’sarmwithasoft,
reassuringgesture.“Miltonandyourmotheraregone,myfriend.YourchildrenservetheRealm.Iknowyoumisstheircounsel.Whocanspeakthetruthtoyou,ifnotme?”
Theoverheadscreenrotatedintoplace,announcingthenextpresenters.ThePacificationoftheNon-CitizenWorldCommitteeanditsChairmanAmmadal-Sistaniwould
soonappearviasatellite.AmmadandPendletonhadn’tmetface-to-faceintwoyears,eversinceAmmaddeclaredtheMuslimcomplexestobecomposedofIslamicbelieversonly.TransfereesinmustbepracticingSunnisorShias.RumorsaboundedthatShiaMuslimsandSufisreceivedpreferentialtreatment.
Ammad,the
peacemaker,earnedPendleton’searwhencivildisobediencebrokeoutintheGlobalcomplexofJerusalemadecadeearlier.Tomaintaincontrol,theJerusalemgovernorhadlimitedtheChristianEasterpilgrimageto50,000visitors.AmmadnegotiatedanagreementinvolvingJewish,Muslim,andChristianfactionsthateasedthetension.Stillthe
singlemostdifficultproblemtheRealmfacedwasthezealotsonallthreesides.
AmmadproposedandnegotiatedaneutralJerusalem,withtherestoftheIsraelicomplexestobeJewishexclusively.Pendleton,believingthistobearoadtopacification,boughtintotheplan.ThenAmmadusedtheJewishprecedenttojustifyhisclaim
toMuslimcomplexesbeingrestrictedtoMuslimsonly.Lavernacringedatthesightoftheman’sfaceasitformedonthescreen.AsPeacock,sherememberedthisteenagesonofGrandayatollahal-Sistani.
VanMeerhadwarnedPendletonthatanyal-Sistaniwasathreat.PendletontookthepositionthatAmmadwasuseful.Ifhebecamea
problem,he’ddealwithhim.Thusfar,hehadnotdealtwithhim.
#25yearsearlier.“Wherearewe?”
Ammadal-Sistanifollowedhisrescueralongthesteep,rockymountainside.
“NearingtheValleyoftheMagi.”AtashAkbarianswered.“Ourmeetingplaceisinsight.Seethe
crescent-shapedrockacrossthegorge,juttingoutlikeaweaponembeddedintheground?”
Ammadsquinted.“Thewholearealookslifelessandbarren.Iseetherockyoumention,butnothingnearit.”
“Theentrancetothecaveispositionedoutofsight.Therewewilllearnourfate.”
Ammad’steeth
clenchedasthewindpepperedhisfacewithspecksofdebris.“Stopamoment.Ineedtocatchmybreath.”
Hetookadrinkofwaterfromagoatskinbaggiventohimasthetwofledtheambushthatkilledhisfather.
“Painaccompaniesyourtariq’,myyouthfulfriend,”Akbarisaid.“Besttothirstandsucceed,thansatisfythebodyandfail.”
“Sowhatmyfathersuspectedistrue.”Ammadsmiledatthewordshisprotectorspoke.OnlyaSuficlericwouldspeakthisway.HisfatherliftedthebanonSufipractices,andAmmadwasendearedtohimallthemore.“YouareaSufi.”
“Yes,aspiritualdescendantofImamal-Ghazaliinpractice.Icometoenlightenyoutothetruthin
thisfinalage.”Akbaritouchedhisshoulder.“Ourpathsconnectforlife,andsoonyouwillunderstandwhy.”
Thetwodescendedthemountain,followingawindingtrailthatweavedsnakelikealongthewesternside.Ammadstillbledfromthewoundsofbattle.Hisfatherdiedatthehandsoftheredheadeddevil-woman.If
notforAtash,hemostlikelywouldhavesufferedthesamefate.Minutesturnedintohours.Ammad’seyesmoistenedfromsorrowandpain.Buthedidnotcomplain.SacrificeandpainwouldbehistoacceptifAllahsaidso.HewouldnotseedisappointmentinAkbari’seyesagain.
Finally,hismentorleftthepathandthetwoducked
behindtherockhe’dseenfromtheoppositesideofthevalley.
“Here.”Akbarislippedintoanarrowfissurethatsplittherock.Ammadfollowed.
“Behold,”Akbarisaid.Beholdechoedin
Ammad’smind,andhissensesopenedtothefaintestsoundandbeamoflight.
Therockwallgaveway,revealinganimmense
cavern.Twoshaftsoflightilluminatedthespaceinside.Smallholesintherockceilingallowedeerie,orangeraysofsunlightthrough,appearingliketheeyesofaleopard.Thewindhowledonemomentandwhistledthenext.Hesworeheheardvoiceswithinthestreamsofairswirlinginsidethecave.
AkbarifelltohiskneesasdidAmmad.
“HereistheplacewheretheMagiofoldspoketothespiritsinJannah,”Akbarisaid.Hebowedlowtothegroundandchantedhismantra.
“Wait.”AmmadgrabbedAkbari’ssleeve.“Allahforbidscallingupaspirit.”
“ThisistheplaceJannahmeetsearth.”Akbaripulledaway.“Iinterpretthe
Qurandifferently.Wewillsee.Ifnothinghappens,nothinghappens.”
TherewasnoguileinAkbari’svoice.WhowasAmmadtoquestionhisfriendandhisfather’sclosestadviser,evenifthemanwasonlysixyearshissenior?Ammadremainedsilent.Thechantcontinued—hypnoticandmelodic.Gradually,thewindquietedandmorphed
intoaclearwhisperingofvoices.OnevoicespoketoAkbari.Onevoicespoketohim.Theothersechoedeeriemurmursofapproval.
Atfirst,imagesandconceptsfilledAmmad.Imagesofpowerandauthorityspuninhismind.Hewastowait,bidehistime,andusedeceptionagainsttheEnemy.
Youaremyherald.
WhenyouhavebeenpreparedforthedefeatofthefollowersofChrist,Iwillrevealmyselfandrewardyou.
HesawtheflagsofIsraelandthecrossedkeysofSaintPeterinflames,asthefigureoftheEgyptianGod,Set,carryinganAnkh,loomedoverhead.
IwillgiveyouthepowertobringJannahto
Earthforatime.Converttheinfidels,usingthepleasuresofthehouri.Fulfillthedesiresoftheirhearts.Thisisyourgift.
Asquicklyasthevoicescame,theyvanished.Ammadwipedthesweatfromhisbrow.Akbarikneltbesidehimtrembling.HeopenedhiseyesandbowedlowtoAmmad.“TheSaviorofHumanityAl-ImamalMahdi.
YouaretheTwelfthImam.”ThewordsTheCanon
ismyword,theorderismydeed,andthetruthismyinteriorstate,ranginhishead.Mohammad,theProphet,musthavespokeninthewind.Ammadknewonethingforsure.Hewasmeanttodosomethinggreat.Theprideofbeingchosenmingledwiththesorrowoflosinghisfather.
“Wemustgobackandburymyfather,notrunandhide.”
“Ofcourse.”Akbari’sheadtiltedleftandhiseyestookonaquestioninglook.“Youknowwhattosay?”
“Ido.”Ammadsmiledwithgratitude.“Youshallbemyspiritualadvisor.ButdonotsaythewordsTwelfthImamagain.Theconceptismisunderstood.Ihavebeen
reborn,nothidden.AndIonlyrealizedthisnow.”
“Then,leadon.”#
AmmadgulpedthreedeepbreathsbeforeBoardroomGlobalAdminAcameintofocus.Hecenteredhisgazeontheredheadedbitch,theShe-Devil,whomurderedhisfather.WhentheOn-Airlightflashed,henoddedtoPendleton,gaining
pleasureinseeingtheFirstCitizen’swifescarredanddyingaslowdeath.Onlytheinnercircleknewofhercancer,andheprayedAllahwouldallowhimthepleasureofmurderingherwhenthetimecame.
“Goodmorning,FirstCitizen,”hesaid,feigningallegiance.“IbringsomegoodnewsfromtheIslandofSumatra.Fourhundred
outsiders,mostlyMuslims,havedecidedconditionsarenolongersuitableforthemtosurvivewithoutourhelp.Theyrequestcitizenship.”
“HavetheygonetotherebuiltComplexofMedantoregister?”
“No,FirstCitizen.”Ammadsaid.“TheyfearthesightofthewallsandthemassiveareaoftheMedanComplex.Severalhavehad
encounterswithyoursecurityforcesinthepastandhavebeenshotwithstunguns.”
Pendleton’shandmovedtohischin.“Theymustbasewithinacomplex,betested,andsecuredintoworkdetailsbeforebeingallowedtoworkortraveloutsideacomplexoftheRealm.Canweacclimatethesepeopleinstages?”
TheFirstCitizen
blabbednonsenseunworthyofAmmad’stime.Butnotforlong.Hiswaitwasnearlyover.Victoryoverthismadmanwasonlyamatterofweeksaway.
“Wecouldbringthemtoaholdingareaoutsidethecomplex,”Ammadanswered.“Testthem,putthemtoworkinthefieldsnearMedan,andafteramonth,bringtheminsidethegates.”
“Agreed.”Ammadhadcultivated
overathousandsuchgroups,indoctrinatingthemintoAl-jihadfisabilillah,readyingthemtostrikeforthecauseofAllah.Thattimewasnow.
Asthemeetingprogressed,theredheadedbitchjotteddownnotes.ThisirritatedAmmad.AmanofPendleton’sstatureprotectedandaidedbyawoman—
unfathomable.But,hewouldn’thavetoputupwiththeseinfidelsmuchlonger.TheFirstCitizenhadrelaxedhisvigilancesincehismentor,MiltonRogers,died.Ammadsmirked.
Hewon’tknowwhat’scominguntilit’stoolate.
Chapter3Afteralongdayof
meetings,acoolshowerrefreshedLaverna.Herdiseasehadn’thinderedherabilitytokeepfitandgivesoundadvicetoArthuronthingsshecouldrecall.SheworkedoutwiththeteamherdaughterConnorassignedtoprotecttheFirstCitizen—
Peacock’soldteamofShinMaoMing,SharescaBaidya,(nicknamedCher),andKlausBruegman.Fivetimesinanaverageweek,LavernaplayedPeacockagainhidingherpainandpuffingthroughthefullunittrainingexercise.
This,however,wasn’tanaverageweek.Tomorrow,sheandArthurwouldheadtoCapePrinceofWales,AlaskatochristenthethirdBering
SeaCargoBridge.Theoceanswerepristinetotheeye.Topollutethemastheywererecoveringwouldbecriminal.Movingcargoacrossthestraitbytrucklinkedtogethermostoftheworld.ThisfinalbridgeguaranteedcargoshipswouldneveragainsailthePacific.
ShegrabbedatowelandslippedintobednexttoArthur.Hecaressedheras
shesatisfiedhim.Hermindandbodypleasuredhimwithenergyanddriveequaltoherbestyears.SheunderstoodfromtheBiblethatsexwasagiftfromGodtomankindandwastobeenjoyedbyhusbandandwife.ShehadconfessedtoGodallhermanyindiscretionsandbeenforgiven.
Arthurnuzzledhercloseafterward,runninghis
fingersalongthescarredrutslininghercheeks—complimentsofBeatriceKolb.
“Nowtellmewhatvisionyousawthistime,”hesaid.
“MyguttellsmeIsawanangel.”
“That’swhatyousaidthelastfourtimes.”
“Idon’trememberthosetimes.Iwish...”
Asighescapedherlips.“Allrightnow,”he
whispered.“Whateveryou’veseenorheardhashitspoton.Ithinkyouhallucinate.Andbecauseyou’rebrilliant,you’vebeenright.Sospeaktomemyoracle.”
“Theangelsaid,‘Godcommandsyoutowarnyourhusbandhisruleisending.HeistofollowGod’sinstructionandreadytrue
believersfortheLord’sreturn.’”
“Ouch!”Arthur’sfacereddened.Heshotupstraight.“Iknowyouwantmetostepdown.ButI’dbealunatictooffanddeclaredtheendoftheworld.Icouldn’tpullitoff.It’sahugeundertakingtoevenidentifytruebelievers.”
“Notforyou.Youreorganizedthewholeworldwithlightningspeed.”
Herhusband’sshouldersdrooped.“I’llhavetothinkonthis.RightnowallIcanvisualizeiswalkingthroughcomplexaftercomplexwithasignreading,‘Repent!TheEndIsNear!’MaybeIshouldgrowabeardandwearagoatskintunic.I’mnotpreparedforthetask.”
Lavernawrungherhands.“I’mfrightened.Ifeel
soinadequate,andIdon’ttrustmyselfwiththewaymybrainfunctions.ButIbelieveI’mspeakingthetruth.”
“Iloveyou,butIdon’ttrustthisvision.”Hestrokedherhand,andherneckrelaxed.“Thefirsttimeyoucametome,youtoldmetoevacuatepartsofBostonandNewYorkandmovetheresidentsinland.Irefuseduntilourownoceanographers
explainedthesciencetome.”Shechuckled.“Igetso
confused.Iknowtherisingoceansfloodedthecoast,butIdidn’tknowIwarnedyouitwouldhappen.”
“That’sthething.Younevergivemedetails.Maybethat’showGodtestsmyfaith.UntilIlearneddifferently,mybestscientiststhoughtdikesweretheanswer.Dikeswouldhavebeenadisaster.Sohow
doIaccomplishthisnobletask?”
“Nano7,”Lavernasaid,brushingherhairbackfromhereyes.Allcitizensworeathinwristbandusedforincomingtransmissions.SelectiveexecutivelevelsaccessedoutgoinglinesforRealmpurposesonly.Aten-contactpersonalcommunicationdevicecompletedtheRealm’s
citizenaccess.“SpreadingthewordtobelieverscouldhappeninstantlythroughtheGlobalCommunicationsCenter’sNano7technology.”
Shecouldn’texplainwhythosewordscameoutofhermouth.ShehadlittleideaofwhatNano7was.Duh.Sheglancedtoseeifanangelhadappeared.Therewasnone.
“Dangerous,”Arthur
replied.“Toomuchchanceofbeinglabeledaloony.Acallfortestingcouldoccurinafortnight.Iftheresultswereclose,Imightbedeposed.”
“WecouldvisitthepredominatelyChristiancitiesandmakedirectappealstotheChristianleadership.”Sheleanedinclose,reachedbeneaththecoverstorubhisthigh,andwhispered,“Givetheideasomethought.”
Arthursqueezedhergently.“You’reatemptress.Nowlet’sgettosleep.Tomorrowwego‘roundtheworld.”
Tomorrow.Yes.Herpeoplewereready,butshewantedconfirmationabouthervision.AfterArthurfellasleep,shedialedtheteam’sdorm.Bruegmanansweredwithagruff,“What?It’smidnight.”
“Sorrytobotheryou,Klaus,butIneedtospeaktoCher.”Bruegmanpoundedonadoor,andsheheardChergrabthephone.
“Iamhere.”AtypicalresponsefromherbestfriendsaveforFeliciaVanMeer.
“Sorrytowakeyou.Ineededtotalk.”
“Iwasdoingyoga.I’llsleeplater.”
“Ihadanothervision.”
Lavernasighed.“Arthurdoesn’tbelieveIhavethem.ButIdo.IevenmentionedNano7,andIdon’trememberwhyIknowwhatitis.”
Cherchuckled.“Whatelseisnew?Menneverlisten.MyfamilyneverlistenedtowomenuntilIbeatthecrapoutofmybrothers.Astoyourvisions,myChristianfaithandformerBuddhist
upbringingtellmetojudgetheoutcome.IfGodisbehindthem,youwillalwaysberight.”
“Thanks.Ineededthat.”“Well,don’tgetmushy.
I’mnotgoingtohugyou.”Lavernarelaxed.“Go
backtoyouryoga.Thanksforthereassurance.”
Aglanceattheclocksaidshehadtogettosleep.Whereshewasgoingthenext
dayescapedher.#
Walkingathinlinebetweenbeliefanddoubt,Pendletonformulatedaplantotestboth.Herolledoutofbedat2a.m.Physiciansknewtheirworkhadnotimelimits.HerangupLaverna’sdoctor.
“FirstCitizen,”thedoctormumbled.“TowhatdoIowethisuntimelycall?”
“Anotherhallucination.
NowshethinksJesusiscomingbacksoon,andI’mtodropeverythingtoprepareawelcomeorsomething.Howistheworkcomingalongonrestoringhermemoryandcuringhercancer?”
“Myword,Arthur.Youcan’trushscience.”HischuckleirritatedPendleton.“Myopinion,achildborntodaywilllive100years.Yourwifewillnot.Genomic
advancesworkmiracles,buttheycan’tcreateareasthathavebeeneradicated.Kolb’stoblameforthat.Theshort-termmemorywillneverberestoredinyourwife.Thecancerisslowed,butinoperable.Onemoreyearwillverifymyopinion.”
“You’renobloodyhelp.”Pendleton’sjawtightened.“Areyoutellingmeshe’llbedeadinayear?”
“Ah,shootthemessenger,anddoitat2:15a.m.”Ayawnaccompaniedthewords.“Inayear,LavernawilleitherbedeadormimicsevereAlzheimer’s.”
“Whatdoyouthinkofthesevisionsshehas?”
“Fourvisions—fourdirecthits.She’sremarkable.Idon’ttrytospeculateonwheresheobtainsherinspiration.Thedivine,
however,I’dputlastonthelist.Butgowiththefacts.Shehitsthetarget.”
Pendletonhungupandpoundedhisfistsonhisarmchair.He’ddoneeverythingmedicallypossibletosaveherlife.Theleasthecoulddowasactlikehebelievedher.AfterthetriptotheBeringStrait,he’dcallforaconferenceofChristianpastors.He’dsuggestwelive
asthoughGodwascomingtomorrow.He’dsetGod’splaninmotion.HowhardcoulditbetopullChristianleadersfrom30,000ComplexesoftheRealmintoameeting?Hewouldmakehiswife’srequesthismissiontofulfill,evenifhelookedsillydoingit.TheFirstCitizenworksmiraclesdaily,hethought.What’sanother,ifit’stheLord’sdoing?
#“Zipupmyoutfit,Obie
dear.Theheadofmyfamily’ssecurityteamisrequiredtoappearsmashingatalltimes.”ConnorAnnUbastruttedintothelivingroomofhersuiteinLondon’sGlobalQuarters,aquadrantreservedforgoldandsilverlevelRealmpersonnel.
Herhusbandoftwomonths,ObadiahUba,
DirectorofAgriculturefortheLondonoftheRealmComplex,zippedherupandgaveherapatonthebehind.“Don’tbegonelong.I’llmissyou.Imissyoualready,especiallyyourcharmingways.”
“It’stheanimalinyouI’llmiss.”SherubbedhisshouldersandsnuggleduptoherNigerianhusband,adoringhismassivearmsand
bulwarkofachest.“I’matmyfather’scommand,andhe’sheadingtotheBeringStraitswithMum.She’stheoneIneedtowatch.I’llmissyou,too.”
“Isupposeyouwill.”Hegrinned.“I’llkeepbusymanagingtheplantingcrews.We’venectarinesandgrapestoharvestthisweek.KeepsyourObiebusy.”
Thesweetauraofbeing
anewlywedstillflowedthroughConnor.TaughtbyhermotherthatsexwasmadebyGodandanythingGodmadewasgood,sheembracedherhusbandeagerly.Unlikehermother’sformerlife,shegaveherselftoonemanonlyasGodinstructed.Ifshehadherway,she’dtakeherhusbandtoArubaandgetherselfpregnant.Alas,thatwasnot
tobe.HerdutytotheRealmsupersededeverythingelse.
Connorkissedhisfull,moistlipsandhurriedoutthedoor.Justoutside,shestoppedtobaskinthebeautyofthegold,emerald,anddiamond-studdedgranitewallsliningherpathtothemainfloortransport.WhenshelivedinZurich,she’dwatchedthatcitytransform,mixingsomeofthe
traditionaloldwiththeremarkablenew.Likenow,herfamily’slivingquartersweredecent,butonlyafewembellishmentsbetterthanaserviceworker’s.CitizensoftheRealmenjoyedallitsbenefitsforwhichshethankedherfather.
Locatedonthe55thfloornorthwestcorner’souterwall,Connor’ssuiteandsurroundinghallwayglowed
withreflectedsunlightfromtheiridescentdomecoveringthispartofthecomplex.Oneoffivecitiesof200,000people,eachhavingLondoninitsname,TheLondonoftheRealmComplexsatwheretheoldcityofReadingusedtobe.TheoldLondonhaddisappearedintorubbleadecadeearlier,saveforthehistoricalbuildings.TheThameshadbecomepartof
theEnglishChannelandmanybuildingssubmergedintothedeep.
HansVanMeerandhiswifeFeliciametherattheTransport.
“Benicetoyourfatherthistrip,BustyRusty.”VanMeerquipped.
“Ihatethatnickname,whetheryou’remydad’sbestfriendornot.”Connorgavehergodfatheralovingtapon
theshoulderandboardedthetransport.“He’srarelynicetome.HeneveracceptedObi,andIchallengehim.”
“Youarewellendowed,Honey,”Feliciaquipped.“Andnomanisevergoodenoughforamegalomaniac’sdaughter.”
“Well,youhavethemegalomaniacpartright.”Connorsaid,thenchangedthesubjecttokeepherfrom
goingballistictalkingaboutherfather.“IhearwehavesomeseriousissuessurroundingtheGlobalComplexofJerusalemagain.”
“TwelveHolyLandcities,actually.Religiousfactionsalwaysbelievetestscoresandmanagementdecisionsunfairlytargetthem.I’veadvisedyourfathertotransferMuslimand
JewishcitizensoutofthosecitiesandreplacethemwithHindus.Hehasn’tresponded.”
FeliciagrinnedasshepushedtheDownbutton.“LoveyandArthurwon’ttakecitizensfromalandGodgavetheminthefirstplace,andhewon’ttreatMuslimslikesecond-classpeonsbytransferringthem.Themanisn’tprejudiced.”
“Hewon’tconfrontal-Sistani,youmean.”Connor’scommentreceivednoreply.
Inseconds,thetransportopenedonthepublicfloor.Thetwelvesquare-milecomplexsprawledoutbeforethem.Broadavenuesledtoalltheconvenienceshumanityrequired.Connorcheckedherwatch,anautomaticchronographwithsomanyfeaturestheuserhad
toprogramtheirtwelvemostneededcontactsintoitandkeeptheonlinemanualontheircomputerforreferencetootheruses.Womenworethegarnet-inlaidsilverandmenworegold—onestylesufficedforall.
Connerpulledalowhangingappleoffatreenearthetransportationdistrict.“Obie’sharvestingfruitwhileI’mgone.Givestheman
somethingtofocuson.”“I’llbetyou’reproudof
him,Red.Ourcomplexisalmostself-sufficient.”FeliciaVanMeerflashedherbadgeandthedoorstotheSupersonicRailSystemopened.“Yourhusband’sdoingabang-upjob.Weonlyimportwheatandcorn.Tellhimhowvaluableheis.”
“He’sawinner.”Connorentered,turnedleft,
andswungintoherseat.Shefastenedthesafetyharnessandpressedanoverheadbutton.Withinseconds,acupofcoffeeappearedonthetraytableinfrontofher,steamingandreadytodrink.“HehatesitwhenIgoonamission.”
“He’shorny,”Feliciaquipped.
“Always,”Connorsaid.“Butheworriesaboutmysafety.”
“Heshouldn’tworry.”VanMeerturnedonhisoverheadlightandspreadoutamaponhistraytable.“You’reasdeadlyasyourmotherwasinhertime.AndIshouldknow.Itrainedyouboth.”
“Never,”Connorreplied.“Mymother’sthebest.Evendisabled,sheoutperformstherookies.”
“Yououtperform
everyone.”VanMeertracedtheirroutewithhisfinger.“Atninehundredkilometersanhour,we’llarriveatourdestinationintenhourstops.”
“Onboardingpersonnel,”Thesterilewordsechoedfromanoverheadaudiosystem.
ThroughtheSupersonic’sentry-doorsstruttedhermother’ssecurityteam,ShinMaoMingleading
thewayfollowedbySharescaBaidya,nicknamedCher,andKlausBruegman.TheThreeMusketeers,Connordubbedthem.She’dassignedthemtohermotherwhenshereplacedherasDirectorofSecurityforGlobalRealmtop-levelpersonnel,sincetheyhadprotectedPeacockforaquarterofacentury.ShereassignedLoomisandMagnusduetoagetoless
activepositions.Loomishadan
unhealthycrushonhermotherthateveryonebutherfatherclearlysaw.Yethewasloyalandhands-off.Unfortunately,hediedofnaturalcausesthreeyearsearlier.Hermotherwasvisiblyupset,butConnorneverbroachedthesubject.
ThePendletonsenteredwhenBruegmansignaled
themitwassafe.“Hello,Mum.”Connor
calledoutandwavedawelcominghand.
“Hi,Darling.Youlookwonderful.”
“Fastenyourselfintoyourseat,Mum.Thecoffeeissuperb.”
Hermotherscootedintothewindowseatontherightsideoftheaisle,andherfatherslidinnexttohiswife.
“Andahellotoyoutoo,Pumpkin,”hegrumped.
“Sorryaboutnotgreetingyou.ButMum’stheonewithmemoryproblems,andyou’renotapleasantfellowmostofthetime.”
“ChangeyourcareerpathtoGlobalAdministration,andI’llbejovialmoreoften.”
“Sorry.Noneofyouroffspringwanttoascendto
yourthrone.”“NextstoptheBering
Strait.”Asinglehornblastfollowed.
TheSupersonic’sdoorshut.Withoutasound,thehovertraindepartedthestationatthespeedlimitofonehundredkilometersanhourandescalatedasitflewthroughtheChanneltunnelandontomainlandEurope.Onceoutofthetunnel,the
Supersonicliftedtwometersoffthemagnetizedtrackandincreasedspeed.
“Shouldbeanuneventfultrip,Pumpkin,”Pendletonsaid.
“Ihopeso.”Shesmirked.“NothinginvolvingyouorMumisuneventful.”
#Lavernaopenedher
notebook.Findingherdaughter’spage,she
remindedherselfherdaughterwasn’tfourteenanymore.MarriedtoaNigerian?Shehadn’trememberedthat.Nochildren.DedicatedtohercareerasDirectorofSecurityfortheGlobalRealm’stop-levelpersonnel.Lavernawarmed.Herdaughterbestedher,evenwhenshewasPeacock,bothinIQtestingandfieldcourse.Hersonsexcelledinlessphysical
skills.Georgewasagoldlevelphysicisttrainedforspaceflight,andHarryexcelledinpaleoecologypresentlystudyingancientBiblicalarchivesandruinsfortheGlobalArchaeologyDepartment.
“Let’sprayforasafetrip,”Connorsaid,asthetrainracedacrosstheformerGermancountryside.
WhenConnorledthe
prayer,Lavernaabsorbedtheastoundingbeautyofthelandscape.Inthedistance,theBerlinComplexroseskyward,atoweringeighty-foottallfortresshousing200,000humanbeings.Thegleamofthebejeweledwallsglistenedinthesun.Totallyreconstructedfromtherecycledmaterialsofoldcitiesandsolid,mountainrock,Berlinhadcelebratedits
seventeenthyearsincecompletion.TheEuropeanIceAgetransformedthecomplexintoasnowcastlewiththeraysofthesunglisteningoffitsparapets.
Thesurroundingcoveredcountrysidethrivedwithwildlifeandnewlyplantedvegetation.Spruceandfirtreeshidthedensoffox,thehidingplacesofwildboar,andmanyvarietiesof
deer.Butfartherawaytotheeast,thelandgrewtreacherous.Littleinthewayoffoodcouldbefoundformanorbeast.
LavernaloweredherheadandpetitionedtheLordtohelpherhusbandreachbelieverswiththeangel’smessage.HowhardcoulditbecommunicatingwiththeChristiancommunity?DifficultifArthurdidn’t
believewhatshe’dtoldhimwasthetruth.
Amazed,yethonored,thatanangelofGodhadcommunicatedwithher—theworstofsinners,LavernadeterminedtohelpherhusbandreacheveryChristianwiththeangel’smessage.She’dpersonallymetPopePetertheII.He’dbeherfirstcallwhenthistripwasover.
Chapter4AfigureinwhiteArctic
clothingtrudgedupagradualslopetoahedgeofsnow-coveredconifersoverlookingthesteppesofCentralRussia.ASupersonicpassedthislocationfortykilometerssouthofNorilskeveryeighthours.
Underinstructionsfrom
Ammadal-Sistani,hemuststopthenextvehicleregardlessofthecost.ThesameAmmadwhofulfilledIslamicprophecywhenheinterruptedhisfather’sfuneralinthemountains.AmmadwiththeSufiImam,AtashAkbari,athissidesteppedintothemidstofthemourners.
“Moveasideallwhowouldspeak.”Ammadhad
changedfromtheboyofdaysbefore.“OnlytheChosenOneshallpresideatGrandayatollahal-Sistani’sfuneral.”
AllpresentfeltAmmad’spower.Allpresentunderstoodthatevenindefeatcamethebrightestlight—agiftofAllah—thehopeofIslam.
ThemanontheplainsonRussiapossessedno
weaponcapableofpenetratingtheforce-fieldsurroundingthegiganticmonsterspeedingtowardhim.HeonlyhadanelectronicdevicesmuggledoutoftheShevchenkoComplexandahundredwarriorshiddenamongthetrees.Twosmallboxesthatlookedliketransmittershadbeenplantedtwenty-threemetersawayoneachsideof
theSupersonic’spath.Thetechnologyescapedhisunderstanding.Butoncetheforce-fieldshutoff,hispeoplecouldboardthetransport.Theyhadmanycapableweaponstohelpthemdestroytheirtargets.
Oncehesawthemonsterapproach,he’dhavenochanceofstoppingit.Hehadtoanticipateitsarrivalbasedontheaccuratetiming
ofpastruns.AGlobaltimepiece,alsosmuggledoutofShevchenkoComplex,keptprecisetime—allthetime.Oneminutetoarrival,heandhiswarriorsbentinprayer.AllahAkbar.Thenhepressedtheswitch.
#Connoranalyzedthe
computerreadingsfromhersatellitefeed.Sheglancedoverathermotherwhoslept
soundlyinherseat.Laverna’sfaceheldthemarksofmanybattles,yetherbeautyclearlyradiatedthrough,aqualityofinnocencethatcausedwonderfulmemoriesofConnor’schildhoodtogrowwithinher.Hermumalwaystoldherthetruth.Sheunderstoodthepressureofbeingagirlinamale-dominatedhome.Whileherdadseemedpreoccupied,her
mumlistenedandshowedhershewasloved.
Connor’seyecaughtalaser-likeflashonthesatellitescreen.Sheunhookedherseatbelt,signaledCherandBruegmantojoinherinthebackcompartment.“Idon’tlikethisreading.”
Chernodded.“Something’sinterferingwiththemagneticsatcheckpointNorilsk8.HaveMilitary
Commandmagnifythearea.”Connorcalledinthe
orderandreportedtheflash.Thesatellitezoomeddowntoaground-levelview.Inaninstant,theformsofwarriorsappearedamongthetrees.
“Cameljockeyswithpeashooters.Notacredibleforce,”Bruegmanjested.
“Formidableifwe’restopped,”Connorsnapped.“Whatcausedtheflash?”
Ajoltthrewheragainstthesideofthecar,astheSupersonicwobblederratically.“Whatthehell’sgoingon?”
“Magneticstabilizermalfunction,”thecontrolroomresponded.“I’venochoicebuttostopforrepairs.”
“Keepgoingasfarasyoucan.”
“Thatwouldbeless
thanaminutetraveltime.”Hecutaway.
“IwantdronesnowatNorilsk8.”
“Rogerthat,”answeredavoicefromSupremeMilitaryCommand.“Tenminutestops.”
Thatmightbetoolate.Connorscreamed.“Callinthedrones.Now!”
Hercargo,morepreciousthanherlife,
dependedonhermakingtherightcalls.TheSupersonic’sbrakeshadbeenapplied,andthevehicleslowedtoacrawl,stabilizingasthespeeddecreased.
“Attention,”Connorcalledoverthemaincabinspeakerphone.“Thisisnotadrill.Armyourselves.Setyourweaponstokillmodeandassumebattlepositions.Repeat.Thisisnotadrill.”
Hermotherwasupandintotheaislecheckingeveryone’spositionandweapon.Amazingwoman,Connorthought,alwaysinattackmode.
Thelatestlasertechnologyhadthreesettings,anervesetting,firingextremelethalchargesthatdestroythespinalnerves,ablindsetting,andasettingforintolerablesoundwaves.Connorheldthe
latestmodel,whichhadanelectricalpulsesettingtoincapacitateorkillthestrongestopponent.“Highestnervesetting.”
“Prepareforaroughstop,”avoicefromthecontrolroomshouted.
ConnorranfromthebackcompartmentandstrappedherfatherintohisprotectionshielddevelopedfortheFirstCitizenonly.He
smiledatherassheclosedthedoors.Theman’sunshakable.
TheSupersonicglidedtothegroundafterlosingthespeednecessarytomaintainitsaltitudeovertheguidepath.Connortookherpositionagainsttherightsidewallandstrappedin.Asthelockclicked,snowflewacrossthewindows,andtheSupersonicslammedtoastop
sendinganythingnotcontainedthroughthecabintowardthefrontofthetransport.
Connorreactedtotheflashingsensors.“TheSupersonic’scontrolroomdoorshavebeenbreached.Shin,Klaus,staywithmyfather.Therestfollowme.”
Asshemovedforward,thegroundshuddered.
Thedroneshave
arrived.“What’sthestatus?”she
whisperedintoherheadset,asexplosionsrattledtheground.
“Nooneoutsideisalive.”ThevoicewasCher’s,controlledbutalarmed.“Inside,however,youhaveguests,maybethirty.”
“Holdyourattack.Waitforwordfromme.”
“Rogerthat.”Anexplosioninsidethe
transportknockedherandhercompanionsofftheirfeet.Anotheralarmsounded.Theenemyhadbreachedthedoorfromthecontrolroomtotheengineer’sroom.“Cher,sealofftheforwardcompartments.”
Cherhitthewallswitchclosingthesecondsetofsteeldoors.Anotherblastoccurredbutnobreachthistime.Cher’sactionsavedthem
momentarily.Connorassessedthesituationashermother,nowinPeacockmode,reachedherside.
“Whereareourfriendlies?”Peacockasked.
“YouandCherarehere.KlausandShinarewiththeFirstCitizen.Ifearanyoneinbetweentheengineer’sroomandthefrontcompartmentisdead.”
“VanMeerandFelicia
arebackwithArthuraswell,”Peacocksaid,asanotherblastsetoffthealarmagainindicatingtheenemyonlyhadonedoortobreachtoengagethem.“Yourfatherisintheshield.Weneedallhandsavailable.”
“Hans,”Connorwhisperedintohercell.“Sendmyboystome.YouandFeliciausetheemergencyexitandsurprisethemattheir
rear.”“It’sbloodycold
outside,Bustygirl.I’mnotaspringchicken.”
“Coldornot,doit!”“Yesyourladyship.I
willyourladyship.Rightaway.”
Hischuckleseemedoutofplacewithhermood.Feliciasaid.“Connor’sright.Let’smove.”
“Ohbloodyhell.All
right.”Connorswitchedher
communicationstoMilitaryCommand.“Ihavetwooperativesheadingoutside.Leavethembe.Fireatthefrontcompartmentnow,thendiverttoarearecon.”
Beforeshereceivedananswer,anexplosionoutsidetheSupersonicthrewmetalagainstitssides.Apartialdronewingrippedagashin
theceiling.Afinalexplosionblewoutthedoorbetweenherandherenemies.KlausandShinappearedatthedoorwaybehindher,asdebrisflew.
Peacockmetthefirstmanthroughthedoorwithachoptotheneck,snappinghiswindpipe.
AsConnorrushedtohelphermother,avoiceyelled,“Grabthewitch.I’ll
holdofftheothers.”Fatchanceofthat,
Connorthought,asPeacockdashedforwardoutofhersight.Forseveralminutes,herstruggleforsurvivalkeptherfromtrackingPeacock’smovements.CherandKlauswereoccupiedwithcombat.Theycouldn’tgoafterPeacockeither.
Landingakillingblowtothenoseofanattacker,she
lookeduptoseetheircabinfreeofenemycombatantsandstumbledforward.Shin’shandgrabbedhershoulder.“Commander,regroupbeforeracingtoyourdeath.”
#VanMeerexitedthe
backwithFeliciaastepbehind.Notasspryasheusedtobe,heexercisedcautioninhisapproach.Leaningaroundthe
Supersonic,hesawseveralbodypartsstrewnaboutinthesnow.Theresultofthedrone,heimagined.BeforeheandFeliciacouldmoveintothefield,aflashoflightandsoundblastedtheareaandanotherdronecrashedintothefieldandcollidedwiththefrontoftheSupersonic.Feliciapulledhimbackbehindthetrainaspiecesofmetalblewpastthem.
“Whatthehellisthat?”VanMeerwhispered.“Ablastoflightandsoundthatbringsdownahigh-techdrone?”
“It’snotours,”shesaid.Hepeeredbackaround
toseeeverythingonthatsideofthetrainblackenedandsmoldering.“Comeon.We’vestillgotajobtodo.”
ThetwoheadeddownthesideoftheSupersonic
towardthefrontwherethebreachoccurred,whenaflashoflightcausedthemtodroptotheground.Anotherdronewobbledandcrashtoearthaquarterofamileaway.Hansraisedhishead.Menonjetskis,wearingwhiteliketheothergroup,flewintoviewoutofnowhere.Feliciaroseupfiringherweaponandwashitwithmultipleroundsofreturnfire.
VanMeergrabbedherandkeptlowastheenemyenteredthroughthebreachinthesupersonicandthrewthebodiesofthefirstattackgroupoutoftheirwayastheywent.
Arivalgroup.No.Thefirstgroupisexpendable.
Chapter5Mistake.I’vegonetoo
far.Havingdispatchedthree
menduringherchargeforward,Peacockfacedtwomoreattackers.Amandressedinawhiteparkastoodbehindthem.Sheflungherself,armswideandheadforward,betweenthefirst
two,droppingthembackwardstothefloor.Alightflashedasshestabbedthemantoherleftinthethroat.Heatshotthroughher.Shecouldn’treachthemanonherright.
Stillwide-awake,shecouldn’tmove—notafinger.Herbreathingcameinstrugglinggasps.Themanintheparkagrabbedherbythefeetanddraggedherout
throughthegapingholeintheSupersonic’sCommandCenterwall,asanewgroupracedinandkilledthoseleftfromthefirstwaveofcombatants.
“Sorry,”themaninwhitesaid.“There’snotenoughroomtotakeyouback.Betterdeadthancaptured.AllahAkbar.”
Flashesoflightshotaroundher.Shehearda
numberofthuds.Asshewasbeingloadedontoavehicle,avoiceinherheadwhispered.“Fearnot.Iwillneverleaveyouorforsakeyou.”
Sevenoftheenemystillbreathedoutofthetwoattackgroups.Themaninthewhiteparkalookeddownandspitinherface.Theothersixfollowedsuit.Hebentcloseandwhispered.“Youwill
regretthedayyoumurderedtheAyatollahal-Sistani.Peacebetohissoul.”
#“Dronedown!”Connor
yelled.TheGlobalCenter
Commanderrespondedtohiscrew.“Geteyesonthem.Now!”
“Reconsatellite’sresponding,”sheheardavoiceanswer.“Waita
moment.TheareaaroundSupersonic’slocationhasaLevel9glare.Ican’tmakeoutfeaturesonthegroundoversix-squaremiles.”
“Shit!Howfarawayistheemergencyrescueteam?”Connorasked.
“Tenminutes.”“Doyouknowwhathit
thedrone?”“Instrumentssaya
shockwave.”
There’smorethantreacheryatworkhere.
“Wecan’tdependonhelp,”Connorwhisperedasshemovedherteamforwardcompartmentbycompartment.Bodiesfrombothsideswerestrewnthroughoutthetrain,overtwentybodiesinall.Peacock’sworkcouldbeclearlyseenbythemannerofeachenemy’sdeath.The
Supersonic’sfive-personcrewhadputupavaliantfight,dyingwithhonorinthedefenseofworldfreedom.
Nosignofhermothersofar.Shepushedasidethemangledmaterialthatmadeupthecommandcenterandexitedthroughtheholeintheside.Shecoveredhereyes.Alightfromsomedistanceawayblindedher.
“Pullonyourface
shields,”shescreamed.Cherreachedherfirst,
shieldonandabled.“I’veseenthistechnologybefore.Outsidersdidn’tdothis.WehavetraitorswithintheRealm.”
“Findmymother!”Aweakvoiceanswered.
“She’sgone.Threementookher.”
Connor’sheadwhippedleft.Evenimpaired,she
recognizedthemanspeaking.LeaningagainstapartfromtheDrone,HansVanMeercradledthelifelessbodyofhiswifeFeliciainhisarms.Herupperbodywasn’trecognizable.
Theenemyhasthesetypesofweapons?
Cherwasright—traitorsindeed.
“Hans,I’m...”“Shediedinstantly.”He
wipedatthebloodgushingfromhiswife’sneckunabletocontroltheflood.“OnlyoneoftheoriginalattackerstookPeacock.Otherscameinridingonjetskis.Theykilledsixoftheirownpeople,shotFelicia,andstunnedme,astheseconddroneexploded.Icouldn’tmove,butIsawthementerandcomeoutwithyourmother.”
“Wassheharmed?”
“Shewasstunned,”VanMeersaid,astheglareintheskyvanished.“`I’dsayshe’sinnoworseshapethanIam.”
KlausBruegmanfollowedtheskitracksuntilhewasadotinthedistance.Whenhereturned,hesaid.“She’sgone.Theglaredissipated,andIrealizedtheskitracksendedaboutthirtyyardsfrommyposition.Ibelieveachopperpicked
themup.”Connorslumped.
“ReleasetheFirstCitizenfromhisprotectivevault.Weneedtoregroup.”
“ApairofSupersonicsisaminuteaway,”GlobalCommandsaid.“I’veconversedwiththeFirstCitizen.He’sdecidedtocontinueontothebridgededication.”
“Understood.”
Gloomsurroundedher.Whatwouldhermotherwanthertodo?Followorders—theonlylogicalresponse.ThepopulacemustnotknowofLavernaSmythe-Pendleton’sabduction.Connor’scharge—protectherfather.Hermother’sfatelaywithGlobalCommandforces,atleastfornow.
Bruegmanapproachedher.Hisjawset,stone-faced,
hebrushedsnowmixedwithfrozenbloodoffhisuniform.PuttinghisarmsaroundConnor,hewhispered.“Focusonyourfatherandyourduty,aswillI.KnowI’mhurtingasyouare,butbestrongandofgoodcourage,astheBiblesaysintheBookofJoshua.”
AwhooshannouncedthearrivalofadifferentSupersonic.Forafew
seconds,Connorembracedhermother’sclosefriend,allowingherselfamomentofvulnerability.
“Ourtransportationhasarrived,”shesaid.“Oncethistripends,IwanteveryresourceoftheRealmconcentratedontheinsurgentsandonmymother’srescue.”
#Pendletonwipedaway
histears,auselessact.Lipsquiveringwithrage,heshoutedordersintohiscell.Threedronesflewoverhead.OverahundredGlobalRealmwarriorsarrivedbyhelicopterandspreadouthuntingthroughthearealookingforsignsleadingtoPeacock’slocation.
“Whereinthehellwereyouwhenwewereattacked?”hescreamedintohiscell.
“Sir,”afatiguedvoiceanswered.“Weweresurprised.Weactedasquicklyaswecould.”
Pendletonthrewhiscell,bouncingitoffapieceofthedronewreckage.“Dammitalltohell!Nothingbreaksinthisdamnednewworld.”
“Getonthetransport,Father.”Connorranthroughthesnowandshovedhimforward.“You’restillatarget
here.”“I’mpersonallyleading
thesearchforyourmother.”“Hardly!”Fireeruptedinsidehim.
“ThebloodyhellI’mnot.”“I’llkeepyou
informed.”Connorreddened.“I’llfindthevillainsbehindthistreason,andyou’llpunishthem.”
Pendletonsighed,dippedhisheaddown,and
enteredthesecondSupersonic.Hedidn’trespondtoConnor.Whatwasthepoint?Heknewshewasright.Nowordswerenecessary.Sheknewshewasrightaswell.Hewatchedashisdaughterdisappearedintotheforwardcompartmenthercelltoherear.
Justlikehermother.VanMeerswunginto
theseatnexttoArthurand
graspedhishand.Pendletonreturnedthesqueeze.
“Felicia?”heasked.Hansshookhishead.
“Betterwedon’ttalkaboutthisrightnow.”
“Yes.Allright.”WhyGod?Pendleton
thought.LoveyisYourchild.She’sabetterChristianthanI’lleverbe.Hasn’tsheenduredenough?Thesilenceirritatedhim.Hehadtothink
onotherthings.FightingwithGodwasn’tawinnablewar.LeavehertoJesusandpray.Heshivered.Wasthetimeoftheendhere?Theworldhadbeenradicallytransformedinthepasttwenty-fiveyearsbyhim,withoutanycommunicationorcounselfromtheAlmighty.IndividualhumanbeingsinsidetheGlobalRealmhadtheirneedsmet.Whyshould
thereberebellion?Maybepeaceonlyexistedasadream.
Witheighthourslefttotravel,hethrewawaythethoughtsoftherebellionandconcentratedonmemoriesofLovey.VisionsofherteachingConnortheartofself-defensewarmedhim.Whileheforgedaunifiedworld,Loveyraisedthreechildrenandstillmanagedto
defendtheGlobalHighCommandbyattractingthebrightestandthebestintoGlobalSecurity.
SheprayeddailytoGod.Sheencouragedhimasaloverandneverrefusedhim.Thenthecancerstruckherdown,butshefoughtwithafurytobeatthedamnthing.Loveyenergizedanddominatedeveryventuresheundertook.GeorgeandHarry
tooktheireducationalpathsindirectionsdisqualifyingthemfromsucceedinghim.Hehadobjected,butLoveydefendedthem.IfaPendletonwastobecomeFirstCitizenafterhim,Connorhadthebestchance.Butshewasn’treadyyet.
Thethoughtoflosinghispartnerinlifeterrifiedhim.Shedirectedhiseverystepuntilthecancer.How
muchmorecouldsheendure?#
Thousandsofcitizens,mostlythebuildersofthismonumenttoGloballogistics,applaudedasFirstCitizenArthurPendletonsteppedupontotheplatformattheNorthAmericanendoftheThirdBeringStraitsBridge.Connorjoinedhimonhisright,andVanMeertookhispositionontheleft.
GlobalSecuritypersonnelcollectedvideosofthecrowd’sreaction,scouringfacesforsuspiciousmovementsorreactionstoLavernaPendleton’sabsence.
“Whatagloriousday.”Pendletongrinned,hidinghispainthebesthecould.“Whatamonumentalachievement.Today,bycompletingthisbridge,we’vefreedtheseasfromhumanpollutionand
fossilfuelwastefromoceanfreighttransports.”
Somecitizenschanted,“WeloveArthur.”ManycarriedGlobalRealmflagsoftheirownmaking.Allworethecolorsoftheirprovince,industry,andrank.Theatmosphereofloyaltyanddedicationelatedhim.
“Iappreciateyourfeelings.But,eachofyousharesinthis
accomplishment.Enjoyyourachievement.”
Withthat,hegrabbedachampagnebottle,struttedofftheplatform,andannounced.“Ichristenthisbridge,TheGloryoftheRealm.”
Pendletonswungthebottle,shatteringitagainstacornerstonebeam,foamspewingseveralfeetintheairasthecrowdroared.Heheadedbacktothe
Supersonic,adeepdreadencompassedhim.Allthiswayforaswingofabottle,hethought.MyLovey’sgone.Whathappensnow?
Hestrappedhimselfintohisseat,andVanMeerhookedinbesidehim.“TzuChuiisholdingforyou.”
“TzuChui?IhopethecurfewproblemwiththeMuslimsinhisregionhasn’tescalated.”Pendletongrabbed
hiscell.“RegionalGovernorChui,towhatdoIowethispleasure?”
“Iknowwhathappened.”
Pendletonsuckedinair.“How?”
“Yourson,George,spottedabarrageoflightflashesovertheareanearNorilskjustbeforedepartingSpaceinGlobalOrbiter5.”Chuipaused.
“Yes.Goon.”Pendletonheldhisbreath.
“FirstCitizen,thebeamcamefromasatellitelaunchedfromtheBasraComplexlastyear.Thisissupposedtobeaglobalweatherorbiter,notalightorlaserweapon.Isuspecttreachery.IsuspectAmmadal-Sistaniisbehindyourwife’sabduction.”
Pendletonmulled
Chui’scommentover.“Howdidyouknowmywifewastaken?”
“TheSpaceExplorationtrainingfacilityattheBeijingComplexputeyesonthegroundatyourlocation.Usingsunrayfiltrationtechnology,theywereabletoviewthekidnappingandflight.Unfortunately,Mrs.Pendletonandherabductorswentundergroundfifty
kilometerssouthofthecrashsite,andwelosttrackofthem.”
“Underground?”“Yes.Ibelievetheyhad
atunnelconcealedforsuchapurpose,andtheyemergedelsewhereoutofourrange.”
TherealizationoftheenormousscopeofthedangerconfrontingtheRealmshockedPendleton.Howcouldhehavesuchawide
spreadinsurrectiongoingonandnotknow?AndhowdidChui’speoplethinktousesunrayfiltertechnologyandnotGlobalCommand?“Isthereanythingelse?”
ThelongbreathlesssilencesickenedPendleton.Finally,Chuiwhispered,“ThesignalactivatingthesatellitecamefromtheGroznyComplex.FirstCitizen,thesatellitecame
fromBasraandthesignalfromGrozny—majorMuslimstrongholds.SeizeAmmadnow,beforeyoulosepowerandtheRealmfallstoradicals.”
“Let’sbefrank.YouarefiveyearsyoungerthanIam.YouwishtobeFirstCitizen.Isthiscloudingyourjudgment?”
“No.”Chui’svoiceshowednosignofdeception.
“WhenIbecomeFirstCitizen,Iwillhaveearnedtheright.IfAmmadoranyoneelsechallengesme.Iwilleliminatehim.Butwhileyouholdtheoffice,Iamatyourservice,andIamloyal.”
“Givemeeighthourstoseekothercounselaswell.ThenIwillcallameeting,andyou’llbepresent.”Pendletonclearedhisthroat.“Chui,thankyou.Irelyon
yourtalentandyourloyalty.”“Youaremost
welcome,FirstCitizen.Inthemeantime,IwillsharemyinformationwiththeGlobalRealmscientists.Wewillattempttolocateyourwife.”
Chapter6Peacockpickedup
voices.Shefocusedonhersurroundings.Theterroristsboardedatwenty-yearoldtroophelicopter.Theythrewherontothefloorandshackledher.Theyflewawayinlessthanfiveminutesfromherinitialcapture.
Themanwiththewhite
parkaspoketothehelicopterpilotinFarsi,butsheunderstood.”Headsouthwesttothecoalmine.”
Theyflewforwhatseemedlikeaneternity.Shecouldn’tjudgetime.Shecouldn’tclearherhead.Continuouspainshotthroughherbody.Akicktotheheadremindedherhowhatedshewas.Spitcoveredherface.Herrestraintsfailedtohold
hersecure.Everydiporairpocketthrewherfromsidetoside.Abackpackfelloutofitscompartmentandhitherknee.Whenshecouldfinallymove,she’drefusetoshowanysignofpain.
Abumpylandingjarredher,andtheyunlatchedherrestraints.Theirleadershouted.“Smackheruntilshecanmoveonherown.”
Hardopenhandstothe
facebroughtmovementtohermuscles.Shegotupandtookastep,thentheydraggedher—half-runninghalfbeing-pulledalong.Downatunnelintoaminetheywent.Closetotheentrancetheycametoatrackwithaminetrolleyonit.Thementookturnsprovidingthepowerpushingthemechanicalseesawupanddown.
Theytraveled
undergrounduntilmostofthemlookedexhausted.Thenthetrolleyburstintotheopenandheadeddownalongslopinghillsideuntilitcametorestinavalleyseveralmilesfromtheentrance.There,anoldmilitarytruckwaitedforthem.
“You’vestartedalongjourney,Devil-woman.”TheleaderspoketoherinEnglish.“Prayyousurvive
it.”Shesmiled.Fortheman
wouldneverbelieveherifshetoldhim.Behindhimandtohisleft,herangelstoodtoweringoverhim.
#Ammadal-Sistani
flickedapieceoflintoffhisroyalrobes.RecliningatAmmad’srighthand,hisspiritualadvisorandclosestfriend,AtashAkbari.They
listenedastheotherfiveattablebroughtAmmadthenewsfromtheMuslimComplexes.
“Thegenesisofourplanwentwell.”Atallman,hisbeardfullandhiseyesdark,readfromascrollattachedaroundhisbelt.“TheredheadeddeviliswiththeBlackForce2interrogationteamaswespeak.”
“TheteamunderstandsI
donotwantherkilled.”Ammadsuckedonafig.“Iwantherbroughttotheedgeofdeath,likeananimalbrokenontherocks.Squirminginpain.Gaspingtobreathe.Wishingdeathwouldcome.ButaliveuntilIendhersuffering.”
“Pendletonknowsofyourtreachery.”Themandippedhishandsintoawaterdishandwipedthemona
towel.“Hewillattackyou.”“Pendletonknowsonly
afractionofourplans.”Akbariclaspedtheman’shands.“OurLivingHopehasorderedanotherattack.”
“AllahAkbar,”Ammad’sinnercircleresponded.
Sevenveiledbeautiesenteredthedininghallfromthekitchenareaas“AlfLayla”playedoverthesound
system.“Whatwasforbiddenisforbiddennomore.”
Ammad’shandsspreadwide.“JannahcomestoEarthwithGod’sblessing,athousandyoungflowerstograceyourharems.”
Nudetothewaist,thelowerpartoftheirbodiescoveredwiththinbeadedstrandsofcordhookedtoawaistbelt,theladiesdancedfortheirmasterswith
abandon.“Pickanyyouwish,”
Ammadsaid.“Butdonotbeheadtheminthemorning.”
Laughterbrokeout.Akbariraisedhishand.“Amuseyourselves.Butremember,GodlovesthesecreaturesasHedoesyou.InJannah,whichyoumaynowexperiencehere,continualpleasuresaboundforall.Noticethezestwithwhich
thesemorselsperform.Maytheyliveforever.”
Hisspiritualministerfollowedhispathwell.ThehonestyfedAmmad’splans.Ammadrose,whiskedadark-eyedPersiangirlintohisarms,andcalledoutashelefttheroom,“Ordertheattackstocommenceperplan.”
#“George,Ineedmybig
brother,”Connorpleaded,as
GeorgePendletonansweredhiscell.
“I’minfinaldebrief,Sis.And,yesIknowaboutMum.”
“IsuspectAmmadal-Sistani.”ConnorracedupthestepsoftheLondonComplexGlobalSecurityCenter,abriskwindswirlingaroundher.“TzuChuiagrees.Dad’smullingoverhisnextstepsbehindcloseddoors.”
“IagreewithChui.Idon’ttrusttheAsianleader.Butinthiscase,he’scorrect.”Hisvoiceturnedtoawhisper.“Trustonlyloyalcomrades—VanMeer,Duarte,Ziebach,andProfessorCline.”
“What?Notmyownsecurityteam?”
“Duh.”George’stoneirritatedher.“TheycanhelprescueMum.Theycan’thelpfindher.Theotherscan.”
Evenwhilebeingatease,bigbrothermadesense.Healwaysdid.HarrywasoutoftouchonadigneartheKampalaComplex.Hisknowledgeofterraincouldbeofhelp.“CanyoureachHarry?”
“I’lltry.Heusuallyreturnsmytexts.”
“Good.Hemaybeabletonarrowthesearchwithhisknowledgeofterrain,timing,
anddistance.”AsighfromGeorge
causedhertopurseherlips.“What?”
“YourlackofunderstandingofHarry’scareerpathcausesyoutounderestimatehistalent.Hisknowledgeofterrain,timing,anddistanceexceedsevenmybrilliantmind.Buthisusefulnessisfargreater.Ourbrothersurpassesevenyour
husbandinhisabilitytocommunicatewithlivingthings.We’llneedhim.”
Afterapause,Georgesaid.“Ofcourse,I’llbeyourstrongestasset.”
“Dammit.Quittheegotrip.Justhavehimcallmewhenyoureachhim.”
“WilldoBustyRusty.”“God,you’resocrude.”
Shecutoffthecall.Brothers.#
Peacock’seyesstareddownatthecementfloor.Sherelaxedherjawasherbodywentlimp.Asmashingblowfromamassivefistshotbloodandseveralofherteethintotheair.Thefirstthreeblowshadloosenedthem.Thisonefinishedthejob.Visionsofcloudsandthesoundofsongbirdsfilledhermind,asavoicefromsomeoneunseensang“TheLord’sPrayer.”
“You’llbetoothlesswhenI’mdonewithyou.Thenwe’llhaveanicechat.”Loomingoverher,asix-foottall,hairyfiguregrinned.“Myordersaretokeepyoualive.Outsideofthat,Ihavenoorders.”
Heflippedoffthelightsandslammedthesteeldooronhiswayout.
Shecoughedupbloodandslidsideways,dumping
thechairtoherleftandlandingfacedownonthecement.Sometimepassed.Whensheopenedhereyes,darknesssurroundedher.Herwristsweretiedbehindherback.Heranklesboundtogetherandthentothechair.Theironshackleshadcutherskininseveralplaces.
I’mnotgettingoutofherealive,shethought.Thevoicethathadbeensinging
whispered,“Yes,youare.Youhaveonemoredutytoperform.”
“Idon’tminddying.”Shetriedtochangepositions—auselessthingtodo.Shedoubtedthevoicewouldspeaktoheragain.Afterall,shewasinsane.Sherememberedleapingfeetfirstatanattacker,whocollapsedbeforeshereachedhim.Hisheadblownaway.Asecond
groupofinsurgentsarrived,killingthoseremainingfromthefirstgroup.She’dthrowntwoofthenewassailantstotheground,whensomethingflashedandnumbedher.Shecouldn’tmoveuntilshewasdraggedintothemine.
Wherewasshenow?Inacell.Acell—morelikeatorturechamber.Sheguessedtheareatobe8by8feet.Onelonelampdangledabovethe
centerofthespace.Thewallsandthefloorwerecement.Tomblike?Yes.HerenemiescouldencaseherandleaveherforGodtofreeher,ifHewished.Onthewallswerechains,whips,andonelarge,greencircularsymbolwithShiawritingonit.Peacockknewthename—Muhammad,theChosen.
That’swhenshesawthewriting.Onthewallnext
tothegreensymbol.Standing,liketheAlif.Kneeling,liketheDai.Prostrating,liketheMim.Sufi?Godhelpme.
“Godishelpingyou,”theangelsaid.
Thesteeldooropened.Fivemenentered.Alllookedasviciousasthefirstman.Buthewasnotamongthem.Twoofthemsetherupright.Theirleaderasked.“Doyou
knowwhereyouare?”Shouldsheremain
silentorengageinmindgames?Shedecidedonthelatter.“MyguesswouldbetheGroznyComplex.ButIdon’tknowhowlongI’vebeenimmobile.”
“You’rewrong.”Heliftedherheadtomeethiseyes.“Butyou’reontherighttrack.You’reninetykilometerseastoftheoldcity
ofPerm.Nocomplexesnearhere.TheGroznyComplexisinvolved.Theycooperatedinorchestratingyourcapture.”
“IsAmmadcomingtopaymeavisit?”
Inasurprisingsofttone,heanswered,“Notyet.Hesendsyouamessage.‘Telltheredheadedbitchshewilldiebymyhandwhenthisisthrough.’”
Peacockjerked.
Surprisedthatshe’dnamedAmmad.Yes.She’dsuspectedhimofhavingambition.Buttoberightonherfirstguess?
Remember.You’renotalone.
She’dgowiththevoiceinherheadandseewhereitledher.Thepainfromherbeatingdidn’tbotherher.Tooseveretoregisterinmymind,shethought.“Whatdoyou
wantwithmeotherthantokillmeforGrandayatollahal-Sistani’sdeath?Eyeforaneye,sotospeak.There’snotmuchmoreyoucandotome.”
Hetossedaharshlaughatherfollowedbyanorder.“Hoistherup.”
Theothermenunfastenedherwristrestraints,attachedtheendstothewallhooks,andpulledher
towhereherfeetbarelytouchedtheground.Hercalfmusclesimmediatelycramped.Sheborethepainandattemptedtokeepfromscreaming.
Iguessedwrong.“Yourhusband,your
daughter,yourwholefamilysearchesforyou.Theiranguishgivesusagreatreasontokeepyoualive.Informationisanother.You
possessknowledgeweneedtoknow.Also,youwillproclaimAllahonewayoranotherbeforeyoudie.”
“Never.I’maloyalfollowerofJesus.I’msorryforyou.YouareforcingtheworldintoamoderndayCrusade.”
Heyankedonthesupportingchain.Shewincedatthesuddenpain.“ThinkaboutwhatIsaid,asyou
hangthere.Constantpainuntildeath.”
HermindclearlyrememberedhertraininginHercules—thewaterboardingandothertortures.Herspiritcouldendure.Herbodycouldn’t.Evenasthepainincreased,thevoicecomfortedher.Thenthepainvanished.
Enduretotheend.Yourrewardwillbegreat.
Chapter7ConnorAnnUba
strainedtofollowthetechnicalchartsrevealedbya360-degreeprismmonitor.SheclenchedherfistsatthescopeofthetreasonatworkagainsttheGlobalRealm.ThaddeusCline,DirectorofGlobalScience,EduardoDuarte,ArthurPendleton’s
personalChiefofStaff,andDoctorPederson,hermother’sformerpersonalphysician,arrivedfirst.RetiredagentMichaelZiebach,nicknamedPolaris,andFarEastRegionalGovernorTzuChuicameinafewminutesafterthem.FromtheirpositionsattheroundmahoganytableinLondon,theyscannedtheoverheadcomputerdisplays.
ControllingthefeedfromtheBeijingComplex,herolderbrother,George,providedinformationcollectedfromsatelliteandspacestationsources.“IreachedHarry.Hesaidifwecanobtainanybiologicalmaterial,plantscraps,pollen,dustfromtheinsideofshoes,wemightbeabletoassociatethemtoaspecificterrainandcloseinonwherethey’re
hidingher.”ThaddeusClinetapped
hispencilandarchedhisback.“Ourscienceteamisscrutinizingeverybitofevidence.We’vealreadyfoundinformationgivingussomeclues.TheoriginalattackerscamefromnearNorilsk,aharsh,coldclimatewithonlyarcticvegetation.”
Clinewiggledandrubbedhisleg.
“Damneduncomfortablechairs.”Hegrumped.“However,wefoundatunnelaboutsixtykilometerssouthoftheSupersonic’scrashsite.NearwhereChui’speoplesaiditwouldbe.Therewefoundclogsofgoodmaterialfromamuchmoisterclimate,andsomethingelse.”Hepausedamoment.“Clonorchiasis!”
“Rawfishparasite,”
Chuiproclaimed.“Indeed,”Cline
responded.“SinceIhighlydoubttheycouldhavetransportedhertoThailand,Ibelieveshe’ssomewhereneartheKamaRiverclosetotheUrals.Thepoorpopulationinthatareausedtobe80percentinfestedwiththesebuggers.”
“Whatcomplexeswouldbeclose?”Connor
asked.“None,”Clinereplied.“TheoldGovernanceof
PermwaslocatedonthebanksoftheKama,”Georgesaid.“Withyourpermission,I’llreportthesefactstoGlobalSecurity.They’llattempttolocateandadviseonarescuemission.”
Connorwonderedatthebrillianceofbothherbrothers.Herintelligence
quotientsurpassedthemboth,butnotintheareaofretainingfacts.Implementationwasherspecialty.ShepulledouthercellandcalledVanMeer.“Hans,how’sDaddoing?”
“Neitherofusisdoingwell,norwillweforalongtime.He’sorderedyourteamtosearchforAmmad.”
Sheclutchedthearmofherchair.Bitingdownonher
lowerlip,shesaid.“AlltheevidencepointstoAmmad.Butwehavenoproof.”
“He’scutoffcontact.That’sevidenceenough.”Chuiroseandpacedtheroom.“MysourcestellmeseveralcomplexeshavehaltedcommunicationswithGlobalCentralCommand.Theyareoperatingunderanindependentcommunicationsnetwork.”
“We’velosttouchwithone-hundredfifteenGlobalcomplexes,”VanMeercontinuedechoingChui’sconcern.“Ammadsentamessagetoyourfather.HerequestsameetingataneutralsitetonegotiateaseparateMuslimRealmindependentfromtheGlobalRealm.”
“Whatdidmyfathersay?”
“Hehasn’tresponded.I’veneverseenhimlikethis.AllhecanthinkaboutisLaverna.Hecan’tmakeabloodydecisiononanythingelse.”VanMeersighed.“I’msecond-in-command.Butinmystateofmind,I’mdelegatingthatresponsibilitytoyou,Connor,untilwemeetwithourfamilyteam.”
“Givemeafewhours.I’llcometoyou.”She
disconnectedthecall.“Gentlemen.UntilIspeaktomyfather,I’missuingyoutheseinstructions.ProfessorCline,upgradethespace-basedmissilesystemsstatustoCodeRed.Reportanyproblemswiththepower-uptome.TargettherebelComplexes,andwaitforfurtherinstructions.Mr.Duarte,gatheralltheinformationcollectedsofar
byGlobalIntelligence.BothofyoumeetmeattheBalmoralComplexinfourhours.”
Clinerushedoffmuttering,“God,let’shopethemissileshaven’tbeencompromised.Theycouldn’thavebeen.I’vethreefailsafeprogramsinterlockingthem.Still,thisisnerveracking.”
“Excuseme,Director,”Duartesaid,asheturnedto
leave.“I’veservedyourfatherfortwenty-sevenyears.I’lldoublemyefforts.”
DoctorPederson,Chui,andZiebacheyedher.Chui’sgazeboredownonher.
“RegionalGovernor,I’mgratefultoyou,”Connorsaid,ashereyesmethis.Shedidn’tturnaway.“Assessthescopeofthedefectioninyourregionandpreparetoattackanddestroytheoffending
ComplexeswhenyoureceivethewordfromtheFirstCitizen.”
Chui’sheadtiltedslightly.“Yourmothergainedtherespectofallwhomether.Nowisyourhourunderfire.Youhavemyloyalty,asdoesyourfather.But,ifGlobalCommandandControlslips.Iwillactforthegoodofmyregionagainstallenemies.”
Asheheadedoutthedoor,headded,“Therearenodefectionsinmyregion.Idemandobedience.Yourfatherdidalso,untilafewyearsago.”
MichaelZiebachwaitedtobedismissed.Connorpulledachairnexttohimandtookhishand.SheglancedatPederson.“IneedbothofyoutoaccompanymetotheBalmoralComplex.Youtwo
knowmymotherbetterthantheothers.Howshe’dreactunderpressureandwhatshe’ddotohelpusfindher.”
“Ihaveanideathatmayhelp,”Ziebachsaid,withacomicalgrinonhisface.“Shehasanotherimplant.Shedoesn’tevenknowshehasit—ahairfilamenttrackingdeviceimbeddedunderherrightbreast.”Hescratchedhishead.“Noonehasattempted
tomakecontactwithitforyears.Whetherthedamnthingworksornotisuncertain.”
“Whatdevicecouldyoufindtotrackitwith?”Connorasked.
“AnyGlobaldevicewouldwork,ifyouknowtherightfrequency.”Ziebachfrowned.“HerHerculeanfilewouldholdthefrequencynumber.”
“I’vegotthatfile,”Pedersonsaid.“I’lltrytofindthefrequencyandgetittoGlobalSecuritybeforeImeetyouatBalmoral.”
#ArthurPendletonthrew
afit.Aloneinhisbedroom,heflunganythinghecouldgethishandsonacrossthefloororagainstthewalls.Nothingbroke.Builttolastforeons,thecabinets,
furniture,coffeecups,andevenhisclothesdidn’tcrinkleordent.Blast.Howhewishedtheywould.Hadhebecomecomplacent?AmmadhadsomeacceptanceoutsidetheworldofMuslimbelievers.Andhe,theFirstCitizen,hadallowedhimtogetafootholdintheheartsofthepeople.
Asifinanswertoprayer,VanMeerknockedonhisdoor.“MayIcomein?I
haveareportoutoftheDamascusComplex.Ammad’sloyalistsputdownaninternalinsurrection.Thecitizenstrappedinsidethecomplexhavenochoiceabouttheirsituation.RadicalIslamistshavetakencontrol,forcingIslamicLawonthepopulace.”
“Conversionbythesword?”Pendletonopenedthedoor.
“Yourroom’sabloodymess,OleBoy.”VanMeerhuggedhim.“Notthesword.Thethreatofexile.”
PendletonheldHanstight.“Youshouldbemourningyourwife’sdeath.Takesometimeoff.”
“BloodyhellIwill.”VanMeerpressedintighter.“Herbody’sbeencrematedandherashesspreadovertheMichigancountryside.Ihave
toworktokeepfromgoingcrazy.”
“Connorselectedagrouptomeetwithus.She’llbehereinanhour.”Heletgoofhisfriendandstraightenedachairhe’dknockedover.“Livesareimproved.We’vemadegreatprogresswithtechnology.Howcouldthistraitorhavepulledoffsuchamajorcoup?”
“Tworeasons.He’sa
fanaticlikehisfather,andPeacockkilledhisfather.”VanMeerinhaled.“Second,lookingbackonourproceduresatthebeginning,weshouldn’thaveallowedhimadmissionintotheRealm.Butwedidinthelightoffairness.He’shadtwenty-fiveyearstoconstructthisplan.And,he’shadhelp.Thescheme’ssophisticated,calculated,anddangerous.
Faceit.WehaveaCivilWaronourhands.”
“Letmewashupandwe’llheadtothemeeting.”Pendletonopenedhisbathroomdoor“Prayonwhatweshoulddo.AcivilwarissomethingIdon’twant.Ihaveadifferentmission.”
“I’mnotmuchontheprayerpart.”VanMeershrugged.“MaybeIshouldbe,butI’veneverbeensold
ontheGodthing.”“YouknowwhatI
believe.”“Yeah.Yeah.Heardit.
Gotthesweatshirt,notinterestedinmore.”
Pendletonclosedthebathroomdoor.
RememberwhatLoveyaskedofyou.
Whereinthebloodyhellhadthatvoicecomefrom?Hesearchedthe
bathroom—toosmalltobehidinganything.TherealizationstruckhimthatthetargetsofthisCivilWarwouldbeChristians,notHindus,Atheists,orothersects.HeknewtheScriptures.He’dsoundthealarmassoonashehadalltheinformationontheenemy’splans.
Damn.Lovey’sneverwrong.
Lovey.Wherewasshe?
Withouther,hecouldn’tfunction.
Chapter8Showeredanddressed
inhisGlobalattire,PendletonheadedintotheGlobalBoardroomfollowedbyVanMeer.Astrangearrayofofficialshadgatheredaroundhisdaughter.Ifshehadaplan,hehadyettounderstandhowalltheseplayersfit.Thenitstruckhim,she
alwayshadaplan,andheusuallydisagreedwithit.
HisdaughterwasseatedattheboardroomtablealongwithLovey’sformerphysician,DoctorPederson,hisownChiefofStaff,EduardoDuarte,andMichaelZiebach,formerlyPolaris,whomhehadn’tseenforyears.
“Well,whatarewewaitingfor?”VanMeer
huffedandtookachair.Themaindooropened
themomentVanMeersatdownatthetable.AnoutofbreathThaddeusClinerushedin.“Sorry.I’mlate,butIhavegoodnewsandbad.Whichdoyouwantfirst?”
“Onemoment,”Connorsaid.Sheflippedonthesatellitefeed,andherbrother,Georgeappeared.“Iwantmybrotherinonthisdiscussion.
Heneedstoheartheupdateonthisinsurrectionbeforewecanmakeanydecisions.”
“CivilWar,”Pendletonmumbled.“It’sabloodyCivilWar.Yes.Iwanttohearwhatthesituationistodate.ButthenIwantabattleplanandadamngoodone.”
Connorpointedatherfatherandsnipped,“That’sexactlywhatwe’redoing,developingabattleplan.So
don’tinterruptme.Thefateofbothmymotherandthisplanetdependsonlogicandfacts.Neitherofwhichyouareoperatingwithrightnow.Anddon’tassignmyteammissionswithouttalkingtomefirst.”
Pendleton’sfaceragedhot,butVanMeertouchedhisarm.
“She’srightyouknow,”hesaid.“Thisiswhywehave
acontinualtestingprograminplace.Relyonyourowneducationalsystem.Don’ttrytodoallthejobs.”
“Now,DirectorCline,giveusallthenews,thegoodandthebad.”Connorploppeddown,turnedtowardherfather,andglared.
Pendletonbithislowerlip,asClinerose.Snippyasshecouldbe,Connornevertalkedtohimthewayshehad
today.VanMeerseemedtoagreewithher.Hemustbelosinghisperspective.Loveytaughthimbreathingexercises,asacalmingtechnique.Heinhaled.Hemuchpreferredtheolddays.Rulebyedict.Peopleweretoobloodystubborntofendforthemselves.
“Thegoodnewsisthatouroffensiveanddefensivecapabilitiesremainfully
operative.”Holdingamicro-minicomputerinhishand,Clinepacedinfrontofoneoftheimagesbeingdisplayedonthescreensintheroom.AgehadmaturedtheoncebrashCline.Hisself-assurancestillregisteredinthe99thpercentile,asdidhisintelligencequotient.“Wecanstrikeanywhereontheglobewithprecision.Thebadnewsis…socanAmmad.”
“Explainthat,”Pendletonsaid.“HowinthehellcanAmmadstrikeanywhereintheworld?”
“Whilewepreparedforspaceexplorationbybuildingthoseenormousshipsyoursonwillcommand,agroupunderAmmadwasaddingmissiles,launchers,andsupportequipmenttotheshuttlesthatsuppliedourspacestationsfromMuslim
Complexes.Hispeoplebroughtweaponsinalittleatatime.”
“Andwedidn’tpickthatup?”
“SpaceComplexes8,9,and10aremannedwith70percentMuslimworkers.Ofthethirty-pluslivableorbiters,theenemysecretlyinfiltrated3.”
“FirstCitizen,”Georgeinterjected.“MayIspeak?”
“Byallmeans.”Pendletonsoftenedhistone,“Makesomesenseoutofallthismess.”
“Theincomingcargoshuttlesaremassive.ThosecomplexesareheavilymannedbyMuslimcrews.YourmisplacedtrustinAmmadandhisaccesstosuchsophisticatedweaponrybecameadeadlycombination.”Georgesighed.
“Thatbeingsaid,thesoonerwecorrecttheproblem,andneutralizethethreat,thebetter.”
“Recommendation,Thad?”Pendletonasked.
“DestroySpaceComplexes8,9,and10,andfireupontheenemiesspaced-basedmissilelaunchers,beforehefiresuponours.”
Connorinterrupted.“Haveyouanalyzedtheir
offensiveanddefensivecapabilities?”
“Notknowingwhatkindandhowmanyarmamentshehas,it’simpossibletodo,DirectorAbu.Buteachdaywedelay,theoddsincreasehewillbeaheadofus.”
“MayIsuggestwecontactAmmad,”Connorsaid,“picktheneutralsite,andafterwehavedestroyed
hiscapabilities,accepthissurrender?”
“Shadesofyouinyourprime,OleBoy.”VanMeerslappedPendleton’sknee.“Thiswillbeagoodtestofourdefenses,bothinspaceandontheground.”
“Youagreewithher?”“Absolutely.”“Andyou,Thad?”“Youhavenochoice.”“Butthebastardhasmy
Lovey!”Pendletonyelled.“Dad,”Georgechimed
in.“That’saseparateissue.”“Weavoidaground
war,ifpossible.”ConnorstoodandjoinedClineinfrontofthemonitors.“We’vepracticedscenarioslikethismanytimes.”
“Allright.”Pendletonslammedhishandonthetable.“Tellmehowwecanfindandrescueyourmother,
andI’llblowupanydamnthingyouwantmeto.”
DuartenoddedtoZiebach,whosaid,“GlobalintelligencecombedtheminingtunneltheinsurgentstookPeacock—excuseme—Mrs.Pendletonthrough.Theexitwasaboutthirtykilometersfromtheentrance.Fromtheexaminationofthetunnelandthematerialsinthevehicletracks,Thad’s
analysisisconfirmed.They’reholdinghersomewherealongtheKamaRiverBasin.”
Clineinterrupted.“Michaeltoldusaboutanimplantunderyourwife’sbreast.”
“BothDuarteandIlookedforthefrequencysettingsforMrs.Pendleton’simplant,”Ziebachsaid.“Wedidn’tfindthem.”
“ButIdid.”DoctorPedersonstood.“FilesfromHercules’experimentationonMrs.Pendletoncontainedthefrequencycode.AGlobalSecurityteamledbyDirectorAbuisreadyingtodropintothesuspectedareaandsearch.”
“Goodnews!”Pendletonexclaimed.
Thedoctorpursedhislips.“Thechanceofthat
deviceworkingafteralltheseyearsisremote.Butitisworthtrying.”
PendletonturnedhisattentiontoConnor.“Ifyouwanttoreassignyourteam,it’syourcall.”
“I’vealreadygiventhemmyapproval.Buttheyareonlytotakeordersfromme.”
Pendletonfoughttheurgetoconfronther.Peacock
hadearnedhisconfidenceenoughtodisobeyhim.ButConnorwashisdaughter.
“Duarte,”hesaidwithashrug.“MakecontactwithAmmad’sgo-between.Setupaneutralsite.Idon’tcarewhere.Thad,takeouttheirmissilebanksandorderSpaceComplexes8,9,and10tosurrenderandbeboarded.”
“Yes,Sir.”“AndDirectorAbu,join
yourteamandbringoutyourmother.”Heloweredaneyebrow.“Youwillbeheldpersonallyresponsiblefortherescuemission.”
“ButI’mneededhere.Myteamcanperformwithoutme.”
“You’regoing.That’sanorder.”
Connor’smouthdroppedopen.“Yes,Sir.”
Pendletonglaredather,
assheclompedout,slammingthedoorbehindher.
“Everyoneisexcused,exceptHansandEduardo.George,stayontheline.”Pendletonrubbedhispalmsoverhiseyelids,waitinguntiltheothersweregone.“IwantameetingofChristianleaderscalledimmediately—tomorrowatthePope’sresidenceinRome.Here’salistofattendees.”
#Inthehalloutsidethe
boardroom,VanMeerleanedagainstapillarinanattempttoclearhishead.Themostbrilliantstrategicmindinhistoryseemedonthevergeofabreakdown.Connordidn’tmakethingsanybetterbychallengingherfather.AndwherewouldhefindanyonetoreplaceFelicia,whowasnotonlyhiswife,
buthispersonalassistantaswell?
“Sir.”Hehadn’tnoticed
Ziebachinhiswheelchairafewfeetfromhim.“Yes?”
“Iwasbroughthereforonlyonereason,”Ziebachsaid.“I’mtrustworthyandagoodpersontobounceideasoff.Sir,I’munderutilized.”
VanMeerchuckled.“Backallthoseyearsago
whenUrsa’steamwasbroughtintooursphere,youweretheonlyoneItrusted.Whereareyouassignednow?”
“I’mnot.”HewheeledhischairuptoVanMeer.“I’mretired—fromGlobalSecurity,thatis.Nooneeverretires.Look,I’mhealthyforacripple.I’mintelligent.AndIbelieveyouneedanadministrativeassistant.Why
notgivemeatry?”“You’dhavetopassthe
tests.”“Haveyoupostedan
opening?”“Notyet.Feliciabested
thecompetitionthelasttimethetestwasgiven.”
“Testme.IfIbeatherscore,hireme.”
Damn.He’sgotspunkforsomeoneinhissixties.
“You’vegotadeal.”
Chapter9Coldwatersplashingin
herfacestartledPeacock.Abeardedmansmiledatherholdinghishandstowardherwithhispalmsup.
“Wouldyouliketobeunchainedandtakeashowerinprivate?”heasked.
Thesmellofherownurinegaggedher.She
recoiledattherealizationthiswasn’tabaddream.Shecouldn’tescapedeathbyherself.Shehadtotrustthevoiceinherheadthatsangbeautifulhymnstoher.
“Asyouwish,”shemanagedtosay.
“Iwishforyoutobecomfortable.AllyouhavetodoisgivemethelocationoftheGlobalRealms’hiddenmastercomputer,Edison.”
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tevenknowwhoIam.”
Themangrinned.“Whatisthenameofyourdaughter?”
DoIhaveadaughter?Shecoughed,thenwent
limpunabletoholdherselfupandwrenchedhershoulder.
“Whereistheundergroundmastercomputer?”
Peacockshookher
head.“Don’tknow.”Hepouredaglassof
waterandheldittoherlips.Shedrank.
“Slowly,”hesaid.“Alittlesipatatimeoryou’llthrowup.”
“Thankyou,”shesaid.“Letusapproachthisin
adifferentway,”themansaid.“Tellmewhatyouremember.Anythingatallwillbehelpful.”
Peacockstruggledtothink.“You’retwicemysize.I’dthinkbetterunchained.”
Hetookakeyandunlockedherwristcuffs.Sheslidtothefloorandsatquietlyforamoment.Thenahardbackhandslammedherheadagainstthewall.
“Justsoyouknow.I’mnotaniceguy.”Hechuckled.
“WhyamIhere?”“You’veaskedusthat
toomanytimestocountinthelast10days.Tellmewhatyouremember.”
Speak.I’llgiveyouthewords.
Hervisioncleared.Acrosstheroomfromherstoodatallfiguresurroundedbyabeautifullight.Sherememberedhim.Hewasherangel.Hishandmotionedtohernottomentionhispresence.“IrememberIam
lovedbymyLordandsavior,JesusChrist.IrememberI’mtheworstofsinnerswithoutHim.Idon’tremembermuchelse,exceptIbelieveI’mgoinginsane—anillnessorsomething.”
Theman’sfacereddened.“Youarenottomentionthatnameagain.CallhimIsa.MentioninghimasbeingGodoutsidethisroomwillbringdeath.Isawentto
hispeople,theJews.Theyrejectedhismessage.NowhewaitstoappearatthecomingofMuhammad,theChosenOne.”
“I’mnotascholarofthesethings.AllIknowisyouarewrong.”Peacocksurprisedherselfwithherwords.Awarenessthatshehadbeenawarriorawokeinher.
“Inmyprime,youand
fivelikeyoucouldn’tdefeatmeinbattle.”Shesmiled.“ButtodayI’mhelpless.I’mdying.Iknowthataswell.”Shereachedoutherhand.“Iforgiveyou.You’relikeIoncewas,followingordersthatleadtodeath.”
Themancockedhishead.“DeclareMuhammadastheProphetofAllah,andIwilltreatyouwell.RefuseandAmmadwillcomesoon
tokillyouhimself.Youwillbehardlyhumanbythen.Makethingseasyforyourself.”
“Ammadwon’tchangemymind.”Peacocksighed.“Alwayskillingandconvertingbythesword.MyLordbelievesinpeace.Helovesthesinnersandoffersthemlife,ifonlytheywillbelieve.WhydoesthegodofMuhammadforcehisservants
tocovertbythesword?”Hehithersohardinthe
ribs,anoldribinjurycrackedagain.Shegroanedassherealizedherabilitytokeepherreactiontopainfromherenemyhadfailed.Heyelledather.“FightthosewhobelievenotinGodnortheLastDay,norholdthatforbiddenwhichhathbeenforbiddenbyGodandHisApostle,noracknowledgethe
religionofTruth,eveniftheyareofthePeopleoftheBook,untiltheypaythetributewithwillingsubmission,andfeelthemselvessubdued.”
Shemanagedabreath."YetGodteaches,‘Followpeacewithallmenandholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord.’"
“HowisityourememberScriptures,butnothingelse?”
Shelookedintohiseyes.“Ican’texplain.ButScripturecomfortsme.”
Apparently,hetookpityonher.HesaidsomethinginArabicintohiscell.Twomenenteredtheroomcarryingacot.Athirdmanfollowedwithasmallplateoffigsandcheese.Thebigmanpointedtotheplate.“Eat.I’llbotheryounomore,andmayAllahhavemercyonyoursoul.”
Welldone.Yourtimeisshort,butheavenawaitsyou.
Shewishedshecoulddienow.Thatwasn’tgoingtohappen.Insideherbodybonesreknitandtearsinherfleshsealed.Shethoughtofanoldjalopywithtireplugs,radiatorpatches,andrust.
Yep.That’sme.#
Thebigmanshrugged,ashecounseledwiththe
others.“Thiswomanconfusesme.First,sheisphysicallyhangingon—threeteethmissing,abrokennoseandjaw,crackedribs,andadislocatedshoulder,plusmoreinternalinjuriesthanIcancount.”
“Sheisaprofessionalassassin.”Acomradereasoned.“Hertrainingneverleavesher.”
“Ihaveconcludedshe’s
tellingthetruth.Sherememberslittletonothingexceptherreligiousbeliefs.”Hefrowned.“Sheisnotgoingtoconvert.Sheisnotgoingtogiveusanyusefulinformation.Beatingherfurtherisuseless.”
Themaninthewhiteparkasittingoffawayfromthecirclestood.“Ammadsaidsheistobebeatendaily.You.”Hepointedtothebig
man.“Neednotadministerthepunishment.Iwill—thirtylasheswithapreparedgrapevine.Shewillweltandherskinwilltear.ButshewillnotdieuntilAmmadkillsher.”
“AllahAkbar,”allsaidinagreement.
ThentheirPacStarsystemrangwithanincomingcall,andtheircommunicationsman
answered.Foramomentheseemedconfused.Thenhehungupandturnedtothegroup.“ThatwasAtashAkbari.Hewantsustobringthewomantohim.”
“Annrusaret,”theirleadercursedandthrewaclumpofmudatthecommunicationsman.“JustwhenIwasgoingtohavesomefun.”
“Don’tkillthe
messenger.”“I’llkillwhomeverI
please.Didhesuggesthowtotransporther?Doanyofyouhaveanidea?”
Thebigmanmulledoverthequestion.“Twothousandplusmiles.Ourtruckwon’tmakeit.IfwecangethelpfromtheGroznyComplex.Maybeairtransportation.WemightbeabletogethertoDubaiina
coupleofdays.”Themaninthewhite
parkarubbedhisbeard.“Possible.Wecouldcreateatemporaryrunwayeastofhereandhopetheycanlandanaircraftonit.Theground’shardenough.”
“Amir.”Hewavedtothecommunicationsman.“ContactGroznyandaskforhelp.”
“You’dthink,as
importantaprisoneraswehave,thehigher-upswouldalreadyhaveaplan.”Heshruggedwhennoonelaughed,anddialed.
#Ammadthumbed
throughthevarioussuggestionsfromhisscientistsandtechnicalcommanders.Akbaripaced,handsbehindhisback.Heseemedoverlyconcernedto
Ammad,whosimplywishedtoweighwhichattackplantothrowagainsthisenemy.Wageagroundwar?Thepeoplehewishedtowoowouldhavereasontofearhim.ButwagingawarprimarilyinspacewouldstrainPendleton’scapabilitiesandmightrevealEdison’slocation.
“Stoppacing.”Akbariskiddedtoa
halt.“I’msorry.Ican’tshakethisfeelingIhaveaboutthatredheadedshe-devil.Myspiritisdeeplydisturbed,andIcan’tignoremyinstincts.”
“Wellshehasn’tarrivedhereyet.”AmmadpointedhisfingeratAkbari.“Worrywhenshegetshere.RightnowIneedyouradvice.AttackLondon,Rome,Balmoral,andeveryChristianstronghold,orattack
Pendleton’sspacecapabilities?”
Akbariwenttohiskneesandprostratedhimself.Afterwhatseemedlikeages,hestoodandspoke.“HitRome,London,andafewotherChristiancomplexeswithwarningshots.ButdrawoutPendleton’sfirepowerinspace.Ourintelligencesayshehasn’tmuchtospare.”
Ammadnodded.“Yes.
Thatissageadvice.”Ifhecouldbeat
Pendletonbychallenginghimonthecompetencytests,he’dforceanelectionortakethejobofFirstCitizenoutright.Scarehimfirst.Challengehim.Then,withthemandemoralized,destroywhatconfidencehehadleft.Afittingplan.
Chapter10“Anticipatetheworst,”
Clineinstructedhiscrew.HousedintheGlobalMissileControlCenterdeepundertheLondonComplex.,thetimehadcometoattackAmmad.“Mythinkingisthereareseveralenemymissilebankscloakedassomethingelse.Beprepared
toreorientandfireataplaceyou’dleastexpect.”
“Edisoncananticipateandreprogramfasterthanwecan,”saidascientistatthefarcornerofthecontrolroom.
“Yesindeed,”Clineresponded.“Youdothesame.”
Theelementofsurprisewillworktomyfavor,Clinethought.Whatkindoftechnologythey’vedeveloped
istheunknownfactor.Pendleton’soffholdingchurchmeetings.Heshouldbeheregivinginstruction.IfIscrewup,it’smyfault.
Asuddenflashoflightfromwhatshouldhavebeenacommunicationssatellitesoundedtheattackalarm.
“Shit!They’vefiredfirst.”Clineinhaledadeep,slowflowofair.“Fireonalltargets.”
Theroomdarkenedandthree-dimensionalscreensdepictinga360-degreeviewoforbitalspaceilluminatedtheroom.TheareaabovetheEarthlitup.AgaspwentupasthetotalityofEarth’sorbitingstationsandmissilebanksfilledthescreen.Fivenon-nuclearmissilesfired.Clineexhaled.Thinredstreaksspreadawayfromeachotherlikefireworksand
headedtowardseparatetargets.ThefirsthitSpaceComplex9,whichignitedintoanexpandingorangefireball.Theotherfoursucceededinthesamemanner.Thesilenceintheroomcreatedaneeriechillasglowingshowersofdebristumbleddownfromtheheavensalongwiththousandsofhumansouls.
Someoneshouted,“My
god,theradar’slightingup.”“SetEdisontoReact
Mode,”Clineyelled.“We’llinterceptthosewecananddestroytheirlaunchsites.”
“Rogerthat.”Hissecond-in-commandandthestationshighlyskilledpersonnelwereaheadofCline’sinstructionbytraining.
Thebattlewasoutofhishands.Anunderground
computerandhisstaffnowcontrolledtheworld’sfate.HeneededtocalltheFirstCitizen.
#“Mywifeseesvisions.”
Pendletonfoldedhishandsandaddressedhisaudience.“Ineverbelieveher.Turnsoutshe’sneverbeenwrong.”
Pendleton,PopePeter,andtwelveChristiandignitariesfromeachofthe
twelvegovernances,facedeachotherinthePope’sadministrativeofficeintheRomeComplex.ThePopelivedinthesamesizeapartmentasPendleton.Infact,ChristianleadersfollowedtheGlobalhousingguidelinestothefullest.
“Soyou’resayinganangelfromGodtoldherweneedtoprepareforChrist’sSecondComing.”Theman
speakingcamefromtheCordobaComplexinSouthAmerica.“NooneknowswhenHeiscoming.”
“TheBibleisclearonthat,”anotherintheroomjoinedin.
PopePeterraisedhishand.“Neitherthedaynorthehour,butwewillknowtheseason.I,forone,believethetimeisclose.”
“Yes.Yes,”the
Cordobanscoffed.“But,sodidBrotherPaulinthe1stCentury.Ithasn’tcomeyet.”
“Lookattheweather.”Pendletonhandedouttalking-points.“Inthepastfiveyears,thesealevelshaverisenanothersixfeet.Supertornadosandgigantichurricaneshavedestroyedhugelandareas.Evenourcomplexes,mega-fortressesthoughtheyare,quake
againstthesemonsters.”Silencesaidhe’dmade
hispoint.“Lookatthedroughts
andtheinsects.”Hepoundedthetable.“ButtheworstofallisthetreasonofAmmadal-Sistani.Hesentwordtomehewishestonegotiateaseparaterealmofhisown.MysourcessayhemaypromisetheJewshe’llhelpthemrebuildtheirtemple,if
theywillnotopposehismovesintheirregion.”
“ButwhatshouldaChristiandotoprepare?”PopePeterasked.“AsIseethings,weliveourliveswithoureyesonGodandfearnot.”
Pendletonnodded.“True.Weshouldn’tspeculateonhowGodwilldothings.ButweshouldusereasonasHischildren.
Prepareourintellecttobeready.Ididn’tseetheangel.Lavernadid.TheangeltoldherIshouldalertGod’speople.”
“Then,”themanfromCordobasaid,“yourjobistorunthisRealmasGodinstructsyou.AndourjobistospreadthewordtoeveryChristiantorekindleourfaithandsparkrevivalthroughouttheBodyofChrist.”
Theenergywithintheroomignited.Thefacesofthosepresentbeamedwithenthusiasm.Pendletonhandedeachofthemasmallcommunicationsdevice,redincolor,magnetized,andthesizeofaquarter.“IwillletyouknowthemomentanythingsignificanthappensaroundtheGlobe.Ibelievethetimeisveryshort.”
Anorangeglow
brightenedtheskyoutsidetheirwindow.Flashesoflightandthesoundofhigh-pitchedsirensfloodedtheair.LoudexplosionsresoundedfromallsidescausingPendletonandtheotherstocovertheirears.Afewmembersdoveundertheconferencetable.
“Godhelpus,”someoneyelled.
PopePeterdidnotmove.Hegrabbed
Pendleton’shandandprayed.“Paternoster,quiesin
caelis:sanctificèturnomen
tuum;advèniatregnumtuum;fiatvolùtastua,sicutincaelo,etin
terra.Panemnostrum
cotidiànumdanobishòdie;etdimittenobisdebita
nostra,sicutetnosdimìttimus
debitòribusnostris;etnenos
indùcasintentatiònem;sedlibera
nosamalo.Amen.Thedoortothe
conferenceroomburstopen.AheavysetCapuchinfriardressedinabrownrobewitharosaryswingingonhis
waistenteredtheroom.“TheRomeComplexhascomeunderattack.Fromwhereorwhom,nooneseemstoknow.Theshieldsheldbutwehavehadsomestructuraldamage.Itisn’tsafehere,FirstCitizen.”
You’rebloodyrightitisn’t.
Pendleton’scellbuzzed.ItwasThaddeusCline.
#
CalamityreignedbothintheskiesandontheEarth.Ascalculationsflashedoverthescreensandstatisticspiledup,allClinecoulddowascallPendleton.Thescenarioplayingoutwasnotinhishands.ThankGod.
“Whatthebloodyhellisgoingon?”Pendletonscreamedintothephone.“They’rerushingmeoutoftheRomeComplex.We’ve
haddamagehere.”Clinewaitedamoment.
“TheMuslimblockfiredfromwhatwedeterminedwasacommunicationssatellite.God.Arthur,wefiredbackatourpredeterminedtargets.Thenthewholeskylitup.IsetEdisonintoReactModeperplan.”
“Iwanttheheadofthemaninchargeofinspecting
theMuslimComplexesforderelictionofduty.”
“S-Sir.”Clinestuttered.“YoudelegatedthatdutytoAmmadal-SistaniwhenSakorovdied.Yousaidyouwouldfollowupandvisitthosesitesperiodicallyaswell.”Silence.Cline’sthroatclosedtightandhisbreathingcameinshortgasps.“Wehavegoodandbadnews,FirstCitizen.”
“Goon.”Clinemanagedto
composehimself.“We’vebeenabletointerceptthemissilesaimedatourspacecomplexes.”Hewatchedtheactivityslowtoastopasstatisticsflowedinworldwide.“Noenemysatellitesremain.AndIdoubttheyhavemuchinthewayofgroundmissiles.Unfortunately,onlytwo
banksofourownareleftfunctioning,forty-twomissilesinall,notnearlyenoughtowipeoutouropponentfromspace.”
“Whataboutourundergroundmissilesilos?”
Howcouldthisbethemastermindofworlddomination?HadPendletonbecomesenile—complacent?“FirstCitizen,wedisarmedanddismantledallweapons
ofmassdestructionyearsago,exceptforthespace-basedsystems.”
“Doyouhaveadamageassessmentasfarastheenemy’sattackonEarth-basedtargets?”Pendleton’svoicequivered.ArthurPendletonnevershowedfearorhesitation.
“Onemoment,”Clinesaid.Heexploredthedataandpulledupvisuals.
“Ammad’speoplehavesomeplaninmind.Theirmissiles,besidesreturningfireonourmissilebanks,targetedcomplexesinaswathafewhundredmileswide.Marid,London.Paris,Berlin,Amsterdam—fiftyinall—sufferedminordamage.Thesestrikesweren’tmeanttodestroythecomplexes,rathertostrikefearintheresidents.Myopinion,First
Citizen.”“Thankyou,Thad.”
Pendletonsaid.“Ihavetoscheduleameeting.Itlookslikeweareatwar,andgroundforceswillberequired.”
Clinestaredathiscell.Atwar?Ifthatwasawar,whatwasitspoint?TheRealm’smissileskilledcitizensinfivepopulatedMuslimbiospheres.If
Ammad’smissileskilledanyone,ithadn’tbeenreportedtohim.Couldthepointhavebeentoreducethenumberofspace-basedmissiles?
Butwhatdidthatmatternow?Pendletonwasofftotrackdownhisenemyanddestroyhim.Clinewonderedhoweasythattaskwouldbe.
“Ican’tbetoohardjudginghim,”Clinesaid
aloud.“LosinghismotherandMiltoncausedhimseverepain.Laverna’scancertookitstoll.Hercapturemayhavebrokenhim.Thatplusageandcomplacency.MyGod!”
#Connorchewedher
lowerlip,anunbecominghabit,butoneshe’ddevelopedlivingwithKingArthur.Theterrainbelowherboredher,coldandsnow,
graytundra,andafewgreentrees.HerorderstobringhermotherhomefromtheKamaRiverBasintookpriority,butitalsosyphonedprecioustimeawayfrommeetingwithherbrothersandplanningforthesafetyoftherestofherfamilyandtheGlobalRealmexecutives.Herfatherwasn’treturninghercalls.HowdidheplantofindAmmad?Or,didheintendtoattack
MuslimComplexes,hopingAmmadwouldcomelookingforhim?
“There.”Thehoverjet’spilotpointedtoasmallareawherethegroundwasbareandgrasscovered.“YourbrotherHarrysaysthisisasclosetogroundzeroaswecangetthatisn’tfrozen.Iftheenemypickedupthoseparasitesanywhere,itwouldbenearhere.”
“Landandwaitthereforus,”shesaid.
SincetheEuropeanIceAgeformed,thisareareceivedovertwohundredinchesofsnowinayear.Wolvesroamedinpacks.FewerthanfourthousandfreemenrangedtheformerRussiancountrysideonthenearwesternsideoftheUrals.Connorhadfiveorbitingsatellitesfocusedin
onherpositionscanningafifty-kilometerareaforanysignsofacamporundergroundrefuge.
NosignalhadbeendetectedfromthefrequencyPedersonprovidedforhermother’strackingdevice.Aftertwenty-sevenyearsofaging,corrosionmusthavesetin.
Onceontheground,shekneltonthemud-covered
groundandprayedforsuccessandthesafetyofhermother.ThenCher,Bruegman,Ming,andConnorheadedsouthtowardanareathatshowedslightlywarmerreadingsindicatingpossibleshelters.ThehowlingofwolvesfaroffsentshiversrushingthroughConnor’sbody.Shewishedshecouldwrapherselfinherhusband’smightyarmsandfeelsecure.
BeingaPendletonandagenius,herdutytotheGlobalRealmtrumpedallelse.
Cher,whoseemedtoseeandhearthingsbeforetheothers,raisedherhand.ThisGurkhawarriorwasafast-friendofPeacock.HerdesiretorescueherfromAmmad’speopleblazedasstrongasConnor’s.
“Noises,”shewhispered.“Soundslike
generators.”Connorwavedhercrew
forwardupasteepinclineandpeeredoverthetop.Belowher,twobuildingsstoodlikegraysentinelsinthegloom.Thegeneratorsoundhadbeencausedbyfanbladesmountedoutsidethefirststeelstructure.Theforceofthewindturnedtheblades,notanyelectricalsource.
“Appearsabandoned,”
Mingsaid.“Novehicles.Nomovement.”
“Becautiousuntilweknowforsure.”Connorwavedthemforward.
Usingrocksandshrubsasprotection,theydescendedthethirtyyards,orso,totheclosestofwhatappearedtobepre-fabricatedQuonsethuts.Thewindwhippedthepull-stringsonConnor’sfurhoodie,assheleanedaround
thecornerofthebuilding.Nothingofsignificancemoved.Inthedistance,shespottedwhatlookedlikealandingpad.
Shesignaledwithtwofingersforhercrewtosplitup.SheandCherapproachedthenearestbuilding,whileBruegmanandMingranthetwenty-feet,crossingtheopenspaceandenteredthesecondstructure.Afterthetwomen
disappearedintothesteelhutwithoutreceivingfire,Connorkickedthedooropenonthenearsideofthefirstbuilding,andthetwowomenentered.
“Musthavebeenakitchen.”Chershinedherflashlightaroundtheroom.“Propaneheat.Propanegenerator.Temporaryquartersformaybeeightpeople.”
“Insulatedverywellforamakeshiftdwelling.”Connortrembledatthethoughtofhermotherbeingheldhere.“Warm,butdirty.Let’smoveon.”
Shepuntedanemptysoupcanacrosstheroom.Atinnysoundrangout.Loudenoughtostartleanyoneclose.Nothingmovedandnorustlingnoisecouldbeheardinresponse.“Openthenext
door.”Cherpushedopena
woodendooropen,revealingalong,narrowhallwaythatranthelengthofthebuilding.Sleepingquartersonbothsidesheldtwobunkbeds.ThewallswerescrawledwithIslamicsymbols.
“Ammadisourculprit,”Connorwhispered.
“TellmesomethingIdon’tknow.”TheGurkha
chuckledandmovedon.Halfwaydownthehall,
aroombecamevisibleonConnor’sleft.Theentrancewaspadlockedandpaintedblack.Thesmellleakingoutunderthedoorframeshockedhersenses.Sheshotoffthelockandkickedthedoorinward.BothsheandCherdonnedtheirgasmasks.Brokenpiecesofchain,fragmentsofwhatlookedlike
steelwool,plusabustedchairlaystrewnonthefloor.Abrokenlightfixture,whichmusthavehungfromtheceilingatonetime,hungonahookbythedoor.Twowristironswerefastenedsevenfeetuponthewall.
Cherbentdownandpickedupthreeteeth.“I’llbagthese.We’lltestthem.”
“Theyheldmymotherhere.”
“Let’swaitforthetests.”
“Iknow.I’mherdaughter.Shewashere,andshe’sstillalive.Nooneistougher.”
AcallfromacrossthealleywayintheotherfacilityalertedConnor.SheandChercautiouslybackedoutofPeacock’sholdingcell,exitedtheirbuilding,andmetBruegmaninanopen
doorway.Thefifty-threeyearold,stillasfitaswhenhejoinedtheGlobalRealm,heldamanilafolderinhishand.
“Yourmotherwashere.TheyheldheruntilinstructionscamefromAmmad.Hisnameisspecificallymentioned.Accordingtothesedocuments,theyleftherenomorethantwelvehoursago.”
Mingraninthrougha
doorwayleadingoutsidetothebackofthegrounds.“Confirmed.TheirtransportationtoandfromherewereelectricSnowCats.”
“Theseevilbastardswereplanningthisforquiteawhile,”Chermuttered.
“Theyholduptofivepeopleeach.”Bruegmanopenedthefolderandrevealedaphoto.“These
tank-treadcarscantraveluptofiftymilesanhouronsnowandmaneuveronterrainlikenothingyou’veeverseen.”
“Theytookyourmotheroutviaair.”Mingmotionedtotheright.“Theybuiltarunwayforaliteaircrafttoland.”
“Nopointinstayinghere.”Connorheadedbackoutside.“We’retoolate.”
Thehowlingofthe
wolvesgrewcloser,astheicywindwhippedpelletsofstingingsleetagainstConnor’sface.“Let’sheadbacktoourcraftandreportourfindings.MyguessiswhateverplansAmmadhasformymotherwon’tbefoundoutuntilwecapturehim,orheexecutesthem.”
Theteammovedbackuptherockyslopefromwhichtheycame.Withinten
minutes,theywereaboardthehover-jet.Thepilotpointtothewestasthejetgainedattitude.“I’dsayadozengraywolvesaredisappointedweleft.”
“Nomatchforourstunguns.”Connorstretchedherlegs.“Goodtoknowthey’rethrivingouthere.Godknowslittleelsecan.”Shetookinadeepbreath.“Thisareaisalmostathousandmilesfrom
theattackpointontheSupersonic.Howdidtheymanagetobringhersofarwithoutusseeingthemonsatellite?”
“Amoreimportantquestion,”Cheranswered.“Wherearetheytakingher?”
Chapter11GeorgePendleton
arrivedbackattheGlobalRealmCommandSpaceStationinearthorbitafterleavingearthfromtheBeijingComplex.HebrieflygreetedthecommanderandheadedtotheSpaceObservationandExplorationRoom.
“Puta360degreescan
upforme,Charlie,”hesaidasheentered.
Thetechcomplied.Thelightsdimmedandtheroomreflectedonedegreeoforbitalspace,startingatthePrimeMeridianandmovingwestonedegreeeachminute.Forsixhours,hechartedthenumberofsatellitesintact,thosedamaged,andthosedestroyed.Thecarnageevidencedahorrifyingtollon
humanlife.Nearly50,000humanbeingshaddiedwhentherocketdestroyedtheMuslimSpaceComplexes.Yetfew,ifany,casualtiesontheearthoccurred,onlydamagetostructuresandpeople’ssenseofsecurity.
Ammad’sattackdestroyedsevencommunicationsatellitesthatconnectedtoEdison’sbrainnetwork,blockingkey
transmissionsoftransportationdata,suchasthewhereaboutsofcargointransitglobally.TherealdamagefromhisattackwastheGlobalRealmsmisuseofvaluablemissilesthatcouldhavebeendeployedinafutureconflict.
Sadly,Georgeresignedhimselftoauthorizingcleanupefforts.“Deploythesweepers,”heordered.Debris
fieldmagnetsandtightlywovennetsorbitedtheglobeforsuchapurpose.Largepiecesofshrapnelposedarealthreattolivesonundamagedspacecomplexes.
Ifhisfatherdidn’thaveafollow-upstrategy,he’dbetterputonetogethersoon,asworldconditionsdeterioratedfast.
#Thesettingsunshone
brilliantandfulloverthePersianGulf.FromhisquartersatoptheexecutivefloorsoftheDubaiComplex,Ammadal-Sistanitookinthesplendoroftheview.Risingtopowertookmuchpatience,subterfuge,andtactics.Anavidreader,heabsorbedmostofthemajorworksofthemilitaryartsandstudiedthegreatesttacticianofall—ArthurPendleton.Several
yearsafterjoiningtheGlobalRealm,hereceivedthepromotiontoChairmanofthePacificationoftheNon-CitizenWorldCommittee,apositionwhosereachextendedprimarilythroughouttheMuslimWorld.
MiltonRogershadobjectedtohiselevationafewmonthsbeforehedied.Pendleton,however,viewed
himasthebestmanforthejobbytestresultsandperformance.Thenextfiveyears,AmmadworkedtodevelopthetrustofallthemajorplayersintheGlobalRealm.HewooedtheJewishComplexesbyplantingtheseedofcooperation.TheSonsofAbrahamcouldbereunitedandliveinpeace.
PendletonhaddestroyedbothkeyHebrew
andIslamicholysitesduringtheholocaustthatbroughthimtopower.SoAmmadusedtheploythat,workingtogetherinpeace,thetworeligionsmightbeabletoco-existandrebuildTheHolyLands.Privately,headvocatedthattheChristiansweretherealenemy.WhilehelpingChristianleadershiponminorissues,heplottedtheirdownfalllong-term.
HeeventossedouttheideaofrebuildingtheJewishTemple,usingthecommonwesternwallasthedividingpointbetweenanewJewishTempleandthegroundsoftheDomeoftheRock.Yes,strictestJewsobjectedwantingevenmoreconcessions,butthemoderatesleapedattheidea.
Forthelastfifteenyears,Ammadsecretlybuilt
space-basedweaponry.HebroughtthegreatestMuslimscientistswithinhissphereofinfluenceandplannedfortheeventualdemiseofArthurPendleton’sreign.TheGlobalRealmhadprovedtobetheperfectworldwithinwhichtounifyallmankindtoAllah.Peacereigned.Sciencecreatedpossibilitiesbeyondthewildestdreamsofhumankind.Theevilofself-
indulgenceoutwardlyallbutdisappeared.Inwardly,peoplewishedtobeelevatedandrecognized.Hewouldcapitalizeontheirlongingssoon.Yes,thereweretheentertainmentcenters,butwithinthepredominantlyMuslimcomplexes,themenenjoyedthesepleasuresasbeingentitledtothem.
People’sviewofaChristianheavenpaledto
Ammad’sconceptofJannah.TheChosenwastobringJannahtoearthforatimeuntilAllahmadeallthingsnew.InJannah,whateveronedesiresonemayhave.Aman,awoman,willberewardedfortheirsacrificehereonearth.HewouldchangethenameoftheentertainmentcenterstoJannah’sGateParlors.
Therewasoneworldly
womanheknewwouldneverseeJannah.Hisgreatestprizehadbeenbroughttohim.Theredheadedshe-devillayimprisonedjustoutsidetheDubaiComplex.Heandsheneededtohavealittletalk.Heinstructedhisvalet.“Bringmyescortteam.IwishtogotoAlAweerprison.”
OnlytenminutesawayoutsidetheComplex’sfortification,Ammadarrived
andenteredwithoutanotherwordtoanyone.Heranhisaffairsonaneed-to-knowbasis,andhereasonedhe’dbeensuccessfulinconcealinghisplanstooverthrowPendletonbydoingso.OnceinsideAlAweer,hemotionedtotheofficer-in-charge.“TakemetoCellBlock42.”
Theofficerpaled.“Yessir.Doyouwishtowearamask?”
“No.”Thegruffresponsegiven,theofficergrabbedasetofrustykeys.AmmadfollowedhimthroughthemazeofdimmedhallsandlockedirongatesuntilhestoppedatCellBlock42.
“Whichcompartment?”theofficerasked.
“Ninelowerlevel.”“She’squitemad,you
know.”
“Good.”Withoutanotherword,
thetwoheadedintoCellBlock42.Animmediatestenchofhumanwasteandmoldfilledtheair.Ontheupperlevel,thewomenwerechainedtoaneight-footlegshackle,whichallowedthemthefreedomoflyingoncotsandsittingtoeatmeals.Themealsconsistedofdates,ricepudding,andoccasionally
tuna.Ammadchuckled.
“LesscomfortablelivingconditionsthaninPendleton’sprisoncolonies.”
“WorsethanAbuGrebe.”Theofficialheadeddownthestairsguidedbya25-wattbulb.Atthebottomofthestairs,thewalkwaysdividedintopitchblacktunnels.Theofficialturnedonaflashlightandslowly
guidedhisfeetlongthenarrowconcretefloor.
“Here—she’sinhere.”#
Peacockpulledherselfupoffthecoldfloor.Sherestedherbackagainstastonewallinthefarcornerofhercompartment.Nothingelsewasinsidewithher,excepttheurinedrainandawaterbucketforfeces.Ammad’speoplecameclose
tokillingherbeforetheylockedheraway.Sheoverheardthementorturinghersayshemustbeinsane.Well,nosurprisetoher,shehadbeenmostofherlife.Butthatbeatinghadbeendifferent.Shefeltnothingwhenpunchedorwhipped.Herbodybledandbruised,andherbonescracked.Butnopaincamewiththebeating.
Herangelsangandspokewordsofcomforttoher.Mostamazingtoherwashermemory.Shecouldn’trememberherownnameafewdaysago,butnowhermindleapedwithremembranceswhensheneededthem.
Acreakingatthedoorcaughtherattention.
“Howhasroomservicebeen?”
Peacockknewthatvoice.Shedidnotrespond.
Ammadplacedhisflashlightonthefloortoilluminatetheroom.Heletoutashriek.
“DoIlookthatbad?”“Heseesyouasyou
werethedayyouslewhisfather.”Herangelstoodagainstthefarwallandsmiled.
Ammadsteppedback.
“Thiscan’tbe.”Hetookawhipfromhis
beltandwenttostrikeher,butthewhipfellfromhishand.
Peacockheardherangelwhistlingajoyfultune.Sheresponded.“TheLordismyshield.”
AmmadquotedfromtheQuran.HenamedeachverseashespokeAlFaqua113.1,113.2andsoon.Then
hesaid.“Yourblackmagichasnoeffectonme.”
Hisfacetoldadifferentstory.
PeacockhadnostrengthtostanduponsavewhatGodprovided.Sheknewwithoutherangel,deathwouldbeswift.AllowhimtoseemeasIam.
Ammad’seyeswidened.Hesneered,pickeduphiswhip,andswung.
Again,thewhipflewoutofhishand,andhegrabbedhisshoulder.Acryofpainescapedhislips.
“Keeptryingtohurtmeandyou’llneverbecomeFirstCitizen.”Peacocksmirked.“Youwantmealiveforsomepurpose?”
“Iliveforthedeathofyourhusbandandtheendofyourreign,youredheadedbitch.”
“Notmuchofmyhairisleft.”Shesighed.“Don’tattempttohurtmeagain.Myprotectorwillnotallowyouthepleasure.”
“Youmumblenonsense,crazywoman.TheGlobalRealmwillgoon,butwithoutyouoryourhusbandleadingit.”Ammadwalkeduptoherandbenttomeethergaze.“Whenthetimecomes,Iwillkillyoumyself.”
Fatchance.Herangelhadasenseof
humor.“Whydoyouwantto
allywiththeIsraelis?”Asinisterchucklefilled
hercompartment.“Youknowmorethanyouleton.Youmaybeinsane,butyou’recunning.”
“WhydoyouwanttofindEdison?”
Hepursedhislips.
“WhyareyouinleaguewithIblis?TrueMuslimsabhoryourconceptsandteachings.Butyouwillbewitchthem.”
“Youbitch.”Heflunghimselfatherandwoundupsmashingintoastonewallacrosstheroomfromwhereshesat.
Heturnedandfled,takinghisflashlightwithhim.Peacockheardhimtellthe
guard.“Nooneistoenterhere.Slideherfoodandwaterinunderthedoor.”
#“Imustbesuffering
fromlowsugar.”AmmadorderedasnackbebroughthimandorderedaspeedyreturntotheDubaiComplex.Ashereenteredhissuite,hisaideracedinfromtheadjoiningroom.“Ourmissilescreatedthedesired
damageontheselectedtargetsandcomplexes.TheGlobalRealmonlypossessesfiftyorlessspace-basedrockets.”
“Iwantaunifiedworldwhenwe’redone.”Heloweredaneyebrow.“Unifiedunderme.AnyindicationPendletonknowswhereIam?”
“No,YourEminence.TheDubaiComplex,
accordingtoourcomputerSayyid,wouldnotranknearthetopofplaceshe’dlook.”
“LetushopeEdisoncalculatesthingsthesameway.”
“Sir,”hisaidesaid,“GovernorChuirejectsanypartnershipwithyou.HeclearlysupportstheFirstCitizen.Buthewillnotcometotheaidofeithersidemilitarily,sayingtheissueis
oneforthepeopletodecidebycombiningtestingprofilesandaGlobalRealmvotewithEdisondoingthemath.”
“ThatplaysintomyhandsifmyadversaryisasweakasIthinkhimtobe.”
“Agreed,Eminence.”“Putmethroughto
Pendleton.”Theaidepressedthe
SummitButtononthecommunicationssystemand
waited.AmmadpossessedoneofonlytwelvedirectlinestotheFirstCitizen.
“VanMeerspeaking.”“ChairmanAmmad
wishestospeakdirectlytoFirstCitizenPendleton.”
Silencefollowed.“I’llconveyamessage.”
Ammadspokeup.“EitheryourbossagreestoacompetencychallengeandGlobalRealmcitizens’vote,
orhefacesall-outwar.All-outwarservesnopurpose.Ifhewisheshiswifebackunharmed,he’llagree.Hewinsthechallenge.Shecomesbacksafely.”
“Holdon.”Nothingbutstaticand
backgroundbumpsechoedoverAmmad’ssystem.Ammadglancedatthetime.VanMeerhadbeengoneovertenminutes.Finally,he
returned.“Infourteendays,pertheoperatingrulesoftheGlobalRealm.Allexecutivelevelleadersareeligibleforconsideration.Ifyoulose,youwillbearrestedfortreasonandimprisonedforlife.”
“Notunlesshewantswarandthedeathofhiswifetosettletheconflict.”
“Hewantstoseehiswifetobesuresheisingood
health.”“Thedaybeforethe
citizens’vote,butafterthecompetencychallenge,I’llallowhertotalktotheFirstCitizen.”Theconnectioncuttosilence.Ammadshouted.“ProgramSayyidtorunfivevariationsofthetestEdisonwillprepare.AMuslim-builtcomputerwilltrumpapaganoneanydayoftheweek.”
“Well,”hisaide
chuckled,“hisrulesstate‘Noapplicantcanrunacomputerteststudy.’Butthen,hedoesn’tknowSayyidexists.Doeshe?”
“HaveAkbaricomein.”Ammadcouldn’twaitanylongertoconfideinhisfriendabouttheshe-devil.
AfewmomentsandAkbaristrodeinasthoughttheworld’sweighthadfallenonhim.“Don’tspeak,”he
said.“WhatyouknowIknow.Whatyou’veseenI’veseen.Isuspectvastwitchcraftatwork.Allowmetostudythebooks.GivemetimetoalignmyspiritwithJannahanditsholiness.Thenwewillspeak.”
“But...”Akbaristompedhis
foot.“Ceaseyourprotest.OnlyontheseissuesamIincharge.Understood?”
Ammadloweredhishead.“Understood.”
Chapter12FirstCitizenArthur
Pendletonflungawastebasketacrosshisboardroom.Itbouncedharmlesslyoffthesolidrockwall.“Dammit.Iwishsomethingwouldbreak.”
“Yousaythateverytimeyougetmad.Pullyourselftogether.Youhavea
meetingwithyourfamilyandstaff.”VanMeerstraighteneduptheroomandbuzzedDuarte.”
“Sendinthefamily.”Connorenteredfirst,
eyesflamingredandhipsswiveling.
“Iloveitwhenyou’reintense,BustyRusty.”VanMeersaidwithawinkaccompanying.Hegaveherapatonthebehind.
“Seriously,pervert,”Connorscootedaway.“Feliciahasn’tbeengonethatlong.”
“Ouch.”VanMeer’sfacereddened.
Onethinghisdaughterlearnedfromhermotherwashowtohandlemen—onetoughwoman,thatone.Georgestruttedinbehindher,self-assuredandhandsome.Heneverdesiredapositionof
politicalpowermuchtoPendleton’sdismay.Hecravedtheadventureofspaceexplorationandcommandedtherespectofthetopastrophysicistsintheworld.Ah,Pendletonthought.Nowforthetreehugger.
Strollingin,handsinhispockets,hisGlobalRealmshirtstickingoutofhispantsintheback,HarryPendletonofferedanod,andsaid,“The
prodigalreturnshome.”“Harry,”hisfather
answered,wonderinghowsomeonesobrilliantcouldbesolaidback.“HowwasyourtripinfromKampala?”
“Concerning.”Harrywipedcurlyredstrandsoffhisforehead.“IviewedthedamagetothreemajorcomplexesfromtheSupersonic.They’rebuilttolast.Buthowmanymissiles
didwewastefightingthat—skirmish,policeaction,orthingamabob?”
Pendletongrumbled.“TherearetimesIwishthethingsIdowouldjustbeacceptedforwhattheyare.Wedefendedourselves.”
“AsIseeit,we’releadinginthedeathcount.Isthatwhatyouwanttheworldtoknow?”
“Well,no.”Pendleton
rubbedhislowerjawandcutofftheconversation,asDuarteentered,notepadinhand.“Wehavelittletimetowaste,”hecontinued.“Allowmetobringyouuptospeed.Ammadrequestsacompetencychallengeandvote.Hehasyourmother,andbythelawoftheRealm,Ican’trefuseevenifhedidn’thaveher.”
Connorblurtedout.
“ThebastardwoostheJews.Chuiwillremainneutralorrunagainstyouboth.IfAmmadwins,therewillbereligiouswarandpersecution,aswehaveneverseen.Isaywedestroyhim.”
“Iagreewithyourdaughter.”VanMeersighed.“Findhimanddestroyhim,beforetheGlobalRealmfallsfromwithin.”
“It’snotjustAmmad.
Overone-thirdoftheworldhasalreadybeeninfluencebyhim.”Pendletonshrugged.“Killoneradicalandyoucreatemillionsmore.WehadthatsituationbeforeIblewuphalftheworld.”
“We’llhaveitagainifyoudon’tactnow,”Connorsaid.
“No.”Pendletonhadalreadymulledoverhisoptions.Heremained
resolute.“Myplanworked.Animprovedhumanityrunsthisplanet,exceptforthefanatics.Thesystemrequireswepracticewhatwepreach.LastnightIprayed.YourmotherhadavisionofthecomingofChrist.ShetoldmetopreparetheChristianbelieversforHiscoming,notkillmorepeople.ThatisexactlywhatI’mgoingtodo.Preparebelievers.”
“Poppycock,”VanMeerblurtedout.
“No.Hespeakswisdom.”GeorgePendletonstood,pulledhimselffullheight,andflexed.Brilliant,goodlooking,andpersuasive,thisPendletoncarriedhimselfwithassuredness.“Ifwehavenodignity,wehavenothing.However,wemustplanforalleventualities.Wewin,someoneotherthanAmmad
wins,orAmmadwins.Worst-casescenario,AmmadwinsanddeclaresJihadonChristianity.Whatwouldourgameplanbe?”
VanMeerbristled.“HowthebloodyhellcouldAmmadwin?”
“Iasked.Whatifhedoeswin?”
Silence.ButPendleton’ssmilebroadened.
“Weleave.”George
passedoutdetaileddiagramsofthenumber,size,andlocationsoftransportshuttlesaroundtheglobe.“Iheadupthesub-surfacecolonizationbranchofMarsResearchProgramWarlord.Presently,wehavethirtyenvironmentallysoundhumanbiospheresbeingreadiedfordeparturetoMars.Ouradvanceteamshaveequipmentinplaceonthe
MartiansurfaceandhavestartedbuildingundergroundcomplexessimilartoourEarthComplexes.”
“IfChristianityisthreatened,howmanypeoplewouldthoseshipshold?”
“Eachhasroomforoverahundredthousandonboard,plustheorbitingSpaceComplexesholdthirtythousandeach.They’reminiaturecitiesin
themselves.”Georgeplacedhishandsonhiships.“ThereareEarthshuttlescapableoftransportingusup.AfewmillionChristianscouldleavesoonwiththeproperplanning.”
“Howsoonissoon?”Pendletonasked.
“Wecouldbereadyintwomonths.”
Itwasn’twhattheBiblesaidshouldhappen.Butwith
theChristianleadershipalreadyalerted,whatdifferencediditmakewhetherChristcametoEarth,orChristianslefttheEarth?Thelatter,notbeingthepreferredplan,butasensibleone.Eitherway,Christianswouldbesafe.
Pendletonsmiled.“MyorderstoallChristianleadersaretoprepareforChrist’scomingthroughprayerand
peacefulspreadingoftheGospel.I’lladdthatasmanyaspossiblebereadytoevacuateatamoments’notice,ifworldconditionswarrant.”
“Understandafewmillionrepresentsonlyafractionofbelievers.”Georgesighed.“I’dhatetobeyou,Father.”
Duarterose.“I’llpreparethenecessary
communiquésforyoursignature,FirstCitizen.”Ashesteppedtowardthedoor,hesaid.“Thewordwilleventuallygetout.”
“Hopefullynot,atleastuntilaftertheelection.”
AsDuarteleft,MichaelZiebachcameinandrolledhiswheelchairupnexttohisboss,VanMeer.Hehandedhimafileandstayedathisside.
“Preparingforanevacuationisonlyaprecaution,”Harrymanaged.“Youaren’tgoingtolosethechallenge.”
Pendletonslumped.“Idon’tknowthatIwillorIwon’t.Lookatwhat’shappenedwithoutmyknowledge.”Hiseyesmoistened.“IlostMilton.Hewasmyeyesandearsonthechangesgoingoninthe
world.SirJarvisFranksdevelopedAlzheimer’sdisease.Overtime,Irelaxed,overconfidentsinceweweremakingsuchpositiveprogress.”
Connorfoldedherfather’shandinhers.Shecouldbeanastywitchoralovingdaddy’sgirl.Heneverknewtowhomhe’dbetalking.“Specifically,howdoweprecede,Dad?”
“Here’stheplan,”hesaid,asshehelpedhimtohisfeet.Slightlyoffbalance,hesteadiedhimselfwithhishandonthetable.“First,setSeptember12thasthedateforthevote.SetthedateofthecompetencychallengeforSeptember6th.Second,notifyallTier1executivestheymustapplybySeptember5th.HowmanyTier1Executives
areeligible?”Duartereenteredthe
roomandanswered,“Fourteen,besidesyourself,FirstCitizen.Thetwelvegovernors,Mr.al-Sistani,andMr.VanMeer.”
“Fourwillrun.”VanMeerpushedhischairbackandtossedafootuponPendleton’sbestboardroomtable.“Ammad,Chui,Arthur,andme.”Hepointedafinger
athisboss.“Let’seventheodds.”
Pendletoncockedhishead,butdidn’trespond.Let’seventheodds?
“Hans,alertallourgovernorstopreparetheirdefensesjustincase.Armdefensiveweaponry,andreinforcecomplexperimeterswithasecondlineofconcretebarriers.Connor,provideincreasedprotectionforVan
Meerandmyselfuntilaftertheelection.Finally,George,fullspeedaheadwithpreparingboththeremainingSpaceComplexesandtheshuttlesforMartiancolonization.”
“I’llstartthepreparations,”Ziebachsaid.
“Beginbydevelopingacombatplanforme,Michael.”VanMeersaid,andshookhishead.“I’mnota
militarystrategist.”Ziebachgrinned.As
PolarisworkingforHercules,heexceededmostinoffensivestrategy.Defense,notsomuch.
“Youforgotme,Dad,”Harrysaid,grinninglikeaCheshirecat.“Ofcourse,I’minvisibletoyoumostofthetime.”
“IneedHarry.”Georgesteppedtohisbrother’sside.
“Toachievetheoptimumfromthebiospheresforsustaininglife,Harry’sknowledgeisvital.”
IguessI’mnotonetotossoutcompliments,Pendletonthought.“I’mproudofeveryoneofmychildren.”
HegaveHarryanod.Unfortunatenoneofthemqualifytorunagainstme.Maybeonedayinthefuture,
howeverlongthefuturewouldbe,agrandchildwouldwishtorule.“Harry,followyourbrother’sdirections.Now,let’sprepare.”
#ConnorUbaarrived
backattheLondonComplexforlookingforwardtoaday’srest.ThenshewouldbeaboutthetaskofprovidingeachcandidateforFirstCitizenthefullprotectionoftheGlobal
RealmSecurityForces.ThelackofevidenceofanotherplannedattackhadherwonderingwhatthepurposewasforAmmad’smissilestrike.Withinaminute,theterrorintheeyesoftheaveragecitizenclearedupthequestion.Globalcitizens’faithintheirsecurityhadbeenshaken.
Yet,onlyafewcomplexesexperiencedthe
bombardment.Therestoftheworldknewnothingaboutit,savefortheMuslimComplexes,whichonlyheardtheversionAmmadsoldthem.Connorclenchedherfists.AmmadhadcreatedtheidealtimeforaplaytobecomeFirstCitizen.Upwardsof90,000deaths,mostlyMuslims,assuredhimoftheirvote.
Whensheflewthrough
theopenbedroomdoor,Obiewasonhiscommunicationscell.Sheplantedakissonhischeekandheardhimgruntareluctant,“Yes.I’llpreparetoleaveAugust30th.Butyou’llhavetoclearthiswiththeComplexAdministrator.”
Afewmoregruntsandhehungup.
“Yourbrother,Harry,commandsmetosomesecretmeetingneartheSanDiego
Complex.Ileaveinaweek.”“Yes,Iknow.”She
rushedtothebathroomandundressed.“We’lltalkabouttheworldsituationlater.I’mhornyashell.SobepreparedafterIcleanup.”
“Yes,mylove.YourObieisalwaysatyourservice.”
Chapter13Stillshackledather
feet,Peacockstumbledoutoftheholethatwas9lowerlevel.Forcedtowearaburka,shedraggedherselfalongthehallwaysandupseveralflightsofstairsforwhatseemedtobeaneternity,followingahairymaleguardwhosmelledofgarlic.She
reachedtheupperlevelofCellBlock42.Prisonersofbothsexeswhistledatherandshoutedobscenities.Pervertscameinallshapes,sizes,andreligions.
Atthemainentrancedoor,twowomenstoodwaiting.“Makeherlookrespectable.”Theguardaccompanyingherinstructedthewomen.“ThentakehertoCellBlock12fora
videotaping.”Videotaping?“I’mtoweighyou.”
Thewomanonherrightgentlyledhertoascale.“45.8kilograms,”thewomansaid.“Writeitdowninpoundsaswell.101poundscountingtheragsshewears.”
Peacockfellasshesteppedoffthescale.Theyoungerofthetwo,holdinganotepad,helpedherup.I
weighed142poundsthedayoftheattack,shethought.
Downtwistinghallsonconcreteanddirtfloorsshehobbled,hummingtunestheangelhadtaughtwhenhewaswithher.Ofcourse,hewasalwayswithher.Shejustdidn’tseehim.
“Sad,”theyoungerwomanwhispered.“Thisonewasbeautifulonce.”
“Noone’sbeautiful
here,”theotherwomansnapped.“Walkingcorpsestheyare.”
Brilliantideaherhusbandhad,forcingeveryonetouseEnglishorMandarin.Shecouldunderstandthegravityoftheplaceshewasin.“Grantthesesoulspeace,”shewhispered.Theangel’svoicecalledout,“Fornow,yes.Soonpeacewillvanishfromtheearth.”
ArrivingatCellBlock12,twomaleguardsgrabbedherandforcedherintoakneelingposition.Adentistaffixedatemporarysetofcapsoverherbrokenteeth.Ahairdresserfitherwithamatchingredhairpiece,andacosmetologisthidthepallorinherfacewithlipstickandblush.
“Putthison.”Anogre-like,elderlywomanhanded
heraGlobalRealmoutfit.“Besuretosmileforthecamera.”
“Stepoverhere.”Thecameramanpointedtoachair.“Sit.Turntoyourleftandrelaxwithyourmouthslightlyopen.”
Shecomplied.Ifsheguessedcorrectly,thepictureswouldgotoherhusbandtoshowshewasalive.Heruniformwasthatof
ahotelworkerbycolorandstripes.Sheplacedherrighthandwithherlittlefingerpointingatasmalllabelonthewaist.
“Holdthepose.”Hedidn’tspotthe
signal.Afterthecameraman
snappedthreephotos,thewomaninchargeorderedPeacockremovedfromCellBock12andtakenbackto
herpit.Oncelockedbackin,shenoticedthelightwason.Asingle10wattbulbilluminatedthecell,usuallykeptdark.Inthecornerlayatraywithaclothtuckedunderthecornertokeepoutrodents.Shepeeledtheclothbacktofinddates,figs,cheeses,andaglassofGlobalRealmnectardrink.Anoteaccompaniedherpresent.
Enjoy.Ineedtofatten
youupfortheslaughter.Love,Ammad.
#Connorheldher
husband’shandastheydisembarkedfromtheirtransportandheadedintotheGlobalSpaceandExplorationCenter.TheCenter,locatedintheSanDiegoComplexintheNorthAmericanRegion,heldthecoreprojectsforMarscolonization.Herbrothers
werealreadyatworkrefiningthecontrolroomprotocolsforapossible,massivelaunchofbiospheres.
“Obi!”HarryPendletonshoutedandraceduptogreethim.“I’mfacingseveralproblemshere.Ineededyoulastweek.”
“AndhereIam,”Obianswered,grinninglikeasmittenschoolboy.“Let’sgettowork.”Heturnedandgave
Connorapassionatekiss.“Callmewhenyouhavetime.Iknowitmaybeweeksuntilweseeeachother.I’llmissyoueveryminute.”
“Iloveyou,”Connormanaged,beforeObiwaswhiskedawayandvanishedintherushofworkersmillingaboutthearea.
“Comeon,”herbrotherGeorgesaid.“Updatemeonthepreparationsfor
Tuesday’scompetencychallenge.”
“Chuithrewhiscandidacyintotherace,asweexpected.Ammadremainshidden,probablystudying.VanMeerseemsnonchalantaboutthewholething.IworrythatwhenthevotingtakesplacehemighttakeawayfromDad’sbase.”
Herbrothercockedhishead.“Dad’ssurvivedtwo
challengesbefore.”“Boththosechallenges
werebeforeMiltondied.”SadnessdeepenedwithinConnor.“GramandMiltonbothgoinginthesamemonthhascrushedhisspirit.I’vewatchedhimgrowmoreindecisivethelastfiveyears.I’mafraidforhim.”
“Momkeepshimfocused.”
“Mom’snothere,”
Connorsnapped.“Twenty-fiveyearsofpeaceandprogresscouldcrumbleinaday,ifAmmadoutscoresDadonthetest.”Sheshuddered.“Showmetheescapeplans.”
Georgeledherupasetofspiralmetalstairstoamastercontrolroomonthe2ndfloorofthebuilding.FromhervantagepointlookingthroughtheglassatthebraincenterofProject
Warlord,shegaspedattheimmensityoftheendeavor.“MyGod,Ididn’trealizehowfarwe’vecome.”
“Youcouldn’thave.”Georgegaveherthatnaïvelittlesisterlook.“Noonecouldhavepredictedhumanityrebuildingourcitiesintothesecomplexesintwenty-plusyears.OrourgoingtoMarsandfindingtheprotectionoftheunderground
caves.”Shenodded.Further
evidenceofman’sabilitylaybeforeher.Anareathesizeoffoursoccerfieldsfilledwithenoughtechnologytolaunchhundredsofbiospheresintospacewithtime.Humansmilledaroundanalyzingdatarealtime.Herbrotherpointedtoaclusterofscreensateyelevelwiththeirposition.“Twenty-fiveearth-based
biospheresarecompleted,stocked,andreadyfordeploymenttoEarthorbitfordockingwithourmotherships.”Hegaveherapairofbinocularstoviewthefarendofthemassivemanufacturingarea.“Therestarewithinweeksofcompletion.”
“Soyou’remonitoringtheassemblyaroundtheworld.”
“Everylocation.Dad’salertingChristiancommunitiestoselectindividualsfortransportonthebasisofskillandfamilyconsideration.Obviously,wecan’ttransporteveryone.”Hisbrowfurrowed.“Howpreparedareweforagroundwar?”
“Virtuallydefenselessagainstone,”Connorsaid.“Wehavelawenforcement,
dronecapabilities,andfiftyorbitingrockets—nostandingarmies.Thedrones’capabilitieswerecrippledwhentherocketattackscommenced.Sowhilethey’refunctional,theirprecisionisquestionable.”
Georgeturnedtoheadbackdownthestairs.“Weneedtoleavethisplanet.Mybet—Ammadhasarmies.Wereliedonourspace-based
weaponry,andnowallwehavearethosefiftyorsorocketsyoumentioned.Capableofdoingdamage?Yes.Capableofwinningaground-foughtwar?No.”
Asshedescendedthestairs,shewhispered.“Willyouaccompanymeonanunpleasantassignment?”
“Whatkindofassignment?”
“Dad’scontemplating
shuttingdownalltheentertainmentcenters.”Sheshookherhead.“I’veneverbeeninanentertainmentcenter.Imaybeclosingtheminafewweeks,ifDadhashisway.Ineedtofindouthowdifficultandunpopularataskthatwillbe.”
“Sure.I’llgowithyou.ButIwon’tlikeit.”
Georgeheadedofftoarrangefortheirtrip.She
waitedattheentrancetothefacilitytryingtocatchaglimpseofObi.ObiwasoffwithHarrytohugtreesanddreamofbotanicalgardens,theresponsibilitiesinsidetheGlobalRealmleftlittletimeforthemtobondasmarriedcouplesshould.Sheyearnedforsomeonetoshareherinnermostjoysandstruggles.ShemarriedObiwiththatinmind,butthephysicalcame
firstforhim,andacoupleofdayswerealltheyhadbeforetraipsingofftooneassignmentoranother.
Heyearnedforherbody.Sheyearnedforhiscompassionandunderstanding.Neitherofthemwascompletelysatisfied.Aquickglanceattheirschedulessaidtheywouldn’tbeforquiteawhile.
#
“Dammit!”Ammadslammedthedoortothetestingroom.“TearSayyidapart.Thepieceofjunkisn’tworththepowdertoblowittohell.”
“Calmyourself.”AtashAkbaristrolledacrossthehallwaytoAmmad’sside.“Patience.Youstillhaveafewdays.WhatyouarefailingtodoisinvokeAllah’speace.Don’tthinktoomuch.
LetHimguideyou.”Ammadgrimaced.The
redheadedwitchshookhisconfidencewithherevilcraft.Hisshoulderstillhurt.
“Youmustunderstand,”Akbarisaid.“Mywalkhasgivenmepowersofaseer.Iseewhatyousee.Thejinn,theMaridwhoprotectsher,playswithyou.Maybehe’sacousinofSatan.RecitethefourQulsandpraytworakat
namazaHajjats.PrayferventlytoAllah,andallfearwillvanish.”
Ammadfelltohisknees.Akbariknewfarmorethanhedidofthespiritworldandthepeopleoffire.Thebitchmustbepossessed.MaybeevenasexslavetotheMarid.SurelyAllahwouldhelphimconquerthisdemon.“I’mAllah’sservant.Iwillnotbeswayed.Hewillbe
withme.Ineedhimeverywhereandineverysituation.”
“YouwilldefeatthisGlobalRealm—thismonsterofPendleton’screation.”AkbaripulledAmmadtohisfeet.“Inyourhands,themonsterwillbetamed.Youwillruletheworld,andIwillserveyou.NowtakeSayyid’stestagain.”
Chapter14Withhermainteam
busysecuringtheGlobalRealmtestprocedures,ConnortraveledinthecompanyofsecurityguardsthatusuallyprotectedtheWesternRegionalGovernor.FoursturdyhulksaccompaniedherandGeorge.Theyboardedahovercraft
andtraveledthe12milesfromtheGlobalSpaceandExplorationCentertoEntertainmentCenterCA-19.LocatedclosertotheoldCityofPalmdale,theEntertainmentCentersatwheretheSanGabrielMountainsshieldeditfromthePacificOcean.
PartsoftheLosAngelesandSanFranciscolocationshadtoberelocated
eastbecauseofseismicactivity,andnonetoosoon.Onlythreeyearsearlier,amassiveearthquakedestroyedtheBayAreaandfloodedtheNapaValley.
CA-19tookupanareaofthirty-sixsquaremiles.Over30,000workerslivedpermanentlyintheCenter.Fromtheair,themountains,thevalley,andthelightsoftheCenterappearedlikea
paintingbyEmoCo,oneoftheartistswhodecoratedtheLondonComplex.
Thehovercraftlandedonapadoutsidethebackentrance.Ifaguestdevelopedaseriousmedicalconditionrequiringamajorprocedure,theyweremedevac’dout.Everyoneelsecheckedinandoutatthemaingate.
“Rightthisway.”Aladyinherlatefortiesled
ConnorandherteamintothebackoftheCenteranddownahalltotheadministrativequarter.“PleasechangeintoCenterattire.Youcan’tgraspthescopeofourcapabilitieswalkingthroughinanofficialcapacity.Ifyoureallywanttounderstandwhathappenshere,comeasaguest.”Shewavedherarm.“Vargas,escortthelady.Haveyourfemalestaffersaccompany
themen.Howlongdoyouneed?”
“WhyamIaccompaniedbyaman?”
Thelady’sheadtiltedandshescoffed.“Youwanttherealfeel.Men’seyeswillbeonyou24/7.”
“Howlongisacompletetour?”
“Threehourstoseeeverything,butnotimetotastethelife.”
“Idon’tneedtotastethelife.Mylifeisfull.ButI’llneedmoretime.I’mgoingtointerviewpeopleatrandom.”
“Asyouwish.”Theladyextendedherhand.“MynameisJessicaSparks.I’mtheCenter’sChiefAdministrator.Hereisascheduleoftoday’sevents.”
Connorperusedthesheet.AGlobalcircustroop
performedthreeshowsdaily.Twomagiciansheldliveperformancesinaballroomcalled,“NowYouSeeIt.NowYouDon’t.”AnorchestrawouldperformanallBachprogramthateveningintheCA-19ConcertHall.
“WhatisTheGlobalFieldFootballLeague?”Connorasked,notfamiliarwithteamsports.
“Fieldfootballisasportformerlyknownassoccer.TheRealmdevelopedtwelvesix-teamleagues,oneleagueforeveryRegion.Attheendoftheseason,therewillbeplayoffsbetweenthewinningteamsineachregionuntilwehaveaGlobalwinner.TheRioComplexplaysourteamatfourp.m.Caretowatch?”
IntriguedasConnorwas,herinterestlayinthe
process.Howwerepeoplescreenedforadmissionandexit,aswellas,theseamysideoflifewithintheCenter?“WheredoIchange?”
“Rightthisway.”Shepointeddownahallway.“Mr.Vargas,pleaseaccompanyhertothedressingrooms.”
#“You’resurethese
picturesweretakenrecently?”
“Yes,FirstCitizen.”“Andyoucan’tblow
themupanylarger?”“Notwithoutdistorting
them.”ThemantalkingpointedtoPeacock’sfinger.Itmaybenothing,butshe’swearingahoteluniformwithalabelonit.Herfingerseemstobepointingatthelabel.“Thelabelissolidred,aswastheoldDubaiEmiratesflag.Mr.VanMeerbelievessheis
beingheldnearorintheDubaiComplex.”
Pendleton’shandstrembled.HisLoveylookedghastly,andnotfrompoorphotography.Thewomaninthesepictureshadenduredunimaginedsuffering.Hereadthenoteaccompanyingthephoto.Init,AmmadgloatedoverhisaccomplishmentincapturingPeacock.Hethreatened
Pendletonnottotrytorescueher.Butassuredhimshewouldbereleasedafterafairvoteofthepeople.Hecalledherhistrumpcard.
Purebullshit!“GiveHansmybest
wishesonhistestperformance,”hesaid.“And,thankhimfortheheadsup.Wecandonothinguntilthetestsaretakenandtheelectionisover.”
OncePendletonwasalone,hemadeacall.“TheFirstCitizenforPopePeter.PleaselethimknowI’montheline.”
#Dressedincivilian
clothesthatshowedoffherfigure,ConnorleftherdressingroomandmotionedtoVargaswhowouldconducthertour.“Ihopeyouknowwhatyou’redoing.”
“Itestedtopinmydivision.”Vargasstrolledatleisuretowardthemainentrance.“IplaythetrumpetinthesymphonyorchestraandassistJessicaasatourguide.”
Connor’sbrotherandtwoofthesecuritypeoplehadheadedinadifferentdirection.SheandtwoothersfollowedVargas.Centersecuritypersonnelarmedwith
stungunswerepostedateveryaisleandintersection.Connormusedthatshecouldkicktheirasses,stungunsornot.
“HaveyouworkedatotherEntertainmentcenters?”sheaskedherguide.
“Fourinall,”hesaid.“Thisoneisthecrownjewel.”
“Whyso?”“Offerings—wehave
morevenuesforhumanoutletsthanmostothercenters.”
Connorleanedagainstapillarandobservedtheentryprocedures.Scanningdevisesfoundanyitem,nomatterhowsmall,thatapersonforgottocheckinwithsecurity.Apieceofchewinggumwouldnotgounnoticed.Satisfiednoweaponscouldbebroughtinotherthanthose
possessedbyCentersecurity,shefollowedVargasontothecheckoutarea.
Astheyambledlongliketourists,hermouthjarredopen.TheceilingswithintheCenterglimmeredfromthebeamsoflightreflexingontheirgoldplating.Thesoundoflaughter,music,andadinofhumannoiseoverwhelmedhermind.Shethoughtshecaughtaglimpseofher
brotherascendingastaircasetowardthemagicians’venueandwonderedwhetherthismightbetoomuchforhim,bachelorashewas.
Alcohol,shethought.Ismellalcohol.
SheandVargaspassedunderalargepinksignpointingtotheexit.Infrontofheranareaopenedupwithseverallinesofpeopleweavingtheirwaytoward
medicalpersonnel.“MyGod,thislooksliketheemergencyroomofahospital.”
“Goodobservation.NooneleavesCA-19untiltheypassthemedicalcheckout.”Hegrinned.“Thesefacilitieshavevirtuallyeliminatedamultiplenumberofinfectionsandsexuallytransmitteddiseases.Plus,theRealmreceivesanemotionallywell-adjustedindividualbackinto
societyreadytowork.”Hum.Herdefinitionof
emotionallywell-adjusteddifferedfromhis.Whywouldahappycitizencometoaplacelikethis?
Mostpeopleexitingpassedtheirtestsandleft.Afewwerepulledasideandrequiredtowaitbeforebeingreleased.Connorapproachedawomansittingaloneinaholdingareaandsatdown
nexttoher.“Hi,thisismyfirsttimehere.Howaboutyou?”
Thewoman,mid-thirties,slender,withapleasantface,glancedup.“Icomehereonmytimeoff.I’mnotmarriedandit’sdullathome.”
“WhatdoyourecommendIsee,whileI’mhere?”
Thewomanloweredher
glasses.“Whydidyoucome?”“Curiosity.”“Theyhaveeverything.
Iseeyouhaveaneventcalendar.Tryitall.”ShelookedatConnor’shand.“Nicering.Openmarriage?”
“Myhusband’sonanassignment.”
“TheCenterhasanythingyoudesiresexually.Followthepurplesignsto
ClubFantasy.Butdon’tdrinktoomuch.Dullsthesenses.”
“Describeeverything.”Thewomanlaughed.
“Areyouserious?Ifyoucanthinkofit,itcanbearranged.Letyourimaginationroll.”ShetouchedConnor’sleg.“Thepersonnelhereknowhowtopleaseyou,ifyougetmymeaning.”
“Thanks,”shesaid,andmovedonfollowingVargas.
“MakeClubFantasyyourlaststop.Seethemoresophisticatedsightsfirst.Mary,whomyoujustspokewith,isaregular.She’sabiochemist.SheobtainsanescortfromtheClub,attendstheattractions,getslaid,andleaves.”
“Whatdidshemeaneverything?”
Vargaspointedtoapetitewomandressedina
tightfittingoutfit.Shelookedlikeafifteen-yearold,freckled,blue-eyed,andaninnocentsmile.“Shecomeshereonceamonthforthesolepurposeofhavingsexwithasmanymenastimeallows.She’sacomputerlogisticsoperator,atensejob.Here,shelivesoutherfantasy.Ifyou’rebenttowardwomen,wehavealternatepreferencestoo.”
Workingwithmenallherlife,nothingshockedConnor.Shepointedtothecomputerlogisticoperator.“Isupposeshegetstolookattheirgenitalsfirst.”
“Noneed.Jobrequirementsaresufficient.”
GoodGod.Aftertwohoursof
observingthegames,entertainment,restaurantsandbars,ConnorfollowedVargas
toClubFantasy.Shewasgreetedattheentrancebyfourgorgeousexamplesofmaleandfemalehumans.Wearingsee-throughcasualattire,themaleoncallsteppedforward.“WelcometoClubFantasy,beautifulone.Wheredidyoufindher,Vargas?AndwhyhaveInotseenherherebefore?”
“Becarefulwhereyouputyourhand.”Sheflashed
herI.D.card,andtheyoungmanturnedpaleandjumpedback.
“Iapologize.”“Don’t.I’dliketospeak
toyouprivately.”Sheturnedtoatiny,delicateblondetryingtotiptoeaway,andsaid,“I’llbeinterviewingyoutoo,afterRomeoandIaredonetalking.”
VargashustledConnorandtheyoungmanintoone
oftheprivatesuitesdownaredhallwithpsychedeliclightsflashing.Onceintheroom,Connorpointedtoachair.“Haveaseat.Idon’tbite.”
“Youcould,”hesaid,“ifyou’regentle.”
“I’mhereonrealmbusiness.”Shepulledarobeoffthemassivewhitebedandtosseditathim.“Putthison.You’llbemorecomfortable.”
“You’llbemorecomfortable.I’mperfectlyfine.”Hecomplied.Themomenthedidheappearedlikeasheepishschoolboycaughtkissingagirlinthehall.
“Whatwouldyouliketoknow?”heasked.
“Tellmeaboutyourself.Whereyou’refrom,andhowdidyoustartworkinginthesexprofession.”
“Myname’sHalPerkinsfromtheTulsaComplex.”Hegrinnedandfoldedhishandswitharelaxingmotion.“Asateen,Iplannedtobeamolecularscientist.ButIhadahardtimewithsolidgeometry.Iwastheguywhocracked-upmyfriendswithjokesandcomicroutines.SoIswitchedtotheentertainmentcorestudiesandflewupthe
scale.”“Whatareyourduties
here?”Connorasked.Hallookedaway.“I
wishyouwereaclient.Iwouldfeelmorenaturaltalkingaboutthis.”
“LikeIsaid,I’mhereonrealmbusinessandIdon’tbite.”
“TwiceaweekIperformwiththemainvocalattractionsattheMelody
Auditoriumasabackupsinger.Here,withmyequipment,theladiesflocktomeasanescort.”Helaughed.“Myegocouldn’tbehealthier.Allinall,I’mhavingaballworkinghere.OnedayIhopetobecomeaheadlinerandtakeastarringrole.ButI’llneverstopworkingwiththeladies.”
“DoyoubelieveinGod?”
Hecockedhishead.“TheStatehasnobusinessknowingmypersonalbeliefs.”
“I’mcurious.”Hemoistenedhislips.
“Godcreatedandmovedon.WhateverHeorSheishasnothingtodowithhowIlivemylife.I’mcomposedofmatterandanunseenforce.I’llliveagainsomewhereatsomeothertime.That’swhat
Ibelieve.Iwon’tchangemyopinion.”
“Sohavingsexwithanyoneassignedgivesyounocauseforshame?”
“Shame?Why?Ihavefun.Theyhavefun.Noonegetshurt.It’saperfectworld.”
“WhatkindofGlobaltestingdidyouhaveforthisjob?”
“FortheEntertainment
CareerModule,businessmanagement,finance,organizationaldevelopment,andhumanresourcesandhumanbehavioralpsychology.Themusicalin-houseperformancesarebyaudition.”Hegrinned.“Forhealthpurposes,everyonehereisscreenedweeklyforSTD’s.Butwithtoday’smedicaladvances,therehasn’tbeenacaseinthis
centerinthepastsixyears.”Afternearlyanhour
withHalPerkins,Connorreleasedhimbacktohissupervisorandbroughtinthetinyblonde,whohadAphroditeradiancebeamingaroundher.
“Howoldareyou?”Connorasked.
“Twenty-three,”thegirlrepliedandslidontotheedgeofthebed.Atleastshe’dput
arobeontohidehernudity.“Andyourname.”“LexiLee.”“GlobalRealmname.”“LexiLee.It’stheonly
nameIgot.”Another“Hmm”
escapedhermouth.Lexi’suseoftheverbgotsaidhertestscoreswouldbelow.“HowlonghaveyoubeenhereatCA-19?”
“SincethedayIturned
sixteen.”Connor’sheadjolted
back.Thensherememberedtherealm’slegalageofconsentwassixteen.“WhatEducationalCoredidyoutake?”
Lexilookeddownatthefloor.“IonlypassedElementaryBasics.”
MyGod,thatwasthebeginninglevelchildrenagefivetooktoestablisha
baseline.“Andafterthat.”“Ma’am,IhaveanIQ
of74.Icleanedrooms.”Shegrinned.“Itesteachyear.IhopethestuffIlearnherewillhelpmelearntocook.”
“Didyouchoosetobeasexworker?”
“No.Thetestcentersaidthejobsasfruitpickersneededastrongerperson.Plus,theysaidmybodywassuitedforthiswork.SoItook
thisandjustkeptmymouthshut.Why?Didsomeonecomplain?”
Connor’sfaceburned.“Nocomplaints.Doyoulikewhatyoudo?”
“Yes.Whenpeoplelikeme,I’mhappy.Besides,cleaningtheroomsislonely.”Shegrinned.“HereI’mtouchedandappreciated.Ineedtobetouchedandappreciated.”
“Lexi,doyoubelieveinGod?”
Theyounglady’seyeswidened.“Yes.Italktohimeveryday.”
“WhoisGod?”Shelookedupandto
theleft,thengrinned.“Heistheonewhomadeeverything.Heislove.”
“Doeshehaveaname?”
Lexi’seyebrows
furrowed.“God.”“Wherewillyougo
whenyoudie?”“I’llgotoGodandask
him,‘What’snext?’”Lexisateyeswideandmouthopen,gazingatConnor.
Connorwarmedtothisinnocentgirl.“Ihopeyouneverchange.”
ShetookLexitothedoor.“Vargas,givemethefilesofeveryfemalesex
workerhere.Now!”Lexiturnedtoherand
said,“Don’ttakemeawayfromhere.Ican’tcleanroomsallmylife.”
“Idon’tmakethosedecisions.Sodon’tworry.”
Vargasalreadyhadseveralfilesinhishand.“Ianticipatedyourrequest.Globallawstates,‘Everycitizenmustperformworkofsometypeequaltotheir
abilityandattitude.’”“Howmanygirlshere
arelikeLexi?”sheaskedasLexihurriedofftowork.
“Oftheninety-twoatthisfacility,twenty-sevenarementallychallenged.”Vargassighed.“Youhavetounderstand.Thewaitinglisttoworkhereisbackloadedtwo-yearsout.SomeofthosewaitinghaveIQ’sofover130.”
“BringsomeoneworkingherewiththattypeIQ.”Shedidn’tthinkVargascould.Whatwouldanintelligentwomanwantinaplacelikethis?Thelinesofmenandwomenwaitingforappointmentsgrewbytheminute,aslateafternoonapproached.
“Fine.”HemovedclosetoConnorandwhispersothoseinlinecouldn’thear.
“Lexiisfortunatetohavethisjob,andsheisthebestofthebest.She’shappy.Theclientsarehappy,andthisisthebestmatchforheraccordingtoGlobalStandards.”
Vargasleftandreturnedwithatallbeauty.FromwhatConnorhadseen,onlythecreamofhumanphysicalsexualityworkedhere.Thisladyglidedingracefully,reachedoutherhand,and
said,“MynameisConnieIvaconni.”
HerwristsportedthreegoldbandsencircledwithpinkRealmemblems.Eachsayingthiswomanexcelledasaspecialistinthreefieldsofexpertise.Connordidn’taskwhich.
“CallmeConnor.”Shereplied.“Why...”
“WhyamIworkinghere?First,Ithriveonmale
attention.Second,I’llruntheWesternHemisphereEntertainmentcentersbythetimeI’mforty.Third,Everythingfunishere.Sports,you’vegotit.Classics,you’vegotit.Finefood...”
“Igetit.”ConnormotionedforConnietositdownandpulledupadeskchairtositacrossfromher.“Describeatypicaldayfor
me.”“Isleepin.Oneofthe
guysbringsmebreakfastaround10a.m.”ShepointedherfingeratConnor.“RapesundertheGlobalRealmarerare.Whydoyouthink?Exceptforonedayaweekoffandaweek’svacationayear,ourcitizenswork75%ofthetimeandsleeptheother25%.That’swhytimeoffisvitalforthem.Myjobisseeingto
ittheygetexactlywhattheywantandstayproductivecitizens.”
Loweringherbrow,Connorsaid,“Sticktomyquestion.I’mnotlookingforyoutodefendwhatyoudo.”
“Sixdaysaweek,Ientertainwalk-inclientsfromeleventofive,withtenminutesoffforlunch.Atfive,Ihookupwithanoff-dutyexecutiveclient,andwego
outabouttheCenterenjoyingthefestivities.Wereturnaboutmidnight,Heleavesabout3a.m.andIsleepuntilten.”
“Andyourseventhday?”
Thewomansmiledabroad,winningsmile.Alaughescapedherlips.“ItakethetransporttotheLosAngelesComplexandspendtimewithmymother.She’sa
nurseandwehaveourdaysofftogether.”
Vargasstuckhisheadinthedoor.“Yourcompany,particularlyyourbrotherisanxioustoleave.”
“I’llberightthere.”ConnorstoodandshookMs.Ivaconni’shand.“WhatdoyouthinkofthegirlslikeLexi?”
“Shehasthebestdealshecangetforherself.She’s
notbright,butshe’sgiving.Themenloveher,sowhat’stheharm?”
What’stheharm?“Doyoubelievein
God?”Connorasked,asConnieglidedtothedoor.
“Remember,theGlobalRealmdoesn’tforcereligiononitscitizens.”
“Justaquestion.”“Maybe.Havehim
comeovertomeetmeand
we’llhavealittlechat.”Withthat,shewentoutthedooranddisappearedintotheever-growingthrong.DisgustandenvyfilledConnor.She’stooperfect.
Chapter15Pendleton’ssweat
drippedfreelydownhisface.Thedamncomputerthrewscenarioafterscenarioathim.Edisonmixedamultitudeofsituationstogetherinvolvingpersonalissues,family,religiousconvictions,andworldcomplexities.Themachinedemandedthe
selectionofonlyonecourseofaction.Sixhoursnow,he’dstruggled.
“Time.”Amechanicalvoicespokeandthescreenfadedtoblack.
Allparticipantsstartedandendedatthesametime.Pendletonrosetoastandingpositionandalmostcollapsed.He’drarelybeenchallenged.Lessthanahandfulofcompetitorsever
scoredhighenoughtoforcehimtotakethetest.HisoriginalgradeonEdison,a99.4%logicallyaccurate,exceededallothertestscorespreviouslyrecordedby2.6%.Hewaitedforhisresulttopopuponthescreen.
Suchself-doubt.HeneversecondguessedhisdecisionsuntilMiltonpassedaway.Thentherewerethetremorsinhishands.Bloody
hell.EarlyParkinson’s.Opponentscouldnotknow.Hisscoreflashedonthescreen.Hedidadouble-take98.9%.Thesecondhighestscoreeverrecorded.Hischestpuffedout.I’mnotgoingdownwithoutafight,hethought.
Heemergedthroughthedoorandgingerlystrodeacrosstheroom.“Haven’tlostmyedge.Nosir.I’vestill
gotit.”Duartepointedatthe
70”screenshowingEdison’sfinaltallyoftheresults.ChillsrandownPendleton’sspineandhestoppedmid-stride.
“MyGod,”hegasped.“Thisisn’tpossible.”
HansVanMeerexitedfromhistestingarea.“Well,Ididn’tscorehighenoughtomaketheballot.Wow,will
youlookatthat.Iguessmy92%reallysucks.”HepokedPendletoninthearm.“Jollygoodshow,98.9%,OleBoy.”
“A92%isthefifthhighestscoreeverrecordedonthisexamuntiltoday,Mr.VanMeer.”Duarteshookhishand.“Overelevenhundredcitizenstookthisexamintheearlytestingstages.Youshouldbeproud.”
Pendletonslumpedinto
thenearestchair.“Ammadhasa99%.Chuihasa98.8%.Bytherules,thevarianceputsusinavirtualtie.”HowcouldAmmadhavescoredthatwell?
“Ammad’sadeviousbastard.”VanMeerpokedPendletonagain.“DeviousbastardsareacesatrulingtheRealm.Lookatyourself.You’reasdeviousastheycome.”
Duarteinterruptedwithawaveofhishand.“TheRealmhasonlysixdaystopreparetovote.I’llhavetonotifythepublicandinstructthemonhowtousethevotingapplicationontheiruniversalcommunicationsdevices.NoonehasvotedfortheFirstCitizenbefore.They’llbeconfused.”
“Whatever.”Pendletonfidgeted.He’dgonefrom
elatedtoglum.“WhenareConnorandGeorgearriving?”
“Withinthehour,”Duartereplied.“ShallIshowtheminwhentheyarrive?”
“Yes,pleasedo,”Pendletonsaid.“AnddraftnotestoChuiandAmmad,offeringthemmycongratulations.”
Duartestoppedandturned.“Areyouserious,
FirstCitizen?Ammadalmostforcedusintowar.”
“Myenemyornot,hisachievementisextraordinary.”
“Onemoment,”VanMeersaid.“Ratherthandoinganelaboratetutorialwiththem.Showthemrealtime.Developafewbasicpicturesoftheuniversalwatch,andtheycanfollowthestepswithyouonvotingday.”
Duartereflectedforamoment.“Iknowthisisn’tproperinaGlobalSociety,butIliketheideathateveryoneintheworldwillwatchme.”
Hepivotedonhisheelandstruttedoutoftheroom.
Withinthehour,thedoortothetestingfacilityopened.Hisdaughterandoldestsonrushedin.Beforetheycouldsitdown,
Pendletonaddressedthem.“You’veheardthenewsbynow.Therewillbeathree-manrunoff.I’mrequiredtogiveaonehouraddresstojustifywhyIshouldberetainedinpower.”HehuggedConnorandshookGeorge’shand.“I’mconflictedbytheentertainmentcenterissue.ShouldIkeepthemopenorclosethemifIcontinueas
FirstCitizen?Ammadwillcertainlyaddresstheissue.WhatdoIsay?”
Georgechuckled.“Well,they’requiteadilemma.AsaChristian,I’dneverhavecreatedthem.”Hepointedhisfingerandshookitathisfather.“Butyoudid.”
“Iregretthatdecision.”Pendletonletoutadeepwhooshofair.“Thebestadvisorsbelievedthe
populaceneededanoutletandtheRealmprovidedlittleexceptfortheCenters.”
“Probablytrue.”Georgepattedhisfather’sback.“Eightypercentofwhathappensthereisterrificentertainment.Twentypercentisdebase,thelowestformofhumandebauchery.It’sdepravedanddemeaning.SoIsaylet80%remainandclosethebloodyrotdown.”
Connorcollapsedontoachair.“Don’tpreachtoDad,BigBrother.Heneverwantedtobeamoralpoliceman.”
“Sotellhimyourtake,Sis.Don’tholdback.”GeorgetookaseatnexttoVanMeer,asfarfromhissisterashecouldgetforfearofrepercussions.
“IfyouwanttopleaseGod,youfollowGeorge’slead.”Sheinhaledadeep
breath.“Ifyouwanttowintheelectionandmakefriendsaroundtheworld,youkeepthecentersastheyare.”
Pendletonleanedforwardandmadeeyecontactwithher.“Whysayyouso?”
“Honestly,fromahumanviewpoint,youwereright25yearsagoandyoustillare.Youcan’tbeamoralpoliceman.FromGod’sviewpoint,Hewouldnever
agree.Youhavetochoose.”Lookingmorelikeher
mothereveryday,hethought—perky,bright,andpassionate.HowhemissedLovey.
“Ifeeldisdainfortheprostitutionandalcoholuse.”Connorlookedatthefloor.“Butthosewhotakepart,immoralthoughtheyarebyourstandards,willbecometroublemakerswithoutthose
outlets.Theworldpopulationwillbecomeunmanageable.Whatgoesonwithinthecenterswillspilloutonthestreets.”
Pendletonrosetohisfeet.“Ammadpositionedhimselfwell.Whenwediscoveredhisdeceit,heattacked.Hedestroyedenoughofourspace-basedtechnologytorenderacompletevictoryforeither
sideimpossible.Intheprocess,heruinedenoughofthecountrysidetoputfearanddoubtinpeople’sminds.Imustpointthatouttoawaitingworld.”
“Takefiveminutesdoingthat,”Georgesaid.“Therestofthetimedenouncewar,pointouttheachievementsofthepast25years,andoutlineaplantomoveforward.”
HesippedsomeGlobalnectarfromhisglass.“And,continuepreparationsforChristianevacuationincasewelose.”
Lose?Pendletonwastired.Notonlyphysically,butmentallyaswell.Hismindrespondedastepslowerthanithadinyearspast.
“Where’sHarry?”heasked,suddenlydesiringtohaveallhischildrenaround
him.“WithObi,”Connor
brooded.“They’remakingfinalpreparationsonthebiospheresforspaceflight.I’llprobablynevergetmorethanacoupleofdayswithhimatatimethewaythingsaregoing.”
“I’msorry,Honey.Ihopetheprojectshe’sworkingonwillturnouttobeunnecessary,”Pendletonsaid.
“ButIfeartheworst.WhenIsawmyscorepostedfromEdison,Iregainedstrength.Now,IseeIwasprematureincelebrating.”
“Ourquestionshouldbe.HowdidAmmaddosowell?”VanMeerchimedin.
“Yes.Howindeed.”
Chapter16Likefirefliesinthe
darkness,theshimmeringlightsaroundPeacockheldhergaze.“Pretty.”
She’dbecomeawareofhersurroundings.Timehadceasedtobeforher.She’dforgottentobreatheadayago.Hermindshutdownandsurrenderedtototaldarkness.
Deathispeaceful,shethought.Nowmyangelbringsmebacktolifelongenoughtocomfortme.
Thensheremembered.Yes.Sheactuallydiddie.Herbreathleftherandherspiritroseabovehercell.Peopletalkedaboutmovingtowardabrightlightandseeingfamilyandfriends.Butforher,shewatchedherselflyingdeadonthefloorofthecell,andthen
nothing.Thatis,untilnow.“It’stimetogo.”The
lightgrew,andshecouldmakeoutherangel’sshapeinthefarcornerofhercell.
“Areyoutakingmetoheaven?I’mready.”
Abubblingspring-likelaughterfilledherearsandinitthewords“Notyet,butsoon,”spoketohermind.
“WhydidIseemdeaduntilyourousedme?”she
asked,andknewtheanswerwithoutaresponse.“Ididdie.Didn’tI?”
Hesmiled.“Godhasapurposeforyou,andyouwillnotgotoheavenuntilyoufulfillit.”
“Leadon.”Shefoundherselfonherfeetmovingthroughthesoliddoorofhercell,adoorboltedfromtheoutsideandfartooheavyforhertomove.Shefeltnopain,
andwhenshelookeddown,acleanpairofjeansandawhiteshirtcoveredher.Tennisshoesadornedherfeet.Shestoppedandranherhandsdownherbody.Theskeletalwraithhadvanished,andshewashealthyandwhole.
UpthestairsshewalkedtotheupperlevelofCellBlock42.Aguardsloucheddownbytheexitdoor.
Anotherstrolledalongthehallway.Theangelledherpastthemwithouttheirnoticing,andoutshewentintothefreshair.Sheinhaledacomfortablebreathandturnedtoherguardian.“Whereto,kindSir?”
“Toameeting,thatwillhappeninaweek.Untilthen,goodnight.”
Avoicecalledtoherfromwhatseemedlightyears
away.“We’rewaiting,Donna.”
“Mother?”Noonehadcalledher
Donnainthelastthirty-threeyears.Hermindfellintoadeepsleepandnothingdisturbedher.
#Pendletonwatched
PopePeterwalkunassistedupthestairstohisprivatequartersintheRome
Complex.Aidestriedtohelphim,buthe’dshoothemawaywiththewaveofhishand.Sharpinmind,quietinmanner,Peterwasafriend,notareligiousfigure.HeextendedhishandtoPendletonsaying,“Congratulationsonyourtestscoreandgoodluckwiththevote.Luckily,noonedaresvotemeoutofoffice.”
“We’veprepared
ChristianleadersworldwideforeithertheraptureofTheChurchortheirescapebyshuttlelaunchestothebiospheres.”Pendletonshookhishead.“ThepressI’mhearingsaysyouandIreceivedstrongapproval.Afewscoffers,butnoonethoughtwewereweird.”
“Whatdoesitmatterwhatscoffersthink?IfGodisinthis,Hewilljudgethem.”
Petersighed.“Mystaffwillstaytoleadwhateverresistancewecanmuster.Idohaveseveralnon-clergywhoI’veencouragedtogo.Besureyourpeopletakegoodcareofthem.”
“Certainly,Iwill.”PendletonenteredthePope’squartersandedgedintoaleatherarmchair,simpleinstyleandcolor.“Keepingthislowkeyhasbeenstressful.
Luckily,Ammadisbusypreparingtodefeatmeintheelectionandnottryingtoblowupspacetransports.”
PopePetergruntedasheloweredhimselfontohiswing-backedchair.“Arthritis,”hesaid,“aneasierconditiontokeepsecretthanyourplantoevacuatetheChristianpopulation.”
“Probablyso.”Nothingwaseasy
anymore.Whatwouldthepopulacedo—riot,refusetogo,comply?Maybetherewouldn’tbeaneed.Laverna’spreviousvisionscametrue.So,maybethepeoplewouldbetakentoheavenbeforeanyevacuationwasnecessary.
“Ican’tworryaboutanyone’sreactiontoourplans.IcanonlydowhatGodsaid.”
“Awisedecision.”ThePopegrinned.“Youtrulyarehelplesswhenitcomestooutcomes.Allyoucandoiswhatyou’retold.That’showGodworks.”Peterleanedforward.“MysourcessayAmmadisholdingameetingwiththeIsraelis.He’spresentingthemwithaplantorebuildtheirtemple.Soundlikesomethingyou’veheardbefore.Huh?Likeinthe
BookofDaniel?”#
AmmadpeeredoutthewindowofhistransportasitspedtowardtheTelAvivComplex.Thetemperatureexceeded120degreesFahrenheit.Notasoulcouldbeseenoutsidealongtheroad.TheJewishComplexeshoused99.4%ofthenativeJewishpopulation.Onlyafewnomadsrefusedshelter
undertheGlobalRealm.TheTelAvivComplex
lookedlikeaStarofDavidfromEarthOrbit.ApartofhimadmiredthesplendorofthetowersateachpointoftheStar.TheGlobalRealmemblemgracedthemainentrance,atwo-headedeagleetchedingoldandblack.Asacompromise,theformeremblemofIsraelemblazonedinblueandwhitewas
encasedwithintheRealm’semblem.
AnotherpartofAmmadtrembledinanticipationofthecomingmeeting.HisplantounifytheSonsofAbrahamandtheirancientPersianconquerorsmightbetheverymoveneededtowintheelection,nowonlytwodaysaway.AshisentourageenteredTelAviv,theyweremetbyRabbiLevinsonofthe
GreaterSanhedrinfromtheTiberiusComplex.
“WelcomeChairmanal-Sistani.”RabbiThomasLevinson,eighty-twoyearsoldandstillafigureofgoodhealth,greetedAmmad.“WespeakfortheGreaterSanhedrinandhenceforthetrueSonsofAbraham,Isaac,andJacob.Wewishtopreserveourheritageandrebuildourholysites,
especiallytheTempleMount.ThankGoditstillstands.”
“IbringyougreetingsfromtheSonsofIshmael,Esau,andKourosh.”Ammadanswered.“ArabsandPersiansalike.Allasyou.ChildrenoftheBook.”
BehindLevinsonstoodsixty-nineotherrabbisallfromTiberiusofGalilee.Anxioustorebuildtheirtempleandbringbacktheold
religiontoitsformergreatness,AmmadsawthesefoolsasthemeanstowincontrolovertheentireMiddleEastvote.
AbroadsmileformedonLevinson’sface.“Wegreetthemaswell.Letusmovetoamoresecurelocationanddiscusshowaunionmightbepossible.Rememberwehaveareputationfornegotiatinga
lotofextras.”Heshrugged.“We’rerustyinthisGlobalRealm.NoroomtoGentileanyoneoutoftheirmoney.Thereisn’tanymoney.”
Levinson’scommentamusedAmmad.Truly,themanwasanidiot.HeandhisdelegationfollowedtheGreaterSanhedrinintothecomplextoareservedmeetingroom.Thesignoutsidesaid,Welcome
PacificationoftheNon-CitizenWorldCommittee.Agoodwaytohidethetruepurposeofthemeeting,Ammadthought.
StrangetoseesomanyMuslimsinsideaJewishComplex.Theaveragecitizenmighthavesuspicions.Themeetingroomdividedintothreesections,Levinsonandthreeofhistoppeoplesatonthefarsideofarectangular
conferencetable.AmmadandAkbarisatontheotherside.BehindLevinson,therestoftheSanhedrinfiledintochairs.ThefiveremainingmembersofAmmad’sdelegationsatinarowofchairsbehindhim.Ateachcorner,alegalsecretarywasseatedtorecordtheproceedings.
“Whatismostimportanttoyou,Rabbi
Levinson?”Akbariasked.“Thatourtemplebe
rebuiltandthatwemaypracticeourfaithintheplaceofitsbirth.”LevinsonpointedafingeratAmmad.“Areyouamanofpeace?Or,areyoualiar?”
“Whatmanisn’taliar?ThequestionisamIlyingnow?Theanswerisno.”
“Letmebeblunt.”Levinsonpoundedthetable.
“Eitheryou’reusingustogainpower,onlytobetrayus.Or,you’reusingustoconvinceyourfollowersyouarethegreatpeacemaker.ConvincemeI’mwrong.”
Ammad’sinsidesboiledatthesestatements,buthemanagedacontritesmileandresponded.“Iunderstandyourdistrust.Millenniumsofstrifebetweenourpeopleareembeddedinourgenes.I
offerpeace.IfIwintheelection,youcanreceivethego-aheadtorebuiltHerod’stempleusingtheremainingwallasananchorpoint.”
Akbarireachedintoasuitcasehe’dplaceunderthetable.HepulledouttencopiesofapeaceproposalalreadysignedbyhimselfandAmmad.Ammadwatchedtheeyesofhisadversariesscouringthedocument.
They’llaskfortime,butthey’reintrigued.
Levinsonandtwoofhisadvisorslookedoverthepapersandconsultedtogether.ThenLevinsonsaid,“Giveusuntilaftertheelectiontoreadthefineprint.”Levinsonneatlyreassembledthepapershehadrearrangedwhilereadingthem.“YouagreethattheJerusalemComplexwillbea
freezoneavailabletotheJewsaswellastheMuslims?Nopreferentialtreatment.”
“Withnootherreligionshavingentrance,”Ammadsaid.“Whenyoureadcloser,you’lldiscoverthisistrueforallremainingholysitesofourpeopleworldwide.”NowAmmadpointedafingerbackatLevinson.“Signingtheagreementisaformality.Iwanttoleavehereknowing
wehaveone.Soyouhaveuntiltomorrowmorningatnineo’clock.Igivemyaddresstotheworldthen,andwhatIsaywilldependonyouragreement.”
Levinsonroseabruptly.“Thenwehavenotimetositheretalking.You’llhaveyouranswerbyeighto’clock.”Hewavedtoasecuritydetailinthebackofthemeetingroom.“MarshallPerezwillseeyou
andyourdelegatetoyourquarters.”
“Iwanttomorrow’sbroadcasttobewellattended.”
“I’llseetothat,andwe’llbroadcastfromtheTelAvivGlobalEventCenter.It’sRomanesque.”
Ammadnodded.“Howdelightfullytomyliking.”
#Theleaderofthe
TeheranComplexandtheOrganizationofPersian’sforIslamgruntedaudiblyoverthephone.“Onfacevalue,yourpactwiththeIsraelislookslikewe’regivingintotheirdemands.HowdoIsellthis?”
“Areyouuncomfortable,Sadaam?”Ammadasked.“Letmeputthisinperspectiveforyou.IwilldefeatPendleton.Iwill
destroyChui.Butwemustspeakofpeacefirst.Icanreplaceyouwhenthisisover.Oryoucansellthisprogram.Say,‘TrustAmmad.Thinklong-term.OnedaytheJewswillbowtohimwithouthesitation.’”
Ammadrelishedthefearfulsilence.Init,hecouldfeelthesweatrunningdownSadaam’sface.“Iunderstand.”
Hisraspyvoiceattemptedtohidehisterror.
“I’llhaveAkbariprayforyouinperson,”Ammadwhispered.ThatstatementaloneshouldsealSadaam’sloyalty,hethought.
“Notnecessary.I’mawillingservant.”
“Imadethemthisofferyesterday,andI’mgivingmyspeechsoon.So,thatisouroffer.”Ammadlickedhis
lips.Challengestohisauthorityirkedhim.Theseidiotsdidn’tunderstandthebigpicture.“Restassured,afewyearsfromnow,thepact’smeritwillbefullyunderstood.”
Hehungup.HavingAkbaripreyuponyou—toohorribletocomprehend.Aknockatthedoordisruptedhisthoughts.“Yes.”
“Theirdelegation’s
waiting.”Apause.“Levinsonmadetwocorrections.”
Onlytwo?TheyweremoreeagertoagreethanAmmadanticipated.“I’mcoming.”
Heglancedinthegold-framedbathroommirroronelasttime.HairwornperShiastandards.Dressedinwhitefromheadtofoot,headmiredhisimageinthemirror.
Akbari’svoicecutoff
hisself-adulation.“Coming?”Throughthedoorway
hewent,thenlosthisbreathforaninstant.AtashAkbari,hisgreenrobesdrapingoverhisoutstretchedarms,embracedhismasterwithabearhug.“Givethemthespeechofyourlife,Allah’sChosenOne.”
OnAkbari’srobes,everysymbolofIslam,thestarandcrescentmoonin
emeraldandingoldandthenameofAllahwritteninFarsi,gavehimtheappearanceofanancientMagi,withpowersbehindtheKing.
“Followme,”hesaidtoAmmadandbowedlow.
“Leadon.”Ashewalkedbehind
hismentor,AmmadwonderedatAkbari’sopenrevelation.“Isittoosoonto
announceme?”“Tothewholeworld,
yes.Tothewiseamongourfollowers,no.”Akbarididn’tmissastride.Hiswordsrangclearinthehallways.“Yourappearancealonesayswhoyouare.”
IntotheconferenceroomstrodeAmmad.Levinsonandhisdelegation,alreadyseated,rosetogreethim.
“Welcome,Chairman,”Levinsonsaid.
“Let’sgetdowntobusiness.I’mscheduledtogivemyaddressintwohours,andIhopetohavegoodnews.”
Ammadscannedthefacesintheroom.ZealousJewsworetheirvotesintheireyes.OfTheSeventy,themajoritygatheredfavoredLevinson’sposition.Buta
smallgroupoftwelvestonefacedmen,Hasidicinbackground,satawayfromtheothers,eyesscowlingatAmmadasheapproached.
Oneclearedhisthroatandsaid,“Iwillnotagreetothis,unlesstheconstructionbeginsimmediately,groundsareclearedandthefoundationputin.”
“Asashowofgoodfaith?”Ammadasked.
“Youmightsayso,”hesaid.
“YouknowwhattheysayabouttheChildrenofAbraham,”Akbarisaid.
Asilencefollowed.Finallythemansaid,“Whatdotheysay?”
“Thatyouhavebignosesbecauseairisfree.”
Raucouslaughterfollowed.
OnedayI’llmakethis
manpayforhisinsolence,Ammadthought,butnottoday.“Youhavemyword.ThemomentIbecomeFirstCitizen.Iwillsigntheordertobreakground.”
“RabbiShamir,”Levinsonsaid,hisfacestillreddenedfromtheman’soutburst.“Ihavethevotestosignthisagreementwithoutyourdemands.”
Ammadseizedthe
opportunitytofeignpeacefulintensions.“Peace,brothers.”Hesighedasiftheirdisputepainedhim.“WeareallbullheadedwesonsofShem—you,theoffspringofArphaxad,andwetheoffspringofAram.OnethingPendletondidtouniteuswastodestroyourkeyholyplaces.Heshowedhisdisdainforbothourbeliefs.Whenhecouldnotsettledisputes
betweenus,Isettledthem,andnotallinfavorofMuslimgroups.Tohavepeacewemusthavetrust.Tellmeyourdemands.”
TheHasidicacquiesced.Levinsonspokewithhis
handspalmupasoneacceptingagift.“Wehaveahandcarvedcornerstone.MosesLawdemandsthis.Weaskthatstonebethefirststonelain.And…”ahushfell
ontheIsraelidelegation.Ammadwaited,keeping
anevencountenance.“Jerusalem,and
particularlyEastJerusalem,mustnotbelongtoanypeople.ItmustbeTheLord’sCity.”
Levinsonswallowedandsatquietly.Thetremorinhishandsshowedhedidn’tbelieveAmmadwouldagree.
Ammadlaughedso
loudhisvoiceechoedaroundhim.“After25yearsofunsettledpeace,theseareallyourdemands?”
Hetossedamapontothetable.Levinsonandhiscounselorsreviewedit.TheHasidicshoveredoverit.
“Wedon’tunderstandthecircleswithincircles.Theyoverlapthewholeeasternsidefromnorthtosouth.”
“FromHerod’sGatetotheDungGateandeastwardshallbeGod’sState.”Ammadrosetohisfullheight,toweringovertheassembly.“Howyouexplainthistoyourpeopleisuptoyou.GodwillshowHimselfoneday.IftheGodoftheHebrewsshowsup,IwillpersonallysubmittoHim.IfAllahthroughhisprophetshowsup,youwillsubmit
yourselves.Untilthen,GodaswebelieveinHimshallrule,eitherintheTempleorintheDomeoftheRock.AstothecomplexofJerusalem,TheGlobalRealmshallprovideforitscitizensinafreezone.”
“Letmehearyourvote,onebyone,”Levinsonsaid.
AkbaricountedthevotesasLevinsonpolledhisdelegation.OfTheSeventy,
allbutthreevotedinfavor.ThethreeHasidicmen,beardstrimmed,hairbraided,andwearingblackdresses,declaredasone,“NevershallweagreetoequalitywithanIranian.”
“ThenIstripyouofyourpositionintheSanhedrin!”Levinsonscowled.
“Weresign.”Theywereoutofthemeetingroomin
lessthanaminute.“Jews,”Levinson
quipped.“Youcan’tfirethem.”
AmmadhandedapentoLevinson.“Yousignfirst.IhaveaRealmphotographerhereforsuchatime.”Hewaiteduntilallhadsigned,thentookthepenandsignedhisname.“Thisdaywillchangethehistoryofourpeople.”
Heflashedahugesmileandthephotographersnappedphotos.Asurgeofenergyranthroughhim.Hestoodandshookhandswitheachsignersaying,“PeacebetweentheSonsofShem,”untilAkbaritappedhimontheshoulder.“Yourbroadcastisinfifteenminutes.”
Chapter17AsFirstCitizen,
Pendletonwouldspeaktotheworldlast.Hescrutinizedhisnotesagain.Thebrightestmindsintheworldpreparedthetalkingpointsforhim.Buttheseweren’tthewordshewishedtosay.Hescribbledaone-pagelistofkeypointsandslumped
forward,handspressedagainsthisforehead.Theloveofhisachievementshadblindedhimtotherealityofdeception.He’dbaskedintheadulationofhisowncircleoffriendsandignoredhiscritics.SohehadtoaccepthisfailureandrelyonGod.Rulingasinfulworldwasanimpossiblejob.
RegionalGovernorChuiwrappeduphisspeech
infortyminutes.HespokeinEnglish,translatedintoMandarinforthosewhoseprimarylanguagewasChinese.Wellliked,polite,ChuiextolledPendleton’svirtues,pointingoutthehugeaccomplishmentsofmankindin25yearsbyworkingasateam.HepraisedtheFirstCitizen’sroleinabolishingmoneyandcleaninguptheoceansandtheair.
ChuidefendedhisowncapabilitiesandthesuccesseswithinhisRegion,whichledtheworldinalmosteverymeasurablecategory.HenevermentionedAmmad.Buthisclosingstatementthrewaknifedirectlyathim.“ArthurPendletonkeepshisword.Hedidwhathesaidhe’ddo.Buthistimeisatanend.Ifhewins,Iwillcontinuemysupportofhim.
Butdonotbemisledbyflowerywordsandpromises.Donotbeswayedbyfalsestatementsandpipedreamstoogoodtobetrue.Relyonyourintellectwhenyouvote,notyouremotions.”
DressedinhisgoldandblackGlobalRealmuniform,ChuiwavedatthecameraandthefeedfromtheBeijingComplexceased.
“ScorefromEdison,”
PendletonwhisperedtoVanMeer.
VanMeerraisedahand.“Onemoment.”Thenhiseyebrowsfurrowed.“Ninety-twopercenteffective.Thebestsinceyourspeechintwelveyearsago.Infactthebestratingever.”
“Let’shopethepeopledon’tthinklikecomputers,”Pendletonsaid.
Thefeedconnectedin
fromtheTelAvivComplex,andAmmadal-Sistaniappeared.Relaxed,self-confident,hespokewordsofcomfortandpeace.Inthefirstfifteenminutes,heusedthewordreconciliationeighttimes.“IforgiveArthurPendletonandGlobalRealmpersonnelfortheirattackonMuslimSpaceComplexes,”hesaid.“Andapologizeforanyunintendeddamagein
response.”“PopePeterisonthe
lineforyou,”Duartecalledfromthedoorway.
VanMeerhandedPendletonhiscell.
“Yes.”“TheDevilspeaksof
peacewiththeJews.Listentothetone.Hiswordsaresweetashoney,butlacedwitharsenic.Hehasn’tmentionedyouexcepttoalludethatit
wasyouwhoseattackskilledpeoplewhenthealtercationoccurred.He’sspeakingtoonlyMuslimsandJews.Itisasthoughtherestoftheworlddoesn’texist.”
“He’sgettingtous.ButI’mnotsurewhathe’llsay.”
HeheardPetersigh.“Nothinggood.Preparetofleeifyoulose,mydearfriend.AndmayGodhavemercyuponusall.”
Ammadwenton,“IhaveamessageformyChristiancitizens.Thehourofdecisionisuponyou.LifeintheGlobalRealmwillnotchangeundermyrule.Theonlyexceptionwillbeemphasisonfindingcommonagreementinourfaiths,astheJewsandIhavearrivedat.”
Thecamerasroseabit,showingAkbariinhisgreenrobes,armsstretchedwidein
awelcomingpose.“Together,theSonsof
Shemwillworkforacommonpurpose,evenrebuildingtheTempleinJerusalem.”AmmadmatchedAkbari’spose.“WeextendthesameofferingofpeacetoourChristianbrothersoftheBook.IpersonallywilltakeupresidenceinRomeandallowforthereopeningoftheVaticanasaseparateStateas
tosovereignty.RomewillbeasJerusalemwillbe.RuledbyGod.TheGodwhoshowsHimselftrueshallbeadoredinboth.”
AsAmmadwasclosing,thecamerasrolledinforaclose-up.Heclaspedhishandstogether.Hiseyeswerethecenteroffocus.“OurFirstCitizenhaslongdebatedtheclosingoftheentertainmentcenters,atleastthepleasure
houses.He’stoldmeanumberoftimeshedoesn’twanttobeamoralpoliceman.”
“Thebastard!”VanMeeryelled.Pendletonraisedahandtosilencehim.
“Ifearhe,likemanyChristians,hasaskewedviewofwhyGodcreatedsex.”Ammadsmiled.“WhathappenedwhenthetribeofBenjaminwascloseto
extinction?Howwerewomentreated?DuringtheCrusades,didn’ttheChristianarmiesrapeandplunder?Goddidnotwishforwomentobetreatedso.”
“Whereishegoing?”VanMeerasked.
Pendletonshookhishead.
“Hereisafact,whentheblessedprophetisrevealed.Hewillcreate
Jannah,orHeaven,onearth.BelieversinJannahmayhavetheirheart’sdesire,bothmenandwomen.SexisoneofthegreatestofGod’sgiftsforboth.Itisnottobewithheld.”AmmadmotionedtoAkbari,whonoddedapproval.“ThisiswhyMohammedagreedtoMut’a,thetemporarymarriage.Hiswarriorshadnowifewiththemduringtheholywar.Inhismercy,the
Prophetallowedthemtomarryawoman(temporarily)bygivingheragarment.Mut’aasapracticeexiststoday.Ifamanandawomanagreetomarrytemporarily,andsheacceptshisgiftwithoutquestions.Theyaremarrieduntiltheyagreetoseparate."
Hepointedhisfingerandwaggedit.“Entertainmentcenters
achievethissamepurpose.MayAllahblessyou.”
Thefeedcut.EvenPendletonsatmesmerized.Soeloquentandreassuring,themanofferedeverythingwithoutreallyofferinganything.Nospecificsexceptthepromiseoftherestorationoftheprimaryreligioussitestotheirformergloryandkeepingtheentertainmentcentersopen.Notaspeech
anyoneonhisstaffhadexpected.Hewonderedhowhewouldsoundspeakingaftersuchanorator.“HowdidEdisonratehim?”
VanMeershookhisheadashestaredatthescreen.“EdisonsaysAmmad’sspeechwasnotmeasurable.Hisvoicetonesdidnotemotionallytranslate.”
“What?”
Pendletonshuddered.Hetriedtohidehisshakinghand.HehadnogaugetomeasureAmmad’seffectiveness,plusthespeechgavehimnothingtocombat,excepttheentertainmentcentersandtheattackonMuslimsites.Ifhedeniedthespecificsoftheattack,he’dsounddefensive,andhewouldbe.
“You’reoninfive
minutes,FirstCitizen.”God.Givemeyour
words,notmine.Healmostchuckled
aloud.Inhismostdirehour,hereachedouttotheAlmighty.Whyhadhenotdonethisbefore?Hisownpride.CallingonHimmeantlosingcontrol.PendletonfiguredhewouldonlyaskGodforafavorwhenallseemedhopelessandsaveHis
Sovereignthetroubleofbailinghimout.Hethrewawayhispreparedspeech.Timeforfaith.Hisproblem—hehadmoreheadknowledgethanfaith.
PendletontookhispositionatthepodiumoftheGlobalRealm,goldandblackoutfit—goldandblackpodium.Heinhaledalongbreathofair.Thecountstarteddownastheredlight
flashed,5,4,3,2,1.Thegreenlightcameon.Pendletonmoistenedhislipsandsaid.“Asofthismoment,IamnolongerFirstCitizen.IamcandidateArthurPendleton.Icouldspeakforalongtimeaboutouraccomplishmentsoverthepasttwenty-fiveyears.Buteachofyouhasyourownopinion.”
Manyoldenemieswere
dead.Manyoldfriendsaswell.Hestoodforamomentwonderingwheretheywerekeepinghiswife.Hecouldalwayslooktoherforreassurance.NoLovey,noMilton,noMum,onlyhimselfandGod.“Mydaughtertellsmetheentertainmentscentersservearealisticpurposeandshouldremain.However,Iregretallowingthem,becauseGod
dislikestheactsthatgoonwithinthem.IfyouretainmeasFirstCitizen,Iwillclosethesexparlors.Therestoftheentertainmentcanremain.”
Hemayhavedestroyedhishopeofreelectionbythatstatement.ButGodtoldtheIsraelitestoteardownthepaganaltars.TheydisobeyedandsufferedHiswrath.Pendletonwipedhis
forehead.HethoughtaboutmakinghispleaforChristianstoprepareforChrist’sreturn.Butcouldn’tspeakthewords.Instead,hesaid.“We,ashumanity,willneveragreeonreligion.SoIwillnotmakeitanissue.Believewhatyouwill.IfyouarehappywiththewaytheGlobalRealmisrun,keepmeinpower.Ifnot,chooseDirectorChui.I’mcomfortablewithhiminthe
job.”Pendletoncalledfora
closeup.“AsforAmmadal-Sistani,whenhislipsaremovingheislying.NeitherDirectorChuinorIwilllietoyou.Thankyou.Godblessyouall.”
VanMeer’smouthdroppedopen.Duarte,whowasnearthedoor,hurriedtoPendleton’ssideasthegreenlightwentoutendingthe
broadcast.Hewipedhismentor’sforeheadandsmiled.“Well,nowthepeoplewillvote.”
“Allthatpreparation,”VanMeershouted,faceredandsweaty.“Whydidyoubothertoappearatall?YoupracticallytoldpeopletovoteforChuiinsteadofyou.”
“Edisongavehiman85%.”Duartesaid,pointingatthescreen.
“I’msurprisedhedidthatwell.”VanMeerwaddedupPendleton’spreparedspeechandflungitacrosstheroom.“Toolatetochangethingsnow.”
“Godtoldmewhattosay,andIsaidit.”Pendletonrushedtothedoorandleft.“I’mgoingtoreachouttomykids.”
Ashewent,VanMeercalledtohim.“Atleastyou
landedapunchonAmmad’sjaw.I’llsaythatforyou.”
Pendletondashedacrossthehalltotheloo,wentin,slammedthedoortotheneareststall,andsatdownwithhishandscradlinghishead.Hislife’sworkflashedthroughhismind.Millionsdead.TheEarthfailing.MiscalculatingAmmad’sintentions.HisLoveymightbedead.Hisdaughter
opposedhisdecisions.OnlyGeorge,Harry,Hans,andDuarteremainedonhisteam,andHanswaspissedathim.
God.WhatdoIdo?Repent!Pendletonchokedmid-
breath.Thesoundofamightyvoiceranginhismind.Hewantedtorun,buttherewasnowheretogo.Confinedandhelpless,hislipstrembledandstreamsoftearsfloweddown
hischeeks.“I...”Silence.Pendletongaspedfor
air.“Youareavaporbut
forMe.DidInotknowyoubeforethecreationoftheworld?”
He’dheardthatallhislife.GodkneweverythingManwoulddoandcreatedhimanyway.
“YoucannotknowMy
plans.Yourplanswillfail.Nowspeak.Besincereinwhatyousay.”
“ForgivethesinfulmanIam.”
Thevoiceheheardsoftenedtothatofafatherspeakingtohisson.
“Alreadydone.Iforgiveyourdeedsandwillsaveyoursoul.Consequencesareadifferentmatter.Icannotinterferewithwhatisalready
inmotion.”“Tellmewhattodo?”“Yourreignisover.Go
toRome.”Achillrolledover
Pendleton.Heunderstood.Withoutsayingthewords,Godtoldhimtogo.Hewoulddoonlythat—seeknoadvice—tellonlyDuarte.Asherose,hesnickered.Thesnickerbecameanoutrightlaugh.LeaveittoGodto
speaktohimonthepotintheloo.Heavenmustbeawonderfulplace.
Chapter18“Whereismyfather?”
Connortappedherfoot,abadhabit.Shegaveabitchyimpressionwhenshedidit,butdidn’tcare.“Hewassupposedtocallusafterhisspeech,ifyoucouldcallitthat.”
“I’llhaveZiebachlookintoit.”HansVanMeer’s
raspingirritatedher.“Heleftthreehoursago,sayinghewasgettingintouchwithyouguys.Hasn’the?”
“No,”Shewantedtoscreamathim.Shewouldn’tbecallinghimifherdadhadcalledfirst.“Fine.Takecareofyourself,Hans.ReadyourBibleandrethinkyourpositiononGod.Asofrightnow,you’reonyourown,asamI.”
Connordisconnectedandturnedtoherbrother,George.“Howdowegetthepeopletothetransportsorthetransportstothepeople?”
“I’vealreadydispatchedthebiospheresviaallpossiblemeans.YourhusbandisinchargeofsixteenunitsbeingrelocatedtositesintheAmericas.HarrycontrolsnineteenunitsheadingforcitiesinAustralia,Africa,
Europe,andAsia.”Hesmirked.“Oncethebiospheresarelaunchedanddockwiththeirmotherships,shuttlecraftswilltransportcitizensintospacetojointhem.Whowillactuallyshowuptoboardthem?OnlyGodknows.”
Maybefivemillionpluscouldleave.Notnearlyenoughtosavethoseleftbehindfromthewrath
Ammadwillbringuponthem.“Father’sdisappeared.”
Georgepaledandshruggedhisresignation.“Eventsareonthemove.Thepeoplewillvote,andwe’lldoourduty.Youhavetogivehimcredit.HecalledAmmadoutforwhoheis.”
Headaching,stomachinknots,ConnorkickedaVapo-Wastetrashcanandsentitflyingagainstthewall
ofherbrother’sLondonlaboratory.Thethudandsubsequentrattlingechoedthroughout.Atechniciancasuallyretrieveditunharmed,tossedareamofpaperintoit,andwatchedthepapervanish.
“I’llbechuggingalong.”HewalkedawaywithabriskCitizenoftheRealmstepinhisgait.
Theworldwasaboutto
collapse,yetthecommoncitizenrytooklittlenotice.Programmedtothecomfortofpredictability,theydidn’tfindachangeinFirstCitizentobedistressing.
Withonlyfivehourslefttothevote,Connorhadn’theardonecommentfromanexecutiveoraworkerastoafavorite.Whatwouldbewouldbe.Herfatherachievedhisdream,an
efficientworldwithoutwar.ThesterileatmosphereoftheRealmmadethelifeofthenormalcitizen—well,boringatbest.Yetthoseengagedinfascinatingprofessionsfoundthefreedomtopushtheedgesofpossibility,whilethecommoncitizenlivedfortheentertainmentcentersandanescapefromthedrudgeryofnormallife.
BeingaPendleton
meantexcellingateverything.Althoughneverpushedbyherparents,shepushedherselftoupholdthefamilylegacyofexcellenceineverythingshetouched.GeorgeandHarrydidn’toutwardlysharethesameurge.Buttheydidyearnfortheknowledgetobethebestintheirrespectivefields.Thefactthattheywerementookacertainpressureoffthem.
PerhapsbecausethetopRealmofficialsconsideredhermotherthe#1contributor,shefelttheextrapressure,andhermotherofferedherallthehelpnecessary,smilingandencouragingherthroughout.
“Whatareyoudaydreamingabout?’Georgetouchedhissister’sshoulder.“Wecan’treachourfather.Wedon’tknowwhere
Motheris.Butwedohaveduty.RightnowourdutyistoGodandeveryChristianonthisplanet.”
“I’mcommittedtoprotectingtheExecutivelevel.”Shepursedherlipsandlookedaway.
“Whichexecutivelevel?”Heturnedherandraisedherhead.“YourpeoplewillnotprotectAmmadorChui.Theyareinplacefor
threatsagainsttheexistingleadership.Soforgetyourearthlyobligationsandconcentrateonthosethatbringrewardsinheaven.”
Acidstungherthroat.Obviously,herfather’ssecurityteamobeyedhisordersbeforeconsideringhers.Theydidn’tanswerherqueriesabouthiswhereabouts.Adeepbreathandasighofresignation
answeredherbrother.“Good,”Georgesaid.“I
needyouwithmeattheimplementationofourevacuationplan.We’releavinginsixdays.”
#“ManySunniswere
angeredbyyourstatements.”AkbaripacedtheboardroominTelAviv,withAmmadseatedeatinganorange.
“Yes.Yes.”Sunniswill
neverbesatisfied.“Radicalsalsodespiseme.AskmeifIcare.”
“Toolateonewayortheother.”
“You’veprayedandmeditatedontheelection.”Ammadwipedhishandsandstood.“Whatvisionshaveyoureceived?”
“Youwillwin,butwarwillcomeinthefuture.”
“FromChui,yes.We’ll
prepareforthatwhenthetimecomes.”
“Ifwehavetime.”Ammadlaughed.
“Don’tbeanaysayer.”#
StanKaplanadjustedhismicrophone.HehadbecomeVanMeer’sfacetotheworldsinceheaidedtheRealmintheearlymonthsafterthedestructionoftheUnitedNationsBuilding.
Stanrelishedthedramaofa24-hourvote.AfterDuarteexplainedthemechanics,theworldwouldonlyseehisfaceandhearhisvoice.Atseventy-one,Kaplan’senergylevelandspiritedvoiceearnedtheloveofbillionsaroundtheglobe.
“Greetingcitizens.”Hesmiledintothecamera.“TodaymarksamilestoneinGlobalRealmhistory.This
electionisafirst.Itsetstheguidelineforalltofollow.Everycandidatehascommittedtoapeacefultransitionofpower.”
Peaceful?Hmm.Kaplandidn’tholdmuchfaithinthatoutcome.Ascompartmentalizedastheworldwas,onlytheelite,thirtyorsoindividuals,knewtheinfightingandposturinggoingonwithintheirranks.
Kaplanunderstoodfullwellthereligiousdivideandfanaticalfactionsvyingtowinthiselection.HealsoknewofthepreparationsforlaunchingtheMarsColonizationProject.HehighlydoubtedthemissionwasreallytocolonizeMars.
“StartingattheInternationalDateLine,”Kaplansaid.“Voterswillregistertheirvoteswhentheir
timezonestandsatnoon.Eachcitizenwillhaveonehourinwhichtovote.”Hegrinnedandadded.“Thereisnopossibilityofcheating.Onceyouenteryourvote,yourconnectionwillceasetoexist.Edison,ourmastercomputerwillkeepanongoingtally,butwillnotrevealthevoteuntilalltimezoneshavebeencounted.”Hisheadtilted.“Twenty-four
hoursandsevenmicrosecondsfromthestartingpoint.Amazing.”
Hepointedafingerattheclockandsaid.“You’veallbeeninstructedbyEduardoDuarteontheuseofyourdevices.TimeZone1,beginvotingnow.”
HepouredacupofArabiancoffeeandleanedbacktorelax.Theregularprogrammingcontinued
showingamassivehurricanebearingdownonthePhilippines.Windsapproaching235mphonlytwohoursfromcomingashorenearDaetandexpectedtoimpactManilaafewhoursaftermakinglandfall.Kaplanwouldcomebackeveryhourtostartthenexttimezonevoting.
Yearsbefore,journalismheldatainted
reputation,andrightlyso.Sensationalismdrovetheindustry—allmoney-motivated.Now,withoutamoneymotivation,heandotherslikehimreportedthefacts,helpedpeopleunderstandthem,andactivelyimprovedlives.KaplanlovedtheRealm.
Whenthefinaltimezonehadvoted,hereappearedwithaprecise
countof92percentoftheworld’spopulationwatching.Ammadal-Sistani’sfaceappearedontheupperleftcornerofKaplan’sscreen,RegionalGovernorChuiontheupperright,andHansVanMeerinthelowerleft,representingArthurPendleton.Kaplanwatchedintentlyasthevotesbytimezonescrolledalongthebottomofthescreenanda
totalappearedandfixed.Kaplanstaredattheresultsattemptingtounderstandtheimplications.
“Onemoment,”hesaid.“IneedtoconsultwiththeHeadoftheElectionBoard.”
Amomentlater,Kaplanreturned.“Asyoucansee,ArthurPendletoncannolongerclaimthetitle,FirstCitizen.Hisvotecountdidnotreach25percent.
Chairmanal-Sistanihas37percentandRegionalGovernorChuihas38percent.ThecomputerhasfactoredintestscoresanddeclaredChairmanal-Sistanithewinnerbyvirtueofthetestscores.”
Kaplanscruncheduphismouth.Heperusedthecopyhandedtohimandsaid,“AccordingtotheLaw.Chairmanal-Sistaniwill
assumepowerbytransitioninoneweek.ThepresentstaffwillremainuntiltheyaretoldotherwisebythenewFirstCitizen.Eachcandidatemaymakeatwo-minutestatement.Chairmanal-Sistani,pleasegofirst.”
Ammad’sfaceappearedonscreen.“FellowcitizensoftheRealm,youhavenoreasontofear.Iamamanofpeace,andpeaceshallreign
supremeovertheworld.TodayisaNewAge.IwelcomethecooperationofRegionalGovernorChui.IhavepromisedtheChildrenofShemtherighttoexpresstheirbeliefsfreely.ThisincludestherebuildingoftheHebrewTempleinJerusalemandunrestrictedpilgrimagestotheHolySitesofIslamthroughouttheworld.Iwillhavemoretosayaftermy
officialinductionasFirstCitizen.”
Shortandsweet,Kaplanthought.Buthedislikedtheman.Sly.Trickylookingeyes.No,hedidn’ttrustAmmadatall.Whytherewasnorunoffwheretherewasnomajoritydidn’tmakesense.Butthatwasthelaw.
RegionalDirectorChuiappearedonthescreen,butonlyforamoment.“Ireject
thedecisionofacomputer.Myregionvotedunanimouslyforme.Therearetwootherregionalgovernorsinmycamp.Ourlandsconnectandsowillourcommerce.Regions9,10,and12,respectfullysecedefromtheGlobalRealm.
VanMeer’sfacenolongappearedon-screen.NoannouncementcamefromArthurPendleton’scamp,and
thevideofeedswitchedtohurricanecoverage.
Chapter19ArthurPendleton,
accompaniedbyDuarteandhispersonalbodyguard,arrivedinRomewithoutfanfareandwasescorteddirectlytoPopePeter’squarters.
“Sotellmeaboutthevoice,”Peterinquiredaftertheappropriatepapalhug.
“I’mdyingtoknowwhat’sgoingon.”
Pendletongulped.Thelast24hourshadbeenablurofactivity.Ifhelookedlikehefelt,peopleoughttobeshyingawayfromhim,notbadgeringhimfordetails.“I’msorry,HolyFather.Forgiveme,butI’mstruggling.Letmerest.ThenI’lltellyoueverything.”
“I’magoodlistener,”
Petersaid.Hisbrowneyessparkled,anditseemedtoPendletonasthoughtheweightofhisthirteen-yearreignasPontiffhadliftedfromhim.Youngerinlooksandintone,PetergaveastronggrasptoPendleton’shand.“Thesooneryoureleasethetensioninside.Thebrighterthingswillseem.”
“Inthemorning,”hesaid.“I’llholdnothingback
overteaandscones.”“Onethingiscertain,”
Petersaid,asPendletonturnedtoleave.“TheaveragecitizenoutsideChui’scontrolwillacceptAmmadandblindlygoonwiththeirlives.Scriptureisneverwrong.”
Thatnightafterathree-hourrestPendletongrabbedapencilandpadandjotteddownaconfessionofsorts.Helistedthosethingshehad
noremorseoverandthosehewishedhe’ddonedifferently.HeponderedhowmanytimesDavidhadfallenintosin,onlytorisebackupintofavorwithGod.Howmanytimeshadhedonethesamething?Toomany.Thankfully,heknewheavenwashishome.Hellwashisfaterighthereonearthfortheevilhe’ddonebothknowinglyandunknowingly.
Occasionally,helistenedtothevotingresultsandsecretlybeamedwithpleasureatChui’sactions.Hedidn’ttrustChuitobeabenevolentleader,butheadmiredChui’sstandagainstAmmad,knowinghewouldnotlivelongenoughtoseetheoutcome.Analarmclockbuzzerwokehimateighta.m.Hewasdressedandatbreakfastbynineo’clock.
ThetimealonetosortthingsoutmadehimeagertotalktoPeternow.ThepatientpontiffjokedandbanteredwithDuarteandothersattable.Then,maybesensingPendleton’smoodchangeasked.“Areyoureadytotellusaboutthevoice?”
Withsixmenpresentincludingtwofromthepontiff’sinnercircle,Pendletonletdownthe
barrierthathadsurroundedhimforyears.“IheardthevoiceofGod.HetoldmemyreignwasoverandtogotoRome.”
“Andthisverymorningyourreignofficiallyended.”Peterleanedbackinhischairandinhaledsteamingteafromhischalice-shapedcup.“AmmadisFirstCitizenover68percentofthepopulation.ButChuiopposeshim.
Ammadsaysnothingaboutretaliation.I’mnotsurehowthiswillplayout.”
Pendletonfingeredthegoldchainaroundhisneck.“Godallowedmetocometopower.ButIneverconsultedHimonwhatneededtobedone.LoveybecametheworshipperIneverwas.”Heshookhishead.“IwasafooltoactwithoutGodinmycamp.”
“Hewasinyourcamp.”Peterchuckled.“Hewasn’tincharge,butHewasthere.ThethingsyoudidthatlinedupwithHiswordgainedyoufavor.Buttheywerefew.”
“Rightyouare,oldboy.”Pendletonletoutamuffledgroan.“IlistenedfarmoretothewordsofMiltonRogers,mymum,HansVanMeer,andLovey,thanIdidtotheWordofGod.YetHe
forgivesme.Hetoldmeso.”“Yes.Godisaforgiver
oftherighteous.”PeterpointedtothemassescollectinginthestreetsbelowhiswindowinfrontoftheVaticanGardens.“Youcannottellthesavedfromtheunsavedfrommyroom.Manystandbeforethesewindowshopingfordirection.ButonlyfaithinYahweh,KingofKingand
LordofLords,cansaveyou.”“Iknow.BecauseI
confessHimasmyLordandSavior,I’msaved.Butmydeedsareanotherstory.Hetoldmethis.”
“Andunfortunately,myuncomelydeedsfollowmeaswell.”Peterofferedhimacrumpet.“Ah,thecrumpet.TheoneandonlythingtheBritishcanproudlyofferasanexcellentadditiontothe
internationalcookbook.”Pendletongrinned.
“Touché.We’renotknownfortheculinaryarts.”
“Godwantsyouwithme.SoIassumesomethingimportantwillhappenhere.IbelievethisistheplacefromwhichyouwilldirectOperationAscension.”PopePeter’sheadtiltedleft.Aslightgrinappeared,givinghimamischievouslook.“I
doubtAmmad’sgovernmentwillbeChristian-friendly.”
“No.Notatall.”#
“ToparaphrasetheAmericanauthor,GeorgeOrwell,wordsareaconduittothought.Destroythewordandtheideadieswithit.”AmmadpluckedagrapefromavineintheDubaiComplexandpoppeditinhismouth.“Delicious,”hesaid.
“Amazing,thisfoodtechnologythatfeedsthepeople.”
AkbariandtheguardssurroundingAmmadkeptthecrowdback,manycallingout,“GreatisAmmad,theChosen.”AkbariledtheprocessionuptotheentrancetotheDubaiFestivalCityBusinessCenter,thebusinessandlivingquartersofal-Sistaniandhisinnercircle.A
hugegatheringformedoutside.TheGlobalRealmproceededtoset-upamajorbroadcastingcenterrightnextdoor.AkbariandhisstaffalreadyhadseveralhoursofprogrammingplannedeachdaytoencouragetheMuslimandJewishworldsandeducatethechildrenofHamandJaphethonancienthistory.
“Keeptheoutbursts
describingmeastheChosenwithinMuslimComplexes.Notamentionofthistoothers,particularlytheJews.”Ammadmoistenedhislips.“IwanteverybroadcasttochangethewordsusedtotypicallydescribeChristianlife.Wenolongerwillusewordslikesalvation.Ratherreplaceitwithhappiness.Wehavenothingfromwhichtobesaved.Allahwishesusto
attainhappinesswithhim.”“Sindenotesathingto
beashamedof.”Akbariadded.“Allahisnottobequestioned,norishismessenger.ThereforesinshallbedisobedienceofthecommandsofAllahandyou,andthebreakingofacovenantwithAllahandyou.”
Ammadchuckled,“Liketheonetheeagersons
ofJacobmadewithus.”Heraisedaglassofwine.“DuringmysevenyearsbeforeAllahjudgesallmen,IvowtomaketheEarthliketheHeavenlyGarden.Myfollowersshallreapthegoodlifeearly.Thosewhorebelwillsuffer.Pleasureistoreplacetoil.Hedonismistobepursuedasvirtue,whilepuritanismistobedeclaredsinful.”
“Gradually,Ammad.Nottomorrow.”
“Thefactisthatmankindsuffersfromthefallenflesh.”Hepausedtogatherhisthoughts.“Iwantthewordssinful,damnation,andevilappliedtothosewhoseekmoralperfection.WhenAllahcallsushometojudgeus.Hewillmakeusperfect.Thosetotrytoperfectthemselvesnowareinfidels,
tryingtobegodlikewhentheycannot.”
Hesatforafewminutes,hishandupnotpermittingAkbaritospeak.Withinthefirstyearofhisreign,wordengineeringwouldtransformthinking.Inthesecondyear,hewouldimposenewlawsconformingtohisstatedpremise.Thepursuitofhappinessisthegreatestgood.The
entertainmentcenterswouldtripleinsize,cateringtoeverydesireoftheflesh.HewouldmanagetherebuildingoftheJewishTemplehimself,providingtheJewseverypossibletooltocompleteit.
HehandedAkbaria500-pagedirective.“Preparetoimplementtheseassoonaspossible.Butdon’treleaseanythinguntilItellyouto.”
Akbarileft,hisgreen
robestrailingbehindhim.Ammadspokeinthe
darktothespiritofhisfather.“Pendletonunknowinglylaidthefoundationforcontrollingtheworld.Hediditbyforce.Iwillspeakonlyofpeace.Chuicomesagainstme.Iwillwoohim—toywithhimlikeamouse.ThenI’llattackhim.”
DestroyPendletonandtheredwitchnow.
“ButItried.Akbarisays
shehasaMaridguardingher.DestroyPendleton,you
destroyher.
Chapter20Ashegazedoutatthe
mountainouslandscapeofnorthwesternChina,RegionalGovernorChuitappedhisfingersonhisdesktop.Bigdogandlittledog—hisnamesforAmmadandAkbari—wallowedinconceit.Butthebigdogwasn’ttheonlyonewho’dbuiltplansoverthe
pasttwodecades.Chuihadlearnedfromthebest.ArthurPendletondidtheimpossiblethroughmanipulationandpower-brokering.He’dplayedtheultimategameofRisk,thrownthedice,andwon.Chuinowwaspositionedtodothesame.
IfPendletonsoughtasylum,Chuiwouldgrantittohim.NexttoSunTzu,Pendletonandhisinnercircle
werethefinestmilitarymindstheworldhadeverseen.AllmorningChuibusiedhimselfconfirminghisalliances.TheWestwaslost.TheysoonwouldcrumbleunderAmmad’sdemands.LeaderswestoftheUralswereoncePendleton’sloyalists.WithChristiansgone,theywouldopposeChui.Anevenfight,hethought,inthetermsofmanpower.Theadvantage
wouldgototheonewhoattackedfirst,whenfeigningpeace.
Hedialedhissecurephone.
“Yes,RegionalGovernor,howmayIbeofhelp?”GeorgePendleton’svoiceremainedassureandsteadyasalways.
“Anywordfromyourfather?”
“No.Hehashisown
agenda.Ihavemine.”“Yourbiosphereships
arereadyinourprovinces.”Chuihadnobeliefinagodoragod-man.Thebesthecouldmusterwasabeliefinmakingtheutmostofone’slife.“IpresumebothofyouarefocusedontakingasmanyChristiansofftheplanetaspossible.”
George’ssilenceansweredhisquestion.
“Ihaveafavor.”“Ask.IfIcandoitfor
you,Iwill.”“Fiftyrocketsescaped
destruction.”“Correct.”“You’llhavenoneed
forthemwhenyouleave.”Chuiheldhisbreath.
“IntheBeijingComplexinmylocker,”Georgesaid.“Thefiringcodesaretapedtothebackon
alist.I’llgiveyouthecombinationtounlockthesecuritydevicewhenIleave.”Chuiheardasigh.“AndGovernorChui,anyattempttoopenmylockerwithoutthecodeisuseless.Itellyouthisonlyforyoursafety.”
Yes,thatresponsewasexpected.Georgeplannedahead,ashisfatherusedtodo.“Understood.Thankyou.”
“Ihopedyouwouldhavewonoutright.”
“Regrettable,buttherearetoomanyMuslimsintheworld,andwhateverAmmadpromisedtheJewsseemstohaveworked.”Chuilistenedforareactionoradditionalinformation.
“Myfathermayknowthedetails.OtherthanwhatAmmadsaidinhisspeech,Idonot.”
“Tellhimifhisplanfails,theGlobalRealm’spresentleadership,includingyouandyourfamily,havesaferefugewithme.”
“Ispeakformyfamily.”Georgesoundedsad.“Onceweembarkonthisperilousjourney,Idoubtyou’llbeabletoreachusifwefail.Butweappreciateyouroffer.”
“Ihavemorecapabilitiesthanyouthink.”
Chuihatedlying.Hedoubtedhecouldgivethemasylum,unlesstheyleftforhisRegionnow.“SolongasIcan,I’llhelp.”
Afterhedisconnected,hecalledhisheadofsecurity.“Nowweimplementthecalltoservice.Iwanttwo-hundredmillionhighlytrainedcombatants,andIwantthemreadyforwar.”Hepaused.“Byhighlytrained,I
meanlikenogroundforceeverbefore.”
#Connorbitherlip,as
GeorgeagreedtogivethecodestoChui.VanMeerslouchedonacouchintheBalmoralTacticsRoom.WithherhusbandandHarrytravelingtoassurethereadinessofthelaunchvehicles,she,George,Hans,andZiebachstrategizedthe
broaderpicture.HowcouldtheyholdoffattacksonthePendletonfamilystrongholdsofBalmoralandLondon?
“Howdoyouplantodefendusif...nowhen,Ammadattacks?”Connorasked
GeorgedisconnectedfromChuiandshotheramischievousgrin.“Watchyourbloodpressure,BustyRusty.We’llhavenousefor
themonceinEarthorbit.Chui’swelcometothem.WouldyouratherAmmadhavethem?”
“I’dratherwekeptthem,mobilizedGlobalRealmforces,andfoughtagainstAmmadandhisfanaticism.”
VanMeerlookedupatherandreachedouthishand.Shegrabbedit.“Clearyourhead.Yourfathervowedthe
killingwasoveroncetheRealmwassecure.Itissecure.Thevastmajorityofitscitizensdon’tmuchcarewhotheFirstCitizenis.Oratleast,theywon’tuntilit’stoolate.”
Hanswasright,andsheknewit.Damnherfather,racingoffwithoutaword.WhatwouldAmmad’snextstepsbe?Whowouldrunhisgovernmentormakeuphis
cabinet?Shesulkedforamoment.Wherewasherfather?MaybehisabsencewashiswayofdivertingAmmad’sattentionawayfromBalmoral.
“You’reright,”shesaidwithasheepishgrin.“Weneedtomoveforwardwithourownplanforevacuationandnothingelse.”SheploppeddownnexttoHansandZiebachandasked
George,“Whatareouroptions?”
“Notmany,”Ziebachsaid.“Georgehastheonlyrealisticoneinprocess.”
Georgepulledoutaschematic,6’by6’,andpinneditontoalargecorkboardonthenorthwall.Heplacedthirty-fivecoloredpinsontheboardrepresentingeachshipandbiosphere.“We’llbeloading
andlaunchingtheseinfourdays.”Hegrinned.“Theydon’tfireintoorbit,becausethesearen’tmotherships.ThemothershipsarealreadyassembledandinorbittetheredtotheOmegaSpaceStation.Thebiosphereswillliftupgraduallytoanaltitudeof60,000feet.Thendown-forcethrusterswilltakethemintoorbit.”
Connorstudiedthe
schematic.“Whataretheseother100-plusmarkerswithfigureswrittenundereachunit?Theylooklikemathsymbols.”
“Wewererushed.Theseareshuttletransports.Somearefullyoperational.Othershaveonlylimitedspacereadiness.Alltransportswillattempttomakefourormorelaunch-and-returntripstoevacuate
thecitizenswhowanttogo.”Georgepointedtofourareascircledinred.“Ammadwon’tbeabletostopeverylaunch.ButIbelievehe’lltargetthesefourcomplexesinanattempttocapturethepresentleadershipbeforetheycanescape.”
“He’llbegladwe’regone,”Connoroffered.Shestudiedthecircledareas.London,Balmoral,Rome,
andDallaswerehighlighted.“IunderstandAmmad’spurposeforlaunchinganattackofsomesortonBalmoralandLondon.ThesearethePendletonfamilystrongholds.RomeisthehubofCatholicism.ThePopewouldnaturallybeatarget.ButwholivesinDallas?”
“Notwholivesthere,butwhatgoesonthere.”Georgestaredatherlikea
fatherwouldstareathisdaughterwhenshesaidsomethingimmature.“Over70percentofallChristiansareEvangelicals.TheDallasComplexisthemajortrainingcenterforEvangelicalChristians,producingthousandsofnewministersayear.Whilemostdenominationsarestagnant,Evangelicalscontinuetogrow.Holdtheirleaders
captiveandthegrowthceases.OfcourseIdidn’tcomeupwiththetheory,Edisondid.”
Connor’slogicalsidekickedin.Ammadmightbeabletocoerceherfatherintopublicallysupportinghim,usinghermotherasabargainingchip.She’dprotectedbothherparentsforfiveyears,buthadlostcontrolwhentheSupersonic
wasattacked.Swallowyourfeelings,shethought.Concentrateonprotectingtheevacuationprocess.
“Allright.IfEdisoniscorrect,thosecomplexesneedtobenotified.I’llcallGlobalSecurityandputthemonalert.”Shepunchedinthesecuritycodeandwaited.Noconnection.Beforeshecouldredial,heremergencylinelitup.“Yes.”
“Imayhavethirtyseconds.”Thevoicewasthatofhersecondincommand,theAssistantDirectorofGlobalSecurity.“Ammad’speoplearehere.They’rereplacingeveryone,directingustoleaveimmediatelyandwaitforreassignment.”
“EdisonhaspredictedthatBalmoral,London,Rome,andDallaswillbeattackedbyAmmad.Canyou
warnthemordivertanyloyalforcestothoselocations?”
“I’lltry.”Shedidn’tbotherto
respondasthelinedeactivated.“Oursecuritylinesarecut.”
Georgecheckedhiscell.“IstillhavearoutingthroughtheFarEastsystem.ItpaystobeChui’sfriend.I’lltrytogetawarningoutbeforeAmmadcutstheline.
Hehastohavesomeoneinsideeachcomplextodothat.”
Connornodded.Howhadlifebecomesodarkinsuchashorttime?ThetreacheryofAmmadmusthavebeenfesteringalongtimetohavehispeoplesoentrenched.Withoutcommunications,hercontrolwasatanend.ShedialedCher,Ming,andBruegman.
Chapter21“Ifanyonespeaksto
you,say‘Letmebe,saiththeLord.’”
ThewordsregisteredinPeacock’sbrain,asformsandfiguresappearedaroundher.ThePortofTerracina,Italylayofftherightsideofavesselshedidn’trememberboarding.Howsheknewthe
port’snameescapedher.Thepresenceofherangeltoldherthiswashisdoing.Craggywhite-stonecliffspassedby,revealingasandyexpanse.Thelongseawallextendedoutalmostahalf-mile,formingaquietbaybetweenthesandyshoreandtheocean.Hervesselenteredintothebayandproceededtodock.
Lavernarealizedshe
washerselfagain.PeacockvanishedwhennotinAmmad’sprisonorfightingforacause.Hadhefoundoutshewasmissingyet?Hisvisitswererare,andfoodwaspassedbeneaththedoor.Hemightnotdiscoverherabsenceforawhile.Thesunwarmedher.Sheventuredoutontothedeck,wearingherGlobalRealmblackandgoldoutfit.Howshe’dacquiredit
couldonlyhavebeenamiracle.
“Pleasehaveyourtravelpermitsavailableforcheckingasyoudisembark,”yelledacrewmemberwithamegaphone.Thevesselonlycarriedthirtyvacationerspluscrew,maximum.Howlongshe’dbeenonboardwasamystery.Timeseemedtohavelittlemeaningtoher.
“Papers,”barkedashort
muscularman.“Letmebe,saiththe
Lord.”Shewalkedpast,and
themangreetedthenextvacationer.“Papers.”
Warbegins.Abattleiscoming.Youcan’twinthebattle.Butfearnot,Godwillwinthewar.
Idon’tlikelosingbattles,shethought,thendisappearedintothethrongs
ofpeoplefillingthestreets.Onlyseventy-fivemilesfromVaticanCityupSR148.Ninetyminutesbycar.Herdestinationgrewcloser.Whoshe’dmeetandwhatlayaheadwereoflittleconcern.Whiletheangelwalkedwithher,shewassafe.
“What’syourname,”sheaskedhim.
“Custos.”“Whatdoesitmean?”
Laughterwastheangel’sonlyresponse.
Angels!Wonderfulcreatures,buttight-lipped.
#
“Evaluateoursituation.Iwantfeedbackontheresponseofthepopulacetothechangeofpower.”Armsbehindhisback,Ammadpacedattheheadoftheboardroomtablerobes
swishing.TwelveImamsoftheShiafaith,twowithSufileanings,andfourmilitaryadvisorssataroundhim.
“Chuiandhisallieshavecutcommunicationswithus.”
“Weanticipatedhewould.ThemovehurtstheEastmorethanitdoesus.Theywillsufferhardships,particularlyinfoodsupplies.”
“Yes,FirstCitizen.”
Themanspeakingcontinuedhisreport.“Intherestoftheworld,onlytheradicalChristiansopposeus.OurintelligencesaysGeorgePendletonisplanningtoevacuatemanyChristianstotheSpacePlatformconnectedtoOperationWarlord,theMarscolonizationproject.”
“Wedidn’tplanontheirevacuating.”Heponderedthatmoveandrubbedhis
beard.“Nootherthreatsofrebellion?”
“None.TheChristiansarenotgoingtofight.Somearegoingtoleave.Otherswillconformtothenewgovernment.”
“Yes.Theywillcomeinlineonewayoranother.”Ammadgrinned.“Whataction,ifany,doyouproposeatthistime?”
“Pendletonappearsto
beinhiding.Hemaybewithhisright-handmaninBalmoral.Fromwhatcommunicationswe’vebeenabletotrace,GeorgeandConnorPendletonarethereaswell.Butwedoubtforlong.”
“HowreadyarethelaunchvehiclestocarryChristians?”Ammadbrowlowered.
“Mostcanleaveinamatterofdays.”Theman
speakinggrimacedandloweredhishead.“Theirnumbersaretoowidelydispersedforustostopthemall.”
Aknockontheboardroomdoorinterruptedtheconversation.AtashAkbariappearedwithhishandsraisedandhisbodybowed.“Master,theredheadedwitchisgone.”
“What!”Ammadswung
hisarmsendingapitcherofwaterflyingacrosstheroom,drenchingtwooftheImamsnearesthim.“Howcanthatbe?”
“Nooneknows.Hercelldoorremainslocked.Theslopmanreportednoemptytrayandnosoundfromhercellinalmostaweek.”Akbaritrembled,hisfacewaneandgaunt.“Theypulledbacktheshieldovertheglass
andshinedalight,expectingtoseeadeadbody.Shewasgone.”
“Killthemboth.Theslopmanandtheguard.Oneofthemmustbeatraitor.”
“No,”Akbaribegged.“Thejinn,theMaridwhoprotectsher,mustbebehindthis.Anevilisatworkhere.AslopmanisnomatchforaMarid.Whatcolorsdidyouseewhenconfrontingthe
redheadedwitch?”“Nocolors.Ididnotsee
thejinn.But...”Ammadreachedbackintohismemory.He’dheldalight,butithadchangedcolorslightlyuponenteringtheroom.“Mylighttookonaviolettonealternatingbluesandreds.”
“NodoubtanangryMarid.Whatshehaspromisedhimforsuchafavor
Icannotguess.”Akbarirubbedhischin.“WhatsayyouElders?”
Theoldestamongthemraisedhishand.Heroseandstrokedhislongbeard.“Ourloreissometimestruth.ItissaidSolomonhadaringcraftedofironandbrass.Themetalsweakenedthejinn’spowersothebeingcouldbecontrolled.SoSolomoncouldseeitscraftyliesand
mischief.Thejinnhelpedhimbuildandholdhiskingdom.”TheoldImamswayed,eyesclosed.“Youcannotkillajinni,andofthem,theMaridisthemostpowerful.Butyoucanweakenhimandperhapsbreakthepacttheredheadedwitchhaswithhim.”
Akbarileanedcloseandwhispered.“AllahAkbar,forgearing.”
Sweatrandown
Ammad’sface.“Yes.Yes.Doit.I’llneedallthepowerIcanmusteragainstthisthing.”Hecomposedhimself.Thegroupsettleddown,andhesat.AkbariplacedagreenturbanonhisheadandedgedinonAmmad’sright.
“Backtothesubject,”Ammadsaid.“Wemuststrikewherewecandestroytheevangelistswhocanincitethecitizensbypreachingfalse
doctrine.Also,wemustkeepasmanyPendletonsaswecanhere.Wecanconvertthembytheswordandusetheirtestimoniesaspositivepropaganda.”
TheoldImamraisedhishand.“Thehowisthequestion.Wepreachpeace.Sowecometopowerpeacefully.ThewonderfulthingabouttheGlobalRealmisthatnoneofthebadnews
travelsacrosstheworld.Whenourplanwasdiscoveredandthemissilesfired,London,Balmoral,andRomesufferedminordamage.ThePendletonswillbeinoneofthoseplacesorscatteredamongthethree.TheevangelistswillbeinDallas.WestrikewithSWATteams.Seekoutourenemies.Killorimprisonthem.AndproclaimapeacefulRealm
withoutmentioningtheincidents.”
Crafty,Ammadthought.TherearemanythingsIwon’tmention,eventoyou,oldman.
#Akbarirosefromhis
incantations.Theoven,heatedto2200degreesFahrenheit,heldthemixtureofironandbrassreadyforpouring.Theinsidelinerof
super-duty,highaluminahardenedair-rammedmaterialhaddoneitsjobtoperfection.Amodelsculptedfromwaxwithallthedetailshewantedtheringtohavewasprepared.Hedippedthewaxringintoaglassceramicpowderandfiredthemold.Asthewaxevaporatedintheoven,themoldshatteredexposingthering.
Trimmed,buffed,and
polishedusingahighspeeddremel-typetool,AkbarihelduphisrecreationofSolomon’sring.“Asofold,thepoweroftheringshallprotectmymasterfromthepoweroftheMarid.Heshallbevictoriousovertheshe-devil.AllahAkbar.”
Chapter22“Nowthatyou’re
settledhere,”PopePetersaid.“Letyourfamilyknow.Helpthemcoordinatetheevacuationplans.Useyourcontactsfromheretoassistinamaximumturnoutwhentheshipsarereadytodepart.”
“You’reright,”Pendletonsaid.“Myinner
circleshouldknow.IalsoshouldthrowmyweighttowardChuiandsupporthisdefection.”
Toolateforthat.AndnotinMyplanforyou.
PopePeter’sheadtilted.“IthoughtIheardsomething.”
Pendletonsmiled,butremainedsilent.Hehadhisorders.Therewouldbeonlyalittletimetohelpmusterthe
wordtotheChristiancommunitiesthatanevacuationwasunderway.Hefeltlikeaheavyloadhadbeenliftedoffhim.Hewasn’taruleranymore.Hewasaservant.Whydidn’tGodwanthimtosupportChui?NopointsecondguessingGod.HedialedGeorgeandnoticedintherighthandboxthatalltheregionalgovernorsandofficialpersonnelwere
gonefromhislist.Ammadmovedquickly,theslimyrat.
“Father,wherethehellareyou?”
“Notforyoutoknow.Ammad’smovingfast,replacinghisenemiesasquicklyaspossible.Myofficiallinetothegovernmentisgone.”
Heheardaslychuckle.“Ourphoneshavea
namememorybackup.”
Georgesaid.“Connorhadtheminstalledforjustsuchanoccasion.”
HeheardConnorinthebackgroundsay,“Someonehastobethebrainsinthefamily.”
“Theproblemis,”Georgecontinued.“Youcanonlymakeacalltoanindividualonce,andthemastertrackingsystemwillturnoffthatconnection.”
“IwanttohelpinsurethatasmanyChristiansaspossiblegetonthosetransports.”
Silence.HesupposedGeorgewasevaluatingthesituation.
“Allright,”George’sbreathcameinshortrasps.“I’llhaveHanscalltheteamsateachlocationtohaveaspeakerhookedupforabroadcastfromyou.Thatway
youcanmakeonecallandbeheardbyasmanyascanbebroughttooneplace.AndFather...”
“Yes.”“London,Balmoral,
Rome,andDallasarethefourtargetsEdisonpredictsAmmadwillstrike.Heoranemissarywillcomeinpeace.But,he’llhaveastrikeforcetocaptureorkillthepeoplehefearsmost.”
“DoesAmmadknowwhereEdisonis?”
“No.Ifhedid,we’dbecooked.”Georgepaused.“Idon’tevenknowwhereEdisonis.ThaddeusClineandhisteamaretheonlyonesintheknow.Savefortheworkersstationedthere.”
“Allright.I’lltrytocontactyoulater.”
“Or,I’llcallyouwhenHanshasmadeallthe
contacts.”Cline.Whyhadn’the
thoughtofClineearlier?HecalledClineandgotanabrupt.“What!”
“It’sme,Arthur.”“They’reafterme.I’m
onaSupersonictoRome.I’mgoingtoVaticanCitytoseekrefuge.”Clinesighed.“Arthur,twelveofmyteammatesaredead.Threearewithme.Ican’ttalk
furtheruntilI’msafe.I’llcallyouwhen...ifImakeittotheVatican.”
Thelinedisconnected.“Iheard,”PopePeter
said.“I’llhaveasecuritydetailmeethimatthestation.”
#Clineexaminedhis
phone.Damn.Arthurcan’tcallmeagain.
Hehadonechance
whenhereachedRometogivehisbosstheinformationheneeded.ThingshadgonehorriblywronginLondon.Ammad,thescourgeoftheearth,camesmilingandwavingtothepopulace.Hepreachedpeaceandprosperity.Hetoldthepeoplenottofear.Thetransitionofgovernmentwouldbepeaceful.Heapologizedforthemissileattackofafew
weeksearlier.Blamingamissedcommunicationbetweentwosatellitesinorbit.
Peoplebelievedhim.GlobalRealmmediapresentedeventsonaneedtoknowbasis.ThebriefmilitaryexchangebetweenAmmad’speopleandGlobalforcesdidn’tmakearipple,exceptinthecitiesaffected.
Clineandhisteamwere
finishinginstructionstoHarryonenteringtheundergroundlivingcentersadvancecrewshadbuiltundertheMartiansurfacewhenanintruderalarmsounded.HedisconnectedthecallandheadedfortheCenter’semergencyexitchute,grabbinghisfileonEdisonashewent.WhateverAmmad’smenwerefiringathispeople,theweaponmadenonoise.
Onlytheresults—bodypartsandbloodremainedetchedinCline’smind.
Threeofhisteamescapedwithhim,thelastmanclosingandlockingthechute’sdoorasheleft.Withinanhour,thefourmenwereontheSupersonicheadingforRome.Clinehadnotimetowarnanyone,exceptthecrewguardingEdison.Theyinturnwould
gathertogetherthewell-trainedforcepreparedbyPeacockandConnorthemselves.Ahundredbodiesstrongtoholdoffanattack,ifEdisonwaseverfound.
ButwhowouldlookaroundSupai,Arizona?LocatedatthebottomoftheGrandCanyon,aboutfourmilesoutsideSupai,andbuiltintotherock,Edisonoperatedinanenvironmentallyperfect
worldofitsown.GuardedbyfifteenGlobalRealmcombatunitsloyaltotheoldregime,thebrainsoftheworldcontinuedtofunctionasthoughnothinghadhappened.
Whydidthecitizenryacceptthisasshole,Ammad?InCline’sopinion,theworldhadmadeadvancesbyworkingtogetherthatsurpassedwhatmankind
couldhavedonewithoutPendletonin500years.Butthemaincomplaintwassimple.Noone’segogotstroked.Yes,therewerecertainprivilegesearnedbyrank,butnofameoraccoladeswentwithperformance.Peoplelivedwell,butfeltused.
Ammad’smouthflowedwithhoneyandsugareverytimeitopened.Themanwas
theDevil,andfewcitizensrealizedit.Luckily,alltheprogrammingfortheMarsmissionswasinEdison’spossession.EdisonhadanalyzedthewaterintheMartiansoil.Evenattheequator,itwas5%waterbyweight.Inthearcticregions,60%waterbyweight.Andthecomputerdevelopedtechnologythatbakedwateroutofthesoiltomakeit
available.SunlightattheMartian
equatorwasaboutequaltothatofNorway.Andtherewasenoughnitrogenandalltheotherelementsneededtomakefertilizersandsoforth.SoEdisondeterminedthatwater,alongwithMars'plentifulcarbondioxide,wouldmakeitfeasibletogrowfoodandotherplantstomakeproductssuchas
clothing,atleastinsomeregions.
Marsproducedenoughgeothermalpowerunderground.Utilizingthatpowersource,plusanyexploratorycombustion,nuclear,orhydroelectricpower,mankindcouldsustainapopulationonMarsforseveralcenturies.Socrewsdrilledforaccesstogeothermalheat,hopingthey
mightalsofindliquidwateraswell.
Theyhuntedforstructuresunderground,wherethatpowercouldbeharnessedandamini-worldcouldbecolonized.Protectedinatemperaturecontrolledenvironment,humanityhadachance.OnlyEdisonhadallthedetails.ThosebiosphereshadtohookupandleavebeforeEdisonwasdiscovered
anddisabled,ormankindwouldbeheldprisoneronEarthuntilallhumanlifeceased.
Therehastobeanothercomputer.
Cline’smindranrampantwithpossibilities.Toarmspacemodules,develophighpowerweaponryforhisterrorists,andwinanEdison-generatedleadershipexamtookscientificprowess
Ammaddidnotpossess.OncesafeinsidetheVatican,he’dcommunicatewithEdisonanddeterminethelikelihood.GodhelpusifhewasrightandAmmaddidpossessanEdison-typecomputer.
Chapter23Pendletongreeted
ThaddeusCline,asClinewasescortedintothePope’squartersbythepapalguard.SoonafterPopePeterledthemtoaplaceofsafety.Atleastforthetimebeing.
“InsidetheVaticanareplacesonlyafewintheHolySeeknow,”PopePetersaid,
ashe,Pendleton,Duarte,andClineheadedintotheSacristy&TreasuryMuseumandpassedthelistofPopesburiedinSaintPeter’s.“Weneedseclusion.I’vehadmypeoplecleartheSacristyforus.”
Pendleton’smouthdroppedopenasPeterledthemdownthecorridortotheSacristyandacrosstoanaltarwithcandlesbrightlyburning.
Twistedcolumnsroseoneachside.Highabove,aclockchimednoon.
PeteredgeddownandpushedasmallbuttonatthebaseofapictureofJesusbeingtakenoffthecross.Agrindingnoiseaccompaniedthemovementofthealtar,asitslidafewfeetforwardrevealinganarrowstaircaseleadingdownward.Peterdescendedafewstepsand
turnedonalight.ThenPendletonandtherestfollowed.Onceallhadreachedthelowerroom,Peterpushedanotherbuttonandthealtarslidebackintoplace.
“GoodGod,”Pendletonquipped.“RightoutofthelegendsoftheKnightsTemplar.”
Peterchuckled.“Nothingsosinister.Butthisisausefulplacetohideor
seeksolitude.”Inaroomsometwenty
feetsquaresattwosofas,threecomfortableleatherarmchairs,awritingdeskcompletewithcomputercapabilities,andafull-sizebedincaseonewishedtonap.Pendletonasked.“Waterandfood?”
Petersmiled.“Some.”Hepulledasidethebed
behindwhichwasasmall
refrigerator/freezerstockedwithenoughfoodforadayortwo,notmuchmore.“It’snotthewinecellar,buteverybodyknowsaboutthewinecellar.”
“Youseemprettyspryforyourage,”Pendletonsaid.
“Goingdownstairsisn’taproblem.Goingbackuptaxesme.Butinsuchtimes,Godprovidesstrengthtotheweary.”
Duarte,whohadbeenstandingnexttothestaircase,said,“Sir,ifGeorge,Harry,andyourdaughteraretobegiveninstructions,weneedtopreparethemsoon.”
Aslightsmilecurledthecornerofhismouth.
“Tobusinessthen.”Pendletonmotionedforhiscompanionstositdown.
Duartetookachairatthedesk,whiletheothers
relaxedintotheleatherarmchairs.
“ProfessorCline,”Pendletonsaid.“Telluswherethingsstand.”
Forthenexthalf-hour,ClinerelatedtheattackuponhisLondonfacilitiesandhisescapefromAmmad’sforces.Thenhechangedthesubjecttohissuspicionofthesecondcomputer.“It’stheonlythingthatmakessense.Ammad
scoredwellonthetestsfromthebeginning.Butnotthetop1%.Howelsecouldhehaveaccomplishedwhathedid?”
Pendletonconsideredthepossibility.“Ifso,he’llmakefindingEdisonhistoppriority.”
“Hencehisattempttocaptureme.”Clinepulledthefilehe’dleftLondonwithupintohislap.Openingit,hespreadouttheplansEdison
developedforlaunchingthebiospheresanddockingthemtotheirtransportships.“ThesepapersshowingthelocationofEdisonandthelocationofthebiospherelaunchingsarewhatAmmaddesires,evenmorethankillingyouandLaverna.”
PendletonfearedAmmadhadaccomplishedhalfthattaskalready.“Howcanwestophim?”
“Whatmilitaryforcesdowehave?”
Pendletonshookhishead.“TherulesoftheGlobalRealmareairtight.AllprotectiveandsecuritypersonnelareundertheruleoftheFirstCitizenandhisappointees.”
“Sowe’rescrewed.”Clineclosedhisfileandtappedthecorneragainsthispalm.“Edison’sprotection-
personnelreporttoyourdaughter.Theyareloyaltoyou.Buteventually,Edisonwillbefound.Ourjobistodelaythatfromhappeningaslongaspossibletoallowforthelaunchestotakeplace.”
“Howwillthatbeaccomplished?”PopePeterasked.
“Howtodelaytheenemyorhowthelauncheswillproceed?”
“Both.”Peterchuckled.“Therearesome40,000ChristianshereinRomealonewhodesiretodepart.”
“HarryPendletonandObadiahAbupositionedthemajorbiospheresonlaunchpads,twenty-fiveinall.”Clinesmiledbroadly.“Tomorrowmorningthefirstlauncheswilltakeplace.Byweek’send,allunitswillbeinorbit,andourteamswill
beginconnectingandtestingthelifesupportsystems.Alllauncheswillbeaccomplishedwithlighter-than-airtechnology.”
“Mr.PendletonandIhadthepleasureoftakingarideinoneofthelighterthanairshuttlecraftsatleasttwentyyearsago.”Duarte’seyesglistened.“AremarkablememoryduringmytimewiththeFirstCitizen.”
“Yes,”Clinesaid.“Andthetechnologyhasleapedsincethen.Thenewshuttlecraftsaretentimesmoreadvancedthantheoneyourodein.WehaveoverahundredbeingreadiedtocarryChristianstotheirwaitingspacecraftsforthejourneytoMars.”Hefrowned.“Evenso,theevacuationwilltakeweeks.”
Pendletonjerkedhis
headleft.“WhywouldAmmadwishtodetainus?You’dthinkhe’dbedelightedtoberidofus.”
“Therun-of-the-millChristiandoesn’tinteresthim.”Clinesighed.“Leadershipdoes.Whataprize—afeatherinhiscaptohaveArthurPendletonconverttoIslamonGlobaltelevision.”
Pendleton’smind
darkened.AmmadhadLovey.IfhemanagedtocaptureGeorge,Harry,andConnor,Pendletonwouldbeathismercy.ButhemustleaveaninterventiontoGod.Hehadhisorders,andhemustobeythemregardless.
#HansVanMeerwrung
hishandsashecircledhisofficeinBalmoralfortheumpteenthtime.Georgehad
gonewithConnortojoinupwithHarryandObi.Hiscommunicationwiththeworldgrewnarrowerbythehour.Edisonstillfunctioned,controllingtheareasitwasconnectedto,butthoseconnectionswererapidlybeingpulleddownbyAmmad’speople.Soon,onlythecoresecurityprotocolswouldbeleftuntilAmmad’steamfinallyfoundEdison
andshutthecomputerdown.Atearmoistenedhis
cheek.HeyearnedforFelicia’spresencetonoavail.Hehadnoone,butMichaelZiebach.HisvaluetotheGlobalRealmhadended.BeforeConnororderedherbrothertogowithher,shesummonedallherassetswithacalltoCher.Whenheaskedwhathecoulddo,sherespondedbytouchinghis
armlovinglyandsaying,“AmmadisinLondon.Clinehasrun,butisstillcommunicatingwiththelaunchteams.WhenAmmadcomeshere,youmustdelayhimwithoutrevealingwhereanyofuswent.”
Soherehewas.Abloomingdecoy—adeadduck,actually.Finekettleoffish.Hispacingincreased.Hissecurityteamsurrounded
theBalmoralComplexwithorderstocooperatewiththeenemy.Thetacticofpassiveresistancedidn’tsitwellwithhim.Butlikeagood#2,he’dsetupthelineforPendleton,whereverhewas,toaddresstheChristiancommunityforthelasttime.
“I’velivedadamngoodlife,”hesaidaloudtonoone.“Helpedcreateanewsocietyoutofabunchofgreedy
idiots.Idid.”Thesoundofhisown
voicegratedonhisnerves.TheglorydaysendedwithFelicia’sdeath.Thepastwaspast,andthefuture—bleakasafish’sbonesdryinginthesun.Heglancedoutthewindow.SnowinearlyOctober?Thelongerhewatched,theharderthesnowfell.MaybetheEuropeanIceAgehadmovedtothewest.
Regardless,itwassymbolicofthetimes.MaybeheshouldconverttoChristianity.Atleasthecouldhangontosomedelusionofhappiness.
Ziebachopenedthedoorandwheeledin.“Ammadisapproachingfromthesouth.”
Chapter24“Preparetoenter
Balmoral,”Akbarisaid,asherodenexttohisboss.TheconvoyofvehiclescomingupfromLondonseemedstrangetoonlookers.Rarelydidvehiclestravelonroads.Supersonics,eliteaircraft,andpollution-freeoceancraftwerethemaintransportation
methods.Ammadstoodinthebackseatofaconvertedlimousineandwavedtotheworkersonthe50,000acreestateandthoseleaningoutovertheparapetsofBalmoralComplex.
Ammadknewthesignificanceoftheplace.PendletondrewthehighestrankingofficialsherewhenhemarriedLavernaSmythe,theredheadedwitch.Now
Ammadhadcometogloat.Byallaccounts,Pendletonandhisfamilywerestillhere,andwithforcefulpersuasion,theywouldcometotheirsensesandurgetheirfollowerstofallinline.
Ofcourse,Pendletondidn’tknowaboutPeacock’sescape.Howcouldhe?ThatwouldbeAmmad’scallingcard.Bowthekneeandspareyourwife.Ammadnever
studiedthejinnortheblackarts.Humansweremadeofclay,angelsoflight,andthejinnofsmokelessfire.HiseducationcenteredontheTwelveImamsandhisroleafterthem.HelefttheresttoAkbari.
Amicrophonewassetjustoutsidetheentrancegate.Ammaddisembarkedhisvehicleandapproachedthemicrophone,asGlobal
Broadcastinginterruptedtheirprogrammingtobroadcasthisspeech.“IamhereatBalmoraltodaytomeetwithArthurPendleton,ourformerFirstCitizen,andforgeapeacefultransitionofgovernment.I’llreceiveadebriefingonmattersofvitalimportancetothesurvivalofourplanet.”
#AsAmmadwaxed
eloquently,HansVanMeerdescendedthestaircasetothecastle’smainfloor.He,Ziebach,andtheirdelegationproceededoutofthecastleandontothegroundsinthecenterofthecomplextowaitforAmmad’sentrance.
“Becordialandprofessional,”Ziebachinstructedtheentourage.“Givethebastard’speopletheGlobalinformationthey
require.SaynotonewordaboutArthurorhisfamily.Answeranypersonalquestionswitha‘You’llhavetospeaktoMisterVanMeer.’”
VanMeerstiffenedasthedoorstotheoutsideofBalmoralCastleopened.WhatwouldAmmaddo—trytoconverthim,imprisonhim,ortorturehim?Noneofthosetacticswouldwork.Van
Meer’strainingremainedrocksolid.Hecouldwithstanduntildeathifneedbe.
Rottenpieceofluck.Ammad’scaravan
enteredtheinnercourtyardashugecrowdsgathered.Heretoseethespectacle,VanMeerthought.AkbariledtheentranceprocessionfollowedbyAmmad,whowassurroundedbysecurity
personnel.Akbari’soutfitseemed
ridiculoustoVanMeer—somethingstraightoutoftheTalesoftheArabianNights.Onhisrobes,everysymbolofIslam,thestarandcrescentmooninemeraldandingoldandtheFarsinameforAllahTherewasnoquestionthehalfoftheGlobalRealmunderAmmad’scontrolwouldbeareligiousstate.
AmmadhadshedhisGlobalattireforaQutwanicloak,lookingmorelikeaJewthanaPersian.Hiswhitehead-coveringaccentuatedhistannedhandsomeface.VanMeerattemptedtorecallthesignificanceoftheclothing,butthesheergaudinessoftheprocessiondistractedhim.
AsAkbaristoodasideandAmmadstruttedupto
him,VanMeersaid,“Where’stheparty?HadIknownIwastowhereacostume,I’dhaveputonmyRichardtheLionheartedoutfit.”
TheexpressionVanMeersawonhisenemy’sfacechangedfromaninsinceresmiletoascowl.Ammadglanceddown,presumablycheckingtoseeifhismicrophonehadbeen
removed.“Watchyourwords,mouthpiece,ifyouvalueyourlife.”
InhismanymeetingswithAmmad,VanMeerhadneverheardthisvoicebefore—deep,sinister,almostsatanic.Hisbodyshiveredfromthesound.Notapersonwhobelievedintheangelsordemons,VanMeer’soutlookreceivedablowtoitscore.Unbelievableevilhad
revealeditself.He’dtrainedforthephysicalworld,notthesupernatural.Hisspiritshriveledinaninstant.
“Nowshakemyhand,smile,andwe’llgointothecastlewithmyprimeminister.Therestwillstayoutside.”
VanMeerdidasinstructed.HemotionedtoZiebachtostaywherehewas.HisjestaboutRichardthe
LionheartedandtheCrusadesstillstuckinhisthroat.OnceinsideBalmoral,AmmadheadedintoVanMeer’sofficeasthoughitwerehisown.“WhereisArthurPendleton?Whydoesheinsultmebysendinghis—howdoyouBritsputit—lackeytogreetme?”
“Ihaven’tthefoggiestwhereheis.Heleftafewdaysagoandhasn’tbeen
heardfromsince.”“Don’tlietome.”
AmmadswungintoVanMeer’sleatherchairandcrackedhisknuckles.“Whereishisfamilythen?”
“Goneaswell.Godknowswhere.”Hetoldthetruth.Theyweregone,andGod,iftherewasaGod,knewwhere.VanMeerdidnot.
Akbariseemedtogrow
instature.HegrabbedVanMeerbythenapeoftheneckandclosedhiseyes.
“He’stellingthetruth,”hesaidtoAmmad,releasinghisgriponVanMeer.
“You,then,arethehighestrankingofficialoftheoldguardlefthere.”Ammad’sicystarefrozeVanMeer’sspirit.“Youwillsignthisorderofficiallyendinghisadministration.Now!”
“It’sjustaformalityanyway,”VanMeersaidandstudiedthedocument.“You’renotoriginal.ThesearetheexactsamewordsusedwhenbestowingpoweronArthur.”
“Theysuitmypurpose.HehadthepowertosetuptheRealmhisway.NowIhavethepowertochangethewaytheRealmoperates.”
“Onlyhalfofit,”Van
Meerquippedandsignedthedocument.
“Atemporarysituation,”Ammadresponded.Heexaminedthesignatureclosely.“So,willyoumakeapublicstatementinsupportofmygovernment?”
“No.ButIwon’tmakeapublicstatementagainstit.”
Ammadhandedthreebookshehadhiddeninside
hiscloaktoVanMeer.“HerearetheQuran,theAlJafr,andtheTawrat.Iwillallowyoutoeducateyourself.ThenIwilldemandapledgeoryouwillpaytheconsequences.”
VanMeergulpedashisenemiesleft.HeownedaBible.He’dreadthatfirst.Withnopower,nopersonallife,andhisfriendssaveZiebacheitherdeadorgone,hehadthetime.
#“WhoamInow?”
PeacockaskedtheangelasshestrolledalongapathinsidetheVaticanGardens.
“GodcallsyouDonna.”
“NotLavernaPendleton.”Shelaughed.Shelaughedalotlately.“Ofcoursenot,LavernaSmythePendletonisalie.IamwhoIwasborntobe.”
“Youarealmosttransformedintotheeternal.”
Shesawtheangel’seyesglimmergoldandwhite.“Onlyonemorethingtodohere.WhatyoulearnedasPeacockwillbecomeprofoundlyimportant.”
“Istillcan’tbelieveGodlovesmesomuch.”Shewantedtoweeprecallingherformerlife.“I’vebeentheworstsinnerintheworld.”
Theangellaughed.Thesoundseemedlikewaterskippingoverrocks.“Allwhohaverepentedfeelthatway.ButGodknewwhatyouwoulddofrombeforeHecreatedyou.HeknewyouwouldturntoHim.YouraisedchildrenwhowalkinHisways.YouproclaimHisnameunashamed.Youarenotperfected,butyouwillbe.”
Shewarmed.“AmIdead?AmIalive?I’mcertainlynothumananymore.Humansdon’tgothroughsolidmatter.”
Theangelpattedherarm.“Youthinktoomuch.Let’sjustsayyouarealiveinastatefarbetterthanyouwereinbeforenow.”
Well,hisanswerdidn’treallyexplainthings.Sheguesseditdidn’tmatter.She
sawpeopleandobjects.Sometimestheysawher.Butonlywhentheangelallowed.ApartofherwishedshecouldgotoGodandsingatHisthrone.Anotherpartdesiredtoseeherhusbandagain.Avisionenteredhermind.Shestoodbetweenherhusbandandthedevil,andthedevilcoulddonoharm.
Theangelpointedatoneofseveralvideoscreens
setuparoundVaticanCity.“Listenandwatch.YourhusbandisabouttoperformthelastactGodasksofhim.”
“I’mproudofhim,”shesaid.Herangelsmiled.
Chapter25“Yournetworkfeedis
up.”ClinepointedtoPendleton’smicrophone.“Saywhatyouhavetosay.Idon’tknowhowlongbeforetheenemycutstheline.”
Pendletontookadeepbreathandsteppeduptothemicrophone.Hedidn’tunderstandtechnologyallthat
well.Howthisworkedwasamysterytohim.Heregoes,hethought.“MyfellowChristiansinthefaith,Ibelieveallwhoaremeanttohearmenowhearmyvoice.Donothesitate.Followtheordersofyourpastorsandourtransportationcrews.Leavethisplanetassoonasyouareable.Anewworldawaitsyou.Thebiosphereswillsustainyouduringyourflight
andbeyond.OurscientistshavecreatedlivableconditionsinseveralundergroundlocationsonMars.”
“Youhavemaybetenseconds,”Clinesaid.“Thelineisbeingdisconnected.”
“Assemblyofthebiospherestothemothershipsisgoingonnow.Transportswillbereadytoshuttleyouwithinafewhours.”
“Line’scut.”Clinesmiledathinsmile.“Goodjob.”
Pendletonthrewhishook-uponthefloorandshookhishead.“That’sallIcando.”
“No,that’snotall.”PopePeterhurrieduptohimandgavehimalovingembrace.“YoucanpreparefortheonslaughthereinRomeandseethatthe
shuttlescleareverybelieverwhowishestogooutofhere.”
“I’lldowhatIcan.”“Ihavewordfrom
Balmoral.”Clineraiseduphisphone,showingareplayofAmmad’sspeech.“VanMeersignedtheofficialorderturningpowerovertothedevil.”
“Don’tblamehim.Hehadnochoice.”Pendleton
bowedhishead.“Prayforhissoul.”
Cline’sbodytrembled.“OurLondonoperationshavebeenraidedandBalmoralputupnoresistance.ButRomeandtheDallasComplexwillbeabloodymess.ThewordfrommysourcessaysthatlargecontingentsofGlobalSecurityForcesareontheirwayacrosstheMediterraneanSea.They’llcomehere.I
imagineAmmadhasanotherforceheadingtoDallasinNorthAmerica.”
“Howmuchtimedoyouthinkwehave?”PopePeterasked.
“Aweektops,”Clinesaid.“They’llland,organize,andmarchnorth.Wehavesomeforces,theSwissGuardandtheChristianmilitiasloyaltoPendleton.Butthey’llonlyslowdowntheenemy.”
“Justsotheyslowthemlongenoughforourpeopletoboardthetransports,”Peterreplied.“WorkersarebusyfinishingashuttleportattheRomeCentralSupersonicTerminal.Non-Christiansrefusetohelp,buttheywon’thinderusforfearofreprisals.”
Pendleton’scellbuzzed,startlingthethree.“Yes?”
“It’sme,Hans.”
“Iheardthingshavebeenroughforyou.”
“He’sthedevil.Ifelttheevil.Ihavenothingheretostophim.He’sgoingafteryou,Arthur.Run.Ifyoustayinoneplace,Ammadwillfindyou.”
Pendletongulped.“Howdidyougettome?Ithoughtyouwereblocked.”
“IcalleduponafriendinBeijing,”VanMeersaid.
“They’restillconnectedtoEdisonandprogrammingsecurityblockstostoptheenemy’sattemptstodamagecommunications.”
“Ineedtospeaktomychildren.”Pendletoninhaledadeepbreath.“Ifthey’rerunningtheshowontheevacuation,Ineedastatusreport.”
“GeorgeisconnectedtoChui’speople.Youshouldbe
abletoreachhim.”“Iusedmyonechance.
Idon’thaveanother.”“Haveyouevercalled
Harry?Theyshouldbetogether.”
Pendletonfurrowedhisbrow.Whyhadn’thethoughtofthatpossibility?Hehadthatcallleft.“Rightyouare.AcalltoHarryitis.AndHanstakecareofyourself.”
#
ConnorjumpedwhenHarry’scellbuzzed.Nervesfrayedbeyondherpointofcontrol,hertrainingkickedintosteadyher.
“Yes,”Harrysaid.Hepulledhishandoverthereceiverandmouthed.It’sDad.
HarryhandedthephonetoConnor.
“CanIspeaktoGeorge?”
“It’sme.Georgeisworkingwiththeawaysitesontimingtheshuttleflights.”ThesilenceconfirmedherfeelingsthatDaddidn’tviewherbrotherorherselfasworthytotalkto.“Well?”
“Allright.Ineedastatusreport.Howreadyarewetocompletelyevacuate?Idoubtwehavemorethanafewdays.Hanssaysaweektops.”
Connorheardhermother’swordsfromlongagowhenshewastwelve.“Yourdadlovesyouallequally,sweetie.Buthecan’trelatetowomenlikehecantomen.Onlyhismotherwillhelistento.”
“Nottoyou,Mom?”she’dasked.
“He’lllisten,anddowhathewantsto.Butthen,sodoI.”
Connorsighed.“Mostofthedeparturesitesaresettogo.Butthat’sbecausethere’snoresistancecoming.Ifyou’rebackinLondon,atBalmoral,Rome,orDallas,itwillbetouch-and-go.Hewantsyou,andhe’llkillanyoneinhiswaytogettoyou.So,whereareyou?”
“Tellmewhereyouarefirst.”
Ugh!Whywashisneed
toknowmoreimportant?Butdespitehismanner,shelovedhim,andnowwasn’tthetimetochallengehim.She’dbeendisobedientenoughoflate.“We’rewithEdisonoutsideSupai,Arizonawiththreehundredtrainedwarriors,includingMom’spersonalguards.”
“HowdidyouknowEdison’slocation?”
“ClinegaveGeorgea
generalidea.AndyouknowGeorge.Hedidn’ttellanyoneuntilitbecamenecessary.”
“You’reintherightplace,Connor,ifyouwanttodieforhumanity.I’dpreferyoulivetoagoodoldage.”
“Nonetheless,thisiswhereweare.ThankstoChuiandhisintelligencepeople,wediscoveredtheactualcoordinates.”Shepaused.IfChuicouldfindEdison,
eventually,Ammadcouldtoo.“Sowhereareyou?”
“I’minRome.PopePeterisafinehost,andThadClineiswithus.”
Connoraddedupwhereeachfamilymemberwasandconcluded,“We’reintheworstpossibleplaces.HansisinBalmoral,we’rehereoutsideofSupai,andyou’reinRomewithClineandthePope.OnceAmmadfindsout
whereEdisonis,we’llallbeunderattack.”
“Promiseme.Whenit’stimetoboardashuttle,you’llgo.”
“Ipromise,Dad.”Thetruthcouldn’tbetold.Ifshedidherjob,thelastpersontoleavefromherlocationwouldbeher.“I’llseeyouonthemothership.”
“Thanksfortheupdate,sweetie.I’llseeyouthere.”
Hehungup.Connortrembled.
Wherewashermother?Shecouldn’tduplicateherselfandbeinfourplacesatonce.Shehadherbrothers,herhusband,andEdisontoprotect.Becauseoftheirlocation,theshuttleswouldcometothemlast.Harrylookedatherwithaleftoutagainmopeonhisface.Shegavehimabreathtakinghug.
“You’remyhero,littlebrother.Wecan’tmakeitonMarswithoutyou.”
#Threelargemen
wearingcamouflageuniformsandGlobalRealmheadcoveringssurroundedHansVanMeer,avirtualcaptiveinhisownresidence.Beforehimtheyhadplacedalivevideofeed.ThescreenshowedAtashAkbariholding
anaxeovertheheadofMichaelZiebach.
“WhereisEdison?’heasked.
“Idon’tknow,”Ziebachspit.“Iwouldn’ttellyouifIdid.”
“Onelastchance.”“Gotohell.”Ziebach
closedhiseyes.“LordJesus,receivemysoul.”
Akbariswunghisaxe,cleavingoffhisheadatthe
shoulders.Thevideofadedtoblack.
“Youhaveuntiltomorrowtogiveustheinformationwewant,”oneofthethugsinVanMeer’sroomsaid,andthethreemenleft.
AcidcausedVanMeertocough.Ziebachprovedtobealoyalandfaithfulfriend.Thesebastardswereruthless.IfChristianswereright,VanMeer’ssoulwasintrouble.
He’dreadtheBibleandthebooksAmmadlefthim.Hehadsomeseriousthinkingtodoandnotverylongtoarriveatananswer.
Chapter26GeorgePendleton
edgedalongtherockyslopebetweenthecaveentrancetotheEdisonfacilityandthelandingpadforShuttle12—thetransportcomingforthelabpersonnelandhisfamilywhenthisexodusended.ThankGodforChui.Coordinatingthelaunches
fromtheGrandCanyongavehisteamtimetodothejobright,beforeAmmadcamedownuponthemwitheverymanintheWesternHemispherehecouldrecruit.
Connorhadpreparedthedefensesremarkablywell.OnceHarryandObideliveredthebiospheresandsetupthelaunchtimes,theydepartedforSupaiandweretherein24hours.Georgeand
ConnorabruptlyleftVanMeerandtraveled18hourstojointheothers.Ammad’speoplecouldn’tbeeverywhereatonce.Ammadwasorganized,butnotthatorganized.
TravelbySupersonicacrosstheBeringStraitstooktime.ThetripslowedagainacrossAlaska.ButtheJuneautoVegaslegregainedsomelosttime.Ammad’smen
couldn’ttrackthemamongstmillionsofothertravelersonGlobalRealmbusiness.OutsideoftheinfightingamongtheeliteoftheRealm,lifeintheworldranasithadforthepast25years.
OnceinVegas,thePendletonchildrentooktheGrandCanyonshuttletotheHavasupaiTrail.Theyproceededbymuledownintothecanyon.Whenthey
reachedthebottom,theyenteredthetownofSupai.Connor’ssecurityteamandselectguardsfromEdison’sprotectionforceawaitedthematthetowngate.Howshe’dcommunicatedwiththemallshenevertoldGeorge.Itdidn’tmatter.HefeltathousandtimessaferwithCher,MingandBruegmanthere.
TheresidenceofSupai
hadregressedbacktotheDarkAges.Mightmaderightinthisdesolateplace.Familieshadnoloyaltytooneanother,andthefittestmadeslavesoftheweak.Someagricultureexisted.ButlifedependedonthefloodingoftheHavasuCreek.Georgehadcountedclosetoahundred-fiftypeopleacrossthearea.Thewomenoutnumberedthemen,but
wereherdedbythestronglikecattle.ThiswastheworldoutsidetheGlobalRealm’scontrol.Millionsofhumanslivedthiswayallacrosstheglobe,iflivingwasthecorrectterm.
Georgeexaminedtheshuttlelandingareaascrewspackedandpoundedthesoilintoasmoothsurface.Asreadyaswe’regoingtobe,hethought.Extendingthe
timetableintothefuture,theywouldleaveinsixdays,adaylongerthansafetyallowed.IfonlyClinewasonsite,buthewasinRomeandhadproblemsofhisown.
AglanceoverhisshouldercausedGeorgetostiffen.Theindigenouspopulationhadspottedhimandtwobravesoulswereedgingtheirwayuptheslopetowardhislocation.Hefired
hisweaponatapartoftheWigleevaRockformationsendingitdownwardtoblocktheirascent.Hemadehiswaybacktothelabtorunthedataagain,hopinguponhopehecouldfindawaytosecureashuttlesooner.
#“Letusassesswherewe
are.”Ammadglaredathisadvisersuntilnotonecouldraisehiseyestomeet
Ammad’sstare.“TheJewsarewaitingformyarrivalinJerusalemtoinspecttheirpreparationsforthebuildingofthetemple.Ican’taffordtohaveanyleaksaboutwhatishappeningtoChristianleaders,andspecificallyaboutmysearchforPendletonandEdison.Theseeventscan’treachtheearsofthepopulation.”
“It’sgeneralknowledge
thattheChristiansareleavingaspartoftheMarscolonizationproject,”oneImamsaid.
“That’saseparateissue.”Ammadcrackedawickedgrin.“We’reallowingtheirdeparture,exceptfortheirleaders.ThoseinRome,London,andtheDallasComplexwhoarezealousagainstusmustnotbeallowedtogo.Thatincludes
thePopeandPendleton.IhaveafeelingwhenwefindEdisonwe’llfindPendleton’schildrenandtheredheadedwitch.”
“WhatofVanMeer?”“Heconvertsordies.”
Ammadgrewmorepowerfulwitheachpassingday.“Balmoralhasbeenneutralizedwithoutaglobalripple.LondonhasafewofCline’speopletobe
accountedforasyet,butgenerally,theComplexhasbeenrunningnormally.WewillfindtherestofCline’sloyalistsandofferthemthesameopportunitywe’veofferedVanMeer.Someonewillcrack.”
Atthatmoment,Akbarirushedintotheroom,adjustinghisturbanashecame.“I’msorryI’mlate.PendletonandClinearein
Rome.SayyiddetectedacommunicationfromPendletontohisson,Harry.PendletonisdefinitelyinRome.”
“AndHarry?”Ammadasked.
“SomewhereontheNorthAmericancontinent.Somewhereeitherundergroundorbelowsealevel.Sayyid’sguess,afourhundredmileradiuswithin
theformerstatesofCalifornia,Nevada,andArizona.”
“Wheretheyare,Edisonis.”BloodrushedtoAmmad’shead.Hisheartbeatincreased.“Beginimmediatetransportofourmosthighlyskilledcombatantstothatarea.LandthemattheVegasComplex.Onceweknowtheexactlocation,we’lldestroythemandEdisonwiththem.”
“Ammad,”AtashAkbariwhispered.“YoumustcatchtheSupersonictoJerusalemintwentyminutes.AllowmetoadministerjusticetoHansVanMeerwithyourapproval.”
“Granted.”Ammadrosetoleave.Supersonicornot,theridefromtheBasraComplextoJerusalemwasn’taslongasthetripfromJerusalem’soutskirtsto
selectedtemplegroundsnexttotheDomeoftheRock.EachtimehetraveledtotheformerNationofIsrael,thecrowdswelcominghimgrew.Today,hehopedtowintheheartsofbothPalestiniansandJewsaliketowardtheideaofunifyingthechildrenofShem.
#Asliveroflightcrept
intoVanMeer’sroomat
BalmoralCastle,abittersweetmomentforhim.Hislastsunrisemostlikely,andyetthelightbroughtahopehecouldn’tfindinthedarkness.Aroundfourinthemorning,he’dgivenhimselfovertoChrist,recitingfromthePsalms,“OLordmyGod,inYouIputmytrust;Savemefromallthosewhopersecuteme;Anddeliverme.”
Agrowingpeacefilled
him.HeknewhisspiritdweltwithGod.Hissoulandanewbodywouldfollow,butnotbeforethedevildemandedhislife.He’dregrettedhispast—wastedonworldlygoalsandpleasures.Butwithwhatshorttimehehadleft,hewouldservehisLordthebesthecould.
Atnoon,thedoortohisroomopened.Thesamethreemenwhohadthreatenedhim
thedaybeforeledhimoutthroughhissittingroomintothe1stfloorgroundsneartheterrace.Thereintheopenairthreeflagshadbeensetup,theOfficialFlagoftheGlobalRealm,theGlobalRealmPeaceFlag,alight-blueflagwithawhitedovecarryinganolivebranch,andAmmad’sofficialflag,agreenflagwithared-crescentmoonandawhitestaretched
onblack.Infrontoftheflags,a
hoodedgiantdressedinblackstoodnexttoachoppingblockwithanaxeinhishand.Hisfacewascoveredsoonlyhiseyesandmouthcouldbeseen.Therewerecamerasandvideofeedsstationedaroundtheyard.
Doeshereallyintendtobringattentiontothis?
“Yourexecutionwillbe
broadcastonlytoMuslim-controlledcomplexes,”oneofthemenholdinghimsaid.
“Goodmorning,Hans.”Akbari’svoicesoundedfromthespeakersclosesttoVanMeer.“WillyoujoinusanddeclareallegiancetoAmmad,theChosen,andhisGlobalRealmgovernment?”
HearingthatproclamationsickenedVanMeer.Hewethislipsand
responded,“IwillcontinuemyallegiancetotheGlobalRealm.ButIdonotacknowledgetheexistenceofachosenreligiousleader.”
“HeisthenewlyelectedFirstCitizen,Ammadal-Sistani.”
“Hecanchoosetocallhimselfwhateverhewants,butIdonotbelieveinanIslamicprophetorinIslam.”
“Well,ifyouareloyal
totheGlobalRealm,pleaserevealthelocationofEdison.Ourpeopleneedaccesstoitforthegoodofourcitizens.”
VanMeertriedtogetavisualonAkbari,butonlyhisvoicecamethrough.Hewasn’tanywherenearby.“AsIsaidbefore,Idon’tknowwhereEdisonis.”
“DoyouknowhowtoreachThaddeusCline?”
“No.”
“ArthurPendleton?”“Itried.Mycellwon’t
recallhisnumber.”Akbariteasedhim,
askingthesamequestionabouteverymemberofPendleton’sfamily.VanMeeranswerednotoallhisquestions.
“Thisisyourlastchance.YouseemtobetheleastinformedformercandidateforFirstCitizenthe
worldhaseverseen.DoyouacceptanddeclareallegiancetoAmmad,theChosenandhisGlobalRealmgovernment?”
“Myansweristhesame.IdonotbelieveinanIslamicprophet.”
“Axeman,carryoutyourduty.”
VanMeer’sbodyshookashetriedtopray.Prayingwasn’thisstrongpoint.A
handforcedhimtohisknees.“LordJes...”
Aclampsecuredhisnecktotheblockandcutoffhiswind.Receivemy...
#Akbariclappedhis
handsanddancedbeforeAmmad’sadvisors.“PuthisheadonthehighestspirenexttoMichaelZiebach.Leaveitthereuntilitrots.”
#
“YouwillneedalltheskillofPeacocknow.”CustossatonahillsidebenchlookingdownattheRomeComplexandtheentrancetoSaintPetersSquare.
“MayIaskyouaquestion?”Peacocksaid,wonderingaboutthefutureofherhusband.“ArthurwillbeinHeavenwithme.Hemurderedmillions.Iwillbethereaswell.Ibrokeevery
commandment.Howcanthisbe?”
“NoteveryonewhoknowsJesusisLordwillentertheKingdomofGod.”Custosshrugged.“ButonlythosewhoplacetheirtrustinHimandfollowHim.BothyouandArthurtriedtopleaseGod.Youfailed.YetlikeDavid,yourepented.”
“ButIfailedsooften.”“Yetyoutried.Thinkof
yourselfbeforeyouacceptedChrist.DidyoufollowHim?”
“No.IwastooangrytofollowHim.”
“Andnow?”“Nowmyconscience
bothersmewhenIstray,andIaskforgiveness.”
“Andthat’sthedifferencebetweenthesavedandtheunsaved.TheyaretooproudtoacceptJesusasLord,eventhoughtheyknow
intheirheartsHeis.”Custossighed.“TheLordweepsatthelossofeveryhumansoul.Buttheychoosedisobedience,becausetheyrefusetobeheldaccountabletoanypowerhigherthanthemselves.EventhoughtheyknowtheysinbeforeGod.”
Peacockreasonedoutwhattheangelhadsaid.“SobecauseItrytofollowChrist,andIplacemyfaithinHim,
I’msaved.”“Faithcomesfirst.Your
gooddeedssecond.Forwithoutfaith,yourworksarenothing.”
“I’mgoingtofaceAmmad.EvenknowingI’msaved,I’mafraid.”
“IntheGardenatGethsemane,Jesusfearedwhatwascoming.ButHeobeyedGod.”
“Andyou’llbethere?”
“No.I’llbenear.”Custosheldherhand.“God,Himself,willbewithyou.”
Chapter27Ammadwavedtothe
crowdsgatheredontheHaolanRoad.HiscaravanofvehiclesturnedthroughtheDungGateintotheJewishQuarterandheadedtowardtheWestWall.HundredsofHebrewclericsandtheseventyfromtheSanhedringreetedhimashesteppedout
ofthelimousinethatbroughthim.
RabbiLevinson,awidesmilegracinghisface,lockedAmmadinabrotherlyembrace.Theswine’stouchsickenedhim,butAmmadreturnedthehug.Afewyearsfromnow,LevinsonwouldeitherbowtohimordielikeVanMeerhaddone.ArrogantHebrewbelieversweren’tbrothers,onlythosewho
droppedtheirfaithinfavorofmoneyandpowercouldservehispurpose.
“Soshowmetheplansandtheinstrumentsforthesacrifices.”
Levinsonrolledoutalongscrollonacedartableinsidetheconstructionpavilion,aportablestructurecoveredwithtarps.“SotorebuildthenewtempleinJerusalemalltheinstruments
thatwillbeusedforthesacrificeshavebeenpreciselyrecreated.Redheifers,requiredforpurificationofthesanctuaryandthepeople,arebred.Wehavepurereds.Nowthatpeaceexists,onlyadisagreementamongusJewswhetherElijahneedstocomefirsttooverseethebuildingprojectisstillindispute.”
“I’llsettlethis.Callyourpeopletogether.”
LevinsonscurriedabouthustlingasmanyeldersashecouldinsidetohearAmmad.Whentheyhadgathered,Ammadasked.“HowmanyhereawaitElijah?”
Sometwentyhandsshotup.
“DoyoutrustGod?”“Yes,”theycried.Onemanuttered.“It’s
youI’mnotsureof.”Ammadtiltedhishead
andshrugged—amovefamiliartotheJewsasmeaning,Igetyourpoint.“IfyoutrustGod,andyouknowHecandoanythingHewishes.Thenrelyonthat.GodpromisedElijahwouldreturn.Ifnowisthetime,hewill.Untilthen,buildyourtemple.”
HeturnedtoLevinson.“Sendmealistofeverythingyoulack,andGlobal
distributionwilldeliverthematerialstoyou.”Hestretchedouthisarmsandasked,“Doesanyonedisagree?”
Onlyonehandwentup,RabbiShamir,thesameonewhoopposedhiminTelAviv.Ammadhadhimonhislist.Apainfuldeathwouldfollowwhenthiswasover.“Sobegin,andmayAllahbegracioustoyou.”
Levinsonreddenedandreplied.“Yahwehwilling,wewillbefinishedinforty-twomonths.”
AmmadleftthepavilionandheadedtomeetwithadministratorsatTheDomeoftheRock.HechuckledasheimaginedtheaxeseveringVanMeer’sneck.
“It’swhatyougetwhenyoufailtobendtheknee.”Hesaidaloud.Hiswordsnever
reachedanotherhumanear.#
ThebuzzingofhiscellstartledPendletonfromadeepsleep.HerolledovertoseeGeorge’snameonhisscreen.“Howdidyoumanagetomakethiscall?”
“Edison’sfiguringouttheroguecomputer’soperatingpatternandundoingsomeofthedamage.IfyoucangetClineontheline,he
mightbeabletohelpusgainmorecontrol.”
Clearly,hedidn’thavetoppriorityeveninhisownson’slife.No,howisitgoing,Dad?No,Iloveyou.JustgetClineonthephone.Butthatwashowhe’dtreatedhischildrenwenthehadpressingbusiness.
“Holdon.I’lltrytowakehim.”
Hestumbledtothedoor
andheadeddownthecoldtileflooroftheVatican’ssleepingquarterstoThad’sroom.Heknocked.
“I’mawake.Comein.”Realizinghewas
barefoot,Pendletonopenedthedooracrackandsaid,“Georgefoundawaytocall.Apparently,Edisonisundoingsomeoftheroguecomputer’sdamage,andhewantstotalktoyou.”
Clinerantothedoorandgrabbedthephone.
ForthenexttenminutesthemanwhoonceruledtheworldstoodbarefootinthehalloutsideCline’sroomwithnopowerexceptthatofadeliveryboy.Godtoldhimhistimewasover.Whydidhefeelsodepressed?Theimmensepridewithinhimcouldn’tdealwithhislossofpower.Thethoughtcameto
himtorestinthissituationandenjoyGod’speace—ahardthingforaproudmantodo.
“Here’syourphoneback,”Clinecalledoutasheclompedtothedoor,hisVaticanpajamaslookingmiserablycrumpled.“Comeinandhavesometea,whileIupdateyou.”
“Myfeetarehalffrozen.”
“I’vegotthestandardpull-ons.Onesizefits,youknow.”Clinetossedhimapair,andPendletonslippedthemon,slouchingasheenteredCline’sroom.“YoulooklikeAmmad’salreadyputyouinprison,orworseyet,orderedyourexecution.”
Tomorrow,hemorethanlikelywould,Pendletonthought.
Clineflippedtheswitch
ontheEco-StreamTeadispenserandpushedtwice.TwocupsdroppedintoplaceandhotEarlGreyteapouredoutreadytodrink.HestirredPendleton’sandsetthecupdownonthedurableservingtableatthefarendoftheroombythewindows.Dawnwasstilltwohoursoff.
OutsideCline’swindow,thevividlightsoftheVaticanbuildingstossed
rainbowsofcolorsintothenightsky.EverysteepleonSaintPeter’sBasilicareflectedvaryinghuesofyellowandgold,blueandviolet,offnearbybuildings.ThesightcalmedPendletonabit,asdidCline’ssoftsmile.ThehumongousegothatusedtobeThaddeusClinehadvanishedastheyearspassed,leavingastoutfellowandgoodfriendinitsplace.
“Here’slife’scruelfact.Totalcontrolisnotpossible.Tryasyoumight,Arthur.Youcan’tmaintainpowerforever.”Clinetookasip,andPendletonploppeddownontoachair.“Youpulledtheswordfromthestone,andyouwieldeditwell.Buttimesandpeoplechange.”
“Idon’tneedalecture.”“No.Youneeda
friend.”Clinesighedandhis
lipsquivered.“Hansisdead.”Hearingthewords
didn’tmeanunderstandingthem.Pendleton’sheadjerkedbacklikeaprizefighterhadcaughthimwithanuppercut.Theairlefthislungs.Ifhehadn’tbeensittingdown,he’dhavefallen.“I’malone.Lovey,Milton,andnowHans,allgone.”
Clinetouchedhishand.
“Godiswithyou.Haveyoueverconfessedyoursins?Idon’tmeanwithwords.Imeanwithyourheart.HaveyouevertrulygivenGodcontrol?DidyouaskHimwhattodobeforeyoucamehere?”
Pendletonshookhishead.“Theconversationwasoneway.Godtoldmetocomehere,andIcame.”
Clinetiltedhisheadand
loweredaneyebrow.“Don’tyoubelieve
me?”“Ifit’strue,showitby
beingconfident.Whatdoesthescripturesay,‘IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus?’”
Helookedlikeaschoolmaster.PendletonglancedtoseeifClinehadarulerinhishandwithwhichtoswathim.Hetriedto
respond,butnothingcameout.
“Look.Iwasarounderandanegotist.”Clineshookhishead.“IpushedthebuttonthatblewuptheUnitedNationsbuilding.Yes,youandIhavebloodonourhands.Godistheonlysalvationforus.Stopworryingandstartdoingwhatyou’retold.”
Pendletonnodded.
“WithGeorge’shelp,EdisonreversedmuchofAmmad’sdamage,”Clinesaid.“Butthisisonlyatemporaryfix.Heopenedtwolinesofcommunicationscoveringninety-threeprimarilyChristiancomplexes.Iwrotedowntheshuttleschedules,andIneedyouandPopePetertorecordamessageforbroadcastovereachline.Soonerorlater
someonewillbreakdownandrevealEdison’slocationandwe’refinished.”
“IshouldhavemaintainedanarmyandkeptsurveillanceontheMuslimcomplexes.”
“Quityourbitchingandbeatingyourselfup.Dowhatyoucannow.Forgetaboutthepast.”
Pendletonsquirmedinhisseat,pushinghisshoulder
bladesbackagainstthespindles.“Iwill.WhatelsedidGeorgetellyou?Youtalkedforquiteawhile.”
“Ifyoumean,didheaskaboutyou?”Cline’scommentirritatedhim.Becauseithithome.“Hedid.Hesaidtheyallmissyou,andforyoutodowhatneedstobedone.HealsosaidConnorhaspreparedtofighttothedeath.Heseesnowayoutfor
usbutup—onewayoranother.”
Pendletongulpeddownsometeaandfixedhimselfanothercupbeforesayinganything.“Idoubtwe’lleverleavethiscomplex.Unlessit’sonashuttle.ButIwillbethelastpersonout.”
“Anoblethought.”ClinebumpedhiscupagainstPendleton’s.“LetGoddecidethat.”
Chapter28HowardWhitedidn’t
makeittothetunnelwhenAmmad’speopleransackedCline’sLondonlaboratory.Hehidinsideacabinetuntilhethoughttheattackershadgone.Amistake.Theyfoundhim,pulledhimout,andthrewhimdownontothefloor.Sincethen,he’dbeen
confinedinthedarkattheformerBlundestonPrison—theonlyprisonerthereinovertwentyyears.HowardWhiteforgothisnameandeverythingelseinhislife.Heonlyknewpain.
“Thiscanstop,Howie,”avoicecalledtohimfortheumpteenthtime.“WhereisEdison?”
“Howie,Howie,comehomenowie,”hecackledand
drooledabit.“Yes,Mommy.”
Themensurroundinghimlaughedasthescrewmanturnedtheironhandleforwardanotch.Howard,caughtinacrouchbetweentheironjawsofaScavenger’sDaughter,groanedashisribscrackedalittlemore.WhereisEdison?WhereisEdison?
“Soapie,Dopie,Idon’tknowpee.Somewhereinthe
mountainsnearSoapie.”“Soapie?”His
tormentorwondered.ThenHowardWhite
forgottobreathe.#
AtashAkbarireviewedthetapeofWhite’slastwords.Heknewhisgutfeelingshouldn’tbeignored,buthedidn’texpectagoodresult.HecalledhisconnectiontoSayyid.“Find
anylocationsoundinglikeSoapienearbyamountainrange.”
AmmadhadlefttheDubaiComplexafewhoursearliertojoinhisforcesapproachingRome.AkbarineededthistimetofindEdisonandsealhismasters’fateassupremerulerofthenon-Asianworld.Oncesecure,hecouldfulfillhisplanstoenslavetheJewsand
defeattheAsianEmpireledbyTzuChui.
Hiscellbuzzed.RabbiLevinsoncallingwithanotherrequestforassistance,hethought.“HowcanIhelpyou?”
“Ineedmoreworkers.”Levinsonsighed.“Also,Ihavequarrelsamongsomeofthereligiousworkmenthatfirewillburnthemifthetimeisn’tright.Youknowhowit
is.TwoJewsequalthreeopinions.”
“ThequarrelsIcan’thelpyouwith.WorkersIcan.Howmany?”
“Five-hundred.Wedidn’thaveenoughprecutstoneinstorage.ThankstoArthurPendleton,precutstoneisavailableinquantity,butnotnearJerusalem.”
Akbarilistenedwithinterest.Pendletonhadsetin
motiontheperfectconditionsforprojectslikethis.“You’llhave500menfromtheGreenlandprison,plustwenty200-tonhaulersfortheadditionalstone.Satisfied?”
“Jewsareneversatisfied.Butappeased,ofcourse.”
Akbaridisconnected.Theabilitytotransnavigatetheglobefromanywhereintwenty-fourhoursmadethe
impossibletwenty-yearsagopossiblenow.Hiscellbuzzedagain.“Yes.”
“ImamAkbari,SayyididentifiedthreepossiblespotsforEdison’slocation,buttwoareunthinkable.”
“Howso?”“Oneissubmergedin
thePacificOceanandtheotherisinAntarctica.”
Akbarigroan.Ameagertryatbest.“Andthethird?”
“ThereisaformersettlementintheAmericansneartheGrandCanyoncalledSupai.AphonecommunicationwasexchangedbetweentheRomeComplexandGeorgePendleton’scellfromalocationnearSupaionlyafewhoursago.”
Maybenotameagertry.Maybegeniusatwork.“Sendmeeverythingwrittenabout
thatarea,includingmilitaryinstallationstheAmericansbuiltyearsago.Also,givemeananalysisofthenumberofourloyalistsinthearea.”
“Rightaway.AllahAkbar.”
TheformerUnitedStatesusedtheAmericanSouthwesttotestweaponryandhadnumerousmilitaryfacilitiesincloseproximitytotheGrandCanyon.Asneaky
locationfortheworld’sbrainchild.Butalogicalone.WipeoutEdisonandPendleton’sfamilyatthesametime.Thebeautyofthethoughtwarmedhim.Butwherewastheredheadedwitch?Shewouldbeinoneoftwolocations—RomeorwithEdison,noquestion.
LettheChristianswhocan,leave.Thosewhoremainwillconformorelse.
#TzuChuitappedhis
fingersonhisconferencetable.Aquarterofthescheduledshuttleflightsworldwidehadbeencompletedandtheircrewshadreturnedtomakeasecondrun.OneactivesatellitebankprovidedhiminformationongroundmovementsmadebyAmmad’sforces.With
LondonandBalmoralfallingwithoutafight,ChuiwonderedifRome,Dallas,andSupaiwoulddothesame.
“Doweassistourfriends,iftheyputupafight,orremainneutral?”Hisgazemovedfromadvisortoadvisor,stoppinglongenoughtomakeanimpression.“Yourthoughts.”
Alongsilencefollowedbeforeareluctanthandedged
up.“DirectorSun,youhave
myattention.”Sun,afrailmaninhis
eighties,roseunsteadilytohisfeet.Heinhaledadeepbreathandspokeinaconfidenttone.“Fiftymissileswillnotbringusultimatevictoryovertheevilone’sforces.Theyarefortactical—surgicalstrikes.Agreed?”
Headsnodded.Thosein
attendancenervouslyadjustedthemselvesintheirchairs.Sunwaiteduntiltheysettled.
“Myadviceistwofold.First,decidehowmanymissileswecanaffordtouseinaidingourfriends.Second,howwilltheybeststrikefearintheheartofourenemy?AsSunTzusaid,‘Whenyouarefarawayactasthoughyouareclose.’”
Chuiheldbackasmile.
“Astoyourfirstpoint,Idoubtmorethanfourorfivemissileswillbeneeded.Ourtaskistodelayourenemy,notdestroyhim.Allfiftycouldnotdothat.Tothesecondpoint,thefewmissileswefiremustbesoaccurateourenemywillknowwecanseehiseverymove.Hewillnotstrikeusback,fearingdefeat.Hewillwaituntilhecanbuildupstrongerforces.”
Sunnodded.“Precisely.”
Heslowlydroppedbackintohischair.
“Arewetogetheronthis?”Chuiasked.
Therewasnoopposition.
#ConnorUbarushed
aboutthemountainenclosureshoutingorderstohertwo-hundredeightywarriors.
She’ddividedtheforcesintofourgroups,Bruegman,Cher,Ming,andherselfheadinguponeeach.“Reportsareenemyforcesareapproaching.OneforceisplanningtoscaledowntheHavasuCanyonwallswestoftheoldHavasupaiNationreservation.Theotherisapproachingthetrailwearrivedon.”
“Howmany?”Cher
asked.“Harry,howmany?”
Mingcalledout.“Oh,”Harryanswered
inaquietvoice.“Overathousandtroopsfromeachside,we’venowheretogo.ButwehaveGod.SoifIfollowGideon’slead,weshouldallgototheriverandgetadrinkofwater.We’llsendthosewholapthewaterlikeadogaway.”
Georgedashedinthroughtheentrance,facegrimyandpantsshredded.“Theshuttleleftthemothershipafewminutesago.Withanyluck,they’lllandheretomorrowmorning.Ifwecanholdoffthevulturesfortwelvehours,wecangettherestofthepersonneloutofhere.”
Connortrembled.Therestofthepersonneldidn’t
includeherteams.Thatwouldmeanathirdtrip,andbythen,shedoubtedanyonewouldbeleftalive.Shenoddedandsmiled.“Goodnews.Thankyou,bigbrother.NowkeepEdisonrunningandleavethefightingtous.”
“TheHavasuRiverappearsblue-greennowagainstthemaroon,travertinerocks,”Georgesaid.“Ihadourconstructioncrewplant
twodetonatorsandsixsticksofdynamiteintothemountainsideeastoftheirmostlikelydescentpoint.They’llbeimpossibletoseegiventhecoloring.Travertinerockisporousandfragile.Themountainshouldcrackandcollapse.Idon’tknowwhattheresultwillbetousinhere,buttheenemywillreceiveheavycasualties.”
Bruegmangrumped.
“Theassholeswillbeannihilated.Butotherswillregroupatthecampgroundtwomilespastthevillage.Givemetwenty-fivevolunteers,andI’lltrapthemthere.”
“Eachofyouhasachargedlaserweapon.”Connorraisedhersintheair.“Setitonkill.Howmanydynamitesticksdowehaveleft?”
“Three,”Cheranswered.“Enoughtodisruptanddisorient.”
Connorconsideredtheirsituation.Eachplannedattackdependedontheirguessesbeingcorrect.WhatAmmad’scommandersdecidedcouldn’tbepredicted.Buttheyhadtopulltogetherquickly,sohowwelltrainedthesefighterswerewasquestionable.
“Okay,nomorethantwenty-fiveandgrabsomedynamite.Takeyourpositionsbeforetheenemyarrives.”
Harryraisedhishandagain.“Chuijustcalled.HispeoplehaveAmmad’sforcesonsatellitefeed.Hehasagreedtohelpus.Hispeoplecanfireafewmissilesintotheirmidst.”
“Whoa,”Connor
gaspedandshookherhead.“Thosemissilesclearafivesquaremilearea.”
“Thenativesarelonggone,sis.It’sthemorus.”
#Christianleader,Sean
O’Dell,wavedtothethirdteamofshuttlesleavingtheDallasComplex.AllroadssurroundingtheComplexhadbeenblockedbyAmmadloyalists.Fourartillerypieces
broughtfromFortHoodwerepositionedinrangeoftheDallasComplexEvangelicalSeminaryandEducationfacility.
O’Dellandhisstaffformedalinenexttotherunway,determinedtoremainthereuntileithertheshuttlereturnedforthemorAmmad’sforcesattacked.Theyhadnoweapons.Theyhadnoprotection.They
vowednottobowtheknee,andoverahundredcitizensgatheredatthegatetotheshuttleareatoblocktheentrance.
“Noviolence,”O’Delldirected.“Peacefuldisobedienceonly.”
Thoseatthegatesang“Itiswellwithmysoul”andheldhands.Ammadloyalistsfiredallfourartillerypiecesatthegate.O’Dellandthose
aroundtheshuttleareawereknockedtothegroundasexplosionsblewthegateandthosesingingintominisculefragments.Whenthedebrissettled,theloyalistsbreechedthegateandapproachedthelandingarea.
“PledgeyourallegiancetoAmmadal-SistaniandtheGlobalRealm.”Thevoiceovertheloudspeakeradded.“Anywhodowillbe
welcomedwithoutharm.Youhavethirtyseconds.”
“Iwillnotforbidyoutogo,ifyousodesire.”O’Dellremainedonthegroundkneelingandprayed.
“WewillnotforsakeGod,”avoicereplied.
Allofthoseawaitingtransportstayedtheirground.
Afteroneminute,thecrowdrushedO’Dellandhisstaff,cuttingthemtopieces
withknives.Outnumberedthirtytoone,theChristiansdiedwheretheyprayed,andthebattlefortheDallasComplexended.
Chapter29“They’reunawareofthe
numbers.”Chui’sassistantpacedhandsbehindhisbackandheaddown.“Tensofthousandsarecoming.They’llattackinwaves.”
“Pendletondestroyedarmieswithhismissiles,”Chuisaid,staringatthesatellitefeed.“Wecanonly
delaythisarmy.Firetwomissiles—oneattheforwardgroupandoneatthefarthestbehind.Thistemporarilytrapsthethreemiddlegroupsfromadvancing.They’llscatter,regroup,andgivetheevacueessomeneededtime.”
“Beijingcommand.Firerockets14and15—oneattheforwardgroup—oneattherear.”
ChuicalledGeorgeat
Edisonbase.“Pullanyonedeployedaboveawayfromthemountainside.”
“Thismaybethelasttransmissionyou’llbeabletosendus.”TheconcerninGeorge’svoicecaughtChui’sear.“TheenemycomputeriscuttingofftransmissionlinesfasterthanIcanbringthembackup.”
“Oncetheyfoundyourposition,theirjobbecame
easier.”Chuihesitated,thensaid,“Satelliteindicateswelloverthirty-thousandareapproachingfromthenorth,aboveyouandatyourback.Maybefivethousandfromthefront.”
“Isee…”George’svoicetrailedoff.“I’llpulleveryoneinside,exceptforthosedeployedtothecampground.”
Thelinedisconnected.
“Howmuchtimebeforetheshuttletouchesdown?”Chuiasked.
“Sixhours,”hisassistantreplied.
“Thesecondgroupwillmakeitout.Nottherest.”
#Thescreamingofher
brothercaughtherattention.ConnorracedtotheentranceintimetoseeGeorgeracingupfromthedirectionof
Bruegman’sencampment.“Harrywasonlypartlyright—thethousandpart.Tryoverthirtythousandcomingupfrombehindandfivethousandinfront.”
Connorgasped.“Howmany?”
“Let’snotwastetime.”Georgeracedpasther.“Chui’sattemptingtobuyussometime.He’sprovidingamissilestrike.Getinside.”
ThewallsoftheEdisonenclosureshookandpiecesofrockfellfromthereinforcedceiling.
“Underthetables,”Connoryelled,asahugepieceofinsulationfellwithinafootofherhead.
“Edisonhasbeenshutdown.”GeorgePendletonfollowedbyConnor’shusbandObislidunderastandardGlobalconference
tablewithher.“Icalledthecrewtosetthememorywipeoutprogram.Ammadwon’tbeabletorecoveranythingofvalue.”
Obitossedheranorange.“Eatfruit.You’llfeelbetter.”
Sheedgedovertohimandclungontohisarmastheinteriorshookagain.Havinghimathersidehelpedherfeelsafe,butworriedherat
thesametime.Shemightlosehimatanyminute.“Whenthetremblingstops,comewithmetoourroom.Idon’twanttodiewithoutshowingyouhowmuchIloveyou.”
“We’renotgoingtodie.Godiswithus.”
“GodwaswithPeter,too.TheRomanscrucifiedhimupsidedown.”
#KlausBruegman
hunkereddowninthetrenchhe’ddugonthewestsideofthecampground.Ahugecloudofdebriswaftedoverhead.Inhishand,thedetonatorsforboththecliffsideandthecampgroundcharges.Theenemytimedtheirarrivalprecisely,whatwasleftoftheforcesabovehadbeguntheirtrekdownthecliffasthefirstunitsofAmmad’sloyalistsreached
thegroundsandset-upbasecamp.
Hispeople,fifteenmenandtenwomenarmedwithweaponssettokilllayinwaitonlytwentyyardsfromtheedgeoftheenemycampinthreefootdeeptrenches.Acamouflageblanketdrapedovereach.Bruegmangrinned.Eagerforbattle,helovedhuntingdownapredictableenemy.
Asthetroopsonthecliffdescendedthemountainside,Bruegman’sfingermovedatopthedetonatorbutton.Whenthecliffhadfilledwithsoldierstoptobottom,hepushedthebutton.Ahugebillowofsmokeanddebrisflewintotheairbeforethepercussivesoundrenderedhimtemporarilydeaf.Oneminutetherewasacliff.Thenext
minuteaV-likefissureappearedsplittingtherockysidewallandspreadingnorthseveralyardsaminute.
Bruegmandidn’thesitate.Hepushedtheseconddetonator,andthecampgroundexplodedintoflames.Awaveofhishandoncethedebrisstoppedfallingandhistwenty-fivewarriorsragedwestkillingeveryonetheymet.Through
thecampgroundandtowardthemuletrailwheretheyhadfirstenteredthevalley,Bruegmanracedalongsidehisteamfiringhislaserweaponandpickinguptheweaponsofthedeadthatwereusableforfuturecombat.
Atfirsttheenemyran,butthenregrouped.Theirnumbersvastlydiminished,theyfiredtheirweaponsfrombehindtreesandboulders,
andtheiraccuracyprovedadequate.Bruegmancouldn’theartheircries,buthesawatleastfiveofhispeopleblowntobitsbyaweaponmorepowerfulthantheonestheycarried.Deathisdeath,hethought.HedoveforcoverbehindastonestatueofaHavasuIndian.
Theenemykeptcoming,reinforcingtheirtroopsandwieldingmassive
firepower.Aswhatseemedlikeanhour’sbattledrewon,Bruegmanglancedathistimepiece.Fifteenminuteshadpast.Onebyone,hesawhispeopledie.Fromwhathecouldremember,onlysixremained.Ifhetriedtomakeitbacktothecompoundhe’dleadtheenemytoitaswell.Letthebastardsfindtheentrancethemselves.
He rolled out to his
right back toward thecampground, grabbing theweapon of a fallen comrade.Theotherswithhimhesitatedone moment too long. AsBruegman turned and firedwith both hands at thosepursuing. Ammad’s peoplecut him off from the others.Maybethey’llkillafewmorebefore they die, Bruegmanthought, then his thoughtsceased.
#“Theshuttle’slanded.”
GeorgePendletonwavedthirty-oneworkersandtheirfamilymembersoutthecaveentrance.Hehelpedthemuptheslopetotheeast.Twocrewmembers,hosesstretchedtight,refueledthecraft.
“Notimelefttoreturnforyou,”thecaptainsaid.“Bringyourfamilyandlet’s
go.”“Wehavemaybeeighty
peopleholdingoffAmmadforces.”
Thecaptainshrugged,blueeyesreddenedfromstress.“Icanonlytakefortymore.”
“I’lltelltheothers.”Georgescrabbleddownhillandintothecompound.“Connor,hecan’tcomeback.Hesayswe’reoutoftime.He
cantakefortymorenow.”“Bruegman’steamhas
beendestroyed.”Connor’sfacetoldhimshewasn’tgoing.
“Butwecansavefortypeople.Howdowedecide?”
Cherwavedahand.“Iplannedforthis.WhileyouandObiwereresting,wedrewnumbers.”
“Drewnumbers?”Georgecockedhishead.
“Youthinkonyourfeet.Whogoesthen?”
“You.”Cherpointedafingerathim.“YouknowmoreabouttheMartiancomplexesthananyone,butthefewengineersthere.Numbers1through39willgoaswell.”
“WhataboutConnorandHarry?”
“I’mnotgoing,”Connorsaid.
“We’renotgoingeither,”HarryechoedandpointedtoObi.“Soyoufortygrabwhatyoucan,andgetthehelloutofhere.”
Georgescreamed.“No.I’mnotlosingmyfamily.”
Alleyeslookedaway,exceptforHarryandConnor.“Godhasaroleforeachofus.Yoursiswiththemission.Oursishere.”
Harryhuggedhis
brother.“Leadthemwell.”
Chapter30“Donotbealarmed.”
AmmadwavedahandatthecuratorofHadrian’sVillaneartheoldcityofTivoli.“Tomorrow,weheadintoRome.Buttodaywechoosetocamphereandadmirethebeautyofpaganhistory.”
Thecuratortwitchedatthewordpagan,butsetabout
toaccommodatethenewFirstCitizenandhisentourageofseveralhundred.Meanwhile,AmmadmadehimselfandAkbaricomfortableinthecurator’soffice,quartersthesizeofahotellobbycompletewithmedia,computers,andelegantloungechairsandsofas.
“Manythingstoinformyouof.”Akbariscannedthroughdatabeingsentin
fromsatellitefeeds.“Doyouwishtohearthesenow,ordoyouwishtowaituntilafterourvictoryinRome?”
“Informationispower.Givemeeverythingyouknow.”Hemusedathisfriend’sapparentfear.“Holdnothingback.IfIstrikeyou,forgiveme.”
Akbarisquirmedwherehesat.“Edisonhasbeenshutdown.Myguessistheenemy
planstowipeoutthememorybeforewecangetourhandsonit.”
“WehaveSayyid.WhateffectdoesthelossofEdisonhaveonChui?”
“Nonethatwecandetermine.He’soperatingonoldersystems,neverdismantledduringtherebuilding.”AkbariprintedoutasummaryandhandedittoAmmad.“Apparently,he
neverdismantledhismilitarycapabilitieseither,atleastnotthenon-nuclearones.”
Gazinguponseveralphotosofmilitarymight,aircraft,ships,tanks,mechanizedmissilelaunchers,Ammadtrembledandclenchedhisfists.“Heout-gunsus,out-man’sus,andout-producesus.Wecan’tattackhimyet.Wemustorganizeourresourcesfirst.”
“Pendleton’speoplegaveChuithecodestotheremainingmissilesystems.”AkbarihandedhimthephotosoftheSupaiareabeforeandafterthefirstattack.
“Sotheshuttletookoff.”
“Welostoverathousandwarriors.”
“Westillhavethousandsmore.These
photosshownoenemiesoutsidetheircave.”Ammadsneered.“PositiontheweaponwetookfromtheYumafacility.Ithasabreech-loadedmortarlauncherthatfires120-millimetermunitions.Correct?”
“Yes,master.”“Positionit,anduseit.”
Hesighed.“Problemsolved.”Thenumberofhis
forceskilledwasoflittlesignificancetohim.Themassesweresimplepawnsinagreaterscheme.Pendleton’schildrenweretrapped.Ah,thatwasthegreatestreward.Thenhecouldfacehisadversarywiththeirbloodalreadyspilled.Whatconcernedhimmostwasthewhereaboutsoftheredheadedwitch.She’descapedhisdungeon.Regardlessofwhat
Akbaritoldhim,theMaridjinnguardingherpossessedpowerfulmagictohavebrokenheroutofthatpit.
Hesensedhe’dmeetherinRome.Heshivered.
#“Moreconcreteblocks
outsidetheentrance,”Connorshouted.“Iwantasix-footwallprotectingusfromthosebastards.”
Cherdisagreed.“We
needthreeforces,twooutsidehiddenalongthemountainwallsandoneintheverybackofourcompound.”
“Thepurpose?”“Myforcetotheleft.
Ming’sforcetotheright.”Cherwavedherarminthedirectionwhereshespoke.“We’llfortifybehindthosebouldersthatlitterthearea.Fromtherewehaveaclearviewoftheirmanpowerand
equipment.Iftheyhavenoartillery,wemovetothesecurityofthecenter.Iftheyfireheavyweaponry,wedefendfromthesides.Theyblowtheblocksapart,butnoonedies.”
Reasonable,Connorthought,“Ididn’tthinkofcannons.They’dhavetobringtheminfromYuma.”
“Yes,”Chersaid.“Countonit.”
ThisGurkhawarrior,tough,lean,andcoldasaSiberianbreeze,commandedConnor’sattention.
“Allright.Ming,positionyourpeopleasCherinstructsyou.”Connorcalledtoherforces,twenty-twostrong,“Movetheheavyequipment,forklifts,toolcarts,anythingyoucanfind,intothespaceinfrontofthedirtinclineexitingtothe
landingfield.We’llholdoutupalongtheedgeofthelandingfieldinhopeswecanstillbeshuttledout.”
Nothirdshuttlerunwascoming.Sheknewthatfullwell.ButthelongertheyhadaglimmerofhopeandkeptAmmad’sforcesatbay,themoretimeEdison’sdestructprogramhadtoeraseallidentifiablememory.Ammadwouldn’tgetanyuseable
information.Shecrawleduptotheopeningthirty-feetabovegroundlevelandlookedoutatthelandingstrip.
Highaboveherwasthemountaintop.Ateyelevel,atwo-footballfieldsizelandingstripstretchedacrossamesa.Nothingmoved.Theenemyhadn’tfoundawaytothetop.TheyhadtocomethroughherfortificationstogettoEdison
ortheimaginaryshuttlethatwouldnevercome.Ahandtouchedhershoulder.Harryhadclimbedtojoinher.“LovelydaytomeetourMaker.”
Hisgentlesmileandrosyoutlookmadehimeversoattractive—thekindheartedPendleton.“Alovelydayindeed,littlebrother.AtleastGeorgeisofftocarryonthefamilyname.”
Ajarringblastrippedintothecomplex.BothHarryandConnorscrambleddowntothegroundandshinniedtotheridge’sedge.Theconcreteblockshaddisappeared.Onlyfragmentsofrubbleremained.
“We’reokayouthere.”Cher’svoiceresoundedonConnor’sreceiver.
“Anotherblastandnothingwillremaininside,”
Connorsaid.“Idoubtthey’llriskdestroyingEdisoncompletely.Dotheyknowyou’reoutthere?”
“They’recommandersarescanningtheentrancefromatopthemortarlauncher.”
“I’llseeifIcantakethemout.”Connorwhispered.
Shewavedherpeopleupthedirtincline.HerhusbandwaswithMingon
therightflank.Shecheckedtherangefromtheedgeofthemesa’sridgetothelauncher.ShecouldseethreeofficialspointingattherockswhereMing’speoplehid.Withouthesitation,shefiredatthemaninthemiddle.Herlaserweaponlostsomeaccuracyatthatdistanceandhitthelegofthemantotherightofhertarget,blowingitapart.
CherandMing’sforces
firedattheflanksoftheenemy’stroopswhoseemedlikeaswarmofantsfromConnor’sposition,rushingtowardtherocksfiringtheirweaponsatwill.Thiswasnotanorderlyarmy.Thiswasacrazedmob.
“Takeoutasmanyasyoucan,”shecalledtothosewithher.Hercompanionspositionedthemselvesattherimofthelandingareaand
fired.#
ThecommanderofAmmad’sforcesorderedhisslainsecond-in-commandbedraggedbehindthelauncher.Jumpingoff,heandhisfieldcommanderdirectedtheattack,issuingordersthatConnor,George,andHarryPendletonbecapturedifpossible,butnotkilled.
Everyfewminutes,the
launcherfiredmortarroundsattherimabove,untilthereturnfirestopped.Thecommanderdrewhissword,checkedhiswatch,andsteppedoutintotheopen.Nothingmoved.“Stepaside.”
Histroopsgaveway,ashemarchedtoMing’ssideofthedefenses.Aglanceathistimepiecesaidthebattletooksixteenminutes.He’dlostanothereightypeople,buthis
enemylayhelplessinfrontofhim.Whenhefoundabody,woundedordead,heslititsthroatandcutoffanear,droppingtheearinabaghecarriedonhiswaist-belt.
“Awoman,”someonecalledout.
“Alive?”heanswered.“No.”Heapproachedthe
body.“Oh.AGurkhawarrior.”
Withrespect,onehighlytrainedcombatanttoanother,hedoffedhishat.“Buryherwithhonor.”
Insidethecompoundhewent,sendingadozentroopsupthedirtpathtotheshuttlelandingarea.Whenheheardtheall-clear,heheadeduptheslopetolevelground.Asicknessofmankind,war,hethought.Eachdirectionhelooked,bodiesorpartsof
bodieslaystrewnaboutlikemanikins.
Heappreciatedvalor.Asbefore,he
approachedeachbody,slittingthethroatandremovinganearforhisbag.Fourofhisenemieswerecrawlingwhenhefoundthem,draggingthemselvesalongandwrithingfrompain.Beforeheslittheirthroats,helookedtoseeifhehadoneof
thePendletonchildreninhishands.Hestaredcarefullyateachface.IfHarry,George,orConnorPendletonwerealive,they’dlikelybehere.
Agurglecaughthisear.Whatfortune.Justwhenhefearedhisinformationwaswrong,there,lyingontopofawoman,shieldingher,wasHarryPendleton.Thecommandercalledoverhisphotographer,theman
assignedtorecordthedeathofanyPendletonencountered.“Beginrecording.”
HebentdownandrolledHarryontohisback,revealingthefaceofConnorPendletonlookingupathim.Hesmiled.Takinghisknife,heplaceditatHarry’sthroat.“ProclaimyourallegiancetoAmmad,theChosen,andAllah,andIwillsparehis
life.”Connorspit.Hecouldseetheblood
runningfreelyoutofawoundinHarry’sneck,hencethegurgling.Hegraspedhewastoolateforsport.Themanwasdead.
Chapter31AsConnoropenedher
eyes,sherealizedherbrotherhadshieldedherfromthelastbarrageofmortarroundsthrownbytheenemy.SherememberedfiringatthehordeofattackersoverrunningMing’sposition.Harry,notadeptatfighting,grabbedweaponsforher
fromfallencomrades,asherslosttheircharge.Thenablastnomorethantwenty-feetawayknockedherunconscious.Harrymusthavefallenonhertoprotecther.
Shewishedshe’ddied.Harry’sweightliftedoff
her,andsheheardavoice.“ProclaimyourallegiancetotheChosenandAllah,andIwillsparehislife.”
Shespit.Hereyelidsliftedopentoseegrayskiesaboveandblooddrippingoffher.Apieceofshrapnelpinnedhertothegroundatthewaist.Shestrainedtoseewhereithadpenetratedher.
“Themetalenteredbetweenyourhipandyourspinethreeinchesfromtheedgeofyourleftside.”Abearded-manstoodoverher.“AgainIaskyou.“Proclaim.
..”“Forgetit.”Connor
forcedoutthewords.“MyallegianceistomyLord,JesustheChrist,tomyfather,andtomyfamily.”
“Afamilythatisdwindling.”
Herangerincreasedherpain.Shebitherliptokeepfromscreaming.Harrydiedprotectingher.Shewouldn’tgivethismonsterthepleasure
ofseeingherinagony.Connorsethermind,ashermotherinstructedher.Shepicturedheaven,brightandwelcoming.
“Cutoffhishead,”thecommandersaid.
Aheavysetmantookastep,swung,andbloodspattermistedoverConnor’sface.
“Doyouhavethisoncamera?”
“Yes.”“Putitonapoleand
plantitherenexttothisinfidel.”Hebentdownandglaredather.“Beforelong,youwillbegformetokillyou.”Hestoodandshouted,“Salomon,stripher.”
Hourspassed.ConnorlaynakedlookingatHarry’sheadsetonapoledrippingblooduntilnonewaslefttodrip.Sweetbrother,she
thought.Atleastyou’vefoundpeace.Everyounceofhertrainingkickedintopicturebeautyinthemidstoftorture.Thesunbrokethroughthecloudsandthetemperaturerose.Thewinddieddown.Herbodysweatedasherlowerstomachswelledwithblood.
Thebeardedmanwalkedup,tookahammerandspike,anddrovethe
spikeintoherrightelbow,smashingitandpinningittothegroundaswell.“YoucanendthisbyproclaimingallegiancetoAmmad,theChosen.”
Shebitthroughherlipwhenthehammerstruck.Closinghereyes,sherefusedtogivehimthepleasureofbeggingforherlife.Lord,makethisend.
Timepassed.Shesaw
SaintStephenbeingstonedtodeath,andSaulholdinghiscloak.ShesawJesusstanduptoreceiveStephen’sspirit.Flashesofredpoppedintohervision—spotsthatdidn’tbelonganddidn’tgoaway.Shefeltherselfbeingliftedupanddraggedacrossthelandingarea.
“Wedonothaveyourmother.”Shethoughtshesawthebeardedman.“Butwe
haveyou.Soyouwillreceiveherpunishment.”
SurroundinghimweremassesofIslamists,eachwithabladein-hand.Apolewasembeddedintheground,andshewashoistedupbyaropeloopedunderherarms.Thespikesinherbodyremainedinplace.Lightheadedanddying,Connorletherbodyslump.Eachwarriorstabbedherashepassedby.Herlegs,
arms,side,everypartofher,allbeingrippedapart,whileavoidingkillingblows.
Whenthestabbingstopped,herminddriftedawaytoinsanity.Shebabbledincoherentlyforawhile.Thebeardedmanraisedhishand.“Sheisavegetable.Dropherdownandputherheadontheblock.”
Theycuttherope,andshecollapsedtotheground.
Theydraggedhertothechoppingblockandsetherheadonit.Herbreathingcameingasps.Inaninstant,shesawherselffloatingaboveherbody.Shewatchedthemassesrejoicingoverherdefeatasthecameramanrecordedtheevent.Theaxefellseveringherhead.Theyplaceditonapolenexttoherbrother’sandleftitthereforthevulturestopeckouther
eyes.Agradualchange
occurredintheworldaroundher,fromhorrortocalm,fromcalmtopeace,frompeacetojoy.Heavenopenedtowelcomeherandthecaresoftheformerworlddisappeared.
#“Itisdone.”The
beardedmanspoketohiscommandheadquarters.
“HavethecameramanuploadtherecordingtoImamAkbari.”
#Akbariclappedhis
handsastherecordingofConnor’sexecutionended.AmmadhadlefttogivefinalinstructionstohisfollowersbeforeheadingintoRome.Reportswerethatfiveshuttleshadcomeandgonefromthecomplexitself,but
thatthePopeandPendletonwerestillintheVaticanandhadnotboardedashuttle.Thetimehadcometomove.
HesentAmmadamessage.Comeinassoonasyoucan!
Hewaitedforalmostanhour,knowingAmmadwouldcomeashepleased.Finally,thedoorswungopen.“Thecuratorisimpatientforustoleave.”
Ammadgrumpedandslammedthedoor.“I’veputonthefrontofpeace.”
“Youmustseethisbeforewego.”
Ammad’sgazefixedonthesceneinfrontofhimasAkbarireplayedthemurdersofPendleton’spreciousimps.HisfacecontortedintofiendishsneersandgleefulsmirksaseachPendletondied.
“Theyshouldhaveskinnedheralive.”Heslappedhissidesandroaredwithlaughter.Hisrejoicingceasedafewsecondslater,andhefrowned.“HowcanwebesurePendletonwillseethiswithcommunicationsnowcut?”
“Hislinesarecuthereonearth,butnotfromspace.Sayyidmaybeabletosendamessagetohimthroughan
openspaceline.”“Icommanditbe
done.”“Atonce,master.”
#ArthurPendleton’s
limousinereturnedtotheVaticanafterheobservedthefifthshuttleleaveforthemotherships.“ThankGod.They’vetakenoff.”
“Let’shopetheyreturnintimefortherestofus,or
Godhelpus,”Clinemused.“Thejourneytakestwenty-fourhours.OurscoutssayAmmad’sforcesareapproachingRome.TheydepartedTivoliafewminutesago.”
“He’safiend,”Pendletonspitout.Heflushed.“TherestoftheworldhasnoknowledgeofthebeheadingsinBalmoralortheattackhe’sattemptingat
theEdisonsite.”“Orwhathe’sdoing
hereforthatmatter.”Clinetouchedhisfriend’sknee.“ButChuiknows.Hispeopleknow.Andthat’salmosthalftheworld.”
AstheyenteredtheSacristyandTreasuryMuseum,thePope’sbutlerandpersonalvaletranup.“Sir,wereceivedafilefromthemainspacecomplex,
Titled,TheBattletosaveEdison.We’vewaitedforyourreturntoviewit.”
“Maybeit’sgoodnews,”Pendletonsaid.“Wecouldusesome.”
Clineopenedthedoortotheirquarterandsaid,“Wouldn’tgoodnewscomestraightfromGeorge?”
Ofcourse,itwould,Pendletonthought.“Letmeseethefile.”
ThePope’sbutlerledhimtoacomputerconnectedtotheVaticanserver.Hepulleduptheattachment.Thesender’scodeonthemessagewasacombinationoflettersandnumbers.Pendletoncopiedthosedownandtypedthemintothesearchbox.Restricted.
“Let’scallGeorgeattheSpaceComplex,”Pendletonsaid,anddialed.
#GeorgePendleton
staredoutatthevastuniversesurroundinghim.Moreathomeinspacethanonearth,hewasn’tdistractedbyfearorspacesickness.He’dwatchedthedestructionoftheEdisonComplexandtheruthlessmurdersofhissisterandlittlebrother.Havingthebestseatinthehouseandnowaytochangetheoutcome,
GeorgeforcedhimselftoaccepttheirdeathsaspartofGod’splan.
He’dprayed.He’dbegged.Onhisknees,weeping,“Godsavemyfamily.”
Hehadforty-eightmissileshecouldfireathisenemy.Buteverytimehedecidedtodoit,hishandwouldn’tmovetogivethecommand.Itwasasthough
anotherhandpressedatophis.Themorehetriedthemoredifficultmovingbecame,untiltheurgepassed.He’donlyfeltpressure,butnotpain.Heunderstood.God’shandheldhisdown.
Why?Thescreaminsidehis
mindshoutedtotheRuleroftheUniverse.Astheringinginhisheadquieted,thebuzzingonhistable
increased.Heliftedhiscell.“Yes.”
“George,it’sme.”Hischesttightenedasherecognizedhisfather’svoice.“IreceivedafileonthebattletosaveEdison.ThecodeisRestricted.Doyouknowaboutthefile?”
Hisjawquiveredandtearsburstdownhischeeks.“Donotopenthatfile.Foryourownsanitydestroyit.”
Hisfathergasped.Chokingandsobbingfollowed.Whenthesoundsfaded,therewasaclankandthenavoice.“ThadClinehere.What’sgoingonGeorge?Arthur’scollapsedonthefloor.”
“Theymurderedeverypersonthere.TheytorturedConnor.Whentheyweredone,theyputHarryandConnor’sheadsonpolesand
leftthemforthevultures.”Hebreathedinafullbreath.“Don’tletmyfatherwatchthatfile,anddon’ttellhimthedetails.Itwillkillhim.”
“Yes.Iunderstand.”Anabruptclickendedtheconversation.
Georgeslumpedintoachair.“Don’tYouhavesomethingtosaytome?”
Heshookhisfistattheviewofthestars.Heopened
hismouthtocurseGod.Nothingcameoutbutair.HepicturedthepaintingTheScream.Therefectioninthewindowofhisfaceseemedtomorphintoareplication.Hehadnothingavailabletotakehisfrustrationouton,sohemadeablinddashintoasupportpostandeverythingwentblack.
Chapter32Twentyguardsstoodat
eachsideoftheentrancetoSaintPeter’sSquare.Ifyoudidn’thavetheproperpapers,youcouldnotenter.Ammad’sapproachhadunnervedthepopulace.PeacockstrolledpastthemwithoutmakingeyecontactwithCustosbyherside.
“Ihaven’tanypain.IlookasthoughI’veneverbeentortured.PeopleonlyseemewhenIwantthemtoseeme.So...”
“Soyouroldbodyunderwentarestorationofsorts.Yournewbodyisyettobe,foryouaren’ttransformedyet.”Hetiltedhishead.Hisexpressionsaidsheaskedtoomanyquestions.“You’llneedall
thestrengthIcangiveyouwhenyoufacethedevil’spawn.”
“I’vefacedhimbefore.”“Notlikethis.He’s
grown.”Custossmiled.“Theworldloveshim,becausehetellsthemwhattheywanttohear.Hewillsubjugatewomenandcloudthemindsofmen.Humanitywilldounspeakableperversionsandbelievetheyaredoingthe
rightthing.”“ThenIknowwhoheis
now,”shesaid.Herwholebodytrembled.“Sohehascome.”
“Hehas.Butprophesymustbefulfilledtothenthdegree.Andyouwillfulfillit.Youhavebeenpreparedforthistimebythelifeyou’veledwithoutyouknowing.Godturnswhatthedevilusesforeviltogood.”
“IknowConnorandHarrydiedviolentdeaths.Idon’tknowwhyIknow.”
Custosgrewtwicehissizeandglowedlikeaheavenlyflame.“Theyhavereceivedgreatrewardandawaityouinpeace.”
AmIwillingtofacethelawlessone?
Eveninarestoredstate,Peacockchilledtothemarrowofherbones.The
realizationofhertaskmomentarilystunnedherandshestoppedwalking.“Ican’tkillhim.CanI?”
Custosvanished.Shestoodindarknessinthemiddleoftheday.Couldshefacethesonofperdition?IfGodbeforme,whocanbeagainstme?
“No,”shesaid.“Iamnotwilling.ButIwilldoit,andIwillnotbealone.”
Thebrightsunlightreappeared.ThedomeofSaintPeter’sBasilicaradiatedbeautifulshadesofgoldandredinthedistance.Custosreappearedandtookherhand.“Wellsaid.Nohumanbeingcouldbewillingtofacehimnow.ButlikeGideon,youdonotseethehostsofheavenonthesurroundinghills.However,Ammadwillnotdie—yet.”
Peacock,Laverna,DonnaO’Connor—whoevershewas,inhaledtheairwithnewresolve.Likeshehaddefeatedherhusband’senemiesinthepast,shewouldaccomplishGod’spurposenow.“IfmyinterpretationoftheBibleiscorrect.Myroledoesn’tleadtovictory.”
“Yes.Itdoes.Justnotyet.”
“Then,leadon.”Astheystrolled
togethertowardtheBasilica,thewindblowingagainstPeacock’sbodycooledher.ThearcticwinterthatplaguedNorthernandCentralEuropeasfarsouthasGreecemissedaswathfromWesternEurope,includingtheBritishIsles,toItaly.StillthetemperatureinRomewassevendegreescooleron
averageallyearround.Yetshehadn’tnoticedtemperature,norhadsheexperiencedhunger.Nowshefeltboth.AquickglanceatCustosgavehertheanswer.He’dliftedtheprotectivehedgearoundher.
“Guardailtuopasso,Signora.”Calledoutanofficialpassingher.
“Grazie.”SheascendedthestepsoftheBasilicawith
ease.Strengthenteredherbody.Herlungsfilled.Sherealizedshestoodwholeandhealthyevenwithherscarsandoldwounds.Ammadwouldseehishandiworkhaddonenothingtoweakenhermind,body,orspirit.ThroughtheBasilicashetraveledwithfullstrideandpurposeacknowledgingthefewindividuals—mostlynuns—asshepassed.
ShelefttheBasilicaoutasidedoorandheadedthroughahugeparkinggaragenexttothePalaceoftheHolyOfficeandtowardTheHouseofHospitalitySaintMary.BuiltbyPopeJohnPaulIIandMotherTeresatoservethepoorofRome.TheHouseofHospitalityhadfed,clothed,andhousedthepoorbeforeherhusband’sreign.During
histimeasFirstCitizen,ithadbeenconvertedintolivingquartersforthoseleftwithintheVaticanwallswithnoresidenceelsewhereduringthereorganization.Onlythreepeoplewerehousedtherenow,herhusband,ThadCline,andEduardoDuarte.Godrevealedthingstoherwitheverystepshetook.
Peacockpushedopened
themaindoorandslidinside.AllthemenwereseatedwiththeirbackstoherwatchingaGlobalbroadcast.Sheletthedoorslamshut.“I’mhappytoseeyou’reallalive.Thehourisuponus.”
#GeorgePendleton,head
stillsmartingfromtheshockoftheannihilationoutsideSupai,liftedthelidonacoldstoragecontainerandgrabbed
apre-packagedGlobalRealmapproveddinner,includingeveryvitamin,mineral,andantioxidantthehumanbodyneededtosustainitself.Hetosseditinhisheatkitandfoursecondslaterhadafullycookedmeal.Eventheexquisitetastedidn’tbrightenhisspirits.HarryandConnor’sdeathsgratedonhisnerves.Hishandsshookandtheknotsinhisstomach
stayedwithhimregardlessofhiseffortstorelax.
Hisfatherhadlessthanafifty-fiftychanceofescapingonthelastoutboundshuttlefromRome.Thatshuttlewasstillfourhoursfromtouchingdown,andAmmadandhisbandofcutthroatswerewithinanhourofenteringtheRomeComplex.Afterthat,itwouldbeonlyamatterofminutes
beforehe’denterVaticanCityandsearchforhisenemy.
Thewhereaboutsofhismotherstillunknown,hisguttoldhimshewasalive.Hisheadsaidthatwasimpossible.HewipedhislipsandheadedforameetingoftheChristianCentralCommand,thegovernmentofbelieverswhorepresentedeightypercentofthosegoing
ontheMarsmission.“We’reonourschedule,
butnotonmyfather’s.”Georgefrownedandploppeddownintheonlyavailablechair.“ThelastearthboundshuttleistouchandgotogethimoutbeforeAmmad’sforcesoverwhelmhim.”
Oneofthemeninthebackmuttered,“Iquestiontheman’sevenaChristian.”
Georgeshotanasty
glanceathim.“Nomatterwhathe’sdone,aChristianheis.It’snotforyoutojudgehim.TellmeonecrimemyfathercommittedthatDavidorMoses,ortheSonsofIsraeldidn’t.You’reherebecauseofmyfather.”
“He’sright,”Atallmansittingnexttotheaccuseranswered.“ArthurPendletonandPopePetergotourgrouptogetherandwithGeorge’s
helpwemadeitoutofthatplace.Let’snotbickerorpointfingers.”Heputhisstrongrightarmontheman’sshoulderandsaid,“Ifyousayyouarewithoutsin,thetruthisnotinyou.”
Therestofthegroupnoddedagreement.Themanreddenedbutremainedsilent.Thelookonhisfacesaidbutnotrepentant.
“Thelandingareais
neartheFountainoftheAquilone.”Georgesighed.“OntheothersideoftheVaticangroundsfromwheremyfather’shiding.Hehastomakearunforitnow.”
“WeareonlyonedayfromMarslaunch,”thetallmansaid.“Thatshuttlecaptainwillhaveashortwindowtodropoffpassengersandboard.”
Georgenodded.“Close
callsseemtobethenorm.You’reright.We’recommittedtoleavewhenwe’refullypoweredupandthetrajectoryforaperfectMarsorbitisuponus.Wegothen,whetherothersmisstheconnectionornot.Solet’sdiscussgovernmentoptionsoncewe’vecompletedourjourney.”
Themissionclockread25:18andcountingdown.
Only800,000plusChristianshadagreedtoleave.Fourspace-craftshoused200,000peopleeach.ThesemassivestructureswerescheduledtocolonizeMarsanyway,butAmmadhadnointerestinthesoulsleavingEarth.ThesmallerthenumberofChristiansremainingthebetter,asfarashewasconcerned.
ArthurPendleton
wishedalltheChristianpopulationcouldleave.Butsheernumbersmadethatimpossible.OnlyGodwieldedthatkindofpower.
Afterhismeeting,Georgeheadedtohispostintheleadship’scommandcenterforfinalpreparation.Heconnectedtotheshuttlecaptainandasked,“WhatareyouroptionsonceyoulandbackattheVatican?”
“One,they’reready.Theyboard,andweleave.Iestimatethebestcasescenarioat10%.Two,someindividualswillboardimmediately.Inthatcase,I’llwaituntil8:45beforelaunch.Ihavetobegonebythen.”
“Givethemsomemoretime.Leaveatnine.”Georgegulpedatthethoughtthathisfathermightnotmakethatschedule,butotherliveswere
atstake.“Iunderstand.”The
shuttlecaptainanswered.“Butnocando.Three.Iapproach,butAmmadhascontrolofthelauncharea.Inthatscenario,Iabortandreturntoyou,Georgie.”
Georgie!Howhedislikedbeingcalledthat.HewasGeorge,aPendleton,notGeorgiePorgie.
“Ten-four.”George
wonderedwhyeverythinghadtobesodamnhard.
Chapter33Ammadenteredthe
RomeComplextothecheersofhissupporters,fewinnumberthoughtheywere.GlobalRealmmediacarefullyorchestratedtheircamerashotstogivetheappearanceofmultitudesofadoringcitizensgreetingthenewFirstCitizen.Ammadreasoned
thatwithhisenemiesallbutgone,thecrowdwouldincrease.He’dplayontheiremotionsandprovidethementertainment.Worthyentertainmenttocelebrateoftheriseofhumankindtoitspeak—aheavenonearth.
“Citizens,I’mheretoissueinanewday.IthankArthurPendletonforunitingtheworld.But,Icriticizehimforalltherulesand
deprivationheforceduponus.”Hissmileradiatedakindlyappearance—onethathe’dpracticedformonthstoachieve.“I’mheretothankhimforhisworkonourbehalf.”
Howhe’dexplainhisenemy’sdemise?Well?Hewouldn’t.Hewouldnevermentiontheman’snameagain.Peopleforgetyouquicklyandputanother
championinyourplacewhenyoulose.Still,hewasnowonrecord,praisinghisenemy.TheJews,Islamists,thenon-Christianworld,andsomedeceivedChristiansbelievedhimtobeasinceremanofpeace.Chuinowbecamehistopconcern.
SomeItalianswhoattendedMassdailybecauseoftraditionshoutedAmmad’spraises.Moststayedaway
withawaitandseeattitude.Allinall,Ammadexpectedthemtobewatchful.Helovedtheideaofgraduallyplayingontheirlustsforthingsunholy.Howsimple-mindedhumanswere.WhyGodmadethempuzzledhim.Andyet,withoutthem,hisfightwithGodwouldbeboring.Inthecaveyearsearlier,hereceivedthevisionofpowerandauthoritygiven
tohim.ThepromiseofglobalruleandrevengeagainsttheJewandagainstPendleton.Thisvisionguidedhiseverydecision.Nowhehadaccomplishedhistask.
OnceAmmadfinishedspeaking,heheadedintotheSquareandstraightwaytovisitthePope.ThePope’sbutlerandpersonalvaletmethimoutside t heDomusSanctaeMarthae,named
afterSaintMarthaandusedasthePope’sresidence,thesameusedbyPopeFrancis.
“HisHolinesshasnointerestinseeingyou,FirstCitizen.Hebidsyouagoodday.”
Outofsightofthemainentrance,nocamerasexisted.Nooppositionfacedhimtowithstandhismen.Hewavedahand.Threeofthethugswithhimgrabbedthebutler
andguttedhim,leavinghimdeadintheemptystreet.
“Searchtheresidence.”Akbariraisedhisarms,
droppedtohisknees,andchantedincantations.Agreenishlightmistedaroundhim,asifafloatingoceanblockedthesunlight.Whenhefinished,hesaid.“Theredheaded-witchisnear.”
#Peacockheldupher
hand.“Don’ttrytotouchme,darling.”
ArthurPendletonstoppedhisadvanceafewfeetfromher.“ThankGodyou’realive.”
“Alive?Yes.MorealivethanI’veeverbeen.Butyouhavetostopthinkinginearthlyterms.IhaveamissionfromGod,asdoyou.Onlyyoursisdoneandmineisstillongoing.”Shesmiled
athimandachedatseeinghiminagony.“Ipromiseyou.We’llseeeachotheragainsoon,butnotinthislife.”
PopePetermotionedtoherfromacrosstheentryroom.“I’vetriedtotellhimthatsincehearrived.GodaskedhimtorallywillingChristianstopreparefortheend,andhehasdonehisjob.”
“Lovey,”Pendletonsaid.“Youcan’tdefeat
Ammad.Cometotheshuttlewithme.”
Shehuffed.“I’mgoingtodowhatGodaskedmeto,notwhatyouwishIwould.Thetimeisshort.Yourfateisn’there.Mineis.”
“AmmadhasenteredVaticanCity,”PopePetersaid.“Isentmypersonalassistanttodelayhim.I’mnotgoingontheshuttle,butArthur,Thad,andEduardo
shouldboardwiththelastgroup.”
“I’mnot...”ShestoppedPendleton
mid-sentence.“Youaregoing,
Arthur.”Faceburningandatfullstrength,Peacockstompedherfoot.“Mypurposehereistoconfrontthemonsternow.Go,I’llseeyouinHeaven.”
#
PendletonfollowedshakinghisheadasPopePeterledthethreemenoutandaroundthebackofthecomplexawayfromtheentrancetoDomusSanctaeMarthae.TwoguardsfromthepapalserviceescortedthemwestthroughthepalaceofSaintCharlesandoutthroughtheResidenceoftheArch-Priest.Hisfeetmoved,buthismindtoyedwith
forebodingvisionsofhisLoveyandthatmaniacwhopursuedher.CouldshedestroyAmmad?Impossibleforamortal,butnotforGod.
TheycontinuedwestbetweentherailroadstationandtheMosaicSchool’sundergroundparkingunit.ThisrouteblockedtheviewfromtheeastwhereAmmadwouldsurelycome.Theycircledbacknorthpastthe
PalaceoftheGovernatorate.ThePopeandtheguardsstopped.“Yougoonahead.AsItoldyoubefore,I’mnotgoing.”Hegavethesignofthecross.“IfIlive,I’llshepherdthoseleftbehindasbestIcan.IfIdie,Godwillreceivemysoul.”
Whydoeshehavesuchgreatfaith,andIhavesolittle?Pendletonthought.Nopowertochangeanything,he
decidedtodoastold.“I’llseeyouinHeaven.”
Thatseemedtobetheplaceeachpersonhopedtogo,includinghim,thegreatesttyrantofthemallaccordingtosome.
HegrabbedDuarte’shandandthethreedashedaroundTheFountainofthe“Aquilone”intothefieldclearedfortheshuttleruns.TheTowerofGallinarostood
asaguideposttothenorthwest.Pendletoncheckedhiswatch.Theshuttleshould...
AroarandblastofwindhitPendletonandhedroppedtotheground.Heatfromtheshuttle’senginesburnedhisface.
Thadyelled.“Comeon.Thelandingisgoodandbadnews.We’vegotachance,butAmmad’speoplenow
knowwhereweare.”Pendleton,legbleeding
fromanailembeddedinhiscalfwhenhefell,limpedalongtowardtheshuttle.Aboutafootballfieldaheadofhim,itglidedtoastopandmadeaswiftturnaroundfordeparture.Nottheheavycraftofthepast,theseshuttlesweremadeofultralightmetalsandcouldliftoffthegroundstraightupbefore
blastingintospace.ButwithoutEdison,thepilotreliedonhisonboardcomputerandthecomputeronthespacestationforaccuracy.
DuartestoppedandwrappedhisarmaroundPendleton’sforleverage.Pendletonincreasedspeedwithassistanceandreachedtheshuttleoutofbreathandoutoftime.
“I’vegotaircraftapproaching,”theshuttlepilothollered,“andlessthanaminutetoliftoff.Climbin.”
NosoonerdidPendleton,withThadandDuarte’shelp,clearthedoorwhenthepilotyelled.“Strapin.”
Hefoundhimselfshootingstraightupandclimbingandlostconsciousnessontheascent.
Chapter34AtashAkbarisignaled
toAmmadtoceasepursuingPendleton.
“Lettheidiotgo,”Ammadsaidtothecommandcenter.“Goneisgone.We’lllaunchateamanddismantletheSpaceStationandtheSpaceComplexes.Oncetheyleave,theycan’tcomeback.
Seehowlongtheysurvivewithoutsupport.”
Akbariraisedahand.Hechantedmoreincantationsasthearmsofhisrobesflutteredinthewind.
“Thisway,”hecried,andheadedoffinthedirectionofTheHouseofHospitality–StMary,Ammadandhisguardsfollowedafterhim.Ashewent,hisrobestransformed
fromnormalgreensintoshadesofincomprehensible,neverbeforeseen,shadesthatcauseevenAmmadtogasp.
Akbariscaledthestairstwoatatimetotheentrancedoor,butAmmadcollidedwithanunseenforceandfelltotheground.
Akbariyelled,“Waituntilthedoorstandsopenbeforecomingupthestairs.”
Hegrippedthedoorand
pulleditopen,onlytocomeface-to-facewithatallglowingcreaturewhoseeyespiercedhissoulwiththeheatofanunquenchablefire.Hedoveinsidetheroomasthedoorslammedshut.
“Hearme,”hecried.“Isummonthepowerofmytariqa,thepathIfollow.Ihavecompletedmyperfecttawhid.MyBektashijourneyiscomplete.Thefourgates
havebeentraversed—theSharia,Tariqah,Marifa,and,Haqiqah.Naimiismyteacher.”
“Well,IamCustos,”theangelsaid,asthetwocircledtheroom.“AlmightyGodforbidsyoustay.”
“Butmymaster’stimehascome.”Akbarigrew.“Letmepass,Marid.”
“Deceived,youare.AMarid,I’mnot.”Custosfilled
theroomandagoldenlightencompassedAkbari.“Begoneevilone.YourmasterandGod’sservantmustmeetandsettletheirissuethemselves.”
Custospointedtothebackdoor,andAkbaripulledhimselfupandexited.
#Ammadsawflashesof
light,felltohisknees,andmomentarilyfroze.Hepulled
himselftohisfeetandheardthunderousvoices—oneofthemAkbari’s.Thensilenceandthepressureholdinghimbackfromascendingthestairssubsided.Thedoortotheentranceopenedonitsown.
Trembling,hepausedandprayedtotheentityhe’dencounteredinthecaveintheValleyoftheMagi.Thenhestraightenedup,strodeupto
theentrancedoor,andedgedthrough.Hedrewoutthedaggerhiddenwithinhisrobes.Atfirsttheroomappearedempty.Ashiseyesadjustedtothelight,heperceivedtheshadowofafemaleoutlinedagainstthefarwall.Shiverscrawledoverhim.Theshe-devil!
#Peacocksensedher
husbandhadescaped
Ammad’sclutches.Notthathisoutcomewasn’talreadysealed.HisfatewouldnottakehimtoMars.Unawareofwhathisfuturewas,otherthansecurewithGod,sheconcentratedonherapproachingenemy.Custoshadleftheralonetocompletehertask.Theoutcomeremainedsolelyinherhandsandmind.Forindeedamindgamewastobeplayed.
Ammadflippedthedaggerfromhandtohandashestoppedinthecenteroftheroom.Theonlylightcamefromaskylightintheceilingseveralfeetabovehim.
“ThefirstreportIreceivedaboutyou,”Ammadsaid,“toldofawomanwhousedsextoentrapmen—aspy,anadulteress,amurderer.Youarethebreakerofmostofthe
commandments.”Shegulped.God
confirmedhiswordsinherspirit.Thenshesaid,“I’marepentantsinner.”
Again,herwordswereconfirmedbyGod.ShequotedtheBiblewithoutthinking.“’Godlysorrowbringsrepentancethatleadstosalvationandleavesnoregret,butworldlysorrowbringsdeath.’”Thenshe
smiled.“IhaveexperiencedHisforgiveness,butI’mpayingformypastinthislife.”
“InJahannamaresevengates.Destructivejinns,theirfollowers,andhypocritesdwellinthelowestofthedepths.”Ammad’sswordglowedred.Hehelditup.“IhaveSolomon’sring,forgedagaintoexactspecificationsbyAkbari.Iwillputanend
toyourmiserablelifeandsendyoutoaplaceevenworsethanScripturesstate.”
“Mylifeisnotyourstotake,norisitmine.GodhasmeinHishands.WhereIspendeternityisGod’sdecisionalone.”
Ammadracedatherandthrusthisknife.Sherolledleftandtrippedhim.Hefellbackwardandtheknife,stillglowing,slid
acrossthefloor.Peacockleapedtoher
feetandrevealedaknifeofherown.Awhitelightstreamedfromitsblade.Sheranathim,butherolledtohisrightandscrambledforhisweapon.Hishandreacheditassheclosedinonhim.Thetwothrusttheirblades.Ammadletoutanexcruciatingwail,asthetwobladesclanged.Ammad’s
bladeburstdownwardembeddingintotheground.Peacock’shititsmark.
Welldone.Mygoodandfaithfulservant.
Sheheardthewordsasthevisionofherformerlifedissolvedandthebrightnessofanewworldtookitsplace.
#Akbariracedback
insidethemomenthismasterhowled.Thepowerthathad
heldhimoutsidefellawayinthesameinstant.Atfirsttheroomlookedempty.Ashiseyesadjustedtothelight,hesawAmmad,adaggerembeddedinhisskullaninchabovehisrightear.Ammad’shairsmolderedaroundthearea.Hisskullappearedmattedwithbloodandash.Akbaricheckedhismaster’spulse.Therewasaslightbeat—steadybutweak.
HeusedhiscellandcalledforthebestneurosurgeontheComplexofRomecouldfindtoattendtohismaster.Lookingaround,herealizedthered-headeddevilwomanhadvanished.Theclothessheworelaycrumpledonthefloor.Ammad’sweaponsteamed,asifhitbylightning,embeddedinthefloor.
“You’vedestroyedher.
I’llnotleaveyou,master.Never.Youarethechosenone.YoubringtheultimatevictorytoourpeopleandallwhoacceptAllah.Holdon.”
#Anenvironmental
supervisoraboardMarsColonizationVessel8realizedhewasaloneinthepowercontrolroomwhereheandfourothertechniciansweremonitoringfuel
consumption.Hespoketothecomputer,“ConnectmetoDirectorLee.”
“Ofcourse,”asweetbutmechanicalvoicereplied.
“Lee.Here.What’stheproblem?”
“OneminuteI’mtalkingtoGusaboutamechanicalmalfunction,thenextminutehisclothesareonthefloor,andhe’sgone.”
“Whathaveyoubeen
drinking?”“Seriously?”“Holdon.Mycontrol
board’slightingup,”DirectorLeesaid.Amomentlaterhereturned.“Ineedtogo.Two-thirdsofthecrew’smissing.”
Thesupervisorspoketothecomputer.“WhereisGus?”
Thesweetmechanicalvoicereplied,“Gusisnolongeraboard.”
“Whatthehell?”HecalledforGeorgePendleton.
Afterafewseconds,afemalevoiceansweredGeorge’sphone.“Ah,hello?”
“Whoisthis?”theenvironmentalsupervisorasked.
“I’mLaurawiththemaintenancestaff,”thevoicesaid.“IcamearoundacornerinLivingQuartersCorridorBandfoundacommunications
deviceontheflooralongwithafullsetofclothes.Somebodyisgoingtobeabitchilly.”
Chapter35“DirectorChui,”
RegionalManagerXisaid,panicrustlinginhisvoice.“We’velostcontactwithGeorgePendletononMarsColonizationVessel1.”
Chuiraisedaneyebrow.“OurrelationshipwiththeformerPendletonregimeisover.Sadtosay.Agreatloss.
ButwehavethecodesfortherocketsandthecapabilitiestosendcrewstotheSpaceStation.SoalthoughIwishGeorgewell,ourprioritieshavechanged.”
“Director,”themanstoodatattention,“therearereportsofvastnumbersofmissingindividuals.”
“Explainedbytheshuttles,Xi.”Chuipushedbackinhischair.“Downplay
anyspeculationtothecontrary.”
Xidoesn’tunderstandtheuseofmisinformation,Chuithought.Tooyoungtoremembertheolddaysofalteringthefactsonpurposetohavethemlineupwiththerulingparty’sversionofthem.Thepeopledidn’tneedtoconcernthemselvesaboutanythingexcepttheultimatedefeatofAmmadal-Sistani.
AlreadyChui’smanufacturingcomplexeswerefullspeedaheadonmilitaryproduction.WhateverevacuationplanGeorgepulledoff,Chuigavenocredencetorumorsofthesupernatural.
“GetmeanupdateonthewhereaboutsofAmmad,”hesaid,andXileft.
Therecouldonlybeoneruleroftheworld.He
checkedhisEasternRegionalMasterComputer.Runningperfectly.EverythinghisregionneededwasbeingsuppliedfromtheEasternRegionalWorldControlCenterevenwiththeChristianpopulationgone.Armed,fed,andwithapurpose,hisarmieswouldonedaycrosstheUralstothewestandtheEuphratestothesouthandsweeptothegates
ofRomeandJerusalemtodefeatAmmadandruletheworld.
TheAmericaswouldbowtothewinner,andtheyhadnoloveofAmmadtheViciousinanycase.Time.Heneededafewyears,sixatthemost,andhismilitarywouldbeunstoppable.Chuitappedhisfingerstogether.Goodluck,GeorgePendleton.
#
AtashAkbariheldhismaster’shand.Threedayshadpassedsincetheredheaded-witchstruckdownAmmadwithherknife.HehadnotleftAmmad’sbedside.
“Awakenmaster,”herepeatedagainandagaintonoavail.
CrowdsgatheredoutsideHolySpiritHospitalinSassia,theoldesthospital
inEuropelocatedafewkilometersoutsideVaticanCity.Ageneralunrestgrew,sparkedbyworriesoverthedisappearanceofthemillionsofChristianswhohadnotyetboardedtheshuttles.MuslimandJewishauthoritiesnowinpoweroutsideChui’sregiondeclaredotherwisetonoavail.TheofficiallinewasmostChristianbelieversleftwiththeshuttlesandmanyof
theothersconvertedtoIslamandstayed.
WhowouldbeFirstCitizenifAmmaddied?Washealreadydead?RumorsofPendleton’swifebeingtheattackerstirredtalesofaChristianconspiracytobringArthurPendletonbackintopower.
“Youmustreassurethepeople,”RabbiLevinsonpleadedwithAkbari.
LevinsonhadtraveledtoRomefromJerusalemtobeofassistance.“ManyfearAmmadisdead,andChuiisabouttoattackus.”
“Ican’tleavehim.Iwon’tleavehim.”AkbariturnedtotherabbiwithoutlettinggoofAmmad’shand.“YouspeaktotheGlobalmedia.TellthemAmmadisrestingpeacefullyandforgiveshisattacker.”
#AreluctantLevinson
exitedthehospitalandaddressedtheworld.Hetriedtoappearupbeat,butfromwhathe’dseen,onlylifesupportkeptAmmadalive.
“TheFirstCitizenasksmetoreassuretheworldheisrecovering.”Lyingcausedhimdiscomfort.Hefoldedhishandsbehindhisback.IfAmmadwasconscious,he’d
wanttoreassureeveryonehewasfine.Sotheliewasjustified.
“Hewantsyoutoknowheforgiveshisattackerandwantsnothingmorethantobringpeacetoallmankind,ChristianandJew,MuslimandHindu,Buddhistandthoseconsideredpagansbysome.”Nowheadlibbed,andthatseemedtosoothhisconscience.
Thecloudsgaveadrearyappearancetothesky—lowhangingwithnohintofthinning.Andthehumiditystifledbreathing.Levinson’ssweattrickleddownhisneck,evenwiththetemperatureat15degreesCelsius.
“Inhisabsence,hisappointedSecond-in-Command,AtashAkbari,willactintheFirstCitizen’splace.Therewillbenogapin
decisionmaking.”Levinsonwasaboutto
concludehisstatementwhenthefrontdoorsoftheHolySpiritHospitalinSassiaburstopen.AcrowdofAmmad’ssupportersracedoutthedoorsshoutingaboutamiracle.Abrightgreenglowlitupthehospitalentry.BehindthemAkbariledAmmadoutanddowntheramptowhereLevinsonstood.Levinson’s
jawdroppedandhehandedAmmadthemicrophone.Ashedid,thecloudvanishedandthesunshonebrightlyabove.
“Acowardlyattackstruckmedown.”Ammadhelduptheknifeandshowedtheclottedwoundinhishead.“IknowIdied.ButtheDivineraisedmeupfromthedead.Hehasdealtwiththosewhoopposedme.Hewill
dealwithanyonewhothinkstocausedivisioninthefuture.Iamamanofpeace.Obeytherulesandyouwillhavenothingtofear.”
AsAmmadspoke,chillsfilledLevinsonevenastheweatherwarmedhim.RabbiShamir,whosefullnamemeant“arockofthefaith”,hadtoldhim.“AmmadisadescendantinspiritofAntiochusIVEpiphanes,who
roastedapiginthetemple.HethinksheisGod.Donottrusthim.Evilsurroundshim.HewillshowyousignsandwondersfromtheoldartsofthePersians.”
HadhemadeamistakealigningwithAmmadforthecauseoftheTemple?
#ThreedayslaterAmmadpolledhisinner
circle.Thequestionwas
wheretosetuphispermanentgovernment.TwelveotherImamsplusImamAkbariwrotetheirselectionsontheirballotsandfoldedthem.Akbaricollectedthepapersandputtheminabowl,settingthebowlinfrontofAmmad.
“OneofmyguardsfoundthePope’srobesandshoesintheparkinggaragebythePalaceoftheHoly
Office.”Hetappedthebowlhe’dbeengivenagainstthetable.“Ineverhadtheopportunitytoconvincehimtosupportme.”
“Whatdoyouthinkhappenedtohimandotherswhoaremissing?”askedtheoldestImamwiththelongwhitebeard.
“Ademonic,supernaturalevent.”Ammadrosetohisfeetandleaned
forward.“Astowhatwesaytothemasses?”Heshrugged.“ThosewhovanishedeitherleftfortheMarsmissionorthey’reinhiding,meaningtodofuturemischief.”
“They’rehidingnakedthen.”TheoldmanpointedafingeratAmmad.“Totheworld,youappeartohaverisenfromthedead.Butyousaidsomethingthatdisturbsme.Youusedtheterm,the
Divine,notAllah.NorhaveIheardyouspeakAllah’snameinourlastfewmeetings.”
Ammad’schesttightened,asdidhisfists.
“Sowhoisthisentityyouserve?”
“IservetheDivinewhogivesmepower.”
Hispointedhisfingerbackattheoldman,whoturnedaghastlygray,felloff
hischair,anddied.Ammadkickedtheoldman’sbody.
“Sonowyouunderstand.”
EpilogueDonnaO’Connorgazed
intotheeyesofJesus,hersavior.Hespoketoherinjoyfulthoughtsthatsoundedlikethevoiceofaheavenlyorchestra.Eventhedifficultthingshesaidhadcomfortwithinthem.Howlonghespoke?Impossibletotell.Thenhestood,liftedherup,
andsmiledthemostjoyoussmileshehadeverseen.Thenextinstanthewasspeakingtoanother,andCustoswasbyherside.
“Wearepreparingtoendtheplaguethatdestroystheearth.”HetookherhandandguidedherthroughtheGatesofHeaven.“Beholdyourtemporaryhome.”
Hereyeswidened.Thenshelookedupathim.
“Temporary?”“Ifyouremember,there
willbeanewHeavenandanewEarth.Thesethingsareyettocome.”
“Howcouldanywherebebetterthanhere?”
Spaceanddistancehadnomeaning.TheThroneoftheFather,theSeaofGlass,thechoirsofangelsandsaintssingingwereatthesametimenearandfaraway,depending
onherwill.Voicesgreetedher.Familysurroundedher,Arthur,Connor,George,andHarry.Herparentsalsostoodbywitharmsoutstretched.Shethoughttoaskforgiveness,yetknewforgivenesswasgranted.Thiswouldtakegettingusedto.
Inwhatseemedaninstant,shehadspokentoandheardfromeveryoneinherlifewhodwelledinheaven,
whomshehadknownonEarth.She’daskedherquestions,answeredthoseaskedher,andresolvedallissues.Joyandpeacefilledherheart.
Custosreappearednexttoher.“OncetheAll-In-Allarrives,andGodandMandwelltogetherontheNewEarth,youwillbegiventhedesiresofyourheart.Thereareotheruniversestoexplore
andcreationstosee.BeingstohelpandthingstolearnthatthebelovedsofGodneedtoknow.Eternityisabusyplace.”
“Untilthen,whatdoIdo?”
“PraisethelivingGod.Rejoicewithyourfamilyandfriends.Spendtimeinyourhome,amansionyouearnedwhileonEarth.”
“Whatmansion?”
“Behold.”Amulticolored
structureroseuptogreether.Custosescortedherinside.Huesshe’dneverseenonearthdazzledhermind.Theroomsandfurnishingsweresolidyettransformableatthesametime.Chairsadjustedtoherbodyasshemoved.Wallsgavewayforhertopassthrough.EachroomhadaviewofGod’sthroneand
otherheavenlyplaceswhereshecouldstepthroughandarriveatadifferentspot.
Sheneedednosleep.Foodpresentedtoherwasdeliciousandprovidedforenjoyment,notnutrition.Allshehadtodowasthinkaboutwhereshewishedtobe,stepoutoftheroomshewasin,andshewasthere.OnherfirstvisittoseeArthur,sherealizedphysicalsexwas
inferiortospiritualconnection.Asimplehug,moresatisfyingthananythingthemoralbodycouldexperience.Heaveninfactwasheavenly.
Everymomentapartofherspiritsangwiththeheavenlyhost.“WorthyareYou,OurLordandourGod,toreceivegloryandhonor,andpower.”
Custosappearedtoher
saying,“Come.FollowtheKingofKingsandLordofLordsasHepoursoutHiswrathupontherebelliousontheEarth.”
“Already?Isittime?”Shereachedouther
handandshoutedforjoy.HerfamilyjoinedherasallheavenburstforthtofollowtheWordofGod,eyesflamesoffire,hairwhiteaspurityitself,andridingonawhite
horsetodestroyHisenemies.TheEnd.