"It is so beautiful,” Nicole said, with tears in her eyes. Susan studied her. Was this part of her game? She decided it was not. However cold and brutal Nicole might be, she could be touched emotionally. That might have come as a surprise even to Nicole herself.
"It's remarkable,” Cassidy said, clearly awestruck. “This must surely be a holy spot."
"I suspect all spots are holy spots, Monsignor,” Susan said lightly, “if you know how to look at them."
Cassidy smiled. “Indeed, my dear. Indeed."
Imahoptec stood transfixed, his eyes welling up with tears of emotion at the sight of this endless vista of heavenly perfection. Billy, stoic as ever, stood apparently unmoved. Only Susan noticed the tiny tear that formed in the corner of his eye, but pretended not to.
"It is like the land my grandfather used to tell me about,” Billy said gravely, “before the settlers killed all the buffalo and chased my people from their land. I never thought I would see anything like it in my lifetime."
"Yes,” Angelino agreed. “It is truly God's country, as God intended it to be for man."
He pointed off into a small glen near the horizon. “There is our destination, the city of Indore."
Cassidy furrowed his brow quizzically. “I've studied quite a bit of geography and I've never heard of Indore."
"There is no reason why you should have, Monsignor,” Angelino said. “It is a city that has been of no consequence historically. It has no riches to attract plunderers. Its isolation makes it worthless as a military outpost. Its isolation also keeps it from being a trade center. For centuries, Indore has remained as you see it now. Unspoiled, pristine, and at peace. It has been many years since I last visited here. I shall enjoy seeing it once more."
Susan detected a wistfulness in Angelino's voice. As events had progressed, she sensed the weight of his burden taking its toll on him. She worried that his spiritual energy might dissipate, rendering him vulnerable to the forces they were so vigilant against. She recommitted herself to her vow to protect him.
"We will camp here for the night. Indore is a day's journey from here. We will get an early start and get there before nightfall tomorrow,” Angelino decided.
* * * *
RAY CUTLER STARTED at the unexpected ringing of his telephone, which abruptly interrupted the replaying of the meeting with Angelino and the others in his mind.
"Cutler here."
"It's Steven Hamilton."
Ray sat upright, tensing himself for the report from the geneticist.
"What did you find out, Doctor Hamilton?"
"Where did you get these hair samples?"
"Never mind that, Doctor. What did you discover?'
"The DNA from the hair follicles is a match with the blood we removed from the Shroud."
Ray closed his eyes and said quietly into the mouthpiece, “I see."
"Mr. Cutler, whose hair is it?"
"Doctor, for now it is best if you do not know. You will learn in due time."
"Whatever you say,” Steven assented, after a short pause. “But you know what this means, don't you?"
"Yes, Doctor, I most certainly do. There is a descendant of Jesus alive today. What's more, that descendant is not aware of that fact. Thank you, Doctor Hamilton. Goodbye."
Ray hung up the phone without waiting for Hamilton to respond.
"Well, Senator Bennett, we have scientific confirmation now. Susan Morgan is the descendant of Jesus."
Harold whistled, “Whew.” Then he said, “I don't understand what this all means."
"Neither do I, Senator,” Ray sighed.
"Do you think she knows?"
"I don't know, to tell you the truth. If she does, she has never let on to me she knew."
"I wonder if Angelino knows,” Harold wondered.
Ray chuckled, “Hell, if he doesn't it's about the only thing he is in the dark about. No. He knows, you can be sure. Why else would he have turned to her of all people when he needed an ally?"
"Makes sense,” Harold agreed.
Ray switched the subject. “Crowley is introducing his UN bill tomorrow, isn't he?"
"Yep. Rammed it through committee so fast the ink never had a chance to dry. Nobody is going to go on record as being against anything Jesus proposes."
"Are you and Senator Hatcher ready?"
"As ready as we're going to be, Ray,” he said gravely. “We're tilting at windmills, but what else can we do?"
"How much to you intend to reveal?"
"Well, Harold and I have both agreed it would be suicide to share the anti-Christ news with the public. We'd be either laughed off the senate floor or stoned ... or both."
Ray frowned. There seemed to be no way of stopping Jesus, short of assassination, and nobody in their group had the stomach for that. Besides, that had been attempted once and it had become quite clear this Jesus, unlike the original of two thousand years ago, did not share his past proclivity for martyrdom. How did one fight a being of such power? All they could do was hope Angelino had anticipated these developments and had a plan to stop him.
"All of this metaphysical stuff is way beyond me, Harold,” Ray admitted. “We have Angelino raising the dead and then, along with the others appearing and disappearing as if they were being beamed aboard the Starship Enterprise, Jesus levitating and catching bullets in his hand ... what's next?"
"I'm sure I don't know, Ray,” Harold conceded, “but we should be ready for just about anything. We are dealing with powers greater and more mysterious than anything mankind has confronted before. On top of that, Jesus has the popular support of not just the America people, but the people of the entire world. Hell, even the fucking Israelis are hailing him as the true Son of God."
Harold grew quietly solemn. Finally, after a moment of reflection, he said to Ray, “He's the most powerful being who has ever walked the face of the earth ... and somehow, some way, he intends to use that power for the enslavement of mankind, if I remember my biblical prophecy correctly."
Ray and Harold exchanged looks in silence. Both saw despair in the eyes of the other.
* * * *
IT WAS A simple monitoring system by modern standards, but it was effective nonetheless. Warrenger rewound the tape of the conversation between Steven Hamilton and Ray Cutler. So ... a descendant of the true Jesus lived, and more importantly, Ray knew who it was. It was unlikely this descendant posed much of a danger to the Agenda at this point, but Warrenger had not risen to his position by taking things for granted.
Nicole Chambleau, his most trusted Council member, was with Angelino and the others. Where they were he could not be certain. He had lost direct contact shortly after she had reported back to him she had managed to gain access to the group. Undoubtedly, she was traveling with them. That was good. He was confident she would report to him as soon as she was able to. He would rather she remain out of contact than expose her cover recklessly in a clumsy attempt to contact him. She was too smart for that, he knew. Perhaps she would learn who the descendant of Jesus was and be able to eliminate him or her.
In any event, Warrenger felt ultimate victory within his reach. He would take his rightful place at the side of The Master, the One whom the Council had served faithfully for the past two millennia. He had fulfilled his duty tirelessly and expertly, and now was about to witness the culmination of hundreds of years of careful and meticulous planning.
He leaned back and smiled with satisfaction. Yes. It was good to be alive at this moment in history.
Suddenly, a bright glow filled the room. It quickly dimmed and was replaced with the tall form of Jesus.
Warrenger rose and bowed to him respectfully.
"Master, I am glad you got my message. We must talk."
"So, I see you finally realize who I am?” Jesus smiled with satisfaction. “Very good. Do we have trouble?"
"I don't think so, Master, but we cannot be careless. I have just learned there is a living descendant of the true Jesus alive today. It ha
s been confirmed by DNA evidence."
Jesus eyes flared. “What?” he said, clearly agitated.
The reaction surprised Number One.
"Who is the descendant?” Jesus demanded.
Gradually, Warrenger realized Jesus truly did not know the identity of the blood descendant of Jesus. “I do not yet know, Master. I only just now learned of their existence."
"Damn that Angelino! I should have known. Angelino once told me my wife and child escaped Jerusalem. He said all trace of them had been lost,” Jesus said with genuine anger. “He has managed to shield that knowledge from my psychic senses. His power is considerable. As long as he lives, the Agenda is threatened."
"I do not think so, Master. I have one of my people within Angelino's inner circle. She is very smart. If there is a danger to us, she will be able to stop it, and failing that, she will certainly warn us of any imminent damage to the Agenda."
"Yes, the young Nicole Chambleau,” Jesus nodded.
Warrenger's face betrayed his surprise.
"You are asking yourself how I know this,” Jesus said matter-of-factly.
"Why ... yes."
"It is not important how I know, just that I know."
"But then, if you know...” Number One caught the implications.
"...then Angelino undoubtedly knows, too,” Jesus finished the thought.
Warrenger's mind churned over the possibilities. If Angelino knew, what was he likely to do about it? He could dismiss any chance of harm befalling Nicole, of that he could be certain. But why would he allow her to accompany him if he knew she was of the Council? Was it possible he only thought she was there to spy on him and was not aware of her true mission? No. Surely Angelino would assume there was a price on his head. Idealistic old fool that he was, he was not naive to the real dangers of his situation, he reasoned. Why then would he place himself in peril? Not being able to come up with a reason was more unsettling than any reason he could think of.
"You are trying to figure out why Angelino would let Nicole close to him and his people,” Jesus said, reading his expression.
"Yes, Master. I confess I am disturbed by this development."
"I will tell you why, Number One,” Jesus said. “He thinks he can turn her to his cause."
Warrenger stared blankly at Jesus for a moment, and then his face broke into a full smile as he considered that possibility. He laughed at the thought. “That is not very likely, My Lord,” he said, through his laughter. “She has the Agenda in her blood. She has known no other cause since she was old enough to reason. She has been bred for her position on the Council since birth. Angelino will never turn her. She is as trustworthy as I am."
Jesus regarded Number One coldly. “You had better be right about that, Mr. Warrenger."
Warrenger ignored the implied threat. “We have discovered the location of one of the Twelve Knights, Jesus. He is somewhere in the Mideast, probably not far from Jerusalem."
Jesus’ face softened with pleasure at that news. “Excellent, Number One. Excellent work. I suspected as much, but it is good to hear you confirm it."
Number One bowed his head in acknowledgment of the praise.
"Nicole will not disappoint us, Master."
Jesus paced back and forth for a moment and then said, “Let us hope your faith in her is justified.” Then he gestured, creating the bright white glow around him. As the light began to fade, Jesus’ trailing voice said, “But I have an alternate course of action should your Number Two fail to do her duty.” With that, the light closed in on itself and he was gone.
Warrenger sat down behind his desk. The Master feared Angelino, that much was clear. Therefore, it was wise he fear him as well. Yes, he was confident of Nicole's loyalty and ability, but it was unsettling that he had not heard a word from her since she had last contacted him. He realized contacting him on her cellular phone would be difficult, if not impossible, in such close quarters with the others. Surely she would contact him as soon as she could, most likely to report her mission had been fulfilled.
Warrenger put his hands behind his head and leaned back, comforted by that realization. Soon, the full Agenda would be in place and he would be the possessor of power unlike wielded by any living man in history. The rewards of a lifetime of devotion were about to become his. All concerns evaporated in that thought, as the smile on his face transformed into a laugh of expectant triumph.
* * * *
NICOLE WONDERED HOW she could have lived her entire life never realizing how full the sky was with stars. She lay on the blankets that served as a bed, gazing into an infinite sky. Sleep had been elusive for her, even though every cell of her body screamed for rejuvenation. As the campfire flickered out, only red embers remained, and her eyes gradually accustomed themselves to the enveloping darkness. More and more of the visible star field that surrounded them was coming into view.
She could almost imagine she was aboard a spaceship, floating through the cosmos without any deep purpose beyond that of taking the journey itself. What would it be like to have a life totally unfettered? A life unimpeded by any purpose other than the natural flow it inclined itself to follow. A life both guiding and being guided by itself, for its own sake. The starlit sky became all she could perceive as the complete darkness of night embraced her. Yes, it was an embrace. Not like the oppressive darkness of her bedroom when she was a child. How she had been terrified of that darkness, a darkness that crushed in upon her with brutal suddenness when her governess turned off the light and closed the door, leaving her alone in the void. This darkness was friendly ... inviting ... seductive in a way she had never before experienced darkness. This darkness, too, was a void, but what made it different? Was it the population of stars that filled the heavens above her? Certainly that was part of it, but there was something much more than that ... something that hovered just at the outer fringes of her awareness.
Then, she suddenly realized what it was. She was experiencing true peace for the first time in her life, and with that deep peace, an awakening of emotions and awareness she had never known before. Following that peacefulness ever inward, she became aware the peacefulness itself was a part of something larger still. Was this her soul? She felt herself experiencing a sensation of falling as she contemplated her own consciousness, contemplating itself contemplating itself, like looking into a hall of mirrors reflecting the same image into infinity. The sense of vertigo was replaced by a feeling of panic as she resisted the total surrender into the void. She struggled to regain her mental and emotional equilibrium. Gradually, the panic subsided as the lightheaded feeling of losing control slowly dissipated.
She lay there, caught in an emotional juxtaposition of fear and exhilaration. She leaned up on her elbow and looked around the campsite to assure herself she was where she thought she was. What was going on? She must really be exhausted, she finally concluded. Yes, the long journey and the unaccustomed stress on her tiny body were obviously taking their toll on her. And the darkness itself was driving her imagination to think crazy thoughts. She laughed reassuringly to herself. Comforted by having explained away the experience, she soon fell into a deep and peaceful sleep, just as the moon began its ascent over the eastern horizon.
* * * *
"THE SENATE WILL now come to order,” Vice President Jeremy Dale announced, officially beginning the day's business. After the morning invocation was given by the Senate pastor, William Barnes, the roll was called and Dale announced the anticipated activity.
"Bill S33, The United Nations Peace Initiative, has been forwarded out of committee with the recommendation it be passed as written and without objection."
The voice of Senator Paul DiMarco of New Jersey called out, “I move we directly vote on the measure without debate."
"Second,” Senator Joanne Lockley called out.
Senator Bennett jumped to his feet. “Point of order, Mr. President,” he said.
"The senate recognizes the Senator from Ohio."
&nbs
p; "Thank you, Mr. President."
"This bill is quite ambitious in its scope. In a very real sense, it will change the face of government in this country for all time. Its affects are so far reaching it will also affect other countries beside our own. Therefore, I think the American people deserve some discussion on this bill. To simply vote it through without any debate does a great disservice to our citizens."
"Will the senator yield?” It was Senator DiMarco.
"For one minute, yes,” Harold agreed.
"Thank you, Senator. It seems to me the honorable senator from Georgia wishes to play a game with us. This bill has been reported on in detail all over the world. There is not a single American citizen who is not intimately familiar with what it contains. The public opinion polls show strong support for the measure ... well over ninety percent in virtually all polls. What does he possibly think there is to debate?"
"Senator DiMarco would perhaps also favor a repeal of the law of gravity should ninety percent of the people favor it, nevertheless, it is a valid question and I will answer it directly. My father once told me that when everybody is stampeding toward an idea, that's when it's time for somebody to take a step back and say, ‘Hold on a minute. Maybe we need to take another look.’ It seems to me we have a situation here where it behooves us to take another look.
"I have issues with every item on this bill and the American people have a right to hear them."
Murmurs and catcalls arose from the other senators. They had been anticipating a quick day's work and then off to the golf course, or wherever else senators go when they are not doing business. Harold had been prepared for that and was not going to be shouted down, no matter how loud the protest. This is where a stand had to be made, and if that meant that he was the lone voice against the popular will, then so be it.
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