"'Ragheads'?” Janine Madison snorted. “That's the kind of talk one would expect from a petty bigoted tyrant, General Musgrave. I'm shocked you would use that kind of slur at an official cabinet meeting."
Musgrave fidgeted. “I apologize for that unfortunate word, Madam Secretary,” he conceded, with clear reluctance.
* * * *
Mathias was studying all of this closely, as Jesus had asked him to. They were not seeing the bigger picture and he decided to paint it for them.
"Perhaps you are all missing the real opportunity here,” he spoke up. The others had almost forgotten he was present. Armand Mathias had not lost his knack for drawing the spotlight to himself. He smiled inwardly at that reassuring thought.
"What wisdom would the Secretary of Education like to impart to us?” Defense Secretary Charles Hammond said to him condescendingly.
Mathias shot him a hard look and then addressed the group as a whole. “How long have the Jews and Arabs been fighting with each other ... three, four, five thousand years? Nobody really knows. We only know that as far back as we go in history, the Jews and Arabs have been in conflict. God frowns upon both of them, or to quote Shakespeare, ‘A plague on both your houses.’ What if we were able to rid the world of both of them?"
"What are you saying, Mr. Mathias?” Secretary Madison scowled. “Are you suggesting we wage war against the entire Middle East?"
Mathias contained his irritation. Were these people really this dense? More likely, they did not want to outwardly admit to what each of them secretly felt.
"No, Secretary Madison, that is not what I am saying at all. What I am saying is we should do nothing. We announce we are washing our hands of all of them and they are either going to have to work it out or fight it out. The United States is not going to dirty its hands with their filthy nationalistic wars any longer. We simply let them decimate each other, then, when they are too weakened to resist, step in and take over the oil. We can come up with a justification for the reason we are appropriating the oil. We tie it in with Jesus’ worldwide initiative for the children. Health care, schools, day care will be paid for by the proceeds of the oil—on a global basis. The poorest regions of Albania will have the same opportunities for their children as the riches nations of the West. You can pretty much justify anything if you say it's for the children."
"Mr. Mathias, how dare you propose using innocent children as pawns for such an idea,” Madeline Johnstone huffed.
Jesus stepped in. “Mrs. Johnstone, who do you think you're kidding?” The Health and Human Resources secretary recoiled, clearly wounded by the rebuke from Jesus. “Your department more than any other has used children as a lever for funding since the day it was created. This entire administration has done likewise."
He noticed the discomfort of all sitting at the conference table. As his eyes moved from person to person, they all averted their gaze.
"You have all identified this administration with that cry.... ‘The Children!’ Now, when that battle cry can actually accomplish something important, you balk at using it. I want you to think and think hard about something. Armand's idea forces us all to confront some hard truths. Just how far are we willing to go to guarantee a better world for the children?"
Jesus eyes glowed with passion. “Imagine a world of peace and harmony, my friends. Imagine you are the architects of that peace. History will herald how this administration, by committing itself wholeheartedly to its children, transformed a horrible war between two ancient peoples into an age of peace and prosperity which will last for a thousand years.
"The road to greatness is often paved with difficult choices. Sacrifices have to be made today to serve the citizens of tomorrow. The source of the Chinese and Zulu traditions of ancestor worship stem from the belief that those who have come before us made sacrifices from which we might benefit and likewise we will make sacrifices which will benefit our descendants and thus earn their veneration, and so on.
"What if you could guarantee a safer world for the next generation? What would that be worth to you? What would you be willing to do to achieve that? Are you willing to endure some temporary discomfort for it? Or have your words of devotion to ‘the children’ been nothing more than a cynical rallying cry masking a cold lust for power? Do you mean what you say or don't you?"
He stopped and waited for someone to speak out. His eyes flashed coldly as he allowed the silence to linger, growing heavier with every passing moment. Madeline Johnstone finally cleared her throat and spoke up timidly.
"Jesus, you are not being fair with us. It is one thing to want social justice for our children, it is another to wage war in their name."
"Ms. Johnstone, it seems to me it is easy to claim concern for future generations when you don't have to do much in their name. You raise a tax here, pass a law there, but in the end, nothing really changes. Now, when confronted with action that can truly make a long-term difference, you slink away and say, ‘Oh, wait, I didn't mean that much action.'
"How would you feel if Israel were aiming nuclear weapons at its neighbors?"
Musgrave said, “That would be a different story, Jesus."
"How so, General? What would you do about it? Issue a press release? Shake a finger at them?"
Musgrave remained silent, his teeth gritting betrayed by the muscles tensing in his jaw.
"And if Israel actually fired one of those nuclear weapons? What would you do then?"
"Jesus,” Musgrave snorted, “that is not going to happen."
"Oh?” Jesus raised an eyebrow. “How is it you know this? Wasn't it your own intelligence reports that assured us Israel would never attempt an offensive military campaign? You were equally certain about that, as well, as I recall. I would keep a close eye on the next batch of satellite photos, if I were you. Mr. President, I think it is time to take our case to the United Nations."
* * * *
SUSAN WAS AWAKENED by voices and laughter coming from outside her room. She sat up abruptly. It was quite light in the room. How long had she slept? She picked up her watch from the nightstand. 11:30. Why did they let her sleep in so long? She looked over to Nicole's empty bed. The familiar laughter of a male voice rose above the other voices. Her face lit up and she leapt from her bed, grabbed her robe hastily and flung open the door.
"Angelino!” she squealed, running toward him and throwing her arms around him. He held her close.
"What are you doing here?” she said through a wide smile.
"I brought some more friends for you to meet.” Susan only then noticed the new faces among the group. Introductions were made all around.
Susan mentally counted the new people.
"Oh, I thought this was your last trip. I see you are still missing two,” she said with some concern.
Angelino said cheerfully, “Yes, we will be going to collect them soon. I just wanted to bring the others here to introduce them to you. They have all been anxious to meet the one upon whom so much depends.” Again the oblique reference to her role, still unknown to her.
"Are you leaving right away?” Her face fell in disappointment.
He smiled lovingly at her. “No. We are going to relax for a bit while others play out their roles."
Susan looked at him quizzically. Roles? It seemed Angelino truly did regard everyone as a player in his own privately orchestrated drama. She just shook her head and smiled as Angelino's eyes twinkled back at her.
Quon Lee moved over toward Susan, his face displaying deep respect. He bowed to her and said, “Ms. Susan Morgan, it is a great honor to be in your presence."
Taken aback by the gesture of reverence, she instinctively bowed back slightly and smiled, feeling a bit uncomfortable at the deference Quon Lee was offering her.
"Thank you,” was all she could think to say.
He bowed a little deeper and backed away to mingle once again with the others, smiling in the process.
Angelino leaned over and whispered to her with a wink,
“Get used to it, my dear."
Susan almost allowed herself to become angry at that remark. She grew weary of not knowing what she was supposed to do. She shot Angelino a sharp glance, but decided against making a scene. She did not want to put a damper on the happy mood of everyone in the room.
Angelino did not miss the change in Susan's expression, nor did Raji, who exchanged glances with Angelino. Raji motioned for him to join him outside.
Angelino followed Raji out into the morning sunshine. The day was temperate with just the barest hint of a breeze. Raji led Angelino away from the house so they could talk privately.
"It will be soon, my old friend."
Angelino nodded.
"I wanted to talk to you about a couple of things, Anthony,” Raji continued.
"Susan?"
"Yes, that is one thing I want to discuss with you. I am growing concerned about her. She is not allowing herself to hear the voice of her destiny. She is resisting and deluding herself with claims of confusion. She should have had her realization by now."
"Susan will be fine, Raji. Perhaps I can move her along a bit during my stay here. I'll see what I can do. I don't want to push her too much. She must find her way by herself or she will never truly own it as her way."
"She grows impatient. She is almost in denial about her roots to Jesus’ ancestry. She, perhaps more than anyone, sees the evil of the one who walks the earth as Jesus, and yet she is still vague and confused about The Christ."
"Well, I don't find that too surprising. The concept of the Christ is pretty huge. It takes twelve of us to contain the totality of it. I don't really expect her to get that until the moment of the Ascension.” He paused for a moment thoughtfully and then said, “I guess it is time to relieve her suspense, before I leave again."
Angelino took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
"This is what it's all about. To simply be able to fill the senses with the experience of the moment. To know the Eternal Now.” Then he turned back to the topic at hand. “How is Nicole coming along?"
Raji smiled broadly. “She is a true jewel. A sponge just waiting to be filled with Truth."
Angelino nodded. “It is interesting how susceptible the innocent of heart are to both the holy and the profane. Only love differentiates them."
"Anthony,” Raji said, gravely. “You are aware of the situation in the Middle East?"
"Yes. As we anticipated. How much longer?"
"I would say a week ... maybe two. Maybe sooner. It's hard to tell. The anti-Christ is not a patient fellow. He senses the time to strike is now, but he must make sure the actual attack appears to originate from other sources. That will take a little time to maneuver. The next move will be to get the international community behind the idea. Then he will step aside and let events run their course. The Council has planted all the right seeds in the international press. It will just take a little time for the popular will to gain some inertia."
Angelino sighed with sadness. “I wish there were another way."
"But there isn't, Anthony. For the Christ to appear, the anti-Christ must have his hour of glory. That is the prophecy. It is sometimes difficult to accept the time has come at last. It has been a very long wait for you. Eight hundred years is a long time."
Angelino's eyes filled with tears. His eyes gazed out over the countryside of Indore. “Now that my time is coming to an end, somehow eight hundred years seems but a flash in time. How I will miss all of this,” he said with deep melancholy. “I have grown to love this plane of existence. Letting go of it will not be an easy thing to do."
Raji placed his hand on the shoulder of his former student, his eyes filled with deep compassion. He could not even begin to imagine the depth of the pain that must be weighing heavily on his old friend's heart.
"I have learned to savor every moment of this life, Raji, knowing this time would eventually come. If only others could learn the joy of that. The only thing certain in this life is each of us will eventually leave this plane of existence permanently. The one true sin is to leave it not having truly experienced it."
"You will not be returning?"
Angelino shrugged. “Perhaps. From time to time. I will be keeping an eye on Susan. Her task will not be any easy one."
"Terianna and I will do all we can to help her, although it will not be much."
"This place will be an important place of respite for her, Raji. Knowing you will be here for her will make all the difference in the world. It makes it easier for me to do what I need to do."
Angelino straightened himself up, regained his composure and finally said, cheerfully, “Come, my old friend. Let's join the others. Time is too short to waste wallowing on endings. It is new beginnings we should be celebrating. I have done my duty to God. It is time to pass the torch."
* * * *
RAY CUTLER HAD not been in the press gallery of the United Nations building for many years, and he found himself re-experiencing the raw excitement of knowing he was in the front row of history in the making. Arnold had accompanied him. The Wills investigation of Crowley had been put on hold indefinitely as the new Jesus era was being extolled by the world press. It was further buried by the events in the Mid East.
Harold Bennett's filibuster in the Senate had been broken as well by developments in the Mideast. Nobody seemed to notice.
The special session of the UN was called by the United States, ostensibly to allow Israel a chance to make its case of innocence before the world. Ray somehow doubted that was the true motive, however. Something about this entire Middle East situation smelled to high heaven. It was all too sudden, too unprovoked, to ring true. To his surprise, not one analyst or investigative reporter had dared to speak such doubts aloud. He'd felt a gnawing at his gut ever since Stuart's death. Too many coincidences favorable to Crowley and his administration were occurring too often. And always there was Jesus, lending his support to the President. That support had caused Crowley's popularity and job approval ratings reach percentages that in another time would have raised eyebrows as to their authenticity.
There was tension in the UN assembly chambers as Secretary General Safra Badime gaveled the meeting to order. The press gallery and the assembly gradually quieted. Ray grew impatient to hear what Israel had to say. He noticed that Prime Minister Sahrat himself was sitting in the seat reserved for Israel. This was not unprecedented, but it was an indication of how seriously Israel was taking all of this.
"Mind if I join you gentleman?” a familiar voice said from behind him. It was Harold's.
"Come to watch the circus, Harold?” Ray smiled. “Good to see you, Senator. Have a seat."
"I'm not even sure why I'm here, Ray,” Harold said dryly. “Guess an old fire horse doesn't do well when put out to pasture."
Ray and Arnold smiled at that.
"It's good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor, Senator,” Arnold laughed.
Harold shrugged.
"Did you see the latest London Times?” Ray asked his two friends. He opened the front page so they could see it.
"Mother of God,” Harold said, clearly distressed. “This changes everything."
Arnold whistled. “Whew, it sure does.” He took the paper and skimmed through the lead article quickly. “My God, Ray. Is all of this true?"
"It's all news to me, Arnold,” he answered. “I think we need to do some digging. It has just enough credibility to it to be either true or a lie. Given recent events, I prefer to take it with a grain of salt. But I doubt my grain of salt is going to stop the mad stampede of anti-Israeli sentiment it is going to generate."
Their attention was directed to the podium as Secretary Badime made his opening remarks.
"We are here today to see if we might resolve the situation developing along the borders of Israel. International law is quite clear about what constitutes an act of military aggression. We are here to sort this matter out and hopefully bring it to a peaceful conclusion. Our aim here, as it a
lways is, is to preserve peace.
"I will get right to the point. The Syrian ambassador will speak first, since Syria is claiming to be the injured party."
Muhari Mandibbi waited for the room to grow quiet before he spoke into the microphone directly in front of him. “I was going to speak today about the military buildup along our borders by the Israeli army. I was going to raise my serious objection to the total disregard for our treaty their actions have displayed. I was going to demand a justification for this clear act of war, clearly designed to provoke us. I was going to call for international condemnation of these actions by the distinguished members present here today.” He paused for dramatic affect. “But all of that has been reduced to insignificance by the story I read this morning in the London Times.
"I refer to the documented evidence of a conspiracy by Israel to exterminate the Arab people from the region we have inhabited for centuries, indeed, for millennia.
"I am sure you all must have taken this news with as much horror as we have. Of course, the Arab community has long warned you of this nefarious conspiracy, only to be called ‘anti-Semitic war mongers.’ We have endured such insults patiently from the international community, secure in the knowledge time would eventually reveal the truth of our suspicions. The time has now come."
A murmur cascaded through the General Assembly chambers.
"Now, we will be able judge the true character of this assembly of nations. Will it have the collective courage to acknowledge the brutal policy of genocide which has now been exposed for all to see? Or will it turn its back on us, as it has done so many times in the past, content to believe the lies of those who have systematically worked to destroy us?"
The Ambassador cleared his throat and took a sip of water, then continued. “If you detect anger in my charges, you would be correct to do so. We are outraged this policy could have been hidden from the world for so many decades. We are even more outraged the international community has supported this mass genocide by turning a blind eye toward it.
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