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I didn't. And thanks, really, for some cherished memories.
Love in Christ, Hannah
NINE
BUCK FOCUSED on Chaim, framing him close to keep from giving clues to his
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whereabouts to anyone monitoring in New Babylon. If this worked the way Chang
seemed to hope, the Global Community News
Network people would try to pull Chaim off the air and, short of that, try to
locate and reclaim the pirated camera.
Buck turned the monitor so both he and Chaim could keep track of Carpathia and
also be able to tell when Chang switched to them. When GCNN moved to the
camera inside the temple, they found a commotion. Nicolae barked at the
volunteer cameraman's volunteer assistant, and the picture wobbled. Buck
jammed on the headphones and heard the assistant. "I'm sorry, Excellency, but
I
don't want to do that."
"You would disobey me?" Nicolae whispered.
"I want to obey, sir, but-"
"Sir?!"
"Holiness! But I'm not supposed to even be in here, and they aren't going to
listen to me."
"You are speaking for me, and if they are not out of here by the time I get to
their stations, their blood will be used for the sacrifices."
"Oh, sir-Potentate!"
"Now, or you face the same fate."
GCNN in New Babylon broke in. "His Excellency's entourage has passed through
the Court of Women, where Ms. Viv Ivins will wait. The rest have entered the
Court of Men and apparently have come upon priests refusing to leave the
temple for Potentate Carpathia's private tour, as was clearly stipulated.
"From the time he negotiated with the Muslims to move the Dome of the Rock
mosque to New Babylon, the potentate made it clear that all activity in the
rebuilt Jewish temple would be allowed only with his approval. It is no secret
that Orthodox Jews have continued with the daily rituals and sacrifices of
their own faith even after Enigma Babylon One World Faith was instituted as
the only legal international religion, designed to incorporate the tenets of
all faiths. After His
Excellency resurrected himself from the dead, he became our object of worship,
resulting in the dissolution of One World Faith and the establishing of
Carpathianism. Still, the Jews and a faction of fundamentalist Christians
known as Judah-ites-after their leader, self-proclaimed
Messianic Jew, Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah-remain the last holdouts against our true
and living god.
"His Excellency will eventually enter the Holy of Holies, but first he is
insisting on the removal of the dissidents. Let's go back."
"Anyone not here in honor to me may be shot dead," Carpathia said. "Are you
armed and prepared?"
"No!" the assistant cried.
"I am armed," Walter Moon said.
"You," Nicolae said, pointing to the assistant, "take Mr. Moon's weapon and do
your duty."
Buck was riveted to the monitor as Nicolae stared not into the lens but past
it to the volunteer.
The camera turned jerkily to show the man refusing the gun. There was a
rustle, a shot, a cry-and the man fell. The camera turned back to show
Carpathia himself with the gun. "Show him," Nicolae said, and again the camera
moved toward the body on the floor.
A change in ambient noise in Buck's headphones preceded Chang's voice. "Here
we go," he said.
Chaim stepped back into position, and the red light shone on Buck's camera.
"Not only does the evil ruler of this world want to rid the priests of their
rightful place in their own temple," Chaim said, "but it also appears he has
personally committed murder at this holy site." What Buck heard did not match
the movements of Chaim's mouth, and he realized the man was speaking in Hebrew
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and he was hearing in English.
The protesting holy men watching the monitors outside shouted and pumped their
fists, bringing others crowding up the steps. Many of these, Buck noticed, had
no marks of loyalty either, and their number was growing. He peeked at the
small monitor beneath his camera. GCNN was broadcasting Chaim, though through
his headset he could hear chatter about technical difficulties. Chang broke in
again, assuring Buck, "I've got the New Babylon people muted off the air, but
they're trying to get a bead on your camera. I'll switch back to
Carpathia and let them wonder awhile."
"Hold till Chaim finishes this thought," Buck said.
"As Carpathia continues," Chaim said, "you should be able to see the laver [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]