[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
festive place that had welcomed the Global Gala.
Page 148
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Street vendors and kiosks offered palm branches, perfect for waving or laying
in the path of the potentate, for just Nicks apiece. Hats, sandals,
sunglasses, buttons bearing Nicolae's picture you name it you could buy it.
Tel Aviv was choked with foot and vehicular traffic that led to the seashore
and the great makeshift amphitheater that would house the mark application
equipment.
Everything was in place, including covered areas to blunt the brunt of the
sun. All that was left to be installed were the injectors, the enforcement
facilitators, and the personnel to man the site. People were already in line,
eager to be among the first to pledge their loyalty to Nicolae. Part of Buck
wanted to be Moishe or Eli or even
Chaim, if he could pull it off. As he parked his rental several blocks from
the site, Buck dreamed of abandoning reason and shouting to the uninformed,
Don't do it!
You're selling your soul to the devil!
He looked at his watch and quickened his pace. He wanted the best view of the
air show, because he knew how much of a show it would be. As he headed for the
shore, he called Rayford. Four minutes to visual contact, he said. I
allowed just enough time and should be in perfect position.
Remember every detail.
Don't insult me, Dad. How will I ever be able to forget this? Are they on
schedule?
On their way. The airport maneuver was successful. They're worried about the
flight management system, since there's no chance to personally monitor it. A
malfunction could kill innocents.
I would be one.
My point. Mac has communicated with Moon's people by phone, telling them when
to expect him and letting him know they have a malfunctioning radio.
How are things at Eagle central?
Amazing. These virtual strangers show up with their parts of the construction
plan and no supervision until now, and they simply cooperate, get along, and
get the work going. They were further along than Albie and I could believe,
and we're
ahead of schedule. Dozens of choppers are already here. That'll take care of
getting the infirm into Petra without walking the gorge. So far we believe
we're still undetected, but that won't last long.
Zeke had done such a thorough job on Buck that he started every time he caught
a glimpse of himself. As he camped out near a concession stand, he felt as
invisible as he had in the underbrush near where Moishe and Eli had been
resurrected. Crowds seemed to materialize from everywhere in anticipation of
an actual live appearance by Nicolae himself. And he did not disappoint.
A half dozen SUVs rumbled to the site, and the power elite of the world
stepped out and strode quickly to the platform to wild applause. Carpathia was
at the top of his game, humbly thanking everyone for coming and for making him
and the Reverend
Fortunato, the ten sub-potentates, and their respective Carpathianism
representatives feel so welcome. He produced his usual blather about the
improving state of the world, his renewed energy after three days of the best
sleep I've ever had, and how he looked forward to the rest of his time in Tel
Aviv and Jerusalem.
And now, he said with relish, before a wonderful surprise for you, I give
you the new head of our perfected religion, the Most High Reverend Leon
Fortunato.
Leon immediately dropped to one knee and took Nicolae's right hand in both of
his and kissed it,. When he reached the lectern he said, Allow me to teach
you a new anthem that focuses on the one who died for us and now lives for
us. In a surprisingly facile baritone and decent pitch, Leon sang a heartfelt
and energetic version of Hail Carpathia, Our Lord and Risen King.
Page 149
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Buck shuddered. He felt the familiar tingle of expectancy when he caught site
of the
Quasi in the distance and heard its high drone. The crowd had quickly picked
up the lyrics and simple, stirring melody, and as their second attempt at it
ended, Carpathia returned to praise the technology evident in the new Quasi
Two that was bringing
not only the equipment needed for this site, but also a brief display of its
capabilities, ably demonstrated by the pilot of my own Phoenix 216, Captain
Mac
McCullum. Enjoy.
The crowd exulted as the impressive jet came screaming over the city toward
the shore. Buck was surprised how low it was, but the people oohed and aahed,
clearly persuaded that this was part of the show. Buck worried that the
computer program had somehow jumped off track and might result in disaster.
The plane surged out along the shoreline, the Mediterranean gleaming in the
sun.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]