Arrived (2 page)

Footsteps sounded on the path outside. Vicki switched off the flashlight and sat up in bed. The door creaked open, and Vicki's heart pounded as she squinted to see who was coming.

“Vicki?” Mark whispered. “You awake?”

“Yeah,” Vicki said, leaning back on her pillow. She knew Mark had been on duty in the main cabin keeping watch for the night.

“Better come with me,” Mark said.

Vicki was dressed in seconds and ran up the path, catching up to Mark just before he entered the main cabin.

“What is it?” Vicki said.

“Phone call. Bad news.”

Judd waited for Vicki to come to the phone, visualizing the cabins she would pass. He cringed when she answered, sounding out of breath and worried.

“I'm sorry to call so late,” Judd said. “I wanted you to hear this from me instead of something over GCNN.”

“What's wrong?”

Judd told her the heat wave had lifted in New Babylon and that it was expected to do the same throughout the world. Vicki gasped when Judd told her where he was.

“What are you going to do?” Vicki said.

“We're keeping a watch on the place until sundown. Westin and I are hoping to make it back to the plane and head for Petra.”

Vicki paused, and Judd thought she was crying. Instead, Vicki shared a verse she had just looked up and told Judd to read it as well.

“You're not mad at me?” Judd said.

“I'm terrified the GC will find you and I'll see you on some newscast. But we've been through this before.”

“I'll let you know as soon as anything changes,” Judd said.

The two prayed and this time Vicki did cry.

When he hung up, he went to the computer and composed an e-mail, telling Vicki all the things he couldn't say over the phone. He marked the message “private” and sent it.

As promised, Nicolae Carpathia addressed the world from the rooftop of the palace. For some reason God had spared the building. Judd noticed someone had set up fake plants and trees behind Nicolae to make it look like things were back to normal. A well-placed group of smiling GC workers stood behind him, as if the deaths of millions around the world meant nothing.

Nicolae beamed as he strutted toward the microphone. His hair fluffed in the wind. “As we prepare to partake of our noonday meal here in New Babylon, it is a festive atmosphere. We are all celebrating the end of the curious heat wave that enveloped the planet, and we look forward to the days ahead where we expect peace to rain down on us like a waterfall.

“For those who are in time zones where the sun has not yet risen, rest assured that I have taken care of this problem, with the help of my scientists, who have been working around the clock.”

“Right,” Rainer said. “Nicolae has been able to stop the heat wave with his injured little mind.”

“The heating of the earth has actually caused the waterways to heal themselves, but there is more work to do,” Carpathia said. “Those who are without homes will see them constructed in the quickest manner possible.

“In the past when we have faced hardships, we have pulled together as a Global Community, and that is what will happen now. Let us use this trouble to unite our hearts and minds for one common goal of peace. And let the enemies of peace beware, for we are more committed than ever to reaching our goal.”

With his eyes flashing, Nicolae spoke in several different languages, telling people of the world that he was in control and that he had plans for the good of every person alive.

Hours later, Chang Wong phoned Judd and played part of a conversation Chang had recorded. “This is Nicolae behind closed doors with all of his top people. They spent most of the day just trying to settle people in their offices, but once the directors were there … well, listen.”

Judd heard Nicolae rub his hands together as he said, “For the first time in a long time, we play on an even field. The waterways are healing themselves, and we have rebuilding to do in the infrastructure. Let us work at getting all our loyal citizens back onto the same page with us. Director Akbar and I have some special surprises in store for dissidents on various levels. We are back in business, people. It is time to recoup our losses and start delivering a few.”

“What does that mean?” Judd said.

“I'm not sure, but I'd bet the GC knows something about what we've been doing the last few weeks, moving supplies and people. They want to hurt us.”

“Anything new from the Trib Force?” Judd said.

“Everybody's back in hiding. Captain Steele says we have to pick our spots and strategize for the new night schedule. Which brings me to my other news.”

“What's that?”

“Westin's plane.”

Judd took a breath. “You think it's safe for us to make a run for it after dark?”

“I wish I had better news. I tapped into one of the local security channels a little earlier. The GC spotted the plane and somehow pulled it near one of the burned-out hangars at the airfield.”

“So we might have to fight them to get it back?”

“No. All the fighting in the world won't help. They planted a bomb on board thinking it was a Judah-ite aircraft.”

Judd clenched his teeth. “So we'll have to disarm—”

“Judd, listen—”

“No, Chang. If Westin and I can get to the plane tonight and get in the air, won't God protect us like he has protected all the other planes?”

“Judd, something went wrong with the detonator. The bomb exploded. There is no plane left to fly.”

2

WHEN
Judd told Westin about the plane, Westin cursed and slammed a fist on the table. “Forgive me,” he said.

“This whole thing is so messed up.”

“It's understandable,” Rainer said. “You wouldn't be human if you didn't show emotion about this.”

Westin stroked a few days' growth of beard. “I guess I should be glad the plague didn't end while we were on our way to the plane.” He glanced at Judd. “Guess your wedding plans are on hold.”

“We're going to get out of here,” Judd said.

Rainer nodded. “We're all hoping that's true because of the prophecy.”

“What prophecy?” Judd said.

Rainer took a Bible from the middle of the table. “We came here to fight the GC and live right under Carpathia's nose. But the Bible motivated us.”

“What's the Bible got to do with it?” Westin said.

“One of my friends—at least he used to be a friend— was studying the book of Revelation one day and came across an interesting verse.”

Rainer flipped toward the end of the Bible and found chapter 18 and began reading. “ ‘After all this I saw another angel come down from heaven with great authority, and the earth grew bright with his splendor. He gave a mighty shout, “Babylon is fallen—that great city is fallen! She has become the hideout of demons and evil spirits, a nest for filthy buzzards, and a den for dreadful beasts.” ' ”

“Filthy buzzards, dreadful beasts, that's the New Babylon I know,” Westin said.

“Here's where things get interesting,” Rainer said.

“‘Then I heard another voice calling from heaven, “Come away from her, my people. Do not take part in her sins, or you will be punished with her. For her sins are piled as high as heaven, and God is ready to judge her for her evil deeds. Do to her as she has done to your people. Give her a double penalty for all her evil deeds. She brewed a cup of terror for others, so give her twice as much as she gave out. She has lived in luxury and pleasure, so match it now with torments and sorrows. She boasts, ‘I am queen on my throne. I am no helpless widow. I will not experience sorrow.' Therefore, the sorrows of death and mourning and famine will overtake her in a single day. She will be utterly consumed by fire, for the Lord God who judges her is mighty.”' ”

“I don't get it,” Westin said. “I mean, I understand the city is going to be destroyed by God, but why would that make you want to come here?”

Rainer smiled. “When it says, ‘Come away from her, my people,' we believe that means there will be true followers of God right in New Babylon. We couldn't imagine who they would be, and then God placed a desire on our hearts to come here and either
join
this band of brave fighters or
become
a part of the biblical history.”

“How many of you came?” Judd said.

“There were thirty-eight altogether,” Rainer said.

Judd had asked Rainer earlier if any members of his group had been killed. Rainer hadn't wanted to talk about it.

“Those verses beg some questions,” Westin said. “If God's people are supposed to come out, how are they supposed to do it, and where do they go?”

Rainer nodded. “I have been thinking about that. It's clear God has had enough of the lies and killing of New Babylon, so he's going to destroy this evil city. But there must be something coming that will signal that it's time for us to leave. That's what we've been waiting for.”

“Is it possible to talk with someone else?” Judd said. “What's the leader's name again?”

“You mean Otto Weser?”

“Yeah, he might have some ideas.”

Rainer pursed his lips. “We have had no contact since … for quite a while. It's one of our unwritten rules. No one talks with Otto.”

Judd glanced at Westin. There was something behind this Otto business, and Judd wanted to find out what it was.

Vicki and a few others had gone outside to watch the sun rise early the next morning. As it peeked over the hills in the distance, Vicki could tell the heat and humidity were gone, along with most of the smoke that had hovered over the valley.

At noon, Vicki ventured to the knoll above the campground. There was a lot of excitement with the weather change, more news from the Global Community, and activity on the kids' Web site. But the news of Judd made Vicki want to be alone.

It was spring, and the trees in the distance should have been covered with buds and new leaves. Instead, the countryside looked like some burned scar.

Something skittered along the ground and startled her. A half-burned tail flicked back and forth on the side of a tree. A squirrel. How he had survived the heat and fires, Vicki didn't know, but here he was, scampering up a tree with his charred tail.

“How many friends have you lost in the last few years, little fella?” Vicki whispered. She brought her knees up to her chest. She and her friends were like this squirrel, foraging, darting into hiding places, hoping to stay alive just one more day.

Vicki recalled the verse about God knowing even when a sparrow fell from the sky. But did God know every squirrel, raccoon, and deer that died in the heat plague? Did he see the death and devastation and hear the cries of believers who had been killed? Already the Global Community News Network reported arrests and beheadings.

Will Judd be next?

Vicki knew it was against the group's rules to be outside at this time of day, so she stood and started for her cabin. Something was bothering her, and she couldn't put a finger on it.

She paused near a burned tree and heard movement at the bottom of the knoll. Someone was coming up the hill.