The Gatherers
Year One
Episode # 5 -
The Sifting
And the Lord said,
Simon, Simon, behold,
Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee,
that thy faith fail not:
And when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren.
- Luke 22:31 - 32
So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the Word of God.
- Romans 10:17
But without faith it is impossible to please Him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
- Hebrews 11:6
Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour.
- I Peter 5:8
“They’re coming.”
- Hank Sumter
*******
Prologue
Dereliction of Duty
The Storm Breaker was under way once more. It was on a return trip toward Maine to retrieve Albert Barrington, Michael Lenox, Erin Greye and Craig Moore. Having just left the top of the Federal Building in Albany, the two pilots, Keith “Ace” LeBeau and Jeremy “Rookie” Bandjough, were prepared for the flight, and LeBeau was praying for an uneventful one at that.
As it turned out, it wasn‘t uneventful at all.
Bandjough was unusually quiet as they started out and LeBeau wondered if it was because of his preaching at him. In retrospect, LeBeau realized that the roles were suddenly reversed since the day of the vanishings. Kevin Vogel, who had been his co-pilot before Bandjough, had always preached at him about salvation and the end of the world and he had not accepted it.
Now he was the one preaching and Bandjough wasn’t accepting it.
LeBeau knew something was on the younger man’s mind so he decided to open up a conversation. He promised he wouldn’t preach unless the Spirit led otherwise. “You look like yer suckin’ on lemons, Rookie,” he said as casually as he could. “Why ya thinkin’ so hard?”
Bandjough glanced at him. “I’m just wondering about something, is all.”
“What’cha wonderin’ about?”
He shrugged. “About Doc.”
LeBeau chuckled. “Oh. I get it. You have a crush on her or somethin’. Don’t ya?”
Bandjough looked at him, startled. “What?” His face turned red. “No, no. It’s nothing like that.”
“Sure it is. ‘Cause yer burnin’ up like you’ve been on the grill too long.” He let out another loud chuckle. “Can’t say that I blame ya though ’cause Doc sure is pretty and…” He suddenly stopped when he realized where the conversation was heading. He cleared his throat, asking God to help him keep the conversation clean. “Look, maybe you should just keep yer thoughts on flyin’ and not on…anythin’ else. Alright?”
Bandjough let out a sigh and glanced at him. “What are you yapping on about, Ace? I’m not thinking badly of Doc.” He paused. “I have to say that you’re one hundred percent wrong about her being pretty.” He shook his head. “She’s not pretty at all.”
LeBeau snapped his head around to stare at him incredulously. “Now I know yer blind! The Director has hired a blind rookie to fly with me! I’m doomed!” He shook his head. “How can ya say she’s not pretty at all?”
Bandjough grinned at him. “Because she’s hot!”
“Oh, yer a wise guy, huh?”
“Come on, I’m not stupid and I already told you I wasn’t thinking like that about her.”
LeBeau scowled at him.
“I wasn’t.”
“Then, what was ya thinkin’?”
Bandjough paused as he gathered his thoughts. “Dude…come on. We just dropped off a wounded guy who was involved in an assassination plot on the President. I know she’s a doctor and all, but how is she gonna operate on this guy’s leg when we dropped them off at the Federal Building? How come we didn’t take them to the hospital?”
LeBeau shrugged. “Look, we was told to drop them off at the Federal Buildin’ so that’s where we dropped them off. It’s just that simple.”
“Aren’t you even curious why?”
“It ain’t my job to be curious. Nor is it yours as I recall. Besides, the hospital ain‘t got power except for them generator thingie‘s.”
“The Federal Building is set up the same way.”
“Ya have an answer for everythin’, don’t ya, Sherlock?”
Bandjough regarded him for a moment.
LeBeau was beginning to feel uncomfortable. “Stop starin’ at me. It’ll prove hazardous to yer health ya keep that up.”
The younger pilot let out a sigh. “That’s what I figured.” He turned his head and looked out the window.
“Ya figured what, smart guy?”
Bandjough continued to look at something below them. “It’s because you guys are Christians, isn’t it? You’ve all turned to Jesus and God ever since the vanishings and now you’re going to band together. You’re gonna start keeping secrets and do what you can to prove the world is nearing the end.” He shook his head. “Something’s going on and you know what it is. But you won’t tell me because you don’t trust me.”
LeBeau paused. “If there’s somethin’ goin’ on with this wounded guy and why we took him to the Federal Buildin’ and not the hospital, believe me, I don’t know what it is. I’m just as much in the dark about it as you are, alright?”
Bandjough didn’t answer him. He kept his back toward him as he peered out the window.
“Look, I can’t tell ya what I don’t know, now, can I?”
Again, the rookie didn’t respond.
LeBeau frowned. “What? Not gonna talk now? Ain’t ya got somethin’ at all to say to me?”
“Uh huh,” Bandjough said softly.
“Oh, yeah? And what’s that?”
“Wow, that convoy looks like army ants from way up here, don’t it?”
LeBeau leaned forward and looked out the window in the same direction Bandjough was looking. “What convoy?”
Bandjough pointed.
LeBeau stared in astonishment.
Below them, traveling along Interstate 90 toward Albany was exactly what Bandjough had said it was. A convoy. There were trucks pulling trailers, accompanied by jeeps and several motorcycles. There were no apparent military markings of any kind, yet the formation seemed to be of a military style. LeBeau had the feeling that this couldn’t possibly lead to any good.
“Who are these guys?” Bandjough asked, watching the large convoy draw nearer to Albany.
LeBeau was about to tell him that he didn’t know when his radio caught his attention. A man’s authoritative voice demanded, “To the unidentified flying object, this is Ed Carr, Senior Director of Justice. You are ordered to identify yourself or face the dire consequences of your actions. You will comply.”
LeBeau and Bandjough exchanged looks.
“Is he talking to us?” Bandjough inquired.
LeBeau again was about to answer, but was interrupted.
“We have you in our sights,” the man’s voice replied sternly. “We will use force if necessary. Identify yourself. You have thirty seconds.”
Bandjough pointed. “Look.”
LeBeau looked and suddenly wished he hadn’t. Coming right toward them from their left were four helicopters. These choppers, however, were armed to the teeth. He could tell just by looking at them.
“This can’t be good,” Bandjough replied, stating the obvious.
LeBeau shook his head. “Those are Bell ARH’s,” he said softly. “Lord Jesus, please help us.”
“ARH?” He frowned. “Dude…either you’re telling me what these chopper’s are called or you just started to speak the language of the one-eyed pirate. I don’t remember ever hearing of a Bell ARH.”
“ARH is ‘Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter,” LeBeau answered, speaking rapidly. “Man, it’s top-of-the-line aerodynamics all the way with them babies! They’re built to fly faster and they got sensors and weapons galore!”
“The Storm Breaker can take them.”
“One, yeah. Two, maybe.” LeBeau swallowed a lump in his throat. “But four?”
The radio came to life once more. “Your time is up. One last chance to comply or you will be fired upon.”
LeBeau sighed as he grabbed the radio. “This is Keith LeBeau of the ATD. I am on a mission to retrieve field agents, so back off and give me some room.”
“Son, you’re speaking to a high-ranking official of the Justice Department. I would suggest you think before using that tone with me.”
“I don’t use any other tone than when I’m dealin’ with the JD. I know how ya’all operate. I say again. Back off. I’m on a mission.”
“You will turn around and head back to the Federal Building in Albany where you came from. If you don’t, I’ll have to inform Director Fuller that you were shot down for dereliction of duty. And believe me, I won’t lose any sleep over it.”
LeBeau paused as he realized something. He had heard the name of Ed Carr before. Albert Barrington and Michael Lenox had brought the name up in conversation, but it was always negative. Director Darren T. Fuller had also spoken about him in negative tones.
Could this be the same man?
“Director Fuller would not believe I was derelict of anythin’ spoken falsely of me,” LeBeau finally responded.
Carr’s voice came back from the radio. The man sounded as if he were resigned to carry out his threat. “You’re a fool son. In case you weren’t aware of it, we are at war. Those who desert their assigned areas will be shot on sight and you, sir, are deserting your assigned area. As an ATD agent, you should know you’re to remain where you are in time of crisis to assist those in need. Now I‘m through fooling around. Turn back.”
Bandjough looked at LeBeau. “He really sounds serious.”
LeBeau just looked at him. Finally, he said into the radio, “We’re on our way back.”
“I will meet you there.”
“Oh, joy!”
The radio became silent and so did LeBeau and Bandjough as they turned the Storm Breaker about. They headed back to the Federal Building with four Bell ARH’s behind them and a convoy below them.
They discovered one other dilemma.
“I can’t radio back to HQ to let them know we’re returning with company,” Bandjough replied with frustration. He turned to look at LeBeau. “They’re jamming our frequency.”
“That’s just great,” LeBeau said with a sigh. “Carr doesn’t want Director Fuller to know he’s comin‘…and we can’t warn him.”
A room had been set aside for Staci Cohen to treat her patient. However, she found herself faced with a number of dilemma’s. The room itself was not exactly sterile, but there was nothing she could do about it. Nor could she do anything about the lack of equipment needed to perform a fully functional total knee surgery on her patient.
It was completely out of her hands.
Hank Sumter was a man who had betrayed his President and now suffered a grievous wound in his right knee. He was a prisoner of the ATD and a patient of Dr. Cohen. He had no say on the matter at all and didn’t care one way or the other. He was only concerned with one thing but he didn’t know if he could turn to anyone for help. What could they possibly do to help him anyway?
Marc Shiva and Ken Willon did what they could to help Staci. They helped bring Sumter into the room and they put him on a table prepared for him.
“What do you want us to do?” Willon asked when the patient was on the table.
Staci was preparing herself with what she had. All she could actually do was somehow close up the wound, stop the bleeding and try to keep an infection from setting in. She looked at Sumter. The man was already perspiring more than she had wanted. And she hadn’t wanted him to perspire at all. From the ashen look on his face, he was already suffering from some infection.
“I need supplies,” she told him. “Anything you can find in this building, I need it now. I need medical supplies.” She named off a list of what she needed. “And I need someone to keep others from coming in here.” She glanced around forlornly. “I wish we didn’t have to deal with generated power.”
Willon glanced toward Sumter.
Staci sighed. She knew what he was thinking. “He is in no condition to give me any trouble, Ken. Besides, Marc will stay with me.”
Shiva nodded his head. “I won’t let anything happen to Doc, Ricochet.”
Willon nodded. Then, he left the room to see what he could do about getting the supplies Staci needed.
When he was gone, Staci turned to face Shiva. “Marc, I’d hate to burst your bubble, but you’re not here to protect me.”
Shiva frowned at her, puzzled. “I’m not?”
“No. You’re here to assist me.” She handed him a pair of scissors. “You’re my nurse, so start cutting off the right leg of his pants.”
Shiva hesitated. Then, he gathered up his nerve and began to assist Staci. As he did so, he never would have thought he would have ended up becoming a nurse to a doctor whom had her license suspended. He was once a wrestler. Then, an agent of the ATD. Now…he was suddenly thrown into the field of medicine.
What could possibly be next?
As Shiva and Staci leaned over Sumter, he reached up and touched Staci’s arm. She looked into his eyes and saw his fear. “You’ll be okay,” she promised. “I’m going to help you.”
He shook his head. “No…you won’t.” He blinked, trying to focus on her. “They’re coming.”
Staci and Shiva exchanged looks.
“Who’s coming?” she asked him.
But Sumter couldn’t respond. He had lost consciousness.
Director Darren T. Fuller brought David King and President Walter J. Ballou to his office without any incident. He was concerned someone would eventually recognize King for who he was. Or at the least, who he once was. If they recognized him and had not had a change of heart, it wouldn’t matter to them if Darwyn Musad had had a change himself. They would only see him as a terrorist.
So far, no one even looked their way as they walked through the ATD Center. Once inside his office, Fuller closed the door and waved the two men to help themselves to a seat.
No one, however, sat.
Fuller let out a sigh. “Neither one of you is making this easy.”
“Darren, this man is a terrorist,” the President pointed out.
“This man,” Fuller began in King’s defense, “was a terrorist. He isn’t any more. And I already told you before, Mr. President. Forgive him like God has and move on.”
Ballou let out a sigh. “So it’s that simple, is it?”
Fuller nodded. “Yes, it is.”
Ballou regarded King for a moment. “What do you have to say on the matter, David? Should I be so ready to forgive you for having a hand in the attack on my country?”
King paused as he considered how he would answer. Finally, he said, “Mr. President…you may not believe a word I say, but I do understand where you are coming from. But please, sir, I need you to listen carefully to the words I say. We are no longer just ordinary men whatever others may perceive of us. We are the children of God.”
“You cannot sincerely keep playing that card. There are still laws that--”
“You are talking about man’s laws. I am talking about God’s laws. And I assure you, Mr. President, I am not playing any card. The simple truth is that we are children of God and as His children, we are in a place of great importance. We have a higher calling. All of us do, not just any one person. Every one of us who has become one of His has become an ambassador of Christ and must therefore do our part.”
Ballou glanced at Fuller. “What do you mean, we? What part involves all of us?”
King looked him in the eyes. “We have the salvation of Christ. We know more about what is at stake than the rest of the world does. Everyone who is now a born again Christian is at war with the enemies of God because when Jesus came and took out His Church, the Devil and his demons seized a greater hold on this planet. They will do everything in their power to stop us from continuing what God wants us to do. They will throw everything they have against us because they do not want us to bring others to the saving knowledge that Jesus still has to offer those who will accept.” He shook his head. “No one, Mr. President, can stay on the sidelines any longer. They either have to choose to fight or they must choose death.”
Ballou sighed. “If you’re talking about the coming of the mark of the beast, don’t we have some time before that occurs?”
“There will still be heavy opposition. It is coming.” He paused. “For now, I must tell you not to do what your heart is telling you, but to do what God is telling your heart. If you cannot forgive me and put the past behind us, then you cannot. If you have to take me into custody, I won’t give you any trouble. Just consider one thing.” He opened the Bible he held in his hands and turned to the scriptures. When he stopped, he said, “I just want you to see something, Mr. President. Please understand, I am fully aware of my guilt, but I know God has completely forgiven and forgotten all about my sin because I have given it to Him at the cross. God has something for us to do and we must not delay. So let me read to you from the scriptures about a man who terrorized the church, as I have terrorized Americans and Jews. This man bound them up, took them to Jerusalem, tortured and executed them because they were Christians. He did as I have done to many innocent Americans and Jews. This man, in a sense, was also a terrorist, but God saved him and used Him to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Ballou paused. “You have my attention.”
“Then, let me read to you…” He held the Bible up and read out loud from the scriptures. “‘And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord?’”
King looked up. “Isn’t it interesting to note that Saul - before he became Paul - asked who it was and yet called Him Lord anyway? “He knew! In his heart, he simply knew. But you must see how this man went seeking out Christians to kill them because he hated them. The Bible says he was breathing out threats. He was very committed in pursuing them. Now we find him on a road and Jesus has pursued him.” He continued to read. “‘And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what will thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.’ This man who pursued Christians to kill them was now doing what the Lord had told him.”
Ballou nodded.
Fuller was also giving King his undivided attention.
King held up a hand. “But wait. Now we are about to see another man who knows who this Saul is. At least he knew of his reputation and he had every right to be fearful. Yet what happens? This other man obeys the Lord’s commands.” He picked up where he left off. “‘And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus:
“‘For, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened.
“‘Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed…’ Why? ‘…and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
“‘And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.’ 1
“So, Mr. President, you must do what you feel is right, but know this…God has saved me much in the same way as He had saved Paul. I must go about to do the will of Him who saved me. He has called me into His service and not even you can put a stop to that. I choose to serve the One true God, even with my last breath.” He paused. “I serve Him as a free man or as a condemned man. It does not matter. What God has purposed to do cannot be undone by mortal man or by Satan’s horde.”
Ballou and Fuller exchanged looks.
Fuller smiled wryly. “He’s good.”
The President let out a sigh. Finally, he turned to King and held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, David.”
They shook hands.
Fuller clapped them both on the shoulders. “Good. Now that that is settled, I need to get you out of here, David, and, Mr. President, I need to find you additional security.”
King held up a hand. “That is unnecessary at this time, my brother. I must go to Staci and help with the patient.” He paused. “This patient was one of your men, Mr. President.”
Ballou frowned. “This man is the reason why my entire team of Secret Service agents are dead. Hank Sumter betrayed us. He’ll be punished for his crimes.” Suddenly, he regarded King closely. “Why are you so concerned for him?”
“God has told me to go to him and bring him to the Truth.”
Fuller blinked. “Ah, David, that’s really not a good idea. You can’t go walking around this place without eventually being recognized. The President recognized you. Someone else might, too.”
King shook his head. “I won’t be recognized.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Darren, if you do not trust me in this, then trust in God. He is leading us all to places we would never dare to go before. We must have courage and hold fast to our faith for these times are trying. Even Jesus said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.’ 2” He turned to Ballou. “Mr. President, do not give up hope on Hank Sumter. God has told me to give him the message and I believe the message will be received. Hank Sumter is a traitor, sir, but very soon, he will become one of our brothers in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
With that, King turned and boldly left the office, carrying on with the task God had given him.
Why is this happening, God? Why can’t you get through to him? Albert Barrington had asked himself those questions since he had returned to the ranch at Piscataquis River Reservoir in Maine. Erin Greye was with Donna Perkins at the shelter in Penobscot County. Barrington was at the President’s ranch with Craig Moore and Chuck McLaughlin, the only survivor of one of the President’s men.
They had come from a church called the First Baptist Church of Willow Creek where they had discovered a north Korean assassin lying dead in the field behind it. The assassin had had no weapons on him. The weapons were discovered later, in the woods behind the church a great distance from the body. Barrington could only reason that the assassin had asked God to save him.
The man had gone into the church as the small congregation had witnessed, wept bitterly and then left with what seemed to be a great burden lifted from his shoulders. He had gone outside only to be shot by a man. The description of the man was not lost on Barrington.
It was Michael Lenox.
“Son,” Moore began as he approached him. They were standing in a field behind the ranch.
Barrington was staring off into the woods, wondering where his friend could have gone off to. He gave no indication he had heard Moore speak to him.
Moore glanced at McLaughlin. “Look, I know you want your friend to come back, but since we don’t know where he is or what happened to him, we have to be moving on. Don’t you think?” He paused. “I’m sure he’s fine. That Michael Lenox may be many things, I’m sure…He seemed like an angry young man to me, but he’s the kind of man who can fend for himself. He’ll be fine.”
Barrington shook his head. “No. He won’t be.”
“Now how can you say that?”
He turned his head to look at Moore. “He doesn’t know the Lord. And anyone who doesn’t know the Lord from the second the vanishings had occurred is only living on borrowed time.” He regarded Moore and McLaughlin for a moment. “Get saved. Both of you…before your time runs out. I can only pray that Michael doesn’t run out of time before it’s too late for him.”
1 - Acts 9:1 - 31
2 - Mark 10:27
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