Fronk, Fuller and Shiva could not take their eyes away from what they were seeing on the monitor of Fronk’s computer. They had watched several news video feeds, which told them clearly what was going on around the world. Particularly in Israel. Israel was in a state of near chaos. President Amichai Maoz and the unicameral Knesset had convened and were discussing immediate action against North Korea, Iraq and Iran. A young, rich Israeli whose father was well-known was preaching for repentance, for the time was at hand.
More talks and preparations were headed to help America in this great time of need. England, France, and South America were doing their part to help in the relief effort. Russia remained silent during this time.
Then, everything changed.
A man came forward so fast Fuller, Fronk and Shiva couldn’t even determine where he came from. This man came to Israel, calling for a universal peace that must be put forth before further devastation could follow.
One of the news feeds caught this man in Israel before crowds of people. He was with President Maoz and the Prime Minister of Israel, as well as several other top officials of the Knesset to which there were 120 members. Beneath the screen where he was the focus was his name.
Tristian Salvadori, Ambassador, EU.
“All hostilities around the world must cease,” Salvadori said as he looked out at the people around them. He even seemed to look right into the cameras capturing this historic moment. “Unity is what we need now, right at this very moment. Our way of life demands it. Our cultures, our knowledge, our families…our future will be completely obliterated if we do not cease to follow the path of destruction we are on right now. Look at what has happened! Not just to the United States of America, but around the whole world. America has been callously attacked, but the perpetrators behind it have foolishly unleashed a monster they did not realize they had. Do you think the millions of people whom have vanished have done so by accident? Can you not see that your sons and daughters disappeared the very same moment these attacks began? All of this…the attack on America, the complete destruction of California and the disappearances are all connected in some way.”
Fronk, Fuller and Shiva exchanged concerned glances.
Salvadori continued speaking to the people. “Do not be deceived. If you will hear with your ears, you will see with your eyes the folly of your actions. This must stop. And it must stop here, in Israel, for this is where the hostility is aimed at. If we agree in unity for a peaceful resolution for the entire world, it must begin here. I am here to merely assist and show the way as a humble servant. We must stop war before more disappearances occur. We must stop war so we can assure ourselves that we can co-exist on this planet as one unified people.”
People were cheering.
According to the news online, there were talks that went on for three days. At the end of those days, Israel had agreed for a universal peace. What impressed them the most was Salvadori’s impeccable diplomatic skills. He had spoken to the Hamas and even managed to have the West Bank restored to Israel. It was also released publicly that new plans to build Solomon’s Temple had already been in the making for years. That had been the key strategic move to get Israel to agree to any type of peace treaty.
Fronk ended the news feed by clicking onto another one.
There was cheering in the streets of Israel. Tristian Salvadori was being applauded and paraded through the streets as if he were a hero to the people. Fuller didn’t like it. Something about it turned his stomach. He realized that by the looks he saw on Fronk and Shiva’s faces, they didn’t like it either. Was it because they were saved by the blood of Christ? Were they able to discern a lie when it was clearly coming from darkness?
If that were not enough, something happened on the screen. There was some kind of a commotion as the cameraman seemed to move quickly, causing the image to blur just briefly. Crowds seemed to part and two figures were clearly standing in the streets of Jerusalem. For a moment, they were just shadowed figures, standing so still they seemed to be simple card-board cut-outs. They just made no movements whatsoever.
The cameraman made some adjustments and focused on the two men. They wore sandals and robes and each of them held a staff. Their beards were long. Their posture was straight and their expressions were stern. The parade had been heading toward them, but it stopped because clearly they had no intention of moving until they had come to do what must be done.
President Amichai Maoz straightened and motioned toward the two men. “Move aside. Today is a great day for Israel. Do not spoil it by ignorance.” He assumed the men meant to cause trouble.
He was right.
The men didn’t respond to him at all. Instead, they kept their eyes on Salvadori.
Fuller nearly held his breath. He pointed at the news feed. “Are those two really who I think they are?”
Fronk and Shiva merely shrugged, watching with intense interest. It was as if the air was suddenly charged because they felt like something was about to happen.
“Move aside or you will be moved by force!” the President promised.
Still, the two men remained where they were, not intimidated in the least.
Salvadori cleared his throat. “Perhaps I may be of assistance.” He moved forward and focused on the two men in their path. He opened his mouth to speak, but never received the opportunity. The second he tried to speak, they spoke before him and their voices carried far over the crowds.
One of them said, “‘Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the Lord.’ 1”
He had spoken so suddenly, Salvadori had not expected it for he actually looked startled. A flash of anger appeared on his face, but then it was quickly replaced by tolerable amusement.
The man continued, “‘Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the Lord which hallow you.’2”
Salvadori cleared his throat and held up his hand. “Pardon me, please, but--”
“‘That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord.’3”
Fronk cleared his throat. “Somehow, I get the feeling he isn’t talking to this Salvadori fellow.”
Fuller shook his head. “No. I think he’s addressing Israel.”
Salvadori chuckled. “I’m not certain, but I believe this man is professing himself to be God.”
The cameras seemed to focus upon the two men and Salvadori, but the President was standing behind Salvadori. He was glaring at the two men.
One of the men spoke again. “‘Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.’4”
Salvadori waved at the two men. “If you gentlemen refuse to tell us who you are and what your purpose is here, then you shall be removed! I say this to you because you are disturbing what can only be called a great day of peace.”
“We are servants of the Most High! We are messengers of I AM. We are Moshe and Eli! Thus saith the Lord…” Moshe raised his staff and exclaimed boldly, “‘Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.’5”
Eli spoke next. “‘Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.’6 ‘Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion!’7”
Then, there was a loud explosion of some kind. At least that is what it had sounded like and the screen went blank. Fronk tried to get it back but realized it must have been caused there on the scene.
He shrugged helplessly. “I can’t get it back.”
Fuller nodded. “It doesn’t matter anyway, William. The Peace Treaty with Israel is in effect. The White Horse of Revelation is on the move and we’re really in for a ride now, aren’t we?”
Shiva had his Bible out and was frantically flipping through the pages. When he found what he was looking for, he stopped and moved his fingers over the words of Revelation. He had highlighted the words as David King had read them earlier that day.
He read them now out loud. “‘And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.’8” He turned a few pages. “I, uhm…I think I marked it in here about the two witnesses, too.” He stopped and nodded. “Yeah, here it is.”
Shiva cleared his throat. Then, he read, “‘And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.’9”
Shiva closed the book with a thoughtful expression on his face. “Man, guys.” He shook his head. “It’s too much to imagine. Those guys…Eli and Moshe? They’re going to have power to shake this planet up if I’m reading this right.”
“And if you’re reading it right, then the first sealed judgment has been unleashed upon the earth.” Fuller regarded both Fronk and Shiva. “For what it’s worth, Marc, I know you didn’t read it wrong.”
“I wish that was comforting,” Shiva told him, “but somehow, it just isn’t.”
Fronk turned and looked up at him. “Would you like a hug?”
Shiva just looked at him.
Erin didn’t know whether to be scared or just plain thrilled because never had she expected her life to take such a sudden course than it had been taking. She and Jeremy Bandjough were both probably the youngest additions to the ATD staff in Albany and already she was one of the most prominent members of the new Gatherers. She was a part of something huge and as she rode Sir Prize through the trails of Maine, her mind was trying to grasp the great significance of it all.
It could only be by the Lord’s leading, she finally decided. She could never get to where she was now without Him. How could she? When the attacks happened and the vanishings with it, she didn’t know which way to turn. She was on the very brink of suicide and if it hadn’t of been for Director Fuller pulling her aside and giving her tasks to perform, she couldn‘t say if she would still be alive or not. Yet she was alive. And even more abundantly alive than ever before. Her life had an entirely new meaning.
She was a Gatherer.
Erin Greye. A Gatherer!
Thank you, Jesus! she thought, lifting a praise of thanksgiving to him. Lead me on, Lord. If someone can be brought to You today, lead me on. If someone needs help that I can give, lead me, I pray. If Hank Sumter can be saved…break his heart and let him receive You. And if President Ballou is still alive, dear God, please lead him to where he can be saved.
She was on the trail heading for what she hoped was the farmhouse Moore had described. With her headset, she was always in contact with the Storm Breaker, which was flying somewhere above the tree-line. If she stopped, he knew she might be able to hear the helicopter above. She just didn’t want to risk stopping even for a second for fear that something could happen.
She rode on along the trail, the sun breaking its way through the treetops to light her way. Suddenly, she saw something ahead of her and pulled back on the reins sharply. As Sir Prize came to a quick stop, she somehow managed to withdraw her weapon from its shoulder holster and leveled it toward the man on the trail directly in her path.
She kept her weapon leveled at him and he had a rifle aimed at her.
“Drop your weapon!” she ordered authoritatively. “I’m a Federal agent!”
The man regarded her for a moment. Then, he slowly lowered his rifle. “I don’t believe it. You’re a little too young and too pretty to be in that line of work, aren‘t you?”
She stared at him, recognizing him. “Mr. President…?”
“That’s me.” President Walter J. Ballou held the rifle loosely so that it was leveled at the ground. “I know. I don’t seem like much in person. I look bigger on television. Right? Isn’t that what you’re thinking?”
She hesitated. “No. No, sir. I-I…Mr. President, I…you actually look taller in real life than…” She lowered her weapon as her eyes scanned the wooded area around them. “Is there anyone else with you, sir?”
He shook his head. “No. The two agents that were with me are keeping the assassins busy by leaving them a trail to follow…in the opposite direction of where we are now. They wanted to buy me time to get away.” He sighed. “To do what, I can’t imagine.”
“Mr. President, I’m not alone. There is a helicopter above us…We’ve been sent by Director Fuller to--”
Ballou stared up at her. “Darren sent help? That old rascal! Well, if anyone could pull it off, he can.”
She re-holstered her weapon and reached her hand down as she maneuvered the horse closer. “Come with me, Mr. President. We’re going to a safe place.”
He dropped the rifle onto the ground, grabbed her hand and was surprised at her ability to help him up and stay on the horse at the same time. When he was behind her, he said, “Then, let’s go. War is coming and I want to be ready.”
“Mr. President, we might need that rifle,” she said as she straightened out the horse on the trail.
He shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s useless. It’s empty anyway.”
She nodded.
Erin expertly brought Sir Prize back into a run, letting Barrington know via headset that someone unexpected had joined her.
They were being followed. Just as assuredly as they followed the trail of the President of the United States and two of his Secret Service agents, he knew someone was following them. Roh Yun, the captain of the Yang Tai Military Force, stood with his back to his men and scanned the woods behind them from where they had come. Although he spotted no movement, he was determined in his mind that they were not only being followed but the one who followed was a man full of rage.
He didn’t understand why he knew this. Only that he did. And there was a small part of him, which deeply desired for this man to catch up to them and do what was necessary. Why should he care if they failed now or not? The Great Eagle had fallen because of a joint effort on the part of North Korea and the Hamas. It would continue to fall because there were more military forces and terrorists cells within the country to continue the war against the infidels.
Did it matter? All was lost, Yun decided. His own son was lost to him. His wife. That was what should have mattered. But, no. He had to do one more thing. He had one more duty to perform. Then, the vanishings had happened. He wasn’t at home when the vanishings took place, but in his heart, he knew his wife and son had been taken.
And it was in his every thought.
“We are not far behind them,” Yang Si said softly as he made his approach. He pointed to a group of hills a mile or so from their position. “We think they are going to take the high ground.”
Yun looked toward the hills. He could not speak English so the men conversed in their own tongue. “We’ll spread out and see if we can flank them before they get to the hills.”
“There is trouble.”
Yun regarded Si. “Speak it.”
Si hesitated. “We have seen only movement from two men. Not three.”
“What does this mean?”
“One of the three is missing. We do not know who.”
Yun paused. “One of the agents may be doubling back to try an attack. He will fail.”
“What if it isn’t an agent? What if it is the President?”
Yun sighed. “It doesn’t matter. They have already lost.”
Si glared. “It is our duty to kill him. We’ll not leave until it is done!”
Yun turned his head and looked into the younger man’s eyes. “I am in command here. Speak out of turn again and I will be forced to carry out my duty upon you. Understood?”
Si glared at him, but finally, he nodded. “Yes.”
“Carry out your orders.”
Si turned away from him and hurried to the three other members of the Yang Tai. As he relayed their captain’s orders, Yun continued to scan the forest behind them, expecting at any moment to see the angry beast hunting them to emerge.
Jim Barnes was sixteen years old, but unlike Sean Kempner, he was not a prodigy who made his parents proud. Jim’s parents were not rich. His father never kept a steady job and when he did, he drank most of his earnings away in a sorry attempt to forget about his miserable life. His mother was scared of shadows and therefore unable to help him whenever his father berated him for even being born.
Jim wasn’t smart. He wasn’t likely to ever get a scholarship. He would be lucky to make the twelfth grade, let alone graduate. He was sixteen years old and, unlike Sean Kempner, he was becoming a seventh grader four years late. All he wanted to do was fit in. When he walked into Stewart’s one day, he came across four other kids who were also going into the seventh grade.
They called themselves The Four Horsemen.
He called them cool.
Just listening to them as they ordered shakes, Jim wanted desperately to be their friend. He wanted to be liked. He wanted to belong.
“We are the Four Horsemen!” Eric exclaimed proudly, smiling at his friends. “The seventh grade ain’t ever gonna be able to take us down.”
Sean shook his head. “Nah, you’re wrong, Black Rider. Just like the Coyote puts down bird seed for the Road Runner, someone will put down a plate of muffins, or donuts and you’ll go down.” He snapped his fingers. “Just like that!”
“Yeah? Well, the Road Runner eats the bird seed and then he takes off before the Coyote can catch him!”
Joe and Michael looked at Sean to see how he would reply. Michael noticed that Jim was watching, too.
Sean paused for affect. He grinned. “I never said nothing about not how fast you can eat. That’s no argument, Eric, ‘cause you devour your food in seconds! You’re a living vacuum cleaner!”
The others laughed. Jim did, too.
Eric leaned back and glared at Jim.
“You can eat fast,” Sean continued, “but you move like a turtle.” He put his hands to his sides and waved them helplessly. “‘Look at me! I’m a turtle!’”
The laughing continued.
“If we rolled you on your back during the winter time, we could all sit on top of you and go down the big hills. We’d slide a lot faster, too!”
Michael slapped Sean on his back. “Oh, man, you’re killing me!” He was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down his face.
“You should write a book of jokes!” Joe exclaimed, in between breaths.
Sean shrugged. “Why write books when I can burn them. ‘Fire, good!’” He imitated a cave-man.
Eric would have laughed at that, but he didn’t appreciate the fact of someone who wasn’t a part of the gang joining in the laughter at his expense. He glared at Jim. “What are you laughing at, moron?”
The others turned around and focused on Jim.
Jim didn’t know what to do so he didn’t say anything. At least he did stop laughing.
“Were you laughing at me, punk?” Eric demanded, stepping forward in a threatening manner.
Michael noticed the store clerk who was making their shakes watching them so he held up a hand. “Forget it, Eric.”
Eric shook his head. “No, man. You guys laugh at me…I can take that. But when anybody else does, I don’t like it and I mean to make it stop.”
“Jim wasn’t laughing at you, Eric. He was laughing with you.” Michael turned to look at Jim. “Weren’t you?”
Nervously, Jim nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s what I was doing. I was laughing with you.” He chuckled and shrugged. “‘Cause you guys are cool and, really, I…I’d never laugh at you or anything like that.” Then, he cleared his throat. “Uhm, I’m sorry, you know…if you thought I was laughing at you. I’m sorry.” As if he had an idea, he suddenly said, “I’ll pay for your shake.”
Eric paused. “Really? Well, thanks, but the White Rider is paying for my shake.”
Michael suddenly had a brainstorm and he smiled. “No, that’s okay. Jim, if you really want to pay for Eric’s shake, go ahead.”
Jim hesitated. “Oh. Okay. Sure.” He regarded Michael. “Why did he call you the White Rider?”
“’Cause I’m the leader.”
He nodded.
“Jim, you want to join us at the booths? You can sit with us.”
Sean and Joe looked at Michael suspiciously, wondering what it was he was up to. Eric didn’t think like that. Since he was still getting a free shake and it was from Jim, he didn’t think anything out of the ordinary by the invitation. Sean and Joe knew Michael well enough to know he never did things unless he had a plan.
Jim grinned. “Really? Sure. Wow, yeah, can I?”
Michael nodded. “Yes, you can.”
“Wow. I can sit with the Four Horsemen. Cool.” He regarded each one of them.
The shakes came and the clerk rang them up. All four of them. Michael had his money ready and slowly began to hand it to the clerk. Just as he expected, Eric let out a sigh.
“Hey, I thought you was buying my shake, Jim,” he said.
Jim looked embarrassed. “Uhm, I was. I am.” He moved toward the counter. “I’ll…I’ll get that.”
Michael paused. “You getting ours, too? That’s awful good of you, Jim. Thank you.” He put his money away and stepped aside.
Jim paid for the shakes and bought himself one, too. When they all had their shakes, they headed for the booths. Jim followed behind, unsure of what he was supposed to do.
“Sit with us, Jim,” Michael told him, making room.
Hesitantly, Jim sat down.
Eric sighed. He had to sit in the next booth by himself. Still, he had his shake so he wasn’t really complaining.
Michael paused as he regarded Jim. “You want to be one of us, don’t you, Jim?”
Jim stared at his shake. “I…don’t know what you mean,” he said softly.
“Yes, you do. You want to join us. You want to fit in with us. What you don’t know is you already do fit in.”
He looked up, surprised. “I do?”
Michael nodded. “We’re all new, Jim. All of us sitting here are gonna be facing the same thing you are. The seventh grade. So we have to stick together, don’t we?”
Jim paused. “Yeah. But…you’re the Four Horsemen…not the Five.”
Sean and Joe watched Michael for his response. Eric concentrated on his shake.
Michael leaned over the table. “There’s always room for a fifth horsemen, Jim.”
Joe looked at him. “There isn’t five horsemen in the Bible, Mike.”
Michael shrugged. “We’re not in the Bible either, Joe.” He looked at Jim. “You could become a horsemen, like us. You see, we’ve got plans for a party and we need help.”
Sean and Joe exchanged looks. They didn’t remember talking about any party. In the next booth, Eric was finishing up the last of his shake.
“What party?” Jim asked.
Michael looked at him. “The guys and I are gonna have a party at the construction site. The one on Miller Road.”
“At the construction site? But…you can’t have a party there. That’s private property and…and we’d get in trouble if we went there without permission.”
“Nobody would know. There’s no one there on the weekends.” Michael didn’t mention the simple fact that a police car did patrol the site on weekends. He and his friends knew the times the police drove through the area. “Besides, we’ve been up there before. The thing is, we really want to have one great last party. You know…To say good-bye to the summer and hello to the seventh grade.” He paused. “We’re going there this Friday night at ten o’ clock. Everybody’s bringing something. If you want to join us, all you have to do is bring something.”
Jim paused as he thought about it. “Well…I dunno. I’d have to ask my parents.” He frowned. “I don’t think they’ll let me go.”
“You can sneak out, can’t you?”
Jim sighed. “I can…but if I get caught…” He trailed off.
“Well, don’t get caught. Especially with what you’re bringing.”
Jim looked at him suspiciously. “What…what am I bringing?”
Michael grinned at him. “The beer.”
Lenox and Moore didn’t speak as they followed the trail through the woods toward the enemy. Lenox knew they were getting close. He didn’t know how he knew it, only that he did. It wasn’t anything he saw on the ground as he tracked the North Koreans. It wasn’t anything he saw ahead of them either.
It was simply a gut feeling.
He was driven to push the limits as far as he could. He was concerned at first when they started out on their trek through the woods that it was going to be too much on the older man. However, Moore was in good shape for a man his age. The way he carried his weapon assured Lenox he hadn’t forgotten his training. A Marine never forgot their training.
Lenox and Moore continued on their hunt, knowing their prey was somewhere just ahead.
They were as ready as they were ever going to be. It wasn’t something that would be hard for them to do. They had been in many situations like this before, so there was nothing different about what they intended to do. Randy Groh was more than ready to cross this line. After all, the man in Apartment #55 was a terrorist. The man had a major part in the attacks on the United States of America.
Groh had no problem with busting into the apartment with his guns blazing.
Brian Yorke wanted to feel the same way. Yet for him, something felt wrong. He was an officer of the law. There were procedures to follow and he knew that this wasn’t one of them. Of course, nothing about any of this was proper procedure any more. There was martial law in Albany. Streets were even more dangerous than ever before. And there was a terrorist harboring within the apartment of an ATD agent.
Yorke knew they could simply smash through the door, shoot the terrorist down and come out looking like heroes. That was what the plan was. Yet something kept tugging away at his conscience and he couldn’t shake the feeling that what they were about to do was wrong.
It was too late anyway.
They were both there in the corridor with their weapons drawn. Groh was on the left side of the door and Yorke was on the right. Groh nodded his head, indicating he was ready.
Yorke took a deep breath. Then, wondering why the so-called agent named James Bollinger wasn’t with them he stepped back and kicked at the door with his gun at the ready.
1 - Leviticus 22:31
2 - Leviticus 22:32
3 - Leviticus 22:33
4 - Isaiah 44:6
5 - Isaiah 45:22
6 - Jeremiah 3:12
7 - Jeremiah 3:14
8 - Revelation 6:1 - 3
9 - Revelation 11:3 - 13
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