The Remnant: On The Brink of Armageddon (22 page)

But this would be like my choosing the mark.

I couldn’t do that.

Then you’re getting out of there, right? Where will you go and how will you get there? Should I send someone for you? appropriate a ride?It’s not going to work, Chang.

That’ll make you vulnerable.

And you know they’ve got to be watching me.

No one’s on to me yet, Chang said.

I don’t think they’re even suspicious.

You need to keep it that way.

Can you get to Petra? There’s a Co op flight out of Montana today.

I could have him I’ll let you know, Chang.

I appreciate it, but it may be time to take my stand.

What are you saying?You know.

Oh, Steve, at least make them catch you.

We need you, man.

On the lam? What good would I be?We need everybody we can get.

Buck debated waking the Greek contingent and decided against it, though it meant more work for everyone else.

Chloe, Mac, Hannah, and Sebastian had staggered in during the wee hours.

Buck could tell Kenny was fascinated by all the activity.

People scurried everywhere, deciding what they absolutely had to have, packing small boxes, ignoring printouts, notes anything that was in a computer anyway.

The person allowed to take more than anyone else was Zeke.

There were things he simply could not do without: his files, his wardrobes, the tools of his trade.

Leah spent most of her time on a secure phone to Coop people all over the country.

She told Buck, Everyone is resigned to the fact that they may have to take a few people in, and they honestly seem honored, but no one is excited about it.

They are stretched to the limit for space and necessities as it is.

We have no choice, Leah.

It’s time to call in the chips.

I hate to say it, but a lot of these people owe us nothing less.

We have run the Co op from here and provided them with stuff that keeps them alive.

Albie seemed glum.

And why not? Buck wondered.

The only place Albie could think of to go and wanted to go was back to A1 Basrah.

But I don’t want to take a plane when so many of you have places to go.

Do what you have to, Albie, Buck said.

See if Leah can get you a ride with someone delivering supplies to Petra.

You know we’ll be calling on you frequently.

You’d better, Albie said.

Enoch’s people were under the building, checking vehicles, seeing how many were in running condition.

He had traded the privilege of choosing cars and SUVs as a concession against trying to get all thirty of the others from The Place onto planes.

Leah had already lined up for them several underground centers within driving distance, Enoch himself in Palos Hills, Illinois.

You know the danger of a caravan pulling out of here in broad daylight, Buck said.

I sure do.

But we also know the danger of being here when the GC hits.

Steve Plank had communicated to Vasily that he wanted to leave the GC compound at 11 A.M.

He spent much of the rest of the morning behind closed doors, agonizing in prayer.

Finally he called Buck.

What a strange turn, he thought.

Seeking solace and counsel from a young man who had once been his best and most challenging employee.

The glory days of Global Weekly were long gone.

Steve’s news was met with silence.

Then a subdued Buck: Steve, don’t do it.

Please.

You think I want to? C’mon, man! Don’t get personal with me now, Buck.

I just wanted to say good bye.

well, I don’t want to, all right? I’ve said enough good byes for one lifetime.

Anyway, we need you.

This is no time to be giving up.

Don’t insult me.

I’ll do what I have to, to keep you from this, Steve.

I had hoped for more from you.

I could say the same, Buck said.

You think I’m taking the easy way out? Don’t do this to me.

What’re you saying, Steve? That I’m supposed to just support you, wish you the best, say I’ll see you on the flip side?That would help.

Tell me you trust my judgment.

When I think you’ve lost your mind? Steve sighed.

Buck, I’ve got no one else to call.

If I tell you that you can’t talk me out of it and that’s why I’m calling, will you just tell me you’re with me?Of course I’m with you, but I’m not a coward, Buck.

You’ve seen me.

You know I should have died.

I was buried underground for almost a week.

I live in pain every hour of every day, but I’ve misled, I’ve conspired, I’ve finagled, I’ve double crossed the enemy every way I know how.

Well, there’s something I won’t do.

I won’t run like a child and I won’t deny Christ.

I know you won’t.

well, that’s something.

That wasn’t so hard, was it? Don’t tell me I have to like this, Steve.

will you pray for me? Of course, but I’d pray you come to your senses.

I’m going through with this, Buck.

And I won’t pretend I’m not scared.

The GC considers this an oversight, a timing thing, something to do with my limitations.

But when they make it official, make me make my decision and take my stand, I don’t want to fail God.

You won’t.

He promises grace beyond measure and a peace that passes understanding.

I gotta tell ya, Buck, I’m not feeling any of that yet.

God, Buck began, but Steve could tell he had to compose himself before he could continue, please be with your child.

Give him your grace, your peace.

I confess I don’t want him to do this.

I hate it.

I’m tired of losing people I love.

But if this is what you’re calling him to do, give him courage, give him words, give him power over the enemy.

I pray that people who see this will be so moved that they will make the same choice.

Buck was so shaken that his comrades seemed to gather round him spontaneously.

When they learned what was going on, they knelt and prayed for Steve.

Buck called Chang.

He’ll be going to the center at Resurrection south of the Springs, Buck said.

Any chance they monitor that visually? They do.

Could that be transmitted here?I can do it.

I don’t know why I want to see it, but I’ll feel like I’m there with him.

Steve was aware of Vasily’s double take when Steve rolled up in the parking lot in casual clothes.

In fact, less than casual.

He wore slip on shoes, khaki pants, and a white undershirt.

You’re wondering about protocol, Steve said as Vasily lifted him into the car.

Vasily nodded.

I’ve learned not to question you, Chief.

Are you armed, my friend?Of course.

I’m not.

I can see that.

Steve reached out a hand to Vasily, who looked at it.

Shake, he said.

Sorry the hand isn’t what it used to be.

Vasily touched it gingerly.

The name’s Steve Plank.

Excuse me? You heard me.

Steve Plank? So, you were listening, as usual.

You know Global Weekly? Vasily appeared to have trouble concentrating.

What? The magazine? Sure.

We get it from New Babylon.

You remember when it was independent, before the disappearances ? Of course.

I was on the masthead.

The ?  Masthead.

That list of the staff.

I was the boss the editorial boss, anyway.

And Steve told Vasily his story.

They were fifteen minutes from their destination when he finished.

Medvedev shook his head.

What am I supposed to do with that?Well, you don’t need to arrest me.

You already have me in custody, and you’re following orders.

You’re taking me to the center.

And you will take the mark, continue to live as a secret enemy of the Global Community, and I am to look the other way because we have become friends?Have we, Vasily?I thought we had, but of course you have not trusted me with the truth until now.

If we are friends, you could do me a favor.

Let you go? Let you make a run for it? Where would you go?No.

I was thinking you might rather shoot me.

You’re joking.

I’m not.

It would look good on your record.

Say what you want.

You found me out, worried I would escape, whatever.

I could not.

Well, I couldn’t either.

Do myself in, I mean.

Not that I didn’t give it some thought.

What are you asking me to do, short of shooting you? I am supposed to watch you die?You are to `see to it,’ aren’t you? Isn’t that your assignment? Vasily sighed shakily and nodded.

You are not really going to go through with this, are you? Steve nodded.

I am.

Running would only put off the inevitable.

And you have to admit, I’m fairly recognizable.

That is not humorous to me.

Nor to me.

Vasily, I regret only that when you came to me it was already too late for you.

You had taken the mark, and proudly.

I’m not so proud of it anymore.

That is the tragedy of where we find ourselves.

I know.

You do?You think I do not sneak a look occasionally at the Ben Judah Web site? I know my decision is irreversible.

You wish it wasn’t?I don’t know.

I am not blind, not deaf.

I can see what’s happening.

If I had to say right now, I would say I envy you.

IT
WAS
time to wake Chloe, at least.

And once she was up, the others soon followed.

Chang had called.

The Trib Force needed to be packed and prepared to relocate at a moment’s notice.

Chloe worked quickly, though bleary eyed, with Kenny wrapped around her neck most of the time.

George and Mac collected large quantities of canned and boxed foods, then started loading cars.

Hannah, who helped Leah get the Co op stuff in order, looked like she could use several more hours of sleep.

George told Buck he had arranged for someone to come and get him in Chicago but agreed he should reroute them, possibly through Long Grove, and meet them there.

We’ve got room for you and Chloe and the baby in San Diego, and I’d love to be your pilot.

Buck had to think about that one.

He could think of worse scenarios.

Leah had tentatively arranged for him and his family to move in with Lionel Whalum and his wife.

Buck didn’t know the man but he wouldn’t likely have personally known anyone they might stay with.

Whalum had agreed to the setup, telling Leah he had a large suburban home but that he was planning to be gone frequently with runs to and from Petra.

Leah, Buck said, maybe you and Hannah ought to move in with the Whalums and let us take this opportunity George is offering.

That way, you’d have a pilot, and so would we.

Why don’t you just take over and do this job, Buck, if you’re going to make all my work a waste of time anyway.

Chloe’s up now anyway, Leah.

Why don’t you just get yourself ready to go.

She looked stricken and hurried away.

Buck intercepted her.

Listen, let’s forgive each other under the circumstances.

Think about this: Whalum is transporting stuff to Petra all the time.

I know, Buck.

Chloe and I have been helping coordinate that.

Are you thinking? Are you insulting? she said.

You’re not thinking.

What?!  Catch a ride over there with him sometime, Leah.

Anybody in Petra you want to see? That stopped her, briefly.

Oh, Buck, you can’t be serious.

I don’t deny I’m enamored of Tsion.

Who isn’t? But he’s not going to have the time for a friend with all he has going over there.

So, what, are you afraid Long Grove is going to be too close to Chicago when the bomb hits? It may be.

No I  You want to go with George to San Diego? They might need medical help out there.

And there are private quarters.

Nobody’s sharing a house.

They’re in underground shelters, like Quonset huts.

No, that sounds perfect for you and your family.

I’ll talk to Hannah about Long Grove.

Did I hear my name? Hannah said.

I prefer the Southwest.

Got a contact? Leah said.

Need one? Within a few minutes Hannah had agreed to stick with Leah.

Zeke and Mac were the only two left without arrangements.

I got to be somewhere where people can get to me to take advantage of my services, Zeke said.

Someplace safe but central.

Workin’ on it, Chloe called out.

I want to be where I can make runs to Petra, Mac said on one of his trips in for more boxes.

Maybe get Rayf ord out.

Rayford ought to stay there, Buck said.

Might drive him crazy after a while, but he’s got everything he needs to safely keep track of everybody.

By the time they were set to pull out if and when the word came, Albie had invited Mac to Al Basrah, and Zeke was set up with an underground unit in western Wisconsin, a city called Avery, not far from the Minnesota border.

Buck called Chang.

We’re gonna be noisy parading out of here, he said, but I don’t guess we have any choice.

Go in the wee hours, Chang said, only a few at a time over the next few days.

I’ll be able to tell if anyone’s on to you.

It’s a risk, but you know the odds if you wait.

The entire group all forty of them, including the thirty-one from The Place met in a huge circle.

They wrapped their arms around each other and prayed for each other and wept.

All of them.

Even George and Mac.

And seeing all those tears made Kenny cry, which made the others laugh.

It seems as if we just got here, Buck said.

And now we don’t know when we might see each other again.

I have a list here of what order we’ll go in, and my family and I will be the last ones out.