Free Stung by Jerry B. Jenkins Page A

front repeated what Judd had said at the top of his lungs. Others shrugged, looked puzzled, and began jabbering.
    Fortunato looked at Tsion. “Dr. Ben-Judah, is there someone who can translate?”
    Tsion did not look at him.
    Fortunato then called for the interpreters to come forward. Judd stretched to see the interpreters who sat near the front row on the infield. They looked to Tsion, but Tsion stared straight ahead.
    â€œPlease,” Fortunato continued, “it isn’t fair that only those who understand English may enjoy the remarks of your next two hosts.”
    â€œTwo hosts?” Lionel said. “Who else is with Carpathia?”
    Tsion raised his head slightly. The interpreters hurried to their microphones. Fortunato apparently expected applause when he mentioned Nicolae Carpathia’s name, but no one moved. Fortunato cleared his throat and said, “First, I would like to introduce the revered head of the new Enigma Babylon One World Faith, the supreme pontiff, Pontifex Maximus, Peter the Second!”
    Judd looked at Lionel and raised an eyebrow.
    â€œThey’ve got to be out of their minds, bringing him here,” Lionel said.
    Judd knew this was the former archbishop of Cincinnati, Peter Mathews. He was now the head of a mixture of nearly every religion on the globe except for Judaism and Christianity.
    Peter the Second stepped out of the helicopter in an outfit that surprised even Judd. He wore a huge, pointed hat and a long, yellow robe with puffy sleeves. Several garments, inlaid with brightly colored stones, draped over his body. The supreme pontiff lifted his hands in a circle as if to bless everyone. When he turned to bless the people sitting behind him, Judd saw signs of the zodiac on the back of his robe.
    â€œLooks like he wore the wrapping paper from his Christmas presents,” Lionel said.
    Peter stretched out his arms and spoke dramatically. “My blessed brothers and sisters in the pursuit of higher consciousness, it warms my heart to see all of you here, studying under my colleague, Dr. Tsion Ben-Judah!”
    Peter waited for the applause and cheers. None came.
    â€œI confer upon this gathering the blessings of the universal father and mother and animal deities who lovingly guide us on our path to true spirituality. In the spirit of harmony, I appeal to Dr. Ben-Judah and others in your leadership to join Enigma Babylon One World Faith, where we affirm and accept the beliefs of all the world’s great religions.”
    The stadium was deathly silent. Fortunato announced, “And now it gives me pleasure to introduce the man who has united the world into one global community, His Excellency and your potentate, Nicolae Carpathia! Would you rise as he comes with a word of greeting.”
    No one stood. Lionel whispered into Judd’s ear, “Nicolae’s always been able to win over his audience. Think he’ll be able to do that here?”
    Carpathia appeared on the steps of the helicopter, a frozen smile etched on his face. He nodded toward Fortunato and Peter the Second.
    Someone moved to Judd’s right. A man was making his way along a back wall of the stadium. Lionel saw him too and slipped out. Just before Carpathia made it to the microphone, Lionel returned.
    â€œYou’re not going to believe this,” Lionel said. “That’s Taylor Graham!”

9
    AS NICOLAE Carpathia stepped to the podium, Judd slipped from his seat. “If I’m not back before this ends, stay here,” Judd said to Lionel. Taylor Graham was still moving when Judd caught up to him.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Judd whispered.
    Taylor whirled, ready to fight. When he recognized Judd, he rolled his eyes and put a finger to his lips. “I came to hear Carpathia.”
    â€œFellow citizens of the Global Community,” Carpathia began, “as your potentate, I welcome you to Israel and to this great arena, named after a man of the past, a