Free Stung by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

man of peace and harmony and statesmanship.”
    Judd knew what Nicolae was doing. He was trying to win the crowd by talking about a well-known Israeli.
    Judd tried to talk with Taylor, but he motioned for Judd to keep quiet. An armed Global Community guard approached them. “Take it outside,” he said sternly.
    Judd nodded. Taylor followed Judd through the gate.

    Vicki couldn’t believe Nicolae Carpathia would interrupt the Meeting of the Witnesses. The kids groaned when they saw him arrive.
    â€œDo we have to watch this?” Shelly said.
    â€œHe’s going to schmooze them all he can,” Conrad said.
    Carpathia pledged his protection and support of those who followed the teachings of Dr. Ben-Judah. “As a famous teacher of Israel once said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.’”
    Carpathia paused. When the stadium remained silent, he said, “We in the Global Community wish this kind of peace, not as a slogan but as a living reality.”
    Vicki turned. Melinda stood in the doorway again, listening.

    Judd and Taylor walked away from the stadium. They could still see the huge monitors and hear Carpathia’s powerful voice.
    â€œWhy did you come here?” Judd said.
    â€œYou know why,” Taylor said. “Saint Nick.”
    â€œYou’re not thinking of—”
    â€œOnly a fool would try to get a weapon past those guards.” Taylor smiled. “I just wanted to make sure that was Nick in the white chopper.”
    Taylor opened the trunk of his car. He put on a Global Community uniform and zipped it quickly. “This is where you check out, okay?”
    â€œDon’t do this,” Judd said.
    Taylor glanced around, then opened a huge, black box inside the trunk. In several pieces lay the biggest gun Judd had ever seen. Beside it was a shell the size of a loaf of bread.
    â€œNo!” Judd said.
    â€œAs soon as he takes off, that chopper’s falling from the sky.”
    Judd’s mind reeled. He knew Rayford Steele was Nicolae’s pilot. Was he flying the chopper? And if the potentate was assassinated, the Global Community would blame the witnesses. Judd couldn’t let Taylor shoot it down.

    Lionel was captivated by Carpathia and wondered whether he would try his mind-altering techniques. Buck Williams had described the potentate’s ability to sway people, but Lionel didn’t know if it would work on a crowd filled mainly with believers.
    â€œAnd so, my beloved friends,” Carpathia said, “you do not have to join with the One World Faith to remain citizens of the Global Community. There is room for disagreement on matters of religion. But consider the advantages and benefits that have resulted from the uniting of every nation into one global village.”
    Nicolae gave a list of his achievements: everything from the repair of cities, roads, and airports to the rebuilding of New Babylon into the most magnificent city ever constructed. “It is a masterpiece I hope you will visit as soon as you can.”
    Lionel closed his eyes in thought. One day Carpathia is going to declare himself god. With this kind of technology , Nicolae will be able to rule the world!
    As Lionel listened, he noticed something strange about Carpathia’s voice. In the past, he had been always in command, never making a mistake, never struggling to remember a name or a date. Now he had grown hoarse. He turned away and cleared his throat. “Pardon me,” he said, his voice still raspy. “I wish you and the rabbi here all the best and welcome you, … ahem, ahem , … excuse me—”
    Nicolae turned to Tsion. “Would someone have some water?”
    Dr. Ben-Judah didn’t respond. Lionel saw someone in the front pass a bottle to the stage. Nicolae nodded and smiled. He unscrewed the cap, tipped it back for a long gulp, then gagged and spit it out. The crowd gasped. Nicolae’s