Times of Turmoil: Christian End Times Thriller (Book 1)

by Cliff Ball

  Chapter 13

  For the next four years, Michael and Helen spread their message far and wide to other colleges and universities thanks to the increased use of the internet during this period. Message boards and websites were set-up to push the message of government control over individual liberty and the mainstream media started to push the message as well. Michael hadn’t realized there were so many others who felt the same way he did about the idea that the religious types were ruining the United States, and his fellow students were more than eager to get their ideas up and running when they finally graduated. He also knew of others older than him who had been getting ready for more government in peoples’ lives, including the present President of the United States, his wife, and the Vice President. They had been part of the sixties upheaval that his grandfather had pushed to try to destabilize the United States, so it was hoped that when they got into power, that they would push the country over the edge. But, it hadn’t happened. Instead, the President and his wife got embroiled in one scandal after another, ticking off the Republicans in Congress, and a good sizable chunk of the American electorate, even though he did get re-elected. Gregory and Michael Evans both had great hopes for the Vice President for the next election, since he was a true believer in government control, and was beginning to push the global warming agenda so there would be more government control over people’s lives.

  As Michael came to closer to graduation, Gregory began to slowly turn over his businesses, investments, and clientele to his grandson. At eighty-two years of age, Gregory was feeling his age, and knew it wouldn’t be long now before he died, so he wanted to get finished with the transfer as quickly as possible. Michael had no idea this was happening, because Gregory meant to surprise him by handing over all of his power as a graduation gift. He also knew of Helen. Gregory kept track of everything his grandson was involved in, since that unfortunate event years ago with Jason and Amy, and had no problem with the young lady, since her ideas aligned with Michael’s. He hoped the two young people would be happy, at least happier than he had been for most of his life when it came to companionship. Gregory had to do what he had to do in order to gain power, and while not regretting the choices he made, he did sometimes think about what might have been had Evelyn and her parents not tried to interfere so much. With all of that in mind, Gregory went to Harvard for Michael’s graduation.

  Michael greeted Gregory when he arrived, “Hi, Grandpa, I’m glad you could make it to my graduation,”

  “I’m sure you’ll be even happier when I give you the graduation gift I have planned for you. Now, where’s this Helen girl that you’ve been seeing?”

  Michael’s face went ashen, since he rarely thought about his grandfather being in the know about everything, and he wasn’t sure he would ever tell him about Helen, but since grandfather already seemed to know, Michael decided to reply, “We weren’t sure you’d be happy I have a girlfriend,”

  “Nonsense! As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. Where is she?”

  “She and her feminist friends are working on a protest against the Catholics for not letting women be anything: with the exception of nuns, of course. In a couple of months, they also plan on suing several Fortune 500 companies for not having enough female top-level executives and not hiring enough women in general. They have a lot of protests, court dates, and anti-war demonstrations planned to keep them busy for years to come,”

  “She sounds like a very dedicated woman to the cause. Are you going to marry her?”

  Michael shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t know. Sometimes, she’s a very girly girl who’s into the idea, and then there are other times, where she gets all high and mighty about that patriarchy nonsense, the supposedly moronic idea of taking the man’s last name, and we men making women stay barefoot and pregnant. I guess I should find out one of these days and ask her,”

  “Yes, you probably should. By the way, did you manage to recruit anyone from the Divinity School? You mentioned it a while ago, and I thought I’d find out, since that was a brilliant idea,”

  “Thank you, Grandfather. Yes, as a matter of fact, I was able to recruit some men to our cause. One of them, Kevin Josten, is now preaching in his mega-church in Dallas, Texas. His message is about prosperity gospel; you know, if you dream it, God will give it. It’ll be more like, you give Josten lots of money and he’ll be rich beyond all of his wildest dreams. The second, Ryan Whittier, will set himself up to be the Preacher to the Politicians, and he’s in California. Someday, he wants to be seen as the go-to guy for politicians to find out what God says about this or that. The third is Mark Goat. With my help, he plans on setting up a television network that will air vaguely Christian messages from prosperity gospel preachers, messages from the occasional Fundamentalist nutcases, and even the out there End Times preachers. Our plan is to confuse those uneducated about what the Christian message really is. Heck, Goat and Whittier want to join Christians with Muslims, get the uneducated types thinking that the barbarians in the Middle East actually believe the same thing as real Christians. They call it Chrislam. We sow chaos in the Bible Belt and we can rule America the way we want,”

  “You’re doing a good job, Michael. Which is why you’ll be very happy when I give you your graduation gift?”

  “What is it?”

  “You’ll just have to wait until after graduation. It won’t be long now.”

  A few hours later, everyone was gathered in the auditorium for graduation. The time went by slowly for Michael as he was looking forward to the gift his grandfather planned on giving him. Michael thought that he would be finally given the keys to everything and he would now be able to wield his power completely. The Old Man would have to go though, if he were dying, his passing wouldn’t be soon enough for Michael. Of course, it would have to look like he died of old age, so he’d have to investigate how to make the death look as natural as possible. Four hours later, after what seemed like endless talking by V.I.P.’s who were invited to speak at the graduation, Michael went to look for both Gregory and Helen.

  He found Helen first. “Ready to meet my grandfather?”

  “Sure, but what was his reaction to us being together?”

  “Amazingly, he was supportive. Must be his old age affecting his brain, making him soft in the head. I think he’s going to hand over the keys to his power, which will be awesome,”

  “That’s nice to know he has no problem with us. What do you plan on doing to him when he hands over everything?”

  “I’m thinking about what’s next. Anyway, let’s go find him.”

  They found Gregory waiting for them outside of the auditorium, and he asked, “Are you ready to go back to New York with me? That’s where I’ll give you your graduation present,”

  “Yeah, I just have to get all of my belongings together and then we can go. Grandpa, you haven’t met Helen yet, I’d like to introduce you to her. Helen, this is my Grandfather, Gregory Evans,”

  The two shook hands and both told the other it was nice to finally meet the other. Then Gregory said, “My driver will help you with your things, Michael, and then we can depart for New York. Helen, are you coming with us?”

  “Sorry, but I have to look for my parents, they’re here too. I plan on visiting with them for a while, and Michael has already met them, but I’ll be in New York before the start of next month. Would you like to meet my parents, Mr. Evans?”

  “While that would probably be an interesting activity, I don’t think so, I’m far too busy. It was nice meeting you, Ms. Andrews.” Helen kissed Michael goodbye, walked away, and Gregory said, “Interesting young lady, I hope you don’t regret knowing her. Now, let’s get you on your way home.”

  Hours later, at their home, Gregory’s lawyer was waiting for them with a briefcase, and Michael knew instantly that Gregory was definitely handing over everything to him. Both men shook hands with the lawyer as they went into Gregory’s office, and all three sat down, as Gregory began, “Nate, is everythi
ng in order and prepared for Michael to sign?”

  “Yes, Mr. Evans, all Michael has to do is sign the papers and everything will be turned over to him,”

  “Good. Michael, I’m sure you know what’s going on, so this probably isn’t that big of a shock to you,”

  “I figured it out, and no, it really isn’t that big of a shock. I am wondering why so soon after I graduated though,”

  “Well, as you can tell, I’m old, and I can’t carry on with the business the way I was able to as a young man. I had hopes for Jason, but he went his own way and ultimately failed me. I would have retired in my sixties, if Jason had been my heir apparent, but that didn’t happen. Now, you’re old enough to take on all these responsibilities and I’m glad to see you’re more dedicated to the cause than I thought you would be. Are you ready to sign?”

  “Yeah, but shouldn’t I read these documents before I sign anything?”

  “Michael, you don’t need to worry, there’s no hidden language, no hidden traps, and it’s all straightforward and to the point. There’s one page for each area I’m involved in, and all they say is that I will hand over that to you, and you can do what you want. Once you have control over everything, you can really do what you want. Isn’t that right, Nate?”

  “Your grandfather is correct, Michael. Gregory wrote all of this himself, with some help from me, so there is no lawyer-ease and complicated language. Here, read one for yourself,” Nate handed Michael the first document, which was only one page.

  Michael read it and replied, “If the rest of the documents are as simple and direct-to-the-point as this is, I’ll have no problem signing them. Where’s a pen?”

  Michael was handed a pen, and he began to sign his name to all of the documents. As he signed, he saw that all clients and employees had been notified of the transition of power, so they would know that when Michael came calling, he would be the one they would have to talk to. Michael also hadn’t realized just how extensive Gregory’s power was, he had his fingers in everything: from oil production to technology to government legislation to dealing with rogue states and terrorists to control over stock markets and currencies. If Gregory had wanted to, he could’ve brought the world to its knees in less than a day, but that wouldn’t do anyone any good if the world economy and various governments failed in an instant, it had to do be done gradually. Michael also realized how long it would take to dilute the influence of the United States and its Christian citizens, but he would do it, and it helped him that he started so early in college with the new technologies available to him.

  Ten minutes later, Michael was now in charge of the Evans family fortune and businesses. He thanked Nate, who left to take care of other clients, while Gregory seemed to be sitting in contemplation over the current events. He asked Michael, “What are you going to do now?”

  “Why Grandfather, the same thing you’ve been trying to do: Take over the world!” Michael chuckled at his little joke in reference to a favorite cartoon, but Gregory didn’t seem to get it.

  “Well, that’s good and all, but remember not to step on a lot of toes on your way to doing so, because a lot of your clients are the sensitive types who need to be reassured that they’re special people because of the positions they’re in, and that what they do really does matter in the grand scheme of things. With all of this new technology, you can take your ideas directly to the people now, like you’ve done, and skip over the prima-donnas of the political world when you think they’re just being obstructionist and thick-headed. Anyway, now that this burden is finally off of my shoulders, I think I’m going to take a long needed rest and do some catching up on my reading.” Gregory got up from his chair and left the office, headed for his library.

  Michael pondered what to do next, so he went to his grandfather’s rather ancient Apple IIE, which would be replaced soon enough, and powered it up to find out in deeper detail what Gregory was currently involved in and what Michael could do about it. There were documents about various ideas the United Nations had about population control and how to push people into moving closer together in the cities and Gregory’s thoughts on how to accomplish those goals. A research paper thought up by one of the scientists employed by Gregory, was on the best ways to create and then insert tracking chips into humans. The paper also discussed how these tracking chips would keep track of everything a human does on a day-to-day basis and how a government could manipulate the data.

  Another document discussed the theory of Global Warming and how to manipulate the data into looking like humans were causing the Earth to warm, how animals were going extinct, and the discussion included various ways of browbeating the public into accepting the theory as fact. All of these documents included the names of every public official who supported these measures, and none of the names mentioned surprised Michael in the least, since most of them were publicly supporting the ideas in newspapers and on television.

  Michael also found that Gregory had kept track of all of the terrorist organizations around the world and the various activities they were involved in, including references to various actions that would be taken against the United States itself in the coming years. There was an action set to take place almost a year after the next election for President of the United States, which greatly interested Michael. He decided he would find out everything he could about it and assist where he could.

  After printing out some of the more useful documents, Michael picked up his cell phone and called Helen. He told her about the many documents he signed and what he found on Gregory’s computer. She was greatly interested, and then asked, “Are you still going to make sure he’s out of the way so he doesn’t interfere?”

  “I don’t know. His age seems to be catching up with him and he seems kind of frail, more than I remember from the last time I saw him. Maybe he’ll take care of it himself,”

  “You’re not chickening out, are you?”

  “Hardly. Once I signed the paperwork, he didn’t seem very interested in it anymore, and said the burden was finally off his shoulders. Does that seem to you like someone who would interfere?”

  “I guess not. So, when do we get to see each other again?”

  “Why don’t I come to visit you next weekend?”

  “Sounds wonderful, I look forward to it. Well, I gotta go, Mom wants me to help her with a huge dinner she’s preparing. Bye.” the two hung up the phone.

  Two weekends later, Michael went to visit Helen, and as they were talking, he asked her to marry him. She was hesitant at first, but said, “All right, but I’m keeping my last name, since I don’t subscribe to the whole social structure that revolves around the patriarchy. Is that ok with you?”

  “Sure, no problem,”

  “Good. Why don’t we go down to the Courthouse right now and get it done?”

  “Don’t you want a wedding?”

  “Nope, I don’t have any desire to drain my parents dry and we don’t want anything to do with the religious types who would officiate nor do I want to use one of their buildings,”

  “If that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do. Let’s round up your family for witnesses and let’s go.”

  Two hours later, Michael and Helen were married. After getting everything together that she needed, she went back home with Michael. As they got out of the car, one of the household servants walked up to them, and said, “Your grandfather is dead. He died in his sleep,”

  “When?”

  “Last night. We called the morgue and they picked him up. I’m sure you know this, sir, but he wanted to be cremated, so they’re waiting for you to make the call,”

  “All right, I’ll do that. Could you help Helen with her bags?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Evans.”

  Michael was happy his grandfather had died on his own, but didn’t let the house staff or others see that. He maintained a grave demeanor the whole time. He then had Gregory cremated according to his wishes. Gregory had also wished that everyone who shoul
d know about his death be informed, but beyond that, a big deal would not be made about it. Michael and Helen now felt unencumbered to do what they wanted to do and began to carry out their plans.

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