by Karl Morgan
“So, he’s a ghost?”
“Enough!” Adlat screamed. “I did not bring you here for a lesson in the past or to explain ultimate reality. I brought you hear to warn you.”
“I’m sorry.”
Adlat laughed and stood up. “Joshua, please come sit on this throne.” Josh complied. “You see, all of this and much more could be yours. Soon, the world will come under the rule of a single leader who will bring order to thousands of years of human warfare, crime, and suffering. You could be that leader, my boy.”
“Then you do agree with Chris that we need to stop the wars and find peace.”
Adlat began pacing back and forth in front of Josh. “I never said that. Unification and those other good things won’t come along by holding hands and singing hymns. Someone needs to take control, end the old order and demand obedience. That is the only way it can work. Joshua, you have incredible gifts that make it possible for you to achieve ultimate power, and my family and I will help you.”
“I don’t know what to say. That’s too much for me to comprehend.”
“Take your time, my son. Think about it. I know you’re tired, so close your eyes and forget about it for now.” When Josh’s eyes were closed, Adlat touched a finger to Josh’s forehead and he disappeared. Adlat sat on the throne with a groan. “This doesn’t look like it is going to work. But somehow I must find a way to make sure it does! With him on my team, it will be a whole lot easier.”
§
The sound of a fist pounding on the front door woke Josh up. He was back in his bed, but still wearing the tunic and toga. His mud-caked pajamas lay in a pile next to the bed. He realized that his meeting with the monsters had been real and began to tremble uncontrollably. What was going on, he wondered. He thought about Adlat’s words and how he could become ruler of the world, but did not know if that would be bad or good. Certainly, he could use that power to stop the current downspin toward global nuclear war. He could be a hero, saving all of mankind from the dustbin of history. “But at what cost?” he muttered out loud.
He heard the front door open and his mother saying something, but could not make out the words. Next he heard footsteps coming up the staircase and threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat up. His door flew open and Agents Steve Trance and Carl Field of the FBI walked in, followed by Maggie Carpenter. “Mr. Carpenter, we need you to come with us,” Trance said.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Josh replied.
“Were you at a costume party, or do you always sleep in a toga?” Field asked.
Maggie noticed his odd clothing and the muddy pajamas on the floor and said, “What’s going on, Josh? Where did you get that outfit?”
“It’s a bit hard to explain, Mom.”
“Josh, we’ll give you ten minutes to get ready. We will wait downstairs, but don’t try anything funny. We have your house surrounded.”
“Am I under arrest?”
“Not yet,” Agent Field replied, “but don’t press your luck.” The agents and Mrs. Carpenter left the room, closed the door and headed downstairs.
Josh began to pull off the toga when the door opened again and Chris Judah stepped in, motioning with a finger in front of his lips for quiet. “Why are you here, Chris?” Josh whispered. “Don’t you want me to go with them?”
“I don’t think you have any other choice right now,” Chris replied in a hushed voice. “I wanted to hear your thoughts on Adlat and his family.”
“Chris, I only have a few minutes to get ready,” Josh noted, and then looked down to see his clothing changed into blue jeans and a tee-shirt. His hiking boots and socks were also in place. “Thanks, I guess. What did you do with the toga?”
“It’s in your drawer. By the way, did you notice the stone? It’s amazing.”
“Is it valuable?”
“Two hundred carat flawless ruby? Yeah, I’d say it’s valuable.”
Josh’s eyes widened and his jaw slackened. After a moment, he regained his composure and said, “Adlat said I could rule the world. Is that true?”
“Probably, is that what you want to do, Josh?”
“I can’t say I ever thought about something like that, Chris. I mean, who ever thinks of ruling the entire planet?”
“You mean besides Adlat.”
“So you think he wants me to be his puppet ruler?”
“Does he seem to be a true mentor and full of altruistic affection for the people of the world?”
Josh slumped down and sat on the bed, holding his head in his hands. After a moment, he looked up and asked, “What do you want me to do? Refuse and be murdered?”
“I want you to meet my family, Josh. We can help protect you.”
“What about the FBI downstairs?”
“You must go with them now. I will talk to you later and take you to meet my family. All I ask is that in the meantime, don’t do anything stupid, and definitely do not make any deals with Adlat, okay?”
Josh nodded and walked out of the room. At the top of the stairs he turned and waved at Chris and smiled. Then he trudged down the stairs and out the front door with the two agents.
§
The attack helicopter cruised over the Mediterranean at fifteen feet above the waves. The emblems of the African Empire glistened in the bright sunlight as it continued on its southwesterly path toward the coastline twenty miles ahead. Supporting gunships flew just above and on each side of the main gunship. A voice crackled into the pilot’s helmet. “We’re on schedule and there is no sign that they have seen us.”
“Stay with me, guys. In two minutes, you can begin your strafing runs,” Captain Ali replied in Arabic.
“Aye-aye,” the other pilots replied. “Our self-destruct mechanisms are online as well.”
“Excellent,” Ali replied. “If any of us go down, there can be no evidence except the shells of these helicopters. Drop to the deck and follow me in!”
“Allah Akbar!” the others replied. All three choppers were now five feet above the water. A destroyer from the Western Caliphate was one mile ahead now, riding the waves just outside the Port de Rades.
“Now,” Ali said. The lead gunship rose and banked hard to the left while the two others accelerated toward the destroyer. Sirens began to sound on the ship, and seamen rushed toward their gun batteries. The gunships fired ten rockets toward the ship. The rockets slammed into the hull of the ship at the waterline, and it immediately began to take on water and list badly. The gunships shot over the deck of the heavily damaged ship and separated for their land attack.
The lead helicopter gained altitude and shot over the city toward the temporary palace where the caliph and his entourage were in residence. One gunship arrived at the airport and began to strafe the aircraft being readied to repel the attackers. The gunship banked hard and close to the ground so the troops on the ground could see the insignia. The second gunship fired on the business district and randomly on residential areas. Then it turned toward the center of city and fired down on citizens working or shopping.
The lead helicopter shot over the caliph’s compound to make certain the troops on the ground knew who was attacking. It banked hard and headed for the caliph’s residence. They started to take withering fire from the ground, but Ali pushed forward. The gunner pressed a contact and a massive missile shot forward, slamming into the front of the residence, exploding in a ball of flame. A spray of bullets shot through the cockpit, killing the gunner instantly. Ali was hit in the stomach and right arm. He groaned in pain, knowing he had no options now. His ship was losing power, and there was no time to think, only to act. He pressed a code into the self-destruct system to ignite on impact. He banked hard and headed straight toward the residence, which was in flames. As Ali closed his eyes, the helicopter smashed into the building. The self-destruct system instantly detonated all remaining weapons, rocking Tunis with the force of the explosion. A huge fireball rose into the sky over the obliterated residence, now just a pile of burning rubble.<
br />
The two remaining gunships disappeared into the desert.
§
More than three thousand miles away, it was almost nightfall in Kashgar in the western Chinese desert. A long line of tanks, followed by other military vehicles of the Eastern Caliphate drove into the city to the cheers of the predominately Uyghur population. The small contingent of troops of the Asian Republic had flown or raced to the east to avoid the overwhelming invading force. A large crowd of locals followed the tanks as they moved further into the city until they reached the Tomb of Abakh Khoja. The commander of the lead tank climbed out and walked toward the tomb. Many of his soldiers and the throng of locals followed him. The man stopped and turned to face the crowd. He waved his arms to silence the group and motioned for them to sit down. When they were quiet, he said, “Good day and Allah’s blessing upon you all.” The crowd cheered wildly. When they were quiet again, he continued, “I am Colonel Mohamed Mazari of the Third Armored Division of the glorious Eastern Caliphate. My troops have liberated your city and freed you from the oppression of the godless so-called Asian Republic. I am the personal representative of our beloved Caliph Hossain. You, our Muslim brothers and sisters have lived under imperialistic rule for too long. Today, you are free!”
The crowd erupted into cheers again, and Mohamed stood quietly smiling while they enjoyed the events of the day. When it was again relatively quiet, he said, “The road ahead will be difficult. Some of you may know that the infidels of the Asian Republic have invaded our territory and a great battle will soon occur on the Indian subcontinent. We have come here to give them another front to face. After we share a meal, my troops will continue to the east where we must attack the enemy. A continuing stream of reinforcements will begin to arrive soon to provide security and administration for your city. Those troops will be looking for your help, and possibly to recruit some of you to join our cause. I pray you do not disappoint them.”
§
Josh had expected to be taken to the local FBI office in San Diego, but instead found himself loaded onto a government jet flying east, at least he assumed it was east since they were not flying over the ocean. Agents Trance and Field sat together at the back of the plane while Josh sat in one of the front seats. Besides the crew, the three of them were alone. Josh closed his eyes and wondered where they were taking him now. He thought about Shirley and wished he could be with her in Hawaii, or back in the Mexican wine country, anywhere but here. “Josh?” a voice said. He opened his eyes to see Steve Trance standing next to him. “Do you mind if we talk?” Josh shook his head and the agent sat next to him. “First, let me tell you that I think you are a very dangerous man.”
“Me?”
“Listen to me, punk, either all that shit you did was faked, or you really did them. If you faked everything, you are a trouble-maker like the bastards who posted those other fake miracle videos on LIFE.”
“And if they are real?”
“Then you can do some amazing things. So far, they all seem to be for your own personal gratification. You could probably blow up this airplane right now, killing us and the crew.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a sicko, or maybe you have some grand scheme for power. How the hell do I know why you do this stuff?”
“You better calm down, Steve,” Agent Field said as he approached the other two. “This is way out of line.”
Trance stood up to face the other agent. “Carl, leave me alone, or has he sucked you into his little delusion too?”
“Steve, please. This isn’t getting us anywhere. We have a job to do and that’s it. What either of us think about this man is irrelevant. Please go cool off.” Trance pushed his way past Field and went back to his seat at the rear of the plane.
Field sat down next to Josh. “Please give Steve a break, Josh. We’re all under a lot of pressure right now with the situation around the world. Terrorists are blowing things up all over the place. You saw that yourself in Mexico, right?”
“I understand, Agent Field,” Josh replied. “Can I ask where you’re taking me?”
“Washington, D.C. The director wants to meet you personally.”
“Why?”
Carl laughed. “You think the FBI director tells me why he wants stuff? I just do as I’m told.”
“Sorry, I was just wondering.”
“It’s okay. I was wondering something too, Josh. I interviewed your friend, Ms. Cambridge, about the bomber on the plane. I don’t believe it, but she is thoroughly convinced it really happened. What kind of game are you playing?”
“It’s not a game, Agent Field. It happened just as she said it did.”
“That’s not physically possible. Why should I believe either of you?”
“Are you willing to try something with me?”
“No funny shit, Josh.”
“Just close your eyes for a moment and relax. I will just touch your elbow on the armrest with mine, nothing else.”
“What are you planning on doing, son?”
“So far, when these odd things happen, I feel myself being pulled into the events. I didn’t try to pop into that airliner, but suddenly there I was. Chris Judah told me I need to work on my abilities so I’ll be ready when the time is right.”
“Time is right for what, Josh?”
“To save the world.”
Field chuckled and said, “Maybe Trance is right. You are nuts!”
“Maybe you are both right, but indulge me for a minute. If nothing happens, then you and Agent Trance can have a big laugh about it all.”
“What the hell. Perhaps seeing yourself fail will help you understand that you need help. We have four more hours in this plane and I’ve got nothing better to do.” He sat back and closed his eyes tightly. Josh took a few deep breaths, put his arm against the agent’s and closed his eyes as well.
Something was desperately wrong and Carl began to panic. He could no longer hear the sound of the jet engines. The chair was somehow different and he imagined he could smell bacon frying. “What’ll it be, boys?” said a female voice.
“Two eggs over easy with crisp bacon, hash browns, and toast and coffee,” Josh said.
Carl opened his eyes and saw that he was sitting in a booth at a Denny’s restaurant. Josh was sitting across the table looking at the older waitress who was marking down his order. “How about you, honey?” she said to Carl.
“The same,” Carl squeaked. The waitress smiled and walked away. “Is this a dream?”
“I hope not because I’m starving,” Josh replied. “You guys picked me up before I could eat anything.”
“Where the heck are we?” Carl asked. Josh motioned toward the windows. Across the parking lot, a large freeway raced by just a block away. In the distance, the Washington Monument pierced the sky. “This has to be a hallucination. Did you drug me?” Josh shook his head firmly. Carl’s phone began to vibrate in his pocket. He pulled it out and press the connect button. “Agent Field.”
“Field, this is Special Agent Jackson. Where the hell are you? We got a crazy call from Agent Trance saying you and Mr. Carpenter were no longer on the plane. What happened?”
“I don’t know what happened, but I think I’m at a Denny’s just outside the Beltway. I can see the Washington Monument through the windows. I’ll get an address and you can send someone to get us.”
“Agent Field, you should know that’s not really necessary,” Josh interjected. “I’ll get us wherever you want to go after breakfast.” The waitress returned, set down two mugs of coffee and walked away.
“What’s the address, Field?” Jackson asked.
“It’s okay. We’ll get to HQ soon.” He pressed the disconnect button and set the phone down on the table. “If I wake up on the plane in a minute, I’m going to beat the crap out of you.”
“Boy, you and Trance really need to relax a little bit,” Josh smirked and then took a sip of coffee.
Chapter 8
Just as
he and Agent Field were finishing breakfast, two black SUVs pulled up in front of the restaurant. Now, after riding into the center of the capital of the American Republic, Joshua Carpenter was sitting in the interrogation room deep inside FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC. Agent Field had left twenty minutes ago, and now there was nothing for Josh to do but wait. He took a sip from a bottle of water and looked around the small room. Two walls were mirrors and he assumed agents were watching him from the other side. He considered waving to them or just moving into one of those rooms, but then thought better of it. He was beginning to think his actions on the flight from San Diego might have been too reckless. He was certain Chris Judah would tell him that the next time he saw him. But what was done was done. No need to cry over spilt milk.
The door opened and Agent Sadie Anderson stepped in with FBI director Carlos Montoya. Josh had seen his face many times on television and recognized him immediately. He stood up and extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Director.”
Montoya ignored the hand and sat down across the table from Josh. “Please sit down, Mr. Carpenter. This is not a social call. I believe you have met Agent Anderson.”
Josh let his hand drop to his side and took his seat. “Yes, sir, I met her at your office in San Diego.”
“I understand that you know Christopher Judah, is that correct?”
“Yes sir.”
“How would characterize your relationship with Mr. Judah?”
“That’s a good question. I think he is a friend, but I really don’t understand his motivation for befriending me.”
Sadie chuckled under her breath, and Montoya shot her an angry look. She looked down at her feet. “Mr. Carpenter, I put it to you that you and Judah have coordinated your efforts to put falsified videos on LIFE. You are aware that his family owns LIFE, yes?”
