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by Robert L. Wise

  CHAPTER 70

  THE ENTIRE TOP FLOOR of Jerusalem’s King David Hotel had been set aside for Hassan Rashid’s party. The large entourage included people from around the world as well as major figures in the movement Rashid was creating. Leaders from Turkey were given special preference. Rashid’s friends strolled around the elegant hotel, chatting, drinking, promenading, while he remained upstairs.

  Because of the turmoil Rashid left behind in New York City, no official delegates from the United Nations were part of the chief’s party. Fierce arguments continued over substituting the European Union for the Security Council, and the debate subsequently stopped all significant forward progress. Rashid had short-circuited the entire international organization.

  Hassan Rashid also remained visibly in control of every aspect of the extraordinary treaty event. Having set up the signing in the new Jewish temple, he was carefully studying the treaty one more time to make sure his demands and intentions had been encoded in the document. As Rashid read, he liked what he saw.

  Abu Shad burst into the room, waving a piece of paper in the air. “Sire!” he addressed Rashid. “A new discovery has just been sent to us from the European Space Agency. You must be aware of its contents.”

  Rashid looked up slowly from his final reading of the treaty. “This is not a good time for an interruption,” he said coldly.

  “Of course,” Abu Shad agreed. “But a killer asteroid has been discovered coming directly toward the earth.”

  Rashid stopped and frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “A large chunk of rock and ice abruptly went off course and is projected to strike around the area of New Zealand,” Shad explained. “A researcher at the University of Pisa in Italy believes millions of people in that country and Australia could be killed. Darkness may well return over the entire world, and the economy of those two countries would be destroyed.”

  Rashid stiffened. “When is this supposed to occur?”

  “Researchers are projecting it will happen in this time zone late this afternoon.”

  “I see.” Rashid slowly rubbed his chin. “Interesting. At least we will have completed the signing by then, and it will have been carried on television all over the globe so no fool could have missed it. Even if the transmission is interrupted, we will still have accomplished our major goal today.”

  “But sire,” Abu Shad protested, “millions could be killed!”

  “I can’t stop that from happening!” Rashid snapped. “We must concentrate on what is under our control. Do you understand?”

  The secretary again bowed his head and nodded.

  “This runaway asteroid event will be our rival for television coverage,” Rashid thought out loud. “We must do everything possible to make sure every nation understands what I have accomplished.” He pointed his finger at the secretary. “Get out there and drum up media coverage. Make sure our television distribution across the globe is total, and nothing about our signing is to be cut off the air.”

  “As you say.” Abu Shad bowed and started backing out.

  “One more thing. Is Frank Bridges out there?”

  “Indeed.”

  “Send Bridges in at once.”

  Hassan Rashid returned to his reading of the treaty. He didn’t even look up when Bridges walked in, leaving the mayor standing nervously in front of him. Finally, Rashid turned over the last page. “Frank! Please sit down.”

  “Thank you.” Bridges slowly sat down.

  “How is business going in Chicago?” Rashid asked with almost idle indifference.

  “Fine, sir.” Bridges smiled. “Making excellent progress. I left Meachem to handle unfinished business.”

  “Good. Good.” Rashid smiled broadly. “Everything’s under control?”

  Bridges squirmed. “I believe so.”

  “Believe so?” Rashid stood up and walked around to the front of his desk. “Believe is such an, shall we say, indefinite word. I prefer people who know, not believe.”

  Frank Bridges looked uncomfortable but said nothing.

  “For example, months ago I asked you to find Graham Peck.” The sound of Rashid’s voice kept getting louder. He leaned over until he was only inches from Bridges’ nose. “Not only did you not obey that order, I understand Peck returned to your jail and stole his daughter out from under your nose, along with this Nancy Marks character whose husband tried to kill me!”

  Bridges jumped. “How’d you find out?”

  “I make it my business to know everything.” Rashid pounded the corner of his desk.

  “W-we’re about to catch them,” Bridges mumbled apologetically.

  “And I’ve heard you use that phrase a hundred times before!” Rashid ranted. “You’re always ‘about’ to do something. Well, I no longer have time for you to about do anything! You have failed me miserably, Frank.”

  Bridges cringed. “I am sure we will have this man back in custody by this evening.”

  “By this evening half of the world may be gone!” Rashid screamed. “I am getting ready to establish peace in Israel, which no one has been able to do, and you can’t even catch one little man who once worked for you!” he mocked Bridges.

  “But . . . ,” Frank Bridges began.

  “You are through!” Rashid drowned him out. “Finished! You are no longer on my staff. Get out of here!” His voice rose even higher. “I don’t want ever to see you again!” Rashid pushed a button on his desk and two burly men hurried in.

  “Please,” Bridges begged. “I assure you we will find Peck quickly.”

  “Out!” Rashid shrieked. “Throw this guttersnipe into the street! Shoot him! Anything!”

  The bodyguards grabbed Bridges’ arms and hauled him from the room.

  “Don’t ever let me see your ungrateful, incompetent face again!” the chief yelled like a madman.

  CHAPTER 71

  FOR AN HOUR the Canadian border guards confronted and argued with the Illinois National Guard troopers who had leaped from the helicopter. In their own official uniforms, Canadian police squatted in position with their rifles aimed at the American military during the entire confrontation. Hundreds of people trying to cross the border had jumped out of their cars and were hiding behind trees or lying along the ditches. An atmosphere of fear and apprehension hung over the standoff, but the Canadian officers wouldn’t back down. Eventually, the American National Guard soldiers got back in the helicopter. With the heavy thump-thump of the craft’s motor rising into the sky, the Americans finally lifted off.

  “You’re safe now,” the border agent in charge told Graham. “You can breathe easy. Those boys won’t be back.”

  “You saved our lives. We will always remain grateful.”

  “Well, I know you,” the Canadian said in a good ol’ boy tone. “The Americans sent us your picture several months ago. I always scrutinize those flyers when they come in, and I particularly noticed your face. Your hair’s a different color, but when you came driving up today I knew at once who you were.” He grinned. “Real bad criminals!”

  Graham forced a smile.

  The border agent chuckled. “I immediately saw the implications of their goings-on when I read that description of why they were chasing you, Mr. Peck. Sounds like the Americans thought you were quite a wild man. Typical political nonsense.”

  “It hasn’t been easy,” Graham said. “They gave us a good run for our money.”

  “And the rest of your trip won’t be easy either. Just before this attack occurred, we received a warning that an asteroid may hit the other side of the world. No one knows what it will do, but we’re going to have problems. Looks like the world’s going to get a real shakin’. I’d suggest you get on your way quickly.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Graham shook hands with the man. “We’ll pay careful attention.” He quickly returned to the family cars where all six people were huddled together.

  “What’d the man say?” Matthew asked.

  “He thinks we’re safe
now, but we need to get on our way because a meteor of some sort is going to hit the other side of the earth later in the day. Big problems are projected to follow.”

  “Remember what the book of Revelation warned?” Adah Honi exclaimed. “The angel will blow his trumpet and a mountain of fire will fall into the sea killing millions of people and destroying many ships. Is that not what is coming?” She glanced around at each person. “We must prepare for a difficult experience. No one can know what this will do to Canada.”

  “That’s a cheery thought!” Graham said sardonically. “I think it means we better drive like maniacs toward the Toronto airport.”

  Adah glanced at her watch. “In Jerusalem, on the other side of the world, the Antichrist is about to sign his infamous treaty with Israel. I—I think this asteroid is the Lord’s warning to the world about what this political action means.”

  “But will anyone understand?” Mary asked.

  “If Alice Masterson is still alive,” Graham answered, “she certainly will!”

  CHAPTER 72

  AN ISRAELI ORCHESTRA assembled especially for the treaty signing huddled together at the back of the sloping courtyard in front of the ancient Western Wall. The large orchestra played triumphant entry marches continuously while the delegates filed in for the historic moment proclaimed around the world. A recently installed speaker system blared the music across the top of the entire Temple Mount.

  Days earlier Israeli troops had cordoned off the entire Jewish section of the Old City and scoured every inch of the area to guarantee complete security for such a momentous occasion. Limousines pulled up in front of the rock walls of the Dung Gate entrance into the ancient city, and dignitaries from nations all over the world confidently crossed the entryway and ascended the steps to the Holy Mount.

  Between the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosques, an incomplete but imposing temple had been erected. Lacking the marble-and-gold exterior that would eventually complete the outside of the lofty structure, the building still towered above the Dome of the Rock, or, as it was often called, the Mosque of Omar. Obviously every Muslim in the world had been offended by the construction as well as the height. Many of the outer courts had not been completed, but the entire edifice stood as a lasting offense to the Islamic world.

  Nothing like a Solomon’s Porch or Beautiful Gate had yet been constructed around the building, but the plans for the present temple had followed along the original lines of the first structure built by Solomon in 960 BC, and later destroyed by the Babylonians. Standing on a platform ten feet higher than the surrounding ground area, the temple had ten steps up to the platform that ran inside to a bronze altar used for burnt offerings, and behind it was the sacred room known as the Holy of Holies. The area for the treaty signing had been planned on this ten-foot-high outer platform just in front of the final entry into the temple proper. Rashid obviously believed it provided the perfect setting not only for today’s event, but for his future plans as well.

  The hot sun burned with blistering heat while numerous television cameras captured every aspect of the celebration. Continuing their musical backdrop, the Israeli orchestra played passionately as the delegates took their seats in chairs in front of the temple proper. At five minutes to the hour, Israeli Prime Minister Dov Landau walked in with his cabinet, and they sat in their seats on the platform immediately in front of the temple entrance. The orchestra picked up the pace and the force of the music conveyed a majestic aura of hallowedness over the entire Mount.

  Exactly on the hour a helicopter descended on the large empty area behind the Mosque of Omar, and only Hassan Jawhar Rashid got out of the chopper. In an unusual gesture, he wore a black cape over his shoulders with a golden lining that shimmered in the bright sunlight. Walking with determination, Rashid marched in front of the assembly with a sense of absolute authority and took his place opposite Prime Minister Landau and his cabinet. The throng of dignitaries broke into raucous cheering and applause.

  Landau’s minister of defense walked to the recently constructed speaker’s podium and welcomed the delegates by announcing the purpose of the occasion. He was followed by Dov Landau, who made a statement about Israeli hopes for future peace and the desire to live in harmony with their neighbors. The prime minister then turned to the small table and signed the treaty. The crowd roared its applause.

  Finally, all eyes turned to Rashid. Slowly and with great dignity, the chief stood like the king of beasts and walked to the table holding the treaty. With a single, quick swipe of the pen, he signed the document and then turned to the podium.

  “This day marks a turning point in world history,” Rashid began. “I thank the prime minister of Israel and his cabinet for their farsightedness in signing this document, which will end hostility between the Arab world and the nation of Israel. We can now turn our expectations to years of peace and prosperity.” The assembly of significant and pompous functionaries broke into enthusiastic applause. Rashid smiled and nodded his appreciation.

  “It is important that we recognize how this moment has come to pass,” Rashid continued. “Using all the resources I have with my oil industry, my military capacities, and my diplomatic contacts around the globe, I have stopped the military opposition Israel faced. I did not accomplish this with threats of destruction or oppression, but by appealing to the best intentions of all parties involved.”

  Rashid stopped and let total silence fall over the entire crowd. “I have given new meaning to your struggles, new purpose to your labors. I am the source of ultimate meaning for citizens around this globe. You can call on me to protect you, provide for you, and sustain you. I am your hope and the completion of your dreams. You can trust in me forever. Lean on me and you will find fulfillment. I am your peace.”

  Many of the delegates squinted in the hot sunlight, not sure they had heard Rashid correctly.

  “I am now your chief and the supreme commander of the mightiest army the world has ever known. It is I who will guarantee your security. You can rest in the knowledge that I am your hope.”

  At that moment the ground started to shake slightly. Clouds churned, and blotches of deep purple mingled with streaks of angry red shot across the sky. Murmurs of fear arose from the audience, and Rashid gripped the podium tightly, knowing the asteroid had already struck. The platform beneath his feet trembled slightly, and he noticed the sky was turning dark across the far horizon.

  “Fear not!” Rashid shouted. “I am here that you may have life! I am your stability.”

  The ground continued to quiver, and the delegates turned to one another in concern. Rashid watched their consternation carefully. At this moment, only he completely appreciated the pinnacle on which he was poised. Not only did he command an invincible military force, he had declared himself to be divine. These slow onlookers hadn’t gotten it yet, but their chief was positioned to be the religious authority of the entire world. Hassan Jawhar Rashid was mighty, and he would never again need anyone! After he worked his way inside Israel’s nuclear power plant at Dimona where they stored enough radioactive material to fashion three to four hundred nuclear bombs, then he would crush Israel.

  CHAPTER 73

  THE PECKS’ CARAVAN wound across Canada and above Lake Huron while summer kept the sun up longer. After passing Sudbury, Ontario, Graham headed south toward Toronto. The sun was starting to set when he realized that the highway had started shaking. Immediately slowing the car, he noticed the sky. Clouds appeared to be racing away from them.

  “What in the world is going on?” Jackie asked.

  “I don’t know.” Graham thought for a moment. “Yes, I do! It’s the asteroid! There must have been an impact somewhere on the other side of the globe.”

  “Could it make the world shake?” Dismay filled Jackie’s voice.

  “Probably not,” Graham said, “but it could cause the plates underneath the land masses to move, and that would create earthquakes, volcanos, tremors, anything. We better check on our other
cars.”

  Pulling over to the shoulder of the highway, Graham stopped the car. Adah and Matthew drove up behind him.

  Adah stuck her head out the car window. “There’s a problem. My car shakes.”

  “Yeah,” Graham said. “It’s the highway.”

  Matthew got out of his vehicle. “Did I feel the ground rolling?”

  “Afraid so,” Graham said. “I think an asteroid hit somewhere, and we’re now feeling the repercussion.” He looked up at the sky. “Clouds are getting strange.”

  Matt studied the huge white pillow-like forms racing to the north. “The collision must have happened to the south.”

  “Quite possibly,” Graham said. “I’m sure conditions will worsen. We need to move on as quickly as we can.”

  “We have no alternative but to drive faster?” Adah asked.

  “No,” Graham said, “we must drive more carefully. I have no idea what will follow, but the sky could well turn black.” He hurried back to his car. “Let’s get out of here.”

  The sky soon darkened, and the winds picked up with treacherous force. Slowing down to fifty miles per hour, Graham’s vehicle swayed back and forth as the powerful winds shook them. Eventually he could see only the yellow line dividing the highway and had to slow down to thirty miles per hour.

  “Maybe we ought to pull over and stop,” Jackie said to Graham. “I’m afraid it’s getting too dangerous to continue.”

  “Yeah, I think you’re right. Let’s see what we can pick up.” He pulled to the side of the road and turned on the radio.

  Breaking up with static and poor reception, little seemed to be coming in but garbled sounds. Finally Graham tuned in a continuous news station broadcast from Toronto.