“Honestly, Gabriella, my motives are self-serving—or perhaps more for our country—for having you here today,” President Rodgers replied. “Please take a seat. I want to urge you to take a job, but hear me out first.”
When she heard “take a job,” Gabriella’s stomach rolled nervously as she seated herself on the large couch next to the president. She was experiencing the same feeling she used to get when talking with her now-deceased dad as a child. “Sir, have you lost confidence in my ability to lead Omega Group?” Her dismay was evident.
“No, quite the contrary, Gabriella. Your success and my knowledge of your upbringing make you the ideal candidate for this assignment.”
“Please explain, sir.”
Laughing as he slapped his knee, President Rodgers continued. “You’re all business and very analytical, just like your father. Okay, I want to ‘offer’ your talents as an intelligence officer and security expert to Draven Cross for what I expect to be his new role at the U.N. I have reservations about what Mr. Cross plans, and I want to be able to make informed decisions for our national security.”
“When you say ‘new role at the U.N.,’ I am guessing you have some insight that leads you to that conclusion? Do I understand you correctly, Mr. President—you want me to be a spy?”
“Yes, I do have some insight you’re not privy to regarding Mr. Cross. And, yes, Gabriella, spying is precisely what I want you to do for your country,” President Rodgers stated firmly, standing to pace back and forth in front of his desk.
“First, what about Omega Group? But even more to the point, sir, what makes you believe Mr. Cross is a threat to the United States? He seems in all of his actions so far to be a champion of peace.”
“That’s what worries me, Gabriella. I have already expressed my wife’s views—no, now my views—on what we just experienced, the rapture. If I am willing to accept that much of what the Bible has to say, I must be willing to believe the rest.”
“Sir, are you telling me that you seriously think that Draven Cross is the Antichrist?”
“No, I am not willing to place such a horrible label on this man yet. However, as a recent convert to Christianity, I am on watch for the man who will fit that bill. Draven Cross may be indeed a man of peace, but he could also turn out to be just the devil in disguise, no pun intended. This makes placing you on the inside of his organization vital. You will have access to his plans and intentions. You will see through his public persona and help discover anything that might be detrimental to this country, ahead of time,” President Rodgers concluded as he sat down behind his massive desk.
“What makes you think he would even accept me on his staff in the role you’re offering?” Gabriella asked skeptically.
“He is a man who always wants to be surrounded by the best, and I can think of no one better in the field of intelligence tradecraft.”
“Well, can I think it over? I mean, who will take the leadership role of Omega Group?”
The office door opened, and the president’s chief of staff announced, “Sir, Mr. Cross just landed on the South Lawn. I will announce him in ten minutes.”
“Thanks,” the president acknowledged. “Gabriella, don’t worry about Omega. This is your next job. Major Barrett will lead Omega and report directly to me. You need to figure out this guy as much as I do. My self-serving interest in your taking this assignment is, first, that I need someone I trust, someone who will earn his trust on the inside. You’re that person. But secondly, it is my earnest hope that being in this precarious position will in some way lead to your receiving Jesus Christ as your personal savior,” he confessed, his honest affection for her very evident on his face.
“Against my better judgment, I accept your proposition. But I have doubts about this, sir. We could lose credibility in the international community if my cover is blown. I have even more significant misgivings that working for Draven Cross will change my thoughts regarding God,” Gabriella replied firmly.
“For our country’s sake, I appreciate your willingness to go along with my plan, despite your misgivings. For your sake, all I ask is that you keep an open mind to the things of God, Gabriella. It is an arduous challenge for those of us that trust above all things the physical and explanatory world to consider the things of God as being real. But if the last few weeks have not even opened your mind to the possibility that God could be real, then I wouldn’t consider you a critical thinker.”
“Thanks for the guilt trip on God via reasoning, sir,” Gabriella returned dryly.
“You and I go back a long way. I just want the best for you, Gabriella,” President Rodgers said, assuring the woman he had known all her life.
CHAPTER 10
Draven Cross entered the Oval Office with all the pomp and false humility President Rodgers expected.
“President Rodgers, it is a real honor to visit you here at the White House. I appreciate your generous hospitality in flying me here in Air Force One. I may decide to keep it. I am jesting, of course. But, sincerely, it is a tremendous honor to be here,” Draven gushed, as he posed for the U.S. and international media contingent to snap a few photos to record his first meeting with a significant world leader.
“I am glad you feel welcome here in our great country,” Rodgers replied.
Before anyone else could speak, the chief of staff addressed the journalists. “Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. President Rodgers and Mr. Cross will now hold a closed-door meeting.” Then he promptly and efficiently ushered the entire contingent out of the Oval Office and closed the door firmly as he, too, departed the room. President Rodgers barely waited for the click of the Oval Office door before launching into questioning the intentions of Draven Cross.
“Rumor is you’ll be living here on a more permanent basis as the U.N. secretary-general,” President Rodgers began as he moved to his seat behind his desk.
“My, and I thought I was a shrewd businessman. Straight to the point, as you Americans are fond of saying in such settings as we find ourselves today. Well, let me introduce and then dismiss my confidants before we get to the heart of today’s visit.”
Draven introduced Evan Mallory as his political advisor and Gemma as his personal assistant, before asking them to wait outside the Oval Office.
President Rodgers eyed Draven as his staff members departed, leaving Gabriella and him alone with the would-be ruler of the world.
“That’s an interesting start to assembling your staff, but I am assuming you’re just getting started. Evan Mallory has an impressive Rolodex of power players around the globe, not to mention a ‘spiritual platform’ to congeal the masses. A smart move, Mr. Cross,” President Rodgers remarked.
“Please, call me Draven, and I am impressed with your assessment of my first key selection. While I think it may be premature to say I will be the next U.N. secretary-general, I like the way you’re thinking, Mr. President.”
“Thank you, but I think for now I prefer to call you Mr. Cross. As far as using religion to secure political power, your attempt will be nothing new.”
“As you like, Mr. President. I would like to speak to you in private, but I am willing to permit Dr. Gabriella Costa to remain if you wish.”
“I see you’re well informed, Mr. Cross,” returned President Rodgers, acknowledging Draven’s use of Gabriella’s full name without introduction. “Gabriella, please feel free to make whatever comments you wish before I ask you to step out of the meeting.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cross,” she greeted. “Your track record of peace and charity precedes you. I wish you the best going forward, sir.”
“Thank you, Gabriella. I am sure our paths will cross again. Your reputation as a professional and leader within the U.S. Intelligence Community is impressive.”
The two men stood as Gabriella excused herself from the meeting.
President Rodgers felt like he had Draven pegged—a populist, or more accurately, an opportunist with the wealth and connections to take advantage of a dis
aster-ridden world. As the Oval Office door closed once again, President Rodgers addressed the man directly and somewhat coldly. “So what do you want, Cross? I’ve been in politics long enough to know that you always size up the toughest opponent first. I am guessing you see America as the primary challenger to your plans.”
Draven laughed aloud before answering, “I like you, Rodgers. You’re like a cowboy dressed up in a suit. You’re still the fighter pilot blazing the sky with a massive ego and the notion that America’s ideology is the best in the world. You think that as the American president you have me figured out, right? That I need you?” He matched the American president’s tone.
“Well, at least you know where I stand. What about you, Mr. Cross? Exactly what are your plans for the immediate future?” President Rodgers asked bluntly.
“I expect to be announced U.N. secretary-general, and then I expect the support of world leaders like yourself to help me usher in universal peace on Earth,” Draven returned expansively.
“Really? You think you’re going to achieve universal peace through the U.N.?” President Rodgers’ face reflected his humorous disdain for the idea.
“I guess the better question to ask, President Rodgers, is who will be able to stop me?” Draven responded with a steely look in his emerald eyes.
The dark edge to Draven’s last remark shook Rodgers to his core. It seemed Draven was not at all intimidated by the setting. President Rodgers pondered that perhaps Draven Cross was the biblical Antichrist if his announced objective was to lead the world down a primrose path of peace. The president also knew he’d better stop “fighting this fish” for now before he broke away and viewed the U.S. as a clear and present danger.
“Well, I see no reason to oppose you at the moment. You have the majority, if not all, of the world’s support. My question still remains regarding what you’re pushing for regarding America by speaking with me first before other world leaders,” President Rodgers said, attempting to disarm the man.
“That’s simple, Mr. President. I need America to lead the way in denuclearizing and supplementing the U.N. with conventional arms and personnel,” Draven stated matter-of-factly.
“Do you really think that, of all the nations in the world, the American people are just going to allow me to turn over our military might to the U.N.? I mean, even with the current state of the world, that will be an impossible sale to Congress,” President Rodgers replied with astonishment.
Draven loved outmaneuvering those in power; moments like this were pure pleasure for him. “I don’t think so, Mr. President. I’ve already taken the liberty of speaking, via a conference call, to your congressional Gang of Eight, and they have unanimously agreed that it’s time America stopped solving the world’s problems. It’s time to lead from the back—at least, that is how your Speaker of the House put it.”
President Rodgers tried to hide the quivering fury rising within him. Draven had been playing with him this whole time. He was being made a fool by not only the pretenious Draven Cross but the elected officials of his own country. God help us, was the only coherent thought he could muster. “I see. So really this meeting is just to feel me out, in a manner of speaking. You just want to know if I’m going to be friend or foe.”
“Precisely. So whose side of history will you choose today, Mr. President?” Draven queried, steepling his hands beneath his chin while leaning forward in his seat toward the American president.
Rodgers’s fighter pilot instincts told him he was outnumbered and low on fuel. It’s better to fly for safety and live to fight another day than die on a fool’s errand, he thought. He was smart enough to know that if Cross could reach Congress without him, he needed to move wisely and deliberately. “Obviously I choose to be in the camp of Draven Cross. I even want to make a strong recommendation for your future intelligence chief—Dr. Gabriella Costa.” He stood up and extended his hand to Draven.
“I am glad your ability to see the big picture was not left behind in the cockpit of your F-16. I accept your recommendation for my intelligence chief and look forward to your pledging support for my world peace initiative, Mr. President,” Draven said smugly, ignoring the extended hand.
“Once you’re announced as the U.N. secretary-general, I will begin the process of allocating our military resources to your new organization.”
The office door clicked open, and Rodgers saw his chief of staff’s head appear around the edge. “Sir, my apologies but I needed to let you, both of you actually, know that the U.N. General Assembly, at the behest of Secretary-General Aguilar, just voted to make Mr. Cross the next secretary-general.”
“Please excuse me. As you can imagine the world will be expecting my reaction to this ‘shocking’ news. President Rodgers, when should I expect your announcement about our discussion?” Draven asked, a smile barely concealing his thinly veiled sense of triumph.
“I’ll schedule a press conference by this time tomorrow. Dr. Costa will be in New York by the end of the week,” President Rodgers responded, working hard to hide his gut-level distaste for the man.
“It has been a pleasure, President Rodgers. Trust me, America’s support and yours will not go unnoticed by the U.N. I will send Air Force One back to you once I arrive in New York today.” The supremely confident man exited the room, throwing a quick, “Cheers,” over his shoulder toward the president on his way out of the Oval Office.President Rodgers fell into his chair in the now empty and seemingly meaningless Oval Office, sickened by the encounter. He feared that America and the world were about to suffer much at the hands of a monster who had sold his soul to the devil. Pressing the intercom button on his desk, he told his assistant, “Send in Dr. Costa, please.”
* * *
Christopher was glad to be in his shared apartment and away from Draven Cross. He grew restless watching evening news stories of clean-up efforts and human-interest stories on post-disappearance normalcy. He couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had swept over him after making eye contact with Draven. The breaking news announcement that Cross had been chosen as the secretary-general of the U.N. did little to soothe his misgivings about the future. He needed to know what was coming next for the world. He addressed Jackson, who was sprawled out on the couch.
“Hey, you’ve still got Rev’s Bible and journal, right?”
“You know I do. I’ve been poring through them both every chance I get,” Jackson responded.
“So besides believing that Draven is the Antichrist, what do you think is on the horizon based on what you see in there?”
“In one word: judgment,” Jackson replied grimly, sitting up on the couch as he turned off the TV.
“That bad, huh? Is there anything we can do to prepare, to get ahead of these upcoming judgments?”
“I’ve been studying to figure that out. The short answer is, I see very little we can do to prepare to stay safe. The Bible, in Revelation, doesn’t provide precise timelines for everything that will happen, but I can share what I see in broad terms. A lot will happen over the next seven years, but I’ll give you the near-term, fifty-meter targets.”
“Okay, let the end-of-the-world school begin,” Christopher intoned pompously.
“Your sense of humor is terrible,” Jackson said as he reached for Rev’s journal and Bible, which he now claimed as his own. “Leave being funny to professionals like me. Anyway, the pain will come in three waves with seven judgments each. If Old Saint Cross announces a seven-year peace pledge with Israel and convinces the rest of the world to agree to the same, then the clock starts ticking based on what I see in here.”
“The clock? Do you mean the seven years of tribulation?”
“You got it. The signing of a seven-year peace treaty with Israel marks the official start of the tribulation, also known as Daniel’s seventieth week, from Daniel 9:27. I believe the first seal unleashing the rider on the white horse as the Antichrist has already been opened—when Draven was announced as the U.N. secretary-general. Re
velation 6:1–2 describe the rider of the white horse using diplomacy and the promise of peace to establish his one-world government. Sound familiar?” Jackson asked with a sarcastic expression.
“I am hooked so far,” Christopher replied guardedly.
“Rev marked verses in the Bible that give brief descriptions of what the opening of each of the following seals, trumpets, and bowl judgments will bring on the world. I’ll sum up the first four seals and riders, then you need to study the rest yourself. A big takeaway for me right now is how Rev noted in his journal that God would show the world grace even during this outpouring of His wrath,” Jackson said, leafing through Rev’s journal.
“How?”
“Well, for starters, each of these waves of punishment builds on each other. It seems there are brief lulls between each judgment to allow for repentance—an opportunity that some will take, but most will refuse. The seal judgments are bad, the trumpets are badder, and the bowls are the baddest.”
“Did you really just say bad, badder, and baddest?” Christopher asked, laughing. “If I didn’t know you, I would never guess you’re a fully qualified physician’s assistant. Country grammar at its best, you goofball.”
“Whatever. You get the point. It’s gonna suck. You should be figuring this out from your own perspective, college boy,” Jackson retorted, throwing a couch cushion at Christopher’s head.
“Hey, watch it. I’m sorry, but what you said was funny. Anyway, keep going.”
“The second seal sets the red horse and rider across the world that introduces a great war. The fallout from the war opens the third seal, and a black horse and rider will strike the world, which brings famine and further economic crisis. The fourth seal culminates in the natural results of a massive war, death. The pale rider and the three previous seals will claim over a billion lives and, sadly, many will enter into an eternity forever separated from God,” Jackson finished, his face serious.
Christopher was no longer laughing, either. The somber description of the future to come was terrifying. A thousand-yard stare flashed across his face as he sat in silence, the daunting task of figuring out how to survive foremost in his mind.
Rapture Advent of the Last Days Page 17
