Left Behind Series - The Remnant Part 44

"I know how far away we are, Vasily."

"of course."

"I'll let you know."

when Medvedev left, Steve bowed his head, weeping. "G.o.d, what should I do? Bluff them? See if I can get a waiver? Is this it?

Is it over? Can I be of no more service to the believers around the world?"

Steve spent the morning communicating with Chang in New Babylon, where it was late afternoon. They worked frantically to come up with suggestions as to where the Chicago based Trib Force might go. No one anywhere could take them all. The Strong Building had been perfect, if only briefly.

Neither Chang nor Steve had yet been able to ascertain when the bombing of Chicago might commence, but clearly speed was of the essence. Only after they had informed everyone and made their recommendations did Steve tell Chang what was happening with him.

"I knew they were cracking down," Chang said, "but I had no idea how soon. Let me put in the database that you've had the mark applied. I can copy you on the doc.u.mentation. "

"Can't let you do that, brother."

"Why? I just did it for a Co op flier the other day. He didn't even know till it was done."

"with the way they're watching at the palace right now? I go front no doc.u.mentation one day to totally clear the next?"

"It doesn't have to be at Resurrection. I could say it came from anywhere."

Steve paused. It was intriguing, enticing even. But it didn't resonate. "Maybe if you'd thought of it before if it had just showed up, like an accident, like you did with the other guy. But this would be like my choosing the mark. I couldn't do that."

"Then you're getting out of there, right? Where will you go and how will you get there? Should I send someone for you?

appropriate a ride?"

"It's not going to work, Chang. That'll make you vulnerable. And you know they've got to be watching me." "No one's on to me yet," Chang said. "I don't think they're even suspicious."

"You need to keep it that way."

"Can you get to Petra? There's a Co op flight out of Montana today. I could have him "

"I'll let you know, Chang. I appreciate it, but it may be time to take my stand."

"What are you saying?"

"You know."

"Oh, Steve, at least make them catch you. We need you, man."

"On the lam? What good would I be?"

"We need everybody we can get."

Buck debated waking the Greek contingent and decided against it, though it meant more work for everyone else. Chloe, Mac, Hannah, and Sebastian had staggered in during the wee hours.

Buck could tell Kenny was fascinated by all the activity. People scurried everywhere, deciding what they absolutely had to have, packing small boxes, ignoring printouts, notes anything that was in a computer anyway. The person allowed to take more than anyone else was Zeke. There were things he simply could not do without: his files, his wardrobes, the tools of his trade.

Leah spent most of her time on a secure phone to Coop people all over the country. She told Buck, "Everyone is resigned to the fact that they may have to take a few people in, and they honestly seem honored, but no one is excited about it. They are stretched to the limit for s.p.a.ce and necessities as it is."

"We have no choice, Leah. It's time to call in the chips. I hate to say it, but a lot of these people owe us nothing less. We have run the Co op from here and provided them with stuff that keeps them alive."

Albie seemed glum. And why not? Buck wondered. The only place Albie could think of to go and wanted to go was back to A Basrah.

"But I don't want to take a plane when so many of you have places to go."

"Do what you have to, Albie," Buck said. "See if Leah can get you a ride with someone delivering supplies to Petra. You know we'll be calling on you frequently."

"You'd better," Albie said.

Enoch's people were under the building, checking vehicles, seeing how many were in running condition. He had traded the privilege of choosing cars and SUVs as a concession against trying to get all thirty of the others from The Place onto planes. Leah had already lined up for them several underground centers within driving distance, Enoch himself in Palos Hills, Illinois.

"You know the danger of a caravan pulling out of here in broad daylight," Buck said.

"I sure do. But we also know the danger of being here when the GC hits."

Steve Plank had communicated to Vasily that he wanted to leave the GC compound at A.M. He spent much of the rest of the morning behind closed doors, agonizing in prayer. Finally he called Buck. What a strange turn, he thought.

Seeking solace and counsel from a young man who had once been his best and most challenging employee. The glory days of Global Weekly were long gone.

Steve's news was met with silence. Then a subdued Buck: "Steve, don't do it. Please."

"You think I want to? C'mon, man! Don't get personal with me now, Buck. I just wanted to say good bye."

"well, I don't want to, all right? I've said enough good byes for one lifetime. Anyway, we need you. This is no time to be giving up."

"Don't insult me."

"I'll do what I have to, to keep you from this, Steve."

"I had hoped for more from you."

"I could say the same," Buck said.

"You think I'm taking the easy way out? Don't do this to me."

"What're you saying, Steve? That I'm supposed to just support you, wish you the best, say I'll see you on the flip side?"

"That would help. Tell me you trust my judgment."

"When I think you've lost your mind?"

Steve sighed. "Buck, I've got no one else to call. If I tell you that you can't talk me out of it and that's why I'm calling, will you just tell me you're with me?"

"Of course I'm with you, but "

"I'm not a coward, Buck. You've seen me. You know I should have died. I was buried underground for almost a week. I live in pain every hour of every day, but I've misled, I've conspired, I've finagled, I've double crossed the enemy every way I know how. Well, there's something I won't do. I won't run like a child and I won't deny Christ. "

"I know you won't."