Belshazzar was talking with his nobles when enemy soldiers ran into the great hall. Sulaiman was the first to notice them. He yelled to the royal guard, who fought to their last breath trying to defend the king. It was to no avail; all were killed.
The soldiers surrounded Belshazzar and his nobles and held them captive until the generals arrived. Then the generals sat and drank wine as they surveyed their prisoners. At the back of the great hall, two men could be seen talking under a spectacular tapestry.
"Gadates, you haven't counted your golden coins yet," one exclaimed.
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"I don't care about the money. This is about revenge."
"Revenge?"
"Yes, Gobrya. Two months ago the king took the entire court hunting for game. My courtier friend brought down a pheasant before the king had done so. Belshazzar became furious. He drew his sword and struck him down in front of everyone. Last week he killed another courtier when one of the nobles commented that he looked handsome. He's a madman! He had to be stopped. I hope that Cyrus's soldiers kill him soon!"
Gadates smiled when he heard General Jawhar give the order to execute the king and the nobles, who begged for mercy. One by one the soldiers killed them, leaving Belshazzar for last. They wanted him to suffer.
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FORTY-SEVEN
MUSA SERAPIS COUNTED HEADS. Eight of the twelve representatives of the temporary members of the Security Council had made it to Newark Airport, as had all five permanent members, but the monthly president had not arrived yet.
Serapis spoke. "Under the circumstances, and in light of the fact that the president is not here, do I have your approval to act as temporary chairman?"
Everyone nodded.
Serapis had been the Secretary-General for over a year and was quite well received, especially by the Third World countries. His dislike for U.S. foreign policies was well-known.
For the first hour they discussed emergency plans for the continued operation of the UN and the protection of its employees. The conversation began to change when Permanent Council member Jacques Verney of France spoke.
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"We cannot keep on living this way. The people of New York City are terrified. What would have happened if the George Washington Bridge had been blown up? How many people would have died. We need to consider the safety of the members of the United Nations. I think now is the time to consider plan 7216. As you all know, there has been quite a bit of discussion about the possibility of moving the United Nations out of the United States. Because of the global control philosophies of the United States, smaller and less powerful countries have had to resort to terrorism to have their voices heard. These types of terrorist attacks continue to threaten the well-being of all UN employees. I believe these types of attacks will continue as long as the United States continues to follow its godlike dreams to control the world and how it functions."
Permanent members Warren Watson of the United States and Carlton Thorndike of the United Kingdom looked at each other. This was not the first time the subject of moving the United Nations had been brought up. The Middle East, Europe, India, Africa, and South America were becoming increasingly hostile toward the United States. The hostility was also beginning to have a backlash against the United Kingdom for its support of American policies.
Vladimir Karkoff, permanent member from the Russian Federation, said forcefully, "It does not seem like the United States is prepared to deal with terrorists in its own country The U.S. failure to protect its own people is quite evident. The U.S. inability to prevent such attacks threatens the safety of people in the Russian Federation. I
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too am in favor of bringing this matter up to the whole assembly for a vote."
Temporary member Salmalin Rajak, from India, said, "I have talked with many leaders of smaller nations about the imperialistic designs of the United States. They have told me that they are considering a boycott of American products."
Warren Watson countered. "Just where do they think they're going to get the supplies they need, Mr. Rajak? We have been supporting them with 'Food for the Hungry' programs for years. We've spent billions of dollars to help their countries prosper. And look how many American jobs have been outsourced to India. Over the years, we've done nothing but try to help the countries of the world. I can't believe your attitude! Name another country that has helped you as much as the United States."
"The European Union wants to trade with our countries and will help to support them," Rajak replied. "All of Europe and Asia--and most of the world--would rather have the European Union's help than America's help. We think that power has gone to your heads. You think everyone in the world must join America's democratic way of thinking. But who's to say that your way is best? All you want to do is force policies and tariffs on us so that you can exploit us commercially. The United States wants the wealth of all of our nations!"
Rajak paused to collect himself. He realized that he may have come on too strong. He began to moderate his words. "Of course, this does not mean that the United States should not be a member of the United Nations. They are a strong country and should be included. It is
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just that they should not play such a dominant role. The Americans need to become a little more... shall we say tolerant and diplomatic."
Watson, irate, was about to respond when Zet Lu Quang addressed the group. "As a permanent member of the Security Council, I speak on behalf of the People's Republic of China. We also have grave concerns about the United Nations remaining in the America, and especially New York. There has been talk of a UN building being constructed in Geneva, Switzerland, since we already have a headquarters there. Are any other locations being considered? The People's Republic would be most happy to consider the donation of land in our capital city."
Verney responded. "Plan 7216 suggests moving out of the United States. It does not, however, suggest where the final location should be. That must be decided by a vote of the entire body. I've talked with various members of the UN, and there seems to be a positive response to the possibility of moving the United Nations building to Iraq. More specifically, to a city in Iraq with a very ancient history: Babylon. I talked to Helmut Weber, the ambassador from Germany, and his country is most supportive of such a move."
Serapis looked at the assembled group. This was a good opportunity "I've talked with a number of the leaders of the European Union. They told me that they would support a move to Babylon. The EU would even help to pay off the huge debt the UN has incurred over the years. They also said that they have funds available to help construct a new headquarters."
Everyone smiled and nodded except for Watson and
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Thorndike, who were fuming. They knew it would not be wise to speak when their emotions were so volatile.
"The EU leaders told me that those funds came as a donation from an anonymous group. Their representatives said that they would pay all of the expenses for the construction of a new building," Serapis concluded.
He smiled as he noted a buzz of conversation at his words. He looked toward Jacques Verney. Their eyes met briefly with an imperceptible sign of recognition.
Watson saw the exchange. He felt sure that Serapis and Verney had discussed this topic more than once before. They're using this recent threat as an excuse to promote the United Nations moving out of the United States.
Serapis got the group's attention. "Part of our responsibilities is to help promote and preserve world peace. It is our job to agree to general principles and encourage the settling of disputes. I think that moving the United Nations out of America will help to promote world peace. It will be seen as a gesture of reaching out to those smaller nations that do not believe they have a voice. The Arab world and many in Europe will view the move to Iraq as a reaching out to the Muslim community."
Serapis could see many of the members nodding in agreement. He knew he had them in the palm of his hand. "It will reduce tensions wor
ldwide. It may even bring about that lasting peace that we are all looking for. Our children and our grandchildren are depending on us to make the right decision. It is a decision that will lead to the saving of thousands of lives worldwide."
Serapis was beginning to wax eloquent. Watson felt like hitting him rather than listening to him.
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"As leaders, we are to look for positive and unique ways to settle disputes among all nations... both large and small." Serapis paused for a moment and let his words sink in. Then he asked, "How many of you would like to see this as a topic at our next meeting of the General Assembly?"
All but two hands were raised.
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FORTY-EIGHT
THE TRIP BACK TO RALEIGH seemed to drag on and on for Murphy. It was not so much the miles traveled, but the thought of what might have happened if the George Washington Bridge had been blown up. How much devastation would the dirty bombs have caused?
I'll bet as many as thirty to forty thousand would have been killed by the blast and radiation.
Memories began to flood over Murphy as he relived the tragic events of a bombing at the Preston Community Church. He could hear the explosion in his mind. He could smell the smoke from the burning wood. He could taste the ashes on his tongue. He could see bloodied people and lifeless bodies. And he also could see the sweet face of Laura as she slowly exhaled her last breath. He relived his anguish at the realization that she was gone and his anger for the man who had killed her.
More than once Murphy had to pull to the side of the road because his vision was blurred with tears for himself
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and for those who lost loved ones. He knew their pain. He was emotionally drained when he arrived home that evening.
As Murphy drove to the Preston University campus, he was aware of the struggle of emotions that faced him: Anger at the terrorists and the panic they caused vied with the need for a sense of normality.
How strange life is sometimes. There is so much pain in this world and yet there is also so much beauty.
Murphy recalled the words of King Solomon. They had been a favorite of President Ronald Reagan:
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
270 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace .
Deep down inside, Murphy knew that it was a time of war--a spiritual war against the powers of darkness.
"Dr. Murphy, I'm so glad to see you. I knew that you were in New York, and I was wondering if you got caught in that terrorist attempt. I was so worried." Shari's usually sparkling green eyes were filled with concern.
"I'm fine, Shari. I was just getting ready to leave New York when I got the word."
"How about Isis?"
"Fortunately, she flew out of La Guardia before the terrorist warning. She's safe back in Washington."
Murphy realized that he could have lost Isis if the terrorist attack had happened and she had been on a later flight. He could hardly bear the thought. He knew that his feelings for Isis were more than just casual.
Shari was riveted as Murphy recounted the events surrounding
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the attack. Finally Murphy shifted the conversation. "Shari, how are you doing? I know that you were going to have a talk with Paul. How did that go?"
"Good and bad. Bad because we broke up, and that has made me unhappy. It's been a tough few days. And good because it's finally settled. I couldn't continue in a relationship with someone who had different values than me, even though I love him. I knew it wouldn't work in the long run."
"How did Paul take it?"
"I don't think he was surprised. We had discussed it several times before. It's just that it's so final. It's hard to adjust."
Murphy kept silent for a moment. He knew that nothing he could say would ease her immediate pain. "Shari, I'll be praying that God will give you the strength to go through this difficult time."
Shari looked up with tears in her eyes. "Thanks, I need it."
Murphy tapped his fingers while he tried to reach Isis on the phone. His body was filled with a whole host of emotions that were not finding expression.
"Michael, are you all right? Where are you calling from?" Isis exclaimed.
"I'm back in Raleigh. I arrived late last night. I would have called then but I didn't want to wake you up."
Murphy told Isis about the abortive bombing of the George Washington Bridge and his role in deflecting it.
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Eventually the conversation turned toward the planned search for the Handwriting on the Wall.
"It may be a little more difficult to get into Iraq with all the heightened security. But if they approve, I think we should still go. Are you still game?" he asked.
"I'm game, but a little nervous at the same time," Isis replied.
"Me too. But at least we'll be together, and that's a good thing."
Isis smiled to herself. It would be good to be with Michael.
"Have you heard anything from your folks at the Parchments of Freedom Foundation?" he asked. "Are they still interested in helping to fund the expedition?"
"Yes, I talked with our chairman, Harvey Compton, and he has agreed to the project. However, he'd like us to take Dr. Wilfred Bingman along."
"Who's he?"
"He recently joined the foundation. He was a professor of archaeology at Florida State University. I think you'll like him. He's very outgoing and really knows his stuff. You'll have a lot in common."
"The more the merrier. It'll be good to have another archaeologist on the team. I'll contact Jassim Amram to see if he's been able to clear his calendar. With your ability to read ancient languages and all of our experience, we should be able to easily confirm the handwriting if we find it."
"Do you have any doubts, Michael?"
"No, I'm sure it's there. Methuselah wouldn't go to all of the trouble to inform me if it wasn't. I'm just a bit concerned
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about what we might run into trying to discover it. We haven't had an easy time finding other artifacts. Something usually happens to throw a kink in the works. That's how Methuselah gets his entertainment."
Isis sighed. "You're certainly right about that. Well, at least our lives aren't dull and boring."
Murphy laughed. "I'll contact Levi to see if he has cleared our travel to Iraq. He was also going to see if Colonel Davis of the U.S. Marines would be able to afford us some protection while we're there. Especially when we travel."
"That would be reassuring. I'd like that."
"I'll call you as soon as I get the green light. I'm looking forward to being with you again, Isis," Murphy murmured.
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FORTY-NINE
"OKAY, OKAY. I have to admit it."
Murphy glanced up from his desk with a questioning look, Shari was standing in the doorway holding a box with some mail on top of it. Her head was cocked to one side and there was a smirk on her face.
"Admit what? What are you talking about?"
"Your mail."
r /> "What about it?"
"You've got a really heavy box."
"So?"
"So I have to admit that I'm curious. Let's see what's inside."
Murphy shook his head, smiling. Shan's curiosity was refreshing. Pretending not to care, he looked down at the papers on his desk and said in a bored tone, "Well, if you're so curious, why don't you open it?"
A big smile came over her face. Shari shook the box like it was her Christmas present. "There's something
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loose inside. It doesn't have a return address on it. And look--the box is almost falling apart."
Murphy smiled at her running commentary. He watched her take a knife and begin to open it. Then he said, "Maybe it's a bomb."
That made her hesitate for a minute and give him a dirty look. She pulled the top off and said in surprise, "It's full of rocks."
"Oh, great! I was wondering when they'd arrive."
"What do you want rocks for?" Shari had scrunched her nose up in distaste.
"Just kidding, Shari. I didn't order any rocks."
"These rocks are smooth like they came out of a river," she said as she placed three-to four-inch rocks on the table. "Look, there's a note."
"Probably from Dean Fallworth. He'd like to stone me to death," Murphy said wryly.
Shari smiled. "The note isn't signed. Some more of your weird mail!"
"What does it say?"
A golden opportunity awaits
Those who appreciate Cabarrus Debates
And search for the Hessian who deserted his
session... And later planted a seed which
led to the weed of greed.
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Murphy sighed. Shari caught the sound and looked up. "What?"
"Methuselah, I'll bet."