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"But the Carpathia loyalists… they can't see the mark of God, and they have no reason to believe the loyalty mark is anything but what it appears. Therefore, I am free to live among them-buy and sell, come and go, even work here-without suspicion and-if I'm careful-without risk."

"You're good, Chang. But that last was very teenage thinking."

Chang appeared to think about that, then nodded his concession. "Maybe so. Too bad I won't have an old guy like you around to keep me from being too tempestuous and impulsive."

"I'm starting to feel ancient."

"You are, Director. Think about how few years you have left on this earth as we know it."

"Funny."

"Question is, how do you and your three friends get out of here, and how do I get your job?"

"You're not going to get my job."

"I could do it."

"Maybe you could, but not even Carpathia is foolhardy enough to risk that. You have to work your way up, and I have an idea who might take my spot anyway. You'd wind up working for him."

"That's too bad; if you're right."

"I'm right. You're so smart, have some common sense. They're not going to put a teenager in a director's chair.

They're just not. Think about it. I'm the youngest director now by eight years." " Congratulations."

"That's not the point. If you're going to stay here and be a better mole than I was-because the mark gives you unquestioned credibility-you have to be strategic. Pick your spots. Do what you can."

"Which is what, in your opinion?" "I can teach you everything I know before I leave." A smile played at Chang's lips. "What?" David said. "I know you're dying to say something."

"Just that you teaching me everything you know shouldn't take long. It's a joke. C'mon."

"A real comedian. Well, for as limited as I am, I'd like to think you'll be amazed by what I've done here and what I have in place. My biggest worry is that my remote access is only good for as long as they stay with the current system."

"You don't have to worry about that anymore," Chang said. "Because?" "I'll be here."

"But you're not going to be a director. It won't be your call what system they stay with or change to."

"But I can adapt what you've put in place to work with it, either way." "You probably could." "I know I could." David covered his mouth with a hand, thinking. Why hadn't he recognized the possibilities right away? "Some of your confidence is attractive. Part of it is off-putting."

"Most of it is an act, sir."

"Really?"

"Sure. The whole thing in here was an act. Pushing your buttons was just for fun. I'm just showing you how I'd fit in here. Be a little sarcastic, a little condescending. Tweak people. You think they're going to suspect I'm a Judah-ite?"

"I'm just wondering what's really inside you, Chang."

"What do you mean?"

"Spiritually. Your sister is a tough prison guard."

"She could whip my tail."

"But she glows with a spirituality, a humility. She has a real Christ-like quality."

"Not around inmates she doesn't."

"I suppose not. But what about you, Chang? Do you know who you are and who you're not? Do you understand the depth of your own depravity and realize that God saved you while you were dead in your sins?"

Chang nodded, maintaining eye contact. "I know I could use a lot more introspection, but yes, I do know. And I appreciate your reminding me."

"All right, I have a plan, Chang."

"That's encouraging. So do I. But I had a little more time to think about mine, so you start."

"I'll start because I'm older, I outrank you, and I am interviewing you. You're not even an employee yet."

"I defer. Mine's going to be better anyway, so go ahead… Kidding!"

"I say you maintain the attitude in front of the people here and your father, but give him a little slack before he leaves. He needs to believe you're at least OK with being here. Don't act impressed with me."

"That won't be hard."

"All right!"

"I'm listening."

"I'll bet. Come reluctantly to the conclusion that you want to work here and that you figure this is the most logical department to work in, though you're not impressed with it. You don't want to appear too eager. They're all excited about you, so let them stay that way. Play a little hard to get. As for me, I won't act much more thrilled than I did in front of Moon, and I'll just assign you to the guy I assume will replace me. After hours, you and I cram-mostly by phone and E-mail- and I'll show you what I've set up. During the day you work with him. Don't alienate him, because you'll quickly be his number-two guy. You might even want to govern yourself so you don't become too much of a star. Let him forget about you while trusting you. That way you'll be most valuable to our cause. Make sense?"

"You thought of that just now?"

"Don't start."

"I'm serious. Those were my thoughts exactly. And there's nothing I want more than to use every gift God gave me to be, like you said, valuable to the cause. Do I get to be a member of the Tribulation Force? Or would I have to live in the safe house for that?"

"They consider me a member. Of course, this is like the nerve center and they depend on what we do here to pave the way for them to come and go and infiltrate."

"So they ought to adopt me soon enough."

"I would imagine."

"May I shake your hand, as long as no one is looking?" David reached for him, and Chang gripped hard. "Don't take me too seriously. I just like to mess with people's minds."

"And I suppose few can compete," David said.

"Well, you sure can."

"I'm going to let you go and not do or say anything. Let them ask what I've decided. Then I'll reluctantly say I can use you if they insist. That way we keep maintaining distance."

"So when you escape, they won't think I had anything to do with it."

"Sort of. But actually-"

"Excuse me, Mr. Hassid, but have you thought of making your disappearances look like something other than running from taking the mark?"

David shook his head. "You got another few minutes, Chang?"

TWENTY-ONE

One week before the resurrected Nicolae Carpathia's widely advertised triumphal return to Jerusalem, Rayford Steele called an 8 P.M. meeting of the stateside Tribulation Force at the commons near the elevators in the Strong Building.

Grieving for the Greek pastor he had met only briefly and for Laslos's dear wife, he was nervous and fought to keep it from showing. God had restored him to leadership, and he was determined to fulfill his duty. As the others took their places, Rayford reviewed the dog-eared sheets of his legal pad and cleared his throat. He had not expected to become emotional and worried that it would detract from confidence in his command. But he couldn't control his shaky voice from the first word.

Eleven were there, including Rayford, Buck, Chloe-the surviving three original Trib Force members-and Kenny Bruce. In the order that they joined were also Tsion, Leah, Albie, Chaim, Zeke, Hattie, and Ming.

"It's important," Rayford said, "that we always remember our extended family. In Greece, only Laslos remains. In New Babylon we have David, Mac, Abdullah, Hannah Palemoon, and Chang Wong. Maybe sooner than we think, we will all be together. Meanwhile, I am grateful to God for each one on this team."

Rayford asked Tsion to pray, and everyone in the room spontaneously either stood or knelt when he began. "God, our Father, we come to you weak and frail and wounded. So many here have lost so much, and yet we are grateful to you for your grace and for your mercy. You are a good God, full of loving-kindness. We pray for every member of our family and especially for the plans you have for us in just seven days.

"We are comforted by the realization that you care even more than we do about our loved ones. We look forward to when we shall see you face-to-face, and we pray you will allow us the joy of bringing many more with us. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."