I waited in the crowd for a half hour as the elevator carried load after load of jubilant Crusaders away. Eventually, my turn came, and I climbed onto the elevator. We went up and up, all the way to the top, level thirty-six.
When the doors parted, I saw a huge open area, almost completely filled with people.
Stepping out, I surveyed the room. It reminded me a little of old photos of the Hollywood Bowl, before it had been destroyed in the war, except that this place was much larger. It was circular, opening and vomiting out more groups of the faithful. The diameter of the room was at least two hundred yards, and a massive, transparent dome spanned the rook two hundred feet over our heads, revealing a panoramic view of eternity.
On the far side of the room, across the great expanse, I saw a large, empty stage. An enormous and ornate podium stood at the front of the stage, and a long row of throne-like chairs ran along the back. Mounted above the thrones was what appeared to be a gigantic screen, at least three times the size of the largest movie screen I’d ever seen.
Above the din, the strains of “Ode To Joy” were echoing throughout the vast auditorium.
How ironic. I couldn’t help but think that something from Wagner would’ve been more appropriate.
I couldn’t begin to estimate how many people comprised the teeming throng. Endless streams of Crusaders were pouring from the elevators, and the room was filling rapidly with a rolling sea of heads. I’d never seen such an ethnically diverse assemblage — every shade of human coloring was well-represented. With the almost tangible anticipation and excitement running through the crowd, the scene was what I would envision if the United Nations hosted a Sadie Hawkins dance.
I stood against the wall by the elevator, feeling increasingly claustro[hobic and desperately needing a cigarette. I decided against the indulging, certain that it would only draw unwanted attention. The stream coming from the elevators had now dwindled to a trickle, and the hum of the crowd was reaching a fevered pitch. Suddenly, the lights went down, leaving only the stage lit.
The multitude hushed as a small procession appeared stage left in single file. With great pomp and circumstance, the leaders of the cult took their places on the thrones. When all the seats were filled, a single man strode across the stage to the podium. On cue, a spotlight went on, and the man’s face appeared on the screen above the stage. It was the Reverend Claude Sheppard.
The masses burst into mighty applause. When I noticed several people staring at me and my lack of enthusiasm, I was forced to join in. The Reverend Sheppard smiled, obviously soaking up the adoration and reveling in the moment. Then, with a graceful gesture of mock humility, he lowered his eyes and raised his hand for silence. The applause slowly dissipated.
The Reverend spread his arms wide and smiled down benevolently.
“Brothers… sisters… my children. At this moment, we stand on the threshold of a new era!
A great and glorious era! Today, we come into our inheritance!”
The crowd weht crazy. After letting the mob vent its jubilation, the Reverend again raised his hand. “Every man, woman, and child here today has been specially chosen to fulfill a vast and wonderful destiny. You shall be the first generation of the Earth’s golden age.”
A loud cheer went up from the masses, but I also detected some incomprehension among the faithful. The Reverend Sheppard continued.
“You have all reached the pinnacle of ascendancy in the Crusade for Genetic Purity. But today you will learn that you are an intergal part of something much more. You see, my children, our beliefs and practices are ancient. The events happening now were prophesied long ago, thousands of years before we were born.”
The crowd was silent, seemingly trying to comprehend what it was hearing.
“Our order originated deep in the mists of unrecorded time. These forefathers foresaw a day when the Earth would be reborn, and only the pure would survive. Throughout the generations, worthy men and women continued the process of preparation, passing on the knowledge and prophecies of the founders. All their work went into preparing for an event that will begin only hours from now. At midnight will come the purification!”
The people cheered, but most of them didn’t seem to know what they were celebrating.
“We have known for many years that the Earth would be reborn on this very date. As one prophet described it, ‘A great storm will appear from the Western sky and overwhelm the impure.’ This purification will cleanse the Earth of the inferior masses that threaten the integrity of humanity.”
Sheppard gestured all around. “This magnificent Moon Child is also a fulfillment of prophecy. It was foretold that this would be the haven of the faithful, where those who were destined to claim the purified world would be sheltered from the storm of purification and wait for the process to be completed. For forty years, we will stay here and prepare for the day when we can return to a purified Earth!”
For the first time since the speech began, I heard confused voices among the listeners.
Apparently, many of the Crusaders hadn’t known they were signing on for a forty-year tour of duty. As the Reverend Sheppard waited for the crowd to quiet down, I decided what I needed to do. I began making my way toward the stage. Sheppard resumed his sermon.
“Very soon, the planet below us will be engulfed in an initiation of fire. There will be no survivors. We will be the last and best remnant of humanity. Each of you carries an important responsibility. You and your children will recolonize the Earth, and we will create a civilization of enlightenment and purity, the likes of which has never existed.
Our lives will be rich and full and unencumbered by the rot and decay that now infests the planet. Lift up your hearts and rejoice!”
The response was strong, but still uncertain. It was a reaction that I hoped might be exploited. I was halfway to the stage when I glanced up at the screen and saw a change come over Sheppard’s face.
“There is another matter that must be addressed at this time. We are bound together here by our common beliefs and goals. It is paramount that we maintain our unity of purpose.
But I say to you, there is a traitor among us!”
I froze in my tracks. They were onto me. I looked around furtively, but everyone around me had their eyes riveted on the Reverend. I looked back up toward the stage and saw three silhouetted figures approaching the podium. As they stepped into the light, I saw a familiar figure, handcuffed with a security guard on either side. It was Karl Voorman.
Sheppard pointed a finger at him. “This man is an unbeliever! He would undo all that we have sought to accomplish! He came to us under false pretenses, and we opened our arms and hearts to him. Now we have learned that he intended to destroy us!”
I continued toward the stage as an angry murmur rippled through the assemblage. Had Voorman been the CAPRICORN mole? If so, why had he allowed Ching and her men to be murdered? Maybe he didn’t know why Ching wanted passage to the moon… and she’d insisted that there be no questions asked. The most reaonsable explanation for his actions was that he couldn’t risk blowing his cover, not even to people who might possibly be on his side. Maybe Ching hadn’t explained why we wanted passage to the lunar penal colony. Or, possibly, Voorman wasn’t in a position to reveal himself. I thought back to when I’d been discovered on Voorman’s shuttle. He’d kept me from being killed. And he tied me loosely enough so I could escape. Had he done that intentionally? A hollow feeling in my stomach told me I’d blown the last chance to stop these madmen.