False Idols - Published Version

Chapter 23

                  

On the dais, Laura held out her arms, palms upward, to either side. Her voice came over the Aeon security radio network. "Hold fire. It would mar our religion's launch if we shot fleeing cowards in the back."

In a few more moments, Greg's team had overpowered the two guards that stood between them and the docks and hijacked the two speedboats to take them back to Brooklyn.

"Demon squad reports all friendlies aboard and unharmed," reported Greg. "Exfiltrating via lima zulu bravo. Request pickup in one-five mikes."

Sarah let out a sigh of relief turned her attention back to the island. The commotion was dying down and Laura signaled her guard to once again rap his spear butt on the dais to draw the crowd's attention.

Laura still stood with her arms extended to either side. Suddenly, from her left, a long, gleaming scepter flew across the length of the temple and landed in her hand. From the right came a heavy golden bracelet, which slipped over her outstretched fingers perfectly.

"How did she do that?" exclaimed Sarah. "And how did she stop Bob's knife?"

"I've seen her researching all kinds of electromagnetic technologies," answered Michael. "Diamagnetic levitation has been around for decades; that must be how she stopped the knife. And if you have magnets, making metal fly around is easy. The hardest part of what she just did was to align her wrist perfectly with the trajectory of the bracelet. But if her MindWave is coordinating, it seems possible."

"Well, whatever it is, it's gotten the attention of the crowd," said Sarah.

The crowd on the stairs had settled down and were now attentively looking up at Laura. She did not make them wait long.

"Downtrodden residents of New York," she began, in a deep and confident voice, "welcome to our temple. I come to you today to make a proposition.

"Your world is at a crossroads. A cataclysm is approaching, and it cannot be stopped.

"In the face of this disaster, your leaders, limited in their powers and faculties, have done nothing to protect you.

"So, we Aeons have descended to protect mankind, to carry the torch of life forward. When you are hungry, we will provide food. When you are cold, we will provide warmth. When you are desperate with loss and fear, we will provide love and comfort, until the danger has passed."

She gestured with her head and a number of guards came out from behind pillars and pulled small cardboard boxes out of large sacks they carried. They threw armfuls of boxes out into the crowd. People pushed and shoved each other to seize the boxes that landed near them.

"Must be food," muttered Michael.

Sarah saw Kobus leering with amusement and licking his lips at the sight of the fighting within the audience. Nick was scowling.

This went on for a minute before the sacks were empty. As the pushing and shoving continued, Laura concluded her speech, now in a deep, powerful voice that carried even over the commotion of the spectators below.

"The cataclysm is inevitable. But I also spoke of a crossroads, and a proposition. You can listen to the counsel of the Aeons, serve us at the havens we are building, and support us in our great tasks. In this case, you will prosper and your children and grandchildren will remember your wisdom with gratitude.

"Or you can believe the lies told by the fellow men you appointed to protect you, yet who take every opportunity to steal your livelihoods and smear the names of those who would help you. These are the same men who have accused us of robbing you. The same men who just tried to kill me for daring to offer you gifts of food and fuel.