Desecration: Antichrist Takes The Throne Read Online Free PDF Page A

that first?”
    “Priorities, man! The press conference was broadcast internationally.”
    David rustled through his bag for earphones and was slipping them on just as Chang made the connection to the Phoenix. He felt the ambience of the idle plane, and Chang transmitted an inset screen listing GC replacements for David, Mac, and Abdullah. “A. Figueroa for ‘ you,” Chang wrote. “Know him? Apparently they’re not replacing Nurse Palemoon. Still no idea who LH is.”
    “No need to prolong this meeting with Hut.” That was clearly Carpathia. “Get on with it.”
    “Right away, Excellency,” Moon said. “Leon, uh, Reverend Fortunate would like to update you on the image and the animal.”
    “I just saw him. Where is he?”
    “The head, sir. Feeling some discomfort.”
    “What is the problem?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “He was sitting right here a moment ago, Walter.”
    “Squirming.”
    “About what?”
    “I’m sorry, sir. I-”
    “Well, find out, would you? And get Akbar and Hut in here now.”
    David heard Moon on a walkie-talkie, directing someone to “let Akbar and Hut board. And have the purser check on Reverend Fortunate.”
    “Come back?”
    “Fortunato. First-class can.”
    Carpathia roared with laughter in the background. “An apt description, Mr. Moon!”
    “I didn’t mean that, sir. I was just-”
    “Can we get on with this, Walter? Should Fortunato not find his way back here, what is he going to tell me about the image and the animal?”
    “He didn’t tell me, Lordship, but he seemed very excited.”
    “Until he went to the bathroom in discomfort.”
    “Exactly.”
    After a few seconds of silence, Carpathia barked, “Walter, tell Suhail if he does not have his new man aboard in thirty seconds-”
    “Supreme Potentate Carpathia, sir, Security and Intelligence Director Suhail Akbar of Pakistan and Global Community Morale Monitor Chief Loren Hut of Canada.”
    Akbar said, “Forgive the delay, Potentate, but-”
    “Sit, both of you. Director Akbar, where did you find this tall specimen and why is he not still a rodeo cowboy in Calgary?”
    David noticed that Carpathia had pronounced the city with emphasis on the second syllable, just like the locals.
    “I enjoy ropin’ dissidents more,” the young man said.
    Carpathia laughed. “I was not speaking to you, Chief Hut, but-”
    “Sorry.”
    “-you saved yourself with that answer. Got everything you need?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Yes, Potentate,” Carpathia corrected. “Sir will not cut it when addressing your risen-”
    “Absolutely, Excellency, Lordship, Potentate. I was told. I just misspoke there.”
    “You would mock me?”
    “No, sir! Potentate!”
    “I asked you a question.”
    “I would not mock-”
    “Whether you have what you need, imbecile! Honestly, Director Akbar, this is the best we could do?”
    “He is quite accomplished and decorated, Excellency, and merely too intimidated in your presence to exhibit the loyalty he’s known for.”
    “Indeed?”
    “Yes, sir, Potentate. I’m loyal to you and always have been.”
    “And you worship me?”
    “Whenever I can.”
    Carpathia chuckled. “Is every Morale Monitor armed, Hut?”
    “Here in Israel, yes, they are. And everywhere else, they will be by the end of next week.”
    “Why the delay?”
    “The sheer numbers. But we have the weapons. It’s just a matter of getting ‘em to everyone.”
    “Your top priority is here, Hut. You understand that.”
    “Absolutely.”
    “And then it is to arm every one of your troops.”
    “Yes.”
    “What is the male-female ratio among the monitors?”
    “About sixty-forty males, Excellency.”
    “About?”
    “It’s almost exactly fifty-eight to forty-two.”
    “Excellent. Leon! You’re back!”
    “Forgive me, Lordship.”
    “Sit, please. Meet-”
    “I’d rather stand, if you don’t mind, Excellency. And I have met Mr. Hut. Impressive young man.”
    “Yes, well, I am glad you find him so. I will decide for