“So what?” Donaldson challenged.
“Seems hard to believe that a weapon could be unleashed that would strike around the globe all at the same time. We don’t have anything like that. I don’t believe that any foreign power has such a weapon either.”
Donaldson breathed heavily, obviously on the edge of losing control. He turned back to Delroy. “How are you going to prove what you’re saying?”
“Prove that this was the Rapture?” Delroy spread his arms. “Look around you. The proof is right here. If you want confirmation, read your Bible. Read 1 Corinthians. God states there that He will come for His church.” He flipped open his father’s Bible to 1 Corinthians 15:51 and began reading in a clear, strong voice. “‘Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.’” The chaplain looked up from the book. “That’s how fast it happens, Colonel. In the twinkling of an eye. Just the way those personnel disappeared from Wasp.”
“You’re insane,” Donaldson said, shaking his head. “That book was written back when high technology was getting your household fire stoked by slave labor. The people who wrote it could never have foreseen what’s going on today. Crazy talk. That’s what this is. Just crazy talk.”
“Did you know that Chief Petty Officer Mellencamp’s body disappeared in front of me?” Delroy asked. “I was watching when it happened. Have you heard that? Even the dead believers have left this ship. Do you have a better answer for what happened here? What kind of unknown weapon of mass destruction that we agree we don’t know about would cause the disappearance of a dead man from inside a body bag without opening the closures or leaving a mark on that bag or on his clothing?”
Donaldson cursed. “I don’t need to hear this.”
“You do,” Delroy said. “You just won’t admit to it yet.” He opened the Bible again and began reading once more. “‘For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.’”
“Captain,” Donaldson said, “are you listening to this load of bull?”
“I am,” Falkirk answered quietly. “To every word.”
“Then make him stop.”
“It’s not the Rapture you need to fear, Colonel,” Delroy said, drawing the Marine officer’s attention immediately.
“I’m not afraid,” Donaldson said.
“You’re afraid.” Delroy felt the strength of conviction flowing through him. Reading God’s words, remembering how his father had pounded the pulpit in his pursuit of the salvation of souls, washed away the fatigue and confusion that had filled his heart and his head for so long. He knew those feelings would attempt to return and that he would have to find the strength to stand against them, but he trusted God that he would find the means to do so.
Without warning, Donaldson launched a strong right fist at Delroy’s head.
Quickly, faster than he’d ever been before, faster than he’d thought humanly possible, Delroy reached up with his free hand and caught Donaldson’s fist with a loud, meaty smack. The blow halted only inches from the chaplain’s cheek.
Donaldson’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“You’re afraid, Colonel,” Delroy said. “But that’s all right because your fear may cause you to seek comfort in God. You should be afraid, because your immortal soul is going to be the cost of your disbelief.”
Donaldson tried to yank his fist back.
Delroy held on to Donaldson with a fierce strength he’d never known. “After the Rapture, God will leave this earth in place for seven years. That time will be called the Tribulation. All those who have not come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior before the Rapture will be given one last chance to make their peace with him and their acceptance of his dominion over their lives. But those seven years won’t be easy. The Antichrist will rise up and weave a tapestry of the sweetest lies a man has ever known, and the world as we know it will be changed in ways we never expected.”
Donaldson yanked his fist back, and this time Delroy let it go.
“You can’t prove a single thing you’re saying,” Donaldson said.
“You’re right, Colonel,” Delroy said. “I can’t prove it. I’m not supposed to prove it. God isn’t empirical. You can’t weigh and measure His works against any kind of criteria human beings have ever evolved.” He paused, feeling the swell of emotions breaking within him. “That’s why they call it faith. God is love and trust and acceptance and belief.”
Donaldson stepped back, and for a moment Delroy thought the man might reach for his sidearm again. Evidently Falkirk thought so, too, because the captain stood in a quick, fluid motion.
“You’re crazy, preacher. Bedbug nuts, if you ask me,” Donaldson said.
“If you want a fight, Colonel, it’s coming,” Delroy said. His voice deepened, and he knew instinctively that he spoke in the measured cadence of Josiah Harte bringing home a fiery invitation. “These next seven years are going to be fraught with peril and dangers beyond man’s wildest imaginings. Brother shall be turned against brother, and father against son. And no person will emerge through the Tribulation untouched.” He paused. “You won’t have a choice about that fight, but you will have to decide which side you’re going to be on.”
Donaldson trembled in anger, barely restraining himself. From a safe distance away, he leveled a finger at Delroy. “Captain, with all due respect, I request that you issue orders that that man should not be on this ship at this time.”
“You’re right,” Falkirk said. Then he met Delroy’s gaze. “Chaplain Harte, go pack your bags. You’re leaving in ten minutes.”
“Captain—” Delroy protested. He knew there was so much he could do here now that he knew and understood. And there were so many things that he had to work on, to prepare, to research.
Falkirk cut him off. “That’s an order, mister, and
