“No, sir.”
“Because I’m a pretty good Christian,” Falkirk said. “I didn’t believe with the strength and the faith and the conviction I was supposed to. And do you know how big that faith is supposed to be?”
“The size of a mustard seed, Captain. At least, that’s what my father told me in his church and in his house.”
“When I saw Donaldson go at you,” Falkirk said, “when I saw the fear in him and I knew in my heart that you were right, I knew if I wasn’t careful I was going to watch this ship’s crew tear itself apart. Believers, nonbelievers. Christians, non-Christians. Those who were afraid, and those who were not.” He paused. “I couldn’t allow that to happen. Not on my watch.”
“So you decided to jettison me, sir?” Delroy let some of the outrage he felt spill into his voice. “And you stand there telling me you believe what I’m saying is true?”
“Chaplain, the world is living in fear at this moment. Everything that has happened on Wasp has happened in the rest of the world. Russia stands poised to attack the United States with its nuclear arsenal and take us straight into Armageddon. I’m not willing to go there. Not without a fight.”
“But, Captain,” Delroy protested, “I could do a lot of good aboard this ship. I could counsel the men. I could—”
“You could,” Falkirk interrupted in a calm, firm voice, “do a lot more toward saving lives by speaking at the Pentagon and convincing the Joint Chiefs of Staff of your belief.” He paused. “Of our belief, Chaplain.”
Delroy felt as though he’d been poleaxed. “The Pentagon, sir? The Joint Chiefs of Staff? Me, sir?”
“You’ll enjoy the joint chiefs. They’ll be a tough crowd, but after watching you witness to Colonel Donaldson in my office, I know you’re the right man for the job. Your father would be proud of you.”
The enormity of the task laid before him hit Delroy like a ton of bricks. “But, sir, my place is here. With Wasp. This crew has never needed me more. And I have never been more able to serve them.”
“Are you scared, Chaplain?”
Delroy took a deep breath. “Aye, sir. More than I can ever remember being.”
Falkirk smiled a little. “You can do more in Washington right now, Chaplain, than you can here. Let’s work to save lives first, then we’ll work to save souls.” He offered his hand. “I made my decision down in my office. I’d made it before your confrontation with Colonel Donaldson. I was prepared to try to convince you of the Rapture.”
“That’s why you had the Bible on your desk?”
“That Bible,” Falkirk said, “is always on my desk or near to hand. When I have to deal with problems with personnel, I reach for that Bible before I reach for the Navy manuals.”
“I didn’t know that, Captain.”
“Just as I didn’t know if your convictions had strengthened enough to handle this situation. I know your son’s death troubles you, and I know you’ve struggled with your own faith.”
Delroy’s face felt hot. “I’m shamed to know that you were aware of that.”
“We all struggle with our faith,” Falkirk said. “I just didn’t know if you’d be ready for the task I was going to ask of you. But when I saw you stand up to Colonel Donaldson, when I saw the belief in your eyes, I knew I didn’t have to sell you. Just as I know you won’t back down from the joint chiefs.”
“No, sir.”
“Then shake my hand, Chaplain,” Falkirk said, “and climb aboard that helo. You’re wasting fuel standing here talking, and I don’t know that I have the reserves for it.”
“Aye, sir. You’re right, sir.” Delroy shoved his hat under his arm and took the captain’s hand. They shook.
“Godspeed, Chaplain,” Falkirk said.
“Thank you, sir.” Delroy stepped back, saluted smartly, then performed an about-face and jogged toward the waiting Sea Stallion.
Once Delroy was safely buckled in his seat, the pilot pulled the CH-53E into the air and informed him they would be stopping in Greece to pick up the plane Falkirk had requisitioned for the flight to Washington, D.C. The pilot informed him that the plane trip would take fifteen or sixteen hours.
Delroy gazed down through the window, watching as Wasp and the rest of the ARG grew smaller and smaller against the blanket of green sea. Seeing the vessels made him realize how small his world really was while he was living aboard Wasp.
And how big the problem facing him really was.
But the stakes, God help me, You know what the stakes are. As he bowed his head and began to pray, Delroy was surprised at how quickly and easily the words came to him, but he took strength in them.
Edessa Hotel Sanliurfa
Sanliurfa, Turkey
Local Time 2:13 P.M.
“It’s hard sitting around watching the news when you don’t get to be part of it, isn’t it?” The words carried the plummy accent of the finest British boarding schools.
Seated at a back booth in the Edessa Hotel’s restaurant, Danielle Vinchenzo swiveled her gaze from the nearby wall-mounted television and looked at the dark-complexioned woman standing in the aisle near her table.
The woman was striking—though her appearance was a surprise. Instead of the fair Sloan Ranger Danielle expected after hearing that voice, she saw a woman who would stand out in any crowd—and especially in a crowd of British blue bloods. She had café au lait skin that gleamed in the light and a mass of black hair pulled up in a style that made her look both professional and alluring. Her dark brown silk business suit was a handmade Italian original that showed off her slim figure. Her purse complemented the look and the suit well. She could have been a runway model for modern businesswomen’s attire. Her age could have been anywhere from mid-twenties to mid-fifties. She obviously took
