ShadowedPostlude

PAUL AWOKE— he didn’t know how long later—in a room at Bethesda Naval Hospital, surrounded by Straight, Jack, Greenie, Jae, Brie, and Connor. He had never been so relieved to see anyone in his life. He tried to sit up and reach for the kids, but Jae assured him there would be plenty of time for that.

“You’ve got a lot of damage in there, Paul,” she said. “But you’ll be all right. Oh, there it is! Let’s watch!”

They pulled the curtain back so Paul could see the TV. Scooter Davis’s grainy, dark footage rolled with the echoing sound as Ranold appeared on national television. The big man awkwardly knelt in the old cathedral, aiming his weapon and firing.

“Now listen to what preceded this attack,” the anchorwoman said. “Recently exposed NPO double agent Dr. Paul Stepola—ironically Ranold B. Decenti’s own son-in-law—is the first to speak. He’s referring to one of Director Decenti’s own top operatives, Commander Bia Balaam, who was found ritualistically murdered in her car at the NPO garage earlier.”

“I know why you killed Commander Balaam, Dad.”

“I killed her? I did no such thing.”

“Had her killed then. She was the one who could connect you with the murder of the chancellor.”

“Murder is such a civilian term, Paul. Assassination has a better ring to it, don’t you think? We are at war. Something had to be done. Just like now. I’m in the same room with a traitor, and I’m on duty. can do without the Denglers and the Hales and the Tamikas.”

“The populace seems to be standing against you now, Dad. Deal with it.”

The anchorwoman returned. “After the shooting, Decenti was subdued by two unidentified men, then taken into custody by his own backup squadron. Here now is footage of Director Decenti being taken from the cathedral.”

A SWAT team member was interviewed by the press as the phalanx edged toward their vehicles with Decenti in tow. “We all heard him. He as much as admitted he assassinated the chancellor and launched those missiles on the underground.”

“I did nothing of the sort!” Ranold raged, his face red, spittle flying. “I said what I had to say to take down a fugitive! I—” His own men shoved him into a Hummer.

“And now,” the anchorwoman said, “this from Bern, Switzerland, where interim international chancellor Hoshi Tamika is prepared to address the world. She has been in meetings since early this morning with heads of state from all over the globe.”

Paul squinted at the screen. What could it mean?

The interim chancellor took her time arranging her notes while microphones were noisily adjusted to a smattering of applause. Then the soft but anything-but-timid voice of the chancellor:

“Ladies and gentlemen of the world community. This is a historic day. I stand before you with heads of state or their designates from all over the globe. They stand with me here in solidarity and unanimity, having spent the last several hours in spirited debate and discussion.

Our goal? A midcourse adjustment on an international scale so that all men and women might continue to live in peace. As you know and many of you remember, the world embarked on a bold new initiative thirty-eight years ago in the wake of a devastating war that nearly destroyed us all. As the result of a holy war, we almost lost our planet.

The criminalizing of religious activity was believed the only recourse in an attempt to ensure that nothing like that would ever again occur. And for most of the time since, we have lived in relative peace. Most of us have.

We are here today to acknowledge that this has not been true of all our citizens. Peace-loving people of faith have been forced underground and treated like second-class citizens. They have not enjoyed the privileges and rights of the free in this world.

Ironically, this has resulted in yet another holy war, this time necessitated by oppressed, disenfranchised, devout people who share our commitment to peace. It has become foolhardy to suggest that a Supreme Being does not exist since The Incident, when as many firstborn males died as we had casualties from World War III. I myself lost a loved one, as did countless of you.

The pendulum has by no means swung all the way back, despite today’s vote and the edict I am about to announce. People of this earth remain free to be atheists. I confess I am one no longer. No one will be forced to acknowledge any form of spirituality. However, the following was voted into international law just moments ago:

‘No citizen of the world community shall be penalized or otherwise discriminated against due to his or her practice of the religion of their choice. The recommitment to the loyalty oath is hereby rescinded. Further, all citizens incarcerated, indicted, suspected, or forced to live underground due to violating the same, are hereby now and henceforth exonerated and awarded full amnesty.’

That ends the document. Be assured, there are technicalities and conditions relating to this edict, some yet to be worked out. These apply to those who broke other laws in the course of practicing their religion. But the above-stated edict becomes operative immediately and shall be disseminated as widely and quickly as possible by the news media. Thank you and good day.”

The small cadre surrounding Paul’s bed high-fived and hugged each other. “There is a God!” Jae said.

Paul shook his head. It was hard to comprehend.

“Guess I don’t have to pray down the flood of justice,” Jack Pass said. “Thank God for that,” Paul said. He opened a hand to Brie and Connor, and they shyly approached.

“Aren’t we the bad guys anymore, Dad?” Connor said.

“Nope,” Paul said. “Not anymore.” He had to smile at Connor’s frown. He’d have made a good little outlaw.

Paul knew he would still face charges for what he had done in violation of his oath of office at the NPO. And something told him the new ruling, glorious as it was, would hardly be the end of the story.

Less than half an hour later, because of the gleeful jabbering of those at his bedside, he could no longer hear the television, but over Jae’s shoulder Paul saw footage of demonstrations already breaking out around the world.

Some showed underground believers pouring into the streets, singing, dancing, and raising their hands toward heaven. But others showed angry people of all walks of life, rioting, snarling, and shaking their fists at the sky. He could only imagine the threats and epithets directed at the newly freed people of faith.

Paul shook hands with and gingerly embraced the friends and family celebrating around his bed, careful not to aggravate his wound. He could hardly fathom the difference the news would make in all their lives, including those of believers around the world, and especially his own.

He found himself suddenly overcome with emotion, but despite tears of joy, Paul had to wonder how long the reprieve would last. How long before the world once again fell under the shadow of persecution?