Pulling The Dragon's Tail Read Online Free Page A

speak. She called herself Sister Sarah,
and her transforming story of her near-death experience and
encounter with Father Abraham had profoundly resonated with
him.
    Nate was convinced that the Father’s visit with
Winifred Bakila was authentic. What else besides a super
technological intervention from this super being could explain her
return from brain death following hours floating in a lifeless
space vessel? This rock-solid assurance of how the universe
operated powered Nate’s life. A super technological being billions
of years old, revealing himself to lesser creatures at a critical
time in their development, the integration of science and
spirituality; this was an enlightened faith that excited millions
of people.
    During late night worship services, he always
delighted in the brilliant, star-strewn sky, which seemed to
stretch all the way to Andromeda, Father Abraham’s home. Gotta
get a hold of myself! But the wormhole …and Wakely. Help me to
accept your will, Father.
    Sweat mixed with tears welled up in his eyes as
he fought for control of his emotions. Wiping his eyes with the
back of his hand, he looked upward, steadying his vision toward
Andromeda. The Church of Abraham’s prayer ritual was unmistakably
distinctive. The fingers of his left hand united with those of his
right, symbolizing the goal of uniting the ten main spiritual
traditions of humanity. With his eyes open to reality, Nate
stretched out his arms in a peaceful, trusting-the-universe stance.
The palms of his hands were turned up, ready to be the vessel of
Father Abraham’s galactic project to save humanity from
self-destruction. Father, what is the implication if science
proves the wormhole to be impossible? Forgive me for placing our
science above yours. And grant me the courage to face the new
journey you have placed before Dugan and me. Let it be so. Eyes
open and face to the sky.
    He wanted to run hard once more, but even his
genetically-enhanced legs didn’t have that kind of stamina.
    Dugan interrupted his ruminations. “I have
located the source of the attempted security breach.”
    “Yes.”
    “It is from Gideon’s Army.”
    “Origination?”
    “Jerusalem.”
    “I don’t like the sound of that—at all.” At that
moment Nate’s safety zone completely vanished. He dropped to the
ground beside Dugan, staring into the soft eyes of his
cyberfriend.
    For a number of months he and Dugan had been
uncovering information that could change his life and many others,
information about his past, about the Alpha Group, about the state
of the world. Research/reflection/relaxation time was over. Time,
in fact, was now the enemy. He had to act, and act quickly. Despite
the wormhole dilemma and a creeping seed of doubt about the
viability of non-violence, he was determined to go wherever Father
Abraham led him.
    With one hand he gently cupped the CCRs snout,
and with the other, lovingly stroked his head of tawny fur.
“Where’d you say this Campbell Devereaux is?”
    “New York City.”
    “New York?”
    “Manhattan, to be specific.”
    “Book us a ticket there on a hovercraft, via
Iceland and Newfoundland.” He once again made the sign of CHOFA. I just hope Manhattan is safer than Jerusalem.

 
     
     
Inside the Ellis Clinic
     
     
    Inexorably the great techno beast sucked Nate
Kristopher inside. He tried to wriggle free but the strong sticky
tongue gripped his body ever more tightly. The terrifying clamor
within the beast drowned out his screams. Finally the deafening CHUG-CLANG-CLANK ceased, leaving only his feet exposed. The
monster machine had him!
    The computerized demon tore at his every neuron,
reassembling his brain. His very soul was being wrenched out of him
as it invaded his innermost thoughts.
    “STOP! This can’t be happening! I’m not insane
this time! Somebody please help me! Father Abraham! SAVE ME!”
    Drenched in sweat, heart racing, he awoke. Bed
sheets were tossed on the floor. As the suffocating fog of