Red by Ted Dekker Read Free Book Online

serious situation on our hands, and we don’t have the first idea how to effectively deal with it. But you predicted the situation, and you seem to know more about it than anyone else at the moment. That makes you a guest of the president of the United States. Now. By force if necessary.”
    Thomas blinked. He glanced at Kara.
    â€œMakes sense to me,” she said.
    â€œAny word on Monique?” Thomas asked.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBut you do understand what’s happening now,” Thomas said. “Svensson may not have the antivirus yet, but with her help, he will. When that happens, we’re finished.”
    This was more like her old brother.
    â€œI don’t know what we are. At this point it’s been taken out of my hands—”
    â€œYou see? I tell you something and you start in with the doubt. Why should I think that Washington will be any different?”
    â€œI’m not doubting you! I’m just saying that the president has taken this over. I’m not the one who needs persuading; he is.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll go. But I need your help too. I have to figure out how to create an explosion large enough to knock down a cliff before I fall sleep again.”
    Gains sighed.
    Thomas stepped up, took Gains by the arm in almost the same fashion that Gains had taken his, and walked him slowly toward the same window.
    â€œI’m not sure you realize the full extent of what’s going on, but it’s not looking good, Merton,” he mimicked. “Let me help you. As we speak I am leading what remains of my army, the Forest Guard, in a terrible battle against the Horde. We number fewer than five thousand now. They number a hundred thousand. If I don’t find a way to bring the cliff down on top of them, they’ll overrun us and slaughter our women and children. That may be so much hogwash to you, fine. But there’s another problem. If I die there, I die here. And if I’m dead here, I won’t be of much help to you.”
    â€œIsn’t that a bit of a stretch?”
    Thomas thrust out his arm and pulled up his sleeve. “This bandage on my forearm covers a wound I received in battle today. My sheets upstairs are covered with blood. Carlos didn’t cut me while I was sleeping. Who did? My temples are throbbing from a rock I took in the head. Believe me, the other reality is as real as this one. If I die there, I can guarantee you I die here.”
    And the opposite was true as well, Kara thought. If he died here, then he would die in the forest.
    He pulled down his sleeve. “Now I’ll do everything in my power to help you, if you’ll help me stay alive. I would say that’s an even exchange. Wouldn’t you?”
    An unsure grin crawled across the secretary’s face. “Agreed. I’ll see what I can do, on the condition that you won’t talk about these kinds of details in front of the media or the establishment in Washington. I’m not sure they will understand.”
    Thomas nodded. “I see your point. Maybe, Kara, you could do some research for me while the secretary fills me in.”
    â€œYou want me to figure out how to make explosives?” Her brow arched.
    â€œI’m sure Gains can put a call in to the right people. We’re in canyon lands. Lots of rock, rich in copper and tin ores. We make bronze weapons now. Even if we withdraw, we’ll only have a few hours to find whatever ingredients you come up with and make explosives. It has to be strong enough to knock down canyon walls along a natural fault.”
    â€œBlack powder,” Gains said.
    Thomas faced him. “Not dynamite?”
    â€œI doubt it. Black powder was first made by combining several common elements. That’s your best bet.” He shook his head. “God help us. We’re casually discussing which explosive will best blow up this ‘Horde’ while breathing in the world’s deadliest