Murphy clicked up another slide.
"Most of the city was made of sun-dried bricks, and most of the bricks carried this inscription:
Nebuchadnezzar, Son of Nabopolazzar, King of Babylon
"I know you're disappointed they didn't have your name on them, Clayton. They would have said King of Jokes."
Everyone laughed and whistled.
Murphy clicked up a slide of an ancient temple. "There were fifty-three temples within the city. The structures were called 'ziggurats.' They consisted of three to seven platforms that grew smaller as they rose in height.
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The next slide will give you some idea of the size of a ziggurat."
After clicking up another slide, Murphy paused so the students could absorb the information. At their murmurs, he nodded. "Yes, surprising, isn't it? These towers were immense."
BABYLONIAN ZIGGURAT
1st Step: 300 feet by 300 feet by 110 feet high
2nd Step: 260 feet by 260 feet by 60 feet high
3rd Step: 200 feet by 200 feet by 20 feet high
4th Step: 170 feet by 170 feet by 20 feet high
5th Step: 140 feet by 140 feet by 20 feet high
6th Step: 100 feet by 100 feet by 20 feet high
7th Step: 70 feet by 80 feet by 50 feet high
300 Feet Tall--A 30-Story Building
"The next slide will give you some idea of the various gods that the Babylonians worshipped."
BABYLONIAN GODS
Ann
God of the highest heaven
Marduk
National god of the Babylonians
Tiamat
Dragon goddess
Kingu
Husband of Tiamat
43 Enlil
God of the weather and storms
Nabu
God of scribal arts
Ishtar
Goddess of lore
Ea
God of wisdom
Enurta
God of war
Anshar
Fatter of heaven
Gaia
Mother Earth
Shamash
God of the sun and justice
Ashur
National god of the Assyrians
Kishar
Father of earth
"Throughout human history, men have talked about various gods. Part of the reason for this is the fact that we can look about us and see the grandeur of creation. We ask, Where did this all come from? Could it have just happened? Did it just pop up from nothing? There must have been some cause. Something or someone started all of this that we call the universe. This is called the question of first cause.
"This leads to the second question. With all the intricate design in nature, was there a designer? Whoever the designer was, they must certainly be smarter than me. These two questions lead to the third and fourth questions: Is there a purpose to life? And can I come to know what this purpose is?"
Murphy paused and glanced at his watch. "Well, I think that's enough for today. It will give you something to think about until we meet again. Make sure that you pick up the reading assignment on your way out."
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EIGHT
"DR. MURPHY, I appreciate your taking time to meet with me. And thank you for allowing us to videotape your class," Stephanie Kovacs said as she approached.
Murphy was waiting on the patio of the student center.
"Aren't you going to tape our interview here?" Murphy asked, confused. Why is she being so nice and polite? This isn't her usual go-for-the-jugular attack.
"No. I asked the cameraman to put everything away. I just wanted to ask you a few questions without having to worry about camera angles."
"Okay. Shoot."
"May I go back a little? A few months ago you were in the midst of planning an expedition to look for Noah's Ark. Did you in fact go to Ararat?"
"Yes, we did."
"The ark must be a popular subject."
"I'm not clear what you mean."
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"Well, I was looking over the reports from the news wire and ran across a recent one about another team that was looking for the ark. It was to be funded by a Christian businessman from California. It seems that he had hired Earth-Link Limited to take some satellite photos of the Ararat region. The article went on to say that the snowmelt on Ararat was the greatest since A.D. 1500. Evidently they had discovered something on the mountain that looked like a wooden structure."
"We had some photos from the past that we thought indicated the same thing," Murphy agreed.
"The businessman put together a team of archaeologists, forensic scientists, geologists, and glaciologists. They were to be led by a guide who had climbed Ararat many times. The guide told the team that there'd been an eyewitness sighting and some photos taken in 1989."
"Yes, we too had heard of that sighting."
"Everything was set for the trip to get started and then the Turkish government shut down their expedition. They wouldn't give them permits. They said that it would be too dangerous because of terrorist threats."
Murphy smiled slightly. "There may be more to the story," he said quietly.
"What do you mean?" Kovacs asked quickly. Her curiosity was a ten on the reporter's Richter scale.
"I think they may have cancelled all permits after our expedition."
"Your expedition? Why?"
"Because of the murders."
"What murders?"
For the next hour Murphy related details of the search for
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the ark and the deaths of the climbing party He carefully omitted information about Talon, the brass plates, and the special crystals found on the ark. Without evidence, they would only sound like fantasy
"Did you find the ark?" Kovacs broke in excitedly.
Murphy hesitated before sharing the exciting discovery
Kovacs thought to herself, Could there really be an ark? Murphy doesn't seem to be one of those weirdo, right-wing Christian nuts that I've interviewed before. And the murders ... did Shane have anything to do with them? She shuddered at the thought.
Back in the office, the ringing phone broke Shari's concentration. Bob Wagoner was calling for Murphy
"Hi, Pastor Bob," Shari said with a grin. "How are you?"
"Very well, Shari. I saw you sitting at church with Jennifer and Tiffany Baines. How did they seem to you?"
"I think they're making the tough adjustment to the loss of a husband and father. Since they came to know the Lord, they seem to have a peace in the middle of turmoil."
"Yes, we'll all keep praying for them. By the way, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing pretty well. I've been reading the Book of Philippians. It's a real encouragement. Especially Chapter Four."
"That's great, Shari. Keep it up. Could I please speak to Michael?"
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Wagoner was surprised to hear that Murphy was being interviewed by Stephanie Kovacs.
"Well, tell him to give me a call when he gets a chance. I've got something I'd like to share with him."
"You bet, Pastor Bob. Good to talk with you."
Something in Stephanie Kovacs's tone made Murphy answer her question about the ark. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. She wasn't being as aggressive as usual. She was asking the right questions for a reporter, but he could sense sadness in her normally fiery blue eyes. She listened intently to everything he was saying.
"Let me ask you a question, Stephanie," Murphy said, turning the tables. "What did you think about today's lecture?"
"It was quite interesting. I didn't have any idea that the city of Babylon was as big as you were describing. It's hard to realize that the Babylonians were as advanced in building as they were. I'd like to hear the rest of your lectures."
"You're certainly invited. What did you think about the last part of the presentation--the part about purpose and meaning to life? Have you found purpose and meaning? Are you happy?"
Immedi
ately Kovacs looked away She didn't know how to handle Murphy's question. Murphy had struck a nerve. She was not happy with Barrington. She didn't want to be a mistress. She wanted to be loved for who she was, not what she could do in bed.
Murphy knew it would be best not to press the
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subject. Sometimes it's better to let an important question seep slowly into a seeker's soul. "Well, Miss Kovacs, I need to get back to my office. My next lecture on Babylon is on Thursday morning. I think you might find it interesting. If you're in town, I encourage you to come."
Murphy was already standing with his hand outstretched. Kovacs wanted to blurt out that he was in danger, but some students were walking toward them. The words just wouldn't come.
Silently she shook his hand, and Murphy walked away.
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NINE
AS MURPHY STRODE toward his office, he could see Paul Wallach leaving the next-door lab. Murphy was about to call to him, when Paul turned toward the student parking lot. He seemed to be staring at his feet as he walked.
He doesn't look very happy.
Shari was in tears when Murphy entered the lab. At the sound of his voice, she sobbed and reached for a tissue.
"Paul and I had another argument."
"About?"
"The same thing," she said, wiping her nose. "He keeps talking about his plans to join Barrington Communications when he graduates in May. I know it isn't the right thing for him. There is something about Barrington that is evil. I just feel it."
That sounds just like something Laura would have said... only she would have added, "It's just woman's intuition."
"Where does that put you guys with each other?"
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"I don't know. Paul is so wrapped up in making money, meeting important people, and having power like Barrington. I won't live that way. There's more to life than selling yourself to the highest bidder. Paul's changing, and I don't like what I see. He used to be more caring to me. Now it's as if he's only interested in making it big. We used to hold hands and walk together and share ideas with each other, and now... Oh, Murphy, I don't know what I should do." Shari paused and took a deep breath. "I'm going for a walk. I need some fresh air."
"Is there anything I can do?" Murphy asked, his concern evident in his voice.
"Just pray for me," Shari said, her voice breaking. "By the way, Bob Wagoner called while you were out. He asked you to get in touch with him."
Murphy sat at his desk and reached for the phone. He was worried about Shari, but he felt sure her strong values would guide her in the right direction. Murphy got straight through to Wagoner, who said, "I have an article you might be interested in--it's about the end of the world."
"What are you talking about?"
Bob laughed. "Last weekend Alma and I took a group of high school students from the church down to Orlando, to Disney World. While there, I was reading the paper when I noticed an article that caught my attention. It's right up your alley. It is about the end times. I clipped it out and brought it back with me. Let me read it to you. It says:
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End of the World
Orlando police found an elderly man wandering the streets Tuesday evening. He seemed confused and disoriented. He kept shouting that the end of the world was coming. He claimed that one man would soon rule the world.
Police Sergeant Owen East told reporters that this is the third such incident involving this individual. Each time he seemed more and more agitated. Police escorted the elderly gentleman hack to a local nursing home. It is believed that he may he suffering from Alzheimer's.
"That's a good one, Bob. Send it over. I'll add it to my collection," Murphy said with a smile.
52
TEN
"DID YOU ENJOY your vacation, Talon?"
All of his muscles tensed for a brief moment and anger rushed through his body. Then he relaxed almost as quickly. Years of training to control his emotions took over, and a smile came across his lips. "Vacation?"
"Yes. It seems like you've taken your time about reporting in. We were wondering if you might have taken a vacation."
Talon was annoyed by John Bartholomew's sarcasm. The man's tone sounded like the British headmaster at the boarding school Talon had attended. He had resented being talked down to even as a child. Breathing deeply, he recalled the pleasure he'd had when he slit the tires of the headmaster's car. It caused him to miss an important lecture in Capetown.
Talon's fingers caressed the gargoyles on the arms of his chair as he drew his attention back to the seven people before him. The bloodred cloth covering the long table they sat behind was very appropriate for them.
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"I must apologize for my delay," Talon stated. "It seems I had a swimming engagement in the Black Sea." There was no point in telling them that he had fallen off the ship and almost been sliced by the propeller blades. They wouldn't care that he had nearly been killed or that he had had to swim thirteen miles to shore and spend a week in a hospital due to exposure. All they cared about were results and the fulfillment of their plan to rule the world.
"Well, Senor Talon," Mendez said, "we understand that you discovered the fabled Noah's Ark." Even in the dim light Talon could see Mendez smirking behind his neatly trimmed mustache.
"In fact, I did."
Mendez cleared his throat and continued. "Mr. Bartholomew informed us that you made a discovery of some new technology on the ark that will enable us to control all of the world's energy supplies. He said that it would make oil a thing of the past. Is that true?"
"Well, I'm not a scientist. As you know, my specialty is the elimination of people, but I think Noah discovered the Philosopher's Stone."
"The Philosopher's Stone--the ability to change base metals into precious metals?" Mendez exclaimed. "Are you sure?"
"It's only what I heard. I was in the shadows on the ark listening to a conversation between Colonel Hodson, the CIA operative, and Professor Wendell Reinhold from MIT. That was just moments before Hodson snapped Reinhold's neck like a toothpick. I then had the pleasure of taking his life."
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"What about the Stone?" Bartholomew broke in.
Talon moved slightly. His hands were cold, and he could feel the gargoyles under his fingertips. He knew that the Seven would not be happy with what he was going to say. "The formula for the Philosopher's Stone is written on three bronze metal plates," he explained. "I put them in a backpack along with some curious crystals, a dagger that may have been made of tungsten steel, and other items from the ark. I had them with me when I boarded the ship sailing from Istanbul to Romania."
"Had them!" Sir William Merton exclaimed.
Talon controlled himself and smiled slightly He could feel perspiration forming on his forehead, and his underarms were damp. "I had an encounter with Professor Murphy on the ship, and we got into a fight. The backpack slipped off and was lost."
"What!" General Li slammed his fist onto the table. "I thought you killed Murphy when you caused the avalanche to bury the ark under thousands of tons of snow and ice!"
"He somehow escaped."
"We don't pay you to make mistakes, Talon," said Jakoba Werner, a fleshy German woman with blond hair. "We pay you a vast amount of money to destroy our enemies."
John Bartholomew's tone was chilling. "Maybe we need to find someone else who can do the job."
"I can do it," Talon replied. "I have my own personal scores to settle with Murphy."
"Talk is cheap," Viorica Enesco, an angular woman
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with a Romanian accent, said. "It is time for action. Show us what you can do."
Bartholomew again spoke. "Is there any way you can recover the backpack?"
"I think so. But it will take time to search the area where I went over into the Black Sea."
"We don't want a geography lesson or excuses, we want the plates," Barrington ground out. "But right now something has come to our attention that needs an im
mediate response. We have many operatives. One of them monitors all of the newspapers printed by the Barrington Network News. She ran across a small article about an elderly man who talks about the end of the world and a leader who will arise to rule the world. That man must be eliminated."
"What harm can an old man... ?" Talon began.
"Enough!" General Li shouted. "We don't pay you to question! Just do it--now! Your very life may depend on it."
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ELEVEN
MURPHY PLACED his briefcase on the desk, took out his notes, and surveyed the crowd. His attention was caught by Paul Wallach. He was sitting far back in the lecture hall. Not in his usual spot. He and Shari must still be at odds.
Shari was on the other side of the room passing out graded book reports. She didn't notice that Paul was watching her.
Murphy sighed.