Chpt. 14 - Don't Shoot the Messenger

For the previous chapters of Daniel Grant Newton's Don't Shoot the Messenger, click below:

Chapter 1      Chapter 2      Chapter 3      Chapter 4      Chapter 5      Chapter 6      Chapter 7      Chapter 8      Chapter 9      Chapter 10     Chapter 11      Chapter 12      Chapter 13

“I can't believe Yēšûă is still going to make his speech to the people,” said Jude, pulling Irene by hand through the crowd.  “I don't think he understands the risk.  Spider's team will get their hit even if it means they have to do it in public now.  They’ll make it look like an accident, or like an act of God, or something that will guarantee no chance of martyrdom, but will guarantee they fulfill their objective.”  

Jude kicked a cloud of dirt into the stifling air.  “At least he's agreed to talk tomorrow and not today, to buy us time to deal with Spider.”

The doctor gave Jude a small smile.  “Yēšûă believes the message is more important than his life.  He also believes that he decides when he dies, not another man's hand.  But for us who don't share his faith, Maria and his followers are well versed in your plan.”

“It's a back up plan.”  Jude stopped suddenly.  “Trouble up ahead.  Zhang and Chernova.  We got to go.  Follow me.”

Jude and Irene weaved through the crowd toward a backstreet.  Zhang and Chernova shoved their way in pursuit.

“This way,” Jude yelled as a bullet wizzed past their heads, blasting away a small piece of the wall behind them.  “Run in a zigzag.  There could be snipers perched around the nearby buildings.”

The two ran down a narrow alleyway, and then, half-way down, Jude kicked open a door and they scampered inside.  The two military men in pursuit came skidding around the corner, before sprinting at the door that swung closed.

Jude and Irene fled up the internal stairs to the rooftop.  He motioned for her to hide behind a vase, while he kept low behind the entry to the roof.

After a couple of minutes, Zhang and Chernova crept up the stairs with their guns at their chests.

The distant chattering of bargains being negotiated in the marketplace, the yelps of children playing in the street below, and the whistling wind beating the clothes hung out to dry on the rooftops, all seemed to fade into the background.

“Jude?” Chernova whispered, pointing his pistol at every shadow that moved.  “Where are you, comrade?”

Suddenly, Jude hurled himself at Zhang, pummelling him into a stone wall, and disarming him in the process.  And, before Chernova could react, Jude spun around and kicked his pistol out of his hand.  The gun fell to the street below.

Then Jude threw a hook punch at Chernova, but the agent bashed the attack away with a meaty arm and pushed Jude stumbling backwards.

Chernova thrust a front kick in Jude's face, knocking his head right back, before Zhang launched himself feet first into Jude's back.

Jude collapsed on the floor.

Chernova came down upon Jude with a drop knee, but as he did, a heavy vase was broken over his head.

It was Doctor Hadar.  She winced.  “I hate having to break such a beautiful artefact,” she said to Jude as Chernova tumbled over him.

Zhang went to kick Irene, but Jude blocked the attack with his own leg, before flipping off the ground and striking the ex-SEAL in the face.

They faced off against each other, with Chernova trying to pick himself up off the ground, but inevitably spinning back to the dust.

Zhang threw a series of kung-fu-like straight punches.  Jude dodged the first few, and patted away the last one, countering it with a punch that clocked his opponent right under the nose.

The American staggered back.

But before Jude could follow the punch up, two burly arms grappled Jude and locked up his two arms.  It was Chernova.

Zhang pulled out a butterfly knife and hurtled towards Jude.

Stone kicked the knife out of Zhang's hand with one foot, and drove the other foot into his attacker's chest.  He then lurched backwards and broke Chernova's nose with a reverse head butt.  The large soldier didn't let go of him, despite the blood gushing out of his nose.

Zhang rushed back towards Jude and delivered a thunder of punches into his abdomen, making him hunch over in pain.

Irene, watching the SEAL lay into Jude, drove her foot down on his knee. 

He turned to face her, but as he did, she delivered a perfectly timed elbow across his face that made his head spin back around.  She followed it up with a snap kick to the groin.

Zhang lurched at the doctor, threw her to the ground, and growled, “stay woman.  I'll deal with you after.”

Jude reached around to Chernova's head and ripped at his ear.  The bear of a man let go to grab Jude's arm, but before he did, the Australian delivered a flash of flying fists that sent him stumbling back.

Jude then spun around with a jumping spinning kick that knocked Zhang off his feet, and tumbling off the building.

Chernova grit his teeth.  He pounced on Jude from behind and they smashed against the stone flooring.  He then tried to put Jude into a death lock, however Stone maneuvered out of the hold.

Irene came around with a roundhouse kick to the side of Chernova's head, which toppled him over.  Then, as he was getting up, Jude rolled over and put his neck into a lock.

The big man struggled to break free.  His face turned red, and after an astonishing twenty-six seconds, he lost consciousness.

Jude pushed himself up off the ground and put an arm around Irene.  “Where did you learn to fight like that?  First the punch in the alleyway, now this?”

“I learnt fighting from Arabic knights of the middle ages.  They studied a martial art known as Furūsiyya.  One of my female colleagues and I uncovered a number of scrolls in an underground chamber detailing their ancient fighting techniques, and so we decided to practice every day for five years while working together.  At first it was a bit of fun, but we quickly became addicted.”  

She grinned and began moving to where they had come up.  “I told you on the first day here that I could handle myself.  And you haven't even seen me with a bow and arrow yet.”

Ping!  A bullet basted the sandy roof.

“Sniper, get low,” yelled Jude.  “Downstairs now, and to the back doorway.”

Click here for Chapter 15 - and find out whether Spider's team will eliminate Jude and Irene, or whether his team will successfully take down Jesus Christ... 

Also, can you do something for me?  I am giving this book for free because I think it is a great story (bias I know!) that some people out there would love.  Thing is, I am not sure who they are - well, there's you, my mum and David Hasselhoff, but that's all I know for sure...  So if you know anyone who would like this book, please send them the trailer or the first chapter.  After all, a great story is only great when it is read.  Thanks.  :-)

Chpt. 13 - Don't Shoot the Messenger by Daniel Grant Newton (The Free Story currently showing at the best blog near you)

For the previous chapters of Daniel Grant Newton's free time traveling book, Don't Shoot the Messenger, click below:

Chapter 1      Chapter 2      Chapter 3      Chapter 4      Chapter 5      Chapter 6      Chapter 7      Chapter 8      Chapter 9      Chapter 10     Chapter 11      Chapter 12

“Still on guard?” whispered Irene, a slim silhouette moving toward Jude.  “They won't find us out here.  Especially with the way you hid our tracks.  And even if they did, I don't think they could get to us with the amount of traps you set around the perimeter of this campsite.  You definitely did a thorough job in protecting us.”

“You should be in bed,” Jude stated, peering out into the night.  “We’ve got a big day tomorrow, and I need you to be alert.  So don’t argue or I’ll pick you up and put you to bed myself.”

“I would go to bed but … to tell you the truth, I am buzzing.  I won’t be able to get to sleep for a while now,” Irene said.  She moved her head to catch Jude's line of vision.  “Yēšûă is an amazing man, you know, especially for his time.  I could've listened to him into all hours of the morning reveal the true meaning of his teachings.  Mystical meanings that are being suppressed in this time, as they are in our time. 

“In his world it is the Jewish Rabbis and Roman Empire suppressing the words of spiritual empowerment.  In our world it is the Vatican and other religious organisations protecting their establishments and control.  I've fought tooth and nail to get access to some of the manuscripts hidden away from the public, but tonight I had the most famous mystic of them all explain the wonders hidden in the Jewish faith.”  She paused and brushed some dirt off Jude's shoulder.  “It might be all a bunch of hocus pocus guru talk, but listening to him, and the message, I know that it's worth it.  We are doing the right thing, Jude.”

Jude straightened his back and grinned.  “Don't go all mystical on me now.  I liked the cynical, sarcastic doctor with the dry humour and quirky style.  Next you’ll be giving me respect.”

Irene gave Jude a half smile, and looked to her feet.  This half smile grew to a full blown grin when she realised she’d forgotten to change the one piece of fashionable clothing she’d ever bought, her Kitty Croquet shoes.  She should’ve been wearing 1^st Century sandals, not 21^st Century floral flats.

It was unlike her to miss a detail like that.  She mused that perhaps Jude had somehow got to her subconscious before she had an inkling of it. 

“Don't worry, Mr. Stone.  You are stuck with my cynicism, sarcasm and ‘spectacular humour’,” she responded, lifting her chin.

Jude's eyes fixated on Irene.  He traced a scarred hand down the side of her soft face.  “Good.  I like that about you."

The doctor swallowed a lump in her throat.  “I'm pretty sure you don't, because nobody does, it is annoying, and...”  Her voice trailed off.

“I do.  I like it.”

She tried to speak, but no words came out, so Jude added, "and I like you."

Irene searched Jude's eyes and her breathing quickened.  She shakily pawed at her thick hair.  “We would be terrible together.  Be realistic, Jude, what sort of relationship would we make?  Two polar opposites with nothing in common, excuse the tautology, who don't want, have or like relationships.”

Jude faced back out into the darkness.  “It would put us both in unnecessary danger, too.  Spider, he...”

Irene slowly moved into Jude, their eyes analysing each other.

“So why can't we follow the obvious logic and say good night...”

Jude let a grin fall upon his face, barely visible in the desert night.  “With a good night kiss?  And then just leave it at that.”

She shook her head.  "Maybe ... a ... handshake ... but ..."

Their heads turned to the side and they kissed.  She cradled his cheeks with her cold ring-clad fingers, and he held her waist against him.

Click here for Chapter 14...

Hey, by the way, don't know whether you got this message already, but here's what I was hoping you could do for me if you like this book.  I am giving away Don't Shoot the Messenger for free because I think it is a great story (bias I know!) that some people out there would love.  Thing is, I am not sure who they are - well, there's you, my mum and David Hasselhoff, but that's all I know for sure.  So, if you know anyone who would like this book, please send them the trailer or the first chapter.  After all, a great story is only great when it is read.  Thanks.  :-)

Chpt. 12 - Don't Shoot the Messenger (the free story currently on this blog)

For the previous chapters of Daniel Grant Newton's free time traveling book, Don't Shoot the Messenger, click below:

Chapter 1      Chapter 2      Chapter 3      Chapter 4      Chapter 5      Chapter 6      Chapter 7      Chapter 8      Chapter 9      Chapter 10      Chapter 11

At night in the desert, the temperatures sometimes reached chilling point, and it was too dark to see very well, so most people stayed in doors.  Two figures however were out, stumbling through the village.

Irene struggled to break out of Jude's grip, but he held her firm and pulled her along.

“You can't kill Yēšûă,” she screamed, hitting him in the face and chest with the arm he wasn't holding.  “Turn back and abort this mission.  You know it is not right to kill him.”

“Shut up,” he said firmly.  “If you know what's best for you, you'll do as I say.”

“You are a robot, dead to the world,” she screamed.  “I had you wrong.  You are nothing more than a machine.”

She tried punching him in the face, but he grappled with her and put her in a lock.

“I need you with me so it doesn’t raise suspicion with Maria,” Jude said in a calm, hushed voice.  “There has been a slight spanner in the works, but hopefully this will all be over very soon and you can get back to your life in the 21st Century.”

“Let go,” she said, her voice quivering.  “I will not do this.  You'll have to kill me and drag my bullet ridden corpse to Maria.”

“You do not understand,” he said, pulling her into him as she tried to push away.  “There is more to this than meets the eye.

“If you cooperate, you can live a safe, long life with your work, half-finished movies and long-distance family, and forget any of this happened.  But if you don't, let’s just say it won't be good for you.”

“What's that suppose to mean?”

“It means if you don't shut up, you might wind up dead.”

“Are you threatening me?” she asked, her nostrils flaring.

“I would never threaten you.  I'm warning you,” said Jude, his jaw twitching.  “Until we're in there with Yēšûă they'll be watching our every step.”  He paused and gave a small nod to the rooftops around the street.  “We have been trained to ensure the mission is a success no matter what we think is right, or at what cost.”

She spat on his face.

“Now play along, Doctor Hadar, like the good little Hebrew girl from the 1st Century you are meant to be,” he said, taking a heavy, silver pistol from underneath his cloak and placing it against her spine.  “I am doing this for your safety.  I have no desire to hurt you.  My intentions are quite the opposite.  In fact, I am looking forward to struggling through your next periodical article.  I would even get a subscription to the magazines if I had an actual address.”

“Screw you.  The way you cowboys work there won’t be any history to write about,” she snapped.

Jude opened the wooden door to the carpenter's workshop and closed it behind him.

The room was empty except for Maria.  She signalled for them not to speak, before pointing out the windows to indicate people are listening.  She then signalled for them to follow her.

They followed into a back room, where she then fell on her knees and guided her hand over the smooth stone flooring.  When she found a groove in the floor, she pulled at it, and revealed an entry to an underground tunnel.

Jude and Irene followed Maria through a series of tight twists and turns in pitch darkness, before finally coming into a small chamber lit by lanterns.

In the middle of the room sat Yēšûă on a cushion, surrounded by a few men.

He beamed at them as he had done that afternoon to the people in the crowd, and signalled for them to sit by his side.

The light of the lanterns danced upon his face and beard, giving him an ethereal feel.  He spoke to them in Aramaic, using slow gestures.

“What is he saying?” asked Jude, scrutinising the dark hallways leading into the chamber.

“Why should I tell you?” snarled Irene.  "I'm going to tell him why we've come."

Yēšûă cocked his head to the side and creased his brow.  He tried to soothe the young doctor.

“You're right, I don't need to know what he is saying.  I just need to do what I came down here to do.”  Said Jude, pulling out his pistol into the open.  “Ask him which tunnel leads to the temple?”

“What?” Irene blurted.

“Ask him.  We have less than a minute.”

“Before what?”

“Before Spider and the team come into this tunnel and kill us all.”

“What?”

“If I were Spider, I wouldn't be confident that I was going to kill Yēšûă, so I'd send the team down to ensure the job gets done,” said Jude, bowing his head down into an entry and looking up.  “And if we haven't killed Yēšûă, which I never had the intention of doing, then I'd kill the both of us too.  I'm guessing that he is thinking like that since he had two of the team shadow us right up until we came into the tunnels.”

“You don't have any intention of killing Yēšûă?”

“No.”  Jude said simply, peering into Irene's deep brown eyes.  “Ask him the question, Irene.”

She translated the question, and explained the situation.

Maria and the other followers heads turned from one entry to the next, their eyes alert.  They pulled daggers from their robes.

Yēšûă pointed to the exit for Jude, before addressing his followers.  He spoke softly and rhythmically.

Slowly the followers put away their daggers.

“He told them that they should have no fear for they are children of God,” Irene said.  “And that those with faith will find shelter and protection in their darkest hours.”

Jude aimed his pistol at the roof of the tunnel heading up to the temple and fired a number of shots. 

Bang!  Bang!  Bang!  Bang!  Bang!

The followers of Yēšûă gasped, and one spoke as he looked on with wide eyes.

The dark rocks and mud collapsed, blocking the entry.

Jude then reloaded his pistol and repeated this with the tunnel leading back to the carpenter's workshop.

“Ask Maria if there is anywhere safe for Yēšûă and his followers to stay for the night.  Somewhere with a fair amount of space around it for me to set booby traps and to monitor approaching soldiers.  We will move tomorrow in the daytime, and use the crowd to mask our movements.”

“If I wasn't scared I'd catch something nasty, I'd kiss you again right now,” sighed Irene.  "You had me going.  Don't ever do that again."

“I can't make any promises, doctor,” the soldier chuckled, peering down the various entry tunnels and checking for life signals on an electric tablet.

“We need to move,” ordered Jude.  "They're closing in on us."

“Do we have a chance?” she asked.

“We have one advantage,” he responded, giving Irene his pistol and pulling out a submachine gun from under his cloak.

“What advantage?”

“They've only been here two days, but you've studied places like this your whole life,” he said.

“I see, so we'll be able to use my knowledge of the terrain against them.”

“Yeah, you're quickly becoming a military tactician, Doctor Hadar.”

“I've read Sun Tzu's The Art of War,” she shrugged.  “And played World of Warcraft many a lonely night.”

Yēšûă raised a hand and spoke.

“He said walk in faith and the path will be lit by God,” translated Irene.  “Or something to that effect anyway.”

“Believe me, I'm throwing a Hail Mary here,” Jude muttered.

Irene translated Jude's earlier orders for finding a safe-house, and Maria nodded.  She began scampering up a tunnel, and gesturing for everyone to follow her.

Click here to read Chapter 13 of the greatest book since The Last King of Shambhala, now available at any good online book store ... 

Hey, by the way, don't know whether you got this message already, but here's what I was hoping you could do for me if you like this book.  I am giving away Don't Shoot the Messenger for free because I think it is a great story (bias I know!) that some people out there would love.  Thing is, I am not sure who they are - well, there's you, my mum and David Hasselhoff, but that's all I know for sure.  So, if you know anyone who would like this book, please send them the trailer or the first chapter.  After all, a great story is only great when it is read.  Thanks.  :-)

Chpt. 11 - Don't Shoot the Messenger

For the previous chapters of Daniel Grant Newton's free book, Don't Shoot the Messenger, click below:

Chapter 1      Chapter 2      Chapter 3      Chapter 4      Chapter 5      Chapter 6      Chapter 7      Chapter 8      Chapter 9      Chapter 10

“Impossible,” growled Jude, pacing back and forth the small room he and Irene were staying in.  “We've been sent back in time to kill Jesus Christ?”

The doctor and the entire team sat in silence.

“Why on Earth would Alexander send us back to kill Jesus Christ?” Jude howled.  “Are you absolutely sure it is him?”

Irene nodded.  “As much as I hate to admit it, it seems very likely.  Same period.  Same location.  I mean, Yēšûă is a very common name at this time, but it also happens to be the Hebrew name given for Jesus.  I suspected as much when I began delving into the material Alexander provided on your target.  And then he goes and says that - straight from the Gospel of Thomas.  That confirms it.  He has to be Jesus.” 

She searched the faces in the room and continued.  “And the Maria we met, or Mary, is also a very common name, but there were quite a few Mary's who were close followers of Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Mary of Bethany, Mary of Clopas.  And of course his mother, the Virgin Mary, although that woman was much too young to be his mother.”

“That does sound like mounting evidence,” muttered Spider.

“That is the real reason I came on this trip – to confirm my suspicions, and talk you boys out of it,” she said.

“Couldn't it just be another teacher of the time?” asked Jude.  “The name could be a coincidence, you did say it was common, and they could both just be spouting the same old wisdom of the time.  And, are we even sure Jesus Christ actually existed, let alone is right here right now?”

“There is significant evidence to suggest he did, Mr. Stone,” Irene said flatly.  “More accounts than other historical figures we take for granted to have existed.  Mind you, these other people are more believable because they don't claim to walk on water before turning it into wine.  The usual practice being walking on grapes, of course.  Followed by...”

“Does it matter whether it is Jesus or not?” Spider spat, standing up and throwing his tattooed arms in the air.  “Killing someone in history has never been a problem for any one of us bar little miss know-it-all over there.  I mean nobody would be here, changing the past, if they believed in God or the bible or any of that.  There is no God.  He ain't the son of God.  And if he were, then he could use his magic powers to stop us, right?”

Irene shook her head.  “I may think the prospect of God or a man who performs miracles is very unlikely, but that doesn't mean I can't see the benefits of the Christian teachings.  Teachings that will surely die out if we were to kill him.”

“Good riddance to oppressive ideology,” scowled Spider.  “That is obviously why Alexander sent us back here.  We are here to stop that message from spreading like the plague and preventing the rot of social and scientific progress.

“You look in the bible and what do you see, justification for the crusades, for wars, for slavery, for murder, for anti-Semitism, and for abuse and torture.  What kind of message are you protecting?  I mean really, doctor, you know this better than all of us.  For God's sake.”

“What I know, Spider, is that human nature is human nature,” Irene started.  "People start wars, religion is only a vehicle, a tool, an excuse to dominate others for resources and power."

Spider groaned.  “Not that human nature bullshit argument.  Everything I said is as clear as day in the bible.

“And don't say that it did more good than bad either.  Alexander and his researchers are the ones with that hologram thing.  They can see what is best for the world.”

“I don't care what you say, killing Jesus is not going to prevent the awful acts justified by the bible from happening,” said Irene, raising her voice.  “But that's not Jesus' message anyway.  His message is of love, community spirit, inclusion, personal and social empowerment, forgiveness, tolerance and acceptance.  It was Jesus who spoke out against those acts you talk of, and in fact, Jesus who challenged the religious establishment of the time.  He wanted peace on the Earth.  His influence surely only had a positive effect on the world.” 

“He wanted peace on the Earth?” Spider sniggered, looking at each of his fellow soldiers.  “My mum sent me to Sunday school because it was a cheap babysitter while she went out dating different men each week, and that's where I learned atheism. 

“I remember two quotes from the 'Prince of Peace' which made me wonder whether I was the only one in class actually listening to this bile.  

“The first says something like, 'I didn't come to the Earth to bring peace.  I didn't bring peace, but brought a sword.  I came to divide every family and set them against each other.  He who doesn't love me more than his children and his parents isn't deserving of me.  Let go of your life and follow me blindly.  Amen.'

“The second says something like, 'I have come to cast fire upon the Earth, and I wish the planet was already burning.'  Then it goes on about dividing people, hating everybody including yourself and your own life, and setting everyone against each other.  And finally instructs people to 'sell their coat and buy a sword.  Bla bla bla let's blow yourself and everybody else up.  Amen.'  Sounds like a message that breeds terrorism to me.  Just as the report we were given said.”

“I know the passages you talk of,” stated Irene.  “They are from the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew.  But when the passages are understood in context, understanding the occult Hebrew symbolism of the time, they are actually passages of personal transformation.  The bible in my opinion can be split into three areas: the law of the time, a documentation of the history, and a manual for self-transformation, often using allegory.  This is the latter.

“These passages, I believe, warn that when you challenge the way most of society think, you will come up against opposition, even in your family.  They state that if you hold strong to these ideals you will find heaven on Earth.  A change in ideas can change the world around you.

“The reason Jesus was saying that he is not bringing peace, is because he was coming to stir the pot with a metaphorical sword, and create an ideological change.  He was telling his followers to be strong, and take the ideas of peace and love to the people with a metaphorical sword. 

“A sword that cuts through the status quo.  You must remember that at this time in history life was filled with much more terror than the world we know - at least in most places around the world.  That might be a ‘metaphysical’ interpretation, but it is the only one that makes sense.”

She added under her breath: “If you want to kill anyone, kill Emperor Constantine and all those who attended the Meeting of Nicea.  He was the one who first used Jesus' teachings to enslave the population, and outlawed and buried the 'heretical' teachings of empowerment.”

“And your research tells you that?  Or that’s what you want to believe?” hissed Spider.  “It seems like a long bow to draw, and an interpretation that was lost on millions of people since.”

Irene shrugged.  “Well, maybe we can ask him himself.  But if this wasn't his meaning, then Jesus must be the most bipolar man in history, because it goes against everything else he is supposed to have preached.”

Spider grunted.  “Whether or not there is a hidden meaning behind the words that we do not understand in the 21st Century, it was and is still responsible for atrocity after atrocity.”

She paused, her curly dark hair bouncing as she took in quick, deep breaths.  “It was never the bible that created the wars or the torture, but mankind ... our greed, perceived lack of resources, fear of others, innate animal aggression.  If there wasn't a bible, they'd be using something else to sway the masses.”

Spider laughed and shook his head.  “Don't get me wrong, I am not so ignorant to say that the teachings of the bible were the sole reason.  Naturally, human instincts and desires have their place.  But convincing the masses to do something awful is a lot easier thanks to this little phrase, 'it says to do it in the bible'.  You'd be hard pressed to find any more used excuse for these acts.”

“I never knew you were so passionate about this stuff,” laughed Zhang, an ex-commando, leaning against the wall.  "Especially for someone whose day job is killing people."

“I'm here to do my job, and if that means proving this bitch wrong, then so be it.  Some noob who lives in her books instead of the real world won't get in the way of this mission now,” Spider roared.  “The research team have done months of investigation into the effects of taking Jesus out of history, and they believe it will be an absolute certain positive effect.  And I agree.  Getting rid of Christianity will get rid of half the atrocities of the past two thousand years.

“But you know what?  It doesn't matter what this guy did in my books.  Our orders are our orders.  As a soldier, we follow them, and hope that the guys at the top know what they're bloody well doing.”  Spider got right in Irene's face.  “Tell me, sweetheart, is there any good reason at all why we should go against orders and not kill him?  Hey?  Why your quick assessment and ethic dilemma should be valued over months of solid research from scientists with much better qualifications and brains than you?”

“First, they don’t have better qualifications or brains than me.  Second, you shouldn’t just follow someone because they are supposedly more qualified to think.”  Irene looked at the hardened faces in the room.  “What I find disconcerting is that I'm the only one here who thinks we shouldn't kill Jesus Christ.  This is ridiculous.  Think for yourselves for once, guys.”

“There is a good reason not to kill him,” said Jude, staring at the back of his hands that rested on his knees.  “I lived in a shanty town run by a drug lord in Brazil.  The easy option was to get into the drug world in some way. 

“Christianity seemed to be the only thing that gave people the faith and strength to choose another option.  The church also was the only organization I knew of going deep into the favelas to help street kids get over some of the worst drug addictions you’ll ever see. 

"These people weren't soldiers.  These were ordinary people.  Ordinary people showing extraordinary bravery because they had something to believe in.”

Spider stood still with wide eyes, a furrowed brow and a gaping mouth.

Jude continued: “As Doctor Hadar said, you don't have to be Christian to see the value the belief system brought to the world.  You just have to look past the history books, and to the millions upon millions of cases where Christianity has helped the individual.  You can't measure that.”  He paused.  “And it doesn't seem right to kill a man who had this same bravery in preaching peace during very violent times.”

The room was silent.

“Are you meaning to tell me you are agreeing with Doctor Hadar?” Spider said.  “I knew you were a bit of a loose canon, but this...  Nobody else is buying into this quack, are they?”

There were murmurings in the room and the shaking of heads.

“I never said I wouldn't kill him,” Jude said.  “Our orders are to kill him, so we will.  I've never cared about our targets or the reasons behind our missions before, why should I now?  I'm here to do my job, and so I will.”  He paused.  “I was just saying the doctor wasn't a nut job.  But it would pay, Doctor Hadar, to keep your pretty mouth shut on this theoretical debate so we can do our job and make the hit.”

Spider grinned and made a cartoonish sigh of relief.  “You never cease to surprise me, mate.  We'll go ahead as planned.  Tonight Jude will spill Jesus' blood.”

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