The Faithful, North African and Middle Eastern Islamic nations, are plotting to seize the oil resources of the Middle East. By controlling the earth's oil and its major trade routes, they plan to bring the world to its knees. Then, when the entire world is kneeling, the Faithful of Allah will read to them from the Koran, preaching the message of Islam, the True Faith. The Faithful will stop at nothing to achieve their goal. But how far will they go? And how many lives will it cost?

10 Finale

10.13 Saudi Arabia

10.13.1 Healing Begins.

The King's Pilgrimage was far more than a simple trip to Mecca. The war had been won, but the King's cities had been devastated, and the King's subjects had been ravaged. The smell and taste of war clung to his cities. The odor of rotting corpses, burned buildings, petrol and explosives hung like a shroud over his kingdom.

The King was more than just a figure-head or a head of state. Saudi Arabia was a feudal country. The King was the king because he had been chosen by Allah to lead his people. The King was invested with special powers and insights by Allah. He was required to use those powers on his people's behalf.

The King spoke Truth. He had the power to heal. He had the power and the right to demand and to receive without question. The King was an object of reverence, adulation, and deepest respect throughout Islam.

Therefore, his pilgrimage was not simply a journey. His pilgrimage was a re-consecration of his kingdom, dedicated to the restoration and healing of his subjects.

The retinue accompanying the King was large, as would be expected, but five people were at his side wherever he went. First amongst them was the King's brother, the High Chamberlain, who was second only to the King in all respects in his subject's eyes. Generals A-Fayd, the royal cousin, and General Algarro, the American, were also his constant companions.

Of greatest interest to all the people, however, was "The Rabbi." The three old men were inseparable. The Chamberlain was always on the King's right hand and the Rabbi on his left. The three talked quietly among themselves, but the Chamberlain spoke for all of them.

In Jubayl, the King went first to the mosque, to pray for Allah's guidance, and, for the first time in history, a rabbi openly accompanied his Moslem friends into the sanctuary of Allah. The Rabbi spread his prayer rug next to the King's, then bowed three times towards Mecca repeating the Articles of Faith for all of Islam, "There is no god but God, and His Prophet is Mohammed."

The people were shocked and amazed. A Jew! In the Mosque! Praying to Allah! Crowds gathered and many voices were raised in anger, but the King was serene. The three old men seemed to have become one and inseparable. Nobody could speak against the Jew without also speaking against their King.

After leaving the mosque, the three old men, the generals, and the entourage toured the devastated city. The staff had worked long and hard to find the exact spots that had been desecrated and memorialized by the Iraqi television broadcast. They arrived at the intersection where the car had been destroyed. The three old men laid out their rugs, pointing south towards Mecca and prayed. The Rabbi spoke from his ancient Torah, eulogizing the dead.

They moved on to the spot where the old man had been murdered. The King and his two consorts went up into the house to visit with the surviving members of the family. No outsider saw what went on in those apartments.

Half an hour later, the Old Ones emerged to move on to the place where the family had been brutalized. Once again, the three of them prayed together at the scene. Then, the King placed his hand on the exact part of the building against which the baby had been thrown. Television cameras recorded the tears that ran down his cheeks. The nation wept with their King, and the healing process began.

During the next few days, the peregrination moved to the ravaged coastal cities and the scenes of the Battle of the Streets. In each city, the old ones stopped first at the mosque. Saudis gathered by the thousands to glimpse their King and his two companions. Some expressed shock or amazement when they saw the Jew humble himself before Allah, but most saw the rabbi's action as an affirmation of their faith and their King.

The Old Ones visited the scenes of battle throughout the south. Upon their arrived in Zharan, they visited the site of the first gas attack. Again, as had become their custom, the three spread their rugs and prayed. This time, the Rabbi also lifted his clear and beautiful voice in an ancient chant, honoring the dead. The entire kingdom was stirred, and the King wept openly.

As they toured the city, the King and his party came upon a scene of horror. A building that had been bombed and blown apart by explosions had also been gassed. Several bloated and rotting bodies lay within the rubble. The King covered his mouth and nose to look inside without retching. Tears filled his eyes, and the cameras caught his look of horror and pain.

Absent-mindedly, the King reached down, lifted a brick from the ground, and placed it back into its former position. He reached for another, but the Chamberlain took it from him and placed it atop the one his brother had laid. The Rabbi also placed a brick on the top of those laid by his companions.

The newscasters, commentators, and the Faithful went into a frenzy. The King had done manual labor! He had dirtied his hands in menial work!

Yet, if the King could do manual labor, then all Saudis could do it regardless of position, station, or rank. Thereafter, it was not considered to be unworthy for any Saudi to work with their hands. Brick layers, masons, stone cutters, and every other artisan involved in building were henceforth uniquely honored.

10.13.2 The Visitation

The party moved on to the undamaged city of Al-Hufuf to visit with the wounded from all of the allied armies. The King made a special point of visiting the hospital where the "troubles" had occurred. They went immediately to the lowest floor, in spite of the protestations of the hospital's administrator.

The King was shocked! The Old Ones spoke harshly to the hospital administrator. Then, the King led his entourage from one tier of beds to the next, speaking personally with each of the hundreds of women cloistered in those terrible wards. Within the hour, the women were being moved to better hospitals throughout the kingdom. When he was done, the King publicly rebuked the hospital administrator and removed him from his position.

By the time the King arrived on the fifth floor, it was very late in the afternoon. As they exited the elevator, they were confronted by a large desk and a huge man. The man, obviously an American sergeant, wore a Silver Star over his left breast and the Warrior of the Prophet around his neck. The American jumped to attention and greeted them. "Welcome, Sirs, to the Allied Forces Wing of Al-Hufuf Central Hospital. Is there anyone in particular you would like to visit, or shall I arrange for a guided tour?"

Algarro and General a-Fayd, having already met Murphy, handled the introductions. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Rabbi Yahuddi, may we introduce First Sergeant Aloisis Murphy, Warrior of the Prophet and holder of the Silver Star." The three old men smiled at the sergeant, but huddled together.

Murphy did what any American would do upon being introduced. He walked up to the three old men and extended his hand. The King hesitated, but the Chamberlain grasped the sergeant's hand with a strong grip.

The Chamberlain turned to his brother and then to the Rabbi, exclaiming, "This is he! This is the friend and companion of the Warrior of Allah, Rachel of Al-Zhahran! Warrior Murphy, you are commanded to lead His Majesty and ourselves to the place of the renowned Rachel that we may greet her, personally."

Murphy led them quickly down the hall into a large ward. In the center were several aggregations of beds. At each end of the ward, smaller areas were closed off with curtains.

"Attention!" Murphy yelled as they entered. The entire body jumped to their feet as well as their wounds would let them. Each soldier and citizen-soldier was dressed in the same combat fatigues in which they had won honors and distinctions, albeit newly washed and pressed. At the far end of the ward, a slight figure stood alone. She, like all them, was dressed in her fatigues, but she also wore a sword in her web-belt and a great jewel hung around her neck.

The King led the way, walking directly to her. He grasped her shoulders in both hands and kissed her tenderly on each scarred cheek. "Rachel of Zhahran," he exclaimed, "no woman has ever before become a Warrior of Allah and Defender of the Faith. But, the world has changed.

"You and my other Warriors will join with me on my pilgrimage throughout my kingdom. Together, we will bring healing to our people. My brother and our friend, Rabbi Yahuddi, will attend to your wardrobe and aid you in obtaining the robes and garments of your high office. This young officer will assist you until you have been able to attend to your own staff. You will join with us this evening."

"My King," she replied, "I request that I may be accompanied by my friends and comrades-in-arms. I especially request that First Sergeant Murg-free and Lieutenant Mohammed accompany me."

"Indeed, Warrior of Allah, you may bring those of your comrades as are willing to join you. They will be honored to be in your company. It is always wise to surround oneself with trusted, brave and true friends."

The King turned to the assemblage, and raised his hands for silence. "There is one other act we shall perform. General Algarro, carry on."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Sergeant Aloisis Murphy, front and center. For conspicuous gallantry, and dedication to your unit far above and beyond the call of duty, the President of the United States has instructed me to present you with the Medal of Honor." Algarro stepped forward and hung the medal around Murphy's neck. "First Sergeant Murphy," Algarro continued, "although it is not customary to salute indoors, let me be the first to salute you." Both he and the Saudi Chief of Staff stood tall with their right hands at the bills of their caps. Then, the King and his consorts moved in on the blushing sergeant, holding him, and kissing him on the cheeks.

When the King and his party were finally gone, only one young captain remained. "Hey, guys, is this how you treat an old friend?" It was Hamal A-Fayd!

Murphy shook hands warmly with the Hamal. "Hey, Captain, how you doing? Great to see you! Whacha been up to? Oh, let me introduce you officially. Rachel, may I introduce an old friend of ours from our time up in Jubayl. This is Captain Hamal a-Fayd. Captain, may I introduce Rachel of Dhahran, Warrior of Allah and Defender of the Faith, and one damned fine soldier!"

The Captain bowed long and low. "Rachel of Zharan, Captain Hamal A-Fayd, at your service, if you will have me."

"I am honored that a cousin of our King would serve me. I am also happy that you know my friends. How did you meet?" Suddenly, the formalities were over. The conversation reverted to that of a bunch of soldiers relating their tales.