,,"o

  ,ray=d ,/eele's m9d 0 on a woman he _h n"e t|*$4 ,) 8 fully load$ #gdg on autopilot abv ! ,atlantic en r|te 6a #f ,a4,m4 l&+ at ,h1?r{1 ,ray=d _h pu%$ f 8 m9d ?"|s ( 8 family4
  ,ov} spr+ br1k he wd sp5d "t ) 8 wife & twelve-ye>-old son4 ,_! dau<t} wd 2 home f college1 too4 ,b = n{1 ) 8 f/ (fic} doz+1 ,ray=d imag9$ ,hattie ,durham's smile & look$ =w>d 6_! next meet+4
  ,hattie 0 ,ray=d's s5ior fli<t att5dant4 ,he _hn't se5 h} 9 m ?an an h|r4
  ,ray=d us$ 6look =w>d 6gett+ home 6his wife4 ,ir5e 0 attractive & vivaci|s 5|<1 ev5 at =ty4 ,b lately he _h f.d hmf repell$ 0h} obses.n ) religion4 ,x 0 all %e cd talk ab4 ,god 0 ,,ok ) ,ray=d ,/eele4 ,ray=d ev5
  ,,left ,,2h
  5joy$ *ur* o3a.n,y4 ,b s9ce ,ir5e _h hook$ up )a small} 3greg,n & 0 96weekly ,bi# /udies & *ur* e ,sun"d1 ,ray=d _h 2come uncom=ta#4 ,h}s 0 n a *ur* ": p gave y ! b5efit (! d|bt1 assum$ ! be/ ab y1 & let y be4 ,p "! _h actu,y ask$ hm1 6his face1 :at ,god 0 do+ 9 8 life4
  8,b.s+ my socks (f0 _h 2come ! smil+ response t seem$ 6satisfy !m1 b he f.d m & m excuses 6be busy on ,sun"ds4
  ,ray=d tri$ 6tell hmf x 0 8 wife's devo;n 6a div9e suitor t caus$ 8 m9d 6w&}4 ,b he knew ! r1l r1son 0 8 {n libido4
  ,2ss1 ,hattie ,durham 0 drop-d1d gorge|s4 ,no "o cd >gue t4 ,:at he 5joy$ mo/ 0 t %e 0 a t|*}4 ,no?+ 9appropriate1 no?+ %{y4 ,%e simply t|*$ 8 >m z %e bru%$ pa/ or re/$ h} h& g5tly on 8 %|ld} :5 %e /ood 2h 8 s1t 9 ! cockpit4
  ,x wasn't h} t|* al"o t made ,ray=d 5joy h} -pany4 ,he cd tell f h} expres.ns1 h} dem1nor1 h} eye 3tact t %e at l1/ admir$ & respect$ hm4 ,:e!r %e 0 9t}e/$ 9 any?+ m1 he cd only guess4 ,& s he did4
  ,!y _h sp5t "t tgr1 *att+ = h|rs ov} dr9ks or d9n}1 "s"ts ) co"w}s1 "s"ts n4 ,he _h n return$ s m* z "o bru% (a f+}1 b 8 eyes _h held h} gaze1 & he cd only assume 8 smile _h made xs po9t4
  ,maybe td4 ,maybe ? morn+1 if h} cod$ tap on ! door didn't r|se 8 f/ (fic}1 he wd r1* & cov} ! h& on 8 %|ld}--9 a frly way he hop$ %e wd recognize z a /ep1 a f/ f 8 side1 t{>d a rel,n%ip4
  ,&a f/ x wd be4 ,he 0 no prude1 b ,ray=d _h n"e be5 unfai?;l 6,ir5e4 ,he'd _h ,pl5ty ( opportunities4 ,he _h l;g felt guilty ab a private neck+ ses.n he 5joy$ at a -pany ,*ri/mas "py m ?an twelve ye>s 2f4 ,ir5e _h /ay$ home1 uncom=tably pa/ h} n9? mon? c>ry+ _! surprise tagal;g son1 ,ray ,jr4
  ,?|< "u ! 9flu;e1 ,ray=d _h "kn 5 6l1ve ! "py e>ly4 ,x 0 cle> ,ir5e notic$ he 0 sli<tly drunk1 b %e cdn't h suspect$ any?+ else1 n f h} /rai<t->r{ capta94 ,he 0 ! pilot :o _h once 3sum$ two m>t9is dur+ a sn{y %utd{n at ,o',h>e & !n volunt>ily gr.d$ hmf :5 ! w1!r cle>$4 ,he (f}$ 6pay = br++ 9 a relief pilot1 b ,pan-,3t95tal 0 s impress$ t 9/1d !y made an example ( 8 self-4cipl9e & wisdom4
  ,9 a c|ple ( h|rs ,ray=d wd 2 ! f/ 6see h9ts (! sun1 a t1s+ palette ( pa/els t wd signal ! reluctant dawn ov} ! 3t95t4 ,until !n1 ! black;s "? ! w9d{ seem$ miles ?ick4 ,8 gro7y or sleep+ pass5g}s _h w9d{ %ades d{n1 pill{s & blankets 9 place4 ,= n{ ! plane 0 a d>k1 humm+ sleep *amb} = all b a few w&}}s1 ! att5dants1 & "o or two respond}s 6nature's call4
  ,! "q (! d>ke/ h|r 2f dawn1 !n1 0 :e!r ,ray=d ,/eele %d risk a new1 excit+ rel,n%ip ) ,hattie ,durham4 ,he suppress$ a smile4 ,0 he ki4+ hmf8 ,wd "s"o ) 8 reput,n "e d any?+ b dr1m ab a b1uti;l woman fifte5 ye>s 8 junior8 ,he wasn't s sure anymore4 ,if only ,ir5e _hn't g"o (f on ? new kick4
  ,wd x fade1 h} preo3up,n )! 5d (! _w1 )! love ( ,jesus1 )! salv,n ( s|ls8 ,lately %e _h be5 r1d+ "ey?+ %e cd get h} h&s on ab ! ,rapture (! *ur*4 8,c y imag9e1 ,rafe10 %e exult$1 8,jesus -+ back 6get u 2f we die80
  8,y1h1 boy10 he sd1 peek+ ov} ! top ( 8 newspap}1 8t wd kill me40
  ,%e 0 n amus$4 8,if ,i didn't "k :at wd happ5 6me10 %e sd1 8,i wdn't 2 glib ab x40
  8,i d "k :at wd happ5 6me10 he 9si/$4 8,i'd 2 d1d1 g"o1 f9is4 ,b y1 ( c|rse1 wd fly "r up 6h1v540
  ,he _hn't m1nt 6(f5d h}4 ,he 0 j hav+ fun4 ,:5 %e turn$ away he rose & pursu$ h}4 ,he spun h} >.d & tri$ 6kiss h}1 b %e 0 cold4 8,-e on1 ,ir5e10 he sd4 8,tell me ?|s&s wdn't j keel ov} if !y saw ,jesus -+ back = all ! gd p40
  ,%e _h pull$ away 9 te>s4 8,i've told y & told y4 ,sav$ p >5't gd p1 !y're--0
  8,j =giv51 y1h1 ,i "k10 he sd1 feel+ reject$ & vuln}a# 9 8 {n liv+ room4 ,he return$ 6his *air & 8 pap}4 8,if x makes y feel any bett}1 ,i'm happy = y t y c 2 s cocksure40
  8,i only 2lieve :at ! ,bi# says10 ,ir5e sd4 ,ray=d %ru7$4 ,he want$ 6say1 8,gd = y10 b he didn't want 6make a bad situ,n worse4 ,9 a way he _h 5vi$ h} 3fid;e1 b 9 tru? he wrote x (f 6h} 2+ a m emo;nal1 m feel+s-ori5t$ p}son4 ,he didn't want 6>ticulate x1 b ! fact was1 he 0 b"r}--yes1 m 9tellig5t4 ,he 2liev$ 9 rules1 sy/ems1 laws1 patt}ns1 ?+s y cd see & feel & he> & t|*4
  ,if ,god 0 "p ( all t1 ,,ok4 ,a hi<} p{}1 a lov+ 2+1 a =ce 2h ! laws ( nature1 f9e4 ,let's s+ ab x1 pray ab x1 feel gd ab |r abil;y 6be k9d 6o!rs1 & g ab |r busi;s4 ,ray=d's grte/ fe> 0 t ? religi|s fix,n wd n fade l ,ir5e's ,amway "ds1 h} ,tupp}w>e phase1 & h} aerobics spell4 ,he cd j see h} r++ doorbells & ask+ if %e cd r1d p a v}se or two4 ,surely %e knew bett} ?an 6dr1m ( 8 ta7+ al;g4
   ,ir5e _h 2come a full-fl$g$ religi|s fanatic1 & "sh{ t fre$ ,ray=d 6"ddr1m )|t guilt ab ,hattie ,durham4 ,maybe he wd say "s?+1 su7e/ "s?+1 h9t at "s?+ z he & ,hattie /rode "? ,h1?r{ t{>d ! cab l9e4 ,maybe e>li}4 ,d>e he ass}t hmf ev5 n{1 h|rs 2f t|*d{n8
  ,next 6a w9d{ 9 f/ class1 a writ} sat hun*$ ov} 8 laptop4 ,he %ut d{n ! ma*9e1 v{+ 6get back 6his j|rnal lat}4 ,at ?irty1 ,cam}on ,williams 0 ! "ye/ "e s5ior writ} =! pre/igi|s ,global ,weekly4 ,! 5vy (! re/ (! vet}an /aff1 he ei scoop$ !m on or 0 assign$ 6! be/ /ories 9 ! _w4 ,bo? admir}s & detractors at ! magaz9e call$ hm ,buck1 2c !y sd he 0 alw buck+ tradi;n & au?or;y4 ,buck 2liev$ he liv$ a *>m$ life1 hav+ be5 eyewit;s 6"s (! mo/ pivotal ev5ts 9 hi/ory4
  ,a ye> & two mon?s e>li}1 8 ,janu>y #a cov} /ory _h tak5 hm 6,israel 69t}view ,*aim ,ros5zweig & _h result$ 9 ! mo/ biz>re ev5t he _h "e exp}i;ed4
  ,! eld}ly ,ros5zweig _h be5 ! only unanim|s *oice = ,newsmak} (! ,ye> 9 ! hi/ory ( ,global ,weekly4 ,xs /aff _h cu/om>ily /e}$ cle> ( any"o :o wd 2 an obvi|s pick z ,"t's ,man (! ,ye>4 ,b ,ros5zweig 0 an automatic4 ,cam}on ,williams _h g"o 96! /aff meet+ prep>$ 6>gue = ,ros5zweig & ag/ :at"e m$ia /> ! o!rs wd typic,y *ampion4
  ,he 0 pl1santly surpris$ :5 executive $itor ,/eve ,plank op5$ )1 8,anybody want 6nom9ate "s"o /upid1 s* z any"o o!r ?an ! ,nobel prizew9n} 9 *emi/ry80
  ,! s5ior /aff memb}s look$ at ea* o!r1 %ook _! h1ds1 & pret5d$ 62g9 l1v+4 8,put ! *airs on ! wagon1 ! meet9' is ov}10 ,buck sd4
  8,/eve1 ,i'm n angl+ = x1 b y "k ,i "k ! guy & he tru/s me40
  8,n s fa/1 ,c{boy10 a rival sd1 !n app1l$ 6,plank4 8,y lett+ ,buck assign hmf n{80
  8,i mi<t10 ,/eve sd4 8,& :at if ,i d80
  8,i j ?9k ? is a te*nical piece1 a sci;e /ory10 ,buck's detractor mutt}$4 8,i'd put ! sci;e writ} on x40
  8,& y'd put ! r1d} 6sleep10 ,plank sd4 8,union1 y "k ! writ} = %{case pieces -es f ? gr|p4 ,& ? is n a sci;e piece any m ?an ! f/ "o ,buck did on hm4 ,? has 6be told s ! r1d} gets 6"k ! man & "u/&s ! signific.e ( 8 a*ieve;t40
  8,l t isn't obvi|s4 ,x only *ang$ ! c|rse ( hi/ory40
  8,i'll make ! assign;t td10 ! executive $itor sd4 8,?anks = yr will+;s1 ,buck4 ,i assume "ey"o else is will+ z well40 ,expres.ns ( eag};s fill$ ! room1 b ,buck al he>d grum#d predic;ns t ! fair-hair$ boy wd get ! nod4 ,: he did4
  ,s* 3fid;e f 8 boss & -peti;n f 8 pe}s made hm all ! m det}m9$ 6|tdo hmf ) e assign;t4 ,9 ,israel1 ,buck /ay$ 9 a milit>y -p.d & met ) ,ros5zweig 9 ! same ki2utz on ! |tskirts ( ,haifa ": he _h 9t}view$ hm a ye> e>li}4 ,ros5zweig 0 fasc9at+1 ( c|rse1 b x 0 8 4cov}y1 or 9v5;n--no "o knew q h{ 6categorize x--t 0 truly ! 8newsmak} (! ye>40 ,! hum# man call$ hmf a botani/1 b he 0 9 tru? a *emical 5g9e} :o _h 3coct$ a syn!tic f}tiliz} t caus$ ! des}t s&s ( ,israel 6bloom l a gre5h|se4
  8,irrig,n has n be5 a pro#m = decades10 ! old man sd4 8,b all t did 0 make ! s& wet4 ,my =mula1 a4$ 6! wat}1 f}tilizes ! s&40
  ,buck 0 n a sci5ti/1 b he knew 5 6%ake 8 h1d at t simple /ate;t4 ,ros5zweig's =mula 0 fa/ mak+ ,israel ! ri*e/ n,n on e>?1 f> m pr(ita# ?an xs oil-lad5 nei<bors4 ,e 9* ( gr.d blossom$ ) fl{}s & gra9s1 9clud+ produce n"e 2f 3ceiva# 9 ,israel4 ,! ,holy ,l& 2came an export capital1 ! 5vy (! _w1 ) virtu,y z}o unemploy;t4 ,"ey"o prosp}$4
  ,! prosp};y br"| ab 0! miracle =mula *ang$ ! c|rse ( hi/ory = ,israel4 ,flu% ) ca% & res|rces1 ,israel made p1ce ) h} nei<bors4 ,free trade & lib}al passage all{$ all :o lov$ ! n,n 6h a3ess 6x4 ,:at !y did n h a3ess to1 h{"e1 0 ! =mula4
  ,buck _h n ev5 ask$ ! old man 6rev1l ! =mula or ! -plicat$ secur;y process t protect$ x f any pot5tial 5emy4 ,! v fact t ,buck 0 h|s$ 0! milit>y evid;ed ! import.e ( secur;y4 ,ma9ta9+ t secret 5sur$ ! p{} & 9dep5d;e (! /ate ( ,israel4 ,n"e _h ,israel 5joy$ s* tranquil;y4 ,! wall$ c;y ( ,j}usalem 0 only a symbol n{1 welcom+ "ey"o :o embrac$ p1ce4 ,! old gu>d 2liev$ ,god _h rew>d$ !m & -p5sat$ !m = c5turies ( p}secu;n4
  ,*aim ,ros5zweig 0 honor$ "?|t ! _w & rev}$ 9 8 {n c.try4 ,global l1d}s s"| hm |1 & he 0 protect$ 0secur;y sy/ems z -plex z ~? t protect$ h1ds ( /ate4 ,z h1dy z ,israel 2came ) newf.d glory1 ! n,n's l1d}s 7 n /upid4 ,a kidnapp$ & tortur$ ,ros5zweig cd 2 =c$ 6rev1l a secret t wd simil>ly revolu;nize any n,n 9 ! _w4
  ,imag9e :at ! =mula mi<t d if modifi$ 6"w on ! va/ tundra ( ,russia6 ,cd regions bloom1 ?|< sn{ cov}$ mo/ (! ye>8 ,0 ? ! key 6resurrect+ t massive n,n foll{+ ! %att}+ (! ,union ( ,soviet ,sociali/ ,republics8
  ,russia _h 2come a grt brood+ giant )a deva/at$ economy & regress$ te*nology4 ,all ! n,n _h 0 milit>y mi<t1 e sp>e m>k go+ 96w1ponry4 ,&! swit* f ru#s 6m>ks _h n be5 a smoo? transi;n =! /ru7l+ n,n4 ,/r1ml9+ _w f9.e 6?ree major curr5cies _h tak5 ye>s1 b once ! *ange 0 made1 mo/ 7 happy ) x4 ,all ( ,europe & ,russia d1lt exclusively 9 m>ks4 ,asia1 ,africa1 &! ,mi4le ,ea/ trad$ 9 y54 ,nor? & ,s|? ,am}ica & ,au/ralia d1lt 9 doll>s4 ,a move 0 afoot 6g 6"o global curr5cy1 b ~? n,ns t _h reluctantly swit*$ once 7 loa? 6d x ag4 ,fru/rat$ at _! 9abil;y 6pr(it f ,israel's =tune & det}m9$ 6dom9ate & o3upy ! ,holy ,l&1 ! ,russians _h laun*$ an attack ag/ ,israel 9 ! mi4le (! ni<t4 ,! assault 2came "kn z ! ,russian ,pe>l ,h>bor1 & 2c ( 8 9t}view ) ,ros5zweig1 ,buck ,williams 0 9 ,haifa :5 x happ5$4 ,! ,russians s5t 9t}cont95tal balli/ic missiles & nucle>-equipp$ ,,mig fi<t}-bomb}s 96! region4 ,! numb} ( aircraft & w>h1ds made x cle> _! mis.n 0 annihil,n4
  ,6say ! ,israelis 7 cau<t (f gu>d1 ,cam}on ,williams _h writt51 0 l say+ ! ,grt ,wall ( ,*9a 0 l;g4 ,:5 ,israeli rad> pick$ up ! ,russian planes1 !y 7 ne>ly ov}h1d4 ,israel's frantic plea = support f h} imm nei<bors &! ,unit$ ,/ates 0 simultane|s ) h} dem& 6"k ! 9t5;ns (! 9vad}s ( h} airspace4 ,0! "t ,israel & h} allies cd h m.t$ any?+ close 6a def5se1 x 0 obvi|s ! ,russians wd h h} |tnumb}$ a hundr$ 6"o4
  ,!y _h only mo;ts 2f ! de/ruc;n wd 2g94 ,"! wd 2 no m negotiat+1 no m pl1s =a %>+ (! w1l? )! hordes (! nor?4 ,if ! ,russians m1nt only 69timidate & bully1 !y wd n h fill$ ! sky ) missiles4 ,planes cd turn back1 b ! missiles 7 >m$ & t>get$4
  ,s ? 0 no gr&/& play design$ 6br+ ,israel 6h} knees4 ,"! 0 no message =! victims4 ,rcvg no explan,n = w> ma*9es cross+ h} bord}s & desc5d+ ~u h}1 ,israel 0 =c$ 6def5d h}f1 "k+ full well t ! f/ volley wd br+ ab h} virtual 4appe>.e f ! face (! e>?4
  ,) w>n+ sir5s scr1m+ & radio & televi.n s5d+ ! doom$ = :at flimsy cov} !y mi<t f9d1 ,israel def5d$ h}f = :at wd surely 2 ! la/ "t 9 hi/ory4 ,! f/ batt}y ( ,israeli surface-to-air missiles hit _! m>ks1 &! sky 0 lit ) orange-&-yell{ balls ( fire t wd c}ta9ly d ll 6sl{ a ,russian (f5sive = : "! cd 2 no def5se4
  ,~? :o knew ! o4s & :at ! rad> scre5s =etold 9t}pret$ ! d1f5+ explo.ns 9 ! sky z ! ,russian onslau<t4 ,e milit>y l1d} :o knew :at 0 -+ expect$ 6be put | ( 8 mis}y 9 seconds :5 ! fusillade r1*$ ! gr.d & cov}$ ! n,n4
  ,f :at he he>d & saw ! milit>y ,-p.d1 ,buck ,williams knew ! 5d 0 ne>4 ,"! 0 no escape4 ,b z ! ni<t %"o l "d &! horrific1 d1f5+ explo.ns 3t9u$1 no?+ on ! gr.d su6}$4 ,! build+ %ook & rattl$ & rum#d4 ,& yet x 0 n hit4
  ,|tside1 w>planes slamm$ 6! gr.d1 di7+ crat}s & s5d+ burn+ debris fly+4 ,yet l9es ( -munic,n /ay$ op54 ,no o!r -m& po/s _h be5 hit4 ,no reports ( casualties4 ,no?+ 0 de/roy$ yet4  ,0 ? "s sort (a cruel joke8 ,sure1 ! f/ ,israeli missiles _h tak5 | ,russian fi<t}s & caus$ missiles 6explode too hi< 6cause m ?an fire damage on ! gr.d4 ,b :at _h happ5$ 6! re/ (! ,russian air corps8 ,rad> %{$ !y _h cle>ly s5t ne>ly e plane !y _h1 l1v+ h>dly any?+ 9 res}ve = def5se4 ,?|s&s ( planes swoop$ d{n on ! t9y c.try's mo/ populat$ cities4
  ,! ro> &! cacophony 3t9u$1 ! explo.ns s horrify+ t vet}an milit>y l1d}s buri$ _! faces & scr1m$ 9 t}ror4 ,buck _h alw want$ 6be ne> ! front l9es1 b 8 survival 9/9ct 0 on full ?rottle4 ,he knew 2y d|bt t he wd die1 & he f.d hmf ?9k+ ! /range/ ?"|s4 ,:y _h he n"e m>ri$8 ,wd "! 2 remnants ( 8 body = 8 "f & bro!r 6id5tify8 ,0 "! a ,god8 ,wd d1? 2 ! 5d8
  ,he cr|*$ 2n a 3sole1 surpris$ 0! urge 6sob4 ,? 0 n at all :at he _h expect$ w> 6s.d l1 6look l4 ,he _h imag9$ hmf peek+ at ! ac;n f a safe spot1 record+ 9 8 m9d ! drama4
  ,s"eal m9utes 96! holocau/1 ,buck r1liz$ he wd 2 no m d1d |tside ?an in4 ,he felt no bravado1 only unique;s4 ,he wd 2 ! only p}son 9 ? po/ :o wd see & "k :at kill$ hm4 ,he made 8 way 6a door on ru2}y legs4 ,no "o seem$ 6notice or c>e 6w>n hm4 ,x 0 z if !y _h all be5 s5t;ed 6d1?4
  ,he =c$ op5 ! door ag/ a furnace bla/ & _h 6%ield 8 eyes f ! :ite;s (! blaze4 ,! sky 0 afire4 ,he / he>d planes ov} ! d9 & ro> (! fire xf1 &! o3a.nal explod+ missile s5t new %{}s ( flame 96! air4 ,he /ood 9 />k t}ror & amaze;t z ! grt ma*9es ( w> plummet$ 6! e>? all ov} ! c;y1 cra%+ & burn+4 ,b !y fell 2t build+s & 9 des}t$ /reets & fields4 ,any?+ atomic & explosive erupt$ hi< 9 ! atmosph}e1 & ,buck /ood "! 9 ! h1t1 8 face bli/}+ & 8 body p|r+ sw1t4 ,:at 9 ! _w 0 happ5+8
  ,!n came *unks ( ice & hail/"os big z golf balls1 =c+ ,buck 6cov} 8 h1d ) 8 jacket4 ,! e>? %ook & res.d$1 ?r{+ hm 6! gr.d4 ,faced{n 9 ! freez+ %>ds1 he felt ra9 wa% ov} hm4 ,su45ly ! only s.d 0 ! fire 9 ! sky1 & x 2gan 6fade z x drift$ l{}4 ,af t5 m9utes ( ?"u|s ro>+1 ! fire 4sipat$1 & scatt}$ balls ( flame flick}$ on ! gr.d4 ,! fireli<t 0appe>$ z qkly z x _h -e4 ,/ill;s settl$ ov} ! l&4
  ,z cl|ds ( smoke waft$ away on a g5tle breeze1 ! ni<t sky reappe>$ 9 xs blue-black;s & />s %"o p1ce;lly z if no?+ _h g"o awry4
  ,buck turn$ back 6! build+1 8 mu4y l1!r jacket 9 8 fi/4 ,! doorknob 0 / hot1 & 9side1 milit>y l1d}s wept & %u4}$4 ,! radio 0 alive ) reports f ,israeli pilots4 ,!y _h n be5 a# 6get airborne 9 "t 6d any?+ b wat* z ! 5tire ,russian air (f5sive seem$ 6de/roy xf4
  ,miracul|sly1 n "o casualty 0 report$ 9 all ( ,israel4 ,o!rwise ,buck mi<t h 2liev$ "s my/}i|s malfunc;n _h caus$ missile & plane 6de/roy ea* o!r4 ,b wit;ses report$ t x _h be5 a fire/orm1 al;g ) ra9 & hail & an e>?quake1 t 3sum$ ! 5tire (f5sive ef=t4
  ,_h x be5 a div9ely appo9t$ meteor %{}8 ,p}h4 ,b :at a3.t$ = hundr$s & ?|s&s ( *unks ( burn+1 twi/$1 molt5 /eel sma%+ 6! gr.d 9 ,haifa1 ,j}usalem1 ,tel ,aviv1 ,j}i*o1 ev5 ,2?lehem--level+ anci5t walls b n s m* z scrat*+ "o liv+ cr1ture8 ,"dli<t rev1l$ ! c>nage & expos$ ,russia's secret alli.e ) ,mi4le ,ea/}n n,ns1 prim>ily ,e?iopia & ,libya4
  ,am;g ! ru9s1 ! ,israelis f.d -bu/i# mat} t wd s}ve z fuel & pres}ve _! natural res|rces = m ?an six ye>s4 ,special task =ces -pet$ ) buzz>ds & vultures =! fle% (! 5emy d1d1 try+ 6bury !m 2f _! b"os 7 pick$ cl1n & 41se ?r1t5$ ! n,n4
  ,buck rememb}$ x vividly1 z if x 7 ye/}"d4 ,_h he n be5 "! & se5 x hmf1 he wd n h 2liev$ x4 ,& x took m ?an he _h 9 hm 6get any r1d} ( ,global ,weekly 6buy x ei4
  ,$itors & r1d}s _h _! {n explan,ns =! ph5om5on1 b ,buck admitt$1 if only 6hmf1 t he 2came a 2liev} 9 ,god t "d4 ,jewi% s*ol>s po9t$ | passages f ! ,bi# t talk$ ab ,god de/roy+ ,israel's 5emies )a fire/orm1 e>?quake1 hail1 & ra94 ,buck 0 /unn$ :5 he r1d ,ezekiel ab a grt 5emy f ! nor? 9vad+ ,israel )! help ( ,p}sia1 ,libya1 & ,e?iopia4 ,m />k 0 t ! ,scriptures =etold ( w1pons ( w> us$ z fire fuel & 5emy soldi}s eat5 0birds or buri$ 9 a -mon grave4
  ,*ri/ian frs want$ ,buck 6take ! next /ep & 2lieve 9 ,*ri/1 n{ t he 0 s cle>ly _su,y attun$4 ,he wasn't prep>$ 6g t f>1 b he 0 c}ta9ly a di6}5t p}son &a di6}5t j|rnali/ f !n on4 ,6hm1 no?+ 0 2y 2lief4
  ,n sure :e!r he'd foll{ "? ) any?+ ov}t1 ,capta9 ,ray=d ,/eele felt an irresi/i# urge 6see ,hattie ,durham "r !n4 ,he un/rapp$ hmf & squeez$ 8 f/ (fic}'s %|ld} on ! way | (! cockpit4 8,we're / on auto1 ,*ri/oph}10 he sd z ! "y} man r|s$ & /rai<t5$ 8 h1dph"os4 8,i'm gonna make ! sunup /roll40
  ,*ri/oph} squ9t$ & lick$ 8 lips4 8,doesn't look l sunup 6me1 ,cap40
  8,probably ano!r h|r or two4 ,i'll see if anybody's /irr+ anyway40
  8,rog}4 ,if !y >e1 tell 'em ,*ris says1 ,8,hey40'0
  ,ray=d snort$ & no4$4 ,z he op5$ ! cockpit door1 ,hattie ,durham ne>ly b{l$ hm ov}4
  8,no ne$ 6knock10 he sd4 8,i'm -+40
  ,! s5ior fli<t att5dant pull$ hm 96! galleyway1 b "! 0 no pas.n 9 h} t|*4 ,h} f+}s felt l talons on 8 =e>m1 & h} body %u4}$ 9 ! d>k;s4
  8,hattie--0
  ,%e press$ hm back ag/ ! cook+ -"p;t1 h} face close 6his4 ,_h %e n be5 cle>ly t}rifi$1 he mi<t h 5joy$ ? & return$ back embrace4 ,h} knees buckl$ z %e tri$ 6sp1k1 h} voice came 9 a :9y squ1l4
  8,p >e miss+10 %e manag$ 9 a :isp}1 bury+ h} h1d 9 8 *e/4
  ,he took h} %|ld}s & tri$ 6pu% h} back1 b %e f"| 6/ay close4 8,:at d y in--80
  ,%e 0 so2+ n{1 h} body | ( 3trol4 8,a :ole bun* ( p1 j g"o60
  8,hattie1 ? is a big plane4 ,!y've w&}$ 6! lavs or--0
  ,%e pull$ 8 h1d d{n s %e cd sp1k directly 96his e>4 ,despite h} weep+1 %e 0 pla9ly fi<t+ 6make h}f "u/ood4 8,i've be5 "ey":4 ,i'm tell+ y1 doz5s ( p >e miss+40
  8,hattie1 x's / d>k4 ,we'll f9d--0
  8,i'm n crazy6 ,see = yrf6 ,all ov} ! plane1 p h 4appe>$40
  8,x's a joke4 ,!y're hid+1 try+ to--0
  8,ray6 ,_! %oes1 _! socks1 _! clo!s1 "ey?+ 0 left 2h4 ,~! p >e g"o60
  ,hattie slipp$ f 8 grasp & knelt :imp}+ 9 ! corn}4 ,ray=d want$ 6-=t h}1 65li/ h} help1 or 6get ,*ris 6g ) hm "? ! plane4 ,m ?an any?+ he want$ 6believe ! woman 0 crazy4 ,%e knew bett} ?an 6put hm on4 ,x 0 obvi|s %e re,y 2liev$ p _h 4appe>$4
  ,he _h be5 "ddr1m+ 9 ! cockpit4 ,0 he asleep n{8 ,he bit 8 lip h>d & w9c$ at ! pa94 ,s he 0 wide awake4 ,he /epp$ 96f/ class1 ": an eld}ly woman sat /unn$ ! predawn haze1 h} husb&'s sw1t} & tr|s}s 9 h} h&s4 8,:at 9 ! _w80 %e sd4 8,h>old80
  ,ray=d scann$ ! re/ ( f/ class4 ,mo/ pass5g}s 7 / asleep1 9clud+ a "y man 0! w9d{1 8 laptop -put} on ! tray ta#4 ,b 9de$ s"eal s1ts 7 empty4 ,z ,ray=d's eyes grew a3u/om$ 6! l{ li<t1 he /rode qkly 6! /airway4 ,he />t$ d{n1 b ! woman call$ 6hm4
  8,sir1 my husb&--0
  ,ray=d put a f+} 6his lips & :isp}$1 8,i "k4 ,we'll f9d hm4 ,i'll 2 "r back40
  ,:at nons5se6 he ?"| z he desc5d$1 aw>e ( ,hattie "r 2h hm4 8,we'll f9d hm40
  ,hattie gra2$ 8 %|ld} & he sl{$4 8,%d ,i turn on ! cab9 li<ts80
  8,no10 he :isp}$4 8,! less p "k "r n{1 ! bett}40
  ,ray=d want$ 6be /r;g1 6h answ}s1 6be an example 6his crew1 6,hattie4 ,b :5 he r1*$ ! l{} level he knew ! re/ (! fli<t wd 2 *aotic4 ,he 0 z sc>$ z any"o on bo>d4 ,z he scann$ ! s1ts1 he ne>ly panick$4 ,he back$ 96a seclud$ spot 2h ! bulkh1d & slapp$ hmf h>d on ! *eek4 ,? 0 no joke1 no trick1 no dr1m4 ,"s?+ 0 t}ribly wr;g1 & "! 0 no place 6run4 ,"! wd 2 5 3fu.n & t}ror )|t 8 los+ 3trol4 ,no?+ _h prep>$ hm = ?1 & he wd 2 ! "o "eybody wd look to4 ,b = :at8 ,:at 0 he suppos$ 6d8
  ,f/ "o1 !n ano!r cri$ | :5 !y r1liz$ _! s1tmates 7 miss+ b t _! clo!s 7 / "!4 ,!y cri$1 !y scr1m$1 !y l1p$ f _! s1ts4 ,hattie gra2$ ,ray=d f 2h & wrapp$ h} h&s s ti<t >.d 8 *e/ t he cd h>dly br1!4 8,ray=d1 :at is ?80
  ,he pull$ h} h&s a"p & turn$ 6face h}4 8,hattie1 li/54 ,i don't "k any m ?an y d4 ,b we've got 6calm ~! p & get on ! gr.d4 ,i'll make "s k9d ( an ann|nce;t1 & y & yr p keep "eybody 9 _! s1ts4
  ,,ok80 ,%e no4$ b %e didn't look ,,ok at all4 ,z he $g$ pa/ h} 6hurry back 6! cockpit1 he he>d h} scr1m4 ,s m* = calm+ ! pass5g}s1 he ?"| z he :irl$ 6see h} on h} knees 9 ! aisle4 ,%e lift$ a blaz}1 %irt & tie / 9tact4 ,tr|s}s lay at h} feet4 ,hattie frantic,y turn$ ! blaz} 6! l{ li<t & r1d ! "n tag4 8,tony60 %e wail$4 8,tony's g"o60
  ,ray=d snat*$ ! clo!s f h} & toss$ !m 2h ! bulkh1d4 ,he lift$ ,hattie 0h} elb{s & pull$ h} | ( si<t4 8,hattie we're h|rs f t|*d{n4 ,we c't h a planeload ( hy/}ical p4 ,i'm go+ 6make an ann|nce;t1 b y h 6d yr job4 ,c y80
  ,%e no4$1 h} eyes vacant4 ,he =c$ h} 6look at hm4 8,w y80 he sd4
  ,%e no4$ ag4 8,ray=d1 >e we go+ 6die80
  8,no10 he sd4 8,t ,i'm sure (40
  ,b he wasn't sure ( any?+4 ,h{ cd he "k8 ,he'd r h fac$ an 5g9e fire or ev5 an uncontroll$ dive4 ,a cra% 96! oc1n _h 6be bett} ?an ?4 ,h{ wd he keep p calm 9 s* a ni<tm>e8
  ,0n{ keep+ ! cab9 li<ts (f 0 do+ m h>m ?an gd1 & he 0 glad 6be a# 6give ,hattie an assign;t4 8,i don't "k :at ,i'm go+ 6say10 he sd1 8b get ! li<ts on s we c make an a3urate record ( :o's "h & :o's g"o1 & !n get m ( ~? =eign visitor decl>,n =ms40
  8,= :at80
  8,j d x4 ,h !m r1dy40
  ,ray=d didn't "k if he _h d"o ! "r ?+ 0l1v+ ,hattie 9 *>ge (! pass5g}s & crew4 ,z he rac$ up ! /airs1 he cau<t si<t ( ano!r att5dant back+ | (a galleyway1 scr1m+ ,0n{ ,poor ,*ri/oph} 9 ! cockpit 0 ! only "o on ! plane unaw>e ( :at 0 happ5+4 ,worse1 ,ray=d _h told ,hattie he didn't "k :at 0 happ5+ any m ?an %e did4
  ,! t}rify+ tru? 0 t he knew all too well4 ,ir5e _h be5 "r4 ,he1 & mo/ ( 8 pass5g}s1 _h be5 left 2h4