Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

"Again, as Greg told us—and you still killed him.""Melissa, one of the differences between myself and your infamous major—andthere are many—is that I am not afraid to die to ensure your safety should my trueintentions be exposed. I have no reason to believe the same was true of him. He's shownhis self interest more than once in his lifeas you well know, and when the stakes weremuch lower.""What makes you think the Group is being manipulated?" inquired Brian, morethan a little unnerved at the thought."There is an evil here, a presence that I have felt only once before," he answered."You mean you've seen one of them the tall creatures?""Not here . . . I once saw one kill a man in the precise manner described by themajor. I have no doubt by his description that he saw what I saw.""If this Watcher thing is for real, and it's here, what does it want specifically?What are its plans?" asked Melissa."That's one of the things 1 don't know. I haven't been able to discern how theWatchers plan to use the Group's preparations and goals, nor have I been able to figureout what drove Neil over the edge. It could be that they used him, but I'm far from certainabout that. I'm a latecomer to the Group, so l lack the context for much of what they do,and they tend to be fairly cryptic in their comments, even at meetings. They've alsonaturally restricted my knowledge until they gauge my loyalty to the outfit. GeneralHartwig trusts me, but he can't just dismiss what amounts to the Group's version ofpecking order deference. I know everything that he feels I need to know to keep tabs onyou, which still amounts to more than our team knows, but not as much as I'd like. Ofcourse, I'm looking at their plans through an altogether different grid.""You mentioned that you thought God wanted you to accomplish two things,"Brian noted, "what's the other?""Recruit successors," he managed a half smile. "I'm in my seventies, and I'm justtoo old for adventures like this anymore. You more than anyone else understand thetextual records that describe these beings and their activities in times past. You lack onlya feel for the contemporary context of their mission. God sent you here . . . for such atime as this. The Day of Christ will come, and the Church must be prepared. That taskwill fall to you . . . and whoever is willing to help you," he added, making eye contactbriefly with Melissa.Brian looked at Andrew, unsure of how to respond. He was afraid, but somehowhe'd expected to hear something of this sort. At that moment, he longed more than everfor the simple, uncomplicated, but frustrating life he'd led prior to his being brought tothe Facility."Father," Malcolm said, looking at his watch. "It's been nearly ten minutes since Iarrived here. We need to proceed.""You're right. Has everything we discussed been arranged? ""It has, but you have to get to the surface and past any guards to take theadvantage.""Then you had best be on your way," he said, and headed for the door, Malcolmfollowing. "I hope to see you again, but if not ... I'm very proud of you . . . and be faithfulto your calling.""I will . . . we'll meet again, on this side or the other."314