The Shadows of The Beasts

"I''m terribly sorry, I cannot imagine how this happened.” Blake opened his hand and displayed a broken slice of plastic that was once a card. "Your Money Card was in such a sorry state that when we inserted it into the scanner, which we did not know was defective, it came out mangled. I am so sorry, Mr. Creech, but if you will allow me to accompany you, I will take you to registration upstairs and you can be fitted for your chip. There will be a few forms to fill out, but you will be on your way in an hour or so.”

Cosmo stood frozen in the checkpoint. A million reasons to comply flooded his brain in an instant. A single reason not to over rode them all. He felt alone, scared, and doomed in that moment of decision.    

"If it''s all the same to you Mr. Blake couldn''t I come back tomorrow and do all that? I really got some things I need to get started today and I have to get going.”    

Blake looked up to the camera that observed the area they stood in. He smiled for the unseen observer. "Opinions Doctor Carson?" An electronic speaker flared to life, making the psychologists'' voice sound tinny in tone.    

"Why do you wish to delay implantation, Mr. Creech?” came her voice into the checkpoint. "Could it have anything to do with a statement recorded in the Bible? ''Those who take the mark of the Beast will be cast into the lake of fire?’ that is in Revelation, is it not Mr. Creech? Evidence and statements testify that you are part of the Christian resistance or are simply a believer in the old religious system that is hindering this operation. Are you one of them, Mr. Creech? If not, you have nothing to fear in taking the chip and the oath.”     

Cosmo stood in silence as the electric voice droned on.    

"Or do you fear damnation? The oath is an oath of allegiance to the United Earth Foundation. One condition of allegiance is renouncing all faiths and religions that by their history, believes, or disciplines oppose or advise against this government action. It calls men and women to denounce and renounce God, Buddha, Mohammed, Allah, Yahweh, Jehovah, and Jesus to mention a few. Tell me Mr. Creech, do you support your government or your god?"    

Cosmo collapsed to his knees in the checkpoint and began to weep. He looked up at the ceiling with tears brimming in his eyes and spoke aloud, not caring who heard him.     "If this is your will, Father,” he said. A moment later, Cosmo broke out into tearful song in front of the confused guards.     

"What a friend we have in Jesus . . .” he wailed.    

"I believe Mr. Creech and I have a little more to discuss,” came Carson''s voice through the speakers. "Take him to a cell, I will talk to him later.”