CHAPTER ONE

Regina bit down on a chickle stick releasing its sweetness when something struck her from the right. She and her purse sprawled across the airport breezeway floor. The man lying nearby leaped to his feet as two armed security officers rushed toward them.

     "Stop!" one security officer yelled, thrusting out a hand laser. "Stop that man!"

     People scattered as Regina struggled to stand, her eyes glazing over from the impact. The man sprang up and slid one arm around her neck. She watched as he thrust out a twentieth-century handgun toward the two jogging officers, every muscle in her body knotting up.

     "Stop right there, or I'll kill this girl." Cleaning the cobwebs from her brain, Regina couldn't fathom the events fast enough.

     "Let her go," one officer said, as though he were having a friendly discussion. "Give us the weapon, and we'll work this thing out."

     "No! The H.O.P.E. Union of Nations is trying to take over every country on Earth. Down with Humans on Planet Earth. Freedom for God's world and God's people!"

     The man waved his 200-year-old gun. "Now, I want you two H.O.P.E. dopes to throw down your lasers." As Regina regained clear thinking, she calculated that the officers' hesitation indicated they were concocting a plan.

     "Do it now!" the man shouted, plunging the gun muzzle against Regina's temple. The full impact of the situation hit like a falling brick wall, and it almost silenced her heart.

     One of the guards stepped forward. "There's no need to involve an innocent girl. Release her and-"

     The man pointed the weapon at the approaching officer's leg and discharged it.

     The explosion stung Regina's ears. "No! What are you doing?"

     The man shoved the gun against Regina's temple again. She sucked in her breath only to discover the fresh air poisoned by gunpowder. "Shut up! Just shut up and you won't get hurt!" Regina nodded, and then noticed her arms shaking.

     The wounded officer had dropped to the floor and grabbed his leg. He groaned and then gawked at the pool of blood accumulating on the floor. Regina gasped and almost fainted at the sight of it.

     "Okay … okay!" the uninjured guard yelled. He dropped his laser and stepped back with his arms slightly raised. "Take it easy, mug. No more shooting."

     "Get his laser," the man said waving his weapon at the wounded officer.

     The standing officer stooped over his injured comrade and reached for the laser. "All right. I'll do anything you say. Just don't hurt the girl."

     "Easy! Real easy now, or the next shot will blow apart this little girl's skull." The man's voice shook like a volcano about to erupt. The uninjured officer eased the hand laser from his partner and lifted it, pinched between two fingers like it was a piece of rancid meat. The mug swung his handgun around to the uninjured officer.

     Regina couldn't tolerate the tension any longer.

     How can this happen to me? I read about the terrorists. They were right wing Christian fundamentalists bent on keeping the world from unifying under one human banner. Based in the underdeveloped nations waiting to come into the H.O.P.E. Union, the third-world governments couldn't control them. Why must innocent citizens of H.O.P.E. be subjected to such terrorism?

     Regina breathed short, jerky breaths that impaired her reasoning ability. She remembered what her father always said, "When facts were obscured with non-reason, that was the time to act." Regina gulped a deep breath and tried to think of a way to act.

     "Now, drop it!" The terrorist shoved the barrel against Regina's temple again, but the officer hesitated as though he had conceived of a plan utilizing his comrade's laser while he still held it.

     He's calculating the risk! I can see it in his face!

     The terrorist's gun clicked as he drew back the trigger. Regina gulped and stared into the officer's eyes as she watched him weigh his chances.

     I have to do something right now, or it will end in the termination of my life.

     "Why are you doing this to me?" Regina said.

     The man butted his forehead against the back of her skull. "Because I have faith in our Lord that He will deliver our people from your bondage if my people help Him. God helps those who help themselves."

     Regina shook her head. "But most Christians live happily in the H.O.P.E. Union where they are free to practice their religion."

     He dug the barrel deeper into Regina's scalp. "They have been tricked, because they are not true believers. They no longer evangelize. The entire world should be united all right … under the banner of Jesus."

     While the man spoke, Regina slipped a left foot behind his. She leaned backwards, and as the man lost his balance, she lifted her left leg raising his leg higher, spun, and smashed her left elbow into his throat. As he plummeted downward she fell with him and planted all 110 pounds on his chest. The gun bounced on the floor as the man clutched his chest and gasped for air. The uninjured officer leaped and handcuffed him.

     "What did you do?" the officer said.

     "I don't know." Regina sprang to the wounded officer and lifted his head. "How bad is it?" The officer's grimacing signaled the intensity of his pain. Regina tore a piece of his pant leg and constructed a makeshift tourniquet. She winced at the sight of the torn flesh and oozing blood, but forced herself to continue working.

     With the terrorist secured, the other officer hurried over to them. "Fred? Emergency is on its way." He examined the wound. "Nice job … for this and the takedown on the mug."

     "Thanks," Regina said, unable to keep from smiling.

     "Where'd you learn to do that?"

     "Oh, my mother taught my brother and I basic first aid, and I used to volunteer at a summer-"

     "No," the officer said, pointing to his partner. "Not that." He pointed to the terrorist. "That."

     "Oh!" A blush invaded her face. "My father is Edgar Moody and-"

     "The three-time wrestling champion of the H.O.P.E. Union of Nations?"

     Regina's blush deepened. "My father only won the Region Six championship."

     The officer laughed. "That poor mug. He had no idea that his innocent little hostage is the daughter of one of the world's wrestling legends." He laughed again as he extended a hand. "The name's Roger Hanley."

     Regina grasped his hand and they shook. "Regina. Regina Sherwood."