The Stolen Gospels (30 page)

With an exasperated sigh, she stared at the laptop, containing her precious
Holy Women’s Bible
, undoubtedly the most earth-shaking publication in history. She envisioned special hardcover editions with ornate script and gold embossing, giving her tome the same stature as traditional holy books—and she had numerous companion projects in mind as well. But first Dixie Lou needed to get the gospels disseminated around the world, before they could be suppressed by BOI operatives.

All was in readiness.

* * *

Lori sat in the low illumination of the cockpit behind the pilot, having closed and locked the door to provide security from the other passengers. She held the handgun on her lap, and had other weapons stored in a locked cabinet near her. The control she had exerted over this one small aircraft seemed minuscule in the midst of all the huge events whirling around her.

Outside the window, she saw the angry red streaks of tracer fire, and heard hissing and popping sounds. It seemed surreal to her, more like something she’d experienced in a virtual-reality movie or a holo-game than reality. Lori’s life since the goddess circle and the tragic death of her mother seemed not her own, as if a force much larger than herself—like a cosmic tidal wave—was thrusting her forward into an uncertain, dangerous future.

* * *

About the Author

Brian Herbert
, the son of Frank Herbert, is the author of numerous
New York Times
bestsellers. He has won many literary honors and has been nominated for the highest awards in science fiction. In 2003, he published
Dreamer of Dune
, a moving biography of his father that was nominated for the Hugo Award. After writing ten DUNE-universe novels with Kevin J. Anderson, the coauthors created their own epic series, HELLHOLE. Brian began his own galaxy-spanning science fiction series in 2006, TIMEWEB. His other acclaimed solo novels include
Sidney’s Comet; Sudanna, Sudanna; The Race for God;
and
Man of Two Worlds
(written with Frank Herbert).