Council Nine

Excerpt:

"The senseless tragedy by itself merely underscored a deep and abiding desire by radials to disrupt civilization and reduce daily life to chaos and pain. Yet a single frame of a prostrate young woman clutching to an infant with its head sheered from its body galvanized public opinion that had grown increasingly passive. Instantly, rage replaced pity. Her face and hair were badly burned. Her blouse, once a birthday present from her husband, covered nothing. Surrounding her smoldering head like a soft pillow was lush grass so incongruous to the brutality of the event that it seemed staged. Nevertheless, in her arms the dead infant carried a harsh message – the ancient and frustrating dilemma that evil prevails in the world. Can the all-powerful God prevent evil? If not, God was weak, not loving or simply nonexistent."