The Chosen Ones

 

The synagogue was filled to capacity.  They had all been told that they would soon be meeting their true leader.  Instead, his assistant entered from the back of the building.  

"Greetings, my name is Lucian.  I am a representative for the one true leader."

"And who exactly is that?" asked one of the congregants.  

Lucian smiled and ignored the question.

Looking down at his watch, Lucian held out his hand as other questions came his way.

The explosion shook the walls of the structure.

It was just after this that the group first realized the armed forces covering the exits.

"Please remain calm," said Lucian in his easy voice.

"The American Embassy has just been bombed by our immortal enemies."

"And yet you knew what was about to happen," said another in the group.

"Of course," said Lucian.  "Nothing big happens without us being in on it.  Most of you didn't have a problem with what we pulled off on 9/11.  That put the U.S. in our back pocket, and they've been pretty much fighting our enemies exclusively since then."

"Now, what we've just done will bring America directly into the war with our surrounding enemies."

There was some limited applause from the audience.

"As you already know, America's pier has already been used as a Trojan Horse for their troops to kill Palestinians."  

The applause increased.

"This is because our god grants his eternal rewards for practicing human sacrifice." 

It suddenly became quiet, and the surrounding soldiers somehow looked more menacing.  

"You do realize that most Israelis who died on October 7th were killed by our own forces, right?"

The congregants began looking around at the exits.

"You will be pleased to know that you are the chosen ones for the next sacrifice!"

One of the group member's ran for the exit and was immediately shot.  The crowd began to panic.

"We need something else to ensure that America and the West will give what's left of their lifeblood to our cause."

Shots fired into the ceiling caused the congregants to freeze.

At the rear exit, surrounded by his armed guards, Lucian yelled, "Sorry about the late notice, but as with the last time, we don't think we can get away with the land grabs without having a holocaust for a cover story.  Thank you for your service!"

After the doors had been locked, the congregants heard the chopper blades lifting up and away.

The last thing they heard were the high-pitched sound of dropping bombs.