The Council
  (An excerpt from The Council to Save The Planet)
Conrad Lawrence

The group as a whole rose and slowly crept up behind Langsford who gazed into the night; all except Pieder. Seeing that Langford had elicited as much explanation as he intended, offered further details. "Several years ago, Erwin and I realized that there was a good chance that once we reached the moment of launch, a sudden attack of cold feet could occur. Consequently, we discussed that possibility and decided to inform the rest of you that the launch time was going to happen twenty-four hours later than it was actually timed for. All of the missiles have launched by now, haven't they Erwin?"
Erwin nodded in silent affirmation. The rest of the Council was stunned beyond words. It had happened, as they had planned for twelve long years. Pieder's and Erwin's betrayal was insignificant. Each wondered if they would be filled with the same nausea for their actions if Ginnie hadn't informed them of Sol's angry response to the way humanity had treated their planet. Without words, all watched the stationary pinpoint hold it's position for several minutes, then rise. Quicker than any jet could have, it grew and flew over the atrium library. All eyes followed it as it appeared stationary in the southern sky; then dropped out of sight. The sky to the South was filled with a glow from a tiny sunset. All in the room knew they were looking toward a Los Angeles suddenly lit by an artificial sun. The glow lasted several seconds before fading to darkness The members of the Council were frozen, gripped by a myriad of emotions and questions which could only be answered by God.   

Excerpt

"Who are you people? And, what the hell have you done?"

"Everything happened so fast that the orange autumn moon was still low in the sky, framed by the branch of the oak in the yard. Extending down from that branch at the end of a taut rope, was the swaying silhouetted figure of Harlan Gruenhagen, kind, sensitive family man and environmental rapist...."

"Max Stresspoint: Maverick Adventurer, Ladies' Man and Cool Dude." At least that is what his translucent, crystalline, speaking business card says, literally."