Owls

THE DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF THE CRUCIFIXION CROSS THREATENS TO DIVIDE THE MILLENNIUM GROUP.

In Damascus, Syria, a group of men using sophisticated radar locate and unearth a piece of petrified wood–the remains of the cross of the crucifixion–near a mosque. Their secret mission is interrupted when two assassins step from the shadows and open fire. One of the team members, a man named LeFur, clutches the wood to his chest, as if invincible. Suddenly, the assassins’ guns inexplicably jam. LeFur opens fire, killing his attackers. Later, LeFur’s pager explodes as he attempts to transport the wood through airport customs. A chaos erupts, a man named Helmut Gunsche uses an electronic device to disable the airport surveillance system, allowing him to make off with the wood undetected. Gunsche then phones an associate in Paraguay, a man named Axmann, and informs him his mission was a success. On Axmann’s sleeve is a cuff link, on which is engraved an ancient Germanic rune.

Meanwhile, back in the United States, Catherine meets with Clear Knight, the Vice President of Personnel Relations at Aerotech International. Clear offers Catherine a position as psychological counselor, explaining that many of the company’s employees are new to Seattle and experience problems adjusting to the area. Catherine accepts the job.

Watts meets fellow Millennium Group members at an isolated warehouse. The men discuss the theft of the cross, and how it threatens to split the Group into two parts. One is known as the Owls, who believe that if a theological event does not occur in 672 days, a secular Millennium will result–leaving them in control. The other is known as the Roosters, which includes Watts and, theoretically, everyone at the meeting. The Owls stole the cross to weaken the Rooster’s faith–and make themselves invincible.

Lara experiences another vision of an angel. While researching the psychological effects of hallucinations, she is approached by Mr. Johnston (who attended the meeting with Watts and the other Roosters). Identifying himself as an Owl, Johnston believes that a secular prophecy that will change the Earth. He urges Lara to work with the Owls.

When Frank arrives home with Jordan, he finds Watts inside. Watts justifies the intrusion by explaining that Frank’s modem line has been tapped. The two become embroiled in a heated argument. At the conclusion of the discussion, Frank tells Watts he wants nothing more to do with the Group.

Later, Watts tells Lara about Robert LeFur and his effort to transport the cross into the United States. According to legend, the cross makes its possessor invincible, and was even sought after by the Nazis during World War II. Lara tells Watts that she believes the Owls are not responsible for its disappearance, as the theft would only lead to a civil war within the Millennium Group.

As Catherine exits Aerotech one evening, she discovers that her automobile will not start. She telephones Frank for assistance, but he cannot determine the source of the problem. Clear Knight, who also wears the Germanic rune cuff link, approaches the car and, in an overly friendly manner, invites Frank, Catherine and Jordan to her home for dinner.

As Mr. Johnston drives along a deserted section of roadway, he is passed by another car driven by Helmut Gunsche. A few moments later, Johnston’s automobile dies (the result of the electronic device used by Gunsche earlier). Johnston steers the automobile onto the side of the road. Shortly thereafter, he is knocked to the ground by Gunsche, who also wears the Germanic rune cuff links. Gunsche forces a tube into Johnston’s mouth–and the other end is placed inside the car’s gas tank. After Johnston loses consciousness, Gunsche places a board of wood–exactly the dimensions of the crucifixion cross–inside Johnston’s trunk, as if hiding it. He then sets the car, and Johnston ablaze.

Watts, Lara and Group pathologists examine Johnston’s burned…