Chapter 1 Summary

The story opens with a prologue from the previous book, "The Remnant." In this story, a young computer genius named Chang Wong is living in New Babylon where he has served as a mole for the Christian group known as the Tribulation Force. Chang is there when the city falls into utter darkness, as is prophesied in the scriptures. The darkness is complete and no one can see anything. Even the light from a fire cannot be seen. The exception is that Christians can see, though they are limited. Chang decides it's the perfect time to escape and he calls on Rayford Steele to help.

In chapter one, Rayford, head of the Tribulation Force, is piloting a plane to New Babylon with the help of Abdullah Smith. They have a passenger, Naomi Tiberias, but Rayford is worried about her presence, knowing that she's...