The secretary buzzed in, "Jerome, you have a phone call from Boise City, Oklahoma".
Jerome's eyebrows shot up. I just sent them the fax...what else do they need? "Ok Melinda, I can take it in here".
Pressing the button, Jerome spoke, "Hello there, who am I speaking to?"
"This is the General from the facility down here. We have suspicions that one of the detainees here is a religious extremist".
Jerome swallowed. "You don't say? Who is it?"
"It's the guy you sent us the info on, that Russian hit man. He came in with another young man who had contraband materials. The funny thing is that those materials were written in Russian. Since Mekhdiev is Russian, that's why we suspect he's a traitor".
"Do you suspect that the boy is as well?"
"I can't be sure since he claims he just wanted something to read...but it's becoming more likely since, like I said, the materials were in Russian and the kid can't speak it. For now, I'm keeping him here indefinitely but I will need to do some more thinking on this".
Jerome nodded, thanking the Lord that the General couldn't see the dismay on his face, "Ok, so what do you need me to do?"
"I want you to inform the Great Potentate that we are planning on sending him to do what he does best...assassinate some people. Specifically, the two crazies at the Wailing Wall".
Jerome sighed, "Do you think he will succeed? Everyone who has tried in any capacity has failed, and each failed attempt has angered the Potentate more and more. Are you positive that this guy is skilled enough?"
"Positive. I mean he's a hit man for a living, and we've seen some of his...ahem...'work' in the past. I think he's our best bet for now".
"Ok, then he needs to be transported here somehow. But first I will inform the Potentate of this and get back to you on his decision on whether or not he wants this to occur. He may ask to talk to you specifically".
"I will await his call".
Jerome hung up the phone and sank into his chair. Another believer is about to die doing the impossible. He prayed that the Lord would intervene and not let this happen to a fellow brother in Christ, but Jerome also knew that the Lord's Will will be done, and made sure to tell Him that and constantly remind himself of it. "Thy Will be done..."
Jerome's eyebrows shot up. I just sent them the fax...what else do they need? "Ok Melinda, I can take it in here".
Pressing the button, Jerome spoke, "Hello there, who am I speaking to?"
"This is the General from the facility down here. We have suspicions that one of the detainees here is a religious extremist".
Jerome swallowed. "You don't say? Who is it?"
"It's the guy you sent us the info on, that Russian hit man. He came in with another young man who had contraband materials. The funny thing is that those materials were written in Russian. Since Mekhdiev is Russian, that's why we suspect he's a traitor".
"Do you suspect that the boy is as well?"
"I can't be sure since he claims he just wanted something to read...but it's becoming more likely since, like I said, the materials were in Russian and the kid can't speak it. For now, I'm keeping him here indefinitely but I will need to do some more thinking on this".
Jerome nodded, thanking the Lord that the General couldn't see the dismay on his face, "Ok, so what do you need me to do?"
"I want you to inform the Great Potentate that we are planning on sending him to do what he does best...assassinate some people. Specifically, the two crazies at the Wailing Wall".
Jerome sighed, "Do you think he will succeed? Everyone who has tried in any capacity has failed, and each failed attempt has angered the Potentate more and more. Are you positive that this guy is skilled enough?"
"Positive. I mean he's a hit man for a living, and we've seen some of his...ahem...'work' in the past. I think he's our best bet for now".
"Ok, then he needs to be transported here somehow. But first I will inform the Potentate of this and get back to you on his decision on whether or not he wants this to occur. He may ask to talk to you specifically".
"I will await his call".
Jerome hung up the phone and sank into his chair. Another believer is about to die doing the impossible. He prayed that the Lord would intervene and not let this happen to a fellow brother in Christ, but Jerome also knew that the Lord's Will will be done, and made sure to tell Him that and constantly remind himself of it. "Thy Will be done..."
- Katy
_______________________________________________________
Mr. Argyros was looking thoughtfully at Jerome (who was suppressing the urge to squirm). "I have been frustrated by the lack of success of my previous assassins, but this man is a professional. Plus, I would not mind if he died since he is probably a traitor to me and the Global Family, as all christians are". He nearly spat out the word "christians".
"So would you like me to inform the General of your approval?"
Teodor nodded, "Just make sure there are no ties directly to me unless he succeeds, in which case I would take the credit for the deaths of the two lunatics". His eyes darkened, "I do not want my people to see me as a constant failure in relation to this task of killing these men". Teodor looked at Jerome, as if expecting an encouraging reply.
"They will never see you as a failure Mr. Potentate, for you give all of us hope during these difficult times," Jerome was literally forcing each word out of his mouth, as they tasted like poison. Thankfully Teodor didn't seem to notice any oddities in the way he spoke. In fact, he seemed cheered.
"That is very true Jerome," Teodor walked over and clasped Jerome shoulder in a "friendly" way with a winning smile, "My people deserve a leader like me, and I am glad to have you with me to make sure they remember that". Jerome suppressed the urge to shake off Teodor's hand and replied, "Thank you Mr. Potentate".
Teodor turned and waved a hand in dismissal; Jerome needed no other cues to hurry his way out of there. Once in his office, he closed the door and took a deep breath. "Lord, I hope You know what You're doing, because this makes no sense to me". He looked out the window behind his desk at the blue skies, drawing some strength from it's beauty.
"But I trust You and will always love You".
- Katy
________________________________________________________
Across town, Colonel Akeman leaned back in his black swivel chair and smiled gleefully. “It’s about time now,” he gloated to his aide. “Time to destroy those blubbering idiots at the wall and the rest of their kind forever.”
Failing to notice his aide’s deep frown, the Colonel picked up a glass of water and drunk deeply. With a satisfied sigh, he rattled on. “Of course in the due process of time we will-“
“Wha-“
“-will in the due pro-cess of time,”each word was carefully emphasized. “take over the world.” He leaned forward an intent look on his face. “The – Potentate – will – be – victorious – over --- God.” He spat out the word. Silence hung in the air as the Colonel sat, hatred written plainly on his swarthy face.
“What’s going to happen right now!?” the aide finally managed to blurt out. Colonel Akeman calmly pushed a button on his desk in answer. A minute later, heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor beyond the heavy steel door. The steel door swung open slowly on its hinges and a fully armed guard stepped into the room.
He saluted crisply, “Fifteen minutes, Colonel!”
“Sound the undercover signal for the men.” The guard stepped to the right over to the main control panel on the wall. It was filled with flashing lights, knobs, switches, and levers. He reached toward a red lever in the middle of the grid as if guided by practiced instinct. “Is the Potentate gifting one to those idiots on Ellis Island? Bout time they deserved a couple of good treatments to fresh bombs.” He rolled his eyes.
“Humph.” Colonel Akeman gave a short evil laugh. “Say, Jim Maskovy, they didn’t treat their guests so fine did they?”
Jim turned slowly to face his superior, his hand poised on the lever. “Of course not. Why should they,” he demanded. “After all we’re their enemies and who would even want to treat their enemies with some love and respect. Would you?” The Colonel ignored the pointed question flung at him, hesitated a moment, before carefully replying.
“Well, we will make an example of all Christians and how we serve traitors to the peace of our world state.” Silence reigned for an instant before the Colonel became aware his orders had not been obeyed. “I believe, Lt. that I asked you to blow certain under-cover signal for the men.”
“That’s right, I’m so sorry Colonel. It won’t happen again –“
“Just do what you’re told.” snapped the Colonel.
Jim turned back to the wall and flipped the lever hard to the left. Bomb raid alarms blared all over the building, their continuous squawky din mingled with loud shouts and running footsteps. Colonel Akeman, his aide, and Lt. Jim Maskovy sat behind in the undisturbed sanctum of the office, listening. Waiting. After a few minutes the hubbub in the halls died away.
Failing to notice his aide’s deep frown, the Colonel picked up a glass of water and drunk deeply. With a satisfied sigh, he rattled on. “Of course in the due process of time we will-“
“Wha-“
“-will in the due pro-cess of time,”each word was carefully emphasized. “take over the world.” He leaned forward an intent look on his face. “The – Potentate – will – be – victorious – over --- God.” He spat out the word. Silence hung in the air as the Colonel sat, hatred written plainly on his swarthy face.
“What’s going to happen right now!?” the aide finally managed to blurt out. Colonel Akeman calmly pushed a button on his desk in answer. A minute later, heavy footsteps sounded in the corridor beyond the heavy steel door. The steel door swung open slowly on its hinges and a fully armed guard stepped into the room.
He saluted crisply, “Fifteen minutes, Colonel!”
“Sound the undercover signal for the men.” The guard stepped to the right over to the main control panel on the wall. It was filled with flashing lights, knobs, switches, and levers. He reached toward a red lever in the middle of the grid as if guided by practiced instinct. “Is the Potentate gifting one to those idiots on Ellis Island? Bout time they deserved a couple of good treatments to fresh bombs.” He rolled his eyes.
“Humph.” Colonel Akeman gave a short evil laugh. “Say, Jim Maskovy, they didn’t treat their guests so fine did they?”
Jim turned slowly to face his superior, his hand poised on the lever. “Of course not. Why should they,” he demanded. “After all we’re their enemies and who would even want to treat their enemies with some love and respect. Would you?” The Colonel ignored the pointed question flung at him, hesitated a moment, before carefully replying.
“Well, we will make an example of all Christians and how we serve traitors to the peace of our world state.” Silence reigned for an instant before the Colonel became aware his orders had not been obeyed. “I believe, Lt. that I asked you to blow certain under-cover signal for the men.”
“That’s right, I’m so sorry Colonel. It won’t happen again –“
“Just do what you’re told.” snapped the Colonel.
Jim turned back to the wall and flipped the lever hard to the left. Bomb raid alarms blared all over the building, their continuous squawky din mingled with loud shouts and running footsteps. Colonel Akeman, his aide, and Lt. Jim Maskovy sat behind in the undisturbed sanctum of the office, listening. Waiting. After a few minutes the hubbub in the halls died away.
- KBR
_______________________________________________________
Two weeks had passed since Dean had left Tom on his little ranch. Setting on a small hillside, Dean watched the small town and debated if he should go down and find some food. His last meal was two days ago, he caught some fish and came across a blackberry bush.
Most of the traffic and activity was centered on a building at the south end of town. A bar no doubt Dean thought. The sun had been down for about an hour and Dean could see light on at a Hardee restaurant. Three vehicles were in front, Dean figured they belonged to the workers so maybe he could talk one of them into giving him the left over food.
Slowly making his way down to the main road, Dean tried to stay as much as possible in the dark, he had found it was better if not seen then to explain his story. Getting to the side of the building Dean sat his pack down under a bush then waited for someone to exit the building. It had been close to 30 minutes and no one came out. Dean walked to the front and looked in the big windows but still saw no one.
His inter-mind told him to get away from the area but his gut made a sound that could have woke the dead. Walking to the front door, Dean entered and went to the front counter.
“Hello” He said in a loud voice.
But no one answered. Waiting a minute more, Dean again yelled out this time louder but to no avail. His eyes caught sight of two burgers wrapped and setting under the heat lamp. Looking around, he figured he could grab the burgers and be gone before anyone noticed. Just as Dean was about to make his move, a car pulled up to the drive through window. Dean saw it was a older lady about in her 40’s or fifties. The lady tapped on the window but still no one inside made a sound.
Dean made eye contact with the lady and signaled he had on idea where anyone was. Again the feeling he better leave grow deeper and this time it over powered his hunger. Walking out, Dean wanted to wait for the car at the window to leave before he retrieved his pack. Standing in front, the car pulled up and rolled down her window.
“Where is everyone?” She asked
“No clue, I got her just before you did. I yelled but no one answered.”
“Well I guess it down to Tubby for dinner” the lady replied
“Is that the place down the street” Dean asked
“Yes, I don’t care to go in there alone, it is a bar but they have good food.”
Dean knew if it was a bar then men who acted out their stupidity hung out there.
“So no other place around to get food” Dean inquired
“Not around here, say tell you want. You join me for dinner, so I’m not alone with those boneheads men and I’ll pay for yours. That is of course you are not like them others.”
“No I am far from them others” Dean thought for a minute, a good meal sounds good but if those guys and this woman are locals, they might not take to a stranger with her. Protecting their own kind of stuff. He thought back and remembered there were 4 trucks and two cars at the bar. He figured maybe ten at the most and maybe a quarter was women so it would be him up against 6 or 7 guys. The odds were not the best but he figured for a good meal he could chance it.
“OK Miss, but I draw the line with desert.”
“Get in” she said reaching over and unlocking the passenger side door.
“I need to grab my bag” Dean said quickly as he went to the bush, grabbed the strapped pack and tossed it into the back seat before getting in the front.
“Good evening, my name is Dean”
“Hello Dean, I am Polly”
Putting the car in gear, Polly pulled out onto the street and head south. Dean mind raced to gather as much information as he could about the dark town. He saw a few lights but mostly it was dead.
Most of the traffic and activity was centered on a building at the south end of town. A bar no doubt Dean thought. The sun had been down for about an hour and Dean could see light on at a Hardee restaurant. Three vehicles were in front, Dean figured they belonged to the workers so maybe he could talk one of them into giving him the left over food.
Slowly making his way down to the main road, Dean tried to stay as much as possible in the dark, he had found it was better if not seen then to explain his story. Getting to the side of the building Dean sat his pack down under a bush then waited for someone to exit the building. It had been close to 30 minutes and no one came out. Dean walked to the front and looked in the big windows but still saw no one.
His inter-mind told him to get away from the area but his gut made a sound that could have woke the dead. Walking to the front door, Dean entered and went to the front counter.
“Hello” He said in a loud voice.
But no one answered. Waiting a minute more, Dean again yelled out this time louder but to no avail. His eyes caught sight of two burgers wrapped and setting under the heat lamp. Looking around, he figured he could grab the burgers and be gone before anyone noticed. Just as Dean was about to make his move, a car pulled up to the drive through window. Dean saw it was a older lady about in her 40’s or fifties. The lady tapped on the window but still no one inside made a sound.
Dean made eye contact with the lady and signaled he had on idea where anyone was. Again the feeling he better leave grow deeper and this time it over powered his hunger. Walking out, Dean wanted to wait for the car at the window to leave before he retrieved his pack. Standing in front, the car pulled up and rolled down her window.
“Where is everyone?” She asked
“No clue, I got her just before you did. I yelled but no one answered.”
“Well I guess it down to Tubby for dinner” the lady replied
“Is that the place down the street” Dean asked
“Yes, I don’t care to go in there alone, it is a bar but they have good food.”
Dean knew if it was a bar then men who acted out their stupidity hung out there.
“So no other place around to get food” Dean inquired
“Not around here, say tell you want. You join me for dinner, so I’m not alone with those boneheads men and I’ll pay for yours. That is of course you are not like them others.”
“No I am far from them others” Dean thought for a minute, a good meal sounds good but if those guys and this woman are locals, they might not take to a stranger with her. Protecting their own kind of stuff. He thought back and remembered there were 4 trucks and two cars at the bar. He figured maybe ten at the most and maybe a quarter was women so it would be him up against 6 or 7 guys. The odds were not the best but he figured for a good meal he could chance it.
“OK Miss, but I draw the line with desert.”
“Get in” she said reaching over and unlocking the passenger side door.
“I need to grab my bag” Dean said quickly as he went to the bush, grabbed the strapped pack and tossed it into the back seat before getting in the front.
“Good evening, my name is Dean”
“Hello Dean, I am Polly”
Putting the car in gear, Polly pulled out onto the street and head south. Dean mind raced to gather as much information as he could about the dark town. He saw a few lights but mostly it was dead.
- Alex
________________________________________________________
“So you are not from around here, guess a lot of people are moving around trying to find their loved ones or trying to get some normal back into their lives” Polly stated
“I guess, how about you, this home for you?” Dean asked
“Yep, grew up here, got married had kids, husband left me, kids moved away. I’m a real native here”
Dean could hear the pain in her voice, but knew he better not inquire, “So how many people disappeared from here? Dean asked as they pulled into the parking lot of Tubby’s.
“Oh maybe a quarter, had everyone in a up roar, nobody knew what happen.”
Dean knew this was his chance to see where Polly stood, “What about you? What do you think happened?”
Polly looked out the window as they just sat there with the car shut off, “Oh I don’t know, at first I thought maybe big governments cover up and they took people, but why the children? Many say space creatures and some say it was God, just like the bible said. There are a lot of good people around here, people that had every right to go to Heaven. If God didn’t take them then maybe I don’t want to be in Heaven”
Dean thought for a second, “I heard that being good was not the ticket needed to be punched but your faith in Jesus.”
“My mother use to say that as did my aunts but they all died a few years before all this happened. I would hope they are up there. Well let’s get in there and eat, I am starving” Polly replied
Tubby was a large metal framed building. The main door was set in the middle with two doors at each end. Once inside, the restaurant on the right was small where the bar and dance area took up 3/4 of the building.
Dean quickly scanned the whole area, finding where the main group of men were, the restrooms and the exits. Most everyone was in the bar area which made Dean happy, only one couple sat at a table in the dinning area. Finding a table, Dean sat with his back to the wall and acted like he wanted it to play out, just get some food in me and be gone. He had been in these types of places before and a stranger is normally tested but usually the load mouth of the bar. His hope was to be gone before the beer medals made it on the chest of those drinking.
“Hi Polly, have not seen you in here for a while.” The waitress announced as she came up. Dean smiled and took a menu then buried he head in it.
“Hi Linda, well I’ve been busy around the house plus the heat has kept me in doors” Polly replied
The waitress asked what they wanted to drink and was a little upset they didn’t order from the bar menu. Her eyes kept looking over at Dean trying to figure him out, was he Polly new lover or maybe just a one night stand, maybe if she played it cool, this stranger would stick around until she got off.
“I think I’ll have a tuna melt with fries,” Polly stated
Dean was starving but wanted to be out of there so he ordered a hamburger and chips.
“Oh come on, a good looking man like yourself needs a steak with the works,” Linda said with a big smile.
“No thank you, I happy with the hamburger” Dean replied handing the menu back.
“OK most women like a man with a big appetite, don’t they Polly”
“Some do, Linda but some like to nibble all day long as well”
Linda smile got bigger, “Oh ya sister, you got a live one here”
“He his just a friend Linda”
“I bet he is… I bet he is. Well let me go get your drinks and place your order, you two look like you might be in a hurry” Linda turned a rushed off back to the kitchen.
Polly turned to Dean, “You could have had the steak if you wanted it.”
“I know and I could have had the pork chops too, but I wanted a burger” Dean replied scanning the room.
“So who you running from?” Polly asked
Dean almost choked on his water, “No one why do you ask?”
“No reason, but I have never seen someone scan a room as much as you unless you are running from someone or looking for someone.”
“Nether, just something I picked up in the military, guess I never grew out of it.”
“You sure, I can get my food to go and leave you here with Lind or maybe one of them other girls”
“Please, don’t and I’m telling you the truth, I’m not running or looking for anyone”
“OK” Polly smiled
- Alex
_______________________________________________________
Let's take a quick break from the action and a word from our sponsors:
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Friend, these stories are about those who were left behind, they were not ready, they choose to not hear or act on these words I am about to share with you.
Please don't wait, we don't know when the Lord will call us home. Your last breath could be tonight or tomorrow. Are you ready?
Tell me you are a sinner and that God wouldn't want someone like you in Heaven. Friend I am a sinner, and I have un-proud sins under my belt that would curl your hair. But Jesus died, he went to the cross so our sins ALL of them could be washed away. Don't use that as a reason not to call on the Lord. Use that as the reason TO call on him.
"I don't want to be known as a bible thumper, goodie too-shoe"
Friend, once we call out to our Lord, we don't know what tasks he has in store for us, but whatever it is he will equipent us with the best he has to offer. It is better to be called a goodie too-shoe and be in the arms of Jesus when you die then to be known as a worldly man or woman and suffer in hell with satan.
Time draws near, this could be the last chance the Lord is calling out to you. Take it.
- Alex
________________________________________________________
Amarillo, Texas
Mikhail settled back into his seat on the plane. He noticed the flight attendant was giving him a thorough once over. It was something he was used to as he had been told numerous times by women that he was a very handsome man. He turned his head to look out the window and hoped the woman took the hint.
Thankfully the attendant continued to help other passenger’s and Mikhail was free to think. He rubbed his finger over his bottom lip as he thought about his current assignment.
Two days ago he had been called into the General’s office and told he could earn his release and the gratitude of the Global Family by killing two men who spoke against the Pontentate in Jerusalem. He had merely raised an eyebrow and nodded his ascent.
Now he was on a plane heading to Jerusalem to kill two men he had never heard of. He looked at the young soldier sitting next to him and thought how easy it would be to kill him. He didn’t like that the General had “assigned” the young soldier to him to “assist” with the murders.
Mikhail knew the soldier was not an assistant. He had been sent specifically to ensure that he did not run, and returned to the center upon completion of his assignment. He was a bit disappointed that the soldier who had killed Ricardo had not been assigned to him. He would have relished the opportunity to kill him.
The soldier felt Mikhail’s gaze on him and glanced at him. Mikhail lazily looked over the man, concentrating his gaze on the man’s throat. With a smirk he saw the man swallow hard. He knew the General had to have told the soldier that he was a killer. A knife was his weapon of choice, but he was known to kill with his bare hands if need be.
With shaking hands the soldier reached into a briefcase. “Here’s a file on the two men.” He threw the file at Mikhail and quickly looked forward.
Mikhail caught the file and with a casual flick of his hand flipped it open. He saw the soldier flinch and smiled inwardly.
“May I get you gentlemen anything to drink?” Mikhail looked up to see the flight attendant looking at him greedily as she leaned forward.
“No.” Mikhail said giving the woman a glacial look. He then gave his attention back to the small file.
She blinked and slowly straightened. She gave a weak smile at the soldier sitting next to him. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Scotch neat.” The soldier said quickly.
With a nod the woman hurried away.
“Dude, she’s hot! Why’d you give her the killer glare?”
Mikhail’s eyes grew even colder as he shifted his gaze to the soldier.
“Uh, never mind.” He mumbled as the attendant returned with his drink. He took the drink and threw it back down his throat as he held up his finger indicating he wanted another.
Mikhail settled back into his seat on the plane. He noticed the flight attendant was giving him a thorough once over. It was something he was used to as he had been told numerous times by women that he was a very handsome man. He turned his head to look out the window and hoped the woman took the hint.
Thankfully the attendant continued to help other passenger’s and Mikhail was free to think. He rubbed his finger over his bottom lip as he thought about his current assignment.
Two days ago he had been called into the General’s office and told he could earn his release and the gratitude of the Global Family by killing two men who spoke against the Pontentate in Jerusalem. He had merely raised an eyebrow and nodded his ascent.
Now he was on a plane heading to Jerusalem to kill two men he had never heard of. He looked at the young soldier sitting next to him and thought how easy it would be to kill him. He didn’t like that the General had “assigned” the young soldier to him to “assist” with the murders.
Mikhail knew the soldier was not an assistant. He had been sent specifically to ensure that he did not run, and returned to the center upon completion of his assignment. He was a bit disappointed that the soldier who had killed Ricardo had not been assigned to him. He would have relished the opportunity to kill him.
The soldier felt Mikhail’s gaze on him and glanced at him. Mikhail lazily looked over the man, concentrating his gaze on the man’s throat. With a smirk he saw the man swallow hard. He knew the General had to have told the soldier that he was a killer. A knife was his weapon of choice, but he was known to kill with his bare hands if need be.
With shaking hands the soldier reached into a briefcase. “Here’s a file on the two men.” He threw the file at Mikhail and quickly looked forward.
Mikhail caught the file and with a casual flick of his hand flipped it open. He saw the soldier flinch and smiled inwardly.
“May I get you gentlemen anything to drink?” Mikhail looked up to see the flight attendant looking at him greedily as she leaned forward.
“No.” Mikhail said giving the woman a glacial look. He then gave his attention back to the small file.
She blinked and slowly straightened. She gave a weak smile at the soldier sitting next to him. “Would you care for a drink?”
“Scotch neat.” The soldier said quickly.
With a nod the woman hurried away.
“Dude, she’s hot! Why’d you give her the killer glare?”
Mikhail’s eyes grew even colder as he shifted his gaze to the soldier.
“Uh, never mind.” He mumbled as the attendant returned with his drink. He took the drink and threw it back down his throat as he held up his finger indicating he wanted another.
- Zags
_________________________________________________________
Southeast Colorado
Becca was starving. She had been eating chips, jellybeans and beef jerky for two days and she needed some real food. She sat quietly as she waited for the plump rabbit she had spotted to come up out of its hiding place.
She looked around to see if any other animals were running about in the early morning light but saw nothing. “Be patient, Becca.” She muttered to herself. She thought about her shot, knowing that she could only risk one. She was too close to the highway and couldn’t risk shooting more than once. More than one shot would give away her position and she was not going to be taken prisoner.
She heard a noise to her left and slowly turned her head. A zebra stood about fifty yards away. An actual zebra. She had heard that animal rights groups had released animals from zoos all over the country, but to see an actual zebra running free in southeast Colorado was a shock. “I wonder what other animals those people released.” Becca muttered as she scanned the area for more animals.
Movement from where the rabbit had holed up caught her eye and she turned her focus to her shot. Taking a breath she saw the rabbit cautiously poke it’s head out of the brush. Its nose twitched sniffing the air for a threat and after a few moments slowly hopped into the open. Becca released her breath as she squeezed the trigger.
The rabbit went down and Becca quickly dressed the rabbit while thanking the Lord for providing her with the fresh meat. Wrapping it in a spare shirt she stuffed it into her backpack and took off running. Now she just needed to find a safe place where she could build a fire and cook her meal.
Becca was starving. She had been eating chips, jellybeans and beef jerky for two days and she needed some real food. She sat quietly as she waited for the plump rabbit she had spotted to come up out of its hiding place.
She looked around to see if any other animals were running about in the early morning light but saw nothing. “Be patient, Becca.” She muttered to herself. She thought about her shot, knowing that she could only risk one. She was too close to the highway and couldn’t risk shooting more than once. More than one shot would give away her position and she was not going to be taken prisoner.
She heard a noise to her left and slowly turned her head. A zebra stood about fifty yards away. An actual zebra. She had heard that animal rights groups had released animals from zoos all over the country, but to see an actual zebra running free in southeast Colorado was a shock. “I wonder what other animals those people released.” Becca muttered as she scanned the area for more animals.
Movement from where the rabbit had holed up caught her eye and she turned her focus to her shot. Taking a breath she saw the rabbit cautiously poke it’s head out of the brush. Its nose twitched sniffing the air for a threat and after a few moments slowly hopped into the open. Becca released her breath as she squeezed the trigger.
The rabbit went down and Becca quickly dressed the rabbit while thanking the Lord for providing her with the fresh meat. Wrapping it in a spare shirt she stuffed it into her backpack and took off running. Now she just needed to find a safe place where she could build a fire and cook her meal.
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Babylon, Iraq
Ear sat staring at the computer monitor in horror. Via Argo’s Maps Live he watched as fields of rice burned in Vietnam. Switching screens he watched as fields of wheat burned in Russia. He looked over at his Supervisor. She sat calmly eating a sandwich as she smiled at whatever she looked at on her monitor.
Earl had been released from the hospital a week ago and been assigned to work in the Global Family Agricultural Sector. From there they tracked the world’s crops of corn, wheat, rice, and other crops that would keep the world fed. With the disappearances over two years ago the world’s food supplies had begun to run short, especially in North America where a good portion of the people who had disappeared were farmers.
The Global Family had been working to fill in the gaps, but they had discovered that farming was not as easy as they had thought. Now farmers could only plant so much due to the Global Family rationing seed. For every field that was planted, one failed. Between pests, flooding rains, hail, and drought the agriculture industry was in dire straits to keep the world fed.
“Where is that?” Lacy, his supervisor asked.
“Russia.” Earl said.
“Hmmm. How many acres is that?”
Earl turned to another computer and punched in the GPS coordinates. “It looks like that field is a little over 500 acres.”
Lacy nodded. “Well one good thing is going to come out of this war the religious fanatics started, “ She said as she pointed to bodies lying next to the field, “fewer mouths to feed. If as many people have been killed as has been projected, about a quarter of the world population has been eliminated. That means the loss of a few fields here and there won’t matter too much in the long run. Also with the Pontentates new planting and harvesting regulations we can be sure the only those loyal to the Global Family will get any grain. The less desirables will be starving and have no choice but to either surrender and swear allegiance to the Global Family or starve.”
“You mean to deliberately withhold food from those who are enemies of the Pontentate?” Earl asked.
“Yes.”
Earl smiled. “Brilliant.”
Ear sat staring at the computer monitor in horror. Via Argo’s Maps Live he watched as fields of rice burned in Vietnam. Switching screens he watched as fields of wheat burned in Russia. He looked over at his Supervisor. She sat calmly eating a sandwich as she smiled at whatever she looked at on her monitor.
Earl had been released from the hospital a week ago and been assigned to work in the Global Family Agricultural Sector. From there they tracked the world’s crops of corn, wheat, rice, and other crops that would keep the world fed. With the disappearances over two years ago the world’s food supplies had begun to run short, especially in North America where a good portion of the people who had disappeared were farmers.
The Global Family had been working to fill in the gaps, but they had discovered that farming was not as easy as they had thought. Now farmers could only plant so much due to the Global Family rationing seed. For every field that was planted, one failed. Between pests, flooding rains, hail, and drought the agriculture industry was in dire straits to keep the world fed.
“Where is that?” Lacy, his supervisor asked.
“Russia.” Earl said.
“Hmmm. How many acres is that?”
Earl turned to another computer and punched in the GPS coordinates. “It looks like that field is a little over 500 acres.”
Lacy nodded. “Well one good thing is going to come out of this war the religious fanatics started, “ She said as she pointed to bodies lying next to the field, “fewer mouths to feed. If as many people have been killed as has been projected, about a quarter of the world population has been eliminated. That means the loss of a few fields here and there won’t matter too much in the long run. Also with the Pontentates new planting and harvesting regulations we can be sure the only those loyal to the Global Family will get any grain. The less desirables will be starving and have no choice but to either surrender and swear allegiance to the Global Family or starve.”
“You mean to deliberately withhold food from those who are enemies of the Pontentate?” Earl asked.
“Yes.”
Earl smiled. “Brilliant.”
- Zags
________________________________________________________
Black Mesa, Oklahoma
The big bay door closed and Kristen immediately turned to Mo with tear drenched eyes.
“We have to bust them out.”
Mo heaved a sigh. “You heard Conrad Kristen. Maddie and Shade are okay for now, and Matt and Trevor are alive as well. We just have to wait until the General moves on and they will come home.”
“But you heard him. He’s not sure how long the General is going to stay. Shade and Maddie aren’t allowed to talk to Matt and he’s a prisoner of the GF indefinitely. Trevor is stuck by himself because everyone is keeping it secret that he knows Shade and Maddie. Then there’s this Mekhdiev guy. Conrad said the guy was as cold as they come.” Kristen argued as Skunk pulled her along the tunnel back to the main living area.
“Conrad said this Mekhdiev guy had been escorted from the center. Whoever he is, he’s gone and not a threat to anyone in our family.”
“But where are Zoe and Becca? Conrad didn’t know. They should have been with Matt and Trevor.” Kristen asked her eyes filling with tears.
“You heard him say that none of Frank’s men have been able to give anyone any details about anything because the General’s men are everywhere.” Renee answered.
“I hate this. I want my family home.” Kristen half shouted as she threw herself on the couch.
“We all do. Hopefully the General and his men will move on soon and they can all come home.” Nathan said as he sat next to her. He wrapped his arms around the younger girl as she burst into tears.
“Frank took a big chance sending Conrad out here to let us know what’s going on.” Skunk said.
“Yeah and I’m grateful. Renee, do you think you can get that satellite phone Travis sent up and running?” Mo asked as he paced around the room.
“It should be easy enough.”
“Good. As soon as the General leaves, I’m sure Frank will call us to let us know everyone’s coming home. Conrad said they were starting to get information back on several of the detainees and are letting some of them go, so maybe everyone will be let go sooner than we anticipate.” Nathan said encouragingly to Kristen.
“I hope so, but Matt….they won’t let him go will they?”
“Not until the General is gone.” Mo said grimly.
- Zags
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