“All though Israel history, we have been at work with someone or been slaves to others. Because we were chosen by God himself he has given us leaders like King David, Moses and others. In the recent generation, back during the 1930’s and 40’s we were killed just for being Jews. In 1948 when we got part of our land back our leaders and people said no more will we live in terror like before, no longer will they come and take us away to camps or to kill us in the streets. During the 70’s our leaders though the United Stated guaranteed this by the building, testing and installing nuke warheads on certain missiles and rockets. Like the United Stated we have never said yes or denied the position of having these weapons but rest a sure gentlemen we have them as you know and we have them to protect our homeland and our people. I don’t know the reason or the why’s but our government who our people have elected to lead them have asked us to do what we had always trained to do but hoped we would never have to. As of this minute the clock has started for the Samuel of Ramah to launch two Popeye nuke missiles with a target unknown at this time.” Daniel finished and let what he said to sink in to those men who sat before him.
Not one question was asked or a worked spoken as each man ran through his head what this meant to him. Daniel turned and opened his safe then removed a sealed folder. On the back was a place for himself, the Operation Officer and the Weapons Officer to sign before opening. Once each one had signed in his spot, Daniel cut open the red folder and pulled out the target listings and launch codes.
“Mr. Akeman, please read to Mr. Beil the code on the Red Bird message. Mr. Beil, please cross that code to the code on this page and tell us what our target will be.”
Looking at the message, Joe Akeman started to read the code of XX697-A1-RB-34-3451.
Josh Beil the Navigator looked down at the sheet his Captain gave him then wrote down some numbers that he believed to be GPS numbers. standing at the chart on the wall and ran his fingers down one side and across the other till both lines crossed. He stood there a second then sat down and looked at each man.
“Without my system I can only give you a 90% guess.”
“That is fine, I am sure you are close enough.” Daniel replied
“Our target looks to be Damascus”
No one said a word; finally Daniel read the rest of the message to the group. They were to launch two missiles at one minute past midnight on the December 25, 2008. Joe quickly in his head figured the flight time would be roughly 20-25 minutes.
“Without going to the computer I guess 20+ minutes of flight time.”
Looking at the clock on the wall, Daniel counted the hours he had before H hour. “We have just under 47 hours to ensure we are ready. I want GQ set at 2300 on the 24th and I will announce to the crew at 2200. Until that time no one outside this room is to know what is going on. If you feel someone else needs to know to complete start ups then I want to know first and I will approve or disapprove. Do I make myself clear?” Each man agreed
“Josh, I want you to ensure of our target and I want a two tracks out of here using sea bottom depths and known wreckage on the bottom as targets to shoot for. People will be looking for us and I want to hide.”
“Yes sir” Josh said as he stood then left.
“Joe, get me the last on who is swimming in out pool, I want to know all players starting with attack vessels to air craft carriers then anyone else who could be a problem for us. Ensure you start tracking tankers, we may have to hitch a ride.”
“On it sir.” Joe, replied as he too left
“Are we ready Ben? Are we ready to possible start world war III over something we don’t know?”
“Sir, like you said we must follow our leaders for our people, the Jewish people depend on it.”
“I know, I just want to make sure you and I are on the same page. Since it will take the two of us to launch our birds.”
“Sir, we can only trust that if we are doing something wrong, God himself will stop it.”
“So true. Give me a run down in two hours of all systems.”
“Aye Sir”
Ben left the room leaving Daniel alone.
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
Keyes, Oklahoma
Trevor nodded at Shade. They had agreed that when Leon started to come around that Shade would step into the kitchen. If Leon had no knowledge of Kristen being at the ranch, they wanted to keep it that way. Leon had never met Trevor, and couldn't connect him with the ranch or Kristen.
"Ummm." Leon moaned. His eyes opened and he saw Trevor sitting in the chair.
"Hello, Leon." Trevor said.
"Who are you?" Leon sat up.
"Trevor."
"Do I know you?"
"I don't know. Do you?" Trevor answered, side stepping the question.
"We ever party together?" Leon asked.
"Have we?" Trevor raised an eyebrow.
"You got anything on you?"
Trevor knew that Leon was refering to drugs. "Depends on how our conversation goes."
Leons lifted his hand to show Trevor. "I need something. Bad."
Trevor tossed him a bottle of cough syrup. "Drink that. It'll take the edge off."
Leon opened the bottle and downed the contents. "What do you want?"
"Where's your buddy Earl."
"He ain't here?" Leon looked around.
"No." Trevor answered. "When was the last time you saw him?"
"Before the Rapture." Leon said. "Look this stuff ain't gonna be enough." he said holding up the empty bottle.
"Before the Rapture?" Trevor saw Shade step into the doorway of the kitchen. He gave a shake of his head to the older man.
"Yeah. You know, when all the Christians disappeared." Leon looked at Trevor.
Trevor shot a quick look at Shade. "You a Christian?"
"Naw. It's too late now. When Jesus comes back, he's gonna send me to hell." Leon looked afraid. "I missed my chance. My momma told me, but I ignored her."
"Your mom disappeared?" Trevor asked. He saw Shade make a waving motion as if to say 'get on with it'.
Leon nodded. Trevor looked at Shade and back at Leon.
Trevor gave a negative shake of his head. "You could still go to heaven. All you have to do is repent of your sins and ask Jesus to save you."
"You don't know what I've done. Jesus would never forgive someone like me." Leon said sadly.
"What have you done that's so bad?" Trevor asked. He glanced at Shade again and saw the mans jaw was clenched.
"You don't wanna know."
"Tell me." Trevor encouraged.
"I disrespected my ma, told her to keep her preachin' to herself. I drink and done drugs, robbed people." Leon looked at Trevor.
"Doesn't sound too bad. Nothing Jesus wouldn't forgive." Trevor told him.
"I raped a little girl." Leon burst out defiantly.
Trevor shot a look at Shade. "Who?"
"I don't remember her real name, but Mikey and Earl called her Runt. Antony told me once that Mikey named all his girls Runt."
"Mikey had more than one?" Trevor sat forward.
"Yeah. He's had this Runt for the last ten years, but he had another one before her. He beat her to death. He went to Nebraska and stole this Runt to replace her."
"How old was Runt when he took her." He figured Kristen would want to know how old she was. He looked at Shade and saw the man was focused intently on Leon. Trevor really hoped he didn't go off, because there was no way he could stop the bigger man.
"Four. I remember Mikey gloating everytime he saw the news reports about the search for her." Leon answered.
"You were with him when he kidnapped her?"
"Yeah. Earl took me with them. Earl told me that if Mikey got himself another girl he might stop using me."
"How old were you?"
"I was thirteen. Earl made me rape her as a condition that he would stop using me. But he didn't. Everytime we went over to Mikey's he made that promise. I was sixteen before he finally stopped."
Trevor looked at Shade. Shade's hands clenched into fists. Trevor saw in the mans eyes that he understood exactly what Leon was telling him. Leon had been abused himself. "Did Mikey use you too?"
"Sometimes. He liked little girls better though."
"What happened to Mikey and this little girl?" Trevor asked.
"I guess the girl went in the Rapture. She disappeared, and I found Mikey dead in his shop." Leon answered.
Shade gave a nod to Trevor. Leon didn't know Kristen was at the ranch. He headed to the back door and walked around front and got in the pickup.
Trevor looked at Leon. "It's not too late. Repent. Ask for forgiveness for your sins. There is only one sin that is unforgivable and that is denying the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Assuredly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphamies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation." To say that Jesus won't forgive you, is calling Him a liar. Jesus doesn't lie." and with those words walked out the door.
Trevor nodded at Shade. They had agreed that when Leon started to come around that Shade would step into the kitchen. If Leon had no knowledge of Kristen being at the ranch, they wanted to keep it that way. Leon had never met Trevor, and couldn't connect him with the ranch or Kristen.
"Ummm." Leon moaned. His eyes opened and he saw Trevor sitting in the chair.
"Hello, Leon." Trevor said.
"Who are you?" Leon sat up.
"Trevor."
"Do I know you?"
"I don't know. Do you?" Trevor answered, side stepping the question.
"We ever party together?" Leon asked.
"Have we?" Trevor raised an eyebrow.
"You got anything on you?"
Trevor knew that Leon was refering to drugs. "Depends on how our conversation goes."
Leons lifted his hand to show Trevor. "I need something. Bad."
Trevor tossed him a bottle of cough syrup. "Drink that. It'll take the edge off."
Leon opened the bottle and downed the contents. "What do you want?"
"Where's your buddy Earl."
"He ain't here?" Leon looked around.
"No." Trevor answered. "When was the last time you saw him?"
"Before the Rapture." Leon said. "Look this stuff ain't gonna be enough." he said holding up the empty bottle.
"Before the Rapture?" Trevor saw Shade step into the doorway of the kitchen. He gave a shake of his head to the older man.
"Yeah. You know, when all the Christians disappeared." Leon looked at Trevor.
Trevor shot a quick look at Shade. "You a Christian?"
"Naw. It's too late now. When Jesus comes back, he's gonna send me to hell." Leon looked afraid. "I missed my chance. My momma told me, but I ignored her."
"Your mom disappeared?" Trevor asked. He saw Shade make a waving motion as if to say 'get on with it'.
Leon nodded. Trevor looked at Shade and back at Leon.
Trevor gave a negative shake of his head. "You could still go to heaven. All you have to do is repent of your sins and ask Jesus to save you."
"You don't know what I've done. Jesus would never forgive someone like me." Leon said sadly.
"What have you done that's so bad?" Trevor asked. He glanced at Shade again and saw the mans jaw was clenched.
"You don't wanna know."
"Tell me." Trevor encouraged.
"I disrespected my ma, told her to keep her preachin' to herself. I drink and done drugs, robbed people." Leon looked at Trevor.
"Doesn't sound too bad. Nothing Jesus wouldn't forgive." Trevor told him.
"I raped a little girl." Leon burst out defiantly.
Trevor shot a look at Shade. "Who?"
"I don't remember her real name, but Mikey and Earl called her Runt. Antony told me once that Mikey named all his girls Runt."
"Mikey had more than one?" Trevor sat forward.
"Yeah. He's had this Runt for the last ten years, but he had another one before her. He beat her to death. He went to Nebraska and stole this Runt to replace her."
"How old was Runt when he took her." He figured Kristen would want to know how old she was. He looked at Shade and saw the man was focused intently on Leon. Trevor really hoped he didn't go off, because there was no way he could stop the bigger man.
"Four. I remember Mikey gloating everytime he saw the news reports about the search for her." Leon answered.
"You were with him when he kidnapped her?"
"Yeah. Earl took me with them. Earl told me that if Mikey got himself another girl he might stop using me."
"How old were you?"
"I was thirteen. Earl made me rape her as a condition that he would stop using me. But he didn't. Everytime we went over to Mikey's he made that promise. I was sixteen before he finally stopped."
Trevor looked at Shade. Shade's hands clenched into fists. Trevor saw in the mans eyes that he understood exactly what Leon was telling him. Leon had been abused himself. "Did Mikey use you too?"
"Sometimes. He liked little girls better though."
"What happened to Mikey and this little girl?" Trevor asked.
"I guess the girl went in the Rapture. She disappeared, and I found Mikey dead in his shop." Leon answered.
Shade gave a nod to Trevor. Leon didn't know Kristen was at the ranch. He headed to the back door and walked around front and got in the pickup.
Trevor looked at Leon. "It's not too late. Repent. Ask for forgiveness for your sins. There is only one sin that is unforgivable and that is denying the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Assuredly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphamies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation." To say that Jesus won't forgive you, is calling Him a liar. Jesus doesn't lie." and with those words walked out the door.
- Zags
____________________________________________________________________
On the Ranch
Shade and Trevor pulled into the driveway. Shade shut the pickup off and leaned his head back against the head rest. "You're a better man than I am." he told Trevor.
"How do you mean?" Trevor asked his head turning toward Shade.
"You took time to witness to that guy. I would have just gotten the information I wanted and left him to OD on drugs."
Trevor sat quietly for a few moments. "That was my plan, but I felt the Lord press on my heart to tell him the Truth. Jesus would have forgiven Hitler if he had repented."
Shade nodded. He saw Maddie and Kristen step out onto the porch. "Well Earl hightailed it out of town, Antony and Mikey are dead, Louis is in prison and Leon has no idea Kristen is here. It should be safe for awhile. Tomorrow I'll need your help hunting down that bear."
Trevor nodded. "What do we tell everyone?"
Shade looked at Trevor. "We tell them the truth." He opened the door and got out of the pickup and walked into his wifes embrace.
Shade and Trevor pulled into the driveway. Shade shut the pickup off and leaned his head back against the head rest. "You're a better man than I am." he told Trevor.
"How do you mean?" Trevor asked his head turning toward Shade.
"You took time to witness to that guy. I would have just gotten the information I wanted and left him to OD on drugs."
Trevor sat quietly for a few moments. "That was my plan, but I felt the Lord press on my heart to tell him the Truth. Jesus would have forgiven Hitler if he had repented."
Shade nodded. He saw Maddie and Kristen step out onto the porch. "Well Earl hightailed it out of town, Antony and Mikey are dead, Louis is in prison and Leon has no idea Kristen is here. It should be safe for awhile. Tomorrow I'll need your help hunting down that bear."
Trevor nodded. "What do we tell everyone?"
Shade looked at Trevor. "We tell them the truth." He opened the door and got out of the pickup and walked into his wifes embrace.
- Zags
_____________________________________________________________________
standing over the convulsing comatose body stands one robed in white....having been given charge over Bart the moment he cried out Jesus Name in his silent but desperate prayer....the angelic figure has stood guard patiently waiting ....
down the road comes a car with two men inside...both men praying as they drive.
Pastor Tim's words at Possum Hollow ("Jesus came to seek and to save the Lost") has so pierced Anthony's heart and soul that he found himself praying more and more for direction ..even to the point of tears "Yes Lord I hear ya" Anthony had prayed ....leading Anthony to seek Pastor Tim out for a private discussion.
"Tim, I have really been ......for the lack of a better word...haunted by something you said.."to seek and save the lost" ....it's just really been playing over and over in my mind?" "yea ..well Anthony I gotta believe that's been God working on you ..telling you and confirming in you that you are to be doing just that"" "but how? I mean where do I start...like I asked the other night...we are stuck way out here ...HIDING?" "well ya know it's funny you say that..because God has been dealing with me on that very thing" "it's so easy to talk about going" but it's a whole other thing to truly GO!" "Anthony, I tell ya what...there's some things your dad was saying he needed right?" "well let's just help him out and head to the store and pray that while we are out that God would lead us to someone who needs Him"
Heading out hours later grocery list in hand...bacon, flour and bottled water....Tim and Anthony start out of the heavily wooded Possum Hollow towards Ash Grove Mo....down winding curving roads...something so new to Anthony and something Tim would sadly confess he never did a day in all his years in ordained ministry...they are setting out to go on a simple task of going to the grocery store but with more than groceries on their mind. "Father in the name of Jesus...Anthony and I come to you right now asking very simply that you would lead us as we go into this town...help us to hear your voice and to see what you would have us to see....please Lord....work through us for your glory ...and grant us your protection in Jesus name we pray amen"
"WOW...I'm almost nervous ...like we could really be used by God?" "I know me too" Tim agree's humbly ...His mind wanders back to his life as a minister...."All those sermons on what?" he thinks to himself ...POUND ..Tim smashes down on the horn....."SORRY" "SORRY" .."Ya alright Tim?" "yeah...I just have flashbacks you know?" "FLASHBACKS?" "of life before...and being here still" ....."oh.....yeah....me too, believe me..you're not the only one"
Tim and Anthony make the 12 mile journey into town...cross over railroad tracks ..both eerily quiet ...almost fearing God will answer their prayer.......
- STA
_____________________________________________________________________
Tim and Anthony...both agree they are aware of a tangible presence in the truck...Anthony confers.."Tim ..I don't know what it is..but I just feel this tremendousy urgency ...what is it?" "I'm not sure but I feel it too!" "Lord..please guide us and direct our paths..give us your wisdom and discerment in Jesus name"
Again ...Pullin into Ash Grove..a small town about 12 miles away from Possum Hollow....Tim is haunted by a small church that he passes by..."I preached there once..never forget it..told all the people there was nothing to the Book of Revelation that it was just an allegory" ....
Tim fears his sins might be the haunting urgency he is feeling..they might be coming to visit him tonight. He begins to quote..."God you have not given me the spirit to fear...but you have given me love,power, and a sound mind in Jesus Name"
Anthony looks down the street and instantly his heart begins to race..."TIM..TIM..over there....LOOK ...HOLY MOLY....LOOK"...."Sweet Jesus...looks like we are in the right town" .....Tim accelerates ahead...his eyes fixed on the 12 foot Angelic Figure standing guard over the door way of a house. Both Tim and Anthony's hearts are in their throats as they exit the vehicle and slowly walk forward ...."FEAR NOT..I AM A SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH....Enter and do what you were sent to do" "What is that?" "You"ll know!"
They open the door and there on the floor lies a man ...Jack Daniels bottle in one hand...a bottle of pills in another....foam coming from his mouth...Anthony and Tim race to his side..."Grab some cold water..."Hurry" Anthony urges Tim"
Then strangely Anthony hears a question...just as Ezekiel was asked ..."Can these bones live?" He feels a leading he has never felt before and begins to prophesy over the man.."In the Name of Jesus ..you will live and not die....In Jesus Name...you will live and not die!" Tim races in with the water..Anthony hollers.."Gets some more..we will need lots of water..we gotta hydrate this man" "he's been like this for days" "Live and not die in Jesus Name"
Again ...Pullin into Ash Grove..a small town about 12 miles away from Possum Hollow....Tim is haunted by a small church that he passes by..."I preached there once..never forget it..told all the people there was nothing to the Book of Revelation that it was just an allegory" ....
Tim fears his sins might be the haunting urgency he is feeling..they might be coming to visit him tonight. He begins to quote..."God you have not given me the spirit to fear...but you have given me love,power, and a sound mind in Jesus Name"
Anthony looks down the street and instantly his heart begins to race..."TIM..TIM..over there....LOOK ...HOLY MOLY....LOOK"...."Sweet Jesus...looks like we are in the right town" .....Tim accelerates ahead...his eyes fixed on the 12 foot Angelic Figure standing guard over the door way of a house. Both Tim and Anthony's hearts are in their throats as they exit the vehicle and slowly walk forward ...."FEAR NOT..I AM A SERVANT OF THE MOST HIGH....Enter and do what you were sent to do" "What is that?" "You"ll know!"
They open the door and there on the floor lies a man ...Jack Daniels bottle in one hand...a bottle of pills in another....foam coming from his mouth...Anthony and Tim race to his side..."Grab some cold water..."Hurry" Anthony urges Tim"
Then strangely Anthony hears a question...just as Ezekiel was asked ..."Can these bones live?" He feels a leading he has never felt before and begins to prophesy over the man.."In the Name of Jesus ..you will live and not die....In Jesus Name...you will live and not die!" Tim races in with the water..Anthony hollers.."Gets some more..we will need lots of water..we gotta hydrate this man" "he's been like this for days" "Live and not die in Jesus Name"
- STA
____________________________________________________________________
Can you imagine life downtown New York right after 9-11-2001?? Well imagine that on a global scale. The violence..the rioting...the looting...the hatred..the thirst for revenge..the cries for hope...the mourning..the brutality..the FEAR! If you or your loved ones choose to reject the last hour call to repent...if you refuse to live for Christ now..while the Grace of God is pouring out His message of repentance ...if you can't live for him now..you will have no other choice than to die for him during this real soon coming period called THE TRIBULATION.
It will be a time we can call "the perfect storm". A combination of satan's fury and God's wrath coming at you and your loved ones with such ferocious intensity that the bible says men's hearts will fail them for fear. The bible also says that people will be so lacking of hope there will come a time they will actually seek death but find it not!
Back to our story....3 weeks since the rapture and all across the land our characters strive to survive ..preparing and preaching as they go. Violence is sure to increase..the rumblings of war so fill the global landscape that it's only a matter of time before it breaks out..once again affecting them all. Fuel has skyrocketed..bread and food are already becoming scarce. "Somebody please put it all back" is a constant cry.
- STA
______________________________________________________________________
H – 42 hours
The four men were back in Daniel’s Stateroom discussing what needed to be done in the next 42 hours. Joe had ran all the numbers into the TAC ARAY computer and found the flight time from present location to target area was 19 minutes 36 seconds. Ben ran a system check on each bird which he found to be 100%. Josh had two courses plotted out, one taking a direct path south and the other sent them west and down the coastline. Each man relayed his information to the group so everyone was on the same page. Daniel was pleased to have these men on his crew and he trusted each one.
“With us launching at midnight, I sure wish we had thunderstorms around to block the missile glow.” Ben stated.
“This time of year, you might get a rain cloud but I doubt we get lucky with lighting and thunder.” Josh replied
“I know but I can wish can’t I?”
“OK if there is nothing else, I want to meet at 1800 for any updates or changes. Any problems come up I want to know ASAP.” Daniel added as he dismissed the group.
After everyone left, Daniel walked out and started to roam his ship. This was common and it gave him time to talk to each sailor he saw on a personal level. He was passing a small hatch that led to the Tec Library where all the equipment manuals, prints and what not’s was stashed. Almost walking by, Daniel stopped then opened the door. The room was no bigger then most home front bathrooms and with all the books and manuals it had room for one chair. When Daniel opened the door a young man was seating with his back to the door, when he heard the door open he hid the book he was reading under a print that lay across a small bench.
“Excuse me sir” Radiomen Michael Stein said as he stood up.
Daniel had seen him hid the book and thought it most of been a girl magazine or something in that area.
“How is it going Michael? Getting some free time to study for the next advancement exam?”
“Ah… Yes sir, I was just reading some stuff.”
“Well good, how is your family doing?”
“Good sir, my sister who lives in the America is due to have her baby around the first of February.”
“Wonder, it’s always nice to welcome another child in, tell her your Captain send his best wishes.”
A big smile came over Michaels face, “Thank you sir, I will.”
Daniel was about to turn and leave when Michael asked a question. “Sir, Can I ask you a personal question? Not to personal sir, but something has been weighting on my mind lately and I am looking for some answers.”
“Well I will try to give you the best answer I know or I will send you to someone who might know. What is it?”
“I am like most if not all the men on board are Jewish. Growing up we are taught all the stuff we need to know to grow and be a good citizen of Israel. My sister who moved to America four years ago now claims he is a Christian and claims that we will be lost from God if we don’t become one as well.”
Daniel was not ready for this. He figured a question on manhood, girls something along those lines but a spiritual question was not on his radar.
“Well Michael, I don’t know very much about the Christian Religion other then the basic, they believe that a prophet by the name of Jesus was the son of God and he died then went to Heaven. Unlike the Muslims they believe in the same God as we do but they think the Messiah already came. We believe that he has not returned but he will and will lead our great country.”
“Sir, their book the Bible, it talks about end times and stuff. My sister says that everything that is happing in the world or has happened was listed in the Bible. She said that we as Jews will one day turn to their Lord and he will be our Lord.”
Daniel was really lost now, he never dove that deep into other religions even though he know the basic about some.
“Michael, you need to seek a Rabbi when we get home, they know all the answers. Tell me what book did you toss under that print?”
The young man was scare at first but knew his Captain saw him so he pulled out the small black book. My sister sent it to me and I was just reading it to see where they mess up.”
Daniel looked at the Book which read the “Holy Bible” on the front cover. “Son I will not stop you from reading this but I think when we get back I will set up a meeting for you. Reading books like this can do more hard then good if you don’t understand our ways fully.”
“I understand sir, I must go get ready for watch now sir.”
“Very well… Michael, when you are finish, tell me how it ends”
“Yes sir” The young sailor said as he stepped past his captain and walked down the passageway.
Daniel made a note to call the Squadron Rabbi as soon as they hit port. He then continued on to see what the rest of his ship was doing. H Hour - 40
The four men were back in Daniel’s Stateroom discussing what needed to be done in the next 42 hours. Joe had ran all the numbers into the TAC ARAY computer and found the flight time from present location to target area was 19 minutes 36 seconds. Ben ran a system check on each bird which he found to be 100%. Josh had two courses plotted out, one taking a direct path south and the other sent them west and down the coastline. Each man relayed his information to the group so everyone was on the same page. Daniel was pleased to have these men on his crew and he trusted each one.
“With us launching at midnight, I sure wish we had thunderstorms around to block the missile glow.” Ben stated.
“This time of year, you might get a rain cloud but I doubt we get lucky with lighting and thunder.” Josh replied
“I know but I can wish can’t I?”
“OK if there is nothing else, I want to meet at 1800 for any updates or changes. Any problems come up I want to know ASAP.” Daniel added as he dismissed the group.
After everyone left, Daniel walked out and started to roam his ship. This was common and it gave him time to talk to each sailor he saw on a personal level. He was passing a small hatch that led to the Tec Library where all the equipment manuals, prints and what not’s was stashed. Almost walking by, Daniel stopped then opened the door. The room was no bigger then most home front bathrooms and with all the books and manuals it had room for one chair. When Daniel opened the door a young man was seating with his back to the door, when he heard the door open he hid the book he was reading under a print that lay across a small bench.
“Excuse me sir” Radiomen Michael Stein said as he stood up.
Daniel had seen him hid the book and thought it most of been a girl magazine or something in that area.
“How is it going Michael? Getting some free time to study for the next advancement exam?”
“Ah… Yes sir, I was just reading some stuff.”
“Well good, how is your family doing?”
“Good sir, my sister who lives in the America is due to have her baby around the first of February.”
“Wonder, it’s always nice to welcome another child in, tell her your Captain send his best wishes.”
A big smile came over Michaels face, “Thank you sir, I will.”
Daniel was about to turn and leave when Michael asked a question. “Sir, Can I ask you a personal question? Not to personal sir, but something has been weighting on my mind lately and I am looking for some answers.”
“Well I will try to give you the best answer I know or I will send you to someone who might know. What is it?”
“I am like most if not all the men on board are Jewish. Growing up we are taught all the stuff we need to know to grow and be a good citizen of Israel. My sister who moved to America four years ago now claims he is a Christian and claims that we will be lost from God if we don’t become one as well.”
Daniel was not ready for this. He figured a question on manhood, girls something along those lines but a spiritual question was not on his radar.
“Well Michael, I don’t know very much about the Christian Religion other then the basic, they believe that a prophet by the name of Jesus was the son of God and he died then went to Heaven. Unlike the Muslims they believe in the same God as we do but they think the Messiah already came. We believe that he has not returned but he will and will lead our great country.”
“Sir, their book the Bible, it talks about end times and stuff. My sister says that everything that is happing in the world or has happened was listed in the Bible. She said that we as Jews will one day turn to their Lord and he will be our Lord.”
Daniel was really lost now, he never dove that deep into other religions even though he know the basic about some.
“Michael, you need to seek a Rabbi when we get home, they know all the answers. Tell me what book did you toss under that print?”
The young man was scare at first but knew his Captain saw him so he pulled out the small black book. My sister sent it to me and I was just reading it to see where they mess up.”
Daniel looked at the Book which read the “Holy Bible” on the front cover. “Son I will not stop you from reading this but I think when we get back I will set up a meeting for you. Reading books like this can do more hard then good if you don’t understand our ways fully.”
“I understand sir, I must go get ready for watch now sir.”
“Very well… Michael, when you are finish, tell me how it ends”
“Yes sir” The young sailor said as he stepped past his captain and walked down the passageway.
Daniel made a note to call the Squadron Rabbi as soon as they hit port. He then continued on to see what the rest of his ship was doing. H Hour - 40
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
Oklahoma State Penitentiary, McAlester, Oklahoma
Louis sat in his cell. It had been three weeks since the alarm sirens had gone off in the prison. It had been an hour after lights out when chaos erupted. Rumors abounded as to what had happened. Everything from alien abductions, to a prison break with guards being abducted, to Jesus came to get His children. Louis wasn't sure what had happened three weeks ago, but his cellmate had disappeared that night. It had been surreal. His cellmate had driven him crazy with his bible talk and singing hymns all the time. The man had been a nutcase as far as Louis was concerned.
Rumor had it that over thirty prisoners had disappeared that night along with most of the guards. Because of the loss of personel the prison had gone into immediate lock down. In the last three weeks he had been allowed out of his cell only once. Just long enough to take a shower and run a couple of laps around the prison yard.
They had been cut back to one meal a day and the rumor mill churned that the prison wasn't expecting any food shipments and if the stories were to be believed, there was a nation wide food shortage so most of their food had been sent to feed the people of the state of Oklahoma. There were also rumors of cellmates killing each other in one of the other units, and rumors of cannibalism. Louis shuddered at the thought. He was grateful that his unit contained mostly robbers, muggers, and drug offenders like himself, and since his cellmate had disappeared he had his cell all to himself.
He thought back to the day Gabe Mason had stopped him and found the five pound bag of cocaine. He had been taken to county jail, and was sent before the judge. His bail had been set at $250,000 and he had been unable to come up with the 10% that would have allowed him to go free. He had sat in county for five months before going before the judge again. His court appointed attourney had, in his opinion, been incompetant and he had been sentenced to twenty five years in the Oklahoma State Penn. He had talked to a few other inmates about how to go about filing an appeal and then the disappearances had happened. The legal system was rumored to have been put on hold and no cases were being heard in the courts.
Louis had no idea when the prison would be back to normal, but he often thought of his former cellmate. The man had actually been a cheerful boistrous man, and when Louis had asked him about it he had claimed to be more free in prison than he had ever been in the outside world. Louis hadn't understood how the man could claim to be free while locked in prison and laughed. He sat on his bunk and thought about it. If his cellmate was right Jesus had come back for His church. Louis decided it couldn't hurt to read his cellmates bible and see what he had rambled on about all the time.
Louis sat in his cell. It had been three weeks since the alarm sirens had gone off in the prison. It had been an hour after lights out when chaos erupted. Rumors abounded as to what had happened. Everything from alien abductions, to a prison break with guards being abducted, to Jesus came to get His children. Louis wasn't sure what had happened three weeks ago, but his cellmate had disappeared that night. It had been surreal. His cellmate had driven him crazy with his bible talk and singing hymns all the time. The man had been a nutcase as far as Louis was concerned.
Rumor had it that over thirty prisoners had disappeared that night along with most of the guards. Because of the loss of personel the prison had gone into immediate lock down. In the last three weeks he had been allowed out of his cell only once. Just long enough to take a shower and run a couple of laps around the prison yard.
They had been cut back to one meal a day and the rumor mill churned that the prison wasn't expecting any food shipments and if the stories were to be believed, there was a nation wide food shortage so most of their food had been sent to feed the people of the state of Oklahoma. There were also rumors of cellmates killing each other in one of the other units, and rumors of cannibalism. Louis shuddered at the thought. He was grateful that his unit contained mostly robbers, muggers, and drug offenders like himself, and since his cellmate had disappeared he had his cell all to himself.
He thought back to the day Gabe Mason had stopped him and found the five pound bag of cocaine. He had been taken to county jail, and was sent before the judge. His bail had been set at $250,000 and he had been unable to come up with the 10% that would have allowed him to go free. He had sat in county for five months before going before the judge again. His court appointed attourney had, in his opinion, been incompetant and he had been sentenced to twenty five years in the Oklahoma State Penn. He had talked to a few other inmates about how to go about filing an appeal and then the disappearances had happened. The legal system was rumored to have been put on hold and no cases were being heard in the courts.
Louis had no idea when the prison would be back to normal, but he often thought of his former cellmate. The man had actually been a cheerful boistrous man, and when Louis had asked him about it he had claimed to be more free in prison than he had ever been in the outside world. Louis hadn't understood how the man could claim to be free while locked in prison and laughed. He sat on his bunk and thought about it. If his cellmate was right Jesus had come back for His church. Louis decided it couldn't hurt to read his cellmates bible and see what he had rambled on about all the time.
- Zags
_____________________________________________________________________
H hour – 2hr & 30 min
Daniel took the microphone paused a second then announced over the sub’s general announcing system he needed to talk to them.
“This is the Captain speaking… I need everyone to stop what they are doing and listen.
King David used one stone to bring down a giant and bring peace to our forefathers for awhile. Moses used his rod to bring victory to our people and Samuel used his strength to pull down the columns but they all were used my God. It was God victory through our great leaders and Kings so we could and would live another day. Our people, our Jewish families and friends have always depended on our nation defense to help maintain a level of peace in out small humble country. We as crew members of the Samuel of Ramah is a part of that defense and we stand, we train and we live so one day if our country calls we may be their stone or their rod to defend them.
Gentlemen today that call has come. Today, tonight we have picked up our stone and soon we will place it in our sling so we may launch it towards those who want nothing more then to see the Jewish nation and all the Jewish people die or become slaves one again.
Men our Mothers our fathers, our families and friends have cried out to us and we shall give them their wish.
Shortly we will go to general quarters and soon we will launch two Popeye Missiles towards the evil that wants to harm… No kill our people. Once these missiles have been launched we will have closed this chapter in our lives but a new one will be opened. I trust that each one of you will stand up and do the best you can to ensure we endure this task. What the next chapter has for us, what God has written for us and the outcome I can’t say but let each man onboard the Samuel of Ramah stand and say he did his part like Moses and King David did.
I now ask each man to take a few minutes to pray then write a letter to your family where ever they are and tell them that you were their sling. The time is 21:30, we will go to GQ at 2200. That is all.”
Only the sound of motors running was heard. No one spoke no one moved for a minute or two then slowly each man sat where he was or knelt down and prayed.
Daniel took the microphone paused a second then announced over the sub’s general announcing system he needed to talk to them.
“This is the Captain speaking… I need everyone to stop what they are doing and listen.
King David used one stone to bring down a giant and bring peace to our forefathers for awhile. Moses used his rod to bring victory to our people and Samuel used his strength to pull down the columns but they all were used my God. It was God victory through our great leaders and Kings so we could and would live another day. Our people, our Jewish families and friends have always depended on our nation defense to help maintain a level of peace in out small humble country. We as crew members of the Samuel of Ramah is a part of that defense and we stand, we train and we live so one day if our country calls we may be their stone or their rod to defend them.
Gentlemen today that call has come. Today, tonight we have picked up our stone and soon we will place it in our sling so we may launch it towards those who want nothing more then to see the Jewish nation and all the Jewish people die or become slaves one again.
Men our Mothers our fathers, our families and friends have cried out to us and we shall give them their wish.
Shortly we will go to general quarters and soon we will launch two Popeye Missiles towards the evil that wants to harm… No kill our people. Once these missiles have been launched we will have closed this chapter in our lives but a new one will be opened. I trust that each one of you will stand up and do the best you can to ensure we endure this task. What the next chapter has for us, what God has written for us and the outcome I can’t say but let each man onboard the Samuel of Ramah stand and say he did his part like Moses and King David did.
I now ask each man to take a few minutes to pray then write a letter to your family where ever they are and tell them that you were their sling. The time is 21:30, we will go to GQ at 2200. That is all.”
Only the sound of motors running was heard. No one spoke no one moved for a minute or two then slowly each man sat where he was or knelt down and prayed.
- Alex
____________________________________________________________________
Yoshi sat listening to the Rabbi talk about all the excitement at the compound as his mind wondered to the briefing he had endured that morning. He had sat in shock listening to all the military comanders lay out the plans that had already been put into motion. The Syrian border had been closed and military personel had been set up to insure no crossings from either side. Isreal was now on High alert and the prime minister was scheduled to give a live announcement to the Isrealli citizens at 2100 hours. He needed to check he and Esters sealed room to make sure everything was in place. He did this every evening so Ester would not suspect anything different tonight. As Ester went in to clear the dinner dishes he asked the Rabbi to join him. He knew he could not divulge information because of his military status but he knew somehow the Rabbi needed to know what was going on. Prophecy was soon to be fulfilled.
- Renee
No comments:
Post a Comment