“Yes,” answered the Major. “But I’m leaving fifty men under the command of Lieutenant Sawyer to help defend the town and secure the mountain passes.”
“Fifty men won’t be near enough,” argued Mason. “Unless your superiors want to lose Nevada, just as they lost California, I suggest that you and your men stay here.”
“I’m afraid that’s not my call,” replied the Major. “Besides, my understanding is that you and your friends were able to withstand an assault by the notorious gang of Enlightened Ones only a few weeks ago. If your militiamen could defeat them, then they should have no problem against the Chinese and Russians.”
“First of all,” said Mason, trying to control his temper, “the Enlightened Ones had a lot less men. Second, they were mostly a bunch of thugs and criminals. They weren’t highly trained and well-armed soldiers like the army on the other side of the mountain, less than twenty miles away. By the time you reach Las Vegas, Northern Nevada may have already been lost, and then you’ll find yourself stuck between two armies.”
“The only reason we won that battle,” added Shiloh, “was because God helped.”
“Well then, maybe He’ll help you this time too,” sneered the Major. “Now if you’ll excuse me gentlemen, I have preparations to see to.” The Major turned in disgust and walked away, with Lt. Sawyer at his side.
“That pig headed fool,” hissed Mason. “Why did you have to bring God into it?” he asked, glaring at Shiloh.
“Hey don’t blame me,” replied Shiloh. “I was just telling it as it is. Have faith Mason. God will protect and guide us.”
“You can rely on God if you wish,” spat Mason, “but I for one don’t believe in Him! I’ll rely on my skills and training, thank you very much.”
“Whether you believe in God or not Mason, He believes in you,” smiled Shiloh, undaunted by Mason’s disbelief.
“Whatever,” mumbled Mason, as he turned and stomped off, headed down Main Street.
*******
The Marine convoy, led by Major Conrad, left bright and early the following morning. A soft flurry of snow had been falling throughout the night, leaving six inches of powder on the ground. The rising sun was just beginning to peek over the Pine Nut Mountains to the east, casting a ray of warmth and sunshine on the sleepy town of Clearview. Most of the town’s inhabitants still lay sleeping, as the tanks and trucks rolled down Main Street and headed south for Las Vegas.
Shiloh watched from the steps of the library, as the armored vehicles drove by. “Man, I hope what’s happening in Vegas stays in Vegas,” he mumbled, shading his eyes from the sunlight. When the last vehicle was gone and out of sight he turned and headed for the jailhouse, where Lt. Sawyer had spent the night interrogating the prisoners. He wanted to speak with the Lieutenant regarding the town’s defense.
Shiloh opened the door to the jailhouse and felt a wave of warm air wash over him from within. Stepping inside, he shook off some of the snow that had landed on his coat. The smell of coffee and the sound of crackling wood glowing in the fireplace, made the room feel safe and cozy. That is until he noticed Lt. Sawyer and three of his Marines interrogating one of the Russian prisoners.
The soldiers were standing in a circle inside the cell of Captain Petrov and had the prisoner tied to his bed spread eagle, with a white cloth over his face. One of the soldiers was pouring a bucket of water over the cloth, a technique known as water boarding. Shiloh found the scene appalling and turned his head away in disgust. The other prisoner, Lieutenant Razin, sat silently on his bunk watching as his comrade choked on the water, his body convulsing in torment.
“Oh hello,” said Lt. Sawyer, when he saw Shiloh standing in the doorway of the jailhouse, “you’re up early.”
“I couldn’t sleep,” replied Shiloh.
“Alright fellas let’s take a break,” said the Lieutenant. “Why don’t you guys step outside for a smoke,” he added, noticing the look of dismay on Shiloh’s face. When the soldiers were gone he turned and said, “Sorry you had to see that Shiloh.”
“So am I,” replied Shiloh, glancing at Yuri who was still tied spread eagle with the cloth covering his face. “Can he breathe with that cloth over his face?”
“Not very well,” answered Lt. Sawyer, “but enough to survive.”
“Is it even working? Has he told you anything?”
“Not so far,” admitted the Lieutenant, “but we haven’t started pulling his finger nails off yet either.” He made a point of saying the last part loud enough so that both prisoners could hear. “So what brings you by?”
“I’d like to know what your plans are for defending Clearview.”
“I’ll leave that up to you and Ian,” answered Lt. Sawyer. “My orders are strictly to guard the mountain passes, nothing more.”
“So this,” Shiloh nodded towards Yuri, “isn’t part of your orders?”
“Well, yes, this too,” said the Lieutenant, looking down at the prisoner. “Believe me, I don’t enjoy doing this but it has to be done.”
“Why?” asked Shiloh. “It’s not even working, you just said so yourself. I’ve never understood how a person can say they don’t like doing something yet they continue to do it. It doesn’t make any sense to me.”
“Well maybe that’s because you’ve never served in the military and you’ve always had the luxury of making your own decisions.”
“Every man has that God given right,” answered Shiloh. “Just because someone has told you to do something doesn’t mean that you have to obey, especially when your conscience tells you it’s wrong.”
“I hear what you’re saying,” said Lieutenant Sawyer, “but I’m a soldier, and a soldier follows orders. If you know of a better way to extract information I’d love to hear about it, but until then mind your own business. Now, if that’s all you have to say I’d like to get back to work. Please send my men back in on your way out.”
Shiloh turned and stormed out of the jailhouse. If Lieutenant Sawyer would not listen to him, perhaps he would listen to Ian. After all, they were good friends and had spent several years serving together. Shiloh found Ian eating breakfast with Jessie and Rupert at Dr. July’s home. They were almost finished with their meal when he arrived.
“I agree with you,” said Ian, after Shiloh relayed the conversation he’d had with Lieutenant Sawyer. “I’ve already tried to talk them out of it but they wouldn’t listen to me either.”
“Perhaps I’d have more luck,” offered Rupert.
“Why would they listen to you?” asked Ian.
“Well it can’t hurt,” suggested Jessie. “Why don’t we all go over there and talk with them after breakfast. Have you eaten yet?” she asked Shiloh, who shook his head in response. “Then please have a seat and I’ll make you a plate.”
“Thanks,” smiled Shiloh, pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down. “I don’t mind if I do.”
When they had all finished eating, the small group set out for the jailhouse. But when they arrived they were surprised to find it completely deserted.
“Where is everyone?” asked Jessie.
“I don’t know,” replied Shiloh. “They were here just here a little while ago. Where would they have taken the prisoners?”
“I think I might know,” said Ian, a grim look upon his face. “My guess would be that they took them out of town to execute them.”
“We’ve got to find them!” said Rupert, wishing that he hadn’t wasted time finishing his breakfast.
The door suddenly opened revealing Mason and his wife Savannah. “Good morning,” greeted Savannah, as the married couple entered the small confines of the jailhouse and closed the door behind them.
“What are you all doing here?” asked Mason. “And more importantly, where are the prisoners?”
“We believe they’ve been taken out of town to be executed,” answered Ian. “We’re going to try and stop them, if we can find them in time.”
“They’d better not kill them,” said Savannah, her eyes heavy with dread. “What kind of animal would torture and slaughter an unarmed person?”
“There’s a war going on,” replied Mason, “and war is hell.”
“That may be true,” agreed Rupert, “but killing them in cold blood is wrong. There’s no excuse for it.”
“Oh to hell with them,” grumbled Mason, “let them die! They’re the enemy. I guarantee you that those two Russians killed plenty of American’s on their way here, and if given the opportunity they’d kill us too!”
“Michael Jefferson Mason!” gasped Savannah, gently slapping Mason in the back of his head. “What’s the matter with you? I insist that you help them find the prisoners and stop this execution immediately!”
“Oh brother,” mumbled Mason. “They aren’t going to listen to me. And besides, who am I to tell the United States military who they can and cannot kill?”
“I thought you were the man I married,” retorted Savannah, displeased with her husband’s attitude and lack of compassion.
“Of course I am,” replied Mason. “But this is war, and in war you kill your enemy or they kill you. The only interest I have in those prisoners is the information they can provide.”
“Well then shouldn’t we at least keep them alive until we have that information,” suggested Shiloh.
“Well of course,” agreed Mason. “I’m sure Lieutenant Sawyer isn’t executing them before learning everything that he can.”
“Actually,” continued Shiloh, “I was just in here a little while ago and Lt. Sawyer admitted that he’d been unable to get them to talk. At least not Captain Petrov, whom he believes is concealing important information.”
“Fine,” agreed Mason, knowing the information that the prisoners possessed could be vital to the survival of Clearview and all of its inhabitants. “Let’s go find them!”
“Yes but go where?” asked Ian. “We don’t know where they’ve taken them.”
“I do,” said Mason. “I saw the Lieutenant and several of his men leaving town a few minutes ago. They were headed west towards the mountains. If we hurry we can catch them.”
“Were the prisoners with them?” asked Rupert.
“I couldn’t tell,” admitted Mason. “They were in a large armored truck and the back was completely sealed.”
The group quickly left the jailhouse, piled into Mason’s black Hummer and sped out of town. It didn’t take them long to find the large armored truck, parked on the side of the road only a few miles west of town. With hands secured behind their backs and blindfolds over their eyes, the two prisoners stood side-by-side in front of a firing squad of six Marines. Lieutenant Sawyer was standing off to the side and about to order his men to fire, when the Hummer skidded to a stop beside him.
Rupert immediately jumped out of the Hummer and demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”
“What’s it look like,” answered Lieutenant Sawyer. “These prisoners have been found guilty of crimes against the United States of America and they’ve been sentenced to death.”
“I was not aware of any trial,” argued Rupert.
“Well,” the Lieutenant cleared his throat, “those were the orders that I was given.”
“But they are evil orders,” countered Rupert. “If you were captured by the enemy, how would you feel if they sentenced you to death without cause or even the chance to defend yourself?”
When the Lieutenant didn’t answer, Rupert continued, “Listen, I know you’re a good man and I know that you don’t want to go through with this. A wise man once said, ‘All that is needed for evil to prevail, is the indifference of good men.’ Please Lieutenant Sawyer I implore you, do not be indifferent to this evil act.”
“I have my orders,” said the Lieutenant.
“Yes, but they’re bad orders,” pressed Shiloh, “and deep down inside you know it to be true.”
“If you don’t do it for them,” added Rupert, nodding towards the prisoners, “do it for yourself. Trust me, you don’t want to commit this crime and have it weighing on your conscience. I guarantee that if you do this it will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Savannah elbowed Mason, who had thus far remained quiet. “Say something,” she whispered.
“Like what,” asked Mason, “I’m not the preacher type?”
Savannah scowled at her husband, who looked away in shame.
“Fine,” he said, realizing that she would never let it rest. “Lieutenant, if you continue on this course of action, not only will we withdraw our assistance in defending the mountain passes, but we’ll also evict you and your men from the comfort and protection of our town. Fire if you must, but do so knowing that it will prevent you from succeeding in the other objectives that you’ve been given. I’m sure if you were to ask your superiors which task is more important, killing these two prisoners or the defense of the border, they would order you to defend the border.”
“Fine,” agreed Lt. Sawyer, after a moment of consideration. He was well aware of the fact that his objectives would be impossible to achieve without assistance from the town of Clearview and he did not relishing the idea of having to explain a mutiny to his superiors. “Return the prisoners to the jail men, we’ll deal with them another day.”
World War III – Day Fifteen
The Shooting Star, Pacific Ocean
The Shooting Star glided through the dark, cold water, its small engine barely making a sound in the still night. When they were a few miles away from San Diego and the enemy fleet floating off the coast, Cleo killed the engine and with help from Lex, deployed the sails. The large, white canvas immediately filled with wind and the vessel lurched forward, traveling faster than it had with the engine running at full speed.
“Can I help with anything?” Beth asked, sitting with Duke curled up next to her, his head resting on her lap.
“No mom, we’ve got it under control,” answered Lex. He was worried about his mom’s health. She had a very high fever and he wasn’t sure what she was sick from.
“Why don’t you go below and get warm love,” suggested Cleo. “There may even be some medicine in one of the cabinets.”
“That’s a good idea,” agreed Beth, pulling her collar tight around her neck. The cold night air and moisture from the humidity, provided all of the wrong conditions for someone whose immune system was already compromised. “Come on Duke.”
Followed by Duke, Beth descended the steps to the cabin below, when she was suddenly seized by a coughing. Lex cast a worried glance towards Cleo.
“She’ll be alright,” said Cleo, trying to re-assure him.
“God I hope so,” replied Lex.
Beth had been gone for only a few seconds when she called out, “Lex, would you please come here!”
“I’ll be right back,” said Lex, kissing Cleo on the cheek. He opened the hatch to the cabin below and climbed down the steps. “What is it mom? Do you need some help with...?”
When Lex saw the muzzle of a gun pointed at him he froze where he was standing. Beth was sitting on a couch, her eyes wide with fear. She held tight to Duke’s collar, rubbing his head while trying to calm him. The dog growled and barred his teeth at the stranger holding the gun, but when he saw Lex he immediately calmed down and began wagging his tail.
“Who are you?” asked Lex, keeping his hands where the stranger could see them.
“The better question is who you are and why you’re on my boat?” asked Jesse.
“My name is Lex and this is my mother, Beth.”
“How many more are up top?”
“Just one,” admitted Lex. “We don’t mean you any harm. We’re simply trying to escape the city without being seen. We had no idea this boat was occupied.”
“Well now you do,” said Jesse. “Call the person on deck down here, and don’t try anything funny,” he added, pointing the gun at Beth, “or your mom gets one in the head!”
“Cleo, will you please come down here?”
A few seconds later Cleo appeared in the doorway. “Yes my love?” She immediately saw Jesse standing at the other end of the cabin, holding a gun pointed directly at her.
“Have a seat,” said Jesse, waving both Lex and Cleo towards the couch where Beth sat with Duke beside her.
“Who is this bloke?” Cleo asked, looking from Lex to Beth and back again.
“Apparently he’s the owner of this vessel,” said Beth. “And so far he isn’t being very hospitable.”
“Hospitable?” said Jesse, repeating the word as if it was a joke. “I’m not the one who stole your boat!”
“Listen,” said Lex, trying to avoid an argument, “you’re right. We shouldn’t have just assumed the boat was empty. But please try to understand that it was the closest boat in the marina and we were in an awful hurry to leave. I’m sorry we took your boat without permission, but we’re all in this together, and if we work together, I believe we’ll survive this ordeal. What’s your name?”
“Jesse.”
“It’s nice to meet you Jesse,” said Lex. “Are you alone?”
Jesse hesitated for a moment, trying to decide if he could trust these people. “No,” he said, slowly lowering the gun in his hand.
“Who’s with you?” Lex asked, glancing around the small confines of the cabin.
“It’s alright baby. You can come out now,” said Jesse, speaking to someone behind him.
The door to the master cabin slowly creaked open and standing in the doorway was Jillian. The couple appeared odd, dressed in sailing outfits that clearly didn’t belong to them. The pants Jesse wore were too short, and the shirt skin tight. Jillian on the other hand, wore an outfit that was several sizes too large for her small frame. The baggy clothing made her look like a child wearing adult’s clothes.
“Hello,” said Lex.
“Hi,” replied Jillian, still unsure as to whether the strangers were friend or foe.
“How long have you two been hiding here?” Cleo asked.
“Almost two weeks now,” answered Jesse. “We’re beginning to run low on food.”
“I’m so sick of eating canned beans,” confessed Jillian. “And talk about cabin fever, we haven’t been up top since we arrived.”
“You poor dear,” said Beth. “The two of you must be starved for a good meal and a little sunlight.”
“I know I am,” agreed Jillian. “I can’t wait to get off this boat!”
“It hasn’t been that bad, has it?” Jesse asked, casting a wink toward Jillian.
“I suppose not,” she giggled, returning his wink with a smile. “It would have been a lot worse without you here to keep me company.”
Beth began coughing uncontrollably and Lex immediately wrapped his arm around his mother’s frail shoulders. “I don’t suppose you guys have any medicine onboard?”
“Just some Tylenol and Ibuprofen,” said Jesse. “Why? Is your mom sick?”
“Yes,” answered Lex, “but we’re not sure what with.”
“Here you go,” said Jillian, reaching into a cabinet and withdrawing two small bottles full of pills. “Take two of each and call me in the morning,” she added, handing Beth a bottle of water.
“She’d make a good nurse,” said Jesse, pointing to the cut on his bicep where she’d stitched him up.
“How did you come by that?” Lex asked.
“I got into a scuffle with one of those damned Russians,” said Jesse, gently rubbing his wounded arm.
“He got you with a knife did he?” asked Lex, observing the jagged cut.
“Yep,” answered Jesse. “But he won’t be knifing anybody ever again.”
“You killed him then?” Cleo asked.
“He sure did,” replied Jillian, full of pride. “My man is the toughest soldier in the Marines.”
“You’re a Marine?” Lex asked, glad to have another fighting man join their ranks.
“I am,” answered Jesse. “Or at least I was. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of my platoon since the invasion. As far as I know they were all killed on the beach during the first assault.”
“Wow! I’ll bet that was some intense fighting,” said Cleo.
“You’ve no idea,” replied Jesse, remembering the carnage. “The enemy had these super soldiers who were stronger than any man I’ve ever seen. Bullets seemed to merely bounce off of them, as they stormed the beach on a killing spree.”
“How many of these, super soldiers, were there?” Lex asked.
“There were at least a few dozen. I can’t really be sure,” admitted Jesse.
“Would it be alright if I return to the helm and make sure that we don’t sail into a reef or something?” Cleo asked, glancing down at the gun in Jesse’s hand.
“Of course,” said Jesse, tucking the gun behind his belt. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No worries mate, I’d of done the same thing myself.” Cleo stood up and gently squeezed Lex’s hand, before climbing the stairs to the deck and assuming her position at the helm.
“Are the Australians on our side?” Jesse asked, looking after Cleo.
“I’ve no idea,” laughed Lex. “She isn’t a soldier.”
“Oh,” replied Jesse. “I just figured with the accent and all. So where are we headed? I can see the coast out the starboard window so I know we’re headed north, but where exactly?”
“I’m not really sure,” admitted Lex. “Right now we’re trying to put as much distance as possible between us and the enemy fleet. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I think our best bet is to find a place where we can go ashore, and then head as far inland as possible. The enemy seems to be swarming up and down the coast.”
“I agree,” said Lex. “We also need to find some medicine for my mom.”
“And some more food,” added Jillian, reminding everyone of her distaste for eating beans again.
“I’ll be alright,” said Beth, as another coughing fit seized her.
“You need medicine mom and lots of rest, and you’re going to get it.”
“Why don’t you lay down on the bed in the master cabin,” suggested Jillian, reaching out and taking Beth’s arm to help her stand. The boat pitched back and forth, as Jillian guided Beth to the master cabin. Duke followed close behind. She returned a moment later and closed the door behind her.
“Thank you,” said Lex.
“Sure,” replied Jillian, “no problem. Are you guy’s hungry?”
“I could eat,” confessed Lex.
“Me too,” agreed Jesse.
“I’m on it,” said Jillian, as she began rummaging through the cabinets, searching for some food to prepare.
After the group had eaten, Lex took a plate of food to Beth, who was still sleeping soundly in the master cabin. He stared down at his mother’s weak body and listened to her haggard breathing. He could see beads of sweat on her forehead, even though the rest of her body was shivering uncontrollably. The illness that she’d been infected with in the FEMA camp was getting worse. Lex’s heart felt heavy with worry. He gently rested his hand on her forehead and was surprised at how hot she felt. He could tell she had a fever without even taking her temperature.
The excitement had taken its toll on his mother and she needed as much rest as possible. So Lex decided to let her sleep. After pulling the blankets up around Beth’s shoulders, he turned to face Duke. “Stay here boy and keep an eye on her,” he whispered. The dog wagged his tail at the sound of his name and lied down next to Beth’s bed, resting his head on his paws. Lex set the plate of food on the nightstand next to Beth and tip-toed out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“How is she?” Cleo asked, eating the meal that Jillian had prepared, while Jesse took a shift at the helm.
“Not good,” replied Lex. “If she doesn’t get some medicine soon she isn’t going to make it.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Find some medicine.”
“Yes, but what kind of medicine? We don’t even know what she’s sick with?”
“I wish we had a doctor onboard,” mumbled Lex, before climbing the steps to the upper deck. He headed toward the bow of the boat and sat down.
The repetitive sound of waves sloshing against the hull was relaxing, as the ship sliced through the dark, cold water. Mist sprayed Lex in the face, leaving his lips moist and salty. He glanced up at the sky and the moon above, which still appeared blood red. The same ominous color it had been on the day of The Vanishing. Staring up at the heavens, Lex took a deep breath. He couldn’t remember a night when the stars shined so brilliant. The sky looked like a dark, blue blanket, speckled in shiny glitter and the moon was so bright, he could see its eerie reflection on the surface of the ocean.
Beth was the only family that Lex had left and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. His thoughts tormented him about what might happen if they didn’t find medicine, when he remembered something that Shiloh had once said.
‘Worrying about something is like sitting in a rocking chair, it keeps you busy moving, but doesn’t actually get you anywhere.’
Of course it was hard not to worry when someone Lex loved so dearly was sick, and possibly dying. He thought of Rupert’s words during one of his sermons.
‘Just like any father, God loves it when His children confide in Him. Whenever you feel troubled about something, give it to the Almighty. He’ll always have the solution long before we’re even aware there’s a problem. If you quit trying to control your life and instead give it over to the Lord, He will always steer you in the right direction.’
Lex had witnessed God’s miracle in his friend Shiloh. After losing his family in a car accident, Shiloh turned his back on God, becoming bitter and full of rage. It wasn’t until he’d received a vision from the Lord that his attitude changed forever. In one fell swoop, God gave Shiloh’s soul peace and provided him with the strength he’d need to go on. His hatred and sorrow evaporated overnight, replaced with love and compassion. Once Shiloh made the decision to give his life to the Lord, miraculous things began to happen. Not only did he become happier, but it seemed as though the Lord Himself was protecting him.
Lex had seen firsthand the bullet riddled clothes that Shiloh had worn during the battle with the Enlightened Ones. There must have been at least twenty bullet holes, with over ten in the chest, yet God protected him. If Lex had not seen the encounter with his own eyes, he never would’ve believed it. He gently rubbed his shoulder where he’d been shot during the same battle and wondered if he would’ve survived the fight unscathed, had he been right with God.
Lex bowed his head and said, “Lord, I know I haven’t lived my life the way you want me to and I realize I’m not worthy of your absolution, but please Lord, give me another chance. I know I can change and become the man you would have me be. I promise Lord, here and now, to live my life for your glory. Just please, please save my mother and heal her illness. I believe in you and trust you with all my heart and soul. Give me a sign Lord, show me what to do. I want you in my life. I need you in my life. Please God, help me be a better man.”