“Wonderful question! The design of the ark was unprecedented,” explained Rupert, “and still is today. Scientists built a small replica of the ark and tested it to see what it could withstand. In every simulation conducted, the ark never sank or capsized, regardless the size of the waves. Its design truly is one of a kind.”
“If there was a boat of such size and magnitude,” asked Cheng, “why has it never been found?”
“Another good question,” cheered Rupert, full of excitement. “After the water from the flood rescinded, Noah and his family would’ve needed wood to build fires, homes, wagons, fences, furniture and so on. I believe they dismantled the ark and used it to build a new future.”
“And if your God is so loving and kind,” declared the Russian Lieutenant, “why would he destroy the earth and kill all of those people?”
“To purify the bloodline of mankind for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ,” declared Rupert. “You must remember, the world was full of evil when the great flood came. Lucifer and his fallen angels were living upon the earth, mating with human women and creating Nephilim offspring. People had lost their faith and were mocking God. The flood was God’s way of cleansing the earth and purifying it for the birth of His son.”
“I understand,” said Cheng, “please continue reading.”
Rupert picked up where he’d left off and was almost finished with the Book of Genesis, when he heard raised voices coming from the other room. Curious as to what the commotion was about, he closed the Bible and stood up. “I’ll be right back,” he said, turning to leave. He stopped when he noticed a frown appear on Cheng’s face. “What’s wrong?”
“You not finish reading book?” asked Cheng.
“I’ll come by in a little while and read some more,” answered Rupert softly. “Here you go,” he added, handing Cheng the Bible. “Why don’t you read ahead and we’ll discuss it when I get back. Can you read English?”
“A little,” answered Cheng.
“Good,” smiled Rupert. “I’ll be back soon.”
“Thank you,” said Cheng, admiring the Bible in his hand. He held the book gently, as if it were made of fragile glass and if squeezed too hard, would shatter.
“Sure,” smiled Rupert, “no problem. We’ll talk again soon Cheng.” He turned and left the Chinese prisoner sitting on his cot, carefully examining the leather bound Bible between his hands.
When Rupert entered the outer room he found the jailhouse full of occupants. He glanced around the crowd, taking note of everyone present.
“All I can tell you is what we saw,” said Mason. “The enemy is mobilizing and it won’t take them long to cross over the mountains.”
“But there’s too many of them,” complained Luke Slater. “We’re going to die!”
“Oh shut up you bloody fool!” Shouted Mayor Sullivan. “What do you suggest?”
“Well,” said Mason, looking up from the knife he was sharpening, “your Deputy Mayor isn’t wrong. You need more men.”
“We could recruit men from nearby towns,” suggested Ian. “After all it’s their freedom at stake too.”
“That’s a grand idea,” agreed Mayor Sullivan, “but it’ll take a while. We need to figure out a way to stall the enemy and buy some time.”
“What about the old World War II cannon up at Spooner Summit,” Billy suggested.
“What about it?”
“It’s what we used to create avalanches during winters with heavy snow,” he explained. “I spent a winter working with the ski patrol once.”
“That’s a great idea!” Shiloh exclaimed, patting Billy on the back. “If we can cause an avalanche at Spooner Summit and another at Kingsbury Grade, it should buy us the time we need.”
“We don’t have much time,” pointed out Ian. “If we’re gonna do this we’ll have to divide and conquer. How many men does it take to operate the cannon?” He asked, looking at Billy.
“Two or three at the most,” said Billy. “It’s heavy, but has wheels and can be dragged behind a vehicle.”
“I need three volunteers!” Mayor Sullivan shouted, his voice booming above the commotion.
“I’ll go,” said Billy, emboldened by his last mission.
“Not this time bro,” said Cole, pulling his younger cousin back.
“But I’m the one who knows where the cannon is and how to fire it,” pressed Billy. “Stop trying to hold me back!” He pulled away from Cole and stepped closer to Dakota.
“The lad’s right,” replied the Mayor. “Without him there’s no point. Who else?”
“Fine,” said Cole, “count me in.”
“Augh,” mumbled Billy. He yearned for respect from the others, especially Dakota, but he’d never get it if Cole was constantly trying to protect him.
“That’s two,” hollered Sullivan. “I need one more.”
“I reckon I’ll go,” offered old man Sampson. “I too am familiar with artillery from the second great war.”
“The boy said the cannon is heavy,” observed Lt. Sawyer, glancing skeptically at the three volunteers. “Do you really believe the three of you can lift it if needed?”
“I may be old,” spat Sampson,” but I’m wiry.”
“Nevertheless,” said Lt. Sawyer, “defending the mountain passes is my responsibility and I have no intention of shirking it. I and two of my men will accompany you, just in case.”
“Very well,” agreed the Mayor. “Now, I need volunteers to travel to surrounding towns and recruit fighting men. Whose it gonna be?”
“I’ve made several trips to Yerington over the past few weeks,” offered Rupert, “and I’ve made a lot of friends both there and in Smith Valley.”
“Perfect,” agreed Mayor Sullivan, “you take both of those and I’ll head to Carson City. I need someone to go to Gardnerville and Minden, any takers?”
“I’m friends with the doctor down in Gardnerville,” suggested Dr. July.
“We need you here doc,” replied the Mayor, “but thanks for the offer.”
“I’ll go,” said Ian, stepping forward.
“And I’ll take Virginia City,” replied Casey. “I’ve done some trading up there before.”
“Very well,” bellowed Mayor Sullivan, glancing at the map spread across the sheriff’s desk. “That leaves Dayton and Mound House.”
The room suddenly became silent.
“Come on people, I need someone to head east.” The Mayor glanced around the crowded room, but no one made eye contact. “I’m sure the rumors are highly exaggerated,” he said, searching for a volunteer.
“What rumors?” Whispered Kye, looking at Cole.
“It’s been said that Mound House has been overrun by a rough element,” answered Cole, whispering softly. “They eat their dead and drink their blood, and fornicate with wild animals!”
“That’s ridiculous,” replied Kye, rubbing his injured ankle. “I’d volunteer if it wasn’t for this damn leg.” He desperately wanted to get back in the fight, but unfortunately there weren’t any fighter jets lying around in need of a pilot. Although highly trained, he felt obsolete fighting in a war without an aircraft at his disposal. “Has anyone actually seen these heathens in action?”
“No,” admitted Cole. “No one’s ever returned.”
“I’ll go,” said Shiloh, when no one else volunteered.
“Someone should go with him,” suggested Mayor Sullivan.
“I’ll go with him,” offered Ian.
“No,” said Shiloh. “You’re already going to Minden and Gardnerville. We’re spread too thin as it is. I’ll go alone.”
“Is it sure that ya are?” Asked Mayor Sullivan, a grim look upon his face.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Alright. That brings me to the defense of Clearview. We need to begin fortifying the town and surrounding area. When this army arrives it’ll be a thousand times larger and more powerful than that rag-tag gang of Enlightened Ones. We must be ready to stop their advance! Does anyone here have any strategic military training?”
“I graduated from West Point,” said Kye, raising his hand. “I’d love to help in any way I can.”
“Who are you?” Asked Sullivan, having never met Kye.
“Lt. Colonel Kye Williams sir, of the United States Air Force.”
“I see,” said Mayor Sullivan. “Very good, you’re in charge of Clearview’s defense. Anyone who hasn’t been assigned a mission,” he added, raising his voice so everyone could hear, “consider yourself drafted into the town’s militia and report to Lt. Colonel Williams for your orders.”
“Excuse me sir,” said Jesse, as people filtered from the room.
“Yes,” replied Lt. Sawyer. “Can I help you?”
“My name is Sergeant Morgan sir. I was stationed at Camp Pendleton when the invasion occurred.”
“You’re a Marine?” The Lieutenant asked, critically examining the undersized sailing outfit Jesse wore.
“Yes sir, reporting for duty. I was on the beach when the enemy landed.”
“I thought we lost everyone on the beach. How did you survive?”
“I was caught behind enemy lines sir, during the first wave of the invasion.”
“Yet I see you had time to save your girlfriend,” said Lt. Sawyer, glancing from Jesse to Jillian.
“Yes sir. I wasn’t about to leave her behind.”
“Good,” stated the Lieutenant. “I don’t want a man in my command who’d abandon a woman to save his own skin.”
“No sir.”
“Are you ready for a mission soldier?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good, you’ll be coming with me to start an avalanche.”
“Yes sir.”
“But first you’ve got to get rid of those clothes. Corporal Thatcher!”
“Yes sir!”
“Get this man a uniform.”
“Yes sir.”
“With Sergeant Stripes,” added the Lieutenant.
“Yes sir,” the corporal saluted, before scurrying off.
“Thank you sir,” said Sgt. Morgan.
“Of course,” replied Lt. Sawyer. “I need as many battle hardened men as I can get. Now haul off and kiss your woman Sergeant. We’re leaving within the hour.”
“Yes sir!” Jesse spun around and pulled Jillian into his arms.
“But can’t you just tell one of the older men where to find the cannon and how to fire it?” Dakota suggested, standing with Billy in the corner of the room. “Please don’t go Billy! I need you here with me.”
Billy blushed, he wasn’t used to receiving this kind of attention, especially in front of men he looked up to. He stared down at his feet, unsure of what to say. He wanted to tell her he’d take care of her and everything was going to be alright, but he didn’t feel comfortable saying the words in front of others. He was about to respond, when Cole stepped forward and saved him the trouble.
“Don’t worry Dakota,” said Cole, placing his arm around Billy’s shoulder, “I’ll go with the little dude and take care of him.”
The humiliation Billy hoped to avoid suddenly washed over him and his face turned red.
“I don’t need a chaperone,” he declared, shrugging his cousin’s arm off of his shoulder. Even though he was relieved Cole was coming, he was tired of being treated like a boy.
“Excuse me,” said Mayor Sullivan, approaching the fireplace where Mason and Cleo sat quietly, staring into the flames. “I was wondering if the two of you would help Lt. Colonel Williams with the town’s defense.”
“We have other plans,” stated Cleo, standing up and walking into the inner cell room.
“I didn’t mean to offend,” said the Mayor, his gaze following Cleo.
“No offense taken,” stated Mason.
“We could use your expertise,” insisted the Mayor.
“So could she,” replied Mason, nodding his head toward Cleo.
“My understanding is you intend to torture the prisoners for information, is that correct?”
“Just one of them,” corrected Mason, poking the fire with a stick.
“And you believe that’s the best use of your time?”
“I’ll spend my time as I see fit,” said Mason. “I care about Cleo and she cares about Lex. That prisoner knows something and we intend to find out what.”
“But I don’t think you should torture the prisoner, especially…”
“Mr. Mayor Sir, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I don’t give a damn what you think. I’ll extract every piece of information I can from that man and we will find Lex. I advise you not to stand in my way.”
“I suppose every man has to blaze his own path,” said the Mayor.
Mason didn’t respond. He simply stood up and followed Cleo into the other room, tool case in hand.
“Before we disperse,” said Ian, clearing his throat, “I have an announcement to make. Go ahead,” he added, placing his hand on Jessie’s back and nudging her forward.
“Well,” she smiled, glancing nervously around the room, “Ian asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes!”
“Congratulations!” Shiloh grabbed his best friend’s hand and shook it, before giving Jessie a hug.
“Good for you,” smiled Lt. Sawyer.
“Dude, that’s awesome,” added Cole, rolling one of his cigarettes.
“Have you set a date yet?” asked Jillian.
“No, not yet,” answered Jessie.
“It’s kind of difficult,” added Ian, “what with the war and all.”
“Well, whenever you guys are ready I’d be honored to have your ceremony at my place,” offered Shiloh.