January 10, 2008
GW

The 'Molly B.' left the shoreline just after dark. She was an older vessel, but sturdy and well maintained. With a large flat deck area for cargo, and a cabin which could be used for either living or cargo, as well as the area below the main deck. The wheelhouse/bridge set on top of the cabin affording the captain a clear view of the river. Before they pulled out, the Captain told them;

"Make sure you all stay out of sight. There are patrol boats on the river, and they can stop and search anything they want, any time they want. Now if we run into one of them, I think I can talk our way out of inspection, but if I can't, you have to be ready. Bob, I'd like you topside with me."

That had happened ten minutes before Bob finally spoke.

"Jim, when you first looked at me, you seemed to know me, even though we've never met before this. What was that about?"

"You answer my question, and I'll answer yours. You said that you happened to know about my rifle. How did that happen?"

"I was told by someone."

"Same here. A kind of impressive guy, dressed all in white."

The two men looked at each other, and spoke at the same time.

"Michael."

"Have you considered what that might mean? I mean we have been getting messages from the Commander of The Lords' Host, His army.Kind of sounds like there might be some unpleasant work ahead for both of us." Bob observed.

"Or it could mean that we are in need of just that much help."

"True. I hadn't thought of that. Judging by what has happened so far, you could well be right. Which brings up another question. Now I'm not one to tell a man how to run his business, but with patrol boats on the river, do you think it wise to be out here with the lights on the bow and stern lighted up. I mean that has got to attract attention."

"Not as much as trying to run the river without them. They have all kinds of devices, and informers all up and down the river.

What I'm doing is acting like it is just another run. Avoid attention, by not trying to avoid it. I once read a science fiction book, where the main character gave some very good advice. He said, 'When you get caught doing something wrong, don't try to play innocent. Whoever caught you isn't going to believe you anyway. The best thing to do is to try and make the evidence point to a lesser crime'. These days, that's not so hard to do. Everyone is doing something wrong, even if it is trying to feed you family, or hiding ammunition for barter."

Bob smiled at that, until he hear Jim say;

"Uh oh. Patrol boat coming. get down."

Bob ducked under the level of the window, and pulled out his pistol, just in case.

"Attention cargo vessel. Cut your engines and stand by for inspection."

Jim pushed a button in front of him, and picked up a microphone.

"I'd love to do that, but I'm running short on time. I need to get this load to the other side pretty soon, or I'll be in trouble with the people who commissioned this run."

"I said, CUT YOUR ENGINES."

"Very well lieutenant, as long as you sign my inspection ticket. If I'm late, I want everyone to know it wasn't my fault."

At this, one of the men in the speed boat used for patrolling shown a light on the bow of Jim's' boat.

"Sir, it is the 'Molly B.'.

"Molly B.', Are you making another run for Director Claire?"

"I think if he wanted you to know that, he would have told you, don't you? Look, I had problems getting loaded, and now I'm trying to make up for lost time. So either sign my ticket, so I can turn it in at the end of the trip, or let me be on my way."

Bob sat and waited for what seemed forever, while the men on the patrol boat decided what to do.

They knew that the Director sometimes commissioned late night trips like this. They knew he had used the 'Molly B.' before, it was on a list they had. They also knew the last man to insist on inspecting one of these late runs for the Director had gotten an even later at night visit from members of the Intelligence Division. Nobody had seen him after that.

"Molly B.' have a safe trip. Where are you headed?"

"You mean the Director didn't mention anything about that to you either?"

"I just wanted to warn you that there is a new patch of dead-fall in the water about a quarter mile down river. Be careful if you are headed that far."

"Thanks for the information. I will be careful"

With that, the patrol boat turned, powered up it's engine, cut around the back of the 'Molly B.' and sped off into the night, going upstream.

Bob slowly stood, and remarked;

"Mark Twain had it right. There HAS been a decline in the art or lying. I've never heard someone skirt the truth so closely as you just did, without actually telling a lie."

"It isn't too hard with these guys. They are scared to death of the Director. Nobody dares to get on the wrong side of him. And as long as you don't do it too often, or make the story too long and complicated, they will buy it, and leave you alone."

They continued on in silence for awhile, before Jim spoke again.

"So, don't you want to know about hauling loads for the Director?"

"Not really. The way I see it, you could have turned us in when the patrol boat showed up, you didn't. Besides, would Michael be talking to someone on the other side of this thing?"

"No, I guess he wouldn't. O.K. I need to tell you. When we make landfall on the shore, it is going to be in a place that used to be a popular fishing spot. There is a road that leads to a good road about one hundred yards up. If you turn to the right, you are going to be headed right into a town. Maybe a mile up the road. Turn left, and you're heading out into the country. I don't know which one you'll be taken down, but my guess would be left. From there it is about fifteen miles to the next town. One more thing. Once the ramps go down, I need you guys to get off the 'Molly' as quick as you can. I know The Lord is watching out for us tonight, but I don't want to try His patience."

"That makes two of us. Thanks for the lift, Jim. If we never meet again on this side, I'll be looking for you on the other."

"Same here. I want to know how this all turns out for you."

With that said, they shook hands, and remained quiet for the rest of the trip.

---

The next evening after the crossing, all across the southern sector of the country, men were gathering in abandoned schools, concert halls, and other such places. They were lean, hardened, heavily armed, combat veterans. In one of the schools, Director Claire joined the men as they made ready for their nights work.

"Director Claire. There is no reason for you to be here. My men can take care of this. No need to risk your life."

"I know that Major. But there is one stop I want to join in on. Which of these groups in going to this address?" He handed a piece of paper to the Major.

Glancing at the address, he said, "I'll take you them."

They moved quickly through the crowd, and came upon a group of eight men. All of them dressed in black, with body armor, and fully automatic weapons.

"Men. Slight change in plans. The Director is going with you, at least to one address. Whatever you do, protect him."

He singled out one man, and handed him the address. "Lieutenant, make this one your first stop."

"Yes Sir."

Within half an hour, all the men were loaded into various vehicles, and were on the way to their assignments. At first, the Lieutenant thought of trying to question Director Claire about the change in plans, then thought better of it, and kept the matter to himself. Soon the van they were riding in pulled up a block from Manuel's' address. Quietly and quickly they got out, and three of the men moved to the backside of the house, to prevent anyone from escaping that way. The rest, with the Director, moved to the front of the house. One man took a position on each of the front corners, while the Lieutenant, Claire, and two other men walked towards the front door.

Inside the house, Manuel was waiting for his 'reward', and hoped the wait wouldn't be much longer. The beer and marijuana were really starting to have an effect on him. It would be a shame he thought to be unconscious when things got started. That's when he heard footsteps approaching the door.

"Come on in." He hollered, "The door is open."

It took him a moment to realize that instead of the woman he was expecting, Director Claire walked in the door.

"Hey, Mister Director. This is a surprise. I didn't think you would personally deliver my reward."

"Oh Manuel, I wouldn't have missed this for the world." He stepped to the side, and the two black suited men charged in, and took Manuel to the floor. Once there, they put handcuffs on him, rolled him onto his back, picked him up again, and threw him into the nearest chair, nearly breaking his arms in the process.

"What are you doing? I've done everything you wanted. You said you were happy with what I've done. Whats' this all about?"

"Manuel, do you have any idea just how much of a fool you've been?" Claire was feeling confident, and was enjoying himself. He continued.

"I admit, you've done a good job. It would have been impossible for the New Order to fight the military, the police, people like you, ex-military, and those damned Christians all at the same time. It took decades of careful planning and work to get to this point. Now we can't be stopped, so there is no harm in telling you."

"You see, it started by using people like you, greedy and stupid, to get many of the American people using drugs. They made money, and the people started getting complacent. Then we, started dividing the people. White against black, black against Hispanic, it was so easy. Instead of taking personal responsibility for their lives, everyone blamed someone else for their problems. But that wasn't nearly enough. We got the military involved in endless, senseless wars. That bled the economy badly. And it even divided the people further. Once the military was out of the country, we unleashed more attacks. On the east coast with hurricanes. The west coast with earthquakes, weather problems all over the place. Food got short, and people started fighting over that like dogs over a bone."

"But then, Manuel, then we started on the end game. Through laws, we disarmed any who would stand against us. Without the military here, your president, who threw in with long ago, and was told of the plan, brought in outsiders to keep the peace. Men who don't care for your laws, or your people. Yes, we let you kind get out of the cities. So you could do the dirty work for us, to satisfy your own lusts. And you did it beautifully. Now there is nobody left to resist us,and the final pieces are coming into place. Soon, our master will take his throne, and no one will dare to stand against him."

"What are you talking about. This sounds crazy."

"What a fool you are. You have crosses tattooed on your body, but you haven't been inside a church since you were nine. You've never read that cursed book the real Christians love so much. And you think you know it all."

"Now I know you're crazy. How could you know things like that?"

For just a moment, Claire allowed Manuel to see his true face. Manuel started to scream. Claire pulled out a knife, which he was expert at using, and moved towards him.

Manuel screamed until the early hours of the morning. But it didn't matter. There were similar screams coming from the entire southern region.


GW, Vietnam Vet