BW

Between setting up their alarm system, and waiting on Alex and Tom to return from their scouting, it was the next morning before Maria was able to speak with Bob again. It happened while they were enjoying their morning coffee.

"Bob. I want to apologies for pointing a gun at you yesterday. I didn't know who you were, or what you might do to Mike and myself. I had to protect us. You do understand, don't you?"

"Certainly. I would have done the same thing myself, in that position. But I would like to ask you not to do it again."

Maria smiled. "No, I won't. I know you better now."

"How so? We haven't said much to each other since... shall we say, since we met."

"Kathy and I had a long talk yesterday. You were part of it. Is it true that you have had conversations with angels?"

"Well, mostly I listen. But yeah, the Arch Angel Michael does show up sometimes to tell me things."

"Has he said anything about what to do about the invasion?"

"INVASION? What are you talking about." Kathy demanded.

Bob looked at her. "I'm sorry Kathy. I've said so much to so many people, I've lost count of what I've said to whom. But think about it this way. Do you think that anyone would bomb us, and NOT follow up with an invasion?"

"I suppose you're right, but why would they invade? I mean there's nothing left."

"That's not quiet true. Yes things were getting short, but there are still a lot of cattle out there in the fields somewhere. That's also true about all farm animals. Same goes for crops of every kind. Things were in short supply, but there were still available. That is also true of natural resources. We still have oil in the ground, minerals, and other things. They want what we have, it is just that simple."

"Well, at least they'll have a hard time getting into the country."

"What makes you think that?"

"The west and Gulf coasts are all torn up. They won't be able to come ashore there."

Bob shook his head. "Kathy think about what you are saying. These soldiers are trained to land in areas that have undergone a bombardment by naval and air forces, for an extended period of time. I think they won't have much of a problem at all. There won't be an army there to fight them off. No resistance that amounts to anything at all. They have most likely landed and established a sizable beach head already."

Kathy paled at the thought. "What do we do?"

"We wait until The Lord tells us what to do. In the mean time, we do what we can to prepare for that day."

"Bob, we can't fight off an army."

"We don't have to. They won't send an army this far out. Maybe a small unit or two, but nothing too large. Besides, like I said before, I was told that there are others like Maria and Michelle, coming this way. Lets' just wait and see what The Lord brings our way."

---

Director Claire was both pleased, and displeased by the current state of affairs. On the one hand, the invasion by the Russians, Chinese, and Cubans was going well. The Russians were having the hardest time. An early and heavy snowfall was slowing them up, but they were making progress. His region in the southeast had offered almost no resistance. Of course, there weren't many left to resist. But now, the director of the north central region wanted help in getting his area under control.

What had displeased him was when one of the camps full of Christians had been hit by an off course missile. It wasn't nuclear, but it WAS large. At least half of them had been killed outright. Another twenty-five percent had been badly injured. That meant he would have to wait for them to heal, before he could do anything else with them. Worst of all, after the head count was taken, ten percent of them had escaped. He knew that this would mean they would spread warnings about what really happened in the camps, so their recapture was now high on his list of things to do. And without the gangs to do the foot work, that meant getting the invading forces to do the job, and they were still a long way from even being close enough to help. What military forces were left in the former United States, weren't going to do anything. They were to busy trying to do something about the invasion. Same for the local law enforcement. What to do?

He knew the televangelist wouldn't be of any help, even if he had survived the missile attack. Nobody was going to believe him any more. Then an idea came to him.

Calling in his secretary, he dictated an order.

By Order of Regional Director Claire;

Due to the current situation, the Director hereby orders all able bodied persons to report to the nearest military, or law enforcement personnel, for service in defense of this region. Any persons not reporting for duty, will be considered to be aiding the enemy, and will be shot.

He smiled as he thought of it. Either the Christians reported for duty, in which case they would be recaptured, or they would be shot on sight for not helping in the regional defense. Either way, the problem was solved. He sent it out for immediate publication and posting throughout the region.


BW, Vietnam Vet