“Three minutes, but we have a problem.”
“Go.”
Jane spoke up. “We got jets coming up fast behind us. We’re gonna need this extraction to happen quick.”
“Roger that.”
“There’s also some coming in from the Pacific.”
“Do your best.”
“The jets may get here first, but they may have pre-assigned targets,” Kyle said. “Hopefully we have time.”
“I hope you're right, but this is one of the few remaining buildings for a five-mile radius. It screams target.”
“They’ve launched rockets!” came Jane’s voice over the data pad. “Kyle, they’re heading to your coordinates!”
Landon reacted and pushed Kyle toward the sled. “Get the girl and kid out of here. The three of you should be able to squeeze into the sled if he sits upright between you two.”
“I’m not leaving you here!” Kyle shouted.
“Kyle, do as your father says,” Maria pleaded. Her eyes widened and she pointed skyward.
Kyle turned around in time to see a massive explosion in the distance. When the sound of the explosion reached them, it rocked his ears like a hammer on an eggshell. Everyone shouted, and Maria started screaming.
“It’s okay,” Landon said. “That was a counter-measure rocket hitting it.”
A moment later, Nova rose up in front of the building. The backdrop of smoke and fire made the tri-hulled ship look like a fiery trinity of metal, smoke, and judgment. Kyle’s frustration at his imprisonment, and the horrors he witnessed came rushing back, making the last few moments torture before the ship landed.
Nova floated her way over the rooftop and a gangway lowered from her port side. The building rumbled under them again. Landon rushed inside the ship carrying Rafael. He handed him off to Jane, who stood at the top. She took the boy without question as Landon continued toward the cockpit.
Kyle and Maria came up next. Jane and Kyle swapped looks that told of long, separated nights and a love that transcended prison walls. He touched her shoulder and the warmth that ran through his arm was like a lightning rod. Maria took Rafael and stood off to the side as if to watch the final act of a movie play out. Kyle embraced his wife first, then kissed her deeply in a way that reaffirmed that he was hers and she was his.
“Go,” she said, pointing toward the direction of the cockpit. “I’ll take care of our guests.”
“I love you forever,” Kyle said, running toward the cockpit. As he passed by Maria he could see what appeared to be defeat in her expression. He thanked God for giving him the strength to endure, and resist, her temptations.
In the cockpit, Landon’s exoskeleton was spread out on the floor, and he was already in the captain's chair. Kyle took a seat next to him in the copilot's chair. Without a word he reviewed the condition of the ship.
“Shields at full,” he said. “Fuel at seventy percent, and we have a full payload minus the one counter-measure Nova just launched.”
“That’s my boy,” Landon said. He clicked on the microphone. “Everyone locked in, Jane?”
“Affirmative.”
Nova said, “We have an incoming rocket.”
“Time?”
“Five seconds.”
“Hold on.”
Landon lifted the collective, and the ship rose straight up. The altimeter read hundreds of feet per second. Beneath them, the building exploded as a rocket hit. Nova went sideways from the blast, but Landon corrected the pitch. On a video screen, the building crumbled straight down like a planned demolition. Charles and Huxley would be buried in rubble for eternity. While together in body, Kyle wondered if they were going to separate places in soul.
Landon engaged the throttle. It threw Kyle back in the copilot’s chair and made his wounded arm throb. Unlike his father, he never liked flying, but he loved seeing what it did to his dad. Landon was a contrast of focus and relaxation. He was doing what God meant him to do. Beneath them, the dystopian city of New Sacramento was now a fiery wasteland.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Gulf of Mexico 2040
Faith and Clarke woke the kids up from their sleep so they could watch as the deck of the oil rig rose up to meet them. The robotic pilot lowered the helicopter onto the deck like a feather falling onto a pillow. Rick was the only one who came out to greet them. After the helicopter powered down, Josiah introduced Rick to everyone.
“It’s an honor to meet you guys,” Rick said, shaking their hands.
“Let’s get inside,” Josiah said. “Can you have someone use the elevator to lower the copter below deck?”
“Sure thing,” Rick said, punching the info into his data pad. “I have so much to show you.”
“I want to get them settled into some guest rooms first,” Josiah said. “What do we have available at the VIP level?”
“Your suite and the executive suite, which has the common area and three bedrooms.”
“Perfect,” Josiah said ushering them into the stairwell. “I’ll meet you in the conference room, Rick.”
“This place is amazing,” Agape said, walking down the metal staircase and touching the whitewashed steel walls. “You built this, Mr. Saunders?”
“Not from scratch, but I bought it and modified it. You haven’t seen anything yet.” He led them down a few flights of stairs and entered an open, watertight bulkhead doorway. The long hallway had rooms and other hallways branching off on either side, but he continued on to the end. There was another bulkhead door, but this one had a data pad next to it. He placed his hand on the pad, and the door opened with a click.
The five of them entered what looked like a beachfront cottage. The walls and ceiling were lined with shiplap bamboo wood. White couches and chairs decorated the suite. Natural light came in through multiple, thick glass portals lining the wall. In the back was a small kitchen complete with electric appliances. Faith rushed into the kitchen to open cabinets full of freeze-dried food.
“Clarke, I haven’t seen this much food in years. There’s enough here to feed us for months.”
“Actually,” Josiah said, “I have enough food, medicine, and water filtration on this rig for two hundred people for two years. That stuff in the cabinet is just the storable stuff. I have Rick working on sustainable products as well.”
“So the rig is just a fake oil platform?” Clarke asked.
“Ninety-nine percent of what we do out here does not involve drilling for oil. I purchased it off the radar to experiment on R&D projects, specifically underwater structures and designs. There are two other oil rigs nearby that I am going to daisy-chain into. I kept this as a backup in case the entire US got too violent and toxic. I now realize it is meant for something else.”
“What do you mean?”
“Persecution’s coming, and...”
“Go ahead,” Clarke said, as if he knew what Josiah was thinking.
“I know this sounds arrogant, but I think I’ve been spared to save some of God’s children.” Josiah was shocked that no one laughed. He continued, “I’ve always been a mathematician and programmer first. I stayed abreast of the newest tech no matter what my daily business responsibilities were. I’m one of the top ten programmers in the world right now. I’m stating all this not to brag but to explain that the formulas I worked on in your apartment were beyond my knowledge and skill. They were unlike anything I could ever dream up. Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
Agape said, “Yeah, God spoke to you.”
Josiah snapped his fingers and pointed to Agape as if he won a prize. “In the only language I understand. Math and science.”
“What are the formulas for?”
“They’re mostly shielding algorithms.”
“Like force fields?” Agape asked.
“Exactly.” Josiah walked to a portal window and stared out over the calm sea. “I think we’re going to become a target, and I need to get ahead of this wave of persecution.” No one said anything. Josiah waved
the thought away. “I’m getting ahead of myself. Follow me.”
He showed them three small, but posh, bedrooms. The beach theme continued with full-sized beds covered in white linens. Whitewashed walls were decorated with seashells and beach paintings. Faith put her hands to her mouth. Agape screamed and jumped on the bed he claimed as his own.
Josiah watched the children’s joy with astonishment. He never thought a simple bedroom could bring such excitement to a child. “You guys get settled and relax.” Josiah motioned for Clarke to follow him. “Could I show you something?”
He led Clarke up the stairwell and into a large conference room lined with computers, an enormous table with maps in the middle. At one end Rick was working on a keyboard that was part of the table. He stood when Josiah entered, and the lights of the keys disappeared, rendering the space back to a white tabletop. A paper-thin monitor in front of him also lowered back into the tabletop.
“What’s the word, boss?”
“We need to ramp up construction on the tubes tying us into the other rigs. I still want to use all crystal as opposed to crystal and steel. It’s stronger, and we can make it on-site much faster and it won’t flag anyone.”
“I’ll get the crews working double time.”
“I’m going to reallocate funds to triple the work crews.”
“Why the rush?”
“I promise to fill you in, but for now I want you to bring Clarke here up to speed on everything you’re working on. I trust him implicitly. Have you made heads or tails of the formulas I sent you?”
Rick threw up his hands. “I gotta be honest. I’ve never seen anything like them. The models I’ve done on the computer all point to a shielding that will be near impenetrable.”
“Go as fast as you can. I need to get online and take back what assets I have so I can fund this thing. Can I leave you two alone?”
“Of course,” Clarke said. “I’ll help any way I can.”
Josiah went back downstairs to a level below Clarke, Faith, Joy, and Agape’s suite. This one had the exact same layout with the common area but had two computer terminals against the wall with the window portals. There was only one bedroom in this suite.
Josiah gazed out the window at the rough ocean as he ate a peanut butter sandwich. Part of him wanted to hide out in the safety of this space forever, but he was tasked with something bigger. Salvation was based on faith, not works, but a strong faith naturally produced works, and his should be substantial due to his resources.
After a shower and shave, Josiah put on a new suit he found in the closet of the bedroom. He adjusted the thousand-dollar tie in a perfect Windsor knot and took up a seat at one of the terminals. After confirming all the firewalls were in place, he loaded an additional scrambling algorithm before he hit a button that read dial. An old-fashioned noise reminiscent of a rotary telephone sounded. Within seconds, a secretary’s face he did not recognize appeared on the screen.
“Sector One.”
“I’d like to speak with Bradley or Lewis.”
The woman’s eyes widened. She clearly recognized Josiah. “Yes, sir.”
Moments later, Bradley appeared on the vid screen. Lewis stood behind him, arms crossed like a stoic sentinel. Bradley moved his face closer to the screen to stare at Josiah, neither one breaking the silence.
Bradley spoke first. “I’m shocked you’re alive.”
“Surprise.”
“You should have taken the deal, Josiah.”
“I’m going to contact all media with my story. Your failed attempt to kill me will be revealed to the world. It’s a matter of days before you’re behind bars.”
“Don’t be so fast. I have cover stories already prepped. You may get some of your assets back, but it’s going to take a long time and a lot of legal battles. It’s best we settle this here and now.”
Josiah laughed. “Seriously? First you attack my company and kill how many people? Then you attempt to kill me and expect me to shake it off like we had a disagreement over where to have lunch?”
“I’ve already been in touch with the group and they’ve offered me your spot. You’re out.”
Bradley was referring to the globalist group and the Rendezvous. The organization was manifestly evil and profited off of every dark story of the world. Josiah was happy to be out of the group but knew how powerful they were. They could, and would, cover for Bradley with any lie he laid down. Their motto was loyalty to each other and forget everyone else. Once you were out though, you were dead to them. No matter how damning the evidence against Bradley was, if he had the backing of the group, then Bradley would walk free of any crime.
“You’re that confident?” Josiah said, hoping Bradley had not been formally introduced to the inner workings of the group. It would be months before he would understand the depth of their power.
Bradley did not respond. Instead he went on the attack. “Wherever you are, Josiah, you can’t hide forever.”
“Soon both you and the world will know where to find me. Until then you need to watch your six.”
For a moment the little man blushed as if he were terrified. It was ironic that Josiah was using his former reputation to scare this man into doing the right thing. Everyone knew of Josiah's volcanic personality. When he walked into a room, people trembled. His famous temper was a weapon he used to get what he wanted, but the vile weapon had been broken. He could only bluff with his old persona.
“Josiah,” Bradley said, collecting himself. “This could be bad for both of us, or we could both benefit.”
Josiah laughed. “After what you pulled? How could I possibly benefit?”
Bradley coughed into his hand. “I’m not going to insult your intellect with a sales pitch, so let’s focus on the facts. What’s done is done. You need to focus on the future. If you come at me with all you have, then yes, there’s a chance I could be slapped with something, but like I said, I’m in with the group now and—”
“Don’t be so confident the group will keep you. To enter the group someone needs to die or leave willingly. This is uncharted territory for them. I’m still alive and didn’t ask to leave. I’d say you have a fifty-fifty shot at best they keep you, so be careful where you tread.”
“I’d agree with the assessment, so let’s broker this deal.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?” Bradley repeated, surprised.
“Going back to your original proposal regarding government defense deals. I’m out. It’s all yours. Furthermore, I will sign docs stating I will stay out of your other businesses. I’ll also let you keep my spot in the group.” He knew this last nugget would entice Bradley.
Each time Josiah gave away something, Bradley’s mouth opened wider. Bradley asked, “And what do you want in return for all this?”
“I want all my liquid assets back within forty-eight hours. I want you, and your army of lawyers, to personally spearhead getting me back any funds the government took under the first wave of the death tax. I want you to buy Sector One’s building from me at market value plus ten points. You can purchase Spotlight News if you want at market value. You can take the entire executive staff with you.”
“You’re willing to give up an awful lot, Josiah. This is uncharacteristic. You’re up to something.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m getting out of the city and out of the game. Consider me retired.”
“I don’t trust you,” Bradley said. “Why would I believe you? It flies in the face of decades of historical evidence I’ve collected on your business deals and your personality. What’s happened to you?”
Josiah thought for a moment and decided on the truth. “I found God.”
Bradley laughed. “Okay, keep your secrets. I’ll have paperwork drawn up. Send me your account numbers, and everything will be done as you stated.”
Josiah clicked off the signal just as Bradley was starting to ask another question. He ran a diagnostic confirming the conversation was scrambled and
no one had traced him.
Within twenty-four hours, Josiah’s coffers were bursting. The world soon found out he was alive, but no one knew where. Conspiracy theories abounded, but Josiah did not release any public statements. He never wanted to step foot in the United States again. The oil rig was his home now.
Chapter Thirty
Gulf of Mexico 2043
For two and half years, Josiah and crew worked to expand the facilities. Clarke had been tasked with logistics for food and water acquisition. He was given a hundred million dollars to purchase preserved food and desalinating equipment to filter seawater. Faith purchased close to a billion dollars’ worth of medicine, antibiotics, anesthesia, and medical hardware such as X-ray, CAT scan, MRI, and other cutting-edge scanning gear.
Acquiring the items was easy, but getting them out to the oil rig under the radar of governments was the hard part. In the end, the items were smuggled out to sea on pirated ex-Soviet subs. Weapons systems were purchased from all over the world and brought in the same way. Clarke took over managing the expansion of the aquaponics plant, which raised food crops and fish in a synergistic ecosystem.
Rick managed to connect the three oil rigs together via crystal tunnels running underwater. Small pods were added to the tunnels to serve as spillover housing. Construction continued on additional structures that were being added to areas just below the water’s surface. Josiah worked with a small group of techs on the mathematical formulas for the shielding, along with other R&D projects such as cloaking.
In the United States, curfews were now the norm in all major cities. Real unemployment numbers had reached fifty percent. Crime and gangs ruled most of the cities and surrounding suburbs. The economy continued to spiral out of control as fewer people dared leave the safety of their homes to go to work, which triggered a breakdown in infrastructure. The same happened all over the world as skirmishes escalated in the Middle East and the Korean peninsula.
Just before midnight on Christmas Eve, 2043, Josiah stood with his family and Rick in the main control room of the oil rig. Josiah moved a lever to activate the shielding. All the power dimmed and then came back on with a background hum that sounded almost like running water. Josiah turned on every external light on the rig and stared out the single, large observation window at a dark-blue shield.
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