Nathan’s parents actually lived in an outskirt of New Orleans, a small piece of wood and swamp just south of La Place.
Nathan pulled off of a dirt road and on to the gravel drive of his old home at 3:08 am. Nathan noticed his brother’s jeep packed full of the gear he asked him to get as well as the carrier, tires and a tow rack with cable. Nathan hoped Darion didn’t have to answer too many questions. Nathan walked around back and through the unlocked back door to be greeted by a growling 140 pound Rottwieler. Nathan crouched, stuck out his hand and called.
“Don’t growl at me you beast.”
The huge dog’s ears perked at the recognition of his name, after picking up Nathan’s scent Beast jumped on him covering him in doggie drool. “I missed you too boy.”
Nathan slowly moved through the kitchen into the den and up the stairs to Darions room, Beast in tow. As he slowly opened the door Nathan saw Jason first asleep on the couch, then Darion asleep in bed. Nathan moved to Darion and shook him softly while covering his mouth. Darion awoke startled then calmed when he saw his brother. Nathan motioned for Darion to follow him to the kitchen. Once there Darion opened the conversation. “How do you do that?”
Nathan responded. “Do what?” “Sneak in and get that close without making a sound.”
“I had Beast with me so if you didn’t hear it’s because you sleep like a rock.”
Nathan quickly turned to business. “Did you tell anyone?”
Darion sighed. “You don’t know how hard it was to not tell mom what all the stuff was for.”
Nathan nodded knowing how forceful his mother could be, a trait he picked up from her. He didn’t answer her call yesterday evening guessing what she was going to ask about. “Did you get all the supplies?”
Darion nodded “Most of them, I got the compasses, the first aid kits, the tents and all the stuff for the jeep but we’re a few water jugs short and I could only find 2 solar powered GSP’s units.”
Nathan grabbed two sodas from the fridge sat across from his brother then replied. “ GPS units.”
Darion responded curtly “I know what they are, its 4 in the morning.”
Nathan pointed to the clock on the microwave. “3”
Darion rubbed his eyes and looked at the clock. “Yeah, so gimmie a break.” Nathan smiled. “Its good to see you little brother.”
Darion made an ugly face at Nathan. “It would have been better if you’d have let me sleep a couple of more hours.” Nathan laughed then Darion asked. “When do we tell mom and the jerk.”
Nathan put his head in his hand. “You mean when does the fight begin?”
Darion conceded the point. Nathan looked up towards the second floor bedroom. “Soon.”
* * *
Nathan and Darion talked for hours, they tried to talk about things that had been going on in their lives but all their conversations led to the future that would never be, when the future you expect never comes things change.
Nathan asked. “What time does the car audio store open?” Darion gave his brother a very confused look. “What you want to buy a new system for your new ride.”
Nathan, always thinking ahead retorted. “No. I want a TV put in the Suburban with a dish. If their taking over then they’re going to be feeding their bullshit to the masses, we need to see what lies their spreading so that we can counter them with the truth.”
Darion looked confused. “Counter them.”
Nathan looked hard at his brother. “Yes, counter. Did you think all of this was just so we could hide out until it blows over?” Nathan shook his head and stated his resolve. “No we are going to tell people the truth.”
Darion asked. “To who? Who will listen?”
Nathan said. “How long do you think it will be before the people realize what’s going on? How long before they realize that all the freedom they took for granted is gone? They’ll fall in line at first, then they’ll resist, and then they’ll break and conform to the new way of life. We have to get to them just as their ready to resist. The Illuminati’s plan will be to break the will of the people before they organize and discover the truth, we can’t let that happen. We have to get to the people before they think they have no choice, we have to give them a choice we have to show them the truth.”
Darion looked at his brother through wide eyes. “Are you nuts? How are we supposed to save the country?” Nathan shook his head. “We’re not trying to. What we want is to start a fire, nourish it then let it spread.”
Darion still not believing his brother wanted to take on the Illuminati asked. “Spread to where?”
Nathan looked at his brother with a strong resolve. “Everywhere.” Darion took in a deep breath and shook his head. “O.K. you’re the prophet.” Nathan angrily scolded Darion. “Do not say that.”
“Sorry, it’s just…” Darion tried to apologize but Nathan cut him off. “Ever. I just saw some things. I am far from a prophet.”
Darion put his hands out. “Sorry, I just meant that I trust you and I’ll follow you, wherever.”
Nathan calmed. “That’s good to know.” Then gave a crooked smile. “But I don’t recall giving you a choice.”
Darion nodded. “Oh I see how it is.” Nathan wasted no time in getting back to business. “So what time does the audio store open?” Darion said. “I don’t know 8,9.”
Nathan reached in his pocket and pulled out his debit card and keys. “Take this. Its 7 now I want you to wake everyone up then go get a TV and satellite dish installed in the suburban, get some solar packs too.”
“Where do you want the TV?” Darion asked. Nathan thought for a moment. “The dash, the console, the headrest, I don’t care just make it easy to access, and do not by any means let them look in the boxes in the back.”
Darion curiously asked. “What’s in the boxes?” Nathan took a deep breath thinking of the arsenal that was in those boxes. “You’ll know soon enough, just make sure they stay locked, if you get caught we’re screwed.” Nathan thought on the importance of those boxes and of his brother’s unintentional aptitude for getting into trouble. “You know what, just set the boxes next to your jeep, I don’t want to take any chances.” Nathan reached in his pocket and pulled out a large wad of cash. “I also want you to give the guy at the store this. Before they even start, tell him it’s his.” Darion gave Nathan a look that spoke for itself.
Nathan shook his head no to Darions look that plainly thought his brother was losing it. “It won’t be worth anything soon and it will get you back sooner… I don’t think this is going to go well and I want to be ready to leave as soon as possible.”
At that moment Alexia LaFleaur Nathan and Darions 17-year-old sister walked in. Her dirty blonde hair in tangles Nathan noticed she was wearing the FBI sweats he gave her after he graduated from the academy. She saw her older brother and ran to him. “Nathan!” She gave her brother a hug.
Nathan wheezed. “Geez you’re still lighter than Beast but your grip is much stronger now.”
Alexia lightly punched Nathan in the arm. “Just wait till we spar.”
Nathan looked at Darion who nodded slowly then turned his head and moved his wavy hair to reveal a bruise on his upper left cheek. Nathan’s eyes grew wide.
“Lex, you did that.” Nathan said pointing to Darion’s face. Alexia smiled. “Sure did, that jerk wouldn’t tell me what was going on.” Nathan laughed. “I’m proud sis.”
Darion’s eyes narrowed. “You would be.” Alexia asked. “Where’s Kayla?”
Nathan paused for a moment then responded in a very somber tone. “She went to stay with her parents for a while.” Alexia was now the one giving Nathan the evil look. Nathan answered the obvious question before it was asked. “No Lexi, nothing like that.”
Shortly thereafter Jean and Nathan’s mom Julie entered the kitchen. Nathan stood up gave his mother a hug, and then shook Jean’s hand trying to remain cordial. Nathan turned to Darion.
“D, go get started on what we discussed earli
er.” Darion nodded. “Alright, I’ll bring Jason along.” Nathan shook his head. “No, he needs to hear this too. Send him down.” Darion turned to get started on the task his brother had set forth. Nathan reiterated. “Don’t forget to take the boxes out.”
Darion Nodded. Nathan then addressed the rest of the group. “Let’s go to the living room and sit down, I have something important I need to tell you guys and so far I haven’t received the response I’d hoped.”
* * *
Nathan had everyone there, including Jason. After a half-hour or so of small talk Nathan felt the mood was calm enough to begin. Julie sat next to Jean who was eyeing Nathan with a look that plainly said this is my family; don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong. Nathan felt that Jeans dislike for him came from his own strong sense of individuality. Nathan had always looked deeper into things than most people, often giving complexity to the simplest of things. Nathan aspired to be in a career where he could use his keen insight rather than just his brawn. Despite the feud between Nathan and Jean, Jean was very much like Nathan and Darion’s father. Nathan’s father was a hardworking man who spent most of his life working manual labor jobs trying to take care of his family. Jean was also a simple man who worked similar jobs to take care of his family. Although only 16 when his father died Nathan remembered him well, particularly the important lessons a father teaches his son. One of those lessons Nathan took to heart especially. Nathan’s father told him when he was young “Do not work so that you can live, but live for your work.” What Nathan’s father meant was to find what made him happy in life, and choose that as a career. Nathan always felt that Jean resented Nathan for trying to move outside his station in life rather than just to work for money. Either way Nathan was then like Darion is now, full of conflict and that conflict helped to fuel the disdain these two felt for each other.
So now Nathan stood in the living room with his sister, his brother’s best friend and his Mother and stepfather who chain-smoked until the room was a thick haze. The perfect setting for an early battle of the upcoming war.
Nathan took a deep breath and then began. “There’s no real easy way to say what I have to say, so I’ll try to explain as best I can. Yesterday I received an email at work that said everyone in the country is going to be required to register at their post office. From there everyone is going to be transported to compounds, supposedly for their own safety. What this means is that the country is about to undergo a dramatic change. We will be told where to live, where to work, what to think and where our beliefs are to lie. Essentially, our freedom is about to be taken away.”
As the group presented a general expression of confusion Jean took a deep breath while Nathan prepared himself for the thick cajun redneck accent that he knew was coming. “Wat you jus say boy, wat da hell you talkin bout?”
Nathan cringed at the accent he had all but lost over the years, then responded as if he were explaining to a child why he must not play in the street. “A war is coming...THE war is coming.”
As Nathan looked around he noticed that no one was grasping the situation. He then tried a more direct approach. “Armageddon is here, everything you know is about to change and not for good. Millions of people are going to die and so are you if you don’t listen to what I’m saying.”
That got their attention. Nathan’s mother was the first to speak. “How? Why? What are you talking about?”
Nathan grew frustrated trying to figure out how to explain the situation. In truth he knew what the outcome was going to be but he had to try. “I don’t know how yet, but I know its coming. As far as why....power, the men who are doing this want power above all else.”
In a mocking tone Jean asked. “And who’s gonna be takin over? Who’s gonna be takin us to dim compounds you talkin bout huh?”
Nathan paused for a moment, took a deep breath then answered. “The Illuminati.”
Nathan knew these words were the ones that would start the war, and would ultimately lead to Jean and his mother being captured. Jean stood up then looked at Alexia. “Go to your room.”
Alexia protested. “But dad this is important!” Jean lifted his hand as if to backhand his daughter. Nathans body tensed ready to throw Jean thru the living room window. Jean raised his voice. “Don’t make me tell you again!” Alexia stormed off through the den then showed her distaste for her father by stomping her way up the stairs to her room and slamming the door...but she wasn’t in it. She then silently crept down far enough so she could hear what was said without being detected.
Jean turned his attention to Nathan. “I shulda known you’d bring your bullshit here, always talkin bout secret clubs takin over the world. You come here scaring your mudder and your sister, you even got your imbacil brudder believing that shit. I should...”
Nathan interrupted his ass chewing by moving close to Jean. He towered over him moved face to face and spoke as calmly as he could. “You are the most ignorant man I know. You speak of things you know nothing about because like so many others you choose not to know.” Nathan stopped just long enough to maintain his composure then continued. “If you wish to ignore my warning then I can’t stop you. I love my mother but she would follow your ignorant ass off a building, so she won’t listen either but Lex is coming with me. She shouldn’t have to pay for your failure to act.”
Although Jean was a small man he didn’t back down from Nathan, he wanted to provoke Nathan enough to hit him. He knew then that all ties would be severed between Nathan and his family.
Jean spoke. “You aint takin nobody, you just try you son of a bitch and I’ll have the cops on yo ass so quick!”
Nathan pulled out his badge then set it on the table. If it were not for Jason’s quick reaction Jean might have got his wish of Nathan hitting him. But Jason quickly grabbed Nathan and pulled him back while Nathan’s mother quickly grabbed Jean. As Jean yelled obscenities at Nathan, Beast stood facing Jean warning him with a snarl. Just at that moment Darion was returning.
“Man, Nate as soon as I gave the guy behind the counter the money he...”
Darion had just noticed the situation. He didn’t help any. “Jason! What are you doing? Let him go. I been waiting a long time for this.” Everyone ignored Darion.
Nathan tried to quell the rage beginning to rise; he eyed Jean as he spoke to the room. “Let’s go.”
Nathan grabbed his badge off the table then walked out Jason, Darion and Beast followed. Jean called out. “Beast, comere.” Beast turned to Jean, gave a low growl then followed Nathan. On the way out the door Nathan released his rage by punching through one of the wooden beams supporting the porch. He then walked to the suburban all the while taking deep calming breaths. Darion and Jason were both still standing on the porch next to the broken beam wondering what would have happened if that was Jean’s face. Nathan calmed then motioned for Darion and Jason to come over, before they got there though Jean was in the doorway to yell one last obscenity, the one he knew would infuriate Nathan the most. “Why don’t cha go save your nigger friend and your spick girlfriend?”
Nathan reached behind his back for his pistol, Jason and Darions eyes got big as they ran to intercept Nathan. But they were cut short as Nathan thought a little smarter and pulled out his wallet instead and addressed Darion. “My debit card?”
The front door slammed while Darion and Jason breathed a sigh of relief.
Jason said. “I thought you were going to shoot him for a minute there.” Nathan let out a long sigh. “Yeah me too.” Nathan took another deep breath his body trembling with rage. He then turned to Jason. “Sorry you had to see that.” Jason shrugged. “I’m Italian, that’s nothin, you should see my family.”
Nathan smiled. “So, I guess you heard what I had to say. The airports should still be flying; I’ll get you a ticket to your parents if you want.”
Jason laughed. “You’re an FBI agent and one of the most serious guys I know. If your parent’s won’t listen to you I know mine won’t listen to me.
...you did say “safety” camps right.”
Nathan nodded. “Their looking for control, they will only dispose of those who pose a threat. We’re going to try to help as many people as we can before things get bad.
Jason raised his eyebrows. “Help how, we gonna break them outta these camps?” Nathan looked at Darion and then back to Jason. “Something like that, it’s probably going to get pretty dangerous. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Jason thought for a moment. “I’ll call my family and try to warn them, but I think I’m going with you guys....Plus, it sounds like more fun than safety compounds.” Darion sarcastically added. “Tons.” Nathan nodded and quickly moved away. “Glad to have you. Now let’s get these boxes back in the suburban.”
Nathan and Darion spoke as they loaded the boxes. “So everything went alright?”
“Alright? I got there slipped 500.00 under the glass door and poof the store magically opened early. I gave him another 800.00 and abracadabra 20 minute installation.” Nathan was still being cautious. “Was he suspicious?” Darion shook his head. “Nah, I just told him I was the assistant of one of the big Saints players, although he wouldn’t stop hounding me for tickets”
Nathan nodded. “Good job. Alright if you guys need anything you’d better get it now.”
30 minutes later both the Jeep and the Suburban were loaded. Nathan and Darion were just finishing putting the all terrain tires on the Suburban when Darion turned to his brother and asked. “What about Lex?” Nathan looked at the house then replied. “I think she’ll be ok.” Jason walked up. “Are we ready?”
Armageddon Rise Of The New World Order Page 7
