As Darion moved up he asked the trio. “What’s going on?” Marcus not pleased with the situation answered. “Your brothers leaving.” Darion was confused. “What?”
The men moved to Allen, Nathan turned to Darion and Marcus. “It’s Kayla, I know where she is, I have to go get her.” Marcus had heard the conversation between Nathan and Matthew. “No you don’t, you know where she was. You heard it yourself they’ve been transferring people she could be in a totally different part of the country by now.” Nathan was checking thru the backpacks taking what small supplies the team had brought. “She’s there.” Darion was just standing by trying to process the information. Marcus asked Nathan. “How do you know that?”
Nathan looked up at Matthew. “Because he’s here, everything happens for a reason.” Marcus did not relent. “That’s crap if that were the case than why was he put on the bus and not her? These people…we need you now more than ever.”
Nathan stood up and threw the backpack over his shoulders and swords. “I have to go; this may be my only chance. I have to do this.” Marcus turned around muttering curses under his breath. Nathan knew Marcus’s logic was right but he had to go. Darion asked his brother. “How will you get there?” Nathan already figured that out. “I saw a motorcycle parked under a carport at a house right before we entered the woods.” Nathan stopped, looked at his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You can help these people, just follow thru with the plan, educate and train. I will be back. Tell Lex and Anthony I’m sorry.” Nathan gave his little brother a hug, gave a nod to Allen and Matthew then vanished into the woods.
* * *
Journal # 6
There are many beliefs that guide our lives, whether it’s in a higher power, justice, work ethic or simply human nature. One of the most powerful beliefs that has always been interwoven with every facet of my life is the belief that things happen for a reason. I’ve struggled with this belief for as long as I can remember. If I am to believe that things happen for a reason than that would mean that all the decisions I’ve made throughout my life were an illusion, that my life experiences, my career choice even my friends were all preordained by some higher power; I can’t believe that. But when I look back at my life, at how the seemingly random or small changes here or there altered the entire course of my life I am led to a different conclusion.
I hated history until a teacher my freshman year of high school turned the mundane into the extraordinary and ignited my interest in world history. I went to college on a football scholarship and was good enough to have made it to the pros but I found a different calling. In my freshman year I found a book lodged behind a shelf on the floor in the school library; no indication it belonged to the school, no scan code, no indication to who the books owner was just a random book that happened to change the entire course of my life, my way of thinking, my entire core beliefs. After following the trail Brice Pooll had laid out for me I dropped out of college and joined the Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps I was stationed in Japan, after my contract was up I remained there for two years trying to come to terms with the true state of the world. After a lot of reflection I returned to college to finish my degree and eventually join the FBI. These are just some of the many things that have drastically altered the course of my life. I often wonder if I would have read Brice Pooll’s book if Mr. McAllister hadn’t ignited my interest in history or if I hadn’t found that book how different my life would have been. Everything that has ever happened to me, every person that was placed in my life all seem to have been meant to lead me here, now.
And so that brings me back to the crux of the issue; do I control my destiny or has it already been predetermined? After years of thinking on this I’ve come to the only conclusion I can believe… both are true. I believe there is a path that something or someone has laid out before me and I believe it is up to me to choose whether to walk that path or not. Undoubtedly there have been many times I’ve felt when I was not on the path and I know now with every fiber of my being what I am supposed to be doing. We all have a path to follow or move away from, my path led me down the darkest depths of anger and despair; and it all started in Harrisburg.
Nathan Turner
“In the deepest part of us there is something that tells us what is right, what is wrong and who we are, it is our reaction to that which determines how the world sees us.”
NT
Part 4
Chapter 11: The End of the Beginning
Nathan had reached the house where the motorcycle was held, he moved around the house quietly to see if anyone was home he even knocked. Nathan expected like most residences these people were at one of the compounds but he wanted to be sure. Nathan kicked open the side door next to the carport; he instinctively drew his pistol to begin clearing the house. After a few steps inside Nathan felt that the place was safe. He used his flashlight to search for supplies, as he turned around he saw the keys to the motorcycle hanging on the doorframe next to a house alarm that had no power. Nathans first inclination was to grab the keys and go but he knew he had a long journey ahead of him; he also knew if there was snow on the ground in Mississippi there was almost definitely snow going to Pennsylvania and he needed to be prepared. Driving a motorcycle wasn’t Nathans preferred choice of travel but he thought that it’s on and off road capabilities would be the fastest way.
Nathan looked thru the bedroom closets for winter clothing eventually piecing together enough layers he hoped would help keep him warm; on his way out Nathan stopped by the kitchen covering his nose and mouth at the smell of stale food and milk coming from the refrigerator.
Nathan hastily placed a few bottled waters, some crackers and canned tuna in his pack. He threw the pack over his back and swords again then walked out. Nathan put on the helmet hanging on the handle started the bike and slowly throttled off taking care not to get the cold engine too hot too fast. Since finding out where Kayla was every fiber of Nathans being was screaming “GO NOW, RUN!” but he knew he had to stay calm and focus; still his heart raced and his muscles pulsed with adrenaline moving thru his veins, only a thousand miles between him and the love of his life.
* * *
The light from a low burning campfire flickered casting shadows around the camp, it was 230 am and four of the seven were asleep. Lieutenant Commander Price and Corporal Velasquez were on firewatch roving the area. Colonel Jenkins was unable to sleep, like most good leaders he carried the weight of his decisions on his shoulders. Unlike many officers of his stature Colonel Jenkins didn’t run his team like a typical military squad, he insisted that he and his senior officers take on the same responsibilities as everyone else. Colonel Jenkins exited his tent and approached Velasquez. “Hit the rack.” Velasquez still had 33 minutes on his watch but it wasn’t uncommon for the Colonel to relieve the person before him in rotation early regardless of how uncommon it was for a Colonel to do firewatch. Velasquez moved his rifle to his shoulder. “Aye sir, goodnight sir.” Colonel Jenkins nodded. “Goodnight Corporal.” Velasquez went to his tent as the Colonel began a slow walk around the perimeter. Lieutenant Commander Price made his way towards the Colonel. “Good evening sir.” Jenkins nodded. “Commander.” Commander Price was hoping the Colonel would take his shift a little early, he hoped his leader had made progress on figuring out a course of action. “What’s the plan Colonel?”
Colonel Jenkins looked out into the dark snowy forest lit slightly by the moon. He spoke in a slight southern drawl that many could tell was from Tennessee “That’s the question isn’t it.” Jenkins knew that the Lieutenant Commander was referring to the long term plan more so than the immediate one. Colonel Jenkins looked back to his second in command. “Honestly Price for the first time in my career maybe… I’m not sure. I never thought I would be turning against my own government so I hadn’t really mentally prepared for this one.” Commander Price Nodded as he too checked the parameter for movement. “I think it would be more accurate to say that our governmen
t turned on us sir.” Colonel Jenkins shook his head still in disbelief. “I knew those bastards had infiltrated the government but I never thought they had enough balls to attack our own people. What I wouldn’t give to get within reach of our commander and chief.”
The Commander nodded. “Me too, I just can’t believe how easily everyone fell for it.” Colonel Jenkins huffed. “Now that I can believe, this country has had its head so far up its ass looking at the shiny things over there while the constitution gets shredded and their rights get flushed down the toilet I’m actually surprised it took this long.” They both let out audible sighs disappointed and saddened by the state of their country. Colonel Jenkins looked to his second. “The only thing I can figure is to try and inform the people, free them maybe but I haven’t figured out how the hell to do that yet.”
Lieutenant Commander Price thought for a moment. “What about a surgical strike against the president?” Jenkins shook his head. “I thought about that, we might even succeed but these people, whoever they are, have far more influence than just Garrett. They would probably just turn his death somehow to their favor. All we can do is try to get others to resist…but I’m still working out how.”
With that they both went back to patrolling the camp each trying to think of a plan that might free the people and educate them about what was really going on. If only they had waited a few days before going AWOL they might have heard reports of an incident at a camp in Mississippi; unfortunately Colonel Jenkins and Nathan Turner were never destined to meet.
* * *
The sun was just beginning to crest and Deshad was already at Xeno squads last known coordinates. The assassin had many state of the art tracking tools but he liked to use more traditional methods before resorting to them. Deshad crouched at a small spot of discoloration in the snow, he lightly moved the snow around until he found one of the teams tracking chips covered in a thick glob of frozen blood. He then followed the multiple tire tracks until he saw a more distinct set heading in a northwesterly direction. Deshad got on his snowmobile and slowly followed the tracks pleased that there were no transports going northwest of Harrisburg; that combined with light to no snowfall had made the trail easy to follow. Deshad had followed the tracks for over two hours thinking that his task may be easier than he anticipated until he came to highway 80. The highway split east and west and so did the tracks. Deshad knew he was following two vehicles but did not anticipate that they would separate. He stopped his snowmobile in the center of the highway as he examined the tracks. At first he thought this was a simple double back maneuver meant to throw someone off your tail however upon closer inspection he couldn’t see where either set of tracks doubled back. After a few moments Deshad pulled up the sleeve on his left arm to reveal an armguard; on the inside of his arm just below the wrist Deshad opened the back of the armguard to reveal a small screen. Deshad pulled up the local satellite imagery with just a few taps. The assassin then zoomed in to see if he could see where the tracks led, unfortunately there wouldn’t be another surveillance satellite passing in orbit for another five hours and he didn’t intend to wait that long. He pulled up a map of the area trying to discern what Colonel Jenkins was thinking. After looking at the roadways Deshad came to the conclusion that one of the tracks would follow a different road but ultimately end up in the same destination. It wasn’t hard to surmise which roads they probably took and which direction they were heading as there were two county roads that circled north one from the east and one from the west; it was the final destination that was still unknown. Deshad followed the left trail which as he predicted turned north.
Deshad passed a sign that read Sproul State Forest affirming that his initial thoughts were correct; as he proceeded he almost missed a JLTV on the side of the road about three hundred yards in front of him. He immediately turned his snowmobile off the road into the forest. Deshad turned off the machine and quickly dove into a roll behind two trees hoping that he wasn’t seen. After a few minutes the assassin dropped down to the snow covered ground and lay so that his white clothing would blend in; he then slowly brought his rifle up to look thru the scope to survey the area. The vehicle looked deserted, after a few moments Deshad cautiously made his way to the JLTV thinking the whole time that this could be a trap. As he moved closer Deshad noticed the JLTV was empty, there was no sign other than a single set of footprints deep in the snow going into the forest. The assassin circled around keeping an eye on the tracks and his surroundings. After an hour of slow going the tracks disappeared as the snow ran into rocks and an overhanging rock face. There was a rope thrown around a low hanging tree to indicate whoever came this way went up the cliff but Deshad’s instincts told him something was off. “Why leave the rope?” Upon closer inspection it appeared like whoever made the footprints this way actually followed his own footprints out which immediately told Deshad that this trail was a choreographed misdirection. The assassin began the trek following the footprints back. Once he arrived back at the JLTV he began to inspect the area closer. Twenty feet down the footprint trail Deshad noticed several broken branches and moved to investigate, after a few moments he returned to the JLTV where the footprints began. He opened the door and noticed a couple of pine needles on the floor under the seat. The proverbial light bulb went off in Deshad’s head as he smiled. “Clever bastard.” Deshad moved to the other side of the JLTV where only a trained few would have noticed the swishes in the snow. The assassin crouched down and nodded at the confirmation of his theory. Whoever was here pulled over, lead a false trail into the woods and backtracked thru their own footprints then used branches and shrubs to make snow shoes. They then went thru the JLTV put on the makeshift snow shoes and walked down the road sweeping shrubs across the snow behind him to try and mask their departure. Deshad was impressed, a rare thing for the assassin. He assumed that the other JLTV was going to pick this man up down the road. Deshad retrieved his snowmobile and continued his pursuit this time with a bit more respect for his prey’s cunning.
* * *
It was 130 in the afternoon when Nathan approached the outskirts of Harrisburg, he had been riding all night and throughout the day his hands and fingers numb from exposure. As he looked over the compound Nathan was surprised to see much tighter security than was at the Jackson compound, he thought that maybe him and his teams escapades may have been the cause for this but quickly dismissed the thought thinking that it hadn’t even been twenty four hours yet. Nathan new that finding Kayla among fifty plus thousand people wouldn’t be easy his only thought was to get inside and blend in. After a couple hours of scouting Nathan concluded it would be pretty hard to sneak in without arousing suspicion; but he did notice a group of holdouts going to the south gate to check in probably due to lack of food and warmth. He could see from his vantage point the entry procedure as they went thru a security checkpoint and metal detector. After that they were inoculated and directed to the housing area. Nathan thought that his best bet might be to try and pose as a citizen looking for shelter; he knew that that meant he would have to go in unarmed but after weighing his options he thought that was his best approach. Nathan was happy he was able to find clothes at the house where the motorcycle was, even if they were a little snug. He laid the bike down in the snow and covered it with some light shrubs. After looking around for a bit Nathan found a spot with two trees fairly close together, he marked them both with a slash then buried his swords. Practitioners in the Japanese art of Bushido treat their sword as an extension of themselves some going as far as believing their sword holds a part of their soul. During his time in Japan Nathan adopted many Japanese traditions; he always felt a kinship with the history of the Japanese people and so it was now as he buried his swords in the snow between the two trees he felt as though he was buying a part of himself.
Nathan slowly made his way to the road and then towards the gate, as he approached the soldier took the same caution as he did with the previous entrants. “Stay where you are, place your ha
nds out to your side.” Nathan complied. “Yes sir.” Another soldier approached Nathan as he was being patted down. “Where you coming from?”
Nathan didn’t know much about the area but he did make note of a few of the roads he passed on his journey. “I gotta house down off of the 177.” Nathan was trying to assume the identity of someone who was just a camp holdout. “I’ve been preppin for somthin like this for a while, got plenty o food and water but I can’t handle this dang cold no more. All I do is cut trees and stay up all night trying to keep the fire going, I’m done.”
The soldier doing the pat down nodded at the one asking the questions who then directed Nathan. “Alright, after you pass thru the metal detector you’re going to get vaccinated; after that you’re to go to the housing office to check in, they will register you, assign you quarters and give you your meal chit.”
Nathan nodded. “Thank you.” After moving thru the metal detector Nathan raised up the sleeve on his arm to be vaccinated. Convinced that he had made it in without a problem Nathan began to scan the multitude of people in the distance, almost immediately he saw a woman from behind who looked exactly like Kayla. Nathans unchecked enthusiasm made him lose his usual situational awareness. Nathan felt a sharp pain on the back of his head, he only saw black but could feel himself falling forward towards the ground before he lost consciousness.
* * *
It was already dark when Nathan woke his head throbbing in pain; as he slowly opened his eyes and lifted his head Nathan could feel the dried blood on the back of his neck. Nathan was lightheaded and dizzy as he looked around trying to take stock of his situation. He was clothed in only his pants with his boots, shirt and jacket having been removed. Nathan’s shoulders and wrists hurt tremendously as he was suspended from handcuffs on both wrists attached to a pipe on either side so that he was spread eagle. Nathan slowly tried to stand so that he could relieve the stress on his shoulders but only the balls of his feet were touching the floor giving only minimal relief. As he looked around Nathan could see he was in what looked like a small warehouse. A man in a suit approached. Nathan took stock of the man as well as noticing two well dressed men several feet behind him. The man was about six foot and over two hundred pounds but wasn’t by any means obese, he had small round glasses, a full but trimmed gray beard and was wearing a Masonic ring. As the man moved closer he spoke to Nathan in a very professional almost aristocratic voice.
Armageddon Rise Of The New World Order Page 19
