Dawn of Defiance

by Dempsey, Albert

  Rolling up his sleeve, he unclipped a second ISIS iBand.

  "Here it is, take it. I don't want to be caught with this thing."

  Neliswe had seen thousands of iBands before, every brand from Nokia, Apple, to Samsung and even some locally manufactured devices. But this was uniquely different, a designer model, not readily available in South Africa.

  "Wow, it's really classy, very nice, what brand is it?” Neliswe asked.

  The iBand had a platinum and gold inlay that was custom-made - the elite and sophisticated avoided mass-produced gadgets. This was a collector's piece of some value, a Rolex of ISIS iBands.

  The courier took it from Neliswe and opened the clamp so she could see the engraving inside. He gave it back to her.

  "Here, read the inscription," he said.

  To Kathryn,

  Our most beloved and beautiful daughter.

  May all your dreams come true!

  We are very proud of you.

  Your loving parents,

  John and Louise Baxter

  Neliswe held it for a while as she studied the device very carefully.

  "How can we be sure it’s the authentic one, there could be other Kathryn Baxter's in the world."

  "That's not what Eric said."

  Neliswe thought about it for a moment.

  "Eric also told me that you could keep the iBand as it's been reformatted, but if you want the information then you will have to negotiate for it, in person. He said that the information he has will be of great value to Kathryn Baxter, and he will only deal with her. Sean said.

  "Ok, you tell him I will meet with him first to see for myself before I bring Kate along; you know very well we need to be extra cautious these days."

  This could be a problem, Neliswe thought to herself.

  "I will speak to Kate this evening to see what she has to say about it, but if it's her iBand then I am sure she would want the information back. What's his name, by the way?" Neliswe asked.

  "Eric van Staden, unfortunately he can’t come here as an arrest warrant has been issued for all his outstanding traffic fines," He said.

  Neliswe stood holding the device.

  "Well Sean, you best be getting back before the curfew," Neliswe said.

  He had only been with the PRM for just over three weeks, but had already proven his commitment. He was still a student at UCT, which meant he would have easy access between the different institutes across the city. With that he fetched his bike and quickly made his way back to UCT and then to the students residential complex in Rondebosch.

  Neliswe liked him.

  "I will see you next Tuesday at the meeting, and Sean, take care, ok?" she shouted to him as the large steel gates closed behind him.

  Martin and his friend had not returned from their outing to the city centre and Neliswe was starting to get worried. Even though she felt confident they had covered all their tracks, Martin at times was careless and would do reckless things, like sticking a poster on a stationery patrol vehicle. The photo of a Zone Patrol vehicle with a PRM poster on it caused much excitement within the movement. It was his foolish, reckless, boyish behavior she found so irresistible.

  Neliswe had studied in London once and enjoyed the British culture very much. Perhaps that was why she and Kate got on so well. Neliswe felt lost in a cultural world that had changed much over the last twenty years.

  Such a small world with interlocking cultures, she thought to herself.

  Within a hundred years there would be very little that defined the cultures as much as it did in the past. Neliswe was sure of it. But still, the images of what she and Martin had captured plagued her every night.

  What had happened to those people? There were so many of them……..

  Come now Martin where are you! She thought.

  Neliswe had a bad feeling once more.

  Chapter 39

  "Surely God would not have created such a being as a man to exist only for a day!

  No, no, man was made for immortality."

  Abraham Lincoln

  It was early morning when Nicole finally arrived back at home and she noticed that the security had been drastically upgraded. Warren had something to do with it. She was glad for the new security gate that has been installed at the front door. Luckily Ragel, the housekeeper had been there to let her in. They were very fond of each other as she had been with the Kruger family ever since Nicole could remember.

  But much had changed over the last few weeks. After they hugged and shared a cup of coffee together she explained to Ragel that she couldn’t’ stay long. Thank God her father and brother were away in Clanwilliam again. She drove past the shop earlier just to make sure as the last thing she needed was to put them in danger.

  Looking around the house at familiar things and she wondered for a second if she was making the right choice, but instinctively knew the choice had already been made for her.

  Perhaps I should wait until they get home, she thought to herself. Then I could explain properly.

  However, it was too risky to stay there for much longer. With the clock ticking she began to gather herself. First she dashed to the TV room and clipped her iBand into its dock and activated the display on the plasma TV. Taking the remote she scanned her messages from the last few weeks to see if anything exciting had come in. Besides the many unread messages there was nothing out of the ordinary.

  Nicole had kept her iBand next to her bed and on charge while she went away. That way, if the authorities tried to trace her location, it would always show that she was at home, nothing out of the ordinary.

  The thought of ISIS surveillance systems constantly monitoring her every move had never bothered her before, until she met Nathan. Now she no longer wished to be part of a world where she was constantly being tracked and watched.

  For the first time she began to understand how it de valued her rights as a human and reduced her to a number.

  With time racing on, Nicole dashed to the bathroom to indulge herself in a hot bubble bath but decided there was no time for those pleasures anymore. She had fantasized about taking a bath on her second day at the camp. Even Kate was jealous to the point that she almost came along. But the risk was too great and she had to decline the temptation of a warm bath and a shave. But Nicole couldn’t wait to shave her legs so the shower would have to do.

  In her bedroom she found her robe still hanging behind the door. Getting undressed as quickly as she could, tossing her dirty clothes into the laundry basket. Putting her bathrobe on she made her way to the shower to do all the essentials.

  This is going to be heaven-sent, she kept on thinking.

  Life back at home was so easy and if she wanted to, she could have it all again. She had much to give up for her love and the safety of her family.

  Was Nathan really worth it after all? Am I being tested? Do I really love him?

  Nicole had thought many times about her decision, especially when she drove up the drive way. So much to give up! All life is a test, Nathan used to say and it made sense in a stupid logical kind of way. But then he could probably convince her that the world was flat, and she may just believe him. Nicole knew he had far too much power over her and that was a dangerous thing. A good dangerous thing, especially when he lay between her thighs.

  Was she being foolish again, as she had been before with other men?

  Yet, she knew he was not like other men, and no man she had ever met was anything like him. Just the thought of him being taken away or captured brought instant fear to her troubled mind. He was a real treasure to her, and nothing would keep them apart again; neither family nor the security forces that were closing in. Yet, deep in her soul she felt God would protect them.

  With the warm water flowing over her body she stood in a trance losing all track of time. This felt like heaven. Yet all she could do was give herself moments of forgetfulness before reality crept back in. Now speeding up she made quick work of washing and conditioning her hair, and the
n finally shaving her legs.

  After she had dried herself with a fresh towel and finished blow-drying her hair, she got dressed in fresh, clean clothes, she was ready to begin. Her list was basic but she knew it by heart.

  First things first: she needed more clothes, not just for herself but for Kate as well. Nicole chose wisely now, as practicality was far more useful than designer labels that cost a fortune. A girl could never have enough underwear, and she made sure of that this time.

  Next to her bedside clock was a photo album and that would have to come along, and her Afrikaans Bible. She missed her native tongue as everyone around the camp spoke English to Nathan and Kate.

  All the things she chose took less than fifteen minutes to gather before she was ready. Her travel bag was bulging. She crammed everything into it; clothes, shoes, selected personal items that held meaning. Looking around the room, she gazed at all her things, putting it to memory, for she had no idea when she would be back. If she would ever be back!

  Checking the time she decided it best to speed things along. Now the most important thing of all, she needed to write her father a letter.

  Nicole took out a writing pad and sat on her bed then decided to go to her father's bedroom to write it there. His smell was calming, her senses triggered emotions she had not anticipated. No matter what would happen, she would always be his daughter. Suppressing a tear, Nicole put pen to paper and began her letter.

  After all, she was a grown woman, not Daddy's little girl anymore, and she had to choose a life for herself now, with the man she loved.

  Was that not the way of the world? She thought.

  Nicole needed to explain her decisions as best she could knowing full well he would never agree with her. Yet, she still needed to reassure him all would be ok, and that she would return as soon as it was safe again. Once she was finished she placed the letter on his pillow with the family photo of them all together taken on their holiday in Namibia. They would always be a family, no matter what.

  It was now almost three in the afternoon and she had to get moving. Going into the walk-in closet she opened the gun safe that contained her father's hunting rifles. He had three of them; she took his favorite one out and lay it on the bed. Next she took out a full box of ammunition. In time he would forgive her, but she was after all a 'boeremeisie' and needed protection. She had been on a hunting safari with him once in Namibia, where they had spent a family holiday visiting her uncle.

  How strange life is…… how things always turn full circle, and this time she returns, not as a little girl but a woman. Nicole just hoped her uncle would be as loving and kind as he used to be. He looked much like her father, just a fatter version of him. Encrypted in the letter were the clues to where she was going. Her father was no fool and would get it easily.

  Nicole stopped in the kitchen; memories of the Policeman cuffed to the stove and her father's unconscious body brought back the seriousness of their situation. She had to get going and as far away as she could from those she loved.

  Warren, she knew, would be alright; he was street wise and her father needed that at the moment.

  Realizing she almost forgot, Nicole dashed back to the lounge where her iBand was still in its cradle.

  Reluctantly she took it and clipped it on. Until they reached Namibia she would have to be a normal legal citizen. But across the border she would deactivate it and hopefully they would lose all traces of her. However before that she would need to buy a few things for the group and she could only do that with her iBand.

  It the Police stopped her at least the embedded identity chip in the iBand would work. But not to have one was a crime.

  Who passed that stupid law anyway, she thought.

  I would never have voted for it in the first place. Nathan was right, everybody had been sold into stupidity and bondage?

  Nicole took it all in, as she looked around at the farm and all her father had build up. This was her life, her home and perhaps her future when her father passed on. It was her family's inheritance and she had to continue in the name. Warren showed no interest in the farm and that bothered her, and especially her father. But maybe that would change.

  Perhaps her leaving would be a blessing to her father and Warren, they needed to bond. Fathers and sons often drift apart. Now was their time as traditions started to crumble, as families splintered and scattered all over the world. Yet, she longed for the old ways, when everything made sense and values were bonded in love and togetherness.

  If only I lived in a simpler time!

  Nicole threw her things in the back of her pickup, and slammed the canopy door closed. Tonight she would sleep in a tent, tucked away between the dunes, with the wind blowing outside. Yet she couldn’t ask for more, because she will be with the man she loves. She could not wait.

  And her legs were as smooth as silk.

  Chapter 40

  "National Socialism will use its own revolution for establishing a New World Order."

  Adolf Hitler

  "Ladies and Gentleman, please stand!"

  The entire auditorium stood in anticipation to see which of the high-ranking military officers would be addressing them today. It had been nine days exactly since the start of Operation Restraint.

  Every day, at precisely 11.30am, the International Press Court would be informed by the UWN of the latest missions and the progress made. In addition they also controlled all official news reports in and out of Egypt. But the true on the ground, unedited stories were always different from the official reports.

  "I present to you Chancellor Vargän Barchevski of the United World of Nations," the UWN Chief Media Officer said with pride in his voice.

  Vargän insisted on steering himself into the auditorium with his aide following a few steps behind. The wheelchair made its way onto the ramp followed by the man of the moment, General Nicolai Khrushchev. The senior staff all watched the Chancellor as he struggled to position his wheelchair, but no one dared to assist him. They could tell he wanted to do this on his own.

  None would have guessed that the head of the UWN would be giving the press briefing. This was a great honor to the many journalists who stood in respect, yet others stared in shock, as the once impressive leader had been reduced to a wheelchair. Rumors that Vargän was still gravely ill circulated, that his leadership abilities was questionable, would soon to be disproved once he addressed the media.

  After the auditorium settled down, all eyes fell on the Chancellor who looked at least ten years older than he had before. His eyes seemed tired, yet his spirit burned with the same energy of youth.

  Vargän looked around at familiar faces in the auditorium before he began to speak.

  "Operation Restraint will come to an end at precisely 18h00 GMT today," Vargän said.

  The auditorium burst into applause at the good news. So many journalists wanted to ask questions, but Vargän indicated to them to settle down.

  "The security of Israel will always be the duty of the UWN, and we have now demonstrated our determination to maintain peace and security in our fight against terrorism," Vargän almost hissed over his microphone.

  His voice had changed somewhat since the accident. Yet, the doctors were confident he would soon regain full control of all his faculties including his speech.

  Hostilities against Egypt erupted in the early hours of Thursday the 18th of May, 2028, at precisely 05h30 GMT. The commencement of military action was announced unofficially by a massive EMP bombardment throughout the country. The tactical strike succeeded in frying most of the power grid as well as any electronic equipment that was used to keep a society informed. Moments after the initial blackouts occurred, the air strikes began against Egyptian military targets, catching them totally by surprise. General Khrushchev had dispatched two aircraft carriers, supported by forty seven ships from the Black Sea stationed at Sevastopol, to be in position within the Mediterranean Sea. There was no hesitation at all on the part of General Khrushchev. For he h
ad already ordered the Asian Fleet into position with an even larger contingent numbering four aircraft carriers, seven battle cruisers, fifteen destroyers and five submarines. The Suez Canal had been sealed tight, a prelude to a strike.

  A blitzkrieg, unlike Hitler could ever imagine descended upon Egypt as numerous preselected targets were destroyed simultaneously. With the full might of the UWN being unleashed nothing could stand up to the onslaught. Egyptian defenses were obliterated. The war was over in less than twenty two hours, as the Egyptian military was systematically destroyed. The high command took the first direct hit. Civilian casualties in Cairo were high, yet acceptable to the success of the operation. Naval bases at Alexandria and the Port of Said were destroyed by precision bombs and ships at anchor sunk with all their crew on board. The remaining Egyptian fleet stationed at Al Ghardaqah and Bur Safajah in the Red Sea, suffered the same fate

  The Egyptian Air Force managed to get a few fighters off the ground but they were soon dealt with as over 120 Seventh generation T-55 UWN Stealth Fighters flew unhindered over Egyptian airspace, destroying their designated targets with ease. The outdated fleet of American F-16 fighters were outmatched and outgunned.

  However, the fighting spirit of the Egyptian army had not been diminished, yet as gallant as they tried, the retaliation made no difference as the wave of 340 000 UWN troops swept through their country.

  The deciding factor in the battle had been the element of surprise and the deployment of EMP weapons that had successfully pushed the Egyptian electronics infrastructure back fifty years. Yet, some managed to smuggle video evidence out of the country, the brutality of the shock-and-awe campaign caused all nations of the world to rise up and take note.

  It was Vargän’s idea to demonstrate to the world the true superiority of the UWN’s military might. The excessive use of force would send a clear message to those who would ever contemplate hostilities of any kind. The message was directed to the USA and China. As with all new empires, it was essential to display military might from time to time. Fear was always the greatest weapon as Mutual Assured Destruction still kept the remaining super-powers in check. The USA and China voiced their objections but it made no difference.