by Mark Goodwin
“Do you think the natives will take kindly to us being there? From what I’ve heard, Georgia is mainly Armenian Orthodox. They’re not all that tolerant of other faiths, and I doubt many of them went up in the disappearances.” Everett stuffed a falafel ball into a pita to make a sandwich.
Tobias answered. “We still had HUMINT sources on the ground in Georgia when the plague broke out. Ninety-nine percent of the population in Batumi and the surrounding mountain areas were wiped out. But the landscape, the buildings, even the fauna and flora, they haven’t been touched by any of the other disasters.”
“How many people are we talking about moving?” Everett looked at Elijah.
“Eventually, 144,000 at least.” Elijah bit into his pita. “But we guess about 5,000 will be leaving with you tonight.”
Sarah seemed to be doing the math in her head. “Thirty pilots and co-pilots, so fifteen planes. You better hope most of your planes are Airbus A380s. Because you’ll need to cram over 300 people on each flight to move 5,000 passengers.”
Tobias replied, “We have a few big planes, but we’ll have to work with some smaller ones also. It’s only a two-hour flight each way. We can fly two sorties if need be, but we have to move fast.”
Everett rubbed his temples as he tried to get his head around this cockamamie scheme. “How do you expect to take over the Tel Aviv airport with seventy troops?”
“Seventy-four.” Tobias smiled. “We haven’t told you everything yet. MOC is attacking Tel Aviv as we speak, and one of our outposts spotted a large number of MOC vehicles headed towards Jerusalem from Hebron. They could be attacking the city at any moment.”
“You say that like it’s a good thing.” Everett clinched his jaw.
“It is precisely the diversion that we need,” Gideon said.
“It’s also another layer of risk for us, and for the people we’re trying to help,” Everett countered.
“Many of the people who will be fleeing the city served in the IDF. We’ll be able to arm them. Mossad had various off-the-books programs. We’ve got about 200 Tavors, the standard IDF bullpup battle rifle chambered in 5.56. Then we have over 1,000 AK-47s.”
“AKs, huh? The standard battle rifle for all of Israel’s enemies.” Courtney crossed her arms.
Tobias smiled. “It’s also the standard battle rifle of our enemies’ enemies.”
“I guess we’re blessed that they never found their way over to the radical jihadists they were intended for.” Courtney returned the forced smile.
Tobias looked at Everett. “Yes, the CIA black-box program, which sourced and purchased the AK-47s, was late on delivering them.” He turned to Courtney. “Then the NSA lost contact with the opposition leaders, so we were stuck with the weapons until they found someone else to give them to. The world fell apart before that happened.
“Mossad rarely acted alone in these types of operations. Typically, we were little more than messenger boys or a delivery service. But I’m sure the two of you know nothing about that.”
Everett wondered whether Tobias may have seen a dossier on him and Courtney, or if it were only coincidence that he’d looked at Everett when mentioning the CIA, then Courtney when allocating blame to the NSA.
Courtney looked away from Tobias. “Well, that world is gone anyway. No sense in beating a dead horse.”
“I agree. We should be going.” Gideon took his plate to the kitchen.
Everett did likewise, then began gearing up to fight it out with the Global Republic and the Martyrs of the Caliphate, all at the same time.
CHAPTER 21
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 12:6
Everett led his team as he followed Tobias and Gideon down the narrow footpath of Hayei Olam Street. Old robes given to them by Elijah and Moses concealed tactical vests stuffed with loaded magazines. If anyone happened to give them a second look, it would be obvious that they were outfitted for battle, but the robes served to obscure their true state of readiness. They arrived at the Istanbuli Synagogue.
Tobias opened the door for the team. “Come in.”
Everett led his team inside.
Gideon waved and continued up the street rather than going inside the synagogue. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Where’s he going?” Sarah asked.
“Hurva Synagogue. The same thing that is happening here is going on there.”
Everett looked around. The main room was filled with people sitting in wooden pews and loading magazines from green metal ammunition boxes.
“We’re planning to shoot our way out?” Everett dropped his duffle on the floor.
“I’d rather not. But if we must, yes.” Tobias led them to a side room with a table where they all took a seat.
On the table was a map of the Jewish Quarter. Tobias pointed to the south side of the map. “This is the Zion Gate. Just beyond the Zion Gate is a parking lot where we’ll have buses to shuttle people to Tel Aviv.”
“Doesn’t the GR have peacekeepers at the Zion Gate?” Courtney asked.
“Only four. It’s primarily a pedestrian gate. The Zion Gate tower was built into the wall in the sixteenth century. From outside the city, the entrance is perpendicular to the wall, but it takes a ninety-degree turn and you come out parallel to the wall. Definitely not designed to accommodate modern vehicles.
“Our plan is to take out the four guards simultaneously so they don’t have a chance to radio for help. Then, we’ll plant our people at the gate to look like peacekeepers. This will minimize suspicion.”
“Who will pose as the peacekeeper?” Ali asked.
Tobias looked at Everett. “I was hoping your team would volunteer.”
“What do you have in mind?” Everett inquired.
“You’ll stay at the Zion Gate until 2:00 AM, or until we’re discovered. If we’re discovered, you’ll be the rear guard. It will be up to you to hold off the peacekeepers until we can get as many buses as possible out of range.”
“Sounds like a suicide mission,” Sarah said.
“We usually like those, but couldn’t some of your other guys do it?” Courtney quizzed.
“I mentioned that many of the people fleeing are former IDF. My team will be coordinating the former military personnel into units. My people will be acting as the squad leaders for the impromptu security force.”
Everett looked at the rest of his team to see if they were all on board. Ali and the girls nodded. Everett turned back to Tobias. “It’s the reason we’re here. We’ll do it.”
“Just so happens that we have GR uniforms,” Courtney said.
Tobias’ eyes lit up. “Really?”
Everett nodded. “We have three. We’d still need one for Ali.”
“You can take one from a peacekeeper at the checkpoint after you’ve dispatched them,” Tobias said.
“Please, someone take a good clean head shot. I hate blood.” Ali waved his hands in the air.
“And be ready to change out of the uniforms quickly once we leave Jerusalem.” Tobias stood up to give them the room. “Peacekeepers will be targeted by MOC more than civilians once we get to Tel Aviv.”
“I can’t wait.” Everett’s response dripped with sarcasm.
“Good.” Tobias looked at his watch and headed for the door. “We’ll roll out to take the Zion Gate in fifteen minutes.”
“It was a joke,” Everett said, but Tobias was already gone.
Minutes later, Everett, Courtney, and Sarah were dressed in their peacekeeper uniforms and following Tobias toward the Zion Gate. As they passed through the Jewish Quarter, the sound of celebration over Luz’s resurrection could be heard from inside windows and roof-top patios above. Unfortunately, everyone in the quarter had not yet been convinced that Jesus was the true Messiah.
When they arrived at the wall, Tobias peeked around the corner at the guards by the gate. �
�Two of them are visible. The other two are probably on the other side of the wall. We need a way to get them all together.”
“I have idea. Wait one minute.” Ali walked back down the narrow pathway they’d come from. He opened a door directly below one of the roof-top parties and went inside the apartment.
“What is he doing?” Courtney whispered strongly.
Everett shook his head as he waited. Seconds later, Ali returned, carrying a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. He passed it to Everett. “Offer this to the peacekeepers. Tell them it is from Luz who wants everyone on duty to join in the celebration.”
Everett stared at the bottle in his hand. He looked up at Tobias. “What do you think?”
“I don’t have a better plan.”
“I’ll go with you,” Courtney said.
Everett kissed her on the cheek. “Sarah has a higher rank. It will look better if she goes with me. You help Tobias and Ali cover us. As soon as you can see all four guards, start taking them out.”
Courtney pressed her lips together as if she didn’t believe Everett was being honest about why he was taking Sarah instead of her.
Everett sauntered up to the guards inside the Zion Gate.
Both men saluted him as he approached.
Everett saluted them back. “At ease. The office of His High and Most Prepotent Majesty wants everyone to join in the celebration this evening.” Everett held out the bottle.
The peacekeepers began to smile. One held out his hand. “Thank you very much, sir.”
Everett held back the bottle. “Not so fast. MOC fighters are in Tel Aviv. We have to be ready for anything tonight, so I need you to promise me you’ll be responsible. A few sips, then finish it after your post.”
“Oh absolutely, sir.” The second peacekeeper nodded.
“And call the other men over here. I need to be sure they understand.”
“Guys, can you come over here for a second?” The first guard called.
Two more peacekeepers emerged from inside the covered stone corridor, below the Zion Gate tower. The first looked suspiciously at Everett and the bottle in his hand. “What is . . .”
POP! CRACK! CRACK! POP!
Everett jerked, dropping the bottle on the stone pavement. The four peacekeepers fell to the ground, their blood mingling with the broken glass and spilt whiskey.
“Mazel tov,” Sarah said.
Everett bent down. “Help me drag the smaller one into the cover of the gate before his uniform gets covered with blood and whiskey.”
Sarah did so.
Tobias and the team began dragging the other three out the gate while Everett and Sarah removed the uniform for Ali. Everett heard a loud pop, then Tobias, Courtney, and Ali returned through the stone gate.
“Where did you put the bodies?” Everett asked.
“Grab an arm. I’ll show you.” Tobias grabbed one arm of the dead peacekeeper while Everett took the other. They dragged him out the gate and into the parking lot on the other side. Tobias lifted the trunk of a car and helped Everett load the man inside.
Tobias closed the trunk. “We’ll be gone by the time they start stinking.”
“I hope so.” Everett followed him back to the cover of the gate where Ali was dressed as a peacekeeper.
“The first wave of refugees will be coming through in a matter of minutes.” Tobias lifted his small radio. “Don’t break radio silence unless it is an emergency. But if you really need me, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Got it.” Everett directed Sarah and Ali to stand guard outside the gate while he and Courtney waited inside.
Soon, a steady flow of Jews proceeded quietly and orderly through the Zion Gate. Some wore more orthodox clothing, black hats, black jackets, white shirts, and black pants for the men while the women wore long black skirts with white shirts or long black dresses. Others looked more secular in their dress. Still some wore old uniforms from their days with the Israeli Defense Force. The latter carried either their own personal weapons, which they’d managed to keep hidden from the GR, or they carried one of the AK-47s or a Tavor given to them by Tobias’ underground organization.
The procession continued for several hours. Thousands of feet trod across the place where the peacekeepers and the whiskey bottle fell. The blood and the smell of sour mash faded with each passing step.
“The first planes must be landing in Batumi by now.” Courtney stood vigilantly, guarding the passageway.
“Yeah, I hope everything is going this smoothly in Tel Aviv.” Everett tried to smile at as many people as possible who passed through the gate. He knew how hard it was to walk away from one’s home.
No sooner had he commented on the excellent progression of the plan than a series of three loud blasts rocked the city walls. Bright flashes lit up the sky from the direction of the Temple Mount. Shortly thereafter, the sound of rifle report rang out from the same bearing.
The peacekeeper’s radio came to life. “All gates, all gates, this is Command. Lockdown, I repeat, lock down the city! We are under attack! Suicide bombers have detonated three devices on the Temple Mount and multiple gunmen are firing into the crowd!
“All gates, report back to confirm that you are locked down. No one in or out.”
A different voice said, “New Gate, confirmed locked down. No activity on our side.”
“Harrod’s Gate, locked down. No activity,” called out yet another voice over the radio.
Everett pushed the talk key. “Zion Gate. Locked down. No activity.”
“Zion Gate, who is this?” Command came back.
Everett gritted his teeth. He came back with the name and rank that was on the uniform which Ali was wearing. “Corporal Brockwell.”
“Where is Sergeant Dean?”
Everett thought up a quick cover story. “He’s dealing with a drunk and disorderly, sir. We’ve had quite a bit of that at our post tonight.”
Command came back, “Tell him to cut the drunks loose and man that gate. We’ll send reinforcements when we can, but it could be a while. I’ve got to call in all off-duty personnel and get this situation contained.”
“Yes, sir.” Everett let go of the talk key, hoping that would do it.
“Think he bought it?” Courtney looked worried.
“I hope so.” Everett replied.
Gideon rushed toward the gate. “Start pulling all the armed Jews out of the line. We need them to be ready in case the Zion Gate is hit by MOC.” Gideon pointed at the narrow stairs that ascended to a walkway along the top of the wall. “Send twenty or thirty up the stairs so they can watch out over a distance.”
“GR Command is sending reinforcements to lock down all entrances into the city. We should have them watching in both directions,” said Everett.
Gideon looked up at the wall. “The parapet only provides cover for an attack coming from outside the city. If we get hit from inside, they’ll be totally exposed.”
“Then maybe we should only send up five or six. That way, if we’re attacked from the inside, they can get down quickly. If MOC hits us from outside, we can send up reinforcements.”
“Good thinking.” Gideon nodded.
More explosions rang out from inside the city wall. “Those sounded close!” Courtney tensed up, pushing the stock of her rifle into her armpit.
Everett pulled the former IDF soldiers out of the line as they passed by him. He sent the first five up the stairs as lookouts. The others, he directed to start forming squads on each side of the gate tower.
One of the watchmen yelled out from above. “Four white pickup trucks are charging toward the parking lot!”
“MOC!” Everett looked at Courtney. “Keep pulling the soldiers from the line. Send some of them out front to fight with Sarah and Ali.” Everett grabbed his duffle and raced up the stone staircase. He pointed at all the men on the right side of the gate. “Follow me!”
Everett dropped his duffle bag when he reached the top. He bent down and pulled out an M72 LAW rocket
and armed it. Machine gunfire peppered the top of the wall.
“Fifty-caliber! Second vehicle!” The former IDF fighter on Everett’s left took aim and began firing.
“Got him!” Everett took aim and deployed the rocket. BOOM! The second pickup rode a puff of flame ten feet into the air. The third vehicle lost control and flipped over on its side. The fourth maneuvered around the explosion and joined the first truck in continuing the assault.
MOC fighters fired indiscriminately into the crowd of Jews heading out of the Zion Gate toward the buses. The people below screamed in terror as several of them were shot down.
Everett popped back up and unleashed a barrage of rifle fire at the two pickups.
“RPG!” The IDF fighter on Everett’s right grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him to the ground.
Everett covered his head with his hands and closed his eyes. The rocket-propelled grenade exploded on the outside of the wall, only a few feet from where Everett sat curled up in a fetal position. As soon as the shaking ceased, Everett pulled out a second M72 rocket. He armed it, jumped up, and found his target. He squeezed the trigger, and the rocket flew like a bolt of lightning into the front MOC vehicle. BOOM! Only one pickup truck remained, but it was driving straight for the Zion Gate. Everett tossed the spent tube of the rocket aside and joined the other IDF soldiers in shooting at the charging vehicle. The truck careened into the pedestrians below, mowing down more than twenty before detonating into a massive fireball. BOOOOM!
The shock wave knocked Everett from his feet, tossing him against the metal guard rail behind him. He stood up and looked over the wall to take stock of the casualties. Bodies lay everywhere, littering the street below. “Sarah!” He grabbed his bag and rushed down the stairs.
When he got outside of the gate, Courtney was already kneeling by Sarah’s side. He put his finger on her neck to check for a pulse.
Courtney held her hand. “She’s gone, Everett. She’s with Jesus, and Kevin, and all the people from her group back in Tennessee that she always talked about.”