When Father John led Paul into the sanctuary accompanied by Vladimir, the anxious crowd became suddenly silent. He looked out over his audience; he had an equal mix of men and women, mostly over 40. There were few teens, but numerous young couples. The elderly held the greatest numbers. Probably a third of them were over 60. Father John introduced Paul as King Paul Verron from the Nation of Verron. You could have heard a pin drop in the small sanctuary. He noticed looks of satisfaction when he stepped forward and in perfect Russian with a touch of a St. Petersburg accent, began, “My name is Paul Verron. I am honored by your presence here tonight. I made a lot of promises to Father John and Vladimir. I have also made a lot of promises to billions of others. I don’t plan to let any of you down. I want for you what you want for yourself; good health, a good job, a safe and pleasant place to live, free from oppression and fear, good educations for your children, and freedom to worship your God the way He desires to be worshiped, not the way some government says you can. I want for each of you to wake every morning looking forward to what awaits you and to go to bed each night knowing you somehow made a difference. I want all of you to live long, productive and meaningful lives. The Nation of Verron has more opportunities than anyplace in the universe and incredible potential for meeting the needs of millions. I need good people. I don’t have time to babysit the lazy or those looking for a handout. Verron has no unemployment, no crime, no drug problem, no alcoholism, no sickness and no disabled. We have technology that can cure virtually any disease, grow back a severed limb and repair a victim of a stroke or heart attack, this is what I come to offer to everyone in this room and any that are willing to come with you. After I cure your illnesses, rejuvenate your elderly and spend a few days showing each of you what Verron has to offer, I need you to recruit others. I need farmers, miners, construction workers, ship builders, chemists, aeronautical manufacturers and soldiers. What I don’t need are freeloaders, politicians, drug addicts, criminals or any kind of trouble maker. If after you have been shown what Verron has to offer you decide to take my free gift of healing and rejuvenation and return to Russia, you will be free to do so but I hope you will decide to make Verron your home and convince others to do the same. But let me make it perfectly clear. Verron is a Christian Nation; all our laws are founded on Christian principles. Everyone living there must be either a Christian or willing to live by the moral values of a Christian Nation. No other religion will be tolerated. They will never be persecuted, simply sent back to their home country. There will be one race of humans, no Islam, Buddhism or other recognized religions. There will be a death penalty for murder, rape, child molestation, drug manufacturing and distribution; beer and wine will be legal, but alcohol is considered a drug; treason and espionage will be included as well.
Now, here’s the part that will be harder to believe; Verron is approximately 30,000 light years from Earth. The planet is three times the size of Earth and has more untapped natural resources than anyplace in the known universe. Our technology is thousands of years ahead of Earths; even Russia’s. There are spaceships, flying cars, unbelievable military weapons, and yes, we actually have alien life forms that are part of our society. I could never do justice in a verbal description; it must be seen to be believed. Father John and Vladimir will pick a place where I will meet you in two days. I will personally transport you to Verron at that time and any who wish to go with you.”
Just as Paul was finishing, his voice was drowned-out by a bull-horn being used outside the church. A loud and commanding voice saying, “This is Major Petrovich of the FSB. You are conducting an unauthorized meeting, and are committing an act of subversion and I hereby order you to come out with your hands over your heads to be escorted to Federal Security Services for interrogation. It is reported you are harboring a fugitive Paul Von Heis who is wanted for assault on Russian Security Officers and espionage. You have 2 minutes before we will force you out” The crowd began to stir, trying to figure a way out of the situation, knowing that being here could cost them their jobs, their homes and even their freedom. Paul was not about to let that happen. He stepped off the low platform used by the clergy and began to push his way through the crowd followed by Vladimir. Father John was attempting to quiet the anxious crowd. When Paul reached the heavy wooden sanctuary door, he turned and told Vladimir, “Stay inside. I don’t want any of you to be seen. I’ll talk some sense into them.” Paul stepped through the doors with his long leather coat open and flying in the breeze, to face no less than 90 Russian soldiers armed with AK-47s, two GAZ-3937 Light Armored Vehicles with 7.62mm Machine Guns and one BTR-80 Armored Personnel Carrier with a 30mm 2A42 Auto Cannon. He pushed the door closed and immediately took control of the situation, saying, “All this for me? I am Paul Von Heis and what you say about me is a lie and a report from bullies and cowards. There is nothing subversive about this meeting, so I would strongly suggest you turn your troops around and go home.”
The look on Major Petrovich was the face of a man not used to being told what to do by people he was pointing a gun at. The soldiers did not seem amused either. He continued, “The people inside this building are there because I asked them to be. They have done nothing wrong. They only listened to what I had to say. I will not allow you to detain them or hurt them in any way, they are under my protection, so once again I will ask you nicely, go home.” The infuriated Major yelled an angry command to his troops and their weapons were raised and aimed at him. The Major told Paul, “Enough talk, now come forward with your hands above your head and we will continue what we came here for.” Paul smiled and said, “That’s not likely to happen.” Then he pointed at the soldiers and said, “I can’t believe you people are such cowards that you need all that just to break up a church service.” Once again the Major yelled an order. Paul saw the 30mm Cannon on top of the APC aiming directly at the church’s front door. He again spoke, “You fire one single shot and it will be the last day of your miserable little life. I’ve warned you, so when you all die, it’s completely on you Major.”
“FIRE!” In the fraction of a second it took before the Major’s command could be obeyed, Paul unleashed two balls of thermal energy so intense that if he hadn’t shielded himself and the church they would have been incinerated. In a flash of light so bright that it almost looked like a nuclear explosion, 92 soldiers and three military vehicles were left in nothing but pools of melted steel, everything that could burn was completely incinerated, nothing but ashes blown away in the wind. There was a pool of melted metal where each soldier had stood mere seconds before with his rifle. Fortunately the church sat alone on the edge of town, but the iron fence that surrounded the cemetery across the street was deformed beyond repair. And a few parked cars were no more than scrap. Paul had contained the damage as much as possible, but the intense heat had done damage to trees, vehicles and buildings as far as 200 feet away. He could see people in the distance looking out windows or gathered in the street to see what had happened. He turned and reentered the sanctuary to face Vladimir holding a 9mm Makarov in his hand. He commented, “I don’t think you’ll need that.” Vladimir holstered the gun under his jacket. Paul stood at the rear of the sanctuary and announced, “I believe it is safe for everyone to go home now. If you were parked in front of the building, I’m afraid your cars have been destroyed. Let Father John or Vladimir know what you had and I will personally replace it. I’d suggest you leave by the back doors; things are still a little hot out front. I’ll see you in two days. I doubt you’ll have much trouble from the FSB; they’ll be too busy looking for me. Thank you for your time, I look forward to seeing you again soon.”
Few of the people present owned cars, but four of the men who had parked in front of the church on the street headed immediately for the front door. Vladimir allowed one at a time to look out the door at the devastation that had taken place moments before. They were shocked by what they saw. One man cried over his ruined Volga. He had waited 2 years to get one and had only had it for a few m
onths. Paul let him know once again that it would be replaced with a flying transport if he decides to stay on Verron and a replacement vehicle if he chose to stay in Russia. The church grounds emptied slowly, everyone had to take a look at the melted vehicles and deformed metal on the street; light poles, street signs, manhole covers, even the gutters on surrounding buildings were deformed from the intense heat. When the last person left for the safety of home, Vladimir turned to Paul and claimed, “I saw what you did. I have no idea how you did it. Was there a drone overhead that fired on the troops?” Paul looked at this confused Russian and answered, “You saw what you saw; there was no drone, only me. I really can’t explain, but just understand that I am not like everyone else.” Vladimir smiled and as he replied, “You are also a master of understatement. Can everyone on Verron do what you did?” He saw no reason to lie and told him, “Only a few very carefully chosen and trained by me. It is far too dangerous an ability to trust to just anyone. I and my Dragon Guard have vowed to protect and defend those who are weaker than us and to use this ability to defend ourselves and protect others, never to use it for selfish gain or just to enforce our will.”
Father John walked up about then and Vladimir told his old friend, “John, you must leave now and not wait for two days. The FSB do not have positive IDs on me and the others, but they know you live here and were responsible for the crowd. They will blame you for this.” He turned to Paul, “Can you take him to Verron now and return for the rest later?” Paul looked at the two old friends, and said, “John, let’s go get you a new leg. Pack whatever you need, I have no doubt they will go through your things in the rectory very soon.” Vladimir and John didn’t take long to pack up John’s possessions. His vow of poverty was pretty obvious. Everything he owned fit in two small worn-out suitcases. Paul picked-up one of John’s prized possessions, a photo of a 24 man Army unit, probably taken in Afghanistan. Even with a picture 40 years old he could identify a young Father John and Vladimir. “Spetsnaz.” John said over Paul’s shoulder as he was looking at the photo. He and Vladimir both pulled up their sleeves to show matching Spetsnaz tattoos. Vladimir told Paul, “Afghanistan 1982, 154th Spetsnaz assigned to KBG. That’s where John lost his leg, saving my life. I was Captain he was sergeant.” Paul now understood the bond between these two men. He slapped Paul on the back, saying “We could have used you back then.” He gave John a hug and told Paul to take care of his friend. Paul nodded, “Where do I meet you?” Vladimir pulled a map from his inside coat pocket showing Paul a large warehouse on the Oka River, telling Paul, “It’s empty and no one goes near it. Same time, day after tomorrow.” Paul shook his hand and escorted Father John back to Verron.
As Paul and Father John stepped through the gateway onto the transport deck of the Medical Center, Paul told him, “We have done regenerations on a lot of American Veterans who now call Verron home, you are our first Russian, but I have no doubt you will not be our last. Let me introduce you to my brother.” Paul escorted Father John to the Administrative Offices of Dr. Joe Verron, introduced Father John and left him in his brother’s capable hands. After he had left, Father John, with tears in his eyes, asked, “Will I really have a new leg?” Joe patted him on the shoulder and informed him, “You can bet on it, and you’ll be in better shape than you were when you were 30. It’s a shame you’re a priest, the women will be all over you.” Father John smiled and replied, “You do not know your religions very well. I am Orthodox, our priest can marry and if she comes to Verron I know just the woman. We do not often have a chance to live our lives over again; I believe I will do many things differently.” Father John looked puzzled for a moment then asked, “You and your brother both speak excellent Russian. Does everyone here speak Russian?” Joe answered, “My brother has declared English to be the primary language of Verron, but you will find that everyone you deal with in medical and in-processing will speak Russian. Paul insisted that we speak several languages. He’ll have you speaking fluent English in no time. We have special ways of learning that make it much easier. I already speak Russian, Polish, German, French, Xhondarian, Cronari, Norwegian and Italian. Paul speaks these and two or three dozen more.” John looked puzzled and asked, “Xhondarian, Cronari; are those the dialects of the two I saw in the hanger?” Joe smiled, saying, “Little guy and a really big guy?” John nodded his yes. Joe informed him, “The little guy has just been named Pavel Verron, he has no native language, since for several hundred years he was the only intelligent being on Verron; he has adopted Cronari for his primary language. The big guy actually speaks Klelta, Xhondarian and has recently learned English.” John shook his head, and asked, “Are you telling me there are other nations besides Verron?” In answer, Joe informed him, “I was just like the rest of Earth, naively thinking we were the only intelligent life in the Universe. Paul is constantly pointing out that his God is a lot bigger than that and it’s foolish to believe He created the entire universe but only created life on one tiny little planet. Verron has, at this time, five planets that are allies of this Nation and they number about 74 billion in combined population. Soon the people of those planets will be visiting each other. We already have Klelta, Tecalna, Xhondarian and Earthlings living on this planet. There is never a dull moment.” They reached the rejuvenation/regeneration department and Rebecca Austin smiled her warm smile and asked in perfect Russian, “Father John, we are ready for you. You’ll be the first of many from your country. Welcome to Verron.”
While Joe was taking care of Father John, Paul was back in the executive offices under Mountain City having a meeting with General Zarman, Colonel Hall, Zimuel and Lucy. While he was relating the incidents back in Afonino to his most trusted advisors, he had Lucy monitoring their secure communications going out over satellite and internet. No doubt they were missing some interesting landline telephone calls, but they were getting plenty enough to know that Paul had opened a big can of worms, which was Paul’s definition of what he had done. General Z had a different description, “Verron, you really do know how to choose your enemies. The United States has managed to avoid an all-out war with Russia ever since WWII, and you’ve managed to commit an act of war all by your little ole self, in just one short afternoon.” There was no satellite coverage by Lucy and her drones, but she did manage to get a satellite image of the aftermath, and digital photographs being spread all over the web by Russian citizens and news agencies who had taken photos before the area was locked down by the Russian Army. She also picked-up the reports being sent out by the FSB and Military investigators. At the moment it was being declared internally as an act of terrorism committed by a radical faction of the Orthodox Church and lead by Father John Aristov and a German Citizen, Paul Von Heis. INTERPOL had been put on full alert and photos were being spread throughout Russia and the rest of Europe as the manhunt for these two men escalated. Colonel Justice Hall joked, “I wonder how that’s working out for them?”
Paul then informed his team that he had to go back in two days and get the others who were there. His concern was now for the local Russian’s who may end up suffering simply for attending the meeting. He had no doubt that some were already being informed on by ‘patriotic’ neighbors. “Lucy, can you monitor local FSB and Police activity? I want to know of any arrests and where they are taken. Things are going to get hot in Nizhny Novgorod” Paul asked, as he listened to the other APBs and radio traffic. He added, “I want at least three of our stealth drones overhead to give us more detailed feedback.”
General Zarman proclaimed, “Well that’s going to make it almost impossible to continue recruiting Russians. Where else do you think we should try?” Paul sat down and thought a moment then replied, “Gentlemen, I am not going to leave these people to fend for themselves, and I am not going to be deterred by a gang of bullies that call themselves Federal Security. I have made a decision to populate Verron with people from Russia. I have made promises to hundreds of their citizens. I have no intention of changing my plans or breaking promises.
I instead intend to beat them at their own game. Their entire power base is founded on intimidation and threats of violence; I intend to do the same thing to them. I will make it perfectly clear to their government that I am going to openly recruit their citizens, and that the consequences of trying to stop me will result in more of what they just experienced. Lucy, give me a holographic map of the warehouse and surrounding area.” In a few minutes the map appeared in the middle of the conference table. Paul smiled, “Lucy, do you already have those drones in place?” Her answer was so matter of fact it made Justice laugh, when she replied, “You did ask for them.” He thought a moment and asked, “Is there one over the church?” A picture appeared on the large wall mounted monitor. The clarity was much better than previous images, Justice asked, “What did you use, thermal grenades?” Paul smiled and answered, “Sort of, but with a little more focused explosive pattern.” General Z commented, “I didn’t know we had anything like that.” Paul, getting frustrated with the direction of the conversation, decided to settle the issue, he told them; “I was unarmed. I am capable of creating plasma, thermals, even nukes if I so desire. I probably should have used something less destructive, but I decided to use a greater force than they used to drive home the point that there is a consequence for standing against Verron. They use a knife; we use a gun; they use a gun; we use a cannon … you get the picture.” Justice asked, “Can my two do that?” Paul patted him on the back as he rose to take a closer look at the warehouse district and reminded him, “I wouldn’t try grounding them for staying out too late if I were you.” Then added, “Just between us in this room, every one of the Dragon Guard can now do what I do to some degree or another. Their talents vary, but all are very capable. They will make great leaders.” No one disagreed.
Verron_Birth of a Nation Page 68