World War III

by Heath Jannusch

  Rupert immediately jumped out of the Hummer and demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”

  “What’s it look like,” answered Lieutenant Sawyer. “These prisoners have been found guilty of crimes against the United States of America and they’ve been sentenced to death.”

  “I was not aware of any trial,” argued Rupert.

  “Well,” the Lieutenant cleared his throat, “those were the orders that I was given.”

  “But they are evil orders,” countered Rupert. “If you were captured by the enemy, how would you feel if they sentenced you to death without cause or even the chance to defend yourself?”

  When the Lieutenant didn’t answer, Rupert continued, “Listen, I know you’re a good man and I know that you don’t want to go through with this. A wise man once said, ‘All that is needed for evil to prevail, is the indifference of good men.’ Please Lieutenant Sawyer I implore you, do not be indifferent to this evil act.”

  “I have my orders,” said the Lieutenant.

  “Yes, but they’re bad orders,” pressed Shiloh, “and deep down inside you know it to be true.”

  “If you don’t do it for them,” added Rupert, nodding towards the prisoners, “do it for yourself. Trust me, you don’t want to commit this crime and have it weighing on your conscience. I guarantee that if you do this it will haunt you for the rest of your life.”

  Savannah elbowed Mason, who had thus far remained quiet. “Say something,” she whispered.

  “Like what,” asked Mason, “I’m not the preacher type?”

  Savannah scowled at her husband, who looked away in shame.

  “Fine,” he said, realizing that she would never let it rest. “Lieutenant, if you continue on this course of action, not only will we withdraw our assistance in defending the mountain passes, but we’ll also evict you and your men from the comfort and protection of our town. Fire if you must, but do so knowing that it will prevent you from succeeding in the other objectives that you’ve been given. I’m sure if you were to ask your superiors which task is more important, killing these two prisoners or the defense of the border, they would order you to defend the border.”

  “Fine,” agreed Lt. Sawyer, after a moment of consideration. He was well aware of the fact that his objectives would be impossible to achieve without assistance from the town of Clearview and he did not relishing the idea of having to explain a mutiny to his superiors. “Return the prisoners to the jail men, we’ll deal with them another day.”

  Born Again

  World War III – Day Fifteen

  The Shooting Star, Pacific Ocean

  The Shooting Star glided through the dark, cold water, its small engine barely making a sound in the still night. When they were a few miles away from San Diego and the enemy fleet floating off the coast, Cleo killed the engine and with help from Lex, deployed the sails. The large, white canvas immediately filled with wind and the vessel lurched forward, traveling faster than it had with the engine running at full speed.

  “Can I help with anything?” Beth asked, sitting with Duke curled up next to her, his head resting on her lap.

  “No mom, we’ve got it under control,” answered Lex. He was worried about his mom’s health. She had a very high fever and he wasn’t sure what she was sick from.

  “Why don’t you go below and get warm love,” suggested Cleo. “There may even be some medicine in one of the cabinets.”

  “That’s a good idea,” agreed Beth, pulling her collar tight around her neck. The cold night air and moisture from the humidity, provided all of the wrong conditions for someone whose immune system was already compromised. “Come on Duke.”

  Followed by Duke, Beth descended the steps to the cabin below, when she was suddenly seized by a coughing. Lex cast a worried glance towards Cleo.

  “She’ll be alright,” said Cleo, trying to re-assure him.

  “God I hope so,” replied Lex.

  Beth had been gone for only a few seconds when she called out, “Lex, would you please come here!”

  “I’ll be right back,” said Lex, kissing Cleo on the cheek. He opened the hatch to the cabin below and climbed down the steps. “What is it mom? Do you need some help with...?”

  When Lex saw the muzzle of a gun pointed at him he froze where he was standing. Beth was sitting on a couch, her eyes wide with fear. She held tight to Duke’s collar, rubbing his head while trying to calm him. The dog growled and barred his teeth at the stranger holding the gun, but when he saw Lex he immediately calmed down and began wagging his tail.

  “Who are you?” asked Lex, keeping his hands where the stranger could see them.

  “The better question is who you are and why you’re on my boat?” asked Jesse.

  “My name is Lex and this is my mother, Beth.”

  “How many more are up top?”

  “Just one,” admitted Lex. “We don’t mean you any harm. We’re simply trying to escape the city without being seen. We had no idea this boat was occupied.”

  “Well now you do,” said Jesse. “Call the person on deck down here, and don’t try anything funny,” he added, pointing the gun at Beth, “or your mom gets one in the head!”

  “Cleo, will you please come down here?”

  A few seconds later Cleo appeared in the doorway. “Yes my love?” She immediately saw Jesse standing at the other end of the cabin, holding a gun pointed directly at her.

  “Have a seat,” said Jesse, waving both Lex and Cleo towards the couch where Beth sat with Duke beside her.

  “Who is this bloke?” Cleo asked, looking from Lex to Beth and back again.

  “Apparently he’s the owner of this vessel,” said Beth. “And so far he isn’t being very hospitable.”

  “Hospitable?” said Jesse, repeating the word as if it was a joke. “I’m not the one who stole your boat!”

  “Listen,” said Lex, trying to avoid an argument, “you’re right. We shouldn’t have just assumed the boat was empty. But please try to understand that it was the closest boat in the marina and we were in an awful hurry to leave. I’m sorry we took your boat without permission, but we’re all in this together, and if we work together, I believe we’ll survive this ordeal. What’s your name?”

  “Jesse.”

  “It’s nice to meet you Jesse,” said Lex. “Are you alone?”

  Jesse hesitated for a moment, trying to decide if he could trust these people. “No,” he said, slowly lowering the gun in his hand.

  “Who’s with you?” Lex asked, glancing around the small confines of the cabin.

  “It’s alright baby. You can come out now,” said Jesse, speaking to someone behind him.

  The door to the master cabin slowly creaked open and standing in the doorway was Jillian. The couple appeared odd, dressed in sailing outfits that clearly didn’t belong to them. The pants Jesse wore were too short, and the shirt skin tight. Jillian on the other hand, wore an outfit that was several sizes too large for her small frame. The baggy clothing made her look like a child wearing adult’s clothes.

  “Hello,” said Lex.

  “Hi,” replied Jillian, still unsure as to whether the strangers were friend or foe.

  “How long have you two been hiding here?” Cleo asked.

  “Almost two weeks now,” answered Jesse. “We’re beginning to run low on food.”

  “I’m so sick of eating canned beans,” confessed Jillian. “And talk about cabin fever, we haven’t been up top since we arrived.”

  “You poor dear,” said Beth. “The two of you must be starved for a good meal and a little sunlight.”

  “I know I am,” agreed Jillian. “I can’t wait to get off this boat!”

  “It hasn’t been that bad, has it?” Jesse asked, casting a wink toward Jillian.

  “I suppose not,” she giggled, returning his wink with a smile. “It would have been a lot worse without you here to keep me company.”

  Beth began coughing uncontrollably and Lex immediately wrapped his arm around hi
s mother’s frail shoulders. “I don’t suppose you guys have any medicine onboard?”

  “Just some Tylenol and Ibuprofen,” said Jesse. “Why? Is your mom sick?”

  “Yes,” answered Lex, “but we’re not sure what with.”

  “Here you go,” said Jillian, reaching into a cabinet and withdrawing two small bottles full of pills. “Take two of each and call me in the morning,” she added, handing Beth a bottle of water.

  “She’d make a good nurse,” said Jesse, pointing to the cut on his bicep where she’d stitched him up.

  “How did you come by that?” Lex asked.

  “I got into a scuffle with one of those damned Russians,” said Jesse, gently rubbing his wounded arm.

  “He got you with a knife did he?” asked Lex, observing the jagged cut.

  “Yep,” answered Jesse. “But he won’t be knifing anybody ever again.”

  “You killed him then?” Cleo asked.

  “He sure did,” replied Jillian, full of pride. “My man is the toughest soldier in the Marines.”

  “You’re a Marine?” Lex asked, glad to have another fighting man join their ranks.

  “I am,” answered Jesse. “Or at least I was. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of my platoon since the invasion. As far as I know they were all killed on the beach during the first assault.”

  “Wow! I’ll bet that was some intense fighting,” said Cleo.

  “You’ve no idea,” replied Jesse, remembering the carnage. “The enemy had these super soldiers who were stronger than any man I’ve ever seen. Bullets seemed to merely bounce off of them, as they stormed the beach on a killing spree.”

  “How many of these, super soldiers, were there?” Lex asked.

  “There were at least a few dozen. I can’t really be sure,” admitted Jesse.

  “Would it be alright if I return to the helm and make sure that we don’t sail into a reef or something?” Cleo asked, glancing down at the gun in Jesse’s hand.

  “Of course,” said Jesse, tucking the gun behind his belt. “Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “No worries mate, I’d of done the same thing myself.” Cleo stood up and gently squeezed Lex’s hand, before climbing the stairs to the deck and assuming her position at the helm.

  “Are the Australians on our side?” Jesse asked, looking after Cleo.

  “I’ve no idea,” laughed Lex. “She isn’t a soldier.”

  “Oh,” replied Jesse. “I just figured with the accent and all. So where are we headed? I can see the coast out the starboard window so I know we’re headed north, but where exactly?”

  “I’m not really sure,” admitted Lex. “Right now we’re trying to put as much distance as possible between us and the enemy fleet. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “I think our best bet is to find a place where we can go ashore, and then head as far inland as possible. The enemy seems to be swarming up and down the coast.”

  “I agree,” said Lex. “We also need to find some medicine for my mom.”

  “And some more food,” added Jillian, reminding everyone of her distaste for eating beans again.

  “I’ll be alright,” said Beth, as another coughing fit seized her.

  “You need medicine mom and lots of rest, and you’re going to get it.”

  “Why don’t you lay down on the bed in the master cabin,” suggested Jillian, reaching out and taking Beth’s arm to help her stand. The boat pitched back and forth, as Jillian guided Beth to the master cabin. Duke followed close behind. She returned a moment later and closed the door behind her.

  “Thank you,” said Lex.

  “Sure,” replied Jillian, “no problem. Are you guy’s hungry?”

  “I could eat,” confessed Lex.

  “Me too,” agreed Jesse.

  “I’m on it,” said Jillian, as she began rummaging through the cabinets, searching for some food to prepare.

  After the group had eaten, Lex took a plate of food to Beth, who was still sleeping soundly in the master cabin. He stared down at his mother’s weak body and listened to her haggard breathing. He could see beads of sweat on her forehead, even though the rest of her body was shivering uncontrollably. The illness that she’d been infected with in the FEMA camp was getting worse. Lex’s heart felt heavy with worry. He gently rested his hand on her forehead and was surprised at how hot she felt. He could tell she had a fever without even taking her temperature.

  The excitement had taken its toll on his mother and she needed as much rest as possible. So Lex decided to let her sleep. After pulling the blankets up around Beth’s shoulders, he turned to face Duke. “Stay here boy and keep an eye on her,” he whispered. The dog wagged his tail at the sound of his name and lied down next to Beth’s bed, resting his head on his paws. Lex set the plate of food on the nightstand next to Beth and tip-toed out of the room, closing the door behind him.

  “How is she?” Cleo asked, eating the meal that Jillian had prepared, while Jesse took a shift at the helm.

  “Not good,” replied Lex. “If she doesn’t get some medicine soon she isn’t going to make it.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Find some medicine.”

  “Yes, but what kind of medicine? We don’t even know what she’s sick with?”

  “I wish we had a doctor onboard,” mumbled Lex, before climbing the steps to the upper deck. He headed toward the bow of the boat and sat down.

  The repetitive sound of waves sloshing against the hull was relaxing, as the ship sliced through the dark, cold water. Mist sprayed Lex in the face, leaving his lips moist and salty. He glanced up at the sky and the moon above, which still appeared blood red. The same ominous color it had been on the day of The Vanishing. Staring up at the heavens, Lex took a deep breath. He couldn’t remember a night when the stars shined so brilliant. The sky looked like a dark, blue blanket, speckled in shiny glitter and the moon was so bright, he could see its eerie reflection on the surface of the ocean.

  Beth was the only family that Lex had left and he couldn’t bear the thought of losing her. His thoughts tormented him about what might happen if they didn’t find medicine, when he remembered something that Shiloh had once said.

  ‘Worrying about something is like sitting in a rocking chair, it keeps you busy moving, but doesn’t actually get you anywhere.’

  Of course it was hard not to worry when someone Lex loved so dearly was sick, and possibly dying. He thought of Rupert’s words during one of his sermons.

  ‘Just like any father, God loves it when His children confide in Him. Whenever you feel troubled about something, give it to the Almighty. He’ll always have the solution long before we’re even aware there’s a problem. If you quit trying to control your life and instead give it over to the Lord, He will always steer you in the right direction.’

  Lex had witnessed God’s miracle in his friend Shiloh. After losing his family in a car accident, Shiloh turned his back on God, becoming bitter and full of rage. It wasn’t until he’d received a vision from the Lord that his attitude changed forever. In one fell swoop, God gave Shiloh’s soul peace and provided him with the strength he’d need to go on. His hatred and sorrow evaporated overnight, replaced with love and compassion. Once Shiloh made the decision to give his life to the Lord, miraculous things began to happen. Not only did he become happier, but it seemed as though the Lord Himself was protecting him.

  Lex had seen firsthand the bullet riddled clothes that Shiloh had worn during the battle with the Enlightened Ones. There must have been at least twenty bullet holes, with over ten in the chest, yet God protected him. If Lex had not seen the encounter with his own eyes, he never would’ve believed it. He gently rubbed his shoulder where he’d been shot during the same battle and wondered if he would’ve survived the fight unscathed, had he been right with God.

  Lex bowed his head and said, “Lord, I know I haven’t lived my life the way you want me to and I realize I’m not worthy of your absolution, but p
lease Lord, give me another chance. I know I can change and become the man you would have me be. I promise Lord, here and now, to live my life for your glory. Just please, please save my mother and heal her illness. I believe in you and trust you with all my heart and soul. Give me a sign Lord, show me what to do. I want you in my life. I need you in my life. Please God, help me be a better man.”

  Lex was so consumed with his prayer he didn’t notice Cleo standing behind him, listening. Not wishing to interrupt his conversation with God, she waited to speak until he’d finished praying. “Found God did ya? Does that mean you’re bloody born again or something?”

  “I don’t really know what it means,” answered Lex. “I’m pretty new at all of this.”

  “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop love, but I couldn’t help but overhear what you said,” Cleo softly whispered, as she sat down next to Lex, her legs dangling over the side of the boat. “I know you’re worried about your mum, but I have an idea.”

  “Yeah, what is it?” asked Lex, his heart surging with hope.

  “Before we left Clearview, Mason gave me a satellite phone to be used in case of an emergency,” said Cleo. “I was thinking we could call home and talk to Dr. July. Perhaps if we described the symptoms, he could diagnose the illness and tell us what kind of medicine she needs?”

  “That’s a great idea,” cheered Lex. “I love you Cleopatra!” The words escaped from his lips before he realized what he was saying.

  Mesmerized by his sparkling blue eyes, Cleo blushed and smiled, not sure what to say. Although she liked the thought of Lex loving her, she wasn’t sure if he’d said the words intentionally or if they had just slipped out in all of the excitement. “The phone is below deck,” she said, deciding not to make a big deal out of it. “I’ll go and get it.”

  “Thanks,” said Lex, as Cleo stood up and left to retrieve the satellite phone.