World War III

by Heath Jannusch

  “Don’t worry,” Shiloh said softly, “I’ll take good care of him.”

  “Well if he’s going, then I’m going,” said Cole, stepping forward. “By the way dude, which group are we with?” he asked, whispering into Billy’s ear.

  In the end it was decided Shiloh and Ian would lead the group rescuing the American prisoners, while Mason and Cleo led the group rescuing Lex. Knowing it would take his men longer to get into position, Lt. Sawyer dismissed himself and headed up the mountain with his company of Marines. The men who’d volunteered hurried home to gather supplies and ammunition, and kiss their loved ones goodbye.

  “Hurry back men,” Ian called out after them, “we only have a few hours until sunrise!”

  “Hey guys,” said Cole, speaking softly, so only Shiloh and Ian could hear. He’d waited till almost everyone else had left. “I don’t suppose you could talk him out of going?” Cole glanced at his younger cousin. Billy and Dakota were standing off to the side, holding hands and kissing.

  “I doubt he’ll listen to us,” replied Ian. “He’s young and naive. Like most boys his age he thinks he’s invincible.”

  “Can’t you at least try bro?” pleaded Cole. “He doesn’t know what he’s getting into and I’m afraid he’s gonna get himself killed.”

  “What would you have me do, arrest him?”

  “I think that’s exactly what he has in mind,” replied Shiloh.

  “Something like that,” admitted Cole, feeling a little ashamed. “He’s only going because he thinks he needs to prove something. He feels responsible for the prisoners escaping.”

  “I can’t arrest him for volunteering,” said Ian. “Heck I’m not even the law. I’m just filling in until the town elect’s someone to replace Sheriff Garrett.”

  Cole dropped his head in defeat.

  “Don’t worry,” smiled Shiloh. “I had a dream about this mission last night and Billy was fine.”

  “Thanks bro,” said Cole, a flicker of hope illuminating his eyes. “If this dream is anything like your last vision, I’ve got nothing to worry about.” He turned and strolled away, headed towards Billy and Dakota.

  “Did you really have another vision?” asked Ian, when Cole was out of earshot.

  “I wouldn’t call it a vision,” replied Shiloh, “just a dream.”

  “And did you really see Billy in the dream?”

  “I did. In the dream I saved his life.”

  “Was I in the dream?”

  “Not that I remember, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t there.”

  “You and your visions,” teased Ian.

  “Excuse me gentlemen,” greeted Lt. Colonel Kye Williams, as he approached the two men, using the crutch Dr. July had provided. “I heard about the rescue mission and was wondering if I could be of any assistance?”

  “I don’t see how you’d be much help,” said Ian, glancing skeptically at Kye’s crutch and his sprained ankle.

  “We lost our Sheriff,” said Shiloh. “Ian’s been filling in, but he’s coming with me. Would you mind assuming the role until we get back?”

  “Not at all,” said Kye, accepting the keys to the jailhouse Ian handed him. He hated feeling useless and was glad to help. “Did I hear you gentlemen talking about visions?” he asked, looking from one man to the other.

  “Oh, yeah,” said Ian, grinning. “A while back Shiloh had a vision our town was going to be attacked by a raiding party, known as the Enlightened Ones.”

  “I remember hearing about gang. And the attack happened?” asked Kye, more curious than ever.

  “It sure did,” said Ian, “and just like Shiloh said it would, giant and all.”

  “A giant?” asked Kye doubtfully, repeating the word as if he didn’t believe.

  “Damn straight,” said Ian. “I saw the creature with my own eyes. Craziest thing I’ve ever seen!”

  “What happened?”

  “Shiloh challenged him to a fight, winner take all.”

  Kye glanced at Shiloh and sized him up, as if looking at him for the first time. “And you defeated this, so-called giant?”

  “He’s standing here isn’t he,” exclaimed Ian, slapping his friend on the back.

  “I wish I could have seen the encounter,” admitted Kye. “Have you had any other visions?”

  “Just the one,” replied Shiloh, “and of course the dream I had last night, but that was different.”

  “That’s not all,” added Ian. “Tell him about the rest of your vision.”

  “There’s more?” asked Kye.

  “I saw a man,” said Shiloh, thinking back on his vision from almost a month ago. “He unites the World under one banner in the name of peace.”

  “Well that sounds pretty good,” said Kye.

  “Many people flock to his banner,” continued Shiloh, “drawn by his charm and intoxicating personality, but in the end he forces them into slavery and makes them worship him as a god.”

  “Sounds creepy,” observed Kye.

  “Yeah,” agreed Ian, “but it gets even weirder.”

  “Why, what happens next?”

  “Death,” answered Shiloh, “death like the world has never seen.”

  “But millions have already died,” pointed out Kye, “with countless more to follow. Where is this alluring man, if he truly does exist?”

  “I believe the war we’re fighting now is paving the way for his arrival. He’ll be revealed soon,” said Shiloh, “of that I’m sure. He’ll bring an end to the war, by convincing Israel to sign a Seven Year Peace Treaty.”

  “But the whole world is at war,” replied Kye. “That would have to be one hell of a Peace Treaty. And why would peace hinge upon Israel’s consent? What about the United States and the rest of the world?”

  “Every country will sign the treaty,” replied Shiloh, “but without Israel’s consent there can be no peace. The United States is supposed to be the world’s largest super-power, yet look around, we’re surround by our enemies. We’re outmanned and outgunned, it’s only a matter of time before we’re overrun. Heck, we can’t even keep the power running. In a matter of months we’ve been reduced to a third world country. Whereas the Israeli’s have systematically destroyed every military whose come against them. Their enemies are on the run and they’ve reclaimed territory promised to them by God. I believe God has abandoned the Unites States, just as we turned our backs on him.”

  “What territory did God promise to the Jews?” asked Kye.

  “In Genesis chapter 15, verse 18, God tells Abraham, ‘To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.’ After being attacked from every direction Israel has struck back ferociously. Their borders have swelled from the Nile River, in the west, to the Euphrates River, in the east. The same exact territory described in the Bible. They can’t be stopped, not with God on their side.”

  “Tell him about the genocide and mass executions,” exclaimed Ian.

  “Yeah,” agreed Kye, “tell me about that.”

  “In my vision I saw millions of people slaughtered for their faith,” explained Shiloh. “Christians who refused to denounce Christ were rounded up and beheaded. The government used guillotines, just like the ones used in the French Revolution.”

  “Was that how the dream ended?”

  “No. In my vision I saw the same charismatic man leading an army two hundred million strong.”

  “That’s impossible,” declared Kye, “no army of such magnitude exists.”

  “Perhaps not yet,” agreed Shiloh, “but it will.”

  “Heck,” said Ian, “China alone could field an army of that size.”

  “So where does this demonic ruler lead his huge army?” asked Kye. “Is he attacking Israel?”

  “Not exactly,” replied Shiloh. “Three and a half years into the Peace Treaty he declares war on the Jews and begins hunting them. At the end of the Tribulation, he leads his army to the Valley of Armageddon to do battle with God. The entire ar
my is annihilated in the second coming of Jesus Christ.”

  “Wow! What a vision,” said Kye.

  “Ready to go?” asked Cleo anxiously, jumping from the Hummer, as Mason pulled to a stop in front of the jailhouse.

  “Everyone is here and accounted for,” said Ian, sensing her urgency.

  “Then let’s go,” she said, climbing back into the Hummer.

  “You heard the lady,” shouted Ian. “Mount up!”

  The volunteers climbed into their vehicles and lined up behind the Hummer. Shiloh and Ian took the lead, riding in Shiloh’s old Chevy. It took almost an hour to get to the top of Kingsbury Grade, where they parked and concealed the vehicles, before continuing on foot. When the lights of South Lake Tahoe were in sight, the group stopped and bunched together.

  “Everyone knows what to do,” whispered Shiloh. “Stick to the plan and this may just work. Remember, everything starts at sunrise so make sure you’re in position and ready. We’ll rendezvous at the vehicles and head back to Clearview together.”

  “Good luck,” said Mason, shaking Shiloh’s hand, followed by Ian’s.

  “You too,” whispered Shiloh. He smiled at Cleo reassuringly.

  Mason and Cleo turned as one and disappeared into the dark, with three men from Clearview following close behind.

  “Alright,” said Shiloh, looking at the remainder of the men, “let’s go!”

  He led them down the mountain and into town, darting in and out of shadows as they went. The American prison camp was located at Camp Richardson and enclosed by a chain-link fence on three sides, with the fourth facing the water. Several prisoners had tried to brave the waters in an effort to escape. Some suffered from hypothermia and drown, others were shot dead by the guards patrolling the camp.

  “There’s more guards than I remember,” said Shiloh, counting the soldiers patrolling the prison camp.

  “I’ve got an idea,” said Ian, pointing at a nearby dock with a small shack and a sign that read, Boats for Rent.

  Shiloh nodded in agreement and quietly led the group to the shack. “Everyone inside,” he whispered, after Ian broke the lock and swung the door open. “How many prisoners do you think there are?”

  “Upwards of a hundred, based on my count,” replied Ian.

  “And how many people do those pontoon boats hold?”

  “Twelve comfortably, but I’m sure we can squeeze twice that number,” said Ian.

  “That means we’re gonna need at least six boats to get everyone,” mumbled Shiloh, thinking out loud.

  “Good,” said Lenny DeLuca, as he looked around the room and counted the seven volunteers on his hands, “then Richie and I can ride together.”

  “The hell you say,” Ian hissed, “we’re splitting the two of you up no matter what.”

  “I think Billy should ride with me,” said Shiloh. He noticed Cole cast a worried glance toward his cousin.

  “Okay,” said Billy, glad to get away from his older cousin, who was constantly playing wet nurse.

  “Here,” said Shiloh, handing each man a set of keys. “Once all hell breaks loose, I want each of you to steer your boat in as close as you can to the beach where the prisoners are being kept. There’s only room for two boats at a time, so Cole, you and Lenny go in first. Then Ian and Richie. Billy and I will go in last to pick up the remainder.”

  “What about me?” Asked old man Sampson.

  Christopher Sampson owned the hardware store in Clearview and having been born during the early days of World War II, was in his late seventies. After losing his father in the Battle of the Bulge, young Sampson dedicated his life to military conquest. He lied about his age and enlisted in the army at sixteen, fighting in dozens of wars including Korea and Vietnam. Despite his age, the old man was strong and quick on his feet.

  “You’ll go in the last wave with me and Billy. I’d like to keep the youngest and oldest where I can see them,” added Shiloh, winking at Billy.

  “Who you calling old,” spat Sampson.

  “He’s right,” teased Ian, “someone should be there just in case you have a heart attack old man.”

  “I’m touched,” chuckled Sampson, “but I’ve seen more war and combat than the rest of you combined.”

  “That’s true,” agreed Shiloh. “With age comes wisdom and you’re far more experienced when it comes to war. Do you have any suggestions?”

  “Flattery will get everywhere,” smiled Sampson. “And yes, I do have a suggestion. Those guards might not notice the first two boats with Sawyer’s troops firing at them from the mountains, but they’re bound to notice the rest of us. And when they do we’ll be sitting ducks.”

  “What would you recommend?” asked Ian.

  “Ya see that gas station over yonder,” said Sampson, chewing on a chunk of tobacco.

  Shiloh and Ian nodded.

  “I propose one of us sneak down there and blow the thing sky high, but not until after the second set of pontoon boats has moved into position.”

  “But that would mean walking through town, right out in the open,” said Ian.

  “It’d also mean separating from Billy,” mumbled Shiloh, remembering his dream.

  “I’ll be fine,” argued Billy.

  “I don’t want to lose my employee of the month either,” said Sampson, “but the boy’s gotta get his feet wet. I was younger than him when I first tasted battle.”

  “I wasn’t sure you knew I worked for you,” said Billy, who’d been an employee at Sampson’s Hardware Store for several years.

  “Of course I know who works for me,” replied Sampson. “Why wouldn’t I?”

  “Well,” Billy cleared his throat, “you only come into town twice a year to pick up supplies. I’m surprised you know anyone.”

  “Trust me,” grinned Sampson, “I know everything that happens inside my store. Why do ya think I have security cameras?”

  “I thought those were just for show, to intimidate people from stealing,” Billy said hesitantly, wondering if he’d done something wrong and it was caught on camera.

  “Ya thought wrong,” chuckled Sampson. “I’ve got them set up so I can watch what’s happening in the store, live from the comfort of my home. Don’t worry son, you’ve always been my favorite employee,” he added, noticing the nervous look on Billy’s face. “You show up to work on time and work hard while you’re there. More important, you’ve never stolen from me.”

  “Thanks,” said Billy, feeling more courageous. “Does that mean I get a raise?”

  “Sure, if we make it out of this alive. Lord knows you deserve one.”

  “Thanks,” said Billy, full of excitement. He’d momentarily forgotten about the mission.

  “What do you want to do?” whispered Ian, as Shiloh scanned the gas station across the street. It was well lit and impossible to approach without being seen. He knew Shiloh was worried about his dream and was trying to figure out how to keep the boy safe without having him by his side.

  “I guess I’ll do it,” said Shiloh, counting the steps between the shack and the gas station.

  “Do what?” asked a voice from the darkness.

  Shiloh and Ian spun around, drawing their guns in unison.

  “Hold your fire fellas. It’s just me,” said Jeremiah, emerging from the shadows.

  “What in tarnation are you doing here?” asked Sampson, glaring at Jeremiah. The two men were close in age and had the same piercing blue eyes.

  “You two know each other?” asked Shiloh, glancing from one grizzly old man to the other.

  “He’s my brother,” mumbled Jeremiah.

  “Half-brother,” corrected Sampson.

  “We share the same mother,” explained Jeremiah. “But she always loved me more,” he added, trying to bait Sampson into an argument.

  “A mother always loves a child with special needs,” retorted Sampson. “And you didn’t answer me. What are you doing here?”

  “Same as you,” said Jeremiah, “sizing up the enemy. Ar
e you planning a jail break?” He asked, glancing at the prison camp.

  “Yes,” admitted Shiloh. “A friend of ours was captured yesterday and we’re here to rescue him, along with these poor souls,” he added, nodding toward the American prisoners.

  “Your friend was moved,” said Jeremiah.

  “What?” The hair on the back of Shiloh’s neck stood on end.

  “They took him to Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay,” explained Jeremiah. “That’s where all the higher ranking officers have been staying.”

  “We’ve got to warn Mason and Cleo,” exclaimed Ian.

  Shiloh glanced at the sky and could see an orange glow rising from the east. “There’s no time!”

  *******

  “Alright men,” said Lieutenant Sawyer, after the Marines had dismounted from the trucks, “our mission is to distract the enemy for as long as possible, giving both rescue parties a chance to free the prisoners. I don’t need to tell you we’re extremely outnumbered, but with high ground and the element of surprise, we should be able to create quite a ruckus. Remember, we only need to confuse the enemy, so don’t take any unnecessary chances. I don’t want to lose any men on this mission. Also, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of civilians down there, so be careful who you shoot at. Oorah!”

  “Oorah!” Shouted the men in his command.

  “Alright men, spread out and find positions with good cover. Target as many of the officers as you can, it’ll cause confusion. And remember, don’t fire until I give the command.”

  *******

  On the other side of town, Mason and Cleo watched the guards patrolling the building where they believed Lex was being held. They were in position and ready to make their move, when the radio clipped to Mason’s belt suddenly came to life.

  “Mason, Cleo, do you read me, over?”

  “We read you,” said Mason. “Why are you breaking radio silence?”

  “We just found out that Lex was moved to Vikingsholm,” said Shiloh. “I repeat, Lex is not where we thought, over.”

  “Where the hell is Vikingsholm?” asked Mason, looking at the three volunteers from Clearview.

  “Across the lake in Emerald Bay,” said a man by the name of Josh. “There,” he added, pointing at a small island in the distance. “It’s on the other side of Fannette Island.”