Islam Rising

by Johnny Jacks

  ~~~

  Ramirez eyed Grayson suspiciously while shaking Marcie’s extended hand. “Welcome, young lady.”

  Miss Grace gave her a hug. “Hi, Marcie. It’s nice to meet you. Tomorrow we’ll go shopping in town and have lunch while the others have their meetup.”

  Marcie looked to Grayson in confusion. “Oh, I thought we’d be farming and stuff, but shopping sounds fun, too. Is it okay, Grayson?”

  “It’s very okay, sweetie.” Odd. She didn’t ask what a meetup is.

  ~~~

  The sun had been up two hours and warmed the September morning. Grayson and Marcie were in the gazebo eating oatmeal and blueberries with Jillian when other SET Patriots began to arrive. Everyone ignored them, except for Austin. He stared at Marcie all the way to the lodge door, almost tripping at one point; his face turned red but he didn’t lose focus. She giggled and smiled.

  Ramirez passed them on his way to the lodge. “Mama’s excited to have you accompany her to town today, Marcie. She’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He spoke brusquely to Grayson and Jillian and kept walking. “See you two in the lodge.”

  “Go find Miss Grace. Jillian and I have to go to the meetup. Have fun!” He handed her a wad of bills.

  “Yes, sir. I will. But I want to get army clothes and guns and come to the meetup next month, like everybody else.”

  That kid needs to yell, “Switch!” so I can keep up.

  ~~~

  After the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer, Grayson stood. “Today, we’re—”

  “Some of the folks, including me, want an accounting of why you brought that girl here. I picked up a few things last night, but it wasn’t the right time to ask questions with Mama talking to her. Who is this kid and why is she here?”

  Grayson became aware of staid faces staring at him, a few glaring. Jillian looked at the floor and lightly bit her lower lip.

  “Marcie’s the daughter of my next-door neighbor, a single mom. I’ve been babysitting her several years. Her mother’s out of town, and I couldn’t leave her by herself.”

  His reply barely left his mouth before Laura asked, “Who is your next-door neighbor?”

  Grayson cringed at her tone. “Her name is Shannon.”

  “Shannon what?” Laura shot back.

  “Shannon Fisher.”

  Mark’s expression spoke volumes. “That liberal, anti-gun, ACLU lawyer?” He shook his head at Grayson.

  “That’s her.” Once again, Grayson, you’ve stepped in it.

  Headquarters Division members raised their protests while the Tactical Division looked on, confused.

  Grayson froze when he saw Ramirez’s maroon and white mottled face and neck. Sweat beaded across his forehead. He looks like he’s going to blow a gasket.

  Ramirez raised his arms, palms out to stop the chatter, swallowed hard, and spoke in a strangled voice. “You owe us the full background and don’t spare any details.”

  Grayson was searching for words when Jillian spoke. “Shannon is my sister. She and Marcie are somewhat estranged. Grayson’s been Marcie’s surrogate father since she was ten years old. Her thinking is the same as ours. She is conservative through and through, a Fox News girl.”

  “How old is she?” Austin’s voice cracked and sounded worried. “Kind of tall. Looks about eighteen.”

  Grayson wasn’t sure he liked Austin’s question. “Almost fifteen.”

  Laura didn’t take her eyes off Grayson. “Tell us about her ACLU mother.”

  Grayson was pissed. His answer made her sorry for asking the question. “Marcie’s mother is my girlfriend.”

  Joe didn’t hide his anger. “Grayson, you’re as dumb as a sack of rocks! Why the hell would you date her? She’s lethal with a capital L.”

  Grayson’s muscles twisted into knots. “That’s my damn business!”

  “Partner, you made it our business bringing her kid here.”

  “Look, Shannon went through a bad divorce and carries the effects of a bad marriage. Marcie’s father is an alcoholic, a not-so-nice guy who mistreated her. The whole affair traumatized the child and…well…I love her the same as I love Amanda. That’s it.”

  Laura flinched. “Affair is an interesting word.”

  You sent me hunting and I bagged something special.

  “I brought Marcie here so you could meet her. I’m asking you to let her join the SET Patriots. She can carry a heavy backpack in the mountains all day, slaughter and dress a rabbit, and make a fire without matches to cook it. She can also outshoot half of the men in this lodge.”

  Elmer Martel grunted loudly. “Lettin’ in kids ain’t a particular ah favor.”

  Wayne stood and surveyed the room. “The SET Patriots is an open group and, to be fair, Marcie’s the same age Austin was when we accepted him two years ago. He’s as much a member as any of us, and I see a few other young members here today, too.”

  Laura looked like she could beat her brother senseless. Wayne shrugged.

  Grayson’s stress level dropped a few levels. “Thanks, Wayne. Marcie would be a good addition to the MAG. She’s a conservative, one of us.”

  The lodge filled again with loud chatter. Grayson asked for quiet.

  “Here’s the deal. Marcie and Shannon WILL bug out with me when the shit hits the fan. Let there be no doubt. Shannon can sit in a corner by herself and sulk if she wishes, but Marcie must be capable of helping us—as one of us—to survive the die-off and rebuild New America.”

  In the silence that followed, Jillian spoke softly. “Shannon is curious about the farm. It’s a blank spot in her mind.”

  Laura couldn’t help herself. “Maybe you should bring her here, so we can judge her for ourselves.”

  Shock and anger resurfaced. Grayson didn’t want the two women on the same turf at the same time.

  Ramirez, oblivious to the implications, sealed the deal. “Okay, Grayson. We’ll vote for admitting Marcie. If she’s in, then we’ll put on a dog and pony show for her mother. Otherwise, both are out. Remember, one nay will nullify the aye votes.”

  “We gonna show that ACLU lawyer everything?” Mark asked.

  “No.” Ramirez commanded and gave them a few seconds to think about it. “All in favor of Marcie Fisher joining the SET Patriots say ‘aye’.”

  “Aye,” came weak votes. Some remained silent and glared at Grayson.

  “All opposed say ‘nay’.”

  Elmer Martel grunted.

  “Was that a nay vote?” asked Wayne, and gave him a hard look.

  “Ah wuz just a clearing mah throat.”

  Ramirez repeated, “All opposed say ‘nay’.”

  Austin’s grin zoomed ear-to-ear at the silence that followed.

  “No nays; she’s in. Get on with regular business,” Ramirez ordered Grayson.

  “Thanks everyone for your vote of confidence. Joe has a short Intel report for the managers. Everyone else retrieve your rifles and ammo from the armory and go to the range for target practice. Charles, please take charge.”

  And let me bandage my kicked ass.

  Grayson returned Laura’s sweet smile with a numb frown. This thing with Laura is not over, not by a long shot.

  ~~~

  Joe was all business, and Grayson felt the sting to their friendship from the meeting.

  “This was too sensitive to share with the entire group. My FBI contact told me Murtadha is in Mexico recruiting Mexican Muslims, taking them to ISIS-controlled zones in Africa for training and then into combat. Once they are combat-hardened, they return and cross our border masquerading as cheap laborers. They have no idea how many there are, but the numbers are certainly mounting. It doesn’t appear to bode well for us.”

  “Were you able to obtain more information on that fellow in photo three?” Grayson asked.

  Joe paused a few seconds before answering. “I have a current photo of him, but my contact told me to not share it.”

  Joe doesn’t trust me. “Time’s starting to run short, partner.
Economic output is going negative and inflation is picking up. What’s special about this guy?”

  Joe looked at Ramirez. “My contact told me not to share it and I’m not.”

  Ramirez’s voice didn’t bode debate. “We’re professional men who’ve killed and could be killed in the near future. We’re in charge of this shebang. If you don’t share it with us, who the hell are you gonna share it with?”

  Wayne looked around the table. “Gents, you have me at a disadvantage. This Mur…whatever, SOB is your bailiwick. I’ll leave this decision to you four.”

  Mark spoke quietly. “We’re all a little sensitive after the meetup. Let’s get down to it. Joe, why would your contact give you a photo for your eyes only? You sure that’s what was said?”

  “Damn straight, I’m sure! I don’t want to shut down my Intel pipeline.”

  Ramirez’s fuse was getting short. “So, don’t tell your contact. Pass the photo and tell us what you know. You may not be here when the time comes, and we need to know if there will be a Muslim problem to contend with!”

  Joe passed the photo to Ramirez reluctantly. “He’s a CIA operative. Couple of decades ago, the agency received word that an important group of imams in Egypt targeted Murtadha for…reversion to Islam. They inserted this guy into prison to join Murtadha’s gang and find out what was what. He uncovered something big that caused him to remain with Murtadha.”

  Grayson spoke, his voice flat. “Does he have a name?”

  Joe’s face flushed. “His code name is Marco. That’s all I have.”

  Grayson had never seen Joe so nervous.

  “If this gets out and he’s discovered, I’ll be responsible for them torturing and killing him. It’ll be on me.”

  Grayson understood. “We’ll memorize his face and I’ll store the photo in the gun safe. You know, Joe, it’s tough on an operative that spends half his good adult years serving America under those conditions. The chief and I have worked with a few on clandestine operations. Marco is a patriot. You did the right thing.”

  Ramirez nodded. “He’s right, Joe. Thank your contact for us.”

  Chapter 53

  The Ride Home

  Year 17

  After the managers’ meetup, Ramirez started into the house, but paused. “Grayson, take Marcie on a tour of the farm; check out the animals and the garden.”

  “Good idea.”

  Marcie, suddenly excited, could hardly contain herself. “I want to see the rabbits and chickens.”

  “Let’s go to the barn first. There’s something I want to show you.”

  When Grayson opened the barn door, three just-weaned puppies, two females and one male, tails wagging wildly, welcomed them. Millie remained on her hay bed, her days growing short. She looked longingly at them and whined for Grayson. Everyone was amazed when she became pregnant.

  Grayson knelt by Millie and scratched her behind her ears while he talked to her. The females stayed with Grayson and Millie, but the male jumped around Marcie excitedly and licked her legs.

  “Why do you keep them in the barn? Wouldn’t they be happier outside?”

  “They might be happier, but the coyotes and hawks might get them.”

  Fear covered her face. “Oh.”

  She has a lot to learn about the real world. It can be cold and cruel.

  When they stepped out of the barn and Grayson closed the door, a high-pitched sorrowful wail came from inside. Before Grayson could stop her, Marcie flung open the door and out popped the male, jumping for joy. She picked him up and held the puppy against her chest. The energy he put into licking her face and wagging his tail almost made Marcie drop him. She couldn’t quit giggling.

  Grayson knew immediately he had a problem on his hands. He also knew the outcome and resigned himself to it.

  Marcie gave him that begging look that he couldn’t resist.

  “Okay, sweetie. What do you want to name him?”

  To his amazement, she replied immediately, “Maverick.”

  “I like it. Why ‘Maverick’?”

  “He reminds me of you. In our woman-to-woman talk, Miss Grace told me a lot about you and your adventures, all good stuff. She said you and the chief are both mavericks. I’m glad you’re not like all my other friends’ fa….” Her voice faltered. She snuggled into Maverick, her face crimson and eyes misty.

  “May I take Maverick home with me? I’ll train him to be a tactical dog, like the ones the Army uses in combat, and he’ll protect us.”

  Like any man confronted with a forlorn female, he melted. “There’s a small cage in the back of the barn. We’ll put him in it for safe transport back home. We don’t want him to jump out of a moving truck.”

  She looked at him questioningly. “No, sir. But—”

  “He can’t come up front until he’s clear of fleas and mites. The ride’s too long. I’ll get the cage.”

  Marcie put Maverick down and jumped into Grayson’s arms with a big hug. “You’re the greatest...friend.”

  He heard her unspoken word. If only it were true.

  ~~~

  Grayson put Maverick in the back and Marcie, pensive and quiet, held her new pet rabbit, Bubbles. They entered the highway to Houston early in the afternoon with plenty of time to ease back into civilization.

  After a few minutes, he asked, “Did you have something you wanted to discuss?”

  “Aunt Jillian said it’s a secret between the three of us.”

  Oh Lord. I’m not sure I like this.

  “She talked to me about being a prepper. I knew you’re one, but I didn’t know she was. I can’t let Shan…sorry…Mom know I’m a prepper too, but I don’t care. She keeps a secret that’s important to me. Course, she may not know the answer.”

  Grayson almost drove off the road. “What do you mean, you’re a prepper?”

  “I read your prepper books and the activation plan you left on the coffee table once. That, and what you’ve taught me about survival when we go backpacking, helped me to become a prepper.”

  “How did you find my prepper books?”

  “Duh. I clean the house for my allowance. You never said not to clean your office. I wasn’t being sneaky.”

  Grayson smiled at her. “You’re honest with me, but a little booger nonetheless.”

  “I keep my backpack ready to bug out with you. Sometimes I wish Mom were a prepper and other times I don’t care.”

  “How many of my books have you read?”

  “All of them. I like the ones by Angery American and Franklin Horton. Steven C. Bird’s stories have lots of bad guys that get killed and that’s cool. In Horton’s Locker Nine, you’re like Grace’s dad; you make sure I’m safe and that’s comforting to me.”

  Grayson was floored by her revelation and bursting with pride, but her comfortable acceptance of killing people, bad guys or not, was worrisome. “I guess there’s a good reason you were placed in the advanced program at school. You do know that in real life killing someone has serious religious and moral implications and consequences, to say nothing of legal ramifications. Killing someone can scar a person mentally for life.”

  “You killed people.”

  “That was in war and as a cop. I still suffer from after-effects.”

  “When the collapse comes, we’ll be at war with bad guys. We must have a warrior’s mentality to survive. That’s what I read. Isn’t that true, even for me?”

  “Your logic is impeccable, Marcie, and what you’re saying is true, but remember, preppers kill only to protect ourselves or others.”

  “Yes, sir. I know that, but you being in war before makes it more real to me.”

  “I’m hungry. How about you?”

  She turned her head sideways and grinned. “Chucky Cheese?”

  “We’ll be there in thirty minutes.”

  “What about Maverick and Bubbles? It’s too hot to leave them in the truck.”

  “We’ll drop them off at the vet’s on the way and pick them up tomorrow. They nee
d shots.” Marcie softly rubbed Bubbles’ head. “You’re a country rabbit, Bubbles. I’ll plug in the iPhone and play George Jones for you.”

  Bubbles wiggled his nose in response.

  Chapter 54

  Time for Reflection

  Year 18

  Grayson couldn’t wait to open the latest letter from Wanda. He felt the photos through the envelope and knew she’d sent more pictures of his grandson.

  Dear Father-in-Law,

  As you can see from the happy faces in these photos, Gabriel’s tenth birthday was a festive event. He’s really into dinosaurs, so that’s the reason for the wild decorations. I know you saw them on Facebook, but I wanted you to have a hard copy of some special ones that have Daniel in them.

  I tried, but Daniel still wouldn’t allow you to attend. He’s stuck in his cocoon of animosity but softening as he matures and bonds with Gabriel. He becomes irritated, but no longer very upset, when I compare his relationship with Gabriel to his relationship with you when he was a kid. That’s my way of making him think about the good times he enjoyed with you. I sent him into shock when I told him that Gabriel needs a grandfather, and since my dad is no longer with us, it’s you. He didn’t like it either when I told him that love and forgiveness are both voluntary.

  At 32, Danny’s not the same kid I met in college. He’s matured and mellowed like you, something I’ve noticed through your letters over the years. I told you last month about Danny’s promotion to lead chemical engineer. He enjoys the increased responsibility and that will help him mature more.

  I’m glad things are going well in Houston and happy that you’re still active in the MAG, as I’m counting on you to help save us when the collapse happens. The BOL sounds wonderful and so do the people. I wish we could visit, but Daniel won’t hear of it.

  I pray for your reconciliation with Daniel. Have faith that God will make it so.

  Love always,

  Wanda