The Seventh Vial: A Novel of the Great Tribulation (The Days of Elijah Book 4)

by Mark Goodwin

  Rabbi Hertzog stood up from the bucket he’d been sitting on. “I’ll arrange a special time of worship this evening. I want to be singing His praises when He arrives.”

  Ruben rushed into Everett’s living quarters carrying a walkie-talkie. He was on watch with one of his men. “Mr. Carroll, the underground city in Kayseri was just attacked!”

  Everett’s heart stopped. He wasn’t sure what to expect on the final day of history, but it certainly wasn’t a strike against the neighboring city. “Do they need reinforcements? Who’s assaulting them?”

  “The Global Republic. I think it’s too late for reinforcements. Their security team put out a call about a minute ago, but by the time I called the other cities on the grapevine, Kayseri was already being overrun.”

  Everett grabbed his load-bearing vest and began stuffing magazines in the pockets. “What’s the situation? Are they being slaughtered?”

  “Just the fighters who resist. The others are being taken hostage.”

  Everett put his single-point sling over his shoulder and attached his HK G36C rifle. “Hostages? What’s the point in that?”

  Hertzog spoke as he stepped out of the way allowing Courtney to get her vest and rifle. “Perhaps this is Luz’s final play. It could be that he and his father are on their last leg in Shinar and about to be taken by the armies of heaven.”

  Ali slipped his chest rig over his head and began loading magazines as well. “I do not understand why he takes hostage.”

  The rabbi continued. “It’s Luz’s last-ditch effort, perhaps to negotiate with the King for the lives of His children.”

  Ilia reluctantly let go of Ali. “But why? He has already lost the final conflict.”

  Rabbi Hertzog took Ilia’s hand and pulled her close to him to comfort her so Ali could finish preparing for battle. “Child, he lost the war two thousand years ago, but he won’t stop until Messiah has bound him with chains and cast him into the Lake of Fire.”

  Everett pushed his Sig into his drop-leg pistol holster. “Kayseri is forty miles from here. They’ll probably hit Ozkonak next, then they’ll be on their way here. Reuben, call Derinkuyu’s security team and tell them to put some charges in the tunnel and collapse it so the GR can’t get through to their side once we’re overrun.”

  “Couldn’t you just blow up the entrance to Kaymakli and seal us off? Then they couldn’t get to us as long as the tunnel from Derinkuyu is not accessible.” Ilia hugged Ali.

  Everett knew it was a plausible plan, but he couldn’t use it. “If we do that, it will only send the GR supersoldiers straight to Derinkuyu. It’s just not in my nature to save my own skin at the expense of someone else’s. Sorry.”

  “What can I do to help?” The rabbi’s face showed his deep concern.

  “You can rally any available shooter with a gun and military experience, then send them topside. And you can pray.” Everett led his team to the surface.

  Once there, Everett conferred with Ruben and his team. “We’ll have auxiliary volunteers coming up soon. I’ll need each of you to lead a fire team.”

  They all nodded letting Everett know they would do whatever needed to be done. As the volunteers arrived, Everett assigned them to the individual fire teams.

  Security personnel from Ozkonak called over the radio. “The soldiers! They’re huge! They’ve breached the entrances into the underground city. Our fighters are being massacred!”

  Everett knew there was nothing he could do to help the poor souls in Ozkanak. “Courtney, Ali, take six volunteers with you and bring up the remaining shoulder-fired weapons. Bring everything we’ve got. Start with the PG-29V rockets first, then retrieve the RPGs.”

  Courtney nodded and began tapping volunteers to help with the task. Ali trailed right behind her.

  Everett picked out defendable shooting positions amongst the rubble from the above-ground city of Kaymakli, which had been razed by the earthquake and hailstones. He stood beside Reuben and the other team leaders. “Some of the collapsed building have small pockets that you can get inside. They’re precarious and could cave in on you, so give it a good kick to make sure it’s stable before you get inside. It’s not the best solution, but we don’t have many other options for cover. At least the rubble will stop small-arms fire.”

  Reuben nodded and began allocating teams to the surrounding building with pieces of walls that still stood or man-sized air pockets within the debris.

  Then, Everett waited for the inevitable.

  Ali arrived with the first load of weaponry. “Where do you want I should stage the rockets?”

  Everett looked at the launch tubes. There were four. “How many rockets do we have?”

  “Thirty, maybe forty.” Ali held two rockets under each arm.

  Everett surveyed the smashed remains of the Typhoon, which still sat twenty feet away from the entrance to Kaymakli. “Our team will use the truck for cover. Put one of the tubes there, then distribute three to the other foxholes. Allocate the rockets evenly.”

  Courtney returned minutes later with four volunteers behind her. All held RPG launchers or several grenades. “Where to, boss?”

  “Stick two launchers inside the Typhoon. Hand out the rest to the other fire teams. Try to distribute the grenades proportionately to each launcher.” Everett felt the ground beneath his feet rumbling as if the Earth itself was thundering.

  Reuben’s voice called over the radio. “I’ve got a visual on eight colossal MRAPs. I’d say they’re roughly twice the size of any other military transport vehicle I’ve ever seen. And the armor looks heavy.”

  Everett called back over the radio. “All teams, hold your fire until they get close enough to make a direct hit. If you can get a bull’s eye on the windshield with one of the PG-29V rockets, it should incapacitate the vehicle. Otherwise, aim for the grill. The smaller RPGs probably won’t do much to these vehicles unless you can knock off a wheel or blow out a tire. From what I hear, we’re going to be dealing with some big boys. You may have to use RPGs to take out the supersoldiers. Utilize weapons firing 5.56 ammo for cover fire. That round may not be very effective against these guys unless you can get a headshot. Anyone shooting AK-47s should try to make the kill shots. The 7.62 round is going to have a lot more punch.”

  Everett released the talk key and turned to Courtney. “Can you run back downstairs and get those full auto AK-47s the sheik sold us?”

  “Sure.” She turned to the entrance and hurried away.

  Everett pointed at four of the IDF volunteers beside the wreckage of the Typhoon. “You guys go with her. Bring up all the ammo and all the magazines.”

  Ali stood beside Everett. “I have already AK.”

  “Good.” Everett patted him on the back. “But we’re going to be operating the shoulder-fired weapons, at least until we run out of ordnance.”

  Everett pressed the talk key. “Reuben, how far out are those MRAPs?”

  “Quarter mile, and moving fast.”

  “Okay, if you get a shot, you’re clear to fire.” Everett released the talk key and crawled inside the Typhoon through the missing front windshield. He checked the various latches to the top openings. All had been irreparably jammed by the hailstones except one.

  “Ali!” he called out once the hatch was open. “Pass me the Vampir launch tube.”

  Ali climbed up on the hood of the Typhoon with the rocket launcher in tow. “Here! It is already armed.”

  “Great. Bring the rockets inside the truck and feed them to me from below.” Everett took the six-foot-long launch tube and found his first target. He wasn’t sure how far away the vehicles were because of their enormous size. They seemed to be about an eighth of a mile out. Everett directed the crosshairs to the fourth vehicle in the convoy, figuring the other fire teams would deploy their rockets toward the first, second, or possibly third MRAP in the line. Unsure about the flight time of the rocket in relation to the speed the MRAPs were traveling, Everett didn’t have the confidence to try to put the
rocket through the windshield, so he centered the sights on the grill.

  SWOOSH! The rocket took flight, impacting with the front end of the intended target. BOOOOM! Fire and smoke engulfed the front of the vehicle, but it kept coming!

  Two other rockets from Everett’s troops made their way to the first and second vehicles. The first smashed through the windshield and exploded, bringing the MRAP to a halt. The other hit the front tire, slowing the second vehicle down significantly.

  “Rocket!” Everett reached below where Ali slapped another projectile into his palm.

  Everett rapidly loaded the next rocket. The GR convoy began to fall out of line and take up firing positions. Everett took aim at the same truck he’d shot moments earlier. But now it was closer and had come to a stop. This time he placed the crosshairs over the windshield. SHROOOFP! The rocket blazed to the MRAP, crashing through the front glass and exploding inside.

  Courtney and the four IDF volunteers returned, hoisting the guns and ammo into the Typhoon’s shell.

  More rockets jetted out from the surrounding foxholes occupied by Everett’s troops. Automatic machine gunfire poured at them from the direction of the assailants. Everett ducked for cover and took another rocket.

  PING! TING! TANG! The bullets striking the side of the Typhoon were coming from large caliber weapons. They jarred the heavy vehicle with each strike.

  Ali pointed at the dents appearing on the side of the truck. “Those look like fifty-caliber.”

  Everett plucked a piece of broken mirror from the shattered side view mirror and stuck it out the front of the truck to get a view of what was happening. “Wow! Those guys are monsters! Nine feet! And that’s their primary weapons they’re shooting. It looks like they have bullpup machine guns, and judging from the magazine size, I’d say they’re fifty-cals.”

  Courtney looked over Everett’s shoulder at the giants emerging from the gargantuan MRAPs “They’re wearing heavy body armor too. It looks like a black stretch Kevlar suit with black steel plates affixed to the exterior, like an exoskeleton.”

  “Like the scales of a dragon.” Everett dropped the mirror and prepared to continue his assault. Immediately upon sticking his head out from the top hatch, he began taking fire. Everett had to swiftly set his sights on one of the GR supersoldiers and pull the trigger. Swooosh! BOOM!

  The explosion of the rocket sent pieces of the nine-foot-tall behemoth, swirling through the air in all directions.

  “I got one!”

  “Awesome! How many to go?” Courtney passed him another rocket.

  “I don’t know. Eight trucks and probably ten soldiers per truck.” Everett considered the time he’d need to be exposed in order to reload the launch tube. “I better go with a regular RPG. That will allow me to pop up and fire.”

  Ali exchanged the rocket in Everett’s hand for an armed RPG launcher. “Tell me when you are ready to shoot, and I will also shoot other RPG from opening in windshield.”

  “Good plan. Remember, just target the individual supersoldiers.” Everett waited for Ali to get into position.

  “Go!” Everett popped up through the hatch and instantly had rounds flying past his head. He focused on his breathing, took aim, and fired. He watched the fiery wake of the RPG as it made a direct impact with another of the giant supersoldiers. Everett wasted no time getting out of the line of fire and dropping back into the battered hull of the Typhoon.

  Ali’s eyes were as wide as pancakes when he ducked back into the truck. He breathed frantically.

  “Did you get one?” Everett asked.

  Ali forced a smile as he gave a fast nod.

  “Can I give you guys some cover fire?” Courtney offered.

  “No. You keep the grenades coming.” Everett motioned to the IDF soldiers. “But you four can. Slip out the front windshield and crawl down underneath the Typhoon. All the tires are flat and the front axle is broken, so it sits only inches from the ground. It would take a sniper sitting still to hit you beneath the truck.”

  The four volunteers dutifully complied.

  Everett and Ali reloaded. Everett looked at his accomplice. “Ready?”

  “I am ready.” Ali stood prepared to spring into action on Everett’s command.

  “Go!” Everett repeated the maneuver, striking another of the humongous Nephilim warriors dead.

  Reuben’s voice came over the radio. “The foxholes on our right and left flanks have both been neutralized by the enemy supersoldiers. They’re closing in on my position. If anyone has a shot, I could use a little help.”

  Cover fire rang out from below, and Everett took another grenade from Courtney. He placed it in the launcher and turned to Ali, who also held an armed RPG launcher. “Go!”

  Once again, Everett lunged through the top hatch while Ali stuck his weapon out the front windshield. Everett now fired at a team of Nephilim warriors shooting at the collapsed building, which Reuben’s team was using for cover.

  WHoooosh! Shwooofp! Booom! BOOM! Everett and Ali each eliminated one soldier, but in so doing, had finally brought the attention of the giants on themselves.

  Everett dropped down and took the grenade Courtney had waiting for him.

  “Only two grenades left after this round.” She handed another warhead to Ali, also.

  Everett breathed anxiously. “That’s not good. We’ve got another forty supersoldiers.”

  BOOOM! An explosion from under the Typhoon flipped it on its side. Everett, Courtney, and Ali were tossed against the side wall of the truck like Tic-Tacs being shaken in their container. He saw black for a brief moment but quickly regained his composure. Everett knew the IDF troops providing cover fire from under the truck were probably dead. He looked to Ali, who had his RPG and was crawling toward the opening. Everett glanced at Courtney. “Are you okay?”

  A thin trickle of blood was dripping from her forehead. “Yeah, I’m good.” She reached around and picked up her AK.

  Ali fired his rocket. Boom. “Quick! They are coming!”

  Everett took a grenade from Courtney and crawled to the windshield opening since the top hatch was now facing the entrance to the underground city, the opposite direction of the Nephilim.

  Everett passed the grenade to Ali and crawled past him. Seven supersoldiers were charging toward him. He fired. BOOM! Two giants dropped from the fragmentation effect of the grenade, but the other five now had six more Nephilim behind them, joining in the assault. All of their rifles barked out large-caliber automatic fire, pelting the bottom of the Typhoon, which lay on its side.

  Everett rolled out of the way for Ali to launch his grenade. Ali fired, but his head and shoulders were riddled and torn with fifty-caliber bullets.

  “Ali!” Courtney screamed in horror.

  BOOOM! Another enemy rocket struck the Typhoon, ripping a hole in the bottom of the MRAP and sending the Typhoon rolling side over side.

  Everything went black.

  When Everett opened his eyes, he tasted blood in his mouth, his legs were numb, and his left arm was throbbing with pain. He looked around to get his orientation. The bottom of the Typhoon now faced the entrance to the underground city, which Everett could see through the gaping seven-foot long hole made by the rocket. “Courtney!”

  “I’m here.” Face down near the opening of the windshield, she was struggling to get up.

  “You have to get into the underground city.” The numbness left his legs and was quickly replaced by pulsating agony.

  “I don’t think I can walk.” She laboriously turned herself over.

  “Then you have to crawl. It’s right out the bottom of the truck. I’m coming to help you.” Everett stood up, but instantly collapsed under the searing pain in both legs.” He called out, “Jesus! Help us!”

  Just then a giant arm reached in and grabbed Courtney. Everett hoped it was Messiah answering his prayer—but it wasn’t.

  The hand which grabbed Courtney had six fingers, and it held her tightly by the throat as it dragged her
from the vehicle.

  Adrenaline shot through Everett’s veins enabling him to stand on his shattered legs and propel himself toward the windshield of the Typhoon. He stepped out with his AK-47 drawn to see the massive heap covered in coal-black armor holding his precious wife, dangling in the air by her throat, like a rabbit in the hands of a hunter. She looked so tiny in contrast to the goliath.

  The monster had human eyes, human lips, a human face and human form. Other than its size and having six fingers on each hand, it was eerily human in appearance. But not its voice. When it spoke, the sound was low, hollow, demonic. And when it spoke, it addressed Everett with a teasing smile. It held the massive bullpup rifle with one hand and pointed it toward Courtney’s head. “If you will renounce Jesus, I will let her live.” Two other Nephilim clothed in black iron dragon scales stood laughing behind the one taunting Everett.

  Everett shook his bloody head slowly and summoned his last bit of strength to raise his AK.

  “What are you holding onto? We have won the war. Your Messiah has abandoned you, just like He has abandoned all of your friends that we have killed here today. Look around you. You’ve been sold a bill of goods. Everything you believe is a lie!”

  “I will never deny Yeshua.” Everett remembered the story of David and Goliath. He remembered the spot right between the eyes where the tiny stone had struck the filthy Philistine.

  “Suit yourself.” The monster pulled the trigger, releasing a stream of bullets, which pierced Courtney’s body, spilling her blood and her life.

  Everett pulled his trigger, knowing that he would be with the love of his life soon enough. POW! The single round from Everett’s AK-47 found the very same spot David’s stone had struck. The twelve-fingered beast dropped Courtney’s listless body, then fell backward.

  A fresh wave of gunfire and explosions rang out from all around. White metallic arrows struck the other two Nephilim in the head, dropping them near their dead companion.

  Everett used his right hand and left elbow to crawl to Courtney’s body. He gently closed her eyes with his fingers, then cushioned her limp neck with his arm as he lay beside her. All the gunfire, explosions, and yelling faded into the background as he remembered the first time he’d seen her. She was so soft and cute sitting at the table in the restaurant next to his friend Ken who’d arranged the blind date. He recalled how he’d nearly blown it with her by showing up late and acting a little over-confident. Then he remembered how his heart had raced when she’d kissed him unexpectedly at that initial meeting, letting him know that she was giving him one more shot. His heart ached as the memory of their small wedding at Elijah’s cabin played like a movie in his mind.