THE WARNING A Novel of America in the Last Days (The End of America Series Book 2)

by John Price

  As the assault truck was hurtling up the South Lawn, about halfway from West Wing, the driver saw a figure standing on the roof of the White House. At first he thought that he was seeing a federal agent holding an assault rifle or a large gun. Behind the standing figure he could see the smoke from the drones still swirling around the front of the building. Then, looking more carefully at the armed protector on the roof, his heart sunk as he realized that the standing protector was aiming what could only be a Stinger missile at his oncoming truck. ‘Oh, well’, he thought, which was his last thought in this world, ‘ya’can’t win ‘em all’.

  The Stinger missile entered the truck’s cab, exploded and took the lives of the driver and the fifty seven men closest to the front of the BMW dealership vehicle, including General Douglas Toussaint, retired. The President was several miles away in a secure federal facility.

  64

  Office of the President, The Kremlin, Moscow, Russia

  Office of the President, Sepah Square, Tehran, Iran

  “Mahmoud? Vladimir here.”

  “Salam. Peace be upon you, my friend.”

  The linkage between the Kremlin and Tehran was totally secure. Each demanded total security for their conversation and each had been assured by their respective communications experts that nothing they said could be accessed by anyone, including agents of Israel or America. Their experts were wrong as every word was recorded and transmitted back to Jerusalem.

  ‘You just mentioned peace. Peace with Israel has been wonderful, wouldn’t you say, Mahmoud?”

  “Yes, blessed be his name, Allah has blinded the Jews. They foolishly gave up their land and we benefit from such stupidity. Your relationship with the US President proved to be the difference. You were so right about his willingness to push Israel to sign.”

  “The man has no internal fortitude, except what he learned as a Marxist growing up. He is willing to transform his country’s financial system. Karl would be proud of that, but he wouldn’t recognize some of what this man says. In any case, he proved to be what I thought and Israel eventually caved in.”

  “Yes, blessed be Allah for using such a man to help us lull Israel into peace. A peace that has led them to lower their military spending and rely on their peace with us for their security. Peace comes only from force of arms, my friend, is it not true?”

  “Mahmoud, what do your Islamic leaders say now? Have you been granted a Fatwa for the invasion yet? When last we spoke you were assured that the Fatwa was coming.”

  “Vladimir, the timing of your call on this day must come from Allah himself, blessed be his name. Allah alone knows best. I just this morning received a call. The Fatwa will be in hand by the end of this week. We can select any date after this holy weekend to begin the attack, blessed be his name. Are your forces ready, Validimir?”

  “Not today, of course, Mahmoud, but soon. Very soon. Our forward deployed armaments are ready in Damascus, along, I believe, with your carriers. We only need to airlift our troops. I will give the order this afternoon to begin moving our fighting men to Damascus. May I assume, Mahmoud, that you will also begin to move your troops to Syria?”

  “Yes, my friend, Allah has smiled on our efforts and will now allow us to move them into position, blessed be his name. I had no difficulty with the Iraquis. They were pleased to allow us to transport our equipment and troops across their esteemed country. As we discussed, let us now each notify our press offices to announce that we are engaging in a joint Russian-Iranian training exercise in Damascus, which will include several thousand troops. The west’s media whores will report anything we tell them, just as we tell them, blessed be his name.”

  “Excellent, Mahmoud, excellent. Within ten days we will have all of Israel’s land, not just what they were willing to give to us. We shall meet in your holy city of Jerusalem.”

  “Validimir I know you have a slightly lower level of interest, but we will finally be rid of hundreds of thousands of stinking Jews, blessed be his name.”

  “Issue your media release, Mahmoud. Let’s talk Monday for final coordination.”

  “Salam. Peace be upon you, Vladimir.”

  65

  The Rotunda of the National Archives Building

  700 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC

  “There will be violence in the land

  with ruler fighting against ruler.”

  (Jeremiah 51:46)

  The immediate spin placed by the President’s Press Secretary on the assault was that it was a well-organized and well-financed effort by traitors which failed. He announced to White House media that the President had been secretly moved to a secure location at least an hour before the assault and bombing of the White House. He further stated that the damage done to the White House by the bombings and attack rendered the West Wing unusable for the next few days, as the scene of a crime, which had to be undisturbed for evidentiary purposes. The Presidential staff chose quite carefully the location of the President’s first news conference after the aborted assault on the White House. What could possibly be a better spot for the news conference, they reasoned, than the room in which the Constitution of the United States, the original, hand-signed version, was on public display? The President’s opponents, the press office reasoned, continuously accused him of destroying the nation’s Constitution, so why not stage his response to their accusations in front of the document itself.

  The Presidential seal was affixed to the podium which was in the Rotunda of the National Archives directly in front of the preserved, yellowed parchment pages, encased in glass. The media were as excited as anyone could ever remember them being. They were jammed into the remaining space in the Rotunda. Normally the large rounded room is dimly lit to avoid further damage to the nation’s founding documents, which included the Declaration of Independence. The President’s Press Secretary specifically authorized media to use klieg lights to illuminate the space for television. A print reporter who objected to the bright lights as possibly harming the documents thought he heard the Press Secretary mumble that ‘the boss has never been real concerned about those old decaying documents, so why start now’. He later denied that those were his words.

  Several minutes later than the announced start of the unusual news conference the President briskly entered from a side room and mounted the single step platform supporting the podium. He glared across the room, glanced to see that both teleprompters were working and said, “There is never a right in America to engage in violence to effect a political change in office. The aborted assault on the White House two days ago was planned, arranged and launched by radical right wing extremists. It was put together by the gun lusters, who still don’t understand that it’s against the law, a felony, to own a gun in this country.

  “Who did this? Who tried to destroy American government with force of arms? The investigation is continuing, but it’s safe to say that many haters of America were involved, as we saw in the federal building car bombings. The religious extremists, the fundamentalists, the anti-women’s rights people, many misguided veterans, Tea Party fanatics, some who disgrace this historic document here behind me by calling themselves Constitutionalists. All of whom are trying to bring about their imagined last days by killing off the world’s leaders, including this President. I am sorry to also report that many of the men who participated in the assault were veterans of America’s military, as far as we can tell so far, as some bodies were burned or torn apart beyond recognition. They have besmirched their prior service to our country.

  “Before the bombings of the White House some of these America haters falsely claimed that the federal building bombings of three months ago perpetrated by conservatives and religious extremists, were somehow faked, what these deluded people incorrectly called a false flag or a black flag. Nothing could be further from the truth. But now, we have stark evidence of a direct assault on the government of the United States by people who earlier claimed that no such thing occurred three months ago. They
even claimed that federal agents stole cars from right wingers and secretly blew them. Why? They say we did these things to give cover for what my government has been very carefully doing since those earlier bombings, finding the leaders of this armed insurrection, indicting them, convicting them and insuring that they receive the correct level of punishment. Prison. Maybe execution, depending on the circumstances.

  “But now….drone bombings of my house? Armed troops, falsely wearing our nations’ uniforms? Now, there can be no question. These are all acts of traitors. Straight up. They are traitors. Let me assure all Americans that there will be no doubt about our resolve as a government to find each and every person even remotely connected with these assaults on our Constitution-based form of government, the document we honor here today. When we find them, their trials and punishment will be swift and sure.

  “Many of you in the media have been understandably curious as to how we knew that the assault and bombings were coming. Many wonder how I was spirited out of the White House before the attacks which were clearly meant to remove me from office, maybe even by my assassination. Let just say that one of the several men recruited by General Tou….uh….no names at this point….uh….our inside source was a true patriot who is a distant relative of the First Lady, though at least two family levels away. He didn’t want to see me hurt or removed from office. His tipoff saved our government from falling.

  “We will be releasing more as the facts fully emerge. I am able today, though, to inform you that a member of Congress has been identified as a ringleader, if not the ringleader, of these felonious assaults on my position as your President. United States Senator Charles M. Quarter was arrested by federal agents about an hour ago and is presently being interrogated. The Senator from Nebraska will be incarcerated in our District of Columbia jail as the crimes occurred, in some part at least, here in our nation’s capital. The Majority Leader has assured me that the Senate will vote to remove Senator Quarter from office by the end of the week. He has a right to a trial, but I have instructed all involved that this trial will not become a political circus. If it needs to be behind closed doors then so be it. I expect to see Senator Quarter and his co-conspirators punished with the ultimate punishment for treason. Soon. Thank you for coming over to the National Archives. We’ll be able to work in the White House again next week.”

  66

  Small Group Bible Study, Home of Hannah & Gary

  Birmingham, Alabama

  The small group Bible study, minus four of its members, gathered in the family room of Hannah and Gary. Tom and Marty were traveling. Max and Liz planned to participate later by way of a SKYPE call. After those present had filled their plates with desert and coffee, Scott asked for Beau to open the group with prayer.

  Beau nodded, looked around the room and said, “Sure, Scott. Let’s pray….‘Father….we know that we live in difficult….even perilous….times. We know you’re not surprised by any of these very scary things that are happening in our country. We’ve been studying what you told us through your prophets about the end times. We’re watching some of those things unfold and happen. We don’t pretend to understand everything….or all the details….but we know that you’re in control. We pray for Max and Liz as they settle into their new home outside of the country. We understand why they moved….in obedience to your prophetic verses to flee the Daughter of Babylon. We pray for Tom and Marty as they are searching in Central America for a place to live. Lastly, Father, we pray for the six of us. We don’t want to be in disobedience, but we haven’t yet made a decision as to what to do. Help us, Lord. Help us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

  Scott thanked Beau for his prayer and then asked Hannah to link up SKYPE with Max and Liz. After an initial dis-connect, the call went through, showing two smiling faces on the computer monitor. At the same time Max and Liz said, “Can you hear us?” Assured that the connection, audio and video was good, the conversation began with Hannah’s question, “Hi Guys, you both look great. Nice tans. How’re you doing?”

  Liz spoke up in response, “Hannah, we are doing so well. The new church that we’re part of here in Costa Rica is growing like crazy. We’ve run out of folding chairs almost every Sunday at the storefront we’ve rented. One of the American families in the church, with two teens, handle the worship on the keyboard, guitars and drums. Really great worship.”

  Beau responded, “Liz, that sounds great. How’s the weather, as if I didn’t know?”

  Max smiled broadly, saying, “Beau, it’s like the best days in ‘Bama, except almost every day. Warm, but not too hot. But, Liz didn’t get to finish her report on our church. We’re not only seeing lives changed, but miracles happening. We’re preparing a long e-mail detailing what we’re seeing here. Lest anyone wonder if there are ministry opportunities, people here really are interested in the gospel. Some of our members are active in a local ministry that trains girls to make jewelry to help keep them away from prostitution and trafficking. We’ve got a new Bible study for couples and Liz is teaching a growing discipleship group for women. You guys would love it here. Who’s gonna’ be the first to come see us?”

  Audrey answered, “Max and Liz, you guys sound and look good. I’m envious, really. It’s not just the nasty, cold weather we’ve been having. It’s more that I’m truly worried about what’s happening in our country….to our country. All those verses we studied about Mystery Babylon….I’m seeing them fulfilled right before our eyes. The media tried to cover it up, but that assault on the White House sure sounded like what Jeremiah described when he prophesied that ‘ruler against ruler’ would happen in Babylon. Plus, all the violence in the streets….and the strangers coming into God’s sanctuaries….I could go on…but you obviously know what I’m talking about, otherwise you’d still be here.”

  “Audrey,” Liz replied, “We watch the news from the U.S. every night….so we certainly know what you’re talking about. It looks even worse from a distance. Things are so peaceful, even tranquil here. It took us only a few days, not too many, to de-stress. Maybe it’s the healthy fruits and vegetables. Anyway, we’re very pleased. Our rent is reasonable. The views of the mountains and the sea are exhilarating. As we said, when are you coming to see us?”

  Beau spoke up, “Look….the way the President forced Israel to sign that peace treaty and give up some of its land, even though God says repeatedly in His Word not to give up the land….that was the final straw for me. I read the Bible to prophesy that Babylon will betray Israel, but that won’t come until the Ezekiel 38 and 39 invasion, which Ezekiel says will happen once Israel is at peace. Well, guys, Israel is at peace. I’m going into significant prayer about moving our family offshore. Soon.”

  Scott asked, “Beau, what are you saying? You think the countdown clock started when Israel signed that American brokered peace treaty?”

  “Yup, I sure do. Until Israel gave up the land I wasn’t too excited about even thinking of leaving the good ol’ U S of A. But….now….now….I don’t want to stay here much longer.”

  Max, no longer smiling, looked into the SKYPE camera and said, “I didn’t know exactly how to say this….I wrestled last night with how to phrase it….but, now, Beau’s comments make it a little easier. What I want to say to you guys - Beau and Audrey, Scott and Sally and Hannah and Gary, brothers and sisters in Christ, is simply this….Pray hard about fleeing. Fleeing soon. Sally, I know you’ve said you’ll never move, but once America goes all the way to stabbing Israel in the back, we’re toast. Done. Finished. You’ve been warned….Warned by the Word of God….And told numerous times to flee. God loves us, which is why He’s given us such detailed prophecies. How many times does God to have to say to His people to ‘flee’ before we think He may actually be serious about it?”

  No one in the family room in Birmingham had anything to say. Each of the six knew that they had, in fact, been warned.

  67

  Fox News – Central News Room

  New York, NY

/>   Neither of Fox News’ central news prep employees had ever read anything like it. Their job at Fox was to review incoming wire service news feeds and evaluate their content for use on the air. Jocko, as his Dad had affectionately named him the day he was born, said to Kevin, “What in the world? Do you think the AP is sending out a joke? Just testing us to see if we’re awake?”

  Kevin, the more conservative of the news room employees, replied, “AP? You mean the Administration Press? They stopped being impartial about the time I was born, I hear. What White House talking point is the AP pushing now?”

  “No, nothing like that,” Jock responded, “This is serious, if it’s true. But I don’t get how they ever cobbled together these stories from around the country. Somebody at the AP is actually on top of things.”

  “How long do you want me to wait before you either tell me what the news feed says, or, maybe just send it to me?”

  “Sorry, Kevin, here it is….you read it….see if you agree with me?”

  The AP feed flashed up on Kevin’s screen and read:

  KANSAS CITY, MO (AP) ----Federal agents today acknowledged that an investigation has been initiated into what appear to be near simultaneous office and condo building fires ignited in cities widely scattered across the nation. The ten fires all started at about the same time of day, between 8:40 and 9 AM, as reported by local law enforcement officials. The fires occurred in downtown buildings, in all instances, in New York City (on Manhattan Island), Washington, DC (near the US Capitol), Chicago (in the Loop area), Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Hollywood, San Francisco, Philadelphia (near the Liberty Bell Museum) and Las Vegas. There were no reported deaths or injuries. Property damage was reported to be limited as the delivery boxes which were placed in lobbies of the downtown office and condo buildings in each instance were quickly extinguished.