Jean was not amused, “Either that or it’s a slow news day.”
“Well, I think there’s going to be big news here today, NNA also brought Rebecca Odin, they’ve broke the last three big stories,” Jenny said. She was trying to sound convincing.
“We’re in the mountains of Idaho going to talk to some small religious yurt community. The only reason these guys are important is that they’re close to North Mountain Academy. If it wasn’t for that, they’d be like all the rest of these communities, off our radar,” Jean said.
“Well, I think you’re wrong about this and slightly bitter about the hike… maybe?” Jenny asked.
“No, it’s just that all these stories seem manufactured. Let’s make our way up there before fancy pants Rebecca or that silver fox Brice get up there,” Jean tried to rebound. He realized maybe he was a little bitter about lugging a transpondence bag up the side of a mountain to do a shoot with a rookie. He changed his tone and said, “You’re right. It could be a big one. I just would’ve rather been dropped off in a helicopter at the top. Instead we got a few-mile hike to go on. But so do the others, I suppose. Have you done any hiking before?”
“Sure I have. Don’t need to worry about this girl. Try and keep up,” Jenny said.
Jenny was all business the whole hike. The dirt was wet and soft on the pathway. Jean was walking behind Jenny, occasionally peeking at her shapely behind. He could tell Jenny was excited to get up there, but also wondered how she was handling the outdoors; she would occasionally groan or sigh. He thought he could help put her at ease. “You know, they send newbies out into the wilderness to see how they react. Don’t feel too bad, my first assignment? They had me filming a sewage flood in India. That one was a stinker,” Jean said.
Jenny was breathing heavily from the hike, but she let out a light laugh. “A stinker, huh? Just as I was about to say how nice it smells out here.”
Jean realized he may have misinterpreted Jenny’s groans, “You’re right, it does smell nice out here. I never like to start a hike, but halfway through I remember why it’s worth it. Assignments like this are the whole reason I like to do this type of work. Sometimes I just need a few reminders why.”
“I can tell you’ve been doing this for a while. I’m excited, been dreaming of this moment since I was in broadcast school. Not some Yurt community joining ROG, but being sent on an assignment to cover a story,” Jenny spoke as she made good pace up the trail.
“What did you say?” Jean asked.
“I’m happy about going on an assignment...”
“No, that other part about ROG, what do you mean these guys are joining ROG?” Jean said.
“Well I don’t know for sure that’s what they’re doing. But haven’t you been following the story? Seems this Religions of God advocacy group is spreading around like salt on a pretzel.”
“I see your angle, I figured they were just speaking out against the research and since they are geographically close to the research epicenter they garner a little more attention.” Jean spoke with conviction, “Did you get information to the contrary?”
Jenny laughed, “No, I didn’t, but do you think we’re getting sent out here for some group to say the same things all of them are saying? They don’t support it and the government should stop it. I don’t think so, I think ROG has reached out to them since they are a well known fundamentalist group that is actually on the internet and not completely shut off from the outside world. You saw all the other news teams down there. Abraham Hagar may be best known as a religious leader, but he’s also well connected. His circle of friends includes none other than UAN’s Chancellor Richard Seymore. Hagar was a good fundraiser. Plus, he’s got friends in the Middle East, the Vatican too, he’s not some schmuck.”
Jean nodded, “I can see you’ve done your research. I’m impressed. You know, down there at the bottom I wasn’t saying you were wrong about this. I just don’t want you to get all excited about a slow story. This guy, I guess he is kind of a big deal, but he’s really only as big a deal as we make him out to be. So sometimes I’m a little indifferent about giving a lot of attention to a person that picks and chooses which modern science he’ll accept. We’ll see how the story pans out first hand I guess.”
“Yes we will Jean, and I may be young and new to this, but covering the news is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve got a hunch this could be big,” Jenny said confidently.
“Well, I’m not saying you’re wrong, but you never know in this business,” Jean responded and then added, “Do you want to take a break?”
“We’re getting close, let’s keep it up.” Jenny marched ahead.
By the time Jean and Jenny reached the community they were tired, but in a state of amazement. What they saw at the private Golack Yurt Community, outside of Sandpoint, was as expected, but they were still taken back, back in time it seemed. They were somewhat familiar with yurt communities, as any educated person would be, but they didn’t realize how rugged the community would look.
There were various types of yurt communities, as they were known, around the United States. The idea or principal that the communities were founded on came from the Public Land Sustainability Act, passed by the US in 2035, which gave sustainable communities a form of sovereignty similar to an Indian Reservation. The residents of the community did not have to follow all the US laws or pay taxes. In order to get this kind of status with the US government, the communities needed to be completely self sufficient. They lived off what the land offered, and were not in trade with the outside world.
Some generated electricity and were connected to the internet, but many weren’t connected. Yurt communities were first popular with environmentalist and naturalist groups, but later they were seen by religious fundamentalists as a way to live a life approved by their God. People took asylum in a yurt community to live in a society suitable for their beliefs. Whether the community be religious, naturalist, environmentalist or some other type, they were considered a safe place to live if a person followed the particular community’s standards or beliefs.
The Golack Yurt Community was one of three around Lake Pend Oreille. The community was built on religious fundamentalism; they took their Book seriously and lived by its word. Each community member wore an earthy colored smock, woven on site. The yurts were actually wooden huts with thatched roofs, covered in moss. The community had a thermal-dynamic power generator and a station that connected to the internet. Besides the glass light-bulbs and occasional appliance for cooking or storing food, the dwelling looked like it was from the Middle Ages. The pathways that connected the yurts to the garden were packed dirt, covered in small rocks. There was a wooden bridge that lay flat across the banks of the glacier stream that ran through the middle of the community. The bridge looked like nothing more than a couple fallen trees with a carved flat top. Off to the rear of the garden looked to be a chicken coop. Grazing along the steep backdrop of the mountain behind the community were sheep and goats. At the base of the mountain’s ascent was the largest community structure, the temple, which was decorated with stained glass and had a lookout bell tower on the top.
Jenny and Jean both took a look at the view from the trailhead which was like standing at the dwellings’ Main Street. They looked down the community’s pathways and stared in bewilderment.
“This is like going to some sort of 19th century theme park,” Jenny whispered.
“I think they had more than this in the 19th century,” Jean said as he looked around, taking care not to make eye contact with any of the dwellers.
The people of the community looked like peasant farmers. Their faces were splotched with dirt and their clothes looked weathered at best. The men wore shoes that looked like leather moccasins and had pants which didn’t even cover the ankles. The women wore bonnets and had full length dresses, the bottoms were muddy. All of the dwellers appeared to be dressed similar to one another except the guy pacing on the temple balcony.
J
enny scanned the area near the trailhead. She found a spot she liked, a moss covered rock above the stream, with a clear shot down the center pathway towards the temple. “Let’s get a shot here, of me,” Jenny stood straight, with her back to the stream as she was talking. “And there,” she pointed towards the temple, “I think that’s Hagar and he’ll make his announcement from up there, I’m pretty sure. So let’s get a shot of me here introducing this place and then get closer so we can mic him.”
“I can mic him from here, is that him with all the robes up there?” Jean asked and then continued, “Plus, from back here, I can get some nice shots of the village if we go to Live coverage and he’s gone inside or something,” Jean was nodding his head as he spoke and making a square with his fingers, forming a frame that he looked through.
“Perfect,” Jenny said. She then shined a big smile and adjusted her shoulders, “I think that is him. Well it’s got to be.” Jenny adjusted herself and looked over some notes on her mobile device. She took a couple deep breaths and then said, “Let’s do a take. He might be getting ready to address people soon. Looks like some of the others are getting set up closer.”
“Look. Look at that guy. I mean he’s like a King or something up there, ready to command his peasants. Do all these people just do whatever he says?” Jean was pointing to the balcony of the temple. Hagar Abraham paced back and forth on the temple balcony. The leader wore a long robe with rich colors. The robe shined red or violet depending on how the sunlight hit it as he paced back and forth. The robe was not the only thing that set Hagar apart from the rest of the Golack community. He also wore a tall hat which was the same rosy color as his robe, except it was embroidered with what looked like gold and jewels. Hagar Abraham wasn’t like the rest of the people in the community. He lived substantially better off than his followers. At least, it appeared that way. He had what seemed the biggest plat of land. His accommodations were by far the largest and it also looked as though he must not do any work, besides judging who gets to stay
and who has to go.
His work was different, though. He brought together the community and was without question their leader. They believed Hagar Abraham knew how to guide them through this difficult period of life, before heaven, when temptation from that which is unholy was at its strongest. The community believed in his wisdom and he believed in the Book.
Jean asked again, “Don’t you think he kind of takes advantage of all these people?”
Jenny replied to Jean’s comment, “You know, you can look at it like that. I was raised religiously and then sometimes wondered why our religion was right and had all the answers. But if it makes them happy…” Jenny paused and gathered herself, “Look, let’s not get sidetracked here. Are you ready to get the shot?”
“Camera is recording. Go ahead and start whenever, be ready to go Live. I think you’re right, he looks like he’s about ready to start, he’s probably just waiting for the cameras to get set up,” Jean said.
Jenny started with her introduction as the camera pointed at her, “I’m Jenny Albertson reporting with CRN Action News, we welcome you to the Golack Yurt Community high up in the Bitterroot Mountain Range. We’re just outside of Sandpoint, the town that’s been front and center of the Reproduction Research debate. In a few moments we’ll hear from the Golack community’s leader, Hagar Abraham, as he weighs in on the issue of children growing up in the Cloud.” Jenny paused and stepped to the side so the camera could get a better shot of the community, “My cameraman and I have hiked over three miles to reach one of the most fundamentalist communities known. Normally outsiders are not allowed up here, we’ve all been invited to take a peek at how these yurt dwellers live. You’ll see, here,” Jenny pointed, “On the left of the screen runs a glacier stream. It is the life vein for these people that live their life by the Book. The stream provides water for the garden, animals and people. It is an integral part of why this community is completely self sufficient.” Jenny stopped talking and smiled. Then she looked to Jean, “How was that?”
“Good, looks like it was just in time too,” Jean said. A red light on the camera turned on. “I just sent the shot to the news room.”
“Okay, let’s do another one. This time I’m going to give a background on Hagar.”
A green light on the camera turned on. “News room is telling us it’s almost time to go live. You ready?”
Jenny held her hand to her ear as if she was listening to an in-ear speaker. She then replied to Jean, “Yes, I just heard the same thing. Do you think they’ll air the bit we just did?”
“I wouldn’t worry about it now. I think it’s…” Jean held up his hand and then looked directly at Jenny as he spoke, “On my mark, 3…2…1…” Jean dropped his hand.
Jenny began the live segment, “This is Jenny Albertson reporting live for CRN Action News. We welcome you to the Golack Yurt Community in the Bitterroot Mountain range, not too far from the epicenter of Reproduction Research that is North Mountain Academy. We are expected to hear a statement from Hagar Abraham imminently. You can see to my left at the end of the pathway there is the community temple. Pacing the balcony is Hagar Abraham in anticipation of…” Jenny paused. Hagar Abraham raised his arms. Jenny talked quietly, “Everybody has come to a dead silence, this is our cue he is about to speak.”
Jean panned the camera to center on the balcony and began to zoom in.
Hagar Abraham lowered his hands, palms down. He then touched his palms together in front of his chest and looked up, he mouthed some indiscernible words. He then looked at the silenced crowd. Each person was focused intently on what he was about to say. Hagar Abraham had a command over the peasants when he said, “Let us begin by saying our prayer,” the community chimed in with Hagar Abraham, the entire meadow reverberating, “Thank you blessed one for the life you have given us. We know our life is in your hands, my Lord. We are here to do your bidding.” Hagar Abraham paused and then placed his hands together again as he looked up and mouthed indiscernible words again. Some of the peasants were doing the same thing.
“Today we have with us certain members of the media. It is important the world sees what we are doing here. How we work with God to live a pure life so we are received in heaven with open arms. We are at an important time, an impasse between religion and science. One has reached a pinnacle where the other side is beyond what God ever intended for our life. As a people of our Lord we have to do what is right and make sure those around us do no harm to us or themself. I’ve invited you here because I know you will do what is right. You will share with the world what will be said here today.” Hagar Abraham took one of his hands off the balcony and turned around making a welcoming gesture from inside the balcony.
Onto the balcony stepped a large pale man with light eyes. He had a shaved head and wore black military fatigues. He looked imposing compared to Hagar Abraham who was standing considerably shorter.
“We have joined forces with Religions of God. At a time when our beliefs are being tested to the core, we have set aside our differences and acted as one group. Our God is the same and it is the belief in a judging God that we share. It is the belief in God that we must protect. It is the belief in God that we must honor and preserve.”
“ROG has sent us a warrior of God. This is Zeek. He will be our protector and fight in the name that is holy. Make no mistake about it, we are at war. Those that believe life can be created in a world beyond ours do a disservice to our God. We must protect our holiness’s sanctity. We must be righteous. Blood has spilled in the name of our Lord and it will spill again.”
PAR T III
The Riots
C H A P T E R 1 5
The guys got into Seattle before sunset, before the news was even news yet. They pulled into the sustenance depot as the mood enhancers wore off. Parker and Cad looked in awe at the giant stadium sized warehouse in south Seattle. It was a dark structure that stood as tall as a skyscraper. The sustenance depot was a feat of modern enginee
ring, a spectacle of disbelief for some. The facility grew crops and raised proteins; it produced food for the entire region’s UAN population. Inside the building they harvested and processed the sustenance, as well as loaded the super transporters. Dunc gave them a little tour after he parked the rig. Dunc’s rig was scheduled for a fill the following day, so it was parked in a line of other rigs waiting to be loaded.
Since Cad and Parker were part of a UAN academy they were cleared to go in the building. The security was strict though, the guys had to leave their mobile devices in the clearance room and wear sterilizer masks, safety glasses, and white micro-fiber body suits that covered their hair.
Once inside the guys got a firsthand look at the lower levels of the sustenance depot. They were not cleared to see the top floors. Dunc brought them in a glass tube elevator to the 30th level, one of the soybean floors. The elevator’s glass doors shot open and they stepped onto white floors lit with bright white lights. The expansive room smelled like a mix between sterilizing chemicals, radiating from the glossy white floors, and fresh produce with a hint of fish fertilizer. The soybeans were grown in an organic hydroponic farm system. Nearest the elevator were the seedling plants that were all growing close together and floating on the surface in shallow baths of water. The rows of hydroponic baths were stacked four high at the seedling level.
The guys walked down the center row, making note of the incredible robotic transfer system that sent seedling plants to their early growth stages. The plants never left the water. Upon further inspection the guys noticed how the seedlings were essentially moving down a conveyor belt of sorts. It was not a belt, though. The plants were slowly being pushed by water current that sent them down the long narrow baths. The seedlings were moving towards small gates that opened up into wider baths to permit for growth. By the time the seedlings made it to the next bath they were small bushy plants. After traveling 150 meters they were tall and a luscious green all resting in one large bath on the ground level. The green soybean plants made their way to the processing machine at the rear of the floor.
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