"Because if they are indeed followers of ancient Magog, then they'll follow the prophecy's written in the bible.
"Okay, I see it just became complicated. Explain," barked Thomas, as Jason sighed then continued.
"It is complicated, and it depends on which scriptures you read. Most indicate they will gather a host of armies that Satan has deceived, and rise against the true people of god. There are also a few passages that indicate that the peoples of Magog, are really the chosen ones of God and that all will follow them or suffer God's wrath."
"What in Hell's name does that have to do with us?" interrupted Dunnon who had risen to his feet in agitation.
"Because they won't wait. All the scriptures are clear, from the books of Amos, to Ezekiel, to Revelations. The sign for them to act is when the apocalypse occurs and locusts devour the land, which could be loosely mean, the undead. At that time, they are to act. If they believe in their prophecies at all, they must act. They will attempt to recruit you to their version of Old Testament God and mark each believer with a 'sign'. They cannot wait for if they are of that particular prophecy, then God has told them to act now. Time is of the essence." The Reaper paused briefly as he saw the Chief's looking at each other. "Tell me, have they approached you with the idea of assimilation and do their followers wear a mark somewhere upon their bodies?"
"Yes," muttered Thomas after a full minute of silence had ensued. "A capital G branded into their chests over the heart."
"Most scholars would say that 'mark' is the sign of the beast as spoken in Revelations. They are also reverting to Old Testament practices with crucifixions and slavery. That must be stopped before we revert into anarchy!"
Chief Thomas rubbed a tired hand across his face before responding. "Look, Reaper, or Captain Scott, whoever you are. Even if what you say is true, there's nothing we can do. It's possible we might be able to take their compound. Very iffy as they have heavy weapons, but still possible. We have numbers are on our side, but we would likely lose a majority of our capable shooters if it came to that. They tried early on to breach our north gate with some sort of heavy machine gun that one of my guys said was a .50 caliber, but we were able to take out the truck as it was closing. There were several other vehicles behind it which turned around after we filled them full of holes."
"Did you recover the .50?"
"No, damnit, it exploded as one of my men climbed into the bed of the truck. I lost two people that day along with a half dozen wounded. They booby-trap everything and yes, I know they're crucifying people on that big cross of theirs and are keeping slaves. One escaped; she's still recovering at the hospital."
"You have a functional hospital?"
"Yes, the Samaritan Hospital. We protect them, so get our medical free of charge, but all other outlying groups need to pay. They have several doctors and nurses, including other staff; it's a pretty decent sized hospital."
"What about the girl? Any Intel from her?"
"Limited. We haven't been able to question her much. A high powered round took her down, just as my men were taking her in. Maybe one of those .50's, because it blew a chunk out of the underside of the patrol vehicle after it almost took her thigh off. They had to finish the amputation at the hospital and currently she's still in recovery."
The Reaper nodded, as he thought for a moment before responding. "What are your long range plans?"
"You'll have to talk to Douglas Atwood, the serving city manager. Used to be on the council but the others either died or turned into those creatures. He's the planner but we're hoping to make the community viable. The shortwave out of Newaygo has good tips on getting started. New programs every day, and repeated. We just need power beyond generators in order to get more of the infrastructure back online."
"Newaygo can help. They helped Paris and there's an away team present right now getting power back on. That same power source can also be directed to Macon."
"Paris? That's only ten miles away. What's going on there? Power, as in electricity?"
"Yes, and a lot, and you need to start combining your separated communities together. Rebuild America. The longer you wait, the harder it will be for everyone!" intoned the Reaper.
By now both Chief's were looking at Jason with a combination of desperation and suspicion and bent their heads together to indulge in a whispered conversation before Wilson turned back to the Reaper, as he spread his hands.
"Provide a viable solution and we'll consider it. But right now we can't attack the cult. We'll lose over half our people just getting inside and we are not willing to risk the loss of life on that scale."
"Granted, but let's check in with Newaygo and let them know what's going on. Then I need to contact the other larger groups just outside your perimeter." The Reaper had been glancing at his watch to see where the satellites would be in relation to his position.
"How can you contact, Newaygo? We only have a receiver."
"I brought along some equipment, but we need to be outside and I'll need my ruck." he finished.
Another, brief whispered conversation between the two men in charge of Macon, and he received an affirmation. "Let's go outside and contact your superiors." Wilson said as he opened his desk drawer to grab, and then holster, his .40 caliber Glock 22.
*****
Rho turned away from the servant he had recently bestowed his blessing upon and rose from the bed. His godlike lust satisfied for the moment, he toweled himself off then donned his robes and walked sedately from the bedroom. That the slave he had just left was very young, had no meaning; for these were biblical times, with biblical rules. The host left on earth had only two purposes: To follow the rule of the one and only God, or to suffer under the heel of his chosen. Rho could only care about the chosen, for he had been anointed by God to collect the hosts from the four corners of the earth from amongst the warring survivors of the apocalypse as spelled out by Revelations and earlier. Like locusts, they would lay waste to the ungodly, bringing a final peace unto the world.
Rho, had not been born Rho. He had been the unwelcome offspring of billionaire parents who had conceived him during a moment of weakness in between their busy schedule of business and social commitments. He had rarely seen his parents as he grew up, and like most in his situation rebelled with frequency in a variety of creative ways. Vandalism was the first, to be closely followed by alcoholism as a mid teen. Drugs followed a short time later, and there was not a drug, he had not tried many times. Every car his parents gave him, he crashed, always high on something, or drunk. His young socialite girlfriends were legion and since he never wore protection, many had become pregnant, only to be bought out by his father, who would simply shake his head before heading out to his next appointment. So, he did his own thing and rebelled, until...
He found religion, or rather a variety of religions. Some of those religions were good, though some were bad. They all loved him, for he brought a great deal of money into their coffers as he experimented with each. Experimenting with Satanism, Druidism, Wiccan, Christianity, along with many others, they all blurred together, until he had the vision. One night during an intense party with the latest religious group he had attached himself too, he'd had a vision. The party had been going nonstop for two days and they had liberally used everything from Marijuana, to LSD, to Meth, to Ecstasy which culminated in a massive group orgy. The tab was on him, and everyone loved him. But, he experienced the vision!
Even high, they had been reading from the Old Testament, specifically Ezekiel, before moving to Revelations, doing all of this while under the influence of drugs he couldn't even name when he had fallen to the floor in convulsions. Those closest to him, dragged him outside and called 911 for they did not want their rich benefactor to die. He had felt himself being lifted, then the mild discomfort of his bare heels dragging over rough asphalt but it didn't matter as the vision was unfolding behind his eyes.
It was at that moment everything fell into place. He realized he was truly a descend
ent of Magog, from the line of princes and kings and 'The God' was telling him that the land of Magog needed to be reborn and that his true name was Rho. Rho he became and after his parents died, he'd invested in a one square mile of land in Missouri. Then he collected followers.
Being very selective, he'd started with those he knew and then branched outward. Seminaries were held, all expenses paid and he'd gathered more. Now the land of Magog was state of the art, with all the amenities, including weapons.
"Are the men vigilant, my servant?" Rho was addressing brother Jaaziah, who was waiting just outside the door. Jaaziah was his right hand man, the Captain of Rho's host. They had known each other for years, having met shortly after he realized through a vision that he was Rho, a direct descendent of the kings of Magog. It was also Jaaziah who had secured the heavy machine guns through a corrupt supply sergeant in the Army, from a base on the west coast. His Captain had also secured a great many of their other weapons and supplies from that same sergeant. The land of Magog was secured and about to gather their hosts and move outward.
"Yes. We are continuing our parimeter sweeps and all are dedicated to the cause." The cold stare of death greeted him as Jaaziah responded.
"Any word on the footprints you found?" he asked.
"No. We lost them. It was only one person though."
"Does an example need to be made?" Rho frowned as he gazed with equally deadly eyes at his disciple.
"No, Prince. It's under control and an example will be made, but of whoever was spying on us. I've sent one of our best to show the ungodly their sinful ways. Those within the city will join us shortly, or they will perish. You have my word!"
"Good, because I would hate to crucify a useful servant," responded Rho. He paused as a faint mewling could be heard behind the closed doors at his back. Jerking his head towards the direction of the sounds a very young child in agony would make, he continued. "Dispose of that. I may have damaged it, irreparably.
"It is only a slave, Prince."
"Agreed, and the godless shall be buried beneath the earth" said Rho as he walked off and Jaaziah entered the Princes quarters, to coldly stare at the infidel that lay upon a blood soaked bed, while rolling in agony.
The Reaper: No Mercy Page 29