As the Eagle Flies

by J. D. Oliver

  I don’t know why I am telling you this, like it was something unusual, I swam with my Bowie on also. Faith had started to wear a short buckskin skirt and vest, with her black hair tied back in a ponytail, she looked more Indian than me. Especially since I hadn’t shaved in a coon’s age. I did keep my beard trimmed though.

  As she put her skirt on, I said, “I notice that you don’t wear panties anymore.”

  “Oh they just get in the way. Except when it’s my time of the month, then I do. I need something to hold the moss.”

  “Moss? I thought you used female napkins?”

  “Now do you see a store anywhere around here? I could use rags and wash them out, but it’s less trouble to use moss and then burn it or throw it away.”

  I guess you’re right. I do remember Mom said something about moss one time, but I didn’t understand what she meant.” I said, as she tied her vest in place, then I added, “What about the rest of the women, what do they use?”

  “I don’t know, do you want to ask them? What’s with all of this interest all of a sudden?”

  “No, I don’t want to ask them. I never thought of it before, but when you mentioned it, with all of these women around, I was just curios, I guess. If I run across a store, I’ll be sure and bring some back.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Clancy and I left right after it got dark. Of course I rode Brutus, but a couple of the other horses followed along. Since they wanted to go, I put pack saddles on them. Who knows what I might want to bring back.

  I had two rifle scabbards, one on each side. Of course my old standby 30-30, plus a .50 caliber Sharps, that would hit a target at nine hundred yards. I always liked to ride with boots on, must be the white side of me. But my moccasins were in my saddle bags. Those night vision goggles hung from my saddle horn.

  Between Brutus and Clancy, I let them pick the trail. They could see in the dark better then the goggles could. Besides the moon was full and the stars were extraordinarily bright. Must be that with most of the electrical grids down, you could finally see the stars as you should.

  In the moonlight I could see the Big Horn Lake Reservoir in the distance. It ran between the Pryor Mountains and the Big Horn Mountains. I stayed east of it. The land was more level and hilly. We made good time, better than usual. As it started to get dawn, I was on a hill top and in the distance I could see Yellowtail Dam, and the town of Fort Smith.

  Fort Smith had electricity, the Dam must still be generating power. As I watched the yard lights were blinking out, one by one. I was watching through a set of hi-powered Binoculars that I had taken from those Hummers.

  Talking about Hummers, there were a lot of them down there. The National Guard must be protecting the Dam. I heard Revelry played. A whole platoon of troops came out of their barracks and stood at attention. That was good to see, there must still be some sort of discipline left. I was going to give them a wide berth though. One never knew where their loyalty lay, they could be ran by a despot.

  I adjusted the glasses, so I could get a better look. Yep, a lot of them were glassy eyed and hung over. The officer strutting back and forth in front of them was dressed like a peacock. No these weren’t regular troops.

  We went back down the hill to a little spring. There was graze for the horses and shade for Clancy and I to sleep under. Clancy said, “Their Mercenary’s, hired by a regional war lord.” Then he curled up and went to sleep. Of course he would of known, I didn’t have to speculate. I suppose electricity was a high end item, and not everyone could afford it anymore.

  I laid myself down under the shade of a stunted Juniper. It didn’t take me long to go to sleep, I had a clear conscious. You’re probably thinking how could I have a clear conscious, with all of the blood I had spilled? Well, they deserved it. And there is a precedence, King David killed a lot of people and he wasn’t condemned. Now you say, yes, but he had God on his side. Well, maybe I do too, just maybe….

  My dreams started as soon as I closed my eyes. I seen a tribulation coming upon the earth, one like had never been seen before. There were four Angels, holding back the wind for an appointed time. I tried to wheedle the day and hour out of them, but they just looked at me….

  There was total anarchy, people were killing each other for no apparent reason. All except one group of people who were residing in the mountains. I asked the Angels who they were, they said, simply…the Meek. That was when I woke up.

  The sun was hanging low over the Pryor Mountains. It was about a half hour till sunset. I got up and washed my face then got some dried Pemmican out of my saddle bags and Clancy and I sat down and ate.

  “Did you see my dreams?” I asked Clancy.

  “Sure, that’s nothing new, that prophecy has been in the Bible for thousands of years. But the harvest is now much nearer.”

  “What about those people down there, do you think any of them are part of the meek?” I asked, as I stripped out of my clothes and sat down in the little pool at the outlet of the spring.

  “Funny you should ask. There’s two down there, but of the meek, they’re not. You know them. This little scouting trip of yours, wasn’t your idea. Do you remember Mary Jane and Iris?”

  “Well of course I do. Are you saying that they are down there?”

  “Yes, they wanted to do a little riding. They got too far away from the compound and got turned around. A detail, something like the one’s we ran across the other day, got them. They haven’t been hurt, yet.” Clancy said, as he scratched himself behind his ear.

  “But I don’t understand, how come the Carmel Foundation didn’t just go get them?”

  “They could have, but you were getting close, so it was decided to let you rescue them.”

  “Who decided?” I asked. Clancy just looked at the north star, that was becoming brighter in the night sky. “Yeah, I thought so. Supernatural again.”

  “Don’t worry, they’ve had protection. One bad ass Wolverine is with them. He’s a friend of mine.”

  “So where are they? And what about the horses they were riding?” I asked as I got out of the pool and shook myself somewhat dry.

  “In a storage room at the store. The horses are waiting for us. ‘Tas’, that’s the Wolverine’s name, has chewed through their picket ropes.”

  “What did that bunch intend to do with them? Mary Jane and Iris, I mean.”

  “That ‘Warlord’ has been kidnapping women and children for his pleasure, they were next in line. He’s down there, in the end cabin at what used to be a Motel. We’re supposed to take him out, that is if you feel like it.”

  “If I feel like it, huh? Of course I do. I hate people like that. But I still don’t understand, why doesn’t the foundation just wipe them all out?”

  “They are not supposed to interfere; with the normal order of things. But we are free to do what we want, that is as long as it’s justified.”

  “Why are we different than the Carmel Foundation?” I asked.

  “Because we are, sort of, part of this earth, they are not.”

  “What the hell do you mean, they’re not?”

  “Just that. They are under a prime directive, which they’ve stretched to the limit.”

  “What do you mean, stretched to the limit?”

  “Well, they have been given some leniency, as long as the help was beneficial. But in this time of the end, they have been told to keep their hands off.”

  “But, it seems like that’s all I say is ‘but’, anyway, then what about Mary Jane, I thought she was a Hunter, related to the man who started the Foundation, Wolf Hunter?”

  “Yes, they are both part Earthlings. As are most of the people in their compounds. It’s hard to explain, so I don’t think I am going to. You don’t need to know anyway.”

  “Well, you don’t need to be rude about it. I always thought there were a lot of ET’s running around this earth, anyway. But never mind, it sounds like a party is going on down there.” I said, as I got out my night vision gog
gles.

  There was. Debauchery at it’s best. I put my glasses on the store. Everyone was staying away from it. Then I seen why, there was that Wolverine, Tas, setting in front of the door. I looked over at Clancy, “Why don’t they just shoot Tas?”

  “Oh, they’ve tried that. It has no effect on him, like it would have no effect on me. So now they give him a wide berth.” I looked closer at Clancy, he was fading in and out.

  He said, “Do you see what I mean?”

  “Yeah, that’s a neat trick, you’ll have to teach it to me sometime.”

  “I’m afraid that would be impossible. You’re stuck with what you were born as.”

  “Yeah, I know that. But I guess, I’m pretty happy in this here skin that holds these bones together. In fact I’ve become quite fond of them.”

  Sometime after midnight, it got quite. There were body’s laying dead drunk all over the place. I left my rifles with the horses, the only gun I took was my .357. Of course I had my knives. My moccasins were guiding my feet, if there was a twig they stepped over it. I wasn’t even thinking about it, they were doing that on their own.

  There were men and women locked in sexual embraces, just as they were when they passed out. It was a little bit comical. But not really, it was more pathetic than anything else.

  Clancy was walking ahead of me. He went up to Tas. “Well,” Tas said, “It took you long enough.” Tas looked at the store door, you could hear the lock click open as he looked. I asked Clancy, in a whisper, “I suppose you can’t teach me that either?”

  He didn’t answer. I guess he deemed it beneath his dignity. We went into the store. I guess you could of called it a General Store. Because it looked like it had about everything that they could pirate or scrounge.

  Tas headed for the back room. It had a padlock, that clicked open as he approached. Sleeping in the bed was Mary Jane and Iris. The three of us stood beside the bed and waited, Mary Jane opened her eyes.

  She looked at me, “Tas said you would be coming.” Mary Jane said as she sat up and the covers slipped away. It was the same old Mary Jane, naked as a jaybird. I was glad to see that Iris wore pajamas. She got up and bent over the bed, shaking Iris, “Come on Honey, it’s time to go.” She said.

  “Is Clay here?” Iris said, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She seen me and held her arms out to me. I picked her up. I glanced at Mary Jane, “do you have any clothes?” I asked her.

  “Not really, they’re torn and dirty, but I’m sure there is something that will fit me out there.” She said as she padded toward the main store. We followed along behind the swing and sway. She went through the clothes, picking out some for her and Iris alike.

  She slipped into them, then said, “Just a minute, I have to get my knives. Iris, where are your knives?” She said to Iris in passing.

  “There in my Teddy Bear, under my pillow.” Iris wanted down, she went with her mother, when they came out they were dressed in Army Fatigues. They both looked sort of cute. We , all five of us, went outside.

  “Clancy, why don’t you and Tas take the girls back to our camp, I have a little chore to do.” They headed that way. I watched them go, there was something not very congruous about a little girl dressed in Army Fatigue’s dragging a Teddy Bear behind her. It wasn’t the Teddy Bear that was out of whack, it was the Fatigues.

  They were all setting around eating some pemmican, when I got back. I sat down, nobody said anything. Then I got up and went to the spring and washed my knife. I came back again, I looked at Mary Jane, “Say, what happened to that Pete Frank, I thought he was sweet on you?”

  “Well, I guess he was for awhile, but one day, he just wasn’t there anymore. I asked around, but was told he just didn’t fit in. Whatever that meant. I was getting a little bored with him anyway.” Mary Jane said, with her head turned.

  “Yeah,” I said, but to myself I thought, ‘like so much’. We still had about four hours to go before the dawn, so we set out. Mary Jane and Iris’s horses had followed them up the hill when I left them to do that little chore. So they had their own saddles and everything.

  At dawn, we stopped and got a little sleep; two hours or so, then we headed out again. I knew there was nobody around; so I felt safe in traveling in the daylight. We got back to camp an hour before sunset.

  Faith was some surprised to see Mary Jane and Iris. They fell into each others arms. Alita and Iris, were the same. Rosie came up and gave me a hug, “Glad you’re back safe Dad.” She said, with relief in her voice. “Where did you find them?”

  “At Fort Smith, Clancy said that was the reason we went there; is to get them. It’s sort of a long story, ask Clancy he’ll tell you all about it, he likes to talk.” Rosie walked over to where Faith and Mary Jane were still jawing. Rosie joined the conversation, Faith glanced over at me, then came my way. I was unsaddling the horses. She came and started to help.

  “That was something, finding them. Are you hungry? I have some leftovers?” She said.

  “Yeah, I could eat something, I suppose Mary Jane and Iris are also.”

  “Rosie is already taking care of that. Is food the only thing you’re hungry for?”

  I kept unsaddling, then I laid the saddle under the lean-to, taking my wife by the hand, we headed for the warm spring. You know why, I don’t have to tell you….

  Afterward, while floating around on our backs, Faith asked, “What happens now? Are we still going to the Judith Basin?” I had to think about that question. Had things changed? For some reason I had a feeling that they did somehow.

  But it’s hard to think on an empty stomach, it was growling at me. We shook off and got dressed. Then went and joined the rest, who were already eating. We filled our plates and went and sat down beside Clancy.

  “Well Clancy, Faith wants to know what’s next, are we going on to the Judith Basin?” I queried him.

  “If we do, you are going to have running battles all of the way. The evil one has a firm grip over the land.” He said, while chewing on some beef jerky.

  “What about those at the Foundation? Are they Okay?” Faith asked.

  “Sure, no one can get at them, not even the Evil One. We can go if you want to, but really there is no need.”

  “Well, if we don’t go there, what are we supposed to do?” Faith said, with an edge to her voice, “Hang out with the meek ones?”

  “No, you all are not part of the meek ones.” Clancy said, completely ignoring her sarcasm.

  “Uh…just who or what are we?” I asked.

  “A tool, a rather blunt one at times, but still very useful.”

  “You answered who or what you consider us to be, but you didn’t answer about what we are supposed to do.” I said.

  “It is not I, that said you were a tool. I am but a go-between, Gabe and I both are. Wait a minute, I misspoke, I am the one that said you and Gabe and I, are tools, in that we are used to get things done. But it is the Great Spirit and his Son, that are taking back heaven and earth.”

  “You’ve been dancing around and around the question, I’ll ask you once more, What are we supposed to do now?” I said, with a slight hint of exasperation.

  Faith had been pacing back and forth, she said, “Don’t answer that yet, answer me this first: What has happened to or is going to happen to our loved ones in New Mexico?”

  While she was asking that question, Gabe had settled down beside Clancy, he cleared his throat, if an Eagle can be said to clear their throats. “Uh, maybe I can answer both of those questions at the same time. It seems that your expertise is needed at the Ranchos de Chama. But you have accumulated quite a retinue. Whom we will have to separate.” He paused and looked at Clancy, he took over.

  “Yes, Elizabeth will arrive the first thing in the morning, to take everyone, except for you and Faith, and of course, Rosie, Alita, Lacy, Mary Jane and Iris. Oh, yes, Tas will be going also. The rest of the bunch will be going to the Carmel Foundation.”

  “What about our Horses and Mule
s? And just how are we supposed to go, cross country or what?” I said…

  “Oh yes, of course the livestock will go with us. The Worm Hole, will open up at exactly nine in the morning.” Gabe said.

  “Worm Hole? What the hell is that?” I asked.

  “Oh come on, haven’t you ever watched any of those science fiction movies? They weren’t all fantasy, you know.” Clancy said.

  “I thought they were just between Universes or something.” Faith said.

  “There are different kinds and magnitudes. This is just a simple earthly one. Doesn’t take much power at all, it will only remain open for fifteen minutes. Enough time for everyone and the horses and mules to be transported to New Mexico.”

  Most of the women and children didn’t have any druthers either way. All except Seven Tosh and her children, Jessica and Peter. But when we explained that Poppy and Hank would be going with them also, they acquiesced.

  Hank had mixed feelings, he wanted to stay with the livestock, but the pull of seeing his Mother and Tiffany won out. When it came to Harry and Patty, they were more than glad to get away from Faith and I.

  The next morning everyone was up early. They all helped pack the horses and mules. Breakfast was over when Elizabeth de-cloaked and settled down.

  I was a little taken back, when a beautiful naked woman stepped out. Faith whispered in my ear, “I know who she is, it’s Elizabeth, she’s figured out a way to have a body, something she’s always wanted.”

  I walked up to her, I put out my hand to touch her, expecting her to be a holograph. My hand touched her breast, she smiled at me. I pulled my hand back, “I thought you might be a holograph, where did you get this body?” I asked, my face turning red.

  “It’s a time of miracles, they thought I deserved one, after all I’m five thousand years old.” Elizabeth said.