Day Eight Hundred Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It was a day of calm. Having the feel of the lull before the storm.

Jezer led out more groups who are now safely ensconced in the hiding place.

Meesa continued to monitor developments. Concern was mounting that the authorities will soon notice that the amount of “labor groups” going out were more than those returning. To my thinking we shall soon need to exodus en masse. Especially as the numbers composing the labor groups dwindle. An event that will all the more be likely as more drones are filling the skies.

I was at the point of broaching the topic with Elijah again, when someone brought in a damaged drone to Meesa.

Perhaps Jezer can find some spare parts.

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Day Eight Hundred Seventy Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The authorities had given up their recent strategy, and no longer attempted to locate us. Instead they hit on the idea of making us come to them. They wanted us to surrender in exchange for the remaining widows and orphans in their control.

Neither Meesa nor Jezer were amenable to letting us act on that offer.

I was of the same frame of mind, but none of us knew what Elijah’s thoughts were on the matter.

For he had not been appraised yet about their demand. He had sequestered himself late yesterday.

And such we thought was still the case.

Then all of a sudden we answered a knock at the door and Elijah entered, widows and orphans in tow.

Day Eight Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have completed our first round of meetings, and they have resulted in a multitude of blessings. Besides the bonds that have been forged, the fact that we were kept on the move, thwarted the attempts of the authorities to locate us.

Meesa reports that all are encouraged by our freedom of movement, and they claim it to be the Hand of the Holy One at work on behalf of His children.

I confess to one lingering concern. If the authorities had indeed learned about the presence of Elijah and myself in the city, who told them?

My thoughts insist on returning to the individual who demanded that Elijah confront the persecutors with divine power.

Could anyone be so unwise?

Day Eight Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our series of meetings have started to bear fruit. Word comes through Meesa that many people are contacting her, to ask when they can leave.

This ground swell burgeoned throughout the day.

However, we still had the problem of meeting to coordinate our actions to reach our desired goal.

That’s when Jezer reappeared. And he had a solution.

Wherever he had been, he was in position to hear all about our efforts to contact Hamashiachites. He identified those who were the most effective in spreading the word. And now Meesa has a list and a method for pulling us all together.

But Jezer also brought the intelligence that the authorities will soon be clamping down on movement within the city.

Day Eight Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

During the daylight hours, the constant din of construction assails our ears. I find myself longing for the relative quiet of the night.

Jezer welcomes the noise. To him it means, that for the time being, the authorities have chosen to ignore the goings on in this quarter, one in which can be found a multitude of those not bearing the mark.

As to himself he is currently basking in plenty, having sold off all his camels. And is contemplating his next investment.

I just hope we do not end up part of his calculations.

Meesa has praised him to Elijah and said his aid has been pivotal to the needy in this quarter. We passed the afternoon with her.

Day Eight Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I thought Jezer merely unscrupulous in his business dealings. Clearly his attempts to sell to people not bearing the mark (Elijah and me) would make him guilty in the eyes of the authorities. At the time I guessed that his view was just a matter of – no witnesses – no crime.

But that he bore a phony mark didn’t change my estimation of his character. And that was at the crux of my apprehensions to being in the same city as him.

As ever Elijah is unconcerned. He points out that we have no idea how we will be treated much less whether or not we will be allowed to enter the city.

He just knows that we must go there.

Day Seven Hundred Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Only a few hundreds from the villages gathered at ours, prepared to set out. Mei was disappointed that so many were choosing not to go. I came along side to encourage her and remind her that it is always this way. And to remember to rejoice that some have responded to the call.

Elijah led us out, first to the city. There the Captain met us. Thousands were prepared to accompany him. It was obvious the authorities had been holding back more than Raj P.

P was surprised to see in their number a couple of his former jailers.

After a brief discussion about our marching order, Mei led off with her people, then the Captain’s.

Lastly Elijah and me.

Day Seven Hundred Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas had noticed my frustration yesterday. So he pulled me aside to explain a few realities.

The Supreme Commander is only supreme in matters pertaining to the army. He is the servant of one of the global factions and must answer to them. He has made a very risky decision in our regard, for each of us are wanted individuals by those same authorities.

For now, the Supreme Commander’s sense of debt towards us has dictated his stance. And Tomas is reasonably certain he will stand by his decision in the face of opposition.

Still there are factions in the army that would delight to see him fall and assume his place.

Elijah confirmed Tomas’ analysis with a wistful smile.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Complaints were lodged with the authorities against Elijah and myself by someone or “someones” with whom we talked yesterday. They claimed that we attempted to seduce people away from fealty to Stan and the world order. And made even wilder accusations that we were kidnappers.

This hubbub has made the Captain’s negotiations regarding the ship all the more difficult. He’ll go back tomorrow after they have  some time to calm down.

Then there were some consequences. He has confined us to the ship for the immediate future.

Elijah was compliant for the space of an hour, before deciding to go ashore by himself. I prevailed upon him to go to the Captain with his plan.

He relented and we went.

Day Five Hundred Ten #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One plus about this jungle – we do pass other travelers, and thankfully none of them are officers of the global government. They are either merchants or peasants traveling to or from the metropolis.

Elijah queries each one upon encounter about Hamashiach. But so far all have hurried on, expressing no curiosity by asking any questions in return.

One merchant even became belligerent, and would have struck Elijah except that he clearly saw that Elijah’s staff was bigger than his.

With a snarl he continued on towards the metropolis.

I am sure he fully intends to report the encounter to the authorities.

But we should be through this jungle and well on our way before anyone can get up a pursuit.