Day One Thousand Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We petitioned the commander to replace one of the men guarding us. He was overbearing in his treatment of our injured members. And was threatening them with instant punishment for their slow reactions to his commands.

Why he singled them out when he shied away from the rest of us baffles me. Perhaps it is only an indication of his meanness of character.

The commander heard our plea and replaced the offending guard, but substituted an even more brutish one.

Thankfully about that time a truck from the Supreme Commander’s headquarters pulled into camp and we were spared further bother. (And the guard a possible drubbing from Elijah).

We climbed into the back of the truck and were driven off.

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Day Nine Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

How draining it can be to expend oneself all day in the instruction of another. Or in this case more than one “another.” But seldom is anything more rewarding, especially when you sense their hunger for illumination.

All this as a partial explanation for my late rising this morning.

I went in search of Elijah and found him huddled with Reuben and Magwich. It took a moment to catch the gist of their conversation.

Magwich was panicked about the imminent arrival of the commander of the military camp surrounding us. And Reuben sought to encourage him that all would work out.

I volunteered to accompany Magwich as his “model” prisoner.

All ended well, as it was merely a courtesy call.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The attitude of our guards changed after our interchange with their commander. They deferred to our needs in all interactions since then.

Another tanker truck arrived this morning, just as the first finished filling up. The commander will be staying here while sending the full one back. (The second belongs to his command also).

He will keep us here until he receives an answer to his communication.

Elijah has made it known to everyone his decision not to go backward. He is open to accepting any provisions the Supreme Commander may release for our use, but he won’t appear before him as a condition to receive them.

Tomas took me aside to ask if he had made the right decision.

Day Seven Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

At the least we were not taken down to the chamber to be locked up again. The unit attached to the tanker truck held no interest about the dam other than their immediate security.

Once its commander had his mission underway, the collection of water from the lake, he finally deigned to speak to us.

Tomas had been insistent with anyone within earshot until cuffed into silence by one of our guards.

So he was gratified at last to have the chance to request a communication with the Supreme Commander.

The unit commander was at first skeptical and almost dismissed his request out of hand.  That is until Tomas pressed him with the emergency code word.

The message was sent.

Day Seven Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our captors were more uneasy than us. They had rushed to the side of the stricken officer, and were relieved that he still breathed. They kept their weapons trained on us, but at a respectful distance.

The commander was at a loss as to what to do with us. Once he settled it in his mind that what had happened was defensive and we had no inclination to go on offense, he put us in a room with twelve guards.

This morning he dispatched us with our detail to appear before the Supreme Commander of the army.

It was a long hike through ring after ring of army units to its hierarchical center.

Our weary day ended in more waiting.

Day Six Hundred Ninety Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed through the first encampments of the army with ease. They subjected us only to mild scrutiny. But as we arrived at the next ring of army units we were challenged, brought to their commander and kept waiting for hours (the individual was tied up with other pressing matters, or so we were told).

All was uneventful until the arrival of an officer to make his report. He saw Elijah standing there, staff in hand, and demanded that he relinquish his “weapon.” (I believe he recognized Elijah from the broadcast).

When Elijah didn’t comply, the officer attempted to take it by force. The second he touched the staff, he fell to the ground.

The commander no longer ignored us.

Day Five Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Though the port authorities signed off on our proposal, we did have one more hurdle to overcome. The commander of the warship, as the senior representative of the global government at this location, needed to grant his permission.

He kept us on tenterhooks all morning as he mulled over his decision. At last it came in the affirmative, with one proviso – we must carry some supplies for their ships at our next port.

The Captain agreed, and was happy to, as that meant taking on less ballast for the voyage.

Later, upon observing two containers being lashed to the deck rather than placed in the hold, I remarked to Elijah that it appeared we would be resupplying that robotic warship.

Day Four Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

First thing we descended to the city. All the gates were closed. We heard the sounds of activity within, but saw no one. We made our way around to see the harbor. Three ships floated there and two were tied up at docks, but none was ours.

Then we realized we had to check the opposite side. And when we did, we discovered another road from the north and an open gate.

The guard in command denied us entry, for in his words we may not conduct business without the mark. Elijah declared we were not merchants. This stymied him and said he would ask his commander. And sent us away.

We have to wait to see what comes next.