Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We gathered last night to debrief one another. It is clear that Mei and Meesa have managed everything in the most harmonious fashion. Peace and contentment crown all their efforts.

And we shared the details of our adventures and the faithfulness of the Spirit towards us.

I marvel at how quickly things can settle into normalcy. Both for us who have been gone and for those who stayed. A welcome circumstance.

The Captain and Jezer again set out for the task that we had interrupted yesterday.

Elijah disappeared into the set apart place. I feel the same need but I have one other thing to do first.

Quasimo had asked my help with the drones. That done, I joined Elijah.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The explosion rocked the ground beneath us, throwing us down. After we regained our footing, I looked back and saw a rising plume of smoke from somewhere on the other side of the reservoir.

Pandemonium reigned in the sky above us. Drones and warplanes criss crossing and colliding and falling to earth.

I briefly remember being thankful for the confusion for I realized it favored our escape. But then as I fled with Elijah in tow I saw that the confusion was affecting the cohesion of our group.

Reuben was in the advance urging us on, but Quasimo and Magwich were no where in sight.

Quasimo and his drone did catch up with us later, but Magwich is still missing.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben found us a nice perch on a building across from the army barracks that stands outside of the prison. The whole area including the army camp and the prison appeared deserted.

Few drones were flying around. Just enough that we decided it was safe to fly ours.

Inside the prison there was no sign of movement or activity.

On its return flight, we caught sight of someone else atop another building.

Quasimo took it down for a closer look. And there staring out at the prison was Magwich. Alone.

Reuben went to him and brought him back.

He was contrite. Especially when he reported that his comrades had been killed.

But then related that he had traced Mawuli here.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I understood Elijah’s decision. It was a nod to the concern held by the majority within the hiding place. Though I was willing to go along, I felt that a latitude should be granted to those who will operate the drones to utilize them when and where necessity dictates.

I insisted that he and I go out with Quasimo on a test run. We chose to take a peek at Damascus.

We put some distance between us and the hiding place before launching.

Though the city was small in the viewfinder, a stream of activity was clearly discernible going in and out – unmistakably tanker trucks.

On the way back, Elijah asked if we could take a look at Jerusalem tomorrow.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I had not been able to close my eyes in sleep all night. I was compelled by an urgency to intercede for Tomas and Sy on their reconnaissance mission.

Yet the vigil in no way impaired me in my chores come the day. It seemed only to have energized me to further exertion.

In the afternoon I worked with Quasimo on a big project. Our drones kept at the hiding place had fallen into disrepair during the time of our separation in the East and South. He had gathered the necessary parts, and we should have them up and ready by tomorrow.

Elijah saw what we were doing and stopped and forbid us to use them anywhere in the vicinity.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

One more night and the decision will need to be made. Last night we moved forward in our uncertainty. At least, the amount of patrolling drones has dropped to nothing.

Consequently, Elijah lifted his prohibition on talking, so his three disciples filled their time up with arguments for Elijah’s going to Jerusalem tomorrow night.

The whole matter seems to amuse Elijah, who remains silent and just smiles. He has made it plain that they are free to go to Jerusalem on their own.

Who knows, perhaps that will be what ultimately happens.

Reuben and Tomas are still keen to be back at the hiding place, too, but afterwards they do intend to go up to Jerusalem together.

Elijah didn’t comment.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Reuben was the one who discovered the cave. He said afterwards that it was as though he was pulled into it. And I marvel that he did, for no way was the entrance visible from the path below on which we were fleeing.

And we gained its safety none too soon for otherwise the swarm of drones would have overtaken us.

And here we have stayed put through the night and all of today.  Reuben was restless and made frequent forays to take a peek around. He reported the movement of soldiers in the distance, happily, headed in the wrong direction, but was shaken to his core the last time when he spotted Moglen standing nearby, watching in silence, alone.

Day One Thousand Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We passed into the territory that lead to the village at the edge of the wilderness that surrounds our destination. Only at the sight of that town did I realize that we had not encountered the patrolling drones that plagued us on that former occasion.

I remarked on their absence to Elijah. Even as I did so we both knew the answer. They were needed elsewhere for a bigger military operation.

So too with the village. It was deserted. And there, signs were evident of abandoned encampments at both ends of the town. Neither of which had been there the last time we were in the vicinity.

We stopped to rest in the town square, then took up our march.

Day One Thousand Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are up against it. The road is a solid mass of slow moving traffic in both directions. How any of the groups ahead of us got beyond this point is a mystery.

Reuben took everyone back to the relay point, except Elijah, Quasimo and me. Thankfully it is not that far away. I shall summon them if circumstances arise favorable to our passage.

Our observations so far are not promising. The few breaks in the traffic were filled by attending drones keeping vigil overhead.

Throughout the day I made two trips back to the relay point to familiarize myself with its turns and doglegs that I may all the easier navigate it in the dark.

Now we must wait.

Day Nine Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were on lockdown still when he left to take up the thread on our queries. He left me with a whole set of drone components to tinker with. It kept my hands busy and my mind occupied.

Elijah even lent a hand, off and on. It reminded me of the days when I knew Elijah as Lyle, and he called me ‘Enough.’ Back when we built a pair of drones. And left the city behind for the mountain.

When I voiced my recollection, Elijah said it elicited a different memory for him. It made him miss his pigeons, Rufus and Clarissa.

And that touchstone released a new flood of memories about people we hope to see again before long.