Day Eight Hundred Thirteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I am naturally suspicious. So it took awhile for me to warm to Quasimo. Elijah had no such qualms. He kept him nearby all of yesterday and together they planned for our exit.

It was necessary to remain in the audience chamber for, per his knowledge, everywhere else was under surveillance. There, I finally took some time with him this morning to get to know him better.

His family was taken up in the glorious appearance. He was left behind and bitter. And sought the kind of employment that landed him in the inner circles of the world government.

He was blinded, but now he sees.

As we set out, he turned and asked for the removal of the mark.

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Day Seven Hundred Fifty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas brought back a lot of intelligence about the habitation in the clearing. We sifted through it, point by point before making our decisions.

The habitation is marked by signs of the presence of the world government. Tomas saw their flag at the entrance on the far side of the compound. So, the Captain’s advice seemed most appropriate.

There is a very good road leading out of this area upon which Tomas had observed tanker trucks. Thus Stan and his people have the same idea as the Supreme Commander’s army.

And so, we will have to steer clear of that access. More’s the pity.

We wait again while Tomas searches another exit.

All of us, including Mei live in hope.

Day Six Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We arrived at the end of the pass today. And caught up with the army. It was spread across a wide valley. A valley that was hemmed between two mountain ranges. And the only exit appeared to be a pass on the far side.

The army did not appear to be ready to tackle that next leg of their journey.. Or so we hoped.

Elijah still desires to get out in front of them. We have found a place apart where we can observe and plan our next step.

The Captain can’t help but want to stay in this area because he can’t shake the belief that Tomas is somewhere behind us.

We plan but we look to the Spirit.

Day Five Hundred Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We arose early and went in search of our friends. Only a few farmers in carts heading to market shared the roads with us.

We said little on the way in.

When we came to a temple we had passed by yesterday Elijah insisted upon entering. It bore all the signs of rededication to the cult of Stan. An acolyte motioned us forward but we skirted around the morning crowd and made our exit.

With the citizens across the city tied up in similar meetings we quickly got through to the civic center. There the Captain and Tomas were penned in a cage. Their surrounding captors fainted away at Elijah’s approach.

We released them and together returned to the country.

Day Five Hundred #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The one lead we had from the river district was a dead end. We have only a third of the metropolis left to check.  It seems more likely than not that no followers of Hamashiach remain to be found.

It is a severe disappointment to Elijah. Under his crusty exterior he is actually very tender.

We have moved again today. Our exit from the metropolis is only a day or two away. The slums will be the focus of our search next. Rather than stay in one place we plan to move about daily and stay wherever we land for the night.

I long to be back on the ship and among our friends. I wonder how they are faring.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The two incoming vessels made no moves to block our exit. This heartened us and caused us to re-evaluate. Perhaps we were misreading our situation.

The robotic warship was riding station a good distance away and showing no signs of interest in our movements.

The Captain ordered the ship to half speed as the distance closed, and on his mark Tomas set a new course in an easterly direction.

The warship continued to ignore us, as our ship picked up the pace to cruising speed.
Our sense of relief grew with the new day and no signs of pursuit. I fell to contemplating other things.

What was it that Emil had given in trade for these three cargo containers?

Day Four Hundred Sixty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our apprehensions for Elijah and Tomas were laid to rest upon their return in the dog watch before eight bells. Tomas brought back some information that went a long way to assuage the Captain’s anger.

They had climbed to the top of the tallest building in the city. From that vantage point they could see the robotic warship. Two other vessels were in its company. They appear to be blocking our exit.

At the other end of spectrum Elijah is pleased to report that Emil has safely set up camp in the interior, which he confessed was according to his plan.

Two vessels entered the harbor today. Tomas confirms they are the ones he saw.

We left before they docked.

Day Three Hundred Eighty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Given Elijah’s time in this city, as long as he showed interest in who was coming in and not considering a departure by their gates, he was ignored. But now that he or rather “we” are planning our exit, everyone asks questions about us. When are we going – and where and for what reason? In his second such encounter he learned they do not have a kind regard for the followers of Hamashiach.

The Purser tells us this is not typical to his experience in the past. But it makes sense to me. Without the stabilizing force of the Spirit to the city, those remaining are suspicious of those who “abandoned” them.

We shall depart as soon as we can.

Day Two Hundred Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

“Twenty eight days.”

Acting our herald in the streets, Elam continued to proclaim the warning.

We gathered a train of people on our way to the administration building. They saw us coming and shut and locked the doors in our faces.

As Elijah spoke to the assemblage, I circulated in their midst. Some people I recognized from past days, but the further out I went, they all seemed so new – and I could tell that they were hearing all of this for the first time.

When Elijah finished I turned back to join him. A small group accosted me. Each one complained to me that which ever direction they tried they were denied exit.

I had no answer for them.

Day One Hundred Ninety Six Evening #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Enough writes:

My captors act crestfallen. My non reaction to their threats upsets them.

Upon their exit, they declared that I am responsible for what happens tomorrow in the square.