Day One Thousand Two Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another change to our prospects. Sy and I did find some more foodstuffs, untouched under an opening clogged with rubble. Sy says it dates back to his former occupancy of the redoubt.

This development may not, however, influence Elijah’s decision. He still thinks most should be sent back – especially Mawuli.

We had more time to contemplate the situation on the way past the stone bridge. Tomas wanted to show us the extent of the forces that are tied up in this death struggle.

I was not prepared to see the aftermath of a battle spread out below that high position. A crimson carpet of bodies left drying in the sun, all bearing the uniform of the army of the East.

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Day Four Hundred Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Late into the night Elijah and I discussed what to do. Before turning in we concluded that we would explore our immediate surroundings.  

First on our list was the northern road that runs out of the one open gate. In the hills just outside the city we discovered a series of villages and farms. In those that were closer to the city the mark was prevalent. But further out it disappeared. Good news.

We were able to restock some foodstuffs. And gain some information. Those without the mark had been driven from the city. They uneasily await a future expulsion from their current locale.

Come that time Elijah advised them to prepare to travel north to search out the Purser.

Day Three Hundred Seventy Seven late morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah writes:

The Captain got us to sea with only a short delay. His plan had been to take aboard as many containers as possible, but curtailed that notion in favor of a few select ones with foodstuffs.

Once underway and with our course set southward, Tomas and I brought the government guard up for questioning.

Tomas doubts his truthfulness, but I thought him quite forthcoming. He had held up all alone at a barracks outside the city. There he found the communications that pulled him back to the ship. That marks the limit of his knowledge.

I know more. The container transferred to the warship was a weapon resupply.

Day Three Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has made his decision. He will offload those containers invoiced for this port under two criteria, those not filled with foodstuffs and those with no possible future use.

With this decision which will place the ship in port for the immediate future, Elijah felt moved to approach the Captain with his request. He asked permission of the Captain for us to go on shore.

When he asked why, Elijah told him we must seek out followers of Hamashiach. Though reticent the Captain gave his assent.

We met with the Purser to talk about his family and how to find his home. He gave the information whole-heartedly.

We made our way through the empty streets to his home.

Day Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Discovered a citizen of the village today. In the third dwelling we checked. An elderly woman. She confirmed to us that she is the sole remaining tenant here.  She knows little beyond

A month ago people were moving in both directions. Everyone was trying to convince her to come with them. She felt that they all had convincing arguments. For both choices. And that’s what confused her – she couldn’t make up her mind and by default decided to stay put.

Lyle has been talking with her all day to persuade her to come with us.

To no avail. She won’t budge. She believes she’s too old for any new adventures.

On the plus side we’ve traded for foodstuffs with her.

Day Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Steady climbing today. The notch the path is aimed at is in clear view.

We had an alert from Rufus. Something was nearby just out of sight. Lyle checked and did find some tracks. He thinks they’re from a bear. But they were headed away from us. My opinion anyway.

We’re both agreed that we’ll need to secure our foodstuffs over night. And set a watch. And launch a drone.

The last was my idea. But Lyle says it can’t and won’t be his. I guess if I feel that strong about it it’ll have to be mine.

After giving it some more thought I decide not to.

Another night of watchfulness. Yet so good to rest all our aches.

Day Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We reached the village by mid-morning. We’d seen it all already through the cameras on our drones. There was nothing left to discover on the outside of the buildings. Each of us was burning to know if there were something or someone inside of any of them.

Lyle took point this time and I covered. All the homes in the outskirts on this side were empty.

We’d been moving at a good clip, but once we hit the Main Street area we bogged down.

There was so much to check. We still have not encountered a soul. And our search for foodstuffs proved a little more rewarding.

Only completed half our search because an alert required a rotating watch.

Day Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our trail rarely takes us in a straight line. It runs at the mercy of the terrain. I take point, so I see it all first. We’ve grounded our mechanical “birds” and depend on the live variety instead. They keep us sharp.

Our packs are full and heavy, but they will get less so as we slowly consume the foodstuffs. We are on the lookout for means of replenishing these supplies, but nothing comes to sight as yet. Lyle thinks that we should run across some towns or hamlets out here. I think we made need to do some gathering from the land itself. I also think we will need an education along those lines so we don’t poison ourselves.

Day Forty Four PM #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We arrived at an area where there were no intruder sightings all day long. We felt safe enough in the afternoon to put our drones up. This whole end is a solid wall. Lyle feels and I concur that we’re not likely to find anything different any place else up this way. Therefore we are going to look for a good place to climb over or lower us down from that wall.

While Lyle minded all the “birds,” I took the opportunity to forage, and stumbled upon enough foodstuffs to replace that which we consumed these past few days.

Lyle informed me at day’s end that he had sent his drone out to its limit. Other people are out there.

Day Twenty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Feet dog-tired this evening. Seems we covered every building within a five block radius. Lyle in the morning again, and me in the afternoon. I stayed out about six hours. Though neither of us turned up the needed component, I did not return empty handed.

Between us we now have enough foodstuffs to allow us to concentrate on the drone part the next couple of days.

While out I again saw the intruder. Judging by the time and space, we must be on its regular route. This fact should make it easier to track back to its lair.

So another reason to focus our efforts tomorrow. Perhaps we should go out together and not worry about the home base.