Day One Thousand One Hundred Eighteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The events of the day blurred the moment artillery shells crashed down into the city.

The day began with the decision to somehow displace the powder from critical areas throughout the megapolis. Tomas had made lists and sent out units with the assignment.

The fact that Tomas had guessed correctly was confirmed by the falling artillery shells on those specific targets.

Thankfully they had been able to clear all of the targeted areas, except one. Otherwise the resultant conflagration would have been much wider spread. As it was, ironically, it impacted most severely the loyalists of the world government. Little effort was expended on their behalf.

Elijah and I waited for Tomas’s return to inform him we had our sign.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Strange things mark this day. (None, however, were the sign to trigger Tomas’s departure).

The sun came up and promised to lend a cheeriness by its presence. But in its rise it did not dispel the darkness overhead. There were no clouds, but something hung there as if there were.

The blackness turned to a dark purple, that then lowered onto us like a fog of a similar hue.

It raised a great consternation among the guards, one of whom scurried about distributing gas masks. Forcing us to don them also.

Tomas swept in with word that nothing was toxic or otherwise harmful in the fog. Then took us back into the megapolis to be closer to the Supreme Commander.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas called early for Mei to take her to meet with Lung. Quasimo’s cousin asked to go along to support her and to perhaps bring another perspective to share with her former comrade.

Elijah and I went out at the same time and accompanied them into the megapolis where they dropped us off before continuing on. Tomas had arranged another audience with the Supreme Commander for us. First to thank him again for his kindnesses, but to also reveal to him the end of days rushing towards us all. And his specific end should he continue on his course.

He heard us out with respect, but it seemed to me, his attitude was quite unconcerned and unmoved by my descriptions.

Day One Thousand Ninety Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas had encountered Elam’s group and took them on a tour of the desalination plants situated out beyond the bar of the harbor. It is the other reason for the presence of Tomas here in Babylon. They had been sabotaged by the former occupants of the megapolis before they abandoned the city.

He set them in working order again. (We now understood the reason for the surfeit of water around the city).

And the Captain excitedly recited all the news about his ship. Chief of which was the presence of Mr Kagi, who is still its proud owner.

He wants to go out again today and bring Mr Kagi back to meet everyone else.

Elijah thinks it a capital idea.

Day One Thousand Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Off and on we caught views of the megapolis from the lower elevation of the riverbed upon which we have been traveling. Not much has changed from the memory I carry of Babylon when we skirted around it on our escape out of the citadel. The skyscraper that came down on that occasion has not been replaced. A great void in the skyline marks its absence.

Our forward progress ground to a halt where the water filled the riverbed from bank to bank, forcing us up and out into the open.

It was more water than we have seen in an age.

And its level appeared to be rising as we watched.

Elijah decided we must make for the road.

Day One Thousand Eighty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Off to our right today we saw elements of the army of the East. They were hard at work digging in and setting defenses for the main army which must be within Babylon, now visible to our front.

Sy brought back word from Mawuli that forces were on their way for a similar purpose in this area, and advised we skirt this development by swinging even further east.

We lost no time in complying, finding ourselves nearing the river Elijah and I had followed to the megapolis many months ago.

Thus we found it necessary to regroup and move as a single unit around the increasing number of patrols.

I suggested that we make our way down to the river.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept well off the road as we made our way west. The traffic thereon has been noticeably less than we remember. Tanker trucks were still in the majority, but more appeared to be headed west than we had seen rolling down to the megapolis.

Quasimo thought it an indication of big changes in store for the region and for the world. Stan always talked about moving west to Jerusalem. The financial levers would remain in Babylon. What he had planned for the City of David was on a whole other level.

Quasimo was silent for a spell, obviously disturbed by his thoughts.

Elijah moved beside him to encourage, and to tell him that certain things must come to pass.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The skies were clear above the megapolis for most of the day. Only the occasional drone could be seen making the rounds on its patrol. Quasimo opined that the warplanes were no doubt back to their job of running sorties against the army of the East.

I asked him if he had knowledge about the conflict.

He replied that any contacts between these forces were minor by Stan’s design. And only used as a means to draw the army of the East where he wanted it.

We ended our day near the point of our parting from Tomas and the Captain, and Mei and Raj P – where the road to the west crossed the northern approach to the towerless city.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We divided our attention today between watching our steps and observing the activity in the skies over the megapolis. The ground was uneven, so at times treacherous. Hence our caution. But the presence of fleets of drones and circling warplanes over the city were a another source of concern.

Quasimo thinks we have no need  to worry.  He was certain that they are celebrating his “successful” assassination of Elijah and myself. Even if he had to bring down the building to accomplish that end. (Though he joked that Stan would not be above charging him for the value of the structure).

I just hope we can make it out of the area before they ascertain that our bodies aren’t there.

Day Eight Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our guide has switched roles today, looking to Elijah and myself as guides into the Truth. He hung upon every lesson as Elijah taught from the surroundings. The plants heavy with grain, the water nourishing their roots, and the very light of the sun’s rays helping us to see these things.

Time seemed to stand still as we kept on our way. Before we knew it we were beyond the fields and into unreclaimed desert. The dryness added discomfort to the heat.

We began a swing to the north following the contour of a bowl-like depression, the end of which meant a steep climb up to a new elevation and a view of the megapolis- minus its tallest building.