Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei and Mawuli brought us in to the hiding place with a minimum of difficulty. There was no quelling the celebration that greeted our safe return. Only the news about Tomas and the Captain dampened the spirits of some, those that knew and loved them.

At the first opportunity Reuben and Sy sought an audience to relay important intelligence. Both had just returned from Jerusalem. Stan is indeed there, gloating over his ‘complete victory.’ A conclusion he claims since he is the ‘last leader standing.’ And though triumphant the general feeling among his followers is an abiding hatred towards Elijah and his followers.

Because they realized we would soon be going there, they were begging the honor to accompany us.

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Day One Thousand Two Hundred Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I am proud of Mawuli. He is exercising supreme control over his compulsion to wade down through these elite troops to get at his chief tormentor.

He has taken to heart Elijah’s advice (and warning) that any vengeance we could imagine to inflict upon Stan for his deeds would fall short by an infinity to the true justice he shall receive under the full weight of the Word.

For now he is content to share the vigil with Tomas and await developments.

He is as keen as I am to witness what is coming.

Later the Captain stirred more excitement when he brought news of more visitors.

I hurried to Elijah. Two of his disciples were there fresh from Babylon.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

It has taken this entire day to clear up the many misunderstandings that had taken hold of me in my exhausted state. In particular I formed a simple census in my head as to who is here and who is not.

Mr. Kagi is not missing, rather he had not come up with the Captain but sailed back to Babylon. That news dismayed me. But not as much as the clarification that Mawuli disappeared when out with the Captain, Sy, and Magwich as they were going around methodically destroying the routes into the hiding place. They believe that he took it into his head to go up to Jerusalem. All by himself.

Elijah called a meeting to talk about Mawuli.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

In our meeting of yesterday the Supreme Commander revealed to us news of the conflict raging far to the north, as the forces out of that fastness have been engaged by those of the world government. He was content to sit out and let them weaken one another, all the better to step in later and destroy them both.

We welcomed this news but for another reason, and advised Quasimo’s cousin and Mei that now would be the best time for them to depart on their journey.

They agreed and Tomas concurred and together we escorted them to point outside of Babylon to the west.

As we were parting, Lung appeared and committed to accompany the women on their journey.

Day One Thousand Ninety Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain got his wish today. Tomas escorted him down to the dock area to visit their former vessel. I wanted to go along but Elijah decided our presence was more necessary here.

I’m looking forward to their return and to what news they will share.

Mei, Mawuli and Sy and Elam went out into the city at Elam’s request to look around. The guards accompanied them as an escort for their protection, not in the least restrictive.

Elijah found a room in the apartment for a set apart place and asked me to join him in a time for intercession. Consequently we missed the return of both parties, and hence did not learn about their news until much later.

Day One Thousand Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Mei recognized him first, and resisted her impulse to rush to greet him. For we all knew the need for caution. But when she saw that it was her old unit with their tanker truck she called out to him.

We were welcomed into their camp and made comfortable.

Lung asked to meet with Elijah and myself.

He spent the night detailing all that has happened to him since he parted from us on the mountain on that long ago day.

When he shared about his transformation we called Mei in to hear the news too.

And as his crew continued pumping water at daylight, we heard the rumors that Stan had been fatally wounded in the battle before Babylon.

Day One Thousand Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We were in sight of Sy’s redoubt (for such it has now become) when we encountered Elam in his tanker truck. He stopped, picked us up and turned around.

It was as we guessed. He now operates out of a staging yard from the army’s rear lines to its front, and rarely goes to Damascus. He put off his return until tomorrow in order to hear all the news.

Sy was hospitable though reserved, for he knows the reason behind our visit. Jordan, by contrast, was ready to return with us that very moment.

Elijah called for a meeting after the evening meal.

We met, and cleared the air about many things. In particular I was keen to hear Jordan.

Day One Thousand Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa came in with our host when he returned from the daily foraging. We had been indecisive as to what we should be doing, so we were actively waiting. We each individually had come to the conclusion that something was immanent.

Though Elijah was prepared for the news she brought, I was not.

The sight of her reminded me that there was something I should have done. Once we had made contact with Elam I should have sent word to Quasimo that his mission to the Galilee was no longer necessary.

And here Meesa was reporting that Quasimo was now underway.

Elijah took it in stride. He was more interested that army units were thronging the roads to the east.

Day One Thousand Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our return to monitor the tanker truck staging yard was interrupted by one of Elijah’s pupils sent to retrieve us.

When we asked the reason, we were told that two men from Elijah’s second group had come in from the north looking for Elijah. They have news from Jerusalem.

Reluctant to leave and chance missing Elam, we asked if he could bring one of the men to us.

He no sooner had left, when I spotted Elam roll in. As his tanker was filled, we moved outside and hailed him as he drove out.

We urged upon him our invitation for Sy’s people to come to the hiding place.

Before he dropped us off he had news to share too.

Day One Thousand Twenty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The joy at our successful return was dampened by the news that not everyone from the Purser’s contingent had made it.

They are not just missing as if they took a wrong turn somewhere and got lost. Or held up by some barrier like we had been. Witnesses from a group led by Mawuli actually saw a missile strike obliterate them in their tracks.

Mei and Meesa who have been reaching out to those traumatized by the tragedy, enlisted Elijah’s aid today to bring them the peace of the Spirit.

Reuben is hard at work evaluating our security in the light of this incident.

I am helping but concentrating on what it means to our ability to bring others in.