Day One Thousand One Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

From the safety of a dense thicket Quasimo sent the drone aloft to join the stream passing near the Temple. The surroundings thereabouts were too exclusive and affluent for us to wander around.

The pictures sent back were inconclusive. The cages on the grounds all held animals – no sign of Mawuli.

Ordering the others to remain, Elijah and I, walked up to the Temple.

Ignored at first, that all changed when a passerby recognized Elijah and ran from us raising a hue and cry.

Stan’s image materialized at the gate and announced that the one we sought was now with his army and would do a good service for him.

Guards tried to seize us but we were whisked away.

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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 One Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Tomas was dispatched to the north this morning to pinpoint the whereabouts of the army of the world government – especially those units operating in the vicinity of Babylon.

The Supreme Commander wants to knock out the artillery that has been compounding his problems. And perchance head off any further instances of the purple fog.

Consequently, Elijah and I have been restricted to our building. All for our safety of course, but I have more a sense that it insures the return of Tomas.

Strange, for I thought that the Supreme Commander was more confident in the loyalty of Tomas than of ours.

Perhaps it makes little difference for at base we are all hostages.

And we look for our deliverance.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fourteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The harbor was empty by the time we left last night. And not a soul around to ask what was going on. Even our guards were in the dark.

They took us back to the villa (or as Elijah likes to say, we escorted them to safety). And while he held vigil in our set apart room, I turned in.

I felt groggy upon waking, almost drugged. And I had some difficulty gaining entrance into the set apart room as Elijah did not answer my knocking.

I was at the point of asking a guard’s help, when Tomas exited the room with Elijah.

Tomas worked the rest of the day on the villa’s power problem. And Elijah filled me in.

Day One Thousand Ninety Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Of course, we did not concentrate on such topics while Sy and Elam led us out from underneath the rubble. And the rest of the day was consumed with seeking out and helping those trapped and or wounded.

Mei directed our efforts there.

Remarkably, there were injuries but no deaths. The best we can tell.

Elijah’s warning had made all the difference.

Come this morning we linked up again with Tomas. He had seen to the safety of the Supreme Commander. Who, once safe, was off and running for the front.

Then, we had time to consider our questions.

But on that matter we were inconclusive – except for our necessity of finding less conspicuous lodgings.

Again Tomas saw to that.

Day Nine Hundred Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa has reunited us with our friends – Mei, Tomas, the Captain and Raj P. Much to our joy and theirs. The trail she came across when north of Damascus led her at the last to their refuge here in the desert.

The group is almost four times bigger than everyone now in the hiding place. This simple fact has caused us to settle in to talk about how we can get them all into safety.

Of course it took awhile to get around to the topic at hand for we had so much else to discuss to satisfy each other’s curiosity.

Finally Elijah called us all to order. And while we discussed our options, Quasimo kept watch with the drone.

Day Eight Hundred Eighty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We’ve only been here a day and already Elijah is planning a foray beyond the safety of this hiding place.

Both Meesa and Jezer complain that it is too soon. And advise that he hold off for a week, if not longer.

I, for one, would not mind. I could use a week long Sabbath rest.

This place is immense. Meesa has everyone arranged comfortably and Jezer, with a few choice assistants, sees to their needs.

But Elijah wants to fill up its immensity as soon as he can. He wants to go in search of all the groups we set in motion to this place on our global journey.

I admit I long to see them all here too.

Day Eight Hundred Eighty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa had never seen a drone before. Knew of them, in theory at least, but had never laid eyes on one.

Jezer was startled upon sighting one on his return from leading four more groups out to the hiding place. He is re-evaluating his hunch that the contention between the governmental factions would give us more time. He thinks it’s a sign that the world government has gained the upper hand by bringing these machines in from the frontlines.

I think we will have to step up our departures.

Of course the others are looking to Elijah to thwart this latest threat to our safety. But he wants to put off his direct intervention for as long as possible.

Day Seven Hundred Seventy Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our young people returned with good news.  Indeed, there was a passage under this mountain that disgorges onto the other side.

With this comforting knowledge we settled down to pass the night in the safety of the cave.

Come morning we pressed onward led by Tomas and Mei.

There were a couple of tricky sections where we had to descend a good height by handholds chipped from the rock by persons who had explored this way before. Who knows how long ago?

Once through to the other side, Mei and Tomas waited for us to catch up. Tomas collected our firebrands and suggested that we rest up and spend the night again in the cave.

His thoughtfulness was very welcome.

Day Seven Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The first part of our journey has been very difficult. Steep and challenging, especially for Elijah. Though no complaint passed his lips.

Mei kept guard behind us. I think she would fling herself at anyone who would dare follow us.

From our vantage this morning we could make out three groups coalescing on the path for that footbridge over the gorge.

We have the advantage of a couple days on them, maybe more by tomorrow.

And more good news, Jordan’s group was nowhere in sight. Nor could Tomas see them from the heights further on, where he has found the perfect spot for us to pass the night in safety.

That is, if we can get there before night falls.