The Battle beganwith a Blessing, a Beverage and a bomb.
Word spread through the HomePlex of the official Commensuration of Jerusalem, Church-speech for bestowing of an official blessing and Ribbon Cutting. Zeke Salvation put the local populace to work cleaning up Jerusalem, which they did with great enthusiasm, extremely, strictly enforced. Singing songs glorying the Lord with the same, stricly enforced gusto. They were all haggard, dirty, malnourished, exhausted and terrified.
Zeke had his own security, the Rude boys take care of the severed heads. “Bad for the cameras”, he figured. He inspected the new Grand Church of Jerusalem, the former Elvis church. All the Elvis memorabilia were removed, replaced with Gilead-themed imagery: An American Gothic portrait with a blissfully happy couple. A signing of the Declaration of Independence with the addition of overhead lighting and ANgels with fiery swords. A family pportrait of Zed, Judith, Nell & Izzy, a radiant happiness added after the fact. “This is depressing.”, Zeke thought. He rather liked the Elvis Church, it was kooky and fun. Maybe he could build an Elvis Shrine, an idea he immediately shit-canned, also not good for the cameras. Everythign was going swimmingly, just fine and he struggled not to panic. Everything was in place, Ned told him through ArchAngel. No turning back now. It’s all in the blood-red nails of the Goddess of Fortune. “What?”, asked his aid. Quickly, Zeke smiles and said, I was wondering what Jesus, as he was nailed to the Cross would think of this glorious time!”. “O-kayyy”, his aid said. Zeke told himself to shut up. Discipline. Soon he will rule the HomePlex.
The next morning, Zeke and the SOTC Honor Guard assembled at the airstrip outside the town. The Red Carpet came from the Keane Casino. The transport flew in, a turbo-fanned affair with the Kean Casino logo on it. It hovered for a landing. The Emcee signalled the band to strike up the tune “O’ Lord thanks for the Yams” with a children’s choir singing in exaltation of Yams. The door opened, and the Chancellor stepped out first, holding an ornate Shepherd’s Crook. After came the Elder’s Wife, Judith, wearing dark glasses. Then, the Elder himself, Zed Ivory. All wore white robes that shimmered in the early morning sun, teeth just as bright. Except for the dark glasses, the party looked like they were all made of light. “I gotta learn how they do that! I’ll be needing it soon”, Zeke grinned as he knelt and kissed the ring of the pompous old fool & most dangerous enemy.
The Motorcade rode into Boomtown, the populace standing by the side of the road, having eaten yesterday, showered, and put on fresh, modest clothes handed out by God’s Little Helpers. All smiled. Stritly enforced.
A Throne was set up in the main Ballroom, and all the officials formed a long line to receive the Elder’s blessing while the band played thanks for the Yams again and again. Everybody smiled. Nobody enjoyed it.
Then, the main event. The Steward bought out 2 golden, bejeweled goblets. Zed took one and Zeke the other. They toasted each other & crossed arms while sipping from the Cups of Bestowed Wisdom & Commitment. They were filled with Grape Juice, chilled and rather good. Then, the Elder was given an oversized, golden Scissor, and he cut the ribbon holding the new Seal of the Protectorate. To much enforced joy, singing and band praising the yams, Zed and Zeke walked solemnly out of the Ballroom to an adjoining backroom. “I’m sick of Yams”, Zed said & Zeke laughed honestly, it was funnier than hell. “Do we really need the trappings, Zed? You came all the way out here to drink grape juice & cut a ribbon.” “Yes, my son, it is necessary. These rituals may seem sily, but they bind us together. And wouldn’t you rather have a silly ritual than make people conform by use of force & menace?”, Zed asked.
“I can actually hear the ampersand!”, Zeke marveled. Zed’s a pompous fool but I got to find out how to do that!”
What followed was an unadorned, efficient Status Report. “So, you are sure Kyoto has posted sentries at the Ganja overlook?”, Zed winced at the name. Gilead did not approve of pot or Cheech & Chong movies.
“Yes, my Elder. And… they intruded. We watched them install surveillance devicesalong Chance Canyon to spy on our training grounds. They trespassed! This is an act of war Zed. Just give me the word and I will take Kyoto!”, Zeke demanded, more for show. “No, now is not the time. Please open Jerusalem for business, family fun with a little sanctioned gambling. Train the children in war & as witnesses. God willing, we will not need to act militarily but show the people the light of our Lord.”
“Meaning, through assassination, subterfuge, packing their School Boards, propaganda. Just like the Good Book says.”, Zeke kept those thoughts to himself.
The Chancellor approached, “It is time to return, my Lord.”. “Jerusalem is in your capable hands, Zeke. Go in Peace my brother.”. He stood up and Zeke kissed him on the lips. Totally NOT gay! Zeke’s escort whisked him away through the back door. And just like that, he was gone.
That was standard security. Every leaving is an exfiltration.
Zeke went down to the Vault, repaired after the blast. His crew watched the Elder & party being hustled into waiting vehicles that sped out of town, to the airfield with the transport, the Red Shadow unit VSTOL. Red shadows had all kinds of nasty weapons & com-drones eployed. Zeke wondered if they’ll follow him after he takes command. No, he cannot leave that to chance. Zeke watched the party enter the Transport which then took off at maximum speed, jinking to avoid missiles. It dwindled into the darkening sky, then, was replaced by a gright, expanding ball of flame, a star-burst. An asterisk of God, Zeke thought as everything went into motion.
Alarms went off, his own comm unit buzzed. “The Elder craft exploded. Sending drones to investigate.”. 15 minutes later, the bots reported in. Explosion confirmed. No discernible wreckage, just a fine powder. No survivors.”
An hour later, a bereft Zeke dolefully reported the treachery on a secure link to the Elder Council. He recounted something zed told him before leaving, playing back the recording of Zed appointing Zeke Emergency powers should God or an assassin come to take him to Heaven. ArchAngel, who created the video, authenticated it. He assumed Emergency Authority over Gilead and the Protectorate of Jerusalem and sent the rest of the Elders home, under guard, strictly enforced.
ArchAngel ran the failover protocol, which gave Zeke complete administration over the AI. He ordered the Gilead military to monitor their borders, and to detach a Tank Company to Jerusalem. ArchAngel broadcast a live message from the Martial Governor across the land, decrying the treachery, malice & Satanic intent of Kyoto, vowing revenge for the cold-blooded murder of the beloved, esteemed Elder. Therefore, in the name of God our lord and Jesus our savior, Gilead declares war on the evil trinity of Kyoto, Mendocino and Lake Geneva. All enemies of God shall be sent to the Hell they so richly deserve. In the meantime, stay in your homes and pray for our Community and the soul of Zed Ivory.”
ArchAngel informed him, “The VSTOL also successfully exploded with all Red Shadow perished.”
Zeke assembled his private force. Bad-ass guys he trust would happily eat babies on his command. “These are really scary dudes”, Zeke thought proudly. He christened them Shadow Ninjas. Our assignment is to be passengers in those tanks yonder then, deliver a nice fruit basket to Mother in her lair beneath the lake. Sounds good, fellas?” They all cheered. This is going to be fun! They had severe chemical dependencies he had to maintain, but well worth the price.
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