As I Walk These Broken Roads

“Even now you deny the truth. But you know it to be truth. Listen! Perhaps your time has come — is it not correct that we steward our land? And is it not also correct that we should steward our people? Our children?” The Betrayer showed no signs of faith. “Slayer is a tool against the brethren who do not listen — against the people of Hope who do not obey. For those, that is, who do not walk with the Lord. A new day of stewardship is dawning. The Armageddon has come and perversion is no longer possible. All that was once profane has become holy; when one walks the righteous path, there is no more perversion. Tell me you understand, child?”

“You… no. Why are you telling me all this? I could kill you right now! You are not a prophet, you’re evil!”

“Such words from a disobedient servant… failed Sodomite, I fear not that the unenlightened would believe your words; only through faith can the truth be seen. Slayer delivers more into the fold every day — I have nothing to fear from you, you have abandoned the Lord. It shows in your eyes.” He shook his head sadly, “I tell you because I am a man of mercy. I suspect it is too late for you, Betrayer, but yet I still hold open the door. Will you enter back into the Grace of the Lord and his Prophet?”

“You… really think your perversions… the perversions of Slayer and his men… you really think that is the way of the Lord?”

“The day of judgement has come and past. Oh, lost child — it is only through such perversion that we can rediscover the lord! It is only through blood that we can heal a blood soaked Earth! Slayer is part of the prophecy, the first step in the Mennite people returning to the Lord. Tell me you see it?”

The failed Sodomite just shook his head, his skin pale.

Jenkins sighed. “Ahh… I am sorry, Betrayer, for I think you are lost… you are lost, my child.”

The other looked down at the table, taking several deep wracking breaths before speaking again. “There is one thing you’re forgetting.”

Jenkins looked across at the poor, broken soul, tears in his eyes; shoulders slumped, vision dull. “And what would that be?”

“The seventh deadly sin. The most deadly of them all. Hubris… Arrogance… Pride.”

Jenkins didn’t respond. He just stared, trying to interpret the stranger’s motive.

“If you’d been a bit more humble, maybe you would have realized that we’ve got the tech, and we can work fast. On the other side of that glass are the Elders you’ve been betraying. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” He smiled viciously at the priest, the fear Jenkins had seen earlier evaporated, and he tossed a pair of steel handcuffs at Jenkins. “Put these on and worship before mine feet, asshole. Believe me, you don’t want me putting them on for you.”

Chapter 24

The Mennite Elders shuffled out of the room, dignified and silent. Wentworth suspected they’d lose the attitude once they and the Mayor were in private. He stepped out of the shadows, and started disassembling the equipment which had created the illusion of a live interview on the other side of the one-way mirror.

“Well, you pulled it off.”

His nerves flared, but he didn’t allow his body to show a response. He’d assumed that the Captain had left with the other officials, but here she was, leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

“A man does what he can,” he turned back to the cables. “I’m sorry for putting you in a tight position with the Mayor.”

“He’s the one who decided to hire you. Besides, what was it you said? I was in a situation, and it was either act, or not. A woman does what she can, too.”

Wentworth nodded, and continued disassembling the equipment.

“You know, they say those things are what caused the war.”

“Maybe… but not this one.”

“I guess not. Listen, Wentworth — about the plan we discussed; I’ve been thinking about it, and I want you to train the men.”

He paused, and looked over at her. In the dark room his goggles were completely depolarized, and his eyes met hers straight on.

“You won’t get extra pay for this. It’s part of the original contract.”

“That wasn’t what I was going to ask.”

“Good.”

“O’Neil… I don’t know if it’s really my place. You’re their Captain, and you’re the one who’s going to be leading them. You know them, I don’t. I’d feel like I was trespassing. Besides, Raxx and I need to prep his vehicle.”

“Yes, they’re my men, and that’s why I want the best training available. Wentworth…” she and stepped away from the wall. “I’m making a lot of gambles with you and your friend. A lot more than I’ve ever had to make before. Your plan sounds good, otherwise I wouldn’t have agreed to it — but I’ve never seen anything like it before. I don’t know all the nuts and bolts. I’m Police, not some raider. But it rings true. I don’t really know where you came from, but if you’re half as good as they say, then I want you there for the training. Besides, it’s going to be your life on the line.”

Wentworth tilted his head down and breathed. He flicked his eyes up to meet hers. Patricia’s held a vulnerable intensity.

“Okay. Tomorrow, in the fields south of the city.”

“I’ll have them ready. And Wentworth…” she uncrossed her arms, hooking them in to her belt, jarring her holster forward. “If you’ve been bullshitting me on any of this then I’m going to hold you personally responsible for whatever comes.”

Her pistol wasn’t a ladies weapon. Looking at it now, he noted the extended magazine. “Fair enough.”

“Good. I’ll see you on the morrow.”

* * *

He found Raxx in the parking lot next to the town gate. The Mechanic had been obliged to return the truck there, after violating the local rules by driving it to the Constabulary’s office, and he was engrossed in his work. He’d decided to skip the meeting of the Mennite Elders, focussing instead on the armouring of his vehicle for the upcoming battle. Off to the side was a V shaped underskirt for the trucks bed. Wentworth had no eye for steel quality, but the thickness and angle looked adequate for deflection.

Raxx didn’t notice his approach. The petroleum generator masked any sound, and he was focussed on drilling mounting holes for the shield. Wentworth waited.

He finished, and set down the drill. He blew away the shreds of metal, and removed his safety glasses. Reaching over to a container on the truck-bed, he pulled out a bolt, and threaded it through the hole. He checked, top and bottom, that it went through smoothly, then nodded to himself. Standing up he noticed Wentworth.

He shouted out a greeting, moving over to the generator to shut it off. “—the meeting go? The Elders on our side now?”

“The Mayor’s discussing that with them right now — but I don’t think it’ll be any problem. They didn’t say much, but I could see them vibrating when they watched you arguing with Jenkins.”

“I figured as much.”

“You did a good job there.”

“Hey, it’s all about getting into their head, right?”

“I guess so. Listen, Raxx — O’Neil wants me to help out with training her men. Are you going to be okay without me?”

“Umm… what time are you going to help her with that?”

“Not until tomorrow.”