CHAPTER 71: ANGELS AND SECRETARY CEASAR’S COUP.

At the Rainhounds mountain base, many people had been stuffed into bunkers or were hiding in cars, houses, any place where they could find safety.

The hardcore believers of Pastor Salem were not hiding however, they had gathered in prayer, lead by their beloved Pastor, the man that was going to save them. He was not with them in the same place, but he was in an isolated prayer room, dressed in a white rob and surrounded by what looked like angels. He was on his knees with his, arms stretched out to the sky.

All this was being shared on a large screen in the church and every other place where prayers were ongoing. Believers were in tears, others were muttering prayers of repentance and others were singing songs of marching to heaven to unite with their savior.

In the white room, a fire suddenly surrounded Pastor Salem and yet it did not burn him to death.

Pastor Salem looked at the screen and said in a quaking voice, "I have been in communication with the Holy Spirit and he says that this fire is only going to consume the non believers." He screamed, veins appearing on the sides of his face. "The righteous are going to heaven, the fire is simply a vessel of transportation."

A line of zealous believers started to march outside in a straight line all dressed in white, singing songs of ascension, calling themselves the "called."

"Brothers and sisters, as it was prophesied in the holy book that God will cleanse this earth and take the righteous to heaven. Some us have to offer our flesh in sacrifice to prove to the non believers that the prophesies are real." Pastor Salem paused, pushing himself to stand. "Today we will witness the angels as they descend onto this earth to take their righteous souls to heaven. If you wish you may join them and move to heaven today with the angels, do so now." He closed his eyes and bowed his head.

More angels appeared outside, people appeared to float to the sky, lifted by angels.

They did not go to heaven, but were dropped off beyond the wall of white fog. They entered a tunnel and rushed to safety.

Just as the meteors started descending on the base, a woman stood up first and took the hand of her three year old toddler. Together, they marched to join the righteous. Many others followed, hundreds of people rushing to find an angel.

"Perfect." Pastor Salem said before switching the microphone back on.

"Brothers and sisters, we will meet once again, in heaven." He made a sign of the cross.

"Amen." The believers shouted as they followed like lambs to their final slaughter.

***

President Finch made it to the bunker and as he wished, his Marina was with him.

The bunker was under the White house, occupying half of the property. It had been updated two presidents ago and fitted with all the modern facilities and amenities that one, accustomed to a luxurious life would need.

It was well stocked. The food and other supplies down there could sustain the life of at least one thousand people for three years. At the moment, there were only one hundred eighty one people in the bunker so they would be able to survive for a long time, comfortably.

There was a command center in the bunker and that was were President Finch and other power players in the city that had been reached early enough were gathered. Their families were in other areas, some resting, some watching the news that was without broadcasters anymore, just cameras filming. And some were praying.

They had been at the white house when the meteors fell, hiding in the underground bunker just in case Pastor Salem’s prophecy came true. And it did.

The white house chief of staff and others gave updates on what was being reported back. It was all the same, chaos and death all over the world.

On the table around which the twenty two influential political figures were sitting was rich in paperwork, wine, coffee, tea, fruits and sandwiches. The fate of the world could not be discussed on empty stomachs.

President Finch was holding a glass of red wine, sipping on it slowly to calm his nerves. "Write me a sad but encouraging speech which I will give when this is all over." He started. "We are the strongest nation in the world and...."

Secretary Ceaser gestured to his security detail and some soldiers. Suddenly, guns were drawn, taking all the people in the command center by surprise.

The Secretary stood up as President Finch was yanked out of his seat. He walked to it and took over, facing the frozen men and women.

"What are you doing Ceasar?" The president barked.

The sound of gunshots was heard outside and the secret service agents tasked with protecting the president widened their eyes.

A gun was fired twice from inside the room. Liam Johnson fell to the ground, devoid of breath.

More guns were fired and all the secret service agents fell. Only three of them had been inside and they were outnumbered. The secretary had already taken control of the bunker by the time the president and his men arrived.

Secretary Ceasar spread his arms and smiled like a scorpion. "On behalf of the new world, I relieve you of your duties and illusions of control Finch."

"You can’t do this." President Finch protested."

"That’s right." The Secretary of State Andrew Bell stood up. "You cannot do this Ceasar. In case you are not aware of the laws governing our country then I would like to inform you that you are committing treason."

One gunshot silenced the Secretary of State, sending the others into shock. Three more sent a congressman and two senators crashing into the table. Their security detail tried to lunge, only to be gunned down.

President Finch took advantage of the moment to wrestle out of the hold that two soldiers had on him and run toward the panic button beneath the table. Too slow. A gun was fired and he dropped, clutching his arm and screaming.

Secretary Ceasar laughed. "You should have been paying more attention instead of turning the most powerful office in the world into a sex dungeon for yourself and that bimbo Marina. You have lost the trust of the people. I will take whatever is left."

All the men and women were marched out at gunpoint from that moment on they were not necessary unless he deemed it so.

President Finch, still bleeding but passed out was dragged out of the room.

A live broadcast was started, tapping into the channels that were still active. From the bunker, Secretary Ceasar addressed the nation.

"This is your President Ceasar Rommel speaking. The old world has been burned away with the meteorites. I will lead you into the new world as we rise from the ashes of the flames."

He gave a five minute speech and cut the broadcast. Then he sat down in the seat of the President and slowly spun around, soaking in his new found power. Now that he was in charge, he did not need anyone’s permission to send his men to Rainhounds mountain and bring him Moon Raine.