face. “I just can’t believe it. I don’t think we’ll ever see this place again.” Joshua squeezed her hand tightly, trying to think of some way to console her, but the words did not come.
Suddenly Bob’s voice came over the radio. Sigma Group, prepare to depart in 30 seconds. Exactly thirty seconds later his voice again came over the system. Sigma Group, depart now. Like clockwork, he instructed each group when it was time to leave.
As the final group left the farm another voice came over the radio. Jack McGee here. Zeta Group departing now.
Bob responded with a question. Is there any indication that you or any of us are being followed?
None at this time, sir, but I will keep an eye out.
Bob commended his new helper. Good work, McGee.
The journey to a new home had begun.
CHAPTER 5
The convoy navigated down a series of winding back roads, avoiding main highways and population centers. The narrow, two-lane roads weaved between fields and farmhouses accented by century-old trees, past country stores and through a series of quaint small towns. In many cases a mile or more passed between homesteads. How did I wind up here, leading my friends across the state to an unfamiliar place? Joshua took a deep breath. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea , but there’s no turning back now.
Some time later Bob broke a fairly long period of radio silence. Approaching overpass to cross Highway 220 and Interstate 73. Major highway. All groups check in after crossing and report any issues immediately.
One by one the groups reported crossing the highway safely. They continued moving down back road after back road.
Rebecca pointed at a towering column of thick, black smoke that came into view to the south. “What is that?”
Joshua’s brow furrowed. “Don’t know. Looks like it’s coming from Charlotte. Haven’t heard about any attacks there, though.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Not a good sign.”
After some time, Bob’s voice again rang out over the airwaves. Interstate 85 ahead. All groups check in after crossing. A few moments later he issued a warning. Be aware, military presence on 85. Proceed with caution.
Joshua gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. As they crossed the overpass he saw a large convoy of military and other vehicles below headed toward Charlotte, many bearing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo. Awfully strong Homeland Security presence , he thought. I guess that’s understandable given what has happened. Once again, all groups checked in with no issues.
Next the route stretched north, paralleling Interstate 77. They crossed I-77 near Mooresville and skirted around Lake Norman before again traveling south to avoid Interstate 40.
“Smooth sailing so far,” Joshua said.
Rebecca cocked an eyebrow. “Almost too smooth.”
They continued winding down country road after country road. After some time a voice came over the radio: This is John Moore in Zeta Group. My van is running low on gas and I don’t want to push it too far. We need to stop at the next gas station.
Bob responded, There is a station five miles ahead on the right. All groups stop there. Maintain the appearance of being unconnected to those in other groups. All groups fill up, take care of any other necessities and leave with your group. Check in once you have safely departed.
When they reached the gas station Joshua and Rebecca both made a beeline for the bathrooms. He got in line to pre-pay for gas while she picked up a couple of soft drinks. When she joined him in the checkout line he was fixated on the newscast blaring from the small television on the wall.
Federal officials continue their aggressive crackdown to combat the unrest in the wake of this week’s attacks . Here in North Carolina authorities are searching for two federal agents who went missing this morning in Chatham County, just outside of Raleigh.
“Dude, you gonna pay?” the scraggly looking clerk called out to Joshua,
Suddenly Bob’s voice came over the radio. Sigma Group, prepare to depart in 30 seconds. Exactly thirty seconds later his voice again came over the system. Sigma Group, depart now. Like clockwork, he instructed each group when it was time to leave.
As the final group left the farm another voice came over the radio. Jack McGee here. Zeta Group departing now.
Bob responded with a question. Is there any indication that you or any of us are being followed?
None at this time, sir, but I will keep an eye out.
Bob commended his new helper. Good work, McGee.
The journey to a new home had begun.
CHAPTER 5
The convoy navigated down a series of winding back roads, avoiding main highways and population centers. The narrow, two-lane roads weaved between fields and farmhouses accented by century-old trees, past country stores and through a series of quaint small towns. In many cases a mile or more passed between homesteads. How did I wind up here, leading my friends across the state to an unfamiliar place? Joshua took a deep breath. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea , but there’s no turning back now.
Some time later Bob broke a fairly long period of radio silence. Approaching overpass to cross Highway 220 and Interstate 73. Major highway. All groups check in after crossing and report any issues immediately.
One by one the groups reported crossing the highway safely. They continued moving down back road after back road.
Rebecca pointed at a towering column of thick, black smoke that came into view to the south. “What is that?”
Joshua’s brow furrowed. “Don’t know. Looks like it’s coming from Charlotte. Haven’t heard about any attacks there, though.”
Rebecca shook her head. “Not a good sign.”
After some time, Bob’s voice again rang out over the airwaves. Interstate 85 ahead. All groups check in after crossing. A few moments later he issued a warning. Be aware, military presence on 85. Proceed with caution.
Joshua gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. As they crossed the overpass he saw a large convoy of military and other vehicles below headed toward Charlotte, many bearing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo. Awfully strong Homeland Security presence , he thought. I guess that’s understandable given what has happened. Once again, all groups checked in with no issues.
Next the route stretched north, paralleling Interstate 77. They crossed I-77 near Mooresville and skirted around Lake Norman before again traveling south to avoid Interstate 40.
“Smooth sailing so far,” Joshua said.
Rebecca cocked an eyebrow. “Almost too smooth.”
They continued winding down country road after country road. After some time a voice came over the radio: This is John Moore in Zeta Group. My van is running low on gas and I don’t want to push it too far. We need to stop at the next gas station.
Bob responded, There is a station five miles ahead on the right. All groups stop there. Maintain the appearance of being unconnected to those in other groups. All groups fill up, take care of any other necessities and leave with your group. Check in once you have safely departed.
When they reached the gas station Joshua and Rebecca both made a beeline for the bathrooms. He got in line to pre-pay for gas while she picked up a couple of soft drinks. When she joined him in the checkout line he was fixated on the newscast blaring from the small television on the wall.
Federal officials continue their aggressive crackdown to combat the unrest in the wake of this week’s attacks . Here in North Carolina authorities are searching for two federal agents who went missing this morning in Chatham County, just outside of Raleigh.
“Dude, you gonna pay?” the scraggly looking clerk called out to Joshua,
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