Chapter 1: Before the Storm
A man sat alone at one of the corner tables of the Spread Eagle. He was by himself mostly due to the fact that he was not a local from the area. Marcus didn't know what exactly led him to Hope County, Montana. He didn't know how long he would stay until he moved on again, but he was hoping to stay a bit longer to enjoy the food. Marcus felt his right pocket and found that his 1911 was still tucked away in its holster. It was a reminder of his past as well as his defense in case trouble decided to show itself. Hope County was strange in that it now seemed to be run by a cult, or "The Project of Eden's Gate" as it was officially called. Marcus had seen their members all over the area, sporting their white cross symbol. The organization seemed to operate like a syndicate. As long as you did what you were told, they left you alone, mostly. Marcus hadn't any trouble with them yet but there was always the chance that it could happen, and he wanted to be ready. But trouble appeared in a different form.
Joey Hudson made her way inside the Spread Eagle. It had been a long day and she was eager to have a drink to relieve her stress. She looked around the place and saw the usual patrons except for one guy that was sitting in the corner. She ignored him for now and took a seat at the bar where the owner, Mary May, greeted her with a smile.
"Hey there Hudson. Another rough day at the office?"
Hudson frowned. "Of course, Mary. Ever since the peggies came to town, there's been nothing but trouble! And it keeps getting worse and worse! It seems like all the officials and most of the force are in their back pocket. They can get away with everything and my hands are fucking tied!
Mary kept her smile up despite Hudson's mini rant. "What will it be Hudson?"
"Just give me the usual."
"Coming right up."
As Mary was busy making her drink, Hudson gazed around the place again. Luckily there were no cultists although they rarely came here anyways. They preferred to eat and drink with each other and only interacted with the others through harassment. Her eyes again ended up on the stranger sitting in the corner. Hudson had never seen him before and she knew almost every local in the area. The man was an unknown and in Hudson's eyes, that made him a potential threat.
"Here you go." Mary gave Hudson her drink.
"Mary, who's that in the corner?" Hudson asked jerking her head in the man's direction.
"Him?" Mary frowned. "I don't know. I think he only showed up just recently. This is the first time he's ever come into my place. Not much for conversation but at least he doesn't cause trouble."
"Hmm, I think I'm going to go over and say hello." Hudson decided.
"Watch yourself Joey. He may keep to himself, but something tells me that man's dangerous. Don't prod him too much if he wants to be left alone."
Hudson gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Mary, I'm just going over to talk. If anything happens, I've got this." She quickly motioned to her sidearm.
As Mary went to go attend to other patrons, Hudson made her way to the man's table. The man pretended like he didn't see her, but Hudson knew that the stranger was aware of her approach. The man kept his eyes on the food he was eating.
"Do you mind if I sit with you?" Hudson asked, standing beside a chair opposite the man.
"I don't mind." He said without looking at her.
Hudson took a seat then tried to study the man's face while asking questions.
"So what's your name? Never seen you around here before."
"Marcus." He said simply, ignoring the second part of her question.
Hudson saw that the man was fairly young, around his mid-twenties like her. He had short length hair and was well built. Besides his features though, he was still a mystery.
"Okay Marcus, what brings you here?"
"I wanted some food."
Hudson couldn't resist a smile. "I figured that, but I meant here, in Hope County. I know everyone around these parts, but I've never seen you until now. So, what brings you here?" She asked again.
Marcus finally looked at her. Hudson could see that he had nice blue eyes, but she could tell there was a hardness behind them. "Has anyone told you that you ask too many questions?"
Hudson snickered a bit. "Of course, all the time. Comes with the job. I'm a-"
"I know who you are." He interrupted sharply
"Then you should understand why I'm asking you these questions. Especially with things are around here."
Marcus pushed his plate with what little food it had remaining over to the side and gave Hudson his full attention. "Look Miss….?
"Just call me Joey." Hudson responded, happy that the man was now fully talking to her.
"Joey" he repeated. "I'm not looking for trouble but I'm not looking to get to know people either."
"Are you expecting trouble?" She asked ignoring his second point.
"Past experience has told me to always expect trouble" He revealed. Especially around here, like you said. Trouble can come from everywhere."
"Ah, but do you really know what's going around here?"
Marcus shrugged. "I've seen enough to know that this "Eden's Gate" is bad news. They try to act like a legitimate organization, but they seem more like a gang at times."
Hudson nodded. Finally, someone else who recognized the cult's bad influence and didn't seem afraid of them. She decided to be bolder.
"So you said that you're always expecting trouble, does that mean that you're any good with a gun?"
"I can take care of myself." He responded simply.
"Then come help us. We could use someone like you."
"Help? You mean joining the police force? Sorry, but I'm not the kind of person fit to be a cop."
"You don't have to actually join the force." She explained. "We could just hire you."
Marcus had a slight grin. "You mean like a mercenary? That doesn't sound something very cop-like."
Hudson matched his grin. "We need all the help we can get. It doesn't matter whether you're a cop or not. So what do you say?"
Marcus considered it. He had been on the move for quite some time. There was a reason for it of course, but now this offer had been presented to him. Was he ready to change things up?
"What the hell, I'll help out."
Hudson restrained herself from jumping out of chair. Something about this guy really made her think that he was something special. She hoped that feeling was right.
"So, what next?" Marcus asked.
Hudson thought for a moment. "Why don't we drive over to the station so can meet everyone and get accommodated."
They both got up to leave and Hudson noticed the gun that Marcus was carrying in his holster. She ignored it for the time being and returned to Mary May who was cleaning up the bar.
"Hey Mary, could you do me a favor and put our orders on the tab? We'll pay you back later."
Mary glanced over to Marcus who was waiting by the door then turned back to Hudson.
"Yeah, sure thing. You guys be careful now, okay?"
"I think we'll be fine." Hudson replied then left with Marcus.
The ride to the station was mostly uneventful. Hudson kept asking Marcus questions, trying to find out more about him but he shrugged them off. He was fine with helping out, but he wasn't going to divulge information about his past. They crossed into the eastern region which was known as the Henbene. Marcus saw the station come into view with its high walls. It made sense that the police station in this area would also serve as the main jail for the area. The duo parked outside and then entered through the main gate. Marcus noticed that something was off. He first had his suspicions when they were parking and he saw no patrol cars. Now he observed that the station didn't have any staff as it should for such a large complex.
"Almost all of the police force joined the peggies shortly after they arrived here." Hudson explained, reading his mind.
"Peggies?" Marcus asked
"Project of Eden's Gate, peggies." She said like it was obvious.
The stopped at the front reception desk where a middle-aged woman was working.
"This is Nancy. She's our dispatch operator. Nancy, this is Marcus. He's gonna be helping us out as a uh….contractor."
Nancy looked up from her work and smiled warmly at Marcus. "Pleased to meet you Marcus. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time here. We're a nice, cozy family."
Marcus nodded back in response and the woman went back to her work as Hudson led him deeper into the complex.
"The sheriff should be in his office." Hudson led Marcus to a large private office where two men were looking at a map. They both looked up when Hudson stepped in.
"Hudson, welcome back." The older of the two men spoke. He turned his gaze toward Marcus. "And who is this?"
"This is Marcus, boss." Hudson introduced him. "Met him at the Spread Eagle and he looked capable so I asked if he could help out."
The sheriff examined Marcus with his eyes briefly focusing on Marcus' 1911 at his side. He the turned his gaze back. "Hmmm, are you from around here Marcus? Do you realize what kind of shit you're getting into, son?"
"I think I'll be able to handle myself sheriff." Marcus replied unflinching.
The sheriff briefly took off his hat to scratch an itch then put it back on. "I hope so. These peggies are dangerous. We've had plenty of run ins with them and although things haven't gotten too out of hand, that can always change. I've learned with them that sometimes its best to leave well enough alone and only intervene when things become really serious."
He stepped to the side. "Anywho, this is Pratt." He said gesturing to the other man. "He's one of my deputies." Pratt nervously reached out to shake Marcus' hand.
"And you've already met Hudson and I'm Sheriff Whitehorse. So that's the whole crew for now. As you can see, we're a bit short staffed but we can get things done. So first things first, lets get you up to speed on the cult."
Just then there was some static and Nancy's voice came over the intercom. "Sheriff?"
The sheriff strode over to his desk and interacted with is phone. "What is it Nancy? I'm about to do a de-briefing."
Marcus watched as the sheriff's face registered shock from the news he received. "He's here already?" And he wants to go now?" There were some more words. "Alright, we'll be over there shortly." Whitehorse put down the phone and pinched his nose in frustration.
"What is it sheriff?" Hudson asked with concern.
"The marshal's here." He answered.
Joseph Seed stood outside of his church alone, watching the setting sun. 'What beauty God had created.' He thought. But then man walked on the Earth by the grace of God. And how did they extend their thanks to God? By being sinful, being greedy, fighting each other for material possessions. Man was not satisfied with that, however. There were those who wanted to exert control, dominate others. They wanted to use their fellow human beings in order to achieve their only selfish desires. Man had fallen far from what God had intended to create them as, a benevolent force upon the first. Instead, they abused God's gift of free will in order to struggle against their own kind.
The Lord has foreseen what is coming. His voice had told Joseph as much. Man's hubris will soon become too much and the world as we knew it would be destroyed. Yet God wanted to save those who were worthy of still being called his children. He had tasked Joseph to be the one to lead them to safety, to lead them to Eden's Gate. The voice had told him this many years ago. It had guided him to lead his flock here to Hope County, Montana. It was here that they would withstand the collapse and here that they would build a paradise for themselves afterward.
"Joseph."
Joseph heard a familiar voice and turned around to see his family standing before him. His brothers, Jacob and John, and his adopted sister, Faith.
"Jacob, John, Faith," He glanced at all of them as he said their names. "I thank you all for coming."
"Joseph, is there a reason you called all of us on short notice? Is there something wrong?" Jacob was protective of his younger brother.
"No Jacob, nothing is wrong. In fact, events are progressing as they have been foretold. You all have done a wonderful job of preparing the flock for the collapse. But the time is fast approaching where our faith will be judged, and our will, tested."
"What do you mean Father?" asked Faith with worry.
"I know we have endured much hardship to get where we are today." Joseph continued. "This final test will be our most grueling yet. The sinners will try to destroy all that we hold dear and stop our quest to each Eden's Gate."
"But we've converted everyone to our side." complained John. "Everyone that could have posed a threat has been taken care of either through conversion or destruction. Unless its possible we missed someone?"
"Could be Eli's group." Jacob suggested. "They've been a thorn in our side ever since he turned on us, but I've been able to keep him contained for a while now."
"What about you Faith?" John asked accusingly. "I'm sure you have meddling sinners in your territory like the rest of us?"
Faith smiled sweetly. "Rest assured that the bliss has done its work. The authorities have been shown the error of their ways. The police have pledged themselves to the project. There is nothing to worry about."
"You're too kind Faith!" John shot back. "The sinners may play along but you need to make sure they maintain the faith. One of them could just be biding their time, pretending to be part of the flock but reveal themselves to be a wolf to strike at The Father!"
Joseph held up his hands. "Enough! John, I am touched by your concern but like I said, there is no need to worry. Events are supposed to play out as decreed; we do not try to prevent this from happening. Regardless of what happens, I am confident that we will endure this like we have endured all other tests."
"But who?" John asked.
"When?" Jacob added.
"And where?" Faith finished.
Joseph simply smiled. "Just wait and see."