Song used in this chapter is Chris De Burgh's "Eastern Wind". Don't own anything.
RnR,
God bless!
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New Voices
With a smile Leilani was watching Martin and Dingo engage in a play-fight on the edge of the water. It was a bright morning on the beach; she have just came out of the water and was now lying on the sand enjoying the sunlight on her skin. To her left a radio was quietly playing (it's been over a week since someone in the city fixed the electricity and now DJ P2X's station was on the air until late in the night. He'd go in with three news reports a day and inbetween the listeners could enjoy all the rock music they wanted and more); to her right sat Robbie, leaning against a tree, strumming on his guitar and humming under his nose.
Janey and Blaze were still asleep inside.
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Well my furrows are filled with corn
I have my woman to keep me warm
But there's one thing that I do fear
That eastern wind is getting near
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She and Martin has been together for about three months now; the rest of the Lost Boys were happy for them, however they did not know about Martin's other idenity.
"They'll kick me out, in the best case", he said. "After what my guys did to Rick, Donna and Kai, you know..."
"But you didn't know about it," Leilani argued.
"I did not, but I don't see myself convincing them so."
"It won't matter to them, not even to Dingo. You've seen nothing but good things from you. You've saved our lives twice!"
Still, Martin wouldn't bugle. "Zoot belongs to the past anyway. He's done. Finished. No more Zoot., okay? Please. I just don't want to go back to it all."
Then, a month ago or so she began to feel sick in the mornings as well as experiencing pains in her breasts and stomach, and as they soon found out it wasn't from the food poisoning. Now Leilani was being treated like a queen - no chores, no cooking, no fishing or picking fruits; the Lost Boys, and especially Martin and Robbie, were trying trying to satisfy her every wish and need even before she would even ask.
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There's a shotgun beside my bed
This is my country where I was born and bred
But I am sure as a willow will grow
That eastern wind is gonna blow
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Leilani was starting to drift away when suddenly the song on the radio was cut abruptly being replaced by the static. Frowing, she reached out to adjust the tuning, and just as she did, a new, unfamiliar voice sounded. Belonging to a girl, a teenager, it seemed to reek enthusiasm and excitement.
"Whoever is listening now, rejoice! The Spirit of the Great One led us and gave this place to us to build a new kingdom, a new world, in his honor! Whoever is listening now, rejoice! For behold, the new day is dawning! The era of One True God is now upon us!"
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There's a woman who reads the stars
She sees warlords on the planet Mars
And she says "Boy you better beware
That restless wind is getting near"
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"Guys, come here! Guys!" Leilani called, perplexed, alarmed somewhat by the unknown voice from the radio. Martin and Dingo complied, while her older brother kept playing and humming to himself.
"So bow down and come and serve him! Tribes of the city, each and every one of your leaders have already pledged allegiance to the Mighty One and his cause. Come and serve the Supreme Mother and the Divine Child! For yes, they both are with us, under the watchful eye of the Mighty One and his deputy here on Earth, The Guardian. Come all yee faithful and join me and my brethren happily in serving and worshiping the Trinity!"
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In my dream I saw a crowd
They were burning the palace down
I saw a mad old man and I ran for the dooor
And then that wind began to roar
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"The hell is this?" muttered Martin in confusion. Leilani just shrugged.
"And beware you who dare to opose the new order! For the wrath of One True God will be swift and through his faithful warriors he shall punish you and bring you to destruction!"
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So when they come they will find me here
I will not run they will not see my fear
And I will fight to the very end
Before that wind I will never bend
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"So hear thee and rejoice, whoever is listening! The whole city now belongs to the Mighty One and all the heathens shall die in the holy fire. Rejoice with us! Zoot be praised!"
Dingo's jaw dropped. Robbie's guitar made a strained sound and went aburptly silent. Martin and Leilani stared at each other in shock.
The girl on the radio held a pause, then added, her voice ringing with a strange, almost malicious glee:
"And to his Chosen, victory!"
The Chosen reigned supreme over the city, which, according to the broadcasts, was thriving under their rule. Every day they would report about new desciples joining their ranks, eager to learn from the wisdom of Zoot and serve him, Supreme Mother and Devine Child - who, as Martin guessed, were Trudy and his daughter, now living in luxory and safety. As for the Guardian, after hearing first of his weekly sermons Martin recognized him as Jaffa. The sermon consisted of reading a few pages from the Book of Zoot (more likely Book of Voices In Jaffa's Head, he thought), a prayer to Zoot and about ten minutes of cursing Bray, the Wicked Sibling of Zoot, Lex the Damned and Witch Ebony and predicting a slow and painful death for them, once they are caught. At times, such as when a group of Chosen missionaires was booted out of Dalton, he would go into fits, damning the heathens and raving about the wrath of Zoot, the holy fire and so on.
And a few days later the missionaires showed up at Green Cross.
It was close to midnight. The kids were asleep in the store, Robbie and Blaze were in spending the night in the hut in the woods, leaving the storehouse to Martin and Leilani. The girl's head lay on his shoulder, her eyes closed, her breath even and deep.Martin was on a brink of falling asleep himself, when a quiet knock on the door jerked him back into reality.
"Martin, Lani! Wake up, please!" the voice belonged to Jenny and sounded frightened. "Please, there are some people here and they want to talk to you! And they have spears! I'm scared!"
Martin cursed under his breath. Carefuly, he rolled of the matress, making sure he wouldn't wake Leilani up.Without bothering to get dressed, with just a pair of boxers on, he pulled a gun from under the heap of his clothes.
"Martin! Please, come out! I'm scared! They will hurt Dingo! Please!" Jenny was now crying and knocking on the door with both hands.
"Hush," he hissed, unlocking the door and stepping out. "Calm down. What people? Where are they?"
"They're inside with Dingo," whimpered Jenny. "They asked me if there are other people on the island and told me to go bring them, and... and they were talking about Zoot and Dingo got angry and started fighting with them! Martin, please save him, they're big like you and Robbie and they have spears too!"
Oh shit.
"You stay here... Get inside and stay with Lani," ordered Martin. "I'll go and sort things out."
"Be careful, they have -"
"Spears, yeah. I'll be okay. Come on, get inside."
Running, he crossed the beach and stopped at the store's door; Dingo seemed to be okay, according to his angry screams coming from the inside:
"Zoot was evil! He is not a god, he was a murderer! His friends killed my brother!"
Martin bit his lip.
"You are mistaken, little one," a sof male voice replied patiently, "The Great One is all-loving and all-forgiving. If your brother was killed by the Locos, it was probably a punishment for his sins. But you can hope he is in the hereafter now, having been purified and living forever in the presense of Zoot."
"Go to hell, you and your Zoot!"
Martin took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Two figures, clad in blue robes with yellow sashes around their waists and each holding a halberd, stood with their backs to him. The taller one had a crew cut dyed in blue, while the other, appearently a girl, had a long blonde hair reaching to the small of her back. They were staring down at Dingo, who looked like he was ready to fight with his fists clenched nad his face red with anger.
"Martin!" shouted the boy, spotting him behind the Chosen' backs. "That's it, now Martin will show you what! Get off from our island or he will kick you out!"
They spun around.
"We bear you no harm stranger," said the girl smiling, "We have come to tell you about the..."
Her eyes widened in shock as she abruptly went quiet; all color gone from her face. The halberd dropped from her numb fingers, clacking loudly on the tiled floor. Her companion, pale as a sheet as well, blinked, as if unable to believe his eyes, then dropped on his knees.
"The Great One..." he whispered.
"Get out. Both of you. Now!" barked Martin, waving the gun in front of their faces.
"Yes, oh Mighty - "
"OUT!!!"
Without picking up her weapon the girl stormed out of the store. Her companion didn't even get up, crawling through the door on his hands and knees. Martin turned to the boy.
"Go back to sleep Dingo. I'll deal with them."
He didn't answer, looking at Martin with a perplexed expression on his face.
"Dingo, come on, lights out."
"Why were they calling you all that? Great and mighty and everything?" asked the boy. "Do you know them?"
"They're crazy, that's all. They don't know what they're saying. Come on Dingo,don't make me say it again. Go to sleep."
"Can I -"
"No you can not. There's nothing for you to watch."
"But -"
"Dingo!"
"Okay, okay," mumbled the boy and started to settle down on the matress. "Where's Jenny?"
"At the storehouse with Lani. She's fine. Now sleep."
Exiting the store Martin found the Chosen kneeling in the sand in front of the store with their heads bowed and arms folded on the chest.
"The Great One," repeated the missionaire, lifting his gaze to Martin as he approached. His voice was cracking in awe.
"Our lifes belong to the mighty Zoot." whispered the girl, still bowing and began to rock back and forth. "He is the tree, we are the fruit. Our lifes belong to the mighty Zoot. He is the tree, we are the fruit."
"Get up," Martin said wearily. He was sure Dingo was now hiding behind the dark window, watching and listening. "Come on, get up. Start walking."
The Chosen climbed on their feet hastily.
"Where do you want us to go, oh Mighty One?"
"Towards the shore. Move it."
They obeyed and started walking; he followed.
"How did you get here? Where's your boat?"
"About two miles due south." answered the girl. Her voice was barely audible.
"What are your names?"
"I am brother Troy, oh Mighty One. My sister's name is Sarah."
"Stop calling me great and mighty and all that shit. If you want to call me Zoot, call me Zoot."
"Yes oh -"
Martin shoved Troy in the back.
"What the fuck did I just say?"
"Y-yes Zoot.", whispered the Chosen in horror.
"Good. Okay, sit down." said Martin as the procession reached the water line and Troy and Sarah kneeled again. "What are you doing here anyway? You're missionaires?"
"Yes, Grea... yes Zoot," the girl answered timidly. "We are traveling and spreading the word of truth, leading people to you."
"Whose idea was that, yours? Or Jaffa sent you?"
The Chosen looked perplexed.
"Excuse me, Jaffa?"
Martin sighed.
"Your leader. The Guardian, whatever he calls himself now."
"It is so," Troy nodded. "He is sending people to all the corners of the world so the heathens can find salvation in you, Zoot my lord."
"I see..." muttered Martin, rubbing his chin. After a short silence, Sarah said in quiet, shaky voice, as if scared by her own audacity:
"I beg for your forgiveness Zoot, may I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
"Is this... Is this the hereafter? The place where the souls of the just and the righteous dwell?"
Martin kept silent for a minite. Then he turned his back to the kneeling missionaries so they don't see a wide smile that appeared on his face.
"Why yes. Yes, it is."
"But then... who was this little boy we talked to? He seemed to hate you."
"This unfortunate child was killed before he had a chance to know me. I did not want his soul to suffer forever so I let him enter the hereafter. In time, he will be saved and learn to love me with all his being."
"You truly are a god of mercy. Zoot be praised!" shouted Troy and fell to Martin's feet.
"Zoot be praised! And to his Chosen, victory!" echoed Sarah.
"Quiet!" Martin hissed at them. "Shut it, you hear me?"
The Chosen raised themselves back to kneeling position and were now staring at him with adoration. Martin crouched in front of them.
"Now it's my turn to ask questions."
And in the next fifteen minutes he was told about mines and labour camps where the Chosen were sending those who opposed the new regime, about public executions of those who the Guardian considered too sturbon or too dangerous, about the Praetorian Guard, the elite strike force of the Chosen, about the spies inculcated into dozens of tribes outside of the city.
"The Guardian has spies everywhere," Troy said proudly. "Even within the rebels there are people loyal to our cause who keep him informed. And - "
"Martin, what is going on?"
He turned around to see Leilani. Half confused and half alarmed, she stood hugging herseld by the shoulders trying to keep warm in cool night breeze.
"I woke up and Jenny told me some people with spears were going to hurt Dingo."
"He is fine," Martin said quickly and got up. "Lani, no one is hurt. Everything's under control." He walked over to the girl ,hugged her by the shoulders and whispered, "They are the Chosen. There are only two of them. They recognized me. Stay calm, I'm dealing with them."
Leilani gave him a quick glance and nodded.
"This is Leilani, uh, the Pure," he turned to the missionaires who were studying the girl with curiousity. "You are to treat her with respect and reverence. Understand?"
Troy and Sara bowed deeply.
"Now tell me about the rebels," asked Martin.
"They have bases all over the countryside; most of them are from the Eco tribe but there are also the infedels who fled the city after we took over. I heard some of the Locos are with them as well. They have betrayed you and refused to join us like many of their tribe mates. Instead they chose to stick by Ebony, an unworthy wanton woman who was once lucky to be your lowly slave, Zoot my lord."
"She is now one of the rebels' leaders," added Sarah. "Together with Lex the Damned and your wicked sibling, Bray. The leader of Ecos is helping them. Her tribe calls her Eagle, and those who came from the city refer to her as Amber."
"Their end is nearing though," continued Troy enthusiasticly. "In two days all of them will stand before you to recieve their punishment."
Martin's heart skipped a beat. Was the Chosen implying that..?
"What do you mean by that?" he demanded, leaning closer to Troy. The missionaire grinned.
"The firearms, my lord. The weapons collected by the Locos and Mallrats during the days of virus. Hundreds of machine guns, riffles, pistols. Grenades. Ammunition. We the Chosen do not need any of it for we are protected by our faith. All the firearms are now stocked in one of the warehouses in the industreal area and are guarded around the clock. Our man within the Eco tribe have informed The Guardian that the rebels will make an attempt to storm the warehouse in two days, sometime before the dawn. When they do, they will have the Praetorians waiting for them. None of the infedels will escape alive. Zoot be praised!"
"And to his Chosen, victory!" added Sarah with a happy smile.
"They're sick," whispered Leilani. Her fingers dug into Martin's palm. He swallowed hard and cleared his throat.
"Stand up, Troy. Sarah, you too. I have a mission for you."
The Chosen rose at their feet, eating him up with their eyes.
"Whatever you want us Zoot our lord, we will do, or die trying."
"I want you..." Martin stopped for a second, trying to find the right words. "I want you to pass a message to the Guardian from me. Tell him the Great One's anger is upon him for running the city the way he does. Tell him I am angry because he is hunting flesh of my flesh and blood of my blood, Bray. And tell him I order him and the rest of the Chosen to leave the city. Do you understand?"
Troy and Sarah were looking at him as if thunderstruck.
"I asked, do you understand?"
This time Troy spoke with a shaking lips, "We do, our lord. Your will be done."
The Chosen girl bowed her head. "Your will be done," she repeated.
"You must return to the city immideately. My spirit shall guide you so your jorney back will be safe. Be blessed. Go."
They slowly sank to their knees, each took Martin's hand and pressed it lightly to their lips. Then, silent, they got up and started to walk away. Martin and Leilani, also in silence, stood and watched the Chosen until they disappeared in the dark.
"I will talk to Janey and Dingo," finally said Leilani quietly. "Robbie and Blaze don't have to know about what happened, right?"
Martin only nodded, still looking into the night that have just swallowed two Chosen missionaires. God, he thought, I hope Jaffa believes them.
"Hear me, all yee faithful!" The Guardian's voice was ringing with glee. Martin looked through the window - the kids were on the beach, fighting over who gets to ride the surfboard first. Robbie was trying desperately to calm thenm down but they wouldn't let him to get a word in between. Blaze was in the next room, prepearing the dinner. He and Leilani crouched next to the radio, listening carefuly.
"Hear me, all yee faithful! I shall tell you of a miracle which happened yesterday. Brother Troy and sister Sarah, the bearers of Zoot's word have returned from their journey to the sea and hear, they did reach the hereafter! They saw our lord, the Great Zoot, they walked with him and brought back a message. A message to us, his Chosen, from One True God of Power and Chaos! Zoot be praised!!"
The Guardian's voice flew up in euphoria, then suddenly became soft, quiet and sad.
"I am saddened to tell you my brethren, the Mighty One is not happy. Brother Troy and sister Sarah told me Zoot is angry because of the way I run this city. They said Zoot is angry because the Chosen are hunting Bray, his wicked brother. They said our lord wishes us to stop the hunt and leave this place... Fools!" he suddenly cried in rage."Fools, weak of heart and weak of mind! Blind and deaf! They watched, but they did not see. They listened, but they did not hear. I stayed up all night asking Zoot to enlighten me... and he did! I now shall tell you the true meaning of the Mighty One's message.
He is angry because of the way the city is being ruled. No wonder! The heathens are lazy and will do anything to avoid the work we put them to. They try to escape, they lie and pretend to accept our faith so they can get more food and work less. Therefore, starting today, the working day will be fourteen hours instead of twelve. Those trying to escape from their work places shall not be sent to the mines, but executed on the spot. Furthermore, the Inquisition comitee shall be established, which is going to examine each and every novice currently studying the word of Zoot. Any unbeliever or he or she who have relapsed shall be executed.
I continue. Zoot is angry because we are hunting his brother. No! He is angry because we are STILL hunting him. Bray, the Wicked Sibling of Zoot, should have been caught and punished months back. I solemnly swear to our lord that within a week from today Bray and the rest of the rebels will be sent to the hereafter, to stand before him.
As for brother Troy and sister Sarah, for being such and ignorant fools, blind and deaf to the wisdom of Zoot, tomorrow at three in the afternoon they will be executed at the square before the Phoenix mall. And along with them, one Trudy, she who until now was called the Supreme Mother, will be executed as well. For she had proven herself to be unfit for such a honorable position, having relapsed, protecitng the infedel Mallrats and being corrupted and full of filth. Zoot have turned his face from her, for I was told he has a new companion in the hereafter,one Leilani the Pure.
I have spoken. Hail the Trinity of Mighty Zoot, the new Supreme Mother and the Divine Child!
Zoot be praised! And to his Chosen, victory!"