Chapter 160

1230 hours, local time
Saturday, 16 August, 2014
East Prairie Public Library
East Prairie, MO

“So far, the offensive against the Ku Klux Klan has gained us operational control over most sectors in this town, with the sole exceptions being City Hall and the Chamber of Commerce, as well as a small pocket hiding out in the Church of God. We need to prepare the final assaults on those last holdouts, especially the battalion still holding City Hall,” I laid out the current military situation.

“I propose to lead three companies of the East Prairie Volunteers against the force in the Chamber of Commerce. Even if we fail to capture it in a frontal assault, we can probe their defenses and test their capabilities, as well as put significant pressure on their remaining perimeter. We only need some mortar and RPG support for this particular attack, of course,” Elias Calderon, now Colonel of the East Prairie Volunteers, made it clear that he wanted to test his abilities for the benefit of future operations.

“That’s an excellent start. We can use this as a diversion for the main assault upon City Hall. I also want to put the other diversion, some two companies, against the forces inside the Church of God. They will be commanded by Sonali, mostly because the presence of a woman of color will have the right psychological effect on the enemy. Even worse, babe, you’re an angel and the terror that your obvious celestial status and your flaming sword will inflict should be truly awesome,” I instructed the others.

“I eagerly await the opportunity, my love. I will naturally lead my charge in the nude and thus really shake them up. When will this attack happen, sir?” Sonali exulted at being chosen for such a special mission.

“Just after dusk. We want to catch them a little unprepared. They will expect an early morning attack, not a sunset operation. This is why we’ve taken it a little easier since lunch. We need to conserve our strength for this triple assault. For my own part, I will personally command a force of four companies. The last company will be in reserve.

“The first two companies will attack from the front under my own direct command, while the other two will assail them from the rear under Evie. Jeanette and Trish will guard and watch the babies in the library. Ryan will have general command of the reserve company, with Barry in charge of the artillery. Till will assist Sonali and Yitzhak will serve under Elias, each of them leading forces to operate against the enemy rear.

“If this battle goes our way, of course, tomorrow I intend to inaugurate the Church of the New Ideal as the latest Havenite congregation established by me in our trek to the West. Those who wish to be baptized, ordained, and married as part of this latest branch of the Havenite community, feel free to inform me of that once the battle is won,” I issued the necessary commands in my dual capacity as general and Prophet.

“Then we’ll see what happens after that ourselves, but I do hope that you are able to return someday and see for yourself. That is, assuming that our small, but now organized community survives in the meantime,” Denise answered, even as she put her hand on my butt.

Yeah, it was pretty clear that we would miss each other, but that this town needed her more than I did. Elias and she would be the principal leaders of East Prairie in the foreseeable future, despite their relative youth. My ordination of them as clergy in this new church would go a long way toward that objective. Someone had to be in charge after my departure and I trusted them most of all.