The Coming Darkness

By Donna Fielding

While moving Group Alpha away from an increasingly hostile Earth Government One, Mistress Deborah receives word that one of the few remaining church elders has been betrayed and is in grave danger. Between EG1’s purge of historical accounts of religions and its relentless campaign against everyone over the age of sixty, Deborah knows her group must rescue Brother Alan to preserve both religious and secular history. Her sense of responsibility is complicated by the health decline of her mentor and Group Alpha’s spiritual leader, Mistress Grace. She diverts the group from their northwest march so their best fighters can save Brother Alan before leaving western Tennessee. Alpha’s scouts could not know EG1’s patience with dissidents, and scattered pockets of believers with elders, has run out. Unwittingly, Group Alpha camps on a route EG1 trackers will use to attack resistors. The battle for Nashville forces all their plans to change.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798385001606

Donna Fielding

A military brat, Donna Fielding has lived in both Europe and the Far East. Living on military posts or bases is similar to living in a totalitarian society. While she worked in many positions, teaching Sunday school, English and History were always her first loves. An avid reader, her favorite genres are the Bible, science fiction and dystopian novels. She has lived long enough to see many aspects of Orwell’s 1984 and Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 appear in society. Mrs. Fielding has dual degrees in English and History from Texas A&M University and lives in south central Texas with her husband and pets.

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ISBN: 979-8-3850-0159-0 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2023911943

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/28/202

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

PROLOGUE

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

TWENTY-ONE

TWENTY-TWO

TWENTY-THREE

TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

THIRTY-TWO

THIRTY-THREE

THIRTY-FOUR

THIRTY-FIVE

THIRTY-SIX

THIRTY-SEVEN

THIRTY-EIGHT

THIRTY-NINE

FORTY

FORTY-ONE

FORTY-TWO

FORTY-THREE

FORTY-FOUR

FORTY-FIVE

FORTY-SIX

FORTY-SEVEN

FORTY-EIGHT

FORTY-NINE

FIFTY

FIFTY-ONE

FIFTY-TWO

FIFTY-THREE

FIFTY-FOUR

FIFTY-FIVE

FIFTY-SIX

FIFTY-SEVEN

FIFTY-EIGHT

FIFTY-NINE

SIXTY

SIXTY-ONE

SIXTY-TWO

SIXTY-THREE

SIXTY-FOUR

SIXTY-FIVE

SIXTY-SIX

SIXTY-SEVEN

SIXTY-EIGHT

SIXTY-NINE

SEVENTY

SEVENTY-ONE

SEVENTY-TWO

SEVENTY-THREE

SEVENTY-FOUR

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Without the encouragement and assistance of others, novels would rarely be completed. Most writers start with an idea for a novel in isolation and all too often, the idea fails to develop for a variety of reasons. This novel might have joined that cadre had it not been for Sharon Logan, a dear friend and co-worker. As a librarian with extensive experience, she graciously read, commented, suggested, and edited for me. She took me at my word and honestly critiqued it. Thank you, Amy Lea Hamilton, for your sweet comments and encouragement.

PROLOGUE

August 31, 2030 Annual Meeting of New Global Opportunity Foundation

The speaker waited until the meal concluded and after-dinner drinks were served before standing to deliver the Foundation’s annual report of progress.

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and pleasure to bring our annual update on the status of our long-standing goal, saving the planet. Not just saving the planet, but saving it in the most economical and logical way possible. The crowd of nearly five hundred of the wealthiest philanthropists from around the world interrupted with loud applause.

A brief history is necessary, for our newest members, of how we’ve nearly accomplished our greatest dreams. If anyone wants more in-depth information, the complete report and evaluation will be provided online following the meeting. He paused just long enough to see most were listening.

"As many will remember, in the fall of 2019, the Covid19 pandemic struck; by February 2023, the World Health Organization reported over six million deaths. Endless arguments ensued concerning the virus’s origin – was it natural or was it manmade and accidentally released from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. As far as New Global Opportunity is concerned, the origin question is not relevant. The virus itself presented an opportunity.

The opportunity was in genetic manipulation research. Worldwide, scientists were desperate to find a vaccine and many felt the answer could be found using mRNA. Their biggest roadblock was funding. As a philanthropic foundation, our executive committee agreed to fund several research labs with a goal of developing treatments for various targeted conditions, including Covid19, using mRNA. Significantly, one small lab was involved in research in Progeria T1X, an extremely aggressive form of Progeria with a life expectancy of twelve to thirteen years.

As with all viruses, each mutation of Covid19 proved milder unless an individual also had complications such as diabetes, lung diseases, obesity, and age factors. By 2024, Covid19 was little more than a flu. That same year, the Progeria T1X lab isolated the exact DNA sequence that caused Progeria T1X; and they successfully developed a mRNA treatment extending many lives. A condition of funding required researchers to send weekly progress reports to NGO. When the oversight committee received the report of a viable Progeria T1X mRNA treatment, they realized we had been handed an extraordinary opportunity and called an emergency meeting."

The speaker stopped and recognized the executive committee before continuing. "Under the exceptional leadership of these men and women, it was decided that the scientific process the Progeria T1X researchers used to prolong life could be reverse engineered to shorten life. NGO quietly developed the strategy to accomplish our greatest goal, saving our planet from over population. We funded labs in like-minded countries to adapt the Progeria T1X mRNA and give it the ability to hasten the aging process. By 2026, we had the means to shorten the lives of people no longer useful to society.

All we needed was a dependable delivery mechanism. Thanks to two executive committee members, delivery of our new mRNA began in 2027. As CEOs of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies manufacturing the annual flu vaccines, they incorporated our mRNA effectively. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Dr. Jelau Bernard of Faith Pharmaceutical and Dr. Julianna Kaskey of Willheim Pharmaceutical Inc."

The audience rose spontaneously in cheers and applause as Drs. Bernard and Kaskey stood and walked to the podium. It took several minutes before they began to speak as NGO members were seated.

Thank you, thank you, Dr. Bernard said as he smiled and acknowledged friends sitting nearby. Faith Pharmaceutical is proud to be a participant in the movement toward reducing the drain on Earth’s resources by those who contribute almost nothing for the good of society. Rest assured; we will continue this important work. Thank you again. He turned and left the podium to Dr. Kaskey, amidst enthusiastic applause.

Thank you, Dr. Bernard and my thanks to all of you. Now that we are successfully administering doses of our Pro-T1X2 vaccine, we have taken steps to reach New Global Opportunity’s ultimate goal.

One of the results of the virus and, later our mRNA, was the removal of challengers to our globalist views of historical events. Since the elderly are no longer able to contribute positively to society’s needs, they should no longer be able to spread their ideas of loyalty to individual countries. Closely related to national loyalty is religious loyalty. History shows, that the destruction of a country’s dominate religion invariably leads to the destruction of that country. She paused and looked around the banquet hall.

Since the secular world view is far more compatible with our global goal, it became our religion. It is necessary to pit our new religion, secularism, against all other religions but particularly against Christianity. Fortunately, between Covid19 and the success of Pro-T1X2, a great many elderly Christians have been eliminated. With their elimination, New Global Opportunity has been able to remove their impact through revisions of historical writings. When older Christians die, their knowledge, along with their ability to influence others, dies with them. As more and more young people embrace secularism, Christianity is being reduced to a myth, like those of Egypt and Greece.

To establish New Global Opportunity’s one world government goal, Earth Government One, we must accelerate the destruction of all Christian believers, not just the elderly. They have strongholds in some locations; conclaves of them are scattered in the Americas with tiny factions hidden in European mountains ranges. Only their destruction will stop their poisonous beliefs of free-will and salvation from spreading.

Her excitement was contagious; the crowd rose to its feet in agreement, shouting for the deaths of all religious believers and demands for a one world government. With cameras projecting her onto large screens, she stopped and spread her arms out gesturing to everyone in the room. In this room, we have the world’s elite scientists, sociologists, medical professionals. We have the brightest political thinkers and business masterminds. We are the only hope for the world. Applause erupted again.

Dr. Kaskey called for silence so she could continue. It’s 2030, and I ask you an important question. Who is better qualified to save this planet than the people in this very room? I say we must move forward and take control by any means necessary before our world is destroyed. Who will move with me?

Wild enthusiasm broke out among the listeners as wave after wave of volunteers pledged to join her in the establishment of Earth Government One.

Her words sparked the fire that resulted in the overthrow of governments around the world. As with totalitarian leaders of the past, Earth Government One would not allow dissenting opinions. They would destroy every man, woman, or child that dared to challenge or reject their new government’s demands.

ONE

D eborah watched Grace sitting at Signal Point looking down at the Tennessee River as she walked toward her mentor. In spite of its history of violent conflicts, Deborah always found her soul refreshed by the natural beauty of this place. Initially, the Cherokee and Creek, along with settlers moving west, lived on this part of the Cumberland Pla teau.

Having grown up near the Plateau, Deborah knew it provided many places where Group Alpha could hide and be protected. Fortunately, her parents loved to explore, so she knew the entire area. They hiked and toured almost all of the Plateau and most of the state. She wondered if they had known how significant their exploring and training would be for the future of so many people. As First Assistant to Grace, the leader of Group Alpha, she was responsible for its wellbeing in addition to teaching Christian beliefs, customs, and history to subsequent leaders.

Deborah saw Grace waving to her and Lilliana, Second Assistant. Deborah’s martial arts and Lilliana’s math instructions were completed. Grace sat at one of the remaining park tables, relics from the past when families vacationed in the mountains and visited historical sites. No one came anymore because no one knew how significant the place was. In 2045, history was determined by government regulators.

After their hurried escape from Knoxville, the group enjoyed relatively peaceful interactions with the authorities and citizens of Chattanooga. With Earth Government One expanding westward, Deborah feared it wouldn’t, no, she knew peace wouldn’t last much longer. Besides, Group Alpha needed to leave this area soon anyway; they were to meet other believers moving to the extreme northwest so they could settle before the mountain’s harsh winter.

Deborah reached the table where Grace waited a few minutes before Lilliana and sat across from her. How does your back feel today?

Sunshine warms old joints and the fresh air invigorates my thoughts. As Lilliana walked up, Grace said, Ah, Lilliana, take a seat and rest a few minutes before we start today’s lesson.

What shall we begin with today? Deborah asked.

I thought we’d review our last lesson first, Grace said, didn’t we leave off as the epidemic or pandemic was declared over?

Yep, let’s get onto events after the emergency, Lilliana said.

Deborah wondered why Lilliana always wanted to rush ahead instead of reviewing. Didn’t she know every detail was important? She seemed to believe as long as she knew the surface detail and sequence of events, everybody should be happy.

Grace looked at her and asked, Why was the epidemic declared over? What were the influences that made it safe to say the virus was gone?

Lilliana shrugged her shoulders before she tried to answer. I guess the virus was gone or the government wouldn’t have said it was over. I mean, with all the vaccinations and boosters, wasn’t the virus as harmless as the flu or a head cold?

Deborah volunteered the information, Governments around the world declared the epidemic over for a couple of reasons. The most important influences were the mandated vaccinations, herd immunity developed by the majority of surviving people, and successive mutation of the virus made it weaker and less deadly. Lastly, people simply refused to comply with government mandates or requirements. They wanted their lives back and wanted to be able to do the things they’d always done. When people read about the liberties and freedoms of Swedish citizens, they demanded their governments follow the Swedish example.

Was the virus less likely to be deadly in the general population? Grace asked.

Well sure, Lilliana responded. Reports from hospitals indicated fewer people needed intensive care. Like I said before, it was becoming the same as a flu or a bad cold.

Again, Deborah spoke up. Actually, the hospitals reported fewer cases requiring admission to the ICU, but thousands still required hospitalization. This was particularly true for those with heart or breathing conditions. Ironically, younger people who took the vaccine and later caught the virus were being hospitalized in greater numbers than when the virus first struck a couple of years earlier.

What were some of the consequences of the required vaccinations? Grace held her hand up as Deborah started to reply. She wanted to hear what Lilliana would say.

People who got the vaccinations and the boosters survived Covid with only mild symptoms if they caught the virus after receiving the shots. Sure, some had to go to the hospital, but the antiviral medicines protected them and most recovered without complications. Lilliana said.

Was it true of all age groups? Grace kept her hand up; she still didn’t want Deborah to answer.

Yeah, for the most part. Why? Are you trying to trick me or something? Lilliana asked.

Grace turned to Deborah and asked, What do you think? Was that true for all age groups?

No, I don’t think it was. It’s true people in all age groups recovered better than those two years earlier but to say it was because of the vaccinations exclusively wouldn’t be accurate. I’m sure they helped many, but the vaccinations harmed many as well, especially when you looked at the differences in the age groups. Many young people, under 25 to 30, developed myocarditis which could be life threatening. There were reports of girls, who received the vaccines, not being able to have children, many adults developed blood clots which caused heart attacks or strokes. In fact, no one really knows exactly what the vaccines’ impacts would be because they were never fully studied or tested.

Deborah continued her summary of the previous lesson. Even government agencies admitted their information was inaccurate concerning adverse reactions. Their reporting criteria was slanted initially and resulted in massive overreporting of deaths caused by the virus without the mention of contributing factors. If a ninety-six-year-old person died in his sleep, but the autopsy revealed the presence of the virus, the physician was required to say Covid19 caused the death. Advanced age could not be listed as a natural cause of death. People killed in head-on car wrecks who tested positive for the virus in an autopsy, received death certificates stating that Covid19 caused their deaths. It was three years later before the CDC and NIH revealed they were attempting to correct the over reporting.

Grace, I don’t understand why Deborah and I have to know all these details. Isn’t it enough we know the virus struck, the government helped get the vaccines, and the virus mutated to the point it was harmless? Lilliana said.

No, it’s not enough. History frequently moves on the smallest of details. Remember, each detail builds on a previous detail. Think of training a pet. It isn’t really natural for any animal to submit itself to or depend on a human for its food; yet a dog or an elephant does. In the same way, governments trained citizens during epidemics through a system of protection, reward, and punishment. Grace said.

The lesson was interrupted by a young boy running up to the table. Harris sent me to get you, Mistress Deborah. He said to tell you an urgent message concerning Brother Alan has arrived for you and Mistress Grace.

TWO

T he three of them entered the main encampment where Deborah saw Harris and David talking with a young man she knew from Group Delta. Delta was West of the Mississippi River and traveling in an attempt to join Alpha in Missouri. Deborah and Grace last spoke with Alan months before when leaders from Alpha, Beta, and Delta met secretly in Alabama to coordinate plans for a smooth transition from the South to the extreme North west.

Steven, my friend, what brings you here? What’s the news from Brother Alan? Deborah smiled and gave the young man an embrace.

Can we speak in private, Mistress Deborah? The news is troubling and it’s for you and Mistress Grace only.

Of course, we’ll go to my lodgings. Turning to the men, Deborah said, Harris, please secure the front and left side while David covers the back and right side. See to it no one comes within twenty feet. Once I have the entire message, I’ll decide if there needs to be a meeting. Please send Millie or Terry to have everyone gather for evening prayers.

When they got to what was left of a cabin, she and Grace sat at the table with Steven. He handed them a paper that simply said believe. Deborah read the note and handed it to Grace. She thought believe what? Believe who? What was so important that Alan would send one of his most trusted followers with this message?

Deborah looked up and said, Alright Steven, what or who am I to believe? I know Brother Alan wouldn’t have sent you with a cryptic note and no explanation.

Stress showed in his face and posture; it was obvious he was deeply concerned about something and searched for the right words. He ran his fingers through his dark brown hair and rubbed his eyes. When he opened them, she could see that they were blood-shot but shining the brilliant blue she always admired. He was only twenty-three, as she remembered, but already an accomplished warrior. He was a quiet thinker respected by those who knew him.

Mistress Deborah, Brother Alan gave the same note to Thomas, Juan and me. The notes were to be used to convey urgent messages from one group leader to another. Brother Alan has been betrayed; his life is in grave danger. I left him with three of our most trusted fighters; they’re moving him away from Group Delta as quickly as possible to a location only the four of us know.

Deborah interrupted, Do you mean to say that someone in Group Delta gave information to Earth Government One about Brother Alan?

Let him finish before we start asking questions, Deborah. Grace said.

Yes, although we don’t know who yet, someone told the regional administrator an eighty-year-old believer named Alan was living near Pioneer. When trackers came to our camp and asked specifically for Alan, we knew trouble was coming. Fortunately, he was in Oak Grove for a prayer meeting; I sent Thomas to keep him there. After the trackers searched everything in the camp, they left. Making it appear, we were restoring order to the camp, I called three of the men I trusted to a meeting. Together we worked out a plan to move Alan to Erica, Tennessee immediately. Matthew and Juan snuck out of camp during the night and headed for Oak Grove.

Since we didn’t know where you were, and didn’t know of any believers in Missouri or Tennessee, I contacted my cousin in Erika. He’s been in touch with me for months about his wife’s despondency and disappointment with EG1. I asked him if he could help us for a limited time, he agreed. He said they’d hide my friend for a couple of weeks but no longer than a month.

Can you be sure you can trust your cousin? Deborah was anxious; a move against one of the elders would indicate that EG1 planned to move against all. She had so much to learn but it was looking more and more like time was running out.

Yes, he can be trusted; he believes in our ways but is afraid to leave his position in Erika’s EG1 supply support office. His wife knows what he believes but is indifferent to it. She thinks believers are a little strange but harmless, besides, she is frustrated and angry with EG1. They’re afraid neighbors or co-workers might drop by their home and see Alan. I sent a message to them confirming he won’t be there for more than a month – less if I can arrange it. That’s why I’m here.

I see. You want Group Alpha to get him out of Erika, right? Deborah said.

You’re the closest strong group I know. You’ve got some of the finest defenders and you’re headed into an area that will offer more places to hide him than we have. Will you help us save his life?

Deborah stared at him and said, Of course we will, why would you think we would abandon one of our remaining elders? We planned to leave this area for Nashville soon anyway; it might as well be tomorrow.

They stood and Deborah pointed to the cot against the back wall. Get some rest before you start your journey back to Pioneer. We’ve got to get our people ready to move in the morning.

I need to leave immediately to get back to Delta. Since the trackers know our location, they may attack at any time. He stood to leave only to have Grace take his arm and lead him to the cot.

Steven, you won’t be any good or help if you don’t get some rest. You’re about to drop as it is, so no more talking. We’ll wake you in four hours so you can leave in darkness.

Walking toward the cabin door, Grace said, Deborah, there’ll be no more lessons in church or secular history until we reached our next major rest location in Missouri. It may be a month or more but you and Lilliana should keep your binders ready just in case we have an opportunity.

THREE

A s she and Grace stepped out of the cabin, Deborah called David and they walked toward Harris’s position. She knew the general location for Erika but not its exact site. Before Steven left Signal Point, she needed his cousin’s name, address and a village map if poss ible.

Grace, when you wake Steven up, please make sure he sees me before he leaves. Deborah indicated they needed to have a private conference. She looked around the main camp area and saw an empty picnic table on the far side. There were a couple of tents set up about a hundred feet from the table; the trees were at least that far from it. It would be a good place to develop a plan for moving the group and setting up the rescue.

Let’s talk over there to discuss Steven’s message, she said pointing to the table.

The four of them casually walked across the center of the camp to the table. Once there, she and Grace sat with the group’s most faithful men. At her age, these two were the closest thing to brothers Deborah had and she loved them dearly. Harris’s children were the only niece and nephew she’d ever know. She knew she could trust them with her life so their advice was always welcomed. Since the emergency Steven brought to her would put other lives in danger, she wanted their input.

Harris spoke first, What’s the news from Delta? It must be serious from the looks on your faces.

Agreed, what’s going on? Has Group Delta been attacked? David was concerned for his relatives and friends in Delta.

They hadn’t been attacked when Steven left to find us. They have been betrayed though… Deborah started to reply.

How? David was alarmed and anxious to have details.

As I said, they hadn’t been attacked but someone has reported there is an elder named Alan living near Pioneer where Delta was staying. Trackers came to the camp and searched everywhere, fortunately Brother Alan was in another village for a prayer meeting.

Were they able to get word to Brother Alan to keep him away? Harris asked. If there was a traitor in Group Delta, there might be one with us too. We need to make sure both Alan and Grace are protected.

Do you remember a young man named Thomas when the groups were last together? Deborah asked.

Wasn’t he the handsome young man who seemed interested in Noelle? Harris commented.

Yes, he looked rather disappointed when her parents announced she and Elijah were engaged, Grace said.

Steven sent Thomas to Brother Alan immediately after the trackers left the vicinity. Once Thomas was safely away, he spoke with Matthew and Juan about a plan to move Alan completely away from Group Delta, Deborah said.

His plan consisted of the two of them getting away separately to meet up with Thomas for Alan’s protection. Steven notified a cousin and his wife in Erika he needed a place to hide Alan for up to a month.

Will they be able to protect him? Harris was even more concerned. If they live in a village or town, aren’t they part of EG1?

Indeed, both have positions in EG1; however, they are angry they aren’t allowed to have a child. They’ve agreed to hide Alan for a limited time. That brings us to this meeting. We need to leave for Nashville now instead of resting for a couple more days. It’s about a hundred and fifty miles from here to the next suitable area. Then we’ll make plans for a small team to get him out. Deborah said.

Do we know if Brother Alan is in Erika now? If he is, it might be a better idea for the team to head directly there to get him now, David said, "Judy and I are willing to set out tonight. She loves him as much as I do.

Deborah considered David’s suggestion before answering. Honestly, I don’t think he’s in Erika. Think about it, he’s in his eighties and has to travel at night. He knows trackers are aware he exists. He’s got three of Delta’s finest warriors to protect him on his way. It will probably take five to six days for him to get there. By leaving in the morning, and averaging 8-10 miles a day, we can be within 100 miles of Nashville in less than six days. During those days, we might have an update on his location and condition.

Grace added, That also puts us within 50-60 miles of Erika in the event we need to take David’s advice and send a team to rescue him immediately. Then they would be able to move him to our new camp site.

Harris and David agreed it was logical to stay with Group Alpha and help move everyone to the new location until they had