Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

Epilogue

                    One Mad Mother

The mother in England waited. She sent her agents, and she waited for word of her son. Nothing came. No words, only rumor of his capture and then, confirmation of his capture and torture.

Mother lost her patience. No more negotiations. Politics be damned. 

Time for war.

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                    Mr. Thomas

Mr. Thomas did not like being left back with the babies and the injured either. He certainly could have volunteered to go with his best friend and Eliot's dad, Joe, to join the fight, but Joe insisted he stay behind.

"Who knows, we might be walking back," said Joe, and that was enough to convince Clementine to stay behind.

That and the fact that 'ol Clementine, despite his love for Joe, loved Eliot's mom, Jane, more. He would not risk her safety. A battle would certainly put her at risk.

Minutes after the Army and the Resistance left the farm headed to Stuart to confront the enemy, Mr. Thomas left too. He went towards Stokes County. He knew there was a division of The One Nation Army there. If he got there in time, they could sneak up behind the American Army and the Resistance and surprise them.

His good friend, Joe, might be killed in the crossfire, but at least the love of his life, Jane, would be safe. Once Jane and he were reunited, Mr. Thomas was sure Jane would forgive him. She would understand that sacrifices were necessary.

The division from Stokes County and Mr. Thomas, all thirty five plus vehicles that Eliot had counted as they passed, turned a Resistance victory into defeat.

In the history books to follow, Clementine Thomas, no matter that he did it all for the love of a woman, would forever be known as a traitor and the "Benedict Arnold" of the Resistance.

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                    Motorcycle

They rode all night and only stopped to pull over when they reached the West Virginia border.

"Beautiful," said Carli.

"Yes," said Jack who was not looking at the view.

"Feels safe," said Carli. "Maybe we can stay awhile?"

Jack nodded. "Let's," he said.

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                    Red Jeep

He is behind the wheel of the red jeep. The red jeep that was often the star or the villain of this story. So many miles, so much to tell. This time the red jeep tells the story of an escape.

He drives slowly out of a town that is damaged, but not destroyed. It will be the headquarters of The One Nation Army for only a few more days. General Nation will burn what is left when he leaves.

The jeep drives slowly past the gallows where a young guard is hanging. Her beautiful blonde hair that goes past her waist is free and swaying in the breeze. A blue ribbon at the end is barely hanging on.

There are others there on the steps waiting their turn. Some are crying, some are begging, but one is smiling. She is lucky. She got her second chance, if only for a few days

The driver of the red jeep drives on without looking back.

__________

                    Home

On the front porch of home on a small farm just outside Dobson, a future elected leader of the New Free North American Alliance swings and sings her stuffed dog to sleep. Millicent is barely tall enough to push off. She likes swinging.

Her future will be made possible by a prince who is inside sleeping and dreaming of his far away home with his lady beside him.

History books will look on these early days of the New Alliance and declare the next battles - The End of the End.

History is told by the victors, and they know:

If not for the prince, all will be lost.