T.O.R.N.: There's Only Right Now

Chapter 21 The War Part 1

A list of all known members and associates of The Wave were being broadcast by every major television station in the country. The list totaled precisely four hundred forty-four people spread throughout the world, most of which were in the United States. Americans seemed to be dividing; the majority immediately fell into the trap that The Sephiren devised. Fear was rampant amongst this group. Hotlines had been set up where people could call and report citizens in their community that they suspected to be members of The Wave.

There were protests calling for the deaths of all Wave members in every major city. But from a smaller group,there was compassion, empathy, and interest building for The Wave. Home videos of members doing miraculous, generous acts, like healing and saving lives were all over the internet. Images of peaceful arrests of Wave members were also pouring in. Family and friends of those arrested were using social media to question the legality and authenticity of these arrests.

A special investigation was launched by the Senate to quell the concerns on all sides of the issue. Asante's counter plan started to take root. Those gathered at the Canyon Ranch outpost only totaled thirty-three, but they were most of the leaders of the individual factions of The Wave from around the country. Asante requested their presence twelve hours after the initial Farraday interview. She knew if they worked collaboratively they would have a shot for using Farraday's initiative against The Sephiren. Asante believed that if they could demonstrate that The Wave wasn't a cult or terrorists by appealing to the good in people they could eventually illustrate who has been the real threat.

In the interim, members of The Wave, minus the leaders at Canyon Ranch, would willingly go into custody. The plan was that Chelo would lead the group that had been detained from the inside. Asante hoped that her connection to Chelo could be utilized to establish a viable rescue for J.StaRR and the others. The only problem now was time. They didn't have any indication of how much time J.StaRR, Chelo and the others actually had. It had been seventy-two hours since Chelo turned himself in and Asante had not been able to communicate with him. Nyrraw grew impatient and Asante knew they must act fast or he would act alone. She needed to come up with a plan B.

"I don't care what he says, I don't think she's ready for this leadership role. He even said that she still doesn't believe that she is The Aurora while we were in Pismo; don't think I didn't catch that. And why won't he decode the journal, by the way? I know he's Michael, all-powerful telepath and all, but I think he's hiding something." Aissa conjectured as she devoured some sushi at the Canyon Ranch cafeteria sitting at a table with Obadias, Nyrraw, and Marie.

"I think you got to let up, Aissa, you're sounding like a jealous little sister who is mad that big sis has come and stole her shine a bit." Obadias prodded.

Aissa feigned pain in her heart, then said, "Not exactly. The only thing I'm mad at is that we are not going to Guantanamo, guns ablaze, and getting my girl out. We don't have time for this Kumbaya Asante, we need the missile-eating, boiling-blood Asante!" Aissa laughed but was very serious.

"I don't usually agree with your hot-head but at this moment my sister is my first concern, so agreed," Nyrraw said plainly.

Marie looked up at the television hanging in the corner and saw the video of Asante from the Carmel incident. She got up from the table and used a remote to turn up the volume. After the video concluded, a press conference was about to start. President-Elect Douglas was standing next to Farraday at a podium.

"Good evening America. I, unfortunately, will inherit a climate where dealing with heinous acts such as these must be my first priority, which is why my first executive order on the evening of my inauguration will be to eliminate this threat. Despite what these radicals are claiming, these terrorists are extremely dangerous and must be eradicated from our society before they spread like cancer through the body of our nation. This executive order will be effective immediately and will be carried out without haste. Though we have most of this group in custody, members like this Dr. Asante Argueta are still in the wind. Dr. Argueta, if you don't turn yourself and the remaining members in, we will begin using any tactics necessary, including torture, against the members that we do have in custody to attain your whereabouts. Their last moments of life will surely be of agony. You have twenty-four hours. That is all." With that, the news briefing was over.