Big Sky Chronicles

Chapter 10: The Real Enemy

July 1st, 3:40 PM Eastern Time, near the border of the 2nd Atlantic District. Ramsey walked along a stream that bubbled alongside the road that the Patriots were following. According to Kinsey, they were only two days from reaching the capital. Two days away from his grand plan reaching its conclusion. Ramsey had a lot of time to contemplate the details, the contingencies, and the consequences. He knew what he had to do, and he had no reservation in any of his decisions. This part was the most boring, but he took advantage of the brief peace to contemplate the fourth dimension.

Kinsey walked next to him like a watchdog, making sure the surroundings were safe. Ramsey was certain that Kinsey was bluffing about the bipedal deer, but why would he lie about that? Was he trying to make sure the groups were extra precautious with wildlife? Kinsey did not strike Ramsey as a liar. Ramsey brushed it off as he focused on the path ahead. Kinsey spoke up as they reached a clearing in the woods.

"Say Rams... what's your plan after you usurp the government an all of that..." Ramsey looked at Kinsey in amusement.

"I haven't thought about that yet. I don't think I will need to do anything. Everything is going to change though." Ramsey said with a smirk.

"Will there be peace? Will it be a perfect world after that?" Kinsey said in optimism. Ramsey laughed.

"Now I ask you: what can be expected of a man endowed with such strange qualities? Shower him with earthly blessings, drown him in happiness completely, over his head, so that only bubbles pop up on the surface of happiness, as on water." Ramsey said softly. Kinsey looked confused. "Make no mistake Kinsey, I am not your savior. The inquisitors are not your enemy. I am not going to introduce a utopia. Humans' deepest desire is war and I intend on delivering that to its fullest extent." Ramsey said looking sedated. Kinsey glanced over at Ramsey with a curious look on his face.

"So then if the government isn't our enemy, who is?"

"Have you ever wondered how I got my abilities, Kinsey?" Ramsey said while looking at his missing finger. Kinsey listened intently. "I got them by looking into the heart of a black hole. I lived in a different dimension for nearly a week. I observed the qualities of that dimension, the nature of it. It confused me. When I found out my parents were killed by inquisitors, I was sure that whoever could do such a thing was the enemy, but after looking back to my time in the fourth dimension... whoever exists in the realm, the embodiment of entropy, that's the enemy."

After Ramsey finished his diatribe, the both of them walked in silence for the rest of the evening till they found a safe site to set up camp.

Agent Larisa swung her backpack over her shoulder and hopped out of the truck at the edge of the woods. 15 agents behind her did the same. She did a headcount and then raised her right hand as they all lined up.

"This is a mission of stealth. We are not to be detected but to observe. By no means engage with the enemy. We have tracked them with a cellular device, you will have access to their whereabouts on your own gps. While walking through these woods, it is imperative that you focus on the mission, so disregard wildlife and ignore any sort of call for help from afar. When we locate the target, we are too follow them and brief Agent #13 on any intel we can gather. If...you are found, neutralize the target quickly and quietly."

Larisa dropped her hand and each agent quickly burst into the forest like wolves hunting a rabbit. Larisa turned around and followed. As she silently traveled deeper into the woods she couldn't help but think about her conversation with Agent #13.

"Larisa, there is a reason inquisitors have avoided the Appalachian Mountains since the Soviet's assumed power. Strange things happen within those woods. We have lost men. My old unit never made it out alive, I was the only survivor" Larisa tried to ask Agent #13 about what was within the woods but he was reluctant to not answer. His words carried on in her head. "Ignore wildlife, or any foreign calls for help." Shivers ran down Larisa's spine as she dashed through the woods. She looked down at her phone, they should intercept the Patriots in 3 short hours. "Also Larisa, I have a favor to ask you." Larisa shook her head at his words. Agent #13 was truly an insane man.