William Johnstone - Phoenix Rising

Bowing his head, Jake began the blessing.

“ Unser himmlischer Vater —Our Heavenly Father, I ask that you bless these wonderful people today for their generous hearts, helping hands, and loving souls. And we thank you for the women who prepared the meal that will sustain us through this day. Segnen Sie dieses Essen zu unserer Verwendung, und wir zu Ihrem Dienst —bless this food to our use, and ourselves to thy service. Amen.”

He had included the German phrases in the blessing because it was an Amish prayer, the same prayer Mr. Yoder had prayed when Jake had gone back home to help build the barn. He wondered for a moment about his parents, and added a silent prayer for them.

“Now, let’s eat,” he said, popping open the can of root beer.

After a very satisfying meal, Bob went back into his and Ellen’s quarters. As he did every day, he turned on the TV, then hit search.

Suddenly the search stopped and a picture filled the screen.

“Hey!” he shouted. He ran to the door and stuck his head out. “Hey! We’ve got TV!”

“What?”

“We’ve got TV!” Bob shouted again.

The others came running down to Bob’s apartment ; then all of them crowded in, finding seats anywhere they could.

At the moment the screen was blue, with the words STAND BY.

The standby card went away to be replaced by a picture. The man in the picture, short blond hair, cherubic face, slightly pudgy, was familiar to them all.

“It’s George Gregoire!” Jake said.

Hello, America.

This is a simulcast over shortwave radio, satellite radio, and satellite TV. That’s right, I’m back on TV, though the size of my TV audience is probably less than a cable access show of the joys of scrap-booking. Nevertheless, I am extremely proud of our little group of technicians who have managed to put our show up on the bird so that those with electricity and a TV can see us.

First, I will bring you up to date on the latest news we have been able to gather.

It appears that the so-called Islamic Republic of Enlightenment holds only Washington, D. C., and Detroit. The fact that they hold our capital city has given them a great deal of cachet in the rest of the world, but we, here in America, know that they are unable to expand beyond that. Already there have been isolated and uncoordinated raids against the Enlightened ones, none of which, at this point, have been much more than a nuisance. In the meantime the Enlighteneds’ atrocities against our people, especially the women and children, continue.

Ohmshidi is alive and well, somewhere, we know not where. From time to time he will make a radio broadcast to rally his base.

Really? Rally his base?

Tell me, friends, does he even have a base any longer? I think not. I think that once we reestablish control, put decent Americans back to work, and reconstitute our government, we will then have time to find Ohmshidi and bring him to justice for all the crimes he has committed.

That means we have much to do, America, and since last I spoke to you much has been done. I have been contacted on 5110LSB by several groups of brave Americans who have banned together to fight this evil that has come into our midst. I will not disclose at this time how many groups I have been in contact with, where they are, or what their strength is. I will only say that for the first time since Ohmshidi was elected president, I am feeling optimistic.

It is my sincere belief that there are many, many more groups than have yet made contact with me, so I feel that, even though Americans made the colossal mistake of sending an arrogant, incompetent fool to the White House, those same Americans are now prepared to rectify that mistake.

During those days when we existed as a democratic republic, we often heard one party or another—whichever party was out of office—adopt the political slogan, “Take back America.”

Well, my friends, this is no longer empty political rhetoric. This is a real, and vital, battle cry. And I urge you, with all that is in my being, to hold yourselves in readiness until we can coalesce as a mighty revolutionary army to do that very thing.

Now you may well ask the question, from whom are we to take back our country? Is it from Ohmshidi and his State Protective Service? Or is it from the roving bands of brigands and thugs, people from among us who prey upon the weak and helpless, Americans by birth, but not by any moral code that we all hold dear?

The answer, my friends, is we must be prepared to do battle with all of them. I urge those of you who are watching this program, and those of you who are within sound of my voice, to establish contact with the Brotherhood of Liberty, join forces in this new revolution.

“What do you think, Jake?” Deon asked. “Should we contact them?”

“How would we do that?” Jake asked.

“He said he could be contacted on fifty-one ten LSB,” Willie said. “I think we could get through. We’ve got a pretty good antenna system here now. I have it attached to the top of the lighthouse tower.

“Alright, give it a try.”

“This is Phoenix, calling on fifty-one ten LSB. Does anyone read me? Over.”

Willie released the switch and listened, but got no response, so he tried again.

“This is Phoenix, calling on fifty-one ten LSB. Does anyone read? Over.”

“Phoenix, this is Firebase Freedom. Over.”

“Hey, we got someone!” Willie said.

Everyone gathered around the radio then to listen.

“Phoenix, this is Firebase Freedom. Go ahead.”

“Tell him we are trying to make contact with the Brotherhood of Liberty,” Jake said.

“Firebase Freedom, we are trying to make contact with the Brotherhood of Liberty. Over.”

“For what purpose, Phoenix? Over.”

Jake reached for the microphone, and Willie handed to him. “Firebase Freedom, we want to discuss mutual goals,” he said. “Over.”

“This is a different voice, over. Identify yourself.”

“This is Phoenix.” Jake paused for a moment, then looked at the others. “Six,” he added. “Do you copy? I am Phoenix Six.”

“All right,” Deon said. “The six is back.” He, Marcus, John, and Willie gave each other high fives.

“What is six?” Cille asked.

“It means the commanding officer,” Bob said with a broad grin. “I’m glad to see that some things haven’t changed since I retired.”

“Roger, Phoenix Six,” Firebase Freedom responded. “If you don’t mind, I would like to authenticate.”

“How are we going to do that without an SOI?”

“I authenticate silent seven.”

Jake released the mic button and looked at the others. “Does anyone know what the hell he is talking about?”

“Respond, faithful five,” Bob said.

“What?”

“Respond with ‘faithful five,’” Bob repeated.

Jake keyed the mic again. “Faithful five. I say again, faithful five.”

“Welcome home, brother,” Firebase Freedom said.

“Tell him welcome home,” Bob said.

“Welcome home,” Jake said.

“Maintain contact, Phoenix. As things develop, we will keep you apprised. Over.”

“Will do. Out,” Jake said.

Jake looked at Bob. “Okay, so tell me what the hell I was talking about.”

“He was talking about the eleven general orders for sentry duty,” Bob said. “Silent seven is the seventh general order—I will speak to no one except in the line of duty. Faithful five is the fifth general order—I will quit my post only when properly relieved. Of the eleven general orders, they are the only two that have nicknames.”

“Eleven general orders? What are you talking about?” Deon asked. “There are only three.”