Page 40 of Swamp Kings 2

“Not sure how. I just know.”

Why would he expect actual answers?

Anthem style music filled the auditorium, the racket piercing his ears as he held Beth’s hand tighter while every nervewanted to draw blood to make the noise stop.

“Dear Lord, somebody’s tone-deaf,” Beth whispered, right as the torture faded into suspenseful crackles floating in white noise.

“Welcome to your new world,” a deep metallic voice greeted with a kind of calm that drew an instant chill down the spine.

“As you surely now know, man’s wicked reign has been taken hostage by mayhem. Each collapse, each fall, has brought us to our newfound freedom. The thrones of the rich are dismantled. The traffickers of deceit and wicked pleasure yet sway from high places.”

White noise filled the room for several seconds.

“The abusers of power and purpose have been judged. And they were all guilty,” he said with an erotic glee. “Then they were shot. And they were killed,” he assured with that same calm.

“And in case you’re wondering just how…fuckedour beloved United States of America is, let me list the heads that are now missing. Literally.” He gave a low chuckle. “I’m kidding, I’m not going to list them, that would be boring. Allow me to summarize the headcount.Starting at the tippy top of the wicked tree, ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, I give you the President of the United States’ head on a platter.”

“Oh God,” Beth gasped, among shocked breaths.

“Along with his vice, the cabinet members, military leaders, joint chief of staff, the head neck and shoulders of the CIA, FBI, NSA, DNI, and DIA. Homeland Security, all key advisors, military aides, communications, and cyber security,” he concluded with an air of indifference while a blanket of holy mother fuck choked the room in the reigning white noise.

“So yes,” he said, evenly. “Everything is entirely and thoroughly fucked. Factions are rising, criminals are taking over, people are scattered, scared, hungry, and ready for…something new. Oh yes, your houses of religion are all burned to the ground as well. And the truth hidden in their foundations is now purifying the air with its ashes. I also smashed the economy into oblivion and severed connections to all things that must pass away, because…” He took in a deep breath and released it while 8-Bit and the Kings scrambled at the electronics, hopefully getting this psycho’s location. “Because it was required,” he said, like he was picking from a multiple choice.

The white noise took center stage again and this time Bishop heard where it looped. It was a fucking recording.

“But,” the lunatic shot out, startling half the room. “Do you realize what this means? It means that all who hear this broadcast are the founders of this new world. I call it… Ever-Fallen.”

Bishop and Seer exchanged holy shit looks.

“This is not a world of unity,” he droned on. “It is not a world of peace. It is a world where control belongs to the chaos of nature, a world where only the strong will rise. Only the strong will survive. No more states. No more cities. There is only a vast land of chaos before those who remain.

“I am here to make an offer to every person alive today. A chance to have a piece of this new world. A home where you create your own rules. You sustain your own land, defend your own borders. All you have to do is stake a claim to an existing state, fight for it and win it. Then, it will no longer be a state, but a country. Your country."

“Does he think he owns everything?” Beth whispered, sounding confused.

“I’m sure he does.”

“Should you choose to accept this challenge, a Chaos Point has been placed every fiftymiles in all directions. There, you will find the laws that will govern the Ever Fallen. Read it carefully. Thoughtfully. In it is the vision of a new path and the steps you must take to join with me.

“I have cleansed with the chaos of ruin. You must rebuild with the chaos of creation. This is your future. This is your new world. Let us ride the chaos together. Let us learn what true freedom is.”

CHAPTER NINE

“Eveque.”

Bishop turned, finding Spook walking up behind him at the Dry Dock. Fuck.

He kissed Beth on the cheek and whispered, “Go in and find Maggie. I’m right behind you.”

She nodded with a sympathetic gaze as she hurried in.

He turned back to Spook, shoving his outstretched hand away and wrapping him in a hug. “I think we’re more than a fucking handshake.”

The way Spook embraced him filled him with sickness. “Listen,” he said, quietly after releasing him, his steely blue eyes pulling no punches. “I’m not here to cause trouble.”

“Talk to me mon frere,” he said, praying he could give him whatever was on his mind.

“I need to do something, I can't just....” He lowered his head, shaking it.

---