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New Megiddo Rising: An 'Apostates' Novella
New Megiddo Rising: An 'Apostates' Novella
New Megiddo Rising: An 'Apostates' Novella
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New Megiddo Rising: An 'Apostates' Novella

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At the Dawn of the Texas Republic declaring independence from Mexico, New Megiddo was born. Created by a death cult led by the Reverend Brigham Wainwright, who actively worked to flood the empty, barren land with his American followers; undermining his Mexican overlords.

Fast-forward several centuries and America has become New Megiddo, a theocracy run by the Schrubb Administration, where order is kept using the technology of the [Virtue-Net] to feed the Reverend Wilhelm Wainwright's sermons to the minds of the people. In the slums, the humble beginnings of an insurgency of Apostates take shape. The cruel and clueless policies of the Church of New Megiddo and the ruling Regime push the disenfranchised masses one step closer to all-out rebellion.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherLars Teeney
Release dateMar 13, 2016
ISBN9781311279224
New Megiddo Rising: An 'Apostates' Novella
Author

Lars Teeney

After going to an art school in San Francisco and working for years as a freelance designer for the start-up culture, I became burnt out. I abandoned the Bay Area for the Pacific North-west, where I could hike and bike to my heart’s content.

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    Book preview

    New Megiddo Rising - Lars Teeney

    New Megiddo Rising

    An Apostates Novella

    By Lars Teeney

    Edited by Stephanie Buck

    Copyright © 2016 Lars Teeney and Xcism Press

    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, digital, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or conveyed via the internet or a website without prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Some characters in this book are based on historical figures. Most characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

    ASIN: B01GHJVRL8

    ISBN: 1533645531

    ISBN-13: 978-1533645531

    To independent authors

    Who keep the struggle alive

    PROLOGUE

    Jose Viesca, Governor of the state of Coahuila y Tejas had been riding north for over a week now. Viesca’s retinue was composed of thirty infantrymen, twenty lancers, and two cannons. A number of camp followers and servants trailed the column. The way had been muddy and plagued by unseasonal rain in northern Coahuila. Despite the difficulties, Viesca believed this trip to be of the utmost importance to Mexico. He pulled a golden spyglass from the saddlebag hanging off his stallion. He protracted the device and peered through the dirty lenses. On the horizon, he spied a ramshackle palisade of timber stakes and a white structure with a cross atop its spire. Viesca’s column had made it to New Megiddo, Texas.

    "Jinetes, vamos a hablar con los gringos, (Riders, let's talk to the gringos.)" Governor Viesca called out to his escort of four horsemen to ride ahead.

    Governor Viesca hoped that there would be no altercation this day. He had sent advanced notice of his intent to visit and the residents of New Megiddo were tenants of Mexico, after all. Viesca watched intently as his riders were received at the gatehouse. A representative of New Megiddo rode back out with them to the column to parley with him.

    "Saludos, Gobernador, Yo soy el capitán de la guardia. ¿Quieres entrar en Nueva Meguido? (Greetings, Governor, I am the captain of the guard. Do you want to enter New Megiddo?)" asked the Captain of the New Megiddo Militia who accompanied the Governor’s riders.

    "Sí. Yo estoy aquí para cumplir con Brigham Wainwright, (Yes. I’m here to meet Brigham Wainwright.)" the Governor responded firmly.

    "Muy bien, señor. Por favor sígame, (Very good, sir. Please follow me.)" the Captain bade the Governor and his retinue forward. Viesca rode with several of his aides through the gate of New Megiddo. When Governor Viesca looked around he took in the sight of craftsmen crisscrossing the courtyard, a blacksmith pounding hot iron on an anvil, and militiamen drilling. Many families were camped in the open with flimsy tents and cook fires smoking. Dirty children played in the mud and women in stained dresses struggled to stitch clothing and grind millet. The men wore wild beards and raccoon fur hats. One man looked up at the Governor with wild eyes and spat a load of spent tobacco into the dirt. Another man sharpened a large knife on a whetstone. Governor Viesca assumed that these families were part of the fresh wave of immigrants pouring into Tejas that his scouts had reported.

    The men reached the central structure of the settlement; a monolithic, fortified church. The men dismounted their horses and hitched them up to posts in front of the white adobe building.

    "Reverendo Wainwright es a través de estas puertas. Él te está esperando." (Reverend Wainwright is right through these doors. He is expecting you.) The Captain waved the Governor and his entourage on through the doors. Inside the Governor was given pause by what he saw. The roughly hewn, wooden pews had been pushed to one side of the sanctuary presenting an open space. What seemed to be a classroom’s worth of children, from toddler to teenager, sat on the planks of the floor singing. Governor Viesca cringed slightly at the shrill cacophony of children’s voices. Off to the side of the pulpit was a man perched at a Schaffer piano, belting out a tune. Eight women flanked the piano sang along with the children, providing falsetto support. The man was dressed in a tailored, black coat with the tails hanging down from the piano bench. A black top hat rested on the beside him on the bench. He wore gray trousers and immaculate, shined dress shoes. He was in mid-verse when one of his militia men interrupted him, whispering into the man’s ear. He turned to look and smiled, muttonchops swaying in the air. The singing voices trailed off.

    Governor Viesca! How delightful for you to grace us with your presence! I trust the Lord watched over you on your journey? Reverend Brigham Wainwright exclaimed, clearly displaying his oratory skills learned from an aristocratic upbringing that hinged upon courtesy and pronunciation.

    Reverend Wainwright, so glad we could meet once again. Are you teaching all these children? Village children? the Governor asked with some curiosity.

    Louisa, Venassa, Frencesca, Anahita, Lorraine, Caroline, Brunhild, and Theresa! Please escort the children out of the sanctuary. I have official business to attend to. The lot of you make me so happy, every time I recite your names! Reverend Brigham stood up from the bench, straightened his lapels, and placed his top hat upon his head. He strutted slowly through the sanctuary toward the Governor and his entourage.

    Oh, those whipper-snappers? Heavens no, I am just doing my part as loving father to keep them occupied, he exclaimed.

    They are all yours? All thirty? The Governor asked with a raised eyebrow.

    As much as I would like to profess my virility as a man, I would be lying as there are only twenty-seven in my brood. My eight wives keep me well stocked with heirs, the Reverend confessed. The Governor gazed upon the many-hued faces of the children. Governor Viesca surmised that the Reverend had engaged in a tasting tour of the varieties of women the region had on offer.

    Impressive. Well, as much as I would love to discuss your family life further, my men and I have made a long journey and would appreciate provisions and accommodations, the Governor requested.

    Why, by all means! Captain, see to the men. Governor, please come back this evening and we shall dine together. Reverend Wainwright said.

    Governor Viesca followed the Captain out of the Sanctuary through a back door. He and his men were brought through a series of ornately furnished rooms, with pieces from the top European designers, that featured curving profiles. Viesca couldn’t help being slightly jealous of the Reverend’s collection. The Mexican delegation was led out a door onto a porch that Governor Viesca could see was the rear of the fortified church and living quarters for the Reverend and his family. Finally, they reached the guest barracks where the Governor and his men settled in.

    ⍟ ⍟ ⍟

    After Governor Viesca and his aides had settled in, washed up, and recuperated from their trek, they made their way back to the fortified church. They were led into Reverend Wainwright’s living quarters that were conjoined to the church in the rear. The men were escorted to a fully-stocked, stately dining room. A large, silver candelabra stood at the center of a long rectangular table. The Reverend was seated at the head of the table with his wives occupying one side. The courses had been laid out previously by the house staff featuring a pig, roasted to perfection. The Governor was overwhelmed by the assortment of aromas that invaded his nose, from charred meats to pungent cheeses. An assortment of sliced fruit, bread, and cheeses were spread out across the table. The only drink on offer besides water was apple cider as it was crucial due to lack of potable water. The Governor’s officers took their seats as the Reverend walked into the room, dressed in his finest suit.

    Governor—gentlemen, let us give thanks to the Lord for this bounty! Father, we thank you for watching over Governor Viesca on his long trek. Lord, thank you for allowing us to gather with our Mexican brethren to discuss a bright future together.  Father, I would ask you to guide the Governor in our discussions so that he might see the beauty in your designs… The Reverend continued to lead them in

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