The Apostates Read Online Free PDF

of tactical and strategic know-how.
    John W. Schrubb approached his children
that were standing among their respective entourages on opposite sides of the
room. “Hello, hello. Good to see everyone. Thank you for coming. It always
warms my heart to have everyone here!” John exclaimed sentimentally.
    “Of course, father. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Kate responded while she took a sip of tea from a mug.
    “So good to see that your health is
holding up, dad. It’s amazing how well you are doing at your age,” Keir
observed, though disingenuously.
    John embraced each of his children. “Everyone, as you all know this is a special year. It’s time to prepare for the Pilgrimage and the Born Again Gathering. This is such a special time. All the citizens of New Megiddo will rejoice and give thanks to God and our government,” John said emotionally. In his old age, he had become much more sentimental and had been known to break into tears on occasion. In the last couple of decades, his sentimentality had become especially pervasive. The Born Again Gathering or B.A.G. was, for the common folk, a time of round-ups, forced marches, mass indoctrination and religious reaffirmation. It was a time to declare faith in God and obedience and loyalty to New Megiddo. The Pilgrimage and B.A.G. was only surpassed by the Hajj in scope and logistics, in terms of religious events.
    “How goes the preparation for our most
sacred event?” John asked.
    Kate answered before her brother could get a word out, “Father the Ministry of State Security is keeping a vigilant eye out for any threats to the security of the B.A.G. Furthermore, we have narrowed down possible areas where the Apostates are operating into the West Coast of New Megiddo. We have them on the run—”
    Keir interrupted his sister’s progress report, “Yes, father, things progress with the defense of our great country. I have been working closely with Wynham Industries—” Keir stopped mid-sentence and gestured to a man dressed in a pinstriped suit and brown overcoat, smoking a cigarette. The man he was referring to was Graham Wynham, head of Wynham Industries a state-sanctioned, arms manufacturer.
    “We have been working with Graham to
modernize our military equipment and to upgrade the [Virtue-net],” Keir
finished.
    Graham Wynham stepped forward and nodded. The Wynham family and the Schrubb family had been close for a very long time. They had come up together during the late Twentieth and early Twenty-first centuries. A business dynasty and political dynasty that worked well en-tandem. They colluded together to change the nature of the government and economy. The Schrubb family started the wars that expanded markets and contracts for Wynham Industries and in return it lobbied and bribed every branch of government. And those who they couldn’t buy were destroyed politically by pseudo-grassroots organizations and political action committees. It was the perfect symbiotic relationship to subtly transform the country. Add a religious movement that steadily gained power and you had a perfect storm.
    “John—looking good as always, sir. What
is your secret?” Graham flattered.
    “It’s all in the mind, my good friend. As
long as you fancy yourself a young man, why, you’ll be young forever,” John
answered while holding his arms out.
    “Father, will you be attending the B.A.G.
in person? Maybe consider making a speech this year,” Keir suggested.
    “Oh, nonsense. I’ve never been one for the spotlight. Besides, I wouldn’t want to distract from the Reverend. He is what the people need to focus on, that and his message,” John said.
    John rubbed his chin and continued, “I do
love to hear that man speak. He is so inspirational. A true man of god!”
    “Yes, father, he is an example to us all,”
Kate added.
    “Thank you for the progress reports, everyone. However, I am truly concerned about the state of our country on the