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Apocalypse Angel (Forces of the Underworld story 10)
FORCES OF THE UNDERWORLD (STORY 10)
APOCALYPSE ANGEL
The news anchor looked pale. "As you can see from our footage "The Rapture" has just happened. It is estimated that a quarter of the worlds population have been taken up to Heaven. Those left behind are grief-stricken, there loved ones having been snatched away. Protesters have taken to the streets, waving banners saying: "Return our friends and family."
*****
"I can't believe this has happened, "John said switching off the television. It had taken hours for John, Zack and their father, Logan, to calm Kevin. He'd understandably had a complete melt down. They were all devastated. Their mother, Logan's wife had risen to Heaven.
"What will we do without, her?" Zack asked.
"I don't know," John said.
"We'll carry on as best we can," said Logan. He looked from one son to another. "We'll make her proud."
*****
In Quebec Ajala had been campaigning against biker gangs riding through Mohawk territory. She was not getting a satisfying response from the Canadian government. On top of that certain Canadian businesses were planning to build on sacred land again. Ajala and her people were frustrated and angry. They just wanted to live independently in peace. But when it came to land, money could be made. Businessmen valued money over the sovereignty of the native Canadians.
A week ago a native man on a red horse rode into town. His name was Kanen. He empathised with their situation. "We deserve our sovereignty," he would tell anyone who would listen. Many did and many agreed. "This is our home. Our land. The foreigners came here and claimed our home over a hundred years ago and called it Canada. Since then they've tried to rule over us."
"Things are much better than they used to be," a young man replied.
Kanen shook his head. "They give us just enough to keep us quiet. They sugar-coat the bitter pill, hoping we forget they were our conquerors."
Kanen's words were like a spark to a tinderbox. Ajala became swept up with the righteous indignation everyone else felt.
There was talk of rebellion.
*****
Chief Tristan Dubois briefed his agents.
"Riots have started in Quebec. The indigenous people have been stirred up about their lack of rights. What is worse, however, is that there have been witness statements of a man riding a red horse amongst the rioters."
"The War Horseman," John said. "He's here in Canada?"
"It appears so," said Tristan. "I believe we should find out why. Why Canada of all places?"
"I was wondering about that when the Pestilence Horseman was here," John said.
"Right. There must be a reason. The stakes have never been higher. I don't know if we can stop this. But, as it's now happening right on our doorstep, we can't sit around doing nothing."
"You've got that right, Chief!" Zack blurted out.
"I just hope this won't be our last mission."
*****
Some of the rioters waved banners as if they were flag bearers in a battle. One sign said: "Give us sovereignty: Our country, our choice!"
Another said: " No more building on our sacred lands" Yet another banner had the hardest hitting message: "Stop killing our women!" All over Canada and the USA indigenous women and girls have been murdered or gone missing. This is what angered Ajala the most. This is what had truly motivated her to bring this fight to the streets.
Bricks flew...
APOCALYPSE ANGEL
The news anchor looked pale. "As you can see from our footage "The Rapture" has just happened. It is estimated that a quarter of the worlds population have been taken up to Heaven. Those left behind are grief-stricken, there loved ones having been snatched away. Protesters have taken to the streets, waving banners saying: "Return our friends and family."
*****
"I can't believe this has happened, "John said switching off the television. It had taken hours for John, Zack and their father, Logan, to calm Kevin. He'd understandably had a complete melt down. They were all devastated. Their mother, Logan's wife had risen to Heaven.
"What will we do without, her?" Zack asked.
"I don't know," John said.
"We'll carry on as best we can," said Logan. He looked from one son to another. "We'll make her proud."
*****
In Quebec Ajala had been campaigning against biker gangs riding through Mohawk territory. She was not getting a satisfying response from the Canadian government. On top of that certain Canadian businesses were planning to build on sacred land again. Ajala and her people were frustrated and angry. They just wanted to live independently in peace. But when it came to land, money could be made. Businessmen valued money over the sovereignty of the native Canadians.
A week ago a native man on a red horse rode into town. His name was Kanen. He empathised with their situation. "We deserve our sovereignty," he would tell anyone who would listen. Many did and many agreed. "This is our home. Our land. The foreigners came here and claimed our home over a hundred years ago and called it Canada. Since then they've tried to rule over us."
"Things are much better than they used to be," a young man replied.
Kanen shook his head. "They give us just enough to keep us quiet. They sugar-coat the bitter pill, hoping we forget they were our conquerors."
Kanen's words were like a spark to a tinderbox. Ajala became swept up with the righteous indignation everyone else felt.
There was talk of rebellion.
*****
Chief Tristan Dubois briefed his agents.
"Riots have started in Quebec. The indigenous people have been stirred up about their lack of rights. What is worse, however, is that there have been witness statements of a man riding a red horse amongst the rioters."
"The War Horseman," John said. "He's here in Canada?"
"It appears so," said Tristan. "I believe we should find out why. Why Canada of all places?"
"I was wondering about that when the Pestilence Horseman was here," John said.
"Right. There must be a reason. The stakes have never been higher. I don't know if we can stop this. But, as it's now happening right on our doorstep, we can't sit around doing nothing."
"You've got that right, Chief!" Zack blurted out.
"I just hope this won't be our last mission."
*****
Some of the rioters waved banners as if they were flag bearers in a battle. One sign said: "Give us sovereignty: Our country, our choice!"
Another said: " No more building on our sacred lands" Yet another banner had the hardest hitting message: "Stop killing our women!" All over Canada and the USA indigenous women and girls have been murdered or gone missing. This is what angered Ajala the most. This is what had truly motivated her to bring this fight to the streets.
Bricks flew...
