Louis Collins: A Post-American Odyssey

Louis entered the makeshift studio. A laptop sat on a table, connected to the camera and the lights. He carefully pulled the power cord from the wall and put the laptop into a black bag from a shelf. He found an external hard drive next to the laptop and added it to the bag. He searched the drawers, but most of them were filled with ropes, dildos, and a few bottles of lubricant. He went to the camera and took out the memory card. He found a few more in a small box and put them in the bag.

“Anything good in there, Louis?” Gladice’s voice asked through the comms. “I found a set of their magical underwear! It’s so ugly!”

“Just a laptop, a hard drive, a few memory cards,” Louis said. “And a lot of sex toys.”

“I’ll pass on those,” Gladice said. “I have my own.”

“Me too,” Louis said, closing the bag.

Angelique’s voice came through the comms. “The girls just arrived. They are safe. But very scared. We’re trying to calm them down.”

“Good work, Angi,” Louis said. “Give them some food and water. Check if they need any medical attention.”

“Already done,” Angelique said. “One of them had a bruised wrist. Donya is taking care of it now.”

“Keep us updated,” Louis said.

“Will do,” Angelique said.

As Louis left the studio, Yamamoto came up to him. “Sir, we have a problem.”

“What is it, Captain?” Louis asked, adjusting the bag on his shoulder.

“The dead man is not Brother John,” Yamamoto said, his face grim. “We checked the compound’s records. This is Michael Dever, his deputy and cousin. Brother John is not here. He’s gone.”

“Gone?” Louis stared at him. “Where?”

“He left this morning, before the attack,” Yamamoto said. “We found a flight plan in the main cabin. A private plane is scheduled to Salt Lake City. He should be there by now.”

“Fuck,” Louis said, running a hand through his hair. “I should have known.”

“Don’t blame yourself, sir,” Yamamoto said. “They looked alike. And he was wearing the same robe. It’s an understandable mistake.”

“Not good enough, Captain,” Louis said. “We were supposed to capture him alive.”

“We will capture him, sir,” Yamamoto said. “Now that we know he’s gone to Salt Lake City, we can track him.”

“I need to inform my father,” Louis said.

“Already done, sir,” Yamamoto said. “I told him as soon as we found the records.”

“Good,” Louis said. “What else did you find?”

“We found several phones, hard drives, a local server, a few ledgers, and the CCTV footage of the last few days,” Yamamoto said. “We’re packing everything up.”

“Great work, Captain,” Louis said. “Let’s get out of here.”

Gladice, Savannah, and Maeve came back. Gladice carried two pieces of white underwear with a strange symbol embroidered on the crotch.

“I’m keeping these as a souvenir,” Gladice said. “They are hideous.”

Savannah carried a small wooden box. “Found some jewels. I’m keeping them.”

Maeve carried a bloodstained silver knife with a white handle on one hand and a hand carved guitar on the other hand. “I found these in a bedroom.”

“Are they Brother John’s?” Louis asked.

“I think so,” Maeve said. “The knife, I mean. The guitar just looks cool.”

Louis smiled and shook his head. “You’re like a pack of magpies.”

“We are,” Gladice said. “Now, let’s go. The UIS is coming.”

“Right,” Louis said. “Let’s move.”

They walked out of the bunker. The guards were already loading the last of the equipment into the SUVs. The compound was a mess of bodies, blood, and burning debris. Petrov and his spotter met them near an SUV.

“Thank you for covering us, Sergeant,” Louis said. “Well done.”

Petrov nodded. “Anytime, sir. Your team can ride with us.”

Louis and his team got into the back of the SUV. The spotter, a man with a scar on his chin, entered the driver’s seat. Petrov sat in the passenger seat and spoke into the comms. “Alpha Team, rendezvous at the RV. Move out.” He switched to a different channel. “Charlie Team, we have Echo Team with us. We’re leaving now.”

“Copy that,” Yamamoto’s voice said. “Charlie Team is moving out.”

“Delta Team is moving out,” García’s voice said.

The SUV drove away from the compound. Louis looked out the window. Far in the distance, he could see a helicopter in the sky.

“The UIS is here,” Petrov said. “Let’s get out of their territory.”

The SUV sped up, its engine roaring. Louis looked at Gladice, who was examining her new underwear.

“What are you going to do with those?” Louis asked.

“I’m going to wash them,” Gladice said. “Then I’m going to wear them when I feel like being a cultist.”

“I’d like to see that,” Louis said. “It would be very spiritual.”

“I can make it spiritual,” Gladice said. “I’ll make you pray to my pussy.”

“I’m already a disciple,” Louis said, laughing. “A devoted one.”

“Good,” Gladice said. “Because I demand absolute faith.”

“I have it,” Louis said, putting a hand on her thigh.

“What should we do with the girls?” Savannah asked, looking at Louis. “When we get to the RV?”

“We need to find a safer way to transport them,” Louis said. “Like a bus.”

“Affirmative,” Petrov said. “My men reported those girls are still quite hysterical. One of them even attempted to open the van’s door while it was moving.”

“The auburn-haired one?” Maeve asked. “She seemed to be the leader.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Petrov said. “Corporal Wilson had to restrain her on his way back.”

“Corporal Wilson is a good name,” Gladice said. “I should thank him for that.”

“I used the name once in Dixie,” Louis said. “To hide my identity. When Willa and I were out buying supplies.”

“I remember that,” Willa’s voice came from the comms. “We never had to say it out loud though.”

“I prefer when they called you George Harris,” Gladice said. “That was funny.”

“I didn’t like that,” Savannah said. “It reminded me of the jail in Kentucky.”

“That was a bad time, Savvy,” Louis said. “But it’s over now.”

“Yeah,” Savannah said. “We made it out.”

The SUVs reached the clearing. Dozens of folded chairs had been set up near the RV. The girls were sitting on them, wrapped in thermal blankets. Donya and Cherish were handing them bottles of water and chocolate bars. Angelique was standing near the RV, speaking on her phone. The auburn-haired girl was sitting on a chair, staring at the ground. A guard stood behind her, his arms crossed.

Willa came to Louis and gave him a hug. “I was worried about you.”

“I’m fine, Willa,” Louis said, kissing her. “We’re all fine.” He looked at Angelique. “Who are you talking to?”

“A travel agency affiliated with the Ministry of Culture,” Angelique said, covering the phone with her hand. “I’m arranging a bus for the girls.”

“That’s good,” Louis said. “Where are they going?”

“To our restaurant in Idaho Falls. They need to eat. From there we can assess their situations and contact their families.”

“Okay,” Louis said. “What about Dave and Dan?”

“They’re in Zhang’s SUV,” Angelique said. “Tied up and secured.”

“Let me talk to them,” Louis said.

“Of course,” Angelique said, walking away to continue her call.

Louis walked to Zhang’s SUV. Dave was in the back, looking out the window, his face pale. Dan was next to him, unconscious, a bandage on his head.

“Hello, Dave,” Louis said, opening the door.

Dave turned to him. “You got him. You got my brother.”

“I did, Dave,” Louis said. “And he’s alive. As promised.”

“What are you going to do with us?” Dave asked.

“We’re going to Idaho Falls,” Louis said. “We will pick up your families on the way. You will get on a plane to Sacramento. My men will arrange new identities, new homes, and a generous stipend. As long as you cooperate with our intelligence. And of course, me.”

“Cooperate with what?” Dave asked.

“Tell us everything you know about the Common Roots and Brother John. And about anyone else who was involved.”

Dave sighed. “I don’t know much. I’m just a driver. I know they order a lot of beef and other supplies. And I know they keep girls here for some reasons.”

“Reasons?” Louis asked, his voice cold.

“Yes, sir,” Dave said, looking away. “I don’t ask questions. I just drive.”

“I see,” Louis said. “Let’s hope your brother knows more than you do.”

Dave looked at Dan. “He’s not a bad guy. He just got mixed up with the wrong people. After he got out of the army, he needed a job. And they offered him one. He said it was security work for a religious community. He didn’t know what it was really about until it was too late.”

“I’m sure he didn’t,” Louis said. “We’ll see what he has to say when he wakes up.”

He closed the door and walked to the RV. Angelique was waiting for him.

“The nearest bus is in West Yellowstone,” she said. “It can be here in two hours. We can meet it on the main road.”

“Good,” Louis said. “Did you talk to the auburn-haired girl? The one who tried to run?”

“Her name is Rachel,” Angelique said. “She’s the most defiant and the most indoctrinated. She told me that she would rather die than leave the farm. She says that we are agents of the devil.”

“Let’s talk to her, Angi,” Louis said. “Maybe I can convince her.”

They walked to Rachel, who was sitting on a chair, staring at the ground. She flinched when Louis approached her. The guard behind her stepped forward, putting a hand on his rifle.

“It’s okay,” Louis said to the guard. He turned to Rachel. “Hello, Rachel. My name is Louis.”

She looked up at him. “I know who you are. The Devil’s prince. You have come to destroy our paradise.”

Louis rolled his eyes. “Roar!” he said, baring his teeth.

Rachel flinched again. “You will not tempt me with your tricks.”

“Are you hungry?” Louis grabbed a chair and sat in front of her.

“I am fasting,” she said. “Purifying my body for the Lord.”

Louis looked at her. “Tell me about your Lord, Rachel. Does he have a name?”

“He has many names,” she said. “We call him Brother John. He is our shepherd. And we are his flock.”

“Why did your Lord leave you behind, Rachel?” Louis asked. “If you’re his flock, why isn’t he here to protect you?”

“He will return in glory,” she said. “He will judge you, punish you, and send you to the eternal fire.”

“You know, I’m a lord myself,” Louis said. “The difference is that I would never leave my flock behind. Especially not when there are wolves at the door.”

“You are not a lord,” she said. “You are a usurper. A pretender. A sinner.”

Louis rolled his eyes back, tilted his head, and shook his whole body in an exaggerated tremor. His lips quivered. “The voices…” he mumbled. “The voices in my head are telling me something…”

Rachel stared at him. “What are they telling you?”

“Brother John is calling me,” Louis said, shook his head further. “He’s in Salt Lake City. He’s waiting for me. He wants to meet me.”

Rachel’s eyes widened. “He’s in Salt Lake City?”

“Yes,” Louis said. “He told me he wants to make a deal. He’s offering me a place in his paradise. He says he can forgive me for my sins. And he can give me eternal life.”

“He told you that?” Rachel asked, her face pale.

“He did,” Louis said. “He told me he’s testing you with me. That’s why he left you behind. That’s why he brought me here.”

“He’s testing us?” Rachel asked, her voice trembling.

“He’s testing your faith,” Louis said, his eyes wild. “For I’m the instrument of his will. The devil’s instrument, as you say. But I’m also an angel. A fallen angel.”

Rachel looked at him, confused and scared. “I don’t understand.”

“Me neither,” Louis said, getting up. “But I know one thing. He appointed me as your new temporary shepherd while he’s away. So you will obey me.” He stared down at her, his gaze intense. “Do you understand me, Rachel?”

Rachel nodded, her eyes filled with tears. “Yes.”

“Good,” Louis said. “Now drink some water and eat some chocolate. Your shepherd commands it.”

Angelique handed her a bottle of water and a chocolate bar. Rachel took them and drank, her hands shaking. Then she took a small bite of the chocolate. Louis walked to the RV. Angelique followed him.

“That was very theatrical, Louis,” she said.

“I learned from the best,” Louis said, grinning. “My father.”

“What are you going to do with her?” Angelique asked. “She seems completely brainwashed.”

“I don’t know yet,” Louis said. “At least she won’t begin a hunger strike or attempt to escape. For now.”

A guard approached them. “Sir, we have a UIS vehicle approaching the clearing. Agent Powell is in it.”

“Let her in,” Louis said. “It’s about to be over.”

The UIS SUV entered the clearing. Olivia got out of the passenger seat. Her face was tight with anger. She walked toward Louis, her boots crunching on the gravel.

“Collins,” she said. “You have some explaining to do.”

“I’m sorry about your car, Olivia,” Louis said, smiling. “But I had to disable it for security reasons.”

“You blew up a truck on a public road, Collins. You kidnapped a driver. You obstructed a union agent. And you conducted an illegal armed operation on our soil. This is a major diplomatic incident.”

“It is, Olivia,” Louis said. “But my father already made a deal with your president. I’m sure he will fill you in.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Olivia stared at him.

“It means you should head to the compound and take credit for the operation,” Angelique said. “I’m sure your superiors will appreciate that.”

Olivia looked at Angelique, then at the girls, then at the guards. “We are taking the girls into protective custody. And we will interrogate the prisoners.”

“No, you’re not,” Louis said. “The girls are coming with us. And the Turners are my prisoners.”

“You have no right to hold them,” Olivia said.

“I don’t trust your government,” Louis said. “The Common Roots could have connections inside. So the Turners are safer with me.”

“What about the girls?” Olivia asked. “Are they safer with you too? A notorious playboy with a harem of seven women?”

“We will sort out their identities, contact their families, and provide them with psychological support and a safe return,” Angelique said, her voice calm. “If they are Union citizens, we will let your government take over after that.”

“We have our own procedures for that,” Olivia said.

“Not today, you don’t,” Louis said. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have a bus to catch.”

He turned and walked to the RV. Olivia looked at the girls, then at the guards, and then at the RV. She took out her phone and made a call. Louis entered the RV and went to the upper dining room. The women were gathered around the table, talking.

“How is Rachel?” Donya asked.

“Scared, but docile,” Louis said. “I had to play possessed to get her to eat.”

Gladice laughed. “Only you, Louis. Only you could convince a cultist that you’re an agent of her missing leader.”

“I have my talents,” Louis said, smiling. He looked at Cherish. “How are you holding up, Cherry?”

“I’m okay,” Cherish said. “I was scared when you all went in. But I’m glad you’re back. And that you’re all safe.”

“We’re all safe, Cherry,” Louis said, kissing her. “Thanks to you and the others.”

Willa showed her laptop to Louis. “I’ve started analyzing the data we took. This compound was just one node in a network. They are the middleman between Lumen Path Shipping and the Kingdom of Utah. Lumen Path brings in girls from the Central Union, the Alliance, Canada, and even Europe. The Common Roots receives them at this farm, ‘processes’ them with drugs and abuse, then sells them to buyers in Utah.”

Louis felt a surge of anger. “Of course it is fucking Lumen Path.” He took a deep breath. “Any clue who runs Lumen Path? Or who their buyers in Utah are?”

“There’s a manager without a name listed here, but a nickname. ’The Bishop’,” Willa said. “He seems like the one who handles Lumen Path’s business in the North American sector.” She paused. “As for the buyers. They are all high-ranking members of the Kingdom. Their names, along with the purchased girls, are listed in a spreadsheet. I will cross-reference them with our databases.”

“That is useful,” Savannah said. “We can blackmail them.”

“We will find a way to use it,” Louis said.

“Robin mentioned a meeting between a representative of Lumen Path and the Kingdom in Salt Lake City,” Angelique said. “Maybe that’s why Brother John went there.”

“Makes sense,” Louis said. “He’s afraid Lumen Path and the Kingdom will cut him out as the middleman. He is going to sabotage the meeting, or sell them out to a competitor.”

“Or he’s going to join them,” Gladice said. “And offer himself as their new partner.”

“Whatever he does, we need to stop him,” Louis said. “And we need to exterminate the whole network.”

“I’m with you, Louis,” Maeve said. “I’ll burn every single one of those fuckers to the ground.”

“Me too,” Gladice said, her eyes dark. “Let’s go to Salt Lake City after we drop off the girls and the Turners. I want to shoot some more Mormons.”

“Not all Mormons are our enemies, Glads,” Donya said.

“I know,” Gladice said. “But I want to make sure the ones who are regret their choices.”

Angelique nodded. “We have to be strategic about it, though. The Dominion has no diplomatic relations with the Kingdom. We can’t just walk in there with our guns.”

“Then we’ll go in quietly,” Savannah said. “And we’ll come out loudly.”

“I like that,” Maeve said, grinning. “A big bang.”

Donya stood up. “I’ll go check on the girls again. I’ll make sure they’re comfortable.” She walked out of the dining room.

Louis looked at Angelique. “What do you think, Angi?”

“I think we need to be careful,” Angelique said. “Salt Lake City is the heart of the Kingdom. Their security will be tight. They will not take kindly to any intrusion.”

“I know,” Louis said. “But we can’t let Brother John get away. He’s the key to the whole network.”

“Then we need a plan,” Angelique said. “And we need to prepare. We can’t go in there blind.”

“We have our family and the resources of the Dominion,” Gladice said. “We can do this.”

“We will,” Louis said. “And we will make them pay for what they did.”

He glanced at the screen, showing the drone feed of multiple UIS vehicles surrounding the farm. Their mission was over. But the war was just beginning.