Louis Collins: A Post-American Odyssey

Chapter 203

Louis woke up as Angelique sat up and grabbed her phone. She scrolled for a moment before turning back to him. “The story’s out.”

He yawned, stretching his limbs. He looked at Gladice and Willa, who stirred beside him. “What’s the headline?”

“‘The Collins Eight’s Unwavering Support for Victims of Sex Trafficking,’” Angelique read. She scrolled further down. “They’re calling you a hero. The photos of us arriving the restaurant are everywhere. We look good.”

“Of course we look good,” Gladice said, rubbing her eyes. “We’re the royal family.”

“Is my picture in there?” Willa asked, sitting up. “I hope not.”

“There’s one of all of us getting out of the RV,” Angelique said. “You look annoyed.”

“I was annoyed,” Willa said. “I don’t like crowds.” She reached to her phone on the bedside table. “What is the UIS saying?”

“Agent Powell is being praised for her cooperation,” Angelique said. “They’re taking credit for the raid. Venessa did a good job framing it. We’re the heroes, and the UIS is the competent partner. It’s a win-win.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Willa said, scrolling through her phone. “The Alliance and the EU has declared Common Roots a terrorist organization. They have raided several of their remaining offices in their territories.”

“Good,” Louis said. “That’s one less problem for us to worry about.”

“One less,” Angelique said. “But we still have Lumen Path and Brother John.”

“Let’s not ruin the morning,” Gladice said, rolling out of bed. “I’m starving. Let’s see what Mark has for us today.”

“I’m sure he has something special for us,” Louis said, getting up and grabbing his clothes. “He’s being paid one hundred dollars per hour, after all.”

Gladice laughed. “That’s a lot of money for a small-town restaurant manager.”

“He’s earned it,” Angelique said, getting up and dressing. “He’s been a great help.”

“I’m going to take a shower,” Willa said, walking to the bathroom.

“I need to piss,” Louis said, following her.

They went into the bathroom. Willa turned on the shower and stepped in. Louis stood at the toilet. He looked at Willa through the glass door. Water ran down her body, her hair slicked back. He felt a twitch in his cock.

“Want to join me, Louis?” she asked, her eyes on him.

“I can’t pee now, Willa,” he said. “You’re making me hard.”

Willa smiled. “Then come in. I’ll take care of that.”

Louis opened the glass door and stepped into the shower with her. She knelt in front of him and took his cock into her mouth. She looked up at him, He felt her tongue circling the tip. He put a hand on her head, guiding her movements.

“Just like that, Willa,” he said, his breath coming faster. “That’s so good.”

Willa took him deeper into her throat, her hands on his hips. He felt her swallowing around him. He closed his eyes, lost in the sensation. He felt the pressure building in his balls. He moaned and came. Willa coughed and turned away, spitting into the drain. She looked up at him. “Warn me next time.”

“Sorry,” he said, helping her up. “You were too good.”

“Flattery won’t get you out of this,” she said, rinsing her mouth. “But it’s a good start.” She smiled. “Now you can pee.”

Louis smiled and turned to the toilet. Willa watched him.

“You’d better sit down, Louis,” she said. “It’s more hygienic.”

“Men don’t sit down to pee,” he said, trying to aim. “It’s a law of nature.”

“It’s a law of stupid masculine ego,” she said. “It’s why public toilets are always a mess.”

“I’m not in a public toilet,” he said. “And I’m not a slob.”

“Prove it,” she said. “Sit down.”

Louis sighed. He sat down on the toilet awkwardly, looking down at his cock, which now drooped over the seat’s rim. “I’ll pee outside the bowl like this.”

Willa laughed. “Just press it down. You’ll figure it out.”

Louis pressed his cock down. He looked at Willa. “Are you happy now?”

“Very,” she said, still smiling. “You’re a fast learner.”

“I’ll ask them to install an urinal in the RV,” he said.

“Please don’t,” she said. “It’s ugly.”

“It’s practical,” he said. “Besides, it saves space.”

“It’s a symbol of male domination,” she said. “I’m not having that in our home.”

Louis shook his head, laughing. He stood up and flushed the toilet. “You’re impossible, Willa.”

“I’m consistent,” she said. “And I have principles.”

“You do,” Louis walked to the sink and washed his hands. “What do you think of Utah? As far as I know, they are very patriarchal.”

“I know,” Willa said, rinsing her hair. “I can’t say I’m excited to go there. But I’m not letting you go alone.”

Angelique opened the bathroom door and went to the toilet. “Are you two done with your debate about gender and toilets?”

“For now,” Willa said.

Gladice came in and joined Louis at the sink, grabbing her toothbrush. “I missed the fun, didn’t I?”

“It was about the pros and cons of urinals,” Louis said.

“Urinals are for men who can’t aim,” Angelique said. “I’m glad we don’t have one here.”

Gladice laughed. “You’re both too hard on him. Let him have his urinal.”

“I’m not having it,” Angelique said, wiping herself. “It’s a matter of aesthetics.”

Louis put some toothpaste on his toothbrush and started brushing. “Fine. No urinal.”

“Good boy,” Angelique said, flushing the toilet.

Louis finished brushing and went back to the bedroom to get dressed. He picked up a black shirt and a pair of dark trousers, then walked out to the cockpit. He spoke to the comms. “Captain, status report.”

“Sir,” Yamamoto’s voice said through the comms. “Our men have returned. They are resting in the hotel.”

“Good,” Louis said. “How about Rachel?”

“She is still in her hotel room with a guard at her door,” Yamamoto said. “She asked for the Book of Mormon. Chief Morgan brought one for her.”

“I see,” Louis said. “Anything else?”

“Nothing significant to report, sir,” Yamamoto said. “Minister Wang’s security team has been taking over our tasks since last night. Thanks to them, we were able to get some rest.”

“Thank them for me,” Louis said. “Let’s get ready to leave in two hours. We’re going to Salt Lake City.”

“Understood, sir,” Yamamoto said. “You may want to call your father before we leave. He would appreciate a heads-up.”

“I will,” Louis said. “Thank you, Captain.”

Louis found a sofa by the window and called Constantine. The call connected almost instantly.

“Louis,” Constantine said. “Have you made up your mind about Utah?”

“I have,” Louis said. “I’m going.”

“I thought you would,” Constantine said. “What’s your plan?”

“We’re going in as a diplomatic delegation,” Louis said. “We’re going to return Rachel to the Prophet King and negotiate a deal.”

“That’s a bold move, Louis,” Constantine said. “I like it. But you need to be prepared for the worst.”

“I am,” Louis said. “My convoy will be with us.”

“That’s not enough, son,” Constantine said. “You’re going into a den of lions. You need more than teeth. You need claws.”

“What do you have in mind, Dad?” Louis asked.

“Three hours ago, we have launched an experimental satellite into orbit from Hawaii. We call it the ’Rods of Pacific.’ It’s a kinetic bombardment system. And it’s armed with tungsten rods that can be dropped on any target on this continent within minutes, with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel.”

Louis let out a whistle. “Are you serious?”

“Very,” Constantine said. “That’s why I’m giving you the access codes. You will be the only one who can authorize a strike except me and your mother. This is your ultimate backup and leverage. Use it wisely.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Louis said. “How much of the world knows about this?”

“Only a few people in the Ministry of Security and the Dominion Guard know about its existence,” Constantine said. “The rest of the world thinks it’s a communications satellite. I want to keep it that way for now.”

“And how much damage can these rods do?” Louis asked.

“A small one can take out a building. A large one can take out a city block. A full salvo can take out a city like Salt Lake City. If you ever have to use it, use it with caution. And with a good reason.”

“I understand, Dad,” Louis said. “I won’t disappoint you.”

“I know you won’t, son,” Constantine said. “Now, go get your answer. Bring me Brother John and whoever else is behind this.”

“I will, Dad,” Louis said. “Talk to you later.”

He hung up the phone and looked out the window. A few reporters were still hanging around the restaurant, holding coffee cups. He felt a knot in his stomach. The others had dressed and came to join him.

“Everything okay?” Angelique asked.

“Yeah,” Louis said. “My dad has armed me with a weapon from space.”

Gladice’s eyes lit up. “Space weapons? Like lasers?”

“Not exactly,” Louis said. “More like kinetic bombardment.”

“Whoa,” Gladice said. “Can we test it? Let’s drop one on Theodore Hargrove’s plantation for old times’ sake.”

“We’re not going to do that, Glads.” Angelique shook her head. “Please tell me you’re not going to use it unless you have to, Louis.”

“Right,” Louis said. “It’s just a backup. A deterrent.”

Willa raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t feel very deterrent-like, more like a threat. What if the Prophet King calls your bluff? What if he dares you to use it?”

“Then he’ll have a very bad day,” Louis said. “So will a large part of Salt Lake City.”

“You’re not seriously considering that,” Donya said, her face pale. “You wouldn’t. You couldn’t.”

“I hope I won’t have to, Donya,” Louis said.

Gladice laughed. “I’m loving this. This is the best vacation ever. Let’s go to our restaurant for breakfast. I want some pancakes with whipped cream and strawberries.”

“Let’s go,” Louis said, standing up.

They walked out of the RV and into the restaurant. A guard brought Rachel from the hotel. She was wearing a simple blue dress, and her hair was tied back. She saw Louis and her face lit up.

“My shepherd,” she said, walking toward him.

Louis sighed. “Rachel. Glad you could join us. Sit.”

He gestured to a chair. Rachel sat, her hands clasped. “Thank you for inviting me, Brother Louis.”

The others sat too. Mark rushed to their table. “Good morning, Mr. Collins. Ladies. We have pancakes, waffles, omelets, and a special ‘Collins Breakfast’ for you. Imported coffee, fresh orange juice, and a choice of bacon, sausage, or ham.”

“The Collins Breakfast sounds good, Mark,” Louis said. “We’ll all have that.”

“Excellent choice, sir,” Mark said, beaming. “I’ll bring it right away.”

He scurried away. Louis looked at them. “I’m glad you’re all here with me. I couldn’t do this without you.”

“I know, Louis,” Donya said. “And I’m glad we’re here with you. Even if we’re going into a dangerous place.”

“We’ll be careful,” Angelique said.

Mark and several staff came back with several carts loaded with plates of food. They carefully arranged the food on the table.

“Eat, Rachel,” Louis said. “It’s the last meal you’ll have in the Central Union.”

Rachel looked at him, her face solemn. She took a bite of her pancake. “It’s delicious. Praise the Lord.”

Louis sighed. He looked at Cherish. “I’m tired of this.”

“I know,” Cherish said. “I’ll talk to her. Later.”

Louis nodded. He focused on his food. He had three eggs, two sausages, and a large stack of pancakes. He wondered what the Prophet King had for breakfast. Probably something healthy and boring. He smiled at the thought.

“What’s so funny, Louis?” Gladice asked, her mouth full of whipped cream.

“Just thinking about the Prophet King,” he said. “And how boring his life must be.”

“He probably has a lot of wives,” Gladice said. “So not that boring.”

“Quantity is not quality, Glads,” Willa said. “I doubt he knows how to please a woman.”

“He doesn’t have to,” Gladice said. “They have to please him. That’s the rule in a theocracy.”

Rachel looked at her. “The role of a wife is to please her husband and to bear his children. That is a woman’s highest calling and her greatest joy.”

Gladice stared at her. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“I am,” Rachel said. “I have been prepared for this role my whole life. I am ready to serve the Prophet King and to be a mother to his children.”

“Then you’re a fool,” Maeve said, stabbing a sausage. “A brainwashed fool.”

“Maeve,” Donya said, putting a hand on her arm. “Be kind.”

“I’m being kind,” Maeve said. “I’m telling her the truth. That she’s being sold like a cow to a pervert who thinks he talks to God.”

“You are wrong,” Rachel said, her voice trembling. “He is a holy man. A prophet. A servant of the Lord. He loves me, for he has chosen me.”

“He chose a piece of meat, you idiot,” Maeve said, her voice rising. “He chose a virgin to deflower in the name of God. You’re letting him do it.”

“He won’t deflower me,” Rachel said. “He will bless me. And I will be blessed.”

“Enough,” Louis said. “This is not the time or the place for this debate.”

Maeve looked at him, her eyes blazing. “She needs to hear it, Louis. She needs to wake up.”

“She will, Mae-Mae,” Louis said. “In her own time. Not your insults.”

Maeve looked at Rachel, then at Louis. She sighed. “Fine. I’ll shut up.”

“Thank you,” Louis said. “Now, let’s finish our breakfast. We have a long drive ahead of us.”