Liberators

ALSO BY JAMES WESLEY, RAWLES

Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse

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Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse

Founders: A Novel of the Coming Collapse

Expatriates: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse

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Copyright © 2014 by James Wesley, Rawles

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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Rawles, James Wesley.

Liberators : a novel of the coming global collapse / James Wesley, Rawles.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-698-16145-0

1. Survival—Fiction. 2. Financial crises—Fiction. 3. Suspense fiction. 4. Dystopian fiction. I. Title.

PS3568.A8437L53 2014

813'.54—dc23

2014020037

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Version_1

DISCLAIMERS

All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic bulletin boards, and the Internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the events described are imaginary, taking place in the future, and do not represent the world as we know it in the present day. It does not reflect the current geopolitical situation, governmental policies, or the strategic posture of any nation. It is not intended to be commentary on the policies, leadership, goals, strategies, or plans of any nation. This novel is not intended to be predictive of the territorial aspirations tactics of any nation or any pla

This novel is dedicated to my excellent wife, “Avalanche Lily,” for her inspiration and encouragement.

CONTENTS

Also by James Wesley, Rawles

Title Page

Copyright

Disclaimers

Dedication

Epigraph

Dramatis Personae

Author’s Introductory Note

1. EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES

2. THE HISTORIAN

3. DAILY GRIND

4. CHOOSE CIVILITY

5. WORKFORCE

6. DIFFUSED RESPONSIBILITY

7. THE CROSSING

8. CUP OF JOE

9. TOLERANCE

10. VOLUNTARY DISPLACEMENT

11. YOU CAN’T GET THERE FROM HERE

12. CONVEYANCE

13. DEPARTURE

14. MUTUAL SELF-INTEREST

15. BYPASS

16. THUNDER BAY

17. DEEDS, NOT WORDS

18. IN DEFENSE OF

19. LPCs

20. THE ZONE ONE GATE

21. IN THE 1880S

22. HUNGER

23. SIGNALS COLLECTION

24. END IN MIND

25. PROMISES

26. REFUGE

27. LA MAIN DE FER DANS UN GANT DE VELOURS

28. BRUSSELS CHARADES

29. UN ESSAIM

30. TOP CONDITION

31. STEEL SHIPS AND IRON MEN

32. PUMAS AND GAZELLES

33. COLOR OF LAW

34. SUSPICION

35. THE NEW HIGHWAY PATROL

36. HOOFING IT

37. BLENDING IN

38. PACKING IT IN

39. INGRESS

40. JE NE SAIS QUOI

41. IN A PAST LIFE

42. MILK RUN

43. FERTILE CRESCENT

44. TAKING OUT THE TRASH

45. LE DERNIER COMBAT

46. THE TRAP

47. THE CHEESE

48. EFFRONDREMENT

49. BEIJING CHARADES

50. BLINDING FLASH

51. PROJECT JORDAN

52. TIEBREAKER

53. NI HAO

54. THICKER THAN WATER

55. HINTERBOONIES

56. RECUPERATION

57. BIG TREBLE

58. EBB TIDE

59. FLAMBÉE DAY

60. WEDDING PRAYER

Glossary

Acknowledgments

About the Author

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength. Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he [is] our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

—PSALM 33:16–22 (KJV)

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Phil Adams—Defense Intelligence Agency counterintelligence case officer with the Defense Clandestine Service (DCS) Task Group Tall Oak, Washington at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Jacob “Jake” Altmiller—Hardware store manager in Tavares, Florida.

Janelle (McGregor) Altmiller—Real estate agent in Tavares, Florida. Wife of Jacob Altmiller. Sister of Rhia

Lance Alan Altmiller—Son of Jacob and Janelle Altmiller. Eleven years old at the onset of the Crunch.

Terrence Billy—Garbage truck driver, Williams Lake, British Columbia. Member of the Secwepemc tribe.

PO3 Jordan Foster—Navy SEAL BUD/S student, United States Phil Bucklew Naval Special Warfare Center (NSWC), Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California.