Birth Pangs of the Coming Age | Chapter 8

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, and with the breastplate of righteousness in place. (Ephesians 6:14)

Previously . . . the XyloVirus vaccine became mandatory before soldiers could travel to and from deployments. Some speculated the vaccine would soon become mandatory for all government personnel.

Note: The two DOD letters depicted in this chapter are actual historical documents.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote, “The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie.”

Chapter Eight

Unveiling the Beast

Forward Operating Base (FOB) Freedom, Katie’s Quarters, August 9th

At 10 pm Katie Skyped Uncle Andy. “Hi princess. How you doin’?”

Katie said, “Everything’s good here. What time is it there? Not too early, I hope.”

“It’s about 9:30 a.m., so no problem. What’s up?”

Katie said, “I’m looking at a letter from the SECDEF. He’s going to request the president mandate the XyloVirus vaccine for all military by mid-September. I wanted to see if you have any thoughts about it.”

Andy said, “Yes, I have concerns about the shot and the way they’re rolling it out. Something isn’t right. Seems totalitarian and dictatorial to me. I encourage you to study it before you let the government put it into your body. For your age group, the XyloVirus death rate is like one in 10,000, so the shot’s unknown side effects are far riskier than the virus itself.”

Katie said, “What do you think could be wrong with it?”

“There are lots of rumors on the internet about blood clots, myocarditis, and other side effects, but neither the government nor the mainstream media will discuss potential side effects. And, even worse, I’m hearing a lot of people saying that media outlets are actively censoring them if they vary from the official party line.”

Andy apparently saw the skepticism on Katie’s face, so he explained.

“You’re wondering why they won’t discuss potential side effects? It’s because the drug companies are going to get extremely rich from these vaccines. And since it’s a worldwide pandemic, they have eight billion potential customers. The US government is promising ‘big pharma’ a blank check for the vaccine’s development and worldwide distribution. Who knows how much they’ll charge us taxpayers for each dose? Let’s say $30 per dose. You can do the math.”

Let’s see … 30 times 8,000,000,000 is—

Andy continued, interrupting her calculation before she could finish. “Since drug companies are major political campaign contributors, they’ll pressure politicians to make it mandatory for everyone in the US. And they’ll get the US State Department to exert pressure on other countries to do the same.”

“Since ‘big pharma’ is a major advertiser on all mainstream television networks, they control the messaging we get in TV programs and network news. National-level politicians and TV news celebrities all gained their positions by playing the corporate game. As a result, they’ll ignore the rumors and echo the company message if they want to keep their jobs.”

“Uncle Andy, you’re sounding a little paranoid. Surely everyone in the government and media aren’t conspiring against our welfare, just to make money.”

“Someone once said something like, ‘You’re only paranoid if they’re really not out to get you.’ So, yes, I realize I sound paranoid, but that doesn’t mean I’m wrong. In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln said the US government was ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people.’ But that’s no longer true.”

“In modern times, I’m sure you know that state and federal political candidates can’t compete in elections without getting millions of dollars in campaign contributions. Then, in 2010, the US Supreme Court made it legal for corporations to fund political candidates. This ruling ended the America that Abraham Lincoln described. Since 2010, every government leader is beholden to the corporations that funded their election. If they want to keep their jobs, they have to do their corporate sponsor’s bidding. Corporations are inhuman, soul-less creations that only care about profits. They care nothing about how their products affect people. Profit is the only thing that matters.”

Andy’s rant continued, “The government and medical authorities say we need to ‘trust the science,’ but these are the same idiots who say there are more than two genders, people who can’t say who is a woman. They say men can ‘chest-feed’ babies. They’re deluded. I know I’m a whacked-out Vietnam vet, but we can’t trust these sold-out, deluded, evil people to tell us the truth. They’re lying, and they know it. Not only do they not know what science is, they don’t even use common sense.”

Katie said, “Okay, you raise some good questions. But if it’s mandatory for all military personnel to get it, I won’t have a choice.”

Andy took a deep breath and calmed himself. He looked soberly into Katie’s eyes on his laptop screen. “You may not like the consequences, but the choice is yours, not theirs. The vaccine is still experimental, so they can’t legally force you to take it.”

Feeling uncomfortable with his implied suggestion of rejecting the vaccine, she wanted to end the conversation. “Okay, thanks uncle.” They wished each other well and ended the call.

Dining Hall, August 10th

As she entered the dining hall for breakfast, she saw Shrek at their usual table. She got her breakfast and sat across from him.

“You look sad. Where’s your buddy?” Katie asked.

Shrek said, “What do you think about the vaccine mandate?”

So that’s what’s bothering him. “If it makes you feel any better, I think people are overreacting. But we don’t have much choice. I’m just waiting to see what the deadline is, and I’ll get it just before that date.”

He said, “Why wait? If you’re going to get it, why not just get it over with?”

“Well, people I respect have concerns about it, and I really don’t want it, so I’ll wait until the last minute. I don’t want the shot, but I want to keep flying.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

***

FOB Freedom Theater, August 25th

With the outdoor temperature soaring past 100 degrees, Major Strickner convened the entire squadron for a mandatory formation in the air-conditioned FOB Freedom theater.

One-hundred-sixty officers and enlisted men and women were seated at 0900 hours for the event. All wore XyloVirus masks and tried to observe social distancing requirements.

A voice from behind them commanded, “Attention!”

Everyone stood at attention. The Squadron Commander walked past them, down the center aisle. Having reached the podium, he said, “At ease. Be seated.”

He held up a paper and said, “This is a memorandum for senior pentagon leadership, dated yesterday, entitled ‘Mandatory XyloVirus Vaccination of DOD Service Members.’”

“It requires every member of this squadron to be vaccinated against XyloVirus by the date I set. That time and date is 1700 hours local time on September 8th. By tomorrow at 1700 hours, I’m instructing every member of this squadron to report to the squadron orderly room to sign their acknowledgment of having received this order.”

Major Strickner turned to the squadron executive officer. “XO, make sure everyone signs this acknowledgment.”

“Yes, sir.”

The commander turned back to the squadron. “Any questions?”

Shrek, who was sitting between T-BAR and Katie, raised his hand.

The commander said, “Yes, Lieutenant Miller.”

Shrek asked, “Sir, what will the consequences be if someone doesn’t want to get this vaccination?”

The commander’s face transformed into a scowl.

The commander looked at the letter. “Allow me to read a few lines from the SECDEF’s letter. I quote, This vaccine is necessary to defend this nation. We need a healthy and ready force. It is necessary to protect the force and defend the American people. Our administration of safe, effective XyloVirus vaccines has produced admirable results to date. And finally, our vaccination of the force will save lives.”

He looked up from the letter to glare down at Shrek. “The exact consequences of disobeying a direct order from the Secretary of Defense aren’t specified. But I can guarantee you it involves severe disciplinary action, possibly up to a soldier’s dishonorable discharge.”

The commander looked around at his squadron. “Are there any other questions?”

No one dared ask another question.

“If not…” Major Strickner nodded toward the back of the theater.

Again, the voice from behind them commanded, “Attention!”

Everyone stood at attention. The commander strutted back up the center aisle, staring at Shrek as he passed.

After he exited, the XO pronounced, “Squadron, dismissed.”

T-BAR turned to Shrek. “Wow. That was fun. He’s going to remember you for sure!”

Shrek said, “It wasn’t fun for me. I guess I’ll go to the clinic and get my jab tomorrow.”

This seems overly heavy-handed. I’ve got until September 8th, about two weeks.

She silently prayed, Lord, help me do the right thing.

***

Katie returned to her room.

Sitting at her desk, she thought, What to do? When nothing came to mind, she wondered, How can I apply uncle’s two rules in this situation?

First, do everything as unto the Lord. Does taking the vaccine violate ‘do everything as unto the Lord?’

• My military and governmental authorities are ordering me to take the vaccine, so I’d be in compliance with Romans 13 about being subject to authority.

• I don't know anything immoral about the vaccine. There are conflicting opinions about mRNA technology, but our local doctors all believe it’s safe.

• As far as the mRNA being related to the Biblical ‘mark of the beast,’ even Uncle Andy doesn't believe there’s any validity to that idea. He claimed the mark of the beast requires worshipping the Antichrist, something the vaccine doesn't involve.

• Second, if I take the vaccine, will I be following the truth? What is the truth about the vaccine?

• The whole world is saying it’s tested and safe.

  • Yes, testing was expedited, but millions worldwide have taken the vaccine without issues.

  • Some complications occur with any medicine, including aspirin.

• Many on the Internet say the vaccine isn’t fully tested and isn't safe. They claim there’s evidence it causes myocarditis, blood clots, and various kinds of neurological side effects. They also say this evidence is being hidden by the government and the media. I don’t know if these are conspiracy theories, or if there’s truth in them, but Uncle Andy thinks there’s cause for concern. He recommends me not to take the vaccine.

Should I take the vaccine or not? It’s true the vaccine hasn’t been tested under the same scrutiny as previous vaccines, which takes many years of double-blind trials. But this is understandable because it’s needed faster to fight a global pandemic that’s killing thousands of people every day.

• As far as I know, taking the vaccine isn't immoral or against the Bible. But if I don't take the vaccine, I'll face severe consequences for my career.

There's not enough evidence to convince me to sacrifice my future by refusing to take the vaccine. So, even though I have many unanswered questions, I’ll comply and take the vaccine, as ordered.

***

FOB Freedom, August 28th

Shrek and T-BAR were on standby when the alarm bell scrambled them for a mission. Shrek was ‘pilot in command,’ in the left seat, with T-BAR in the copilot’s seat. They usually flew together, alternating pilot and copilot roles, so the next time they flew together, T-BAR would be in the left seat and Shrek would be his copilot.

They flew an hour northwest to a remote valley to retrieve a sick American soldier.

After loading their patient, Shrek was at the controls for their return to FOB Freedom. As they headed back, Shrek climbed to 4,000 feet where the air was cool.

T-BAR noticed Shrek seemed to have a nervous twitch. At first, he barely noticed it. But, within a couple minutes, it got worse, and rhythmic.

But, when Shrek's right hand jerked the control stick more than an inch every ten seconds, and it felt like the whole aircraft hit a speed bump.

T-BAR said, “What’s with the jerky flyin?”

Shrek stared straight ahead. He slurred, “What’z wit…” Then Shrek’s face dropped to his chest.

The crew immediately knew something was wrong when they heard Shrek’s slurred speech over the intercom.

When his head dropped, Shrek pushed the control stick diagonally forward, putting the helicopter into a shallow, left-turning dive.

Is he unconscious? T-BAR jumped onto the controls, pulling back on the stick, but Shrek had an iron grip on it. T-BAR couldn’t pull the stick back to raise the nose.

In a dive, their airspeed quickly increased. The airspeed passed 180 knots and was increasing. The Blackhawk’s absolute top speed was 195 knots. Any faster and the advancing rotor blades could go supersonic, resulting in catastrophic self-destruction of the main rotor blades. It would be like an airplane getting its wings yanked off.

T-BAR said, “Smitty, I need help! Help me pull the cyclic back!” The crew chief came up to the cockpit, then leaned across Shrek to pull the stick back, breaking their dive. At the same time, the flight medic stood behind Shrek’s seat, pulling his head up from behind.

“That’s good Smitty,” T-BAR said. “Keep backward pressure with me to slow this baby down. We’re at 190 knots now, but it’s coming down.”

At 120 knots, T-BAR held the control stick with both hands to steady it, saying, “Okay Smitty, now pry his fingers free.”

The aircraft wobbled back and forth, up and down, like a drunkard, and Smitty struggled to free each of Shrek’s fingers from the control stick. The aircraft’s chaotic motions made their sick patient vomit onto the cargo compartment’s floor. Added to the aircraft’s gyrations, the smell of vomit made them all feel queasy.

After Smitty freed Shrek’s hands from the flight controls, the flight medic flipped the Blackhawk’s pilot seat tilt release lever. This enabled them to tilt Shrek’s seat backward, so that he was lying on his back on the cabin floor, where the medic could evaluate his medical condition.

As soon as he shone a light into Shrek’s pupils, he said, “Sir, Lieutenant Miller has the classic symptoms of a stroke. The sooner we get him back, the more chance he’ll have to fully recover. I’ll radio the hospital and make sure they’re ready to receive him as a stroke patient.”

“Roger that,” T-BAR said, pulling pitch to make the Blackhawk fly at its maximum safe airspeed.

Worried for his friend, T-BAR said, “Hang in there buddy! We’ll get you back as fast as this thing’ll go.”

***

FOB Freedom hospital, August 29th

The next day, T-BAR and Katie visited Shrek in the hospital. It had been three days after his XyloVirus vaccine shot, and now Shrek’s entire left side was paralyzed.

She looked at her friend, this mountain of a man, now lying helpless in a hospital bed. She wiped her tears and forced herself to smile as she approached his bedside.

He was mentally aware of his situation. When T-BAR joked about some new callsigns that T-BAR brainstormed for Shrek, the big lug laughed with the right half of his face.

But Katie saw the fear in Shrek’s eyes. Before leaving, she held his right hand and asked Shrek if he’d like her to pray for him. He nodded yes.

She held his right hand in both of hers, then bowed her head and closed her eyes. “Lord Jesus, I ask you to comfort my friend Josh Miller in his treatments and heal him completely. Reveal yourself to him as his friend and Savior. Amen.”

She squeezed his hand. He squeezed hers back.

Before she left, she said, “I’ll be back to visit you tomorrow.”

On her way out of the hospital, she recognized her squadron commander’s voice. He was talking to a hospital staffer in an office. The staffer seemed to be arguing against moving a patient, but she heard Major Strickner say, “We need to get him on the next flight to Ramstein before his situation affects morale and vaccine compliance.” Her eyes met his as she walked past the open doorway.

Katie assumed the commander was referring to Shrek, which angered her. He doesn’t care about Shrek’s welfare, or anyone else’s. He only cares about his career, and how he’ll look if his unit doesn’t get 100% compliance.

It looks like Uncle Andy wasn’t being paranoid after all. He was right.

***

In Katie’s Quarters, August 29th

A few days ago, there wasn’t enough evidence to convince me to sacrifice my career and future by refusing to take the vaccine. What about now?

Should I roll the dice and take the vaccine, only to live in fear it’ll somehow strike me down like it did to Shrek? Or should I sacrifice my Army career and the job I love?

And it’s not only the vaccine’s health risk. I really don’t like the way this thing is being shoved down our throats. The US is supposed to be a free country. What were uncle’s words? Totalitarian and dictatorial. Yep, that pretty well describes it.

If I apply uncle’s two rules, what should I do?

She knew. I must follow the truth.

But, what is the truth? It’s true that people are suffering serious side effects after getting this vaccine. Also, it’s true that the government is manipulating the truth about negative side effects to keep people compliant with their mandate. They don’t want anyone choosing not to take the vaccine. I heard that myself from Major Strickner.

So, what does that mean? What should I do?

She knew the answer, but hesitated to accept it.

It’s black and white. It’s tempting to cower to the government and keep my career and prestige. All I have to do is take the shot, ignoring the risks and hoping it won’t matter. Then I can keep flying. Or I can refuse and face the consequences.

What about my self-respect? If I compromise and take the vaccine to save my career, will I forever be broken-spirited, too weak to stand against those in power when they lie or abuse their power?

This decision is actually harder than facing bullets and bombs. I faced them, rolled the dice, and survived—mostly unscathed.

But if I refuse the vaccine, it’s different. The consequences to my career are certain, and they’ll be severe.

She had to decide. The deadline loomed.

I can’t believe Major Strickner’s attitude. He doesn’t care about Shrek. Shrek’s body is ruined, perhaps for the rest of his life. But to Strickner, Shrek’s situation is just an obstacle to his successfully getting everybody in the squadron vaccinated. He only cares about his personal image, and staying in favor with his superiors. He’s a traitor to his subordinates.

What about the higher-ups? I don’t know what the president’s and SECDEF’s ulterior motives are. Their letter said the vaccine was safe and effective, with admirable results. They had to know they were lying. It looks like Uncle Andy may be right—it’s not about health care, it’s about ‘big pharma’ making 240 billion dollars. I wonder whose pockets are being lined with kickbacks to make them do this to us?

This isn’t only an American mandate. It’s global. There’s something evil behind this global push to inject eight billion people with this vaccine. And I suspect there’s more to it than just the money.

So, I guess I’ve decided. As much as I love flying and helping people, I won’t respect myself if I don’t do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. I will not allow this evil system to inject me with its experimental vaccine.

***

Squadron Headquarters Building, August 30th

Katie gently knocked on the door frame outside Captain Berry’s office, and when he acknowledged her, went in. Seated behind his desk, he said, “Have a seat.”

Standing in front of his desk, she said, “Sir, I'm here to inform you I've decided not to receive the XyloVirus vaccination.”

Captain Berry grimaced. In a fatherly tone, he said, “Katie, you don't want to do that. You’re a fine young officer, and—I’ll deny it if you tell anyone this—you’re the best pilot in the squadron. I don't want to see you ruin your career.”

His compliments both touched and elated her, momentarily softening her resolve. But she was committed and said, “I'm sorry, sir. My mind is made up. After seeing what happened to Shrek, I'm not willing to take such a chance with my health.”

Captain Berry looked pained. “You were at the commander's briefing, and you heard his response to Lieutenant Miller’s question. So you realize that consequences of such a decision will be very unpleasant, right?”

“Yes sir. I realize the consequences may be dire. But my mind is made up.”

Captain Berry sat up straight in his chair, and his demeanor changed. “So there's nothing I can do to talk you out of it?”

“No, sir.”

“Okay then. Katie, you're putting me in a very uncomfortable position.” He looked down, deep in thought. Then he said, “Let me ask you, who else knows about your decision?”

“I haven't discussed this with anyone.”

“Good. I'm giving you a direct order not to discuss this topic with anyone. I will push this up the chain of command and let you know what to expect next. You’re dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.” Katie came to attention, saluted, then left his office.

As she left, she saw Captain Berry shaking his head.

Well, now I've done it and there’s no going back.

***

Later that day, Captain Berry found Katie in her quarters and formally told her that she was to report to the Commander’s office at 0900 tomorrow morning. Until then, she was not to speak to anyone.

He said he’d hope she’d reconsider and walked away.

***

That evening she Skyped Uncle Andy.

He saw her distress. With a concerned tone he said, “Hi, princess. How’re you doin’?”

“Not so good. As you probably figured, I was planning to take the vaccine shot, as ordered. But, two days ago, one of my fellow pilots suffered an in-flight stroke while he was at the controls. It happened just after he received the vaccination. Now he’s fifty percent paralyzed and they’re shipping him out to Ramstein so that his health crisis doesn't discourage anyone else from getting the shot.”

Shaking his head, Andy said, “That’s terrible!”

“Yes, he didn't want to get the shot, but he felt forced to. Now look at him.” Katie wiped her tears. “So, today I told my chain of command that I've decided not to take the vaccine. To say they aren't happy would be an understatement.”

“Yes, I can imagine.”

Andy said, “If it makes you feel any better, you did the right thing. Whatever happens, please know that I support you.”

“Thanks, Uncle. Your support means a lot to me. My platoon leader ordered me not to talk to anyone, but I don’t think that includes you. I have to report to my commander at 0900 in the morning.”

For a moment, her uncle looked off into the distance. As if he was reliving a painful memory.

Then he said, “Remember our last day together, when we enjoyed a salmon BBQ and watched the pair of eagles behind our cabin?”

She nodded.

“You asked me if I had any advice. And I encouraged you to be mentally prepared for unexpected threats to your life and to your career.”

He sipped his steaming coffee.

“In some ways, the trial you're about to experience will be harder than anything you've experienced before.”

She looked at him, shocked. How could he say that? He knows what I've been through. My pregnancy, being rejected, the RPG…

Andy must've seen the look of unbelief on her face. He continued, “Remember when I said the Army bureaucracy is part of Satan’s world system? I said it'll test you to determine your loyalty, to see if you'll compromise the truth and follow their dictates, like ninety-nine percent of people do? I encouraged you that when you’re tested, no matter what the cost, to follow my two simple rules.”

She nodded.

“Now that you've chosen to stray from the herd, you'll see the ugly side of their system, the side they keep hidden from the compliant. First, they'll threaten you. Then, they'll promise you forgiveness if you'll change your mind. But that'll be a lie. Now that you've demonstrated independence, they’ll never trust you again. You might escape prosecution, but they'll transfer you to a desk job, shuffling meaningless papers in a remote corner of Timbuktu until they can excise you out of their army.”

“You're no longer one of them. Like Neo in the Matrix, you've taken the red pill and there's no going back.”

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Coming Next Week . . . Katie goes from hero to zero.

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