Birth Pangs of the Coming Age | Chapter 10
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Previously . . . Katie returns from the Army with scars and a general discharge. Her dream job is to fly with Ketchikan Medevac Service.
Chapter 10
Katie Finds a Job
Uncle Andy’s Cabin, Monday, September 6th
After breakfast, Katie and Andy enjoyed their second cups of coffee near the warm wood stove.
Katie said, “Enough lollygagging. Time for me to get to work.”
“What’s your plan?”
“My dream job is to fly with Ketchikan Medevac Service. Their website says they’ve got an opening, so today I’m going to apply for it.”
“That would be perfect.”
“I’m a little concerned about having a general discharge. If they ask about it, I can explain what happened. Hopefully, it won’t be a problem.”
Andy said, “You followed the truth and it cost you your army career. As a result, Jesus, the Living Truth, will take care of your future. You can trust Him.”
“Amen. Thanks Pastor.”
***
Ketchikan Medevac Service
Katie parked outside the Ketchikan Medical Service’s (KMS) business office, a beige metal building near the Ketchikan airport terminal.
Through the airport security fence she saw a shiny, twin-engine, orange-and-white helicopter.
She imagined herself in the pilot seat, with her hands and feet on the controls. She heard the twin turbines starting, generating familiar vibrations as rotor blades spun overhead. Just as she was about to pull pitch and bring the copter up to a hover, she stopped. Enough fantasizing. Let’s get this job.
Eager but apprehensive, Katie entered the KMS office. Handing her resume to the receptionist, Katie said, “Hi, my name is Katie Whitefeather. I’d like to speak to Bill Cassidy about your open pilot position.”
“Please take a seat and I’ll give this to Bill.”
Katie sat in the lobby, clad in beige dress slacks paired with a white blouse under a feminine navy blue blazer. Her outfit was completed with low-heeled pumps. Stay calm. Her clammy hands nervously stroked her faux-leather portfolio folder.
A fit-looking man in an orange flight suit strode toward her from the hallway behind the receptionist. He looked to be in his early forties, with closely cropped brown hair and lean features.
Looks like a Marine.
Katie stood as he approached.
“Katie Whitefeather? I’m Bill Cassidy.”
His eyes, a piercing shade of blue, conveyed single-minded purpose and determination. His posture was straight and disciplined, but his smile and voice were welcoming and reassuring.
After making eye contact, his eyes momentarily locked on her scar as they shook hands.
***
Seated behind his desk, he quietly read her resume.
Katie scanned the plaques, diplomas, and framed documents that decorated the walls. A shadow box displayed his military awards and decorations. She recognized a Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medals, just like hers. But no purple heart.
A carved desk ornament in the shape of naval aviator wings confirmed he was either a Navy or Marine aviator. ‘Butch’ was carved under the wings. Butch must’ve been his callsign.
“You’ve got a good resume.”
Her heart leaped.
“As luck would have it, I’m scheduled to test fly a new bird. Wanna go for a ride?”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
***
With every step toward the new twin-turbine helicopter, her anticipation and excitement mounted.
Bill said, “Go ahead and buckle into the left seat while I do a quick preflight.”
Inside the pristine cockpit, Katie enjoyed the new car smell.
She slid her seat forward, then down, until the cyclic and collective flight controls fit naturally in her right and left hands, then buckled and tightened her seat belts. Feels like home. Love it!
Most of the cockpit’s technology looked familiar, but she saw a few new systems she’d need to learn. For example, she knew this helicopter’s Local Area Augmentation System was an improved, civilian variant of the precision GPS landing systems she’d used in the Blackhawk. I’ll have some homework to do, but that’s no problem.
With his preflight inspection complete, Bill and Katie donned their headsets. Katie watched as Bill used the checklist to perform the startup sequence. I wonder if he uses the checklist when nobody’s watching?
Bill opened his door and shouted outside, “Clear!” Then he closed his door and pressed the starter button.
The first engine’s turbine spun up. I love that sound.
The main rotor began turning overhead, as both the pitch and decibels of the engine noise grew. She felt the familiar symphony of vibrations as the aircraft came alive. Within a minute, the rotor was a blur overhead. Bill then started the second engine.
He called the tower. A minute later, they were airborne above Ketchikan and Southeast Alaska. Forested mountains and pristine blue waterways stretched to the horizon with breathtaking beauty. This never gets old.
“Okay, Katie. Consider this your job interview. You have the controls.”
Katie placed her hands and feet on the cyclic, collective, and pedals. “I have the controls.”
Bill looked at her, then repeated, “You have the controls.”
When Bill released the controls, the aircraft wobbled slightly, and the nose dipped a little as Katie got the feel of this aircraft’s ‘power steering.’
Unperturbed, Bill said, “Let’s fly up this fiord at 1000 feet and 120 knots while you get the feel of her.” He’s starting out slow, to see if I can maintain airspeed and altitude.
“Roger that.” Katie quickly pegged her heading, altitude, and airspeed exactly as Bill specified. She was flying steady and smooth. First test passed.
Pointing at an island ahead, Bill said, “When we get abeam of that island, let’s do a descending 180-degree left turn, leveling out at 500 feet. Make your rates of turn and descent at standard rate.
“Roger, do a left 180 down to 500 feet at standard rates.”
Ten seconds later, Katie said, “Sir, I have one question. In this aircraft, how much power should I decrease for a 500 feet per minute rate of descent?”
“Five pounds of torque.”
Katie nodded. My 180 and 500-foot descent should both complete in exactly one minute. It’s a basic test of precise aircraft control.
When Katie saw they were abeam the island, Katie said, “Clear left?”
Bill looked to their left for any other aircraft, then responded, “Clear left.”
She noted her starting heading — 330 degrees. Then, she simultaneously moved the cyclic control stick left to roll into a standard-rate turn, lowered the collective to decrease exactly five pounds of torque on the torque gage, and slightly pressed her right foot pedal to compensate for the decreased torque.
For the next minute, she made slight adjustments to each control as necessary to maintain her airspeed at 120 knots, her standard rate turn, and standard rate of descent.
When the gages showed them passing through 550 feet and 155 degrees, it was time to start leveling off. She maintained 120 knots airspeed while simultaneously rolling wings level, increasing power by five pounds of torque on the gage, and pushing a slight amount of left pedal to counteract the added torque.
She rolled out at 510 feet altitude, heading 148 degrees, and 115 knots. All within tolerances, but not perfect. She ever-so-slightly lowered the nose to gain five knots and lose ten feet of altitude, and nudged the stick right to heading 150 degrees.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bill smile.
Cruising back to Ketchikan, Katie marveled at the raw beauty of the wilderness below. The thrill of flying, combined with the awe-inspiring landscape, filled her with a sense of pure joy and exhilaration. This is where I belong.
***
Back in Bill’s office, he said, “That went well. Here’s an employment application.” She took it and began completing it, using her portfolio folder as a lap desk.
As expected, it asked whether she was a veteran, and if so, what kind of discharge? She completed the application truthfully. She handed it to him, then watched as he read it.
As his eyes read down the application from top to bottom, his enthusiasm seemed to increase as he checked off each required item.
FAA commercial and instrument licenses? Check.
FAA Class II Medical? Check.
Flight hours? Check.
Medevac experience? Check.
Combat veteran? Check.
DFC, Purple Heart, and Air Medals. He nodded his head at these.
Discharge?
His expression darkened abruptly.
Oh, no!
For a moment he sat expressionless, as if he were thinking what to say.
“You’ve got an impressive resume, and excellent flying skills, but I'm not ready to make a hiring decision at this time.”
No. God, no!
Her chest tightened, her heart raced. She felt paralyzed. In shock, her legs went numb. Her mind was overwhelmed. What’s happening?
Hold it together Katie. You can’t lose control in front of this man. It’ll work out.
He looked down at the application. “I’ve got your contact information here, so I'll definitely keep your resume and application on file.” He stood and paused near the door, which politely signaled her to leave.
Her legs felt weak. She had to use her arms to push herself up from her chair. She willed herself to stand erect, look Bill in the eye, and shake his hand. With her voice quivering, she said, “Thank you, sir,” and left the building.
When she got behind her old truck’s steering wheel, she put her face in her hands, then released her emotional floodgates. She bawled for five minutes. In-between sobs, she prayed out loud, “Lord Jesus, help me. I want this job so bad.”
In response, she intuitively received these words. “Trust me, Katie. You’ve got some lessons to learn before I give you the desires of your heart.”
Breakwater Restaurant, Friday, September 10th
Andy Byrne and his friend Moses sat in a booth having lunch. Moses, the only African American person within 200 miles, was Andy’s best friend. He managed the Breakwater Restaurant, the best seafood restaurant in Ketchikan. His wife Rachel was a native Alaskan of the Junaqan people.
Moses asked, “How’s Katie doing?”
“KMS rejected her for the helicopter pilot job she wanted and she took it pretty hard. She doesn’t have enough fixed-wing time to get a job flying bush planes, or I’d put her to work myself.”
“I don’t understand. You’ve told me she’s an excellent pilot in your float plane. So, what’s the problem?”
“The problem is the astronomical cost of insuring a commercial pilot with less than 1000 hours of Alaskan-float-plane-time. I can’t afford it, and I can’t operate the business without insurance.”
Moses nodded, “I see.”
“The ugly reality is, this is a small town, and she's a female high school graduate with no marketable skills and a general discharge.”
“I’ve been telling her that other jobs may not be what she wants, but in this situation any honest work is honorable. She realizes she’ll have to settle for a non-flying job, so today she’s going door-to-door to every business in town looking for an opening. But jobs are scarce.”
***
Just before sunset, Katie heard Andy’s float plane arriving at their dock below the cabin. She set the table for dinner.
As he entered the cabin, she said, “I made sourdough muffins and heated a pot of venison stew.”
He said, “Smells great. I’m hungry. I’ll wash up.”
As they enjoyed dinner, Andy said, “How’s the job search going? Any luck?”
“Not yet,” she said. “Things are really tight, and I’m competing with all the other unskilled labor. I’d say half the shops in town have a sign posted that says they’re not hiring. But something will turn up.”
Andy nodded.
He clicked the TV remote to watch the evening news. The president was making an unscheduled presidential address during the prime-time news hour.
“…more countries are joining the BRICS alliance and using foreign currencies, reducing their dependence on the US dollar. With a weakened dollar, American consumers can expect supply chain disruptions, especially in medicines, food, spare parts, and electronics.”
Andy paused the TV. “That’s enough to ruin your appetite. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, inflation’s already over 12 percent, and that’s the number the government admits to. It’d be 20 to 30 percent if they were honest, and even higher if they counted groceries and gasoline in their numbers.”
“It’s bad enough that people have to pay the high prices. But when people can’t get the things they need at any price, they’ll be gettin’ the pitchforks out and he knows it.”
Katie said, “I saw people scavenging the trash behind the Breakwater Restaurant. They were looking for food.”
“Yeah, Moses told me that’s been happening more and more. People are getting desperate, and there’s no hope for improvement in the near future.”
Andy clicked play.
The president spoke reassuringly, saying, “If you need anything, go to the FEMA Center near you to receive food, water, and basic supplies you need to get through this temporary situation.”
Andy said, “Temporary. Right. Just like transient inflation.”
Katie said, “What situation is he referring to?”
Andy paused the TV.
“The government knows people are already dumpster-diving for food. He also knows it’s going to be catastrophic when the economy collapses.”
“Catastrophic? What do you mean?”
“Yeah. A few years ago, a guy named Mannarino wrote an article called Global Debt and the Human Bubble, showing a direct correlation between the rise of global debt, which is a product of global central bank fiat money systems, and the world’s population.”
Katie asked, “What’s a fiat money system?”
“It’s a system where the government decides what to use as money. Usually, it's paper bills and tin coins. This money isn't backed by gold or other valuable collateral. Fiat money is only valuable because the government says it is. The government controls how much money is made and used in the country, and people trust and use this money because everyone agrees it has value.”
Katie said, "So, what would make a fiat money system collapse?"
"When the government puts too many dollars into the economy, it waters down the value of every individual dollar. So, it takes more dollars to buy a gallon of gasoline, or a loaf of bread. To put it another way, prices for everything rise because there’s too much money competing for the same products. This is what causes inflation. And when inflation gets really bad, prices get too high and people lose trust in their money. When the public stops believing in their money’s value, the whole system falls apart. This is the life cycle of every fiat money system in history, and the dollar is now entering its final death throes. One famous example is the German Weimar Republic in the 1920s. During and after World War 1, the Weimar government printed way too much money and prices got so high that it took ‘a wheelbarrow full of money to buy a loaf of bread.’ This is the fate of every fiat money system. The money becomes worthless, and a whole new currency is required to fix things.”
“Getting back to Mannarino’s article, he shows where the global population has risen in parallel with higher global debt. Globally, central banks have created over 300 trillion dollars’ worth of fiat currency ‘out of thin air’ to support populations and government programs around the world. It’s all based on trust. It’s not real. So, when this trust bubble bursts, the population bubble will burst in parallel with it. For example, if the global markets lose fifty percent of their value, fifty percent of the world’s population will die. And he thinks it might be more than fifty percent.”
“That’s terrible.”
“The president knows global economies are collapsing, so he’s trying to prevent a panic.”
Andy pressed play.
The president continued, “Finally, I want to assure the American people that we’ll get through this together. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure all our needs are met.”
Shaking his head, Andy muted the TV. “The government can’t take care of everyone. It’s physically impossible. But most people are sheep, and they’ll believe his propaganda until it’s too late.”
Katie asked, “Why is it impossible?”
“Think of it this way. Imagine a pyramid. The government is at the top five percent of the pyramid, and the rest of us are the lower ninety-five percent. We’re the bulk of the pyramid. So, the government, at the top, rests upon and feeds from us.”
“If a disaster happens to one region or city, they can usually handle it. Like when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the government diverted resources from other parts of the pyramid to help the affected area.”
“But if everyone in the pyramid needs help, the elites at the top of the pyramid don’t have the resources to help everyone below them.”
Katie nodded. “So, what’ll they do?”
“When they see the crash approaching, the elite will secretly escape with their families. They’ve got bunkers around the country with stockpiles of supplies for such a contingency, to provide what they call ‘continuity of government.’ That’s their nice way of saying they’ll save their own skins while the rest of us sink or swim.”
“That sounds far-fetched. How do you know these bunkers are real?”
“A few years ago, National Public Radio interviewed the author of a book called Raven Rock. He’s a respected Washington journalist—an insider—not a conspiracy theorist. He detailed the elites’ plan to save themselves while the public was left unprotected. The author said some of their underground bunkers could support 5000 people underground for years. He listed many locations of these bunkers all over North America.”
Katie said, “If you’re right, what can the rest of us do?”
Andy said, “Regular people are gonna have three options:
They can depend on the government to support them. This is what the president is advocating with the FEMA Centers. The majority will follow this path until they realize it’s a dead-end. Then, they’ll either die or resort to option two.
They can beg or take what they need from others.
Or, they can plan and prepare to take care of themselves. That’s what I’m doing.”
Katie said, “It’s not wrong to take government assistance, is it? After all, people pay taxes, so why shouldn’t they expect something in return?”
Andy said, “No, it’s not wrong to receive government help, but here’s the problem. Over time, when people become dependent on government assistance, they lose their freedom and initiative. They’re like fish that’ve been hooked. Dependent people aren’t free. They have to obey every government dictate if they want to keep receiving their government handout. Right now, we still live under the US Constitution, but things are changing fast, and we can see the beast system coming on the horizon. I don’t want to depend on the beast government for anything.”
Katie asked, “What’s the beast system?”
Andy said, “It’s Satan’s end-time government. You can read about it in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13.”
***
Within days, FEMA officials consulted with Ketchikan, Sitka, and Juneau city leaders to develop local rationing systems to provide basic food and shelter to the increasing number of needy.
***
A week later, images of empty grocery store shelves and long lines at gas stations flooded the news. Then the news reports would cut to contrasting images of people at well-stocked and orderly FEMA Centers, receiving their weekly ration of staple foods and supplies.
Desperate, people devised creative recipes using whatever food items were available. Others resorted to siphoning fuel from parked cars.
In another report, factory workers stood idle, staring at motionless machinery. Bosses paced anxiously, their phones pressed to their ears as they pleaded with overseas suppliers for the vital components needed to keep their production lines running. But, one by one, factories fell dark and silent.
As days turned into weeks, the nation's once-vibrant cities became powder kegs waiting to explode. In Baltimore, protesters smashed store windows and looted shops, their anger and frustration boiling over into violence. In Los Angeles, crowds of hungry people clashed with riot police, the acrid smell of tear gas mingling with the smoke from burning cars. Seattle, St Louis, and New York all witnessed similar scenes of chaos and destruction, as the thin veneer of civilized society crumbled under the weight of empty stomachs and shattered dreams.
Across the country, overworked and understaffed police departments struggled to keep up with the surging crime wave. Gangs, emboldened by the chaos, devised a clever tactic to stretch law enforcement resources to the breaking point. The sound of gunfire would erupt near a crowded mall or school, sending bystanders scrambling for cover and jamming 911 switchboards with panicked calls. As heavily armed officers raced to the scene of the supposed active shooter, the actual target lay unprotected on the other side of the city, ripe for picking.
At first, the gangs focused on traditional targets, smashing glass cases and scooping up glittering trays of jewelry and stacks of cash. But as the value of money plummeted and food became the new currency, they turned their attention to the lifeblood of society: grocery stores and fuel tankers. Truckloads of precious food and gasoline disappeared into the night, only to reappear on the black market at exorbitant prices, leaving honest and law-abiding citizens to go hungry and without fuel.
***
So far, it's not too bad here in Ketchikan. Since we’re on an island, with no roads in or out, criminals have nowhere to run, so there's built-in accountability here.
Ketchikan, Alaska, October 5th
In his weekly sermon, Andy encouraged his small congregation to prepare.
“There’s no benefit in laying blame or analyzing how we got here, but America, as we knew it, is gone. We need to prepare for what the Bible tells us is coming in the end-time. The supplies the government promises will surely have strings attached, if they’re available at all.”
From their body language, and the skeptical looks on their faces, Katie could see people in her uncle’s church wouldn’t follow his advice. They’d depend on the government to provide their needs.
That’s all they know. They either don't believe things will get that bad, or they don’t have practical faith that God will help them provide their own resources. Uncle Andy, Moses, Rachel, and perhaps one or two others will be exceptions.
At the end of the service, Moses’ wife Rachel stood and said, “I’ve got a word from the Lord to share.”
Andy said, “Go ahead, sister.”
“Last night I had a dream, and I believe it’s prophetic. I saw a huge red dragon falling down from heaven. It stood on the earth, with its wings encircling the entire planet.
“Then, in my dream, the scene shifted to the heavenly courtroom, with Yahweh seated as the judge. I saw him pronounce a judgment. When he said it, the large audience of angels gasped, but I couldn’t hear what it was.”
“Back on earth, the huge red dragon shrunk in size until he became a terrible, violent, earthbound beast with seven heads and ten horns. It stomped and tore nations into submission until it ruled them all. As I watched, one of its horns grew into a man, a tyrant, who rode on the beast’s back and controlled the beast, like a rider on a horse.
“Then, sprinkled in every nation on the earth, I saw thousands of lights instantly appear, as if someone flipped a switch and turned them on. They started small, like candles, but as they grew brighter, they also multiplied in number, illuminating the darkness in every nation.
“I saw people stepping out of their nation’s darkness, coming toward the lights. Then those people became lights themselves. That’s how the lights multiplied.
“The global tyrant and the beast hated the lights. They extinguished thousands as I watched. But the ones who remained continued to shine and multiply. The tyrant never could get them all.”
***
So, the economy is collapsing, food and supplies are running out, and an evil beast is gonna take over the world. How can I prepare for any of these things? I can’t even find a job.
After the meeting, Moses said, “Katie, I hear you’ve been going door to door looking for a job. Had any luck?”
“No, I don’t have a marketable niche skill, so I’m looking for an entry-level position and they’re all taken. All except for one, that is. There’s an opening for a gravedigger at the cemetery.”
Moses recoiled with concern.
Katie continued, “While there’s nothing morally wrong with digging graves, I’m trusting the Lord will open something else up for me.”
Looking relieved, Moses said, “I need a dishwasher at the Breakwater. I know it’s not much, but you’d be welcome to come and work for me. It includes an hourly wage and a free meal per shift.”
She smiled and hugged him. “Thanks Moses. I’ve been looking everywhere for a month and this is the first offer I’ve had. How could I say no? Thank you.”
***
Stepping outside, Katie overheard Steve and Ruth Carver discussing Andy’s message about preparing.
Ruth said, “What will we do if we run out of food?”
“Don’t worry,” Steve said. “We’ll do whatever we need to do to survive. God helps those who help themselves, right?” Ruth nodded in agreement.
Coming Next Week . . . Katie learns godly humility, even as America humiliates itself. Katie chooses ‘the red pill,’ and has a surprise visitor.
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