Welcome to Telbat’s Tablet, Readers and New Subscribers! Thanks for joining us for Chapter 31 of David Telbat’s Christian adventure, God’s Colonel! But first, an update…
David Telbat says to “Get your spy gear ready and make room on your eReaders and calendars!” Why? Because you will be getting a special announcement in the next day or two that Dark Rule, Book Three in the COIL Series, is out! Be watching your inboxes and our website for that news!
There are only three more weeks to finish God’s Colonel! David has many more stories to come—more in the Believers’ Boot Camp Series, a new Dan Vance Series, a new serialized novel to begin in a few months, and another couple of novels! And that’s just this year! 
We look forward to continuing sharing Christian adventure with you each week. And, now on with the God’s Colonel saga— (If you are new to this story, you can begin here with CHAPTER ONE.)
[RECAP of God's Colonel Chapter 30: Gray is summoned to Colonel O'Regan's office, only to receive a mysterious message to meet someone in the utility shed cellar. Once in the cellar, Gray speaks in the darkness with Cas' unknown contact. Gray is assured that the man will help in every possible way to keep him and the escapees safe in their exodus. The man prays with Gray, though he never reveals himself.]
God’s Colonel
By D.I. Telbat
Chapter 31
The mass that had built up above the clouds was enough to show up on the radar. The sky turned red as an alarm was sounded across the emergency broadcasting system. Anyone without a bunker was to go to his basement or better yet, find a culvert or tunnel in which to hide.
Emit had received the early warning signal for a missile attack, but it seemed to be only clouds gathering in the west. By the time the clouds were overhead and the ground began to shake fiercely, Emit knew it was another plague—right out of the Book of Revelation. He rounded up everyone into the base bunker under the main mess hall.
Standing at the open door of the bunker, Emit watched as hailstones as large as dogs rained down from the sky. Balls of fire followed the hail, exploding on the ground like miniature grenades every few seconds. He’d heard reports that the ground was breaking up all over the continent, as well as before his eyes. The fissures were spitting out fire and ice from the bowels of the earth, but Emit wasn’t afraid.
Even as he watched his headquarters burst into flame, Emit didn’t blink. Behind him however, hundreds of his troops huddled in fear, cursing the sky. Those nearest Emit begged him to shut the bunker door.
A few years earlier, Emit would have enjoyed the indiscriminate destruction he witnessed. But now, he appreciated the display of God’s power, grander than any thunderstorm he had ever witnessed. The hailstorm would certainly disrupt communications throughout New Roma, and Gray’s exodus that night would be that much easier amongst the chaos. Midnight was only three hours away.
After a few minutes, Major Floyd joined Emit at the open door. Unlike Emit, the major flinched every time a fireball landed nearby.
“How long do you think this will last, sir?”
“Not long.” Emit shrugged. “There was daylight behind those dark clouds, and besides, the intended destruction is nearly complete.”
“What do you mean?” Floyd asked. “You make it sound like this was a planned attack.”
“Look over at the holding facility.” Emit pointed across the burning expanse. “Every building in the compound is on fire except the holding facility—where all the Christians are. It hasn’t been hit by hail or touched by fire. How is it that the largest building on the base remains untouched? Even the tool shed is in pieces.”
“What are you saying?” Floyd moved closer. “Are you saying that God is doing this?” When Emit didn’t answer, Floyd continued, the sound of destruction outside too loud for anyone else to hear his words.
“I’ve been in contact with General Norvasso, Colonel. I know that you’ve suspended the executions for the past four days. Why? And why haven’t you let me move in to arrest Sergeant Dross? Who knows what he’s been up to? And his farmhouse outside of town has been suspiciously quiet. I believe someone tipped them off that we were watching the place. Only a few of us knew about that rebel underground safe house, Colonel.”
“The sky is clearing. We’ll finish this discussion when I have headquarters from which to give orders.” Emit glared at the major. “Fetch our old canvass tents, Major. Use whatever you can to set up temporary shelters. And look for survivors.”
The sky was still dark but clearing, the clouds dissipating. Emit stepped from the bunker as the fires continued to burn. He jogged to the infirmary to find Cas. She hadn’t been in the bunker.
The infirmary was still ablaze when he reached it. He jumped over smoldering ceiling beams to reach the only corner of the building that hadn’t collapsed. Charred corpses lay on smashed beds, and one injured soldier called out for help, but Emit didn’t stop.
He reached the corner and pushed off a section of the wall. In a flicker of fire, he saw Cas laying under a porcelain sink. She had hidden in the bathroom. To the right, the toilet had been crushed.
Emit lifted her into his arms and stepped out of the rubble. She was alive, seeming to be bleeding only superficially from the scalp. A medic ran up to Emit as he set Cas down on the charred grass.
When he was sure she was safe, Emit began to move among his men, shouting orders, and encouraging them. Fires needed to be put out, debris had to be moved, and canvas tents needed to be erected. Emit’s chief concern now was to keep everyone busy enough so Gray could lead his prisoners off the base in relative peace.
[End of God's Colonel Chapter 31]
Find all God’s Colonel Chapters together after posting at this link.
NOTE: Again, be watching your inbox for the special announcement that Dark Rule is out!
COMING UP: Come back on WEDNESDAY for David Telbat’s post on St. Patrick and a new meaning for GREEN. And next MONDAY join us for the End Times Suspense God’s Colonel Chapter 32 when Emit and Gray have a surprise for Major Floyd and Emit reveals a secret!
