ALSO BY JAMES WESLEY, RAWLES
Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse
How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It
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 planned use of terrorist tactics. Again, it takes place in the future, under fictional new leadership of many nations. Any resemblance to living people is purely coincidental. The making and/or possession of some of the devices and mixtures described in this novel are possibly illegal in some jurisdictions. Even the mere possession of the uncombined components might be construed as criminal intent. Consult your state and local laws! If you make any of these devices and/or formulations, you accept sole responsibility for their possession and use. You are also responsible for your own stupidity and/or carelessness. This information is intended for educational purposes only, to add realism to a work of fiction. The purpose of this novel is to entertain and to educate. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any citizen, person, or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this novel.
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 Rhiannon (McGregor) Jeffords and Ray McGregor. Daughter of Alan and Claire McGregor.
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.