The Called: Chosen (The Called Series Book 2) by Justin Price Page A

you sure?” he asked.
    “I am as sure as I can be”, said Javier.
    “How long do we have?”
    “I don’t know. We could have hours or even minutes. Night has come and we have got to get everyone out of here that we can and take or destroy any pertinent information that could compromise our operation.”
    “We will make the announcement immediately. We certainly can’t chance it.”
    Commander Ramsey immediately gathered the other leaders and elders in the control room and updated them on what was happening. After a few minutes of discussion, they passed the information on to a young lady who made the announcement over the speaker system.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, it appears that we have been compromised at this location. We will be putting the primary evacuation plan into practice immediately. Everyone please gather your family and the essentials and exit immediately to your assigned passenger van. Drivers, be ready to drive to the designated backup spot where we will go over further plans. This is an urgent evacuation. I repeat…this is an urgent evacuation.”
    Within seconds, the place was buzzing with people going here and there; frantically gathering belongings in backpacks, duffle bags, and suitcases. They all filed into a neat line and exited one family at a time. Commander Ramsey deployed a small unit to the roof of the old building to be on the lookout for government agents or police.
    As the controlled chaos happened around them, Noah asked Javier, “Where is this backup location that was mentioned?”
    “It is east of here. The Northeast corner of Joshua Tree National Park.”
    “We aren’t going there right? I mean, my wife and son are in the opposite direction in Bakersfield.”
    Javier paused for a moment. “No, we aren’t leaving your family behind. We are going to leave here and go straight to my house to pick them up. We will stay in contact with Commander Ramsey and the rest of the crew to find out where they are going.”
    “I just pray that we can have everyone evacuated before the law comes knocking. It won’t be pretty if a SWAT team shows up”, said Noah.
    “I believe that messenger from God warned us when he did for a reason. Everyone is going to be alright”, said Javier.
    “Well, is there anything else we can do here?” asked Noah.
    “No, we’ve done what we can”, said Javier. “Let’s get out of here now so that we can get a head start and pick up Joanna and Ryan.”
    Noah agreed completely with that notion and the two quickly headed out as the ones with less to carry began filing out through the manholes one by one. If there were any authorities in the area, the sudden increase in activity would alert them. They were certain of that.
    They quickly jogged to Javier’s car and got in to drive away from the abandoned neighborhood. The two of them sped off in time to hear the sound of jets flying low overhead. They made a pass by the old building, which was now about three blocks in their rearview mirror. They flew off into the distance.
    “They’re drones”, said Javier. “Reconnaissance drones. Not equipped with any heavy artillery. But, if they see the obvious, the fighter drones won’t be far behind.”
    “We need to start praying now then”, said Noah. “There are still hundreds left down there. They are sitting ducks.”
    Javier pulled out his phone and made a call. “Commander Ramsey, are you in the control room? Are you aware that there are drones in the vicinity?”
    There was a short pause…”No, just recon drones, but there are too many people on the ground right now. The fighters won’t be far behind… Yes… Very well sir. Godspeed.”
    Javier put the phone down and looked over at Noah and said, “They are instructing everyone to leave as quickly as possible because they have been compromised and will be under attack any minute. In the meantime, they have techs in the control room trying to scramble the signals of the incoming drones.”
    Just as