In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."Paul took his seat as the audience smiled approvingly. Dawson returned to the microphone, "Thank you Brother Paul. Now i... there are any of you that took offense to Brother Paul's prayer, we will see that there is a boat to California to take you where you can be offended to your heart's content."That brought a resounding applause, and laughter, along with a few shouts of "Amen, brother!"Dawson continued, "We learned yesterday that except for essential personnel,. " Jessica nodded to something behind Stewart and said, "Ok, time to begin." Stewart felt himself emit a small gasp as his metallic bonds suddenly moved, pulling his arms and legs into a tight "X" position. He felt something cold at his ankles as he realized his shoes and socks were being removed and something metal was sliding up his legs. The rush of air along right up to his thighs told him that the cold was from shears that at least two women behind him were using to slice open. Most of them seemed like good guys. Who could blame a guy for wanting to spend as much time as he could with her? But she was supposed to let him know when she was supposed to be home. He hadn’t wanted to see a hard ass and tell her when she had to be home. Hell’s bells, she could have at least called to say where they were. She’d looked so good. Too bad her mother couldn’t have been there. Nadine had planned on it, but at the last minute she’d been called out of town to deal with a problem. Umberto Gomez resumed his place at the big gun atop the Bradley, and I turned the vehicle in the direction of incoming automatic rifle fire. But we were facing more than rifle fire. An errant rocket blew by to our left, missing us by yards, but exploding into the side of the hospital building, near the first-floor windows.Umberto was fumbling some with the still-unfamiliar chain gun, but he was trying. I could see two men, well away from us. They appeared to be carrying only automatic rifles. I.