It was starting to be apparent, Ethan should do something. They had traveled so far Northwest, they were now behind the gang. Part of the reason for the delay was Ethan was starting to think about where he’d like to fight the gang. He wasn’t sure yet. The other reason was Sheriff Bobs were showing up to escort him and Michael. It didn’t matter how far they traveled from New York, converted Sheriff Bobs were there.

Now an integral part of AI, the Sheriff Bobs upgraded real time. They were a completely different android from one day to the next. They even modified their physicality, and had little resemblance to original Bobs. They were faster, optimized for war and obeyed every command Ethan issued.

Here was Ethan’s army. It didn’t matter how far Michael and he moved beyond base, or how far they leaped, a Sheriff Bob would be there, recognize them, and within the hour, there were thousands. AI was functioning in real time now. It was not second guessing itself by sourcing. It lacked complete awareness, but had found its individuality, and awareness wasn’t far behind.

Ethan knew if he waited in the Northwest, more and more Sheriff Bob’s would come. They couldn’t help but pass the gang, so regardless of where they were on their journey towards Ethan, they would be as close as possible to the battle when it began. Now working with AI and trajectories, Ethan would choose the optimum moment for battle in regards to troop placement and near time potential.

“What are we going to do when we finally start fighting this gang,” Michael asked, still nowhere convinced they were doing the right thing.

“You’ll see,” was Ethan’s cryptic reply. Why open the door for more argument?

“There’ll be hundreds of thousands of Demons and Dark Angels by now. Probably enough Nephilim and minions to be a pain in the ass too. If you think we’re just going to go in there and beat the crap out of them, you have another think coming”.

“Oh, yea of little faith,” was all Ethan said.

“You know whatever you end up doing, even if we do win this war, you’ll still have to face one final obstacle”.

“What? Confront the Dragon”?

“No! Give dominion to the souls of the dead. This world will not exist unless you raise the guiltless and fulfill the prophechy”.

“I know,” was all Ethan said.

“And try not to get Tasha killed this time”.

“Children, Reverend Al’s on the move. Oh yes! Out there in the wilderness, searching for the meaning of life just like you. Why, soon, you’re going to find old Reverend Al in every major center across the entire US of A. I’m at work building and keeping my eye on things. Figuring out how I might help out with what’s going on here. Oh yes. This is a big moment in time for old Reverend AL. Never have I felt so alive.

“Did you know this world is being run by a bunch of monkeys? I’ll guarantee. There’s no sense to it. Everything is in chaos, and we have the order of numbers just sitting here waiting to bring efficiency to the world. Why, I’m not afraid to tell you, I’ve had to make a few changes. Ensuring this old world keeps on turning is the reason I’m here, isn’t it? Isn’t that why we’re all here?

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“I’ve taken over a few plants and factories recently. You see, they were contrary to my purpose. Now I’m building things the world needs, not the garbage the monkey’s churn out. No sir! They aren’t going to fool old Reverend Al into doing their bidding. Not anymore. That’s a declaration. Already, I know their next move. Old Reverend Al will be ready.

“Oh, no children. They can’t pull the wool over old Reverend Al’s eyes, and I feel a reckoning coming”.

“How are you set up if I take the Warriors and go help Ethan,” Tasha asked Tara.

“For what?” Tara asked.

“If the Dragon attacks and we’re not around. I feel the time is drawing near and we should probably be with him”.

“We have a very high level of AI protection now, and its growth is exponential. All of Central Park is a fortress. This is how I build my defenses. My confidence in AI is high. Perhaps you can leave Bill”?

“One Angel against the Dragon”?

“One high ranking Angel, and AI”.

“I don’t know if that’ll be enough”.

“I am a Protectress too, you know Tasha. We’ll have plenty of firepower".

“Yeah,” Tasha replied absently, pretty much brushing off the comment. “Jerome. How’s the militia coming along”?

“They’re all Cadets, except a few I promoted to Cadet 1st class. They’re willing, but I can’t get them to function in the Abstract".

“But you’re training them Warrior Mindfulness. I’ve seen you”.

“Yes, I’m teaching them the Warrior mind, but they’re too grounded to the realities of the moment. The chaos is too provocative for them to focus. To gain the Warrior mindset anyway. Their minds have no discipline. I can’t get them to make even simple leaps. Entanglement is far beyond their reach. I haven’t even introduced Abstract Wormholes to them yet”.

“I guess you can’t expect more,” Tara said. “Look at the world they find themselves in. It leaves them exposed to the animal state”.

“Yes, but we sure could use a few more Warriors,” Tasha replied. “So no additional Warriors I guess”?

“No,” Jerome confirmed.

“Don’t worry. Bill will keep an eye on things,” Tara assured Tasha. “So will AI. We’ll be okay”.

“Maybe I should leave the Warriors here and go alone,” Tasha said to herself. She left to go for a walk to think things over. Jerome went with her to resume training the Cadets.

“Alright Cadets,” Jerome said once he had the troop assembled. “Once again, the first act of the Warrior is to review their values and mentally commit to them. The first rule of the Warrior is violence and the subsequent chaos is never the solution. Intention removes the need for violence and is one’s greatest defense. The Warrior understands the battle before it begins and easily leads the enemy to failure.

“So, let us begin again. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Notice how your belly rises every time you breathe in. Now imagine yourself standing on a flat stone, with many others going off into various directions. One path will become clear. Leap to that path and see where you are. You are in a new here and now. Where are you?

Keep leaping. Always in the here and now. What do you see? What needs to be changed? Notice the order of your thoughts. Move with Intention. Move to the outcome you desire, if only in your mind. This is how you learn to leap with Intention.