REEVES AND Wu Leong along with three other snipers candidates were on their bellies as they shoot targets. A large group of Intersexuals stood behind them watching the contest between the rivalling marksmen.

Reeves was a better deadeye with more clear-target hits; Wu Leong was annoyed with his misses—his remiss was because he was more focused on Reeves' target board—but sharpshooting was not a competitive game—the Wesleyan beside him has zoned-in and mastered the mindset well with his better sense of accuracy than the rest of the marksmen.

A messenger ran to a Hispanic lieutenant who was in charge of the shooters, informing him.

"The Council wants to see them now."

The lieutenant nodded and he chose his best two candidates...

"Okay, Reeves, Wu Leong—step up!"

Both stood up, dusting the desert dirt from their clothes—the supporters cheered and patted their shoulders and their backs—wishing them both luck when the two snipers walked into the Council's tent...

**

When he stepped in, he saw the Counsel seated at a long table like The Last Supper with Doran in the centre. Reeves also noticed several photographs on a corkboard—a litany photographs of President Cory, Agent Wolfe—and Capt. Roberta Jensen—the one whom Reeves was accused to be akin to because of his surname.

He heard Doran summoning out to them.

"Come, Reeves...Wu Leong."

Li Chi who was seated next to Hajja smiled and nodded at Wu Leong but his smile faded when he saw the presence of 'Reeves Jensen.' Reeves then saw Russell Collins smiling at him too—Collins was appointed as a leader representing the minority whites since Reeves had rejected the position in the Council when it was first offered to him by the Preacher and Hajja.

Doran then addressed, "as you both know, we are going to attack Cory at her fundraiser, but only one of you sniper is going to take out the President—and since you both are equally good—The Council of 13 is now going to vote for the best candidate."

Doran dropped a piece of paper in a bowl, "here is my vote.'

The rest of the members dropped in their votes—Doran segregated and counted the ballot while Reeves and Wu Leong waited at the side.

"The decision is 9 to 4—and the sniper who will be designated to kill the Snake-woman is......

"Wu Leong!"

Li Chi stood up and clapped the loudest—he was proud that a member of his triad was the chosen one...

In fact, the Chinese had supplanted and influenced the parity of the voters by telling members of the Council that Reeves was not to be trusted because he was related to Roberta Jensen—the killer-cop who was recently made a captain in the e-SWAT—who had also recently butchering unrelated militia groups that were later fabricated by the media as allies to the One God's Army.

Doran peered back at the Reeves, and he gave a consolation remark.

"Reeves, you are the back-up, in case we fail in New Orleans."

Li Chi's voice interrupted him. "We will not fail!"

The Preacher ignored the Chinese and he then prepared the contingency team. "I want you to pick a team of your choice, Reeves—because Cory is having another fund-raiser in a couple of weeks in California—so you get there ahead of and be prepared over there."

Reeves was speechless by the unexpected quandary of going to California—he then heard Hajja speaking up to him...

"Reeves, who is in your team? Drop us some names."

"I choose—Troy—Joe—Marlin—and True Bob." He replied with uneasiness with that sudden request.

"The Money-truck Boys," the black leader laughed out.

Doran adjoined saying in doubt. "Is that it—just the 5 of you?"

"Yeah, I like it kept small and tight with those whom I trust most."

Li Chi immediately scorned...

"Jensen, you cannot have Marlin, he is wanted here in camp because he is one of our best-unarmed combat trainers!"

Hajja considered pragmatically at the dilemma of the quality of training currently among the rebel army in camp—the rebels who were mainly compromised by the motley of undisciplined street brawlers; who will be facing soon the highly trained battle-hardened soldier of the President...

"Li Chi is right, we need Marlin here—but Reeves, you may want a better backup for your security when you are out there in Cory's territory. So I am going to assign the Jamaicans to escort you to California—they are versatile and well experienced—you and your team will be well protected at all time."

Reeves sighed softly inward before nodding back—when the council has decided the ruthless Jamaicans were to follow his crew, it just means that decisions had been done. There was no way he can protest with his negation of the Rastafarians' presence—especially not in front of Li Chi who will be more aroused with his suspicions...

Now his quest to go east to Washington DC with Marlin to search for Laura Jensen has been further hindered...