Devotee

Carlos blinked twice and said, "I am a Christ devotee."

His fathers and forefathers, like the rest of the community, had always identified as devotees of Christ and Carlos expected his descendents to do the same.

Muhaamed frowned and said, "Hmmm, interesting.... bring me a cross or an image of Christ."

Carlos froze. He possessed none of those things, leaving him with no way to comply with the demand.

Muhaamed continued, "I don't expect you to have any. There isn't a single household in this city that actually worships Christ. Most people in this neighborhood and city devote themselves to the Ocha, but for whatever reason, they still insist on calling themselves to Christ devotees. It's ridiculous. So let's try something else. Who do you worship?"

Carlos struggled to answer "I...."

"Spit it out!"

"Babalú Lázaro."

"Interesting..... that Ocha is not officially recognized by the Second American Republic."

Muhaamed turned to a garrison member and said, "Translate what I say to the girl beside him."

Speaking to Isabella, he said, "Little girl, tell me, how do you honor and worship Babalú Lázaro?"

After a soldier translated, she said, "I...I... papá, what do I say?"

"Just tell him what we do whenever I tell you about Babalú Lázaro like when your sister got sick. You remember that, don't you?"

After a pause, Isabella responded, "When I get sick, I pray to him to make me better again. When my sister got sick last winter papá prayed to Babalú Lázaro to make her better again and he did!"

Receiving the translation, Muhaamed nodded and asked, "Do you or your parents give him anything? Things like food, money, trinkets, animals?"

"Sometimes my friends and I dance for him, sometimes we offer him rum or cigars, that's what Babalú Lázaro likes... After my sister got better, my papá gave him a chicken."

"Very good. Do you think Babalú Lázaro helped your sister because he wanted the chicken or because he wanted to make your family happy?"

"I don't know.... but papá gives him chickens or pigs all the time. He says it's showing Babalú-Lazaro our gratitude and devotion."

Muhaamed slowly asked, "Where does your father give him these animals?"

Isabella pondered the question before responding, "He goes to a big temple with the neighbors. I've never been since he says I'm too young to go."

Once Muhaamed received the Yankish translation, he said "Do you happen to know the temple's name?

Isabella shook her head.

"That's interesting... Men escort the woman and children back to their bedrooms, and return quickly."

Two soldiers directed Rosa and her children up the stairs despite the former's protests and then returned to the ground level. Muhaamed stood up and said, "Stand him up." The soldiers grabbed Carlos's shoulders, overwhelming his futile resistance as they pushed him up.

Carlos struggled against them as he said, "What's wrong? Why did I do wrong? What's going to happen to me?"

Muhaamed stretched and replied, "Freedom of religious belief is enshrined in the constitution. For good reason too, if it wasn't, half the country would be some type of criminal. That said, while freedom of belief is protected, religious practice is not. As per Article three, section two clause eight. Rights to religious practice may be restricted or rescinded altogether if elements of practice are found to contradict the interest of the public good. Thus." 

Muhaamed reached into his trench coat and took out his revolver. "Concerning this, the federal government has created a list of deities, divinities, and spirits to which sacrifice and communication are permitted Babalú Lázaro is not one of them."

The soldiers put Carlos's hands behind his back and began tying them together with a rope, one slapping him when he refused to stay still.

"In the Commonwealth of Florida, the punishment for illegal sacrifice is a Prisoer sentence of 1 year for first-time offenders, 5 years for a second offense, and scorching for those caught performing it a third time, however, because this city is bursting at the seams with heretics we have something special planned for you. Take him away!" 

Carlos was dragged out of his home into the pouring rain towards an unknown fate. By the end of the night, nearly 30% of Little Havana's adult population joined him.

***

Caesar was escorted to a log cabin on the northernmost edge of the fort. It was smaller than the other buildings in the area and had a worn-down appearance, indicating a lack of maintenance. Saniada opened the door and motioned Caesar inside.

As he stepped in, he noticed a series of bunk beds lined up against the wall. Each bed contained a blanket, a pillow, and a man sleeping inside. Soon they reached the far end of the wall, where an empty bunk bed greeted him.

Don't corporal get their own places, why am I stuck here with these people?

Caesar took down his bag and placed his things on the lower mattress. He didn't take much with him from Boston, only essentials such as clothing, hygiene supplies, a few books, and some mementos, the rest of his belongings he had sent to his little sister's family in Marston Hills.

While Caesar unpacked, Saniada said, "Captain Brown will call for you soon. Don't go anywhere."

Without waiting for a reply, he left the room, leaving Caesar alone with the sleeping troops. He finished placing his belongings in place and laid back in bed. To pass the time, he picked up a blank notebook and started writing the first entry in what he planned to be a journal for his time in Greenland.

After about an hour, Lieutenant Saniada returned and said, "Come with me." Caesar closed his journal and placed it under his pillow before following Saniada back to Blue Bergs. The inside of the headquarters was warm and well-lit. Furniture in the lobby consisted of comfortable-looking leather chairs and couches. The walls were decorated with paintings of snowy landscapes and maps of a large island.

Saniada led Caesar up two flights of stairs to Captain Brown's office. As they approached the door, the former knocked and said, "Captain Brown, Corporal Parna is here."

Captain Brown's voice replied, "Enter."

Saniada stayed outside as Caesar stepped in. Inside, he saw Captain Brown sitting at her desk, which was made of cedar wood and covered with papers. Behind Captain Brown was a large window overlooking the fort below. To the right of her desk was a shelf containing several books and trophies. On the left, there was a tall sunflower plant standing proudly. In the far edge of the corner of the room, a large wood chest sat idly.

Caesar saluted and said, "Good evening, Captain."

"At peace. Shut the door and take a seat."

Caesar shut the door and sat down on a chair opposite Captain Brown's desk. She looked at him for a few moments, her blue eyes analyzing him before saying, "Let's cut to the chase, Corporal Parna. You are here because Jones Delata wanted you gone. You might be a corporal, but your actions have pissed off someone more powerful than you, and now you pay the price. Have you seen your bed yet? If so, then you've definitely been wondering why it's in the barracks instead of a private room?"

Caesar nodded and allowed her to continue.

"I want you to guess how many soldiers are stranded here in Greenland."

Caesar thought for a moment, "Around 5,000 ma'am."

Captain Brown laughed and said, "That's cute, Parna, you're off by a mile. Officially, there should be 3,000 here, but we rarely ever get reinforcements in large numbers. Most troops who show up are transfers who come alone or in pairs. Now try again for me."

Caesar thought again and guessed "Around 2,000."

Captain Brown shook her head. "Closer, but still off. There are about 1,500 troops stationed here. Now guess how many privates there are."

Caesar took his time, privates were the lowest rank in the army, so naturally he guessed that the Lion's share of soldiers would be privates. "Around 1,200."

"500."

Caesar let out a gasp. "500 privates!"

Privates were the bedrock of a functioning army. Without them, the chain of command would break down completely. Normally, a garrison would be at least 70% privates.

Captain Brown replied, "500 privates, 200 corporals, 400 Sargents, 200 Sergeant-Majors, and 200 second lieutenants. When you account for the majority of privates being local conscripts and volunteers, then almost everyone is an officer of some sort. And when everyone's an officer, then who is going to clean, cook, and guard? Who is going to repair rifles and polish boots? Who is going to dig latrines and haul firewood? When everyone's an officer, no one is."

Is this her way of telling me my rank is meaningless?

"So when you ask yourself why your bed is in the common barracks, the answer is simple: you belong there."

Caesar gulped, "I belong there..... Ma'am, may I ask what will be expected of me here?"

Captain Brown replied, "You will serve as you have always done, fight and defend this fort, escort supply convoys, go on patrols, hunt down native bands, and assist in maintaining order throughout Greenland. Tasks expected of any soldier."

Caesar said, "Understood ma'am, thank you for the explanation."

Seeing nothing else to discuss, Captain Brown said, "Now leave, and get some sleep. Tomorrow begins a new day and I expect you to be well rested."

Caesar stood up, saluted and left the office, shutting the door behind him.