D-Day for Paulus Hook
It’s morning. And Hyne’s got that “feeling”. He’s been dreading this.
Hyne and Lee are enjoying some coffee, munching on Laca’s positively sinful butter scones. She looks sad. Hyne knows something big is afoot. They haven’t been “sharing” their thoughts all morning like they usually do. Lee’s “blocked” herself off. She’s been quiet ever since they’ve gotten back from Italy – after they “retired” Cardinal Franchetti. Getting the final Scroll from Chief Archon of all the Vampyres, Pistorius, has yet to be accomplished – but Hyne is certain Lee’s long face has nothing to do with Vampyres.
Lee’s opening is ominous.
“Can we talk?”
Hyne gives his wife a quizzical look.
“Yeah….sure. What’s the matter?”
Lee gets that face she always wears when the subject of their son, Arkan, comes up. Hyne can tell that this is going to be a heart-to-heart doozie.
“Arkan’s soon going to have to commence his training with The Old Ones. That was our agreement.
But his Aryan tutor – Brynne – has told me some troubling things. She’s obviously been in touch with her home planet, Arcturus, and has shared her thoughts with me.
Our Earth is becoming more unstable by the day. The Russia-Ukraine War, the Iran Conflict, economic inequality in virtually every country, rampaging Capitalism, unemployment – it’s all coming to a head.
A False Flag is coming that’s going to cause large-scale economic and political upheaval in the United States. Gun violence. A hot civil war. Personal liberties and Constitutional safeguards are going to be a thing of the past. A Police State will be imposed upon everyone. Blanket vaccinations will be mandatory – what chemical “they” inject will depend on how many people “they” need to frighten and control. Cash will be outlawed. People will be de-banked. Book of Revelation-style shit.
Brynne has advised me to take Arkan back to The Old Ones as soon as possible. You have your work here – such as it is. But the type of world that is looming on the horizon doesn’t merit your sacrifices anymore. It’s all coming apart. It’s over. Brynne’s advice to you is simple: Save Yourself. Accompany me, Arkan, Ursus and her back to The Old Ones. Relocate your hoarded gold. Your friends – Xen, Dirk and Per and Peter – can fend for themselves as long as they have your assets to draw upon.”
Hyne stares into his wife’s eyes. She’s serious. She’s going to take their son, Arkan, and Brynne, their Aryan tutor, and leave. Even Ursus, their “Dog” is going with them. He considers his words carefully. He knew this moment would come. The pact he made way back when – The Old Ones healing his physical body in return for Lee birthing a child and raising it according to the ways of that eldritch race – was clearly spelled out to him at the onset. Nobody hoodwinked him. As Ray Liota’s character said in the movie Goodfellas – “This is the deal we made”.
He understands his wife’s words deep in his bones.
She’s goin’. And she’s taking his child with him. Arkan is leaving. Brynne is leaving. Ursus is leaving.
Shit……
His voice trembles.
“I had always thought that whatever tragedies befell our world, you’d be there next to me. That our kid would be there, too. We’d tough it out together…”
Lee eyes are sad – but unrelenting. Her mind’s made up.
“I’m a Mother now. I’m thinking of Arkan. This world can blow itself up into a million pieces. As long as Arkan is safe, I could give two shits about planet Earth and its silly little countries fighting silly little wars with each other. I care even less about Vampyres sucking the life out of stupid, selfish humanity!
All this iniquity is allegedly overseen by Gods who don’t care enough to intervene and clean out the cesspool they’ve allowed their beautiful creation to become! Gods who blithely turn a blind eye to every degradation, perversion, disease, corruption, violence and immorality – and let it all fester because it’s “Man’s Free Will”!!!
This is all Bullshit.
I have to save Arkan. And you’ve given enough of yourself to heroic deeds and blade-fights with monsters. It’s time for you to grow up and leave this zoo. To live a more dignified, evolved existence. Far away from dangers and perils. Time to live in a world of learning and wondrous new experiences – watching Arkan grow strong and become a man that we can both admire!
Hear me….
Brynne’s “sources” have told her there is an extremely high probability that a nuclear device is going to be detonated in New York City. Soon. Outside timeline? A month. It will be reported as Nuclear Terrorism – but she knows it will be a False Flag. Something to propel America into a World War against Russia and China and eviscerate the Constitution. The Deep State and Neocons have been planning it for years. The Vampyres know – and they’ve already cleared out. The CIA probably warned them! Even the rats are jumping ship! You and your Confrerie des Paladins – your Brotherhood of Vampyre Slayers – will probably be arrested in the first wave of police actions. Then they’ll seize and forfeit your assets. You’ll be broke and powerless, swinging in the wind.
This is no joke. Stuff is getting real. You must think and tread carefully.
Well…I’ve made my decision. It’s time for you to make yours, Hyne.
Brynne, Arkan, Ursus and I leave tonight!”
Hyne gets up and walks to the window. He stares out over the Hudson River and the Battery in Manhattan. He speaks with conviction.
“I’ve got a few loose ends I have to clear up first.
Come back for me in one month. Agreed?”
Lee goes silent and looks away. She’s visibly disappointed.
Tempus Fugit
Days pass. It’s been a week since they’ve gone.
Hyne and Peter Xiang-Li, his faithful lawyer- Consiglieri, spend every minute of the time behind closed doors. Paperwork – and more paperwork. Endless phone calls. Endless negotiations and confirmatory Memorandums of Understanding. Finally, Hyne is ready to tell the boys. Still, by the time La Confrerie des Paladins – Hyne’s Brotherhood of Vampyre Slayers – file into the upper floor dining and observation level in Paulus Hook, Peter Xiang-Li is still furiously working his laptop and barely acknowledges them. Per L’Enfant, Xen Chen and Dirk Fremd look at each other with wary anticipation – something is up.
Hyne tells them what he proposes to do – and his reasons why. He shares in detail what Lee told him – how their future is nuclear and coming at warp speed. Xen Chen, Per L’Enfant and Dirk Fremd stare at him with their mouths open. It’s beyond what they would have even dreamed. They feel like they’re being dropped down a rabbit hole. This isn’t a civilizational speed-bump – it’s Ragnarok.
HYNE:
“I’ve got a confession to make – stuff you need to know. I’m rich because of Simon Magus, one of the most courageous, insightful and spiritually admirable men I’ve ever known. I inherited his wealth – which is substantial. A lifetime ago, I was just a cop in New Jersey. Somehow, I’ve wound up here. The decisions I make today will benefit you now and later; I am leaving everything I have to you. When I “go” – wherever and whenever I “go” – you guys get the whole ball of wax. So rest assured – you’ve been provided for. All four of you, in equal shares. Peter is filing the documents now.
Enough of that.
Peter has contracted WAH-KANG International Logistics and Shipping to immediately transfer all of the gold I’ve got stashed at my old bank building in Elizabeth to armored trucks and seal it into shipping containers. WAH-KANG will transfer the containers to the LUCERNE OLYMPIA, a container ship presently docked at Port Newark and leaving for Amsterdam tonight. WAH-KANG will maintain security over the shipping containers until they surrender them to Holland representatives of Gruner Banque et Cie of Zurich, Switzerland. Gruner Banque et Cie will take possession of the gold and deposit it in their vaults in Zurich. Within a few days, all of my liquid assets will be at Gruner Banque and our financial affairs will be administered by them and a full support staff at Credit Suisse, also in Zurich.
Each of you have alternative Passports – Dirk Fremd is a natural-born citizen of Holland; Xen Chen was born in Hong Kong to parents of Chinese national origin, hence he is a Citizen of China: Per L’Enfant was born in Montreal, Canada. I have Greek Citizenship – a project I finalized while living with my wife in Cyprus.
We can all travel freely under our alternative Citizenship in case our American documents become problematic. Of course, our lawyers in Switzerland are working on “Resident Alien” status that should safeguard us for years. Considering the amount of wealth I’m investing in Swiss Banks and other financial institutions there, our respective applications for permanent Citizenship should be looked upon favorably and expedited. Our Swiss lawyers counsel patience and can see no impediments to our ultimate Swiss Citizenship goal.
Simon Magus had very influential political contacts in Zurich and Geneva – most of whom will lend their support to our plan. The Master actually intended on moving to Zurich before he settled for Cyprus. There is a huge reservoir of uncollected favors and good will in Zurich that will still be honored for our benefit. His Heir – me – will be respected and accommodated according to the Code of Honor that still is followed in the Swiss Cantons. Many Swiss still revere and remain indebted to Simon Magus. I’m calling in these “markers” immediately. Within two years our permanent status and Swiss citizenship will be a de jure reality. Have no doubt of this.
We are, all of us, about to shed our American identities and take on Swiss ones. Our general area of life will Zurich – a delightful town. Once a woman very special to me lived there. She was treacherous to her core. There’s a lesson there somewhere.
When the proverbial “Shit Hits the Fan” we will be comfortably ensconced in Swiss lodgings and facilities that far surpass Paulus Hook. I am sparing no expense. Practice your German and French. I doubt my elementary knowledge of Greek will help me much. Our Chef, Lacas, will fly back to his home in Lombardy, Italy tonight. He will join us when our residential accommodations in Zurich are established.
Peter Xiang-Li has focused his attention on a stone castle-like compound at the foothills of the Alps just Southeast of Zurich – a mountainous town called Sternenberg. It’s over 1000 hectares of mountainside. The structure dates back to the mid-fourteen hundreds and was – according to some local legends – a Knights Templar fortress and redoubt. In fact, it’s called the “Schwert Haus” – or “Sword House” – the location of a Templar armory. One of our shell corporations has just made a generous – very generous – downpayment on the place. As we speak, their lawyers are negotiating with ours in Zurich, finalizing the deal. Options on additional hectares of appurtenant farmland are also part of the bargain. We should receive the final contracts today and wire transfer of the outstanding funds should take place at 4:00PM EDT. One hour from now, the “Schwert Haus” in Sternenberg, Switzerland will be our new home.
The Swiss Alps have been shielding people for centuries from all kinds of upheavals. That’s why the Knights Templar wound up there. The geography is a natural stronghold – a Citadel. For our needs, it’s perfect. Sternenberg is the highest municipality in the Canton of Zurich – 900 meters above sea level. It’s panoramic views will come in handy for surveillance and placement of communications hardware.
Everything here in Paulus Hook will be stripped and sold within the week – gourmet kitchen appliances, our big natural-gas-fed electric generators, the boat, the Teslas, our stockpiled weapons. Everything. And the three Exchange Place Tower penthouse condos. The artwork – mostly the wonderful collection of Simon Magus’ paintings through the Centuries – will be crated up and put into storage in Zurich, pending our final residential arrangements. Most importantly, Peter will delete every digital record we have in every computer here and destroy the hard drives.
Not long after we leave Paulus Hook – I’m targeting next Monday as D-Day – there will be a fire here. Everything is going up in flames. We will leave nothing for anyone to connect to us and nothing for them to take. One of our shell corporations will still own the land – until we can sell that, too. The United States Department of Homeland Security has more than once inquired about the property – the New York Bay Coast Guard deployment wants the Paulus Hook boatyard properties and accesses. Perhaps a deal can be struck. I’m sure they’ll pay handsomely.
Alright, men. Everybody in? If you don’t want to come along, now’s the time to say it out loud. You’ll get a comfortable severance – and my profound gratitude.”
Only Per L’Enfant speaks up.
“I’ll follow you anywhere, Mon Capitaine – but may I ask a question?
Will we work as before – slaying Vampyres – or will this new world catastrophe suspend our quest? Our “Mission” is al-important to us. It is our Raison d’ Etre – our reason for being.”
Hyne nods his head. He wonders the same thing.
HYNE:
“All I know for certain – at this moment in time – is that we have to recalibrate our entire operation. Make it permanent in a place traditionally associated with permanence and stability. We must become one with the firmament – evolve into an edifice that will ensure our mission will endure long after we’re gone. We must create something eternal, in a place that’s old and unchanging. Switzerland has stood the test of time. Their ways are established. Ordered. Permanent.
The United States is controlled by a class of uber-wealthy oligarchs that seek to enslave its population into modern-day Serfdom. They want to create a new Middle Ages. There will be no more middle class – only a permanent lower class of servile day workers, paid in digital currencies that can be cancelled by a computer keystroke. They will control all the means of production and decide who gets allowed to live from day to day.
Surveillance will be comprehensive – data mining programs like Palantir will consolidate and coordinate all people’s income data, medical records, facial recognition and daily travel. The future of the United States of America is dystopian. The President is compromised – owned by the same foreign country that owns Congress. Civil War will break out. Violence will be endemic. America is a gun culture; they will use them. Innocent people will suffer. Many will die.
This is what I believe is coming. We’ve got to plan accordingly.
The United States has run its race. The American Dream is dead. I can’t stay and watch it disintegrate any further – it’s breaking my heart.
I’m ready to roll the dice.”
Peter Xiang-Li turns his head from his ever-present laptop long enough to stare out over the New York skyline and offer his assessment of their situation. Surprisingly, it’s not anything remotely resembling a legal opinion or business conclusion.
“We’re all just Straw Dogs.”
Dirk Fremd stares at him. His words, as usual, are succinct.
“What’s that supposed to mean – we’re all just Straw Dogs?”
Peter addresses everybody like a law Professor at Columbia University on the other side of the Hudson River.
“Straw Dogs is an ancient Chinese phrase that originates from Chinese ceremonial objects that are revered during rituals but discarded without emotion once they are no longer needed. It refers to something that is treated with great respect until its usefulness ends – after which it is ruthlessly cast aside.
It is Chapter 5 of the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, wherein he declares: “Heaven and Earth are not benevolent, they treat all things as Straw Dogs”.
This philosophy emphasizes the impartial, unfeeling nature of the universe. Just as a Straw Dog is treated briefly as a sacred object, only to be cast aside when the ritual concludes, the universe gives rise to all things and allows them to naturally perish without emotional favoritism or attachment”.
Everyone in the room goes quiet – then excuses themselves to make their preparations. There’s much to do.
Hyne can’t wait to leave this place.
Knowing Arkan and Lee have gone makes him miserable. He even misses Ursus, his superdog. Hyne resolves to rejoin them – when she opens a portal for him. That’s something only she can do. He asked for a month. Will she do it? His gut tells him that their parting wasn’t as devastating for her as it was for him. She was all business. She made him and offer – and he refused it. Ever since she’d birthed Arkan, her priorities had changed. The changes were subtle, but noticeable. He had performed his function – he knocked her up. He was yesterday’s news.
Hyne resists the temptation, but Errol Flynn’s famous quote in his autobiography, “Wicked, Wicked Ways”, haunts him:
“He who fits the bill is he who pays the bill”.
Hyne gets an uncomfortable epiphany – is he just a “Straw Dog”?
It’s sure starting to look like it.
*NO PART OF THIS WORK PRODUCT IS AI GENERATED”
Copyright, 2026 – Jon & Jedediah Croft
www.bogironfoundry.com
Email: vlchek1@gmail.com
