Jeremiah paced before them like a drill sergeant. "I possess fifteen years experience dealing with crises like these, so I know better than you what to do and how to do it. You will supply me with information only when ordered. If I want an opinion, I will ask for it. If you offer an opinion without my asking for it, or speak out of turn, you will follow that man who just left the room. If you have any reservations about giving me your complete obedience and loyalty, raise your hand now."
No one did so. Twenty-one people, seventeen men and four women, stood before him wearing expressions of fatigue and fear.
"From this moment on," Jeremiah continued, "You are completely cut off from the rest of the world. I realize many of you have families about whom you are worried. Until further notic
