Resistance Rising

by Matthew Savage

  “I am afraid it doesn’t matter what you want. You aren’t joining the Insurgence,” Sarah said. She was pleased to finally tell this man that he won’t be apart of it. “I recommend you stay out of this conflict. You will not be forgiven if you decide to turn against us.”

  “Lovely Sarah, I understand a threat when it is directed at me. However, you are too late. I was never going to join. You all aren’t going to win.”

  Mr. Reese snapped his fingers. Sarah turned around to see people coming into the restaurant. Agent Young who was standing by the door went to turn around. One of the men who had entered grabbed him. Sarah saw the knife first. She screamed. The man holding Agent Young slit his throat. Blood squirted from the wound. Sarah even from across the room could hear Agent Young chocking on the blood from his throat. He grabbed at his neck and fell to his knees. He collapsed on the ground shaking and clawing is neck before he slowly stopped moving.

  Chapter 22

  Fighting Back

  The SUV was tight with people. Before they had left Nolan explained that they wouldn’t be able to take anything with them. Mark and his family were reluctant to leave their home. As they drove Nolan explained what happened at Lee’s farm. Mark sat with his head in his hands as he was told about the battle. He only picked up his head when he was told about the people who came to their rescue.

  “You mean to tell me that people came to help,” Mark said. It was clear from his puffy eyes that he had cried when he heard about the battle.

  “Lee and Terri went to spread the word and there must have been another forty or so people who came back to the farm,” Ian informed.

  Mark smiled. He grabbed his wife’s hand.

  “Was anyone… Killed?” The last word seemed to cause Mark pain as he said it.

  “No, someone was shot though. I think she will pull through though.”

  “Thank god,” Mark said.

  Mark had to give Nolan directions to the farm where the weapons were being stored. Nolan told Ian to call Lee and tell him what happened and that they would be arriving in a USSB van. The last thing Nolan wanted was for them to arrive and get ambushed. It wasn’t long before Nolan could see the Silos that Lee talked about.

  The car came to a stop at the Silo. Mark told them where the weapons were being held. They got out of the car and opened the silo. Lee was striding towards them. He had a fire in his eyes. Nolan knew he felt the same anger that Anthony had felt. Nolan quickly placed himself between Lee and Mark.

  “It wasn’t his fault,” Nolan said.

  “Bull shit!” Lee yelled.

  He tried to get past but Nolan wouldn’t let him. Anthony quickly came to Nolan’s help. This seemed to stop Lee.

  “He sold us out! What is to stop him from selling us out now?” Lee asked.

  “His son was being beaten in front of him. What would you have done?” Nolan asked.

  “I would do anything to stop it,” Danny said. He wheeled himself towards the group. “I understand. Torture can be effective. Trust me.” Danny touched his legs. “Everyone is fine. Shelly was hit but it wasn’t bad. She is going to be just fine.”

  “We don’t have time to fight about what happened,” Nolan said.

  “Ever since you showed up you have been nothing but trouble,” Lee said.

  “I am about to help you all save that town,” Nolan said his voice rising. “Something that you haven’t been able to do. I led everyone during the attack on the farm. I am the reason everyone is safe now.”

  “Most of that is your fault!” Lee said.

  “Lee,” Danny yelled. “This is what happens in war. People get shot, people get killed. It is part of the deal. You can’t blame anyone. If anyone is to blame than it is us. Without us starting this no one would ever have been put in danger. For all, we know we could have ended up in that factory just like Lucas Valley.”

  Lee was silent. Nolan nodded at Danny for helping to calm Lee down. Nolan spoke softly.

  “We need to save that town. That is what needs to happen now.”

  “You’re right,” Lee said. His voice seemed off.

  Lee stormed off towards the silo. Nolan grabbed the phone from Ian and told him to gather everyone. Nolan had to first call command and let them know what he was going to do. He hoped they would agree. Nolan knew, either way, they were taking down the factory. The group headed towards the silo. Nolan walked away and pulled out the cell phone. He dialed the secure number. It rang for a few moments before someone answered.

  “Red Squadron leader calling in. Request to talk to superior,” Nolan said.

  He gave them the identification number it rang before someone answered. Though Nolan knew it was Director Moore, he couldn’t say that over the phone.

  “I have an update,” Nolan started.

  “Go ahead,” the disguised voice of Director Moore said.

  Nolan continued. “We have had another brief engagement with the Security Bureau. I have found the location of the missing town. I have banded together with local reinforcements to destroy the factory and free the town’s people.”

  “You are setting up an attack? That is overstepping your bounds a bit, Corporal,” Director Moore said.

  “I understand that. However, if we free these captured people most of the town have agreed to fight with us. This will be the first area in full uprising.” Nolan said. He hoped this was enough to make sure that they didn’t try and shut down his mission. “I am going to need to pick up for the enslaved townspeople. Do we have transportation in the area?”

  “I don’t think I can get you reinforcements. Unfortunately, you might be on your own. I will talk to the other members. I will do everything I can to make sure you get the support you need. We will make sure the refugees have a safe ride and somewhere to go.”

  “Thank you. Red Leader out,” Nolan said.

  He hung up the phone. It surprised him to hear people of the United States be referred to as refugees. The conversation hadn’t gone as he had hoped but the D.I didn’t say he couldn’t attack. He knew however, if they attacked, it would have to be executed quickly. That battle couldn’t take long for fear of USSB troops coming to stop them.

  Nolan walked back into the silo. People were loading rifle magazines, distributing weapons, and putting on stolen body armor. The room seemed to fall silent when Nolan walked in. He looked around at everyone, their eyes were fixed upon him.

  “I understand many of you are joining us for the first time. I imagine most of you are untrained,” Nolan started his voice loud so he could be heard by everyone. “What we are going to do today is dangerous. The Quad Cities won’t be the same after today. We are the first to stand up to the government. The country will be watching. They will hear what happened here. Today we stand together to tell the government that we will not be a tool to be used against others!” People started to clap and to cheer. “We will not support the enslavement of people for political gain! We will not stand with a government who doesn’t stand with its people!” The room cheered. The people raised guns over their heads, clapped, and hollered. “I need everyone to understand one thing though.” The room fell silent once again. “This is a battle we are going into. The factory is heavily armed. This troops are well trained, they aren’t an enemy that gives up easily. People are going to die.” The room was so quiet that a pin drop would be heard. It was as if the air didn’t move. “If anyone does not wish to put themselves in this danger then you can leave. We won’t taunt you or speak ill of you. I’ll understand, but this is your last chance. When you go on the battlefield they will try and kill you. You are an enemy and if you surrender you will be treated as one.”

  Nolan waited. He looked at every person in the face. He needed them to know how serious this was. He meant what he said. Nolan wouldn’t judge anyone who left. No one moved and Nolan nodded his head.

  “Alright,” Nolan said. “Gather as much ammo as you can. I will be around and give instructions.”

  The room came a
live. The energy was strong. People were getting pumped up for the battle. Nolan walked around forming squads and getting everyone organized. The battle gear they had was all taken from their raids on USSB convoys. It was mismatched gear and weapons.

  “I hope these people can handle these weapons,” Nolan said to Lee.

  Lee laughed. “Are you kidding me? We are hillbilly’s. We know how to shoot. That is probably the one thing everyone had in common. Majority of us hunt. A lot of us are very good at it.” He pointed at himself with a smirk. “You are looking at one.”

  “I know,” Nolan said.

  He put his hand on Lee’s back. Lee seemed to be coming around. Nolan knew his outburst was post-battle adrenaline. He didn’t take it too seriously.

  Terri and the rest of Red Squadron found Nolan. They had their gear ready. Red Squadron was dressed in the uniforms they arrived in. Anthony had grabbed one the USSB agents rifles and Nolan could see that he had grabbed as many magazines as he could fit. Anthony was ready for combat. Ian had his rifle ready and had the look on his face of someone who had seen combat and was ready to get back into it. It was a sort of blank stare. Terri seemed nervous. Some of her mismatched gear seemed to not fit her properly. It was obvious most of the USSB agents are not built like Terri.

  “What is the plan?” Terri asked.

  “I was thinking we use the USSB SUV as a distraction,” Nolan started,

  “How so?” Ian asked.

  “You have explosives right?” Nolan asked Lee.

  “Of course we do,” Lee answered a bit confused.

  “We rig the SUV to blow. That will give us an opening. We will need some of the explosives to disable the factory but if we can cause enough confusion. Then it should give us the element of surprise to catch them off guard.”

  “That should work,” Danny said.

  Nolan hadn’t noticed Danny come up behind him. Nolan had never organized a battle before. He tried to cover all the possibilities of things going wrong, at least that he could think of. He wished his squad was here. All he needed was to have Sarah with him and having Captain Underwood’s leadership would make things so much easier. Nolan shook his head to focus. Wishing his squad was with him didn’t help the situation.

  “After we get in. We can use the stolen trucks to take the refugees out. We probably should bring them here until we find out what we are doing for them.”

  “How do the rest of us escape?” Terri asked.

  “Anthony I will need you to steal some of their vehicles.”

  “Not a problem,” Anthony said in a cocky voice.

  Nolan let everyone know their roles. Before long the room was organized and the group was ready to move out. Nolan found Danny before they left. He was on the side of the silo watching as everyone moved about.

  “I can’t thank you enough for what you have done here,” Danny said.

  “Don’t thank me yet. We still have to go into battle,” Nolan said.

  “You united the towns. We were forty people before now. There is almost two hundred of us. Maybe even more. Honestly, I lost count. The word is being spread.”

  Mark and Cain walked up to them, they were both dressed in battle gear. The bruises on Cain’s face seemed to cause him pain. Mark seemed ashamed as he walked up to them.

  “We are going to do our parts in this battle,” Mark said. “We owe it you after what we did and you still saving us.”

  “I would be honored if you fought beside us,” Nolan said.

  He held out his hand. Mark took it. The two of them looked at each other. Nolan hoped this was enough to tell Mark that he was forgiven. Mark and Cain joined the ranks of the other people loading onto trucks.

  “You are a good leader,” Danny said. “Your father would be proud.”

  Nolan knew he meant it as a compliment but Nolan’s father never even trusted him enough to tell him about the D.I. He wasn’t sure how his father would feel about him fighting now. Nolan nodded his head at Danny. He got into the USSB SUV. The back seats were filled with a box of grenades. Nolan knew it was unlikely to go off but it made him uncomfortable none the less. Terri got in the front seat of the SUV. Ian, Anthony, and Lee were in the truck behind them.

  The convoy of vehicles and trucks left the farm and headed towards Lucas Valley. They took the back roads. It was the same way Mark had taken them before. The trip took around twenty minutes. During which Nolan was worried that they would cross paths with another USSB vehicle. Luckily the country roads were near abandoned. Terri instructed when Nolan should break off from the rest of the group. The SUV came to a stop Nolan gave a wave out of his window. Ian waved back as the convoy drove to get into position. A pit seemed to form in his stomach. Nolan and Terri would be alone. They needed to hold their own until the rest of the group arrived. Terri reached out and grabbed Nolan’s hand.

  “Whatever happens,” she started. “I am glad we got to meet each other.”

  Nolan couldn’t help but smile. “I am too.”

  He looked away from the road for a moment to kiss her. He hoped the kiss would be good luck. Nolan could see the factory coming into view. He unlocked the doors of the SUV. Terri prepared a grenade that would set the rest of the car off. Nolan looked at the dashboard and saw the SUV had a full tank of gas. Nolan set the cruise control on the SUV. They could see guards coming out to look at their vehicle coming towards them. Nolan put his hand on the door. Terri did the same. Nolan hit the cruise control button. He and Terri both jumped from the car as it sped towards the gate. The guards were firing at the SUV to try and stop it. The SUV hit the gate. Then a large fireball erupted.

  Major Fulton had just walked into his office. He was tired from the raid the night before but he had a certain energy about him. He knew that soon he would hear how the raid went. He sent Captain Swanson to raid the farm. He was capable enough of doing that. Major Fulton gave orders to capture the rebels there and bring them back. Mostly unharmed if possible. These were simple orders and they had the element of surprise. When Nolan and his friends were captured, that would be the time to kill the state trooper and his family. Taking down these small cells were easy. He wanted to get back to trying to find the Insurgent base. He knew what kind of poison they could spread. They would give other areas the hope that they could rise up. The headquarters of the USSB in the Quad Cities were nearly empty, due to it being early in the morning.

  The secretary gave Major Fulton a note as he walked into his office. The note was from Governor Higgins. She wished to have a video conference with him. He checked his watch. It was early enough in the morning where the governor would be awake. He strolled towards the conference room. He set up the video monitor and made the call.

  Governor Higgins was in her dress clothes. She must have been waiting for him to come in. She didn’t smile when she saw him. She looked displeased. ‘What did this grumpy bitch have to complain about now?’ He thought.

  “Governor,” Major Fulton said in a voice meant to show he was excited about this conversation. “I am surprised you are up so early.”

  “I am up early, Major, because I heard there was a battle several days ago. Why did you feel the need to keep this from me?”

  “Battle, is strong word Governor. Several agents were attacked yes. We have a State Trooper in custody. He has given us information about the leader of the cell. We have agents doing the raid,” He checked his watch. “As we speak now. In fact, they should be done by now. I will have word any minute about how many prisoners.”

  “Add them to the workers at the factory, Major. I want that factory outperforming. Make sure your officers are motivating them to work hard.”

  “They are motived I assure you,” He said.

  Governor Higgins didn’t seem convinced. She crossed her arms. Major Fulton wasn’t going too get pushed around. She might outrank him but that didn’t mean she could order him around. He wasn’t there to be the manager of a factory. He was there to put down the rebel cell causing problems. Majo
r Fulton knew using slave labor wasn’t effective. If it got out the news would hurt them more than help. Prisoners were one thing but this was different. Major Fulton knew why Higgins liked slaves. She like their ‘company’. It was something that was well known in higher circles mostly because visitors were allowed to pick from her collection.

  “You had better hope this cell gets shut down soon or else President Marshal will hear about it,” Governor Higgins threatened.

  “The last thing President Marshal would want is one of his top agents’ micromanaging a factory.”

  This put the Governor in her place. Sergeant Marx walked into the room. He seemed nervous. Was this due to the Governor being on the screen?

  “Excuse me, Major,” Sergeant Marx started. “I… I have some news about the raid,”

  Something was off. Whatever it was Major Fulton wasn’t going to let her be here to hear it.

  “I will report back after I am given the information, Governor,” Major Fulton said.

  Before she could answer he disconnected the call. Major Fulton rounded on the Sergeant. He seemed scared. His face was pale as he started.

  “I am afraid we lost contact with the raid team. We sent a drone to investigate. The team was killed. Several cars were destroyed.” The Sergeant put his head down.

  Fulton paced the room. His eyes were red with anger. He was going to make that State Trooper pay.

  “Take me to the trooper’s house. I am going to kill the boy in front of him. He will pay for this loss. Sergeant, it seems you are getting a promotion now.”

  This shocked Sergeant Marx. “I feel I must tell you also that the trooper’s family escaped.”

  “What?” Major Fulton thundered. “How did that happened?”

  “Not sure yet but the agents watching the house were all killed. There is one other thing too,” He was afraid. “This is really bad sir,”

  “What is it?” The Major started grinding his teeth together.

  “The rebel cell is attacking the factory. We are waiting for your orders.”