by Mark Church
Tim smiles, “You’re already off to a great start.”
✽✽✽
The meeting goes as well as can be expected. The crowd is largely quiet as Jake and Hannah lay out their case. When they finish, many questions and concerns are posed, and some good ideas voiced.
The raw but thoughtful exchange confirmed for Jake what he already knew, these people are self-reliant, tough folks that in any other circumstance are more than capable of taking care of themselves. But they are also smart enough to know when they are overmatched on their own, and that combining forces to face down a common enemy will be in everyone’s best interest.
After everyone has had their say, there is a growing consensus to unite into one fighting unit and fortify the valley in preparation for the anticipated government offensive.
A chorus of affirmative sentiments begins emanating from the crowd. Tim uses this momentum to nominate Jake to serve as the militia leader and John to serve as the militia commander.
Jake speaks up, “I think these folks deserve to hear a bit about my background and beliefs, as well as John’s, before we ask them to put their confidence in us.” This impresses the crowd and fosters further confidence in their opinion of him.
Jake starts by describing his life on the farm. When he talks about Kay, his deceased wife, he gets a little emotional. He glances over at Cole and Amy, both of whom offer looks of reassurance.
Jake goes on to talk about his time in the RZ and how he escaped with Amy and Kayla before reuniting with his son and settling at the Refuge. He closes by sharing his belief in the importance of independence as well as unity and cooperation. He explains that while the concepts may seem to run counter to one another, they can, in fact, be complimentary.
When Jake finishes, a smattering of encouraging comments are shouted at him.
Jake keeps the momentum going by inviting his close friend to the front of the room. John rises from his chair and faces the crowd.
In typical military fashion, John addresses the crowd in a firm and no-sense manner. He describes firsthand knowledge of the threat they face and how and why his prior military experience can help them defeat their adversaries.
John then goes on to share his contempt for the government as well as his love and respect for his Refuge family, and others like them. His passionate rebuke of the elites and his passion for freedom loving people wins the crowd over.
Hoots and hollers fill the air.
Tim gestures for the crowd to quiet. After they settle down, he speaks passionately, “If not for these people, who are willing to organize and prepare us, we have little chance of survival. So – now that you’ve heard from them both, what say you?”
More hoots and hollers fill the air. Not one person challenges the nomination. The ensuing vote by show of hands confirms both nominees.
Jake retakes control of the meeting to accept the nomination and to declare his first order of business as the militia leader. He orders an assembly of all militiamen and women tomorrow morning at the old Fort Davidson civil war battlefield on the north side of town at 8:00 am. He also requests that each community contribute what they can to the common defense initiative. Medical supplies, weapons and ammo, and other critical items need to be gathered and inventoried. Knowing what they have to work with will help with the battle planning and execution.
“I was a bookkeeper in my previous life,” yells an older woman from the audience. “I’d be willing to record and track our supplies.”
“And I have experience with explosives,” shouts a man from the back. “I’d love to blow those son-of-a bitches straight to hell!”
Jake chuckles and says, “I’m sure that many of you have skills that will be helpful in this fight and we need to know about them. Tim, would you assign someone from your group to document volunteers on their way out?”
“Sure,” Tim agrees, before motioning toward some of his people near the exit door by waving an imaginary pen in the air.
Jake picks up on the cue and says to the crowd, “If you have a skill that you think would be helpful, please see the folks by the door to record your name, community, and specific skill.”
“John, do you have anything else before we close the meeting?’
John steps forward and adds, “All militia volunteers need to report at zero eight hundred hours, and until we get better organized, bring your own lunch and water, we’ll be training until dark.”
Jake looks to Hannah and Tim to see if they have anything else to add. Both remain quiet.
“I’ll end with this,” Jake speaks with solemn resolve. “Right is might, and while we may not have the numbers, our cause is righteous, and our resolve determined. We will fight for our God, for country, and for all of humanity.”
The crowd erupts in cheers. After a few minutes of raucous excitement, they begin filing towards the doors. On their way out, many of them pause to share their name and skills with the designated recorders located near the front door.
After the room clears, Tim comments, “They were almost giddy by the end.”
John says dryly, “That’s because they don’t have first-hand knowledge of what they just signed up for.”
“That’s what worries me,” Jake voices his concern. “Can we expect these people to hold it together when the going gets tough?”
“No way to tell. You never know how someone will react in battle. I’ve seen tough guys crumble like paper tigers, and I’ve seen unlikely heroes commit amazing acts of bravery. I guess we’ll know in a couple of months.” John continues in his straightforward way, “I’ll have a better sense after a few weeks of training, I’ll push ‘em hard to see who breaks. That’ll tell us a lot about our approach, and our chances.”
“Anyone up for a beer?” Tim invites the team from the Refuge to stay for refreshment.
“I thought you’d never ask!” Jake is prepared to take a break from the heavy topics they’ve been hashing over.
“How many glasses?”
Everyone raises their hands, including Kayla and Cole. Jake and Amy look at the two youngsters outstretched hands and then at each other before shrugging their shoulder, both coming to the same realization that their kids, although teenagers, have matured well beyond their years.
While Tim is retrieving the beer, Amy extends an invitation to both Hannah and Eli, “How would you like to stay with us at the Refuge until we can get you setup at the communication outpost?”
“I would like that,” replies Hannah, “but I don’t want to speak for Eli.”
“Count us in too,” chimes in Eli. “It’s not like we have lots of options, and I’m sure Grace would love to have Luke and Emily as playmates.”
“Then it’s settled,” Amy is satisfied. “We’ll figure out the logistics later.”
Tim returns with the beers with help from one of his clan.
Jake offers a toast, “To God, to victory and to independence!”
The group parrots Jake’s toast in unison before clinking their glasses and taking a long pull of chilled beer.
Jake and Amy watch Cole and Kayla struggle to keep straight faces as the bitter liquid washes over their taste buds. It’s a light moment – a moment they wish was taking place in a simpler place and a simpler time.
Sadly, for this group, a return to those simpler times will be a long time coming, if at all.
20 preparations and training begins
The Refuge’s kitchen doubles as a war room. Drawings, notes, and local area maps litter the table. Jake and John pay close attention to terrain, and strategic bridges and builds, while formulating their strategy. The rest of the clan is catching up on chores left neglected due to the New Town trip, providing the quiet needed for this kind of precise planning.
Jake and John propose to take advantage of their home field. They know the area and their adversary doesn’t, and if they train their militia on the battlefield in which they intend to fight, it may help even the odds.
Their plan
includes luring the over-confident SF army into the narrow valley feeding into Arcadia. If they can achieve that, their militia will have the high ground on two sides. They will also be able to use one of the mountaintop peaks, known as Pilot Knob, to serve as an observation point from which to conduct the battle. It is devoid of trees and other obstructions that would inhibit the view of the valley below.
They discuss many options but ultimately decide that the best way to get their adversary into the valley is for small squads of militia fighters to initiate hit-and-run skirmishes, much like the Minutemen of the American Revolution, miles before the encroaching army reaches Arcadia.
It’s important that these small resistance groups convince the SF army that the enemy they’re facing consists of disorganized, independent fighters with no real central command. This deception will be the basis for their success.
In theory, the retreating and seemingly weak resistance fighters, would prompt an over-zealous SF army to recklessly pursue them into the valley. This response is critical to the plan’s effectiveness.
It’s also noted that these small groups of marauders will be at risk of being overrun, therefore they must take every precaution to stick to the hit and run strategy. Those chosen for this risky assignment will need to understand the importance, and the danger, of the mission. If they are captured, they will surely be put to death. But only after they are tortured and forced to give up vital information, which would to be disastrous to the overall strategy.
The Achilles’s heal of the strategy is disclosure. If their adversaries sniff out the plan before entering the valley, all will be lost.
“We’ll observe our recruits during training to determine who’ll make the best guerilla fighters,” declares John. “Then we’ll ask them to volunteer.”
“How many fighters do you think we will need, and how many guerilla groups?” Jake is trying to figure out how many team leaders they will need to identify to make this tactic successful.
“I figure we need three groups of five or six harassing the advancing soldiers. We should make first contact near the town of Potosi and then draw them down Highway 21. We should also have a group positioned on Highway 221 in case the SF army splits once they reach the town limits.”
“Makes sense given there’s a secondary road leading into the valley,” agrees Jake.
“The ultimate goal is to draw them into the open fields of Fort Davidson and catch them in a crossfire,” continues John.
John chose the large, relatively flat area so they’d have room to drill and conduct war games though his secondary reasoning was to fight the primary battle on familiar terrain.
“What if the SF Army doesn’t cooperate?”
John turns and looks at Jake morosely and answers, “Then we’re going to have a long day.”
Amy walks into the kitchen, “How’s it coming?”
“We’re making some headway. Thank goodness for John’s military background, I wouldn’t know where to start.”
“Knowing their tactics is helpful.” John tries to be reassuring, “but more importantly, I know the commander who’ll likely be leading the assault. He’s an arrogant SOB which is why I think our plan has a chance to work.”
“How good of a chance?” Amy presses John for an answer.
“Hard to say. It depends how many soldiers they throw at us, the extent of their armament, and how well our people perform. The good news is that virtually all of their tanks, artillery and aircraft were disabled or destroyed during the war. They have a few operational pieces here and there, but how much they will commit to attacking us versus using it to bolster defenses in DC or other government facilities, is anyone’s guess.”
“It was chilling to hear Hannah describe the government’s intentions. It’s barbaric.” Amy has been trying hard not to dwell on the challenges they will be facing, but it’s been a losing battle.
“Yes, it is, and that is why we are going to communicate Hannah’s message to ‘free’ communities everywhere. If we all fight at once, it’ll improve all of our chances.” Jake puts an arm around Amy’s waist as she leans over the table to better view the maps.
Kate enters the kitchen, “May I help?”
“Sure!” John motions to her to look over the material on the table. “We are putting the finishing touches on our plan and another set of military eyes on it would be helpful.”
Kate pulls up a chair as John begins describing the strategy. Both Jake and Amy listen carefully. During the briefing, Kate offers a few good observations and suggestions.
When John finishes, Kate sums up her feelings. “I’m more optimistic than I was thirty minutes ago.”
“That’s a start.” Jake takes heart from the positive energy around the table.
✽✽✽
Morning comes quickly. Its first light illuminates the bedroom windows. Jake rolls over and spoons Amy. She exhales deeply and pushes back against him. She feels his hardness pressing against her behind.
Jake whispers, “He was up before I was.”
A smile plays across Amy’s face as she wiggles her bottom. When she has sufficiently teased him, she rolls over and smiles into his face.
“How about I help you with that?”
“If you insist.”
“I insist.”
The physical love they share is both tender and intense. In the early moments, an erotic chess match comes to mind. As the passion builds, two hormone driven high school kids rolling around in the backseat of a car is a more apt description. Giggles give way to moans. Satisfaction leaves them both limp and exhilarated.
After a brief cuddle, Jake rolls off the side of the bed.
“Sure you don’t want to stick around for round two?” Amy teases him.
“I’d like nothing better, but I have a lot to do before we leave for town.”
Jake puts on his pants and shirt before walking around to Amy’s side of the bed. He leans down and kisses her on the lips.
“I love you.”
“Back at you, handsome.”
✽✽✽
John and Cole are already having breakfast when Jake enters the kitchen.
“Where’s Kate?” Jake pours himself a cup of tea.
“She’ll be right down”, replies John. “Where did Eli and Grace sleep last night?”
“They stayed in my room”, offers Cole.
“What about Hannah?” John continues his inquisition.
“Kayla offered to share her room”, replies Jake, “so Hannah bunked with her.”
Jake begins to squirm a bit as the sleeping arrangements for the newcomers makes clear where Amy is now regularly sleeping.
“Ooohhhhh,” replies John feigning surprise.
Jake looks at Cole who smiles and teases, “We’ve all been wondering how long it would be before that happened.”
Jake’s embarrassment is replaced by jovial sarcasm. He says, “I’m glad my personal life is of such interest to everyone.”
“Hey,” John quips, “the man code dictates that we bust your chops, right?”
“I guess.” Jake huffs with faux indignation, “but my son, too?”
Their laughter fills the room as Mike and Kaye enter simultaneously. “What did we miss?”
“Nothing,” exclaims Jake, wanting to put the topic to bed.
“It must have been something,” says Kate as Cole and John continue their laughter.
Changing the subject, Jake asks, “Aren’t we in a hurry?”
“Yeah, I guess we are – lover boy,” Kate says kiddingly. Her comment prompts more laughter from the guys.
Jake rolls his eyes dramatically before standing up from the table. “Okay, I’ll own it but remember, payback is a bitch.” The laughter only intensifies which gets Jake laughing, too.
Each of them savors the moment, sure in the knowledge that there will be fewer and fewer opportunities like this in the months to come.
✽✽✽
Amy and Kayla are preparing to esc
ort Hannah and Eli up to the Communication outpost. The decision was made to leave Grace with Gena and the other two children. Fortunately, they don’t need to pack much since the facility is fully equipped with food, water, and medical supplies.
“Are you clear on the message that we want to broadcast?” Jake asks Hannah. “All we want to communicate at this point is information related to the government’s planned offensive. We don’t what to say anything about our preparations or our exact location. Keep it generic and only mention that we are somewhere in the US heartland. That should be general enough to prevent anyone from determining our exact location should government spies be listening in.”
“I’ll stick to the frequencies used by the resistance.” Hannah has her strategy well planned out. “The government is not likely to monitor’s those.”
“When you speak with people,” continues Jake, “instruct them to avoid details related to their location, size, and capabilities. Simply encourage them to take our lead and prepare to defend themselves, and if possible, consolidate forces with nearby communities.”
“Understood,” replies Hannah. “We’ll be very generic and take every precaution.”
“What about that big cat roaming the woods?” Cole reminds Kayla, “he’s still out there.”
“We’re taking the dogs and we’ll be armed,” Kayla reassures him, “and this time, we’ll be ready.”
“Okay but be extra careful.” Cole reaches out to grab Kayla’s hand and squeeze it gently. “I wish I could go with you.”
Amy can almost see Kayla’s heart melting as she smiles sweetly at Cole.
“That’s very chivalrous.” Amy takes a no-nonsense tone, “but we can take care of ourselves. If we can’t fight off one rogue cat, we have bigger problems. Besides, we have Eli with us and I understand that he’s a pretty good shot.”
Eli smiles broadly and pats the pistol on his hip, “If he shows himself, he’s worm food.”
His confidence reassures Cole who nods towards Eli before turning back to Kayla and giving her a peck on the lips. “Be careful, okay?”