by Mark Goodwin
“The legendary Glock 18.” Sarah handed a pistol to Noah.
Noah took the pistol. “Looks just like Cassie’s. So what?”
“Look a little closer,” Sarah said.
Noah noticed a switch at the back of the left-hand side of the slide. “What’s this do?”
David grinned. “Sarah is close. They’re not actually Glock 18s, but they’re clones made from Glock 19s. The switch makes it full auto. I have one for both of you. I’ve also got ten 33 round magazines in the bag. Noah, keep yours under your leg with the 17 round mag in it while you’re driving. Keep a couple 33 round mags tucked in behind your back and the rest under the seat. Sarah, keep yours tucked in the back of your jeans. Take my farm truck, and put the rifles under the back seat. If you have to engage at close range, the Glocks will do the trick.”
Sarah asked, “No suppressors for these?”
David lowered his eyebrows. “What do you think I am, a right-wing extremist?”
Sarah tucked the pistol in the back of her jeans and said very matter-of-factly, “Yeah.”
Noah shook his head as he examined the select fire switch on the pistol. “We better get going.”
David grabbed his other crutch and followed them to the door. “The pistol is going to pull up when it’s fired on full auto. Aim a little low and try to keep it to five- or six-round bursts. Readjust your aim between shots. You two be safe.”
Noah nodded and held the door for Sarah. “Pray for us.”
“We will.” David smiled.
Noah put his license plates on David’s truck. The old Ford hadn’t been on the road in a while, but David had maintained it very well for farm work. Sarah positioned the rifles under the back seat in such a way that they could be retrieved quickly if need be. It was decided that in the event of a chase, she’d jump in the back seat, get a rifle, and shoot through the sliding glass of the back window. Soon, they were on the road and headed toward the cabin. They were quiet for the first five miles.
Sarah eventually broke the silence. “So who shot down the Blackhawk?”
“Is that what it was?”
“Yeah. Did you shoot it down?”
Noah paused. “I pulled the trigger, but it wasn’t exactly me.”
“What do you mean?”
Noah considered his response. “My personal pet peeve is false humility, so I hope you don’t think that’s what this is, but it was God that took out that chopper. I can’t really explain what was happening when I was shooting, but God took control of my hands and that rifle. I know it sounds hokey, but that’s what happened.”
Sarah nodded but said nothing.
“You don’t really believe me do you?”
“I’ve been in enough fire fights. I know it can be a tough thing to process. I understand how you felt.”
Noah wasn’t going to argue, but he didn’t think she understood.
Sarah said, “I’m not an atheist. Kevin and I talk about God sometimes. I know how your group feels, and I respect that. For me, I’m just not sure God is really all that involved in things down here.”
Noah replied, “Well, he left heaven to come down here and die for our sins. That sounds pretty involved to me.”
“That’s great that you’ve found your path, but I’ve seen the worst this world has to offer, and I have trouble reconciling all of that with an involved God.”
Noah could feel the resistance in her voice. He decided he wouldn’t push much further. “Okay, but make sure you’re not judging God because of how people act. That’d be like judging cats because you don’t like snakes.”
Sarah snickered as she looked out the window. “How’d you know I love cats and hate snakes?”
Noah shrugged. “Just two arbitrary creatures that I picked for the example.”
“Huh.” Sarah turned and continued to look out the window.
They continued on the forty-mile drive to the cabin without incident. Shortly thereafter, Noah turned onto Abrams Creek Road. “I’m going to drive past the cabin and park down by the creek.”
“Won’t that be more conspicuous than just parking in the drive?”
Noah shook his head. “No. There’s a parking area that people use to fish or hike in the park. We’ll track over the hill, which backs up to the cabin’s property.”
“That sounds solid.”
Noah parked the truck by the creek, and the two of them hiked up the hill toward the cabin.
Sarah put her coat on and tucked several of the 33 round Glock magazines in her inside pockets. “I should have brought a hat. The wind is chilly.”
“Yeah, it whips through here when there are no leaves on the trees to slow it down. I should have told you we’d be doing a little walking. But we won’t be out here long. The cabin is probably only a thousand feet over that hill.”
“I’ll make it.” Sarah followed Noah as he led the way.
When they hit the tree line to ascend the hill, Sarah picked up a small, sturdy limb from the ground to use as a walking stick.
Noah paused to wait for her. “Sorry, I didn’t think to bring a walking stick for you.”
“No worries. Your brain and your ankle are connected in a way that you don’t realize. That connection between the two makes allowances on uneven terrain to keep you balanced. Obviously, that doesn’t happen with a prosthetic. The stick will make up for that loss. But thanks for your concern.” She broke the limb to the length she needed and continued following Noah.
As soon as they crested the hill, Noah whispered, “There’s the back of the cabin.”
The two of them stayed close as they cautiously walked down the hill.
A loud voice rang out from the forest. “Face down! On the ground! Now! Face down! Now!”
Noah looked at Sarah and started to draw his pistol.
Sarah raised her hands and slowly knelt to the ground as she shook her head to signal to Noah that they had no other choice but surrender.
Noah gritted his teeth and put his hands in the air as he slowly complied with the command. He couldn’t even see who was shouting, much less hope to overcome the person in a firefight. Noah lay in the fallen leaves on the forest floor and listened as the footsteps of his captor came closer and closer. He turned his head toward Sarah.
She whispered, “If you get a chance to get away, just go. Worry about me after you get back to the team. Once you get away, just keep moving. Don’t stop. If I get a chance to go, I’ll do everything I can to get the team and come find you.”
Noah hated being in this situation, but he took comfort in the fact that he was with a highly trained soldier.
The footsteps stopped right behind him. “Noah?” It was Cassie’s voice.
Confused thoughts raced through his mind. Does DHS have Cassie? Why are they parading her through the woods? Wait, could the loud voice have come from Cassie?
“Noah, it’s me. It’s Cassie. It’s okay.”
Noah rolled over slowly as his heart raced and his mind fought to overcome the confusion of what had just happened. He stood and hugged her. “You scared us to death!”
Sarah stood also and brushed the leaves off the front of her coat and pants. “Good job on that ambush. That’s exactly how I would have played it.”
Cassie let her rifle hang low and grinned from ear to ear. “Really?”
“Yeah, fantastic move.”
“Thanks. That means a lot coming from you.” Cassie beamed from the compliment.
Noah gave a deep sigh of relief. Both from the fact that he wasn’t going to a FEMA camp and because any ill will between the girls was now laid to rest.
Cassie looked at Noah then gave him another hug. “I’m so glad you’re alright. We were praying non-stop. How did it go?”
Noah gave a thin smile. “It was a success.”
“But?” Cassie looked concerned.
“Isaiah didn’t make it.” Noah pulled her close.
“No!” Cassie began to cry. “What about everyone else?”
“Da
vid was shot in the leg, but he’s up and moving around. He’s going to be fine.”
Cassie pushed Noah back, wiped her eyes, and looked him up and down. “Did you get shot? Are you alright?”
Noah gripped her hand. “I’m fine. No one else was injured.”
“What happened?”
“Let’s go to the cabin, and I’ll tell everyone at once.” Noah tugged her hand to follow him down the hill.
Cassie began to trail along but paused. “On second thought, maybe you should tell me what happened with Isaiah and let me break the news to Sharon. She won’t handle this well.”
Noah took a deep breath and considered Cassie’s advice. “Maybe you’re right.”
Noah gave Cassie the abbreviated version of the mission on the way down the ridge.
Cassie stopped at the picnic table just outside the cabin. “Sarah, you and Noah hang out here for a minute. Sharon is inside making some stew. Let me sit her down in the living room and give her the news. Wait about three or four minutes before you come in.”
Sarah and Noah sat down as Cassie walked up the stairs and went inside.
Seconds later, Noah heard deep wailing coming from inside. Shortly after that, Sharon came storming out the door and down the stairs.
She walked up to Sarah and pointed her finger in her face. In between her sobs, she screamed, “You did this! You couldn’t leave well enough alone, and now he’s dead! Because of you! You killed him! I hope you’re happy with yourself!”
Sarah sat silently with her mouth and eyes opened wide with surprise as Sharon stormed off into the woods alone.
Noah stood to go after her. “Sharon!”
Cassie called from the top of the stairs. “Noah, let her go. She’ll be okay. Come on in the house.”
Noah turned to Sarah. “I’m sorry about that. She didn’t mean it.”
Sarah stood to go in the house. “Yes she did. But that’s okay. I did what I had to do. So did Isaiah. And so did you. I’m sorry for her loss, but we did the right thing. No question about it.”
Noah followed her up the stairs. “You’re right; we did what had to be done. Isaiah knew the risks.”
Caroline Rodgers, Sandy Taylor, Becky Ray, Lacy, and Lynette met them inside the door.
Lacy grabbed Noah’s leg and hugged him tight. Noah put his hand on her head. He loved that little girl more than life itself. “Hi, baby.”
Lynette held Becky’s hand and offered a faint smile.
Becky’s face showed a mix of sorrow, relief, and concern. “Cassie said David was shot in the leg. Did the bullet hit an artery?”
Noah continued to hold Lacy. “No, it went straight through. Benny cleaned him up and stitched the wound. He was up walking around on crutches when we left. He’s going to be fine.”
Lynette looked convinced that her dad was okay for the most part. “Why didn’t he come with you?”
Noah tousled her hair. “He needs to rest for a while, but he’ll come out when he can. We had to sneak over the hill to be safe. It might be a few days before your dad is ready to hike the mountains again, but he will. He misses you, and he’d be here right now if he could.”
“Tell him I miss him and I hope he gets better soon.” Lynette continued to cling to her mother for security.
Noah winked. “I will; I promise.”
Sandy fixed two bowls of stew for Noah and Sarah and sat at the table with them. “So fill us in on the details. What’s going on? Have you heard from the detainees? Did they make it to the safe houses?”
“As far as we know, the ones that made it across the river all escaped safely. Some didn’t make it across though, and it didn’t look like the guards were interested in keeping them alive. It was pretty close.” Noah continued to fill the rest of them in on the raid and the dissension among the ranks at the Knoxville detention center after the assault. Next, he explained the purpose of the visit and what they needed from Cassie in the form of a broadcast that could be disseminated to other patriots.
Cassie nodded slowly. “How much time do I have to put it together?”
Sarah wiped her mouth with the paper towel that had been provided with her stew. “The sooner, the better. We need to get back before dark. Could you put something together in two hours? That would give us a chance to take a quick nap. We’ve been awake for over thirty hours.”
Cassie took Noah’s empty bowl and put it in the sink. “It’ll be a little rushed, but I could have something ready by then. It probably won’t be very long.”
Noah stood up from the table. “Quality trumps quantity on this one. If you can put out a really good ten-minute report on the operation and the insurrection, that’d be great. The stew was fantastic. I wish I could thank Sharon for it.”
Cassie gave him a hug. “I’ll let her know. Why don’t you go lay down in my room for a while? I can record the report on the laptop in the kitchen so I won’t disturb you.”
Noah kissed her on the head. “Thanks. I don’t think a jackhammer would keep me awake, so do your report where ever you want.”
Cassie turned to Sarah. “You can lay on the couch in the living room. I’ll bring you a pillow and a blanket.”
“I’ll keep the kids out of the living room so they won’t keep you awake,” Becky said.
Caroline helped clear the table. “Would you two like some strong coffee when you wake up?”
Noah smiled as he followed Cassie to the bedroom. “Yes, please.”
Sarah said, “That would be great. Thank you very much.”
Noah kicked his boots off next to the bed and lay down. “Make sure I’m awake in two hours.”
Cassie pulled the curtains together and covered Noah. “I’m so glad you’re safe. Sorry I scared you out there.”
Noah grinned. “You did a good job. I’m sorry I didn’t recognize your voice.”
Cassie laughed. “I was trying to disguise it, to make it sound deeper. I thought a bad guy might not believe that someone with my mousy little voice would shoot him.”
Noah turned over on his side and closed his eyes. “Quick thinking, but I love your cute little voice. Good night.”
“Good night.” Cassie kissed him on the cheek and shut the door as she walked out of the room.
No sooner did the door close than Noah was fast asleep.
“Wake up. Wake up. It’s time to get up.” Cassie gently nudged Noah.
His head felt swimmy. He could hear her voice, but it didn’t sound real, as though he was somewhere in between reality and a dream world. He took a deep breath and looked around the room to get his bearings. “How long was I out?”
“Right at two hours. Caroline made you some coffee. The report is finished. Do you want to listen to it before you leave?” Cassie showed Noah a very small flash drive.
Noah felt as though he’d been drugged. “Yeah, thanks. The coffee probably needs to come first.”
Noah sluggishly grabbed his boots and took them into the kitchen to put on.
Caroline had a stout brew waiting for him when he arrived. “I don’t know how strong you like it. I have some hot water you can add if it’s got too much of a kick.”
Noah took a sip. His mouth puckered and his eyes squinted from the abrupt flavor of the coffee. He looked over at Sarah, who was also drinking a cup.
She nodded with a smile and a wink. “Good stuff, huh?”
“Little strong for my taste, but I suppose it’ll get the job done.”
Sarah chugged her cup down and poured another. “It reminds me of the coffee we had in the desert. Straight up jet fuel.”
Noah looked in the fridge for some milk. “I think jet fuel would be more refined than this. I’d have expected heavy sour crude to have a similar character to this fine beverage.”
Cassie handed Noah some sugar. “There’s no milk, but this might help.”
“Thanks.” Noah put two tablespoons of sugar in the cup and stirred it.
“Let me know if this is okay. If it needs to be edited, I c
an make minor changes in a matter of minutes.” Cassie stuck the flash drive in the computer and hit play.
A short string of Morse code preceded Cassie’s voice for an intro sound effect. “Good evening, this is Agent 355, and you’re listening to The Tallmadge Report. Early Saturday morning, a patriot militia group stormed an illegal detention center at the University of Tennessee, in Knoxville. The decentralized resistance group rescued nearly two hundred detainees who were being held indefinitely in the center, without formal charges, without access to an attorney, without access to a court, and without bail, which violated habeas corpus and multiple constitutional amendments.
“While the mission was a success, it did not come without loss of life to the patriot militia, the detainees, and the federal troops guarding the facility. In the aftermath of the liberation offensive, dissension began to stir in the Knoxville DHS camp. When confronted with the unjust orders they were being asked to carry out, many of the soldiers assigned to the occupying base simply walked off duty. Others refused to carry out orders and vowed to fight against anyone who attempted to disarm or incarcerate them.
“Unfortunately, in the years leading up to the present day, this administration along with the previous administration has purged the military of most of the old-school leadership that had voiced opposition to the unconstitutional acts of President Clay and his two most recent predecessors. The lack of leadership willing to take a stand against the tyrannical actions of the White House leaves little hope for an outright military coup, but the strength of the armed services lies in the hands of the individual soldiers. If they determine in their hearts not to be a part of this oppressive move against freedom and the rule of law, the administration will be powerless to enforce its heinous assault on liberty.
“The time to fight back is now. Whether you are a soldier, a butcher, a baker, or a candlestick maker, if you value the principles of our lost republic, take your stand. Through decentralized militias, we can launch an insurgency that will break the will of our oppressors. At every opportunity, extract their blood and pilfer their treasure until they have neither life nor resources with which to hold us down. Do not think that this nightmare will pass you by if you will but submit to the tyrant. For he is greedy and sadistic. He will not rest; he will not relent until the very memory of our fair country has been banished from the face of the earth. Do not choose to waste away in the camps. If we must die, let us die on our feet with the breath of our Creator in our lungs and the courage he grants in our hearts.