The Patriot (13 page)

The actions of that country will mean financial and material support for those of us fighting here. Also following several major citizen demonstrations there, the British parliament has been forced into session to consider that countries relationship with the united nations. If they should follow the Australians and withdraw from the united nations we could hope for their support as well. Now as for our sector. We have heard the director of homeland security is dispatching a large military force to this area and reportedly that force will include a large contingent of united nations troops reportedly from Europe and the middle east. We do know such forces were moved into Canada several months ago. As the result our command is alerting our militia commanders throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and eastern Indiana to prepare to move personnel to your sector if needed.

Mac asked how will the command be set up. Richard replied we have one retired army general and one retired marine general in our sector who have been measuring our strengths and weaknesses. They are willing to take administrative control of logistics and movement. Their contacts with active duty units will continue to keep our supplies coming. We also have several retired field grade army officers ready to assist local militia commanders where and when help is needed. Ohio, especially your sector, is of great importance to the united nations and Washington due to the air force logistics command located at Wright Patterson, they can’t let things stand as they are having been beaten by your people.

Goldie said we will be prepared to meet them when they get here and meet them at a place and time of our choosing. with the surface to air and ground to ground missiles and other weapons you have furnished us we can face a strong foe and survive. We would only meet them head on under the right conditions. Mac said yes and we can penetrate their defenses and take out their commanders regardless of the defenses they set up. Richard said others across this land are beginning to realize they can win and the feds now face growing problems everywhere. We must return now to assess activities in Indiana and Kentucky. We will contact you as soon as we learn when and how they intend to move against you. Until then friends, be watchful and contact me if you need anything. Goldie said we are in good shape for now and the men are rested.

After their visitors had left Goldie called the others together to make plans for the days ahead. He told Tim, James, and Joshua I want you to return to your families. Contact your team leaders and advise them of the possibility of the Feds moving in. Tell them to remain at their jobs and support their families, but be prepared to move out should that become necessary. Mac and the men and I will remain here to keep in contact with Richard. He looked at his sons and Tim then added, they have people who have been trained in special operations just as us. Be watchful and wary of unfamiliar traffic or strangers around your homes. Now be off with you and tell the family I love them. The boys took their dads hand for a moment then boarded their vehicles and slowly drove away.

Mac said they will be ok Top, you have taught them well, then he looked at the men and said lets get some rations out and enjoy this time of rest. They spent the rest of the day inventorying their supplies and reminiscing about old days gone by. Dusk found them relaxed and comfortable as they prepared to turn in for the night. The night passed without event and morning found the men well rested as they had a breakfast of coffee and cereal. Afterwards Goldie had the men inventory their equipment and supplies. Mac said we are well stocked with mortars, shoulder fired rockets, incendiary and frog grenades, and small arms ammo. We need to have our friend the farmer’s fuel tanks filled for him so we will have fuel. Goldie said yes come with me and lets go see him now. They walked the short distance to the farmhouse and found the man sitting on the front porch. Goldie asked how his fuel tanks were and was told we are ok for now. Goldie told him we don’t want you running short on our account then handed him some cash. This should fill the tanks for you friend. The farmer said whatever I have is yours. Then added, unless you men win this war everything we have will be taken by the traitors.

The farmer said they had been listening to the state radio and heard about the incident in new York. He said the station said they identified you as the one who led the band of terrorists that destroyed their headquarters. They will be out to get you. Mac said recon they will try but we will be ready for them. The old guy said we are ready to join you if needed, but Goldie said you are risking enough as it is. Just then the farmers wife brought them out a hot egg and cheese sandwich and coffee. She said your wife was a wonderful person, she would be proud of you. Goldie eyes clouded over for a brief moment then he said I know, thank you for your support. After a moment he stood up and said to Mac we should be getting back. The farmer shook their hands and said our prayers are with you.

When they arrived back at the campsite the men told them Richard called, he and the captain are on their way over to meet us. Said they would fill us in when they got here. Goldie told the men good, maybe he has more news about the feds coming. We may as well have a soda while we wait for them. About an hour passed before the lookouts called to say visitors on the way in. Richard and the captain got out and walked over to where the men were sitting. Richard said my contacts advise one full regiment of the ninth infantry division accompanied by a number of foreign united nations troops are scheduled to leave Pennsylvania by motorized convoy. They should arrive in this area by Saturday afternoon and set up camp at the old cargo airbase.

More importantly, I am advised two squads of army rangers are already on the move and should be in this sector one day ahead of the ninth division. I am told, since they don’t know where you are but do know where your sons live, their goal is to isolate and kill or capture your sons and their families and bring them to the command at the cargo strip where they hope to use them as hostages to bring you in. Goldie said I have been expecting such a move. That would put the rangers here Friday which gives us time. We will be in place and take care of the rangers first then plan our move against the main force. The captain asked, do you need our assistance with the rangers and Goldie said they won’t be a problem. The captain asked how do we handle the main group when they get here. Goldie replied we will have spotters watching the base while we take care of the rangers. Once that is done and the families are safe we will observe the main group then plan an attack mode to disrupt and harass them until we can get them in a position that favors us.

Richard said they will probably send out scouts to survey the county and try to find your whereabouts. Mac said right, and we will be watching for those scouts teams. Goldie said we may even let them find our camp, or at least a place they think is our camp. If we can do so and maneuver them into an area where we will have the best position then we can prepare to meet them in battle. Richard said it looks as though they will have a force numbering more than five thousand we will probably take casualties on this one. Mac said our people are aware of the risks and will accept those risks in the cause of freedom. The captain said and so will we as well, because we have men who want to be in on this engagement. Goldie answered and so you will be captain. The captain said I can bring a thousand men well armed and with combat experience. You give us the time and place and we will be there when you need us there. Goldie answered alert your men and have them ready to move out, we will set this up in a way that will give you time to get in place.

Richard said well my friends I can see you have control of the situation, before we depart are you in need of any supplies. Goldie said we are well stocked with all we need. Richard said in that case we will return now to my headquarters and wait your call to arms. The captain added, we will be here with a thousand men or more if need be, you give us the word when and where. Goldie said we will contact you as soon as we determine where and when to meet the enemy. Richard said ok we will be on our way now. After they had left Goldie told Mac and the others now we must make plans to meet the rangers. He looked at their radio operator and said contact Tim, James, and Joshua have them meet us here this early this evening. A few moments later the radio man informed him they have all been contacted and are enroute. Goldie said good lets break out a cola and relax.

One half hour later Tim arrived at the camp followed a few moments by James and Joshua. As they sat by the fire Goldie advised them of the expected Saturday arrival of a large force of government and united nations troops. He said we will need to place lookouts around the base much as we did before when they moved their people into the old school buildings. Tim said that will be no problem all of those spotters were from his area and he would have them here when needed. Goldie said can you have them here in the morning early with their gear and Tim answered let me make a call. Tim was on the phone only a moment then said my backup will have them here at sunup tomorrow and he will remain with them as well.

Good the old man said, now there is another matter we must prepare for. He advised his sons of Richard’s report regarding the army rangers paying a visit to their homes sometime on Friday prior to the arrival of the main troops. No doubt they hope to take you and the families as hostages hoping to bring me in. The boys were silent but Tim asked what do you have in mind. Goldie said Tim you have been to James home several times and know the lay of the land there do you not. Tim said yes their home is sitting back in the woods away from any other homes. Goldie said I want you to take twenty five of your men and tonight after dark move the men into position in the woods where you can protect their home. Stay out of sight and wait for the rangers then wipe the sons of bitches out. He looked at James and told him, I want you to be out working in the yard as you would on any normal day. But stay close to the house. By evening if they have not shown up you go on in and stay inside with the family and don’t come out. When they do show up and the shooting starts you stay inside and keep the family down and away from the windows.

Mac and I and our men will move into the woods tonight behind and around Joshua’s home. Some of us will be in the woods across the road where we can watch the front. Joshua I want you to do the same as James. Work out in the yard close to the house then go inside and stay with the family. We don’t want them tipped of that we are expecting trouble. Tell your wives and the kids I love them and will let no harm come to them. We don’t know what time tomorrow they will arrive but they will no doubt have it timed to be at both locations at the same time so one of you can’t warn the other. Remember this, we can’t give these rangers a chance. They have a lot of firepower just like us. We hit them without warning and don’t let up until they are all on the ground.

The old man looked at James and Joshua for a moment then put his arms around them. I wish I could be at both places but I can’t, but Tim has several old army men experienced at this. Now you boys go on home and spend the night with your families and tell them they will be ok. They won’t see us but we will be there and keep them safe. His sons said their goodbyes then got into their vehicles and drove away. Goldie looked at Tim and said you go on back now and get the men together. Call me on the radio when you are ready and we will all drive together to where you must turn off at Fairfax road. Tim said on my way Goldie call you in a little while. After Tim had left Mac looked at Goldie and said I wonder how many other places this is going on around the country and Goldie said he didn’t know but sure hoped people had the guts to make a stand. Mac told the men well this is like old time so lets get our gear together. Check your weapons and get some rations this could be a long wait. In a short time the men said we are ready to move out when Tim calls.

While waiting for Tim to call James came on over the radio and advised his father that the neighbor on the other side of the woods said to have Tim and the men park their vehicles in his barn then they could walk thru the woods to take up their positions around his house. Goldie told him good we will be on our way and in position soon. A few moments later Tim called and said we are on our way and Goldie said we will meet you at the falls Ville turnoff. He turned to the men and said lets load up. Moments later they were parked by the turnoff and as they saw Tim’s vehicles approaching he told the driver pull on out they can follow us. They proceeded on their way without incident and some thirty minuets later they passed the Fairfax road and Goldie watched as Tim’s vehicles made the turn towards James home. Another twenty minuets found them approaching the road where Joshua’s home was located. Goldie told the driver turn right at the next road then as they passed Joshua’s home he pointed it out and told the driver take a left at the next lane. The driver turned into the lane followed by the other vehicle. After a short distance Goldie said turn in here. As they came to a stop an old farmer came walking out of the barn to meet them. Goldie spoke with him for a moment then told the drivers put the vehicles in the shed out of sight.

The farmer closed the shed doors and Goldie told the men, we have done these deeds before, follow me. A fifteen minute walk later found the men close to Joshua’s home. He and Mac put the men in locations on all sides where they could conceal themselves while still having a good view of the home site. He advised them when the rangers show to hold their fire until he and Mac fired the first round which would be a grenade. He and Mac then positioned themselves where they could see approaches to the home from both the front and rear and bedded down for the wait. He contacted Tim over the radio and asked how it went. Tim said all the men are in place well covered and ready. Goldie told him good work we need not contact each other again until you get company, then use the radio and say only three words, it’s a go, then no more contact until I contact you. Tim said understood.