The group shook there heads in agreement and some answered with verbal agreement.
“Now I must tell you that the situation becomes graver. It would seem that the World Order is bent on taking us back into their world and to that point we believe they are going to deploy a force much greater than what we faced.”
Bring them on, more of those security forces and we will cut em down.” said Dave.
Jon looked at the men and cleared his throat.
“It won’t be security forces this time. It looks like they will be deploying Storm Troopers, heavily armed and with APCs and tanks.” said Jon.
The group took a more somber view of this as they did not exactly know how to react. They knew that this meant that the Order would send hard core army which would be much different than what they had faced.
Jon stood tall and looked at the seventy five men.
“Well with that news are you all still ready to stand up and defend the valley? Are you ready to do what it takes to defend freedom? I would understand if you thought differently or if you think you might want to go ahead and move back to the city.”
The men stood and looked at each other. There were no shirkers, no cowards in this bunch. They all stood tall and faced Jon with grim and determined faces. It was Mort that spoke first and seemed to speak for the group.
“Frankly Jon, we are more than ready to stop this New Order. They can send as many troops as they want to and we will fight them to the last man. Yea, those Storm Troopers are tough but so are we. We live off the land, are crack shots, and spend our days working hard. Now that’s got to account for something.”
“Yea, we are ready but Jon, rifles and those machine pistols we took are great against infantry but what in the world are we going to use to stop those tanks?” asked Riley.
Jon’s face came to a slow smile as he looked at the men with a sense of happiness.
“Before I answer that let me just say this. I have never been more proud of all of us. I always knew that we were good folk and now I see nothing but hero’s in front of me. We are going to hold on to our freedom, yes, but it isn’t going to be easy and frankly, some of us won’t make it. But it wasn’t that long ago that there was a great saying that I think we all need to remember. Freedom isn’t free.”
Jon looked up toward the trees and felt the mist before his eyes. He was now taking the role he always should have. He would lead these people and do what was right.
“Now how we will deal with this force, well come over to the trucks and help us unload these boxes.”
The group headed toward the truck and unloaded all the boxes. They opened them up and at once could not believe what they were seeing.
“AR 15s, RPGs, Claymores, Jon where did these things come from?” asked Riley.
Jon paused for a moment and then gave the best answer that he wanted to.
“These come courtesy of George Washington. It seems he is ready to lead another Revolutionary army against tyranny.”
“Well it sure looks like George is expecting a bit more than the redcoats.” said Dave.
“Yes he is, yes he is.” said Jon.
JT took over at this point, dividing the groups up into roughly three groups. He designated that each group would form a battle group. They divided up the AR15s, and the RPGs in equal numbers.
“Now fella’s some of you will have the ARs but you all need to learn to shoot them and learn on automatic. The key to automatic is to not hold the trigger down as this will cause you to shoot over the target. When you shoot auto just squeeze off a bout four rounds at a time. Also this will help you to conserve ammo. Jon how many total rounds do we have?”
“We have twenty-five thousand rounds.”
“All right then, you guys come over here and grab a magazine each. I have set up targets about forty yards away so let’s see what you can do.” said JT.
The men loaded up the rifles and stood in a skirmish line. The targets were beer bottled set up on rocks. Upon command the men began to fire. In all the group was not bad, squeezing off the rounds in automatic. In short time the bottles were all broken and the fire stopped.
“Great work guys now let’s set some more up and get the next groups up.”
The drill continued until all the men in the valley had practiced.
JT satisfied with the results then gathered the group around him as he grabbed an RPG.
“Now men this is a weapon that we will be using against the APCs and the tanks. For the APCs you can hit them in the sides, front, and back and do damage. For the tanks it is the treads and the back. Now to load just put the long end in until it clicks, aim and pull the trigger.”
He aimed the RPG toward a barrel down the field and pulled the trigger. The rocket flew down range and hit its target with destructive force. Since there weren’t enough rockets for practice this exercise would have to do. JT then spent time showing the men how to set up the claymore mines. He explained how they would set them up in tactical positions for the greatest effect.
“Well that is going to be it for weapons training. Let’s get everything loaded back in the trucks. Jon anything else we need to cover here today?” asked JT
“No, I think that covers it. Fellas I don’t know when this is going to go down but I suspect some time in early April. We will do some more tactics and practicing for the next several months. What I would tell you is just be ready. Have some camo, a back pack, water, a knife, a rifle, and the pistols we got from them in the last battle at the ready. We are going to have to muster when the time comes.”
Jon smiled at the men and they smiled back.
“What is it Jon?” asked Riley.
“Well I figure a get together like this shouldn’t be wasted and it is about 4:00 in the afternoon. Get the stuff put away and let’s build a big old fire. Mort did you bring refreshments?”
“Sure did, Ale and wine.”
“Then let’s get going and break that out.” said Jon.
The men put away the equipment and built a nice fire. The ale and wine was brought out and cups were filled.
“A toast to Jon and JT.” said Dave as the men raised there glasses.
After the third round the conversation turned to the topic that always seemed to come out when Jon was around.
“Jon, why the hell can’t that world order just leave us alone? I mean do they have any idea to what lengths we will go to in order to keep our life?” asked Dave
Before Jon could answer JT spoke up. He had never been much for words but he was now at a point of feeling more than involved.
“See, those people, and yes we were one of them once, no longer really understand what it is to be free, right Jon?”
“Yes, that is a lot of it. We as a nation allowed our freedoms to be taken. Slowly at first it started with small incremental laws. Some of the laws they passed had good intentions like the Patriot Act of 2001. This law was intended to help fight against terrorism but when that no longer served a purpose it was used and expanded to do everything from banning free speech to weapons confiscation. It is the laws that we intend to do good that in the long run can be twisted for anyone’s needs.” said Jon.
“So now they can’t just let us be. Damn, to me that is the ultimate weakness. When someone has to exert their beliefs on another then that just tells me that the people doing it have no confidence in themselves.” said Riley.
“Riley that is about the best definition of all this mess that I have ever heard. You are right in that the weakness of the people and the Order means that we are deemed a threat when we are not.” said Jon.
“Well when they come here next time we are going to show them the difference between weakness and strength.” said JT.
“Damn straight.” said Doc.
Jon sat back with a look of concern on his face as he knew that when the Order cam
e back that they would be here in force with highly trained troops. He got concerned that he had gotten the people up into a frenzy that might not translate to a victory.
Doc took a look at Jon and could see that he was deep in thought.
“Jon, what is it?”
Jon paused a moment and then decided it best to let the people stay excited as maybe that would be the motivation that would carry them through.
“Oh, I was just thinking about how those Urban security troops got whipped by us and I was thinking wouldn’t it be great if we took out their first string troops.”
“Yea, now we are talking shouted Dave.”
“Damn straight, we gonna whoop their butts.” said Mort.
“That’s right, we are going to stand up and beat them.” said Jon.
The party broke up about seven o’clock as the fire burned out and darkness claimed the field. The men stammered towards their trucks and headed toward their homes. The testosterone filled day had left them with a feeling of bravado, something they would need in the months ahead.
The front door to the Smith homestead opened and a slightly inebriated Jon and Chris stumbled in.
“So where have you two been as we have had dinner ready for almost an hour?” asked Catherine.
“We have been getting ready to protect the women we love.” declared Jon as he grabbed Catherine and kissed her.
“It would seem you and the rest of the men have been doing a bit more than that. Well come on in and get some food in you.”
Jon and Chris sat at the table and dished up some venison stew and some mashed potatoes. Catherine and Amanda had already had their dinner so they sat and observed.
“Honey did you two make this?” asked Jon.
“Yes, we both worked on it. I will admit we got a bit of support from Mrs. Johnson.
“See Chris, I told you they could cook. This is damn good, serve me up a little more.” said Jon.
Chris and Jon finished their meal and got up and cleaned their dishes. Chris felt the affects of the drink and decided that he would go ahead and go to bed. Amanda grabbed the book she was reading and curled up in front of the fire on the soffa. Jon grabbed a large cup of coffee and bid Catherine to join him on the back porch. With coffee in hand the two grabbed some blankets and headed out back. Jon lit a small fire in the outdoor fireplace and sat back in his chair.
“Have you ever seen a sky more beautiful? Look at all the stars. I remember about twenty three years ago, before I met you, I went on a journey to find myself. Well I should say that I just needed to cleanse a bit and as such put myself in a real physical test.” said Jon.
“Honey, I know I remember you told me how you went and climbed Mt. Rainier in Washington.”
“I guess I repeat myself a lot, which is what happens when you get old.”
“Jon, you are in no ways old, yes you have grey hair and such but you are as strong as an ox and I can attest that you have not lost anything else.” said Catherine as she gave Jon a kiss.
“Thanks honey but the point of the story was that the first night at the Camp Muir, 10,800 feet, I went out into the night and stared up at the stars and they were so thick, just like tonight.”
Jon stared off into the fire as if thinking back to that time. A better time although not totally complete as he did not have Catherine or the kids at that time. Catherine then interrupted the moment.
“Jon, what were you men doing today, I know you had a little swill session late in the day but what did you do the rest of the day?”
Jon stared at the fire wondering if he should tell her the facts but he realized that she should know.
“Honey, come spring the urban forces will be back and it won’t be security troops. We have word that they will be sending in Storm Troopers. It will be hard core regulars with vehicles, tanks etc, and lots of them.”
“Oh my God Jon, I mean you all handled what were roughly policemen but this is different.” said Catherine.
“I know. But the fact is we are not going to run nor are we going to give in. We are going to fight.”
“I don’t understand everything about military and such but your hunting rifles won’t stop their tanks.” said Catherine.
“No they won’t, and that is why I spent some money and bought us weapons that can. That is what we were doing today; we were training with weapons that can defeat the Storm troopers. To a man we are ready to do this.”
Catherine had a concerned look as she stared at her husband. Was this again the right thing to do? She knew this time around a lot more of the men would die and maybe her son and husband. But her short time back with Jon had taught her the depths of his conviction and the conviction of the men and women of this valley. She had come here knowing what it would mean for her and Amanda and now it was time to stand up.
“Jon, whatever we have to do we will because you are right. It is time to stand up for freedom.”
Jon looked at his wife, the once liberal, and felt so proud as he grabbed her and kissed her deeply.
“I love you.” said Jon
Chapter 7
Several weeks slid by in the valley as the quiet season continued. Deep snow and cold kept most folks indoors except for the hardy. Jon and Chris enjoyed this time of year as they built large fires on the back porch and kept strong by lifting heavy logs and doing push ups and sit ups. Jon had always believed heavily in fitness and to that made a point of getting physical exercise most days. Catherine and Amanda spent the few weeks in December reading, going on walks, and just enjoying their new world. It was quite interesting watching the two of them head out on a morning excursion with Catherine in boots and heavy coat and Amanda carrying a 30-30 rifle. One morning as the two left Jon turned to Chris as they watched them walk down the road.
“Did you think you would ever see that sight, your mother taking into the woods and your sister carrying a rifle?” asked Jon.
“Nope Dad, can’t say that I would have ever believed that, but I am glad to see it.”
“So am I son, so am I.”
Christmas was coming up as it was the weekend before. That Saturday was the date for the Holly Ball, the dance that was held at the Miller’s barn. It was a dance for the young people but was generally chaperoned by some of the adults. Jon and Catherine were going to be chaperones and as such would need to dress for the occasion. The weekend before had been the winter market where the valley folk again convened to shop and while there weren’t lots of food stuffs it was more of a chance to purchase clothes particularly items for dress parties. Catherine and Amanda had taken full opportunity to outfit themselves accordingly. Amanda had bought a nice red dress that was complimented by a pair of red high heels. Catherine also decided that she would need to dress appropriately and bought a black dress that came low on her shoulders. She decided that a pair of black high heels would compliment the outfit.
With clothes bought it was all just a matter of attending the ball and looking pretty from that point. That Saturday night the girls dressed up and adorned their make up and fixed their hair. They stood in the great room making final preparations.
“Honey, you look great and very festive in that red dress.” said Catherine.
“Mom you look like a knockout. Dad better be on his toes tonight.”
“Yes I wonder what your father and brother will wear. I didn’t see them dressing as they were both in Chris’ room.”
“Oh probably jeans and such as I can’t imagine them in much else.” said Amanda.
The bedroom door opened and Chris and Jon came from the back. The girls took one look and their jaws dropped. Chris was in a tuxedo that fit him perfectly. His black tie and cumber bun were perfectly set. His longer blonde hair was slicked back. Jon was also in a tux but sported a gold tie and gold cumber bun. His longer grey hair was also back and his beard trimmed.
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��Oh my god.” uttered Amanda.
“You two clean up well.” said Catherine.
Catherine walked up next to Jon and whispered in his ear.
“So are you my date for tonight?”
Jon smiled and bent over to answer.
“Oh yea and more.”
“Well let’s be on or way, Chris did you put that case of wine in the back and the glasses?” asked Jon.
“Yes I did.”
“Ok then let’s go.”
The four of them walked out onto the front porch and headed for the truck. The girls were carrying their shoes as they had put boots on to walk through the snow. The roads were still relatively clear and ten minutes later they arrived at the Miller’s barn. There were many vehicles already there and they could hear the music playing. For this dance all the music was original and came from digital recording devices. Most folks in the valley preferred the older music and had maintained numerous copies on their digital playing devices.
Jon and the family came into the barn carrying the wine and the glasses which they placed at the bar. The ladies placed their boots to the side and placed on their heels. The floor was concrete so the wearing of ladies shoes did not cause them to sink into dirt. The floor also provided a good platform for dancing. While the crowd was not involved in much of that yet it would only be a few drinks later and they would. The bar was to the right and was well provisioned with wine, beer, and some stronger drink. The posts had numerous Christmas decorations and to the back was a large Christmas tree complete with ornaments.
Jon looked around and decided it was time to head to the bar for a drink.
“Honey would you like a glass of wine?” he asked Catherine.
“Certainly.”
Jon turned toward Amanda and Chris.
“Kids, you are on your own, have a good time.”
Chris surveyed a row of younger women and men and leaned over to Amanda.
“Let’s head over there as I see someone I would like to talk to.”
Jon Smith Page 20
