Jon Smith

by Richard Proctor

  “Get up Jon and take another whack at that log. I didn’t raise you to be a quitter.”

  And instinctively Jon replied.

  “Yes Mom you are right, as you always said when we get knocked down we get right back up.”

  Jon stood up and grabbed the mallet with his strong arms. He wiped the tears, sweat, and blood from him and eyed the tree trunk that had defied him. He took a round about swing and with all of his strength, and a good yell, brought the mallet down on the wood. The trunk yielded to the blow and with the sound of a small explosion burst asunder.

  “I beat you, I beat you. I will always win.”

  Jon set the mallet down and breathed heavily. He looked about at all the wood and turned to the task of stacking it up. The thirty minutes of work was a real cool down for him and a final cathartic reality. He stopped briefly and noted that ice was covering his beard and hair as the temperature had begun to drop with the passing of the day. He put the mallet back in the shed and turned toward the house. He walked in the front and put away his boots, coat, gloves, and hat. Seeing Amanda and Chris on the sofa he stopped for a moment.

  “Kid’s I am going to take a shower and clean up. Chris, pull out some elk ribs for dinner and get the outside fire going.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Jon went into the bedroom and pulled off his clothes. He then wrapped a towel around him and headed toward the back of the house where the shower was located. The water in the shower was kept warm through solar heating via the electric solar panels on top of the house. Jon stepped under the warm water and let the blood, sweat, and tears drip off of his body. A few moments later he stepped out, refreshed for the moment and ready to cope. He went back to his room and slid on some warm clothes and came back into the den.

  “Chris, is the fire going?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Great I am hungry.”

  Jon then went into the kitchen, grabbed a glass and poured himself a large glass of wine. He went back into the den and plopped down in between Amanda and Chris. He took a big drink and sat back.

  “Dad, are you ok?” asked Amanda.

  Jon stopped for a moment and smiled.

  “As long as I have you two, I will be just fine.”

  Chapter 18

  Colonel James stepped out side of the duty hut and stretched as it was just before sun up. He looked down at his watch and sighed.

  “April 14th, I guess it is time.”

  He turned and went back in and asked the duty officer to summon Major Jeffers. Ten minutes later the Major showed up, all outfitted and ready for action.

  “Well Colonel, today we mobilize and tomorrow we kick ass.”

  Colonel James looked at the Major with disdain.

  “Major, tomorrow we go into the mountains of our own country to kill our own countryman that will be armed with hunting rifles and machine pistols. We will fight them with tanks, machine guns and rockets. I hardly think that this is some glorious campaign that we are on.”

  The Major looked back at the Colonel.

  “Don’t be so sure that this is not formidable opposition. May I remind you that they dispatched one of our special commando units.”

  Colonel James looked back at the Major with disdain.

  “And may I remind you that I did not authorize that mission and that the action of sending assassins was not only ill advised but probably gave great morale to those people.”

  “Morale or not, our overwhelming force and fire power will wipe them out so at the end of the day it just doesn’t matter.”

  “Well I will have to agree there as I see no way that they can win.”

  Colonel James looked down at his watch and it was Six A.M.

  “Well let’s get on with it. Mobilize the Regiment and let’s mount up. We have miles to go to get in place before tomorrow.”

  “Yes sir Colonel.”

  At once there were whistles blowing and storm troopers pouring out of their barracks, fully armed and ready. Upon falling into formations each platoon then climbed into transport trucks. All of the heavy vehicles, APC’s and Bradleys, were loaded on large transport trucks for the sixty or so mile trip to the jump off point. Also in the column were Humvees and more support trucks filled with supplies. In all the 500 man group and vehicles stretched for over a mile. Colonel James crawled into one of the lead Humvees and Major Jeffers into another. Then the column began its journey toward its fate.

  Colonel James stared out the window at the passing countryside as the column advanced onward. Mile after mile passed by until the foothills were reached. The incline of the road slowed the progression but didn’t stop it as the heavily laden trucks powered upward. The men in the trucks were in good spirits even though they were aware that this mission was not as clear cut as many of their others had been. But in the end, as good soldiers, they understood that their orders came from the civilian authority and for them that was good enough. Even though the distance to the jump off point was not terribly far, the slow moving column took hours to reach it. It was three thirty in the afternoon when the trucks stopped at the disembarkation point. It would be another five hours of work to offload the vehicles and supplies.

  Colonel James got out of his vehicle and grabbed a pair of binoculars and began to survey the terrain.

  “My god it is nothing but mountains, rocks and forest. No wonder these people can hold out in here. This single lane dirt road is not exactly the expressway either.”

  Major Jeffers had joined the Colonel and surveyed the ground as well.

  “Never the less, in the morning we intend on sending in two flanking squads that should remove any side attacks and only leave a frontal force to face us. The tanks should make short work of them at that point.” said Major Jeffers.

  “Well, let’s hope that we can convince them to go down without too much of a fight. I remind you that these are civilians.”

  Jeffers looked back at the Colonel with a half sneer.

  “Sir may I also remind you that the zealots that we have been fighting in Africa the last two years are civilians as well. The civilian today is the terrorist militia tomorrow.”

  Colonel James had no response to that as he realized that Jeffers was bought into the political persuasion of the time more so than being a soldier. James could not relate nor understand the views of the politicos and socialists that he worked for. Comments like what he had just heard made him wonder if he ought not to switch and go fight with Jon Smith and the valley. But in the end he was a soldier and had sworn to fight for the government that was his boss.

  The time was late afternoon and the troops were busy unloading equipment and readying for the next day. As the sun began to set Colonel James heard rifle fire off in the distance. He made his way to the command area where Jeffers was on the radio busy communicating.

  “Jeffers, what is going on?”

  “Sir it seems a forward recon group has made some contact.”

  “Contact? All forward recon was only to observe, not engage.” When they get back send them to me immediately.”

  “Yes sir Colonel.” said Jeffers.

  Thirty minutes later Sergeant Rosky entered into the command post.

  “Sergeant Rosky sir” as he saluted the Colonel and the Major.

  Sergeant what happened up there? You were under strict ordesr to only observe and scout, not to engage.” said James.

  “Well we went to the suspected ambush point and sure enough there is a large road block as well as defenses on either side of the road. Then we saw what seemed to be some of the enemy forward scouts. We thought that, well why not take them out and such.”

  “Well what happened?” asked Colonel James.

  “Well sir we engaged them and they took cover. We had twelve of us and there were only three of them. We thought we had superior fire power.”

>   “Go on.” said James.

  “Seems they are pretty good shots. They opened fire back and we had two wounded and one KIA. They had hunting rifles and made short work of us. Then we retired.”

  My god, what kind of people are they?” said Jeffers.

  Colonel James shook his head and laughed.

  “They are expert shots which we are not. They are defending their homes which we are not. They are hard tough people and we are soft.”

  “Soft, after two years of fighting in Africa?” said Jeffers.

  Colonel James looked directly at the Sergeant and Jeffers.

  “Yes, we are soft in that we have trained to simply locate the enemy and send in air and artillery. Well up here we will have neither as the ground won’t permit it. We are heading into an area defended by Americans, on their soil. If you want to study history, just look to the American Civil War and you will get a good concept. A weaker but well trained army held off the might of a well equipped army for four years and for the first two won every battle. Tomorrow we will head into a battle much like the Union Army.”

  Colonel James looked again towards the mountains and the wood.

  “What time do the flanking forces jump off Jeffers?”

  “Six a.m. sir as that should put them into attack position about eight.”

  “Good, and let’s hope they are successful or we are going to lose a lot more men tomorrow. Now, no more engaging the enemy tonight. Every body get some rest and let’s be ready for in the morning.”

  “Yes sir.” answered Major Jeffers.

  Colonel James walked back toward his tent and stopped before going in. He looked again at the mountains and the woods.

  “By God Jon Smith, you and your people, well I wish you the best.”

  Chapter 19

  The morning of April 15th was going to dawn with a partly cloudy sky and a cold day. A cold day only by the standards of the outdoor temperature and not by what would happen as this was the day of battle. Jon and Chris and were up early as it was just past five a.m. as they were preparing for the day. After a light breakfast of bread and coffee they began to prepare their supplies for the day. In the middle of the floor a pile was created that was composed of two hunting rifles, an AR-15 two hand grenades, ten magazines, three bandoleers of bullets two packs and two hunting knives. In addition were containers of water and medical kits. Chris moved the pile out to the truck and packed it well. Both Jon and Chris were dressed in wool camouflage and now had the hunting knives attached to their belts.

  “Amanda, we are going to take you down to the Miller’s barn for the day as that will serve as a hospital. Help out as you can but try to stay off that leg.”

  “Ok father.”

  Amanda disappeared into her room and came out shortly, dressed for the day and carrying her rifle.

  “Amanda honey, I don’t think you are going to need that rifle.”

  Amanda looked at her father then at Chris.

  “I already spoke with some of the other women of the valley and if things go bad for you men today, well we are not going without a fight.”

  Her stern look was of defiance, no different than the men of the valley. Jon shook his head and snickered.

  “Oh if your mother could see you now, well she would be yelling at me.”

  Amanda stopped for a second.

  “Father, she can see me now and she would be proud that I have grown to be strong like you and Chris.”

  Jon walked over and gave his daughter a hug,

  “Yes she would, rather yes she is.”

  The three went out and got into the truck. Jon turned the truck and headed it out toward the road. The quiet of the morning was broken by the sound of the ice crunching beneath the tires of the truck. Some twenty minutes later Jon pulled up to the Miller’s where they got out. There were other trucks and people moving about the outside of the barn. Chris brought in some of the medical kits and some water. Amanda was making her way toward the barn when she saw Nathan and his father.

  “Nathan, come here.”

  Nathan saw Amanda and came over. Amanda grabbed his hand and squeezed it.

  “Listen you take care of yourself today, both you and your dad.”

  “Don’t worry we will. Besides we are in the position next to your Dad and that is luck for us as he has always been there for us.”

  “Well I guess so but you come back here to me.” said Amanda.

  Amanda pulled Nathan to her and kissed him. She then headed into the barn.

  Jon was in a conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Miller about what was the plan for the day. It was important that the wounded receive treatment and that the valley folk not in the battle were in a central location.

  “Now, Doc is going to be needed with us at the battle as he can treat people quicker there. I don’t believe we will be able to get wounded back here until the battle is over as we can not spare anybody. Just be careful here and if it goes badly, well you decide what you want to do.” said Jon.

  Mrs. Miller headed back toward the barn while Mr. Miller went to retrieve his rifle as he would be joining in the battle that day. From the Miller’s barn, the men of the valley convoyed in their vehicles to a point about a quarter mile from the ambush point were they would leave their vehicles and hike. It was still dark as they began the trek, loaded down with supplies and weapons. As Jon was walking he looked over at Chris and shook his head. Chris had made quite a transformation before setting out. He had tied a camouflage bandana around his head, stuffed two machine pistols in his belt, had a bandoleer and a bag filled with ammunition on his shoulder, a hunting knife down his side, and a 30-06 across his back.

  Chris looked over at his dad.

  “What is it Dad?”

  “Well you look like something from one of those old action and adventure movies, a regular Rambo,”

  “Rambo, who is that?”

  “Never mind, you just stay close to me in all of this and be careful.”

  “Dad, I will be careful but I will also be accurate.”

  The men of the valley gathered at the ambush point and split into their groups. The forward position, the group behind the front barricade would be commanded by Jon. Chris would be in that position as well as Doc, Nathan, and his father. The position on the right side of the road was commanded by Mort while the position on the left, up and in the cover of the woods, would be commanded by Riley. Each group had radios for communication as well as several RPGs. There were two other small groups that JT had hand picked that would be broken into two five man teams. These would head into the woods to set up the ambush for the flanking forces that were being deployed by the Storm Troopers. JT had already lain in the mines and all that was left was to deploy the men.

  “JT, are we sure that those flankers are coming?” asked Jon.

  “Already know as we picked up their transmissions.”

  “Well let’s get set in place.” said Jon.

  Each group moved into their positions and waited, ready to do what was necessary. The Storm Troopers that would come would have no idea that the valley was now more heavily armed and Jon was hoping this would help to win the day.

  Colonel James was anxiously waiting as the dawn came up. The flanking forces had been dispatched about an hour ago and he was expecting to get word of their success.

  “Major Jeffers, any word from the flankers?”

  Why yes Colonel, they are moving into position and should be ready to attack within the half hour. I would suggest that when they are engaged that we move forward.”

  “Yes, I think that would be the best strategy. Well keep me apprised of the situation.”

  “Yes Sir.”

  Sergeant Samuels was leading his twenty five man strike team through the woods with the mission of flanking the rear of one of the valley’s positions. His team was a gr
oup of veterans but they did not really see this mission as dangerous. As such they were advancing in two single file lines in a casual manner, even whispering to each other. Samuels would normally have tightened up the group but he felt the same way as the men.

  “This aint going to be too tough. We are going to come in behind these guys and cut em down.” he thought.

  The terrain dropped down a bit and then formed a natural funnel that was about one hundred yards behind their target. Samuels stopped to radio in that they were almost in position. He then took his group forward into the funnel. As he could see a slight rise in front he smiled as he knew that he would be on higher ground above his enemy. The group moved over two more feet when the earth seemed to open up with explosions that ripped his team to pieces. The three claymore mines set in front went off in precision and knocked out twelve of the team of twenty five. Samuels grouped his men to fall back slightly and when they did, three more directional mines went off behind them. Of the twenty five man team only he and two of his men were left standing. Before they could gather themselves they were cut down by blasts of automatic fire and precision hunting rifle shots.

  The five man team of the valley then moved down on the position and looked at their work. There were pieces of men and dead men lying on the forest floor. A few were left alive and were moaning, but per JT’s orders, they were finished off. No need for prisoners. This flanking force was gone.

  A similar story was happening on the other side of the road as that flanking group met a similar fate. JT had guessed correctly about the force and the point at which to attack. To a degree, the bravado and carelessness of the Troopers had also lent to their massacre.

  Hearing the explosions and fire Jon leaned over toward JT.

  “Well sounds like you got em in the right spot.”

  A few moments later JT checked with Mort and Riley and confirmed that both five man groups had returned and had been successful. JT smiled and looked over at Jon.

  “Well, both flanking forces wiped out and the body count is fifty.”