Cy Yodder talks for a bit about how the farmers have joined loosely to make sure all farms can keep productive. Rather than specialized farming, they have determined to diversify the farms. Horse farms are trading for cows and pigs. Dairy farmers are allowing their herds to be spread out, so delivery of feed will be less of a stress point on their production. Small operators are taking on more livestock, having more time to tend to animals, since their normal jobs are gone. A seed bank is being organized so that everyone will be able to have a backyard garden.
The health issue is discussed from several different points once again. Number one and most important, the sick must be kept away from the healthy, as stressful as that is. Second, safe water and sanitary conditions has to be made a priority. These are difficult problems, but they can be handled. The third problem has no solution. Medications are running out. Advanced pharmaceuticals cannot be reproduced. People are dying and will continue to die because they cannot get the medications they need. The mortality rate in their small community is over twenty five percent already, mostly the sick and the elderly, and some from violence and disease.
The two researchers from the Windber Medical Research Center give an update on their work to restore clean water and sanitary systems. They let everyone know, if they find any engineers, they should be sent to them. Working water and sanitary systems will stop unnecessary mortality more than anything, they urge.
The meeting goes on for over an hour, at many times it get tedious and drawn out, but overall, good information is exchanged. Mark sees that the meeting needs to come to a close. Reverend Wysinger sits behind him. He prods the dozing reverend.
"I'm going to wrap this up. I want you to close it with a prayer."
The reverend nods.
Marks stands as the last speaker leaves the podium, he hobbles his way to the front of the room. "Let’s wrap this up folks. We got a lot to do, and talking about doing it won’t get it done."
"I know I am only the General of the Militia, and that we have a civilian counter part. So I will defer to the Mayor if he asks. But we need to act, not talk.
"We are all still here because we have extended a hand of help rather than a hand of violence. We have more doctors, nurses, guards, farm help, and overall stability because we said yes, rather than saying no to those in need. We didn't close our doors, we have opened our doors and have stepped out in love, rather than hate. As hard as that has been, we must continue that course. We must extend our hand of help to these refugees. Some of the leaders now among us where once refugees, and now they are saving lives.
"Let's have the medical people meet with water people next door at Saint Bart's. Jerry, have one of your people there too so we get new refugees that can help them coming their way. Cy, send someone that way too, so we can ensure that these people are well fed.
"The militia, Sergeant Hay, Zach, we'll meet at the VFW down the block. Ms. Hodge, Mayor, Council, Chief Speigle, you stay here, work out an alliance with civilian control. We’re going to need policing and trading figured out too. Make sure you set up a way to let in those who can help, want to help. We heard how well setting up a wall with no doors worked out in Richland. We need a good wall with a front door that welcomes people in. But we do want to know who is coming in, open boarders will bring anarchy and get us all killed."
"One final thing. As a follower of Christ, I am commanded to love my neighbor, even to love my enemy. This is a hard thing to do. But that is the goal we should strive for. You all know I have blood on my hands for defending my family and this community. Is that righteous bloodshed? Is there such a thing as righteous bloodshed? We all want to defend our homes and families, are commanded to take care of our families. Yet we are also told to love our enemies. I don't have the answers. We all have choices to make, follow the Holy Spirit in your heart when making those choices." Emotionally spent, I nod to the reverend and hobble aside. The crowd is quiet as they all struggle with the decisions they have made over the past ten days, and the tough decisions yet to be made.
"I will close this meeting in prayer," starts the reverend. "Dear Lord, be with us, give us wisdom as we try and follow your word. Allow us to love those in need. Allow your love to overcome, overwhelm, those who wish evil upon us. Allow your love to be felt, known, throughout the land. May you and your kingdom be glorified by the actions of your humble servants. May peace and kindness overcome violence and death.
"Dear Lord be with those entrusted to protect the innocent. Allow the protection of the innocent to be the beginning of a new community that looks to you for guidance and salvation. Even in these difficult times, we know you will make us a better people. Allow us to see the path you have laid for us, to be the people you want us to be. In Christ's name, Amen." A few amen's are repeated by the people gathered in the public hall.
* * *
I meet with, Sergeant Hay, Colonel Fisher, and Zach at the VFW a few minutes later, along with the rest of the militia leadership.
"So what's the course of action General?" asks Captain Hutchins.
"First off, we need to lay out the battlefield, we have a bunch of new information, and we need to figure out where we stand,” I start, hobbling to a large map of the area that has been overlaid with a sheet of Plexiglas. Using a dry eraser marker I start laying out what we know.
"Let’s start with where we are. We control from about five miles north of Central City over to Hooversville and loosely on to Benson. We also loosely control south from Benson to Stoystown. To the south of Route 30 is all woods, mountains and farms. I haven't heard of any problems that way. Sergeant Hay, what do you know of that area?"
"Berlin is quiet, they have their own small militia and police force. There has been some minor marauding, but not to the scale you saw here," Sergeant Hay replies.
"Good to know. To the east is the mountain ridge, then Bedford. I don't think the east will be an issue at this time. I don’t see people from that valley coming thirty miles to our valley just yet.
"Sergeant Hay, you want to show us the areas your people have secured?"
Sergeant Hay steps up to the map. “My information is four days old, but this is how we were situated. We had positions here north of Sipesville on Route 985, and they were in contact with the people in Jenners. We also had a position south of Boswell, on Route 601 about here, who maintained contact with the folks in Boswell."
Newly promoted Captain Randy Hutchins interrupts. "Boswell is where we were yesterday, and they are hurting. A strong group came down Route 219 out of Richland and over ran their Route 30 positions. They reorganized, and the town is secure, but there are armed refugees on the Route 30 corridor."
"That's troubling," Hay states frowning, digesting that news.
He looks back to the map and continues. "To the west, we have posted all the way to Bakersville. Beyond that is Laurel Mountain Ridge and the ski resorts. Our people were in friendly contact with them, even trading with them."
"To the south is Berlin, Confluence and other small mountain farming and logging communities. We have scouted down that way, no issues to speak of."
"Thank you, Sergeant Hay," I say. "That’s a good chunk of farming land you protect. That is vital to all of us. If we can feed people, we can survive.
"Let’s look at Johnstown. The city is a lost cause. I saw parts of it burning myself on the second day, it is a no go zone for now. Richland is the same way, with the battle they had along Route 219, desperate people willing to do desperate things. They are the ones that over ran the airport. So they are probably pretty well armed now. They should probably be marked as marauders, considering what we have heard.
"Zach, what do you think they got from the airport armories?"
"Phewww. A lot," Zach starts, shaking his head. "The main thing is the ammunition. There are several thousand M16's in the armories around the area, as well as maybe a hundred SAWs. But Guard and Reserve units don't keep any ammunition. It's all at Letterkenny, or the Gap. But the las
t plane in, on 9/11 brought us ammunition with orders to hold the airport. That's why we thought we would get relief and aid." His eyes go a little misty as he starts to recall all that went down at the airport.
He wipes his eyes. "Sorry guys, that was rough, rougher than anything I saw in Iraq."
"It's okay, son," I say, as I shuffle over to Zach and give him a hug. "You and your men had to do things no one ever wants to be faced with."
Zach is trembling a bit. "They tried to over run us, my men fired on them. We thought we were protecting a relief station. We were protecting nothing, we killed people for nothing." He shakes his head again while wiping more tears from his face. "Righteous bloodshed? I tell you this, that was not righteous. Bastard sons a bitches," he mumbles. "Order us to protect nothing."
He shakes his head again. "This is important, you all need to know this. About a quarter of the ammunition that was at the airport is in our convoy. A third of that belongs to Sergeant Hay and his people in Somerset. That means half of what was at the airport got issued out to the other security groups before my people got there. Hopefully that is in safe hands. But at least as much ammunition as we secured was still on the grounds when the airport got over run."
"However much ammunition that we have here, that same amount of ammunition is not accounted for. Those folks coming out of Richland are armed and dangerous. As well armed as we are."
"Tell everyone here about the confrontation at St Michaels, Sergeant White," I prompt, trying to give Zach the respect he deserves.
"There was a thousand of them," he starts. "And they where well armed. They sent people into the woods, tried to flank us. But they have good people in St Michaels, and we out flanked them. The mob leaders knew it. We had the fire power too, with our SAWs. We met them face up, and told them to go home. And they did. No blood shed, but the bitch leader shot me anyway."
Zach pulls his blouse open to show the ugly bruise. "They said they killed Major Kerns and those they captured when they took the airport. They wanted me, and all the people with me too. Said we were war criminals." His voice trails off as he mumbles that the bastards that told them to hold the airport are the war criminals. Looking up, in a calm voice, Zach pleads with God. "Dear Lord, forgive me and my men. We did not start this, we are only trying to survive, only trying to do what is best." Zach falls to his knees, "Forgive us Lord, forgive us."
The room is silent. The creak of a boot shifting can be heard. There are many hardened vets in this room. All of them have followed orders that they disagreed with. Many have seen foreign civilians killed. None of them had been ordered to fire upon American citizens. The fact that Zach's crew decided to leave the airport rather than continue to defend it, tells of his true allegiance.
"I am sorry that I had to have you retell that story Zach, but these people need to know what happened. American soldiers fired on American civilians. In many ways, that is a game changer."
"We need to get this in the open now, we cannot have rumors and dissension kill our morale. Sergeant Hay, you spent thirty years in the military, did Sergeant White and his people do anything worthy of court martial?"
Sergeant Hay snaps to attention, understanding that he is basically testifying to what he saw. "Sergeant White and the people under his command where defending an airport under lawful orders. He expected relief to come to the airport for the benefit of the community, I will swear to that. If any courts martial are due, it would be for Sergeant White disobeying those orders. I witnessed the airport being over run. I defended our convoy from the civilians that were attacking us as we fled. We could have held the airport. But civilian loss of life would have been in the hundreds. Legally, some Pentagon lawyer would have everyone there under arrest, for either leaving their post or firing on civilians. Morally, I would not have done anything differently. Under pressure, in a chaotic situation, Sergeant White and his people protected us heroically, and acted professionally. My recommendation, General is that Sergeant White and his team deserve a commendation for acts of valor under extreme duress."
The room is silent. They all know of the "rules of engagement" laws dictated by the Pentagon. But there is no Pentagon. So they have to decide if firing on civilians by active army personnel is a violation. They all have fired on civilians in the past few days, in the chaos that has erupted. But they are not active duty soldiers.
"We are not the United States armored forces," States Jerry. "They do not exist here. We are the Laurel Highland Militia. These men and women risked their lives to help us. I move that no charges be considered, and that they all be honorably accepted into our ranks."
"I second that," the Commander chimes in from a corner table where he sips on a half full tumbler of whiskey. "Ya'll kept this kangaroo court goin' any longer I'd a had to shoot m'self, or someone, anyway. White, Hay, you're good men. Bar keep, get them two fingers, straight."
"All in favor of accepting Zach and his platoon into our militia says aye” I state. A chorus of ayes is heard around the room. “The Commander is right, I'm glad we cleared that up. We need that information put out to our soldiers, and to the community. We may be accused of harboring war criminals. The truth needs to be known. Richland civilians attacked the airport. The army tried to defend it. The army left to avoid more civilian casualties. End of story."
Heads nod in agreement. I step up to the large map again. "From what Zach has told us. Saint Michaels is secure but threatened, and north to Ebensburg is not a problem for now."
"This is what we control." I indicate most of northern Somerset County. "This is lost to anarchy." I point out Johnstown, Richland and Windber. "This is where mobs rule, are roaming freely, and must be stopped then retaken." I draw red arrows to show Routes 219 south, 403 south and 160 north and south. "The marauders have over run Route 30 roadblocks, so they are free to rampage even more farms in our back yard."
"We draw the line at Route 30. No one passes south of Route 30 that we don't know, who have not gone through our checkpoints. Then we will push north to take back the farms around Davidsville. Lt Anders, let these folks know we are coming in force to help them out. Jerry, our roadblock detail just expanded. Figure it out, what you need. We'll do our best to get you the man power and fire power. Randy, mobile ops will be run on Route 30 until we get ready to push back north to Davidsville."
"Sergeant Hay, your thoughts on all this?" Mark inquires to the Somerset representative.
"What I have seen over the past four days has scared the shit out of me. I've seen chaos overseas, but not here in America. What I have seen today gives me hope. I can see why you're the General, Mark. You have good men here with good hearts. And it looks like you have a good grasp of the situation with a long term plan that I never envisioned.
"The folks coming out of Johnstown and Richland, those survivors, how to deal with them is the biggest problem. Your plan of taking in the willing seems to be working here. I am sure Ms. Hodge is getting the full run down on that. If we can make that work, then things might go well. But we have to be aware of people like this tyrant communist that took Davidsville. Others will look for conquest, trying to taking advantage of the chaos, or they may try to infiltrate us." He shakes his head. "These are troubled times General."
"Will your people go along with the Route 30 line? Do you have the people and fire power to support that?" Captain Hutchins asks.
"With what you supplied us in ammunition, yes. And we will coordinate with you in that effort," Sergeant Hay responds.
"Who is in charge of your militia sergeant?" Mark asks.
"Captain Albright, two tours in Iraq. Solid guy, but does not have the vision you guys have. He's a stickler for the book, General. He is still in the United States Army, if you know what I mean."
"Well, we'll just have to recruit him into the Laurel Highlands Militia," the General responds.
* * *
As the sun begins its slow descent to the westward mountains, the four trucks and one scout bike from Somerset,
along with a strong escort from Central City roll west towards Stoystown on Route 30. From there they will take Route 281 back home. The cold rain continues to come down under the gray skies. The wind blows strongly from the north bringing in colder than normal air for late September. Tinges of yellow and red can be seen as they pass through the heavily forested areas. Fall is coming, to be followed by a cold and hard winter.
Sergeant Hay ponders the turning of the seasons, he ponders all that has happened. In less than two weeks, the greatest country on earth has been shook to its core. He can't even imagine what is going on in the big cities. Here, even where there is food available, people have turned to anarchy because there is no system in place to feed them. They are working on that. He is part of a core group committed to helping others, restoring civility, some semblance of normalcy, and pushing back against chaos. Despite the grimness of the situation, he smiles.
Chapter 39, News Flash
Central City - Cheyenne Mountain SAC
September 23rd
My small staff and I are wrapping things up after seeing off the Somerset group. The mood is good. A loose alliance has been formed with a strong farming community. More trained soldiers have been brought into their militia, not to mention Zach being reunited with his family. The ammunitions and arms brought in with Zach secures their ability to protect their community and stop the marauders. The "Love Thy Neighbor" plan, to bring in the willing and the helpful is going to be expanded.
Colonel Fisher is helping me to my feet when an aid to Lt. Anders comes rushing in. "You got to hear this! It's freaking end times! The whole world got hit! It is being repeated from a ham radio out west every six hours. We caught the tail end of it earlier, but we recorded the whole thing just now."
Everyone turns to the young man. "Slow down, son,” I say.
Righteous Bloodshed: Righteous Survival EMP Saga, Book 2 Page 27
