Free Militia by Justin D. Russell Page B

equipment stored in that house that we could use or bring with us in case we need it.”
    “Damn, Steve, I couldn’t have planned it any better myself,” Mike said. “When the fight is over we will need to clean the sight as quickly as possible. I want no trace that there was ever a check point here much less a 13 dead Chinese troops.”
    Mike gathered all of first platoon around to go over the next step in what was about to be their revolutionary war.
    “Alright guys, I have tried to send what news I could get back to you but I’m gonna give you all a quick briefing myself anyway. The Chinese have taken our nation and replaced our military with theirs. They are setting up new laws and as you are all obviously aware, they have started setting up checkpoints on the main roads to stop all travel and communications between states. What you might not know is that underground reports are coming across on the radio saying that Americans are being murdered at these checkpoints for trying to sneak loved ones and food across state lines. Our airspace has been made a no fly zone and the only planes we may hear belong to the Chinese, so if we hear any noise from the sky from here on out we need to find conceal ourselves to stay invisible to any recon planes that might be in the air. I have even heard news of the Chinese starting up labor camps for our people to move into in order to get food rations. The last couple of weeks most of the radio stations that are still broadcasting have been airing propaganda about the great government of China and how Americans are lucky to have them here. I for one yell BULLSHIT!”
    The group of men all appeared to be getting riled up and calling for battle. Mike looked to Steve who was standing to his side and noticed the seriousness of his friends face even through the thick mane of facial hair. “We are going to take these checkpoints and then we are going to take back our country or die trying.” At that there was a quiet cheer from the group of soldiers.
    “Now it is down to business guys. Once we are finished here we will hide out and wait for second platoon to get here from the north. With the roads cleared it will only take a few days’ time at full speed and then we will march to meet third platoon before crossing the border of Idaho. I firmly believe that the smartest thing we can to is to reach the Pacific Ocean in Washington and then move south through California. I don’t feel the Chinese will give us much thought until we have made it to the northern border of California but by then our numbers will have to grow and we will have had to take Seattle which will be the first of hopefully many large cities. We will find any and all Americans in our path and do our best to recruit them. We will kill any Chinese soldiers and put an end to any labor camps we cross. We need to have the open water to our backs before moving east and we need greater numbers to accomplish that. At all times the location of Middle must remain a secret to anybody outside of our current numbers to ensure our families safety. The last thing we want is that information falling into the hands of the Chinese.”
    As Mike finished his speech and stepped away from the group to rest for the night he could hear them chanting his name. It startled him at first but he kept what his father had told him in his mind. His father was right he did care for these soldiers just like he had cared for his rangers before them. The first American Revolution was won by small numbers and odd tactics and this Revolution could succeed with the same. With that thought Mike found himself a flat piece of earth and fell asleep.
    Over the next week Mike trained with first platoon. He and Steve briefed the men daily and had the soldiers brief the operation back to them until there was not a single tree or line of sight in the area that the men did not know by heart. No detail was left out including the cleaning and removal of the checkpoint.