The Patriot (5 page)

A few minuets later Tim showed up and said when I drove by your home I noticed a guard vehicle parked across the street at the market. They appeared to be watching the highway but he didn’t want to take a chance. Goldie said they might have traced me somehow, I hope not for her sake. By the way Tim asked, what is the special job? Goldie told him of his plans to take over the station and broadcast a message over the airways. And that Richard was bringing a team of ex army special forces over at noon tomorrow to help me carry it out. Tim said at noon, he sure would like to be in on this. Goldie said come over about noon tomorrow and set in on the planning. Tim said I’ll be here, and I’ll take another look around your house and call you when I get back. Goldie said thanks man, see you tomorrow. Later Tim called to say the guard vehicle had left maybe it wasn’t anything to worry about. Goldie said thanks, lets hope so, but I don’t think I will chance a visit tonight.

The Call To Arms

The next morning Tim came in and a few moments later Richard and his men showed up. The oldest member of the green berets was a former captain the rest were all retired senior enlisted men. The captain said Richard has told us some of what is planned how do you plan to carry it out. Goldie said what I have in mind is taking over the station and tying all the station workers up and securing them inside by the entrance doors. My friends there will install the program on the statewide emergence broadcast system and set it to interrupt regular programming after we leave the station.

We lock the doors and plant explosives at all entrances to prevent anyone getting in to stop the program. Regular programming will continue long enough for us to get out before my taped announcement cuts in. No one will know anything is wrong until the program comes on their television screens. We should be gone and the program completed by the time anyone gets past the explosives or sets them off. Richard said my God man if we can pull this off our numbers will increase, and this could be copied and replayed across the country by others.

My friends at the station tell me that at any given time there are five to seven persons in the station. It is located in a single floor building with unguarded front and rear entrances. There are no armed personnel in the offices and some are male some female. There are six of you plus Tim and myself. We should have no problem immobilizing the people and securing the building. Richard asked what about your two friends at the station. Goldie said they are in an office of their own. We will leave them tied, bound, and gagged when we leave just like the others. No one should know they acted voluntarily. The captain asked what day and time have you in mind? Goldie said I am advised Saturdays in the afternoon is the best since that is when most programming is routine and fewer people are in the building. Also Saturdays most people are off work at home and our viewing audience would be the greatest.

The captain said we will need tie straps and tape to immobilize the people and material for blindfolds and gags. We will bring all the firearms and additional supplies. One of his men said we will need C-4 and electronic motion fuses to detonate the bombs if anyone enters by the doors. Are there windows in the building? Goldie said no there are no external windows. Also the building is isolated a few hundred feet from adjacent buildings so entry from the roof would take some time. The six of us could easily travel together but maybe we should take two vehicles in event one is disabled en-route. Well Richard said this is Friday do we do it tomorrow? All agreed the sooner the better. Goldie said captain, Tim and I can meet you at two o’clock tomorrow at the Springboro exit off I-75. We can travel together from there that would put us at the station about three. Once their captain will you take charge of the operation? The captain said he would consider it an honor. We will meet you at Springboro at two. After the men had left Tim said well Goldie I’ll see you tomorrow around noon, rest easy. Goldie said you too Tim, you too.

The next morning Goldie called his sons to let them know of the operation planned for the afternoon and told them to watch the television. The boys said dad once this thing airs on television they will know who you are and be coming after you. He said yes I know, and it won’t take them long to find you out. Get all the men together tomorrow and meet me in camp tomorrow at dusk. Tell them to let their families know they could be away for some time. Then he called Tim and told him he would swing by and pick him up shortly. He pulled into the drive and Tim came out and together they started the drive to Springboro. The captain and his men were waiting for them when they arrived. The captain said we will follow you to the station.

They sat for a few moments discussing how they would put the plan into action. The captain said since you have friends there you and Tim enter the front entrance first and go to their workstation. Three of my men will enter the rear doors while myself and the other two will enter the front way. We will give you and Tim one minute to locate your friends then we will enter, secure the doors, and take control of the workers and blindfold them all and secure them. Once you have the program set up we will immobilize your friends as well. Then we can set the explosives and secure the doors as we depart. Goldie said my friends say it will only take them one minute to install the program so we should be in and out in a few minutes.

When they pulled into the station there were only three cars in the parking lot one was his friends. He and Tim entered the building and asked the receptionist where the engineer and program director were and were advised the engineers office was first booth on the right. They went directly to the station engineer’s office. He asked his friends how many people are here now and was told only four men and a young lady. Just then the captain and his men entered the building. One man took charge of the young lady while the others moved into the offices and brought two men out. The other offices were clear and the men began blindfolding and tying the people up. His friends installed the program disk and set it to cut in on all other programming in five minuets. Once done Goldie told his friends we have to make this look good for your safety then bound, gagged, and blindfolded his friends and led them out where the others were.

The captain told the workers they were going to be secured to the inner doors, and that explosives would be set to detonate should anyone attempt to enter the building. He advised them do not get up and move around that any movement would set off the bombs. He told the workers we are going to secure and lock the doors and arm the bombs as we leave. The young lady will be tied to the front doors outside where she can warn anyone who approaches to stay clear of the building. We wish you no harm so follow instructions and you will be all right. The men secured the building, set the explosive charges, secured the doors and placed the young lady outside the doors then drove away.

They drove back to Springboro and stopped to part ways. The captain shook Goldies hand and said the radio is going crazy the program must be working well. He said it has been a pleasure working with you and Tim. Goldie said I wish we could have met under different circumstances, I hope we can work together again. When you meet with Richard tell him I will be back in camp later today he can reach me there. As the captain and his men drove off Tim started up the vehicle and headed towards Vienna. Goldie turned the radio on to see what the broadcasters were saying. The newscasters were all excited talking about the terrorists taking control of the television station. It claimed the terrorist had taken over the station to broadcast lies and propaganda. The spokesperson said all the innocent workers in the station were killed by bombs planted in the station by the terrorists and several government officials also lost their lives. Rewards are being offered for information identifying the terrorist’s gang and their leader.

The drive back went without incident and Goldie dropped Tim off near his home then went on to his campsite. He told Tim be careful they may identify us all. I have advised the boys to get all the men and report to camp tonight. Jeffrey will pick you up on the way in if you feel it necessary. Tim agreed and said he would contact Jeffrey and come in with them. Goldie drove on back to the camp area. Before going in he stopped to talk with his friend the farmer and was told all has been quiet with no unusual traffic. The old fellow said Christ we saw you on television today and watched the news afterwards. You have them shook up good so be careful. He said I will friend, then drove on down the road and pulled off into the woods and back under the pines. All was quiet and undisturbed. He opened a field rations kit and ate then leaned back to open a can of Pepsi and relax.

At dusk his sons, Tim, and the men came in. They said everyone is talking about the television broadcast and the news that followed. One station said they now know who these terrorists are and showed your picture and name and offered a reward for information as to your whereabouts. Notices have been posted all over the village stating that starting tomorrow one local will be executed each week until you are turned over. Goldie said persecution of the families of resistors is the favorite tactic of would be dictators. With that in mind my friends I want you to know that if there be any of you here who cannot bear the thought of your family being persecuted in your absence, you may go to your families now and no one will think the less of you. Be certain he said that my friendship and best wishes go with you. Not one voice was raised. He told them, should our loved ones suffer we will share our grief and share in the vengeance we take. We have food and cola so tonight my friends let us eat and rest. Tomorrow we will plan our next move.

The Persecution Begins

The following morning all village residents were brought to the town square to stand before the commandant and his guards. The commandant ordered his guards to bring the terrorists wife before him. The commandant said is there any here who will spare this woman’s life by bringing her man to me, but not a voice was raised. The commandant asked her, will you tell us where your man is hiding? The lady raised her arm with a copy of the execution threat in her hands. Then she tore the notice in half and threw it to the ground in front of the commandant’s feet. The commandant was livid with rage. He ordered his guards to carry out her sentence. She was placed in a keeling position before the crowd then a guard stepped forward and fired. The commandant said, leave her body, if she is to be buried let her man come for her.

That night the nearby farmer came to advise them of the commandant’s actions and the death of his wife. Goldie put his arms around his sons and all could see his pain. We have no choice he told the others, we must make them pay for their butchery. Joshua you take your team and move in from the east and attack their camp in the area behind the school. Jeffrey your team will move in from the west and attack them in the factory storage complex. James your team will move in from the north and blow up the fuel station next to the old trailer park. They commandeered that station and use it for their own needs. Joshua asked his father, where will you and Tim’s team be? Goldie said, first we will recover your mother, and then when your actions start we will hit the commandant’s headquarters in the old police station. Tonight the commandant and his personal guards will be mine.

The old man told his sons it will be dark by seven o’clock. I want all teams in place by nine o’clock. All teams attack their positions at exactly nine thirty. Hit the factories, tents, and fuel station first with grenades then rake their areas with automatic fire. All teams disengage the enemy at nine forty five. We must make this fast with the maximum damage possible, and then move out before they can engage us. After the operations are over everyone meet back at camp. If any team runs into difficulty use your radio and my team will come to your assistance, but use your radio only in case of need. Tonight we will teach these bastards a lesson. Later as the teams prepared to move out he told them be careful you are not followed back to camp.

The old man rose up as his sons and their men arrived back at camp. Jeffrey had taken a fragment in his arm but he and the others were ok. Jeff said not a man had been lost and all teams are now well supplied. We destroyed most of the factories and they lost a lot of their men. Joshua said we hit them in their camp area before they knew what happened. We destroyed their camp took most of their supplies and left a lot of dead and injured. James said we took out their guards then set off the charge. We saw no survivors. How did it go with you? The old man said, your mother is here and has been avenged. When your action started he came running out with his guards. We eliminated his guards and I left my calling card hanging around the commandant’s bloody neck. Come, now we must lay your mother to rest by the waterfalls and wildlife she loved so much.

The governor was livid at the loss of his commander and forty of their best officers. Even worse was the amount of grenades, ammunition, and supplies taken by the attackers. Everything was taken or destroyed. Not one national was taken. He took his wife right out from under our nose. How did this happen? How am I to explain this to my superiors? Post a notice for a town meeting of all nationals at noon tomorrow. I will be there and personally offer a reward, a million for the old man and a million more for his sons. A new commandant will be with me. Set up his headquarters in a secure area near the old snow hill meeting place. Double the patrols and post more guards, Word is spreading about this bunch of renegades; we must make an example of him and his followers. That evening a friend from the village informed him of the governors planned meeting. Goldie said, go home my friend; tell the others I will be with them tomorrow. Then he said to his sons, come we have a journey to take.

The next morning Goldie lie watching as the townspeople were herded into the open area in front of the old trailer park. They looked grim, expecting the worst. Yet he could see them nodding to one another and looking at the body wagons not yet removed. The governor walked to the front and stood on the stones at the entrance of the old trailer park. With him were the new commandant and a heavy escort. He fired a round into the air to silence the crowd. At that moment Goldie lay hidden in the wooded area across the stream some three hundred yards away. He wiped the sight on his rifle, adjusted the windage, and took careful aim. The governor raised his arm holding one of his ransom notes high. He yelled I offer, then his face was shattered and he fell to the ground. A second later another shot rang out and the new commandant slumped over and fell to his knees. Long before the forces determined where the shots came from, the old man had moved along the stream, past the old barn on the corner and disappeared into the woods where his sons were waiting. It is done he said, they will need a new governor and commandant.

Later that day He knelt by the gravesite at the edge of the woods where he and his sons had buried his wife. Tears welled in his eyes as he remembered the years they had shared their lives, hopes, and dreams. The sadness came thru his voice as he said I miss you my love, Truly you were filled with love, grace, and charity. I may never get back this way again angel but today they paid for what they done to you. And I promise you they will pay many times over before my time is ended. Slowly the old man rose and shouldered his carbine. He took one last look then he turned, waded the stream, took his sons arms and disappeared into the woods.

Hours later and miles away the old army veteran of the Korean and Viet Nam conflicts sat alone in the darkness while his sons slept. The old man’s thoughts turned back to the day he had first enlisted in the army and after training had been assigned to a military police unit in dachau Germany. A million bodies lay entangled in mass graves at that terrible place. The memory of the gas chambers and bloodstained courtyard was seared into his memory. He had vowed then that never would he willingly submit to enslavement or extermination. He couldn’t help wondering what had happened to the love of freedom once shared by the veterans who had liberated those camps. Had it really came down to the fact that wealth and tax breaks meant more to them than freedom for their children?

Later He told the men, history has chosen us to defend the liberties our founding fathers gave us. We must get the word spread to all militia members and all who love freedom. We are in touch by radio with groups across our state and the nation. We are agreed we will strike all across this land of ours. My friend Richard has just arrived and he will advise us of actions planned across the state. We are not alone in this struggle. Richard told the men together we will face the future with courage and we will persevere. Our friends will start today in counties across the state to ambush the supply convoys of the martial law forces. Goldie will set up teams and assign you your targets and responsibilities. We must attack their positions and shut off their supplies. Richard said, thanks to our friends in Dayton I have brought you some supplies. We now have shoulder-fired launchers with incendiary grenades and plenty of frag grenades and mortars. I must move on now my friends, God be with you.

As Richard rode away Goldie spelled out instructions to the men. Tonight we will complete the destruction of their camp and storage buildings. Jeff you and jams take your men and attack their encampment near the school. At exactly nine o’clock tonight hit the troop area hard and fast from the east and south sides with grenades and heavy fire. Joshua your team will come with times team and myself for tonight we are going to destroy their supply centers in the old factories in the village. We will attack at exactly the same time as your men hit their camp. When the buildings are destroyed and no survivors seen we will move to your location and attack the camp from the west. When no survivors can be seen I will order a withdrawal and all return to camp.

The next morning a newly appointed governor and area commander stood before their troops at the old snow hill golf course where they had moved their headquarters. He was furious as he addressed the troops. Last night the resistors struck our camp again and burned down our storage area in the old factories in the Vienna village. All our supplies were destroyed and many men lost. Now the men and supplies coming in from the river area will have to be secured here temporarily. He waved a United Nations flag before the troops and asked; are you going to let one old man and a band of followers make a fool of us? We must end his reign of terror before more join his renegade columns. I want one platoon put on full duty each day searching the woods for them.

The following morning Richard met with Goldie and the team leaders. He said we heard of the action and your successful attack on their storage area. Good work my friend. Now we have word of a large shipment of supplies moving in from the south. The militia has run them out of Kentucky. Goldie said we will be ready for them. More of our friends are joining us every day. I will have both southern routes covered with a full complement of men. Jeff’s team is covering the fallsvill route and James will have his men at farmers station area. Guys listen up. The troop carriers will be in the lead and tail positions protecting their supplies. Strike the troop carriers first with incendiary grenades then hit the supply trucks. Do as much damage as possible then get out fast.

Joshua and Tim and I will have our teams hit their snow hill headquarters area tomorrow night. We know we can’t win a full showdown there yet but we are going to hit them hard and fast and disrupt their communications. We will keep them busy here so they won’t suspect anything is waiting for their supply columns. They will find out tomorrow there are more of us than they thought. Also, I heard from a friend in Mississippi. He and his friends will be joining us tonight. I served with him in Nam; he’s tough and smart. They are all airborne troopers. A friend is going to fly them in tonight so no one will spot them coming down. If all goes well Mac and his friends will be with us when we hit their headquarters tomorrow. Team chiefs have a runner contact me tomorrow night at my base camp in falls Ville with progress and status reports. Until later men, God be with you.

Richard said, when the history pages are written you men will be remembered for the work you are doing. Your bravery and determination are beyond words. Many brave men all across this state and our country are joining this fight for freedom. In some areas our numbers are such that we can meet the enemy head on. Just like Viet name their tanks, aircraft, and personnel carriers are useless and they will tire of trying to meet us on our terms. It will be a long fight and it’s going to get dirty, but have no doubt, we will win. I must return to my operations center near Middletown and I will carry the story of your brave deeds with me. We will soon have a periodic newsletter delivered statewide so all our families will know we are well and fighting. Farewell my friends, until we meet again.

That night Goldie was waiting in the woods near the falls for his friend from Mississippi. He had told Mac to drop in about midnight when the cargo planes from the nearby airborne park were heaviest. He heard the engines of a twin engines craft stalling and wondered if it could be his friend. He waited until he heard the engines restart and the craft move away then moved to the edge of the wooded area. He waited a few moments then gave a signal. Within a moment he saw Mac moving towards him. He signaled twice more then stood up to meet his old friend. Mac grabbed his arm and said man you don’t look a day older than when I last saw you in Nam. Goldie hugged his old friend and said man it’s good to see you again.

How many men did you bring with you? Mac said wait till you see who they are. The men had circled them and were waiting in the woods but now came walking out. A dozen men came in single file and Goldie couldn’t believe his eyes. My God Mac, you brought our old squad from Nam, how did you get everyone together after all these years? Lord wait till my people see you. I have told them of the hell we raised on the operations we made into Cambodia and north Viet Nam. Let us go now to my camp area and rest, we have an operation planned for tomorrow. Together they moved out for the three-hour hike to the base camp. Upon arrival Goldie introduced Mac and the others to the men. Food was prepared so the men could refresh themselves from their journey. Then all retired for the night for some must needed rest.

Late the next morning Goldie was awakened by his lookouts and told all was quiet. As the others awakened they had coffee and eggs a friendly farmer had given them. As they sat together Goldie told Mac and the others of the actions planned for the day. The supply columns are expected to reach farmers station on the west and Fallsville from the south. He showed them on a map the distance from where they were now to where the supply columns were to be hit. We will not use our radios this day, as we don’t want the enemy to think we are moving. Now that you men have arrived I believe we can revise our plans somewhat. He then showed all the men the layout of the enemy snow hill encampment. It is bounded on the west by a paved road and a wooded area. The south is bounded by a paved highway and adjacent wooded area. To the north are some scattered woods and the camp is bordered on the north by a slightly elevated ridge. On the east are rolling hills but nothing difficult for us.