MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 44

Chapter 44 -- WHKVSCCZYZYPMPIFG

After breakfast the next day they gathered in Donald's office. All had watched the previous day's events until the end, which ended with the task force departing, leaving a handful of personnel behind to complete the work. What they did not learn was how it ended. The last television broadcast ended with the reporter at the scene saying it was over and details would be available later.

More information came through unofficial channels. The league had its own communications network, and by that morning one of Donald's colleagues had provided an update. The endpoint they used was in a small rented office in Chillicothe, ostensibly occupied by a lawyer who only worked part-time. A small law firm, properly licensed and otherwise legitimate, rented the office and Donald used it occasionally for communications he didn't want traced to the farm. He had gotten up early and driven over to access the computer and retrieve the data he wanted.

"You'll find this interesting" he said. "For the time being this is being covered up - not difficult considering the situation. But we had access to witnesses. So here goes.

"The task force, state police backed by National Guard forces, about fifty altogether, about half and half. They went to the place, a small commune of what were variously described by locals as preppers or militia members. About a dozen houses, several other buildings, on the front of a partially cleared area. How they were targeted we don't yet know - in the other cases we've seen there was some provocation - members attending political events, writing to officials or politicians in unfriendly terms, the usual. Nothing for which they would have been charged with a crime.

"Which is the pattern here. They're not even bothering to try to entrap them by infiltrating an agent provocateur. Just choosing a target that few will have any sympathy for and attacking it. And so far it has worked. This time was different.

"They attacked and cleared the houses, arresting several - no official numbers yet but probably a half dozen. By the time the houses were cleared, - taking several casualties in the process - a large number of people who had exited unseen from the back side of the houses had taken cover in the wooded area behind the houses.

"As the LE types approached the woods, those in the woods opened up on them, felling a dozen or so and retreating from the return fire. They exchanged shots for a while, and the attackers, exposed and unable to see the defenders, retreated and called for reinforcements. They apparently left their casualties on the field, and it was about a half hour before a Humvee arrived and was able to cover the casualties. Word is there were at least two dead, some others that may or may not make it.

"And finally, once two more Humvees with a contingent of troops had arrived, they set out to clear the woods. Big mistake - the light was bad in the woods, and they hit a booby trap, killed one and wounded a couple more. They sealed off the area and waited for sunrise. Apparently whoever was in there had departed, They're searching the area now.

"For now, that's about it. I'll go over for another report in a couple of hours."

"How does that affect the timetable?" asked Jessica.

"Alone, it wouldn't" said Donald. He pressed some buttons on a remote, and a large screen on the wall came to life. "But...

"While we were otherwise occupied" he said "this was happening."

The scene they were watching showed what looked like another raid, only less violent. Two buses, like school buses but painted the almost-black grey of some military vehicles, were parked on a city street somewhere. Several police cars were also present. As they watched, a procession - men, women and children of various ages - was filing out of a door and boarding the buses. They were not restrained but were being herded by men in dark uniforms, not camouflage or even solid green, but a dark grey. When they all were boarded the buses were driven away, escorted by the police cars.