MacArthur's Freehold

Chapter 63

Chapter 63 -- OGCVSRURZJXURSA

Grant Page had slept late. He and the others on the committee, along with several members, had spent the weekend at Luther's commune, setting up for a possible return by the authorities. They fairly certain that a check for the unregistered children would occur, and would probably be a pretext for a search for the fugitives.

The fugitives, along with the twenty-eight children, had been taken over to Grant's enclave, to await developments. They had worked out some plans, including battle tactics in case it came to that. They had left small disguised radios for Luther and another of them to carry.

He wasn't really expecting a visit on a Monday morning, but you never knew. He quickly shaved, showered and brushed his teeth, skipping breakfast but promising himself a cup of coffee later. Dressed in dark olive BDUs, he joined his other colleagues at the headquarters, with a dozen or so volunteers.

All were armed with SIG516 rifles, a large quantity of which they had purchased some years earlier when the group had decided it was time to create a safe haven from the continuing encroachment of the government. They hadn't expected to need them so soon, but there it was, and had to be dealt with.

The rifles were supplemented by .40 caliber handguns, carried in a variety of manners but most were in vertical shoulder holsters, secured to the belt, while some others were in belt holsters. They stood around in the area in front of the headquarters building, while Grant and the others were inside monitoring events at the neighboring camp.

"I was thinking Monday was too early" Grant said "but come to think about it, they just might show up early to surprise them."

"Considering the last couple of operations" said Arthur "we shouldn't be surprised if they show up with some heavy weaponry. They've been burned a couple of times now, and they don't like it happening even once."

"They'll have trouble getting around in there in anything other than off-road trucks" said Gerald. "It's a good place to set a trap."

"Which they may or may not consider" said Bill. "Unless they have some guys with military training or experience, they shouldn't try an assault."

"Well, they can't surround it and starve them out" Grant said. "There's nothing on three sides of it but forest. So what do they do, if they want to do a search, or a mass arrest? Normally they might get away with it, only losing those who flee into the woods. But they're armed and prepared. And apparently not going to go quietly."

The radio receiver startled them, Luther's voice coming over clearly as he spoke to someone.

"The children you seek are not here." he said. "Neither are the two fugitives you seek. You have your warrant, you are free to inspect the place. You will not be molested as you do so. If you intend to do so, we would appreciate if you would be expeditious."

They could not hear the response, but a number of voices were heard in the background. After a couple of minutes Luther spoke.

"I'm alone for the moment" he said. "They are dispersing to search the premises. There are about twenty men on the property, and more, probably as many more, coming down from where they are parked on the road. Ted is here with me, he is wearing the other radio. I'll try to keep you updated."

"They're going to toss the place." Grant said. "Under the circumstances, they're likely to express their annoyance in unhealthy ways. We should get moving."

Riding in their off-road vehicles to a short distance from the encampment, they dismounted and walked to a place they had earlier found useful for observing the place without being seen. Grant and Bill used their field glasses to get a better view. as what appeared to be forty to fifty black-clad personnel moving about the area, entering houses and outbuildings, occasionally emerging to confer with others before continuing.