The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 9

Nearly three miles past the welcoming sigh for Georgetown was where the first patrol became situated. Away from the greeting were a few parked vehicles that sat alongside on the gravel and right by Andy's car he stood. To the front of him, a deer stand stood tall above the team and well hidden along the trees. At the moment, Andy was currently in charge of all the locations that could be used in protecting the town. All commands for attacks had to be approved by Caden before they could be executed. Andy didn't see himself as a general no more then he pictured himself as the town's sheriff. Before he left Caden's office, he inquired if he had anyone whom he'd like to make into a general of the "Georgetown Militia." There were no propositions open for that rank. For now, Andy would have to play the role as high commander while Caden was Commander-in-Chief.

That's what the name of their little rag-tag army was called. "The Georgetown Militia." Fewer than twenty and all armed with weapons they either fired once in their lifetime or had used frequently. Uniforms that were being used by the militants were simple; regular hunting camouflage coats with a wool hat on top and whatever kind of pants you wished to wear along with any pair of boots you had available. If there was a military surplus store in town, they'd all be wearing something much more classy. In Andy's eyes, they were all too young to even be fighting in what could turn out to become a war. He didn't even see any of them as soldiers. You should all be doing your chores, not patrolling the fields. He'd say to himself. Andy didn't know anything about military tactics either. He'd play video games in the past, but were they accurate when it comes to teaching the average kid how to battle bad guys?

A map was available along with several copies of the town that were printed off back at Caden's office with the help of the printing machine. On each sheet were lists of the locations where the outposts were situated as well as places to hide at or search along. As of Andy's present moment he stood next to his car along with several other members of the Georgetown Militia.

Slung around the backside of his shoulders was his trusty hunting with five bullets sitting inside the chamber. With him, he also carried along his fanny pack with a lighter, Swiss Army Knife (which he got back when he was a boy scout,) a plastic bottle of water, a pair of binoculars, extra batteries, a walkie talkie that he could use to contact his team and Caden, and a small box with .30-06 bullets. Andy wore a camo coat with dark brown pants. Keeping his hands warm were small wool gloves with the fingers cut off; somehow it reminded him of the action movies. On top of his head was a camouflage Boonies hat.

Along side with Andy were Brooklyn, Carter, Ellie, Mackenzie, Paul, Ryan, Wyatt, and now arriving, Jackson. Everyone began to look up at him as he parked his truck alongside the road and hop out wearing a black roughneck coat and military style camo pants, and baring in his hands was his Henry Rifle.

"Sorry I'm late," Jackson spoke as he walked up to Andy, "I had to do my chores and check in with Caden back at town hall." That was a new rule that was enforced for all soldiers in the militia. All militia members must register before duty.

"As long as you're here," Andy said, "that's all I'm concerned about." Andy then turned his attention down towards the map where he pointed out sites that were to be watched. "Jackson," Andy looked up at the youth, "You'll be sticking around here with me and Ryan until you can manage to handle your weapon." He looked over at everyone else, "In the mean time, head off to your destinations and keep in touch with me and anyone around. At least try to make it a habit to contact me on the line every thirty minutes or so. And if any of you see anything that looks suspicious, don't hesitate to radio me." The squad began to departed when something else came into Andy's mind. "Oh," all and sundry halted where they stood, "and I better not hear any shooting unless I 'okay' it. Does everyone got that?" They all agreed and left.