The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 23

Within a time's past they were ready. They felt like they were ready at least. The main section of Georgetown was now a fortress in their view. The Guerrillas sensed accomplishment now that the militia a prepared. Conceit could be felt the blood and veins of every Georgetown local with the deed of molding themselves into guardians of peace.

Looking outside from the structures along the outskirts of the fortress, it looked like it was still a peaceful place. However, some changes had been made over time. Anyone who lived outside the main section of Georgetown had to move into the community; all but the farmers. Roadways into town were now blocked off and in the fields were narrow pits that stretched far in some corners. One of the locals found a crane with a clamshell, such a tool made some of the work go faster in the digging process. However, it did take a few attempts to get it right.

Small holes had been punched through the walls of buildings to provide a shooter with a place to stick the barrel of their rifle out and gave them capability to conceal themselves and shoot at the same time. Rooftops were also occupied with snipers and riflemen. Everyone heard about Hunter's heroic acts and saw him as the lead shooter with excellent marksmanship.

Elliot was back in school with Leah teaching the classes along with Amanda at his side. After school hours he was spending time with Jackson and his buddies as they over watched the north side of Georgetown. As he spent time in a state of both rush and relaxation; he couldn't help feel jitters consume him. The little guy was in the school those days ago when he'd heard Hunter shooting at the group of enemy soldiers. He was so scared he started to go up in tears.

He sat down at a table with Jackson and Connor as they'd show him how to play cards while Owen sat up in the attic of an old house they were stationed in. To all of them it looked like an old haunted house. When they were little they used to think the place had ghosts, they even heard small talk that a vampire lived in the house and slept in the basement. Upon entrance, one of them checked and all they found was old junk and rat turds.

Conversations between everyone were generally brief as to educating the little guy on a few how to do's when playing a hand. Jackson had never played some of the games Connor played and said he learned from his father. Every Friday night his father's buddies would come over and play a few games of poker and Black Jack. He'd even let younger Connor join in sometimes. Today was a new learning experience.

"Owen, how's it going up there?" Connor would yell with his head cocked up towards the ceiling.

"It's all good." Owen turned his head calling out though the open door and the echo of his voice would carry around the house. With him he brought a couple of his comics. Every few moments after he read a panel or two he'd look up out the window. If anything suspicious came about he was to call Andy on his walkie talkie. So far it was nothing but a slow day.

Mila, stationed over on the other side of town was also remaining hidden behind the walls with a large hole that was nearly a foot long on all sides. All that came about for her was nothing but a chill from the cool wind as it blew her way. Her hands were starting to get nippy and she didn't even bring along any gloves.

She started to wonder about Jackson and how he was feeling after what he and his friends went through after they'd been to Greenville. They both spoke to each other during lunch when they were going through training and even got a chance to be introduced to Snake and his guerrillas the day they came to Georgetown.

Mila wanted to talk to Jackson by talkie as well as Parker and see how the farm was going without her. She also started to miss her cat Jasper and wondered what he was up to. Part of her was feeling empty with every few moments as she started to think more about what was going on and what they'd do if they were over thrown.

If we are defeated. Then I apologize.

That was all Snake had to say. There was no real back up plan as on what to do if they'd ever get beaten back by Joel. There was one option he had in mind and he called it: Plan X. We run like Hell! As to where, I don't know.

For now she'd have to wait until the end of the hour until someone could take her place. Snake and Liger came up with a plan on how they'd handle sentry watches; everyone stands guard at their post for three hours and the next person takes over for them.

Down at the town hall sat at the table The Village Elders, The head of the Georgetown Militia, and the head of The South Clinton Guerrillas. Before leaving their hometown, Snake and Liger packed up all their belongings from the safe house and brought them to the town hall and used the building as the new headquarters. Along the walls of a separated corners with walls that could be adjusted like curtains stood their base of operations.

In their corner sat another large table with a collection of maps and clipboard with a list of all their supplies in stock. The Village Elders made it clear as well as the guerrillas when looking over their chart of sources that since they were living in a time of hardship; they'd need to conserve. Another problem they' had was the fact that this conflict was isolating a number of them from getting a chance to work. People were going on a diet now. In the past none of them were watching their weight, now they can't complain too much about lack of food. They've been given some rations found at Lee's. Every little ration was taken from the store before leaving. An army runs on its stomach.

"Do you think the militia's fully ready?" Caden asked,

"They're as ready as I can make them." Snake replied. "If we had time and a military base, I'd train them to the fullest extent of what's needed to know in order to make them true soldiers."

Caden sighed, "Alright. You have my trust in leading the militia."

They were nearing Georgetown at a steady rate after leaving Washington city nearly three hours ago and taking their time. Joel handpicked new recruits who were sitting in jail cells at the ever expanding prison. Those who went in were just people whom didn't agree with him. If they weren't executed, then they were brought to the penitentiary. Anyone brought there was either starved to death with little to eat, or they were killed by the brutality of the guards.

Preparation was extremely brief and only took three days to have them taught. The rules were mostly simple: go here, shoot, and do as your commander says. No physical training what- so-ever. Anyone who couldn't be taught faced death by their commanding officer. Another way they'd prep someone that didn't fit any ways of combat training was molded into something different; a suicide bomber. Joel had no quandary with having one of his own soldiers be blown up in an attack as long as it helped provide a key in victory. The bomber would just have to strap on a vest that had a series of homemade pipe bombs taped onto the clothing and once they were in their target destination they'd light the fuse and let the bomb to the rest of the work. Anyone who refused was shot by their commander.

Leading the charge was Lance and Philips. The battle plan was reviewed by other top lieutenants and fully understood upcoming actions that needed to be preformed. Some info was gathered by a spy recently who'd reached Georgetown shortly before the militia was finished with training. He'd warned them about the walls covered by old cars and trenches. The one thing he'd missed were a few of the booby traps. Those would have to be uncovered the hard way.

Generals met up with the spy and he walked through what he'd observed. The mole pointed out on the map where he'd seen obstacles planted and beamed out that they might need to use a substitute when it comes to crossing the trenches. Each of them grew surprised when he informed them of the town's use of a crane. Once the briefing was over, the leaders would set forward the attack.

They'd pause alongside a forested area and wait. Not far from their sight were the remains of Georgetown gas plant that served as the first victory for Joel.