The Young Fighters

CHAPTER 27

Frustration ruled throughout Joel's body after hearing of the crushing blow he'd obtained last night. With such anger, he personally executed a dozen random people in sight to get all the rage out of his system. Joel still had full confidence in Lance's skills, but self-assurance in Philips was now declined. He wanted to teach the crazed general discipline. He shot off a message for Lance and Philips, informing them he no longer cared about the town, only Leah.

Lance started to ask Joel why he wished to abandon all the work out of fear that he'd lost his mind. Joel then asked if everyone could leave the trailer, which they did and Lance got word of what he wanted to hear. He grew the same kind of smile that only Philips could bare.

"What was that all about?" Philips questioned upon entry along with the lieutenants.

"Just personal stuff." Lance replied. "Now let's get down to business." Lance clasped his hands together and pulled out his knife to use as a pointer. "As we've learned from yesterday and last night, attacking from the north and south was a horrible idea."

"Total F.U.B.A.R!" Philips joked as everyone looked at him.

"I'll say." One of them agreed with him.

"This time we'll make one more attempt." Lance continued. "Joel and I were discussing this final solution as to taking the town. If this doesn't work then let's try to take what we've come for; a woman." Everyone began to look at him like he was more crazier than Philips. He'd explained to them days in advanced what Joel wanted most from Georgetown, it was that woman named Leah. To him, she was the ultimate prize. Everything else about the town he had no interest in. He even told them to burn everything inch down to the ground.

"This last attempt should really have been our first now that I'm looking more clearly at the map." Lance pointed along the southeast side where the town had slanted at a 45° angle and on the right side was nothing but forest that might come in handy. The tactic they'd have to use consisted of them sneaking down another country road and then dismounting along the edge of another creek; the same one that connects to the one used by Philips during his crossing. From there, they'd have to follow the stream to avoid any possible risks of being spotted from snipers that might be hiding up in the church steeple. From there on, they'd attack the southeast side and make their way upward and attack the militia by surprise.

Everyone agreed with the battle plan and so did Philips.

"Ben," Lance looked over at him, "I'm counting on you to lead your men to success. I want you to be with them when the fighting starts."

"Why me?" He asked while lighting up a cigar.

"It boosts moral. A general who fights alongside his men makes them feel like they can achieve more... for a greater feat."

"A greater what?" Philips wasn't too good in school. Now with school out he didn't have to worry about reading, writing, or knowing what certain words mean.

"A greater feat: it means to accomplish something."

"Oh, sorry. I wasn't sure if you meant defeat." Philips looked up at Lance and asked him. "What about you? Aren't you joining your men in the frontline?"

"I will, but I need you to be the first ones in before I can send my guys in. You'll be responsible for taking the south and west, I'll be there to take the north." Everything went still for a moment or two as Philips began to nod his head and puff out some smoke.

"Okay. Sounds good to me."

Lance let everyone rest for about another hour before summoning everyone together and delivering them a half-spoken motivational speech before they started moving. Lance began to estimate that the journey would take maybe over an hour or so before reaching the other side of the creek. Before entering the lowlands, they drove out to their designated location and dismounted far from the town where some of the landscape covered their view of the church steeple. As the army got nearer, each soldier was required to make way into the creek. Lance checked his watch to see they were making excellent time.