The Revolution Begins (Molon Labe) (16 page)

Kyle got his satisfaction by personally confronting the UN Commander.  The confrontation was brief and ended w
hen the Commander pulled a knife from his belt and attacked Kyle.  An eerie smile flashed across Kyle’s face.  He caught the slash in mid-air and redirected the blow to land squarely in his attacker’s chest.  It happened so fast that no one had time to draw a weapon.  I looked over to see Kyle atop the Commander’s body looking straight into his eyes as the knife went into his chest.  No one shed a tear or felt remorse.  What had been done at this camp to Americans at the hands of these soldiers was unforgivable.

In all, the remaining
UN force numbered twenty.  Some surrendered quickly, others fought to the death, which we happily provided for them.  The dozen or so that were taken alive were taken to the site of our earlier battle and given burial duty.  After completing their task, they were placed in the local county prison where Vincent would spend some quality time with each of them.

Kyle was given leave to take Linda to rejoin the boys.  With them they delivered a message for Captain John’s daughter.  Kyle would return within a week.  He was happy to see his sons and their mother reunited, but after spending a few days with Linda,
he was reminded why they didn’t work out.  He could work much more efficiently now that his children were in their mother’s care, and for that he was grateful.

Allison’s broken leg required months of healing and therapy.  For a while, she would walk with a cane.  Neil stood by he
r side and their love grew.  He would be there every night for weeks as she awoke screaming after nightmares of the cave in and the sound of a crying child.  He ached for her and knew that time would heal the wounds and dull the memory, but the memory would never leave. He had his own nightmares prove it.

Doctor Martin and Nancy took a few days off from their duties and reminded each other of their bond.  They had worked e
ndlessly for months at the base and they both were feeling the need for rest. 

Captain John set out with a new task of finding another base.  He still had a small militia that was being augmented by new recruits from both the Town of
Queenwood, and the prisoners we had freed.  He had managed to salvage some of the radio equipment from the mines and was in contact with higher command in Charleston.  For now, we would occupy Camp Dawkins long enough to gut it of supplies and equipment.  From there we would head deeper into the mountains of West Virginia where we would begin scouting the power plants that our POW had informed us of. 

The Revolution was in it
s infancy and many more would die and sacrifice for what our Constitution stood for.  States militias were up against a better equipped and organized force.  The enemy had the advantage of technology and armor.  They would soon gain the advantage of air superiority.  Texas was the only state that commanded a full complement of military weaponry.  The state had evicted all UN troops and non-constitution abiding military personnel.  Each of the military bases in the state were being run by the state recognized militia and National Guard.  They maintained air superiority and closely guarded the border.  They would be a future ally and asset for the country.

Airman
Amy Adams started planning to slip out of the UN controlled Whiteman Air Force base and begin her long trek towards her home in West Virginia.  The road from Missouri would be long and treacherous.  She had determination and a strong pull to join the militia she had worked and sacrificed to save.

Matthew, who had lost a wife and a son, clung dearly to the
one son that remained.  He bottled most of his emotion in the form of anger and hatred towards the enemy.  His arm was getting stronger and his desire to do more for the cause grew every day.  He returned to his machine shop shortly after the memorial service held for those lost at the mines.  He worked for weeks and when he finished, he rode to the mines with Neil and I to dedicate the site.  We were met at the mines by Captain John and several of the town’s people, including Mark, Jimmie, and Gerome.

After Jimmie’s Pastor delivered a short message,
Captain John spoke of the bravery of the souls lost on this field of battle and under it. He spoke of the determination of the townspeople and made mention of the members they had lost in the battle.  He spoke of the undying spirit of freedom and patriotism.  We all felt his passion and shared it.

Matthew unveiled his monument.
He had created a six foot metal statue of a snake coiled around a crossed musket and AR-15.  Behind the snake was an American flag complete with machined stars and stripes. The initials of each of the fallen were inscribed in the base.  Below the snake was a scroll that contained the words, “MOLON LABE” which translates from Greek to,” Come and Get Them.”