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  The Resolution

  The New Homefront, Volume 4

  By Steven C. Bird

  The Resolution: The New Homefront, Volume 4

  Copyright 2015 by Steven C. Bird

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or shared without expressed consent and prior authorization from the author.

  Written and published by Steven C. Bird at Homefront Books

  Edited by Sara Jones at www.torchbeareredits.com

  Final review by Carol Madding at [email protected]

  Illustrated by Keri Knutson at www.alchemybookcovers.com

  Kindle Edition (6.11)

  ISBN: 978-1-4951-6321-0

  www.homefrontbooks.com

  www.stevencbird.com

  www.facebook.com/homefrontbooks

  [email protected]

  Table of Contents

  Disclaimer

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Chapter One: The Encounter

  Chapter Two: The Relocation

  Chapter Three: Returning Home

  Chapter Four: Friend or Foe

  Chapter Five: Fugate Road

  Chapter Six: Deprivation

  Chapter Seven: Unavoidable Conflict

  Chapter Eight: Power and Persuasion

  Chapter Nine: Tipping Point

  Chapter Ten: In-processing

  Chapter Eleven: Mutual Acquaintances

  Chapter Twelve: Incarceration

  Chapter Thirteen: The Meeting

  Chapter Fourteen: Reckoning

  Chapter Fifteen: Diversions

  Chapter Sixteen: Keeping the Faith

  Chapter Seventeen: A Shared Struggle

  Chapter Eighteen: Angels from Below

  Chapter Nineteen: A Weakened State

  Chapter Twenty: Wisdom

  Chapter Twenty-One: Steps of Desperation

  Chapter Twenty-Two: Happiness, Worry, and Regrets

  Chapter Twenty-Three: Building Faith

  Chapter Twenty-Four: A Community’s Plan

  Chapter Twenty-Five: The Rats and the Cheese

  Chapter Twenty-Six: Link in the Chain

  Chapter Twenty-Seven: New Beginnings

  Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Imminent Threat

  Chapter Twenty-Nine: Provocation

  Chapter Thirty: A Helping Hand

  Chapter Thirty-One: The Escalating Threat

  Chapter Thirty-Two: Rally Point

  Chapter Thirty-Three: Preparing for War

  Chapter Thirty-Four: The Waiting Game

  Chapter Thirty-Five: The Snake

  Chapter Thirty-Six: No Challenge Too Great

  Chapter Thirty-Seven: Restoring Hope

  A Note from the Author

  Disclaimer

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real events or persons, past or present, living or dead, are purely coincidental and are not intended by the author. Although this book is based on real places and some real events and trends, it is a work of fiction for entertainment purposes only. None of the activities in this book are intended to replace legal activities and your own good judgment.

  Some items in this series have been changed from their actual likenesses to avoid any accidental sharing of Sensitive Security Information (SSI). The replacement values serve the same narrative purpose without exposing any potential SSI.

  Dedication

  To my loving wife and children:

  Monica, Seth, Olivia, and Sophia

  From the beginning of my writing career you have been my motivation and my inspiration. To this day, you still inspire me and drive me to accomplish all I can. It is my constant desire to protect you and provide for you that drives my imagination in ways that allowed me to create this story, and to continue it into a series. Not only has this series come a long way since The Last Layover, we too, have as a family, as well as with our own desires and goals to be more self-sufficient, just like the characters in the book. With your continued love and support, we will continue on this journey together as a family, and someday, our hard work and investments in ourselves will pay off big.

  ~~~~

  Additionally, I would also like to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have helped me get this far. One of the things I love the most about the writing community, at least in the post-apocalyptic/SHTF/dystopian/prepper genres, is how close-knit fellow authors, editors, and designers are, and how willing everyone is to promote and help each other along. It truly is a “rising tide lifts all boats” type of community and I’m proud to be a part of it. Thanks to everyone and I hope and pray we all continue to see success in our present and future ventures.

  Continued from (Chapter 30) The Blue Ridge Resistance: The New Homefront, Volume 3

  Introduction

  As the country continued to struggle amidst the fallout from the orchestrated collapse, the United Nations and other foreign entities continued to increase their influence, taking advantage of a nation desperate for order. Introduced as “peacekeepers” by the current administration, armed foreign troops occupied U.S. territory for the first time since the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, occupying the islands of Kiska and Attu in 1942-43.

  Initially, the UN established itself in major metropolitan areas such as Atlanta, New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles; once seen as a legitimate government presence, they began to venture out into rural areas to quell any potential resistance to their true intentions—enjoying the spoils of a war they did not even have to fight. America and its valuable resources were ripe for the picking, or so it seemed.

  The one thing the occupiers did not count on was the will of the American people, a people born into a freedom that was handed down to them since the founders pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honors to resist the tyranny they faced under King George III. The patriots of today may face a different foe, but the struggle to hold on to their natural, God-given rights is the same as their forefathers. Human nature will always go in one of two directions: those who will give up freedom for security, and those who will give their lives in the struggle for freedom.

  Chapter One: The Encounter

  The stormy weather of the previous day had completely given way to a beautiful East Tennessee morning and provided them a gorgeous view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. For the next few miles, things were relatively quiet. They stayed on their guard, but enjoyed the scenery of the new life the spring season always brings. Their only distractions were the occasional abandoned car on the side of the road. As they approached, they would slow down to take a cursory look, but from what they saw, most simply seemed to have been abandoned there, as if they had run out of fuel trying to cross the mountains.

  As Ed looked out one of the openings on the side of the livestock trailer, he turned to Nate and said, “Welcome to North Carolina.”

  “Really?” Nate replied.

  “That’s what the sign says, at least,” responded Ed.

  Nate stood up, hanging on to the side of the moving trailer next to Ed, and said, “Hopefully, we’ll make good time the rest of the way to Hot Springs. We’ve been away for long enough. I can’t help but feel like it was a bad idea to leave the homesteads as short-handed as they are without us.”

  “Yeah, I’ve been thinking the same thing. On the bright side, though, Charlie and Jimmy should be home by now. That gives them better coverage.”

  “True,” Nate said as he stared longingly out the window, wishing he was back home with Peggy.

  “Besides,” added Ed, “I can’t help but think we were meant to find the Gibbs family and make our way to Sabrina. We needed each and every one of us to pull that off. I honestly think at times the bigger picture steers us in
the direction we need to go.”

  “You mean God?”

  “If that’s how you want to look at it,” replied Ed as he looked up at the sky. “What the hell?”

  “What is it?” asked Nate as he followed Ed’s gaze, attempting to see what he was focusing on. Once he caught a glimpse, he said, “Crap. I wonder if that’s the helicopter from the bridge last night.”

  “Nate…”

  “What?”

  “Either I’m losing it, or that’s a Hind.”

  “No, Ed… you’re not losing it. That’s an Mi-24, alright.”

  As the helicopter arced back around as if to get a better look at them, Ed said, “Man, that thing has UN markings on it.”

  “What the hell…” Nate began to say as the tractor came to an abrupt stop, throwing Ed and Nate forward against the gear packed into the front section of the trailer.

  Dazed, but uninjured, Ed and Nate scrambled to their feet, looking out of the back of the trailer to see a Humvee pull across the road behind them, blocking their retreat.

  Several armed soldiers got out of the Humvee armed with AK-74M Russian service rifles. The AK-74M is the modern Russian service rifle for its ground forces. It is an updated version of the famous AK-47/AKM platform, but chambered in the 5.45x39 Russian cartridge with a synthetic stock and handguards, instead of the traditional wood of the previous models. The helicopter landed in the clearing off to the right of the tractor and they could now see that another Humvee was blocking the road in front of the tractor, explaining their sudden stop.

  Just then, they heard a message from Jason come over the handheld radio. “Just comply. Only fight if you must.”

  As the tractor’s diesel engine shuddered to a stop, the soldiers in the rear of the trailer took aim at the back doors, while several other soldiers gathered alongside the tractor to deal with Evan and Jason up front.

  One of the soldiers, focusing his attention on Ed and Nate, said in a choppy East European accent, “Slowly open door and exit vehicle with hands on head.”

  Ed opened the door and, doing as instructed, he and Nate stepped out onto the ground with their hands on top of their heads.

  “Three steps forward and drop to knees,” the soldier then said.

  Complying with the request, Ed and Nate knelt down while another soldier came from behind, stripped them of their handguns and knives, then pushed them down onto the ground, their faces hitting the hard blacktop surface.

  Ed attempted to pay attention to what was happening with Evan and Jason. He couldn’t turn to see what was transpiring, but he could hear that Evan’s defiant tone wasn’t getting him anywhere.

  In perfect English, with a standard American accent, one of the soldiers gave Evan and Jason the order, “Place your hands on your heads and climb down.”

  Evan replied, “But I can’t climb down with my hands on my head; I need them.”

  “Would you rather stumble and fall with your hands on your head or be shot for non-compliance?” asked the soldier.

  “Damn it,” Evan mumbled.

  “What was that?” the soldier demanded.

  “I said ‘damn it,' damn it!” Evan said in an angry tone. “Who the hell are you, anyway, and why the hell are you pointing guns at us? This is a public road. We have every right to use it as U.S. citizens.”

  “I’ll determine what your rights are,” the soldier replied. “Right now, you are suspected domestic terrorists and insurgents. You will be treated as such, in accordance with the Insurrection Act, until cleared. Is that understood?”

  Biting his tongue, Evan reluctantly muttered, “Yes.”

  Hearing several of the other soldiers talk with a thick accent amongst themselves in the background, Evan asked, “You sound American, but who the hell are those guys, and why are you working together doing this?”

  “We are here under the direction of the President of the United States, in accordance with his orders and at the direction of the United Nations. We are operating as peacekeepers to quell the violence and instability caused by right wing extremist insurgents,” he answered. “That’s all you need to know for now. Your compliance is mandatory. Resistance will be treated as hostile intent. Do you understand?”

  “Very much so… traitor,” answered Evan with contempt.

  The next sound Ed heard was a deep thud and that of Evan’s body dropping to the ground. Flinching out of reflex, wanting to help his friend, Ed was quickly reminded not to intervene, as the muzzle break of an AK-74 was shoved forcefully into his face by one of the soldiers standing watch over him.

  Searching the trailer’s contents, one of the soldiers shouted something in what sounded to Ed like Russian. The soldier who appeared to be in charge responded by joining him inside the trailer.

  Ah, hell, Ed thought. We’ve got those damn guns in there.

  After a brief conversation that he could not understand, Ed heard scuffling coming from Evan and Jason’s direction, as the soldiers in the rear began to zip-tie his and Nate’s hands behind their backs. They were then forced to their feet and marched to the waiting Mi-24 helicopter that was parked in the clearing. Ushered aboard at gunpoint, they were joined by two of the soldiers. The door was closed and the whining sound of the helicopter’s two Klimov TV3-117 turboshaft engines began to bring the rotors to life.

  Chapter Two: The Relocation

  As the helicopter lifted off, pitched forward, and began to accelerate, Nate asked the soldiers, “Where are you taking us?”

  “Do not speak unless required by us,” one of the soldiers said.

  Okay, then, Nate thought to himself.

  After a one-and-a-half-hour flight in the troop compartment of the Mi-24, the helicopter landed. Ed and Nate were quickly ushered inside a large one-story building located about fifty feet from the helicopter. On their way into the building, Ed attempted to get a look around to try to piece together an idea of their location. While taking mental notes, he was jabbed in the back by the muzzle of an AK-74, followed by the forceful command, “Eyes front!”

  Complying with the order, Ed looked straight ahead, saying to himself, One story, newer construction, large blue awning out front, looks like a government building, sounds of an airport, a UN flag flying above the American flag on the flagpole. Rat Bastards! He and Nate were then led inside.

  Entering the building through a side door, the soldiers led Ed and Nate down a long hallway and past what appeared to be lower-level administrative offices. At the end of the hall, they entered a room with several large boxes stacked in the corner. Looking them up and down, a soldier in the room visually sized them up and acquired an orange prison-style jumpsuit for each of them.

  “Off with your clothes,” the soldier said in a heavy Russian accent. “Everything comes off. Shoes, socks, undergarments—everything off.”

  Ed and Nate shared a concerned glance, which was quickly interrupted by the soldier shouting, “Now!”

  Begrudgingly, Ed and Nate complied, as they had no other options at the time. As Nate lowered his pants to the floor, the soldier holding the jumpsuits noticed his prosthetic leg. Pointing at Nate, he said something to one of the other soldiers in what appeared to be Russian. The soldiers shared a laugh as he nodded his head.

  Once Ed and Nate were stripped of everything, another soldier came from behind them, gathered all of their belongings, and placed them in a bag. The soldiers shared a few words in Russian before they turned their attentions back to Nate. Giving an order to the guards standing in the back of the room, the soldier walked up to Nate as two of the guards grabbed him by the arms, holding him firmly in place. Nate’s first reflex was to struggle, but given the circumstances, he quickly decided to comply with them... for the time being.

  As the guards held Nate, the soldier who approached him said, “Remove your leg.”

  “Excuse me?” Nate was caught off guard by the demand.

  “That is a very clear order. Remove your leg.”

  “What… why?”
Nate said, starting to protest as the soldier punched him in the gut, folding him over in pain.

  “Hey!” Ed shouted and almost immediately felt the butt of an AK-74 strike him in the back, knocking him to the ground. With a rifle muzzle pointed at his head, Ed quickly put an end to his resistance.

  The soldiers then wrestled Nate to the ground, removing his prosthetic leg by force. “You have no need for this at the moment,” the soldier said. “We can find it a better home.” Tossing an orange jumpsuit onto Nate as he lay naked on the dusty floor, he then said, “This is all you need for now.”

  The soldier turned to Ed and tossed him one as well. “Compliance is not optional. You will learn that the hard way if you force our hands. Now, get dressed and help your friend here get up on his one good leg. You have a long day ahead of you.”

  Chapter Three: Returning Home

  Leaving Quentin and the Blue Ridge Militia behind to head for home, Evan and Jason were blessed with the gift of two horses, given to them by their new friends in the resistance. They set out under the cover of darkness to head for the Homefront. Armed with their battlefield pickup AK-74Ms and a supply of AK magazines loaded with steel-cased 5.45x39 full metal jacket ammunition, also given to them by the resistance, they were more than prepared for the journey home. “Thank God for these horses,” Evan said. “My feet definitely weren’t up for a long-distance hike.”

  “Quit being soft; it’s only about fifteen more miles,” Jason quipped.

  “That’s easy for the guy who didn’t walk barefoot through broken glass to say.”

  “Ah, you’re just gettin’ old.”

  “Well, that’s the first accurate thing you’ve said. Do you think we should stop by the church before we head on up to the Homefront?” asked Evan.