[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

167
167
the Rebel philosophy, and knew that once a person or group had been
declared an enemy of the state one's life expectancy could be very
Page 105
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
short. There was no middle road with Tri-Staters. You were their friend
and you stayed the hell out of their business, or you were their enemy.
"You men and women have a choice now," Ben finally said after several
minutes of walking up and down the line of Black Shirts. "You can quit
your jobs and stop being an enemy of the SUSA, or I will turn your names
over to my people and we will send teams in to hunt you down and kill
you. No matter how this war goes-win, lose, or draw- if you continue to
work against us you're dead. Think about it."
The Black Shirts stared at him in silence. The resistance fighters
stared at him in silence. Both sides wondered if Ben really meant it.
"A decade ago," Ben continued, "the federal government tried to smash us
out of existence. They failed, and most of those who took an active part
against us were killed by members of what were called Zero Squads. They
were called Zero Squads because the odds of their returning from their
assignments were just about zero. Those who fought against us died. The
killing went on for months. Think about it."
"Then what our government says is true-you people are nothing but thugs
and murderers," a woman Black Shirt said. "That isn't war."
Ben smiled at her. "War is a matter of winning or losing, lady. It isn't
nice. But I have to laugh at your suggestion of us being thugs and
murderers. That's ridiculous! What do you people think you are, angels
in black? You damn government agents kick in doors in the middle of the
night and shoot citizens for merely attempting to exercise their
constitutional rights. And you have the unmitigated gall
168
William W. Johnstone
to call us thugs and murderers? That's laughable and absurd!"
"We're obeying the direct orders of the Congress of the United States,"
a male Black Shirt said. "They make the laws, we enforce them."
"Just obeying orders, huh?" Ben asked. "Sure, you are. That's the same
things Nazi war criminals said at the trials right after the Second
World War. You people should read some history. It's being repeated here."
"Are you comparing us to Hitler's SS people and the Gestapo?" a Black
Shirt asked.
"Hell, yes, I am! What's the difference? The government you work for has
been trying for several decades to rid the United States of men and
women who believe in the true interpretation of that document called the
Constitution of the United States." Ben held up a hand. "I'm not going
to stand here in the middle of the night and argue with you. You've all
been brainwashed by the left-wing, your minds warped by the babblings of
Osterman and her supporters. When we pull out of here, you're all free
to go- after we take your ID's. Just remember what I told you. This is
your only chance. You continue to fight us, you're dead." He looked over
at Chuck. "Take their ID's and escort them out of here, please."
Ben walked down the block, very much aware of the citizens of the town
peeking out through the curtains at him.
Page 106
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"Son of a bitch!" a citizen yelled, throwing open the front door of his
house.
Ben hit the ground behind a tree.
The citizen opened fire, the shotgun blast tearing bark off the tree.
Ben crawled up on his knees just as the man fired again. This time the
pellets blew a side window out of a car parked by the curb.
169
169
"You goddamn, right-wing bastard!" the local shouted.
Ben gave him a burst from his CAR and the man screamed and fell halfway
back into his house, the shotgun falling onto the porch, his legs bloody
from the slugs.
A half-dozen freedom fighters ran up to Ben, another half dozen onto the
porch, a couple of them kneeling down beside the fallen man.
"Are you all right, General?" a woman called from the porch.
"I'm fine," Ben said, getting to his boots. "How is the citizen?"
"He caught lead in both legs. But he'll live to vote for Osterman . ..
again."
"You're damn right, I will!" The wounded man moaned the words. "Claire
Osterman is the greatest president this nation has ever had."
"He must have fallen on his head," Ben muttered. "The man is delirious."
Those freedom fighters standing around Ben laughed.
"Tom Dickson," a man said. "I've known him for years. And for years he's
been an asshole."
"A little higher, and I would have given him a new one," Ben replied.
That brought another laugh from those standing around Ben.
"Secure the town," Ben ordered. "Disarm all Osterman supporters, and arm
all those who support freedom-but warn them they might die for [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]