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  Levi smiled and reminded his dearest friends that they would be leaving on 10 April.

  Scott and the Sgt Major decided to send a two-man team to follow and save their asses when they found the trouble they were apparently looking for, “Danged fools, shit,” repeated Scott.

  The two trooper volunteers chosen for the job were SSgt Tim Carter and Sgt Kevin Simms. They were supplied, in addition to personal equipment, a Jeep and trailer, four weeks of rations, cold weather gear, side arms, extra ammunition and a Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW).

  Both Carter and Simms knew that General Levins would discover, and confront them fairly quickly. They also knew that Levi would order them to go back. For them, however, returning was not an option as Colonel Eldridge ordered them not to return until General Levins, and party returned home...Yep, rock and a hard place.

  The days leading up to 10 April and Levi’s departure went without incident. Levi backed off all command controls, deferring those decisions to Scott.

  ◎

  10 April 0830

  Dining Facility,

  Defiance, ROA

  “Levi,” asked Scott as he ran his fingers through his short sandy blonde hair, “are you sure this is something you want to do? It just seems like you are making such a reckless decision to go off courting trouble.”

  Levi smiled as he placed his right hand on Scott’s shoulder and said, “That is the second time you’ve called me Levi. I like it.”

  As they walked out of the Dining Hall, they walked to one of the benches on the Village Green and sat down to talk.

  “The decision was not mine alone, I spoke with my little band of hunter-gatherers, and none were willing to be left behind, so yeah, I’m sure this is something I want, no make that, need to do.

  Scott, we have a radio set, and I promise to keep you informed as to our adventures. Colonel, let me make something clear to you, take care of the Republic of America.” Levi’s eyes hardened and his brow furrowed as he said, “It may be the only hope to avoid a thousand year Dark Age.”

  Levi gestured with his hands as he said, “My friend, you must never forget the lesson of the Roman Empire; three generations after they collapsed, they were forgotten for a thousand years. During this time men lived in horrible conditions, and western civilization’s rebirth meant starting from scratch.

  Scott, Train hard to win easy. Aw, hell, I don’t need to tell you this., you and Bradley Cobb are the two best soldiers I have ever met, and with whom I have had the privilege of service. I am very proud of both of you.

  You twice asked if I thought you were ready for the mission I assigned to you, so without your asking, I am telling you, you are ready. You need me around here like a boar hog needs tits.”

  Levi, seeing President Ralph Bassett and Sgt. Major Bradley Cobb coming toward them placed his hands on his thighs and began to stand, with Scott following his lead.

  “Oh, one final thing, Bradley, please ask Leon to take good care of Scar and Tugboat. I guess that’s about it,” and Levi grabbed both Scott and the Sgt Major in hugs, before turning to President Ralph Bassett. Ralph, ya’ old curmudgeon, it has been one hell of a ride, and I am so happy that you asked me to be a part of it. The two men embraced one last time, as Ralph said, “Levi, should I play the, I’m in trouble, and you promised to help me card?” Both men laughed heartily, but through this false levity, there was an underlining sadness in saying goodbye.

  The hug between Levi and Ralph had just a touch more meaning as both were thinking of March 29th, the day they met and began to forge a new nation.

  As they exited the Village Green, Levi was taken aback when he saw the entire Defiance contingent, along with the horse cavalry troopers of the 1st Cavalry Regiment, in formation standing strictly at attention. Off to the sides several yards from the formation the entire town of Defiance, and every citizen of the Republic of America that could be there, were there. They cheered as the four men approached the formation. Levi waved to them, then turned to Ralph and said, “Oh, crap, I’ll never get through this without making a danged fool of myself. Damn you, Ralph, you know I’m just an old softie, but thank you, my dear friend.”

  First Sergeant Tomas Torre stood ramrod straight, facing Levi, who walked to within three steps of Tomas. The 1st Sgt saluted sharply and said, “General Levins, the 1st Cavalry Regiment wishes to say goodbye, and would like to hear some parting words, sir.”

  Levi returned the salute, even though he was dressed in civilian clothes. “Thank you, 1st Sergeant, I am most honored,” said Levi in a faltering voice.

  Tomas winked and whispered, “Thank you, sir, now the formation is yours. He then performed a parade ground right face and placed himself to the left and slightly behind Levi.

  As Levi looked out at the formation, standing at attention and shouted, “Stand, at ease.”

  His eye began picking out certain faces; faces that had been there from that very first day, and it made him feel old. Each man of that first militia stood proudly in their own formation, centered and slightly separated on their left and right.

  “Oh, my, this is going to be very hard for me to get through without you wonderful Troopers of the ROA, 1ST Cavalry Regiment discovering what a wuss I really am,” said Levi as he struggled to keep his emotional gyroscope spinning.

  “I guess I will begin by reminiscing a bit. On 29 March, of last year I think it was 29 March, I met Ralph Bassett who convinced me to join a small enclave of preppers who just wanted to ride out the horrors they knew were coming.

  Wow, on that day we formed Troop A of the Defiance Militia and the very first member of that Troop is your Command Sergeant Major, Bradley Cobb, a soldier with whom I have been so blessed to serve. He led the mission to secure a Walmart Superstore, Home Depot, and several other stores, all in one day.

  I remember an old man coming up to me at the Walmart who said, “You know son, if you are wrong, it’ll go bad for ya’. He then said that he would try to be on the jury at my trial and asked God to Bless me.

  Our intervention, on that day, our militia prevented these businesses from being looted, and as a result, we were able to dispense much-needed supplies in a fair and equitable manner throughout our little community which resulted in the preservation of many lives.

  Yes, God did bless me in many ways on that day, and probably led a young man to me who was the Walmart Store Manager. He told me he had been a sergeant in the 75th Ranger Battalion in Berzerkistan, and that he would like to join our little band of miscreants.” This brought a chuckle from the formation as all forty members of the original militia who had been there on that day stood a bit taller in the formation.

  After the chuckles had ended, Levi said, “That young man is now Colonel Scott Eldridge, one of the finest soldiers I have ever known.

  Men,” Levi’s voice began to break as he said, “I am reminded of the very first formal formation of our forty man militia, wearing brand new Iraqi uniforms, and now to see this incredible sight.” Levi’s throat became so tight that he could not speak for several seconds, and when he was able to resume there were tears forming in the corners of his eyes. Most of the formation had eyes in a similar condition.

  “I am so honored to have served with you, and I must tell you that not a one of you has ever disappointed me in any way. I am so proud of what you have accomplished, and I want you to know that I will miss each and every one of you.

  May God Bless and Protect the Republic of America. I leave you with this thought; you; each one of you, is the extension of God’s plan to use the ROA as his tool to give humanity one more chance to get it right.”

  At that moment there were many tears shed among these men who had, not only the courage but the iron will to stave off the New Dark Age spreading across the world and protect their flock.” None of these men could fully express exactly why they took on the role of the Sheepdog; they only knew that they must follow that path, even if it meant their life to do so.

  “First Sergea
nt,” shouted Colonel Levins.

  Levi returned the formation to the control of the 1st Sergeant and as Levi turned to walk away. He heard, “All right, get him!”

  The entire formation rushed Levi and raised him above their heads on a sea of 1st Cavalry Troopers, shouting Oooh-Rah. After a couple of minutes of being carried above these men, Levi now truly understood how Caesar felt upon his triumphant return from Africa, and the voice of that same slave whispered in Levi’s ear, Master, all glory is fleeting.

  It was a wonderful experience and one that Levi would forever treasure.

  As the troopers lowered their newly promoted General Levins to the ground, they returned to their formation and stood strictly at attention as Levi and company mounted their vehicles and passed out of sight.

  Thanks for reading the sample of Cliff Deane’s book. To see a list of more books by AJ Newman turn the page.

  ✼

  Books by A J Newman

  Alien Apocalypse:

  The Virus Surviving (Oct 2017)

  A Family’s Apocalypse Series:

  Cities on Fire – Family Survival

  After the Solar Flare - a Post-Apocalyptic series:

  Alone in the Apocalypse Adventures in the Apocalypse*

  After the EMP series:

  The Day America Died New Beginnings The Day America Died

  Old Enemies The Day America Died Frozen Apocalypse

  “The Adventures of John Harris” - a Post-Apocalyptic America series:

  Surviving Hell in the Homeland Tyranny in the Homeland

  Revenge in the Homeland...Apocalypse in the Homeland John Returns

  “A Samantha Jones Murder Mystery Thriller series:

  Where the Girls Are Buried Who Killed the Girls?

  Books by A J Newman and Cliff Deane

  Terror in the USA: Virus: Strain of Islam

  These books are available at Amazon:

  http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00HT84V6U

  To contact the Author, please leave comments @:

  www.facebook.com/newmananthonyj Facebook page.

  About the Author

  A J Newman is the author of over a dozen novels that have been published on Amazon. He was born and raised in a small town in the western part of Kentucky. His Dad taught him how to handle guns very early in life, and he and his best friend Mike spent summers shooting .22 rifles and fishing.

  He read every book he could get his hands on and fell in love with science fiction. He graduated from USI with a degree in Chemistry and made a career working in manufacturing and logistics, but always fancied himself as an author.

  He served six years in the Army National Guard in an armored unit and spent six years performing every function on M48 and M60 army tanks. This gave him a great respect for our veterans who lay their lives on the line to protect our country and freedoms.

  He currently resides in Kentucky with his wife Patsy and their three tiny mop dogs, Sammy Cotton and Callie.