Matthew Mark - Dark Days Rough Roads

The militia responded. “This is the Bad Axe Minute Men. You are on a frequency designated for militia operations. Cease your radio traffic and stay off this frequency.”

“Hey man, listen, we need some help, there’s a bunch of guys on motorcycles who have been causing trouble around here. The police are long gone and we don’t know what to do.”

The militia asked them, “Where are you guys located?”

“We’re south of Sandusky; they just firebombed a store and then torched a car too. Can you guys help?”

“That’s a negative. You are not located in our control district.”

“Come on man, help us out.”

“Negative, now please clear this frequency, try and contact the government on the civil defense frequency. Do not take the law into your own hands. Let the authorities for your area do it. Locate another frequency.” They went back to their own transmissions. Haliday expected them to change frequencies next shift change. He would have to remember to tell Mike “Good job.” The militia might now be thinking they were heading back south after causing trouble up north. The school and house and now the Sandusky area pointed that way.

They discussed with Rob what he would have to do. After a couple more hours, they were done for the night. Rob offered to let them stay in the house, but they politely declined. They asked him to make sure his wife and boys didn’t leave the house and that they remain quiet. Rob assured them it would not be a problem. Rob was about to leave. “Hold on one second, Rob.”

Haliday looked around the little room. There was a good amount of alcohol in boxes on shelves, evidently for the store. Haliday told Rob to keep this secret, maybe even put some in smaller containers to use as trade items down the road. Rob said he hadn’t thought of that. Haliday himself had purchased liquor and empty pint bottles for the same reason.

Haliday went over to his bike. He pulled out four small sized mylar bags and handed them to Rob. “Boil eight cups of water, empty one packet in and let it simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll have a complete meal for the four of you. It’s like a cross of red beans and rice and dirty rice.” He handed him a square of Datrex bars and a baggy full of Tang. “This will feed you guys for four full days and give you what you need. Save what you have in the house for now.” Rob protested, but Haliday wouldn’t hear it. Rob thanked them.

After Rob left, Haliday told Blake that they would stay here the night and rotate sleep again. “Can’t be too sure we are in safe hands just yet. Peace offering or not, you never know. We’ll get to work on the toys and plans in the morning. Things will be busy soon enough.”

Haliday woke up and looked outside. There was a heavy frost outside. If they didn’t get this done soon, it would become increasingly more difficult to move around and not leave tracks. Haliday peeked outside the windows. There weren’t any tracks around the building in the frost. No one had checked on them last night. Rob had stayed away like he promised.

They were busy organizing their gear more efficiently when Rob came in. “You guys can fire up that wood burner if you want to.”

“No thank you, two stove pipes from two different buildings might attract attention. We’ll be fine. You heading out Rob?”

“Ya, I’m going to use the kid’s scooter to make my rounds.”

“Good luck, let us know how it goes.”

After Rob left, they got busy working on their little toys. If it hadn’t been for eBay and all the chinamarts online, he wouldn’t have acquired the stuff he needed in bulk. The little alarm clocks were a steal. He bought them by the dozen for about two bucks a clock. They were perfect little timers. They only needed a few of these this time around.

Haliday pulled out the homemade chart of the airport and studied it. He was looking it over and made some more notes. He looked at the map as well. “Time for a quick break.” He called the group.

Bev answered. “We’re all ok, everyone is busy getting ready. We should be all set, how about you guys?”

“Ya, same here,” said Roger. “Anything more on the patrols?”

“Hold on a minute,” she said.

Kevin came on the radio now. “Uncle Roger, I went out to get some firewood to load up in the rack. While I was out there, one of the trucks pulled up on the road. They sat there for a few minutes and then yelled over to me. I asked them what they wanted and they said they wanted the form. I told them we didn’t have any form for them─it wasn’t any of their business─and to just leave us alone. They talked back and forth to each other a few minutes and then left.

“A couple hours later they came back and had another truck with them. They called out on a bullhorn, but we didn’t answer. One of the guys started coming up to the house. Uncle David and Dawn went outside and told him to leave. He put another letter in the mailbox and told us we had 72 hours to fill it out or they would come onto the property and see for themselves. They wouldn’t be nice about it next time. They stopped at the neighbor’s house too.”

“Well, in 72 hours the game will hopefully change. Talk to you guys later.” Haliday looked out the window and saw a quad coming down the tree line. The quad was only going about five miles an hour and the rider was looking into the woods as he rode along. He passed the pole barn without stopping. Haliday went to the other side and watched the guy continue along. These guys were persistent, that’s for sure.

It was late afternoon when they heard Rob on the scooter. Haliday watched him pull up. It looked comical, almost like a clown in a parade. Seeing this big guy on this little scooter. Rob went into his house, then came out about 15 minutes later and came into the pole barn. “Ok, I have some help. I talked to only the guys I could trust and they talked to a few family members as well. We have about 30 people.”

“That’s great news. That’s more than I expected.” Rob said they could double that if they used the older kids. He said he left it up to the others to decide.

Haliday said, “That’s your decision. The risk is there, but in a sense it’s not. I can’t put you or your family in any danger. You are volunteers and if that’s what you decide then I’m with you. Everyone understands the ground rules right?”

Rob said, “Yes.”

“Any other news?”

“A little bit. They have a couple motorcycles now and a few quads. Some of the militia are using them to check the woods and property lines. If you are using those areas, you might be in trouble.”

Roger said, “Ya, I saw one pass by earlier. That won’t be a problem, they won’t find anything, we covered our tracks enough.

“Rob, go inside and spend the evening with your family. We’ll be fine out here. I’ll talk to you again in the morning.”

“Goodnight Roger. Goodnight Blake. Again, I can’t thank you guys enough.”

“Rob, thank us if this works, and don’t downplay your role. It’s just as dangerous and just as important. Tomorrow night is the big night.” They parted ways for the evening. Haliday noted that the patrol quad drove by twice more during the night.

It was past dinner time when Blake and Haliday ate. They whipped up a package of chili and ate dinner. They turned the radio on and listened. Just a few more minutes to wait, then it was time. “This is the St. Clair Tridents trying to raise the Bad Axe Minute Men, over.” There was no response. “St. Clair Tridents calling the Bad Axe Minute men, over.”

BAMM responded. “Who are you?”

“This is Colonel David Howe from the St. Clair Tridents.”

“We never heard of you.”

“Well, we never heard of you either until this morning. Let’s cut to the chase. I don’t care if you know me or not, but all we are looking for is some info. We had a citizen give us this frequency after they said they called for help and you answered.”