The next morning, Bob and Alex were at the church early. They waited to see who would accept the task set before them by The Lord. Bob knew that in normal times, most people would simply let someone else do what needed to be done. But these weren't normal times.

The truth was everyone in town had already paid a high price to be at this place and time. All of them had been forced to give up their homes, most of their possessions, and in many cases, even members of their own families in one way or another. Some had been killed by one of the many enemies that had been faced up to this time. Some had died simply because they refused to leave their homes when the time came. Believing against all odds that something would happen to prevent a disruption of their lives. They died with that false hope. Some few had lost everyone and everything they had ever known. The question was, how many would now step foreword and face this challenge that they had no reason to believe they could possibly survive. Placing all their hope and faith in a word they heard had come from The Lord? How many would believe Bob had truly heard what he claimed? In the quiet of that morning, they waited.

Bob wasn't surprised when Tim, Kathy, Tom, and Sam came waking up shortly after they arrived.

"Good morning." bob said to them. "Kathy? Why are you here? What happened to the younger children?"

"Hi Bob, Alex. The kids are home with Barbara. And You didn't think you were going to do this without me did you?"

"Kathy, we can't risk it. Look, I know that we will win in the end, but that doesn't mean people won't be injured, or possibly killed. What happens if you take a round or two? Who's going to patch you up?"

"Barbara has become quiet a good nurse. She can handle most things."

"Maybe most things, but she doesn't have the training to handle drugs. We need your medical expertise, not your bravery."

Kathy looked at Bob like he had said something vile.

"Bob, I hate it when you do that. You don't leave a single excuse for me to use. It's not fair."

Bob smiled. "You have to remember Kathy. The guy who said life is fair was lying. Besides, for the most part, in the next day or two we're just going to be getting hot, sweaty, and dirty, getting things ready for the people that are coming."

"So, you have a plan."

"Yes. One provided by The Lord. That is why I know we'll win. But what the cost will be, I can't say. Go to your office, Kathy. Make things ready for the injured we all hope will never come."

"I will, but for right now, I'll stay with Tim and our boys."

"Suit yourself."

Before long people started to gather. Bob was glad to see that most of the people he thought of as able to fight, showed up. Men as well as some women were present. One of the last to show up, was the one that in his heart, he hoped wouldn't, but he knew better. Maria came walking down the street, pistol gently slapping against her thigh, and a rifle on her other shoulder.

Next to he was Michelle. He knew she wouldn't be taking part in the battle to come, and assumed that she was here to send off Alex. So he was a bit surprised when, after kissing her husband, she walked over to Kathy.

"I'm guessing that you aren't going to be in this. So, I'm reporting for duty as your assistant."

"Thank you, but I think Barbara and I can handle it."

"What if there are too many?"

Kathy shrugged, and said, "Well in that case, welcome aboard. You'll have to let me know what your qualifications are when we get to the office."

Bob was in for one more surprise when a girl he guessed at about ten or twelve came running up to him.

"Mr. Bob?"

He got down on one knee to look her in the eye. "Yes Dear, what is it?"

"My Daddy said that Tommy and him will be with you too, but right now they have to be at the checkpoint." She looked at him with earnest blue eyes. "Mr. Bob? Are my Daddy and brother going to be alright?"

"We'll do everything we can to make sure that everybody is going to be alright."

Satisfied, the girl smiled at him, turned and ran back to her mother, and their new home.

Bob stood and addressed the group. "I see we have almost everyone here, so I'll begin. Ladies, Gentlemen, I've heard in the past that some people don't believe that God takes sides in modern warfare. I'm somewhat of a student of history. So I know this idea to be false. It was General Patton, in the Second World War who had to fight not only the German Army, but the weather as well, as he moved his men to aid American soldiers surrounded at the city of Bastogne, during the Battle of the Bulge. He had a prayer written for the occasion, it went like this;

'Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen.'

Folks, I don't have to tell you that we aren't as numerous as Patton's army. But the God we serve, is the same God that has granted victory after victory to those who acknowledge Him as Lord. So I ask you one and all to kneel with me now to present our prayer to The Lord God of Heaven."

As Bob knelt, they all did the same.

"Father, you know our situation, and our need. You have shown us that the enemy of all who believe in You and Your blessed Son, Jesus Christ, is even now on his way to destroy us. We have heard Your call to stand in the gap, and defend this place, putting our trust in You for the victory, even though, like Gideon we are greatly outnumbered. And so we ask that you strenghten, and protect us in the fight ahead. Let our God arise, and his enemies be scattered. And we ask it in Jesus' name.

Amen"

A murmured 'Amen' went through the group. Then they stood and looked expectantly at Bob.

"Alright folks, I need three groups of people to start with. I need some people that have any knowledge at all about dealing with explosives. Even basic training with hand grenades will help. Second, i need some people who aren't afraid of either getting dirty, or of heights. Finally I need the rest of you to go through town, and find every piece of two strand electrical cord you can find."

---

The day after Director Ives gave the order, the majority of the American forces guarding the northern pass pulled out and headed south. Unexpectedly, they left much of their heavy weapons behind them. The general thought being two fold. First, moving them would mean they might not be able to get to the expected attack site quickly enough. Secondly, if the intelligence they had received was faulty, the weapons would be needed to defend the pass. Along with the weapons, the most experienced gunners were left behind as well. For the same reason.

This choice, proved to be what cost the Chinese heavily. When they moved up into the pass, high explosive shells rained down on them for hours. What had started out as four infantry companies with the support of a dozen tanks was reduced to slightly under three companies in the exchange. Half of the tanks were left blown apart and smoking in the pass. They didn't take the pass, but they did manage to fight their way through it due to the reduced number of defenders.

They quickly moved ten miles from the pass, and then stopped to regroup. Two of the tanks were so badly damaged that, while they were still running, they were cannibalized to provide parts to repair the remaining four vehicles. They had just finished with the repairs, when the American infantry found them, and started using mortars on the troops. Instead of standing to fight, the Chinese chose to continue with their mission. By now, the troops had been further reduced to about two companies, and one more tank have been hit with a lucky shot from a mortar and sat burning where it had been hit.

By this time, night was beginning to fall. Once they were sure they had escaped the Americans, they set up a camp for the night, with guards posted all around. The officers were wondering what it could be in that small town in the middle of nowhere that was so important that casualties on this scale would be worth it all.

---

Maria walked into the room quietly, and found Bob deeply in prayer. not wanting to disturb him, she backed out and waited for him to finish. Shortly, Bob came out of the room he had been using, and found his wife.

"Hi Honey. What bring you here."

"Lunch. You don't think I'd let any man of mine go hungry do you?"

"Thanks so much. I was getting hungry."

Maria couldn't help but notice that Bob still had a concerned look on his face.

"What's wrong Bob? You seem to be upset."

"I'm just trying to be sure I haven't missed anything."

"I guess I don't have to remind you, we do what is possible, and trust God for the impossible."

"I know, I just want to be sure I've done all I can."

"Just trust in Him, Bob. Trust in Him. As you've said yourself. He wouldn't lead us all the way out here, just to die."

"I know, I just wish there were more of us."

The radio crackled to life.

"Base, this is check point. We have a problem."

"Base here." Bob answered. "What is it?"

"Looks like a convoy of three military trucks coming down the road."

"Stop them if you can, otherwise get out of their way. I'm coming now."

Putting down the radio, Bob stepped outside and found Tim nearby. He called him over.

"Grab the first six men you can find, and come with me. EVERYBODY carries a weapon."

---

Mike Timmons had spent his share of time at the check point, but nothing had prepared him for this. Nobody had ever shown up in any kind of motorized vehicle. Now here were three military trucks baring down on him. He decided to stand at the side of the road, and try to flag them down. Much to his surprise, they ground to a stop in front of him. The driver of the lead truck leaned out the window, and without any pleasantries demanded.

"Where's Bob?"

"Excuse me? Who's Bob?"

Look don't give me a problem. There isn't much time. Now where is he?"

"I really don't know what you mean."

"Alright, alright, we'll do this the official way. I need to speak with your C.O."

"I've called in your convoy. There is someone on the way."

"Good. mind if we stretch our legs while we wait?"

"Go ahead."

The Captain called out to the men in the other trucks.

"Dismount. Take ten."

Mike counted eight men as the got out of the vehicles, and saw that these men were professionals, by their baring and manner. The got out of the trucks, but never got far from them. Everyone of them carried a sidearm, and about half had rifles slung over their shoulders. Before long, one of the men said;

"Sir. Check the ridge."

The officer looked and saw six men with arms at the ready, but not aimed at them, and one man coming towards them.

"Stand down Sergant. They're just checking us out. We'd do the same. And I think that is our contact on the way down. Everyone stay loose."

When Bob reached the officer, he smiled and said,

"Glad to meet you Bob."

"Excuse me? If we've never met, how do you know me?"

"I tell you in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who lead you here has sent us to you."

"That's good to hear, Captain. You know that staying here could be hazardous to your health, don't you?"

"Yes Sir. We left the Chinese about thirty-six hours behind us, licking their wounds. That's why we're here."


BW, Vietnam Vet