Anarchy on the Bay
A story of Freedom in the Bay Area

Prologue

Already the city had been torn apart by bloodshed and terror, but with the mayor putting Marshal Law into effect, and the arrival of National Guard Reservists into the city; San Francisco was becoming a playground for people fighting of various reasons and personal motives. No artillery had been moved to the city, or any kind of fired shells. The lack of gasoline for the trucks that hauled the large guns, had hindered that idea and so only ammunition that was readily available was handed out to the National Guardsmen who were put on patrol duties. Riots, Arson, Vandalism, and plenty of other civil unrest occurred across the different districts and cities that lay on the bay, that the National Guardsmen were forced to deal with since the local police forces in Oakland and San Francisco had deteriorated and become a force of their own to protect their families in whatever district it was they lived. Chinatown, Sunny Side, and Little Italy became their own wardened off areas, and National Guardsmen didn’t dare enter too deep into. Japan Town too, like the rest of the little districts across San Francisco, it became it’s own places of reinforcements and solitude from the heated fighting outside.

Russian Hill, had become a major place for National Guardsmen. They controlled and cordoned off the hill, so nobody could enter that wasn’t military already. They used the hill for observation, and being able to spy on the different districts. Most of the time, it was worthless, since the different areas knew they were being watch by the National Guard and continued doing their daily life, as if nothing was going on outside their walled up and guarded borders.

“Li,” A man shouted from across the street. “Li, it’s me!” The woman turned to the man, but didn’t notice him off hand. They both spoke in Chinese, like most who lived in Chinatown already did at birth.

“Ah, Mihn!” The woman spoke, realizing who he was. She put down her groceries, and they had a quick embrace. “How are you Mihn? Last time I saw you, we were both in high school. I didn’t know you lived here in Chinatown anymore?”

“I don’t, I actually live outside of town. But with the National Guard, it kinda makes things difficult for me to get back to Oakland. How about you, how are things on your end?”

“Same boat as you probably? Hard work, fighting outside, and not easily trusted with being Chinese and all.” The two nodded in sad agreement. The streets of Chinatown, like always were bustling with people, and the crowd of people forced Mihn and Li off the street and into the empty road.

Elsewhere in the city, there was heavy fighting. Even in Chinatown, the crackling and bursting of gun barrels could be heard. It didn’t seem to phase anyone on the street, as they continued on with their lives.

In Golden Gate Park, where the fighting was some of the roughest, I was fighting off with my squad of ragtag militia, a group of National Guardsmen who had been sent to flush us out and take Golden Gate Park. Whatever the reason was, for them wanting the park, I wasn’t sure at the time, but whatever it was, I wasn’t going to let them take it so easily.

“RIMBAUD!” Someone shouted to me, as I kept my head ducked behind the trench line that was dug in front of the Conservatory of Flowers. Surprisingly, the only damage to the building was a few stray bullets, but besides that, the building still looked quite nice and like it did before all hell had broken loose. But like I was saying, someone was shouting my name at the top of their lungs. “RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD! WHERE THE HELL IS RIMBAUD!”

“OVER HERE!” I shouted back, bullets whizzing overhead. There was no words spoken after, and my name wasn’t said again. I looked up and down the line, and looked at the three men who were with me. “Who the [censored] was calling me?”

“I dunno, but he’s probably dead.” Jack, my number two man said to me before looking over the top of the trench to fire a few return rounds at the National Guard. I looked around to see if anyone else knew who was shouting, but all of them shrugged or gave me a dumb look before firing back. I grabbed my pair of periscope binoculars, like the one’s used during World War Two. They were beside me, resting on a small ledge inside the trench. I perched them slowly above the trench, and could see the battle and a bit more through them. Fires burned, and heated the air as smoke rose and dirtied the air as well, making it hard to breath at times. The night sky made it no easier to see the enemy, but thanks to the moon I could see the enemy better than they could see us.

“Jack, can you send a message back to Stan?” I pulled away from the binoculars, and looked at the skinny young man, who was no older than sixteen. Most back at the base didn’t approve of him being my right hand, but he was the most dependable and less likely to be shot person I knew.

“Sure,” he replied as bullets flew and grenades exploded above us. Inside the Conservatory of Flowers, unknowing to the National Guard, we had plenty of people with stolen ammunition and grenades inside. Just waiting to resupply us. We also had a bunker built below it, and used it for a forward operations outpost, and that’s why I learned the National Guard wanted it so bad. Was for their own use against us. We ducked and cringed as bullets and grenades exploded around us, and I inched closer to him to give him my message to Stan; our higher up man.

“Tell Stan, that if he’s got any better ideas for us, he better start them now. And tell him, that if I get my ass shot off for this [censored] bunker, it’s his ass I’m going to kick!”

“Got it,” Jack said stepping away from the trench side and rushing down it to safety, and to the Cliff House on the coast. To most, the Cliff House was just a primary place for refugee’s that didn’t want to be involved in the fighting. When really, it was a place for us to operate out of, and those outside the Cliff House were used to make it seem like they were refugees. Most of the real refugee’s had been taken down the coast at night by fishing trawlers, to safer places down south or up north.

I watched as Jack ran down the trench, and hurried around the corner to the Conservatory of Flowers. The fighting in Golden Gate Park was like parts of World War Two and World War One brought together. I turned to my other man, David, who was busy firing small burst from his captured M-16 at the National Guard soldiers who were using the trees and shrubs for cover.

“What’s the status of those pricks?”

He looked down at me and smiled a sinister smile.

“Those pricks don’t look like they’re in that good of shape. Maybe they’ll run and turn tail once we get some more grenades up here?” I nodded and turned to my binoculars, looking through them once again. Across the broken road, behind the trees, and through the fires and smoke, National Guardsmen were busy calling up new reinforcements. Or maybe ammunition for their quickly emptying guns. I brought my periscope binoculars down again, and reached for my M-14 Rifle. It fired and held more rounds than a M1 Rifle, and the accuracy rate seemed to be better too. More bullets whizzed over head as I slowly and carefully stuck my head from behind the trench and brought my M-14 barred down on a shouting National Guardsmen. We were so close together, I could hear his voice through the explosions and gunfire.

“Get Sergeant Fifer to the medical center, make sure he makes it back!” As he shouted more orders, I brought my finger firmly on the trigger as my sights aimed below his jaw line. I inhaled quickly, and pulled the trigger all the way back. The kick of the rifle jolted me a bit, but I kept composure and watched as my well aimed round flew and hit the man in the cheek and thus through the back of his neck, probably hitting his spinal cord. His helmet flew off his head, and I could just barely see his eyes rolling into the back of his head. He fell forward, and his fingers twitched a bit before going still and no movement or sound came from the man.

I aimed again, no time to assess the damage any further, I had to help my squad of seven men. This time my sights were on a soldier, who was busy firing at some of my men down the trench line. I took quick aim, and pulled the trigger all the way back. I fired another quick shot at his chest, as I saw the first shot only hit his shoulder. I ducked down as incoming fire whizzed over head, and I waited for my next chance. The hot air and smoke made it hard to breath, causing me to cough more and more as my eyes burned with the heavy smoke. Down in the trench, my eyes and breathing weren’t so obstructed, since the smoke glided over the trench and not in it.

“RIMBAUD!” That voice from before shouted. This time, I tried to ignore it, not sure who it was. But again, my name emanated from the mystery man. “RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?”

“OVER HERE [censored] IT! WHO THE HELL KEEPS CALING MY NAME!” My voice was horse with tenderness, caused by the smoke. I grabbed my canteen of water and took a swig to help. It did little to help, but at least made it somewhat easier.

“RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD!” The voice shouted again. This time I tried to locate the general direction of the voice. “RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD!” The voice was coming from up the line, opposite of where Jack had run off to. I grabbed my M-14 and hurried down the trench, waiting for my voice to be shouted again. “RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD!” Came the voice. I hurried quicker down the line, and soon found the source. It was a man clothed in a Fisherman-like apparel. He looked at me, and I looked at him.

“Who the hell are you I asked?” Rubbing my eyes with irritation.

“You Rimbaud?” He took a swig of Vodka and gasped as he finished.

“Yeah I am, why the hell do you want to know? Don’t you know we’re fighting here, this isn’t the best time.”

The man nodded and waved his hand for me to settle down. I hadn’t realized it, but I was shouting as if I was still at the main front of the line. But now I wasn’t, I was behind it and in an entire trench itself.

“Come with me Mr. Rimbaud, join me in my little hut.”

“I can’t now, I’ve got men fighting and need me.”

“Please Mr. Rimbaud, this will only take a second.”

I didn’t know what to think, this man seemed crazy to me. He wasn’t dressed or armed to fight, he wasn’t armed at all. I gave in though, and followed him into his little hut that led off the trench, underground. Inside his small hut, there was a wooden table with three other men. Two of which were Chinese, and in Chinese Uniforms. The only reason I knew that, was because I’d seen it on television and because on the left shoulder of their uniforms, there was a Chinese Flag. The other man, the third man was American. Or at least, looked American.

“Mr. Rimbaud, this is Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu! Their interpreter is Mr. Goeth. He’s of German origin, so excuse his last name.” I shrugged at the man’s comment. I didn’t care about these men. Obviously the two Chinamen were Chinese military, and how they got to San Francisco, I never knew, except when Mr. Hue told me three weeks later as he lay on the streets of San Francisco dying and coughing up blood. “I am Sir John Hampton! Sorry, I am American but have spent a couple years in England. Things there, are no good, no good at all. And as a result, I’ve taken a bit of their custom in how I announce.”

“It’s fine,” I said taking a seat with Hampton at the table. The two Chinamen smiled and bowed their heads to me, as Mr. Goeth told me to bow my own. I did so, and took a look at them all once again. “What the hell do you want with me. You hear those bullets and guns! Those are from my men, and my men being shot at. I have to go out there and help them. We have to hold the Conservatory!”

“Yes, yes,” Hampton said waving his hand again, for me to settle. But I couldn’t, I wanted to be out there with my men, fighting to get rid of the National Guard in Golden Gate Park. I also wanted to get it over with so I could catch some sleep, but these men were holding me back in all of that. Hampton continued what he had called me for. “Now Mr. Rimbaud, these two Chinamen here, are here to help you and your group of ragtags fight off these National Guard Reservists.”

“How do you know they’re Reservists?” I asked curiously.

“Because I’ve been on Russian Hill. I’ve spoken with the man in charge, Colonel Andrew Yates! They’re surprisingly well armed and stocked, and being supplied quite well.”

“No [censored]? Then that’s why we’re still able to fight them and take their guns and have them still have more guns to shoot back.” I spoke to the men with a voice sarcasm. I knew they were being supplied, but we couldn’t do anything about it. Fisherman’s Wharf had become too hot for us to really take advantage of, or at least Fisherman’s Wharf that ran along the North Waterfront. Down along Chinatown and the Financial District, we had no problem with keeping the National Guard out. Telegraph Hill in North Beach helped with that. It was like our own Russian Hill, but to keep the National Guard away from our own maritime transactions.

“Mr. Rimbaud, please, no need for sarcasm here. These two Chinamen will help you take Fisherman’s Wharf from the National Guard, and then they’ll set you up with a nice supply of your own weapons! Wouldn’t that be lovely?”

“Sure it would, but I’m not the man to talk about this with. You want to talk with the head of my unit, and probably the guys all the way up in Fort Point.”

“We’ve been to Fort Point already, there’s nobody there. It’s empty and devoid of life.”

“Sure it is pal, but you’d be wrong if I or someone else from my group took you all. Our commanders at the top have a tendency to be very discreet and unseen when they want to be. They’re ex-Special Forces you see, deserters from Anchorage I believe. Never spoken with them myself, but anyone with the right entrance sign can get in. Including his or her guests.”

The air shook as the sound of grenades exploding entered the hut. The sound of bullets whizzing and hitting, could also be heard as strays flew over head. The two Chinese Soldiers just stared at me, their faces emotionless and devoid of any life it seemed. Like they were just statues. Mr. Goeth spoke for them, when they whispered something to each other, and then to Goeth.

“Mr. Rimbaud, Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu here feel incline to tell you that your men would have this fight over, if you allowed them acceptance, and the rest of their forces to join yours and the rest of your forces.”

“Like I said Mr. Goeth, I’m not the one to be telling this to. Talk with my people when they get here. I’ve got a battle to win, now if you’ll excuse me?” I went to get up, but before I could, Hampton grabbed me by the wrist. I was ready to punch him, but didn’t as he flashed a switch blade under the table. Mr. Hue, Mr. Zu, and Mr. Goeth all exposed their own weapon of choice, which were varied pistols.

“Please Mr. Rimbaud, sit and listen. They have a good offer to make, and maybe a true peace treaty with the Chinatown Union?” I raised a brow to the idea. Having a true treaty with the Chinatown Union, and not just some business treaty that gave them twenty-five percent of our maritime income and profit, might be a good idea, but I really wasn’t the man to speak on this with. I sat down anyway and listened at the two Chinamen spoke and Mr. Goeth translated.

“Mr. Rimbaud, these two gentlemen here wish that if you allow them to work with your people, fight along side your people, and just generally help your people out. They’re willing to also go and speak with the Chinatown Union heads, and tell them that they’re now going to give you free rein on your maritime exploits. Which, those Maritime exploits you have, now just involve the Chinese Military. Not the groups you do business with here or outside the city, anymore. Understood?”

“Why? What’s with this generosity?” I asked, uncertain of what kinda back room ideas Mr. Zu and Mr. Hue had in mind. “The people we work with now to get our weapons from outside the city, would be very angry with us and would probably die without our business.”

“Because Mr. Rimbaud, your lives depend on it. And so does your cause.”

“What do you know of our cause? Every where you go, the cause for wanting the National Guard out of San Francisco is different. We’re nothing different ourselves!”

Hampton just shook his head and waved his index finger in disagreement.

“No Mr. Rimbaud, you’re very different. You and your cause. Because the radical left, shall continue the fight! Am I right on that?”

“We maybe Anarchists, but we don’t have anything more different from the other factions than that.” The two men, Mr. Goeth and Mr. Hampton both shook their heads, but didn’t push it any further than that.

“Mr. Rimbaud, tell your men here at the Conservatory and the rest, that they’ll be issued new, more efficient, and easily capable Chinese guns. Much better than the American guns you’re issued nowadays.”

I just shrugged, and didn’t think twice about it. Mr. Goeth spoke to Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu in Chinese, with me out of the loop on that conversation. They replied and smiled at me, bowing their heads and thanking me in Chinese. What little Chinese I knew, I knew they were thanking me. I bowed my head in respect and got up, without restraint this time.

“Oh, and one last thing before you go, Mr. Rimbaud. We’ll be seeing you at Cliff House, when you’ve finished up here. Don’t worry, this deal we’re making is good for us both. We’ll both prosper as a result.”

I just nodded and rolled my eyes, before exiting the hut and hurrying down back to my men. I didn’t think of it at first, but as I ran back to my men on the front trench, I realized how odd that whole scenario was. Being pulled from the front just to be told of things, I didn’t need to be bothered with, with a guy in Fishermen-like clothes who spoke with an English Accent, and two Chines men and a German.

When I returned to the front, Jack was there with Stan’s answer. His answer to my message: “Don’t worry about it.” I didn’t know what to think, the whole scenario back in Hampton’s hut was really getting to me. It was the oddest thing that ever happened to me, and the strangest people I’d ever met. But I returned my attention back to the fighting, and fought along side Jack, David, Tom, Alison, Greg, and the rest who helped repel the National Guards weak advance onto the Conservatory of Flowers.

After the fighting ended, and we could all take a breath of relief, a courier came rushing through the trenches calling my name. “RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD! RIMBAUD!”

“WHAT!” I shouted as I stepped in front of the courier, stopping him with my hand. He slammed a bit into my hand, as he tried coming to a quick stop. He fell flat on his ass, and then quickly got up.

“Your name Rimbaud?”

“No, it’s not.” He looked at me, and then looked like he was going to go ask someone else. “Yes I am you little idiot, now what do you want?” He handed me a letter from inside his coat and then dusted himself off. “You really need to learn when someone’s talking to you in sarcasm, kid.”

“Sure, whatever, I don’t have time for this. Just make it snappy.” I smirked, looking at the kid, and then glanced down at the letter.

“Rimbaud,
Rimbaud, once you’ve cleaned up at the Conservatory, get your ass back to the Cliff House. I’ve got a new mission for you and your men. Rest after I’ve given you your new mission. You’ll have enough time for it.
-Stan”

I folded up the letter and put it away in my belt. Jack and David stepped over to me, curious of what the letter said.

“What is it?” They both asked.

“Ah nothing, just Stan telling me official-like to get us all back to Cliff House. He’s got a new mission for us, but says we’ll get some sleep after being debriefed on it. So lets hurry, because I’m beat!” I looked at the courier who was already walking away to the Conservatory, I didn’t bother with his lowly ass.

They both nodded and hurried to tell the rest. I grabbed my periscope binoculars and slung my M-14 over my shoulder. Inside the Conservatory, I went to my quarters to grab the rest of my gear. I wasn’t sure if I’d need it all where I was going, but the Cliff House had lockers where I could store my extra stuff incase I didn’t need it. When I walked out, the whole squad was ready to move out. We were all just a ragtag group of fighters, fighting for the same cause, but for different reasons. None of us let those reasons divide us though, and we were like a tight nit family. We moved down the trenches, and finally to the streets, spreading out into a cluster-like formation. It wasn’t any particular formation for moving, or anything. It was just us kinda clustered together, bust still spread out well enough incase someone tried taking a shot.

“So Alex, where did you go during the fighting? Did you find whoever was calling your name?” I turned to David who walked along with me, the others kept on going but I knew they were all listening too.

“Yeah, I found the guy. Kinda odd stuff, and something I didn’t need to be involved in. But I have a feeling, that this next mission will have something to do with the guy and others I met.” David looked at me odd, and I could see the others had an odd face as well. I ignored it, not knowing how to really properly tell them about the Chinamen. But this next mission, I had a feeling they’d find out soon enough. We marched along down the road, the sound of fires burning south of us, and the smoke from the fires slowly moving up behind us. Cliff House would not be that long of a trip.

Chapter 1


When we arrived at the Cliff House, Stan was there to meet us. He had a smile on his face, and beer in his hand. Stan was a bit shorter than me, and had short dirty blonde hair that he let be messy and didn’t comb it often. He had a tan that went deep, and some stylish sunglasses he’d picked up at some store when the riots a few months ago were started.

“Alex, good to see you, and the rest of you. Come and make yourselves comfortable for a bit. You got here earlier than I thought. Go ahead and take a break. Eat, drink, have a smoke. Whatever you want. I’ll call for you when I’ve finished up with your mission plan.” He smiled, and was about to walk away when I grabbed his arm, looking at him with a tired and weary face.

“This mission doesn’t have anything to do with any Chinamen, does it Stan?” He just smiled and pulled his arm away, not saying a word about any Chinamen. But I knew, deep down that Mr. Zu and Mr. Hue had something to do with it.

After leaving the camp outside the Cliff House, I found a locker that was empty. A woman came over to me with a lock and a smile. She was a pretty brunette. Hourglass figure, and a sundress that was a bit tattered at the bottom near her shins.

“Here you go,” She said handing me the lock. I smiled back and stuffed my things into the locker. The woman stood there, and just stared at me.

“Can I help you with something? Thanks for the lock, but is there anything else?”

“You’re Alex Rimbaud right? I’m Julie Young, Stan’s new secretary of sorts. Well, I just help around here at the Cliff House and Stan when he comes around.”

“That’s nice, and yes, I’m Alex Rimbaud. What’s the big deal about me?”

“Oh nothing, just Stan was telling a few of us at a meeting earlier, that you and your squad at the Conservatory of Flowers were holding off some of the National Guard? We could hear some gunfire, but the echo came from different directions.”

“Yeah, we were. You know the bunker underneath that we use right?” She nodded. “We were there to defend it I think. The National Guardsmen sent there backed off, and went back to Russian Hill probably. Or maybe the Castro District?” She smiled and stepped closer to me. I locked the locker and went to grab for my M-14, when Julia moved in and gave me a light kissing peck on the cheek. I grabbed my M-14 and looked at her with confusion.

“What was that for?”

“I just wanted to let you know, that you’re doing a great job out there. All of you that is, and I just thought I’d show it a little.”

“Well, thanks,” I said blushing a bit, while slinging my M-14 back on my shoulder. “I dunno why a kiss was needed, but I’ll take it anyway. I’m going to go get something to eat now, you can join me if you like?”

Julia followed me to the small kitchen that we’d constructed outside of the Cliff House, that fed everyone coming in and out of the Cliff House. For the food, it wasn’t anything special or very good. Just some powdered mashed potatoes, and powered eggs. It wasn’t the best, but it was something. Julia went to grab me a beer, and herself some Lemonade. If there was one drink I saw a lot of, it was Lemonade. And I wasn’t sure why either.

“So why did you come to Cliff House, Julia?” I forked some powdered eggs into my mouth, trying to be polite as I could, but I wasn’t really feeling it after being in a heated battle. I kinda just wanted to eat and then get some sleep, but Julia seemed like a nice woman, so I obliged her talking.

“Oh, I came here after the riots. I was originally apart of the Communist Party here in San Francisco, but that kinda went one way and I another. So I started bunking up with you Anarchists.”

“Bunking up? As in-”

“Oh no,” she said blushing uncontrollably with a smile. “No, I just meant spending time with the Anarchists of San Francisco, and helping out here. You know how the Communist Party here acted. There’s only a few of them left after that National Guard raid a few weeks back in Oakland. I much prefer your Anarchist ways of dealing with the National Guard, than the Communist’s way.”

“Is that a fact,” I said smiling and laughing a bit at her comment. “You know, there’s not much difference between the two. Fighting wise that is. Armed conflict is what we both use, so besides ideology, we’re kinda the same.” I looked out to the sea, and Cliff House. A light breeze began to come off the water, but the chill was enough to go through your bones.

“Maybe, but you all are more organized it seems. Not so boisterous, and waving your flag each place you go. That’s why the Communist Party here fell, you know.” I nodded in agreement, and we sat in silence finishing our food.

After eating, David and Jack came up to us. They took their seats across from us, and were both drinking down a beer. I introduced the three, feeling an awkward feeling between us all.

“Julia, this is David and Jack. They’re my left and right hands so to speak.” She smiled and held out her hand. “David, Jack, this is Julia Young.”

“Nice to meet you Julia,” the two said shaking her hand after.

“What’s going on guys? Stan calling for us yet?”

“Sure is,” David said glancing a smile over at Julia. She just concentrated on her now second lemonade, and excused myself from the table.

“No need to be so formal, Alex,” Jack said. “Julia here’s quite the macho tomboy when you get right down to it.” I looked at her, and she just smiled.

“I can be, but sometimes I like a bit of formality from a man.” She laughed and got up herself, waving goodbye to us as the three of us went to meet with Stan.

“Get a good feel of her, Alex?”

“Shut it,” I said elbowing Jack in the ribs a bit. He fell to the arms of David, who caught him with a sarcastic smile.

“Oh David, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t caught me. Marry me, will you?”

The two laughed and Jack straightened up. I just shook it off, and surprised Jack with a quick head lock and noogie. He pulled away and gave me a sarcastic dirty look, while fixing up his hair. David and I laughed, as Jack didn’t find his hair being messed with so funny. Jack was always keeping his hair nice, he thought it was important for the ladies, who evidently didn’t pay much attention to him anyway.

Inside Stan’s debriefing room, the squad was all there. And who should be with Stan, but Mr. Hue, Mr. Zu, Mr. Goeth and Mr. Hampton. This time, they were all dressed in tattered working man’s clothes. Even the two Chinamen. David, Jack, and I all took our seats as Stan came to his podium.

“All right ladies and gentlemen. I’d like you all to meet Mr. Hampton, Mr. Goeth and our two special guests from China: Mr. Zu and Mr. Hue! Now this new mission I’m giving to you, I’m not going to give to anyone else. So it’s a yes or no for this mission, which if you choose not to take it, we’ll still be where we are today. And if you choose yes, we’ll probably succeed in taking Russian Hill at some point with the help of Mr. Zu and Mr. Hue’s people.” Stan stepped down, and allowed Hampton, who was now dressed in a nice cotton-linen suit, to step up to the podium.

“Thank you Stanley, Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu, along with myself and Mr. Goeth appreciate your help.” He smiled and bowed his head to Stan before looking back at us all. “Thank you all as well, for coming and allowing us to speak our peace about this mission. I’m going to speak fast, but you should get the gist of the idea at the end.” Hampton cleared his throat, and then gave a big smile to us all. “Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu here, are both apart of the People’s Liberation Army of China. Mr. Hue is an acting Colonel, and Mr. Zu is apart of the International Operation Forces that China uses to help people like yourselves, in situations like you’re all in. So let me begin by saying, that Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu both have a very generous offer to give you. That offer? Enough Chinese made and issued guns, rockets, grenades, and training that you’ll need to knock off the National Guard on Russian Hill. Now the catch, is that your current outside supplier, will have to be cut out of the loop. The weapons you’re receiving, as you know aren’t all that great in both condition and ammunition. You’re lacking both, and Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu here are willing to help out with that.”

“Why are they so willing?” A voice said from the crowd. I looked to see who it was, and noticed right away it was Harold, a tall man who liked big guns and setting traps. He was a good man, and knew the right question to ask. A couple others from the squad asked as well, wanting an answer now, rather than later. Hampton calmed them, with once again, his hand gestures to settle. The room went quiet, and Hampton paused before speaking.

“They’re willing because they find your ways just! They think with your help, a destruction of US Military forces here in San Francisco, can really help them out in China. As we all know, US forces are growing closer to China every day. With the fighting in Anchorage, not going so well for the Chinese.”

“How will we get these weapons in? What’s their idea to getting their weapons and stuff into the bay? Our current way isn’t easy,” Alice said quickly after Hampton finished.

“Miss, Mr. Hue and Mr Zu’s supplies are already here in the bay as we speak. They’re just sitting and waiting for the go ahead.”

“There’s no ships besides National Guard patrol boats in the bay. Not even Chinese fishing trawlers are able to get past easily,” Stan said stepping forward. Hampton turned at him, and smiled.

“That’s because they’re not so cunning as Mr. Hue and Zu here Stanley. But that’s what this mission is about everyone. We’ll give you the directions to the dock in Chinatown, you’re to meet at, and you’ll assist with getting the weapons back, along with what else Mr. Zu and Mr. Hue have for you all.” Hampton stepped down and turned the podium back over to Stan. I just sat their, my arms folded and an uncertain stare directed at Hampton across my face. It seemed like there was much uncertainty in the unit, and I was glad for that. It meant that the unit wasn’t full of “sheeple” and they could give a good yes or no to the mission.

“All right, now that you’ve had your questions asked and the plan laid out. What do you all say to the mission? Yes, or No?” We all huddled together, the seven of us whispering quietly so Stan and the others couldn’t hear us.

“Are you sure we can trust these guys?”

“I’m not sure about this mission.”

“It might be okay? What could go wrong really?”

“Yeah, if it allows us to knock off Russian Hill, I’m for it!”

The group spoke back and forth with each other like this, me included, as we came to our conclusion. Jack, my right hand got up, and turned to Hampton and the others who were waiting for our response.

“What about Chinatown? We have to pay them a cut, to use their docks.”

“Don’t you worry about that sir, Chinatown will no longer be a problem for you after. You can count on that.” Jack returned to the group and we finally came to our conclusion. We all took our seats, with me still standing to speak for the group.

“After talking it over with my squad, we’ve come to the unanimous vote of yes. We’ll take the job if it involves getting rid of the National Guard on Russian Hill.”

Stan and Hampton shook hands together, and we all stood up together. Patting each other on the backs and embracing each other in joy. We’d finally be putting a serious dent in the National Guard presence; and be putting them out of San Francisco for good hopefully.

Later, when we’d gathered our equipment and weapons for the job, Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu along with Mr. Goeth approached us. Both of the Chinamen were silent, but Mr. Goeth spoke to us all.

“Mr. Hue and Mr. Zu would like to make it clear, that they will be meeting you at the dock provided after speaking with the Chinatown Union heads. You’ll have no problems getting into Chinatown, but be careful because there are street thugs and criminals who will try to attack you.”

“Thanks for his,” Jack said as Mr. Goeth and the two Chinamen bowed their heads, and then hurrying off. The squad all stared at me, waiting for my go. I smiled and fixed my pack on my back.

“All right ladies and germs, lets move out!” We all began moving from Cliff House, waving goodbye to those seeing us off. Julia and Stan were together, both waving farewell to us as we moved across the street, and then soon out of sight. We had to cross hills and city to reach Chinatown. It wouldn’t be easy with all we had to take, but the walk back would be even more challenging.

When I figured we were far enough from Cliff House and not close enough to Russian Hill, I gave the order for the squad to span out. Lucky for us, the roofs were easily accessible, and a couple of the squad members took positions on the roofs, stealthily running from roof top to roof top, as we moved around Russian Hill from the South. We could hear patrols moving out from Russian Hill, but I couldn’t spot any close to us. Chinatown would soon be ours, and those Chinese made guns and training as well.

Locked by Request of OP. Will be opened later