Tomlo's Uprising (Closed)

[Adomme]

The small Adomme Empire has been rummaging through unclaimed lands trying to build a great colonial power by claiming and conquering small islands throughout the ocean. One of these conquered lands is Braxton Island which is one of the bigger plots of land conquered by the nation. As usual with the colonial doctrine of Adomme if the land is suitable for crops it is turned into a plantation and the local populace is turned into low paid farmhands. This has worked fine on most islands but on Braxton trouble is stirring. Braxton Island has been used for sugar cane production and the local tribe the Drawak have easily assimilated into being workers for the plantation that is until two days ago.

A lunatic local Drawak Shaman by the name of Samuel Tomlo has rallied a large group of Drawak into rebelling against the colonial government. Tomlo and his followers have burned down two plantations and killed 5 Adomme citizens using machetes and farming tools. The remaining plantations have called for help with the colony being hundreds of miles away from Adomme and a colonial garrison of just 50, Adomme has called upon the International Community to crush the uprising. In return for restoring the status quo, the Adomme government will reimburse the cost of the invasion and open up a special trading agreement with any nation willing to help.


The Druben Plantation burning in the distance
[spoiler=Facts about the Uprising and Rules]Background and Current Status: The Drawak which number about 4,000 or about 80 percent of the population on Braxton were easily assimilated into the plantation cycle and have been under the control of Adomme for 81 years. They were allowed to keep their religion due to the peaceful nature of the assimilation. However, Samuel Tomlo the shaman over Drawak has been speaking of visions of freedom from working the plantations and with secret meetings at night with some other tribal members has influenced a good many of the Drawak to finally oppose the Adomme. Most of the farmhands at the Druben Plantation revolted after hearing of talks about lowering pay to the already underpaid men.


Workers at the Druben Plantation before uprising

They were easily able to overrun the place and burn it down and after hearing the battle the Union Plantation next door was burned down by its workers. As of October 7th, the uprising has been just contained to the western region of the island numbering around 200 workers (now called Tomlo's Men). Currently, Tomlo's Men are laying siege to the Young House Plantation with its owner and loyal Drawak holding off the rebels. The colonial garrison lead by Captain James West has fortified the capital of the island, Port Braxton, from any uprisings that may occur in the town. In addition, a colonial militia has been raised of about 100 men to go relieve the besieged house.

[Adomme]

Young House Plantation: The fields of sugar cane burned on this full moon night in all directions were the distant lights of the other plantations. It would be a beautiful night to reflect on life if it wasn't for the yelling and gunshots piercing the night. The Young House owned by your typical high-class plantation owner, Isaac Young, now was staring ever vigilante outside into the dark jungle that was beyond his property. He saw glimpses of shadows carrying torches around and heard the tribal chants faintly from that dark land. Isaac was 55 and his family was one of the first to come to the island and rise from low-class citizens on the Adomme mainland to the top of the aristocratic food chain on Braxton and he was not going to lose what he inherited to those rebels. The windows facing the jungle had been broken from either rocks or by Isaac himself with his small .22 rifle (the only gun allowed to be carried by Adomme citizens) he had only three which he gave one to the loyal Drawak Mason Lotop and the other to Howard Dutch an Adomme mainland farmhand. The men along with a few other loyalists armed with machetes just stared into the dark jungle ready for another attack. In the driveway that leads to the house was a single rebel killed by two shots to the head. All of the defenders looked away from that general area disgusted by what they had to do but determined to defend the home.

"Faulk, hey Faulk, go up to the top of the house and tell me if you see them?" Isaac said to a young man right next to him.

"Ye...Yes, sir!" he said after stuttering for a second. The young Drawak was out in the fields when the uprising started and after some of his friends ran and joined Tomlo's Men he was one of the first to alert Isaac to the coming storm. His loyalties were strictly with Isaac after giving him a place to stay and work after the death of his family at the hands of a yellow fever outbreak in the colony three years ago. He ran past Mason who nodded with warmth and he continued onward upstairs passing Isaac's wife, Mary, who was keeping their daughters occupied with board games in the guest bedroom upstairs. He hoped the rebels would be stopped soon.





The Young House Plantation before the attack

Port Braxton: The streets which were usually dead quiet at this time of night were abuzz with activity. The colony guard and police force were building road checkpoints at the two roads that lead into the port while a curfew had been placed on the citizens of the town. Meanwhile, in the downtown area, a small militia was being formed consisting of only Adomme nationals due to the fear of the Drawak getting any sort of weapons. Originally, around 100 men were to join but now they were down to just 30 with the others allowed to leave to protect their land across the island. Leading these citizens turned soldiers was the only Adomme Army official that was to leave Port Braxton, Second Lieutenant Reemer Graft, who was in his first combat role and was deeply nervous about leading. A few old crates laid before the gathered militia inside was the standard issued weapon to all colonial forces, the M1 Garand. The men all picked one up and were given just one spare clip after all once the rebels saw the group they would scatter, hopefully. Graft was to leave in the morning and march along the main road to show the working Drawak in the fields that the uprising would be crushed with force.

Colonial Governor Home: In the modest official home Colonial Governor Shay Downs was talking to Captain James about the situation. At least Captain James was trying to discuss the situation but Downs was more interested in the bottle then the uprising.

"When are the Adomme reinforcements coming, Governor Downs?" James asked curiously.

"They are not my dear man! We...we are getting help from elsewhere?" Downs said taking another shot from an expensive liquor. James looked at him concerned but before he could say anything the governor spoke once more, " The government needs allies in...in... the big ole world. Some nation is coming to bring it down. After its over....over the Supreme Leader will try and negotiate trading deals with them. We just sit back and watch."

"What about the militia you wanted out there?" James asked.

"Show of force if we all just stayed here them sugar cane boys would have my head. The nation won't be here tonight or in the morning so that militia is for show and hey... hey... maybe a few of them Drawak will be scared to fight. Maybe who knows this is the first real action I have had on this dreadful island since I got here in 87' let's see what happens!" He said as he spilled some of his liquor on the table. "Rats." he muttered to himself.

[Parina]

Parsius

The Chancellor's estate was a large expanse of land on the outskirts of the capital city. The home and the grounds had belonged to the Collins family for generations, maintained by a staff of groundskeepers and maids. The Chancellor’s wife was out riding at the moment, taking her favorite horse in a circuit around the fenced-off land. While Charlotte Collins rode along the gentle rolling grassland of the estate, her husband William Collins was meeting with one his closest advisors. John Willoughby had arrived in his car a few minutes after Grace's horse had disappeared over the horizon, looking to discuss a matter of some importance. John Willoughby was the Chancellor's man on Admiralty Lane, the financial center of the capital city of Parsius and the entire Kingdom. He acted as an intermediary between the wealthy elites – bankers, industrialists, shipping magnates, and the like – and the Chancellor and his government. The support of these rich and powerful men had been key to William Collins’ appointment to the position of Chancellor.

“It’s this business on Braxton Island,” John was saying to William. The two men were sitting in one the lounge rooms, reclining on plush chairs. A maid had just arrived with drinks on a tray – a gin and tonic for the Chancellor, and a glass of madeira for John Willoughby. “Lord Lowborough, in particular, was making quite a fuss about losing out on some investments he’d made there recently.”

“He always was a worrier,” William joked. “But as it happens, you’re behind schedule. We received a message from their government requesting assistance. They’re offering to reimburse us for the costs of putting down their little native insurrection, and negotiate a favorable trade deal as well.”

“Well then, what are we sending?”

“I spoke to Admiral Rushworth just before you arrived,” Collins said. “There’s a light carrier and a cruiser coming off station at Mandalay. Rushworth says it’s a simple adjustment to have them make steam for Braxton Island.”

Official Communication
From the Foreign Office of the Kingdom of Parina
To the Foreign Office of the Empire of Adomme

Salutations,

The Kingdom of Parina has become aware of your request for intervention on Braxton Island. Fortunately, there are elements of the Parinan Armed Forces nearby in a position to render assistance. The warships Retribution and Renown, a helicopter carrier and light cruiser respectively, have been directed to make all possible speed for Braxton Island. The Retribution is carrying the Third Battalion of the Second Royal Marine Regiment, Major Brandon commanding. This should be a sufficient force to arrest the spread of rebellion and restore order and stability on Braxton Island.

Respectfully,
Edward Weston, Foreign Secretary
On Behalf of His Majesty Edward the Fourth, King of Parina

[Adomme]

Next Day

Young House Plantation

The night was quiet for the men protecting the house. Just distant glows from the rebels in the dark forest. It had been so slow Isaac finally slept and was awoken to a hot humid morning to Mason shaking him up. Without hesitation he pointed his rifle out the window and aimed but stoped when he saw what was happening outside.

Tomlo’s Men were marching out of the jungle and into the road heading north. A whole contingent of the rebels came out not paying attention to the plantation. Most were armed with spears that had been carved the night before from the hardwoods in the jungle or machetes. Isaac knew if he fired a single shot that his plantation and life would be over so he shallowed that pride telling him to fight these rebels and safe the island and just watched in awe as he wondered where they were heading.

Port Braxton

The morning was quiet for the only town on the island. The bright, yellow, tropical sun was especially bright today with not a single cloud in sight. It would be a perfect day to relax and enjoy the beach but the atmosphere in the Port was different. The morning market was especially tense atmosphere as the Colonial Police Force watched carefully over the sellers and buyers armed with batons ready to use them. Officers roamed the market listening to any talk of rebellion or suspicious behavior. The Drawak sellers were usually chatty with the police but almost didn’t breath due to the tension in the air on this morning.

Elsewhere, it was finally time for the militia to see the full extent of the rebellion. Lt. Graft marched out of the town past the safety of the roadblocks and soldiers. He acted confident as he passed plantations some owned by Adomme citizens other by Parina nationals who had been here just as long. The owners waved and cheered as they saw the marching men down the Center Highway, which served as the only road that connected the North to the South just 6.5 miles away to the southern coast. The plantations near Port Braxton were smaller and with less workers who, for the most part, had no problems with the Adomme government. Lt. Graft wondered when he would encounter the rebels but the most likely place would be after about 4 miles when the road curves around High Hill, the highest point on the island, and then the road returns back to being straight. However, the Lt. and his wondering were about to come to a complete stop soon.

[Parina]

Port Braxton

Elsewhere, it was finally time for the militia to see the full extent of the rebellion. Lt. Graft marched out of the town past the safety of the roadblocks and soldiers. He acted confident as he passed plantations some owned by Adomme citizens other by Parina nationals who had been here just as long. The owners waved and cheered as they saw the marching men down the Center Highway, which served as the only road that connected the North to the South just 6.5 miles away to the southern coast. The plantations near Port Braxton were smaller and with less workers who, for the most part, had no problems with the Adomme government. Lt. Graft wondered when he would encounter the rebels but the most likely place would be after about 4 miles when the road curves around High Hill, the highest point on the island, and then the road returns back to being straight. However, the Lt. and his wondering were about to come to a complete stop soon.

Bertram Plantation

“Oh look, soldiers!”

Alice Ashby dashed to the window at the words of her sister Mary, looking out to the road that ran past the front of the plantation house. They could see the small force of militia marching towards High Hill, carrying their rifles. The two Parinan women hurried out to the porch to wave at the militia as they passed, calling out words of encouragement. They were a lovely sight, both in their mid-twenties with well-developed curves pleasingly covered by blue-white sundresses.

“Do you think there will be a battle?” Mary turned to her sister, older by only a year, with wide eyes. “Do you think we’ll hear it?”

“No,” Alice said with disappointment. “Those barbarians won’t try and fight the militia. But I hope they shoot a few of them anyway. That will put them in their place.”

From behind the two women, Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe made a dismissive noise and rolled his eyes. The two ladies were absorbed by the romantic notion of battle they had in their heads. They only knew battle from romantic novels and dramatic plays that glorified the valiant hero. No doubt they were imagining themselves tending to wounded militiamen after some gruesome but unseen struggle, and finding themselves a pair of strapping young men to comfort in more intimate ways. Tyrone had seen battle, and he found himself feeling uneasy at the sight of the paltry handful of armed men walking down the road. He’d battled native rebellions like this, and he knew the people in charge always underestimated how much force would be required to suppress the uprising.

If, or when, this pitiful show of force failed, Tyrone knew that the rebels would only be a short distance from Bertram Plantation. The estate and grounds were essentially undefended; he had spoken with Richard Mason about what could be done to fortify the house and the answer had been disappointing. There were a couple of rifles in the house, most of them for hunting. Mason couldn’t say with confidence that there were any workers among the Drawak that he trusted with guns. That left the few Parinans and Adommeans who worked on the plantation to form its defense. Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe was the only man among them with any military experience. Most frustrating for Tyrone, Richard Mason did not appear to be taking the problem seriously. He shared the belief that this was just a slight hiccup and the militia could easily restore order and punish those who had burned the plantations. He was much more concerned with his Drawak mistress Dido, who he had brought into the house in the years following the death of his Parinan wife.

He had come out to Braxton Island to check up on the plantation for its owner, Sir Thomas Ashby, who had remained in Parina and left Richard Mason to act as his agent on the island itself. His job was to report back on the state of the staff and the grounds, while Sir Thomas' accountant Mr. Lockwood looked over the books. Then Ashby's two daughters had persuaded their father to permit them to travel as well, to have a vacation on the tropical paradise while his agents went about their work. Now they were all stuck here until this rebellion was put down.

Aboard the Retribution

Captain Frederick Wentworth looked over the new course that his chief navigator had plotted. “Very good” was his short and simple analysis. The young officer thanked the captain, saluted, and went to speak with the helmsman of the Retribution to put the course into effect. The cruiser Renown would match the movements of the larger helicopter carrier. They should arrive at Braxton Island in a short time. Once they arrived, the battalion of Marines onboard could deploy via the carrier’s helicopers and put down these troublesome natives. The Admiralty had said that the Chancellor had wanted this done quickly and competently. Saving this island would apparently be very beneficial to the Kingdom.

Assuming there’s anything left to save, Moore thought bitterly. The reports which the Admiralty had forwarded did not paint a reassuring picture. The island had little in the way of militia or regular armed forces to defend itself. The Parinans would have to make all possible speed to ensure their troops arrived in time.

“Major Brandon on the bridge!”

And speaking of those troops…Captain Wentworth turned around and returned the salute from the Royal Marine officer who commanded the Third Battalion, one portion of the Royal Marine Regiment known as the Blue Jackets. Brandon's uniform was immaculate, save for a pair of non-regulation aviator sunglasses tucked into the front pocket of his jacket.

“Major,” Captain Wentworth said. “I want your men ready as soon as we get within helicopter range of the island. I suspect you will be badly needed, and as soon as possible.”

[Adomme]

The Bend at High Hill

Lt. Graft and his company had finally come to the bend. It separated them from the relative safety of the capital to the areas where Tomlo's Men freely roamed. It was now midday and the sun was becoming unbearable to march in the green fatigues they all wore did nothing to help them, however, spirits were still high as the men cracked jokes and talked about the rebels. It had just been two days since this had started and to most of the people on the island Tomlo's Men seemed like a ghost story. They had been contained to the other side of the island and with most of the population living near Port Braxton no one had seen them but rumors were persistent. Stories such as Tomlo drinking the blood of Adomme citizens was a popular one and Grafts soldiers were eager to share this fact with the rest of the unit.

Graft had his militia into two columns covering the road on the left side was 13 men in single file line and on the other was 13 men doing the same. In addition, on both sides, he had two skirmishers off the road on the edge of where the jungle began to protect from any surprise attacks. It was basic and was a tactic he learned in the academy but a move he hoped the rebels would see and surrender. As they came around the Bend Graft looked around and saw a landmark that all citizens of the island knew, the Miller Plantation. It was an old abandoned plantation from one of the first settlers on the island. The story went that the Miller family bought land on Braxton without looking at the property and when the family arrived was shocked to see how rocky the land was near High Hill. They tried for a few years to make it work but left after their crops failed for the second time in a row. Now it was the spot for teenagers to hang out at night and get busted by the local police. Graft looked at it in a warm way remembering his days before the academy taking his girlfriend to the house and trying to scare her. Those days were long gone but for a minute he forgot about his mission and just looked at the stone structure with happiness. The structure was on the columns left side with its skirmisher getting closer to the road to avoid the 6 ft tall grass that now called the front lawn home. Meanwhile, on the right side of the column was the thickest forest still standing on the island on the island going all around High Hill.


"Hey, Lt. Graft have you ever had an experience in that house?" An older man named Tyler York asked with a friendly grin. He lead the right column with his M1 Garand over his shoulder.

Graft quickly snapped out of his blissful peace and back into the commander of the force. "No, I haven't Mr. York why do you ask me such an inappropriate question?"

"I didn't mean it like that Lt. just umm saw ya staring at it with a smile and was hearing the other boys in the back talking about it. Nothing personal" He said back in a laid back way as if they had been friends for years when in reality they had known each other just for a day or so.

"Oh, it is alright Mr. Yo-" Graft was cut off by a scream from the right side. He quickly turned his head to see that leading skirmisher had a spear right through his side. Before he could say anything more a wave of Tomlo's Men came screaming out of the jungle. They quickly ingulfed the two skirmishers just 100 yards away from the road hacking and beating them into pulp.

"OH GOD!" York yelled slinging his rifle from his back to the front. The rest of the force did the same thing and fired shots into the violent wave of flesh coming towards them. The front line of Tomlo's Men running towards them with machetes was cut down with at least five yelping in death as hot rounds tore through t-shirts and into organs. However, they kept coming a few dead comrades meant nothing for these warriors hellbent on freedom.

Graft froze for a moment but regained composure aiming his M1 Garand at a warrior with a spear coming awfully close to the column. BANG it was dead on and the warriors head violently jerked back and fell but another rebel took his place in the frenzied rush towards the militia. He knew they couldn't hold a position out in the open like this and looked back at the abandoned Miller House.

"Men! Retreat to the house we will hold them out there! Quickly now!" He said in the loudest voice he could muster. It worked as they started breaking line and running to the house. One of the militiamen who was still trying to fight the wave of Drawak was impaled by a spear in the stomach and dropped his weapon while another spear finished him off with it going through his chest. As they were running towards the safe haven a horror fell upon them when a group of 20 Tomlo's Men popped up from the tall grass with the few guns they had and fire a few rounds into the militia. The two skirmishers closest to getting into the house were cut down by the gunfire and the others tried desperately to pick off the rebels before the ones from the jungle came on them.

"How?? How did they surround us!" Graft said in horror as he killed a rebel with a .22 rifle. Just then he heard loud tribal screaming and turned around just in time to see a rebel come down into his right shoulder with a machete. It made him drop the M1 but he reached for his PM pistol with his left hand and got two rounds into the rebel's skull dropping him. As he looked around his force had been utterly annihilated. Most were on the ground with their gear being looted while the few still standing were in fierce hand to hand combat. Graft's nerves broke and he ran past the fighting back to the road leading to Port Braxton. York was still standing having kicked off a rebel and saw the commander running which he tried to join but was stopped with a blow by a rifle butt on the back of his head spreading him on the road.

The battle was just five minutes long but all men were lost except for one...



Bertham Plantation

Graft had been running for 30 minutes trying to get back to the capital but his wound was finally catching up him. His vision blurred constantly and he was sweating heavily in the hot tropical sun. Graft knew he couldn't make it back to the capital but remembered seeing the Parinan women waving at him and knew that the Plantation was close. His green fatigues were soaked in blood and his run turned into a walk but he finally saw the beautiful plantation. He ran with the last of his strength and entered the property trampling flowers but saw someone on the front lawn. He couldn't tell if it was a woman or man but he knew it had to be friendly as the shape just looked stared at him.

"Help! Tomlo he killed us all please for God's sake.... warn them..." He said collapsing on the well-trimmed grass trying to stay awake and hoping for an answer.

[Adomme]

OOC: Here is a crude map that I made so things are clearer.

https://ibb.co/1nZgQjR

[Parina]

Bertham Plantation

Graft had been running for 30 minutes trying to get back to the capital but his wound was finally catching up him. His vision blurred constantly and he was sweating heavily in the hot tropical sun. Graft knew he couldn't make it back to the capital but remembered seeing the Parinan women waving at him and knew that the Plantation was close. His green fatigues were soaked in blood and his run turned into a walk but he finally saw the beautiful plantation. He ran with the last of his strength and entered the property trampling flowers but saw someone on the front lawn. He couldn't tell if it was a woman or man but he knew it had to be friendly as the shape just looked stared at him.

"Help! Tomlo he killed us all please for God's sake.... warn them..." He said collapsing on the well-trimmed grass trying to stay awake and hoping for an answer.

Bertram Plantation

The plantation had been totally ignorant of the battle which had raged only a few miles away. The mass of High Hill had blocked and deflected the sounds of screaming and gunfire, leaving the Parinans in an acoustic shadow. Even if the battle had been audible, the distant gunshots might have been drowned out by the usual cacophony of a plantation at work. It was still harvest season, and the workers were out in the fields collecting the sugar cane. Richard Mason, his Drawak mistress Dido, and the Ashby sisters had retired to the back porch to enjoy a midday meal while Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe remained on the front porch, looking towards High Hill with a dour expression. Thus it was the ex-soldier who first saw the bloodied Lieutenant Graft racing towards the Bertram Plantation.

“My God!” Tyrone exclaimed, rushing to grasp the faltering Adommean officer as he collapsed on the front lawn. “I need help! Quickly!”

"Help! Tomlo he killed us all please for God's sake.... warn them..."

“My God,” Tyrone repeated. Was this man all that was left? He remembered the guns that the soldiers had carried. They weren’t the most modern weapons but they were still lethal and easy to use. And now they were in the hands of a mob of savages who had already drawn blood. He felt himself paling at the implications as Richard Mason and the two women appeared, following a maid and Heywood’s personal butler who had heard the shouts and fetched the plantation owner. At the first glimpse of the bloody lieutenant, Mary Ashby gasped and staggered backwards. The maid luckily grabbed a hold of the fainting woman before she could hit her head on the wooden steps.

“Help me bring him inside,” Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe barked at Richard Mason. The plantation manager stumbled over and grabbed the lieutenant’s legs and the two men hefted him inside the house and onto a couch. The butler, who was fretting about how the blood might stain the upholstery, was sent to gather rags and other supplies to tend to Graft’s wounds.

“He said the militia has been wiped out,” Tyrone said while holding pressure down on the bleeding wound. “We need to warn the city.”

“Send someone by horse,” Mason replied. “Jack Halford, one of the mechanics. He can bring the message.”

“And send the women too,” Tyrone added. “Keep them out of danger.”

“I know some nursing,” Alice Ashby exclaimed. “I can help him.”

Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe considered it. Having her tend to the lieutenant would free him up to help defend the house. But he shuddered to think what might happen to her if the savages overran the plantation.

“Fine,” he answered finally. “But Mary goes into town.”

Thus, a few minutes later, the Parinan Jack Halford tore down the road towards Port Braxton on the fastest horse available on the plantation, with the still-shaky Mary Ashby riding behind him with her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. Jack carried a white shirt tied to a stick – a symbol that hopefully would keep the two Parinans from being shot by jumpy guards on the road – and a blood-stained piece of Lieutenant Graft’s uniform as evidence of the truth of what he would tell Port Braxton’s defenders.

[Adomme]

The battlesite

The black asphalt road was painted a shade of dark red. All around the area the site was death. Twenty-nine militiamen were slain and were stripped of anything valuable. The bodies had been pushed off the road and into the lawn of the Miller Plantation while the blood-stained road was used for the ancient Drawak ritual of appeasing there God with dancing and chants. Tribal calls that hadn't been spoken in years called out along with traditional dancing. They had won against an armed group something most of them doubted deep within there hearts and it was glorious to this group.

" Uzawyth has granted us victory! My brothers, we have been gifted with guns to truly destroy these invaders!" Tomlo said while he watched the frenzied dancing. "Send scouts to tell of our glorious victory and tell them to bring the cloth of these dead men. Once more of my people hear of this they will surely join. Now go spread my gospel!" He barked at one of his advisors who quickly scurried away to find scouts. Tomlo was pleased with himself and took a minute to watch the scene in front of him before his actual brother approached the Shaman.

" I have counted the dead Tomlo. It is fourteen dead with eleven seriously injured. We number now around 220 after some cowards ran from the battle." He said with scorn.

" Please relax Gilo, enjoy our victory. Once we conquer our land complety we will deal with the cowards but for now, we must deal with these invaders, all of them!" Tomlo said to his brother with reassurance.

" We need more men to join us or we will not win. These were just people with guns we haven't faced the actual military. I suggest we try and find more quickly before they can call for help. Who knows when the scouts will be back. " Gilo said with an aggressive voice.

"Fine brother, you lead an advance force to see what we are dealing with. I know there are plantations in front of us, so take our best men and destroy them while recruiting more people for our cause, by the time you are done I am sure the scouts will have hundreds more joining us." He said staring into his brother's eyes with a stern look.

"Mhmm...tonight I will leave and see but be warned brother if I make it to Port Braxton, I might not wait on you." With that Gilo left to join some warriors with the M1 Garands in hand.

“My God,” Tyrone repeated. Was this man all that was left? He remembered the guns that the soldiers had carried. They weren’t the most modern weapons but they were still lethal and easy to use. And now they were in the hands of a mob of savages who had already drawn blood. He felt himself paling at the implications as Henry Heywood and the two women appeared, following a maid and Heywood’s personal butler who had heard the shouts and fetched the plantation owner. At the first glimpse of the bloody lieutenant, Helen Mitchum gasped and staggered backwards. The maid luckily grabbed a hold of the fainting woman before she could hit her head on the wooden steps.

“Help me bring him inside,” Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe barked at Henry Heywood. The plantation manager stumbled over and grabbed the lieutenant’s legs and the two men hefted him inside the house and onto a couch. The butler, who was fretting about how the blood might stain the upholstery, was sent to gather rags and other supplies to tend to Graft’s wounds.

Graft was half-conscious as he was dragged into the house and onto the couch. However, he refused to die and tried to talk more to these new people.

"You...you all are...not safe...they...they killed us all. Spears and knives...that's all they needed." He said in a slurred speech and took a loud gulp tasting some blood from his mouth.

"Water, please..." He felt his body and realized the condition he was in was not pleasant but another idea shot through his brain. "My pistol...I think I dropped it outside..let me get it." In a dazed confused state, he tried getting up but the pain kept him down. Graft's brain was stuck between water and pistol as he feared the Drawak would attack again but he was thirsty.

Thus, a few minutes later, the Parinan James Walton tore down the road towards Port Braxton on the fastest horse available on the plantation, with the still-shaky Helen Mitchum riding behind him with her arms wrapped tightly around his torso. James carried a white shirt tied to a stick – a symbol that hopefully would keep the two Parinans from being shot by jumpy guards on the road – and a blood-stained piece of Lieutenant Graft’s uniform as evidence of the truth of what he would tell Port Braxton’s defenders.]

Checkpoint Alpha

"HALT!" A soldier said pointing a PK machine gun at the pair on the horse. The checkpoint was hastily put up with sandbags and barbed wire protecting it. The defense structure was guarded by ten Adomme Colonial Guards and another ten Port Braxton police officers as the first line of defense against the coming storm. The situation was tense as everyone had guns pointed at this pair but as the soldier with the machine gun saw the bloodied rag he gasped and radioed in that a pair of citizens need to see Governor Downs.

"Please go tell them the story, Governor Downs and Captain James are waiting to see you at the Colonial Governor House." The soldier said with a concerned look on his face and wished them the best luck in getting there.

[Parina]

Checkpoint Alpha

"HALT!" A soldier said pointing a PK machine gun at the pair on the horse. The checkpoint was hastily put up with sandbags and barbed wire protecting it. The defense structure was guarded by ten Adomme Colonial Guards and another ten Port Braxton police officers as the first line of defense against the coming storm. The situation was tense as everyone had guns pointed at this pair but as the soldier with the machine gun saw the bloodied rag he gasped and radioed in that a pair of citizens need to see Governor Downs.

"Please go tell them the story, Governor Downs and Captain James are waiting to see you at the Colonial Governor House." The soldier said with a concerned look on his face and wished them the best luck in getting there.

Port Braxton

Jack Halford thanked the soldier and gave the horse a light nudge with his heels, sending the animal trotting past the checkpoint into the town. The checkpoint looked very intimidating to Jack’s untrained eye, with the barbed wire on top of solid-looking sandbags and all the guns defending it. It looked strong enough to hold back the natives, but what about all the plantations they had passed on their way from Bertram Plantation to the capital?

Jack followed the directions he had been given to the Colonial Governor House, dismounting from the horse when they arrived and helping Mary Ashby get off after him.

“I need to speak with the governor, but lady Mary has been through a terrible shock,” Jack said to whoever was there to greet him. “Is there somewhere she can lay down and rest? I can speak with the Governor by myself.”

Graft was half-conscious as he was dragged into the house and onto the couch. However, he refused to die and tried to talk more to these new people.

"You...you all are...not safe...they...they killed us all. Spears and knives...that's all they needed." He said in a slurred speech and took a loud gulp tasting some blood from his mouth.

"Water, please..." He felt his body and realized the condition he was in was not pleasant but another idea shot through his brain. "My pistol...I think I dropped it outside..let me get it." In a dazed confused state, he tried getting up but the pain kept him down. Graft's brain was stuck between water and pistol as he feared the Drawak would attack again but he was thirsty.

Bertram Plantation

Alice Ashby took Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe’s place kneeling by the side of Lieutenant Graft, replacing rags thoroughly soaked with blood with fresh ones. She sent the manservant, a Adommean named Benson, off to the kitchen to get water for the lieutenant while the maid, a Christian Drawak woman named Leah, was sent in search of needle and thread to sew the open wound shut. Alice was no battlefield medic or doctor, but she knew enough of nursing and care and Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe could explain how to do the things she needed to save Graft’s life.

“You need to lay down sir,” Alice pleaded with the half-delirious Graft. “You’re safe now. Mister Pendleton-Smythe has your pistol, it’s okay.” The lieutenant’s pistol was in fact still laying on the lawn where it had fallen when the lieutenant collapsed. Tyrone asked Richard Mason to fetch it and the plantation manager walked out of the room just as Benson returned with a pitcher of ice water and a glass. Alice accepted the glass of water with a quick thanks and then held it up to Graft’s lips so he could drink.

[Adomme]

Evening

Colonial Governor Home



The sun was finally setting on this eventful day which would be remembered for many many years. The Governor House was simple as the colony did not need much and the Adomme government would much rather spend its cash on other affairs. The servant of the house an old Drawak man by the name of Bonbo Flan who probably had more patriotism for Adomme than the Governor took lady Mary and promised Jack she would be taken care of.

"I will bring her some of our fresh tea it will bring her spirits up. Please, Mr. go inside the Governor been waiting on you." Flan said guiding Mary to the back of the premise where she could lounge and wait.

Inside Governor Downs was surprisingly sober and greeted Jack with a thunderous greeting.

"Aw, Mr. Halford I have heard of you from the men at the checkpoint. Please sit down on the couch and make yourself at home." He said handing Jack a glass filled with whiskey.

" I am very sorry to cut to the chase but it is important for all of our safety, what exactly happened? I know you have a piece of bloody cloth but did anyone survive the savage attack? How would you describe the situation outside the capital?" Governor Downs quickly asked in short succession. Downs inside was terribly worried about his job and did not invite Captain James to this meeting. If the homeland found out he had a whole force slaughtered by natives the Supreme Leader would have his head on a platter. While the plan was to wait for the Parinan to arrive in order to secure an ally nowhere did the Supreme Leader say to let the citizens outside of the capital suffer. Downs knew he messed up but was trying to salvage it with speaking to Jack about the situation.

Alice Ashby took Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe’s place kneeling by the side of Lieutenant Graft, replacing rags thoroughly soaked with blood with fresh ones. She sent the manservant, a Adommean named Benson, off to the kitchen to get water for the lieutenant while the maid, a Christian Drawak woman named Leah, was sent in search of needle and thread to sew the open wound shut. Alice was no battlefield medic or doctor, but she knew enough of nursing and care and Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe could explain how to do the things she needed to save Graft’s life.

“You need to lay down sir,” Alice pleaded with the half-delirious Graft. “You’re safe now. Mister Pendleton-Smythe has your pistol, it’s okay.” The lieutenant’s pistol was in fact still laying on the lawn where it had fallen when the lieutenant collapsed. Tyrone asked Richard Mason to fetch it and the plantation manager walked out of the room just as Benson returned with a pitcher of ice water and a glass. Alice accepted the glass of water with a quick thanks and then held it up to Graft’s lips so he could drink.

Graft took the water and gulped it. "Thank...you." He said before passing out. He was still alive but needed to sleep after the disaster that occurred. As he drifted asleep he felt so much guilt for the battle. The sole survivor was ironically the one who was supposed to die heroically with his men but his young inexperienced mind told him not. Graft knew there would be questions after all this and he knew the consequences for deserting was death. However, a part of him hoped he could redeem himself in an epic last stand but in this condition, he couldn't even hold his service weapon a sad way to end up on the first combat mission.


The Battlefield

The sun was setting and the sky was turning a gentle orange and pink over the carnage that had happened a few hours ago. The warriors had finished there victory celebrations and now were foraging for food. A feral hog was found and was cooking slowly on some fire. The number of Tomlo's Men grew as a scout returned with an additional 50 Drawak who had killed their employer and burned their plantation north of the battlefield. Tomlo grinned a wicked smile at his growing number of followers and would attempt to march on the capital in the coming days depending on how Gilo managed.

Gilo was getting ready to scout out the road to the capital tonight. He knew the Parian mainly had their plantations in this area and would attempt to destroy a few. Gilo had worked for a Parian plantation two years ago and was beaten by a Parian after demanding a raise. After the beating, he was thrown off the worksite and wandered around the island before finding his brother, Tomlo, planting the seeds to this uprising. The beating had taken his memory from that time but faintly remembered a Bertham Plantation either from hearing about it or actually working there. It did not matter he had a bone to pick with the system and was ready to show the world this grudge tonight. A group of 50 warriors were waiting for Gilo to lead them on this raid deep within enemy territory. Out of the group, around 25 were armed with guns including Gilo who used a bloody M1 Garand from the body of York. When darkness covered the land the raiders would launch there attack on the status quo of Braxton Island, hopefully crippling it and returning victorious.

[Parina]

Inside Governor Downs was surprisingly sober and greeted Jack with a thunderous greeting.

"Aw, Mr. Halford I have heard of you from the men at the checkpoint. Please sit down on the couch and make yourself at home." He said handing Jack a glass filled with whiskey.

" I am very sorry to cut to the chase but it is important for all of our safety, what exactly happened? I know you have a piece of bloody cloth but did anyone survive the savage attack? How would you describe the situation outside the capital?" Governor Downs quickly asked in short succession. Downs inside was terribly worried about his job and did not invite Captain James to this meeting. If the homeland found out he had a whole force slaughtered by natives the Supreme Leader would have his head on a platter. While the plan was to wait for the Parinan to arrive in order to secure an ally nowhere did the Supreme Leader say to let the citizens outside of the capital suffer. Downs knew he messed up but was trying to salvage it with speaking to Jack about the situation.

Colonial Governor Home

Jack Halford tried to remember everything that Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe had told him to say before he left the plantation.

“We saw the militia going down the road to High Hill. Then at midday the officer, Lieutenant…Lieutenant Graft, he came to the house. He was wounded. I think he said he was the only one left.” The lady Alice – Mary’s sister – stayed at the plantation to help him. Mister Pendleton said…he said we’ve got a half dozen men with guns to defend the plantation. I don’t know about the other plantations along the road or anything.”

Gilo was getting ready to scout out the road to the capital tonight. He knew the Parian mainly had their plantations in this area and would attempt to destroy a few. Gilo had worked for a Parian plantation two years ago and was beaten by a Parian after demanding a raise. After the beating, he was thrown off the worksite and wandered around the island before finding his brother, Tomlo, planting the seeds to this uprising. The beating had taken his memory from that time but faintly remembered a Bertham Plantation either from hearing about it or actually working there. It did not matter he had a bone to pick with the system and was ready to show the world this grudge tonight. A group of 50 warriors were waiting for Gilo to lead them on this raid deep within enemy territory. Out of the group, around 25 were armed with guns including Gilo who used a bloody M1 Garand from the body of York. When darkness covered the land the raiders would launch their attack on the status quo of Braxton Island, hopefully crippling it and returning victorious.

Bertram Plantation

“How is he?”

Alice Ashby looked up at Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe with a sad face. “He’s resting. I’ve sewn up the wound like you explained. I think he’ll make it.”

The former soldier looked over the unconscious man laid out on the couch. He felt sorry for the lieutenant. The way the militia had marched gave Tyrone the impression that these men had not seen any sort of combat before. A man’s first brush with the chaotic life-or-death struggle of battle was never pleasant. Only sick men found any fun in it. Tyrone had seen soldiers in the exemplary Royal Army break; some simply weren’t equipped to handle it. He kept expecting to see more Adommeans straggling onto the lawn of the plantation, but it seemed that only the lieutenant had run fast enough to survive.

Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe walked out of the sitting room and onto the porch. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with warm colors. It would be a pleasant sunset on a normal day, but with the knowledge of what had happened earlier – and what was now gathering like stormclouds somewhere over the horizon – it reminded Tyrone of the glow that burning buildings gave off in the night. No doubt he would see some this night as the native rebels carried out their bloody business on whatever plantations they could find and overrun.

Richard Mason joined him on the porch. “I took a poll of the men,” he informed Tyrone. “I gave out the rifles to the men with the most experience shooting. I saved one for you, also.”

“I actually have one of my own,” Tyrone interjected. He’d brought his jungle carbine with him on the journey, thinking that he might have some time to do some hunting while he was on the island. He’d be shooting at a different sort of target now.

“Ah, alright,” Richard said in a flustered reply. “Well then, I’ll give it to someone else then. What do you suggest Miss Ashby do?”

“Stay inside,” Tyrone said tersely. “Away from the windows or the doors.” He didn’t want her to become the victim of a stray bullet or ricochet. “But have a horse ready for her.” If things went badly, his priority would be making sure that his patron’s daughter survived and escaped instead of being left to the predations of savage howlers.

The half-dozen plantation hands took up positions around the plantation house, standing watch and looking out into the distance with anxious eyes. They carried hunting rifles tightly in sweaty hands. They had experience hunting, or shooting targets for sport, but none of them had done any service in the armed forces. They also had no way of seeing anything beyond the ground illuminated by the lights of the house once the sun fell below the horizon.

On the High Seas

The Retribution and Renown were now one night’s sailing away from Braxton Island. If the helm’s calculations were correct, the ships should be within range to launch helicopters loaded with Royal Marines sometime soon after sunrise tomorrow. The issue was making sure the carrier was close enough to launch the helicopters at a distance that they could cover while fully loaded and then return to the carrier. Captain Frederick Wentworth and Major Brandon were working under the assumption that the island might not have sufficient space prepared to land sixteen helicopters, thus the best option was to have them return to the ship after depositing the bulk of two companies of the battalion. Roughly 200 men should be enough to disrupt whatever nasty plans the rebels were putting in motion.

[Adomme]

Jack Halford tried to remember everything that Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe had told him to say before he left the plantation.

“We saw the militia going down the road to High Hill. Then at midday the officer, Lieutenant…Lieutenant Graft, he came to the house. He was wounded. I think he said he was the only one left.” The lady Alice – Mary’s sister – stayed at the plantation to help him. Mister Pendleton said…he said we’ve got a half dozen men with guns to defend the plantation. I don’t know about the other plantations along the road or anything.”

Colonial Governor Home

Governor Downs lost the color in his face and turned pale. Just one soldier came back. Just one. He knew the situation was not going well and prayed that the Parina forces would be here as soon as they could. He just looked at Jack for a minute before speaking.

"Good God. Those savages did not leave a man behind. I tell you what M-" He was cut off by the door slamming open and appearing was a Colonial Guard.

"Governor Downs sir, my name is Corporal Bryant Chavez, my squad and I are here to protect you. There is rioting near the harbors after a Drawak man was shot. We have strict orders to not let anyone in or out, including your guest." The man said with a stern look as four other soldiers with AK-47s checked the premise.

The Governor looked in shock and simply asked how bad the situation was. Chavez frowned a little and spoke, " At least 60 Drawak are in the streets Captain James and the rest of the garrison are trying to put it down as we speak that is all I know sir."

THE NIGHT

The March

The sun had finally set and the darkness covered the island. From High Hill, you could easily see Port Braxton and the line of plantations leading to it, as these were the only sources of light on the island and to Tomlo's Men guided them to targets. A change of plans was in order for the rebels. The scouts reported the roadblock ahead and the heavy weapons they possessed. Tomlo fearing it would be reinforced tomorrow decided to launch the attack on the capital tonight now possessing nearly 300 men after news of the militia defeat was spread quickly to the Drawak populous. Tomlo knew it was now or never and his plan was simple, he would bypass the roadblock by trekking deep into the jungle and coming up behind the roadblock meanwhile, Gilo and his group of 50 warriors would advance on the road and distract the roadblock by attacking the plantations around it. The plan while not the most advanced was sound to Tomlo and he felt confident in winning this conflict tonight.

Gilo was to leave first and was doing so as Tomlo was organizing his main force. "We march forth now brothers! Tonight we crush Adomme! Tonight we get our freedom!" Gilo said as his group yelled in agreement. Just like that, they started there dammed march to destroy whatever was in the way. "Uzawyth guide us! Uzawyth guide us!" they chanted as the march continued down the road. They found there first target up ahead the lights of the plantation and the cut fields were a telltale sign of the enemy. " Brothers! We destroy this one first. Surround it and make them feel pain like we have in our chains!" He yelled at his men and they quickly listened as some crossed into the field to surround it while others followed Gilo down the road to the plantation.

A battle was about to break out and Gilo was bloodthirsty to destroy the enemy with a vengeful fury. His eyes even with the new moon shined with an anger that was unreal and unusual in a man. While Tomlo had planned on sparing the Adomme he felt did not contribute to the plantations Gilo was set on the death of all but Drawak. Even with his own people, Gilo wished to get rid of any who associated with the colonists but that was for another day right now he had to focus on the battle.

[Parina]

"Governor Downs sir, my name is Corporal Bryant Chavez, my squad and I are here to protect you. There is rioting near the harbors after a Drawak man was shot. We have strict orders to not let anyone in or out, including your guest." The man said with a stern look as four other soldiers with AK-47s checked the premise.

Colonial Governor Home

Mary Ashby was sipping at the warm cup of tea when the soldiers arrived. At first she was terrified that they might be rebels breaking in to murder whoever they could find in the house, but she saw their uniforms and recognized them as members of the Colonial Guards. She felt relief wash over her – these soldiers would protect her. But what were they protecting her from? She was in the middle of the capital – surely the danger was far from here?

She got up and began walking through the house, trying to locate one of the soldiers. When she finally found one, she approached him.

“Excuse me?” She asked in a polite but clearly nervous tone. “What’s happened? Are we in danger?”

Gilo was to leave first and was doing so as Tomlo was organizing his main force. "We march forth now brothers! Tonight we crush Adomme! Tonight we get our freedom!" Gilo said as his group yelled in agreement. Just like that, they started there dammed march to destroy whatever was in the way. "Uzawyth guide us! Uzawyth guide us!" they chanted as the march continued down the road. They found there first target up ahead the lights of the plantation and the cut fields were a telltale sign of the enemy. " Brothers! We destroy this one first. Surround it and make them feel pain like we have in our chains!" He yelled at his men and they quickly listened as some crossed into the field to surround it while others followed Gilo down the road to the plantation.

A battle was about to break out and Gilo was bloodthirsty to destroy the enemy with a vengeful fury. His eyes even with the new moon shined with an anger that was unreal and unusual in a man. While Tomlo had planned on sparing the Adomme he felt did not contribute to the plantations Gilo was set on the death of all but Drawak. Even with his own people, Gilo wished to get rid of any who associated with the colonists but that was for another day right now he had to focus on the battle.

Bertram Plantation

Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe had taken command of the defenses of Bertram Plantation, if they could be called that. What he had were six Parinans who knew how to shoot but not how to fight and himself, a former soldier out of practice and out of his element. All the rest of the employees had fled. Maybe some had joined the rebels. Tyrone thought that most would likely batten down the hatches and hope to get through this with their homes and families intact. Richard Mason and Mary Ashby had stayed behind as well, sheltering in the house along with Leah the maid. Tyone Pendleton-Smythe had tried to get them to leave but Richard Mason was adamant that he had a responsibility to remain. Mary Ashby had argued that she could be of use as a nurse should any of the men be wounded. Leah feared that if she tried to return home she would be killed by rebels for converting to Christianity and working in the house. So, she had been drafted to help Mary if needed.

He knew they would be outnumbered and their enemy was more savage and more driven than the field hands and mechanics that now stood uneasily in their assigned posts. As darkness descended, they could hear the Drawak chanting in the distance. They could see nothing beyond what was illuminated by the lights of the plantation house. They would have to surrender the fields and outbuildings to the enemy, for they could not be defended. This shrank the perimeter to just a circle around the house, but it also meant they could be attacked from any side. Tyrone walked around the house, speaking to the rest of the men on watch. He warned them not to waste ammunition or fall for provocation. They were only supposed to shoot when they could clearly see their target and they thought there was a good chance of a hit.

“All we have to do is survive the night,” Tyrone repeated. “Once the sun rises they’ll send more troops from Port Braxton and we’ll be safe.” He didn’t really know if that was true, but it made the others less jumpy. Surviving just through the night seemed like a simpler task.

[Adomme]

She got up and began walking through the house, trying to locate one of the soldiers. When she finally found one, she approached him.

“Excuse me?” She asked in a polite but clearly nervous tone. “What’s happened? Are we in danger?”

Colonial Governor Home

The soldier looked at the women with a slightly sympathetic look and simply said, "Do not worry about it ma'am tomorrow morning we will be looking good. Just stay here for the night we just want to make sure everyone is alright." He said smiling with his crooked teeth, but it was a genuine smile of hope.


Bertham Plantation

The crickets chirped quietly on this cloudless night. The moon was at a crescent as it slowly rose in the sky. A slight breeze blew the leaves on the trees that surrounded the plantation. In the darkness, the Drawak moved around like a pack of dogs finding weak points in the house. They had stopped there maddening chanting around a mile down the road and now were positioning themselves waiting for Gilo to give the order to strike. Gilo and his best marksmen would attack from the front using the darkness as cover while taking shots at the defenders, the ones without guns would make a mad dash to the back porch while carrying machetes or torches to burn the house the other Drawak with guns would keep the defenders busy on their sides with wild firing into the building. Gilo expected the battle to last 10 minutes max. He knew he outgunned and outnumbered the defenders and was ready to give the warcry to start.

Inside the house, Graft awoke suddenly with a deep sign. He was confused for a second seeing the armed men inside not paying attention to the dying man coming out of his rest but a moment later realized what was happening.

"Good God! Tomlo's Men they are here aren't they! Please, someone, hand me a gun I can't let this happen again!" He said startling some of the armed men with his loud exclamation. However, he was soon overshadowed by the eerie call of the warcry that had just called out.

Suddenly, without hesitation, the Drawak yelled with excitement as bullets suddenly came zooming into the house. From the back, the unarmed rebels came running out of the jungle some still lighting torches trying to get to the porch but they a few hundred yards to cross before coming to it. The battle had started.

[Parina]

The crickets chirped quietly on this cloudless night. The moon was at a crescent as it slowly rose in the sky. A slight breeze blew the leaves on the trees that surrounded the plantation. In the darkness, the Drawak moved around like a pack of dogs finding weak points in the house. They had stopped there maddening chanting around a mile down the road and now were positioning themselves waiting for Gilo to give the order to strike. Gilo and his best marksmen would attack from the front using the darkness as cover while taking shots at the defenders, the ones without guns would make a mad dash to the back porch while carrying machetes or torches to burn the house the other Drawak with guns would keep the defenders busy on their sides with wild firing into the building. Gilo expected the battle to last 10 minutes max. He knew he outgunned and outnumbered the defenders and was ready to give the warcry to start.

Bertram Plantation

Tyrone Pendleton-Smythe had positioned two men watching the front of the house and two watching the back, since these were the widest sides of the plantation house and offered the biggest targets. On man was assigned to watch the left and another the right side of the house, and Tyrone had decided he would move around to wherever he was needed most. Windows had been covered with thick blankets or upturned tables to try and limit the number of places where the rebels could easily shoot into the house. Richard Mason had said that the walls of the house would stop a small-caliber bullet. Tyrone hoped this was not idle boasting.

Inside the house, Graft awoke suddenly with a deep sign. He was confused for a second seeing the armed men inside not paying attention to the dying man coming out of his rest but a moment later realized what was happening.

"Good God! Tomlo's Men they are here aren't they! Please, someone, hand me a gun I can't let this happen again!" He said startling some of the armed men with his loud exclamation. However, he was soon overshadowed by the eerie call of the warcry that had just called out.

Tyrone was the nearest man to Graft when the lieutenant awoke. He rushed over to where the man was panicking and grabbed him by the shoulder.

“Yes, they’re getting close,” he said to the Adommean officer. He drew the man’s pistol from where he had been carrying it and offered the grip to Graft. “We could use another man on the lines.” He told the lieutenant to stay near the back of the house where he could help the men on the back porch or at either side of the building.

Suddenly, without hesitation, the Drawak yelled with excitement as bullets suddenly came zooming into the house. From the back, the unarmed rebels came running out of the jungle some still lighting torches trying to get to the porch but they a few hundred yards to cross before coming to it. The battle had started.

“Jesus, they’re thick as flies!” A Parinan shouted from the back porch. The men there began to open fire, targeting the Drawak who rushed forward with lit torches. They knew that if the house was set alight then it was all over. The men in the front of the house ducked behind cover, unable to see into the darkness and aim at their attackers. Sometimes man would see a muzzle flash or a Drawak would step far enough forward to be seen by the light of the house and they would be shot at.