Saving the village from the militia

Recruiting and training soldiers

James and Henry identified a place for training young and energetic men, to go and bring the ammunition to the community, there was a flat area near the river surrounded by huge rocks near Kindu town.

"This is a perfect place for training, we can train how to shoot guns, and also how to swim across the river," Henry said.

"It's a perfect place for training, also you were an instructor in the army," James said

"Yeah, l identified this place because it is surrounded by rocks it is hard for gun sound to be heard and bullets cannot penetrate through, also the river will be a perfect place to train how to swim," Henry said.

Henry planned a meeting To explain to the villagers what they were planning next, he informed Joshua, Joshua went around the village to tell the people to assemble.

"We are glad you all heeded the call to come here, we need a lasting solution for our problems of being attacked by militia, we want to train soldiers to defend our community, Joshua said.

"Let me welcome the community warriors Henry and James," Joshua said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have been attacked by the militia right left and center, we have lost our loved ones livelihood is gone, we need to secure ammunition to protect our community we are now ready to die to defend our community and protect our future generation," James said emotionally

People stood and clapped hysterically showing how people were desperate for security.

"We need to stand together and gang up against a common enemy, that is militia grouping" Rosa, a woman leader in the community said.

People stood and cheered and clapped, and young men stood and went in front of the meeting to volunteer to be trained as community soldiers.

James got surprised, at how young men volunteered to be trained to protect the community.

"I am very happy today that we have people who can stand to die for this community, and the life of their loved ones," James said

Henry stood, and he went around young men, looking directly into their eyes, about forty of them.

"If you have any medical condition step forward" Henry Bellowed.

Ten men stepped forward, James went around looking at the men closely he realized that most of them are healthy.

"You are free to go home and continue with your farming activities," James said. Villagers left the meeting back to their homes, others went to bring livestock back home it was already in the evening.

"You didn't tell the community the place of training," Joshua said

"No, don't think even about that, we could be having traitors within us even the men who are going to be trained will not be allowed to interact with the people in our community," Henry said

"How are we going to get food for the trainees?" Joshua asked

"It's your responsibility to identity loyal women and men who are going to cook for the trainees," James said.

"Remember loyal people who are not going to betray us," Henry said.

Joshua nodded and went to the village to inform and arrange for the trainees to be fed while they were in training. Joshua knew very well who was to be informed to cook, and who are supposed to take the food to the training camp, the community volunteered to contribute food staff.

James led the trainees to the training camp some men had already erected the tent sunk the borehole and pit latrine, others brought blankets and mattresses by evening everything was in place.

At dawn.

"Wake up!" James bellowed

Henry in games skit already at the field warming up.

"Wear light clothes!" James said loudly.

The recruits wore the game skits and went back to the field.

"Follow me," Henry said

The recruits followed him running behind, they run across the forest for about ten kilometers and then returned to the camp.

The breakfast was ready they queued for the breakfast after they went back to the field

"First we would like to train you how to use different types of guns, then later we teach you the martial art," James said

Henry removed the assortment of guns from his box and displayed them in front of the trainees, trainees came and looked at them closely.

These weapons are powerful, here we have the G3 rifle, AK47, revolver, and machine guns.

Henry took them to the position to train them on how to use the guns.

"Guns are not your friend's safety handling first," Henry said.

They trained by the end of three weeks they had already mastered the use of guns and bombs the only part remaining was the martial art and swimming.

They assembled the trainees to highlight the next move henry had to task to train them how to fight without weapons, John was tasked to train them how to swim.

"This is the last training to maneuver through the river and fight without any weapons if in case you ran short of bullets," James said

"Remember after training we have a mission that we have to conduct successfully, that is to bring weapons to protect our community " John explained.

The following day the training started they started with swimming surprisingly most of the trainees were able to learn to swim over huge rivers after they went for martial art.

Screams were coming from the village, and the trainees were the first ones to hear, James divided the weapons they had and eight of them got the guns, and one machine gun and rushed to save the villagers, they discovered that the militia was attacking, shooting and burning the houses as they approached the cold mine James placed the trainees with guns at a strategic position.

"Don't shoot until I order you to shoot" Henry said

"The soldiers who do not have weapons follow me," James said

"I have a plan we have already created a trap for the militia, we will run towards them, reaching approximately a hundred meters from where they are, we ran back in a zigzag manner, to avoid the bullets towards the trap" James instructed.

Henry had guns loaded, trainees in their position as instructed.

"Let's run towards the rebels " James ordered

They run towards the rebels, getting approximately a hundred meters from where the rebels are, they started running back in a zigzag manner rebels followed them towards the trap in the ridge.

"Don't shoot until I order you to shoot" Henry ordered.

James and his trainees ran in a zigzag manner to avoid bullets towards where Henry was with armed trainees and entered the ridge not realizing it was a trap they entered the ridge.

"Shoot!" Henry ordered.

The bullets started falling like hailstones, Henry fired using a machine gun without mercy about two hundred militia died others escaped.

"That was a perfect plan I like that" Joshua boasted.

"Bravo soldiers I will plan a ceremony for you!" Joshua added

"Let's clean the mess" James ordered

They took bodies and hurriedly buried them in the forest

There was a lorry and armored carrier used by the militia, they used to ferry bodies to bury dip in the forest.

The following day the villagers were in a celebrating mood, as the trainees continued with their training

"You fought a good fight yesterday but that does not call for celebration it calls for smart strategy," James said

"Those who escaped will take the message to Jacob the Thunder and I know they will come for a revenge mission," Henry said

Remember he will be told that only forty soldiers defeated a huge number of the militia he will not take it" Henry said.

"That's true he will murder all the survivors and send another battalion to come for a revenge mission," John said.

I remember when we were his captives when he is disappointed he shoots his security.

For the first time in history the village defeated their worst nightmare Jacob the thunder, women recited the victory traditional songs, whilst children recited poems and sayings, whenever they visit their relatives they tell them the story.

As for the soldiers it was not a victory but another challenge was coming and that is a revenge mission by Jacobs militia since they lost most of their militants.

"We need a smart strategy I know the militants are going to come back for a revenge mission," Henry said

"That's true Jacob the thunder is coming with the militia this time round he will come with the bulldozer or even a chopper" James responded.

"Remember he could even ask for reinforcements from their friends, and it is going make sure our village is down to its feet" John added.

"He uses the gold he acquired from their enemies to buy his militants ammunition" John explained.

"I know him very well. he is not coming very soon for a revenge mission he will wait until we forget then he comes with h full force not sparing anybody this time round" John explained.

"This day was wonderful, we thank our soldiers who fought fearlessly to save our families from perishing in the hands of the militia. " James said happily