Indivisible (Overlooked by Liberty) by Blair Smith

be used to fight his administration.
           Harv wanted to quell this talk of bloodshed.  "I think you should meet them, but to step into a fight using these Tobacco Boys is crazy.  I've been in the military.  We don't want to get involved with a militia.  We don't know who these guys are or what they believe.  We certainly don't want anymore deaths."
           "Unless it's a Fed," Mrs. Larson cut in.  "Were any of your kids murdered?"  The huge woman was adamant.  Excluding Harv Madison, everyone in the room had lost a loved one in the Dixville Massacre: Mrs. Larson, a son; the Philbins, a grandson; Max, his nephew Barry.
           "Well, no."
           "Then shut up," she snapped.
           Max intervened, "So what do you suggest, Vanessa?"
           "I want to be there when you meet them," she responded soundly.
     
    Colebrook, New Hampshire (November 12)
    Subject:  Bean Town
    Date:   Sunday, 12 Nov. 2023 9:13:054
    From:  Hman
    To:  Xman
    Cc:
    Attachments:
           A most elated howdy to you all.  Got your note, goat.  Communication is critical.  I'm the man with the plan and have control of the bowl.  Was there ever any question?  I don't think so, joe.
           I heard that the hawk came and kicked the Xman out of the house.  Not to worry, Murry.  Take your time slime.  They took the Xman to the Bean Patch in the Black Hole.  I just know these things.  I'm in the know, you know.
           It snowed like a banshee in heat last night.  All roads closed.  No problem, I drive the optic highway.  Get out of my face, ace!  Move over, rover!  I'm coming through with all RAMs running.  Beep!  Beep!
     
           Using Max's laptop computer, Helen responded to the maniac communication person in the Vermont Covenant, code named Hman.  She was at Max's deer camp with Butch and Thad, Tater curled up by the wood stove.  It was direct E-mail, but they still couldn't be explicit; the System Operator running the Web site could read any letter if she chose.  Helen pushed back from the table, "Butch, you and Thad jump on your skis and get a message to the Philbins.  Tell them I'm safe at Max's camp and that the Vermont link is up and running.  Tell them that according to information across the river, Max is in custody and has been taken to Boston already." 
           Just after the Colebrook Covenant meeting yesterday, four federal agents picked up Max on Main Street.  The Feds believed Max was The Wizard.  Under the temporary martial law, citizens could be detained without due process.  Max had been one of many the government suspected who had been incarcerated.
           The boys slipped their gear on and started out.  Butch turned and gave Helen a Scout salute before going--Thad as well.  Helen forced a smile and saluted in response, but she had other things on her mind.
           As a fugitive, she had come to stay at Max's deer camp.  The Rousell hideout was virtually concealed, plants had covered it even before the big snow, but it was small and dreary inside.  At least the deer camp had windows.  And, before Max had been taken, she relieved her brother at the communication site so he could spend some time at home.  Helen learned that Butch and Thad spent a lot of time at the deer camp.  They were the ones who turned on Max's computer and checked the E-mail when he didn't return.  It had occurred to Helen that the Rousells might be skipping school; now, she was sure of it.
           During these days in hiding, Helen had plenty of time to ponder her situation.  Turning to the window, she looked across the span toward Sugar Hill.  Puffy snow coated everything, accumulating up to eight inches on narrow tree limbs.  It was a windless storm where large flakes floated down and set quietly in place.  She had watched it through the night; it gave her time to reflect.  Helen had