Chapter 5: Rules and free labor
As I was talking to Joven I suddenly gained another memory.
____________________________________________
____________________________________________ " The Americans are not going to stop soon. Our forces will eventually run out. That s why we have to prepare our last stand. " I Said To the Crowd of officers with me.
" These trenches we're planning to dig north of Bagdad
river will hold up. " said Coronel Francisco
" But the trenches from Caloocan to Novaliches are more important. While the Americans are busy fighting, we will retreat North. " I said pointing to various places on the sandbox map we made.
" General. " said Captain Jose Bernal one of the Bernal brothers under my command.
" Yes? " I said.
" First, we Do not have enough men to dig a trench line that long. " Said Captain Jose.
" We need at least 2,000 volunteers with shovel sand pickaxes to start with." Continued Major Manual Bernal.
" Second, I do not think the President will agree to such an ambitious plan especially the trench line from Caloocan to Novaliches. " Commented Coronel Francisco from my left side.
" Three days. " I said forming a plan in my mind
" Sir? " Questioned Coronel Francisco.
" Give me three days. " I said slowly turning around heading for the door.
" Major. Captain. " calling out to the two Bernal brothers to accompany me.
____________________________________________End of flashback for now
____________________________________________
Present time:
" The Americans know why we have to fight for our liberty. They fought ferociously for theirs. Are we different from them? So we don't have the same right to Liberty? That is what makes their aggression toward us inexcusable. " I said to Joven replying to he's earlier Question.
____________________________________________Back to the flashback:
____________________________________________ we could see Gen. Luna going to several Revolutionary Army camp's all around Luzon.
At one of the Army camps.
" Fall in! " said one of the commanding officers in the camp.
" Article One: any person who refuses to follow orders dictated by the General in chief of the Philippine Army will be shot without trial. " Recited Major Manual.
Such a scene was becoming common in various camps.
" Ready? " said General Luna to he's carriage driver as he was done in this camp.
" I'm sorry, General. Are we going home? " Said the Driver.
" We have three more camps to visit. " Replied the general as he rides on the carriage.
" With all due respect, sir. It's midnight. " Said the driver.
" Then drive fast, my brother. " Said the general with amusement in he's voice.
After they were done going around the camp's all night it was already morning.
" General. General. " yelled Captain Rusca and Coronel Francisco as they spotted the general approaching the Army headquarters.
" Good morning, Paco.Rusca. " Replied the General.
" You look like you came from battle. " commented Coronel Francisco.
" Breakfast? " inquired the general.
" Yes. There's breakfast ready. " said Coronel Francisco.
" Not for me. " Said the general as he slowly turns to look at the field where a large mass of people can be seen approaching the headquarters. " Not for me. For them. " The general said with a smirk.
" Two thousand? " Questioned Coronel Francisco.
" Four. " said the general with a smile.
" Four? " Said the Coronel with disbelief on he's face as the general leaves and enters the command hut.
" Halt! " Commanded one of the captains in the Army.
" Captain. Thank you for offering to help. " said Coronel Francisco as the captain saluted him.
" We had no choice. He threatened to shoot us all if we didn't come with him. Some of the men have begun calling him General Article One. " Said the Captain to Coronel Francisco.
Both Coronel Francisco and captain Rusca Looked at each other and laughed.
Thus began a massive Project of creating long Trench lines in order to combat the Americans.
* timeskip to a couple days*
In the command hut:
" General, we need to send men and ammunition to Bataan. " said Coronel Francisco.
" I have three reserve platoons in Bulacan. They can ride tomorrow. " Replied General Jose Alejandrino
" With all due respect, they need to reach Bataan before Sunday. " Said Coronel Francisco looking at General Alejandrino.
" My men cannot fly, Paco. " Said General Alejandrino with a slight frown on he's face.
Meanwhile General Luna looks at the sandbox detailing the Region.
" Take command of the camp, General. " Said General Luna to General Alejandrino.
" What are you going to do? " Said General Alejandrino.
" I will get us a train. " Said General Luna with a smirk on hes face.