Disclaimer: I Don't own Freedom Fighters.

My Notes: New chapter. It's just a funeral so there won't be any of that white nuckled action till the next chapter. R&R

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln June 16, 1856

January 16, 2014. 1900 hours CIS Leviathan Atlantic Ocean

The CIS Leviathan was the only known stealth ship in existence. Built mainly as a support ship during naval operations. It incorporated stealth and firepower into one efficient and deadly package. It was armed with four torpedo tubes capable of firing anaconda torpedoes, or what many dubbed "water rockets". The bulbous sections of concealed missile launchers dotted the ship's dull gray hull. Finally, the ship had provisions for two MIRV nuclear missiles.

Twenty figures were on the bridge. There were no windows, just several massive view screens with a heads up display on each. And in the center of this crowded mess of computer screens, stood the ship Captain.

"Are you sure these are the correct coordinates?"

"Yes Captain. These are the exact coordinates that High Command sent to us."

"Then where are the Russians?" His voice was tinged with impatience and slight anger.

An NCO manning the radar display shouted, "Sir… I think you might want to take a look at this."

"Put it on screen."

The forward view screen distorted, and one second later cleared to show fourteen blips heading directly their way. The ships were labeled as the 4th Union fleet. But one of the ships names caught the Captain's attention. USS Assault Carrier Abraham Lincoln… the most powerful naval vessel in the world. It carried enough aircraft to rival three super carriers. Over twenty fighters were parked on its deck.

His voice was choked in shock, "Oh God!"

Another blurted, "The Abraham Lincoln! We can't contend with that kind of firepower!"

The Captain, snapping out of his trance, shouted back, "Arm four Anacondas and lock on to that Carrier. We are taking that thing out even if it kills us."

"But sir!" The radar operator protested.

"Do it now!" He bellowed.

"Anacondas are armed and locked onto the enemy flagship. They are ready to fire on your command." Said an NCO manning the weapons station.

"Good… Blast them to hell!"

"Torpedoes away! Impact in three… two… one…"

Nothing happened.

"What the fuck was that?" The Captain was furious, "That ship should be on the bottom of the God damn ocean by now!"

"The guidance systems must be jammed."

"Well use the ECCM and un-jam the damn things!"

"Captain… We may have even more to worry about than just jammed torpedoes."

"Really? What else could be going wrong?"

"A massive fleet is approaching from the East. The IFF can't identify them sir."

"Shit! Did the enemy set us up?" The Captain paused, "There is only one thing we can do. Arm the nuke. We are going to take them all out in one last move."

"Wait! The incoming fleet is hailing us."

A heavily accented voice spoke over the speakers. "CIS Leviathan. I shee dat you could use shome help. Jusht leaf the Union ships to me. Dish minor annoyance vill not hinder ush much longer."

January 16, 2014. 1100 hours Resistance HQ Michigan

The entire congregation was silent. Colonel Perrult was commemorating the soldiers that fell in battle the day before. Nearly one hundred were gathered outside in the courtyard since there was not a room big enough to hold everyone in the main compound. It was freezing out, and even though most of us were wearing heavy parkas or winter coats, the bitter cold still managed to bite. Sentries were posted out in the woods to keep any uninvited guests from surprising us.

The defecting soldiers were also present. However they were received by some freedom fighters with hate and venom. I had to admit that even I didn't fully trust them. All of them were muscular and nearly six and one half feet tall. Well all of them except the pilot, who was about five inches shorter than everyone else. Her deep red hair was blown about by the wind that seemed as if it was fighting to get us to return to the warmth of the base. Her steely gray eyes still carried that icy look.

As for the others, this was the first time I had had a good look at the people behind those dark helmets. Their Sergeant was some what boxy, he had olive skin and brown, buzz cut, hair. A four inch long scar cut across the right side of his face. Next to him stood his second in command. She was intimidating… Probably the best person to be a second in command. She was pale. Her skin, her hair, even her eyes were light. The third looked like he had just come from the Middle East. Surprisingly, he had a dark tan but was also bald. I learned this when his wool cap fell off of his head earlier. The fourth, next to him was African American. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses which accentuated his unwavering facial features. But then came the final two. They looked exactly alike. The same skin color, blue eyes, short brown hair... well they were twins.

The Colonel had begun his speech.

"We are gathered here today in remembrance of the lives of our lost comrades…"

I remembered Lt. Ash's last words to me before the ceremony, "Never before have we suffered any dead in one battle, and now look. Six killed in action in just one operation. Things just aren't looking up for us." I remember how pained he looked when he spoke those words.

I suddenly jolted back to reality near the end of the Colonel's speech. I felt embarrassed to say the least, but lank fully no one had noticed.

"They will be remembered on forever in the hearts and minds of us all. The brave warriors of this resistance who gave their lives in our fight for freedom."

It was silent. A silence broken only by the sobs of those who lost a loved one the day before.

A rage burned up inside of me. 'Those bastards! Look at what they have done to us. Families are being destroyed because of this meaningless war. They've put so many through pain and anguish this past week.' I was no longer proud of my new rank as Sergeant. I felt as though I stole that which never should have been mine in the first place. 'I'll make it up to the Sergeant. I'll keep those under my command safe. I won't let anything like this happen again.' I knew that I was just fooling myself. I knew that I would see this again. I just didn't want to accept it.

January 16, 2014. 1500 hours Resistance HQ Michigan

I was supposed to meet my new squad an hour ago, but I guess the Colonel was having trouble rounding tem all up. The wait didn't bother me. I just had more time to mule over recent events. My mind jumped to the thought of my family. 'Are they alright? How can I help them? I have to find them.'

"God only knows where they are now." I said under my breath.

"What was that?" It was the Colonel.

"Oh… it was nothing."

"I see… Well now we need to get things underway." He said. "Sergeant, since Echo squad suffered so many casualties. Well I have come to believe that four isn't enough for an effective squad. So I'm having your squad merge with Lt. Burnham's squad to form 1st Platoon. The defectors will remain known as Delta squad. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir. Just one question. Drew, I mean SSgt Burnham was promoted?" I was trying my best not to sound like a civilian. I guess I had some weird reason for that at the time.

"Yes. He was promoted shortly after operation Linebacker, as were you… Anyway. You will have the three from your old squad, Cpl. Nichols, Cpl. Allan, and Cpl. Rodriguez." He motioned to the three figures silently standing on the far wall. "And over here are the others from Lt. Burnham's squad. Pvt. McNiel, Specialist Perez, Cpl. Hattock, Cpl. Jieves, Cpl. Baker, Cpl. Anderson, Pvt. Rogers, and Cpl. Young. You and Lt. Burnham will be the platoon leaders."

Several of them were civilians like myself, and still looked a little shocked from our battle yesterday.

"Lt., I need you to go and escort our new sergeant to the armory… find him something useful."

I had forgotten about the squad leaders personal weapon picks.

"Yes Colonel." Drew started, "All right, let's get going."

He lead me through a hallway towards an elevator. The doors slid open with the sound of heavily greased metal slabs sliding over themselves. We entered and he pushed 'B'. The doors shut and the elevator began to rapidly descend.

"Drew, you don't think that…"

"Look, about this war. We all know how it's pointless. What I'd like to know is how soon it will be over. Only then…" He stopped.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"Hm? Oh, no it's nothing."

The doors slid open and we emerged into a massive room filled with nearly every weapon I'd ever seen.

"Holy shit that's a lot of guns!"

I looked around in awe. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed several people loading carts with large drums and crates.

"What are they doing?"

"Gathering ammunition for our newly acquired vehicles. But right now we have to find you a weapon to replace that M-4 of yours. So look around and take your pick. I'll be back when you've decided.

My gaze drifted to a small crate labeled M-29.

"No need. I think I've found what I'm looking for."

My Notes Again: Hope you liked this chapter. It's not the best but... well... oh never mind. Still open to suggestions.