Resistance: A Prepper's War Read Free Page A

transparency in our military’s operations to Congress,” Chase said.
     
    The Congressman shook his head not quite following. “Even if we did it would take months to get the bill passed and we don’t have that kind of time,” he said.
     
    Chase looked at the Congressman like a father practicing patience on a child learning something new. “The bill isn’t meant to be passed, Congressman. We just need it to cause a stir. The more obstacles we can get our enemies to juggle, the better our chances of success,” Chase explained.
     
    The younger man smiled. “I’ll reach out to their offices,” he said.
     
    “Thank you, Derrick,” Chase replied and Derrick left the room, leaving Chase and the Congressman alone with the television.
     
    “Your brother is quite the ambitious one,” the Congressman said fiddling nervously with his hands.
     
    “Yes, he is,” Chase replied.
     
    Congressman Jones finally summoned the courage to speak what was on his mind. “Mr. Brenner,” he said, “I think that we may be biting off more than we can handle at the moment.”
     
    Chase narrowed his eyes on Jones as he sipped from his glass.
     
    Jones’ hands continued to flutter in his lap and he tried to reposition himself on the couch as he started to become uncomfortable. “I’m just trying to say that with the large number of people the military has been able to poach over the last few months maybe now’s not the best time move forward. What if they told them something?”
     
    “My people understand the meaning of conviction, Congressman,” Chase replied.
     
    “You don’t think they gave anything up?” the Congressman asked.
     
    Chase held up his glass to the light and examined it. “Do you know how long it takes to distill bourbon, Congressman?” Chase asked.
     
    Jones seemed confused by the question. “I… I’m not sure what you mean, sir,” he responded.
     
    Chase leaned forward in his chair with his elbows resting on his knees as he held the glass in both hands like it was a precious gift. “Most manufacturers require that the liquor is distilled for no less than four years. Now, if you want to really get the most out of the bourbon you want to age it between eight and ten years. That is where you’ll get the optimal flavor.”
     
    “But after ten years the aging process gets tricky. The wood from the barrels start to overtake the flavor of the bourbon. Most manufacturers don’t try aging barrels that long because if it goes sour they’ll lose profits.”
     
    The Congressman moved uneasily in his chair. His face was turning paler and the loose skin under his neck started to shake.
     
    “There are a few distillers thought that are willing to risk it because, if stored properly and in the right conditions, the bourbon can become even more flavorful as time goes by, mixing and fermenting the contents of the barrel into something that’s never been tasted before.”
     
    Chase took his eyes off of the glass and focused them on Congressman Jones and continued his story as he rose from his chair. “Now, the only way to check to see if an aged barrel has gone bad is to taste it. If it turns out the barrel has gone sour, then it’s discarded.”
     
    Congressman Jones kept his eyes on the floor as Chase walked closer to him. His hands grappled his pant leg as he tried to contain his nervousness.
     
    “Unlike most bourbon manufacturers, I don’t have the fear of losing out on profits to see what can be created,” Chase said and grabbed the Congressman’s chin and lifted it up so he could look him in the eye. With his hand still on the Congressman’s chin he rubbed his thumb over the Congressman’s lips and bent down to whisper in his ear. “Don’t go sour on me now, Congressman,” Chase said.
     
    Chase walked off and left Jones on the couch by himself, breathing rapidly and putting his hand to his heart as he yelled back behind him. “Make sure Wessick and Furth do their job!” Chase