by Cliff Deane
The ROA was welcomed, as liberators in every small community they found, as the scouts spread out into the countryside. They were also more than pleased to have their taxes reduced from 50% to 10% on their crops along with feeding the nearby garrison for the protection they would receive. This formula proved to be a win/win all along the line. One approving farmer told the ROA patrol that 10% was reasonable because if it was good enough for God, it should be good enough for the government.
Gus and Levi traded a look that seemed like they were reading each other’s mind. We’ll need more Officers and NCOs.
The team from NYC, however, did find evidence of survivors, subterranean survivors. Apparently the thousands of homeless who lived in the old abandoned maze of tunnels under NYC had managed to survive. The team had been unable to make contact with any of them, to learn how they acquired food. The harsh realization came to Gus first, then the rest of the staff; they were eating rats.
Gus asked, “What else could they be eating, but rats?”
No one had any other possible answer.
Levi said, “I wonder if these mole people are procreating? If they are, I foresee the potential for a formidable enemy one day. Let’s hope that their populations are not increasing and they will simply die off. I also am now positive that we will find the same thing in Chicago, Detroit, Boston, and God knows where else. Gentlemen, I find this a most disconcerting picture we’re painting, here.”
Everyone agreed, but they also decided that this was a can they were forced to kick down the road to the next generation, and hope for the best.
The team said that NYC was an absolute ghost town; cars in the streets, shop doors with open signs, mannequins, fashionably dressed and awaiting customers in the shop windows, dust and paper swirling through the skyscraper canyons.
“Sir, it was just really spooky. We all felt the presence of the spirits of the millions who had once lived and worked in the city. I have to say that I was happy to leave, I mean, I’ve never felt like that before, even after the CME. I guess maybe it was because the city was like, just way too big, and way too deserted. We tried yelling out to any survivors, and the only responses we got were echoes.”
“Thank you,” said Gus, who still ran the day to day operations as Levi continued his recovery.
I do hope you will have better luck when you get to Annapolis and the other coastal cities.”
“Thank you, sir, we hope so too. We plan to depart tomorrow morning for Philly and will generally continue eastward for a month, or until we find info that you need before we return.
Levi said, “Gus, have the Sgt. Major re-arm the communities that wish to become an ROA territory.”
“Yes sir,” and turning to the SGM, Gus said, “Sgt. Major, you heard the man.”
Everyone laughed because while it would have seemed simpler for Levi to just tell the SGM to re-arm the locals; Levi went through Gus because Gus was the proper link in the chain of command to receive and pass on that order.
After the meeting, Levi and Gus had a private chat. They agreed that there was no question that the late June air seemed just a couple of degrees cooler than pre-CME times.
Levi said, “Gus, I think we should pick up the pace on defeating the Caliphate before winter sets in. If today is any indication, then it is going to be one cold damned winter, and I don’t want to fight a winter campaign around Dearborn, Michigan.”
Gus was in full agreement and asked if Levi had decided on a plan.
“No plan yet, my friend, but we had better make one soon, or returning to Defiance for the winter and then trekking back to Dearborn for a late spring campaign will be a bitch. They’ll also have seven months to prepare defenses.”
Gus added, “Your point is well taken, and I absolutely concur. Why don’t we plan on putting some ideas together today, then we can meet later to ballpark our ideas.”
Levi thought that was a good idea and together they left the Conference Room to begin the day’s routine.
As the two began walking to get some fresh air, Gus stopped and looked up into the sky.
He asked, “Does the sky look like a gray-blue haze this morning, or is it my imagination?”
Levi also looked up and said, “Oh, man, that’s smoke from a long way off to be that high in the air. My guess is that the western states are ablaze. I’ll bet there are grass and pine fires raging from the West Coast, and across the great plains. Now that there is no one to do controlled burns or fight fires we are going to see lots of skies like this one. Nature has to return to the equilibrium it had before Mankind arrived to fuck it up.
My guess is that this will make it even harder to survive out West. I’ll bet farming is a bust for this year.”
Gus said, “Oh, dear God, I didn’t, for a second consider the possibility of the fires raging from California thru Texas and clear up into the Dakota’s. Oh, man, those poor people.”
Yeah,” said Levi, “it’s going to take awhile for the world to come back into balance so that humans can screw it up again.”
“Levi, you can be one cynical bastard, but yeah, I bet you’re right. I’m just glad I won’t live to see it.”
Levi said, “Gus, did you know that Las Vegas was a wetland before the city was founded. I saw a series on TV a few years back that fifty years after people are gone, Vegas would return to being wetlands. Oh, yeah, the series was, oh crap, I can’t remember the name, but it was about what would happen if humans disappeared.”
Gus smiled and said, “Yeah, I remember that series; pretty good stuff and for the most part humans will see the truth in it.”
“Come on, let’s get a cup of coffee; I want to ballpark some ideas about the Caliphate Campaign.”
Back in the Oval Office Levi asked his Aide de Camp to get some coffee and five minutes later, who should show up with coffee and muffins?
“Jonesy, what is it with you and muffins; and wipe the crumbs off your mouth.”
“SSgt. Jones smiled broadly and said, “Come on, sir; you know that the two of you can’t toss around ideas without my coffee and muffins.”
Everyone laughed, and Gus said, “Yeah, Jonesy, you are probably right.”
The discussion turned to the campaign against the Caliphate, and Levi said that he thought that perhaps the newly named 2nd Brigade should take one platoon from the Armored Battalion to clean up the big cities east of Cleveland, and attach one Troop of Infantry from them to the 1st Brigade Mechanized Force. Perhaps we should kick the Dearborn mission into high gear, and hopefully wrap this thing up before winter.
Gus liked the idea and felt the prime conflict would be in Dearborn. He asked, “Who do you think should command the Dearborn Task Force?”
“Come on, Gus, who do you think?”
“Well, gee, Levi, I really think it should be someone with experience and the maturity of age. Yes, I guess there is only one possible choice,” said a smiling Gus.
Both laughed because they knew that the team of Levi and Gus, Quixote and Panza, Roy and Gabby, Lone Ranger and Tonto, Hopalong and California, and of course, Cisco and Poncho, would lead the assault on Dearborn. They also decided to take Major Juan Miguel (Mike) Dominique Mesa, Garcia, Guyardo to run the scouting ops and Lt. Colonel Ben Smith as Head of Supply and Logistics.
They also decided to reaffirm Colonel Scott Eldridge as commander of the eastbound 2nd Brigade; Ben’s two assistants would fill the Supply Posting for Scott.
***
Chapter 6
The Dearborn Campaign
20 June 0001
WH,
DC
The previous two-plus weeks had been a torrent of preparation for the huge push to destroy the Caliphate and end the cult of Islam in North America.
The 1st Armored Brigade (1AB) consisted of seven hundred combat effectives and two-hundred and fifty support personnel; a bit small for a Brigade, but the Caliphate would not know that it was undersized. Both Levi and Gus were concerned by the shortage of support perso
nnel, yet, worrying about something you have no control over is a waste of time and would do nothing to help.
The three, one-mile long convoys were pre-positioned at an RV Park where scouts of the 1AB had discovered the attempt by the Caliphate to remove vehicles from I-395. Bringing them into DC proper was not an option. The day prior to movement was spent completing the ever present last minute list, followed by movement to Leesburg where Levi, a horse-mounted scout platoon, and a one hundred man Infantry Company would join the movement.
The 1st Armored Brigade would be split into three convoys spaced one mile apart. The Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs) were evenly spaced throughout the convoy to provide security all along this huge snakelike behemoth, the Tanks, all three of them, were mounted on Low-Boy trailers.
The movement would be at a snail’s pace as the lead vehicle was a massive M-88, Vehicle, Tracked, Recovery (VTR) named The Beast, with a dozer blade on its front. The plan was for the M-88 to move the stranded vehicles out of the way via the sheer power of the huge VTR. The hope was to be able to clear a path along the interstate routes.
This plan called for the VTR with security support to begin clearing a path while the convoys waited for the order to move forward. This plan worked well; until the convoy reached the first Semi with a standard fifty-four-foot trailer, which was only vehicle number three to be moved…Bad idea.
So it was back to the drawing board and secondary roads. Ben estimated that it would take a minimum of three weeks to reach the outskirts of Dearborn; if there were no problems…HA!
Secondary roads, state routes, trails, and even streets were the only possible way to get to Dearborn. The rate of travel was dismal. The convoys would often have to halt, sometimes for hours while the scouts worked out the best route, and the VTR cleared a narrow path.
The Task Force began to see more people, but none were friendly; there were still many roving gangs and just plain evil people, now free of all civilized deterrents. However, the firepower on display kept the bad boys away, well mostly.
At the first day’s bivouac, the TF had progressed only twenty-two miles. Levi said, “Gus, at this rate we’ll be lucky to make the three-week window that Ben estimated for us to reach Dearborn, and don’t forget Cleveland has to be dealt with before we even get to our final destination. Looking back on our earlier plans, I am happy we didn’t wait until 4 July to make the first major assault; hell, we’d be ass deep in snow before we got near Cleveland.”
“Yeah, well I choose to look on the positive side; remember, today passed with no major problems, well, other than the road, of course; even with the road we still made five more miles than Ben estimated.
Come on, Levi, we’ll get there and wrap this thing up before the first of September.”
“My friend, I surely hope you are right because I do not want to return to Lejeune trudging through snow the same way Napoleon returned from Russia, just sayin’.”
Gus slapped Levi on the back, and when he winced, Gus said, “Oh, I’m sorry buddy. I forgot about the hole in your back, but come on; it’s been almost five weeks, ya’ big wuss.”
Levi said, “Uh, huh, you keep that shit up, and you are going to get wussed,” and both burst out laughing. He added, “I sure hope the Cleveland and Dearborn Insertion Teams can find us. What they found out could be of great import.”
“They’ll find us, Levi; before they left DC, Ben went over the only two viable routes we could take, and the emphasis was on this one. Don’t worry, be happy,” smiled Gus.
“Oh good Lord,” muttered Levi as he arose saying, “Come on, let’s check the perimeter, and by the way, did you notice that there was no red sky at dusk?”
“Levi, you do know that you are acting like a Debbie Downer, right? Now, let’s have it; what’s really buggin’ you? I bet I know, but why don’t you tell me anyway.”
“Okay, ya’ old nag; it’s Susan and Kate. They’ll be flying in on Friday, and, well, I miss them both, but I’ve gotten so used to Katie being right beside me, and yeah, well, I miss her. You got a problem with that?”
“Nope, no problem at all, and yeah that’s what I figured. My friend, I wish that I had some sage wisdom to make it all better, but I’m afraid I got nothin’, but you know that I am here to listen if you want to talk about it.”
“Thanks, pal, but I’m not sure I can even put my fears into coherent sentences.”
“Okay then, my Shrink job here is done; come on, let’s get on to the perimeter.” Gus sometimes did have an abrupt air about him.
*
22 June 0600
Twenty-two miles north of DC
No reveille needed to be played, as thunder from an approaching storm provided enough deep bass music to wake everyone.
“Oh, crap,” said Levi as he put on his boots. WAKE UP, Gus, Ben; I told you guys it was going to rain, crap, crap, crap.”
Fortunately, the rain held off until the convoy was back on the road at 0800, and just in time, too. The rain and wind were accompanied by a twenty-minute pea sized hail squall which kept everyone on edge.
Gus asked Levi if he had ever heard of hail this far inland in late June.
Levi said, “No, can’t say that I have, but until Mother Earth heals up from the beating we gave her, we can expect to see the unexpected.”
Ben said, “Sir, I plan to make a supply run to the Walmart distribution center, about ten miles from here. I’d like to take one of the LAVs along with the Security Detail, okay?”
Levi looked at Ben like an older brother looks at his sibling when he is proud of him. He approved Ben’s plan and made it clear that it would always be okay.
Gus said, “Hey, Ben, bring back a Big Mac and fries, oh and a vanilla shake, too.”
Ben and Levi laughed as they left the tent.
Surprisingly, the rain didn’t really hamper movement, and the convoy continued to make headway, albeit at a snail’s pace. The only ones who were getting a good soaking were the crew of the M-88 VTR, which kept the driver and commander waist high out of the top of the vehicle.
At one point, Levi drove up to the M-88 just after it had pushed a Dodge 3500 pickup out of the way.
Levi got out of the jeep, and standing in the rain, asked if there was anything he could do to give them a break.
The VTR commander said, “Yes sir, there is; first, get yourself back in your jeep and get dry before you catch pneumonia. We don’t want to lose the damned war because you got the sniffles, and the second thing is, how do we get a transfer out of this chicken-shit outfit,” and even soaked to the bone he broke out laughing like he had just heard a really funny joke. “Seriously sir, get out of this weather, we just push shit around, but you and Colonel Murtaugh are the brains of this outfit; and Sir, I’ll bet the Colonel is dry. Now, go on, git…sir,” laughed both the Commander and Driver.
Levi said, “Yes, sergeant, sorry sergeant,” and he too laughed as he returned to his jeep.
Once back in his jeep he was able to dry off from the waist up and with considerable difficulty in the cramped space, put on a dry blouse.
Back in the VTR, the Driver said, “Ya’ know Sarge; I can’t believe you talked to the old man like that.”
“Let me tell ya’ sumthin,' Olsen, the old man is all right, hell, he didn’t have to get out of his jeep, in this fuckin’ rain, but he did, and he did it as a show of respect to us, cause we ain’t got no choice.
One last thing about the General, there’s Officers, and then there’s Officers, and he and, well, hell, all of the Officers in this man’s army are Officers. Now, come on, let’s see if we can’t pick up the pace, okay?”
“Yeah Sarge, okay, let’s do it.”
On this day, even in the rain, the convoy made thirty miles.
On 24 June, around noon, one of the Cavalry Scouts came riding into camp, to deliver a message to the General.
The Sgt. Major gathered up all the Command Staff to hear what the scout had to say.
Once everyone w
as gathered outside of the TOC, the scout said, “Sir, Colonel Pickett directed me to tell you that he is on the outskirts of Windber; that’s about another thirty miles up the road. We have come under sniper and intermittent harassing fire from a small contingency of Caliphate soldiers.
Our scouting party has surrounded them and are holding them in place until you get there. Colonel Pickett also said to warn you that you may encounter sporadic harassing fire between your location and Colonel Pickett.
Levi thanked the Corporal and ordered him to get some hot chow and, at least four hours of sleep before returning to his scouts.
“Thank you, sir, I could use a bite, but I’m fine to return after I eat.”
Colonel Murtaugh interrupted and asked, “Corporal, do you usually countermand Colonel Pickett’s orders?”
The scout looked a bit sheepish as he said, “Sir, I apologize, and I guess I could use a couple of hours sleep, er, I mean four hours sleep, sir.”
Gus smiled at the Corporal and said, “Good man, we’ll send someone to wake you when it’s time to go. Do you have any concerns about riding at night?”
“Oh, no sir, we have a three-quarter moon tonight, and that’s plenty of light.”
After the scout had gone, Gus turned to Levi, and said, “Sir, I didn’t think we’d see any organized resistance this soon. I think we should attach four auto grenade launchers to Leon; they’ll make short work of small-time hasty defenses and the shooters.
The SGM quickly found four volunteers from the grenadiers, and while the Corporal slept, they packed up a jeep and trailer and prepared to hit the road.
Levi told the staff to get the word out about the sniper fire, and Captain Page, please get flanking scouts out ahead of the convoy, at one hundred yards.
All right, questions?”
There were no questions, and everyone except Levi, Gus, and SGM Cobb left to spread the word, to prepare the flanking scouts and outriders.
