by Cliff Deane
“Well, um, okay, now you unnerstand I ain’t no public speaker, so please be patient with me.
Yeah, well, Millard, I mostly call him Mill, was out on the river pullin’ in our nets when we heard gunfire, and people started runnin’ and screamin’ like the devil hisself was after ‘em; and yeah, I guess they was, ya know?.
Well, we quick like, popped in a couple of bobbers, you know, so we could find our nets later, and then we rowed to the opposite shore and laid low along the bank under some trees that arched over the river.
Well, after a bit, things kinda got quiet, but we figgered we’d just stay put until we was sure whoever done the shootin’ was gone. After about an hour me and Mill got real worried ‘bout our wives and kin, and since things seemed quiet; we decided to row back across the river and see what we could see, you know?
Anyways, when we got back to our homes, we found six of our kinfolk layin’ on the ground, deadern a doorknob. Pretty soon folks started easin’ back in, and we learned about that bunch of murderin’ trash that y’all are followin’. Me and Mill was real lucky, ‘cause our families was safe and sound, but we both lost an uncle and five cuzzins. That’s ‘cause me and Mill are cuzzins ourselves.
Well, me and Mill got to talkin’ and just got madder and madder a’fore decidin’ to go after them shitheels. We figgered that since they killed six of our kin, we’d take twelve uh’ them, you know, eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. So, off we went ta followin’ them sumbitches and waitin’ for our chance.
Well, danged if your boys didn’t come along, and at first we figgered they was the rear guard, but we noticed how your uniforms was different than them fellers dressed all in black, so we started followin’ your LRRP team, you know, to see what was up.
Truth be told, we was kindly scared to make contact with your folks, mostly ‘cause we didn’t want to get shot, but once we read Sergeant Primm’s note, we decided to take the chance, well, um, since, you know, we knew where them killers was camped and all.
Me and Mill figgered we was doin’ real good, you know, sneakin’ up on your camp, but when I got close enough to shout out, hello the camp, I nearly crapped my pants when your boys told me to drop my gun and raise my hands; hell, Genrul, them boys was behind me.
Anyway, Mill was my overwatch, but your boys done seen him too, and since getting’ shot was not something we wanted to happen, we did just as we were told. Some Corporal named Shaw took us to Sergeant Primm, and we, quick like, become good friends.”
Levi interrupted at that point, and trying not to smile, said, “Mr. Green, I thank you for your very colorful description of the events leading up to your meeting with Sergeant Primm; may I assume that Sergeant Primm can pick up the sequence of events from this point?”
“Oh, yes sir, I’d kindly appreciate it, especially since he knows everthing from there on. Is it okay if I sit down, now?”
“Yes, of course, Mr. Green,” said Levi, “and we are forever indebted to you for all of your help.”
“Yes sir, thank you, sir, and speakin’ of that owin’ us stuff, I hope it’s ok to remind Colonel Murtaugh here about his promise?”
Levi turned to Gus and asked, “Promise, Colonel Murtaugh?” smiled Levi.
Gus said, “Yes sir, I did make a promise to these fine gentlemen; to show our appreciation I promised them one M4-A1, one 9 mm sidearm for every member of his village over the age of ten, a basic load of magazines, and twenty thousand rounds of ammo for each type of weapon.”
“And belts and holsters,” said Millard.
Gus smiled broadly and said, “Oh, yes sir, belts, and holsters.”
Levi’s facial features became wary as he asked, “Tell me, Colonel Murtaugh, was this promise made to ensure their assistance? Was it pay for services rendered?”
Gus quickly said, “Oh, no sir; I made this offer to give his village a better chance to defend themselves from future attackers. My offer had nothing to do with their help.”
Levi visibly relaxed and the friendliness in his voice returned. He assured both Tyler and Millard that friends help friends, and, of course, his village would receive the promised arms.
“Hot damn,” said Millard to Tyler.
Staff Sergeant Primm then began his portion of the brief, “Sir, starting around 1500 hours, things really got busy with the Mercs. It’s obvious they are preparing a rear defense-in-depth. They are creating hasty minefields, in layers. Our scouts report mortar teams prepping positions in the third and final layer of their defense.
Sir, they are digging in, filling sandbags, using camouflage, and it looks like this is where they plan to make their stand.
They have turned the Days Inn into an infirmary; sir, they have sickness, and it has played havoc with both combat effectiveness and soldier availability.
Following the LRRP briefing, Colonel Susan Levins said, “Well, crap, it’s back to the drawing board for Air Assault. Sir, I believe we need to take an hour to rethink our plan.
Thanks to these brave men we have a tremendous opportunity here. With them dug in, and open, deep western flanks, well, we’ve got ‘em.”
Levi looked at his wife, Colonel Levins, and said, “Good idea, what say we adjourn for an hour and let’s see what you can come up with.
Sergeant Primm, you and these two fine men have done the ROA a great service; one which may have far-reaching impacts on generations of our citizens. I’m sure I speak for everyone here when I tell you how much your recons have done for us. Unfortunately, we just don’t have time to allow you to rest on your laurels. You, like the rest of us, still have much work to do.
Sergeant Primm, please continue to gather intel for us. Colonel Murtaugh will meet with you, at LRRP one, tomorrow morning to update you on the assault. God bless you, my friends, now back to work.”
Sergeant Primm, Tyler, and Millard thanked the General for the kind words and taking their leave left Fort Polk to return to LRRP one.
Levi looked at his planners and said, “This will, hopefully, put an end to the ravages of these mercs, and I want their hides tacked to the outhouse wall.
Now, if you will excuse me, I will let you get to work. Let’s reconvene at 1930 hours. I can’t wait to hear your plan. My initial guidance remains unchanged.
The Battle Plan!
30 October 1930
ROA HQ
Fort Polk
As the Planning Staff took their seats, Levi asked, “I know I didn’t give you a lot of time, but, as you know, we don’t have a lot of time, so tell me, are we ready?”
Colonel Murtaugh smiled at Levi and said, “Sir, we got this. I have decided that Colonel Levins will be first up to brief the Air Assault portion of the mission, followed by Colonel Guyardo, who will command the Ground Assault. Colonel Levins?”
“Thank you, sir; General, we have come up with a plan that hopefully will not go to hell when the first round is fired.
At 0355, our Cobras will make a coordinated two-pronged attack against the Light Armored Vehicles which are prepositioned in their Reaction Force Motor Parks. These sites have been well camouflaged, but thanks to the intel provided by our LRRP we have their precise positions marked for destruction. Following the LAV attack our birds will concentrate on three additional missions:
We will detach 50% of our Super Snakes to attack the mortars and dug in Infantry defensive positions.
50% of our remaining Air Arm will attack and destroy the Days Inn, hopefully eliminating any resistance from within. As this building is primarily constructed of pine and plywood, we anticipate the Hellfire Missiles will cause the target to be completely burned to the ground.
Our third mission will be to interdict avenues of withdrawal, with our remaining Cobras, and destroy any enemy forces that may have evaded our initial Ground Attack Force.
As it is currently unknown if the mercs have Stinger Ground to Air missiles; we will make every effort to avoid such attacks. On the plus side, we do not believe that they know of our Air A
rm, so we do not anticipate dealing with Stingers; still, we will err on the side of caution.
Sir, this completes my portion of the briefing, if there are no questions, I’ll turn the lectern over to Colonel Guyardo.”
Levi deferred any questions until he had heard the Ground Attack Plan.
Colonel Guyardo replaced Susan Levins at the lectern and said, “Sir, our ground forces will begin a two-pronged attack at 0357 hours. A mortar barrage will locate, and destroy any surviving enemy mortar positions, then open fire on any enemy Infantry fighting positions encountered on our drive to the Days Inn. Our initial goal is to convince them that we are making a frontal attack by utilizing our Abrams Tanks. These 70-ton vehicles will blow through the enemy minefields, which, according to our intel consists only of anti-personnel mines. These mines will not be effective against the tanks but could damage or destroy the LAVs.
Our main force, including the LAVs, will strike from the north, driving south toward the Jennings Airport. We had initially considered a pincer movement to surround any surviving stragglers, but the recent rains have made the ground so soggy that it is simply not conducive to any kind of tracked maneuver. We will culminate our assault at the south-eastern end of the Oil and Gas Park, and where the frontage road meets I-10.
The Tanks will initially separate from the main convoy and will be led to Crowley where they will be off-loaded from their low-boy trailers and will hold position until 0340 hours when they will begin their movement to contact along the access road of I-10 and prepare to go on the offensive at 0410 hours. Their primary task is to run through the minefields, following the mortar barrages, then engage and destroy any surviving enemy occupied positions.
Sir, this concludes my portion of the tactical aspects of this mission.”
Levi and Gus were both impressed with the plan of attack and gave it a thumbs-up. Levi then asked Colonel Guyardo, “Mike given the mission parameters, can we initiate the attack on 2 November?”
“Mike Guyardo looked at Levi and said, “No, sir, there is no way for this attack to kick off before 0355 hours of 4 November. The limiting factors are road congestion, distance, and prepositioning of our forces.”
Both Levi and Gus were disappointed, but situational constraints always dictate the timing of battle. Now, the weather was the only thing that could additionally postpone the attack.
***
Chapter 11
Clash of Titans!
Winds of Change
31 October
Northern and Southern Latitudes
As the hemispheres continued to be locked in ice and snow, cities as far south as Washington, DC had become buried in twenty feet of snow. New York lay under forty feet; her harbor frozen. The Statue of Liberty, surrounded by the frozen water now displayed only the upper torso and her unlit torch remained visible; by Spring, the only indication that NYC existed, would be the skyscrapers breaking through the ever-deepening snow.
The Arctic ice and snow were now an unbroken glacial mass stretching as far south as the northern tip of North Carolina and west.
The Ant-Arctic ice shelves now stretched across the open sea to engulf New Zealand and much of Australia in its grasp.
The small islands of the vast oceans now became mountain ranges reaching out of their oceanic shelves.
Great Britain was again connected to the European Continent, by the frozen North Sea.
These changes in climate began putting new strains on the floating plates of the Earth wherever they were pressed against one another.
The entire Human population of the Earth was now further reduced to only seven million in just eighteen months. Life was now centered in the tropical zones where temperatures remained comfortable.
The Greenland Ice Sheet once again became solidly frozen, and the warm thermohaline water conveyor belt known as the North Sea Current again began to faintly stir.
Steiner
31 October 0700
Days Inn
Jennings Airport
Colonel Steiner and his Alpha Company pulled away from the Merc encampment in a cold, drizzle of rain that would become snow by Christmas. Looking at the sky, he knew the weather would be overcast for most of the day with this lovely drizzling rain that would make detection difficult, at best.
Steiner hoped that there was no trailing force, but he felt sure that the preparations Charlie Company had made would prove to be sufficient to eliminate any threat. At any rate, he and his Mechanized Alpha Company would continue to the Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, where he hoped his force would find a comfortable winter encampment, as well as sufficient local sources to keep his people fed.
Ready?
1 November 0900
Days Inn
Jennings Airport
Major Helmut Schmitt walked, with the Charlie Company Commander, and the 1st Sergeant among the fighting positions. These men, these mercenary soldiers were professionals and needed little guidance from Helmut. His comments were meant to bolster their morale. This scene had been repeated throughout history thousands of times as Commanders walked among their troops before a crucial battle, and though the size of this engagement was trivial in comparison to so many others; it was no less important than any of the momentous military actions of history.
Major Schmitt was always stoked just before a battle, as his senses became sharper than at any other time of his life.
“This,” he said to the Charlie Company Commander, “is the one constant of being human; conflict. Man cannot survive without conquest; it is in our DNA to struggle, to fight, to gain control over others as we increase our domain. In the history of our species, man has never existed in a prolonged period of pastoral existence; man must either conquer, or be conquered.”
The fighting positions were excellently prepared, and now the quiet hours settled in. It was that time when a soldier’s thoughts turn to many things, but always quickly return to the combat that is bearing down on them like the light at the end of the tunnel, that turns out to be the headlight of an oncoming train.
Many sought solace in rest and sleep, others in a book, while many just sat and spoke, in low tones to his friend that shared the fighting position. All of these men had seen hard and brutal combat; they had stared death in the face many times before spitting in its eye. Professional soldiers most often outwardly display the emotion of boredom, but only they, and God, know what may be in the deepest recesses of their hearts and minds.
Set!
2 November 0800
Ft. Polk
The previous two days had been a whirlwind of activity as the 1st Armored Brigade of The Republic of America prepped equipment for today’s move to their assault positions along multiple Lines of Departure. The Move to Contact for the Brigade was now under forty-three hours; once again the ROA must fight to preserve the hope of a better future for their descendants.
Everyone in the command had seen the death and destruction caused by the Merc Battalion. Every man, woman, and child knew that this point in the history of mankind was pivotal in dictating the future.
The civilians of the ROA remained at Fort Polk and waited for the radio call to begin moving south to I-10, and west to their destiny.
3 November 1015
LOD
ROA, 1st Armored Brigade
Perhaps 10% of the troopers of the ROA were battle-hardened; the remaining 90% had only seen combat against gangs and poorly trained Islamist soldiers.
Levi knew that both sides in this battle had access to modern weapons and equipment. Friend and enemy alike would be using the most advanced night vision monocles. The enemy would be dug in like ticks in a dog’s ear.
Do they know about the ROA Cobras? Do they have Stinger Missiles?
Gus knocked, and upon hearing Levi’s invitation came into what was now the F-TOC.
He said, “Levi, I think we should have two or three more M-88s trucked in here. With their blades down, they may be able to scoop up the mines and explode
them in front of the tracks. I don’t think the anti-personnel mines would blow off the tracks, but if we use the M-88s and their blades, we may be able to reduce weakening them and possibly causing a failure right when we need those tanks the most.
Whadaya think?”
Levi looked bone tired as he responded with, “Good idea, pard, give ‘em a call and let’s incorporate that into the plan.”
Gus smiled and said, “…already done. They should be here in three to four hours.”
Gus peered closely at Levi before asking, “My friend, are you sick? You look a bit ragged. Should I be worried about you?”
“No, no,” said Levi, “though I am worried about us taking on an entrenched professional enemy. If we didn’t have the Air Arm, and the intel from our new friends, I don’t think I’d ok this attack.
Oh, and speaking of the plan, the staff, and you, of course, have exceeded my expectations. I’m serious; if Lee had had you at Gettysburg, the South would have won the war.”
“Levi,” said Gus, “the plan is solid. We know exactly what we need to know to catch them napping. Personally, I have never felt this good about any battle plan I have ever been a part of. Now, stop worrying, find Susan, and if she is ready for this great cleansing battle, take her to bed, and, well, uh, oh hell, go and do whatever comes naturally.”
Levi looked up at Gus, smiled as he rose from his chair, and patting Gus on the back, left the trailer in search of his bride.
