by A J Newman
Your Government realizes, full well, that many of you will be unable to join our military. Therefore, we ask you to assist your local law enforcement agencies in eliminating the gangs, drug pushers, and other criminals in your area.
America is down, but we still have a lot of willpower and fight left in our people.
Good night and May God Bless the United States of America.”
An unidentified voice added, “We will broadcast details and locations where you can meet with our recruiters.
***
Rolling Hills
I looked around the room and saw everyone was looking to see if anyone was going to say something. They were speechless.
Callie broke the ice with, “Dad, did the President just say we nuked Mexico and Cuba?”
I replied, “That is what I heard, but I am more scared by what I didn’t hear?”
Ally said, “I don’t understand.”
“The question is why the most powerful country in the world had to resort to nuclear weapons to deal with third rate military powers unless there are bigger fish to fry,” said Davi.
I replied, “I would guess that would be the Russians, and Chinese. Still, without military resupply, it is unlikely that they could be successful in the long haul.
From what I heard her say, we have fought and apparently won a nuclear war. Dear God, we must have caught them with their pants down while they were dancing in the streets over the report of our demise.”
Paul asked, “If the attack in Oregon is by rogue Russian military formations, why don’t we just nuke them?”
“For two very good reasons; first we certainly do not want to nuke our own country, killing untold numbers of civilians, and poisoning the land for thousands of years, and secondly, the prevailing winds would bring radiation clouds all across the continent. God only knows how much radiation is already in the air from our earlier attacks.”
Joan asked, “What about fallout? Do we need to get some Geiger Counters?”
I replied, “I don’t know, but let’s ask Jake to see if there are any available.”
***
President’s Office
“Madam President, I thought your address to the nation was one for the history books. I am very proud of you and proud to be an American.”
“Jill, cut the Madam President crap when we’re alone. I held back the bits about the severity of the Chinese attacks and that we have lost 5,000 men while killing 10,000 last week. At that rate, if they can hold on, they may yet win, and take over the whole damned country.”
General Keene walked into the room.
Jill excused herself and left.
“Laura, I think that was a great speech and exactly what the country needed. We face a grave situation. We are up to the task if everyone pulls together, and we are willing to do what it takes to save our country.”
“John, will we have to nuke the Russians and Chinese on our soil?”
“The Joint Chiefs think that as long as we keep them bottled up near the coast, their supply shortage will make their position untenable. When that happens, they die. It’s as simple as that. We have killed over 25,000 Russians and lost 8,000 of our troops. We must keep our eye on the supply ball. They must not be able to take our military hardware and munitions. Those assets must be protected, or destroyed, as the tactical situation demands.
Our initial air attacks in California are proving highly successful. With their carriers gone, and their base at Long Beach has been destroyed we have total control of the skies. I can thank God for saving our Sub Forces. There were over 250,000 more Chinese on the way, until our Los Angeles Class Submarine Wolf packs sank every ship.
Our military fighting force is down to less than 200,000 actual fighters. By the time this thing is over, we’ll be lucky to have 5 fully fleshed out divisions to protect our borders.”
“John, can we meet to determine how many more clean nukes are in our arsenal and if we can continue to eliminate their ships at sea.”
“Laura, we have over 50 more clean nukes, though I don’t believe we will need them for amphibious warfare.”
Almost plaintively, Laura asked, “The Canadians will support us won’t they?”
“You bet’cha they are. The Canadians know that if we fail, they are next to be invaded. Laura, we want an emergency meeting with you to discuss other options.”
“Is there some weapon that we are not using to defend ourselves?”
“Yes, biological, chemical weapons, and Air Fuel Bombs.”
“Absolutely no to Bioweapons ‘cause they scare the shit out of me, but I will keep an open mind to non-persistent chemicals. Use the Air Fuel Bombs, and continue our Special Ops Guys to up the sabotage, as you deem necessary.
I reserve the final approval for the use of chemical weapons on the enemy located within our country when civilian casualties can be kept very low.”
***
We watched our movie, ate our popcorn, but our minds were on the President’s address.
I caught Mike alone after the meeting, “Mike do we need to think about heading down to South America or Australia? I’m worried.”
“I’m with you buddy. Things must be much worse than what the president told the nation. How the hell would we get there? By boat?”
“I don’t know, but keep it between us for now. I don’t want everyone to panic.”
I left Mike’s house and was walking back to my house when Davi stopped me, “Zack, the situation has to be much worse than the President is telling us.
Let’s get in touch with my dad or our group in Alabama to hear what they think is going on. I believe the Chinese and Russian attacking the USA are a bigger threat than the President is letting on.”
“Good thinking, how do we contact your dad?”
“We must travel south and get within radio range or go to our base.”
“How big a group?”
“Two or three. Just you and I should go.”
“You know damn well Ally won’t let me go out alone with you.”
“Our lives may depend on this trip.”
“Let me think this through, but I agree the trip must happen quickly.”
“Let’s discuss tomorrow.”
“Okay, but I plan to head south, with or without you in two days.”
***
Russian Military HQ, Washington State, USA
Colonel General (Generál-polkóvnik) Ivan Ivanovich stared at the tactical maps showing the known positions of American and newly renamed Soviet units. In moments, he would face his Senior Staff Officers and present them with his plan to break out of the current stalemate.
The first step in his plan was to execute all political commissars assigned throughout his Field Army.
This move alone made him a true hero to the rank and file of the Army.
He had concluded that, with no government, other than his own, he had no need for political officers loyal to the glowing remains of Moskva. He would later assign political officers loyal to him alone.
Wearing the standard field uniform with green shoulder boards showing three subdued gold stars, Colonel General Ivan Ivanovich said, “Comrades, as you know we are in a declining position against the Americans.
Today, I have learned they have used nuclear weapons against our comrades in Cuba and Mexico to force them out of the war. Such drastic measures surely mean that the Americans are also suffering from supply issues.
If we are unable to create a breakout and consolidation of our domination of the northwestern U.S. and Canada, we shall inevitably lose this war, and to put it quite plainly, we shall die. As our government no longer exists, we are on our own.
I agree that the overall picture appears to be disproportionate for the Americans, but I believe we have a way to expand and consolidate our holdings in this, our newly founded Soviet Republic, and force the U.S. government to sue for peace.
A murmur of excitement ran through the previously dejected staff…
Generál-polkóvnik Ivan Ivanovich dramatically lit a cigar, and after a moment used it in a gesture for silence. The room immediately fell into rapt attention to their commander.
“Gentlemen, my plan is in three phases. Please read the plan outline, and I wish to meet with you again in 72 hours to brief me on how each area of responsibility is to be carried out.
Following this meeting, we will meet with the Division Commanders, brief them on their duties, and listen to their concerns.
That is all.”
The staff snapped to attention, saluted the Colonel General, and in unison replied, “Da, Comrade Colonel General Ivanovich, it shall be done.”
Conversation among staffers began immediately upon exiting the meeting.
The Generál-polkóvnik’s Chief of Staff, Comrade Colonel Alexi Sakkov, said, “Comrades, like you, I cannot wait to read the Comrade General’s plan. Let us each meet tomorrow morning at 0600 hours in the briefing room to discuss and begin to formalize the Comrade General’s guidance.”
“Da, Comrade Colonel! 0600 hours.”
***
Rolling Hills
That night, as I was preparing for bed Ally, said, “Hon, the President scared us more than boosting our morale, and I can’t help wondering what she held back. Are we in more danger than she indicated?”
“Ally I hoped to avoid that question until tomorrow, but Davi, Mike and I think there is more to the story and we are afraid that the situation is worse than we’ve been told. Davi thinks her dad or the Israeli military will know the real story.”
“How do we contact them?”
“We will send a team down to Alabama to make contact.”
“Darling, do what you have to do? Will we have to leave the USA and seek sanctuary in another country?”
“That is the question we have to ask. I invited Mike, Sally, and Davi over for breakfast in the morning. We’ll eat and then send Susie out to play while we form a plan. I want to keep this close to the vest until we know what to do. Are you nervous about me traveling with Davi?”
“I trust you, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous. It’s my problem from that lying cheating rat bastard ex-husband of mine. He had affairs with most of the women I know and even hit on my mother.”
“I won’t betray you. Not ever.”
“I believe you.”
We finished our eggs, bacon, and biscuits then sent Susie out to visit with the Sheriff’s daughter.
I started the discussion by saying, “I know the President’s speech unnerved a lot of people and I think we need to discuss it and determine what action we need to take.”
Paul replied, “Well I’m going to concentrate on killing local scumbags and not join the Army even though I am concerned that there are much bigger security problems. The President may not be lying, but she didn’t tell us all she knows.”
“I wonder if we will be safe anywhere in this country. The east coast, west coast and southern border are all under attack. The USA used nuclear bombs for the first time in over 70 some odd years. “
“Davi thinks her dad may have more detail about what is actually happening in this country than we are hearing. I think we need to visit him before we make any long-term Bug Out plans,” I threw into the conversation.”
Everyone agreed and then the discussion began on who would travel with Davi down to Alabama.
Mike said, “I would recommend three of us to go. I also think that Zack or I stay back to lead the team. We need three good fighters to go to improve their chance of a safe return. Davi, it is quite possible that you may have to stay with your father, which is another good reason for at least three to make the trip.”
Everyone agreed that at least three would go and then we discussed who to bring into our confidence.
Sally said, “Frankly I’m surprised that Joan, Lynn, and Roger aren’t in the conversation right now.”
I interrupted and said, “I wanted to keep the meeting small to make sure nothing leaked back to Prescott. We’ll bring them into the loop ASAP.
The question is, who can we trust. I also was worried about Lynn being pregnant, Roger leaving and not coming back. Perhaps I’m thinking too much. Yeah, we’ll get them into the next meeting.”
Davi stated, “I would not go beyond those mentioned because of your experience with Bert. Everyone is trustworthy until someone threatens their family.”
We all reluctantly agreed and decided to meet again that afternoon.
We added Lynn, Roger, and Joan to the meeting. While we were waiting on Mike and Sally to arrive Lynn said, “Roger and I are worried that the USA might be a war zone for several years from what the President said. We are wondering if we should head to South America or Australia. We could be trapped between the Russians, Cubans, and Mexicans. Not to mention Prescott and the other thugs roaming the streets.”
“Y’all aren’t the only ones thinking like that,” Ally chimed in.
Lynn replied, “My dad and uncle have large sailboats close to Mobile.”
Mike and Sally joined us and I called the meeting to order, “We will continue that discussion at the end of our meeting. I think both are related. We all heard the President’s speech last night. I feel that we need to contact Davi’s father and the Israeli group to get more info on the situation with the attacks on America. I’m afraid we are not hearing the entire story and don’t have enough information to make a good decision.”
Roger replied, “I would normally say we need to join the Army and fight for our country, but I think our country might be doomed and we’d just die in vain. I’m for getting accurate facts and making a good decision, even if that means bugging out of our country.”
Everyone agreed, so I moved on, “My proposal is that Paul, Davi and I head down to Alabama to visit with Aaron. We will travel at night to avoid trouble and should only take three to four days to get there and the same back. Mike will be in charge during my absence.”
Davi added, “Zack, please add another to our group. I may have to stay with my mom and dad.”
“I’ll add Ben to our team, and I think we should leave tomorrow night.”
***
The explosions were racking the buildings with deadly accuracy raining fire and debris down on the men trying to protect the hydroelectric dam. The artillery fire was coming from the north across the river while the mortar fire was raining down from the southeast.
“Sir, they have several hundred men ready to flood in when they have softened us up along with several light tanks and APCs. We can’t resist much longer.”
“Thanks, tell the men to get ready to evacuate and head to our rally point in Cherokee. We’ll regroup there with the Israelis and then head on to Pickwick Dam.”
Major North was in command of the US Army’s program to get the TVA dams back in operation. He had a mixture of Army Corps of Engineering, infantry and volunteer Israeli engineers and Army personnel under his command.
“Aaron, we have to bug out. No one is coming to help us, and the best we can do is get the hell out of here and live to fight another day.”
“Major, this is the same group that took over Owensville up in Kentucky. We need to crush them before they grow and take over the entire southeast.”
“I know, but my orders are to retreat and hold the Pickwick Dam. We don’t have enough soldiers to fight 4-5 wars at one time. The Chinese nuked five of our Army bases and three naval stations this morning. Hell, they nuked the new US Capitol in Pennsylvania two hours ago. We think the President and some of our government escaped, but haven’t heard for sure. We retaliated by nuking all of their major military bases. The only way to stop them and the Russians are with nuclear bombs, and that renders our country and theirs nuclear slag heaps. Sorry, you Israelis came here; you need to head to South America or Australia.”
“I think you are right. I’ll contact my superior and make that recommendation. Come with us. You need a new home.”
“Before you go, let me kno
w your destination. I have to fetch my wife and kids. I’ll try to bring my family and my men’s families to join you.”
“I also have to find my daughter and her new friends.”
Chapter 14 - Heading South
We spent the next day cleaning and checking our weapons after we loaded the Bronco with enough supplies for two weeks. I loaded two plastic barrels with food, extra ammo, and winter tents, and then secured them to the Bronco’s roof rack. We were ready to go by noon, and I asked the team to try to get some sleep or at least some rest.
I could never sleep worth a damn during the day, but I forced myself to lie down and close my eyes around 2:00 p.m. and didn’t wake up until after the sun was down. Ally woke me up by snuggling up against me. She even had socks on so her cold feet wouldn’t be a shock.
I rolled over, placed an arm around her and kissed her. She started undressing when we heard Callie yelling.
“Dad, Ally, come here quick. The President’s dead.”
I threw on some clothes and joined the rest of our group huddled around the radio.
“My fellow Americans, I am Brigadier General John Keene, Chairman of the Military Joint Chiefs. It is with deep sadness that I must report that our new Capitol in Pennsylvania was attacked an hour ago with a nuclear device launched by the Chinese forces in California.
Most of our government and high ranking military officers were killed. I was on the way to the Capitol at the time of the attack and was only spared by luck.
I am assuming authority for the USA until we can determine if any civilian leaders survived the blast. This is not a coup, and we will place the government back in civilian hands as soon as the situation allows.
I will keep the country posted on any significant events.
May God watch over us and help us in our struggle to vanquish our enemies.”
