"God, that hurt! I think I broke my ribs," Tommy said, as his eyes popped open and stared up into Chris'ss face.
"I got one of them, Tommy. I shot the bastard who killed Steve," Chris said.
"Great! And another one shot me. They know where we are. We have to get out of here or we're dead," Tommy said, while rolling onto his side.
"What did the guy on the phone want?" Chris asked, as he stepped back over Tommy, and looked over the side at the roof down below.
"I don't know. He was just starting to say something when I got shot. I always wondered what it felt like to get shot. It hurts like shit, and I just got grazed. It feels like a really bad burn," Tommy said, while looking at his forearm.
"Do you think you can climb down?" Chris asked.
"Dude, I think that's a bad idea. Where would we go? That's a trap down below. We're vulnerable when we climb down. No, I say we stay up here. They can't get above us. As long as we stay low, they can't hit us, we're too high," Tommy said, while pulling himself along the walkway toward his rifle.
"What about the bomb? I thought we were going to go after the bomb?" Chris asked, as he settled down on the walkway, trying to stay as low as possible.
"We tried that. That's why we're up here. Now we wait and see what happens. If the police or the military attack, then maybe we'll try again. Right now, I need to rest," Tommy said, as he slid as far away from the railing as he could go.
The rumble of distant thunder became more frequent and louder as the minutes passed. Chris could feel the air grow cooler as it swirled over and around the containment building.
"Tommy, when the storm hits, we'll make a run for it," Chris said.
When Tommy didn't answer, Chris grabbed his best friend's arm to feel for a pulse. Snoring, and a strong pulse, told him that Tommy was just fine.
"Damn . . . he gets shot, and then decides to take a nap . . . damn," Chris said, clutched his rifle tight to his chest, and closed his eyes.
CHAPTER 51
1-130th Attack Recon Battalion Headquarters
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Raleigh, North Carolina
August 3, 2017
0230 hours EST
"This is it? Where the hell is everybody else?" Captain Allison Wills said, while pacing across the front of the briefing room at the headquarters of the 1-130th Attack-Recon Battalion.
"We're lucky we got this many to show up. This evacuation has scattered everyone. None of us have families. If any more pilots show up I'll be surprised," said Captain Malcomb DuBose.
"If I don't see at least four more aircrew in the next 30 minutes, I'll have somebody's ass," Major Antoine Bouchard said, while standing in the doorway.
"Attention!" yelled Captain Jessie Porter.
"At ease! Where do we stand with air crews?" Major Bouchard asked.
Captain Wills looked around the room, "Sir, we've got enough for six flights, but that's if we mix and match. My gunner isn't here, and we're missing some pilots."
"Then you may have to fly alone. Think you can handle that, Captain Wills?" asked Major Bouchard.
"No doubt about it, Sir! What's the mission?" Captain Wills asked, as she thought about flying and fighting her AH-64D Apache helicopter by herself.
"I think we all know about the President's speech and the threat to the nation. That threat is here, and by here, I mean in North Carolina. The Chinese Special Forces operators, who the President talked about, have taken over the Harris Nuclear Plant," Major Bouchard said, and paused to let that settle in.
"That means that they have a nuke with them?" Captain Porter asked.
"That's the assumption. We're part of a task force that's going to take the plant back, and prevent these bastards from blowing up the nuke," Major Bouchard said.
"Why us? Why isn't the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade providing support?" asked Captain Porter.
"Because the mission requires Apaches, and the CAB's 1-82 Battalion is in Afghanistan with all their Apaches. We're the 'B' Team. The mission is ours. Any more questions?" said Major Bouchard.
"So Sir, what is our mission?" Captain DuBose asked.
"Ground forces are coming up from Ft. Bragg. Delta is involved in the op, but I don't know the details of their mission. That's above my pay grade. Our mission is to take out six armored security towers on the perimeter of the plant at precisely 0400," Major Bouchard said.
"Let's do it, Sir! Let's light 'em up!" said Captain Wills.
"Outstanding! Here's the plan . . ." Major Bouchard said.
CHAPTER 52
Highway 401
25 miles south of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
0300 hours EST
"Sir, we need to slow down. We've already lost six Strykers to mechanical problems," Captain Blake Jackson said, over the battalion comm net.
"Negative, Captain Jackson, we keep pushing. I expect the after action report to reflect those responsible for inadequate maintenance of those vehicles," Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Thompson said, from the lead Stryker vehicle.
"But Sir, I've got two more vehicles that are overheating. These vehicles aren't designed for sprinting at 60 miles per hour," Captain Jackson said.
"They are if I say they are. Keep going," LTC Thompson said, and cut the link.
"Sir, with all due respect, he's right," said Sergeant Major (SGM) Davis Jones, as he sat beside LTC Thompson inside their Stryker vehicle.
"I know that, Sergeant Major, but we can't slow down. We have to be there in 60 minutes, and we're behind schedule. If we lose some vehicles, then we'll make do with what we have left," LTC Thompson said, as he reviewed the latest data from the Pentagon on his laptop.
"It looks like the plan to surround the plant and relieve the cops has changed, Sergeant Major. We're going straight in. We've been ordered to assault the plant entrance at 0400," LTC Thompson said, as he looked across at SGM Jones.
"So what's the plan, Sir?" SGM Jones asked.
"Hey diddle diddle, right up the middle, Sergeant Major . . . just like your football days at Michigan State. We'll need to reconfigure the lineup. Well need max firepower up front," said LTC Thompson, as he began relaying orders to his company commanders.
CHAPTER 53
The White House
The Situation Room
Washington, DC, USA
August 3, 2017
0300 hours EST
"Mr. President, all our forces will be in position by 0400. The only complication is the weather. Forecasters are predicting a thunderstorm and heavy rain over the plant. It will provide excellent cover for the assault, but the Delta teams are going to have a hard time landing. The Fuel Handling Building roof is huge, but not that huge. Crosswinds could exceed 40 mph," General Munford said.
"Why don't we just drop them in by chopper?" President Miller asked.
"Sir . . . a little complication there. After 9/11 all of the nuclear power sites in the country were hardened to one extent or another. Harris is probably in the top ten for added capabilities. One of those capabilities was surface-to-air missiles. The plant was provided with six FIM-92D Stingers. As far as we know, they still have them. They also have a couple of FM-148 Javelin anti-tank missiles. We have to assume that the terrorists have located these weapons," General Munford said.
The President just stared in disbelief.
"General Munford, those men . . . and the specialist they are taking with them . . . have got to get on site in one piece. How that happens is up to you, but the success of this entire mission is based on her disarming that damn bomb," the President said.
"We do have a backup plan. Ms. Williams recommended two of her assistants. They have worked with her during the process of disarming all the other devices that we've located across the country. We've staged her assistants with the North Carolina National Guard at the State EOC in Raleigh. We can forward stage them to the area outside the plant, and link them up with the Stryker Battalion coming up from Bragg," General Munford said.
"Make it happen, General. Everything comes down to the success of this mission. Failure is not an option . . . whatever the cost. Am I understood?" the President said, while looking around the table at all the high powered representatives of various federal agencies.
"Understood, Mr. President!" General Munford said, as he pulled out his cell phone and left the table.
CHAPTER 54
NC National Guard
North Carolina State Emergency Operations Center
1636 Gold Star Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina
August 3, 2017
0310 hours EST
Amanda had never seen a soldier come to attention while sitting in a chair, but that's exactly what happened after Brigadier General Dave Moore answered a call from an outside line.
"Yes, Sir . . . yes, Sir, I'll have them moving ASAP. Right now . . . yes, Sir, I understand the urgency," General Moore said, then slowly set the phone back in its cradle as if it was a bomb.
Then he picked up his cell phone, keyed in a number and asked, "Major Talton, do you still have eyes on those two civilians who came in after midnight?"
"Yes, Sir! We're sitting downstairs in the cafeteria," Major Talton said.
"Good, I need them escorted to the access road at Harris. They need to be there by 0400 at the latest, understood?" General Moore said.
"What just happened?" Amanda asked, after General Moore slid his cell phone into his shirt pocket.
"That was the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Munford. Two civilian nuclear bomb specialists showed up a couple of hours ago and said they were told to report here and wait. General Moore wants them at the plant site by 0400. I don't know all the details, but I think things are getting ready to happen," General Moore said.
"Where are they?" Amanda asked.
"They were in the cafeteria. They'll be heading out the front door in two minutes. Major Talton has a Hummer parked out front. The Highway Patrol will clear a path for them," General Moore said.
"I'm going with them," Kate said, while jumping up and running out of the EOC Command Room.
CHAPTER 55
Harris Nuclear Plant
August 3, 2017
0330 hours EST
Fuel Handling Building 286'
Refuel Floor
Jian lay against the side of the 50-Ton Crane cab suspended high above the refuel floor. His right arm was throbbing. He had stopped most of the bleeding, but his arm was useless. His boots felt sticky from the blood that had settled into the base of the cab. He had wedged his injured arm inside his shirt, and injected himself with a low dose of morphine to deaden the pain. He had begun to drift off when he heard his name being yelled over the comm link, and sat upright.
"Jian, here. What is my mission?" he asked.
Jian . . . it's Aiguo. My friend, we're almost finished. The weapon is attached to the crane. Lift it and trolley over to the middle of the building. Set it on the floor, and then you can rest. We will have accomplished our mission. China will be supreme," Aiguo said.
"Understood, Lieutenant! The mission, above all," Jian said, as he forced himself to sit upright and stare at the controls.
"Up lever . . . lift it up until it clears the floor . . . then move to the center," he told himself, as the cab jolted and the cables began to move.
The load had just cleared the floor, when he passed out from blood loss.
"Jian, that's good. Move the load to the middle . . . Jian, move the load!" Aiguo yelled into the comm link, while staring up at the dangling bomb from inside the Railcar Bay.
"Heng, can you operate a crane?" Aiguo asked.
"I'm not trained, but I can try," Heng said, while staring up at the device hanging above their heads.
"When you have moved the weapon, and lowered it to the floor, contact me. I'll come up and activate the device. I have some other things to check on," Aiguo said, while turning and running out of the Railcar Bay.
It was beginning to pour. The temperature had dropped, and the smell of ozone was in the air. The sky to the south was alive with electricity. Aiguo knew that a great storm would soon break upon Harris.
Walkway around the Containment Building
0340 hours EST
"Tommy, wake up! It's raining, and the lightning is getting really bad. We've got to move," Chris said, while shaking Tommy.
"Aww, shit! What happened to me? I really hurt," Tommy said, as he awoke, and pushed Chris away.
"I know. I feel like shit too, but we've got to go. We've got to get inside. This storm is getting worse," Chris said, as lighting flashed overhead, followed by a crashing boom.
The rain came like God had opened a faucet in the sky. Even more water was rolling down the side of the dome and cascading down the side of the building like a wave.
"I'm awake! Quit shaking me," Tommy yelled, as he grasped the handrail and threw up over the side.
"This is our cover, Tommy. Remember, we have to go back and stop them from moving the bomb onto the refuel floor," Chris said, as the lightning flashed again.
Tommy blinked again and again, as his mind began to clear. The cool rain ran down his face and soaked his body.
"Yeah, we need to climb down and go back inside," Tommy said.
"Your rifle, get your rifle," Chris said, as he steadied Tommy while he stood.
"Tommy, look at me. Are you okay?" Chris asked.
"Yeah, let's go get this done," Tommy said, while tilting his face up into the rain.
CHAPTER 56
717 South Main Street
Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina
August 3, 2017
0340 hours EST
Christine Marks had lived in Fuquay-Varina for the last 40 years. She had raised three sons and two daughters. A year ago she had buried her husband of 44 years. When the mandatory order to evacuate had come, she had ignored it. This was her home, and she was willing to die there.
It had been a hot summer evening, but she knew a storm was coming. She could feel it in her bones and smell it in the air. When the thunder and lightning woke her at 3:30 AM, she knew the storm was going to be a doozy.
She sat in the small living room of her white, wood frame house, drinking coffee and watching the light show outside her front window. The glare and flash of the storm reminded her of taking her family to Fuquay-Varina High School many years ago to watch the fireworks on the 4th of July. Those had been good times. Now her kids were all gone, with families of their own.
Then the ground began to shake like it did when a big construction truck drove by her house.
"Three o'clock in the morning, and it's raining cats and dogs. Who in their right mind is out driving in this mess?" she said, as she rose from her sofa, and walked over to the window.
The rumbling continued, and then intensified, as she stared at a continuous procession of huge tan vehicles flying down Main Street. She knew they were military vehicles, but couldn't remember their name.
"Johnny would have known. He was interested in things like that," she said, as another ten vehicles flew past her window.
"I don't care what they're doing. Don't they know that the speed limit is 25?" she asked herself.
. . . .
Sergeant Martin Gomez was driving the lead Stryker as the 1st Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, raced up Highway 401, and into downtown Fuquay-Varina. He was following a string of flashing lights as the Highway Patrol led the way.
"I sure hope they can see better than me, 'cause I can't see shit," Sgt. Gomez said, from his hatch-down driving position.
All he saw was a little town flashing by at 50 mph. A minute later, he slowed down as the cops turned left and drove over a bridge crossing a railway. The next left was even sharper, as they turned onto a four-lane highway and accelerated. He floored the Stryker as the Highway Patrol vehicles roared up the highway.
"Five minutes, then a hard left again, Sgt. Gomez. Then ten0 more minutes to our destination," he heard over the vehicle
comm link.
"Loud and clear, Sir!" Gomez said, as he pushed open his hatch, and raised his seat. The rain started pouring in, but at least he could see.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
0340 hours EST
The six Apache AH-64D Longbows took off together, turned, and formed a string behind Major Antoine Bouchard. The weather was bad and getting worse. Winds were gusting at 30-40 mph.
"All Longbows, 15 minutes flight time to Harris. Remember the sequence. Longbow 6 peels off first onto the No. 6 security tower. I peel off last onto tower No. 1. Maintain distance of 300 meters from your assigned tower. Fire only on my command. Is that understood?" Major Bouchard said.
He nodded, as five confirmations were returned. Then he began monitoring his flight systems and weapon status. His weapons operator had failed to arrive at the airport as ordered, but that was a problem for another day.
"Mark 230 Chain Gun, active-safe, 300 rounds 30mm M789 HEDP. The tower will look like swiss cheese after a few bursts. One each AGM-114 Hellfire missile, just in case, but I shouldn't need it," Major Bouchard said, as he went down his checklist.
"Bouchard to Longbow flight . . . our attack on the towers coincides with an infantry attack on the main entrance. They're in Strykers, but we don't want any 'friendly fire' incidents. Take out your assigned tower, cease fire, and back off to 1000 meters unless ordered otherwise. Is that understood?" Major Bouchard said.
Once again he received five confirmations.
C-130 Aircraft
HARRIS (Detonation) Page 22
