by Cliff Deane
“Just a few? Offhand I would say we have way too many concerns, but, go ahead, what’s on your mind?”
Gus sighed deeply and said, “Okay, here goes; Levi, I am afraid the troopers are elevating you to a godlike stature, and this worries me.”
Now, it was Levi’s turn to sigh before he said, “I know, Gus, but I don’t know how to fight it, other than to screw up so much that they drop that nonsense. Of course, if I do that then the Brigade will fall apart.
I hate to say it, my friend, but I have thought of doing that exact thing; then just walk away and let you take over. Hell, Gus, you know that godlike crap is not something I want, and no, just like you, it scares the hell out of me.
I am certainly open to suggestions; you got any?”
“Maybe, just one,” said Gus.
Levi smiled and said, “Please tell me, and like Ross Perot, I am all ears.”
“Okay, I think you should hold another mass formation, and you have to lay it out on the line. Tell them that you have such a close rapport with them because you were enlisted for twenty plus years, so you understand how they feel, and know what they go through.
Remind them that this Army survives and thrives because we are so well trained; because this new world demands one simple thing; survive or die, and not because you are some kind of wizard; or god.
Tell them that you are not the soul of the ROA, but are the symbol; just an ordinary man, in an extraordinary time, with a given set of skills that are of use in the here and now.”
Levi liked these ideas and readily agreed to them, before saying, “All right, what else?”
“Okay, here goes; Levi, please help me understand why you have become so beloved?”
“Humility out the window, huh? Yeah, okay, I guess I am, and I think this has evolved around several things. Firstly, I think it goes back to the enlisted thing. Then, I have surrounded myself with leaders who are smarter than I am, and I listen to them. I don’t think I have an ego that makes me inflexible.
We also must take into consideration the fact that I seem to have received the credit for our many victories, with only a modicum of casualties.
I insert myself into the trooper’s lives by showing appreciation for jobs well done, and learning their names, well, as much as I can.
OH! I also delegate well, as you should know. I don’t present you with plans etched on stone tablets. I give you guidance and allow you to flesh that guidance into a viable plan. Every Trooper in this command knows that when I task them to accomplish a goal, I expect them to know how to make the most of that goal; and they also know that I will not be looking over their shoulder trying to micro-manage them.
And lastly, I hope that I demonstrate that we must all accept responsibility for our actions. If I screw up; Cleveland as a case in point, I admit it, rather than try to hide my errors. I thank my mother for that.
I know that most Troopers have a love/hate relationship with their Commander, but there are also Generals of note that were also beloved by their troops; General G. Washington, General R. E. Lee, General Omar Bradley, the G.I. General, and,” smiling now Levi added, “Braveheart. Now don’t misunderstand me, I am not elevating myself to any of these great generals, I am just demonstrating that there have been those leaders who were universally loved by their command.
Now, having said all that, I think that it all boils down to success and no one can deny that we have been hugely successful; luck or leadership, carrot or stick, take your pick.”
Gus looked at Levi and said, “Well put, but I would argue that you do fit in well with the generals you mentioned.”
Levi then turned back to the business at hand and said, “Gus, as soon as we have everyone together at Ft. Jackson, I’ll hold that mass formation and try to turn this god thing around. Mind you, I don’t mind being beloved, but I never, ever want to be thought of as godlike. We good?”
“Of course, we are, and I like the plan.”
When Ben and Susan arrived, Ben laid out his plan for aerial retrieval of the outposts, and a warning to Findley. Gus knew the resources in flyable choppers to get the troops out was tight, but by disabling and abandoning the vehicles and heavy weapons the task was doable. Susan, a ground crew, and a small security team would fly to Findley to warn of the coming cold.
Following the meeting, Levi and Gus walked to the Mess Tent for a sandwich and coffee. Their conversation turned to the coming cold. Neither Gus nor Levi wanted to use the term Ice Age.
Levi asked for Gus’ thoughts on what was coming if the Global Superstorm became a reality.
“Gus, is this cold going to be a long or short-term event?”
“Damned good question,” answered Gus, “this is only a guess, of course, but because the weather downturn seems to have occurred in late spring, the sun will, hopefully, prevent major snowfalls that cannot be melted before more piles up in the winter. If I’m right, and I’m not saying I am, the cold will only last for maybe three or four years, because the summer sun will melt much of the winter’s accumulation of snow.
But, if the sun can’t melt the accumulations in sufficient quantities, then this could be a major event lasting for tens of thousands of years. If that happens, we are off to the equator.
The weather, at least for the next few years will become very dry, and the seas will withdraw from our coastlines as more and more of the ocean’s water is turned to ice.
Bottom line, my friend, the future looks very bleak.”
“Wow, that is a crap sandwich. I guess we’ll just wander until we find our promised land, huh?
Gus laughed and said, “Yeah, you’ll become a regular modern Moses.”
“Oh, hell no!” said Levi, “Oh, hell no.”
Gus was mostly right in his assessment of what lay in store for the world. The North Sea Current, in fact, eased its way to a slow stop, a stop that was fortunately short lived, in that the stoppage lasted for only three months. Still, this mitigation of the North Sea Current was enough to destroy crops and did cover the land for several years with deep snow. When the melting came, another 90% of Europeans were gone. Those Europeans who survived moved quickly to the Mediterranean Coastal Regions, which remained snow free due to the warm waters of the Med, and the mountains that stood tall just beyond the thin strip of coastal land.
For North America, the cold did bring a winter that lasted through the summers of year aught two and three AC (After Collapse). This calamity took out another 90% of the remaining North American population.
The northern half of America did have a period of glaciation, south of to Washington, DC. The seas did recede nearly one-half of a mile beyond their old shorelines and remained so for four years. The Statue of Liberty remained standing but encased in ice nearly up to her chin.
Sadly, none of this information was available to the ROA as they began their migration south to I-10, and west to Texas.
***
Chapter 1
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
3 September 0800
TOC
The Road to Ft. Jackson
Each morning grew just a bit cooler, and cloud bands branded the horizon with a sickly gray malignant fury. Gus had dispatched two Hueys to investigate, and the report came back that the temperature had been dropping steadily as they neared the weather front. Turbulence also became an issue which forced them to turn back well before coming into contact with the storm which seemed to be raging into Virginia. The direction appeared to be expanding east, west and very slowly, south.
Levi, Gus, and Ben were having a cup of Joe while waiting for their Huey to be wound up so they could depart for Fort Jackson. They were discussing the weather as they looked to the north; all three knew that they would soon be in sweaters in the mornings, and shortly after, in hooded jackets.
They heard the Huey coming in fast and watched as it landed hard; both pilots jumped out, and while the Co-Pilot began inspecting for damage, the Pilot made a dash for the Tactical Operations Cente
r (TOC).
The convoy was preparing to continue south to Ft. Jackson when the helo came racing in.
Gus asked the Sergeant Major to get Major Turner, pronto. Bradley knew exactly where he would find her. Major Susan Turner was in the TOC reviewing maps and preparing the air recon mission for the following day. She rushed outside to see a Pilot running towards the TOC.
“What’s up?” asked Susan Turner.
Gus said, “Don’t know, yet, but he is in one powerful hurry. In another minute Lieutenant Kate Levins slowed to a walk, saluted and said to Levi, “Sir, we’ve got an unfriendly military convoy moving south, estimated to be a reinforced battalion of infantry.”
Gus asked, “What makes you think they are hostiles?”
Kate responded by saying, “My Co-Pilot is counting the machine gun holes in our bird’s fuselage right now; and sir, before they started firing with rifles and machine guns; I could see by their uniforms that they are Cuban Army.”
“Cubans, are you sure?” asked Levi.
“Yes, sir; I watched a movie once called The Wild Geese, and the uniforms of the Cubans in the movie were exactly the same as those guys who just tried to shoot me down.”
“Uh-huh,” offered a cautious General Levins, “then again, who else could they be? Good job, LT (Ell-Tee).
Let’s go into the map room, and you can continue your brief there,” said Levi.
“Yes, sir.”
On the way to the meeting room, Levi asked, “Were you scared, Kate?”
“Absolutely not,” said Kate, “I was way beyond scared; hell, I was in the terrified part; and me in a Huey instead of my Super Snake. Next time I’ll teach them about being terrified. The only upside is that I don’t have to go to my quarters to change my undies; it was close, but I was able to hold it,” and she, along with everyone began laughing.
In the map room, actually a small tent space set aside as the “map room,” Levi asked, “All right, Lieutenant, show us where these bad boys are.”
After a few seconds of orienting herself with the map, Kate pointed to a position approximately five miles just to the right flank, and perhaps a mile ahead.
“Right here, sir; my Co-Pilot spotted them as we were returning from Jackson.”
“Vehicles?” asked Lieutenant Colonel Ben Smith.
“Yes sir, but no military rides, just old trucks, and a few horse-drawn carts. They seem to be having a very difficult time negotiating the stalled cars and trucks on the road.
At first only a few opened fire on my second pass, then the whole bunch began peppering my fuselage. We immediately moved out of range and began making an assessment of their strength; most are in uniform, but many are in civvies. My guess is they picked up volunteers along the way; because those in civilian clothing were shooting at us as well.”
“How fast would you say they were moving?”
“As an estimate, I would say no more than one-half a mile an hour, at best.”
“No injuries?” asked Dr. Tom Monroe as he entered the meeting.
“No, Doc, we were returning to pick up more passengers to take to Jackson when some danged Cubans wanted to start a fracas.”
“That’s good news; sorry to interrupt, but since I’m no longer needed, I’ll get back to my own preps for movement.”
Levi held up his right hand and said, “Hang on a sec, Bones, you need to be here.”
“Oh, okay; I’ll just try to stay out of the way.”
“Good enough,” said Levi, who turned to Kate and asked, “LT, is there anything else you can add to this mess?”
“No sir, I think we have covered this mess, thoroughly,” said Kate, who smiled at her dad.
Levi smiled back and said, “All right, smartass, I suggest you return to your mission after the Ground Crew certifies that crate is ready to fly.
“Yes sir,” said a smiling Kate as she saluted and made her way back to the helipad.
Levi looked around at everyone present and said, “Sergeant Major Cobb, inform Captain Page and First Sergeant Torre to get the convoy on the move. Oh, and have him leave a detail to pack up the TOC when you’re finished.”
“Yes sir; Jonesy!” shouted the Sergeant, Major. He then turned back to Levi and asked, “You want me to come back for this meeting, sir?”
“As quickly as you can, Sergeant Major, as quickly as you can.”
It took the Sergeant Major no more than one minute to relay the messages to Sergeant Jones before returning to the planning session.
Gus started off by saying, “Gentlemen, I do not believe we have to wonder if this force is friendly. The holes in Lieutenant Levin’s Huey have solved that mystery. Now the question is what we do about an invading force of Cubans, and are there more of them out there that remain unseen.”
The Sergeant Major asked to speak and said, “Sir, before we get too far into the weeds here, may I suggest that we have Colonel Guyardo get all of the M-88’s he can find and get them to work clearing the road in our direction. That might get us to Jackson a bit sooner.”
“Good idea, please get on the horn to Lejeune and get them to work.”
“On it, sir.”
Levi looked at his planning group and said, “I’m going to go and get an eyeball on these guys, then fly back here within half an hour. I’ll update you when I get back. My guidance is as follows; plan an ambush for the day after tomorrow, around midday; they’ll be tired and nervous about us. No LAVs, but let the Tankers have some fun. Let’s use, Air, Mortars, Tanks, and Boots on the Ground. Lastly, I want prisoners; the commander if possible, but try for, at least, an officer.
Any questions before I depart?”
Gus was not happy to be left behind, but he knew his job was here in the planning phase. He said, “Sir, please don’t get too close, you’re not a real Marine, you know.”
Levi just said, “Now listen up, Gyrene, I know you’re just mad because you can’t go and play with the Cubans now, so I’ll ignore the comment from one of Uncle Sam’s Misguided Children (U S M C).” Everyone cracked up as Levi slapped Gus on the back and left to find his bird.
As Levi departed, Gus said, “All right, we have his guidance, so let’s figure this thing out.”
Dr. Tom asked why he might be needed and was told by Gus that this was the first time that the Brigade had to fight real soldiers; men who were trained in the art of war.
“Doc, you need to prepare for some serious casualties if we fail to overcome them quickly with our Mortars, Armor, and Air. We’ll hold the Infantry for the mop-up phase. It looks like we are finally going to become steel by being forged in fire and blood.
We’ll get you set up near the FTOC tomorrow afternoon.”
The Doctor said, “Oh, I see; um, okay, we’ll be ready.”
“Thanks, Doc, you can go ahead and join the convoy,” said Gus.
Each member of the planning team made notes of their individual element of the ambush and began to lay out their requirements for the mission.
The Cubans
Their Road
Heading South
Coronel Jesus Guevara was furious and demanded to know who gave the command to open fire on an unarmed helicopter. The Alpha Company Commander presented himself along with a Corporal in his Company.
“Mi Coronel, I have discovered who gave the open fire command; a Corporal named Roberto Rodriguez.”
The Coronel looked at the Corporal and asked, “Corporal Rodriguez; is it true that you gave the order to open fire?”
The Corporal hung his head as he admitted that he had ordered his Fire Team to open up and that he had not received the order to do so.
So, Rodriguez, do you realize what you have done? The Americanos now know we are a hostile force, so the element of surprise is forever gone. Now, I am sure that the Gringos will set out to interdict us at some point farther south.”
“Mi Coronel, I am so very sorry for my error, I swear upon my honor that it will never happen again.”
Guevar
a sighed deeply before saying, “I know, my son, and I am glad that you understand.”
Captain, you and the Sarjento Mayor (Sar ‘hentoe My’ yore) will escort Rodriguez to the nearest tree. There he will be tied and shot by his Company Commander.”
“Si, mi Coronel,” said the Sarjento Mayor and the Captain in unison.
As the three men began moving to the place of execution, Guevara said, “Sarjento, uno momento, por favor.”
The Cuban Sergeant Major held back and said, “Si, mi Coronel?”
“As soon as the Captain carries out the execution, put a bullet in his head also. This should remind the other Officers to make sure there is no repeat of this disaster.”
“Si, mi Coronel,” said the Sarjento Mayor as he saluted and turned to follow the path to the place of execution.
Guevara then turned to his Executive Officer, Major Raoul Ortega and said, “Raoul, increase flanking security, and set recon patrols out front. Dismount the soldiers from the vehicles and put them on each side of the road. I don’t want to lose our men to gunships if our enemy has them.”
“Si, mi Coronel,” said Ortega.
The first shot fired seemed to startle everyone except Guevara; the second shot startled no one.
Eye in the Sky
Cobra Gunship
Above Cuban Force
The Cobra Gunship remained high and out of effective range of the Cuban weaponry, as Levi, using his binoculars, watched the Cuban Force begin to disperse. He also saw the two executions.
Cubans
3 September 1015
Cuban Convoy
The convoy began discharging the soldiers as they were ordered to travel on foot, along the wood line, in parallel with the vehicle column.
Corporal Ramon Suarto shouldered both his personal AK and his RPG 7 (Anti-vehicle grenade launcher). He also had two Privates who functioned as RPG 7 ammunition mules; they each carried four rounds for the shoulder-fired weapon.
