by Cliff Deane
Levi did ask, “Is the radio on the fritz, Mike?”
Mike shook his head and asked if he could wait until the others were here, so he didn’t have to go over things twice.
It took only five minutes for Neal Page and Bradley Cobb to arrive. The five hopped into the copter and took a seat. Mike then began to relate the series of events concerning the Motor Park and the Ammo Dump.
“…and that sir is why I flew here rather than take even the minimal risk that we might be overheard.”
Levi said, “Mike, you did the right thing; the question now is what do we do now. Did you say that twenty LAVs were taken, along with sufficient ammo stores for basic loads?”
“Yes sir, of course, I haven’t yet mad e an ammo count based upon the plat maps of each bunker, but, yes sir, I believe that is what we’ll find.”
Turning to Gus, Levi said, “I don’t think we really need an accurate count of the missing ammo, do you?”
“No, sir, I don’t, as it seems illogical that the mystery Mechs would not take full loads. I would also expect that we will find quite a few ammo trucks missing; fuel, too.”
Levi agreed, but added, “Gentlemen, I think I know who took this equipment; if you think back to the White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia campaign, you will remember that we anticipated that a Mech Battalion had escaped only hours before our arrival. This just has to be them.”
“Of course,” said Gus, “and the number of LAVs taken tells me that they don’t have sufficient maintenance personnel, or spare parts to keep those vehicles running. I’ll bet if we backtracked their path we would find twenty dead LAVs.
Sir, this is valuable information, and when, not if, we catch up with them knowing their maintenance is lacking may prove to be very important from both a tactical and a combat perspective.”
The Sergeant Major offered, “I think we should follow in their path, as they must be using something to clear the road; it will surely increase our speed, and I would guess they are headed for the I-10 west.”
“I agree,” said Levi, “I’ll get with Major Turner to get out recon flights to see if they are still in the area.”
Gus said, “General, would you like for me to meet with her on this?”
Levi said, “No, Colonel, I think I’ll just go ahead and handle it, and stop that grinning like some damned Cheshire cat.”
“Ben, on your forays, please try to find a Minister; I need to get on with it and marry that woman. Besides, I’m tired of trying to slip around.”
“Yes, sir, we can do that,” said a beaming Ben.
Gus suggested that since our Air Force is growing, and as Major Turner is the commander of our air arm, she needs to be promoted to the minimally appropriate rank of Colonel.
Levi and Ben both agreed, and the Sergeant Major had Sergeant First Class Jones put together the paperwork, which was filed in the Head Shed archives, and with the ROA Historian.
After the meeting Lt. Colonel Ben Smith told Levi that a Minister is a very good idea. He said, “Sir, I personally think we should begin to bring God back into our lives and restore his rightful place among us.”
Levi said, “So ordered, I agree, and why have we waited so long to think of it?”
Gus felt that they had no good reason, but offered the excuse of having a few other things on their plates.
Levi agreed that it fell into the category of an excuse, rather than reason, and so it came to pass that within a week, Pastor Art Morton, a Methodist, became the ROA’s first Pastor.
Services were held the following Sunday, and the turnout was far too large for a single service. Pastor Morton was forced to hold three services on Sunday and two others on Saturday.
Nearly all of Levi’s Legion were open to the return of God into the hearts of all mankind.
It was decided that the wedding would take place on 21 September, but not just one marriage; Levi was told that Mike Guyardo and Nurse Melissa Carter were engaged. He and Susan asked them to join in a dual wedding, and quickly it was learned that Darren Murtaugh and Nurse Anna Patterson were also engaged. Levi was genuinely pleased to have Darren and Anna join the party and make it a triple wedding.
Ben suggested, and Levi approved of turning this event into a huge two-day party; well, one day to celebrate and one day to recover.
Levi reminded Gus of the meeting with the Lejeune Commanding General and the Class VI officer when Levi thought the troops would be making their own homebrew inside a year. He was right, and for this event the homebrew, while remaining in the shadows, managed to find its way into what the Troopers call Tanker’s Punch. Levi pretended not to know anything about it.
Ben’s scroungers found a party store and brought back decorations, tableware, balloons, and a helium tank.
Pastor Art Morton positively beamed as he presided over the triple wedding that in some ways gave everyone hope that the best parts of their lost world might again be found. God was being returned to His rightful place in the hearts of mankind.
The atmosphere of the ROA became electric as the preparations for this triple wedding began to bear fruit. A lovely outdoor Wedding Arch was built and decorated with flowers. The Bridal Gowns came from a local specialty store, The Lovely Bride. The Grooms wore Tuxedos which were altered to fit by the four tailors in the Brigade.
The Tankers insisted that since the Cavalry and Grunts had, so far, seen all the action that they would take charge of the punch bowl. Tankers, punch, oh, my.
For these two days of celebration, and recovery, the pain of the world took a backseat to joy and union. While the entire Brigade was happy for the three couples, the marriage of their General became the center of the Universe, at least for a day.
The recently freed slaves also found healing and hope for the future as they worked alongside the decorators.
Kate was truly happy, happier than she would have ever believed just over a year ago. It was true that she had lost much of her childhood, but had found the love of a father, and now she officially had Susan who she knew was her best friend, mentor, and mom. She felt giddy.
Somehow, in recent weeks, her beau, Lt Kevin Simms had slipped under the radar and become Kate’s Gunner and Co-Pilot of the Cobra Gunship, Daddy’s Girl. While he wasn’t overly crazy about the name, Daddy’s Girl, he understood the need for her expression of love for her adoptive father, General Levi Levins.
Levi knew that in another year, or so, Kate and Kevin would stand together under another Wedding Arch, to be, as Kate put it, joined at the hip.
“…and do you, Levi Levins, Miguel Guyardo, and Darren Murtaugh take Susan Turner, Melissa Carter, and Anna Patterson…”
The Party began following those most solemn words, “I now pronounce you Man and Wife.”
Cheers rang out from nearly fifteen-hundred voices as the troopers, and civilians alike, made their way to the Tanker’s Punch.
Thirty minutes into the festivities, Susan gently placed her hand on Levi’s wrist as he was about to take another sip of the punch. “Hey, Big Guy, enough punch, I have special plans for tonight and I don’t want you in your cups; ya feel me, well, not here, of course,” and then she whispered something very intimate into his ear.
Levi’s smile stretched from ear to ear as he replaced the Tanker’s Punch with the non-alcoholic variety, as he said, “Gotcha, kiddo, and that sounds berry dood; can we go now?”
Susan smiled and again whispered, “Anticipation will make it all the more pleasurable, so, not just yet. Let’s give it another couple of hours, no, one hour should be long enough.”
Jay White walked up to Levi, held out his hand, and said, “God bless you, son, because tonight I think you’ll need all the help you can get,” then tottered off cackling like a loon as he began his search for more punch.
Fifteen-hundred hands are a lot to shake, and a few hundred kisses thrown in defined the party; for that day, life was good.
Kate and Kev walked hand in hand, stealing a few kisses here and there. She
looked up at Kevin and said, “You know, Kev, I think Dad was right.”
“About what?” asked Kevin.
“Oh, sorry, not important,” said an embarrassed Kate. She had been thinking about a conversation where Levi told her that when the time was right, everything would work just fine.” She had been worried that she might not be able to function properly in bed, as a result of the punishment she had endure while being a sex slave at age fourteen.
Kevin knew that he should just let whatever she was thinking about, go, so he did.
As the afternoon wore on, Susan’s one hour turned into two, then three, before they were able to make their escape. Upon entering their motel room, Susan looked at Levi with lustful eyes and said, “Come here Cowboy and hang on, ‘cause this ain’t gonna’ be no eight second rodeo, and it was not.”
The next morning Gus told Levi that it was a wise decision to make the following day a training holiday; pretty much everyone needed it to get over their Tanker’s Punch.
Back to the Road
22 September, 0600
Ft. Jackson
The dawn brought a beautiful morning of bright sun, a semi-brisk breeze, chilling temps, and a substantial frost had turned the ground white.
Most troopers chose the uniform of a pullover sweater, while others opted for the hooded jackets which had replaced the Field Jacket many years before.
First Sergeant Tomas Torre was asked to speak first at the morning meeting; he announced that many of his troopers wanted to know who was getting married next so that they could have another party.
He also told Levi that, to a man, the command was thrilled at their General’s wedding. He also added that most still did not want anyone to raise their voice because anything over a whisper caused severe pain.
Gus asked the Historian to edit that last sentence out, even though he knew that would not happen.
The plan was to begin the road march on 23 September at 0700. Recon flights had been ongoing since 9 September with no sign of the Merc Battalion.
Tanker’s Punch
22 September 0800
Planning Session
TOC
Levi and his staff met for one final time before hitting the road on 23 September to move farther south; destination Fort Gordon, GA.
Gus chaired the meeting and in a quiet voice said, “Well, well, well, aren’t we a bunch of sad sacks this morning? I can’t believe that you all got so wasted just drinking that Kool-Aid you call Tanker’s Punch.
Smiling now, but with visible effort to appear that he was untouched by the libations of the wedding party, he said, “Yes, it takes a Marine to show you wussies how to handle your drink.”
Just then Sergeant Jones dropped a large metal tray behind Gus causing him to cringe and grab his head, “OW! Jonesy, do that again, and it will be Private Jones.”
Even with everyone being hung over, the group could not suppress a grin, well, once they were able to remove their hands from their own heads.
Gus somehow found a smile and said, “Yep, I’m as hung over as the rest of you; damn those Tankers.”
The meeting was then adjourned until 1500, and like most of the camp; they went back to bed.
Find ‘em!
22 September 1500
TOC
Ft. Jackson
“Well now,” said Levi, “this is so much more to my liking. If we are all better now, perhaps we can get something done. Colonel Murtaugh, please chair the meeting.”
“Yes sir,” said Gus. “Other than making sure we are ready to hit the road in the morning, I have only one agenda item. Colonel Turner, oops, sorry I mean Colonel Levins, I would…”
Levi interrupted saying, “Whoa, I can see how this name thing could become troublesome; let’s take a five-minute break while I have a chat with the Colonel in question.”
The group left the tent to provide a modicum of privacy for the Levins’.
Levi looked sheepishly at Susan saying, “Susan, what do you make of this situation?”
Susan chuckled and said, “My General, my husband, my love, my sweetheart; I agree this can become disconcerting. What say that in our professional setting I keep the name Turner? I’m not really happy with that, but I think it is the simplest solution.”
Levi replied, “Yeah, well, I ain’t too fond of it either, but I must agree that your proposal is the most logical one; okay, let’s roll with that. I have just one request; don’t forget who you are married to.”
“Forget who I’m married to? Levi, you are such a dope, but a lovable dope. Okay, I’ll try real hard to remember, just make sure you do the same.”
“Deal, come on let’s call the team back in.”
They tried, they really did, but the name Turner just did not cut it. Susan was Levi’s wife, and her name was Levins, so no one made a serious effort to call her Colonel Turner.
Once everyone was reseated, Levi informed the staff of their decision for Susan to remain, Susan Turner, while on duty.”
The Staff concurred, and Gus was able to return to business.
“Okay,” said Gus, “Colonel Turner, I want you to get your assets into the air and find that Merc Battalion. They are out there somewhere, and we need to know where.”
“Yes, of course, sir, I’ll extend the search range to near max. Ultimately, it’s just a matter of following their trail of moved cars.”
Levi became a bit curt saying, “Yes, well, following their trail has produced no benefit to date, now has it?”
Susan looked surprised at Levi and said, “Sir, I apologize, I did not mean for my answer to sound flippant; I simply meant that we would find them by following their trail, which narrows our search pattern.”
Now, Levi looked a bit sheepish as he said, “No, Colonel, it is I who needs to apologize. I know you didn’t mean to sound flippant. It’s just that I want this bunch, and the sooner we find them, the less damage they will be able to do. So, having said that, am I sleeping on the ground tonight.”
This caused everyone to laugh but Susan, as her cheeks reddened, she said, “Sir, with all due respect, after that comment I think that you just might indeed be sleeping on the ground. The jury is still out, so we’ll see.”
The Staff grew quiet when they realized that Susan was not pleased with either comment made by Levi.
Levi decided to take the high ground saying, “Obviously, I need to redefine my parameters when it comes to mixing professional and personal conversation. Therefore, again, I apologize for being crude and way beyond the bounds of accepted behavior. I, of course, will learn to separate my personal life from my professional duties. I make this apology publicly because I made those dopey comments publicly.
So, Colonel, from a professional perspective, are we good?”
Susan was smiling now and said, “Yes, sir, we are good, and I thank you for your understanding.”
The staff let out a breath of relief as Gus asked the group if there were any additional items for the meeting.
Major Neal Page asked what the General’s plan was for the Mercenary Battalion.
Gus answered before Levi could respond saying, “We will develop a plan as the situation presents itself, but ultimately, we kill ‘em.”
Fort Gordon
23 September 0900
Johnson Rifle Rd
A crimson sky greeted the Brigade on the morning of 23 September. The morning sun did little to warm the unseasonably cold weather. A moderately bitter breeze caused Levi to make the hooded uniform jacket the uni of the day.
Levi and Gus looked at the angry red sky and knew that the day would bring rain. They hoped it would hold off until the Brigade was able to reach SC-262 to get off the dirt roads that would become a muddy quagmire. Their prayers were answered, and they arrived at the hard road before a near freezing rain began to assault the convoy.
Levi directed Susan to get a chopper in the air to see how the monster storm to the north was progressing. He also directed her to get a Huey up, lo
aded with a Fire Team and Mechanics, to search for another Low-Boy Trailer to load up the M-88. Now that they were following the Merc Battalion, the M-88 was no longer needed to run continuously. It was also decided that while it may not be required for road clearance, the venerable M-88 was necessary when heavy vehicles needed recovery.
Lt. Kate Levins flew a Huey 1J to an altitude of eight thousand feet and flew north to measure how far it was from the convoy.
At a distance of five miles to the forward edge of the storm, Kate found the winds became too high to fly closer to the swirling mass of the destructive, frozen storm.
Dropping down to one-thousand feet she could see rain, or possibly sleet hammering the ground. The winds became more difficult to maneuver, causing her to disengage with the storm and return home.
At five miles from the storm front, the barometric pressure dropped to eighteen millibars.
Kate flew back to the convoy and seeing Levi’s jeep divert to a suitable landing zone, she set the Huey down and exited the craft.
Levi’s driver brought him right up to the helicopter, where Levi got out and went to Kate to get her report.
“Sir,” said Kate, the storm front is still around two-hundred miles north, but the damned thing rises so high into the atmosphere that it seems much closer.”
Once she had completed her report, Levi returned to the convoy to find Gus; Kate returned to her recon duties.
The convoy route followed that of the elusive Merc Battalion over dirt roads until exiting the confines of Ft. Jackson at SC-262 which meandered in a southerly direction before turning west to enter Ft. Gordon.
At 1200 hours the convoy stopped for lunch and nature calls. The two leaders met with the Maintenance Sergeant and received the news that there were currently no red line issues with maintenance.
