Chief Grady wondered how they were going to clean this up. And then he leaned away from Colonel Astbury and heaved up what little he had in his stomach, followed by a few dry heaves, and he wasn’t the only one that morning to do that.
Colonel Astbury, stood cold and straight staring out over this scene of carnage. “It had to be done.” He said to no one in particular. He turned to his aid and ordered him to pass the word, “Square away your men and we go over and advance in fifteen minutes. Advance in line as much as possible until we meet heavy resistance.” He then walked off back to the Command center.
Fifteen minutes later, twelve hundred hardened Royal Marines and U.S. Marines who thought they saw everything before this, stepped down the banking and advanced thought the slaughter house and into the streets beyond with Blue Bonnet playing on the Bagpipes. Most of the men knew not to look down at the gore littering the ground, the few who looked to close never forgot it. They finally moved past that scene of horror. Contact with the Infected was light for several blocks or about a mile.
The American Battalion led by Lt. Colonel Jeff Duffy were on the north side of the line and advanced up Forest Ave or the 10th Mountain Division Highway and surrounding roads, encountering little contact until they hit Woodford Street and the Ocean Ave area. They just kept moving a little slower so they wouldn’t miss killing any of the Infected. The two British Battalion on the south side pushed forward along Deering Ave, St. John’s Street and Congress Street.
The British Second Battalion pushed all the way up Congress Street into the Frost Street area and put a blocking force on the Congress Street bridge over the Fore River preventing any more Infected from coming up from the south temporarily, The rest moved further north and west cutting a few more smaller bridges across the Fore river.
The First Royal Marine Battalion in the center moved straight ahead up Deering Ave and St. John’s Street, when they started encountering the Infected they just kept on moving putting them down without any remorse. When the Infected became aware of uninfected in the area by either sight, smell, noise or movement. They became unrelenting in their pursuit for flesh.
The soldiers came across scenes in there advance of victims half eaten laying in doorways, adults trying to protect their children that did no good. They became hardened very quickly to emotions and thought of the Infected as rabid animals, which they were at this point. The Marine forces under Colonel Truman Astbury advanced a total of a mile and a half destroying thousands more Infected. They started taking some losses several Royal Marines were surprised in the Deering public library near Stevens Ave. The Marines were clearing the building and somehow several dozen Z’s surprised them and in the enclosed space they were overwhelmed before reinforcement could extract them. They were avenged by their comrades. The Marines were getting worn down and starting to make mental mistakes at this point.
One underpass was cleared for vehicles could get under Interstate-295. The BVS’s advanced behind the Marine units and set up at intersections near there furthest advance, and built temporary barricades for the night.
That evening, Colonel Astbury, Commodore Hanford, Chief Grady and the City manager and council meet at the Command trailer set up under a large tent in the park.
“Admiral, Colonel we can’t thank you enough for coming to our aid. Can I ask you when you plan on continuing you advance?” The City Manager Stanford Bason asked the two of them.
“Mr. Bason, Chief Grady, and Councilor’s we won’t at this time.” Admiral Hanford said.
“What do you mean, you won’t I thought that was why you came here.” Councilor Lauren Aylor demanded.
“No, we came here to make sure you survive. We did that and I’m sure we’ll be sent on another mission just as important soon. We eliminated a large part of the threat to you and gave you breathing room to train a defense force. Where not leaving until a new defensive position is established along these lines. Here let me show you on the map.” Colonel Astbury stood up behind them was a large map on a board that they could all see.
A barrier will be built on the Congress Street Bridge, we don’t won’t to destroy this bridge because that will be your way into the airport if and when that is taken back. I would seriously consider taking that in the future when your own forces are built up enough. For now the Fore River which ties in with the Capisic Pond will be your western border, a natural border is always the best.
From there we’re going to demolish buildings on the North West side of Brighton Ave, then Woodford Street then Stevens Ave and finally Walton Street down all the way to the Back Cove completing the defensive barrier. That right there provides the city with an additional several square miles of living space. The several large islands in Casco Bay, should be able to provide you with space for growing food. Get whatever farmers you have here and start planting, also in the future there are several large peninsulas on the north side of Casco Bay that could easily be cut at the necks or blocked to provide safe havens and plenty of growing space.
Admiral Rin of Second fleet in the near future will be having a meeting of all the surviving communities and we hope you will be attending. In the mean time we will help with supplies that we have in excess. I suggest you start rationing somewhat. We will be staying for two more weeks to help train you militia and help design and implement you defensive measures.” Any questions?” Colonel Astbury asked. The City government was too in shock to make any kind of noise. Chief Grady shook his head and said. No Colonel, I appreciate all the help you gave us.” He stood and shook his hand and the Commodores.
***
U.S. Marines arrive Moosehill
While Major Antonio DiCaprio’s Marines were fifteen minutes out from landing. Mike and Mac had Bravo Company and Charlie Company’s APC’s in line near the south end of the runway facing the gate they would use onto Paxton Street, in road march formation with Delta Company’s APC’s and drivers no other Troops. One of the U.S. Marine Companies are going to use Delta’s vehicle for this mission.
Mike stood on one of the APC’s and addressed the two companies that gathered around.
“Men, in a little while two companies of U.S. Marines are going to be landing. They are here for two weeks to run operations with us and I’m sure to test our metal. I’m asking you to be at your best or just be yourselves because you are the best as far as I can tell. Still we need to impress them so they report back to their Admiral and other officers that where a force to be reckoned with and we bring a lot to the table in the post Solar Flare world. I can hear their planes coming in. Too your posts.” He finished to chorus of Moose calls some had the great idea for new battle cry it seems. Mike flinched, thinking who the hell came up with that. Mac was grinning off to the side.
“Dave, Sean call your men to order, let’s look snappy for the Jar heads.” He told his two Company Commanders for the day.
In a partly overcast day ten V-22 Osprey’s came down out of the sky circling in from the east to the north lining up on the runway to land north to south, the Moosehill tower directing them in.
Major DiCaprio came forward in the cockpit between the two pilots after he was woken up a few minutes ago and allowed to observe from the cockpit. It was light enough to see the ground by now and he was impressed.
“Who are these guys? Look at that runway, not the longest in the world but it may be the most crowded.” He saw what looked like a hundred Huey's on the apron behind the twelve large hangers, and the tails of what looked like C-130 were sticking out the front of the hangers joining another eight on the taxiway. There were at least another dozen good size planes parked here and there, joined by a dozen and a half Chinooks and some Blackhawk. Major Ant caught all this on their turn into final approach.
“Major can you take your seat in back, where on final approach and you need to buckle in please.” The Pilot told him.
“No problem, it’s been great flying with you guys, if I don’t see you once where down.” He replied and went in back to bu
ckle up.
As the planes were touching down with about two hundred yard between them and rolling toward the end of the runway where Mike Mohan was waiting for them with his Troops, Mike called out. “Parade Rest.” Both Company's came to attention and then assumed the more relaxed parade rest position with feet shoulder width apart and arms down and around to the small of their back. Mike took a last look at them. He’s asked a lot of them in the last two weeks and they’ve delivered. The soldiers know the stakes as much as he does. He glanced over them, they looked sharp with there all purpose digital camouflage BDU’s with Moosehill unit insignia on the left shoulder and the subdued flag on the right shoulder.
Mike had the same with the addition of jump insignia and the Eagle Trident and Anchor of the Navy Seal, all in subdued patches. The men had M-4’s shouldered, each platoon had a 50 Caliber, magazine fed, model 95 Barrett Bolt action rifle for snipers. They also had four M60 mortars section, one to a hummer stored in their vehicles. Each soldier had a Mollie combat load bearing vest with pack with extra ammo and rations, first aid kit and combat helmet extra socks and underwear too. An infantryman is always prepared.
“Looking good people.” He called out. Then turned around and assumed parade rest in front of his Troops facing the Ospreys. He was going today, assuming personnel Command. Mac was going to take another Company and the other U.S. Marine company that stays behind into Spencer center on an Infected hunt clearing buildings south of the center which has been problematic for them. They have to do this if they ever want to use the Spencer Center area. No big loss Mike thought.
The lead Ospreys stopped fifty yards in front of Mike and the other nine followed suite stopping fifty yards apart. The ramps came down in unison.
Mike thought they must have planned that. It looked sharp he had to admit. U.S. Marines disembarked from the Ospreys going out to the side of the runway to the west near the Paxton Street side near the fence. Twenty five to a plane or so. They looked like they were carrying heavy loads. Mike noticed. He watched them form up into two Company’s and with a “Forward, March.” They advanced down the runway and turned east and came across his front stopping when they matched the Moosehill formation.
A group of three officers stepped forward and marched up to where Mike stood with Mac, Dave and Sean slightly behind me. Mike could care less, but he wanted to make a good show.
The three stopped in front of Mike and saluted.
“Alpha and Bravo Companies of the First Battalion, 22nd M.E.U. reporting for detached duty sir.” The officer stated.
Mike returned the salute in his best Navy Senior Chief attitude. Of course his navy days are long behind him. Now he’s supporting Eagles on his collar, who would have thought. Mike stopped wool gathering and held his hand out.
“Colonel Mike Mohan of the Mohan Group, Moosehill Militia, Pleasure to meet you Major?” he inquired.
“Major Antonio DiCaprio Sir. To make it easy, most call me Major Ant or just Ant if I like them sir.” He replied.
“Well Major, I hope to be able to use that nickname at some point. You can just call me Mike most of the time.” He winked at the Major.
Ant couldn’t figure this guy out, winking at him, he acts like he’s Patton or more Like Bradly who was much friendlier and just as good a general.
“Major after your men use the head over in that building.” Pointing to a hanger. “We can load up with whatever company you decide to send on this mission. I’ll be Commanding personally, Let me introduce you to my officers that are here. This is my X.O. Lt. Colonel Mac, Captain’s Dave Maddox of Bravo Company and this is Captain Sean Thornton of Charlie Company.”
“Oorah.” Sean added being a former Marine and all.
“Colonel this is Captain Dylan Deneke of Alpha Company and this Captain Dong Yee of Bravo Company.” Ant introduced his officers. Handshakes were exchanged all around. He was a little dubious calling this guy Colonel, but he was under orders.
Orders were given to the U.S. Marines and they fell out and used the facilities before falling back into the ranks.
Major I took the liberty of providing transportation for your men. Pointing to the APC’s of Delta you have a total of twenty six vehicles, sixteen of which are M113A2’s with M60’s mounted on the gun ring, drivers are provided for those. I figured your men can drive the Humvee's yourselves. Bravo Company will lead off today than half of Charlie Company in front and half in back of twenty trailer truck units then your company will pull rear guard. What company were you planning on sending with us?” Mike asked the Major who looked a little stunned.
“Ah Bravo Company Colonel. I’ll be going with them also.” He said. While glazing around at all the armor. “You don’t have any tanks do you Colonel?” He asked.
“No, but I’m working on it.” Mike said with a smile. “Okay if your Bravo Company will bring up the rear today, And Major that’s no slight, The rear seems to attract the most Infected, you’ll see, so get your men familiarized with the M60. I’m sure you have a few old hands that remember them. Oh, the mission, we are going to Goddard Memorial Drive in Worcester, to the Kahr Arms factory. Where raiding the place and taking everything we can. Where also taking a dozen buses with us. We end up attracting a lot of survivors when we roll through a neighborhood.” My aide here Jake has all the maps you’ll need and the operations order. Jake ride with the Major in his command track and brief him on the plan today. We don’t have a lot of time. Let’s get going.”
***
All three companies loaded up onto their designated vehicles, it took a few extra minutes for the Marines to get loaded, understandable under the circumstances. In just over five minutes they were rolling out the side gate north on Paxton Street then east on Marshall Street. The planned march took them on Marshall Street, east to Mulberry Street, south to the end of the Worcester Airports runway which has a large gate that Mike just happened to have a key for. The column would travel the length of the runway and exit out a service entrance onto Airport Drive and down the hill half way to the Kahr Arms factory. Avoiding most of the neighborhoods. All this was in the operations order. Mike also ordered Jake to explain it to the Major since he probably didn’t have time to read it all. Mike thought all this as they were turning from Paxton Street onto Marshall Street heading east, all seventy four military vehicles and twenty TT units at a steady twenty miles an hour.
Back at Moosehill the U.S. Alpha Company Marines and Mac watched the Column leave, the gates were shut and locked and flight operations resumed with a flight of four Huey taking off to fly cover for the Airport column.
Mac looked at the young Captain of Marine Alpha Company, Dylan Deneke and asked.
“Captain you ready to take your men hunting downtown. Cause you and I are going on an extermination hunt.” The Captain looked at Mac like he had a screw loose.
Major DiCaprio, Commanding the U.S. Marines seconded to the Moosehill Militia commanded by this Colonel Mike Mohan, looked up as two Huey's flew over at a few hundred feet, in formation. He could see the door gunner leaning out looking down on the armored column advancing east on Marshall Street nearing Route 56 north, according to private Jake, Colonel Mohan's aid and the maps. He was riding on the third APC behind the lead APC and Captain Yee's vehicle in the U.S. Marines Company.
Part of Major DiCaprio’s duty on this deployment is to observe everything about this Mohan Group especially their Militia to determine how much cooperation Second Fleet would have with them. So far he's liked what he has seen.
They had crossed 56 without incident heading further east on Marshall Street, according to the map the column would turn right onto Mulberry Street, a mile south on Mulberry and there at the end of the runway was where the gate is located. While traveling he noticed how smooth and quiet the APC's were. He asked Jake about it.
"Major DiCaprio, Colonel Mohan purchased rubber tracks from some company. They supposed to have an 8000 mile life span. Major I don't know how much or what's appropriate to tell
you. I'll say this, he knew in advance something bad was coming, everything you've seen, he and a few close friends like Lt. Colonel Mac planned well in advance everything you'll see and experience in the next few weeks. Everyone in the Mohan Group would sacrifice for the man and his organization that they built. We all realize that we would most likely be dead without him now and in the future." Jake said with some embarrassment. The hero worship did not go unnoticed by the Major.
Jake looking out further east on Marshall Street where the road curves sharply as they were turning south on Mulberry Street. Jake pointed out several Infected by the curve in the road to the M60 gunner. He opens up on the infected group along with the gunner in the APC behind them. As every vehicle made the turn its M60 gunner would let loose with a burst or two. The Major realized after losing sight of the corner that there must be a steady stream of Infected coming up that hill, especially with the noise from the armored column.
Mike in the lead company came to a stop four APC's back as the lead element unlocked the gate and opened wide. That hummer scout would standby and make sure there secure after the column enters.
They traveled down the north side of the runway situated east to west, turning north into the commercial portion of the airport where there would be gates leading out to Airport Drive then left onto Goddard Memorial Drive. Kahr arms was about half a mile down the hill on the left or east side of the road.
Mike reviewed the plan in his head. One platoon from Dave’s Bravo Company a hundred yards further down the hill. The rest of his company goes to the Kahr arms building with two of the TT units. Sean's Charlie Company is going to TJ Maxx Warehouse across the street from Kahr. Luckily we have an employee who has the codes to get into the building and the secure areas.
Moosehill Militia (Book 1): INFECTED Page 22
