by Robert Boren
“Wonderful,” Curt said. “Is that all they’re doing while they keep you guys running around?”
“Nope,” Nelson said. “They’re hacking away at the Gulf Coast, trying to destroy our port and oil refining capability. You all heard about Corpus Christi.”
“Yeah,” Gray said. “How bad did that hurt us?”
“We can survive it and rebuild,” Nelson said. “The anti-sub weapon they used did a lot of damage, but sometimes water is better than fire and explosions. We’ve got a team working on the refinery down there as we speak. They think they can get it up and running again in less than two weeks.”
“Excellent,” Chance said.
“So you guys are gonna ignore their nuisance attacks and hit them hard in New Mexico,” Junior said, “while shoring up the Gulf, right?”
Gallagher and Nelson glanced at each other.
“That’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Nelson said. “It’s a hard decision. We may lose some civilians in the cities.”
“You want us to target the enemy operations in New Mexico,” Curt said.
“Yes, we do,” Nelson said, “but first we need to get you well supplied.”
“Are we working with the other groups on this?” Jason asked.
“Eventually, but you guys will take the lead. The group out of El Paso will be a huge help. They’ll be the first group you’ll work with.”
“Should we tell them about the other thing?” Hendrix asked.
Nelson and Gallagher looked at each other for a moment.
“They need to know,” Gallagher said.
“I know,” Nelson said.
“Uh oh,” Kelly said.
“It’s nothing we can’t fix,” Nelson said. “Major General Landry is a traitor. That’s the reason our air support always seems to be late or just plain missing.”
“Dammit,” Curt said. “How far into the organization does this go?”
“We aren’t sure yet,” Nelson said. “The phone app you gave us will help on that. It’s how we confirmed our suspicions about Landry.”
“Does this mean we don’t really have air support over I-10?” Moe asked.
“It might,” Gallagher said. “We’re working to lock that situation down as we speak. We’re putting DPS Commissioner Wallis in charge of that organization until we can figure this out.”
“He’s a good man,” Curt said. “Used to work with him.”
“You punch him out too?” Jason asked.
There was laughter around the room. Gallagher snickered. “Actually, Wallis had some good things to say about Curt.”
Curt grinned. “There, see?”
“Do you have actual mission instructions yet?” Junior asked.
“No,” Nelson said. “You aren’t ready yet. You need more weapons. We will do a series of air drops using our C-130s. You’ll be getting the first one tonight.”
“What are we getting?” Curt asked.
“I’ll take this,” Gallagher said, pulling a slip of paper out of his back pocket. He read. “Four more 3D printers, along with the raw materials and maintenance supplies. Eleven M-19 Grenade Launchers. Twenty remote-controlled 7.62mm machine guns. Five remote-controlled .50 cal machine guns. Two dozen mortars and a bunch of mortar rounds. A hundred M-16 rifles and forty thousand rounds of ammo. Twelve M60 machine guns. Three dozen hand-held RPGs. Three hundred hand grenades. Two dozen claymore mines. Five FIM-92 Stinger Missile sets.”
“The mother lode,” Junior said.
“That’s a lot for one drop,” Curt said.
“It’ll be in four containers,” Gallagher said. “They’re coming tonight at about nine in the evening.”
“Where are they dropping it?” Moe asked.
“In the large open field north of your RV Park,” Gallagher said.
“Want me to talk to the owner of the property about that?” Moe asked. “It’s not my land.”
“The owner of the property is dead,” Gallagher said.
Moe stumbled on stage, sitting down, tears rolling down his cheeks. “Oh no.”
“I’m sorry,” Gallagher said. “You obviously were friends. Sorry you had to hear this way.”
“Oscar was a childhood friend,” Moe said. “How did it happen?”
“He got killed in the battle for San Antonio,” Gallagher said. “As a participant on our side. He was a hero in the battle. Led a good group of men. He saved a lot of people.”
“Sounds like him,” Moe said. “Clancy will take this hard. He and Oscar were close. Please don’t say anything until I’ve had a chance to talk to him.”
There were murmurs of agreement around the room.
“Okay, everybody understand what will happen?” Nelson asked.
“You’ll be careful not to drop any of this on our rigs, right?” Junior asked.
“They’re coming in low,” Gallagher said. “We’ve been doing this for years. We won’t drop it on you. There’s going to be a lot of noise, though, so make sure everybody knows. Make sure nobody is running around back there.”
“We’d better get off,” Nelson said. “Any other quick questions?”
Nobody said anything.
“All right, I’m ending the meeting now. Thank you all. We should have the security issue fixed before the next meeting. Good luck and Godspeed.”
The picture went blank. The room erupted in murmurs.
“We’ll be busy,” Amanda said.
“Yeah, we’ll have to train more people,” Curt said. “We’ll need to set up the other printers someplace else, too. I could squeeze one more in my toy hauler, but not four more.”
“There’re RVs in the storage yard,” Moe said. “Two of them are toy haulers. We’ll bring them over. Have to do some rearranging in the area you’re in, though. Some of the rigs will have to move to other parts of the park.”
“Whatever you need,” Kelly said. “No problem.”
“Who owns the rigs in your storage yard?” Jason asked.
“Two of them belonged to dead people, like the trailer that Don is using,” Moe said. “The other two are owned by customers who are still alive, as far as I know. We’ll have to sort that out after the war.”
“Let’s go figure out what we need to do,” Kelly said.
“Yeah,” Curt said. “Nine will be here before we know it.”
Chapter 12 – Remote Command
The armored personnel carrier rolled towards the State Capitol, Landry looking out the window at the empty streets.
“Hey, driver, has it been like this all day?” he asked.
“Don’t know, sir. This is my only trip today.”
“Do you know what time Commissioner Wallis will arrive?”
“No sir,” the man said.
They pulled into the driveway of the State Capitol parking lot.
“You can let me out here,” Landry said. “I see people on the lawn. Must be safe enough.”
“There’s a detail coming to meet you, sir,” the driver said.
“Nonsense,” Landry said, trying the door handle. “Unlock this.”
“Sorry, sir, my orders are to hand you off to the detail. It’s for your own protection.”
“Dammit,” he said. He pulled his phone out of his pocket as they sat in the parking lot. What happened to Nelson’s phone?
Two Humvees pulled up on either side of them. Four armed men got out of each. Landry heard the door locks in the personnel carrier clunk, and one of the men pulled his door open.
“Right this way, sir,” the man said, taking hold of his upper arm.
“I can get up myself,” Landry said, pulling his arm away from the soldier as he got out of the car.
“Stay close,” the soldier said. They rushed into the lobby of the Capitol building and went to the elevators. He pulled out a key and used it to access the bunker level. The elevator doors shut.
“All of you are riding down with me?” Landry asked. “I know my way around down there. I don’t need an escort.”
“Sorry sir, just following orders,” the soldier said as the elevator doors opened. He took Landry’s arm again and hurried him down the corridor.
“Wait, aren’t I supposed to be in the big conference room?” Landry asked, feeling panicked.
“No sir, we’re taking you to the small situation room,” the soldier said, nodding to the other seven soldiers following.
“The one underneath?” Landry asked. “I think that’s overkill.”
“Sorry sir,” he said.
“I know, just following orders,” Landry said. “Who’s orders?”
“My CO, sir,” the soldier said. He opened a door into a small corridor with an elevator on the right-hand wall. They entered and the soldier put in a different key. They rode the elevator down, the doors opening directly into a room with a conference table, banks of TV screens, and communications equipment. There was a door off to one side.
“What’s in there?” Landry asked.
“Sleeping quarters, the kitchenette, and the bathroom,” the soldier said.
“Wait, are you leaving me here long-term?” Landry asked, sweat breaking out on his brow.
“I don’t know, sir,” the soldier said. “My orders were to get you down here and make sure the equipment is ready to go. Your meeting with Commissioner Wallis will happen in a few minutes.”
“I need cell coverage,” Landry said. “I still need to direct the Texas Air National Guard. People rely on our protection.”
“There’s a cell antenna inside,” the soldier said. “Look at your phone. You should have strong service.”
He pulled it out and checked. “Yes, it’s good,” Landry said. “Thank you.”
The soldier nodded, watching as his men turned on the electronics. “There’s food in the kitchenette if you’re hungry.”
“Thank you, but I’ll get something after I’m out of here.”
“Yes sir,” the soldier said. “Ready, men?”
They nodded affirmative. He led them into the elevator. The doors closed. Landry plopped into a chair at the conference room table, resting his head in his hands.
The TV screen beeped, and a video feed of a conference table came up. Landry looked up at it. “What?”
“Hello, Major General Landry,” Wallis said, his smiling face showing on the video. Major Josh Carlson was sitting next to him, a man in his mid-thirties with sandy blonde hair.
“I thought we were meeting in person,” Landry said.
“All of the leadership has been locked down. I’m in a secure location, and that’s where I’ll stay. You’re also in a secure location. Same situation.”
“What’s Carlson doing there?”
“We know he’s your right-hand man. You’ll run the Air National Guard through him for the time being.”
“I don’t get any say in the matter?” Landry asked, feeling his face flush.
“This comes right from the top,” Wallis said.
“I was just with Governor Nelson,” he said. “You know that.”
“There were developments after you left the bunker. Sorry. I don’t like it any more than you do. Rather be in Austin. I haven’t seen my family in a few weeks.”
Landry sat back, fuming. “Okay, okay. Guess there’s no way around this. You wanted to discuss an operation?”
“Yes,” Wallis said. “We want an umbrella of air support over the major cities. Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas/Fort Worth. It has to be 24/7, and it needs to start within the hour. We aren’t taking more attacks in those areas.”
“Understand,” Landry said. “Carlson, you know the drill. Get the 147th Reconnaissance Wing on line to patrol the areas, and tie them in with the 149th Fighter Wing.”
“Sir, isn’t that going to leave the major roads and the Gulf Coast uncovered?” Carlson asked.
“We’ve got limited resources, Major,” Landry said. “Keep at least a skeleton crew on I-10 and the Gulf Coast, but the main part of those wings will have to be involved with the cities. I don’t want to hear about civilian casualties on the ground, so go over the rules of engagement with both wings. Understand?”
“Understand,” Carlson said. “You can count on me sir.”
“How long will I be stuck here?” Landry asked.
“You’re asking the wrong person,” Wallis said. “I trust it won’t be too long, after our air power puts the cities out of reach.”
“I hope you’re right,” Landry said. “It really bothers me that I wasn’t told what was going to happen. Where’s Gallagher?”
“He’s in the same situation as you and I,” Wallis said. “Locked up in a bunker. He’s not going anywhere either. He’s running the ground forces from there.”
Landry sighed. “Okay. Dammit, I don’t like this. Carlson, if anything changes, I want to know about it pronto. You copy?”
“Yes sir,” Carlson said.
“I’ll call you every few hours to discuss the operation,” Landry said. “Can we use this video system?”
“When Carlson is in the bunker, yes,” Wallis said. “When he’s outside, you must rely on your cellphone. You have service there, I hope?”
“Yes, I do,” Landry said.
“Good,” Wallis said. “I have to go. You have my number if you need to chat.”
“I do,” Landry said.
“Good bye,” Wallis said. The screen went blank.
Landry put his head back in his hands.
Chapter 13 – Loyola Beach
“Sir, there’s a phone call for you,” the waitress said to Richardson. He got out of the big curved booth and followed her to the back.
“Uh oh,” Lita said.
“There’s just no place to stay around here, is there?” Hannah said.
“I thought there’d be more,” Brendan said. “Now I know why they put us up in that trailer park. Nothing else here.”
Richardson came back and sat down.
“Well?” Lita asked.
“We’ve got several choices. Jefferson doesn’t want to know which we take. It should be better now, though.”
“Better how?” Brendan asked.
“There were problems in the Texas Air National Guard,” Richardson said quietly. “Our air cover was denied at just the right time for the enemy to do a successful attack. It was coordinated.”
“Son of a bitch,” Brendan said.
“So you trust them to protect us now?” Lita asked.
“They neutralized the problem, but I don’t trust it a hundred percent,” Richardson said. “Neither does Jefferson. And of course Jefferson can’t trust his own organization now. They’re questioning everybody who had access to our housing data.”
“Well that’s something, anyway,” Hannah said.
“At least they took our places out before we bought a bunch of stuff for them,” Lita said. “We didn’t lose much.”
“Hell, we lost our driver’s licenses and credit cards,” Hannah said.
“Yeah, true. That’ll be fun to replace,” Lita said.
“I know,” Richardson said. “I’m so sorry we put you into that situation.”
“It wasn’t your fault, honey,” Lita said. “What are the choices?”
“There are a number of seaside lodges along the coast, from Neubauer Point up towards the northwest. Bayview, Baffin Bay, Loyola Beach.”
“Along the coast?” Hannah asked. “Wonderful. Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
“There are some sheltered places we can go,” Richardson said. “Jefferson is on his way here with a pile of cash, so we don’t have to use credit cards. We need to stop somewhere and buy civilian clothes. We don’t want people to see us in uniform.”
“I vote for the place furthest from the base,” Lita said.
“Yeah, me too,” Brendan said.
“That would be Loyola Beach,” Richardson said. I need to call the emergency room and see when Madison gets out.”
“How far is Loyola Beach from here?” Hannah asked.
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“Don’t know,” Richardson said. “I’ll ask the waitress when I’m back there.”
“Okay, honey,” Lita said.
Richardson got up and talked to the waitress again. She led him into the back.
“It’s not much fun being hunted, is it?” Hannah asked.
“Seriously,” Lita said.
“Hey, here comes Jefferson,” Brendan said, nodding towards the door. He waved. Jefferson hurried over, carrying a small briefcase.
“Where’s Richardson?” Jefferson asked.
“Using the phone in the back,” Brendan said. He scooted closer to Hannah. “Take a seat.”
“Thanks,” he said. “So sorry about this mess. How’s the wounded woman?”
“Madison,” Lita said. “She’s still in the emergency room. Richardson is calling to see when she gets released. Juan Carlos is over there with her.”
“Good,” he said.
“Jefferson,” Richardson said as he walked over. He slid back into the booth. “How’s things? Figure out who the mole was?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Temp worker we hired to do clerical work.”
“In custody?” Richardson asked.
“Nope, she bolted last night. We’ve got an APB out on her. She won’t get far.”
“How about Madison?” Hannah asked.
“They’re not letting her out until six,” Richardson said.
“Shoot, it’s only one o’clock now,” Lita said.
“No problem,” Richardson said. “The place we’re looking at is only ten minutes away. We’ll go pick them up after we’ve settled.”
“What’s in the brief case?” Brendan asked.
“Presents,” Jefferson said. He moved plates and glasses on the table away and put the case in front of him.
“Maybe there’s a flask in there,” Brendan said.
Jefferson grinned and shook his head as he opened it up. “No, better.” He took out six cellphones and set them on the table. “These have been hardened using a new set of apps that one of Gallagher’s folks designed.”
“They can’t be tracked?” Richardson asked.
“Nope,” Jefferson said. “If a phone attempts to connect and upload the virus, the app will stop the attempt, record the phone number, and buzz you with the vibrator.”
