by Lars Teeney
“Nín hǎo! Wǒmen dàibiǎo zhōngguó rénmín gònghéguó!” the loudspeaker announced. The audio seemed to be emanating from an A.P.C. in the middle of the formation, protected by two tanks. The Ukiah delegation looked at one another. Ernest took it upon himself to answer, but not very gracefully.
“Uh...No speak Mandarin—err—Chinese! Welcome to Ukiah! Do you speak English?” Ernest stumbled over his words, hoping they would not take offense.
“Ah, yes! No worries—we are coming out,” a voice announced in English with a hint of annoyance. The rear ramp sprang into action and out marched a Chinese Officer of seemingly high rank, and four armed soldiers, who kept a wary eye out for danger. The Chinese soldiers sternly marched up to Ernest’s position in immaculate order. A well-built Chinese Officer rounded the line of armed soldiers and inspected Ernest and his sentries. He wore a beige, expeditionary uniform with a Red Star insignia. His name and rank were displayed upon his chest in characters that Ernest did not understand. The Officer looked to be in his late fifties and a pencil-thin mustache adorned his upper lip. He spoke,
“Greetings. I am Major-General Cheng He of the Republic of China Army. I do not know what to call you. Are you New Megiddo or something other?” the Major-General asked in a surprisingly pleasant tone. Ernest stepped forward, and answered,
“Major-General Cheng He, I am the President of the State of Ukiah. I welcome your—armored column—to my town. May I ask what brings you so far south from Alaska?” Ernest offered, with a slight bow. He wasn’t exactly sure what the Chinese customary greeting was, but he figured that a bow was fairly universal. The Major-General reciprocated with a tip of his hat.
“President? Interesting. So no affiliation to New Megiddo?” the Major-General probed, without answering Ernest’s question.
“Major-General He, the Regime of New Megiddo has fallen, but there are hold-outs. Which, upon noticing your advancing column, we mistook you for. We are trying to defend ourselves from Regime armed forces, hence the defensive wall,” Ernest figured he had nothing to lose telling the truth. The Major-General seemed like a reasonable man from outward appearances. But, Ernest could always be dreadfully wrong.
“I see. As I have told you we represent the army of China. I have been sent on a fact-finding mission, to find out what has transpired here besides what our satellites have told us. We do not wish to come to blows with you, but I must insist on information. I hope you understand,” the Major-General was cordial, but he made it plenty clear without resorting to threats that he could wipe Ukiah off the map.
“We are an independent democratic republic—a city-state if you will. We had a clash with New Megiddo forces just before the Regime fell. From what I understand there was a separate uprising of ‘Apostates’, that is, ones that have rejected or left the Faith. They were the group responsible for the stopping a mass nuclear holocaust.” Ernest tried the best he could to explain the strange chain of events that resulted in the destruction of New Megiddo City and ruling Regime.
“Okay President—uh—” the Major-General stumbled trying to remember Ernest’s name.
“Greenbaum, President Ernest Greenbaum...” he said.
“Ah yes, President Greenbaum. My force has been on the road since the town called Portland. A long trip. May I request that you quarter my men for the time being?” Major-General He asked with a serene smile on his face. The smile was warm but unreadable. The man’s intentions were unknown to Ernest, but he was in no position to refuse. After a second of silence, Ernest spoke,
“Of course, sir. Come, let us put you up. You will be my honored guest at my home. There are plenty of empty structures within our town limits that will suit your other men just fine.” Ernest invited the Chinese force into his town.
“President Greenbaum?” a sentry questioned him, in front of the Major-General.
“Thomas! Please escort the Major-General’s men into town once they are ready!” he ordered. Ernest had to shut the man up before he said the wrong thing in front of the Major-General.
“This is most excellent to hear, President Greenbaum. We shall pull our convoy within your walls and begin to unpack. Your hospitality is much appreciated. I look forward to our coming partnership, and we pledge to help in the defense of this town,” with that the Major-General turned toward his armored vehicles and began barking orders in Mandarin. Engines roared to life and wheels spun out on the dusty, old highway. Ernest issued an order for the gate to be opened wide to accommodate the large tanks. Ernest had a sinking feeling that Ukiah was now under military occupation by a foreign power, and he had no answer to this situation.
⍟ ⍟ ⍟
Major-General He had been shown to Jacob Greenbaum's old room within Ernest and Gertrude’s house. When Gertrude learned of this development she had pulled Ernest aside for a heated conversation, but Ernest’s hands were tied. After Gertrude had simmered down, she accepted the plan to quarter the Major-General. He was unexpectedly courteous and pleasant. When Major-General He had settled in and his men had gotten situated within the town, Ernest had invited Major-General He and his top officers to dine with the Greenbaum’s. Gertrude also was not happy about this, having a large host in their house to dine. Since she had become the Vice president of Ukiah she had largely been able to take a break from domestic duties because the couple was usually eating at state functions, prepared by a staff. Today, Gertrude had help from her daughter, Teri, and others from around town. Among the number helping to prepare the meal was the only bonified “chef” in town, Kanishka Kapoor, who ran the only functional restaurant in town, which had no sign. All the people knew about the restaurant, so there was no need for one. Kanishka could boast locally-sourced, organic food (mainly because no national trade network existed).
Of course, with an Indian chef and many who cooked typically traditional American fare meant that tonight’s meal was a strange mix of east and west. The kitchen had been awash with activity and was a disaster area, with spilled curry sauces and bits of hamburger meat that had dropped on the floor. Kanishka had directed some of the helpers on how to prepare Biryani, a type of rice pilaf dish, made with saffron, various other spices, and mutton. Also on order was Chicken Tikka Masala, which was a rich cream sauce, spiced and mixed with cubes of tandoori-baked chicken, served over rice or on the side. The Ukiahans offered up old-fashioned hamburgers, potato salad, and french fries, all ingredients came straight from the fields, stables, or gardens of the residents of the town. The burgers were grilled on Ernest’s backyard, brick and mortar barbeque pit. It was a Twentieth Century American’s wet dream.
The Major-General and his officers sat perched on the long, back patio table. Appetites had been worked up by the soldiers unpacking and settling into their new quarters in Ukiah. Ernest had furnished wine made from a small press in town and sourced from a vineyard on the outskirts of town. The Chinese soldiers happily accepted the drink and merriment soon followed. Ernest toasted the Major-General and his Chinese guests. Ernest, who sat across from the Manor-General began a conversation.
“I am glad that you and your officers could join us for this feast! May I call you Cheng, Major-General?” Ernest requested, wanting to dispose of formailities for the time being.
“You may. I must wonder, how did you find an Indian chef here in Ukiah?” Major-General He asked with piqued curiosity.
“We live in what used to be California. It was the most diverse state in the old United States. I am surprised you do not know that there were many immigrants from Asia who came here.” When Ernest finished his answer he worried that he might have offended his guest, but the Major-General seemed to appreciate the information.
“Ah, I see. I am from mainland China. I have only spent time in Alaska during time of conflict—I have to confess I do not know much about the culture of this region, even though Alaska used to be part of the U.S.” Major-General He confessed.
“Chef Kapoor runs the only real restaurant in town. The townspeople jus
t can’t get enough of his food! You wouldn’t believe his farming operation, all the spices he gathers and animals he raises; truly impressive!” Ernest boasted.
“Yes, very impressive!” the Major-General agreed.
“Father! The burgers are ready if everyone is hungry,” Teri Greenbaum announced to the men at the table. Teri was dressed in her best floral-print dress today and her brown, silken hair was pulled back in a french braid style. She glowed tonight.
“Teri, allow me to introduce you to Major-General He, and his fellow officers,” Ernest gestured to the Chinese officers on the other side of the table.
“Very pleased to meet you, Teri Greenbaum,” Major-General He lightly shook her hand.
“Likewise!” she sang. Just then, Major-General He’s second-in-command stood up stiffly and nervously.
“Teri Greenbaum...I Lieutenant commander Junjie Liu! I glad meet you!” the young officer recited nervously. He bowed slightly, then bowed again, and then stopped abruptly and dropped back into his seat with his head down and eyes averted.
“Oh, well, great to meet you too, Junjie!” she replied. Teri was amused by the Chinese officer’s awkward display, and the boy’s good looks did not escape her notice, “If anyone would like a burger they are ready,” she announced and then returned to the grill. Ernest chuckled.
“Please excuse Lieutenant commander Liu’s outburst. Sometimes he is impulsive,” Major-General He said with a frown, staring at Lieutenant commander Liu, who kept his eyes averted in shame.
“No trouble at all, Cheng, I actually found it quite endearing!” Ernest exclaimed, slightly laughing.
“At any rate, may we discuss matters of security and strategy?” Major-General He attempted to steer the conversation to more serious matters.
“Of course, by all means. What is on your mind?” Ernest asked with a tinge of anxiety.
“Mr. President, as you may or may not know, China still possesses a rudimentary satellite network orbiting the Earth. My government has watched the events in New Megiddo over the last couple years. We also have recent intelligence of the remaining Regime forces that are on the move,” Major-General He informed Ernest.
“Oh, I’m listening,” Ernest said. He had known a day like this would come when the Regime would try to reclaim what it had lost.
“The massive Regime base at Wainwright, Texas was left intact when the Regime fell. But, it was in the hands of Regime fanatics, who want to restore New Megiddo. Large formations have been observed as having pushed westward and are reconquering territory as they go,” Major-General He stated.
“So, you’re saying they are coming to reconquer California?” Ernest extrapolated.
“Precisely. The West Coast is of major strategic and material importance to New Megiddo,” he added.
“Well, then if it’s precious to New Megiddo, it is also precious to China,” Ernest decided to confront the Major-General with what he suspected was China’s true motivations. Major-General He was taken aback by Ernest’s frankness but smiled.
“Yes, this is true. However, I am here in peace, not to conquer. From what I understand, you would rather not be reabsorbed into New Megiddo. Your people have tasted independence,” Major-General He said. Ernest could not deny that he was a skilled diplomat as well as apparently being an accomplished soldier.
“You’re correct. What exactly are you offering? I mean, why would Ukiah want to choose between overlords?” Ernest jabbed, making his discomfort with subjugation known.
“I assure you, China does not want to lord over Ukiah. What we do seek is an ally, a partner in mutual defense. I—China can provide you with the strength you need to turn back the advance of ‘Remnant Regime’ forces,” the Major-General offered with a serene expression on his face. Still, Ernest could not penetrate the man’s psyche, and that made him uncomfortable. Ernest understood that he did not have much choice in the matter, currently. He would have to make the obvious choice.
“Fair enough. What must I do,” Ernest asked tensely.
“Excellent. It is simple. You must pledge allegiance to the Republic of China, of course!” Major-General He announced with a smile.
⍟ ⍟ ⍟
MIGHTY MEN OF VALOR
The unit advance through the blizzard, despite the near white-out conditions. Clad in white, thermal-insulated, ballistic armor, and nano-material, smart, retractable snow-shoes that allowed the soldiers to advance where Regulars would have long ago frozen solid, or have been swallowed by the snows. The seven-man unit progressed forward with impressive rapidity. Their mission, to locate and destroy a Chinese regiment of army Regulars, which were currently encamped near the south side of Denali Mountain. ‘Recon Ops’ had reported that the regiment was immobile, having been snowed-in by the irregularly intense snow storms this Winter. So, Sergeant Craig a Briuis and his comrades took this perfect opportunity to ambush the enemy. Having a secured sub-neural network separate from the [Virtue-Net] had helped keep his ‘Law of Virtue Enforcement: Special Operations, Recon, and Espionage team’, or ‘L.O.V.E.: S.O.R.E’, undetected and out of harm’s way. The members of this elite branch of L.O.V.E. were loud and proud, but also they were very observant, and the humor of the acronym that had been established by Central Command for them did not escape their notice. And, so, among their own members they lovingly referred to each other as ‘Herpes’. Not only was this naming convention an inside joke but it also confused the enemy quite a bit if their communication was ever intercepted.
Sergeant Craig a Briuis had ordered his men to travel in tactical single-file and were climbing a small mountain slope against the wind, but the ballistic armor featured a servo-motor driven frame which assisted in movement, allowing the ‘Herpes’ to move with relative ease in the hostile weather.
“Herpes One, this is Herpes Seven. No activity to report in the rear, but then again I can’t see jackshit without thermal,” Corporal O’Leary reported in.
“Herpes Seven, just stay sharp! Intel says that the encampment should be over this ridge. Who knows what the fuck is in store for us,” Sergeant a Briuis reiterated caution,“Also,Herpes,I want you all to check your weapons systems before we cross over the ridge. I don’t want any malfunctions or misfires, you hear me?” Sergeant a Briuis barked out.
“Sir!” a chorus of acknowledgment sounded through the neural-sub-network. The ‘Herpes’ reached the top of the ridge, and Sergeant a Briuis peered over to the valley below, but nothing could be discerned through the wall of white. The seven-man team checked targeting systems which interfaced with their neural implants and retinal H.U.D.s. Each of them ignited the plasma blade of the bayonet attachment on the bottom of their Wynham Industries model ‘Zealot’ modular assault rifles.When the plasma blades ignited the heat they gave off melted the incoming snow within its vicinity.
“Herpes Three! You know what to do, like we rehearsed,” Sergeant a Briuis ordered.
“Affirmative, Herpes One! Herpes Three moving out,” with that Private Jones disappeared into the swirling abyss. Private Jones had been selected by Sergeant a Briuis for being quick and nimble. She was the smallest team member. Jones was giving an extra pack to carry with her on her errand. She rapidly descended the mountain slope and switched the visual mode of the helmet to thermal vision, which fed the data to her retinal H.U.D. She saw nothing. Weaving through trees and fallen logs, she finally reached the base of the mountain, which transitioned to the valley floor. Rolling snow banks were all that was visible. She trekked on. Finally, she picked up faint heat signatures among the bleak white out conditions. The heat signatures grew stronger and more numerous, they took the shape of human figures as she drew closer. Jones noticed that the figures appeared to be in prone or sitting positions, and they showed signs of movement. She surmised that they were waiting out the storm within their shelters, that had long been buried by the snow. These circumstances gave her the perfect opportunity to move freely. She navigated around the camp, each twen
ty feet she pulled a Claymore Mark Six mine from her pack and planted it into the snow. Soon she had prepared a forward facing and overlapping killing field of mines, buried in the snow.
“Herpes One, this is Herpes Three—mines are placed. Take your positions!” Private Jones reported, She hightailed it to the treeline.
“You heard her! Let’s move!” Sergeant a Briuis ordered. The ‘Herpes’, with the exception of ‘Herpes’ Four which remained on the ridge, rushed down the slope of the mountain as fast as their snowshoes would take them. Once they reached the perimeter of the enemy encampment they fanned out and moved to the opposite side of the camp from where the Claymore Mark Six mines had been planted. ‘Herpes’ Four deployed his M82 Anti-material rifle and scoped in on an enemy heat signature using his thermal scope.
“Just say when. I got a ‘tengo’ in my sights!” ‘Herpes’ Four reported.Finally,all ‘Herpes’ were in place. The ambush was set.
“Alright! Herpes Four! Let ‘er rip!” Sergeant a Briuis ordered, yelling through the sub-neural-network into the heads of his subordinates. ‘Herpes’ Four with an enemy in his scope sights, pulled the trigger and sent a fifty caliber round down range. A split second later he witnessed the heat signature collapse inside the snow mound that covered the enemy tent. He then observed frantic activity among all the other heat signatures through his thermal scope.
“Tengo down! The hornets nest has been kicked! Get ready!” ‘Herpes’ four yelled to his comrades.
“Affirmative! Herpes Three, you’re up!” Sergeant a Briuis announced. He could see that the enemy soldiers were all now aware they were under attack. They struggled with spades to dig themselves out of their shelters, which took five minutes for the first enemy soldiers to appear into the open. Clad in their uniforms blazoned with red stars. They struggled forward in the direction of the sniper fire from the ridge, but the whiteout conditions meant they were blind. The Chinese Regulars did not possess the equipment that the L.O.V.E.: S.O.R.E. team had. The Chinese soldiers formed a hasty firing line in the confusion and terrible weather and advanced. Private Jones was satisfied with the enemy position and sent the detonation command to the network of Claymore mines. In a cascading action, one after another, the shaped charges exploded, launching masses of ball bearings forward that tore through flesh and smashed bone. The cries of the mortally wounded filled the valley, despite being muffled by the blizzard.
