Into the Darkness (Book 1): Vigilante

by Deane, Cliff

  Captain Levins, please join me.”

  Standing on the dais, atop a stack of shipping pallets so all could see, Ralph said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I have given much consideration to a decision regarding our Captain Levins.

  Captain, our small community is growing…and fast. I guess time will tell if this pace is too fast. At any rate, since you are the Commander of our Defiance Militia, and as we reach out to other community leaders I feel those leaders may look down on a mere Captain.

  So, as the Commander in Chief of our little Militia, I hereby promote Captain Levi Levins to the grade of Colonel.

  While I am concerned about other community leaders attitudes, this promotion is based upon merit, for none here can say that Levi has not, even in such a short time, earned this honor. I truly shudder to think of the peril we would be in had not Levi Levins graciously agreed to join our efforts here in Defiance.”

  In unison, Sergeants Guyardo, and Eldridge both shouted, “Uh-ten-shun!” causing everyone to stand just a little straighter.

  Seriously, Levi, we need to project an image of both strength and authority. Thus promoting you to the grade of Colonel is appropriate, as well as being deserved.

  I admit I did consider making you a General, but after mulling it over, I felt that other communities might assume you were nothing but a self-appointed tin pot Warlord, but Colonel denotes a lack of pretension while intimating authority without any delusions of grandeur.

  Colonel, you have proven yourself to be more than capable of leading our Militia and Security Forces.

  Paul’s Army/Navy store contributed these Eagle collar pins, congratulations Colonel Levins.

  Sergeants Guyardo and Eldridge, please join us and do the honors of pinning the Colonels Eagles to the collar of his brand new uniform. 1Lt Smith if you would please do the honor of pinning an Eagle to the Colonel’s hat.

  As Mayor of Defiance, and the Colonel’s approval I have also taken the liberty of promoting his XO, 1st Lieutenant Smith to the grade of Captain.

  Additionally, the following Militia members will also be promoted, Staff Sergeant Cobb to First Sergeant, Sergeant Guyardo to Staff Sergeant, Sergeant Eldridge to Staff Sergeant, Corporal Carter to Sergeant, and Private Simms to Corporal. That ceremony will take place immediately following some words from Colonel Levi Levins.

  Following the pinning ceremony Colonel Levins, looking a bit ill at ease made his way to the dais. “Wow, I did not know that I would be speaking to anyone but the Mayor and my XO tonight, but here goes.

  We, the founders, and initial settlers of the small settlement of Defiance have little to look forward to but hard work, fear of invasion, combat, hunger, failed crops, lack of medical resupply, struggle, and building President Ronald Reagan’s shining city on the hill.

  Our labors will make life easier for our progeny and help to return the light of civilization to our neighbors and in some far distant future lift the country out of the New Dark Age in which they are about to find themselves.

  We will suffer plagues, marauders, weather, obstructions to industry, and so many others that we cannot yet even imagine. But, we will persevere and you, my friends will be the ones to do it.

  In closing I would like to quote from one of my favorite old movies called Independence Day, ‘We will not go quietly into the night.’ No, Defiance will live up to its name, and we will not go quietly into a New Dark Age…we will not go quietly into the darkness. WE WILL NOT!

  Thank you, Mr. Mayor?”

  Riotous applause erupted from the founders of Defiance followed by handshakes, and raucous laughter immediately spread throughout Defiance. This small respite from the rigors of the daily struggle just to survive lifted the spirits of all.

  For just in this short span of time, the citizens, this happy, cheerful band of human beings dedicated to the proposition that from this small gathering, not only would a new Dark Age not take hold here in Defiance, but the light of civilization would eventually spread around the world.

  Following the completed promotion ceremony, the meeting evolved into a block party.

  ***

  Chapter 19

  Camp Lejeune

  April 10th, 0900 Staff Brief

  Conference Room of the Commanding General

  USMC Camp Lejeune, NC

  In addition to the normal briefing staff, Major General Starks, Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division sat in attendance, along with his G Staff.

  General Chalmers looked tired and most unhappy. He had just received orders to pack up what they could, secure what they could not, and move the Cherry Point, NC facility to Camp Lejeune.

  This was a monumental undertaking as budget cuts over several years had forced the U.S. Military to purchase vehicles and equipment that were not hardened against Electro Magnetic Pulse. The resulting fact was that the transportation arm had far too few functioning vehicles to make such a move.

  The G4 (Base Supply Officer/BSO) was first to speak this day. “Sir, we can get the Marines here, but it will take time. We simply do not have sufficient prime movers to make this move in any semblance of a timely manner. Even if all trans assets were available this move would take weeks to facilitate. Currently our functional transportation as are less than 10% of TO&E.

  I would like to offer a possible scenario for your consideration, sir. Since we just do not have the assets to move all of Cherry Point’s mobile equipment, i.e., weapons, munitions, rations, and such, to LeJeune promptly, why not leave a battalion-sized unit, say, the 3-5 (3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment) to secure those items we must leave behind, i.e., the significant number of aircraft which are currently unflyable due to the CME.

  There are sufficient canned food stores, along with MREs currently on hand to maintain a sole battalion for several weeks, or until resupply is worked out.

  The stocks of munitions of every caliber along with missiles and explosives are beyond the ability of trans to facilitate the move.

  “Colonel,” said the General, “on the one hand what you have said about transiting Cherry Point to Lejeune is unacceptable. On the other hand, your position is unassailable. Since we cannot move Cherry Point, in total here, we must assume the mission of securing the facility.

  General Starks,” said General Chalmers, “do you see a better solution to this dilemma in which we find ourselves?”

  “No General I do not. I am in agreement with the G4. We must secure the facility at Cherry Point, and the 3-5 is more than up to the task. The 2nd Division accepts your recommendation for securing Cherry Point with the 3-5.”

  “G1 (Personnel), your report.”

  “Yes, sir. We have received reports from across the military spectrum that desertion rates have now reached epic proportions with estimates as high as 60%. These numbers are expected to increase should this crisis continue to escalate.

  However, USMC reports show that rate to be in the 10% range, and here at Lejeune this number seems to verify these estimates.”

  Without further comment, Major General Chalmers motioned for the G1 to be seated and said, “G2 (Intelligence), your turn in the barrel.”

  “Yes sir, we have now confirmed that the entire worldwide grid has crashed. There is no longer any doubt that the Earth had a very close encounter with a massive plasma eruption from our sun in the early morning hours of 28 March. Had this CME hit us we would not be here right now as the entire Earth would have been scoured clean.

  Worldwide reports demonstrate that everyone; everywhere, is in the same boat. It is our considered opinion that the U.S. Military cannot sustain its existence for more than another few days at current levels. As we are no longer receiving resupply of food stores, we find ourselves critically short, and we have insufficient stocks of MREs to continue operations for any appreciable time. Ultimately, sir, we simply will be unable to feed our Marines for more than another three days.

  Current stocks of MREs stand at around 240,000 meals. Currently, Camp Lejeune is home to ac
tive duty, dependent, retiree and civilian employee population of approximately 170,000 people, counting those moving in from Cherry Point.

  The current stocks of canned foods consist of a three day supply. Any food items requiring refrigeration were eaten days ago. As we can all see, sir, we will be out of all foodstuffs in no more than three days, maximum.”

  A nervous murmur ran through the staff attendees.

  General Chalmers interrupted and asked, “G4, do you concur with this assessment?”

  The G4 stood and said, “Sir, without the two hundred and fifty tons of food consumed daily just here at Lejeune we will not be able to feed our Marines for more than a couple of days, and that is living off of MREs at the end. General, I am in complete agreement with the G2. We simply do not have enough, nor can we obtain, any further stocks of food to support continued operations of the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune.

  I believe it is inevitable that all supplies of food will be totally depleted in as little as three days, at current consumption rates. The food is simply not available, nor will it be available for many years if the G2 projections are accurate, and I am sure they are. I’m sorry sir, but those are the facts.”

  “G4, how long could Lejeune remain viable if we reduced staffing to say two Battalions?”

  “Sir,” said the G4, “I do believe that we could maintain two companies for perhaps five months if they have steady rations of MREs, and if the remainder of this base is reduced to that number within the next forty-eight hours.”

  “Thank you. G5 what have you to add?”

  “General, I believe that we simply cannot survive in this environment. Ultimately it all comes down to food. Even if we had the food, we have no way of training with so much of our equipment in a nonfunctioning capacity.”

  “Ammo, you, I presume have plans to preclude ammunition from falling into the hands of potentially criminal elements.”

  Standing, the G4 said, sir, the only security we have at the Ammunition Supply Points (ASP) are the high-density locks on the doors of the munitions bunkers.

  I would suggest that we either destroy the stocks or place a mine field around the ASP to deter looters. Sadly, those same criminal elements will just force civilians to walk through the mines to clear a path. I recommend destruction, sir.”

  “Oh dear God,” said General Chalmers. Those of us in this room have spent our lives as Sheep Dogs protecting our people and our nation from the wolves of this world. Now it appears that we are apparently out of a job, and right when the wolves are at the door.”

  General Chalmers asked for a direct secure line to the Commandant, and directed that everyone except for General Starks wait outside while the two General’s discussed this development.

  “Matt, my investigation of this matter has sadly forced me to agree with the findings of my staff. I see no option but to belay that order to secure Cherry Point. Do you concur?”

  “Paul,” said General Starks, “at this point in time I am completely at a loss. If what is reported here, and I am comfortable that this information is factual, does mean that we have nothing to eat, I see no choice to but to request that the Commandant authorize us to disband.

  Dear God, how has the world come to this?”

  A knock on the door interrupted their commiseration.

  General, I have the Commandant on a secure line. If you would please take the call in the tactical communications center?”

  Both men rose and followed the Captain to the TOC.

  Everyone in the room was directed to wait outside while the two Major Generals discussed the fate of Camp Lejeune with the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

  “Matt, Paul, I was just about to call you. May I assume that you have been apprised of the food shortage throughout the country, hell, the world?”

  Both men replied in unison, “Yes, sir we have just been discussing that exact thing. Commandant, we will be out of food in no more than seventy-two hours. General Starks, and I request that you authorize us to secure what we can, destroy what we cannot, and disband.”

  The Commandant said, “I cannot believe that I would ever have to issue such an order, but there it is. Just moments ago, the President directed the disbanding of the U.S. Military.

  The President has issued orders that the Continuation of Government protocols be put into action.

  The entire Military Forces of the United States of America, following the disbanding will be two battalions of Army Rangers, and one Armored Cavalry Squadron, who will provide security for the government which has already initiated movement into selected safe facilities.

  The official end of the U.S.M.C. will occur nlt 1200 hours on 12 April.

  Do what you can for our Marines and their families. Out-here,” said the Commandant, severing the connection.

  General Chalmers muttered, “Dust in the wind; that is ultimately what we are about to become.

  At this point everyone returned to the Conference Room.

  Supply, I do not want any former Marines leaving this camp in uniform so arrange to recover all uniforms and equipment, less bivouac essentials before locking the gate.

  General Starks, when do you plan to start releasing your Marines?”

  “I think we’ll try to get started in the morning, say around 0700. If we wait for noon on the 12th we will have a total fuster cluck that could quickly devolve into a mob scene. How about you?”

  “I think we should do the same. I suggest we use separate gates to minimize opportunities for trouble.

  Staff, coordinate with your 2nd Division counterparts to make this exercise in futility as painless as possible,” said General Chalmers.

  “Now, gentlemen, is there anyone here not willing to wait for the official disbandonment?”

  No one in the room said, “Yes.”

  “Thank you, Marines, I knew that none of you would, or could, abandon your post.

  We have a very short fuse to accomplish this goal.

  Upon departure, I want one sidearm with two magazines issued to each U.S. military refugee as they exit the Camp, plus two MREs for each family member. May God have Mercy upon their Souls.”

  The G-1 asked, “Sir, are there any plans for the retirees currently on the base?”

  General Chalmers sighed, and said, “Very good question, Colonel. Do you have a round number for me?”

  “Yes, sir, that number is near eight-hundred.

  Excuse me sir, but what about the Hospital, and the Brig?”

  “One thing at a time, Colonel. Okay, the retirees, inform them of our plan at 0700 hours on 12 April. They all have undeclared weapons and ammo, and hopefully sufficient foodstuffs to make their new destinations.

  The Hospital losses since lights out have been tragic. I spoke with the Hospital Commander this morning and she told me that there are only a very few patients that are still recovering from pre-CME surgeries. She also informs me that she has sufficient volunteers to assist those patients, presuming, of course, that they have food, water, and band aids.

  G-4, make sure she has those things before we close up shop.

  Now, the Brig. Fortunately, we have no long timers. I’m going to order their release since none of those in the Brig are there for serious crimes. They will, however not be issued a weapon. Thank God, we don’t have the same situation as places like Newport News.

  Ammo, prepare to destroy all weapons and munitions stocks at 1200 hours on 12 April.”

  What I am about to say is anathema to everything I have ever believed in my thirty-three years as a Marine. Our position is untenable; it’s over gentlemen, it is simply over.

  Now I must ask for you to remain at your posts for another forty-eight hours, and when you hear the ammo dump go up, well I guess we go in search of a new home.”

  “Sir,” said the G2, “I have been informed of an active militia just outside of Roper. I’ve heard good things about them. They are assisting the local community by providing food from local grocery stores
they were able to prevent being looted, toys for the local children and security from bandits. To date, they have utterly destroyed two large gangs of murderers pillaging the countryside.

  May I suggest sir, that I make contact and arrange for them to be supplied from our stocks of weapons, ammo, uniforms, whatever they need to continue to keep even that small community safe and at least somewhat civilized?

  I fully realize that three weeks ago this would be unthinkable, but the times they are a changin’. This random act of kindness to assist in their survival may be the last operation conducted by the United States Marine Corps.”

  “Damned interesting idea, I like it. Can you do it in forty-eight hours?”

  “Yes sir, if I leave immediately I think it can be done.”

  The General smiled for the first and last time this day and said, “Make it happen, you are dismissed.”

  *

  April 10th 1600

  Defiance Roadblock

  A five-ton truck, complete with dozer blade made its way to within one hundred feet of the Defiance Road Block. An unarmed Marine Lt. Colonel exited the vehicle and approached with hands raised until he was ordered to halt. A guard then warned the stranger that he was in the sights of a sniper who was more than willing to shoot if he made any aggressive movements.

  “Continue to advance with your hands raised.”

  Marine Lt. Colonel Gus Murtaugh carefully followed the directions.

  “Stop right there and state your business.”

  One of the other guards noticed the stranger was a Marine Officer and took off to find Colonel Levins.

  Murtaugh said, “I am on General Chalmers Staff at Camp Lejeune. I have come to see Colonel Levins concerning a supply issue.”

  “Wait,” he’s on his way said the guard. “Stand real still, and you can lower your hands.”

  “Thanks,” said Murtaugh as he slowly lowered his hands, “my arms were getting kind of tired.”

  The wait was no more than four minutes before Colonel Levins made his way to the gate. “So, Lt. Colonel, what can A Troop of the Defiance Militia do for the Marine Corps today?”