by Cliff Deane
Once each assigned building was destroyed the Cobras began searching for new targets of opportunity. Major Turner and Lt Simms broke contact after destroying their targets and flew to several food distribution centers and set the buildings afire with incendiaries.
Major Turner’s bird, Martyr Maker, took several small arms hits in the fuselage area but suffered no damage that couldn’t be repaired with a few patches.
Whenever the ROA birds of prey began receiving ground fire, they turned their mini-guns on those who dared to shoot back and quickly ended the lives of these fools.
Each Cobra had secondary targets consisting of troop barracks, heating oil tanks, motor pools, fuel storage, and food distribution centers.
The attacks were so successful that the Cobras were recalled for re-arming and directed to seek out additional targets of opportunity.
As the morning sun arose in the skies over a burning Dearborn and Detroit the nearly two-hundred thousand Caliphate Jihadists quickly discovered that their leadership was gone; killed in the 0330 attack. It took several days to discover that the highest ranking officer in this vast army was a Captain; who, along with most NCOs, were shot by those who had been forced to serve in the Caliphate Army.
Chaos reigned supreme as sergeants tried, without success, to rally their squads. Within hours it became a situation of every man for himself. Many draftees, realizing that their leaders were gone continued to shoot their sergeants and junior officers in retribution for the ill treatment they had endured.
Following such a horrendous defeat, Muslims began to doubt that Allah actually existed; if Allah was really there, how could he allow yet another war to be lost to nonbelievers? Tens of thousands of Qurans were left on shelves, or dropped to the ground, as the people lost faith and began to wonder how they would survive the coming winter.
Within a few days, a mass migration began moving south, directly into the guns of the 1st Brigade. It is unknown if any were able to slip past the hasty minefields or the guns of the ROA in those first two days.
Soon, the 1st Brigade Troopers began to realize that this turkey shoot was futile and pitiful. By the third day the walkers, as they had come to be called no longer returned fire and consisted of legitimate refugees. They approached the Brigade positions holding white flags over their heads.
Levi and Gus were frustrated by this debacle which had turned from a war of no quarter to what was about to become genocidal murder. The two Brigade Commanders, Levi, and Gus ordered a general cease fire, and announced that any walker who had discarded their Quran or, as appropriate, their Hijab, would be allowed to continue south; even though there was little hope that many would reach safety.
Levi ordered that anyone carrying a Quran would not be allowed passage through ROA lines, and would be turned back to Dearborn with no explanation of why they had been vetted and found wanting.
The Sgt. Major told Levi that this migration was becoming a replica of the road march of April, year zero. They had about the same chance of surviving the road.
“I actually feel sorry for them,” said a sad Sgt. Major, “These people have had everything they have ever been taught and believed for their entire lives pulled out from beneath them. I wish we could help, but what is there that can we do? We don’t have sufficient resources to assist them in any meaningful way. Perhaps when their story reaches other Islamic communities, Islam will just melt away.
Sir, I have to tell you that I will not be sad to put Dearborn in my rear view mirror.”
“Agreed, Bradley, what say we blow this popcorn stand and head south ourselves?”
“Yes sir, I’m with you there.”
Levi informed the Command Staff to get their troops prepared for movement back to Lejeune no later than 0900 hours of 10 August.
Though the battle had been won, the war was arguably far from over, and the Brigade brain trust set about planning the long eight hundred mile trip home; a trip that would take them through more Caliphate resistance centers. The Sgt. Major reminded Levi that there were still many war lords that must also be faced.
Levi said, “Yes, my friend, we will, at least, not in our lifetime, never be free of evil men. I suppose our path in this life is firmly set in stone, and we’ll never be free of war. You know; Plato was right when he said that, only the dead know the end of war. After nearly three thousand years since he uttered those words, they have not lost their inherent truth.
Dang it, Bradley, now you’ve got me waxing all philosophic; to hell with that, let’s just pack up and see what the road has in store for us.”
It took two days for the Brigade to clean up and pack up, in preparation for the long trek home.
A general malaise settled in and permeated the entire Brigade. The troopers spoke among themselves, as they realized that these Muslim refugees were not any more evil than anyone else; they were just people who had been oppressed and indoctrinated by evil men using religion to seek world domination, at any cost.
The troopers made a huge distinction between the leaders of this cult, which called itself an Islamic Caliphate and these sad refugees moving inexorably south.
Now, those who would ruthlessly control the lives of everyone within their grasp had finally come to an end; at least in a large swath of North America. Once the chains of radical Islam were broken, and true freedom was just before them, the Hijabs disappeared, as did the Middle Eastern dress codes.
Every trooper felt relieved that they had been ordered to stand down. They now knew that killing these poor people would be nothing short of murder, and that was not what the Republic of America was all about.
It was, of course, true that no one had a wish to live with Muslims, at least as they were before they felt the embrace of true freedom, rather than the enslavement of the Quran. Their culture was just too different. Anyone wishing to truly assimilate, well, that was a different story, and the doors of participation in this grand experiment would fly open to them. Western European culture held the foundation of the American culture, and so it would remain.
*
10 August 0700
Just south of Dearborn
The morning of 10 August dawned cool and clear with a very light breeze, which promised a lovely day. Just prior to departure of the convoy, Levi, using a megaphone held a formation with all three battalions.
“My friends, I want you to know how proud I am of your performance and dedication. I also wish I could tell you that this war with Radical Islam was over; sadly, this I cannot do.
Ahead of us lie many obstacles; battles we must fight and win. These battles will not only be fought against Islam, but also against gangs, warlords, corrupt law enforcement, and anyone who would enslave others.
I also know that you are tired of fighting, and you want to go home, well, so do I. As I am sure most of you know; upon our return to Defiance, Major Susan Turner and I will become man and wife…”
A trooper yelled out, “Are we invited to the wedding?”
Levi laughed and shouted back, “Jonesy, of course, you are all invited; come on, what kind of a wedding would it be without a few of our closest friends. Now, just to make it clear, if you do not come, my feelings will be hurt.
One of the less cultured privates shouted out, “When is she movin’ in, Genrul?”
Gus started to nip this line of questioning in the bud, but Levi waved him off and said, “I know, but I’m just going to make her wait until the wedding.”
This brought uproarious laughter throughout the 1st Brigade and a bright red glow to Susan’s cheeks. This lifted everyone’s spirits and eased the malaise that had been hanging over the ROA force.
Levi continued in his remarks by saying, “Okay, as much as I would like to be home by tomorrow, I have to be honest and remind all of you that our job is not yet complete. I have no doubt that between here, Defiance, and Lejeune; we will face many hardships in our efforts to put an end to evil wherever we find it.
In just a few minutes we w
ill begin moving due south toward Findley and continue on a southerly course until we turn toward the east and home. The only thing I am relatively sure of is that we will be home for Christmas.”
Again, cheers filled the air; for now the troopers of the 1st Brigade, at least had the direction home, and a rough time table to get there.
Levi turned to the Sgt. Major and said, “Mount ‘em up Bradley; move ‘em out. Let’s go home.”
The Sgt. Major saluted and returned control of the Battalions to their Commanders. As the Command mounted their vehicles; the helicopters began to reconnoiter of the road ahead, the horse mounted Cavalry took up positions on the flanks and the front.
Levi had thought the way south to Findley would take at least a week, but the roads were relatively easy to clear. What bothered both Levi and Gus was that the villages were all deserted. The Caliphate and the previous winter had seemingly taken a terrible toll.
On 12 August the helos reported a roadblock along each entry to Findley. Levi ordered one of the Hueys to return and pick him up to see if he could make nice with the citizens of Findley.
Gus insisted that he should be the one to go, as losing Levi to some trigger happy nut job would be disastrous for the Brigade, and the obvious fact that Susan would kill him if he let Levi go. Gus also pointed out that this mission fell under the purview of the XO and not the Commander.
It took a bit of arm twisting, but Levi eventually gave in and allowed Gus to see if he could make friends.
The Huey, carrying Gus and a seven man squad for security quickly arrived at the manned road block. On the flanks of his bird flew two Super Snakes. Gus felt sure these precautions caused the defenders of Findley to be amenable to Gus’ visit.
The Huey landed one hundred feet from the barricade and quickly discharged the Security Detail, followed by an unarmed Gus who began walking toward the roadblock with his hands in plain sight.
At thirty feet, Gus was ordered to stop and state his business.
Gus then asked if he could lower his hands. The barricade commander laughed nervously and said, “Sure, you go right ahead, but please be careful. Let’s not get anyone killed this morning.”
Gus assured the blockade commander that the ROA force meant no harm.
“Then what is it you want?”
“Well, sir, all we want is to be able to move our convoy around Findley and proceed south. We are on our way back to Defiance, Republic of America.”
The man asked Gus to identify himself and inquired as to the strength of the convoy he wanted to pass through.
“Certainly,” said Gus, “but, may I come to you to introduce myself so we can stop this yelling back and forth.”
The man in charge of the blockade asked, “Are you carrying any weapons?”
Gus assured him that he had no weapons, and only wished to make friendly conversation.
“All right, come on around to your right side of the roadblock, where you will be searched.”
Gus followed the directions and walked around to the right side of the roadblock, where he was met by three armed men. Two of these men held their weapons indirectly pointed at Gus, while the third man patted him down. Upon finding no weapons, the man called out, “He’s clean Captain Smith.
Captain Smith approached Gus, and holding out his hand in greeting said, “I’m Captain David Smith, Findley Irregulars.”
“Hello Captain, my name is Colonel Gus Murtaugh, Executive Officer of the 1st Armored Brigade of the Republic of America. Our convoy consists of one thousand men, vehicles, and weapons systems, to include attack helicopter Gunships, Abrams Tanks, and Personnel Carriers.”
Captain Smith said, “Wow, that is some command you’ve described there. Say, did you have any problem with them Caliphate Commandos? We’ve been fighting them for months, but they ain’t got us yet.”
Gus smiled and said, “Yes, Captain we did have a slight run in with them, in fact, we’ve been fighting them all the way from DC, and another Brigade is working the East Coast.
I don’t think the Caliphate Commandos, as you call them will be bothering you anymore. We cut the head off that snake by killing their entire leadership and destroying their food supplies.”
“Well, hot damn, did you kill ‘em all?”
“No, we did not. Once the leadership, which kept them enslaved in a state of fear and hopelessness, was erased, we immediately began seeing Hijabs thrown to the ground, along with tens of thousands of Qurans. Those poor souls began walking south, but I seriously doubt that many will make it this far with no food or safe water.
We will continue to destroy every mosque we come across. In our conflict, we found that in every town overrun by the JJs, as we call them, every church was burned to the ground and the Pastors were crucified in front of the ashes.”
The Captain asked, “JJs, what’s that mean?”
“Oh, sorry,” said Gus, “it’s our nick name for them; it means Jihadi Johnnies.”
“Hey, I like that; do you mind if we use it?”
Gus chuckled and said, “No, of course not.
Tell me, Captain, how large is your community here in Findley?”
Smith laughed and told Gus that they most certainly did not have a force large enough to be a problem to Gus’ Brigade. Still, he didn’t offer an actual number.
He did ask Gus when the convoy would arrive.
Gus told him to expect the forward elements of Horse Cavalry in two days and the main convoy a day or so after that.
Gus also informed Smith that 1st Brigade elements would clear a path for the convoy and replace it once the column was through.
“Captain, Smith, would you and your staff, or wife, like to join us for dinner? I will guarantee safe passage in both directions.”
Smith became immediately wary and said, “Sir, it might be just a smidge too early for us to come and visit; you know, trust but verify? Perhaps you and your Commander would like to partake of our hospitality, here in Findley so we can get better acquainted?”
Gus apologized and readily accepted Captain Smith’s invitation for the following evening, 13 August at 1800 hours.
The two men shook hands, and Gus walked to the helo which loaded everyone back aboard before returning to the convoy and a briefing for Levi.
***
Chapter 12
Findley
14 August 1600
Conversion of Insley Rd and I-75 S
FTOC
Another beautiful, late summer day brightened the spirits of the lead elements of the Horse Mounted Cavalry as they began preparing the forward encampment of the 1st Bde. Habit and muscle memory set them to the task of creating a secured perimeter for themselves and the Brigade Convoy, which was expected late on the 15th.
A flight of four Cobras landed in the open area allocated as the helipad.
Three Cobras remained with the main convoy, and two others, along with one Huey flew General Levins, Colonel Murtaugh, and Sgt Major Cobb to the Dinner meeting with Captain David Smith. The remaining Huey brought the eight-man Security Detail, of which four would secure the aircraft, and the remaining four would provide security for the Head Kahunas.
Once out of the Hueys Levi, his staff, and the four-man security detail walked the one hundred feet to the barricade; at thirty feet from the roadblock, the group was ordered to halt and lay down any weapons before they would be allowed to enter Findley.
Levi held up his hand to signal his group to hold in place, before saying, “Is Captain Smith available?”
The unknown voice from the barricade said, “No sir, he should be here in a couple of minutes. Now please, lay all weapons on the ground.
Levi looked to the barricade and said, “Sorry, son, but that is just not going to happen. When your Captain Smith arrives, you tell him that we don’t ever disarm our Security Details. Also, please relate to him that our convoy should be coming through in two days, with, or without his approval,” and with that he turned around and ordered his flock t
o follow him back to the aircraft, angling sharply to his left as he faced the Cobras.
The voice from the barricade yelled down to Levi, “Halt, or I will order our men to open fire!”
Without hesitation, Levi raised his right fist which signaled two things; jump to the drainage ditch and lay flat for his group, and for the Cobra Gunships to destroy the barricade. The Cobras immediately opened fire with one rocket each, blowing two huge holes in the center of the road block.
Before the Snakes opened fire with their miniguns, a voice shouted, “Cease fire, please, we surrender.”
Levi raised his left arm with an opened hand, signaling a general cease fire; then shouted back to the barricade, “Drop your weapons and come around to the front of your road block, then lay face down on the road. Any deviation will result in your death. Do this now, or die where you stand.”
The men quickly followed orders and as they lay flat on the ground, minus the two who were killed in the rocket attack, the Security Detail zip tied their hands behind their backs and frisked them.
Just as Levi and his group were turning to leave, he saw, and heard, an old Jeep tearing down the road repeatedly honking its horn. Levi turned to the Jeep and awaited its arrival.
The Jeep quickly drove around the now destroyed blockade and sliding to a stop, Captain Smith jumped out of the passenger seat and yelled, “HOLD FIRE!”
Smith, with his arms extended in front of him with open palms held to show he was not armed, approached Gus and asked, “Colonel, what happened here?”
After explanations were made, Smith lowered his head and said, “I am so sorry to be late. Had I been on time this would never have happened. We have no really dependable vehicles, and this one had developed a clogged fuel line. Sir, I am so sorry for this terrible misunderstanding.”
