The War Journals: Resistance
Page 49
“Alright guys,” the pilot shouted back, “trays in the upright and locked position and all that other shit.”
The helicopter hovered for a moment before landing, the pilot giving me an opportunity to survey the roof top. There were a handful of people in suits, not secret service, and a few soldiers with assault rifles standing by.
As we exited the chopper, Liz helping JoAnne off, the guards raised their guns.
“Drop your weapons!” One yelled ,as an important looking older woman with a medium build and a man in fatigues came forward.
“Drop it or we'll shoot!”
“Gentleman, stay yourselves.” The woman said turning toward the guards. I darted forward grabbing the man in uniform by his throat, forcing him to the ground. My gun in my right hand pressed against his temple.
“Who set us up?” I roared, overcome with rage.
“General, please.” he mumbled.
“Who was it?” I demanded pressing the barrel hard into his head.
“Gentleman, you will all compose yourselves.” The woman said to the frantic soldiers before walking back toward me.
“I swear to god, I’ll kill you if you don't tell me.”
“I don't expect you to salute me,” she said standing a few feet away, “but please refrain from killing the only adviser I fully trust.”
“Connor,” Jesse said, grabbing my shoulder, “That's the President.”
“Indeed, I am” She said “and the man you have on the ground is Commandant Rigalio. I assure you, he had nothing to do with this conspiracy. Now please, let him up so that we can all go inside and talk.”
“Sorry,” I said offering Rigalio my hand to pull him up.
“No offense, son” he said smiling as he got up on his own, “but you're bleeding all over the place and I just washed this uniform.”
“Captain,” the President called to the soldier who had been barking the orders. “Would you mind fetching my personal physician?”
“Right away, ma'am”
“Thank you.” She said “we have a lot to discuss, but we must head indoors to do so.”
“Commandant, I-” I began before he cut me off.
“No need to apologize,” he said walking beside me, “I assure you that we are doing everything possible to find out who double crossed you.”
They led us to an elevator which we took to the 20th floor. We were then escorted to a room down the hall where the President's physician was waiting.
“Captain, might I request one more favor?” Thompson asked the soldier.
“Of course, ma'am.”
“This young lady would do well to get some sleep,” she said “Please take them to one of the secured rooms and see that they get anything they need.”
“Jesse,” I said “why don't you go with them, I’ll be fine.”
“Thanks,” he said leaving the room with Liz and JoAnne.
“My evac was delayed, someone want to tell me why?” I asked pointedly as the doctor began to remove the shirt to look at my hand. It hurt like all hell, but I was too determined to find out what had happened.
“There was some interference with the support team,” Rigalio said “Some of my peers did everything within their power to stop them from leaving. Finally, I convinced them that I am still head of our Marines and any obstructions would be treated as hostile.”
“Who gave those orders?”
“We're all but certain that they came directly from Admiral Macalary.” Thompson said.
“A lot of Americans died today because of what he did,” I said “and I fully intend to repay him in kind.”
“I'd like to give you that opportunity” she said, “but we can't just kill him and risk further fracturing our armed forces.”
“We don't need a civil war on top of this,” Rigalio added “our ultimate goal is unfettered cooperation between the US military and the resistance.”
“I don't know what you've heard, but I’ve never given a direct order to them.”
“Not yet,” Thompson said, “but if you were to give them direction, they would surely follow.”
“They could help bolster our defense at home,” she said “while we wage a campaign in Asia.”
“Imagine, if you will” Rigalio said “the resistance given joint access to the entirety of our country's arsenal. We would like your opinion on these matters.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, not only have you proven to be a masterful strategist,” The President said “but you have a voice that can compel men to fight, in a way that we can not.”
“This isn't a game of risk.” I said wincing as the doctor cleaned my hand.
“I won't argue that,” Rigalio said handing me a map with data all over it, “Take a look at this, that shows the location of our Marines and Navy personnel stationed all over Asia and the Pacific.”
“And these numbers?” I asked looking at connotations near the Chinese coast.
“The Chinese armada,” he said “thousands of ships strong and thousands more being built as we speak.”
“As you can see, General,” Thompson said “they plan on crossing the Pacific very soon. We may not be able to beat them back this time.”
“You want my opinion?” I asked, they both nodded “Meet them head on.”
“Please elaborate.” Thompson said intrigued.
“Canada is massing naval forces in British Columbia.” I explained, “We have one of the largest ship yards in the navy here in the Puget Sound. Not just that, but a yard which specializes in retrofitting submarines. We then get on the horn and pull all the ships on the west coast up here.”
“What about the ground troops?” Rigalio asked.
“Send them to Asia.”
“How many are we talking about?” Thompson asked.
“All of them. The entirety of the Marine Corps with a huge amount of the US army following to secure areas once the Marines are done.”
“Is that even possible Commandant?” The President asked.
“With the cooperation of the joint chiefs it could be.” he said, seemingly deep in thought. “We could request the assistance of the Australian and Indian navies to transport excess personnel...”
“There's no way they could refuse an offer like that.” I said, “Meanwhile, we use the coast guard and what's left of the army to reinforce the Resistance. After all, there probably aren't a lot of private citizens with fighter jets.”
“No, probably not.” Thompson replied, “we've been training foreign armies for decades, I’m sure we could do the same for our own citizens.”
“There are a lot of risks though,” I said
“There always are.” she responded.
“You and I will become targets.” I said, staring right into her eyes. “They will try to kill us. They'll send assassins and we'll have to remain in the open to make sure they meet us head on.”
“Then that is a risk we'll have to take.” she said unfazed.
“I'd also recommend you strike the PLA forces in this area.” I said “They just suffered a staggering loss, don't give them time to breathe.”
“It's as good as done.” Rigalio said. “I assumed that's why you requested such a staggering amount of back up.”
“Naturally,” I replied, signaling for the doctor to leave us. “Now about the Joint Chiefs...”
Part Four
The Last City on Earth
Chapter 32