Book 3 'The Show down' C 29-32

(C-29)

‘In Tornado Alley’ 1400 Hrs CST

“I close my eyes, only for a moment and the moments gone.

All my dreams, pass before my eyes a curiosity.

Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind.”

Kansas 1977

"One day I will leave this world and dream myself to Reality"

Crazy Horse 1874

With so many of the younger men gone off to war a lot of the older men in their late sixties and early seventies have volunteered to help clean up or too look for survivors if necessary during the storm season. And as in any normal year it’s been a very active one too.

Two of the men that decide to help are Dan and Cody’s fathers and they find themselves working together on the same team. Maybe because of their son’s friendship or because both are veterans one from WWII and the other from the Korean War, or maybe because both used to hunt and fish a lot, what ever the case they take a likening to each other and do a lot of nonsense talking while working, this causes them a little inattention to detail.

Hearing a call for help from a collapsed house they move over to it and start pulling wood and other debris from around one of the blocked basement windows. With out thinking they both grab a hold of a busted piece of steel pipe at the same time that is in the way. It’s the gas line that runs from the branch off at the furnace up to the dryer, and they don’t realize that the smashed driers wires are touching the pipe. Neither men realized that the electrical service to this area is still on and deadly.

The 220 volts instantly finds a ground through their bodies into the wet ground they are standing on, as both of the men don’t understand what’s happening to them, they feel very little pain as they are both quickly electrocuted.

Two firemen that were coming up to help them see both of the older men go into convulsions and run up to help, but they are too late. One of the firemen grabs a half smashed metal chair and throws it against the pipe and they both hear the circuit breaker pop in the basement. Taking no chances one of them has on his heavy canvas and rubber gloves and he pries the dead men’s fingers off of the pipe and starts CPR on one of them while the other calls on his radio for assistance and to let them know that two of the volunteers are down, he then starts CPR on the other man. Others rescue crews in the area rush over to lend assistance.

The firemen hear a plea for help from the women and three kids trapped in the house those two old guys were trying to help. One of them yells down to the people, “We will get you out, just try to stay calm more help is on the way,” he won’t mention to them about the two older men being electrocuted while trying to help them. Don’t need to tack that on for them to worry about, not with there house destroyed and them being trapped and all.

Even when an ambulance crew that has now arrived begin working with a defibrillator but after three attempts on each man they are forced to give up.

One of the firemen who got to them first thinks, ‘it’s two bad for these old guys to go this way' as he wonders who they are, and guessing at their age wonders why they are out helping? Looking at their name badges he doesn’t recognize them but he sees that they are CERT qualified, and he said to his partner, “both of them have been trained to assist, to bad for them, maybe it was just their time to go?”

“Maybe it was, at least it was quick and clean, not like the big C,” his buddy said digging away more debris.

“Yeah quick and clean,” thinking about the names on the two dead men’s ID badges, SB Wolf and J Marion. I know those names but from where?

Just don’t do something: go stand there!

“I’ll rip your head off and shit down your throat!”

(A phrase that Rhodesian NCOs shouted at recruits

when they did something to make them mad.)

1200 PST

“I ordered your Divisions to start moving over seven hours ago, what is your progress. Over.”

“I have one Brigade up guarding the bridges at I-80 and I-60 as ordered. With the majority of my units moving down toward Stockton on highway 580, over.”

“I know about the Brigade at Antioch, our satellite confirms they are blocking an American Militia Brigade from taking that bridge. What is your ETA for all of your units to be in Tracy, over?”

“Just a second,” as he turned and asked his J-3 the same question, “We have some units their now and the majority will arrive no later then 1830, sir.”

Ayman relays the message.

“Good, continue to move your units there, refuel and proceed on to Gold, from there make plans to move either north-west, north or north-east as the situation develops. When I know where you are needed most I will then send you another order to move, you are under my direct control for deployment, do you understand, over?”

“Yes,” Ayman said with a wicked smile. But he really felt like laughing at the infidel as he thought, just like an unbeliever, when they are in trouble they turn to men of faith to help them win. And my Divisions are full of men of faith, ones who will soon be tried and tested in battle, when we are finished here and victorious in America, your countries turn will be soon upon you, and after that Islam will be the only religion on earth. All phrase be to Allah and from Allah all blessing flow to the faithful, as he heard the commander sign off, “Good, out.”

He Ayman leader of the true children of Allah, with their desert warrior spirit will be the ones to win this battle for the ungrateful swine eaters. Allah will spread his hands and give us divine help, as his servants move from victory to victory until the whole world rejoices as one under Allah. So it is written, and so it shall be, all praise be to Allah the merciful, peace be with his holy warriors the Mujahideen who carry out his commands.

D’s Special Forces detachment at 4 highway had been given the order to blow the bridge on the east side of Victoria Island if they see any sizable movement of troops. Once that route is closed it will slow down any cross flow of troops between Stockton and Antioch. Monitoring the steady downstream of coded satellite imagery they see at least two divisions of troops moving up toward Tracy, as more units pull into the town the enemies advance units then move up toward Stockton and deploy just south and west of the city, along the railway tracks.

D is informed of this developing Intel and forwards the information to Dan’s CCC, Combat Control Center, D tells his Intel chief to keep a close eye on this enemy troop movement and with his S-3 and their attached Air Force liaison officer they make several contingency plans along with passing this info up the chain of command. When D gets a chance he studies the maps and asks the S-3 to formulate another what if plan.

(C-30)

‘The Passing of the Standard’

1320 PST

'The Masas turning to gold and too red, in light of the sun their like fires,

When the winter has gone, and time has moved on, the memory will never grow tired...'

A song from Clem Tholet

Rhodesia singer and patriot

‘With honor, Our Fathers, you will be remembered’

Dan and Cody

Setting in the tree stand looking down toward the west fence that’s a hundred yards away, Dan can just see the large rack of a six-point buck slowly making his way towards them, he is about twenty maybe twenty-five yards behind the does and the four of them are skittish.

“They will come on this way,” his dad whispers, “so wait for the buck.” His dad’s breath smells of stale cigarettes and coffee, but Dan knows not to say anything. He's afraid that the deer might hear his answer, and not sure that they might not hear his heart beating. He is excited as this his first time hunting after his twelfth birthday and Dad had promised him a chance at a large buck. Now here he was walking towards them, pushing the females ahead as that was nature’s way.

A couple of the longest minuets drag by and finally the deer are just forty yards away as Dan silently flips the safety over to fire on his loaded WWII 8mm Mauser, even then the faint click it makes sounds really loud to him. But the deer are too far away to hear it and they keep coming slowly forward into the killing ground.

When the buck is thirty yards away Dan slowly lifts the nine-pound rifle up to his shoulder and takes aim, remembering his dads words. First aim, take a normal breath let it out, then squeeze the trigger, don’t jerk it. Dan slowly squeezes the trigger and the early dawn woods echoes with the report of the rifle. The buck jumps almost straight up for two or three feet and when it comes back to earth, staggers sideways with its legs stiff as boards before falling over dead.

“A good shot son, you got him through the heart. Now, sling the rifle over your back and climb down. Once down on the ground chamber another round and use the rifle to poke the deer and make sure he’s dead.”

“I know Dad,” Dan say’s excited and a little put out, that he’s being reminded to do what he has been taught these last few weeks before the season opened. And just as quickly he says, “Sorry Dad, I didn’t mean to sound like I was biting at you. I’m just so thrilled at getting my first deer with you.”

“That’s OK son, I understand, and one day you will too when you teach your boys. Remember to master your emotions, don’t let them become the master of you.”

Dan laughs, “I remember Grandpa saying that years ago to you, when you got mad at Mr. Holt after he got drunk and hit you at the election picnic,” as he walks up to the fallen buck.

Hearing his Dad laugh sounded good as he answered back, “That’s right Dan and you’ll make sure your boys learn that lesson too, that’s one of the many lesson to learn, what it takes to be a man.”

Dan has worked the action and another round is ready in the chamber of his rifle as he gently touches the deer, no responses so he pushes a little harder, he can see that the deer isn’t breathing. He shouts, “He’s dead. I got my first deer, ALRIGHT. Thanks dad,” he said almost as an after thought as he placed the rifle on safe..

Looking back up into the tree stand he sees an old man looking down at him, it’s his Dads face but much older then the man who climbed the tree with him just before first light. With some concern in his voice he asks, “You OK Dad, you’re not climbing down?”

“No, not anymore Dan, you’ll have to finish the task this time, it’s a big burden, but your more then able to get the job done. I’m so sorry I couldn’t teach you more of life’s lesson, but in your own right you have learned more that what I could impart. Stay humble, tackle any and all chores given to you and God will help. I’m sorry I can’t be around to help encourage you on; it’s up to you now, you must see it through to the end.”

“Things will work out OK, this may not have been the path you wanted but you have to do what becomes necessary. You’re a good man, a good husband, and a good father to your children and you have been a good son, one that I am proud of, You’re also a smart warrior and a brave one too. I may not have said it very many times but I love you. Mom felt the same way too about you, before she passed away.”

“What, what’s wrong with Mom?” Dan half shouts his voice raising in concern.

In a calm voice his Dad say’s “Everything is alright Dan, not to worry, your mother and I were so concerned when you went to Africa. To be honest I was a little jealous of you then, doing things I could only dream about. Later when you joined the Militia we were very worried . But later on we both saw that you were doing the right thing, we were wrong, they are good people just like you, lead them, they are Americans at their best.

You were always the first one to get to Scouts and any sports that you were in, and the last to leave, I understand now why, you were way ahead of everyone else around you, it’s because you have foresight. The ability to see what will happen as others try to make their choice of what paths they will take in life; use it well.

I have to go now your Grandma and Grandpa, my Mom and Dad and your mother and her parents are waiting for me. Good-by my son work hard and stay a good man, so many other people need you now, our country needs you. Neil is OK, your friend the Rhodie found him, oh yes tell Cody it’s OK, his Dad is here too, he is with his family and they are all together again.” As his voice slowly grows faint, trailing off to a whisper on the morning’s light breeze.

Standing up and looking up into the tree Dan, suddenly realizes that he is in the command tent, and for a few seconds can’t understand what has just happened. Then getting a smile on his face he knows that the fifteen minuet cat nap he allowed himself must have been longer and he had a dream about his first deer hunt with his father, one of many special moments they had shared.

Then he thinks that’s strange to mix up several dreams at one time first dreaming about being 12 then jumping forward into the present like that. He had known Cody for close to 17 years now, not back when he was a young boy. Oh well, sometimes dreams were that way, must be the stress and worry, the being short of sleep that had something to do with it. At least it wasn’t a gut wrenching jolt like he had when Eli reported to me this morning, that Neil was listed as MIA. Glancing at his watch it’s been 10 hours since then, with a puzzled frown he remembered that Dad had said that Neil was OK, that was a strange dream indeed. I’ll get some coffee and see how things are….

The Chaplin, Major Harvey walks into the tent, his eyes showed a real sorrowful expression as he sees Dan and asks. “Sir do you have a minuet and do you know where Cody might be?”

Dan seeing the Majors expression gets that feeling again, that the bottom of his heart had just fallen out, and he instantly knows why he had that strange dream. His eyes tear up and he has to grab hold onto one of the center support poles to help keep his balance as he asks, “Tell me it’s about both of our fathers right?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“The Lord just now let me talk with my dad in a dream, I was out with him hunting my first deer. He said Neil had been found and also said Cody’s father was with him and they had to leave.”
The Padre whispers, ‘Thank you Lord.’ As he tells Dan, “I don’t know anything about Neil, but I would like to tell Cody too and give you both the details together, God loves you both very much.”

Turning to his Aide-die-camp Dan says, “Find out where Cody is please, it’s important.”

“Yes sir, would you like for him to come here?”

Dan shook his head in agreement the tears were making his eyes misty now and he was afraid to say anything else. Taking a deep breath he closes his eyes and slowly let the breath out, as he whispers, ‘Lord I really could use some help now, so many friends gone, my son lost and then found, my brother killed in action, and now my Dad. Talk about an emotional roller coaster, I know you have me here for a purpose, and you will only give me the load that you know I can carry. But it’s getting mighty heavy Lord.’

After another deep breath and letting it out he opens his eyes and stands tall with his shoulders square as he tells the Chaplin, “We will wait for Cody, that way you won’t have to tell the story twice.”

When Cody arrives and before Dan can give him the news about their fathers, Cody blurts out that Eli has found Neil and he is alive. This good news still doesn’t make the bad news any easier to hear.

The Chaplin gives them the full details about their two father’s deaths. Half an hour later after talking and praying together, Dan with a soft laugh says, “With boots and work gloves on and trying to lend a hand. Sounds like my dad.”

Cody chuckles to as he agrees, “And after a good size storm, they both went out as men should, as warriors should, helping those in need.”

Dan reflects for a moment as he said, “My father loved all of his children and worked hard to provide for us. At times he was profane and rough, but he would always lend a hand when it was needed, without having to be asked or even expecting anything in return. He was self-sacrificing very dedicated to our mother, to us, to his friends and the community. Some people would say that he lived a normal life, with out seeking any fame or personnel glory. Years ago I was told by one of his friend’s that my Father was the perfect example of what a good man is suppose to be.” With the back of his hand Dan wipes away a single tear that was forming as he continued, “that is something to be remembered by, as A Good Man.”

Dan asks Cody, “If you need to go, I could spare you for a few days and that way you could then represent the both of us? I can’t go back for the funeral, not until this battle is over and that might be a week or longer and even then it would be difficult.”

“Thanks Dan, I really appreciate the offer but my duty is right here just like yours is. After we are finished with the Chinese and the Jihad Army here in California, there will be lots of time to go and say a proper farewell over their graves. Both of our fathers would want us to stay and see this job through to the end, they know we mean them no disrespect. My father always said take care of the living first, the dead are patient they will wait on you. In a little while I’ll go find a pipe and we can have a few puffs together, to send them a sign of our respect for them, as the smoke drifts up to them.”

“I’ll share that pipe with you my friend, but it’s got to be only tobacco not some other weed!”

Cody laughed as he said, “Tobacco with out a doubt, you heard about some of the guys in our tribe, and what they did during the 60’s and 70’s, what they smoked in the traditional pipes as they tried to pass it off as a tribal religion expression. I’m like you I never used the stuff before and I’m not about to start now.”

“Good for the both of you,” Maj. Harvey added, “I know you’re both feeling a little numb from losing your dads but we need both of you, with clear heads, we need you focused and sharp.”

Cody and Dan agreed, the next few days were going to be very hard, and very deadly.

Dan tells Cody, “I want to be placed on guard duty from midnight to 2AM if you would Cody?”

“I understand Sir, would you mind having some company?”

“Only if you are quiet, that’s what guard duty is about. Walking post, observing and listening.”

“That is correct sir, that’s what a guard is suppose to do.”

‘Lord, thank you for the many good memories I shared and the wonderful years my father had on this earth, let him be at peace now in your loving arms, with my mother at his side, as it should be. Soon this war, here in America will be over and we as a people will be united again under your protective hand once more. Help keep us as a people always faithful to you, and thankful for your Son, as he taught us to pray;’

Dan then says the Lord’s Prayer out loud and is joined by Cody and Maj. Harvey

“Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

The J-2 who was waiting for Dan, Cody and the Chaplin to finish the prayer with his head bowed in respect. When they were finished he cleared his throat to get Dan’s attention and then said, “Sorry to interrupt sir but I have the latest Intel report from Ski’s unit and the comparison in the hourly aerial photos from General Greene, they clearly show the movement of at least three division gearing up, we think they will be heading west from Sacrament soon”

“Thank you for waiting patiently Caleb I’m coming just now,” turning back to the Chaplin, and Cody he said, “Thank you both for being good friends. Without you two and many more guys and gal's like you, I would be lost and not able to cope. Excuse me but it’s back to work….”

1355 hrs

“Sir we have established sporadic radio contact with the battalion guarding the two bridges below Vallejo, the commander reports that the Americans have been seen in the hills just north and west of their positions but they haven’t attacked yet. He’s asking for some reinforcements especially on the south end of each bridge.”

“That’s a regular army unit isn’t it?”

“Well yes sir, I mean they are a reserve unit from the 1102 brigade.”

“Do they have any organic or attached armor?”

“They have two attached platoons as they are just an infantry battalion, one platoon of light armor the PTL02 with the 100mm assault guns and one platoon of ZSL92’s with 25mm machine cannons and of course their own organic anti-armor platoon.”

“Do we have any other units close by, with out pulling any away from coastal defense? I mean besides labor battalions, transportation or signals units.”

“No sir, we don’t have any more combat units in that region, all of the Infantry and Armor units are committed or have been sent to southern California to fight there.” A frown forms on his face as he offered, “But we do have the Jihad brigade moving over to Antioch.”

Upon hearing this General Gobi grimaced like he had just tasted a very sour lime, “Then they will have to do, send orders to Ayman when his Brigade gets to the Antioch Bridge he is to send a battalion of them up to help guard the other two bridges.”

“Yes sir, is his commander to be the senior officer?”

“Hah that is not funny, no he is to take orders from our man, I don’t care if Ayman goes himself, his people are not soldiers and his so called officers are not commanders.”

(C-31)

1502 hrs

Something is wrong he doesn’t know what, he has a feeling in his stomach he can’t explain and the hairs on the back of his neck are tingling. Turning and looking at Eli he sees that he is sensing the same feelings, “What is it,” Neil asks in a whisper?

As Eli held up his hand for them all to halt, then in slow motion gives them the silent hand single to get down quietly, and to wait as he crawls past Neil and on up beside the point man at the top of the levee and takes a look.

After about a minuet of observing he comes sliding back down and he quickly gives the thumb down motion, enemy in sight, and then flashes his left hand palm open six times, that makes at least thirty enemy in sight. He then motions for the MAG man to move forward and take up a position 15 meters to his right and then with his right hand he points to his eyes then back to Sgt. Chirau to move up and be the look out, then looking at the six Chinese soldiers Eli holding his hand just above his head, then with a sliding motion of his hand to the left, meaning for them to ease over to the left and take up hidden fire positions. Looking at Lyle he holds two fingers to his right upper arm meaning corporal, and then points at the Chinese Lt, then he taps his side. Neil nods his head in replay, knowing he’s to stay with the Lt. and will be his radioman to pass on any messages from the Colonel.

The Chinese Lt. understands and tells his men in a whisper, “Stay down, no noise get ready there are 30 enemy in sight, move a little to the left spread out, take up firing positions and stay below the top of the berm, until we are given the word to move up,” he then get into position and makes ready the grenade launcher. To Neil he whispers, “Zhu ni hao yun peng-you, that means good luck friend.”

“Good luck to you to sir,” Neil whispers back.

Eli has motioned for his other men to take up firing positions on the right five meters apart and to stay low in the ditch.

Still hidden they can hear some more vehicles coming across the bridge and everyone freezes in position. The vehicles come down the ramp and then stop and they can hear the new people talking with the guards. Sgt Chirau slides back down into the ditch and tells Eli that at least a company’s worth of wheeled APC’s just came over the bridge and drove up to the sand bagged positions of the infantry unit guarding this side.

This development changes the whole equation and they all know that when the California Brigade gets here they are in for a hard fight.

Eli and Sgt. Chirau slowly crawl back up to take a look, and watch as all of the infantry guards come out of their positions and start to gather around about the APC’s talking and joking.

They are completely oblivious of the Militia recon team that is within 100 meters of them, then suddenly and with out any warning or for any apparent reason, the new arrivals in the APC’s open fire on the dismounted soldiers killing many in less then ten seconds and forcing the survivors to throw down their weapons and surrender. ‘What in hell is going on here’, Eli mutters. Then in a loud whisper over his radio he orders his people, “Stay down and quiet, for some reason the new unit opened fire on their own people, they are killing each other, we have to wait and see what is happening and continue to wait for the California Militia.”

Eli leopard crawls up to look, as the new people quickly round up what is left of the infantry company and search them for hidden weapons, a few of the prisoners receive a swift butt stroke to the stomach or face when they get mouthy with their guards. After the frisking is over the prisoners are tied with zip ties and lead to one side.

Now a very loud commotion is heard on the other side of the bridge, it sounds like cheering but they aren’t sure and their position is two low for them to see what is going on. After a few minuets they can see two more wheeled APC’s crossing the bridge followed by a white pickup truck and a dozen or more semi trucks that look like they are full of infantry.

Eli orders his people to keep under cover if they are detected now they won’t stand a chance. Using the satellite phone Eli calls his base; he needs to find out how far away the California Brigade is from their position? From the looks of it, with the enemies reinforcement’s arriving their attack on the bridge is now going to be a lot harder and a lot bloodier. When the XO answers Eli says, “It looks like we have a sticky situation developing here…”

Hearing helicopters approaching from the North Eli tells his men, “Get the six missiles ready just in case they see us.....”

(C-32)

No Quarter

None asked, none given.

‘Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy,

and keep those things which are written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 1:3

Listen to the word of God little man,

He has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,

but one of power, love and self-discipline.

JN

"Vaya con Dios

(May God Be with You)"

“Major Z, I’m sure glad to see you and that armor you brought along.” Capt. Abdullah Rickman said. “So far we haven’t seen any enemy yet but I know it won’t be long before they head down our way.”

“The enemy is closer then you know,” Zinnia said as he reached under his left arm to check the fit of his holstered 45 auto. “One question I want to ask your Rickman, how do you reconcile your conversion these last few months with this passage from 9:61 in the Koran, ‘Gabriel came down to Muhammad and said, “If a black man comes to you his heart is more gross than a donkey’s. I want you to know that I mean no disrespect to you or any other blacks within our division but I’m having trouble with my forced conversion lately.”

“Well there are several passages in the book that bother me to, but there are several places in the Bible that make me feel the same way.”

Zinnias chuckled as the two officers watched his men unload from the front vehicles of the convoy, as they mingled with Rickman’s people. Z’s men were waiting for the first shoots from Ricardo’s people on the far end of the bridge, taking out Capt. Rickman’s converted cons on that end first. “Before I was given the choice and converted I wasn’t a very good Christian, since then I have done some comparing of what Christ taught verses what was later taught by Muhammad.”

“If you’re testing my faith sir you’re wasting our time. I converted several years ago, long before the invasion happened. No disrespect to you but it was the white Christian men who founded this nation on the backs of slaves, black slaves, that showed the true nature of their religion.”

“Won’t get into a pissing contest with you about history, there is enough bad on both sides to fill volume’s. But it was the Islamic raiders and many other black tribal leaders in Africa that provided the captured prisoners offered at the ports, from which the slave ship captains chose their cargo and loaded up their holds. My family knows about slavery too cause it’s from my mother’s side of the family who were Welsh, indentured servants brought to America back in 1693. It took two generations for them to buy their way out of debt before they were free.”

Rickman nodded his head, “My people were held in chains until 1865, and since then we have been treated like shit or worse.”

“I find that attitude interesting, I read your file after you joined up and you filled out the questioner. You had said your great-Grandfather had been in the 10^th Calvary during the Spanish-American War, and again in WWI where he was the Regimental Sergeant Major. And your Grandfather was an Officer during WWII and later in Korea. And you stated that your father was a pilot during Nam and afterward he was a commercial pilot, right?”

“So what,” Abdullah responded arrogantly

“Calm down Captain, all I’m saying is the things you wrote down, now if I’m wrong then it’s from what you stated when you agreed to join us. And what I was getting to, that this Jihad movement is just an Arab push. These people are the same Arabs that have slaughtered maybe a million black Africans in Dafar, and only recently outlawed slaver in Saudi Arabia in the 1970s. Even today they won’t recognize their foreign workers as having any rights within the Kingdom, those people can be expelled for any reason the Arabs want to use. And you think they are better people then you fellow Americans? I do know that the America people of color or blacks like you are treated a whole lot better then they were 40 years ago.”

At first Abdullah had a perplexed look on his face as he listened to Major Z. that changed to a smirk as he then cut in “They still jail us by at least a three to one ratio over any whites, so answer that one sir!”

“Sorry to have to quote law enforcement figures, but black on black crime used to make up close to sixty percent of all crimes. But with the recent influx of illegal Hispanic’s figured in who’s crime rate was growing faster then all others combined and soon they would have been 50% or higher, and the figures on blacks who commit crimes will be down to just 30 or 35% and all others at just 20% or so.”

“Just shows you that it was a white privileged world with the black man still at the bottom,” suddenly gunfire erupts and Abdullah turns and looks across the bridge.

Major Zinnias men on this side open fire on Capt. Rickman’s people with several of his Hispanic men shouting, “'darle, darle, 'give it to em,' pour it on make the Islamic scum pay, bite my cuerno de chivo.”(Mexican slang for an AK-47)

Just then Major Z pulls his forty-five and puts two shots into Capt. Rickman’s radio man and then holds the pistol to the Captains head as he said, “One bad move on your part and you’ll be in that special hell reserved just for traitors, understand me?”

“I ain’t moving but what in the fuck is going on.”

“As I was saying the forced conversion on me didn’t work. I an American again, I’m helping close to five thousand civilians escape out from under your masters hand. The same master that has you whipped and begging for mercy so he won’t kill you because you’re an American.”

“You’ll never make it out of here, the whole brigade is moving this way and they will be here at any time.”

Major Z pushes the pistol hard against the Captains temple as he said with a hiss, “No, there is no more 5^th Con brigade, we are the last ones standing, and your men are the ones throwing down their weapons and surrendering, so it looks like it’s over for you. As for me and my men we have all changed back to Christians, we couldn’t stand being lied to by a bunch of Islamic fanatics, and being used to kill innocents, our own people.”

Capt. Abdullah said, “To those who annoy the prophet there is a painful doom, more so for the murtadd, for it is written that for the apostasy he is to be killed where ever one of the faithful finds him.”

“Yea, and in the mid-east they kill their own people calling them 'takfir' because they don’t believe exactly the same way. There is something that your so called religion forgot or never grew up to, here in the real world you don’t see Baptist blowing up Lutherans or Methodist because their belief is a little different. They tolerate each other as they all believe in Christ, even though each of them has their own different ideas and style.”

“I will see you disemboweled and left to die in such pain as Allah ….”

“I don’t think so, who has the gun pointed at his head? You know me and my reputation if you annoy me the least bit, it’s your blood and brains on the floor.”

“IF that is what Allah wishes so be it. Kill me if you must, but know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and that soon the faithful will expel you and all of the unbelievers from this land…..”

The smile that Z gave him said it all and Abdullah knew enough to shut up. Z was a crazy bastard, for now he would wait for a chance to escape or later to turn the tables and kill this apostate if he could.

Z pushed the pistol a little harder as he whispered, “Don’t get any ideas, I have the files on you and your men. All of you that survived here will be handed over to the American Army soon. And then your trial for treason and the murders you have committed since the invasion will all come out in a court martial. If what I’ve heard is true the US 16^th Army will have all of you up and swinging from a rope in less then thirty days. But that can change in a second,” he said taking two steps back, “you can die with a bullet in your back running away. Or from a shot to the chest by coming at me, it’s your choice on how you want to die. Are you ready to be judged by God? When you get there, I don’t think you’ll get any mercy shown, do you?”

Rickman stood there frozen, like most cons he was a coward at heart when faced by an armed man. His knees were weak and he couldn’t stand any longer as he sat down hard, on the ground. He didn’t want to die, but he knew his time was close; maybe Z was wrong the system had been weak before and he was only given 25 to life, he might get lucky again?

Several of Major Z’s men walk over to him with two older men carrying M1’s and one of them say’s, “Major the bridge is ours we lost three men killed and seven more were slightly wounded, thank the lord nothing life threaten for them. We have disabled the few explosives, can we start sending across the women and Children now?”

“How many survivors from the men guarding the bridge,” Z asks?

“Fifty-three and a dozen of them aren’t going to make it. I don’t know about the ones over on Ricardo’s side yet.”

“Cover this one for me will you,” he asked as he pulled out his radio all the while keeping his pistol, pointed at Rickman’s head.

“You stand up, turn around and hold your hands together behind your back,” Pepe ordered Capt Rickman as he took some prepared zip tie handcuffs out of his pocket. Quickly fastening them on the wrists he then frisked the prisoner for any hidden weapons, finding a pistol in the small of the back and a box cutter in the right rear pocket, and a boot knife strapped on his right ankle. Turning him around Pepe then opened the Captains shirt and finds a small knife attached to the man’s ID chain hanging from his neck as he said, “Clever, but an old trick.”

Z in the mean time had gotten a hold of Ricardo and found out that his end of the bridge was clear, with seventeen of the guards alive and taken as prisoners. Turning back to the two Sgt. Majors he said, “I’ll send across two of the APC’s and then Sergeant Major you can lead out with your white Pickup and have the truck loads of women, kids and old folks follow.”

The two retired marines hustled back to their sections of the convoy and tell their people the good news, one of the men riding on the first semi-flat bed trailer takes out a large American flag and attaches it to a long pole he had brought along. He starts to wave it around, everyone is shouting and happy, as they know once across this last water way they are safer.

The two APC’s roll over the bridge to take up defensive positions as the convoy follows. Every one of the people are shouting and laughing and saying thank you’s to the Z force people as they drive past them.

The convoys of trucks lead by the one with the flag flying above it are almost across and heading down to the flat ground when it explodes, hit by a missile fired from a Chinese Attach Helicopter that is bearing down on them from the north. Everyone of them look that way and they now see four attack helicopters, and all four of them open fire with their chain guns and missiles at the packed trucks.

Before Major Z’s men can turn there weapons and fire, two missiles streak out of the long grass near the east end of the bridge quickly followed by two more and all four of the helicopters are destroyed.

Ricardo’s men were surprised like everyone else at the sudden firing of the helicopters into the convoy. But they were even more surprised when four missiles streaked out of the tall grass and weeds from their side of the bridge and destroyed the helicopters. Stunned by this chain of events they just turn and stare when a lone man stands up and shouts at them.

Eli and his team having watched the fighting between the two Jihadist units don’t completely understanding what is going on, as they stayed out of sight and wait.

Sam wearing a pair of Earshot’s suddenly tells them there are some helicopters up north and heading their way. Eli orders the men to get the anti-air missiles ready just in case. As he watches the two APC’s followed by a pickup truck pull across and join the other ten armored trucks, he’s still trying to figure out what is going on. Looking back across the bridge he can see a convoy of trucks that are loaded with people moving his way; now that’s strange, the first semi has a large American Flag attached to it. And the people in the back are shouting and cheering, then it dawns on him, they’re refuges!

Eli’s people looking back to the north can now see four Chinese attack Helicopters approaching fast, coming up river and they know the helicopters are also watching this convoy. Eli orders his men to get ready, and to fire on the helicopters when they are in range.

When the helicopters see the American flag flying over the leading truck they know which side is which and the 4 helicopters start firing at the trucks on the bridge, in seconds Eli’s crew fire off the last two Stingers and a few seconds later two of the QianWei-4’s taking out the four attacking birds. Getting the last two missiles ready took a few seconds longer. Seconds that they didn’t have and several of the trucks have been hit in the attack. Eli can’t tell how many because of the smoke and fire, what he can see is that quiet a few of the refuges in the first truck are killed and many more wounded.

Taking a gamble Eli stands up and starts yelling across the ditch to the company of infantry on his side of the bridge, he shouts, “Don’t shoot we are part of the Militia Corp. I have a couple of medics I want to send up on to the bridge to help the wounded.”

Ricardo is surprised by the last few seconds quick events, the helicopter attack and the missiles that erupted from the long grass, but he quickly recovers from this unexpected appearance of this man and tells his men, “Don’t shoot they are friends. You men in the tall grass come out but keep your weapons pointed in a safe direction.”

Oscar getting out of the pickup with out his rifle hears the exchange and hollers across, “Don’t anyone shot were Americans too, we have a bunch of women and children with us, and we were trying to get away. These soldiers with the black uniforms on are helping us, they were assigned to the Jihad 10^th Brigade but their on our side now. Please send any medics you got to help the trucks that were hit.” His voice sounded like it was on the edge of tears as he finishes with, “We have our families and our friends on them.” Then turning back to the pick up he grabs a small medical kit and runs back up the bridge.

Eli pulls his satellite phone out of its pouch as he shouts over his shoulder “Neil take Sam, our medical bag and the Chinese LT, his medic and have his people to assist, go see what you can do to help.”

He presses the quick dial number code for his HQ and his executive office answers, “Yes sir.”

“We need some medics bad, hell we need all of the medical assets you can get ASAP, location is the north end of the Antioch bridge better make it two or three helos worth of help, we have a large convoy of civilians that just got strafed by some Chin attack birds. From where I’m standing I haven’t a number on the causalities but it looks like it's in the hundreds maybe more, use the coordinates displayed as the grid reference.”

“Is the area secure?”

“Not yet but it will be when the birds land.” For a second Eli lets his feelings show as he says, “Good God man we are going to need a shit load of Casavac help for the refugees. We just watched one Jihad unit drive up and open fire on their other unit guarding the bridge. I just found out that the ones who drove up were escorting the civilians toward our lines, so I think they have switched to our side.” Eli realizes he is rambling and regains his self control as he finished with, “I’ll call back in two or three minuets with more info, but get me as much medical help as you can. ASAP.”

“Yes sir, I’ll call the 2^nd Kansas Division they have their field hospital right above Rio Vista.”

Eli pushed the off button and hurried forward to ascertain the situation as he shouts, “Sgt Chirau, Cpl. Phillips on me. Cpl O’Leary, Cpl Bogart stay here and man the last two Man pads just in case more enemy helicopters attack,” Running up to the first APC he orders, “Who’s in charge of your unit?”

The Corporal in charge of the vehicle points to the APC sitting next to the white pick up and said, “Sir the Lieutenant is in that one.”

Ricardo has just dismounted and is yelling for his Company Medic, and the platoons aide men to get up on to the bridge and give a hand.

Eli hurried over and says, “No time for formalities, are you the Company Commander?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, I’m Lt. Colonel Maritz with the Militia. I want you to send a platoon of your APC’s up the road clearing it and have them stop at Emmaton, tell them that a large force of the California 1st Militia is coming this way, they not to fire on them. My two men here will accompany your platoon and work as liaison so we won’t have a friendly fire incident. Do you understand?”

“Yes sir.”

“Good. Now at the same time take the rest of your APC’s and men and form a large secure zone, here around this end of the off ramp. I want it to be at least the size of two-football fields because we are going to be landing several helicopters with medics and then using it to evacuating patients. Before you do that what’s the rank and name of your commander?”

Ricardo taken aback by the Colonels necessary abruptness, salutes without thinking as he says, “Lieutenant Sanchez sir, and I’ll do as you ordered, my Battalion Commander is Major Zannia he’s on the other end of the bridge.”

Eli tells him, “No saluting on the battle field son, that just makes us targets. Do you have radio contact with him?”

“Yes sir,” as he hands the small ham radio over, “We aren’t using any call signs just first names we don’t want to give out any unit information that a Chinese listening post might pick up. The Major is going by the name of Harvey.”

Eli took the offered radio as he handed Ricardo a green smoke grenade, “I have some helicopters coming, when they are close in, pop this smoke, that way they will know it’s safe and the wind direction.”

“Yes sir, “ he answered, and then hurried off to deploy his men and pass on their orders. Eli's two men follow him, so then can go with the one platoon to meet the California Brigade..

Using the radio Eli presses the button and say’s, “Harvey this is Eli over,” then releasing the button, his call is answered within seconds.

“Eli I don’t know you, make it quick I’m really busying, over.”

“Ricardo gave me his radio, my men fired the rockets and took out the attack birds, I’ve taken charge on this end and I’m making arraignments to get in medical help that will be here shortly, just make sure that your people over there get the word and not to fire on my birds. If you have any anti-air assists get them deployed ASAP I have only two shots left. Do you know how many trucks were hit, and any guess on the number of causalities? Over.”

“Thank you Eli, I’ll let my people know about your birds, I’m deploying my units as we speak. It looks like there were nine or ten semi-trucks and trailers hit, I think? My best guess is at least a thousand wounded and dead maybe more. I have very limited medical support or supplies over here; one doctor and only sixteen aide people. I’ll clear a landing site on my end for some medical choppers too, over.”

“Do it, I only had four medics with me, Ricardo is sending his men up now, talk to you later. Out!”

Eli using his phone calls his HQ again, when his XO answers he passes on the information about the wounded civies and tells him where the Cal Militia will link up with his people and the radio frequency they are using, so he can relay that information to them.

The XO lets him know that three MedEvac UH-1V or ‘Hueys’ are on their way or will be shortly with a small team of medics, he has requested more. He will alert the Cal Militia so that when they link up they can send their medical teams forward. Then he lets Eli know that “D is really pissed off when he heard that you were down at that bridge.”

“D will get over it, besides my team saved a lot more of the civilians by having our ManPads ready. The whole situation down here is confused and will take a bit to sort out. Keep on it and line up more medical help and let the MedEvac know that we have an LZ set up on the north end of the bridge. When we have one clear on the south side I’ll call back. Let the helos know that when they are in sight we will pop a green smoke in the area I want them to land. We will send back as many wounded on this first flight as we can. Have our air liaison officer get a hold of every unit that fly’s. Except for the MedEvac flights I want a total cordon sanitaire for both sides of this bridge, and it’s to cover the immediate area. If I need air support I’ll call for it.”

“We are already working on that sir.”

Just above Rio Vista the 2^nd Kansas Militia Divisions medical support Battalion A Company Commander is helping several of his people load extra M-8 combat medical bags into some helicopters. These bags are to be sent forward to the five brigade medical stations, and in turn will be sent forward to the battalion stations so that when a medic uses up his ready supplies he can get another bag that’s complete, without having to take time and pick through boxes of supplies to refill his own.

The Medical Battalions Sgt Major comes running out of the HQ building and up to the helicopters. Before he can say anything the doors to the pilots ready room fly’s open and the pilots and aircrews run up to the choppers and commence preflight. With out fanfare the Sgt Major tells the Lt. “Sir there has been a fire fight down at the bridge leading north from Antioch. The battalion commander just told me that a convoy loaded with refugees was strafed, it’s not our area but we are the closest medical unit with air assists. We need to send as many medics as you have here right now to assist them. A forward surgical team is with the Cal Brigade headed that way, they will be there shortly after you arrive. You’ll be on you own for a while.”

“That’s alright I have nine medics and ten litter carriers here, I’ll take them and half of the equipment that we were going to send up to our units, alert my executive officer for me Sgt. Major, tell him to send at least another whole platoon up here to be on stand by.”

“I’ll do that Lt. Marion, send word back if you need more supplies.”

Gavin started to say something but the firing up of the turbo engine in the helicopter drowned out his voice so he just gave the thumbs up sign. Gathering his twenty men he gives the necessary orders as he and the nineteen men going with him all grabbed their weapons and necessary equipment and load into the four helicopters. The two supply men that were staying behind, head back to their Company area to wait for further orders.

The 3^rd California Brigade coming down highway 160 has with them their division slice of the hospital team. When word gets to the commander about the incident at the bridge he pulls most of his leading battalion to the side of the road, as the surgical team is very quickly moved forward, right behind the lead infantry company. When they are still several miles away, they watch as four medical Hueys fly past them headed south-west.

Fifteen minuets later the leading company of the Cal Militia makes contact with Sgt Chirau, and the platoon of Ricardo’s men up at Emmaton. From there it takes them another ten minuets to cover the six kilometers down to the bridge. The two doctors and their surgical teams quickly unload and rush up onto the bridge to help where they find a team of medics already working. The Lieutenant in charge has set up a makeshift field trauma center right on the bridge to treat the worst of the wounded, but with the ten truck loads of badly hurt and burned refuges, this is more then they would normally handle. There are no complaints as this is what they are trained for, and without any fanfare the small medical team swings into action.

Blunder

Blunder (chess term)

A bad move;

Primarily a move that turns a win into a loss or draw,

or from a draw into a loss

I shall not be afraid of the terror by night,

Nor of the arrow that flies by day.

---Psalms 91:3

Chinese 314 and 393 Independent Brigades

“Sir the plan is working the Americans mechanized screen is slowing pulling back. The breaking of our battalions into individual companies and maneuvering like they are, makes the enemy think we are at least a division attacking them.”

“Keep your enthusiasm under control major, we have a long way to go before we reach their main lines. Unless they are falling back so easily to suck us into a trap, and that just might be their plan, make sure the supply runners keep bringing forward our munitions as fast as they can.”

“If we were to have the trucks move forward a few kilometers instead of our men having to go back to the jump off point for more supplies it would make things easier.”

“No, they stay where they are, they haven’t been shelled or attacked by any aircraft. That means the Americans didn’t see us move them into that position, if we move them forward again they might be detected and then we will lose them.
“Then can I have the few field ambulances move some troops and supplies forward when they go up to retrieve the wounded.”

“You fool the only reason the ambulances haven’t been attacked is because they are marked and they are only moving the wounded back. If the Americans saw them drop off fresh troops or ammunition they will attack them, no we will not jeopardize our wounded men’s only chance of getting quickly back to our doctors. We must honor some rules of warfare, and the Americans will do the same.”

The signals officer hands the senior Colonel a message that just came in by runner as he says, “Sir the 2^nd battalion of the 322^nd is down to two weak companies but they have pushed over the highway above Allendale. They can see enemy soldiers digging defensive positions in the English hills to the west. They think that is where the Americans are going to hold?”

“Good send them the codes to consolidate and to hold in place. Then send word on to the 3^rd battalion of the 322^nd to move forward as fast as possible and reinforce them. With luck they will get there in time and we can hold on through the afternoon and into the night before the Americans make any counterattacks.”

“Sir have the Americans counterattacked anywhere along our line of advance?”

“No they haven’t, but as I said earlier we must be ready and expect anything.” Turning back to the signals officer he said, “Send word to General Gobi let him know how far we have advanced, and ask, No request reinforcements or tell him we need to be relieved in place as all of our units are at 50 percent or less in strength. Tell him that almost all of our stores of ammunition are exhausted, there is none left we have used it all up. If the Americans don’t mount a serious counterattack we can hold for the night. But we need reinforcements and ammunition desperately.”

The message was sent over a secure landline and the speed of the answer surprised them all.

‘Hold at all cost, the first units of the 171^st Division will arrive around mid-night and by first light they will relieve your command. You have accomplished with just two brigades what any two of my divisions have failed to do. You have held the Americans and set them back. When the 171^st arrives you will take charge of them General Pu, and Col Shidu will be your assistant.’

Wang Pu winched at the last part of the message as he said with his head lowered, “Send word back, that Col Gao Shidu died leading the advance units in the fighting today, he is now at peace back home with the spirits of our ancestors.”