Moosehill Militia (Book 1): INFECTED (22 page)

Mike and Mac headed up and out passing through the security shelter before exiting the main entrance ramp which is open and guarded during the day and usually closed after dark.

“We got time let’s take a tour of the perimeter road Mac.” They jumped in Mike’s Humvee with his new aid Jake West driving. They all had their equipment including weapons load out.

Jake drove them on the dirt road on the inside of the inner fence with was twenty feet high with a strand of razor wire on top, thirty feet separated the inner fence and the outer fence which also had a strand of razor wire on top. In between the fences up against the inner fence was two strands of razor wire on the ground and a third strand on top on the two. Outside the outer fence was a dry moat twelve feet deep with steep sides layered in rip rock to keep grass from growing in the ditch to deny any areas for concealment.

The trio drove along and came across four platoons running spaced out around fifty yards apart. They were running the perimeter as morning exercise.

“Must be Foxtrot Company.” Mike said as they drove by. At the head of each platoon was a standard bearer with a Company F logo on the flag, with a one through 4 under the F denoting the platoon number. As they drove by the standard bearer dipped his or her flag down as a salute to their commanding officer.

The north side of the base is the most isolated before it gets to the airport. As they drove along they came across several security patrols in SUV’s and some on four wheelers. Everything looked pretty good to Mike and Mac. They were building something to be proud of.

As they got closers to the airport they could see into the woods, the practice track the M113A2’s use was close by and they could see two of the APC’s grinding over the muck in the wet area off to their left. The Commander of one of the APC’s waved and they waved back.

“Looks like there having fun, remember that day you and I gave Mary then all those school kids’ rides down that trail. That was a fun day. I wonder how many of those kids are here with us and alive.” Mike said gloomily.

Jake drove them out at the end of the runway which was very near the perimeter fence and around to the west side that fronts onto Paxton Street. Across the street was the new housing development, most of the residence of that neighborhood are in here with us Mike thought. While they were driving along the runway a C-130 came down for a landing and then took off without slowing doing a touch and go, training new pilots Mike observed. Over the neighborhood he was just thinking about he noticed a flight of Huey’s going across around two hundred feet up, also training.

They drove around the far end of the runway and pulled up down by the building that was the museum and is now part of the mechanized maintenance department near the end of the runway. They joined two other Humvee’s with drivers. They were for the guest coming, supposedly in the next five minutes or so.

Sure enough in five minutes they could hear a deep rumble, the V-22 Osprey had very large propellers and had a deep sound to them almost like a large helicopter. The gray Osprey came down the runway from the far end and transitioned from plane configuration to helicopter, and hovered then set down about fifty yards in front of the group waiting for them.

Mike, Mac and his escort waited for the plane to power down, the back ramp to the Osprey opened and a squad of Marines came out forming a perimeter around the plan and four more in working Navy whites came down the ramp and started walking over to Mike’s group.

As they got closer Mike realized the Admiral was a women an Asian women. He didn’t know, not that it made a difference to him. As they came to a stop in front of Mike’s group. Mike steeped forward and held his hand out to the Admiral in greeting.

“Pleased to meet you Admiral, I’m Mike Mohan and this is my XO, Mac McDermott.” Mike said, still a little surprised.

“Mr. Mohan, my pleasure to meet you and your XO. This is my Marine Commander, Brigadier John Frost.” She said. Hands were shaken all around.

“Mr. Mohan, I see your all in military garb but not one of you saluted a Superior Officer.” Brigadier Frost said to Mike.

Mike looked at the Brigadier. What we did here has been totally independent of the military, I had a few years warning that something was going to happen, and don’t ask me how cause you won’t believe it. I spent nearly a billion dollars of my own money building up this base. How old are you Brigadier Frost?” Mike asked in a calm voice.

“I’m Thirty eight year old and was just frocked to Brigadier, I’ve been a Colonel for the last four years.” He said with some annoyance.

“Colonel, we are close to the same age, I did things in the sand box with Seal Team Six that you’re not even cleared for, and I left as a senior Chief Petty officer because of injuries during operations and personnel reasons. Right now we can field a battalion of mechanized infantry plus two more companies in the near future we should have at least two battalions or we can deploy two or three companies from the air. We have fixed wing assets as well and plans to acquire more. We have rescued thousands, and have at least twelve thousand permanent residence as of now with more adding daily. This facility which is called Moosehill Base was totally funded out of my pocket, you may recall the guy who won the largest lottery in history, that’s me. Now you can argue about military courtesy or we can go on a tour of our facility’s and meet some of the people and get an impression from them. Oh one last thing. My soldiers mostly veterans of the Middle East wars and other brush fire conflicts have been in continuous action since day one of this conflict and have performed flawlessly. I would match them up against the best from around the world and they know the difference they have made to so many, the moral is as high as any Troops I’ve ever seen. They believed in what where doing, and have faith in our leadership indicating himself and Mac.” Mike finished with fire in his eye’s staring at Frost.

The Admiral with a look of wonder started, “Mike Mohan, now I remember where I heard that name. Mr. Mohan it’s been several years but I remember hearing your last name whispered in the halls of the pentagon, you were put in for the Medal of Honor but it was downgraded to a Navy Cross and you also received the Silver Star. The after action report was still sealed as of the last I know. That’s probably why the medal was downgraded.

“Brigadier Frost.” the Admiral said. “You can stow that attitude for now. Mr. Mohan is not a part of the active military and does not have to observe military protocol and if he was in the military we should probably be saluting him, from what I know of his actions, he deserves the medal.” The Admiral said with node to Mike.

“Yes Ma’am.” Frost said. Turning to Mike he said. “Please accept my apologies Mr. Mohan.” The frocked Brigadier said.

Mike now that he cooled off felt a little embarrassed. “Accepted, I also apologies, I may have overreacted we have been under a little stress as you know. Let’s go for a ride and we can show you our little base.”

Mike escorted the Admiral to his Humvee. Mike and the Admiral entered the first vehicle driven by Jake West his aide. Mac with the Brigadier were in the next Humvee and the third was for the Admirals four Marine escort. They toured the airport and hangers watched some helicopters operations, coming and going that were supporting the two convoy operations to the Abby and Becker College. A C-130 took off on a training flight with students. They stopped at the APC depot and observed some of the new recruits from Foxtrot and Golf Company training on the M113A2’s on the training course and small arms range. They saw the two new Barracks going up near the airport, also a new larger tower being built.

The Brigadier asked about any other runways in the area for larger aircraft. Mac told him that they have plans to secure and take over the Worcester Airport that can handle any size aircraft including the C-5 Galaxy. They next took the airport road over to the main Moosehill Complex and saw the solar array farm and the wind turbines.

The Admiral asked who’s castle as they pulled up to its main gate.

“That’s mine Admiral, I may have gotten a little carried away building that. My daughter and I have been living in the Moosehill Base, not the Manor. Someday we might move in, maybe. For now we use it for functions and large planning meeting and for everything else we can. It’s also the secret entrance to the base.” At that Mike drove through the main gate into the second gate and down the ramp into Moosehill Complex. They entered the motor pool and Mike informed them they walk from here.

The Admiral was in awe they were in a underground chamber easily over two hundred feet long housing numerous motor vehicles from SUV’s to APC’s, she then followed Mike through a smaller security room she guessed. They had to go through another entrance with firing ports in the wall and she could hear the security personnel behind the firing ports, an enemy would have a hard time getting through here. They passed through the security area and went down a fairly large tunnel, several hatches led off this. One was open and she could see several soldiers gearing up to go out, it appeared to be some sort of bunk room.

They next entered another large room like the first and it was obviously a military depot, she noticed a supply area off to the side. There appeared to be an indoor firing range leading off this room also. The next entrance was also guarded and they were passed through and entered the largest underground room she had ever been in. It was a large domed room easily two hounded and fifty feet across with numerous activity's going on there were at least four other garage entrances like the one she came through leading off to other areas. Too say she was impressed was an understatement. Mike led her and Colonel Frost and there Marine escort off to the side with Mac taking up the rear with Jake the driver. They stopped outside a smaller hatch.

“Admiral could you leave your Marine escort outside this room or Jake could take them down to the cafeteria for a bite to eat. This is our Command Center and access is restricted. You and the Brigadier are cleared by my say so. But I’d like to leave it at that if you don’t mind.” Mike told her.

“I understand Mr. Mohan. Men go with Mr. Mohan’s aide to the cafeteria if you like. I think I’m safe here.” Aki said to the Marines.

They entered the Command Center after Mike entered a code and the door unlocked.

The Admiral entered behind Mike, then the Brigadier and Mac. Inside she observed a fifty by thirty foot room with multiple work stations, including Communications, Radar arrays, and a few dozen monitors showing different views of the base, inside and out. Also on several camera she could see what looked like operations going on elsewhere. Mike took this moment to observe the Admiral as she looked around. He thought she was very attractive in a severe kind of way, she looked to be around five foot five inches slim build but obviously fit. She had flawless complexion with straight dark hair cut just below her ears. She carried herself with authority and confidence, she remained him of an Asian actress but couldn't remember the name. The kind of women that Mike might go after in different circumstances.

“Mr. Mohan what are those camera’s showing?” the Admiral asked while pointing at the monitors in question.

“Ah, those are two operations we have going on right now, low risk, where setting up satellite bases at the Spencer Abby, where we will be growing a lot of food this summer and the other is Becker College on a hill close to Leicester Center, a cross roads of sorts and can easily block access from anyone or thing coming from the Worcester area where there could be a couple of hundred thousand Infected coming this way at any time. Also that will be a jumping off point for any operations to claim Worcester airport or any further push east. A forward fire base would be a good idea I thought.

The map on that large monitor over there shows the immediate towns and the extent that we have cleared the Infected out. Not to say there couldn’t be stragglers. All our people go armed outside the base or inside for that matter. Seventy percent of the towns of Spencer, Leicester and Paxton have been cleared, that is an ongoing mission just about every day. The Troops are having a break today, but as you can see there still providing security for the two satellite bases where setting up and convoys going between Moosehill and the two.”

The Dozen or so men and women in the room while having one ear listening to what their guest had to say were also paying attention to their duties monitoring Troops or planes or other duties on computer screens.

“Well Mr. Mohan, I don’t know what to say. At the least I’m very impressed. Let me tell you what we’ve been doing outside your area. So far the information has been one sided you providing info to us. I’d like to fill you in now if you’d like.” The Admiral told Mike.

“Of Course Admiral ever since the Solar flare, news has been very rare.” He said.

Okay, first. It’s probably a lot worse then you imagined. The Federal Government is gone as far as I know. Before the end, the writing was on the wall and all the fleet units with as many personnel and dependents and anyone else that could get to Norfolk or any base were being evacuated to ships and sent to Second Fleet. I believe I command up to forty five naval ships at this time with more added daily with a big contingent of amphibious ships along with a British task force and several cruise ships with thousands of civilian. We first took control of Bermuda with British approval. I sent one amphibious strike group to secure the Islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard and they have also taken control of Falmouth and Woods hole for a secure landing area, when several other amphibious units arrive there soon with reinforcements.