Retribution (Soldier Up - Book Five 5) (15 page)

It took two and a half days to move all of the ships through the Canal Zone and no one was sure the Hornet would make it through, but she did.  The original plan was to send two transport ships escorted by the
USS Iowa
.  Admiral Meyer had a change of heart when he was told the
USS Midway
was back on line and ready for duty.  The
Midway
could take over patrolling the West Coast and if there were any bugs to be worked out of her she was still close to home.  

              It was full speed ahead once everyone was through the canal. The two SEAL teams were picked up and safely on the
Iowa
.  They expected another five days of sailing time to reach Norfolk. Once there they would unload the Marines and their equipment and meet with the Secretary of the Navy.  They knew that once they reached port things would begin to move fast, so they had no plans for flight operations right now, or where to position the
Iowa
with her massive guns.  The news had gone out to Admiral Meyer and the rest that they were through the canal, so as far as everyone was concerned now it was game on for the United States Navy.

              Within the Department of the Navy at the Pentagon planning was also full speed ahead; as far as anyone knew right now they were the Naval Superpower once more, considering that no other Navy was currently known to be operating.  It was a very simple plan that largely depended on where Colonel Magnus was. Last report he was still a hundred and fifty miles away and in three more days the aircraft from the Hornet would be able to protect the capital.  By the fifth day they would be able to rain down some pain on to the good Colonel.  What the Department of the Navy didn’t know was that Brigadier General Clayton and the West Coast Defense Command had far greater assets and was waiting for the GO from the President to implement their plan.

              President Washington was briefed that the Navy had made it successfully through the Panama Canal and was at least a week out.  He hoped and prayed that the delaying action he had planned with General Clayton was going to work, because they needed to buy time.  Having the entire 82
nd
Airborne Division within the Capitol was a Godsend, but he knew it would take more than what they had to stop the Colonel.  Intelligence reports coming in from 19
th
Special Forces Group assessed the situation as critical. Colonel Magnus was forcing conscription of men and women between the ages of seventeen and thirty-two, because he felt it was their responsibility as citizens to protect and defend the country from the Socialists/Communists in Washington D.C.  Estimates of his forces were growing daily, fifty thousand, sixty thousand, eight thousand then the last count was a hundred and one thousand men and women under arms. 

              They were also raiding National Guard Armories and Military Reserve components as they passed through the towns and cities.  According to the reports they were becoming, if not already, a formidable force.  It was daunting to think that people were so angry with the government that it had come to this.  Granted it was a small segment of the overall population as measured pre-event census, because people had become so dependent on the government for so much, they were promised time and again that the government would always be there for them and not to worry.  Then the EMP event happened and the governments for at least the first year all-but-disappeared, leaving people helpless.  So many lost so much because of the lies, not realizing they were just as responsible for believing those lies.

              Intelligence reports put Colonel Magnus at Harrisburg, the 28
th
Infantry Division was in full retreat, pausing here and there to harass Colonel Magnus, and they were also emulating General Sherman’s march to the sea during the Civil War, destroying everything in their path, leaving nothing the enemy could use.  President Washington wasn’t a fan of this type of warfare, but the devil was at his doorstep, so he didn’t have much of a choice.  Intelligence also revealed that Colonel Magnus has promoted himself to full General and named his army the Army of the Potomac.  President Washington called for Brigadier General Clayton to report to him at his earliest convenience, which in Presidential terms meant, now.   Within fifteen minutes General Clayton was in the Oval Office with the President.

              General Clayton marched up to the desk, came to attention and saluted. He held the salute until the President returned the salute, still at attention, “Brigadier General Clayton reports as ordered, sir!”

              President Washington was always amazed after all of these years, the military maintained professionalism, even under the direst circumstance.  “Relax General,” the President ordered.  “We have a GO General; please implement your plan as soon as possible.”

              “Are you sure sir?” Brigadier General Clayton asked.

              “Never more General; never more.”

              With that, Brigadier General Clayton came to attention once again, “Yes sir, consider it done.”  He saluted, the President returned the salute, Brigadier General Clayton smartly did an about face and marched out of the Oval Office thinking that was about time.

Food from the farms and ranches that were outlying Virginia Beach and Norfolk was flowing in, and markets were opening with fresh produce, live stock was becoming available, which meant more fresh meat.  Quite a bit of the produce was making its way up to Washington D.C. by train.  It was touch and go for a bit for Captain O’Hara and Major Luxon. There were some farms and ranches east of Hawkesbury Farm and some of the ranching and farming communities had joined forces and created their own states, with their own local governments and declared they were no longer part of the United States.

              Captain O’Hara was notified that there was flash traffic waiting for him at the base communications center. It was only a shortwave radio, but it was better than nothing.  Captain O’Hara was in the middle of an inspection when his Executive Officer told him in no uncertain terms he needed to get his ass over to the communications center and read the message.  He told his commander that, of course he couldn’t read it, because it was classified for his eyes only, but a little bird told him it was no ordinary message and he needed to get his ass over there.

              The communications center was fifteen minutes from his current position. He was inspecting one of the new frigates that had been retrofitted with new diesel engines and the navigation systems replaced with something far more archaic than the high tech and sophisticated system it used to have.    Captain O’Hara wondered what could be so urgent that the message was ‘flash’ and ‘eyes only’ so he drove his Humvee as fast as he could, pulled up to the communications center, hopped out and hurried in. He signed for the message and stepped off into a private room to read it.  He first thought after reading it was, ‘oh shit’ as he placed the message back in its cover and rushed back to his vehicle and his office.

              “Norma,” Captain O’Hara called to his executive assistant.  “Would you please get Commander McDonald and Major Luxon here ASAP.”

              “Aye, aye sir,” she responded.

              The old analog landlines with rotary telephones had been installed all over the base. Norma called the BOQ where both officers lived and found only Major Luxon available.  She passed on the Captain’s message and he told her he’d be there in ten.  She asked if he knew the whereabouts of Commander McDonald, as the Captain wanted to see him too.  Major Luxon replied, ‘negative’ he didn’t know.  Norma placed several more phone calls and the Commander was no place to be found.  Fortunately, as Major Luxon was on his way out of the BOQ he ran into the Commander returning from his morning run.  He relayed the message that Captain O’Hara asked them both to report ASAP, that he had an urgent matter.

              “Let me shower and change,” Lieutenant Commander McDonald said.

              “Just come like that, it won’t matter,” Major Luxon replied.

              Commander McDonald was one of the men responsible for getting some of the aircraft from the local museums.  Once the Naval Special Weapons Battalions started to become available, Captain O’Hara felt he needed someone that he could trust to lead them.  He approached the Commander and asked him to take command, but only after he completed that training himself.  Commander McDonald was more than happy to oblige because he was at a career dead end for now; with limited availability of aircraft his flying career was all but dead.  Taking command of the NSWs was a new lease on life, and it was something different he could really sink his teeth into so to speak.  He would be able to set Naval doctrine with these units for now and the foreseeable future with this command.

              The two men arrived at Captain O’Hara’s office within nine minutes. It did strike the Captain odd that Commander McDonald was in his PT gear.  Norma hurried them into the office and closed the door behind her as she exited.  The two officers marched up to the Captain’s desk, came to attention, and saluted.  Captain O’Hara returned the salute. “At ease, gentlemen. Please take a seat.”  Captain O’Hara pointed to several chairs and a sofa off to the left. “I’ve asked you two here because I received a personal communication from the President.”  Captain O’Hara looked at both men, sure he had their attention now.  “What’s the status of the Marines, Major?” Captain O’Hara asked Major Luxon.

              It wasn’t an unusable request, but it had been a couple of months since the Captain had even shown any interest with the Marines.  “Sir, the Marines are 100% combat ready.  We’ve been able to add two more Companies by recruiting prior service Marines and retraining them.”

              “So, three Companies? Roughly, six hundred or so men?” Captain O’Hara asked.

              “Aye sir, six hundred and twenty-five men and women,” Major Luxon replied, recognizing this was the first time in months the Captain had asked for specifics.

              “Commander what’s the status of NSWS?” Captain O’Hara asked Commander McDonald.

              “Sir, we’re 100%, three Battalions fully combat ready,” Commander McDonald answered.

              “That’s roughly fifteen hundred sailors, correct?” Captain O’Hara asked.

              “Aye sir, one thousand-four hundred and ninety-nine to be exact,” Commander McDonald replied.

              Major Luxon and Commander McDonald grew suspicious and curious at the same time.
Why all the numerical interest
they wondered. “Sir, with all due respect, what the hell is going on?” Major Luxon asked.

              “Major Luxon you’re to get you and your Marines to Norfolk and ensure the port is secured; there are from what I understand about four thousand of your brethren getting ready to join you.”

              “I’m sorry, sir.  What? How is that possible?” Major Luxon was stunned.

              “Five days ago an aircraft carrier, a battleship and two or three transports traversed the Panama Canal from San Diego.  They are expected to dock at Norfolk within the next day,” Captain O’Hara said matter-of-factly.

              Major Luxon only sat there.

              “Commander we need to build out our outer security with everything we have. We need to meet with the civilian security forces and camp councils and let them know there is a whole world of hurt coming out way.”  Captain O’Hara was very serious now as he looked at both men.  “There is something called the Army of the Potomac about a hundred or so miles north of Washington.  The estimates of the size of the Army are over a hundred thousand strong.  The bulk of that Army is Army National Guard, Marines Reserve components from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and others.  They have also been conscripting men and woman from the areas they have moved through and overran.”  Captain O’Hara paused for a moment to let it all sink in.  “Major Luxon the Marines are from Camp Pendleton and they are on the transport ships, with their own equipment, which include LA’s and AAVs.” 

              Major Luxon whistled; it was the best news he had heard in over a year. To an extent they were going home.  Commander McDonald asked, “Sir what’s the NSWS primary mission here?”

              “Commander we’re the last line of defense. If everything goes to shit, tag we’re it,” Captain O’Hara responded.

              “Sir, who’s with us?” Major Luxon asked.

              “The 3
rd
Infantry Regiment and 82
nd
Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg have taken on the overall defense of the capital.”

              “The 82
nd
sir, how the hell did that happen?” Commander McDonald asked.

              “I don’t know the specifics Commander, but I know it involved air assets from Travis Air Force Base in California.”  Captain O’Hara was puzzled himself.  “In addition, some assets have been moved from the 11
th
ACR at Fort Irwin to Washington and are already pushing out.”

              “Sir, isn’t 11
th
ACR and Armored Cav Regiment? Are you saying we have armor? Tanks?” Major Luxon asked.

              “Affirmative Major,” Captain O’Hara stated.  “Look that’s all I have at the moment.  Let’s get a move on.  Major you need to get your ass in gear and move out today.”

              “Aye, aye sir,” Major Luxon stood, came to attention and saluted.

              Captain O’Hara stood, came to attention and returned the salute.  “I guess I’ll see you when I see you, sir,” Major Luxon said, and with that the Major turned and left the office.