TheKinkster
Banned
Not rushing you Chipperback, but so I don't sit here hitting reload constantly 
, any ETA for the commencement of Armageddon?
, any ETA for the commencement of Armageddon?Land of Flatwater: Protect and Survive Middle America
- Thread starter Chipperback
- Start date
Not rushing you Chipperback, but so I don't sit here hitting reload constantly
Yeah, come on, rain death down on millions, already!
I'm looking to have missiles flying in the next 8-12 hours.
I'm currently writing a very large update and over the next week, there will ve a lot of updates, because my goal is to have us in April 1984 in the next 7-10 days.
But at this moment -- I'm gonna ask for audience participation. Who's POV of the coming chaos interests you? I'm taking those opinions into account for the updates to come.
Also over the next two weeks, I'm going to be working on a Land Of Flatwater Compendium as part of growing Wiki of Protect and Survive that Macragge and Patton have gotten a start on.
There's a lot of major, minor and historical characters I've put in this. I'm sure some are wondering where everybody fits.
Back to writing for this kid.
I'm currently writing a very large update and over the next week, there will ve a lot of updates, because my goal is to have us in April 1984 in the next 7-10 days.
But at this moment -- I'm gonna ask for audience participation. Who's POV of the coming chaos interests you? I'm taking those opinions into account for the updates to come.
Also over the next two weeks, I'm going to be working on a Land Of Flatwater Compendium as part of growing Wiki of Protect and Survive that Macragge and Patton have gotten a start on.
There's a lot of major, minor and historical characters I've put in this. I'm sure some are wondering where everybody fits.
Back to writing for this kid.
I'm looking to have missiles flying in the next 8-12 hours.
I'm currently writing a very large update and over the next week, there will ve a lot of updates, because my goal is to have us in April 1984 in the next 7-10 days.
But at this moment -- I'm gonna ask for audience participation. Who's POV of the coming chaos interests you? I'm taking those opinions into account for the updates to come.
Also over the next two weeks, I'm going to be working on a Land Of Flatwater Compendium as part of growing Wiki of Protect and Survive that Macragge and Patton have gotten a start on.
There's a lot of major, minor and historical characters I've put in this. I'm sure some are wondering where everybody fits.
Back to writing for this kid.
Is it to late to have this turn into a P&S DBWI (one where the nukes don't fly)?
The compendium is a good idea, looking forward to seeing it.
TheKinkster
Banned
Yeah, come on, rain death down on BILLIONS, already!
Took the liberty of fixing that for you. You think this is some penny-ante dime-a-dozen "what if a limited nuclear war" thread? Heck no! We're going to toast bajillions of folks!
Note to self--maybe I shouldn't post on Vicodin...
go Big Red... Into oblivion
I may be in the minority, but I`d really be interested in following the reactions of Coach Osbourne and Turner Gil. Nebraska obviously needs new leaders after this and where better to turn?
I may be in the minority, but I`d really be interested in following the reactions of Coach Osbourne and Turner Gil. Nebraska obviously needs new leaders after this and where better to turn?
I want to see the tank team's POV, also the colonel who fires the tactical nuke that starts it all.
Land Of Flatwater: One Day. Two Battles.
Cleebrunn, West Germany. Tuesday February 21, 1984 0520 ZULU.
Yankee 3-1 reached the rally point. What they found was a lot of M1A1 Abrams and British Challengers and Chieftains.
”Vanquish 1-zero to all force armour,” the ops leader said over the radio. His voice sounded confident but with a prim tone that was somewhat royal, more like a BBC newsreader than a military commander. “All tracks report in.”
”Yankee 3-1 standing by,” the Radioman responded as all the others did.
”Gentlemen, the command staff had an idea. We will execute it,” he began. “We are going to flank the next Soviet advance, attack from all sides and trap them. When we get them in the trap, we have some good lads coming from the North to close the box.”
”VANQUISH team will tear at the ankles from the south. YANKEES will bear roundabout and nip ‘em from the north, and that will lead them to our hunter groups who’ve set up fire trenches backed up by armour.
”By the time we get our socialist friends in the trap. The air lads will shut the door on them.”
”Men, England Expects…and America Expects. Good Christian Men, rejoice…The Beeb are back in town!”
A lot of radio heard laughter coming through the radio. “Vanquish 1-zero this Yankee 3-1….what the hell are you talking about?”
”Yankee 3-1, never mind the boss…The Major’s a little daft…But he knows what he’s doing.”
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Tuesday February 21, 1984 12:01 am/0601 ZULU
Captain Glenn Allen Harper was in the ready room. Fast asleep. His E-4 was on the ground being refueled. Being resupplied. Getting ready for the next mission four hours away. Planes are constantly taking off and coming in.
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
nearing Nha Trang, South Vietnam March 14, 1969
All you could hear was a heartbeat. Even with the rotors going in the Huey.
”Navy Intel says we got some big ass VC down in that Bay.”
”That’s what they are telling me, Slide Rule,” the Lieutenant said. “We have go in and clean them out but pick up the demolitions experts and the brass they have. Both us and the ARVN want to have a chat with them.”
BASE ALPHA – Geneva, Nebraska – same time…
”We have contact…..contact…danger close,” the Governor mumbled in his sleep.
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam
Chaos. Smoke. Fire. Nha Trang Bay.
The bullet flew through the morning air, as the Navy SEAL team met a company of VC sappers. They were the target, in a fight to the death.
”Lay that fire down here. First team move in,” the young Lieutenant screamed as he also sent a raspy salvo from his weapon.
”WE HAVE CONTACT,” another voice yelled. “THEY’RE MOVING! THEY’RE MOVING!”
”Motherfucker,” the warrant officer scream. “Walked into a firefight.”
The VC troops scurried to get into a better position to fire. The first SEAL team was quickly trying to cut them off.
”Move in! Move in!”
”SHIT!!!!!” one of their number screamed as he took one in the shoulder..
The young lieutenant looked around…He saw the wounded man..
”Damn! Slide Rule!!!!!”
He scramped to grab his comrade, and get behind cover…He fired again, and hit one of the VC trying to flee into a position.
He grabbed the SEAL and ducked through to a new firing position. “Where is our medic???” He yelled.
”AAAAAAH!!!! Another yelled…”
”QUICKLY CRAWL IN HERE!!!”
The young lieutenant secure the position, and then called the troops forward…”KEEP PRESSING!!!!”
”KEEP PRESSING!!!!”
BOOOOOOM!!!!!
The lieutenant was disoriented by the clean shock of the explosion around him. He was dazed, but still within his tunnel vision. All mission. Nothing else matters. Nothing else mattered….Even the throbbing fire at his leg…
”WHITE BREAD!!! YOUR LEG!!!!!”
The Lieutenant was on autopilot. He was a machine. Calling out orders as he applied a makeshift torniquet to his leg, which was barely a leg at that point.
”Team one! Buzzsaw mount positions and fire. Team two! Engage opposite direction buzzsaw fire chain…MOVE!”
The crossing fire of the two teams systematically cut down the VC troops. The young lieutenant was leading the battle on blind instinct. His mind cut off from the sounds…and the pain….
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
”We have them pinned down! We have them pinned down…Forget my leg….The mission! The mission!” The Governor screamed as he woke up…
”Sir…Wake up Captain!!!”
”Did anybody see White Bread????”
Captain Harper…Wake up, sir!!”
Glenn was finally awakened. He was sweating a little. “I’m sorry Airman…What time is it?”
”0400, sir. The CINC is looking for you. We’re going wheels up at 0445. A lot has happened…”
”What’s happened?”
”Everybody's all excited. The generals are happy about something in Europe. They think we can pull this out now.”
The Captain was scrambling to get into his uniform. “Something to end this war? I’m all for it,” the Captain thought.
BASE ALPHA/Geneva, Nebraska -- same time.
”Governor,” one of his security detail said. “Wake up, sir!”
The Governor rustled out of his sleep, and his dream. The Actress' arms enveloped around him. “What’s going on.”
”0400 wake up call as you ordered, sir,” the national guardsman said.
”Oh, Bob just five more minutes,” the Actress moaned.
The Governor looked at the clock. “I can’t Deb,” he said. “Time to go to work.”
The Governor put on his “official” leg (heavier and sturdier) as he hobbled into the shower. Within fifteen minutes, he was in a sweater and a pair of jeans. In the history of military operations, he was probably the most casual looking commander-in-chief in thousands of years.
He kissed his lover as he left his personal quarters.
“Bob? You had a bad dream last night…Are you okay? I could tell by you talking in your sleep.”
”Honey,” Bob said softly. “I’ll be fine, especially if we can get past today with no one killed.”
Breaking news from CNN at this hour. NATO troops are engaged in a bloody morning battle across Frankfurt in what NATO commander say ‘Makes Berlin look like a minor spat’.
Also a swift counterattack by British and American armor west of Sttutgart has slowed a severe Soviet-led push. British air support aided the effort. There are reports that the hotline between President Reagan and acting General Secretary Ogarkov has been reestablished.
National Airborne Command Post (NEACP) E-4B “Guardian”/Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska – same time
“Good morning sleepyhead,” CINC-SAC said as Glenn boarded.
“Actually I got some sleep sort of,” Glenn replied. “What do we have.”
”We might have a puncher’s chance of turning this around.,” the CINC said with his first smile of the week.
”How so?
”Frankfurt. They charged into the city, and its just like Berlin. Its block-by-block and house by house. We’re hanging in there. And the counterattack down south. That is unreal.”
”Sounds like they aren’t getting to the Rhine today. That was the worst-case projection when this started,” Glenn said.
”That’s not the good news,” CINC-SAC said. “The good? Reinforcements got in!”
Glenn whistled. “Whew! Another REFORGER group?”
”Yes, two from here. One from Britain, with another dispatchment from the UK due in. Their resupply is slower. That could be why the Soviets want the hotline back up.”
Glenn looked at the satellite intel hard. “Still a lot of work to do..Especially here.”
Glenn pointed at the north central plains. Hamburg and Kassel.
”What about those?” Glenn asked.
”That what has me concerned the CINC said. “I heard SACEUR and NATO Command moved a lot of air to the south to help the defense of the southwest line up past Heidelberg. That’s why I’m glad more reinforcements are coming in. Soon, we’ll have to send air national guard units over…or cadets in Colorado Springs with a crash course on the ‘Teens’”
”But imagine if we could push them back,” Glenn said.
”Dear God I hope so,” CINC-SAC said. “Never in my career in the Air Force did I ever believe we’d go this close to the damn brink again. How much luck are we human beings owed?”
Lake Snyder, Nebraska – Building 3/Nebraska White Man’s Front Compound 4:30am CST/1020 ZULU
They sat around a conference room in the early morning.
A Nazi flag and a U.S. flag adorned the far wall. With pictures of assorted neo-nazis, klan, Charles Linhbergh and Adolf Hitler throughout.
A large map of Nebraska was stretched across the table.
Seated were the deputies of the of the White Man’s Front. As was the minister of information, a fringe radio talker from Omaha with a loud voice.
Seated across the other side were the leaders of the armed resistance, and along with their defense minister, arms dealer, strategist…..Tyler Tyles.
”Given the incident in Columbus,” the supremacist leader began. “I think we need to make a pre-emptive stand to show the people here that free white people are in control, not the Governor or his ZOG.”
”Dang right, Randall,” one deputy said.
One of the armed commanders blurted, “Let’s get the Hormel plant back!”
”Yeah that is what we need to do…Yeah!”
Tyler was indifferent. “No,” he said.
”No?” the leader asked. “Tyler, why no?”
”Look,” Tyler continued. “Right now, we need to lay low. We need to keep quiet. We’re already on the big list right now as it is. We moved down the list because of the military situation abroad, and the what went down in Fremont. We need to keep our profile low. Going after the plant now only gives them an excuse to bring troops in…and actually opening the gates could be beneficial to us.”
The leader rolled his eyes, “Tyles, we’ve been farting around with this for too long. Its time for a direct action now.”
Tyles was annoyed slightly. “You mean direct action like at the demonstration last week, right?”
”Was unfortunate…but needed,” the leader said.
Tyles stayed cool. “Mein Fuhrer, that was a fuck up. And all that fuck up did was bring attention at a time when we didn’t need it.
One of the deputies broke in, “Seems like you are more worried about you, than about the greater cause of the rights of white people and white power.”
Tyles actually thought. “Damn right I am. I could give two shits about white power.”
”I agree with the cause, brother,” Tyler Tyles said. “The pure white race must be defended with every plane in the air and every ship in sea.
Tyles looked at the leader hard, “BUT, we must be smart about what we do. We have a Mayor of a town on our side. We have town officials on our side. Now with Columbus, and the refugees streaming out of Omaha, and the mess, we could have the popular supports and not just here, but across the state…IF we play this right."
”We already damaged ourselves with that stunt in Omaha,” he said coldly. “Remember? One of these footsoldiers shot an unarmed white woman. How the hell did that look for us, eh?”
”Something needed to be done to preserve our White American way of life!” The minister of information said.
Tyles never liked the loudmouthed man who just spoke. “Would you just shut the fuck up? To the average person, that sounded so pathetic that they laugh at us. Shooting Carolina Welch was a major-league mistake.”
”Enough of this,” the leader said. “Tyles, your non-belief is noted for the record. I want two strike teams to ready to go by 0800. We go into the town secure that plant, and drive them off. Pass the word to border control.
”Do you even have a plan for this?” Tyles said.
The leader looked at Tyles hard. “That is what I pay you for, brother.”
The meeting ajorned and the leaders went to make preparations. Tyler Tyles was the unenthused by it all. “Stupidity,” Tyles said. “If it wasn’t for Jacqui, I wouldn’t be here. I can find blonde with good titties anywhere. BUT, they do have 400 men under arms. It's a shame they have shit-for-brains for leadership."
”Excuse me,” a hardened country voice said.
”Yeah,” Tyles looked back. It was one of the leaders deputies. He was younger, hardened. Looked military.
”Are you really for saving our country?”
Tyler Tyles looked at the man like he was crazy. “I fought for it. Two tours in ‘Nam. That’s a war most people didn’t want to dirty their hands with.”
”Okay, you understand.” the man said. “ We need to change this country. This war is teaching us that. If we weren't so damn weak, the Russians wouldn't try to mess with us. We’ve been pussyfootin’ around with every damn ‘rights’ group…while the white people, the real goddamn Americans, get their ass beat, because of goddamn blacks, feminists, chicanos, latinos, jews and them.... homosex-y’alls.”
”All that peace, love, pinko-commie bullshit needs to be swept away the way the Bible says!”
”But that depends on people smart enough to use the brain God gave them.”
Tyles looked slightly annoyed. “Another damn white Christian nut,” he thought.
”What are you saying to me, footsoldier?”
”What I’m saying is I’d rather be under your command, than under their command, sir.”
The man and Tyles met eye to eye. “You say the word Mister Tyles and that will happen,” the man said.
As he walked away, Tyles’ frown turned into a satisfied smirk. “The enemy of my enemy may not be my friend, but he can be useful.”
Beaver Lake near Fremont, Nebraska – 4:40am CST/1040 ZULU
Team ALPHA – The tanks and their crew at the ready. The last ground troops getting into position.
”ALPHA leader to HAMMER. We are locked and loaded.
near Hormel Memorial Park Fremont, Nebraska – same time
”BRAVO leader to HAMMER. We are beginning cross to final fire position”
county road 23 near Snyder Lake, Nebraska – same time
”Team CHARLIE stealth in position, awaiting incoming.”
NEMA-ANG Camp. 25 miles southwest of Fremont. – Same time
Four UH-1 Huey gunships have the rotors going.
”DROP ZONE – ready!”
”CRUNCH ZONE – ready!”
”AVENGING ANGEL – ready!”
”RESCUE – ready!”
Among the camouflaged men aboard ANGEL was Frank. Face done up in camo warpaint. M-16 with a grenade launcher in his hand.
”ANGEL to RESCUE!” squawked the radio…
”THIS IS RESCUE..OVER!”
The voice at the other end sounded like Agent Clayton. “Hey JARHEAD, This is for your daughter…I hope you get her back.”
”I will,” Frank said grimly.
Frank looked downto see his dog tags around his neck. He hadn’t won them since he was in Vietnam. Also around his neck was a little heart-shaped locket. Inside the locket was a tiny picture of his little girl. The only picture he had.
A hot wave of hope, sadness and determination swept over him as the helicopters lifted off.
Stetten, West Germany – 1055ZULU/4:55am CST
The mid-morning light was met with shells and rocket fire. The Anglo-American trap was sprunt and a large Warsaw Pact pursuit force fell into it.
”Yankee 3-1, this is Hawkeye 2-7! NICE SHOOTING!!!!! We have another rocket volley incoming…reset, reflank…”
”Roger copy,” Radioman said amid the noise.
The Warsaw Pact armor was taking hits as hunter groups armed with nothing but grit and anti-tank rockets crawled out of trenches like fireants. It was a last gambit of a West under siege – It was working.
Joint Field Headquarters – Kassel, West Germany – same time..
A nervous man is looking at reports from the front surrounding Kassel. Much like the battle in the south, the NATO units in the North have seen constant fire for the last 72 hours.
”If I don’t get some air cover soon,” he thought. “We’ll have to retreat this ground. It’s a dadgum miracle we lasted this long.”
Colonel James Longstreet Cathcart, United States Air Force. Gun Barrel City, Texas.
For a moment, the man wishes he was home. Home on the dusty plains of west Texas. He joined the Air Force to leave his one-horse town of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Yep, it’s a real name.
As a young boy, he dreamed of being a Longhorn quarterback…Oh, Instead he was a signal-caller at the Air Force Academy.
Colonel James Longstreet Cathcart, United States Air Force. He’d give anything to just be star high school quarterback Jimmie Cathcart again.
BASE ALPHA – 4:59am/1059 ZULU
”HAMMER TO PEGLEG ALPHA…All forces in position.”
Governor Kerrey had a look that could burn through lead. He said a quick silent prayer. “Holy Mary, mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death…Amen.”
”HAMMER – This is PEGLEG….GO!”
Stetten, West Germany – same time
”ALERT! ALERT! INCOMING AIR STRIKES!!!!! FLOGGERS AND FROGGIES!!!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
”This is Yankee 3-1 digging in. DO WE HAVE ANY ANTI-AIR AIRCRAFT???”
”KEEP YOUR WITS, LADS! KEEP YOU WITS…HER MAJESTY’S HARRIERS ARE HERE!!!”
A squadron of Harriers were hovering. Waiting to strike. On paper it wasn’t a match. Slow Harriers vs. Supersonic Floggers.
”Clough 1 to Clough 2 and 3,” the Pilot said calmly. “You know the play boys.”
The VTOL Harriers counteracted the speed of the Warsaw Pact fighters with “viffing”. Using the smaller pitch and yaw jets combined with the main engine that makeup the Harrier’s ability as a jump jet. The eastern bloc pilots quickly learned the hard lessons a lot of Argentines did in the Falklands.
”I can’t believe this,” 2nd Lieutenant Michelle screamed as he looked up from the cupola. "Them RAF boys are taking it to 'em!"
Amid the chaos of the battle on the ground, soldiers on both sides checked out the deadly cat and mouse in the air. The Warsaw Pact Toms in MiGs were distracted by a group of viffing British Jerrys.
The squadron leader was calm but steely. He noticed a MiG 23 turning toward him. Looking for the lock. ”C’mon, C’mon…That’s it,” he said calmly.
Just as the MiG closed on the Harrier. The RAF jet pulled the ‘elevator’. A quick viff straight up. The MiG couldn’t adjust and flew right past. Now the Harrier had the attack position, and ‘Clough 1’ didn’t hesistate.
”Clough 1 – FOX TWO!”
Normally, Harriers didn’t carry Sidewinders…But these boys packed a little extra heat. Warfare is the mother of the improvisation.
The pilot calmly spoke as the missile charged toward its target.
“Today your diary shall read: Tried to attack some tanks, and was shot by a Hawker-Siddeley-armed bastard.”
As he spoke those words, the air-to-air missile struck it’s mark. The MiG was killed in fire and smoke.
The celebration was short. As the the British pilot was met with a raspberry of cannons. The Harrier got some bullet hole as he banked and viffed to stay alive. Only a couple of shots from stinger-armed troops on the ground kept Clough 1 from meeting his maker.
”Yankee 3-1 to those troops in the planes,” Radio screamed. “If we all get out of this alive. I’m buying the drinks, fellas!”
”MORE INCOMING! MORE INCOMING!”
BBC Radio 4 News Bulletin at 11:05a.m. – We are receiving reports of unknown military action near oil installations in the North Sea. We will have more information as events warrant.
Fremont, Nebraska – 5:10am CST – 1110 ZULU.
”ALPHA team reporting limit resistance.”
It was token at best. Small armed Nazis poses as ‘police’ against armor wasn’t going to work. The national guard tanks and troops began to take up position at the local airport and marched toward the medical center.
”BRAVO team…heading to city hall…OH SHIT!!!”
BOOM!!!!!!
”Fall out…TAKE POSITIONS!!!”
The national guard troops began to form and take positions on the street. Down the block a lone man with a rocket launcher had taken aim. The lead tank was damaged.
Within minutes sniper fire rang out from roofs and trees. East Military Avenue was becoming more military by the minute.
Snyder Lake, Nebraska – same time…
”SIR! Forward team near city hall is in a fire fight with national guard! They brought in tanks!”
The Leader was looking at his maps. He had a sneer on his face. "Tell the lookouts to watch out from any moves on us here."
DROP ZONE UH-1 Gunship – same time.
”Sirs, BRAVO reports resistance in Fremont. Any plans to divert?
”HAMMER to BRAVO. Diversion NEGATIVE! Stay on plan. We expected
resistance. That’s why we brought heavy metal, son.”
”Target in range…Ready rockets….”
”FIRE”
A salvo of small rockets rained down on the camp..
Tyler Tyles was checking out the weapons with a couple of the footsoldiers in the main building..When he heard the rotors…He felt something was wrong…He could hear the rockets whizzing in…
He grabbed both of the helpers and threw them all to the ground…”GET DOWN!”
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A series of blasts rip across the compound.
Seeing the blasts. CHARLIE team troops poured into the compound. M-16s yapping as they charged in.
DROP ZONE was first down, the other three choppers followed suit at their pre-arranged points. The k-teams deployed off the choppers and began firing.
ANGEL and RESCUE set down at points along each side of Building 6.
”GO! GO! GO!” Frank yelled as he jumped off the RESCUE copter. His team and the k-team from ANGEL raced toward Building 6. They were met with automatic weapons fire. The neo-nazi troopers were firing back through the confusion.
No one noticed a man carrying an M-16 and a Colt sidearm with a silencer. “Agent Toussaint Clayton, Federal Bureau of Investigation” was showing his true self…Agent Toussaint Clayton, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
”How the hell did they get in here? ZOG has breached the camp!!!!” The Leader yelled.
Clayton set up a position in the grass near building one. He saw a trooper with a weapon running toward building 6. He never knew what hit him, as Clayton jumped out the brush and slit his throat.
Clayton hid around the backside of building 1. He remembered from briefing that it was full of vehicles and weapons.
”We have to get out of here, sir,” one of the aides told the Leader. “Retreat back to Camp Wayne.”
”Where the fuck is Tyles?”
Tyler Tyles was leaving from Building 1. He had truck loaded for such an emergency. He never saw the fist punch through the window.
It caught him flush on the jaw in the no-quite sunrise dusk.
The eyes met as Tyles thrusted an elbow back at the unknown person’s head. He was thrown from the truck, but he was free to make a move.
CLICK! CLICK!
Two firearms cocked. “Just give up and come quietly. Its over, Tyles.”
”Clayton, you never knew when to quit,” Tyles sneered. “I’m getting out of here and you are going to let me out of here.”
”I’m going to kill you,” Clayton said.
”Do it, man.” Tyles said as he reached into his pocket. “Kill me, and I kill those little girls.”
Tyles smiled as he held the detonator. “I’ve wired this entire camp.”
”Take a shot at me, Clayton,” Tyles said. “Doesn’t matter whether we live or die anyway. The bombs will see to that.”
Building 6 – same time
Frank reloaded and fired on the position at the front door. He turned his head when saw quick flash of a red light on the building. Through the confusion he headed to the side of building. Shielded from the view of the men protecting the front.
”Goddamn,” he muttered. He knew what the lights were from. Detonators for cubes of C-4. They were spaced at equal measurements around the building.
Frank crept to the back of of the building. He saw a door, and he saw a detonator. “Lord Jesus, I never thought I’d be doing this again.” In his past, Frank defused live mines and bombs as a Green Beret. He took out his Swiss army knife and got to work.
Building 1
”SIR!” A voice rang out as he fired a gun at Clayton…
Clayton rolled across the floor and fired back. He struck two of the guards, but missed who fired on him.
”C’mon lets get out of here.” Tyles yelled. He recognized the man. It was the man who sought him out earlier.
”What about the darkie, sir?”
”Don’t worry about him,” Tyles said. “So long, Clayton. I’ll see you in hell, boy!”
Tyles gunned the truck and took out the corrugated back wall. The drove on the dirt road..
He left a grenade with the pin pulled behind.
Frank busted through the door of Building 6 at that moment.. “Cô gái, hãy đến với tôi bây giờ! Bạn đang an toàn!” (“Girls, come with me now! You are safe!”)
One of the girls attacked him immediately. “Giết ông. Ông muốn hãm hiếp chúng tôi!” (“Kill him! He wants to rape us!”)
He grabbed the girl by shoulders. He look at her. “Oh my god!” he thought. In her face, Frank saw the woman he loved. He saw her mother. Frank had found his daughter.
”How the fuck did he get in here???” One of the neo-nazis came in. “Never mind the brats, just kill the ZOG!”
The girls scattered at ducked as the gunmen fired at Frank. He jumped on top of his daughter and fired his weapon. Each squeeze of the trigger came from his heart.
And then the help arrived. The rest of of neo-Nazis fell in a hail of gunfire. National Guardsmen filled the room. “You alright sir?”
Frank got up holding his shell-shocked daughter. “Quickly, we have to get these kids out of here!”
All the little girls were freightened. Each looked at Frank.
Frank spoke quickly, “Bạn đang an toàn. Xin vui lòng, đến với chúng tôi. Nhanh lên! Chúng tôi sẽ không làm tổn thương bạn.” (“You are safe now. Hurry! Come to us please! We will not harm you.”)
The kids quickly followed the troops. Each trooper grabbing the child as if they were their own child.
Frank took the girl by the hand. She was almost 15, yet seemed younger.
Younger and frightened.
Frank and the girls scrambled to the helicopter..
Clayton threw himself out hole in the wall as the grenade exploded..
It was a playground scramble. National guard raced for cover. The neo-nazi trooper tried to escape…but some of their higher up, didn’t. The Leader disappeared into the marsh.
The k-teams got the captive girls on the choppers…and they lifted off.
Clayton yelled into his radio..”ALL UNITS TAKE COVER!!!!!”
Tyles pushed the button as he drove away.
Explosions rose behind him and behind all those who could escape.
Hofgeismar, West Germany 1145ZULU/5:45am CST
Explosions rose in the mid-day air. A group of Sukhoi fighter bombers had come…and gone. The target was a NATO munitions depot. It was a massive firestorm.
”LORD,” screamed a Bundeswehr troop as he ran, “My grandfather told me of Dresden. This had to be what that was like!”
The troops reported seeing a flash and then a massive explosion.
Kassel, West Germany -- same time
”Colonel!” his aide said. “Major explosion reported at Hofgeismar…The troops said there was a flash and then a major detonation. We have pictures of it…It’s been described as a mushroom cloud, sir. Not sure of all the particulars, with communications being difficult. The Soviets are possibly jamming us.
Colonel Cathcart was shaken. “Son of a bitch!” he said. The strain showing in his West Texas accent. “The may have their AWACS up there blocking us. Get word to 20th TAC. Tell them to prepare to execute WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK.”
The aide turned white, “Sir, we don’t know all the particulars.”
”A goddamned flash and a mushroom cloud are all the particulars I need to know, Lieutenant,” Colonel Cathcart chastised. “The Russians have escalated this. It must be answered."
”We do not have release authority!”
”We have cause and no communications with NATO, Washington or Omaha. The PALs allow me emergency authority to release! They started this. We'll finish it!"
”KESSEL COMMAND TO 20TH TAC WING... EMERGENCY ORDER…EXECUTE WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK. YOU ARE RED AND FREE FOR WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK –ACKNOWLEDGE..”
”WING LEADER TO COMMAND…ACKNOWLEDGING. PLEASE AUTHENTICATE EMERGENCY ORDER…”
”AUTHENTICATION – TANGO ECHO SIERRA… ONE-ONE-NINE-TWO. DAY WORD – ROUNDHOUSE ACTION WORD – SUSANNAH”
”AUTHENTICATION RECEIVED…AUTHENTICATION CONFIRMED….”
”Wing Leader to all Wings,” the pilot said. “We have Authentication Confirmed. Time on target confirmed. Yield selections confirmed. “
The Co-pilot was puzzled. “Yield selections? That means?”
”Yes,” the pilot cut him off. “That’s what it means.”
”Where are we going?
”A Warsaw Pact marshaling area at Eschwege, just up the road..And then from there…Only Heaven or Hell knows.”
Police headquarters building -- East Military Avenue – Fremont, Nebraska. 5:50 CST/1150 ZULU.
BRAVO UNIT pacified the police units in the building, with the help of county sheriffs deputies. But they are trying to find the person who fired on them.
”CHARLIE leader to BRAVO leader come in.”
”BRAVO leader to CHARLIE leader, did you hear that explosion?”
”HEARD IT? I WAS IN IT! The target got away, and scuttled the camp. We do have prisoners. We also have some casualties. Need medical assistance.”
”BRAVO leader to ALPHA leader…dispatch EMTs to Snyder Lake now. We have confirm casualties.”
”That big damn explosion was Snyder Lake?"
”Affirmative. Damned Neo-Nazis just razed the place. I hear that they got some scalps though.
HAMMER was in the next room…with the Mayor.
”GODDAMNIT! THIS VIOLATES MY RIGHTS!!! I WANT MY LAWYER!!!!” The Mayor said.
”We are under martial law by order of the Governor of Nebraska,” the Brigadier General said coldly. “You don’t have any damn rights unless I grant them to you, and I don’t grant them to you. I will personally kick you in the kiester for every troop I lost at Snyder Lake.”
”Who will run the damn town then, commander?”
”Not you,” the Brigadier General said. “We don’t take to Nazis much here in Nebraska.”
The BRAVO team was mopping up. The same fire team that picked up the Mayor found the guy who fired on their first tank. He wouldn’t give himself up, so they shot him.
A 20th Tactical Air Wing FB-111 over Eschwege, West Germany – 1155 ZULU/5:55am CST
Major Arden Mantooth, United States Force Air Force. Coldwater, Michigan. A blunt, plain-talking family man with a wife and two children. He glanced at the picture of his family in the control hub one more time.
”Twenty seconds to target,” The co-pilot said.
Fifteen seconds…..Ten seconds…. NO SAM coverage detected… Five..Four…Three…Two….One…..BOMBS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Major Mantooth brought the FB-111 Aardvark in a tight climb and turn..”All wings bombs are away…SCATTER AND RETURN TO BASE!!!!”
The Aardvarks scrambled away before the Soviet rocketmen knew what hit them.
”Wing Leader to KESSEL COMMAND – We have NUDET at 1155:41 ZULU.”
Stetten, West Germany --- same time
”NUDET! NUDET! NUDET! NUDET!” the radio screamed.
”WHAT THE HELL???” Tony yelled.
”WHO THE HELL FIRED A NUKE? WHERE?”
City Hall – Fremont, Nebraska 6:00am CST/1200 ZULU
The Dodge County Sheriff was still a little sleepy as he entered the City Hall flanked by some deputies and National Guard. He talked into a walkie talkie as he entered the building.
”Sheriff,” the voice at the other end said. “The Governor sent a message. He will call later, but he wants you to run the civilians operations.”
”First thing,” the Sheriff said. “Get FEMA and NEMA in here. Get food and medical care set up now!"
”No problem. We have medics flying out to Snyder Lake now, sir. We lost some people.”
”How many?”
”Right now, we lost 27 at last count. We killed 33. We did capture some of their people and some of the weapons that they didn’t destroy.”
”When you get those people back here, let me know. I have questions myself.”
Snyder Lake – same time…
Agent Clayton was battered and sore, but he was alive.
He was shocked at what he saw. The entire camp looked like the aftermath of a much larger war. It was twisted metal, smoke, fire, blood and rubble.
He looked at what was building 6 in the distance. He didn’t see choppers. He smiled. "Nobody's in there," he thought. "Thank you, Lord. JARHEAD found his little girl."
And then he frowned. Once again, Tyler Tyles had escaped.
”Fuck bringing him in alive,” Clayton thought. “I want to kill him even more now!”
National Airborne Command Post (NEACP) E-4B NIGHTWATCH/“Guardian” over Colorado --- 1215ZULU/6:15am CST
”Are you sure?” CINC-SAC shrieked. “…HELL NO, I DIDN’T GIVE ANY FORCES RELEASE AUTHORITY!!! NO SIR, MISTER PRESIDENT!!!!! AT NO TIME DID SAC AUTHORIZE ANY RELEASE AUTHORITY!”
Captain Glenn was puzzled. “Sir, why are we discussing release authority?”
CINC-SAC was livid…as was President Reagan at the other end of the line.
”I didn’t know that old man could cuss like that,” CINC-SAC said. “Captain, that nuclear detonation in West Germany about 20 minutes ago?"
”Yes?
”That nuke was ours…”
Glenn was stunned and speechless.
Rick’s Farm – Schuyler, Nebraska – 6:30am/1230 ZULU
Chip was up early. He was awake ahead of dad for once.
He left his room…with Brett still sound asleep.
He went into the main living room…and turned on the TV. It was on CNN…
”…Again, we repeat…CNN has received a report from Reuters News Agency that there has been a nuclear detonation over northern West Germany… The origin of the weapon is unknown at this time. Reuters News Agency is reporting that a nuclear weapon of undetermined power was used over an area in northern West Germany. CNN is pursuing this story and we will report more information as we receive it."
to be continued.
Cleebrunn, West Germany. Tuesday February 21, 1984 0520 ZULU.
Yankee 3-1 reached the rally point. What they found was a lot of M1A1 Abrams and British Challengers and Chieftains.
”Vanquish 1-zero to all force armour,” the ops leader said over the radio. His voice sounded confident but with a prim tone that was somewhat royal, more like a BBC newsreader than a military commander. “All tracks report in.”
”Yankee 3-1 standing by,” the Radioman responded as all the others did.
”Gentlemen, the command staff had an idea. We will execute it,” he began. “We are going to flank the next Soviet advance, attack from all sides and trap them. When we get them in the trap, we have some good lads coming from the North to close the box.”
”VANQUISH team will tear at the ankles from the south. YANKEES will bear roundabout and nip ‘em from the north, and that will lead them to our hunter groups who’ve set up fire trenches backed up by armour.
”By the time we get our socialist friends in the trap. The air lads will shut the door on them.”
”Men, England Expects…and America Expects. Good Christian Men, rejoice…The Beeb are back in town!”
A lot of radio heard laughter coming through the radio. “Vanquish 1-zero this Yankee 3-1….what the hell are you talking about?”
”Yankee 3-1, never mind the boss…The Major’s a little daft…But he knows what he’s doing.”
Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska Tuesday February 21, 1984 12:01 am/0601 ZULU
Captain Glenn Allen Harper was in the ready room. Fast asleep. His E-4 was on the ground being refueled. Being resupplied. Getting ready for the next mission four hours away. Planes are constantly taking off and coming in.
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
nearing Nha Trang, South Vietnam March 14, 1969
All you could hear was a heartbeat. Even with the rotors going in the Huey.
”Navy Intel says we got some big ass VC down in that Bay.”
”That’s what they are telling me, Slide Rule,” the Lieutenant said. “We have go in and clean them out but pick up the demolitions experts and the brass they have. Both us and the ARVN want to have a chat with them.”
BASE ALPHA – Geneva, Nebraska – same time…
”We have contact…..contact…danger close,” the Governor mumbled in his sleep.
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.
And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam
Chaos. Smoke. Fire. Nha Trang Bay.
The bullet flew through the morning air, as the Navy SEAL team met a company of VC sappers. They were the target, in a fight to the death.
”Lay that fire down here. First team move in,” the young Lieutenant screamed as he also sent a raspy salvo from his weapon.
”WE HAVE CONTACT,” another voice yelled. “THEY’RE MOVING! THEY’RE MOVING!”
”Motherfucker,” the warrant officer scream. “Walked into a firefight.”
The VC troops scurried to get into a better position to fire. The first SEAL team was quickly trying to cut them off.
”Move in! Move in!”
”SHIT!!!!!” one of their number screamed as he took one in the shoulder..
The young lieutenant looked around…He saw the wounded man..
”Damn! Slide Rule!!!!!”
He scramped to grab his comrade, and get behind cover…He fired again, and hit one of the VC trying to flee into a position.
He grabbed the SEAL and ducked through to a new firing position. “Where is our medic???” He yelled.
”AAAAAAH!!!! Another yelled…”
”QUICKLY CRAWL IN HERE!!!”
The young lieutenant secure the position, and then called the troops forward…”KEEP PRESSING!!!!”
”KEEP PRESSING!!!!”
BOOOOOOM!!!!!
The lieutenant was disoriented by the clean shock of the explosion around him. He was dazed, but still within his tunnel vision. All mission. Nothing else matters. Nothing else mattered….Even the throbbing fire at his leg…
”WHITE BREAD!!! YOUR LEG!!!!!”
The Lieutenant was on autopilot. He was a machine. Calling out orders as he applied a makeshift torniquet to his leg, which was barely a leg at that point.
”Team one! Buzzsaw mount positions and fire. Team two! Engage opposite direction buzzsaw fire chain…MOVE!”
The crossing fire of the two teams systematically cut down the VC troops. The young lieutenant was leading the battle on blind instinct. His mind cut off from the sounds…and the pain….
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.
”We have them pinned down! We have them pinned down…Forget my leg….The mission! The mission!” The Governor screamed as he woke up…
”Sir…Wake up Captain!!!”
”Did anybody see White Bread????”
Captain Harper…Wake up, sir!!”
Glenn was finally awakened. He was sweating a little. “I’m sorry Airman…What time is it?”
”0400, sir. The CINC is looking for you. We’re going wheels up at 0445. A lot has happened…”
”What’s happened?”
”Everybody's all excited. The generals are happy about something in Europe. They think we can pull this out now.”
The Captain was scrambling to get into his uniform. “Something to end this war? I’m all for it,” the Captain thought.
BASE ALPHA/Geneva, Nebraska -- same time.
”Governor,” one of his security detail said. “Wake up, sir!”
The Governor rustled out of his sleep, and his dream. The Actress' arms enveloped around him. “What’s going on.”
”0400 wake up call as you ordered, sir,” the national guardsman said.
”Oh, Bob just five more minutes,” the Actress moaned.
The Governor looked at the clock. “I can’t Deb,” he said. “Time to go to work.”
The Governor put on his “official” leg (heavier and sturdier) as he hobbled into the shower. Within fifteen minutes, he was in a sweater and a pair of jeans. In the history of military operations, he was probably the most casual looking commander-in-chief in thousands of years.
He kissed his lover as he left his personal quarters.
“Bob? You had a bad dream last night…Are you okay? I could tell by you talking in your sleep.”
”Honey,” Bob said softly. “I’ll be fine, especially if we can get past today with no one killed.”
Breaking news from CNN at this hour. NATO troops are engaged in a bloody morning battle across Frankfurt in what NATO commander say ‘Makes Berlin look like a minor spat’.
Also a swift counterattack by British and American armor west of Sttutgart has slowed a severe Soviet-led push. British air support aided the effort. There are reports that the hotline between President Reagan and acting General Secretary Ogarkov has been reestablished.
National Airborne Command Post (NEACP) E-4B “Guardian”/Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska – same time
“Good morning sleepyhead,” CINC-SAC said as Glenn boarded.
“Actually I got some sleep sort of,” Glenn replied. “What do we have.”
”We might have a puncher’s chance of turning this around.,” the CINC said with his first smile of the week.
”How so?
”Frankfurt. They charged into the city, and its just like Berlin. Its block-by-block and house by house. We’re hanging in there. And the counterattack down south. That is unreal.”
”Sounds like they aren’t getting to the Rhine today. That was the worst-case projection when this started,” Glenn said.
”That’s not the good news,” CINC-SAC said. “The good? Reinforcements got in!”
Glenn whistled. “Whew! Another REFORGER group?”
”Yes, two from here. One from Britain, with another dispatchment from the UK due in. Their resupply is slower. That could be why the Soviets want the hotline back up.”
Glenn looked at the satellite intel hard. “Still a lot of work to do..Especially here.”
Glenn pointed at the north central plains. Hamburg and Kassel.
”What about those?” Glenn asked.
”That what has me concerned the CINC said. “I heard SACEUR and NATO Command moved a lot of air to the south to help the defense of the southwest line up past Heidelberg. That’s why I’m glad more reinforcements are coming in. Soon, we’ll have to send air national guard units over…or cadets in Colorado Springs with a crash course on the ‘Teens’”
”But imagine if we could push them back,” Glenn said.
”Dear God I hope so,” CINC-SAC said. “Never in my career in the Air Force did I ever believe we’d go this close to the damn brink again. How much luck are we human beings owed?”
Lake Snyder, Nebraska – Building 3/Nebraska White Man’s Front Compound 4:30am CST/1020 ZULU
They sat around a conference room in the early morning.
A Nazi flag and a U.S. flag adorned the far wall. With pictures of assorted neo-nazis, klan, Charles Linhbergh and Adolf Hitler throughout.
A large map of Nebraska was stretched across the table.
Seated were the deputies of the of the White Man’s Front. As was the minister of information, a fringe radio talker from Omaha with a loud voice.
Seated across the other side were the leaders of the armed resistance, and along with their defense minister, arms dealer, strategist…..Tyler Tyles.
”Given the incident in Columbus,” the supremacist leader began. “I think we need to make a pre-emptive stand to show the people here that free white people are in control, not the Governor or his ZOG.”
”Dang right, Randall,” one deputy said.
One of the armed commanders blurted, “Let’s get the Hormel plant back!”
”Yeah that is what we need to do…Yeah!”
Tyler was indifferent. “No,” he said.
”No?” the leader asked. “Tyler, why no?”
”Look,” Tyler continued. “Right now, we need to lay low. We need to keep quiet. We’re already on the big list right now as it is. We moved down the list because of the military situation abroad, and the what went down in Fremont. We need to keep our profile low. Going after the plant now only gives them an excuse to bring troops in…and actually opening the gates could be beneficial to us.”
The leader rolled his eyes, “Tyles, we’ve been farting around with this for too long. Its time for a direct action now.”
Tyles was annoyed slightly. “You mean direct action like at the demonstration last week, right?”
”Was unfortunate…but needed,” the leader said.
Tyles stayed cool. “Mein Fuhrer, that was a fuck up. And all that fuck up did was bring attention at a time when we didn’t need it.
One of the deputies broke in, “Seems like you are more worried about you, than about the greater cause of the rights of white people and white power.”
Tyles actually thought. “Damn right I am. I could give two shits about white power.”
”I agree with the cause, brother,” Tyler Tyles said. “The pure white race must be defended with every plane in the air and every ship in sea.
Tyles looked at the leader hard, “BUT, we must be smart about what we do. We have a Mayor of a town on our side. We have town officials on our side. Now with Columbus, and the refugees streaming out of Omaha, and the mess, we could have the popular supports and not just here, but across the state…IF we play this right."
”We already damaged ourselves with that stunt in Omaha,” he said coldly. “Remember? One of these footsoldiers shot an unarmed white woman. How the hell did that look for us, eh?”
”Something needed to be done to preserve our White American way of life!” The minister of information said.
Tyles never liked the loudmouthed man who just spoke. “Would you just shut the fuck up? To the average person, that sounded so pathetic that they laugh at us. Shooting Carolina Welch was a major-league mistake.”
”Enough of this,” the leader said. “Tyles, your non-belief is noted for the record. I want two strike teams to ready to go by 0800. We go into the town secure that plant, and drive them off. Pass the word to border control.
”Do you even have a plan for this?” Tyles said.
The leader looked at Tyles hard. “That is what I pay you for, brother.”
The meeting ajorned and the leaders went to make preparations. Tyler Tyles was the unenthused by it all. “Stupidity,” Tyles said. “If it wasn’t for Jacqui, I wouldn’t be here. I can find blonde with good titties anywhere. BUT, they do have 400 men under arms. It's a shame they have shit-for-brains for leadership."
”Excuse me,” a hardened country voice said.
”Yeah,” Tyles looked back. It was one of the leaders deputies. He was younger, hardened. Looked military.
”Are you really for saving our country?”
Tyler Tyles looked at the man like he was crazy. “I fought for it. Two tours in ‘Nam. That’s a war most people didn’t want to dirty their hands with.”
”Okay, you understand.” the man said. “ We need to change this country. This war is teaching us that. If we weren't so damn weak, the Russians wouldn't try to mess with us. We’ve been pussyfootin’ around with every damn ‘rights’ group…while the white people, the real goddamn Americans, get their ass beat, because of goddamn blacks, feminists, chicanos, latinos, jews and them.... homosex-y’alls.”
”All that peace, love, pinko-commie bullshit needs to be swept away the way the Bible says!”
”But that depends on people smart enough to use the brain God gave them.”
Tyles looked slightly annoyed. “Another damn white Christian nut,” he thought.
”What are you saying to me, footsoldier?”
”What I’m saying is I’d rather be under your command, than under their command, sir.”
The man and Tyles met eye to eye. “You say the word Mister Tyles and that will happen,” the man said.
As he walked away, Tyles’ frown turned into a satisfied smirk. “The enemy of my enemy may not be my friend, but he can be useful.”
Beaver Lake near Fremont, Nebraska – 4:40am CST/1040 ZULU
Team ALPHA – The tanks and their crew at the ready. The last ground troops getting into position.
”ALPHA leader to HAMMER. We are locked and loaded.
near Hormel Memorial Park Fremont, Nebraska – same time
”BRAVO leader to HAMMER. We are beginning cross to final fire position”
county road 23 near Snyder Lake, Nebraska – same time
”Team CHARLIE stealth in position, awaiting incoming.”
NEMA-ANG Camp. 25 miles southwest of Fremont. – Same time
Four UH-1 Huey gunships have the rotors going.
”DROP ZONE – ready!”
”CRUNCH ZONE – ready!”
”AVENGING ANGEL – ready!”
”RESCUE – ready!”
Among the camouflaged men aboard ANGEL was Frank. Face done up in camo warpaint. M-16 with a grenade launcher in his hand.
”ANGEL to RESCUE!” squawked the radio…
”THIS IS RESCUE..OVER!”
The voice at the other end sounded like Agent Clayton. “Hey JARHEAD, This is for your daughter…I hope you get her back.”
”I will,” Frank said grimly.
Frank looked downto see his dog tags around his neck. He hadn’t won them since he was in Vietnam. Also around his neck was a little heart-shaped locket. Inside the locket was a tiny picture of his little girl. The only picture he had.
A hot wave of hope, sadness and determination swept over him as the helicopters lifted off.
Stetten, West Germany – 1055ZULU/4:55am CST
The mid-morning light was met with shells and rocket fire. The Anglo-American trap was sprunt and a large Warsaw Pact pursuit force fell into it.
”Yankee 3-1, this is Hawkeye 2-7! NICE SHOOTING!!!!! We have another rocket volley incoming…reset, reflank…”
”Roger copy,” Radioman said amid the noise.
The Warsaw Pact armor was taking hits as hunter groups armed with nothing but grit and anti-tank rockets crawled out of trenches like fireants. It was a last gambit of a West under siege – It was working.
Joint Field Headquarters – Kassel, West Germany – same time..
A nervous man is looking at reports from the front surrounding Kassel. Much like the battle in the south, the NATO units in the North have seen constant fire for the last 72 hours.
”If I don’t get some air cover soon,” he thought. “We’ll have to retreat this ground. It’s a dadgum miracle we lasted this long.”
Colonel James Longstreet Cathcart, United States Air Force. Gun Barrel City, Texas.
For a moment, the man wishes he was home. Home on the dusty plains of west Texas. He joined the Air Force to leave his one-horse town of Gun Barrel City, Texas. Yep, it’s a real name.
As a young boy, he dreamed of being a Longhorn quarterback…Oh, Instead he was a signal-caller at the Air Force Academy.
Colonel James Longstreet Cathcart, United States Air Force. He’d give anything to just be star high school quarterback Jimmie Cathcart again.
BASE ALPHA – 4:59am/1059 ZULU
”HAMMER TO PEGLEG ALPHA…All forces in position.”
Governor Kerrey had a look that could burn through lead. He said a quick silent prayer. “Holy Mary, mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death…Amen.”
”HAMMER – This is PEGLEG….GO!”
Stetten, West Germany – same time
”ALERT! ALERT! INCOMING AIR STRIKES!!!!! FLOGGERS AND FROGGIES!!!”
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
”This is Yankee 3-1 digging in. DO WE HAVE ANY ANTI-AIR AIRCRAFT???”
”KEEP YOUR WITS, LADS! KEEP YOU WITS…HER MAJESTY’S HARRIERS ARE HERE!!!”
A squadron of Harriers were hovering. Waiting to strike. On paper it wasn’t a match. Slow Harriers vs. Supersonic Floggers.
”Clough 1 to Clough 2 and 3,” the Pilot said calmly. “You know the play boys.”
The VTOL Harriers counteracted the speed of the Warsaw Pact fighters with “viffing”. Using the smaller pitch and yaw jets combined with the main engine that makeup the Harrier’s ability as a jump jet. The eastern bloc pilots quickly learned the hard lessons a lot of Argentines did in the Falklands.
”I can’t believe this,” 2nd Lieutenant Michelle screamed as he looked up from the cupola. "Them RAF boys are taking it to 'em!"
Amid the chaos of the battle on the ground, soldiers on both sides checked out the deadly cat and mouse in the air. The Warsaw Pact Toms in MiGs were distracted by a group of viffing British Jerrys.
The squadron leader was calm but steely. He noticed a MiG 23 turning toward him. Looking for the lock. ”C’mon, C’mon…That’s it,” he said calmly.
Just as the MiG closed on the Harrier. The RAF jet pulled the ‘elevator’. A quick viff straight up. The MiG couldn’t adjust and flew right past. Now the Harrier had the attack position, and ‘Clough 1’ didn’t hesistate.
”Clough 1 – FOX TWO!”
Normally, Harriers didn’t carry Sidewinders…But these boys packed a little extra heat. Warfare is the mother of the improvisation.
The pilot calmly spoke as the missile charged toward its target.
“Today your diary shall read: Tried to attack some tanks, and was shot by a Hawker-Siddeley-armed bastard.”
As he spoke those words, the air-to-air missile struck it’s mark. The MiG was killed in fire and smoke.
The celebration was short. As the the British pilot was met with a raspberry of cannons. The Harrier got some bullet hole as he banked and viffed to stay alive. Only a couple of shots from stinger-armed troops on the ground kept Clough 1 from meeting his maker.
”Yankee 3-1 to those troops in the planes,” Radio screamed. “If we all get out of this alive. I’m buying the drinks, fellas!”
”MORE INCOMING! MORE INCOMING!”
BBC Radio 4 News Bulletin at 11:05a.m. – We are receiving reports of unknown military action near oil installations in the North Sea. We will have more information as events warrant.
Fremont, Nebraska – 5:10am CST – 1110 ZULU.
”ALPHA team reporting limit resistance.”
It was token at best. Small armed Nazis poses as ‘police’ against armor wasn’t going to work. The national guard tanks and troops began to take up position at the local airport and marched toward the medical center.
”BRAVO team…heading to city hall…OH SHIT!!!”
BOOM!!!!!!
”Fall out…TAKE POSITIONS!!!”
The national guard troops began to form and take positions on the street. Down the block a lone man with a rocket launcher had taken aim. The lead tank was damaged.
Within minutes sniper fire rang out from roofs and trees. East Military Avenue was becoming more military by the minute.
Snyder Lake, Nebraska – same time…
”SIR! Forward team near city hall is in a fire fight with national guard! They brought in tanks!”
The Leader was looking at his maps. He had a sneer on his face. "Tell the lookouts to watch out from any moves on us here."
DROP ZONE UH-1 Gunship – same time.
”Sirs, BRAVO reports resistance in Fremont. Any plans to divert?
”HAMMER to BRAVO. Diversion NEGATIVE! Stay on plan. We expected
resistance. That’s why we brought heavy metal, son.”
”Target in range…Ready rockets….”
”FIRE”
A salvo of small rockets rained down on the camp..
Tyler Tyles was checking out the weapons with a couple of the footsoldiers in the main building..When he heard the rotors…He felt something was wrong…He could hear the rockets whizzing in…
He grabbed both of the helpers and threw them all to the ground…”GET DOWN!”
BOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A series of blasts rip across the compound.
Seeing the blasts. CHARLIE team troops poured into the compound. M-16s yapping as they charged in.
DROP ZONE was first down, the other three choppers followed suit at their pre-arranged points. The k-teams deployed off the choppers and began firing.
ANGEL and RESCUE set down at points along each side of Building 6.
”GO! GO! GO!” Frank yelled as he jumped off the RESCUE copter. His team and the k-team from ANGEL raced toward Building 6. They were met with automatic weapons fire. The neo-nazi troopers were firing back through the confusion.
No one noticed a man carrying an M-16 and a Colt sidearm with a silencer. “Agent Toussaint Clayton, Federal Bureau of Investigation” was showing his true self…Agent Toussaint Clayton, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.
”How the hell did they get in here? ZOG has breached the camp!!!!” The Leader yelled.
Clayton set up a position in the grass near building one. He saw a trooper with a weapon running toward building 6. He never knew what hit him, as Clayton jumped out the brush and slit his throat.
Clayton hid around the backside of building 1. He remembered from briefing that it was full of vehicles and weapons.
”We have to get out of here, sir,” one of the aides told the Leader. “Retreat back to Camp Wayne.”
”Where the fuck is Tyles?”
Tyler Tyles was leaving from Building 1. He had truck loaded for such an emergency. He never saw the fist punch through the window.
It caught him flush on the jaw in the no-quite sunrise dusk.
The eyes met as Tyles thrusted an elbow back at the unknown person’s head. He was thrown from the truck, but he was free to make a move.
CLICK! CLICK!
Two firearms cocked. “Just give up and come quietly. Its over, Tyles.”
”Clayton, you never knew when to quit,” Tyles sneered. “I’m getting out of here and you are going to let me out of here.”
”I’m going to kill you,” Clayton said.
”Do it, man.” Tyles said as he reached into his pocket. “Kill me, and I kill those little girls.”
Tyles smiled as he held the detonator. “I’ve wired this entire camp.”
”Take a shot at me, Clayton,” Tyles said. “Doesn’t matter whether we live or die anyway. The bombs will see to that.”
Building 6 – same time
Frank reloaded and fired on the position at the front door. He turned his head when saw quick flash of a red light on the building. Through the confusion he headed to the side of building. Shielded from the view of the men protecting the front.
”Goddamn,” he muttered. He knew what the lights were from. Detonators for cubes of C-4. They were spaced at equal measurements around the building.
Frank crept to the back of of the building. He saw a door, and he saw a detonator. “Lord Jesus, I never thought I’d be doing this again.” In his past, Frank defused live mines and bombs as a Green Beret. He took out his Swiss army knife and got to work.
Building 1
”SIR!” A voice rang out as he fired a gun at Clayton…
Clayton rolled across the floor and fired back. He struck two of the guards, but missed who fired on him.
”C’mon lets get out of here.” Tyles yelled. He recognized the man. It was the man who sought him out earlier.
”What about the darkie, sir?”
”Don’t worry about him,” Tyles said. “So long, Clayton. I’ll see you in hell, boy!”
Tyles gunned the truck and took out the corrugated back wall. The drove on the dirt road..
He left a grenade with the pin pulled behind.
Frank busted through the door of Building 6 at that moment.. “Cô gái, hãy đến với tôi bây giờ! Bạn đang an toàn!” (“Girls, come with me now! You are safe!”)
One of the girls attacked him immediately. “Giết ông. Ông muốn hãm hiếp chúng tôi!” (“Kill him! He wants to rape us!”)
He grabbed the girl by shoulders. He look at her. “Oh my god!” he thought. In her face, Frank saw the woman he loved. He saw her mother. Frank had found his daughter.
”How the fuck did he get in here???” One of the neo-nazis came in. “Never mind the brats, just kill the ZOG!”
The girls scattered at ducked as the gunmen fired at Frank. He jumped on top of his daughter and fired his weapon. Each squeeze of the trigger came from his heart.
And then the help arrived. The rest of of neo-Nazis fell in a hail of gunfire. National Guardsmen filled the room. “You alright sir?”
Frank got up holding his shell-shocked daughter. “Quickly, we have to get these kids out of here!”
All the little girls were freightened. Each looked at Frank.
Frank spoke quickly, “Bạn đang an toàn. Xin vui lòng, đến với chúng tôi. Nhanh lên! Chúng tôi sẽ không làm tổn thương bạn.” (“You are safe now. Hurry! Come to us please! We will not harm you.”)
The kids quickly followed the troops. Each trooper grabbing the child as if they were their own child.
Frank took the girl by the hand. She was almost 15, yet seemed younger.
Younger and frightened.
Frank and the girls scrambled to the helicopter..
Clayton threw himself out hole in the wall as the grenade exploded..
It was a playground scramble. National guard raced for cover. The neo-nazi trooper tried to escape…but some of their higher up, didn’t. The Leader disappeared into the marsh.
The k-teams got the captive girls on the choppers…and they lifted off.
Clayton yelled into his radio..”ALL UNITS TAKE COVER!!!!!”
Tyles pushed the button as he drove away.
Explosions rose behind him and behind all those who could escape.
Hofgeismar, West Germany 1145ZULU/5:45am CST
Explosions rose in the mid-day air. A group of Sukhoi fighter bombers had come…and gone. The target was a NATO munitions depot. It was a massive firestorm.
”LORD,” screamed a Bundeswehr troop as he ran, “My grandfather told me of Dresden. This had to be what that was like!”
The troops reported seeing a flash and then a massive explosion.
Kassel, West Germany -- same time
”Colonel!” his aide said. “Major explosion reported at Hofgeismar…The troops said there was a flash and then a major detonation. We have pictures of it…It’s been described as a mushroom cloud, sir. Not sure of all the particulars, with communications being difficult. The Soviets are possibly jamming us.
Colonel Cathcart was shaken. “Son of a bitch!” he said. The strain showing in his West Texas accent. “The may have their AWACS up there blocking us. Get word to 20th TAC. Tell them to prepare to execute WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK.”
The aide turned white, “Sir, we don’t know all the particulars.”
”A goddamned flash and a mushroom cloud are all the particulars I need to know, Lieutenant,” Colonel Cathcart chastised. “The Russians have escalated this. It must be answered."
”We do not have release authority!”
”We have cause and no communications with NATO, Washington or Omaha. The PALs allow me emergency authority to release! They started this. We'll finish it!"
”KESSEL COMMAND TO 20TH TAC WING... EMERGENCY ORDER…EXECUTE WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK. YOU ARE RED AND FREE FOR WING ATTACK PLAN PAYBACK –ACKNOWLEDGE..”
”WING LEADER TO COMMAND…ACKNOWLEDGING. PLEASE AUTHENTICATE EMERGENCY ORDER…”
”AUTHENTICATION – TANGO ECHO SIERRA… ONE-ONE-NINE-TWO. DAY WORD – ROUNDHOUSE ACTION WORD – SUSANNAH”
”AUTHENTICATION RECEIVED…AUTHENTICATION CONFIRMED….”
”Wing Leader to all Wings,” the pilot said. “We have Authentication Confirmed. Time on target confirmed. Yield selections confirmed. “
The Co-pilot was puzzled. “Yield selections? That means?”
”Yes,” the pilot cut him off. “That’s what it means.”
”Where are we going?
”A Warsaw Pact marshaling area at Eschwege, just up the road..And then from there…Only Heaven or Hell knows.”
Police headquarters building -- East Military Avenue – Fremont, Nebraska. 5:50 CST/1150 ZULU.
BRAVO UNIT pacified the police units in the building, with the help of county sheriffs deputies. But they are trying to find the person who fired on them.
”CHARLIE leader to BRAVO leader come in.”
”BRAVO leader to CHARLIE leader, did you hear that explosion?”
”HEARD IT? I WAS IN IT! The target got away, and scuttled the camp. We do have prisoners. We also have some casualties. Need medical assistance.”
”BRAVO leader to ALPHA leader…dispatch EMTs to Snyder Lake now. We have confirm casualties.”
”That big damn explosion was Snyder Lake?"
”Affirmative. Damned Neo-Nazis just razed the place. I hear that they got some scalps though.
HAMMER was in the next room…with the Mayor.
”GODDAMNIT! THIS VIOLATES MY RIGHTS!!! I WANT MY LAWYER!!!!” The Mayor said.
”We are under martial law by order of the Governor of Nebraska,” the Brigadier General said coldly. “You don’t have any damn rights unless I grant them to you, and I don’t grant them to you. I will personally kick you in the kiester for every troop I lost at Snyder Lake.”
”Who will run the damn town then, commander?”
”Not you,” the Brigadier General said. “We don’t take to Nazis much here in Nebraska.”
The BRAVO team was mopping up. The same fire team that picked up the Mayor found the guy who fired on their first tank. He wouldn’t give himself up, so they shot him.
A 20th Tactical Air Wing FB-111 over Eschwege, West Germany – 1155 ZULU/5:55am CST
Major Arden Mantooth, United States Force Air Force. Coldwater, Michigan. A blunt, plain-talking family man with a wife and two children. He glanced at the picture of his family in the control hub one more time.
”Twenty seconds to target,” The co-pilot said.
Fifteen seconds…..Ten seconds…. NO SAM coverage detected… Five..Four…Three…Two….One…..BOMBS AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Major Mantooth brought the FB-111 Aardvark in a tight climb and turn..”All wings bombs are away…SCATTER AND RETURN TO BASE!!!!”
The Aardvarks scrambled away before the Soviet rocketmen knew what hit them.
”Wing Leader to KESSEL COMMAND – We have NUDET at 1155:41 ZULU.”
Stetten, West Germany --- same time
”NUDET! NUDET! NUDET! NUDET!” the radio screamed.
”WHAT THE HELL???” Tony yelled.
”WHO THE HELL FIRED A NUKE? WHERE?”
City Hall – Fremont, Nebraska 6:00am CST/1200 ZULU
The Dodge County Sheriff was still a little sleepy as he entered the City Hall flanked by some deputies and National Guard. He talked into a walkie talkie as he entered the building.
”Sheriff,” the voice at the other end said. “The Governor sent a message. He will call later, but he wants you to run the civilians operations.”
”First thing,” the Sheriff said. “Get FEMA and NEMA in here. Get food and medical care set up now!"
”No problem. We have medics flying out to Snyder Lake now, sir. We lost some people.”
”How many?”
”Right now, we lost 27 at last count. We killed 33. We did capture some of their people and some of the weapons that they didn’t destroy.”
”When you get those people back here, let me know. I have questions myself.”
Snyder Lake – same time…
Agent Clayton was battered and sore, but he was alive.
He was shocked at what he saw. The entire camp looked like the aftermath of a much larger war. It was twisted metal, smoke, fire, blood and rubble.
He looked at what was building 6 in the distance. He didn’t see choppers. He smiled. "Nobody's in there," he thought. "Thank you, Lord. JARHEAD found his little girl."
And then he frowned. Once again, Tyler Tyles had escaped.
”Fuck bringing him in alive,” Clayton thought. “I want to kill him even more now!”
National Airborne Command Post (NEACP) E-4B NIGHTWATCH/“Guardian” over Colorado --- 1215ZULU/6:15am CST
”Are you sure?” CINC-SAC shrieked. “…HELL NO, I DIDN’T GIVE ANY FORCES RELEASE AUTHORITY!!! NO SIR, MISTER PRESIDENT!!!!! AT NO TIME DID SAC AUTHORIZE ANY RELEASE AUTHORITY!”
Captain Glenn was puzzled. “Sir, why are we discussing release authority?”
CINC-SAC was livid…as was President Reagan at the other end of the line.
”I didn’t know that old man could cuss like that,” CINC-SAC said. “Captain, that nuclear detonation in West Germany about 20 minutes ago?"
”Yes?
”That nuke was ours…”
Glenn was stunned and speechless.
Rick’s Farm – Schuyler, Nebraska – 6:30am/1230 ZULU
Chip was up early. He was awake ahead of dad for once.
He left his room…with Brett still sound asleep.
He went into the main living room…and turned on the TV. It was on CNN…
”…Again, we repeat…CNN has received a report from Reuters News Agency that there has been a nuclear detonation over northern West Germany… The origin of the weapon is unknown at this time. Reuters News Agency is reporting that a nuclear weapon of undetermined power was used over an area in northern West Germany. CNN is pursuing this story and we will report more information as we receive it."
to be continued.
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And so it begins...
I wonder if Col. Cathcart will realise what kind of Pandora's Box he's unleashed before he dies. I'm thinking here of Alec Guinness' character at the end of Bridge on the River Kwai and General Brewster in Terminator 3.
All the things that happen to all the people in P&S and all its spinoffs stems from this one decision. In a way he'll be the most influential man in world history, just not in a way he would have wanted.
I wonder if Col. Cathcart will realise what kind of Pandora's Box he's unleashed before he dies. I'm thinking here of Alec Guinness' character at the end of Bridge on the River Kwai and General Brewster in Terminator 3.
All the things that happen to all the people in P&S and all its spinoffs stems from this one decision. In a way he'll be the most influential man in world history, just not in a way he would have wanted.
According to P&S, this started a four-hour long chemical-tactical nuclear war before the Soviets went all-out on the US mainland and Western Europe. So the Yankee team is going to have too survive through a lot of rads and a lot of gas...
Falkenburg
Monthly Donor
Cracking Update.
Tyles loose with a truck load of weaponry and a capable henchman could be very bad news indeed.
Hopefully Agent Clayton will track the son of a bitch down.
Speaking of which, named for Toussaint L'Ouverture (I'm hoping)?
Excellent stuff.
Falkenburg
Tyles loose with a truck load of weaponry and a capable henchman could be very bad news indeed.
Hopefully Agent Clayton will track the son of a bitch down.
Speaking of which, named for Toussaint L'Ouverture (I'm hoping)?
Excellent stuff.
Falkenburg
He might wind up as a poor man's version of Randall Flagg.
Though here, he would still have far more arrayed against him than Boulder, Colorado.
Good stuff, though the yield estimate is a bit off. The devices Jack described as being used were sub-megaton.
Looks like we've both reached the 'Kassel Incident' at the same time.
Looks like we've both reached the 'Kassel Incident' at the same time.
According to Macragge1's original timeline.
The Aardvarks dropped a big one. 10 meg airburst..
and it was packing serious heat..