Overthrown - The Aftermath - Pt. 30
He waited in the dark, near the agreed meeting place. His contact wasn't easy to convince, but eventually Major Ferguson did it by reminding him of the past. He had gotten near the Dakota line, and then started to send out a signal on the military radio he had with him.
"Blacksnake, this is Viper Three. Come in."
"Unknown station, Blacksnake is no longer a valid I.D. Please consult your C.E.O.I."
"I know it is no longer valid. I'm trying to contact someone from Iraq."
"Wait one."
"Unknown Station. How did you get these identifiers?"
"I told you. They are from Iraq. There is someone who used Blacksnake in a previous operation. I need to speak with him, A.S.A.P."
"Wait one."
Shortly the radio came to life again, this time with a familiar voice.
"Viper Three, if you are who you claim to be, identify yourself."
"I pulled your backside out of the fire down by the river in Fallujah."
"Viper Three. I remember. Good to hear you again. What is on your mind? Over."
"Sensitive intel. I need a face to face with you. Over."
What followed was a discussion about where, when, and how to meet. Now he waited in the dark. As he did Major Ferguson couldn't help but think about the day before he'd left. He remembered the conversation that he and Bob had, had.
"What about Miss Rodgers? Do you plan to just walk away, without a word?"
"Oh no. We'll have some time to talk. But lets' be honest Bob. We haven't seen each other in over a decade. If anything happens to me, she won't lose much. I've been out of her life for a long time."
"Right. Sure. And that's why she kept a half of a penny around her neck for all this time. You must have made quite an impression on her."
"It was young love Bob. Do any of us ever forget our first true love?"
"I guess not."
He and Anna had spent many hours talking as he gathered the things he would need on this patrol. He wasn't shocked at her former profession. He'd been places, and seen things in his career that would leave most people speechless. He was a bit surprised that Anna had taken up the profession of her own free will, but such things were not unknown. He was also a bit surprised when she didn't have many questions about his life in the service.
"Gerald, I've known a few men from the service. Some of them needed real help and others, well, they didn't sleep well at night. I've heard enough from them that I think I have a good idea of what happened to you. I know I've heard enough that I don't want to hear any more, unless you need to talk about it. I'm a very good listener."
He didn't need to talk about it. He'd made his peace with God long ago. He rarely had nightmares anymore. But that worried him sometimes. What kind of man was he becoming?
He stopped worrying about it as he heard a vehicle approach. Ducking a little lower in his hole, he pulled the mylar blanket closer around his head, to avoid giving off a heat signature that could be detected with the proper equipment. The Hummer stopped at the agreed place, and the engine was turned off. The Major waited. Shortly a man got out of the passenger side, which told Ferguson that the man wasn't alone. He walked around to the drivers side, and spoke with the driver.
"Any sign of him?"
"No Sir. I think we are all alone out here."
"If this is who I think it is, you won't see him, until he wants you to see him. Sargent, take this thing half a mile back down the road. Wait there for me to call."
"Sir, I'm not real comfortable with that idea. Maybe I should just hunker down in the seat and wait with you, just in case."
"Sargent, if this is who I think, he already knows you're here. I'll be fine. Just do as I told you."
"Yes Sir."
The vehicle started, then slowly turned around and moved back down the road. The officer looked around in the dark, then paused to light a cigarette. It glowed brightly in the dark. Major Ferguson waited until the cigarette was finished, knowing that even the small amount of light it gave off, could be used to illuminate him in the night. Shortly, the officer tossed it to the ground, and crushed it out.
"Alright, Ferguson, if it is you, The cig is done. Come on out."
Quietly Ferguson stood, and moved towards the other man.
"Just being careful."
"Always a good idea. So it is you. What are you doing here, and where have you been?"
"Major Grimes, I've been on a listening post, out west of here. I have information that the Russians are trying to flank you in a 'Hail Mary' like we used in the first Gulf War."
"It's Colonel now. What gives you that idea?"
Major Ferguson explained everything he had learned to Colonel Grimes, as he had to Bob, and a couple of other things he had picked up before he'd left. He finished, and waited for Colonel Grimes to speak.
"Last I heard you were dismissed from service for being a Christian. Why shouldn't I shoot you where you stand?"
"Two reasons, Sir. First of all, you would loose a potentially valuable asset on your western flank. Second, that has been tried before, and I'm still standing."
Grimes smiled at the Majors' frankness. He found it refreshing. "Very well, why should I believe you?"
"What do I have to gain? I've already told you that I'm to your west. What is my benefit from bringing you closer to my area of operations? Another reason, is that ,yes, I'm a Christian. I'm also an American, and I have no love for the idea of my native land being over run and occupied."
"Alright, Ferguson. I'll have my men check this out. if it is true, I'll cover your back, this time. If you come across any other intel you think I should know, I'm now Black Goat. From here on, you are Angel One."
"Don't take to long in checking it. From what I've heard, the only reason the operation hasn't started yet is the blizzard that blew in from the north. As soon as it clears enough, they will be on their way."
"Ferguson, do you know why I came here tonight?"
"I was wondering."
"You know I have no love for you people. But you have always been straight up with me. So I have to tell you something. I'll do what I can for you if this pans out, BUT, should we ever meet on the field, I'm going to do my best to kill you."
"I wouldn't expect less. Neither should you."
Again, Grimes smiled at his honesty. "I won't. Good luck to you."
The blizzard lasted three days longer than expected. Ives was very unhappy at the delay. At least he couldn't be blamed for that, by the master. He had no control over it, outside of the temporary control of scalar weapons. Weather like this was totally controlled by that hated Nazarene. He knew this to be true, because it had taken the lives of three of his scientists to prove it to him. It was so unfair that He had so much control over things like this. What was Ives expected to do against such opposition?
On the good side, was the fact that the weather had also slowed the American advances against the reduced Russian troops along the Dakota front to a crawl. With winds like they had, their remaining aircraft hadn't been able to do more than a few harassing sorties. Even the artillery had been affected. The Americans weren't able to get a satellite fix on Russian positions, so the firing had almost stopped.
Of course the storms had prevented him from getting up to the minute fixes on the Americans as well, but there was no reason for them to suspect this change in plans. Besides as long as they were still having some small success on the front, they wouldn't be looking for this little surprise.
Finally, the Russian commander reported enough of a break in the weather that the advance could begin, even without the satellites. They would just do it the old fashioned way. Roll forward, and over anything that got in their way. Ives agreed and gave the order to advance.
The Russian units moved out, having been assured of only light resistance. They started into both eastern, and the western central portions of Montana. While there were mountains, they weren't as bad as the ones further west, the Americans called, most suitably, The Rocky Mountains. The advance went well for the first couple of hours. The only resistance was a few small bands of civilians, and they were crushed in short order.
The eastern flank of the advance had made it's way into a broad valley. The lack of trees in the valley made the advance roll on much quicker than if it had been heavily forrested. As the skies cleared above them, they took it as a good sign, and continued to move to the south.
On the western flank, things were almost as easy. They did have a few more mountains and valleys to deal with, but things were going well.
The secretary trembled as he knocked on the Directors door. It wasn't good to bring this kind of news to him.
"Come in." Called almost joyfully.
"Sir, we have finally gotten the satellite imagines for you. I was told to bring them without delay."
"Bring them over here." He said as he sat at his desk.
The secretary laid them on the desk, and was looking for a way out before the photos touched it. Ives bent over the pictures, hoping to see large numbers of dead, both American and Russian. That would certainly please the master. After all, once the Americans were dealt with, he wouldn't tolerate a vast Russian Army that might oppose him. The smile quickly faded from his face. This couldn't be. He had to do something, NOW.
"Is everything ready?" Colonel Grimes asked his second in command.
"Just as you ordered, Sir."
"Send them to Hell."
"Yes Sir."
The major gave the order. Artillery pieces that had been stripped from the front, for this operation, opened fire on the eastern flank. At the same aircraft came up over the mountains to the west, while hugging the ground as close as they dared. At the last moment, they pulled skyward. As they continued to climb, the back of each aircraft opened, and large bladders were expelled. Once they reached their predetermined distance from the ground, the M.O.A.B. bombs began to explode.
As the fireballs from the explosions began to fade, a second wave of planes came over. With the element of surprise now gone, they flew over as high as they dared, while still having any hope of hitting their targets. Soon their bombs were also exploding over the Russian forces.
"Sir." The major shouted.
"What is it?"
Observers report there are so many enemy vehicles on fire, they can no longer direct fire."
"Have they reported any enemy vehicles leaving?"
"No Sir."
"Shift fire. Start at one end of the valley and walk it forward. Cover the entire thing."
"Yes Sir."
The spotter aircraft for the attacking Americans was having similar problems, but with a different end to the day. What Russian tanks, trucks, armored personnel carriers, and even soldiers on foot, that could still move were making their way back the way they came, as fast as they could go. He reported it back to Grimes.
"Have the third wave wait until they have all entered the valley, then expend all ordnance remaining on them." Was the order.
Ives couldn't believe it. How did they do it? They didn't have a clue. No sign of the plan had been leaked. How did they know? He sat in his office, cursing the Nazarene with all the hate he had.
BW, Vietnam Vet