by Ryan King
Chapter 15 – A Desperate Plan
Although every fiber of General Anderson’s being screamed for him to get up and start moving, to start issuing orders, he resisted the impulse and sat appearing outwardly calm and patient while Lieutenant Beau Myers finished giving him his report. When Myers finished, Anderson clearly saw what must be done, but first he had to take care of other business. He knew that in times of extreme conflict and strife, men usually showed their true colors and maybe his initial impression of Beau Myers as a clueless screw-up wasn’t completely fair. Heck, I only sent him on that all important mission because he was the only officer around at the time.
“Very good report, Lieutenant Myers,” said Anderson to the pensive young man in front of him. “But why exactly did you feel it was so important to rush back here to tell me this information? The soldiers tell me you made them pull over so you could drive since they evidently weren’t going fast enough. Told me you nearly got them killed in the process.”
Beau looked flabbergasted and was at first without any words. “Sir, the force on the river going north-”
“There’s nothing we can do about that,” interrupted Anderson. “Our comms are down and they’re too far away. We just have to hope and pray for the best and that Colonel Taylor and his men are ready. Is there any other reason you were in such a hurry?”
Beau again looked concerned. “Sir, those tanks.”
“What about them?” asked Anderson inwardly tense.
Beau thought for a moment before speaking. “Sir, we don’t have anything that can stop those tanks. They would roll right over us, we’d be crushed meat to them.”
“So?’ asked Anderson.
“But, sir!” Beau nearly yelled, forgetting his courtesies. “They’re all in disarray from the tornadoes, maybe not for long, but for now. We could race in there and destroy those tanks before they could use them against us!”
Anderson smiled openly at Beau and let a breath out, “Exactly. Well done. Do you know there’s probably not many soldiers who would have gotten the tactical significance of what you saw, but you did. How did this all come to you?”
Beau looked relieved and confused at the same time and said, “I’m not sure sir, it just seemed right.”
“Just seemed right, huh?” asked Anderson. He squinted at the young man for a moment. Lieutenant Myers reminded Anderson of his own son. They would be about the same age. Anderson hadn't pushed any of his children towards the military, but had secretly and in vain hoped his son would one day become an officer.
This is not your son, he reminded himself. Do what is best for your country. Anderson made a quick decision and said without ceremony, “Lieutenant Myers, I hereby promote you to Captain. Go find some rank and then get back here.”
Beau looked flustered, turned to leave, then turned back and started to salute and then turned back again.
“Get!” yelled Anderson and smiled as Beau ran off down the hall at a sprint. Anderson turned and called for an orderly outside to summon the Commander of the National Guard Engineer Battalion responsible for their current sector. Approximately ten minutes later the Battalion Commander and his Sergeant Major reported. Anderson quickly briefed them on what Myers had seen concerning the tanks and the disarray the tornados had caused.
“Colonel,” said Anderson, “I want a task force from your battalion to attack and destroy those tanks as quickly as possible and just as quickly to get back over here. We’re not looking to engage enemy or win any battles, just take care of the tanks. Do you understand?”
"Begging your pardon, sir," said the Sergeant Major, "but won't we be starting a war? I thought we were trying to avoid that."
"War's already started," growled Anderson, "and we nearly missed it. They've invaded in force to the east. We have to do what we can to help them."
“Sir, if it's all the same to you,” said the commander with concern on his face, “I’d really rather not risk my men on such a mission.”
Anderson’s face showed surprise, “You’d rather not. Well, hell, why didn’t you say so. In that case do it the fuck anyway!” Anderson roared.
Both the commander and the sergeant major looked shocked.
“Both of you get a few things straight,” continued Anderson with a fierce gaze. “First, your unit will conduct this mission, after all, you are in the military. Second, those tanks could destroy this entire army, we have nothing that can even slow them down. And third, we have a very narrow window of opportunity to do something about them.” Anderson paused and gazed each of them in the eye allowed his heart rate to slow. “Do you understand?”
The two men nodded solemnly and the commander began to speak, possibly to apologize, but Anderson knew there wasn’t time. He continued, “I suggest you send a reinforced platoon at least, in several trucks. Speed will be key. Try to bypass any resistance, you don’t want to get bogged down.” Anderson saw that they understood. “Now, how do you plan to destroy those tanks?”
The Battalion Commander looked momentarily uncertain, but the Sergeant Major spoke up. “Sir, we disengage the halon fire control systems, pop thermite grenades into the engine compartment, and run like hell. That should start a fire and also set off the tank rounds in the ammo compartments.”
“Do we have thermite grenades?” asked Anderson.
“Well no,” admitted the Sergeant Major, “but we probably don’t need them. Turn off the halon, pour diesel all over the inside and the tank rounds, maybe throw some rounds onto the engine for good measure and then set the whole thing ablaze. Could probably put some C4 from a few of the claymores into the tank barrels so there’s no way they can be used again just to be sure.”
“Very good,” said Anderson, satisfied. About that time Beau Myers returned out of breath, wearing captain’s rank.
“Captain Myers here will serve as guide to the location of the tanks,” said Anderson. “He saw the area from the air and knows the lay of the land. He is an advisor only, your designee is in charge. Speaking of which, who will lead the mission?”
Before the Battalion Commander could answer, the Sergeant Major grabbed his arm and whispered in his ear.
“What is it?” asked Anderson, annoyed.
“Sergeant Major Givens here would like to lead the mission,” said the Commander. “And it makes sense. He’s a veteran combat engineer and grew up in north Tennessee. He should lead the mission.”
“All right then,” said Anderson. “Again, speed is the key. I know you would like more time, but I want you to depart here no more than one hour from now, earlier if you can.”
“Yes sir. With your permission…” asked the Sergeant Major, indicating the need to get moving.
“By all means,” said Anderson. “And good luck. We need to destroy those tanks, otherwise…well I don’t want to think about what happens if we don’t.”
“I understand, General,” said the Sergeant Major as he and his commander strode out the door. Anderson turned and saw Myers looking at him expectantly.
“Damn it man, go with him!” said Anderson in annoyance as he felt the time melting away. Myers took off in a flash after the Sergeant Major.
“And for goodness sake don't do anything to get yourself killed!” yelled Anderson after him.