“Lt Alban?” A young woman asked, standing next to the table. Well, it was nice to be alone for while it lasted, Gloria thought.
“Are you asking if that’s my name or are you trying to get my attention?” Now I’m just being a dick. “Yes, I’m Lt Alban.”
“Uh, Pastor Hilton asked me to find you.” The young woman answered. God give me strength.
“Okay, you found me, sweetie. Is there, like, a message or instructions?”
“The pastor is having a meeting in the conference room in the main building and asked me to bring you to the meeting.”
“If you both will please excuse me, duty calls. Why don’t the two of you sit and get better acquainted.” Gloria tried not to look exasperated at the messenger as she rose to follow her.
Gloria followed the girl, glad she elected not to make small talk. The girl’s shoes made a tapping sound that grated on her nerves as she ignored her own boots making a squeaking sound on the linoleum floor as she walked behind the girl.
“Here we are, Lieutenant.” The girl sounded relieved to be done with the small task she had just completed.
Opening the door, Pastor Hilton sat at the end of a conference table with six NCOs, three on each side of the long portion of the table. A single empty seat was at the far end of the table. “Please come in and sit down, Lt Alban. We were just discussing where we could fit you into our organization.” Pastor Hilton said cheerfully.
Oh no, she didn’t! Gloria looked at the six NCOs sitting around the table, hands on her hips. She spotted what she was looking for and stared at the senior ranking NCO. He looked back, embarrassed.
“Excuse me a moment, Pastor. Master Sergeant Hale, I admit I’m not as familiar with Army customs and courtesies as I am an Air Force officer. What is the prescribed conduct of Army enlisted personnel when an officer enters the room?” Hale quickly got out of the chair when the lieutenant began addressing him.
“Ma'am, the expected response is to call the room to attention.” He looked at the others still sitting, “Room attention!” He commanded in his best parade ground voice. The other five NCOs did not hesitate to come to the position of attention.
“At ease, please be seated. I’m sorry, Pastor Hilton, it might seem like a silly thing to you as a civilian but, in the military, we have our customs and courtesies that go back to the days of the knights. I, for one, fear the day they breakdown, then instead of discipline and order you only have a bunch of fellows that are all wearing the same outfit. Could I use the conference room when we are done here? I’d like to become familiar with my command, you know, explain my expectations from those in my chain of command. Learn what resources we have available, that type of thing. Sort of like how you did the same thing with your civilians here.” Gloria sat down and made herself comfortable; she could sense confusion, anger, amusement, and relief from around the table.
“Gloria, you don’t understand, I brought everyone here together, and this is my sanctuary for everyone. You are just another refugee I let join us like the others. It’s my intention to…”
“Pastor Hilton, I’m happy to be here in this government building. Protected by military personnel. I acknowledge your accomplishment and am willing to follow the orders of a civilian leader like yourself. However, the military contingent here will be under my command. If you have a problem with that, well, I’ve found four other locations that I can move the military detachment to, along with all military vehicles, weapons, and assorted supplies. As long as there’s one NCO to provide guidance to one private, there is a US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine. We took a hell of a hit, but we are not down. We shall rise up again and when we do, we will have stories to tell our kids and grandkids about, we will tell those stories with pride. I’m sorry I cut you off, please continue.” The NCOs were feeling amusement and relief more than any other emotions, the Pastor was more confused than upset, but not angry.
“So you will follow my orders as the leader of this group, Lieutenant?”
“Ma'am, as long as it doesn’t violate my oath of enlistment, the UCMJ, or any orders I receive from those above me, we will have no problems. I will let you know now though, as part of that understanding, no civilians will give orders to any military personnel. They will have to go through me first. When we are contacted either by a superior officer or a duly elected member of the federal government with oversight of the military, things will then need to change.”
Gloria looked over at the bemused pastor. “Pastor, do you accept our conditions?
“I accept your conditions, Lt Alban,” said Pastor Hilton. I don’t believe the meeting we were going to have is needed now. I will go take care of other business and allow you to use the conference room to become acquainted with your people.” The pastor got up, walked to Gloria and gave her a little hug, then left.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated. Since everything here came out of left field, we’ll keep it short and informal. Master Sergeant Hale, can you tell me please what our manning is and how it’s being utilized, to start with?”
“Ma'am, we have thirty personnel; eight Air Force, six Army, eleven Army Guard, three Marines, and two Navy. That doesn’t include retirees; twelve Air Force, ten Army, six Marines, and eight Navy. We haven’t used the retirees yet because we weren’t sure of the legality of arming civilians or drafting them back into service. We use our thirty personnel in three shifts of five for guard duty. The remaining personnel go out as security for scavenging parties and survivor recovery.”
Gloria replied, “We’ll go on the number sixty-six personnel; the oath of enlistment doesn’t have an expiration date. If they’re drawing breath and have a pulse, we can make use of our retirees; somehow, somewhere. We might look at recruiting, also. I think we have a nice little home here and I worry someone might want to either take it over or worse. I met an odd couple out on the highway, walking because neither ever learned to drive. They had a sharp stick and a knife. Between them, they thought they had all the answers to lead the first group of survivors they came across. They actually thought adults would listen to a couple teens spouting Marx. I’m just afraid what other groups out there who might have a philosophy that might be dangerous to our group.”
“Back to our retirees, I want them evaluated and classified for the level of duty they can handle. If Joe Cool is only good for four hours a day of guard duty, we’ll prop him up in a wheelchair on the roof facing the front door. Hopefully, we have someone with radio experience that can connect us to any surviving command authority for guidance or direction.”
Master Sergeant Hale continued, “Uh, Ma'am, we have tactical vehicles that still have access to satellite communications. We borrowed four Strykers from the National Guard and two Guardians from the Air Force, along with four cargo trucks that have heavy lift capability. We just haven’t had a chance to procure ammunition for them yet.”
“Master Sergeant Hale, today’s main mission will be procurement of required ammunition for support of future operations. Your previous ‘acquisition’ of vehicles I would look at as paperless temporary requisition until things settle down. I will assume responsibility as acting commander of this detachment if any problems arise. Do you know where to locate the munitions?”
“Ma'am, I’m actually not from this area. I was here on a house-hunting trip before I retired. I wanted to get away from both coasts, yet still be near a base for my medical benefits. Can’t go wrong with an Air Force Base. The Guardsmen know where to go to draw ammunition; especially if we have to do it with ‘extreme prejudice’ since the munitions bunkers will be secured. One of the Guardsmen works for a construction company and has access to the necessary tools to open locked bunkers.”
“What assets will you need to procure the munitions, Master Sergeant Hale?” Gloria was feeling relieved at having a senior NCO to fall back on.
“I believe one Guardian to bluff our way if needed, since we only have a small amount of .50 cal ammo, four heavy trucks, and tw
elve men total for the operation.”
“That sounds about right, where will we store it? I don’t like things that go boom in the night sitting next to me while I sleep.” Gloria asked, concerned.
“Ma'am, one of the airmen from Luke said there were some ammunition bunkers that are empty and not secured. We’ll lock it up there and put a remote camera on it since we can be there in less than ten minutes if someone tries to break in.”
“That sounds like everything is in order. When can you get on the road? There may or may not be trouble during the day, but the Zs still own the night. Have radios been setup with local call signs already?”
“I plan to leave in the next half hour. We’re still using ad hoc call signs.”
“Let’s try to minimize radio traffic. In case previous communications have been monitored, new call signs will be issued before you go, we’ll base them on Stallion, this school’s mascot.” Gloria looked at the coffee cup on the table. I like the Stallion logo, then bit back a laugh realizing her call sign would be Stallion 6.
“Yes, Ma'am. May I suggest you appoint Staff Sergeant Simpson as your adjutant to help make things go faster? He’s the one wearing his blues.” Simpson was at the end of the table and turned red when everyone looked in his direction. Why the hell is he wearing blues in the apocalypse?
“What’s your AFSC, Staff Sergeant Simpson? I want to make sure you’d be a good fit for me.”
“Uh, I worked in the warehouse at supply, Ma'am.” Alarms started to go off in Gloria’s head as she sensed extreme hatred towards her.
“Is that your uniform, or did you have to borrow it when things went south?”
“Ma'am, I was actually preparing my clothes for church when everything happened. I drove from my apartment in Glendale to get to the base the first night. I ended up driving out to the desert to wait things out.”
“Master Sergeant Hale, please find a place to secure that imposter until we can find out who or what he really is.”
“You bitch!” Simpson shouted as he stood up and reached into his dress jacket. He grabbed a wheel gun in his belt and pulled it out. At the same time, the Army sergeant to his right chopped him viciously in the wrist, making him drop the weapon. The Air Force Technical Sergeant to his left elbowed him violently in the groin and then following up by grabbing the back of his head and smashing his head into the table, knocking him out cold.
“Damn, no boring staff meeting here, I see.” Technical Sergeant Muller almost shouted as the adrenalin pumped through him. He jumped to his feet and danced like a fighter trying to work off the excitement.
“Do you have any other suggestions for an adjutant for me, Master Sergeant Hale? I don’t think Simpson is going to work out.”
“Ma'am, how did you know he wasn’t legit?” Hale asked.
“He had a Missile Career Field Badge and a Seven Level Occupational Maintenance Career Field Badge. I don’t want this to leave the room. There may be others. I want a one hundred percent ID check of every military and military retiree in the compound. We all came from too many different places; we have to be certain who it is that have our backs. Here’s my bona fides.” Gloria took out her CAC and driver’s license, and then handed them to Technical Sergeant Muller.
“These appear legit to me.” He began to hand them back when Gloria stopped him.
“Give them to Master Sergeant Hale, please. Everyone will need two people to confirm their identities. If they don’t have a CAC, then they will have to play twenty questions until we confirm them. I want autobiographies done by everyone; enlistment date, date of rank, skills, the whole nine yards.”
“Here you go, Lieutenant; I believe you are an Air Force officer.” For the next five minutes the rest of the room confirmed each other as members of the military.” Gloria decided it would take too long to repeat the process as they had done it.
“I want a formation called in ten minutes. Each person shall be verified, and then dismissed from the formation individually. Those remaining, well, let’s just wait and see what happens.” Gloria hoped she was just overreacting but wasn’t going to take any chances
“Lieutenant Alban, the formation has been formed.” Our personnel are ready for a worst case scenario.” Technical Sergeant Muller stated as he stood at attention before her. Gloria could feel the butterflies in her stomach as she acknowledged the message.
The formation was eighty percent in uniform, the remainder in whatever they had survived in for the last few days. “Platoon Atten-shun!” Master Sergeant Hale commanded at the approach of the lieutenant.
Gloria deviated from protocol and marched herself up to the first man in the first column. She noted he was a Private First Class wearing a complete set of Army OCPs. “PFC, present your CAC and dog tags.” Gloria ordered in a conversational voice. The private looked confused at first, then reached into his shoulder pocket and produced the card. He pulled out his dog tags from around his neck and was going to pull them off when Gloria stopped him. She compared the tags to the card, then asked, “Last four 7744?”
Sweating, the private answered, “No, Ma'am, last four are 7474.” Gloria couldn’t help but smile at his nervousness.
“Private, you are dismissed from this formation, return to your duties.” She thought for a moment, then gave a command to the formation. “Formation, at ease. Have your CAC ready in your right hand and hold out your dog tags with your left while still wearing them around your neck when I approach.” She rapidly went through the first row of the formation and quickly dismissed each of them. Halfway through the second row, she could detect hostility towards her from an Army Sergeant. He made no open display of hostility, but Gloria could easily detect it was centered on her. She stood in front of the man and compared the CAC to his dog tags, then looked him in the face. “Is there a problem, Sergeant?”
“Ma'am, is it true you’re performing this inspection to identify all Muslims in your command?” Gloria felt like she’d just been punched in the gut with the accusatory question, then laughed before she replied.
“Sergeant, I don’t give a hoot if you believe in unicorns, honest politicians, and Big Foot. I’m here making sure that everyone is who they say they are and not something else. You are dismissed, return to your duties.”There was a light laughter from those who had been close enough to hear her exchange with the sergeant.
The next man in line held out a CAC but no dog tags. “Where are your dog tags, Marine?” Gloria asked. Behind her, she felt Muller’s apprehension.
“Ma'am, my dog tags are laced in my boots. My other pair was pulled off me by my wife when she turned the first night of the plague.” The obvious pain was on his face as he spoke. She handed the CAC to the Technical Sergeant so he could confirm they were the same.
“What’s the last number of your last four?” Muller asked, now less apprehensive.
“The last number on my dog tag is six, Technical Sergeant.” The Marine Lance Corporal answered loudly. Muller nodded his head ‘yes’ for the lieutenant observing.
“Lance Corporal you are dismissed, return to your duties.” Gloria ordered.
The last woman in the last row was openly sweating. Gloria could sense her nervousness. She did not sense any anger, but there was deception. She looked at the CAC and then back at the Marine NCO’s face, it was obviously her. The card was real as was the dog tags. “This is your one chance to come clean, Sergeant.” Muller had not noticed anything earlier, but was now seeing strong signs of nervousness.
“Ma'am, I was absent without leave. I came back from deployment and found my neighbor on top of my husband. I broke two arms and two ribs.”
“Well, you certainly healed up well, Sergeant.” Gloria said, feeling sorry for the woman.
“Ma'am, they weren’t my arms or ribs. The MPs were after me for assault. When this crap all came down I couldn’t in good conscience stay away.” Gloria laughed hard; she wanted to pat the NCO on the shoulder.
“Marine, while I respect a
nd appreciate that you returned to duty of your own volition, we are a society upon ourselves and we must maintain good order and discipline. At this time the needs of the service will need to take priority above any other considerations. I want a written report exactly as things happened. I will use that as the basis to make my decision on whether to proceed with a court martial or non-judicial punishment. If at a later time I find there are other crimes or the document you present to me is false in any way I will seek the highest punishment available to me. Do you understand?’
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am.” The sergeant replied. The relief was easily felt by Gloria.”
“Marine, I’m curious, what is your MOS?”
“Ma'am, I am an 8551, Martial Arts Instructor.”
“Sergeant, you are dismissed, return to your duties. I want you to have the document on my desk by 1200.” Gloria ordered.
“Ma'am, yes Ma'am.” As the NCO walked back towards the building, Gloria looked over at Technical Sergeant Muller.
“I’d really hate to piss off that young lady.” Muller nodded, trying to keep a straight face.
Muller looked over to a group of older men and women. “Ladies and gentlemen, please fall in before me. Please have any documentation available to confirm your prior service.”The group had been standing behind the prior formation, observing what had been going on.
Gloria walked up to the first man in the first line. He was only in his twenties; most of the others ranged from forty to eighty. The man held out his veterans’ ID card and an Army ID card, denoting him as retired with full benefits.
“You seem a little different than the others here. Can you explain that?” The man grabbed the outside seams on both pants legs, as if to come to attention, then lifted them up, revealing two shiny metallic artificial legs.
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