by John Holmes
“Who wants some BACON?!” BATBATBATBATBAT, the M-60 LMG sang out for me. These boys didn’t know what hit ‘em. The men and their Humvees were turned into Swiss cheese, and by the time I ran the pig clean, there was nary a man standing, or at least no man who stuck around to meet his demise.
With that I jumped down and began a quick and sloppy clearing of the area, as I wanted to take a nap in one of the fishing boats docked here. Upon finding no threat, I commandeered myself a vessel named “Island Time” and made myself right at home in the main bunkroom. I pulled out my phone and informed Ryan of my location and the name of my “hotel”. Time to catch some sleep before the big show.
Chapter 21
RYAN
My cousins, Ethan and William, while on the run, had still managed to give us all the intelligence the botched mission had been planned to get. JJ and I sat down to discuss a rescue mission.
“Command will never approve a rescue mission.” JJ said
“So what do we do?” I asked.
“We will have to wrap the rescue mission into an assault on Norfolk.”
“Ok. How do we assault the city? Amphibious assault, air attack, what?”
“We don’t have the assets for a full scale invasion. We can’t send more aircraft there; they may even have more ships than we have so we can’t attack from the sea. The navy abandoned most of the ships that were in port in the belief that they would be able to take them back over after the zombie threat was neutralized.”
“Have we figured out why the Chinese were heading to Norfolk?”
“We have; we intercepted coded radio messages, they’re classified, but I can tell you that the General doesn’t know what kind of support the Chinese were sending him.”
“So you’re saying we should disguise ourselves as the Chinese.” I realized
“Exactly, but we can’t sacrifice a submarine to sail into Norfolk harbor. Precious few of those are still being maintained”
“What do we have that can be sacrificed?”
“Taney.” He said referencing the pre World War II Coast Guard Cutter we had salvaged during our foray into Baltimore Harbor last year.
“Taney doesn’t have working engines.” I pointed out.
“We have been refitting her with diesel engines. We were going to trade her to the British to use as a patrol ship. Being a former Coast Guard Cutter she is well suited to sailing in the North Sea. The British are chronically short on ships these days; they’ve already taken over all of the European ships they can salvage and they had promised us her weight in ammunition if we turned her over. However the British stated that they would be willing to lose her to keep the Chinese from getting a foothold in North America.” JJ explained.
China, I knew had gone down in in a mass of undead, courtesy of the US Air Force. Stealth bombers had dropped undead around all their major cities after they had taken out our nuclear arsenal through cyberattack. I’m sure that the remnants of their military would love to get a crack at us.
“Makes sense, in fact the British used this exact same strategy in 1942 to attack a dry dock in France the Germans were going to use for their battleships. They called it Operation Chariot.”
“Then that’s exactly what we’ll do. I’ll conduct the briefing at 2000 hours.”
Just after dark we were all sitting in the briefing room again when Gen. Sola walked in. once everyone was seated JJ took the podium again.
“Thanks to the members of IST-5 who went down in Norfolk we now know who we are up against. Brigadier General Chase Fortier was the commander of Langley Air Force Base. He had a decorated career as a junior officer in Desert Storm and a squadron XO in Afghanistan. Like General Sola he was one of several young officers promoted to flag rank during the last pre zombie presidency following the major crackdown on conduct unbecoming among flag officers. His was one of several commands which had to be abandoned during the retreat after the initial outbreak. Apparently he managed to take command of all of the military bases in the area and hold out.”
“Isn’t it a little too cliché to believe? I mean rogue general, that sounds like a story someone would come up with under duress. Are we sure they weren’t captured and are being forced to give us false information?” said one of the Special Forces guys from the back of the room.
“All of the available intelligence leads us to believe the information is actionable. Cliché though it sounds, some men break under pressure.” JJ continued. “We don’t know his motives but he has become aggressive against the United States and somehow got backing from the Chinese. We don’t know what they’re trying to get out of supporting anti-American forces in Norfolk. Their submarine somehow was overridden by zombies and we have reason to believe that Gen. Fortier is unaware of what kind of support he will be receiving, possibly materials to activate the two nuclear reactors of USS Theodore Roosevelt, a nuclear aircraft carrier which was in port to get her reactors refueled. We will be disguising Taney using canvas panels so she looks like a Chinese frigate and then we’ll sail her up the Chesapeake and into Norfolk harbor and ram her into the drydock.”
“Sounds like a suicide plan, why not use missiles or aircraft instead?”
“Our last attempt at using aircraft failed miserably. They have operational stealth fighters and we don’t have time to recondition any of our own. Missiles are in short enough supply as it is, and even if one got past the defenses of all the ships, aircraft, and ground equipment it would have a low chance of success hitting the gate of the drydock or Roosevelt in a way that would damage them sufficiently. We certainly don’t have the firepower to destroy a 100,000 ton warship so our only chance will be to destroy the drydock so they can no longer repair her.”
“Do you have a way to extract us?” asked another SF operator.
“Once the drydock has been disabled teams will attack other high value targets and destroy as much infrastructure as possible before returning to the drydock to be picked up by the patrol boat squadron that will accompany the raid.” JJ said nodding to CWO Magann; commander of the PBR’s operating in the Chesapeake Bay. “Don’t get me wrong, this is a shoestring operation, and we have very little intelligence, but it is imperative that we stop General Fortier before he attacks United States forces again.”
“Just to clarify, if anyone gets a chance to eliminate Fortier, do it.” said Gen. Sola.
The meeting dragged on for several hours more as specific details and targets were assigned, and questions were answered. It was late when we finally filed out of the meeting to get a nights rest while the ship fitters continued their frenzied work getting Taney ready for one last mission.
Chapter 22
ETHAN
There were no life threatening injuries or illnesses, just normal infections, viruses, and sicknesses. I wished I knew more about dental medicine. I passed the time talking with Zoey and some of the Seamen. Apparently, Zoey and several others had been picked up from Virginia Tech, a common story. The General had made several efforts to pick up survivors and centralize them, with most of the able bodies they recovered pressed into military service.
After a couple of hours I was bleary-eyed and decided I needed a break to check my phone for news. They had looked over the pictures and determined they would assault Norfolk. I would have to wait out another couple days here. I didn’t think it would be too hard. I just had to keep my nose down, doctor a few people here and there, and check out the pretty college girls. I headed back to the park.
As I settled back into the exciting field medicine, the gazebo was approached by three armed Seamen and an Air Force officer I hadn’t met yet. The officer put out his cigarette and introduced himself. “I am Colonel Mustang. You are not who you claim to be. Please come with us.”
I thought very seriously about using the children as shields to make my escape, but I was pretty sure there was a part in the Hippocratic Oath about not using patients as meat shields, not that I’m a doctor. They took my weapon and armor and led me
back to the house by the cliff.
I was never taught how to resist interrogation, but I did know a thing or two about being a stubborn Pollock. I was pretty sure that these guys held on to more of their humanity than most of the messed up people we come across. They probably wouldn’t try to eat me alive or rape me.
Colonel Mustang began, “You were in that helo we shot down, huh?”
“I don’t know what you mean. I’m with you guys from Langley.”
“Cut the shit! We all know that isn’t true. How many of you survived the crash?”
“A battalion.” I could tell he didn’t like that answer because he punched me in the nose.
“Watch the face! That’s my moneymaker.”
Mustang lit a cigarette. “Start answering my questions and we can resolve this. What is your purpose here?”
“I’m just a traveling dick-pump salesman. I heard there was a massive need in this area.” That answer earned me a cigarette burn on my palm. “Why did you do that? I’m trying to help you!”
Mustang continued, “Listen, I’m trying to give you an easy way out. You can talk now or in the morning we’re going to move you to Norfolk and we’ll just get you talk there.”
It seemed like a good offer. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to answer your questions. But I love being a sarcastic asshole more.”
They continued to lay into me into the wee hours, and I wore a stupid grin the whole time just to spite them. I really wanted to tell them everything but I figured that story wouldn’t be very likely to get me laid if I wound up surviving. Once I had worn their fists out with my soft, squishy body, they left me alone.
They came to get me sometime in the late morning. I was handcuffed and loaded into a Humvee with Colonel Mustang. The Humvee fired up and we were headed out the gate when we were flagged down by Seamen Jaeger. “We just got word from Norfolk that an unknown element is out making trouble in the city. The General wants you guys to remain here until its safe. The Colonel turned to me, “Looks like we’re stuck here for now, scumbag.”
“You’re such a sweet-talker.”
They brought the Humvee back in and parked it next to the gate. They took me out and sat me up against the wheel. I saw they had loaded my gear into the back. “Can you grab my IFAK so I can stop my bleeding?” The guards looked to the Colonel.
“Hell no. I’m giving all your medical stuff to the people here who hosted you.” He said, beckoning one of the guards to grab it from my gear.
“If that’s what you wanna do. I’ve got some other good stuff in there. First aid books and the like. They should probably go to the medic here.”
The Colonel pondered my offer. “That’s not a bad idea. Get Zoey over here.” One of the guards ran off. He returned a couple minutes later with Zoey in tow. She looked at me with disgust and kicked me swiftly in the shin as I stood up.
“You lying creep.” She said.
“Careful. A guy like me might not think twice about killing everyone here.” She looked even more disgusted.
The Guard grabbed my bag from the back and threw in to me. I riffled through and grabbed a couple books. A copy of Special Operations Medical Handbook and Ditch Medicine. I handed them to Zoey as she opened her bag. Just then I saw something black inside her pack. I dove my hand in and retrieved my .45 that I had given her. I caught all the seamen off guard as I grabbed Zoey.
“Everyone calm down!” I demanded.
“How did he get a gun?!” The colonel yelled as he turned back around to face me. “You don’t have to do this! Leave the girl out of this!”
“I just want out of this gate.” I said, pressing the barrel into my hostage’s neck. Zoey let out a small whimper.
“Fine fine. Open the gate!” He ordered.
As the gate opened, I gave every man staring at me the same stare back. I backed us out through the gate. By this time we had quite the audience.
“Close the gate behind us.” I demanded. They begrudgingly complied. I continued walking us backwards. Zoey resisted, but I remained forceful.
“What is wrong with you?” Zoey asked defiantly.
“I just need your help for a little while. I don’t feel like dying here, and if you feel the same way just stay calm.” I ordered. I turned up the first street on our left to break line of sight with the guard towers. At that moment I’m sure I heard the Humvee start and the gate open. I went into a full sprint leaving Zoey there. I could have probably used her again if they caught up with me but finding her might slow them down.
Chapter 23
RYAN
After four days at sea we were finally approaching Norfolk. The old white Coast Guard Cutter hardly looked recognizable under a hasty coat of dark grey. Lucky for us, St. Nazaire, which this raid was based off of, was so shallow that armor had to be removed from HMS Campbelltown for her to be able to ram the German drydock. Since the channel here was deeper Taney was able to receive plenty of reinforcing armor and guns.
I climbed the two ladders from the main deck to the pilot house where Chief Aquia, a survivor from USS Sterett was at the helm. There were very few actual sailors aboard for this mission, mostly Navy, with some Coasties, Merchant Mariners, and even a few Army National Guardsmen who used to operate the Army’s ships. The rest of the crew was a mixed bag of Special Forces and other folks you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.
We were keyed up and ready to go. All of the possible preparations had been made, gear checked and rechecked, plans discussed ad nauseum. The flotilla of riverine patrol boats had joined us at the mouth of the Bay. They fell in behind Taney in two parallel lines and matched our speed. Now all that was left to do was wait to bluff our way past the checkpoints and maneuver into the harbor.
The plan was to sail past the entrance around 0300 when it would still be dark, wreak as much havoc as possible before morning, then decide whether we had to retreat or if we could stay and keep up the attack.
We were running a little late when we reached the outpost. From shore the rebels blinkered the challenge word, D-R-A-G-O-N, in Morse code and a signalman responded with E-A-G-L-E, the response the Chinese were supposed to give. They continued blinking instructions for entering the harbor.
As the communication was taking place the sound of rotors became audible and quickly increased in volume as a helicopter flew towards us. It slowed to a hover after it got directly over our fantail as if it planned on landing.
Taney doesn’t have a landing space for a helicopter, so we were getting pretty tense, but we continued to hold fire. The mission commander, a DEVGRU officer by the name of Herold, showed up next to me on the 0-1 level aft with the mission’s only missile launcher. I couldn’t tell what type it was in the dark, as I had never needed one before.
Just then the helicopter bathed the stern of Taney in white light from a searchlight mounted on the nose. Why am I always being blinded by helicopter searchlights?
As soon as the light flashed on the helo pilot began to back his aircraft away, maybe he saw something that gave us away, maybe he hadn’t, it didn’t matter at this point. Herold loosed his missile and it obliterated the helo at point blank range. The flaming wreckage crashed into our wake between the fantail and Magann’s lead PBR.
On the bridge, Chief Aquia ordered full speed ahead and the new diesels immediately made their presence felt. One of benefits of diesels, besides fuel efficiency, is their quick acceleration. Sailors started smoke generators, they probably wouldn’t obscure Taney at this speed, but they might help the PBRs trailing behind us.
From the shore strings of tracers began to arc out at us. We dove behind the armored plates for protection. Some of Taney’s guns returned fire, streams of tracers firing back down streams of tracers, trying to hit the gunners on the other end.
A wall of water erupted off our port side, a ranging shot from artillery, either a ship’s gun, or something on the shore, in the darkness it was too hard to tell. A second wall of water on the port side was followed
soon after by a wall on the starboard side. At first I thought it was multiple batteries, firing at us from either side of the river, then we took a hit in the superstructure amidships and I knew we had just been bracketed and hit. They had found the range.
Taney continued to pick up speed, jinking in the narrow channel to try and throw off the defender’s aim. It didn’t seem to do much good as Taney shrugged off several more hits in quick succession. One hit touched off a fire on the bow, making it difficult for the bridge crew to maneuver, another hit compounded the problem when it caused the foremast to topple. It groaned and slowly started to move, then dropped like a ton of bricks as gravity dragged it down forward across the pilot house.
Several of the PBRs accelerated out of the smoke and wheeled off in the direction of the artillery fire. As they closed they let go with everything they had, which differed from boat to boat. One walked a string of 40 mike mike grenades across the bow turret of a Ticonderoga cruiser that may have been the offending party. Another joined in by dropping mortar rounds all over her main deck. A third put a rocket into her superstructure while the fourth covered them with machinegun fire directed at the gunners ashore.
Despite the adverse conditions, Chief Aquia pulled the helm to starboard bringing Taney closer to the drydock. He had steered this course for a decade and probably would have performed the maneuvers with his eyes closed if there was an Asian girl nearby to impress.