Going Home (Soldier Up Book 3)

by Steven Linde

  Now his men were climbing another path, and two miles further down the path used first by those squads that had come up from behind the Marines the first time. Colonel Tekana was unaware of the situation with the General, which his entire command had surrendered leaving him and his men alone. He also had no idea that there was not going to be any help to come from the south via Mexico and the United States Army and Marines had cut that approach off, as well and inflicted heavy damages on the Mexican garrison in Tijuana.

  Colonel Tekana was able to get all of his men up through the path and onto the high ground. He had them continue to move east, keeping to the shadows and moving as silently as possible. His last reports before movement was that the large Marine force that he was looking for, the original force on the line, was a mile from his current location. He would continue on for three-quarters of a mile and then start to slowly push south, hoping to surprise the Marines. Once there, they would overrun their positions, creating a large hole for the follow up Mexican forces that he was sure were waiting.

  It took them almost an hour-and-a-half to cover the three-quarters of a mile moving slowly, keeping the men together in the dark. He at that point halted their progression and sent out four squads to verify the Marines were still there. The squads would be gone for a while because they had to cover the two miles that they had advanced on when they were pushed back onto the beach. As the squads left, Colonel Tekana ordered each company within the Battalion size element to set up a security perimeter. He reminded them that they had no idea where the Marine vehicles they had previously encountered came from, so they had better keep alert.

  While they waited out there in the dark, many of the Soldiers took the opportunity to grab some chow or take a quick nap. The nap was contrary to the Colonels order to stay alert, but what he didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them. At least that’s how they felt. Within forty to forty-five minutes the first couple of squads returned and reported that the Marines were still there. Colonel Tekana went ahead and issued his prepare to move orders. He also asked the NCO’s and Officers to double check their Soldiers and their weapons, and make sure they were prepared to fight.

  As the NCO’s and Officers went through the ranks, they discovered that about every fifth man was missing. A quick search of the area didn’t prove fruitful, so they informed the Colonel of the missing men. He told them not to worry about it, odds were that they went AWOL and were cowards. He told them to keep a better eye on their men and make sure no one else went AWOL, or he would hold them accountable and that could mean with their own lives.

  It was only a couple of hours until sunrise and the Colonel knew that if he didn’t accomplish his mission soon the sun would be up and they would be susceptible to air attack.

  Chapter Thirty–Seven

  SSG Reyes and his men stayed hidden in the nearby gully. They were wearing their night vision goggles and could see the Mexican squad pass by them. Their orders were not to fire on the Mexicans and to let them pass. Within twenty minutes the same squad passed them again, heading the way they had come earlier. SSG Reyes and SGT Griffin had figured it was a reconnaissance patrol that they had found the Marines force on the line in front of them. SSG Reyes and his men weren’t from that force; they were from the expeditionary force that had come down from the north.

  The Marines on the lines were now aware that they were drawn out by the Mexican Battalion that had broken off from General Garcia’s command. Corporal Leyete, the Marine RTO, contacted the CP and let them know the Mexicans had passed their position coming and going. The CP reported to Colonel Parker that the recon squads were reporting that the Mexicans were probing to determine if the American lines remained the same. When General Garcia’s HQ was captured the Mexican Commanders turned over all information regarding Colonel Tekana’s plan. In turn the Marine Colonel Parker promised them that he would give Colonel Tekana the opportunity to surrender.

  One of the Marine squads was able to shadow one the Mexican squads back to the main body. Once there, the Marines found a place in the shallows hills, not far where even in the waning dark hours prior to sunrise, and they could clearly see the Mexican Battalion. They radioed back what they were seeing, and the coordinates. As the sun started to rise, it was evident that the Mexican’s were beginning to move by company. As they were doing that, they were buzzed by a half dozen F4F Wildcat fighters. They didn’t fire at them, but they sure scared the hell out of them. The Wildcats came from out of the east, flying as low as they could right above the water, then popped up over the seaside cliffs and were about a hundred feet over the Mexican Soldiers.

  The Soldiers were trying to find any cover and preparing for the fighters to come back and fire on them. As they were scrambling, a platoon of Abrams moved in position where they could clearly be seen by the Mexican Soldiers. Granted there were a lot more Soldiers than there were tanks. The tanks were very imposing and the Soldiers didn’t really have any defense against them. They also knew that even if they had a chance to get close and take them, a lot of them would be dead and in doing so and there was no guarantee they would be successful. The tanks sat there but didn’t fire, which struck the Mexicans as odd there were clearly in range.

  Then it got worse. They could hear the whistling sounds of artillery, incoming shells started to explode around them. Not one shell hit the Soldiers, which they were thankful for; yet again they thought it was odd. Colonel Tekana was now suspicious, there was more going on around him than he was aware of. A Humvee with a white flag clearly displayed came through the area between the tanks and was heading directly towards the Mexican Soldiers. Colonel Tekana moved toward the front of his scattered formations. He trusted the Americans if they were coming toward him flying white flag. He was also fully aware that at any time within the last few minutes a combination of the fighters, tanks, and artillery could have done severe damage to his force.

  He knew deep down the Americans were not coming to surrender and something had happened after he left General Garcia’s command, something that had changed the entire dynamics. The Humvee got about fifty yards from the closest Mexican Soldier and stopped. From the passenger side a tall American Marine Colonel stepped out, then to Colonel Tekana’s surprise General Garcia’s Executive Officer Colonel Hector Alonzo stepped out. Colonel Tekana stopped, stood, and stared at Colonel Alonzo, then began to move forward again. Colonel Tekana made his way through his Soldiers, stepped out and made his way to the Humvee. Colonel Alonzo recognized him immediately and called out to him to come to him over to him.

  The two men met. They didn’t salute or shake hands, as there was no love lost between the two men. Colonel Alonzo handed Colonel Tekana a message, which he took and read. He then looked at Colonel Alonzo. “Is it true?” asked Colonel Tekana.

  It looked as though Colonel Alonzo was going to cry, but then pulled himself together. “Yes I’m afraid so.”

  “The bombardment by the USS Iowa on Tijuana has already started and my reports state that what military units that the American forces didn’t kill are now being annihilated by the shelling. I have been trying to reach Mexicali, but we have no communication with them. However I’m assured here by Colonel Parker that Mexicali is currently under attack by B-17’s.”

  “We have no more forces?” asked Colonel Tekana.

  “Colonel Tekana.” said Colonel Alonzo. “The Soldiers you have under your command right now is all we have left to defend Mexico, perhaps all of Mexico. I’m asking you to surrender; we have been assured that we all will be repatriated to Mexico.”

  Colonel Tekana looked at Colonel Parker, then the tanks and turned around to see hundreds of Marine Corps vehicles approaching his position and behind that were clouds of dust which he recognized as troops on the march. He knew it was over; he wasn’t going to sacrifice his men for nothing. He wanted the dream of a reunited Mexico with its lands in the North, but it wasn’t going to happen. “Do you trust this Colonel Parker? Is that him there?” asked Colonel Tekana.
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  “As much as I have ever trusted any American military officer, and yes that’s him.”

  That actually said a lot about Colonel Parker regarding whether Colonel Alonzo trusted him or not. The American military had always been very friendly towards their Mexican counterparts, and the Mexican Officers in many cases went to the United States military schools and often worked together. n that regards they did trust each other.

  Colonel Alonzo escorted Colonel Tekana over to meet Colonel Parker. The men saluted each other and then shook hands. “I have a question for you Colonel,” stated Colonel Tekana.

  “What’s that?” asked Colonel Parker.

  “Why would you repatriate us to Mexico, we have been brutal to your people?”

  “We don’t want you to have to take care of you and as far as I know you and your people are not getting off free. Mexico City is plenty pissed off and you have more to worry from them then you do us. You and your men will be flown to Mexico City where you will have to deal with them, which could be far worse.” said Colonel Parker.

  Colonel Tekana hadn’t considered that they would be sent to Mexico City. He could certainly understand Mexico City being very angry. They failed, and badly. He was certain that he and many of his men would be punished, possibly even executed. However, he knew that the majority of his men would be able to return to duty and their families.

  “Colonel Tekana,” said Colonel Parker. “Once you surrender, we will call off the attack on Mexico which is happening now. You hold the key to stop all of this we’re all waiting on you. Once hostilities are suspended, our two countries can move forward together to build hopefully a better society, we have that opportunity.”

  Colonel Tekana thought about it for a moment, then came to attention. “Colonel Parker I would like to surrender my forces into your care. I will hold you personally responsible for their health and safety from here on.”

  “Thank you Colonel,” said Colonel Parker. “I accept your surrender and I will be happy to take on that responsibility as soon as your men relinquish their weapons.”

  “Well then Colonel let’s get on with it,” said Colonel Tekana. He reached down to his holster and pulled out his service revolver to hand over to Colonel Parker. “Please Colonel, you and your officers may hold on to your side arms.” This surprised Colonel Tekana, but then he noticed that Colonel Alonzo still had his.

  “Would you please return to your men and explain the situation? I will give you twenty minutes. Do you see where those two trucks are there?” Colonel Parker pointed to them. “Please have your men line up and deposit all of their weapons there. As they exit the line, their names and rank will be taken. This is being done at the request of your government. This list will be turned over when we return all of your men.”

  “Thank you Colonel. May I go now?” asked Colonel Tekana.

  “Yes Colonel, you may,” Colonel Parker came to attention and saluted Colonel Tekana as a sign of respect; Colonel Tekana returned the salute and exited the meeting.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Colonel Clayton contacted General Watkins and briefed him on the situation at Lewis-McChord. Although General Watkins was busy with the Civil Affairs in the Midwest, he told Colonel Clayton that he was in. He couldn’t speak for Admiral Meyer, and asked Colonel Clayton to contact the Admiral and brief him. General Watkins explained that he was going to be the new Commander, and this would be an ideal opportunity to get his feet wet and get out of Coronado. General Watkins said he would be on a flight as soon as he could track one down to get back to Camp Parks.

  Colonel Clayton had a bit of trouble of getting in touch with Admiral Meyer, as his Staff didn’t know who Colonel Clayton was and how he fit into the overall scheme of things. They kept telling him that he needed to make an appointment or to leave a message and they would pass it on. Neither one was an option, he needed to get Admiral Meyer moving as soon as possible. Colonel Clayton finally gave up trying to contact the Admiral on his own and was going to have to go back to General Watkins. He was in the process contacting the General when one of the other shortwaves came alive with Admiral Meyer on it asking for the Colonel.

  Admiral Meyer was fully aware of who Colonel Clayton was and his role in the overall recovery of the State and the military as an entity. He apologized to the Colonel for his staffs actions and assured the Colonel it wouldn’t happen again. It wasn’t often you heard a four star apologizing to a bird Colonel. Colonel Clayton told the Admiral that he fully understood his staff’s actions and didn’t blame them at all. He then went onto brief the Admiral on the situation at Lewis-McChord and told him it was his opinion, as well as General Watkins, that he was going to be needed. It would be an ideal opportunity for him to get involved, and that we were going to see a lot more of this as time went on and he was going to have to know how it was done.

  “General Watkins is really going to let his command go?” asked Admiral Meyer.

  “I’m sorry sir, I don’t understand the question.” said Colonel Clayton.

  “Well son, he has the resources to hold on to everything, and for the most part demand we all bow to him.” replied Admiral Meyer.

  Colonel Clayton actually understood where the Admiral was coming from. “Sir he doesn’t have the resources the United States Military has the resources. I don’t imagine the rest of the commanders Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy would follow him. They do now because he is a good commander and senior commander for that matter. I was commander before him and handed it over to him, as he was senior to me; we all knew that as we moved forward we would have to hand command over to the next senior person. The question you have to ask yourself Admiral will you be able to hand over command to the next person senior to you. Eventually we will have civilian leadership again, and as senior military commander can you deal with them.”

  “Yes, yes, of course Colonel, I understand the flow of command, and yes I could hand over command to someone more senior to myself.”

  “Sir our primary purpose is to ensure that all of these bases that return to the fold understand they belong to the United States government. That we fight for flag and country, if not then we move in and relieve them of command. We’ve done it and we’re going to have to do it again, I can guarantee it. I believe that the I Corp Commander will have to be relieved; we’re going to have the backing of the 1st Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion Rangers, and 7th Infantry that should light a fire under him. In order to do that we’re going to need your and General Watkins stars.”

  “Alright Colonel how do we do this?”

  “Sir I have an aircraft waiting for you now at your airfield to bring you to Camp Parks. General Watkins is on his way back and should be back sometime today. While you’re here you can take the nickel tour and see everything we have accomplished. Once the General arrives, we fly up to McChord where we will meet with the area commanders and decide how to move forward.”

  “You don’t waste any time, do you Colonel.”

  “No sir.”

  “Ok I’ll be there soon.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Admiral Meyer, like the men before him, was seriously impressed by what had been accomplished at Camp Parks and its surrounding communities. General Watkins was running late, which gave Colonel Clayton the opportunity to show the Admiral a couple of the oil refineries in San Francisco, which was just as impressive. This was a deep contrast between what they had in San Diego and what was going on here. Colonel Clayton assured the Admiral that San Diego, as well as the rest, of the areas that were in conflict right now, meaning San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County, would all flourish again. They needed time, as well as law and order established.

  Another impressive site the Admiral saw was the locomotives, steam locomotives. He hadn’t thought about that at all. Colonel Clayton went onto explain that they now ran a great deal over the state, and once they cleared the tracks through Los Angeles and south to San Diego they would have it too. In fact it would pr
obably be easier if they cleared it from Yuma to San Diego first, as they already ran there all the way to Fort Huachuca. Admiral Meyer told him if that was quicker to get goods and services to move into San Diego, he wanted that done ASAP. Colonel Clayton told the Admiral as soon as they got back to Camp Parks he would get them started on it.

  General Watkins flight came in around 1800, and he headed straight for the HQ building on Camp Parks where he met Colonel Clayton and Admiral Meyer. It was the first time the two men had met. General Watkins wanted the briefing to begin now, and he didn’t have a lot of time because he said he was needed back at Camp Grayling. Colonel Clayton told him there wasn’t much more to tell him other than what he had already told him. That he had been in contact with Colonel Eaton the 1st SF CO they were going to secure the airfield at 0700 tomorrow morning for our flight that would be coming in at 0730. Once there, meet with the local commanders and they would bring us to General Cummings.

  The expectation is that he is ordered to evict all civilians off the federal reservation and secure all military equipment from them immediately. From what Colonel Eaton has told me, he doesn’t believe that the General will do that as he’s too close to the civilians. The post’s provost marshal will have his MPs ready to arrest the General by your orders if he refuses to comply with the order. If he’s arrested he will be transported back here for a court martial. “Wow,” was Admiral Meyer’s first response. “Is this how it always goes?”

  “No sir, not at all. When we first made contact with Fort Irwin and General Watkins here there were no issues at all. Many of the Air Force Bases have been unorganized but fell right in and so did Fort Huachuca.” said Colonel Clayton.

  General Watkins wasn’t particularly happy about the delay, but he understood that his late arrival back at Parks was part of the problem because they didn’t fly at night when they didn’t have too. The more he thought it the more he knew the night’s layover would do him good. A nights rest, some chow, shower and a clean uniform were sorely needed.