by Steven Linde
At 1150 everyone funneled back into the theater and took their seats while Colonel Magnus stared over the audience. It wasn’t lost on the service members that Colonel Magnus was already present, on stage and waiting for them. It signaled to most of them that what he had to say next was going to be important. “At ease!” Colonel Magnus yelled! “Take your seats!”
Everyone sat quickly and those that couldn’t, stood at the rear of the theater, there was quiet as everyone looked on. “There’s no point in sugar coating this.” Said Colonel Magnus. “We have compiled all the lists provided to us by each unit, combined with the posts, we have determined that with the current personnel on base, we have enough rations, water and fuel to last five months.” Colonel Magnus let that sink in for a moment, chatter in the crowd started. “At ease! At ease!” Colonel Magnus yelled. The crowd grew quiet once again. “At this time we will not be allowing any families of any service members to move onto post, we don’t have the resources to feed everyone and right now we must maintain readiness.”
Colonel Magnus and his Officers saw that this information wasn’t going over well at all. The crowd grew noticeably agitated.
“At ease!” Colonel Magnus yelled again. The crowd was a quiet now as it was. “In order for us to grow our own stores of rations, water and fuel for military use we will immediately begin operations to bring more on post.” Colonel Magnus looked around the crowd, they were now seemingly confused at this.
“What this means ladies and gentlemen we will begin operations against our own.” Colonel Magnus let that sink in. “We will send out well armed units with vehicles to confiscate foods, water and fuel in what stores are in the communities that surround Camp Edwards.”
“Sir!” Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Foster stood. “Lieutenant Colonel Foster here from A Company 1-87 Infantry.”
Colonel Magnus wasn’t happy about being interrupted but he knew if he didn’t take questions now he may not get the crowd back, “Yes Colonel, you have a question?”
“Yes sir, what I gather is you’re proposing action against our fellow citizens. If we take everything how are they going to fend for themselves?”
“Thank you for the question, Colonel. Government research shows that the average citizens have three days of food and water in their homes. My staff and I as well as other senior commanders here today have discussed this. What’s going to happen when people run out of food and water? When they realize that law enforcement isn’t coming, electricity hasn’t returned, what do you think is going to happen?” Colonel Magnus was staring at the crowd. “I’ll tell you what’s going to happen. Looting will start, the weak will get nothing, people with weapons will get what they need and leave nothing left behind. We aren’t going to let that happen, we need that food and water, we need that fuel.”
Colonel Magnus stopped and let it all sink in again, looking around the crowd making eye contact with many of them. “For those of you that don’t want to stay you’re free to go anytime day or night. However, you will not be allowed to leave with your weapon or any vehicles they belong to the United States Army. You will be allowed to change into what civilian clothes you can find, you will be given three days MREs and water and be escorted off post; from there you’re on your own.”
Major Brent Price stood, “Sir Major Price here from 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery. What if the entire unit wants to leave and return to their home station?”
“Enjoy your walk then Major, the entire unit may leave but they are leaving everything behind. You have no orders allowing you to remove anything from this post. From this day forward I’m assuming full command of all units on this post.”
At that point a quarter of the crowd stood and exited the theater only to be met by the posts MP’s. Colonel Magnus expected that many of the Officers and NCOs would choose to leave it wasn’t unexpected, this was a much larger number than he expected. Officers and NCOs from entire units got up and left.
The crowd was now stirring which was more of a concern to Colonel Magnus, “At ease! At ease!” Yelling as loud as he could. Finally, after ten minutes the crowd in the theater calmed down enough for Colonel Magnus to speak again, “I know most of you and how you feel. I don’t know everyone under your commands obviously. What I would like you to do know is return to your commands and speak to the men and woman within your commands. Don’t make anyone stay that doesn’t want to. However, I want an answer from each command before close of business today on whose going and who’s staying. Those leaving will be escorted off post by the MP’s at first light. Those that are staying I expect they will follow my orders, regardless. Any questions?” Colonel Magnus looked around the crowd, no questions, “Good, I expect your reports on my desk by 1800.” Attention was called, the men and women in the crowd jumped to attention and Colonel Magnus exited the theater. Outside the theater waiting for him were the Soldiers and Airmen that had left as a group earlier and had been corralled by the MP’s. He ordered the MP’s to escort them to their respective units; he asked if they had heard his ultimatum, they answered in the affirmative. He told them regardless of what they had done, he expected their reports as well, if no report the entire unit would be escorted off post, on foot.
Chapter Thirty-Six
With Chester at the helm of the train they had made great time from Washington D.C. to Quantico. People came out from all areas along the tracks to see this huge massive monster moving down the railroad tracks. The one thing they all noticed immediately was the Stars and Strips flying high over the train as it moved at a moderate speed down the tracks. People saw Soldiers manning the several turrets that lined the locomotive and its cars; it was surely a sight to see. The Soldiers threw out flyers to people as they passed them. The flyers expressed that within the next few months’ regular railroad service would begin again between their location and various stops along the way to Washington D.C., it gave people hope.
The whistle blew loud and long about a quarter mile out from Quantico, Virginia it surprised the hell out of the Marines on base. MCB Quantico was getting ready to receive a nice surprise from the United States Army something they would be talking about for years to come, how the Army came to the rescue of the United States Marine Corps. The railroad station wasn’t located on base, but in Quantico itself, the massive locomotive pulled into Quantico Station with no problem. The massive black armored locomotive drew out what residents in the area there were to see it. As it sat in the station Soldiers disembarked quickly and unloaded several Humvees, geared them up and headed to MCB Quantico. At the same time word had spread quickly to MCB command that a train filled with what looked like Soldiers had unloaded and were heading that way.
There were no combat units on Quantico, not to say that the Marines and Sailors on Quantico couldn’t fight, they could, and all Marines like Soldiers were rifleman first. Alerts went out all over post to prepare for the arrival of an unknown military force. What security around post could be implemented was quickly activated, base commanders were prepared and had been working with the local community to pull them onto the base if they were under attack. At this point, no one really knew what to do. Many had heard that the Army was very active around Washington D.C. but had never ventured this far out and now a train filled with them.
There were three Army Humvees that arrived at the main gate of MCB Quantico Virginia. Colonel Lambert sat in the passenger seat of the first Humvee looking at the armed Marines that had barricaded the gate, there were several machine gun emplacements, all pointing at them. Colonel Lambert exited the vehicle leaving his M-4 in the vehicle and as nonchalantly as he could, he strolled over to the guard house. Every Marine gun was on him, he rapped his knuckles against the locked door, “Anyone home?” he asked.
“Who goes there?” yelled a Marine.
Colonel Lambert took a step back trying to see where the voice had come from, “I’m Colonel Lambert US Army from the 3rd Infantry Regiment in DC.”
“You got any ID?” the voi
ce asked.
“Yes.”
“Please take it out slowly and slide it under the door.”
Colonel Lambert did as he was ordered.
“Who sent you?” asked the voice.
“General Wallace the Chief of Staff.”
“Advanced to be recognized.” stated the voice.
“Advance where?” a clearly puzzled Colonel Lambert responded.
“Come towards the gate.” the voice said.
As Colonel Lambert approached the gate a Marine Captain stepped between the fence and the barricade, “Colonel Lambert I suppose?”
“Son.” said Colonel Lambert. “How the hell have you been?”
“Great Dad, it’s good to see you.” Said Captain Lambert USMC.
Father and son hugged, it had been almost a year since they had seen each other.
The Marines at the gate pulled back the barricade and let Colonel Lambert and the Humvees through. Captain Lambert joined his father in the Humvee and directed him to the base commander’s headquarters building. Colonel David Maxim met the Humvee’s as they pulled up to the building, Colonel Lambert USA and Captain Lambert USMC exited the vehicles to meet Colonel Maxim. The Colonels shook hands, “What can I do for the United States Army today?” asked Colonel Maxim.
“General Wallace sent me by order of the President.” replied Colonel Lambert.
“Did he now?” said Colonel Maxim. “In grand style from what I heard too. A train?”
Colonel Lambert chuckled at the train comment, “Yes we have a World War Two Armored Steam Locomotive. We got it at the Smithsonian’s Transportation Museum; we also have two passenger steam locomotives that we will be using for troop movements and simple transportation of civilians as soon as we can clear the tracks.”
“You got them from the museum?” said Colonel Maxim, Colonel Lambert could see the wheels were churning side Colonel Maxims head. Colonel Maxim called over his aide Captain Lambert, “I want a list of all the museums within a five mile radius of the base, what kind of museum and what might be in it that’s useful and don’t forget the base museum. Also, hit every unit on base talk to them about it and see what their thoughts on it are.”
“Aye, aye sir.” Responded Captain Lambert, he turned and left.
“Why is it taking us this long to figure these things out?” asked Colonel Maxim.
“Don’t know.” Sighed Colonel Lambert, we haven’t been thinking outside the box, we as an organization follow our rules and regulations, we’ve also been so busy trying to survive and police up the civilians it’s been hard.”
Colonel Maxim only nodded, “That’s bullshit as far as I’m concerned, as Marines we’re paid to adapt and overcome, thinking outside of the box is the definition of our job. We’ve become complacent, we need to change that.”
“Granted Colonel but we aren’t going to change it right at this moment. Do you have an overall status of the base? Personnel, food, water, fuel, weapons, equipment. Either you or I need to get that report to General Wallace ASAP.”
“I do and how do you propose we get it to him?” asked Colonel Maxim.
Colonel Lambert was thinking, ‘seriously you’re only thirty-six miles away from the Pentagon.’
“You don’t have vehicles to drive it to the Pentagon?” questioned Colonel Lambert.
Colonel Maxim thought for a moment, “I don’t have control over every aspect on this base. I can’t tell NCIS what to do or DEA, FBI they all are responsible for themselves.” Said Colonel Maxim.
“Can we move this discussion inside?” asked Colonel Lambert.
Colonel Maxim looked over Colonel Lambert for a moment, “Yes of course.” Colonel Maxim signaled for Colonel Lambert to follow him. They entered the building, down the hall and into Colonel Maxim’s office. Once there Colonel Lambert removed a letter from his cargo pocket and handed it to Colonel Maxim, “What’s this?” asked Colonel Maxim.
“Read it.” Was the only response from Colonel Lambert.
Colonel Maxim was a bit miffed at Colonel Lambert’s response to him, he tore open the envelope, pulled out the sheet of paper and read it. “Seriously?” asked Colonel Maxim looking at Colonel Lambert.
“By order of the President of the United States you’re fully responsible for all activities and commands on Quantico.” Stated Colonel Lambert. “You had several highly placed recommendations in the Navy and Marines that told the President you’re up for the job. It’s up to you how you execute it and if you get to keep it. Eventually the respective commands will return to their proper chain, meaning Navy back to the Navy, Marines back to the Marines. For now we can’t do that we don’t have the resources or the manpower to police it all up. For now you’re the man at Quantico, any problem with that?”
“How’s this being fed to the rest of the commands?” asked Colonel Maxim.
“As we talk my staff that was aboard the train is delivering a copy of the order to every command on base. If they have a problem with it, they can drive to DC and speak with the President.”
“What if they refuse to obey the command?”
“As unlikely as that is, the Regiment will back you up and what Marines you have that will follow you. By-the-way the President will be making a personal appearance here in three days.”
“Say what?” a startled Colonel Maxim said.
“You heard me right.”
“Shit I need to call a staff meeting now.”
“You got more problems than that; General Wallace wants your ass in his office yesterday.”
“Yeah I can imagine why too, we’ve been MIA for quite some time, I guess we’ve been waiting for DC to do something and when they didn’t we didn’t.”
“Tell him that. I don’t think he’ll disagree, but things are going to change and he’s going to want to know are you in or out?”
“Alright, I need to get my staff prepped on this and get them moving and then figure out how I’m getting to the Pentagon.”
“Drive, take extra fuel and we have a manual pump that we came up with that you can use at any gas station.”
Colonel Maxim was feeling pretty low at the moment, a manual fuel pump for gas stations, a train, no trains, and what else had they come up with while they were sitting on their asses here. Colonel Maxim sighed, “If you can get your guys to show us how to use the pumps and maybe how you built them, I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem at all I’ll send over a squad as soon as I get back. Have them report here?”
“That’ll work. I’m hoping by the time that gets resolved I’ll have my staff briefed and get them moving and preparing for the President’s visit, then I’ll leave for the Pentagon.”
“I’ll let them know.”
“What’s next for you Colonel?” asked Colonel Maxim.
“Bragg, we’re heading to Fort Bragg.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Lt. Perez quickly contacted CSM Valliant via radio, “AG60DF this is NBR452G be advised we have unidentified elements we estimate two clicks north of our location, over.”
“NBR452G roger that, we’ll be there in two mikes, out.”
Sergeant Major Valliant had the rest of the convoy proceed to the Transportation museum to secure it and determine if there was anything of value in it. He pulled up next to Lt. Perez’s Humvee and saw the Lieutenant standing outside the Humvee, next to it, on the crest of the hill, with the binoculars pressed to his eyes.
“What’ve you got?” asked Sergeant Major Valliant.
“Not sure Sergeant Major. I see what looks like three Humvees with two Bradley’s, there flying the Stars and Stripes.”
“Well isn’t that interesting.” Stated the Sergeant Major lifting his own binoculars and peering north to see the approaching vehicles.
“Lieutenant why don’t you head back down to the museum and let General Cook know what’s going on, I’d suggest getting a perimeter set up as quickly as possible with everything we got. No telling what these folks are up to. Hard to
imagine they’re out here by themselves. I’m heading down to talk to them and see what they got to say. Tell the General if I’m not back in say….fifteen – twenty minutes could he send help…it’d be appreciated.”
“Will do Sergeant Major.” Said Lieutenant Perez. “We’ll see you when we see you.” The Lieutenant hopped back into his Humvee and headed to the museum as fast as he could. He knew the Sergeant Major was correct, it didn’t matter that they had military hardware and flying the flag, it could be a trick, wouldn’t be the first time.
Sergeant Major Valliant watched as Lieutenant Perez’s Humvee left the area, he took another look through his binoculars at the approaching vehicles which were less than a half mile away. He was sure they could see him, whether they did or not was another issue all together. He climbed back into his Humvee and told the driver to head that way, pointing at the oncoming vehicles.
It wasn’t going to take long to reach the small convoy maybe ten minutes at the most thought Sergeant Major Valliant. Finally, about two hundred yards away when the Sergeant Major’s Humvee came around a turn in the road did the five vehicles in front of him come to a sudden halt. It was now apparent to the Sergeant Major they hadn’t seen him coming. The Sergeant Major halted his Humvee, the two sets of vehicles sat there in a face off no one moving. Sergeant Major Valliant decided to take the first step, he got out of the vehicle, stood there standing, looking at the vehicles a couple hundred yards away from him. He then figured, what the hell, and started walking towards the lead Humvee. As he got about twenty-five yards away a man climbed out of the vehicle, looked at the Sergeant Major, then moved towards him.