More applause and hollering, which stretched Ray’s perma-smile even wider. Given how little good news there was of late, it was difficult not to rejoice.
“There is something that as Americans and citizens of this town, each of you deserves to know,” John began solemnly. “I’m going to warn you beforehand that much of what I’m about to say is disturbing, but I felt it was important that the truth gets out, no matter how frightening or ugly it is.”
Predictably, the mood began to shift. Some wore blank expressions, steeling themselves against what was to come. Others were far less capable of handling the anticipation of bad news and bit dirty nails and the inside of lips.
“There’s no easy way to say this, so I’ll just come right out with it. In the last few days, we’ve learned a number of shocking truths from the Chinese helicopter pilot who crashed outside of town. Foremost among them is the presence of concentration camps in enemy-held territory filled with American citizens. I don’t need to go into detail to say that atrocities are being committed there on a scale unseen since the Second World War. If ever there was a reason why we must win this war, this is it. Let the millions of Americans currently imprisoned be your rallying cry. Victory is the only option, lest we share their fate.”
The audience stood silent for a moment. From the stillness, a single pair of hands began clapping. Soon others joined and before long everyone assembled was stomping and cheering and continued doing so for several minutes.
All that noise made it hard to hear the two-way radio on Moss’ belt as it sprang to life. Eventually, the message got through and he came up to John who was still standing before the gleeful crowd.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Moss told him.
But by then John could already see the first hints of what Moss had come to tell him. A battered-looking column of M1A2 Abrams tanks was rolling down Industrial Lane. Following close behind were a ragtag band of bloodied and dispirited soldiers. It was a sight that John had prayed he would never see.
The front had collapsed.
And the enemy was on its way.
Chapter 35
John descended from the roof to meet the approaching soldiers, his heart full of dread at what he was about to hear. Diane was by his side, clutching his arm as though they were about to hear news of Gregory’s fate. Mingling in the shocked crowd were Kay and Natalie Appleby and John had to remind himself that he wasn’t the only one who had a missing son.
The M1A2 pulled to an abrupt stop. The top hatch on the lead tank opened and out came a soldier in his mid-twenties, wearing a helmet. He removed it, shaking out a scruff of blond hair and introducing himself as Captain Bishop. Somewhere in the middle of the column of tanks, Humvees and Bradley Fighting Vehicles were a number of fuel trucks.
John gave them his name and told them he was the acting mayor of Oneida.
“I’m wondering if my men could rest in town before we move out tomorrow morning,” Bishop said, looking more like a football quarterback than a tank commander.
“Of course,” John replied without a moment’s hesitation. “We haven’t seen any military here since Colonel Edgar came through. What news is there from the front?”
“Front? There is no front anymore. The Chinese must have broken through somewhere around Memphis. Circled around and cut off everyone fighting in the trenches on the front lines.”
The implication was that Captain Bishop and his men had been in a reserve unit in the rear. Nevertheless, the news couldn’t be any worse. John had a momentary urge to ask Captain Bishop about his son, but realized how futile that was. “Wasn’t there any way to break through to them?” John asked in despair, referring to the soldiers in the trenches.
“If it were possible, don’t you think we would have done it?”
“Of course,” John replied. “It’s just our son is up there...”
“There were a lot of sons up there, Mr. Mayor. I served two tours in Iraq and that was by far the worst fighting I’ve ever seen. Barely made it out ourselves.”
“So what now?” John asked, no longer caring if the townspeople listened in. They would learn the grim truth sooner or later.
“First light we continue east till we reach our rendezvous point near Johnson City. Only problem is our fuel trucks are nearly bone dry and the chances of bringing the armor with us are slim to none. I’m guessing you folks don’t have any spare JP-8 jet fuel lying around?”
John shook his head, feeling too queasy to smile at the captain’s joke. “Any clue how close behind the enemy is?”
“Hard to say, but we’re gonna deploy defensively while we’re here. We noticed your foxholes over by Cecil Bridge on our way in. Tell me you have that thing rigged to blow at the first sight of enemy armor.”
“We sure do,” John told him. “But we don’t have anything that can put a hole in a Chinese Type 99.”
“You won’t need to worry about that,” Captain Bishop said, grinning. “Not while we’re here at least.”
“Who’s your commanding officer?” John asked.
Bishop winked. “You’re looking at him.”
John left the captain to sort out his men and headed back to the mayor’s office, Diane, Kay and Natalie in tow. The near-hysterical expressions on the Appleby women’s faces were only making the situation worse.
“Stop beating yourself up,” Diane said once they were inside. “Reese was the most qualified man for the job, so if you’re feeling like you shoulda gone in guns blazing yourself, you can just stop it.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “You know me too well.” John turned to the Appleby girls. “Right now, I know about as much as you. I’ll keep you notified if I hear anything else.”
Kay pulled Natalie in tight. They slowly made their way to the exit.
Poking his head into the comms room, John found Henry sitting with Rodriguez. “You up?” John said, surprised. “At least that’s one piece of good news in an otherwise horrible day.”
Rodriguez turned to say hello and winced. His abdomen was clearly still hurting him.
John filled them in on the situation. “Don’t bother sending messages to the front anymore. If anything, I want you to broadcast what we know to each of the surrounding communities. All towns within a twenty-mile radius should take what supplies and weapons they can and head here. There’s strength in numbers and it looks like the Chinese are heading this way.”
Both men nodded.
John was out and down the hall when he heard the radio crackle to life. A second later, Henry came charging after him. “Sir, you better come quick. I’ve got Reese on the line.”
Chapter 36
“Got myself all but a handful of miles from Dyersburg when I caught sight of those Chinese tanks barrelling along Interstate 40,” Reese said, and paused briefly before exhaling the smoke from one of his awful Russian cigarettes.
“Where are you now?” John asked.
“Don’t wanna say exactly, just in case someone’s listening in. I will tell you an older couple was nice enough to take me in and the gentleman’s got a ham radio running on batteries in a back room. Says he’s listened in to Henry’s broadcasts and sends him bits and pieces of information here and there.”
John was tapping his finger on the table. “So I’m guessing you weren’t able to find the boys?”
“I tried, John. Maybe if I’d had a truck I coulda made it in time. But judging by what I’m seeing now, my guess is I’d be stuck in this mess maybe worse than they are.”
“You did your best,” John commended him. “I’m sorry I had to send you at all.”
“They’re some of ours, John. I’d do it again if need be.”
“Can you give us any more information on what you’re seeing over there?”
“I watched that road for a good hour or more and spotted at least ten mechanized infantry battalions roll by one after another. I’m sure most of the roads heading east are clogged with enemy troops. But I will say, I haven’t seen
any Russians.”
“We have it on good authority that they’re further north,” John told him.
“Well, listen, John, I don’t wanna be the bearer of bad news, especially if I don’t have all the facts to back it up, but this couple I told you about who took me in, they been in touch with some of the military folks over in Dyersburg and the rumor is the Chinese are building special camps behind enemy lines. Closest one’s not far from Jonesboro. If the boys were captured alive, then my guess is that’s where they took ’em.”
Diane gripped John’s shoulders, no doubt fighting to keep herself together.
“What’s your best guess on how long we have before the Chinese arrive?” John asked.
“I’d say you’ll see them by this time tomorrow, give or take a few hours. All depends on whether the fuel can keep pace with their advance.”
“What about you?”
“Me? I’m gonna keep off the main highways. If all goes well I should be back in a day or so. It’ll be radio silence for me till I do though.”
“Roger that. See you then and Godspeed.”
“If those Chinese grunts beat me to Oneida, do me a favor and grab me a pack of Zhongnanhai from the first corpse you see, would ya?”
Henry took the headset. “That Reese is one sick puppy, I tell you.”
John smiled, but there was no joy in it. The thought of Brandon and Gregory being sent to that camp was hard to fathom. He had a sudden and overwhelming urge to speak with Huan again. Perhaps there was some bit of information about the camps she hadn’t given him before. Something that could help them put together a rescue plan.
Chapter 37
“There’s nothing else I can tell you,” Huan said flatly, her handcuffed arms pulled against her chest as she sat opposite him in the interrogation room.
Part of him had hoped to hear she’d been lying about the terrible things going on in the camps. That she’d been using it to frighten and demoralize the citizens of Oneida. Whether she sensed his motives for asking or not, John couldn’t tell one way or another, but she could feel the despair in his voice.
“You promised that if I cooperated you would hand me back to my people.”
“I said I would help you see your children again.”
“I’ve taken you as a man of your word, John,” Huan said. “I want you to see that I am being open and honest with you.”
“So far you’ve given me no reason to doubt you.”
“There is one more piece of information I’ve been holding back. By giving it to you now, I hope you will see that I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain.”
“Go ahead,” John told her. “Every useful bit of intelligence you provide us only makes it easier to help set you free.”
She nodded, her features tightening as she spoke. “Our Russian allies were not the only ones who had agents in towns and cities across America.”
John shook his head. “What are you saying? Are you saying your government planted a man like the Chairman in Oneida?”
“Not like the Chairman. Someone far more subtle.”
For the first time, John wasn’t sure what to think about Huan’s claim. Then something else occurred to John which made her story seem even less believable. “Oneida isn’t nearly as multicultural as Knoxville or Memphis. I don’t think we have many here of Asian descent.”
She began to look pensive. “Who said I was talking about an Asian? Unless you’ve already ferreted them out, my government has a mole in Oneida, I’m afraid. We haven’t heard from the agent in days. I don’t have any more information for you other than that and the call sign by which they are known: Phoenix.”
•••
John was reeling over the implications of what Huan had told him as he left the interview room. No sooner had he closed the door behind him when three men in military fatigues headed his way. A single star on the lead man’s zipper line signified he was a brigadier general.
“You Mayor John Mack?” the general asked gruffly. His hair was light brown and styled in a classic taper cut, his mouth curled into a grimace.
“That’s right,” John replied. The man’s nametag read Brooks. “What can I do for you, General Brooks? I take it you just arrived.”
“I understand you folks have a Chinese POW on the premises.”
“We do. Her name is Huan, least that’s what she says. She was flying over Oneida in a Z-10 when she was shot down. The gunner didn’t make it.”
“Don’t be modest, John. The word from your man Moss is that you shot down that gunship with a Stinger.”
John nodded, not sure where this was heading. “I’ve already questioned her,” he told them. “And I’ll be more than happy to relay what we’ve learned so far.”
“You’ll forgive me if I sound out of line,” General Brooks said. “But these two gentlemen behind me will be taking over the interrogation from here on in.”
“I don’t know. I’ve built a relationship of sorts with the prisoner. She’s provided us with information in exchange for certain assurances. I wouldn’t want to go back on my word.”
The two men behind the general were smirking and John didn’t like that one bit. “I see what’s going on here,” John said. “You think we’re a bunch of country bumpkins. I’m not one to pull out my resume, but you should know I was a commissioned officer with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq. Detainment and interrogation were part and parcel of what we did on a daily basis.”
Brooks’ expression changed at once. “Then you understand how important it is that we have a go at questioning her.”
“I won’t say no,” John said. “But I’m letting you know I’ve given her my word and I wouldn’t want her to clam up if she sees your men and assumes she’s starting again from square one.”
“What kind of assurances have you offered her?” General Brooks asked with noticeable skepticism.
“She wants to see her family again when this is all over.”
“That’s hardly something you or anyone else can promise. Even if you release her, the Chinese might send her to a labor camp on the assumption that she divulged state secrets.”
“There are other ways to return her once we’re done.”
“Maybe, but for now, these two gentlemen are going to have a word with her.”
“Fine by me, but if she doesn’t seem forthcoming, I don’t think resorting to torture will do any good. She’s already been waterboarded.”
Surprise and a touch of admiration from the general. “I was told you were on top of things here, John, and I’m glad to see the praise wasn’t an exaggeration. Where can we go to talk? Preferably somewhere that has maps of the surrounding area.”
“How about the boardroom in the mayor’s office?” John replied.
“Perfect,” General Brooks said, grinning for the first time since they’d met. “Because our first order of business will be to reactivate you into the armed forces. I’m also bumping your rank up from lieutenant to lieutenant colonel. You’re an authority figure here, John, and I wouldn’t want any brash young officer of mine to think otherwise.”
Chapter 38
A short time later, the two men were poring over maps spread out on the conference room table inside the town hall. John was now decked out in woodland army fatigues with a silver oak leaf denoting his new rank of lieutenant colonel and feeling decidedly uncomfortable.
Standing next to General Brooks were Captain Bishop and Colonel Higgs, the latter having recently made it into Oneida.
“I just want to make it clear that when this mess is over,” John said, “I’ll have my old rank reinstated and be removed from active duty.”
Brooks was surprised and somewhat confused by John’s request. “Most men wait years for this kind of opportunity.”
“They might, but I’m not most men,” John told him. “I’ll serve my country whenever she calls on me, but I’m not in it for the glory. I’m here for the people of Oneida and hopefully, one day, something resemb
ling the life I used to have.”
“So be it,” General Brooks replied.
“Good. Now there are a handful of members of my own team I’d like to have present in this meeting,” John told the General. “But intelligence we’ve received from Huan, our Chinese POW, suggests the enemy might have a mole in town.”
“The enemy will be on our doorstep in a matter of hours,” General Brooks said. “There isn’t time to run any kind of investigation.”
“Yes, that’s what I was worried about.”
“Rest assured that during the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours all outgoing radio communication will be strictly monitored. So there is little concern about any of our plans being compromised. Bring in whoever you need.”
Moss, Vice Mayor Ray Gruber, Henry and Rodriguez had all been waiting patiently in the hallway. John opened the door and invited them in.
“There’s a lot to prepare,” General Brooks began after everyone was acquainted, “and very little time to do it. The enemy’s rapid advance means reaching the designated rallying point will not be possible without exposing our rear to assault from the enemy.” Brooks studied a handwritten list prepared by Colonel Higgs. “The hodgepodge of units which continue to trickle into Oneida represent all that’s left of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment as well as the 101st Airborne division.” Brooks turned to Colonel Higgs. “Any estimate on the fighting force we have available?”
Higgs cleared his throat. The colonel didn’t look at all the way John had pictured him during their many conversations over the radio. Silver-haired, with deep weathered features, he was a career soldier through and through. “General, we’ve been able to account for roughly three thousand out of seventeen thousand men from the 101st and fifteen hundred out of thirty-eight hundred from the 278th. Altogether we’re looking at four and a half to five thousand men.”
Warlords Page 14