by Cliff Deane
ROA Encampment
Levi had been absent-mindedly turning a coin over and over across the back of his fingers when he dropped it. He bent over just as a rifle roared and spat out a bullet which passed over Levi’s head, hitting Ben squarely on the right side of his chest, knocking him to the ground.
Before the echo of the first shot ended, Kate fired into the cat-sized target, striking Lt. Colonel Simon Titlow, the bullet entered just behind his right ear and exited out of his left ear.
Levi rushed the two steps to an unmoving Major Smith. He rolled Ben over and immediately saw the blood staining the front of Ben’s uniform blouse.
The Corporal at the OP yelled for Kate to stay down saying, “Kate, when the Reaction Force gets here let me identify us. Then you can shout out your position. They will come to you.
Great shot, Kate!”
*
“OUT OF THE WAY!” shouted Doctor Tom Monroe as he came running to examine Ben’s wound. Very quickly he began pushing ChitoGauze (Kee-toe) into the wound until he was sure the material came into contact with all internal bleeding surfaces. As he worked on Ben, he directed his nurse to prepare for surgery. She ran back to the small surgery clinic the Med Team had co-opted upon their arrival, just one block away from the Bunker.
He continued to explain what he was doing as he pushed as much of the four yards of the clotting gauze into the wound as possible. “This gauze is coated with a material to bind the red blood cells which stops the bleeding in seconds.
Levi, I don’t want to turn him over unless it is absolutely necessary. Was there an exit wound?”
“No, Doc, the bullet is still in there.”
“Good, even though I’ll have to dig it out, his chances are better not having an exit wound the size of my fist.”
Using the remainder of the z-folded gauze to cover the wound he pressed down on it until a stretcher arrived to transport Ben to the surgery clinic.
Within in two minutes, a stretcher and a 1965 military Jeep arrived to drive Ben to the clinic.
Levi asked, “Is he going to be okay, Doctor?”
“I don’t know yet, at this point we have stopped the bleeding which is a huge step, but he also has a collapsed lung, and I am worried about infection. As soon as I can get him into surgery, I’ll have a better idea of his chances.
I still have to dig out the bullet and insert a tube to begin to drain and inflate the lung. Still, with all of that, I am more worried about a staph infection. As soon as I can get Ben to the clinic, we’ll get him on an antibiotic drip.
Do we know his blood type?”
“No, Doc,” replied Levi who realized that he would immediately begin a program to establish everyone’s blood type.
“Shit, without power, typing the blood will take longer; if we’re damned lucky, his type will be O positive.
Levi, at best Ben will be unable to be moved for a minimum of three to four weeks and that’s if we don’t have any complications from an infection. Thank God that Surgery Clinic is so close.
Okay, let’s get him onto the stretcher and out of here.
Levi, send a runner to wait for the results. I’ll speak with all of you as soon as I know something.”
Levi and Scott, with mouths compressed to slits, made their way toward the Reaction Force which was clearing the area around the shooter. As they made their way up the hill, Levi remembered that Kate had spent the night in that area. Both he and Scott quickened their pace to a trot.
Levi’s level of anxiety concerning Kate jumped ten-fold when he saw her coming off the hill with a member of the Nursing Staff. His breath felt compressed as though a two-ton tick had just landed on his chest.
Levi ran to her and asked, “Katie, are you all right?”
She looked at Levi like a child who had been caught using crayons on the wall. “Oh Daddy, I’m so sorry; I know I should have fired earlier, but the thermal signature was no bigger than a cat.
Her tears spilled out in buckets as she wrapped her arms around Levi and said, “If I had only made the shot earlier Uncle Ben wouldn’t be dead, now. Oh, Dad, can you ever forgive me?”
The Nurse gave Levi and Katie some room while Scott trotted on up the hill to get the OP and RF reports.
It just hurt Levi beyond words to see Katie like this, blaming herself, when, in fact, she stopped the sniper from firing more rounds killing the entire Command Staff. He took her in his arms and said, “Katie, you did everything exactly right. In fact, your quick shot probably saved the lives on at least two more of us, and Ben isn’t dead, he is in bad shape, but Doc Tom has him stabilized, and Ben is in surgery right now. He’ll be fine.
Now, you listen to me, your actions this morning saved lives, to include my worthless life, no wait, that’s not correct. My life seemed lost and worthless before I found you. Don’t you realize, sweetie that we have now saved each other’s lives.
I am so proud of you, now buck up Trooper, and from now on, get your facts straight before you go around blaming yourself.”
Through her tears, she blurted out, “Yeah, but…”
“You stop right there, no yebbutts. Oh, Katie, I am so proud to be your dad and to have you as my daughter. We good, now?”
Her tears began to dry, and she gave Levi a bear hug that felt like she would break a rib.
Levi hugged her back and said, “All right, Katie, you go with Nurse Carrie and get some rest. I’ll be with you in a bit, but first I have a job to do. Okay?”
“Okay, Dad, I’ll see you after I get some sleep.”
Levi handed her off to the Nurse and began making his way up the hill to find out what happened.
Colonel Levins approached the group surrounding the body of the sniper and said, “All right, I know you’ve already told Colonel E what happened; now I want you to tell me, starting with the OP Commander.”
Corporal Wayland said, “Sir, I was in charge of the OP. We had two missions, first function normally as an OP, and second to be close enough to Miss Levins to assist if she got into any trouble.
Colonel, I have to tell you that she was the perfect sniper. She remained in position all night without moving. We could find her with the thermal sight, but when we used the normal scope, she was completely invisible. Personally, I am greatly impressed; she is that good.
She must have picked up the sniper as he was moving into position at about the same time as us. I must admit, sir, and offer no excuse, other than the thermal signature was never bigger than a cat. We did not feel that we should compromise our position if what we were seeing was just a cat.”
Levi patted the Corporal on the shoulder and praised his actions, and thanked him for keeping an eye on his daughter.
Once Levi had seen the body and the entry wound, he understood the Corporal’s praise. Kate had made an incredible shot from three hundred yards. Lt. Colonel Eldridge then walked Levi away from the body and said, “Sir, I am sorry to report that we found these documents on the body.” He handed Levi four driver’s licenses and six credit cards; along with a strip map showing where the four bodies lay.”
“Oh shit, no,” whispered Levi. I guess these are the id cards of the missing patrol from yesterday?”
“Yes, sir I have confirmed that they are. I also instructed the RF NCO to take his people out to reclaim the bodies. I can only assume, sir that the sniper intended to leave the cards and the strip map behind as a professional courtesy.”
“Yes,” said a distracted Levi, “I suppose it was. Scott, I want this handled with great care. These bring our total combat losses to seven. I want everyone to attend the funerals. Find out if there is a crematorium in town. I don’t want the bodies buried here, and we have no means to preserve them. Let’s get them cremated and taken home for proper internment in a new ROA Military Cemetery. I also want the three troopers murdered in the Semi incident disinterred and also cremated. All seven are to be interred in a crypt. We need to make a big deal of this.
Scott, I want you to send a twenty man Hono
r Guard to escort the remains back to Defiance and get the stone masons started on building a special crypt for these fallen heroes of the ROA. I want it placed in the center of the cemetery.
Then get with the tailors and get a move on to finish our ROA flag. Can do?”
“Of course, sir, I’ll get right on it.
Thank you, Scott, please get the Sgt Major on those tasks, then join me in the FTOC to discuss the Clanton issue.”
“Roger, sir, please give me fifteen minutes.”
“Of course, Scott,” and Levi turned to make his way back to the Field Tactical Operations Center.
Scott felt bad for Levi. His position was nearly untenable. He followed Levi at a discreet distance to leave him to his thoughts. Scott found the Sgt Major returning from checking on the health and welfare of the prisoner known as Clanton.
“Sir, it’s incredible, everyone is coming up to me offering blood for Major Smith. I don’t mean just a few; I mean everyone. The Squad Leaders are taking names and recording blood types. Sir, I am so proud of these troopers that I could, well; I could just pop the buttons off my blouse.”
The Sgt Major then listened to Lt Colonel Eldridge as he relayed Levi’s instructions. He said, “Leave it to the boss to know how to handle this situation with grace and dignity. I’ll get right on it, sir.”
“Thanks, Sgt Major, I’ll pass along your word on the blood donors, and you are right about making us proud. The Colonel needs some news like this. It will do his heart good.”
Sgt Jones informed his Colonel that Lt Colonel Eldridge was waiting.
“Thank you, Sergeant, please ask him in.”
“Yes sir, Colonel Eldridge, the Colonel, will see you now.”
Scott took a seat and told Levi about the blood donors and how proud he was of his men.
Levi had a difficult time controlling his emotions. He managed to relay how gratified and proud he was and said, “Scott, let’s plan a formation as soon as we get some word from the Doc.”
“Yes sir, of course.”
“Well, Scott, let’s get this Clanton thing behind us. In anger, I considered hanging that worthless bastard right away, but in retrospect, I have decided on another, perhaps more cruel punishment than ending his life, today.
I want you to dress him in old somewhat ragged jeans, t-shirt, tattered tennies, and no socks, and then bring him here. Oh, make sure he gets a bad haircut.”
Not wanting to ask questions of his commander at this time, he simply said, “Yes sir, shall I do that now?”
“Yes, and please bring him here as soon as you can get him ready.” Levi then rose and told Scott that he would be with Kate until Clanton was ready.
Levi walked to the Aid Station and learned that Kate had been given a sedative and taken to her quarters to get some sleep. He thanked her and left for his quarters.
Upon entering his tent, he saw Kate sleeping soundly on her cot. Levi sat at his field desk and tried to get some work done, but found that he could only focus upon Kate.
*
Two hours later
Levi’s tent
“Sir,” asked Scott, may I come in.”
Levi looked at Scott, lifted himself from his chair and went outside where he saw Scott, two guards, and Clanton in chains.
Levi said, “Kate is still sedated, let’s go over to my office and sort this out.”
The two guards were asked to remain outside and allow no one in, except the Sgt Major and the historian. They were to be ushered in immediately upon arrival.
Colonel Levins looked at the standing Murderer in Chief who stood before him in chains. Then looked to Lt Colonel Eldridge and sadly shook his head.
Clanton decided to demand his clothes be returned and that he be returned to his office as the President of the United States of America.
Instead, Levi said, “Clanton, I have some rather bad news for you. There is no longer any United States of America. It is gone and is slowly being absorbed by the Republic of America, the ROA.”
Clanton interrupted saying, “Why that is not only preposterous, it is also treason, and I will see you hanged for this.”
The Sgt Major and the Historian arrived and took their seats.
Colonel Levins thanked them for coming then declared, “This Military Tribunal is now in session.
Mr. Clanton,” said Levi, “you have been brought before this Tribunal with charges against you of Murder of a sitting President, his Vice, Staff, and all who supported him. Additional charges are Mutiny, treason, conspiracy to purge a sitting President by way of a coup. I could go on, but I am sure that you get the picture.
We have depositions attesting to the accuracy of these charges from twenty-seven former residents of the Bunker complex located under the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia.
Do you have anything to say in your defense of these charges?”
Clanton defiantly said, “How dare you accuse a sitting President of such scurrilous crimes. None of them are true. I categorically deny each and every one of these ridiculous charges brought by disgruntled employees. I demand to be released and immediately reinstated to the Presidency of the United States of America.”
Levi then read two of the depositions from Clanton’s personal staff which accused him of each of the stated crimes.
He then looked to Colonel E and Sgt Major Cobb asking for their input. Both declined to offer anything in Clanton’s defense. They made their declaration of guilty on all counts.
“Clanton, this Military Tribunal finds you guilty on all counts. However, I intend to dismiss all charges and reinstate you to the office of the President of the United States.”
Clanton puffed up like a balloon and said, “Well, that is better. Now we are getting somewhere. I assume you have suitable transportation for the President of the United States of America? I would like to leave immediately for the White House.”
“Yes, of course, Mr. President, you will be taken, this day, 3 October to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington District of Columbia. There, at the front gate, you will be released. The guards will then depart to a distance of one hundred yards, at which point, they will deposit upon the sidewalk, one, each short barreled caliber .38 Police Special, revolver and one round of ammunition to be used as you wish.”
Looking to the Sgt Major, Levi directed him to carry out the sentence forthwith.
Clanton, having no real idea of what would soon happen to him, thanked the Colonel and asked when his clothes would be returned.
“Mr. President, you are wearing your clothes. Good day, Court Adjourned, and all personnel are dismissed.” The two guards were then called back into the office and took the President of the United States to his White House.
After the prisoner’s departure, along with the ROA Historian, who could not conceal a smile, Scott looked at Levi. “Sir, that was genius, he will, in just a few hours become one of the ghosts of D.C. while history records that you did not execute a sitting President of a foreign nation, but, in a show of compassion returned him to his office and set him free. Yes sir, genius, simply genius.”
Levi displayed a faint smile and replied, “Yes, I suppose history will record my actions as such, but in truth, I just felt that there had been enough death for today, especially of our own.”
“Sir, have you decided what to do with the other civilians in custody?”
“Yes, dress them all in similar clothing to what we see of the population outside of the ROA, divide them into equal numbers then take them ten miles from here, in different directions, and begin turning them loose in groups of two.”
“Yes sir, I’ll get right on it.”
Changing the subject, Scott asked how Kate was coping. The buzz around camp is that she held up really well and made everyone proud of her.
Levi made a wan attempt to smile saying, “I pray that she will be fine, but until she wakes I have no idea how she will react, and yes, I am very proud of her. She saved lives today.”
Standing, Levi said, “I think I’ll traipse over to the Clinic and ask about Ben; care to join me?”
Without thinking, Scott crossed a line and said, “Yes, Levi, I’d like that.” Realizing his faux pas, he began to apologize but was shushed by a genuinely smiling Levi Levins.
Together they walked to the Clinic and upon their arrival were told that Ben was still in surgery, and would likely be so for several more hours as there was some unexpected arterial damage, and connecting the drain to reinflate the lung was also a time-consuming process.
They thanked the Nurse and returned to the FTOC. Levi decided to return to his quarters to sit with Katie who remained asleep until 1725 hours.
As she looked around, she saw Levi, then smiled saying, “Hi, I’m starved.”
Together they walked to the Mess Hall and upon entering everyone in the entire room stood and applauded Kate. She was so embarrassed she tried to bolt, but Levi held her in place until the cheering subsided. Her Uncle Brad came over and said, “Kate, on behalf of everyone in the Republic of America, I want to say thank you for saving the leadership of this command today, and on top of that; there’s cake!”
Levi was as happy and proud as Kate was embarrassed. Still, she managed to say, “Thank you, Uncle Brad.”
The entire group applauded again and nearly in unison shouted, “Yes, thanks, Uncle Brad.”
Now it was the Sgt Major who turned a scarlet red. He stood and said, “Okay, you had your fun, but I want each of you to know that I am very proud to be her Uncle Brad, but I’m not your Uncle Brad.”
The noise and laughter from the restaurant drew a crowd of those who were not on duty, and the whole thing turned into a party.
*
3 October 1630
Clinic
White Sulphur Springs (WSS), WV
The runner detailed to the Clinic raced into the FTOC and reported that Doc Tom wanted to see Colonel Levins.