Nightmares

by Stephen Brandon

  Governments that are afraid of their military forces disarm them. That way they can control them. Soldiers are trained to obey the lawful orders of those appointed over them.

  Governments that are afraid of their citizens do everything they can to disarm them. Gun registration, background checks, and gun free zones are the early indicators.

  Having law abiding citizens with no weapons create a target rich environment for armed criminals. It also creates a target rich environment for an enemy whether domestic or foreign.

  A national border that is easily crossed is asking for problems. One of the laws of nature dictates that a vacuum will be filled. What fills the vacuum at the southern border of this country is something that the beginning of this story assumes could happen.

  This is not an essay on border security or gun control, but a story of possibilities.

  ~ ~ ~

  That shouldn't be happening

  First thing I was aware of was the floor coming at me. As I shook my head I realized that someone had dumped my bunk over. Having the top bunk had it's advantages, sometimes.

  Some scoundrel was yelling, “Get your asses up and gear up. Formation in 10 out front, full riot gear.”

  Stumbling out into the dark I heard trucks arriving. “Load up by squads” came a roar. A few minutes later we were bouncing around like bowling pins after a strike. Suddenly fear clutched my heart as we tumbled to the front of the truck and someone dropped the tailgate and started shoving rifles into the truck. A wooden box I recognized as magazines followed. Then a few green cans of ammo landed with a crash. A Corporal climbed in as the tailgate slammed up and the truck lurched forward.

  His first words were, “Get that ammo and start loading magazines. We got no time to waste.”

  Fear really grabbed me because Fort Hood was in the middle of Texas, not some dangerous part of the world. Scrambling back I grabbed the clips on the magazine box and twisted them popped the lid up. As I grabbed several magazines hands started reaching over my shoulder, so I lifted my hand and passed them back. Soon my hand hit the bottom and I was able to grab several for myself. Someone grabbed the corner of the box and dragged it over my leg and I heard a box of ammo being dumped into the magazine box. Twisting I grabbed a few boxes. Spotting a loader clip in the bottom I snagged it and twisted until my back was against the tailgate and started loading my magazines. Loose rounds were rolling around on the bed of the truck and I saw an unopened box of rounds by my right foot. As I reached for it the corporal's foot hooked it and looking into his eyes I realized that he was as fearful as the rest of us.

  A few minutes later we heard a voice from the cab yelling at us to be at ease and listen up. He then told us that there was a situation in Belton. A mob had stormed the jail complex and released the prisoners. Another mob had taken over the courthouse and were shooting everyone in sight. The mayor and local police chief called the governor and he'd called out the state police. After half of the police had been killed he called out the Texas National Guard. Their local commander had called for his people to report, but told the governor that it would be a day before he could get a sufficient force in place to contain the mobs. When mobs attacked the capitol in Austin the governor had called the Ft. Hood commander and demanded support. Only then did he discover that this terrorist action was happening all over the country. The President had issued a national state of emergency shortly before a rocket blasted it's way through the oval office wall and killed everyone there. Some General in the Pentagon issued a full alert the orders stated in no uncertain terms that the military would restore order. Our rules of engagement stated that when fired upon we were to eliminate all enemy combatants. We would be in Belton in a few minutes, and form up by squads.

  Suddenly we were all sliding toward the front of the truck as I head what sounded like a machine gun. A line of little holes appeared from the front of the canvas and ran down the sides. The corporal was laying on the side bench. I could see blood running down the side of the truck bed and toward me. I snagged an M-16 and slapped in a magazine. Even thought I knew I wasn't the ranking squad member I shouted, “Grab a weapon, lock and load. As soon as this truck stops everyone out and get down on the ground. Anyone firing at us, kill them.”

  I heard someone cry, “You ain't in charge.”

  I yelled back, “The corporal is dead, and I don't think anyone up front is going to object to my order.” Just then the truck slammed into something and we all tumbled to the front again. I lost my weapon and started searching for another as guys were jumping over the tailgate. Shoving the dead corporal off my legs I unhooked his web belt and fastened it over my shoulder. Then I spotted a weapon and snagged it. Jumping over the tailgate I hooked a toe and landed flat on my face. Looking to my right I could see another truck that had crashed into a house. Tapping the leg by head, I saw him react and start to swing his weapon toward me. In as calm a voice as I could manage, I told him to crawl over to the other truck and see if anyone was alive. If they were get them off and get them back over here. Take someone with you. He mumbled something so I hollered, “Move it soldier and tell everyone you pass what you're doing so they can cover you.”

  Looking then to my left I saw several guys laying in bushes and several hiding in a hedge. Crawling toward them I yelled for two of them to crawl back to me. Two privates arrived as I was tipping over a few lawn chairs to block a view of the road behind the truck. Twisting I could see the truck jammed up against a car that it'd shoved into a garage door. Looking at the first private to arrive, I told him, “Starting back where you were, crawl to the left and tell everyone to find cover and make a perimeter. Anyone approaching should be told to identify themselves. There was one truck behind us, we need to make sure it's our guys before we let them into our perimeter. OK move out and then report back to me how many guys you told and where they are.” I repeated my instructions to the other private, except he was to go to the right. I added, “If you find any NCOs or officers tell them to report back here. Now move out.”

  Looking around I saw a short brick wall with a BBQ grill not twenty feet to my left. Crawling over to it I found a SP4 whimpering beside the grill. Slapping him got his attention. As he started to sit up I grabbed his arm and jerked him toward me saying, “I need you to crawl over to the house and check it out. Grab that PFC over there and check all the rooms. Make sure anyone there are civilians. Have one of them come out here and report to me. If there ain't no one in the house make sure the front doors are locked and report back to me. Send the other PFC over to me. Now move it.”

  As a SP5 driver I knew I only had so much authority. Hopefully they'd find an NCO or officer to take charge.

  A few minutes later several guys crawled through the opening in the brick wall and over to me. One said, “I found these guys alive in the other truck, we got some of the ammo and magazines. Most of the rifles were destroyed because someone threw a grenade in the back. There is a sergeant in front, but he's shot in the chest.

  Thinking, I stated, “OK, take these guys and get that sergeant over here. While you're over there throw all the ammo you can back in the box and bring it along with all the magazines and weapons you can carry. There are probably a few of our guys still out there from the other truck, so use your common sense if you see anyone. Anyone not in uniform, make sure they ain't armed before you bring them in. If there's a radio in the cab, bring it too. Move out.”

  The SP4 from the house ran over and said all they'd found in the house were dead bodies. All had their throats cut. I told him to setup on the second floor looking out the front and keep watch. Anyone approaching should be identified and he could send out the PFC to check their IDs before allowing them inside our perimeter.

  My knee was feeling better so I started off in the opposite direction until I found the first member of our squad that I knew. He was a cook. I told him to
follow me. As we came upon several soldiers whispering behind the hedge I told them to shut-up and listen. You two move over by that tree and dig a shallow trench for cover. Your field of fire will be in front of here to where you see me set the next guys. You two dig in here and keep an eye on the driveway. Set your fields of fire from in front of the tree to the the road. The last guy I told to follow me. In a crouch, I ran past the tree and curved back toward the house. We picked up one more guy and I found a crepe myrtle patch. I told them to dig in behind the crepe myrtle and their field of fire would be from in front of the tree to the front corner of the house. If I can find anyone over there I'll have them dig in, so watch me and adjust your fields of fire. If I don't you have to keep an eye on the whole area. Pulling my notebook from my pocket I made a quick sketch of the area. Then we started off toward the corner of the house. Concealed behind another bush we found two more privates, so I told them to follow me. Whoever lived here liked their bushes spread out so I found another and told them to dig a trench for cover behind the bush and their fields of fire would be from the last position to the corner of the house. Turning back toward the last position I pointed down and then held my arms out showing where this positions field of fire would be. One of the guys back there did the same. At least his arm pointing in my direction wasn't pointed behind us. Reaching the corner of the house I peeked around front hoping to see the other truck and some more soldiers. No such luck. Then my cook and I ran back toward the back of the house and around the corner on the the roadside. Spotting several guys I headed over to where they were.

  When we got there I moved them to better positions and told them to dig in. After setting their fields of fire I asked them if they'd seen anyone between them and the road. They said they'd seen several guys between them and the road. I sent one of them to get them and bring them back. I heard him tell them that SP5 Kenric wanted them back toward the house. Just before they reached my position I yelled, “Halt and identify yourselves.”

  From the cursing I knew they were from our group. Then I said, “Is everyone in your group known to everyone else, no strangers” When they said yes I told them to come on in. I recognized two of the mechanics and several drivers, but one guy I didn't know. Pointing my M16 at him I asked him who he was. One of the mechanics piped up that he knew him, he'd just signed in yesterday. I told the stranger to undo his web belt and drop his weapon. Instead he grabbed a grenade off his belt, so I shot him on full auto. The grenade flew over his head and back toward the road. I yelled down and dropped flat just before the grenade went off. The guy laying beside me stuck his weapon in my side and said, “You just killed him.”

  I then stated, “We weren't issued grenades, someone disarm him and check him for ID.”

  My cook took my .45 and went over and unhooked the guys web gear and rolled him off it. Then he reached into the guys pocked and open his wallet. Then he announced, “No military ID, just a drivers license and lots of money. No dog tags around his neck, just this weird emblem. Let Kenric up, I don't think this guy is one of us.”

  I then got up and walked forward and took back my .45. Looking down I simply stated, “Anyone you don't know from back on post, don't trust until you verify that they are one of us period.” One of the mechanics didn't get up so I walked over to him and rolled him over. The whole front of his body was covered with blood. I reached down and jerked his dog tags off. Sticking one in my pocket I stuck the other in his mouth and jammed his jaw shut wedging it between his teeth. I heard gagging from my left. Turning I simply said, “We need to be able to identify the body for later recovery. Get their gear and move their bodies out to that tree by the road. Anybody you see out there, verify their identity and bring them back. If you don't know them take their weapons before allowing them back here. Tapping two of them, I told them to dig a shallow trench for cover and their field of fire would be from the bush on their right to the bush on their left.

  One of them said, “I'm not digging a hole in someones front yard.”

  I realized that it was the company clerk. Turning to her, I told her, “Whoever started those riots don't care that you are woman, they will simply kill or rape you because you don't belong to their group. Act like the soldier you are, or take off the uniform and walk. I don't think you'll stand a chance out there because all the civilians we've found so far have been butchered.”

  With a shocked look on her face she whispered, “I need a shovel and a gun.”

  “Take the dead mechanic's rifle and entrenching tool. Sorry, but they're the only spares at the present time.”

  The other guys were back so I took them over to the next position and told them to dig in and assigned them fields of fire. The last two I positioned so their field of fire was down the side of the house and back to the last position. Taking the web gear from the intruder I headed back to the BBQ patio checking each position and telling them that I'd send relief as soon as we had more soldiers rounded up. Back at the pit I found the guys I sent over to the other truck. They looked sick, but the sergeant leaned against the wall was instructing a soldier on how to place a field dressing on his shoulder. Looking at my cook I told him to find any other cooks and then check the house for food. We need food for about 30. If there isn't enough check back with me and we'll check some other houses. I then turned to the remaining three soldiers and said, “Dig in a position between here and the truck,” pointing over to my left. “You'll be the relief and security squad. That means I'll be sending you where you're needed. No questions, move it.”

  The sergeant just sat there and looked at me. Then he commented, “Ever seen combat?”

  “No,” I said, “but I just had to kill a guy on the other side of the house.”

  “Any other NCOs or officers survive the ambush?

  “You're the only one so far, we haven't located any other trucks yet,” I said as I pointed toward the two.

  He then said, “There were four trucks in the group, I was in the third so I assume you were in the second. What is this platoon made up of?”

  “So far as I know, a couple of mechanics, a dozen drivers, one cook that I know of, and a clerk that's female. I've set up a loose perimeter around the back and this side of the house, two guys in the house plus the cook, and as you just heard a relief force of three. Is the radio working and what should we do now?”

  He looked at me and with a chuckle said, “Don't tell anyone but I'm personnel, never seen a day in a combat zone, and never killed anyone. You're doing a good job as far as I can tell, so you keep it up. I'll back you up suggest anything that I can think of. Consider me a butter bar as far as experience goes.

  “Now for the radio, it's got holes in it because I was using it as a headrest when we were ambushed. I suggest that we get the troops fed and watered. Then just before dusk we move to another location. You probably should send two soldiers out to scout the neighborhood and locate us another house we can spend the night in. Also have a mechanic check out both trucks and see if we can get one operational. Since we can't complete our mission we need to locate the others that were sent to Belton. Captain James was in charge, but I have no idea who is now.”

  After a few minutes I called one of the relief soldiers over and told him to go around to the far front corner and bring the two soldiers from there back here. Also tell the next position that they need to cover that positions field of fire. I then walked over to the remaining two relief soldiers and told the private to start checking the positions. When he found the SP5 mechanic he was to tell him to report to me and take up his perimeter position.

  When everyone got back, I sent the mechanic to check out our truck. The other four I gave the following instructions to. “In pairs I want you to check out the neighborhood. Stay far enough apart so you can cover each other. One moves forward while the other covers him. A bush ain't cover, however a tree or wall is. If you r
un into any soldiers, check their ID before exposing both of yourselves. Only after you're absolutely sure their Ft. Hood soldiers and friendly are you to send them back to our perimeter. Another part of your mission is to check the houses on both sides. One of you will remain under cover outside while the other knocks on the door. Find out if someone is home and who they are. If no one answers, try the doors. If you can get in be careful not to get ambushed by some scared civilian or the enemy. Do a quick check of the house and see how much food is in the kitchen. Make a quick map, I'm sure you'll find pen and paper. You need to be back here before dark because we'll be moving at dusk. We need someplace safe to hole up for the night. Any questions? I know you're probably getting hungry, but we'll have hot food just before we leave here. I think we have about three hours before it gets dark enough for us to move safely. OK pair up and head out. Oh, and by the way, don't try any John Wayne shit, stealth is our best defense until we locate where ever command set up headquarters. They looked at each other and headed out in opposite directions.

  I heard a grunt, looking at the sergeant I saw him trying to get into a more comfortable position. He then said, “Well that was as good a mission briefing as I could have given, however I'd have given them a password to reenter our perimeter.”

  “All except you are from our company and everyone except the cook and clerk live in the barracks. I'm not going to give them a password and countersign until we move out at dusk. What's your best guess as to the location of the other trucks and soldiers?”

  Scratching his jaw he stuttered, “My guess would be one on either side of us on this side of the road. They hit us in the curve. We really need to move to higher ground because if they blow Belton damn we could get washed away. I think we should head back to Ft. Hood. We're short on equipment and supplies.” Just then we heard a single shot and then someone yelling.