New Earth: The Search for Justice. R.D. Ph.D. Pittman

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СКАЧАТЬ at McChord and take command once again. All Air Forces are to be on standby alert until further notice.”

      “Yes sir, that is the best news I’ve heard in six months, do we anticipate having to confront our own Air Forces?”

      “Once Admiral Torrance knows that I have activated all of my squadrons, he will have no choice but to stand down his air wings, because I have superior numbers by a large margin, it would be suicide on his part.”

      “That was a fatal mistake on his part; he must have thought that you would go along with this.”

      “Yes, it was a mistake in judgment on his part, and it will be his undoing. My biggest concern is to try and avoid a confrontation of our forces. To lose one American life will be one too many. General Conroe you have your orders, keep me informed, you’re the tip of the spear in the Northwest for our country I’m counting on you.”

      “Sir, understood.”

      The next call came in from Brigadier General Harlan Monroe, who was facility commander at Mountain Home AFB.

      “Alex.”

      “Harlan, how are things going?”

      “I’m pleased to say we have had a peaceful resolution to our situation, the facility and airbase are in the hands of your people you dispatched down here. All I can say is thank God you are running this show.”

      “Harlan is the base commander there?”

      “Yes, he is somewhere around here, I can’t see him right off.”

      “Well, never mind, you are to inform him that he is to assume command of his former base until further notice; also inform him that all Air Forces under my command are on standby alert.”

      “Alex what do you want me to do?”

      “You get your butt back up to Ft. Lewis and take over command once again, put your base on alert, get those tank squadrons ready for dispersal to key locations in the northwest. You and I will discuss those locations in the coming days,” Alex said.

      “Yes sir, and thank you sir.”

      “Alex, General Amos from Nellis AFB is on line two,” Sandi said.

      “Paul, how are you?”

      “General, unfortunately we are counting the dead. There was a fierce firefight that broke out between the Marines surrounding our headquarters building and the group you sent to liberate us. We thought this was going to go peacefully, but one of the Marines got jumpy and fired on your guys, and they opened up with a hellacious burst of fire. They cut those Marines to pieces. Now everyone is walking around in shell shock looking at the carnage. Goddamn Torrance, Goddamn him all to hell, these were young kids with a future, to die this way is more than a shame. I just——

      “Paul, I know, I am so sorry, and you’re right—Goddamn Torrance and whoever is backing him.”

      “I’m sorry General, our facility is now secure what are your orders?”

      “You are to assume command of your airbase and secure those nuclear weapons, put your fighter wings on standby alert, half of the assault troops are to be stationed at your facility along with their helicopter force. The remaining troops are to be sent back to Ft. Lewis utilizing the C-17 transports the Marines came in on. I was going to have you keep the Marines there for perimeter security, but given what has happened, that is not such a good idea. Send them back with the rest of the troops, but talk to them first and make sure they understand what has happened. This is not their fault. Any questions?”

      “How could I Alex, you think of everything. Oh I almost forgot, what about responding to civilian inquiries as to what the hell is going on?”

      “You have no comment at this time, until I can assure myself that all my facilities are on line. I don’t want to put out something I may have to end up retracting. I’ll contact all of you by conference call within the next twenty-four hours to address that very issue.”

      “Very well Alex, and we lost eight Marines, three wounded, four of your assault troops and six wounded. I guess it could have been worse, again, thanks for all your help and good planning.”

      Alex sat alone in his command office, staring blankly at a picture of him next to his A-10 Thunderbolt, wondering how it was in the scheme of things that the world sidestepped a disaster, only to have his country shed its own blood in a needless clash of ideals. Where was the equity in all this, the fairness, it all seemed so unbalanced to him. Young men with futures, alive and eager to experience life, so unnecessary, so tragic…such an absolute waste—goddamn Torrance.

      Whiteman AFB had a small skirmish, until the Apache gunships showed up and the Marines stood down, no casualties were reported. Over the next four hours each of the remaining facilities that had been seized by Torrance’s Marine units were liberated and reported to him. Alex was beginning to formulate his strategy for consolidating his forces and placing them in key locations throughout the west coast, southwest, and the Midwest. It would take only another week for the rest of the facilities in the eastern US to renounce Torrance and look to Alex for guidance.

      Contact with NORAD and the SAC Headquarters confirmed that all was normal and security had been beefed up at all affected satellite sites of those commands. Communications with all facilities was normal and did not suffer any down time. The extra precautions Curt had taken to provide redundant system routing in case of satellite interruption worked perfectly.

      Commanders were in place, troops had their missions outlined for them, depots were secured and Alex was still nervous. The west coast had a substantial naval presence and two Marine Divisions; he needed to address that issue quickly. He decided to call in his Navy Seal teams that were transferred to him before the takeover. He convened a meeting at the staff headquarters building on the airbase.

      “I’m faced with a dilemma; there is a huge Naval and Marine presence on our West coast. I have to find a way to bring them into the fold. Any ideas?”

      Lt. Commander Morris, the Navy Seal team leader offered a suggestion.

      “Sir, why don’t you try and reach the Admiral at the San Diego headquarters of the Pacific Fleet?”

      “Any of you familiar with this man, I’ve never met him to date?” Alex said.

      “I just know of him, never met the man,” Morris replied.

      “Let me make a quick land sat call here, I’ve got the Seabee Admiral on my speed dial.”

      “Admiral, Alex Hanken.”

      “General Hanken, I can’t tell you how good it is to hear your voice. I still can’t believe what has happened.”

      “Admiral, I have come down on the opposite side of Admiral Torrance. I intend to oppose him and restore the government.” Before Alex could comment further the Admiral interrupted.

      “General, I am in your corner and a lot of other top brass as well, how can we help you?”

      “Thank you for your loyalty Joe, what can you tell me about the Admiral that runs the show in San Diego?”

      “Felix Hanover? We were at the Naval Academy together. I married his cousin. СКАЧАТЬ