The President let out a slow sigh, “The issue always comes back to not having enough ships, submarines, cruise missiles, tanks and so on. The de Blasio Administration and others really screwed up our military and our ability to defend the country, haven’t they?” said the President with a bit of despair, speaking to no one in particular.
“They certainly didn’t help, but just like America of 1941, the economic giant of America has been awoken. We need a bit more time to ramp up production, and in time, we are going to crush them,” replied Eric Clarke with defiance in his voice. “We may not crush the Chinese or Russians this year, Mr. President, but by God we will.”
Stein knew everyone was nearing the end of their ropes and the pressure just kept on coming. “All right, let’s move to domestic matters. John, can you go ahead and give us a quick update?” asked the President.
Attorney General John Roberts was exhausted; his department had been working feverously to stabilize Mexico and to bring law and order back to so many small and large cities in America. The integration of the Trinity program into everyday counterterrorism efforts had greatly increased the FBI’s effectiveness in identifying and preventing acts of terrorism and sabotage; however, it had also created an enormous backlog in both the FISA court and the regular judicial court system. Tens of thousands of cases needed to be brought before a judge, and there was a critical shortage of justices.
Between the Russians, Chinese and the IR, they had really done a number on the American civil service sector with their targeted assassinations and killings. It was fortunate the Trinity program identified these individuals quickly so they could be stopped, but the initial damage had been done. Aside from identifying, nominating and appointing new judges, his office also had to help the White House identify candidates for the Supreme Court. It was imperative that the country’s judicial systems get back up and running as soon as possible. The President was adamant about the country returning back to a Constitutional Republic. His detractors had been likening him to a dictator or King because of the extraordinary actions he had been taking as of late. However, in all fairness, all the actions the President had been taking were authorized under the various defense authorizations, acts, and existing laws; very little had been done through executive order.
John Roberts rubbed his temples, trying to wake himself back up after a long couple of months of long hours. Having mentally prepared himself, he responded, “Yes, Mr. President. As you know, the Trinity program has significantly reduced crime across the country. The issue is judges. We have been identifying and nominating magistrates as fast as possible. Next week we will be sending your office five candidates for nomination to the Supreme Court,” AG Roberts said with as much energy as he could muster.
The President saw his staff was tired and realized this was going to lead to mistakes. They needed rest. “Listen, I know there is a lot of work and we are all under immense amounts of pressure. However, you all need to take care of yourselves as well. I want everyone to find a way to take a 48-hour break. I do not care what you have to do to make this happen, but you all need sleep and some down time. We are going to start making errors and bad decisions if people do not start to get rested. So consider this an order,” the President said as he dismissed the meeting.
Armageddon
SFC Nelson’s Company had been reinforced with forty-eight new replacements and was sent right back into the meat grinder that was the frontlines near the city of Megiddo (or, translated into English, Armageddon). The fact that one of the major battles was taking place at this historical end times location was not lost on the men and women fighting there either. The Russians were putting up heavy resistance, moving hundreds of tanks and armored infantry fighting vehicles into the area.
A flight of five Razorbacks swooped in from behind the American lines and let loose a barrage of hellfire anti-tank missiles at the incoming tanks. As the Razorbacks flew in for a second pass, a Russian anti-air laser system zapped one of the Razorbacks, cutting a hole right through it before the aircraft exploded. Within seconds, two more Razorbacks were shot down; the other two got away. Despite the loss of three critical aircraft, they had accomplished their mission of stopping the Russian armored advance by destroying more than sixty armored vehicles.
SFC Nelson looked over the battlefield, and all he could see were burning hulks of what were once fearsome Russian battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. Thousands of Russian soldiers were still intermixed with the destroyed vehicles firing at his battalion. Their objective was simple… advance across the battlefield and make direct contact with the Russian infantry. The American counter-attack was now in full swing. It was now time to tie the Russian units down while other armor units advanced around their flanks and closed off any chance of retreat.
As Jordy Nelson advanced, he could see hundreds of red and green tracers flying back and forth between the two opposing groups. Soldiers on both sides were being hit, some just dropping dead before they even knew what happened to them, while others fell to the ground languishing in pain, screaming for a medic or their mothers. The slow whistle of artillery could be heard, and he was not sure if the rounds were friendly or incoming, Nelson knelt down next to a rock and a tree stump while he took aim at the enemy and began to engage them.
The built-in HUD and targeting system with the M5 AIR was amazing. With the 5x zoom he could see targets up to 250 meters away and engage them easily. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands of Russian and IR soldiers, frantically digging fox holes and firing back at his soldiers and the rest of his battalion.
Within ten minutes, Nelson had gone through two 250 round magazines. His power pack was at 47 % — still good for at least another magazine and a half. Checking his HUD, Nelson could see his platoon had seven KIAs and thirteen WIAs. The medics were working on the wounded guys, pulling them back behind cover and then moving them back to the rear area where they could be medivacked to a hospital.
SFC Nelson switched his radio frequency from the company net to his platoon net and addressed his group, “Everyone listen up. That Russian gun emplacement has been causing us a lot of grief since we got here. It’s time we take it out. First and second squad are going to provide covering fire while third and fourth squad advance. We are going to move forward to that debris pile about 20 meters in front of our current positions. I want heavy suppressive fire when we move, understand?”
“Sergeant, how close do we need to get before we can just use our AT6s and take that position out?” asked one of the soldiers in the platoon.
“We need to advance at least 50 meters before we use them. I want us to get close so that once it goes down, the platoon is ready to advance on that trench line” SFC Nelson responded.
Captain Chantilly came over the company net and said, “Everyone, the artillery guys are about to drop a few rounds on the enemy. I want everyone to be ready to advance to the enemy trench line once the barrage ends. Battalion wants us to go on the offense for a while. Be ready to advance.”
Dropping to the 1st platoon net, Captain Chantilly spoke to the platoon and SFC Nelson, saying, “I heard your plan to engage the enemy gun position, and I agree, we need to take that thing out. I wanted to let you know that I called in the artillery to assist you guys and the rest of the company will follow your lead. Good initiative, 1st Platoon! Out.”