Twilight’s Last Gleaming

Published: 4 Dec 2017

Norris, McCray, Sinclair and Myers all looked up from the table they were seated at in the Officer’s Ward Room when Bucky and Felix walked in. Norris smiled to see them hand in hand and the smile on Felix’s face looked like a schoolgirl that just got kissed by the cutest boy in school.

Norris stood. “You should have sent for us instead of coming over. We left the booze in my office.”

Felix laughed. “You do realize you are all drinking at 7:00 am, right?”

Norris looked back and smiled. “There you are wrong my friend, you should have said we are drinking at 7:00 am. There is a glass for you too.”

They all laughed, stood up and walked across the hall to Norris’ office. Norris smiled and patted both Rodriguez and Bucky on the shoulders as he walked by.

Once they all found a seat, Norris poured another glass for everyone. Doctor McCray stood and raised his glass.

“All right you youngins and old farts listen up.”

Norris chuckled. “This ought to be good.”

McCray paused and glared at him for a moment before continuing. “I am not the Mighty Admiral Norris with his silver tongue, getting up here and saying some crazy motivational shit that will have you all racing for the door to go God knows where, to do God knows what as soon as he’s done talking, only to come back and have me patch you up. But I have something I would like to say. It’s not everyday a friend we thought we had lost comes back from the dead. Ok, it’s something we have never been able to toast before. But today, November 28, 2012, we get that honor, no, we get that amazing joy. I must say, and you guys know I am not a religious or spiritual man, but luck has favored us today. We captured the leader of the rebellion in our once great nation. Our armies to the west have broken through the enemy line, and Bucky has returned to us. All today, November 28, 2012. So here is to today.”

Everyone raised their glasses and cheered the doctor. Doctor McCray caught the glare from Admiral Norris, and as soon as McCray smiled at the Admiral, Norris could not help but grin back at him. Just then there was a tap at the door. Myers quickly got up and opened the door and stepped out. Everyone waited until she reopened the door. “Sir, we have established a communications link with General Rose and he is waiting for you.”

“Have them patch it here.”

“Yes sir.” Only a few seconds later, a light started to flash on the phone on his desk.

Norris picked up the receiver. “General Rose, hope we didn’t wake you from a nap.”

Bucky smiled and leaned further forward to see if he could hear the response. After a moment Norris chuckled. “Andy, did you see that plan I had sent over?…What do you think?… Well their forces are a little thin there. It’s a battalion of light armor and a couple companies of infantry but if we have anything available we could reinforce them with, I am certain they could pull it off.”

Everyone watched as Norris’ face went completely blank and then changed to a puzzled look. Then he busted up laughing. “You gotta be shitting me; that works perfectly. How can I help?…..We could fly some sorties towards Southern Jersey and Eastern PA, drawing some of their air in that direction…I will get them started right away. We should be over Philly hitting targets in less than an hour. Might hit some targets out near Pittsburgh, too. Should keep them guessing. I will get the details sent over. Oh, and Andy, damn nice job this morning…Thank you, we had some losses, but we got our man. Ok, General Rose, let me know if there is anything else I can do. Godspeed, General.” Norris hung up the phone and looked at all the faces around his office staring at him.

“That son of a bitch is taking Wright-Patterson.”

Major Sinclair looked over at the map. “Sir, that’s way inside enemy lines, how the hell will they hold it.”

“He isn’t going to hold it. The UNIT went in, and they are planning on taking it long enough to get the 82nd troops out. Now they are going to bug out and drop into Toledo. With the Canadians taking Michigan, the 82nd will be extreme left flank. Ok, sorry to break this up, but I have some work to do.”

Everyone stood up to leave, but Norris held up his hand “Hold up a minute. Colonel Rodriguez, you have two hours to get Major Kearns fully up to speed on everything, then at that time you are on official administrative leave for two days.”

“Sir, I can’t leave my unit for two…”

Norris held up his hand again. “Don’t interrupt me Colonel. Two hours from now I will have the MPs arrest you if you do not stand down. At that time you will be flown to a house selected and stocked for you. Myers is finishing up the details now. You will spend two days nursing Bucky back to health. This is a direct order Colonel, no discussion.” He paused and picked up a file from his desk and handed it Bucky. “You need to change your rank insignia Commander, now get the hell out of here.”

0725 EST 28 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Long Island Sound

Norris looked out as another flight of jets catapulted off the carrier. They were just beginning to start their harassment of enemy troops . The plan included hitting a few ground targets as well. The point was to keep the enemy’s attention away from the West as much as possible. Shelton was hitting the South with his air assets as well. The situation in Florida was tenuous at best and Norris knew in his heart they would have to give it up.

“Miller, how long can we keep this up?”

“At this rate all day and night sir. We shift targets constantly so as long as our guys get in, hit something and get out, we have the enemy air units jumping around like chickens with their heads cut off.”

“Keep it up. I am going to brief President Bryce.”

“Yes sir.”

Norris walked to the ops center and nodded to the team. He looked over at Lieutenant Payne with his leg in a cast leaning over a console. “Lieutenant Payne, I trust the Doctor released you for duty.”

Payne turned around as fast as he could. “Umm Sir, I just needed to take care of a couple things.”

“Then I would suggest you finish up and get back to your quarters. If Doctor McCray catches you working he will have your ass and even I won’t be able to stop him.”

“Understood sir. We have you set up in the secure room sir.”

“Thank you Payne.” Norris walked over to the hatchway and closed it behind him. He sat down in front of the screen and saw Admiral Cathcart sitting across from him.

“Damn nice work Aggy. How is he behaving?”

Norris smiled. “Like a perfect gentleman I am told.”

“You get anything out of him yet.”

“Not that I am aware of as of yet. I wanted him to be checked and treated for any injuries before we started any questioning.”

“Good call. President Bryce is on his way down. Anything you need?”

“More ships, crew, bullets, missiles and food should keep us going sir.”

“No, I get it Aggy, how bad is the supply situation?”

“We have seized three major factories, Raytheon, Colt, and Smith and Wesson. The Raytheon factory is getting geared back up to start making some of our missiles. It will be a trickle of resupply but will keep us from running out. Colt we have up and running at 65% capacity, and it’s starting to spin out M4s and ammo for the ground troops. Lieutenant Peters has been recruiting and training some of the locals. That kid, even though he is still pretty tore up, is not letting anything stop him. Colonel Rodriguez sent him a couple NCOs to help with training and they have almost a company of new recruits. They will be sent to Rodriguez and Sinclair to replace their losses.”

“Sounds like you have the best handle you can get on it. Here comes the President, let me know if there is anything else I can do Aggy.”

“I will sir.”

Cathcart stood and seconds later President Bryce sat down. “Aggy, good to see your still kicking around. We heard about the chopper crash. You ok?”

“Thank you for asking Mr. President, but I am fine. Just a couple bumps and bruises.”

“Glad to hear it Aggy. Aggy you look really tired, I know we all are running on fumes but I cannot afford to lose you, get some fucking rest Admiral that’s an order.”

Norris stiffened. “Yes sir.”

“I don’t mean to be short but I have a lot I need to take care before I head to Europe.”

“You’re headed to Europe sir?”

“London, the Queen Regent is hosting a summit of sorts for the allied leaders with me. Trying to garner more international support. The countries bolstering our dollar are starting to take a beating economically. There is some concern of currency manipulation in China and others that seem to be backing Ashwood.”

“No offence Mr. President but that’s not my game.”

“Yes it is Aggy, those factories you have gotten restarted are creating GNP that is rebuilding our economy and reducing the stress on the allied countries. Keep doing that and more. The governor of Maine has started trading some resources to some of the European nations, so that’s helping as well. I have to get the governor of Texas out here to clear up this whole secession issue. We have made some headway into cleaning up the West Coast but that is going to take a lifetime. It’s bad out there Aggy.”

“I can only imagine.”

“So we have Ashwood?”

“We do sir and as soon as we get any intel we will let you know. Right now we are using the shock of his capture to press the enemy forces. I am sure you are aware of General Rose’s successes.”

“Yes I have a direct link with him. Little easier to get updates than from you.”

“My apologies sir I will try to do better.”

“Shut up Aggy that wasn’t a reprimand; just getting communication links between us has been difficult. Back to Ashwood, I want his trial to move quickly.”

“Understood sir, I will pass that advice on to the Judge’s office.”

“Ok Aggy what’s going on in Florida?”

“We may have to withdraw. The rebellion is getting massive troop reinforcements from South and Central America and Colonel Shelton isn’t sure he can hold.”

“So if he withdraws what then?”

“Well sir, we bring him here and with that many reinforcements we take New York and Northern PA and are that much closer to tying in with with General Rose.”

“Almost seems to be the better option.”

“I am beginning to think it is.”

Jack sat and thought for a second. “Aggy give him permission to withdraw. Leave some security forces on Bermuda if the Brits want them.”

“Understood sir.”

“Aggy damn fine work and tell Bucky the next time he needs a couple days off just request it.”

“I will Mr. President.”

“Ok Aggy I have a cabinet meeting waiting on me, keep me in the loop.”

“Of course Mr. President.” Norris reached up and pushed the kill connection button and watched the screen go blank. He leaned back, Jack seemed anxious and seemed to be withholding something. Norris stood and stretched. If Jack Bryce wasn’t telling him something then he had a good reason for it.

Norris walked out of the room and looked around. Lieutenant Payne was nowhere to be seen. Norris smiled and stepped out of the room. He started towards his office but instead turned and headed to the room Ashwood was being held in. As he turned the corner he noticed Payne, on crutches entering Ashwood’s quarters. With him was a young man, most likely in his mid teens, in the uniform of a UNIT member. Norris paused as he wasn’t sure he remembered this UNIT member. Norris promptly turned around and walked back in the other direction to his office.

He sat down, rubbed his eyes and opened his tablet to compose withdrawal orders for Colonel Shelton. As soon as he entered his passcode and fingerprint on the tablet an alert popped up.

“INCOMING PRIORITY 1 MESSAGE CLASSIFIED FOR ADMIRAL AUGUSTUS NORRIS ONLY. Press to connect.”

Norris looked at the tablet funny. “What the fuck? Why didn’t Ops tell me about this?” He looked up towards the door. “MYERS, get in here.”

Commander Myers came in and he showed her the tablet. “Sir no one alerted me to this. I have no idea what it’s about.”

Norris nodded. “Whoever it is, they have the right codes to bypass protocols and get it directly to me. Sit down over there and take notes. If I nod my head twice get up and quietly walk out.”

She sat down without saying a word. Norris pressed the connect button and waited while the screen changed to a blackout and the connection signal started spinning. A few seconds later the screen changed to a gray cinderblock room with bare walls. Sitting at a completely empty desk was the one of the UNIT leaders, Logan. Norris smiled. “Logan what….Wait a second you’re not Logan, who the fuck are you?”

“Admiral Norris, allow me to explain. My name is Trevor Longway. I am, or should I say I was, Chief Cyber Advisor to President Ashwood. I have some very serious information.” Norris watched as Myers was quickly sending out a message on her tablet.

“Ok Mr. Longway you have my attention. Go ahead.”

“Admiral may I call you Aggy?”

“Admiral is fine Mr. Longway. I really don’t have the time or the inclination for idle chit chat. I suggest you get to the reason for all of this right now.”

Trevor smirked. “Your reputation for being tough precedes you Admiral. Very well. With the loss of President Ashwood the current administration is having to make some very rapid changes and while I had hoped they would end this bloody conflict they intend to keep it going. I have seen the horrors this has brought and think it’s time I come out of the shadows and do something to help save this great nation of ours. I know you will verify this information but the military commanders have pulled all our troops out of Washington D.C. and have started to move them to Richmond, Virginia. They have left behind a large contingent of Argentine light infantry. I recently returned from D.C. to my current location and was surprised at how little respect the Argentines have for our nation’s capitol. Based on my information, along with some others in my office, we know you have the forces to overpower the Argentines and take our capital back.”

Norris just stared at the screen for a moment. “Mr. Longway, why would I trust you?”

“You won’t Admiral, you will verify this information for yourself. Should you decide to attack and seize D.C. the commanders at Richmond have been ordered to not counter-attack.”

Norris looked at him again. “I see, and why would they do that?”

“Admiral, I am a cyberguy, In short, I am a hacker, that info is way beyond my expertise. Admiral I have to go but I will contact you again soon. Do as you wish with the information but President Bryce would have a lot more credibility if he were in the Oval Office. Good luck to you Admiral.” His voice lowered and he looked around off camera, almost seeming to make sure no one could hear him. “God Bless the United States.” The screen went dark.

Norris looked up at Myers. “Did we find where the signal came from?”

“No sir, he is good. He is bouncing it all over the place and splitting it and rerouting it.”

“Have security sweep my office and take my tablet to make sure nothing else is hacked. Get me a new tablet with all new security codes.” Myers started to stand. “But Myers keep that one active in case he tries to contact me again. And get me senior staff now.”

0800 28 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Long Island Sound.

Norris let the recording of Trevor Longway finish and nodded for Myers to turn the light back on. He looked around the room to see his closest advisors and friends all pause with serious looks on their faces. For everyone of them, they were analyzing what they just heard.

Major Sinclair spoke first. “Sir, if it’s true and you took Colonel Shelton’s troops to attack D.C. with enough allied support we could push with General Rose down the East Coast from here to D.C. and across the Mid-Atlantic States to St Louis. We would control every region of the US except the South.”

Norris nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Admiral if I may interject.”

“Of course Commodore Chase.”

“As the good major says, if this information is correct and we are not being played, then it’s a sound strategic move. However, if this is a trap it could be catastrophic. Do we have any information on this Mister Longway?”

“We do not. I have intel people looking into his background, as far as we know he doesn’t exist. Of course, Longway could be a cover name. Lieutenant Payne’s people are looking into him now and should have something for me soon. I also will be contacting the UNIT, as some of you may have noticed Mr. Longway has a very striking resemblance to Logan Hayes of the UNIT. I am hoping Logan can help shed some light on this. I have also requested allied assistance in getting satellite images from the Baltimore, D.C. and Richmond Virginia areas. We will be launching a full scale reconnaissance mission all throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and the Southern States. If this is a ploy to either entrap us or distract us, we will find it.”

Captain Miller leaned forward. “Sir if I may, even if it is a decoy, it’s a damn juicy one. Once we have the recon info, if it looks like the information is correct but it looks like a decoy, I suggest we take it anyway.” He held up his hand. “However, we use our attack on Washington D.C. as a decoy and attack somewhere else as well. The enemy will see us falling for the decoy and move ahead with their plan and not expect an attack in a place they are trying to hide from us.”

Norris nodded. “Lots of ifs. Start drawing up plans to attack Washington D.C. at the same time we push south from New England. That will be all ladies and gentlemen, let’s get back to work.”

0828 EST 28 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Long Island Sound

Admiral Norris had just finished his breakfast when there was a tap at the door. “Enter.”

Lieutenant Payne and Commander Myers walked in together. “Sir, sorry to disturb you but we have the report from President Ashwood’s interrogation.”

Norris sat up fully. “Well what did we learn?”

Lieutenant Payne handed the file to Norris. “Sir it’s pretty bad. Ashwood was not in charge by a longshot. He was a puppet being controlled by AoG…Army of God.”

Norris looked up from the file. “What does he know about the AoG?”

“Sir they are an ancient and secret society whose primary goal, and understand this is Ashwood’s perspective, is to completely subjugate humanity and make us slaves, or serfs as Ashwood calls it.”

Norris just stared at him for a minute. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Payne shook his head. “No sir …I am afraid I am not kidding.”

“So is Ashwood insane or is this for real?”

“Sir, he answered all the competency questions with ease. We do not question his mental facilities.”

“What the fuck, this can’t be real.” Norris looked up at them. “Sit down for Christ’s sake. Tell me this isn’t real.”

Lieutenant Payne took a deep breath. “Sir, based on current world events, the situation here in the US and the Ashwood interrogation, I must confirm that it is not only real but they are actually trying to do it.”

“Well fuck.” The room was completely silent for a moment as Norris just stared off into space, and finally looked at the two before him. “Ok. Payne, I want a list of everyone Ashwood knows or suspects is part of this secret AoG club. Myers, get with Jimmy Horne; I need to speak to Logan and Adam on this. Also get with the President’s Chief of Staff and find out when I can get out to see him. Tell Lovell, Senior Advisors only. Get the list beforehand and vet each one…twice. I don’t want to discuss this and find out someone there is a member of this secret fucking butt buddy group. That’s all for now.”

Lieutenant Payne leaned forward. “Sir, there is something else.”

Norris looked at him. “Spit it out John.”

“Sir according to Ashwood. Mount Weather Emergency Operations Center has been stockpiled with a fully armed and ready to deploy arsenal of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warheads. All told sir there are about 200 warheads, he also says these belong to the Army of God.”

Norris’s breath caught and he just stared at Lieutenant Payne. “Payne, who the fuck is this Army of God?”

“Ashwood only knows one person, and has suspicions of more but isn’t sure. Apparently they stay very isolated and hide their true identities from each other.”

“Jesus fucking Christ Almighty.” For the first time in his life Norris was completely speechless for a moment. “Myers, tell the president I will be coming to see him personally today and make the arrangements. You two and Bucky with me; fuck, bring Felix too. No one else is to hear about this until I say so.” The two stood to leave.

“One other thing. Payne, get the UNIT’s help and start vetting everyone in this battle group; start with senior staff from top to bottom. That includes me, do you understand?”

Payne nodded. “I understand sir. I will bring Daileass by in a few minutes to talk to you.”

Norris looked up. “Daileass?”

“The UNIT member that interrogated Ashwood, sir. With a few simple questions, he can determine whether or not someone is AoG.”

“Go get him, now”

“Yes sir.” Payne stood up to walk out just as the door opened and Doctor McCray stepped in.

Norris looked up. “Just a second, Leo”.

Norris looked back over at Myers. “We need to get a hold of Bucky and Felix and tell them I have to cut their pass short. Let them know what time we are leaving to head west and have them return a few minutes before we leave. Tell Felix I am sorry.”

“I am sure he won’t be surprised, sir.” Myers retorted.

“That’s all for you two. What’s going on, Leo?”

“Actually Myers and Payne need to help in this as well.” Myers and Payne paused as Doctor McCray handed Norris a communications folder.

Norris flipped it open, read it and stood up. “We need to be airborne in thirty minutes, with enough room to carry Doctor McCray and his emergency team. We stop in Offutt Air Force Base to let the doctor off, and enough time for us to check on the UNIT.”

Myers jumped up. “On it, sir.”

0851 EST 28 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Block Island Sound

Norris watched as the helicopter landed next to the Osprey, and Bucky and Felix with another young officer jumped out with their gear bags and ran over to where he was waiting.

Bucky smiled. “A couple hours is better than nothing, sir.”

Norris laughed. “Shit, at my age a couple hours is enough time for dinner, a movie, a play, a nap and sex.”

All three laughed, and Norris looked back at the the lieutenant who was looking very uncomfortable. “Lieutenant, even admirals are allowed a sense of humor. The Navy sends us a resupply about once a year, so we have to dole it out carefully.”

Felix turned around. “Sir, this is Lieutenant Richard Cunningham. He is your new security team leader.”

Norris reached out to shake the young lieutenant’s hand. “Welcome aboard, Lieutenant; the rest of the team is already loaded up. Come on, all you young whippersnappers, get your asses on board.”

Bucky and Felix laughed, and Cunningham couldn’t help but smile as they ran up the ramp. The aircraft began to rise even before the ramp was up, and the four men found their seats amongst the medical team and Norris’ staff.

As soon as they were seated Bucky leaned over to the admiral. “Where we going, sir?”

“Offutt Air Force Base, then on to see the President. Doctor Hayes has requested McCray come out and assist her with Adam, so we are stopping there and dropping off McCray. We will refuel, check in and then bug out.”

“Sir, when Adam and I were out there alone, a pilot, Captain Noah Downs, found us and helped us get the fuck out. We got picked up by a Ranger Team trying to get the fuck outta Dodge as well. They saved my life, sir, and they are at Offutt.”

Norris nodded and motioned Myers over. “Myers, radio ahead; I want Captain Noah Downs, the Ranger Team, and anyone else that helped Bucky and Adam, gathered together. I want to talk to them.”

“Roger, sir.”

Norris turned back to Bucky. “I need you to start coming up with a plan to take Mount Weather. The enemy troops have a large cache of WMDs there.”

“Sir, Mount Weather is a tough nut. It was built to be an underground fortress.”

“We have to figure something out and fast.”

“I will get on it, sir.”

Norris motioned for Felix to join them. He smiled when the colonel sat down next to him. “Sorry I had to cut your time short, I know you two want to celebrate Bucky being back.”

Colonel Rodriguez smiled at his boyfriend sitting across from them. “It’s OK Admiral, Braxton King, the Aussie Commander was happy to keep me company in the interim. The Aussies told me his nickname is the Snake, kind of makes me wonder why.”

Norris almost died from laughing so hard, as Bucky reached across and pretended to try to hit Felix.

Bucky and Norris continued to talk for a few minutes. Bucky took the time to explain some of what the people he was about to meet went through. Eventually the drone of the engines lulled all the passengers to sleep.

1205 EST 28 November 2012
Offutt Air Force Base
Omaha, NE

The Osprey touched down softly, and Lieutenant Cunningham led the security team out to set up a perimeter. He looked back and waved everyone off the transport.

An Air Force general and colonel were standing in front of a group of officers on the tarmac. Both snapped to attention and saluted Norris who returned the salute. “Admiral Norris, Captain McCray, it’s a pleasure to meet both of you. I don’t mean to be blunt, but Captain McCray, you are needed in the OR immediately. Colonel Taggs will take you and your team to the scrub area, and get you in to assist Doctor Hayes.”

McCray and his team followed the colonel to a set of waiting Humvees. As soon as they were loaded up, the Humvees tore off the tarmac like a bat out of hell.

The General looked back at Admiral Norris. “My apologies sir. Brigadier General Alexander Rhynerson, Commander, Offutt Air Force Base.”

“Not a problem, General. Congratulations on the promotion and new post.”

“Thank you Admiral. Will you and your team need a few minutes to clean up?”

“We only have a couple of hours before I have to leave to meet with the president so I would like to talk with the group that helped get Commander Buchinski and General Casey to safety. If your people could arrange it, perhaps we could have some lunch with them. Nothing fancy, just some classic box lunches is fine.”

The general looked back to a captain standing with the group of officers. The captain just nodded and trotted off toward a vehicle.

“Admiral, we have vehicles waiting to take you and your staff to the Capehart Chapel, where the Ranger Team and the civilians they brought in are waiting.”

“Thank you, Alexander, please call me Aggy.”

“Ok Aggy, I prefer Alex. Still getting used to the protocol amongst General Officers.”

Norris laughed. “It’s easy, we’re General Officers, we make up the protocol.”

The new general laughed and escorted Norris and all the staff members to a long line of waiting vehicles. The ride to the chapel took less than five minutes, as the Base Security Force had the route blocked off.

General Rhynerson stepped up beside the Admiral. “Aggy, you ready?”

Norris straightened his dress uniform jacket and tucked his hat under his arm. He had changed in the Osprey as they approached Offutt. Myers had arranged for a DOD G-6 to meet them in Offutt and take them to the Presidential Bunker.

As he approached the chapel, one of his security team opened the door and a larger than life Army sergeant called the room to attention with that commanding voice NCO’s have that make even the officers turn and look.

Norris entered the Chapel paused and looked at the rundown, haggard group of forty plus people standing, some bandaged, some looking like they could barely stand.

Norris smiled and relaxed. “Please sit down, everyone.”

He walked to the front of the Chapel and turned around. “I know you’re all tired and worn out, so first let me say thank you for giving me the time to talk to you. I am Vice Admiral Augustus Norris, Commander In Chief, Atlantic Fleet for President Bryce…” He paused. “Adding the fact that I serve President Bryce is the reason we are all here today. Never did I ever imagine I would have to explain to the people of this once proud and magnificent nation who I serve.

“Our nation is going through its darkest hour; yes, there are many dark spots in our history, but there are way more successes and way more reasons to hold our heads high than there are mistakes. To err is to be human; however, the current situation is not an error. It is nothing more than deliberate, maniacal manipulation for the sole purpose of seizing power. President Ashwood pushed the American people too far, he underestimated the people of this great nation. He underestimated you and I. The American people do not cower in fear; they do not hide in the shadows and they do not back down. When pushed into a corner, we gather ourselves up and fight with every ounce of energy we can muster.” He looked around the room and noticed some heads nodding, mostly the Rangers, but a couple of civilians had rage burning in their eyes.

“No one exemplifies that more than you. Against all odds, you pushed yourselves beyond what you thought were your rational and even natural limits. Not just to save your own ass, but to save as many as you could along the way. In doing that, you brought back to safety two very important people most of us thought dead. Their loss was not only sad but devastating to us. Commander Buchinsky and General Casey led two very special units; Navy SEAL Team 4 and the UNIT. These two units have worked hand in hand throughout this war. They helped secure the Justices of the Supreme Court. They helped seize Florida. They single-handedly rescued the United States Constitution and Declaration of Independence from certain destruction…” He had to pause for applause and a couple of cheers.

“I know some of you are angry, or at least annoyed they were not forthcoming with their identities at first, but please understand, until they were certain of getting back to friendly forces they could not take the chance of being captured. These two men have way more knowledge of the ongoing operations of the true US Military than probably even I do. Had someone found out who they were and managed to capture them, they would have been tortured to a degree none of us here could even imagine.

“That is who you saved. Without knowing those details, you saw three American chopper pilots in trouble and you risked your own lives and your own chance of survival to stop and render aid and bring them home safely.

“I am in your debt forever.” He paused and looked around the room again. All he could see was tired faces. Some were smiling and nodding, but these people were still in shock. He sighed and realized these people didn’t need a speech or some ra ra cheer. They wanted answers. He looked over at the chaplain standing off to the side. “Chaplain can I get a stool, or chair please?”

The chaplain nodded, and grabbed one of the stools nearby and brought it to the front of the room for the Admiral. Norris nodded his thanks.

“I hope you all don’t mind, but I arranged for us to have lunch brought here. You all are tired and probably a little sore. I came here today to thank you and tell you everything you have been through wasn’t in vain. But I just realized something, I am just another talking uniform telling you everything will be fine, when what you really want is answers, so here is what we are going to do. I know you all probably have a lot of questions, and I am going to do my best to answer as many as possible. Myers, could you check on lunch please; my guess is these folks are probably starving. General Rhynerson, would you ask your staff and my staff to step outside.” General Rhynerson stood and nodded to the admiral.

“My pleasure Admiral, but first let me say to all of you, I thank you as well. You are the reason we fight everyday. Your resolve, your tenacity is what this country was built on, and what it will be rebuilt on.”

While he escorted everyone out, Norris noticed a table with bottled water and coffee set out. He walked over and poured a coffee. As he was pouring he looked back and noticed Bucky and Felix still sitting there. He nodded and smiled. He walked back to the front of the room and sat down on the stool. Once all the staff left, and all that was remaining behind were the soldiers and civilians that had come here together, Norris looked up. “Ok no question is off the table. If it’s something I cannot answer for security reasons, I will tell you. No one is taking notes, no one is monitoring you. This is an open forum. Who has a question?”

The room was quiet for a second, and then the Army chopper pilot stood. “Sir, Captain Noah Downs. I have been out of touch with my unit and the rest of the world for the past week, most of these folks have been out of touch close to a month. What exactly is happening in the world?”

“Thank you, Captain, and that is a damn good question.” He took a sip of his coffee and thought for a second. He looked down at the cup he was drinking from. “I swear I have more coffee than blood in my system.” There were a few chuckles, and Norris smiled.

“Let me start from the beginning. Many of you know the events leading up to election night. After that is when the real shit hit the fan. What it boils down to is President Bryce won the election and Ashwood refused to give up power. He had been planning this from way before his initial election, and had taken many steps to control the military; as well as much of the government. Those of us that sided with President Bryce technically at that point were committing treason. The remains of Congress, and some state leaders quickly leapt into action…yes, some politicians actually decided to do something. They first impeached President Ashwood and Vice President Recore. Making Speaker of the House, Haley Burruel, the President of the United States. In the same flurry of action, they confirmed the appointment of Jack Bryce as Vice President of the United States, then Haley Burruel resigned as President, making Jack Bryce the sitting president. President Bryce and Congress declared President Ashwood and any supporters to be in open rebellion against the legitimate government of the United States, and the Supreme Court recognized this as a Declaration of War against an insurgency.

“That’s the political side. On the military side, we have fought a number of engagements all along the Mississippi River, in Florida, and in New England. We currently have the Western US from Chicago to Texas, the six New England States, and a small section of Florida under control. As we speak, a major push from St. Louis to Chicago is trying to breakthrough the enemy lines and push the Ashwood forces out of the Midwest.

“Throughout all of this, we have seen some of the horrors the Ashwood troops have committed on the American people. The concentration camps for what his administration called the undesirables, the gunning down of innocent people conducting peaceful protests, and outright cold blooded murder of men, women, and children.

“We have had some major successes and some failures, but overall, we are winning the war. We recently crippled Ashwood’s Atlantic Fleet, and pushed them back into the Gulf of Mexico. Now understand, President Ashwood was only able to control the mid to top level command positions. Most of the actual soldiers on the ground are mercenaries from South America, so this is an invasion of a foreign army. Now for the really good news. Early this morning, while you were on a helicopter flying here, SEAL Team 4, with the help of the 32nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Squadron 2ACR, and various New England National Guard Units, police forces and Militia Units, conducted a raid on a secure estate in the vicinity of Rome, New York, and managed to apprehend and return to the USS Ronald Reagan, President Richard Ashwood.”

Everyone in the room jumped to their feet and applauded and cheered. Norris waited and then got everyone to retake their seats. “Now this doesn’t end the war. Ashwood was just a figurehead in all of this, but it does send a clear message to everyone now in control. We will find you and we will bring you to justice.”

“Captain Downs, thank you; I hope that answered your question?”

“Yes, sir, and thank you.”

“Who else has a question?”

A man a few pews back stood up. “Sir, Patrick O’Donnell, Senior, Sheriff of Chattahoochee County, Georgia. What’s going to happen to all of us?”

“Sheriff O’Donnell, I was waiting for that question. First the military here, the Ranger Team and Captain Downs, will be reassigned. Captain Downs is going to be moved to my headquarters and will be given a new command. The Ranger Team is currently being reassigned to Headquarters, Task Force Neptune, but will be on permanent attachment to General Casey’s UNIT. The rest of you are civilians, and have some choices to make. Sheriff O’Donnell, you, your family, and the officers under your command and their families will be asked to work with the UNIT. That choice is yours to make. Should you decide not to, then you have the same choices to make as the rest of the civilians. Those choices are: we can move you to one of the refugee centers, we can help you find family or friends on this side of the country, or we can find you a job in the war effort.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The NCO that called the room to attention earlier stood up. “Admiral, sir. Staff Sergeant Harris McMillen, US Army Rangers, sir. Me and my team want to get back into the war effort, but we are concerned about being attached to the team called the UNIT. Wouldn’t it be better to fold us into one of the Ranger Bats, sir?”

Norris smiled. “Sergeant McMillen, I can understand your concern, and I also understand the Army Ranger mentality of wanting to be the first in the fight and last out. Trust me, this team goes in before the Rangers. This team is more advanced, better equipped, and more prepared for scenarios than you and I can only imagine.” Sergeant McMillen started to stand, but Norris held out his hand. “Before you voice your concern about the age of the commander, General Casey, let me tell you I had the same concerns. The entire team is made up of kids of the same age range, and when I discovered this I had some serious doubts myself, but let me be clear, once I saw these soldiers in action my doubts flew out the window. I am a thirty-year combat soldier. Yes, I stand up here in this fancy uniform, and have all this brass following me around jumping every time I sneeze. But I was a young ensign pilot, and over the years I have seen my share of situations that made me have to change my drawers. None of them compare to what the UNIT will march into, smiling and singing on their way in. Fear is not a word in their vocabulary, cowardice is something unfathomable to them, and they have no clue what the word impossible even means. Sergeant, ”I” would follow them into battle.”

The young NCO had a look of shock in his eyes, but a smile on the corner of his mouth. “Thank you sir, that helps a lot.”

“Ok we have time for a couple more questions.” A young woman in the back stood up. “Sir what are the refugee camps like, if we go there will we be living in squalor?”

“Thank you for that question. We use the term centers instead of camps, because we are doing everything in our power to make them as comfortable as possible. Most are modernized living facilities, with heat, hot water, electricity, and access to comfortable living conditions. There is a camp on Bermuda, but trust me camping on the Island of Bermuda is not a bad thing. The camp is well stocked and well taken care of with access to medical treatment. That camp is actually being personally monitored by King Arthur, King of England.”

A young man in his early to mid teens shot up out of his seat. “All of this happened to my family and friends because I am gay. Are we going to be any fucking safer here?” The boy sat down quickly with his face beat red.

Norris paused for a minute, and walked over to the edge of the pew where the young man was sitting, and sat on the arm of the pew. “What’s your name, son?”

The boy pulled back and leaned against his father, Sheriff O’Donnell. “Sheldon…sir.”

“Sheldon, first and foremost this didn’t happen to you and your family and friends because you’re gay. And by the way, thank you for your courage to ask this. This happened because some asshole decided to incite hate and violence to manipulate and control the people. He chose your community because it was out front and being loud at the time. I am going to be honest son, you’re the scapegoat, not the reason. This is why I wake up every morning and put on this uniform, because regardless of the color of our skin, or which God we pray to, or how we identify our gender, or what our sexual orientation is, we are all Americans at heart. Are you going to be safer here? To coin your phrase, you’re going to be much fucking safer here.” The boy got red in the face again as everyone chuckled. Norris waited for it to die down before he continued.

“My son and wife were killed by a drunk driver when he was your age. One month and three days before his death he came out to me and my wife. My response to him is the same response I will tell you, congratulations on having the courage to be true to yourself, and I hope you find love and happiness.” Sheldon smiled weakly and as Norris stood up, he looked over at Bucky and Felix. Bucky nodded to him. “Listen folks, I am just some strange man in a weird costume with all these medals on it, but this is a serious topic. The level of aggression that the Ashwood Administration has brought to bear against our LGBT brothers and sisters is disgusting. But I don’t want you to take my word for it, take it from someone you have fought with.”

Bucky stood up, and reached down and grabbed Felix by the hand, and walked him to the front of the room. “Yes, I am the Commander of US Navy SEAL Team 4, and this is Lieutenant Colonel Felix Rodriguez, Commanding Officer of the 1st Squadron 2ACR. We are also lovers and have been for the past five years. Admiral Norris has been like a father to me, and shared a similar sentiment when I came out to him. I trust the admiral with my life, almost as much as I trust this man next to me. I say almost as much because the bonds of love are the strongest bonds ever created.” Bucky turned and faced Felix, and got on one knee. “Lieutenant Colonel Felix Rodriguez, will you marry me?”

There was a moment of shocked silence from the crowd and the cheering broke out almost simultaneously. Felix stood there in shock not saying or doing anything.

A chant started “Say Yes! Say Yes!” Even Admiral Norris joined in.

Felix, finally snapped out of it and with a huge beaming smile on his face as he reached down and pulled Bucky to his feet. “Yes, of course I will.” They kissed in front of the whole group, who were cheering and clapping.

Norris was beaming as he walked to the front of the room. “Well, congratulations both of you.” He gave them each a hug. When he turned around he noticed Sheldon clapping, but staring wide-eyed at the two soldiers with a slight beam of hope returning to his eyes.

Norris noticed Myers at the back of the room, wiping her eyes. She must have slipped back in right before Bucky proposed. She looked up and realized she had the Admiral’s attention and nodded.

Norris cleared his throat. “Perfect time for lunch. I will be having lunch with you, so if you had a question or concern, please ask me while we are eating.”

Everyone started to move to the Chapel’s reception hall. Norris was standing there with Bucky and Felix, letting them be all smiles and goo-goo eyed to each other for a minute, when he noticed Sheldon turn and start hobbling on his crutches toward him.

“Sir, Admiral, if we are safe here and we are all on the same side, how come we can’t have our rifles back?”

Norris was taken aback for a second, he looked back at Bucky. “Sir, everyone was disarmed at the FOB, its SOP.”

Norris nodded and looked to the back of the room. “MYERS.”

Commander Myers cut back into the room through the crowd. “Sir?”

“Make sure these folks get all their personal belongings and equipment back, that includes weaponry. This is a war and these folks should be armed.”

“Right away, sir.”

Norris knelt down in front of Sheldon. “Son, I can tell you have seen some terrible things, I can also tell you have done some things that are eating you up. We all have, but it’s going to be ok now. There is always hope, hope for a better tomorrow, hope that one day we can all look back on this and say we did what we had to do to make today the best it could be.”

Sheldon wiped the tear away from his face and nodded. “Thank you, Admiral.”

Norris patted the teen on the shoulder. “You are one of the bravest young soldiers I have ever met, but don’t forget to be a person on the inside.”

Sheriff O’Donnell was standing behind Sheldon and guided him back to the lunch area.

Norris turned around and looked at Felix and Bucky. “So now, on top of fighting a war, I have to help plan a wedding. Damn, you two just love to cause trouble for me.” He grabbed them both in a giant hug.

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