The Wolf and the Eagle/ Ch1-Ch5

If you find any mistakes feel free to correct them
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Chapter one


“I came. I saw, I conquered”-Julies Caesar

2-19-08 16:10
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle school

The chilly air rested on the ground as the clouds hovered over the school like a bomber marking its target. The cold and moist air could carry the slightest sound for miles but no cars were out, all the students had gone home, well most of them were, there were still some in running club. The landscape around the school was flat except for a small hill next to Montezuma Street, where a boy about fourteen years old was running.
Herman Vasen panted heavily as he ran up the hill. After checking twice to make sure the rest of running club was ahead and out of sight he reached into his pocket and pulled out his camera.
He snapped a few pictures of Pueblo from the high ground. Satisfied with his work, Herman put away his camera and took out his radio. The radio was small as an iPod with a push-to-talk and a static button. He pressed the push to talk button and spoke into the radio.
“Mr. Bradley, I took plenty of pictures of the terrain,” He panted, took a deep breath and continued. “Maybe this will help the troops during the coup.”
The panting student released the talk button and made sure no one was around as he heard a voice.
“Thanks Herman, I’m sure that will benefit the troops very much.” Herman saw two people further down the hill and spoke into the radio. “Hey Grant, remember to attack at the designated time, Vasen out.”
Herman put the radio away and continued running down the hill, as he reached flatter ground he sprinted toward the school. He slowed to a jog as his head felt frozen and he felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Herman sat down on a bench with the three other runners that showed up and the teacher.
Herman saw two A.M (American Militia) trucks drive by the school. Herman didn’t know how they knew so much, but these guys kept an eye on the T.A.F, a multibillion dollar corporation that is secretly attempting to take over. T.A.F stands for Tea And Food. The T.A.F has provided homes for the homeless and food for the hungry. They make their enormous profits in every way possible legal or not.
Secretly the CEO of the corporation, Herman used the T.A.F to aid a lot of people help the business, oblivious to everyone, to gain political support. Herman stared at the two trucks with his brown eyes, the sweat running down his forehead was enough to wash his black hair, and as he got up to inside he went in hoping this coup works.

2-19-08 17:23
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A HQ

The shuffling of papers mixed in with the hushed talking of the TAF employees. The room was crowded with people bringing papers everywhere as a tall man with black hair and a beard, looked old but could probably run a few blocks without tiring, walked up to a table.
Grant Bradley sat down at the meeting table and spoke to wolf squadron.
“Here are some pictures that the General was able to provide of the battle site.” He pulled a pile of pictures out of the folder he was carrying and set them on the table.
John Freeny took a few of the pictures and studied them, seeming surprised. “We got pictures of the school area, the Guard armory, the library.” He pulled out more pictures talking as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Here is some of Fort Carson and the inside of a NEVADA mountain base. Will someone tell me how he got this one?”
“Beats me sir” Said another commander, Kenny Wayne who had his feet up on the table his chair leaning backwards. “I can’t even sneak food into a movie theater.”
“You can’t put your feet up on the table either, now sit up!” Grant Barked.

2-19-08 17:30
Pueblo, Colorado
Comanche power plant

The brightly lit hallways of the Comanche power plant didn’t provide much concealment for the six armed soldiers gathering at the door. The smell of donuts swept through the place as two men each guarded both ways of the hallway. A big guy wearing a ski mask and a dark black uniform, there were no insignias though, pulled a metal device out of the backpack.
Braden Ursick placed the silenced Vulcan on the door and moved him and his squad out of the way. The Vulcan silently blasted the lock away and his squad went through.
Rilen Taylor set a charge on the generator and they ran out the door.
“Left clear, right clear”
They ran outside and hid behind a passing truck. “Everyone here?” Braden asked.
“McClain here”
“Urioste here”
“Taylor here”
“Morgan here sir”
“Bernard here”
Captain Ursick peeked carefully around the corner of the semi.
“Hey you can’t be here!”
Taylor hesitated before drawing her 9mm and fired a shot into the engineers shoulder. Two security guards walked by.
Thinking quickly Rilen shouted. “Primary target is dead, let’s go!” Braden and Bernard fired their weapons at the guards. The guards hid behind the metal boxes as tracers flashed by all around them.
Their squad mates ran for the fence and after they were over they ran too. The two guards were still crouched down firing random shots into the air
They ran at least fifty yards before a helicopter flew over and landed. The black camouflage blended in with the night sky and the rotors made almost no noise. Wolf Squadron Bravo boarded the chopper.
“Everyone’s on board take off.” Braden said to the pilots. The helicopter took off and flew into the night. Braden, sweating hard under his ski mask pulled it off and took out a radio. “Herman, the squad has successfully planted the charge, but at least three people have seen us.”
“As long as they don’t search the building, we should be fine.” Came the reply from the radio.

2-19-08 17:37
Pueblo, Colorado
Herman’s house

The room was littered with papers from school work and the bed was missing its sheets, the door was closed and locked as the smell of wet dog came from the window.
Herman spoke quietly but not softly. “How much gas does the Stewie have?” The reply came from the radio as Braden spoke. “Enough to last eighteen hours General.” “Request the pilot to fly for an hour and land at the outpost for briefing and rest.” Herman Said, he bit back the urge to say order instead of request.
He made sure the door was locked and continued. “The attack begins at twenty two hundred hours, I will arrive to inspect the new recruits one last time before the battle, and fax me the surrender treaty.”

2-19-08 17:38
Southern, Colorado
Helicopter in Stewie squad Bravo

“Yes sir” Braden said as he put the antenna in and put the radio down. He looked at each of his squad mates in silence. Ursick knew each of his squad mates was as nervous as he was. They were good fighters, but they have never seen major combat. They had trained for this and he hoped they were ready, because tomorrow they go to war.

2-19-08 18:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Comanche power plant

The clouds floated menacingly over the power plant as drops of rain fell from the sky. The smell of rain almost masked the smell of a dead skunk nearby.
Police sirens wailed as cop and FBI cars filled the street by the power plant. Ron Johnson stepped out of the car, as he approached an officer and two security guards. One of the guards was explaining what happened.
“After they tried to kill that engineer, we saw them and started shooting.” The second guard stepped in and said. “I guess we were just too tuff for them, after we showed up, they ran for the hills.” “They left right over that fence.” Said the first guard, pointing to the fence.”
“How many were there?” Ron asked.
“Six or seven” The second guard answered.
“Thanks for your help,” Ron said pulling out a card. “Call me if you remember anything.”
He stepped over to another investigator and asked as if this kind of stuff happened all the time. “What do we have?”
The other investigator Mick Johnson replied. “You could seem more alarmed; anyway, a small group of people came in here with assault rifles to kill an engineer that works here. I don’t see why, he has clean record, friends with a lot of people, and has never turned anyone in for anything. I got a feeling this guy owes a lot of money to someone.”
Mick picked up a bullet off the ground. “Ever seen a bullet like this?” He asked.
“No, but these guys might try it again so we should get some body guards to watch over him.” Ron answered.
“Think we should check the building to see if they did anything.” Mick asked.
“No!” Ron shouted.
“What?” Mick asked confused.
Ron seeming to realize he made a mistake quickly ran past Mick shouting “Don’t tow my car!”
Mick waited for Ron to realize his car wasn’t being towed then continued.
“Are you drunk? Anyway find out where they left and how, the search teams couldn’t find anyone out there.” Mick walked away.
Ron walked over to the fence and saw a footprint; he saw more and followed till they stopped right in the middle of the field. “Helicopter” He muttered. “They came and left by helicopter.”
“Hey Mick I found something!” Then he stopped. He waited to see if Mick heard him then pretended to look around the field. “Damn idiots can’t even pull off a simple covert sabotage mission.” He muttered looking around to see if anyone heard him.


2-19-08 19:00
Pueblo, Colorado
C.A.S HQ, briefing room

The air conditioned briefing room was filled with the Wolf Squadron Bravo. The commander Grant Bradley was speaking. “At twenty two hundred hours tomorrow, your helicopter will fly to this position.” He pressed a remote and the screen turned on and showed a map of Pueblo, the screen zoomed in and displayed a hill near a school. “You will land here on the track and establish a foothold on the hill. Remember L-C-F-D, Land, Capture, Fortify and Defend. Here is some photos of the area, the hill you will get on and what you will see when you get up there.” He pressed the slideshow button on the remote. “Courtesy of the General” Braden Ursick studied the screen and had already started contemplating his strategy.




2-19-08 19:21
Pueblo, Colorado
Police Department

The police station was crowded and noisy as police worked more often than usual. The operator was at the computer checking the satellite. The operator motioned for Ron to come over. “Look at this.” The operator pointed to the screen. “The American Militia are moving trucks everywhere, in California they are moving East and in Kansas they are moving West.”
Ron, a little surprised at the sight, asked. “How many militias are there?”
“A little bit under two million.” He answered.
“And they are all moving here, all two million? Something is up”
“Organize the S.W.A.T teams and ask the president to put the National Guard on alert.”

2-19-08 19:25
Washington D.C
The White house

“Mr. President.” The secretary said holding a folder hurrying down the hall. “Mr. President, look at this.” He stepped in and dropped the papers onto the desk.
“What is it?” The President asked opening the document.
“Look for yourself”
The president opened the document and saw the satellite pictures; he read the contract asking to deploy armed forces into the cities of Colorado and Utah. He quickly signed it and went back to work handing the document back to the secretary.

2-19-08 19:30
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Carson

The alarms in fort Carson went off everywhere.
“Wake up! Wake up!” A captain came in and hauled a soldier from bed to his feet.
“ON YOUR FEET!”
“LET’S MOVE IT!”
“HURRY HURRY!”
“UP! UP! UP! “
“NOW!”
The soldiers sleeping quickly woke and got dressed in uniform.
“NO! no no no! Put the vest on first! Get your guns! Hurry up! Back in five”
Mark Sullivan quickly put on his vest and then his uniform, grabbed a gun and his helmet and ran to the drill floor. Bill Sullivan his cousin ran by. “Hate that bloody Captain.”
“Ha ha” Mark laughed as he got into formation. After the troops in fort Carson were in formation the Captain spoke. “The American Militia are all mobilizing to Colorado and or Utah and if they do something who’s going to stop them!?”
The troops answered in unison. “We will Sir!”
“Delta Company will be placed in Pueblo. Echo squad will be deployed in Colorado Springs and Bravo will be deployed in……”

2-19-08 19:39
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A HQ, Drill floor

The Confederates stood in uniform and in formation as Herman inspected the troops through the tinted windows. Herman stepped outside to inspect the soldiers and set aloud. “A thousand soldiers such as these will win wars.”
He looked at each of the troops in front. “This will be more than enough to win all wars. Remember, tomorrow you will have to be kind to civilians and non combatants. Capture anyone who surrenders. Help people who are hurt or wounded, show them we are here to help. Gain the hearts and minds.” As he said hearts and minds he put up a fist and returned his hands behind his back. “We are fighting for many different reasons, some of you are in debt to the government, others to  get rid of money and greed, many of you are here because your family and friends are fighting and you are here to protect them.”
He paced to the right a few steps. “You, why do fight?”
The soldier smiled and said. “For the hell of it Sir”
Herman laughed and then continued. “Tomorrow during the civil war who knows how long it will be, I want you to have his humor when you are in a bad situation. You are good soldiers and better people, it will be a privilege to fight alongside some of you.”
The three Commanders and the troops in formation seemed very surprised. “Not long from now the enemy will have fought for their old country and died for their new one. Get some sleep”

2-19-08 19:59
Pueblo, Colorado
Herman’s house

Henry Vasen was sitting on the couch watching T.V when Herman walked in. “Hey Herman, where ya been?”
“Out” Herman said.
“Been doing anything illegal?”
“No” Herman trusted his brother Henry with his life but never told him about the coup. If Henry refused to help or threatened to tell someone, Herman would have to kill him and he couldn’t do that.
“Well I have” Henry laughed. “Me and my homies smashed into some guy’s car and stole some beer he had. You ready for that test on Friday?”
“Probably”
“Want a beer?” He said laughing holding a can towards Herman. “Just kidding,” He took a drink and said. “I just remembered you’re the good kid.”
Don’t be so sure. Herman thought
Herman and Henry were brothers, but even though they were brothers they were very different. Herman was usually a good kid, quiet though; he had great charisma and knew how to pick his friends. He had lots of acquaintances but very few friends. However Henry was outgoing, he had many friends but many of them weren’t very good friends, unlike Herman, Henry smoke, drank, and broke into cars. And also unlike Herman he was a patriot, very loyal to his country. Both studied the art of war and politics and were very good speakers. However Henry relied on persuasion rather than charisma to win arguments. Henry would jump to pledge allegiance to the flag while Herman reluctantly or rarely got up to pledge allegiance.

2-19-08 20:15
Pueblo, Colorado
A.M Camp

Two dozen American Militia slept as the platoon leader stepped out of the truck. A black car drove up to the platoon leader and stopped. Two soldiers in uniform who looked as if they were in a fight, came out of the car and went up to the officer.
“Here’s what you asked for Sir” He said handing a document to the officer. Adolph Durant took the papers and read them; it was a surrender treaty for the United States. It was signed by five commanders and someone named Herman Vasen.
“Find out who this is.” Adolph said pointing to the signature. On the back of the document, was a place for the President to sign the surrender. “We finally have proof.” Durant said. “Thousands of A.M troops will be landing and arriving here.”
“I will arrest him myself, don’t alert the army.”

2-19-08 22:15
Colorado-Utah Border
Guard post

A truck drove toward the checkpoint and stopped. Two guards walked up to the truck. “Do you have any firearms, illegal drugs or fruit?” The guard asked.
“Let us by its an emergency” The driver said.
“Do you have any-?” The guard repeated.
“Let us by!” The driver demanded pulling out his gun.
The guard hesitated then pulled out his pistol. “Put it down! Put the gun down!” As he said this the back of the truck opened and twenty four men with rifles jumped out and surrounded the guard. Seven more guards came out of the building came out of the building with their pistols drawn. Both sides started shouting at each other to put their weapons down. More trucks showed up and now there was almost a hundred A.M troops outside the checkpoint. The guards immediately threw down their pistols and surrendered. A soldier stepped into the building and raised the roadblock.

2-19-08 22:59
Pueblo, Colorado
20th street

The tank commander checked the area around Pueblo. He was supposed to be making sure the A.M didn’t do anything they weren’t supposed to. Mark Sullivan kept his gun ready but didn’t hold his breath. He and his cousin Bill walked beside the tank. Nothing was happening. After a while more and more A.M troops arrived by truckload. Mark was getting nervous. Something big was going to happen.

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Chapter Two


Murphy’s Law
Whatever can go wrong will go wrong

2-20-08 14:29
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A Airfield

Sergeant Ryan Durant ran as fast as he could with the rest of his squadron. The helicopter was starting up in a hurry. He scrambled in grasping his SS-74 and securing his U-1 pistol to his holster. Ryan kept his pack to his feet and sat down. His Captain Ron Smith and two Privates, Bernard Harris and Tony Ross climbed in securing their equipment.
The remaining squad members boarded the Stewie and it took off. The silent Stewie glided the air. Ron Smith the Captain pulled out his radio. “This is Captain Ron Smith, what’s going on? Why were we called in a hurry?”
A voice came over the radio. “The General has been compromised, and you’re going to get him out. The A.M have stolen a copy of the surrender treaty with his signature and are on their way to arrest him. Land and establish the situation, make sure he stays alive. Uploading photo to help you pick him out.”

2-20-08 15:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

Herman was surprised to see two American Militia trucks drive into the parking lot. Several men with rifles and helmets walked up to the doors and the running club teacher opened the door for them.
Adolph Durant was holding a document and had a smug look on his face. With a smile he asked. “Is this your signature?”
Herman looked at the document Adolph showed him and said. “No, no it’s not”
“Bullsh-t, so you’re saying this is not your signature and you are not Herman Vasen?” Durant said.
“Exactly” Herman said.
“Cuff him and take him to the truck.” Adolph said.
Herman was handcuffed without struggle and led outside. Flanked by twenty four soldiers on each side Herman was led to the truck. The next thing he knew. Bang! A flashing light filled his eyes and a ringing sound filled his ears. When the light cleared he saw Wolf Squadron Alpha standing there and forty eight dead American troops on the ground.
The silent Stewie landed on the ground was the best thing he’d seen all day, the Stewie was the thing that would get him out of here. The Captain walked up to Herman and introduced himself as Ron Smith.
“We should go now; two million armed men are coming to kill you.” Ron said.
“In that case” Herman said. “Let’s go.”
They boarded the Stewie and it took off. It went twenty yards before landing on the football field. “What’s going on? Why’d we stop?” Herman asked.
The pilot answered. “It seems in our rush to come get you; we forgot to refuel the Stewie.”
They got out of the chopper and rushed toward the school. Terry Rowe shot open a window and climbed in. A teacher screamed and Tony Ross pointed a gun at her and told her to go home. They spread around the school and demanded everyone to leave.
Wolf squadron Alpha, setup defensive positions around the inside of the school. In the side doors Ron Smith secured the barb wire and pulled out the radio. “HQ, we got two million pissed off A.M troops coming to kill us, requesting evacuation”

2-20-08 15:11
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A War room

Grant Bradley heard Captain Smith’s voice from inside his ear piece. “Requesting evacuation-“
“This is HQ, I can’t send any reinforcements at this time, so you will have to –is this line secure?” Bradley waited a second for Ron to answer.
“Yes sir”
“Then wait till eight o’ clock mountain time and we will send air support and Wolf squadrons Bravo Charlie and Delta to help. Unless you’d rather swim through the A.M I suggest you barricade up.” Grant paced down the room and said. “We cannot send in Confederate armed forces until the exact time or the United States will get suspicious, HQ out.” Grant switched off his earpiece and lowered his head. “Kenny! Get me the President on the phone!”

2-20-08 15:12
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

Ron put down his radio and looked to each of his squad mates.”Someone get the mini gun from the chopper. Bring the missiles to the second floor”
Ryan Durant and Turk Irons moved to carry one of the missiles up the stairs. “Hold on, I know the elevator code.” Herman said. He pressed in the code and the elevator opened. Ryan and Turk carried the missile to the elevator.
The elevator closed and the troops went up. Jake Stanton and Justin Harrell, Herman’s former teacher, carried the second missile upstairs Harrell asked. How you do you know the code for the elevator? You’re not allowed to use it.”
“No guns in school,” Herman said as the elevator opened and closed as Ryan and Turk came down the stairs. “Somebody keep watch while the rest of us set up the defensive positions. “Lee, you go.” Ryan said. “You two help get this mini gun up there.”

2-20-08 15:22
Pueblo, Colorado
20th and West Street

Fifty American Militia troops ran towards the school. They stopped and fired their weapons into the school. Rifle and M-16 fire echoed through the streets. The glass broke as a kids voice yelled open fire  and a mini gun went off taking down twenty troops on the first burst as two hundred more A.M troops crowded the street that led to the school. Hundreds more A.M troops filled the football field some men flooding and taking cover in the chopper. Burst of gunfire came from the windows on the first and second floor as the squad blasted away the wave of troops that came in first, trying to charge the window. After the first wave went down the A.M troops only stopped ten feet from the window that the A.M were in,  they open fired at point blank range on the window as the Wolf Squadron troops fired from behind cover. Many dozens of troops fell but were replaced immediately by more. The American Militia swarmed Montezuma and the surrounding hills. Machine gun fire was coming from the West window of the school as it ripped through the ranks.

2-20-08 15:24
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

Aaron Lee the pilot operated the mini gun as Bernard fired the grenades. More gunfire filled the windows and ricocheted off the halls. Tony Ross threw a grenade down into the street and it exploded sending shrapnel into the swarm.
Herman fired a shot from his U-1 pistol and it exploded, killing fifty troops. However it did little to stop the advancing Americans. Herman fired eight more rounds then put away his pistol saving the last shot for later. He picked up a light machine gun and started firing but ducked as more shots rang out all around him.
Terry pressed a button and a mine went off with flash of light and an explosion sending the men flying into the air off the street disappearing into the wreckage as the lot filled again with another hundred American Militia doggedly firing at the window. A few shots were just random bullets ricocheted off the halls the ceiling the windows and even the steps. They automatically fixed their fire as they came in cause the Americans charged the Wolf Squadron position by the hundreds and only had a few seconds to make a shot before they might go down, so a lot of pressure was applied to them while the Wolf Squad was in a fortified position having been trained for this and they had plenty of time to make adjustments to their aim which attributed to the lack of losses for them and the large casualties of the Militia.
The American Militia did not have a standard uniform, but they all had some kind of USA shirt, red white and blue or Camouflage BDUs. They had every type of weapon. Rifles, M-16s, Ak-47s, Ak-74s, even pistols were used and several of the A.M were holding up American flags. A man rushed forward firing his pistol and the bullets scraped the top of Herman’s hair nearly gashing him in the head. He was taken down in a second as more took his place blasting away. The shouting orders from both sides were only noise, blending in with gunfire and the thousands of A.M shouting chanting U.S.A.
Sergeant Durant was having the same problem in the metals room. Along with Stanton and Harrell, he was attempting to hold back the A.M coming through the cemetery.
“Dead guys in the cemetery eh?” Stanton yelled over the gunfire. Ryan and Justin both laughed.
They laid down heavy fire on the A.M refusing to get pinned down. It was no use. The Americans had too much fire superiority. Then Private Stanton was hit. The bullet grazed the side of his head. As Stanton fell Ryan started hallucinating about Vietnam. He saw the Viet Kong coming toward him and his old comrades’ falling one by one.
Then he snapped to his senses and saw the A.M coming towards him and Stanton wounded on the floor.
“SET THE MINE!!!” Ryan ordered as he moved to drag Stanton from the room. Harrell set the mine and helped carry Stanton back to the main hall. The mine exploded and they heard screams from behind them. They got to the corner and they set Stanton down on the ground.
“Harrell, go get the troops from the west side of the building, I’ll try to hold them off.” Ryan said as he fired at the swarming A.M. Inside the building they suddenly stopped swarming and only ten entered at a time opening fire as they fell. Harrell rushed across the hall nearly getting hit and rushed into the gym. He ran into a locker room and shouted at the Wolf Squadron members firing from the window.
“Come on! We are falling back!” He shouted to them. He said the same to the troops guarding the other locker room. They rushed back to where Ryan was. All of them opened fire and then helped bring Stanton upstairs as the rest returned the A.M’s fire.
“Herman,” Ryan shouted over the gunfire into his com, “Herman pick up!”

Herman was amazed, every time he shot one trying to get through the barb wire, another just picked up the wire cutters and the process was repeated until they were through and Herman and the troops were fighting hand to hand.
The first American came at Herman with a knife running through the hole in the barb wire as he came through the broken door. Herman bashed him in the head with the machine gun and shot him, he tried to control the recoil after the first shot of the machine gun, then open fired and the stopping power of the bullets sent them flying back.
“Fall Back!” Herman ordered and at the same time all the soldiers kicked and fired on full automatic. They backed up and went upstairs. Captain Smith pressed the trigger and the entire first floor exploded. The other half of the squad was already upstairs and had stopped firing after the first floor of the school exploded.

Herman walked into room 210 to check on Stanton. Mario Beck, the medic had placed a bandage around his head to stop the bleeding. The staircases were secure and the shooting had ceased. Once in a while a few shots would be fired toward them but they were always inaccurate.
The chanting grew louder as the A.M shouted, U.S.A! Then a tank gun fired and a firefight began somewhere nearby. Captain Ron looked to the noise and asked. “What’s going on?”
Herman looked out the window and smiled, “The A.M is fighting the U.S. This will make our job way easier.” Bernard Harris pulled out a five dollar bill and asked. “Anyone want to bet who wins?”

2-20-08 15:49
Pueblo, Colorado
27th and Greenwood

Mark Sullivan laid down suppressive fire as his unit fell back. His Cousin Bill fired a grenade into the A.M mob as they swarmed over the tanks and overwhelmed the marine’s position. Explosions thundered from about a mile away followed by shells landing and clearing the streets. Civilians rushed for cover as the two armies clashed.
Bill shot open a door and his platoon rushed evacuate the building, and then rushed out themselves; the large marine group ran as three F-16 fighters covered their escape by dropping cluster bombs onto the pursing troops. Several Cobras flew over firing rockets.
T.A.F trucks with a red cross painted on each one rushed through the fighting and evacuated civilians out of their houses. TAF employees rushed out of the trucks and into houses to bring screaming civilians to safety
Even though the A.M and T.A.F were enemies, both the U.S and A.M had the courtesy to not fire on the trucks. But some weren’t that lucky. Everyone in that area was in danger of being shot or blown up.
Despite United States efforts the American Militia was taking control of the city. Mark and Bill, along with the remaining platoon ran as if they were running from flooding water. They found some high ground and secured quickly attempting to call C.A.S (Close Air Support). They open fired down onto the charging A.M and succeeded in holding the hill, till they ran out of bullets.
The American Militia ran up and captured the hill. The marines including Bill and Mark surrendered immediately. After a while the shooting quieted down and the American Militia had control of the city. The city was silent now, the A.M had won and the Marines were prisoners. The only sound that could be heard was the gunfire coming from the school, followed by the loud chants of USA.

2-20-08 16:12
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

The shooting was intensifying. Gunfire was everywhere and it almost drowned out their voices. Orders were being shouted, the orders were being mixed up.
“Fire! Hold them back! Charge!  How many grenades we got left?!! Sixteen sir! Throw one down every thirty seconds! How’s the West staircase?!! They’re low on ammo! Charge left flank! Why? They’re not talking to you! Toss a grenade you already told me to! That was them! Herman, now what do we do?!!”
A grenade exploded. The American Militia was flooding up the stairs and more gunfire erupted. Tony Ross fell as he was shot in the right chest, he howled with pain as Herman dragged him to safety. The grenade exploded and sent bodies tumbling down the stairs A.M tripped over the bodies and slipped down the stairs causing a domino effect. Herman ordered Mario to drag Tony back to the room.  The eighth grenade was thrown and after thirty seconds the ninth. The American Militia tried to come around the corner and attempted to get up the stairs but were pounded by grenades and machine gun fire. They were low on ammo and Harris pulled the pin, took a breath, then threw the last grenade.

2-20-08 16:29
Pueblo, Colorado
10,000 ft above Pueblo

A UAV dropped several laser guided missiles and flew away to reload as seven F-16s flew down to provide air support. Jets filled the air.

2-20-08 16:40
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A Armory

Wolf squadrons Charlie and Delta squads quickly got their M4s and S.W.A.T shield. They put on S.W.A.T uniforms and secured their fake I.Ds into the pockets.
“Alright let’s hurry” The Captain said as the squads filed into the armored trucks. The sergeant turned toward the Captain and said. “In case Grant asks, this was your idea.” The engines started, the sirens wailed, and the trucks sped off.

2-20-08 17:00
Pueblo, Colorado
American Militia checkpoint

Two A.M troops kept watch on the street as two S.W.A.T trucks approached. A soldier on a loud speaker ordered them to stop. The truck kept coming forward, with its engine roaring the truck slammed through the road block and kept driving.
“Stop your vehicle; this is your last warning.”
The American Militia open fired as the truck sped past. Men swarmed out of the house with their guns and attempted to run after the truck, some of them firing their weapons. The truck drove past several blocks taking fire from every corner, bullets coming out of every window. The Wolf squadrons inside the trucks thought they were being hit by machine gun fire there was so many of them.
They finally plowed through the lines and smashed down a fence, the squads nearly dropped their guns. Artillery guns fired in the distance as several platoons of A.M charged the trucks firing as fast as they could but jumped out of the way as the trucks sped past.

2-20-08 17:10
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

Herman saw the trucks approaching the school and shouted to the others.
“Roy! Bernard!” He shouted over the gun fire. “Get the ropes, hurry.”
The two Confederate soldiers threw the ropes out the window as most of the squad provided cover fire as one of the S.W.A.T trucks was hit by an RPG and tipped over and it crashed. The other truck stopped and the Confederate troops rushed out to fire at the militia. They were taking heavy fire as they moved to extract the Wolf Squadron members from the tipped truck. Herman aimed the pistol as best he could and fired a 9mm bullet at the A.M. The bullet struck an A.M and it sent him falling to the ground. Herman dropped a smoke grenade down from the window and it covered up the S.W.A.T/ Wolves as they climbed up the rope into the building.
Twenty four S.W.A.T climbed up the ropes then pulled them back up. As they climbed up they saw the desks stacked up against the door and some of the Confederates were trying to hold back the shoving Americans trying to push the door open. Barb wire was shoved and duck taped into the window to prevent grenades from getting thrown in.
The sergeant looked at the stacked desk and said “That bad, eh?”
Many of the Confederate troops eating MREs offered some to the Wolf squadron members that had just come in. The medic Mario Beck looked down at Private Stanton and pulled out an FAK (First Aid Kit) scanner. He hovered it over Stanton’s head, then he put the scanner away.
“Herman.” He said.
Herman stepped over to where Stanton was. Mario told Herman. “He has got an hour to live if he doesn’t get to a hospital.”

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Chapter 3
“An offensive is merely a defensive on the move”-Eric Vallejos

2-20-08 17:11
Pueblo Colorado
Freed Middle School

Herman looked outside at the swarming A.M as they salvaged the trucks for weapons, one of the Confederates pressed a trigger and both trucks exploded sending the American troops to hell. Herman looked out the window as A.M troops rushed to help their fallen comrades.
“How are we going get him to a hospital?” Herman asked. Justin Harrell looked out the window and said to Herman. “You can use the gas from those buses over there to power the Stewie.” Tony Ross looked at Harrell and said. “Why didn’t you mention that earlier?” “I forgot” he said. Tony threw a tantrum. “What do you mean you forgot?” He complained some more. “Enough” Herman ordered and Tony walked away grumbling. Herman picked up a piece of paper from a desk and drew a quick map. “Delta squad will guard the East,” He said pointing to a spot on the map. “Alpha and Charlie squads will secure here and here.” Herman pointed to the west and south of the chopper.”Ross and Harrell will get the bus to the chopper.” He pointed to two soldiers. “You two guard Stanton.”
“Yes sir” They responded.
The S.W.A.T uniform Confederates fired grenades onto the field. They waited a minute as the A.M troops fired at the window and then stopped when they couldn’t see.
The ropes went out the window and quickly, they ran to their positions. Tony and Justin ran to the fence where the buses were. Tony’s right chest seared with pain from the wound. As they came out of the smoke the A.M open fired. Tony fired back as Harrell deployed a smoke grenade. They moved quickly as random shots went through the smoke. Tony cut open the fence and they went through. Tony hot wired the bus and drove out as Harrell shut the door.
Loud guns fired from nearby and seven M1a2 Abrams came from the south driving over the fence ignoring the holes already made by the S.W.A.T trucks. The bus parked by the Stewie. The tanks open fired on the A.M and formed a circle around the Stewie. The operator on the tank came out and asked, “Are you law enforcement?”
Durant was about to answer when three F-22s flew over and bombed somewhere nearby. Justin and Tony got out of the bus as Private Ryan Durant made up a cover story. The marine didn’t seem like he was buying the cover story but it didn’t matter. The American Militia was still overwhelming the tanks and they drove away. They refueled the Stewie and Wolf Squadron Alpha boarded the chopper. The other squads had formed a perimeter and were easily keeping the A.M away. The Stewie started up then took off. Herman looked down as the A.M started firing motors onto the Confederates. The Wolf Squadrons were retreating into the parking lot as more shots rang out, then they were out of sight as the chopper raced to the hospital. Small arms fire zipped past Herman’s head as the A.M open fired. The chopper flew close to the top of the hospital and the squad rushed out without the chopper touching the ground. “Secure the area!” Someone shouted. Herman stepped out and ran to the roof door.
After the squad jumped out Lee flew the chopper back to the school to get Stanton and the other squads. Ryan Durant went down the staircase first and had his SS-74 aimed at the corner. He stepped to the right as he went down the stairs. A door came up.

2-20-08 17:20
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

The Confederates had the front door secure as the entire first floor exploded. Charges in the second floor went off as Delta squad rushed up to get Stanton. Wolf squadron Charlie guarded the front door fiercely as the A.M rushed up and attacked them without firing any shots. Sam Ting ducked as an American swung his rifle at his head and Sam came up and hit him with the S.W.A.T shield, as the Americans head was up he spun around and slashed his throat with the bayonet. Sam spun around again throwing his gun into the air and catching the other side, then he struck him in the head killing him instantly.
The Stewie flew over and fired onto the A.M taking down an entire platoon. It circled the area providing close air support. The American Militia started retreating to the southern side of the football field.
One of the Confederates asked Sam Ting. “Why are they running?” Sam Ting looked at the numerous Americans and answered. “I don’t know, maybe they’re running out.”
Just then a whistling sound was coming from the air. Sam Ting raised his S.W.A.T shield and ducked, the other Confederates did the same. The mortar exploded above them sending shrapnel against the shields. They got up but took cover again as more whistling sounds emitted above them followed by explosions and the metal clashing against the shields.
Being careful not to let any of the shrapnel hit him Sam Ting looked up a little and saw the Americans setting up a machine gun position.
Sam Ting turned on the radio in his ear and said. “Charlie One to Stewie One, tale out that machine gun in the southern field!” He shouted over the mortar explosions that nearly made him deaf.
A second after the order the Stewie flew over and someone inside fired a grenade launcher down taking out the soldiers setting up the gun.
“Thanks, Charlie One to Stewie One, take out those mortar positions too”
“Roger that.” Came the reply and the Stewie flew South over the A.M still firing at anything that moved. Soon the mortars stopped and the Confederates were able to stand up again.
Loud explosions were heard in the distance as U.S tanks fought the A.M. The explosions were different this time. More and more choppers could be heard. “What’s going on?” A Confederate asked.
Sam answered. “The U.S is retaking the city” Delta squad returned from the building and loaded Stanton onto the chopper and then four Confederates got on to make sure he got to the hospital. The chopper took off as more jets flew over the city.

2-20-08 17:40
Pueblo, Colorado
Outside of Pueblo          

Chandler Byrne waited inside of the APC as it drove straight to the front lines. Explosions were heard as the choppers provided air support and captured mortars were fired at the approaching U.S forces. The APC shook and then stopped. Everything went quite, then the door opened.
“Go! Go! Go!” The Captain shouted as Byrne felt himself get up and rush out the door behind another soldier. As he got he rushed to the front of the APC, setting his M-16 from safety to semi auto and saw three A.M firing on a group of Marines. He aimed his sights and fired three quick shots. Each of them fell as he rushed with his unit forward. The marines got against the wall of the house as one of them set explosives on the door. They counted to three and the door exploded. Byrne went in first.
“Breaching, breaching!” He said as he fired a shot into an A.M soldier, the other marines got the other two. The marines checked the other rooms. “Clear!”
“This one’s clear!”
“Upstairs clear!”
Sergeant Byrne looked out the window but pulled his head back in as the A.M fired at him. The firing stopped when two jets flew over and bombed the house in front of them. The house next to it, the window gleamed from the sun and he was able to see a sniper in the window. An M1A2 tank rolled up and fired into the second story of the house. The top of the house exploded sending pieces of wood and miscellaneous materials through the air as something went up into the air and came down on the tank. The tank exploded, “They got Javelins!” The A.M fired mortars onto the U.S forces as they started to use more coordinated tactics to fight the approaching U.S forces. The mortars stopped and were replaced by the sounds of 40mm shells exploding nearby. No one could see but Byrne was sure that everyone knew an AC-130 was flying above the city. A Cobra flew over and fired onto a house completely tearing it apart as a Stinger missile came out of a nearby house and sent the choppers back propeller crashing into the ground. Dirt spat up into the air as U.S troops managed to get out of the way as it hit the ground. Marines rushed in to pull the pilots out as two more Abrams tanks drove up and open fired randomly onto the houses. Byrne fired a few shots and then noticed a civilian plane, (a Cessna) trying to exit the city. It flew right over the tanks, he noticed a grey shape and some hands out the window, as the hands dropped the shape onto the tanks, they exploded. The Cessna turned away and someone inside fired a machine gun down on the United States troops. It wasn’t a civilian plane. The grey shape that was dropped was probably a homemade bomb. A Cobra flew over to take it down but was destroyed when a Stinger missile flew out the Cessna’s window and hit the choppers cockpit.
The gunman inside the Cessna saw Chandler and his squad and swapped the machine gun for an M-16 then fired down.
“Get down” Someone shouted as the bullets zipped through the house. After he stopped firing, he retreated back into the plane. Byrne assumed he was reloading and fired three grenades at the Cessna, the other two missed but the last one hit the wing and the plane tumbled in the air and went down.
“Good shot Chan! Now aim the Javelin at that house over there!” He did and Byrne destroyed the house. “Alright! Now move to the next house!” The marines quickly ran to the neighboring house and they kicked open the door. Byrne went in and shot all five of the A.M troops before the second marine even got in the door. They secured the house as Byrne setup a sniper position by a window. He looked up and saw a Cessna with someone holding a bomb out the side window coming right over them.

2-20-08 19:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle school

Sam Ting kept firing at the Americans who were now ceasing to use swarm tactics and started to use conventional tactics. They were getting smarter. Seven Cessna’s flew toward the Confederate position on the roof. The Stewie flew toward one firing the front guns taking it down. A missile came out of one of the windows and locked on to the Stewie. The Stewie did a barrel roll and shot out flares. The confused missile turned and hit the ground. A Confederate got out an RPG and shot down a Cessna. The Stewie flew by and downed two more planes. The planes fired small arms fire as the Stewie did several strafes and took down the remaining planes. Snipers on the ground and on the hill nearby fired relentlessly at the chopper and attempted to get a hit on one of the Wolf Squadron troops. The Stewie picked up the last of the Wolf Squadron troops and flew off toward the hospital.

2-20-08 18:10
Pueblo, Colorado
The hospital

Wolf Squadron Alpha’s medic Mario Beck operated on Stanton in the surgery room. Herman kept watch out the window while the three squadrons guarded the first floor. The American Militia did not know they were there. Herman wanted to keep it that way. He could hear Tony Ross shouting, “Aw Bloody Hell!” as the bullet was removed from his right chest. Several of the Confederates had minor wounds that weren’t that serious.
The gunfire outside was getting louder and louder. Ron Smith walked by Herman and asked. “What started the fighting?”
Herman smirked, then took out the quick map he drew back at the school, he flipped it over and it looked like a warning contract. It was in Spanish so Smith couldn’t read it but Herman told Ron that it was a fake contract saying that he had control of the U.S army. Back at the school after he knew he would be captured he started to make a few calls when he saw the Militia come to the school just in case he would need the distractions later.
“Well that’s good,” Ron said. “Our enemies will destroy each other and we’ll be able crush them both.”






2-20-08 18:50
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo
         
Chandler Byrne kept his head down as more A.M troops continued to shoot at him. Two jets flew over and bombed the area ahead of him. He had been lying in the same spot for over an hour with an injured leg. He fired his pistol at the A.M hoping it would stop the shooting a bit but it didn’t work. The rubble of the house was giving him cover but the A.M were still killing the remainder of his unit. The U.S forces had attacked an hour before, unfortunately they had only crossed two streets and the A.M had them pinned down. Two Abrams tanks drove in front of the house as an APC drove onto the rubble of the house. Several marines came out and dragged the marines that had survived into the APC and then it took off. Out of the twenty marines that went in only four including Byrne had made it out. Two of them had leg wounds and the other was drifting off. He could hear the radio as they left the battlefield; they were saying the armies from the other states were coming to take back the city. The radio was calling for every available U.S aircraft to assist.

2-20-08 19:20
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A War room

Commander Bradley looked down at the table as the holograms projected the battle. The U.S was focusing its entire air force and most of the ground forces it had on taking back Pueblo. He was amazed at how hard the A.M was fighting. This would make his job way easier, he could simply target the aircraft and take them down in one strike and mark the tank positions for the bombers, then with the tanks and planes out of the way the marines would be overwhelmed by superior Confederate Infantry. The holograms on the table showed the C.S choppers ready to take off. Grant pressed a button and the holograms disappeared, replaced by the jets and tanks underground. Everything was ready.

2-20-08 19:30
Pueblo, Colorado
The Hospital

“They’ve spotted us!” Herman heard a Confederate yell. Then the orders from both sides were heard and replaced by gunfire. Two A.M troops ran into the middle of the street, one had a bazooka aimed at where the other was pointing. He fired. The upper floor of the hospital exploded and Herman heard Confederates yelling in pain. Tony Ross dragged a bleeding Confederate back to the medics. Two of the Confederates died instantly.
“Bloody hell! Good thing we’re in a hospital.”
Sam Ting fired a grenade into the street as they attempted to keep the enemy from firing again. A Cessna flew by the hospital and the copilot started shooting an AK-47 into the hospital. Herman ducked, aimed, and then fired. The bullet shattered the glass zipping past the gunner and hit the pilot. The co-pilot stopped shooting and retook control of the plane. Herman looked down and saw more A.M about to enter the hospital.
They’re coming up!” He yelled. “Prepare to repel!”
The Confederate troops raced down to guard the staircase. They aimed their weapons, ready for an assault or a swarm but instead saw a tank. The Abrams crashed through the glass doors of the hospital as its machine guns opened fire. Everyone ducked and took cover behind anything they could find. Herman kept his head down as a bullet shattered the wall and zipped past his head.
“Were on the offensive!” Herman shouted as he stood up and fired the last shot from his U-1 pistol. The bullet hit and the tank exploded. Herman jumped off the staircase and rushed forward killing the ten A.M troops in front of him with his SS-74. The Confederates behind him followed behind firing their weapons. As they rushed outside hundreds of A.M troops surrounded them with their guns aimed up. The Confederates lowered their weapons.
Boom!
A fireball replaced the A.M troops as several shots came out of the air and destroyed the A.M around them and then everything went quiet.

2-20-08 20:00
Pueblo, Colorado
FU-38 Redbird cockpit

Raul Lopez flew toward Pueblo. The mini gun under the wing lowered and the screen locked on to every U.S plane. The ammo screen read 10,000. Every jet was locked on as Raul pressed the trigger. The gun went off and the sound pierced the sky as the mini gun went off.
9,597……8,742,…, the ammo screen read,…….8,205,……. 7,925…7,100..6,500,…5000.
The sky in front of him lit up as he picked up the radio and said. “The skies are secure,” He flew over and dropped some bombs near the hospital and flew to the edge of the city and started dropping more bombs. “Commence ground attack.”

2-20-08 20:01
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A Base

The Confederates cheered as the ground opened up and the T-41 Wolves rolled out toward Pueblo. The helicopters followed as the C.S marines rode behind them in trucks. After five minutes of driving they could see the U.S troops in front of them. The tanks started firing at each other. Two redbirds flew over and bombed the tanks. The Confederates defeated the U.S tanks and moved toward the city. The tanks came to a U.S position where they saw three machine gunners, seven marines and a tank guarded a small hill. The T-41 fired one shot and the soldiers weren’t there anymore.
The Confederate bombers flew over and were easily able to spot the American tanks. In minutes almost every American tanks was destroyed. The Americans were now outgunned and overwhelmed as the Confederate tanks, aircraft and infantry attacked at once.
Heavy fighting continued throughout the night, but at eleven both sides had stopped for the night.

2-21-08 00:12
Pueblo, Colorado
Confederate Trench

A few shots were fired from somewhere nearby as Braden Ursick kept watch on the American troops while his squad slept. Two jets flew over and bombed nearby. He looked over the trench and spotted twenty U.S troops coming up the hill. The other Captain Aidan McClain woke up.
“Wake everyone up.” Braden whispered. McClain woke the rest of the squad and they aimed down at the approaching U.S forces. Urioste threw a flare and the marines open fired. Braden yelled fire and the Confederates return fired. One of the Americans fired a grenade and it exploded in front of the trench. Rilen Taylor shot the marines and ducked as the marines fired on the trench. A Z-94 Hitler flew over and fired three rockets at the marines. They disappeared into the explosion. After the smoke cleared Braden looked down at the burnt marines, the grass on fire was extinguished as the Z-94 blasted out water. Braden looked down the hill; about a few hundred Confederates were walking down Montezuma. With the choppers above their heads they stormed effortlessly through the houses. A tank drove behind the Confederate troops with Herman Vasen sending propaganda messages and demanding the surrender of U.S forces. Braden turned to Aidan and said. “You keep watch.” Then laid down and went to sleep. Except for the tanks headlights and the Confederate flashlights, the entire city was in darkness.

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Chapter Four

"Demoralize the enemy from within by surprise, terror, sabotage, assassination. This is the war of the future."-Adolph Hitler

2-21-08 08:14
Pueblo, Colorado
Frontline, U.S outpost

“Fire,” A marine shouted as a squad of Confederates approached. Mark Sullivan opened fire on the C.S troops while the A.M shelled them with grenades. A few of them were able to throw the grenades back but a lot of them were killed. One of the confederates fired a grenade launcher, killing a marine and a group of militia. A Z-94 flew over and obliterated the American position. “Fallback,” Bill yelled as he fired a stinger missile at the chopper. It exploded but the Z-94 Hitler was unaffected. “Fallback,” He repeated. Artillery from the C.S exploded nearby. Mark heard an A.M curse as he ran. The group ran toward a house on the hill and smashed the door down. Mark jumped as a dog ran out the door. They went in. “How many left?” Mark asked. “Seven Sir” Answered an A.M soldier who was introduced as Rolf. “Two marines five militia”
They moved to the windows and fired at some Confederates taking cover behind a small building. Another squad of C.S marines was shooting at them from a nearby house. Mark ran up the stairs to find a good sniping spot. He walked into the room and jumped as he saw a dead marine by the window. He knelt down and made the sign of the cross then he grabbed the radio. Mark pressed the button and spoke. “This is unit eight of Delta Company, the Confederates are taking the city, and we need evac.” He waited a few seconds for a response then said. “Hello? Command do you copy?”
Bill came up. “A radio? Having any luck?” He asked.
Mark answered. “No one there”
“Maybe it’s broken?” Bill suggested.
“No” Mark answered. “The radio is working fine, there is nobody there.”

2-20-08 08:24
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, bridge

Herman spoke into the loudspeaker as his tank rolled across the bridge. “You’re armies are crippled and your Air force gone. If you wish to live you will surrender immediately. There is no reason to keep fighting.” FU-38s flew over and bombed the area in front of the tanks. The C.S marines were breaking down doors and storming the houses. “Why do you continue to fight? Is it because you want to, or are you told to? I have read the recruitment contract.” Herman pulled out a piece of paper and read. “Without my consent, without my consent without my consent.” He paused. More jets flew over the city. “You are basically slaves. The difference between my troops and you is that they can quit anytime they want. They are fighting because they believe in the cause. You are fighting because you are told to.” Herman’s tank turned left and fired into the air. Herman looked up but didn’t see anything. A Confederate shouted up. “Sorry sir, wrong button.”
“Fire,” Herman turned his head then ducked into the tank as bullets passed overhead. He heard the tank turn then, boom. Herman looked outside and saw the destroyed house with the marines inside. The T-41 tanks were coming across the bridge. Herman’s tank turned and he saw his army bringing in hundreds of U.S prisoners. His radio turned on and he heard what seemed to be pilots talking. “Do I have secure airspace?”
“No, there is still U.S fighters in the area, you’ll have to wait or fly around, should I call in an escort?”
“Yeah sure, got to get this guy to Pueblo.”
A shell exploded. Herman ducked when he heard the sound. The tanks wheels broke down. Herman looked up and saw a house on a tall hill. He hopped out and grasped his SS-74. He fired onto the house as the tank opened fire. The T-41 wolfs that were crossing the bridge drove up in front of the broken down tank and blew away the house. Squads of Confederate troops climbed up the hill and the tanks stopped firing. Herman walked up the hill with a pistol drawn. A Z-95 Stewie flew toward the house.

2-21-08 08:28
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo

The two marines and three of the American Militia troops defended the hill. They fired down on the Confederates as they tried to climb the hill. Two of the A.M were shot as a Stewie flew over firing. Mark, Bill and Rolf kept shooting and keeping down the approaching Confederate soldiers till a Stewie fired a rocket onto the hill. Everything lit up and went black. Mark opened his eyes and everything was blurry. He saw Herman Vasen walking up the hill; Herman was the one responsible for all this. In anger he reached for his pistol, it wasn’t there. Mark looked to his right and saw his cousin Bill dead. Ralph was lying behind some rubble with a broken leg. Herman didn’t see him, and walked toward Mark with the pistol in his hand. Mark looked to Rolf as he pulled a pistol from holster. He threw it and the pistol slid across the ground, Mark picked it up quickly. He aimed squarely at Herman’s head. A gunshot went through the air and everything went black.

2-21-08 08:34
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo

Herman was shot. He felt the blood on his ear. A Confederate marine, a few yards behind him had just shot the American who almost killed him. Two more jet flew over the hill. He looked at the spot where the gun was thrown from; Herman walked over there and saw a wounded A.M soldier lying on the ground. Instead of shooting the soldier, Herman put away the pistol, knelt down and asked. “Do you surrender?” The A.M soldier’s eyes were on the dead soldier he had just got killed, he nodded.
Herman turned on the radio and spoke. “This is General Vasen, send a medic.”
“Right away sir.” Came the reply and he heard some Confederates coming up the hill.

2-21-08 10:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Confederate Outpost

Braden Ursick and his squad guarded a small building. The Confederate troops have almost completely won the battle, and from what he could hear on the radio they were winning the war two. Private Urioste walked up to him. “Want a carrot?” He asked.
“No thanks” Braden answered.
“Want a carrot?” He asked again.
“No thanks” Braden answered again.
“Eat the damn carrot!” He yelled.
Braden took the carrot and ate it. It was quiet for a second, and then Urioste asked. “Want a cucumber?” Taylor laughed.
A tank round hit in the field, next to the building. Rilen stopped laughing and she looked through the binoculars.  Dozens of tanks approached along with a few hundred marines. Braden turned to Richard Urioste and said. “Do we have air support?”
“No sir”
“Then fall back to the other outpost with the rest of the brigade.”
“Yes sir”
The tank fired again as the squad ran out the building and toward a confederate trench.  There were a few dozen Confederates holding the position and the rest of the army behind them.
There were thirty six Confederate soldiers as far as he could tell. The squad ducked into the trench and prepared for the attack. Braden walked up to a group of soldiers and asked who was in charge. A Confederate soldier, who was General Mick Gomez, said he was in charge.
“There are a few hundred tanks and soldiers coming from that direction.” Braden told him.
“Sir, sir” A confederate shouted to the general as he ran. “Herman is on the way to help.”
Braden climbed to the top part of the trench and fired his rifle at the approaching army. The U.S artillery open fired. Then the C.S open fired.
The army was stopping and the Americans were digging in. The tanks covered them by opening fire as the helicopters flew over them.
“I thought we took out their bloody Air force!” Someone shouted.
The helicopters retreated after firing their missiles. The Confederate troops sniped the U.S troops, inflicting a lot of casualties.
Two FU-38s flew over the trenches. Raul Lopez flew over and spotted three F-22s attempting to bomb the C.S position. He fired the guns on his plane as the Raptor flew up toward him.
The other FU-38 Redbird attacked one plane while he flew toward the other one. The jets zipped past each other and started circling. The F-22 got behind him and he knew he was trying to lock on. Raul spun his aircraft and dropped a few hundred feet. He then flew the FU-38 high into the air and tried to get behind the American jet.
The pilot in the enemy plane was good at this. He thought.
The F-22 got behind him and fired a sidewinder missile. Lopez spun the plane and popped flares, then made a sharp left turn. The missile followed the flares and veered off.
The Raptor attempted to get behind him but Raul got a lock on and fired a new DS-19 missile.
The pilot tried to stop it with flares but it didn’t work. The American pilot ejected as the missile slammed into the side of the plane blowing it in half.
An anti aircraft gun was set up and fire went up from the confederate side, destroying the remaining two American jets.

2-21-08 10:30
Pueblo, Colorado
Confederate States Civilian shelter

Henry Vasen sat at the table in the shelter. There were hundreds of people talking and the noise blocked out his thinking. Then the power must have come back on because the T.Vs in the room turned on. The room was silent. The room fell silent as a reporter spoke from a chopper.
“A small militia force has occupied the city of Pueblo and the U.S forces have been completely overthrown.” The pilot of the chopper started panicking. “The president has gone missing and-“
The T.V turned static, and then a blue screen came up saying it was having technical difficulties. Henry looked to his right and saw some C.S soldiers bringing food to the people.

2-21-08 10:31
Pueblo, Colorado
Confederate Trench

         
Captain Ursick fired a grenade launcher as a platoon of U.S soldiers rushed up to the trench. Seven of them fell, one flipping over, the remaining marines stopped and fired at his squad. T-41 tanks fired from behind the trench as the FU-38s dropped some cluster bombs onto the field. Seven M1 Abrams and two M2 Bradley tanks rolled into the trench almost crushing some C.S marines who jumped out of the way.
Braden jumped onto one of the tanks, he pulled out what looked like a small laser and cut open the tank’s hatch. He dropped a grenade in the tank and jumped off as the inside of the tank exploded.
The tanks rolled out of the trench and flanked the confederates. The American tanks destroyed the Confederate tanks and then focused their machine guns into the trench. The marines fired into the trench from the other side. The confederates were surrounded.
The thirty six C.S soldiers in the trench were reduced to twenty eight, then twenty four, then “boom!” Several more explosions followed and a tank hit a ramp and jumped over the trench. Braden felt dizzy as the explosions knocked him off his feet. Then he heard a voice. “Get up soldier” He felt someone pull him back to his feet and then put the gun back in his hand. His sight returned, it was Herman.
“We got a battle to win.” He said grasping his SS-74 and climbing out of the trench. Braden followed and so did the rest of the Confederates.
Dozens of FU-38s, Stewies, and Z-95 Hitlers flew toward the U.S army bombing away. There was barely anything left by the time Herman and the Confederate army got there. A few dozen marines threw down their guns and surrendered.
The Confederates cheered the victory and started chanting. “Herman, Herman.” One of the C.S soldiers put his hand out and said. “Heil Herman.” Everyone laughed at this as Herman stood from the tank and drove away in triumph.

2-21-08 10:50
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo News

The news reporter sat at the desk and started speaking. “Another defeat by the American Army today when the Confederate military successfully defended a trench leading to the city of Pueblo, over a thousand U.S deaths and a few marines captured.” The reporter turned to the other reporter and said “back to you.”
“Thank you” The other reporter spoke. “This just in” A picture of Herman Vasen appeared on the corner of the screen. “It seems the person behind this, C.S army, is Herman Vasen.
A video played. Herman was standing in a meeting broadcasting a message. “This war is necessary; the government has not been handling the economy, has forced taxes on you, and has gotten you into an unnecessary war. When I become dictator of this county, you will not have to worry about taxes, war will soon come to an end and the economy will be greater than ever. Life will be easier.” Herman Vasen disappeared replaced by the reporter.

2-21-08 12:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Avondale U.S machine gun position

“Open fire!” A marine shouted as Confederate squads approached. Tony Ross ducked and fired at the American that just fired. Ryan Durant hid behind a tree as the C.S marines approached the bridge. The tree got cut in half as U.S and A.M forces fired their machine guns. A tank fired a missile over the bridge, it detonated and the Americans were gone, the bridge was still intact.
Two jets flew over and bombed behind the bridge before they could move forward. Two T-41 wolves crossed the bridge and held position. Thirty Z-95 Hitlers flew into Avondale dropping off soldiers as the other Confederates pushed into the town. Ryan and Tony hid behind a tank as it moved forward. When the house they were going to attack came in sight they rushed from the tank to the window of the house.
Durant shot the window and threw in a flash bang. Then he jumped in and shot the two marines inside. Tony jumped in the window. The two Confederate soldiers then checked the hallway.
A door opened and a gun fired at them. They ducked and took cover but calmed down when they realized the U.S marine couldn’t see them. Durant got a remote control car from his pocket and taped it to a flash bang grenade to it. He drove the car through the door and “Bam!”
The flashbang exploded, Tony kicked the door down and shot the marine. The RC was in half. Tony picked up the two halves and said to Ryan. “Look what happened.” He laughed, then picked up his gun and helped Ryan check the other rooms. They came out of the hallway but quickly dashed back into the rooms as M16 gunfire came from the kitchen.
Tony waited until the marine stopped to reload then came out of hiding and fire two shots into the marine.
“Area secure” Tony said.
Ryan got up and walked into the kitchen, “I’m getting too old for this” He grumbled. Tony followed him to the fridge kicking the body of the dead marine, not hard, but enough to check if he was dead. More gunfire echoed outside. They found some snickers in the fridge along with some leftover chicken. The noise outside was getting louder and louder. They quickly put the food in their packs and rushed outside.
They headed for the house across the street. They shot open the door and kicked it open. There wasn’t anyone there. They moved left into a living room and then checked the hallway. The house was clear. They checked what looked like a garage. Tony carefully looked out the window. He looked outside and saw some marines falling back into a nearby building.
Ryan tackled Tony as he saw gun pop out of the attic, and nearly got out of the way as it open fired. Tony, surprised, saw the gunmen and fired eight shots from his pistol into the attic. The gunfire stopped.
Tony jumped at the voice behind him. “No!” It shouted. He spun around and broke the marine’s neck, then looked down at the body. It was only a kid. Ryan checked the attic, the gunman in the attic wasn’t  a marine, it was a civilian. Tony threw up.

2-21-08
Pueblo, Colorado
Freed Middle School

Three hundred troops guarded the middle school. Herman sat at the desk with three other generals running the battle. The maps were spread out and marked either good or bad. Herman was explaining. “Keep bombarding this position to keep them pinned down, then after Avondale is taken, move up this road, not this one, and take Pueblo West.” Herman began telling them which troops to use. “-and then”
“Sir” A C.S soldier walked in. “Thirty Blackhawks have been spotted, they are heading here.”
Herman stood up and walked over to the window and said into a loudspeaker. “Enemy air assault, take cover”
The Confederate troops were everywhere one second and then nowhere in sight the next. Herman closed the blinds and the whole area was quiet. Then he heard the choppers.
“Enemy in sight” A Confederate whispers into the radio. The marines got off by rope as they slid out of the choppers and then the choppers circled the area. Herman counted eight marines who came out of one of the choppers. Herman looked to another General and said. “What’s eight times thirty?”
The General thought for a moment and said. “Two hundred and forty sir”
The marines moved from the cemetery hill to the school, about fifty came from the football field. Seven FU-38s flew over and bombed the marines, and some missiles slammed into the choppers knocking them out of the sky. Then the C.S soldiers came out of hiding and captured the remaining marines. No shots were fired and they had won. Herman looked to the other generals and said. “That’s why air superiority is important.”

2-21-08 13:30
Pueblo, Colorado
Pioneer Cemetery

Sam Ting pointed his gun at the dead marines as he cautiously moved forward reaching down to turn him over. The marine was dead for sure, he thought, still afraid one of these psychos would suicide bomb him. He looked down at the dead marine and saw he was completely blown apart. Sam Ting calmed down and lowered his weapon.
“Find anyone alive?” Sam asked.
His sergeant, Ray Ting was his brother. Ray Ting kicked over a body and said. “Everyone over here is dead.” He checked another body. “Jets completely wiped em out.” A few Confederate Soldiers a few feet away checked bodies by a large tombstone.
Sam Ting, while checking some bodies heard a yell.
“USA!!!” A marine shouted, then an explosion. His ears were ringing and he heard faint yelling. Everything was blurry and then his sight went green. He closed his eyes then opened them. The grass was the only thing he saw. He got up off the ground and looked up. A marine had just used a grenade to kill the five C.S soldiers that were by the tombstone. Sam Ting got to his feet, tracked the marine and filled him full of lead. There was a chopper with a red cross sticker landed in the cemetery.
“You okay Ray?”
“Ray?”
“I’m fine, I’m okay, I’m-oh shit!”
Ray tackled Sam as the bullets hit the spot he had just been standing in. Sam got up and spotted the marine. The American was in a large building on the hill. Ray got up and started firing at the marine. A Z-95 flew in front of the building and completely destroyed the top floor and several of the windows on the building. Sam Ting and Ray ran into the building.
“You check right, I check left” Sam said.
“Got it” Ray responded.
They went from room to room checking for the marine until they got to the, what used to be, the top floor.
Ray walked further ahead; Sam Ting was checking another part of the building. Ray turned a corner.
“Raaagh!” The American tackled him to the ground and started choking him. Ray punched his chin and the American let go, and then he swung at his head knocking him off.
The American got up and tried to knife him but Ray gave a straight punch at his throat, his other hand restraining the knife. Ray knocked him out.
“I found him.” Ray said.
Sam rushed over but slowed down when he saw the unconscious marine. A helicopter flew in and picked up the marine. Sam Ting looked up at the sky; he saw a smoke trail go up into the air. A radio broadcast came from the chopper. “Uh sir, we got a problem, over”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter five

"Thinking destroys Faith, and vice versia" -Unknown

2-21-08 13:35
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A HQ

Herman Vasen stepped into the room. “What is it?” He said.
The Generals in the room turn to him. Kenny Wayne, a commander told him. “Our troops have just spotted a U.S missile launch.”
Herman jumped when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and saw a messenger. “You scared the hell out of me, what is that?” Herman pointed to the video tape in the Confederates hand.
“I’m a messenger so this is a message.” He put the video tape into the large screen in the room. A U.S general appeared and started talking. “As you have noticed, there is a missile in the air. That my friend is a doomsday nuke, it will hit and kill everyone on Earth in twenty minutes, you until then to throw down your arms and surrender power back to the Americans.” The General disappeared when the screen went off.
“What now?” Kenny asked. Herman thought for a moment and said. “Where’s Echo Squad?”

2-21-08 13:37
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Carson

“Can’t this thing go any faster?” One Confederate yelled over the choppers rotors. The U.S anti aircraft guns fired at them as they tried to land on the airfield. Several jets bombed the ground before they landed. Four C.S marines came out of the Z-95. The Z-95 flew towards a building nearby and dropped off sixteen more marines.
“Seventeen minutes left sir” A confederate who preferred to be called Satan said.
The Captain, Max Ryan, fired two shots at a U.S soldier. “Move up and secure the door.” Max ordered. Satan kicked down the door and checked inside. He heard his Captain and two other C.S behind him. “Clear,” Satan said as he cleared the hallway. “Launch room’s this way.”
“Sixteen minutes sir.”
They ran down a hall and into a drill floor. A hundred U.S troops opened fire on them. “Sh-t! not this way!”
“Go around!”
They went down a different hallway and turned another corner. He fired two shots at a few marines, and then hid behind the corner.
“Not good.”
“Fourteen minutes sir”
Satan turned the corner and shot the four marines guarding the door. “Alright, Satan unlock the door.” He stepped to the side of the door and started typing in a code.
“Hold on, hold on, doors open lets go”
Satan picked up his gun and opened the door. The Confederates went down at least seven staircases before they reached the bottom. The hallway leading to the door was almost a hundred yards long. There were thirty bullet proof glass doors in front.
“Ten minutes left”
“I can’t unlock all those”
A Confederate behind him spoke. “You won’t have to”
Satan looked behind him, the marine pulled out a GMG-79. It was a machine gun that fires grenades at a high rate. He set it up, put his hand on the trigger, “Get back” He said then after the C.S marines cleared, he pulled the trigger and the gun went off. The doors were completely blown away.
“Seven minutes”
“Almost there”
The roar of the gun stopped.
“Let’s go”
“Six minutes”
“HQ, this Max Ryan, did you get the abort codes?”
A voice came over the radio. “It was tough but we got em, uploading codes to Satan’s helmet.”
The squad ran like hell to the door.
“Four minutes, I’ll need at least two to enter the codes.” The door opened. The control room had the General and two marines. Satan shot the two marines but the General duck and came back up with a remote.
“Stop or I detonate this”
“Three minutes” Said a C.S marine.
Satan aimed his gun but didn’t fire. “If I release this we’re all dead.” A Confederate States marine aimed a pistol at him and shot the remote then shot the General.
“Enter the codes!” He said.
“But how-?” Satan started.
“Enter the codes the marine shouted again. Satan entered the codes Wolf Squadron Echo stood silent for two minutes as Satan typed in the code. “Stand by.”
“Standby” The radio said again. “The missile has been disabled.”
Satan and the other three C.S marines breathed again with relief. Satan turned to the C.S who shot the remote, “How did you shoot him without killing everyone?” He asked.
The marine pulled out the gun and said. “It’s an EMP pistol, standard issue.” Satan took the gun and looked at it.
“Why didn’t I get one?” He chuckled then handed the gun back.

2-21-08 13:55
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A HQ

Herman cheered with the rest of his Generals when they saw the missile disabled. Herman’s smile disappeared when he looked at the screen. Echo squad had disabled the nuke, but now they were trapped in Fort Carson with hundreds of U.S troops.
“The world didn’t end, so get back to work!” Herman returned to the laptop giving orders to the troops. “We still got troops behind enemy lines.”
Then he heard someone yell. “Our troops have taken Avondale!” Herman heard cheering, finally some good news.
Herman got up and motioned to another General. “You take over.” Herman walked out of the room.

2-21-08 13:57
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Carson

Satan, Max, Tim and Al, the four Confederates started to leave. Then loud footsteps came down the staircases. “Sir” Tim started.
Satan opened fire on the first American to come down the stairs. He fell backwards as the marines rushed down and opened fired.
The C.S troops were pinned down as the marines rushed forward.
“Close the door.” Max shouted.
Satan pushed the door closed and the marines stopped shooting.
“Beep”
“What was that?” Tim asked.
“Beeeep, beep”
Satan shouted. “Sh-t! They’re unlocking the door!”
“Beep, beep”
“Beep” The unlocked and the C.S marines shoved the door closed.
“Al, get something to block the door.”
Al pushed a metal desk in front of the door, Tim moved out of the way so it wouldn’t crush him.
“There’s a hundred troops behind this door, get more stuff!”
Al grabbed a bunch of computers and stacked it in front of the door.
“Tim, find another way out.”
Tim pulled some pictures of the Fort Carson base out of his pocket and flipped till he found the one in the launch room.
“What’s that?” Max shouted from the door.
“The pictures Herman took of Fort Carson” He answered then turned Max’s direction and said. “Found it.”
“Found what?” Al asked.
“The way out” He answered. Tim moved over to a wall, pushing aside a desk revealing a hatch, he opened it and they could see a tunnel.
Al kept his gun at the door. They started to crawl through but Al interrupted. “Uh Sir?”
“What?” Max answered.
Al explained. “That door ain’t going to hold forever and if they break through before we get out, then one bullet is all there are going to need kill us all.”
Max thought about it for a second. “Everyone except Tim, turn in your armor, Al get some string or wire.”
The door was moving a little as Max tied the bulletproof vest together and tied it to a string.
“Tim, you go first, then Al, then Satan, then-“ The marines slammed against the door. “Then me, go.”

They went through the door as Max tied the bundle to his shoe and went through. The bundle of armor blocked the tunnel as they crawled as fast as they could to the end of it. They heard the door burst open behind them and then bullets started hitting the vest.
“Great idea Max” Satan yelled. “But do they have to be that loud?”
“Sir?” Tim asked. What if they use 50 cal.?”
“Relax Tim,” Satan assured him. “Those are Dragon Skin vest; it’ll take two grenades to break them things.”
“A fifty cal. Machine gun fired into the tunnel after them. They were about fifty yards from the exit when Al asked. “Tim, where’s that grenade machine gun at?”
Everyone stopped.
“Hurry!” Tim yelled.
The squad moved twice as fast down the tunnel. Max untied the bundle of armor and pulled out a small spray can. The can’s logo said TAF Sticky Spray. He sprayed it onto the wall and bundle, and then crawled quickly through the tunnel. They were twenty yards from the exit when fifty Cal. stopped.
“Hurry up!” Tim repeated.
Tim had remembered the EMP gun. He pulled out the pistol and passed it to Al. Al passed it to Max. Max took it and kept crawling. He stopped and Tim past the last Dragon Skin armor down to Max.
The GMG-79 opened fire. After it broke through the bundle he fired the gun down the tunnel several times. The gunshots rang through his ears and one shot busted the armor. The shooting stopped. Max looked at Tim and said. “Electrical gun?”
Tim nodded.
They were ten yards away from the exit when a few more shots went through the tunnel. A few bullets ricocheted of the walls. Tim shouted. “Aw sh-t!”
Satan felt a bullet rush by his head and strike Tim in the leg.
Max aimed his small machine gun at the end of the tunnel and fired. The squad reached the end of the tunnel. Satan pulled out a radio and a GPS.
“Al give the coordinates and order an airstrike.” Satan said handing Al the devices.
“Yes Sir.”
Satan opened the hatch and climbed out. He pulled Tim out then Al climbed out. They secured the room.
Satan looked around, “Where’s Max?”
Al looked into the tunnel. Max was duck taping the trigger on the machine gun then crawled out.
“Air strikes on their way Sir, three cluster bombs, and then a run to the chopper.”
Max stood by a ladder and said. “Up the ladder.”

2-21-08 14:05
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Fort Carson

The first group of jets, three FU-38s flew over the buildings and dropped cluster bombs onto the building. Two more groups flew over and bombed the area around the building.
Back on the ground, a hatch opened. Al climbed out first.
“Interesting theory Tim” He said.
Tim climbed out next.
“That would mean pain is nothing more than a signal to tell you something is wrong, if you know that something is wrong and there is nothing you can do about it, then you can dismiss it.”
Satan climbed out next, he was exhausted. “Thank the devil for boot camp eh?”
Max climbed out equally tired. “I hear that.”
They started to secure the area but there was nothing left. A Stewie flew over and landed next to where the squad came out. They got into the chopper and it flew off.

2-21-08 14:10
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo, Colorado

An American Flag went down as the wind died down. Chandler Byrne fired three more shots as the Confederate troops made their way up the hill. There was a squad of U.S marines on the hill, defending well, from what Herman could see. Herman Vasen knew his troops had been fighting for three days straight. Herman decided his troops needed a morale boost.
He whispered to a C.S marine and he grabbed a flag. The marine quickly gathered a squad and charged the hill. Both sides yelled as the U.S marines tried to counter charge, but the Confederates cut down the U.S marines. The Americans fell as the marine holding the Confederate flag shot the pole holding the U.S flag.
The American flag fell as the Confederate flag rose.
Herman smiled as his troops cheered.

2-21-08 15:01
Pueblo, Colorado
C.S.A HQ

John Freeny argued. “They would not do something like that.”
“I do not think you understand the mentality of patriotic Americans, they are crazy, nuts, wacko, psycho.”
Herman looked to the rest of the Generals. “Which is why, not of these extremist should ever get hold of a nuclear weapon. I request that we should capture the nukes before the President signs the treaty.
“Done” A messenger came in the room. “The nukes are captured.”
“Sir” A radio came on. “The President has arrived.”
Herman pressed the button on the radio.
“Good, send him in.”
The U.S President walked in and sat at the table, the treaty already signed by the Confederate Commanders and Herman, was on the table. Herman sat down. The president took the paper and picked up the pen. He looked worried.
“Before I sign this, what will happen to the country?”
Herman replied solidly. “You will not regret this.”

2-22-08 15:00
Washington D.C, Maryland
The White house

The White house was crowded with people while Herman gave his speeches.
“All members of the former U.S Army, Air Force, and Navy will be able to leave or retire if they choose, all laws requiring age limits are from now till ever, abolished. The war here, and in the middle East is over.”
Herman stopped as the people cheered. He waited for them to stop then continued his speech. “The States of Alaska and Hawaii are now independent countries, U.S bases in other countries are no more. As Dictator of the Confederate States of America, I will work to end was completely.”
More cheering came from the crowds but some people looked confused. But the cheering still blocked out the meek sounds of the protesters.
“I am very proud of the C.S troops for liberating the American people from the U.S government. It was an honor to serve side by side with Wolf Squadron. Many of these men I owe my life to. Just give me five to six months and I’ll do what your former government couldn’t do and have the economy up and better than ever.

2-22-08 15:10
Washington D.C, Maryland
Near the White house

“Hurry up.” The first boy whispered down to the other as he climbed up the roof.
“Here take this.” The boy on the bottom said, shoving a sniper rifle into the first boy’s hands. Then he climbed up.
“John, set the gun up there.” The kid who looked fifteen said.
“Got it Andy” Said John.
Andy looked about fourteen. John laid down looking through the scope of the sniper rifle. Andy lay down with the binoculars in hand. They could both see the C.S Dictator. Andy took his eyes off the binoculars and looked at John. He saw two flashes of red light run across him!
He looked at one of those lights and, it was a ladybug. He laughed quietly to himself looking through the binoculars.

2-22-08 15:11
Washington D.C, Maryland
The White house

“Taxes are no more, do not ask how, it will be taken care of.” He kept talking for a while then he completed his speech. After he stopped talking, some guns went off displaying fireworks.

2-22-08 16:00
Washington D.C, Maryland
Near the White House

John aimed the scope of the rifle squarely at Herman’s head. “Got a shot”
Andy looked though the binoculars and said.
“Fire”
An explosion went off over their heads. The roof of the building was gone.


2-22-08 17:00
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo

The Confederate convoy moved through the streets. Now unlike during the war the city was crowded. People were everywhere.
The C.S marines were now acting as law enforcement till Herman could get the economy sorted out.
Braden Ursick sat at one of the 20mm guns mounted on top of the armored truck. Taylor was driving. Private Urioste sat shotgun. He looked at each of the civilians as the truck drove by. The convoy came to a red light.
Urioste saw a civilian with a smile on his face disappear, he got up out of a chair and quickly went inside. The crowds of people rushed around quickly, in minutes the street, the sidewalks, everything was empty.
Urioste raised his gun instinctively. Braden, on top of the truck knew something was wrong. The light turned green.
“Bam!”
The side of the truck exploded tipping it over. Braden was thrown off.
“Aw F#ck!” Urioste cursed. “Get on the radio and call a chopper.”
“Yes sir” Taylor said as she turned on the radio. “This is supply truck 552; an IED has just hit the side of our truck, requesting reinforcements.”
The radio reply came on. “What for? The IED has exploded already.”
“Listen here.” Urioste grabbed the radio. “I am an Iraq Veteran and the streets only clear like that when-“
Gun fire interrupted him.
The radio responded. “Sending emergency forces, and convoys 562 and 532 to help.”
“Sound off!” Rilen Taylor shouted.
“Urioste here”
“Morgan here”
“Bernard here”
“Where are McClain and Ursick?” Taylor asked.
“Braden and McClain were on the top.” Bernard said. “I saw them get down.”
They took a second to take in the news then Taylor said. “We will stay here till reinforcements arrive, this truck is completely bullet proof, it is completely safe.”
Private Morgan looked out the window and said. “I hope its fire proof.”
Taylor looked out the window. She saw a beer bottle filled with gasoline, a cotton swab stuffed into it lit on fire coming at them.
“Sh#t.” Taylor cursed as the bottle smashed and sent flames into the front of the trucks.
“Get the fire extinguisher! Hurry!” Taylor shouted.
Morgan attempted to put the fire out as Taylor kept thinking of a way to get the squad out. If they opened the door the fire would spread in that direction and kill them, but even if they did get out they would get gunned down like their Captain. Rilen looked out the window and saw a truck, a pickup truck, coming down the street toward them.
It stopped and civilians with guns jumped out.
Not good, Taylor thought, but then the civilians started shooting not at them but at the gunmen.
A small two seater car pulled up and both of those people got out with fire extinguishers to put out the flames. The flames were put out and C.S marines crawled out of the truck. Rilen looked at the cheering civilians and turned as Urioste said. “Win the hearts and minds, eh?”
Herman was right.
The reinforcements got there but were no longer required. The people had helped them already. Urioste walked up to the trucks and said. “You’re late!”