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Post by texican on Aug 23, 2018 22:03:40 GMT -6
Ya don't want to be cruel to the birds, dispatch 'em humanely.... choke your chicken before you load out
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Post by 2t2crash on Sept 8, 2018 21:38:55 GMT -6
I havent abandoned you all and the story isn't done! My muse gave me the finger for quite some time, but she's begrudgingly getting her ass back in gear. to satisfy the MOAR zombies here's the beginning of the next chapter.
25.
As soon as the McCoy Tactical Operations Center had received a Warning Order from Camp Petry about the incoming USSA forces the camp went into overdrive gearing up. While the recall was given for 1st platoon 2nd Platoon and 3rd Platoon had both been busy preparing for war. LTs Rich, Jake and Brady had gathered to discuss a plan of action over the large map of Salmon Pass that Colonel Simms had placed on his intel table in anticipation of planning meeting. Colonel Simms had ended up as a combination of roles by performing what was traditionally known as S3 (planning) and S2 (intel) positions, he ended up just being called the Operations Officer.
The old man approached the table to fill in the three Junior Officers. “Here’s what we got, this information is about 15 minutes old so keep that in mind. Intelligence sources in Puyallup observed the armored column moving down Highway 410 by Lake Tapps heading south at about 25 miles per hour. Total count was two T-80 MBTs, four BDM-3 IFVs plus six HMMVWs and six troop carriers 5-ton trucks. The troop carriers had their canvas covers over the bed, so a troop count was not possible but at minimum you are looking at 100 infantry.” Rich cut in, obviously agitated. “Colonel how the f*** does the Army expect two light infantry platoons to stop two tanks and four BDMs? This isn’t like mowing down rag-heads in technicals, who by the way were a pain in the ass on their own. A suicide run is not in the books for my platoon!”
“Lieutenant McCierney I understand your concern, frankly the Army has its own problem because an entire damn tank battalion is heading at them along I-90. Take it from me son, facing armor when you have none is not enjoyable… I know from experience. If this column gets through you nothing will stop them from hitting the town and all our families. If you think they will take it easy on civilians you are wrong. The USSA has already razed towns up and down the coast if it was even thought they were harboring anti-socialist forces.”
Jake cut in “Okay, so we bring every anti-tank weapon we have and hit them at the switchbacks like we did before.”
“No.”
“No? Colonel, Sir… do you have a better idea?”
Colonel Simms sighed and looked at the map and pointed at the peak of the pass. “This was where you hit them before, it worked against un-trained troops in unarmored vehicles, but it is very close together, has open space for easy targeting and the armor will roll right up on you while have use of their main guns at point blank range.” The Colonel traced his finger down the road another mile and tapped a point. “Right here. This old access trail heads to the top of the ridge. Get all vehicles behind it and use the steep cliff face 100 yards west as a barrier. You’ll have clear shots for a mile up and a mile down your ambush point. If you space the platoons so one attacks the tail of the column and the other is positioned to hit the front, you’ll have them confused and stuck. Think less like conventional military and more like insurgents on this one”. Jake nodded his head. “Attack the rear first and get the big guns to traverse back, then hit their front. Tanks first, then APCs, then mop up. It’s a sound plan, and it is gaming out easy, but one fuckup, one misfire from us or one round from the tanks and we could be fucked.”
Simms looked at the two Lieutenants for a second. “Then don’t suck.”
Rich burst into laughter. “Jesus Christ, Pops. You sure have a way of words. Alright. Well let’s see. We have three Javelin launchers plus a dozen rounds, two dozen AT4’s, a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle and some other shit we’ve either been given, stolen from the Army when they weren’t looking or pulled off the dead we’ve killed. Overwhelm them with rockets. God this fucking sucks!”
Simms gave a flat look. “It is what it is boys, time to act like Lieutenants. Go brief your platoons.”
Jake looked at Rich as they walked out. “I guess we gotta look confused and lost as we approach?”
“Something like that.”
The Colonel shakes his head and thinks to himself with a smile. “Damn Mustang officers.”
As the two men walk towards their gathered men Retired Gunnery Sergeant William Latour takes quick notice. “Gunny” Latour spent his career in the deserts of the Middle East fighting as an 0311 Rifleman until an RPG cost him a leg and an early retirement. Rather than let it overwhelm him he owned it and fought tooth and nail to become so proficient with his prosthetic limb that most didn’t even realize he had one. After a three-year fight trying to get back into the Corps he was finally told that there was basically no way in hell he was re-entering the military. To fill his time, he turned his focus towards training the local ROTC as well as teaching carbine and pistol courses to civilians. When the call had gone out for volunteers to fill the ranks of the Triple M he had been the first one to show up at the top of the hill. Now he was Jake’s mentor and right-hand man.
Latour nudged 2nd Platoons top NCO and nodded at the pair then walked ten feet to his right and yelled out. “Third Platoon…. FALL IN!”
2nd Platoon’s PSG moved to the left and did the same. “Second Platoon, Fall In!”. Sergeant Richie Lightfeather was a 6’ 3” tall man who took great pride in being ¾ Cherokee. Lightfeather had joined the US Army after graduating high school 10 years earlier. After serving as an infantryman for six years he had decided to call it quits and settle in Eastern Washington near the Yakima area where he used to train. Richie had been assigned to Second Platoon because he and Lt. McCeirney had hit it off so quickly, his three combat tours and CIB carried plenty of weight as well. The two provided Second Platoon with the most experienced combat leadership of the Company and it always showed during the field exercises that were conducted.
The sixty some odd men fell into formation in front of their respective platoon sergeants and stood at attention. As Rich and Jake split and approached their platoons both were met with salutes and reports from their sergeants that all were accounted for.
After both platoons were put at ease they were directed to standby as the squad leaders and platoon sergeants held their briefing. “Smoke them if you got them and don’t go far. We expect members of First Platoon to start rolling in so direct them to their assembly area.
Rich and Jake stood surrounded by their squad leaders. Rich began the briefing.
“Listen up because we don’t have time to f*** around here. This is the situation: the fucking commies to our West have received some serious support from the Russians and probably China as well and have begun an all-out push to the East. Most assets are rolling down I-90 to face off against the Army, be glad we aren’t them. However, a much smaller force is slowly moving towards Salmon Pass.” Rich paused to spit some of the juice out from the ever-present dip in his lip. “What we are facing will be a medium sized armored column including two Russian tanks, four BDMs and a dozen Hummers and troop trucks. Our job is to destroy them to a man and protect our town.” Rich paused and looked around as the information sunk in.
“Second and Third Platoon will be working together on this one. The plan is to bring as many rockets, missiles and anti-armor weapons we can and hit them from an elevated position along a straight section of the road in. The tanks are on both ends of the column and will be the primary targets, followed by the BDM’s. If we don’t take them out as fast as we can we’re fucked. Any questions so far?”
Sergeant Lightfeather spoke up. “Sir do we have any artillery or air support?”
Rich shook his head. “No. All of the Army’s big guns have been pushed to stop the advancing Russian tank unit moving down I-90, if there are any air assets available it has not been made known to us. Mortar rounds won’t help us on this one, El Tee Brady will be setting up the 120mm Mortars the next ridge over so he can plaster the road into town in case it is needed.”
Jake took over the briefing. “Each platoon gets a Javelin launcher with 5 missiles and 15 AT-4 rockets. My platoon takes the Karl-G and 3rd Platoon takes the RPG launcher and rockets we have courtesy of the FACA. While we don’t expect any trouble on the way to the site we want .50s and M-19s on the vehicles and we will need to bring tripods for two of the Ma Deuces so that we can set them up if a suitable spot is found. SLs take smoke grenades and make sure your grenadiers have plenty of 40mm rounds for their 203’s. I want shit done and everyone assembled back here in 20 minutes.”
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Post by texican on Sept 8, 2018 22:22:39 GMT -6
2t2,
Nice warm up chapter to the next violent encounter....
Thanks,
Texican....
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Post by 2t2crash on Sept 8, 2018 22:33:49 GMT -6
2t2, Nice warm up chapter to the next violent encounter.... Thanks, Texican.... I have created a bunch of bloodthirsty MOARHounds haven't I?
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Post by htfiremedic on Sept 8, 2018 23:21:46 GMT -6
BRING it on!!!!!
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Post by texican on Sept 9, 2018 13:05:21 GMT -6
2t2, Nice warm up chapter to the next violent encounter.... Thanks, Texican.... I have created a bunch of bloodthirsty MOARHounds haven't I? YEP.... And we love it.... Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Sept 9, 2018 19:38:37 GMT -6
2t2, Nice warm up chapter to the next violent encounter.... Thanks, Texican.... I have created a bunch of bloodthirsty MOARHounds haven't I? Yeah, ain't it grand? Speakin' just for myself, moron might be more appropriate, but I guess MOARhounds will do.
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Post by 2t2crash on Sept 20, 2018 3:17:32 GMT -6
A quick note: the story is not abandoned, I've just been busy as hell lately and now have guests in the house... The guest room is also the office. I will hopefully have more in a couple of weeks or less and I beg your forgiveness.
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Post by texican on Sept 20, 2018 9:02:22 GMT -6
A quick note: the story is not abandoned, I've just been busy as hell lately and now have guests in the house... The guest room is also the office. I will hopefully have more in a couple of weeks or less and I beg your forgiveness. 2T2, Enjoy your guests and a rest from the labors of being an author.... Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 20, 2018 12:18:07 GMT -6
A quick note: the story is not abandoned, I've just been busy as hell lately and now have guests in the house... The guest room is also the office. I will hopefully have more in a couple of weeks or less and I beg your forgiveness. That's why you need a laptop and you need a local library that has rooms available. One of our county's Regional Libraries is maybe 2 miles away and you can reserve a "study room" by the hour - no charge, you just have to get in line. Most days, there is no line ;-) The library has power available and free wifi. You can't bring in beverages other than water, but the study rooms are quieter than being at home. People in the State Capital may look down their noses at this county but we have an excellent library system, the roads are maintained batter than there and the county water system plans maintenance for the long term - the water mains around us were replaced at age 35.
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Post by 2t2crash on Oct 9, 2018 23:58:38 GMT -6
Next chapter almost ready for you all, I should have it up tomorrow. Also the next four weekends will be spent hunting, I'll do my best to keep the MOAR hounds fed but I'll actually be in the locations the story is based around. hopefully I can shoot an elk this year.
Thankyou all for your patience.
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Post by texican on Oct 10, 2018 0:23:59 GMT -6
Next chapter almost ready for you all, I should have it up tomorrow.Also the next four weekends will be spent hunting, I'll do my best to keep the MOAR hounds fed but I'll actually be in the locations the story is based around. hopefully I can shoot an elk this year. Thank you all for your patience. 2t2, Another chapter tomorrow will be great.... Now there are a few things that take precedent over writing new chapters for the moar hounds and hunting, if not number 1, is close to the top.... Years ago, I was talking to a fellow that I had business dealings with that lived in the sticks in Tennessee and he was sitting in his deer blind which he told me was 5 minutes from his home by four wheeler.... I knew then that hunting out of the back door would be one of the requirements when we bought our next place.... We are lucky since the wife and I both hunt as well as the rest of the family since we can now walk out multiple doors in our home to go hunting on our place.... Get that elk and while you eat elk steak think about us poor souls that have to settle for deer, hog, squirrel, rabbit, turkey and quail to hunt and eat.... Texican....
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Post by 2t2crash on Oct 10, 2018 2:32:20 GMT -6
Thanks Texican. I wish I had a place I could hunt and target shoot right off the porch!
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 10, 2018 13:25:09 GMT -6
If I use the quiet Crosman pump pellet pistol or the scoped pellet rifle and limit the quarry to squirrel and rabbit, I can hunt from the back porch and my wife seldom notices ;-) I'd need to use something more powerful for the occasional not-yet-mature baggus underwearus that I see on the road but they are slow moving potential varmints now and potential predators when SHTF. Keep your eyes open and your powder dry. --- My thoughts are with the people in the immediate path of Hurricane Michael. My wife and I were discussing earlier today that we were likely better prepared than many of the people there for the NO power, NO water, NO grocery stores, NO <insert dozens of things> aftermath of a major weather event. We won't have hurricane force winds in our forecast but the NOAA maps (go explore www.nhc.noaa.gov/ ) appear to show us with a 30% or so chance of tropical storm force winds (>39MPH). The local weather forecast currently has us getting 3+ inches of rain from now through tomorrow morning - and we know that's subject to change as the storm moves over land and probably slows its forward movement. Remember Florence almost "standing still" and 20" of rain in places? We're about 1000' above sea level (and more than 100' above the nearest creek) so we wouldn't see flooding even with 20" of rain but the associated wind and the softening of the soil would lead to downed trees, blocked roads and power outages. Other than a tree coming down on the house, we could live "almost normal" for several weeks and "camping in" for much longer. Go check www.weather.com for the hourly weather for your zip code.
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Post by texican on Oct 10, 2018 19:08:08 GMT -6
If I use the quiet Crosman pump pellet pistol or the scoped pellet rifle and limit the quarry to squirrel and rabbit, I can hunt from the back porch and my wife seldom notices ;-) PP2, Introduce your better half to plinking with the pellet gun and let her win consitently and she will learn to out shoot you.... Texican....
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Post by 2t2crash on Oct 11, 2018 18:42:44 GMT -6
25.
As soon as the McCoy Tactical Operations Center had received a Warning Order from Camp Petry about the incoming USSA forces the camp went into overdrive gearing up. While the recall was given for 1st platoon 2nd Platoon and 3rd Platoon had both been busy preparing for war. LTs Rich, Jake and Brady had gathered to discuss a plan of action over the large map of Salmon Pass that Colonel Simms had placed on his intel table in anticipation of planning meeting. Colonel Simms had ended up as a combination of roles by performing what was traditionally known as S3 (planning) and S2 (intel) positions, he ended up just being called the Operations Officer.
The old man approached the table to fill in the three Junior Officers. “Here’s what we got, this information is about 15 minutes old so keep that in mind. Intelligence sources in Puyallup observed the armored column moving down Highway 410 by Lake Tapps heading south at about 25 miles per hour. Total count was two T-80 MBTs, four BDM-3 IFVs plus six HMMVWs and six troop carrier 5-ton trucks. The troop carriers had their canvas covers over the bed, so a troop count was not possible but at minimum you are looking at 100 infantry.” Rich cut in, obviously agitated. “Colonel how the f*** does the Army expect two light infantry platoons to stop two tanks and four BDMs? This isn’t like mowing down rag-heads in technicals, who by the way were a pain in the ass on their own. A suicide run is not in the books for my platoon!”
“Lieutenant McCierney I understand your concern, frankly the Army has its own problem because an entire damn tank battalion is heading at them along I-90. Take it from me son, facing armor when you have none is not enjoyable… I know from experience. If this column gets through you nothing will stop them from hitting the town and all our families. If you think they will take it easy on civilians you are wrong. The USSA has already razed towns up and down the coast if it was even thought they were harboring anti-socialist forces.” Jake cut in “Okay, so we bring every anti-tank weapon we have and hit them at the switchbacks like we did before.”
“No.”
“No? Colonel, Sir… do you have a better idea?”
Colonel Simms sighed and looked at the map and pointed at the peak of the pass. “This was where you hit them before, it worked against un-trained troops in unarmored vehicles, but it is very close together, has open space for easy targeting and the armor will roll right up on you while having use of their main guns at point blank range.” The Colonel traced his finger down the road a few miles and tapped a point. “Right here. This old access trail heads to the top of the ridge. Get all vehicles behind it and use the steep cliff face 100 yards west as a barrier. You’ll have clear shots for a mile up and a mile down your ambush point. If you space the platoons so one attacks the tail of the column and the other is positioned to hit the front, you’ll have them confused and stuck. Think less like conventional military and more like insurgents on this one”.
Jake nodded his head. “Attack the rear first and get the big guns to traverse back, then hit their front. Tanks first, then APCs, then mop up. It’s a sound plan, and it is gaming out easy, but one fuckup, one misfire from us or one round from the tanks and we could be fucked.”
Simms looked at the two Lieutenants for a second. “Then don’t suck.”
Rich burst into laughter. “Jesus Christ, Pops. You sure have a way of words. Alright. Well let’s see. We have three Javelin launchers plus a dozen rounds, two dozen AT4’s, a Carl Gustav recoilless rifle and some other shit we’ve either been given, stolen from the Army when they weren’t looking or pulled off the dead we’ve killed. Overwhelm them with rockets. God this fucking sucks!”
Simms gave a flat look. “It is what it is boys, time to act like Lieutenants. Go brief your platoons.”
Jake looked at Rich as they walked out. “I guess we gotta look confused and lost as we approach?”
“Something like that.”
The Colonel shakes his head and thinks to himself with a smile. “Damn Mustang officers.”
As the two men walk towards their gathered men Retired Gunnery Sergeant William Latour takes quick notice. “Gunny” Latour spent his career in the deserts of the Middle East fighting as an 0311 Rifleman until an RPG cost him a leg and an early retirement. Rather than let it overwhelm him he owned it and fought tooth and nail to become so proficient with his prosthetic limb that most didn’t even realize he had one. After a three-year fight trying to get back into the Corps he was finally told flat out that there was basically no way in hell he was re-entering the military. To fill his time, he turned his focus towards training the local ROTC as well as teaching carbine and pistol courses to civilians. When the call had gone out for volunteers to fill the ranks of the Triple M he had been the first one to show up at the top of the hill. Now he was Jake’s mentor and right-hand man.
Latour nudged 2nd Platoon’s top NCO and nodded at the pair then walked ten feet to his right and yelled out. “Third Platoon…. FALL IN!”
2nd Platoon’s PSG moved to the left and did the same. “Second Platoon, Fall In!”. Sergeant Richie Lightfeather was a 6’ 3” tall man who took great pride in being ¾ Cherokee. Lightfeather had joined the US Army after graduating high school 10 years earlier. After serving as an infantryman for six years he had decided to call it quits and settle in Eastern Washington near the Yakima area where he used to train. Richie had been assigned to Second Platoon because he and Lt. McCeirney had hit it off so quickly, his three combat tours and CIB carried plenty of weight as well. The two provided Second Platoon with the most experienced combat leadership of the Company and it always showed during the field exercises that were conducted.
The sixty some odd men fell into formation in front of their respective platoon sergeants and stood at attention. As Rich and Jake split and approached their platoons both were met with salutes and reports from their sergeants that all were accounted for.
After both platoons were put at ease they were directed to standby as the squad leaders and platoon sergeants held their briefing. “Smoke them if you got them and don’t go far. We expect members of First Platoon to start rolling in so direct them to their assembly area.
Rich and Jake stood surrounded by their squad leaders. Rich began the briefing. “Listen up because we don’t have time to f*** around here. This is the situation: the fucking commies to our West have received some serious support from the Russians and probably China as well and have begun an all-out push to the East. Most assets are rolling down I-90 to face off against the Army, be glad we aren’t them. However, a much smaller force is slowly moving towards Salmon Pass.” Rich paused to spit some of the juice out from the ever-present dip in his lip. “What we are facing will be a medium sized armored column including two Russian tanks, four BDMs and a dozen Hummers and troop trucks. Our job is to destroy them to a man and protect our town.” Rich paused and looked around as the information sunk in.
“Second and Third Platoon will be working together on this one. The plan is to bring as many rockets, missiles and anti-armor weapons we can and hit them from an elevated position along a straight section of the road to the east of the pass’ peak. The tanks are on both ends of the column and will be the primary targets, followed by the BDM’s. If we don’t take them out as fast as we can we’re fucked. Any questions so far?”
Sergeant Lightfeather spoke up. “Sir do we have any artillery or air support?”
Rich shook his head. “No. All of the Army’s big guns have been pushed to stop the advancing Russian tank unit moving down I-90, if there are any air assets available it has not been made known to us. 60mm Mortar rounds won’t help us on this one, El Tee Brady will be setting up the 120mm Mortars the next ridge over, so he can plaster the road into town in case it is needed but we will be way out of range for his support.”
Jake took over the briefing. “Each platoon gets a Javelin launcher with 5 missiles and 15 AT-4 rockets. My platoon takes the Karl-G and 3rd Platoon takes the RPG launcher and rockets we have courtesy of the FACA. While we don’t expect any trouble on the way to the site we want .50s and M-19s on the vehicles and we will need to bring tripods for two of the Ma Deuces so that we can set them up if a suitable spot is found. SLs take smoke grenades and make sure your grenadiers have plenty of 40mm rounds for their 203’s. I want shit done and everyone assembled back here in 20 minutes. Dismissed”.
Jake looked over at Rich, who was staring at the map deep in thought. “What’s on your mind Rich?”
Still looking at the map Rich gave a confident yet quiet response. “If we keep the element of surprise and do this right we could slaughter them and create two very heavy road blocks. We have a lot of ordinance to make it happen but I’m just not confident we have enough experience using them to make it a one hitter quitter. I have a perfect Javelin team plus two of my guys are experienced with AT4’s. I don’t think the Gustav will be useful for this attack, but the Fifties will be if we can get them set. I’ll take the western section of the ridge and initiate the ambush. Sound good?
“I can roll with it. I have a decent team for the Jav as well, and a few that showed promise with the AT4s at the range. If there are no surprises we should be okay. I know we want to move out fast but let’s go look at the table top map one more time, plus I can hear Jim’s truck amongst others coming up the road.”
The two platoons left later than planned but it gave the men time to go over their gear and handle last minute tasks. Jake was anxious as the vehicles moved through the small town on their way to their destination. People lined the streets and waved with a quietness that pulled at him. The fate of folks here was held in the hands of the 1st Mountain. He cleared his head of his thoughts and looked to his left at his driver. The kid was only 18 but full of piss and vinegar, like every young man that joins a fighting force during time of war.
Jake spoke to him. “Keep calm, maintain your spacing behind the lead vehicle and remember not to panic Reed.”
The young blonde smiled. “Yes Sir.”
Jake then turned to look to the rear seat. “Gunny how’d everyone look?”
Latour looked up at his Platoon Leader and studied him briefly. “Good to go Sir. The desire to protect the town and their loved ones is fueling them. That and hatred of the enemy which is just as well.”
“That’s about what I saw as well. You going to be able to keep up on those shale cliffs alright?”
Latour scoffed. “You’re fucking with me right? Those kids are going to have hell keeping up with me!”
Jake turned around smiling as the vehicles all picked up speed now that they were out of the town’s residential area. An hour later Jake was listening to the radio and studying the map again when machinegun fire ahead grabbed his full attention.
The lead vehicle in the convoy had just rounded a sharp turn when it was raked with a burst from a light machinegun. The driver watched as the bullets tore a line up his hood, smacked into his bullet prove windshield and then heard the slap of rounds hitting his gunner behind him. He pressed the accelerator and swerved his vehicle to the oncoming lane to give the vehicle behind him a clear lane of fire. Immediately the vehicle’s team leader snatched up the radio and alerted the column.
“AMBUSH!”
Before he could give any pertinent information, the machinegun nest was pulverized as vehicle 2’s gunner let loose with his M2 Browning. The gunner in vehicle 2 had seen the muzzle flash and the man in the first vehicle take a round to the chest. Without a second’s delay he had his gun on target, returning fire. The ambushing team had setup underneath a fallen tree at the end of a left-hand curve, giving themselves a spot to shoot straight into the oncoming vehicles. Unfortunately for them they had failed at using adequate cover. The old tree they were using stood no chance against the onslaught of 660 grain bullets that were fired in return. They log was shredded to pieces and then the two-man gun team was as well, followed by a radioman who only had enough time to alert his advancing tank column that intercepting forces were on their way.
Jake frowned at the report of the casualty and cursed at the possibility of the oncoming forces having been alerted to the Triple M’s movement.
“Castle Control, Mike Three Six.”
“Go ahead Three Six”
“Convoy took fire from an MG nest, one friendly KIA and target neutralized. Proceeding towards target destination. ETA twenty mike.”
“Control Copies. Be advised: enemy convoy approximately forty-five, four five mikes out. How Copy?”
“Three Six copies.”
“Two Six copies.”
“Roger, happy hunting boys, Control over and out.”
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Post by texican on Oct 11, 2018 20:29:52 GMT -6
Thanks for the chapter 2t2....
They log was shredded to pieces and then the two-man gun team was as well, followed by a radioman who only had enough time to alert his advancing tank column that intercepting forces were on their way.
Seems like the ambush is up in the air, but with enough well placed firepower they can still stop the socialists....
Texican....
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Post by 2t2crash on Oct 11, 2018 23:33:46 GMT -6
so far I am at 58,729 words, and 109 pages single space 12 font in Microsoft word. this has become a monster I never envisioned.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 12, 2018 0:26:54 GMT -6
so far I am at 58,729 words, and 109 pages single space 12 font in Microsoft word. this has become a monster I never envisioned. Welcome to the club. "Accidental Family" was originally planned as a short story but the final count was over 173,000 words. You have as least twice as much left to write ;-)
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Post by 2t2crash on Oct 12, 2018 2:09:42 GMT -6
I Loved that story.
The battle on I-90 alone is going to be a bear to write and I doubt will be short but that's getting ahead of myself.
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Post by 9idrr on Oct 12, 2018 17:56:19 GMT -6
so far I am at 58,729 words, and 109 pages single space 12 font in Microsoft word. this has become a monster I never envisioned. And for this we thank you.
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Post by htfiremedic on Oct 12, 2018 19:42:05 GMT -6
Nice!!!
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Post by texican on Oct 14, 2018 15:15:03 GMT -6
so far I am at 58,729 words, and 109 pages single space 12 font in Microsoft word. this has become a monster I never envisioned. And for this we thank you. ^^^^THIS^^^^ 2t2, You efforts are appreciated and you keep the Moar Hounds baying for more.... Thank you.... Texican....
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Post by 2t2crash on Jan 29, 2019 1:28:54 GMT -6
sorry for the long ass break in service everyone.
26. The convoy picked up speed to maximize their prep time at the ambush site which was mere minutes away. Drivers cursed their machines trying to get them to give just a few more miles per hour, every second they gained setting up their positions was an increase in their chances of a successful mission.
Private Kenny Smith watched the engine temperature indicator steadily increase as he pushed the lead vehicle forward, he could see their turnoff point, all he needed was just a little bit more from his battered vehicle. At 100 yards distance from the dirt road turnoff he braked and pulled over as steam started spewing from his engine bay. “f***!”
Smith and his vehicle commander hopped out of the crippled HMMWV and wasted no time getting it prepped for a tow as the other vehicles in the convoy proceeded up the dirt road. The last vehicle in line would be the recovery vehicle.
LT McCeirney slowed to a quick stop as he came parallel to his platoon’s stranded vehicle. “Good you’re already getting ready for a tow, that thing is still desert tan and stands out like a sore thumb so if you can’t get it moving in five minutes have it shoved off the road and out of sight then link up. Good job back there.”
The two nodded as their platoon leader took off up the road. Private Smith turned and banged on the rear passenger door. “you two get the f*** out, grab everything out of the hummer and stack it, we need to load it and Dan’s body into the rear vehicle which should be a 2.5 ton truck.”
The four scrambled and had everything ready by the time the last vehicle arrived. The truck was loaded within a minute and then positioned to tow, unfortunately the tow strap left in the Hummer was rated for lighter non-armored vehicles and snapped ten feet into the drive up the road. Smith managed to slam on the brakes before rolling too far back, but the tan pain stood out amongst the trees. He smashed his fist into the dash in frustration but didn’t waste any more time. As the two of his squad members hopped out of the tow vehicle Smith pulled the M240 from its mount in the turret and set it aside and climbed back down to his seat thinking of how to ditch his vehicle.
“Piece of shit.” He muttered as he started using a length of 550 cord to secure the steering wheel. The result was a nineteen-thousand-pound vehicle flying down to the road and over the embankment using its weight and the transmission in neutral. While it left a huge hole in the brush along the road it was only seen as you passed it. Shit happens.
Rich had his men scrambling to move to their positions as soon as his vehicles had all cleared the top of the ridge and were under cover. He still needed to take his platoon a half mile down the length of the ridge and get them setup. He didn’t like this plan at all, his training in the late 90’s had included infantry taking on tanks. The plan then was to dig deep and hit from the sides at ground level, not exposed on a ridgeline shooting down with little concealment. Lightfeather looked over at Rich. “LT I swear I can hear track off in the distance, we need to move.”
“Thanks Richie, especially since I can’t hear for shit. Second Platoon, weapons and ammo, let’s move!”
As they got close to their destination Platoon Sergeant Lightfeather began breaking men off in twos and threes before finally settling in with one his men, plus Doc Rios. He was set in the middle of their lines and watched as his Lieutenant continued along the doing the same as he went until positioning himself at the end of the line with the Javelin team next to a rock cliff face that jutted straight up. The sounds of vehicles coming were clear now and it wouldn’t be long. Richie keyed his radio and called to give his PL his status.
“Two Six, Two Seven set, over.”
“Two Six Copies. Break. Three Six, Two Six. Second in place and ready, over.”
“Three Six Copies, Third platoon set and ready, will hold for you to initiate fire, over and out.”
Rich wiped his brow and looked down his platoon’s ambush line. All were just down and behind the crest of the ridgeline waiting, some men visibly scared as they prepared to face their first test in warfare, others sitting back with grim determination and outward calm. They had been in fights before, some in seemingly impossible to survive situations. Rich then looked at his Javelin team, both men calm and waiting, launcher in hand and reload within arm’s reach. “We let the convoy pass us, then hit the rear guard with the Javelin. It should be a tank, if it’s not then hit the rear most tank and then we’ll target the last vehicle in line after.”
“Yessir.”
Rich positioned himself so that he could observe the road without being seen and watched as the first vehicles came into view. The convoy looked alert, gunners were alert and scanning the area as they drove, cannons were arced up and aimed at potential danger points. The LT let out a low curse. “They are expecting trouble. That ambush team must have got a call out. Don’t waste time, get the shot off as fast as you can when I give the word.”
“No problem.” The Man holding the Javelin was a prior Marine and had used this weapon platform many times in Afghanistan. He couldn’t count how many mud huts, bunkers or moving vehicles he had destroyed with the rocket, and it never got old when he watched the warhead impact and detonate. He had never destroyed a tank though, this would be fun.
When the last vehicle came into view it was indeed the second tank. Though it’s main gun was pointed to the six o’clock position, the tank’s flank was covered by the 30mm cannon belonging to the BDM-4 in front of it.
Rich looked at the Javelin team. “New target, hit that BDM first, reload and drill that fucking tank ASAP, understood?”
“You got it Sir.”
Jake was less than thrilled with the situation as he counted off the vehicles that came into view, the two tanks were positioned at the front and rear of the column as reported with a BDM next to it, followed by a mix of 4 HMMVWs, 10 2.5ton passenger trucks loaded with troops and the additional two APCs spaced between the pax carriers. The good news was that the vehicles were traveling tightly together which made it easier to target and hit them, the bad news was they looked ready for a fight. Jake groaned inwardly as he wished he had a couple of his beloved Cobras on standby.
As the convoy moved below, Randy couldn’t hold his curiosity anymore and had to see what was going on. Randy was the son of a local rancher as well as a former football star in Highschool. War had come to his doorstep, pushing him to join up with the local militia that was in the hills miles away from him. The physical training had been easy for him as well as marksmanship training since he had always been a hunter. Unfortunately for Randy he lacked the discipline that could have saved his life.
Randy crawled to the top of the ridgeline and peered through the scope on his rifle. The faintest glint of light grabbed the attention of one of the BDM-4 gunners in the middle of the convoy who reacted immediately by rotating his cannon to the area he saw the light from and let loose with a burst of rounds from his 30mm gun. The hillside erupted in dirt, rock and body parts as Randy was shredded to pieces. The APC gunner from Portland Oregon didn’t have time to celebrate as all hell broke loose in response.
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Post by rep1270 on Jan 29, 2019 22:45:39 GMT -6
Just wanted to say thank you for the story. You are doing a great job. Thanks again. Ralph
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