Anatomy of a Rebellion

Chapter 45

The Move Out Order

Mackenzie had not yet heard that Wallace was missing and carried her duties out in Plattsmouth extraordinarily well. Her organization of various groups and execution of emergency response plans was so perfect it instilled a great deal of peace within those who worked and lived around and in Plattsmouth. When she was seen with firefighters wading through six inches of water, she appeared calm and in control; this helped to add even more confidence within the citizens and workers there.

Percy had to deal with something else entirely. First, he forced the militia men to wait in his office while he took the short drive back to Union. He stopped just outside the actual town limits in order to drag a soaked Doyle and his remaining captives out of their pen. Lined up out in the middle of a field, they looked ready to collapse from exhaustion. Percy couldn't have cared any less at that moment. For the first time since Doyle set foot inside Union, he truly met with the Major. Doyle had seen him parading about in his full dress uniform before, but this was the first time he saw the young Percy in his fatigues, dirtied from work. Doyle was not impressed or intimidated.

There were four men they had kept with them: Doyle and three Sergeants. It was a young Sergeant closest to Percy that was first asked to speak. Percy approached him and said, "You're going to have to explain to me who thinks it's a good idea to shoot at rescue workers. Why do you assholes keep coming back to Union?"

The Sergeant kept his mouth shut and lips tight. Not amused and not in the mood, Percy pulled out this pistol and fired a single shot. The bullet struck the Sergeant in his temple and killed him instantly. Everyone flinched, but after the body stopped twitching everything went back to stillness. Percy wiped his hands and his gun off onto his fatigues. It was a casual move to him. As he inspected his pistol for any more stains, he asked, "Is it Ellis? Or someone else? The Department of Justice? Of Defense? Homeland Security? Why are you all so keen on keeping this little base under control?"

One of the Sergeants moved as though he were about to speak, but a quick side glance from the other silenced him. Percy noticed this. Again he aimed his gun and fired, this time at the glancing Sergeant. It did not hit him in the head, but rather the stomach. He cried out and keeled over; despite his loud groans he was expertly ignored by everyone around him. Suddenly the small man known as Major Raymond was a lot scarier than just a minute ago. When Percy got right into the remaining Sergeant's face, the man swallowed and stuttered, "To-to be honest, s-sir – I mean, Major! We don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" Percy growled.

"That's just it! The orders are given to us by the Lieutenant who receives them from someone much higher in our battalion."

Percy grabbed the man's collar and then pushed him backwards. He was caught by Barton. "Send him home," the Major ordered. "But if I ever see his face in uniform again, I'll personally see that his career is over. Forever." Then he turned his attention to Doyle.

The Lieutenant's hair had grown out over the months but somehow barely any hair had appeared on the youngster's face. With the sight of a clearly pissed off Percy covering his entire vision, Doyle's lips twisted into a half-grin. "I'm tired of this, Major," Doyle said. "I find it ridiculous you're punishing my men for merely obeying orders."

"I find it not only ridiculous but also disgusting an officer of the United States Army would follow orders that result in the killing of rescue personnel or civilians," Percy said.

No emotional response from Doyle was given. Instead, he provided a calculated comeback, "It was in Konya not two years ago that the Easy Eight was responsible for the death of thirteen innocent Turkish citizens. Do not lecture me about what orders are best to follow when it is you who issued the order to raid that complex."

"Accidents happen in war," Percy reasoned.

"Yes, they do, Major," Doyle agreed. "And here in America we are fighting a war. Accidents happen."

"Get him out of my sight," Percy ordered. Then he made his way toward his office.

Before he greeted the militia, Riane did. She had received word through a phone call that a shooting had taken place near the river. Jordan was more focused on ensuring his family was safe from the flood than anything else, so she went to Percy's office alone. When she stepped inside the office building, she found it empty save for Wilson of the Sea Dogs. He provided a friendly hello and then told her a group of men had entered, escorted by Sergeant Calloway. The Sergeant had long left, and the militia was left unattended to since.

She reached Percy's office and recognized the patch on their uniforms immediately. Before she could introduce herself, the man who appeared to be in charge said, "You're Riane McDermott!"

She extended her hand to shake, which the man accepted. "And you must be a member of the Volunteers," she guessed.

"Yes, ma'am," the man nodded. "I'm a senior officer, the name is Seiler Stansfield. It's an honor to actually meet you. It was your article published in the Porcupine Underground about the rise of fringe militias and how they trained that helped us eradicate several neo-Confederate groups and anarchy movements."

"I'm honored," she smiled.

"But what are you doing out here?" Seiler asked. "Union and much of Cass County is peaceful. There's very little crime at all. Are you doing reports on the military now? I'm sure a new base in a weird place like this causes some tension for the militias."

There was no answer given, as Percy barged into his own office around this time. Face to face with militia members, he could only say, "I really wish you guys would stop existing." None of the militia members seemed offended, but Percy went on to explain, "Every single group of idiots with guns that doesn't throw up hands signs and wear 'colors' calls themselves a militia. You cause us a lot of trouble."

"That isn't fair, Percy," Riane argued. He didn't seem ready to hear a lecture but she gave it him anyway. "The Volunteers have put an end to gangs throughout the region. They've also been the first responders to disasters and militia shootings. Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas are much better off with them then without."

Percy threw his hand up to silence her and said, "Whatever." He turned his attention back to Seiler and said, "One of my men fell into the river and hasn't been seen since. We're going to go look for him, but first I need the area secure. My men are already stretched too thin as it, considering this isn't exactly a creek we're trying to control."

It was quiet between the group for a moment until Seiler said, "Major, you probably think we're a bunch of stupid rednecks who don't know the first thing about current events or politics. Should I be weary of a man ripped by the media, or should I trust him with the protection of my country? The same for you; the media tells you that all militia are here to usurp the government, so should you trust us or not? Fortunately for you, the Volunteers are interested in protecting life. I will do whatever it takes to ensure not another man, woman or child is harmed here; never again shall another police officer, paramedic or firefighter worry that an American soldier or anarchist will fire at them; and you can bet your ass that I'll see to it that every gentleman wearing the armed forces uniform is kicked the hell out of my country."

Percy eyed Seiler curiously. His mind raced back to the shootings at the river and he wondered how much of it was American troops and how much was a result of these militia members. Calloway had said that Doyle's men were most likely not responsible. Even though he kept his expression in check, something flashed in his eyes long enough for Seiler to spot it.

"Major, you don't strike me as the type to stay loyal to that corrupt state much longer," he said. Then he patted Percy's shoulder and said, "Excuse us, sir. We need to go secure the area of tyrants."

They filed out. As they left, Torres squeezed by them and into Percy's office. Water dripped off his uniform like rainfall, but the Major didn't mention it. "Major, please allow me to lead the mission in locating and rescuing the Warrant Officer. I believe my experience in the Coast Guard will prove to be invaluable in this situation."

Percy waved his hand and said, "Do it and get it done. I'll provide you with three squads. Take McGill's, Calloway's, and your own. Dismissed."

"Yes, Major."

This left Riane and Percy alone. Once the door to his office was closed, he moved to his desk and said, "I've been meaning to talk to you. I got an interesting letter in the mail. Who the hell sends snail mail these days, anyway?" He walked around and opened a drawer. He pulled out a small, hand-written letter that was branded with the Department of Justice seal. He handed it toward Riane and asked, "Whose handwriting is this?"

She recognized it immediately, "William's."

Violently he grabbed it out of her hand and crumpled it. An accusing finger was pointed at her face and he yelled, "You told him everything about this Company and this base! That rat walked out of here with more information than even I have!"

"Don't accuse me of that!" she said. "William was here for barely forty-eight hours and I saw him only once in that entire time! Why would I tell that bastard anything? Besides, Mackenzie is the w***e that invited him to her apartment!"

Percy's face turned red faster than she could blink and his fists grew tighter. He ignored the dig at his adjutant. "Not him, you b***h! Julius Cross!" he said. She flinched at the name. "That intern, lawyer – whatever the hell he is! – was here for three days and you met with five times!"

"Are you spying on me?"

"What? Why the hell would I waste my time on a pathetic freelancer like you? You act like I don't have an entire Company of men living in this town! But you can thank Jordan for a fun talk I had with him after I got this letter," he said. He shoved the letter back into her hands. "Here, keep this memento from one of your lovers and get out of my sight!"

Riane crunched the paper up even more then stomped out. Again one group leaving crossed paths when another entered. Wilson had one foot in the door when he had to awkwardly twist around the corner to avoid Riane. When she was gone, Wilson sighed and said, "Major, I heard about the Warrant Officer. Would you like Sea Dogs to launch and provide aerial coverage?"

"No, thank you, Lieutenant," Percy said. Then the Major moved to leave his office; Wilson followed. "McGill will have to fight the wind on her own. I'd prefer if the Sea Dogs prepared instead for an assault rather than reconnaissance."

He could feel Wilson stiffen at the order, but the youngster took it in stride. "Of course, Major," he nodded. The pilot stayed close to the Major's boots as they weaved their way down the hallway. "May I ask a personal question, Major?"

"Of course, Lieutenant."

"Well, me and my wife are expecting our first child in a few months –"

"Congratulations," was the emotionless, robotic answer.

"Thank you. Uh, anyway, we were thinking about names. It's a girl, see? Katherina – that's my wife – suggested we ask Johnnie and Emily how they came up with their children's names. They were inspired by names within the family. We really only have a few to work with, and we're not too keen on Patricia or Henrietta."

Percy titled his head up in thought. "I had a sister named Rose. I've always liked that name. But perhaps you should stick something simple and timeless like Marie?"

"Rose or Marie, huh?" Wilson thought. "Hmm, I'll keep those in mind. Thanks, Major!"

They had just stepped outside; Wilson gave the Major a wave and made his way toward the Sea Dogs and their mechanics. Percy was ready to walk in the opposite direction; Freddie's appearance made him halt. The former Duke of Edinburgh kept his gaze focused on the horizon when he spoke. "Klaus is in talks with the Captains Regent about both Russia and America," he informed Percy. "They will speak with the Grand and General Council on how to react."

"I would care if I knew what any of that meant," Percy said.

"Klaus took his father's surname, Brunhart," Freddie explained. "But he lived with his mother in San Marino. When he was of age, he served the Guard of the Rock before he joined politics. When he rose to power inside the European Union, he kept his ties with San Marino. Now, that little s**t of a nation is in control of the half of the world. Really, it explains those horrendous uniforms his military wears."

"What does any of this have to do with me?"

"Klaus wants to end Russia economically," Freddie said. "It'll be hard to do, however. Either way it's a lot better than charging into Russia during winter. As for America, he's not pleased with the United States and their military action throughout the world. Nor is he too keen on the way the Justice Department, Defense Department or Congress is acting. He's not the kind to 'condemn' an action. He won't waste his time with words."

"So what?"

"So, prove to him that now's the perfect opportunity to end this charade of a government. Give him something or someone to provide assistance to. You can have all the resources of Europe, the Middle East, and much of Africa at your disposal if you make the rights moves at the right time."

Percy said nothing to Freddie and left him. Once he was off the steps of the office building and in the empty lot in the middle of base he whistled, made a complete circle above his head with his hand, and waited for those present to convene. His Company knew that when they were abruptly pulled away from a situation, they should meet in an area where they could all be seen. This lot proved to be the best spot. Squad leaders were present, expect for Calloway, Torres, and McGill, as they had already moved south. Percy waited patiently until the majority of each squad had formed a circle around him.

Loudly, he commanded, "I want three squad leaders to volunteer for immediate departure!"

"Aye, sir!" Barton hollered immediately.

"Aye, sir!" Wakeman echoed.

The last was Skipper, who merely raised his hand. "Prepare your squads for combat and roll out ASAP! Barton, take the former Offutt AFB; Wakeman, take the Ashland training site; Skipper, move north into South Dakota and take Camp Rapid and the former Ellsworth AFB! Chiang Sun will move north with you. The rest of you: stay here until the Warrant Officer is retrieved. Any questions? Good. Move out!"

It was with that order that Percy declared war on the United States. After almost an entire year home, he made his first move.