Showdown at San Rivera
By Andy Openshaw
Prologue
8:45 am San Martino
The trucks threw up massive dust clouds partially to obscure field of vision down the long path to the city. Overhead General Rivera was in a Huey Cobra fitted with a TOW launcher overlooking his troops progress. The pilot motioned to the radio to let his General know there was an incoming call.
Rivera was a tall man, dark skinned with a beard in a dark green uniform decked with medals and he wore a red cravat, he wore thigh high boots and smoked a Cuban cigar. Rivera had always had plans for this pathetic city and its leader which is why when his mysterious backer contacted him he jumped at the chance to set his plans into motion. The General picked up the mike and said "This is General Daniel Arturo Rivera, who is this?" The caller said "It's your Friend you will land now!" Rivera couldn't help sweat his contact had a way of making anything he said sound intimidating, he said "Yes, Yes I will at once Your Excellency!" The Contact signed off abruptly. Rivera told the pilot to find a hill overlooking the city big enough to land on.
Within minutes the pilot had found a hill handy enough for the General to see his advancing column and overlook the city. Rivera jumped out and took out his personal radio he said "Razorback One! Razorback One do you copy? over!" He waited for Razorback One to respond, this was Rivera's call sign for this particular endeavour. The passenger picked up the mike and responded "This is Razorback One I copy, what are your orders Sir? Over!" Rivera conveyed the orders to stop and rendezvous at the hill and await for further instructions.
Rivera's men got out of the trucks and drank out of their canteens to refresh themselves, no cigarettes were allowed until after the attack. The General paced backwards and forwards waiting for new orders when he heard a sharp click and quickly snapped open his holster then someone said in a harsh English accent "Good, you are here Rivera please relax your grip on your revolver". The General did as ordered and slowly turned to face his assailant. The man was dressed head to foot in a black major's uniform with a black cravat and red and white chevrons on his shoulders He also wore a major's hat with red trim the curious thing about him was his insignia of a skull and crossbones.
The General stammered, dropping his prized cigar "Are you my contact, the man who ordered me to land abruptly?" The Major shot back "As far as you are concerned I am" "Here are your orders set up your sappers to mine all communications around the city; I want them completely cut off". The General got on his radio giving the order to the sappers below to move in immediately, almost at once four men carrying equipment set off to wire the walled city.
San Martino is a city surrounded by a wall with only one way in and out as it was built to be centuries before. Its buildings are an odd mix of hovels and some semi 21st century buildings with plenty of maze like streets in its own way like Bakara Market in Mogadishu. Its rightful leader is a politician who juggles the fine line between corruption and benevolence. The General was ousted a few years back and was determined to take back what he saw as his.
A few hours later the Sappers had set up their mining equipment and were waiting for the Go order, when they recieved it San Martino was plunged into chaos. Black Major was pleased with Rivera's work so far, he turned gleefully to Rivera and said "General you may commence the attack, good luck my men and I will support you after the breach". Rivera nodded and wondered when did things get taken out of his hands so quickly.