USS Montana (Task Force 12.1), Atlantic Ocean, enroute to Casablanca, Morocco Miller:
Admiral Johnston: That was my first reaction as well Mr. President. When Lawson informed me, I could barely believe it myself.
Miller: And this Lt. Commander Williams...he's been placed in the brig on the New Hampshire?
Admiral Johnston: Correct Sir. He's being prepped for transport back to Norfolk for his hearing and court martial.
Miller: *sighs* At least the Roosevelt didn't get too banged up. But she and the Davenport won't be ready when the next operation gets launched.
Admiral Johnston: Which operation Sir?
Miller: We may have stopped the Germans in North Africa and have them shitting themselves senseless everywhere else but we still need to soften them up elsewhere. I spokes to James before we left Puerto Rico. I asked him about a possible thrust into Germany from not only France but Norway. This would allow us to keep not only a tight circle around Germany but also watch the Soviets more closely, make sure they don't jump on the Finns or anywhere over the pre-war borders. Maybe take some pressure of the Swedes and get the Finns on our side if we offer them protection from the Russians and have them drop the Germans.
Admiral Johnston: It's possible Sir. A move into Norway would also allow us to move on the hydro plant in Vemork, thus preventing the Germans from making a nuclear bomb. God only knows what Himmler would do if he got one...
Miller: Most likely blow London off the map if he could. or any city for that matter. What I'm concerned about is his use of chemical weapons on the Italians. Now we've been talking to Mussolini in hopes of getting him to step down for Health reasons. In exchange, Italy can keep the Balkans and Libya. He said he would choose someone to take his place. But he'll remain in control until the war's over he said. We agreed to that and told him if he doesn't, then Italy will receive no more aid from us. James also asked me if and it's only a matter of time, the Germans use any chemical weapons on us, what targets should be hit with either N2s or the Odin Weapon System. I told him the oil fields in Ploesti, the main rocket research base at Peenemünde and Central Berlin. I also gave him orders to target any major fortifications and army groups should they prove a threat.
Admiral Johnston: I still can't believe we have such a weapon at our command now. Rods from God indeed. Should we invade Norway Mr. President, the State Department boys will have their hands full with both the Swedes and Finns but it's doable. With most of the Kriegsmarine out of action and a large number of the heavy surface units sunk or crippled beyond repair, it should be easy to invade Norway and France this August, unless the time table for the invasions are advanced.
Miller: My thoughts exactly. I'll leave any naval planning in your hands John. The Navy's your baby so act as you see fit. If you want to hit them where it counts then by all means, hit them.
Admiral Johnston: Yes Sir.
Luzon, Philippines, April 29th, 1942/2016 Forward Union Positions facing Japanese Frontlines Sgt. Maxwell:
Private Yates: What I hear, it takes time to retrain troops to use those new tanks and systems. Ain't no surprise the Japs got on the island. Be thankful they ain't overrun the whole damn place yet.
Sgt. Maxwell: Yeah but still, Fly boys should have been able to hit them too. But i can understand that one. Damn weather had their planes grounded. Thank God the Japs weren't able to hit those fancy jet planes. Heard Guam's been giving them hell, what with hitting their convoys with rockets and jet bombers...*twig snaps* What...you hear that...?
Japanese Soldiers: Tennōheika Banzai! Sgt. Maxwell:
*machinegun fire rips through the night*
Private Yates: Christ Almighty, they just keep coming!
Sgt. Maxwell: Get us some damn air support now! They're going to overrun us if we don't get some support!
Private Yates: Yes Sir! *gets on radio* HQ, HQ! This is Fox Three! We need immediate air support now! Danger Close Fire Mission!
Radio (Command): Copy that Fox 3. Air support in 5 mikes.
Sgt. Maxwell: We ain't got five minutes dammit! They're overrunning us here! *fires rifle at charging Japanese soldier*
Radio (Command): Be advised, air support needs the target painted, pop flares or smoke grenades if you have them.
Sgt. Maxwell: Yates! Toss the smoke in the middle of their damn charge! toss it as far as you can!
Private Yates: Sir! *tosses smoke grenade at the charing Japanese as jets fly overhead*
A-20 Avenger (on radio): This is Scorpion Flight, we see you smoke. making attack runs now. *Union and downtime Army troops fire at the oncoming japanese as the treeline erupts in flames and bullets tear at the ground*
Sgt. Maxwell: YEAH! TAKE THAT YOU JAP BASTARDS!
A-20 Avenger(radio): Making a second pass now. Guns, guns guns. *cloth ripping sound reverberates through the air as 30mm shells tear into the Japanese lines*
Sgt. Maxwell: Thank you Flyboys! You saved our asses here!
A-20 Avenger Lead(radio): If you ever find yourself around Manila, just meet at the best bar there and mention a Lt. Daniels. You can buy me a beer when we meet up. Scorpion Flight out.
Sgt. Maxwell: You got yourself a deal Lt.
Private Yates: Should we check for survivors Sir?
Sgt. Maxwell: I suppose we should. Intel boys would love to get some intel if possible but i doubt anything survived that. Those fancy planes chewed them up and spit them out like hamburger meat.
Private Yates: It's like a scene from Dante's Inferno...
Sgt. Maxwell: That it is Private...that it is...*looks at the burning tree line and remains of the Japanese dead*