Chapter 49 – Sacrifices
South LA Wetland Park, Florence, Los Angeles
Major-General McConville entered the hastily set up forward headquarters of the 1st Armored Brigade Task Force. Wiping sweat from his brow he looked around the somber room noticing the lack of fire in the command area despite the sense of urgency with regards to their mission. "What's the news," he called out, getting people's attention.
Brigadier-General Pete Cooper greeted the paratrooper. "Nothing good. Still, glad you're here. What do you have with you?"
"I've got as much of the division up as I can but we're stacked up going back a few klicks. I peeled off a few units to protect the flanks and also give some air cover but we're good to go." Seeing a lack of enthusiasm he ventured to comment, "Seems like the Squids got you boys bottled up."
"Phew," Cooper snorted. "That's not the half of it. We're bottled up and stacked up. We walked into a prepared defensive position best I can assess and they're lodged in tight with good internal lines. We're way past our deadline and no closer to getting to those poor sods at the bridge."
"Not much we can do about that Pete," McConville commented. "We have a bigger danger of losing the whole damn war if we don't get unstuck. The Squids are massing on our front. If they punch through they can run all the way to our rear area. We need to turn the tables."
"Okay, so how do we do that?" Cooper said deferentially but with a note of challenge in voice.
The headquarters suddenly became still as those who'd been going through the motions of their jobs suddenly became interested in the conversation.
McConville caught this shift so decided to lay it all out. "We're corked up like a bottle here," the paratrooper observed as he looked at the tactical map with the current positions laid out. "We have this narrow front here and are all massed up behind. We can't bring any force to bear because the Squids have us hemmed in. They have enfilading fire and so we're screwed."
"So you're saying we need to break out?" Cooper asked cautiously.
"Exactly. We need to re-establish the initiative and bring more forward to bear."
"We've tried that," the armor officer countered. "We can't get close enough with enough force to break through. The front's just not big enough to establish critical mass."
"We need a spear thrust here not a broom," McConville declared, looking his counterpart in the eye. "We need a unit that'll unplug the cork. They push hard, break the line here," the paratrooper pointed to the spot which showed the centre of the line, "then that allows the rest to flow through and fan out. If we can achieve this breakout we can turn the tables. Our units can then hit them in their rear and flanks."
"One unit?" Cooper stated as a chill went over the gathered at the suggestion. "One unit when five at a time has failed? It can't work."
"But you weren't able to bring the full five to bear," McConville answered patiently. "The result was no one had maximum force or power. Everything was diluted and so failed. The Squids know that and that's why they pushed you into this box. But one unit, going full on and pedal to the metal could punch through. Once their line is broken it'll fall, I know it will."
Cooper opened his mouth to rebut but instead thought of what his aggressive counterpart had suggested. He went to the tactical map and looked at the dispositions himself then mulled it over in his mind as the others watched. "Okay, it sounds good and might even work, except..."
"Except what?" McConville asked, pleased the man had seen the benefit of his plan.
"Except the unit that leads this is going to face the full weight of alien fire. They'd be annihilated. I'm not even certain we can bring more then one unit to bear at a time so they'd have no support with no guarantee of success. The aliens have the whole area zeroed; they've set up a kill zone there. We could be wasting good troops needlessly," Cooper declared.
"We need to break out and we need to do it fast. We sit here much longer not only will they keep picking us off but they'll be able to close a vise on us. We'll be ground up, " McConville stated frankly.
"Awfully risky."
"For sure, but we don't have a lot of choice."
"So are you going to order one of your units to go on this suicide mission because I know I sure can't," Cooper declared.
"No, we can't do that," McConville agreed. "But we can ask for volunteers."
Cooper snorted but said nothing.
"All of you radio operators," General McConville called out to the headquarters staff. "I want an O Group with all available Brigade and Battalion commanders right now. No excuses. Call it in and get me General Daily at the Area HQ."
Surprisingly, the required officers assembled within the hour. Perhaps it was curiosity or a growing sense of urgency but they all came quickly. General McConville had a long conversation with General Daily who affirmed the plan.
"Listen up," the commander of the 101st yelled, getting the attention of the unit commanders assembled. "We have a situation here. We're jammed up and need to break out. The Marines holding the bridge need our help and we need to break out before the Squids get their reinforcements but we can't deploy the bulk of our troops. That makes us sitting ducks and they're picking us off one unit at a time." The paratrooper paused to take a breath. So far he'd stated the obvious but wanted to be sure everyone was on the same page. "So, we're planning a breakout. We will concentrate our forces at this point here," he pointed to a location on the tactical map he stood beside, "breaking their line and allowing the main body to bust out and re-establish momentum."
"That's an awfully narrow front, General," an armored Colonel commented. "Plus the run up to it will allow the enemy to enfilade fire. How many units are you planning to deploy on the lead assault?"
"Just one," McConville replied.
The room fell silent and the assembled officers began to avoid eye contact with the commander knowing what was coming.
The leader of the 101st looked around and felt the weight of what he was about to ask. "With that in mind, I'm asking for one battalion or regiment to lead the assault."
There was an awkward pause.
"75th Cavalry will do it General," a voice piped up from the middle of the assembled officers without hesitation.
"You sure about this Steve?" General McConville asked the officer from the 2nd Brigade Combat team of the 101st. "You guys are a reconnaissance unit."
"The Widow Makers can do the job sir," the officer responded confidently. "We move fast and can hit them hard. As long as we have armor support coming up behind us we'll get you your gap in the line."
"What do you think Pete?" McConville asked the leader of the 1st Armored group.
Before their commander could answer a new voice entered the conversation. "35th Armor will back them up Sir. We'll take that gap and blow the Squids to hell."
In an instant the air of defeat that had hung like a blanket in the building was lifted, replaced with a grim determination to get the job done. All there knew the stakes and didn't need a pep talk.
"Outstanding!" General McConville declared, happy for the volunteers. "We'll get the order of advance to you within the hour and we move in two. You two," he said to the volunteers, "wait for me and I'll brief you further. The rest of you, we need to get this done. There'll be no stopping this time. I believe not only the fate of LA is in our hands but that of America. Dismissed."
After the assembly had broken up and the officers began to return to their units the Major General spoke to the assembled leaders from the airborne and armored units.
"The Air Force should be able to keep the Squid Wedge Ships off of you but you'll need to push fast and hard," he confirmed. "Ignore fire and concentrate on the end of their line. When you punch through the rest will surge forward. We'll have armored dozers and recovery vehicles in with you and also after the lead echelon to ensure the way is clear. Questions?"
There were none other then if they could do it or not but that would be answered once the assault began.
People we need to do this or we're all going to die here and everyone else behind us," McConville finished. "Let's get it done. God speed."
Two hours later the Stryker combat vehicles and Humvees of the 75th Cavalry Squadron roared forward. At the moment the lead elements moved out of sight the alien line erupted in fire.
Abandoned industrial complex, somewhere outside Military Command Los Angeles Protective Zone, LA
At Maria Rincon's order Javier moved forward while two of the men with him pushed out to either side. The sneering Mexican woman sauntered over to where Hector sat wide-eyed, a wicked grin on her face.
Gwen Langois drew her pistol and barked out, "Police! Don't do this. Give it up!"
A shot rang out of the dark in response, then another from the same area. The Military Police officer rolled aside just in time as the bullets struck the post she'd been standing behind. Coming out of her roll she squeezed off two rounds in the direction of the first shot. There was a groan and thud as one of the attackers fell to the ground.
Father Alexander leapt out of the way as one of Javier's accomplices leveled a Glock 9mm pistol at him. The priest hid behind a stand-up metal tool chest and began to pray fervently.
Raul made a run for Maria, hoping to grab the woman and use her for leverage. He only made it half way before another one of the devious woman's accomplices came out of a corner and shot the man in the hip. As he fell to the ground a tattooed teenager with a 2x4 smashed him across the back. The Mexican went down in a heap.
Langois and two of the gunmen traded shots but neither could get the advantage. The two though kept her pinned down as others moved to cut her off.
Father Alexander saw this from his vantage point. "Lieutenant, look out!" he shouted. "They're trying to flank you!" Next he saw only stars as someone struck him hard on the back of the head. Regaining his senses he saw a bald-headed thug standing over him with the same teenager who had beaten down Raul.
"Sorry to have to do that Father," the grinning thug said, making the sign of the cross. "Now stand up and keep your hands on your head or I'll have more to share in confession."
Father Alexander stood up slowly to face the pair. The man with the gun slammed him face first down onto a work bench, keeping his gun at the priest's head. Father Alexander wondered if he was going to die. He thought it a bit ironic considering the times he should have serving in combat and now to die here and like this. He was prepared to meet God, in some ways looked forward to it and a life of peace in heaven. But not yet. There was still Hector. No, he wasn't ready to give up.
Gwen Langois knew she only had half a mag left. She also knew how long it would take her to reload. She'd dropped one gunman for sure and suspected she'd hit another which left Javier and one or two more. Not good odds, she thought. They were at a bit of a standoff with neither side wanting to show themselves.
"Come on girlie, let's party," one of the gunmen taunted her.
"You show me yours and I'll show you mine," she shot back, eyes racing to find where everyone was. She thought she saw a shadow move to her left but couldn't be sure. Not enough cover and too much area to cover. Damn…, she thought to herself. It's only a matter of time.
"Stop screwing around and finish them," Maria Rincon ordered from the other side of the room yet making no move to join the standoff.
The shadow Gwen Langois had feared turned into a real threat as Javier emerged carrying a pistol. He had her dead in his sights.
An explosion rocked the factory building blowing out dozens of windows including three in the large room the standoff was happening. A stray alien Wedge Ship flying over the area and seeing some movement on the ground had let loose a burst from its Direct Energy Weapon. Shouting could be heard outside as people panicked and tried to flee the unexpected attack.
In the confused moment Father Alexander took the opportunity. Spinning away from the gun pointed at his head he rotated right throwing a solid punch that connected with the jaw of the man holding the gun. A crack could be heard as bone broke. The man yelped then dropped his gun to cover his face. The tattooed teen tried to bash the priest in the head with his 2x4 but Father Alexander nimbly ducked below the whistling club, sidestepped and hit the skinny youth first in the stomach then in the face. Nose bleeding the teen went down.
"Father forgive me," he prayed quietly as he kicked the gun away and went for Hector.
Two of the gunmen fled at the sight of the alien ship, leaving only Javier. The Latino ducked low and came charging up behind the spot Gwen Langois had been hiding behind. He fired two rounds into an empty space.
"You looking for something, cher," the Cajun drawled, coming out from the opposite side.
"What? How?" Javier blustered.
"I moved you idiot. Never stay in one spot too long," she declared, pistol at her side. "Your move."
Javier thought he had a shot. Dropping to one knee and bringing his gun up with snake-like reflexes he squeezed but Gwen Langois' military issue pistol spoke first drilling him in the forehead. His gun went off into the ceiling as the man fell to the factory floor dead.
Father Alexander was eight feet away from Hector when Maria Rincon raised a hidden pistol causing him to stop dead in his tracks.
"Don't do this Maria, it's not worth it," the priest pleaded.
"Oh but it is. Soon we will leave this place and no one will see Hector again," she cackled. Then with a crazed look in her eyes she squeezed the trigger.
"No!" Father Alexander screamed, spasiming backwards in anticipation.
Instead of being hit a figure leapt across the ray of light from the broken window getting struck by the bullet with the priest's name on it. Another shot rang out from the side and Maria Rincon slumped to the ground with a stunned look on her face.
Gwen Langois kept her gun pointed at Maria's still figure until she could collect the woman's gun then went to the crumpled person who had taken the bullet meant for Father Alexander.
It was Raul.
"What? Why? Why would you do that?" the Military Police officer asked the dying man.
Father Alexander was at his side instantly, cradling Raul's head.
"Couldn't let the priest take the bullet….wasn't right…needed to make up for so many sins….for letting down my grandmother…my friend," Raul's voice started to fade as he went pale. "Will you pray for me Father?"
Gwen began to cry as she dropped to her knee and took the man's hand in hers. "Your friend and your grandmother would be proud of you," the tough Police officer declared softly.
Raul Santos smiled and closed his eyes. The strained look on his face relaxed and he seemed finally to be at peace. The demons that'd been dogging him for so long had been chased away by the truth of what lay deep within the man: character.
Father Alexander, face stained with tears himself, took a small bottle of Holy Water out of his pocket and said, "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, I ask that you receive this child into your arms…."
Somewhere on Terminal Island
Ducking alien fire the remaining members of the team hunkered down a distance away to assess the situation.
"We need to bug out then find another way," Imlay declared urgently. The usually unflappable Corporal squeezed off a burst at an infantry caste alien who tried to break their defensive position. "Those Squids at the generator will run us over."
"They seem to be content to hold their position and block us in," Mike commented after a quick assessment of their situation. "We've given the others in this sector a good run so they seem pretty spread out. If we pull back that'll give them a chance to consolidate and then we'll have no chance."
"So what do we do Gunny?" Lockett asked through gritted teeth. "We're with you whatever you decide."
"We need a distraction," Mike yelled above the cacophony of fire, "to draw them away so we can get a shot. Harris, base of fire here. Lockett, Imlay, we'll cover you as you move then you open up and pull the Squids left. Santos, you go with them too but have that code book ready to get us some air support once we blow this sucker."
"You got it Gunny," she replied grimly, tapping the bulge in her breast pocket.
"Good. That should do the trick," Mike confirmed. "I'll cover Ortega and we'll go right with the SRAW. We'll only get one shot so we need to stay focused. Rally point is here. Go."
Harris opened fire with the M240B, pushing back the infantry caste aliens who'd been creeping forward with a wall of lead while the others began to move into position. He was the pivot, allowing the others the chance to slide left and right. With Anderson dead the bespectacled Corporal was alone so suddenly felt vulnerable. Coolly firing in short burst he traversed back and forth to keep the attackers at bay. He thought of Cherise and wondered if he'd ever see her again. Not likely, he conceded. He thought back to the previous year when they'd been weeks away from getting married and then all this. Stavros's face came to mind. His best man and best friend, killed on the bridge helping to protect the others. Would he be remembered or fade away? Cherise would remember. He thought about their time together when he recovered from his wounds, thankful for the extra time they'd had together. He'd dodged death once so didn't like his odds. He hoped Cherise would mourn him for a while but then find someone else. She deserved that after everything he'd put her through. No, he was prepared to make the sacrifice for his teammates but he wasn't going to go down easily. Yelling at the aliens he continued to hold the line.
Mike and Ortega dodged fire and skipped to their right. Mike fired as he went, moving to the spot he prayed would give them a clear shot. Ortega followed behind covering the flanks with the Predator SRAW bouncing up and down on his back as he ran. The pair rounded the corner of a rust red shipping container which blocked them momentarily from the aliens who'd been trying to pick them off. Mike slide into position peering around the corner. While a few aliens trailed after them the bulk of those guarding the shield generator seemed to be occupied with the fire of the three that had gone left. Imlay and Lockett lobbed grenades causing the aliens to duck giving them a window of opportunity.
"Here's our chance Ortega," Mike rasped. "Make it count."
In one smooth motion the Latino Private knelt down and brought the fire-and-forget missile launcher up to his shoulder. At this range he didn't wait for the required three seconds to ensure a lock on the target. As soon as he had the generator in his reticule he pulled the trigger.
With a whoosh the rocket exploded out of the launcher and blazed to the target. It was right on the money.
Mike couldn't believe their luck. They'd actually done it. Not only had they found the thing but they were going to destroy it. He almost smiled.
Then he watched the rocket bounce off the structure as if it had some shield of its own around it.
The Predator hit the ground and exploded, shredding a half dozen aliens who'd been covering it and wounding a dozen more but the structure itself was intact.
Mike couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed. He could feel his heart beating faster with the realization of what had just happened. They'd found it despite the odds, he'd lost two men in the process and still it stood. "Fall back to the rally point!" he screamed.
The trio on the left had been engaged in a severe firefight with the bulk of the force guarding the shield generator but had held their own. Hearing the call to rally Imlay let loose a grenade from his M203 which bought them the opportunity to disengage. "Come on guys, let's fall back," he called out.
Lockett began to move but Santos didn't. She continued to kneel at the side of a shipping container. Thinking she hadn't heard Imlay moved over and patted her on the shoulder. The Air Force Tech Sergeant fell forward and rolled onto her back. An ugly wound bled dark red down at her waist. The woman's eyes fluttered open and she moaned.
"Santos!" Imlay cried in shock. "Lockett, cover us. Santos is hit!"
With the African American Marine covering them Imlay grabbed the wounded woman and hauled her back to the rally point. Ortega and Harris covered them while Lockett, Imlay and Mike worked on Santos.
"Ai," she grunted. "Damn that stings."
The wound was stopped and bound with field dressings but it was obvious the woman was in bad shape.
Mike looked around to see what was happening. The aliens at the generator were down to less then one-third strength but a larger force was gathering just outside their range and preparing to move in. Once that happened they wouldn't be able to hold their position. They'd be forced to pull out or be annihilated. But what to do? The rocket had not done any damage so they needed a bigger explosion.
"Ortega, how much C4 you got left?" Mike asked the kneeling Marine.
"Enough to make a half block crater, Gunny," the man replied, dropping a probing alien with a precise shot. "'cept we got no detonators. Rapetti had them and they went down with him."
Mike swore. They had the TNT but no way to set it off. No way except…. The thought chilled him. Someone would have to do it. Someone would have to set off the charge right beside it. He left the others to assess the lay of the land around the generator and found the shortest point. If done right away, before the Squids could counterattack, it could be done. But who would set off the charge?
"Tighten up people," Mike ordered. The group shifted in so they could hear but continue to engage the enemy as needed. "We have one last shot at this. We're going to push over to that group of containers there," he pointed, "rush the position with a quick assault, set a C4 charge and blow the generator."
"But Gunny, we got no detonators," Ortega pointed out. "Who's going to set off the charge?" he asked, causing the others to start at the realization of what needed to be done.
"I'll be doing it," Mike answered quietly, thinking of the picture of Michele and him in his helmet. You'll cover me then fall back. Once you're clear of the blast zone I'll set it off with a grenade."
"No, I'll be the one to do it," a soft Latino voice countered.
"Santos, you can't," Mike implored the woman who had just volunteered to take his place. "I can't let you do that."
"I'm done anyway Gunny," she said matter of factly. "I'm not getting off this island and would only slow the rest of you down. You go and marry that pretty woman from the helicopter."
"What?" Mike said, stunned at the comment.
"Come on, it's obvious the two of you got something going. Go and live a bit," she smiled faintly. "Here, take the code book. Call it in when I do it."
Mike looked at her for a moment, saw the determination in her eyes and knew it was pointless to argue. She had given him a gift and he wouldn't ruin it by arguing the point. "Okay, everyone reload," he ordered, eyes fixed on the petite woman, trying to keep his voice even. "Fresh mags, grenades at the ready." He helped Santos to her feet. "All right…GO!"
The group stayed tight and sprinted to the location that would be the jump off point for the final assault a wall of lead flying out 180 degrees. The ferocity of the fire set the remaining aliens on their heels giving them the moment they needed. Harris, Imlay, Lockett and Ortega stopped at the designated point and poured on the fire while Mike helped Santos, now carrying the satchel of C4 explosives towards the shield generator. A few aliens tried to stop them but the precision fire from the other Marines kept them at bay. In a matter of seconds that seemed like hours the pair made it to the base of the shield generator.
Santos slumped down, exhausted from the exertion. Mike knelt down and engaged a couple of pressing infantry caste aliens to give her the time she needed to set up.
The Air Force Tech Sergeant pulled the satchel over to her front and then fished a grenade out of her pocket. "Ready Gunny. Get out of here."
"Santos, I….," Mike stammered, not willing to leave the woman.
Go Mike, go!" Santos screamed as aliens began to surge around the generator perhaps figuring out what the human's plan was.
Mike let loose a burst from his M4A1 and ran back to the others who were desperately trying to hold the surging aliens at bay. A machine gun round hit him in the shoulder causing him to stumble but he continued to run back towards the others. Reaching them the foursome did a fighting withdrawal, trying to support Santos while also moving out of the blast zone.
Santos saw them leave and the aliens massing. She emptied the clip of her M16 then pulled the pin of the grenade. Dropping her rifle she crossed herself and said quietly, "Father into your hands I commit my spirit…"
The grenade erupted igniting the satchel of C4 explosives. With a roar a fireball erupted that could be seen all the way to the Vincent Thomas Bridge and beyond.
Sacrifices, some that would become famous in the days ahead, another that wouldn't, but all worthy of remembering. All were based on love, love for the cause and for their fellow man. In a world where the title 'hero' is thrown around loosely, a military unit, and two members of the Santos family, one a criminal wanting to change his legacy and another a Sergeant showed the world what heroism truly is. One would be remembered only by a few, the other by millions but both sacrifices were worthy of renown. In a wise and ancient book are found these words: Greater love has no one then this-that he would lay down his life for a friend.
