Part VI

Fall, 2070

As Summer dragged into winter, Clavel found himself at his Mother's house. His Sisters and Dad were making dinner when Officer Clavel walked into the old yellow townhouse. The house was tasteful with paintings of other townhouses, a busy freeway and a sunset over the local supermarket. A blue sofa and matching living chair sat against an ascending staircase opposite a radiation king television. Clavel wasn't able to take off his police cap when his Mother enveloped him in a bear hug.

"James, honey!" she yelled, "You're late!"

"It's not my fault!" he strained, "You know Oliver and his driving."

"Oh he never was a fast driver," she said, releasing him.

As his Mother let go, both Clavels younger sisters broke from the kitchen and swarmed him followed shortly by his Father who said "calm down and let the boy breath."

An hour later, the Clavels were all sitting around the TV watching the Ten O'clock news show pictures of wounded American soldiers with thumbs up or waving at the camera, piles of dead chinese and POW's with kneeling with bound hands while US troops stood in combat armor and R-91 assault rifles behind them. "US Forces liberated the town of McCarthy last night after intense fighting with the Chinese Army."

McCarthy, Alaska 2070

"Where's my RTO?" the soldier screamed as a rocket screamed overhead.

"Here, Sergeant!" the RTO answered, running up to the burned out car where the Sergeant was in cover.

"I want Kilo Actual to hit that garage," the Sergeant said, "I'm pretty sure it's the Chinese CO's CP."

"Roger, Sarnt." the RTO said.

The 5th Army, 2nd Division, 34th Brigade, 3rd Battalion, Delta company moved into McCarthy at 0400 hours on Monday and began its assault on the town. With aviation and Armor support support the town had largely been taken until a Chinese counter attack pushed US forces back to the center of town.

1st Platoon's call for fire was answered by a VB-01 gunship from an offshore aircraft carrier loaded for bear. As a US heavy tank and four IFV's pushed up the main street of McCarthy in the second day of battle infantry soldiers pushed up the street moving house to house taking fire from Chinese soldiers. When the gunship roared overhead of the pinned platoon they cheered as the gunships rockets and laserfire leveled the Chinese positions. A second gunship traveling just behind the first dropped her payload on the CP.

Two Chinese Chimera tanks rounded the far corner of the street after the gunships passed followed by a fresh company sized force of infantry charging up the street. A round from the US Heavy tank destroyed the first Chimera before it was disabled by the second.

"I need AT!" yelled a sergeant, "Get on line!"

The forward platoon of US troops found cover where they could, some laying out in the street with light machine guns while the rest behind cars and blown out trees and buildings with R91's engaging the new threat. A lone soldier with his assault rifle and rocket launcher ran to where the Sergeant was.

"Hit that motherfucker!" the Sergeant yelled.

The rocket soldier ran into the open street, unprotected and fell to one knee. Aimed as steady as he could with 5.56 flying all around. He flipped a switch and pulled a trigger and the rocket flew down mainstreet. The resulting explosion killed at least a dozen Chinese soldiers and tracked the Chimera.

"Move up that IFV! Sweep the infantry!" a Lieutenant yelled. "Someone get that tank crew out!"

Delta Company secured McCarthy by 1730 on Tuesday the 14th of October 2070. The town never recovered from the fighting. Chinese forces made three separate attempts to retake the town but never succeeded.

Sergeant Micheal Clavel sat in a ruined house with his platoon, leaning back on his helmet, writing a letter to his brother. His rifle lay across his lap muzzle towards the door, an open can between his legs.

Last week I was pulled from coastal defence to help take a town. McCarthy I think was the name of it. Not much left here after we took it. They made me a Sergeant when I was reassigned…