Debt of Honor
Chapter 8
Taiwan
Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Sheridan Parker IV walked through the door to the Commanding Officer of Fort Bragg and stopped six feet from his desk, he saluted.
"Lieutenant Colonel Parker reporting as ordered sir!"
General Waterford looked at Parker for a moment before returning the salute.
"At ease."
Parker went to parade rest, which meant his eyes were located six inches above the Generals head.
General Waterford put the folder he had been sorting back into his desk and called out the open door.
"Johnny! Tell anyone who calls that I'll be in conference for the next thirty minutes." He turned his attention to Colonel Parker. "How are you Phillip?"
"Quite well sir, Taiwan is a nice country," Parker said, lowering his eyes to meet Waterford's.
General Waterford's eyebrows rose. "Oh, and what do think now?"
Parker blurted, "I think the Chinese are pissing in the wind."
General Waterford laughed aloud. "Well, that is not an assessment that is held by most of the people in the Pentagon."
Parker considered his reply for a moment. "Sir, the Taiwanese people do not want a communist regime, and I am quite confident that they will oppose the Chinese with as much strength as they can muster."
"And do you feel that the United States should help them?"
"Yes sir, the people of Taiwan believe that the United States will help them and I would like to think that we would abide by our promises to a country."
"Well, then your going to be happy once I tell you that the President ordered air strikes against some military installations on the coast of China, and he has plans to send over some infantry regiments to help guard Taiwan."
Parker looked at Waterford for a moment. "Sir, what about the air force?"
"The air force is going to be sending fighters and bombers over too. I would think that they will be the determining point in this war," Waterford said.
Phillip didn't reply.
"The reason I called you in here on such short notice is because I have been asked to make a list of all the Armor officers I have and send them to the Pentagon ASAP. Your name was on the top of my list."
"I am flattered sir."
Waterford looked at Parker. "We are also sending over Armor battalions. You are going to be the first officer sent over with them. It is because of your experience from the Gulf War that you have been given this title."
Parker didn't reply.
"You will be expected to go meet the troops and debrief them on what they will be doing. You will be instructed on your assignment once you have arrived in Taiwan. I suspect that you will be given somewhat of a heroes welcome," General Waterford said.
Parker stood at attention. "Thank you sir, and with the General's permission?"
"You are dismissed Colonel."
Parker saluted, did a perfect about face and marched out of the office.
===============
Parker met his troops once he landed in Fort Riley. He was to spend the next five days training the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion and debriefing them on what they were expected to do.
As an amazing coincidence, Antoinette Albright happened to have been stationed at Fort Riley as well. She was teaching the new medical students some of the new developments in the treating of diabetes and hepatitis.
Parker had told the duty officer that he had a place to stay on the base and he would not need alternate arrangements.
Colonel Parker was instructed that he would be taking to Taiwan: thirty-six US Army M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, four RG-12 armored vehicles, three Wasps (a wasp is a rapid deployment 4 x 4 reconnaissance vehicle), five Piranha III 8x8 IFV - amphibious version with two propellers and twin rudders in the rear, equipped with 25mm DELCO turret, and five VAB multi-range vehicles.
The VAB was intensively used in Desert Storm, Cambodia, and Bulgaria. It was a proven track vehicle that could withstand anti-tank mines better than any other vehicle in the occupation of the army.
The RG-12 is an armored vehicle with a proven track record for protecting its crew against rifle fire, shrapnel, firebombs, and the like.
A Wasp is a term used from the Korean War for the lead tracks in an armor battalion that would be sent forward to observe the enemy and be able to return without gross losses.
Colonel Parker was pleasantly surprised with what he was being equipped with. He had had only half of the vehicles when he had participated in Task Force Able during the last days of the Gulf War.
The troops were of good design as well. The majority had graduated from Norwich (the armor school) and almost all the troops were under thirty.
Parker was aware that he was also commanding the lives of over five hundred men. He had never before commanded so many troops.
The troops respected Parker and admired him once the story of what he did during the Gulf War.
After three days at Riley, Phillip decided that if he was going to be sent back into combat, he would need to propose to Antoinette as soon as possible.
He took her out for dinner and then brought her back to their apartment.
"Toni," Phillip said once they had retired to the living room, "I need to tell you something."
Antoinette looked at Phillip for a moment before smiling. "I have something I need to say to you to Phil."
Parker shook his head. "Mines more important."
Toni glared at him. "How would you know if you don't even know what I'm going to tell you?"
"Because I know that my thing is going to make you very happy and me as well."
"Just let me go first Phil," Toni said exasperatedly. Phil sighed but nodded. "Okay, I was thinking that maybe we should get married before you go over to Taiwan."
She looked at Phil and saw the look of utter shock on his face.
"Well?" Toni asked quietly as Phil continued to stare at her.
Phil shook himself out of his shocked state and looked at Toni for a moment. He got off the couch and went down on one knee.
"Toni, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" he asked her as he produced the ring box from his pocket and showed the ring to Toni.
"Your prepared for everything aren't you?" Toni asked and grabbed Phil's head between her hands and leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
===============
Colonel Parker Weds
In a small ceremony Phillip Sheridan Parker IV married Antoinette Albright MD. The wedding was attended by Major General Philip Parker and the Chief of Staff.
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The news of Phil's wedding was received with mixed blessing in Japan.
Ranma and Ryoga were a little sore that they had not been invited, even if they would have had to of traveled all the way to the United States to attend it.
Akari and Akane were extremely pleased and happy when the news came. They even talked to the bride when Phil called them.
Ishii didn't react much; he just seemed to except it and congratulated Phil.
When Ranma had gotten the chance to talk to Phil on the phone, Phil asked him if something was the matter with Ishii.
Ranma relayed the news about the news that had been delivered to the house by some government official from the Prime Ministers office. The Chinese government was refusing to turn over any of the bodies that they had recovered from the wrecks of the American warships, and a small note included that they would not be turning over the remains of a Japanese man that had been conducting terrorist type of activity in the far west of China.
Seiji's body would not be returned to Japan.
Akane and Akari cried once they found out that Phillip was going to Taiwan to hold the Chinese at bay. Ranma and Ryoga wished him god speed.
The battalion was air lifted from Hawaii to Hualien, Taiwan.
Once the battalion's gear and equipment had been unpacked and checked to ensure that everything was under normal operation, they moved out from Hualien and headed towards Changhua, the city that the Chinese had taken over.
===============
Once the battalion had driven about forty miles from Hualien, they received a radio message from General Waterford.
The operation they were going to undertake would be named Task Force Parker.
Traditionally, Task Forces are lead by Majors, but there was a lack of Majors in Armor that were capable of leading a battalion size force. This being the case, Lieutenant Colonel Parker was named Commanding Officer of Task Force Parker.
The troops were thrilled and Parker was embarrassed.
The Task Force stopped fifty miles outside Changhua. They dug in and prepared for their assault on Changhua the next day.
===============
They received very unwanted news the next morning.
The Chinese had sent over ten regiment sized armor forces. They had driven from Changhua and were now patrolling the western coast of Taiwan.
Task Force Parker was now assigned the duty of making trouble behind the lines and destroying supply routes and knocking out ammunition depots.
If they could succeed in keeping the Chinese busy behind the lines, then the United States could bring in more navy ships and completely block off the supply lines from mainland China.
===============
Lieutenant Colonel Parker was sitting atop his M1 Abrams Tank when the first round hit.
Parker was thrown from the top of his tank and he hit the ground hard. He quickly got to his feet and was about to run back to his tank when he saw the funeral pyre that had become of it.
Four Chinese 59C Type medium tanks came around the bend in the road and began firing at the other tanks and half-tracks that had brought up the front of the Task Force.
One of the Piranha III let loose a round and hit one of the PLA tanks.
Parker quickly hopped onto one of the Wasps and ordered the front tanks to return fire and retreat.
Colonel Parker had been on reconnaissance with a few of the Task Force troops and halftracks when the Chinese had attacked. He recognized the insignia on the Chinese tanks. He was being attacked by the PLA tank force. They had over five hundred men, and at least fifty more armor vehicles than Parker did. If they wanted a chance to survive, then he would need to return to the dugout area he had designated the home base of the Task Force. Once they were there they could hold off the Chinese tank force.
Twelve Chinese halftracks burst through the bush behind the American forces and began firing and strafing the tanks.
Parker jumped off of the moving Wasp and sprinted towards one of the Piranha III tracks and climbed into the turret. He trained the machine gun that was welded onto the back of the Piranha at the Chinese halftracks. He began firing at them, which brought the Piranha under heavy fire from the Chinese.
An Abrams tank fired a HEAT (High Explosive, Anti-Tank) round at the 59C Chinese tanks and hit one of them.
That left two tanks and ten halftracks.
Parker left the machine gun and ducked into the Piranha. It was quite crowded in the tank; the tank fit four soldiers, and having another man, and Parker's size to boot, was not the best way for it to perform.
"You guys have any of the TOW's left?!" Parker shouted over the tanks engine and the explosions outside.
"We've got two!" the loader responded.
Parker spotted the TOW's and grabbed it and climbed out of the hatch. He jumped cautiously to the ground and ran towards the last two Chinese tanks.
(TOW- Tactical, Optical Wire- guided rocket, a shoulder-fired missile with the impact power of a 155-mm artillery shell, intended to be used against tanks.)
The other soldiers in the Wasp and Piranha's watched as Parker ran within twenty feet of the Chinese tanks and dropped to one knee. The TOW fired and the missile tore through one of the 59C tanks and it detonated on contact. The unfired rounds inside the tank detonated once the fire reached them, sending shrapnel and fire towards the other 59C Chinese tank, destroying that one as well.
The last of the Chinese halftracks retreated back into the foliage.
Parker tossed the empty TOW to the ground and turned to face the other American tanks. A mighty cheer of jubilation went up among the troops as Parker walked back to the tanks. The cheer died down when Parker grabbed a fire extinguisher from one of the Wasps and walked back to his M1 Abrams tank and began to douse the fires.
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The following is a transcript from a published report from one of the soldiers involved with the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion, which was involved in Task Force Parker:
Sgt. John Peters
We were about ten miles outside of Changhua when we got the word that we were going to have to go after some other Chinese tank battalion had gotten through the Taiwanese lines.
The Old Man had taken the news well and we moved out later that night. We arrived near Alishan the next morning and we dug in that day. Battalion had told us that we should expect to be attacked that night by the Chinese. For some reason they didn't hit us that night. They hit us the next night.
The Old Man had come down to the front line that night and some dumb fucking staff sergeant tried to explain to him that it would be far too dangerous for him to be out on the front line. The Old Man listened to him and then, very calmly, told the sergeant that if he was going to be like this for the whole night, then he would send him back to the hick town that he had come from.
It must have been at least two in the morning when we first spotted the Chinese coming down the valley. They were crossing the Yushan Lake and we all knew that there would be no way that we could hit them from here. The Chinese also knew that they couldn't hit us from where they were too. So what they did was cross the damn river like they were on a goddamned vacation.
I turned to ask the Old Man if he wanted a drink but he wasn't there. I figured he had gotten smart and bootlegged it back to the CP. So once half of the Chinese forces had crossed the river, I hear these four short bursts. I was just about to go look where the Old Man was when the Chinese started firing back to us. But they were firing at the hillside that must have been two hundred yards from where the Task Force had set up.
I got to my feet and wandered down the line and into the wooded area, and that was where I found the Old Man. He was sitting atop an M1 Abrams tank and he had a goddamned sniper rifle, and he was wearing a big shit- eating grin.
I told him that he was pretty good with that sniper rifle. He replied, "Good, I'm fucking fantastic!"
After that night, the Chinese didn't cross the river like it was a goddamned cakewalk. They still came, but by god, they came carefully!
===============
The following is a published report on Task Force Parker:
Washington Post
I was with the 202nd when we first heard the firing. It had sounded like American artillery but we couldn't be sure. The Colonel had said that it was probably the Chinese. It was well known that a lot of American weapons and tanks had been lost at the start of this war when soldiers and officers alike bugged out. The Colonel ordered a hold fire and we waited for the tanks to roll in.
One soldier further up the line was excited and let loose a rocket from a rocket launcher. He was immediately brought under fire by the incoming tanks.
The firing we had heard was the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion. Everyone had heard about the Task Force and how it had been tearing through the Chinese lines and destroying the enemy's communication depots. A large dirty Colonel from the force jumped from his tank and watched as the rest of his tanks rolled by.
The Task Force hadn't been expected at the link-up until four days later, but there it was.
We had sort of expected to see some old rugged man to be leading the Task Force, but the Colonel was a young handsome man that appeared to be in his thirties.
The troops in the tanks didn't salute the dirty young Colonel; some of them shot him a thumbs-up. The Colonel suddenly popped to attention when the reconnaissance vehicles road past. It seems the Task Force had brought their dead with them.
When the dirty young Colonel walked up the lines, the Colonel from the 202nd met him. He had just received news that the soldier on the front lines that had fired the rocket had been killed.
The Colonel was angry, as any commanding officer is when a subordinate is killed, and he blamed the young Colonel before us.
"If you had been where you were supposed to be Colonel, this wouldn't have happened."
The young Colonel looked at the other Colonel for a moment before replying.
"What would you have us do Colonel, go back?"
===============
Task Force Parker was a success and China now had to rethink their plans for taking over Taiwan. This first attempt to take Taiwan had only been the first wave, at least double the number of soldiers would be sent the next time.
There had been a communication breakdown between the forces out in the field and those that were back in the United States. This caused the news of the Americans success to be delayed for almost three days, or as long as it would take for aircraft to get back to the United States.
At 0456 hours, hurricane Kenzan had hit the coast of Taiwan, delaying all flights, military or otherwise. This meant that troops and equipment could not be flown into Taiwan, and nothing could be flown out.
American forces as well as Taiwanese had been sent onto the Chinese coast, in an attempt to destroy whatever supply lines the Chinese still had left. They had been met on the coast by an astounding number of Chinese forces. The resulting fighting saw the Americans and Taiwanese pull out of China.
Help from the rest of the world did not come as was promised. Britain could not assist in the war as much as had previously been stated. It was quite impossible to fly troops halfway around the world and then land them on a country that was barely large enough to contain the fighting that was going on inside it. Canada was able to send some Navy ships and send some Air Force planes, but it could not send what the Americans and Taiwanese needed most, infantry.
America and its allies were losing the war.
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Ranma, Akane, Ryoga, and Akari returned home from school and entered the living room.
The house still seemed to be far too large for just five people. While the word mansion did not describe the house, it was not far from the truth. For Ryoga, the size of the house was a continuing burden on his already terrible directional skills. But he had yet to be lost for more than an hour, because the house was equipped with an intercom system in each room that allowed you to talk to anyone from any room of the house.
Ishii was going over some reports when the television announced that the Prime Minister was about to address the nation.
"What was that?" Ranma asked as he set his book bag down on the ground and plopped down beside Ishii.
"Seems the Prime Minister is going to address the nation about the Pacific War," Ishii replied as he set the reports down.
"Well, Japan can't really do anything can we?" Ryoga asked. "Isn't illegal for Japan to get involved with a war that does not directly involve them?"
"Yes," Ishii nodded. "But it will be interesting to see what the Prime Minister says."
The screen changed to show the Prime Minister of Japan standing by a podium with a piece of paper laid on top.
*Good afternoon. As we all know, the war between the two China's and America has been increasing each day. I have come here today to tell the nation just what will be our stance on the Pacific War. I have already called the President of the United States and told him what I am about to tell you.*
*Japan frowns upon the actions the People's Republic of China is taking to reclaim the Republic of China, and we will not support any effort put forth by the PRC to involve our nation in their plans. While we will not support the PRC and what they are doing, Japan will continue to have its good trade relationship with China.*
"You chickenshit`ed sonofabitch!" Ranma exploded. The others just watched silently.
*.and we will not assist the United States or Taiwan in their efforts to push back the attack put forth by China. Thank you, and good day.*
The screen changed back to the newscaster. He smiled and went on to other news.
"Coward," Ishii breathed. "He's too fucking worried about what will happen if the Chinese succeed that he's willing to sit back and let them beat each other up. Well fuck him!"
Akari and Akane were embarrassed at Ishii's outburst. Ranma and Ryoga nodded their heads in agreement.
Ranma looked at Ishii and could see a light come into his eyes. He wondered what Ishii was thinking but did not voice his thoughts.
===============
The President of the United States glared at the men in front of him.
At the moment, he, as well as several other high ranking diplomats, was seated inside the Situation Room. A room that was designated to only be used when discussing and planning very important news and missions.
The problem put before the men now was how they could turn the tide of the war in the Pacific. It was a tough question, and one without a definite answer.
"The report that was handed to me before this meeting very clearly defined the way this war is going," the President said. "It told me that even with all the equipment and men we are putting into Taiwan and China, we are losing this war and there is close to nothing we can do change that."
"Mr. President," the Secretary of State began, "we have been trying to talk to the Chinese leaders and instruct them that we are willing to start negotiations. The only reply we have received so far is that the ministers are in conference and cannot be disturbed."
The Secretary of the Army spoke up. "Taiwan is a very mountainous region and we are having a lot of difficulty trying to move soldiers and equipment. Most of the high industrious cities have been taken over by the Chinese. Before this meeting was called, I received a call from CINCPac (Commander and Chief of the Pacific) and he instructed me that a hurricane has hit the coast of Taiwan, rendering all communications with soldiers in the field and back here unusable."
"All you are giving me is reasons why we are losing this war," the President said slowly, indicating that he was very close to losing his temper. "I believe I asked you for ideas on how we can win this war."
The room grew silent.
The DCI, having arrived from Langley earlier in the morning, stuck his hand up as if he was again attending grade school.
"Yes?" the President said, indicating that he wanted him to proceed.
"Sir, an idea has been put forth from the DO, Phil Parker, about how we may be able to help put a stop to this war once and for all."
No one replied.
"General Parker has put together a plan with which I believe can stop this war from continuing. He gave me the general idea before I had to come here, so I will not be able to go into any great detail."
"What if we were to go after the leaders themselves?"
His question was greeted with absolute silence for thirty seconds.
"Do you mean to tell me that you would want this administration to actually try and kill the leaders of China?" the Secretary of State asked.
The DCI nodded his head. "The idea is actually quite simple; we would use the assistance of some Air Force aircraft and put bombs through the windows of the men that have dedicated their country to war."
The President spoke before any of the other men had a chance. "I don't think we can actually do something like that John, it is tantamount to murder."
"And what these men did isn't?" the DCI countered. "We are not going to be killing grandpa and grandma here, were going to be eliminating men that have put their own personal needs above common sense. We have tried to do it before."
"Yes," the President conceded. "But that was when both sides were reaching their breaking point and there was really no other option, and we would have had the support of the American people."
"Most of the American people don't even understand why were at war. Some of them didn't even know that Taiwan is its own independent country."
"Look, this is a totally new idea, were going to have to put it on hold until we can get more opinion from the rest of Washington," the President said. "We might as well close down for tonight."
A goddamned hurricane, the President thought angrily, what else can happen?
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The 81st Heavy Tank Battalion was situated along the eastern coast of Taiwan when the order to leave the country came in. X Corps was supposed to be coming in, but because of the hurricane, it meant a delay. When X Corps did arrive in Taiwan, they would set up a defense around Taiwan, in case a Chinese second wave was successful in breaking through the defensive line the American navy ships had put up.
Their mission had been completed. The Chinese had been thoroughly cut off from supplying their forces in Taiwan. The U.S. navy had created a blockade across the two China seas. The United States Air Force had been able to get some bomber aircraft into Taiwan before the hurricane had hit. This enabled forces engaging the enemy to receive air cover and the ability to call in artillery.
The Chinese that were left in Taiwan were proving to be very stubborn. In much the same way the Japanese had done during World War Two, the Chinese soldiers would not relinquish any ground and would neither retreat nor surrender, despite being outnumbered five to one. Instead they would opt for holding until the last soldier had been killed. In some cases, the Chinese had even done suicide charges at the American troops, resulting in massive body counts.
During Task Force Parker, the 81st was able to capture over three hundred Chinese soldiers. They were interrogated and the location of more Chinese weaknesses and strongholds had been discovered.
Colonel Phillip Parker had led his troops very admirably.
Even though Phillip loved being in command, he was glad when the order came in. He was just recently married and he wanted to get the hell out of Dodge City.
But with the hurricane hitting the country earlier in the day, he, and the rest of the 81st were going to have to stay put, at least until the hurricane let up.
Parker knew he would not be sent back to the States. The news of the second wave of Chinese forces had made its way to Taiwan. He, also meaning the 81st, would most likely be sent to China.
At the moment, Parker was seated outside the building that had been designated the temporary headquarters of the troops that were stranded because of the hurricane.
He was thinking about Antoinette when he heard the dull drone of an army personnel carrier aircraft. He twisted around to get a good look at the airfield. The hurricane had passed through the area already, and the airfield had had to be cleared of all the debris that had cluttered it up.
Phillip sprinted to the airfield and arrived just as the air traffic controllers had finished giving the pilot instructions to land.
Parker saw no other personnel outside so he ran to one of the military jeeps, jumped in and positioned the jeep on the runway. He watched the plane come in and then slowly drove down the runway, leading the plane to one of the aircraft hangers.
The pilot shut the aircraft down and climbed down the aircraft. He saluted Parker.
"What the hell are you doing here!?" Parker demanded of the air force pilot. Flying had been strictly forbidden while the hurricane was moving across the coast.
"I received an order from my Colonel that I was to come down here and pick up a Colonel Parker and the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion," the air force major told him.
"We can't fit all our tanks into that tiny thing," Parker said, indicating the pilot's plane.
"Sir, I was also instructed that the Colonel would be leaving behind all tanks and halftracks, and turning them over to the Taiwanese."
Parker didn't like that but he knew this major wouldn't have any other information on the order than that.
"Okay, where are you going to take us?"
"We've got a temporary base set up in Kyushu. I'm supposed to take you there, where you're going to wait until further instructions," the pilot said.
Parker didn't reply. He hopped back into the jeep and rode down to the building and instructed the troops of what he just heard and then led them back to the waiting plane.
He wasn't quite going home, but it was something.
===============
Zhisheng calmly listened to the head of the PLA deliver his speech on how the war in Taiwan was going. He outlined the general success storied as well as some of the failures. Once he was finished, Zhisheng stood up and addressed the Politburo.
"Comrades," Zhisheng began, "despite the picture that Wang Lei has drawn for you, the situation in Taiwan has actually become quite grave. The Americans have successfully blocked off Taiwan, making it impossible to move ships back and forth and for aircraft to fly in and out. We have been cut off and our troops are dying."
Renyang looked at Zhisheng for a moment before replying.
"And where did you receive this information Zhisheng?"
Zhisheng was prepared for that question. "I, as well as my other duties, receive the reports that the political officers we put aboard the ships and inside infantry divisions. Before the Americans were able to block off our supply routes, I received a report from one of the political officers assigned to the PLA tank force. He explained to me how an American tank battalion had been disrupting communications and destroying ammunitions dumps. He said he would communicate within the next few days, and I have been waiting for almost a week."
Renyang spoke slowly. "If this is indeed the case then what do you propose we do?"
Zhisheng nodded towards the Transportation minister. "I have spoken with the Transportation minister and the Secretary of the army about what I would like to propose.
"And what is that?" Renyang asked.
"The use of our nuclear weapons."
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Author's Notes: Military life is, as it should be, very different than the life most of you people live. I realize that some of the people that read this story were at one time or another, in the service, and I do not wish to insult them.
People have to understand that the military needs to keep the interaction between most of the soldiers to a minimum. If special bonds are created between soldiers, than it could very well lead to problems once they enter combat. This is one of the reason homosexual men are not allowed into the military, as it would only serve to complicate things to have them in. This is no insult to any of the homosexual population, but I agree with that thought. Physical love between soldiers should definitely be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Thanks to everyone that has read the story and a special thanks to all those that have written a review.
Taiwan
Lieutenant Colonel Phillip Sheridan Parker IV walked through the door to the Commanding Officer of Fort Bragg and stopped six feet from his desk, he saluted.
"Lieutenant Colonel Parker reporting as ordered sir!"
General Waterford looked at Parker for a moment before returning the salute.
"At ease."
Parker went to parade rest, which meant his eyes were located six inches above the Generals head.
General Waterford put the folder he had been sorting back into his desk and called out the open door.
"Johnny! Tell anyone who calls that I'll be in conference for the next thirty minutes." He turned his attention to Colonel Parker. "How are you Phillip?"
"Quite well sir, Taiwan is a nice country," Parker said, lowering his eyes to meet Waterford's.
General Waterford's eyebrows rose. "Oh, and what do think now?"
Parker blurted, "I think the Chinese are pissing in the wind."
General Waterford laughed aloud. "Well, that is not an assessment that is held by most of the people in the Pentagon."
Parker considered his reply for a moment. "Sir, the Taiwanese people do not want a communist regime, and I am quite confident that they will oppose the Chinese with as much strength as they can muster."
"And do you feel that the United States should help them?"
"Yes sir, the people of Taiwan believe that the United States will help them and I would like to think that we would abide by our promises to a country."
"Well, then your going to be happy once I tell you that the President ordered air strikes against some military installations on the coast of China, and he has plans to send over some infantry regiments to help guard Taiwan."
Parker looked at Waterford for a moment. "Sir, what about the air force?"
"The air force is going to be sending fighters and bombers over too. I would think that they will be the determining point in this war," Waterford said.
Phillip didn't reply.
"The reason I called you in here on such short notice is because I have been asked to make a list of all the Armor officers I have and send them to the Pentagon ASAP. Your name was on the top of my list."
"I am flattered sir."
Waterford looked at Parker. "We are also sending over Armor battalions. You are going to be the first officer sent over with them. It is because of your experience from the Gulf War that you have been given this title."
Parker didn't reply.
"You will be expected to go meet the troops and debrief them on what they will be doing. You will be instructed on your assignment once you have arrived in Taiwan. I suspect that you will be given somewhat of a heroes welcome," General Waterford said.
Parker stood at attention. "Thank you sir, and with the General's permission?"
"You are dismissed Colonel."
Parker saluted, did a perfect about face and marched out of the office.
===============
Parker met his troops once he landed in Fort Riley. He was to spend the next five days training the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion and debriefing them on what they were expected to do.
As an amazing coincidence, Antoinette Albright happened to have been stationed at Fort Riley as well. She was teaching the new medical students some of the new developments in the treating of diabetes and hepatitis.
Parker had told the duty officer that he had a place to stay on the base and he would not need alternate arrangements.
Colonel Parker was instructed that he would be taking to Taiwan: thirty-six US Army M1 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, four RG-12 armored vehicles, three Wasps (a wasp is a rapid deployment 4 x 4 reconnaissance vehicle), five Piranha III 8x8 IFV - amphibious version with two propellers and twin rudders in the rear, equipped with 25mm DELCO turret, and five VAB multi-range vehicles.
The VAB was intensively used in Desert Storm, Cambodia, and Bulgaria. It was a proven track vehicle that could withstand anti-tank mines better than any other vehicle in the occupation of the army.
The RG-12 is an armored vehicle with a proven track record for protecting its crew against rifle fire, shrapnel, firebombs, and the like.
A Wasp is a term used from the Korean War for the lead tracks in an armor battalion that would be sent forward to observe the enemy and be able to return without gross losses.
Colonel Parker was pleasantly surprised with what he was being equipped with. He had had only half of the vehicles when he had participated in Task Force Able during the last days of the Gulf War.
The troops were of good design as well. The majority had graduated from Norwich (the armor school) and almost all the troops were under thirty.
Parker was aware that he was also commanding the lives of over five hundred men. He had never before commanded so many troops.
The troops respected Parker and admired him once the story of what he did during the Gulf War.
After three days at Riley, Phillip decided that if he was going to be sent back into combat, he would need to propose to Antoinette as soon as possible.
He took her out for dinner and then brought her back to their apartment.
"Toni," Phillip said once they had retired to the living room, "I need to tell you something."
Antoinette looked at Phillip for a moment before smiling. "I have something I need to say to you to Phil."
Parker shook his head. "Mines more important."
Toni glared at him. "How would you know if you don't even know what I'm going to tell you?"
"Because I know that my thing is going to make you very happy and me as well."
"Just let me go first Phil," Toni said exasperatedly. Phil sighed but nodded. "Okay, I was thinking that maybe we should get married before you go over to Taiwan."
She looked at Phil and saw the look of utter shock on his face.
"Well?" Toni asked quietly as Phil continued to stare at her.
Phil shook himself out of his shocked state and looked at Toni for a moment. He got off the couch and went down on one knee.
"Toni, will you do me the honor of marrying me?" he asked her as he produced the ring box from his pocket and showed the ring to Toni.
"Your prepared for everything aren't you?" Toni asked and grabbed Phil's head between her hands and leaned forward and kissed his forehead.
===============
Colonel Parker Weds
In a small ceremony Phillip Sheridan Parker IV married Antoinette Albright MD. The wedding was attended by Major General Philip Parker and the Chief of Staff.
===============
The news of Phil's wedding was received with mixed blessing in Japan.
Ranma and Ryoga were a little sore that they had not been invited, even if they would have had to of traveled all the way to the United States to attend it.
Akari and Akane were extremely pleased and happy when the news came. They even talked to the bride when Phil called them.
Ishii didn't react much; he just seemed to except it and congratulated Phil.
When Ranma had gotten the chance to talk to Phil on the phone, Phil asked him if something was the matter with Ishii.
Ranma relayed the news about the news that had been delivered to the house by some government official from the Prime Ministers office. The Chinese government was refusing to turn over any of the bodies that they had recovered from the wrecks of the American warships, and a small note included that they would not be turning over the remains of a Japanese man that had been conducting terrorist type of activity in the far west of China.
Seiji's body would not be returned to Japan.
Akane and Akari cried once they found out that Phillip was going to Taiwan to hold the Chinese at bay. Ranma and Ryoga wished him god speed.
The battalion was air lifted from Hawaii to Hualien, Taiwan.
Once the battalion's gear and equipment had been unpacked and checked to ensure that everything was under normal operation, they moved out from Hualien and headed towards Changhua, the city that the Chinese had taken over.
===============
Once the battalion had driven about forty miles from Hualien, they received a radio message from General Waterford.
The operation they were going to undertake would be named Task Force Parker.
Traditionally, Task Forces are lead by Majors, but there was a lack of Majors in Armor that were capable of leading a battalion size force. This being the case, Lieutenant Colonel Parker was named Commanding Officer of Task Force Parker.
The troops were thrilled and Parker was embarrassed.
The Task Force stopped fifty miles outside Changhua. They dug in and prepared for their assault on Changhua the next day.
===============
They received very unwanted news the next morning.
The Chinese had sent over ten regiment sized armor forces. They had driven from Changhua and were now patrolling the western coast of Taiwan.
Task Force Parker was now assigned the duty of making trouble behind the lines and destroying supply routes and knocking out ammunition depots.
If they could succeed in keeping the Chinese busy behind the lines, then the United States could bring in more navy ships and completely block off the supply lines from mainland China.
===============
Lieutenant Colonel Parker was sitting atop his M1 Abrams Tank when the first round hit.
Parker was thrown from the top of his tank and he hit the ground hard. He quickly got to his feet and was about to run back to his tank when he saw the funeral pyre that had become of it.
Four Chinese 59C Type medium tanks came around the bend in the road and began firing at the other tanks and half-tracks that had brought up the front of the Task Force.
One of the Piranha III let loose a round and hit one of the PLA tanks.
Parker quickly hopped onto one of the Wasps and ordered the front tanks to return fire and retreat.
Colonel Parker had been on reconnaissance with a few of the Task Force troops and halftracks when the Chinese had attacked. He recognized the insignia on the Chinese tanks. He was being attacked by the PLA tank force. They had over five hundred men, and at least fifty more armor vehicles than Parker did. If they wanted a chance to survive, then he would need to return to the dugout area he had designated the home base of the Task Force. Once they were there they could hold off the Chinese tank force.
Twelve Chinese halftracks burst through the bush behind the American forces and began firing and strafing the tanks.
Parker jumped off of the moving Wasp and sprinted towards one of the Piranha III tracks and climbed into the turret. He trained the machine gun that was welded onto the back of the Piranha at the Chinese halftracks. He began firing at them, which brought the Piranha under heavy fire from the Chinese.
An Abrams tank fired a HEAT (High Explosive, Anti-Tank) round at the 59C Chinese tanks and hit one of them.
That left two tanks and ten halftracks.
Parker left the machine gun and ducked into the Piranha. It was quite crowded in the tank; the tank fit four soldiers, and having another man, and Parker's size to boot, was not the best way for it to perform.
"You guys have any of the TOW's left?!" Parker shouted over the tanks engine and the explosions outside.
"We've got two!" the loader responded.
Parker spotted the TOW's and grabbed it and climbed out of the hatch. He jumped cautiously to the ground and ran towards the last two Chinese tanks.
(TOW- Tactical, Optical Wire- guided rocket, a shoulder-fired missile with the impact power of a 155-mm artillery shell, intended to be used against tanks.)
The other soldiers in the Wasp and Piranha's watched as Parker ran within twenty feet of the Chinese tanks and dropped to one knee. The TOW fired and the missile tore through one of the 59C tanks and it detonated on contact. The unfired rounds inside the tank detonated once the fire reached them, sending shrapnel and fire towards the other 59C Chinese tank, destroying that one as well.
The last of the Chinese halftracks retreated back into the foliage.
Parker tossed the empty TOW to the ground and turned to face the other American tanks. A mighty cheer of jubilation went up among the troops as Parker walked back to the tanks. The cheer died down when Parker grabbed a fire extinguisher from one of the Wasps and walked back to his M1 Abrams tank and began to douse the fires.
===============
The following is a transcript from a published report from one of the soldiers involved with the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion, which was involved in Task Force Parker:
Sgt. John Peters
We were about ten miles outside of Changhua when we got the word that we were going to have to go after some other Chinese tank battalion had gotten through the Taiwanese lines.
The Old Man had taken the news well and we moved out later that night. We arrived near Alishan the next morning and we dug in that day. Battalion had told us that we should expect to be attacked that night by the Chinese. For some reason they didn't hit us that night. They hit us the next night.
The Old Man had come down to the front line that night and some dumb fucking staff sergeant tried to explain to him that it would be far too dangerous for him to be out on the front line. The Old Man listened to him and then, very calmly, told the sergeant that if he was going to be like this for the whole night, then he would send him back to the hick town that he had come from.
It must have been at least two in the morning when we first spotted the Chinese coming down the valley. They were crossing the Yushan Lake and we all knew that there would be no way that we could hit them from here. The Chinese also knew that they couldn't hit us from where they were too. So what they did was cross the damn river like they were on a goddamned vacation.
I turned to ask the Old Man if he wanted a drink but he wasn't there. I figured he had gotten smart and bootlegged it back to the CP. So once half of the Chinese forces had crossed the river, I hear these four short bursts. I was just about to go look where the Old Man was when the Chinese started firing back to us. But they were firing at the hillside that must have been two hundred yards from where the Task Force had set up.
I got to my feet and wandered down the line and into the wooded area, and that was where I found the Old Man. He was sitting atop an M1 Abrams tank and he had a goddamned sniper rifle, and he was wearing a big shit- eating grin.
I told him that he was pretty good with that sniper rifle. He replied, "Good, I'm fucking fantastic!"
After that night, the Chinese didn't cross the river like it was a goddamned cakewalk. They still came, but by god, they came carefully!
===============
The following is a published report on Task Force Parker:
Washington Post
I was with the 202nd when we first heard the firing. It had sounded like American artillery but we couldn't be sure. The Colonel had said that it was probably the Chinese. It was well known that a lot of American weapons and tanks had been lost at the start of this war when soldiers and officers alike bugged out. The Colonel ordered a hold fire and we waited for the tanks to roll in.
One soldier further up the line was excited and let loose a rocket from a rocket launcher. He was immediately brought under fire by the incoming tanks.
The firing we had heard was the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion. Everyone had heard about the Task Force and how it had been tearing through the Chinese lines and destroying the enemy's communication depots. A large dirty Colonel from the force jumped from his tank and watched as the rest of his tanks rolled by.
The Task Force hadn't been expected at the link-up until four days later, but there it was.
We had sort of expected to see some old rugged man to be leading the Task Force, but the Colonel was a young handsome man that appeared to be in his thirties.
The troops in the tanks didn't salute the dirty young Colonel; some of them shot him a thumbs-up. The Colonel suddenly popped to attention when the reconnaissance vehicles road past. It seems the Task Force had brought their dead with them.
When the dirty young Colonel walked up the lines, the Colonel from the 202nd met him. He had just received news that the soldier on the front lines that had fired the rocket had been killed.
The Colonel was angry, as any commanding officer is when a subordinate is killed, and he blamed the young Colonel before us.
"If you had been where you were supposed to be Colonel, this wouldn't have happened."
The young Colonel looked at the other Colonel for a moment before replying.
"What would you have us do Colonel, go back?"
===============
Task Force Parker was a success and China now had to rethink their plans for taking over Taiwan. This first attempt to take Taiwan had only been the first wave, at least double the number of soldiers would be sent the next time.
There had been a communication breakdown between the forces out in the field and those that were back in the United States. This caused the news of the Americans success to be delayed for almost three days, or as long as it would take for aircraft to get back to the United States.
At 0456 hours, hurricane Kenzan had hit the coast of Taiwan, delaying all flights, military or otherwise. This meant that troops and equipment could not be flown into Taiwan, and nothing could be flown out.
American forces as well as Taiwanese had been sent onto the Chinese coast, in an attempt to destroy whatever supply lines the Chinese still had left. They had been met on the coast by an astounding number of Chinese forces. The resulting fighting saw the Americans and Taiwanese pull out of China.
Help from the rest of the world did not come as was promised. Britain could not assist in the war as much as had previously been stated. It was quite impossible to fly troops halfway around the world and then land them on a country that was barely large enough to contain the fighting that was going on inside it. Canada was able to send some Navy ships and send some Air Force planes, but it could not send what the Americans and Taiwanese needed most, infantry.
America and its allies were losing the war.
===============
Ranma, Akane, Ryoga, and Akari returned home from school and entered the living room.
The house still seemed to be far too large for just five people. While the word mansion did not describe the house, it was not far from the truth. For Ryoga, the size of the house was a continuing burden on his already terrible directional skills. But he had yet to be lost for more than an hour, because the house was equipped with an intercom system in each room that allowed you to talk to anyone from any room of the house.
Ishii was going over some reports when the television announced that the Prime Minister was about to address the nation.
"What was that?" Ranma asked as he set his book bag down on the ground and plopped down beside Ishii.
"Seems the Prime Minister is going to address the nation about the Pacific War," Ishii replied as he set the reports down.
"Well, Japan can't really do anything can we?" Ryoga asked. "Isn't illegal for Japan to get involved with a war that does not directly involve them?"
"Yes," Ishii nodded. "But it will be interesting to see what the Prime Minister says."
The screen changed to show the Prime Minister of Japan standing by a podium with a piece of paper laid on top.
*Good afternoon. As we all know, the war between the two China's and America has been increasing each day. I have come here today to tell the nation just what will be our stance on the Pacific War. I have already called the President of the United States and told him what I am about to tell you.*
*Japan frowns upon the actions the People's Republic of China is taking to reclaim the Republic of China, and we will not support any effort put forth by the PRC to involve our nation in their plans. While we will not support the PRC and what they are doing, Japan will continue to have its good trade relationship with China.*
"You chickenshit`ed sonofabitch!" Ranma exploded. The others just watched silently.
*.and we will not assist the United States or Taiwan in their efforts to push back the attack put forth by China. Thank you, and good day.*
The screen changed back to the newscaster. He smiled and went on to other news.
"Coward," Ishii breathed. "He's too fucking worried about what will happen if the Chinese succeed that he's willing to sit back and let them beat each other up. Well fuck him!"
Akari and Akane were embarrassed at Ishii's outburst. Ranma and Ryoga nodded their heads in agreement.
Ranma looked at Ishii and could see a light come into his eyes. He wondered what Ishii was thinking but did not voice his thoughts.
===============
The President of the United States glared at the men in front of him.
At the moment, he, as well as several other high ranking diplomats, was seated inside the Situation Room. A room that was designated to only be used when discussing and planning very important news and missions.
The problem put before the men now was how they could turn the tide of the war in the Pacific. It was a tough question, and one without a definite answer.
"The report that was handed to me before this meeting very clearly defined the way this war is going," the President said. "It told me that even with all the equipment and men we are putting into Taiwan and China, we are losing this war and there is close to nothing we can do change that."
"Mr. President," the Secretary of State began, "we have been trying to talk to the Chinese leaders and instruct them that we are willing to start negotiations. The only reply we have received so far is that the ministers are in conference and cannot be disturbed."
The Secretary of the Army spoke up. "Taiwan is a very mountainous region and we are having a lot of difficulty trying to move soldiers and equipment. Most of the high industrious cities have been taken over by the Chinese. Before this meeting was called, I received a call from CINCPac (Commander and Chief of the Pacific) and he instructed me that a hurricane has hit the coast of Taiwan, rendering all communications with soldiers in the field and back here unusable."
"All you are giving me is reasons why we are losing this war," the President said slowly, indicating that he was very close to losing his temper. "I believe I asked you for ideas on how we can win this war."
The room grew silent.
The DCI, having arrived from Langley earlier in the morning, stuck his hand up as if he was again attending grade school.
"Yes?" the President said, indicating that he wanted him to proceed.
"Sir, an idea has been put forth from the DO, Phil Parker, about how we may be able to help put a stop to this war once and for all."
No one replied.
"General Parker has put together a plan with which I believe can stop this war from continuing. He gave me the general idea before I had to come here, so I will not be able to go into any great detail."
"What if we were to go after the leaders themselves?"
His question was greeted with absolute silence for thirty seconds.
"Do you mean to tell me that you would want this administration to actually try and kill the leaders of China?" the Secretary of State asked.
The DCI nodded his head. "The idea is actually quite simple; we would use the assistance of some Air Force aircraft and put bombs through the windows of the men that have dedicated their country to war."
The President spoke before any of the other men had a chance. "I don't think we can actually do something like that John, it is tantamount to murder."
"And what these men did isn't?" the DCI countered. "We are not going to be killing grandpa and grandma here, were going to be eliminating men that have put their own personal needs above common sense. We have tried to do it before."
"Yes," the President conceded. "But that was when both sides were reaching their breaking point and there was really no other option, and we would have had the support of the American people."
"Most of the American people don't even understand why were at war. Some of them didn't even know that Taiwan is its own independent country."
"Look, this is a totally new idea, were going to have to put it on hold until we can get more opinion from the rest of Washington," the President said. "We might as well close down for tonight."
A goddamned hurricane, the President thought angrily, what else can happen?
===============
The 81st Heavy Tank Battalion was situated along the eastern coast of Taiwan when the order to leave the country came in. X Corps was supposed to be coming in, but because of the hurricane, it meant a delay. When X Corps did arrive in Taiwan, they would set up a defense around Taiwan, in case a Chinese second wave was successful in breaking through the defensive line the American navy ships had put up.
Their mission had been completed. The Chinese had been thoroughly cut off from supplying their forces in Taiwan. The U.S. navy had created a blockade across the two China seas. The United States Air Force had been able to get some bomber aircraft into Taiwan before the hurricane had hit. This enabled forces engaging the enemy to receive air cover and the ability to call in artillery.
The Chinese that were left in Taiwan were proving to be very stubborn. In much the same way the Japanese had done during World War Two, the Chinese soldiers would not relinquish any ground and would neither retreat nor surrender, despite being outnumbered five to one. Instead they would opt for holding until the last soldier had been killed. In some cases, the Chinese had even done suicide charges at the American troops, resulting in massive body counts.
During Task Force Parker, the 81st was able to capture over three hundred Chinese soldiers. They were interrogated and the location of more Chinese weaknesses and strongholds had been discovered.
Colonel Phillip Parker had led his troops very admirably.
Even though Phillip loved being in command, he was glad when the order came in. He was just recently married and he wanted to get the hell out of Dodge City.
But with the hurricane hitting the country earlier in the day, he, and the rest of the 81st were going to have to stay put, at least until the hurricane let up.
Parker knew he would not be sent back to the States. The news of the second wave of Chinese forces had made its way to Taiwan. He, also meaning the 81st, would most likely be sent to China.
At the moment, Parker was seated outside the building that had been designated the temporary headquarters of the troops that were stranded because of the hurricane.
He was thinking about Antoinette when he heard the dull drone of an army personnel carrier aircraft. He twisted around to get a good look at the airfield. The hurricane had passed through the area already, and the airfield had had to be cleared of all the debris that had cluttered it up.
Phillip sprinted to the airfield and arrived just as the air traffic controllers had finished giving the pilot instructions to land.
Parker saw no other personnel outside so he ran to one of the military jeeps, jumped in and positioned the jeep on the runway. He watched the plane come in and then slowly drove down the runway, leading the plane to one of the aircraft hangers.
The pilot shut the aircraft down and climbed down the aircraft. He saluted Parker.
"What the hell are you doing here!?" Parker demanded of the air force pilot. Flying had been strictly forbidden while the hurricane was moving across the coast.
"I received an order from my Colonel that I was to come down here and pick up a Colonel Parker and the 81st Heavy Tank Battalion," the air force major told him.
"We can't fit all our tanks into that tiny thing," Parker said, indicating the pilot's plane.
"Sir, I was also instructed that the Colonel would be leaving behind all tanks and halftracks, and turning them over to the Taiwanese."
Parker didn't like that but he knew this major wouldn't have any other information on the order than that.
"Okay, where are you going to take us?"
"We've got a temporary base set up in Kyushu. I'm supposed to take you there, where you're going to wait until further instructions," the pilot said.
Parker didn't reply. He hopped back into the jeep and rode down to the building and instructed the troops of what he just heard and then led them back to the waiting plane.
He wasn't quite going home, but it was something.
===============
Zhisheng calmly listened to the head of the PLA deliver his speech on how the war in Taiwan was going. He outlined the general success storied as well as some of the failures. Once he was finished, Zhisheng stood up and addressed the Politburo.
"Comrades," Zhisheng began, "despite the picture that Wang Lei has drawn for you, the situation in Taiwan has actually become quite grave. The Americans have successfully blocked off Taiwan, making it impossible to move ships back and forth and for aircraft to fly in and out. We have been cut off and our troops are dying."
Renyang looked at Zhisheng for a moment before replying.
"And where did you receive this information Zhisheng?"
Zhisheng was prepared for that question. "I, as well as my other duties, receive the reports that the political officers we put aboard the ships and inside infantry divisions. Before the Americans were able to block off our supply routes, I received a report from one of the political officers assigned to the PLA tank force. He explained to me how an American tank battalion had been disrupting communications and destroying ammunitions dumps. He said he would communicate within the next few days, and I have been waiting for almost a week."
Renyang spoke slowly. "If this is indeed the case then what do you propose we do?"
Zhisheng nodded towards the Transportation minister. "I have spoken with the Transportation minister and the Secretary of the army about what I would like to propose.
"And what is that?" Renyang asked.
"The use of our nuclear weapons."
===============
Author's Notes: Military life is, as it should be, very different than the life most of you people live. I realize that some of the people that read this story were at one time or another, in the service, and I do not wish to insult them.
People have to understand that the military needs to keep the interaction between most of the soldiers to a minimum. If special bonds are created between soldiers, than it could very well lead to problems once they enter combat. This is one of the reason homosexual men are not allowed into the military, as it would only serve to complicate things to have them in. This is no insult to any of the homosexual population, but I agree with that thought. Physical love between soldiers should definitely be dealt with as quickly as possible.
Thanks to everyone that has read the story and a special thanks to all those that have written a review.