Forgotten Forbidden America | Book 8 | Sin Consumed, page 5
part #8 of Forgotten Forbidden America Series
Even though he was carrying full combat gear, Bolton still had laptop bags hanging off both shoulders and went to Marshall’s spot to set up Marshall’s area. Everyone turned as Hearst got up and went down to help Bolton set up Marshall’s area.
Marshall had stopped near the chairs lining the wall where aides sat and started stripping off his cold weather suit and combat gear. Even those on the other side of the room could smell the body odor as Marshall discarded gear. Tossing the gear in one of the chairs, Marshall spun around and noticed Hearst helping Bolton. “Thank you, Hearst,” Marshall said wearily and headed to the end of the room behind the president where food was laid out.
After loading a plate, shoving bottles of water in his cargo pockets, and filling a large water glass with coffee, Marshall headed to his seat as Bolton told Hearst ‘thank you’ and moved to the wall while Hearst went back to his chair. “Major, get food,” Marshall ordered, putting his plate down. In the process of stripping off gear, Bolton stopped and nearly ran for the food table.
Colene still hadn’t continued his briefing and watched with everyone else as Marshall took a water bottle out of his cargo pocket and poured it over a white cloth napkin. Tossing the bottle to the wall, Marshall started wiping off his hands and then his face. When he was done ‘cleaning’, he tossed the now nearly black napkin near the discarded bottle.
“Admiral,” Gifford finally called out, and Colene shook his head and continued.
“Australian forces are still enclosed around the beachhead Indonesia has and show no signs of trying to dislodge the forces. Reports are sketchy, but what we have gotten says Indonesia has lost over three million troops and unknown amounts of supplies when trying to reinforce the invasion force by sea. The beachhead is thirty miles in depth, but the Aussies can hit any part of it with artillery. This prevents the Indonesian forces from massing for any kind of a breakout,” Colene said nodding to the map on the main screen at the wall.
“How many troops does Indonesia have on the beachhead?” Schmidt asked.
Glancing at his notes, “One army group of three hundred thousand,” Colene answered.
Shaking his head, “The Aussies are using those troops on the beachhead as bait,” Schmidt said, seeming very impressed. “They are letting just enough supplies and troops through the blockade so Indonesia will keep trying to resupply for a breakout. Australia is wiping their military out without the need to invade Indonesia.”
Even though he hadn’t heard everything, Marshall was a bit shocked by that assessment. There wasn’t anyone he had ever met or heard of that compared to Schmidt when it came to tactical genius. Schmidt was the reason the Republic had been stopped at the Mississippi River after Kansas. The rear guard action Schmidt used to pull the forces back was something that would be discussed for centuries. Schmidt had gotten two entire army groups back with their equipment before the Republic cut them off. So when Schmidt made that declaration, Marshall gave a pause.
Letting an enemy land in force just to wipe them out seemed very dangerous, no matter if one controlled the sea lanes. If anyone else had said that, Marshall would’ve called ‘bullshit’, but for Schmidt to say it, “General, I know I missed some of Colene’s brief, but are you that positive?” Marshall asked, then started shoveling food in his mouth.
Turning to Marshall with a grin, “Very,” Schmidt answered. “The Aussies have one army group manning the blocking line and holding the beachhead. They are actually equal in strength with Indonesia but just fifty miles further back, Australia has two army groups in reserve. The Aussies could wipe them out anytime they wanted. Indonesia has tried building airstrips, only to have them hit before they can be used. That army group Indonesia has on shore has no air cover, fixed or rotor. The only ground based air defense they have are small man-portable units. Any time long range units try to set up artillery, air comes in and destroys the site.” Slowing his chewing, Marshall gave an impressed nod but still thought it was a dangerous ploy by the Aussies.
“Colonel, the Aussies knew where Indonesia was going to land before they actually landed,” Schmidt chuckled. “The area where Indonesia landed is void, but there were small communities and farms. Not many, but at least a thousand or so people. All were evacuated ‘before’ Indonesian troops ever landed. Now, do I think Australia could’ve stopped both invasion forces? No. They stopped the one that posed the most danger. We know the Republic Navy had subs assisting, but stopping seven thousand ships in the main landing would stress any country. I suspect the Aussies chose the one that posed the highest risk and then found out after the secondary force landed that they could keep it contained. They just figured to let Indonesia keep trying to reinforce it and bleed them when they did.”
Able to understand what Schmidt was talking about and pausing his next bite, “Bit risky, but I can follow,” Marshall said.
“I didn’t say it was smart and it is very risky but we know the Aussies have nukes now, so even if by some miracle Indonesia manages to reinforce for a breakout, the Aussies just have to pop two nukes on the beachhead and the problem goes away,” Schmidt offered.
“General,” Gifford called out and Schmidt turned. “Should we inform Indonesia?”
“Fuck ‘em,” Schmidt popped off. “Because of those fuckers, we’re in this shit. If the Republic had to keep forces to block Mexico, we wouldn’t have lost Kansas. The army group they pulled up by rail was what tipped the balance.”
“There are over a million UN Indonesian troops here, in southern Mississippi and Alabama. What happens if they find out we suspected this action by Australia was just a ploy to wipe out troops?” Intelligence Director Ingram asked.
Schmidt turned to look down the table at Ingram. “Unless someone from this room tells them, how will they find out?” Schmidt asked with narrowed eyes. “I’m sure some suspect it, but feel compelled to try to assist those already on the ground. They should just cut bait and accept the loss.”
“Ahem,” Hearst cleared his throat rather loudly, getting everyone to turn to him. “I ever find out someone in this room spoke about this to anyone, I don’t care if it was your teddy bear, I’ll have everyone in your family killed,” he warned, and many mouths fell open at the threat.
Seeing everyone understood, “Admiral,” Hearst called out so Colene would continue.
Colene continued, moving the topic to Mexico and Marshall half-listened as he ate and started reading over the briefing notes. “The South American forces are holding Indonesian forces from pushing further south and have actually pushed them back in several places. Indonesia can’t move any forces north to pressure the Republic without weakening their southern front. The forces they have sent are being held in check by northern Mexican forces who were given the equipment left behind by the Chinese. If Indonesia pulls any more, they know the Republic will match it. When that happens, Indonesia will lose numerical superiority against the South American forces when they pull forces north.”
“Fuckers should’ve stayed on the script,” Schmidt spat out.
“Yes, they should’ve,” Weaver agreed. “Admiral, have we found out what all Australia built for the Republic?”
Not looking at his notes and clearly nauseous, “Along with the carrier and submarine that has been reported by Republic News, we’ve found out the Republic got ‘two’ subs. Both are advanced Virginia class. The Republic also got at least two destroyers, but we aren’t positive if there were more,” Colene answered.
“Shit,” Hearst snarled.
“Oh, it’s worse,” Colene said, and Hearst looked like he wanted to puke. “Australia is supplying torpedoes, cruise missiles, air-to-air missiles, and other smart munitions to the Republic… in mass quantities.”
No one said anything and Marshall continued eating as Colene went over China, which was now in a full-blown civil war that had started a week ago. Nobody, including India or China, had completed loss reports on their war, but intelligence was certain it was going to be in the tens of millions.
When Colene sat down, Hubbard stood up and Marshall did a double-take. It had been some time since the Homeland Director had given a briefing. When Hubbard started, Marshall almost choked when he laughed with a mouthful. Hubbard was giving a weather briefing.
“Freezing temperatures are still predicted until the end of February,” Hubbard finished.
After Hubbard sat down, a single star air force general stood up. “The Republic is keeping four to six drones over us, but we are certain they have stealth drones as well,” he said, and a loud clank sounded as Marshall dropped his fork.
Struggling to swallow the mouthful, “And we’re letting them?!” Marshall cried out with a raspy voice after he’d swallowed.
Everyone in the room turned to Schmidt, who was looking at Marshall. “Colonel, I sent you a report six days ago,” Schmidt said in a low voice. Unlike anyone else, Schmidt didn’t seem intimidated by Marshall.
Before Marshall responded, Bolton got up from his chair and moved beside Marshall, whispering in his ear. When Bolton stopped whispering and headed back to his chair, Marshall started digging through his portfolio and then pulled out a small bound report that was still sealed. On the front in bold letters ‘Colonel Marshall Eyes Only, TR5’. Now Marshall knew why Bolton hadn’t read it. TR5 was the highest level and Bolton had the clearance, but it was for his eyes only.
“Sorry, General. The TR5 came on the day we had contact,” Marshall said, breaking the seal and opening the report. “I should’ve gone back to read it and I apologize.”
“Colonel,” Schmidt sighed. “I dare one person in the entire federal area to point out a single person who’s working as hard or as long as you and your group have been. You are human, Marshall. Don’t be ashamed.”
“You really need to listen to him,” Hearst pointed out as Marshall started to read the four pages quickly.
“Colonel,” Schmidt called out, and Marshall stopped and moved his eyes to Schmidt. “Let me give you the gist, then you can read it later. The intelligence asset you turned over to me has reported the Republic Congress is in an uproar with Brandy, wanting a ceasefire now.”
Furrowing his brow, “How?!” Marshall cried out. The asset was basically just a secretary who greeted people when they reported to the capitol building to meet with the president.
He watched Schmidt scribble a note on a pad and then tore off the page, folding it, then slid it across the table. “That isn’t in the report, nor is anything about the asset. The only ones that know are the ones at this end of the table,” Schmidt said, tilting his head toward Weaver, Gifford, and Hearst.
Picking up the note and unfolding it, Marshall read: Your asset is now an aide to Brandy. Hearst asked me to send the asset information to get noticed and promoted, it worked. She reports to Brandy’s senior aide, someone named Andrea.
Looking up from the note to Schmidt in shock, Marshall turned to Hearst and held the note in front of him. After he’d read the note, “Yes, I know what CEOs look for, so I just sent some helpful information to get the asset advanced,” Hearst commented with a hint of pride.
Holding his hand out behind him, “Major, lighter!” Marshall barked and Bolton jumped up, digging in his pocket and then pulled out a zippo. Taking the lighter, Marshall burned the note while Bolton grabbed a wastebasket and carried it over to the table. When the note was nothing but ashes, Bolton swept it off the table into the basket and took the lighter Marshall handed back.
“Okay, that’s good, but why are we letting them keep UAVs over us? They have satellites already and stealth UAVs. Why the risk?” Marshall asked.
“The asset’s main responsibility is for meetings with governors,” Schmidt grinned. “After the Sin Eater attack that hit our water and power, we had to disperse troops. The governors still get intel reports from their guard and militia units, but they have minimal control over them once they have been turned over to the Republic. When they started seeing our forces redeploying off the front, they started telling Brandy to accept a ceasefire.”
“Has the Republic pulled units off the front?” Marshall panted.
Schmidt’s grin did weaken, but didn’t fall off his face. “No, but they aren’t strengthening their line either,” Schmidt answered. “We have other assets near two governors. After that Sin Eater attack at the boarding school, Hearst asked for troops to disperse and I turned over an army group. After Hearst started assigning them to schools to guard and dispersing them out, the governors started getting forceful with Brandy to accept a ceasefire.”
Marshall just blinked in shock as Schmidt continued. “Hearst asked for more and I turned over two army groups and when they started dispersing, the governors damn near became rabid toward Brandy, demanding she offer a ceasefire. The only ones backing Brandy are the military and Fern, but he’s at an undisclosed location and I forbade the asset from even attempting to find out where.”
Understanding that, Marshall nodded. “But the Sin Eaters…” Marshall said.
“Yes,” Schmidt nodded and his grin once again was strong. “Brandy pointed that out to the governors. If they accept a ceasefire, the Sin Eaters will start attacking the Republic. The governor of Wyoming said, ‘We aren’t the feds, our citizens are armed. Let the Sin Eaters try their shit here!’ Colonel, the Republic thinks we’re stronger than we actually are.”
Flopping back in his chair and feeling better than he had in a long time, Marshall just sighed. The Sin Eaters would die if a ceasefire went into effect. Marshall could use large formations to scour the land and the Sin Eaters wouldn’t have a haven to run and hide in. “Have we got an idea on the conditions?”
“We have the report the governors sent to Brandy,” Schmidt chuckled. “Using the Mississippi and Alabama state line, and drawing a line all the way north to Lake Michigan would be the land we would have to secede. All detainees would have to be released and transported to the Republic in thirty days. The UN and fed could make no aggressive move toward any member of the Freedom Alliance. The Republic would open up the Atlantic for us, allowing humanitarian aid in.”
With his mouth hanging open Marshall gaped at Schmidt, expecting any second for Schmidt to say this was a joke. Schmidt just tilted his head to Hearst. “If they open up the Atlantic, Hearst can have us resupplied in a year. The Republic will send half their forces to Mexico to wipe out Indonesian forces. It will take them two years. Before they are done, we will have means to fight in the ocean again and can attack. Worst case scenario, it will take us two years to defeat them.”
Turning to Gifford, “They offer, you sign, sir,” Marshall barked and Schmidt laughed.
Turning back to Schmidt, “Colonel, that’s what has the governors so worried. Gifford hasn’t asked for a ceasefire since Brandy told him to ‘fuck off’ the last time. They think we have more than we do. The Republic military staff reports it will take them four years of sustained combat to defeat us,” Schmidt told him. “Now you should see why we are letting the Republic keep a few UAVs over us. By us pulling back like we are, they think we don’t consider them a threat, which is wrong, but I’m not telling ‘em. The last intelligence report we got two weeks ago, the Republic thinks we have two thousand more tanks, six thousand more aircraft, and three million more troops than we actually have. They know we have blockade runners, but the Republic doesn’t know ninety percent of what the blockade runners haul in is food. They think we are bringing in ordnance, armor, and helicopters. It was the Republic Congress who refused to include the blockade to the entire Caribbean, not Fern or Brandy. The military knows how many ships are coming in, but don’t know most contain food stores.”
Relaxed back in his chair, Marshall just stared at Schmidt. A few times he’d had doubts and even thought it might be possible to lose but in his heart, Marshall always knew they would win. With the setbacks they had faced, Marshall knew it was going to take five to ten years. Hearing this was a true gift. If they could get a ceasefire and rearm over two years, the fed could hammer the Republic down in two years. “I should’ve turned over my asset to you sooner,” Marshall finally said.
The grin finally fell off Schmidt’s face. “Colonel, like I said, you’re human. You monitor things to make sure the ball stays rolling, and then you took on the hunt for the hardest group to track the world has ever known,” Schmidt said. “You had the asset, but it was Hearst who came up with the ‘how’ to get it advanced.” Hearing ‘it’ stressed hard, Marshall realized some in the room didn’t even know the gender of the asset. Weakening the front was a risk, but with Schmidt over the military, Marshall thought it was worth the risk for the ceasefire.
Also leaning back in his chair and still looking at Marshall, “I must say, the man you sent from your command to set up my print shop is extraordinary,” Schmidt said.
Nodding, “Yes, I have to agree with that,” Marshall admitted.
“Colonel,” Director Greene of the FBI called out and everyone turned to him. “Have you had any luck with the Sin Eaters?”
Instantly pissed off, Marshall leapt to his feet and Greene nearly dove under the table. “Was that an incrimination?!” Marshall bellowed. “I’ve chased those fucks all over and not even a week ago had troops in contact with Sin Eaters, fuck wad!”
Gifford sucked in a breath and Hearst whipped his head to Gifford. “Don’t,” Hearst warned. “Yes, I knew, and didn’t tell you because I knew you would want Marshall to fly back and report. You know how fucking stupid that would’ve been, Samuel? Marshall had figured it out beforehand and had troops waiting, idiot, and you would’ve wanted him to come back and report?! You don’t pull someone out when they get close.”
