late. Major Owens quickly lost count of the unburied bo dies and band s of turkey vultures they passed.
The next issue had been the intersections and ramps. Every exi t wi th a gas station, country store, or any sign of civilization had attracted the stranded motorists. Some of these pockets of starving people had organized , while others lived in what resembled third world shantytowns . Some of these groups had turned into what his men called “zombies.” The effects of malnutrition, lack of heath care , and general anarchy resulted in animalistic behavior unlike anything the soldiers had ever witnessed. Despite the fact that he and his officers constantly reminded the lead elements of the column that these “people” were their fellow Americans, it was demoralizing to see what had become of the general population.
The scout units in front of the main column had encountered everything from masses of beggars to outright hostility. Major Owens was shocked the first time one of his scout Humvee s was fired upon by four men with hunting rifles. The fact that one of his men had been injured during the encounter focused everyone’s attention on security. The charity of throwing chocolate bars to the children evaporated when they suff ered their first casualty. The m ajor had not been issued any orders covering the rules of engagement and was hesitant to order his men to fire upon civilians.
After careful consideration, he instructed his men they could return fire if fired upon. It was the best he could do , and he hoped the desperate people would be frightened of t he tanks and leave the unit alone.
His biggest problem right now involved their supply train. Trailing behind the main force was another column of trucks and tankers used to refill his tanks and resupply his troops. One of those trucks had been trying to navigate the downhill slope of an overpass that was hopelessly blocked by a jackknifed 18-wheeler . The supply truck had overturned and rolled down the hil l, spilling its contents of MRE s and ammunition along the way. According to the lieutenant in charge of the section, hundreds of people literally appeared out of nowhere and began looting the spilled goodies. When the security component and he had dismounted and attempted to corral the vandals, they were fired upon by an unknown number of attackers. This had resulted in his men taking cover without causalities – but all of the supplies were gon e. The m ajor’s main force not only had to slow down, but also send back reinforcements to keep any m ore supplies from being pilfered from the now motionless convoy. The loss of those supplies wasn’t going to be an easy thing to explain to his commander.
Major Owens scratched the back of his head and continued to listen to the command-net radio. His truck drivers were now trying to right the overturned vehicle and were requesting t he only tow vehicle in the entire brigade to come back and help. The first s e rge a nt looked up at his commander , and Owens nodded his approval – G o ahead and send it back . Losing a few days’ worth of MREs was one thing – losing a truck was another. He ordered the first s e rge a nt to call yet another halt and reached for a protein bar.
It was over an hour before the overturned truck was salvaged , and the column sections reported in that everyone was ready to roll again. Up and down a 14-mile long stretch of I-20, radios cracked with the orders to move out.
Major Owens was actually pleased with t he p rogress over the next 90 minutes and was beginning to relax just a little. The further the brigade moved away from Dallas, the fewer vehicles were on the road way, impeding their progress . He was just about to say something positive to his driver when the radio sounded in his ear. It was his lead scout , and his heart sank when he heard the words , “Sir, you had better get up here – this is above my pay grade,” sounded through his earpiece.
The m ajor ordered
The next issue had been the intersections and ramps. Every exi t wi th a gas station, country store, or any sign of civilization had attracted the stranded motorists. Some of these pockets of starving people had organized , while others lived in what resembled third world shantytowns . Some of these groups had turned into what his men called “zombies.” The effects of malnutrition, lack of heath care , and general anarchy resulted in animalistic behavior unlike anything the soldiers had ever witnessed. Despite the fact that he and his officers constantly reminded the lead elements of the column that these “people” were their fellow Americans, it was demoralizing to see what had become of the general population.
The scout units in front of the main column had encountered everything from masses of beggars to outright hostility. Major Owens was shocked the first time one of his scout Humvee s was fired upon by four men with hunting rifles. The fact that one of his men had been injured during the encounter focused everyone’s attention on security. The charity of throwing chocolate bars to the children evaporated when they suff ered their first casualty. The m ajor had not been issued any orders covering the rules of engagement and was hesitant to order his men to fire upon civilians.
After careful consideration, he instructed his men they could return fire if fired upon. It was the best he could do , and he hoped the desperate people would be frightened of t he tanks and leave the unit alone.
His biggest problem right now involved their supply train. Trailing behind the main force was another column of trucks and tankers used to refill his tanks and resupply his troops. One of those trucks had been trying to navigate the downhill slope of an overpass that was hopelessly blocked by a jackknifed 18-wheeler . The supply truck had overturned and rolled down the hil l, spilling its contents of MRE s and ammunition along the way. According to the lieutenant in charge of the section, hundreds of people literally appeared out of nowhere and began looting the spilled goodies. When the security component and he had dismounted and attempted to corral the vandals, they were fired upon by an unknown number of attackers. This had resulted in his men taking cover without causalities – but all of the supplies were gon e. The m ajor’s main force not only had to slow down, but also send back reinforcements to keep any m ore supplies from being pilfered from the now motionless convoy. The loss of those supplies wasn’t going to be an easy thing to explain to his commander.
Major Owens scratched the back of his head and continued to listen to the command-net radio. His truck drivers were now trying to right the overturned vehicle and were requesting t he only tow vehicle in the entire brigade to come back and help. The first s e rge a nt looked up at his commander , and Owens nodded his approval – G o ahead and send it back . Losing a few days’ worth of MREs was one thing – losing a truck was another. He ordered the first s e rge a nt to call yet another halt and reached for a protein bar.
It was over an hour before the overturned truck was salvaged , and the column sections reported in that everyone was ready to roll again. Up and down a 14-mile long stretch of I-20, radios cracked with the orders to move out.
Major Owens was actually pleased with t he p rogress over the next 90 minutes and was beginning to relax just a little. The further the brigade moved away from Dallas, the fewer vehicles were on the road way, impeding their progress . He was just about to say something positive to his driver when the radio sounded in his ear. It was his lead scout , and his heart sank when he heard the words , “Sir, you had better get up here – this is above my pay grade,” sounded through his earpiece.
The m ajor ordered
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