hi s driver and one of the Bradley s from the command company to move out , and they hurried to the front of the convoy. As they approached, Owens noticed an information sign on the highway indicating “Tyler ville – Next 5 Exi ts .” As the commander’s tank navigat ed a small rise in the road, he immediately understood why his scout had called him forward.
All four lanes of the interstate were purposely blocked by a well-spaced series of semi-trailers , par ked on a bridge. Underneath the span was a wide pool of muddy brown water. It was as if someone had intentionally built a moat and then fortified the bridge with the hauler s. The m ajor could see the large man-made pond continued for a considerable distance both north and south of the roadway itself. In addition, an area of several hundred meters had bee n cleared outward from the moat, enabling the defenders a clear field of fire. Major Owens found his binoculars and studied the bridge. Sure enough, he could make out sentries positioned along the roadblock. He could also see several human skeletons a t the base of the structure. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his lead scout approaching his tank on foot . The commander waved the man onto his tank and waited while the s ergeant climbed aboard. Since they were in the field, and potentially visible to a hostile force, t he man stifled the impulse to salute.
“Sergeant, what do you make of this?”
The experienced soldier didn’t hesitate, “Sir, I don’t know if you picked up on the highway signs, but it appears as though we have arrived in Tyler ville , Texas. It is also my opinion that the locals are a little more organized than anyone else we’ve come across and have constructed a moat and barricade to protect their town…sir.”
Major Owens appreciated a good dose of sarcasm now and then and decided to add a little himself, “Excellent report , S ergeant – I admire your tremendous grasp of the obvious.” After the two professional soldiers exchanged grins, the officer added, “Let’s go see what this is all about – we’re behind schedule , and I’m going to get an ass chewing from division as is.”
After the scout jumped down from the tank, Owens waited until the man made it back to his Bradley , and then the two war machines proceeded toward the fortifications. As they approached the roadblock, Major Owens saw movement , and suddenly a golf cart popped out and headed directly for them. He ordered his driver to stop the tank and the gunner to cover the approaching electric cart. Owens could see two men inside of the cart, one of them appeared to be in uniform. His radio sounded with the observation that dozens of people were now standing on top of the trailers.
Major Owens didn’t know what to expect, so he stayed in the turret and waited. The small white transport stopped about 20 meters in front of his tank and two men immediately hopped out. One of them appeared to be a police officer with grey hair and reasonably crisp uniform . Owens surmised him to most likely be the local police chief or county sheriff. The other man was even older, but wore a suit jacket and tie. He donned a fedora hat and smiled broadly , as the two of them walked a few steps closer. Owens again speculated this man was the city manager or mayor. Owens radioed he was dismoun ting th e tank and required the master s ergeant to join him – armed.
The rear door of the Bradley lowered , and six fully armed infantryme n exited the back. Owens decided the men did a good job of making it clear there was going to be zero bullshit while at the same time not threatening the two gentlemen who were waiting on him.
Owens and the master s ergeant approached the two men , and the older gent leman immediately extended his hand. “General, I am Craig Farley, mayor of Tyler ville , Texas.” The mayor pointed to his comrade and continued, “This is our Chief of Police, Mike Thompson.”
Owens was polite and tried to sound
All four lanes of the interstate were purposely blocked by a well-spaced series of semi-trailers , par ked on a bridge. Underneath the span was a wide pool of muddy brown water. It was as if someone had intentionally built a moat and then fortified the bridge with the hauler s. The m ajor could see the large man-made pond continued for a considerable distance both north and south of the roadway itself. In addition, an area of several hundred meters had bee n cleared outward from the moat, enabling the defenders a clear field of fire. Major Owens found his binoculars and studied the bridge. Sure enough, he could make out sentries positioned along the roadblock. He could also see several human skeletons a t the base of the structure. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his lead scout approaching his tank on foot . The commander waved the man onto his tank and waited while the s ergeant climbed aboard. Since they were in the field, and potentially visible to a hostile force, t he man stifled the impulse to salute.
“Sergeant, what do you make of this?”
The experienced soldier didn’t hesitate, “Sir, I don’t know if you picked up on the highway signs, but it appears as though we have arrived in Tyler ville , Texas. It is also my opinion that the locals are a little more organized than anyone else we’ve come across and have constructed a moat and barricade to protect their town…sir.”
Major Owens appreciated a good dose of sarcasm now and then and decided to add a little himself, “Excellent report , S ergeant – I admire your tremendous grasp of the obvious.” After the two professional soldiers exchanged grins, the officer added, “Let’s go see what this is all about – we’re behind schedule , and I’m going to get an ass chewing from division as is.”
After the scout jumped down from the tank, Owens waited until the man made it back to his Bradley , and then the two war machines proceeded toward the fortifications. As they approached the roadblock, Major Owens saw movement , and suddenly a golf cart popped out and headed directly for them. He ordered his driver to stop the tank and the gunner to cover the approaching electric cart. Owens could see two men inside of the cart, one of them appeared to be in uniform. His radio sounded with the observation that dozens of people were now standing on top of the trailers.
Major Owens didn’t know what to expect, so he stayed in the turret and waited. The small white transport stopped about 20 meters in front of his tank and two men immediately hopped out. One of them appeared to be a police officer with grey hair and reasonably crisp uniform . Owens surmised him to most likely be the local police chief or county sheriff. The other man was even older, but wore a suit jacket and tie. He donned a fedora hat and smiled broadly , as the two of them walked a few steps closer. Owens again speculated this man was the city manager or mayor. Owens radioed he was dismoun ting th e tank and required the master s ergeant to join him – armed.
The rear door of the Bradley lowered , and six fully armed infantryme n exited the back. Owens decided the men did a good job of making it clear there was going to be zero bullshit while at the same time not threatening the two gentlemen who were waiting on him.
Owens and the master s ergeant approached the two men , and the older gent leman immediately extended his hand. “General, I am Craig Farley, mayor of Tyler ville , Texas.” The mayor pointed to his comrade and continued, “This is our Chief of Police, Mike Thompson.”
Owens was polite and tried to sound
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