sense to me, except it was never rolled out below company level. Then the DTCS budget was drastically expanded in 2016.”
“And they were issued along with helmets in boot camp.”
“No. That was a big point of discussion during last year’s summer training. None of the guard or reserve units saw them. Neither did their active-duty counterparts.”
“Then where did the radios come from?”
“Category Five response load outs. We had a secure conex box set inside one of the buildings. I assume it was EMP hardened, like a Faraday cage. The keys and combinations needed to access the conex box were located in my secure pod.”
“What was in the container?”
“Dozens of ROTAC handhelds, heavier duty communications gear, computers, router equipment, night-vision devices, motion sensors, cameras—everything I needed for my role at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport. Quite a coincidence, right? Especially given the fact that the conex box was delivered over two years ago.”
“I’m discovering a lot of these post-Jakarta Pandemic coincidences,” said Alex.
“Like the runway out there?” asked Adler.
“Makes you wonder.”
“I wouldn’t wonder too loudly. My initial Category Five orders also involved sending two soldiers home—booted from the company. Stripped of all rank and privileges, like they were criminals.”
“Militia?”
“Likely militia involvement.”
“The orders said that?”
“Negative. I called Colonel Hanson over ROTAC to confirm the orders, looking for an explanation. His orders came with a few more details. He lost a total of eight from the battalion. All with suspected or confirmed ties to Maine militia groups.”
“That’s interesting given my role here,” said Alex.
Adler stared at him for a moment, his expression flashing from doubt to panic. “Look, I’m in this for the long haul. Part of the team. I just can’t help making the connections to—”
“Rick, what are you talking about?”
Adler cocked his head. “Let’s just say I get worried when I see the label ‘security and intelligence’ accompanied by ‘provide unrestricted access.’ Call me paranoid.”
“What else did my ID badge tell you?”
“That’s the extent of it, but what else do you need? It’s more or less a carte blanche declaration, which is why it struck me as odd. The RRZ protocols are thick, delineating relationships, authority, this and that. Typical government bullshit. I have to go through ten layers of nonsense to move one of the airport’s porta-shitters ten feet to the left.”
“It didn’t say what type of security? I was under the impression that the Marine battalion was an area security unit for southern Maine. Almost like MPs.”
“You have one of the least defined security clearances I’ve ever seen. It set off my internal alarm. Let’s leave it at that.”
“I think you might want to heed your spider sense. You never know who you’re talking to, or who’s listening.”
“I hear you. Keep it zipped and do your job,” said Adler.
“Especially when the Recovery Zone personnel start to arrive. Any idea when that might start?”
“My first priority is to build a security barrier around the cluster of hangars and commercial buildings across the tarmac. I assume the RRZ folks will start rolling in once it’s finished.”
“That’ll be one long line of EMIFs,” said Alex.
“I won’t have to worry about that. A company of Rangers from the 2 nd Ranger Battalion is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, along with a headquarters element from the 75 th Ranger Regiment. They’ll take over physical security and general airport operations while I harden the perimeter. After that, it’s a nonstop parade of aircraft and vehicles. 4 th Brigade Combat Team, 10 th Mountain Division has been assigned to RRZ border control and FEMA camp security. They’re bringing part of the division’s Aviation Brigade. Blackhawks and Chinooks. You won’t recognize this place by next
“And they were issued along with helmets in boot camp.”
“No. That was a big point of discussion during last year’s summer training. None of the guard or reserve units saw them. Neither did their active-duty counterparts.”
“Then where did the radios come from?”
“Category Five response load outs. We had a secure conex box set inside one of the buildings. I assume it was EMP hardened, like a Faraday cage. The keys and combinations needed to access the conex box were located in my secure pod.”
“What was in the container?”
“Dozens of ROTAC handhelds, heavier duty communications gear, computers, router equipment, night-vision devices, motion sensors, cameras—everything I needed for my role at Sanford Seacoast Regional Airport. Quite a coincidence, right? Especially given the fact that the conex box was delivered over two years ago.”
“I’m discovering a lot of these post-Jakarta Pandemic coincidences,” said Alex.
“Like the runway out there?” asked Adler.
“Makes you wonder.”
“I wouldn’t wonder too loudly. My initial Category Five orders also involved sending two soldiers home—booted from the company. Stripped of all rank and privileges, like they were criminals.”
“Militia?”
“Likely militia involvement.”
“The orders said that?”
“Negative. I called Colonel Hanson over ROTAC to confirm the orders, looking for an explanation. His orders came with a few more details. He lost a total of eight from the battalion. All with suspected or confirmed ties to Maine militia groups.”
“That’s interesting given my role here,” said Alex.
Adler stared at him for a moment, his expression flashing from doubt to panic. “Look, I’m in this for the long haul. Part of the team. I just can’t help making the connections to—”
“Rick, what are you talking about?”
Adler cocked his head. “Let’s just say I get worried when I see the label ‘security and intelligence’ accompanied by ‘provide unrestricted access.’ Call me paranoid.”
“What else did my ID badge tell you?”
“That’s the extent of it, but what else do you need? It’s more or less a carte blanche declaration, which is why it struck me as odd. The RRZ protocols are thick, delineating relationships, authority, this and that. Typical government bullshit. I have to go through ten layers of nonsense to move one of the airport’s porta-shitters ten feet to the left.”
“It didn’t say what type of security? I was under the impression that the Marine battalion was an area security unit for southern Maine. Almost like MPs.”
“You have one of the least defined security clearances I’ve ever seen. It set off my internal alarm. Let’s leave it at that.”
“I think you might want to heed your spider sense. You never know who you’re talking to, or who’s listening.”
“I hear you. Keep it zipped and do your job,” said Adler.
“Especially when the Recovery Zone personnel start to arrive. Any idea when that might start?”
“My first priority is to build a security barrier around the cluster of hangars and commercial buildings across the tarmac. I assume the RRZ folks will start rolling in once it’s finished.”
“That’ll be one long line of EMIFs,” said Alex.
“I won’t have to worry about that. A company of Rangers from the 2 nd Ranger Battalion is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, along with a headquarters element from the 75 th Ranger Regiment. They’ll take over physical security and general airport operations while I harden the perimeter. After that, it’s a nonstop parade of aircraft and vehicles. 4 th Brigade Combat Team, 10 th Mountain Division has been assigned to RRZ border control and FEMA camp security. They’re bringing part of the division’s Aviation Brigade. Blackhawks and Chinooks. You won’t recognize this place by next
Similar Books
