We had six LAVs, (light armored vehicles) 2 Bradlies, 10 Humvees with tow guns, a shroud of m-813 5 ton's, and what was left of my infantry. one hundred and eighteen men. I realized to have eny effect on an insurgency, that we would have to divide our forces and break into the city in many areas. So I opted for three attack columns, I would take a force through Scotia, and take the brunt of Shaw's defenses in that village.
I sent a group of 3 Humvees and 2 LAVs back across the Mohawk river at route 103 to make their way through Pattersonville, and loop past Mariaville lake, back down route 159 into the five corners of Rotterdam, and I sent another group of 3 Humvees and 2 LAVs to cut across the north past Stratton ANGB, to see if we could muster some help there. With that, the group was to make their way with whatever they had over to Niskayuna, to try and get that GE plant back. Meanwhile My main force would attempt to distract Shaw from the other 2 groups, so they could maintain the foothold command was hoping for.
My main force maintained our position while the other two groups withdrew. Hopefully if Shaw had any recon out there, they would report back that we were divided and some more soldiers had withdrawn. Maybe his reports would lead him to believe that we had more deserters. That little ploy was what I was hoping for.
I let about half a day pass, and I ordered my unit on the move, combat ready. I sent some down Vley road, and some down I 890, so that we wouldn't be blasted up in a column like last time. We would still be close enough to back one another up if needed, though. My main force made their way down Maple Ave (route 5) and into the village. I ordered that we break off onto side streets as soon as they were available to move on to.
Shaw must have pulled his forces back, because we were able to freely get past the old navy base, and the industrial park. The sun was till shining and the day had become more humid. Our Humvee rattled along, the big diesel engine clanked what seemed like the loudest thing I had ever heard. Lenny was behind the wheel, he was focused, ready to make whatever move was necessary to keep us out of harms way. I had a new kid manning the tow gun. He wasn't too bright, a dark haired Italian kid obviously not from around here. He had a thick Brooklyn accent, and wreaked of garlic. The scent was probably from his momma's spaghetti sauce or some other dish she sent him in a care package. I didn't take the time to get to know him, but if we made it through this, I promised myself I would get to know his name. Earlier I just asked for a tow gun volunteer and he stepped up. I gave him the once over and ordered him to the tow on my hummer. He was a private, and an enthusiastic one at that. probably looking to get close so I would notice him. I did, like any other private- good cannon fodder. Now, I wasn't so sure. I kept looking at him, over my shoulder from my seat. I used to be that young once...
The first shot was fired as we rolled down maple Ave. I watched to the north up one block from the Scotia police station as the first of our Humvees was hit. it erupted in a ball of flame and flew from it wheels front first into a somersault. It was like slow motion as it rolled over in the air, and landed on its roof. Three soldiers dead in an instant. The hummer came crashing down on its roof in a thunderous rage.
Lenny brought our hummer to a screeching halt on the apron of the Firehouse. As if in one motion began to open his door as well.
"Everyone out, go to small arms, and get away from the Hummer!" I ordered , opening my door and jumping out.
"Rolling left" Lenny hollered as he rolled away from the hummers door.
The kid wasn't so lucky, he tried jumping from the tow gunners position and managed to get tangled on the swivels mechanics. His ankle caught as he was jumping. The inertia of his jump forced him forward, and he was stopped short. His head and upper body flailed as he came crashing down under his own weight. I watched as his helmet flew off from hitting the side of the Humvee. He was upside down, and flapping his arms trying to get untangled.
"I'm coming kid, hang on!" I started towards him, and found myself flying through the air away form the Humvee. Apparently ours was next. The concussion of our exploding hummer had me dropping in on the local shop keeper across Maple Ave. The glass of his front window broke my descent. Shards of shattered glass landed with me on the shop floor. I was dazed...
I don't know how long it took me to shake off the ringing in my ears, but I was sure that the pounding in my head wasn't going to go away any time soon. I wobbled to my feet, bringing the car-16 to bear in front of me. Standing up I realized that I was in tremendous pain. I had glass wedged into my leg. There was no time for the pain, I looked out the now broken front window at what was left of my Humvee. Just a whole lot of flames and twisted metal. The Italian kid was laying next to the wreckage, I guess the blast freed him from his tangled mess. He wasn't moving, I wasn't surprised. I was quite sure that poor boy was dead.
I didn't see Lenny anywhere, but I could hear the ratta-tatta of small arms fire. So maybe he fared better than the kid and I did. I leveled the car-16, and proceeded to the doorway of the shop. I got to the door in a hobbled mess and opened it. The door read Aqua Hut Divers on it. I swung it open and did a quick look left-right-left. I didn't see a soul on the streets.
I needed to make my way forward, and try to find someone with a radio. I also needed cover in the worst of ways. I turned and started down Maple Ave moving east. I used the doorways to move in and out for cover. Not that it did much good. I was leaving a trail of blood behind me. I was also moving like a wounded animal, partially dragging my right leg which had plenty of glass in it.
for what seemed like an eternity, I worked my way down the street. Then I saw him, Lenny was right there, across the street from me in the Parking lot of Scotia Motors Dodge. He was weaving in and out of the parked cars, hoping to keep making his way forward. In a moment he saw me. He signaled indicating that two other soldiers were with him, and that his rail gun shooter was across the roadway. He motioned that his shooter was on the second floor of a restaurant just across from his position. He also indicated again that he believed it was a rail gun.
I looked hard at the building. There was an open window on the second floor, but it was too dark, and too far away to see into. he moved to the right around a new Dodge Nitro, and angled to get a shot through the window. I could see him searching for a target inside. he waited patiently for his shot. Then it rang out, one shot. Lenny fired and I watched as the shooter tumbled from the window. His lifeless body still cradling his rail gun. Lenny stood, and began to move towards the fallen sniper .
Then he was cut down. A silent rail gun shot pierced Lenny's chest, and he dropped to his knees. A second shooter had killed him. Less than a second later, more rail gun rounds zipped through the air, blasting the cars in the front row of the dealership. I watched in horror as the other two soldiers were torn to pieces. Pieces of destroyed cars flew through the air, and I managed to catch another lucky piece.
This piece was lodged in my ribcage. I groped at it hoping to stop the searing pain that coursed through me. "there it is, I have it" I thought to myself locking my free hand around the shrapnel. I pulled it from my bleeding body and looked at it in my hand. A Dodge emblem "magnum" it read.
I threw it into the street and listened for the clang as it hit the pavement. The soldiers were dead, The Italian kid was dead, Lenny was dead.
I had had enough. I loosened the clip from my car-16, took it out of the rifle and stood to walk into the street. hobbling was more like it. I made it to the middle of the street and stopped. I dropped to one knee and threw the clip down the road to the east. I pulled the cocking arm on the rifle and the last bullet ejected just as it should. With that, I hefted the rifle by its stock, drew it back like a javelin and threw that as well.
I put my hands above my head, and folded them behind my head.
I couldn't stand to see one more kid die in this slaughter.
The shooters let me sit there for a few minutes and then one proceeded out to greet me. He calmly walked up and stood about ten feet in front of me.
"Major, do you have something to say?" he said
"We surrender..."
Technical notes on the Automatic Magnetic Accelerator rifle.
The Rifle is designed along 2 magnetic rails. Each rail denoting the polar opposite of the other. The rails create an accelerant force with an electrical charge that moves up the rails simultaneously. This force can propel an Aluminum round at speeds in Excess of Mach 4. The rifle having no powder charge, expels no gas, and is extremely quiet. Making it a great application for sniper work. The muzzle velocity makes it perfect for long range work. The aluminum round is capable of penetrating armor in excess of 6 inches. The rifle weighs 2.2 pounds , or less than 1 kilogram. The standard clip load is 8 rounds, but larger clip sizes are in the development process. The light weight makes it easy to carry by one standard soldier. The ability to pierce armor, shows that the rifle will work in limited capacity as a man portable artillery device. The targeting system uses satellite imagery to guide the aluminum round to within 5 centimeters, or 2 inches of its target. This rifle if put into production will certainly be the soldiers weapon of choice for the next century.
From the personal Log of Commander Dan Trask, June 1st 2007 (The Ending of Manhunt 1)
I would have shot him, SGT Teval that is, I killed that corrupt, revenge bent Hoefer, so one more wasn't going to hurt my conscience much. I realized quickly that he wasn't going to shoot. He had no intention, or he was still in shock. Either way I was walking away. Shaw only made sense, he was doing what was right by the people. Unlike other politicians, he wasn't motivated by his pocket, but by a need to make things right by the people. The masses drove this man, unlike any other I had encountered before. What was I? A hero? or a traitor? I don't know, I guess history will decide. If Shaw wins and there's a new order, I will be a hero. If Shaw meets his demise, I will be branded a traitor. If I survive this war that is. If I don't wind up in some prison. For now I work for Shaw and Locksley, I will do my part by the masses, I will help to restore faith and order, and bring the new round table to the forefront. I made my choice it seems, and I have no regrets. Today I was welcomed by the Hierarchy as a hero, I sat at the feast table, and I was at home with my new hierarchy brothers. Today was a day of victory and celebration. A new age dawns, Shaw is at the helm, and I will do my best to aid by his side.
Strength, honor, Ruins!