Chapter 13

There was a top level meeting at Cheyenne Mountain going on. Several things were happening that needed to be addressed. First and foremost was satellite imaging that showed that General Baron was going to have big problems. There was absolutely no way he could deal with them with his on hand personnel and equipment.

The protectorate had gotten two M-1 tanks operational and were even now practicing fire and maneuver techniques. Someone over there appeared to know what they were doing. According to the satellite, the so called protectorate had an ammunition truck, a fuel truck, and enough persons to man two tanks. This did not bode well for General Baron. He was down to just 69 personnel with which to fight with.

General Colton was listening to his own assets and trying to decide what he could afford to shift for support.

"... What if we transferred that company we found in Missouri? That would give him a good solid base to fight with." A Colonel was saying.

"Those M-1s would tear them a new asshole, considering someone over there knows what they are doing. A couple AP rounds and there goes a large part of his people." Responded Major Hendricks, General Colton's aid. (AP stands for anti personnel )

"Not to mention the Bradlys. Those machine guns and the main gun are deadly, and we know they know how to use those too." Added a civilian analyst.

This went on for another 10 minutes before General Colton came to a decision.

"Ok, enough. What has to happen is those tanks and Bradlys are taken out, or immobilized. Here is what I want. We detach a section of our Special Forces with appropriate equipment to do the job. We keep a couple fighters on standby in case we need to take more decisive active action.

"General Baron is the legal authority in there, and by god, we will support him!" General Colton said, slamming his hand down on the conference table.

"Now, that has been taken care of, what is next?" The General inquired in a deceptively mild voice.

At Protectorate headquarters, the three directors were discussing the same person.

"I tell you, with the M-1s at our command, we can wipe this General Baron off the map once and for all. A charge of Bradlys and the tanks, with over 200 people in support will give us control of his ranch." Alex said gleefully.

Shaking his head, Mason retorted, "Think about it. They have air support. They have satellite surveillance. I think the only reason they have not attacked up to now, is because we hurt them, and taking us would be a losing proposition for them. No, we sit tight, train up, and keep our heads low.

"We start letting people out of the holding pens now. We don't give them any reason to come down here in any sort of force. Launching any attack or seeming too is not going to endear the government with us. So we play along. We make it very hard and to expensive to move against us." Mason finished.

And so it was, that while Cheyenne Command and The Protectorate were both discussing General Baron, Greg and his immediate commanders were having a trial. Myron Litchfield had been read the charges, and was trying to defend his actions. Unfortunately for him, in the light of day and listening to the recitation, even he quailed at the realization of his actions.

Lt. Preston was appointed as his defense counsel, and she did a credible job, but it was a loosing job. He was found guilty by a jury of his peers on over a dozen violations of articles of war, civil law, and war profiteering, and abuse of authority under color of law.

His execution was carried out the very next day. He protested his innocence and position right up until the firing squad shot him. Also executed was a soldier who had been caught pilfering medication for personal and recreational use. It was pain killers which he stole from the recovering wounded. It may have seemed harsh, but Greg wanted it known that no person was above the law, and in this time, if you had a problem, come out with it now and ask for help. If you were caught using under the emergency, you could expect summary execution. Particularly if you were caught sleeping on guard duty and drugged out of your mind.

After the day was over, Greg took a Hum V back to the lodge, and his family who waited there for him. He was disturbed at having to sign the death orders, and was feeling a bit nauseated by the whole thing.