Chapter 13: Fight for Home

The train was moving the next morning just as the sun was rising. We were heading back to Centennial to get in front of the military force that was moving to attack.

Just before sunset our Kiowa scouts reported the military force was just slightly ahead of where we guessed they would be. We would not be able to intercept them at the first location. This could be good for us since we would pass them and have time to prepare for them at the second location.

General Braggard was briefed and agreed with the plan adding that Centennial was still preparing a defense should any get past us or something change allowing them to slip by us.

Lunchtime the next day we received confirmation that we were passing the military force and there was no indication that they were aware of anything. Right after dinner our scout reported a pickup truck speeding up to the military force. We sent up two more Kiowa's to try and find out what we could. General Braggard was notified and we started to work on a plan in case they turned around. We did not want to let them get away where they could regroup and build up their forces.

1SG Smith was the one that pointed out the truck had been at the base the missing tailgate was what he pointed out that made him sure it was the same truck. We all agreed it was most likely the same truck and Brubaker new what had happened to his base and supplies. We were shocked to see the military force speed up to the maximum speed of the slowest vehicle. At this speed we would just barely be able to arrive before they would pass the second attack location.

We increased our speed and prepared for the attack since we now would not have any extra time once we arrived.

General Braggard said he would send out a welcome gift to ensure we arrived in time to attack him.

Two hours after sunrise we were stopping with everyone loaded for combat. The General confirmed the welcome gifts had been set and his team was safe back at Centennial. The train had not even come to a complete stop and vehicles were screaming off moving into position to prepare for the upcoming battle. At the same time as our last vehicle pulled off the train we heard the welcome gifts rumble as Brubaker's group hit the minefield left for them. A short time later we heard the rumble from the demolition team clearing the rest of the mines. We knew they were aware we knew they were coming!

We waited for them to all get into the kill zone before we opened fire. Almost every vehicle was hit with the initial volley and most of them were kill shots. I was stunned at the overkill! I could not believe that we had been so lucky. It was just like the Japanese fleet at the battle of Midway; were the United States Navy caught the Japanese carriers reloading the aircraft; which meant there were both bombs and torpedoes on the deck with the planes and fuel too. One bomb hit the deck and set everything on the deck off and most of what didn't blow up immediately was tossed over onto nearby support vessels damaging or sinking them too.