The Man Out of Time

VI. Elimination With Extreme Prejudice

The Man Out of Time VI

Elimination With Extreme Prejudice

(Death Card)

There is a great beast loose in the world of men. It awoke during dark times, to fight a terrible enemy. It stormed through Europe, across the far Pacific, and crushed the evil that it found there underfoot. But when it was victorious, when the crooked cross and the rising sun were done with, the great beast's keepers found that it would not go back to sleep. The beast has many heads, and on its heads are written names: Lockheed. Bell. Monsanto. Dow. Grumman. Colt. And many more.

They are famished. So the great beast must be fed: and every generation, our country goes to war to do just that. A war for war's sake, usually. And one that could have been avoided. But there must be blood, in extraordinary quantities, and whether it is foreign or American is of no consequence at all.

Then it was April of 2074, and the invasion of Hangzhou had commenced into full effect. Throughout the first few days it was the Navy having all the fun, engaging with the Chinese fleet that had established a blockade around the inlet of the bay. They were dug in and secured with ready and ample supply lines garrisoned by fortifications near Shanghai and Zhoushan. The Navy gave 'em hell for a while, but their force was restricted as they waited for the expeditionary force to reach the Chinese shores. When we arrived things escalated very, very quickly. Naval destroyers pounded the northern sector near Shanghai which allowed us to provide a flank from the south-east while amphibious assault units launched a landing on the isles around Ningbo. With support from battleships and F-16’s, the defense was overwhelmed and destroyed as they forced their way through the Chinese line. We had orders to insert within the city of Hangzhou itself by way of airdrop, which was a terrifying prospect as we would be flying directly into the enemy homeland protected by a majority of its entire navy. After supper that night, everyone filed into the barracks and prepared themselves for what was to come, as some prayed to god while others revelled in the anticipation.

The real saving grace, however, was when twilight broke the following morning, to which we were awoken by the sweet sound of an AC-130 gunship sending its payload to the Earth. The Chinese fleet met its devastating maker that day, and by 8 A.M. the majority of its navy lay in smoldering ruin. Soon everyone was geared and ready to mobilize, gathering at the designated CH-53 helicopters that were already fired up and ready to fly. When the word came through comms and the last cannon rang down from the gunship, we knew it was time to go, and the fight was on,

“Spade one, Godfather has cleared a path through the enemy defenses - you are clear to begin your assault.” Central Command had relayed their orders, we got the green light and it is time to raise hell.

“Roger that! Hit it, Marines - double time! The Corps ain’t paying us by the hour.” Sgt Maj. Holland ordered, and we complied. He was a hardened man and a well respected officer, earning his status from a career of nearly thirty years in the Marine Corps.

“I wonder what the reds are thinking right about now…” One Marine remarked as we loaded into the chopper.

“Dear Americans… We regret being communist bastards. We regret going to America.” The Sergeant Major slammed a magazine into his rifle and racked one forward,

“And we most definitely regret that the Corps just blew up our raggedy-ass fleet!”

“Oorah!” The entire squad sounds off in unison before locking their own weapons to the ready.

As the stallion pulled away from the carrier we all braced ourselves with our off hand, rifles and gear clung to us that was fresh and ready for combat. Three units in T-45 power armor filled up the center of the cargo bay as the Sergeant stood in the fulcrum of force in the middle of the chopper. He was rooted and gravity mixed with centrifugal force allowing him to stand in place as he continued his patriotic speech,