Twilight’s Last Gleaming

Published: 1 Mar 2018

Norris stepped into the Chapel’s reception hall and noticed the Offutt team went above and beyond, a hot lunch of pasta, salad and soup was being served. Norris smiled as he noticed young Sheldon piling food onto his plate. One thing never changes, a teenager’s appetite. Myers was standing beside him, “Anything on Adam yet?”

“It’s pretty bad, sir. The only information I have is a piece of shrapnel, managed to travel around and in front of his spinal column, it’s literally resting against his heart. Doctor McCray says he will have to move Adam’s heart to the side and carefully remove the piece and then move the heart back. Sir, Doctor McCray is very concerned and has Adam listed as critical and unstable.”

Norris dropped his head. “Damn, that kid has been through hell his whole life. If anyone can fix him up, it’s Leo and Janet.” Norris looked up and noticed Bucky talking to Captain Downs. He smiled.

“Commander Buchinski and Captain Downs, a word please.” They both looked up and walked over.

Captain Downs snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”

“As you were Captain, this is not a formal talk. I want to thank you for what you did out there.”

“Sir, if I may sir. It’s nothing that Bucky…umm sorry Commander Buchinski or Adam wouldn’t do for any soldier they saw in trouble.”

“You may be right, but that level of dedication is noticed and rewarded.” He paused, looked at Bucky and smiled. “Change of plans, Bucky, you’re not getting Captain Downs, I am. My pilot was killed this morning, Captain Downs is his replacement.” He looked over at Myers. “Myers, draw up the orders, and make sure you include the promotion to Major.”

“Yes, sir.”

Norris looked over at Downs and smiled. “Myers will have someone help you get your gear, and you can travel with us.”

The look of shock never left Downs’ face. “Thank you sir. I am honored.”

“Don’t mention it Major. I surround myself with the best.” He patted Bucky and Myers on the shoulder as he walked past them to try the soup.

1455 EST 28 November 2012
Presidential Bunker
Outside Salt Lake City, Utah

Norris watched as the chopper that had picked them up flew low into a canyon. The pilot headed straight towards the canyon wall, and Norris started to get a little nervous until the wall of the canyon started to open like a giant door. The chopper pilot landed just outside the cavern then expertly taxied into the giant hangar filled with helicopters. The pilot touched down in the center of the hangar and the door was pulled open from the outside. “Admiral Norris, good to see you again.”

Norris smiled, jumped out and gave his old friend, Admiral Cathcart, a giant hug. Cathcart patted him on the back. “Come on, the old man is waiting for you.”

As they walked toward an elevator, Cathcart chatted away. “So what’s the word on Adam?”

“Still in surgery. It’s ugly. There is a piece of shrapnel lodged between his spinal column and heart. If it moves even centimeters in one direction it will shred his heart and centimeters in the other direction it could sever his spinal cord. McCray and Hayes are doing everything they can.”

“He is a good kid, I am praying for him.”

Norris looked around him. “He is in the right hands. So, this place is pretty fucking amazing.”

They had just reached the door of the elevator when another helicopter taxied in. “That’s the Chief of Staff, Alexander Lovell, he was up in Kettle Falls working on something with Vice President Reynolds.”

Norris chuckled. “Quick, get me out of here. That man has a boner to see me get into politics.”

The elevator door opened and Norris and Cathcart had to step out of the way to let a large group of pilots off. The pilots all nodded and greeted Norris and Cathcart formally. As Norris and Cathcart stepped on the elevator they heard someone behind them shout. “Hold the elevator.”

Norris chuckled. “Is it too late to ignore him?”

Cathcart smiled “Afraid so.”

White House Chief of Staff Alexander Lovell trotted onto the elevator. “Admiral Cathcart, Admiral Norris, good to see you both.” He pushed a button on the panel and the doors slid shut. “Since we are all going to see the president, we can share an elevator. See, gentlemen, I know you’re going to see the president, because the president notified my office to change some other meetings he has. I understand the military have complete access to the president, but all I am asking for is a heads up.”

Norris cocked his head and looked at him. “You have big ass balls, don’t you. I really do admire that, but learn some military protocol, do you think I made the appointment to see the President? You need to talk to my Chief of Staff, Commander Myers.”

Norris turned and looked back at Cathcart. “Andy is making some great progress, looks like this whole operation was a success.”

“Excuse me, Admiral.” Norris spun around and looked at Lovell again. “We always seem to get off on the wrong foot. Admiral, I have the most extreme respect for you. You are one of the most talented military commanders I have met in a long time. But let me be very clear on this. In this world, not on the deck of your carriers, I am in command. I get you don’t like politicians and you don’t like me, but this is my job and it’s necessary. I handle all the dirty work that never should be close to the presidency. So in your world, your rank demands respect; but in my world, my office demands respect. Next time you need an emergency visit with the President have your Chief of Staff call my Deputy Chief of Staff and just tell us. We will make it happen so God damn quick your head will spin.”

The elevator stopped, the door slid open and Lovell stormed out. Norris paused for a second, taken aback, and Cathcart clapped him on the shoulder. “He is a tough mother fucker Aggy, you want to be on his good side.”

They both followed Lovell to the president’s office, with Cathcart shaking his head the whole way and Norris in shock.

Lovell walked up the secretary’s desk and she looked up and smiled. “You can go right in gentlemen; he is waiting for you.”

The chief of staff knocked once then opened the door and walked in ahead of the two admirals. “Sir, here is my report.” Norris noticed Alexander pull a White House medical file out of his briefcase and set it on the desk, as Jack got up from the desk, came around, and grabbed Norris into a hug.

“Jesus Christ, Aggy, it’s good to see you in person. I have the rest of the war team standing by. I figured if something was bad enough to get you to leave that little boat of yours, I might need them.”

Norris pulled out the file from the Ashwood interrogation and handed it to the president, along with the file on Trevor Longway’s hack.

President Bryce sat at a small round conference table and motioned the rest to sit down with him. “What are we looking at here Aggy?”

“Ok, sir, this file is the interrogation of President Ashwood.” Norris leaned over and flipped through a couple of pages. “You’re going to want to read all of this but, this section here is what needs to be handled now.”

President Bryce read for a few minutes and then passed the file to Cathcart. “Shit, Aggy, can we take it?”

“No sir, everything we come up with would result in a disaster.”

Admiral Cathcart finished reading and passed it to Lovell. “Mister President, this arsenal cannot be deployed, we have to find a way to kill it now.”

Norris looked over at Cathcart. “The SEAL Team commander tells me that even with a full force attack of every boot on the ground I have available to me, we could not take the facility before they would have time to deploy.”

Lovell set the file down and ran his hand through his hair and leaned back. “There’s got to be some options. Special OPs infiltration?”

“Mount Weather is the continuity of Government bunker, picture the enemy trying to invade or infiltrate here. You’re talking about a 600,000 square foot bunker that goes 120 feet into the ground. Each of the twelve underground levels can be sealed from the level above and is designed to be impregnable.”

Admiral Cathcart stood up and started pacing. “Nukes?”

“Sir, the use of nuclear weapons on US soil must be only as a last resort. I don’t think we should even broach that discussion yet.” Alexander’s response caught Norris off guard.

Norris nodded. “Well it seems there is something that Mister Lovell and I do agree on. I don’t think we are ready to discuss nuclear options.”

President Bryce nodded. “I agree. Ok, when we get to the situation room, we can get everyone’s input and come up with a plan. Now what about this Trevor situation?”

“This is the plan to take D.C., with all the supporting Recon we have so far. We are certain D.C. is a decoy, and based on what we can tell, the enemy is pulling back into defensive positions.”

Jack looked up. “Yet you still want to take it.”

“Yes, sir. We believe the enemy forces gave us this nugget to buy themselves time to form a defensive line from Richmond, Virginia to St Louis. Based on the recon drones and what little satellite imagery we have, it looks like they are preparing to dig in along Interstate 64. If we take D.C., they will assume we went for the bait, giving them time to move their forces into position. If they accomplish this, it will be a very long drawn out war. Because of the Mississippi in the West and the mountainous terrain along 64 we will have one hell of a time pushing them back. Take into account they are about to retake Florida and we end up with two countries.”

President Bryce shook his head. “That’s not an option.”

“I agree sir, so what I am proposing is a secondary, smaller attack.” He paused and pointed at the map. “Here at Beckley, West Virginia. My intention is to attack a major artery of their line.”

Cathcart and the president were both nodding. Lovell was just looking at Norris. “Admiral, the way I see it is, if we do nothing and let the enemy move into a defensive position we are screwed. If we follow your plan, best case is we disrupt the line before it forms and worst case is they are still able to form the line and we will have the nation’s capital under our control.”

Norris nodded. “That is correct, Mister Lovell.”

“Do you have the troops to do it?”

“To take D.C., yes, the secondary attack, no. My lines will be spread pretty thin, as the enemy is leaving cantonment areas behind that we will have to deal with as we go, or encircle and leave alone. I think a large enough team of the UNIT, with assistance from Special Forces and a Ranger Battalion or an Airborne Battalion could take and hold Beckley indefinitely. We will be close enough that we can give the force air cover and get supplies to them. I do have the HMS Queen Elizabeth in route back from Bermuda now that the Brits have dispatched the Queen Victoria Group there. I am meeting with the Victoria Battle Group commander in a couple days to see if they can provide some assistance as well.”

Cathcart leaned over. “The battalion of 82nd from Wright Patterson has landed in Canada already and initial reports are they are in pretty good shape. If we pulled them from the northern attack and dropped them in Beckley with the UNIT that would create a damn big bulge.”

Norris looked up at Cathcart. “If they are combat ready, this would be right up their alley.”

President Bryce reached out and took a sip of his water. “What’s the timeline on this, Aggy?”

“We figure to get all the necessary pieces in place about nine to ten days. That’s assuming we have that arsenal at Mount Weather taken care of. A lot of our troops will be converging on a small geographical area, Weapons of Mass Destruction would be a complete disaster.”

Jack stood up. “Set it in motion, now Aggy. Anything else before we go to the situation room?”

Norris nodded. “Sir I am going to strongly suggest during your travels you keep a UNIT member nearby to… umm screen everyone you talk to. This AoG group was able to infiltrate our government at the highest level and I have no idea how many there are and how to find them. But the UNIT has the ability to figure it out.”

Jack looked over to Lovell. “Good idea. Alex, set it up. Now let’s get to the situation room and figure out Mount Weather and brief the senior leadership. Alexander, we will talk about Mike when we are done.”

“Yes sir.”

1655 EST 28 November 2012
Hill Air Force Base, Utah

Norris stepped onto the plane and plopped into his seat. Right behind him Myers set down his attache case and looked around the plane. “Everyone is here, sir, I will let the pilots know we can take off immediately.”

“Thank you, Myers. Bucky and Felix, get up here.” He reached over and grabbed a bottle of water while he waited for Bucky and Felix to come forward.

“Sit down guys.” He glanced over at Myers as she came back from the cockpit. “You too, Myers. Let’s review the plan and figure out some of the details. It’s a long flight back to Maine, and I want to get some rest. Any word on Adam?”

“They finished the first surgery, but still have him listed as critical. Doctor McCray is staying there for now to continue to monitor and help with the next set of surgeries. He is not sure if he will be awake when we arrive or not.”

“I hope so. I want to hear him, Bucky, and Downs, tell us the story of their little adventure. Myers, I need you to do a little digging for me. I have this strange feeling something is going on with the Vice President, see if you can find out anything about his health.”

“Ok, sir, Payne and I will look into it.”

1915 EST 28 November 2012
Ehrling Bergquist Clinic
Offutt Air Force Base

Norris and McCray were standing outside of Adam’s room talking. “I am telling you, Aggy, to let it go, stop looking into it. You don’t want or even need to know.”

“If there is something wrong with the vice president, I don’t want to get blindsided.”

“Aggy, again let it go. If it were a major concern you would know and when the time is right the president will tell you.” Just then Bucky poked his head out. “He is awake.” They both smiled and walked in.

Doctor McCray immediately walked over to Adam. “How are you feeling, Adam?”

Adam just groaned.

McCray chuckled a little. “I need you to answer a few questions for me to the best of your ability. Ok?”

“Ok,” Adam’s voice was very hoarse, McCray handed him a cup with a straw. Adam took a couple sips and handed it back. “Thank you.”

“Do you know where you are?”

“In a hospital.” Adam said as he looked around the room. Logan reached out and grabbed his hand, making Adam smile.

“Do you remember what happened?”

Adam chuckled, and immediately grimaced in pain, “Unfortunately, every single second of it.”

McCray looked at his chart. “I know you’re in a lot of pain, but Doctor Hayes says even you cannot handle anymore pain killers. Sabrina says that her pain-killing method works by slowing your metabolism down and putting you into an induced coma. She feels that your natural healing abilities will work better and faster if you are awake. Can’t say that I can argue with that.”

“I can deal with it.”

McCray closed his chart and sat down on the bed next to him. “Adam, you have to take it easy. I need you to realize we removed more shrapnel from you in one surgery than I have in all the patients since this damn war started. Your body will heal itself faster than I would normally expect but son, we almost lost you a couple times there. Don’t fuck up our art.”

Adam chuckled and grimaced again. “Sir, yes sir.” At that moment Doctor Hayes stepped into the room.

Doctor McCray stood up. “I just checked him over, and your diagnosis was right. He suffers from acute badsenseofhumoritis.”

Everyone chuckled while Janet looked at the chart. She closed the chart and sat down. “Doctor mode off. Adam, you scared the shit out of us.”

“Sorry, Mom.”

Norris cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Adam, Bucky and Noah; if you feel up to it, there is something I need to know.”

Adam looked at Bucky and Noah. They both nodded, knowing what was coming next. The three had already decided there was a couple things they would take to their graves with them. They also knew they could not avoid the questions any longer. He looked up at Norris and smiled. “We will try, Aggy.”

“Ok, so what the fuck really happened out there?”

Everyone laughed and Adam grimaced in pain again. He got himself under control and looked over at Bucky. “We went and got ourselves blown up, that’s what happened.”

Again everyone chuckled. Adam waited until they settled down. “As we were getting ready to extract, Bucky was the last man providing cover fire. I looked back to signal him to withdraw, when I heard and saw the artillery shell coming in. I didn’t think. It was like I could see what would happen in just a couple seconds and I had to change it… I just reacted and tackled him into a ditch, covering him with my body.”

Bucky smiled. “Last thing I remember was feeling my ribs crack and then I was out.”

Adam nodded at him. “Sorry about that Bro. I was in more goddamn pain than I have ever experienced before, so this part is a little hazy but I remember dragging him to a wood line. I tried to hide us in the undergrowth before I passed out.”

Major Downs sat up and shook his head. “A little hazy my ass… sorry Admiral. Adam you dragged Bucky for just a little over two miles. I have gotten to know you a little and I know you’re something special but that was some superman-like shit.”

Bucky and Adam simultaneously said, “Damn.” They both looked up to the newly promoted officer to continue.

“That is where I found them. I was with the Recon team sent to try to get any intel on your survival or death, we were about a mile out when we ran into a hornet’s nest of SAMs. I laid down cover fire to get the rest of my flight out. As soon as my other birds were clear I tried to pull out myself. We were almost out of the area, when unfortunately one of the missiles got through. We fell from the sky like a rock. There was nothing I could do except auto-rotate down and hope we all survived the crash.” He paused and took a deep breath.

“As it was, I was the only survivor from the crew and Ranger recon team. They had been with me since we got here with Colonel Shelton from Germany. They were one hell of a team.” Bucky reached out and patted him on the shoulder.

“We have lost a lot of good men so far.”

“Doesn’t make it any easier though. Anyway, sorry, I was scouting the area trying to get my bearings, when I literally almost stumbled on you two. I knew right away these were the guys we were looking for. I flew choppers in the Orlando attack and recognized Bucky immediately, I actually flew him twice towards the end of the whole OP. Based on the description of Adam we were given, and hearing the rumors about this group of super soldier kids, I knew this was their commander. I also knew if they were captured, we would be fucked. Excuse my language, Admiral.”

Norris cocked his head and looked at the pilot. “Seriously, if you apologize every time you swear, we are not going to get along.”

Downs smiled a little. “Understood, sir. I beat feet back to my chopper, got the first aid kit and took the flight suits and weapons off two of my crew. I got back and bandaged the two up as best as I could. Then got them changed into the flight suits. This way they could deny being who they actually were if we didn’t make it out.”

“There were enemy soldiers everywhere, so after a couple hours I used smelling salts to wake them up. I identified myself and got them moving at nearly a crawl. We spent the next two days moving as fast as we could, avoiding contact with any enemy. That’s it… I just did everything I could to keep them alive and out of enemy hands.”

“That’s pure fucking bullshit and you know it Noah.” Everyone turned and looked at Bucky. “This mother fucker right here is a fucking hero. Don’t go acting all humble and shit. Without you we would be dead plain and simple. There is no way on Earth we could have survived. You did what you could? Bullshit, you went way beyond your limits. Fuck, one of the nights, Adam and I were both hurting pretty bad to the point that I was almost ready to call it quits. I just didn’t think we could take it anymore.” He paused and looked at Adam. “And I know Adam was thinking it too.”

Adam closed his eyes and nodded.

“I started saying it to Noah and Adam. Noah wasn’t having it. You know what this prick said to me. ‘Fuck you Commander, my whole team did not die to let you give up, your a fucking NAVY SEAL, you’re the ones we all look up to, so stop your fucking sniveling and keep your ass moving.’

“I didn’t get a chance to respond because we heard some enemy approaching. I rolled over to take a look out of our hiding spot in some pretty dense brush, when I noticed a three man recon team heading straight toward us. I grabbed my M4 and got ready for the last fight of my life. We all knew if we had to engage at that point we were fucked. The woods were crawling with bad guys and they would converge on us like flies to shit.”

“I looked over to Noah and he was gone. I frantically looked around and then back out towards where the enemy was. Sure enough, this dumb ass is stalking them from behind. One by one he took them down without firing a shot.”

Downs shook his head. “Like I said, I did what I had to to keep them away from enemy units and to keep them moving.”

Bucky just smiled and shook his head.

Noah smirked. “We decided to move north, as going west was the largest concentration of enemy troops. Trying to get back to Florida would have taken us right through the enemy’s biggest hubs. We figured go north and try to find a way across the Mississippi. On that last day… shit that was what, one, two days ago? Well we got spotted, and were being aggressively hunted for about two hours before we ran into the Ranger team and civilians that saved our asses.”

Everyone just sat there for a minute quietly contemplating what the three of them went through out there. The silence was extremely uncomfortable for everyone, as if no one knew how to respond to the three young men.

Norris cleared his throat. “Well I don’t want to bring this high point down but I have to get back to the East Coast. Adam and Logan we will see you soon, the rest of us, let’s get mounted up.”

0245 EST 29 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Off the southern coast of Long Island Near Brooklyn, NY

Norris walked into the CIC. “Whats our status?”

Captain Schaffer looked up from his console. “Welcome back, Admiral. With the enemy fleet pulling back, Commodore Chase has moved the Ronald Reagan and the Illustrious group further west. We are sitting just outside of New York Harbor and Illustrious is sitting almost due north of us in Long Island Sound. We have hit numerous targets up and down the Eastern Seaboard and have stretched as far west as Youngstown, Ohio. Queen Elizabeth and Charles De Gaulle groups are both getting into position off the coast of Florida to assist with Colonel Shelton’s withdrawal.”

Norris nodded and handed the Deputy CAG a file. “Go over that with Captain Miller and come up with an air cover plan tomorrow morning. The Air Force is going to use B-2s with the new MOP bombs to annihilate Mount Weather. We have to provide cover for the bombers. What is the enemy doing?”

“Still the same, slowly withdrawing towards the south. It’s definitely not a retreat and the withdrawal wouldn’t even be noticed if we were not looking for it.”

“Good, anything else I need to be made aware of?”

“Not that I am aware of, sir. Senior commanders and staff are scheduled to be assembled at 10:00 as per your direction.”

“Perfect, I have some serious jet lag, so I am going to catch some shut eye.”

“Actually, Admiral you’re going to sleep like a baby, sir.”

Norris turned around to see Corpsman Taylor behind him. “What do you mean, Corpsman?”

“Doctor McCray’s orders, sir. This is a mild sedative. Should I quote his exact words, sir?”

Norris laughed. “I am pretty sure I could tell you without you quoting him. I am way too tired to fight him and you on this, so let’s go.” Norris turned to Payne. “Lieutenant walk with me.”

Norris walked out of the CIC and turned toward his quarters, with Payne and Taylor in tow. “Lieutenant Payne here are the battle plans. I need a full intel briefing tomorrow at 0900.” Norris handed him a file and watched him place it in his bag next to a White house medical file.

0951 EST 29 November 2012
USS Ronald Reagan
Off the southern coast of Long Island Near Brooklyn, NY

Admiral Norris finished his breakfast and pushed the plate away from him. He stood up from his desk and stretched. His body groaned and ached in so many places. The chopper crash yesterday, flying back and forth around the country, Bucky’s return, Adam’s surgery, capturing Ashwood, and the long briefing in the situation room had taken its toll on him, and he was physically exhausted.

Myers stepped through the doorway. “Here is another cup of coffee, sir and the commanders are assembled in the flight wing briefing room.”

As they left his office, he noticed Major Downs sitting quietly in Myers office.

“Major Downs what exactly are you doing?”

“Exactly sir, nothing. No one has told me what exactly this job entails.”

Norris chuckled, “Fair enough. Get with Lieutenant Cunningham and you two get Myers’ help to find a new command chopper for me. Make sure one isn’t pulled from a front line commander.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Major, you’re still a little busted up, so while you are healing, start working with Lieutenant Cunningham on security protocols and all that bullshit.”

“Understood sir. Sir, should I also find a crew?”

“Well you’re not going to want to fly all by yourself. If you have someone in mind, let Myers know and she will make it happen.”

“Yes, sir and sir, can I ask a personal favor.”

“What is it Major?”

“Sir I am originally from Rhode Island and my wife and child are still supposed to be at her parent’s farm. If you could spare me for a few minutes…”

Norris held up his hand to stop him. “Noah, why the fuck didn’t you say something earlier. Get with flight ops and have a chopper take you over there now. Tell them it’s on my authority. I don’t want to see you back here until 0900 tomorrow morning. Go spend some time with your family.”

Major Downs just stared for a second. “Thank you so much, sir.”

Norris just smiled and walked out of the office and into the briefing room. He waved everyone to their seats as the room was called to attention. “Sit down everyone. We have a lot to discuss. On or about December 7th we are going to attack and take back Washington DC.” The room erupted into cheers. “Ok settle down, there are a number of things that have to happen in the next nine days to ensure our success…” Two hours later, the senior officers left with the very basics of a plan. Now, it was up to them to start moving the chess pieces into place.

Following the story? Let Ken know: Ken Barber