Jesse's Starship 3: Joshua's Walls (2 page)

Jesse tilted his head back, “Your Father tells me that you are quite likely the most deadly person on the planet with your hand-to-hand combat skills. Is he not being truthful?”

Prissy tilted her head, “I’ve not seen anyone better or faster than Josh.”

Josh jerked his head toward her, “Prissy, are you trying to get me to do this?”

“I want to be married on Sparta. The sooner we can wrap this up, the sooner we can get down to starting a family. I don’t see any other Earth Officer that has the moxie to get this done. I almost think they sympathize with the rebellion.”

Josh stared at her and said while keeping his eyes on her, “I’ll accept this position you’re pushing on me but I demand several things.”

Jesse’s head moved back slightly, “Such as?”

Josh turned to Jesse, “I will select the troops that will be in my unit.”

“Done.”

“I understand that you have a stock pile of captured military equipment that was hidden from the Alliance by the previous government.”

“We do.”

“I want every Wart Hog, Abram and Leopard Tank, as well as the munitions to arm them.”

Jesse nodded, “There’s a limited number of them. Most of them were taken to Sparta to fight the Gracken. You already have the majority of the A-10s in your wing.”

“Then give me the others. I also want every Apache and Hind Helicopter you have.”

“Done.”

“I do know you have plenty of C-5 transports. I want enough tankers to fuel them so I can move the tanks at a moment’s notice anywhere on the planet.”

“That won’t be a problem.”

“I also want Prissy to be promoted to Major and put in command of the small Air Force we’ll be using.”

Prissy looked at Josh as Jesse said, “Why would you want that?”

Josh snorted, “I agree with Prissy. I have a feeling that some of your Senior Officers may have sympathies with the Rebels and will get in the way of critical decisions. I don’t want to have to get approval for anything through them. They’ll only slow us down. My unit will be a completely independent force that I will send where they’re needed.”

Jesse slowly nodded, “I might get some resistance at that.”

Josh shrugged, “Are you in Command or not?”

Jesse smiled, “Alright, you will report directly to me.”

“One thing we will be using that is of Spartan Origin.”

“What?”

“We will use their communications equipment. I don’t want my communications to be compromised.”

Jesse shrugged, “That shouldn’t be an issue. I use it myself.”

“Finally, I want a training facility built in an isolated location where I can get my warriors trained.”

“We call them troops, Josh.”

“You can call them yellow turtles as far as I’m concerned but those that complete my training will call themselves warriors.” Josh looked at Prissy, “I want you to come up with the uniforms we’re going to assign them.” Prissy nodded.

Jesse smiled, “I’ll get things moving on my end. I’ll need you at the site of the training facility to get things set up as quickly as possible.”

“It’s going to need an airport that can handle the C-5s.”

“You’re going to Warner Robins Air Force Base in Central Georgia. That’s where the bulk of the captured war material is currently being stored. It has a runway capable of handling the old B-52s and will be more than adequate for your needs.”

“Prissy and I are going to pack to move to Robins by this afternoon. Please have your Army Headquarters send me the personnel folders on every soldier that has volunteered to serve in your new armies. You should also tell your current Senior Staff that any soldier I request will be sent to Warner Robins without delay.”

Jesse nodded and watched as Josh and Pricilla walked toward their small commuter plane. When they boarded and taxied away he lifted his communicator, “I have to say that I am impressed with your son. He’s much more mature than I expected.”

“Did he accept the position?”

“He did, but with reluctance.”

“Did either of them mention getting married?”

“Both of then did but it appears they have decided to wait until this unit is up and running effectively. I really don’t know how effective their Strike Force will be but it will keep them busy like you want.”

“Jesse, I owe you big time. Jeanette and I just don’t want them getting married this young. They’ve been exerting pressure on us to go to Sparta to perform the ceremony and we’re running out of excuses to stop them.”

“Adams, I really didn’t think this project would amount to much when you suggested it, but it might become something that is a difference maker. Your son and future daughter-in-Law appear to have their stuff together. They’ve asked for things that none of my Senior Officers have thought to pursue.”

“Such as?”

“I’ll send you a list.”

“That would be good.” Adams looked away from the display and said, “That’s him calling now. I’ll get back to you later.”

The display went dark on Jesse’s communicator and he wondered if Adams knew what he had started today. This young couple had a sense of presence that you felt. Jesse shrugged and thought, “What could they really accomplish with a brigade of troops and several aircraft?”

“Josh, it’s good to hear from you.”

“Dad, I need a favor.”

“If I can, I’ll do it.”

“I need to use Tuffy for a project.”

Adams’ eyes narrowed, “We’ve been ordered to keep the Q ships out of direct combat.”

“It has nothing to do with combat. I’m going to receive all the personnel folders of those that have volunteered to serve in Earth’s armed forces. I’m forming a new infantry unit Jesse has asked me to command. I want to send the folders to Tuffy and have him look them over and prioritize them.”

“What do you mean, ‘prioritize’?”

“I want them examined as to who their parents are, where they’ve traveled, what their military experience is so far, their age, weight, height, and any other tests they might have taken.”

“Tests?”

“Yes. I.Q., Simmons Aggressive Trait Measure, Personality Type, and anything else in their records.”

“What do you want Tuffy to do with all this?”

“I want him to compare them to you and Mom’s measures. Rank them with the ones that match up close with you at the top and move down from there.”

“How many files will you be sending?”

“I just contacted Earth’s Military Headquarters and they say I have more than two million applications.”

“Josh! Just how long do you intend to give Tuffy to do this?”

“Could he have it done over the weekend?”

“Are you crazy?”

A voice came on the Q ship’s loudspeaker, “I can actually have it done in twenty four hours from the time you get them delivered to me.”

Adams looked up, “Are you sure about that, Tuffy?”

“It would take months to do if I didn’t have a template to use for the measures. Josh was wise to choose you and Jeanette as the template for selection. I can correlate the data quickly given the conditions Josh has chosen.”

Josh smiled, “Thanks Tuffy. I’ll have HQ send them directly to you.”

Adams looked at Josh, “What is this unit you’re talking about?”

“I’ll tell you about it later. Right now I have my hands full.”

“Be sure you do, Son. Your Mother and I need to be kept informed about what you’re doing.”

See you later, Dad.”

• • •

Josh looked at Prissy, “He already knows.”

Pricilla nodded, “It was probably his idea to do this to slow down our marriage plans.”

Josh sighed, “I imagine you’re right. Do we still want to do this?”

Prissy smiled as Josh banked the small plane around a thundercloud, “Josh, we have our entire life ahead of us. Getting this unit up and running will provide both of us with skills that will be invaluable in the future. Not only will it be fun but we will grow from the experience. If we’re going to join the fight against the Weg, we can benefit from what we learn here. We’ve both got to do something while we’re young and this really looks like a good thing to do.” Prissy smiled, “This could be our college years.”

Josh snickered. “Going to the school of hard shots?”

“Yep, our school colors will be black and blue.”

Prissy paused and stared at Josh. He saw her and said, “What?”

“Josh, your role in this new unit will demand that you depend on your subordinates to lead the fighting.” Josh stared at her and she said, “This position you’ve accepted isn’t like anything you’ve done before. I understood when you went after that Gracken Beamship that it was a mission for just one pilot. I was there only to go in if you failed. I also recognize that you would lead your squadron on airstrikes. However, this is different.”

“Prissy, my place is at the front leading those under my command.”

“No it’s not!”

Josh looked out of the front glass and could hear the determination in her voice, “Where do you come up with that?”

“Josh, what happens if you’re killed leading a charge into Rebel lines?” Josh continued to stare out of the plane. “This unit will be handed over to another commander that will render it useless. You’re going to have to choose good leaders to work under your direction.” Josh looked at her and she sighed, “I understand that if the brigade is involved in an attack that you will have to be there…but…others will lead the charge. This is a lesson you’re going to have to learn before taking command of a larger unit.”

“Are you saying I’m reckless?”

Prissy reached over and rubbed her hand on his cheek, “Not at all, my Love. You’re brilliant beyond anyone I’ve ever known and will make good decisions on what should be done. However, you have to learn that you are not one that can be lost without severe repercussions to those you lead.”

“You could command the unit if anything happened to me.”

“Josh, I’m not the one that killed that Beamship. You are the only one your warriors will trust to lead them.” Prissy paused, “Josh, you can’t win wars singlehandedly. You have to depend on others to make your plans succeed.”

Josh continued staring out of the cockpit window and remained silent for a long moment. He finally sighed and looked at Prissy, “I just find it difficult to not be involved.”

Prissy nodded, “And sitting back watching your warriors go out to face an enemy will be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But, if you’re going to lead larger units in the future, you’re going to have to learn to do it.”

Josh nodded slowly, “You’re saying this not because you’re afraid of losing me.”

“I’m thankful you see that. I’m always worried about losing you when you go into combat, but that’s the nature of loving a warrior. This comes from knowing your responsibility to those you command.”

Josh laughed and pulled Prissy over for a quick kiss. He looked at her and said, “You’ve always been the wiser of us. I see the wisdom of what you’re saying.”

“We have to find good leaders for our warriors. That is another lesson both of us need to learn.” Josh nodded and hoped Tuffy produced a good list of possible candidates.

• • •

It took seven months to get the Strike Force Brigade trained for battle. The Air Force was ready first and Prissy was using them to pacify the locations of major Rebel attacks on Government Officials and Alliance Personnel installing the new technology. But only so much could be done from the air. The Ground Troops were desperately needed to remove the Rebel forces and their leadership. Finally, Josh was ready to use them and no one expected what was about to happen. They would have never thought that one of the first assaults would take place in Mecca.

• • •

The Alliance convoy of heavy vehicles was moving toward Mecca on Al Taqwa Street and their armored defense vehicles were forced to remain behind at the intersection of Alyad Street in Kuday as the rest of the convoy continued without them. The King of Saudi Arabia requested additional Food Units for the thousands of pilgrims that were on their once in a lifetime Hajj. The pilgrims prayed their way along the holy path to the Kaaba. The annual rite was taking place and the city was filled with millions of pilgrims.

The trucks carrying the Food Units turned on Alyad Street and moved into the city proper. Suddenly, three hundred men came out from the sand they were buried in and fired their Blow Darts at the lead truck exploding the engine and blasting the tires. They began running toward the convoy to take hostages and kill the Alliance Engineers.

• • •

“Captain Mahood?”

“We see them.”

“Carry out your orders.”

• • •

Four companies of Strike Force Warriors had jumped out the rear of a high altitude C-5 transport as the convoy approached the city. Two companies actually came in directly over the massed pilgrims in the city and went unseen. Their specially made uniforms and parachutes blended into the sky and they were silent in their passage. Two more companies had peeled off from the first two and turned toward the first burning Alliance Truck. They landed when the attackers were still a hundred yards away from the convoy and opened fire on the charging Rebels.

The leader of the Rebels saw the troops landing next to the trucks and knew this ambush was over. He yelled for his men to retreat but saw more parachutes dropping in behind him. He went to one knee and began blowing darts as fast as he could load them into his tube. He loaded the third dart and a small hole suddenly appeared in his forehead. In less than three minutes, all three hundred of the Rebels were dead in the sand. Throughout the intense battle, no noise was heard. The Rebel’s Blow Guns were silent and the rifles being used by the Strike Force used a new silencer that only made a small puff of noise from the small caliber bullets being fired. Nothing was heard over the loud prayers being said by millions in the City.

• • •

Ten warriors landed behind six men that were watching the attack from closer to the mass of pilgrims. One of the six shook his head, “They will pay for this sacrilege.”

Nothing else was said, as the ten warriors who landed behind them, knocked them to the ground with judo kites to their necks. They were quickly bound, gagged, and carried out toward the convoy. They were loaded in the last truck and it turned and sped out to the waiting Armored Vehicles. There a civilian helicopter landed and they were thrown on board just before it lifted and flew to the south.