At What Cost?: The Dawning

By C. David Heckler

At What Cost "The Dawning": This 700+ page novel is based in the near future when China invades the United States. Robert Tippen and Vic Heckman lead a their team of highly prepared patriots as they fight back and leave their mark in the battle. An action packed novel telling the story of the price winning back American Freedom.
Robert Tippen Jr and Victor Heckmen were two young hard working men from Brazoria, Texas. Along with their friends and families, they were prepared for such an unforeseen nightmare to happenyears before. This is the beginning of their story.
A NEW RELEASE from C. David Heckler. Follow the Cobras on their real-world path to fighting off the ruthless-relentless Chinese Army Invasion.
Coming soon!!! At What Cost? "Snake Hunt"

Available also at: Amazon.com and Barnes and Nobel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465317490

C. David Heckler

C. David Heckler currently resides in the small town of Brazoria Texas. He’s a Navy Viet Nam era Veteran. He served in the Texas Military Forces for about fifteen years. He was a Master Sergeant and senior training NCO of new personnel to his unit. He aids in the training of local Law Enforcement SWAT along with his sons who are police officers. He enjoys action books, movies, and shooting. He’s originally from Chicago Illinois and has spent the last thirty years in Texas. This is his first book and is currently writing his next book.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by C. David Heckler.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in

any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without

permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are

the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any

resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely

coincidental.

Cover By Jarrad Norris

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Glossary

IN MEMORY OF:

SPEC Robert Tipp Jr, US Army, 1/8 CAV, OIF

SPEC Eric Bearden, US Army, 1/9 CAV, OIF

This book is dedicated to those that gave all and to those who continue to defend our Freedom.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my sons Stephen and Robert along with Robert Tipp Jr USA, 1SG Scott Hewitt USA 82nd AIR/TXSMF, Gunny John Nichols USMC/TMAR, and CPT Marius Ardelean USMC/TMAR for all their technical help in the writing of this book.

Chapter 1

Saturday, September 28

A watchful eye swept a lightly wooded-tall grassy field on a cool early September morning just before the sun rose over the horizon in southeast central Texas. The autumn morning sky broke into a colorful scenic view as the sun began to peek over the tree line.

Rufus McDonald laid seemingly motionless in a knoll on a small hill with his M24, .308 caliber sniper rifle. He watched closely through the Leupold M3 10X40 power scope attached to his rifle. He smoothly swept the field but ever so often, he looked through his binos (Binoculars) for a wider angle scan for any possible movement. Dressed in the current ACU digital military uniform with an anti-infrared ghillie suit (A camouflaged suit used to break up the contours of the human body), his face was painted with a special type of camouflage paint that repels infrared. He was virtually invisible to technology as well as to the naked eye.

Rufus, a tall, slender man that stood 6'2, and weighed 215 lbs, had short dark brown hair, and eyes to match. He had served with the 1st Cavalry Division during the Iraqi war. Later, he transferred to an anti terrorist unit (Special Warfare Operations-SpecOps). Because of his affinity to languages, he managed to acquire fluency in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish through the Army’s foreign language school in Monterey, CA. As a sniper, he was credited with forty-four confirmed kills and probably over two-hundred unconfirmed kills. His nickname Buttermilk" was given to him by his black drill sergeant during the Army’s basic training for having the audacity of being a white man with a black man’s first name.

An expert with long range rifles such as the M107A2 Barrett, his weapon of choice along with the M82-A2 .50 cal. semi-auto Barrett sniper rifle, 30.06 Remington model 700, M24 .308 cal. sniper rifle, and the Dragunov 7.62x54 Russian sniper rifle, Rufus owned an assortment of pistols such as the Walther .40 and 9mm, HK P7 9mm, USP 9mm, but his favorite was the Glock 23, 9mm, as reliable as his Timex watch. His favorite assault rifles were the HK MP5-K 9mm submachine guns, the preferred assault weapon of the Navy SEALS, and of course, the M4 carbine.

As the sun peaked over the trees, he spotted movement creeping along the ground, moving to the northwest about four-hundred yards out to his left. He slowly swept to his right and saw another sniper pointing at him and he heard Bang, your dead over his radio.

Two and Three, exercise is over. Move out to the staging area, Four out.

Rufus watched as the two got up from their positions and started jogging to the staging area, about a mile away. He got up, took off his ghillie suit, stuffed it in his dragbag, and started jogging in the direction of the rendezvous point.

Within minutes, the three men met up at the designated staging area near a large oak tree. The coordinates of the location were locked into their individual GPS units even though they could all easily find it even in the dark. Two ATV’s (All Terrain Vehicles) were parked there, waiting for them chained to the tree. They’d been out there since Thursday morning practicing counter-sniper tactics, running two different mission scenarios. After discussing the missions, they got on the ATV’s and drove due south to a place known as the Cobra’s Den Playground.

Minutes later, they jumped over a hedgerow and were driving at full speed, as the small tent set up at the edge of the woods on the other side of the open field came into view. They could see the rest of the team milling around the makeshift camp.

They parked next to the other vehicles and trailers, and walked over to the tent.

Robert Tippen Jr was sitting in a fold-out chair drinking a beer, eating salsa chips, and bean dip under the tent with the sides rolled up. He was 29 years old, 6 foot, and 225 lbs, with short light brown hair, muscular build, who ran 6 miles every day and worked out every morning before he went to work. He was a veteran of the Iraqi war where he served with the 1st Cavalry Division-1/8 out of Ft Hood, TX. Even though he was a mechanic with his unit, he volunteered every chance he got to go out and kill bad guys. His quick thinking in tactics earned him the respect of his officers and senior NCO’s (Non-Commissioned Officers). He made other NCO’s over him, bitter because they had been in the Army over four to eight years in service to have a young specialist make them look like rookies. On a Sunday morning, Robert went out with an Infantry platoon, on his day off, to patrol a street that paralleled with Haifa Street in the Green Zone. They had two Hummer’s with .50 cals and an APC (Armor Personnel Carrier) for support. He walked on the street to the right near the sidewalk when a number of insurgents opened fire on them from down the street. He moved quickly to the sidewalk and ran toward the firing, using parked cars for cover. He ran down a side street with his battle buddy right behind him hollering at him to stop. He just yelled back at him to follow him. Robert cut through an alley running parallel to the street they were on, at a flat run. He could hear the AK’s firing across from the building he was behind and kicked in the back door of a shop and his battle buddy came in behind him. The shop owner was hunkered down behind a counter with his family. Robert checked them and went to the window and could see clearly, the insurgents, eight of them. Him and his battle buddy took them all out and then cleared the street.

The platoon sergeant was furious and chewed his ass out. Robert just gave him a smart ass smirk and asked, So-you were just going to sit there and shoot it out with those assholes, sergeant? Not me, someone could get killed . . . like me! I thought our job was to kill the bad guys? The sergeant walked away as the platoon leader walked up to Robert shaking his head with a smirk You two got allot-ta balls . . . good job.

(Robert had done that a few times and raised some questions with a few platoon leaders and platoon sergeants. He’s a Kill em’ all and let God sort them out type of guy.)

Robert was the Cobra Team Captain who, like most all of the others on the Cobra Team, were military combat veterans. He practiced every few days shooting his pistols and M4. Most of all, he, as the others, loved practicing with his HK MP5 that Rufus had gotten for him and seven others before he had gotten out of the Army.

Anyway, as Robert munched on the chips & dip, Rufus sat down next to him and drank some cold water from the cooler. Robert looked at Rufus as he sat down.

So how’d it go?

"It went good. Dave and Stephen worked very well together. They both got passed me the first scenario and they did very well the second. I haven’t debriefed them yet. We just talked about a few things they did wrong and they understood and now know how to fix their mistakes.

Good, that’s good. Vic tells me that you and your sniper team took first place at the cop shoot last weekend.

Yeah. Hardcastle took it with that distance shot of 2000 yards. You know, he’s almost as good as I am. Hell, he hit a 4 target at that range."

He’s gotten real good with that Barrett (M107A2). Vic told me he’s burnt over a thousand rounds since he’d gotten it out on our range Robert said and then takes a drink of his beer.

Rufus sighs Yeah . . . he has. The way things are-I’m not sure where he finds the money or the ammo.

Robert belches I hear that.

He just bought a tin for it from a friend in Wyoming. He wouldn’t tell me how much he paid for it. (A tin of ammunition is in bulk, say 500 rounds in one container)

As they sat and talked, the other team members evolved from the woodline and joined Robert and Rufus.

The team members of the Cobra’s Alpha (Black Team) Team: Robert Tippen Jr (Team Captain), Victor Heckmen (Team Executive Officer), Scott Hewlett, Ben Sodderman, Jeff Evans, Cody Heckmen, Jarred Heckmen, Stephen Heckmen, Rufus McDonald, Alex Conners, Chea Heckmen, and Dave Heckmen.

Cobra’s Bravo (Red Team) Team: David Mooreland (Commander), Adam Zane (Executive Officer), Travis Connelly, Wayne Rossmen, Larry Moss, John Mott, Julie Rossmen-Martin, Joshua Martin, Dustin Rossmen, and Justin Hardcastle.

Victor and Robert had been best friends since grade school. They started the team after they had gotten out of the Army. Together, they built the team solely for homeland defense.

The team wasn’t a Run-in-the-woods-shoot-em’-up good ole boy’s militia. They were all patriots that supported the government and law enforcement. They were totally covert and had to practice quietly so they wouldn’t be listed as a terrorist group, anti-government militias, etc. Most law enforcement agencies would consider them a threat if they knew how they operated and the weapons they owned and used. They wouldn’t understand that they supported them. They weren’t exactly politically correct, but rather more traditionalists. Law Enforcement wouldn’t understand that their team was for total homeland defense in the event that their country was invaded either from the outside or inside. Not only that, they loved to practice and play war games against each other which kept them razor sharp. They’ve gone up against SWAT teams acting as terrorists, gangs, etc. . . . a police OPSFOR (Opposition Force) team as the Army would call it.

Victor Heckmen was 30 years old, 6'4" tall, weighs 245, short brown hair, muscular build, ran 6 miles every day and worked out in the mornings and sometimes in the evenings after work. He and Robert both joined the Army together and served together in Iraq, but not in the same unit. They both were in the 1st Cavalry Division, but Vic was Infantry and was in 1/9 Cav. He worked as a local Police Officer and a member of Police Department’s SWAT Team. This is how the team was able to be OPSFOR for the local and other PD’s (Police Department). He loved to hunt game as does Robert and most of the team.

For a hobby, he shot competition with assorted rifles and pistols. As a member of his PD’s SWAT team, he instructed MOUT (Military Operations in Urban Terrain), weapons & tactics, and hand to hand combatives.

In Iraq, Victor was a support of fire team leader. His MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) was 11-Mike, which was Mechanized Infantry at that time and changed to just 11-Bravo (Infantry). He was a TC (Tank Commander) in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle, which supported ground troops. He did spend half his time on ground as well as an assistant rifle squad leader. That’s where he met Rufus, which was a sniper team leader for his unit. They’d been friends ever since. Vic was a very good tactician on the ground and in his track. He was a direct person that said what was on his mind most of the time. This had gotten him in trouble time to time when it came to someone not knowing what they were talking about or tried to bullshit him. Ever since he was a kid, his role model was his dad and really loved reading books by a hard-core Navy Seal and considered him, even though Vic was Army, his sea Daddy and lived his 10 Commandments of a Spec-Op Warrior. You could find them posted in all three complexes and in a large fancy wooden picture frame in his bedroom with his Sea Daddy’s picture just above the commandments. The team would really get pissed when Robert and Vic quoted from the commandments. They really hated You don’t have to like it, you just have to do it! and Never Assume, when they trained together.

Vic sat down on the ground in front of Robert, leaning against a large field box with his M4 lying in his lap. His face was painted with cammo face paint with a cammo Do-Rag on his head which was sweat soaked.

How many times did ya get shot out, bro? Robert asked cynically.

Vic snorted with a smirk Not as many times as you did, bro!

Yeah. Those seminetions hurt up close.

Vic took a sip of beer and looked at Rufus How’d my dad and brother do?

They did really well. It was a long straight forty-six hours.

I hear ya Vic said Robert, we’re gonna pack up and head to the house, right?

Yeah. Your dad and Stephen are loading up the ATV’s.

Cool Vic stands up Hey, listen up. We need to pack up and get ready to call it a day. So let’s get it done guys.

Vic, you want another cold one? Robert asked as he stood up.

Vic sighs No-I go on duty at six tonight.

Okay. Hey, everyone gather round before we pack it up Robert said as he clears his rifle I don’t have to brief you all on the situation. But I want you all to be ready to move at a moments notice. Make sure your families are ready to be transported to the safe areas. Dave and Ben have been following the media as we all have and we believe that shit may go south in this country. I want us ready to take on whatever comes our way . . . okay? Check your phones and keep them charged so if you get the call, you’ll know what to do and where to go just like we’ve rehearsed. You Bravo guys go where?

Copperhead Wayne said, kneeling next to his equipment bag, stuffing it with his gear.

Copperhead was another complex almost just like Karma House near Wayne’s house about an hour east of Houston Texas in Liberty County.

That’s right. If for some reason we cannot contact you from the Den or Karma House, that’s where you guys go and we’ll do what we can to hook up later. Be careful going home and we’ll see you all here next weekend. Carry on gentlemen Robert said and then grabs two armloads of gear and heads for his truck.

They broke camp and everyone headed home. The team members were spread out from north Houston to Brazoria Texas and from Baytown to Bryan-College Station Texas.

Robert and Vic rode together in Robert’s pickup. They talked about current events that were happening in the country as they listened to the news station on the radio. They had no idea of what was about to unfold like everyone else in the country, but they were at least ready. Everyone in the country knew about the financial situation of the US Government and the UN situation that was all over the news media let alone the cost of food and fuel.

Throughout the week, the Cobra’s lived and worked every day. Like everyone else, they complained about gas being $6.29 a gallon and $4.50 per loaf of bread let alone other things that it took to live. Housing was really cheap and local taxes were considerably down. A pack of cigarettes were $9.00 per pack where you could find them.

* * *

During the week, significant events took place within the government and the world. The afternoon of the 27th of September, a Friday, the Chief Cabinet member called an emergency meeting with the president and the rest of the cabinet.

The Secretary of the Treasury informed the president that there in no money to meet the payroll of government employee’s including the military. She informed him also that she had gotten a memo from the World Bank CEO that they are not able to loan money to anyone at this time and did not give a reason.

Unaware of this intelligence, secretly China had started their own World Banking System by offering those countries that owed immense debts to the World Bank, ten trillion dollars each to join their banking system and would not have to pay them back.

After thirteen countries took China’s offer, China sent a memo to the CEO of the World Bank with an offer to join their banking system and notified the CEO of the present situation. China threatened to not include commerce with those countries that did not join their banking system. This left the Worlds Bank in a whirlwind because it will lose trillions of dollars in debts and interest. They called an emergency meeting of the directors and requested that a representative from China sit in on that meeting, this was refused.

The CEO of the Worlds Bank informed the directors that China did not have the controlling interest of the world’s commerce and trade economics yet. But by losing thirteen countries that owed money, it would effect how money was going to be handled throughout the world and that it will drive up the cost of the world’s commerce and sway world power to China’s favor.

He ordered an immediate freeze of loaning money world-wide until they could figure out what or how they could adjust to this attempted take over. This is when the US State Department and the Secretary of the Treasury was notified.

Three days prior to this, the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) had gotten drift of this from a deep undercover agent in Turkey who overheard a conversation between two Turkish officials in a restaurant. The DIA passed the Intel onto the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of Defense told the DIA, A conversation does not hold water. If this Intel is to be passed along to the president, it must be confirmed by proof, not hearsay.

When the CEO placed a freeze on loans, it was leaked to the Chinese government within an hour by an operative within the World Bank. China then gave the United States the same offer as did to those thirteen countries, knowing how much the US’s deficit was and its failed economy. Of course the US president turned them down flat. The premiere of China told the US president to think it over and that he had a few days to do so and that he’d be waiting for a reply. The premiere knew that the US reserve wouldn’t hold out a few days. Not only did China give the offer, they leaked it to the US media that the US Government was bankrupt and that government employee’s would not be getting a paycheck nor was industry getting paid.

By 5:00 PM, the Whitehouse was swamped by the News Media. The news spread like wildfire coast to coast and the world. Across the country, people had gone to their banks and withdrew their accounts and sold their stocks. Most banks closed early due to having no cash on hand.

The president told his press secretary to release information that the country was not bankrupt. He also told him to inform the public not to panic and that he would address the nation and explain the situation tonight at 8:00 PM.

The general public watched and listened to the president’s address, but it had little effect. The president along with other government departments watched the news channels as the reporters interviewed American citizens at random. The Secretary of Defense called the Whitehouse from the Pentagon warning the president that it would be a mistake not to call out the National Guard and to call the State Dept. to notify all the state governors to declare a state of emergency and go to marshal law

nation wide.

FEMA had already deployed over 5000 employee’s nation wide by 10:00 PM. These inexperienced employees were issued and armed with automatic pistols and rifles to protect banks nation wide. This order was given by the Secretary of State without the permission from the Whitehouse as a countermeasure.

Saturday morning people were lining up outside of their banks to find FEMA employees standing at the entrances and drive-thru entrances armed with old M16’s and pistols.

They were told that the banks would be closed until Monday. People were angry and told the FEMA people that the ATM’s weren’t working and they had no money to buy food, etc. The FEMA people just told them to come back Monday.

Monday the 30th, Washington DC at 6:00 AM, the president was chewing the Secretary of State out for deploying armed FEMA personnel to defend the local banks, telling him that it was a local law enforcement responsibility. The Secretary of the Treasury joined the meeting and informs the president that there has been no change within the World Bank and that the Federal Reserve is down to 800 billion dollars and wouldn’t make the week before it was gone. The chairmen of the NSA (National Security Agency) informs the president that China was staging their military forces at bases within China and that transport aircraft were leaving from China around the clock since the 21st of September to their bases in Panama. China’s Navy had deployed their ships in four groups operating in the southern pacific and that their nuclear subs were headed to the central Pacific and the Atlantic. He showed the president photographs of two Chinese Nuclear Boomer’s (Large Nuclear Submarine) going through the Panama Canal Sunday morning at 2:45 AM headed for the Gulf of Mexico.

Tuesday, October 1st at 0310 hrs (3:10 am)

Lieutenant General Robert Parks, USMC and chairmen of the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) calls the chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Phillip Broadhurst-US Army, at his home.

Phil, this is Bob Parks he said reluctantly.

Yeah Bob-what can I do for you at three AM? General Broadhurst said groggily.

Phil, we have a serious problem. Thirty-one troop transports left Tsingtao (China) yesterday afternoon with approximately 250,000 troops. The NIA (Naval Intelligence Agency) reported that they have just entered the South Pacific with a large carrier group as escort.

Phil quickly sat up in his bed alarmed Any idea where they’re headed?

My guess is Panama.

That’s not good news Bob Broadhurst swung his feet to the floor and his wife sat up quizzically.

"That’s not all of it. As of now, China has placed over twenty-two hundred fighter aircraft there. Phil, this looks like a serious buildup for attack posture.

I’ll inform the president, thanks Bob, and hey, stay on top of this and immediately contact me on any changes, okay?

Oh you know I will. Take care. And sorry to wake you.

General Broadhurst calls the Whitehouse and informs the president of this intelligence. The president orders the general to go to DEFCOM Yellow, deploy patriot missile batteries along all the coasts and borders, place all the air bases on full alert, and continue to monitor Chinese troop and naval activities.

2:00 PM Washington time, the World Bank releases one-hundred billion dollars to the US Government. The Secretary of the Treasury informs the president.

The North Korean dictator and his staff are killed by a missile launched from within North Korea. Two hours later, a North Korean general signs an alliance with China.

Viet Nam president signs the same alliance with China as does Laos.

The Soviet Union warns China with a nuclear threat if China crosses into the Soviet Union.

Beijing, China, 0300 hrs (3:00 am), US Eastern Standard Time

The premier convenes his staff. His generals are ordered to prepare their elite forces, waiting in Panama, for an invasion of the United States taking advantage of United Nations cover. As party to negotiations between the U.S. and U.N., Chinese operatives begin covert operations with undercover agents already in place throughout North America.

Within an hour, Chinese paratroopers board aircraft in Panama along with crack support units. Two hundred Chinese fighters scramble and head for the entire southern region of the United States. NORAD at Cheyenne Mountain picks up the aircraft and alerts the Pentagon. The president orders the Air Force to scramble their interceptor aircraft to intercept the in-bound Chinese fighters.

0840 hrs (8:40 am), Los Angeles, California.

People storm the local banks and kill four FEMA guards and three local law enforcement personnel guarding the banks. This begins throughout the nation along with grocery stores and gas stations. As people panic in every corner of the country, the National Guard is called out, but less than a quarter of the guardsmen do not answer the call-out.

The president has ordered marshal law, but soldiers and marines are being overrun, beaten, and killed by the out-of-control population. Food and fuel is getting scarce. Over the objections of the U.S. president, who insists his government can regain the upper hand, the United Nations declares a state of emergency, deploying 150,000 troops to the U.S. with orders to shoot-to-kill rioters and looters and restore order.

The secretary-general advises the president that the United States is being placed under United Nations control. The president orders the military to close all airports and not allow any aircraft, other than U.S. military aircraft, to land or take off.

Ottawa, Canada

U.N. troop transports enter Canadian airspace and receive Canadian clearance to land. The Canadian government advises its U.S. counterparts that U.N. transports will land near Montreal and deploy troops into the U.S. from there unless clearance is given to land on U.S. soil.

Permission is denied despite intense pressure from the media and other sources to allow the U.N. forces to help restore peace. No one, other than SERC (Strategic Emergency Response Command), is aware of the impending inbound Chinese fighters and change to DEFCOM Red.

United States

Major Kenneth J. Collins, USAF, Squadron Commander, 234th Interceptor Fighter Wing, code-named Raven Six, is ten minutes from the Mexican border with thirty-eight fighters. A support fighter wing is in route from Eglin AFB, about twenty minutes away.

Red River, this is Raven Six, over?

Raven Six, this is Red River responds the radio operator at the Cheyenne Mountain Communications Center We copy, over.

Red River, I have multiple bogies on my screen at 200 miles out and closing, what are my instructions, over?

Raven Six, do not cross into Mexican Airspace, and do not fire unless fired upon by the in-bound aircraft, over.

Red River, roger. Will comply.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Albright, USMC, 125th Tactical Wing out of Pensacola Florida, code-named Savage One, is flying 650 miles east of Major Collins when he picks up multiple bogies moving across the Gulf of Mexico.

Blue Sail, this is Savage One, do you copy, over.

The operations officer at NAS in Pensacola responds quickly Savage One, this is Blue Sail . . . go ahead.

Blue Sail . . . I have multiple bogies to my southwest moving northeast at 280 miles and closing. Please advise, over.

Savage One, continue to observe and do not engage unless in-bound aircraft shows hostile intent or they cross into US airspace, over.

Roger, Blue Sail, will comply. Savage One . . . out.

Panama

Six Chinese troop transports aircraft taxi for take-off with 1000 Chinese paratroops on board. They are cleared for immediate take-off as six more transport taxi on the tarmac.

Houston, Texas

A local news channel in Houston receives a phone call from a reporter in Mexico City that the capitol building has been bombed, killing the Mexican president and some cabinet members. The reporter says jet fighters launched missiles destroying government buildings surrounding the destroyed capitol building.

NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas.

Commander Eric Justin and the Alert Ready Squadron of 156th Fighter Squadron are headed to intercept the Chinese Fighters and then reports.

Stingray, this is Jolly Roger One . . . do you copy . . . over?

The operations officer at Corpus Christi NAS answers Jolly Roger One . . . this is Stingray, go ahead.

Stingray . . . I have multiple bogies at sixty miles and closing fast . . . please advise Cmdr Justin said in a calm voice.

Jolly Roger One, they have breeched US Airspace. You are cleared to engage in-bound bogies . . . I say again . . . engage all in-bound bogies, over.

Roger Stingray . . . engaging . . . Jolly Roger . . . out.

He tells his squadron, Ok boys . . . the war is on, let’s show them they are not welcomed here. Break into attack formation on my count . . . 3, 2, 1, break!

All along the southern region of the Unites States Patriot Missile Batteries become active and begin shooting down Chinese fighters.

At the Canadian border

UN troops off load at the border gate to the US border. There to greet them is the 82nd airborne and elements of the 3rd Armor Division with 5 tank platoons with other supporting infantry. The president informs the UN president that China has attacked Mexico City and has breeched US airspace and is engaged with US fighters all along the southern region of the US as they speak. The Chinese claim they are supporting the UN in the attempt to help bring peace and control back into the United States. The UN president tells the US President that China is there only to support the UN and was instructed not to breech US airspace unless ordered by the UN.

The UN president tells the U.S. president We will cross your border in force if the US will not comply to let them in peaceably.

Know this: if UN troops cross into the United States, we will repel our boarders at all costs.

Mister President, you have until 9:00 AM to comply or they will cross in force.

At 9:00 AM our troops will be ready to engage! and the President of the U.S. hangs up the phone.

Over Mexico

Six Chinese troop transports near the US/Mexican border at 40,000 feet and start to descend. The Chinese fighters form up and begin to cross the border into U.S. Airspace. Maj. Collins reports that the fighters have crossed the border. NORAD communications officer orders Maj. Collins squadron to repel.

* * *

In Brazoria, Texas, 2145 hrs (9:45 pm)

Vic and Robert arrived at Vic’s house and get out of the truck. Stephen, Vic’s brother and brother-in-law Jeff, were standing outside looking up. Vic and Robert get out of the truck and see them standing there, they both look up and see tracers and rockets streaking though the night sky.

Vic yells Let’s get our shit now!! Just then a rocket hit in the woods and threw trees everywhere.

Everyone into the house and grab all you can and load the trucks then head to the Den. Kill the lights and use flashlights until we can cover the windows Robert told them.

They ran into the house and turned out the lights. They rush to cover all the windows using flashlights. Robert got on the phone and dials a code to page all the team members to meet at the proper complexes.

The Cobra’s Den was one of three staging bunkers they had built in case something like this happened. The Cobra’s Den was in a large acreage of woods about four miles northwest of Morales Texas. The acreage was a remote pasture and woods where cattle grazed. The team did not own the property and the owner was unaware what was there because he and his family lived in the western part of the state. The Den was in the middle of a 125-acre pasture in very dense woods at the northwest corner of the pasture where even the cattle rarely went. The bunker was underground about eighty feet with living quarters, armory, water well, food, survival supplies, etc. It was capable of supporting the team for sixteen months. It was accessible by two manway’s with hatches at the surface and an access tunnel for their vehicles with an elevator, which can take two vehicles at a time to the recovery garage below. The garage can hold up to eight vehicles maximum. They can enter the main complex through a tunnel joining the recovery garage. The garage had a small metal machine and mechanic shop inside. Parked inside the garages were two home built assault vehicles called Strikers.

They had spent a lot of money building these bunkers but not as much as they did for Karma House, the second bunker, which was completed before the Cobra’s Den. The Copperhead complex was being built at the same time that Karma House was by Wayne Rossmen. Copperhead was the largest complex of all. It was three levels with other adjoining levels attached by tunnels and tunnels to access the outside. Wayne owned his own company Rossmen Robotics and Electronics.

Since the Den was on someone else’s property, it was built mostly at night. They knew the people who owned the land very well and they let them hunt there every season. The Den entrance was very hard to spot and sometimes they would get lost trying to find it themselves, at first.

In south central Texas near Fowlerton, Karma House was built on 450 acres of land they all owned. It was where they did 90% of their training. It has firing ranges from 50 yards to 2600 yards, 2 shoot houses, storage buildings, bunkhouse, a small pavilion, and parking area. Karma House is set up like the Cobra’s Den but more like a small underground fortification like Copperhead. The Karma complex was deceiving to the naked eye because, like the Cobra’s Den, the major complex is underground over 80 feet. This complex can support and house about a hundred people for well over 2 years.

Vic and Robert spent endless hours making a rough layout of the Karma House and the other complex’s then gave their plans to their fathers; Robert Tippen Sr. and Dave Heckmen, designed, engineered, and overseen it’s two level construction. They coordinated its construction with Wayne and the entire Cobra team since half of them worked for Wayne. They built tunnel networks out of sewer pipe leading to different areas of the complex for escape routes and/or fighting positions.

Robert was on the phone when Ben Soddermen pulled into the drive. He ran into the house and informs everyone about the fighting overhead. He told them it was Chinese fighter aircraft and they are fighting our fighters. He then goes off telling them about the UN problem. Vic calls his mother and sister and tells them to pack and head to Karma House.

Stephen calls his dad and can’t get an answer at his house, and then the phone went dead. Ben tries the cell phone and it is still working and tries to call Dave, Vic and Stephen’s dad, but gets no answer. At that time, another rocket hit the ground about 200 ft away, breaking the back windows out of the house.

10:20 pm, Vic’s cell phone rings and it’s his dad Five, this is Two. We’re in route to the Den. I’ll have the AO (Area of Operation) secured and ready to receive the team. We’re about 15 mikes (15 minutes) out. You all be careful. Things have gone to shit as you can see so be sure and carry your weapons. I contacted Mooreland and he has contacted the rest of the Bravo team and they are in route to Copperhead Dave told him.

Good, we’re just about loaded and ready to leave. You must be flying. When did you leave?

About twenty-five minutes ago. You’ll run into a few road blocks. We’ve already hit five so far.

Okay. We’ll be locked and loaded for sure. I’ve sent everyone else to Karma House including Rufus and Scott. I left a voice message on Justin’s phone to go to Copperhead.

Roger that. What’s your ETA?

If we can move without any stops; about 45 minutes on the outside.

Okay. See you when you get here, watch your six. See you soon.

Vic stands next to the door holding it open Okay, let’s load er’ up and hit the road. My dad is on his way to the Den and will be waiting for us. Robert, have you gotten a-hold of everyone?

No, not yet. Me and Ben are working on it.

Ben suggested that Robert try to call the rest of the team on the move and it was agreed and they all loaded up the trucks and headed out to the Den.

All the family members knew where all the complex’s were and knew that in the event that something like this should happen, that is where they were to go as soon as possible.

Vic, Robert, and Ben rode in Ben’s SUV while Stephen and Jeff drove the other trucks. Ben drove as Robert and Vic were planning courses of action and how things would go at the Den and set up the direct communication with Karma House and Copperhead ASAP.

It was important that communications stayed open between all the complexes so that they could coordinate their plans. They were concerned about what our military was doing and their courses of action. Robert had told Vic that the radio he borrowed from the Army would be an asset to communication and coordination with the military in guerilla warfare. They watched as balls of fire fell from the sky and watched tracer rounds streak across the night sky.

Dave, his wife Chea (Shay), and son Jarred are a few minutes from the Den. He pulls over to the shoulder and switches places with his wife and they proceed on. He takes his cell phone and dials the complex’s number. The complex’s CPU answers and the computer monitor screen comes on; glowing in a dark room called the Tactical Operations Center (TOC). He types in the code numbers which is being displayed on the CPU monitor as he types, 2, 0, 1, 4, 4, 0, 0,-, 0, 2 and then the screen displays a brief flashing cursor and he hears a soft female voice of the computer Verify. He responds Charlie Delta and the CPU responds Voice-Code-verified which is shown on the monitor and then reads Access Code with the computer cursor flashing next to it and he hears a beep.

Dave pushes the shift key on his phone and types in: A, A, 2, 0, 1,—, C, D, T, O, C and hits the send key. He hears the CPU respond Access-Code-Verified, Enter-Authorization-Code. He types in a series of letters and numbers and the CPU cursor flashes again for a brief time and he hears NOROP-Mode-Activated then a beep. Eighty feet below the surface of the ground, warm soft air starts to blow through the ventilation system into the 62 degree dark complex with lights flickering on as the complex comes alive. The recovery elevator begins to ascend to the vehicle recovery tunnel.

2225 hrs (10:25 pm) over the skies of Corpus Christi, Texas.

An air war is engaged between US and Chinese fighters. Some of the Chinese Fighters had launched missiles into the naval base destroying many buildings and shipping that are in or at the port. The public is in a panic trying to leave the city.

Commander Justin is engaged in air to air combat over Kingsville, Texas.

Stingray, this is Jolly Roger One, do you read over.

Jolly Roger One, this is Stingray, go ahead.

Stingray, we have destroyed 19 bogies and I have lost 12 aircraft. Request permission to land and re-arm, refuel, and rejoin the action, over said Cmdr Justin in a calm stressed voice.

Jolly Roger One, you cannot land at NAS Corpus Christi, we are under attack. Re-arm and re-fuel at Lackland AFB, over.

Roger Stingray, re-fuel and re-arm at Lackland . . . Jolly Roger One . . . out.

The Skies over southern Texas are full of fighter aircraft and in the Gulf of Mexico, a Chinese submarine sinks a Coast Guard Cutter and then launches six missiles toward inland targets in the US. At that moment, a US Naval surveillance aircraft picks up the missile launch and reports the launch. Within 3 minutes a Sky Hawk Navy Sub Hunter drops two torpedoes and sinks the Chinese submarine 45 miles south of Freeport, Texas.

Three Chinese troop transport aircraft break off from the formation of 12 headed over northern Mexico headed to the southeastern United States. The remaining nine transports split up with fighter escorts. One transport drops to 2000 feet and the back door opens over Floresville, Texas just south of San Antonio and begins to deploy 300 paratroopers and light armor vehicles. Another transport begins to deploy paratroopers just north of Corpus Christi near Rabb, Texas. The Third transport destination is northwest San Antonio but is destroyed 120 miles southwest of San Antonio by a Patriot Missile battery at Lackland AFB. Over Ft Hood, Texas, 200 Blackhawk Helicopters lift off and head south with troops from the 1st Cavalry Division and 4th Infantry Division.

Interstate 35 is closed to all public traffic and filled with tanks and armor support vehicles along with about 5000 ground troops. Sixteen Chinese insurgents took out 3 power grids and it darkens San Antonio. They begin their assault on Lackland AFB.

Six Chinese fighters at low level take out the radar stations at Kelly and Lackland Air Force Bases and other strategic targets before fighters from Randolph AFB intercept them, northeast of San Antonio.

Floresville, Texas

Most of the Local and State Police are at the intersections of I-35 and Farm Market Road 1604 and I-35 and Farm Market Road 536 when Chinese paratroopers took siege of the town by killing or capturing local police and fighting the local people. Chinese Soldiers attack the intersections of I-35 and kill all the local law enforcement officers there. US soldier’s blow up the overpasses to keep the Chinese troops from moving down the interstate.

11:50 pm sixteen Chinese tactical support aircraft cross the border of Texas and a few of the aircraft drops 20 men and their communication disruption equipment just outside of Agua Nueva, Texas. Behind the Chinese support planes are 12 more troop transport aircraft flying at very low altitudes with fighter support of about 30 fighters. In the Gulf of Mexico, two more Chinese submarines launch 42 missiles toward inland targets. Shoreline Patriot Missile Batteries are alerted and begin firing to intercept the incoming missiles. Missiles from the first sub hit targets at Ft Hood, Austin, Randoph AFB, FT Polk, LA, and Pensacola, Florida.

On the road, October 2nd 0010 hrs, (12:10 am)

Ben turns onto FM 111 toward Edna, Texas and says to himself aloud Geez . . . this is not happening!

Robert leans over the seat Believe it buddy! It’s the real shit. Our guys are dieing up there and kicking some ass in the process!

Vic leans up to Ben Where are we Ben?

Just outside of Edna.

It’s hard to believe that there’s hardly any traffic Ben quizzically said.

They approach State Highway 59; they see police and National Guardsmen at the interchange blocking the on-ramps. When they get to the interchange, a police barricade is placed just before the overpass and Ben slows to a stop. A Sergeant from the National Guard walks over to their SUV and Ben rolls down his window.

The Sergeant asks Where ya’ll headed?

Vic rolls down the back window and tells him that they are on their way to Morales to be with family. Robert tells the Sergeant that they are prior 1st Cav guys and offer to help. The Sergeant tells them no, but thanks anyway. Then the Sergeant leans into the back window and says Hey, just to let ya’ll know, we just got the word that Chinese paratroops are holding Floresville just south of San Antonio and there are more paratroopers in Corpus Christi . . . it’s a war zone in those spots and if I were ya’ll, I’d stay clear around those areas.

Vic said that they were going in the other direction to be with family. The Sergeant waves them through the road block and they proceed on to Morales. As they passed under the overpass, they could see at least five Abrams Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles on the on-ramps and near the overpass.

As they are traveling they see a jet crash in front of them about a half a mile near the road. They all said whoa!! Ben slows down to look at the crashed jet and sees the wing lying close to the road with the China emblem on it and Robert leans out the window and yells Burn asshole . . . burn!!! Yeah!!

Vic tells Ben in a low mono toned voice Step on it buddy . . . we need to really move Ben punches the gas pedal and they sped off with Stephen and Jeff close behind.

Cobra Six this is Cobra Two, do you copy over (Robert’s team call sign is Cobra Six).

It’s your Dad, Robert said looking at Vic and keys the radio, Six . . . go!

Be advised, the Den is secure and the comm is connected with Kilo Hotel and Charlie Hotel, (Karma House and Copperhead). Four and Eight are on station at Kilo Hotel and Red Six and Red Five are on station at Charlie Hotel, over.

Roger Two. Have both Hotels report in a personnel roster by zero-eight hundred hours with their SITREP (SITuation REPort). Our ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is 15 mikes (minutes). Is direct entry possible, over?

Roger Six, will pass the word and enter at the normal entry route.

Roger Two, Six out.

Robert tells Dave to put out the markers for night vision optics. Dave’s wife Chea is preparing some light chow in the Den’s kitchen as Dave and his stepson Jarred get into their uniforms then checks their weapons. They grab their M4 carbine’s then put on their CQCV’s (Close Quarter Combat Vests) then places ammo magazines in their pouches. Dave picks up a pouch of small reflector tabs to light the way for the rest of the team coming in.

Dave walks into the kitchen kisses his wife on the cheek Babe, we’re going out to place the markers and receive the team . . . be back in a little while, oh, chow smells great, the guys will be hungry.

She looks at him with a worried look on her face Honey, do you think it’s a good idea for Jarred to go with you?

He smiled He’ll be fine, baby. He’s trained just as hard as the rest of us. He’s ready. He’ll be okay.

She gave him a shaky worried smile as he left the DFAC. Dave and Jarred went to the recovery garage and up the elevator then out. They stood outside the entry to the Den as it closed and Dave looks into the sky through the trees seeing all the stars and half moon and for that moment, all he could here is the crickets chirping and an owl in the distance hooting and he says a prayer Lord, bless us in these troubled times, keep us safe from our enemies and that we overcome their aggression, bring peace to our land once again, you are our guiding light and will continue to be. Make a safe passage for our families and friends as they travel to the other complexes. Thank you Lord, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Then the silence breaks with a number of jets flying low overhead at high speed. Dave says to himself with a sigh Back to work. They ran to the south passage entry to the field and placed small reflector tabs on wires into the ground that can be seen clearly with night vision because of the light sensitivity in the night vision goggles. They ran down the path placing the tabs. It was a jog, about 1000 feet and they were a little winded. Dave was 51 years old and no spring chicken, but in very good physical shape as was Jarred at eighteen. They ran close to the Den and then they waited for the team to arrive.

Jarred was edgy and did what he could to remain calm knowing that this was the real deal and that there was an enemy out there that wants him dead. It gave him a completely different perspective from training to a real world threat. Dave told him to put his earpiece in for his radio because it was hanging from his kpot (Kevlar Helmet).

Dave checks his radio and then checks his rifle. They were both wearing their black Kevlar helmets, black battle dress uniforms (BDU’s), black CQCV’s, black baklavas, night vision goggles, black boots, with two Whalther .40 cal. pistols with six mags, radio, black combat gloves, A Colt M4 Carbine with six magazines, and other gear in the pockets of their CQCV’s. All the team members wore gear like this, plus they each had their own rucksacks with drag bags for gear they may need that attaches to their ruck sacks or CQCV’s. The Cobra’s were very well equipped.

Vic radios his dad Two this is Five . . . do you copy, over.

Five, this is Two . . . go

Be advised that we are entering the south road . . . ETA five mikes . . . over

Roger Five. We have lit the way and standing by . . . over Dave said and opened the vehicle recovery door.

Roger. Five . . . out.

Dave and Jarred stand up and looked down the grassy road and saw the trucks turn onto the road with their headlights off. All their vehicles had switches to disengage the break lights so they could run without lights and be undetected by sight.

Ben turns into the field and sees the small reflector tab trail with his night vision goggles. He sees Dave waving at him and directing him to the recovery door. The tunnel was lit with small red lights and the elevator was up with low red lights on the inside of it on the upper structure. Ben slows down and enters the tunnel with Stephen right behind him and they drive onto the elevator and descend to the garage.

Jeff had pulled up all the tabs and drove into the tunnel then stopped and waited for Dave and Jarred. They walked down the entry and Dave pushes the close button for the door and tells everyone to take off their NODS (Night vision goggles) so they aren’t blinded when the lights went on. The lights automatically go on when the door closes and secures.

Dave and Jarred got in with Jeff and they drove to the elevator and waited until it came back up. It was on the way down with Ben and Stephen’s trucks on it.

Stephen waits for Ben to turn around and get the truck facing toward the elevator and he pulls in and does the same. He hits the up button and sends the elevator up to Jeff. As the elevator goes up, the four of them unload their trucks and placed their gear by the tunnel that leads to the main complex. Ben and Stephen change into their black BDU’s while they wait for Jeff’s truck which was on the way down. Vic and Robert had changed into their black BDU’s in the truck and were ready to go when they got out of the truck. Vic types in his pass code for the garage door that goes into the tunnel and the door opens. Robert and Vic walk down the tunnel to the main complex while Stephen and Ben help Jeff, Dave, and Jarred unload Jeff’s truck and bring the gear into the complex on hand carts. They took all their personal gear and dropped it off in the sleep bay. Weapons, ammo, etc went into the armory or weapons locker next to the manway door. Robert and Vic were in the TOC checking all the systems and tried to radio Karma House and Copperhead to let them know they made it.

Robert walked out of the TOC as Dave, Jeff, Jarred, and Ben were on their way to the armory and he tells Dave Hey pop, you and Jarred give me a hand to set up the surveillance cameras in the perimeter.

We’re right behind you.

They walked to the manway door and Robert tells Ben and Jeff to check and hook up the camera cases to the cargo hooks on the man lifts. There are two automated man lifts on each side on the main hatch shaft leading to the surface. Halfway up, there is a staging deck where the shaft offsets twelve feet to the north and continues to the surface in the same manner to another staging deck with the hatch fifteen feet above the deck.

Ben and Jeff grab the camera boxes and hook them to one of the man lifts. Robert, Dave, and Jarred get on the other man lift and ascend to the first deck. They transfer the cameras and continue to the top. Robert, Jarred climbed out, and Dave handed them the cameras and then he joined them.

Ben, Stephen, and Jeff finish putting away the gear in the armory and walked out.

Chea stuck her head out of the kitchen and yelled Hey, I made some burgers, ya’ll hungry?

Ben hollered back Yeah, I’m starved!

Chea had given Vic two burgers with chips and told Stephen, Jeff, and Ben to give her a minute and she’ll fix them a plate.

Dave, Jarred, and Robert placed the cameras where they had to go in the trees. Three around the Den and one that was at the edge of the woodline to the west from the Den. Dave leans against the tree and Robert climbs up his back to reach the first branch then climbed up about twenty feet and sets the camera up and radio’s Vic to check it. Vic turns on the surveillance system and checks the cameras. Robert watches the camera move left, right, up, and down on the gimbal.

They’re operational. Do you have vision?

Yes . . . they all look good. All modes are working.

Roger. We’re coming in.

Vic was sitting in the TOC when Ben sat down next to him. They were watching the surveillance monitors and monitoring the radio communications between Dave and Robert through headset. Stephen and Jeff were eating in the DFAC (Dinning FACility) listening to the radio news broadcast on the FM radio. Robert climbed down from the tree and the three were walking to the hatch when they hear a loud thud and a rushing noise from the field west of the Den. They ran into the brush and Dave flips down his night vision goggles to see what it was. Robert radios Vic and tells him to swing Camera One to the west and zoom in on the field. Dave sees parachutes collapsing to the ground with a very large object under it and Vic sees the same thing.

Robert looks hard at the object and whispers to Dave What the fuck is that?

I’m not sure? It looks like a piece of equipment.

Five this is Six. Me, Two, and Fifteen are going to recon.

Vic swings his chair over next to Ben looking at the monitor eating the burger. He was chewing and then begins to chew slowly peering at the monitor, his eyes got real wide and grabs the radiophone from Ben. Robert tells Jarred to stay put and stay low. Robert and Dave moved low and slow toward the crate that was about a hundred and fifty yards out. The field grass was about waist high with some underbrush here and there.

Vic hollers in the mike Six . . . get out of there immediately!!

Robert and Dave stop and go to one knee Five . . . what is your reason, over?

Six, that’s a piece of equipment and I don’t think it’s ours.

Five, scan the camera toward the sky and go to infrared. Check the sky for bad guys then he whispers to Dave C’mon.

In the Den; Vic runs out of the TOC and tells Jeff and Stephen to grab their weapons and follow him. They get their weapons and Vic takes his dads (M107A2) sniper rifle that had night optics on it along with his own M4 and a few magazines and tells Stephen to get his sniper rifle too.

Vic tells his brother I have a gut feeling these will come in real handy!

Jeff looked at both of them with a worried look on his face Hell, I hope not. But better safe, than sorry I guess!

Vic looked at him Exactly!

Stephen walked to the manway door Let’s Rock! and they climbed onto the lift and out of the Den.

Chea goes into the TOC and sits next to Ben and asks apprehensively What did they find and where is Jarred?

Ben watched and then glanced at her I’m not sure, but it might be a vehicle or a real big piece of enemy equipment. Robert and Dave are out close to it waiting to see if there are any bad guys around. I think Jarred is at the edge of the field watching the rear as Chea sat there with her eyes wide, rubbing her hands together staring at the monitor with Ben.

Robert whispered to Dave I’m going in to get a closer look. Cover me and let me know if the owners show up.

Hey, maybe you should wait a little longer.

Six . . . this is Five, we are out of the Den coming up on your six . . . over.

Robert tells Dave No . . . cover me.

Five . . . this is Two. Six is going to the crate to recon.

Vic, Stephen, and Jeff are moving low and fast and pass Jarred on their way to Dave’s position.

Vic stopped next to Jarred Hey buddy, watch the woodline and the road. Radio us if you see anyone or anything moving up on us. Don’t fire at them unless they walk up on you, okay?

Jarred looked at Vic with a shaky smile Got it!

Vic looked up, saw Robert, and said with a sigh "Oh man . . . that shithead knows better than that! He’s gonna get his ass

shot off!"

Dave reaches into the pocket of his CQCV and pulls out a suppressor for his pistol and attaches it then pulls out the suppressor for his M4 and attaches it then resumes scanning the field with his sniper rifle.

Five minutes had passed since the crate landed in the field. The three reach Dave’s position, they are about fifty yards from the crate and can see that