Chapter 10
Greg looked the vehicles over once again. He chose to make this an official visit, so had all three Hum Vs prepared and was about to visit and beard the Colonel in his own den.
It had been a week since the orders had been transmitted to him along with his authorization and promotion. He had a team take copies of the orders down to Superior and ordered them to make contact.
That had been relatively easy. Litchfield's people had become very complacent.
Communications had been established, and the Colonel offered to meet at the Litchfield home to talk over the integration of Litchfield's soldiers into the chain of command. The only problem Greg had was he liked nothing of what he had found out from the few people willing to talk.
Myron Litchfield had gone totally overboard and would have to be eased out of any position of authority. It was not going to be easy. Greg had a feeling things would not go smoothly at all.
Armed with new satellite photos and videos, just to keep Myron guessing, Greg made his way down the recently cleared road to the St. Regis River. They turned south and drove about a mile down the river road, or what was left of it, to the fording place chosen.
Everyone except drivers got out and walked across, guiding the vehicles onto the ice hardened river. Shortly, all three Hum V's were across, and Greg met up with his forward element.
They reported that with the exception of one scout that had tried to enter the town on the QT, everything was as ordered. They had the scout already in custody and his communications equipment with him.
Greg looked the radio over curiously. It was a standard police radio issued to officers in the field.
Looking carefully, Greg noticed a spot on the leather case.
"Yes sir. We noticed it too. The scout admitted that while he didn't take part in the actual fight, well the Colonel had had to come down hard on local law enforcement and it had been a battle in the early days. Almost all law enforcement officials had been killed off. That's blood sir." Sgt Powell said.
Greg was sick. This was nothing more than murder.
He quickly re-thought his position, and decided that Myron had to go, no if ands or buts about it.
He had been willing to overlook some excesses, but with what he now knew, and information collected over the past week, Myron had to go.
Greg picked up a guide who would direct his three vehicle convoy through the ruins of superior, then to the road to Myron's ranch. Altogether the drive took fifteen minutes to the road, and then another 25 minutes once the road was reached to Myron's ranch.
"According to the Sat. photos, he will have at least one guard position at the gates sir. He seems to feel he is in a strong position." Sgt. Ballerton said.
"I know Sgt. I saw the photos too. I have been considering how best to deal with Myron. We can't have him in any position of power. You know that, and I know that.
The question is, how do we fix it." Greg said musingly.
"It would be best if he was relieved of command. I have a few suggestions as to how, sir, if your willing to go to extremes." Sgt Ballerton said quietly.
"I am not going to beat around the bush Sgt. He has to be executed. His crimes are too many as are his excesses. The only question is, how many of his men are we going to have to fight. The recon satellite photos showed over a hundred men, and while I think highly of our men, we might be hard pressed to take them out." Greg then added, " Even the president wants him out."
"Sir? Have you considered that he is not really universally loved by his men? From what was said by that scout we captured, it sounds like he rules more by fear than any actual respect or authority." Sgt.
Ballerton said.
"And that's a big worry too. Why do so many follow blindly along? No, we have to feel our way first. When we get the information we need, we can make our move then. Until that time, we put our best military foot forward, and do this dog and pony show." Greg finished grimly.
Shortly, they had arrived at the Litchfield Ranch. They had been waved through the gate with no problem. Following the road up to the house, Greg saw that the grounds had been changed since the last and only time he had been here.
However, the satellite recon photos had prepared everyone here. As Greg got out of his HUM V, Myron Litchfield himself came out the door.
"General Baron? Greg, nice to see you again!
How long has it been? Christ, last I heard you were a Major in the National Guard, and here you are a general!" Litchfield said heartily.
Greg almost sneered at the obvious phony joviality in Myron's voice. He went through with the handshake and asked Sgt. Ballerton for the brief case.
"I have here, an interesting tape, and other items of interest to you Myron. I think you should view the tape as soon as possible." Greg said in a determined voice.
He wanted to head off any possible actions that Myron had been considering of a murderous nature. They entered the ranch house and went into Myron's study. He inserted the video into the VCR and hit play.
First thing that was seen was the Litchfield ranch as soon from high up. Then there was a zoom, and you could see people, even make out faces easily.
Myron saw himself several times during the next few minutes.
Greg watched Myron closely as the tape ran. He saw astonishment, and then worry. Greg knew what he was thinking. If they could see what was going on at any given time, then what else had the satellites picked?
Finally the video switched to an internal shot in a room somewhere. In this shot was an easily recognizable face. It was the president.
"Good day Colonel. Since your now seeing this video, I assume you have the good General Baron with you. Doesn't matter really. We have been following him in real time since he left his compound for your Ranch.
"I want you to know that he enjoys our fullest trust and confidence. We have gathered a dossier on you and your activities. What you have done is contrary to the benefit and betterment of the people of your state and our country.
"I am now asking you to step aside for the greater good. General Baron is going to assume and integrate your people into his command. You had a good idea that went horribly wrong Mr. Litchfield. You should be receiving a satellite call to confirm this message shortly, and I hope this can be resolved peacefully." The video ended there.
Myron looked up from the Television. He was wearing a shocked expression. There was another man in the room besides Ballerton, Greg and Myron. He had been introduced as Myron's second in command. A lot was going to hinge on what he did.
Right then the cell phone rang. Greg answered it.
"General Baron?" Asked a voice.
"Yes sir?" Greg replied.
"This is General Colton. Put Litchfield on."
Greg passed the phone to Myron and said, "Phone call Myron. I would listen carefully."
Myron took the phone and said hello. Greg watched as Myron went from red faced to white. He started to tremble. He then went over to the window and looked out. Everyone followed him. Shortly a group of two fighter aircraft overflew the ranch then circled and flew off.
Sighing, Myron handed the phone back to Greg.
"I have told Mr. Litchfield he is relieved of command. He is placed under arrest pending an investigation into his conduct during the recent disaster and his subsequent actions. I think we made it clear what would happen if anything untoward happened to you or your people at this point." The phone went dead.
"Myron, I won't lock you up if you give me your word that you won't interfere in the take over of this command. You have always been a truthful person, and I will take your word if you give it."
Greg told Myron gently.
Myron's face went through several shades of gray.
He slumped. He went over to his desk and sat down, still stunned at what happened. One moment he was on top of the world, and now he was considered a criminal by people whose respect he desired the most. He had to do something but what. He considered his options.
"Sir, I surrender my command to you pending the outcome of the investigation. Further, I believe I will be vindicated, so I will not only offer my fullest cooperation, but offer anything in my power to facilitate the smoothest transition and any redistribution of materials needed." Myron said heavily.
Greg was pleased. This was going better than he had expected. He had even had visions of having to fight his way out of here. Myron had excused himself and he would be in his room if he was needed.
Greg studied the man left. He wondered if this man was as deeply into the crimes as Myron had been.
Greg was about to question the number two man when a runner came in.
"Sir? Where is Colonel Litchfield? We just got word that the south crew is on the move up this way.
Looks like they were serious about we join them or die. We got to tell Mr. Litchfield right away."
"Hang on. What is the south crew?" Greg asked.
"It's a large force of men we named the south or southern force. We weren't sure exactly how large a force they are, but they killed everyone we sent down there. We received a message from them a couple weeks ago to prepare to turn over a list of supplies," The number two man replied.
"What's your name anyway? I don't think Myron introduced you." Greg asked.
"He is like that, sir. My name is Mathew Jennings. Call me Mat. And
yes, I knew about some of the excesses Myron was doing, but I was
trying to reign in as much as possible. I am afraid I was only so, so
in accomplishing that." Mat said sighing.