New Friends

“Blake’s Raiders”

Walls, Mississippi

Tuesday, 9 July, 2030

After spending the evening making plans, unhooking and securing the cargo trailer and generally making the campsite defensible in our hopefully short absence, SPEC McCarthy, the SSGT, and I left camp right after breakfast.  I had SPEC McCarthy drive cautiously, and I had SSGT Ruiz keep the MK-19 covered (but loaded) as we make the short trip from our camp to Glover.

The GMSM’s observation post was manned, observant, and professional when we approached.  After introducing myself, we were told where to park.  The SSGT and I were escorted to meet with Colonel Ferdinand Gerbling, the military “advisor” to (and spouse of) the leader of the GMSM, Melissa Xavier Gerbing.  After a short discussion with Colonel Gerbling (AVG:INT - 46), we agree that the GMSM will provide two platoons of infantry to support my platoon’s attack of the marauders at the Norfolk landing, using our scouts as the initial firepower, and my platoon’s medical supplies for any injuries.  Colonel Gerbling is unwilling to even discuss long-term integration with the 197th (AVG:INT - 72), at least until after the attack on the “Norfolk Pirates”, as he calls them, is successful.

The morning was productively spent planning the attack and even practicing some maneuvers with the GMSM troops.  After lunch, Colonel Gerbling sends a messenger to Walls with my signed orders for the SGTs to prepare to break camp.  After the day’s training is complete, I have SPEC McCarthy drive the HumVee, with two GMSM troopers as lookouts, back to Walls, to pick up the cargo trailer and other supplies, and accompany my mounted troops back to Glover.

They return to Glover, having encountered a group of civilian refugees [Airlords of the Ozarks, pg 30, encounter table roll 6 - civilian, 2d6+3 = 6].  Unfortunately, they have no skills to offer [roll - 97] and Glover needs skilled personnel, not just manual laborers.  The SGTs were at least able to suggest that they continue on to the refugee camps east of Memphis along the Wolf River near Shelby Farms, giving them some hope of a better life in the future.

We spend a short time securing the cargo trailer and our excess equipment.  I trust the GMSM to provide overall security, but I detail SPEC McCarthy and SSGT Ruiz to share the overnight watch while the SGTs get additional rest before the attack begins.