A Small Glass Container

Chapter Zero - Prologue – A Change of Careers is in Order – January of Year 19

Chapter One - Bob Edges out the Coffee – April of Year 20

Chapter Two - A Bit of Funding – April of Year 20

Chapter Three - A Business Luncheon – April of Year 20

Chapter Four - The Continual Evolution of Pond Scum – April of Year 20

Chapter Five - A Little Reality Therapy – April of Year 20

Chapter Six - The Really Dangerous Part – April of Year 20

Chapter Seven - You Can Go Home Again – April of Year 20

Chapter Eight - Spam, Eggs, Ketchup, and Politicians – April of Year 20

Chapter Nine - Trains and Boats and Planes – April of Year 20

Chapter Ten - The First Few – August of Year 20

Chapter Eleven - Red Flight – September of Year 20

Chapter Twelve - Bombs, Lots of Bombs – September of Year 20

Chapter Thirteen - White and Blue Flights – October of Year 20

Chapter Fourteen - Sniper Squadron – November of Year 20

Chapter Fifteen - Major Baker and the Big Brains – November of Year 20

Chapter Sixteen - Ugly and Mean – March of Year 21

Chapter Seventeen - A Lonely Sniper – May of Year 21

Chapter Eighteen - The Second Front – June of Year 21

Chapter Nineteen - Scouts and the Big Brains – June of Year 21

Chapter Twenty - Westward Ho – June of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-One - Steamboat Charlie – August of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-Two - Start Making Plans – September of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-Three – Riverboat Ring Your Bell – September of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-Four - The Big Picture – November of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-Five - But I’m a Civilian – November of Year 21

Chapter Twenty-Six - Scouts and Tigers – March of Year 22

Chapter Twenty-Seven - The Great Escape – April of Year 22

Chapter Twenty-Eight - Springtime for Snipers – April of Year 22

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Advancing to the Rear – April of Year 22

Chapter Thirty - Breaking Contact – May of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-One - The Pass – May of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Two - The Colonel is not in His Office Today – May of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Three - Puff the Magic Dragon – June of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Four - Who Cares About the French – June of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Five - Interlude – June of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Six - The Surge – June of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Seven - Blitzkrieg on Horseback – June of Year 22

Chapter Thirty-Eight - Joe’s Backroom and Bullshit – January of Year 23

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Just who in the Hell is who?

Chapter Zero

Prologue

January of Year 19

First Lieutenant Bob Smith shaded his binoculars as he watched the small bipeds that were the enemy set up their artillery just east of a 100 foot high ridge. They were just over two miles away to the north and had just started emplacing their 113 mm howitzers. The tractors that hauled the guns were parked but the trucks that carried the ammunition had yet to arrive.

The snow must have slowed them down. I should wait for them but if they aren’t here in a half hour I will have call in the fire and run, Smith thought. More and more enemy infantry were trudging through the snow on either side of the artillery headed west, but none closer than a mile to Smith’s hidden bunker. He turned and looked south and did not see any enemy troops behind him. His mortar platoon was set up and waiting for his call and had the artillery site zeroed in as best they could. They knew the area very well and had plotted firing solutions for the most probable targets. And their best was very good. Smith debated ordering a single tube to fire and adjust the targeting solution or to just have the entire eight guns fire a volley. Either way if he missed it gave the gun crews time to take cover. But if he hit with a single round, it would do minimal damage and still give the enemy time to take cover. But if he hit with the first volley it would cause the most casualties. The first round or rounds were always the most effective. Don’t make the decision until you have to, he though.

His self appointed time limit was just about up when the ammunition trucks arrived and started to unload and stack rounds close to the guns. Not only that but columns of platoons were moving west all around the target. He decided that even if the firing solution was a little off, he would hit something and then adjust fires if needed to hit the artillery. The gun crews and infantry could take cover but the artillery and stacked ammunition wasn’t going anywhere. Probably even the trucks would still be there for the second and subsequent volleys.

Stand by to fire one round H.E. per tube and be ready to adjust fire. You may fire when ready.

Roger LT. Radios were new the mortar platoon and the lack of any other traffic on their channel made for casual communication between the elements of the platoon. The sounds of the 120 mm mortars soon followed. It was just a bit short but mangled an infantry platoon. It was also right on line with the artillery.

Up 100 and fire 3 rounds H.E. per tube. Smith gathered up his rife and edged back out of his hide. He paused behind a two hundred year old oak tree to observe the effects of the next rounds. The dust and smoke was obscuring his view of the target now but the flashes seemed to on target and when a huge secondary explosion lit up the afternoon landscape he was sure the rounds were on target.

That was right on target and we got a secondary explosion. Fire one more H.E. and one W.P., then pack up and move out to the south west. Don’t wait for me; they are bound to start shelling this area soon. Call in the snipers and get them moving with us. Smith did not wait for the next rounds that he hoped would set off more explosions and maybe set the trucks on fire. It was time to get out. The enemy had a lot of artillery and lots of recent practice and was fast to respond. He ran the two hundred yards to where PFC. McDonnell waited with the horses.

The sounds of the mortars and the distant explosions had spooked the horses some but they were well trained. McDonnell held Smith’s horse while he mounted and then he leaned over and tried to return the favor. But McDonnell’s horse knew they were leaving and tried to get a head start. McDonnell still had the reins in his hands and stopped the animal short and then quickly mounted. They started out at an extended trot with Smith in the lead.

They headed towards where the mortar platoon had set for the firing mission and found them packing up the last gun into the specially designed two wheel caisson. Most of the caissons were already hitched up to the two wheel limbers, each with teams of six horses. It was an organized madhouse, with the first teams already leading out and the gun crews also mounted and following their respective guns. Several sniper teams were returning from their outlying listening posts added to the seeming confusion. As the last team of horses was hitched up to their limber and caisson, Smith spotted his platoon sergeant and approached.

Do you have anything to report sergeant? asked Smith.

"We haven’t had any enemy contact or sighting yet sir, not even from the sniper listening posts. We have started our move and gun six is the last one to be ready to leave. I have Corporal Bancroft in the lead with gun one. He has scouted the trail to our next position and the rest of the guns are leaving as soon as they finish hitching up. The entire platoon will be on the move in two minutes. Did we get some good hits on those bastards?

Damn straight we did. The whole battery was covered with flashes, dust and smoke. Couldn’t see the results but we got several secondary explosions. I think we got the ammo trucks as well. That first volley landed a bit short but right on an infantry platoon. Damn good shooting sergeant. Go ahead and move out now, I will follow with the sniper teams. The sergeant nodded and ran for his horse. Smith turned and yelled for the snipers to form up on him.

True to the sergeant’s word, the entire platoon was on the move in two minutes and as Smith and the sniper teams followed they could hear enemy artillery shell exploding back in the direction where Smith had his spotting bunker. Smith was feeling pretty good about the action and for a little while forgot his burning desire to design and build airplanes. But future events were about to feed that desire and provide the opportunity.

Chapter One

Bob Edges Out the Coffee

April of Year 20

Bob Smith sat in a large conference room and waited while the usual group of Cabinet Secretaries gathered and exchange small talk. He had a cardboard box with a picture of a steaming cup of coffee and 3 donuts on the cover. It was the only box he could find at the hotel where he staying and since he had just got off the train at 2:00 last night, he hadn’t had time to get anything else. The box contained specifications and drawings for his project, some pieces of plywood, and several DVD disks. Coffee, tea, fruit, and small pastries were set out on several tables against the walls and gathered small clumps of aides and lower ranked functionaries. Seats at the conference table in the center of the room were for the President and the Cabinet Secretaries and therefore Bob sat in a row of chairs along the walls with the lower ranking people and the food.

I’m right up there with the snacks, Bob thought to himself. With a little luck I can beat out the coffee next quarter.

This was the first time Bob had ever attended a Cabinet meeting in person but everything was familiar since all such meetings were televised for the last 13 years. President Welch, the second President of New America, had started this tradition shortly after the Final Disconnect and it was now firm policy that all quarterly cabinet meetings were televised. Indeed, the entire morning was a national holiday and normal business did not commence until after lunch on the first work-day of each quarter.

Vice President Herman entered the room with the new Secretary of Defense and instantly people cut off conversation and started to find seats and organize notes and papers in front of them. The President was all business at the quarterly meetings, unlike his normal informality, and liked to have everything ready for the opening ceremony. The Vice President was the signal that the President was about to arrive and woe to any staffers that were not in his or her seat and quiet as a church mouse. The red light on the TV camera went on and everyone seemed to hold his or her breath wait for the President Eastwood to arrive. The wait was short.

The President entered the room and quickly took his seat with no acknowledgement of anyone in the room. At precisely 8:00 A. M. the President started speaking.

"It has been 20 years, 3 months, and 10 days earth time since the initial connection and transference of selected humans, animals, plants, machinery, supplies, raw materials, and data began. The connection was selective and swept across parts of Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming. The motives and intentions behind the connection are not known. What is known is that approximately 6,000 humans were moved to this unknown planet. The ecology on land is nearly identical to the North American continent of 100,000 years ago. The sea ecology is mixed with earth and alien life forms.

After the initial sweep, the connection then remained stationary and allowed some selective, one-way transference from earth to here. The selection for transference seemed to be people, animals, plants, machinery, supplies, raw materials and data that would help support our survival on the new planet. Data was transferred in both directions."

"It has been 19 years, 11 months, and 21 days earth time since the connection stopped transference of humans."

"It has been 18 years, 5 months, and 17 days earth time since the connection stopped transference of other than human life forms."

Bob, as everyone in the New American Republic (NAR), had heard all this before. The number of years, months, and days changed with time but the basic information was repeated almost verbatim at each quarterly cabinet meeting for the last 12 years. People remembered each time a new item was added or some change other the number of years, month, and days, was made to the opening remarks of the President.

"It has been 16 years, 8 months, and 2 days earth time since the connection stopped transference of machines."

It has been 15 years, 1 month, and 15 days earth time since the connection stopped transference of matter of any kind.

"It has been 14 years, 2 months, and 23 days earth time since the connection stopped transference of data and all contact with earth was lost. No contact has been re-established since that time."

The first time Bob heard this ritual announcement; he was awed by the magnitude of the statements and the finality of what is now called the Final Disconnect. As he heard it over again each quarter, he became somewhat bored by it and impatient. Now, after living and working so long with the Easterners, he had a new appreciation for the focusing, binding effect the brief statements had on the population of the NAR. Who we are, where we came from, when we came, what we face, and where we are, Bob mused. We are always reminded at the start of each quarter.

"To this day, the origin, purpose, and technology of the connection are completely unknown."

Like hell, Bob thought. We are just bacterial in a big Petri dish in a lab somewhere and something is going to examine us under a cosmic microscope to see what grows and which groups of bugs survive. Or maybe toss us in the trash because their grant was cut by incompetent administrative hacks

"We have no idea where this planet is located in relationship to earth. We only know that we are here, we are on our own, and we will survive."

"It has been 10 years, 9 months, and 12 days since we discovered that other English speaking humans are present on this planet. They claim to have been placed here 200 years ago by God. We think, but do not know, that they arrived by the same type of connection that we encountered. The date of and place their transference seems to be from 1795 United States of America."

"Their current civilization is approximately comparable to the USA’s 1890’s. They have a population of roughly 5 million. They call themselves the Eastern Confederation. They are a democracy and are friendly. They inhabit the eastern coast of this continent and we occupy the western coast. They thought this world was uninhabited."

"It has been 5 years, 3 months, and 28 days since we learned of another intelligent, alien race on this planet. Their origins are unknown. They are hostile to humans. This alien race made contact with the Eastern Confederation. The Eastern Confederation calls this race the Vikings. The Vikings are clearly not of earthly origin since their cells do not use DNA to store their genetic information. The Vikings level of technology is slightly more advanced than the Eastern Confederation’s."

"It has been 2 years, 5 months, and 19 days since the Eastern Confederation was invaded by the Vikings and a state of war between the Eastern Confederation and the Vikings was declared."

"It has been 2 years, 3 months, and 10 days since we declared war on the Vikings."

It has been 4 hours since an unknown ship, presumed to be a Viking, was sighted off our coast by observers at the mouth of the Columbia River. They were steaming north at ten knots and did not stop or give any indication that they sighted our observation post. The observation post reported that stealth condition 1 was set and nothing of human origin was visible. Air recon was not attempted but may be tried after dark. Live video of the sighting is on channel 2 and can be viewed or downloaded from the military news web site.

President Eastwood dropped this bombshell with no change in inflection and continued with only a slight pause. Everyone was stunned, Bob included, but it was a tribute to the formal nature of a Quarterly Cabinet Meeting and the professionalism of Eastwood’s Cabinet that words and sounds of stunned surprise were few and short. The normally informal cabinet officers were well aware of the historic announcement in the implications for the survival of the NAR. Bob’s only thought was Oh Shit, they found us!

"Today we number 18,392 transferred or native born citizens, 2,502 naturalized citizens, 3,985 probationary citizens, 2,004 military volunteers, and 755 visitors."

Bob’s mind was moving in overdrive as he considered the first sighting of Vikings on the west coast of America and considered the implications for his nation, his race, and his own hide. However, he did note the large increase in the probationary citizens. We are going to need them, he thought. I am sure glad that Easterners know how to shoot as well as they do.

"Today’s military status has the 3rd battalion on active security duty, 1st battalion in reserve, 2nd and 4th battalions inactive, and 5th battalion training new recruits. I have not called up any members of 1st battalion. The 2nd and 4th battalions remain inactive and they can expect to observe normal duty rotation. But, keep in touch, don’t make any vacation plans, and keep your gear packed and ready. The river forces have all been activated and are in hide positions along the lower river."

Damn, he’s cool, Bob thought. I would have called up everyone and had them man the walls.

"The city is on hydro-electrical power from generator #1, with generator #2 on standby, and generator #3 down for maintenance. Natural gas supply is adequate for all planned and emergency purposes."

"Today is Quarterly holiday routine with these exceptions. No traffic on the river below the falls, no electronic emissions except local telephone, no telephone transmissions outside the city walls, all aircraft except the military are grounded, and all travel outside the city walls is restricted. City gates are open but monitored. See the military web site for details. Contact the Vice President’s Office for exceptions. Ms. O’Leary, you may take your class on the upper river field trip."

That got a chuckle from the cabinet since everyone knew that June O’Leary ran her high school class her way, interference was not allowed, and that she was the most popular teacher in the Republic.

"The Republic has a two year food reserve, this year’s crops are on schedule and no food rationing is necessary for the foreseeable future. Hunting and fishing is restricted to the inland plains and mountains until we can determine the Viking threat. Coastal plain swamp weed harvesting is suspended due to the Viking sighting and all use of industrial alcohol is reserved for the war effort. See the environmental web site for details."

That worried Bob, swamp weed was not a native species, and grows like mad. It clogs the waterways and generally disliked by native plants and animals. It sole use was to ferment into an alcohol that made a high-octane fuel. Continual harvesting was required to keep the smaller waterways on the lower river open and its control helped the native plants, fish, and animal populations. The beavers and especially the giant beavers hated the stuff and thrived when it was controlled. Since no oil has been discovered near the city, swamp weed was the principle source of aviation fuel. Coal was abundant and could be made into a low octane gasoline and diesel fuel, but Bob’s project required a lot of high-octane fuel. Swamp weed was important!

"The Republic’s industrial production slightly exceeded our war plan estimates. Good work everyone. Milestones include delivery of 12.7 mm rifle and ammunition production lines to the Easterners, completion of another cargo airplane, and completion of 150 miles of our end of the transcontinental railroad. The Easterners absolutely love the 12.7 mm sniper rifles and are running the production line 24 hours a day. They want another production line."

Bob shuttered and then grinned as he visualized what life would be like in a Viking enclave with the Easterner snipers armed with fifty-caliber, night vision equipped, scoped rifles. Not to mention, the 81 mm and 120 mm mortars and 106 mm recoilless rifles. These had been converted to horse drawn versions and were highly mobile. This mobility allowed the easterner’s to slow and finally stop the Vikings despite being outnumbered and outgunned. Thank God for horses, he thought. They hate aliens and the Vikings have nothing like them.

"Our war shipment to the Easterner Confederation continues to be radios, night vision equipment, solar panels, spare parts, medical supplies, production machinery, weapons, and educational products to enhance their level of technology. Imports from the east include raw materials, workers, soldiers, and livestock."

"The war in the east has stabilized for the time being. Viking enclaves on the coastal plain continue to be reinforced and expanded but continued sniping with rifles, mortars, and recoilless rifles by mobile, horseback infantry has turned back most intrusions of more than 10 miles. Due to the Viking numerical superiority, we can anticipate little success in pushing them off the continent until we can interdict their supply ships."

"Problems include continued failure to find useable oil fields, aluminum deposits, and depletion of raw materials transferred before the final disconnect. These failures limit our ability to produce aircraft and jet engines. We will have to correct these deficiencies to have much hope of success against the Vikings."

That was the last of the President’s ritual introduction and he move swiftly to change the agenda to deal with the presumed Viking ship sighting. As Bob listened to the discussion, it became clearer and clearer that there would be no time for his presentation. They were not going to take him seriously because they knew that it was not possible to build wooden warplanes.

The Viking sighting dominated the meeting to the exclusion of all else despite the fact that Viking ships off the west coast was deemed inevitable and was planned for. Most of the discussion was simply going over the contingency plan and ironing out any perceived glitches. But the heavy emphasis was devoted to going over details and making sure that those responsible were aware of what was to be done and what was not to be done. It was a military axiom that ten percent never get the word, and that was not going to happen on President Eastwood’s watch.

The meeting broke up at 11:00 sharp and Bob started to leave but was startled to find Ed Nolan, the President’s administrative aide, at his elbow. The President would like to see you immediately, Ed whispered. Looks like you are going to get a bit of funding.

Right now? Bob stammered.

Just keep your mouth shut and keep walking. Go right to his office and wait. I have to go and round up some other folks, but you have the first crack at the President. Make your pitch and get out in less than 10 minutes. We got a lot on our plates you are definitely out of your league.

Then he disappeared into the crowd, hot on the trail of someone that was in the right league.

You got that right, Bob muttered under his breath. But I beat the shit out of the coffee and snacks.

Chapter Two

A Bit of Funding

April of Year 20

The Presidents outer office was a beehive of activity. Despite the swirl of activity, a harried secretary spotted him and motioned to him. In there, she point to the kitchen, make sure the chocolate ones are on top.

Chocolate? Bob was obviously confused.

"Aren’t you the donut guy?

No, I’m Bob Smith.

Who in the hell is Bob Smith? Get out, we’re busy.

Ed Nolan said I was to see the President. Now! For 10 minutes. Go right in and shut up, he said. Bob had a sinking feeling that all was not going to go well.

Oh! Wait right there, I’ll check with Ed.

Bob, who was 25 years old, 6 feet tall, 165 pounds, with a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering, three years experience on the eastern front (two involuntary and one voluntary), instantly took charge of the situation. He stood still and waited. Which was a mistake as the President, who was talking to a trailing cloud of people as he entered the room, ran into and almost over Bob?

Just who the hell are you? Eastwood demanded. Oh, you’re Smith, answering his own question. Be with you in a minute, wait in there. He was gesturing towards the kitchen.

Bob found himself in the kitchen. An invisible donut guy had fulfilled the secretary’s demand and two chocolate donuts were on top of a platter full of donuts. Bob set the box that he was carrying down on the kitchen counter next to the platter and eyed the donuts. Why not? and Bob grabbed the donut on top and took a bite and then with his other hand grabbed the last chocolate donut. Might be a long wait. Twenty seconds later the President entered the kitchen.

You got my donuts. What’s the deal, you didn’t vote for me!

Bob, not usually noted for repartee, managed to mangle the remains of a donut enough to get out a witty, Good morning sir.

Finish that one donut, give me the other, and tell me about your project. The Eastern Ambassador says you’ve got the answers to all our problems.

I want to build a Mosquito, a de Havilland Mosquito. That is a wooden fighter-bomber of WWII British design. Modified and updated of course. Sir. Chocolate donuts evidently butchered Bob’s smooth and long rehearsed presentation.

Year, that’s what Harvey said. Read up on them last night before all hell broke loose. Sounds like a good idea. I had no idea that wood airplanes were used in WWII, let alone that they were so effective in so many roles. Are you planning to use our 25 mm bushmasters instead of the 20mm cannons and 30 cal machine guns?

Yes sir.

OK, the war is going badly and I can’t spare much. How about I give you $100,000 and 2 engines, the cannons, electronics, and some manpower, can you get a prototype flying? I know you have detailed plans and have made most of the plywood parts already. Deal?

I need $200,000, 5 engines, the cannons, electronics, landing gear, some hydraulics, and two pilots. I will build 2 prototypes, one for us and one for the east. I can do it in 6 months. Bob had no idea how much money he needed or how long it would take but now didn’t seem like the time or place to start calculating. He had just hoped for a serious design review and had made enough of the plywood airframe to prove the concept.

I, my company that is, have the detailed plans, plywood molds, plenty of wood including balsawood, and the start of a production line at eastern railhead of Sand Mountain. Bob just invented a company on the fly, as it seemed that would carry more weight that just his own reputation. We have produced the most difficult and critical subassemblies. The east will finish the production line for the airframe. You send us the engines, cannons, landing gear, electronics, hydraulics, and bombs. Laser guided bombs. Easterners will do the assembly, tests, and fly. Your pilots will train but not fly in combat. Then we won’t have to let the next Viking ship sail by. The sugar was going to Bob’s head and he was mixing up his coastal identity, first identifying himself with the New American Republic, and in the next breath identifying with the Eastern Confederation. Neither of them seemed to notice.

"Ok, but the east keeps the plane under wraps until we can deploy in strength. We split the production until we have a squadron here then the bulk of production goes to the east. We give you the laser guidance kits and the easterners supply the actual bombs. Can they do the