The Longboats
Chapter Two

As I stood on the front steps of the Great Hall I noticed many of the women wore men’s clothing with only a few wearing dresses. All of those wearing men’s clothing were shield maidens but even a few of those wore dresses and had to rush home to switch over to their uniforms of the infantry. Their rifles and equipment such as packs, canteens and cartridge pouches were kept at home for such an emergency and this proved invaluable in this case, speed. I thought of our trade we had gained over the last five years with our neighbors and what effect this would have on it. Our society had gained wealth over the past few years because of it but the Greek invasion would have a large impact on this, especially our coal and iron ore coming from Germany and Saxony. The news of the Romans wanting to gain our favor was well and good but as the Greeks attacked our southern boarder we had no time to negotiate.

The Skipper came to me at a quick pace, stopping at the foot of the stairs on the station platform.

“Gunny! As king of this nation I need to warn you of the Greeks intentions of invasion and their planes.” He had a serious look on his face.

“I, personally think they are trying to gain our attention to this one spot near Berlin and attack fROM a different direction to throw us off balance.” He stood there with both his hands full of paperwork.

“I had imagined as much, Skipper. That’s why I sent our fleet to blockade the mouth of the English Channel and I have sent word for King Oswald from Saxony to reinforce his borders. I think they will have their major assault there.”

He stood for a moment looking at me then had a slight smile come across his lips.

“Gunny! You never cease to amaze me!” He said as he shook his head. “That’s the same thing I was thinking after looking at the maps.”

“You do know if this escalates it will turn into another World War One, right?” I said to him.

“I can see that happening with all those defensive trenches you had dug.” He looked at me and sighed deeply. “And I thought you were just doing it because of your reenacting thing.” He smiled.

“Well. That and from history and that’s why I had them dig trenches and bunkers across our entire southern border and it cost us thousands in gold.” I said as I watched wagons pass us by full of equipment. “But our trade with our southern allies paid for most of it.”

“How’s is the mobilization going up north?” He asked. “I sent several telegrams and only get one reply from Sigmund who said he was on the way.”

“Hopefully it will only take another day but our trains need to speed things up. We only have three and all three are going full steam. All we need is for the trains to break down.”

Yngvildr walked up in her uniform with Colonels eagles on her shoulders and saluted both of us.

“Hardcore is in formation and standing by whenever you want to address them, sir.” She said in a formal fashion.

“Thank you, Yngvildr. Let me get properly dressed and I’ll see to your soldiers.” I said.

“Skipper? I will need you to stay here at the main CP (Command Post) to keep things running. I will follow the troops and see if we can determine where the enemy will go next.”

“You should stay here, Gunny!” The Skipper blurted out. “We will need the word of the king if things go south, so to speak.”

“I can’t stay in the rear, Skipper, you know that. The place for the leader is on the line of battle. That’s where the soldiers expect me to be.” I said then turned to walk to our house and check with Sara on our children before we leave.

By late evening as the sun was going down I managed to inspect the Hardcore and address them on the coming battle. Yngvildr was standing in front of her formation as they were in perfect alignment, standing at attention waiting for me to receive them. I saluted Yngvildr as she returned my salute the stood behind me.

“Soldiers. We are about to walk into battle again against our known enemy the Greeks. Last time we managed to defeat their overwhelming odds by the use of our modern equipment. However this time will be much different. They have nearly the same equipment we do from spies that infiltrated our society. “ I paused, looking up and down the ranks of men and women in their Marine corps green uniforms.

“The Skipper is working on a plane to flush them into the open and I think it will work, but in the mean time we have to engage the enemy on the field of battle. This will not even be close to what you have seen in the past. You will enter our trench line on our southern border and there you will wait for the Greek attacks. DO NOT get out of these trenches unless you are ordered to do so. Our artillery is set up behind the lines, out of sight to the Greeks and will fire over your heads at the enemy on command from our wireless telegraph system.” I paused trying to think of what else I could tell them to prepare them for this kind of warfare which they are not accustomed to.

“You will be there until this war is over. We will NOT turn loose of these Greeks this time until we have invaded THEIR country or we are all dead.” There were grunts and growls of encouragement after I said that with smiles on their faces.

“This is a war of annihilation and it’s them or us this time, soldiers!”

I had Yngvildr take the formation as I went hurriedly back to the Great Hall we now called our CP or command Post. As I entered I saw the room full of officers talking excitedly while leaning over the large map on the table.

“Gunny!” Elvar said while pointing at the map. “We have information that the Greeks have amassed a large army near Frankfurt and Cologne. Our forward elements are thirty miles south of our trench line near Essen and spotted them on a forage mission.”

I looked at the map seeing where our lines had been drawn across the whole of Saxony into Germany. If the Greeks were in Essen and Cologne our French allies have been over run and would be of no use, they were just too far out for any help. Our lines went from Amsterdam south east in a v shape to Essen then swung up northeast to Greifswald on the east coast. The Greeks attacked from the east out of Poland so this made me think that attack was a rouge to try to throw us off balance then attack from the west and south. I followed our trench line on the map.

“We will deploy the bulk of our troops near Bielefeld north east to Havelberg. The Germans will have to hold everything east of that line with the Saxons holding everything west to Amsterdam.” I said, still looking at the map. “Our fleet should be in position now in the English Channel looking for any Greek shipping so that is covered.” I stood, looking at the faces in the room.

“Gentlemen!” I said in a calm voice. “This is a battle of annihilation and apparently the Greeks now want our land as well. We either defeat these Greeks or invade THEIR country or we die in the process.”

There was nodding of heads and agreement in their look.

“The Saxons will deploy their artillery facing the south west as well as give our fleet any support they need on the coast. The Germans have their own artillery to support their troops with ours in the center of the lines we should be able to hold them in check until this settles down and we can replace a way to break through their lines.” I looked around the room.

“Make sure the families being left behind are well cared for with our rear guard and support.” I said then scanned the room.

“Any questions?” I asked.

“Support wagons! We need to get them onto the trains as soon as possible and off load them five miles from the front lines. All troop trains are running to within a half mile of our trenches so the troops have to march the rest of the way.” The Skipper added.

My thoughts went back to the training the Skipper and I had Jackson create in the form of boot camp which was set up similar to our Marine Corps boot camp but was only two months long for all people, both men and women. We had a training area set up three miles from any civilization for isolation of the troops while they trained. We saw they had a brotherhood of sorts among them but they lacked discipline. This two month training cycle instilled a discipline much the same as we have in our Corps and it was now paying off. We had a well-oiled militia that acted like a standing army.

“Message from the fleet, Gunny!” A runner handed me a telegram so I read it out loud.

“From commander of fleet. Contact of Greek ships in channel. Brief encounter with Greeks near Dunkirk. Greeks falling back past Calais. One Greek ship in flames, two others damaged.”

“Well. It looks like they are trying to support an eastern assault.” I said as I looked at the array of men and women in the room.

“You know what to do. Let’s get on it!”

The room quickly emptied other than the communicators on the telegraph system and a few junior officers that controlled them. I caught Yngvildr by her arm as she was leaving.

“Be careful out there.” I said as I looked in her eyes and saw softness I had never seen before. She nodded without saying a word then kissed me. She had never done that before and it took me off guard but she had turned and went through the doors and was lost in the crowd outside before I could say anything.

I stood there watching the activity on the street deep in thought of the coming apocalypse and how it may sever our society forever with a Greek victory. We were fighting for our way of life, not just for our land or even our freedom. The Greeks have stolen a lot of our technology for their own use with spies that infiltrated into the very foundation of us but the Skipper has a plane and I hope it works soon. Our newest guns are in production and have been kept a secret for weeks and if the Greeks get this it would be our end.

Yngvildr had checked on the children before she left giving Sara last minute instructions of what to do for them. She felt empty inside that she had to leave but if they didn’t stop the Greeks her children would be slaves to them. The Hardcore were in formation at the train station waiting their turn to board as she paced back and forth on the platform, watching the other infantry load on the first cars. Their officers seemed competent enough but her Hardcore were the elite of all the militia here and they could handle anything that was thrown at them. There was a nagging question in the back of her mind as she waited: could they actually defeat the Greeks since they had overwhelming numbers?

Hagan made his way to the train station after speaking with the king about deploying his fleet. He was still getting use to how things had changed so much in such a short period of time and how their military force had grown into a large army with a fleet of ships that could carry cannon. It was nearly overwhelming to him especially now with the Greeks knocking at their door. His only thought was to get back to his ships and make damn sure the Greeks did not get through that English Channel. He remembered those shore batteries with the large Parrot guns along the coast that were put there by the king in case of an enemy attack by sea and wondered if they were on alert. He would check on them as soon as he got back. Then he thought of his ships Gunny had drawn sketches of and how his men had built them. Long, sleek and fast with the steam engines and full sail in what the King had called a schooner. They all carried eight small guns on a naval carriage and had the fire power of an artillery battery. His mind wandered to his family that he moved into Skavateland for safety and how the King, himself made sure everyone’s family was taken cared of. He smiled slightly at the thought of this new king called Gunny.

King Oswald of Saxony sat in silence in his Hall among the men that circled him around the table. They were all studying a map and plotting where the Greeks were reported to have been seen and they were getting closer by the hour. His thoughts were of his own army and if they could hold them until King Gunny arrived with support. The only weapons he had were the Sharps rifles and a dozen six pounder Parrot rifles he traded for with the Norse along with details on how to build an armory to produce his own weapons. That never came about because he used the money to build up his city fortifications. Something he now regretted as the Greeks marched into his territory. He could have used those weapons now if he had any sense like the Norse king had but he hesitated and that may very well be his undoing. So he waited in the fortified trenches the Norse king had prepared for him and his army, not knowing if or when the Norse would arrive.

King Gerhold was falling back with his army away from Berlin trying hard not to let the Greeks catch up with them. The Greeks attacked the night before with a full artillery barrage that devastated his front lines simply because he was not prepared. Casualties mounted by the hundreds and he had to leave them behind at the mercy of the Greeks, which he knew was a death sentence but he could not bring them on the march. His rear guard was fighting them so close he could hear the rifle shots and the Greek cannons as they bombarded his troops without mercy. He had to reach this town the Norse king told him about and man the trenches there to stop these Greeks in their tracks. The Norse king said he would link up on his right in the same trenches but they still had miles to go with the Greeks biting at his heels. Without support he would be lucky to get to the trenches with half his army intact. Keep moving he told himself, the Norse always keep their word.

Elver was still waiting for the train to arrive from the south to carry his troops to Skavateland when he heard the high pitched whistle of the engine from a distance. Calling his officers he had them ready the troops for immediate boarding because they were running late. He had all the troops from further north with a total of around fifteen thousand, which would make for a sizable army if they could get to their destination, he noticed most still carried their ax in their belts as well. Their families were safe in the towns as the King wanted with the home guard of older veterans guarding the place while they were gone. He just wanted to get to the Greeks so he could prove himself in battle once again and see if his new young soldiers had what it took to be a warrior. The time was near and he and his soldiers were ready.

As I got off the train it looked like organized confusion around the tracks as hundreds of soldiers tried to get into formation. Officers and NCOs were screaming their units name among to sea of green uniforms. I knew what units came with us so I climbed to the top of the passenger car and started shouting as loud as I could for quite. It took several minutes for all to look up and see me standing there with my arms raised but it eventually calmed down.

“First Battalion,” I yelled then pointed behind me on the other side of the tracks. “Go to that side...NOW!”

“Second battalion stand fast and Third battalion goes to the forward end of the engine.” I watched as the sea began to separate into three distinct groups and gathered into formations.

“All officers come to the last passenger car for a meeting right now.” I then climbed down the side ladder to the last car as dozens of officers stood waiting. I took a position on the steps of the last car so they could see me as I spoke.

“The front lines are straight ahead of us. Trenches have been built for this situation which we started several years ago for those that do not know. You will form your battalions with the First battalion on the left, Second in the center and Third on the right. The Germans hold the extreme left flank and somewhere down the trench line will be the Saxons. We will march forward from here with a point company form the First battalion out front. As you hit the trenches go to your assigned position.” I looked at the faces of those that were going to a war they did not really know how to fight yet and saw questions and confusion but no fear.

“All right then. GO!”

They turned, heading for their units when I heard the engineer yelling at me that he had to get backed up so he could turn the train around so I grabbed my pack and jumped from the car. It kicked backwards with a loud clanking noise and started to back up the one mile to the turnaround section so he could make another run of troops. I saw Yngvildr in front of the Hardcore giving orders when she turned and saw me. After she saluted I told her to move them into the Command Bunker area just behind the lines as our reserve unit. Glancing at the sky I could tell it was late afternoon.

“We have to get into position before dark. Move your unit out.” I then turned, threw my pack on and started walking behind the First battalion down the dirt road that would lead us to the first trench line.

In the distance I could hear artillery on our right but I didn’t know who’s it was, the Saxons or the Greeks? The closer we got the more pronounced the sound was, meaning it was too close to be Greek, it had to be the Saxons. As we walked over a hill I looked forward and saw the long line of soldiers marching on the road in two ranks, one on either side of the road, heads down in determination as the plodded onward. The next hill should be the last one we had to cross then down into the trench line with the command Bunker just behind the lines. As we went down that last hill we could see the trenches only a few dozen yards ahead but in the distance at least a mile out I could also see other soldiers in what looked like a dark mustard color spread out coming this way.

“ENEMY SIGHTED!” I yelled. “Get to the trenches and stand by for attack!”

At once the entire column started running towards the trench line and disbursed exactly where they had to go. At that moment we started receiving incoming artillery shells from the Greeks which exploded mostly in front of the lines.

“The next volley will be on target. GET TO THE TRENCHES!” I yelled again as the soldiers ran even faster.

I felt the concussion of the next round as it exploded a few yards away on our left, throwing dirt into our faces as we ran. I stood at the entrance of the trench line waving the soldiers forward as they entered and turned left or right. Each soldier took his position at the firing step so he could look over the parapet and wait to fire into the advancing Greeks. We had less than half the unit in place when I heard our line open fire. A sporadic firing of their bolt action rifles into the Greeks but how close were they? I made my way to the firing step and looked over the top. I could see them start to spread out in what I could swear was a wedge formation. How could they possibly know about that formation I asked myself then I saw them break and run forward into line. These Greeks have been trained by someone that knows modern warfare. Another person form our time?

More artillery shells pounding our rear that over shot our lines. I saw soldiers ducking or covering their heads from the flying dirt. I then saw the need for steel helmets and made a mental note to speak to the Skipper on this later. The Greeks were stopped as I looked over the top again and seemed to be falling back with casualties.

“Keep up the fire, soldiers. KEEP FIRING!” Again our lines erupted in rifle fire at the retreating Greeks bringing down dozens more of them before they were out of range.

Yngvildr grabbed my shoulder, nearly pulling me off the firing step.

“The Command Bunker has been hit and had a cave in. It took a direct hit form a large round and I don’t think we have anything close to that size artillery!” She said with wide eyes.

“We are going to have to hold them off until Ralf gets here with his guns and that’ll be tonight sometime.” I looked around and saw a few casualties the Corpsmen were working on and trying to carry to the rear.

“Get with the battalion commanders and make sure they put out listening post tonight all along the line. I want one every twenty yards at about fifty yards out.” I said then went with her to see the damage to the command bunker.

It was worse than I thought when I first saw it. The entire side was nothing but a hole with the roof giving way and the four feet of earth that was on top caved into the center of the bunker. That had to be at the very least a one five-five millimeter. A monster of a shell and the Greeks had it? They have support that is NOT from this world. What the hell is going on now? I couldn’t telegraph the rear because our lines were in that bunker.

“Yngvildr....get some soldiers to dig out our telegraph lines and reset it so we can contact the rear. We NEED those guns, the new ones here. I also need to contact Gerhold of Germany and Oswald of Saxony.” I said then ran back to the trenches as she went to work yelling orders to the Hardcore.

As I came into the trench I noticed further down the line we had taken a direct hit and the side of the trench wall collapsed. The soldiers were digging out several casualties while taking sniper fire but they seemed to pay no attention to the sniper as they dug for anyone else under the pile of logs and dirt.

“Steady Soldiers, STEADY!” I yelled and saw several look at me with smiles.

“We have it Gunny. We have it!” One yelled out but as I focused on the soldier that said that, I saw a familiar face. It was one of my Marines wearing an officer uniform and he smiled at me with thumbs up.

“I’m glad you’re here with me, Devil Dog!” I yelled.

“Here they come again!” Came a yell not far away.

I jumped to the firing step looking over the top and saw the mustard yellow of hundreds of Greek soldiers coming forward, spread out on line in perfect order. These Greeks somehow learned how to fight, I thought as I saw them begin to drop by twos and threes then four, five and six at a time from our rifles. They were still over two hundred yards away but our soldiers were dropping them as fast as they came forward with their officers yelling them onward. Suddenly they stopped, turned around and ran back, leaving their dead and wounded on the field as they fled. I watched as some attempted to carry of their wounded but were hit by my soldiers and dropped where they stood. Then quiet spread over the battle field as if blanket on a cold night. The sound of artillery from our right rear began to roll its thunder across our trenches. It has to be the Saxons and their Parrot rifles opening fire on the Greek left. I had to get in touch with both the Germans and the Saxons so I took one last look to our front, saw nothing, then turned and ran back to where the Command Bunker was.

“Sir! We found the telegraph and rewired it but the only line we could replace was to our rear. The other two for left and right flank are still down there somewhere.” One of the Hardcore said.

“That’s good. I’ll contact the rear you keep searching for those missing lines.” I told them then sat down next to the clicker and began to send a message.

‘Need artillery here as soon as possible! Greek attack on main trench line stopped. They have superior artillery. They also have modern tactics. Send guns and reinforcements. Check Hennison for machine gun.’

I waited while I listened to the outgoing artillery form the Saxons Parrot rifles.