Case:Black - 16. Chapter 16

Southaven, MS

July 16, 2016 1530CST

Sergeant Taylor’s platoon deployed along State Line Avenue from I-55 to Airline Boulevard.

He put his command post in the parking lot of a defunct barbecue joint and put his men in squads about 100 meters apart.

What they were doing in Southaven there and exactly why they were there, no one had bothered to tell him. At some point in his past he seemed to remember that Condition Black indicated a worst case biological attack against the United States. Having been issued MOPP-4 (Mission Oriented Protective Posture) gear in upper nineties Mississippi heat seemed to lead credence to that theory.

FEMA was there too running around in HUMVEEs. What they were doing was also a mystery. Taylor’s Company Commander was a Captain named Carlson that had not arrived as yet and a Lieutenant Boussard had set up a block south of them and theoretically controlled a 4 mile frontage from Highway 51 to Swinnea Road.

He had two other companies on his right and left flanks and no orders beyond set up a perimeter.

Someone set up a civilian radio which was providing more information than the command net:

This is the Emergency Alert System. The United States has sustained a major biological attack. Martial Law is in effect. All schools, businesses and public accommodations are ordered closed. Please go to your home and follow the situation on television and other media.

He looked around his command post and no one spoke or even moved. Everyone was shocked.

Taylor walked outside his CP looked around. There was no traffic except for a few cops and Army HUMMERs. Finally his command net came to life in his ear bud:

“This is Captain Carlson of 30 Company to all units. Memphis has been hit by an unknown biological agent. Our orders are to establish a cordon surrounding the city in conjunction with Arkansas and Tennessee Guard Units. We cannot allow anyone regardless of whether they are showing symptoms of any kind to cross our line south. Our only chance is to contain the infection. We are a quick and dirty task force and expect reinforcements shortly. For now, man the road blocks and hold the line. I know that we’re thin on the ground but we’re all there is. Platoon leaders, conference, in five minutes.”

Taylor adjusted his comms to speak to his platoon: “Squad leaders: you heard the man. Deploy roadblocks and no one gets through!”