With the diversion along Interstate-40 being put into play, multiple sets of covert forces could then begin their phase of the overall plan. Although their moves into and against Texas would be synchronized to begin at one o’clock in the morning, the two respective targets were separated by more than two-hundred miles.

The eastern of the two presented more of a logistical challenge on multiple levels, which in turn meant that it could be difficult to successfully complete. Located just west from the city of Texarkana, the former Red River Army Depot for the United States was still being used by Texas in a similar fashion. Although the base supposedly contained a large portion of the ammunition stockpile for Texas, the difference between the past and the present was that those numbers were substantially less than when it was occupied by the United States. In addition, the facility now served a secondary purpose of defending the northeast corner of the republic.

Based upon the multiple crossings within the city of Texarkana, incursion by several small units of men and equipment was no problem. In a wave of recreational vehicles with jeeps or other forms of off-road vehicles in tow, the covert forces came through an open border at numerous sites unnoticed. By three o’clock the entire force had arrived at predesignated positions within a mile or two of the base, and those with a jeep sent a team of four men toward the various entry gates. As each pulled to a stop at a gate, the driver of the jeep would motion toward the front seat passenger who had a map unfolded in front of him. Then with a smile he would claim they were looking to get some breakfast at a place that was hopefully on the way toward their intended fishing spot, and were wondering if the guard could recommend anything. In each instance the guard came forward while motioning for another to assist with the inquiry, and upon their arrival, the men in the rear seat took them out with silenced side arms. Only the main gate offered up slightly more resistance, as it was manned by a larger compliment of early morning guards. In that instance, it became necessary for the two special operations men in the back to jump out and quickly neutralize another two. Then with every entry point to the base secured and the unconscious guards replaced with well-trained impostors, the convoy of recreational vehicles advanced to offload men and additional weaponry.

Over the course of the ensuing hour, the covert teams of more than one-hundred men knocked out sentries and those at various duty stations with powerful tranquilizer darts as they moved through the base. Then in knowing that those men and women would not stir for at least six hours, they headed toward the barracks to take care of the soldiers who were sleeping in their bunks.

Quick and efficient in their task, the teams then proceeded to drag those from the outside who had been tranquilized into the barracks. With all weapons being removed from within, the doors were then locked and boarded shut. Those who had been on desk duty in various buildings were also gathered and placed within a conference room under the same conditions. When it was done more than five-hundred had been subdued and detained, and when the men and women would awake, they could be easily guarded in their containment. As an added precaution all communication systems on the base were rendered inoperable, and the mission, at least in the Red River location, had been a complete success.

With the date being little more than three weeks from the summer solstice, the total number of hours when there was daylight was near its peak on the twenty-ninth of May. Even so, as the predawn light began to tinge the eastern sky, the leader of the covert teams made contact with his superior.

He was pleased to report a simple coded message of, “Wish that you could be here with us. We have caught the daily limit on the Red River.”

A few hundred miles to the west, the second of the simultaneous incursions was also underway. However with the large compliment of personnel stationed upon it, there was no hope of securing that base with similar tactics. Based upon earlier covert reconnaissance missions, the Joint Chiefs had been aware of that from nearly the beginning of the planning stage. That was part of the reason why a northern diversion along Interstate-40 had become a necessary element within the development of their plan. Even so, the grand scheme did require current covert observation from near the base and the reporting of any escalating activity if nothing else. Then if the observation should reveal a weak point which could be exploited, the covert teams would be ordered to cause whatever disturbance they could at Sheppard Air Force Base to the north of Wichita Falls.

Via southbound Interstate-44 from Oklahoma, a handful of SUV’s crossed the Red River at staggered intervals to enter Texas. The first, like the recreational vehicles moving through Texarkana, led the way at one o’clock. A few miles later it exited the interstate and drove toward a predesignated parking spot before the others followed in similar fashion. Fanning out along Bailey Road they had clear views of the airfield where they could monitor the air traffic departing from the base and report those findings to their superiors.

While they were doing so, a small convoy of trucks was in full readiness at the first interstate exit within Oklahoma. Should they be called upon, that convoy would also enter Texas at staggered times before regrouping within a few miles of the base. Each would pay the tariff for transporting perishable food or other goods without question, and should the specially designed cargo holds of the single trailers be opened for a casual inspection, it was doubtful that the men inside would be discovered without a most thorough search.

Although the airfield remained quiet at first, the action suddenly picked up around three-thirty. First there was a pair of small reconnaissance aircraft to lift off, and they immediately assumed a northwesterly heading. Then with the aid of long-range scopes, the observation teams could clearly see that a squadron of cargo planes was being readied for takeoff as well. Some were being loaded with trucks and equipment, while others were taking on hundreds of troops. As the planes then took off in rapid succession and assumed the same northwesterly heading, the observation teams had their answer.

In similar fashion to his equal at Red River, the leader of the covert observation team contacted his superior to report.

Then in using his required coded message said, “A heavy flock has left their Sheppard, and they are well suited for the journey.”