"This was once the land of milk and honey, or do you not know? Just a few short years ago, Americans were the richest people on earth, with all owning big expensive cars, new homes, and making more money in a day than we earn in a month."
"That may be so, but I am still earning my money while their whole country has fallen. I just hope I am able to retire before the d.a.m.ned Chinese start warring with us. There are too many of them to fight in this place."
"I have heard the Chinese were warned to leave us alone or we will use tactical nuclear weapons against them."
Belonev laughed and once quiet again, he said, "So, we use a nuc and kill, let"s say a million Chinese; that will not put a dent in their population. The Chinese fear no country and as Asians, I feel they cannot be trusted."
t.i.tov said, "I had an uncle who served as a military adviser in the Korean war against the Americans. It was a long time ago, 1952, and he"s dead now, but as a young boy he told me the Chinese only have one tactic in war-overrun the enemy by numbers. He claimed he once saw a thousand Koreans and Chinese attack a small American outpost, and while they won the battle, the Americans killed almost ten of them for each man they lost. It is not the smart way to fight a war."
The Master Sergeant shrugged and said, "I am tired of the army and of war. I just want a chair in my home, a bottle at my side, and my wife cooking in her kitchen."
Suddenly shots were heard, followed by an explosion. Screams for help were heard in Russian, and both men moved toward their troops.
Three Americans, one a woman, broke from the front door of a house, each tossed a grenade, and the resulting blast knocked Russian soldiers over like a huge hand slapping toys. More screams were heard, in both languages, and automatic fire was heard from across the street. The three Americans fell, one screeching and jerking, but the other two unmoving. t.i.tov moved to the injured man screaming, pulled his pistol, and shot the him in the head.
"Men, bang on the front doors to the homes and order people out. If they do not come out, toss in a grenade. Then enter the home after the explosion and remove those still alive." Belonev ordered, hoping to control the confusion among his men. I should be back at the base sipping on a bottle of vodka, he thought.
t.i.tov was walking toward the Master Sergeant when the front of his head exploded, sending brains, blood and gore in all directions. The warrant officer"s body fell like a limp rag doll, jerking and twitching as his central nervous system shutdown.
"Sniper!" someone screamed.
Then at an even rate, four shots were fired and four soldiers fell, each fatally injured.
"Senior Sergeant, the sniper is in the church tower. Gather your squad and flank the position, while we keep him pinned down. Now, d.a.m.n you, move!" The Master Sergeant screamed.
The Senior Sergeant took about ten steps running, then he was struck in the chest, which sprayed the ground behind him with bone and blood. He fell to the pavement, unmoving. His men continued to run.
The Master Sergeant noticed his men made it to the relative safety of the buildings across the street and then disappeared down the alleys. "Fire at the church steeple! Cover our men!" Belonev screamed.
An explosion was heard near the church and then it grew quiet. Five minutes later three soldiers started toward the sergeant.
Suspecting the sniper was long gone, or dead, the Sergeant stood and ordered, "Start collecting people and do it now!"
Minutes later the three men walked to him. A husky looking Junior Sergeant said, "The sniper was gone before we got there, and we lost six men to a mine as we entered the church. The door opened easily enough, but once the lead man was moving across the main floor it exploded. I think it was an American Claymore mine. It tore our men to pieces."
"Good job, all of you. You, Junior Sergeant Arsov, are now a Senior Sergeant and will be running a squad as soon as I can get you some replacements. I will make sure your bravery is known to the commander and have an extra ration of drink sent to you after we return. I suspect you will receive a medal for your actions."
It took the Russians almost three hours to round up the one hundred captives they wanted and it cost them ten more men in the process. Unlike when the Germans had gathered the Jews in the Second World War, the Americans did not go willingly into captivity. They resisted with tooth and nail, when they lacked guns or explosives. Most of the civilians were beaten and a few were near death when the trucks started moving once more.
At dawn, in a drizzling rain, one hundred and twenty people were pushed onto the lawn of the Mississippi Capital Building. Colonel Vetrov was discussing the round up of the hostages and the number of soldiers lost the night before. He was furious, and asked, "What in the h.e.l.l can be so hard about gathering civilians?"
"Our intelligence indicated the part of town we raided was fairly pa.s.sive, but we were wrong, and our men were actually dealing with part of the resistance." Pankov stated, knowing his words would bring immediate anger.
His eyes narrowed and his face grew red as Vetrov turned to his chief of intelligence and said, "I suggest you do a better job of gathering information, Colonel, or the next time I might just add you to the condemned group. I will no longer accept failure in my command. Do you understand me?"
"I understand, sir." The Colonel replied. You arrogant sonofab.i.t.c.h, my father may be retired, but he has many connections still in the army. I will write him tonight.
"Good. Lieutenant Ivanov, come to me, please."
A young officer, barely old enough to shave, neared and saluted.
"I understand you had a number of men killed while near a small town west of here, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir, ten men."
"In a few minutes the Russian army will have it"s revenge, Lieutenant, and I would like to give you the honor of being in command as we do so."
Looking around, the lieutenant saw no one to command. There was a company of men surrounding the hostages, under the leadership of a Captain, a score of high ranking officers and few American civilians. Confused, he asked, "What am I to take command of, sir?"
"The execution of the Americans. I want all of them killed."
"Y . . . yes, sir." Lieutenant Ivanov said, but his mind was going a thousand miles an hour. These people are unarmed and this is murder, but I have my orders and cannot refuse. If I refuse, I will shame my family, and there must be a reason for their deaths. I will do this, because a lieutenant does not know all reasons and cannot question an order.
"There are three machine guns in position, so all you have to do is give the command. The gunners have already been informed."
Lieutenant Ivanov hesitated, so Vetrov added, "Simply move your men a safe distance away from the civilians and start shooting. Once the guns grow silent, have a couple of squads move through the Americans and shoot any still alive."
Knowing he had no choice, Ivanov moved to the front of the ma.s.s of people and called out, "I want all soldiers to move away from the Americans, now." He watched as his soldiers moved and once well out of danger, he stood looking at his enemy. He saw old men, children, and women. Looking closer, he spotted a small American flag held in the hand of a pregnant woman near the center front.
It was deathly quiet, except for those about to die, and he heard them praying. He didn"t understand English, except for a few words, but if he had, he would have noticed they were not praying for themselves. They were praying for the preservation of their country, for unity, and that their deaths, like thousands of others, be avenged by the resistance.
They"d already made their peace with G.o.d, and were ready to die.
Vetrov said, "Lieutenant, give the order when you are ready."
Pulling his pistol from his holster, the young soldier shouted, "Fire!"
The three machine guns opened up at the same time and the gunners were excellent, firing short bursts that knocked the doomed from their feet. Bullets went through five or more bodies before striking the wall behind the people and ricocheting into the air with a loud zing. Ivanov saw body parts flying through the air and heard the screams of the seriously injured and dying. He closed his eyes and attempted to shut out the noise. Finally, it grew quiet.
An occasional moan or groan was heard as Lieutenant Ivanov yelled, "You men on the left, move into the people and put them out of their misery. I want none left alive. Now, move!"
Turning to Pankov, Vetrov said, "Colonel, that is the way a Russian officer obeys orders. I suspect you could learn a great deal from our young lieutenant."
"Yes, sir, I have noticed." Pankov replied as he thought, This will eventually take you down, Colonel, and it has never work in any country I have studied. The people will now rise up in a ma.s.s to crush you, you dumb b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Unfortunately, it will take all of us down with you.
CHAPTER 3.
Moving forward, Jay rigged two claymore mines and placed the clackers close at hand. As a man who"d survived more than one ambush and numerous attempts on his life, it was hard to believe ten years ago he was an English high school teacher. He removed the tape holding the spoons down on his grenades and placed two at his side. Then, picking up his rifle, he flipped the safety off. He was ready, but he already felt the sharp teeth of antic.i.p.ation gnawing on his stomach. Once a battle started, his anxiety always disappeared with the sound of the first shot. It could be another cell of ours or Russians, he thought, and it"s better to be prepared if things turn to s.h.i.t.
Dolly gave a low growl, so John said, "Easy, girl. Quiet."
The approaching group was closer now, less than a two hundred feet, and all saw they were wearing a mixture of BDU"s, jeans, and other civilian clothing, which meant they were likely their own troops. Then, John spotted Lieutenant Joshua Holland in the center of the group. His point man was nearing so he called out, "That"s close enough. Who are you, and why are you on our a.s.ses?"
The man froze, looked around as if he was unsure of John"s position, and then replied, "We"re a cell from Colonel Parker"s group. I"m Sergeant Macon Brown, but who are you?"
"Who I am isn"t important right now. Is that ugly man in the middle of your group Lieutenant Joshua Holland?"
The man relaxed, smiled, and then replied, "Uh-huh, that"s him."
"I"m going to stand, but keep your finger away from the trigger. Right now, there are five rifles and shotguns aimed at you. Do you understand?"
"Stand, you"re safe enough."
He stood, gave a big grin, and asked, "How have you been, Brown?"
Dolly sat up beside John, but remained quiet and didn"t move.
"I"m livin", so I guess I"m doin" fine. The Lieutenant will be here in a few minutes."
"Son, ya need to start payin" more attention to where you"re walkin". Didn"t you see any sign of our pa.s.sing?"
"No, very little sign that I could tell."
Either we"re good, or this boy had his head up his a.s.s as he moved, John thought, but asked, "Why are you following us?"
Scratching his cheek, Brown said, "I was given a compa.s.s headin", and I"ve been followin" it the whole time." He was of average size, thin, with long brown hair and beard.
John guessed his age to be mid-twenties and he had a reputation as being sharp. Well, somewhere along the way today he screwed up, if he didn"t know we were in front of him, he thought.
Holland was close now and the man smiled in recognition. He was tall, just over six feet, wore a nicely trimmed beard of black, and sported a crew-cut. This day he was wearing a camouflage ball cap, BDU blouse, and jeans.
"John, excuse me for not saluting, but what are ya doin" out this way?" He asked, his teeth white and even. His smile was contagious, so John smiled in return.
"Movin" to our area after the break up, and you?"
"Same. Are you headin" straight north?"
"Nope, so why don"t you pa.s.s through us and go about your business? We"ll be behind you for a while, then change directions."
"We can do that."
"Joshua, your point man Brown never knew we were in front of him, so either we"re good or he"s got his head up his a.s.s. Usually he"s pretty sharp, so I feel the need to warn you." John said in a voice just above a whisper.
Shaking his head, Holland replied, "He lost his wife during our prisoner exchange, and when I asked him about it, he said he could still do the job."
"Well, I suspect he can"t do the job. You do as you wish, but I"d replace him with somebody else for a week or so."
Turning, Joshua spotted a man and said, "Hart, take our point. Brown, you slip back and walk drag a while." The Lieutenant then winked at me.
"Jay, pull the claymores and the rest of you saddle up; we"ll leave after these folks pa.s.s."
Shaking John"s hand, Joshua said, "Best of luck to you, John. I suspect we"re in for some really hard times. Not sure, but I might move down about two miles and call it a day. We"ll be gone at first light."
John nodded and said, "Watch your a.s.s, buddy."
He turned, motioned his group forward and in a few short minutes, they were gone.
"We"ll give "em fifteen minutes, then I want Jay on point, and Margie on drag. Jay, keep your eyes open and stop if you feel something out of place. Just because they"re in front of us, doesn"t make us any safer." He said and then scratched Dolly"s head.
"What direction?" Jay asked.
"West for a mile or so. I want to be in position before darkness catches us unprepared."
"I hear ya." Jay replied, and then stuck the mines back in his backpack.
Two hours later, they were in their night position, Claymores were in place, and John established a guard schedule. The weather was warm, but not hot, and the overhead sky was clear. Those who"d not eaten before, now had chow. He opened an entree` and placed it in front of Dolly, watching it disappear in seconds. He smiled when she turned and stuck her big head in his lap.
Sandra, who was sitting beside him grinned as she said, "She"s always been a daddy"s girl, but you know that, huh?"
"She loves you too, but she knows she"s special to me. At times, I really miss the other dogs, especially Newt and Skillet."
"I do too, but we"d better stop the chatter, because it"s hard to say who we share these woods with tonight."
She made sense, so he didn"t reply. Newt, you were such a lovable and fun dog, he thought and then remembered Skillet. He was huge, well over 150 pounds, and a big baby. I don"t think he ever realized just how big he was, but then I remembered the day I put him down. Enough of this, you need to get some sleep.
He pulled a blanket from his pack and was asleep in seconds.
He had no idea how long he"d been sleep, when he felt a gentle tap to his left boot. He opened his eyes and saw Jay. He leaned close, cupped his hands around John"s ear and whispered, "I just heard one h.e.l.l of a fight north of us. Gunfire and explosions. It was too far away to estimate distance."
His mind shifted to Holland and his group. He whispered back, "Wake another person and two on guard for the rest of the night. We can"t help whoever stepped in the s.h.i.t, so keep your eyes open."
John saw him nod in the moonlight, so he went back to sleep.
Dawn arrived with gray clouds moving fast overhead and it brought a threat of rain. He donned his poncho, took a sip of water from his canteen and then said, "We"ll move back on our original course this morning. Now, according to Jay, a firefight took place far enough away that he heard it, but not close enough to wake any of us. If we come to the place where the fight occurred, do not touch anything and keep moving. It is very likely the bodies will have b.o.o.by-traps, and keep your eyes open for mines or lines running across the trail. I don"t know what we"ll find, so stay alert this morning."
"Why don"t we just move off a bit when we come to it?" Sandra asked.
"We may do that, but a lot depends on what I feel and see when we"re there. Now, let"s move. I want Tom on point and Jay on drag."
Less than an hour later, Tom stopped and motioned John forward. They could see bodies and the dead looked to be Americans, but who John couldn"t tell. He pointed at Tom and drew a circle in the air. The man nodded and moved away, to return about ten minutes later.
"It looks like it"s clear. As near as I can tell, they were ambushed while moving."
"Any idea who they are?"
"It was Holland"s group, but the only body I got close enough to see was Brown"s, the man they had on point yesterday. I spotted other bodies in the brush, but didn"t want to do more than just look right now."
"Jay?"
"Yo."