The Fall of America | Book 10 | No Winners

by Benton, W. R.

  He dozed off again and awoke when the pilot said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking, and I am Major Olegovna, and we will be landing in Moscow shortly. I have straight in clearance, so you expect to be on the ground in ten minutes. I want those able to walk to disembark first, then the litter cases will be removed. The temperature outside is -23 Celsius with a heavy snow. Transportation will be waiting for us, so climb on the green military buses when you leave the aircraft. Stewards, prepare for landing."

  A series of bells were heard as the aircraft began to lower gradually. Finally the tires touched the runway with a loud thud, followed by a screech. The flaps came up and the engines were reversed as the brakes were applied. The aircraft shivered and shook as it slowed down and finally came to a stop. They then taxied to some waiting buses.

  Two hours later, while resting his eyes, someone entered Filippovna's hospital room and began messing with his medications. He slightly opened his right eye. It appeared to be a male nurse.

  "What are you doing?" he asked. The man looked out of place still wearing a parka, with whites underneath the coat.

  "Following orders. I am to give you a shot." At first the man looked startled.

  "What kind of shot?"

  "Something to help you sleep. I just came on duty and before I could even remove my coat the doctor sent me here.”

  "I do not want a shot, so go away."

  "I cannot; see, I was paid good money to give you this shot. It is a syringe filled with poisonous spider venom, from the Sydney funnel-web spider, or the Atrax robustus. The death is an easy one and fast, very little pain as your major organs slowly shut down, but the first to go is usually the heart."

  When the man leaned over to inject the poison into the IV pick, the Colonel struck him at the very tip of his nose, drove bone and cartilage into the mans brain, killing him. He collapsed instantly and, since he fell unnaturally, the Colonel knew he was dead. He picked up his nurse call button and pushed it.

  Minutes later a nurse entered and asked, "What do you need? Are you in pain?"

  "No, but this man just tried to kill me."

  Looking surprised she said, "You are joking. Is that a man on the floor?"

  "Yes, it is a dead man. He said he was going to kill me by placing a poisonous spider venom in my IV. When he leaned over, I drove his nose into his brain, killing him."

  The nurse moved to the downed form and found no pulse. She then hurried to the phone in the room and called the officer at front desk security, reporting a dead body in the room. She gave the desk what information they needed and the police were called.

  She gave Filippovna a sedative and then left the room, waiting for the police.

  Knowing the police could very well be on someones payroll to have him killed, he removed all the needles and wires connected to him and changed clothes with the dead man. He took everything the dead man owned, including his 9 MM pistol with silencer. He then combed his hair and left the room, walking toward an elevator.

  As he walked down a street covered in snow and ice, he knew he needed a hotel room, but for sure not one close to the hospital. He flagged down a taxi and hired him to take him to the other side of town. Once there, he got out at a food market and started looking for a hotel. He knew he had the equivalence of $300 cash in his stolen wallet, and $100 of his own money in his coat pocket. In Russian rubles he had 31,748.80 ₽ and while that was a goodly amount, he had no idea when he'd come into money again.

  An hour later, he spotted a rundown looking hotel and went in to get a room for a few nights.

  The clerk was bored and not well paid, so he was slow to rise when the Colonel entered.

  "Can I get a room for a couple of nights?"

  "Sure, the cost of a room here is 634.98₽ rubles a night. How many nights do you wish to stay? That is eight American dollars, by the way.”

  "A week, uh, I guess? What is the best deal you can give me?"

  "The normal cost would be 4444.83₽ but I can let you have it for 3968.60₽. How does that sound?"

  "I will take it."

  "You must work at a hospital or for a doctor."

  "Oh, the white clothes, sure I do, and I am a doctor. I just need a low cost room to get by until my things arrive in Moscow. I am relocating."

  "Good luck with your move. Here is your key, and I need the money up front before you go to the room." The clerk held the key in his hand.

  Pulling out a wad of Russian notes, he paid the man and then asked, "Where is a cheap place to eat around here?" The clerk then handed him the key.

  "I use the family restaurant, across the street. The food is low cost and excellent. It is very good for the price."

  "Glad to hear that and I will check it out later. Can I get you to send me up two bottles of top shelf vodka? What is your price?"

  "₽396.86 a bottle."

  He paid the clerk again and then said, "Bring the vodka up quickly, because I have a bad headache from the flight here."

  "It will be there very shortly, sir."

  The room was nothing fancy, but it beat sleeping in a ditch or a hole dug in the woods. It had a roof and bed and that's all he needed. He'd just finished peeing when he heard a knock on the door.

  "Who is it?"

  "Room service, sir."

  He opened the door to see the same clerk, now holding two quarts of good vodka.

  "Come in." the Colonel said.

  "Your drink, sir."

  "Thank you." he said and tossed the man a tip.

  "I can get you anything you need. How about a woman?"

  "No, I will, uh, skip the woman. If I need one, I will find my own, okay?"

  Edging to the door, the clerk said, "My name is Gaspar in case you want anything. Just let me know."

  "No, I am fine, but thank you."

  The clerk left and the Colonel began to think of his situation and how to get out of it and still save his ass. The Colonel back in the states obviously did not want to give him his farm or keep any other part of their agreement. He might even be on a hit list, but the man he killed might have been just a man that did odd jobs for the Colonel. He'd have to wait and see.

  The room had an old black and white TV on a stand, so he turned it on and listened to the news for a bit as he dressed his wound using white wash cloths from the bathroom. As he bandaged his injury, he sipped on the vodka.

  "Police today were sent to the Burdenko Military Hospital where they ran into a very strange situation. Seems someone tried to kill a patient, but the patient killed his attacker. The police say the patient then changed clothes with his attacker and fled the facility. Where he ran to is still unknown. The attacker had a syringe filled with the most poisonous spider venom in the world, venom from the Sydney funnel-web spider. Police have no clues as to the motivation behind the attack or why the intended victim ran away. According to military records, Colonel Filippovna had just returned to Russia this morning on a flight from the war with America. We are starting to see more of our men returning home.

  The officers investing the death stated that the police have some questions for Filippovna, but he is not in any serious trouble because it was obviously self-defense. If you see this man," Danya's image appeared, "please contact the Moscow police. We will be right back after a word from our sponsors."

  "Well, the cops are not looking for me too hard." he said as he put his white shirt back on. He then moved to the bathroom and wiped blood from the underside of the coat collar, as he thought, They will have too much serious crime on their hands to be spending much time looking for me, but the military will be looking hard. Maybe if things quiet down, I can return to the military by the end of the week. They will never doubt the word of a Full Colonel on why I was gone. I will tell the truth, someone was out to kill me and I went into hiding.

  He finished two full glasses of vodka, because it was the only pain killer he had with him. After an hour of watching television he fell asleep and woke near 1700 hou
rs. He then put on his coat and went across the street for supper.

  Later that night he was up because his pain had increased and he was drinking the strong vodka to kill his pain. He had the TV on, but the volume was so low it might as well have been off. He was watching a story about how important it was to save the wild animals and how poachers were killing many them just for trophies.

  He heard a slight noise in the hallway, just outside his door. So he moved behind a sofa and watched the door knob. Glancing at his watch, he noticed it was 0130. No one visits at this hour, he thought.

  After a minute or two the doorknob slowly began to turn. Whoever was turning the knob didn't want to wake the Colonel up, which meant they were out to hurt him. He prepared himself mentally to charge the person once they entered and moved for his bed.

  He had a weapon, but his heart was beating loudly in his chest and he knew if the man recovered quickly he was a dead man. Remembering how well he was trained, he pushed his fear back and readied himself.

  Chapter 19

  Dallas, Texas, Wednesday, 0900 Hundred Hours

  John had been presented all of his medals, by the Partisans and Chinese, so he stood tall as he waited for the General to end what he thought was a dog and pony show.

  The General said, "Joy, would you be nice enough to come forward to pin John's second star on his coat with me?"

  She stood, smiled, and walked forward. She knew John hated ceremony, but she felt he was long overdue a promotion and the medals. This promotion was automatic and came with the Medal of Honor. Regardless, she knew he was a good man and integrity was his middle name. If anyone deserved what was being presented to John today, it was him.

  The single star was removed and replaced by two stars on each collar. Then the General said, "Congratulations to our newest Major General. Let's give a big hand for our latest national hero."

  Everyone clapped and John's face turned red, but Joy loved it.

  "John, by the way, is the man who worked out the Russian withdrawal from America, and he's a man that I feel will go far. His name will go down in history books as the man who stopped the Russian War. John, I salute your love and service to our country."

  John lowered his head and said, "You're welcome, sir."

  "Gentlemen, our newest General is buying the drinks at the Officers and NCO open mess tonight!" the four star said, and then grinned.

  "Ten-huuuut" The Sergeant Major said as the General turned and left the room.

  A Three Star General then yelled, "At ease."

  It was only then that John felt comfortable, but almost every man and woman in the room wanted to shake his hand. They lined up and one by one they moved to John. He knew he'd been publicly presented his medals and promotion because as a soon to be new nation, America needed new heroes and John, much to his dismay, was now one of them.

  Thirty minutes later, he was in the officers club, having a late breakfast with Joy.

  As they ate, Joy said, "I was so proud of you today, honey. I know you don't feel you deserve all those medals, but you really do. If I've learned nothing else in the military, it's they don't just give medals and promotions out. Each one has to be earned."

  "So many men and women fought hard to get rid of the Russians, and it's hard for me to be awarded medals for heroism when many of them died or were maimed in some horrible fashion."

  "I can understand that, but with the big medal you'll never be the same as before it was awarded. But, I spoke with the Four Star General and he told me your days of missions and fighting are over."

  John chuckled and then took a sip of his coffee.

  "Of course, I loved to hear that, because I want you safe. John, not long ago you asked me to marry you and I said the time was not right. If, uh, if you uh, still meant that, I feel our time will never be better than it is at this moment."

  "Do you mean that? I mean, you want to marry me now?"

  "Yes, but not at this exact minute." She laughed.

  "When then?"

  "Say a week or two."

  "I can't believe this. This must be the best day of my life!" He wanted to scream with excitement. This wonderful woman would soon be his forever woman.

  Joy leaned over and after she kissed his nose, she said, "I've always loved you, but before the Russians signed the peace treaty we had no future, except death."

  "I need to get back to the room and relax some. I'm wound up tighter than a cheap two dollar watch. Are you finished eating?"

  "I've had enough to eat. Let's go and see if we can get you calmed down some." She laughed as she stood.

  Back in their room John said, "Care to lay down with me to take a nap?"

  "I think you're just trying to get me in bed, huh?"

  "While I do like that idea, I really need a nap before I fall over. I didn't sleep well last night knowing I'd have to go along with all this ceremonial stuff this morning."

  "Sure, I'll cuddle up and sleep with you." she said and then smiled.

  They'd been asleep for about an hour when the room phone rang.

  "Hello?" John said, still half a sleep as he answered the call.

  "I'm sorry sir, did I wake you? This is Master Sergeant Tom Wheeler and I am your new assistant, sir."

  "Yes, but it's okay. What do you need from me?"

  "In the morning we're to travel back to the base and while its not been discussed much, you will take command when we arrive. Now since it's a base made up of all the branches of the services, they earned a Two Star General as commander and I'm proud it's you, sir. We will take your private car to the base and we need to leave here at 0400 hours, in order to get there in time for stand up, where you'll be introduced."

  "I don't have my uniforms ready. I'm not sure where my uniforms are except for my dress uniform I wore today. I'd like to wear something more appropriate when I leave in the morning."

  "Relax sir, I have all your military uniforms with me. I'll have the new rank sewn on today and have them pressed. I think wearing a utility uniform will be the best bet, sir."

  "Russian uniforms, right?"

  "Yep, but the rank will be the old American rank of two stars, sir. I will have your uniforms with me when you're at the club tonight too, sir. I'll put them in your staff car."

  "Car? Are you the driver?"

  "No, sir, that's a Corporal Thomas Hines."

  "Okay, anything else?"

  "Your driver, car and three bodyguards will be at the front of the hotel at 1800 tonight, so you can attend your promotion party. I know you dislike these things, but they are needed. Show up, shake some hands, and then after maybe an hour we can leave. Everyone with green on will be there, sir."

  "I can take an hour of shaking and grinning, I guess."

  "Good, sir. Now I have to drop off all of your uniforms to be pressed."

  "Thanks, Sergeant."

  "You're welcome, because it's my job, sir."

  "Goodbye." John said and then put the phone handset on the cradle.

  "Who was that?" Joy asked as she turned to look at him.

  "My aide. He says we need to be out front at 1800 hours to go to my promotion party at the officers club. Then, we're leaving at 0400 in the morning to drive to our old base where I'll be the new Base Commander."

  "John, just think, we can get married at the new base. They'll have a preacher and even a small chapel of some sort, maybe even a tent church."

  He took her head in his hands and, holding her still, he kissed her cheek and said, "I'd marry you in a swamp if I could. Where matters little to me as long as it happens. I've loved and lost in this war, but I want us together for forever."

  John and Joy spent the afternoon laying in bed and talking, but of course that created the perfect time to love each other and they did a few times. Finally at 1700 hours they changed and John wore his uniform with the two stars and stood proudly wearing his Medal of Honor around his neck; it wasn't worn for him, but for all those who died and gave their best in defense of th
is country. Knowing peace would finally come, he smiled knowing he and the others volunteered and put all their tomorrows at risk to fight for the right to be free. Most of the partisans died quickly at first, but after a while they learned how to stay alive, and they also learned how to kill more Russians as the years passed. Soon there would be no more Russians, so then what? Would there be the civil war most feared?

  "You're awful quiet. What are you thinking on so heavily?" Joy asked.

  "The future of this nation. Over the years of bloody fighting with invaders, and our nation is not any closer to being together now than we were before the Russians came."

  "I don't think that's true. I'm sure all the partisans could form a political party and then other parties could form. They could join together after choosing a leader and go forward. Who knows, that leader could even be you."

  "We'd just have to make sure communism and socialism are not part of the election process. We have no means of providing equally to our citizens."

  "Then keep them out. I know you ignored the comment about you being the leader, but someone has to be. Give it some thought."

  "Come, we need to get to the curb for my car, the driver is waiting. We're late."

  When he returned to the army, he would make it known that he'd feared for his life. The only weapon he had was a stolen steak knife from the place he'd eaten and the pistol he'd taken from the man trying to kill him in the hospital. He watched the door knob and it continued to rotate slowly and then it stopped. How many men were out there, he wondered?

  The door opened and the light in the hallway was so bright, all he could see was the silhouette of a dark form standing in front of the bright light and holding a gun in his left hand. The dark form moved into the hotel room and slowly, very quietly closed the door. He moved to near the bed and strained his eyes to see a person in the bed, but he saw nothing.

  "Damn me, I pay the damned clerk ₽1590 Rubles and that fool of a Colonel is not even in the room. Well, I shall wait for him and drink his vodka, he will not need it ever again once I meet him tonight." The hired killer spoke aloud to himself.