He poured a drink and sat on the sofa, right in front of Danya. The Colonel took the knife in his right hand and threw his left arm around the killer’s upper neck. Taking the steak knife, he sliced the man's throat from ear to ear, smiling as his life's blood spurted each time his heart beat. Two minutes later the killer quivered twice, gave a low moan, soiled his trousers and fell back limply. He was dead.
The colonel poured a glass of vodka, took a long drink and thought, "Now that I have him out of the way I can go to the Army. I must be where I'm protected or I'll not live a week. Once I retire, my farm will probably be taken away and perhaps even my retirement pay will amount to little then. I may become a beggar on the street,” he thought as he took the pistol from the floor, saw it had a silencer, and placed it on an end table, along with all the man was carrying and that included two spare magazines of ammo and over $200 in American dollars or 15897₽ Rubles. He pulled the man over by the window and left his body there. He'd slept with dead bodies around him before, so this would not be his first. His maid would be shocked in the morning to find a stiff in her room. He drank three glasses of vodka and then went back to bed. He slept soundly overnight.
He'd bought some second hand clothing the day before and once awake, he dressed like every man in Moscow, including a rain coat, and checked out of the hotel. He'd left the maid a 8060₽ ruble tip, mainly because of the dead man. The address he'd used to check in was fictitious and was actually an open field on the south side of the big city.
"I enjoyed my stay with you." he said as he dropped off the key.
"Good, and I hope you will stay with us again the next time you visit Moscow. We pride ourselves in providing the best for our customers."
The Colonel nodded, but said nothing as he turned and walked out of the hotel. He'd been tempted to kill the clerk because he'd given his room number to the assassin, but didn't.
He flagged down a taxi and was taken to the nearest military base. Kubinka Air Base was an air base in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of Kubinka. There were also thousands of army personnel assigned, mainly working in base security or manning defensive positions.
The guard at the front gate wanted to see the new Colonel’s identification, but Filippovna got pissed and demanded to see a senior officer or NCO. Minutes later a Major arrived and Danya informed him who he was and that he'd left his ID in the hospital after the hit man was killed. He further went on talking about people trying to kill him since.
"Junior Sergeant, verify we have a Colonel Filippovna in the Russian Army, then get his description. If it all goes well, you will escort the man to personnel for a new identification card. Hurry the job up, too, because I think the Colonel is about to lose his patience with the main gate here. I will wait until you verify we have a man by his name in the computers."
"Yes, sir, I will find out in a few seconds, sir."
A couple of minutes later the Sergeant said, "He is in the system, sir, and the description and photograph fit him well. He was promoted from Senior Sergeant to Colonel last month for heroic action in combat. He is a member of Spetsnaz, too, sir."
"Where he works is of no importance to us, but the fact he is a Full Colonel matters. Now, take him to personnel and if they give you and the Colonel a hard time, call me."
"Colonel, if you will come with me, sir."
Two hours later, he had his belongings and bags he'd brought from America with him in his Senior Officers Quarters on the base. He'd remain here until the army decided where to send him.
It was close to supper when two members of the Investigative Committee dropped in to talk with him about why he left the hospital suddenly. He had seen a real doctor a couple of hours before and was on pain killer medication.
"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" he asked. "Please, be seated on my sofa, both of you."
"We have some questions about why you left the hospital. We will not take much of your time either, sir." They had their identification cards and badges out. They both sat on the old sofa.
"Ask away. Drink?" He replied as he poured a glass of vodka.
"No, thank you, sir, we are on duty."
"So, I imagine you want to know why I left the hospital in such a hurry, huh?"
"Yes sir, and also where you went."
"Well, after I caught the killer trying to put poisonous venom in my IV, I was scared and trusted no one. Of course being Spetsnaz, killing the man was easy, but how did I know he was really alone? Who should I trust and not trust? I had no way of knowing so I changed clothes with him and left the hospital.
The man had some money in his pockets, so I picked him clean and found a flea bag of a hotel to stay in for seven days. I figured by then I could come here and report as I did earlier today. I fled because I trusted no one and felt my life was in serious danger. I still ended up killing a hit man a few days back and left the body in my room. Yes, he was out to kill me too."
"We suspected you because it was covered by the noon news yesterday and today, and how the maid almost fainted when a dead man was found under your window. The name you used, Anatolievich, could not be verified by us as a living Moscow resident, and the plot of grass you gave as an address, well, I found it all humorous."
"It was the name of my late grandfather, Sonin Luka Anatolievich, and he was a good man. I was in a bind and could trust no one at the time."
"We found no weapons in the hotel room and that lead me to believe you had taken it along with all he called his own. We found no wallet and no money on him."
"Money is safety when a man is in trouble, so I took a little bit of cash from him, a 9mm pistol and three magazines of ammo. I am keeping the pistol."
Both the agents were writing now, and one asked, "Did you know either of the men you killed?"
"Never seen them before, which makes me think there is a hit contract out on me."
"You lost me. Just because two men try to kill you, you think a hit has been put out on you? Do you know someone who may hate you enough to want you dead?"
"Someone has offered a huge amount of money for me to be knocked off, and I think it was the last Colonel I worked for. In America I was made a Full Colonel by him, and was promised a small farm with 100 acres of land. As a Spetsnaz sniper, a Senior Sergeant, all I had to do was kill one man. I did the job and then the Colonel must have changed his mind and instead of rewarding me, I guess he wants to kill me."
"We will look into that too. We have some undercover men who will find out who put the contract out on you."
"He promoted me from a Senior Sergeant to a Full Colonel in one day."
"Fast promotion, huh?" one of the agents said.
"I killed his American General for him and here I am. I still fear the power of those two Colonels."
"If you mean Colonel Igorevich or Colonel Andreevich, they were both killed yesterday when Chinese bombers hit the base. While the Russians and the Americans have a treaty, the Chinese never signed any agreement to a cease fire or to leave the war."
"He is dead? Do you have confirmation of their deaths?"
"I saw photographs of their deaths and both were a mess. No doubt in my mind they were dead. Colonel Igorevich had his head sitting on his chest."
"With the reward money gone, the reason to kill me is missing. I just need to stay out of sight a while until the killers learn there is no money to be earned by killing me."
"That makes sense. Glad to see you are alive and well, Colonel. I suspect you will never have your farm now, but your threat is now dead."
"As a Colonel, I can buy a farm with my retirement pay. I just hate living like the whole world wants me dead."
"I can understand that. Listen, we are going to recommend the Army drop the charges of murder and going Absent Without Leave. Since we are the primary investigators in this case, I suspect they will follow our suggestions. We do not see any way you could avoid killing those two men."
"Thank you. Anything el
se I can provide you?"
Standing and knowing the talk was finished, the two men shook his hand and the larger of the two said, "No, we have enough information thanks to you. If we need you, we will find you. Best of luck, sir."
Once they were gone, Danya gave a lot of thought to the fact both Colonels were now dead and they could no longer harm him. But, he knew it would take time to get the word out and for hit men to stop looking for him. He also knew no money, no killing. Hit men only worked for cash.
Over the next month he was assigned a temporary job in supply until they could find him a commander's slot in Spetsnaz. Finally, he was assigned as the Colonel in charge of all training, which was a General's position, and he'd speak to each class as they entered training. He'd often pass on his experiences as a Sergeant and he'd share some of his missions. His hope was by speaking to them he could motivate them enough to complete the grueling course. Often whole classes washed out or quit, but he was determined to keep the standards where they were, high. He refused to lower any requirement because men have completed the training before, so the requirements were humanly possible.
Chapter 20
John was nervous and antsy as he waited for the right time to enter the base chapel. It was a tent that worked as a church for the troops assigned to the base. Today he was marrying Joy and he was so excited he could hardly put on his dress uniform for the ceremony. His aide had experienced a rough morning because of the General's nervousness. Now he moved to the front of the tent near the alter, turned and waited as General Watts escorted the bride-to-be to John. They looked so nice together, even if the General’s uniform was lacking many ribbons and medals he'd earned, which no longer mattered to John. All he saw was Joy; she was so beautiful, and in all the eyes of the people there. A wedding gown was out of the question, but she was dressed in white and smiling big enough to light up the whole world.
Five minutes later, MSgt Thomas waited until they were married and then approached the General and saluted him.
"Sir, I have a message for you from the Russians, it's marked "Eyes Only."
"Let me see it. I've rarely gotten a message from anyone with that marking and never from the Russians."
The Sergeant then handed the note to John, who read it and then smiled. He was happy now.
"Good news?" Joy asked.
"Yes, seems the group of businessmen who had you and I, along with other Russians, on a hit list were caught, but were killed in an escape attempt. Now that the war is over and they are dead, we will have peace. Its signed your Russian Friend."
"John, what are you going to do if a Civil War starts once the Russians leave?"
"I have a job I enjoy, but I don't like the idea of fighting other Americans, but I'll do what it takes to keep us free. Communism is out, most of us will not support it, and they shall raise their ugly heads because this would be a great time for them to try and take over. I can't imagine any other political group that would fight over their political beliefs."
They walked from the tent still talking about what they'd do if war came or continued and they both knew deep in their hearts they were ready to die to defend America, the home of the bravest men on earth. Both valued their lives, but they placed more importance on the Country of America, because before, it had been a great place to live, work and raise a family. Some day it would be the same again.
Epilogue
The Civil War they expected never came. John stayed in the Army as the United States started working from the very beginning and developed a new nation, based on the Constitution of the old one. It took another ten years, but finally the United States was once again a respected friend or enemy. During this time, the survivors of the American-Russian War wanted peace and they demanded a balanced budget and little spending, except for the military, social systems, Medicare and a few other programs. There was a 5% federal sales tax and no other taxes in the new America. Private insurance was purchased by the individuals, if they wanted it. There were four political parties in America; Democrats, Social Democrats, Republicans, and Constitutional Republicans.
John: He retired as a Four Star General and spent the last 6 years of his service as the Army's Chief of Staff. He retired, turned ill, and discovered he had radiation poisoning from the suitcase nuke he'd exploded in Pearl, Mississippi. All the while, as his health declined, he knew this was one enemy he'd not defeat. He finally died two years later, with Joy at his side. His only regret was he and Joy had not had children, because of their ages. He was buried with full military honors and the flag that covered his coffin was presented to Joy, who broke down emotionally and had to seek a doctor. Her life, in her opinion, had ended when John's did.
Joy: She left the military and stayed at home to support John and his career. They were always together and his death and funeral almost killed her. Many of the old partisans began to die of diseases brought on by the chemicals, gases, and radiation they were exposed to during the fight for America's freedom. All of the dead partisans had headstones that read, "Partisan, Rank, Russian-American War, name, year born and year died. She was so proud of John's, because his headstone also said, "Congressional Medal of Honor." She died at the age of 96, when an old water heater filled her home with Carbon Monoxide and she passed in her sleep. People from miles around attended her funeral and she was laid to rest beside John. They would now spend eternity together.
Dolly: Two years after the war ended, Dolly turned ill and a veterinarian claimed she had brain cancer, probably from the exposure of radiation or the various chemicals she'd breathed in fighting along side John. At that point, not wanting her to suffer by dying slowly and in deep pain, John had her put down. He held her quietly until she died in his arms and his tears flowed down his cheeks. He never owned another dog, because Dolly had been part of the partisans and she was all he had left that connected him with his previous life, before the fall. She was buried, beside were John would rest, with full military honors and was promoted to Command Sergeant Major for her loyalty to the United States Constitution during the war. Taps was played as John and Joy stood at attention and cried.
The End
NOTE: As the author, I hope you've enjoyed this series and I needed to end it, because I have a different line of books that I think will make a great series. I'm not ready to give the idea out yet, but we'll see how my first manuscript goes and then I'll share it with all of you. Please stay safe during the Pandemic and may God bless you all.
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About the Author
The author has previously authored over 63 books of fiction, non-fiction, action and adventure, and Southern humor. Such notable authors as, Matt Braun, Stephen Lodge, Don Bendell, and many others have endorsed his work. His survival book, “Simple Survival, a Family Outdoors Guide,” is a Silver Award Winner from the Military Writers Society of America. Additionally, this book was recently added to the prestigious Estes Park Library in Colorado.
WR Benton retired from the military in 1997 with over twenty-six years of active duty. As a Vietnam veteran he is a member of the Foreign Legion. He and his wife, Melanie, live in Mississippi on a make believe ranch with thousands of imaginary cows and horses.
WR Benton retired from the military in 1997 with over twenty-six years of active duty.
As a veteran he is a member of the American Foreign Legion. He and his wife live in Mississippi on a make believe ranch with thousands of imaginary cows and horses.
Visit him at his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wrbenton01/
And check his Author Page at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/W-R-Benton/e/B001JPC2EW/
The exciting series continues...in Vol. 4
New World Order:
Payback
A fight for the soul of a fractured
America
Adolpha, the NWO's 'Black Widow' assassin has been captured by the Conservative States and is now being 're-educated', but will the effort succeed? Her mindset, personality, and even loyalties seem to be changing from the treatment and removal of her chip. Or are they..?
In the meantime, the Boss of the New World Order continues his reign of brutal elimination of those unloyal to the new regime. But the Conservative States are planning a new offensive and will take the battle to the heart of the now subverted US Government. Treachery, murder and terrorism are the new norm. The battle is far from over.
Audiobooks by W.R. Benton
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NOW OUT:
The Fall of America: Books 1, 2, 3
in audiobook
New release:
TSUNAMI
Many will die, only a few will survive...the wrath of the waves are unstoppable.
When scientists discover that a large, previously unknown asteroid is on a collision course for Earth they immediately form a plan to intercept it and try to break it apart before it devastates the planet.
The mission is a long shot but unless they try something it's impact will surely kill millions by triggering super-tsunamis and mega-earthquakes on a massive scale. And weather disruptions afterwards may doom even more tens of thousands. Running may not be an option but getting farther inland from any coast could help your odds. This is the story of an ordinary family trying to survive an extraordinary world-changing event. A Survival story like no other!
The Fall of America | Book 10 | No Winners Page 21
