by W. R. Benton
The Sergeant nodded.
Sergeant Major Bob Hall neared and said, “I heard you were here. How are you, sir?” He extended his hand and we shook.
“I'm doin' fine, Bob, any idea how many dead we have?”
“No, not yet, but I suspect we suffered a good 60% loss of all personnel. We lost over a thousand gallons of Mogasi and two bunkers full of munitions. None of that stuff should have been stored so close to the house. They're new and they're learning.”
“When did you get here?”
“I jumped in last night with a detachment of weather folks.”
“Do you know Sergeant Major Gordon Byrd? He's my assigned Top Sergeant.”
“I know Birdie, and he's a damned fine top soldier, sir. I'm assigned to your weather shop, if I can find what's left of it. I'm to work weather and was to be the top dog over this supply point, but I'm out of a job now.”
“Reform it all, if need be. Let me know how many people you need and I'll see replacements are sent in. It won't be fast, but you'll soon get back up to strength.”
“Thank you, sir. I need to find the commander, if I can, or at least discover if she's alive or not.”
“Do you have a working radio?”
“I have no idea. Right now, well, you see what a mess it is. I need to see about moving these people too, before the Russians return.”
“I was going to suggest that. I have a spare radio, but it has some range problems. However, that's better than nothing. Once you're in a new position, if you have to, send a squad to me with your location and I'll see the Chinese drop you some gear. Wilkerson!”
“Yo!”
“Give the Sergeant Major our spare radio and let's get ready to move. Sergeant, in a couple of hours I'll contact you and we'll check the radio out. Take care, and get these folks relocated as soon as possible.” I suddenly smelled burnt bodies, blood, guts, human waste, and cordite. I needed to move before I turned sick.
“I'll do just that, sir.” Of course he didn't salute me, especially out in the field.
“Simmons, contact base and let them know this place is no longer operational. Tell them I'll send them a coded message when we stop for the night with as much information as I can provide them. Saddle up, folks, and Major Morgan, please take control of your formation.”
“Thank you, sir.”
As we moved toward our home base, I gave consideration to moving it too. I had no idea how long we'd been there and who knew about us. I could see now my activities had the Russians as mad as hornets in a fruit jar.
When we stopped for the night, Simmons sent a long coded message and I learned in return that none of the Russian choppers in the three states had IRii capability. With all the rain this area gets, the Russians didn't think it'd do them much good since rain greatly impacts the results of the imaging. However, Headquarters seemed to think that would change now that we were active in my region.
We were cutting cross country to get home quicker and for the first time since I got here, I felt safe.
As I sat eating a dessert from my rations, Major Morgan neared and asked, “May I join you, sir?”
“Have a seat.”
“Thank you. How do you cope with all the death and destruction you've seen?” she asked.
“I really don't know and I have no answer, except I turn it off mentally while it's happening. I often finish a battle and cannot remember a single thing I did during the battle. My orders and commands are automatic and come natural for me.”
“I can't do that, or don't think I can. Why isn't a man like you married?” she asked and then lowered her head.
“I have been, twice, and was almost married a third time when the Russians killed her and my unborn child. I'm starting to think a relationship is not possible in a war like this, but people need each other now more than ever.”
“Did your first two wives die in the war too?”
“No, not really, not the first one. I was gone trading one day from my home, right after the fall, and some thugs broke in and killed my family. I returned to find my wife raped and kids dead. It took me years to get over that.”
“Hell, I'd guess so. I was married to a Marine and we lived on the coast then. He was a Captain and I was a stay at home wife. We had no children and a medical examination showed his sperm count was too low. If you want to hurt a big bad-ass Marine, tell him his testosterone is low or his sperm count is off. Just when the medicine was working well, he was killed when a flight of Russian jets caught him and his Marines out in an open field one night. They dropped napalm and my husband, lover, and best friend burned to death. That was five years ago and I've not seen another man that interested me; then you showed up.”
I chuckled and said, “I am your senior officer.”
“That's true, but we're just talking and I need to be honest with you. If this war has taught me nothing else, it's to be 100% honest at all times. I may never get another chance to speak with that person again in this life. We might both be dead by morning, and you know it as well as I do.”
“Well, don't tell me you love me or I'll laugh.” I said and then chuckled.
“No, not even close. I can say I respect you, find you ruggedly handsome, and a very distinguished older gentleman. I'd just like to know you better is all.”
“Well, that's honest enough, I guess. I'd not thought of you really, not with all I have on my mind and all. As a matter of fact, I'd noticed none of the women in the unit.” I was speaking the truth and meant every word. I didn't go around visually raping the female troops I had. I was 100% professional all the time and that meant hands off, unless like in the past, a woman told me she was interested in me.
“That's understandable and —”
“Let me close my eyes and describe you from my memory.” I said.
She laughed and said, “Sure.”
“Uh, you're a Major, big blue eyes, nice teeth, auburn hair, narrow waist, nice breasts, about five feet and seven inches tall, and petite. I know very little about you, since we've never talked before. Oh, and you have a nice rear.”
She broke out laughing, which I had to stop quickly because of where we were, but I loved to hear her laugh. She sobered, met my eyes and then asked, “Does that mean my butt is too big?”
It was my turn to laugh and I said, “No, it's actually a compliment. I think many men are attracted to well shaped women, because I know I am.”
She chuckled and said, “You, sir, are a liar. You just said you'd not noticed a single woman in the unit and some are much sexier than me. If you didn't notice them, you'd never notice me, so I had to at least speak with you about this. If you think I'm too forward, just tell me so.”
“Look, let's start by being friends and see what happens, okay?”
“I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm not looking for sex, but something more to go with it. I want what I had before, a lover, mate, and best friend. Am I making sense?”
“You are to me, uh, Cynthia. I can call you that, right?”
“Of course, sir.”
I laughed and said, “My first name is John.”
“John I think every soul out here that is alone is a mess inside. We have no one to speak to and to share our fears with, or our dreams of the future. It's even more difficult for officers because we are fewer in number. I just thought we could be friends and take it from there.”
“Let's do that.”
“Tell me about you, or do you mind?”
Once back at our base, I began to see Cynthia more often and then transferred her to another commander. There was no way I'd let her still work for me and see her as much as I was. I didn't think it looked proper, but in many cases, due to our organization, it happened. I had a choice, so I had her reassigned on the base.
We'd grown closer and were sharing a great deal about each other. I discovered she'd once been a teacher, but that was before her marriage. Over time, seeing her each evening became the norm.
Then, one day she came to me cry
ing. I asked what was wrong; she'd heard a rumor that the Marines were to move on the base and share it with us. I'd not heard that, but at times word of mouth is faster than any other method of notification. She didn't know how she'd feel seeing the Marine uniform again, and she knew it'd bring memories of her husband back.
I was honest with her and said, “If this is true, we'll deal with it when it happens. We'll do what you think it takes for you to adjust to this change. I doubt few have complete Marine uniforms, but you might catch a shirt, hat, or pair of trousers at times.”
Well, two days later about 300 Marines arrived by Chinese C-130 aircraft that landed one right after the other. As soon as the Marines landed, I got them moving from the drop zone to our base. I'd have to get with their commander and have some of them assigned deeper in the woods. There were too many of us at my small base and one attack would cost us a lot of lives. Lives I didn't want to spend.
When I spoke with a Marine Top Sergeant, he said the resistance was planning to eventually establish the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force, and assign veterans to their old service. These Marines were the first batch.
Early the next morning I had a surprise visit by a Full Colonel in the Marine Corps. He wasn't spit and shine like the old days, but getting by with what he had and could steal from the Russians.
He had a dog turd stuck in the corner of his mouth he swore was a cigar, he was in excellent shape, and he was intelligent.
“Colonel Williamson, we've too many people here and we're taxing your supply system.”
“That's why I think we need to establish two more bases and have each manned by about 150 of your Marines. They can report directly to you and then you to me.”
“As long, by God, as we're killin' Russians, I don't care if I report to the Devil himself.”
“Russians you'll soon have, and as many as you want. My first name is John.”
“I'm Bill 'Bulldog' Peppers and I retired from the Corps the week before America fell. I like the idea of two different Marine bases, because my people work best alone or with other Marines. Just see we're kept supplied and I'll call in the Russian body count daily.”
“I can do that.” I opened my desk, pulled out a bottle of whiskey and asked, “Drink?”
“Does a frog hop? Hell yes! And a double too.”
When I handed him his drink, he threw it back and then extended his glass for more. I gave him another double and he said, “I'll sip this one. John, my Marines are different than your group and we all take pride in once a Marine always a Marine. After the country fell, I soon rounded up over 500 prior Marines and we worked alone for years. But, with the Chinese supplying us now, it's easier for them to have just one supply point.”
“I'll leave you pretty much alone, but will have missions for you at times, and I'll see you have what you need to do your job. Did you bring much with you?”
“We don't need much but beans and bullets. Of course,” he gave a sad smile, “some first aid items too. I love these men like my sons, that I don't have.”
“I can understand that.” I said and then refilled his drink. I was still on my first drink and I poured him number three.
“You prior Army with all the ropes and trashcan lids on your uniform?”
I laughed and replied, “Yep, I am at that. Tonight move your men about a thousand yards on both sides of us and bed down. In the morning you and I will take a look at a map and determine where to locate your bases. Get a sharp man for the second base commander.”
“Oh, I have one in mind right now, and I'll bring him in the morning when we meet. Sir, I thank you for the whiskey, but my men need me. If you need me, just scream Bulldog and I'll come running.” he stood and I realized he was taking control of our conversation, but I let him do so, this time.
There would be no second time. I allowed it this time because his troops did need him and I wanted them scattered out and away from us in case of attack. This time I didn't have an issue with it, but we'd see what the future brought.
He gave me a crisp and tight salute, so I returned his and said, “See to your men.”
“Yes, sir.” He replied and then he was gone.
Chapter 8
The Russians were confused and a bit overwhelmed by the partisan attacks. They'd show up in one area and the next day be miles away to strike again. They realized there were either more members of the resistance than they'd figured or they had transportation. Of the two, the first was more probable. They were not aware that the partisans from other states were pumping all the bodies they could to the northwest to support new efforts against the Russian Bear. If the Russians had to remove troops from other areas to protect the northwest, it would take some of the pressure off the other states. It was a battle plan like General Robert E. Lee used against Grant. In Lee's case, it bought him some time and that's all.
The Colonel was out for an evening walk when a man in a black suit walked up to him and asked, “Colonel Senkin Yakovich?|
“Yes sir, and you?”
“Who I am is not important but there are those in Moscow watching you closely. It is imperative you win this theater of the American invasion. If you do not, your return home will not be a happy one. I was sent to warn you, start making things happen over here. If you do not, then you and I will meet again, but the next time will not be so pleasant and it will not be in this country. Not six months ago there were no attacks here and now it is just like the rest of the country, infested with resistance.”
“It is a damned hell hole of a country, and you damned fools had to invade the only country in the world with more guns than people. I have no explanation why this part of the country is now fighting so hard except they have a new commander.”
“I am but a messenger, but you have been warned.” The man in black turned and walked away. In the matter of a few seconds he was swallowed by the darkness.
Turning toward his office, a small animal seemed to come alive in his stomach, and while Senkin knew the KGB was long gone, it was obvious now something more sinister had replaced it. He fought the urge to puke a number of times before he was able to get to his desk and pour a glass of vodka. What am I going to do? Every commander assigned to America has failed to stop the resistance, with only one man promoted to General and his plane was shot down by a SAM missile the day he was going home. I wonder why I've never thought of this before?
Calling his vice-commander, Lieutenant Colonel Sigayev Vadim “Vadik” Gennadiyevich, he asked, “Did anyone visit you tonight, Sigayev?”
“No, sir. Was someone to come here?”
Yakovich told of his visit by the unknown man and then asked, “Who do you think he was?”
“The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) would be my guess. All they are is the KGB with a different name, in my view. Same people, I think. I'd take his warning seriously.”
Damn, not good, he thought but said, “Okay, enjoy your evening and I'll see you in the morning.”
The next day at stand up, he announced, “Starting tomorrow, I want more pressure put on the resistance than ever before. Get our teams out and find them.” He said as he paced the room. All knew he was under a lot of stress, but only Colonel Gennadiyevich knew of the visitor.
“Colonel,” Yakovich said to the infantry Commander, “Get all of your troops in the field and let's make this place like it used to be, quiet. Additionally, find out where Colonel Williamson is living, and I want him dead. I think a sniper team could do the job.”
“First, we will have to find him and that will take some time.”
“Get on it and start early in the morning. I want a briefing on the progress each day at 1600, unless I am off the base, understood?”
Snapping to attention, the Lieutenant Colonel said, “Yes, sir.”
“Intelligence, I want a reward of one million dollars offered for Colonel John Williamson, partisan. Make the reward payable Dead or Alive. You will find his image in his file and I want re
ward posters all over the three state area. Drop them to partisans in the field too. Everyone has a price, or so the Americans say. Alright, everyone has jobs to do, so get back to them. Dismissed. Master Sergeant, do not call the room to attention when I leave.”
As he walked back to his office, he turned to the sergeant and said, “Master Sergeant Asmik, I want you to accompany the first few searches for Williamson and evaluate how well you think the infantry is doing the job, and let me know after each mission.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Go, and prepare to leave. I suspect they will be gone before daylight in the morning.”
“Yes, sir.” He turned and ran for his gear.
Right at dawn the next day, as they flew slowly toward the landing zone, Asmik was puckered up because they were taking ground fire and couldn't land until the helicopter in front of them unloaded all their troops. They were moving fast enough, but with bullets striking the aircraft everything seemed to be in slow motion. Plunk—ping, a bullet struck the floor, passing through the cargo hold, just missing the Master Sergeant's legs, and then entered the roof where it struck only God knew what. His knuckles were white from gripping his weapons tightly.
Oil and another liquid began to drip from the newest bullet hole and when he felt the oil, it was hot to the touch. The strong scent of burning rubber filled the aircraft.
The machine gunner on the right side screamed and then fell back into the cargo area with half his face missing. His body jerked and shivered as he screeched. Blood, caught in the slip stream, was coloring a long wide red stripe down the side of the aircraft. A light gray smoke began to fill the helicopter. The wounded gunner tensed up, jerked a couple of times and lay still. His war was over.
“Base, Taxi Six, and I am taking heavy ground fire from the left side of the field.”
As bullets of all sizes struck the side of the helicopter they made a loud thunk, thunk, thunk-ping.
“Roger that. Did you hear him, Bobcat One?”
“Copy, and I am rolling in hot now.”
The woods on the left was suddenly a ball of twisting and turning flames as napalm struck. Screams could not be heard due to the battle taking place, but Asmik knew they were there. He shivered as he imagined burning to death.
