B018R79OOK EBOK

by Unknown

  Despite the hurt he felt, Jeffers put on a smile. “You look like shit,” he said.

  A smile came over Chambers’ face. “Hey. Glad you made it,” he said. Chambers lifted his hand and took Jeffers’ in it. There were no burns on his hands because of the gloves he had worn. Jeffers took his hand in both of his.

  “Got into trouble again, didn’t you,” Jeffers said.

  “You know me,” said Chambers with a grin. The speech caused him to start coughing. There was blood in the cough. It sprayed over the white sheets. After a few seconds he stopped and lay back. He used a towel in his other hand to dab around his mouth soaking up more blood.

  After a short time to catch his breath, he asked, “Remember what we talked about last night?”

  “Yea.”

  “Well, it looks like I’m not quite as stubborn as you are,” he gasped.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Sounded to me like you did a lot of good.”

  Chambers tilted his head. “I heard about you too. I guess over time a little bit of you did rub off,” he said. “Did you bring my guitar?”

  Jeffers took his guitar out of his case and handed it to him. Chambers let it rest against his chest and his fingers ran over the frets and strings. “Thanks, man. I wanted to play her one last time.”

  “It won’t be the last, you’ll…”

  “Come on now, we both know what’s happening. But having your best friend with you and playing together is not a bad way to go. When I get to where I’m going, I’ll get some guys together so you can join us some day - kind of like on the ship,” Chambers gasped. His voice was getting weaker. His breaths were becoming whiney.

  Jeffers watched as Chambers’ hands moved into a position on the frets and he began to play the Vivaldi Concerto. A peaceful look came over his face as he played. “It’s always been my favorite,” he sighed. He coughed a few times and continued.

  Jeffers pulled out his guitar. “I have a surprise for you,” he said as Chambers played. He began playing an accompaniment he had made up to surprise him later on. The music blended into a beautiful duet. The simple melody and a soft harmonization filled the room and drifted out to the other parts of sickbay. Even the doctor stuck his head in to listen. As the music was played, Chambers lay his head back on the pillow. “That’s so nice,” he said.

  They played for a couple of minutes when Chambers said just above a whisper, “Just a minute more please.” He began to play some wrong notes. His fingers were struggling to keep up. Then his guitar went silent.

  Jeffers immediately switched to the melody. They had played the piece together many times. Now Jeffers would finish it for him. On the last notes, he looked at his friend. The color was already draining from his face. Carter felt for a pulse and found none. She eased his hands from the guitar and placed it beside the bed. There were tears in her eyes as she pulled the sheet over Chambers’ face. Turning to Jeffers, she placed her hand on his arm. “I’m sorry, Rod,” she said through her tears.

  Jeffers pulled her in for a hug. “It’s okay, Angie. He was happy.”

  He put his guitar away and then grabbed the other. Jeffers looked at the doctor. “If it’s okay, I’ll take care of getting this to his family,” he said.

  The doctor nodded. His eyes were wet as well.

  Jeffers took the two guitars and left the space. For the first time in a long time, he felt very alone.

  USS Iowa

  Boats Patnaude was surprised at how many wanted to go to work. About thirty went outside to tackle cleaning up the mess the bombs had made. They began by pulling shrapnel out of the teak deck, then using welding torches to cut away the remnants of the after deckhouse that had been destroyed. Some went to apply grease to the steel cables on the boat davits and some of the other deck gear. To the Russians, it was just like some of the work they had done on their own ship. Several of the officers had tried to stir up trouble, but now they were keeping segregated from the others.

  Misha Slovatin volunteered to help translate but then asked if he could go help in the ship’s after steering compartment. It was where he had served aboard his ship. Down deep in the stern of the great ship he came to a very familiar sight. The hydraulic rams were moving the rudder head just like on his ship. He sat down to watch and the young men on watch began to talk to him. Like most young people, curiosity got the better of them and they began talking and exchanging information about where they were from, what they did in their youth, their jobs aboard their ships and what it was like on opposite sides of the world. When one of the routine drills sounded and after steering took control, Misha was thrilled when they let him steer the ship. He would become friends with many of the crew.

  Berlin

  “So the America was the only one hit?” Hammond asked.

  “Yes, sir. She took five missiles, but is steaming just outside the landing area, repairing her damage and getting ready to return home. Admiral Hustvedt said that the ship’s captain turned off the cloak just before the ship was hit and caused the missiles to lock in,” said an Army captain.

  “I thought all the missiles had been reprogramed. Is it not working?” Hammond asked his intelligence watch.

  “Actually, it is working quite well. Only two of our tanks have been hit and they were lucky shots from what I see. The air missiles are flying all over the sky and their artillery is hitting nothing but open ground. These missiles were from small patrol boats. It looks like the changes only go down to a certain level via the radio updates. They may get theirs from some shore command. In any case, by knocking out their satellites, the changes have to come via regular radio and we are jamming that. So far, it’s working,” the intelligence officer said.

  “Well, we can’t predict everything, can we,” Hammond said with a smile. “Is there a closer place the America could be repaired?”

  “Not really. She lost her bridge and CIC. Her hangar deck is a shambles. The best place for her is back home,” said one of the Navy staffers.

  “Okay, send her home. Now how bad is the Iowa?”

  “Fully operational as far as we can see. They rescued over 400 sailors and have to find places for them aboard. They did suffer a few casualties including their Deck Department Head. He got hit by the first bomb. They are requesting mattresses and a replacement, otherwise, they are ready,” said the Navy staffer.

  Hammond thought a moment. “That’s still a lieutenant commander billet isn’t it?” he asked.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Hammond reached over and picked up the satellite phone. He dialed a number and it began ringing. “This is Admiral Hammond, let me speak to Admiral Hustvedt.” After a minute he came on the line. “Chris, it’s Roger. You all set for phase two?”

  “Ready to go. The supply operations are already shifting to Turkey. The last of our supplies and equipment should go ashore this afternoon, then we are free and clear,” Hustvedt said.

  “Good. Except for the America, you were able to do it without a hitch. Nice work. Did you see how the Iowa needs a department head?”

  “Yes, sir, I saw. Do we have the same young man in mind?”

  “Yes. Why don’t we send him TAD while I clear it through Naval Personnel? The way this is going, he should get plenty of time to make it count. When can he leave?” asked Hammond

  “Hang on. You know he’s been wounded.”

  Hammond sat straight up in his seat. A look of concern crossed his face. “What happened?”

  Hustvedt relayed it all to him. Hammond felt pride rise in his chest for what his young friend had done. Yet he was still concerned about his wounds. “You writing it all up?” he asked.

  “Every bit of it. I also have corroborating statements from witnesses. The doctor says he will be fine, but needs some rest. There’s one other thing. His best friend was killed. He may need some time for that as well. I ordered him to his rack and told him to stay there. I’m leaving the America today for the Wisconsin. He’s going to stay behind until the doctor releases him.
Why don’t I order up an Osprey to take him to Iowa when Doc gives the okay?” Hustvedt asked.

  “Sounds fine, Chris. Is there anything we can do from here?”

  “No, Roger, he’ll be fine. Besides, a little time aboard your old ship will do him good,” Hustvedt offered.

  Hammond took a second to remember what it was like aboard his ship. He grinned. “You may be right. Send him over, and when you talk to him, tell him I said to stay out of trouble.”

  “Will do, Roger. You doing okay?”

  “The usual headaches, but things are working. Let’s get this over with so we can go home,” Hammond said.

  “I’m with you. Take care, Boss.”

  “You too, Chris,” Hammond said as he hung up the phone. He sat back. “Damn. Smart as hell and brave too,” he said to no one in particular. There was a commotion at the far end of the table. Hammond got up to see what crisis had now been discovered.

  Sakhalin Island

  It only took twenty four hours. Thirty four foot by eight foot panels were set up next to the destroyed electric generation station outside Nogliki and connected to a set of transformers and converters. Those cables were then connected to the town’s electric supply. On signal, the black covers were pulled from the panels and the lights came on in every house in the town.

  A food distribution station was set up at the old church and everyone was invited to come stock up on the same things the Americans were eating. Although the people didn’t speak much, they took the food and went their way. In some instances, if a person couldn’t read, special classes were set up to demonstrate how to use an MRE. By that night, the town was still lit up thanks to the battery trucks and two portable generators. The next morning, people were welcoming the Americans with open arms. It was too bad they had to leave. The American forces had already taken Korsakov at the southern end of the island. Teams were already deploying similar power stations along the way.

  On the pier in Korsakov, the first of the ships was pulling in. These would bring supplies and their relief forces so the Americans could move onto the Russian mainland. The troops helping handle the lines were surprised at what they saw. Each ship flew the rising sun of Japan.

  Chapter 14

  Panic

  Moscow

  “They simply are not showing up for their duty,” said General Ilianovic. “Over the past week over eight thousand young men have refused to come in as they were ordered. We sent people to their homes, but the parents say they are not there. We search the houses and we still can’t find them. Our quotas are being ruined,” he pleaded.

  “Have their families arrested,” Borodin ordered.

  “We have, but they still remain away. We even go to their extended families and get the same story. We have no idea where they are,” Ilianovic said.

  Borodin slammed his fist on the table. “They have to be somewhere, damn it all!”

  “I agree, but right now we are up against a stone wall. It is happening everywhere, in the cities and in the country. We believe those fliers being distributed are the cause, but we cannot even get them stopped. It is getting serious,” said Ilianovic.

  Borodin let out a sigh. The pamphlets were everywhere and they had only caught a handful of people handing them out. He had to find the Patriarch and get it stopped. Until then, they needed people to fight the war. “Very well, if your young men and women aren’t willing to fight, the parents will take their place. Order in all men up to the age of forty and as young as sixteen. Reduce their training time by a week and get our numbers caught up. Anyone refusing to enter service will be arrested and tried as a traitor. Get those quotas filled!” he ordered.

  Borodin turned to Pusko. “What’s this I hear about our missiles not hitting their targets?”

  “It is true. Right now we do not know why. I ordered a look at the software. It’s also affecting our artillery and tanks. I told our forces to go back to the old way of visual sighting for the time being. It didn’t affect all of them. Our missile boats scored hits on ships in the Black Sea. I understand one large carrier was hit and is burning.”

  “At least there is some good news. What about the other ships?” Borodin asked.

  “We can’t verify it. Our air and fleet units have been decimated. I am trying to get a reconnaissance satellite up to overfly the area. We may know more then. Until then, we don’t dare send more planes. They are being shot out of the sky,” Pusko said.

  Borodin got angry. He pointed his finger at Pusko. “Look, I don’t want to hear excuses. Our forces are falling back across the entire front. We have Americans in Georgia and on our eastern shores. I was just told the Japanese are involved and are taking back the Kurils. Even the Turks have invaded! We need to deploy forces to stop this incursion now! To not send in planes because they are afraid they might get shot down is absurd. We need the information on what we are up against. Get what you need in the air and don’t take no for an answer!” he demanded.

  Pusko saw the anger in his president. He tried to ease the tension. “Of course I am trying to get things back in order. I share these with you because I am frustrated as well. My people are already at work on these things. Like you, I demand answers. Unfortunately they are slow in coming. You know I am totally with you on this,” he said softly.

  The plea had its effect. Borodin’s eyes softened. “You are right, my friend. I know it is not of your doing. It just seems as if the Americans and the Europeans are too far ahead of us. We cannot lose this war. So we must do everything in our power to get our forces back on the advance. We know we outnumber them both on the ground and in the air. What if we sent huge forces at them like the Germans did in the Ardennes in 1944? We have the ability to sustain such an effort, unlike the Germans did. Might that work?” he asked.

  “It could,” Pusko said with some thought. “We can draw back our forces in the oil fields and along the eastern and northern borders. If we concentrate our effort in one big push, it would cause them to expend their reserves, which means our forces would eventually be able to finish our objectives.”

  “How long would it take?”

  “At least a month to get everything in place. But once ready, there would be no stopping it.”

  “Then let’s make the plans. We need to end this once and for all time,” said Borodin.

  The meeting was ended and everyone filed from the room. The overhanging through on everyone’s mind was that Germany had lost the Battle of the Bulge. If this didn’t work, it would be the end of Russia as well.

  USS America

  Hustvedt knocked on the door and entered the stateroom. Jeffers was reading a book, but tried to get up when the Admiral entered the room.

  “No, lay back down. I just wanted to stop by before we left. You feeling better?”

  Jeffers stretched some. “I’m pretty sore right now. These cuts are starting to itch and I decided I don’t like pain medications. So I’m taking ibuprophen and toughing it out. One of the guys in the band brought over some books, so I’m getting my mind off my misery,” he said as he waved the book in front of him.

  Hustvedt chuckled. “Well, I brought something to cheer you up.” He handed over a set of papers.

  Jeffers looked them over. “TAD to USS Iowa? What for?”

  “To take over as the department head for the ship’s deck department,” said Hustvedt.

  Jeffers’ eyes opened wide. “Will it count?”

  “Hustvedt laughed. “Yes it will. You should receive PCS orders to that position within a few days. Roger promised he would make sure you got your tour and here it is. Their man was killed when the ship was bombed, so you go take his place. You’re done here anyway. Our command will detach and independently operate in the Black Sea until Richardson and the other forces link up somewhere in the Ukraine. Once that happens, we’ll all probably be leaving this glorified cesspool. So get over there and get this tour over. I have a feeling we’ll be at this a while, so make the most of it. Then go on for an XO
tour and get a command of your own. That’s the pecking order and you are on your way,” Hustvedt said. “In the meantime, keep in touch. I appreciate all you’ve done and would love to serve with you in the future,” he said extending his hand.

  Jeffers took it. “Thanks, Admiral. It’s been fun.”

  Hustvedt winked at him. “Just take care of yourself. We’ll be seeing each other,” he said as he turned and left the stateroom.

  Jeffers sat back and stared at the opposite bulkhead. Life was going on. He had lost a friend, but made many more. Now there was another opportunity provided by a previous friend. He would make the most of it.

  Krakow

  It was a slow process. The drones were used more often, preventing casualties for the Allied forces. A section of streets would be cleared, then occupied, and another section would be targeted. But the results meant that more Russians were killed than the Allies. In many cases, streets would be cleared with no Allied casualties at all. The platoon actions were working well and they were being expanded outside the city to pockets of resistance. Once again, technology was being used to take up the slack for the dirty job of clearing the enemy out of all the buildings. The heat weapons would get troops to try and move out of the way. When they did, they were exposed. The sound weapons would often clear a group out before the troops could get set up. But one of the most effective tools was what the troops called the Punisher. It was a grenade launcher that could be set to explode at a predetermined distance. This let the user hit targets behind walls or around corners. Nearly every kind of shell now had a digital component that helped. There wasn’t anything much to stop the Allied troops.

  Master Sergeant Ricks called his top sergeants together for an early morning brief before the day’s operations. “Listen up, people. There are five new targets we have been assigned just outside the city,” he said as he pointed to the locations on the map. “The first is the rail yard near Podgorze. They have stockpiled material there on a train. The second is in the Institute of Environmental Sciences. They have occupied the dorms and some of the other buildings on campus. The third is the media center around Television Krakow where they are controlling broadcasts. The fourth is a wooded area just south of there where there is an encampment and the final one is up here to the east, where there is a wooded area with a small lake. This one is kind of segregated from the others out in farm country. There are about five hundred people using the lake as a rest area of sorts. Let’s get in there and break things up. The idea is to keep them on the move. No rest, no mercy. Just keep the pressure on. Any questions?” he asked.