Tom and Sandra had moved off to our right to cover the meeting with an old 50-caliber machine gun we'd taken from the earlier attack on the base. Tom would be the gunner, as Sandra provided assistance with ammo. Kate and her crew had scattered to the winds as soon as we'd arrived, each wanting to work alone. I had Parker on my left and Willy to my right, the prisoners behind us and on a leash held by the colonel.
At exactly 1300, Parker whispered, "Okay, I'll move forward with the prisoners, but once the Russians see me, I'll stop. At all costs, we must free those Americans."
Parker stood, pulled the leash, then walked into the clearing. The Russian's became quiet and the colonel stopped.
Long minutes passed until I heard a voice call out in good American English, "Bring the two forward. We will meet you half way. Once we meet, the exchange will take place. I have told your people to walk to the woods, so tell ours the same."
"I don't speak Russian, so you tell 'em yourself, you sonofabitch!"
I heard the Russian laugh and then he yelled in his native tongue. I knew he was wasting his breath, because neither the general or colonel heard a word. "Now, Yankee, bring your men to me."
"I ain't a Yankee, I'm a Southerner. We're a bit different, or don't ya know?" The colonel was speaking as he moved toward the center of the field.
"All American's are Yankee's."
"Not true, Ivan, not true at all. See, we fought a war years ago and the Yankee's won that one, but they ain't even here for this one yet! Right now you're fighting the best of the South and we're a mean bunch. Hell, one redneck could beat the shit out of any five of your men."
Our group of civilians were on their feet moving toward us, and I noticed a single Russian Officer bringing up the rear. He was making small talk with Parker as they walked toward each other.
The Russian shrugged and replied, "Who cares who is who in America? This is our land now!"
Parker laughed and then said, "You are here, but you do not control the land! You do not control the people! But, take a good look at our land, Ivan, because we'll bury you here."
"Your people are like sheep, we gather them to butcher."
"The Ace of Spades has butchered a few Russians too, haven't we comrade?"
"Oh, so you are leading that group of animals? I am surprised, because you remind me of a school teacher I had in the second grade. He was full of shit too."
They were less than ten feet apart, and I could plainly see deep anger in the Russian's eyes.
"Most Russians are full of shit, so I guess you mean the two of you. See, we Americans kick the shit out of folks, and we do what we say we will do, always. Now, here is your general and colonel." He handed the leash to the Russian.
The Russian smiled and said something to the general, but he received no answer. He then turned and addressed the colonel, again no reply.
He'd just began to untie the rope around the general's neck when Colonel Parker yelled, "Run folks, make for the trees!" Then, he either did the dumbest or bravest thing I've ever seen, he remained standing within ten feet of the three Russians, unarmed.
Pulling the bag from the general's head, the Russian gave a loud gasp, his eyes grew large and he yelled something. The machine gun opened up on our group, but most were safely in the woods.
"Lay down, get down low!" I screamed.
I heard two shots and the machine gunner, as well as his assistant, were kicked back and down, where they remained unmoving. The man in the middle of the field, pulled the bag from the general's head, threw it to the ground and them pulled a pistol from the small of his back. Three of our snipers fired a single round each and all three Russians fell dead or dying. I'd actually seen the general's head explode as he was struck.
I heard Tom open up with his machine gun and the 'tat-tat-tat' sound demonstrated good fire discipline. His bursts were short, but deadly on the enemy.
"Run, Colonel!" Willy yelled.
As the man ran toward us, I could see he was laughing as if it had all been one big joke.
However, at that exact moment, two Russian Ka-52 helicopters slipped up from the trees and made a run toward us. I saw rockets fired toward Sandra and Tom as well as a pair sent toward us. The first rocket fired at us exploded well behind us, while the second hit right behind the colonel. I grinned when I realized they'd missed Tom as well, because I could still hear him firing. I glanced back at the field, and Colonel Parker was gone; all that remained was a smoking boot and an ace of spades was moving over the ground like a wind-blown leaf in the fall.
"Pull back, disperse and regroup back at camp!" Willy screamed to be heard as the choppers passed overhead. He then blew a whistle three times, our signal to withdraw.
As I turned to leave, I saw a rocket hit almost exactly where Tom and Sandra were positioned, but there was nothing I could do, except pray they both lived. Each of us took a few surviving civilians under our wing to lead back, but Willy shot those too badly injured to travel. He was crossing himself and crying as he pulled the trigger, again and again.
I had three women, one child near ten, and four men in my group. I said, "We move fast and you do exactly as I say. I'm not a babysitter, so if you cannot keep up, I'll leave you. Understand?"
"Do you have any weapons you can share?" one of the men asked.
I handed him the colonel's rifle, one of my pistols, and said, "Give the pistol to another man. Now, let's move, people. We'll not stop until we reach safety."
I'd moved the group forward about a hundred yards, when Dolly growled and I saw Kate nearing from my right. She gave me her usual warm smile, I grinned in return, and she said, "I'll join you for the walk back. All of the snipers have joined different groups. I have Anita bringing up our rear and I'll take point."
"Move us fast and continuous. The bad guys are livid right now and looking for blood. Did you see if Tom or Sandra survived the rockets?"
She lowered her head and replied, "John, I don't really know, but from where I was in the trees it didn't look good. I saw the gun fly in the air, but that in itself means little."
"Please God, keep my Sandra alive for me. I love her, and she's all I have left of my old life. This I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen," I muttered under my breath, as I felt tears running down my cheeks.
"What's that?" Kate asked.
"A prayer, Kate, just a prayer."
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Coming Soon
"The Fall of America: Book 2 - Fatal Encounters"
About the Author
W.R. Benton is an Amazon Top 100 Selling Author and has previously authored books of fiction, non-fiction 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 2005 Silver Award Winner from the Military Writers Society of American. James Drury, "The Virginian," endorsed his latest two Western books, "War Paint" and "James McKay, U.S. Army Scout."
Mister Benton has an Associate Degree in Search and Rescue, Survival Operations, a Baccalaureate in Occupational Safety and Health, and a Masters Degree in Psychology completed except for his thesis. Sergeant Benton retired from the military in 1997, with over twenty-six years of active duty, and at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8). He spent twelve years as a Life Support Instructor where he taught aircrew members how to use survival gear, survival procedures, and parachuting techniques. Gary has attended the following United States Air Force Survival Schools:
Basic Survival Training
Water Survival Training
Jungle Survival Training
Arctic Survival Training
Sergeant Benton also has over 12 years of experience as a Life Support Instructor, where he trained thousands of men and women.
Mr. Benton and his wife, Melanie, live near Jackson, Mississippi, with four dogs (Dolly, Newt, Benji, and Skillet) and
two cats. To learn more about him, visit www.simplesurvival.net or www.wrbenton.net.
ALIVE AND ALONE
100+ miles from the nearest road...
Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANV97IW
On a trip to the Lake Clark area of the Alaskan bush, a sudden arctic weather system forces down the small plane of Dr. Jim Wade, and his son David. Both have survived the crash, but not unscathed. Food, fire and shelter are all a priority. Following the death of his father, now it is up to David to figure out what to do next, and how to survive, on a remote Alaskan mountain - in winter!
This is a story of survival, resilience and of the spirit to live. It is both authentic and accurate, having been written by a former Air Force life support survival instructor. For ages 10 and up
Non-fiction books by Gary Benton
IMPENDING DISASTERS
“How you and your family can survive America's deadly changing weather”
Now available for most e-readers:
Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ANV97IW
Nook version: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/impending-disasters-gary-l-benton/
Apple iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780985129279
This book covers most major disasters and how to stay safe if you decide to evacuate or stay. It has a section on prolonged survival, which will assist keeping you alive after the natural disaster has done its damage. Many people die following natural disasters, from one mishap or another, but you can learn to survive.
Read Gary's massive but simple survival guide and you'll be ready for nearly anything...
Available now for all ebook formats
Kindle version: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AIX9QPE
Nook version: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/simple-survival-a-family-outdoors-guide-gary-l-benton
Apple iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9780985129262
"Retired USAF Senior Master Sergeant and survivor expert Gary Benton has written the best outdoor guide for families - bar none, that I have read! "Simple Survival - A Family Outdoors Guide" is more than a book - it is an outdoor resource bible that every family should have a copy of. This is one of those books that you should have in your camping bag along with the tent and other equipment. However, reading it at home before you go off on some outdoor adventure would be a great help when potential situations happen.
This book is more than just a camper's manual as it deals with surviving terrorism as well as how to handle bears, snakes and a host of other events and situations.
There is one chapter that deals with the greatest fears that all parents have - having your child get lost in the woods. This is a must read for parents. This information needs to be shared with all their children so they know what to do in the event of getting lost or separated from their parents or the campsite. This is the kind of information that you hope you never need to put into use.
- Bill McDonald - MWSA President
The Fall of America | Book 1 | Premonition of Death Page 23
