PROJECT BlueBolt - BOOK II - THE GULAG JOURNAL: BOOK II - The Gulag Journal

by Marshall Huffman

  Unfortunately, that was wishful thinking. When we got back, we were taken to the assembly area and there we stood waiting until our twelve hours were finished. As far as I was concerned that was just evil. The one good thing was that no one had died on the job. I was sad about my bunk mate, 9433, though.

  That worries me a bit when I can look at it being a good day when just one person dies. What is happening to me?

  ***

  Day 41 Journal Entry

  When we got up this morning we were given shovels and taken to the grave site. I was amazed at the number of new rows since I had been there last.

  There were stacks of bodies just waiting to be buried. I don’t know how many but I am guessing a hundred or more. What was even more strange was they wanted us to dig the ditch by hand. The backhoe was parked less than fifty yards away and they were making us dig the grave by hand. Not individual graves, just one long trench.

  The ground was frozen solid making each shovelful a struggle. Every time the shovel hit the hard packed ground it would send shockwaves up your arms and shoulders. Half way through the day two men threw down their shovels and just sat down. A guard came over and shot each of them in the back of the head.

  Here is what I simply cannot wrap my mind around. This is happening right here in the United States of America. This isn’t Russia during Stalin’s era. Maybe this went on in China or during war time but here in America? People were being systematically murdered for being too tired to work or too sick to go on. What the hell was wrong with people? Why were they letting this happen? When was someone going to say this is crazy and has to stop?

  Sadly all I have are a lot of questions but few answers. Killing people seemed to be no problem for the guards. They would just walk right up, put the gun to the back of the head and pull the trigger. How?

  The good news is we get to eat tonight. The bad news is that tomorrow is day seven. Either the person steps forward or people start dying by a random drawing. All I could do was wait and see how this all played out.

  ***

  Day 42 Journal Entry

  Today was the first day I think the temperature was above freezing. I noticed snow melting on the roofs and water starting to run down. All I could do was pray for it not to snow again.

  Since we had finished the road to the airport and buried all the dead, we were given a new job. Our barracks was to build a gallows that could hold twelve people at once.

  Talk about being given an ominous task. To think that you could be building the very piece of equipment that could be used to kill you. We all sort of looked at each other when we were given the assignment. Fifty of our group was taken off to the women’s side of the camp to build one over there as well. I guess it is equal treatment after all. As you could guess, the gallows was being built at the assembly area. They wouldn’t want us to miss the entertainment.

  We were halfway finished by the end of our twelve hours. They had rigged a few lights so we could continue working but it wasn’t easy. When we finished our shift we were allowed to go eat which was a surprise. We were all caught off guard thinking we would not get to eat until tomorrow night. I did feel like a prisoner being given his last meal. Today was the seventh day and tomorrow the drawing starts.

  I just want to go to sleep and wake up and find this was all a bad dream. I doubt that is going to happen.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  - THE WHITE HOUSE –

  “I certainly hope this is good news,” the President said when Taylor Spears was shown into the Oval Office.

  “Madam President, I think I have found a way to help rectify the situation that took place in Utah yesterday.”

  “Oh? Really? This sounds interesting. Have you found a way to resurrect the sixty or more killed?” she said sarcastically.

  “Not resurrect but a way to make them sort of like martyrs.”

  “Interesting. Go on.”

  “We release a story that says that the ISS troops while on a routine training mission were ambushed by a subversive element. We can make the story sound like the men were slaughtered. You can have one of your speech writers make it sound like the party responsible was a terrorist element. Play it up like the ISS was investigating and uncovered a plot to kill American people, maybe even make it children. That always plays well,” Taylor told her.

  Clemons leaned back in her chair and did the usual pulling on her lower lip when she was thinking.

  “I like it Taylor. I can see this being something we can really use to our advantage. I especially like the children element. People can relate to that better than anything. Good job. I’ll get my people on it immediately. I want to strike while the iron is hot. We can have the media give the brief details and then I will go on national television and give the people further information. I will want you there as well. Once we have the script I will send you a copy. I think after you have had a chance to look it over we should meet to make sure we are on the same page.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “Alright. That is a good idea. Thank you for bringing it to me.”

  ***

  NATIONAL NEWS CORPORATION – The ISS released information about a plot to bomb Elementary and Middle Schools in two cities in Utah. While details are still coming in it appears that schools in Richmond and Smithfield, Utah were the intended targets. Agents of the ISS fought a running gun battle with a far superior force and lost at least twenty agents. It is believed that over fifty of the terrorists were killed and another thirty or more wounded.

  In source close to the ISS said that the terrorists were extremely radical and would rather blow themselves up rather than be captured.

  “We tried to give medical attention to those wounded but they had explosive devices on them and when we tried to get close they would blow themselves up. It was a little like the Japanese during World War II.”

  This alarming development has caused the White House to plan a national broadcast that will be carried by the major networks at 8:00 p.m. tonight. The President is quoted as saying “Thank goodness for the swift action of the ISS. Their tireless efforts saved the lives of countless children.”

  ***

  NATIONAL NETWORK TELEVISION – “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

  “Good evening fellow Americans. You are looking at a very relieved President this evening. I am relieved because of the swift action by the ISS in averting a most dastardly plot against innocent American children. We now know that four schools were targeted to be bombed. The explosive devices found by the ISS were meant not only to kill but to maim as many as possible.

  America owes a huge debt of gratitude to ISS Director, Taylor Spears. Against a superior number of terrorist they were still able to stop the destruction of the four schools. The ISS lost twenty-one good men who gave their lives in order to protect this country. I want to take a moment to pray for the loved ones they left behind.”

  She paused, closed her eyes and bowed her head. She even managed to squeeze a tear out when she looked back at the camera.

  “I also want to thank the men and women that were wounded putting down the terrorist plot. We salute you as well. Unfortunately we still do not know who this group was but we will continue to investigate and we will bring them to justice. To do this, the government is offering a five million dollar reward to the person or persons that help us locate and track down these terrorists. The money will be tax exempt and have no strings attached. We are asking for your help. Think about your own children. We stopped them this time but radicals never cease. Right now they are planning their next attack. It could be at the very school where your children are going or any number of places where groups of people gather. Help us to help you by bringing these people to justice. I have with me the Director of the ISS, Mr. Taylor Spears. We will answer any questions you have.

  Hands went up immediately.

  “Yes Charles.”

  “Madam President. Why a place such as Utah. It seems so
isolated.”

  “I think that was the point. Mr. Spears?” she said turning to him.

  “Utah and that entire area is the perfect place for terrorists to operate. It has little in the way of police protection and miles and miles of land to operate in without anyone knowing what is going on. I doubt this is the last time we see something like this happening in states with remote areas.”

  “No one has claimed responsibility?” the next person asked.

  “No and I doubt they will. They failed pretty miserably in this attempt. No one was hurt and we eliminated quite a few of their group. I doubt anyone will come forward,” he told them.

  “Any leads as to where they may be?”

  “No. That is one reason for the five million dollar reward. They could strike anywhere and we need the help of the American public,” Taylor replied.

  “It is also the duty of every citizen to help ensure our safety. It isn’t just about the money. It is about doing the right thing to protect others and your country,” the President added.

  “Madam President. When you say terrorists, are you referring to foreign or domestic terrorist?”

  “We have not had one incident of foreign terrorist activity since the ISS was created and we see no evidence that this was perpetrated by a foreign nation. As much as it disturbs me, I strongly believe that it is likely domestic. I certainly don’t understand that type of mentality but I believe that is what the evidence is showing at this time. Mr. Spears?”

  “We think it is a dissident faction within the US that we are dealing with. The weapons we recovered were all available in the US. Mostly M-15s. The anti-personnel devices were Claymore mines, also a US weapon. We found a few AK-47s but those also were readily available in the US at one time. I know it is hard to imagine Americans willing to kill innocent children to further their cause. I don’t see how that will help them. It is more about bringing America to its knees than anything else. It is always hard to understand the mind of a fanatic.”

  They answered a few more questions and then ended the broadcast.

  ***

  “Well, what do you think?” the President asked.

  “I think it went very well.”

  “I agree. I think the five million dollar reward with bring in some leads for you to follow up on,” she added.

  “Probably more than we want or need. Everyone will know someone they think is a terrorist.”

  “Yes, but we just have to determine the right one. I wonder if we should have named General Ashcroft and Colonel Pearson as the leaders?”

  “No I think it is fine like this. Let’s see what happens. Maybe we will get other names on our list. If nothing comes of this then we can come back and announce their names. It could even work to our advantage saying the ISS investigation has now learned the leaders of the plot,” he said.

  “Someone has to know where they are and five million is a darn good reason to turn them in,” President Clemons replied.

  “And we won’t even have to pay it out.”

  “Obviously if it took money to get them give up the General and his cohorts they weren’t concerned with the safety of their fellow citizens. They will need to be taken to a detention camp,” the President said.

  “I agree,” Taylor answered.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Day 43 Journal Entry

  The weather was nicer today. We were taken to a new area that they wanted leveled out for additional barracks. It looks like we will be making a new addition. One group was already working on digging post holes and erecting posts for the fence that was going to surround the place. I was wondering how they were going to anchor the posts. It was way too cold to pour concrete.

  I was given the job of reading the transit again so my part was fairly simple. The ground was still hard and it took a lot of pick work to break it up enough for the dirt to be shoveled into the wheelbarrows and hauled away. We were all dreading the end of the work day for a change. We knew we would be called to the assembly area to see if anyone was going to tell the commander they murdered the prisoner.

  This is one time the day seemed to fly by. We were stopped at the end of our normal shift instead of having to work twelve hours. That could only mean one thing. We were taken to the assembly area. I was surprised to find that the gallows had been finished. When we left it still had a ways to go. Obviously some other work group was brought in to complete the job.

  We stood there until the commander came out and walked up the stairs. He said we knew why we were here and wanted to know who was going to take responsibility for the murder. You realize the irony of this. They are killing people every day so what is the big deal to them if one more was killed? What difference did it really make? Yes, it was a human life that was lost but in the grand scheme of things in the internment camp, so what? I would imagine they managed to kill three or four people today alone.

  It didn’t matter what I thought. Here we were and he wanted a sacrifice. We stood there secretly hoping someone would step forward. No one did. He said that in that case, he would pick a number and that person would be executed. The half rations would go on and we would continue with our twelve hour work days starting immediately after the execution.

  So if I have this right, they are going to execute someone, anyone, for the murder of a prisoner even if that person is totally innocent. I must not be very smart because I am having a hard time following the logic. He told his assistant to draw a number. I can only assume all of our numbers were in there and not just the people they suspected of being trouble makers. If that were the case, I’m sure mine would be in there. I had already been warned by him once.

  The assistant drew a number and handed it to him. I didn’t pay much attention as soon as they said the first digit was two. All that meant is that it wasn’t my number. Within a few minutes the man was standing by the platform. He asked one more time if anyone was going to come forward. No one said a word so they took the man up on the gallows, put a rope around his neck, and got ready to drop him through the trap.

  I was shocked when 642 stepped forward and said that he was the one who had done it. The commander looked at him and just stared. I’m sure he was thinking that this guy would not need a knife to kill someone. He could just squeeze the life out of him. We all waited to see what would happen. We were astonished when the commander walked down the stairs and walked over to where 642 stood. They talked for a few moments then 642 stepped back in line and the commander walked up on the platform again.

  He said that it was clear that 642 was not the man responsible but that he had stepped forward to stop the punishment and lessen the workload on the rest of us. Since he admired that courage, he was going to let the incident go this one time but if it ever happened again, there would be no reprieve.

  It was a stunning development. I know he didn’t kill the man; we all knew it, but this act has saved at least one innocent life and possibly several others.

  ***

  Day 44 Journal Entry.

  We continue to work on the new barracks section. Nothing exciting has happened. No one from our barracks died today that I am aware of. Even the guards seemed just a bit less aggressive. We got the ground as smooth as you are going to get it in these conditions using only shovels and picks.

  They started the footers but instead of using concrete they brought in 12 x 12 timbers. It didn’t seem like the best way to build a large structure but no one asked my opinion. I was just glad I wouldn’t be living in it when the time came. Most of the day was spent trying to get everything square and level. It was a tremendous amount of physical labor but the work force commander was pretty happy by the time we were finished for the day.

  It was great to only have to work our normal shift of eight hours. We even got food tonight. It was like being on a vacation except for the shitty conditions, one meal a day, and having to do physical labor for eight hours. Maybe vacation isn’t exactly the right word to use. No one even complained when we had
to clean the barracks tonight. I think everyone felt we had dodged a bullet, literally. 642 is an absolute saint in my book.

  ***

  I have started coughing almost nonstop. My head feels like it is splitting and my throat is red and sore. I feel like death warmed over. Of course the temperature had to drop overnight and the sky looks like it’s going to drop another load of snow on us. That’s just great.

  We worked again on the building. I’ll have to give them credit, they had a unique way of going about getting the outer walls up. My job was to make sure everything was square and level. The walls were built in eight foot sections. Once a section was raised, it was bolted to the previous section and so on. The building was twelve sections long or ninety-six feet long and it was sixty-four feet wide.

  I guess tomorrow we will find out how we are going to hold the whole thing together without it collapsing. I had dizzy spells several times during the day and by the end of the shift I was burning up with fever. It was becoming difficult to swallow and when I went into one of my coughing fits I felt like my throat was being ripped out.

  I don’t think the temperature ever got above zero today and we had a five mile wind to add to the misery. We did have two more people die today of natural causes, if you can call it that. One guy suddenly dropped to his knees, fell over on his side and that was it. He was dead. I don’t know what happened to the other man.

  ***

  Day 45 Journal Entry

  While the work day was pretty much routine and by that I mean hard and physical, it was the evening that was the most interesting. When we came back from the work detail we were immediately sent to the assembly yard. We all know that is never a good sign. When we got there we were in total shock.

  At least a hundred bodies lay in a row. It was hard to wrap your mind around it. I don’t know about the others but at first I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. The commander waited until we were all in place before he began. I don’t remember his exact words but they something along the lines of ‘this is what happens when a group decides not to work.’