by W. R. Benton
“Yes, Corporal.”
“Good, son, now saddle up, we've some miles to cover.” Kerr replied, and then shook his head.
All went well as they moved, until around two in the morning, when Silverwolf neared and said, “Armor ahead, and I counted three Russian tanks. They're blocking a crossroad and I think about now, while everyone is asleep, is the perfect time to take them out. They had three guards, but my sharp steel blade took them out. I suggest three of us move in, toss two grenades in each of the open hatches and then beat feet out of there.”
“See any infantry?”
“Yep, but only a couple of squads that I could see. I crawled in close to kill the guards and not one of the men in the foxholes looked awake to me. I say hit the tanks and then run down the western road, because it's lined with big oaks. Then our attackers and the rest of the squad could meet, oh, say a mile west on the road.”
“Joyce, slip a night scope on your rifle. I want you to take out any machine-guns, officers, and NCO's for sure. Got that?”
“Simple, and I'll do the job right.”
“Sandra, I'll take Kerr and Scott with me. Since Scott speaks Russian, he might come in handy if someone challenges us.” I then looked at Scott and said, “Leave all gear except your weapons and three grenades. If you can, puncture the gas tanks and spare Jerry cans they always have on the sides of the tanks. Let the gas leak for a good two minutes, then climb up, drop your hot eggs and then get the hell out of there. No one climb on a tank until you see me on one. I want the rest of you to provide cover fire in the event things turn hot for us. Any questions?”
Silence, because there were none.
“Okay,” I said, “Let's move, people, and now.”
It was snowing a bit harder now, which I hoped would help mask our movements to the tanks. If even one machine-gun opened up, we were dead meat. I parted the brush, got down flat and crawled toward the Russian perimeter. I could see they were too far apart and unless I sneezed or farted loudly, I'd get through them. I soon wiggled my way past a fox hole where both men were asleep and even snoring. I shook my head at their lax security, but suspected after tonight, that'd all change. I'm sure some Russian Lieutenant or Captain would be shot or sent to a gulag for his poor performance here.
I took the center tank, so I'd be easily seen in the bad weather by both of the other men. I wanted our grenades dropped close to the same time. I was growing apprehensive as I pulled my hunting knife and stabbed into metal containers holding diesel. I then climbed on the tank and from within the iron beast, I heard snoring and heavy breathing.
Glancing to my left and right, I spotted my men ready to drop their explosives. I then raised both hands, which held grenades, and then lowered them. I pulled the pins from my grenades one at a time, held the levers down, and then centered them over the open hatch of the tank. A split second after I dropped them, I heard both give a loud ka-clank sound as they struck the metal floor.
As I was moving from the tank, I heard a voice scream a warning in Russian, saw the front hatch for the driver open, and then heard the explosion. I ran as hard as I could and then dropped to the ground and began to crawl fast. Four other explosions were heard and then the ammunition and gas in my chosen tank exploded, sending a huge fireball high into the sky. One-by-one the tanks blew and the last one blew its turret high into the air, where it tumbled as it fell back to earth. Three gigantic fireballs filled the sky and for hundreds of yards around the tanks, it was almost as bright as day. What saved our asses were all the Russians watched the tanks burn and few looked away from the fire. Then, thinking the attack had been from outside the perimeter, our enemies began firing into the woods.
I saw one man, an officer by his movements, move up and out of his hole in the ground to direct fire. No sooner had the Russian fire slowed a few minutes later, than I heard the loud bang of my sniper's rifle and the officer fell to the ground unmoving. Three more times Joyce shot and each time a man died. Finally entering the woods, I stood among the trees, and saw four bodies sprawled out on the snow-covered ground near the tanks. I then ran toward the road on the north side, where I'd meet everyone else.
When I arrived I discovered the other two were already there, along with rest of my squad. I moved them into the bushes as we waited for Joyce. Less than five minutes later, she joined us. Without speaking, we moved north by west, using the stars to guide us.
It was during out first break, an hour later, that Joyce said, “Four confirmed kills for me tonight. One was a Russian Captain, one a Senior Sergeant, and the other two were Privates that manned a machine gun. Head shots for each of them.”
“Great shooting, Joyce, and that's four less Russians we'll to have face later.” Sandra said and then added, “It's not often we destroy three tanks and kill their crews without the loss of a single fighter. It's been a good night for us.”
I stood, adjusted my pack and said, “Let's move, our break is over.”
It was an hour after dawn when we spotted the safe house back in some thick trees in the middle of what was once a national forest. The house was once occupied by the senior park ranger for the area and it was isolated. What worried me was it showed on all maps, but so far the Russians had not visited.
“Silverwolf, take Scott and the two of you make contact with those in the house. I think walking to the door as a group is a good way to get our butts shot off. Once they confirm who you are, return for us.”
“Will do; come with me, Scott.” Silverwolf said as he moved toward the building, his rifle held at the ready.
Twenty minutes later, he returned and said, “Colonel Lee is in charge down there, and he said for you to get down there pronto, because the Russians are up to something, and he needs to look at the intelligence you gathered.”
“Alright everyone, let's move to the house and in a single file. Once we get there, you'll be given food and a place to sleep. I suggest all of you eat and then rest. It may be a long day, depending on the Russians.”
Once in the house, there were a good twenty other partisans inside. I knew there was a sniper or two hidden outside, but where I had no idea. Colonel Lee was a short man, just a little over five feet tall, thin, brown eyes, bald and wore black framed glasses. I extended my hand and we shook.
“Welcome to the group, again.” he said and then smiled.
“Glad to be here, sir, and I have some Russian documents my man who speaks the language thinks are attack orders. I personally removed them off the dead body of a Russian dispatch rider. There are other documents as well, but we didn't go through all of them well. Since the one paper looks like an attack order, I rushed to get here.”
“Very good, John, and I have plans for your group, no matter what the Russian papers say, but we'll discuss them after you've had something to eat and then some sleep. You look like hell warmed over.”
“Yes, sir.” I said and then turned and walked toward Dolly and Sandra. Dolly had remained here while we were gone and she was very happy I'd returned. My last dog hopped and jumped on me when I neared her. All my other dogs had been killed years before. I sat on the floor, with my back against the concrete wall.
Top walked over, tossed me an old MRE and said, “Colonel Lee, a direct descendent of General Robert E. Lee, is using one of General Lee's old plans against the Russians. When Grant was riding Lee's ass hard toward the end of the war, the Confederate General sent out troops to raise hell, which meant the Union had to release some troops to find and fight the hell raisers. Each group Lee could muster into service and release was sent out to make the Yank's think many large groups were involved, when in reality, they were few in number. These groups would hit, move quickly, and then hit again in some unexpected location, which kept the Yanks off balance.”
I looked at Top and asked, “What does that have to do with me?” I tore the plastic MRE package open and pulled out the entree.
“Your squad is going to be one of those groups.”
“Ho
w do we stay supplied and fed?” I asked, then opened the pouch that held my beef patty.
“We'll send four extra men with you and they'll carry your supplies on bicycles. During the Vietnam War, the north Vietnamese used bikes to pack supplies, and you'll be surprised how much can be carried by just two wheels. They'll pack it to a spot you desire, dig a hole, and bury it for you. When you need food or ammo, dig it up. I suggest you dig three or four holes, away from each other, so if one is found you don't lose it all.”
I took a bite of my meat, chewed and then asked, “When is this to start?”
“You'll leave in the morning, but we want you near the old town of Pearl, Mississippi. Roam, kill Russians, and stir the pot up as much as you can. With over a dozen squads doing the same thing in central Mississippi, we hope the Russians will pull some troops to hunt for y'all. If possible, terrorize the enemy and be as bold and nasty as you can.”
“How many Russians stationed at Pearl?”
“Our last estimate was five thousand, but we know some were pulled for the operation the Russians are running southeast of Jackson. While we don't have a clear count, I was told by Colonel Lee just a few over two thousand are still there. Truth be told, your guess is as good as mine.”
“Any special targets?”
“No specifically ordered targets. Of course, any fuel tanks, supplies, or storage facilities should be taken out if you can do so with minimum risk.”
I thought for a moment and then asked, “Avoid gulags?”
“I've given them some thought and think if you can, attack them hard, because they'll use up manpower hunting for all that may escape. Again, weigh the human cost to you very carefully before any major attack.”
I spooned the last of my meat into my mouth, opened up a bag containing cookies and as I pulled one out, I said, “Top, I'll do my best. Are we to come back here after a certain amount of time or meet someplace else? How long am I to operate alone like this?” I took a huge bit of the hard cookie, which was a rare treat. I gave the other one to Dolly.
“You will stay for one month, or until the Russians stop their operation. Return here, but if we need you before then, one of the men with the bicycles will know where you are, so we'll fetch you. Also, mark your location on a map one of the bike men will carry, so we'll have it on file.”
I was tired and not just physically, but emotionally as well. I asked, “Top, do you see an end to this bullshit, or are we going to fight forever and all of us die in the end? Do you honestly think we can beat the Russians?”
“I think we'll win, but it may take years. Look at the length of the war in Vietnam or when the Russians invaded Afghanistan and you'll see it didn't happen overnight, but in both cases, the larger and stronger army eventually left. Will you and I see it happen? I honestly don't know, but as an American I'll be damned if I will let anyone invade my country and do nothing. I think most Americans want to resist, but some are too old, some have no military skills, and others may not be healthy enough to fight.”
“I hear you. You know, I often dream of America like it used to be, the land of plenty, and now we either fight or we're dead. The Liberals are all dead or have changed their method of thought. I was told most of the prisoners in a gulag last an average of three months. Hell, they have no clothing, some lack shelter, 900 calories a day, no blankets, no doctors and no medical help at all. I read in a report that over five hundred a day die in the Jackson gulags alone, most from sicknesses. That's almost 200,000 people a year and from one prison alone.”
Top nodded and replied, “I read the same. Look, we can't save them all because it's impossible, and we both know it can't be done. However, we should try to free as many as we can and when we can, if for no other reason than it pisses off the Russians.”
My eyes felt like they had sand in them, so I said, “I'm going to catch some sleep. Is there anything else I need to know about tomorrow morning?”
Top lowered his head and replied, “Yep there is. Last week two partisans were captured by the Russians, but instead of taking them as POW's they burned them to death with a flamethrower. When you leave tomorrow you'll have six captured Russians to take with you. At some point, those six are to be tied to trees or posts and killed the exact same way. Colonel Lee wants you to do it on a hill near interstate 55, which as you know, leads to Jackson, so their charred bodies can be seen from the road.”
“Burn them to death? Damn, Top, that's a rough order. I . . . I don't know if I can follow this order.”
“The Russians must learn that for every captured American they kill, we will execute three of their men, and we'll kill them exactly as they do our people. We have only recently started taking enlisted captives and we keep them deep in swamps in wooden cages. See the order is carried out. Now, you get some sleep.” Top turned and walked away.
The next morning the sun was out, but it was still cold and the snow had stopped. Dark gray, almost black clouds, were off to the west, holding a promise of more rain, sleet or snow. As we prepared to leave, Corporal Scott neared.
“Something on your mind, Scott?” I asked.
“Yes, sir, there is. Are we really going to burn the Russian prisoners we have?”
“That's my orders. I don't like the idea much either, but the Russians did the same to partisans they captured a while back. They have to be shown that for every American they murder, we'll kill three of theirs, and the same way.”
“I . . . I can't think of a more horrible way to die. Do you think we have to stoop to their level to win this war?”
I had a map in my hand, so I placed it on the table, met his eyes and said, “The Russians are animals in this war and they have absolutely no compassion for our people, none. But, to answer your question, no, we don't need to stoop to their level, we must go lower. We must show them such barbaric behavior so that they become panic-stricken of us, and leave our country. Now, if you have a problem with your orders, Corporal Scott, feel free to speak with Colonel Lee. I have my orders and I will carry them out. Now, either prepare to leave with us, or find the Colonel.”
“The Russians are humans too, sir, and I don't think our orders are lawful.”
I laughed loudly, sobered, and then said, “Robert, don't you understand there are no laws now? Not a one! Oh, perhaps the laws of humanity apply, or NATO's laws, but NATO can kiss our asses, because where are they now? Since day one of this fight, NATO has said nothing condemning the Russians and has made no effort to even assist us. Think of the billions, or maybe trillions, of dollars our country gave NATO over the years and it pisses me off that they've made no attempt to help us. I'm actually a compassionate man, but when it comes to my country and its freedom, I'll do whatever it takes to get the Russians to leave. I will burn these prisoners to death, and I will burn more and more, if it helps rid our country of the Russians yoke.”
Scott was quiet, looking at the floor, and then raised his head and said, “I was raised, sir, to love this country above all things in life. My father changed his Russian name to Scott, so he'd fit into American society better and he considered himself, as did my mother, an American, not a Russian. My home had American flags all over it, inside and out. The proudest time in my father's life was when all of his kids chipped in and bought him a flagpole, so he could raise and lower the American flag each day. While he never served a day in the United States Military, he saluted that flag twice a day. He was a good man, sir, and some of these men we'll burn to death are good men too.”
I put my hands on my hips and said, “Scott, you either speak with the Colonel or grab your gear, because I leave in five minutes. I have nothing else to say to you.”
“I'll go, but needed you to understand my view. I'll do what I'm ordered to do, but don't expect me to pour gas or light those men up, because I can't do it. I can't burn any person alive.”
“No, I won't ask you to do that, because I feel as the senior man, that's my responsibility. Now, grab your gear and let's go.”
At the first break, Sandra walked up to me and Dolly wagged her tail as she approached with her. Sitting beside me, she said, “The Colonel is not well. From his symptoms, I think he has cancer and, of course, we can't do anything for him. Oh, I can keep his pain level down, but he'll eventually die on us.”
I scratched Dolly's ears and asked, “How long do you think he has to live?”
“I can't answer that, because it would take extensive testing and we have no way to test the man. I'm afraid he needs more than we can provide. To be honest, I'm not even a hundred percent sure he has cancer.”
“Baby, there is nothing we can do for the man, so he'll either recover or die on us. I hate to sound so cold, but that's the way things are these days. I know some who've stood by and watched their loved ones die for the need of a simple medication, like blood pressure pills, heart medications and even antibiotics.”
“About all we have are painkillers and some antibiotic medications, but they've only been available recently.”
I shrugged and replied, “You know I'd help him and thousands of others, if I could, but I can't. Now, how are you holding up?”
“I'm okay, I guess, just tired. I would love a romantic evening with you, only that won't happen anytime soon. I know I'm not the same woman I used to be on the outside, but inside I've not changed much.”
“I didn't fall in love with the outside of you, and you know that.” I pulled her to me, looked into her eyes and said, “I fell in love with your soul, baby.”
She started crying, I guess because the Russians badly mangled her face and removed her ears when she was a captive, which prevented her from ever being beautiful again. She was a mass of scar tissue, but she was alive and that's all that mattered to me. I love her as much now as I did the day we married, so her face mattered little to me.