by James Rouch
“A roll call, now.”
“Now Major, I hope you won’t mind me saying this…”
“I probably will, so you’d better not.”
For the first time, the sergeant appeared to be getting a glimmering of an understanding that the officer was less than happy with something.
“OK Major, OK, we do it by the book. But maybe it wouldn’t hurt if we take a sort of shortcut, just to speed things up a little. See, there’s seven buses, fifty Reds on each one, excepting the last. That’s got fifty-seven. So we do a swift head count on the tail-end Charlie and that’s…”
“I see only six.”
“Hate to say it, but you’re wrong Major, it’s seven…”
The sergeant did a double take and a sickly grin spread across his fleshy face. “Aw crap. Fucking crap. Well, I expect it’ll be along in a while. Look Major, can I have a word?”
When Revell wouldn’t be drawn aside, the sergeant leaned close to him and lowered his voice to a confidential whisper.
“I’m just sort of doing a favour for my captain; you know how it is, sure you do. He was on to this sure thing, a real hot date, and I figured if I did this favour for him then I’d be OK for a few in return. Happens all the time.” He looked keenly into the officer’s face, trying to read his mood, and didn’t like what he saw.
“Right, Major, you think I’ve goofed up. So maybe everything ain’t quite kosher, but in the Zone who cares what happens to fifty…”
“Fifty-seven.”
“…Sure, fifty-seven Reds. Shit, we’ve got a half million behind wire and there’s loads more who’ve deserted and are just wandering about. Can’t we sort of overlook the discrepancy this time? You know I should have been retired years ago. It’s not my fault I’m still in this stinking war, I…”
“It sounds like you and your captain are a good pair.” Revell beckoned Sergeant Hyde. “I want them out of the transport and lined up in fives. Keep a good guard on them.”
“We could use the tennis courts. The wire’s still standing around them.”
“Good idea. And we’ll have that lot down for checking as well.” Revell pointed to the mountain of cases and bags loosely secured and partially sheeted on the roof of each bus.
“Is there anything I can do, Major?” The convoy commander ran his finger around the inside of his collar to loosen it. Blood was again dripping from his burst nose but he ignored it and instead wiped away with the back of his hand the perspiration that was running down the side of his face.
“You’re already doing it. And you’ll be sweating a lot more blood by the time I’m finished.”
TEN
“The fifty-seven in the missing bus you know about.” Hyde consulted his lists. “There are another thirty unaccounted for from those who did arrive. That gives us two hundred and sixty-eight milling about on the hard court.”
“Should be two hundred and seventy, shouldn’t it?” Revell watched the Russians listlessly moving about the makeshift compound.
“There are two stiffs on board the second bus. Seems the MPs who broke up the fights didn’t want the bother of hauling them off and sorting out the attendant paperwork.”
“And that master sergeant called them pussycats. What happened to the other thirty?”
“I’ve had a chat with the drivers. Seems our fat friend accepted a bribe to make regular stops during the night for them to get off and have a leak. The Ruskies were allowed off all at once and no guard kept or recount made when they got back in, and no one has any clue as to when the seventh coach went astray.”
“Well at least that all indicates that those we still have, if they haven’t made a break for it by now, then they’re not going to at all.” Revell prodded the pile of contraband at his feet with the barrel of his assault shotgun. “Mind you, that doesn’t mean we’re not going to get any hassle from them. Was this all found among their baggage?”
Bending down he picked up a civilian shotgun that had been shortened by the removal of most of the stock and half the twin over and under barrels. He broke it to check it had been unloaded, then tossed it back on the substantial heap.
“We spotted some of them carrying the stuff, but most of it came from their luggage. There are twenty-six pistols or cut down rifles, forty-two grenades of every type, five pounds of plastic explosive and three detonators.” Hyde scanned his list. “Also four hatchets, eight hammers… didn’t bother to count the knives. Would have been quicker to weigh them.”
“Dump it all in the lake, the whole lot. Pity we can’t do the same with the recent owners.” Among the collection Revell spotted an ornate Nazi dagger of World War Two vintage. Doubtless it had been looted from some abandoned property. It was likely the civvy shotgun came from a similar source. “These Reds may no longer be on the Warpac side, but I’ve got my doubt that they’re on ours either.”
Penned within the confines of the high mesh fences, the Russians strolled or lounged on the ground wrapped in soiled greatcoats. They appeared to be completely apathetic as to their surroundings, taking no interest in anything. There was little conversation among them, not even when their cases and bags had been checked in their full view. No concern, curiosity or resentment was displayed when the finds began to be made, not even when the haul was removed for disposal.
The only spark of animation came when Sampson and one of the pioneers appeared with buckets of water. Then there was a mad scramble for the gate where it was ladled out. It had taken several shots fired into the air to restore any semblance of order.
A thorough search of the transport uncovered another twelve guns and several hundred rounds of assorted ammunition, plus many more edged weapons. Revell was reluctant to, but it was beginning to look as if they would have to body search every one of their prisoners. That was the conclusion he was reaching when Lieutenant Vokes brought one of the Russians to him.
“This one speaks English, after a fashion, Major. He says he wants to…”
“To talk to the major, yes. That is what I am asking.”
“Make it quick.” Despite himself, Revell couldn’t help smiling. The man before him looked like a cartoon composite of the typical Russian.
He stood about five foot nine, but was so broad in the chest and across the shoulders that he looked squat. A short bull neck was topped by a heavy jowled slab of a face. His eyes were dark and narrow, made to look the more so by a broad forehead framed by a severe fringe of jet black hair.
All in all the Russian reminded Revell of a younger version of Brezhnev. Moving ponderously to attention, the Russian made as if to salute, but after his hand jerked twice in indecision he didn’t.
“Grigori Vladimirovich Galinski at your service, Major. Late sergeant in the 445th Company of the Commandants Service, attached to the 75th Infantry regiment, 3rd Shock Army.”
“I’m surprised you are still alive. Do your present companions not know you were with the military police?”
“To survive, one sometimes has to resort to subterfuge, Major. When I crossed the Zone to defect I assumed the identity of a… a friend, who unfortunately died on the journey. I tell you this so that you can be assured of my good faith.”
“You think I need reassuring?” Revell would have dismissed the man, but something made him hesitate. Perhaps he could be useful.
“By telling you this, I place myself in your hands, Major. Perhaps by so doing I might gain trust that would otherwise take a long time to establish.”
“Do you have any influence among this rabble?” Indicating the inmates of the compound, Revell saw that they had resumed their apathetic behaviour now the distribution of the water ration was over.
The Russian thumped himself on the chest, raising a puff of dust. “They know that I am a strong man, a tough boss.” He made the familiar Russian gesture of a clenched fist. “A powerful boss is always respected in my country.”
“Like Stalin.” Overcoming his distaste of the prisoner, Revell realized he might be able to u
se him. “We’ve wasted too much time here already. I want all the weapons this mob of yours is carrying.”
“Everything?”
Revell knew he was expecting too much if he thought he could net every knife among them, without resorting to a strip search. That would waste the best part of a half day.
“Firearms, grenades, explosives and ammunition. When they come out of there in fifteen minutes I want to see it all in a pile in the middle of the court. Just to be on the safe side my men will do random checks. If we find anything in that list, then there’ll be no food issue today.”
That is a very fair arrangement, Major, very fair. I am sure I can get them to go along with it. If there is anything else I can do?”
“I’ll let you know.” And he would! Revell had to give the man a high mark for initiative, even if it was prompted by self interest. Among the Russian people a display of initiative was considered dangerous, a trait to be stamped on ruthlessly. So rarely was it ever practiced that they didn’t even have a word for it in their language. “By what name are you known, if I need you again?”
“It is fortunate, Major, that my late comrade and I shared the same first name. A call for Grigori will soon find me.”
Revell didn’t doubt that. The man was obviously an operator. He wondered how long it would be before, perhaps, he had to stamp on him.
“You’re ready then?”
The convoy sergeant had been dogging Revell’s footsteps, and hovering about him through all the preparations for departure. All of that time he had been carrying the clipboard with the unsigned receipt.
Whichever way he turned Revell found himself faced by it, and a proffered pen, like a supplicant’s petition.
On top of the buses the new guards had finally settled in among nests of rearranged luggage. Those of the combat company and the pioneers who were to travel in the trucks and Hummers were already boarding.
Revell took a last look around to check that preparations were complete, then finally accepted the offered board. Crossing through the typed figures at the bottom of the torn and creased greasy paper, he wrote in the actual number he’d received live. Signing it and handing it back, he watched the master sergeant’s expression as he read the alteration. He was far from happy.
“Ah hell, Major. There ain’t something you could add, just to sort of soften it a little, is there? You know, about the escort going astray, maybe something on those lines.”
“You can explain that for yourself when you get back. Next time leave your captain to do his own dirty work. And if I were you I’d get those wheels changed on your transport. If the military police spot you motoring like that, they can have you on a sabotage rap. You’ve got enough problems as it is.”
Exhaust smoke plumed above the lengthening column parked on the drive, as the company’s transports were jockeyed into place between each of the buses.
The perimeter of the grounds was lined with refugees. Having watched with greedy eyes every stage of the preparations for the move, they now became bolder and began to filter hesitantly toward the abandoned building. Gradually the pace of the cautious infiltration increased as they weren’t challenged. Inevitably they began to converge on the kitchen area, and just as inevitably scuffles and fights began to occur.
As he ducked into his Hummer, Revell took a last look at the imposing building. In an hour or two it would be a shell, stripped of everything movable. It was a wonder it had escaped such depredations for so long. For a while yet it might have remained intact, if the presence of the combat company had not drawn attention to it.
Perhaps a few of the refugees would settle there for a while, until every last sliver of furniture and fittings had been consumed by the cooking fires. But it would not be for long. Disease was constantly thinning the numbers of civilians in the Zone, despite the constant replenishment caused by the frequent expansion of its area, as a consequence of fresh battles or advances. Certainly the old hotel would be abandoned the moment the truce ended. A conspicuous building was a dangerous place to be while there was fighting.
That it had escaped serious damage for such a length of time made it all the more likely that its turn for violent demolition would be soon.
For those pathetic displaced persons now struggling over scraps, the only comparative safety would be that offered by the larger refugee camps. There, overcrowding and the total breakdown of any semblance of law made life only marginally better. The Red Cross and the other relief agencies could do little faced with the vast numbers involved.
Taking his place in the front passenger seat, Revell saw that Andrea was already behind the wheel. Her foot tapped out an impatient series of loud revs from the gas pedal. Her action betrayed at least one fresh hole in the much patched muffler.
She looked like she’d been on a three day binge. Her hair was matted and her eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot. From the slack fit of her battledress Revell figured that she was also losing weight. Where it had been tight over her chest and hips, its folds now concealed her shape. As yet her drinking hadn’t affected her fighting capabilities, but then he’d not put her in a position where she’d been really tested. At the rate she was going though, it would not be long before he had to do something about her. Once, because of how he’d felt about her, she would’ve had special treatment. Not any more.
“We’re all set. Give them a blast.” Cradling his assault shotgun, Revell wished his hands were free so that he could stuff his fingers in his ears.
Andrea kept her hand down hard on the air-horn. The blare of the klaxon seemed to make his skull vibrate.
“That’ll do. I think they got the message.” Revell estimated they had a three hour journey. With Garrett occupied on his radio watch in the rear compartment and with this silent and unsmiling driver, it was going to seem a lot longer.
ELEVEN
“Scorched earth. With a vengeance.”
Revell had to agree with Sergeant Hyde. It certainly looked as if those were the tactics that had been employed by the Warpac unit that pulled back from the area.
On his map Revell had it marked as an area of extensive demolitions. That told only a fraction of the story. The road here ran through thick woodland and what had once been a Russian encampment. There was little left by which to identify it as such.
What had been a complex of deep bunkers, skilfully linked by an extensive network of trenches and weapon pits was now a wasteland. Powerful explosions had caved in whole sections, and what had been missed by them showed ample evidence of having been churned and bulldozed. Fire had completed the work of destruction and the air still reeked with the distinctive smell of flame-thrower fuel and phosphorus residue.
Even a motorcycle and sidecar, presumably beyond repair and not worthy of salvage, had been crushed into the soft loam, like a modern-day fossil.
Masses of tall pines and firs had been toppled and now formed an impenetrable entwined and splintered mass across the road.
“It looks like they blasted everything, then ran across the whole lot with a squadron of tanks.” Revell pushed the flattened motorcycle with the toe of his boot. It didn’t yield. “They didn’t mean to leave anything for us, did they? I thought when we drove over the rest of our section our pet Russians were in for an easy time. I see now that they’re not.” He turned to Lieutenant Vokes. “You’re the expert in this sort of work. Where do we start?”
Vokes surveyed the torn and heavily cratered road. In places it was bared to a depth of several feet where spoil from detonations close alongside had rained down. He had tried counting the trees that lay across it, but had given up when he reached sixty, with at least as many more still to go.
“I think the orders are that we have ten days to open up twenty kilometres?” He looked to the major for an answering nod of confirmation. Another glance at the road and he sucked in air through the gap in his teeth.
“This section is by far the worst. I would think it would absorb seventy-five percent of our work force f
or the whole of that period. We are lucky it is virtually in the middle. I would suggest we camp and concentrate our effort here. The other road blocks, and that collapsed culvert, we can send working parties out to deal with each day, as they are required. It is a shame we do not have even one power shovel, or dump truck.”
“Haven’t, and aren’t likely to get. I’ll put in a request all the same.” Revell made a note on a message pad. “A few chain saws wouldn’t go amiss either.”
A blurred outline of the sun was sitting on the western horizon and among the trees the shadows had lengthened to infinity. As they walked back to where the column stood it became rapidly darker. Here, the trees still stood, crowding out the light.
There might be a truce in force but Revell could take no chances. The previous night had been a rare opportunity to relax in the Zone. Tonight they were right on the edge of the temporary truce strip. A bare six kilometres away was the Warpac side. If anything went wrong, they would be the very first to know about it. A few minutes or even seconds’ warning might be enough to save some of their lives.
The guards that were already posted had a dual function though. They were positioned as much to watch that no one bolted into the trees, or appeared out of them.
“So they stay on the buses for tonight?” From the rear of the long file of vehicles Hyde heard the clatter of Scully preparing the evening meal. It would be their first, and only, hot meal of the day. The same would be served up for all of them, NATO troops and Warpac prisoner battalion alike.
“It’ll be simpler that way. At first light we’ll find a suitable clearing and keep a few of them back to erect a perimeter fence and put up the tents.”