by W. R. Benton
I sat in a corner with my arm around Carol as we ate a Russian ration and washed it down with tepid river water. I worried about the water, and hoped we weren't drinking radiation particles in our water. I knew of no way to clean water contaminated by fallout, so I let my mind move on to other things. For a second I did considered the odds of getting cancer from bad water and then realized, I'd probably not live long enough to have to worry about cancer. Dolly moved to my side and I fed her a ration all her own, except for the sweets. Soon, my meal was done, I was asleep, and then I heard the rain pounding on the metal roof. Hail began to fall, which made one hell of a noise on the metal roof, and the winds picked up.
Carol was squeezing my right hand and I knew she was frightened. I was worried about a tornado. “Brewer, since you're nearest the door, check the skies around us for a tornado.”
He stepped outside, looked around and said, “I don't see anything now, but a lot of these clouds have the makings of a tornado, Colonel.”
“Well?” Top asked.
“Well, what?”
“Do we stay or move on?”
“We stay. If we get caught out in a hail storm with hail the size of baseballs, and we've all seen them here before, how far do you think we'd get?”
“Not far.”
“Exactly, and that's why we'll wait the storm out in here. I want one person at the door the rest of the night. I want us all up, fed, and ready go by daylight. So, I want the last guard to wake all of us at 0500.”
I then stood with Carol, put my sleeping bag on the floor, and we used hers to cover us with. While it wasn't cold, it was cool. Once we were covered and comfortable I whispered, “Comfortable?”
“Ummm, very. I like sleeping like this.”
I spent the next hour watching her sleep, but finally my exhaustion claimed me, like soldiers all over the world, and I fell asleep.
I awoke to shouts, but I could not determine the language. Thompson was on guard and heard him whisper, “Russians.”
“Do they have a dog?” I asked.
“Fog is too thick to see, sir, but I've heard no barking.”
I stuck my head out the door, and it looked like a scene from a Dracula movie, with a thick white veil of fog down to the ground. It was then I heard a big explosion followed by two smaller ones. I knew at that second exactly where the Russians were. They were about 200 meters from us and moving our way.
Everyone got ready to move; I picked up the suitcase as Top booby-trapped the dirt around the hole in the floor. I then put Walker on point and Top on drag. We moved out at a steady pace, heading deeper into the swamp. Of all of us, only Carol knew nothing of the swamp and she didn't like the place a whole hell of a lot, but neither did the Russian troops.
We'd been walking for about 400 meters, when I heard one and then two explosions, but both were small so I knew Top's booby-traps in the shed had paid off for us. Behind us right this second were two injured Russians and if we were lucky, both would die of their injuries.
The fog grew dense the deeper we moved in the swamp. I didn't expect the troops behind us to follow us far, because there were no accurate maps of the area. Most of us knew the swamp from a lifetime of hunting and fishing in the area, not from maps. That gave us a tremendous advantage over the Russians behind us.
The problem was the mud. No matter what we did, stepping in the mud left tracks.
Top said, “We all need to step off the path and get into the water right here. Move toward the bank on the right. Now, about halfway to the other bank, move to your right about 50 feet and then turn left and go straight. There is a hole there and it's deep, too.”
When Carol entered the warm water, she shivered with fear and I knew it was taking all she had to keep moving. Most of the way across the water was up to our waists, but at one spot it was deeper and mid-chest for me. Most of the troops didn't like being in the water at all, and the stretch we covered was about half a football field in length. Soon, we were on the opposite trail, much to the relief of most, and we took off at a slow jog. Water dripped from our clothing and gear, but we did move, with the fear of crossing the swamp-water behind us.
Near noon we got a radio call from Headquarters that more of the English speaking Russians, dressed as partisans, had been encountered. In all but one case the Russians were beaten back or killed. The one situation happened when a partisan group allowed the Russians to mingle with them. The Russian leader had simply stated he had no radio or password. Once they were in position and ready, they'd killed the Americans with small arms. There was only one survivor, who happened to be in the woods taking a pee. He reported their English was perfect, along with a strong Southern dialect. My call sign was changed to Quarterback and when my bomb was planted, I was to transmit “Touchdown.”
This concerned me, but I knew it'd take more than Russians who were fluent in the Southern dialect or redneck to matter much in the outcome of our war. I didn't like the idea of what I heard next, that we'd be using code on the radio. Code is good and fine, but it takes time to translate it and to send or receive it. No, we'd not been transmitting in the open and used code for important things, but I was unsure how this was to work. Further word on the code would be coming.
Private Walker was on point, and she was good. We'd slowed down to a fast walk now, because the mud was too deep. The sun came out and began burning the fog away, but it remained in some spots. Suddenly, Walker's body was covered in fire, as an antipersonnel mine exploded. I was looking right at her, when a thin wall of red and white fire shot to the sky, and her body literally flew apart. Everyone went to ground and there was no reason to check her; she had to be dead. I halfway expected a Russian squad in front of us and an ambush. After the ripples in the water grew calm again, I sent Brewer to check her. She was dead as they get and a person couldn't ask for an easier or faster death.
It was right then when Lea handed me the radio and mouthed, “Headquarters.”
“Quarterback, go Base.”
“Be advised the Russians have learned of your mission and we are attempting to discover how it was compromised. We don't know the extent of their knowledge, so call the plays that will bring a touchdown for us. Use your own game plan.”
“Uh, copy Base. I will likely switch to a night game then. I will send you a special copy of my game plan tonight. Do you copy? I also have KIA, Kilo India Alpha, by the name of Walker; Whiskey, Alpha, Lima, Kilo, Echo, Romeo. Do you copy, Base?” I said, more or less telling them a coded plan would be sent later this evening.
“Copy, your KIA is Walker and the coach said the ball is in your court.”
“I read you loud and clear. This is Quarterback, out.” I handed the handset to the radioman and knew I was authorized to do what it took to complete my mission.
All went well the rest of the day and near dusk we were still in the swamp. Now most folks will tell you that snakes are scared of people, and that's often true, depending on the type of snake. I can assure you a water moccasin is an aggressive snake most of the time and nothing much scares a gator. I thought Carol would start crying when she learned we'd spend the night in the swamp and out in the open. I was more worried about aircraft with infrared gear than snakes or gators. If the Russian Bear knew I was out to nuke them, they'd use every resource available to them to stop me. Hell, that just makes horse sense to me, because I'd do the same thing if our roles were reversed. I did suspect the Russians had no idea which group I was traveling with or my intended target.
Of course, now security would be at least doubled at the bases. Which made me feel safer that Pearl was my actual destination to plant the bomb. I grew up there, and I'd been thinking of putting the bomb in the vacant house my parents once owned. I grew up in the house, had millions of great memories there, and I felt it appropriate for the device. I could place it under the crawl space beneath the house. They were both dead now, so they'd not care, but in my mind it would be like them helping me to resist the Bear.
&nb
sp; “John?” Carol asked.
“Yes?” I replied, suddenly jarred back to the present.
“I'm utterly terrified of spending a night out here, in the open.”
“I'll tell you what, we'll zip our sleeping bags together and I'll be with you the whole night. I'll keep you safe, but it's really nothing to fear.”
“Nothing to fear? All I've seen in this place is snakes, gators, millions of bugs and some creatures I don't even know. I have one on me now, which itches, but I'm too embarrassed to check what it is.”
“Where is this unknown creature on your body?”
“I have one on my butt, uh, well, the other near my, uh, vagina. Lawdy, this is embarrassing for me.”
I turned to my radio operator and asked, “Something is bothering Carol and she needs a woman to check it out. I'll have myself and another man hold up ponchos so you can look her over.”
Lea smiled and said, “Sure, I'll help.”
I had Corporal Hall hold one poncho as I held the other. The two women started and after a few minutes, Lea said, “Leaches, sir. I see four on her.”
“Do you know how to get them off?” Carol asked, with her tone reflecting her fear.
“Use a squirt of insect repellent on them, but for the one near, uh, well, near her private area, make sure the repellent is only applied outside of her. So you may have to apply the repellent with your finger.”
“They're falling off now. I suggest you guys drop your drawers and check, too. I suspect we got them when we crossed the swamp water earlier today.”
I found one near my balls, squirted some repellent on it, and the chemical made my balls burn for a minute or so. It was sort of like treating a football player for jock itch. Most of the men had at least one leach and some had more. I did notice that once removed the area where they'd been sucking blood continued to itch.
Soon Carol was beside me and said, “I've never been so embarrassed in my life.”
I said, “Nothing to be embarrassed about, it's a swamp problem and it happens. Those of us in the field are not overly concerned with nudity, because at times like this, or when treating a wound, body parts are shown. It's not a big deal. Not a man here who hasn't seen a naked woman before or a woman who hasn't seen a naked man. We just keep it professional, is all.”
“I'm a Headquarters puke and this is rough on me.” Carol whispered.
I put my arms around her and pulled her close as I said, “You see now the sacrifices our men and women make everyday in an effort to gain our freedom. You've seen the injuries and death, so now you can appreciate the easier life with Headquarters. I will say you're a tough woman and have done well for a first mission. This mission is not one of the easier ones, either.”
“John, I think I'm starting to get attached to you.”
“Good, because I am to you, too. It's okay, so let it go and see what happens. Love is about the only thing we have left from the old America.”
“Can we sleep now? I'm beat.”
I held the sleeping bag open and said “After you, my dear.” with a wink. It was dark and I knew she didn't see it. I was starting to love this woman and I realized right then, love was needed by all of us.
A guard schedule was established by Top and they'd be rotated with a new guard every two hours. It was a little after midnight when Alford, the guard on duty, said, “Choppers.”
Top neared me, chuckled, and said, “I think we're fairly safe from IR detection in the swamp. Surely every gator in here must give off as much heat as a human. Can you imagine their screens?”
Always on the prowl to down a chopper, I asked, “Do we have a Strela 2 or LAW?”
“One of each.” one of Top's men said.
“If a chopper gets close enough, we'll take it out. I think the gator heat will mess these birds up, and they'll be coming down low and may use search lights. If they do, Alford, take the lights out.”
“Spread out some. No shooting unless I shoot first.”
Long minutes passed and I heard the choppers growing near. Then finally, one moved overhead and went into a hover. I felt my stomach tighten and suspected we'd been spotted. I aimed my Strela 2 and took a deep breath.
Chapter 12
Senior Sergeant Pajari screamed in pain as blood spurted from a number of serious lacerations and punctures from the exploding mine. He was still whole, but he didn't realize it yet, only because the Private had taken most of the blast and he was splattered all around the mine. Smoke, like a lazy cloud was hanging about six feet above the small crater in the ground.
A Private ran to him, a medic, and began looking him over. He cut his shirt open and he had a good half-dozen punctures to his chest, but he wasn't having any problems breathing. His arms and face were bleeding too, peppered from flying shrapnel. Of the Private who took the majority of the blast, they found his head, left hand and part of a boot, with a foot still inside.
The Junior Sergeant took command and asked, “What is his condition?”
“He will live, but we need a chopper, due to possible internal bleeding. I think he is more seriously injured than he looks to be.”
Turning to his radioman, the Sergeant said, “Let Base know the Senior Sergeant is down due to a mine, and needs a helicopter. Tell them he is bleeding internally.”
As the man talked to base, the Sergeant placed what few men he had in defensive positions.
“Helicopter on the way but the Commander, Matveev, is mad as a hornet. All I got out of the Corporal on the other end was we are getting a helicopter that is needed for another mission.”
“Well, we do not have enough people now to carry our wounded and have no choice. The Colonel will just have to get over his anger.”
The medic in the field had given the Senior Sergeant a shot of morphine and then next thing he knew, he woke up in the hospital. He was feeling no pain, but was confused about why he was all wired up to a machine and in a bed.
“Lay still, Senior Sergeant, you are safe.” a doctor said from beside his bed.
“Why am I here?”
“Do you remember the mine and explosion?”
“No, nothing yet, but I think it will return to me over time.”
“The man you tried so hard to save did not survive. What is left of him has been shipped home. Now, we have pulled all the metal out of you, and it was not a lot. However, if not for the helicopter, you would have bled to death internally, even if there was not much metal in you.”
Pajari just grunted, and then asked, “What of my men?”“The two wounded are still very much alive and stable. The others were airlifted to the Forward Operation Base and are all safe.”
“When can I get out of here?”
The doctor laughed and said, “All you Sergeants ask that question, and my answer is in about a week.”
“What hospital am I in, Edwards or Jackson?”
“Jackson and it is a good thing too, because we are closer. I do not think you would have survived the flight to Edwards. We used gallons of blood on you.”
“Has anyone been in to see me?”
“Just an old Master Sergeant named, uh, Sokoloff, I think his name was. He is preparing to go into the field and wanted to say goodbye. He said he will be back this afternoon to talk with you.”
As the doctor walked away, Pajari felt under his pillow and felt a pint of vodka. He pulled the bottle out, took a long chug, and then placed it under his mattress. When the medication and his alcohol mixed, he fell into a deep sleep.
Hours later he heard a familiar voice say, “You going to sleep all day? Some men will do anything to get a few days off. How are you, Albert?”
“I have no idea, but I am still above ground. Thanks for the bottle.”
“I brought another bottle, too, but I will put it in your dresser so you can have it after you start moving around. Oh, your medals came through as well as your promotion for your actions at Tent City. Moscow has approved your Cross of St. George and an Order of Kutuzov, with t
he last one only given to officers. Which means, sir, you are no longer an enlisted swine. Effective a month ago you were promoted to the rank of Captain.”
“Huh? I do not understand. I have no urge to be an officer.”
“Moscow has made that decision, my friend, not you. I say take the promotion, and retire with much more money.”
“Me a Captain? That cannot be.”
The doctor was entering the room and said, “It is true, Pajari, your rank is now Captain. So, you have some back pay coming to you. I know the Master Sergeant brought you vodka, because you Senior NCOs are all the same.”
“I do not wish to be a Captain. My goal was to be a Master Sergeant.”
The Captain laughed and replied, “The Russian army says you are a Captain, so a Captain you will be, my friend. I think your wife will be pleased and proud of you.”
“Zhutova does not care about my rank, but I am sure the extra money will have her confused, and when I come home dressed as a Captain it will shock her. She is but a simple farm woman.”
“Well, I have come to tell you that tomorrow we will move you to your own room. As an officer you are to be kept separate of your troops. According to Colonel Matveev you will remain in the infantry, but that is all that is known right now.” the doctor said, and then left the room.
Sokoloff glanced at his watch and said, “I must leave, Albert, because I must prepare for a mission. I will be gone a few days, but I will be back. You be a good officer and listen to the doctor and his staff.”
“Why are the beds mostly full here, and they did not take me directly to a private room?”
“I am to say nothing, but many of our men and women are down with radiation poisoning and in the hospital. We have had many deaths since you went to Tent City.”
“Oh, those fools! Before they used the bomb they should have considered the fallout, but Vasiliev was a strange man anyway. What happened to Colonel Gleb? Did he survive his injury?”