“And it’s still standing?”
“All of them are as far as I know. They built eleven all total from what I remember from my history lessons. But that was a long time ago. They are really quite formidable.”
“So how do we get them out?”
“Well, they have look-outs on the sniper walkways. The men are sleeping inside the fortification and the officers are in the Wienna Building. We will come up from the south. Here,” Nikitin said laying out a large map of Vienna.
“We are here,” he said pointing to the Innsbruck Airport, “It is a pretty straight autobahn to Vienna. When we get there will do some recon by following the canal up to this point here.”
“And cross over the Siemans-Stag Bridge.”
“Correct. This will put us within a few meters of the Wienna Building. Once we have established our attack points we will break into three groups and attack from the three different directions. The Flakturm is just across the street so we need to be very quick in subduing the officers inside.”
“How many are in the building?”
“Maybe thirty.”
“Then it shouldn’t be much of a problem,” Miller said.
“I think you are right. We will try to do it as quickly and quietly as possible.”
“Then let’s get saddled up,” Miller said.
“Saddled up? We are taking the trucks.”
Miller chuckled. “It’s American for load up and move out.”
“Ah. American slang. Saddle up. I will have to remember that one,” Nitikin replied
* * * *
Nitikin underestimated the length of time it would take. They encountered several snarled blockades caused by cars that wrecked with The Event. Clearing and detouring forced them to take additional time.
It was almost 2200 hours when they finally arrived at the outskirts of Vienna.
“We can send some scouts out,” Nitikin said after everyone was settled in to the area they had chosen as a jumping off point.
“Why don’t you and I go have a look first? We could get a better feel for the defenses,” Miller suggested.
“Yes. That is a much better idea. It is almost midnight now. When would you like the saddle on?”
“To saddle up,” Miller corrected.
“Up. On. Who cares? When should we go?”
“I am thinking 03:00 hours.
“Good we should try to grab a quick sleep,” Nitikin said, obviously quite proud of his American slang.
“Quick nap.”
“Bah, you and your American jargon. Who can ever keep it all straight?” he said, walking off muttering.
At 0300 they met at the canal and carefully made their way to the city’s edge following along the river bank of the Danube.
The Danube divides the city of Vienna into various sections. They were on the east side after having crossed the Aspin Bridge. The Flakturm VII-G tower was located in Augarten Park just across the street from where the German officers were quartered.
Miller and Nitikin were both surprised at how few watch stations were manned.
“Are they trying to lure us into a trap?” Miller asked.
“I don’t think so. I think they are just not aware that we are here.”
“But so few guarding. I wouldn’t ever be that sure of myself in a similar situation,” Miller whispered back.
“But then you are a tactician. You understand these things. Obviously the one in charge is not or else he is very stupidly arrogant,” Nitikin replied.
“Maybe a little of both.”
“Have you seen enough?”
“Yes. We can go now. I have a plan in mind. We can talk about it on the way back.”
They left as quietly as they had come.
* * * *
General Nitikin explained his plan to the entire group and then followed up with the individual military leaders to make sure everyone was on the same page. When he was absolutely sure they all knew what was required of them he went to meet with Major Miller once more.
We have about forty suppressors for our weapons so let’s pick our best forty men, issue the suppressors and we take them out while they sleep if possible.”
“Do we give them a chance to surrender?”
“What do you want to do?” Nikitin ask, putting it back on Miller.
“If any of them resist or try to sound an alarm, we shoot. If they are willing to surrender immediately, we hold them.”
“It is your call Major. I will instruct my men and you let your men know the procedure.”
“When do you want to move out?”
“In one hour. I want to be at the bridge before daybreak.”
“Very well. My men will be ready,” Miller said.
“Yes, as will mine. They will be saddled up as well.”
“Ah, very good general.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
- BEIJING, CHINA –
“If this does not work General Tasan will have us executed,” Feng said.
“If you go back and tell him you failed he will execute you anyway. So what do you have to lose?”
“My life.”
“Aside from that,” Major Zorn said laughing.
“You have a strange humor.”
“You must have humor if you want to enjoy life,” Zorn said.
“I just hope I get to live to enjoy it,” Feng lamented.
“Tomorrow we will march into his office and I will ridicule him for his lack of leadership. Since he is just a Shao Jiang, a Major General and I will be presented as a Shang Jiang. I will be two grades above him so I will be the new senior officer.”
“If he falls for it.”
“He will or I’ll switch to the alternate plan.”
“What alternate plan?” Feng asked surprised, “I have not heard of this plan.”
“Neither have I but I will think one up before we go in there tomorrow.”
“I must be crazy to go along with this. Do you have a death wish Major Zorn?”
“That’s Colonel General Masato. Do not forget that tomorrow or you will get us both killed.”
“Yes Colonel General Masato.”
“Good. Just remind yourself over and over if you want to live.”
“Was there a Colonel General Masato?”
“Yes. He was in charge of a secret missile base near Nan Ling Mountains.”
“You had better hope that General Tasan did not know him.”
“Yes, I suppose that would present a problem. Well it is a chance we have to take or I will resort to...”
“Yes, I know, the backup plan you haven’t thought up yet,” Feng said.
“Exactly.”
“Then I guess there is nothing more to do except hope for the best.”
“Just let me do the talking. No matter what he tries to do, I’ll handle it. Understand?”
“I assure you I have no intentions of saying anything more than I have to.”
“Good. Just you keep my name and title straight.”
“Yes, yes. I have that locked away in my brain,” Feng replied.
* * * *
Zorn, dressed in full military uniform with medals, walked with Zhijian to the palace.
“Who am I?” Zorn said under his breath to Zhijian.
“Colonel General Masato.”
“Very good.”
The two guards were on the front entrance didn’t know what to think. A Colonel General was coming up the steps. They had been told General Tasan was the highest ranking survivor and now a Colonel General was approaching.
“What do we do?” the one guard asked, keeping his eyes forward.”
“Salute and let him pass. I am not about to try to stop him.”
“But General Tasan.”
“You do what you think best. I am letting him pass.”
Zorn and Zhijian marched up the steps like they owned the place. The two guards snapped to attention and saluted. Zorn looked at each of them in turn as if inspecting them.
“Well,”
he said.
“Sir. Sorry sir,” one of the guards said and opened the door for them.
Just inside the hall a second lieutenant sat at a desk, looking at a magazine. Zorn stopped in front of the desk and reached over and yanked the magazine out of his hands.
“What...” he started to say then went pale.
He jumped up and stood at attention.
“You are on duty is that not so second lieutenant?”
“Yes sir. I...”
“Silence. I do not listen to excuses. Your name?”
“Second Lieutenant Nagataka, sir.”
“We will see if you remain a second lieutenant. Show me to this so called leader of the People’s Army.”
“Yes sir. Right this way sir,” he said leading them down a long hall and up a flight of marble stairs.
He stopped at the huge doors.
“This is his office sir.”
“Well, open the door lieutenant and announce that Colonel General Masato is here,” he said in a threating voice.
“Sir...ah, yes sir,” he said and opened the door, “General Tasan, Colonel General Masato,” he said and opened the door all the way.
Zorn strode in like he owned the place, looking around before looking at General Tasan.
“You are standing there like a fool. Do you not know how to present yourself to your superior officer?”
“I..Sorry, what is your name?”
“Sorry? Yes, I can see that. Pathetic is more like it. I will tell you only once. I am Colonel General Masato. It is my understanding that you fancy yourself at the highest military authority in China. I do not think so, General Tasan.”
“I have never heard of a Colonel General Masato. Where have you been and how did you get here?”
Zorn just stared at the General.
He looked over at Feng and said, “Tell this man how I got here...never mind, I will educate him. I am the senior officer in charge of China’s Missile Defense Command. My headquarters is not for you to know. I was brought here by this man who seemed to think a communications base was someplace around that location. While we do have communications capability it is not our main function. China’s Defense rests on my shoulders General. Now, I think it is time you explained why you fancy yourself the supreme leader of the People’s Republic of China.”
“Well, I am the only one that came to Beijing with any military force. Only the common people were here and had no order. Something had to be done so I assumed command.”
“While I give you credit for taking action, I will now assume command of the military forces. Since you have been here for some time I will appoint you my second in command for the time being.”
“I’m sorry General Maylong,”
“You idiot. You arrogant bug. I am Colonel General Masato. You would do well to remember that name. If you cannot remember it, I will have someone beat it into your head. Is that clear Tasan?”
“You can threaten all you want General but I am in control of the Army here. You are not known to my men. They will do as I say. You may have the theoretical rank but I hold the power. I suggest you go back to wherever it is you came from and stay there. I am being generous. I could just have you shot but it might cause some disruption in the lower ranks. I will grant you safe travel. You can take this sad béndéan with you.”
“He is no fool. He had the sense to know that I outrank you and you are only deluding yourself if you think I would allow aJiānghú like you to remain in charge of the future of China,” Zorn shot back.
“You should be careful. I will not stand for anymore of this. Go now while you have the chance,” Tasan yelled.
“Ah, the backup plan,” Zorn said to Feng.
“Sir?”
Zorn pulled out his pistol and shot the General through the heart. He was flung back against the wall and crumpled to the floor. A guard rushed in the room with his weapon at the ready.
“Put that away. Now,” he yelled.
The guard immediately lowered his weapon.
“Get someone in here to clean up this mess. I do not like to have an untidy office,” he said casually and walked over to the desk.
He pulled the chair back up on its legs and sat down at the desk.
“Guard, did you hear what I said? Do not make me repeat it. There has been a change in leadership. As of this moment, Colonel General Masato is in command. Is that understood?”
“Sir, Yes sir,” the guard said and rushed from the room.
“That was the backup plan?” Feng said in amazement.
“It’s all I could think of at the moment. I think it went rather well, don’t you?”
Feng laughed and shook his head. It was the first time he had laughed in what seemed like a very, very long time.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
- VIENNA, AUSTRIA –
Nitikin and Miller sat on stone steps that led down to the canal. Nitikin was leaning back on his elbows looking at the stars. Miller sat with his knees drawn up and his arms wrapped around them. The only sound was the water as it continued its path from Germany’s Black Forrest, through ten countries, eventually ending up in Russia’s Black Sea.
“I still have trouble getting used to the lack of sound,” Nitikin said at last.
“I know. It took me weeks before I could really sleep. I kept a fan on just for background noise,” Miller told him.
“You know, looking up at the stars, it would be foolish to think we were the only beings in the universe. All those galaxies with uncountable stars. How could we think we were alone?”
“It has been an age old argument.”
“But all you have to do is look up.”
“Some look but never see or see only what they want to see,” Miller replied.
“Yes. That is human nature I think. Can I ask you a personal question?” Nitikin asked.
“I don’t see why not.”
“Do you believe there is a God?”
“Yegor, to be honest, at times I do and at others I question his existence. I see miracles such as the birth of a new child, the stars overhead, even the way man is made. Did all of this happen by accident? I don’t think so. It is far too complicated to have just happened. I believe it was created so that seems to imply God made all of this.”
“I sense a ‘but’ in there.”
“Yes. I see nations attacking other nations. Husbands killing wives, children terribly abused, and just some downright evil people and I have to ask myself, ‘Why would God allow such a thing?’ How can an innocent child be murdered by a mother? Why do evil people like Hitler gain control of a nation and murder millions? What was God thinking? Does he care what we do?” Miller answered.
“Don’t forget Stalin. He murdered millions of his own people just to stay in power. You can’t get much more immoral than that,” Yegor said.
“Yes, but I didn’t think this was the time to bring it up,” Miller chuckled.
“I understand how touchy those Russian’s can be,” Yegor joked back.
“And you Yegor? What do you think?”
“I am much like you. I truly want to believe there is a grand plan for man. That some deity created us and this wasn’t just chance. I think maybe he has forgotten us. This started a long time ago. Maybe he lost interest. I look around and I don’t see or feel his manifestation. Maybe that makes me a bad person but, like you, I would like a little assurance that we are still important to him,” Yegor replied.
“It is difficult to comprehend.”
“Indeed.”
“Well maybe tomorrow one of us will find out if God exists and if he is still interested in us,” Miller said.
“That is a very final way to find out. If it happens to be you, please send me a sign. It’s the least you can do,” Yegor jested.
“I was kind of hoping it would be the other way around,” Miller kidded back.
“Then let’s make a deal. If either of us should happen to be unfortunate, we agree to let the other one know what is
going on.”
“And if we both don’t make it?”
“Then we will find out the answer together my friend,” Yegor said.
“Deal. Now, I think I will try to get a little sleep before it all begins,” Miller replied.
“I will try also but I doubt I will get much sleep, I never do before a battle.”
* * * *
By 04:30 the selected men had been issued the noise suppressors and were ready outside of their assigned doors. The rest of the troops were ready to rush the Flakturm if they came out.
“We are in place,” Miller said over the radio.
“My men are ready as well. Nice and easy. Don’t rush unless shooting starts. We want to make as little noise as absolutely possible,” Yegor reminded him.
“Understood.”
“Then let’s proceed.”
They entered the building through eight different doors on the rear and sides of the building. Each team was responsible for one wing of the building. No one knew for sure where the German officers were located.
Sergeant Wilson was the point man and slowly worked his way down the hall, opening each door and checking it out before moving on to the next.
“I hear snoring,” he whispered to Miller who was right behind him.
“I’ll go in first, you follow and then the others,” Miller said.
“Sir, I should go first. I’m on point.”
He just held up a finger and pointed to himself. He nodded to Wilson and slowly opened the door. He could make out the outline of a man sleeping on his side, facing away from the door. Miller slowly crept across the room and placed the end of the barrel of the silenced MP5 on the cheek of the man. He startled awake.
“Don’t move. Don’t make a sound. You have only one chance to live. Do exactly as I say or you will die. Understand?”
“Ja.”
“We are a coalition of Russian, American, Spanish, and Italian Armies. Germany is no longer under the command of General Schenck. Herr Ramsden is now back in control and has ordered all military officers back to Germany and to disarm,” Miller whispered in his ear.
“You want us to just give up our arms and return to Germany?”
“Precisely.”
The man lay there, thinking of how to handle the information. It was obvious that he was considering his various options. He had a pistol under his pillow but the chances of getting to it in time were remote.
THE REVELATION - Book 3 (THE EVENT) Page 13