THE TEN THOUSAND

by Harold Coyle

  "What about the nuclear devices, Ed? How do we resolve that one?"

  Shaking his head, Lewis threw his hands out. "Haven't got a real good answer on that one yet. I've been thinking about it, but I'm afraid that there's no one solution that will solve all our problems at once. So I recommend that we deal with the most immediate problem first, the Tenth Corps."

  "You don't think the nukes are a problem?"

  "A problem, yes. The most important one, no. After all, who, Madam President, are the Germans going to use them against and where? If they go for the Tenth Corps before they enter Germany, they, the Germans, start the war and drag the Czechs and Slovaks and God knows who else into the fray. Even their friends the Ukrainians would be pissed, especially when you consider that radioactive fallout from Ukrainian bombs detonated on Czech soil will drift east into Ukrainian territory. And if the Germans wait until the Tenth Corps enters Germany, that would mean punching gigantic radioactive holes in German soil." Lewis shook his head. "No, I'm afraid not even Hitler would have been that dumb. After all, despite the fact that they had nerve gas during World War II and we didn't, the Germans still didn't use it for fear of retaliation. We know where the nukes are. We even know who's guarding them and, for the most part, how. The CIA's been pretty good about keeping up with that. So if you accept my premise that the Germans won't use them on their own soil, the nukes are for the moment a minor concern."

  Lewis's statement that the nukes were a minor concern caused Wilson to roll her eyes. Only after considering everything that he had said was she able to accept Lewis's analysis as valid. Calm again, Wilson looked down, pondering Lewis's assessment in silence. Finally she looked over at him. "You realize, Ed, that after all this is over, even if we do pull it off, our political careers will be over."

  After a short pause during which Lewis's face lost all expression, he spoke. "Madam President, yesterday I sat as close to Chancellor Ruff as I am now to you. I looked into his eyes and listened to his words. I cannot express to you my feelings of horror and dread. What the words did not convey, his eyes and the tone of his voice did. I felt as if I were staring into a dark bottomless pit. As I thought about that pit, suddenly I realized that I was listening to the same words our fathers and grandfathers had listened to in 1933. I do not mean to lecture you, Abby, but I must tell you, our fathers had to see the same dark pit. They had to. But they didn't know what was at the bottom of it. We do. You know and I know. That pit is filled with over thirty million corpses. And those corpses are there because our fathers took the safe, sure road. They tended to their political concerns and ignored their responsibility to the human race. They saw the face of evil and turned their backs on it. Can you do the same?"

  13 JANUARY

  Roused from a fitful sleep, Chancellor Ruff didn't bother dressing before going down to the den where he was told Colonel Kasper was waiting. When he entered, Ruff immediately regretted not having taken the time to dress. Kasper, in full uniform, jumped to his feet as soon as the doors of the den were slid open for Ruff. Another colonel, whom Ruff had seen once at the headquarters of the Bundeswehr, also came to a rigid position of attention. Concealing his embarrassment at being presented in nothing but pajamas, bathrobe, and slippers, Ruff headed right to his desk, where he took a seat before addressing the two officers.

  Pivoting in place, both colonels waited while Ruff took his place behind his desk and lit a cigarette. Finally Ruff, after taking a long puff, looked up at Kasper. "Well?"

  Kasper's usual clear, sharp manner was not dulled by the early hour. "Herr Chancellor, may I present Colonel Gotthardt Mahler of General Lange's personal staff."

  Without pause, as if rehearsed, Mahler presented himself. "Herr Chancellor, General Lange regrets not being able to report to you at this time. He is currently reviewing the situation and will, after the morning briefing, report directly to you in person."

  Waving his hand with the cigarette in it, Ruff indicated that Mahler was to continue. "Sir, we have been able to confirm that the American Tenth Corps is in motion, with logistical elements moving north from Prague." Stepping forward, Mahler laid on Ruff's desk a small map showing the northern Czech-German border. As he continued to speak, he pointed to red military symbols marked on the map. "They have commenced establishing forward logistical bases in the vicinities of Chomutov, Teplice, Decin, and Liberec." Leaving the map in front of Ruff, Mahler stepped back, allowing the Chancellor to study the map and the strange military symbols that had no meaning to him as he thoughtfully puffed on his cigarette. Finally he looked up at Mahler. "And what, Colonel, is General Lange's conclusion?"

  Kasper had warned Mahler that the Chancellor had only a cursory layman's understanding of operational matters, telling him that he needed to be very specific, without being insulting, when explaining the military situation to Ruff. So Mahler was careful to respond in such a manner that his answer didn't sound like a lecture. "General Lange believes that we are seeing the beginning of a redeployment in preparation for ground operations against Germany."

  Looking up at Mahler with narrow, inquiring eyes, Ruff took a puff from his cigarette. "You are aware, I am sure, that President Wilson of the United States has stated that she is committed to defusing this situation and will begin the withdrawal of American forces from Europe as soon as the disposition of American equipment and weapons can be arranged with the Czech government. Could this move not be part of that effort?"

  With no need to consider Ruff's question, Mahler responded. "That, Herr Chancellor, is possible but unlikely. General Schacht reports that none of his sources in the Czech Republic have found any evidence that American combat units are preparing their weapons or equipment for demilitarization. If anything, his latest intelligence indicates that the Tenth Corps' combat units are preparing for sustained combat operations. Our agents who have been able to observe American units around Prague and Pizen all speak of units stripping away all unnecessary vehicles and equipment while distributing large quantities of combat rations, lubricants, and spare track parts to combat vehicles. Yesterday the corps logistics officer submitted a request to the Czech Army office of logistical operations for all the fuel cans it could spare, to be delivered to the main corps support area within forty-eight hours."

  Ruff was careful in wording his question so as not to appear totally ignorant of military matters. "Yes, this all seems to belie what the American President is saying. But I cannot simply come out and declare her a liar based on the movement of a few supply units. Can I, gentlemen?"

  Kasper, understanding the real question behind his Chancellor's question, responded. "This is normal procedure for American forces. Some of their officers call it a slingshot. When the situation allows, logistical units and the bulk of the supplies to be used during the initial phases of an offensive operation are moved as far forward as possible in advance of the combat units. The combat units themselves are kept as far back as practical and dispersed. Only at the last moment are those units launched forward. When the combat elements do come forward, they all pass through the pre-established logistical points where they refuel and then move immediately into the attack. In this way the logistical system, normally the bulkiest and most cumbersome part of an army, is already set in place, leaving the roads free for movement of the combat units and able to support combat operations from the very beginning. It is a system the Americans have practiced here in Germany during Reforger exercises and used quite successfully during the first Gulf War."

  Finishing his cigarette, Ruff crushed it in an ashtray and looked at the map again. "How soon before we know for sure when and where the Americans will strike, if indeed they intend to strike?"

  Picking up where Kasper left off, Mahler responded. "The next elements that move forward, if the Americans stay true to their doctrine, will be corps and division artillery units. Like the logistic units, by moving them forward first, the artillery units will be off the roads and ready to support the maneuver units when they come throu
gh. As for the likely axis of advance, when I left we were looking at three major avenues of advance into eastern Germany." Leaning over Ruff's desk, Mahler used his index finger to show Ruff where he was talking about. "One, here, north from Chomutov toward Chemnitz. Another, here, from Teplice into Dresden with a possible supporting attack from Decin also north toward Dresden. There is also the remote possibility that an end run may develop here, from Liberec, through Poland, toward Görlitz."

  Mention of the move through Poland surprised Ruff. "They wouldn't dare."

  Resuming his position of attention, Mahler responded in a matter-of-fact manner. "It has been confirmed, Herr Chancellor, that General Malin, the commanding general of the Tenth Corps, paid a personal visit to the Polish embassy in Prague yesterday afternoon. This was followed last night by the appearance of the Polish military liaison officer at Tenth Corps headquarters. While such an operation is questionable, General Lange cannot ignore that possibility. He has instructed his planning staff to take such a contingency into account when planning for the redeployment of our forces to counter the American threat."

  "When, Colonel Mahler, does General Lange intend to present a full report and his recommendations to me?"

  Lifting his right arm to eye level, Mahler studied his watch for a moment before answering. "In four hours, Herr Chancellor. There is an intelligence update by General Schacht's section for the senior members of the General Staff scheduled at 0630, followed by a final review of the draft operational plan to the full staff at 0700 hours. That will take no more than thirty minutes. After that, Generals Lange and Schacht, along with the chief's of their planning staff's, will be prepared to report to your office at 0800 to brief you and your cabinet." Then, as an afterthought, Mahler added, "Will that, Herr Chancellor, be satisfactory?"

  With a wave of his hand, Ruff told Mahler that eight o'clock was satisfactory. Thanking the two colonels, he dismissed them. When he was alone, Ruff looked down at the map on the desk before him. So, he thought to himself in the silence of his den, the Americans come again. That thought brought his black-sheathed Hitler Youth dagger to mind. After lighting another cigarette, Ruff leaned back in his seat, taking a long drag as he looked up at the ceiling. Though his eyes were open, he only saw the images of a dark, gray corpse-filled cellar in Regensburg in April of 1945. Every detail, even the smell of that cellar, was as keen to him at that moment as if it had just been yesterday. He could even feel the pain in his leg almost as intensely as he had when the wound was fresh on that distant day. "This time," he said to himself with a hint of self-satisfaction, "I shall be ready."

  Arriving at the rail yard in Milovice just as Nancy Kozak's company was finishing breakfast and getting back to loading their vehicles onto rail cars, Scott Dixon and Colonel Vorishnov joined Kozak for breakfast and watched the operation. Using the hood of Kozak's humvee as a table, the three officers ate their breakfast of runny eggs, soggy toast, and limp bacon while Kozak briefed Dixon on the status of her company between mouthfuls. Not that he didn't already know its status, as well as that of all the companies under his command. Dixon's own staff had already given him an update on that less than an hour before. It wasn't the information he was interested in at that moment. What he was really looking at was Kozak's attitude and the attitude of the soldiers in her command. That was something that didn't show up on the charts and graphs at brigade headquarters. For this piece of critical information, Dixon relied heavily upon his own eyes and ears. With what they had to do, Dixon had to be sure that everyone in his command was mentally as well as physically ready. So, informing Dave Yost, his executive officer, that he had had enough staff briefings and planning sessions at both corps and his own command post to last a lifetime, he and Colonel Vorishnov hopped into Dixon's humvee and fled the organized chaos of a brigade headquarters in the throes of planning and preparing for the invasion of Germany.

  Referring to notes in a spiral notebook covered with a personalized camouflaged carrying case, Kozak alternated between eating and recounting item by item the status of her command and her concerns. As she did so, Vorishnov watched her in fascination. He watched how she held her fork, how her full, shapely lips moved when she spoke, how she held her head slightly to the side with a few stray wisps of her long hair falling out from under her helmet. Such a lovely girl, he thought, involved in such a cold, brutal business. A veteran himself, Vorishnov wondered how such a beautiful creature as this woman could maintain her femininity and still continue to do what was necessary. Vorishnov was just beginning to imagine what Kozak would look like in an elegant black gown with a jeweled necklace draped about her slender neck instead of the dirty collar of an olive drab wool sweater, when her company first sergeant came up behind her and interrupted her briefing by loudly clearing his throat.

  Without showing any indication that she was upset over the first sergeant's interruption, Kozak paused and turned toward him. "Is everyone back at it, First Sergeant?"

  Making a slight grunt, First Sergeant Gary Stokes's reply showed his disgust. "Well, ma'am, like my old man use to say, 'Ya can teach 'em, but ya can't learn 'em.' "

  She looked at him for a moment with a patient, calm expression on her face while she waited for Stokes to continue. "It's the same old story, Captain Kozak. As soon as someone starts shooting, half of what we tried to teach these people goes out the window." Looking at Dixon, Stokes threw his hands up in disgust. "I mean, the second we go into combat, everyone thinks, Hey! Fuck it, man, this is war, and all the discipline and accountability we try to instill in these guys is forgotten."

  "What exactly," Kozak asked, "is the problem?"

  "Tie-downs and chock blocks, ma'am. There isn't a complete set of either in the entire company."

  A worried look crept upon Kozak's face. "You mean there isn't a single vehicle in the entire company with everything it needs for rail loading?"

  Knowing that she was asking about her own Bradley, Charlie 60, Stokes shook his head. "None, nichts. I personally checked."

  Vorishnov noticed the embarrassed look that caused her cheeks to blush slightly. Turning to Dixon, she asked if she could be excused, stating that she needed to look into the matter of tie-downs immediately. With a knowing smile, Dixon nodded and told her no problem. After they exchanged salutes and both Kozak and Stokes were out of earshot, Vorishnov commented, still watching Kozak's hips sway despite the bulky parka and field gear, "You know, that could never happen in the Russian Army."

  At first Dixon thought that Vorishnov was talking about the crews losing their tie-downs. After noticing, however, the manner in which Vorishnov was looking at Kozak as she walked away, Dixon understood that he meant women leading combat units. Dixon chuckled. "That, Colonel, is your loss."

  Taking a sip of his now lukewarm coffee, Vorishnov stared at Dixon with a quizzical look. "Do you honestly think so?"

  "Colonel, I know so. Some of my best troopers are female. They're for the most part sharp, dedicated, and with few exceptions, far more astute when it comes to dealing with people. Besides, overall, they have a very real civilizing effect on the units to which they belong."

  Vorishnov watched Kozak go about her business as he continued to speak to Dixon. "Our intelligence officers like to tell us that the presence of so many women in your units is making them soft, that they are feminizing your army."

  Dixon smiled knowingly. "Well, your intelligence people can believe what they want. I personally know of several Iraqi officers who would beg to differ with that conclusion. I'll be the first to admit there are problems. After all, as the saying goes, boys will be boys, and girls will be girls, especially when you put them together. But it's all part of being a democracy. Everyone has a right to make it in the world as far as they can go. Turning toward Dixon, Vorishnov took another sip of coffee.

  "I think, Colonel Dixon, in this case I must agree with some of my fellow officers. Allowing women in combat units is a little too much democracy."

  Dixon was about to
counter when a soldier who had been serving breakfast came up. "Colonel, we're closing up the chow line. I thought you'd like some hot coffee before we pack it away." Taking advantage of the offer, both Dixon and Vorishnov presented their cups to the soldier, who filled them well past the brims. Only the heavy gloves they wore to protect their hands from the bitter cold morning saved both officers from getting their hands burned by the steaming coffee.

  As they waited for their fresh cups of black coffee to cool down, which didn't take long, Vorishnov mused, "You know, Colonel Dixon, I served as a staff officer at the Group of Forces, Central Group, here in Czechoslovakia, when it was Czechoslovakia."

  "Yes, Colonel, I knew that. That is why I asked that you remain with my brigade. Who better to advise me and my staff on this operation than a man who planned to come crashing through the Cheb Gap just like we plan to."

  Vorishnov looked over to Dixon. "I would like to point out, Colonel Dixon, that when I was at Central Group, I never remember coming across any plans that called for throwing an entire brigade across the Czech-German border strapped down on a train."

  "Four trains, to be exact. That, Colonel, is my little innovation. Got the idea from studying the Korean War. On the first day of that war, one of the North Korean Army units took advantage of their complete surprise over the South Koreans. Just before dawn they replaced the section of tracks that had been torn up when the north and south separated and rolled right into their initial objective in rail cars."

  Vorishnov held his left index finger up as he prepared to make his point. "Ah! Yes, that is important to remember."

  Puzzled, Dixon looked at Vorishnov. "What is important?"

  "The North Koreans. They didn't just board a train and roll into enemy territory. They prepared their way by laying tracks across the point where the rail line was broken." Vorishnov dropped his arm, taking a sip of coffee while he allowed Dixon to think for a minute.