The Fall Of America: Fatal Encounters Part 26

From the median, a machine-gun opened up, st.i.tching the dirt in front of the ditch as the gunner walked the bullets to the shallow trench. The Major screamed, fell to the water and began to jerk. The Master Sergeant, who was in the middle, grabbed the man and pulled him erect. From his NVG's he saw where a bullet had burned the Majors left arm slightly.

"Sir, your wound is tenuous and if you want to still be alive when the helicopters arrive, use your weapon. Both of you, be sure of a target before you fire. We need to conserve our ammunition or we will be dead before the aircraft get here."

"Contact the helicopters now, Sergeant, and find out where in the h.e.l.l they are." Vetrov ordered as he fired off toward the left side.

The GM-94 in the hands of Tom fired once again and the car burst into flames.

"Get down, now!" Belonev screamed and then ducked low in the ditch.

"Where are the aircraft!" The Colonel yelled to no one in particular, but the Master Sergeant picked up the radio and asked, "Calling any aircraft."

"Go, I'm one of three helicopters near the ambush site." The pilot could hear guns firing over the radio and a.s.sumed it was the Colonel calling.

"What type of helicopters are responding and how soon until you arrive my area?"

"I am one of two Black Sharks, Kamov Ka-50's, and I have a Ka-60 along to pick up the survivors. We should be at the ambush site in about three minutes, sir."

"This is Master Sergeant Belonev, sir, send the two faster aircraft ahead now, because we're taking heavy fire." He knew the Black Sharks were almost a 100 KPH faster than the Ka-60.

"Understand, Sergeant, and will do. Where are you located and where is the fire coming from?"

After giving the pilot their location, as well as the location of unfriendly fire, the gas tank in the car suddenly exploded, throwing flames high into the air and all three men ducked low in the ditch.

"What was that? Are you still there?" The radio came alive.

"The staff car just blew, hurry! The Americans are advancing on our position."

The burning car lighted the area as bright as day, and the partisans heard a whistle and all moved forward. Belonev raised his head slightly and said, "Keep low and fire. The helicopters will be here in a minute or two!" Tracers of green and red were seen crisscrossing in the air overhead.

Vetrov raised his Bison in his hand and squeezed off a long spurt without even looking over the edge of the ditch for a target. The Major raised his head slightly, fired three rounds, and then was knocked back to the ground behind him. Two more bullets struck him at the same time, one in the chest, the other low and in his stomach. He fell to the bottom of the water-filled ditch and screamed.

Belonev suddenly yelled, "Behind us!"

Again, Vetrov raised his weapon and squeezed off a burst. Out of the blue, his Bison flew through the air away from him, and he pulled a b.l.o.o.d.y hand down screaming. Glancing at his commander, the Master Sergeant saw three or four fingers missing on the hand.

"Sir, you must pull your pistol with your left hand and help me, or we will be dead in a minute or two."

The radio relayed one short sentence, "We have a target rich environment all around you, so lower your heads."

The area around the two live men became alive with 30 mm cannon fire and horrific screams were heard over the sounds of a helicopter firing. Belonev raised his head to help direct the aircraft and saw bodies flying apart as the cannon struck home. Dust filled the air as he picked up the radio and said, "Clear the median, almost center on us, and do it now."

"On the way."

The second helicopter released two missiles, which struck the target dead on, and huge explosions were heard. Belonev scanned the area around him and spotted no movement at all. Maybe the Americans have withdrawn? The Sergeant thought.

The cannons in a chopper coughed once more and anything in the median was instantly turned into hamburger meat. No screams were heard, but the attack had been fast and furious, so it was unlikely any victims realized they were in danger, until hit.

"Down the road from us, perhaps a hundred meters, is a sniper; take him out now."

"Will do."

Missiles were fired and the detonations lighted the area well. It was then the light rain turned hard. His NVG's were useless now, so Belonev removed them and seeing the darkness surrounding him, he shuddered in fear. The only light came from the still burning staff car, but it was almost out.

"You will have to inform me of where to place any strikes now, because my on-board thermal gear does not work well in this rain." The pilot said over the radio.

Vetrov s.n.a.t.c.hed the radio from Belonev's hand and asked, "How far out is the rescue helicopter?"

"Less than two minutes. Leave the bodies, but the two of you need to be prepared to run to the helicopter when it lands on the highway. We will be making pa.s.ses to the sides of you as the rescue aircraft lands."

"When do we move?"

"When I tell you, and then move to the open door on the side of the aircraft. Watch for the gunner, because he may have to fire to cover your approach. Do not rush forward until I give the word, understand?"

"We will wait for your word."

A bullet struck the dead man in front of them, so both Russians knew the Americans were waiting.

"Sir, get lower in the ditch. We don't want to get struck now, not when rescue is on the way."

One helicopter made a dive toward the ground, which the two men in the ditch, as well as the Americans could hear. Cannon fire was heard, but the Americans realized the aircraft had no specific target in mind, because it fired between their position and the Russians. Then it dawned on w.i.l.l.y, The aircraft was firing to keep any approaches cleared of partisans.

John, nearest to the highway, saw the inbound rescue aircraft and pulled the LAW from his pack. He carried two, but suspected one would work just fine. He doubted he'd be able to hit one of the faster Black Sharks, so he held his fire and waited for the rescue aircraft to touch down. He extended the tube and waited.

"We are landing straight in front of the burning car, so wait until we order you to move. All communications will be with us from this point forward." The rescue aircraft suddenly said on the radio Vetrov held.

The second Black Shark went into a dive. Belonev watched in fascination as it never pulled up and struck the ground going full speed. The resulting explosion and blast made the rescue chopper wobble violently as the pilot fought the stick to maintain control. The two Russians on the ground were surprised to see the aircraft was only about fifty feet in the air. The area behind the two survivors was as bright as day, and then came the secondary explosions from the crashed Black Shark. With each explosion there came a bright flash of light and then a loud boom.

When the skids touched the highway, the radio blared, "Now, move!"

Colonel Vetrov tossed his weapon, along with the radio, aside and made a mad dash for the aircraft. Master Sergeant Belonev ran toward the aircraft as well, but was in much better shape than the Colonel. He was about to enter the aircraft when Vetrov grabbed him from behind and spun him around, causing him to fall to the ground. The Colonel then screamed as bullets struck the helicopter, "Go, go, go!"

Master Sergeant Belonev, seeing the aircraft raising cursed, "That d.a.m.ned coward. He only cares about his own a.s.s." The aircraft was ten feet in the air now and Belonev waved frantically at the gunner.

"Gunner to pilot, we still have a man on the ground."

"Black Shark, I'm taking heavy fire from the median." The pilot said, and then ignoring the gunner, continued his upward path.

Belonev, seeing the Black Shark lining up for an attack, realized the Americans could see it as well, so he jumped to his feet and made a mad dash for the ditch, jumped it and moved into the woods to the north. He was surprised he'd not been struck, but understood the enemy was likely moving away from the attack coming by moving at right angles. Their self preservation had saved his life.

Cursing the Colonel, and all officers in general, he moved away from the ambush site as slowly and quietly as he could. He gave thanks to G.o.d, for the heavy rain, which masked the noise of his movements. He decided once back at the base, he'd file formal charges against Colonel Vetrov and knew the gunner had seen him clearly, because they'd gazed into each others eyes for a few seconds.

Only first, I have to live long enough to return, he thought.

CHAPTER 26.

John kneeled, lined up the sights on the LAW and then squeezed the rubber-covered trigger. He watched, intrigued, as the aircraft was struck right behind the pilots door. With the explosion, a man fell free of the chopper to land on the pavement, his body smacking as it struck hard. The pilots door and a body fell a split-second later, landing near the burning staff car. The aircraft began to rotate 360 degrees as someone, most likely the man in the right seat, fought a losing battle for control.

The other Black Shark, on an approach for the median, began to spit 23mm bullets at trees and gra.s.s between the two highways. People screamed and John was knocked to his a.s.s when something struck him on the side of the head. Sandra screamed and ran for him. The aircraft flew over the median and then banked sharply to repeat his run.

The rescue chopper suddenly dropped like a rock and fell into the trees just north of the highway, where it burst into an immense fireball. Huge flames rolled inside of each other as they moved for the sky. Come dawn, all that would remain would be the tail and the badly burned remains of the co-pilot and two gunners.

Seeing the rescue bird crash and burn, the last Black Shark aborted his approach and turned for home. The rain was coming down in buckets now as w.i.l.l.y stood from the gra.s.ses nearest the road and yelled, "Make sure the dead Russians stay that way! Then, collect our wounded and let's get out of here."

He walked to the dead man who'd fallen from the aircraft, turned on his flashlight and grinned when he saw it was a full Colonel. The large three stars on the yellow board, with the two red stripes, confirmed his rank. Vetrov's head was severely injured on impact with the concrete, but w.i.l.l.y pushed the man's mouth open with his right boot and then leaning forward, placed an ace of spades in the dead man's mouth. May you rot in h.e.l.l, you murdering sonofab.i.t.c.h, he thought.

Esom appeared from the darkness and said, "One man escaped north, moving toward the base. It was raining so hard, even using the night vision sight I couldn't get a clear shot. He was a Master Sergeant."

"Small change for what we were after, so let him go. His getting away may just spread the fear of us a bit, which can only help."

Tom neared and said, "We have over twenty dead and about a bakers dozen injured, including John, who took a rock to the side of his head. Sandra thinks a round knocked the rock in the air, striking him."

"Will he live?"

"She swears he'll recover in a few days. But, my experience tells me a head injury can go either way."

"He's a brave man and has twice downed a chopper, so prepare a litter and bring him out with us. Are any of our injured unable to move under their own power?"

"All can walk, even the one with a sucking chest wound claimed he'd walk out under his own power."

"Take any gear we can find in this weather, herd the troops in close, and let's go home. We've had a busy night. I'm sure this rain will remove all traces of our tracks so make a beeline straight to our encampment."

Back at camp, Sandra placed John beside Dolly, who moved to him and put her head on his thigh. She then squatted by the big dog, petted her a few times to let her know all was well, and then said, "He'll be fine, girl. He took a glancing blow from a rock to his noggin. He should be up and around by tomorrow at some point, which is more than I can say about you."

Top entered the room and asked, "Did John come around? I thought I heard you talking to someone."

Sandra gave a tired laugh and said, "Dolly. She's worried about him, because she can smell the blood."

"Don't laugh, critters have more sense than most people I know. She knows he's hurt and she's scared for him. He's like a father to her, always fussing over her food, water, and comfort. I'll bet you she keeps her head there until he comes around."

Sandra nodded in the dim light of a small candle.

Top said, "You need to eat something and then get some sleep. We may have to move in the morning."

"I figured as much. But how will the Russians react to the fact we killed an important Colonel and they lost two choppers, a staff car and had at least eight or nine dead?"

"How do I think they'll react? They'll be p.i.s.sed, and I'm sure they'll murder some more of our people to show us just how d.a.m.ned mad they really are. They're a brutal bunch, but you know that by now. This is enough talk. I want you to drink some water, eat, wash up, and then get some sleep."

Morning dawned with more rain, and it was heavy at times. The old house leaked and a number of containers were positioned around the floors to collect the leaking water. John was awake, but wasn't his old self, complaining of a headache and blurred vision, which Sandra knew was normal for a head injury. She gave him a Lortab 10-500, which would kill his pain, but not put him to sleep as fast as morphine would. If they needed to move, she wanted him alert and ready.

Dolly had spent a good five minutes licking his face and hands when he'd sat up, and the love between the two filled Sandra's heart with warmth. It was such a cold and horrible time to be alive, so any affection was rare. She loved John with all her soul and knew he loved her as well, but they hadn't had the place to show their love for each other in some time.

Once the medication was working, John smiled and asked, "Could you bring w.i.l.l.y to me? I'm afraid if I try to stand I'll fall on my a.s.s."

Ten minutes later, w.i.l.l.y was sitting on the floor beside John and they were talking about a possible move, which both knew would have to happen now. Sooner or later, the Russians would learn where they were located.

"So," w.i.l.l.y asked, "this place in the swamp is okay, you think?"

"Better than most. They might blow the place up with rockets, missiles or bombs, but ground troops will never find it. There must be a thousand turns leading to the place and if you take the wrong one, you'll never find it. See, none of the trails are on maps and the top of the house is covered with moss and gra.s.ses from over the years. It wouldn't even show on a satellite photo. "

Mollie, who'd been sitting across the room walked to them and then asked, "Are you talkin' 'bout the old Parkerman place?"

"Yep, I am." John said.

Margie, who was sitting up against the wall said, "I spent a week there one night. Heard and saw all kinds of strange s.h.i.+t, but nothing I could identify."

"Bulls.h.i.+t, Margie." John said, chuckled, and then asked, "How well do you know the place, Mollie?"

"I know a good dozen trails leadin' to it, because my man used to hunt gators back in there. I heard tell the place has haunts in it, so I ain't never been inside the place, no sir, not me. I heard that over fifty slaves were kilt there durin' the war of Union Aggression and they still move around that old house at night, lookin' fer revenge is what I heard."

"What kind of shape is the roof and basic structure in?" w.i.l.l.y asked.

"About like this place. It'll leak, but only when it rains pretty hard. I'd guess over half the windows are out, due to folk shooting at them before the fall. I think it's the safest place for us, only we'll have to mine the trails, mark the trails leading to the place, and educate our people about both. If not, the first patrol we send out will never get back."

"The question I really have is this; Do you think our people can mark the trails in some manner so only our folks will know which way to turn? h.e.l.l, we can't send a guide with them on every mission and even if we did, if the guide died they'd be screwed."

"We can figure that all out later, if you want to give the place a try."

"I like the idea, myself, but let me run it by Top first and see what he thinks."

"Well," Mollie said, "I don't like the idea worth a tinkers d.a.m.n. Only I guess I ain't got much say in the move, huh?"

"Nope." w.i.l.l.y said, and then grinned.

John asked, "Mollie, do you really believe in ghosts and such?"

Her eyes grew large as she said, "Yes, suh, I surely do, don't ya?"

"No, I guess I don't, but you're ent.i.tled to your thoughts and feelings, so I won't laugh at you like some will if they hear you talk about it."

"I don't give a d.a.m.n, and I mean that. Folks have been laughin' at me since I was a little kid and it don't bother me no more. First, I ain't pretty like most women and second, I don't talk good. See, I never got much education, because my daddy didn't think a woman was made for anything other than havin' a pa.s.sel of kids. So my brothers got to go to school, while I stayed home and took care of the little ones. Then, as soon as I could, I got married up and out of that place. I loved my daddy, but his thinkin' was ba.s.s ackwards at times."

"I'm going to call a meeting and we'll discuss your swamp house. I'm sure most will like the idea, because I d.a.m.ned sure do. If it'll be hard for us to find the place, it'll be pure h.e.l.l on the Russians."

Belonev realized after he'd covered less than a mile, he'd taken a wound to his back, but it was minor. The rains soaked him and he had no idea if the injury was bleeding or not, but he felt no weakness, so he kept moving. Each time he thought of Vetrov pus.h.i.+ng him out of the way and then leaving him behind, the more he felt the man deserved his horrible death. That sonofab.i.t.c.h thought only of himself, but he did not know that by pus.h.i.+ng me to the ground, he was saving my life. Thank you, Lord, for saving me, he thought as he moved.

The rains were less now, so he could see better, but mud was ankle deep. I need to look for tripwires or mines as I move, or I can still end up dead. All others in the car dead but me, and is not that strange? Folks used to laugh at my prayers, telling me there was no G.o.d, well, I am proof today that there is a G.o.d. I am coming Alena, my wife, and we'll soon make that old farm work. I want to work hard on my farm, make enough money to live on, and sip vodka as I sit in my rocking chair. I am too old to be a soldier now. I must survive.

As the sun came up, Belonev saw the road to the camp off his left side, so he changed direction. "This is the road from the town of Edwards, so I am close."

He stepped from the brush, frowned at the muddy road, and then started moving toward the base. His back was hurting him now; the slight throbbing he'd initially experienced was replaced with a deep pain. He had morphine in his first aid kit, but knew if he used the drug he'd be unable to travel. His uniform was filthy, covered in mud, blood, grease from the guns, and even scorched from the car fire. He looked down at his filthy hands and suspected his face was no cleaner. It is hard to be clean, when you have to fight in a pigsty, with two pigs.