The Fall of America: Winter Ops by W.R. Benton Read Free Book Online Page A

orders, Corporal Scott, feel free to speak with Colonel Lee.  I have my orders and I will carry them out.  Now, either prepare to leave with us, or find the Colonel.”
    “The Russians are humans too, sir, and I don't think our orders are lawful.”
    I laughed loudly, sobered, and then said, “Robert, don't you understand there are no laws now? Not a one!  Oh, perhaps the laws of humanity apply, or NATO's laws, but NATO can kiss our asses, because where are they now?  Since day one of this fight, NATO has said nothing condemning the Russians and has made no effort to even assist us.  Think of the billions, or maybe trillions, of dollars our country gave NATO over the years and it pisses me off that they've made no attempt to help us.  I'm actually a compassionate man, but when it comes to my country and its freedom, I'll do whatever it takes to get the Russians to leave.  I will burn these prisoners to death, and I will burn more and more, if it helps rid our country of the Russians yoke.”
    Scott was quiet, looking at the floor, and then raised his head and said, “I was raised, sir, to love this country above all things in life.  My father changed his Russian name to Scott, so he'd fit into American society better and he considered himself, as did my mother, an American, not a Russian.  My home had American flags all over it, inside and out.  The proudest time in my father's life was when all of his kids chipped in and bought him a flagpole, so he could raise and lower the American flag each day.  While he never served a day in the United States Military, he saluted that flag twice a day.  He was a good man, sir, and some of these men we'll burn to death are good men too.”
    I put my hands on my hips and said, “Scott, you either speak with the Colonel or grab your gear, because I leave in five minutes.  I have nothing else to say to you.”
    “I'll go, but needed you to understand my view.  I'll do what I'm ordered to do, but don't expect me to pour gas or light those men up, because I can't do it.  I can't burn any person alive.”
    “No, I won't ask you to do that, because I feel as the senior man, that's my responsibility.  Now, grab your gear and let's go.”
    Ten minutes later, we were moving down the trail with six Russian captives and each looked terrified.  I hardened my heart toward what I was about to do and moved toward the front of my line, so I didn't have to see them.  
    At the first break, Sandra walked up to me and Dolly wagged her tail as she approached with her.  Sitting beside me, she said, “The Colonel is not well.  From his symptoms, I think he has cancer and, of course, we can't do anything for him.  Oh, I can keep his pain level down, but he'll eventually die on us.”
    I scratched Dolly's ears and asked, “How long do you think he has to live?”
    “I can't answer that, because it would take extensive testing and we have no way to test the man.  I'm afraid he needs more than we can provide.  To be honest, I'm not even a hundred percent sure he has cancer.”
    “Baby, there is nothing we can do for the man, so he'll either recover or die on us.  I hate to sound so cold, but that's the way things are these days.  I know some who've stood by and watched their loved ones die for the need of a simple medication, like blood pressure pills, heart medications and even antibiotics.”
    “About all we have are painkillers and some antibiotic medications, but they've only been available recently.”
    I shrugged and replied, “You know I'd help him and thousands of others, if I could, but I can't. Now, how are you holding up?”
    “I'm okay, I guess, just tired.  I would love a romantic evening with you, only that won't happen anytime soon.  I know I'm not the same woman I used to be on the outside, but inside I've not changed much.”
    “I didn't fall in love with the outside of you, and you know that.”  I pulled her to me, looked into  her eyes and said, “I