Ashes - Standoff In The Ashes Part 2

"It showed us something about the caliber of men we're up against," Ben said. "And they're capable of doing just about anything to win."

"Almost like us," Anna said softly.

"Almost," Ben replied, after a few seconds pause. "But not quite. We still have some honor left. But can we maintain it if a civil war drags on?"Ben paused and the others waited, looking at him. He did not reply, just turned and walked away.

"I don't think I have ever seen him this sad," Jersey said. "I don't like it."

27.27."It's tearin' him up, that's for sure," Cooper said. "Worst I've ever seen."

"Not since Jerre's death, anyway," Beth said softly.

"Yeah," Cooper said. "You're right. G.o.d, I forgot about her."

"You can bet he hasn't," Jersey said. "And you can also bet he never will."

Before anyone could say anything else on the subject, Ben came out of the CP. "Get your gear together and let's roll, gang. We're changing sectors just to be on the safe side. This site may have been compromised."

In the big nine pa.s.senger SUV, Cooper asked, "Which way, Boss?"

"East, Coop. Toward the Bootheel of Missouri."

"Where do you want to stop for the night?" Corrie asked. "Which it will be in about an hour," she added.

Ben smiled at the not-too-subtle hint in Corrie's voice. "I don't know, Corrie. It isn't that far, and we'll be on Rebel roads. They're in good shape. We'll see."

They drove straight through to the end of the line, which surprised no one in Ben's team or his security people, who were always close by.

The officer in charge of the Rebels at the last outpost east in this sector, on the Arkansas/Missouri line, was not surprised to see Ben and his team una.s.s themselves from the big wagon. He had been warned by other Rebels along the way that the War Eagle himself was on the prowl and might show up.

"How are things here, Captain?" Ben asked the commander of the small detachment of Rebels.

"Quiet, sir." He pointed east. "But the Federals are dug in tight just across the river."

Ben turned toward the St. Francis river. "How many?"

"Several companies, at least. This is the only bridge over 28.that river left intact in this area. They'd like to take it in one piece."

"I bet they would. Is it wired to blow?"

"Yes, sir. The Combat Engineers did that some time back. I'm sure the Federals know it's wired. General? Do you think something is about topop in this area?"

Ben shook his head. "I don't know what's going to happen, Captain. Or where."

"We know they've been moving in boats over there," the captain said, jerking a thumb toward the river.

"You ready for an a.s.sault?"

The young captain smiled. "Oh, yes, sir."

"Then let them come."

"You going to stay with us tonight, sir?"

"Thought I might. We'll stay out of your way. If the Federals attack, it's your show. Where do you want my people?"

' 'We're pretty thin, General. Anywhere will do, and we're glad to have you."

"We'll hold our own, Captain. We'll spread out to the south and dig in."

"Yes, sir."

"Carry on, Captain."

After the young officer had left, Jersey said, "You 'bout scared the s.h.i.t out of him, Boss. Showin' up like we did."

"I used to know every officer in the Rebel army by their first name. Now I don't know but a handful. What is that young man's name?"

"Evans, Boss," Beth said. "He was a sergeant when we first hit Africa.

By the time we pulled out of there, he was commanding a platoon."

"Thank you, Beth. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I know what I'd like to do with her," Cooper said after Beth had walked out of earshot.

29.29.Ben smiled. "Get your mind off p.u.s.s.y, Coop."

"How does one do that, Boss? 'Specially when you're surrounded by good-lookin' women?"

Ben laughed. "I don't know, Coop. But do your best. I think the Federals are going to try to cross that little river tonight."

"They're fools if they do."

"Just more cannon fodder. Probing for weak spots. Let's get dug in. It just might get real interesting around here in a few hours."

30"They're really going to try it," Jersey whispered as the very faint sounds of boats sliding into the water reached the Rebels on the other side.

"More young American boys and girls being used as cannon fodder by their commanders," Ben said, disgust and sadness all mixed up in his voice.

"Federals probing at half a dozen other locations," Cor-rie said quietly.

A moment later the pop of flares was loud in the quiet night. The night became bright with artificial light. Then the carnage began as Rebels opened up with machine guns, Big Thumpers, and automatic rifle fire.

Many of the Rebels had tears in their eyes as they opened fire on fellow Americans, but they had no choice in the matter. It all boiled down to kill-or-be-killed-time, and the Rebels were experts in staying alive.

The a.s.sault fell apart in only a few minutes, and the river turned red with blood. Bodies bobbed in the dark 31.31.waters, and wounded Federals cried out in the night. The Rebels ceased their fire and waited.

"I don't think they'll try that again," Ben said.

"I really hope not," Jersey said, considerable emotion in her voice.

Ben worked his way down the bank and walked back to where Captain Evans was dug in. The captain greeted him somberly.

"Hard night, Captain," Ben said. "This isn't something that any of us wanted."

"No, sir. But we didn't start this war. All we wanted was to be left alone."

"Anyone in your command hit?"

"No, sir. Not a scratch. You would think they'd have softened us up some with mortars."

"I don't know what's in the minds of those commanders over there. But they do know they've got a hard row to hoe. Right now, I think people in the capital are calling the shots. But that won't last long."

"I figured a bunch of civilians were running things," Captain Evans replied. "The Federals have sure pulled some dumb stunts so far."

"How many Federals you think bought it this night?"

"At least three, four hundred dead, that many wounded."

"h.e.l.l of a price to pay for nothing."

"Yes, sir. It d.a.m.n sure is."

Ben walked the camp, speaking to each Rebel he met. Some of them were badly shaken from having to fire on fellow Americans. The Federals werenot punks and thugs. They were soldiers under orders to do a job. Ben wondered if the men of the North and South had felt the same way a hundred and fifty years back? Some of them, perhaps most of them, he concluded.

There were no more attempts to cross the little river that night. Ben and his team alternately slept and drank 32.coffee and waited through the long darkness. When dawn finally cut the night with a silver and gold blade, the scene that greeted the Rebels was gruesome: dozens of swollen, bloated, and mangled bodies were caught in the brush on both sides of the river.

"Good G.o.d!" Cooper breathed.

"I'll d.a.m.n sure second that," Jersey said. "We can't leave those Americans like that. It wouldn't be right."

Ben looked at her and nodded his head in agreement. "Captain," he said, "will you notify the Federal commander that we are requesting a cease-fire? We will a.s.sist them in retrieving the bodies of their comrades for proper burial."

"Yes, sir. Right away."

"Have someone rig a white flag just to be on the safe side."

"Yes, sir."

Rebels and Federals worked for an hour gathering up the dead. At first they worked in silence. Then some engaged in small conversation.

"Where you from, Reb?"

"Originally from Ohio, Fed."

"Then why are you fighting for the SUSA?"

"Because I want to live free, that's why. Why the h.e.l.l are you fighting for a socialistic government that has its nose stuck in everything you do?"

"Your government doesn't do the same?"

"h.e.l.l, no!"

"That's not what I heard."

"You heard wrong."

"You got a cigarette?"

"Sure." The Rebel smiled. "But I thought smoking was illegal under your form of government?"

The young Federal grinned. "Yeah. I see what you mean."

3333.

"Take the pack. Just be careful. You might get caught and be court-martialed."

"Don't worry, Reb. I'll be careful."

On the bank, Ben and the Federal commander stood and talked quietly.

"Lousy way to make a living, isn't it, General Raines?"

"Sometimes, Colonel." Ben offered the Federal a bag of tobacco and rolling papers.

The colonel waved them off. "Thanks. I'd like to, but I can't let my men see me smoking."

Ben found that amusing, but carefully hid his smile. "Smoking isn't good for a person. We all know that. But as adults we have a right to choose."

"I suppose so, General," the colonel said noncommit-tally.

"How about just pulling your people back and we all live in peace, Colonel?"

"Can't do it, and you know it. A house divided won't stand."

"I see," Ben said slowly. "So we just go on killing each other?"

"Unless you want to surrender."

"You know that will never happen. So we continue to kill each other until there is no one left to kill on either side?"

"Looks like that's the only option left us."

"That's bulls.h.i.t. There is no reason the USA and the SUSA can't peacefully coexist. Your nitwit President-for-Life, Claire Osterman, hates me. That's the bottom line. She's a G.o.dd.a.m.n socialist, and you know it."

"And you know perfectly well I can't say anything derogatory about my commander in chief."

"Good G.o.d, Colonel. You've got a brain. Why don't you use it?"