The Fall of America: Fatal Encounters (Book 2) Read Online Free

cry for more.”
    Abdulov said, “Sir, with all due respect—”
    Slamming his open hand down on the table hard, Vetrov said, “Enough.  I want to know how we can more efficiently use the men, material and supplies we have now. Work with what you have, but work smarter.  There will be no more talk about getting more of anything.”
    Abdulov, angry, but not stupid, replied, “Yes, sir.”
    “Now, I want to know more about the ambush that killed some members of the resistance and the murdering of ten of our men in a convoy.  Lieutenant Colonel Pankov, update me on this.”
    Pankov walked to the map, and using his finger, pointed to the spot where the short fight with the partisans had taken place. He cleared his throat and said, “One of our choppers caught a large group of Americans crossing a river yesterday at approximately 1400 hours. We killed fifteen and captured two. Of the dead, ten looked to be between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, while the remainder were older. None carried any identification, but the leader of the group had about a dozen cards in his pocket; all were the Ace of Spades.  As you all know, the card is used by the resistance to mark their kills.”
    “Have the captured been turned over for interrogation?”  Vetrov asked.
    “One woman has; the other, a man, managed to roll from the helicopter while in flight, falling to his death. The woman is resisting, as is to be expected, but we will break her eventually.”
    Vetrov said, “Keep working on her. It is not likely she knows much, but every little bit of information we can gather gives us a better idea of what we are up against. Now, about the murders of my men.”
    “Yes, sir.  Late last night, near 0200, an eight truck convoy was moving near the small town of Edwards, when it came under heavy fire delivered by Americans. Witnesses say they counted at least three heavy machine guns, detonation of two American Claymore mines, and estimated enemy strength at forty or more men.  Most of our dead were killed by mines.”
    “Did our men keep possession of the trucks and cargo?”
    Lowering his head, Pankov replied, “No, sir, they backed off to regroup and then moved into defensive positions.”
    “You really mean they ran, right?  What was our loss in cargo?”
    “The Lieutenant in charge said he lacked the manpower to retake the trucks and our loss was total. Three of the trucks were carrying drums of aviation gas and all was lost, as were all the trucks. I flew over the area this morning and all that remained were blackened frames of the vehicles. It was in a fairly open area, with the only shelter being some old buildings to the north of the highway.”
    Vetrov placed his hands behind his back and walked around the room thinking, I must do something to show the Americans I will not allow attacks on my men and supplies. I need something that will shock them and make them quiver at the mere mention of my name. Fear will make them docile and more controllable. Of course, the ambush may be in retaliation of my recent poison gas attack on the small village of Newton.
    He walked to the room's only window, his hands still behind his back, and looked out. After a few minutes he said, “Lieutenant Colonel Pankov, order the lieutenant that was ambushed last night to gather up one hundred Americans. Once they are collected, I want the lieutenant to personally see that all are executed in front of the state capital building. From this day forward, for every Russian soldier that dies by the hands of an American, ten of them will be executed.”
    Major Abdulov said, “Sir, think about what this will do for the cause of the resistance. I think it will hurt us in the long run, because we want to win their hearts and minds. This will—”
    Vetrov laughed and said, “Major, I find it funny you bring up the American motto for winning the Vietnam War, which they lost by the way, 'Win their hearts and minds.'  It is all bullshit. All these