The Trash Haulers Read Online Free

the significance of the attacks.”
    The image cycled with a soft click and the image of the coastal city of Qui Nhon came into focus, creating a zooming in effect. Huckabee stepped to the side of the screen with a handheld microphone. “On Sunday, January 28, South Korean combat teams from the White Horse Division captured two small groups of VC and took possession of two pre-recorded audio tapes, both with the same message.” Huckabee pressed a button and a stream of Vietnamese echoed from the loudspeakers. After a few seconds, Huckabee cut it off. “If I may translate, ‘loyal comrades are urged to join in the general offensive, which has started in already occupied Saigon, Hue, and Da Nang.’ The tone of the words is definitive and positive, announcing an accomplished fact. To make a statement like that and then be proven wrong would be a major loss of face.”
    Now it was Slovack’s turn. The image on the screen cycled to another map of Vietnam, this time with little fires scattered across all four Corps areas of South Vietnam. “As of 0500 hours this morning, attacks have been reported in over one-hundred towns, including thirty-six of the forty-four provincial capitals. The timing and extent of the attacks indicates a well-coordinated plan. We queried MACV by flash message as to the current status but have not received a reply.”
    Huckabee stepped to the front of the stage. “Colonel Mace, gentlemen, the scale and timing of the attacks is so unique that I’m forced to conclude the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese have mounted a major offensive. Expect a wider outbreak of fighting within the next twenty-four hours.” A hard silence came down as Huckabee and Slovack stood together at the front of the stage ready to answer any questions.
    Colonel Mace stood. “I’ve just gotten off the secure line to Headquarters Seventh Air Force in Saigon and they assure me that this activity is little more than the death spasm of a defeated enemy. You Intel pukes need to spend more time reading intelligence summaries than the headlines from the commie sympathizing press in the States.” He turned and scanned the room. “Let me remind everyone here that the way home is through Hanoi. We’ve got more important work to do than listen to defeatism from liberal Intel pukes. Dismissed.” He stormed out of the room with his staff in tow.
    “Ouch,” Bosko said. “Will Mace fire them?”
    “Probably,” Warren replied.
    “Do you think they got it right?”
    Warren’s lips pulled into a frown. “Oh, yeah.”
    “Let’s go,” Bosko urged in a low voice. “Hardy’s seen us. Coming our way.”
    “Crap,” Warren muttered. They scooted towards the exit.
    “Gentlemen,” Hardy called, “hold up.” He pushed through the rapidly dwindling crowd. “While I’m glad you made the briefing, your time would have been better spent at the barber shop. Or are you suffering from short-term memory loss?” He fixed them with a hard look. “We take our marching orders from Colonel Mace, and you are not to discuss what you’ve heard here with anyone. It is defeatism pure and simple that we will not be a party to.”
    Warren was confused. “How is a warning of an enemy attack in a war zone defeatism?”
    Hardy’s face turned to granite. “Are you hard of hearing? A defeated enemy does not attack.”
    “Apparently the VC haven’t got the word,” Warren replied.
    Hardy’s face turned red. “I don’t have the time to discuss strategy, much less policy, with a captain. Your orders are simple and I don’t like repeating myself. Make sure everyone on your crew gets a haircut today and get some polish on your boots.” He turned to Bosko. “And you will trim your moustache. Today. Have I made myself clear?” The two junior officers nodded, anxious to escape. “As always, I expect you to conduct yourselves as members of the world’s finest Air Force. That is why I told Colonel Mace you will fly the Air Force Surgeon General’s