World War IV: A Broken Union Read Online Free Page B

Hawthorne looked at the drawings and cringed.
    Dean, however, didn’t share the professor’s fear. “Even if they did, the Russians wouldn’t have the materials, or the knowledge, to try and operate those facilities. Guns and bullets have one thing in common: iron. And that’s something the Russians do not have, nor do they have the money to buy such a commodity.”
    “Governor, there are still other places—”
    “I thank you for your counsel, Professor.” Dean spoke with the inclination that no further words were necessary, and Hawthorne gathered his books and papers and quickly disappeared.
    While Kemena agreed the connection was a stretch, she knew the old professor wouldn’t have brought it up without weighing both sides. “He could be right, Dean.” Her words caught his attention, although he didn’t look pleased with which side she seemed to settle on. “There are ways other than the Brazilians to get the materials needed. Much of the old western countries of Europe haven’t been explored, and in Africa—”
    “Africa is full of warlords and civil unrest, and no one explores Europe because there isn’t anything left of it.” Dean held her arms. “Is it possible the Russians have gotten their hands on some modern weapons? Of course, but to have reconstructed them? That’s impossible.”
    “Isn’t that what we’re doing? Rebuilding? It’s not impossible for the idea that other people are doing the same. You said it best yourself during the negotiations with the clansmen.” She kept her head lifted as she walked toward him. “We cannot survive alone in this place. We already know the Russians and the Chinese are working together, and with Jason’s capture in Brazil, it’s no doubt which side Ruiz has chosen. We’re not the only ones trying to build something, Dean.”
    Dean placed a protective hand over her stomach then kissed her. “I will send word before I leave the East Coast and then again once I have Jason with me. I love you.” He offered one more kiss, and then he was gone.
    Kemena walked back over to the closet where the specimens were stored and closed the door, locking them back into darkness. Much like the professor, she understood that knowledge was only as useful as the men who learned it. She just hoped that Dean hadn’t put all of his knowledge into just his war council.

Chapter 3
    The hull of the first boat crunched against the pebbled beach of the Alaskan north, a far easier location for his men to land than the rocky coast of the northwest where his enemy waited. While the ships Delun offered to ferry Rodion’s men across the Pacific had some armament, they did not have the numbers to engage the strong western fleet of the North Americans. No, Rodion would crush them with his army.  
    Boots splashed into the frigid waters, and stiff hands pulled the boat up the shoreline, oars sticking out of the top. The men puffed frost with each breath. Sweat and water froze in their thick beards.
    General Rodion was the first on shore and made his way up the burned and pillaged fishing village the Americans had set up on the Alaskan coast. He loosened the collar of his jacket, letting the cold air chill his hot body. For Rodion, it was never cold enough.
    Dozens of other boats pulled ashore, bringing with them more men and provisions. Rodion looked back out to the bay, where over one hundred ships carried his army, nearly two hundred thousand strong. With the might of his army behind him, and the Americans’ leaders split in two, he’d take these lands with ease. “Commander!” Rodion’s words bellowed loud over the heads of his men until a squat, rough-looking soldier barreled his way up the beach.
    “Yes, General?” The man’s words were thick and slurred, as though he’d just polished off a bottle of vodka.
    “Our scouts should have met us out here by now; send a party into the woods to see where their bodies have been slain.” It was of no use mincing words; the