“And there’s a superior Russian force headed this way at speed,” the general said. “And the officer in charge is my favorite subordinate, I made him what he is today.”
“Well, I’m here and he’s not. Do you want my help or not?”
“Only if you apologize instantly.”
“I’m sorry if I hurt your pride, but it was imperative that you see the reality of this situation. They’re going to hit us again and we must be ready.”
Myslosovich slapped his thigh with his riding crop and stared at the major through puffy eyes. “What do you suggest?”
Riordan spun away, turning his back to the old man, primarily so his wide smile wouldn’t be seen. He waved and shouted, “I need the long-range radio, now!”
He turned back to the general. “Why don’t you make contact with your people at St. Anthony Redoubt. We’ll take it from there.”
General Myslosovich sucked in his gut momentarily and puffed out his chest. “Superb idea. I am grateful for the opportunity, Major Riordan.”
A corporal hurried up to them. “Here’s the radio, Major.”
“Thank you, Corporal Mader.”
Riordan held the field radio out to General Myslosovich. “General?”
Myslosovich glanced around and the lieutenant moved up and accepted the radio.
“Thank you, Major,” the lieutenant said, then twisted dials and switched on the unit. “St. Anthony Redoubt, this is Third Armored, General Myslosovich commanding, over.”
Static. They waited, all staring at the radio. Myslosovich opened his mouth and the radio crackled into life.
“Third Armored, this is Sergeant Desonivich. Except for me, and a few others, the garrison has joined the Dená. They are in the process of abandoning the redoubt as I speak. If you act quickly, you might stop them.”
“Who is the commander there?” the lieutenant snapped.
“At this point, I am.”
“Where is the rest of the command?”
“All I know is they all left—our personnel, the Indians, everybody.”
“You don’t know where they went?”
“Lieutenant, I was told I’d be shot if I followed them. So I stayed in the radio shack with four troopers.”
“Only five of you remained loyal?”
“No, sir. A few men, seven I think, left this morning and headed south toward Tetlin.”
The lieutenant stared at the general, shock and dismay radiating from his eyes. “Why did the five of you not go with the ones who joined the Indians?” The lieutenant’s voice held massive sarcasm.
“We hate it here, sir. We are all from the Black Sea area and this place gets too cold to believe.”
Myslosovich cleared his throat.
The lieutenant immediately regained his professional mien. “General?”
“Tell him to lead a reconnaissance party at once, or I’ll have him shot!”
The lieutenant grinned ghoulishly and snapped into the microphone, “Did you hear what the general said?”
“Yes, sir. We’re leaving as soon as you’re finished talking.”
“Then go!”
“Try to reach Fifth Armored,” the general said.
“Fifth Armored, this is Third Armored, please come in.” The lieutenant stared down at the radio. “This damned thing just died on me!” He snapped off the radio.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d be a little easier on my equipment, Lieutenant,” Riordan said in his best command voice. “Our batteries were low and that was the last functioning set we had.”
Riordan knew his tank radios still worked but he was damned if he was going to bring more Russians into this if he could help it. The odds were building in his favor.
“My apologies, sir, and thank you for the use of your radio.”
Riordan smiled. “You’re quite welcome. General, what do you want to do?”
“Find them.” Myslosovich’s voice was glacial. “And hang every mutineer and filthy savage from the nearest tree!”
“Very good, sir. If you’ll allow me…” he turned and blew his whistle. “Scout One, on me!”
He composed himself and turned back to Myslosovich. “I’m sending my most seasoned men out to probe ahead of us. As soon as they see the enemy they will return at once. Their scout car moves a hell of a lot faster than an armored column.”
“Sounds reasonable,” the general muttered, suddenly deflated. “I’m going to see to my staff.” He walked toward the command car and stopped short. The vehicle sat on three flat tires and the body and engine were peppered with bullet holes. His driver lay sprawled in the front seat with most of his head destroyed.
Riordan watched the old man’s shoulders slump and knew he had just inherited an army.
44
Refuge
Sitting on the highest point above the Refuge, Pelagian and Magda both lowered their binoculars.
“He did it,” Pelagian said.
“Yes. Did you see any smoke coming from the plane?”
“No, but I could hardly see the plane; the action was at least five kilometers away.”
Magda sighed, staring into the distance where the plane had disappeared. “I really like him, Papa. I like him a lot.”
“So your mother tells me. Did he speak of his family?”
“He mentioned that his father was a mechanical engineer. I don’t remember him saying anything about his mother.”
“He has certainly done everything he could so far.”
“Yes, yes he has.”
“But if he ever hurts you, I’ll cut his heart out.”
Magda smiled at her father. “You’ll have to wait your turn.”
They laughed in unison and rose to their feet as one.
“I’m to direct the defense of St. Anthony. Would you like to join me?”
“Since I plan to be there anyway, I thank you for the official invitation.”
They traveled down the mountain, skipping from boulder to boulder like mountain goats. As they neared the tree line, the boulders became smaller and farther apart. Soon they walked down through the thickets of spruce, birch, and willow.
A hummingbird zzzzed past and they could smell wild roses somewhere close.
“I love this time of the year,” Pelagian said. “It really pisses me off that we have to waste it on a war. By the way, thank you for everything you and the lieutenant did to help your mother when I was wounded.”
“You’re welcome. His name is Jerry; there are lots of lieutenants.”
“But not many you are in love with.”
“Good point.”
“Halt!” a voice bellowed, seeming to come from everywhere at once.
Pelagian and Magda slid to a stop.
“Who are you?” the voice demanded.
“Pelagian and—”
“—his daughter, Magda!” she yelled.
“Oh, sorry we bothered you.” A young man in Russian camouflage, but possessing long hair, stepped from behind a tree. The slap of straps on stocks and barrels attested to weapons being lowered.
“No, you were absolutely correct in challenging us,” Pelagian said. “You all are doing a good job. Keep it up.”
“Why do we have a skirmish line this far up the mountain?” Magda asked as they continued down the slope.
“They’re part of our reserve, the last part before the Refuge. They’re all volunteers and every one of them is willing to give their life to protect the Refuge.”
“Papa, do you know of anyone who was drafted into the Dená army?”
He grinned at her. “Point taken.”
The ground leveled slightly and they both stopped near a gun emplacement in the rocks.
“Any sign of the enemy?” Pelagian asked of the gun crew.
“Naw, I don’t think we’re gonna see that much action,” the sergeant said.