"Danke, Colonel," Lenz said with a smile.

Schlosser stepped to one side. The man behind the colonel seemed somehow familiar to him. Tall, with a lot of gray in his hair. Hard mean eyes, too. Old for a major. Probably fifty. The man stared directly at him and Schlosser was suddenly very uncomfortable under the hard gaze.

He was only seconds away from becoming a whole lot more uncomfortable.

For a very brief period of time.

Colonel Lenz and Ben Raines stepped past Schlosser and entered the command post.

General von Hanstein looked up from his desk, stared at the tall major, and felt the blood drain from his face. "That's Ben Raines!" he screamed.

Jersey gave Major Schlosser a burst in the belly from her H&K and the slugs knocked the major backward. Sergeant Carlos Rogillo grabbed for his pistol and Major Dietl shot him through the heart. Carlos fell across 156.

the pastry table and died with his face on a cookie platter.

General von Hanstein felt the muzzle of a .45 not too gently touch the side of his face. He cut his eyes and stared into the face of Ben Raines.

"Welcome to Texas," Ben said. "You a.s.shole!"

157Chapter Fourteen The battle for the headquarters of General von Hanstein was very short and very brutal. The Rebels and the GSG 9 men took only a few prisoners, General von Hanstein among them. The (Rebels and the GSG 9 personnel gathered up all the weapons, ammo, and food, loaded up the beds of trucks, and took off, heading south. The radio operator had been killed in the first burst of gunfire, so it was doubtful he managed to get off any messages ... but Ben wasn't going to take any chances.

"We'd never make it by heading north," he told Colonel Lenz. "So we head south and cut east once past Austin, then cut north once we're clear of Schleyer's Eighth Division lines. I've marked maps in case we get separated."

"And if we meet enemy long the way?" Colonel Lenz inquired, a hard glint in his eyes. The commander of the German troops liked the way Ben Raines fought a war.

Ben smiled. "Why ... I guess we'll just have to engage them, won't we?"

158.

The two men laughed, shook hands, and ran to their vehicles.

General von Hanstein, trussed up like a pig, lay in the bed of a deuce and a half. He glowered at everyone who came near him, and refused to speak a word.

"They've discovered the camp," Corrie told Ben, monitoring on a Blackshirt radio. "Hoffman's ordered a full-scale search underway immediately. He's ordered planes up."

"Head straight for the ruins of San Antonio," Ben said. "They'll never expect us to do that. We can't make it tonight, but we can make this state park a few miles down the road and camouflage the vehicles. The roads are in too bad a shape to try running at night without lights.

Step on it, Coop."

The convoy made the old overgrown state park, hurriedly camouflaged their trucks and armored cars, and settled in for a very tense night.

"Do we b.u.mp Therm and tell him where we are?" Corrie asked.

"Negative. No transmissions of any kind. No fires, no smoking. Cold camp. We just sit tight and silent."

"Ike is going to be screaming and climbing the walls," Corrie reminded Ben.

"Good," Ben said, opening a field ration packet and smelling it before tasting it. "Maybe he'll lose some weight." '

Ike McGowan wasn't the only one screaming and climbing the walls. Field Marshal Hoffman was having a temper tantrum. Hitler would have been proud. Between violent fits of temper, which included breaking 159.

gla.s.ses, cups, and one very old bottle of brandy, Hoffman ordered a replacement commanding general in to take over von Hanstein's division,a ma.s.sive air and land search underway, the sentry who let the Rebels and the GSG 9 men through put up against a wall and shot, and then a bottle of aspirin and two tranquilizers. When he finally managed to calm down, he called a meeting of his staff officers. None of whom were looking forward to the meeting.

"The few wounded the Rebels missed during their coup de grace said many of the attackers spoke German," Hoffman told his people in a surprisingly calm voice. "That means the GSG 9 people have linked up with Raines. The G.o.dd.a.m.n filthy traitors. The wounded also heard General von Hanstein scream out Ben Raines's name from his office. They also confirm that General von Hanstein was taken prisoner. Thrown into the back of a truck. The nerve of that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Raines. Taking a small force deep into our territory and carrying out a successful raid."

Before he could continue, an aide rushed into the room and handed him a slip of paper, then quickly departed before Hoffman could read the radio message and once more fly into a fit of rage.

Hoffman read the message and barely managed to contain his anger. He took several deep breaths and composed himself. He said, "At least a full division of Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Venezuelan troops have closed our highway supply routes. Those supplies that we were expecting will not arrive. The convoy was ambushed and all supplies seized. There were no survivors. All supplies will have to be flown in from this point on."

He was silent for a time. "The world seems to be 160.

ma.s.sing against us," he said finally, his words softly spoken. "But we expected that. All right. I antic.i.p.ated something of this nature. I will shift Eighth Division down to guard the airport and roads around what is left of San Antonio. Supplies will be flown into there and trucked out into the field. Eighth Division will also have the responsibility of providing guards for the supply convoys. From this moment on, we are in no rush. We advance daily, but we do so slowly and carefully."

"Then we are standing down from our defensive positions?" a staff officer asked cautiously, knowing the question had to be posed.

"Yes," Hoffman said, no anger in his reply. "I overreacted and will admit it."

"What about the message we received from the commander of Base Camp One?" Hoffman was asked.

Cecil had sent word that Hoffman could, under the terms agreed to earlier, freely and safely staff hospitals within the boundaries of what used to be Louisiana- and was now a neutral zone-but under no circ.u.mstances would he allow any SS troops to be treated in that area.

He had issued orders that any and all SS troops were to be shot on sight, no matter what their physical condition might be.

Hoffman merely shrugged at that. "We will provide care for our elite troops. We do not need the protection of a neutral zone for them. The Rebels in the field will not attack a hospital. General Cecil Jefferys's orders came as no surprise. Considering what he is. All combat troops will stay out of the neutral zone."

Hoffman met the eyes of his staff officers. "Let's return to the matterof Ben Raines. That son of a b.i.t.c.h!"

161.

Ben and his command, deep in enemy territory, hit the small patrol of Blackshirts very swiftly and very hard. The five vehicle patrol had made the mistake of entering the old state park. It was their last mistake.

Five rockets from Armbrust launchers turned the trucks into blazing death traps. Within seconds the Rebels and the GSG 9 personnel had put out the flames so the smoke would not be seen and had dragged away the searingly hot rubble, the bodies entombed forever in the twisted and melted metal.

"For years I have heard of Ben Raines and the Rebels," Major Streicher said to Ben, as they sat in the darkness of the cold camp. "At first we thought it was just a rumor. Then rumor became fact as more and more countries-splintered and torn as they may be- began adopting the Rebel philosophy. Those countries who are sending troops here are now virtually free of crime and are rapidly rebuilding their societies.

Those who have not adopted the Rebel way are nothing but raging battle zones. They will have to be dealt with at some future point. By us."

"I'm afraid you're right," Ben agreed, grimacing as the night breeze picked up and brought with it the odor of freshly charred human flesh.

"That is, providing we manage to knock the blocks from under Hoffman and his n.a.z.is."

The major smiled in the night. "Oh, we will, General. All of us sensed that the moment we met you and your people. Your movement is unstoppable. We might die, but the movement will live on."

162.

"Ike's raising h.e.l.l, General," Corrie said, walking up. "He's getting everybody else all worked up, too."

"Let him holler," Ben said, wishing he had a hot cup of coffee and a smoke to go with it. "We'll b.u.mp him as soon as we're clear of this box we're in. I don't even want to risk a burst. The d.a.m.n Blackshirts are all around us. They could get lucky."

"This General Ike McGowan," Colonel Lenz said. "Will he send out rescue patrols?"

"No," Ben said quickly. "He'll bl.u.s.ter and beller but that's just for my benefit. He's letting me know how he feels about my taking chances."

"He's right, you know?" Colonel Lenz said softly.

Ben chuckled good-naturedly. "My G.o.d! You and Ike are going to hit it off famously."

At first light, Hoffman's troops began their slow northern advance along seven fronts. There was little the Rebels could do to stop them. Ben had ordered his heavy artillery moved north and hidden. For every big gun and battle tank the Rebels had, Hoffman had thirty. The Rebels just could not stand toe to toe with the Blackshirts and slug it out. Not yet. They had to wear them down, little by little.

Ben and his command pulled out, heading east and staying on little usedcounty roads, getting lost more than once, for many of the roads were not on any map. Dusk found them camped along the banks of a large creek or a small river-none of them were sure about that.

"I think it's the Blanco," Cooper said, looking at a 163.

map. "This road is not marked. If it is, we've got to cross Interstate 35 tomorrow."

"And we know from radio intercepts that Hoffman is shifting his Eighth Division over to San Antonio," Jersey added. "We might run into them."

"I think we'd better stay right where we are," Ben ended that discussion. "We've got good cover and water. In a couple of days we'll be in the clear. Stand down, gang." i Forward people both saw and heard Hoffman's Eighth Division on their way southwest to San Antonio. And it was a ma.s.sive movement. At noon of the third day's hiding, the recon teams reported no more movement of troops and equipment. The highways were silent and empty.

"Let's go, people," Ben ordered. "We'll be in the clear in two hours."

Luck was with them and two hours later, they were rolling up 77, big and bold as bra.s.s, heading for Waco ... or what was left of it.

"According to these reports," Major Dietl said. "Hoffman's Seventh Division is only a few miles to our west."

"Sure," Colonel Lenz said with a smile. "That's why General Raines is taking this route. Who would think to look for us here?"

Dietl grinned and shook his head. "Working with the general is going to be interesting."

"To say the least."

The words had just left his mouth when the words of forward Scouts screamed into Corrie's ears. "Gunships heading south. Following the highway."

"Over there," Ben said, pointing to the ruins of a 164.

small town. "Duck in between those buildings. Order Stingers readied."

As she always did, Beth had slipped on another headset and was monitoring the frequencies used by Hoffman. "They're calling in our position now, General," she said.

Cooper pulled into an old service station. The gloom was comforting.

"The choppers are beginning a slow circle, General," Corrie said, after speaking with forward recon. "Staying out of range of SAMs."

"I wondered when Hoffman's boys and girls would smarten up," Ben said, getting out of the armored car and stretching. "Well, we can expect somesort of company pretty d.a.m.n quick. What kind of gunships are they, Corrie?"

"Scouts don't know. Say they've never seen anything like them. But they resemble our Apaches. They say the firepower looks awesome. But the choppers are not making any hostile moves. They are staying well away from the Scouts position, maintaining a slow circle."

"Dig in for a fight," Ben ordered. "We can't move from here. Those gunships would cut us to pieces."

Corrie was calmly setting up her radio, Jersey was standing in the open door of the service part of the old filling station, Cooper was checking out his M-60 machine gun, and Beth had taken up a position at the rear of the building. Other Rebels had spread out up and down the ruins of the small street. Stingers were readied in case the circling gunships of Hoffman did come into range.

Men of the GSG 9 had quickly appraised the layout of the town and taken positions without having to be 165.

told. In less than three minutes, the town appeared to be deserted.

"Blackshirt units are on the way," Corrie said. "From the north, west, and south."

Ben nodded his head and checked his Thompson, then checked his side-arms. "How many of them?"

"Too d.a.m.n many," Corrie replied. "And coming as fast as road conditions allow."

Ben smiled at her initial reply.

Cooper unwrapped a candy bar from a ration packet and took a bite.

Jersey popped a fresh stick of gun into her mouth. She glanced at Ben.

He winked at her and Jersey laughed and signaled thumbs-up. Beth was laying out thirty round clips of .223 ammo for easy reach.

"Colonel Lenz reports his men are in position," Corrie said. "Recon staying in place and asking if there is a way to get a Stinger to them?"

"Negative," Ben told her. Ben walked around the shop area a couple of times. He stopped and said, "Corrie? Now you can b.u.mp our people and tell them where we are and that we just might be in a little bit of trouble."

Jersey rolled her eyes at that, then grinned and said, "And tell them if they want to get in on the action they'd better hurry. We're about to kick n.a.z.i a.s.s all over the place."

166.

Chapter Fifteen.Hoffman was ecstatic as he studied the huge wall map of Texas. He could not hide his wide smile. He actually felt like dancing. He controlled that unseemly urge and rubbed his hands together and chuckled. "We have that arrogant rogue b.a.s.t.a.r.d now," he gloated, for he had correctlyantic.i.p.ated what route Ben might take back north. "He cannot slip out of this box. Shift units of the Seventh Division north and south of Raines's location to prevent Rebels from coming to his aid. I want gunships up immediately to cover the area east of his position. Nail the lid down tight. Now, General Ben Raines. Now, I have you." He turned to face an aide. 'Just as soon as all troops and gunships are in position, kill that son of a b.i.t.c.h. Blow that d.a.m.n town to b.l.o.o.d.y splinters and dust."

The staff officers surrounding Hoffman all applauded at the brilliance of their field Marshal. He accepted the loud accolade with modesty.

"Corrie, belay the message to our people. Maintain radio silence.

Cooper, pa.s.s the word: Take two day's rations, 167.

as much ammo as each person can comfortably carry, and leave everything else. We were using Black-shirt vehicles so let's leave some presents behind with them."

Cooper grinned and nodded his head in understanding. The vehicles would be b.o.o.by-trapped.

"Split up into four or five person teams and head for the river bed and work east toward the Brazos. But don't try to follow the river north.

They'll be expecting that. Keep working east until we reach our units along I-45. Do it right now. Move, Coop. And get back here quickly.

Let's get our s.h.i.t together, gang. We've got to bug out. I have a feeling Hoffman is going to use heavy artillery on this old town."

Teams began exiting the town within a minute. Ben's team waited, knowing they would be the last to leave.

"I must insist that you leave now, General," Colonel Lenz told Ben.