Ambush in the Ashes Read Online Free PDF

east. Dan would follow, then West, then Georgi, as other battalions came ashore to take their place. Ben had figured that the sight of so many well-armed Rebels would take all the fight out of any guerilla group or gangs of thugs that might have resistance on their minds; Ben had figured correctly. Scouts reported that bands of armed men and women, gangs of various sizes and strengths, were leaving the city and heading south post-haste, deserting the city like rats from a sinking ship.
    Ben glanced as Therm strolled up to stand beside him. “Well, you told me you always wanted to visit Africa, Therm. Here we are.”
    “Some people maintain it’s the beginning of humankind, Ben.”
    Ben grunted his reply to that.
    Therm laughed at Ben’s expression. “I think I’d better change the subject.”
    “I think that would probably be best, Therm.”
    “Where do you want my 19 Batt?”
    “When we get cranking, I want you right in the middle of the line, between and very close to two battalions. I don’t know which ones that will be as yet. But you’re going to be getting reports from east and west, so you’ll stay busy. And take Emil with you.”
    “Somehow I knew you were going to say that.”
    “You’re the only one who can control the little con artist. And we both know that when the chips are down, Emil and that idiotic bunch of his will fight like devils.”
     
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    “Okay, Ben. There’s some of my equipment coming in. I’ll see you around.”
    “I certainly hope so. Take care. And tell Rosebud hello.”
    Ben walked up and down the docks for a time, stopping when Ike approached.
    “I figure three days until we get enough equipment ashore for us to start pulling out, Ben. All the battalions will be ashore by dusk, and I’ve ordered floodlights to be set up so we can unload around the clock.”
    “I know that Bruno has something of an air force. I just wonder if he might try an air attack.”
    “I doubt it, Ben. His spies back stateside will have told him we have a pretty good air defense system. Besides, that would be a long jump for his people unless they had refueling capabilities. And our satellite pass-overs have never shown anything even resembling that.”
    “So you think we should keep our little secret under wraps for a while longer?”
    “I do, Ben. No point in opening that package until it’s necessary.”
    “I agree. Besides, we don’t have that many.”
    “Yet,” Ike said with a smile.
    “Yeah,” Ben returned the smile. “Yet.”
    Both men left the topic at that. Neither felt comfortable discussing it openly, for only a few dozen people outside of those directly involved even knew of the project. It was probably the best kept secret of the past one hundred years. Not even Ben’s team knew.
    The men separated, Ike leaving to check on when his tanks would be offloaded and ready to roll off the docks, Ben to just wander around.
    Ben walked down to the slip where one of the cargo ships carrying his battalion’s big boys was docked and was pleased to see a row of main battle tanks lined up
     
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    and engines rumbling. Just behind the tanks, towed howitzers were lined up, ready to be hooked up and pulled away. Ben glanced at his watch. The offloading was running hours ahead of schedule.
    Ben walked over to a tank commander. This was a combat zone, and she did not salute. “We’re ready to roll, General. Just waiting for some fuel trucks to join us.”
    “The staging area is not yet secure,” Ben told her. “It’s being readied now. You should be rolling off the docks within the hour.”
    “Yes, sir. Looking forward to it.”
    “Radar reports nothing in the air within five hundred miles in any direction,” Corrie said, after listening to her headset.
    Ben smiled. The Israelis were standing true to their word and had stood down their air force until the offloading was complete. They would take no part in this North African campaign, unless Ben asked for their help-and