Doomsday Warrior 09 - America’s Zero Hour Read Online Free PDF Page A

Vassily and Colonel Killov to get us. Somehow, someway—to get us, and destroy us.”
    Rockson looked hard at Rath. The man had been invaluable, if a bit gloomy, until the past few months. Now he seemed to have gone off his rocker. Rockson had no more time for the man’s personal problems. No one had time anymore for bullshit. He said as much.
    Rath grabbed the letter and put on his pince-nez reading glasses. He read it and tossed it back on the table. “Democracy is being usurped by the military, just as I said—Rockson tried to hush this up. I know the intent behind it.”
    “I hardly think that’s the case,” Dr. Schecter said as he lit up his pipe. He had taken to smoking again lately. “I’ve seen Rockson work with the council. He has great respect for them and for the source of their power—the people. As I remember, Rock was given authority at the military convention of all the Freefighting cities to make his own determination about any link-up with the Red Army. Such a council, according to our bylaws, would supersede any Century City council.”
    “Technically correct,” Rath said, looking displeased. “But that convention body is dissolved. Our city’s council must be the source of all decisions again.”
    Rockson sat down again, exhaled some breath, and said, “Regardless of the ‘technicalities,’ a decision has to be made now. I propose to contact Vassily from a safe location some distance away from Century City. Rath, how about it?—for the sake of the freedom you cherish . . .”
    Shannon put her hand on Rath’s arm as he was about to respond hastily. “Dr. Rath,” she said, “for me. Please, this once, go along with Rockson.”
    The old man seemed visibly moved by her plea. After a moment, he exhaled a breath and nodded.
    Dr. Schecter said, “Now that it’s settled . . . Rockson, is the relay station a hundred miles north of here—the one you previously contacted Vassily from—still in operation?”
    “I don’t know. We ripped it up a bit.” Rock raised an eyebrow. “If Intel Division could supply us that information . . .”
    Rath took a small looseleaf notebook from his suit jacket, and started thumbing through it. Rock had seen the book before. It was Rath’s little dictionary containing constantly updated information from spies, mountainmen, and Russian radio broadcasts deciphered from their complex codes. The intel chief looked up when he found what he was looking for. “It’s out of operation. The Reds moved everything out. But there is a radio base about fifty miles further on.” He smiled triumphantly. “At least you see that I am up on my job, even if you and I don’t always have smooth sailing.”
    “Sure,” Rock said, trying to dredge up a smile. “Well, that’s still on the way to Idaho, where the missiles were stolen from. Perhaps we could pick up the trail there. Where exactly is it?”
    “Coordinates K-23 on our Soviet field map,” Rath said dryly.
    “Yes, K-23. If I radio Vassily from there, it would save time, and not give away Century City. Time is of the essence. I know Killov—he will not hesitate to use those weapons as soon as he can. And I think the Rockies are going to be their target. There’ll be nothing left.”
    “Killov’s position makes him doubly desperate,” Shannon added. “He has lost everything. Just a few supporters among KGB sympathizing officers in Siberia and the men that helped him steal the cruise missiles remain of all his huge KGB force.”
    “Let’s get cracking,” said the Doomsday Warrior. “I have a hunch—call it mutant’s premonition—that Killov is heading way into the north. Perhaps he wants to be in range of Vassily as well as us. We have quite a job ahead of us. I’m glad we’re at it united.”
    Working as a team, Shannon, Rath, Schecter, and Rockson took out the maps and discussed the route to the K-23 radio station and beyond. The Doomsday Warrior’s mood was infinitely better than just moments