Operation by Tony Ruggiero

Author:Tony Ruggiero [Ruggiero, Tony]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Dragon Moon Press
Published: 2011-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

1915

The German patrol watched the six men as they slept around the diminishing campfire.

“They are nothing,” the seasoned sergeant said to the lieutenant. “Just farmers, with maybe one excuse of a soldier amongst them. We should not waste our time—”

“Since when do you decide how our time should be spent—Sergeant?” Lieutenant Oberman barked.

“Sorry…sir,” Sergeant Krause responded. His face turned red, but not from the embarrassment, but rather that the lieutenant refused to see the wisdom of his experience.

“Besides, it doesn’t matter. Our orders are clear, Sergeant Krause,” Oberman said. “We are to clear the passes and kill any of the locals that offer resistance. They must be taught a lesson about our occupation of this country and that this type of behavior will be punishable by death.”

“I understand, sir. But something…something is just not right about this place,” Krause said.

“What do you mean? Do you think there are more of them hiding in the hills? An ambush?”

“I don’t know how to explain it, but there is something odd—no, not odd, but something wrong about this place. I’ve been in the service many years and I have learned to trust my instincts. Those ruins we passed on the way in, they were—”

“Spare me your instincts, Sergeant. I am in charge here. Get the men ready,” Oberman said, dismissing his sergeant’s concerns.

“Yes, sir.” Krause exhaled his frustration. He glanced with disdain at Oberman. The man was short and pudgy. Just a little more than five feet tall, he weighed about a hundred eighty pounds. His face was marred with the after effects of chicken pox.

“And Sergeant, I want our actions to reflect our ruthlessness. Don’t kill them all at once. I want to interrogate them...slowly.”

Krause acknowledged Oberman’s order with a half-hearted nod, then departed to get the men ready. He hated the lieutenant—not because of his position, for he had been a soldier for many years and understood the role that officers played. But he also had seen many inexperienced officers who did not learn from their experienced sergeants—and through their ignorance, sent many good soldiers to their deaths needlessly.

This one in particular possessed some other hatred that burned within him, consuming him and driving him to kill and brutalize. This night would end badly if they were not careful.

The men were all in position shortly: Krause was thorough and his men were professionals. Oberman joined him at a vantage point where they could observe the action.

“The Serbs are all asleep and the capture should be easy enough,” Krause said.

“Good. This should be a wonderful opportunity. Remember, I want them alive.” Oberman smiled in anticipation, and Krause knew he looked forward to interrogating the prisoners. “Give the signal.”

Krause gave the signal and the men moved in swiftly. Two shots were fired that exploded the otherwise silent night. The one soldier amongst the group had realized what was happening and drew a weapon. He was shot and killed. Oberman frowned as he saw he would be denied the torture of one less Serb, but the other five were captured easily.

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