Struggle by Jerry Ahern

Author:Jerry Ahern [Ahern, Jerry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Action & Adventure, Men's Adventure, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Thriller & Suspense, War & Military, Science Fiction And Fantasy, Science Fiction, Military, Thriller
Amazon: B00E4QLJRY
Publisher: Speaking Volumes
Published: 2013-07-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Damien Rausch’s right first finger touched the rear trigger of the Steyr-Mannlicher SSG. The 7.62mm sniper rifle was one of only two in the strategic supply cache, the location of which he and his men had discovered through the cooperation of Commander Christopher Dodd. The M-16 rifles, although, like the sniper rifle, five centuries old, had decidedly greater potential for his overall purpose. But sniper rifles could be useful. Now, for example, he thought. His finger snapped off the rear trigger, then eased forward along the edge of the guard, just beside the front trigger, now set to go with the very slightest pressure.

The German vision intensification scope, conveniently enough mounted to the Austrian-origin rifle with only a slight machining modification to the rails on the receiver, showed Dodd’s yellow nemesis clearly enough—this Akiro Kurinami. Kurinami was only a Lieutenant, a very young man, yet Dodd perceived Kurinami as his arch rival for control of the Eden Project. Once there was an appropriate lull in the battle between the Soviets and their growing list of allied enemies, Dodd was convinced free elections for the leadership of Eden Base would be demanded. And

Kurinami, as Dodd told it, would run against him, would win. But, if Kurinami were out of the picture, there would be no clear rival to Dodd’s leadership. If elections did come, Dodd envisioned himself the easy victor in the absence of the Japanese Naval Lieutenant.

Kurinami moved along a steeply rising road, toward the face of a mountain. Was this actually the entrance to the survival retreat of the infamous Doctor John Rourke?

Rausch wondered.

And what things of interest might this place contain?

All things might be of value in the struggle to restore to power in New Germany those who followed the philosophy of The Leader, specifically himself. If he shot Kurinami, who according to Dodd knew the secret entrance to Rourke’s mountain retreat, the secret would die with Kurinami.

Rausch wondered.

He released the SSG’s five-round magazine, only four rounds remaining in the rotary feeding box. He worked the bolt, ejecting the chambered round, catching it in midflight.

He closed the bolt and snapped off the front trigger with the chamber empty.

Damien Rausch rolled onto his back in the snow. Beside him, one of his men began, “But, Herr Rausch—”

Rausch only smiled as he remagazined the loose round. “Watch him.” He put the magazine back in place, then gave it a firm slap …

Akiro Kurinami’s bones ached him, as did every muscle that wasn’t numbed from the cold. He kept walking, Elaine’s face in his thoughts, her face and the knowledge that the Retreat’s main entrance was just a

little farther away all that kept him going, had kept him going as he walked on and on. The snow fell more heavily and there was little Soviet helicopter traffic, especially since nightfall. If somehow he were attacked, he wouldn’t be able to activate the controls of the pistol at his side.

He kept walking, not thinking about moving his feet, not thinking about anything except the woman he loved and the warmth and food of the Retreat.

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