Read Online Alone in the Ashes by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online

as I killed the other two and drove away. Does that give you some insight as to what I think about criminals, Doctor?”
    â€œI get a very clear picture, Captain Walland.”
    â€œFine, Doctor Barnes. Now if you’ll help me with my equipment, we’ll see about giving everybody here a checkup and see where we have to go concerning vitamins and diet.”
    â€œWith pleasure ... Doctor,” Ralph said. As Walland walked away, Ralph looked at Ben and smiled. “Very ... ah, forceful young woman, General. I think we’re going to get on splendidly.”
    â€œI hope so, Ralph. I’m told she’s an expert shot.”
    When Ralph had gone, Captain Chad said, “General? I’ve known Gloria for five years. She never was raped.”
    Ben smiled. “Yes. I’ve read her file. She’s just telling Doctor Barnes how the show is going to be run, that’s all.”
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    Leaving half the newly arrived contingent of the Rebels behind, Ben took the mortar crews, the machine gunners, and one hundred of the newly armed citizens with their newly acquired vehicles and led the column toward the first of West’s labor camps. Ben’s heavily armed force rolled up to the gates of the forced labor camp, located some twenty-odd miles from Dyersburg.
    A strange silence greeted them. There were no guards in the crudely built towers, no guards to be seen behind the high barbed wire that surrounded the camp.
    â€œI don’t think we’re going to like what we’ll see in those barracks, General,” Captain Chad said.
    â€œNor I, Captain,” Ben replied. “Blow the gates and let’s take a look.”
    Several of the civilians lost their breakfast and many more turned green around the mouth.
    The prisoners in the labor camp had been machine-gunned in their barracks. The rough wooden floors were slick with blood. The stench of loosened bowels was nearly overpowering.
    â€œWhy, General?” a man asked. “Why did they do this?”
    â€œRevenge. West must have had observers behind the main column yesterday. They reported back, and this,” he waved his hand, “is their reply to us.” Ben turned to Dot. “You know where the other camps are located?”
    â€œMost of them. But ... what about the dead here?” she asked.
    â€œYou have no earthmoving equipment, Dot. And I didn’t bring any body bags with me. So unless you people want to spend several days digging holes for the bodies—which the dogs and other wild animals will dig up as soon as you’re gone—I suggest we put all the bodies in one barracks and burn them.”
    â€œAnd ... then?” Canby asked.
    â€œWe go wipe out what is left of West’s operation.”
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    The smoke from the controlled burn poured black and greasy into the morning sky. The unmistakable odor of burning human flesh filled the still air.
    The scene was nothing new to the small contingent of Rebels that stood impassively by and watched. Many of them had been with Ben for years; they had seen much worse than this during the years of traveling.
    But to the civilians of Dyersburg, the scene was awful.
    â€œGot a long way to go to make these folks fighters, General,” Captain Chad said quietly. “If it’s possible at all.”
    â€œI’ll opt for the latter, Captain,” Ben said. “And I’m not downgrading them for it. I think we can train them to become a pretty good militia force, as long as some of us are around to lead.”
    â€œAnd that’s up to me and my troops, right, General?” Captain Chad asked.
    â€œThat’s it, Captain. This outpost idea was just a thought. We’ll review what’s happened next spring. Take it from there.”
    The captain thought about the small city. “First thing we do is clean up the town. Got to give the people some purpose; keep them busy. Elect a leader and set up work teams. But