Read Online Anarchy in the Ashes by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online Page B

Mikael. Ben called, “Mikael and his buddies hammer on you two?”
    â€œYes, sir,” Roy called. “And Judy was raped.”
    Ben looked at her.
    â€œI’ll be all right, sir,” she said grimly. “Much better, in fact, in about a minute.”
    â€œWhat happens then?” Ben asked.
    â€œThis,” Judy said. She spun, driving her elbow into Mikael’s stomach. He doubled over, gagging. She brought her knee up into his face, smiling with satisfaction as his jaw popped like a gunshot and teeth rolled and bounced on the concrete steps. She brought the knife edge of her hand down hard on the back of his neck, and Mikael dropped to the steps, bleeding, hurt, and out of commission for a time.
    Judy stepped back and, stone-faced, drew back her right foot and kicked the Russian squarely in the balls with the toe of her heavy combat boot,
    A dozen IPF members appeared on the steps, automatic weapons at combat ready.
    â€œNow, now, boys and girls,” Colonel Gray’s voice rang from the top of the building. “We don’t want this situation to turn into a sticky wicket, now, do we?”
    The IPF members looked up into the muzzles of M-16s and AK-47s. They heard the roar of engines racing up the broken blacktop. Jeeps swung around,. 50-caliber machine guns leveled at them, the muzzles menacing.
    â€œHolster or sling your weapons,” Ben told the IPF troops.
    They did as ordered, handling the weapons gingerly.
    â€œOne more person I have to get, General,” Roy said. “Give me a minute?”
    Ben nodded. “Go.” He was curious as to the third person.
    A number of young women had gathered around Judy, asking her questions, their distaste for this newly discovered side of the IPF very evident. And they were all curious as to how she had learned how to fight like she did, and if they could learn it.
    She said they could, just join up with Raines’s Rebels – if they thought they could cut it.
    Roy reappeared, a very pretty young woman with him, holding onto his hand. The young woman had obviously been beaten. There were bruises on the side of her face and her hands were swollen from her wrists being tied too tightly.
    Ben looked at the crowd of young people. “Any of you young folks want to leave with us? Don’t worry, the IPF won’t try to stop you.”
    Almost half the crowd silently made up their minds to pull out.
    Ben ordered a team to escort them to the edge of the campus and to arrange transportation for them. He smiled at the young woman called Denise; she seemed to be some sort of spokesperson for the young people.
    â€œI think it best that we hold our discussions some miles from this place, don’t you, miss?” Ben said.
    She returned his smile. “Yes, I do, General. And that’s ms. if you don’t mind.”
    â€œRight,” Ben said dryly. “What else?”
    One young member of the IPF allowed courage to override training and common sense. He grabbed for his pistol and leveled it at Katrina. “You traitor!” he screamed at her.
    Ben stitched him from belly to face, left to right, with a short burst from the Thompson. The young man’s feet flew out from under him and he slammed back against the brick wall, bloodying the old bricks as he slid slowly downward, his brains leaving a gray trail edged with crimson.
    â€œJames?” Ben called.
    â€œSir!”
    â€œGather up all the weapons and ammunition you can find. Take as many people as you need to do it in a hurry. Search all the buildings. I don’t believe these people represent all the IPF personnel here. If your team comes in contact with any armed men or women, shoot first and ask questions later.”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Colonel Gray yelled from the top of the building. “You IPF people! Down on your bellies, hands behind your head, fingers interlaced. Move!”
    The dozen young people obeyed instantly. Ben thought: