Combat Alley (2007) (5 page)

The journalist turned his attention back to the riding. After a few moments, he asked Sidiqui, When do you bring them to the gallop?

Tomorrow, the Pakistani officer answered. I hope you will be able to help.

I'm looking forward to it, Wallenger replied, making a mental note to be sure that Eddie taped the event.

.

LOGOVISHCHYEH, TAJIKISTAN

AS could be expected, the hut belonging to the headman, Luka Yarkov, was the largest in the village. It was more than his home; it was also a headquarters, meeting hall, and storage area for weaponry, ammunition, and the more important and valuable items used in the raiding operations he directed. The place was guarded by a quartet of the biggest exconvicts on a twenty-four/seven basis.

Yarkov had two women, both stolen from villages on separate raids. The youngest was fifteen-year-old Gabina, who he had kidnapped on his second raid onto the Pranistay Steppes. A year later eighteen-year-old Zainba was brought in to join the household. The two girls were similar in appearance in that they were young, plump, and had green eyes. Yarkov preferred his women to be teenagers with blue or green eyes, and a bit on the fleshy side. This was a strong resemblance to his older cousin Sofia, with whom he had his first sexual experiences.

Zainba and Gabina were from different clans, but formed an instant rapport in spite of past intertribal conflicts. In reality, both were disgraces to their families since they had been raped by an infidel. However, because of their friendship, they made some mutually beneficial decisions about how to deal with their fate. The two girls were practical and intelligent though completely illiterate and uneducated. They logically saw no advantage to ever returning to their villages where the men in the family would take their lives in honor killings. They decided to make the best of the situation in Logovishchyeh and live out their lives as peacefully as possible. On the plus side, their master never beat them, he praised and appreciated their food preparation and housekeeping abilities, took the time to begin teaching them Russian so they could all talk together, and seemed considerate when he was having his way with them. They could only guess about the sex since both had been virgins when captured, but Zainba's sister had told her what it was like to have a husband and submit to his physical desires.

The two Pashtun girls usually wore their native garb. But at special times, their master insisted that they don tight dresses with short skirts that were readily available in the shops in Dolirod. Since the women were not allowed out of the village, their masters did all the shopping. These garments were worn with the top buttons undone to afford a generous view of their cleavage. Individual men also picked out special outfits such as sheer slips and nightgowns for their women to wear at certain times. After years of imprisonment.

.

1900 HOURS

LUKA Yarkov had called a meeting of his underbosses in his home. These were Valentin Surov, Aleksei Barkyev, and Fedor Grabvosky. All three had the talents that had made them not only members of the hierarchy in Logovishchyeh but also during the long years in the military prison when they advised and directed Yarkov on running the gang.

Valentin Surov was an ex-officer, well educated and addicted to a gambling habit that had ruined his military career. He brought some sophisticated intellect to the table. Aleksei Barkyev was one of those rare individuals who was physically imposing, possessing great strength, yet had a keen and lively logic that enabled him to make accurate assessments of both tangible and abstract situations. Unfortunately that was where his aptitude ended. He could never figure out the right actions to take after his deductions. Fedor Grabvosky, on the other hand, was a small, sickly weakling, but he had a cunning intellect that not only aided him in surviving the savage environment of prison but made him a great planner. He and Barkyev together made one very imposing team.

Yarkov's wives had gotten several bottles of vodka from the freezer, along with the tall, narrow glasses traditionally used to imbibe the liquor. They set the servings down on the table as the four guests ogled them for their plump prettiness. This still made Gabina feel a bit uneasy, but Zainba's feminine ego was pleased with the attention. Such conduct would never have been permitted by a Pashtun man and would have led to a deadly confrontation with any other male who would dare show such disrespect to the women of his household.

After the girls withdrew to the kitchen, the Russians charged the glasses for the customary toast. Bogatstvo ee mestnost! Yarkov announced, asking for riches and wellbeing. They all knocked back the slugs of vodka in one swallow.

So, said Surov, refilling his glass. Why have you called us together, Luka Ivanovich? He used the patronymic as was custom among Russians.

It is time to begin preparation for the next opium harvest, Yarkov replied.

I visited that village as you ordered, Surov said. I took Putnovsky with me and we informed the villagers that they owed you a tax. He shrugged. I must tell you that I did not feel that would accomplish much.

I had you do that because of being counseled to do so by little Fedor Zakharovich, Yarkov said. I will let him explain it to you.

The diminutive Grabvosky, who had been a payroll clerk in the Army, could imbibe a lion's share of vodka in spite of his small size. The main job given us by the big boss in Khorugh is to take over the entirety of the poppy crops being grown on the Pranistay Steppes. However, we must do so in well-planned steps. It will give us time to develop alliances among the Pashtuns.

We cannot go to the Pashtuns we've stolen women from, Surov pointed out.

That still leaves us plenty since we have not gone to all the villages, Grabvosky said. Our principal enemy will be the warlord Awalmir Yousafzai.

Can't we fight Yousafzai by ourselves? Barkyev asked.

We need the Pashtuns to harvest the poppies, Grabvosky said. You must remember that down on the steppes there are long and bitter feuds between the tribes. I believe you are aware that the last names used by the Pashtuns are their main tribal names. That is an indication of how important their clans are to them. They will not bear insults or abuse to be directed toward their kinsmen. Fortunately for us, there have been many conflicts that have left smoldering resentment that bursts out in bloody vendettas from time to time. And as I stated before, we will approach those tribes who we have not attacked.

Ah! Barkyev exclaimed. So we will work one tribe against the other, eh?

Tochno exactly! Grabvosky exclaimed. But there is an additional requirement in order for us to be able to gain control and exert influence on the people of the steppes. They are all afraid of Awalmir Yousafzai, who is in actuality the warlord of the largest tribe in the area.

Is he capable of crushing the others? Surov asked.

Not all at once, Barkyev replied. But he can handle them quite easily one at a time. Our goal is to unite the tribes to go to war against him.

Can we do that? Yarkov asked. Those tribes are not exactly friendly toward us since they consider us infidels.

Ah, yes! Grabvosky said. But if we made treaties with them, we could unite them under your leadership. The first step is to go to the Mahsud tribe where Surov and Putnovsky informed them they owed a tax to you. Now you must 'forgive' the tax and tell them you want to be friends with them because you found out that the Yousafzai tribe is their enemy. You inform them that the Yousafzais are your enemy too.

Barkyev laughed loudly. Of course! There is the old Pashtun proverb that says the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

We could do this with other special villages and tribes until we and they are strong enough to defeat the Yousafzais, Surov remarked enthusiastically. With them out of the way, we can control all the other Pashtuns on the Pranistay Steppes.

The opium poppy harvests and sales will be ours, Grabvosky added.

How many tribes are out there on the steppes with whom we can establish a rapport? Barkyev asked.

Let me think, Yarkov mused. There are the Mahsuds and Kharotis. That's two.

Do not forget the Ghilzais, Surov said.

The last one is the Bhittanis, Grabvosky said. That makes four.

That is very good, Barkyev said. That means there will be four against the Yousafzais. Counting us Russians, that gives us odds of five to one. The scales balance in our favor.

Five to three! Grabvosky corrected. Our enemies are the Janoons and Swatis, but they may or may not join the Yousafzais.

Even if they do, we will enjoy a near two-to-one advantage, Surov said.

No matter, Yarkov said. It will be an easy victory. By the time of the next poppy harvest, the whole of the Pranistay Steppes will be under our control.

By Lenin's ghost, boys! Barkyev exclaimed. We are going to start a war.

Yarkov raised his glass of vodka. Ko voina! To war!

The other three at the table joined the toast.

Chapter 4

SHARIF GARRISON, PAKISTAN

16 OCTOBER

1000 HOURS

THE riding instruction for the SEALs came to a close. At the end of the final lesson, every man was able to handle his horse in an acceptable manner. They were not experts by a long shot, but Pete Dawson and Dave Leibowitz had a surprisingly natural aptitude for equitation. Those talented rookies ended up being close in ability to the more experienced Tex Benson, Monty Sturgis, Garth Redhawk, and Chad Murchison. Lieutenant Barakaat Sidiqui was confident enough in the detachment's horsemanship to believe that any shortcomings in riding among the rest of the SEALs could be quickly made up with practice in the field during the operation.

Before the Brigands packed up gear and mounts for the flight to Shelor Field, their Pakistani instructor had a final surprise for them. He took the group out to the Army's jumping course, where the military team trained for international competition. The squad was well known in the sport, having participated in several Olympics. Sidiqui explained that the practice of jumping horses over obstacles was started many decades before in British cavalry regiments where the activity was considered nothing less than a necessary training exercise.

When the SEALs reached the course, they gathered at a good viewing spot just outside the fence. Eddie Krafton was already there with his camera, ready to record everything on tape. Chad Murchison looked around. Where's Dirk? he asked.

You'll see real quick, Eddie said, making sure the lens of his camera covered the entirety of the riding field.

May I have everyone's attention? Lieutenant Sidiqui said. You are about to see a demonstration of excellent horsemanship. He let out a loud, sharp whistle.

A horse suddenly appeared from around the far stables, and the rider took it at a canter into the interior of the fenced area. It was Dirk Wallenger, and he guided the mount onto the course. He rode smoothly and easily at the first obstacle, which was a collapsible wooden wall. The horse cleared it gracefully, not breaking stride as it headed for the next jump.

You will notice, Sidiqui said loudly, that Mr. Wallenger is making sure he adjusts his position in the saddle to not upset his mount's balance during the jumping maneuver.

Wallenger and his equine companion next went over a triple bar, cantered on to a couple of more in a smooth, even ride-jump-ride-jump-ride sequence. The SEALs cheered and whistled in appreciation of the performance. Next was a water jump that Wallenger took the horse completely across, clearing the brush at the front, the small pond in the middle, and lastly the lathe on the far side. The demonstration elicited more loud approval from his audience. He then went over three vertical elements of various heights before slowing to a trot and riding over to where the Brigands shouted their approval at him.

Hell of ride, guy!

Well done, dude!

You are one badass cowboy, man!

Dirk Wallenger was extremely pleased with the reaction. He grinned, blushing at the praise. Well, he said, I've had a lot of practice.

That was most inimitable, Dirk, Murchison said. Have you been in competition?

Wallenger shook his head. I'd have to take off about twenty-five pounds. This poor animal has earned his oats hauling me around that course. He dismounted as a Pakistani trooper trotted up to take the reins and lead the horse back to the stable.

Puglisi was mystified by the riding exhibition. Can you teach us to do that, Dirk?

I think so, Wallenger said. But it would require that our present animals be trained for the sport. I'm afraid it would take a long time.

Man! Puglisi said. I'd give just about anything to be able to do that. It looks like a real kick in the head.