Danger Close by James Sumner (classic novels for teens txt) 📕

behave while letting them have their say. Just inside the perimeter, forming a soft barrier between the army and the crowd, you have another three hundred. The nearby buildings are secured. Any residential properties are patrolled by your local police. Businesses are closed. Plus, you have myself and twelve men I handpicked personally standing right beside you. You’re good to go, sir. Knock ’em dead.”

Herrera nodded. His smile was friendly, but it was also the smile of another personality taking over. Jericho had been speaking to Miguel Herrera, the man and proud citizen of Paluga. The man looking back at him now was President Herrera, with his game face on.

Herrera shook Jericho’s hand. Then he bounded up the steps and took center stage, arms aloft as he greeted the crowd. The noise was deafening. People cheered, waving flags and smiling, happy and proud to see their president.

Jericho hustled to the back, taking position beside Miller.

“Everything okay?” whispered Miller.

Jericho nodded. “We’re good. Eyes open, soldier.”

“You worried?”

“Always.”

“There doesn’t seem to be any hostility out there.”

Jericho surveyed the crowd. “No. That’s what I’m worried about. We’ve been told how bad it is here, yet it looks like a family fun day out there. I don’t know. Just got a feeling.”

Miller smiled. “What, like a spider sense?”

Jericho glared at him sideways but didn’t comment.

A goddamn spider sense… seriously? he thought.

Herrera moved to the podium. There was some brief, high-pitched feedback from the microphone as he repositioned it.

“My friends, it’s so great to see you all here!” he began.

The crowd cheered louder.

“Today is another important day for our great nation. Today will see the start of real change in Paluga. We will make a real difference not just for us but for our children and our children’s children. No more empty promises! No more silenced voices! Now is the time. Now is our time to move forward, to leave the past behind us and walk the path of peace and prosperity. It is our time to step into the light and embrace a new way of life and a new start for our people. It’s time to embrace a new democracy!”

He paused to allow the cheering and thunderous applause to subside.

“Together, we will bring Paluga back to the world stage, where it belongs. But as with the great Roman Empire of old, this cannot be done in a day. It will take hard work, and that work starts here. It starts at home with your family. It starts with your jobs. It starts with our teachers and our doctors. It starts with government! My promise to you as I stand here today is this: your government will never allow you to be silenced. Your government will never allow you to starve. Your government will never allow its power to be undermined, nor its citizens to feel threatened. My friends, today will see the start of real change in Paluga. And it begins with you!”

The crowd erupted as he spoke his last line. Herrera stepped away from the podium, his arms raised to the skies, his fingers making peace signs.

Jericho watched intently, casting an impartial, professional eye over everything. He felt the deep vibrations of the noise in his chest.

“He’s good,” observed Miller beside him.

Jericho absently murmured his agreement but was distracted by something in the crowd. When he didn’t say anything, Miller followed his gaze.

“What is it?” he asked, a tremor of uncertainty in his voice.

Jericho’s eyes were locked on a section of the crowd about halfway back, on the right. A small circle had formed close to the soft perimeter of GlobaTech operatives. Picket signs began to appear, popping up as if sprouting from the cracks like weeds. One read, NO SUCH THING AS CHANGE. Another had YOU CAN’T CORRUPT THE MILITARY written in red. From his raised vantage point, he could see the circle growing, like a pulse that absorbed everything it touched.

He reached for his radio.

“Station Six, are you seeing this?” he asked.

There was a hiss of static, then a voice replied, “I am, sir. They appear to be mostly students. Rowdy but not violent. Say the word and my team will step in.”

Jericho watched for a moment. “No. Hold your position but stay frosty. Perimeter East, talk to me.”

More static. Then a voice, which sounded more fraught than the other guy.

“Sir, this is starting to get out of hand,” said the voice. “It looks like a goddamn circle pit in there.”

“I see it. Stay calm. Focus. What’s your name?”

“Johnson, sir.”

“Okay, Johnson. Listen to me. On the other side of that crowd is a group of our guys stationed at one of the respite tents. They don’t think it looks too bad, so be vigilant, but stand easy for now. Hold your position. Just be ready to move if I tell you. Got it?”

“Understood, sir.”

Jericho glanced at Miller, who was looking on with concern.

“Miller, move to the president’s right side, would you?” said Jericho. “I want to be ready in case this gets nasty and we need to hustle him out of here.”

Miller nodded. “You got it.”

Jericho watched him step into position, then turned back to survey the crowd.

Herrera was still playing to his people, seemingly unaware or unfazed by the tension. The chanting of the protestors began to drown out the cheering of his supporters, causing him to finally look over and acknowledge the growing unrest. He moved back to the podium.

“I understand your concerns,” he said, shouting to be heard. “Change is difficult. Change is frightening. But just because something is hard doesn’t mean you should shy away from it. We need to run toward it, as one people united by a common dream of a better life. I didn’t come from privilege. I grew up in the Bonagan slums. Like so many of you, I grew up on the very streets on which we stand today. I saw my father murdered by the same corrupt military many of you protest on behalf of. I value all of our freedom.