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

“Ladies and gentlemen, please,” said Rutherford firmly.

The chatter died down.

He looked at Buchanan. “What, exactly, is the point of paying GlobaTech to do a job they have just admitted they are unprepared and ill-equipped to carry out?”

Buchanan frowned. “I don’t recall admitting anything to that effect, sir.”

“Mr. Buchanan, a world leader died while under your protection, via weaponry that, by your own admission, is more advanced than anything GlobaTech has ever seen. GlobaTech not only has the largest private military force in the world but is also widely-regarded as the world’s leading manufacturer and developer of weapons and technology. Mr. Buchanan, allow me to put this to you another way: if something like this could happen on your watch, what hope does anyone else have?”

Buchanan shifted in his seat again. He was uncomfortable, jet-lagged, and smart enough to see the situation was getting away from him.

“Mr. Rutherford, sir… GlobaTech has a presence in Paluga in a private capacity. We were hired by President Herrera himself. We were not acting on behalf of the United Nations, nor in the official capacity of Peacekeepers. I understand the consequences of what has happened and the ramifications of it. But this is still, technically, a private matter for GlobaTech to resolve. We are, of course, liaising with the Palugan military where necessary, but I fail to see why the security council feel inclined to get involved. To put it another way, sir: we were working on our own dime, not yours.”

Rutherford smiled politely. He took no pleasure in his approach and felt sympathy toward Buchanan and GlobaTech. But he knew he must act with no emotion, no agenda, and with only the best interests of the U.N. in mind.

“Mr. Buchanan, I understand the point you’re trying to make. I do. But understand that we would look to control the situation when any world leader died, regardless of how or why. Also, I would argue you were only approached by the Palugan government because of the position you hold on behalf of the U.N. The position your company is paid significantly for. So, by association, GlobaTech’s failure impacts the reputation of the United Nations. If the world begins to question its collective faith in our abilities, we must question our faith in yours.”

Buchanan sat straight in his chair and rubbed a hand firmly over his face. “Mr. Rutherford, members of the security council… forgive my abruptness, but can you please get to why you really summoned me here? I have other matters that require my attention.”

Rutherford remained patient. He chose to overlook Buchanan’s sharp tone, although his reply was equally spoken with a razor’s edge.

“I’m sure you do, Mr. Buchanan. The main focus of this meeting was to establish what happened in Paluga and what GlobaTech’s involvement was in the tragic events. Now we know.” He shuffled the papers in front of him together and clasped his hands on top of them. “Mr. Buchanan, with immediate effect, GlobaTech Industries will no longer act as the Peacekeepers of these United Nations. The contract is hereby terminated and the funding pulled. The duty to uphold peace on a global scale will once again fall to our own security force, which will, as before, comprise of men and women put forward by the member nations.”

Buchanan nodded slowly. It was as he had feared.

“Furthermore,” continued Rutherford. “We will—”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” said Buchanan, cutting him off. “This wasn’t on us. No one—not the Palugan military, the old U.N. Peacekeepers, even the United States military—could have done anything differently. Somebody wanted President Herrera dead. Nothing was going to stop that. There was no intel, no chatter, nothing that suggested such an attempt would be made on his life. This is a gross over-reaction on behalf of this council. I say that with the utmost respect, but it’s true. You’re panicking and trying to put out the first fire you’ve come across without looking at the full blaze.”

“Mind your tone, Mr. Buchanan,” a woman to his right said sternly. “You’re concerned about nothing more than your company’s reputation, just as we have to be concerned with ours.”

He turned to address her. “We’ve done our fair share for this world. I like to think we’ve earned the benefit of the doubt. I’m not concerned with my company’s reputation.”

“Well, we are,” said Rutherford. “Your company, your logo, and your people are all over every news channel in the world. And the first thing anyone says when mentioning GlobaTech is to refer to them as U.N. Peacekeepers. You look bad, so we look bad.”

Buchanan scoffed. “So, you’re essentially firing us as a PR stunt? Jesus Christ…”

“You’ve been warned previously about your tone, Mr. Buchanan, and now I’m warning you. Do not speak out of turn again.”

Buchanan held up a hand in silent apology.

Rutherford continued. “This isn’t a PR stunt, as you put it. This is the right thing to do to help restore faith in our organization. As is this: we are recommending to the office of the U.S. president that your government launches an investigation into GlobaTech Industries and that yourself and your board of directors are brought before a Senate hearing.”

Buchanan leapt to his feet. “On what grounds?”

“To answer for violations of competition laws and concerns about monopoly of industry, Mr. Buchanan. GlobaTech has had free reign to do whatever it pleases without restriction or culpability for too long. You have grown too big to be controlled or policed by your own country, and your arrogance has led to a prominent world leader being murdered in their own country while under your protection. No corporate entity should have as much power, influence, and freedom as your company does, and the United Nations will strongly urge your government to stop that.”

Buchanan shook his head with disbelief. “This is… this is insane! How can you even…”

He began pacing back and forth in front of the horseshoe table, clenching his fists to both express his frustration and manage his anger.

Rutherford got to his