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

Jericho shrugged. “We’re due a little luck, right?”

Both men stood watching from the bottom of the steps, trying to focus on the new glimmer of hope while simultaneously staring at an overwhelming number of adversaries. They were separated only by large iron gates and tradition.

There was movement outside the palace walls.

Ramirez saw it first. Jericho saw it a moment later.

A soldier had run across from the opposite side of the road and approached the general’s tank. Guerrero was still standing tall and confident through the hatch of the tank. He looked down as the soldier clearly shouted up to him. They were too far away to make out facial expressions, but the general’s overall body language changed in an instant. He spun around to address men close by. Then he reached inside the tank and retrieved a radio. He spoke into it and listened to the response.

The general looked over at the palace, staring right through the gates and into the eyes of his colonel.

Jericho and Ramirez looked at each other and smiled.

“I think he just heard the news,” said Ramirez.

Jericho rolled his eyes. “At least somebody has.”

“What do you think will happen now?”

Jericho stroked his chin thoughtfully. “He’ll either attack without warning or try talking to us… get us to back down. If the bullets start flying, I’ll follow your lead, Colonel.”

Ramirez nodded. “And if he wants to talk, I’ll watch your back. You clearly have a better head for politics than I do.”

Jericho looked at him. “If that’s the case, we’re all screwed.”

Ramirez smiled. “You ever think you would find yourself on the eve of a battle where you were the diplomatic one?”

“Not in a million years.”

The general’s megaphone whined into life. He moved it to his face, preparing to speak.

Ramirez nudged Jericho’s arm with his elbow. “Looks like you’re up.”

Jericho walked toward the gate as the general moved the megaphone to his mouth. Despite his size and confidence, he couldn’t ignore the fact he was about to stand in front of well over a hundred soldiers and a tank by himself. He took a deep breath and locked eyes with the general.

“I demand that whoever is in charge of the GlobaTech presence in my country orders them to stop attacking my troops immediately!” yelled Guerrero.

Jericho passed the final group of the colonel’s men and stopped only a few feet from the gate. He ignored the enemy soldiers staring at him and kept his eyes locked on the general’s.

The tank was parked in the middle of the dusty road, maybe fifty feet from the palace walls. Its long barrel was leveled at the gates. Jericho glanced into the muzzle as he cleared his throat, preparing to shout so that the general would hear him.

“General Guerrero, my men have orders to detain any Palugan military personnel found to be using force against the citizens of this country. Those orders come directly from the president of the United States and are supported by the United Nations. Any resistance will be met with a swift and proportional act of violence. Whatever this is, General…” He gestured to the sea of soldiers and weaponry before him. “It’s over. Tell your men to stand down. You no longer control your country. Let’s end this now, peacefully. There’s no need for any more blood to be shed.”

“The bloodshed started when your men failed to keep our president alive,” replied the general. “I’m doing what is necessary to secure my people’s safety. By attacking my soldiers, your men are committing war crimes, for which I will personally see to it that you are prosecuted. This is my country, and you have outstayed your welcome. This is your final warning. Stand down, or we will retaliate with the full might of our military.”

Jericho shook his head. “This isn’t your country, General. You serve it. You don’t rule it. Nothing you’re doing is helping anyone.”

“Do not lecture me, boy! The Constitution of Paluga clearly states that if the country is under attack and the leader is unable to fulfill his duties, executive powers fall to the commanding officer of the armed forces.”

Jericho threw his arms in the air, forgetting his situation and allowing his frustrations to show. “For the love of God, General—you’re not at war! No one’s attacking you! Your president was assassinated by a lone shooter, whom my team have already tracked down in the States. As we speak, they’re pursuing her, and I’m confident the shooter will be caught and questioned soon. But right now, seeing as your men aren’t allowing my operatives to leave your country, we’ve been asked by the United Nations to help prevent you from killing your own people for no goddamn reason! Your citizens are scared, General. We’re just trying to protect them because you’re too blinded by this imaginary war to see that you’re the ones threatening their safety.”

“They will be safe once GlobaTech are gone.”

“Fine! Let us leave! You’re the one who ordered the airport to close. Otherwise, we would have left three days ago.”

The general laughed through the megaphone, which reverberated around the entire hillside. “And let those responsible for killing our president get away? You must think I’m stupid.”

“Damn right,” muttered Jericho with a heavy sigh.

The general surveyed the groups of soldiers on either side of his tank. “Today, you fight for the freedom of your country. Today, you put an end to this… invasion. Prepare to take the palace!”

Jericho walked backward until he drew level with the nearest group of soldiers to him, which consisted of eight of the colonel’s men and three of his own. His hand moved to his weapon, secured to his thigh in its holster. He felt a modicum of comfort as his fingers wrapped around the grip, although it did little to ease the burst of adrenaline and fear coursing through his veins.

He stood in the middle of the first line of defense, waiting for the first twitch of movement from beyond the gates. He didn’t