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

are alone. Your friend, my old colonel, died trying to save you. But all he did was delay the inevitable.” He addressed the circle surrounding Jericho. “Men, prepare to fire!”

“I want you to do it,” said Jericho, keeping a cautious eye on the group. “After everything that’s happened… after all the losses we’ve suffered, I’m asking you, soldier to soldier—will you do me the honor of a noble death at the hand of the man who beat me?”

The general regarded Jericho quietly for a moment, then climbed out of the tank. His polished black boots crunched on the gravel as he strode into the middle of the group. He drew his sidearm and stood before Jericho, keeping a few feet between them. He gave up a few inches in height but still looked commanding and intimidating. He carried himself with the confidence only a lifetime of military service could give.

He raised his arm, leveling his gun at Jericho’s chest.

Jericho nodded. “Thank you, General.”

As they held each other’s gaze in a final moment of unspoken respect, sporadic gunfire rang out in the silence from beyond the palace walls. Both men frowned, confused. The general’s men surrounding them did the same.

They all turned to look over at the gates. The gunfire grew louder, accompanied by urgent but indecipherable shouting. Suddenly, the vehicles blocking the entrance to the courtyard disappeared in a deafening explosion. Their flaming metal husks landed some distance away to the side of the palace. Through the gap they had left, a swarm of military and GlobaTech forces burst forth, quickly overwhelming what remained of the general’s men nearby.

Jericho seized the opportunity created by the distraction. At a pace not befitting a man of his size or condition, he moved toward the general and disarmed him, quickly aiming the weapon back at him. He pressed the barrel to Guerrero’s forehead and rested his finger on the trigger.

“Tell your men to stand down, General,” ordered Jericho.

Watching the new arrivals effortlessly secure the courtyard, the general nodded to his men, who lowered their rifles. Moments later, they were disarmed and taken away. A group of GlobaTech operatives remained, their own guns trained on General Guerrero. One of them moved to Jericho’s side, smiling.

It was Mike Jefferies.

Jericho nodded to him. “I see you made it out of Maville in one piece.”

“We sure did, sir. Some of the colonel’s men showed up, and we were able to repel the general’s forces and force them to surrender. Is the colonel here? I’d like to thank him personally if that’s all right?”

Jericho let out a solemn sigh. He glanced at the ground, then flicked his head toward the palace steps. “The colonel didn’t make it. He died saving my life.”

Jefferies didn’t respond. He glared at the general, then turned away and walked back over to his team.

Jericho looked at the general. “Now it’s over. Send word to the remaining Palugan soldiers across the country and tell them to stand down. Tell them to give themselves up to GlobaTech and they won’t be harmed.”

Guerrero spat at Jericho’s feet. “I would rather die than surrender my country to the man responsible for tearing it apart.”

Jericho applied pressure to the barrel, forcing it against the general’s forehead. “That can be arranged, asshole.”

“Just do it,” he snarled, gritting his teeth and pushing against the barrel. “Do it! I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.”

Jericho eyed him with something akin to sympathy, then lowered the gun.

“I’m not responsible for what happened to Herrera,” he said. “He was a good man and I liked him. No one could have anticipated an assassination attempt. But my team back in the States are working to secure the shooter as we speak. I will leave some men here to help Raul Montez organize a new, peaceful election. I will also make sure the United Nations helps your country recover from this senseless war. We’re not the bad guys, General. You chose the wrong side here.”

He glanced at Jefferies and his team, signaling him over with a flick of his head. He handed the general’s gun to him.

“Take the general and his men into custody,” said Jericho. “Secure them at the nearest military base and arrange for all GlobaTech personnel in the area to rendezvous with you there. I’ll be along in a little while. There are some things I need to take care of here first. Once everywhere is secured, we’ll start heading home.”

Jefferies nodded. “Yes, sir.”

He placed a hand on Guerrero’s shoulder and ushered him away.

Jericho watched them leave, then walked toward the steps of the palace. Toward Colonel Ramirez’s body. As he stopped beside it, he saw Montez emerge from the palace. He waved him over.

“Jericho, thank God,” said Montez as he approached. “I was worried. I didn’t know what was going on and I—”

He stopped as he realized the colonel’s body lay at his feet. He crossed himself out of respect.

“That man died a hero,” said Jericho. “Promise me the people of your country will know that.”

Montez nodded. “They will. You have my word.”

They fell silent, both looking around in dismay and awe of the carnage that surrounded them. The damage to the palace was significant. The number of bodies in the courtyard was a tragedy.

“What will you do now?” asked Jericho. “Where do you even begin?”

Montez smiled. It was out of courtesy, not humor. “I have no idea. But there is still some semblance of government in this country, so I’ll start there, I guess. We need to make a statement to the people as soon as possible. Tell them what happened. Reassure them they are safe, and this country remains strong.”

Jericho nodded. “Okay. But are you sure telling them what happened is a good idea? Given how divided the country was before, the truth of what happened here is unlikely to offer comfort.”

Montez shrugged. “I think the citizens of a country are smarter than their government gives them credit for. If we are to rebuild here,