Brent Acuff - Undead Nation 01 (21 page)

From behind him, Alex heard the voice of Lt. Col. Hill. "This could have been easier, gentlemen. This could have all been easier."

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"I'm offering you a way out, gentlemen." Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Hill circled the men in the room, the former governing council of the New Hope colony. Sam and Charles were nearly in tears, visibly shaking with fear and shame. They had welcomed this man in, and now their friends and family were being held hostage. Alex and Liam, on the other hand, fumed with anger and rage.
 

"Your family and friends will be taken good care of here in your, what was it called," Hill asked, looking to his NCO for the answer.

"New Hope," Sgt. Maj. Cuzman offered in a low, monotone voice.

"That's right, New Hope." That chuckle again. "Cute." Hill stopped circling the men and turned to face them head on. "You gentlemen have done very well for yourselves here. So much so that I find myself in need of your services." Hill eyed Alex and knelt in front of him. "Especially you."

Crying and feet scuffing the floor drew everyone's attention to the door that led in to the sleeping areas of the farmhouse. A soldier dressed in full combat BDUs entered through the door dragging a screaming woman with him. A young girl shuffled forward in front of the soldier, silently crying. It was Morgan and Gemma.

Alex moved to get up when Sgt. Maj. Cuzman struck him in the stomach dropping him to the floor. "Alex," Morgan screamed and was immediately silenced when the soldier placed a hand over her shoulder and muscled her still.

The commander grabbed Alex's chin and forced him to look up. "Your wife and little girl are safe. All thanks to you. And now you are going to make sure that my wife and little girl are safe." Confusion clouded Alex's face as he tried to comprehend what was happening. "Come on, you can grasp this, can't you? Do you really think that cock-sucker of a president would let me take two companies of his good American soldiers into harm's way so that one measly commander of his, a man who has devoted his entire life to the service of his country, who has sacrificed time, and time again," the commander's voice was raising in pitch, becoming more frantic and menacing with every word, "could get his loved ones back, do you?"

Realization dawned on Alex and he looked to his wife and daughter across the room. A moment passed before he spoke. "I get weapons, supplies and the men of my choosing," he said and turned back to stare the commander in the eyes.

Commander Hill smiled, his eyes creasing with the fun he was having at this moment. "Anything, sir. Anything you want."