Edge of Valor: A Post-Apocalyptic EMP Survival Thriller (Edge of Collapse Book 7) by Kyla Stone

Author:Kyla Stone [Stone, Kyla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Paper Moon Press
Published: 2021-03-27T22:00:00+00:00

36

The General

Day One Hundred and Eleven

Gibbs marched into the General’s suite. “I need to speak to you, sir.”

The General stood facing the wall of windows, his hands clasped behind his back. His bodyguards flanked either side of the doorway. Four more waited outside the door.

Baxter sat at the slim hotel desk in the corner, scribbling away with his delicate handwriting, sweating over chapter seven of the General’s manuscript.

The General breathed deeply, kept his gaze on the horizon line where the water met the blue of the sky, ignoring the hovels and sagging tents littering the beach, his eyes skipping over the dilapidated fishing boats cluttering Lake Michigan.

He was sick of this hotel, sick of MREs. Sick of this town. Fall Creek was a thorn in his side. “How much did we lose?”

“Our ammo, fuel, and transport supplies were attacked, sir. Five transports filled with supplies. Fourteen Humvees destroyed. Half of our ammo supply blown to bits.”

The General whipped around. Anger flared through him like an electrical current. “How did you let this happen?”

Gibbs didn’t flinch. “The fire was a distraction. They had men in wait to ambush the soldiers and draw our attention while they came after our logistics. The guardsmen were hit with flashbangs and knocked unconscious. The assault teams were too fast. By the time we sent a second reaction force, they were gone.”

The General cursed. He almost swiped the half-empty bottle of cognac from the credenza and hurled it at Gibbs. It was far too precious to waste.

“It will take us twice as long to transport our men anywhere. No casualties, but our ammo supply is halved. Fuel is low. For food, we only have a few days’ worth. Even if we move to rations. The men won’t like it, but—”

“Do it! We’ll find more food when we secure Fall Creek.”

Gibbs pursed his lips. “There’s more.”

“Spit it out!”

“Franklin and Jenkins never made it back.”

“What the hell do you mean?”

“They did not return. They have not initiated radio contact. We can only assume that they were intercepted and eliminated.”

White-hot anger burned through him. He wanted to murder something—or someone. He couldn’t stand the sight of Gibbs, Baxter, or anyone else.

Baxter never looked up, an intense look on his face. Though the room was distinctly chilly, sweat beaded his forehead. He looked like he was writing for his life.

“When do we go rip them a new one? Sir.” Gibbs’ face was near expressionless, but the General recognized the restrained rage flashing behind his eyes.

The General forced himself to breathe, to maintain control. He longed to release his hounds and let them do what they did best.

He’d prefer to level the town. He’d never even have to step foot within its borders. Hell, with the proper artillery and air support, neither would a single soldier.

They could obliterate it, wipe it right off the map.

He had his progeny to think of. She was still inside.

“Send them another message,” the General said. “One they will not soon forget.”

“I intend to,” Gibbs said. “This cannot go unanswered.

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