"Forget it, Le Sain. I'll go back and blow you off that hill."
"General, suppose we step over under that tree and talk," Valentine said.
"That's better. A smart man knows when his bluff's called."
They walked along the old road at the base of the hill, leaving Nail, Ahn-Kha and Xray-Tango's aides looking across the road at each other. A red oak sprouted from a crack in the pavement, now big enough to offer them some shade in the late-morning sun. A dead apartment complex watched them with empty eyes.
"Just out of curiosity, General, what happened to Hamm?"
Xray-Tango's eye twitched. "He was"-blink-blink- bliiink -"relieved."
"Permanently, I take it."
The general said nothing.
"What are the terms, General?"
"Very generous, Le Sain. Very generous, indeed. These come from Solon and all the governors. Each has allowed their seal on the deal."
"I can just hear my last words as the Reaper picks me up: 'The seals are in order. '"
"It's got my name on it, too, if that means anything to you. It says you and your men can walk away. You can travel wherever you want, with your small arms. Join Southern Command's lines for all we care. Just get out of New Columbia."
"That simple, huh?"
"We kept it simple so you could understand it."
"I need to contact my higher ups."
"Oh, Colonel," Xray-Tango said. "I almost forgot. One more gesture of good faith for you. Bring him forward."
One of Xray-Tango's aides waved, and two soldiers stood up from the bushes, a slight figure between them. It was Hank. Valentine held his breath as they brought the boy forward, fearing some sort of sadistic display.
The boy had his right hand swathed in bandages. He was thin and haggard.
"What did you do to him?"
"That's a story, Colonel. He was being questioned, you see. By General Hamm himself."
Hank looked up at Valentine. He read pride, and something like defiance in the boy's eyes.
"I didn't tell them anything, sir," Hank said.
"No, he didn't," Xray-Tango continued. "Hamm took the boy to a charcoal grill. He threatened to cook the boy's hand there on the grate, smash it down like a hamburger with a spatula. Wanted to know who the spy at his headquarters was, like some kid would know. Your boy here stuck his own hand into the coals. Stared right at Hamm until he passed out. One of the men there puked from the smell."
"Hank-"
"Take him back with you. Your whole command, in the person of a prepubescent boy. What'll it be, Le Sain? Do they live or die? Does this brave kid live or die? Up to you."
Valentine pulled the boy over to his side of the road. "I'll see you later."
"You have until sunset. After then, anyone coming off the hill is dead. You've already had some deserters. This is your last chance."
"No, General, it's yours."
Xray-Tango stared with his owl eyes. "Pretty pathetic threat."
"You're fighting two wars, General, one with me and one with your conscience. The things you've seen, the people you've helped. You've been on the wrong side your whole life. You should have talked to your wife more."