Parchman, стр. 15
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A couple of hours later Logan joined Brittle and Mendez on the roof of theprison, the battlements, looking down at the army the Commander Generalhad put together. Most were in military fatigues or camouflage gear. Allhad infantry machine guns and military weapons. They were all groupedin a flanking maneuver.
‘He plans to put us at a disadvantage by flanking us,’ said Max. ‘It’s agood move as we will have our main defense out in front. The fact we arein a strong hold is a massive benefit for us as he has to go straight throughthe front gates. He knows he will lose men but he’s counting on hisnumbers to outweigh ours. I hate to say it,but it could work.’
‘Thank you for your input Captain Gradel,’ said Professor Brittle. ‘It isgood to have you with us. We appreciate your help and I completely agree.We are outnumbered and will have to rely on our wits rather than bruteforce on this occasion.’
Outside the prison a larger than life figure cut its way through the ranks ofthe men and to the front of the gates. It was the Commander General. His Lieutenant joined him and passed the Commander General a loudspeaker.
‘Please put down your weapons and meet me halfway outside the gates totalk. I am unarmed.’ He passed the loudspeaker back to the Lieutenant andundid his jacket, lifting it up and showing that he had no weapons on him.
‘It’s a trap,’ said Max.
‘If we can solve this without conflict then we are obliged to try, no?’ said Mendez. He looked to the Professor. ‘It should be me to go.’
‘Yes Isaac, on this occasion I believe you are right,’ he smiled at his friend.
A look passed between them that was more than just friendship and Loganknew that the Professor was saying goodbye to more than just a goodfriend. The Professor looked at Logan ‘Love is never easy Logan. Youknow that more than anyone.’
Mendez made the walk down the steep steps and his men held the largedoors to the front of the prison open. Once he was outside they lockedthem shut. It was easily a hundred-yard walk to where the CommanderGeneral was stoodbut Mendez wasn’t afraid. He had made his peace thenight before.
‘Roderick?’ said Mendez.
‘Commander General Roderick, but I’ll let it slide. If you don’t mind measking, how did you know we were coming?’ said the CommanderGeneral.
‘Word travels quick when you have friends,’ said Mendez.
‘Ah,’ said the CommanderGeneral looking to the top of the prison. ‘Isthat? No, surely not. Logan Mathers,’ he burst out laughing and lookedaround to his original men from the basewho remained unmoved. ‘I see.So they came back to you forhelp? That figures. Clever move.’
‘Actually, we were warned about you from someone else, but no matter.You wanted to talk, soDiablo let’s talk. What is it you want?’ repliedMendez.
‘Well,’ whispered the CommanderGeneral. ‘I want your prison.’
Mendez laughed. ‘My prison? You want my prison? I am sorry but youhave come to the wrong prison. My prison. It is not for sale. I am sorry foryour wasted journey.’
‘I’m sorry, you mistook me. I was not offering to buy it. I’m simply tellingyou that I am taking it. The only offer on the table is that you and your band of criminals leave quietly, and I let you live. You can leave Mathersand anyone else with him. I’ll take care of them,’ said the CommanderGeneral.
‘And if I refuse?’
The Commander General pointed to a red light which was now flickeringon Mendez’s chest. Mendez knew this was an infrared from a sniper rifleand he looked out in front of him to the highest points in the surroundingbuildings. He turned and looked to the Professor and smiled.‘Bueno, te deseo la muerte dolorosa e irrespetuosa de la historia,’ saidMendez and spat in the Commander Generals face.
‘Thank you for your answer Mr. Mendez,’ said the Commander Generaland turning to walk away he raised his hand and in seconds a bulletwhizzed past him and into Mendez’s chest, blood spraying into the air.
‘Noooooo,’ screamed the Professor as Mendez’s body hit the floor.
Max and Logan looked at each other. What now? Mendez was the leaderof these men and neither of them knew what to do given the situation.
Professor Brittle covered his face, wiped his eyes and composed himself. ‘Even when you know the outcome it can never prepare you for it’ he said.
‘You knew he was going to kill him?’ said Max.
‘Yes. Rose said it was a possibility, butshe wasn’t sure how. The Commander General saw him as the leader of the prison. Isaac has doneso much for these people in here. They no longer think of themselves asprisoners because of him. Isaac made them free men again. Gave them a purpose in life. With Isaac dead the Commander General thinks that theywill give up and leave without a fight,’ said the Professor.
‘And will they?’ said Xander panicking.
‘No. The Commander General underestimates just how loved Isaac was inthis prison. Rose said that in order for the prison to stand a chance then a sacrifice would need to be made. Isaac was that sacrifice. The CommanderGeneral doesn’t realize that by killing just one man he has just inspiredthree hundred men with the one purpose to destroy him and his army,’ hereplied.
The group looked down at the men behind the walls of the prison. Menwho were bare chested and still wearing the face paint of the night before.Skulls, tattoos, sweat, tears and weapons. A frenzy of men just waiting forProfessor Brittle to give the order to open the gates.
‘Wait,’ said Max, looking out to the Commander General and his troops.‘Are they retreating?’
The others looked and watched the soldiers turn and start marching awayfrom