Edge of Valor (Edge of Collapse, #7)

by Kyla Stone

The General drew his pistol. In a loud, commanding voice, he repeated his spiel about the court martial, times of war, the necessity of difficult acts to preserve the nation, yada yada. Beside him, Baxter recorded his every word. He allowed himself to wax eloquent, knowing the two guardsmen were his primary audience, not these poor souls before him. They begged, cried, and made pathetic excuses, but the General barely heard them. He didn’t relish this. He knew nothing of them, and didn’t want to, either. Neither did he feel guilt over meting out their punishment. Without swift and severe retaliation, more soldiers would disappear. As far as the General was concerned, the National Guard consisted of warm bodies with guns. Pawns to direct on the chessboard as needed.