Page 94 of Clive Cussler Ghost Soldier
“You seem to know a lot about this man,” Plata said. “Perhaps too much.”
Linc tapped the side of his head. “He’s just using logic. It’s about time we did, too, before we get our heads blown off.”
“So, flags or Rahul?” one of the Polish twins asked, still staring outside on overwatch.
“We should vote on it,” the Frenchman said.
“There’s no voting,” Plata said. “I’m in charge.”
“Because the Vendor put you in charge,” the German said.
“What are you suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting anything. The Vendor put you in charge—but the question is, for what reason?”
The big Guatemalan lunged at the German with catlike speed.
Juan had never seen such a large man move so fast.
Plata grabbed the German’s throat and shoved him against the block wall, knocking the breath out of him. Before anyone could react, Plata laid his knife blade on the German’s cheek, the sharp point just millimeters beneath his cornflower-blue eye.
“Tell me, Fritz. Why do you think he put me in charge? Tell me.Tell me!”
The German swallowed hard.
“Because you are the best of us.” The German’s words barely escaped his throat still clutched in Plata’s iron grip.
“Say it louder.”
“Because you are the best of us!”
Dragu? laughed.
“Ganz genau, Fritzy,” Plata said as he withdrew his blade and released the German.
The German coughed, trying to catch his breath.
“So what do you want to do?” McGuire asked.
Plata sheathed his knife as he stepped over to the window, his eyes scanning the empty airstrip.
“We take out the flags as fast as we can.” He turned around. “Gather close. Check your maps.”
The men collected in the center of the room.
“Thirteen men, ten flags,” Plata said. He pointed at the Frenchman. “Pick your flag.”
“Number three,” the Frenchman said. It was a city flag. “Pour le Tricolore.”
The Turk took number five.
“We’ll take number nine,” one of the Polish twins said. “Together.”
“As I expected.” Plata then pointed at the German, who picked number one, and then distributed the rest of the flags.
In all, the three most distant flags from the air tower were assigned to pairs, including Plata and Dragu?, and Juan and Linc. The rest of the flags went to individuals. All ten flags and all thirteen men were accounted for.
“The faster you get your flag, the more likely you are to survive,” Dragu? said.
