Уильям Дитц - Into the Guns

“Yes,” Granger replied. “Follow me to my office. I have something for you.”

Mac accompanied Granger across what had been an employee parking lot, to a small outbuilding. The hand-printed sign read, BAT. SCOUT & RECON, HQ.

Mac said, “Hello,” to the unfamiliar sergeant seated behind the reception desk and followed Granger into his office. He closed the door. “The things I’m about to share will be announced tomorrow. First, I’m going to name you as the battalion’s executive officer and Bravo Company’s commanding officer.”

Mac was both surprised and pleased. That in spite of the fact that the XO slot would come with lots of extra work. “Thank you, sir… I’ll do my best.”

Granger smiled. “I know that. And, there’s this.”

Mac accepted a manila envelope, opened the flap, and removed the sheet of paper within. According to the title at the top it was a Presidential Unit Citation for Charlie Company, First Scout and Reconnaissance Battalion, 150th Infantry. Which was to say, her company.

“It’s rare for a unit smaller than a battalion to receive such an honor,” Granger informed her. “But it seems that the president wants to recognize Charlie Company, and I agree with that decision. And there’s something more as well.”

Granger offered her a burgundy-colored case. And when Mac opened it, she saw a Silver Star nestled within. Mac knew it was the country’s third highest decoration for valor… What would General Bo Macintyre think of that? Would he be proud? Of course not… Not so long as she was fighting for the wrong side.

There was something else in the case as well… It was a much-folded piece of paper that, when opened, proved to be a handwritten note.

Dear Mac… That’s what the troops call you behind your back, and having been part of your command, I feel that I rate that privilege, too. I wish I could pin this medal on you myself. But things are a bit harried at the moment. So, rather than wait, I ordered the Secretary of Defense to make sure that you receive it now.

Mac could read between the lines. The president was afraid that one or both of them would be killed. She continued to read.

I guess that’s all, except to say that I will never forget your intelligence, bravery, and foul mouth.

Mac could see that Granger was curious, but she chose to tuck the note into her breast pocket without sharing it. “Thank you, sir.”

Granger nodded. “You’ll receive the medal tomorrow. Dismissed.”

The sun threw light but no warmth as Mac left the shack. Her right hand went up as if to touch the note before falling to her side. It was cold, but Mac felt warm, and there were things to hope for.

AMERICA RISING SERIES

Into the Guns

MUTANT FILES SERIES

Deadeye

Redzone

Graveyard

LEGION OF THE DAMNED SERIES

Legion of the Damned

The Final Battle

By Blood Alone

By Force of Arms

For More Than Glory

For Those Who Fell

When All Seems Lost

When Duty Calls

A Fighting Chance

Andromeda’s Fall

Andromeda’s Choice

Andromeda’s War

DRIFTER SERIES

Drifter

Drifter’s Run

Drifter’s War

SAM MCCADE SERIES

Galactic Bounty

Imperial Bounty

Alien Bounty

McCade’s Bounty

SAURON DUOLOGY

DeathDay

EarthRise

JAK REBO SERIES

Runner

Logos Run

JAK CATO SERIES

At Empire’s Edge

Bones of Empire

Freehold

Prison Planet

Bodyguard

Where the Ships Die

Steelheart

Published by Berkley

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

Copyright © 2016 by William C. Dietz

Penguin Random House supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin Random House to continue to publish books for every reader.

ACE is a registered trademark and the A colophon is a trademark of Penguin Random House LLC.

LEGION OF THE DAMNED is a registered trademark of William C. Dietz.

Ebook ISBN: 9780698184398

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Dietz, William C.

Into the guns : the first America rising novel / William C. Dietz.

pages ; cm

ISBN 978-0-425-27870-3 (hardcover)

I. Title.

PS3554.I388I58 2016

813'.54—dc23

2015030798

First Edition: October 2016

Cover art by Paul Youll

Cover design by Sarah Oberrender

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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