67. Garrett

67

GARRETT

I screeched to a stop in front of the big white building, grabbed Kristina’s hand and hauled her towards the doors. The two guards followed. Kristina gulped as she saw The Stars and Stripes hanging overhead.

They gave me mixed feelings, too. For so many years, I’d been loyal to that flag... and then the politicians had abandoned us. Now I had to trust them again. But Kristina had convinced me that not all leaders are the same. And there was one man in particular I wanted to give a chance.

The US Marines guarding the embassy swung their rifles up as we approached. “Whoa!” I said, hands high, “Whoah, I’m an American. This is the Queen of Lakovia and her guards. Let us in!”

The marines hesitated. This was one scenario their training hadn’t covered.

A Humvee screeched to a stop outside the embassy. Lakovian soldiers spilled out and sprinted towards us.

“Our countries have a treaty, goddammit!” I snapped at the marines. I pointed to Kristina. “This is this country’s recognized leader! At least let her in!” I glanced at Emerik and Jakov and they nodded. We’d take our chances, as long as Kristina was safe. I gently pushed her forward towards the US marines.

“That woman’s a traitor! She’s coming with us!” yelled the leader of the Lakovian soldiers.

I shook my head and put myself between him and Kristina, shielding her with my body. He pointed his rifle at me. Then he made the mistake of pointing his rifle at the marines.

Faster than you can blink, every marine had their rifle leveled at the Lakovians and they let loose with the full force of their lungs. Other countries might think they can yell, but there’s nothing in the world like a US marine at full volume. “STAND DOWN! DROP YOUR WEAPONS NOW!”

The Lakovians actually stumbled back a foot or so, intimidated. But they didn’t lower their guns. They were under orders, just like the marines. Kristina was hunkering down, terrified. Any second, the bullets were going to start flying.

I ran at the leader of the Lakovians, grabbed his uniform and snarled in his face. “Those are US marines!” I yelled. “You fire one shot at them, Lakovia is at war with the United States of America. Do you want that?”

He stared back at me, torn... and then finally lowered his rifle. The Marines cautiously lowered theirs.

One of the marines must have been on the radio to their superiors inside because suddenly the embassy doors swung open and we were ushered inside. When the doors closed behind us, all of us went a little shaky-legged with relief.

A tall, thin man hurried forward. His suit was immaculate, but there was sweat trickling down the dome of his balding head. I figured he’d just watched the whole scene outside on a security camera. “I’m Raymond Hodge, the US ambassador to Lakovia,” he told us. “I welcome you to our country, Your Majesty. But you’ve just put us in a very difficult situation.”

“Yeah, well,” I said, “we’re about to put you in an even more difficult one.” I glanced at Kristina and we exchanged a nod.

The ambassador paled. “If you’re going to ask what I think you’re going to ask... I can’t possibly authorize—”

“I know,” said Kristina, stepping forward. “That’s why we need to speak to the President.”