“It’s okay,” Zeus told him. “I think I know where I can get some.” He took off his towel. “Can I just leave this here?”
Outside, Zeus walked to the street and turned the corner. He was going to go to the next hotel and take a cab there, but saw a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction and raised his hand. The driver immediately stopped.
“I need you to take me to a special place,” Zeus said after getting in. He dropped five American twenty-dollar bills on the front seat. “You won’t get in trouble. But you have to keep your mouth shut. You will tell no one.”
“Where?” said the man, reaching for the money.
* * *
The guards knew who Zeus was and what he had done, and that made it all considerably easier. Still, he expected it would be more difficult than it proved to get to see Trung. Instead of being questioned about what he wanted, or even made to wait, he was shown immediately to his office.
“It is an honor to congratulate you personally for your service,” said Trung, bowing his head as Zeus came into his small office. “The Vietnamese people are deeply grateful.”
“You’re welcome,” said Zeus.
“You have heard of our plans?” asked Trung.
“I—”
“I have accepted your proposal for a counterstrike,” said Trung. “We are gathering our forces now.”
Caught off guard, Zeus could only nod.
“I have decided to lead the battle myself,” said Trung. “We lack only one thing: a tactician to assist in the strategy.”
“You want me to help,” said Zeus.
“It would be most agreeable.”
Trung’s face remained emotionless.
“There is a woman, a doctor who treated me a few days ago, when I was brought back to Hanoi from behind the enemy lines. She’s been arrested on false charges of treason. You will release her, and then I will help you.”
Trung said nothing.
“Her name is Anna Anway,” said Zeus. “She’s in Cao Dien Army prison.”
General Trung remained silent, an unmoving stone.
“You’ll also probably have to convince my commander. General Perry has ordered me to return home.”
Zeus looked into Trung’s eyes. The two men locked stares.
“It will be done,” said Trung finally. “Major Chaū will see to your needs.”
Forge Books by Larry Bond and Jim DeFelice
Larry Bond’s First Team
Larry Bond’s First Team: Angels of Wrath
Larry Bond’s First Team: Fires of War
Larry Bond’s First Team: Soul of the Assassin
Larry Bond’s Red Dragon Rising: Shadows of War
Larry Bond’s Red Dragon Rising: Shock of War
About the Authors
Larry Bond is the author of numerous New York Times bestselling thrillers, including Vortex, Cauldron, and The Enemy Within. He previously worked with Jim DeFelice on the First Team series. A former naval intelligence officer, warfare analyst, and antisubmarine technology expert, he makes his home in Springfield, Virginia.
Jim DeFelice is the author of many military-based thriller novels and is a frequent collaborator with Stephen Coonts, Larry Bond, and Richard Marcinko, among other New York Times bestselling authors. His solo novels include Leopards Kill, Threat Level Black, Coyote Bird, War Breaker, and Brother’s Keeper. He lives in New York.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors’ imaginations or are used fictitiously.
LARRY BOND’S RED DRAGON RISING: SHOCK OF WAR
Copyright © 2011 by Larry Bond and Jim DeFelice
All rights reserved.
A Forge Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
www.tor-forge.com
Forge® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.
Bond, Larry.
Larry Bond’s red dragon rising : shock of war / Larry Bond and Jim DeFelice. — 1st ed.
p. cm.—(Red dragon rising)
“A Tom Doherty Associates book.”
e-ISBN 9781429986670
1. Intelligence officers—Fiction. 2. International relations—Fiction. I. DeFelice, Jim, 1956– II. Title. III. Title: Red dragon rising. IV. Title: Shock of war.
PS3552.O59725S56 2012
813'.54—dc23
2011024950
First Edition: January 2012