The Dragons of Men (The Sons of Liberty Book 2) Read Online Free
Author: Jordan Ervin
down. Still, Jacob needed more than DC to pacify those who might resist in the coming days.
He needed an example.
The Imperium would need a public illustration of what would happen should anyone rebel against Lukas, and the images of Fort Bragg’s burning ruins would paint that picture eloquently.
Lukas was commencing with his resignation speech on screen three when Lieutenant Roy cried out.
“Sir, I’ve located the source!”
“Where are they?” Jacob asked. “Offutt? Texas? Bragg?”
“Sir,” the officer began as he enlarged a screen that displayed a bright room with dead soldiers on the floor and heavily armed men moving about. “They’ve taken the control room at Reagan. They’re trying to take control of the Graystone in DC.”
Jacob’s ears grew hot as he listened to Lieutenant Roy speak. For days Jacob had believed the Patriarchs or the United States would muster one last defense in an effort to retain the power they were destined to lose.
He had never imagined they would strike first from the very city Lukas resided.
“Jam all frequencies over DC, including our own. Activate the Second Echelon and commence the attack on Fort Bragg.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Reroute the Fifth from Baltimore,” Jacob barked, holding himself together as best as he could as he tried not to think about the punishment that awaited him should he fail to protect Lukas.
You have but one responsibility. Jacob shuddered as he thought back to the extraordinary exchange he had weeks earlier.
“I want the Fifth’s Yellow Jackets filling the skies over DC as soon as possible. All other divisions, commence with Operation Imperium Rising. Tell the Fourth to destroy any military they see in DC when they’re done with those Raptors. And activate the MIGs hidden at JFK. Roy, I want you to personally guide them over DC and set fire to anything that approaches the Capitol Building. Let’s move, ladies and gents! We’ve got a world to win!”
“Get down!”
Bright flashes like distant lightning filled the horizon, followed by three loud whooshes of artillery passing overhead as Sarah dove to the ground, covering her kids with her trembling body. The shells struck Fort Bragg’s Medical Center a few hundred yards ahead of her, exploding with a trio of fiery booms. Black smoke and falling debris quickly replaced the balls of fire, pouring from the gaping holes that now decorated the hospital’s face. The sound of battle and men dying in the distance filled the air—horrific sounds that Sarah knew would haunt her dreams and the dreams of her children for many nights to come.
If they even lived to dream another night.
“Get up!” Eric ordered as he jumped to his feet. More flashes and rumbling filled the sky in the direction of the gates a mile and a half behind them. Eric paused as he glanced back at the direction of the battle and then to the twenty or so civilians that surrounded him. Not all had followed him, though most had been frightened enough to flee. The look in Eric’s eyes made it clear to Sarah that the warrior within wanted to be at the front with his brothers, fighting the enemy instead of helping a frightened gathering of inept strangers escape. He hesitated for only a moment before barking orders again. “Alright, we’re driving out of here. There will be vehicles at the medical center’s parking lot. Hit the ground if you hear more artillery. Now move!”
As the group ran for the burning medical center, random shells passed overhead. Sarah ran with both Eva and Grace clutching her hands. Judah ran up from behind her, his face terrified as he clutched a military rifle Rick had given him. It looked odd in his hands—a weapon designed purely for the killing of men—and Sarah realized in that moment that her children wouldn’t be resigned to the sidelines of this war.
They’d be the ones who waged it or died trying.
They reached the parking lot in the medical center,
He needed an example.
The Imperium would need a public illustration of what would happen should anyone rebel against Lukas, and the images of Fort Bragg’s burning ruins would paint that picture eloquently.
Lukas was commencing with his resignation speech on screen three when Lieutenant Roy cried out.
“Sir, I’ve located the source!”
“Where are they?” Jacob asked. “Offutt? Texas? Bragg?”
“Sir,” the officer began as he enlarged a screen that displayed a bright room with dead soldiers on the floor and heavily armed men moving about. “They’ve taken the control room at Reagan. They’re trying to take control of the Graystone in DC.”
Jacob’s ears grew hot as he listened to Lieutenant Roy speak. For days Jacob had believed the Patriarchs or the United States would muster one last defense in an effort to retain the power they were destined to lose.
He had never imagined they would strike first from the very city Lukas resided.
“Jam all frequencies over DC, including our own. Activate the Second Echelon and commence the attack on Fort Bragg.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Reroute the Fifth from Baltimore,” Jacob barked, holding himself together as best as he could as he tried not to think about the punishment that awaited him should he fail to protect Lukas.
You have but one responsibility. Jacob shuddered as he thought back to the extraordinary exchange he had weeks earlier.
“I want the Fifth’s Yellow Jackets filling the skies over DC as soon as possible. All other divisions, commence with Operation Imperium Rising. Tell the Fourth to destroy any military they see in DC when they’re done with those Raptors. And activate the MIGs hidden at JFK. Roy, I want you to personally guide them over DC and set fire to anything that approaches the Capitol Building. Let’s move, ladies and gents! We’ve got a world to win!”
“Get down!”
Bright flashes like distant lightning filled the horizon, followed by three loud whooshes of artillery passing overhead as Sarah dove to the ground, covering her kids with her trembling body. The shells struck Fort Bragg’s Medical Center a few hundred yards ahead of her, exploding with a trio of fiery booms. Black smoke and falling debris quickly replaced the balls of fire, pouring from the gaping holes that now decorated the hospital’s face. The sound of battle and men dying in the distance filled the air—horrific sounds that Sarah knew would haunt her dreams and the dreams of her children for many nights to come.
If they even lived to dream another night.
“Get up!” Eric ordered as he jumped to his feet. More flashes and rumbling filled the sky in the direction of the gates a mile and a half behind them. Eric paused as he glanced back at the direction of the battle and then to the twenty or so civilians that surrounded him. Not all had followed him, though most had been frightened enough to flee. The look in Eric’s eyes made it clear to Sarah that the warrior within wanted to be at the front with his brothers, fighting the enemy instead of helping a frightened gathering of inept strangers escape. He hesitated for only a moment before barking orders again. “Alright, we’re driving out of here. There will be vehicles at the medical center’s parking lot. Hit the ground if you hear more artillery. Now move!”
As the group ran for the burning medical center, random shells passed overhead. Sarah ran with both Eva and Grace clutching her hands. Judah ran up from behind her, his face terrified as he clutched a military rifle Rick had given him. It looked odd in his hands—a weapon designed purely for the killing of men—and Sarah realized in that moment that her children wouldn’t be resigned to the sidelines of this war.
They’d be the ones who waged it or died trying.
They reached the parking lot in the medical center,
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