Kingmaker Read Free

gathered.
    “Check him out. Dude almost got away.”
    “What the hell’s a bike like that doing way the fuck out here?”
    “I don’t know, but the poor thing’s all alone without anyone in the world to take care of it.”
    “To the victor go the spoils.”
    “How the hell are you going to get that thing back?”
    “It’s a motorcycle, you fucking retard. How do you think?”
    “Man, if I were you, I wouldn’t go near that thing.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s either bobby trapped and you’re going to get your balls blown off right away, or you’re going to hit an IED on the way back and get your balls blown off. Either way, no motorcycle’s worth getting your balls blown off.”
    “Why not? Ain’t like he’s using them.”
    “All right, everyone. Listen up. We got four buildings to cover. Scarberry, Hash, I want you to take the western structure. Carbone and O’Leary, you take the one behind it. Me and Collins will start with this guy, then do the main building. Whoever finishes last gets the fourth building while everyone else gets to drink what’s in that cooler we brought. Got it?”
    There was a chorus of acknowledgments, followed by the crunch of boots dispersing. Alexei heard the top of a Zippo flick open, a plasma torch ignite, and then a metallic snap. The stiff weave of his suit lifted the armor above his torso, leaving a shallow cavity into which his chest slowly rose and fell as he took measured, invisible breaths.
    “You scan this guy yet?”
    Alexei could hear a handheld electric potential sensor being triggered. “He’s cooked. Man, that’s a nice fucking helmet he’s got on.”
    Alexei heard a boot next to his head, then felt his visor get shoved up.
    “Holy shit, this ain’t no Hajji!”
    “It most certainly is not.”
    “Fucking mercenaries.”
    “What do you mean
fucking mercenaries
? What do you think you are?”
    “I’m a
military contractor
. There’s a difference.”
    “And what difference is that?”
    “The difference is he’s dead and I ain’t, which means I get to make the rules.”
    “You can make all the rules you want, just do it while you’re helping me move this guy.”
    “Hold on. He ain’t even bleeding. Let me get his helmet first.”
    Alexei felt fingers working at the strap under his chin.
    “Leave the helmet where it is, Collins.”
    “Come on, man. That’s a nice fucking helmet. Ain’t like he needs it anymore.”
    “I said leave it. Take the bike if you want it, but we’re here to collect these bodies, not rob them.”
    “How can you rob someone who’s dead? That’s just plain ignorant.”
    “By taking shit that doesn’t belong to you, that’s how. Now I’m done fucking around, Collins. I said no.”
    A moment passed and then Alexei’s visor got slapped back down.
    “Fine. Fuck it. Helmets are for pussies, anyways.”
    “Relax. It’s not like you got much to protect. Come on. Let’s get this done.”
    Alexei felt himself being lifted from the ankles and armpits, carried a short distance, and then lowered.
    “Gently now.”
    “Man, how come you’re always sticking up for these ragheads?”
    “He isn’t a raghead. You saw him. He’s about as white as O’Leary’s ass.”
    “Whatever. Anyone who comes out here and takes up arms against the United States is a raghead in my book, and you’re the only one I know who gives a fuck about what happens to every one of these camel-humping sons-a-bitches. That what they teach you in officer school? You too brainwashed to break the rules every now and then?”
    “It’s not because I’m an officer, and it’s not because I’m afraid to break the rules.”
    “Then what is it? What’s wrong with grabbing a helmet, or a gold tooth, or a little jewelry every now and then? Ain’t like they’re going to miss any of it.”
    “It’s called
respect
, Collins. Not that you’d know anything about that.”
    “Respect? Wait a second. You do know that we’re sending these bodies out for