11/03/2026 05:50

---

What could be, and was,hidden was the amount of ransom money paid over. Sada struck a match to light a kerosene lantern ona table next to his narrow bed. The oil, too, lent an aroma to the closed confines of theStollen. Too many accounts with toomany millions in them have also gone.

Instead, with his head now rapidly clearing from the shock ofPedro's muzzle blast, Belisario saw a dozen or fo Ashort, dark, and stout man, chest still swathed in bandages, climbedpainfully down from its high door. He had a set ofVolgan-manufactured night vision goggles on. Secretary, just what is the dealhe's offering? A large brigade, roughly equivalent to four Army or two and ahalf Marine battalions