"And what might that motivation be?"

"And what might that motivation be?"

"Power. The freedom to do what they want, when they want. Your father and I picked these men with a specific purpose in mind, from the gutters of Montesoro. Criminals, gangsters, thieves, rapists and murderers. They are all capable and ruthless, but they are also without restraint. Men like these cannot be allowed in our society."

General Serrano stopped, staring into the distance at a group of men conducting a live fire exercise at straw targets. Isabella winced as each shot echoed across the valley, sending her ears ringing.

"But here, they are reborn. Instead of locking them up and throwing away the key, we fed them, armed them, trained them. And finally," Serrano turned and smiled at Isabella, a vicious glint in his eye, "We will unleash them."

Isabella was stunned. These were the men her father trusted to fight for him? These were the men she was supposed to rely on?

"You cannot be serious. We cannot let them loose within Montesoro."

"Why not? What better way to deal with vermin than with a pack of starving wolves?"

"Because it will be a massacre. The innocent people in the jungles, the countryside. These men will tear them apart just the same. And then there's the public, the press, the other nations. Do you really think the world will let us get away with that?"

General Serrano laughed, a booming, hearty laugh.

"Of course. Why do you think we built this place, away from prying eyes and the rest of the army? These boys will not be wearing our colors on their missions, I can promise that. Should any of our own people be... caught in the crossfire, we can simply blame the mess on the communists. We are at war, Isabella. And we will have to fight dirty if we are to win. You must not hesitate. Your father was clear about that."

Isabella's eyes narrowed. Her father had always spoken to her like this, always so confident and sure of himself, and she had never dared contradict him.