Page 235 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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Because I don’t like him saying Tank’s name like that.

The agent doesn’t back off.

“Those men you took down tonight?” he continues. “They’re part of something bigger.”

“No kidding,” I reply flatly.

Another flicker of that almost-smile.

“But what you don’t understand,” he says, “is that you’ve already crossed into territory you can’t manage.”

There it is again.

That subtle push.

That quiet command to stand down.

I don’t move.

Don’t blink.

Don’t give him anything.

“And you think you can?” I ask.

His answer is immediate.

“Yes.”

I let that sit for a second.

Then—

“No.”

The word lands hard.

Clear.

Final.

The room goes still again.

The other agents shift slightly.

Not aggressive.

But ready.

Good.

Let them be.

The man in front of me studies me.

Longer this time.

“You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be,” he says.

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