Page 1 of Flame True

CHAPTER ONE-NICK

Nick Laurent didn’t believe in the stuffy old religion of his childhood. And he didn’t have faith in much but he did believe in technology.

And as the son of a tech giant, the one thing he knew to be true was technology will always fail- usually when you need it most. He needed it right now.

If only to get out of this tiny cabin before the next strong breeze blew the whole thing down.

Nick shifted in the wobbly wooden chair, pressing the earphones into his ear, trying to hear the recording. Even though he’d maxed out the volume, the people on the screen didn’t speak any louder.

The grainy images didn’t get any cleaner. The chilly wind off the Baltic sea flowed into the cracks of the tiny cabin as he trampled down his frustration.

This wasn’t the worst job for Team Stealth he’d ever been on, but it was tedious.

After three weeks of being in the middle of nowhere, cooped up with the other guys; it was wearing on him. Plus, he hated when technology didn’t make his life easier and do what he’d programmed it to do.

Also, the tensions in the group were high. It wasn’t like the old days when Team Stealth was fresh and eager, willing to take risks and do any assignment that got them out into the field, at least not in Nick’s opinion.

Still, it was better than working for his father.

He slowed down the feed from the bug they had planted on the suspected kidnappers and tried to decipher what they were saying. But the words didn’t make sense in any language he knew, and he threw down the headphones. He rubbed his face, needing to stretch. He stood, the wooded floor creaking under his weight.

A gust of wind burst into the cabin as the door flew open, rattling the enamel coffee cup on the crowded table as Quinn Walsh entered the tiny space, stomping off the snow on his boots.

“That was a bust. Absolute waste of time. You got anything?”

“No. I can’t make shit out.” Nick said.

Quinn shook his head. “I can’t work like this”

The door flew open again as Erik Knight marched into the tiny space.

“Hey, Nick. Any luck with the feeds?”

“Not even a little.”

Quinn spun on his heel, suddenly pinning Erik to the wall.

“How the fuck did you not cover the exit. Did you forget what recon means?”

“Fuck off,” Erik shot back. “You guys were forty-five minutes late. The exit was covered, but in case you forgot, we are thin.”

In a split second, Nick saw Quinn pull back his arm but didn’t make it in time, and he slugged Erik before Nick could separate them.

“Quinn!” Nick pulled his friend away.

“No, how the fuck could I ever forget that?” Quinn yelled.

“You insane motherfucker!” Erik grabbed his jaw.

“Waste of time.” Quinn stomped out of the cabin.

“I can’t fuckin believe that,” Nick said.

“He’s gone too far. I’m tired of his bullshit,” Erik kicked the wall, causing the door to rattle.

“Yeah, I think we are all tired of his bullshit. And this job, what’s with this job?” Nick closed the door.

“The tedium is doing my head in, this babysitting,” Erik said, wincing.

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