Crystal Horizon: A Short Prequel to Crystal Deception Read Online Free PDF Page A

he
lifted his head and met Jack’s gaze. “What exactly is this offer? Spell it out
for me.”
    “We want you to become a covert warrior for the DSA. Defense
specialists are the vanguard of clandestine intelligence and protection for the
Union. Join us and you’ll be involved in missions that can save millions of
lives. Literally. I can’t make you appreciate who we are and what we do using
words. You have to live it to understand. But let me paint some big pictures
for you.
    “There are countries that have chosen not to join the Union.
A few have become aggressive and their actions create dangerous situations for
innocents. In the past year alone, my DSA team went into hostile territory
seven times to assess a situation and perform sensitive—I’ll call them ‘tasks’—that
changed the dynamic on the ground and saved lives.”
    Jack’s com sent an alert and he checked it as he talked. “Right
now, a high priority is the alien spacecraft that’s orbiting Earth. The agency
is spending a lot of resources trying to get actionable intelligence on the
Kardish so the secretary has something to work with.”
    He looked Sid in the eye. “The offer is to become a member
of my team. The offer is live, but I need an answer.”
    Shaking his head, Sid said, “Let’s start by slowing down. I
don’t know you and I don’t know what to make of your pitch. What you describe sounds
interesting, but I’m not sure what parts are real. Maybe all of it. Maybe it’s
all bullshit. Your only credibility right now is that you’re here inside camp.
That’s a plus given the security this place has, but it’s not enough.”
    This time it was Jack’s turn to remain silent. Sid mulled
the situation and made a decision. “Give me some names, people I know and
trust, who can back up your story.”
    “You want references? Really?” Jack looked at him for a long
moment. “Okay, check your com. I’ve sent you three names.”
    I’m not going to look while you’re sitting there ,
thought Sid. But he was anxious to learn if the story checked out.
    He’d known from the start that doing well at camp led to big
opportunities afterward. In fact, that had been an important factor when he
decided to attend.
    But he hadn’t expected to hear about his options at an impromptu
meeting at his bunk.
    And beyond that, Jack was right. Cheryl fulfilled him in
ways he never thought possible. I’m crazy about her . That complicated
matters, and he needed to think things through.
    “And I’ll take two nights to sleep on it. I’m not going to
make this decision right now. I’ll check your reference list. If it flies and
if I’m inclined, I’ll meet you here at eleven hundred hours two days from now.”
    “Let me know if your answer is no. Otherwise, I’ll meet you
in two days in the infirmary at seventeen hundred sharp. That building has its
own exit road.” Jack got up and moved to the door.
    “Hey,” Sid called. “Is it worth leaving everything behind?
Did you ever look back?”
    Jack didn’t turn around. “You’re a sophisticated warrior who
craves adventure. It’s a dream come true.”
    Sid played with those words as Jack exited the cabin.
    The moment the door closed, Sid checked his com and
considered the three names Jack had sent. Two of them were captains who’d
mentored him from his earliest days. He had known them for years and trusted
them.
    The third name was an admiral he’d interacted with for a
short period about a year earlier. He appreciated that Jack put a heavy hitter
on the list, but he doubted he’d learn anything useful from the guy. Sid already
understood that Jack had serious connections and this was an inside operation.
What he wanted to know was if Jack’s words matched reality.
    He called Captain Paul Stanley, his first choice on the
list, and was pleased when the officer answered.
    “Hey, Captain,” said Sid. “It’s good to see you. How are you
doing?”
    “Hi, Sid,” Paul said. “It’s been a