Epic: Book 02 - Outlaw Trigger Read Online Free Page A

occasions the two units worked side by side, a spectacle that always resulted in taunting from William and Derrick. It was all in good humor, and it usually wound up with the two men joining the Fourteenth for breakfast. Light snacks were consumed before sessions began, though there was always room for a full meal once workouts were finished. Convenience placed the workout area right beside the cafeteria.
    “ All right everyone,” Scott said as they came to the track. “You have ten minutes to grab a bite, then I want two laps out of everybody. Once we’re all done, I’ll let David run us through some drills.”
    David laughed with pleasure as he strode to the cafeteria. The rest of the unit followed behind him.
    “ Good morning, Mr. Remington!”
    The voice caught Scott’s ears just before he reached the cafeteria’s entrance. It was Captain Clarke. When it wasn’t the captain’s week to lead the morning routine, he was usually the last to arrive. “Good morning, sir,” Scott answered as he held the cafeteria door open.
    Clarke quickened his pace and stepped through. “Have you recovered from yesterday’s mission?”
    “ Like clockwork. I’m not even sore.”
    The captain smiled. “Brilliant, lieutenant. That’s what I love to hear.”
    As soon as the captain was inside, Scott followed in step. “Did you get a chance to take care of some business yesterday, sir?”
    “ I did,” Clarke answered. “In fact, you’ll be pleased to know that General Thoor entertained my request for more operatives.”
    “ You mean beside the rookies?”
    “ That’s correct. He’s considering our request as we speak. So for now, our job is to wait.”
    Scott smiled. That was very good news.
    “ What’s on our agenda this morning, lieutenant?”
    “ Two laps, as always, then I’ll let David work them a bit.”
    “ That sounds wonderful.”
    It sounded wonderful for most people. Everyone enjoyed David’s morning workouts. They were intense, but David made them fun. “They’re itching to get wet, so I think I’ll let them hit the pool tomorrow.”
    “ Also wonderful.”
    “ Any word on our rookies yet, sir?”
    Clarke smiled as he claimed a piece of bread from a cafeteria basket. Scott did the same. “As a matter of fact, yes,” Clarke answered. “I’ve got names and positions.”
    “ Am I about to be happy?”
    Clarke chuckled. “I believe you’re about to be more than happy, lieutenant.” He sat down at a table, where Scott joined him. “Are you ready for the good news?”
    Scott was always ready for good news. “Yes sir.”
    Clarke swallowed a bite of bread and cracked a grin. “We’re getting a demolitionist…and a scout.”
    Scott’s eyes lit up. “Are you serious?”
    “ That I am.”
    “ Unbelievable!” He wasn’t sure which was better. Demolitionists were just fun. Every now and then, the need for professionalism was outdone by the need to blow something up. But a scout? That was a total surprise. “We’re seriously getting a scout?”
    Clarke smiled. “I was as thrilled as you are when I found out. The letter was in my mailbox this morning.”
    Scouts were the prestige of EDEN. No other position trained harder, and no other position came with more respect. They were the EDEN equivalent of special forces. “What’s his name?”
    Clarke swallowed another bite of bread. “You mean her name.”
    Scott’s eyebrows lifted.
    “ Esther Brooking,” Clarke answered. “She’s a Type-2 scout.”
    “ What are Type-2 scouts?” It wasn’t a silly question. Few people knew exactly what scouts were.
    “ Tactical observation. Type-1 are tactical combat.”
    Scott felt his heart sink a tiny bit. A Type-1 scout would have been fun. But a scout was a scout nonetheless.
    “ It gets better,” Clarke said.
    “ It gets better?”
    Clarke grinned. “She’s British.”
    Scott blurted out a laugh and leaned back. “You had to ruin it.”
    “ Bugger off.”
    Scott smiled and considered