Preview The Scarlett Soldier

This is the first chapter of The Scarlett Soldier a story I've been working on for a while I plan to start releasing it next week

Chapter 1: The Call

The low hum of fluorescent lighting filled  the room, casting a harsh glare over the solid oak desk, laden with  various papers and memorabilia, marking decades of military service. At  the head of the desk, General Patton held a manila folder, its contents  spelling out a remarkable military career. Across from him sat the owner  of that file, Captain Mike 'Rhino' Ryan, a man as physically imposing  as his military record.

"Captain Mike 'Rhino' Ryan," General  Patton began, his voice echoing with a distinct air of gravitas, "Born  and raised amidst the lush green landscapes and rugged terrains of  Arkansas, a place known for producing resilient souls. Recipient of the  coveted Purple Heart, lauded with the esteemed Navy Cross, and a myriad  of commendations that portray a picture of valor and courage that's hard  to match."

The words hung in the air like a solemn hymn,  painting a picture of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with his  country's service. Rhino, a nickname bestowed by his comrades, reflected  his bulldozing determination and unyielding strength, perfectly echoing  his solid frame and the brawny build that filled out his uniform.

Despite  the glowing record and the general's praises, Rhino sat in silent  stoicism. His granite-like features were carved in a mask of focused  intent, his steel-blue eyes piercing, betraying nothing of his thoughts  or the mounting curiosity under his hardened exterior.

General  Patton leaned back in his weathered leather chair, his fingers  interlacing over his chest. The silence was punctuated only by the  ticking of the military-grade clock on the wall, its hands inching  towards a moment that would change Rhino's life forever. "Rhino," he  finally broke the silence, "You're a damned fine soldier. One of the  best we've ever had. But what I'm about to propose is...  unconventional."

That got Rhino's attention. His bushy brows  twitched, furrowing into a frown that etched deeper lines on his  weather-beaten face. Unconventional? In his tenure, he had seen it all -  covert operations, rescue missions, battles against insurmountable odds  - what could possibly fall outside his purview?

“It's a  deep-cover espionage mission. You're the best candidate because, well,  you have no personal attachments," the general continued, his gaze  steady. "No wife, no kids, parents deceased, no siblings. Your solitude,  though unfortunate, is an asset in this mission. It's an unpalatable  fact, Rhino, but it's the truth."

The words hit Rhino like a  punch to the gut, a bitter reminder of his solitude. He had always  considered his loneliness a strategic advantage, never allowing personal  ties to distract him from his service. Now, it was the sole reason he  was sitting across from the general, on the brink of a mission unlike  any other. His response was a curt nod, urging the general to get to the  point.

"We have a mole," Patton’s voice took on a graver tone,  the room growing colder at the revelation, "There's classified  information leaking out of our ranks. We believe it's coming from  inside, from our training camps for fresh recruits. Someone's grooming  these recruits for espionage."

Rhino stiffened. A traitor within  their ranks was an extreme liability, a threat to national security that  needed to be addressed urgently. He understood why he was here, but  there was still one question lingering in his mind: why was this mission  so unconventional?

"The suspect's connection seems to be predominantly with female recruits," Patton stated, carefully watching Rhino's reaction.

The  air in the room turned heavy. A sinking realization began to dawn on  Rhino. But it was so absurd, so unimaginable, that he had trouble  wrapping his mind around it.

"You can't be serious, General,"  Rhino rasped, his deep voice almost a whisper. But the general's stern  expression didn't waver, didn't offer the reassurance he was desperately  seeking.

"Deadly serious, Ryan. We need you to go undercover. As a woman."

The  world seemed to lurch beneath Rhino. He was a soldier, built like a  brute force, a mammoth on the battlefield. And they wanted him to become  a woman? A fresh recruit? It seemed like a bizarre, ludicrous plan.

"But  why can't we send an actual woman?" Rhino asked, desperately trying to  comprehend the radical strategy laid out in front of him.

"The  mole has been successful in spotting our undercover agents. They seem to  have a sophisticated system or a connection high up, who's alerting  them about new deployments. We need someone completely new, someone they  wouldn't expect," the general explained.

"We have a cutting-edge  procedure ready for you. Once you accept this mission, Mike Ryan would  cease to exist. You'll start a new life, as a female recruit."

The  silence that followed was deafening. Rhino found himself in the eye of a  storm, a whirlwind of thoughts churning his mind. This was far beyond  anything he had ever anticipated. But if his country needed him to  undertake this colossal change, could he refuse?

"Alright,  General," Rhino's voice finally broke the silence, hoarse with  trepidation and an odd sense of resolution, "Let's do it."

A nod  of approval from the general followed, relief flooding his weathered  features. Rhino had accepted the call, albeit obliviously, not fully  aware of the magnitude of transformation this mission was about to bring  about.


Coming soon