Page 1 of Absolution

Chapter One

Creed

"Are you with us, Hatchling?" My eyes snap to my buddy, Connor "Cupcake" Phillips, when he bumps my leg.

"I'm good, Cupcake."

"You better be," Dave Riggins, Big Rigg as we call him, growls. "no room for error."

"I got your six." I grind my jaw, hating to bite my tongue again. Riggins struts around like the biggest bad ass, he's more like a pain in the ass. Unlike Connor, who has been my best friend since buds.

"Heads up! Let's get ready to fly." Commander "Pretty Boy" Floyd Driver does as he says, standing and checking his gear. "In and out."

"Damn straight, Pretty Boy." Connor winks at Floyd. No matter how cocky you are when someone is built like a Greek God, you have to admit he is and makes Floyd's call sign perfect for him.

I elbow Floyd to get his attention. "So, Daisy? Like the gunslinger movie, I'm your daisy or because you prefer them on the first date? Asking for a friend."

"Hatch, ya little shit. Get the hell back there and get ready to go." Floyd shakes his head, chuckling. I'll never understand why missions need to be named after flowers.

I enlisted after getting my bachelor's in political science at North Carolina State, but only after my dad insisted, I graduate first. He served first and then went to work, so I understand his point of view.

Although I'm educated, my dad wanted me in law school, but it wasn't for me. He had big dreams of my cousin Boone and I forming a law firm. But I want to follow in my Dad’s footsteps. Well, at least these particular ones.

My dad is now our state senator, and I wouldn't do that job for all the money in the world. He says he's there to help his veteran brothers and sisters. He's always been my hero, more so now than ever before.

We have a killer team for this one. Well, Riggins is on this with us. He's been sour since being turned down for another job, but all the others are badasses. We work well together, just as a team should.

I slap Connor on the back, holding up my hand for a high five from another. "Don't you worry, Baby. Nobody is gonna put you in a corner."

"How's that for returning fire?" Patrick "Baby" Russell shakes his head as he sets my hand ablaze.

I cut my eyes at Riggins. "I can handle all you got."

"The Mighty Oak!" I fist bump Levi "The Mighty Oak" Underwood. "You ready to leave outta here?"

He grimaces. "You gonna keep stinking the place up with your shit jokes?"

"Probably."

"Then, yes. Let's haul ass." He shakes his head, bumping my fist.

I'm pushed forward with a jolt, only to find Dave Riggins behind me. "Let's move, Hatch. Or are you too busy pissing your pants?"

"Naw, old man. I borrowed your diapers." I slap him on the back, smirking. He knows damn well this is my third deployment, but with every mission, his smartass attitude sours. His disregard for the finer points makes me anxious. I purse my lips, banishing every other thought from my head.

"Earmuffs, Cupcake. Screw you, Hatcher." He flips me off before turning to ready for our jump.

Cupcake grins mischievously. "You're doing it wrong, Riggs; muffs don't sit on your ears."

"You can both fuck off!" Riggs grumbles, leaving us all laughing.

Connor holds his fist up for the manly bumps and shakes to ensue. I know, cliché, but we've done this since buds, and now, it's tradition. We bump fists, slap, and slide, hook thumbs, raise our hands before dropping them as they implode.

I know we're cool.

The crackle in our ears signals us before Floyd does. "Head in the game, and ready to roll."

We have just enough time for one last check of our gear before we hit the air. Once on the ground, there is no margin for error. They said in and out, no looking back. Execution isn't only critical, it's everything.