Code Frostbite (STORM Book 1)

by John Darling

  Just as he got his hands on her, something took hold of his leg forcing him to violently hit the deck face first. Trent turned to find an old woman sinking her teeth into his ankle. Without skipping a beat, Sophia turned and threw her knife directly into the woman’s disgusting face as Trent screamed out in pain. She dragged him into the lavatory and closed the door, barely getting him inside before several other zombies attempted to climb inside. Trent looked down in horror at the bloody mess that had been his ankle and realized that the worst thing that could possibly happen has officially come true.

  “How could I have been bitten? This is how I’m going to go! This can’t be happening!”

  Sophia rolled his leg over as he screamed out in pain again.

  “Let me see the damage.”

  “Sophia. You have to get out of here. Why did you lock us in here?! We only have a matter of seconds before I turn and I kill you!”

  “Shut up Trent! I have a plan!”

  “What do you mean you have a plan?! Just kill me like you’re supposed to! Go fight while you still have a chance!”

  Sophia reached into her shirt and pulled out a small vial although part of Trent figured that it was going to be a gun. The vial had a tiny name inscribed on the side which Trent tried to make out, but couldn’t. There was some kind of purplish liquid inside the tube which Trent prayed would quickly kill him before the infection took over. He refused to become one of the monsters he had spent two decades eliminating from the world. Sophia handed him the vial as another rush of pain shot up from his ankle.

  “You’re going to have to drink this.”

  “What is it?!”

  “No time to explain. Just do it!”

  Trent trusted Sophia with his life, and if this tiny shot of grape soda was going to do anything to save it, then that was good enough for him. He downed it and immediately felt lightheaded. Suddenly, Trent heard another voice but it wasn’t Sophia’s. She shifted her body inside the little area and picked up her V-pod.

  “Johnson and Flashman to base! Code Frostbite! I repeat Code Frostbite! Please respond!”

  There it was. Two words that Trent had called in many times, but never thought he’d have to hear for himself. The only problem is, there was no way to escape. The only way to end this journey was to abide by the code and honorably take your life so you didn’t yourself become another threat to humanity. Trent looked around through his blurry vision in search of an object to hurt himself with as the plane began to rapidly descend. His hearing cut out and he desperately tried to keep his eyes open. He thought to himself: This is it. My life is over and there is nothing I can do to stop it. Everything he had worked for had been for this.

  With only a handful of seconds before he lost all consciousness and succumbed to becoming one of the deathly creatures he’d sworn to protect his race from. Trent quickly pictured the two people that he loved most in the world. With their images in his head, he sadly realized that he’d let them down. He had promised Charlotte that he would return to her for good, and he had told Trevor that he would be a better father to him. After everything he had missed, he knew he owed that to them. Their images faded away leaving only a sea of blackness. All he could focus on now was four words. Four words he’d give anything to say to his son again:

  “Trevor, I love you.”

  Chapter One: More Time

  185 days, six hours and thirty-four minutes later…

  Somerville, Massachusetts

  0558 Hours

  Trevor, we should go.

  Those words had been echoing through my head for some time now but I couldn’t come to accept them. Uncle Keith had been saying that phrase repeatedly for hours now, but I wasn’t ready to leave. My eyes were dried out after days of crying and my heart oozed with a type of pain that seemed to have engulfed my entire body. I’d been in this position for some time now. Both of my legs had fallen asleep, my stomach hurt from not eating, and I felt as if I was going to puke at any moment.

  I glanced up and could see dawn approaching over the horizon. It caused the gold eagles, pounded into Dad’s coffin, to glisten. My vision became temporarily impaired from the glare as the sun emerged fully above the earth. I closed them for a moment and began feeling the warm embrace of the sunlight as the temperature rose a few degrees. I took a deep breath and tried to put my mind at ease but it was sharply interrupted by the same four words that I have been desperately trying to ignore; “Trevor, we should go”.

  Uncle Keith had been with me the whole time. From when I had been born up until now, he has always been at my side, especially when I needed him to be. I can’t remember a time without him. He isn’t actually my Uncle. I’d just called him that for so long that it would be weird if I addressed him by anything else. He had been my Dad’s closest friend and had been made my godfather when I was born.

  My Dad had told me that Keith would look after me if something ever happened to him. It had taken me most of my childhood to figure out what he meant by that. Even though I had eventually come to terms with the fact that my Dad could potentially die in action one day, I still refused to believe that it would actually happen. I spent my life looking up to this man and trying every which way possible to be like him. In my wildest dreams, I saw my Dad overcoming the impossible and fighting through horrific situations just so he could get back to my Mom and me. Sadly, those dreams were inaccurate.

  I finally acknowledged Uncle Keith and looked up at him, who was standing over me with the most defeated expression I had ever seen on a man’s face. We had been standing over his grave for almost twelve hours now. Even though I still couldn’t bear to utter the word “goodbye”, I knew it was time to go. I placed my hand one last time on the American flag covering his coffin. They had tried giving the folded triangle to my mom after the service ended but she couldn’t handle holding it. Staring at the beautiful stars and stripes only made me not want to let go. I wanted to never let go.

  Sunlight slowly flooded the entire cemetery initiating the beginning of a new day and a new chapter in my life; one where I now had to accept that he would no longer be a part of. I slowly stood up, raised my hand to my brow, and saluted him one last time.

  Turning away from his grave site was the hardest thing I’d ever had to do. No one could ever replace Dad. At his funeral, his fellow SEALs had talked about his astonishing bravery and all the heroic acts he did. Several high-ranking officers made remarks on how our country had lost one of the greatest men to ever serve the United States. Every person who gave a speech filed past my Mom and gave condolences, but all the sympathy in the world couldn’t bring him back. A million apologies could never have made up for what Mom had lost. She was the only person that truly could understand what I am going through because she was going through a similar version of this hell.

  Despite the fact that my Dad had spent long periods of time apart from us, he had made up for it when he was home. He had devoted just about all of his time to our family and building a foundation of values. That foundation had gotten us through the tough times when he wasn’t around. He’d always told me that even though he was a SEAL, sworn to defend the Constitution and the people of the United States, our family was second to nothing in his life.

  Last night, seven U.S. Navy gunners had raised their rifles and fired off blanks in perfect synchronization just before a different uniformed sailor played ‘Taps’ on a bugle. The intensity of the moments had given me chills. It had felt as if the notes were sending my Dad’s soul up to heaven. I have no doubt that last night’s service, along with the funeral, would haunt my dreams forever.

  I began walking toward the black Suburban that was waiting to take us home. My legs were still numb and it was taking a great deal of effort just to put weight on them again. As I walked, the weight on my shoulders got heavier and heavier. Every step I took became harder and harder. I got within reach of the car door but I wasn’t able to stand on my own any longer. Uncle Keith caught me mid-fall and helped me
into the back seat of the vehicle. I looked to my left only to find my Mom crying in the seat next to me.

  The road that lay ahead would not be the same without my Dad. I was concerned about my own ability to continue on without him, but I was more worried about my Mom. She hadn’t looked up in a week. Since word of his death, it had struck her the hardest. She had barely made eye contact with anyone and I’d even had a hard time communicating with her. Uncle Keith had told me that all she had done for the first few days was sob uncontrollably.

  Then, three days later, the anger had come out. In a rage, she had destroyed countless items in the house and screamed while she did it. It didn’t stop until Uncle Keith ran into the house, forcibly holding her down until she finally relaxed. Since then, she hadn’t made a sound. She’d remained silent and stared at the ground. Occasionally she sniffled or cried quietly to herself like she was doing now. We both knew that having to deal with this kind of tragedy would always be possibility, but like myself, I didn’t think she had believed that it would ever become a reality.

  I had always known that the love my parents shared had been unbreakable. Witnessing her lose the person she shared that love with is just as painful as the loss. We had both put so much faith in the fact that my Dad would always return to us from every mission he embarked on. A few years back I remembered attending a funeral for the husband of one of my Dad’s colleagues. During the service, my Dad had given a speech about how time with our loved ones was the most precious thing in the world. Right now I would have given anything for more time with him.

  Chapter Two: One Last Goodbye

  Uncle Keith hopped in the driver’s seat and began taking us home. We lived in a small two-story house in Somerville, Massachusetts and the cemetery where my Dad would now rest was only twenty minutes from our home. I knew that I would be visiting him as much as I can. There had been talk of burying him in Arlington National Cemetery, where all of our country’s most honored soldiers have been buried, but my Mom and I wanted him here. This is where he had grown up and where he had spent most of his life. Somerville was, and would always be, his home.

  After what seemed like hours of sitting in the car, we finally pulled into the driveway. Uncle Keith escorted my Mom into our house but told me to wait in the car. He returned a few minutes later and opened my side of the car.

  “Trevor, there’s something I need to give you.”

  “Okay.”

  I tried to clear my throat and it took almost all of my strength just to get that one small word out. He closed the door and walked around the back of the car. A few seconds later, he reappeared in the seat next to me. He took my hand and placed what felt like some sort of small rectangle in it. He closed my hand pushed it in toward me.

  “Your father gave me specific instructions to give you this in case something ever happened to him. I never thought I’d have to follow them, but no one thought a warrior like him would disappear from us the way he did. I know it’s only been a week since you got home, and I’m not really sure if it’s the right time to give this to you, but I don’t want to disobey your father’s last set of orders.”

  I opened my hand to find a small green box with a tiny silver plate on it. Uncle Keith prompted me to take my right thumb and place it on the front of the box. After a few seconds of holding it there, a weird blue light flashed and in a woman’s voice said; “Thumbprint Acknowledged: Trevor Justin Flashman.” The box opened to reveal a small Flash drive with my Father’s initials on it: ‘T.L.F.’.

  Before I could even ask what I was supposed to do, Uncle Keith pressed his hand against the back of the passenger seat. The leather opened up, revealing a small screen with a keypad underneath it. It looked like some kind of minicomputer straight out of a James Bond movie. He pointed to a USB port below the screen, prompting me to think whose car is this anyway?

  “Trevor, the information on that drive might make you mad at first but just know that your father always had the best intentions for you and your Mom. He never lied to you. We were all sworn to a greater cause and forbidden to tell anyone about it, including our families. It’s our way of protecting the people we love the most from danger. I’m here for all of your questions. I’ll be back in a little while.”

  Thoughts raced through my mind but the only thing that I could muster to reply is “Okay?”

  While Uncle Keith exited the car, I slid the Flash drive into the port. I was hesitant and a little scared for what I’m about to find out. What the hell is he talking about? My Dad would never hide anything from me.

  Throughout my childhood, he had always emphasized the importance of honesty. He taught me to always tell the truth, no matter what the situation; good or bad, I remember lying about little things when I was younger, and it made my Dad go ballistic. Those were the only times that he got upset with me. He had never raised his voice and was overall a fairly calm person. It was one of the qualities my Mom told me she loved about him. Whenever something bad happened, my Dad would just start working on the solution, instead of wasting time yelling or getting upset over the problem. But, if I ever lied, he would raise hell. It’s one of the biggest lessons I learned from him and one that I will never forget.

  The lady’s voice came on again; “S.T.O.R.M. Server Deceased File 16042: Trent Luther Flashman, play transmission?”

  I was confused as to what the heck this voice is, but supposed that I should reply to it.

  “Yes”.

  The screen flashed followed by the appearance of an image of a much younger looking version of my father. A chill ran down my spine as I realized that this wasn’t just an image, it was a video. My eyes raced all over the screen and I discovered a date in the bottom corner, indicating that this video had been filmed almost ten years ago. I held my breath as Dad began speaking;

  “Trevor, if you’re watching this message, it means that I have passed. Please know that I am sorry and that I never meant to leave you and your mother behind. I hope you can forgive me for what I am about to tell you. I have been hiding something from you and your mom.. I’ve been living a secret life and have withheld information from you both for too long. I’m truly sorry for that, but now I have a mission for you. You have to finish what I’ve started. This isn’t something you must do for me, rather something you have to do for our race.

  “The world is in trouble, Trevor. Bad things are already in motion and I fear that the worst is coming sooner than most of the experts here realize. As important as it is for you to finish school or whatever you may be going through right now, in the event of my death, this takes precedence. I cannot tell you everything that has gone on in my life throughout the past ten years, but you will learn over time. I need you to know the truth because you have the potential to help stop what’s coming. I’m sorry if this information hurts you at all. That is not at all my intention.”

  My eyes widened as I braced myself for the rest of the video.

  “Trevor, I am not, in fact, a Navy SEAL any more. I was a SEAL; however, I was chosen for a Special Operations program at the end of my SEAL training. Now it’s time for your opportunity to join this team. Every member of our organization is allowed to choose one successor in the event of their death. The organization is called S.T.O.R.M., which stands for Strategically Trained Operatives Ready to Mobilize. No, you’ve never heard of this organization, because it’s one of the most secret groups on the planet.

  “It’s been around for centuries, but we specialize in covering our own tracks. I was never allowed to tell you what I was really doing because I was sworn to the highest level of secrecy and confidentiality. In time, you will learn on your own what this organization is about. I must also warn you, in order for you to fulfill this mission, you must pass through dozens of tests and months of training. I believe that between everything I’ve taught you, and the skills you’ve developed on your own, you have the ability to succeed. There isn’t a single cell in my body that thinks any differently.

  “This is y
our life, Trevor. I’m giving you this responsibility because I know deep down that you’ve always wanted it. When you’re ready, tell Keith and he will take you to The EYE. Keith is also a member of S.T.O.R.M. and your designated protector. Like me, he’s been watching you grow up and he promised that he would be there for you if anything happened to me. If you have any questions, please ask him.

  “Oh, and Trevor? One last thing. I don’t know what’s going to be thrown at you during your training and when you’re in the field. Be ready for anything and don’t panic. Just stay calm and find the quickest solution. Also, be careful who you trust. This world is a dangerous place and you can never let your guard down for anyone. Remember that the most important thing is this world is the people that care about us. I’m proud of you and know you’re destined for greatness. I love you, son.”

  “Transmission terminated.”

  Chapter Three: He Lied To Me Too

  Thoughts of confusion and betrayal raced through my mind. The last few days had already been an emotional roller coaster and now I have to somehow comprehend this. So my Dad wasn’t a Navy SEAL? Why would he lie to us of all people about that? And what the heck is S.T.O.R.M.?

  I had so many questions and I could feel anger starting to come over me. Was I only going to uncover this lie because he died? If he wasn’t a SEAL, then what exactly was he doing all this time? My thoughts circled back to the many other things my Dad mentioned, especially the part regarding my potential success. How exactly was I supposed to do that? I didn’t have the slightest clue as to what is really going on here.