The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Sitting across from Nova, two spec ops members were having a heated conversation, leaning in and clearly fired up.

At first, they were just muttering to each other under their breath.

Soon, though, they were practically talking over one another, each one desperate to blurt out every scrap of rumor they’d picked up.

“Where’d you even hear that? Can you trust it? Who goes around bragging like it’s some big win just because they lost a prisoner? Seriously, doesn’t Devil’s Isle have any shame left?” one asked.

“It’s legit! No kidding!

“You don’t get it-I know people! Just hope we don’t cross paths with their search team in Trinova this time…”. another one answered.

There were eleven people in the transport plane.

The space was pretty roomy,

Gradually, everyone’s attention shifted to the two men deep in conversation.

Most kept quiet and just listened, staying out of it.

That was when a charming, girlish voice chimed in from up front, interrupting their conversation.

“Hey, what’s this Devil’s Isle you’re all talking about?

“It sounds kinda intriguing-I’ve seriously never heard of it before!”

The voice was Nova’s,

Maybe it was just how young she looked, but Nova could pull off the innocent schoolgirl act so perfectly, nobody ever batted

an eye.

She was all soft and bubbly, the picture of a sweet college chick-no one could connect her to the scary woman who’d taken apart the AK-18’s timed bomb just a little while back.

Even thinking back to how icy and fearless she’d been disarming that AK-18, people just couldn’t help relaxing around her

r

TOW.

Nobody would ever suspect Nova was only pretending not to know about Devil’s Isle.

‘So she can take apart an AK-18 but doesn’t even know what Devil’s Isle is? Typical-just a reckless kid trying to act tough!

‘She only managed that AK-18 thing this morning ’cause she’s pals with the weapon’s creator. A spoiled brat who’s never had reality knock her down-she’s in for a rude awakening!

I’m looking forward to watching her get schooled,” Violet thought.

She sat in the far corner, listening to Nova. With a careless lift of her chin, she looked completely unbothered, like nothing could faze her.

It was as if the confidence Nova had crushed before was instantly revived-Violet practically radiated self-assurance all over again.

Chapter 98-

Hova was definitely the baby of the crew on this plane.

So when the two sper-ops guys across from her replied, they did it with a laid-back, protective air-like she was their kid

sister.

“You mean you’ve never even heard of Devil’s Isle?” one asked, chuckling lightly.

It was the guy with the square jaw, probably around twenty-nine, who asked in a gentle, almost teasing tone.

The other guy-lean, sharp-eyed, and always in the know-seemed like he had all the inside tracks.

He was the one who’d just been talking about Devil’s Isle and how Ray Hale, the toughest warden around, was leading a full- on sweep in Trinova.

As soon as he realized Nova seriously had no clue what Devil’s Isle was, he just couldn’t help but puff up and jump right in.

That show-off streak in him made the lean guy way too eager to impress Nova-the youngest one there.

He was itching to drop some wild stories, make her wide-eyed, and flex just how much he thought he knew.

He couldn’t wait to brag, puffing himself up in front of Nova.

“Devil’s Isle? It’s hands down the most terrifying prison on the globe, where they lock up the baddest of the bad from every corner of the earth!

“The stories go that anyone who even thinks about stepping out of line in there will be snatched up by the guards, flayed, and gutted-no joke!

“It’s insanely scary!”

His words gave everyone a much clearer-and scarier-idea of what Devil’s Isle was really like.

Then he glanced over at Nova and noticed a hint of fear in her eyes.

He lit up, secretly thrilled inside.

‘Heh, look at her-bet she’s spooked.

‘She’s already freaking out over just this little bit?

‘No matter how cool she looked disarming that bomb, deep down, she’s just another girl-easy to spook when it counts,’ the skinny guy thought, a little smug.

The skinny guy puffed up and jumped in.

“Don’t sweat it! Name’s Brooks Woodsinger,” he said with a wink.

“If we run into those Devil’s Isle guards in Trinova, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”

The square-jawed guy next to Brooks joined in, too.

“Name’s Aurelio Mariner, from Ravenport-me and Brooks are in this together.

“He’s got it right-if anything happens, you can count on us to look out for you!”

[

With Brooks and Aurelio taking the lead, the rest of the guys all joined the hype-slapping their chests, cracking jokes, and

As the conversation drifted off topic, Nova kept her cool, the lowered her gaze, then quiedy picked up the thread

Willy that sweet have ure hat make her weiss every bat Head管理,

“Is Devil’s Isle really that terrifying? Nova asked, her eyes wide with curiosity

“So why would they even come to Trinova?”

Her tone was wide-eyed and naive, dripping with innocence.

Brooks was so taken in by her act, he let his guard down completely and blurted out every secret he knew without a second thought

“Absolutely, it’s as terrifying as people say! As for why they’re in Trinova, here’s the deal….

“Word got out that someone spotted a possible fugitive running around Trinova, so they tipped off Devil’s Isle.

“That’s why the Devil’s Isle crew rushed over to comb through the area!”

Now that she had the answer she was looking for, Nova’s eyes flashed with quiet satisfaction.

So, someone must’ve been pretending to be her-no wonder Devil’s Isle thought she was the one and started tearing up Trinova looking for “Nova”.

Funny thing, though-just ias Devil’s Isle started their sweep, the real escapee, Nova berself, ended up right here in the thick of it

Just my luck… Nova thought, a hint of irony in her smile.

Nothing like running smack into trouble, Nova mused with a mental shrug.

Nova kicked back against the cabin wall, not a trace of fear showing on her face.

She’d busted out once already no way Ray Hale was dragging her back without a fight

“So, you’re probably thinking we’ll run smack into those Devil’s Isle guards-and maybe even the infamous escapee-when we hit Trinova, huh?” Brooks teased, flashing a knowing grin and acting like he’d read Nova’s mind.

Chapter 92

Hopely, that esseper’s really nothing to lose theep over. Like we said, relax-we’ve got you covered!”

Brooks leaned back, looking all proud of himself as if he’d nailed exactly what Nova was thinking, delivering his promise with a big confident grin

Everyone piled on, chiming in with loud promises and playful banter.

“Hey guys, since we’re all on the same team now, why don’t we do a quick round of introductions?

No point finishing a whole mission together if we can’t even call out each other’s nafnes, right?” one said.

Andrew was seriously hyped-he stood up, grinning, and was the first to throw it out there.

“Yeah, totally!

“I’m in!” he said.

The whole crew jumped on board, the energy in the cabin buzzing with approval.

Thinking back to when the task force was being put together, there were only four spots-so everyone was basically rivals, sizing each other up and trying to outdo one another.

*

But now, with a real mission at hand, it was all about sticking together. Just like that, the mood flipped-now they were

teammates.

No more of that stiff, competitive vibe from before.

“When you introduce yourselves, go ahead and throw in your codenames too,” there came a voice.

Suddenly, the door leading from the passenger area to the cockpit swung open.

The selection officer who set up the rules for the task force selection earlier stepped out.

As he spoke, his gaze swept over the group and he announced,

“Since you’re all about to hit the action, you’re gonna need codenames of your own.

“Your codename will be your badge on the battlefield-the name you’ll carry with you in every fight from here on our

Just like how performers go by a stage name.

In the world’s shadowy underground, whether an assassin, a merc, or a secret agent, one has got a codename. Even the frontline squads in the war zones pick out call signs for themselves.

Nobody uses their real name-it’s that invisible line between the person one is at work and the person one is off the clock. “Chief, do we get to pick our own codenames?” Andrew asked, raising his hand like an eager

schoolkid.

The selection officer said, “The higher-ups took a look at how you handled the bomb situation this morning, and they’ve come up with codenames for each of you. I’m about to read them out.

“Of course, if you feel the codename they picked doesn’t fit you or just sounds lame, you’re free to pick something that suits you better!”

As soon as he said that, the whole crew perked up.

Be

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Chapter 99.