Nathan Christopher Styles, a former US Army Special Forces operative, embarks on a perilous journey that may cost him his life. Seeking safety as he bravely confronts his alleged adversaries, he must also battle personal demons in the form of paranoid-schizophrenia. Styles relies on trusted confidants as he attempts to navigate the pitfalls -- all the while unsure his trust is always well placed. He's a man who thought he had it all, suddenly finds himself alone, his world shattered. His circumstances offer scant hope of reclaiming a normal life as he fights just to stay alive. "Marti's previous works revealed his ability to expertly weave a tapestry of danger and suspense. However, Phoenix Reborn is positive proof that this author has outdone himself with his uncanny talent for story-telling. This book will have readers begging for more!" - James R. Atwood, Master Sergeant (Retired), U.S. Army Editor

PHOENIX REBORN

By Rafael A. Marti

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Rafael A. Marti
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-5453-7

Chapter One

Shelley Styles is picturesque, with long flowing strawberry-blonde hair, a slender physique and the most amazing blue eyes one could ever behold. She is goddess of beauty among mere mortals. As lovely as a rose but much to Nathan Christopher's surprise, this rose's thorns were hidden and many.

Nathan Christopher still recalls when she called him the man of her dreams - little did he know she would become the woman of his nightmares. Now his marriage is over and he must clear his head and make a move or he'll lose his job too. He decides to call his supervisor to request some time off.

"Hello Steven, this is Nathan Christopher," he says into his cell phone.

"Hello Nate, what can I do for you?"

Nathan Christopher loathes to be called Nate, but he lets it slide. He needs to be diplomatic if he's to receive his request.

"I need to take two weeks emergency vacation."

Steven Baker is a no-nonsense corporate type of guy. The only chink in his armor is that he has a big heart and therefore at times he can show signs of being compassionate. After hearing Nathan Christopher's ordeal, he grants him the time off he requested.

Now it is time to strategize and call in favors. He dials up his best friend, Rob Rossinelli. He explains everything that's transpired to Rob.

"Stay put, I'll be there in a half-hour. You can crash at my pad," Rob informs the somewhat overwhelmed Nathan Christopher.

Nathan Christopher is grateful for his tactical training which provides him with the gifts of recovering quickly after shock, surveying the situation and utilizing limited resources. This training has allowed him to react quicker than most people would in trying to rectify his dilemma. He has done so by regaining his composure, calling his boss and his former brother-in-arms. Now if he could only get past the confusion and find the answers to why his marriage ended so abruptly, he could put his mind somewhat at ease. Even now his mind wants to betray him due to his paranoid-schizophrenia and anxiety disorders but his instincts and training are keeping him afloat.

Thirty-three minutes later, which felt like three hours, Rob appears to pick him up. Rob served in the Army with him, performing black operations or wet works; they are highly classified missions that are not always officially sanctioned by the US Government. Many times they've saved each other's life during very dangerous missions in some of the nastiest places on earth. Each would willingly give up his life for the other should the situation demand it.

"Styles, I took a break from work so I can take you to my apartment and you can relax and gather your thoughts. When I get done work we can talk more about this and perhaps I can assist you in some other ways."

"Thanks, Rob, I appreciate it."

Chapter Two

Dusk comes and the sky is beginning to get darker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. International Crisis Control, Incorporated a twenty-four hour corporation dedicated to evacuating and repatriating executive travelers from global hot spots during times of crises - also Nathan Christopher's place of employment. They utilize open source intelligence gathering methods to forecast where trouble may occur throughout the world and to decide if they need to spend their time and assets on the situation. Nathan Christopher's been working here for about a year. His first civilian job after unceremoniously having to leave the United States Army.

Here Steven Baker is now short his best operations coordinator and the phones are ringing off the hook. He regrets granting Nathan Christopher's emergency vacation when he's so desperately needed here. Be that as it may, he made the decision and must now deal with the consequences. Or does he? He can simply rescind the approval and order Nathan Christopher back to work.

After all there's a major crisis occurring in South Korea after the North's seizure of a South Korean patrol boat. Both sides are preparing for war and Nathan Christopher's the only guy who can pull off the extraction of one very important executive stuck in the area. He decides to revoke the emergency vacation approval and calls Nathan Christopher.

Ring, ring, ring!

"Hello?" Crap! he thinks as he answers the call realizing a little too late who is on the other end.

"Nate, sorry to inconvenience you, but I'm afraid we need you," Steven says.

Steven explains the situation and Nathan Christopher begrudgingly accepts the assignment.

"Great! Grab your passport and stop by here for an advance; you're going to the Far East."

"Yeah, great," he says with a sarcastic lilt in his voice. "Korea, here I come."

"I'll finish briefing you when you arrive."

Chapter Three

Rob's apartment where Nathan Christopher just finished inhaling a quick meal prior to his boss' call. Nathan Christopher fills Rob in on the situation and on his new mission at work.

"I need you to gather some dirt on Shelley for me while I'm away. I need to know why she kicked me out and what she's up to."

"Sure thing. I'll take some time off work and look into things for you."

"I need to buy some more clothes and pick up my advance from the office . I'll be back to shower and pack. By the way, can I borrow your SUV?"

"Here are the keys. How long will you be?"

"One hour, tops," knowing full well that his schizophrenia and anxiety disorders make it difficult for him to ride in a vehicle let alone drive one. A fact he chooses to conceal from Rob because he doesn't want to admit it to himself as yet either.

Two hours and twelve minutes later Nathan Christopher returns with his tote bag and some additional clothing. He tosses Rob the keys to the vehicle, thanks him, apologizes for the delayed return and goes into the bathroom to shave and shower. After getting dressed in a suit and tie, he packs his tote bag and asks Rob to drive him to Philadelphia International Airport. The drive there's uneventful and quiet, except for Nathan Christopher as he keeps trying to battle silently the demons in his head due to his mental illnesses. Rob can sense something's not right but attributes his best friend's anxious demeanor to pre-mission jitters. Once they arrive at the airport Rob sees him off at the main entrance.

The airport is full of scenes of controlled chaos, with hundreds of people all going their own directions. He could see the children playing as their parents waited impatiently in line to check in; business men and women talking on their Blackberries and weary travelers unwinding with some drinks at the bar. He continues on his way to where the private jets are located. Once there he checks in, proceeds through the gate and boards the company's private airliner.

Korea, here we go again! he thinks as he recalls his previous time in Korea when he was a Special Forces Soldier with the US Army. He was stuck in the De-Militarized Zone training Republic of Korea - ROK soldiers on guerilla warfare tactics. It was one of his most boring assignments ever. The food was great though as long as one kept away from the kimchi; it's definitely an acquired taste. For most of his stay there he stuck to eating the MRE's the military provided for him.

Chapter Four

Rob has a mission of his own - and not an easy one at that - dig up some dirt on Shelley Styles. This will require his stealth and cunning. He'll have to do some...