This is a story that dredges up the past, and pits Nolan against his nemesis.
We join Nolan Garret as he receives a card requesting his presence at the funeral of a man who used to be his team leader, from the time when he was
Nolan's superior officer; Master Sergeant Cedric Kane, was a man who shaped
Nolan Garret into the formidable and successful soldier he eventually became. Kane was a man for whom Nolan had huge respect and admiration. He felt the loss of the Master Sargeant keenly.
Arriving at the funeral, Nolan felt a profound shock go through him when he saw two of his old teammates at the grave side. As soon as the service was over, they both start tearing into him verbally; explaining to him that he had been a fool when he pulled away from them all, after he was injured and left unable to walk 5 years ago. After the tirade is over, Nolan does some super Grade A grovelling, and a bout of some much needed self reflection, they decide to bring him in on something hidden away from everyone.
Going along with the two old soldiers, he follows them to meet someone in secret. When they enter a secret room, Nolan gets the shock of his life when he discovers that his old Master Sargeant is very much alive and standing right in front of him. After Nolan gets past the utter shock and wonderful relief of 5he new situation, Kane tells Nolan that he has a serious problem which necessitated Kane faking his own death.
Nolan agrees to help Master Sargeant Kane to eliminate an evil man who once was a soldier, but sadly who'd gone rogue; gunrunning now, and causing the deaths of hundreds of innocents.
Nolan's skills as a long range sniper are what is needed to take out this evil gunrunning murderer.
The location of the HQ of the Ghostwalkers business is in a hugely inhospitable area on an icy planet. Nolan's skills are sorely tested in this very cold and intensely hostile environment.
Just to complicate matters, there is a sharp shooting sniper working for the gunnering boss, as his protection. Effectively she could take Nolan out of the picture.
This is a time of real pressure for Nolan. Can he beat someone who is practically as good as he is? In the rough weather conditions, and from a really long distance, Nolan believes he can cope but will he be in the sites of the other sniper as he goes after the mark?
I got shivers when I read about not only the bitter cold conditions, but also for Nolan, when I realise that the other sniper could end his life.
This is my favourite Cerberus book to date. The simplicity of the task, against the high level of risk to himself, which is a given and acceptable price to pay, and his team, which is also a given, however, is a less acceptable price to pay. Oh, the tension and the sphincter clenching feeling when push comes to shove - ooh, i like that! I think I'll just leave that bit in the review hahaha - was incredible.
I love these types of all or nothing stories. I mean they give me Bond movie vibes, if Bond was in a wheelchair, and couldn't walk unaided. I love how the authors mind works. It's like a video goes on inside my head and when I come to the action section I am involved in everything, as if I were alternatively; a fly on the wall for long range view, able to fly around all over the place, for better angles on the actio; or alternately, inside Nolan's head, looking out through his eyes as he fights hand to hand; or as he takes aim, using one of any number of versatile weapons, that Tiai can transform his hand held device into. Of course, Nolan would look darn heroic in the process! Naturally.