Steven Konkoly
Black Flagged
About the author
Steven Konkoly graduated from the United States Naval Academy and served for eight years in various roles within the Navy and Marine Corps. He currently lives with his family in southern Maine, where he works for a major pharmaceutical company.
He published his first novel, The Jakarta Pandemic, in 2010. An excerpt from this apocalyptic thriller can be found at the end of this book, along with an excerpt from the next book in his Black Flagged series.
Please visit Steven's blog for updates and information regarding all of his works.
www.stevenkonkoly.com
Acknowledgments
I now see that the acknowledgments will grow with each novel, which is a good thing. First, let me start out with the all of the readers that voiced support for my first novel, The Jakarta Pandemic. Your encouragement and interaction has been genuinely appreciated over the past year, and I encourage readers of Black Flagged to reach out with the same enthusiasm.
So, here we go…
To my wife, the first reader, who devoured the novel without taking a break. I figured this was a good sign, especially since this is not her typical genre. She actually beat me to the end, and demanded that I finish the last few chapters. If you don't like the ending, you can blame her for rushing me.
To my writing group, who warmly welcomed me into their world, and endured Black Flagged's opening chapter violence way better than I expected. After reading several other submissions within the group, I thought I might need to tone down my material for our gatherings. I couldn't have been more mistaken. I've gained valuable insight about my own book, and have been exposed to the talents of new writers in a wide spectrum of genres. Joe, thank you for introducing me to this group…and for your continuous critiques and suggestions throughout the process of writing both books.
To my pre-readers…most of whom volunteered, some of whom I didn't know before writing The Jakarta Pandemic. Bill, for the valuable guidance regarding the structure of the entire series, and for some spot on advice about Daniel Petrovich, Black Flagged's main character; Trent, for once again going above and beyond the call of duty. I couldn't ask for more…a marked up manuscript and plot pacing suggestions for the book's big twist. As a D.C. resident, he also helped me to structure some of the local scenes; Joe H., who probably made my editor's life easier. Based on his straightforward critique of my last novel, and his frequent interaction among reviewers of The Jakarta Pandemic, I didn't hesitate to take him up on his offer to pre-read Black Flagged. His "right between the eyes" style of critique has been essential to the fine tuning of several aspects, and his ability to take in the bigger picture…while still catching typos and grammar errors is enviable. Finally, Bruce, for catching some really elusive typos, and keeping the Portland references accurate.
To Felicia A. Sullivan, editor extraordinaire. I'll just thank you in advance for the professionalism you put into expertly editing Black Flagged, and the enthusiasm you'll bring to promoting it. I still can't thank you enough for the extra mile you walked for The Jakarta Pandemic. At some point, we'll collaborate within your favorite genre to create the ultimate post-apocalyptic novel. It'll rock the genre, I guarantee.
Finally, to Jeroen ten Berge, for knocking it out of the park with his cover design. He really captured the essence of Black Flagged with his bold vision.
Dedication
To my wife and children, who are my constant motivation, and graciously put up with the time and energy that I devote to writing.
Cast of Characters
Srecko Hadzic — Leader of the "Panthers," a quasi-organized crime network and Serbian ultra-nationalist paramilitary group serving Slobodan Milosevic's regime.
Pavle Hadzic — Hadzic's handicapped brother.
Radovan Grahovac — Hadzic's "right-hand" man and chief-of-security.
Marko Resja (aka Daniel Petrovich) — Midlevel soldier and undercover U.S. operative.
Mirko Jovic — Leader of "White Eagles," a rival paramilitary group.
Goran Lujic — "White Eagles" enforcer.
Director — Benjamin Shelby
Executive Assistant Director, Fred Carroll — National Security Branch
Associate Director, Sandra Delgado — National Security Branch
Special Agent-in-Charge Ryan Sharpe — Task Force HYRDA's investigative leader.
Special Agent Frank Mendoza — Sharpe's second-in-command.
Special Agent Heather Olson — Primary investigator, HYDRA murders.
Special Agent Dana O'Reilly — Lead data analyst, HYDRA.
Special Agent Justin Edwards — Lead investigator for Mohammed Ghani murder scene.
Special Agent Keith Weber — Communications section-head, HYDRA.
Special Agent Gregory Carlisle — Lead Interrogator, HYDRA murders.
Audra Bauer — Director, Counter-Terrorism Center, National Clandestine Service.
Karl Berg — Assistant Director, Counter-Terrorism Center, National Clandestine Service.
Randy Keller — CIA Liaison to Task Force HYDRA
Daniel Petrovich — Former Black Flag Operative
General Terrence Sanderson — Created original Black Flag program.
James Parker — Sanderson's "right-hand" man
Colonel Richard Farrington — Compartmentalized Information Section (CIS), Pentagon.
Jeffrey Munoz — Suspect in the shooting of Umar Salah.
Jessica Petrovich — Daniel Petrovich's wife.
Julio Mendez — Janitorial Custodian, Pentagon.
Darryl Jackson — Executive, Brown River Security Corporation.
Jeremy Cummings — Team leader, Brown River Security Corporation.
Derren McKie — National Security Agency employee and former Black Flag operative
BLACK FLAGGED — "Classification given to an agent or intelligence officer who is to be interrogated and summarily killed if apprehended."
BLACK OUT
Marko Resja peered cautiously over the top of the jagged stone wall, scanning the lodge's distant front porch with powerful binoculars. Through the driving downpour, he counted four men, which was a good thing. With the entire external security team in one place, he should have no trouble approaching unseen.
He lowered himself to the spongy, pine needle covered ground, and leaned back against a sharp granite chunk that formed part of the estate's perimeter wall. Created by haphazardly dumping large uneven rocks around the lodge on all sides, the utilitarian border marked the divide between hastily cleared land and the impenetrable Fruska Gora National Forest.