Over the next few days, the rest of the fifteen-man team arrived in waves. Much like the first three, they were mostly vets with the rank of Corporal or Sergeant. Having only recently transitioned back to civilian life, their every movement still bore the sharp, disciplined imprint of the military.
When they first sat down with Nick and the others, the men were visibly stiff. Seeing the tension, Nick gestured for them to relax as they stood at attention. "At ease, guys," he said with a smile. "Sit down. Let's just talk."
The men took their seats, though they remained poised like coiled springs.
"First off, I want to thank you all for dropping everything and rushing to Tampa," Nick began. "This isn't an easy gig. You might be going up against overseas interests, which means facing real danger at a moment's notice."
Nick scanned the room, his expression turning serious. "I want you to think this through. You've already done your time in the service; you've earned the right to choose your path. If you decide to stay, or if you decide this isn't for you and want to head home, I'll respect that decision either way."
"The fact that we're here means we're ready," Wallace said, standing up solemnly. "Rest assured, we aren't pushovers. If those people try anything, we'll make sure they regret it."
The rest of the men stood up in unison, their gazes steady and unwavering. There wasn't a hint of hesitation in the room.
Nick smiled and waved them back down. "Take a seat. It's actually not as grim as it sounds. Most of the time, the job will be pretty straightforward—securing the facility and the lab. The reason it's sensitive is that some of the tech we're developing has major military applications. It's already seen breakthroughs in government research and will be integrated into frontline hardware soon."
"Naturally, that's caught the eye of a few foreign entities who'd love to get their hands on our data. Just before you got here, the cops picked up three suspicious characters near the perimeter. They confirmed those guys were targeting us."
"Realizing we were in over our heads, we asked the Pentagon to help us source an elite team of vets to form our own security force. To be honest, I was thrilled when I saw the roster. Now that I see you in person, I think I can finally get a good night's sleep."
A few ripples of laughter broke the tension.
"You have no idea," Nick continued. "We've been on edge for days. The girls at the front desk have been staring at the door like they're expecting an invasion. Now that you're here, they can finally breathe. I'm sure they'll want to take you all out to dinner just to say thanks."
That got a genuine laugh out of the group. Most of the fifteen were bachelors, and after seeing the recruiters and receptionists on the way in, a few minds were already wandering. Nick was mostly joking, of course—while he wouldn't ban workplace dating, he wasn't exactly running a matchmaking service. Whether these guys could win over the staff was up to their own charm.
Seeing the ice was broken, Nick got down to business. "Alright, let's talk logistics."
"Effective immediately, we're establishing the Security Department. You fifteen are the First Squad. Wallace Gregory is your Captain. Brent Gallaway and Ryan Orston, you two will be stepping up as Lieutenants. This is a temporary structure for now; we'll adjust based on performance down the road. Any objections?"
The room broke into applause. Wallace, Brent, and Ryan stood up and gave a crisp, synchronized salute.
"Good. Then it's official," Nick said. "Your main job is the perimeter and internal security. I'm not a tactical expert, so I'll leave the specific rotation and strategy to you. Tomorrow, some specialists from the security field are coming in to give you a crash course on corporate-specific protocols.
It's a rare opportunity to learn the private sector side of the house, so make the most of it. My only requirement is that we're fully operational as soon as possible."
"If you have any immediate needs or suggestions, speak up now. I'll do my best to make it happen."
Seeing them hesitate, Nick waved his hand. "Come on, speak freely. You won't get a better chance than this to ask for what you need."
The men whispered among themselves for a second before Wallace spoke up. "Mr. Harryson, the brass specifically told us to prioritize your personal safety. If people are after data, you're the high-value target. I believe we need to tighten your personal detail. From here on out, you don't go anywhere without an escort."
Nick chuckled. "I'm not exactly a social butterfly. It's usually just a straight line from the lab to my apartment. I doubt there's much risk."
"Better safe than sorry, sir," Wallace countered firmly.
Nick thought about it and gave in. "Alright, have it your way. I'm putting my life in your hands."
Wallace nodded, his expression turning grave. He didn't take the comment lightly; to him, it was a total transfer of trust and responsibility.
"Mr. Harryson, can we get some gym equipment?" Orston asked.
"Definitely," Nick replied. "We were already planning a gym for the staff, but space is tight right now. Once we move the R&D center to the new lab after the New Year and clear out the first floor here, we'll build a dedicated training area for you."
The news brought smiles all around. Ryan added one more request: "Sir, can we get some cool uniforms? Please don't make us wear those cheap mall-cop suits. Those things are embarrassing."
The room erupted in laughter again. Nick noticed everyone looking at him expectantly; clearly, the "cool factor" mattered.
"No problem," Nick promised. "We'll let you guys pick the style. We can do suits for formal events, tactical gear for duty, and whatever else makes sense. We'll get a few sets for different occasions."
"Thank you, Mr. Harryson!"