In the Likely Event

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses domestic abuse and mental health conditions, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which feature in the source text.

Kabul, Afghanistan: August 2021. Nathaniel “Nate” Phelan is with the US Special Forces and has been assigned to protect Senator Eliana Lauren’s aide. Several congressional aides are making a tour of Afghanistan in preparation for a visit from the senators. The senators want to assess the progress of the troop withdrawal that is currently taking place in Afghanistan. With his friend Torres, Nate discusses how the assignment has delayed his vacation to the Maldives because he is replacing a soldier who got sick.

As Nate waits for the arrival of the congressional aides, along with his team, General Webb informs him that Senator Lauren’s office has made a last-minute change. Instead of protecting Greg Newcastle, he will be protecting an aide whose last name is Astor. Nate is surprised by the name because he once was in a relationship with a woman named Isabeau ‘Izzy’ Astor. He believes it to be a coincidence until Izzy herself walks off the plane. Nate and Izzy are instantly hostile to one another, especially when Nate notices an engagement ring on Izzy’s hand.