The Code: An Orphan X Short Story

Orphan X

By: Gregg Hurwitz

Narrated by: Scott Brick

In the latest short story from bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz, discover the teenage missions of Orphan X.

Before he was the feared black ops government assassin Orphan X, operating in the shadows and spoken about in whispers, Evan Smoak was a teenager, undergoing the most rigorous of training. At 17, Evan is sent off by his handler, ex-CIA station agent Jack Johns, to take the most intense U.S. military training course. But that is only part of the challenge before him—Evan has to get there and back, safely and quietly, maintaining operational security. And along the way, facing unexpected challenges, Evan must use everything he's learned since the day he was taken from the foster home in East Baltimore, lessons that Jack Johns has drilled into him, laws of life and death that are to become The Code.

This program is read by AudioFile Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick, winner of the 2024 ITW Thriller award for his narration of the Orphan X book The Last Orphan, and the 2025 Audie Award for his narration of the Orphan X book Lone Wolf.

"Brick devotes attention to every voice.… His accents and inflections boost the listening experience.”—AudioFile on Nemesis

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

©2025 Gregg Hurwitz (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Classic Orphan X

I love how Hurwitz continues to mold and develop Orphan X’s character. The Code is another X backstory that gives insight into who and why he is who he is.

Background on training of Orphan X.

The concise story line of the rigors of the orphan training program and the compassion of the handler.

Thrilling

There is nothing to dislike about your books. You do not disappoint this reader/ listener. Thank you

The reader

I like everything about this series, I am a fan of the writer and the ready a true match of brilliance.The writer and ready are a ture work of art.

loved this!

as with many short stories, it just wasn't long enough! can't wait for the next one!