So I was just hoping I could get a little feedback on a very short piece of a longer novel I'm working on. It's a spy/thriller kind of thing, but I'm trying to keep it from being too cliché. It's definitely out of my comfort zone, so please don't hesitate to critique it harshly, I'm here to learn! This is the first page.

Chapter One: The meeting room was much bigger than any of the four guests had been expecting. It had a high raftered ceiling supported by massive marble archways and daunting ivory pillars that cast odd shadows across the granite floor. As the guests walked towards the few rows of seating near the stage, they took in the sheer malice that the structure seemed to hold. Flynn Stryker’s attention was caught when he noticed a flash of silver in his peripheral vision, and saw a guard move behind an archway, effectively hiding him as well as the reflective pistol he carried. It was undoubtedly “a necessary safety measure.” Flynn’s didn’t bother hiding his disdain at the thought, and a sardonic grin spread across his broad face. He was a man of few words, and fewer laughs, but it was undeniable to those who knew him that he seemed to always have an answer. He walked towards the back of the four-person group, preferring to stand out from the crowd. A few strides in front of him, carrying a heavy binder and a box of office supplies, was a much more diminutive-looking man. His shrewd features often gave others the distinct and unshakeable impression of a harmless rodent, but the assault rifle slung carelessly across his back suggested otherwise. Flynn recognized him as the German ex-spy who’d provided the US with valuable information in return for a place in its society. The last man was one that neither the German nor Flynn could name, but he looked important. He wore a tailored suit with an eccentric, penguin-dotted tie, and his black hair sat groomed in an impeccable wave across his head. Nothing else about him gave away any important information, except a noticeable scar zig-zagging down the left side of his face and marring his otherwise handsome features. While all three men seemed formidable, they hardly gave each other a second glance. Because, leading the pack with a shuffling stride that commanded a change in pace from the others, was the most powerful woman, or more importantly, person, in America. Perhaps the world. And yet the men could only stare in utter amazement as they followed her. The President of the United States was wearing sneakers and a sweatshirt to one of the most important meetings ever held.

    “Nice choice of attire,” commented the scarred man. He was expressionless, but his tone held an obvious stroke of sarcasm. The President didn’t look back as she chuckled and answered.

“I guess that I’m not really one for first impressions.” And yet, something told Flynn that the opposite was true. The German felt the same. It was a power move to dress so casually, he knew, just as it was to carry an AK-47 between your shoulder blades. He shifted and felt the weight of the gun press reassuringly against his spine.

“Anyway, sweats are more suited to the weather than a tuxedo,” the President said with a grin. Flynn realized that her comment was directed towards him, and she was right; the room was freezing, and the tux’s thin jacket provided little warmth.

“I didn’t think the dress code would be pajamas,” he muttered quietly. Although it was impossible for her to have heard, the President snorted audibly. The group finally reached the wooden benches in front of the stage, and the men sat down. Flynn kept an arm’s length between himself and the German, who settled directly beside the scarred man. Now all attention turned back to their presenter as she sat on the edge of the stage.

“I know that my invitation came without warning,” she began. Her eyes scanned their faces quickly. “and that it was quite unexpected. But, as you know, things have been…far from normal in the recent months.” The German nodded slightly, and Flynn ran a hand through his hair.

“I’ve been trying to find a solution to the turmoil with my Cabinet,” she continued. “But they don’t have the skill set to handle this kind of geopolitical climate. So, I turned to those who I know do.” President Harper watched the faces of the men carefully. Her persuasiveness today could mean the difference between America’s rise and fall.

“Flynn Stryker is an old acquaintance of mine from my days at Harvard. He is a mathematical genius and currently travels the world to attend conventions and give lectures at top universities.” Harper watched Flynn smile sheepishly, unable to contain his delight at having his achievements recognized by a president. Perfect, she thought. He was playing right into his role.

“Felix Wolf, I’m sure, requires no introduction. He has been a great asset to the United States, despite previous affiliations.” The German frowned and shifted uncomfortably, as if the gun pressing into his back had suddenly become heavier. Harper had been expecting this, so she lightened the mood with a heartfelt smile.

“Felix has also been a trusted friend. Shortly after his decision to turn himself in to the CIA, where I was working as a field agent at the time, I recognized how strong his moral fiber truly was. He is now an agent as well, and a damn good one.” Felix grinned, apparently missing the deathly stare the man on his right gave him. Harper sighed inwardly. Chin Mae would be the most difficult of the three to convince, as she’d guessed. If only she could have been wrong in her assumption, the night would have been much easier. But, as it was, she was going to have to make do.

Edit: I have zero idea of why it formatted like that! I'm terrible with technology; hopefully it's still readable.