Outlaws and Origins

by Eric S Kim

  OUTLAWS

  AND

  ORIGINS

  QUINTANA’S CAMPAIGN

  Volume Two

  Written by

  ERIC S. KIM

  Cover Art by

  REBECACOVERS

  (fiverr.com)

  The Blackjack Troopers have caught the attention of Salvador Quintana, the man who governs the state of California. He has hired them for a secret assignment, one that will prevent the renegades from achieving an important victory on their side. As they delve deep into a desecrated forest, where plants and fungi run rampant as outlandish entities, the Blackjack Troopers must search for the weapons that once belonged to the dragon riders of the old generation.

  As he leads his squad into the forest, Lionel Tyler finds himself in a conflict of his own. Certain parts of his past have been brought back as a result of his mission. His former occupation brings him closer to a crisis of conscience. He is stuck between his dedication to Gorvex’s regime and his hunger for his true self.

  The struggle grows deeper when a group of exiled dragons have come out of hiding and have made their way back to human civilization. The Blackjack Troopers assist in repelling these outlaws, while Lionel might have a valid reason to return to his roots.

  DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author (except for the use of brief quotations in a book review).

  Copyright © 2019

  Eric S. Kim

  All Rights Reserved.

  Table of Contents

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  TWELVE

  THIRTEEN

  FOURTEEN

  FIFTEEN

  SIXTEEN

  SEVENTEEN

  EIGHTEEN

  NINETEEN

  TWENTY

  TWENTY-ONE

  TWENTY-TWO

  TWENTY-THREE

  TWENTY-FOUR

  TWENTY-FIVE

  TWENTY-SIX

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  TWENTY-EIGHT

  TWENTY-NINE

  THIRTY

  THIRTY-ONE

  THIRTY-TWO

  THIRTY-THREE

  THIRTY-FOUR

  THIRTY-FIVE

  THIRTY-SIX

  THIRTY-SEVEN

  THIRTY-EIGHT

  THIRTY-NINE

  FORTY

  FORTY-ONE

  FORTY-TWO

  FORTY-THREE

  SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

  ONE

  APRIL 17, 11:16 AM

  “Are you guys getting closer?”

  “We’re almost there! This guy’s a real powerhouse, man!”

  Lionel Tyler waited patiently beside his parked SUV. Putting away his assault rifle would have been the most inappropriate gesture when the pursuit evaded an expiration date. The captain of Squad A-X-9 relied on his ears to catch the location of the eighteen-wheeler truck that his teammate had previously mentioned. There was absolute silence on the small two-way street. Nobody would ever dare to interrupt members of the New and Enhanced Security Forces. Or more commonly referred to as Blackjack Troopers.

  The commercial district was a hushed environment in the city of Anaheim. With several office buildings and a warehouse situated between the street, every employee in the area had to stay inside for a potential conflict. Lionel couldn’t quite catch the sound of a loud roaring engine in the midst yet, but he stayed vigilant and refused to embrace even a brief daydream that distracted him from his work.

  He whispered to himself, “It’s got to be here by now.”

  Nick Fairbanks had joined him after receiving the call from their two teammates. The thirty-year-old Blackjack Trooper eagerly awaited the attack. He held his FN SCAR 17S rifle tightly in his hands and wore his black tactical vest for the confrontation. His weapon of choice included a beige exterior and a trigger finger yearning for the next execution.

  He spit on the sidewalk and said, “I can hear it, Lionel. Oh, it’s getting closer.”

  Lionel had followed the faint sound that finally reached his ears. He stood straight and turned around toward the southern side of the road.

  “I hear it, too.”

  He began his stroll across the asphalt. He could hear Nick’s footsteps from behind him, which assured him of a necessary memorization to their planned tactic.

  The image of an eighteen-wheeler truck had appeared at the far end of the street. It had just made a sharp turn from an intersection. It carried its white-colored trailer from behind, while a Blackjack pickup truck hurried after it. Lionel and Nick stood beside each other as they stepped closer toward the pursuit. The eighteen-wheeler truck sped right for them. It didn’t swerve in a different direction. It made the driver’s intentions known. The Failure behind the wheel would stop at nothing in fleeing from the authorities.

  Lionel and Nick didn’t break away from their own objectives. They continued to walk toward the truck as it grew larger in size in their line of vision.

  Nick laughed. “I knew it. This guy’s got some big balls. What a loser.”

  The truck driver became more visible on the other side of the windshield. It was still an unclear image, but Lionel had already accepted the fact that this was the Failure that they had been searching for. He recognized the black hair and the thick mustache.

  The driver didn’t stop. The truck’s engine had its volume raised even higher. The colossal vehicle headed straight for the human targets. Lionel had picked the right moment to attack. He immediately raised his rifle and opened fire at the windshield. He pulled the trigger three times and didn’t wait for the result. He and Nick jumped away from the incoming vehicle. They rolled away from each other in opposite directions.

  It was Nick’s turn to open fire. As Lionel moved safely away from the truck, he could hear several more gunshots from the other side of the vehicle. They were followed by a sudden explosion from underneath. Dust and smoke rose from the swirled around the trailer. The entire truck veered to the left, and then to the right. It left behind a trail of smoke that originated from Nick’s gunfire. The tires had been hit by the bullets and exploded.

  Both Lionel and Nick stayed crouched on the street. They watched as the eighteen-wheeler truck took a sharp right turn and crashed into a concrete wall that protected one of the small office buildings in the area. It stopped completely after destroying a huge fraction of the barricade. Several cinder blocks had been detached and dropped to the floor. The tires on the right side of the truck had been flattened thanks to the bullets that punctured the rubber.

  The Blackjack pickup truck sped past Lionel and Nick. It stopped in front of the eighteen-wheeler truck, with both the driver and the passenger making their swift exits. Cliff Mitchell and Kurt Nguyen remained cautious as they crept toward the Failure’s shrouded location. Lionel and Nick joined them. All four Blackjacks had gathered at the driver’s seat behind the closed door. They didn’t lower their weapons and prepared for any unexpected attack from the Failure. Lionel reached for the handle and opened the door. He, as well as his teammates, took a peek inside.

  Noel Albright had bullet wounds on his left shoulder and his ear, which had been torn apart by the bullet
that dug through the thick surface. Blood dripped down his shirt and pants. Lionel couldn’t spot a single weapon in the interior of the truck, but he still aimed his rifle at Noel’s head.

  He kept his tone of voice in an unruffled demeanor as he asked, “Where are your friends?”

  Noel was too busy covering his ear with his hand. The pain in his ear must have been unbearable.

  Lionel tried again. “Tell me where the others are and we’ll let you live.”

  Noel breathed heavily through his nostrils. “I’m not telling you anything.”

  “Let’s not make things complicated. Just tell us where they’re heading and we’ll set you free.”

  “That’s not going to happen, is it? No, you’re going to send me to Alaska. I’d rather have a bullet to the head.”

  Cliff nonchalantly replied, “Sure, we can do that.”

  Lionel stopped him right away and ordered him to step away from the driver’s seat. Cliff lightly grunted as he took a few steps back.

  Lionel reclaimed his attention toward the wounded Failure. “Come on, Noel. Tell us.”

  Noel slowly sunk his hand into his pocket. “Fuck you.”

  Lionel only had a shortened period of time to catch the glowing blue crystal that Noel had pulled out of his pocket. The Blackjack jumped back and opened fire. Noel never had a chance to use his secret weapon. Lionel fired five times. All of the bullets hit the Failure’s body. Noel twitched for several seconds before he was finally still. His life had been cut short because of his final decision. The glowing crystal fell from his hand and landed on the ground.

  Lionel crouched down and picked up the tiny crystal. Its bright blue light had already faded from within. It had a perfect cubic shape that easily distinguished it from all the magical gems and crystals from this world. It was a Vellmorz, a crystal that granted magic powers to whoever possessed it. Fortunately, Noel would never have time to use it against the Blackjacks.

  Cliff remarked, “Too bad. I really wanted to see him make a complete ass out of himself.”

  Nick decided to relax. “Well, I’d hate to see what that thing can do to a man.”

  Kurt added, “We could’ve tested it on this little pussy if he’d just let us.”

  Lionel handed the crystal to Cliff and told him to keep it safe. Then, he put his rifle aside and checked Noel’s pockets. He could feel a little piece of paper hidden in the fabric. He pulled it out and read the inscriptions on the index card.

  There were only three words:

  Hamilton. Stansbridge Arena.

  Lionel already put the pieces together. He turned around and activated his earpiece. He let his three teammates investigate the rest of the semitruck without him. He gave his dispatcher a call.

  “Charlie, I want Mr. Hamilton on the phone right now.”

  Charlie replied, “Okay, but it might take a while.”

  “Try to do it as fast as possible. We’re dealing with a very serious situation here.”

  11:22 AM

  Members of the Public Investigation Agency (or more commonly referred to as Hammerhead Investigators) had arrived as Lionel waited for his boss to answer the call. The Hammerheads joined the other three Blackjacks and started a discussion with each other with the wrecked eighteen-wheeler truck nearby. Lionel had grown silent. He stood alone on the sidewalk and watched as Cliff handed the Vellmorz to one of the Hammerheads. The investigator, in turn, held a shocked expression on his face.

  Lionel finally managed to reach Virgil Hamilton, the owner and CEO of Mystic Lightning Defense Incorporated.

  “Mr. Hamilton, are you there?”

  Hamilton’s slightly gruff voice had come through. “I’m betting that this isn’t even important at all.”

  “Actually, it is. I need you to stay away from Stansbridge Arena. You have to stay home.”

  “Okay, now you’re just pissing me off.”

  “Mr. Hamilton, there are two Failures that are searching for you right now. They already know that you’re on your way to watch the hockey game. You have to stay away from there until it’s safe.”

  “I’d rather be dead than stay at home. You know what I’m talking about. This game is going to be one of the big ones. Nobody’s going to stop me.”

  “You really shouldn’t take this risk.”

  Lionel could hear Hamilton laugh. “Do I have to remind you who’s really in charge here?”

  Lionel didn’t let his irritating feeling overwhelm him. He stayed calm as he replied, “I’m sorry. I just don’t think that you should risk your life for this.”

  “You know me. I’m a complete sucker when it comes to our fellow Stingrays. But you know what? I have an idea. I want everyone in Squad A-X-9 to guard the building. Bring your teammates to Stansbridge Arena and make sure that the two Failures won’t get to me.”

  “There will be thousands of civilians in that building. It’s not a good idea.”

  Hamilton produced a mocking tone in his voice when he said, “Now that’s sad. You’ve already forgotten who’s really in charge here.”

  Lionel tightened his fist for a brief moment. He managed to relax as he said, “When do you want us?”

  “The game starts in about an hour and a half. I’ll have a different squad take over for your afternoon duties until the game is over.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  “Good. And make sure that everyone brings their best weapon. If the Failures are really there, I want it to be an epic showdown.”

  “Truly noted, sir.”

  Both Lionel and the CEO ended the call. The captain of Squad A-X-9 informed his three teammates about their new objective for the next few hours. They understood and called their other teammates to spread the news. Soon, everyone would readily accept the trip to Stansbridge Arena. In the meantime, the Hammerheads revealed new information about the two other Failures. Their names were confirmed to be Gordon Steele and Paulina Delgado. There was also a potential acquaintance that joined them on the hunt, though it still couldn’t be determined.

  One of the Hammerheads showed Lionel a photo of the two Failures. It was a clear picture in black and white. Both Gordon and Paulina had their faces zoomed in when the surveillance drone had caught sight of them. Lionel thanked the Hammerheads and remembered the new information carefully. He led the other three Blackjacks away from the wreckage just as the paramedics had arrived on the scene.

  TWO

  12:42 PM

  The Blackjack Troopers had to be in a hurry for this one. A fast ride to Stansbridge Arena was inevitable. Even as seventeen-thousand civilians anticipated tonight’s hockey game in the building, law enforcement had to be more alert than ever. With outside forces having a grudge against a certain member of the elite, there would be attention for nothing else.

  The Blackjack Troopers parked their black-colored automobiles in front of the main entrance of the arena. Civilians who still made their way into the building now had worrisome looks. And of course, they would. Anyone who wore black clothes and had tattoos on the backs of their hands almost always meant a serious situation arising from nearby. The Blackjacks ignored the instant reaction as usual. Anyone who had a black cap on their head and tattoos on their hands had grown accustomed to the response elicited by such an important profession.

  The Blackjacks got out of their automobiles and brought their weapons along with them. After taking his Heckler & Koch HK416 rifle, Lionel reminded his thirteen teammates to keep their smartphones and their earpieces activated. If anyone in the arena looked exactly like the two Failures in the picture sent by headquarters, then action had to be taken with no exceptions.

  Lionel led his squad into the building. The crowd of civilians took notice of their entrance almost immediately. Some of them stepped aside while others took out their smartphones and began to record it for the internet. A teenage girl even took a picture of herself and the Blackjacks behind her. She even used the peace sign for her picture. Lionel did something else. In just a matter o
f seconds, he paid close attention to the civilians’ faces. Any one of them could have been the two Failures. So far, everyone in the crowd had no facial features similar to the ones in the black-and-white photograph. The men and women in the building appeared harmless. Most of them went their own way after the Blackjacks walked past them, and others stayed still to presumably witness what would happen in the building.

  Lionel continued to examine the civilians. A recognizable face near one of the concession stands broke his concentration. But it was the face of a good man. Virgil Hamilton had already arrived in the building. He spent his time talking to someone on the phone while his bodyguard kept watch. He hung up as soon as he spotted his employees making their way toward him.

  “I should have told you to be a little more discreet. Oh well.”

  The Blackjacks gathered in front of Hamilton. Lionel took the lead and said, “I still think it’s a better idea for you to stay at home to watch the game.”

  Hamilton waved it off. “I’d be a complete idiot to waste my tickets on tonight’s game. So don’t judge me for my preferences.”

  Lionel nodded despite his objections.

  Hamilton added, “Besides, I’ve got the right people for the job. You and your squad will have no trouble with this one. I hope, at least.”

  “You won’t have to worry about it. We’ll get it done.”

  Hamilton eyed the entire squad from left to right. He smiled as he slowly rubbed his palms together. “The other companies are already jealous of your success. Oh, you people have no idea how easy it is for me to smile when they squeal.”

  He immediately clapped his hands only once. “Get going.”

  He walked away with his bodyguard still beside him, but the Blackjacks already knew what to do. They separated into smaller groups and left to survey the crowd surrounding the ice rink. Lionel followed Hamilton to act as the latter’s second bodyguard for the night. He had done this before, but he still managed to keep a sharp focus. In the meantime, the civilians finally looked away as they purchased their food and put away their phones. With a squad like A-X-9, there would be no concern. Especially when they were solely responsible for saving the world just one week ago.