Outlaws and Origins

by Eric S Kim

  Bryce intervened. “It’s not because of that. I read about it a few years ago. All of those trees and fungi? It’s because of Sharp Claw.”

  “You mean Ms. Sepulveda’s company?”

  “Yeah. But she’s not to blame here. One of the former CEO’s did some experimentations about a decade ago. She did something to those plants, maybe gave them some kind of elixir or something. But the project failed. The plants grew out of control. And the former CEO abandoned the project altogether. And now, Green Brigalvic has become one hell of a Garden of Eden.”

  Oswald hissed. “Big trees…bad trees.”

  He exhaled almost aggressively, making him sound as if he gave a loud growl.

  Jerome shifted in his seat. “Well, regardless of that, I just hope all that camping really paid off.”

  Bryce asked, “You went camping when you were a kid?”

  “As a teenager. My dad and I went to Yosemite and Kings Canyon before they closed them down for good. I learned a lot of things, though I’m not sure if they’ll be worth something in a place like Green Brigalvic.”

  Lionel reassured his son. “It doesn’t have to change for the worst. Just remember how to survive by pretending that Green Brigalvic is just like any other forest in the nation.”

  “And what if it gets very serious in there?”

  “Remember the movies that you’ve seen. You know the ones. The films where a bunch of soldiers with big guns attack a bunch of enemies. Think about what happens and try to act it out in a real situation.”

  “Like Predator? The one with the invisible alien?

  “That’s a damn good example.”

  “I’ll try.”

  Three employees had exited the fast food restaurant and handed the stuffed paper bags to the Blackjacks. Lionel opened his car window for one of the employees to hand the bags and the drinks. He thanked her and watched the trio return to the building.

  Nick called the captain via his earpiece. “So what happens next?”

  Lionel replied, “Skidmore is about four miles away. We’ll stay here for about a half-hour and then we’ll all go to Skidmore. We’ll meet up at the outskirts. The north side.”

  “Got it.”

  7:57 PM

  Skidmore seemed to be the exact opposite of Redding especially in the evening. In this particular neighborhood, only a handful of cars were on the street, and only two bicyclists scurried along on the sidewalk. Pedestrians were also rarely seen at this hour. The brick-and-mortar bookstore had been located on a much quieter section near the northern border. An endless array of trees and bushes surrounded the flat region. To keep a safe distance, the Blackjacks parked their SUV’s in the middle of the woods and turned off their lights. A paved road kept them off the dirt. Lionel used his binoculars to observe the bookstore situated in the far end of a local strip mall. He zoomed in right when a customer left the building.

  Jerome whispered, “Is the place empty?”

  Lionel lowered his binoculars. “There are a few parked cars. Other than that, the bookstore might as well be empty for the rest of the night.”

  He already made up his mind. “Alright. I’ll be going in alone. You guys stay in the car when I’m inside the bookstore.”

  Jerome, Bryce, and Oswald agreed to follow his command without grievances. He informed the other Blackjacks to keep a sharp watch in the woods.

  8:08 PM

  He stepped inside the bookstore and examined everything inside it. It was a small interior, though it had enough space for over a dozen bookshelves in the center. Books ranging from mainstream novels to nonfiction anthologies were included for the public. Everything about the bookstore had captured that certain cozy appeal found in old-fashioned structures. An almost perfect recreation of the past in the midst of digital harvests.

  Lionel wandered around the bookstore. If Otis Cooper was present nearby, he would barely hear the footsteps produced on the brown carpeted floor. Lionel’s composure stayed as an innocuous conduct unbroken by unwanted pressure. He embraced the silence in order to hear if Otis would be wandering around the building. A faint noise erupted from the far end of the area. Perhaps a page being turned by Otis’s hand.

  Lionel moved closer to the noise. He stepped away from the bookshelves and found the employer. Otis Cooper was a middle-aged man almost ready to show off his gray hair. Despite his age, he was still a tall and slender individual with short black hair. He took his time casually flipping through pages in the corner. He didn’t even see the new customer appearing behind the bookshelves.

  Lionel had to say something. “Good evening, sir.”

  Otis looked up from the book and, with mild surprise from seeing the Blackjack Trooper at probably the most unexpected time, gave a smile.

  “Oh, hello. How can I help you, sir?”

  “I’m looking for Otis Cooper.”

  “That’s me. I have to say, I didn’t expect to see someone like you at…well, at all. Is something bad happening in Skidmore?”

  “No. I’m just here to ask you a few questions.”

  Otis put away the book and demonstrated his professional attitude by standing straight and continuing to smile.

  “Well, I’m ready.”

  “How long have you worked here?”

  Otis appeared a little confused at first. “I’ve been here for thirty years. I’m not the original owner. I used to work for him, but now, I’m the one who owns this place.”

  “How often do you leave this city?”

  Otis’s smile slowly faded, but he went on to give a reply in his usual tone of voice “Maybe a few times a year. I only go on vacations when it is absolutely necessary. My last trip was to New Zealand. It’s a really beautiful country.”

  Lionel took one step forward. “What about vacations in this state? When was the last time you visited a place in California?”

  “A long time ago. I do believe I went to Sequoia National Park on my thirtieth birthday.”

  “How about Green Brigalvic? Surely, you’d be fascinated enough to explore its wilderness.”

  Otis didn’t flinch. “I don’t think I have.”

  “Wrong. You remember. You’ve been there plenty of times. But you don’t go there for relaxation. You go there to visit an old friend. Artyom Trutnev. I think that’s the name.”

  Otis’s smile returned to signify a quick defeat. “So that’s why you’re here?”

  “I need you to get me and my squad into Green Brigalvic. We’ve learned that you don’t use the official entrance to the forest. You use a different location. A secret spot that only you know about.”

  “How long have you known this?”

  “Just one day. We’ve been assigned to enter that forest. But it’s not a mission known to the public. Think of how the Navy SEALs used to do it: it’s a top secret objective that only selected members know about.”

  “Well, I don’t see how it can be a secret when you’re already out in the open and dressed in that.”

  Otis pointed at the black baseball cap on Lionel’s hat.

  Lionel continued without a hitch. “Regardless, we need you to help us get into Green Brigalvic and find Artyom Trutnev as soon as possible.”

  “And what do I get out of it? A one-way trip to Alaska?”

  “Unfortunately, that is the only way to end this mission.”

  Otis was heartbroken. “My life was going so well. I always hoped to retire and live a peaceful life before I die.”

  “I’m sorry, but seeing as how you’ve been cooperating with a known enemy, it is the only logical solution. Now, you’re going to help us whether you want to or not. We need you to retrieve whatever you’ve been using to gain access to the forest.”

  Otis looked around the inside of the bookstore. “I’ve been taking care of this place for a long time. I would hate to see it completely deserted when I leave for good.”

  Lionel ignored the anguish and said, “I want you to close this bookstore in five minutes. Now where is your talism
an?”

  Otis sighed. “It’s at home. Let me get it.”

  Lionel activated his earpiece and informed the other Blackjacks that they would be on the move in a few minutes.

  8:19 PM

  The Blackjacks followed Otis Cooper as he headed for home. He was forced to leave his parked car behind at the bookstore as he sat in the passenger seat in Cliff’s SUV. Otis had already given Lionel simple directions to his current residence. When they reached the correct suburban neighborhood, Lionel ordered his teammates to either act as pedestrians all around the neighborhood to check for intruders or drive around the city to see if they could spot any suspicious activity in a greater radius.

  For now, Lionel parked his own SUV on the driveway. Bryce and Oswald stepped out of the vehicle and started to take a walk away from the house. They would act as two pedestrians with the intention of monitoring the neighborhood. Otis stepped out of Cliff’s SUV before it vanished into the neighborhood. The civilian let the other two Blackjacks inside his one-story house. Lionel and Jerome had no intention of staying longer than they should be. Otis led them inside the living room.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  Lionel replied, “Don’t try to delay. Just show us what you’ve been using to get into Green Brigalvic.”

  Otis rubbed his palms together. “So this is what you’ve been set out to do? Find Artyom Trutnev and bring him to justice?”

  “He has something that we are looking for. I think you know what they are. The Varivorian Artillery. I think you can remember who they belonged to.”

  “Yes, I’ve seen the old footage on the news.”

  “Mr. Quintana has sent us to retrieve them, to keep them away from the Fail Factions. A few of them are already planning to get to you, but we did that first.”

  “I guess you’re lucky.”

  “Show me your talisman.”

  “It’s not a talisman. It’s a gemstone.”

  “What kind?”

  “An orange diamond. I think you’ll remember what it is when you first see it.”

  “Show me where it is.”

  “It’s in my study room.”

  Lionel turned to Jerome and said, “Stay here.”

  Jerome sat down on the sofa and waited as Lionel and Otis entered the hallway. At the far end, Otis led the captain inside the study room. Lionel watched Otis turning on the lights and opening one of the drawers on his wooden desk and pulling out the item that he had mentioned. The orange diamond had taken the shape of a perfect circle. But in addition, a stone figure resembling the head of a feline surrounded the diamond, its mouth holding the circular gem in a steady position.

  Lionel remembered it very well. Lanzira’s Diamond. A powerful jewel that could open up walls for the thieves in the night. Otis handed it to him and let him examine it. Lionel stayed hushed as he took his time memorizing its appearance. He had never seen a real one before, though he did remember the photographs from long ago. It weight was heavy and the diamond itself held a spotless surface free from scratches and dust.

  He asked, “Where did you get this?”

  Otis closed the drawer. “I got it from a friend.”

  Lionel set Lanzira’s Diamond aside and said, “I’ve noticed the fact that you’ve been visiting the forest more than once. How do you even survive when there are creatures lurking in that place?”

  “It’s not easy, but I’ve learned to adapt in a risky environment. If you make one wrong move, then you will realize why nobody even wants to visit there anymore.”

  “Tell me more about this Artyom Trutnev. How has he been surviving so long in there?”

  “There are caves in that forest. Massive ones. The kind of caves that could fit in over a dozen football stadiums. Artyom lives in those caves. He has been living away from the sunlight and keeping himself safe underneath all those trees.”

  “It doesn’t sound like he could live that way for the last decade or so. Do you bring him food whenever you pay him a visit?”

  Otis shook his head. “He doesn’t have to eat. He gets his nutrients from above.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Artyom is no longer human. He has become something else. Something that could only be told as a story to frighten the kids.”

  “What did he become?”

  “Do you remember what happened all those years ago? When Sharp Claw Incorporated created those experiments in that forest? Artyom became a victim when he encountered one of those…things.”

  “What happened to him?”

  “He became a little careless and started to mutate. You won’t even identify him when you see him in the caves. It’s become an interesting combination when he joined together with one of the creatures that lived in that forest.”

  “I hope he can still talk.”

  “Of course, he can. He’s just not himself when he completed his mutation.”

  “You’re going to have to talk him into accepting his fate. He’s going to leave California and find a new home in Alaska.”

  “I wouldn’t want him to do that. He’s got a few tricks that he can pull off if you try to make him angry.”

  Lionel lowered the volume of his voice. “Have you actually seen them? The Varivorian Artillery?”

  “I’ve seen enough of them to understand that people would be stupid to try and steal them away.”

  “Which ones are still available to us?”

  “I saw a spear, a crossbow, a big axe, and…swords. There were several swords in there.”

  Lionel slowly exhaled. “Describe them to me.”

  But Otis didn’t answer his question. “I remember when they were put to good use. People would take them and fight off some of the most wicked creatures on this planet. I’m sure you’d know that. The Nevinoth Riders had a good reputation before the Silver Skin forced them out of the spotlight. And now, Mr. Quintana wants them for his own gains? These are very special weapons. You can’t just take them away from Artyom and send them to the Chairman so he could just destroy them.”

  “It’s our job. This is the mission that he wants us to do. We can’t disobey them. The Varivorian Artillery has to be retrieved and sent back to Mystic Lightning. There is no shame in doing what’s best for this nation.”

  Otis narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think so…dragon rider?”

  Lionel almost lost his composure, but he was able to retake the serenity in a quick fashion. He grabbed Lanzira’s Diamond and said, “We will leave Skidmore and head straight to Green Brigalvic. Since you don’t use the main entrance, you will show us the exact spot where you use this diamond.”

  “And after that, I go back home?”

  “Nice try. You will be our guide as we enter the forest. Don’t try to escape us. We still have time to reconsider your current position. Social Adjustments will be a better option for you if you behave.”

  “Somehow, I doubt that.”

  The two men left the study room. Lionel brought Jerome back outside as Otis locked the front door and joined the other two. When Bryce and Oswald returned from their short walk, Lionel ordered Bryce to stay with them. Oswald had to wait for a different SUV as Otis would remain as one of Lionel’s passengers.

  At first, Oswald whined like a sad little puppy. But in a fraction of a second, he growled at Otis and whispered, “You’re done for.”

  He stood on the sidewalk and waited for his next ride. Otis, puzzled by the reaction, almost stuttered when he asked Lionel about the young Blackjack. Lionel just ignored it and waited for the other SUV to pick up Oswald in a few minutes. And when it arrived, Lionel informed his teammates via his earpiece that they were now leaving the city of Skidmore to proceed toward Green Brigalvic National Forest.

  8:37 PM

  The Blackjacks departed from Skidmore and made it on the same paved road that they parked on. No other vehicles were sighted in the night. The SUV’s had lined up in a single file and followed the driver in the front, namely the captain of A-X-9.
It was a calm journey to the forest. They would reach the northeastern corner of California in approximately two hours. In the meantime, the Blackjacks readied up for the trek across a realm unsafe for humans. In the back seat, Jerome and Bryce reconstructed their rifles for future use. They reattached certain pieces as Otis had nothing else to do in the passenger seat. Lionel kept giving him sideview glances in case of any suspicious activity.

  Bryce had finished up with his Steyr AUG A3, an assault rifle with an innovative design.

  Lionel kept his eyes on the road when he said, “Bryce, things can get a little rough when we get to the forest. I hope you brought your grenade launcher.”

  Bryce replied, “I did. I’ll get it ready when we get there.”

  “Good.”

  Otis finally said something. “You better be careful. All those swords and spears. Once you find them, you’ll never want to let go of them.”

  Lionel interrupted him. “All you’re doing is trying to scare them, and it’s not going to work.”

  “They’ve never seen the artillery. You can never tell what’s going to happen when they take them away from Artyom.”

  “Maybe it’s best that you don’t say anything.”

  “Oh, but I have to. These two don’t even realize what these ancient weapons meant to the old society.”

  Bryce kept his assault rifle close. “Sorry, pal. I’m not in the mood for a history lesson.”

  “But it’s important. These things actually meant something. You wouldn’t want to bring them to the Chairman just so he could permanently delete them. These aren’t just the kind of things that your parents have been laughing about after Gorvex took over. They are important.”

  Lionel tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “That’s enough out of you.”

  “Why don’t you tell them? Go ahead. Tell them what you are capable of if you ever obtain these weapons.”

  Lionel caught a glimpse of his son on the rearview mirror. Jerome’s curiosity never left his face. He leaned in to hear what Otis and his father had to say.