03 - Eye for an Eye

This entire Book concerns the problems and solutions incurred when a bounty is put on Browstone's head by the Harriken. The entire book is therefore laid out by Chapters, affording a sequential timeline.

Chapter 01

Reminiscing with Father McCartney about earliest years when extreme thunderstorm alert warning was broadcast . Curtail travel until Monday. Driving home, when Shay calls, warns him that there’s a bounty on his hear for $500,000, maybe more, so be careful, and whatever will be happening will be happening soon. His reaction was, “Bring it, fuckers. I’m feeling pissy, and I’m bored.” Checked out his armament - of multiple pistols, magazines, knives for stabbing, knives for throwing, potions, his amulet necklace, and even a few jammers in case drones showed up. New gray coat good for concealment. A go-case sat in the back seat of his truck, containing even more weapons and fun treats for dishing out death and destruction. Had one errand to do then BBQ show time – new series of Barbecue Wars: The Next Generation. A few minutes later, a mercenary pulled in front of the house and launched two rockets at the house, front door, and burning house. House exploded (gas line), and the merc drove away, satisfied he had killed Brownstone.

Chapter 02

They’d blown up his house, his BBQ grill and his signed recipe books ! And his truck! Wood and metal debris were embedded in the hood and the passenger window, including a charred two-by-four. It looked like some giant shotgun had blasted his truck. When he started it, Check Engine light went on. James warns firefighters of explosives in basement, everyone drew back, and a few seconds later it all went up. Called the Professor for help, a place to stay. Shay called, checking in. Just back from out-of-country archaeological stint, and heard the news. Brownstone vowed vengeance, and Shay wants him to wait for her, so she can help. James asks that if anything happens to him, she would take care of Alison, and hung up.

Chapter 03

Harriken leader Jiro Ikeda plans on how to eliminate Brownstone. Had put bounty on his head, and now Sergeant Cartwright (Graystone Mercenaries) was here to collect it, acting arrogantly disrespectful. Called the Harriken full of “jumped-up Yakuza bull—”. Jiro pulled a sword out from beneath the desk and had the tip at Cartwright’s throat in a flash. (“One cannot demand respect. One earns respect through actions and demonstrations of one’s willingness to pursue such actions.” Jiro dirtied himself by relying to such scum, but with the local forces depleted the Harriken needed any help they could find. He would remember this Cartwright’s arrogance for the future.) Cartwright demanded the bounty, the Harriken would not pay up without the body, or at least the head. Graystone leader, Colonel Graystone, had never dealt with a total wipe-out. We took the original job on without enough intel, and we lost forty men because of it. We need to be more careful this time.” “No, we’ll let Brownstone thin everyone out. Once he’s tired and off-balance, we’ll finish him.” Brownstone goes to Police station, talks to Mack, who doesn’t want LA turned into a war zone. Tell that to the Harriken. Brownstone warns the police –“ The last thing anyone, AET or otherwise, should be doing is getting between me and the fuckers who come after me unless they want to get hurt.”

Chapter 04

Shay was worried about Brownstone. He might be tough and have a lot of experience hunting criminals, but he’d probably gotten too used to them not working together. Shay had witnessed the vicious beauty of a criminal collective focused on a single goal too many times to underestimate the danger. From what she saw on the dark net , it was ten-to-one against Brownstone surviving more than a couple of weeks. Location of last sighting given. Brownstone took his truck in to be repaired. Probably over $10K to do it. Do it. Needed to go somewhere safe, at least for a couple of minutes so he could get his bearings and take care of a few important personal matters. Saw Oriceran Consulate. James had heard that despite locating the consulate in a rougher part of town, crime near the place was all but non-existent. The Oricerans weren’t offering much of a presence outside of the consulate, but the fact that they were there had scared off most normal criminals. It used to be that death was the worst thing that could happen to a criminal. These days, a man could end up a zombie or have his soul sucked out. In the end fear kept everyone in line, no matter what planet you were on. Maybe will go there. Calls Alison, checking in. Looking forward to visit next week-end (if he was still breathing). Walked away. Not considering Oriceran yet.

Chapter 05

Brownstone called Tyler (Dark Sun Bar) for information. Wants location of local Harriken base. Tyler initially refuses, but when is paid half up front, and other half on delivery of address, he sends address. Brownstone goes to car rental, chooses a Humvee, older model, as simple as possible, but with LOTS of insurance! Shay flying to LA, overhears lots of conspiracy talk about Oriceran taking over USA. Just hopes Brownstone lasts until she can get there. Absolute Zero, hit man, on a motorcycle, believes Brownstone’s only real power was spreading bullshit and having people buy into it. Brownstone saw him, turned off over an embankment, and drove towards an abandoned industrial complex. Zero got there, could not find Brownstone. Then saw old Humvee pull into an abandoned warehouse.

Chapter 06

Brownstone sends Zero tumbling, taunts him for coming after him. Ikeda, hacked into the LAPD’s drone system, watches it all, orders a hit man to go after Brownstone. A pawn, to tire him out more. Lieutenant Hall wants Brownstone to kill Zero, so they’ll have an absolute case of murder to put out an APB for his arrest. Wants to take Brownstone down. (See Character, Maria Hall). Disappointed he left without doing more damage, waving at LAPD drone as he leaves. Hall instructs, “ Just write it up. I’m sure I’ll have a list of crimes and infractions a mile long by the time this is over. We’ll wait until we have a rock-solid case to bring that bastard in.”

Chapter 07

Brownstone hungry, so orders BBQ from Phillip’s Bar-B-Que, to be picked up, as didn’t want to hang around for innocent people to get killed. Recognized by owner, on phone. “I’ll want a picture of you for our celebrity wall, whenever you’ve done kicking ass in the name of truth, barbecue, and the American way.” Saw another bounty hunter, on a motorcycle, approaching him. Swerved, knocked the biker down, the gun out of his hand, and kept going. Had BBQ to pick up. Cyclist had broken bones, wasn’t going anywhere but the hospital. As he laid there, an LAPD drone came over his head, notifying him of his arrest.

Chapter 08

Another hit man drove up on the first hit man in the warehouse, and slit his throat. Congratulations, Brownstone. (Hall). There’s now officially someone else out there that’s pissed me off more than you have today. Will call Delroy Washington, in the anti-gang task force, as Esteban, another hit man, will be going after Brownstone. This is the exact kind of crap they’ve been worried about. Possible gang warfare. Brownstone picks up BBQ, talks about picture on wall. Owner wants Nadina on wall, too. They used to be regulars on the same barbecue forum. He knew her from before she was on the show (Barbecue Wars).” “What the hell do I care if an elf is cooking barbecue? It’s changed a lot over the years, even on Earth. If we can’t agree on what true barbecue is even in this country, we don’t have a right to say that some elf can’t do true barbecue. For all we know, they are closer to the true spirit of barbecue.” Calls Shay, asks her to go to Alison rather than coming to him. Just make sure she’s OK.

Chapter 09

Brownstone, sitting eating his BBQ, wondered how long it would take for the drones and hitmen to find him again. Ten minutes later he noticed some guy in a flashy red late-model Chevy Silverado . A couple of more minutes later, a drone. Hall and Washington now working together. Hall, still going after Brownstone said, “I figured out where he was going, and I’ve already called the locals and told them to not risk engagement. We’ll wait for our chance to take Brownstone down, assuming he doesn’t blow up half the county first.” “He hasn’t done too much damage so far,” Delroy reminded her. “At least, not as much as I would have predicted. We’ve got to give him credit for doing his best to draw his attackers away from civilians.” “I don’t have to give him any credit. If he wasn’t so flashy and arrogant we wouldn’t have this problem now.” As Brownstone needed gas for the Humvee, he had to find a place with little traffic, so he could have a few safe minutes free to service the car. Would also jam the drones overhead, so the LAPD and their hacked system would not tell other hit men where he was. “We’ll just add the reckless driving to our punch list of citation.” Hall sighed. “I’m guessing that by the time this is over, major car accidents will be the least of our worries.”

Chapter 10

Tyler needs to make money from Brownstone’s activities, so starts a betting pool on when he will go down. Shay gets call from Brownstone, decides to honor his request, to go to Virginia, to Alison. Esteban decides to use Isabella, his sniper rifle, to kill Brownstone, not his knife.

Chapter 11

11 Mack calls Brownstone to warn him about the surveillance on him. “There are a lot of eyes on you right now in the department, especially the gang guys and AET. The point is, those eyes are on you because they’re waiting for you to fuck up, not because they are going to come in and save your ass if things get too hot. I think any decent cop wants less trouble, not more, so telling somebody about how to avoid trouble is the right move, regardless of the source. There’s a hot location ahead of you,” the cop said. “At least three suspects are set up in a parking lot right next to an exit. I think they’re waiting for you to get close, and they are going to nail you together, with automatic weapons. And one of them is an elf. The general party line seems to be that as long as any of these assholes are only focused on you we shouldn’t risk going after them and spreading the trouble.” “In other words, the cops are letting a bunch of hitmen wander free because they think either I’ll do their jobs for them or the hitmen will take care of me.” Mack gave him directions on routes that would help him avoid the set-up. The ambush is set. Kayla Malone, with armor-piercing rifle to take out the car. Dmitri with the magical strength-enhancing gloves, and Vex, the elf, with sight which told him that Brownstone was not coming their way. Had detoured. All three take off, to find him. Esteban watches the three take off. Will watch the encounter, use the information in his pursuit and the eventual destruction of Brownstone. Shay calls Brownstone, tells him she’s on her way to Virginia, to be with Alison. James could now concentrate completely on delivering beat-down after beat-down to all the assholes coming after him, secure in the knowledge that Alison would be taken care of one way or another.

Chapter 12

Trey and the gang decide to clean up Brownstone’s house, give back anything they might find of value. He’s got their back, so they’ll show him the respect due, and help out as they can. Gets a call from Laguna Beach HOAs. Please don’t go in their direction, as they don’t want their homes and property values destroyed. The three cars catch up to him, so he pulls off and takes a stand. Kayla uses the rifle, nicks him on the cheek. He shoots the elf, and Dmitri comes at him with the strength-enhancing gloves. Enhances legs, too, for close fighting. Brownstone beginning to think he might need the necklace. Dmitri comes in for the kill.

Chapter 13

Brownstone lures him into close fighting, knifes him in the throat, killing him. Cops come, arrest Kayla. Give him warning that more are on the way. Mack goes into Operations room, reams out Washington and Hall for not supporting James in any way – harassing the Harriken, using AET drones, etc., to cause them trouble. They agree. Esteban had watched the fight, and fired a tracker into the Humvee while the others were busy. Would now be able to find Brownstone whenever he wanted, at his own convenience. Brownstone wanted a break, and a chance to eat more BBQ. At least that was undamaged! Time to rest!

Chapter 14

Brownstone decides to make a final stand at Coto de Caza, a private gated community with LOTS of empty, private land in back of it, so civilians wouldn’t get killed. If he could get rid of the private hunters, he could go after the Harriken. Called the Professor, asked for some favors. Esteban called off the hunt for the night. Too many things in Brownstone’s favor. Would get to him tomorrow. Brownstone called Alison, got Shay. School pooh-poohed dangers, but let her stay. Alison OK. Tyler making LOTS of money on the Brownstone odds.

Chapter 15

Brownstone goes to Coto, gets guest pass. Professor had set it up. Registered under Thomas McCartney. The community was seven miles long and a couple of miles wide. His destination, Crow Canyon, was the eastern edge of the community, an area which would allow him easy access to mostly private hilly terrain. It was a great place to gather hitmen and lead them to their doom without random buildings getting destroyed. Met with Professor, received two borrowed items. The first will work for five minutes, the second for two minutes. Only problem was that he’d have to ditch the Humvee- expensive, but hoped insurance would cushion the blow. Created a portable go-bag, with needed items. A few Ziploc bags filled with ice and BBQ ribs, and along with some bottles of water. Alison can now tell when people are lying to her. Very handy talent! Shay tells her about the bounty money, all of the people Brownstone might have to kill. Alison understands, and also expresses idea that she’s experiencing an overwhelming urge to hurt people, too.

Chapter 16

Brownstone sets his trap, hiking into the vacant land, finding a hilltop, setting off flares so that he could be identified. Santa Margarita Police Force find him first, will attempt to rescue him. Larry, the Gate Guard, had to let hitmen in. The guns told him so. Mack calls Brownstone, bawls hm out for bringing attention to himself when he had almost been in the clear. (Adds trespassing to list of misdemeanors.) Team discusses plan, let Brownstone help take care of Harriken at same time. “Let’s just say maybe I think Mack had a point earlier, and I don’t think taking Brownstone out of circulation is a good idea, long-term. If this whole situation ends with a bunch more hit men in jail and a lot of Harriken gone… Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to sleep better at night.” Hall dropped into a chair, gazing at him with murderous intent. “Whatever. I’m going to keep adding to his list of infractions. I don’t want Brownstone coming out ahead when this is all said and done.”

Chapter 17

Brownstone waited for them all. Expected four vehicles, ten showed up, with twenty hitmen. He used a mirror to tell them here he was, and bullets started flying, including one glowing green globe (ranged magic). James keeping to a southward direction, resting every once in a while for the hitmen to catch up. Since no one had picked him off with a high-powered rifle yet, he assumed his pursuers were mostly a pistol-and-shotgun crew. Hid in a crag, waited for some of them to go by, rolled off the side of the ledge and landed right behind the first mercenary, then reached around and slit his throat. Killed three, enough to keep them coming after him. Colonel Graystone hears of Alison, in school in Virginia, might need to visit her. Tyler hedges his bets – is now betting that Brownstone will live through it all.

Chapter 18

Shay and Alison at school. Some environmentalist groups want MMO ( Magically-modified organism) warning labels added to anything magic has touched. They were mad about some companies using magic to help grow crops, especially in certain places with crappy soil.” A lot of people have been going on about the potential health risks and all that, saying a lot of us might end up with cancer in thirty years because of traces of magic in food and water. There’s even going to be a vote on a referendum about it in California in the next election. If it passes, people will have to label any food that comes in contact with magic at any point from when it’s grown or caught to when it gets to the store, even if it’s just like there was a witch nearby casting spells when they packed it.” Also discuss how wrong Earth history is concerning magic and Ornicerans. (See Miscellaneous, Earth/Orniceran History) Hit men still trying to find Brownstone, almost time to spring his trap. As all of the hit men converged on Brownstone, the US Marines popped up, regiments of them, ready to take down the “terrorists” trespassing on Camp Pendleton. And Vasquez, a lady Marine, found and captured Esteban just as he was planning to eliminate Brownstown. As Esteban said, “Well played, Fate. Well played.”

Chapter 19

All well and good. Had used the invisibility ring to disappear many times, the floating ring to fly right over everyone, and get out. Now that the independents were out of the way, will go after the Harriken. Bought more BBQ ribs at Phillips, going back to blasted house to see what was left. Now in second rented Humvee. There was no separation anymore between the basement and the ground floor. The explosions, or perhaps whoever had cleaned up, had removed the few remaining parts of the basement ceiling. What was left resembled a partially-excavated ash-filled pit more than anything else. Brownstone thought that someone had looted anything left, and was angry. Then Trey drove up in an old red ford F-350, talked about what had happened. Brownstone made a request of Trey. “I don’t need you to kill anyone. I know not everything will have survived, but I had some lockboxes and safes that held valuables and some equipment in the basement. It looks like someone looted it. I need you to ask around. I don’t need the guys dead. If they’re willing to give it back, I’ll let it go for now.” Trey responded,“Look inside, motherfucker. That’s why I’m here. I decided it was time for me to become the motherfucking UPS.” James stepped over to look into the truck bed. Scorched lockboxes and safes filled the back. “I wanted to make sure no bitches jacked your shit while you were off handling your business,” Trey told him. James picked up a strongbox and then set it down on the sidewalk. “Since you already found my stuff, I have another favor to ask. Hold onto it for a couple more days.” James patted one of the containers. “I’ll pay you a finder’s and storage fee. I still have some ass to kick, and I don’t want this shit getting blown up during that.” Trey gave James a little salute. “I like the sound of a finder’s fee.”

Chapter 20

Time to go after the Harriken. Message from Mack, check out recent bounties. The government had issued a dead-or-alive organizational bounty on the Harriken in LA. In the United States. James had mostly seen organizational bounties applied to terrorist groups. From what he could tell from the notice any Harriken who surrendered to the police immediately would be exempt, but otherwise it was open season on the Japanese gangsters if a bounty hunter was brave enough—or dumb enough—to go after an entire vicious gang. Even if people didn’t want to go after the whole organization, individual Harriken on the street could be taken down by other bounty hunters. It wasn’t like a person needed to be a Class-Six bounty hunter to take on an individual Harriken enforcer. The level of intervention necessary to get an organizational bounty, even one limited to the city level, exceeded the power of someone like Sergeant Mack. Some high-ranking people in the LAPD would have had to push for this type of bounty to be issued, which meant several people had tried to intervene on his behalf, likely from multiple departments. someone in the LAPD might have seen the opportunity for him to clean house for them. If he died it was as a bounty hunter going after bounties, but if he succeeded he could cripple the Harriken and put an end to their attempt to reestablish themselves in Los Angeles. Another email told him of the layout of the Harriken headquarters. Tougher than he thought. Needed sniper equipment, and even the amulet, as he couldn’t be sure he could take a sniper shot to the head. Alison is changing. Hair growing out fast, becoming more white. Seemed more bloodthirsty. Influenced by her Mother’s side? Shay troubled.

Chapter 21

Brownstone in position to take out Harriken snipers. Had called Harriken to tell them he was coming. Needed them to be afraid. Shot all four snipers. Time to go after the group. He reached under his shirt and yanked away the piece of paper separating the amulet from his chest, gritted his teeth; pain spread from the contact point and swept over his body as the amulet sank into his chest. He took a few deep cleansing breaths as the pain began to ebb. The still unintelligible whispers rose in his mind. The bonding process was complete once again. Police vehicles and police officers had created a perimeter around the Harriken building and a dozen drones patrolled the skies. James made his way to Delroy Washington. He was told, “We already took out their security drones, so you just have to clean out the inside. Just to be clear, Brownstone, no one’s here to save your ass. We’re here to make sure no one stumbles into this and gets caught in the crossfire. If this shit goes south a lot of cops—including me—are going to look like dumb asses, and it’s not going to make us happy with you.” Brownstone looked over to two AET vans parked farther back. Black-armored AET team members stood in front of the vans, weapons at the ready. Most wore helmets. “Lieutenant Hall doesn’t trust you, and yeah, she pretty much is aching to take you down.” Detective Washington shrugged. “But if you limit the violence and destruction to the Harriken, she’s only going to be able to make sure you have to pay some fines. “ Movement! Innocent people came out of the front doors, surrendering to the police. This told Brownstone that the Harriken knew they were going to die. Brownstone advances, and the Harriken are ready, with their own surprises.

Chapter 22

Brownstone used telekinesis to send in his grenades. Goes from room to room, clearing, killing. From the start of the battle, the amulet had whispered in his mind in its strange language. Even if he didn’t understand the words, each kill seemed to excite whatever consciousness was responsible for the whispers. Bullet after bullet struck him, sending jolts of pain through his body but not penetrating his hardened skin. Survived a grenade, started up to the second floor. Attacked by guns and magical crossbow. A single Harriken with a violet aura and glowing red eyes charged through. “Akira Nakamura, and I have been honored by our leader with the power to kill you.” It didn’t work. Brownstone took him out, and found that his power came from a huge tattoo on his chest, an eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent. The tattoo glowed faintly violet but was fading quickly. Brownstone attacked by man with mini-gun, shot his feet out from under him, killed him with a grenade.

Chapter 23

Sixth floor, thirty minutes later. The amulet’s whispers had become less excited and more measured, as if it were satisfied with his bloody progress. Rocket almost gets him, finishing off his coat. “Rest in peace, coat. I’ll buy your sibling soon enough.” His pants remained intact, but his shirt had more holes than fabric at this point. Light burns and lacerations covered his skin, but after killing scores of men and taking on multiple magical artifacts and several explosions he was doing pretty well all things considered. Up another flight, towards another door. Fakes out thirty Harriken with an empty rocket launcher, uses up all his ammo, decides knife, hands and feet would be enough. Only fifteen left. Killed them, went to another, carved door, exclusive office. Meets with Jiro Ikeda, the Harriken leader in America. Threatens to kill Brownstone with the blade of a Masamune tachi. “He was the greatest swordsmith this world has ever known. This blade was one of his greatest achievements, but the metallurgy he used to craft his blades has been lost to time. None have been able to replicate it. “ His amulet’s whisper became frantic. Jiro stabbed Brownstone with the sword, and agony blossomed through his abdomen. Ikeda’s sword was embedded in his stomach and there was blood seeping from the wound.

Chapter 24

Brownstone threw his last knife at Ikeda, striking him in his throat. His sword clattered to the ground and he fell to his knees, gurgling. The bounty hunter fumbled the healing potion out of his pouch and swallowed the contents. The pain faded and his flesh mended before his eyes. James slid down the wall to the floor and rested until every wound and burn on his body disappeared. He gulped down an energy potion next, shaking when the burn hit. Then goes into Ikeda’s office, rifles through his artifacts, keeps what looked interesting, several porcelain cups mended with gold, a left hand in a jar. And, of course, the sword. Had a garbage can full of loot. Called Alison, reassured her. Wondered if he should tell her about her mother’s wish. Even though he’d stopped the hitmen and defeated the Harriken, that didn’t mean he would win the next time. James had almost fucked up. If he hadn’t had the healing potion with him, there was a good chance he might have bled out. Alison tells him about necklace- wears it, everyone wants one like it. Talked with Shay, all OK, and she told him about her bet – that she had placed a big bet that he would live, so had made a LOT of money! Tells her he’s bringing her a Masamune tachi as a gift, from the Harriken battle. (The sword) Tyler had also bet a lot of money on Brownstone, and had also made a ton of money. Shay, in a restaurant in Charlottesville, sees two men, and gets suspicious. Sees a picture of Alison on their phone as she walks by and learns (from Peyton) that they are from Grayson PMC Service, mercenaries, John and Kendrick. Shay entices them into an alley, kills them both. Graystone will just have to wonder about who killed them.

Chapter 25

Brownstone surveys his almost vacant lot, trying to recapture the simplicity of his life. Mack pulls up, asks him if he’s going to stay in the neighborhood. Brownstone says yes, he likes the neighborhood, so Mac offers him a rental studio apartment, one he owns, to stay in until the rebuilding is finished. And they can talk BBQing! As soon as Mack leaves, Trey pull up, in his F-350, asks how long rebuilding will take. About four months is the estimate, if the contractors can find all of the stuff left on the lot. Trey says, . “Okay, I hear you, motherfucker. No bitch-ass thieves will be stealing from your new motherfucking house. It ain’t gonna be a good thing if anything goes missing, and if it does I’ll make sure it’s replaced by something better. Welcome back, Mr. Brownstone. Welcome back.” Colonel Graystone hears about his two men getting killed in Virginia (not be Brownstone, he was in LA), begins to think the whole thing isn’t worth it, and says, “Recall all of our men who are looking into the Brownstone matter. Let everyone know that Grayson will have nothing to do with James Brownstone, Class-Six bounty hunter. We won’t accept any work offers or contracts that involve attacking him or defending people from him. For now, we’re going to keep out of Brownstone’s crosshairs.” Shay and Brownstone out to dinner in Beverly Hills Steak House, Brownstone in business casual, sports coat, button-up, and slacks. Shay finally has admitted to herself that she really likes Brownstone, and doesn’t know what to do about it. Brownstone presents her with a tubular authenticator device, keyed to her DNA, which will provide access to all of the bounty money she has earned. Also, he had put the Kintsugi porcelain cups repaired with gold in the box, also. “These magical kintsugi cups filter poison and maybe do some other stuff; I don’t know.” Shay thanks him profusely. Shay overhears a couple of women talking about Brownstone, and suddenly realized she was jealous! Shay’s finally has admitted to herself that she really likes Brownstone, and doesn’t know what to do about it.

Epilogue

Grandfather received a box from an unknown source, opened it, found a severed left hand packed in ice. Ikeda had managed to disappoint him, even in death.

03 - Eye for an Eye

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