Fan Fiction: Short Stories
The Shadow: Dark Mist Emerging
by Jesse E. Jones
Chapter 1
Kent joined the man in one of the Humvees. After riding for a while, Kent looked out at the barren desert. I won't miss this place at all, he thought to himself. There appeared to be nothing but desert and blackened, hollowed-out vehicles everywhere. They came to a make-shift airport where a sleek black passenger jet was waiting.
"That is not a military aircraft," said Kent.
"And this is not a military mission either," replied the well-dressed man, winking at Kent.
"Fair enough."
They boarded the aircraft and Kent noticed that it was more like a private jet than a military jet. This was partially because of the first-class seating and the scantily-dressed flight attendants. There was, however, a part of the plane that was set up for parachute jumps. There was also the heavily-armed security.
"I guess when you go all out…you go all out," said Kent.
"Only the best sir. Only the best. Would you like a drink?"
"No. I like to have my wits about me when I'm on a mission."
"Suit yourself. Miss…" the man motioned to a flight attendant, "May I have a Dirty Martini? Light on the ice."
"Yes sir. I'll have that right to you. Who's the new… um…client?"
"Someone we hope to be doing much work with in the future. Much work."
"Right, so what exactly am I to be doing for you?" asked Kent, looking at the disappearing runway and the soon-to-disappear Afghani countryside.
"Well… I see we talk shop wherever we go, Mr. Allard." said the well-dressed man. "We are going to Tibet to extricate some valuable merchandise."
"You mean steal."
"Stealing is such a…distasteful word, Mr. Allard," he replied. "What we are going there for is…more than just simple…breaking and entering. This place is a hidden monastery and is supposedly well guarded. This is where your -- beg the expression -- expertise comes in."
"So…it's like robbing a church," quipped Kent in return.
"Anyway, you will have to find this place…we can only take you so far. You will go in with some other operatives and a G.P.S.," said the well-dressed man. "After that…you are on your own."
"What's in it for me?" asked Kent.
"You keep everything that you find, except a scroll…the scroll is what we are after."
"Fine," said Kent impatiently. "You said something of a laptop?"
"Yes. The laptop is connected to a separate satellite uplink that will allow you to communicate with us when you have found the scroll."
"Am I told what scroll to look for…or will any old scroll do?"
"This scroll is kept in a gold case with a dragon on top of the case…kind of hard to miss." the man quipped back. "You are now officially the leader of The Black Eagles."
"Lucky me."
"Well Mr. Allard, I am going in the back to relax a while. You will be given your supplies once we reach Tibetan airspace. Good day to you." The well-dressed man went in the back and Kent laid back in his seat. It's going to be a long ride, Kent thought to himself.
Kent was shaken awake. Looking through blurry eyes, he saw the well-dressed man above him.
"We are getting close Mr. Allard… better get suited up."
As Kent went towards the back of the plane, he noticed a symbol on the crates: a black eagle with talons holding a scroll in one and a spear in the other. Never mind that now, thought Kent, just think about the mission. He was given a flight suit and a parachute. The suit, which was all black with a Kevlar vest and a helmet with night vision goggles attached, looked like something out of a science fiction story. After Kent put it on, he was handed his laptop.
"Do not worry…" said the well-dressed man, "it is bulletproof and waterproof. It's nearly indestructible."
"Who's worried?" Kent returned.
"Here are the men who are going with you." The well-dressed man motioned towards a group of about eight men, all dressed similarly to Kent. "Good luck and Godspeed."
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