Mission: Killer Instinct

Bethlehem, PA

October 5, 2035

The cold autumn air blew through the quiet Pennsylvania town as the sun peaked out of the partly cloudy sky. The whole town of Bethlehem was all decked out for the fall season and more importantly, their Halloween festival. However, this wasn't a time for tricks and treats, zombies and ghouls, things were about to get serious.

Off the main street, Agent Kevin Graves sat in his non-descriptive vehicle keeping watch. He had been parked on the quiet neighborhood street for roughly a few hours. No one, not even a passing police vehicle dared to stop to check on him. Even on a good day, when he wouldn't be working, Kevin could have enjoyed the blissfulness of the town's fall festivities or even play a few games of craps at the famous Wind Creek Casino. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case, as he exhaled deeply as he knew what he was in for.

On his dashboard touchscreen was a report of his target, Roland Myers. At first glance, Roland seemed like your average citizen. However, this guy had a dark past. Kevin had read through his file numerous times before making the long trek from KITE Headquarters. Roland had a rap sheet that was a mile long of offenses that could put a petty criminal to shame. Just two years prior, he was discharged from the army for subordination among other interesting offenses. After that, is when his story took a whole wild turn. It was reported that Roland had made several calls to an unknown name that later came back as a possible contact under terrorist organization, YAMMI. This raised a red flag with KITE as they have dealt with YAMMI in years past. The kicker of it all, Roland was also a convicted killer! The trail had led Kevin to Roland's hometown, Bethlehem.

With all that information, Kevin knew what he had to do. He had to find him, and bring him to justice, even if he had to kill him. Kevin exhaled deeply as he clicked his dashboard tablet off. He reached into a case that was laying in the back seat and procured his weapon, the Stun-Max 300. He inspected it carefully and holstered it. He calmly watched the quiet street. He exhaled again as he leaned back in his seat.

Kevin felt as shiver as he thought about Roland. Why would he come back to his hometown? What is going on in his deranged mind? Is this a suicide mission to benefit himself or his so-called contact with his nemesis, YAMMI?

Another shiver made him wonder, and it was the same daunting fact that came up in his file. The story of Roland's descent into madness, into the dark side of life. A life of murder, and chaos. What made him kill three innocent people in one night just days before the Halloween Festival? What pushed him over the edge? Was it drugs or was it his own psyche?

So many questions left Kevin bothered. The only way to answer those questions, was to find him. Kevin tried to put himself into this guy's shoes to figure him out. The only thing he would figure out is that Roland is like every wanted criminal KITE ever faced. Deranged, cold and calculated.

Kevin kept a sharp eye on the street as he tried to envision Roland's life. The cold killer part of Roland's story. The story, according to a police report obtained by KITE intel, years before joining the service, Roland was living in Bethlehem with a girlfriend at the time. On the night of October 28, police were called to Roland's home after reports of a domestic altercation. Upon arrival, they found two dead bodies in the house, one was Roland's girlfriend. She was strangled to death. The other dead body was a friend of Roland's that was shot to death. However, Roland wasn't home. He was found at the loading dock of a hardware store where another victim was found bludgeoned to death by a hammer. When Roland was questioned by police, he claimed self-defense for the guy had snuck up on him. As for what happened at the house, Roland said he discovered they were having an affair. He had come home and found his girlfriend strangled to death and he shot his friend out of self-defense. Roland claimed he ran out of fear and went to hide at the hardware he was working at.

That was the story, however a full forensics report proved that Roland was behind all three murders. Roland had strangled his girlfriend and killed his cheating friend with a gun that was registered to his friend. Then the story gets interesting, which raised suspicion for Kevin. A year and a half later, Roland came up for parole and after good behavior review, his sentence was reduced. Kevin didn't believe that part of the story not one bit. Five years later, Roland somehow fulfilled some community services which reduced his sentence even further, and eventually he was out 2 years later.

The thought of this, just made Kevin wonder. How could a killer turn himself around for a life sentence for three murders and then join the service? A scary thought came across Kevin's mind as he finally snapped to attention.

Kevin saw his target, Roland come around the corner onto the main throughfare. From what Kevin saw, Roland looked slightly different from his mug shot on file. Roland was described as being five foot eight, with shaggy dark hair and a small goatee. However, that picture was years old, Roland had cut his hair short and had slimmed down a little.

Kevin watched his target walk up the street towards a small store. He watched him go in. Before Kevin could try to get out to pursue, Roland had exited the store and continued up the street. He had to move quick, Kevin exited the vehicle, with his weapon hidden under his jacket. He quietly and slowed trailed Roland. He had to maintain a distance where he wouldn't be spotted and not lose sight of his target.

Roland continued up the street. The sounds of the festival looming in the distance. Kevin felt his heart pounding as he continued to follow Roland. A little kid ran pass him as Roland started to pick up the pace. Kevin watched him cross the street in front of a church. Kevin quickly picked up speed as a jogger ran pass him. He could feel his stun max shaking in his holster under his jacket.

He rounded the corner as Roland had stopped to talk with someone standing in the doorway of a nearby shop. He quickly turned away to avoid suspicion. He waited for a moment as a small group of kids, mainly girls, crossed the street in front of him almost creating a thin wall of cover. He moved slightly as he watched Roland continue down the street.

Quick as he can, he continued his way down the street. He took a mental note of the store, he had stopped at. It was a small old-fashioned bookstore. He watched Roland turn off the street and onto a stoned path that led downhill. Kevin caught on to where he was going. He was heading towards the festival grounds.

Another scary thought crossed his mind, what exactly could he have planned for the festival? Something good or is there something lurking in the shadows?

Kevin stopped at the top of the stone path as he noticed it was a long and winding path. Off to his left was an area with an overlook. He moved towards the overlook and watched Roland work his way down the path. He watched Roland stop briefly at the bottom, Kevin wondered what he was doing. A second later, Roland had lit up a cigarette before continuing his walk. Kevin slowly made his way down the path trying to keep his distance between them.

As he was halfway down the path, he noticed Roland approaching a mailbox that was stationed just near a nearby information shack just outside the entrance of the festival grounds. Roland reached behind the box and procured what looked like a black briefcase. Kevin felt his heart jump. What did he just pick up? He gulped and picked up the pace, trying to not draw attention to himself.

He quickly made his way down the steps, slowing to let a few people pass by. He made it to the bottom of the steps and stopped. What now? Kevin thought. A convicted killer is on the festival grounds with something potentially dangerous.

He had to think quick. He could only imagine what twisted plan this madman could do in a quiet Pennsylvania town. Kevin had no choice now, he had to kill him.

Kevin raced towards the entrance of the grounds. His eyes darted in all directions to seek out Roland. He had lost sight temporary. He calmly made his way through the almost busy grounds where people were setting up tents, food carts and other various activities. The stench of buttered popcorn hit his nostrils. He heard a few voices nearby which gave him a hint of where his target might be. Kevin cautiously turned towards a half-constructed tent to see two men in fairgrounds uniforms, and a third who had just walked away from them. For a brief moment, he caught a glimpse of a black briefcase in the guy's hand.

I found you or did you find me? Kevin thought. He cautiously slipped between a nearby table and arcade game. He was trying to get a better vantage point of his target. Kevin could only hope he can catch up to him and stop him.

Finally, after a few moments of weaving through obstacles like tables and arcade games, he caught up to his target. Kevin held his ground as he watched Roland from afar, walk up to a stage setup with the briefcase. He watched Roland lay the case down on the edge of the stage and open it. From where Kevin was standing, he couldn't see what was in it. He noticed Roland just peer into the case for like a moment or two, Roland then reached in and pulled out something. Kevin flinched when he realized what he had taken, a submachine gun with a unique curled barrelhead. He felt his heart skip a beat when he realized what gun it was. It was called a Blackthorne. A weapon of choice used by many within YAMMI.

I knew it! A traitor and a sellout. Kevin thought. He watched Roland clamber onto the stage. Already set on the stage was a drum set and keyboard set up. They were prepping the stage for the band. And Roland slipped it behind the drum set.

Kevin now had a choice, move in and take him out quickly and quietly or wait. It was a matter of life and death now. A cold breeze blew through the air. Kevin exhaled deeply and slowly moved from his hiding spot as Roland perused through the case.

Careful now Kevin said to himself. Don't spook him.

Kevin made his way slowly towards the stage area. He stopped briefly to try to blend in and make himself feel like a festival worker. Roland just continued to hang out on the stage. He slipped behind a nearby bush and edged his way towards the tech area of the stage. He kept Roland in his line of sight as he finally approached the stage. He could hear Roland's heavy breathing as he worked on something on the stage. Kevin carefully retrieved his Stun-Max and ducked in between a few technical equipment boxes and lighting rigs. He could hear Roland exhaling deeply. He watched Roland fiddle with a few electrical cables. It was now or never. Kevin emerged from his hiding spot and raised his gun to the back of Roland.

"Roland Myers." Kevin said in a moderately pitch tone.

Roland stiffened but didn't turn around. He exhaled again.

"How long have you been following me?" He said in a low, calm, but dreadful voice.

"Long enough to know your real allegiance." Kevin replied after a moment or two.

"Who are you with? CIA? FBI?" Roland asked still with his back to him.

"Neither. And it doesn't concern you." Kevin said. "Now listen, I have orders to bring you in. Unfortunately, after what I just witnessed my orders have been changed."

"Really, you're going to kill someone with his back turned?" Roland said sarcastically. "Pathetic."

"No, I just need some answers. You don't give me what I want, I'll put you to pasture. How appropriate considering where we are." Kevin said.

"Ok." Roland said as he tried to look over his shoulder trying to look Kevin in the eyes.

"Don't turn around." Kevin barked.

"Really? I can't look my killer in the eye before he kills me." Roland said with a small chuckle.

"That's the pot calling the kettle black." Kevin quipped. Roland stiffened again.

"You know more than you know about me?" Roland asked.

"Yes. I know about the murders, the discharge from the service, but what gets me is how a life sentence for you got reduced and you getting out of it." Kevin said in wonder.

"You really want to know?" Roland said with a growing glee in his voice.

"Not really, I have my own conclusions and I'm keeping it to myself." Kevin said, as he adjusted the grip on his Stun-Max.

"What would you like to know?" asked Roland.

"How did you get that gun?" Kevin asked as he fingered the trigger.

"A friend of mine." replied Roland as he slightly lowered his arms.

"Keep your hands where I can see them." barked Kevin. Roland slowly raised his hands in the air.

"For a spy, you seem to act like a cop. I hate cops." Roland chuckled.

"Focus, Roland. Tell me what you plan on doing?" Kevin said angerly.

"If you insist, me and few others are planning a demonstration of sorts." replied Roland.

Those words sent a chill up Kevin's spine. He knew what that meant, and it wasn't good.

"In a few short hours, hundreds of people will be filling this field to watch the band play. After that, let's just say a Halloween treat will become a Halloween prank." Roland said with evil intentions in his voice.

Kevin shook his head as he cautiously peered around him. He was hoping no one would see him take out Roland. He had to act quick.

"That's not going to happen. Hand over the gun and let's take a walk." Kevin ordered. Roland exhaled in defeat as Kevin escorted him onto the stage. Roland then reached behind the drum setup and retrieved the Blackthorne. Kevin watched him carefully.

"Here, just take it." Roland said. He held it handle up so Kevin can take it.

Just as Kevin was about to take the gun, Roland headbutted him. He staggered and Roland threw him down onto the stage. Roland tried to get on top of Kevin so he can try to sink his hands into Kevin's throat. Kevin grappled with Roland for a few seconds until, Kevin kneed him in the groin. Roland gasped in pain and fell off and onto the stage. Kevin struggled to get to his feet. He got his Stun Max at the ready, he switched the mode from stun to kill. The end of the barrel glowed red.

"You shouldn't have done that." Kevin said, breathing heavily. "I'll be sure your friends in YAMMI know what happened to you."

"YAMMI, you think this is about them?" coughed Roland. "This is about me! I want my revenge on the system that wronged me and I'll do it the way I was told."

Kevin shrugged and raised his Stun-Max. He could hear some kind of commotion and he knew he was in trouble.

"You kill me, my comrades will find you." Roland said still clutching his groin.

"Not if I find them first." Kevin said and pulled the trigger.

The blast blew a hole the size of a golf ball into Roland's chest, blood splattered all over the stage. His head whipped hard onto the stage. The sound was loud enough to draw a few distant gasps. Kevin pocketed the Stun-Max, scooped up the Blackthorne and raced off the stage.

He felt his heart race as he ran through the brush, past a few stands. He ducked behind a half empty tent with the Blackthorne. He quickly broke off the curved end and disassembled the main body. He ran his hand over the underside trying to look for something. His fingertip touched something small, and Kevin quickly yanked it from the body. It was a chip with a glowing green light on the end.

He then took the rest of the gun and broke it even further. He heard a scream in the distance. Roland's body was found. Kevin had to get out quick. He got up from the tent and crossed to a nearby garbage receptacle and dropped a few broken parts into the trash. He quickly moved to the next tent, grabbing a hoodie off one of the merch tables without anyone noticing. Kevin slipped it over his jacket and zipped it up. He ducked behind another tent to find a small downhill embankment and dropped few more pieces of the gun. He pocketed the chip and powerwalked towards the entrance.

Suddenly, he heard a siren. The police were arriving, and he was almost in plain sight where someone might identify him. He now had to act quick. He raised his wrist slightly and pressed a button on his wristband.

"Time to really disappear." Kevin muttered. He powerwalked back up the stone steps as the police were now arriving to the festival grounds. He didn't dare to look behind him, but he knew the festival would now be the scene of a Halloween style murder.

He reached the top of the steps as his car pulled up. Kevin grinned with delight. He had activated its automated pilot and retrieval system so he can make this getaway quick.

He slid into the driver's seat and took off. He exhaled deeply.

"That could've gone much worse." He said out lout. "Mission accomplished...for now."

He took out the chip that he had retrieved from the gun and looked at it in wonder. In the back of his mind, he knew his mission was far from over. YAMMI was still out there, waiting to strike again.

He turned onto a different street which led him to a nearby intersection, which would take him back onto the interstate. The sun was now glistening in the fall sky. Kevin took a quick glance at the beautiful sight before turning his car onto the interstate.