Read Online Monster Hunter Legion-eARC by Larry Correia - Free Book Online
Authors: Larry Correia
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the innocent, protectors of the good. Like Agent Stark had said, this was a new era of cooperation. This should be a piece of cake.
And then the crowd parted and I was standing in front of three men from Paranormal Tactical, and judging from the scrapes and Band-Aids, they had been at dinner last night. All three of them gave me withering death glares. Earl had wanted discretion, I really didn’t want to go back to jail, and I was already paying for that frigging swan, so I turned and kept walking…only to have the chief jerk himself, Armstrong, step in front of me. I recognized the muscular man standing behind him as Ultimate Fighter, and despite beating the hell out of some of my guys—Melvin’s video confirmed at least two—he didn’t have a scratch on him.
“Owen. I’m surprised to see you here. I heard you took a nasty spill.” The unctuous bastard just oozed sincerity. “Landed in a fountain, if I heard right.”
“No biggie, Rick. The tile broke my fall.”
He looked over my shoulder at his men. “I hope you boys are getting along better after last evening’s unpleasantness.”
“Boys will be boys.”
“I hear you there.” Even his laugh was annoying. It’s weird how some people can be perfectly polite, yet still be complete asshats at the same time. “It’s understandable that your men needed to blow off some steam, especially with all the stress MHI is under.”
“What stress?”
“MHI isn’t used to competition. You’ve got us taking business from you out west, the Vermont Stump Jumpers in the northeast. All these hungrier companies, and MHI is so old-fashioned and stuck in its glory days. It’s got to be tough for you.”
My gosh, I hated this guy. I watched Ultimate Fighter. He seemed wary but relaxed. They weren’t stupid enough to do anything here, what with all of the hotel security being keyed up, not to mention Agent Franks. This was simple Type A personality posturing. Screw it. “Yeah, it is tough being the biggest and best in a world of fly-by-night wannabes, but you get used to it.”
The friendly facade slipped just a little. “Some say the Shacklefords are dinosaurs.”
“Like a Tyrannosaurs Rex.” I laughed in his face. “Oh, I’m sorry…” I gestured at his men. “Was I supposed to be intimidated?”
“Everybody knows the sun is setting on MHI.” Armstrong folded his arms. “But I didn’t come over here to trade barbs, hotshot. I’ve got something for you. Mr. Durant, if you would…” He stepped out of his way and Ultimate Fighter took his place.
I sized him up. He was much smaller than I was, but this dude was cut, and judging from the videos, not somebody you wanted to tangle with. “So, I’m guessing you’re supposed to be PT’s tough guy.”
He handed me an envelope. I took it without even thinking. “Everyone needs a hobby. I happen to enjoy competitive mixed martial arts. However, as a member of the bar, I’m also Paranormal Tactical’s legal advisor. I’m serving in the latter capacity today.”
He was remarkably well spoken for a man who had choked Cooper unconscious. “You’re an attorney?” I opened the envelope, looked inside, read, blinked, reread, and still couldn’t believe my eyes. “This is a restraining order…”
“Oh, you thought that you were the only ones that could call in favors on short notice. Last month we helped out a judge with a bad case of hobgoblins.” Ultimate Lawyer nodded at the other PT men. “You’ve been served in front of witnesses. Since we now fear for our safety, any MHI staff that was involved with last night’s altercation are required to stay at least one hundred yards from any employee of Paranormal Tactical Consulting at all times. The lawsuit paperwork for the injuries sustained by our employees during your company’s reckless and negligent rampage will be delivered to your Alabama office by certified mail.”
The order looked legitimate. It even had each of our involved
And then the crowd parted and I was standing in front of three men from Paranormal Tactical, and judging from the scrapes and Band-Aids, they had been at dinner last night. All three of them gave me withering death glares. Earl had wanted discretion, I really didn’t want to go back to jail, and I was already paying for that frigging swan, so I turned and kept walking…only to have the chief jerk himself, Armstrong, step in front of me. I recognized the muscular man standing behind him as Ultimate Fighter, and despite beating the hell out of some of my guys—Melvin’s video confirmed at least two—he didn’t have a scratch on him.
“Owen. I’m surprised to see you here. I heard you took a nasty spill.” The unctuous bastard just oozed sincerity. “Landed in a fountain, if I heard right.”
“No biggie, Rick. The tile broke my fall.”
He looked over my shoulder at his men. “I hope you boys are getting along better after last evening’s unpleasantness.”
“Boys will be boys.”
“I hear you there.” Even his laugh was annoying. It’s weird how some people can be perfectly polite, yet still be complete asshats at the same time. “It’s understandable that your men needed to blow off some steam, especially with all the stress MHI is under.”
“What stress?”
“MHI isn’t used to competition. You’ve got us taking business from you out west, the Vermont Stump Jumpers in the northeast. All these hungrier companies, and MHI is so old-fashioned and stuck in its glory days. It’s got to be tough for you.”
My gosh, I hated this guy. I watched Ultimate Fighter. He seemed wary but relaxed. They weren’t stupid enough to do anything here, what with all of the hotel security being keyed up, not to mention Agent Franks. This was simple Type A personality posturing. Screw it. “Yeah, it is tough being the biggest and best in a world of fly-by-night wannabes, but you get used to it.”
The friendly facade slipped just a little. “Some say the Shacklefords are dinosaurs.”
“Like a Tyrannosaurs Rex.” I laughed in his face. “Oh, I’m sorry…” I gestured at his men. “Was I supposed to be intimidated?”
“Everybody knows the sun is setting on MHI.” Armstrong folded his arms. “But I didn’t come over here to trade barbs, hotshot. I’ve got something for you. Mr. Durant, if you would…” He stepped out of his way and Ultimate Fighter took his place.
I sized him up. He was much smaller than I was, but this dude was cut, and judging from the videos, not somebody you wanted to tangle with. “So, I’m guessing you’re supposed to be PT’s tough guy.”
He handed me an envelope. I took it without even thinking. “Everyone needs a hobby. I happen to enjoy competitive mixed martial arts. However, as a member of the bar, I’m also Paranormal Tactical’s legal advisor. I’m serving in the latter capacity today.”
He was remarkably well spoken for a man who had choked Cooper unconscious. “You’re an attorney?” I opened the envelope, looked inside, read, blinked, reread, and still couldn’t believe my eyes. “This is a restraining order…”
“Oh, you thought that you were the only ones that could call in favors on short notice. Last month we helped out a judge with a bad case of hobgoblins.” Ultimate Lawyer nodded at the other PT men. “You’ve been served in front of witnesses. Since we now fear for our safety, any MHI staff that was involved with last night’s altercation are required to stay at least one hundred yards from any employee of Paranormal Tactical Consulting at all times. The lawsuit paperwork for the injuries sustained by our employees during your company’s reckless and negligent rampage will be delivered to your Alabama office by certified mail.”
The order looked legitimate. It even had each of our involved
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