Page 27 of King’s Reckoning (Blind Jacks MC #5)

The explosion ripped through the abandoned corporate records facility at exactly midnight, turning decades of Blackwood's forged documentation into ash and rubble.

Rowan watched through thermal imaging as the carefully placed charges reduced document processing equipment to slag, erasing every trace of counterfeit land claim evidence from the site. From her position on the overlooking ridge, the destruction painted stark orange patterns against the night sky, each detonation sequence precisely timed to maximize structural collapse while minimizing external damage.

"Demolition teams report complete structural collapse,"

Reed said through the comms discretely tucked inside her ears. His voice carried the satisfaction of a well-executed operation.

"No salvageable equipment remaining. Iron Fists crew confirms total destruction of the main document archives."

"Make it seventeen,"

Barbara added from the mobile command center, her screens showing real-time analysis of the destruction.

"Seventeen facilities permanently decommissioned in the past week alone. Between the physical destruction and the legal precedent challenges, Blackwood's forgery operation is being systematically erased from existence."

Her displays painted a compelling picture—cascading legal failures across multiple sites as Rowan's authenticated documents continued invalidating corporate forgery protocols. The documentation shield had spread rapidly, moving through connected corporate networks faster than anyone had anticipated.

"Thermal scans confirm critical temperature reached in primary archive areas,"

a King's Chosen demolition expert reported.

"All forgery components should be completely degraded beyond recovery potential."

Rowan studied the elaborate dance of demolition teams completing their work below. Iron Fists members coordinated with King's Chosen crews, their movements precise and practiced after multiple operations together. No sign remained of their former rivalry, just smooth efficiency as they eliminated dangerous corporate evidence.

The night vision feed showed teams moving with military precision, placing secondary charges at key structural points. Each explosion was carefully calculated to look like an industrial accident rather than a coordinated strike. The alliance had gotten very good at making their work appear random and unconnected.

"Status on other known sites?"

she asked, tracking thermal signatures of teams withdrawing from the blast zone. The infrared display showed heat blooms where specialized charges had targeted specific equipment—the latest innovation in their systematic elimination of Blackwood's legacy.

"Two more scheduled for tonight,"

King replied, his tactical display showing target locations marked in red.

"Then three tomorrow. Alliance chapters are coordinating around the clock to eliminate every trace of forgery research we can find."

He pulled up a map dotted with targeting data. Each mark represented a facility they'd identified through intercepted communications and surveillance. Through careful investigation of shell companies and hidden money trails. The scope of Blackwood's operation was staggering—dozens of sites spread across multiple states.

"We've got King's Chosen teams already in position at the Portland facility,"

King continued.

"Iron Fists providing backup, Satan's Riders handling perimeter security. Hit it at 0300 hours while shift change provides cover."

"Blackwood's employers are getting desperate,"

Barbara reported, highlighting specific message interceptions scrolling across her screens.

"Their attempts to salvage forged documentation keep failing as the legal precedent spreads. Elena's evidence is invalidating their claims faster than they can document results."

She pulled up detailed analytics showing the legal challenges in action.

"Look at these patterns. It's not just invalidating active claims anymore. The precedent is embedding itself in basic corporate strategy. Any attempt to rebuild using similar forgery methods triggers an immediate legal challenge."

Rowan felt Reed's solid warmth at her back as she processed the implications. In just seven days, they'd accomplished what seemed impossible—the complete dismantling of Blackwood's decades of work. Not just destroying equipment but eliminating the very possibility of rebuilding their forgery operation.

"Air support confirms no emergency response incoming,"

Cole reported through the secure comms channel. His Iron Fists had established a wide perimeter, ensuring their demolition work went unnoticed.

"Official story's already spreading. Tragic industrial accident at an abandoned corporate facility. No suspicious circumstances."

Rowan studied his live feed showing emergency services being diverted away from their operation zone. The Iron Fists had gotten very good at managing local authorities, ensuring minimum scrutiny of their activities.

"Got something interesting here,"

Barbara interrupted, her voice drawing everyone’s attention.

"Analysis of the document trails from the demolition site is showing unusual legal patterns. The legal domino effect seems to be intensifying with each facility we destroy."

Her screens displayed complex connections spreading outward from the destruction zone.

"It's like each demolition strengthens the evidence somehow. The legal precedent is becoming more efficient, more targeted."

She highlighted specific metrics that made Rowan's breath catch.

"These legal patterns...they're amplifying through the corporate world itself. Elena's documentation isn't just invalidating existing claims anymore. It's actively preventing new forgeries from being established anywhere that challenges Rowan's authenticated land claims."

"The ultimate failsafe,"

King said quietly.

"Not just eliminating their forgeries, but making it impossible to reconstruct them. Elena thought of everything."

"Better than that,"

Barbara added, studying fresh data streams.

"The effect appears to be evolving. Adapting to counter their attempts at salvaging data. These legal precedents are more sophisticated than anything in Elena's original documentation."

She pulled up side-by-side comparisons of legal challenges.

"Look at these patterns. The precedent is learning from each system it invalidates. Getting better at targeting specific vulnerabilities in their forgery protocols."

"They're noticing too,"

Reed added, displaying intercepted communications between corporate sites.

"Multiple facilities are reporting total legal failures even before we hit them. The precedent effect is spreading faster than they can respond."

Fresh demolition charges detonated below, eliminating another section of the facility. The carefully orchestrated destruction looked random to outside observers, but Rowan saw the precise planning behind each explosion. Alliance members moved with practiced efficiency, completing their assigned tasks with smooth coordination.

"Next target is that complex outside Seattle,"

Cole reported, pulling up detailed satellite imagery on the tactical display.

"Bigger facility, better security. Going to need multiple chapters coordinating to handle it properly."

The screens showed a sprawling records center disguised as a corporate archive. Security patrols, surveillance systems, and what appeared to be military-grade countermeasures protecting whatever forgery technology remained inside.

"Already on it,"

King replied, highlighting specific tactical approaches.

"King's Chosen are setting up surveillance, Iron Fists handling tactical planning. We hit it tomorrow night. No point giving them time to move equipment."

Rowan studied the logistics data scrolling across their displays. The alliance's capabilities had grown exponentially since forming. Chapters were now working together with unprecedented efficiency to eliminate Blackwood's dangerous legacy.

"How many facilities are left on the confirmed list?"

she asked Barbara, watching another section of the building collapse below.

"Twenty-three that we've positively identified. Plus another dozen possibles that need investigation."

The professor highlighted specific locations across her map.

"They hid their forgery operation well—shell companies, front organizations, legitimate-looking corporate facilities. Taking time to verify each site before we move."

She pulled up detailed financial records and shipping manifests.

"The Iron Fists' intelligence network has been invaluable for identifying shell companies, tracking equipment movements. But Blackwood's employers are good at covering their tracks."

"Time we may not have,"

Reed pointed out, studying fresh interceptions.

"They're getting desperate as more facilities go dark. The longer we work, the more likely they try something drastic to preserve their forgery operation."

As if to prove his point, Barbara's screens lit up with fresh alerts.

"Multiple data transfer attempts detected,"

she reported tensely.

"They're trying to copy forged files from several sites simultaneously. Using encrypted channels to..."

She trailed off as the transfer attempts failed spectacularly, their corporate protocols invalidated instantly upon activation. Rowan felt a surge of satisfaction as the legal precedent automatically targeted and destroyed the encrypted communications.

"Impressive,"

Barbara murmured, studying the data.

"Your mother's documentation didn't just stop the transfers. It invalidated the underlying corporate strategy. Made it impossible for them to even establish basic data links."

"Nice try,"

Rowan muttered with satisfaction. The feeling of winning was becoming familiar, like exercising a legal right she'd always had but never knew how to use properly.

"They're learning,"

King said grimly, watching the failed transfer attempts cascade across Barbara's displays.

"Testing different methods, seeing how our evidence responds. Building a profile of the cascading legal challenge's capabilities and limitations."

"Let them study,"

Reed replied. His voice held quiet confidence as Rowan continued systematically invalidating their attempts at document forgery.

"All they'll learn is that Elena's legal strategy works exactly as designed. That any attempt to salvage their operation is doomed to fail."

Fresh demolition charges detonated below, eliminating the facility's final sections. Rowan watched through thermal imaging as alliance members conducted final sweeps, ensuring no trace of forgery equipment remained.

"Next site's coordinates locked in,"

Cole reported.

"Teams are already moving to begin surveillance. We can hit it as soon as..."

He trailed off as Barbara's screens lit up with urgent alerts.

"Multiple vehicles approaching from the north,"

she announced.

"Professional operators, heavy weapons. Not law enforcement or emergency response."

"Blackwood's people?"

Rowan asked, already moving to a better tactical position. The thermal imaging showed at least six vehicles moving with military precision toward their location.

"Negative,"

Reed replied, studying sensor data.

"Different protocols, different equipment loadout. These are new players entirely."

King's voice held grim satisfaction.

"Good. Time to show anyone else interested in forging land claims exactly what happens when they try to preserve Blackwood's research."

"Teams in final positions,"

Reed reported as headlights appeared through the fog.

"Waiting on your call."

Rowan studied the approaching vehicles, feeling a surge of determination. Elena had prepared her for exactly this purpose—to ensure dangerous corporate overreach stayed buried in ash and broken dreams.

But watching Iron Fists and King's Chosen coordinate their defense, she realized her mother's planning had produced an unexpected result. The same legal documentation designed to invalidate corporate land grabs had somehow built the strongest alliance these chapters had ever known.

"Light them up,"

she ordered, smiling as targeting lasers painted the incoming trucks red. Behind her, Barbara's screens showed corporate encryption failing across three states as her authenticated documentation invalidated yet another desperate attempt to preserve Blackwood's forgery research.

The night erupted in precision chaos. Just another industrial accident that would make tomorrow's local news.

Just another step toward making sure the corporate thieves stayed in the rubble where they belonged.

And just one week until her wedding day with Reed—the true foundation they were building together.