Phobos is a contract killer affiliated with one of the most dangerous organizations in the country. His real name is unknown; his estimated age ranges from thirty to forty years. Height: 178 centimeters. Weight: 78 kilograms. An Outsider; his origin and the world he came from have not been identified.

  He possesses the ability to teleport through a black, viscous portal. The passage is accessible exclusively to him neither humans nor other creatures are capable of using this transition. In combat, he employs various types of firearms, as well as cutting and stabbing weapons.

  Prisoner #1991 is an unstable government asset under constant surveillance due to repeated violations of containment protocols. His real name is classified. Age: 17 years. Height: 175 centimeters. Weight: 65 kilograms. An Outsider; his origin and world of arrival are unknown.

  In combat, he uses explosive attacks. The source of his ability is designated as #####.

  Delilah is a mercenary from the recently formed mercenary group “Trash.” Age: 19 years. Height: 166 centimeters. Weight: 49 kilograms. An Outsider; her origin and world of arrival are unknown.

  She possesses a lethally dangerous ability: upon physical contact, the target experiences unbearable pain and dies if the point of contact is not removed.

  Namkhai is a lone mercenary. He attempts to pass himself off as a monk; however, he is not listed in any monastery records. Height: 220 centimeters. Weight: 131 kilograms. An Outsider with an eighty-percent probability.

  Known abilities: extraordinary physical strength and high agility.

  All of their files, containing far more detailed information, lay spread out across the table. Andok sat nearby, carefully reviewing the materials together with his team. Phobos drew the most attention.

  “Sir, are you really planning to use him for that?” one of the subordinates asked cautiously. “He has an enormous amount of information about the clan. That would be a waste… Shouldn’t we make him talk?”

  “Anyone who joins the clan keeps their mouth shut to the end,” Andok replied coldly. “You would only waste time and ruin a valuable asset.”

  “But if you need strong fighters, maybe we should trade him for other prisoners or contract operatives from different sectors? I think Anna from Sector Four would be more than happy.”

  “Don’t talk nonsense,” Andok cut him off. “He’s mine. He was captured in our sector, and I have no intention of sharing with those idiots.”

  He paused briefly and added:

  “In any case, how did the interrogations of the future participants go?”

  The team exchanged glances and visibly hesitated.

  “Well…”

  Several hours earlier.

  Phobos, dressed in a white robe, sat on a chair in the room. Several people and soldiers were nearby, while cameras and turrets were mounted on the ceiling. He was surprised that he was not shackled and could move freely, but he understood perfectly well that escaping from here was impossible. Too many eyes and machines were watching his every move.

  One of those present began the conversation, handing him a folder with documents.

  “Phobos, you’ve already spoken with my colleagues about your past.”

  “Yeah,” he replied indifferently. “So you decided to make me talk too? When do the tortures start?”

  “Oh no,I came for a completely different reason. I have great news for you. Thanks to your skills and experience, you’ve been selected as a candidate for a special unit tasked with dealing with especially dangerous criminals and extreme threats. Of course, not for free for every completed mission, your prison sentence will be reduced.”

  Phobos smirked.

  “Become a government lapdog? No thanks. I’d rather serve my full term, as the law requires.”

  “Four life sentences?”

  “Yeah. When I die, that’s when I’ll get out.”

  The man let out a heavy sigh.

  “You do realize that escape is impossible. You’ll be under constant surveillance. You’ll spend your entire life hanging here, staring at one spot, doing nothing. What we’re offering now is a chance to become useful to society and finally start doing the right things.”

  “What ‘right things’ are you talking about?” Phobos replied coldly. “I know what happens to contractors and other Outsiders who work for you. Half of them die on their very first mission, and the other half turn into slaves.”

  The official said nothing, only nodded silently.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I’ll give you time to think,” he said, standing up, and left the room.

  Phobos remained under observation.

  In the next room, almost identical to the previous one, sat Prisoner #1991. The boy was restrained in special cuffs that completely immobilized his hands. His neck, legs, and lower back were also secured with restraints, not allowing him to even turn.

  The official sat down across from him.

  “So, how are you doing, buddy?”

  “The moment I can move, I’ll blow all of you up.”

  “Still unstable… that’s unfortunate,” the man sighed. “Listen, for some reason the warden picked you. As a member of the unit. So be happy now you’ll be able to blow things up without a guilty conscience.”

  “Yeah?” the boy smirked. “I refuse.”

  “What? Don’t you want to get out of prison? You’ve spent almost your entire life here.”

  “Yeah. That’s exactly why I don’t want to. Everyone I ever talked to in this prison who got taken into units like that I never saw them again. I don’t want to die. I still need to blow all of you up.”

  The man remained silent.

  In another room sat Delilah. She was dressed in white clothing that completely covered her body, with gloves on her hands. On the table in front of her lay a marker and a small board.

  The officials asked her the same question.

  “So, do you agree?”

  Dalila silently wrote on the board:

  “Shove it up your-”

  “All right, we understand you…” the official said and fell silent for a moment, then added, “Your group has become quite well known after the attack on the prison.”

  Delilah looked up at him with interest.

  “For now, your group is of little interest to the government. You’re not dangerous enough yet. But one day you will be. And perhaps we’ll see each other again very soon they’ll surely come back for you. And then we’ll be able to capture your entire group at once, before it turns into something bigger.”

  Delilah’s gaze grew serious.

  “Luck isn’t endless, Delilah,” he said calmly. “Think it over.”

  Finally, Namkhai was brought in. He sat in the room opposite the officials, slouched back in his chair, listening to them attentively.

  “Hm… so I work for you, and then you just let me go?” he clarified. “How many missions will I have to complete?”

  “Each mission is unique,” one of the staff members replied. “Their importance is determined by people higher up. It could be five, ten… or maybe even one will be enough.”

  “Hm…” Namkhai drawled. “So basically, just beating up criminals?”

  “Yes. And if you complete all missions and are released, the government may offer you a contract.”

  “A contract?” Namkhai raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes. You’ll become a full-fledged state employee. A house, money, transport, and much more…”

  She didn’t finish Namkhai suddenly thrust out his hand.

  “DEAL!”

  “What?” she said, confused.

  “I agree. Where do I sign?!”

  “Here…” she handed him the papers.

  Namkhai immediately began signing them.

  “That’s it,” he said, returning the documents. “Now I’m in your unit. By the way, what’s it called?”

  “The same as our sector. Thirteenth.”

  “So, Squad Thirteen…” Namkhai smirked. “Alright, hope we work well together.”

  He grinned broadly.

  The officials exchanged glances, clearly surprised by his sudden enthusiasm.

  

  After returning to Andok, a subordinate reported:

  “So, aside from the fake monk, everyone refused?”

  “Unfortunately, yes…”

  Andok narrowed his eyes and thought for a few seconds.

  “Hm… then we’ll have to act more harshly. Do as we agreed. Hit their weak points.”

  “Understood.”

  Some time later, several soldiers and staff members approached Delilah. Without a word, they placed a closed folder in front of her.

  “We know what you were doing before you joined your group,” one of them said. “We hope this helps you change your mind.”

  Delilah carefully opened the folder. As her eyes scanned its contents, her body tensed sharply. Anger flared in her gaze.

  #1991 was still sitting in his place. The official opposite him broke the silence:

  “So? Still haven’t changed your mind?”

  “Changed my mind about killing all of you?” the boy smirked. “Never.”

  “I see… In that case, if you don’t want to join voluntarily, you’ll simply be sent to CoalReed.”

  “To… what?” #1991 frowned.

  “The mines. You won’t escape from there. You’ll be blowing up rock and helping other prisoners extract ore. If you don’t get crushed there, of course.”

  “What?! What the hell?!”

  “You’re uncontrollable. They’ve tried to subdue you more than once, but you refuse to obey. That’s why the warden decided to send you there.”

  “You don’t have the right!”

  “We do. But if you don’t want to spend your entire life digging tunnels, I suggest you accept our offer.”

  Phobos remained just as calm as before. A tall, shaggy man carrying a briefcase entered the interrogation room.

  All the staff and soldiers immediately turned toward him.

  The official sitting opposite Phobos stood up.

  “Oh, another negotiator. Good afternoon. Were you sent by Sir Andok?”

  “Yes, good afternoon. Norton,” the man said, sweeping his gaze over the room and those present.

  “Please, have a seat here,” the official gestured.

  “I will, but first I need all of you to leave and let me be alone with him.”

  “What? That’s unsafe, I can’t-”

  “An order from the warden,” Norton interrupted. “He personally told you to follow everything I say. Isn’t that right?”

  “Yes, but-”

  “That’s enough. Out. I don’t have time.”

  They exchanged glances, then left the room one by one.

  Norton placed the briefcase on the table and sat down across from Phobos.

  “You turned the cameras off?” Phobos asked calmly.

  “Of course. What, do you take me for an idiot?”

  “Good. Then how are we getting out of here?”

  “Getting out?” Norton smirked. “Oh no. You’re going to accept their offer.”

  “What? Why?” Phobos raised an eyebrow.

  Norton opened the briefcase and handed him a form.

  “For now, this is your new identity. I filled everything out for you.”

  “I don’t care,” Phobos replied coldly. “Why should I work for those bastards?”

  “Orders from the boss.”

  Phobos frowned.

  “Right now, we need as many of our people inside the government as possible. You failed the last assignment, so you got ‘lucky.’ The decision was made without you.”

  “……”

  Norton looked him straight in the eyes, his voice growing harsher.

  “Or do you want to challenge the boss’s decision?”

  Phobos was silent for a few seconds, then answered calmly:

  “No. I’ll accept it.”

  “Excellent. Then for now, just play your role,” Norton said, standing up and heading for the exit. “I’ll find you myself later.”

  He grabbed the door handle, then suddenly stopped and threw over his shoulder:

  “Oh, right. Those idiots asked me to blackmail you with torture and other crap. Just keep that in mind.”

  “……”

  Norton left, leaving Phobos alone....

  In the end, all four of them, under heavy pressure, accepted the government’s offer and agreed to become mercenaries in order to reduce their prison sentences. Thus, Squad Number Thirteen was formed.

  Their first mission was scheduled for the very next day.