Canyons of Steel - Minus Human Pt. 4

The trio moved quietly through the alleyways of the slum districts of The William. Nobody ever came here. At least, no one who wanted to live. The lowest forms of life on the face of the planet took this region as their own. Not even Don Maximus ever sent his men here. But Walker knew what lay in the darkness. Illuminati agents and members of the Sisterhood used these places for clandestine meetings and covert practice maneuvers. Walker knew all too well what those were like. These were reserved for those few who had potential, but had failed in one way shape or form. Marianne knew all too well about this area also. She spent time here before hooking up with Walker and Monty.

They steered their horses through the muck and mire, quietly watching for any movement that would alert them to danger. Marianne's head whipped to the rooftop quickly. She stopped her horse and watched as a figure crouched down on the rooftop above them. Walker and Monty stopped also. Wordlessly, they looked to Marianne, then to the rooftop. They too saw the figure. Whoever it was, they weren't hiding very well. "Too small to be one of the monstrosities in this area," Marianne spoke in a whisper.

Walker nodded, never taking his eyes off the figure. "An' don't move like any agent I seen b'fore." The three just watched for a moment, a staring contest in the middle of this danger zone. On the rooftop, Pania Alow stared right back, watching carefully these three horsemen. So far, all indications pointed to them being honourable, if not a little trigger happy at times. But then, she could relate, as her hand hovered over the butt of her Glock. Maybe these three would be of use after all. Eventually, Walker motioned to keep moving, and the three carried on as though nothing had happened.

The destination came into view. An old abandoned warehouse. This region used to be a rich shipping port. But years of thieves and cutthroats moving into the area changed all of that. The respectable clientèle moved away as the bullies began to push them for protection money. The economy of the area began to shatter, and eventually became what it is today. A barren wasteland of abandoned buildings, and rats scuttling around in the darkness. Walker slowed his horse to a stop, taking note of those who guarded it. He furrowed his brow as he recognized the uniforms of those that hurried around, carrying packages and taking stock of inventory. The only sign of life in this ghost town.

"I don't like this," he whispered. Monty and Marianne could tell by the sound of his voice what they were about to face.

"Christ," Monty cursed under his breath. "Illuminati. Dealing with the Front." And so it was, a well dressed adjutant of the white supremest group Heritage Front, was going over a clip board with, one could only assume, shipping instructions. The Illuminati were supplying them in this region. "This can't end well, Walker."

"Maybe we'll clean out a few rats," Walker muttered as he pulled his long barrel Colt. "What say you?" The responce was clear. Marianne and Monty both pulled weapons out and quickly dismounted their horses. They'd move together, or not at all. This fight wouldn't be easy, that was most certain. Soldiers from both the Heritage Front and the Illuminati would start firing. This thought was pushed back in Walker's mind as the three moved close to the buildings, watching the entrance of the warehouse carefully. Above them, the lithe figure of Pania moved also, and she too watched the entrance of the warehouse. But she had her sniper rifle in hand. These three were going to need backup against this group. And she would give it to them. Her curiosity about the package Amen'Dell wanted from this warehouse had piqued within her. Though she had no doubt that she would have to destroy it.

Take a weapon from the enemy, make them weaker.

She stopped at the edge of the rooftop, glancing to the trio below her. The shadows had ended. The comfort of the buildings had given way to a long stretch of open. Little to no cover. They could be here for a while.

Or she could cause a distraction.

Moving into a prone position, she readied the rifle, making certain her sites were lined up. The adjutant would make an excellent target to begin the chaos that was about to come. Before getting ready, she quickly scanned the area, determining her next position. Staying in one place for too long was not a good idea. Once it was determined, she looked down to the trio's position. They looked about ready to move. Which was all the signal Pania needed. She lined up her sites, placed her finger on the trigger, waited a moment as everything around her seemed to grow silent.

And then she pulled the trigger.