3 Danev

Riu's base wasn't much, but it was home. The home base of the "Hornets" was lovingly dubbed "The Hive". The abandoned cluster of abandoned 2 story apartment buildings was gathered together, walled off with junk fences comprised of spare parts, wheels, metal sheets, and anything else they could find. The cluster was covered by a large green tarp rattled in holes allowing the location to live up to its name even more so. Some of the more dedicated members would squeeze out of these holes whenever leaving to give the impression of a true "Hornet." The Hive, being the Hornet's main base, housed most of their members while the others were more spread out over the slums. The Hive housed in total, around 27 members, none of whom were put to waste. If you lived there, you either had a weapon in hand guarding the entrances, running supplies, at the forge, doing another task or you were dead on your bedroll. The entrance to the base was the west most apartment. It was guarded by 5 men at all times and I stood guard at the day and half the night. The other quarter of the day, I slept in the building unless I was out on a mission.

I checked how I looked this evening with my reflection on the blade of my knife. Skin still tan, hair still brown, eyes still green. Still alive. Good.

I was guarding the main entrance when I saw one of my more usual clients push the tarp entrance aside and walk in. I and two of my other kids, Aden and Meeko approached the silver eyed, skinny, brown haired information broker, spears and swords raised.

"You know the drill" I said. "Arms up."

Luke sighed and raised his arms in a T-frame position, pulling the knife from his belt and dropping it to the ground. I reached down and picked it up saying "You'll get this on the way out."

I handed the knife to Aden and patted down Luke saying, "Is there anything else I should know about?"

"I may have reached puberty in the last month so don't let it startle you."

At Luke's right sleeve near the edge, I pushed out the item and grabbed it revealing an iron arrowhead.

"Shit." Luke said. "Forgot about that."

"This is Fire Nation" I informed him.

"Got to close to the Arsenal gate. They don't take kindly to urchins."

"You trying to stab be, asshole?"

"Fuck no. I'm selling."

"So, say it."

"Money first."

"Money after."

"Fine. Miro's not feeding his guys anymore. Your last raid really fucked them up good. His guys are pissed. One of them, Reek, looks ready to crack. You could probably get info out of him and maybe even get him to join."

"Why would I want Reek? That little shit can't fight for shit."

"He would say the same about your guys. Beat Aden up pretty good last time way I hear it."

Aden, still wearing a limp, grew more tense and angry from behind me probably thinking of very nice ways to use Luke's knife.

I turned to look at Aden and held up a hand to calm him down. I turned back to Luke and said, "That all?"

Luke gave a look of sarcastic surprise and repeated mockingly "That all? That's good shit. So how much?"

"5 coppers"

"Bullshit. 10"

"5"

"10. That was good. You had no idea what affect your raid on their safe house had last week. Now you know and its bad for them, good for you. You can start up recruiting from their side and you should have no problem if you offer food."

There was a pause. Luke was taking a risk. Despite knowing me for a long time, I wasn't the kind of guy to hesitate from beating his ass just because of a good past. Unless it was Riu of course.

"10."

Aden, on cue, walked behind the counter in the room, reached down behind it and pulled a small chest out, inserted a key, turned it, and opened the chest. He dug around a took out 10 copper pieces. He handed them to me and I handed them to Luke.

Luke smiled. "Thanks" he said, honestly grateful. "On that note, mind if I peek inside. I could use a rest" he said joking. Neither Miro nor I let Luke inside our base for obvious reasons. The fact Luke was even inside the entrance was a perk that took months to gain.

"Leave."

Luke turned around to leave, but then stopped and turned around. "Knife and arrowhead please."

I took the knife from Aden and handed it to Luke, but slipped the arrowhead in my own pocket.

"Arrowhead too please."

"You didn't tell us you had one. For all intents and purposes, we found it on the street."

Luke shook his head and turned around, leaving muttering "Asshole."

I had hoped this would be quick, and it had, but not quick enough. On Luke's way, out, he was shoved and passed by one of Riu's thugs, pulling a wheelbarrow, uncovered, showing arms and armor. The armor bore the insignia of the Fire Nation on the chest piece. I looked at Luke who had seen the whole thing, wearing a grin on his face and he started chuckling. I turned to glare at Slim, the man who had just realized his mistake. Luke, laughing now, left.

I signaled for Aden and Meeko to take the supplies inside, leaving the room. I walked to the entrance and pulled the tarp closed over the entrance and turned back to the kid who had revealed too much.

"Danev." He started. "I'm sorry. I had no- ", but was interrupted by my fist contacting his jaw, knocking him to the ground.

I put his knee to his crotch and, held his shoulder with his left hand, and began beating on the kid until his nose and much more was broken, but he was still breathing.

I pulled him up by his collar and practically dragged him deeper into the Hive so the kid could realize just how much he screwed up.