8 calling

The dim yellow light of sunrise illuminated the area. The sweet and calm sounds of morning birds couldn't even be heard on the shack, three levels bellow the slum. Even light couldn't reach that deep. By that time, thieves and muggers already went back to their dark holes. The history of whom stalchs headquarters burned was the name of the wind. By dawn, every scum, rat and poor corrupted soul already knew about it. Every single one of than made the mention to hide even further on their holes, avoiding any light and danger. Doors blocked and windows barricaded. They couldn't even sleep during the day, nor open their doors on the following night for their foul misfits. They stood put, as the guard expected.

Some hours after their commemoration on the tavern, the group wandered back into their hideout, witch they where not supposed to leave in the first place. Most of then were drunk, except for jaskal and nayla, and they all needed some lengthy hours of rest. As the group reached their home, they each went to their corner, gathered their stuff and got ready to sleep. Except by jaskal, they curled up on some blankets on the ground to make a easy bed.

About two on the after now, a new unsuspicious figure arrived at their doorstep, and made the signal hitting on the door. After a few seconds of nothing, he repeated the move, with no success. Two minutes already passed, and nothing was heard of. Powered by anger, he hit the door password, ever stronger. Eventually, d'kaji opened the door to the angry agent.

"Dirty man don't let d'kaji sleep, can you please hit lighter?"

And meant to close the door, but the undercover man stuck his feet on the way.

As the man forced his way in, stooping the ground, the hangover cat man whispered:

" yes, dear angry man, come right into your place, you are welcome"

As the agent, seeing the state of the special task force, soo expensive and risky, wanted to slap someone. The figures crawled out of their sheets and corners, as the smell hit the standing man, he exploded:

" it's unbeliveable, soo much time searching, soo many hours planning this, and you all go get wasted after the first mission? I can smell the booze from here, filthy, I cant believe ..."

That moment the gunslinger, partially tripping, reached the man, and covered his mouth. That moment, the agent remembered to be afraid of the people in front of him. They had just destroyed one of the largest underground operations of the slum, under armed and without major damage. He was afraid of his job contacting than from the beginning, he knew they where pruned to violence and could kill him, every one of than. He froze as the vigilant imposed his presence over him. His figure standing dominant as he pressed his hand on the man lips. He became blank, his eyes opened completely and he couldn't even breathe. Than, he listened to the man who just dominated him with some quick seconds.

" how many man did you killed on the last month? Judging by your age and rank, I would say about 3 to 5. Every time you killed, you could see than on your dreams didn't you. I killed a person yesterday, and a bunch of monsters to. Even to kill a single one of the mutants can take away most people sleep at the night, and I do this,

Every

Single

Night

For years now, I an the bringer of demise. I only got here less than a month ago, and probably killed more mutants and scum than you did on your full career. So, I need something to help me close my eyes at night, and I will do it, and I will not be judged by you. So, watch message do you bring?"

Terrified and shaking, the man slowly started to breath again, and after a few seconds, he hesitantly started to talk, not louder than a whisper, his voice weak and shocked:

" transport is... incoming sir... they want to make you all official, and talk about... future plans... sir"

That man retracted from treating anyone he considered bellow him with respect, and now he just fund some for the people around him, specially for the figure in front of him.

" you... sir.... have about an your to... met the transport behind the grain wherehouse to southwest of the slum. There is a yellow scarecrow in front... cant miss it...."

As he spoke, he started backing to the door, but found his path blocked by d'kaji. He feared for his life, and prayed to maraba, the god to protect fighters and soldiers, to live to fight another day. The gunslinger gestured to the cat man, and he opened the path. The guard witch proudly walked inside, fled with tail between legs for the guard protection on the barracks. He would abdicate his post that evening and get a lower rank, but he would be safe from they. On that evening he was tankful for it, but for the next days and weeks he would grown a hate for the group, specially for the vigilant

He would also be angry about his money, who hid, carefully, bellow the rags of his left shoulder. He judged it to be stolen from him at his run at the slum by a very tricky thief. Witch was very brave considering before last nights events. He would drink and gamble to soften his pains, and became addicted to both.

At the groups hideout, they started to prepare just after the agent escaped. The tricky d'kaji would also put his new 'found' pouch of coins at his bag. Seeing this, Daija commented to the gunslinger:

" why do you tolerate him? Ain't you the punisher of thief's, muggers and other scum" she imitated his flashy and exaggerated way of speaking to make fun of it, witch he took as a compliment.

"You see, my delightful companion, he came from a tribe witch had no thing as personal property, and is very talented at his specific skills. So, as he arrived here about three weeks ago, the scum used him to get precious things. He would have been caught eventually and threw away on some cell, but I soo that he was just misguided, so I took him by my protection and tough him about how things work around here. He is still getting it, and loves what he does best, but I set some rules, like only steal from bad people, and others. But I still need to hold him when he sees something shiny or he likes. I would appreciate some help to look and take care of him"

" and who are the bad people he can steal from?"

" its obvious, assholes, criminals and mutants. In order from worst to even more bad"

They than separate to take their things, and jaskal approaches the gunslinger:

" why you always scare this man, is there a reason or pure sadism?"

" I would never do anything pointless, specially sadistic my wise friend, the thing is, some people on a hidden room think about us as expensive, but expendable tools. We have to show than that we are capable of thinking and acting for ourselves. You will realize soon what respect gets you. And fear is just uncooked respect. I see you, you fucking silk cat, return the girls lullaby at once"

He started to scold d'kaji.

.....

After the cramped interiors of the slum, the outside was a breath of fresh air. The group arrived right on time, seeing a man smoking some leaf by what appeared to be a merchant carriage. The blackwood structure was fortificated with some brass paste and iron ledges. It looked like a jewelry merchant possession. That was a perfect way for then to travel, for the protection and secrecy.

They all hoped in, struggling to find space, as it was barely big enough for all of them, especially because of jaskal. Finding a way close to the window, the gunslinger and d'kaji both looked outside, one looking for problems, the other looking for something to pass the time.

And then their travel to the city began.