The Storm (4)

Neto did not respond to the information that was given to him, instead he accelerated his car suddenly as well as did every other car in the column in the same moment.

Temporarily breaking past the net that was enclosing on them, the group of officers made one synchronized turn to the left, suddenly, into a zone that was clearly marked off limits for construction work.

Yet Bazel saw nothing that resembled construction work, instead it was an open and clear area that looked like it was prepared just for this moment...as if Neto had predicted this would happen.

"Did you-" began Bazel before Neto cut him off.

"Si mi amigo, I arranged for this just in case your intuition was right. Save the rest of the questions for later, I will be leading my men so you and the loca girl will need to stand back. Keep her under control as well, stop her from trying anything funny."

"Struggle all you want, it does not matter even if you predicted this outcome" derided Zaira, before resuming her air of disinterest.

The police cars pulled into the deserted construction zone, creating a barricade that ran horizontal across the space with their cars. Out came the officers next, two from each of the six vehicles, making for a total of twelve rank and file officers armed with pistols and shotguns taking aim from relative safety.

The two black vans had their back doors kicked open, six men came out from each in full SWAT gear. Body armor from head to toe, face masks, and each member of the unit carrying an automatic rifle...they were a force to be reckoned with. These elite and highly trained members of the police department also took up positions behind their own car, with two of them carrying several bags over and one setting up thick pieces of equipment that took up the rest of the space between their van and the walls of the construction complex.

With a click and the sound of sliding metal, each of these devices turned into bullet proof cover that the SWAT members crouched under and awaited their enemies.

Neto also stepped out, bringing along with him a bandolier full of who knows what, and walked over to Loera to lead the defense.

Meanwhile Bazel also stepped out quickly, wondering why he was so calm considering what was going on but quickly put the thought aside. He went over to the passengers side and opened it, allowing Zaira McGrath to step out and into the fresh air.

"Come with me, you need to be alive so that you can be judged" said Bazel in an icy tone.

Zaira did not respond, just scrunching her eyes and wrinkling her nose for a moment as she inspected Bazel from up close. She sniffed the air a few times and the confusion on her face grew simultaneously.

"You do smell different...who do you hang around on a daily basis? Anyone of particular note, different than the the rabble that currently surround us?" asked Zaira, completely serious.

Bazel did not bother to answer, instead electing to grab her by the shoulder and easily bring her along with him around the car and to the back of the construction complex where some large cinder blocks were.

Forcing Zaira to crouch on the ground, much to her displeasure as she complained about how dirty it was, he took position behind her to ensure that she made no funny moves and then turned his attention to the entrance of the construction complex.

Several black cars and vans began to roll in, completely blocking the entrance. Exiting the vehicles were grimy and greasy looking men wearing cheap suits and had slicked back hair, each carrying a pistol or old style looking rifle. They were several dozen in number, more than three times the men that the officers had, and they were far more brazen.

They orderly lined up in front of their cars, not even bothering to take cover like their opponents as if it was too far above them.

From behind them rolled in one more vehicle, a long and luxurious looking limousine and out stepped three men followed by two tall, muscular, and hairy bodyguard looking types.

Seeing this group of men, Zaira huffed happily and said, "Even my noble brother has come out for this, there is no hope for these dirty commoners. Even if that one is slightly smarter than the rest, now, you should answer my previous question. Knave, if you satisfy my curiosity I may just pardon your life."

Bazel looked down at the girl, wondering what terrible parents she must have had to carry her warped and almost insane world view, "Shut up and be quiet, it's already hard enough to not give in to my desire to just smash your skull into the concrete in front of you."

The dangerous glint and icy tone Bazel had silenced the girl for a moment, before she grew red in anger and said, "You dare? Do not think I will not kill you myself...I would have at least broken your arm for such words but you hold some interest to me. Answer. My. Question," spat the girl one word after the other, her arrogant aura reaching its peak and her body tensing up for a fight.

"Good gods this girl belongs in a mental institution" thought Bazel, who just gave in to her whining so he could focus on the battle that was about to break out, "There is no one that I hang around with on a daily basis besides my sister Lily. I see Neto from time to time and at work I am usually busy in my office alone all the time, happy? Now be quiet."

"Impossible" muttered Zaira, tapping her nose a few times, "Has the air of the common world damaged my sense of smell?"

Ignoring the girl that Bazel now regarded as completely insane, and perhaps even slightly schizophrenic, he instead focused on the confrontation that was occuring in the field in front of him.

The two sides stood across from one another, waiting for words of negotiation to be exchanged between each sides' leading figures.

Neto was handed a megaphone by one of his subordinates, holding it up to his mouth he said, "Welcome Mafioso, I would offer you a seat at my table but it does not seem that you are in a talking mood... We both know what is going down here, leave or die."

In response a megaphone was handed to one of the two men that came out of the limousine with the person that Zaira referred to as 'noble brother', who said, "Give us Miss McGrath, the rest you can do whatever you want with. Else, blood will spill today. Make your choice, I will only wait for thirty seconds."

The officers were clearly not enthused by the response that they got and instead responded by securing themselves behind cover further and taking the safety off their weapons.

The probable mafia leader who spoke just laughed to himself and brought up his arm and yelled, "Neophytes, make good use of your gift and eliminate these peasants. Teach them who owns them, who rules this land. Humble them, for the rest of their short lives!"

Immediately the eyes of each of the suited men grew bloodshot, they yelled and screamed in a cacophony of beastly howls. Drawing their weapons while running forward, they opened fire with reckless abandon.

The police officers responded by opening up with their own weapons and although they were outnumbered heavily they had the advantage of superior training, equipment, as well as two units worth of heavily skilled and elite SWAT.

The fight between two sides, one light and one dark, had begun.