The Shit-Town Saga:

The Blood Circle part 5

A black car pulled over to the side of the street and a group of men in matching black suits got out, wielding automatic assault rifles and made their way into the construction site.  A woman in a spy catsuit used a grappling line to land inside the site and produced a silenced-pistol.  Another man in tactical gear used wire-cutters to get through a fence.  At a different area, a slender man used parkour to get over the fence. More figures entered and wandered into the center of Madison Square Garden’s construction site.

Once the Cavalier saw a decent sized crowd, he activated the Dragon.  The hovercraft was hidden in shadows between two stacks of girders.  First, the lights turned on, which drew their attention.  Next, the Dragon’s Roar emanated from the vehicle.  The high-pitched siren was ear-splitting, stunning the group of assassins gathered.  The hatch soon opened and he leapt out to meet his stunned foes.  He ran into the small crowd, throwing quick punches and kicks.  One of the men in black suits managed to raise a gun, but Cavalier forced the barrel down, releasing a spurt of bullets into the ground before delivering a quick punch and yanking it from his grasp.  He turned and threw the discarded gun into the face of another assassin.  A few yards away, the woman with the silenced pistol picked herself off the ground and fired a shot.  The bullet bounced off his helmet and he sprinted toward her, delivering a flying kick that finally took her out.

In the distance, a man wearing a wide-brim hat and overcoat entered the site.  Somewhere, the sound of screeching tires and roaring engines approached.  Another wave was coming and he couldn’t get to the Dragon in time; the man in the overcoat raised his arms, revealing wrist-mounted guns.  The Cavalier used his grappling line to pull himself up to the second floor as bullets passed by.  Once he was at a higher vantage point, he could clearly see the street.  A car pulled up and more men rushed out with automatic weapons. He recognized the driver as he led his friends into the site, “Yeah, get that bitch!”  He knew the man’s name was Anthony; he and his friend tried to rob Jayden Nash in a subway days earlier, but Cavalier stopped them.  He realized that, since he advertised he would be at Madison Square Garden, it apparently set him up for any revenge-seekers in the city as well as anyone looking to make money off killing him.

He turned away from the street to enter the center of the arena when he saw a silhouette.  The large man stood against the moonlight, and Cavalier could see the outline of bunny-ears.  “The hell?” he said to himself just before he heard the sound of a revving chainsaw.  The Bunnyman ran forward, revealing himself in the light; he wore a cheap, furry rabbit mask and a filthy short-sleeved shirt.  He swung the chainsaw wildly and Cavalier ducked under it.  The blade hit a metal beam, sending sparks everywhere before spinning into a backswing that hit Cavalier’s chest plate.  The armor protected him well enough but the attack still left scratches and the force knocked him onto a stack of wood planks.  The Cavalier rolled out of the way as the Bunnyman brought his chainsaw down, sending splinters into the air as he tore through the wood.  Cavalier picked up a broken plank and swung it across the Bunnyman’s face, knocking him to the ground where he reeled in pain.

In the darkness, he could hear more people approaching from all sides and slipped into the shadows.  Various gang members, assassins, and people seeking revenge opened fire with a variety of firearms.  From the street, flashes of light could be seen inside the partially built arena and it sounded like a war-zone.  Freddy and Joey sat in their car, patiently waiting.

“When do I getta go inside?” Freddy asked with a mild hint of impatience.

“Once it goes quiet,” Joey told his brother.

Inside, rollerblades ran along a cement floor.  The assassin raced along while brandishing twin short swords; they struck him along the ribs, making him spin around.  She kicked off a wall and tried to come back at him but he leapt forward, catching her at the waist.  He body slammed her against the floor, knocking her out, then scrambled to his feet when he saw more gunmen.  He ran down a hallway leading to the arena area as bullets flew past.

Up ahead, the man in the wide-brim hat stood in his path, unloading a barrage from his wrist-mounted guns.  Cavalier raised a shield again, deflecting the bullets while his free hand summoned a crossbow.  He shot a single electric bolt that rendered the man unconscious and then he tried to duck inside the doors leading to the atrium.  Just then, a large figure body checked him through a plastic sheet. 

The Bunnyman could scarcely be heard to giggle as he started up his chainsaw again.  Cavalier was wrapped up in the plastic sheet and desperately trying to free himself as he scooted along the ground.  The Bunnyman brought his chainsaw down just as a double-bladed battleaxe appeared in Cavalier’s hand.  When he swung it, the chainsaw exploded, throwing the Bunnyman against a metal stud and slid down onto his backside.  Once on the ground, Cavalier drove his heel into the bunny mask, knocking him out.

When Cavalier stood, he saw a man with a flame thrower strapped to his back.  He pulled his cape over him and flew past as flames licked his back.  The fireproof armor held up as he once again rushed to the doors.  The assassin with the flame-thrower gave chase just as a member of the Hell’s Trespassers fired a shot at Cavalier.  The bullet didn’t hit him, but he heard the distinct sound of a fuel tank being punctured.  In the chaos, the wrong target was hit. The Cavalier made one last leap as the flame-thrower exploded.  The force of the explosion sent him through the doorway and down some steps.  He hit multiple stairs as he rolled past seats and finally landed against metal railing.

He looked toward the entrance to the atrium; flames danced in the hallway and he imagined what carnage lay beyond that.  There were some mixed feelings in knowing many of his enemies survived that explosion.  He gazed at the two entrances next to the fire. 

He purposefully led the assassins to the Northern part of the arena and hoped they took the bait.  Soon, a small crowd began to exit the two halls, making their way to the steps.  “Got your ass!” he saw Anthony and his friends rushing through the door, along with more members of the Hell’s Trespassers and the remaining assassins. They didn’t notice the trip wire or the objects taped to the walls along those entrances and when a boot stepped on it, multiple canisters went off, releasing sedative gas.  Some of them dropped down the steps while other choked and tried to retreat to the hallways before collapsing.  None of them got any closer and when Cavalier was sure there was no one else, he sighed and laid his head down.

Painfully, he made his way back through the building and stood on the ledge of the exterior, looking out over the construction site for more enemies.

He was struck from behind and fell off the beam and hit a trailer one story below, then rolled off before falling onto the dirt.  His head was swimming and his body ached.  In his dazed state, he caught a glimpse of a figure dropping down onto the trailer and then taking a few careful steps before hopping down.  Cavalier tried to stand up but the figure swung a hammer into his face plate, which rolled him onto his back again.  This time, he got a clear look at his attacker. He recognized Freddy as the man who killed a yakuza assassin the previous night.

Freddy was on him already, taking several hard swings.  Cavalier was surprised by his movements.  There didn’t appear to be any formal training, but he had profound instincts.  He attacked and defended when needed.  There was no finesse or discernible system to his movements.  They were mathematical.  Freddy connected with multiple weak points in seconds, bringing Cavalier to his knees.  He knew if it wasn’t for the armor, he’d be dead.  He raised a shield while crouched on the ground; Freddy stopped and gave the shield a few taps, quickly realizing he couldn’t get through.

Freddy calmly turned and looked around the site for something heavier to use and that’s when the Cavalier used the Round Table to access his morning-star.  He knocked the legs out from under Freddy, quickly taking him down.  While Freddy was on his back, Cavalier snatched him by the collar and delivered a sharp punch across the face.  He raised his fist again, but stopped when he saw Freddy’s terrified expression.

“J-Joey!” Freddy called out in a panic, “Joey, I’m scared.”

“What the hell?” Cavalier let him go and stepped back.

Joey came running out of the shadows, a snub-nose magnum in his hands.  “Get away from him!” he shouted at Cavalier as he rushed toward him, “You hear me?  I said-”

Cavalier spun and snatched the gun from his hands, “What the hell’s going on?”

“Hey man, you wanna take it out on someone, take it out on me, okay?  This was all my idea.  Just leave my brother alone.”

Cavalier turned back to look at Freddy who  pulled a tissue from his pocket and dabbed at his bloody lip.  Cavalier looked back at Joey, “Are you seriously sending him out here as a hitman?”

“I know what you’re thinking, but he’s a savant y’know?  You put a weapon in his hand and he just knows how to use it.  It’s easy money and he gets most of it.”

“You’re exploiting your brother and putting him in danger.  I hope you realize that.”

“He’s doing what he likes and he’s making money. I’m not exploiting anybody.”

“You’re gonna get him killed someday.”

“Nah, man,” he shook his head, “The guy’s pretty much unstoppable.  Ain’t nobody gonna kill him!”

Cavalier pulled him in close and roared, “I could’ve killed him!  You understand that?  What would’ve happened if I was the Horseman, huh?  I guarantee, he wouldn’t have this much generosity!”

Joey looked defeated, “What happens now?”

“Police are coming to clean up,” he once again looked at Freddy who continued to worry, “I’m gonna let you get your brother outta here.”

“Seriously?” Joey appeared relieved and began to speak.

“If you’re gonna thank me, don’t.  I’m doing this for your brother, not you.”

“Yeah, yeah.  I get it.”

“But before you leave, you’re gonna help me with something.  The guy who put you up to this, Mano.  Where is he?”

“Don’t know where he is now, but I know where he’ll be tomorrow night.  Pier 26, Hudson Bay.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, we’re supposed to be there at eight o’clock with proof of our kills so we can get paid.  He said something about getting on a boat right after that.”

“If you’re lying, I’m gonna come find you.”

“Swear to God!  I just wanna get Freddy outta here.”

Cavalier shoved him toward his brother, “Go.  And don’t let me catch you out here again.”

“Come on, Freddy,” Joey put his arm around him and walked him out of the construction site.  Cavalier followed them off the site and watched them get in a car and drive away, his body tired and wracked with pain.  Once he made sure they were gone, he turned and made his way back to the Dragon.  Once he got close, he heard the sound of an approaching motorcycle engine and cursed under his breath before turning around.

The Horseman had driven his bike into the site and parked it a few yards from him.  He noticed the Horseman had a damaged helmet, but made no mention.  “I just had to fight about two dozen assholes, so I’m warning you now, I’m not in the mood for your bullshit,” Cavalier made sure not to let on to the fact he no longer had any fight in him.  His tank was empty.

“I’m not here for you.  Not tonight,” the Horseman told him, “I heard about your little trick and came out here to see who showed up.”

“Don’t be coy, I know you’re after Mano.”

“I’m guessing he’s not showing tonight.  Not that it’s a problem.  I know where he’ll be.”

“So do I.”

“Then I suggest you don’t get in my way.”

“Y’know, you’ve been on the news lately.  I know your history.  You had a future in motocross, but chose this life instead.  Some cops came forward and admitted they trained to you in different forms of combat or gave you weapons over the years because they felt bad for you.  Apparently, you’ve always looked up to cops and were in the Explorers Program when you were young, but your family had debt problems, so you weren’t allowed on the force.   Now, I know this wasn’t just about your parents being bad with money.  A guy doesn’t go batshit over something like that.  What happened there?  Did a bunch of corrupt cops get in your head?  You feel entitled to something?”

“Not interested in a therapy session right now,” he kick-started his motorcycle, “If I see you at that warehouse tomorrow, I’m taking you and Mano down.”

“I was gonna say the same to you.”

****

The next morning, Danny Slade stood in his campaign office with a diverse group seated in metal folding chairs.  “I’ve met some of you before,” he began, “And some of you, I’m meeting for the first time.  We have different backgrounds, but we have one thing in common.  I think you know what that is.”

The group were all retired superheroes from different eras:

Jackie Kamiya was a former vigilante known as Nodachi and once belonged to Street Force alongside Danny Slade.

Jamal and Kitty Hoskins were once the crimefighting duo from the 70s – Roller Girl and Diamond.  He was an African American martial artist and she was the daughter of an eccentric inventor.  Together, they used gadgets and fighting prowess to fight crime, eventually getting married just before retirement.

Carl Lenzini was once the armored hero known as Titanian- a corporate PR move from the company Titan Steel Ltd.

Sara Washburn was the 60s hero Wildflower.  The Nirvana Man used her as a test subject after forming a hippie commune.  She was capable of emitting psychedelic lights.

Finally, there was Kieren Vaughn.  He was the star of a PSA program to encourage children not to smoke.  He would visit schools and other institutions while dressed as the hero Smoke-Stopper where he’d make speeches and perform stunts.

“So we all used to fight crime,” Jackie announced.

“Well, I didn’t,” Kieren responded, “I did anti-smoking campaigns.”

“You dressed up and inspired kids to do better,” Danny told him, “That’s being a superhero and just as important as punching out bad guys in my opinion.”

“Okay, so…?”

“I think we should band together.”

“Is this about Street Force?”

“No,” he sighed, “It’s not a team.  It’s more like a movement. There are multiple seats available for City Council, probably due to what happened at City Hall.  People are still afraid to stand up and help.  You guys can run campaigns and easily fill those seats.”

“Democracy’s important and all,” Jamal Hoskins spoke up, “But none of us are politicians, I don’t think.  At least me and Kitty aren’t.”

“But we’re superheroes or we once were.  We care about helping the community.  After I got injured, I realized I could help people in lots of other ways.  So can you.”

“Did your advisors put you up to this?” Sara asked.

“No, believe it or not, it was a chance encounter with the Cavalier.”

****

Mano rode in the back seat of a car driven by a man working under the Costa Tristen diplomat.  Next to him was a third man who remained silent.

“All our other assassins have failed,” Mano began, “You’re the last and you’ll be paid handsomely.  I left bread crumbs for the Horseman to follow me to the warehouse and I’ve no doubt the Cavalier has learned about our plan.  They’ll show up today.  Your job is to wait for the boat and when it arrives, make sure I’m on it.  Nothing else matters.  I’ll deal with those two… if they don’t kill each other first.”

Continued…