Another set of crossroads. Two cars slow down at the approach to middle of a road, and then slowly turn right. Two armored cars were riddled with bullet holes, but thankfully none of them were able to pierce through. On the sides of each car were painted a graffity that read "Duval's Hunting Group" with "Duval's" being painted in red, and other words painted in white.
Martin - Oh, come one! It's not *cough* like we did bad right?
A young man, probobly way too young, were sitting at a back seat. His chest and head is covered in bandages.
Andre - I did told you not to run off! What were you even thinking? We are even lucky some wandering doll caught off their escape. Else we would ended up in another gunfight.
On a driver seat, Andre tried to keep cool and keep driving. But his face were betraying the frustration that he felt from the fact that he is in the same car as Martin is. Just nearby, front passanger seat, Blaze is taking care of her Grenade Launcher.
Martin - Speaking of this doll... Why we didn't put her in a trunk?
As he said that, Martin turned to backseat nearby, where the damaged doll were sitting still. She supposed to be turned off... But instead, she was sitting silently and staring at Martin.
Martin - Holy $%^&@....
Out of fear and instinct, Martin reached for a pistol in his hip holster, and tried to shoot. Nita gabed Martin's arm and pushed up, Martin non the less, still tried to pull the triger. Sudden commotion made Andre push on a break pedal.
Much to surprise of everyone in car behind them. Kilmure pushed break pedal too, but a little to late, so to avoid carcrash, he turned wheel hard left, whitch did helped escape collision with a car in front of them. But they ended up driving off the road.
Kilmure - What the hell is wrong with them?
VIP - Should i be concerned?
Kilmure and VIP were having a front row seat, with Kilmure being the driver.
Nomomo - No need mr. Lesko!
At the backseat, Nomomo and Beda pulled out their weapons and stepped outside. At the sight of Martin, Andre and Blaze leaving the car, Nomomo and Beda hurried to take positions.
Martin - She turned ON! I saw that!
Andre - You bloody idiot!
With a anger, Andre slaped Martin on his head. Then grabed the pistol off the Martin's hands.
Andre - Ahh! My ears are in pain! Did the last exlosion hurt the last bit of brain cells you had? Fire a live ammo inside a car? At the roof? It coulde'v injured me or you! Or worse!
For a moment, Andre even lifted his foot, as if to hit Martin, Martin covered his face with the arms, but Andre just steped back. Not far away, Blaze stood behind a car, looking at the duo, with a smile on her face. Nomomo and Beda came out of their hiding and came closer.
Kilmure - What happened?
Finaly, Kilmure managed to showup.
Andre - This idiot decided to shoot inside the car?
Martin - But that doll! She looked at me! She even grabed at my hand! She turned on by herself! She was like a zombie! Andre! That...
Andre - You will be a bloody zombie if you won't shut up! Holy hell... I knew you were dumb...
Kilmure - Maybe he is an idiot... but he is telling the truth!
Few gentle taps on a shoulder of Andre, made him turn around. There he saw Nita standing near the Blaze. And Blaze were constantly switching her attention between Nita and commotion.
Blaze - Don't know about you guys... But so far, she was much more friendlier than all of you!
With a sinister smile Blaze delivered once again.
=== Duval's Hunter Camp ===
Among the trees, concrete walls with barbed wires surrounded a few buildings. On a gate that lead to a highway were placed a sign. "Duval's Hunters". People walked left and right, unloading a truck full of supplyes. And in a window of two story building, a middle-aged man, with dark, short and clean hair were leaning agains a window frame.
Duval - I know my man! They are professionals! And i can assure you, they will bring your boy back! You know that my people dealt with things worse then that! Remember the deal with Nomads from the south?
Corter - That was a different thing! I should'v find a proper PMC to do this! Someone told me that the Griffin is back in full prosper! Maybe i should'v give a call them?
Duval - Now, now. No need to be leting our hands down. I am more than sure, that wery soon, we will hear a good news from my man and you will fill beter! Have i ever betrayed your expectations? Have i ever failed at delivering? Remember everything we did? We found everything that needed to be found, defended everything that needed to be defended, and destroyed every thing that deserved to be destroyed! This time is no different!
Corter - For god damn sake... We are talking about my son right here!
Duval - I know! And trust me! I let my best people to deal with this pressing matter!
An old man, in fancy two-piece suit were getting nerveous, but he also getting out of breath. So Duval opened drawer of his desk, pulled out two glasses and a bottle of whisky. Seeing that, pulled the chair from under the desk, and sat down.
Corter - My son and my little daughter is the last thing i have in this world. And spent so much time and money, just so he would not repeat my story. And my little girl? She hates my guts so much, she went to work for the police... just to dug out all the dirt on me...
Duval - Such is the way of life. We take care of someone, we love them, and they either hate us for not trying to be better, or follow our steps as by the book!
Corter - I just don't wan't to lose them!
Duval - Don't worry! You will never lose them! Your son will be safe and sound! I promise you that! I can already feel that he is safe and going back! All you need right now, is to trust in me, and in my people! And your boy will be here in no time! Just trust me!
With a glass filled with whisky, Duval sat down on his chair, then, both man silently took a sip.
Corter - I trust you Duval... I do. You know how things get out there!
Duval - I know my friend, i know! And that is why we are here. But right now, i can't allow my friend just sit here and ignore the world around you! I will call you when good news come here, and trust me, good news WILL come. So for now, i wan't you to get back to the office and work like it is any other gray day.
With a few quite nods, Corter finished his glass, and stood up for a handshake. Duval took a handshake, after whitch, they started moving to the only door on this room. On a doorstep, Corter turned around.
Corter - Oh... I almost forgot.
Quicky rummaging through his pokets, Corter took out a USB driver.
Duval - What is this?
Corter - Your people ended up leaving huge mess and even shined their faces for a few moments. I had to pay a hefty ammount so this thing would not appear in any major cases against you, and your people. Just make sure this record won't end up in wrong hands... or destroy it.
Duval - Corter, you are, the greatest man i ever had a pleasure of working with. Hope this little help won't turn in to a side note on some pice of paper?
Corter - It should not... In any case, i think i have stayed here for way too long, and my business can't work on it self, without my hand to guide around.
With that being said, both man were sepparated by a closed door. For a few moments, Duval looked at his reflection in the mirror.
His thoughts were interrupted by a call from communicator. He took a second look at himself, then finaly walked to his desk to answer the call.
Duval - Duval speaking!
Sam (communicator) - It's Sam. We have a slight problem! The info on a truck was false or someone rated us out! There were much more guards than they said. But we got the supply!
Duval - Any casualties?
Sam (communicator) - Nick and Edjher were shot, mild injuries, they will live. We lost two dolls, so nothing we can't handle. Victor is having a bad day, got hit by a grenade in a face, and then it exploded. Thankfully he is mostly in one piece, but he is burnt to a crisp...
Duval - Then hurry up! I don't want to hear any bad news for a day.
Sam (communicator) - Yeah... Right... We will be back soon enough.
With communicator once again being silent. Duval was left to his own thoughts. He poured some more whiskey in to his glass and stood beside the window. Things were getting grim.
Duval - Where the hell are you Kilmure? What is taking you so long?
=== The road ===
Kilmure - Push!
The car that went off the road, had troubles to getting back on a road. Mainly, because the car was stuck in dirt. So with the help of another car, cable and dolls, car slowly were getting back at a road. Kilmure and Lesko were standing nearby, watching the whole process.
Nomomo, Blaze and Andre were trying to push the car from behind. But the combined effort still were too slow.
Kilmure - Come on! Get this thing back on a road!
Nita - Maybe i should help?
Not far away, Beda and Nita were placed to look around in case of any surprises.
Kilmure - You are still damaged as hell! I'm not taking any risks! Don't wan't to explain anything to our workshop guys. This is already good enough for a little comedy. So just stand guard for now, ok?
Few minutes passed, but there were little progress. Somehow... that reminded of an ambush... Nikolai... Little girl. Varyags. Things were bad back then... but right now? There seems to be no threats nearby. So why?
Not ready to wait another hour, Nita went to the car. Standing between Blaze and Andre, Nita grabbed at the bottom of a car, and lifted up slightly. Sure, she were now stuck in a dirt knee high herself, but car started moving.
Kilmure - What the hell?
Confused or rather impressed face of Kilmure were stuck for a solid minute.
Lesko - That is a heavy doll if i have to say... You said it wasn't yours?
Kilmure - No... I mean, we... or rather i were thinking... No...
Lesko - What?
Kilmure - I wanted to say that, "I was thinking about taking that doll to our team!".
Lesko - And how often does your team commits to friendly fire?
Kilmure - Well... Just once... It was an accident!
And finaly, both cars were now back at the road. Martin walked out of a car, that was on a road. Andre huried to him. While dolls started gathering their equipment.
Blaze - So... Nita? How come such doll as yourself were walking around?
Nita - Not so shot story...
Blaze - Oh, but i do love when someone have a rather long story to tell.
Nita - Not that i against, but i can't?
Blaze - Oh what is it then? Something secret? Or you trying to be a double agent?
Nita - No. I just can't. Most of my story is missing.
Blaze - Missing? You mean like "deleted records" of "classified information"?
Nita - No, more like "corrupted data".
Blaze - Oh... Virus?
Nita - I wish i could knew.
Blaze - Don't worry! Our guys at a base will give your data a quick look. I'm sure they will figure something out! In the mean time, we should get going, but we can keep the talk through the road!