Interlude: New faces, Old places


Popular culture tends to believe that there is a 'code of honor' among thieves. While aspects of it are true, this is an over exaggeration. There is no honor. There is only distrust. Criminals work together on the basis one won't kill the other one, and hopefully get paid.


Roman slammed his fists on the table. His men were getting more incompetent by the day, and his outsourcing to Junior's club didn't help much either. Looking up at his map, he marked a point in the top right corner of Vale 'SCREWED.' He groaned. His preparations were lagging, and he needed the sup-

"On the ground, right now!"

Roman turned quickly. His warehouse door was busted down, and a small squadron of police officers had their weapons pointed at him. He spotted their van right outside the doorway. They only had this entrance sealed. This was only a small tip. Not wanting to alert more police, Roman slowly kneeled, and started to grab his cane. Something orange flashed in his vision.

What the hell?

Suddenly, the warehouse gate exploded outward, sending the cops to the floor. Roman also covered his neck instinctively, before looking back up. Where the door was, was a massive metal fist. The cops gave no time to wait as they opened fire. Then the fist pulled back, and all was quiet. The cops took this precious time to try to strategize. Two of them faced Roman, making sure he didn't try anything.

"Sergeant, we need backup!"

"I know, but my comms are jammed! We need to get out of here with Roman!"

Through the gap of the door, something big was approaching. The police and Roman held their collective breath as it stepped closer.

Thoom. Thoom. Thoom.

The figure stood in front of them. It appeared to be a Atlesian Paladin, but this was… too different. For starters, it didn't have the spider-like legs. These were more practical ones. This one also looked like it had separated weapons, rather than ones attached to its person. It was slightly bulky, and had one singular light in the center of the machine. This, Roman assumed, was its eye. Then it spoke.

"Alright boys, let's play nice." The thing spoke in an accented, feminine tone.

Before anybody could react, the thing stomped down, crushing two officers. It punched another into mist before it leaned over and… opened up? A woman ran out, punching an officer in the face. The hulking machine behind her closed and stood up, taking out anybody that tried escaping. Amid the screams, Roman sat there, impressed. However, he was equally angry, now that this mystery woman trashed his place. The lady kicked the sergeant over, pulling out a large revolver. She planted her foot on his chest, pointing the gun right between his eyes.

"Mate, tell me who your superiors are."

The man struggled against her foot.

"What good will it do you?! I've already called for backup!"

The woman grinned.

"There is no backup."

As she almost pulled the trigger, the sergeant knocked her away, making her stumble back. He got up, and he was about to tackle her-

The sound of a flare gun fired, and the sergeant was knocked dead onto the floor. Roman stood, cane facing upward, now at the woman.

"I'd like to start of with a thank you. But to the front of it: who the hell are you?"

She put her gun back in her holster. She leaned back a little.

"Name's Slone, mate. Don't worry, I'm not anything to worry about," she began "As long as you're willing to pay the right price. And I think everything here says you've got that price."

She gestured around the warehouse. Roman sighed. Yes, he had the resources, and yes, she was appearing to be a great asset, but could he trust her? He had to. For one, she was threatening his life. On the other hand, he needed all the help he could get.

"Fine. We can make a deal." Roman conceded.

"Good, then where can I start?"

He looked to all the bodies and broken doors.

"You can start by cleaning this mess up. I have other things to plan right now." As he began to walk out, ten of his guards broke a door down, pointing their guns at Slone. He gestured to put their weapons down, and they complied.

"Boys, your new job is to help clean this mess up with our new friend, Slone. Play nice, all of you!"

He walked through the door, and looked back. His boys were extremely intimidated by her appearance and robot, slowly stepping toward the mess on the floor. Roman turned and kep walking, but not before muttering one last word to himself.

"Idiots."


AN: Here's a quick interlude for you all! I'm getting started on the next one, but here's something to hold all of you over! As for the plot as a whole: This will be a slight AU. Some major events will not change, but some will change. You'll just have to see, but I just wanted to tell you guys that so you know going forward.

AN: Double upload!