I've been playing a lot of Death Stranding lately, its a game by Hideo Kojima and I highly recommend you check it out if you haven't already.
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"They better have what was advertised," Fennec muttered.
"Our brothers in Argus have already received the shipment for dealing with Jade and it was exactly what we paid for, they wouldn't lie and risk our ire now." Corsac assured.
It didn't do much to calm Fennec.
Nothing was going right for them, all their armor still needed replacing, the paint and someone able to use it correctly was still needed. Neither of them was stupid enough to solely rely on the gamble with the sky pirates. Nobody knew for sure what was on board those ships. Everything else was ready, they just needed armor and the gang wasn't offering a cheap price, hopefull Khan's claws would play there part.
"It's time Fennec."
"Yes, let's hope this plays out as planned for once." Corsac took his hand off his ear and approached the entrance.
"Why aren't they here yet?" Ruby asked.
"They're already here," Edward spoke through the earpiece. "Just saw Corsac and Fennec head in the back of the warehouse, they've got about a dozen guys and to are staying at the door with one of the gangsters."
"The back?"
"They're being discreet, now there are two wearing red hoods what have the tip extending out like a snout. Corsac has a foxtail and Fennec has fox ears just keep your eyes on the front in case either of them tries to flee, we need to take at least one of them."
"Are they tough?" Nora asked.
"If alone they're not, try to isolate one of them then we take em."
Ruby adjusted the black cloak around her as she observed the front entrance of the warehouse through her scope. She was perched above an opposing building keeping watch. She wanted her old cloak back but bright red made her easy to find and she needed the element of surprise. Honestly Ruby was certain Sienna wanted to mess with her over the boat.
Ren and Nora were being kept behind, Nora, because the warehouses on the lower levels weren't structured to handle her and setting off explosions in the old place, wasn't ideal. Ren because someone needed to keep Nora company and direct her grenades. Sienna was back at the house because of her late pregnancy. Leaving Edward to lead them, which was probably for the best seeing how he knew who they were dealing with better than the rest of them.
"Okay, we're moving in!"
The human pulled the lid off the crate. "Alright, here it is, satisfied?"
Corsac peered into the crate and hummed. "It will suit our needs quite well."
"Great to hear, now pay up."
Corsac glanced around at the windows, the doors and finally dozen or so gangsters looking for something, found it or not his scroll was out and he began typing.
"Hey, its time to pay up. Where's the dough."
"Paying won't be necessary," Corsac finished typing on his scroll before stowing it. "Your services are no longer required after tonight."
The collection of gangsters all tensed, most raised their weapons.
"What the fuck are you talking about-"
He was interrupted when entrances all around them crashed opened and Corsac hit the floor as objects were lobbed in. The objects exploded with a blinding flash and a deafening roar.
Edward rushed into the warehouse just after the flashbangs went off. There were far fewer gang members then he thought would be here but the less the merrier in his mind. They quickly dispatched of the gangsters and oddly enough the Fang troopers all fled behind the small crates they were trying to buy. Seemingly unphased by the grenades and those with Faunus ears looked to be plucking something out of their pair. Edward shouted out to hold fire after the gangsters were taken out, although it would arguably have been better killing the Albain brothers wouldn't really be ideal as they still needed to figure out what the White Fang was doing.
Edward approached Corssac who rose from his position on the ground and pulled... earplugs out from his ears?
"Hello, Edward."
He leveled his rifle. "Surprised to see me?"
Corsac gave a vicious smile. "Not particularly."
"Edward!" Rose shouted so loud it was almost deafening. "Four vans just showed up and they're pouring out more White Fang!"
"You want us to what?" Councilor Elliot asked.
Roland winced at the tone. "Just talk to the man, I really think he's trying to help."
"A boat full of armed Faunus is coming to the city Roland, we have enough to deal with in Atlas, you do remember how we're in talks with them now?"
"I am aware Elliot," Roland sighed, it was easier with Atlas because they were desperate to talk. "The White Fang is a problem-"
"We know that Roland, the situation is being dealt with by the police. They have assured me that the situation will soon be under control."
"And if it's not?" Roland asked. "I've read the papers and seen the news, dust shops being robbed, gun battles going off, gangs flooding the fight with arms and equipment. If they want to help I don't see the reason not to let them in, it's dealing with a problem without having to do it your self and hey you can even take time out from talking with Atlas, this is a perfect excuse to-"
"Roland, what is this about?"
"What?"
"Getting us to talk with atlas made sense from you what with the bounty they had on your son and his wife, don't act as if you don't know, it came down as soon as we confirmed to speak with them privately. It wasn't hard to piece together, so what are you gaining from being this persistent."
He grimaced, it was that obvious huh.
"Roland I'd like an answer sometime today."
"Sienna Khan is in the city."
"... Pardon?"
"Sienna Khan, my son's wife," He added. "She's in the city and that's why this schism is happening, she's currently battling two other for control of the White Fang. A Corsac and Fennec Albain."
"Ghira Belladonna is bringing in her reinforcement isn't he?"
"Yeah, I was also hoping her actions could get her a... pardon." Roland looked towards the councilman hopefully who returned his with a more confused one.
"Ghira Belladonna was ousted by Sienna Khan who in turned made his organization into terrorists." Elliot recounted. "Why in the world would he have even a modest interest in helping her?"
"Sienna has turned over a new leaf."
Elliot deadpanned.
"She married my son, married a human."
"...I'll admit you've peaked my intrigued Roland and having an excuse from speaking with Atlas sounds well... I'll speak with chieftain Ghira."
Roland gave a sigh of relief. "Well, you definitely seem quick to jump on that excuse."
"Lionheart is doing the same thing, being the headmaster he's quite busy with internal matters to an empty school and needs to be excused from any and all distractions."
"Wow," Roland didn't know Leonardo could be a stick in the mud. "About Sienna...?"
"That is a far more complicated matter I'd rather not get into without informing the rest of the council, which I will."
"Well better than nothing."
Everything went wrong really fast.
Ruby did not need to be a genius to figure that out.
Corsac and his men grabbed the crates and began rushing out of the warehouse at the moment. The White Fang has dozens pouring out of their vans to halt Edward and him and his men were now outnumbered. Ren and Nora were on the clear opposite side of the Warehouse and needed time to get here, so it fell to Ruby. Thinking fast and going off Edward's description of how Fennec looked took a shot at the hooded Faunus with what she hoped was fox ears. Her shot connected with his shin, thankfully his aura prevented any major damage. As the man fell over, bringing the opened top crate he was helping to carry down with him spilling the contents.
In response, almost everyone armed and ready fired where the muzzle flash came from causing Ruby to throw off her cloak and speed away. They barely managed to keep up but unfortunately Ruby needed to flee to the far end of a roof to escape the hellfire of bullets.
"Geronimo!" Ruby caught a glimpse of Nora jumping down to crash into and scattered the distracted horde.
Ren leaped down to join her, more like keep her from doing anything too flashy, and Edward finally pressed into the scene with disciplined fire.
Having most of their goal already loaded the Vans began to pull away and Ruby tried to stop them by shooting out the tires on the leading vehicle but the rest swirled out of its way and fled. The crashed van's occupants poured out and fled out, Ruby wanted to pursue but Edward cried out.
"Forget them! Grab Fennec! Stop him!"
Ruby saw Fennec rush into an alleyway and sped after him, using her semblance to scale the top of a nearby building and land just in front of him. A quick shot from Cresent Rose knocked the pistol out of his hand.
"Fennec," Edward said rounding the corner. "It's good to see you again traitor."
When Fennec turned towards him Edwards smiled died.
"What the fuck...?"
"What's wrong?" Ruby asked.
Edward didn't answer and instead walked over and threw the hood off him.
"You're not Fennec."
Sienna leaned into the red armchair, she was used to staying behind and deploying teams out but she couldn't help but wonder how they were doing. They really banked on the idea that either Corsac or Fennec would be there. Hell, they didn't even know what exactly was being bought. For all, she knew it was a warehouse willed with guns or even dust.
"Here take this," Lara handed her a few vitamin pills and a cup of water. "Do you feel any different from yesterday? A week ago maybe?"
"I'm really feeling tired all of a sudden and kind of craving pickles right now."
"Stuff like that is normal, just keep me informed and don't be afraid to ask for anything."
Sienna nodded. "Is the baby going to be okay?"
"What?" Lara asked.
"How will my unwilling fasting followed by me gourmandizing food affect the baby?"
Lara took a moment before answering. "It will be fine lady Khan."
"Be honest with me."
Lara grimaced. "I actually can't say for certain, without proper equipment all I can do for now is infer with observations, sorry."
"It's... okay."
"By the gods, why didn't I figure it out sooner."
How healthy would the baby be? Is this really the environment she'd be able to rase it in? What kind of childhood can she provide? What does she actually know about parenting? How will life be like without their father? Would it be better to run off to the Arcs and have them help? What about the White Fang, what would they do to the baby of the traitorous High Leader Sienna Khan?
Gods she could use a drink.
"Have you thought of any names?" Lara asked probably seeing Sienna's distress bubbling up.
"I'm not sure, it hasn't crossed my mind yet... maybe July or Jack."
"Those are nice."
"No, it's stupid and poorly thought out."
Lara sighed. "Good, I thought you were honestly serious."
Sienna chuckled, she'd probably have thought the same.
"We're back!"
Sienna turned to see Ruby, Edward, Ren, and Nora enter the living room. They had to come through the back and in small groups as to not attract attention, so it was the five of them for now.
"What happened?" Sienna asked, her amusement gone.
"Corsac was there but not Fennec, well a decoy of Fennec was there and we lost Corsac because of it."
"Damn, did you at least stopped the dealing?"
"No, in fact, they pretty much expected us to crash it and made off with all but one crate. It had this in it." Edward sat on the couch and tossed a helmet on the table.
Sienna eyed it suspiciously. "That looks from Atlas but it's too... bulky."
"Yeah, the crate was filled with armor like it, probably like that for all the crates."
"Growing their arsenal?"
"Maybe, the helmet does have any of the optics from what is shamelessly trying to imitate. But remember the bar you found us in?" Sienna nodded. "They were trying to buy paint, white paint in quantity with a smaller about of blue, yellow, and red."
"The common color Atlas paints its armor in and the common colors of their rank trims."
"Exactly, but the why part we still don't know. The police showed up before we could search much."
"Ask your grapevine for any information about more dealings and see if they can find anything Atlas related. Money is no object right now."
"I'll see what I can do." Edward left to see the appropriate people while Sienna rubbed her chin.
"They knew we're coming but only used one decoy?"
Fennec's grin couldn't get wider, stretching his facial muscles to the brink. He had no idea how they managed to get a house in the upper levels of the cliff but Fennec had to admit Sienna had chosen her new base well.
They wouldn't have suspected Khan's Claws here of all places much less the police.
"Except now we know."