Husk looked down at his book sighing once again before looking at the clock over his reading glasses, Angel should have been back three hours ago. Husk shook his head, summing it up to be another rough night at work but he had a strange feeling it had something to do with Valentino's little territorial take over. Little under a week ago, most of the higher ranking overlords and smaller warlords vanished, rumors circulated that they had left pentagram city and in the place leading all the factions underlings was Valentino. He'd pulled together a sizable fighting force and from what Husk knew from the multiple jobs Angel and him had done he'd taken swaths of land. Sure Husk never bothered to ask or even get involved in the shit but he knew something was wrong, like he was preparing a coup.

He'd sent guys in uniform out onto the street, even muscling out the Imps that policed the city districts, actually fucking cops and now there were patrols up and down the streets, fucking wild. Every time Angel stepped out that door he had a faint feeling he wouldn't be coming back, maybe he'd be arrested and taken to Val, made to stay at the studio for his "protection." He shook his head and tried to focus back on the book in his lap, listening to the faint noise that emanated from the radio in the far corner of the lobby that Alastor had installed all those months ago.

Charling had jammed that fucking thing on the News Channel, Vaggie forbaying anyone from touching it since this thing started, it was like a war room. Husk listened faintly as he heard the announcer, Tom Trench, reporting the recent events, something about a gunfight between the Crimson Moon and the Moth Coalition, so that's what he was calling it, some people had died, soldiers but civilians got caught in the crossfire, typical but unsurprising.

"Husker!" Alastor called from across the lobby, Husk rolling his head to the side and looking over the rim of his glasses, giving him a disinterested look, "What." He said bluntly. Alastor stopped, leaning on the bar with his usual and well known shit-eating smile, "Has Angel returned yet? Or Niffty for that matter?"

Husk raised and eyebrow, he never usually cared where Niffty was, "No and no. Currently, I'm debating on going out and looking for Angel but I didn't know Niffty had left." Husk slipped the bookmark he was holding into the page, closing the book and sitting it next to him before reaching across and grabbing the bottle of Denizen White Rum that was next to him and throwing it back. A look of concern cracked Alastors smile for a second before his smile returned, "Would you mind if I accompanied you?"

Husk squinted, there had to be an ulterior motive, Alastor never asks, "What's the catch."

Alastor looks oddly offended in his own smarmy way, "No catch, I'm simply concerned." Husk shrugged and stood up, adjusting the shirt he was wearing before walking over to the coat rack that hung on the wall of the bar near the exit, "Yeah sure." He took down the holster that sat next to his coat, slipping it on and clipping it up before grabbing his coat, hat and scarf, wrapping himself up and sitting his hat on his head, pushing it to one side slightly and stepping out from behind the bar, "Best get something warm on, it's apparently fucking freezing outside."


The streets weren't completely dead, some demons still roamed them but most stayed inside, peeking out through their windows. Husk reached into his pocket to check his phone, still not message, then slid it back into his jacket pocket, shrinking back into the scarf. "Did Niffty say where she was going?"

"She said she had some business at one of her book clubs I believe." Alastor cocked his head to the side as if he was trying to remember something from a hundred years back. Husk looked out of the corner of his eye, Alastor was spinning his cane like he wanted to turn into the helicopter, he was anxious, that was obvious, "Book club? You mean the smut that she writes she talks about at a fuckin' book club?"

"Yes, quite odd I know, but I don't pry too often." Alastor said, scanning around. Husk nodded and looked towards the neon sign that flashed in the distance, that must be the joint Angel took him to that night, hadn't been there since but it was worth a go, 'Tom Hassles Diner,' how original.

They turned into the diner, climbing the stairs and walking inside, scanning the place, no sign of Angel. Husk scrunched up the corner of his mouth, "Wait here." He turned to Alastor before walking to the counter, the demon behind it leaned over with a small smile, "What can I getcha'?"

"Lookin' for Angel Dust, pink spider that looked like he walked out of the woman styling section in a painting isle." Husk pulled a hand from his pocket, scratching his chin. The Demon sat up straight, squinting, "Had a discolored eye? Black and red yeah?" Husks eyes grew and he leaned forward, "Where is he?"

The demon cleared his throat, "Saw him come in maybe four hours ago, looked pretty beat up. Ordered himself a soup before a couple of guys came in, looks a little off, not Moth of Crimson but the bands on their arms had a TV antenna so my guess is Vox's boys." Husk squinted and turned his head away, scrunching up his face, "Didn't say where they were goin'?" He turned back, raising and eyebrow. The demon shook his head, "If they did I didn't hear it, sorry." Husk nodded and reached into his pocket, taking out his wallet and a 10 dollar note, sitting the crown on the bench, "Thanks for the info." The demon nodded and took the note, slipping it into the register.

"You know where any of Vox's joints are 'round here?" Husk said walking up to Alastor, slipping his hand back into his pocket. Alastor threw his head back, staring at the ceiling like the fucking answer was written on it before looking back down, "Yes, a few. However I suspect they took him straight to Vox's little headquarters, but then again."

Husk turned his head and reached into his pocket, taking out his phone, "I'll ring Vags, she'll want to jump on this. Where's the closest?"


Vaggie popped the truck to the limo, grunted as she climbed out of the car, she looked pretty professional with all that gear on, "Jesus, said we were going to get Angel not invade Mexico." Husk raised an eyebrow, "Yeah well it pays to be prepared." He walked to the truck, grabbing hold of it and raising it, "Nice selection." Husk grinned at the armament in the back, reaching in and grabbing the K-50M that sat off to the side, "Interesting to say the least." He pulled back the bolt and looked into the chamber before reaching down and grabbing one of the 35 round stick mags, slotting it in, "Yeah well, you said grab something small."

Husk stopped and turned his head, restraining his inner child before stuffing another magazine into his inner jacket pocket. Husk stood and turned his head back to Alastor, raising an eyebrow, "You grabbin' something or you gonna' use your freaky Japanese shit." Alastor turned his head to Husk and raised an eyebrow, "Oh no, I always come prepared." He reached into his coat, taking out an engraved Mauser C96, "Right. Perhaps if we were fighting in the trenches of France in 1915 that would be good." Husk shook his head before slinging the Submachine gun over his head, letting it hang off his hip.

"Did you bring your medical bag?" Husk turned to Vaggie, reaching into his pocket to take out his flask. Vaggie nodded, patting her hips, "Two just in case." Husk nodded and looked towards the old run down car factory, plenty of cover on the outside, practically a Guerilla fighters wet dream. He continued to stare at it, his eyes straining to look through the light fog that had come in thanks to the light snow storm. "Perhaps if we wore white we'd fit in."

"We're not here to fit in, estamos aquí para patear algunas jodidas cabezas." Vaggie racked a round into the AKMS. Husk nodded his head slightly before throwing back his head, taking a swig from the flask, "You're not wrong." He closed his eyes as the familiar burning sensation went straight down his throat before opening his eyes and looking to Alastor, "You positive this is where he is?"

"Well the people I've asked have a contract with me my dear Husker, just like you! And you've seen what I do to people who lie." Alastors eyes flickered and his mouth stopped moving as he drew out the last word, Husk raising an eyebrow and tucking the flask back into his jacket, "Coulda' just said yes."


Husk, Vaggie and Alastor made their way to the closest door, a side door connected to one of the factories floor rooms. Husk slide a claw into the lock, pushing hard enough to brute force it open before sliding out his claw and turning the knob, the door opening, Vaggie moving inside.

Though Vaggie and Husk moved slowly and carefully, checking corners, dark spots and doors, Alastor strode through, not even attempting to keep the noise down, humming some tune that played through the static, all the while spinning his cane in one hand and thumbing the hammer on the C96 in his other hand, his sadistic smile on his face.

"Voxy baby, I know you're lookin' out fa' me, but cha' don't just fuckin' nab me when I'm eatin'!" Angels voice echoed throughout the buildings, Husker and Vaggie picking up the pace and moving quickly towards it, Alastor continuing to take the direct approach. "Please Angel, I'm sorry, truly I am-"

"Right comin' from you." Angel crossed his arms, pulling his jacket around him just a little tighter, fuck it was cold. Vox sighed and paced in front of Angel, staring at the floor like what he was trying to say was there, "Alright." He stood, clapping his hands and turning his screen to Angel, "Val currently, has something planned, I don't know what. But I need-"

At that moment, one of the side doors to the room was kicked open, Husk and Vaggie moving in quickly, weapons raised, "Don't you fuckin' move!" Husk bellowed, stepping into the light that hung from the ceiling. Vox turned and stared at them, wide eyes, they'd gotten here quicker then he'd thought, "Husker I was-"

A shot rang out, the noise bouncing off the walls was deafening, Husks ears folding back and wincing somewhat before noticing Vox had staggered back, holding his shoulder. He snapped his attention to the shooter, Alastor standing in the doorway of the main entrance, "You fuckin' shot me!"

"Of course!" Alastor laughed, dropping his pistol slightly, "What was I to do? Tickle you?" Alastor raised the pistol again, holding it steady as he stepped forward, "Alastor please! This is bigger than our fights!"

"Oh I don't think so." Alastor stopped, grinning ear to ear. Before he could pull the trigger, Husk lunged forward, grabbing the barrel and pulling the gun upwards, Alastors head snapping to Husk as he did, "What are you doing?" His mouth didn't even move, fuck.

"At least fuckin' listen to what he has to say! You have enough of that, gentleman crap in you to do that don't you?" Husk let go, stepping back. Alastor continued to stare for a moment before dropping the pistol to his side, "Alright." He turned and looked to Vox, black and dark red blood dripping onto the dirty concrete, "Speak."

Vox took a breath before standing, straining at the pain before standing upright, "I need, Husker for this." He turned his screen, looking at him, "Valentino has been planning something, I need to know what. A guy I have on the inside of his affairs has information about it and got nabbed by the fuckin' Crimson Moon as he passed through River Row in the Slumtowns of Old Paris. I need to get him." Vox looked towards Alastor, shrugging his one good shoulder, "Alastor. I know we've been rivals for years but we need to put this aside, just for the time being."

"Why don't you get him yourself? You have a small army." Husk cut in before Al could respond, resting his arm on the wire stock of the K-50M, an eyebrow raised. Vox turned to Husk and sighed, shaking his screen, "I'm not going to take sides in this. If I'm seen attacking the Crimson when they're at war with Vox, I won't stand a chance. I may be the Overlord of all things screen related however my army is limited."

Angel sat from his seat, interjecting into the conversation, "So why do you need Husk so bad? Why not send myself, Vaggie and Husk. Three is betta' then one." Vox again, shook his screen, "The person Husk will be extracting will work easier with Husk. I assume you remember Shamrock?" Husk squinted for a moment before his eyes grew wide and he rolled his head back, letting out a loud groan.

"Right." He turned and looked back to Vox, "Fine. I'll do it. What the fuck do I get outta' it though?" Vox gave him an inquisitive look like he'd just asked if he was the one who took a shit on the carpet instead of the dog, "You'll be saving my skin and possibility stopping Val-"

"No, I don't work for free unless it's Alastor." Husk held up a claw, "And you're not a fuckin' wanna' be black, wanna' be Frenchie in a red suit who fucking reeks. So, cough up on the fuckin' payment." Husk dug his heels in, crossing his arms and staring down an increasingly pissed off Vox, "Fine! You'll get…" He stopped, turning his head away and squinting, "You'll get the entire Gigabyte Club."

Alastor raised an eyebrow, Vaggie recoiled slightly and Angels jaw dropped. One of the biggest clubs in hell was going to be given to Husk, Angel internally screamed for him to take it, perhaps he'd finally become the sweet sexy manager he had-

"Not enough." Husks tone was dry, a small smirk creeping in. Vox's eyes grew and twitched, almost taking up his entire screen. He turned his head away, thinking for a moment before swinging back, "Fine! You'll get the Gigabyte and-"

"And you'll split your power with Alastor." Husk cut in. Vox stopped completely, his screen shutting off for a second. Husk turned his head to Alastor, giving him a coy smirk before looking back just in time for it to turn on, "Fine! Just… Fuck it. Just get Shamrock and get back here as quickly as possible." Vox stormed off, wincing with every step.

"My my, Husker the swindler." Alastor stepped forward, slotting his C96 into his jacket, "Two birds one stone. You get to take over half the tech business. You won't be able to properly compete with Velvet but phones never suited you."

"How are you gonna' get this Shamrock?" Angel crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.

"Easy."


Things are heating up, war is on the horizon, and Niffty is out unnerving patrons at a book club meeting, typical, however the deal that was struck between the two parties, might change as circumstances change. Hope you guys enjoyed this, next chapter should be out soon.