Shootout
Low Light took a couple of deep breaths and readied himself for a fight. Grabbing a nearby bottle of tequila, he took a quick swig and then threw it off to the side in an attempt to distract his assailant. Bulls-Eye took the bait and shot in the direction of the thrown bottle. Pinpoint just rolled his eyes and, for a moment, considered shooting Bulls-Eye himself.
"This guy's an idiot, Cooper," said his father. "He's no threat to you. Just kill him now."
"Never underestimate a stupid person, dad," said Low Light.
"What's the matter, Joe?" taunted Bulls-Eye. "Afraid? You should be!" Come out now and I'll make it quick for you."
"Like hell you will!" Low Light shouted defiantly at him.
"Okay," said Bulls-Eye. "You're right. I'm gonna take my time and hurt you."
"Like hell you will!" shouted Low Light again.
"Are you gonna do anything to stop me?" Bulls-Eye asked, still taunting him. "Or are you gonna stay hidden behind the bar?"
"You really don't want me to come out from behind this bar, Cobra," said Low Light.
"Oh yes I do, Joe!" said Bulls-Eye. "You have no idea how much I do."
"This guy's practically begging you to kill him, Cooper," said Low Light's father. "You should oblige him."
"Shut up, dad," said Low Light, trying to come up with a plan.
"Who are you telling to shut up?" challenged Bulls-Eye.
"See what you started?" Low Light said to his father as he rolled his eyes at Bulls-Eye's question. "Just do me a favor and go away for right now. If I live, you can come back."
"Suit yourself, Cooper," said his father as he faded from sight. When he was gone, Low Light breathed in a sigh of relief.
"Come on out, Joe!" shouted Bulls-Eye. "Be a man! Come out!"
Low Light looked around again and a plan surged into his mind. Briefly, he holstered his pistol, grabbed another nearby bottle of liquor, and pulled out the cork. Next he found a dirty dishrag and liberally coated it with some of the contents of the bottle. Then he stuffed the rag into the opening of the bottle. Finally, he pulled out his lighter and lit the rag. As he gave the rag a few moments to burn, he once more drew his pistol. With his pistol in one hand and the lit bottle in the other, he let out a quick exhale, stood up, squeezed off a few random cover shots to distract Bulls-Eye, and threw the bottle at him. The bottle shattered as it connected with his body-armor and he was quickly ablaze. While Bulls-Eye frantically tried to put himself out, Pinpoint looked at Low Light and gave him a satisfied, if not slightly surprised, nod.
"Holy shit!" shouted Bulls-Eye as he continued to try and put himself out. "I'm on fucking fire!"
"Yeah," said Pinpoint. "That's got to suck for you."
"A lot," added Low Light as he took aim at Bulls-Eye with his pistol and dropped him dead in his still-burning tracks with several well-placed shots. He then quickly turned and pointed his pistol at Pinpoint who was, by now, pointing his own pistol back at him.
"Mexican standoff?" Pinpoint asked.
"It would appear that way," replied Low Light. "But I don't recommend for long as your buddy over there is going to set this place on fire if one of us doesn't put him out."
"Once I do," began Pinpoint. "We finish things the right way. The sniper's way."
"If that's how you want it, I'm game."
"Out in the jungle or here in the village?"
"I think the jungle would be best for men like us."
"Good. What time do you want to do this?"
"This was your idea. You choose."
"How about midnight?"
"Sounds good to me. You won't try to start earlier, will you?"
"Not if you don't. Call it professional courtesy."
"All right. See you out there."
"Not if I see you first. Goodbye, Low Light."
"Goodbye, Pinpoint."
With that, the two of them put their guns away and Pinpoint cautiously backed out of the bar. They never broke eye contact with one another until Pinpoint was out of sight. Once he was gone, Low Light set about putting the dead Cobra agent out and making sure the tavern wasn't going to burn down.
"One down," said Low Light's father as he faded back into view. "One left to go."
To be continued…