Chapter Five:
Breath of the Dragon
Five days later, Smith and Rally were standing outside of what was left of the "Gunsmith Cats" gun shop. She frustratingly kicked a rock out onto the road: "Damn! My whole livelihood was in this shop! I'm not sure I can afford to rebuild it, even with the bounty I got from the Ross case." He put his arm around her and kissed her cheek: "We'll do this together alright? I know we can get this place up and running again. After all, your shop is where I bought my new pistol. I don't want to see it end like this."
She thought back and managed to laugh: "You're kidding! I can't believe that you were the last person to buy something from me…thank you for your purchase, I appreciate it. That Desert Eagle is a nice weapon. It's a bit on the big side for the average pistol, but if you can handle it, it is a life savor." Smith pulled out his cell phone: "Hey Bill? You want to bring that Chevy 350 over here? Me and Rally are starting to clean the shop up, we need a big truck like yours to put stuff in."
"Sure Anderson, I'll be over in about an hour. By the way, I found out more info on the Yakuza's plans. I'll tell you when I get there." He put his phone back in his pocket, then proceeded to toss chunks of wood and debris into a pile. Rally tried to salvage what weapons she could, but wound up throwing more away than saving. Bill arrived, then he and Anderson began to toss the junk into the back of the pickup.
"So Bill, what else have you managed to find out about those guys?" Rally asked as she checked the clip loader of an MP5. He sighed: "Well. Apparently we stirred up the hornets nest by taking down Ross. His real name is Shin Nagano, that fat bastard turned out to be the next leader of the Yakuza. Who would've thought?"
Smith wiped some sweat off his brow: "Whew, it sure is a hot day out. But, I don't like the sound of what you're saying. Now we have to stop the Yakuza before they can start their war." Rally set the gun down after it met her expectations: "That's going to be difficult, especially since their society is in the thousands of members. I guess we're going to have to start off with guerrilla warfare tactics, if we're going to get anywhere."
They filled the truck up much sooner than expected. Bill waved to them: "I'm going to take this load of trash to the dump, be back soon!" Anderson and Rally smiled in return. Smith held her hand: "Its going to get dangerous from this point on. If I know you, you're going to be ready for the challenge." She nodded: "I am, and I will take them down. Not just for our sake, but for the entire countries sake to. We can't let them take over the Government."
Another car pulled up to them. Misty, Becky, and May all got out. May's eyes went wide when she saw how much they've gotten done already: "Wow Rally! I can't believe that you already have half the mess cleaned!" Misty smiled: "If you guys keep this up, you'll have the shop re-opened in no time." Becky brought out a couple of pizza's and some sodas for the group to have lunch: "I thought you all might be hungry, so I brought along an order of Domino's with us." Smith grinned: "That's the best news we've heard all day. C'mon Rally, let's take a break and eat." She took her gloves off in agreement.
Meanwhile, deep within China's mountains, a sinister beeing began to organize his forces: "My fellow Yakuza. As you know, Shin Nagano has brought shame and disgrace to our organization. But I have a plan that will redeem our pride, and put an end to the American's Reign!" "rise red dragon rise!' the assembled crowd kept chanting. "However my loyal comrades, there is one who wishes to stop us. She may be only one, but her strength is that of a thousand soldiers. Her name is Rally Vincent, and she must be slain at all costs! Who here desires to help us?"
A tall, well built man stood up: "I will go. My sniping abilities are unmatched, I will perform as expected dear general." He bowed, and left the room.
The sun was setting in Chicago as Rally tossed the last piece of wood into the truck bed. "After eight hours of work, we finally have it all cleaned up." she said relieved. Smith tossed his gloves in the back of Rally's 500: "Let's get out of here Rally, you could probably use a shower about now." She nodded: "Yeah, you hit the nail there. Lets go home Smith. See you later Bill, and keep us updated on things. Thanks for the help!"
Bill smiled and waived back at them as he watched Rally drive off. He sighed: "Oh well. I'm glad that you found someone who could steal that heart of stone you have. I'd better get back to the house and start coming up with a plan for this next operation." He got in his truck and took off.
Two weeks later, Rally and Anderson were walking down town deciding what to get everyone for Christmas. "Mommy! I want those earrings for Christmas!" an exited young girl tried to convince her parent. "Perhaps if you continue to behave as well as you are, Santa just might put them under the tree."
Rally couldn't help but to laugh as she leaned up against Smith: "Children are needy aren't they?" Anderson nodded: "That they are, but its Christmas time. I think they should at least be allowed to ask for a few things." She smiled: "What do you think May would want? She's the only one we haven't crossed off on our list." She noted as they walked past the mother and daughter.
Without warning, a loud blast echoed through the shopping center. A bullet pierced the mother's head, and without even a moan she slumped lifeless to the ground. Covered in blood, the girl shook her mother's body, trying desperately to understand why she's not responding. Realizing the danger, Smith grabbed the girl and dived into a store with Rally as the sniper fired another shot.
The glass door shattered as the bullet ricocheted through out the grocery store. Rally pulled out her pistol and fired at the getaway vehicle, but only managed to punch out its rear window. Luckily, no one else was killed in the shooting. She rushed over to smith: "Are you alright?! How's the girl!?" Anderson slowly got up: "My ears are ringing a little, but other than that I'm fine. The girl isn't awake, but she still has a pulse. I think she might've fainted."
They looked at each other. Rally's tone of voice was deathly serious: "Smith. The war has started, and they've fired the first shot. We have to take this guy down before he kills another person." He nodded: "I agree, but lets take of her first. The daughter's name is Lyla Nolan. Why does that sound familiar?" Rally couldn't believe it: "Anderson! She's the governor of Illinois…Mike Nolan's daughter!"
Some time later, Rally knocked on the door: "Yes? Mike Nolan doesn't wish to speak with anyone right now. He just lost his wife and daughter." Rally countered: "But that's why we're here, we have Lyla safe and sound. We're here to drop her off." The butler opened the door: "Please, come in. You have to forgive my rudeness, but things are very tense in this house hold at the moment. Mike, these people have saved your daughter. She is fine as you can see."
Lyla ran up to her father and embraced him tightly: "Daddy! What happened to mom? I'm really worried about her." He closed her eyes: "You…You won't be seeing her again, she's gone off to another world. Why don't you go to your room while I talk to these people?" She nodded: "Alright." and left the area.
Mike : "Thank you so much for saving my daughter's life. I had thought I'd lost everything. May I ask your names?" "Sure. My name is Rally Vincent, and my friend here is Smith Anderson." He shook Rally's hand: "The same Rally as the famous bounty hunter? I have to ask you a favor. The sniper that killed my wife, I think he'll strike again, and soon."
Anderson crossed his arms: "What makes you so certain?" "Because I am going to give a public address, in three days. I will release the names of the thirteen Yakuza generals, I know that he's plotting to assassinate me for it. I ask that you two to be my bodyguards, you will be rewarded for it of course." Smith smiled: "You know what our answer will be. We have been at war with the Yakuza ourselves for the past couple of weeks." Rally nodded: "Nolan, we'd be more than happy to avenge your wife's death. You can leave everything to us." He sighed with relief: "Thank you. You have my gratitude, both of you. See you in three days then." They left the house and went home.
"That went well." Rally noted as they walked in. Smith had a serious look to him: "Rally, I want you to be the marksman. You're better at long distance shooting than I am. While I will act as a decoy to distract this person." She was hesitant, but agreed to the idea: "Alright Anderson, but if I make a mistake you could wind up like the governor's wife." He shook his head: "Don't even think about things like that Rally. Besides, you should know by now that I trust you with my life. Let's get some sleep, we have a hectic couple of days ahead."
They spent most of the next day surveying an area about five blocks in size. Rally hypothesized that the shooter's target distance be three blocks away from the speech stage. She also figured that his firing position will be deep within the maze of new construction towers, making it difficult for her to track him down afterwards. She decided to set up in an abandoned tower a few feet behind the stage, it gave her a perfect view of the surrounding buildings. Now, all that was left to do is wait.
Early the next Morning, Rally and Smith arrived. They were greeted by Nolan, who also revealed that Police Security was raised to condition red, the highest of caution levels. Anderson smiled: "So that's why Bill's here, I wonder if he hopes to get some action today?" He kissed Rally before she went up the tower. Setting up her rifle, she anxiously waited for 4:30 speech time to arrive.
Anderson checked his Deagle, than gave Nolan the signal that everything was ready. "My friends, and fellow members of the U.S. Government. Thank you all for coming out on this snowy Chicago afternoon. As you know, my wife four days ago was killed by a sniper. I am in mourning for her death, but that will not stop me from performing my duty as an American. I have with me the names of thirteen Yakuza generals."
Rally looked through her scope, scanning the unfinished towers. Then, she saw muzzle flash. Chaos erupted from the crowed as She fired in the same direction, the bullet hitting the man in the arm. He fell to his knees: "Damn. I didn't realize there would be another sniper here." he said disgusted. Smith saw the bullet, but just barely in time. He grabbed his gun and fired, his bullet collided with the sniper's round. They both veered off harmlessly in different directions.
"Anderson!! I'm going after the killer before he can get away, hold down the area for me!!" Anderson looked down the road and saw that the Police had engaged in a gun battle with several gang members. Bill ran over to him: "Smith! Get to the road now, they have sent reinforcements!" He watched as Nolan was taken to safety. Anderson then smiled: "Alright Bill! Let's make those Yakuza bastards wish they stayed in China!" With Gun's blazing they rushed behind a squad car.
Meanwhile, Rally was maneuvering her way around various construction equipment and climbing up ladders to finish the job. "Alright…Where are you…?" she asked herself cautiously. A shot was fired that sparked off a steel beam next her: "Damn that was too close…!" She fired quickly before he could reload, after two more bullets the killer finally dropped his gun. "Alright! Tell me who you're working for! What are you planning?!"
She put her gun to his chest as the murderer grinned "We of the Red Dragon clan never surrender ourselves to any outsider. Our only mission is to kill America, even if it means sacrificing our own lives." He said as he revealed the vest of C4 wrapped around him. Rally dropped her weapon and ran as fast as she could, but it was too late. He pressed the detonator and it's resulting explosion ripped through the construction yard. Vincent was thrown from the blast and slammed back first into a beam.
Anderson felt the force of the detonation: "RALLY! Damn, what the hell just happened?!" He emptied out his last clip and killed four enemies. "Bill, think you and the PD can take care of the stragglers?" He nodded: "Yeah, you find out if Rally's alright. We can't afford to lose her!" Smith ran into the now completely destroyed vicinity. He shouted out Rally's name several times before he finally got a weak response: "….Smith…?"
He found her alive, hurt, but still breathing at least. A couple of beams and other debris fell on her before she could make her escape. Smith lifted everything off her. "Rally…What did he do to you? Can you stand?" She weakly nodded: "Yeah, I can stand…but not without your help…The killer… he had wrapped himself in C4 explosives…and triggered the detonator…before I could do anything…"
She explained to him as Anderson helped her up. She couldn't stand on her own two feet right away, so she put her arm around him to support herself as they walked out. Her face and right arm was bleeding from a couple of cuts, and her shirt was torn around the stomach area. "So you're telling me that they're suicidal? We're you able to get any info from this guy?"
She saw the carnage outside from the gun fight. There were no casualties on the Chicago PD's part, but there was still plenty of blood spilt. "No…Not really…The only thing that he said was…that he was from the Red Dragon clan…" Nolan walked up to them and gave them a salute: "You two are the bravest people I know, I need to commemorate your heroism. Please, anything you want that's within my power, let me know."
Rally instantly thought of her shop: "…Could you…Loan us the money….To rebuild my Gunsmith Cats gun shop…? It was burned down by these thugs….Oh…And your daughter…She wants a pair of turquoise earrings for Christmas…" He smiled: "Thank you. Through all this chaos I had completely forgotten that the holiday was next weekend. Since I'm in the Christmas cheer, I'll contract a group of construction workers to rebuild your shop. You won't have to pay a dime, the costs will be on me."
Anderson sat Rally gently down in the back of an ambulance as a medic began to clean her wounds up: "Thank you. Rally and I have been trying to clean it up, but its just too much work for us alone." Bill came over to them: "Man that was intense, been a pretty boring day for me up until that point. Without the Yakuza here, I might've just fallen asleep at my desk." Rally smiled: "Bill, you'd fall asleep on the job even if there wasn't a gang here." Everyone's mood changed for the better, but Rally's mood was still cautious: "We have now all felt the fire of the Dragon's breath my friends. we should all prepare for the trials ahead." She assured them that even she was unsure of what was to happen next.