Chapter 4: Prepare for the Storm

"Here I am," Wolf spat, extending his arm sin a confrontational manner. "Let's not waste any time, I'd rather get this over with quickly."

"And you brought the Lovelace's," the man pointed out, surveying the car.

"Who are you?" Wolf asked, eager to get this over with.

"Kane. The name is Kane Archibald. And I'm in charge of the Black Marchers. You do know who we are, don't you? I certainly hope so, considering you did a damn fine job of wiping us out a few months ago." Wolf shifted his weight as he examined this man. He was quite big, coming in at about six foot two inches. The grenade launcher in his hand was pristine, a weapon that most militaries would not even use. The Black Marchers had evidently become quite wealthy. There was a machete, too, strapped to Kane's belt. It was crude yet sharp, a formidable weapon that would render the quickest of warriors immobile.

"So that's what this is?" Wolf asked. "You're out for revenge because I killed your pals?" Kane sniggered, though he very may well have been growling beneath that mask.

"Not exactly," he clarified. "When I took over the Marchers, it took a few months to get them back to a reputable position. They were the best mercenaries around, you see. In the world of organised crime, the Marchers were an army, unparalleled in their ability to kill and fight. But then I learned who it was that had brought them to their knees. I learned who it was that had killed Ladarius. I had to meet you, to look you in the eye before I ended your life. The Black Marchers are on the rise again, Wolf. And we can't afford enemies competent enough to trifle with us. I'm afraid that means your journey ends here." The speed that Kane displayed next was frightening. In the space of two seconds, he had unsheathed his machete, dropped the grenade launcher and made his way over to Wolf. The assassin was lucky to have reached back for his own blade when he did, bringing it forward to shield himself. What happened next was unprecedented. The fight that followed was like nothing the others had seen before. Dutch had seen Wolf fight, he knew that the assassin was a mean sonofabitch. It was not often that one provoked him and survived. And yet, Kane was clearly winning. His machete tore through the air with unmatched speed and the force behind his swings almost knocked Wolf to the ground. The assassin raised his own weapon and prepared to attack only to leave himself vulnerable. Kane seized his opportunity. He plunged his machete into Wolf's shoulder, missing his chest by only an inch or two. The assassin yelled out in pain, dropping to his knees and releasing his blade. Dutch emerged from the car then, content to watch them fight no more. He raised his Magnum, daring Kane to continue the onslaught. The Black Marcher rolled back swiftly and snatched up the grenade launcher, aiming it at the car. "I wouldn't try it," he warned. If Dutch even attempted to take a shot, the car would explode, killing all around it. The only reason Kane had not fired his weapon already was because the second he did, Dutch would gun him down. Kane backed away from the scene slowly, coming closer and closer to the adjacent street. A jeep swerved in and came to a stop between Kane and the others. Dutch took a shot, hoping to at least kill the driver. The windows, however, were bulletproof. Of course they were. Kane entered the jeep and took off in the other direction. The others exited the car, too, still in shock at the heavily one-sided battle they had just witnessed. It was one thing to see the Wolf have his ass handed to him, it was another to see him have his ass handed to him by a man that seemed as though he could easily kill ten armed men with nothing more than a machete. Dutch went to the injured assassin, who was putting pressure on the wound in his shoulder.

"You alright, man?" he asked. "That looked rough."

"Rough isn't the fucking word," Wolf exclaimed as he coughed. "I'm more pissed he tore through my jacket, to be honest." Dutch laughed before taking the assassin's hand and helping him into the car. They continued on to the apartment.

"What do we do about him?" Fabiola asked, concerned. "If he's just wandering around, shouldn't we warn someone?"

"Good point," Dutch agreed. "I'll have a word with Hotel Moscow and the Triad when we get indoors. I don't feel safe on the streets with that maniac around." That was too true. The fact that nobody ever felt truly safe in Roanapur was only made worse by the presence of the Black Marchers. They could be anywhere right now and they clearly had the firepower and equipment to hold their own against even the toughest of criminals. Chang and Balalaika had their work cut out for them if they hoped to maintain some semblance of order, or what passed for it in this city. As they pulled up outside Lagoon Company's apartment, Rock came out to greet them. The surprise on his face when the Wolf exited the vehicle was palpable.

"Yo," the assassin greeted him jokingly, still holding his wound. Rock offered a warm smirk and a wave before noticing the blood leaking from his jacket.

"What happened?" he asked.

"We got a couple of guests," Dutch told him, ascending the stairs and opening the door. "We were ambushed in the road by this guy. He's a scary motherfucker." Fabiola shot a look of disgust and anger in Rock's direction. The two of them had not exactly left things on the best of terms. As Wolf stumbled into the apartment, Benny and Revy entered the living room to see what all the commotion was about.

"You gotta be kidding me," Revy spat half-jokingly. "I thought I was done looking at your face."

"Nice," Wolf replied dryly. Roberta and the others gingerly crossed the threshold. "And the glasses bitch?! Dutch, what the fuck is going on?"

"I'll explain it later," he said. "For now, everyone come on inside. And close the damn door behind you. I feel nervous enough as it is." As Wolf removed his jacket and shirt, Dutch explained the situation carefully. What had initially been a job to protect the Lovelaces had turned into something far more serious. Kane and his mercenaries were a serious threat, one that had to be addressed immediately.

"So what's the plan?" asked Benny. Everyone looked rather tired. It was late, too. There was no point in doing anything tonight. First thing tomorrow, Dutch would meet with Roanapur's de facto leaders and attempt to fix this problem.

"For now, everyone just get some rest. We'll need our heads screwed on tomorrow." Garcia and his family were told they would be sleeping on the Black Lagoon. There wasn't much space in the apartment and they all preferred to stay together. The others shuffled off to bed, uncertain about what was to come. Only Revy and Wolf remained as the assassin finished cleaning his wound.

"Jesus, that lunatic really fucked you up," the gunslinger said, approaching the assassin and examining the ugly gash in his shoulder.

"You don't have to tell me," Wolf assured her. "This fucker is serious. I really underestimated him."

"I'll say," Revy said as she traced the wound with her finger. Her touch was soft, uncharacteristically gentle for someone like her. Wolf glanced at her hand before looking her in the eye. Upon noticing his gaze, Revy became awkward. She retracted her hand and turned to leave. "Well, try not to bleed all over the couch." With that, she left the room.