The early risers were shuffling about. Six moved past them, ignoring greetings. An electrics tractor trundled by. On impulse he followed as it meandered through the narrow streets now crowded with the ever present foot and bike traffic. The tractor's crawling pace forced him to stop often, just so not to over take it. He saw the destination long before they reached it. A camera hung from its mounting. Sabotage. No doubt Casey's handy work.
A quick glance round told him where she would have concealed herself in the shrubbery. As the tractor stopped next to the camera Six slid into the brush. He found her sniper's nest marked by mashed ground and a few smooth stones. He picked one up as he peered out at the electrician now examining the camera. Thoughtfully he rubbed the stone between his fingers. Casey was good indeed. The camera was some twenty feet away. What could she accomplish with an actual weapon? Was that what she had in mind now. To lay her hands on one?
He dropped the stone and stepped back into the street. The electrician's back was to him, still fussing with the camera. He'd taken it down and was examining the smashed lens. Six moved closer.
A smooth stone lay on the ground near the camera mount. "What seems to be the problem?" he asked.
The man gave him a sour look. "Nothing that concerns you. Move along."
He moved along. But not very fast. The phone in the tractor buzzed stopping him. He watched the electrician answer it.
"What, another one? Where?" the man paused listening, then said. "This one's been smashed, deliberately by the look of it."
Now the alarm rang out. Blaring from every speaker. Casey's mischief had been discovered. A siren sounded. And then that unmistakable roar. They had unleashed the mechanical hound. People along the road seemed to freeze in place. Afraid even to breath. His own pulse quickened as the sound closed. Moments latter Rover bounded into view. It rolled past him without notice. Casey best be careful. It was hunting. Six started after it. He'd like to find her before it did. A run in with Rover would do her no favors.
A car pulled along side and stopped. Two leaned out, smiled coldly.
"Get in, I'll give you a lift."
He kept walking.
"It wasn't a request."
Six stopped, considering. Two was alone. No thugs to back his play. "You don't think I had anything to do with this?" he asked.
"No, of course not. I just want to talk. Come along, get in."
"Talk. About what?"
"You really are beginning to try my patience, Six."
Far off Rover howled. Six looked after the sound. Unconsciously his fingers twitched.
Two laughed, "Oh don't worry, Rover will get the culprit."
Six turned away. Behind him Number Two shouted. He kept on. The car pulled around him and stopped blocking his way. Two got out, by his look he was having a good deal of trouble controlling his anger.
They walked together in hard silence. Two keeping pace like an unwanted shadow. Below them, Rover roamed trough the Village. It had yet to find its quarry. Casey was certainly good at evading. She aught to be at great disadvantage, in a strange place with the enemy dogging her steps. But while most young girls were playing with dolls Casey had been learning to be invisible. It was as if the Village itself had prepared her for this moment. And now she was going to pay them back in blood.
"Where are you going?" Two finally demanded.
Number Two's life came at a very high price. Six ground his teeth. He had to warn his enemy.
"Breakfast." he said, "Care to join me?"