"I said into the alley. Now!"
"Shh, baby. We'll be fine." Micah complied carefully. He felt Manselli tensing and that made her uncertain. The man also followed far enough behind to react before Micah could act.
The alleyway opened into a small cul-de-sac. Manselli mumbled fearfully but Micah shushed her, albeit not easily.
"M-micah..."
"Don't worry, hon. He's only going to rob us." Micah managed to loosen his grasp on her a little. "We'll give you our money and valuables, sirra. There's no need for anyone to get hurt."
"Wrong, flopper," said the man belligerently, now joined by the first two, "You dripping League trash need to stay the feces there! An' you need to learn how to shut yer ruddy mouth!"
Several things happened at once. Manselli screeched as Micah shoved her sideways and used the force to kick the blaster away. Shadows at the alley entrance told him Ferrel and Kidwell had arrived, so he threw a fast punch at the now-disarmed leader. Even though surprised, the man managed to block it and kick back. Micah blocked it, barely, and felt time slowing as he attacked.
Amazingly the man kept pace with Micah! He blocked when Micah struck and counterattacked just as quickly. Manselli had started screaming now and that lent fury to Micah's opponent. He attacked in a whirlwind Micah barely managed to avoid, and gave Micah an opening only by a small slip on uncertain footing.
Micah kicked hard and deadly now. He felt something break and the man grunted and stepped back, allowing Micah to turn his attention to a second man now attacking him. He heard some scuffle where Kidwell and Ferrel should be fighting, but not nearly enough.
Micah now faced a second whirlwind. The easy coordination between the two men bespoke military training, and elite training at that. Intelligence taught one-on-two and one-on-three combat but now Micah found his skills pressed to their limit. His first opponent, Leader, now stepped back into the fray. The second man shifted stance and they automatically attacked Micah in the most efficient way possible.
Seconds later Micah felt his confidence evaporating. He took several hits, nothing major, and gave better than he received but as yet he'd not managed a telling blow. Then the third man joined the first two. Micah tried to maneuver but they were simply too skilled. In the half-second it took Micah to trap and break one man's arm the other two had him in a power lock and nerve hold.
Five hard punches and a kick later it was over. Micah tried to fight but with no effect whatsoever. He felt his own arm swept into a painful lock, then a pair of hard kicks to his ribs, then a harsh voice whispered near his ear.
"This is a warning, flopper. You League prettyboys best watch your snoot! Next time won't be this easy.
The last thing Micah saw after they broke his arm was one of the men punching Manselli to silence. Then the pavement rose up to slap him.
***
When Micah roused he knew he hadn't been out long, he heard feet scuffling down the alley. As soon as he had the pain blocked he worked his way to his knees, then his feet. He walked unsteadily over to where Manselli lay. She was simply unconscious. He heard Ferrel and Kidwell shifting so he made his way to them.
Ferrel sat gingerly as he checked himself for injury. Kidwell lay nearby, moving as little as possible. She had a bloody nose and lip and moaned softly when Micah checked her ribs.
"That was not fun," coughed Ferrel.
Micah felt his heart sinking below the pavement.
"Charlie, Vera, I'm sorry..."
"Be quiet," said Kidwell, now checking herself, "It was not your... Feces! Not your fault, Micah. Don't you dare start absorbing... Dammit! Absorbing the responsibility for this. Flames!"
"You followed procedure, my brother," said Ferrel, steadier now, "Good thing, too. What happened?"
"We got our duffs drubbed," said Kidwell, "Micah, they hit like you do. But they don't stop. Is Sonya all right?"
"She's fine," said Micah, "Just out. The constables should be here before long."
"SEU," corrected Kidwell, "Hurry up, Charles. We need to vanish before they arrive."
Micah tried to voice a protest but Kidwell forestalled him.
"No, Micah. We need to be elsewhere. I'm basically fine and I'm pretty sure Charlie is, too."
Ferrel nodded. "Six-sigma. As of now we three plus our attackers are the only ones who know you had help, my brother."
Micah tried to think of a counter to that but failed.
"I've been much worse, Micah," said Ferrel, "Six-sigma truth. You ready, dear?"
Kidwell rose to her feet and the two of them only limped a little as they started for the alleyway.
"Best hurry, my brother," said Ferrel, "I can hear sirens."
Micah heard them now too. As the others left he made his way back to Manselli. She had a strong pulse and good, regular breath.
By the time the SEU arrived he had all of his and Manselli's valuables removed and shallowly buried and he sat beside her.
Table of Contents
Chapter 0. Prologue
Chapter 1. Battle Stations!
Chapter 2. Beginnings.
Chapter 3. Sewer-Swishing
Chapter 4. An Ordinary Day
Chapter 5. Fighting for a Job
Chapter 6. House Connections
Chapter 7. The Tragic Schism
Chapter 8. Crime Behind Crime
Chapter 9. People 101
Chapter 10. Night of Deception
Chapter 11. Departures
Chapter 12. Meetings
Chapter 13. An Accent Remembered
Chapter 14. Loyalties
Chapter 15. My Enemy, My Friend
Chapter 16. The Prince's Story
Chapter 17. Rapid Flight Protocol
Chapter 18. No Escape!
Chapter 19. Dedication, Duty and Dessert
Chapter 20. Family Old and New
Chapter 21. Epilogue
Chapter X: Afterword
Chapter Y: Preview
The Burning Crown (Stone Blade Book 4) Page 27
