Chapter 17: Down by the docks
"It's still not 19:30 Jose, there's a good chance they might think we are suspicious for arriving earlier than originally told. (???)
"The information got leaked so now there's word around the street about this deal."
"Yes, but I thought that they already had a general idea about it."
"Yes, but about 3 days ago or so the information gradually became more specific. Either someone was able to monitor us or there's a mole in the company. And you know we can't risk having a mole problem now that Lotus Flower started moving Its territory again. And we also can't afford a mole hunt since we are bound to lose capable man so for now, let's leave it at that." (???)
Well, that information leak was by yours truly, you're welcome. If I remember correctly M. said that Jose was the one that dealt with the smuggler, so then this must be him. Looks like Jose is right here. He has black hair and light brown skin, based on the name, accent and facial features I'd say he's Mexican. They keep on walking and arrive at were another person. Looks at them and asks.
"How many fishes do you think we have caught?"(fisherman)
"Not enough to feed New York." (Jose)
This is the second time I hear it and it still seems stupid. The man nods as if coming to some form of understanding.
"Follow"(Fisherman)
They start heading towards a storage room. I try following them however the places to hide have become more scarce as I go to the center. Should I try following them in the sky? No, too risky and I can only make about 5 air steps or so within the span of 10 seconds, so there's a good chance I'll just fall. I try following, but a man comes around the corner, this is as far as I go I guess. There are too many people around here and there's no way for me to just go in. I'll wait here... But then I won't be able to hear their conversation and catch them when they head off...Well, I don't think it will be too important for now so I'll head outside and wait for the car to leave. I go outside again without getting noticed and wait. About 5 minutes later a man in one of the cars gets a phone call.
"Yes...No, no problems...Alright then." The phone call ends. "Move it, people!"
The cars start heading in. I'll wait out for the cars to come out. I stay outside with my guard up waiting for the cars to come out. After 20 minutes or so they start heading out. Looks like it's time for me to work. The cars move out and I start following on the roof with air step, fatigue relieving and muscle strengthening working on my whole body to keep up al while using presence searching to try and see if there's anything ahead. About 3 kilometers or so after, there are presences, I sense about 12, no 13. They all have guns and are waiting, wait, shit!!
*Pam* *Pam*
Bullets are shot making the drivers stop the car.
"DON'T STOP JUST DRIVE THROUGH! WE ARE GETTING OUTTA HERE NOW!"(Jose)
*Pam* *Pam* a lot of shots are heard but the drivers still move and then
"Jose! There are some cars blocking the way!"(???)
Right as they arrived a turn I sensed cars parked as if to block the streets. With this Jose and his gang are surrounded, behind them, some people who were previously shooting at them and a road with no side roads; in front of then, cops have formed a barricade. Shit, they've been stopped, what do I do now? How am I suppose to follow back now? I mean there's nothing wrong with them being detained since I was planning on handing them over anyways but now I can't follow them back. Wait.. let's calm down for a second, the people stopping Crimson Night should be Lotus Flower, so this might still work I just have to change targets. However what I had missed one small detail about those cars blocking the way. A siren started sounding don't tell me those are, I get to the building on the roof of the building on the corner. Yep, they are cops.
"Jose Gutierrez surrender now and put your hands up slowly and step away slowly from the vehicles towards us!" Through a megaphone
No answer from the cars. The police wait for an answer but it doesn't come.
"You have until the count of five before we go in and open fire." Through megaphone. "1.."
I enhance my hearing to the best of my ability and try hearing what they are saying.
"Just... towards the police... escape..."(Jose)
"2..."
"Behind....follow closely...(Jose)
"3..."
"Shoot and..."(Jose)
"4...'
I can barely hear due to the distance but this guy will try his best not to get arrested huh. As soon as I finish that thought one of the cars accelerates towards the police cars followed by the others right behind.
"They are trying to break through! Shoot!"(???)
Again the gun sounds are heard from behalf of the police and Jose's crew. The first car hits barely making it more and then the second does and breaks through. Unluckily for Jose's crew, the police anticipated this beforehand and spikes were laid out so as soon as they attempted a break out the cars were stopped. A shootout then started, they probably won't get very far unless they have some sort of plan. So now what do I do? Restart again?
I wasn't able to follow them back to their base due to cop interference but why were they here. Did M. inform the police? Highly unlikely, if M. was in the business of doing so the Underground would have already been caught unless there was some massive bribery going on; however even if M. was in the business of informing cops he wouldn't have his immunity like status and be dead by now. So then the police received an anonymous tip?
Where from though, as I jump onto the next building I end up on the same roof as a sniper. The sniper looks at me wide-eyed, as she saw me she started to take out her gun and fired, I slightly dodge it as it hits my leg before she can take a second shot I hit her and knock her out. Yep, this is what it feels like to get shot, and all it did was graze my leg, I'll do some healing for now. I send some healing magic to my leg and heal it. Alright no that that's take care of I'll take the sniper and see through its lens. Separate sensing is getting tiring so I will use the sniper scope for now and return my sensing range to normal.
I look through the scope, It looks like they are about ready to surrender on Jose's part, It was reckless to try and escape anyways. But now, here's the bigger question, who tipped off the police? In all due likelihood, it was Lotus Flower, they were trying to find M. for whatever reason, is this it? But I don't see much gain either. I'm sure Jose is replaceable and he knows it hence the escape attempt. Maybe financially? The money they would have had to pay to get this massive piece of information should have at least a million or so and they are up against a druglord's pocket, I don't think they would try to do something like this since it doesn't benefit them in the long run since they lose profits in selling this unless they have some sort of other purposes.
For now, I'll assume is Lotus Flower, so what...Wait! If it really was Lotus flower there's still a chance to where they are based. If I think about it, logically speaking you would need someone to watch over and report what happened here. Should I try sensing? But what should I look for? If I think guns everybody around her has so it's no use to try and sense someone. I don't hear bullets getting shot anymore, shit, they are probably done. That means my target is about to get away!
...Think! I stare at the cops through the sniper lens, anything to distinguish?... I keep on looking around until I see something. A bulletproof vest! That's it, Crimson Lotus can probably afford a vest but the person probably won't wear one. Vests are somewhat heavy so it would be difficult to move quickly and since their mission is to just oversee what happens here then it would be better to have mobility since they are not expected to get into a gunfight.
I get off the sniper's lens and try sensing him, first he'll need to have a place where he can oversee the situation, but also a place that would have an easy escape route. So he should be on a roof like me on a section where the buildings are extremely close together so he can escape through roofs. Soooo, there! I try sensing a place that fits the description. I sense a person there, no vest too! There's my guy.
As soon as I finish my sensing I jump from building to building avoiding the cops and heading in the person's direction. As I get within a certain range he becomes alert. And after a bit of thinking, he starts running away. Did what...what happened? How did he detect me? Well, it doesn't necessarily have to mean that he detected me if he started escaping. Maybe he finished his job and started moving out or a cop may have spotted him. I try closing the gap in a way that cuts him off but as soon as I did he decided to turn and run in the opposite direction from where I am coming from. What the hell?!
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Grasshopper_sensei
Grasshopper_sensei I wonder if Luis's quick wit is better suited for conjectures like this or is it more suited for sarcastic comebacks. Having some trouble deciding over it. Ughhh, Well that's that for now. The bigger question is who is this man that is running away from Luis? I mean you guys will find it obvious as to what is particular to this man. Anyways, hope to see you next chapter.
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