Ryan followed zero back out of the workshop to find his front lot more crowded than ever with three more ground vehicles pulled up disgorging a new group of gangsters, He sighed as out of the only car that was in decent shape climbed Caesar. The asshole with a major inferiority complex. Zero immediately stepped forward looking pleased with himself

“Why are you here Caesar? I am handling this.” Zero said with some authority.

“Then why are our men still tied up and where is the one who dared to attack them?”

“They attacked someone under our protection and used the gang's reputation for petty theft. I was about to kick them out for pure stupidity.”

“Our gang owns this area and if we ask for things we get them. So let me deal with the scavenger and go back to your paperwork.”

“Your father put me in charge here and Ryan was under MY protection. These idiots had no right being here and I will punish them as I see fit.” Zero was not backing down.

That was when everything went sideways, An electrical wave shot out of Caesar’s chest and as Zero was spasming he pulled a gun with a mean grin on his face. Simultaneously his guys all pulled weapons bringing down Zeros guard and taking out the visible security turret.

Ryan was as surprised as Zero and caught by the edge of the stun. He had a decision to make, this was clearly a factional dispute with little to do with him, however he actually was quite fond of Zero and he doubted they would just leave.

Ryan shrugged off the stunner, activated the rest of the security turrets and grabbed Zero who was already moving to avoid Caesar.

The previously hidden turrets let loose with their concussive blasts, unfortunately the weapons weren’t able to more than stagger Caesar but it gave Ryan a chance to drag Zero inside and have the shutters slam shut. In the moment of silence He felt his body wake up for the first time in a while, disused systems flooding him with energy and clarity scenarios flying through his head.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“You may want to call your people. “ Caesar had obviously brought mostly Supers with him so the defences were only marginally useful. Linking with the security cameras Ryan was seeing the weapon systems being broken and the thugs regroup.

“Already sent an alert, my people will be here soon, bet you wish you hadn’t dismantled those weapons now” he said gesturing to the workbench covered in weapons parts. Before Ryan could reply Zero looked away clearly answering a call through his implant.

“What?... How? …That little shit, this is going to start a war. How are we responding?... okay weapons free, we stop this quickly and it may not escalate too far.” Ryan wasn’t entirely sure what the conversation was about but as the gangsters outside were gathering at the doors two vans screeched to a stop and more thugs pulled out, these were wearing different colours, Mad dogs, a neighbouring gang.

“Fucking Caesar has decided to work with the Mad dogs, they are trying to claim this territory, most of my people are under attack. The boss is suiting up and gathering a team but won’t be here for a while. This is going to get bloody, Mechron has said to try and take Caesar alive but kill anyone else.”

As he was explaining, Ryan directed all the bots in the room towards the door, more for the cover they would provide than the off-chance they might hit someone. He pulled a tool rack away from the wall to the right of the door and opened the hidden panel behind it revealing a rack of weapons. Selecting a mechanical pistol and a knife he ignored the shocked look and gestured for Zero to help himself.

Ryan looked up to the overlooking window of the upstairs apartment, he and his sister Kate had converted the mezzanine level of the workshop Into an apartment. She was posted up in the window with an electric dart rifle. She had been standing by since Caesar’s group first turned up. They had synced implants sharing everything they saw and heard. Zero followed Ryans gaze spotting Kate and looking between the siblings.

As he opened his mouth to say something their attention was drawn to the door. On the external feed one of the Mad dogs dressed a lot better than the other gangsters was holding his hand up to the door which now had a massive dent in it, Zero being a speedster dashed behind one of the cars in the room whilst Ryan took position against the stretch of wall next to the large shutter doors so he would be behind those entering. Ryan also activated the rest of the security systems.

“Doesn’t look like they’re here to talk” Ryan couldn’t help his exitement sharing a smile with Kate.

Outside were Caesar and his eight goons, at least four with powers. Another eight had come from the Mad dogs van looking much tougher with body armour and better weapons one had power armour on and led them while the telekinetic continued to break down the door. Ryan recognised the telekinetic she went by Shift, was a category 5and had a reputation for cruelty.

Ryan had given up on non lethal methods 17 enemies with unknown capabilities was too risky, two Gatling guns dropped from the ceiling, their barrels covering the door.

It wasn’t long before the door gave in and was sent flying into the room, it crumpled against the lined up bots still partially blocking the entrance.

The first thug through was dropped by a shot from Kate. The rest of the first wave was met with a burst from the Gatling guns, only a speedster managing to back out of the door and get out of their ark. The enemy close to the door all scattered for cover, only a few getting hit. The guns stopped waiting for the next target, a brief lull followed as those outside shouted and built the nerve for another try.