As the duo made their way out the cellar's door several figures lazing around fell into lockstep. Their immediate honour guard of ruffians could be trusted not to fall asleep on guard or take a bribe to 'go on break' at an inopportune time. Kole held his hands to his eyes to block out the afternoon light. It more was accurate to say that illumination was more of a suggestion in The Pits where each day was as smog-choked as the last.

Turning his head he glanced at the figure to his left. He could smell him before he could see him. Raph was a drunk. The smell of slosh practically radiated off him. Regardless, he was one of the sharpest eyes in the hood. Not much escaped his attention and he only needed to have the presence of mind to whistle before a retinue of muscle would descend.

"Thanks for keeping eye Raph" said Kole.

"S'right boss. Wasn't much activity. Saw a few scouts from other crews off in the distance but none bothered to come close" informed Raph.

Close was a relative term. For Raph 'close' would mean anyone else would have to squint to see a speck. Kole mentally filed away the update.

"When are we seeing Rekt?"

“Wasn’t sure when you would be up, but it figured it wouldn’t be long. They’re expecting us in about an hour at the docks.”

“I’ll see you shortly after. No tails necessary this time, The March are close enough and not even the Burgandy Boyz are stupid enough to cause trouble at the docks” said Kole but he paused.

“Though Raph?”

“Yes boss?”

“If we’re not back by the first bell, bring the noise will you?"

“Sure boss. Oh and one last thing.”

Both of the departing men paused mid step and turned back.

“My ears have filtered back back something mighty strange. I was tossing up whether it was worth loading up your plate with it” said Raf with eyes downcast at this empty bottle.

“Raph, you’re our watcher. If we don’t listen to you, who do we listen to?”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

With slow nod Raph continued, “You’re right to think that bust down wasn’t random but I think it was more than that. They were looking for something. The fuzz was busting every door open on the way to a warehouse. Y'know, that warehouse.”

Silenced took the scene for several moments before anyone even moved a muscle. Kole and Tommy shared a look before they turned and continued on their way towards their meeting both etched with grim faces. The warehouse Raph referred to was well known in the The Pits. It was the only quiet block in the entire district. Mainly because anyone who got too close would get murdered shortly after sighting the building. All routes in was a zigzag of alleyways filled with plenty of shadows which contained daggers. They both knew the one who ran it was not someone to cross.

They neared The March's headquarters. It was a pub on a main road. The got their namesake from the founders who were all in the army. They were loose collection of hard bastards which had seen one decapitated head too many to know any other life. So they drank. A lot. So much that they pooled in money and bought their own pub. When they finally crossed that thin line of military to mafia the demarcation was barely worth mentioning. However, what remained was their loyalty to coin, transparent modus operandi and watering hole. These were rare traits in the local gang.

It was common for a hired killer to pounce on their prey, ready the coup-de-grace then offer their life back if they paid double. If the target could triple the pay, the assassin would even reverse the contract and go after the original requestor. Salvation and vengeance all in one transaction. The March was different. They had a rule: for the first half of the contract they could not be bought out. The second half? Well let's hope whatever you hired them for was complete before then.

It was with this reassurance of conditional loyalty that Kole approached the pub door. Two men that could be confused for doors themselves stood on either side.

"Kole. Tommy. Good to see you. Sorry to hear about your shifter mate." said the bouncer on the left.

Kole grunted in return, his mood threatening to sour further.

"Thanks Ted. I appreciate the sentiment. It's why we came. Is Randall in?" said Tommy.

"Yeap. We got your note. I'll be happy to let you in once.." Ted trailed off as he nodded at the duo's lingering guard.

Tommy nodded at their man and he faded into the night. As they made to enter the guard on the right halted them and made a motion for them to lift up their arms for a pat down. Ted interrupted before the duo said anything.

"Leave it. They're gilded leaders. They're allowed weapons as long as they're alone" said Ted.

James hesitated but didn't move. The last word caught in his brain as he thought. Which was hard for someone of James' intellect.

"But they're not alone. There's two of em Ted" said James eventually.

Kole rolled his eyes and marvelled at the mathematic prowess on The March's newest recruit. He then stepped forward and with a barely perceptible sweep of the leg, James was on his ass. He ignored the downed man's alarm and walked through.

"We're a package deal rookie. Ted, teach your rookie a thing or two before my blade has a staring contest with his eye" said Kole as he pushed open the door.

Tommy was much more diplomatic as he smiled apologetically for his counterpart's impatience and pressed a coin into Ted's palm.

"Sorry about that Ted. He's in a mood. Here's a round on me. See you at cards again soon aye?" said Tommy as he followed behind.