Ella & Vlad at the end

#33 - shots fired

Utilizing properties along the village's southern edge Vladimir nears the main intersection. A pair of approaching men force Vlad to duck behind a block wall. As the men continue westerly, he slips behind a building to creep east unseen.

Checking in with the boss Sig and another slow up at the hilltop house, "yo Bob see anything out there?"

Spotting only those searching Bob shrugs, "see the boys on the prowl. Find anything at the river?"

Hoss exits the house with rifle slung on the good shoulder as Sig speaks, "at the river we found a pair of small men's hiking boots and a pair of cargo pants. It could've been just a distraction to make us think they took to the water. But I saw footprints at least going in. It wouldn't surprise me if there were two or more but I think this is one person. A strong person could swim upriver and slip past us to come around again. What do you think?"

Hoss points towards the mansion the cows came from, "I think who ever shot Roy jr. is out there. You said Zed's crew was taken out. Do you know for sure it was all of them?"

Sig sees where he's going, "all the faces I could recognize were there. By clothes I guessed on the others. But if there were one or more we never met or knew about, yeah sure. Is that your gut feeling?"

Roy nods, "wondered if a couple struck out on their own. We didn't kill Zed and the bunch. Do they think we did? And it's personal? Or is it about the cows? Cause if its' anyone that knows me, they know I'm going to be hunting them to the end of their days for shooting my boy."

Sig's able to see that too, "yeah, well Zed's men or not I think that shot you took says they know you're a threat to their existence. Oh hey, I think both Jerry and Floyd are headed back here. Do you think we should have one keep to the other side of the river?"

Hoss was about to say no, but picks up his radio, "Floyd you got a copy on me? Stay on the north side if you do. Jerry, return to the co-op."

Floyd gets in first, "gotcha Boss."

Jerry follows up, "almost there now Roy."

"Good." Roy lowers the radio speaking to Sig, "why don't you and Jakey there make a perimeter sweep. We got a nice vantage point here as long as no one is behind us."

"Sure thing Roy." Sig motions to Jakey to get to it, "we know the north hill was quiet, so work you're way west I'll follow the south side with you."

"Alright," Jakey starts swiftly walking.

Going around the back of the house Sig makes for the southern side of the hill the house is on. Watching them Hoss approaches Bob to survey the village too.

As the Hummer returns to the main intersection Vladimir has to take cover. The passing vehicle easily in sight, the driver seems to be broadly scanning the area. The man behind the machine gun glances Vlad's way but was unable to see him.

On the hill Hoss and Bob watch the Hummer head back to the Co-op and park in the openness of the property's front yard. From that position they can see down the immediate roads plus Hoss and home. The northern hillside is partially obstructed to them by the Co-op's three buildings and short grain silos.

Forced to wait Vladimir studies the surroundings. Able to see Hoss and Bob, knows he'll be spotted attempting to cross the intersection. He needs to get to the north side of the village to get around the trio in the Hummer. He decides to pull back some, find another man to take down for distraction, then try and make it north.

From inside a kid's over-sized playhouse Vlad watches out the glass-less windows. Directly behind the playhouse over-grown shrubs allow him a great blind. Past the shrubs on the next street he spots two men checking properties. Shoot one and get out of the yard. Looking north out of that yard no one is seen. To the west he spies two others at the end of the village's center. Giving the western pair time to move on further Vlad determines the best shot to take upon the closer pair of men.