The Eyes of Fate (Currently in Rewrite)

THIS is a Scene

Ranger

The Train Depot

Laine, Oklahoma

December 17, 2019

"So, how much of what the spook over there said is actually true?" Henry asked, pocketing the gun he had borrowed from Ranger. People were gathering into a circle around Fang and Wist, who were stripping out of their jackets to show they weren't hiding any weapons.

"Most of it," Ranger admitted. "We are who he said we are, but of course he's lying about why the reasons behind why we're here. The Church of the Guarded Heaven is kidnapping people with their eyes, torturing them, experimenting on some of them, and killing them. That agent up there is part of their little cult, same as the people behind him."

"Sounds like typical spook activity." Henry said, the disgust clear in his voice. "So how do you all fit in?"

"We were hired by the CIA of all things." Ranger said, making Henry snort. "Fang has some sort of ongoing deal with them that keeps them off our asses. The agent working with us got kidnapped along with Sentinel, and got tortured to death for his sins. We rescued Sentinel and hid out with the Diamonds to heal up."

"That tracks." Henry sounded mollified, but Ranger knew he was skeptical about them working with the Agency. Most SOCOM guys were, since the CIA had a nasty habit of using soldiers as expendable assets while doing whatever they could to save their own skins. "So what's the play?"

"Wait until Fang gives the signal, then take the two center right." Ranger said, nodding towards the men standing behind Wist. They had all body-slung their weapons and looked completely relaxed.

"Are you taking the other four?" Henry asked. Ranger could hear a bit of skepticism creep into his voice.

"No." Ranger said flatly. "I'll be going center left. Vyper and Chesyr will be taking the edges."

Henry nodded, and Ranger cast his eyes over the gathered people. Most everyone had a combination of outrage and worry on their faces. While Ranger could see doubt in some faces, it was a testament to Fang's family that none of them were showing mistrust towards them. Several other adults had grabbed makeshift weapons, spatulas and frying pans and more than a few pocket knives. The rest of the Eyes were spread through the crowd, doing their best to try and keep anything surprising from happening. Ranger felt grateful that he had spent enough time looking through a scope to bother learning how to read lips.

Oracle was explaining to Fang's cousins that Fang was a nearly unbeatable fighter, so they didn't have to worry. Vyper was explaining to the Diamonds and Fang's other two sisters that calling the cops was out of the question. Chesyr was nowhere to be seen, so Ranger knew she was sneaking around somewhere, invisible. Sentinel was standing between the children and the armed men, explaining to them that everyone would be okay, that Tyler would take care of it, and that he wouldn't let them get hurt. The steel that Ranger could see in Sentinel's eyes made pride blossom in his chest.

The older kids, including Jake, were also standing around the younger ones, and Ranger realized they were guarding them too.

This damn family, he thought.

"So, I have your word that none of your henchmen are going to interfere?" Wist asked, drawing Ranger's attention back to the fight that was finally about to start. Both Wist and Fang had stripped down to just their shirts and pants.

"Of course you do." Fang said, rolling his shoulders.

"Good," Wist said, then lunged at his opponent. Just like that, it was on.

Ranger watched the fight impassively. The fight started off looking more like a sparring match to him, a basic series of strikes, blocks, and counters. The two men were testing each other, looking for weaknesses, tells, and anything else they could use to their advantage. Ranger would have found it boring, but he found himself fascinated by seeing Fang fight so carefully.