Gods and Monsters

VI

Hoxton Docks, London

Now rarely, if ever, used for importing and exporting, Hoxton Docks has become more popular as a nightclub and venue for the youth of London. It appeared Eugene had rented the entire complex as his own heavily armed crew roamed the outside area, scouting any potential trouble that may stop the exchange from being completed.

The two guards on the entrance to the docks were swiftly knocked out by Charlie and Scarlett who had grabbed them from behind, their bodies hidden just inside the entrance to the docks. Peggy, Mike and Atlin rushed swiftly through the gate as they took cover behind some containers, waiting for Charlie to shut the gate. He didn't, however. Instead he waited as a small lady in her early sixties, no taller than five foot, stepped through, her heels clinking slightly against the concrete ground. In her hands she carried two large black duffel bags which she placed down next to Charlie and Scarlett.

Dressed in a tailored crimson jacket and skirt, the others couldn't imagine why this woman had been allowed to wander in with them. As she pressed her round spectacles up her nose, Charlie introduced her, "This is my associate, Mr Smith."

"Mr?" Mike questioned, "but she's a woman?"

Mr Smith stepped forward and looked Mike up and down, "Yes, you must be the Mr Rigby that Charlie mentioned," She turned back to face to Charlie and Scarlett, "I'm pleased to see you've associated yourselves with the extremely perceptive."

Wishing to focus on the task at hand, Peggy spoke, "Do you two mind explaining what exactly Mr Smith is doing here?"

"Well," Charlie said as he reached down and unzipped the duffel bag at his feet, "I said we needed weapons, didn't I?" He tilted the bag so the others could see inside. From top to bottom the bag was lined with machine guns and magazines for the assault.

Locked and loaded, the group took their positions in the docks. Peggy, Mike and Atlin were due to hang back on top of the containers so they could overlook the exchange. Due to their lack of firearms experience, Charlie would have them provide supressing fire while he and Scarlett went after Eugene and stopped the reality-warper from being taken. They had other plans for Mr Smith.

As the team on the containers looked over the docks, they saw a small white freighter pull alongside. Peggy imagined that the boat usually carried hundreds of containers at once, but today, only a single blue container stood in the centre. One of Eugene's men activated the crane on the ground and began to hoist the metal hull off of the boat, water dripping off it as the other heavy's stepped back, cautious of it falling.

Looking down the scope on the rifle she held, Peggy saw Eugene's goons move towards the container now that it was down on the ground. She looked across at the other containers around her with Mike and Atlin looking down from their own positions, and couldn't help but wonder what was going through their heads. A few months ago they had been relatively run of the mill detectives; go to work, solve crimes, fill in paperwork and go home. Now they all held custom built assault rifles and were expected to lay down suppressing fire while Charlie and Scarlett stopped the exchange.

Suddenly, her earpiece burst to life, "Do any of you have eyes on Eugene?" Scarlett asked. Taking another peek through the scope, Peggy scanned the group on the ground but couldn't see the Scotsman.

"Negative. We'll let you know if we do."

"Okay, Charlie and I are in position. Just keep a cool head and try not to hit us." Scarlett said with the hint of a chuckle. Neither Peggy or either of the others could understand how Scarlett and Charlie remained so relaxed at the prospect of a shootout. Maybe it just came with experience.