Strange Aeons [Book 1]

14. The Fast and the F.U.R.R.I.E.S. [part I]

Tractor Alley was a half-abandoned little street, parallel to Perch Street.

They had dressed in dark clothes and donned rubber boots. They all wore gloves and Banshee left her guns at home in favor of a more rudimental, but very much more effective in a gas-thick environment, modern power slingshot.

«So, remember the plan. We go in, we look at it, and we run. We have seen no police around, they're probably content with the explosion version, but we can't use too much magic. The Chief has made this abundantly clear.» declared Banshee, as they reached the iron manhole on the side of the road.

After careful consideration, Banshee decided that she didn't want to risk throwing her back out, and she opted for a much faster and practical Displace spell. The manhole trembled slightly and then, very discreetly, glided aside. As quickly as possible, the three lowered themselves down, closing it behind them.

«You just said.» Vopros muttered, in a neutral "I knew that" tone.

«Hey! There's no-one around, and the fucker was heavy!» she snapped. «Haven't heard any of you proud men offer to help.»

The stench was awful, and the place was completely dark, apart from some strange dim luminescence that nobody wanted to investigate. They all took a moment to cast a silent spell. Their eyes glimmered in a shiny blue light for an instant and their vision became as clear as day. They started walking, splashing in the vile liquid under their soles.

As they went, Banshee took the slingshot out of her pocket. Chico had brought his meat cleaver. As per Vopros, everyone could only hope that if something chose to attack him, he would have limited his destructive powers to non-flammable magic.

From one of the tunnels came a clearer light than the strange luminescence they had seen.

The opening in the ceiling, the road itself, was spectral and creepy in the dimly clear Boston night. The light of the street illumination was seeping through the explosion's gash, creating spooky games of lights and shadows.

The three looked around them, suddenly tense. There was nothing particular to be seen: general damages to pipes had already been repaired. The site was deserted, but not completely silent.

At first, even with their senses heightened by the tension, they didn't really hear it. It was a small noise, so similar to the ones they had produced until some minutes before they were all well convinced the other two were the cause. But something was off, and Banshee signaled the other two, rising her hand and closing her fist, to stop. They did.

The noise went on.

«Allì esta alguien.» whispered Chico, putting his hand on the meat cleaver. Banshee nervously checked that the steel marble pouch was viable, while trying to locate the source of the sound. It came from further along, near the entrance of another tunnel turning to the left.

«Cover me.» she muttered, starting to walk forward. She reached the side tunnel entrance and slowly tried to peek. She held the slingshot with one hand, putting a steel marble in the socket with the second hand, ready to shoot.

There were three men, one taller and the other two quite average, dressed in dark clothes and high-visibility vests and yellow helmets. They were doing something in front of what looked like a metal door with a wheel handle. Three flashlights were lit on the side, illuminating them.

Banshee turned to look at Vopros, who had reached her and positioned on the other side of the tunnel entrance. They exchanged a look, and Banshee tucked the slingshot in the back of her pants, starting to walk towards the three men.