The trio sat around the lobby of the building they’d be guarding tonight; it was the same place that they ended up at just the other day, when Emilio was being treated for his stomach wound by Cacao Workshop. A small office space, not to be confused with a Fixer Office, this was a place where actual office work was done; boring stuff like paperwork, and whatever else the hell normal people with normal jobs do. Emilio was focused on a map of the place; a large display in the center of the lobby, right next to the front desk. Five floors in total. The first floor consisted mostly of halls that lead to elevators, an entrance lobby, and an employee lounge; the color palette of the lobby was mostly whites and grays, calming but boring colors. The fifth floor was a large meeting room and not much else. Between these two floors was just office space, cubicles, and storage closets, against, all with the same boring gray color palette with the occasional blue. While the colors were boring, it still looked really organized and clean! This was one of the best looking places he’s ever seen, he nearly forgot this was still in the Backstreets! “So what do you think, Heidi?” He asked, “Think you could find yourself doing a desk job here?”

  “Hell no,” Heidi said, sitting on the front desk, now that no one was using it at the moment. “I’ve heard what a desk job can do to you. Destroys the soul and the spirit. I’ll stick to fighting for my life with my blade. My body can be repaired, my soul cannot.” She said, cigarette hanging from her mouth. “Speaking of my body being destroyed, can I borrow your lighter?” She said, attempting to activate the built in light installed in her prosthetic. All that came out of her knuckle was a few errant sparks. “I’m out of fuel for this thing.”

  “Sure,” Emilio said, taking his lighter out, only to be stopped by someone putting his hand between the lighter and the cigarette, nearly burning his hand in the process. Drawing back, Emilio recognized him: It was Tuco! Of course, Emilio had since forgotten the man’s name. “Ah hey… It’s you… Guy.” He grinned, quickly pocketing the lighter. From the man’s face, both he and Heidi did something wrong.

  “Yeah, you’re not allowed to smoke in here.” He groaned, pointing to the No Smoking sign, that was right below the map that Emilio was just now looking at; he likely didn’t even register the image. “Let’s try to show some professionalism here, okay?”

  “Fine.” Heidi sighed, “But once a fight starts, I’m lighting it. Helps me focus.”

  “Same.” Emilio said. “Mental focus over our lung health.”

  One of the “problems” with working with Fixers, is that a lot of the times, they play by their own rules. Tuco groaned. “Alright, but it’s expected to be a slow night tonight. We were worried that a rival Workshop was gonna be attacking us tonight, but we managed to talk them out of it. So all we have to worry about is some Street Rats. He looked between the two, noticing something was off about them. Then he realized what that something was. “Hold on, wasn’t there suppose to be a third one of you?” he said, pointing between them, “The short girl, who wore that bear mask.”

  “Ah, crap,” Emilio said, panicking that Oliver was now loose in the building somewhere. “Yeah, she ran off somewhere-”

  “Someone get this freak away from me!” They heard a voice from across the room shout. Ah, that must be wear Oliver is. The lobby was full of various Fixers, be them in groups as an Office or the few independent ones. Across the room, next to a brochure display, was one of these independent Fixers; a man clad in a yellow vest. Everyone was just watching, as Oliver stood over him, holding her ax; weirdly the one thing Emilio and Heidi were both thinking was that this was the first time that they ever saw her hold that thing. “You’re the reason I hate District 23!” The yellow vested man said got ready to say something else, but Oliver quickly silenced him by slamming her ax down right next to his head. It went through the brochure display, causing papers to go everywhere. “Ai!” He yelped, jumping away from the ax. No one was doing anything. This was not an unusual sight to behold, even among Fixer Offices; the man in the yellow vest was independent, no one allied with anyone, so he had no one to pull Oliver off of him.

  “Silence.” Oliver said, pulling the ax out. “Now which to cut. Your head or your dickhead?” She said, pointing her ax at him.

  Before the man could even answer, Emilio and Heidi ran over. “Enough, Oliver! What the fuck has gotten into you?” Emilio scolded her, as he yanked her away by the collar. She was incredibly heavy and hard to move, despite her compact size. “Jeez… You are heavy.” Emilio rubbed his shoulder. “Are you full of cement?”

  The scared Fixer stood to his feet, shivering. “You’re her Operator? Which Office are you guys part of?” Emilio stepped in front of Oliver, to prevent any further conflict.

  “We’re with Runaway Office.” Emilio said, immediately taking responsibility for Oliver’s actions. “What even caused this?”

  “He said he hated bears.” Oliver explained, as if that was an excuse for threatening someone. “I’ll forgive him this time.” She looked up to Emilio, “Only because you’re here.”

  Heidi groaned, rubbing her forehead. They’re gonna need to start keeping this girl on a leash if this is how she acts in public. It made her wonder what she was like when she was by herself, like when she wasn’t at the Office.

  “Uh… Yeah, don’t think that’s an excuse to kill someone.” Emilio said. “If it makes you happier, I think bears are pretty cool… Haven’t seen one in person before though.” He shrugged, turning around, the trio was already walking off, as if the situation didn’t even happen. “Let’s get ready, I think they want all of us to get into position; Evil Eye is already on the second floor.”

  “I’ve seen a mechanical bear once, it was pretty cool.” Heidi added, on the subject of bears. “Wish I had a picture of it.”

  “Bears are my favorite.” Oliver added.

  These people are nuts… The man who was just moments ago threatened with an ax stared at them as they departed. “You guys must be one of those Offices trying really hard to make a name for yourself… Nothing special.”

  “So what if we are? A Fixer Office has to be loud to make a name for themselves. I think we’re the ones more cut out for this business.” Emilio smirked, looking over his shoulder.

  “What about the rest of these guys? What are your thoughts on them?” Heidi asked, looking at the other people who have gathered. One of them was Silvio, who was by himself in the corner, staring down the group; everyone else had moved on to conversing among one another.

  “Look around you… Do you think something is off?” The man asked the trio. “Why did they bring so many Offices to protect what is just suppose to be a short and sweet meeting? They’re want a lot of protection for whatever they’re showcasing to one another. If you ask me, I think that Cacao Workshop or whoever they’re rubbing shoulders with is afraid. That’s why they’re bringing so many people here. It’s human wave tactics; it doesn’t matter how strong everyone here is, if we get enough people, we’ll be able to overcome any opposition short of a Finger.”

  “That didn’t really answer my question, but alright.” Heidi shrugged. “I do see what you mean, kinda.” She looked at the sheet of paper given to them when they got here, giving out the game plan. One large Office protecting the bottom floor, going by the name Knives Out Office; they had quite the resume if anything, large numbers, quality equipment, and a good few jobs under their belts. The second floor would be under the watch of another smaller Office, Evil Eye Office; she didn’t know anything about them, neither did Emilio, but she was sure they had to be something special. The fourth floor was going to be under watch of Carlo’s Office. A small but incredibly strong Office, ran by the man it was named after. The fourth floor was deemed the second most important line. In the event someone scales the building or takes the elevator, they’ll be there to stop them. Fifth floor, of course would be protected by the Workshop themselves. They knew how to fight, so there wasn’t any point of putting any extra defensive measures. Then, lastly, there was the third floor. It wasn’t right after the first floor and it wasn’t before the fifth floor. So it was deemed the least important to protect. So, of course, that’s where they would be stationed… Alongside a few other independent Fixers, being the smallest Office at only three people.

  “Figures we got saddled with the lamest job.” Heidi put the paper back in her pocket.

  “What do you think though?” Emilio asked.

  “About the situation?” Heidi said, watching the stranger walk off, hoping Oliver wouldn’t go after him again. A child leash wouldn’t be a bad idea to put on her, but knowing her, she’d use it to strangle someone.

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “It does feel strange how fortified we are. Plus, I heard all the investors got here before anyone else. Why didn’t we get to see them?”

  “Well, I think that it could mean one of three things.” She said, holding up three fingers. “1. They’re really overcompensating for a potential attack. I don’t even think people will scale the building and get in that way. So basically what that douche in the yellow vest said. 2. They have money to burn and want to flaunt it by hiring as many Fixer Offices as they can; even if some of them are on the budget side… One of those budget Office’s include us, I’m aware. 3. They know someone big is gonna attack and think these measures are necessary.”

  “The Ghillie Dhu, maybe. They have been shown a growing presence in the local area.” Emilio said, looking at the front entrance. The sun had since set, but it was still several hours away from the infamous ‘Night in the Backstreets.’

  “You think so?” She asked, “What’s your problem against them?”

  “It isn’t the group specifically.” Emilio said, leaning against the display from earlier. “It’s their leader, as well as his two cronies. I met them when the four of us were children and…” he watched as a few of the Fixers started heading for the upper floors, zoning out for a small few seconds. “Eh… That’s a story for another time. I’ll record it later.” He got off the wall he was leaning against. “We should get in position. Don’t want to get docked for some inane bullshit.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “Right,” Heidi, “Keep your secrets, dear Operator.” She said, giving Emilio a playful jab with the pommel of her sword.

  “Ouch,” Emilio yelped, even though it didn’t really hurt, playing along. “Careful where you point that thing.”

  Oliver of course followed them, skipping alongside the two in her silent, playful manner.

  Before they could finally get in position though, they were yet against interrupted. “Oi, Runaway Office!” They heard a voice shout while leaving. A man was approaching them. “Looks like we’re all going to our respective rooms.” He was a tall man, holding a large spear in his hand, hoisting it over his shoulder. He dressed in a white uniform and had pristine blonde hair. “Please to meet you guys, I’m Carlo… Of Carlo’s Office.” He said, holding his hand out for a hand shake. Specifically, holding it out towards Heidi, who shook it anyways despite not being the Operator. “Charmed, charmed, I’m sure.”

  “Right.” Emilio said, “Pleased to meet you.” He looked behind Carlo. All of the Fixers with him wore similar white uniforms. “You’re the guys guarding the fourth floor? You guys have to be pretty tough to be put in one of the more important positions…” He failed to mask the jealousy in his tone that this guy was more likely to see action than him.

  “Well, sounds like you got some sour grapes.” Carlo grinned. “I feel bad for you guys and Evil Eye Office. You’re gonna be seeing the least amount of action.” he pointed to the elevator. “Talked with the owners of this place. These elevators are reprogrammed to only go to the fourth floor.” He tapped the pommel of his spear on the ground. “Which means, anyone who takes them is gonna be going straight to us. Just last week my Office and I took down an Urban Plague threat. We’re all this place needs really.”

  “I don’t really care.” Emilio said, not even encouraging the man to keep going.

  “You talk a big game.” Heidi said, “But remember, any Fixer can boast about their skills. Anyone can say that they’re ready for the horrors ahead. But you have to put your money where your mouth is.”

  “Oh, I will.” Carlo said, as his group filed into the numerous elevators, some of them having to wait their turn. “Take care now, Runaway Office. Don’t… Runaway…” He and the rest of his Office laughed at the pun that Emilio had heard way too many times at this point from people he thought who thought they were funny.

  Emilio and Heidi watched as the elevator doors closed in front of them. Even Oliver looked annoyed by him, who looked up to the two; despite wearing a mask that hid her entire head, the annoyance was somehow conveyed. “Want me to cut him up later?”

  “No.” Emilio said, “We’ll wait and see how tonight goes. If he actually proves his skills, we can let him have a pass on this one.”

  “Still want to see him get ego checked though.” Heidi added. “Shame we’ll miss it if he does.”

  “Oh, yes, same.” Emilio walked towards the elevator. “Ah… That’s right…” We need to take the stairs, don’t we?”

  At the top floor, Cacao Workshop, their backers, and their investors, all were sat down for a meeting, regarding the creations. Some new, some being updated, some that wouldn’t see the light of day in the City. Tuco shook nervously in his seat. With all the defenses set up, tonight should go well, right? If all of the investors liked what they saw, then they’d be able to pay all the Fixers they hired here, right…?

  “This feels too cruel…” The woman to his left said, it was his sister, Danny. “Those men and women below. They’re nothing but sacrificial lambs.”

  “It should be fine. They’re not all going to die.” Tuco said. “If anyone gets past, they’re all going to have to get past Knive’s Out. Have you seen their track sheet? They have handled a lot of big threats before.” He cleared his throats, “Plus I doubt anyone is going to attack anyways.”

  “What about the people on the middle floors?” She asked

  “They don’t even cross my mind. If anyone gets past Knive’s Out, they’re going to be weakened. The Offices on the middle floors won’t even have an issue.”

  “I’ll take your word for it, bro.” She nodded, then looked at the people gathered around the table. The meeting room was nothing but a long and wide desk, covered in paper work; unlike the rest of the building, the walls of this meeting room were colored beige, with a few red highlights. Men and women sat around, ready to here what the Workshop was going to showcase. But, then her eyes were drawn to the third party, leaned against the wall in the corner. A man, dressed in a black militaristic uniform, with a white cloak over it. At his hip were a pair of swords. His face was concealed by a golden mask, mostly smooth, other than what resembled a pair of jaws clamping down on his head from the chin up. The Proselyte from the Index, Rogue. Danny quickly broke eye contact when she realized that he noticed she was staring at him. “What about him? What exactly is a member of the Index doing here?”

  “Ignore him.” Tuco said, quickly dropping the subject. The meeting was about to begin. Time to start. A battle of words and ideas, unlike the literal battles the Workshop was more experienced with. He would need a drink after this.

  Speaking of literal battles… Floors below, each of the Fixers got ready for whatever was coming their way. Most of them ready to do nothing for the next hour or so. All except for Knives Out Office. An Office specializing more in assassination, like a cheaper alternative to the Shi Association. But, they were against the idea of defense. Their black outfits contrasting on the primarily white lobby, they patrolled the area.

  “What would Street Rats even want with this shit?” One of them said, looking at their reflection in their knife. “Even an Urban Nightmare Syndicate isn’t going to make a splash by raiding an Average Joe Workshop like this.” The man was the Operator of the Knives Out Office, Gegi. “Hm…” He said, looking up from his knife. He caught a glimmer of something green outside the windows. “Are their people outside?” He asked, noticing as all the other Fixers had gathered around the front door. Some of them looking in his direction, ushering him over. “Well, guess we’re actually gonna see some action.” Going over to the door, he got a glance at what he was up against, his teal hair flowing behind him as he sauntered on over.

  The group that gathered outside consisted of several men and women, all of them dressed in black suits, decorated with a bright green vine pattern. All of them possessed calm expressions. In front of them, leading the force, was a tall duo, both dressed in the same suit as everyone else; their faces concealed by gas masks, their backs and heads hooded by a cape of vivid green leaves.

  “The Ghillie Dhu,” One of the Knives Out Fixers said, “An Urban Plague Class Syndicate.” She flipped through a notepad. “They’ve been making waves in this part of the district, other than their leader’s peculiar method of execution, I haven’t gathered much about them.” She smiled and looked to her superior. “Think you can handle them by yourself?”

  “They’re just standing there.” Gegi raised a brow, more curious about their peculiar outfits. “What’s up with the two masked freaks?”

  “Uuuuh… That would be the co-second in commands. I think their names are Titania and Oberon. Don’t know who is who, I can barely tell them apart.” She was right, the only difference between the two, with all that covering on them, was that one of them wore a green tie and the other wore a black tie.

  “Alright…” He flinched as the Syndicate crowd began to march forward. Not ran, their weapons weren’t even drawn. They just walked forward, as if they were heading to work here. “Yeah, alright, alright… I’ll handle this.” Gegi said as he approached the front door, twirling his knife in hand. “You guys stand back.” Stopping in front of the door, nothing but a glass door between him and the Syndicate, he shrugged at them. “Hey, uh, you guys want to explain what you’re doing here? Trying to get in? You have to go through us, unfortunately.”

  “Our boss was instructed us to not kill or bring harm to anyone unless we’re attacked first.” The one in the green tie, Titania, explained. “So, we request entry.”

  “All we require is one object from the upper floor.” The one in the black tie, Oberon, said. “We will bring no harm to anyone or anything otherwise. We will take what we want, then leave. That is all that we request.”

  “I’m gonna have to tell you no.” Gegi said. He tapped his knife against the glass door, making a satisfying clinking sound. “So… You guys won’t hurt anyone unless we attack you first? Guess that means we won’t be attacking you or be letting you in. I don’t think your boss thought this through.” He said, walking away, with a proud saunter. If only all jobs were this easy.

  “If you don’t let us in, we will let ourselves in. As long as you don’t attack us…” Oberon said, pressing his hand against the door. After a moment of straining against it, he quickly shoved his arm forward, breaking the office door off its hinges, the double doors slammed on the wall they were attached to. “…No harm will come to you.”

  “Is that clear enough?” Titania asked genuinely. She was too focused on the group in front of her that she almost didn’t notice the woman leaping at her; it was the inquisitive Fixer who was talking to Gegi earlier. “Ah…” The assailant was quick, but she was quicker. With one motion, she grabbed the handle of the machete at her hip, and slashed at her. In a shower of blood, the Knives Out Fixer was slashed in two. “Poor choice.” She said, looking to Oberon. “That’s permission enough. Looks like these people are going to reject the Fae King’s kindness.” Behind her, more of the Ghillie Dhu members began to draw their own weapons, mostly consisting of machetes and axes.

  “How unfortunate.” Oberon said, drawing his machete, marching towards Gegi, who was already getting ready to fight.

  His eyes wide with panic, having just witnessed a long time ally so unceremoniously get slain. Dodging the first swing from Oberon’s machete, he attempted to counter attack. Yet, for all his boasting, Gegi was quickly disarmed by Oberon. His knife hand was quickly sliced off by Oberon. “Fuck!” He quickly unsheathed another knife with his remaining hand, watching as the Syndicate forces ran in, each of them going after other members of the Office. “I’ll make you pay for that! I’ll avenge her!” He shouted as he went for a stab.

  “Pay?” Oberon asked, as he sliced the man’s other hand off. “There will be no need for money with the world Fae King Fionnlagh wants to create. But you won’t be welcomed in that world.” Those were the last words that Gegi heard, as Titania moved behind him, stabbing him through the size of the head, the twins working as a team.

  “So frail.” Titania sighed, yanking her machete out, coupled with a spurt of blood. Gegi fell to the ground like a ragdoll, the life draining from his eyes. “I will head for the fifth floor. Will you follow after me?”

  “No, I will stay down here.” He watched as the lobby had burst into chaos. Looks like the Knives Out Fixers weren’t anything to scoff at, despite the rough start. They were actually keeping pace with the Ghillie Dhu members. Although, the Fixers would surely take a blow to their morale when the realization hit that their leader was dead. “I’ll even the odds.”

  “Understood, big bro.” Titania nodded, quickly marching towards the elevator. “I’ll be back soon.” She, of course, made sure to cut down anyone who got in her way. The leaves of her gillie suit shimmered which each movement.

  Up on the third floor, Runaway Office was already bored out of their minds, completely unaware of the bloodshed now erupting on the bottom floor. Emilio sat in rolling chair, looking up at the ceiling; he was fiddling with a pen from someone’s desk. He looked over to the corner, noticing Oliver was playing around in another rolling chair, spinning in place… With Heidi spinning her as fast as she could. Those goofballs… He couldn’t help but smile watching them.

  “Go, go, go!” Heidi shouted, laughing.

  “Not! Even! Dizzy!” Oliver said, holding on tight as she was spun around and around, her bear mask was nothing but a brown blur.

  “So,” Emilio said, looking at the man on his right. Silvio, of all people, was on the same floor. “Read any good books lately?” Why was he asking this? He wasn’t much of a reader? Books weren’t really a hobby found in the Backstreets anyways.

  Before Silvio could answer, not that he wanted to answer after the incident earlier, the lights on the floor, as the power was hit; after a short few flickers, everything was dark, other than the cool moonlight pouring in. If one were to tune their ears to the smallest sound, they’d hear the sound of footsteps running up their stairs. The shock was enough for Heidi and Oliver to stop their goofing off, the latter of the two flopped on the floor, dizzy despite her earlier claims.

  “Ah…” Emilio grinned, “Guess that’s our cue~ Look alive people, because it may be the last time you are.”