originally posted in:The New Dojo
He cursed quietly under his breath. Since the thug didn't take the bait, it looks like he had to drop the subtlety.
"Right. Option 2 then."
Materializing out of thin air, several drones about as big as an armoured fist appeared. Their lights shone down brightly on the group like a collection of mobile spotlights.
"If you don't take the deal," he began, "then I contact almost every two-bit law enforcement wannabe in the Dojo. Every faction that thinks that they're providing justice and protection all drawn to you lot. I'm sure you're smart enough to know how many PMCs and personal armies are run by people who try to be the good guys. I start streaming these drones and their location, and you'll have every "hero" on your trail in minutes.
Funny, how useful these little helpers can be. I usually use them to help me carry loads back at the shop, but fit them with a couple cameras and wire them right... and speaking of which, they're on a digital dead man's switch. Shoot one of them, and this goes live. Shoot me... now, you wouldn't wanna find out what my drones do when my biometrics flatline."
He spread his free hand outwards theatrically.
"So what's it gonna be? Indulge an old man's silly request, or race every prick with a weapon in this place?"
English
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"I think the guys hunting the heroes will just use that opportunity to their advantage and keep us covered...buuut....Fire!" All of the men took aim at the drones, all firing at them at the same time.
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While half were caught in the crossfire, the others weren't dumb. They scrambled and began swirling around the men, keeping them preoccupied by zipping by their lines of fire. Taking this opportunity, the man pointed his crutch at the young lady during the chaos. Now that all of the men were too busy firing their weapons, it was his chance. From the crutch's end launched a translucent ball no bigger than the tip of the crutch itself. It attached to the young woman, pulling her back rapidly via the metal cord that anchored it to the structure it was shot from. The cripple grunted and bent on one knee, the other locking into position through its mechanical leg brace as he opened his free arm to catch the young woman. Zooming back to their master, the remaining drones directed their light towards each other, forming a sheet of energy over the duo: a crude shield. He stared back at the thugs through the shields, eyes now free of his hasty bluffs. Pupils filled with contempt that seethed at the thugs. "Bullies and thugs, all of you. Lemme tell you the truth. There are no heroes and villains. Here, there are only people like you but in different clothes. Here's another truth: there was no signal to every armed faction. But someone is coming." For a moment his anger subsided, looking at the men with pity. "Go. Please, before they get here. Nobody has to get hurt tonight."