Heidelberg, Germany (Outskirts)

"He’s an arrogant ass, isn’t he?" Hephaestus said as he turned the corner. He continued to steer with his left hand as he ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Sometimes I think the only thing he knows how to do is give orders."

Mouthymerc shrugged and continued to stare out of the passenger side window. "He gets results; does it matter?"

"It does when it’s always someone else’s butt on the line. Have you ever seen him do any real spy work?"

"He sure made that Russian back down, and the punch would’ve flattened most other people."

"Yeah, but you had to bail him out of that one, too."

"True, but I get the impression he could’ve taken care of it on his own. I’m just sayin’: don’t underestimate him. He may be flashy and a pretty boy, but he’s also a frickin’ Grand Duke of one of the most powerful organizations in the world. I may not like the way he does things but he makes things happen, and that’s good enough for me."

Hephaestus paused. "That sidekick of his is a hottie."

"She is very much a hottie. You think I’d have a chance with her?"

"I think she’d chew you up and spit you out."

Mouthymerc laughed. "She’d chew both of us up and spit us out. At the same time, no less."

"And still have room for more!" Hephaestus added with a laugh of his own. "Those two act as if they have something between them."

"I asked him, but he ignored me. I couldn’t tell if he felt guilty or just didn’t want to talk about it."

"You think she’s legit, though? She certainly seems more action-oriented than him."

"She’s legit. You shoulda seen her in the bar, I think she’s an Adept.. She moved like lightning and acted like a pro. More than that: she’s vicious."

"This is a good thing?"

"Only when they’re fighting by your side."

"Good point."

They drove in silence until Mouthymerc noticed a disturbance in the distance. "Are those our boys?"

"Could be. You ready?" Mouthymerc pulled out the G36, cocked it, flicked off the safety and rolled down the window, then nodded. Hephaestus triggered the intercom. "Hang on back there, things are about to get bumpy."

The limo surged forward as the two loping figures leaped onto the dirt road some three-hundred yards in front of the vehicle. From that distance, they could’ve been easily mistaken for strange dogs or even horses, but for the ripped clothes dragging in the dirt. The figures and the limo quickly closed the gap with each other, looking like they would ram. Instead, Hephaestus pulled the handbrake and twisted the wheel sharply, exposing Mouthymerc’s window and weapon to the creatures.

The wily soldier jerked on the rifle’s trigger and dusky red blooms sprouted all over the lead creature. It stumbled and slid twenty feet, face-first underneath the limo. The other creature dodged at the last moment and slammed into the side of the pinwheeling car before tumbling over and beyond the vehicle. The limo completed its 360 degree turn and continued down the road.

"I can see one down in the rearview mirror," Hephaestus said. "I can’t believe it, but he’s getting up!"

"Where’s the one I shot?"

"I can’t see him." The limo lurched briefly and Hephaestus noticed a flash in the corner of his eye. Seconds later, something landed with a thud on the roof. "Nevermind."

Mouthmerc leaned out of the window, firing a steady stream of shots behind them. "Is that my old friend?"

"… gonna be your flat friend." The wheel twisted left-right-left as Hephaestus attempted to dislodge their passenger, but there was a loud grrrnk sound and five indentations appeared above his head. "My car! What’s he doing to my car?"

"Need a hand?" Mouthymerc asked between bursts from the G36. He dropped the clip and slapped a new one in, continuing to fire.

"Don’t sweat it, I got it covered," Hephaestus replied, but as soon as he finished the sentence, five more holes appeared above his head and the roof began to tear like tissue paper. "Or perhaps not. A little tactical assistance might be appreciated."

"Perfect. He’s nothing a little point blank autofire action can’t cure." Mouthymerc pulled the rifle back inside the car and pointed it at the rent in the ceiling. "Eat lead, asshole."

Thirty rounds penetrated the creature’s body in six seconds, allowing friction and wind resistance to do the rest of the work, tossing the creature back into the trail of dust and shredded roof the limo left in its wake. By the time the body stopped moving, it was little more than steaming entrails and slick blood slathered in thick dirt and grime. The second creature gave up the chase, staggering and stumbling due to similar wounds, and it was doubtful it would survive.

"How’s it going up there?" Mr. Knox’s voice asked from the intercom.

Mouthymerc grinned. "Five by five. Had to do a little pest control but we’re covered now."

"Wonderful. I’d expect nothing less from such talented individuals." The intercom clicked off.

They were silent for a good sixty seconds before Hephaestus said, "He’s an arrogant ass, isn’t he?"