None of them are easy...

[Kotts]

Kotts navigated the night-darkened hallways of his parent's home to the second guest room, his eyes were still matted freshly woken from sleep. A still feeling of relief swept over him seeing the two small shapes asleep in their cribs. He moved quietly checking Kieran. He was sound asleep, peaceful. Kotras couldn't help but smile. Carefully he brushed his hand over his son's head, before moving to Sai's crib. He started to lean over to check her, and jumped startled. Her eyes had shot open looking directly at him. His dream kept him awake, his paranoia made him check his children, but now he woke his daughter. The opi gritted his teeth expecting  her to coo and babble, or worse cry out. The last thing he needed to top of this sleepless night would be trying to put both of them back to sleep.

Sai's eyes were looked on her father she began to smile, but did not make a sound. Kotts remained still watching her waiting. She stretched her limbs and yawned her eye returning to his. They stared at each other for some moment before he leaned over the crib to her. "It's ok sweetie... get some rest..." He whispered to her lightly kissing her forehead. Sai exhaled slowly her eye blinking heavily. Kotts stayed in her sight watching her relax back into slumber.  He moved back to the doorway and out in the hall when he was certain she was asleep again.  Dim lighting from around the corner caught his eye.

Jeric was sitting at the table going over something on his data pad.  "Can't sleep ether pop?" Kotts spoke hushed. He dad nodded looking up. "My knee is keeping me up, so I figured I might as well get something done" He said patting his data pad.  "What about you? I know you don't have a trick knee, or anything like that. You worried about Cherelle?"

"Mostly yes."

"Mostly?"

"I don't know dad... I'm not sure leaving was..." Kotts trailed off.

"You left a planet that was ripe for another war to break out. You have the twins to think about, and not just some rebellion."

Kotts was taken off guard.  "Look, kiddo..." Jeric continued "The first month or so you were there you had your fingers cut off, remember?"

"How can I forget?"

"Well, I have no idea what you got involved with that caused that type of a reaction, but that was a matter of weeks. You've been there how long? Three years?" Kotts nodded. "Well I can only imagine what you did in that amount of time to piss people off."

"What makes you think I'd be doing that?" Kotts interjected. Jeric narrowed his eyes fully calling his son's bluff. "I raised you kid. You can't fool me like you used to." Kotts smiled awkwardly. "My point being if people have it out for you enough, they'll do anything they can to hurt you. That means even attacking your kids. You had every reason to leave."

Kotts sighed, nodding again though not agreeing with his dad. "Reclaim does help though. I mean Eyya, managed to start a family just find, so did Loccin." His dad shrugged. "Isn't Loccin a widower?"

"That's besides the point dad.—"

"Is it? How did his wife pass?"

Kotts narrowed his eyes "Aliens. They attacked the city they were living in and—"

"And she didn't have up to date insurance." Jeric watched his son continuing "Wasn't there a battle beforehand too? I don't claim to be a scholar on those things, but from what you told me, they were attracted to the city by an EMC pulse set off during that fight, right?"

Kotts's shoulders dropped.
"like here is any better." Kotts looked up at Jeric continuing. "What about those punk kids that broke your leg and threatened you and mom? You were on Ka your leg would have healed that night, and you would be kept up all night in pain, like you are now."

"Point. But they didn't kill me ether...  Son, I know I told you to stand up for yourself, and to fight for your own, but at some point you have to realize you can't win everything. You gave them hell, and bowed out with minor losses. That's admirable at best! This isn't about you anymore it's about Your family. Going back would just put them at risk, and you know it."

"You don't like that I've been fighting in a war do you?"

Jeric shook his head. "I don't like knowing that my son could wind up dead fighting in a war that's not his. What kind of father wants to outlive his child, much less his only son?"

"It's more then just 'some war' Dad—"

"It's your friends' war. You can't go around fighting everyone else's fights. Sure you can help and change things, but there will always be a war, there will always be—"

"My friends are dead, dad. So many of them are dead, or missing!"

"... So you want to throw you life away like some martyr... throw your family's life away because you're mad?"

"No. They died for more than themselves dad. They died to protect others. They died fighting a tyrant. To protect the freedom, and right o life we all have."

"And now you have two beautiful children and a loving wife...  Kotras It could have been you that died. It could have been Cher, or Keiran... But it wasn't. They granted you, and yours life with the cost of their own. Be grateful of that."

Kotts lowered his head obviously not liking his father's words.
"And what about all the others I could have saved if I stayed? What about their children? Dad you know more than anyone that corporation does not care about people, it cares about control! Someone has to stop this..."

"Are you willing to die for that son? Are you willing to loose your wife and children?" Jeric leaned his head on his folded hands staring intently at his son. "Think about that before you start to favor ideas of going back. In the mean time focus on finding a place to live, and getting Cher out of there as well."

Kotts nodded weakly not meeting his father's stare, and turns to make his way down the hall. Jeric watched his son leave frowning slightly. He knew it wasn't an easy choice to make. The important ones never are easy.  Kotts came closer to the guest room seeing his mother holding Sai on her shoulder rocking her.  She glanced up to Kotts whispering. "She started to fuss... I was worried she'd wake her brother too..."

Sai leaned in her grandmother' shoulder, her tiny fingers holding on to her robe tightly. "She was awake earlier too... I thought she had gone back to sleep. I'm sorry mom I didn't—"

"No no... you were talking with your dad when she started."

Kotts nodded tilting his head watching his baby girl. Sai fussed a bit more, and turned her head on Marri's shoulder her eyes moving to see her father. Kotts smiled softly as Sai reach her arm out. 

"I think she misses her mommy..."

"She's not the only one."  Kotts whispered raising his hand to Sai's. Sai grabbed his hand with her tiny fingers.

"Besides you looked like you needed to talk... you dad was already up too... Hopeflly it helped?"
Kotts sighed looking at his daughter, his own father's words still ringing true in his mind.

"I don't know yet..."

[Kotts]

"Kotras!?"  Mari's voice sounded down the length of the house.

"Yeah?" Kotts shouted in reply.

"Wave hon. You want it in there?"

"Sure... Who is it?" 

"Loccin."

'Loccin?... ' He muttered to himself. He stood and poked his head out of the door way. "Send it back here Mom. I got the kids still."
Kotts sat down on the floor cross legged while the twins lay nearby rolling and chewing on any toys they could find. The screen flickered which immediately caught Keiran's attention. Loccin's stern face soon came into focus. He had slicked his hair back with gel of kind, and his goatee was neatly trimmed. Loccin only had the goatee for a year or so, but it still took Kotts by surprise every time he saw it.  It just didn't seem to fit Loccin, but still there it is. Loccin was slightly starting to show his age more than before. The lines on his face had creased more, but the dark bags under his eye were almost gone. This was a good sign that he was at least getting to rest more than before.

"Well well..." Loccin spoke. The Merchant's presence somehow even managed to come through the wave feed; Slightly intimidating almost parental. He was definitely the type of person that commanded some respect, but in return also granted the same amount back.

"This was a sight I never imagined. Kingpin Clay... Babysitting."
The two stared at each other for a moment... a long drawn out uncomfortable moment.  Loccin's mouth started to crack a smile, about the same time Kotts threw his head back laughing.

Kotts still laughing began, "Yeah yeah. Laugh it up, not like you never had diaper duty before."

"Yes yes, but mine are out of that phase. So I get to rub it in on others every chance I get!"
The two chuckled, tension between them long gone.

"So how you been? How are the girls? ..." Kotts paused grinning slowly "How's Isha?"

"Girls are doing well. Getting ready for school... Or so I hope. Business has been slow. Painfully really.  Though I made some worthy investments recently, and I think we'll be able to live on interest for a few years." Loccin nodded answering Kotts's questions. Kotts raised an eyebrow not letting the last one of the trio to be forgotten. Loccin bunched his lips together and sighed. "Isha is doing well too. She returned not to long ago. She's in better spirits then she was before." 

"Are you two--?"

"Yes." Loccin cut off the question, and quickly switched gears. "Have you heard from Cher recently?"

"Kinda recent yeah, but I was going to buzz her later today to see how things were over there."
Loccin nodded.
"Is everything still ok on Ka? We didn't lose did we?" Kotts said with a grin.

"No no. It's been quiet really. Aside from the few squabbles over towers, and the heavy ordinance blasts. Omni, and the Clans have pretty much kept everything away from the cities, save for a few random duels... though morale is low. No one will ever admit it but I can see it in the eyes of the troops in passing."

"Damned shame... I really hope they can gut it out."

"It's not that easy, and you know it Clay. They need their heroes. People to look up too. People to inspire and lead them. Genuinely lead them. Not some half cocked idiot doing it for the glory." Loccin's eyes trailed off to the side of the screen. "They need someone who believes in the cause still." He nods to himself.

Kotts lowered his head, "Doesn't help when people up and leave ether."

"Don't start that. Assembly took a hell of a beating. You're all lucky you didn't get raided reformed, or killed."

"You heard from any of the others?"

"No. I've seen a few of their signals flash here and there; Faoláin, Krishnitt, and a few others."

"Jen?"

"No. Not for a few weeks. She's fine I'm sure though."

"Yeah... "

"Look. I saw how hard it hit Isha, and She was just a member. Godfray, put a lot of blood sweat and tears into Assembly. She... hell all of them just need time. They need to gather themselves up, and plan the next move is all."

"Yeah..." Kotts uttered again, not really listening to Loccin. Keiran, now moved up in front of the vidscreen, sitting upright on his butt watching Loccin wide-eyed. Loccin glances down at the tiny opifex and smiled.

"I can't help but wonder if there was anything else I could have done you know?"

"Does it matter now? It happened Clay, don't dwell on it. There is nothing you can do now to change the past. Just move forward, and learn from it." Kotts grunted still not happy with the response. Keiran on the other hand reaches out trying to grab the holo of Loccin giggling.

"Anyway I just wanted to let you know that we are adjusting, but all is well." 

"Uncle Kot-kot?" a voice sounded around the corner of the apartment on Loccin's end, followed by a three foot blur of blonde hair and pajamas. Addi came rushing in the room jumping on he dad's lap with a resounding 'oof' from him.

"Hi uncah Kot-kot! When are you coming back?!" Addi energetically questioned.

"Uh well... I dunno Addi, uhm maybe one of these days we are going to visit, but not anytime soon." Kotts offer an awkward smile, Addi's energy began to slow.

"Oh... ok."

"But... I'll see about coming for a visit eh?"

Addi perked up. "Bring the babies?!"

"Well we'll see eh? Heh. I Not exactly and easy trip for them you know?" Keiran Still sat in awe grasping at the new figure on the screen. Sai had rolled next to her father's legs watching the screen as well, chewing on larger rubber ring.

"Kay! But you better call first!"

"Uh yeah, sure. Yes Ma'am!"

Addi giggled, Loccin still ragining his breath that was knocked out of him. Cio had moved into view keeping to herself until Kotras noticed her.

"Hi Cio. How are you doing young lady?"

She offers a nod and waves back. "Good, Have you found a house yet?"

Kotts blinks taken a bit by surprise. "No, not yet but I've foun-"

"You better hurry, rescores costs on Mars are due to climb by the end of the year. If you don't decide soon you'll be paying much more then what you could have." She had moved closer leaning on her dad's side. Kotts still dumbfounded.

"I don't mean to pressure you, just saying... I don't know how much you watch the market there."

Kotts tilted his head. "You watch off world markets?"

"Only when I'm bored. Sometimes economics is all we can access on the grid in school between projects. The grid censorship stinks."

"Uh huh..."

[Tussa]

[*cheers* Keep going, I like your writing ]

[Kotts]

Cio, nodded.
"Ok then. Please come and visit us sometime Mr. Clay. It would mean a lot. Especially to Addi."
With that Cio turned and moved upstairs along the same path Addi blitzed through. Loccin draws in deeper breaths gain his composure once again.
"So, as I was about to say." Loccin continues as before the girls' interjection. "I wanted to invite Cherelle over for dinner with the girls and I, Isha included of course."  Kotts nodded listening. Keiran's eyes remained wide and refusing to blink.  "I was wondering if you'd be around so we could call you again. Cher and the kids could see each other, and Isha would see some familiar faces as well."
Sai turned on her side and cooed. "I'd Like that Waters."
"then we have a deal."

[Kotts]

The sun pored through the dusty air, warm and rather pleasant. For once in a long time he was walking. Not running, not speeding on a bike or board through the air, but walking. Kotras was relaxed, and for once daydreaming like he used to, when he was a kid. Cher played on his mind the most of all his thoughts. The long days without her turned into weeks, and then months. It had been too long. He wondered how things were on Ka still. He had tuned in here and there to read a few articles when his parents were not home. A few times even took the time to heckle the Omni articles. He grinned slowly to himself, regripping the bags of groceries in his hands.

Things have been smooth, or about as smooth as it could be on Rubi-Ka. No one had blown up any cities or leveled and buildings with the orbitals... yet. For some reason he wondered where Cain wandered off too. He thought about Kiteran, and Luci soon after. They had both disappeared, if they were alive they'd still be on the planet that's for sure. He smiled slowly.

"Maybe they ran off together, and eloped."

He chuckled to himself. "If they did, it's about damn time."

Few others came to mind as well; Kir, Sessai, Ridge, Leah... so many come and gone. No regrets that's all one could hope for at least, however Kotras was still not sure if he had the answer to that question yet. Zeli's signal showed up here and there on the feeds. As long as he was lighting up Kotts knew he was fine.
He attention was brought back quickly approaching his parent's home. The red dirt, and green grass still looked odd, even next to the white walkway. Two 'kids' (as he had come to call the younger twenty-somethings now.) Jogged down the walk from his parents house with their heads turned back. They had sunglasses on from what he could quickly gather. The solitus had a cap loosely sitting on his brow, while the shorter Opifex had his dark blue hood pulled up over his head. The Hooded opifex crashed into Kotts hard knocking him on his back, the kids rolled on his knees, and quickly sprang up on his feet breaking into a full run. The solitus however was not as agile and fully tripped over Kotts's torso. He crashed forward and landed on his hands, and side. The kid's shades snapped from his cheek hitting the ground. Kotts and the solitus kid pushed themselves up both a bit dazed. The kid's cap had been knocked off, and his cheek now brandished a healthily forming bruise.  The solitus grabbed his wrist and turned his right hand over. It was skinned, and bloody, from his fall.
Kotts pushed himself up on his knees.

"Holy snap... You ok Kid?" He asked with grunt Looking up to the now standing soli.
He had olive green eyes, and short brown hair. He was tall, not queit Kotts's height, though. His face was narrow and had sharp cheek bone structure. He looked straight at Kotts frozen. Although battered Kotras held an amused grin on his face. Nothing badly broken or cut himself.

"Mmmmmarrraaaaahhh!" a cry of pain blasted over Kotras's shoulder in the direction of his parent's house. His head whipped around. He could see someone on the ground as well just outside the front door. Kotts widened his eyes, and shot up to his feet, and quickly turned back to the solitus, whom had already turned and ran like his Opifex friend. He growled fighting the urge to chase, and darted back to the home. His veins were pumping again, jumping over the fence racing to the door. The world around him felt like it began to slow nearing the body on door step.

"Dad!? ... Dad!!!" Kotts slid on his knees through the grass up to his father's side.

"God no. nonono..."


---(( please note that I'm not finished, yet. life's been a bit busy as of late there will be an addition soon (tm) though.)) ---

[Kotts]

The red dust of Mars seems to glow in the evening light from the sun. Kotts caught himself looking out the window, staring off into space... literally. He pushed himself up and moved form the twins' room and down the hall. Jerric Clay sat facing the vid-wall. His body had healed fast, even with nano treatments. Pins and casts decorate his body, and face. The thugs had managed to break his shoulders, arms, several ribs, and shatter his jaw. Kotras's gut burned with rage each time he saw his father like this. It could have been much worse. Extortion was the name of the game. Jerric had told the two to "piss off" last time, and they came back a week later with an official response. The Pol wrote off the attack as mischief.

Kotras paced some around the house, his dad watching him silently. The more he thought about the attack the more fury built. "I gotta get out pop... don't wait up." He blurted snatching up his jacket tossing it over his shoulders. "Kotras?" Marri's voice came from down the hall, in time to meet the shutting front door.

He clentched his fist in the pockets of his jacket. Kotts stomped his way down the street glaring at the side walk.

"If this was Ka I'd be making these kids beg for reclaim by now." He mutter to himself fully realizing how dependent on nanos and insurance he had become. On Mars, he was just another average guy. A technician, not a Phreaker. A civilian, not a gun slinging blitzer. A hacker, not a code monkey. Now once again someone he loved was hurt, and he was—is powerless to do anything about it. Lights grew brighter the more Kotts moved into the entertainment district. He could hear the music form the pubs, and night clubs getting louder. He lifted his head getting his bearings again. At the very least he didn't have to worry about a sniper's bullet out in a public hub like this anymore. Although He couldn't stay to long... or even do much in case the babies woke up. He grunted and sighed.
"Not as young as I used to be." He smirked. Memories of his twenty fourth birthday floating through his head.

He blinked leaning his head to the side popping his neck. His eye opened again seeing a group of 'kids' huddled up outside a club on the other side of the street. He smirked slowly. Staying out late on a weekend with his mates, looking for trouble, girls, or both. The later being more common. One of them looked up glancing across the street at Kotts. His face looked familiar, Maybe one of the younger recruits, he could quiet place it. One of the three also looked up following his Opifex friend's look. It felt like a warm snap in his brain. He knew them now. The two that attacked his dad.

"What?! Mind your own business wank!" The Soli shouted at Kotts. The third looked up too.

"Take a fethin' snap douchebag, and shove off!" the Opi lifted his head shouting with his friend.

Kotts turned on his heels walking across the street two the group. Hi head was tilted low, shoulders hunched his yellow eye burned locked on the Opi. The Third one reached his hand in his coat pulling out a handgun and cocks it.

"Ya on stims or somefin' nut job? Step on, or I peppah ya"

Kotts' walking speed quickened pulling his fists from his jacket, his stride widening now sprinting at the trio. The gun fired, He dove, his shoulder slamming into the third one's stomach quickly bringing him to the concrete ground. The gunman wheezed loud the attack and fall pushing the air out of his lungs rapidly.  The other two reeled around quickly.

"What the hell!?"

Kotts  sprang up grabbing the hoodie of the Opifex thug, and whipped it down, taking the kid down throwing him on the concrete next to the gunman. His head sharply bouncing on the ground. The solitus stepped back in an attempt to escape. Kotts grabbed his neck with his left hand, clutching his fingers on his throat. Quickly swinging his hips, and bringing his fist up Kotts' fist smashed into the solitus's mouth with a hard smack of flesh. Again, he threw his fist back, and swung into the kid's face pulling on his neck bringing him into the swing this time. His nose made a wet crunching sound. Kotts let his neck go and swung his knee into his stomach, his body bent violently from the impact, his body slumping to the ground. The other two started to stir. The gunman outstretched his arm his pistol still in hand. Kotts took a one large step over the fallen Opi, and slammed his heel on the gunman's hand.

"Gah—Fuck!" He shouted in pain, Kotts slammed on his hand again. The gunman's knuckles weakened, and bloodied around the pistol.  Kotts leaned over and pulled the gun from his broken hand. "Just a punk with a gun, uh?" He stepped in kicking the gunman's side.

"Please! Oh God! It's broke!"

"I think you got more then a busted hand to worry about kiddo." Kotras said leveling the gun on the street rat.

"No! Don't-- Don't shoot me!" he rolled on his stomach covering his face. Kotts sneered and moved his aim quickly and fired once. They thug rolled over and howled in pain.

"Just what I thought, you ain't taken a  bullet yet." Kotts leaned over him. "Hurts don't it?"

"You shot my ass! You mother fucker!"

Kotts knocked the hammer back. "An' I'm gonna shoot something else if you don't step on ya lil shit." The gunman pushed up on his hands and hobbled away quickly. Kotts fired at him as he ran away, aiming well enough away, but close enough to scare him. He was grinning widely laughing watching the gunman stumble and trip in fear. The opifex started to sit up, blood streaming from the back of his head, and from his mouth. Kotts turn his attention to his flipping the gun around holding the barrel. The Opifex thug blinked, his sight focusing slowly, sharpening just in time to see the butt of the pistol speeding down into his face.

[Kotts]

"So you fell down...?" Marri looked up from her son's open wounds on his knuckles tapping them shut with suture adhesive.
"Yeah Ma, just got a little to carried away and trip coming out of the club... no biggie..." Kotts grinned trying to reassure his mother.
"I see..." She continued "And I supposed you grabbed hold of a steam pipe trying to pull yourself up?"
Kotts tilted his head.

"Your palm has a nice red burn on it son. You didn't think I'd notice?" Marri kept her eyes on him, working blindly on his hand.
"Y-yeah, that's exactly what happened"
"uh huh"
"Yeap, you guessed in Ma, wisdom shows through." Kotts chuckled quickly.
Marri narrowed her eyes "Damnit Kotras."
"What?!"
"You've not even been here a year and you are already starting fights?!"
"No, No I didn't start it!"
"Oh?"
"No! They did! I finished it!"
"Oh you did?"
"Yes!" 

The door chime rings interrupting yet another touching family moment. Marri stands quickly and stomps to the door. Kotts could hear a low voice of a man, his mother short reply, and then the door slamming open against the wall. He raised his head moving to the front door, will very incensed over his short-lived argument. He rounded the corner seeing a Solitus man, in a black suit and tie, with a blue silk shirt just showing around the tie, and under the jacket. He wore a neatly folded handkerchief in the breast pocket of his suit jacket. He also had a low fitting black fedora which we was in the process of moving off his head in some attempt to make his forced entry look gentlemanly.

"Kotras..!?" Marri worriedly said.
"Kotras Clay?" The man looked In Kotts's direction his pale blue eyes lock on the opi.
"I'd like to have a word with you, Sir I believe we have a slight problem." The man continue pushing his way into the house. Two other shadowy figures also made their way in one of them being the younger opifex from earlier that night. A slow chill ran up the back of Kotts's neck.

"Uh, actually... I'm a bit busy fellas, though I'd be happy to discuss this later--." He started before the man in the suit interrupted him. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry" he slightly chuckled with warm smile on his face. "I didn't mean to give the impression you had a choice." He face went serious, and cold now reaching in his jacket pulling out a polished silver handgun.  The younger Opifex grinned broadly. "Now, then. I said we had something to discuss. We do it here, or we go outside and find a nice quiet place. That is unless you want to included the rest of your family as well?"
Kotts dropped his shoulders hesitating glancing back to the twins' room, his Dad in his chair, and then his Mom. "Alright, alright."

"Kotras, don't..."

"Don't worry ma, they want me, not you." He moved around the corner his hand half wrapped from the fight. "I'll go if you leave them out of this."

The man smiled. "Sure, sure" and lifted his arm as if to lead Kotts out the door.
Marri glance wildly between them, and back at Jerric trying desperately to find some way to slow the events before her. The thugs, and Kotts however moved to the door and out of the house, the man pulled the door out of the smashed wall bringing it closed behind them as the exited. He stopped and creaked it open slowly turning to Marri flashing his winning smile. "Oh, by the way your payment is still past due... You may want to pay up soon Mrs. Clay before something bad happens to you." He closed the door after a polite nod.

[Kotts]

The black interior of the vehicle was a nice touch. Easy enough to hide blood stains at a glance. He managed to pick up names though as the talked back and forth as to how they'd us his body to send a message to the rest of the good citizens in the area.  Avlin was the opi he had the pleasure of beating senseless out on the street, the man in the suit whom Avlin and the driver referred to as 'Boss' mostly revealed his named as Frank Baddle. Frank, aside from showing a bit to much interest in wanting to kill him, seemed like a great guy, well mannered, spoken, and overly polite.

"You got a bit of history behind you Mr. Clay" Frank started. Hi finger tapping lightly on the guard of his pistol. Avlin's smug grin never broke.

"You are from Rubi-Ka correct?" Kotts just sat and glared at Frank, glancing around the interior of the car. Frank didn't wait for his answer, the question was rhetorical. "Big shot out there huh? Rebel freedom fighter, trying to put down the man, huh?" He leaned forward some, Kotts caught sight of Franked finger sliding back and forth on the slight curve of the trigger. Frank cracked a grin. "I guess we should feel honored that you choose to come to Mars, to get away from it all. I guess so you and the Mrs. Could raise those darling little kids of yours?"  Kotts looked up quickly to meet Frank's gaze. He was studied, Frank knew at least the basics. Smart move he didn't go into abduction blind He's done this before. "You don't like me talking about your kids? Sai and Kieran?" his smile widened "Don't worry we won't hurt them, unless you do not cooperate that is."  Kotts watched him for a while and then spoke. " Copperate?"

"Yes, see we need a favor from you." Avlin snickered. Snotty little prick.

"Yeah? Like what?"
"See, your little outburst has cost us a bit of reputation. We can't have people thinking they can just lash out when the mood strikes them. There is a consequence for doing so." The leveled the gun on him. Kotts' eyes widened just as the muzzle flared. It felt like a decent punch to his shoulder, follow by warmth, and then a slow sting. Avlin scowled looking at Frank "Boss? I thought I get ta do him in? You said I could!"

"Stop bitching Avlin. You are starting to sound like a spoiled brat."  The slow sting began to pick up rapidly to full fledged and excruciating pain. "That is for the sting to our families pride Mr. Clay." He fired Hitting his shoulder. Kotts cried out in pain his blood freckled his face. "That would be for Boss Cote's pride." Again the gun fired ripping into Kotts' shoulder. He panted quickly his mind on fire with pain, numbing as adrenaline started pumping into his veins. "And that would be for calling me away from dinner, to displine you." He leaned forward "I was really enjoying myself, you know, Mr. Clay. I am not happy with you at all."

"Sorry Frankie." Kotts gasped sharply. "I woulda put of Av's ass whooping if I knew you had a lady friend over." Kotts tried hard to grin at Frank.
"Speaking of which." Frank turned the gun over and hled it out to Avlin. "As you requested. Make it quick. He is not near as amusing as I thought he would be."
Avlin looked at the gun and grabbed it quickly.  Settling on the bench seat faceing Kotts, he took the gun with both hand aiming at his head.
"Lower Avlin. We will want to recognize Mr. Clay after word." Avlin Lowered the Gun, his wrist buckling slightly from the change in weight.
"Easy bubba." Kotts taunted. "Those things are dangerous."
"Shut the fuck up." Avin pulled back the hammer of the gun, maybe from dramatic effect.
"Frankie, I think this kid's gonna miss... you might want to reconsider."
"Shut up!" Avlin snarled

"Seriously." He grunted moving his shoulder, as the car excelerated. "He didn't even take the safety off, he's gonna hurt someone." Avlin Narrowed his eyes and moved a hand from the pistol turning it slightly to check.
"Avlin Don't!" Frank shouted, just as Kotts lifted his foot slamming his heel into Avlin's crotch. The gun fired, the bullet going just over Kotts' shoulder and craking the glass in a web like patteren at the back of the car. Kotts lunged forward as Frank went for the gun slamming his knee on Franks hand pinning it to the floor. Frank slammed his shoulder into Kotts and quickly followed him throwing Kotts to the floor of the car. Frank's hands landed over Kotts' mouth a neck holding him down putting his weight on his torso. Frank squeezed hard on his neck while Kotts brought his hands up trying to lift Frank's grip from his neck. Kotts opened his mouth and sank his teeth into Frank's hand drawing blood and pulling away some skin as he reeled back.

"Damnit!" Frank shouted out his cool demeanor broken. Kotts felt the cool metal slide up next to his left side and the driver skidded to a stop. Lifting the gun with his left hand Kotts pulled the trigger over and over peppering Frank. Frank's body jerked and flailed. Kotts lifted a leg up between them and flung Frank against the side of the car, and swung his arm at Avlin, and fired. The young opi ducked quickly, the bullets tore through the seat and out the driver's seat. The enige roared as the weight of the driver's foot pressed on the petal bouncing them in the back, their bodyies violently slamming against the roof and floor, the gun firing again. Avlin's collar and waist tightened as his clothes bunched up from Kotts' clentched fist as he lifted and flung the young opi at the black glass of the car. Avlin's face smashed into and shattered the glass, the bullet in his stomach began to burn, his body collided with the pavement and flung around wildly, and rolled to a stop. The car sped off, and jumped the railing of the road coasting off into the red desert.

Kotts lifted his head up off the ground, his body was sore, and could not feel his right leg. He had followed Avlin out the back, and bounced along the pavement and dirt as well. He desperately tired to lift his torso up, but fell back on the dirt. He needed to rest. So much pain. just for a few minutes. Maybe an hour. Maybe a few hours. He needed to sleep, just a short nap....