"Turn the Ass-Kicking Up to Eleven"
New York City
Little Tim Murray ran down the street making ‘BZZZT’ noises with his tongue pressed against his teeth as he fired his little ray gun. It was a remake of a classic; it had little spinning discs in the plastic nozzle at the front which buzzed along with him and sent off a little shower of sparks.
He was Captain Flash, the Earth’s protector from the alien scourges…of course without alien scourges in the neighbourhood trees, passerbys and his neighbours dog were filling the rolls.
The dog was a little Yorkie called Mr. Pip It yapped at his feet as he ran along the street, a metal colander on his head. Timmy held the leash loosely in his hands as he zapped at the dog.
The long red leash wrapped around his leg and he collapsed to the floor. He could instantly feel his knees and hands were scraped.
“You okay there kid?” Timmy glanced up. He didn’t know how he missed seeing the man before he had fallen. He was around 5’10 and wore a pair of jeans, a simple T-shirt and a long brown jacket. He had round sunglasses covering his eyes.
Timmy began to climb to his feet and brushed himself off. He looked up at the man, slightly nervous from the stranger. He looked to the man’s hand where he held Timmy’s ray gun which he had just picked up.
He spun it in his hand like something from a movie and held it out to Timmy. “Where’d ya learn to do that?” The amazing feat was enough to loosen the tongue of little Timmy.
The man smiled. “You’re a little space man? I was always a little cowboy.” He glanced behind him up the stoop of a building where a larger black man stood pressing buttons on the intercom. “You ever hear of the Gunhawks kid?” Timmy shook his head.
The man smiled as he began to speak. “The Gunhawks were the baddest hero outlaws of the old west. Reno Jones and Kid Cassidy…err, Reno ‘worked’ for Cassidy’s family back when they were boys. They grew up together and as soon as Cass came into his inheritance of the family farm he said Reno could do whatever he wanted. He didn’t have to be his ‘worker’ anymore.”
The man glanced at Timmy to see if any of the subtle overtones of the story had sunk in. The kid just stared at him with amazement.
“Reno decided to stick with Cassidy. They were best friends after all. They travelled far and wide and fought wrongs wherever they saw it from murderers to monsters. They got the nickname The Gunhawks. They stayed by one another’s side till 1875 when Kid Cassidy was cut down in the prime of his life. Reno got revenge on his killers and then set off for the town of Prestige, Arizona. It was in Prestige they’d waylaid for a while a year or two earlier. It was there Reno knew Cassidy had, err…’fallen in love’ with a barmaid. It was where Cassidy’s son was.”
The man shot another look behind him to the taller black man who was still pressing buttons. He spun the ray gun across his palm again. “Reno set up home right there to look after his best friend’s son. He found a girl of his own and a couple of years later had his first son. Paul Cassidy and Jamal Jones grew up like brothers…funny thing is it’s the way it kept going. Every generation the offspring of the families ended up growing up like brothers and sisters to one another. Taught tales of—”
“Cassidy!” The black man yelled. The white man turned and shot a glance to his companion. He was over six foot and built like a brick wall. He wore a sleeveless T-shirt making a tattooed band across his arm visible. “This is definitely the place. Get a damn move on.”
Cassidy flashed a thumbs-up to his partner. “Kid , it’s probably best if you got out of here.” He moved his hand to his belt and pushed back the edge of his jacket to show a long barrelled gun hanging down from his waist.
Timmy took one look at the weapon and burst into a run away from the man. He was a little kid but even he knew anyone who carried a gun was not someone you wanted to be around. “What about your ray gun?” Cassidy held up the toy but Timmy didn’t stop. Cassidy looked down at the toy and smiled “score.” He nodded before shoving it into one of his jacket’s over flowing pockets.
He turned and headed up towards his companion. “Jamal ‘Reno’ Jones. I do believe you frightened the little boy away.” Cass shook his head as he reached his friend.
“You ready? They’re on the third floor.” Cass nodded as he unclipped his weapon from his side and cocked the barrel.
“You don’t think flashing that compensation around had anything to do with terrifying the kid?” Reno shook his head. He was a couple of years older than Cassidy and had always been the sensible one…sensible of course being relative for two freelance bodyguard/hit men.
“Could be worse. I could have shown him what it’s compensating for.”
The two entered through the door and walked into the lobby. It stank of urine, it was drab and the paint was stripping from the walls. “Elevators out?” Reno shot Cass a ‘no shit’ look and headed for the stairs.
RING RING, RING RING
Reno’s hand shot into his pocket and grabbed the phone. “Can’t you ever be professional?” Cass shook his head. “Debt collecting is like going to the movie. It’s only polite to turn off your phone.” He grabbed ‘his’ toy ray gun and fired some sparks at his friend as he answered.
“Yo!” Reno’s face dropped. “No, Mama, that’s not how you taught me to answer the phone…I’m sorry. What can I do for you? Dad? Yeah, we can come straight over, we’ve just got a few things to handle first. Okay bye, love you too.
“Ma’ wants us to call by when we’re done. Something is up with Dad.”
“It ever creep you out that your parents got divorced when you were a kid but stayed friends…with benefits?”
Reno shuddered as he climbed the stairs. “Every damn day.”
“I think it’s hot,” laughed Cass.
“You’re going to be lucky if I don’t stick my foot up your ass,” Reno growled. He did so while reaching to the back of his pants and pulling out his two identical hand guns. “You know what we’re walking into?”
“A couple of drop out stoners who decided to borrow money to buy enough drugs to kiss infinity…they borrowed from the wrong people. The wrong people sent us to remind them they’re overdue on payments. Then kick their teeth in….you ever wonder if what we do is right? We work for villains and beat up people who honestly could do with some rehab.” Cassidy didn’t even wait for a reply. “Me neither.”
The two quickly found themselves outside of the apartment that Reno had guessed was the correct one. “Follow my lead,” he said and nodded to Cass, then banged on the door with three mighty knocks.
There was the sound of shuffling on the other side of the door. The door slowly opened. The man on the other side had long greasy hair, his eyes were bloodshot and half closed while he was simply wearing a pair of yellow tinted tighty-whiteys.
His eyes opened wide and he seemed suddenly more awake as The Gunhawks pointed their weapons at him. He leapt away from the door while trying to slam it shut but Reno surged forward bursting the door open. “You know who we are?”
The wide awake stoner nodded as he crawled backwards along the floor away from the large black man. “You know why were here? Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Right here!”
Reno and Cass both jerked their eyes from the man on the floor to one who was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. His arm was covered in brilliant orange flame while wafts of smoke billowed from his mouth.
The flames erupted from his body towards the two. They leapt back and knocked the couch over sending its weeks worth of dropped snack foods and porn magazines scattering across the floor. “Jarred, watch the couch!” chided the first stoner.
“I didn’t know these two were muties!” growled Reno. He fired his gun over the top of the couch twice. Cass flung his arm up and followed suit with two of his own.
“Firstly, Muties is offensive to my people! Secondly…” Cass held up a small bag. Reno recognised it instantly, the newest of designer drugs: Mutant Growth Hormone. “…MGH, they’re two of your lot trying to be two of mine.”
The two unleashed another blast of weapons towards the two guys. “Why do you always have to come in with the mutant rights crap? One person in all your life has ever said anything to you about your DNA, the rest were too scared when you stamped on his head. You don’t even use your damn power!”
“Just because I don’t use it doesn’t mean I’m not proud to be a mutant…you don’t see me calling you on being black because you….what are some black stereotypes you don’t fit?”
“Shut up and fight!” Reno growled. He flipped from his back to his front and grabbed hold of the couch. Cass followed his example and the two nodded to three before surging forward and tossing the light, poorly constructed piece of IKEA furniture towards the flaming man.
Reno was suddenly tackled to the side by the blur of the first man who seemed to have found some MGH of his own. His fists pounded across Reno’s face like bullets from a machine gun.
Cassidy fired his gun towards the blur only for it to sail through the clear air and blow a chunk in the floor next to Reno. Cass suddenly found himself tackled by the speedy human too.
The smaller man then began to receive the same treatment as his larger friend as a flurry of blows was unleashed across his face and upper body.
Cass let out a scream of pain as Reno’s elbow dropped onto the speedsters back dropping the weight of both onto Cassidy’s chest. “Runaway now, you speedy little freak!” Reno slammed the butt of his gun across the man’s face.
Cassidy coughed as the weight of the two kept on being released and then slammed back down as Reno continued to hit out at his target. His head lolled to the side. The flaming body of the second junkie was now on his feet. His flames were tinted with blue as he walked towards the two. “Reno!” he tried to cough but couldn’t bring the air to his lips.
Cass inhaled as deeply as he could when the weight was lifted and flung his arm out. There was a flash of light as energy exploded from his finger tips. The room was too bright to see for a second or two before the normal brightness of the dingy apartment returned.
The room was now filled with screaming instead of light. The flaming man lay holding what used to be his leg but had now been vaporised. Cass rolled over as Reno dragged the unconscious speedster off of him.
The annoyed mutant got to his feet. He rubbed his hands together quickly as he walked over to the man whose flames were now dying out. He kicked him hard in the chest. “I hate you gene-jealous sapiens…you owe us money! We’ll be back tomorrow for the balance….call a doctor for yourself” Cass grabbed a phone from the table and bounced it down across the chest of the screaming mutant.
The two surveyed the damage they’d left behind them, nodded to one another and left with a grin. They walked down the corridor in silence and began to climb down the stairs. “You think we’re out of earshot yet?” Cass asked.
“Probably,” Reno nodded. He shook his head as Cassidy cradled his hands and let out a scream. “You’re always such a cry a baby whenever you have to use your powers,” Reno shook his head in disdain.
“It blew off his leg! Think what it does to my hands! It’ll be stinging for weeks,” Cass shook both hands to try and get feeling back in them.
“It’s always one excuse or another. I don’t use my powers because it hurts…I don’t use my flying powers because I’m scared of heights…wah wah wah.” Teased Reno with a grin. “Anyway now that that’s done lets go see what my mother wants.”
The home of Mrs Jones
Reno and Cass sat on the floral sofa across from the leather swivelling chair at a desk Reno’s mother sat at. She was 50 but didn’t look a day over 40; she had kept herself in shape and was still a beautiful woman. She quickly signed a few sheets of paper she needed to file away for a case at the law firm she worked for before turning around.
“How is Michelle?” she asked with a beaming smile to Cassidy. He had removed his sun glasses and looked at her with his metallic tinted eyes. She was the only person he took his shades off for when she asked.
“She’s fine, Mrs Jones. She’s settling in nicely at ESU.” Cassidy nodded, he smiled briefly at the thought of his little sister.
“Ma? What is this all about? You didn’t call us over to talk about Cass’ sister. Something is up with dad, right?”
“Jamal, don’t rush me. You know I can’t stand to be rushed…he gets that from his father you know, Cassidy.”
Cassidy nodded sympathetically “I know you’ve told me before. I can sympathise; he’s always rushing around. My dad used to say Charlie was just the same.”
Mrs Jones nodded. “Jamal has always had too much of his uncle in him…good thing at times. I don’t know what he would do without you. Charlie and your dad were always so close like brothers.”
“Ma! Would you not talk about me like I’m not here! What is up with dad?”
Charlotte Jones sighed and rolled her eyes. “Your father has been having some problems with the store. There’s some two bit hood who has taken it upon himself to set up a protection racket. He’s hired some enforcers and they’ve been trying to extort your father…I told him to ring the police but you know he never listens too me…another reason we got divorced.”
“I’ll handle it.” Reno stood up.
“Now, Jamal don’t do anything rash, I just wanted to know what you think and perhaps you could talk to your father. He said the men hang around the Blue Frog Bar. He was insisting he’d go down there this evening and give them a piece of his mind…I don’t think it would end well.”
“Well see to it, Mrs Jones.” Cass nodded. “We’ll see if we can find anything out and have a word.” He kissed her cheek as they prepared to leave.
“Love you, Ma. I’ll come back later in the week to visit.” Reno kissed his mother and followed Cass to the door. The two exited and regrouped on the other side.
“Go down to the Blue Frog Bar and kick these guys into touch before Dad can get there tonight?” Reno questioned as they arranged the plan.
“Simple but effective. It’s what I had in mind.” Cass nodded as the two began to make their way down the steps towards their car.
Blue Frog Bar, thirty minutes later
The two men pushed on the wooden door. It was a classic bar set up, not one of the new cosmopolitan type. It was the kind of place Cass felt just at home. There was piss on the bathroom floor and beer on tap.
There were around fifteen people scattered across the expanse of the room. There was a group playing pool in the background but the majority were propping up the bar in one place or another.
Cass walked across the expanse of the room and leaned on the bar. The barman nodded to him. “We’re looking for some guys. They’re enforcers on some protection racket.”
“What do you want them for?” The voice came from his side. Cass was about to turn and tell the man to mind his own business when instead he turned and let out a whimper of noise. He backed up to Reno’s side.
“Your mother said some enforcers…not The Enforcers!” The Gunhawks stared as the three men stood up from a booth partially hidden by the bar.
Fancy Dan was the diminutive master of marital arts. He was the first to his feet and the one who had spoken to Cass. His martial arts prowess was so high that he had held his own against Spider-Man many a time.
Montana was behind Dan. He was unspooling his trademark lasso as he stood up and held it ready to start twirling at any point. He may have looked stupid but the two six shooters on his holsters made him all the more serious.
Ox stood up behind the two. He towered over both men. He was a man mountain made of pure muscle. He was a base line human but was honestly at Olympic level heights for his strength. He had managed to fight Spider-Man to a standstill in the strength stakes years before.
Cass was trying to properly think how to respond to avoid a fight, it was unlike him but he honestly didn’t want to go up against The Enforcers today.
“You’ve been hassling Henry Jones. He owns the supermarket on the next block…it stops now.”
“What exactly is it to do with you if you don’t mind me asking about our business boy?” Montana twirled his lasso with a little extra energy.
“He’s my father,” Reno just managed to get the sentence out when the lasso shot forward and looped over his head. The rope tightened instantly and he was yanked forward.
Cassidy went for his gun belt and seized the weapon he’d just got out of the boot of their car. He leapt to the side before he could fire a shot as a table was hurled at him discus style by Ox.
He rolled as he hit the floor and pressed himself up against the bar. One of the bar flies was crouched next to him. They had all hit the floor as soon as they realised someone was looking for The Enforcers.
Reno was dragged forward by the lasso of Montana. The thug was quick on the draw to pull his pistol but luckily Reno had more time. A shot from the gun made Montana shift his weight and let the noose loosen for a split second for Reno to slip out of it.
Reno launched himself backwards to get as much distance from the two as he could. Fancy Dan was not someone he had to worry about at the minute because he had launched himself across the length of the bar in a single leap.
He stood on the bar countertop and swung his foot out catching Cass as the man popped his head above the level.
Cass rocked back from the kick and landed on his back. He was not so easily taken out however. He had pulled his weapon and unleashed a massive shell into the glasses which lined the wall just to the side of Dan.
The glass exploded outwards showering Dan with shards. The fighter covered his face and let out a yell as parts of his skin were shredded by the glass. Cass let loose another shot which ripped through the bar beneath the man’s feet bringing him crashing down to his knees on the floor.
Cass’s boot launched straight forward into Dan’s face. He brought it back to his chest and then launched another forward into the man’s face again.
Cass’s head snapped back as the figure of Ox towered over him. He raised his foot and screamed as he prepared to bring it crashing down on Cass’s skull. The scrawny blonde mutant rolled and slipped out of his jacket.
Ox’s long arms however meant he was still in grasp and was yanked up into the air by the arm. Cass struck out again with his feet and managed to get Ox across the face. Ox didn’t seem to notice the blow.
“So you Ray or Ron? Which one is the zombie again?” Cass asked as he tried to throw another boot. Ox yanked his arm this time meaning that Cass completely missed. Ox let out a loud grunt before slamming Cass’s body against the bar. “Guess it’s you then?”
Cass brought the butt of his gun up across Ox’s jaw and then thrust it forward so it slammed into the monster’s throat. It was enough to make Ox stumble back. Cass grinned, he had the upper hand now….it lasted all of two seconds before Fancy Dan began to unleash kicks into his midsection.
Reno was at the minute having more luck in his fight. He ducked the loop as it floated over his head and then snapped taught. He managed to grab the rope and yanked it hard dragging Montana towards him before elbowing hard in the side of the head with his full body weight sending the cowboy sideways.
Reno grabbed the rope and twisted it in his hands before tightening it around the throat of the thug. “How do you like it?”
Reno growled before raising himself to his full height and slamming down with his elbow across the head of Montana again.
He pulled one last time before tossing the villain aside. Montana pulled the rope from around his throat and coughed. He began to instantly climb to his feet.
Reno turned and unloaded three bullets into the shoulder of the villain. He wasn’t trying to kill him, just send a warning. “Who the hell uses lassos anyway? Buy a machine gun or something, loser.”
Reno ducked as the giant hand of Ox swung at him. He had seen his team mate in danger and sloped towards him to aid him as best her could. Reno was the stronger of the Gunhawks and so usually when he punched someone with his full force in the ribs they felt it. Ox was different. He simply shrugged off the attack and wiped him away with the back of his hand.
Fancy Dan rocked back and then launched forward with another kick to the face of Cassidy. The bleeding man lolled back and slipped down the bar. He was a tough SOB but there were only so many blows to the head he could take in one afternoon.
Little birds and stars were circling Cass’s head as it was only the metal rail on the bar which was keeping him upright.
Dan smiled and did a little dance as he changed his feet. It was not often he came up against someone who could take as much damage as this man seemed too.
He launched forward again. He was prepared this time to practically take the mutants head off.
It was at the same time however that Cass launched forward. His arm swung wildly to the side as if coming in for a massive haymaker. It was a technique that would not work on Dan. He planned to let Cassidy’s hand slip closely past his face as if in a taunt.
Dan had however not banked on the fact that Cass wasn’t throwing a punch at all. The glass bottle held in his hand slammed across Dan’s face shattering. Cass took advantage of Dan’s shriek of pain and lunged forward driving the broken shards into the man’s arm.
Dan reeled back. Cass stumbled forward punch drunk and launched his hand forward with its full power slamming it across Dan’s face sending the man sprawling sideways.
Cass proceeded to tumble to his knees.
Reno was now having a little less luck. Ox lifted him in the air and tossed him down to the floor causing him to crash through the pool table.
The giant strode across the room and yanked him up again before tossing him like javelin towards the wall opposite. Reno collided with the wall and slid down to the floor in a heap.
Ox turned to face Cassidy. His slow mind used its full capacity to focus on proper fighting etiquette. He was now alone fighting two opponents so he’d have to spread his time equally.
He turned into the barrel of Cass’s gun. The white man had an eye swollen shut and was bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The gun however was not a normal gun. It was of a red shiny material and had a clear front. “This is a Skrull death ray. I took it from some green alien scum we handled. Make a move and I blow you to bits.”
“Doesn’t look like a Skrull gun to me…looks like a toy.” Ox narrowed his eyes at the gun which was hovering in front of his nose.
“Suck it and see.” Cass grinned through bloodied teeth.
Ox glared at Cass. It was a battle of wills of who would make the first move.
Ox lurched slightly. Cass pulled the trigger sending golden sparks scattering from the gun but there were no other effects. Ox grinned.
Three pool cues slammed across the side of Ox’s head sending him tumbling sideways. The giant tumbled to the floor and landed flat on his back.
The two Gunhawks launched forward seeing their advantage and pressed down the pool cues across his throat. One man was rested on each side pushing down hard so he couldn’t breathe.
“We know you’re not the brains of this outfit so just listen up.” Reno pulled his gun towards him from the floor where he had dropped it and he pressed it hard into the face of the giant. “You tell these two that we don’t care who your boss is, you leave Henry Jones’ supermarket alone, ok?”
Ox nodded slowly as well as he could with the cue jammed up under his chin.
The two men stood up and walked from the bar, they didn’t turn around to look at the damage they had left and didn’t break their stride until the door closed behind them.
Cass collapsed into the side of Reno. “I’m in so much pain I’m numb…let’s go to a bar and relax.”
Reno looked down at his friend and pushed him away with a shake of his head.
The End
Little Tim Murray ran down the street making ‘BZZZT’ noises with his tongue pressed against his teeth as he fired his little ray gun. It was a remake of a classic; it had little spinning discs in the plastic nozzle at the front which buzzed along with him and sent off a little shower of sparks.
He was Captain Flash, the Earth’s protector from the alien scourges…of course without alien scourges in the neighbourhood trees, passerbys and his neighbours dog were filling the rolls.
The dog was a little Yorkie called Mr. Pip It yapped at his feet as he ran along the street, a metal colander on his head. Timmy held the leash loosely in his hands as he zapped at the dog.
The long red leash wrapped around his leg and he collapsed to the floor. He could instantly feel his knees and hands were scraped.
“You okay there kid?” Timmy glanced up. He didn’t know how he missed seeing the man before he had fallen. He was around 5’10 and wore a pair of jeans, a simple T-shirt and a long brown jacket. He had round sunglasses covering his eyes.
Timmy began to climb to his feet and brushed himself off. He looked up at the man, slightly nervous from the stranger. He looked to the man’s hand where he held Timmy’s ray gun which he had just picked up.
He spun it in his hand like something from a movie and held it out to Timmy. “Where’d ya learn to do that?” The amazing feat was enough to loosen the tongue of little Timmy.
The man smiled. “You’re a little space man? I was always a little cowboy.” He glanced behind him up the stoop of a building where a larger black man stood pressing buttons on the intercom. “You ever hear of the Gunhawks kid?” Timmy shook his head.
The man smiled as he began to speak. “The Gunhawks were the baddest hero outlaws of the old west. Reno Jones and Kid Cassidy…err, Reno ‘worked’ for Cassidy’s family back when they were boys. They grew up together and as soon as Cass came into his inheritance of the family farm he said Reno could do whatever he wanted. He didn’t have to be his ‘worker’ anymore.”
The man glanced at Timmy to see if any of the subtle overtones of the story had sunk in. The kid just stared at him with amazement.
“Reno decided to stick with Cassidy. They were best friends after all. They travelled far and wide and fought wrongs wherever they saw it from murderers to monsters. They got the nickname The Gunhawks. They stayed by one another’s side till 1875 when Kid Cassidy was cut down in the prime of his life. Reno got revenge on his killers and then set off for the town of Prestige, Arizona. It was in Prestige they’d waylaid for a while a year or two earlier. It was there Reno knew Cassidy had, err…’fallen in love’ with a barmaid. It was where Cassidy’s son was.”
The man shot another look behind him to the taller black man who was still pressing buttons. He spun the ray gun across his palm again. “Reno set up home right there to look after his best friend’s son. He found a girl of his own and a couple of years later had his first son. Paul Cassidy and Jamal Jones grew up like brothers…funny thing is it’s the way it kept going. Every generation the offspring of the families ended up growing up like brothers and sisters to one another. Taught tales of—”
“Cassidy!” The black man yelled. The white man turned and shot a glance to his companion. He was over six foot and built like a brick wall. He wore a sleeveless T-shirt making a tattooed band across his arm visible. “This is definitely the place. Get a damn move on.”
Cassidy flashed a thumbs-up to his partner. “Kid , it’s probably best if you got out of here.” He moved his hand to his belt and pushed back the edge of his jacket to show a long barrelled gun hanging down from his waist.
Timmy took one look at the weapon and burst into a run away from the man. He was a little kid but even he knew anyone who carried a gun was not someone you wanted to be around. “What about your ray gun?” Cassidy held up the toy but Timmy didn’t stop. Cassidy looked down at the toy and smiled “score.” He nodded before shoving it into one of his jacket’s over flowing pockets.
He turned and headed up towards his companion. “Jamal ‘Reno’ Jones. I do believe you frightened the little boy away.” Cass shook his head as he reached his friend.
“You ready? They’re on the third floor.” Cass nodded as he unclipped his weapon from his side and cocked the barrel.
“You don’t think flashing that compensation around had anything to do with terrifying the kid?” Reno shook his head. He was a couple of years older than Cassidy and had always been the sensible one…sensible of course being relative for two freelance bodyguard/hit men.
“Could be worse. I could have shown him what it’s compensating for.”
The two entered through the door and walked into the lobby. It stank of urine, it was drab and the paint was stripping from the walls. “Elevators out?” Reno shot Cass a ‘no shit’ look and headed for the stairs.
RING RING, RING RING
Reno’s hand shot into his pocket and grabbed the phone. “Can’t you ever be professional?” Cass shook his head. “Debt collecting is like going to the movie. It’s only polite to turn off your phone.” He grabbed ‘his’ toy ray gun and fired some sparks at his friend as he answered.
“Yo!” Reno’s face dropped. “No, Mama, that’s not how you taught me to answer the phone…I’m sorry. What can I do for you? Dad? Yeah, we can come straight over, we’ve just got a few things to handle first. Okay bye, love you too.
“Ma’ wants us to call by when we’re done. Something is up with Dad.”
“It ever creep you out that your parents got divorced when you were a kid but stayed friends…with benefits?”
Reno shuddered as he climbed the stairs. “Every damn day.”
“I think it’s hot,” laughed Cass.
“You’re going to be lucky if I don’t stick my foot up your ass,” Reno growled. He did so while reaching to the back of his pants and pulling out his two identical hand guns. “You know what we’re walking into?”
“A couple of drop out stoners who decided to borrow money to buy enough drugs to kiss infinity…they borrowed from the wrong people. The wrong people sent us to remind them they’re overdue on payments. Then kick their teeth in….you ever wonder if what we do is right? We work for villains and beat up people who honestly could do with some rehab.” Cassidy didn’t even wait for a reply. “Me neither.”
The two quickly found themselves outside of the apartment that Reno had guessed was the correct one. “Follow my lead,” he said and nodded to Cass, then banged on the door with three mighty knocks.
There was the sound of shuffling on the other side of the door. The door slowly opened. The man on the other side had long greasy hair, his eyes were bloodshot and half closed while he was simply wearing a pair of yellow tinted tighty-whiteys.
His eyes opened wide and he seemed suddenly more awake as The Gunhawks pointed their weapons at him. He leapt away from the door while trying to slam it shut but Reno surged forward bursting the door open. “You know who we are?”
The wide awake stoner nodded as he crawled backwards along the floor away from the large black man. “You know why were here? Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Right here!”
Reno and Cass both jerked their eyes from the man on the floor to one who was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. His arm was covered in brilliant orange flame while wafts of smoke billowed from his mouth.
The flames erupted from his body towards the two. They leapt back and knocked the couch over sending its weeks worth of dropped snack foods and porn magazines scattering across the floor. “Jarred, watch the couch!” chided the first stoner.
“I didn’t know these two were muties!” growled Reno. He fired his gun over the top of the couch twice. Cass flung his arm up and followed suit with two of his own.
“Firstly, Muties is offensive to my people! Secondly…” Cass held up a small bag. Reno recognised it instantly, the newest of designer drugs: Mutant Growth Hormone. “…MGH, they’re two of your lot trying to be two of mine.”
The two unleashed another blast of weapons towards the two guys. “Why do you always have to come in with the mutant rights crap? One person in all your life has ever said anything to you about your DNA, the rest were too scared when you stamped on his head. You don’t even use your damn power!”
“Just because I don’t use it doesn’t mean I’m not proud to be a mutant…you don’t see me calling you on being black because you….what are some black stereotypes you don’t fit?”
“Shut up and fight!” Reno growled. He flipped from his back to his front and grabbed hold of the couch. Cass followed his example and the two nodded to three before surging forward and tossing the light, poorly constructed piece of IKEA furniture towards the flaming man.
Reno was suddenly tackled to the side by the blur of the first man who seemed to have found some MGH of his own. His fists pounded across Reno’s face like bullets from a machine gun.
Cassidy fired his gun towards the blur only for it to sail through the clear air and blow a chunk in the floor next to Reno. Cass suddenly found himself tackled by the speedy human too.
The smaller man then began to receive the same treatment as his larger friend as a flurry of blows was unleashed across his face and upper body.
Cass let out a scream of pain as Reno’s elbow dropped onto the speedsters back dropping the weight of both onto Cassidy’s chest. “Runaway now, you speedy little freak!” Reno slammed the butt of his gun across the man’s face.
Cassidy coughed as the weight of the two kept on being released and then slammed back down as Reno continued to hit out at his target. His head lolled to the side. The flaming body of the second junkie was now on his feet. His flames were tinted with blue as he walked towards the two. “Reno!” he tried to cough but couldn’t bring the air to his lips.
Cass inhaled as deeply as he could when the weight was lifted and flung his arm out. There was a flash of light as energy exploded from his finger tips. The room was too bright to see for a second or two before the normal brightness of the dingy apartment returned.
The room was now filled with screaming instead of light. The flaming man lay holding what used to be his leg but had now been vaporised. Cass rolled over as Reno dragged the unconscious speedster off of him.
The annoyed mutant got to his feet. He rubbed his hands together quickly as he walked over to the man whose flames were now dying out. He kicked him hard in the chest. “I hate you gene-jealous sapiens…you owe us money! We’ll be back tomorrow for the balance….call a doctor for yourself” Cass grabbed a phone from the table and bounced it down across the chest of the screaming mutant.
The two surveyed the damage they’d left behind them, nodded to one another and left with a grin. They walked down the corridor in silence and began to climb down the stairs. “You think we’re out of earshot yet?” Cass asked.
“Probably,” Reno nodded. He shook his head as Cassidy cradled his hands and let out a scream. “You’re always such a cry a baby whenever you have to use your powers,” Reno shook his head in disdain.
“It blew off his leg! Think what it does to my hands! It’ll be stinging for weeks,” Cass shook both hands to try and get feeling back in them.
“It’s always one excuse or another. I don’t use my powers because it hurts…I don’t use my flying powers because I’m scared of heights…wah wah wah.” Teased Reno with a grin. “Anyway now that that’s done lets go see what my mother wants.”
The home of Mrs Jones
Reno and Cass sat on the floral sofa across from the leather swivelling chair at a desk Reno’s mother sat at. She was 50 but didn’t look a day over 40; she had kept herself in shape and was still a beautiful woman. She quickly signed a few sheets of paper she needed to file away for a case at the law firm she worked for before turning around.
“How is Michelle?” she asked with a beaming smile to Cassidy. He had removed his sun glasses and looked at her with his metallic tinted eyes. She was the only person he took his shades off for when she asked.
“She’s fine, Mrs Jones. She’s settling in nicely at ESU.” Cassidy nodded, he smiled briefly at the thought of his little sister.
“Ma? What is this all about? You didn’t call us over to talk about Cass’ sister. Something is up with dad, right?”
“Jamal, don’t rush me. You know I can’t stand to be rushed…he gets that from his father you know, Cassidy.”
Cassidy nodded sympathetically “I know you’ve told me before. I can sympathise; he’s always rushing around. My dad used to say Charlie was just the same.”
Mrs Jones nodded. “Jamal has always had too much of his uncle in him…good thing at times. I don’t know what he would do without you. Charlie and your dad were always so close like brothers.”
“Ma! Would you not talk about me like I’m not here! What is up with dad?”
Charlotte Jones sighed and rolled her eyes. “Your father has been having some problems with the store. There’s some two bit hood who has taken it upon himself to set up a protection racket. He’s hired some enforcers and they’ve been trying to extort your father…I told him to ring the police but you know he never listens too me…another reason we got divorced.”
“I’ll handle it.” Reno stood up.
“Now, Jamal don’t do anything rash, I just wanted to know what you think and perhaps you could talk to your father. He said the men hang around the Blue Frog Bar. He was insisting he’d go down there this evening and give them a piece of his mind…I don’t think it would end well.”
“Well see to it, Mrs Jones.” Cass nodded. “We’ll see if we can find anything out and have a word.” He kissed her cheek as they prepared to leave.
“Love you, Ma. I’ll come back later in the week to visit.” Reno kissed his mother and followed Cass to the door. The two exited and regrouped on the other side.
“Go down to the Blue Frog Bar and kick these guys into touch before Dad can get there tonight?” Reno questioned as they arranged the plan.
“Simple but effective. It’s what I had in mind.” Cass nodded as the two began to make their way down the steps towards their car.
Blue Frog Bar, thirty minutes later
The two men pushed on the wooden door. It was a classic bar set up, not one of the new cosmopolitan type. It was the kind of place Cass felt just at home. There was piss on the bathroom floor and beer on tap.
There were around fifteen people scattered across the expanse of the room. There was a group playing pool in the background but the majority were propping up the bar in one place or another.
Cass walked across the expanse of the room and leaned on the bar. The barman nodded to him. “We’re looking for some guys. They’re enforcers on some protection racket.”
“What do you want them for?” The voice came from his side. Cass was about to turn and tell the man to mind his own business when instead he turned and let out a whimper of noise. He backed up to Reno’s side.
“Your mother said some enforcers…not The Enforcers!” The Gunhawks stared as the three men stood up from a booth partially hidden by the bar.
Fancy Dan was the diminutive master of marital arts. He was the first to his feet and the one who had spoken to Cass. His martial arts prowess was so high that he had held his own against Spider-Man many a time.
Montana was behind Dan. He was unspooling his trademark lasso as he stood up and held it ready to start twirling at any point. He may have looked stupid but the two six shooters on his holsters made him all the more serious.
Ox stood up behind the two. He towered over both men. He was a man mountain made of pure muscle. He was a base line human but was honestly at Olympic level heights for his strength. He had managed to fight Spider-Man to a standstill in the strength stakes years before.
Cass was trying to properly think how to respond to avoid a fight, it was unlike him but he honestly didn’t want to go up against The Enforcers today.
“You’ve been hassling Henry Jones. He owns the supermarket on the next block…it stops now.”
“What exactly is it to do with you if you don’t mind me asking about our business boy?” Montana twirled his lasso with a little extra energy.
“He’s my father,” Reno just managed to get the sentence out when the lasso shot forward and looped over his head. The rope tightened instantly and he was yanked forward.
Cassidy went for his gun belt and seized the weapon he’d just got out of the boot of their car. He leapt to the side before he could fire a shot as a table was hurled at him discus style by Ox.
He rolled as he hit the floor and pressed himself up against the bar. One of the bar flies was crouched next to him. They had all hit the floor as soon as they realised someone was looking for The Enforcers.
Reno was dragged forward by the lasso of Montana. The thug was quick on the draw to pull his pistol but luckily Reno had more time. A shot from the gun made Montana shift his weight and let the noose loosen for a split second for Reno to slip out of it.
Reno launched himself backwards to get as much distance from the two as he could. Fancy Dan was not someone he had to worry about at the minute because he had launched himself across the length of the bar in a single leap.
He stood on the bar countertop and swung his foot out catching Cass as the man popped his head above the level.
Cass rocked back from the kick and landed on his back. He was not so easily taken out however. He had pulled his weapon and unleashed a massive shell into the glasses which lined the wall just to the side of Dan.
The glass exploded outwards showering Dan with shards. The fighter covered his face and let out a yell as parts of his skin were shredded by the glass. Cass let loose another shot which ripped through the bar beneath the man’s feet bringing him crashing down to his knees on the floor.
Cass’s boot launched straight forward into Dan’s face. He brought it back to his chest and then launched another forward into the man’s face again.
Cass’s head snapped back as the figure of Ox towered over him. He raised his foot and screamed as he prepared to bring it crashing down on Cass’s skull. The scrawny blonde mutant rolled and slipped out of his jacket.
Ox’s long arms however meant he was still in grasp and was yanked up into the air by the arm. Cass struck out again with his feet and managed to get Ox across the face. Ox didn’t seem to notice the blow.
“So you Ray or Ron? Which one is the zombie again?” Cass asked as he tried to throw another boot. Ox yanked his arm this time meaning that Cass completely missed. Ox let out a loud grunt before slamming Cass’s body against the bar. “Guess it’s you then?”
Cass brought the butt of his gun up across Ox’s jaw and then thrust it forward so it slammed into the monster’s throat. It was enough to make Ox stumble back. Cass grinned, he had the upper hand now….it lasted all of two seconds before Fancy Dan began to unleash kicks into his midsection.
Reno was at the minute having more luck in his fight. He ducked the loop as it floated over his head and then snapped taught. He managed to grab the rope and yanked it hard dragging Montana towards him before elbowing hard in the side of the head with his full body weight sending the cowboy sideways.
Reno grabbed the rope and twisted it in his hands before tightening it around the throat of the thug. “How do you like it?”
Reno growled before raising himself to his full height and slamming down with his elbow across the head of Montana again.
He pulled one last time before tossing the villain aside. Montana pulled the rope from around his throat and coughed. He began to instantly climb to his feet.
Reno turned and unloaded three bullets into the shoulder of the villain. He wasn’t trying to kill him, just send a warning. “Who the hell uses lassos anyway? Buy a machine gun or something, loser.”
Reno ducked as the giant hand of Ox swung at him. He had seen his team mate in danger and sloped towards him to aid him as best her could. Reno was the stronger of the Gunhawks and so usually when he punched someone with his full force in the ribs they felt it. Ox was different. He simply shrugged off the attack and wiped him away with the back of his hand.
Fancy Dan rocked back and then launched forward with another kick to the face of Cassidy. The bleeding man lolled back and slipped down the bar. He was a tough SOB but there were only so many blows to the head he could take in one afternoon.
Little birds and stars were circling Cass’s head as it was only the metal rail on the bar which was keeping him upright.
Dan smiled and did a little dance as he changed his feet. It was not often he came up against someone who could take as much damage as this man seemed too.
He launched forward again. He was prepared this time to practically take the mutants head off.
It was at the same time however that Cass launched forward. His arm swung wildly to the side as if coming in for a massive haymaker. It was a technique that would not work on Dan. He planned to let Cassidy’s hand slip closely past his face as if in a taunt.
Dan had however not banked on the fact that Cass wasn’t throwing a punch at all. The glass bottle held in his hand slammed across Dan’s face shattering. Cass took advantage of Dan’s shriek of pain and lunged forward driving the broken shards into the man’s arm.
Dan reeled back. Cass stumbled forward punch drunk and launched his hand forward with its full power slamming it across Dan’s face sending the man sprawling sideways.
Cass proceeded to tumble to his knees.
Reno was now having a little less luck. Ox lifted him in the air and tossed him down to the floor causing him to crash through the pool table.
The giant strode across the room and yanked him up again before tossing him like javelin towards the wall opposite. Reno collided with the wall and slid down to the floor in a heap.
Ox turned to face Cassidy. His slow mind used its full capacity to focus on proper fighting etiquette. He was now alone fighting two opponents so he’d have to spread his time equally.
He turned into the barrel of Cass’s gun. The white man had an eye swollen shut and was bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The gun however was not a normal gun. It was of a red shiny material and had a clear front. “This is a Skrull death ray. I took it from some green alien scum we handled. Make a move and I blow you to bits.”
“Doesn’t look like a Skrull gun to me…looks like a toy.” Ox narrowed his eyes at the gun which was hovering in front of his nose.
“Suck it and see.” Cass grinned through bloodied teeth.
Ox glared at Cass. It was a battle of wills of who would make the first move.
Ox lurched slightly. Cass pulled the trigger sending golden sparks scattering from the gun but there were no other effects. Ox grinned.
Three pool cues slammed across the side of Ox’s head sending him tumbling sideways. The giant tumbled to the floor and landed flat on his back.
The two Gunhawks launched forward seeing their advantage and pressed down the pool cues across his throat. One man was rested on each side pushing down hard so he couldn’t breathe.
“We know you’re not the brains of this outfit so just listen up.” Reno pulled his gun towards him from the floor where he had dropped it and he pressed it hard into the face of the giant. “You tell these two that we don’t care who your boss is, you leave Henry Jones’ supermarket alone, ok?”
Ox nodded slowly as well as he could with the cue jammed up under his chin.
The two men stood up and walked from the bar, they didn’t turn around to look at the damage they had left and didn’t break their stride until the door closed behind them.
Cass collapsed into the side of Reno. “I’m in so much pain I’m numb…let’s go to a bar and relax.”
Reno looked down at his friend and pushed him away with a shake of his head.
The End