The rattle gun echoed off the garage walls as each wheel nut was tightened. [i]vvvvrrrrrrrrt vvvvvvvvvrrrrrrrrrrt vvvvvvvrrrrrrrttttt[/i] Valour Valentine had just finished replacing the front brake pads of Banshee III and was almost ready to take the girl out for a spin. Parts were hard to come by these days most needing to be fabricated from what ever old bits and pieces you could scavange from the destroyed cities but Lady Luck, as always smiled upon Valour providing her with a rare set of barely worn front pair of brake pads. Perfect timing considering the shudder from the front end was becoming worse each day. [color=8dc73f]"Oh my sweet Valentine..."[/color] A deep Bronx accent sarcastically spoke from the doorway behind her. Valour's gut lurched and not in the lovey dove nice way. She didn't need to turn around to know that it was none other that the Big Boss's chief debt collector, that asshole rarely made house calls to collect these days without laying down a heavy hand. The shuffle of heavy boots filled the garage [i]smart man, brought help[/i] Valour smirked to herself. [color=00aeef]"Well someone's been a good dog. He's let you off the leash for a run eh?"[/color] Valour said dryly as she carefully placed the rattle gun to the ground beside her with one hand and searched for one of her larger heavier spanners with the other. [color=8dc73f]"Now now Val, keep that smart mouth to yourself and we will get this over and done with as quickly as possible"[/color] the Chiefs voice stepped closer. Valour stood with spanner in hand turning slowly to face the entourage filling the small garage, she could clearly see she was outnumbered. Five against one in a confined space, she was good but not [i]that[/i] good. Fuck. The chief was within arm reach and closing quickly but Valour had no room to move as she pressed up against the hoisted Banshee to try and keep a little distance between them. He continued in his condescending tone [color=8dc73f]"I'm only going to ask nicely once Valentine, where's his credits?"[/color] Her dark hazel eyes flicked from the Chiefs souring scowl to the blocked exit and his goons- all packed with assortment of hand held crude weapons. Fingers tightened on her spanner, she could get one or two decent blows in before they swarmed her. [color=00aeef]"Like I told him before I'll have it in by the end of the month"[/color] It was a lie, she had nowhere near the amount she owed. The Chief scoffed nodding his head [color=8dc73f]"End of the month"[/color] he whispered as he half turned away for a second. There was no room to deflect the incoming fist that hit directly below her rib cage. The spanner dropped first clanging on the cold concrete floor the the air rushed from her lungs dropping Valour to her knees. The sharp throb of pain soon followed buckling her to the floor gasping for air like a goldfish out of water. [color=8dc73f]"End of the fucking month!"[/color] He screamed in her face. [color=8dc73f]"What do you think it is! Charity?"[/color] The Chief was an imposing man- at least six foot two and the build of a heavy weight boxer, not many people were stupid enough mess with him. He knelt down taking Valour's jaw in one hand, squeezing hard [color=8dc73f]"Look at me Valentine"[/color] His voice took a stern tone as he jerked her head. Valour flickered her eyes open as she started to catch her breath, she met the Chiefs ugly face as he continued [color=8dc73f]"You have one week..."[/color] He released his grip and Valour curled inwards into a foetal position [color=8dc73f] "I don't care how you get that money... Beg, borrow or whore that pretty little arse of your's out. You know the consequences if you don't."[/color] The chief hesitated for a few seconds waiting for a smart arsed comment. Nothing. [color=8dc73f]"Do you understand?"[/color] Valour nodded. Satisfied that he got his point across the goon squad shuffled through the garage exit, leaving Valour sore and sorry for herself on the concrete floor. [b]Ten minutes later.[/b] [color=00aeef]"Jimmy... You there. Over."[/color] [i]Static.[/i] [color=00aeef]"Jimmy, it's me...."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Val?... Yeah I'm here"[/color] [color=00aeef]"Look I need transport..."[/color] [color=f7941d]"Ok, Where to?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"Jacksonville"[/color] [color=f7941d]"Florida? Why do you wanna go to that shithole?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"There's a job down there I need.."[/color] [i]Static.[/i] [color=f7941d]"I think Mac's doin' a run down there next..."[/color] [color=00aeef]"Jimmy...I need it tonight"[/color] Val interrupted. [color=f7941d]"What the fuck Val?"[/color] [color=00aeef]"I know it's short notice.... Come'on you know I'll make worth your while, can you hook me up?"[/color] There was a long pause as Valour paced back and forth. She had her breathe back but her gut ached like nothin else. [color=f7941d]"I might have a guy."[/color] [color=00aeef]"You're a peach Jimmy, I'll be over soon" Val hung her head and placed her two-way on the work bench with a sigh of relief.[/color] *** [b]15 hours later...[/b] Valour sat on the hood of her Banshee, toying with the only two shells belonging to the vintage Remington M70 rifle that was snugly fitted along the rear parcel shelf of her vehicle. Jimmy had come through with the transport, the truck delivering her only a half hour before some of the 'crew' assembled. Thankfully she managed to catch up on a little sleep on the way down. She eye balled the newly introduced Mercer as he sucked down his cigar giving lip. He looked like a solid fellah that could clearly look after himself [i]Perfect.[/i] The next introduction was to her left, 'Glasser' and he was definitely not from here. His accent was distinct.... Australian if she wasn't mistaken. Valour had known a few over the years and amongst a bunch of natives his voice was more unique. Following him was the young kid in fatigues Calvin, if his clothing and vehicle didn't give him away as military then his body posture certainly did. He looked as he was standing in squad waiting for command to bark the next order. Valour pushed a few teal coloured dreadlocks from her face and stood pocketing the two rounds. [color=00aeef]"Well boys... and girl"[/color] motioning a subtle nod to the other woman in the workshop [color=00aeef]"Names Valour Valentine"[/color] she slid off the hood [color=00aeef]"and this"[/color] slapped a hand on the nearest tire to her [color=00aeef]"is Banshee Thee, one of the quickest rotaries you'll find on this side of the coast, eight point sixteen seconds down the quarter mile."[/color] She shot a wink to the Australian [color=00aeef]"but that's nothin compared to what we can do when the road gets tricky"[/color] Valour was confident if not a little cocky in her skills and continued with a sly grin [color=00aeef]"I'm ready to roll."[/color]