He stood on the corner, beneath a street lamp. His trench coat and fedora hiding most of his body and face; combined with the dark shadows of the setting twilight, he was nearly invisible. The lamp he stood under was flickering, a possible sign of the city's further delve into bankruptcy. He thanked his lucky stars that he wasn't staying the dilapidated town any longer than he had to, once he could make the drop, he could jump on a plane and make his way to France as soon as possible. The object of interest was currently chained to his wrist by a pair of handcuffs, that only his contact had the key to. The suitcase in his firm grip was a bit old-fashioned, he thought. Wasn't everything sent by E-mail now? What about USB drives? Who's idea was it to hand off a briefcase to him, of all people, full of valuable information? Then again, it was clever of his beneficiary to hide the cargo in an average suitcase, less suspicion for him as he carried it. Anyone who'd see him with it, would most likely assume he was going on vacation.976Please respect copyright.PENANAtQkMDgYiSu
The sound of a pair of worn loafers gently slapping against the pavement reached his ears through the darkness, prompting him to glance around, looking around for the approaching figure. A man about a head shorter than him stepped into the light of the streetlamp, glancing around nervously. 976Please respect copyright.PENANA1L2WvYqrw3
"Are you...are you the one they call...'Gunner'?" he asked, swallowing thickly.976Please respect copyright.PENANAQxIUrLFC15
He nodded, then showed the man the wrist that the suitcase was attached to, the cuffs flashing silver in the low light of the streetlamp. 976Please respect copyright.PENANA1g85Ac4oap
"Oh...okay..."976Please respect copyright.PENANA7pLNwdyS0M
He seemed to steel himself, his coat rustled as he tensed, hiding the suitcase behind himself as the man seemed desperate to search for something in his jacket. 976Please respect copyright.PENANA632kvsHxmk
The cold metal of a .9mm pistol pressed itself against his temple. He could feel the vibrations of the man's hand as he shook. 976Please respect copyright.PENANAnwiSd13Ra1
"J-J-Just hand it over, and-and I w-w-won't have to sh-shoot." he stammered, as if unsure as to whom was the victim.976Please respect copyright.PENANAItXz8Shl72
He just chuckled, unnerving the man even further.976Please respect copyright.PENANASuK4cJTDe8
"You think holding me at gunpoint is going to do anything for you?" he stated flatly.976Please respect copyright.PENANA1Oh0RyEqeY
"Y-Yeah..."976Please respect copyright.PENANAmXp0Hz7rca
His tone proved that even he didn't believe his own words, if so, he had very little conviction. 976Please respect copyright.PENANAt9L1H5ETrY
"There's a reason why I'm the one stuck out here with the intel, pal." he said, suddenly smiling, despite the immediate danger he was in.976Please respect copyright.PENANAu390ZQbOO1
"O-Oh? A-And why would th-that be?" he asked.976Please respect copyright.PENANA7QDi4jxHcQ
He shrugged off his trench coat, falling around the suitcase. The man with the pistol adorned a shocked expression when he saw that the carrier wasn't wearing anything more than a white tank top, a pair of jeans, a pair of plain, worn, brown leather shoes. The exposed parts of his chest were mostly brass and bolts; he took particular notice of the plates of metal (he hoped they were only plates), running from his elbow to his shoulder.976Please respect copyright.PENANAhM7E4lJjGp
"Now, what is it you were saying?" he asked, his grin growing wider, effectively scaring the man.976Please respect copyright.PENANAvXfj17MNdo
Plates of brass sprung open over his right arm; long clips of bullets slid down his arm like silk as a curious six-holed device grew from his arm in front of the clips. 976Please respect copyright.PENANAkEHtOmGLDx
"Say cheese, pally."976Please respect copyright.PENANAwKwHpL1GzE
"Here ya go." he grumbled, slamming the suitcase down on the desk of his superior, after marching through the office of crowded people, the air thick with noise.976Please respect copyright.PENANAHWENBsFRxO
"You owe me a trip to Paris, you know that?" he went on, looking the man in the suit dead in the eye "And the money I spent on a ticket to get here."976Please respect copyright.PENANAsvDyfsNmbo
"Our contact was a bum steer?" he questioned, a brow raising.976Please respect copyright.PENANATQHVZ0oo9P
"Yeah, had to wait all damn night, too- no one else was at the drop." he stated, his voice almost at a growl.976Please respect copyright.PENANACRckZ8f7Ky
The man behind the desk thought for a moment, then nodded, placing some forms in a box in a corner of his desk.976Please respect copyright.PENANA71fFlCfnqt
"Very well, you'll be reimbursed for everything, in addition to your pay," he said, then after a moment "I understand that this was your last mission with us; would you care to have a drink?" 976Please respect copyright.PENANAybNAUKlD6D
"No, thank you," he said "I've got a plane to catch."976Please respect copyright.PENANAeEDAj43WFF
With that, he turned, and walked out of the office.976Please respect copyright.PENANADLfba1yu8q