If They Want A Fight Give It To Them.

“Oh well I haven't been in a bar-fight yet this week though its been a while since I been in a fair fight.” Alex frowned as he got up off the stool.

“There is three of us and one of you.” The lead goon smiled poking Alex with the bat.

“Good point.” Alex shrugged and tossed his drink in the face of the ringleader. Alex was taught young that there is no such thing as a fair fight. Alex grabbed his head, slamming it into the bar before pushing him into his buddy with the bat. The big guy came at Alex with a hook but Alex threw one of his own as flesh and bone meet Alex's metal fist under the glove. Alex threw a left jab into the guys noise sending him staggering backwards and making his eyes water.

Alex ducked a blow from the scraggly looking man as he swung at Alex. The bat missing Alex face by inches. He swung again at Alex bringing the bat downward. Alex threw up his arm to block as the bat shattered. The guy managed to throw in a kick sending Alex stumbling backward into the arms the big man who caught Alex in a chock hold. Alex caught the fist of the skinny guy in front of him as he went for Alex's face. He tired to pull it back but couldn't get lose from the vice like grip of his metal hand. Alex squeezed making the skinny guy drop to his knees.

Alex slammed his head backward into the guy holding him from behind making him let go. He quickly kicked the skinny one in the side of the face and let go then turned and drove his metal elbow into the the big guys face breaking his noise and making his eyes water as he stumbled and fall onto a table which collapsed beneath his weight.

Alex turned to see the ring leader was back on his feet finally as he came at Alex with a knife. Alex barley managed to dodge as the blade skimmed across his chest making Alex wench in pain. Alex dodged several slashes before he caught the guys arm and squeezed to the point of threatening to break it before he let go of the knife which Alex caught with his other hand. Alex heard the sound of shotgun cocking.

“Six.” Jules entered with a bandanna around her face that hid her nose and mouth and aimed at the bar tender with a pistol.

Alex pulled the wrist of the guy behind his back shoving him forward to use as a shield with the knife at his throat. Alex let go of the guys arm flicked his own wrist as the small pistol came out from up his sleeve into his hand as he leveled it at the bartender who had raised the shotgun.

“Don't.” Alex gave the man a look. The guy knew he was out gunned as he looked at Alex and then at Jules.

“I know what you are.” The bar tender said. Alex could see the look in his eye. Alex always hated that look. The fear. Even before the chimera the world was filled with monsters but even the monsters feared Alex and his kind.

“Then you know it is better to be my friend then my enemy.” Alex gave him a look playing the part, the monster that bartender thought Alex was. “I didn't come here to pick a fight and I don't want to kill you. I am just looking for a friend. I am sure you would do no less for one of your war buddies.” Alex said as he let go of his human shield and tossed him aside showing no fear. Hoping to the afterworlds that if the guy called his bluff the shotgun was filled with rock salt if the bartender called his bluff.

The bartender nodded and put his hand up lowered the gun setting it back in its spot. Alex let go of the pistol as it slid back up his sleeve. Jules pointed the gun at the guys on the floor while she shoved her foot down onto his back of the big guy, forcing him back down as he tried to get up.

“There is a fighting ring, Automata versus automata.” The bartender said. “One of the teams might have taken your friend if they have a golem that needs some work. They would need parts as well and the only place to get those is...”

“The salvage yard.” Alex said. Cutting him off. Most of the Automata where made right here in the city. The ones that couldn't be repaired in the field would come back here and stripped for parts or scrap metal. After the war all the damaged units became scrap as newer models where produced. Getting a hold of one was easy but finding someone who could work on one was a bit harder. That was a bit of a long shot, hoping the guys showed up. They had Jon for days now so they could have gotten the parts.

It made sense that they would grab someone like Jon. He was smart enough to do the repairs and no one of great importance would miss him if he didn't show up at the start of the school year since he didn't have powerful family ties being just the son of a merchant.

Alex had heard about golem fights like this popping up here and there but to hold one in the heart of the commonwealth seemed like a pretty brash move giving how illegal it was. It was risky but they could rake in money putting on a show for people who had deep pockets.

“You know the guy in-charge?” Alex frowned knowing that once Jon did whatever they might not need him anymore though Jon could stall. Jon was the kind of guy who would find way after way to do something better. Promise them to make their machine faster, stronger, better armored.

“Not personally, me and my associates don't deal with anything so public. So long as we get our cut and it doesn't draw unwanted attention to us we don't ask to many questions.” The bartender shook his head.

“Any clue were the fight will be?” Alex sighed.

“They haven't said yet for sure but the warehouse district is the only place I can think of that would be big enough if they held it in the city and private enough to not raise suspicion.” The man shrugged. It was thin but it was a start. That could narrow it down hopefully.

“Thanks.” Alex nodded as he backed up tossing the coins bag back onto the table. “Sorry about your boys.” The man gave Alex a begrudging look and Alex headed for the door. Jules moved away from the guy she had at gun point and Alex followed behind her keeping the guys in view. The two of them made a quick exit then ducked down an alleyway in case someone came after them.

Read Chapters Four Through Six Here.