The humid night air clung to Vex's skin as he crouched in the shadows of a broken-down delivery truck.
The stench of rotting garbage and motor oil filled his nostrils, but he didn't flinch.
His eyes remained locked on the empty intersection ahead, where dim streetlights flickered like dying fireflies.
He pressed a finger to the comm device in his ear. "All units, confirm positions." His voice was barely above a whisper, but the high-tech gadget picked up every word.
"East alley, locked and loaded," came Rook's raspy reply through the earpiece.
"West side clear," Hark grunted. "Got my boys spread out behind the dumpsters."
Vex adjusted the scope on his mana pistol, the cool metal soothing against his calloused fingers. "Remember - we hit hard and fast. No witnesses. If even one Viper walks away..." He let the threat hang in the air.
The radio crackled. "Relax boss," Rook chuckled.
