Back on Riax, THEM decided to pay a visit to members of Brute Squad to show their 'gratitude'. They walked right through the area of town that, according to the deal they made with Fabry, was off limits. They walked into a bar that, sure enough, had some members of Brute Squad there - nine to be exact. They were having a meeting with a couple of Kvankii-Loods and a Hessler. The members of THEM present were Vasculus, Anaximanda, YoYo, and Kolum. Vasculus and YoYo went and sat down and ordered a few drinks, while the Grotens nearby glared at them. Anaximanda and Kolum watched the situation from other areas of the bar.
Eventually, two of the Grotens approached the table and demanded to know why THEM were in Brute Squad territory. Insults flew, and then fists. Two more Grotens came to help their comrades, while the rest headed towards the exit with the Kvankii-Loods and the Hessler. Vasculus and YoYo were holding their own, with help from their comrades across the room, when suddenly, a shot fired from the third floor of the bar. A sniper was up there hidden in the crowd. The shot drilled into the back of Vasculus' head bringing him down. YoYo was busy fending off the Grotens so Anaximanda charged in to help Vasculus before he died. Kolum charged to the side of the bar and hopped (as only Anurians can) up the three floors to where he thought the Assassin was. Anaximanda put a couple of medical-patches on Vasculus and he was up a few moments later. The Grotens were all but taken care of but unfortunately, Kolum was not to the sniper yet. Another shot fired down, this time ripping through YoYo's throat. Now Kolum was close enough to see the assassin - a Kvankii-Lood.
Kolum and the Kvankii-Lood traded a few inconsequential shots before Kolum landed a nice hit on the assassin's gun. It had to switch to another less powerful weapon while Kolum landed another couple of hits. Anaximanda tended to YoYo while Vasculus climbed up to help Kolum. The Kvankii was on the defensive now, moving towards an exit and dodging most of Kolum's shots. Fortunately, Vasculus arrived and found that Kvankii-Loods are just not that good at hand to hand combat. Kolum and Vasculus eventually brought the Kvankii down - then proceeded to smash it to little tiny bits.
The remaining Grotens and Kvankii-Loods were gone, and THEM headed to the EEE to recuperate. A heated communication from Fabry confirmed that the war was back on.
The characters are now 5th stage and have gained quite a reputation. Especially since they like to record their fights and put the really bloody parts on the global computer network. They're in a war with a Groten organization that seems to be dealing with the Kvankii-Lood. The most influential Mafia in known space backs them, and who knows whom they'll piss off next. Soon we will see...