Residential Block Northern Shopping District.... Impasse

 “All in one piece, then?” the sergeant asked, his attention still focused at the lower ever-stair landing.

The professor nodded, then added a “Yes,” when the sergeant did not look his way. 

“Sounds like there’s a ‘but…’ attached to that.” 

“Reinforcements,” the corporal said. “Eight, that we know of. Down from nearly a dozen.” 

The sergeant grunted. “It was awfully quiet work.”

“Ah…. That ‘work’ was done by the time we got there,” the professor said.

At that, the sergeant dared a quick glance at the girl, one eyebrow raised. He grunted again, but it was difficult to tell if it was in approval or dismissal.

The girl merely blinked at him, the handkerchief still held to her lip. 

“Tougher than she looks,” was all he said.

 

“We already bested three of your men!” he called to the floor below.  

“It won’t be a problem for us to add the rest of them to our collection!” the corporal added, drawing a scowl from his sergeant. 

There wasn’t exactly silence from below, but what men were down there spoke in voices too hushed to make out. 

“We didn’t hear any shots!” 

“That’s because we didn’t shoot them,” the sergeant said. “Right?” he glanced over at the girl. 

After a moment, perhaps finally realizing that the question was directed to her, she shook her head. 

“They’re knocked out cold,” the corporal shouted. “Tied up. Come on up if you want to join them.” 

“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” 

“Would we be having this conversation if they got the drop on us?” the sergeant asked. 

There was a grumble of assent from below. “Got a point, there, Boss.” 

The professor knelt down by the sergeant. “They’re stalling,” he said, in a low voice. “If those other groups are any better armed…” 

“I know,” the sergeant growled. “I hoped we could trade our way out, but with twice our number closing in on us, that’s a pretty weak hand to play. 

“What does our munitions supply look like?”

“You mean for us to blast our way out of here?” The professor shook his head.

The corporal grinned. “I’ve got a full case, plus what’s already loaded in Old Faithful.”

“Let’s not open up with that unless we have no choice,” the sergeant said. “Doc? What’ve you got for that Huntsman?”

“I won’t—”

“You think Trixie, there, could handle them all by herself?”