Ittindi had been surprised by the answer of Seargent Adler wanting to drive the car over shooting. It was a tactical choice, as the car drained minimal mana for advance Knights like themselves. It was like one of those action comics he read as a child, Ittindi was even in a tuxedo, though when he got in the car he barely fit with his top hat on.  They were speeding down the road in pursuit of a criminal. One that had managed to evade both Seargent Adler and Ittindi due to their supporters being willing to sacrifice themselves for him. This time they created a distraction which the rest of the detachment that Sergeant Adler had come with were cleaning up. They were both tired of his continued rampage through their city. Ittindi would pull out his large cross rifle while leaning out of the window.

It was a weird feeling bracing against the wind while also trying to aim his rifle. It was like planks, but in a more life-threatening way. He still had to feel the recoil of the rifle, Ittindi would need to visit his favorite massage parlor after this debacle. The thought occurred to him that this might not be possible without the aid of his awakening, secretly thanking Naki, they’d hum with his praise.

Right when he was lining up for his first shot, the car swerved. Ittindi couldn’t believe it, he’d wait for Seargent Adler to swerve before trying to line up his sights again. Taking the time to rest his eyes, he’d look around their area to see how much damage they’d have to report later. So far there hadn’t been any civilian casualties just buildings damaged from other carts and carriages swerving out of the fleeing vehicle’s path.

”Lucky turn by them, I’m going to blow out one of their tires. Your goal is to get us parallel when the road opens enough to slam into them. Don’t worry about hurting the car I can pay for repairs and be reimbursed later.”

As Ittindi braced himself for the turn, he’d line up his sights shooting one of the vehicles many tires. The first shot was effective as he heard the rattling. He’d need to line up another shot when he felt a shot coming at him from one of the vehicles windows. Instinctively he’d jerk himself back into the car taking a breath smiling at Seargent Adler to reassure the situation was ok. Once he heard the pause between shots, he’d burst right back out the window trying to gain visibility on their situation again.

WC: 433

” Enjoying myself? I guess I am Seargent, I blame my Master for that one.”

He would shout from the window while trying to line up a tire shot and for once Ittindi wasn’t sure if he was referring to his Young Master who had taken him on so many perilous journeys that most of the Rune Knights tasks felt small in comparison, or the demon soul that resided in him from another world. They both had pulled Ittindi towards the dangerous, he’d be lying to himself saying that he’d prefer to be in a desk. The truth was that Ittindi enjoyed heart racing action, but most field work was anything but; he had spotted the shooter reloading and prepping to peak. Deciding that taking him out was a higher priority Ittindi would shift his aim. With an anticipated shot he’d fire twice to incapacitate the gunman. He was lucky Ittindi didn’t value his life highly and so far the car had purposedly avoided running into any civilians. Instead of going for lethal shots he just incapacitated the man, hopefully he had on a seatbelt or something for what was coming next.

I’m touched that by your confusion Ittindi, you have been a most confusing avatar for me as well.

That was the other issue with wagon or car chases, when you inevitably caused the criminal to crash, he wanted as little delay to roadways and damage as possible. They hadn’t found themselves on a busy street just yet, and Ittindi didn’t’ want to give a chance to the driver to find more chaos to throw off his Seargent Adler. He’d have to sacrifice his aim for a quicker shot, they were losing to much time. He didn’t hit the tire directly but either the shrapnel or a piece of the bullet pierced another tire as the car started to swerve back and forth in the road. Ittindi would duck back into the car and look over at Seargent Adler again, knowing that they should catch the vehicle any moment. He’d put his cross in front of him thinking he needed to install a gun rack in the vehicle.

” Make sure you have your seatbelt buckled and slam into them Seargent Adler. If you feel a little dizzy or sore after that’s normal but we’ll be pursuing them as soon as we stop their vehicle so follow me as soon as you’re able. “

Ittindi doubted he needed to warn her, but he didn’t see the harm in being prepared even when engaging in reckless action. He’d put one hand on his rifle the other on his top hat as he prepared himself. It’d be an interesting experiment for how his danger sense reacted in a situation with millions of variables.  It also occurred to him he probably needed to make a defensive spell for more than just himself for situations like this. He prayed to Illumin that they didn’t cause to much damage, so far he didn’t see the bill running up past 1 to 2 million jewels.

WC: 510/943

” Yes well he’s a childhood friend his family were my first employers and nurtured the butler arts in me. We’re around the same age he’s currently the guild master of Sleeping Calamity.”

Ittindi would respond to Seargent Adler’s questions nonchalantly. Ittindi was aware that his close group of peers stood above him. That just meant he had more room to grow, they had to live within their own and others’ expectations there’d be no crowds depending on Ittindi anytime soon. If he got his wish on ministry assignment his main goal would to be unmentioned. Better that way he wanted a safer world and to be the best butler in it neither would bring worldwide acclaim. Service was always one thing, as the image of the head butler appeared in his mind’s eye.

Journey before Destination, yes your role model was a wise man for his limited time here. You know I could help you talk to him next time you die the connection is weaker then…

The thought disgusted Ittindi and thought it’d be a profane mark on the afterlife, Naki could feel it and dropped the subject. Ittindi would readjust his seatbelt right before Seargent Adler took her deep breath and told him to brace. It reminded him of the first time he had been hit by a guild master as a fledgling mage. Ittindi had taken a great risk holding his rifle, mostly because he could survive any kind of fatal accident. Luckily for him he was just bruised but no serious harm, he’d stumble out of the vehicle. His knees were shaky, and he left his rifle in the car. Seargent Adler would be free to grab it if she wished to try it. Ittindi had out his dominator, scanning for where the leader was. Surely he’d have a higher crime coefficient than the rest, he was tired of this nonsense.

”If you’re still alive out there I”d suggest surrendering before more bloodshed has to occur.

He didn’t mind giving Seargent Adler first dibs if she wanted, but he wanted to stop this gang’s farce of a criminal empire before it hurt more civilians. These people did worse than that though, they littered, graffitied and just made a mess of the neighborhood. Lowering property value, interest from other businesses the list went on, truly the worse kind of scum on the planet. Ittindi bloodlust was starting to come through, he was lucky there was another Rune Knight with him. Or he might make an exception, after all some crimes were serious enough that you didn’t deserve a second chance.

WC: 434/1,377

Ittindi would hear Seargent Adler’s voice through the wreckage and feel an immediate pang of guilt. He was so focused on the mission he had forgotten to check if his comrade was ok, he’d have to write himself up on that in the report.  Had she called out to him when he was still in the car his mind racing on adrenaline and bloodlust. He started count backwards from 100 at increments of 17 to calm himself.

83…Ittindi saw sweeping the scene that most of the criminals had been disabled in the wreck, that wasn’t a surprise. They needed a medic, but he had to clear the area before he would, or Seargent Adler was already calling it in. Either way his danger sense alerted him before he even saw the man. A shame that his dominator didn’t react, which meant that Ittindi would bring in the man alive.  

66…He didn’t have enough time to see if there were any civilians nearby, with Seargent Adler in the car he figured it ok to risk dying in front of a bunch of hallucinating criminals. He’d just say they lied on the report, they weren’t big time enough for their reputation to carry that kind of weight.  Ittindi had been shot a couple times before, though this would be his first gun fire death. He rushed the man taking all the bullets in his abdomen, the sharpness at first took his breath away.

49…He was surprised how fast the fade to black was, the man must have landed more shots than Ittindi initially counted, either way he’d find himself more refreshed than before the car accident. The man was screaming now as Ittindi’s Dominator was pressed on his forehead. He had made sure to keep it on non lethal, but this would still leave a decent bruise. He figured the gun shots would allow him some leeway, not to mention his suit was ruined until he had it repaired.

32…He’d limp away from the criminals looking over at Sergeant Adler’s and the car, if she had gotten out at any point of time and seen Ittindi he’d have to explain himself. That wouldn’t be too hard she seemed the type to be able to swear to secrecy.

15…When he made it halfway the distance he’d call out to Seargent Adler, making sure to turn around to observe the criminals even though it wasn’t needed with his senses. It was more to stop himself from losing control and doing more, there was a short second that he considered exploding on his death. Or was that Naki?

”You want to…HRAGHDHHDH…apologies do you want to call it in Seargent or would you prefer I do it?”

0…Ittindi was ready to turn in the criminals and get their reward for another one gang leader taken away from the interior. When he coughed there was some leftover blood from his death his body was expelling. He’d wave his hand as if it was no big deal if she mentioned it. Seargent Adler was proving to be quite effective, Ittindi would have to extend her an offer when he was made a colonel to the Ministry of Communication. He’d limp back towards the car and ask Seargent Adler while they were walking.

”You want to drive or ride shotgun on the way home?”

WC: 555/1,932