Chapter IX: Owls in the Dark

"Alright, take positions."

John and the Army had reached 'The Factory', the Texans had called the place abandoned.

"Okay, Corporal Manwat, take the left flank, Staff Sergeant Alexander, take the right. No mistakes, get your SMG's ready. We are going to take a very dangerous prisoner. I contacted the New York State Agency. It seems that the killer is Russian. He is well known as the 'Checker'. All the best."

"Sir, isn't this kind of a Communist-Capitalist conflict? The Cold War wasn't long ago."

"Maybe."

John and his team were in the centre of the Factory when they heard the noise upstairs.

It seemed the Russian was talking to someone. A client, perhaps, he thought.

He kicked the door open, and aimed it, at no one.

He saw a red light flashing on and off.

He went near it.

An inscription below the light.

It read, 'Intercom'.

"Damn! He tricked us! He must be transmitting from a location in the Factory!

The lights turned off.

"Where is the Distribution Box? Find it!"

Thud. He found it and saw the main switch torn down.

"Alright," He spoke to his walkie-talkie, "Night Vision on, now." 

The first thing he saw was the outline of a Black King, then darkness.