Del Murder charged Rantzien head on, with fury in his eyes. The thief nimbly, effortlessly, stepped aside, not even spilling a drop of his drink, and Del went crashing into the wall behind him. When he arose, there stood Remon with two AK-47s pointed at his chest.

'Any last words before I dispose of you?' asked Rantzien casually.

Del Murder wiped the blood from his mouth. 'You may be a liar, a cheat, and a scoundrel, but are you yet a man? Will you face me, one on one, no fancy weapons, no tricks. One battle to settle the score.'

'If that's how you want to play it.' Rantzien nodded to Remon, and he shot Del once in the thigh. A circle was formed around them, and the fight began.

Limping, Del Murder was unable to parry the first blow, a right cross to the temple. As he lay on his hands and knees, Rantzien just laughed. Wanting to get back to his spoils, Rantzien decided to end it quickly with a swift kick to the head, but this time Del was ready. Balancing on one knee, Del Murder caught the foot inches from his face, and spun Rantzien to the ground. Then he was upon him, landing blow after blow to the pretty boy's face. Unable to fend off the fury, Rantzien instead sent a quick fist to the open wound on Del's thigh, send him screaming in agony. This allowed him to scuttle free, and now both fighters stood facing each other, Del limping heavily, and Rantzien trying to relocate his jaw.

'Enough,' said Rantzien. 'I already have the Snake to deal with. Let's end this.' He taunted Del Murder, and Del charged, knowing what was about to come. As Del sent a right hook towards Rantzien's head, Rantzien sent his own right at Del's side, but this was no ordinary punch. Hidden within the Bandit's hand was a blade, a blade meant for the kidney of the Returners' don, but Del Murder knew better than to trust a Bandit twice. Feigning the hook, Del backed off, and the blade swiped at air inches from a mortal blow. Del landed a quick uppercut to the chin, and the blade flew from Rantzien's hand as he slumped over. With victory in hand, Del clasped his hands for the final blow, but the Bandit was not yet out of tricks. Rantzien produced a second blade from his shoe, and as Del was to bring the crushing blow down, Rantzien struck upward, nailing his opponent right through the chin.

Del Murder fell down, finished. 'Congratulations,' said the Snake, appearing from the shadows, raising the hand of the victor. 'A very good showing.'

'No...' said Del Murder. 'No....w.' 'Now....!' From the crowd jumped him. The Returner himself. The ULTIMATE WEAPON. And strapped to his chest was about 15 pounds of C4.

Part 2 coming up.