Chapter 33 - Beaver

Scorpion stepped into the underground quarters with a smile beaming from ear to ear, the familiar noise of the place rising to meet him in waves that usually grounded him, yet tonight it only seemed to echo louder against the peace in his mind. The base was alive as always, bodies moving in restless coordination, the metallic clang of chains and the dull thud of fists against flesh blending into a rhythm that defined the Fox Gang's territory. The boxing ring at the center held its usual crowd, men circling it with crude enthusiasm as two fighters exchanged blows, but none of it held his attention for long because his thoughts were elsewhere.