A group of marauders are preparing to attack a convoy of some sort.

Describe the preparations.
Might be a good idea to include just what kind of convoy they plan to attack, too.
No word limit, as I guess no one will go completely overboard.

((Yes, this is from my universe))


It was almost time. Almost midnight, and they still weren't ready! The barges would be in view any moment now, but Rada was still plainly visible across the way. Even in black clothing, she stood out too much along the deserted canal channel. The slaver convoy might still be able to spot her, though. She, like Jak himself, was one of the most notorious pirate hunters in the entire city. The traders that did business with the pirates would be more than happy to take out the people that were upsetting their buyers.

Waving his arms, Jak finally got Rada's attention. She figured out what he wanted well enough, but actually getting herself out of sight seemed to be almost beyond her. After a minute, Jak was starting to wonder if he'd made a mistake bringing her here. She was still new at this sort of thing, even if she did have magic. Especially if she had magic. He just hoped that they wouldn't have anyone that could sense those sorts of things on board the barges tonight. The last thing he needed was for them to loose that vital element of suprise. At this point it was one of the very few things they had going for them. Well, that and the fact that the canals were narrow enough that one barge could barely pass through them, and fast flowing enough that once he and Rada had anchored the last of the convoy, the others would be long gone before they realised that one of their number was missing. Yes, tonight they weren't going to go for just a pirate ship. No, tonight they were going straight to the source of all their problems. Tonight they would--

His thoughts cut short as he saw movement not that far off. He glanced back over at Rada. There was still a portion of her pants visible in the dim light, but it would have to do; time had run out. They were here.

well first post in a while I'd say. Here I go...

Billy crouched further behind the dustbin as the whistling rattle of the cart trundled down the cobbles. Corie huddle opposite on the other side of the lane, waiting for a sign from above of both kinds. The summer sunset cast a warm glow over the sea-side city and any other time, Billy and his friends would be sitting on the roof tops, watching the undisciplined sun take it's leave. But not this night. This night, Kevin had given the go-ahead for operation Fly.
Billy's legs started to ache as they began to realise that blood was no longer reaching them. He itched to move. Corie's toes were twitching in her sandals, trying to dance away the cramps. Finally, the sign came in the form of a banana skin landing on Billy's head. Billy swore silently and wished timely bad luck on Casper above. Casper's skinny neck and head poked over the edge of the building, grinning his usual toothless grin.

Corie had noticed the change of pace in their target first. Billy was preoccupied with the form of Casper's signal that he lost sight of the army jeep and trailer. They came down the lane fairly quickly, skipping across the uneven surface at a dangerous rate. Carie thought that it would tip when an unnoticed pothole forced the vehicle onto two wheels. It came crashing back to earth and with a tire spin, charged past them.
Billy blinked across at Carie unbelievingly. They'd missed it. They'd missed their chance to get out of the Red Zone. Corie scrunched her face up at Billy, grabbed the nearest object she could hold and threw it at full force in Billy's face. Billy spluttered under a mess of moss, week old rubbish and grit. Casper slid down the side of the building, his hand like a rudder, guiding him down to join the rest of his team. He crouched next to Billy and looked truly sorry. Corie felt like hitting them. She was so angry that she felt if she started hitting them, she wouldn't stop till she had caused serious damage. She scooted across the lane like a cat; silently, like she wasn't even there.
"I- I-," Billy started.
"I don't want to hear it," Corie butted in. She signed with her hands and they followed her out of the lane and to the safety of their hideout.