Kye was in a state of shock. To think that Slate was actually the first prince of the kingdom. Kye pulled himself together and answered the question.

"The only cost would be that the factories would have to re-tooled to do some basic manufacturing that I would need. There will be times where I need pieces that would have to be made by specialists. I would be bringing in a craftsman guild for that so all you would have to do is let them access the foundry." Kye placed his hand over his face. "If i'm being honest here, what I need right now is connections. That's why i'm giving you so much, I need you more than what I currently have."

Slate stroked his chin before nodding.

"I get that you're in a rough spot so I can understand the desperation. I would really like to help ya but I dunno if this kind of deal would work long term."

Kye looked at Slate with a questioning look. Without saying anything, Slate continued.

"I mean that if we suddenly cut the Gorsellia's off, they'll probably move to erase us. They've got the city watch bought so we're only still around because they want us to be."

Kye thought about it and then opened his brief case and pulled out a folder with the label 'Project Shadow Wolf' and handed it to Slate. Slate took the folder and started flipping through the documents within. As he continued to read Slate's eyes widened and he bagan to smile.

"You put this thing together?"

Kye nodded.

"That's been the plan from the start. It's flexible at parts but thats the reason i've come to you. You are pretty integral to making sure this first phase goes right."

Slate laughed and nodded his head.

"Hahahaha, damn straight we are. I gotta say, i'm pretty impressed with the whole thing. If this goes well, we have much to gain."

Slate handed the folder back to Kye before closing his eyes and going deep into thought. He remained like that for a few minutes before opening his eyes and starting at Kye.

"So, I like the plan but there are a few things that I would need clarified or changed first. The first one being how quickly you want us to fuck over the Gorsellia's. I think it'd be pretty bad if we just cut them off as soon as we got shipments of your ore because then they'd take action and we'd have no safety net. So we'll keep buying from them but in lesser amounts and buying from you at the same time. We'll store all the stuff we get from them and work using your stuff to produce just as much as we have been. On the side, we'll re-tool those factories you have and start stockpiling up what you need from us. That way we maintain the facade and work towards your goal. Once you've established your little army, we'll join up with you and start distributing all the gear and officially cut off all business from the Gorsellia's. Being part of what looks like a PMC will give us the legal ability to produce firearms and we'll just be part of a company. I assume that we'll be getting paid a salary under you right?"

"Yes. I was planning to structure my forces like a proper army and award salaries according to rank. The base for soldiers would be $57,000 a year, just a little over what the city watch would pay their members. Other specialists would get pay of similar positions in competitior companies with bonuses for working away from home. Soldiers and their families would also have cheap accommodation in the city once the residential area is done being developed. As for your plan, you know the local climate better so I'll agree to run with that plan."

"Right, and what are you planning to price your ore at?"

"Just base cost. I'll be giving you the blueprints for a few improved weapons but i'll also give you some inferior blueprints you can make to gain some extra revenue. As long as what I need is made when I need it, keep the money flowing."

Kye pulled the small metal box out of his jacket and handed Slate four blueprint shards that would fit into industrial machining tools. Slate took them and inserted them into a shard reader on his office computer. He flicked through the blueprints with the smile growing on his face.

"Who the hell is in your R&D team?"

"Just me."

Slate looked back at Kye wide-eyed.

"You made these blueprints?"

"Yes."

Slate gave an appreciative whistle and took the shards out of the reader. He walked back and stood in front of Kye. Kye rose to meet him and Slate stuck his hand out.

"You've got yourself a deal Mr.Marken. I look forward to the future."

Kye shook Slate's hand.

"With you and the Iron Chains on my side now, the future is looking even better Slate."

The two shared a smile before they parted hands.

"You need a ride back?"

Kye was about to refuse but thought against it.

"That would be appreciated but you should come back with me to meet Sebastian. There may be times i'm not available but Sebastian always is."

Slate nodded and motioned to his two guards in the room.

"Go get a car ready for us. One of the nice ones yeah?"

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The two men nodded and talked into their radio's before leaving the room.

"You're gonna be looking for more men and stuff from other kingdoms yeah? Well I got some relations with a pretty big gang in the Kingdom of Speria who's all about the manpower. He's also got some pretty big land rights in the plains so your food problem should be sorted out. I'll give him a yell and tell him about you, put in a bit of a good word."

"That would be very appreciated."

The two of them made their way down the steel platforms towards the exit of the factory. They exited and the bright sun caused them both to squint after being in the gloomy factory. A nice luxury car in all black pulled up in front of them and one of the men from earlier opened the door for both Kye and Slate. The two of them got in and Kye pulled out a phone from his brief case as the car took off.

"This is perfectly secure and will be the only way we should contact one another. If we intend to play a closed hand then lets make sure it's closed to everyone but us."

Slate nodded and took the phone from Kye and put it in his pocket.

"While we're away from pryin' eyes, lemme tell you about my friend in the Kingdom of Speria. His name's Tyson Milner, runs a gang called the Wild Mares. They're pretty diplomatic but Tyson isn't a fool blinded by peace either. He was part of my house back when I was at the Divine Academy and a personal friend. He should be on board if you show him this."

Slate took out a metal emblem from his pocket. It was shaped like a sword with a ring around the blade.

"Thats what we used back when I was there to show alliegance. We were both in the same party so he'll know what it means. If you show that to him and the same documents you gave me, he should jump at the opportunity. Depending on if they're still on speaking terms, eh should also be able to put you onto someone from the Solaria Kingdom as well."

Kye took the emblem and put it in his jacket pocket with his blueprints.

"This means a lot, thank you for your help Slate."

"Please mate, i'm throwing all my chips behind you so I should obviously be giving you all the help you need. I'll make contact with Brooker later and tell him that we're workin' together so I can shelter his boys for a bit until you get all this set up."

"Oh, i'll be dealing with that myself so could you pass on this to him as well?"

Kye took another encoded phone from his briefcase. Slate nodded.

"What do you plan to do with them?"

"I've got some land out near the 1st satellite city of the Democratic Rebublic of Colondia that i've set up as a military training camp. I'll be having them stay there as I train them up."

"You got a good trainer?"

Kye gave a wicked grin.

"I'll be training them personally."

"Oh, and who was your trainer?"

"Ares, god of war."

Slate faltered for a bit before giving a strained smile.

"I'm starting to feel a little sad for those poor bastards."

Kye shook his head.

"Nah, I won't be as hard on them as Ares was on me. They won't be losing any limbs at the very least."

Slate gave Kye a scared look.

"Just how old are you anyway? I never asked but you're pretty young and already put together all this."

"I'm 14, about to enter the Divine Academy next year. I've already decided to give up on the divine class in my first year and focus on getting a re-trial for teh second."

"Fuckin' 14!? Heavens man, you look at least 16."

Kye gave a smile.

"You'd be surprised how much I get that. They don't even ask for ID when i'm at a bar or anything."

Slate gave a small nod as the surprise faded from his face.

"Well, we're in this together for now so you don't have to call me Slate. Dillon is my real name and the last name is Rymer but I gave up the last name when I left the palace."

Kye looked at Dillon.

"You'll have to tell me one day about all that but I won't pressure you if you don't want to."

"Yeah one day, maybe after we've been shot at together a few times. I hear bleedin' out together really stokes the fires of friendship."

They both laughed as the car sped along until they eventually reached the villa. Kye and Dillon both got out of the car to find Clara and Sebastian waiting for them. Clara gave an elegant bow and Sebastian gave a polite nod og his head before stepping forth and taking the briefcase from Kye.

"Welcome back young master. I take it that the negotiations went smoothly given your current company?"

"Yes, they went rather well. There are some small changes to the plan but we'll be going over them together. Clara, could you do me a favour and gather the three people who drove me today?"

"Yes of course young master."

She went off to find the three spies and Kye turned to Sebastian.

"Get the cleaners ready, those three are corporate spies for the Santel Group. I'll be dealing with them."

Sebastian gave a nod and began phoning some people. Kye motioned for Dillon to follow him and they made their way up to Kye's office. Dillon spoke up when they entered the office.

"What are you gonna do with those spies?"

Kye gave a weary sigh.

"If it were just spies against me, i'd probably just let it go but spies against my father's company can't be forgiven. We thrive off those patents so I can't just let it go."

"So what, you just kill them?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

Dillon looked appalled.

"It may seem pretty harsh for someone who's not in this line of work but let me put it this way. A new gang starts up in territory you're planning to take and then start doing exactly what you were going to do with that territory. How would you respond?"

Dillon fell into contemplation before giving a sigh.

"Force them out with my gang."

"And would you prohibit killing members of the enemy gang even if they posed a risk to your own men?"

"No."

"Well now you get where i'm coming from. These people are dangerous and I can't let them go. Not when this place is used as a vacation house by my family. I'm not so much worried about my parents but I have a little sister who just turned 4 years old."

Dillon gave a small nod.

"Alright then. Did you want me to do it instead?"

Kye scoffed.

"Don't insult me Dillon. I may be young but there will be blood on my hands eventually. I know what it means to take a life, but i'm not about to let it stop me when it comes to my family or their business."

Once again, Dillon was taken aback by Kye. He had no choice but to nod and shut up. A few minutes later, Sebastian walked through the door with the three spies in tow.

"They on their way?"

Sebastian nodded. Kye sighed and pulled out his pistol.

"Let's just get this over with then."

Kye then leveled the pistol at one of the male spies' head and pulled the trigger. There was a loud bang before the man's brains splattered against the wall of the office. Before they could even process what had just happened to their comrade, Kye shot the other man in the head. The woman fell to her knees in shock before glaring at Kye reproachfully.

"YOU SAID YOU'D LET US GO YOU BASTARD!"

"I'm sorry."

Kye then aimed and pulled the trigger at the woman. The bullet entered her brain and she slumped forward, leaving a dark red pool on the floor of the office. Kye holstered his gun and ran to the attached bathroom of the office, throwing up in the toilet. Sebastian followed after Kye, gently patting his back as he emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. Dillon watched from the doorway with a sympathetic look on his face. Kye gave a sardonic smile and he hung himself off the rim of the toilet.

"Even though I said I had no problems with doing it, it was still the first life i've taken. Guess i'm not as tough as I thought I was huh."

"No young master. You're very strong for doing what had to be done."

Dillon stayed out of it but internally agreed with Sebastian. Dillon also hoped that a day never came when Kye stopped caring about taking a life. Even though Dillon himself had taken many lives, he never once thought it was a good thing to do. With that silent prayer, Dillon walked over and began searching the bodies.