Interlude 2

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I watched as the girl came running off. I wasn't afraid that she'll tattle about us, Sump-snipes are far smarter than other Zaunite kids after. Snitches get stitches and whatnot

Speaking of smarts, it's something I wish my underlings had. I grabbed one by the neck before giving him a slap.

"Didn't I tell you to make it look like an accident!" I whispered harshly, trying to get the point across

"But boss! We burned it anyways? Why the fuzz?" He asked and he had the audacity to look confused. I growled out in frustration as squeezed down on his neck

"Because the boss told us to make it look like an accident!" The creaking of his bones and his gasp for air showed him his error "And because I told you so. Now look at what you've done!"

The Veraza's were now on high alert snd the only reason we weren't murked here was that their patrol group did not pass through this area

I throw him against the wall. It was therapheutic throwing my incompetent men against the wall. The sickening crack of bone echoed in the alley. I looked around, daring my incompetent to say a word

That's right you're miserable fucks, all of you are expandable fodder "Toss him off to the heaps. I don't care if he's still alive, I'm sure the Plague Rats wouldn't mind having their meal twitch from time to time"

We headed back to our base of operations, a repurposed warehouse just outside of the Veraza's control. We were not in the bosses territory so we had to be extra careful not to fuck up in this araa or else we'll have two Chem barons breathing down our necks. Having one is already bad enough as is

I walked back to my "office" to nurse my growing headache with a glass of alcohol only to be greeted by the man himself.

Sitting right in my chair was my benefactor. He was a tall thin rakish looking man with hair immaculately combed back. He probably thought it looked stylish but it only made him look weak and pathetic. He must have spent hours in the bathroom to get everything done right. He looked like a foolish crow with his long beak-like nose and dark attire.

I held my tongue for now. He paid well. He might call me a dog but the gold in my pocket made for great earplugs.

"What the fuck was that" my bosses growled out no doubt angry about my underlings little stunt. I was tempted to just back hand him but I knew full well that these people don't really travel alone

"I already took care of the problem" Throwing them off the cliff can solve that problem pretty fast

"The problem? The problem is that you're getting too overt with your actions. I wanted the Veraza's weakened yes but being implicated with that will have dire consequences!" Then you shouldn't have probably started this war in the first place.

Urgh, is this why the room had sll those ssound absorbant panels installed? If only I knew he was going to use this room just to shout at me. Freaking magic

"We didn't get caught" I growled out

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"For now at least. You at least knew to hit them across their territory." I might be just an attack dog but I know that I was a bit smart when it comes to getting things done

He stood up before walking over to the map to the far right of the room. Slamming his hand against the large canvas, he asked "Why don't we give you a refresher on why we're doing this hmm?"

I bared my teeth but didn't reply "The Veraza's for too long have been a dominant part of the market. We need to put them down a peg. Simple enough for you?

We strike at them, nipping away at their heels, tiring them down until we can crush them once we have manufactured the proper casus belli. If they become a hive of scum, unable to control their vast holdings, maybe it's time that somebody else takes their reign from them"

The man rubbed his face before adding "We already did this once. One Baron down and my reign secured. Why are you making it impossible to do it again"

"If you give me better me-!" He hushed me with a wave of his hand.

"I don't care about your excuses, I want results!" He shouted. We glared at each other for a while, neither of us backing down. If he didn't have the money, I'd gut him like the worm he was but we both have use for each other

"You'll get better men once you prove you can handle this scale of operation Mr. Warwick. You might be my best enforcer but that doesn't immediately translate to being a competent Lieutenant" I'm having second thoughts in this gig now but the pay was way too good and the blood I could spill was too tempting to pass up on.

He turned his back on me before he walked out the back door. Just as he was about to grab the doorknob, he turned back and said "Before I go, one more thing. I need you to send more test subjects back to my research facility. Make sure they're the two legged variety"

Kidnapping again? I was sick and tired of that job especially with all the screaming and squealing. I still don't get how some of my men find some entertainment from them. To each their own I suppose

With a heavy slam of the door, I was finally left to some peace and quiet. I plopped down on my chair. Fuckers sharp ass dented the cushion

Pressing a buzzer on the table in front of me, I called one of my messengers. They didn't took long to arrive

"You called Sir?" One of the new kids came. She was a girl called Vi and she had and smart to boot. She knew her numbers and had deft hands in fixing small things. Sump snipes were always the best

"Send this letter off to the guys at the western warehouse. They know what to do" I gave her a small letter detailing that order. It was sealed and the boys would know if it was opened before they went there.

She nodded before dashing off to deliver my orders. Useful kid, waa a bit slow in delivering her letters but my boys dont know how she can just pop out here and there. Too valauble to let go. Maybe I could recruit her in the future. If she doesnt like that... It'll be a shame if I had to break her to get what we want.

I looked back at the map, studying it intently. My eyes locked onto the Cultivairs and the Rose sigil of the Veraza's. The chaos we'll cause will be glorious!