novelzi Chapter 39 – A deal you can’t refuse
Chapter 39 – A deal you can’t refuse
Chapter 39 – A deal you can’t refuse
“Gangs aren’t typically the brightest of the bunch. They think too small. Guess that comes with the territory. There are some exceptions, of course. White Doves come to mind, they are some idealist group tryna help the riffraff or sometin’. Good folk, but wasted on those poor fucks. Most though, nah, they ain’t that bright. Push back on any change and take issue with anyone tryna take charge. Next thing you know they vanish from the face of the planet, gettin’ murdered in job lots on the streets once a bigger, badder, predator comes around. Someone smarter than them, who realises how you gotta play the game to get what you want. You know, someone like me?”
- Murder Mike, leader of the Underground Wasps, a week before being found dead in his private shelter, after taking a bullet to the head upon hearing the news of Samurai involvement, 2057
True to her word Cheryl didn’t need ten minutes before the meeting was set up.
During the wait our group had discussed how we wanted to approach things. Tina and Castas were the spokespeople for our group. Each would bring their second, and while I had imagined Tina would love to keep Bella out of it so as to not tip them off that we might know something, she had gone the opposite route, insisting Bella would be present.
Jenna and I represented ourselves. Jenna had suggested that I should lean into the whole Hive-Mind thing for this debate, to keep them on their toes and with their back against the wall. It made sense, especially because we were the ones who offered the protection needed for the entire ordeal. They needed to know what we could do, and if they were afraid of us then even better.
We quite liked the idea to go full Hive-Mind on them, and so we agreed. To that extent I had quickly asked Kaysa in my virtual realm if the Queen’s Guard could speak as well, and she had told me that now after the upgrade all drones could.
It wasn’t any biological reason why they couldn’t or wouldn’t before, it was simply a result of them not having a direct consciousness controlling them.
By the time that Sultan and Mark entered the room the rest of us were already seated.
There were four tables in the room, arrayed so that each could see the others comfortably.
At one sat Tina and Bella, representing the joytoys. On another adjacent table sat Castas and his second, representing the Red Crows. Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com
On a third sat Jenna, Cheryl and me. Behind me stood Myriad and my Queen’s Guard, placid faced and at attention.
Sultan and Mark both looked at all those present, both briefly stopping at my entourage with a difficult expression. Mark scowled when he saw Bella, but he didn’t comment. Sultan didn’t react at all to her presence, before sitting down at the last table.
“I’ve heard you have a business proposition,” Sultan began, looking at me and Jenna in particular.
“While we instigated the meeting,” Jenna said in my stead, “Red Crows and the Joytoys are the ones who would like to discuss business with you.”
He nodded, then turned to the others.
“As you might have heard,” Tina began with a friendly smile, “Some things will change once we all return to our homes. The first part of that change is that the Joytoys are now working as a group. To that end we would like to formally announce ourselves. We are the Crimson Rose and from now on we will take care of all business related to the brothels. Secondly, we know that Purple Haze has poked Red Crows for quite some time in an attempt to take over some of their territory. We wanted to inform you that no matter how these negotiations end, those plans are out of the window now.”
“Says who?” Mark asked, unhappily.
“That would be us,” we spoke, all drones as one, a strange guttural hissing sound, “We are Myriad. The chorus has decided, Red Crows will lead the people, while the Joytoys will see to their proper treatment. Know that the redlight district is under our protection. Tread carefully or be consumed by the swarm of Living Weapons.”
The atmosphere in the room chilled, even Castas and Tina looked a bit uncertain.
“Did you just call us here to threaten us, then?” Sultan asked. As Bella had predicted, he tried to appear unbothered and steadfast, but his heartbeat and the scent of his sweat told us a different story
“No. You aren’t worthy of a threat. If we wished to harm you we would have simply consumed you. Our goal was to inform you of the new reality you find yourself in. That is done. Now it is time for you to speak to the Red Crows and Crimson Rose. They are the ones who have business with you.”
And with that we fell silent. It took a moment before anyone else spoke. We probably laid it on a bit thick, but we wanted to make sure that they understood their position.
“Now,” Tina began, “As Myriad said, the redlight district will be run by the Red Crows. They will take over the drug business, while we are in charge of the Joytoys. Any business you might have in regards to the brothels can be discussed with us at a later date. Castas can tell you more about the changes directly affecting you and your group.”
Nodding she handed the bat to Castas, who picked up neatly.
“We’ll be taking over the drug business in the redlight district. That means more structure, better oversight and a more controlled market. The problem is that my boys aren’t well versed in that field. Since your endeavours within our district are now done, we wanted to extend a business opportunity to you as an opportunity for you to garner some good will with Myriad and Legion, after what you tried in the last couple of weeks. You know how the drugs work and you have the people who could help us protect our territory, both of which are things we will be lacking once the changes go into effect. We are willing to trade some of our territory in the industrial district with you, if you agree to help us.”
Again, Bella had perfectly predicted how Sultan would react, his eyes gleaming with the idea. Mark on the other hand seemed less enthused.
“That’s not a lot we get out of that deal,” he said before Sultan could speak, “We would effectively give you what you need to ruin our drug trade and spread ourselves thin just so that we can have a few pieces of land.”
And with that she crossed her arms and leaned back, scowling.
Sultan and Mark both looked at us, reconsidering. After a long moment of silence in which we simply smiled at them, Sultan nodded.
“The offered territory will be sufficient. But we want some guarantee that the leeway granted to Crimson Rose won’t end up in them throwing either of us under the bus.”
“Sure, I can see to that,” Jenna said almost bored, “I have no part in their little organisation so I can make sure that they stick to the spirit of the deal that is struck.”
“Will that go over well with Myriad?” Castas asked, surprising us a little.
“We will accept her opinion on the matter. Should she feel the deal was violated we will not interfere in attempts to correct it.”
“And what if it falls through entirely?” he continued, keeping a very close eye on us.
“Our loyalty lies only with ourselves. We wish to protect the redlight district, as it is our home. Should no solution be reached we will take things in hand ourselves.”
“At which point,” Jenna chimed in, “The rest of the discussion is moot anyways. Best not let it get to that.”
“Agreed,” Castas said with a nod.
“Then we have an accord?” Tina asked the entire group.
“We do,” Sultan said with a nod, “I will inform my men. Some won’t like it, but if they decide to ignore the warnings given out then that is their loss.”
“The same goes for us,” Castas agreed, “Anyone who decides to act out is no longer under my protection.”
“Agreed,” Tina joined in with a nod.
Sultan and Mark got up and left the room, leaving the rest of us behind. Once the door closed behind them I smiled.
“Well, that went better than expected,” I said cheerfully, “You should have heard Sultan’s heart when territory was mentioned. He was like a kid on christmas.”
“Say, you are quite scary when you go full swarm mode,” Castas told me, “Not that I mind. Keeps people on track.”
“Oh, I think you misunderstand something,” I said with the same sweet smile, “I didn’t go full swarm mode, I simply dropped the mask. We are Myriad and we are one.”
Nobody seemed too pleased hearing that. We wondered why?
When we returned to the room the rest of the group was in, Castas and Tina quickly wandered off to inform their people, while Jenna, Cheryl and I were left at the entrance.
“I think I’m going to see Sarah,” I said, frowning, “Hopefully she’s doing okay.”
“Last I checked she was in a pretty shitty mood, but well enough considering the circumstances,” Cheryl offered.
“Anything you want to do?” I asked Jenna.
She shrugged in response, “There are a couple of people here I’d like to talk to. Not really friends, but acquaintances. I’ll check in with them until you are done.”
“Okay,” I said with a smile, then turned to Cheryl, “Where is Sarah?”
“Follow me,” she said and started to walk towards the entrance.
Time to see how she was doing. Hopefully it wasn’t too bad. Although we couldn’t help but feel a lingering anxiousness.
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