Chapter 4
FillerThe Employer’s company was split into five firms. One for each cardinal direction, and one central firm. It was in front of the Central Firm that Rageblood and CaptainChip now stood. Both dressed in formal attire, both with concealed firearms. “Ready?” Chip asked Rageblood. Rageblood nodded, and CaptainChip flashed his card in front of the scanner mounted on the left wall. Inside, the firm looked like any normal law firm. 24 cubicles, each containing a computer and a worker, lined up in two rows of twelve, a water cooler, and a wide window.
FillerBut on closer inspection, the firm and it’s employees had some, distinguishing features. The worker closest to the door, and the first to greet Rageblood and CaptainChip was not only smoking, but combing his green mullet of a haircut. Somehow, he managed to do both activities and give the two a high-five without any kind of trouble. “Good to see you two!” He chortled heartily. “These central-types have no sense of humor.”
FillerThe worker opposite him scoffed, leaning back and lowering his glasses to reveal pure red eyes. “On the contrary, Smokin’, we take our jobs seriously, and in doing so, we get more important jobs than stabbing gang members.”
“Oh? Is the guy who can’t even spell his own alias trying to convince me I’m the dumber? Heh, ‘Bulet…’” Smokin’ Assassin laughed. Bulet stood, “How many times must I tell you it’s intentional?”
“Until you convince yourself, because the rest of us aren’t buying it.”
FillerBulet’s hand glowed purple, and Smokin’ Assassin grabbed a machete from under his desk. They were about to cut each other down when CaptainChip intervened. “All right, before anyone dies, can someone tell me if the boss is in?”
FillerBulet and Smokin’ Assassin froze in mid-air like an old cartoon. The moment ruined, they both sat back and let the adrenaline leave them. “Of course he’s in, I don’t think he ever leaves.” Smokin’ Assassin grumbled. Bulet’s hand returned to it’s normal shade as he spoke. “He’s currently talking to the Reds, so I wouldn’t get involved. If I were you guys, I’d come back in a few hour-“ The door to the boss’ office swung open with a crash, and Bulet gulped. “Too late.” He said.
FillerA women stalked out of the office, gave whoever was inside the finger, and stalked toward Rageblood and Chip’s position. “SHIT, She’s coming this way!” Bulet yelled. He leaned so far back that his chair fell over, then scampered towards the water-cooler. “Dive, Dive! DIVE!” Smokin’ Assassin yelled, preferring to take cover under his desk.
FillerThe woman rapidly approaching them looked normal, but like everything in the office, was radically different close up. First, she was tall, towering over every person in the office. Second, the way she walked was strange, like a soldier. Each stride covered the maximum distance her legs seemed to be able to reach. She covered the entire office in two seconds, and stood in front of Rageblood and Chip. As she stared down at them, the third difference became apparent. Her eyes were small almost invisible, and if you looked at them, you didn’t feel that she was really looking at you, yet should you stand at her side, you could feel that you were being watched. The woman was clearly bred for combat.
Filler“You two.” She said to Rageblood and Chip. CaptainChip shrived, and Rageblood’s hand inched slowly towards the holster where his pistol waited. “Ms. Red.” CaptainChip said while trying desperately to not let his chattering teeth show. Ms. Red eyed them both like a piece of meat, then huffed and stormed out the door.
Filler“Jesus Christ.” Smokin’ Assassin said, popping out from cover. “Last time she got into an argument with the boss, she tore off the frikin’ door, wonder what happened this time?” Bulet came back from the cooler with four plastic cups, each filled with water. “What I’m wondering,” He said as he handed them out, “Is what happened to Mr. Red? They’re normally inseparable.” Just then, the office door flew open a second time, and Mr. Red came out.
FillerMr. Red wore a rigorously black outfit. Black Shirt, Black Vest, Black Pants, Black Shoes, Black Hair, even. He stalked out of the office, surveyed the room, and continued to the door. Someone ran out after him, and stopped him a few feet from Rageblood and CaptainChip. “C’mon, Red. You have to take this job!” The newcomer said. Mr. Red looked down at him, then pushed him into the water cooler. When Rageblood and Chip moved from the door to help, Mr. Red stalked out.
FillerRageblood pulled the newcomer up. “Jeez, Scorp, that looked like it hurt.” Scorpion bushed his dark purple hair back, and straightened his grey sweatshirt. “Yeah, it did, but not as much as it would’ve hurt the company if he hadn’t taken the job.”
“Wait, you’re saying that push was a yes?”
“He didn’t shoot me, did he?”
FillerChip turned back to look at the door, still swinging on its hinges. “Isn’t Ms. Red the violent one and Mr. Red all calm and collected? What happened?” He wondered aloud. Scorpion winced as he walked over to Chip. “Well,” He half-moaned, “We gave them their next assignment, and they just totally flipped.” Rageblood came over to study Scorpion. “What was their assignment?” He asked.
FillerScorpion shook his head and pushed Rageblood away. He began to move toward the door to the bosses’ room. “Well, why don’t you come find out?” He challenged with a smirk, or perhaps it was pain.
FillerRageblood and CaptainChip walked into a room about a fourth the size of the room before. This one was an office, and, like everything else in the building, was more than it seemed. The walls were devoid of pictures or diplomas, the room looked like a template, basic and boring. However, considering the occupant, the room had a surprising amount of customization. A single nameplate lay on the desk.
FillerDr. Nekroza, Attorney at Law.Filler“Sir.” Scorpion said. “I found Rageblood and CaptainChip outside.” The chair behind the desk, turned to face them.
FillerNekroza’s face was a disturbingly pale and pure white that, while completely unnatural, was not sickly. His eyes stared emotionless and almost unseeingly at them. He straightened the tie on his impeccable three-piece suit. “Hello.” He said in his monotonic voice.
FillerA distinguishable chill ran down Rageblood’s neck. He resisted the urge to shiver as he responded. “Sir, the Grallse job went smoothly, no unexpected occurrences.” Nekroza showed no emotion, but instead continued. “Very good, I trust you are ready for another mission.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement. They were going to take whatever mission he gave them, no matter how dangerous. “Scorpion, start the projector.” He droned. Scorpion hurried out of the room, and came back in with a computer on a stand. He turned it on, and a picture appeared on the opposite wall.
FillerThe picture was of a man, his skin was incredibly black, and his eyes dark red. His mouth was strangely purple, and he stared out at them with an intimidating glare. “This is the Omnipresence.” Nekroza said. “He is a businessman, founder and CEO of O.M.N.I industries. The second richest man in the Void, and the most dangerous.” Chip gulped. “You want us to assassinate him?”
“No, quite the opposite.” Nekroza said. He nodded to Scorpion, and another image appeared.
FillerThis one was of a teenager dressed all in a pink tank top and skirt. Pink hair and pink skin. The strange thing was that the picture was of a male.
Filler“OH JESUS, MY EYES!” Chip yelled, waving the air as if to banish a spirit. Rageblood traced a quick cross on his chest. Even Scorpion turned a bit green.
FillerNekroza looked unaffected. “This is Megay, a high-ranking official on the Fab Islands. He and the Omnipresence are meeting two days from now to discuss a business deal. O.M.N.I industries is famous for making weapons, and Megay wants to but some from him. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, however, something has happened. We’ve received word that someone feels threatened by the alliance, and has arranged for the death of both parties. Therefore, I have commissioned three teams, including your own, to travel to this meeting and stop any assassination attempts.”
FillerNekroza nodded once again, and Scorpion turned of the computer and handed Rageblood a card. “Go to the pier and ask for the name on this card, say you’re an Employee.” He told Rageblood.
FillerRageblood was skeptical. “They know about the Employer?” He asked. Nekroza nodded. “The man you will ask for is a close associate of mine, he has arranged for your transport.” Nekroza picked up a stack of papers and handed them to CaptainChip. “This is the memo sent to me by the Employer. Read it, memorize it, and burn it
Filler“You guys have two hours to pack your bags and get to the pier.” Scorpion told them as he pushed the stand out of the room.