...Rei?" What the hell is that son of a bitch Gendo up to this time? Vega kept that question to himself, however.
Rei's voice was a cool monotone, as always. "If certain persons were to end up dead before the militia arrive, my master would be... appreciative. My master may also find need for your services again. Do try to not get caught."
That monotone always unnerved Vega. Rei, in all the time he'd known her, had never shown a single emotion. He made a personal promise to one day bring at least one emotion out of that doll, even if it was simply fear...
"I don't think Gendo needs worry about that. There's not a single challenge in that small town. They couldn't catch me if I tied my legs and arms together. Who does he wish to tragically die?"
Rei held out a scroll, which one of Vega's servants brought over to him. He looked at it a moment. Not too surprising a list - the sheriff, the local preacher, the mayor, a few others Vega couldn't place a face to off the top of his head. "Do not be overconfident, Vega. My master has learned that there is at least one mercenary there, hired to protect the town until the militia arrives. There may be more."
Vega frowned. "I doubt that there is any real danger, but I shall take your words to heart. Will you be staying for dinner?"
Rei shook her head. "I must return to my master. If you are still around, we shall meet again." With that Rei spun, and walked out of his chamber.
Vega considered stopping her, but dismissed it. Rei might seem to be Gendo's right hand... but he was sure she wouldn't have been sent to talk with the likes of him if she wasn't expendable. It was just another of the many layers of intrigue that the man was mired in.
For example, on the surface, he could guess why Gendo had hired his raiders with such restricting stipulations. Forge's Pass had collapsed under a supposed earthquake. This was forcing the oligarchs of October to move the trade routes north - and that meant going through either Purity or Slow River. And it wasn't hard to figure that the oligarchs would rather deal with the simple folk of Slow River than the bigots of Purity, seeing as many of the powerful trade families that made up the Oligarchs hired mutants for caravan guards.
Doubtlessly, if he were to look deeper, Vega would find that the leader of the militia was someone Gendo wanted to make a fool of, or to promote. And taking out the key figures of the town would bring it further under October's sway. And just as doubtless, that would only be the tip of the iceberg of Gendo's manipulations. Gendo didn't just want a seat in the Oligarchy... his plans were much more extensive.
Vega gave a mirthful chuckle, that startled his servants. The problem with men like Gendo... the get so caught up in their own games that they forget the simple, direct approach can get the job done just as easily. If Gendo ever betrayed him...
A cruel smile formed beneath his mask.
...well, he'd show the man that he wasn't always as in control ass he thought himself to be.
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(Posted Fri, 06 Jun 2003 23:45)
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