[BCOLOR=#333333]Sekt & Trick[/BCOLOR]
"
A poorly lit backroom, a few chairs that have seen better days, and a table that's been re-repaired a few times too many. The uh, smell of rancid beer." a man on the shorter side grins as he leans back lazily in one of the aforementioned chairs. He bared down a boot on the table to hear it wobble in an unbalanced manner. With a powerful sniff he focused. "
Of... Blood?" He shook off the idea, bringing his mind back on track. "
Anyways! Real typical of ol' slickster aye? Has enough beans to buy out Diso(*1) twice over, and he chooses this hole in the wall for a business transaction..." The man turns to his partner with an almost scheming look thrown over his face. The only light provided in this small and cramped room was a single bulb hanging from above. It sounded off a weak buzz warning that it's use was almost up, but the footsteps above drowned out it's plea. "
How much you wanna bet he's sendin' in Sunshine to pass off the package?" One of the legs of the chair groan as though it's about give, giving the man second thoughts about his posture as he flounders about ungracefully to correct his weight distribution.
Another man of an average height sits about a quarter over from him, running a hand over a deep cut in the table. Bored with it he slouched in his own chair, shifting his weight subtly back and forth between two of its uneven legs. "
Of course he's sending Hugo, when does he ever send anyone else? With how much you deliberately piss him off, I wouldn't be surprised if he's waiting for the day Hugo loses his temper and "accidentally" blows a hole through your gut."
"
Pshh." The shorter of the two waves it off, now sitting upright. "
The big guy loves me, he wouldn't harm a hair on my head. B'sides, it's not like we couldn't take him, right?" He shrugged cockily before swatting at a fly that decided to make itself a nuisance.
The other shook his head. "
On, no no no. If you want to stir the fucking hornet's nest be my guest. But you're on your own." The clacking of his chair turned into something of a beat as he continued shifting back and forth.
"
Gee, thanks." The former said with second thoughts written across his face. Those thoughts however were quickly overwritten with annoyance as the same fly made it's return.
The guests to this room were two parts of a five piece mercenary team, getting work where they could. Their main source just so happened to be Strelok Inc, one of the largest weapons and armor manufacturers/distributors this side of the multiverse. This was in regard to both the upfront public and the underground shadows. If something was too discreet that Strelok's personal army couldn't handle, it was more often than not handed over to this small team. As long as it were somewhere remotely close to Diso that is.
"If you have a gun, we have one better" -Strelok Inc.
The taller of these two was Sekt Salva, standing just a touch short of six feet. His general build was that of a medium size, though this wasn't so distinguishable under the layers of a brown duster and a set of defender-class armor. The padding that rested on the suits black base was that of a dark crimson, meant to ward off curious and prying hands with intimidation. To add to this factor, many portions of the suit were thick and clearly built to take a beating, hence the class name. Up by the head around the neck was a sort of retractable mechanism, one could deduce that this was for a mask or helmet. On top of all this was a set of slated brown eyes, contrasting the dark, near-black brown hair atop his head. It was of a medium length and straightened style, accompanied only by a soul patch on his chin.
His rather short and quick-to-speak partner was Hudj "Trick" Blekkingameistari, and he was a man who hated his name. Trick's armor was much similar, but different from Sekt's, enough so that you could tell if was by the same manufacturer. It's build was much sleeker, revealing his more slender, albeit scrawnier build. It's color scheme failed to match Sekt's red with a forest green. There was no strategic value implemented here however, Trick simply liked the color green. He was a rather simple man, really. He had hair that matched his personality: short, spiky, and vibrantly red, it was clearly dyed. Accompanying his baby face was a bit of chin scruff to add some artificial age. If there was one thing that the two held any uniform harmony over, it was the TVSUs(*2) latched to their backs, a product being experimented and tinkered with by their corporate peers.
The two shared a quiet moment before the faint sound of the bar tender's voice was heard just outside. They took the moment to sit proper before knob of the room's lone door turned. Through it walked the large frame of a man almost too big for the door, making the floorboards bend with each step. "
Ah, yes. Sekt and, uh..." The beastly man glared down at the shorter of the mercs from behind a pair of aviators, giving a venomous snarl, "
Hudj."
Trick waved, wiggling his fingers gingerly in the large man's direction. He had lost any sense of professionalism when he found out who was relaying this part of the deal, "
Howdy big boy." One could almost hear the behemothic man's log-thick arms stress his suit's capacity as he fought the urge to bludgeon Trick. After another moment of starring down shorty he shut the door behind him, carefully trying to keep his temper. Trick knew he had a hook in the man now and it could be seen with the simple smile he wore, "
Ohhh come on Hugo, don't tell me you're still upset."
Hugo let another few seconds pass as he starred daggers at Trick, entertaining fantasies of how "horribly" this deal could go down. He took another deep breath, "
It has been 5 months, and I am still finding glitter WHERE GLITTER SHOULDN'T BE" His voice erupted, enough to make Trick jump out of his skin. Hugo pulled up a brief case, dropping it carelessly onto the table, "
FIVE. MONTHS." The case was adorn with Strelok's gaudy logo, something that everyone recognized and no one could miss.
Recollected after his little scare, Trick opens his mouth to say something. Whatever it was though would have to go untold as Hugo slams a holographic communicator onto the table. Trick shrunk back in his chair, the sawed-off shotgun Hugo pulled from his harness afterwards was enough to keep him quiet.
After a moment of making sure the loud mouth was done egging, the large man tapped a button on the side of the device. There was a quiet ringing followed by the appearance of a orange hologram of a man with long, slicked back hair in a lavish business suit. The hue of the hologram filled the room with it's color, overpowering any light provided by the lone bulb hanging overhead. A slimy smile crossed the man's face has he looked up from the table, "
Ah, Sekt. I have a very interesting deal for... Oh, you brought your pet." The grimace quickly turned into an expression of disgust as he turned to see Trick. Every word came across like he was a man with the world in his hands. He had perfect enunciation and syntax. His charm made you feel like his best friend, and his condescension could make you feel worth less than dirt.
Without even doing anything, Trick's presence alone managed to interrupt the meeting. Before Sekt could pull Strelok's focus back to the business at hand, Trick was lapping up the opportunity to spin some heads. "
Hah, that's funny 'cause that's what your sister use to want me to call her. Meee-OW!" Sekt slapped his hand as Trick made a pawing gesture, giving him a stern knock-it-off expression. The warning was laughed off however, "
What? It's true, why do you think we split?"
Strelok lost his better than thou posture and began to spout back, losing his eloquent diction. Small holographic spit flew out of the holograms projectional range, "
LISTEN HERE YOU SMALL CRETINOUS FREAK, I-"
Trick decided he was going to dig as far as he could go as he became more gesturally animated, "
You wanna talk about cretinous freak? Boy howdy you should talk to yer sis about that 'cause she's a cretin in bed!"
Each word filled Strelok's body with a sour note, for these were not blind insults. Oh no. Trick indeed had some brief history with the empire-running business owner's sister. That on it's own would have been enough for him put a price on Trick's head if it weren't for a few complications. "
HUGO!"
Hugo grinned as he grasped his shotgun with a second hand, giving it a firm cock. "
Right."
"
Aw man, the way you cocked that there shotty sure remindGLECH...!"
Hugo's fantasy was about to become a reality before Sekt grabbed Trick by the throat and blocked the view of the shot, shaking his friend vigorously. "
I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON'T STOP TRYING TO DESTROY THIS TRANSACTION I'M GOING TO CHOKE YOU OUT MYSELF!!"
Trick cackled breathlessly, "
You know who else is into choking?"
"
I WILL GIVE YOU A HANDSOME REWARD HERE AND NOW IF YOU END THIS LITTLE RAT'S LIFE." Strelok shouted out, clearly trying to regain his stance as he fixed a stray hair.
Sekt stopped shaking for a moment as he looked towards Strelok's holograph as though considering the option, "
How handsome we talking?" Trick responded with a choked and scared noise.
The suit grinned menacingly at the thought of inconsequentially offing Trick, "
I have been looking for a replacement representative on your side of Diso for some time now."
"Eh," he let go, dropping Trick to the floor with a heavy thud. "
Not really a desk man."
Trick reached for his neck, rubbing away the feeling of having someone else wrapping their hands around it. Up on the table Strelok took a breath of disappointment, "
How... Unfortunate. Anyways, I suppose we should get back to the business at hand." He rolled his eyes as he changed the topic, finally collecting himself. "
There has been a small change in plans. Originally I had something that needed transporting from here, but- Well, we had some second thoughts on the transportation of this package. We became concerned with how teleporting it would effect it's atomic structure."
Trick stood up, grabbing the table on his way. It wobbled, momentarily disrupting the hologram as it flittered around to which Hugo gave an annoyed sigh. Things continued however, the projection was quick to correct itself. "
Don't tell me we came all this way for nothing, it costs fuel to get out here, Strelok! Why didn't you contact us and can-"
"
I am getting to that, if you would be so courteous to give me your patience." The context he spoke through was more demanding than that of a request, "
We will be delivering the package to your island in a discrete manner along with the supplies and upgrades you requested?"
Trick piped up, finally showing some genuine interest in what was going on, "
What about K-Bot's stuff?" He leaned uncomfortably close to the hologram.
"
Yes, yes. We have not forgotten about the parts to your little... primitive toy." Strelok gestured his hand out dismissively at the mention of the subject. Trick perks up as though to make a snide comment in return to the condescending response, but seems to let things go without further interruption. "
Then you get the rest of your payment once the package has been delivered to my headquarters. What we have here in this case Hugo brought, is a key. You will need it to access the supply drop and the package itself." Strelok's expression changes to one almost hinting concern as he goes further into explaining the boys' mission, "
Not just that, but you will also need the rest of your team. Should anyone approach without the entire unit AND the key, it's defense measures will activate and, well you know how it goes. Same goes should ANYONE else without your data signatures comes within range."
"
Woah, woah, woah. Hold on." Sekt paces with an expression of disbelief before sitting down in his chair, taking a great focus on Strelok, "
What is this? What's the point of having us come out here for a key when we could have just stayed put?"
Strelok sighed heavily, breaking eye contact as he tries to excuse his own fault, "
Listen, the change in plans happened after you were already half way here. You're still getting paid so I do not understand what the big deal is." His expression changed quickly from one of embarrassment to snappy.
Hugo takes a look at his watch and grumbles as the conversation proceeds. Before Sekt can make a rebbutal, Trick comes back into picture.
"No, wait up, I don't really give a rat's ass about your stupid key shit. What the HELL are you having us move around where you need to go to such lengths to keep it safe??"
Strelok begins to raise his voice with great agitation, "
WHO CARE WHAT IT IS? You are a MERCENARY! You do a favor, I pay." He sighs, "
Listen, I am a busy man. I have things to do. You bring the key to the unit that I am dropping on your island. You take the package, you keep it hidden under a watchful eye. When I give you the okay, you transport it MANUALLY to my headquarters, IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!" Strelok had progressively gotten more and more steamed as he gave the two their details. He took a moment to pause and calm himself, "
If it will make this go quicker and convince you to stay on the plan, I will DOUBLE your payout. As much as it goes against my better judgement."
The room stood silent for a moment, the only sound that could be heard was the humming of the holoprojector's base. With some thought and hesitation, Sekt finally spoke up, "
Fine. Your... Whatever it is, is safe with us. When can we expect the drop?"
Strelok almost looked relieved, "
It should be arriving shortly, close to the factory. I have had a supply ship staying a few miles away from the coast for a day now. All I have to do is contact the ship and give them the okay. Once you have it in your possession I will give you further details. Now please, Don't make me regret this endeavor." Hugo, almost as though he had been waiting for the queue, slid the case across the table. The rough texture and splinters on it's surface were audible as the transaction was finally made. "
Are there any inquiries you have before we conclude this little meeting?"
"
No, we're-" "
YEAH, why the FUCK do you have to plaster your logo all over this shit?" Trick taps hard on the case's surface. "
Real discreet, asshole. I feel like-"
"
GOODBYE." The hologram abrubtly ended with a shout, leaving barely a sound to the room. Sekt looked over to Trick, annoyed with his partner's behavior to which Trick simply shrugged. Without a word, Hugo collected the holoprojector and made his way out of the room, yearning to get as far away as possible from the thorn in side as fast as he can. Behind him he left the door open, letting in the light from the bar upfront. There wasn't much business this time of day. A couple of guys in the corner catching up on their lives and a drunkard were the only other visitors at the time.
Sekt collected the case and made his way out with Trick stalling behind, eyeing the drunkard's table as they approached it. The bar itself was quite as one may guess, but the hustle and bustle of the market's streets beyond the exit could be heard from within. "
Should probably contact BS, huh?" Trick reminded Sekt as he casually snatched up the lone bottle that was sparred from the drunk's liquid feast. Sekt nodded, waiting to get out into the loud streets where none would get a good eavesdrop on them.
As they opened the door it gave a loud creek, and their footsteps transitioned from loud and hollowed bangs upon a wooden floor boarding to the crunch of gravel. Almost in unison, the two men brought up earpieces, adjusting them to fit. The street was crowded, and as mentioned before, loud. It was hard to hear over the merchants and customers bartering for prices, higher and lower. There was the occasional laughter overheard from groups just coming through this area, on their merry way to a better part of town. The buildings held no proper scheme, each felt like they were jammed onto the next building as conveniently as possible.
"
Big Sister, this is Big Brother, can you hear me?" A woman's voice cracks through the headpiece, only audible to Sekt and Trick, "
What's up Big Brutha. How'd the transaction go?" Sekt groaned a moment before being bumped into by a passing girl hauling some large foreign bird.
"
God, these crowds. There's been a bit of a change. Deal's still going as is, but the package is getting dropped by on the island by the old factory. Keep a look out, and do NOT let anyone near it. Strelok's got some damned security system active on it" He sighed, forcing his way through a thicker part of the crowd with Trick beginning to trail on before him. "
He gave us a key to open it, but we need that and all of us present, otherwise the container will go apeshit and blast away anything near it."
The woman's voice came through again, questioningly but unsurprised. "
What? Then why in the name of the Faces did he send you all the way out there?" "
Because-" "
Because 'Loks a jackass, why else?"
"
Thank you for the input Little Brother, Big brother?" "
Some complication with the shipment, he seems REALLY worried about something happening to the atomic structure of the package. Seems a bit sketchy, even for us. But he's offered double pay, soooo." "
Christ, double pay from his swindley ass? When does he ever do that?" "
When he's serious, I guess." "
Right, right." "
He said the drop should be discreet, so again, try and keep a look out. I know no one else is on the island, but it'd be best to play things safe."
Trick looked up to the sky with a look of disappointment. It was a beautiful and sunny day, with barely any clouds in the sky. "
Hey, BS?" "
How many times do I have to ask you not to abbreviate that?" "
Forever times a lot. Anyways anyways, any word on big 'n trapped 'n scary?"
The crowd began to thin out a bit as the two approached a port area of the town, more specifically in an area of lockups. "
Reports confirm what we were expecting, the pirate that snatched up the bounty you were after is having an auction. It'd be safe to say he's part of it. You boy's gonna go through with what you had planned?"
Trick pouted in frustration, "
Well we sure as hell are gonna try, only problem is the weather. There was supposed to be overcast, how am I suppose to pull this without overcast?"
"
We'll figure something out, even if we have to track down the buyer. My only worry is how many people are after this guy? And just how badly do they want him?" Sekt brought up with a touch of worry as he stopped by a large door. "
This is it right?"
Trick stepped up, fiddling around his pocket for a key. "
The hoverform is riiiiighhhht..." The lock released with a rusted hesitation, "
In here."
"
Alright you two, we'll keep a lookout for the drop. You two have fun, try not to get captured or anything stupid, I don't want to send Grim out there to make hostage negotiations."
"
We'll do our best. We'll contact you later once everything said and done, for now we're out." Sekt removed the earpiece, putting away in one of the duster's many inner pockets. "
Alright, ready to get professional?"
Trick laughed, "
As long as you're the one talking, I think I might be able t'manage." He brought up his right hand, TVSU input/output glowing in his palm as a bag of gold digitally materialized itself bit by bit. "
All We Need Is One, a story by the Trickster."
"
Try not and get cocky, huh?" Sekt threw the door open, and with barely a moment taken the two slipped in and shut the door behind them.