Chapter 18: Casino Royale

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Galen, Uniko, Zhal, Bishop, and Tommy walked with Egad to cash in his chips, while the GCOC Hazard Team and undercover personnel began to swarm and comb the casino floors for Cailus. When they got to the cashier, Gareth and the rest of the coven walked up.

Bishop noticed that Gareth’s clothes were a little tussled, as well as his hair. Several others were in the same state.

“Encountered any baddies?” He whispered.

“Unfortunately,” Gareth said. “I’ll explain later,”

A short while later, Mick and Xen walked up with Zarch and the rest of the Coven.

“Unscathed, but victorious I assume?” Mick asked as he walked up to one of the cashier lines.

“Pretty much,” Tommy answered. He then saw Mick turn in some papers, causing Tommy to raise an eyebrow.

“Mick, were you gambling?” Tommy questioned.

“I entered a bet on a hoverboard race right before I went to watch out for you on the cameras,” Mick explained, the cashier giving him a check. “I didn’t see the harm in it, seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Egad chuckled. “Seems like you won the pot in that bet. How much?”

“The prize was 2.5 million credits. More than enough for a new house after what happened on Tarion III.” Mick smiled.

After the business with the cashiers was taken care of, Johnathan walked up to them.

“According to my superiors, Cailus has this whole place crawling with mercenaries.” Johnathan cautioned. “I suggest all of you vacate the premises at once.”

“Not a bad idea,” Egad said. “It’s time to go home,”

The group quickly made their way to the casino parking lot, escorted by Johnathan. The bus was loaded up, and Mick secured Egad in the Audi with Galen, Uniko, and Zhal.

Mick entered the ignition code and started up the car. He drove the Audio out with the Coven’s bus right behind him. They got out before any of the goons noticed that they were gone.

“So, you’re planning on getting a new house with that money?” Egad asked.

“Yeah,” Mick answered. “You’ve been kind letting me, my father, and Xen stay with you, but I have been saving up to try and get a new place. With the money I just won, I’ll be able to buy a piece of land on Vhaldaria, hopefully not too far from your place so that we can visit,”

“I see,” Egad said with a smile. “Good job thinking ahead. We’ll have to have a housewarming party for you,”

A short while later, Johnathan called.

“I have some bad news, Mr. Foxmoore. Your brother has disappeared. We can’t find him anywhere,”

“I understand,” Egad said. “We’ll be ready for him next time,”

# # # #

Daniels Manor

Fifteen Kilometers from Mel’Andrea

Four Months Later…

Mick walked through the manor’s grounds with Xen, the early morning dew still present on the leaves of the trees. The new manor house that Mick had built on this homestead was extravagant. The house had ten bedrooms and baths, a private library, vehicle garage, and a cutting-edge kitchen, as well as a music/entertainment room, and an indoor pool house and a ballroom connected to a main hall. On the basement level was a computer center, as well as a security system for the manor. On one part of the grounds, Mick had an athletics course built so he and Xen could stay in shape. The house and land was worth every penny, and Mick made sure that his transporter contracts, as well as Xen’s were enough to pay for any maintenance issues. Egad and the Coven were visiting, socializing with everyone at the housewarming party. Galen, Uniko, and Zhal were even taking a crack at the assault course, seeing who could set the best time.

“We sure lucked out, didn’t we amigo?” Xen asked.

“You can say that again,” Mick said. “It was nice of uncle to let us stay with him, but I didn’t want to overstay our welcome.”

“True,” Xen said. “On the bright side, you picked a good spot that wasn’t too far away,”

After a while of wandering the grounds, Mick and Xen went back inside, and up to the library. Symon was sitting with Egad and Anthony at one of the tables near the window, sipping on some tea, admiring the view.

“It’s a lovely house,” Anthony complimented. “You did well for yourself, cousin,”

“Agreed,” Egad said with a wink.

“Thanks,” Mick said. “That’s kind of you to say,”

Everyone in the room looked out to the grounds. Egad took a sip of tea. “I guess we still need to find out where my brother is hiding, and figure out his next move, eh?”

“Agreed,” Mick said. “For now, I’m just happy to be part of the family,”

THE END

BOOK STARTED: 09-17-2021

BOOK COMPLETED: 08-28-2023