Chapter 45

Aggressive Negotiations

Mick, dressed in a skimpy variant of a business suit to blend in with his uncle's entourage, watched from his Audi as Egad and company walked down the carpet between the media barricades, cameras flashing and recording with news reporters relaying the scene to their respective galactic television stations. After looking over a saber-tooth tiger in a fine suit with a Doberman bodyguard at his side with a suspicious look, he then turned back to Tommy and the Diablo, watching the dragon get back into the driver's seat of the car.

"Remember, Dragonfly: Lock the doors once you are back in the car." Mick whispered through his concealed earpiece that was wired to a radio in his jacket using the code-name for Tommy. Tommy had a radio as well, the wire running underneath the high-hemline jacket of his butler suit to the radio itself, stored in a pocket within his midriff shirt.

"Roger that, Spy-Hunter." Tommy whispered, using Mick's code-name. Mick then heard the power door locks of the Diablo engage through Tommy's feed. "Door locks engaged."

"Good. Now follow me out of here and to the designated area that Chess King pointed out." Mick instructed, using the code-name for Egad as he pulled the Audi out and drove onto the street. The code-names were an idea that Mick recommended after Xen gave everyone radios. After all, with everything else that transpired, Mick didn't want to take chances of anyone being positively identified, which would bring them even more risk. Tommy went by Dragonfly, Egad was Chess King, Bishop was King's-Side Bishop, Galen was King's-Side Knight, Gareth was King's-Side Rook, and Mick chose the code-name Spy-Hunter.

Tommy followed suit with the Diablo as instructed, sticking behind Mick at a short yet safe distance like glue. Both cars drove around the building and into the designated parking garage for the valet drivers. Mick and Tommy, however, would not be going into the building with the other drivers, as that was not part of the plan if things went awry. Both Tommy and Mick would be waiting as escape drivers in case something were to happen.

Mick and Tommy parked their cars in the designated spots provided, lowering the windows slightly to circulate air as well as engaging an independent secondary ventilation system that had been installed into the cars, shutting off their engines to save fuel.

"Okay, good." Mick said, popping open the arm rest in the center console and getting out a small, refrigerated cooler filled with drinks. "Now, we wait. Settle in Dragonfly. Since Chess King told us this meeting lasts for three hours, we might as well get somewhat comfortable. Remember to stay vigilant, though."

"Yep. Understood, Spy-Hunter." Tommy confirmed, getting out his own cooler from the Diablo's arm rest and retrieving a thermos filled with chilled juice among the other drinks inside. "...To be honest, I was getting a bad vibe from a few people I noticed in the crowd."

"You mean the Saber-tooth Tiger and the Doberman hovering over his shoulder?" Mick questioned, plucking a can of flavored seltzer water from his cooler.

"...Yes." Tommy answered. "How did you know?"

"Because I was getting the same feeling when I saw them, Dragonfly. Turn on your third eye, and let's do some digging." Mick referred to the transporter computers in the cars, which Xen had made an addition to: They now had holographic keyboards as well as two extra holographic displays that popped out with the press of an extra button on the dash. With this, they could look up quick info and queries using the data feed, and even get help from their operators.

"Roger, Spy-Hunter." Tommy pressed the buttons that activated the computer and deployed the screens and keyboard in the Diablo, Mick doing the same in the Audi.

"To be honest, those two stood out like sore thumbs, Spy-Hunter." Jet said through the feed. He and Xen were sitting in an unmarked utility van that Xen had provided, refitted with armored panels and glass in a nearby public parking lot a few blocks away, Chaos at the wheel with Hatred at his side. The van, aside from carrying a collection of light and heavy projectile armaments, housed several computers inside connecting to not only the transporter computer feeds, but also able to feed info to the transporter computers via a connection to the galactic internet with a secure line, complete with military-grade vpn encryption that was fed through a network of planet-wide proxy servers to fully mask their location. "From the feeds we saw from your hidden cameras, they basically screamed trouble."

"That's what I'm afraid of, Neo." Mick said, using Jet's code-name. "You saw them too, right Tank?"

"Affirmative, Spy-Hunter." Xen answered. "They basically scream 'conspirators of Nostra Executive,' at least to me..." He finished, using the code-name for Cailus.

"You're not alone there, Tank." Jet said, typing commands into his keyboard. "Alright, let's see if we can find anything. Downloading video feed, taking best snapshot of suspicious individuals... Done! The rest is in your hands, Tank."

"Got it. Initiating reverse image search now..." Xen said, typing sounds coming from his end as well.

After a few seconds, they got the identities of the dastardly duo. "Spy-Hunter, Dragonfly, I got a hit on their bios: Those two are in Cailus' employ as Proxy Representatives for one of his weapon companies, Taigos Incorporated. The Saber-tooth is Bruce Norman, the proxy rep, and the Doberman is named Eric Cardigan, his personal bodyguard. Also, you are not going to like their backgrounds..."

"Tank, this is no time for worrying about us liking the facts or not." Mick said flatly.

"As new to this as I am, I have to agree with Spy-Hunter." Tommy said. "We need to know as much as we can about them, whether or not we 'like' the facts..."

"Good point, Dragonfly." Xen said. "Just brace yourselves, I'm sending you the data now."

Their profiles popped up, side-to-side on one of the holo displays. Mick quickly skimmed over the info. "...Holy crap! Eric was in the GCOG Military Corps, though he only served for three years, and ended up being dishonorably discharged after an altercation where he shot a subordinate in the leg... Just for having the top of his uniform on inside-out! Holy hell!"

"Bruce's background isn't clean, either." Tommy added. "He's been charged on multiple different occasions for varying financial crimes: Forgery, Impersonation, Phony Wire Transfers, Chronic Financial Hacking... He even used a Robin Hood exploit to rob a series of ten ATMs in one night!"

"That does not sound like good news at all." Mick said. "Good thing you and Neo put those custom firewalls on the Third Eyes, Tank, as well as your own equipment. I have a hunch that Bruce either has a team of hackers or even pre-programmed bots observing this whole thing, just waiting to strike if someone makes a move. Let's stay vigilant, guys. I have a bad feeling about this..."

# # # #

Two Hours Later, Inside the Halo Building...

Merchant Unity Restaurant - Fifteenth Floor

Galen, Gareth, and Bishop walked with Master Egad through the restaurant to their reserved table after the meeting with the other companies was finished, Master Egad being requested to join the other company owners and their escorts in the final hour with a nice meal. The meeting had consisted of all ten company owners, including Master Egad. The discussions and negotiations were filled with slight financial suspense but ended uneventful and with no incident.

That didn't mean Galen, Gareth, and Bishop let their guard down. They stayed vigilant and aware during and after the meeting, occasionally taking glances at the other bodyguards that protected their respective principals. None of them looked hostile, nor too intimidating, nor did any of them appear able to take them on in a straight up fight. From what they were hearing on their concealed radio wires, the only ones they had to worry about were Bruce and Eric.

Despite hearing the conversations on the radio feeds, Galen, Gareth and Bishop kept silent, keeping their focus on the task at hand.

Bishop helped seat Master Egad at the table, pushing the chair in for him as he sat down. Then he, Galen, and Gareth sat down with him at the table, showing great mannerisms and professionalism.

The waiter walked up to their table, giving a courteous bow, handing them menus. "Is there anything you or your entourage would like to drink?"

Egad thought for a moment. "...I will take a glass of red wine, please. Bishop, Galen, Gareth, is there anything you would like?"

"...I will have a glass of fruit juice, please." Bishop said.

"...I will have fruit juice as well, please and thank you." Gareth said.

"...I will have some orange juice, please." Galen said.

The waiter nodded, smiling warmly. "Very well. I will be back with your beverages. Take your time, I will be back shortly to take your orders."

"Thank you very much, my good man." Egad said warmly. The waiter then walked off to attend to the other tables. Galen looked over at Egad, a warm grin on his face. He was happy, and honored to accompany him here, and guard him from any threats, as was Gareth and Bishop.

Egad, noticing Galen's warm expression, returned it. "It's good to have all of you here." He said quietly. "I also must say, all of you have taken to these roles like fish to water. I'm very impressed."

Galen blushed a little at the comment. "...Well, I was a guard captain before. I guess this isn't much different from that." He said quietly. "Though I'm sure this isn't anything new for Bishop, since he used to... You know. No offense, Bishop."

"It's alright, Galen. None taken." Bishop reassured.

They then opened their menus, looking through the choices. After quietly running it past Egad and getting his approval, they decided on their meals: Galen ordered a prime rib dish with a side garden salad. Bishop ordered a grilled salmon meal with potatoes and steamed vegetables, and Gareth ordered a meal of grilled chicken with seasoned couscous with vegetables, and Egad ordered a pot roast meal with potatoes and mixed vegetables.

When he came back around, the waiter took all their orders down on a notepad, gave a quick bow, and walked off to deliver the order to the kitchen.

# # # #

Eric and Bruce slipped away from the main group, Bruce sending someone a text on his smartphone. A short while later, a WarGreymon in a business suit stepped out from a nearby hallway, meeting up with them.

"Greetings, Damion Willbringer." Bruce said. "We have run across a... Complication."

"I saw that." Damion said flatly, his eyes narrow with furrowed eyelids. "I saw my disowned son, Gareth as part of one of the entourages..."

"It goes far beyond that, I'm afraid." Eric said. "We need to call Cailus and inform him of this new situation, now!"

Damion had his phone out in a flash, calling Cailus on video conference mode. A few seconds later, Cailus answered. "Yes?" His voice rang with irritation.

"We have an unusual development, Mr. Foxmoore." Eric said. "Your assumption of Ryan being present for the meeting was correct. However, it goes beyond that: Your former bodyguard, Bishop Jaren is here as well, accompanied by Gareth and Tommy as part of Ryan's entourage, as well as lion boy."

The three watched as Cailus bared his teeth, a glass of wine shaking in his hand. A few seconds later, the glass shattered as Cailus crushed it with his bare hand!

"Any new orders, sir?" Eric asked.

Cailus started breathing heavily, rage showing in all his features. "...You know what? I've had it, playing this game of tit-for-tat with my brother to get his power and influence! It's time the gloves came off... Kill him! Kill him right there, right now, and kill his devoted himbos as well! I don't care if you have to make a scene, I don't even care if it is videotaped or caught by the media! Just get rid of him, and get it done!"

"Very well, sir." Eric said. "It shall be done." He hung up the phone, turning to Damion. "I believe this is something you may look forward to, Damion."

"That definition is close, but not entirely accurate." Damion said, the group walking off towards a janitor closet that held a hidden weapons cache for them. "As much as I will enjoy knocking off Ryan, I can't say the same for Gareth. Just seeing him present has made my blood boil, and the fact that he is part of Ryan's entourage has only amplified it." Damion took his weapon from the cache, an automatic blaster rifle. He loaded an energy cartridge, then cocked and primed the weapon. "My bastard son has now completely dishonored and stained the Willbringer name, and I will not stand for it..."

# # # #

Egad, Bishop, Galen, and Gareth proceeded to eat their meal once it was served fifteen minutes ago. They all dined using great manners and class. Not eating too fast, and taking care to be courteous and polite, as well as sticking to the basics, such as not slurping when drinking their beverages and keeping elbows off the table.

Galen swallowed a bite of his prime rib, wiping his mouth carefully with a napkin. "...I must say, sir. This food is very good. The only ones I remember cooking this well are Uniko and Zarch."

Egad smiled. "I agree, though I'm not really surprised. The chefs here are known across the galaxy for their skill. Their food has been rated five stars, in the ranks of first-class cooks. It is also a little expensive to the average citizen: All of these dinners on the table combined would cost 1000 credits at the least."

Bishop's eyes widened slightly. "That's quite a price tag..."

"Indeed, but there is no need to worry." Egad reassured. "This meal, as well as the entire event was paid for via a joint fund provided by all the company owners, and it hardly made a dent in the fund. For now, let's just enjoy ourselves."

Everyone nodded and continued to eat. They were halfway finished with their meal after another fifteen minutes, until Bruce and Eric walked up, followed by a WarGreymon behind them. Gareth quickly recognized the WarGreymon as his father, Damion Willbringer. Gareth felt his anger start to rise, but he kept in control. After all, if anything was to happen, he wanted Damion to make the first move.

"Ah, Bruce. Greetings." Egad greeted. "I was wondering where you disappeared to, ol' sport. You are enjoying the evening, I hope?"

"Indeed." Bruce said with a glare. "However, I am not here to dine with you or the other company owners, nor am I here to make pleasantries. Ryan, I bring you a message from your brother..."

Without warning, Eric gripped the edges of their table, and with a swift motion, flipped it over to the side as it flew through the air several yards before crashing loudly into the floor! Damion then drew an automatic blaster rifle from underneath his business coat, Eric following suit with a blaster uzi and Bruce with a high-caliber 12mm handheld railgun! Damion and Eric fired a few shots into the air, the blasters letting off loud, sharp and rapid pops as they fired!

Everyone was startled by this sudden racket, screams and yells coming from all around! After hearing the weapons, the other company owners quickly took cover, in total panic as their bodyguards jumped into action! Some covered their principals with portable body shields, some doing even more than that and going the extra mile with camera and combat drones! All of them, however, assumed fighting stances, ready to draw hold-out weapons from their coats to defend their principals if needed.

"SHUT UP! ALL OF YOU!" Damion yelled loudly, quieting the screams with his aggressive command.

"The message for you is very simple, so I will speak it word for word:" Bruce said, priming the railgun for a shot. "Shut up and die."

Despite the threatening display and deadly weapons, Egad didn't show the slightest bit of fear, nor did the rest of his group. In fact, all of them expressed extreme irritation on their faces.

Galen was the first to speak, his tone clearly showing his disapproval. "That was a 1000 credit, five-star first class meal..."

"Indeed, Galen. Indeed." Egad said, his vocal octaves a mirror of Galen's. "If you wish, I will let you do the talking here."

"Permission to be abrasively crass and absurdly crude, sir?" Galen asked.

Egad couldn't help but display an amused grin of anticipation. "By all means."

Galen nodded, letting out a sigh as he relaxed his posture, one leg crossed over the other as he sat in his chair. His face morphed from clear irritability to mocking happiness.

"So, how can we help you?" Galen asked, his tone a complete parallel of his expression.

Eric just let out a sarcastic scoff, resting his uzi on his shoulder. "Honestly... Have you no shame, lion boy? From the intel I have on you, I am surprised to see you serving at Ryan's heel, Galen Dhaelos. Especially from what I've read of your reputation."

"Oh, really? Go on, do tell..." Galen replied, not swayed in the slightest, his mood unchanged.

Eric started again. "The Captain of the Guard of the fair city of Mel'Andrea, One of the mighty Three Towers, The city's pillar of strength, the enforcer of justice, protector of all peoples, able to crush solid stone with your bare hands-"

"Oh, you dirty bitch, work the shaft!" Galen exclaimed after letting out an erotic growl, cutting him off. The crowd let out soft gasps at the words.

The entire room went quiet, even Eric was stunned before responding after a pause. "...Excuse you?"

"Oh, apologies." Galen said. "Regardless of it being metaphorical or not, I tend to get a little over-eager, excited, and talk dirty when someone is sucking my dick!" Galen made emphasis on the final three words. The crowd, including the company owners, started snickering at this, struggling to hold back laughter.

Eric rolled his eyes. "I guess we had better cut to the point, as we are your executioners: I am Eric Cardigan, this is Bruce Norman and Damion Willbringer-"

"And I'm Carmen Sandiego! These are my good friends, Wally and Waldo, with the Mysterious Stranger! Guess where we are?" Galen cut off Eric again, taking the mocking taunts to a new level. The crowd struggled to hold back their laughter, some failing to do so.

Eric furrowed his brow. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you, here!" He snapped.

"Oh, so am I, and I'm failing miserably, and I'm sorry for that." Galen continued, completely nonchalant. "It's just that I'm so agitated. Because this punk-ass saber tooth tiger, along with his doberman boyfriend and WarGreymon lackey just strolled up to our table, flipped said table over ruining our 1000-credit, five-star first class meal, drew guns out from their jackets and fired them into the air inciting a panic, and is trying to impress me like the Sons of Sparda kissing up to their alcoholic father!"

Bruce finally snapped, completely triggered. He quickly trained his gun on Egad, but Galen grabbed his wrist and roughly forced Bruce to aim for him! Eric and Damion quickly trained their guns on Galen in response, causing Bishop and Gareth to draw two 14mm plasma hand cannons from their coats, training their aim on Bruce and Damion, the entire sequence occurring in a few fractions of seconds!

The scene stood still and silent for a few seconds, frozen in time. Bruce looked on at Galen, one of his eyes twitching in rage as he scowled at the lion while Egad and company retained their composure: Staying cool, calm, collected, and in Galen's case, a little cocky.

Galen continued to look back at Bruce, the lion's face still set in his confident, nonchalant smile. "Boys, be a couple of sports and grab another round of beers for daddy and his friends, would you?"

Bruce finally went completely over the edge after that sentence. He let out a loud, audible snarl of rage, pulling the trigger on his gun! Galen's head was knocked back by the shot, but the bullet didn't connect with his skull! Instead, it bounced off an energy barrier surrounding his head, the shield giving off a slight shine of light as it deflected the shot!

Galen straightened out his posture, recovering from the failed kill shot. He popped his neck a few times, looking at Bruce with a cocky, toothy smile.

"Poor choice, Bruce. Poor choice." Bishop said, he and Gareth pulling back the pins that primed their hand cannons.

Then, with a swift motion of their index fingers, they pulled the triggers!