The trap is baited, and all that's left is wait for the mice to take the cheese. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, or Overlord.

Spirit Tracks Chapter 27: Workers of Baharuth

"So far no one's singled us out," Hekkeran noted. He and his team had returned to Baharuth, the rest of the Joestar team sequestered in Re-Estize to await the results of Momonga's plan. Foresight had been the only worker team to join the expedition to Down at the Station, and whether by chance or providence Hekkeran was singled out to see if he was compatible with Ticket to Ride. 'Well,' Hekkeran thought, 'Maybe it was a bit of both, since it turns out all three of my friends have Stand potential, which enabled us to be in control of all four sections of the legendary train.'

"You sure we can't tell anyone about our new Stands?," Roberdyck asked. "After Momonga's plans are finished we can tell whoever we want," Hekkeran clarified, "But for now no one can know that we gained Stands, much less in such an unorthodox manner." The group sat at a table at a nearby tavern. "So, this job involves the newly discovered tomb," Arche clarified. Hekkeran nodded. "Of course, what the other workers don't know is that we have free invites from the master of the tomb himself. For the others, they might as well be trespassing. And if there's anything I know about tombs where the masters are still among the living, the guardians of said tombs are never friendly to trespassers."

"Most of them will likely suffer in ways I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy," Imina admitted, "Well... Except maybe one man." The others nodded, knowing there was one worker who would never pass up the chance to show off for a seemingly easy payout. Granted there were plenty that would risk such a venture, but most workers they knew of would be suspicious of the job offer. Of course, once they learned what happened to the workers that did accept, they would likely see the adventurer's guild as an acceptable alternative.

"Of course, we'll also have to sign up to keep up appearances," Roberdyck noted, "Which some might raise their eyebrows at considering my history." Arche smirked. "I thought Starlight explained the reason why the guild has to charge for healing spells." "Yeah, but no one else knows she did," Roberdyck clarified. Arche shrugged. "I'm just glad I can finally get my sisters away from my parents before they get sold off to pay debts. The amount of treasure we're being offered in compensation will give the three of us a new life in Re-Estize."

"While your idiot parents continue to rack up debt until one of them sells the other off," Imina said with a smirk. "All talk aside," Hekkeran said, "This will be Foresight's last job as a worker group. After this, we'll be changing our status." "And fully committing ourselves to the Joestar group and their quest," Roberdyck noted, "We have two more magic wells to unseal, and only know the location of one them, deep inside the Mountain Temple." "The job starts tomorrow evening," Hekkeran said, "We should get some good rest in while we can."

The next day, the gang helped a local who wanted to begin an ice mining venture in the mountains now that the snows had passed. The venture proved promising, and the resulting gratitude from the man expanded the Spirit Tracks further. "Okay," Hekkeran said as he pulled in close to evening, 'The other worker teams should be arriving at Count Femel's estate." "He's one of those nobles that survived the purge," Imina noted, "Largely due to his extensive wealth." "And apparently," Hekkeran said, "The reason he was able to maintain that wealth is due to a Stand power."

Sure enough, Femel spoke to a cloaked agent. "Yes," Femel said, "Be sure to inform Barbro and Boullope. To the best of my knowledge the emperor is sticking to his promise to forgo the war this year. Once I have the treasures from the tomb, and after using some of it to pay off the four worker teams that agreed to the job, the rest will go toward our efforts to unite the realm under out banner. With my Stand, Simple Plan, I'll be able to direct our faction in the right way to make use of such resources."

"Exercise caution," the agent advised, "Your Stand is not all-seeing. It only works based on your perception." "I'm all too aware of my Stand's limits," Femel assured the agent, "But this is why I rely on information networks. Spies like yourself. Other agents have thus far detected no movement within the tomb. I'm confidant that Simple Plan's solution for extraction the riches of the tomb will succeed." "I was speaking more to your standing with Emperor Jircniv," the agent clarified. Femel gave a hearty laugh. "I've no doubt he suspects me complicit to the faction involved with removing the Spirit Tracks. But with the wealth from the tomb, I can easily disappear."

"You think the emperor suspects you?," the agent asked. "In spite of his youth, Jircniv is far from naive," Femel explained, "The fact that he chose me to investigate this tomb... Me, who relies on his wealth instead of skill to stay in power... This shows he at least suspects me of deception. Fortunately, I am no fool myself. A quick check of the tomb followed by sending the strongest worker teams to retrieve the tomb's wealth. And if something should go wrong, it can be blamed on the workers being overconfident. You made sure to arrange all expenses, correct?"

The agent nodded. "As you instructed. Each worker is to be paid two-hundred gold up front, with the promise of one hundred and fifty more upon completion. Arrangements for the sleipnir have been made, and we've contacted several adventurers who have been hired to protect the workers' belongings while they are exploring the tomb." "Who answered the guild request?," Femel asked. "Several Gold rank adventurers," the agent replied, "Though, there is one Adamantite level team that accepted the request. A famous one from Re-Estize."

Femel grinned. "Interesting. Which one?" "The team known as Nine's Own Goal," the agent replied, "Consisting of Momon the Black Knight, Peron the Falcon Archer, Nishi the Ninja, and the spellcaster Nabe. Three of them are known Stand users." "Curious why there are only four members considering the name," Femel noted, "But if they are Adamantite level, then who am I to question their choice of name? I'll have my butler address the workers about the job. Inform Barbro the exploration is due to begin. If everything goes as planned, we should have plenty of gold by morning."

Momonga observed as Hekkeran met with the other worker team leaders. There was Gringham of Heavy Masher, a short and stout middle-aged man who was fully armored and carried a large axe. Erya Uzruth of Tenmu, a so-called Heavenly Warrior believed to be in the same league as Gazef or Brain. Narberal seemed to glare at the way Erya eyed Imina, and Peroroncino clenched his fist at the disheveled sight of Erya's elven slaves. "What's the problem?," Nishikienrai asked, "You know slavery is more acceptable here in Baharuth."

"It's not the slavery itself," Peroroncino clarified, "Those poor girls look like they've been abused in all manner of ways. He's even gone so far as to cut their ears short." "I hear he's despised by every slave trader he's bought from," Momonga noted, "After all, elves with combat skills are expensive, yet he treats them as disposable, throwing them away when he gets bored of them." He turned and nodded toward Imina. "See how much they desire to kill him? He's not well-liked. If you ask me, he's unworthy to be compared to Gazef Stronoff. They're not even in the same league."

"The last of the leaders is Parpatra Ogrion," Narberal noted, "Despite his age, his skills are still Mythril level. He's even earned the title of Dragon Hunter." The group was soon called over by Count Femel's butler. "Greetings," Momonga said, "Rest assured all your belongings will be safe in our hands. But I have one question before we begin. Why did you take this job? I ask only because, from the perspective of an adventurer, taking on such a job as exploring these ruins would be out of a sense of moral obligation. But what of you workers?"

"I'd say that should be obvious," Gringham replied, "It's all for the money, of course." Momonga caught Hekkeran's eye, and the two gave a silent nod that indicated the deal would still be upheld. 'Each of them might have their own reasons for needing the money,' Momonga thought to himself, 'But only in the case of Foresight would I call those reasons sympathetic.' "I see," Momonga said aloud, "Forgive my rudeness. Obviously such a question was rhetorical..."

It looks like things are getting interesting. Also, we have a new Stand to introduce.

Simple Plan (Canadian Rock Band)
User: Count Femel
Ability: The name of this Stand is quite apt, as it allows Femel to know the best plan for any venture. And invariably, said plan will be simple in execution, yet offer maximum results. However, this does not mean Femel cannot be outsmarted, as his Stand is reliant on his current perception. If there are variables in place that Femel is unaware of, it is possible for them to interfere with or even halt his plans.
Power: E
Speed: E
Range: E
Durability: A
Precision: B
Potential: A

Yep, this is how Barbro's been able to make his plans. Someone's been giving him tips. Read and review.