A/N: I'M BACK!
Another "short" chapter, but I hope you guys still enjoy it. I really dont have that much to say really, so on to the story!
And for those who did not leave a review, thanks for the free Toilet Paper!
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{ Chapter 34: Black Paint... }
It was an established fact that no matter how majestic or cultured a city appeared to be on the surface, there was always a seedy that existed in the shadows and Sadera was no different. Despite being dubbed the as the most cultured and civilized city in the Empire, Sadera did have it's dark side that most in the upper echelons of the dominant noble houses chose to pretend did not exist.
For those nobles, this dark side was known as the Akusho District and it was not the kind of place that reflected the mythos that surrounded the Imperial Capitol. Akusho was by far thee poorest district within the Imperial city, as it was located in the lowest levels of slums that existed around the city. Unlike most of the Districts, Akusho was settled after the fact by persons who who were too poor to acquire homes in the upper levels of the city. The streets were narrow and had little in the way od proper drainage, while the buildings that made up the majority of of Akusho were a far cry from the marble palaces that dotted the rest of the city.
Being one of the poorest districts in Sadera also made Akusho the perfect breeding ground of crime and criminal organizations to flourish. The Saderan Government had long decided to ignore the deteriorating situation in the district, as little to no funding was ever allocated to maintain the area. Imperial patrols were practically unheard of in Akusho while social services that existed in the other districts did not exist. Add to the fact that the residents of Akusho already lived in extreme poverty and were in desperate state, it was not long before the district became known for something else. As over time, powerful crime families and syndicates emerged from the shadows and more or less took control of the district. Prostitution and extortion soon became main forms of business with Akusho, while kidnappings and rapes were a common practice for the many brothels that existed.
Many of whom were operated by the very same criminal organizations, but the largest was operated by thee most powerful Crime Family in the District. If not the most feared.
The Bessara Family was quite possibly one of the oldest crime families in Akusho and as a result, thee most powerful. If it was illegal, illicit, morally questionable or just plain wrong, the Bessara Family had their hands in it in one form or another. Even among the District's crime Lords, the Bessara Family was seen as the worst of the worst. Despite their less than honorable professions, there were just some lines most of the crime lords were not willing to cross. But the Bessara and their current leadership had no problems breaking these rules, once they could make a decent profit that it. Dealing in child prostitution, kidnapping individuals to force into the sex trade, indiscriminate murders, there was even a rumor that Bessara were kidnapping young girls to sell as sex slaves to certain members of the Imperial Family.
The only thing that prevented the other Crime lords from taking out the Bessara Family, was the fact that they were so powerful and ruthless. It was considered suicide to even think about moving against them. No one dared cross the Bessara Family, unless they knew what was good for them. But that was about to change...
Night had fallen over the Imperial Capitol and once again, the "Playful Elf" was in the process of getting ready to welcome that night's business. The Brothel was just one of many operated by the Bessara, but it was by far thee largest and popular brothels in Akusho and had a reputation of having the best "quality" of workers there. Many of whom were demi-humans and it was rumored that certain members of the noble houses would frequent its facilities. The interior of the Playful Elf was the absolute definition of exorbitant luxury, a stark contrast to the extreme poverty that surrounded the building. But perfect to cater to some of the "Better Paying" customers that were said to visit from time to time.
The girls that made up the establishment's work force were watch/guarded closely by the Bessara Family enforcers. Mainly to ensure that none of the girls escaped or tried to pocket some of the profits for their "work". While most of the multi-level structure was reserved for private rooms and other special services provided by the prostitutes, the last two floors were reserved for the Bessara Family enforces and a one Angus Bi Lorca. A top lieutenant in the Bessara Family organization and the one in charge of running the Playful Elf.
Lorca was business man and it showed in how he ran the Brothel. But he was also just as ruthless as the family he worked for and it was not uncommon for him to have one of his "Employees" just disappear if he found her to be stealing from him. He had no time for excuses and allowed that fact to be known anytime he spoke to the girls under his care.
Tonight found him once again sitting in his personal office and going over the numbers. The last few months had shown a sharp decline in the numbers of high paying clients, but then again that was to be expected since the Empire was currently at way. Either way, there were still enough numbers of horny men coming into the Playful Elf to more than make up for the lost numbers. So engrossed he was with his work, Lorca did not seem to notice the soft thuds that came from outside his door. Nor did he seem to notice the figure take aim from the roof top behind him...
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Half and Hour Later...
Nobody knew just what exactly was going on, as the Playful Elf's "work force" had now gathered in the main lobby. Normally, the girls/demi-humans would not even be allowed to leave their rooms until one of Lorca's men came to unlock their doors and escort them to the Lobby. Where clients would select just who they would want to spent their time with for a few hours. But today instead of one of Lorca's goons, the women were greeted by unknown individuals dressed in robes who lead them from the cellars and up to the lobby.
As the girls walked, they could see more and more of these strange robed men standing as if they were on guard, noticing that not one of Lorca's men could be seen. Well this was most certainly odd. Normally the men under Lorca's thumb would not hesitate to make lewd remarks to them as they were brought up, but these men... they didn't do that. If anything, these strangers had looks of absolute pity for the girls, it was as if they felt sorry for them. Had something happened? Had Lorca replaced his men for new recruits? Had a rival crime family finally made a move and talked over the Bessara's family most valuable asset? Something was not right, but they did not know what.
Eventually, an individual dressed in what was quite possibly the strangest attire they had ever seen and holding a equally as strange black staff, came in front of the assembled sex workers and began to address the group.
"Greetings." the strange man said with a deep, authoritarian voice. "I am certain that you have noticed that none of your former employer's men were present when you were freed from your cells. That is because he and his people are no longer in charge of this establishment. This establishment is now under new ownership."
There were a few gasps from the assembled group, as many of them were in complete shock. They knew very well just how protective the Bessara Family was when it came to their businesses. There was a reason Bessara was feared among the citizens of the district and this group, who ever they were, had now signed their own death warrants by claiming to have taken over the building. With so many questions flooding their minds, a beautiful woman with long blond hair and a pair of wings on her back, stepped forward from the group and took a long drag from her pipe before she said. "And just who has supposedly taken over our home? Bessara and his men will be here once they find out someone has taken one of their business without their consent."
"We are very well aware of that fact, miss." the man replied. "And I can assure you that when he and his people come, we will be waiting for them."
She took another long drag before asking, "And tell me, just who do you think you are challenging thee most powerful Crime Families in Akusho? I would like to know just who are would be liberators are."
"You will find out in due time. But until then, I suggest that you all head up stairs and select your new rooms. There are going to be some changes and the first thing is that you all are being moved from the cellars and into the final two levels of this building." the man explained, "So I suggest that you take what ever belongings you have and carry them to your new rooms."
And with that, the Japanese Commander left the lobby to meet with the rest of the Task Force leaders. Leaving a very confused group of sex workers behind to mull over what had just happened. Out of all the possible locations that the Special Forces teams could have used, the Playful Elf was possibly thee best suited for their operations. The building itself was large enough to house all their teams and equipment, while the fact it was located in Akusho made it very unlikely the Empire would ever think that a enemy base was now located in the Capitol itself. From here, the Coalition Special Forces Teams could conduct numerous recon missions inside Sadera and scout possible targets of interest. As well as locate possible HVTs just in case they needed to be dealt with in the future.
But of course, that one woman from before did bring up a valid point. The SF units that were taking part in Black Paint knew very well that it would only be a matter of time before Bessara and his thugs came to retake their former brothel. Prior to taking the building, the Special Forces Teams learned as much as they could about this would be crime family and knew just how ruthless they were. Many of the locals down right refused to talk about the group or its leader, while the few that did painted a picture of an individual that could have been best described as a monster. A man that feared as much as he was hated who either got what what he wanted or would make sure no one else did. Even the other criminal groups regarded Bessara as dishonorable individual.
Which was really saying something.
As a result, elements of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment were tasked with locating and following Bessera several days. They were to learn everything they could about the Crime Lord and report their findings back to the rest of the task force. It did not take an expert to realize that Bessara could become a major problem for the covert teams in the future and with his possible links to the Imperial court, he could become real problem real fast.
Bessara's arrogance came from the belief he had that his family was thee most powerful crime organization in Akusho and by default, untouchable. But now he would be in for a rude awakening...
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A lone figure ran desperately down one of the many alleyways that criss crossed the district. His normally immaculate attire was now dirty with the filth and grime that existed the streets of Akusho, while his face showed that he was now a man filled with a sense of terror he was not familiar with. His gasps echoed throughout the cobble stoned streets, as the man frantically tried to make his way to what he thought would be his salvation. He could still hear the screams of his men as they were quite literally ripped apart by an unseen force. His best soldiers and enforces, many of them demi-humans, were killed when they tried to retake the Playful Elf. By Hardy, they didn't get close enough to even enter the building!
He too would have probably been apart of that slaughter, but his own cowardice possibly saved his life. As the Crime Lord had in fact been over watching his men from a near by balcony. But upon seeing his men decimated before him, Bessara ran as fast as he could off said balcony, just moments before gunfire blanketed the location. No sooner had he made it to the street, he could see his men laying either dead or dying. Some of them pleaded for him to help them, but the Crime Boss just kicked them away from him before running away as fast as he could.
The Man that was once said to had as many body guards around him as the Emperor himself, was now alone as he ran for his life. Just who or what had killed all his men? How were they able to defeat his private army, which as the largest in Akusho? Just who were they?
There was no moon out that night, making the streets and alley ways all that much more darker and sinister. The streets were completely deserted, as most of the district's inhabitants were inside their homes. But the Crime Lord could hear voices coming up from behind him. Who did they belong to, Bessara did not know nor did he want did he want to find out. His main focus was to reach the safety of his mansion, one of the few well kept homes in Ahusko.
But as the crime lord came around the last corner, he was met with a sight that left him completely speechless. For now standing in front of the main entrance, was not only his wife, but their three sons as well. They were still dressed in their regal attire as the mother of his children cried and begged to be let back into the compound.
"What id the meaning of this?" Bessara demanded, as he made his way towards his family. "Merdia, what's going on?"
"They thew us out!" the red haired woman cried, as she thew herself at her husband. "They killed all the guards and threw us all out!"
"What?" Bessara exclaimed, as he cold feel a sudden sinking feeling in his stomach. "Who threw you out? di-"
"BESSARA!" A new voice called out from the darkness... followed by a chorus of angry yelling. Looking in the direction the voice came from, the Crime Lord was met with sight that filled him and his wife with absolute dread.
For now advancing on their location, were hundreds of men an women who were armed with various home made weapons and torches. The were all yelling angrily and had murderous looks on their faces. These people were in fact, the very same residents of Akusho that for a very long time, lived in fear of the Bessara Family. They had all lost loved ones in some way or form to the Bessara Crime family over they years, but never had the will to move against them. But with news of the massacre near the Playful Elf quickly spreading among the populace, now there was a chance of the People of Akusho to remove one of the biggest threats in the district.
Bessara and his family tried to look for a way to escape, but to their horror both he and his wife realized that all the streets were blocked by the advancing mobs. Bessara's wife began to openly cry has she held on to her children in an attempt to protect them, while Bessara himself just froze in place and watched as the crowd came closer and closer.
The Bessara Family had made many enemies over the years, but were too powerful for anyone to dare challenge them. But now his private army was gone and there was no one there protect him or his family. A glass bottle smashed on the wall behind him, the shards cutting the now doomed crime lord's face on the left side, as the citizens od Ahusho came closer and closer. But just as the crowd was about out reap their revenge on the family, a series of loud "bangs!" filled the cold night air and the crowd came to a stop. This was followed by the sound of gates of the mansion opening up and when the crime lord looked to see who it was, he saw a group of men dressed in the strangest attire he had ever seen with even stranger black staffs in their hands.
A thunderous silence fell upon the the crowd, as the men formed themselves around Bessara's wife and children.
"Now here this!" the leader of the group said with a strange accent. "The Akusho District is not under a new authority! From now on, nothing will happen in this district unless we say it can!" he then looked at Bessara's wife and children. "They are now under our protection and will be allowed to leave Saderea." the Australian SAS Captain stated, as he his men began to lead the woman and her children back into the estate.
"But... but what about me?" Bessara pleaded. As he literally threw himself at the feet of his would be savior and begged. "Do you know who I am? I am very wealthy, I can make it worth your wild!"
The Australian just looked at the man before him with an emotionless expression on his face. The SAS Captain was briefed about Bessara and his dealings and it made his blood boil.
"What about you...?" the Australian replied in an emotionless voice, before retreating with the rest of his men back inside the small estate.
All Bassara could do at this point was look on helplessly, as the angry mob advanced on him.
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A new day had adawned over the Akusho district, but there was something certainly different in the air. It was as if the dark cloud that had hung over Akusho for many years had been lifted and although the district still had its problems, the people began to feel a unfamiliar sense of hope. That things would finally get better.
The many crime families and criminal organizations did not seem to have as much presence as they did once before after that night. It was as if they suddenly decided to put a cap on all their illicit activities for the foreseeable future, while a rumor began to spread that the head on the largest crime family in Akusho was found mutilated near the main entrance into the district.
But while Akusho was not coming to terms with the sudden change in the daily norms, I single message was received by Fort Ginza that same day...
"...Bletchly Park and Alice Springs are now operational... Target Kabukicho has been secured..."
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A/N: Again, not much to really say, so please leave a review or all your the quarantine will last another 6-8 months.
Until Next Time, NIGHTSTALKER OUT!