Chapter 3: Just Business

Bayard stood up and turned around to see the person that commanded such fear. He saw a tall reasonably muscular blonde woman. She had a slight smile on her face which was half covered in large scars, burn marks if he had to guess. "It was you who called my name, but I have never seen you before. Come here, boy." He took slight offense to the boy comment but decided it was harmless. He walked over to her a little nervously, but smiled politely. Even Rock and Revy had stopped their little drinking contest and paid attention, as well as drunk people can. "What can I do for you?" She smiled dangerously.

"Based on the reaction that everyone had to your presence here, I'd first like to ask you not to kill me." She laughed lightly at his remark. She was amused, a good sign probably. He took a deep breath and continued. "My name is Bayard Cowan and I am interested in setting up shop in Ronapur. Mr. Dutch has sworn by your credentials." Balalaika had to laugh inwardly at his attempt to be subtle and business like. He reached out his hand tentatively and she shook it.

"You are delightful. I am sure we can work out some arrangement. Come with me." She turned toward the door and motioned for him to follow. Should he go with a dangerous woman he just met? Ah, why not? He exited the bar behind her.

"Weren't you going to have a drink?" He asked

"Business comes first, my boy. Besides, I have better booze at home. I just like to stop by at local places so people don't forget who is in charge. It is good to see they still know me." The Russian woman led Bayard to a sleek black town car. A tall rather intimidating Russian man stood by the door. He had an emotionless look on his face which had a long scar across it. "Boris, take us back to the office."

"That was rather quick Kapitan." He replied curtly

"We found a potential business opportunity." She pointed to the young man. Boris gave a polite nod and opened the door for both of them. He took a seat in the backseat beside the mob boss. He took a deep breath. Why did he think this would end with the phrase "and he was never seen again?"

"And he was never seen again." Dutch smirked as he watched the boy leave. Despite his joke, they would definitely see that boy again. The pirate captain had to wonder what kind of shop the young man was planning on opening up. He shrugged and went back to his booze. Time would tell.

"Dutch, you might want to watch your crew a little better." Benny said pointing over to Rock and Revy. Dutch cast his glance toward where the tech was pointing. The gunman and negotiator were asleep on the bar counter, their faces rather close together.

"God damn it. It looks like we're done here Benny-boy." Dutch placed a roll of cash on the counter and lifted Revy onto his shoulders. Benny sighed and looped Rock's arm around his shoulder and helped walk him to the car. They dumped the two on top of each other in the back seat. They started their journey home.

"You know Dutch, this happens every time. We always end up carrying these two. We should stop letting them do this. It's really a pain in the ass." Dutch just laughed at Benny's suggestion.

"You want to stop them, be my guest and try it. I'll buy you a first aid kit and some new knee caps when Revy blasts you. Of course it will come out of your pay." He gave his trademark creepy mischievous smile.

"You are a real asshole Dutch. You know that right?"

"Yeah." They carried their two crewmates into the Lagoon Company building and threw them casually on top of the couch. Benny noticed their intimate position on the couch and wondered if they should do something. "Do you really feel like carrying those two morons any farther?"

"Point taken. Goodnight captain." Dutch and Benny went their separate ways to go to sleep. There would be hell the next morning.

"So, what kind of business are you in, Mr. Cowan?" Balalaika asked. Bayard looked around the luxurious office nervously. It was full of guards who were all armed with AK-47's. They were good reliable assault rifles. Parts were easy enough to find and they were durable. This reminded him exactly what business he was in.

"Miss Balalaika, I am a simple gunsmith. I love guns and have become quite skilled at making them, if I do say so myself. Those anti-gun laws are a real nuisance on me. America's right to bear arms is being restricted except in southern states. In Japan, you can forget about guns. They are black market. I tried the Polish black market, but for reasons of my own I had to leave."

"So, you looked for a city where the air was a little more liberal." She finished for him. "So, you want to open up a gun shop. We don't have many quality gun shops and have to get our quality items imported and bought at the Church of Violence. If you are as good as you say, we can definitely us you. You have money to buy the building I assume." She smiled dangerously again.

"Yes, it is all on me for certain reasons." He replied

"Very well, we will secure a building for you but, you will have to earn the trust of Hotel Moscow first. I need to know that you are as good as you say."

"Try this." He drew his pistol from the holster on his belt. The gangsters cocked their assault rifles and pointed them at him. "Whoa, guys I just want to show it to her. Take a look at this pistol." Balalaika reached across the desk and grabbed it from him. She examined it curiously before looking up at him.

"What is it?"

"This is a junked old Sig Sauer P226 that I restored. It seems like just another semi-automatic pistol, but if you flip that little switch on its side it becomes fully automatic. The magazine size is 15." He explained

"I would have never known this was a Sig Sauer. It's like you completely redesigned it. It is very well put together. But what is this little symbol on the handle." She pointed to a little three leaf clover etched into the handle.

"That is my lucky club, like the card suit. You know it's one of mine by that symbol. It's been a lucky symbol for me since I was a kid. I know it's stupid, but it has become my trade mark." He smirked. "I am also quite good at using guns. If you need someone taken care of, I can do that as well."

"We shall prepare a building for you immediately. And we shall call on you for your special talents eventually. One more thing Mr. Cowan, what do you want the shop to be called?" She asked extending her hand.

"Lady Luck." He replied

AUTHOR NOTE: The title finally makes sense.

Things will heat up in Ronapur.

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