Halo, it's time for the newest chapter. Enjoy the reading.
"Why did this happen?", it was the only question Mandy kept asking over and over in her mind. "Why did she have to die?", no matter how hard she racked her brain, she just couldn't find any answers. "She didn't harm anyone, yet she was taken from me.", the pain tore her apart from the inside.
She was barely 6 years old when her mother died. They lived in a small house in Mantle, the faunus slum where cheap labor faunus were herded to live. Although Atlas was at the forefront of technology and economics, this was achieved in large part by using faunus as cheap labor.
Mandy's parents and herself were born into this corrupt system. She remembered the day the Atlas police shot her father when he tried to beat up some arrogant, big-mouthed scumbags who were sexually assaulting her mother and they immediately called the police, who, upon arriving at the scene immediately thought, "This beast must be exterminated!" and shot him without a word or warning. All they got after that was an apology and a written statement of involvement from the head of the Schnee company, Jacque Schnee, for whom they worked.
After that, her mother had to work much harder to raise her but suddenly she got sick and there was no doctor in Atlas who would treat a faunus just like that. The only thing she could do was take an illegal loan from some gangsters to pay a doctor.
Unfortunately, it's easy to run into swindlers who would wring their last bit of wealth from anyone. Mandy's mother, even with money, had a hard time finding a suitable doctor to treat her but unfortunately, fate brought her together with a crook who sold her some medicine that was supposed to make her better, but it didn't help. Her condition became so serious that she could no longer work.
The gangsters didn't care her tragic fate, one day when she wanted to visit her doctor to tell about her condition, he was nowhere to be found. The usurers caught her on the way, beat her and left her on the street. With great difficulty, with the last of her strength, somehow managed to stumble home, only to die in front of the front door, in front of her daughter.
Mandy was in a complete state of shock, she could hardly believe that her mother was lying there in front of her, and she was dead. She knew very well that human had caused this, the con man who had cheated her mother out of her money and the thugs from whom she had taken a loan.
She thought it would be smarter not to stay in the family home, so they wouldn't start looking for her as well.
It was already evening, the streets were cold, it was snowing and the wind was blowing but Mandy had nowhere to go, no relatives or friends around to take her in or at least offer her a bowl of food.
As she passed through a dark alley, she heard a strange noise, clearly a chainsaw, some shouting and wailing. She hurried in the direction of the sounds to see their source. It was a large faunus man fighting a group of humans. He swung his chainsaw so quickly and masterfully that his opponents could hardly follow his movements and quickly fell by his hands.
As soon as the last human was dead, the man turned off his chainsaw, dropped to his knees and rested. He looked at Mandy with her blood-soaked eyes but the little fox faunus girl wasn't frightened by the huge, bear faunus man, just went closer to him, either she didn't sense any danger or she was just so tired that she didn't even scare if the huge man cuts her to pieces with a chainsaw.
- What are you doing here? – The man asked, Mandy didn't answer, she just nervously made circles with her feet. - Aren't your parents worried about you? You shouldn't be out on the streets this late. - Mandy just sniffed at the mention of her parents. - What happened? – The man scrambled to his feet, towered towards her and held out his bloody hand to her, which she only realized afterwards.
Mandy wasn't intimidated by him, even though he wasn't a pretty sight. If his huge stature wasn't scary enough, the fact that he was soaking in blood, the cut and scratch marks on the right side of his face could have given any child or even an adult a reason to be scared to death of him.
- What's your name? – Mandy started to wring her fingers nervously and shyly wagging her fox tail.
- Mandy. - She waved weakly.
- My name's Derrick. – The man answered. - Don't you have anywhere to go? - Mandy shook her head. - Neither have I but I've heard of an organization, - Derrick took out a blue tatter with a white crest in a white circle. - In Menagerie. It's called as the White Fang. They take care of the faunus and work to make us humans treat us as equals. If you have nowhere to go, I can accompany you there. A travel companion to look after me wouldn't hurt. - He laughed at that and Mandy smiled too. - What are you saying, - Derrick held out one hand. – team?
- Team. - Mandy took his huge hand, compared to which hers was as tiny as a doll's.
Derrick and Mandy traveled a long way before they reached Menagerie, where they could join the White Fang, where they were really treated well but they didn't manage to achieve any serious change in the peace between Faunus and humans. Across Remnant, almost everywhere they were still viewed as second-class citizens.
5 years later, when the leader of the White Fang, Ghira Belladonna, resigned and was replaced by the more radical Sienna Khan, who preferred to use violence to make the humans respect the faunus more. Sienna's method proved more effective, Derrick and Mandy became high-ranking officers in the organization.
One day, Sienna called them over for a special assignment.
Sienna was a female tiger faunus with yellow eyes, short, neck-length black hair with two orange, black-striped tiger ears sticking out of it and dark brown skin covered in black-striped tattoos that make her look even more like a tiger. A pair of gold earring hoops, worn on her human ears and a smaller earring in her left tiger's ear. She wore a fitted dark gray top with a cut out in the middle that exposed her chest and part of her breasts, a long gray skirt with white trim underneath which she wore black knee socks and black shorts. A red cloak was draped over her shoulders and she wore a pair of gray sandals. Hanging from her belt was her weapon, the Cerberus Whip, a three-pronged chain whip, each ending in a blade.
- And how's Tracy? - Sienna poured a cup of tea each for Derrick and Mandy.
- Well, - Derrick sighed tiredly and smiled at the thought of Tracy. - we broke up a year and a half ago, it's nice that you to ask. - He took a sip of his tea.
- How so? - Sienna's eyes widened at that. - I thought you were having a good time.
- We had. She had at least a dozen missions with Mandy and quite a few with me but I felt that we weren't compatible and I broke up with her.
- Why?
- Um, - Derrick sat down next to her, rubbed his forehead and answered. – it was fun to work with her but bear and lynx are really a bad combination.
- And where is she now? - Sienna also took a sip of her tea.
- To the best of my knowledge, she's in Vacuo and working with some thugs there. When I last heard from her, she was doing well. - He sipped his tea again. - She's a good girl and a good fighter but she's completely crazy. - Derrick and Sienna both laughed at this.
- Why did you call us here? – It was Mandy who rudely interrupted their friendly conversation.
- I see you're still the good old moody girl, Mandy. - Sienna reluctantly said to the fox faunus.
- Forgive her, she could have killed Jacque Schnee on the last mission, she had to restrain herself.
- I know how you feel about the old bastard but it would have only caused trouble if he had died by our hands.
- Got it. - Mandy answered succinctly. – What's the job? - Sienna just shook her head but she told her.
- In Vale, a large train should be unloaded, weapons, Dusts and robots.
- I don't know anyone who would buy guns in large numbers right now. - Derrick shrugged.
- We won't sell it, we'll use it. - Sienna just smiled when she saw the bear faunus' shocked face.
- Finally, we fight back? - Mandy could hardly hide her joy.
- I have a feeling, - Sienna continued to smile. - that you'll say yes.
- How much time will we have for it? – Derrick inquired about the details of the mission.
- Half an hour but a hard half hour as it's full of security robots which aren't the most modern ones but a rifle is a rifle. I'm not saying it will be safe but you get the right people for it, Adam Taurus and his girlfriend. A rather large shipment of Dust, weapons and robots from Atlas donated to Vale's army.
- They won't. - Mandy snapped, which made Sienna just laugh.
- How big is the catch? - Derrick inquired further.
- It's big. - Derrick also started to smile at the answer but Sienna still turned to Mandy. - I have another mission for you in Vale.
- What's the point?
- You must infiltrate Beacon as a student. Adam texted that he has a client who could help us conquer Vale.
- An entire kingdom?! - Derrick could hardly believe his ears.
- It's time to finally step up to a higher level and extend our influence over an entire kingdom. I'll send you the details later but while you have to unload the train, Mandy is playing student in Beacon. That's all you need to know for now.
It didn't take long for Mandy and Derrick to pack up and take the first boat to Vale. Mandy also received her application form to Beacon in the mail, so she infiltrated the academy without meeting Adam and his girlfriend. Derrick, on the other hand, went straight to the village where Adam and the White Fang had set up camp and used it as their headquarters.
Adam told me everything about the train's route and they discussed the plan dozens of times to make sure it was fixed. Later that night, a mysterious human woman, Cinder Fall and two youths who couldn't have been much older than Mandy, arrived at the camp with a strange offer. Most of the team, Derrick also put on the Grimm mask and stood behind Adam, menacingly.
- To clarify, - Adam didn't like her offer at all and was pacing up and down angrily. - you could have gone to anyone, you could have hired the local gangster leader, some lost Hunters who strayed from the "right" path but you wanted to meet me instead. - He finished and the woman answered.
- You are the one we need. – Cinder replied kindly but with deceit in her voice, as if she was hiding something. – Your skills, your ability to lead those under you. You are an exceptional individual, Adam. And we know enough about you to…
- Then you know, - Adam interrupted her angrily. – that it was a huge mistake to come here! The White Fang is not a gang of mercenaries! We are the voice of the revolution! - The two kids looked at each other tiredly.
- I believe our plans could be mutually beneficial. - Cinder didn't even twitch a facial muscle. - I have an... acquaintance in Vale with whom we ourselves are working on a kind of revolution but we can't do it without your army. We need…
- What you need, - Adam gripped his katana menacingly. - is leaving. You want my people to die for your cause. For a human cause! It's not an idea I'm willing to accept.
- I understood. - Cinder bowed and left. Adam and Derrick were still watching them walk away.
- What was that? - Adam's girlfriend, Blake was probably eavesdropping.
- Nothing. - Adam answered then headed towards one of the tents. - We still have to finish the preparations. The train will be here at dawn.
The train robbery went according to plan, Adam and Blake went ahead to neutralize the security, then Derrick and the rest of the team, once they got the signal, swooped down on the remaining forces and grabbed the loot. He arrived on the scene in the company of several trucks and transporters, their armed forces showed no mercy, executed the entire crew and loaded all the Dusts, weapons and inactive robots in less than half an hour.
Something went wrong and Adam returned alone.
- Adam, where's Blake? – Derrick asked but Adam, instead of answering just cut apart a looted robot. - Is she dead? Captured… - Before he could ask any more questions, he pointed the blade of his katana to his throat to silence him.
- Betrayed me. - He replied after putting his sword away. - Broke my heart. That's why I'm going to broke her. I will erase everything she cares about and watch as the madness and guilt consume her until she begs for forgiveness and wants nothing more than to come back to me.
- I see. - Derrick didn't dare to question him anymore, Adam was quite a terrifying sight and even if he didn't raise his voice, he could feel pure anger and hatred. - We loaded the... shipment according to plan. 5 minutes and the cops will be here. - Adam's face, as far as could be seen was completely motionless, so Derrick couldn't tell what he was thinking but he thought it wiser to take a few steps back, out of range of his sword.
- Good. – That's all he said and got on the platform of one of the trucks, among the goods, while gripping his katana with one hand.
"There's something wrong with this guy."
Policing in the lower quarters of Vale was pretty poor with the Xiong family ruling the roost who maintained order but only because the city's government didn't see them as particularly dangerous adversaries. They gave each other space and didn't bother at each other.
Unfortunately, that didn't mean Xiong could keep every criminal in Vale under control, least of all Roman Torchwick, the most notorious criminal in the Vale underworld. Many people thought of Torchwick as a genius while some thought of him as a visionary who has eyes in the back who sees everything ahead and knows everything how to get it. He is the one whom no one can command.
Cinder was looking for exactly such a person who could help her in her plan.
It was getting late and it was already dangerous to venture out into the streets at this time, as there were a lot of dangerous criminals roaming the streets of the lower quarter but there was a big mistake from anyone who dared to mess with the group passing by on the street, Cinder Fall and her two young companions, Emerald and Mercury, who followed Cinder and each of them were carrying a briefcase.
They made their way to a shabby little bar where they were sure to find their man, since it was in such hideouts that criminals used to discuss their meetings, their next schemes and used to exchange money and goods.
As soon as the company entered, the low whispering which still sounded like a hum, stopped and the majority of the guests focused on the newcomers. Neither Cinder nor her two companions showed any sign of fear or concern, they went straight to the bartender who was washing glasses.
- Aren't they too young to come here? – Said the bartender, looking at Emerald and Mercury, phlegmatic.
- Aren't you too old to work in such a shabby place? – Mercury cut back before the bartender put down the washed glass and his face tightened. Before he could say anything, Cinder just raised her hand to sign the boy to be quiet but she didn't take her eyes off the counter.
- We're just looking for someone. If you could guide us, - He put a paper lien on the counter. - we would be very grateful.
- Say his name. - The man put the money away.
- Roman Torchwick. – The bartender was surprised by this and pulled himself together, leaned closer to Cinder and spoke in a whisper.
- Are you cops? You want his bounty?
- On the contrary. We would have a job for him. - The man's face softened but he still hesitated to answer.
- Listen, there are two things you should know about that guy. The first, he always senses when something is not cool.
- Wow, thanks for the advice. - Mercury rolled his eyes.
- When you meet him, kid, you'll understand! As if he were some kind of visionary. No one has ever beaten him in any gamble, the bar across town has been his since the owner, who is also a professional player, bet him in poker but Roman easily won all his fortune.
- This is a bit worrying. - Emerald noted.
- The other is that he doesn't work cheaply. His wage is damn expensive.
- Thanks for the warning, - Cinder's smile didn't fade. – but that should be our concern. Just tell us where to find it.
- It's in the back room. - He nodded towards the far end of the guest room.
- Thank you for the alignment.
Cinder, if she looked confident didn't take her eyes off any of the suspicious looking figures who were surveying them. They just walked into the back room where it was dark with only a small lamp burning on a table in front of which sat a man in a hat buried in his Scroll smoking a cigar as he was approached by the Cinders.
- I hear you want to hire me. - The man answered before anyone could say anything.
- Maybe you were listening? - Cinder crossed her arms.
- I hope, - Roman put down the Scroll and took another smoke from his cigar. – they explained the fact that I work at a very high price. - He blew out the smoke, right at the visitors' face, causing Emerald and Mercury to cough but Cinder just waved the smoke away.
- They were so kind and informed us. - Cinder's face didn't even flinch. - I just hope that the high price also means high quality.
- That would be fair. - Roman replied.
- Honesty in a thug?! - Mercury just raised his eyebrows.
- As a matter of fact, - Roman held out his hands, his cigar was between his fingers. - I can be fair enough, loyal, if they encourage me with a high reward but if they punish me with death or torture for failure, it's possible that I won't be so fair either, kid.
- I don't recommend that you underestimate us, Torchwick! – Mercury and Emerald only stepped closer to Roman, who was still staring at them with a perfect poker face and a confident smile.
- I also recommend the same to you. - At that moment, a sharp blade was pointed at Cinder's throat but she didn't even take the death threat that another girl sneaked up behind and caught her so easily, "She is clearly highly skilled in stealth." - Let me introduce my partner, Neopolitan. In answer to the earlier question, she's listening for me. Now tell me what you want from us but before that how much would you be willing to pay for it? - Cinder motioned for Emerald and Mercury to take it back, as Roman motioned for Neo to let Cinder go.
- Is this, - She signaled towards the two young ones, indicating that they should hand over the two briefcases which were full of Lien. – enough for a down payment?
It was a lot of money, five times more what Roman used to work for. "And is this just the down payment?", he could hardly believe his eyes but he didn't let it be revealed and continued to show his poker face to his visitors.
- Before I accept, I would like to make it clear, I don't do slavery and organ trade, animal torture, prostitution, rape and I don't work with bananas either.
- Then what is it that you undertake? - Mercury asked with a laugh.
- Robbery, smuggling, surveillance, burglary, assassination, excluding children, rescue, bombing, threats and violent persuasion.
- And why don't you work with bananas? - This thing struck a chord in Emerald's mind.
- I hate bananas. It smells bad, feels weird, doesn't taste good and when I eat it, it makes me feel like a monkey. – So far, this was the highest emotional projection that Roman has shown so far. He clearly hates bananas. - What would the job be?
- Dust robbery. - Cinder replied. - As much as possible.
- You could buy a lot of Dust with that much money. – The emergency flasher turned on in Roman's head, "Something is wrong with this assignment.".
- We don't want to buy, we want to acquire, even from Vale and the money we pay you is petty cash compared to our original goal.
- And what is your original goal? – Roman wondered, knowing that he wouldn't get an answer anyway.
- If you stick with us and do well, you'll not only get an answer to this question but also a reward that isn't petty cash. - He looked at the money in the two briefcases. – I'll be able to offer you much more than that in the second phase of the plan.
Roman looked at Neo, who, while watching the two young ones, couldn't take her eyes off the money and her smile revealed that she'd certainly accept it. Roman, on the other hand, wasn't so confident. The work was too easy and the pay was too high. His gut instinct told him to refuse the offer as firmly as possible but like Neo, he wanted the money and besides, he wondered why anyone would need so much Dust and what the supposed second stage of her plan was.
- My prized science and Neo's, - After smoking and extinguishing his cigar, he gripped the money and smiled. – at your service... - As he gestured, he tried to find out her name.
- Cinder Fall.
- Cinder Fall, - Roman held out his hand for a shake which Cinder accepted. – I hope our cooperation will be fruitful.
- I really do hope. - She slid a piece of paper onto the table. - You can contact me at this number. Emerald, Mercury, here we go. – She instructed the two young companions with whom she left the hideout.
Roman was thinking for a little if it was a good idea to team up with them as he stared at the money but Neo wasn't so suspicious, grabbing and hugging as many Lien as she could, then she threw them into the air like money was raining.
- Neo, something is wrong with this woman. - Neo's joy wasn't spoiled by Roman's suspicion, she just waved.
Roman just took another cigar, lit it and took a smoke.
- Neo, what do you think they want with so much Dust, why are they hiring us instead of buying it for themselves and why are they paying so much? - Roman's arguments got Neo to stop celebrating with the money and to think. - My inner alarm is tingling. - Roman narrowed his eyes as he grabbed a bundle of Lien but Neo just rolled her different colored eyes, sighed tiredly and signed with her hands.
- Yes, my inner alarm, again! - He raised his voice a little. – Know that every time something is wrong or suspicious, it starts to sound an alarm! Remember the liquor store? To the gas station? To the watch shop? My inner alarm went on before each one but I didn't listen to it. – Neo signed again, tiredly.
- My alarm didn't go on with those schemes because everything was fine but now I'm saying it went off and I don't know why but I feel something very bad about this job. - Neo pointed to the money, then started signing again. – Yes, I know that my inner alarm went on even then but I didn't listen to it and I only thought about the damn money but now, we really should listen to it! - Neo signed indignantly. - Yes, but it was very close one, we were lucky that we could get away and kept the loot! – The pair clearly began to argue, Roman was more deliberate and careful when choosing scheme but Neo was much more adventurous and confident, especially when the reward was high and she signed at Roman with a sly grin.
- Yes, like a f*cking sane person, what I am! – Neo continued signing. - Hey, don't come at me with that again! It only happened once and I really thought he was going to kill me! The idiot drew it out to give a warning shot! – Neo just chuckled to herself and then started signing again. - I don't know why he chose corn! A banana or his fingers, they are shaped like guns but... that's not only careless, it's also stupid.
Neo couldn't help but signing with a silent giggle.
- No, the mistake was that for some reason he thought it was a good idea to stop an armed robber with a corn cob. If he hadn't, he might still be alive and his parents would be angry with him for something else. – The smile faded from Neo's face as she signed. - No, I really didn't want to kill him but I thought he had a real gun and I was in such a f*cked up situation that it was either me or him. I've chosen.
Neo knew Roman didn't like killing and neither did she. They strive to avoid unnecessary sacrifices, but when it comes to choosing between their own life or someone else's they are strong enough to make the decision. Neo signed curiously.
- Okay, we'll accept it. But something isn't quite right.
Neo was happy that Roman finally agreed to accept this well-paying job but she was worried too because of Roman's premonition. She gently slid her tiny hand into his, showing that she trusted him, stroked his cheek with her other hand and kissed him.
- I love you so much, Neo. - He hugged her and kissed her back. - You're not going to say it, are you? - Neo just grinned slyly, shook her head and Roman just laughed.
It's been several days since Derrick and the White Fang, with the help of Adam and Blake robbed the train sent by the Schnee Dust Company to Vale but Adam has been completely out of his mind since then. Blake, his girlfriend disappeared or more precisely betrayed him and it broke something in him.
Adam was furious and gave a firm order to everyone to look for her but no sign of her had been found for a week.
- We will find you, sir! - Derrick reported. – I'd swear on my life.
- Forget it. - Adam, after so many days of obsessive search, finally gave it up. - It's time for us to travel to Mistral and... - Suddenly the sound of fighting could be heard outside the tent.
Derrick and Adam took out their weapons and went outside to see what the commotion was and were shocked to find that the same red dressed, black haired woman in high heels had come back to them but this time they had beat the guard and forcefully entered their territory. With her were the same two youngling who were here with her last time.
- What's going on?! - Adam demanded the answer, keeping his katana at the ready, Derrick held his chainsaw in front of him instead.
- We could have gone anywhere for help, - Cinder answered, holding two swords in her hands. – but we chose you instead, Adam Taurus. - She dropped the two swords and started slowly approaching Derrick and Adam. - Our plan can be beneficial for both of us, - She extended her right hand forward, it was surrounded by orange flames and fire appeared in front of the two men as well. – or just for one of us. - Emerald and Mercury each took out a briefcase, which they opened, Emerald had Dusts, Mercury had several bundles of Lien. - So, which one should it be? – Adam put away his katana and Derrick also lowered his chainsaw. - That's right.
- You still haven't told me what you want? - Adam asked.
- One of my contacts is trying to steal as much Dust as possible from the city, which he will pass on to you, so that there will be enough when we launch an attack on Vale and Beacon.
- Against Vale and Beacon?! – Sienna's words just made sense in Derrick's head. - So, we have to work with you?
- I didn't think it would be a human who'd help overthrow a human kingdom. - Adam was also skeptical.
- Come on, it's not expedient to paint everyone with the same brush. - Cinder finally accomplished what she couldn't last week. To make alliance with Adam. - The truth is that your people would need to help my man.
- What exactly would you need?
- He'll come here tomorrow and initiate the details. – Cinder put out the fire and was about to leave, Mercury and Emerald just followed her but she stopped to give Adam one last piece of good advice. - Just do what he'll say
An unlucky period greeted Roman, barely a day after he accepted Cinder's offer, Neo was knocked off her feet by a severe cold and fell into bed. He took her to a doctor who gave her medicine, then made her tea and put her to bed in a warehouse he had rented to store the stolen Dust.
He was forced to work with amateur Xiong thugs but they didn't know anything except how to look scary. They weren't professionals at all, "I hate working with amateurs.".
Cinder set up a meeting with the Vale leader of the White Fang, Adam Taurus, whose men were hopefully non-amateurs and better at robbery.
The meeting was outside the city, right in a village where a lot of faunus lived in the past months, the reason being that the White Fang kept this place safe, so the local residents didn't report them.
Roman saw a larger tent on the edge of the village where the well-known figures in white vests and Grimm masks were stationed.
- Hey, I brought the pizza. - Roman joked after the guards stood in his way hard but they didn't even smile. - I have a meeting with Adam, regarding the joint homework. - The guards still didn't move.
- Let him through! - Derrick instructed them after looking out of the tent. - Roman Torchwick, right?
- The first, the real and the only one! – Roman posed as if he was at an award ceremony but the faunus soldiers just stared at him with wooden faces. - I'm looking for Adam Taurus. Is he here?
- He'll be here soon. – Derrick replied, concisely and powerfully looking at Roman from behind his mask, indicating that one wrong move is enough and they will attack him immediately. Roman showed no fear, he just took out a cigar and put it in his mouth but before he could light it, Derrick told him. - Don't! Our smelling is sensitive and f*cks our nose. - Roman rolled his eyes and put away the lighter and the cigar.
- Do you have any coffee?
- No, just tea. – Derrick continued to stare at Roman, who is either too stupid and didn't perceive the danger around him or he is very confident.
- No thanks. The thought of tea makes me pee. Is there a toilet somewhere?
- No.
- Then I'll go out, take care of it... - He headed for the exit but two soldiers stood in his way.
- You can't leave the tent until you have spoken with Adam.
- No cigar, no coffee, no toilet. – Roman started to get a little impatient. - Listen, if Adam isn't here in a minute, I'm going out to smoke, drink coffee and pee all at the same time!
- You'll have to wait. - Finally, the person who've been waiting for, Adam has arrived.
- Well, finally, Adam Taurus, about whom I have heard so much! - Roman spread his arms towards the faunus leader with feigned joy.
- I heard you need my men for the Dust robberies?
- What can I say, - Roman just shrugged. - the local thugs are suck. They aren't professional at all and it's difficult to find good workers on the market.
- How do I know if you will be fit to lead my men, Torchwick?
- I don't know. How do I know if your people are suitable for this job?
- You won't find anything better here! - Derrick intervened aggressively. – The White Fang isn't just a pocket band for beginners! - Roman wasn't scared, he just smiled.
- Be proud of it but I want to clarify something, - As he spoke Derrick looked at him defiantly. - I don't need crazy wild animals who kill everyone in their sight. Minimum killing, maximum efficiency, that's my motto when it comes to heists. We go in, clarify what we want and don't hurt or kill anyone until it's necessary. - He was now staring at Adam sternly. - I don't want one of your men to snap out and start killing a madman. I need to know if they can follow orders, keep their beastly instincts in check and focus on the task at hand.
- How about giving them a trial run? - Adam suggested.
- Well, you read my mind! - Roman rubbed his palms together confidently. - I know at least a dozen places where I can test your people to see if they are professional gangsters or amateurs.
- How much will you need for the first robbery?
- Five.
- You mean fifty? - Derrick tried to correct him.
- No! – Roman immediately put it in place. - Only five, plus me! That makes six of us. Oh, and a truck too.
- I take it as an insult, - He could feel the indignation in Adam's voice and he gripped the hilt of his katana. – if you think so little that you just want to rob a small corner store with my people.
- Hell no. - Roman smiled evilly. - From Dawn to Dusk I was thinking.
- Are you crazy?! - Derrick was indignant but Adam released the grip of his sword. - That would be a job for at least 20 people!
- Not if you work with professionals. – Roman wasn't joking at all, he was completely serious. – A truck with a driver, two people who watch over the employees, the guests who are kept in check and don't let anyone in or out, two people who pack the goods and someone who watches so that there are no surprises. If everything goes smoothly and your people do exactly what I say, we'll clean up the place in 5-6 minutes. May I ask your top five people? – Adam just kept silent for a while, he didn't like the idea to let his soldiers jump at the command of a human but the store he wants to rob belongs to the Schnee Dust Company and would bring good money to the Fang.
- You'll get them. - Adam assured her.
- I'm glad we managed to come to an agreement. – Roman held out his hand for them to shake hands but Adam did not accept it.
- First, let's see if we can work together.
Roman acknowledged with a shrug that Adam didn't trust him but that wasn't what worried him. His internal alarm went on again while he was talking to Adam.
The next day, Roman received the five White Fang men and the truck he requested from Adam. It was Derrick, Mandy, Aaron, Vander, and Eric, whom he couldn't help but remind them to avoid unnecessary killing.
- What's the point of pardoning those dirty humans?! – Aaron asked who still didn't want to believe that they had to work with a human.
- So, you little wretch, - Roman pushed Melodic Cludgel to his throat and forced him against the wall. – because the cops will take it more seriously when it's about murderers! - He let go as Aaron fell to the ground coughing. - If only robbery is our crime, it won't be so serious. Also, - Now he looked all over the band. - Adam assured me that you are more than ordinary beasts but I only believe my own eyes. You don't want to tell me that Adam Taurus is a liar, do you? - Although they were all wearing masks, Roman felt that his colleagues didn't like him but they were ordered to obey him and that was enough for him if they understood their business.
- Then, let's take over the plan once more, - Roman called the White Fang soldiers to account. – when does the action start? Aaron?
- At 08:00PM, one hour before closing.
- Yes, how many employees are there? Vander?
- 10 salesmen and 5 stupid, fancy security guards, armed but they have no serious training.
- Right, Derrick, where will you be?
- At the entrance, I don't let anyone in or out.
- Wander?
- I'll park the truck a few corners away and when I get the signal, I'll come over so you can load up the swag.
- Aaron?
- I look after customers and employees with Derrick.
- Mandy?
- I'll be with you and we'll see to it that the store manager hands over the Dusts and the counter combination.
- Very good! - Roman clapped his hands together. - I see, everyone has learned the homework, this is already a good point. Any questions? - Derrick raised his hand. – Yes?
- And if the alarm goes off?
- If we are clever and take over the store quickly, they won't have time to activate the alarm and after Mandy and I take the combination from the store manager we don't have to break and smash, so the alarm won't activate either. But if we are unlucky and one of the *sses able to push the alarm, it's very important not to panic because we still have 4-5 minutes which, if we are very fast and tight will be enough. - Mandy raised her hand.
- And if someone tries to resist or the store manager doesn't want to say the combination? - Roman just shook his head.
- This is a part of a large company which is insured to the stars and he's only the business manager. Any damage or loss will be on the Schnee Dust Company. In short, it's not in his interest to resist. If you catch someone who thinks himself as a hero, just hit him hard in the face so that his nose breaks, he falls to the ground and starts bleeding. Everyone gets a shock and they don't even dare to move or speak. The most important thing is to make him shut up and then look around as if the same fate awaits everyone who tries again. - Aaron and Vander chuckled at that. - As for the store manager, that's different, I'll handle him because they basically like to be *ssholes. If this happens and he doesn't want to cooperate, the most important thing is to break him as quickly as possible. The best way is to break one of his fingers, the little one. Then threat him that his thumb will be the next one. Then he even tells you that he's wearing women's panties. – He explained everything as routinely as if he had done it a hundred times before which both impressed and frightened the White Fang soldiers. - Is it clear?
- Ah, yes.
- We can do it!
- Good! – Roman was confident with his new crew. - Who wants an ice cream before the heist? Froyo ones are delicious.
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