If the atmosphere at the Lagoon Company offices had been tense, then they needed to invent a new word for the atmosphere at the restaurant. Balalaika had decided that it would be more productive to invite them, and Chang, to a polite lunch to discuss the initial items that would need to be ironed out before the meeting in the next two weeks.
"So, have you any concerns over the security arrangements, Roberta," Balalaika asked.
Roberta shook her head, "No Senorita Balalaika. You have given us no reason to distrust either of you, or your organizations. I am more concerned with the other attendees. I have no knowledge of the leader of, I must admit that I do not know of the name Sicilian Mafia here, so I have no reason to feel they will pose any danger. It is the Manisarera Cartel that I have concerns regarding their attendance. I understand, that they may still have hostile intent regarding me, or my Young Master."
"I would say that is a valid concern, one that we had considered when this idea was first considered. We had contact with the head honcho and impressed upon him, what might happen if they made trouble. Let's just say that they were not interested in seeing just how unified the Triads, and Hotel Moscow could be if they had cause. The best way to say it, I think he needed new pants after he was reminded that Hotel Moscow was made up of entirely former Russian military," Chang was picking at the dish he had ordered.
Balalaika turned to Rock, "Do you believe that you could talk Revy and Mag into helping with the security measures. Revy is easy enough to buy the services of. Mag though is, more of an issue."
Rock sighed, "I don't know if I can talk Ethan into it, he is more of a 'If I want and don't have to do a tune up on the Lagoon's engines that day' kind of person. If I have trouble, he will usually listen to Dutch. Though wouldn't you have an easier time with your history?"
"I, know better than to push my luck too far. Especially considering it has only been a few days since what occurred in America. I only arrived a couple of days ago myself. He is, still rather mercenary in his bearing. And I would much like to avoid becoming a target rather than a friend," Balalaika returned.
"As said I will see what I can do. I make no promises. I take it that you wish for me to be present as well," he said.
Chang nodded, "In fact young Mr. Lovelace asked that you be. He wants you to act as a mediator, as you are a relatively neutral party. You would not stand to gain anything from the following agreement, and you have a vested interest in avoiding making enemies of either of our organizations. That makes you the best option. Lagoon Company is also the only fairly neutral entity in Roanapur that has any kind of real presence in the city."
Rock sighed yet again, "That is reasonable. I will do it. Roberta, do you have any issues with this arrangement?"
"I do not. Where will the meeting be held? I would like to know so that I can make sure that it is not a premise that would be corrompiendo to the Young Master. I would also prefer that it was on grounds that are not beholden to any of the organizations that will be present," she replied.
Rock thought for a moment, "I believe that we may be able to talk to Bao about utilizing the ground floor of the Yellow Flag, especially if he is very well compensated. Garcia is familiar with the premises as well, and it shouldn't be too inappropriate if Madam Flora is compensated to give her girls a few nights off. Last I recall the Flag doesn't pay protection to anyone due to it's location, and common clientele."
"That is true, last time one of my guys tried, well, they had to rebuild the place. I can agree to that. I would prefer a little more elegant, but Bao does stock some top shelf baijiu according to my men. You have any objections, Fry Face," Chang turned to the Russian woman.
Balalaika shook her head slightly, "I have no objections, Baby. He also stocks real Stolichnaya Elit, how he gets it, I don't know, but my men know the taste quite well, and can confirm it is real. In fact, if Mag agrees, I believe that we could remove any of our own men from the interior of the meeting, and since there will be four of us attending, we can have one organization station their men an appropriate distance away in each direction. That would put only the most necessary people within the room."
"I can agree to that. That would be me, Fabiola, and the Young Master on our side," Roberta said.
Chang nodded in agreement, "I would be present obviously, it would kinda defeat the point if I wasn't. I will have Biu, and Shenhua with me, if she manages to get rid of that awful smell. Never accept perfume from a cleaner, she should have known better."
Balalaika chuckled, "I can only imagine how bad that is. I will be present, as well as Boris, and I believe Corporal Jodorowsky. Rock, as you will be the mediator it would be prudent for you to be the one to reach out to Ronnie and Gustavo regarding who they will be attending with. I believe that we have covered everything that we need to deal with until Mr. Lovelace has arrived to finalize what he needs to. I must say Roberta, when you are not trying to kill us all, you are a rather charming meal companion."
"Gracias Senorita Balalaika, I appreciate the compliment. I am not so sure about the food. Though it may just be my inexperience with such cuisine. The flavors are, muy interesante to say the least," she replied.
"They can be a rather acquired taste. Now, Baby, Rock, and Roberta, I must say good day. Actually, Rock would you mind accompanying me. I would like to speak to you," Balalaika said.
Rock grimaced, "I assume I have no choice. I apologize Roberta, it appears we are going to have to put off finding accommodations for you and the others until later. I will see you back at the office."
He stood and followed Balalaika out to her vehicle. He had half a mind to just walk away, but he knew that it would not be great for his health should he do so. He entered it and just kept a straight face as Balalaika sat next to him.
"How are you really doing Rock? I know people like you, and killing is not as simple as it is for a soldier. We are trained to compartmentalize it, see it as a chore. You, however are not like that," the woman didn't hesitate to state her reason for his company.
Rock looked out the window, "I am making it. I am thinking about it and trying to make it make sense in my head. Why do you ask?"
"Rock, while we have had some, tension. I do care for Lagoon Company, and you are part of that. While you are quite useful in business and translation, you are also a rather, refreshing breath of fresh air compared to those that are naturally drawn to this city. Yours, is a culture that doesn't, quite glorify fighting in this day and age. It doesn't prepare you for what that entails."
Rock listened to the condescension in the woman's tone, "We like to think that getting two cities introduced to the surface of the sun enlightened us as to how the world would be. That doesn't mean that we have fully lost that spirit though. Apparently Chang didn't tell you of our talk yesterday. I enjoyed killing the man. I don't enjoy the fact I did. Put the same situation before me again, and I would pull the trigger again."
"I see," Balalaika was silent for a while, "It sounds like the spirit of a protector, rather than a killer. Something that most soldiers want to think they have. To kill a man only to protect another, or those behind you. It is noble, compared to who we have become. In a way, I almost envy you for that. I had forgotten such could exist."
Rock turned his head back, "I don't, understand, what you mean. Why would you say that is the mindset of a protector? Killing is still killing, no matter the reason."
"How to explain. Soldiers have families. Soldiers think about their families' safety. If you kill the people who you are told are you enemy, you can think that your family is safe. Yet, if you are told that you are simply going for conquest, then you are not as motivated. My grandfather, he was at Stalingrad. He often spoke of how even in the darkest hours, the men always would yell, For the Motherland, as they would charge an overwhelmed position. When they pressed on, and chased the Nazi's to the West, the cries started to fall off, with only the most depraved enjoying once they passed from Soviet borders. He even told me of the Rape of Berlin, how many men turned from it, because it only reminded them what they had been fighting for. The men that participated, would have fit in here quite well."
Rock had to think on this again. A protector, who could he really protect. He failed with Yukio. Had only been played to save Roberta and Garcia. Feng, Revy had actually done most of the work there, as most of it actually involved killing.
He had a question though, "Miss Balalaika, can I ask you something?"
"I don't see why not," she raised an eyebrow.
"What do you see in the mirror in your weakest moments," it was the same he had asked Roberta.
She didn't answer for a long time. She had to think about this. She didn't want to, she hated what she saw. Wanted to kill it, because it was simply a reminder. She saw herself, so many years ago. The bandages still covering the fresh burns. Her one uncovered eye hollow and dead. That wasn't what bothered her though. It was her father's face that hovered behind her, and the looks of condemnation that he held. It was worse than the memories that would invade her sleep.
"Rock, never ask that of me again. That is one thing that I will never speak of, to anyone. Not even Mag, someone who has seen me weaker than any other, will ever hear of what I see. That is a question that could kill you if you ask just the wrong person," her answer was enough for him though.
"You said everything you needed to. I see myself with dead eyes, and a fanged smile. It is something that wants to consume me. I was seeing it even before, just glimpses, never anything that stayed. Yet now, I can look at my reflection, and it seems angry that I won't give in to it. Right now, I don't know whether to fight it, or enslave it," he told her, ready for whatever she could through at him.
"Rock, have you ever heard of an old American Indian legend about two wolves," she asked him.
"I don't know. I never cared to much about that kind of thing. It wasn't something that would have helped me in my job, and all of the tribes speak English," he replied.
"I have only heard it in passing once or twice, but it goes something like this. A grandfather was asked by his grandson about the nature of evil people. He thought for a second, and then told the grandson that evil, was simply a part of all men. He said that all men have two wolves within them, and that they are locked in constant battle. One represents good, and acts of kindness. The other represents evil, and acts of hatred and harm. His grandson asked which one wins. The grandfather simply replied, the one you feed," she relayed the story fairly well.
"I don't understand what your point is," Rock stated dully.
Balalaika shook her head, "Honestly the point is that the legend is completely stupid. Good, evil, what is the difference. You don't have one without the other. The idea that any act, is one or the other, is infantile. An evil act, can have a good outcome, as can the reverse. The intent of that act is what matters. I would have thought you understood this, with your request concerning the Washimine Group. I would say that your act was evil, at least in the eyes of those outside this place, however your goal, was meant to be for the good of the girl. So would that make you good or evil? Killing a man is often considered evil, but you did it to save another man's life. Doesn't that make you good?"
Suddenly, it made sense to Rock. Not just that his act wasn't so bad as he thought, but that he did exist in this hell for a reason. One that was becoming much clearer to him, yet the full vision of what it was, just eluded him. He had to understand it though, because it might be what let him simply not lose against the darkness, but maybe even win.
"Well, Dutch. We may be fucked," Ethan said as he held up the slimy substance.
Dutch looked at it without giving away any emotion, "How did this even happen?"
"Where have you been getting the diesel additives, because we may need to start sourcing it from somewhere else. If we ever get back," Ethan was pissed.
The engines to the Lagoon had suddenly shut off the previous day. Thankfully they maintained a weeks worth of supplies onboard, but that was it. After that it was fishing and solar desalination for water. All because the fungicidal fuel additive had apparently failed to do its job, leading to the fuel lines filling with the weird slimy gelled fuel.
"Is there anything you can do? How bad are the tanks," Dutch asked picking up the other fuel filter.
"The diesel in the tanks is mostly fine. It hasn't turned to slime. We may have to put whatever additive we have in it and over saturate it, and then try to purge the lines. I keep some kerosene onboard in case we have have to burn down any boats Revy gets her fun with. I can run that through, and that should clear it, but I don't keep extra fuel filters onboard. They don't get changed that often, and I never anticipated anything like this. I really don't like the idea, but we are going to have to run raw fuel, which, could destroy the engines considering the current situation," Ethan replied, a very dissatisfied look on his face.
Dutch was similarly dissatisfied, "Those engines weren't cheap, nor was the conversion to the jet propulsion setup. It isn't like the engines aren't replaceable, money or practically. The question comes down to how long we would be down. What would be the chance they would just need a rebuild?"
"I don't know. I just don't fucking know. A rebuild would be a difficult thing, given that the parts are a little difficult to get. Same with replacing the engines. I just don't see where we have the choice. I would say, maybe a couple of months at the low end, to maybe a year or more. We may get lucky and just fuck the injectors. I doubt it though. Worst comes to worst, I can help Revy out, the rest of us aren't really hurting on the cash situation. This isn't going to be pretty, and it is going to hurt worse than taking a load of buckshot to the balls. Here's a question, do you still have the old drive gear for the old girl," the mechanic asked the captain.
"Yeah, they are in storage. I hate the idea of going through the trouble of restoring back to the original configuration. Especially having to cut up the outer hull. It was the most expensive part of the conversion, and it has saved us more than once. If we have to we have to, but let's, just stay positive. How long until we can get them going," Dutch asked.
"I would rather we go back to gasoline, rather than going down long term. Three hours if I stop jacking my jaws, and get to work, hopefully. Expect longer, and bring me beer, I am going to need a lot of beer for this. Fuck my life, just fuck my life."