24 RNG: Texan In Another World - V2.11 - No title (1/2)

Vella introduced the New Recruits who had been living in the house adjacent to the Casino. They were all quite lovely and so many. Mike counted 10, but right after he finished two more came out of the woodwork to introduce themselves. Mike was a little surprised, but very interested in how they did it. Their answer was that they could always do it. Mike was sure that it was some sort of ability her race had.

Because he didn't need to actually work the Casino Tables, Mike decided it was a good chance to get familiar with the books and magic. He still had a goal, it had changed a bit admittedly. Mike had wanted freedom to grow, medicate and be left alone by people who didn't want to interact with him specifically. His family was terribly important, but he had been gone for so long that they likely believed him dead.

Mike thought about it a long time, what could he have even done back on Earth besides help his mother? If he had even a shred of the power he had at present, Mike would be hunted or have people constantly trying to assassinate him. He would be forced into becoming the next dictator by the public.

A Titan, He was no longer human. Mike had to start thinking that way, but if he gave up his original self he would more or less have died entirely. Refusing to give up, Mike laughed and introduced himself to the staff when they opened. He had a lot of exploring to do in the City and the Girls has something to occupy their interests.

'I need to find Vella' Mike looked around and couldn't find Vella after their morning. Reaching out his senses he found her, she was in the Castle Interrogating.

Mike wasn't sure what she was doing, but he had told her not to harm others. He didn't want to interrupt her, but he had to know if it was malicious so he paid close attention to the details he could observe while he mounted his Dragoon and flew toward the Castle.

Vella was in the Dungeon along with the other prisoners and several guards to block the door.

”Tell me who's been paying you. This is your last chance.” Vella started to close her hand, one finger at a time.

”Three”

”Two”

”One!” Vella crushed the man's shoulder into powder.

His left arm dangled like a pinched sausage as the man screamed in agony. She wasn't done. Vella began by pulling his arm off and beating him with it afterward. When the guard finally finished speaking, he had admitted to trying to take what wasn't his. Vella tore the flesh from the mangled arm and forced into the mans mouth for a gag. tufts of hair made it particularly hard to swallow.

Mike watched for a little bit to make sure she wasn't overstepping. He was surprised to find her using such a method, but he couldn't impose a set of limitations on her. It was a necessary tactic that others would find extremely amusing to discuss, Torture that has a limit isn't Torture at all.

”Vella, I wanted to see what else the city has to offer after your remodel.” Mike changed the subject.

”We have a few new foods, and a lot of warehouses full of trade goods. After the Des'ule Ambassadors made it a point to share the details of what had happened with their countries.

During the last month, More and more ships had been arriving and exchanging goods in the City. Vella had Harry collecting money, but he had to have someone do math so the Girls arranged one of the new recruits to do the collections alongside him. The arrangement was a good one, they didn't have much problems after the first few days of renting out space.

Harry was patrolling the Docks and talking to captains about their cargo, occasionally the Casino would just buy the contents. That was how they funded a lot of the civics they were promoting. Among Herbs, Captains had all sorts of things in their spacial rings, bracelets and even ships. The transportation of goods and people were completely different than Earth, it was easy to move people with enough supplies. The terrifying part was when they were on the water, ships would come into contact with Pirates, Otera and Sea Monsters.

Winds were easy enough to supply on occasion with magic but a long and sustained sail would take multiple people regular rotations. Magicians were not few in number on ships, never few in number. Lone Practitioners would more times than not, end up as the snack of some Beast or sport for Thieves and Killers.

Vella had stationed an armed group of soldiers at the convergence point of the docks, but it didn't have other much protection from magic. At that point, the city would know something was going on. Attack was from sea was unlikely, the gates were a far more likely target. The Casino had stationed some guards at the gate to measure the flow of traffic and trade, payments would be collected and business would run like normal.

Hospitality seemed to be spreading across the City, most shopkeepers had smiles on their faces with the increase of traffic. The merchandise in the City had made it shine as one of the biggest rising trade hubs of the seaboard. The city would have to expand its port to include more slots for shipping, the waterfront was becoming a high traffic area. Guards check loads, and Harry made collections from new arrivals.

A Ship bearing the crest of Poocha's Neighbor, the Kreson Kingdom had decided to make a stop in the port. They hadn't been to the city in about two years, its new found size had them wondering if they were lost. When they saw familiar ships in the what use to be Gogor, they were relieved and marveled at its appearance. The City was clean, very clean.

The Chapter of their Army that had made its deployment came onto the docks demanding service and pushing people into the water to make way for his soldiers.

Harry wasn't interested in what they were planning, only what they were doing. Vella had laid down specific instructions on how to deal with people who don't even seek a solution before they start attacking others. Harry stopped in front of the parade of soldiers and halted their advance. The Captain was particularly hateful of other beings, when Harry stopped he immediately unsheathed his weapon and went for the throat.

Harry had been kicked around by Vella a few times for not being fast enough and knew his own strength. He yanked a lamp post off the side of the dock and swung it to push the soldiers into the water. The sweeping motion was wide and full of openings and the Captain kept his momentum until he was a breath away from cutting Harry's head from his humongous frame. A rush of fire swept inward from the sky, Mike landed the Dragoon on the Docks while the Captain was distracted and had Harry pull back.

”Star City isn't your territory, You have disrupted trade. You will pay in gold or blood. Stow your weapon and I'll allow you to choose. But I will have my pound of flesh for this grievance.” Mike was itching for a fight, He had almost lost his big friend.

The Captain stared intently at Mike's eyes as they flickered from color to color. ”What and Whom are you. What has happened to Gogor, and where is the City Lord.”

Mike watched the Captain eagerly. ”Stow your weapon.”

He pointed up.