Chapter 425 - Battle (1/2)
”Is everything ready for tomorrow?” whispered a shady voice as the 16th May's sunny day divulged into the night.
”Yeah, I think so,” returned another shadier with a hint of desolation. ”Didn't the boss say we're ready for anything? Those guys who settled at the edge of town have some of us worried.”
”Are the rumors that bad?” asked the first.
”I heard that the buildings around the mansion were taken by force. The people were sent to god knows where.”
”Man, they really must be ballsy,” exclaimed the first.
”Why do you think so?”
”They right up and came to Tale. Good thing the actual deal is taking place somewhere else.”
”Shut up, don't speak loudly, the walls have ears.”
”My bad, let's get to work.”
The further the sun sank, the harsher became the night. In said harshness stood the leaders of various platoons. It hadn't been long since Phantom's sudden arrival. Lady Lerado, the leader, viewed as the Queen of this particular chess game, sat and relaxed in luxury. There wasn't a need for further action on her part. Word on the street, perpetuated by the Black Unit, was that she had brought in help from Godfather Renaud.
Kendy's platoon remained on stand-by for the whole time. As for the Black Unit, they were assigned a covert operation. One of which details were known to only Boss.
”Are you sure it's here?”
”Yes, the information lead to this location,” said Éclair rather confidently. Hovered above the province of Skouso; the coming dusk made for easier movement. Skouso was primarily known for being rural and somewhat old-school. Here, not to say there wasn't any development, was primarily based on agriculture and mariculture. They were very important as the food came from their harvest. The whole continent depended on their fertile lands. Going east from the province, one would come across the port. One of many around the continent. Here, any and everyone could gain entry. Argument could be said that narcotics and arms could be imported via said route. Neither good nor bad, the situation of Skouso differed from the rest. Their livelihood depended on the sea, and the sea was a lady who never blinked when taking a life. Fishing and other boats were allowed entry, as for the rest, they were sent to Scaica.
'The exemption of being searched is given to a few boats. Inspection by the Anti-Narco unit is frequent. It's a shame, the well-established idea is naught but childsplay. The AN-U in charge of Skouso is corrupt. Paid in full by Cimier, I presume. It might go deeper since one of the five conglomerates make their home here.'
Salty came the scent of waves crashing against the man-made reef of docks. The bigger the boat, the more stable it seemed, the harshness of the waves was only apparent on small boats. Among those who were exempted from being searched, most were from a certain organization. Their logo, simplistic as it might have been, held the letter 'K' and 'R' with the Trader's insignia as the backdrop.
'How are they related?' thought Staxius stood atop a warehouse. Time on the wrist showed 20:00. The workers went back and forth unloading merchandise from trucks. Forklifts, though seemed to be toys, lifted weights twice their weight. It wasn't rare to see people with inhuman strength carry the loads barehanded.
”Éclair.”
”Yes, master?”
”Do you realize what this means?”
”Yeah, I do.”
'I do hope it's not true. If the search brings proof, then I know it's certain.' *All-Seeing Eyes.* Calm to fierce as the crashing waves, he searched around the massive compound. Jumping from people to people, listening to conversations, catching their thoughts – the ideal intel-gathering ability.
”Why are these so heavy?” complained a worker holding a crate. The greyish dirtied floor rendered walking that difficult.
”That's why you need to use a forklift,” honked another joyously, ”-your powers have their limit.”
”I know,” the crate dropped. ”Can you carry it outside for me?”
”I knew you'd see it my way. What truck?”
”The one for Patek's.”
”Ohh, the Patek's. Did you peak inside?” winked he in the machine.
”I don't want to die, what the hell?” cried the man sharply, ”-don't make fun of 'em. The last guy disappeared because of a similar comment.”
”My bad.”*Brrrr,* it continued the journey.
'Interesting,' the trance-state broke. 'If I'm guessing this correctly,' snuck towards the back where the cargo was being loaded. 'There it is, the Patek's truck.' Bigger and more secure than the rest – a bit overkill. The yellowish carrier came with the crate. Soon to stop and align with the truck, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Threads,* a single flick had the crate topple and break. Sighs of agony echoed as the item broke. Those on the trucks glared with murderous intent, ”-quick, cover it up,” screamed one of the workers.
'Got it,' smirked Staxius, '-that's their deal.' Sprouting wings, he flapped in towards the continent. ”Have a deeper look at Kura's Trading Corporation.”
”Yes, master.”
The glittering of the star-strutted sky was masked by the ever bright Melmark. Landed atop the hotel – the air felt soothing despite its strength.
”Kura's Trading Corporation is ranked as the third most powerful conglomerate in Alphia. Their business deals in trading, mainly food and other consumables. They own the majority of the factories specializing in food distribution, manufacturing, and more. There are also markets around the continent. Since master doesn't shop often, thee might have overlooked the frequency of their buildings. Convenient stores, super-market, hyper-market, you name it, and the Kura's have it under the name Juro.”
”Run a search if ever the Kura's had a relation with Patek's.”
”Yes, there are many connections. A lady from the Kura Clan was married to the Patek Dynasty.”
”Here I thought we'd have inbreeding.”
”Did you say something, master?”
”No, forget about it.”
*Clop, clop, clop,* came the steps of shoes against a wooden floor. A new day rose outside.
”Thempa, Kendy,” said Staxius closing the door behind.
”Good morning, boss.”
”Good morning,” he unbuttoned the suit jacket and sat in a flawless motion. ”Take a seat.”
”Y-yes.”
”Kendy, how are the preparations?”