Martin - I'm in a tight spot over here. And that fella, Richard... He is dangerous.
Kulmure (Audio Call) - And you are still alive. Uncle is heading out almost all on his own. How long are you going to be stuck in a Lviv?
Martin - I don't know. Untill I complete a request from Richard I guess. And he is yet to tell me what exactly does he want from me. Richard is a Rich bastard after all! They are all like the same man.
Kulmure (Audio Call) - Damn it... Ok. Give me a call once you are done. I will talk with Uncle about this. In the mean time, try not to get yourself into any more troubles.
Martin - I'l try... I'l try my best.
Kulmure (Audio Call) - Ok. Be safe out there kid.Martin - I will!
It was a unusualy calm morning. As sunrise kept crawling near, the sky brightened up a little. Martin were sitting on an old bench, in a middle of a green park. Few stray rays of sunlight landed on his forehead. Just a few meters away, Nita were standing and looking around.
Once the Audio call was ended, Marting sighed, closed his eyes and leaned backwards, letting his back rest agains a cold wood of a bench. His face conveyed only one emotion, tired.
Nita - You haven't had any sleep ever since the road to a gang hideout. Maybe you should take a little nap while you still have the time?
Martin - Yeah, that would be perfect. But at any moment, I might get a call from that Richard fella. Besides, I don't wanna sleep out here in the open.
Nita - Whatever you say!
Martin - How about you? I haven't seen you using any charging station in a while. How is your power level doing? I saw a Doll maintenance spot somewhere nearby.
Nita - No need. My power level is at ninety-two percent. I can keep going just fine!
Martin - Okay... I guess we both are stuck in this waiting game.
One more time, Martin looked around. People started walking around, little by a little, more and more would start passing by. Nita stood out, her huge frame were making her hard to not notice.
Martin - Nita, you should sit down.Nita - But... | Martin - Just sit down. Don't scare people here.
With some hesitation, but Nita sit down on a bench near Martin.
=== Week Later ===
Gate guard - Stop right there! Who-s comming?
Andre - Don't shoot the friends!
Gate guard - Holly hell... It's Andre! Open the gate!
Heavy metal gates slowly opened. A group of three dolls and Andre walked inside. Covered in dust, dirt, blood and other things that could one even have on one-self. Kilmure were visiting a workshop at that moment and rushed out to meet the old friend.
Kilmure - Still alive old bastard! Where the hell have you'v been?
Pulling Andre into a hug, Kilmure chuckled a little. Andre returned a hug, and after the moment, both let go of each other. Andre were exhausted.
Andre - Our escape car broke down on a one-third of a way. Just to be safe, we took a path through a red zone. And... Well, it was a long walk!
Finaly, Andre pulled of the gas mask and looked behind him. The dolls were looking not a bit better. Nomomo covered in all kind of dirt were going straight to a workshop, while carrying the Blaze on her back. Beda on the other hand, came closer to a duo of Andre and Kilmure.
Beda - Mr. Kilmure, we have a problem.
Andre - Oh yeah, totaly forgot about that. Beda, tell everything to Kilmure, I will take a shower... a bit of rest and be back in a few hours. Nothing happened here while we were gone?
Kilmure - Duval went to Odessa, but that's not important for now. Go on, take a rest. You deserved it.
Andre - Okay... See you in a while, crocodile.
With a exhausted sigh, Andre marhced towards the barracks. For a few moments, Kilmure watched at Andre, then returned his attention at Beda.
Kilmure - So, what happened?
Beda - While we were getting to the point, where we could place Blaze's device. We were going through a URNC soldiers group. Thankfully, they didn't noticed us. But, they were talking that this whole "ambush on an ambush" plan was a set up.
Kilmure - Yeah... Everybody thought so. It is kinda obvious.
Beda - It would be a good idea to wisit Max in a near future.
Kilmure - Not right now. But you are right... Take some rest, visit a workshop. You will need it.
Beda - Okay.
Gates finaly were getting closed. Loud sound of heavy machinery, made both Beda and Kilmure look at the gates for a few moments. Without anything else to say, Beda went into workshop. After a bit of contemplation, Kilmure went towards Barracks, but turned left in a middle of a path. That path lead him to a purification tower. Honestly stolen from somewhere. It is still working fine, making whole camp a safe place for a gang.
There, near a fence to a purification tower, were set up a table, where three man were playing a card game. A simple game of poker, just instean of chips or money, they were betting pale-white pills. Three man were sitting around the same table. Harry, Nick and some guy from workshop.
Kilmure - Fine gentlemans! Still taking risks of sleepless nights for a game of chance?
Nick - Kilmure! Why don't you sit down and play a few round with us.
Kilmure - I might, if things go right.
With a sigh, Kilmure pulled out one of the chairs from beneath table and sits down.
Workshop crew guy - What was the commotion back there?
Kilmure - Andre returned. You might wanna visit your workstation in a few minutes.
Workshop crew guy - Oh damn... Guess I have to go. So... Fold!
Workshop guy threw his cards to the middle of a table. King and eight opened up to everyone, while the guy put on his baseball cap and headed towards workshop.
Harry - Barely appeared and we lost a player. You are killing me with your aura alone Kilmure!
While everyone was getting ready, Harry were shuffling deck of cards. He threw a pair of cards for Kilmure and then placed three cards on a table... or 'river' if you wish. A pair of kings and an ace of clubs faced everyone playing this game.
Nick - Damn... Vlad almost had a good had on him for once, but folded. What a shame! Check...
Slowly, Kilmure peeked at his cards. Diamond ace and two of clubs. Not really good combination to win. But still, just to keep the fair game, he placed small pack of pills on a table.
Kilmure - I'd like to call, thank you. And by the way, I came here to talk about a few things Harry.
Harry - Oh? Like what?
Kilmure - This whole gig about to ambush Suzev's raid went bad really quick. I just got a little word that this was a setup on us. What do you think about all of this?
Harry - I already said everything. They were throwing everything at us. Backup were quick, the cargo was a fully functional dog-robots that were designed to be a deadly force. Even without your 'little word', it was obvious. URNC made a trap and we stepped into it.
Kilmure - Yeah. No need to be a detective for that. Here is what I think. URNC have an inside man somewhere among our informants. And the same infromant were giving the word to the Suzev. Do you get my meaning?
A round of checks on a table, and another card were placed. Now there were four cards, Pair of kings, ace of clubs and nine of hearts. Kilmure rolled his eyes, but at least he had one pair.
Harry - Okay, I'l bite. What do you want from me? I am not gonna share my contacts, if you are thinking about this. You know the rules. We keep only our own lists, and so far I get why we have that rule. Because if I knew who gave the info on that raid, he would have been tied up in some basement five days ago.
Kilmure - No, I am not asking you to share the list. I'm asking you to talk around through your contacts for a possible info on that raid. I know you had someone on the URNC high stuff list, that's why I have came to you.
Harry - *Argh*... Damn it Kilmure. I raise!
With annoyed expression, Harry pulled out a pill bottle and placed it on a table.
Nick - It feels like I'm stuck in a middle of a conflict here. What the hell?
Kilmure - No, don't worry. This is just an unusual problem require unusual solution. Call...
Another small pack of pills pulled out by Kilmure. He shook few pills into a pack that were already on a table. Then it was Nick's turn. With a concerns and doubts, Nick place a bottle of pills on a table. Now a table was filled with a bank of pills.
Harry - Well... Let me think. One thing is to ask around about something. And completely different thing, is asking 'URNC high staff' questions like 'how did it happaned that you attacked us?'. Besides, if we were to suddenly found out the main intell source. It could lead to my contact.
Finaly, the last card were placed on a table. Five cards on a table were 'Pair of kings, ace of clubs, nine of hearts and five of clubs'. Once again, Kilmure rolled his eyes. He only had a pair if aces, so two pairs would be his combination. Not a best play out there. Harry silently tapped on table.
Kilmure - I am more then sure, whoever is your contact is. He or she knows how to clear up a trail. Since if they are still in 'high ranking', then that means they know what they are doing! Oh, check!
Harry - Okay, fine! I will try my best out there. Nick?
Nick - Oh... Yeah! I check. Open up the cards gentlemans!
Everyone opened their hands. Harry had a pair of two, meaning he had two pairs. Kilmure had an ace, meaning he had two pairs too, but this combination were stronger. But not as strong as Nick's. Nick had a king and a five, meaning he had a full house.
Nick - That's a jackpot baby!
With a wide smile, Nick gathered everything to himself. Harry and Kilmure, had a nearly surprised faces, but managed to hold their poker faces...
Harry - So yeah... I think I have to go.Kilmure - Yeah, thanks for the game!
Both Kilmure and Harry stood up and walked away.
Nick - Guys, come on! It was just a warmup! Guys!
=== Odessa ===
Busy city filled with people, that probably never saw the harsh winds of yellow zone. Most of them never had even a proper fight in their life. Among that crowd, a man in a fancy business attire, were walking through a street. Slightly behind him, in a casual clothes, followed a man.
Duval - This people... This damned people only rely on their police, on guard bots and SMD dolls to guard their dear life. This is a land brimming with opportunities for both bad and even worse! No wonder the world ended up being the way it is!
Martin - Yeah? Okay? So what's the plan? What if it's a setup?
While Martin were feeling anxious, Duval were feeling empowered.
Duval - Don't hunker down just yet little Martin. We still have a job to do. Who would have thought that biggest and dirtiest schemes can happen at simple dinner table? I'am already exited. Do you feel it little Martin? Can you feel this power?
Martin - I am feeling myself a little cold! Does it really have to be me?
Duval - No one else besides you can do it little Martin. You are the man I have right here and right now, and no one else! And more then that, I trust you little Martin!
Martin - Why does it has to be me? Why could'nt we have taken Nita with us?
Duval - Nita is but a doll! Just a doll! Besides, she has her own role in all of this. But that will be latter. And that 'Richard' better hold his word. Because we are about to make a deal for the furure of our community! Oh, and we are almost there!
With a confident steps, Duval kept walking and walked right into a restaurant. Martin hurried to follow inside the restaurant. Both of them were met with a giant reception. Ignoring the line of people waiting in front of reception, Duval walked closer to a desk.
Duval - James L. and Roman S. we have a reservation.Guy in line - Hey!
Despite such rude behaviour, nobody pushed conflict any futher. The reception doll were surprised for a moment, but a then regained confident look and noded.
Reception Doll - Welcome Mr.James. VIP table number seven is upstairs. Your friends are expecting you! Please, enjoy and have a nice day!
Duval (James) - Come on Roman. People are waiting for us!
Martin (Roman) - Yeah, yeah. I'm comming!