Chapter 34: If You Harm Him…

Chapter 34: If You Harm Him…

“Ah, yes, I am aware of your feud with the Eagle Clan,” Tazer says.

“It’s more than that,” Marcal replies, still stern.

“A little over a month ago, one of our prison labor camps was completely destroyed, and we assume it was the Eagle Clan’s doing,” Eustace adds, before pounding his fist on the desk, yelling, “We seek vengeance and new slaves!”

“And we believe your group is just the one to handle this,” Gard says.

“We have high expectations so you should consider it an honor that we would come to your group for this,” Agatha points out, still calm.

Tazer rubs his beard. “What exactly do you need us to do?”

“On paper, it’s a simple task,” Marcal notes, before going more in depth. “You will invade Kunasha and capture as many Eagle Clan members as possible. It doesn’t matter if they’re anyone important. They can all be ordinary civilians for all we care.”

“Hmmmm,” Tazer hums before responding. “Such a mission won’t be cheap. We expect a lot of money up front for this. And also, we will certainly need more manpower.

“That can be arranged,” Gard replies.

“Some of our soldiers will accompany you,” Eustace states.

“Including the strongest soldier in our entire clan,” Agatha adds with confidence.

Marcal leans forward, clasping his hands together. “They will handle holding off enemy soldiers, you focus on gathering up their civilians.”

“A small group of soldiers won’t be able to take on their entire defense force in their home city,” Tazer says, some doubt creeping into his mind.

“True, but your group should be able handle the weaker riffraff that aren’t focused on our soldiers,” Gard assures.

“How many do you need captured?” Tazer asks. “Our vehicle can hold about 1,000 humans in it if space efficiency is maximized.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?” Agatha asks.

“It can hold about 1,000 people in it if everyone is squeezed tightly with nearly no breathing room,” Tazer replies. “Of course, then you risk people suffocating to death.”

“We won’t need that many,” Marcal states. “500 people should be good enough. Though, you are welcome to kill any other number of people you like.”

“How much will you pay for this mission?” Tazer asks, leaning closer to his computer screen.

“50 million Doles,” Marcal replies in a highly serious tone.

The nine poachers’ jaws all drop open as wide as possible, absolutely shocked by that number.

“F-f-f-f-f-fifty million Doles!!?” Tazer shouts after stuttering. “That would be enough to buy our own town!! We could build more than a dozen mansions!! No one has ever paid us more than 200,000 Doles for one job before!!”

“Yes, that tells you how important this job is for us,” Agatha states.

“Failure is not an option!” Eustace growls, his face intense. “If you accept these terms, either come back successful or don’t come back at all!”

Tazer turns his head around, glancing at the other poachers. They all nod. He turns his head back to the computer screen and nods as well. “We accept your terms.”

“Good,” Marcal replies. “Our soldiers will meet with you and then you can head to the city. Good day.”

The signal goes offline.

“Let’s prepare!” Tazer commands.

Everyone scatters, heading off to different sections of the base. Tazer walks through a hallway, but glances out a window next to a door, noticing that it’s raining outside. “Rain, huh?”

He opens the door to walk outside on a balcony and pulls out a cigarette and a lighter. He lights the cigarette even as the heavy rain drenches him. He rests the cigarette between his lips as he stares out into the distance, the smoke rising even as the rain pours down.

“We might not even need to do this gig anymore after this mission…” he says in a low tone, daydreaming of a better life.

Suddenly, someone holds a blade up to his neck, using their other hand to grab onto his shoulder from behind. “Better be careful about your dreams,” the person says, noticeably a woman’s voice.

Tazer’s eyes tremble as he mutters, “Udana…”

Udana smirks behind him. “Glad you haven’t forgotten my voice, Tazer.”

Tazer starts sweating as he asks with nerves firing, “What are you doing here?”

“I know about your new mission,” Udana replies.

Tazer trembles even harder. “What?! How did you know?! We just got it!”

“Despite your security systems, your base is incredibly easy to sneak into.”

“Why do you care about our new mission?!”

“I have a demand to make. During your mission, you are not to harm a young man named Zeth. My master demands it.”

“How much money are you going to pay to ensure his safety?”

Udana holds her blade tighter against his neck. “You seem to misunderstand. This isn’t optional. This is a requirement. If you harm him, I will slit your neck. And that goes for any of your members too. If anyone in your group harms him, you die. Got it?”

On the verge of panic, Tazer intensely nods.

“That may be so… but I can’t possibly believe that’s the only reason you’re here,” he says, still near panic.

“You’re smarter than you look,” she replies. “But you’re right, there is another reason. I come seeking information on the whereabouts of a woman named Daykona. I know your group has done work for her recently, so I want to know where she can be found currently. She has something my master wants.”

“I only know where she was at the time of the job. She’s probably moved since then.”

“That’s fine. It’s good enough to help me track her current whereabouts.”

“She had us capture various creatures and take them to some sort of mansion in the northwest corner of the country.”

Udana lets go of him and jumps down to a lower branch. “Thank you. I appreciate your help. Just remember who you are forbidden from harming.”

The poachers have their sights set on Kunasha!! But how will Udana’s demand impact their plans?!

Chapter 34 END

To be Continued in Chapter 35: The Invasion of Kunasha