Chapter 43: Frustration and Preparation on the Other End

Chapter 43: Frustration and Preparation on the Other End

Back at the poacher base. Just 3 days until the captives are shipped to the Hawk Clan.

The six remaining poachers gather at Tazer’s desk, staring at the computer monitor as the four Hawk Clan leaders, Marcal, Gard, Eustace, and Agatha, join their video call.

“We have received Gorge’s report on the mission,” Marcal says.

“And it’s not good,” Eustace adds.

“We had high hopes for you,” Gard says.

“But perhaps we were naïve to think you were up for the job,” Agatha finishes.

“Please do not lose faith in us,” Tazer pleads. “The strategy was great. We just did not expect that there would be opposition not focusing on Gorge.”

“Gorge reports that there were a handful of young people that tried to fight him during the retreat,” Marcal says. “He took them each out in one hit. Are you saying that these young people… kids even, were so big of an obstacle that you lost THREE of your members to them?!”

Tazer averts his eyes, embarrassment flowing through him.

“You captured 231 people, less than half of the 500 that we ordered!” Agatha says in a loud tone.

“If we do not get the full 500, we are going to pay you significantly less!” Eustace says, irritated.

Tazer turns his eyes back to the screen, eyes wide open as he leans forward, pleading harder. “Please! Give us another chance! We will march right back in there and capture the remaining 269 people needed to complete the job!”

“Maybe you’re forgetting something, Tazer, but the key part of the plan is sending Gorge and his subordinates with you,” Marcal replies. “Sending them isn’t free. We’re paying them to go with you. We’d still probably subtract the reward money from a second mission.”

Tazer takes a deep breath. “What if we offer a success guarantee?”

“And what exactly would that be?” Marcal asks.

“What I mean is that we will not leave that city until we get at least the required amount, and we will try to get even more. Not only that, we will bring the heads of those troublesome kids if they’re still in the city.”

The four Hawk Clan leaders place their hands up to their chins, appearing to be in deep thought.

Tazer gulps while the other five poachers watch nervously.

Marcal places his hand back on his desk. “I suppose that is an acceptable offer.”

“But we want those 231 captives sent over first before you launch your next mission,” Eustace adds.

“In 3 days, meet us at our rendezvous point to send over the captives,” Gard says. “After that, you can launch your next mission.”

“Thank you,” Tazer replies. “We will be sure to do that.”

“Do not disappoint us again,” Marcal finishes before signing off. The other three leaders do the same.

Tazer turns his desk chair around to look at the other five poachers. “Let’s have a meeting in the dining room.”

“Now?” Alga asks.

“Now.” Tazer confirms.

***

A few minutes later, in the dining room.

In the dining room, Tazer sits at the head of the rectangular table while the other five sit along the sides.

“Did any of you encounter these kids yourselves?” Tazer asks.

“I briefly fought one of them,” Sen replies. “He wasn’t anything too special. He certainly didn’t stop me from capturing anyone. He wore a red tunic of some kind.”

“I encountered a teen girl with black hair,” Alga says. “She seemed rather nervous.”

“I saw a blonde teen girl,” Shotsteed says. “But I was focused on capturing people so I evaded her rather than fight. I didn’t think she was a real threat.”

“What about you, Edgar and Naysha?”

Both of them shake their heads no.

“Then I wonder who took out Grode, Raider, and Easia.” Tazer mutters. “Gorge did mention someone he considered a threat but said he took the threat down in one hit.”

“Downed does not mean killed,” Edgar replies. “We should prepare ourselves and bring more weapons if we must.”

“I agree,” Naysha says. “We shouldn’t underestimate their age. The strongest person in this country, Goma, was already a D-Rank magic user by the time he reached age 18. Now, he is the only A-Rank in the entire country. These kids could be prodigies for all we know.”

“Prodigies don’t come around often,” Tazer replies. “They certainly don’t come around in a full group all at once. The three members we lost simply let their guard down. We won’t make the same mistake.”

Given one last chance at their mission, the poachers now prepare!

Chapter 43 END

To be Continued in Chapter 44: Invading The Poacher Base