Embrace the Ether 15 Either Put Up or Shut Up

Everyone in the room stared at Deus as if he were some kind of fine art, just waiting to be marveled at. Elias spoke up, drawing everyone out of a sort of daze, "So, you even managed to bring this person into the mix, Mercer… quite impressive."

"Ah, yes… I only did what I thought was best!" Mercer spat out as his cheeks burned red with excitement, his heart practically bursting from his chest at the opportunity to gain favor. "I live to serve, of course!"

"Hmm." Elias gave Mercer a half-eager glance and sighed, "I appreciate… the sentiment. Enough of that, I believe it's time we go into exactly why we're all here, and what sort of score you should all be looking forward to."

"Yes, of course." Mercer continued, "But you will tell mister Roland about my efforts, right?"

Elias turned to stare at Mercer, showing a slightly annoyed face as he simply waited in silence.

"Ah, forgive me... I misspoke."

"Indeed. As I was saying... all of you have been brought together here because you each serve an end goal, a sort of specialized skill each of you is good at. Something necessary for the success of this job. I will warn you now, this job will most likely pit you against some rather dangerous people... but the reward is well worth it for those willing to risk it. So, whose in?"

One of the men who was originally sitting with Mercer spoke up, "What sort of job is it, first?"

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that until after you've agreed... you see if you hear about it and decide to run away and blabber about it... I'll just have to make due without you - if you get what I mean. You see, we sadly can't risk leaks. So, you either accept or you decline now, it's as simple as that."

Droh's eyes lit up for a moment as he prepared to speak, only to be interrupted by Elias, "And yes, you've already accepted Droh, unless, of course, you want Roland to find out about you."

"Tsk." Droh spat out in frustration, rubbing his forehead as he spoke to Deus, "Sorry, it seems I've no choice…"

"Mm, that's fine, we were going to do it anyway, right? I'm in."

Elias looked at Deus with a grin, clearly quite pleased with the man's resolve. "Really now, how excellent. I look forward to seeing you in action. I only hope you deserve the praise the city is showering you with… would be rather disappointing if you were just another nobody."

"Oh don't worry, as long as you leave Droh alone after this, I won't let you down."

"Wonderful…" Looking around the room, Elias noticed that not a single person had opted to leave, instead, they all stayed behind, volunteering themselves for the job. "Alright, since you've all staked your lives on this, I might as well explain."

"You see," He continued as he stepped into the center of the room, approaching the table that Mercer sat at, "We're going to be hitting a drop zone… valuables are littered around this place, the only concern will be those damn centipedes and the city lord's salvage team. We'll hit them fast and suddenly, taking down their heavy weapons, which will leave them with only a few spare ground forces."

Everyone's mouths fell open in shock, it was quite the risky heist, but the payoff would be astronomical. Enough to build an entire clan off of.

"Don't worry about the main attack… I've used my authority within the clan to get my hands on some weaponry for us, along with a desert ship. We'll use it to sail across the empty, letting us arrive before any reinforcements can get there. We hit them and run, in and out, quick and easy. If everything goes well, we'll each walk away with a small fortune… and, of course, an in for the clan, if you wish to join. Well, everyone but Droh here, that is." Elias said with a chuckle.

"Hold up." One of the men who Mercer brought spoke up in doubt, "You do realize we'll still be making an enemy out of a territory lord for this, right? Even your clan can't protect us from that… especially not long term. Sounds too risky…"

"Oh please, don't overestimate your own value, you and I both know that the city lords don't really give two shits about any of us… in truth we'd be making an enemy out of a few random soldiers, not the entire damn military… especially if we don't leave behind any witnesses."

A few men nodded in agreement.

"See? I'm not the only one who knows how this all works, it's quite simple. Also, don't forget we've got a big shot with us now! Just think about it… that bastard, Roch, won't openly oppose us if his precious recruit is with us, right?" Elias turned to look at Deus, "With him here, everything should go smoothly… after all, didn't he just promise me that I won't be disappointed? I'm holding him to that."

"Heh"

"Right, makes sense."

Two of Mercer's men grunted out approvingly as they slowly nodded.

"So, I would ask who's in… but you've already agreed, so the right question is… who's ready to get started?" Elias asked around the room with a twisted smile.

"Quick question," Deus spoke up, to the surprise of everyone in the room, including Droh's. "You say we'll all walk away with a small fortune… but isn't that just talk? What exactly is so valuable to risk everything on? Also, don't pretend like we'll all be returning alive, especially if we openly confront the military."

The room went silent, no one knew whether to agree with Deus or to silently mock him. They stared at Elias as if waiting for approval.

"Hah, see? I knew you wouldn't disappoint. Yes, I won't lie, I don't imagine even half of you will return alive… but that's a sacrifice that I'm willing to make. Regardless, this job will reward handsomely, so either you put up or shut up. In truth, I don't see why you're worried… you'll be fine, after all, we need you alive to keep that bastard Roch off our back."

"So, you're using me? So blatantly, too."

"Of course we are, why wouldn't we? You act like you don't even know how Midnight works. Hah! Survival of the fittest, my friend. You either use others, or you get used, that's it."

"It can't be so simple as that, surely."

Everyone in the room except Droh chuckled, "You're a fool, but you're also a useful fool. So, just shut up and let me use you, and you'll get out of this alive and rich. Fair enough?"

'Who does this asshole think he is?' Deus cursed to himself as he simply stood there in silence.

"Alright, since that's over… let's figure out the specific details and positions you'll all be taking."

Chapter end