“My association with Suha has been a punishment brought on from a lack of professionalism… But it’s not been for nothing. Being let out of my confinement, I’ve been able to accumulate funds and assets. Establishing something resembling a power base to stand on after falling to my lowest point…
What I have now doesn’t compare to the resources or authority I had during my time in the Dread Guristas ranks… But I’m not one to lament on what has been lost in the past. I have the opportunities of the present to exploit… If I need to hurt Suha’s feelings to do that? So be it… I won’t let her get in my way.”
- Utatis Parinen
“You’re back to zero.”
Feburary 6th YC 127
H-PA29 IV - Moon 2 - Guristas Assembly Plant - Residential red light district, Temptations Pleasure Hub. Upstairs lounge area
“-As for our ‘client’ that skipped out on his tab last night-”
-Already handled Utatis.”
“That so?”
“Handled it that night, Reks spotted him ducking the check, I followed him out, ran around a corner - POP - Right in the back of the head! Ran his pockets for payment… Then some for myself of course.”
“Felch,.. You shot him? Within the vicinity of my establishment?”
“What? No Utatis! I popped him like… < Hand smack > Mollywopped his ass! He’s still alive and all. Don’t stress… Payment was already pushed to the lounge’s account. Surprised you didn’t see it already…”
“Yes… That is very impressive.”
“So… Did Thulun not mention that?”
“Just him skipping on his tab-”
“-Oh that’s some fedoshit!”
“I agree.”
“Why do you have that bum in charge of us? Man cannot do his job right! ■■■■ it! We didn’t even need him to solve this issue! We handled business…”
“You took initiative.”
“Damn right!”
“I am disappointed in his performance of late…”
“Should put me on.”
“You have your own issues.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still pissed about them jobs I was running for Suha-”
“Well… Yeah.”
“…”
“…L-Look, Reks? I’m cool if he gets the promotion. I’ll listen to him. Just don’t make it the mute… In fact! Why is she running security at the entrance?”
“Friran is efficient at it.”
“But you need someone like Reks for the job! She’s Brutorian, I get it. Mean as hell. But Reks is just built like a battleship! Chin and all! Friran doesn’t have that frame… Also! She’s a mute so… Kinda makes all them security checks she does really awkward for our customers when she’s non-verbal about it.”
“Regardless of her ability to speak or not, she has proven herself more than able of working her post. Working the floor is also too… ‘stimulating’ for her.”
“I mean… Fair enough. A lot of ass getting thrown around inside.”
“I’m referring to the noise.”
“W-…-W-Wait, she has a problem with noise?”
“As I’ve observed, yes.”
“God damn weirdo that one.”
“Useful.”
“Would she be useful in a firefight? Gonna be loud then! I don’t need the non-verbal freak breaking down over some pops and bangs!”
“I assure you, she is very capable in a firefight. That said, we won’t be putting ourselves in any situation that would result in one… Yes?”
“Yeah, heard… Still, if Thulun is getting canned? Don’t make it her.”
“As of right now, everyone is where they need to be-
“-So where does that leave me?!”
“Suha? You should be home…Resting.”
”Oh ■■■■…"
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you Utatis?”
“The physicians were clear. You were to stay home and away from the job-”
“-■■■■ them, and ■■■■ you!”
“…”
“…Right, you know what? I should let you two work this out, I don’t need to be in the middle of this… Utatis, good talk big dog! Suha! Looking great! Really love the outfit! Alright, you two know where to find me…Alright? Alright!”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
“Im glad you’re healthy S-”
“-You left me there.”
“Someplace safe. Yes”
“You said you’d get me out of there! I was kept there for ■■■■■■■ MONTHS!”
“You’re gonna tell me it wasn’t for the better? You needed to get cleaned up Suha… SoE just happened to offer the best rehab program in this Region…”
“I told you I wanted to go home!”
“And you’re a grown woman. Take yourself home if your stay there was miserable as you make it…Only person that stopped you was yourself.”
“…”
“Time you look at yourself instead of lashing out at me… I’m finding it irritable at this point.”
“Oh, I have looked at myself… And you know what I saw? Someone who was weak! A coward!”
“… < Sigh >”
“Got something to say?!”
“Suha, please. Spare me the tough act, it doesn’t suit you at all… Sit. Let’s discuss this plainly… It will be easier for us both.”
“…”
“… I have seized all your assets within this region. Your accounts, and property… Such as this establishment. All under my control. An effort made… ‘Simpler’ after Avio went quiet. Anything that didn’t have his name? I took control of… Even then? Managed to slide a few of his assets my way…”
“Y-…Y-Y-You-”
“You’re back to zero.”
“…”
“Do you need something to drink?
“D-Don’t you try to pretend to be friendly with me!”
“You look light headed…”
“Y-Yes! I am! Why the ■■■■ are you doing this?!”
“You’re an unstable mess prone to wasteful use of resources and labour… Other than that evaluation? With Avio out of the picture, you’re just an easy mark… I had the initiative to act on that. Our ‘arrangement’ insisting on us both being alive is the only reason we’re talking right now.”
“… You’d kill me otherwise?”
“Things being what they are… I could use you. You have talents I don’t…”
“…W-What do you have in mind?”
“I need someone to run the front of the house…. A face that’s easy with the crowds. Good for staff morale. A people pleaser.”
“Y-You’re making me a manager?!”
“There are far more degrading positions open here… Let’s just say I’m willing to give you something with more cushion… For old times sake.”
“W-What would I be responsible for?
“You will have complete control of everything that happens on the floor. Ensure people are doing their job, clients are pleased… Eveything else? Me.”
“…You’re a real piece of ■■■■, you know that Utatis?”
“I just offered you a job.”
“You stole everything out from under me!-”
“-You caved-in a man’s skull to punctuate your ownership over this establishment. In this very room no less. My takeover was just hostile, not barbaric.”
“…”
“Thulun answers directly to me, that goes for all of his subordinates. They’ve been running security, handling ‘issues’ as they arise… They’ll keep you safe out there. Don’t worry. I pay them, but it’s you they like… Start taking advantage of that? Then we have serious problems.”
“…”
“Keep the food moving, drinks pouring. And our clients’ desires met… And you’ll do just fine. You’ll be paid enough to where you won’t be wanting.”
“…”
“Do you accept?”
“I… I accept.”
“Good. You can start next week. Give you some time to clear your head. Focus on the tasks ahead…I have expectations, and you will meet them.”
“…”
“…”
“…Why can’t I get anywhere?”
“…”
“Always! It’s setbacks! I can’t do ■■■■ right, and it sets me back!”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“What do you know?!”
“… What do I know?”
“…”
“All my days stuck with you have been a setback… I was a commander of men, Suha. I lived the life you fantasize about. The one you’ve played pretend at with your childish exhibitions… One mistake costed me all of it. One moment of thinking I knew better, and look where it landed me… In front of you.”
“…”
“… Leave. Be here an hour before we open Monday night. We’ll go over training and expectations.”
“… Ok.”
“… And Suha?”
“…?”
“Stay clean this time… If I find out you’re taking blue pill again, it will not reflect well on your employment here… Understood?”
“Yes… I understand.”
“Good.”