Duval - So in a some weird roundabout way. Both Falov and Manin companies hired my services to hit on each other and pay big money. And get this. If things gets the perfect way, nobody would be able to pin a single clue on us.
A small cafe in a downtown of Odesa. Despite a sunny day early in a summer, the outside were not that warm. People kept walking left and right through a streets. A restless city filled with restless people. As Duval took a sip of coffee from his cup, he thought to himself "Nothing has changed in this hole ever since I run away from here nearly twenty two years ago"
Kilmure - I don't know Duval! This whole idea sounds just like you. I never doubt your plans, but do we really have to get Harry and Sam involved in this whole mess?
Duval - I can't do this one on my own Kilmure. Besides, you and Martin is here. I already sent out for Harry and Sam to get over here and be fine with it.
Kilmure - Okay... Whatever you would say. Though, I don't like the idea of throwing my people on this endevor... And Andre isstuck at the camp because you are here... And as far as I know, my doll team is runnign around for Corter fella. Personaly, it would be better for me to return at the camp.
Duval - You don't trust my judgment?
Kilmure - Of course I do. My options are limited without my team. So there just as much we can do.
Duval - You have Martin running around somewhere here. Nita and that weird doll is here too. That must be enough for a simple logistic operation. Because you will be taking up a logistics.
Kilmure - Seriously? Logistics?
Duval - Okay, okay, hear me out. I am representative of myself. So I can't be seen on both accounts. That's why I need someone work out everything else behind the scene. And that's where both Sam and Harry team come in handy.
Kilmure - And what does that mean? I can be seen in both accounts and then walk around with target on my back? Duval, I will do my part of it, as always. You need to understand the risks...
Duval - I perfectly know who we are dealing with. Falov and Manin are families filled with riches and short sights. By the time they realise who we are, we will be lo-ong gone. And hopefully never return to Odesa ever again. I hate this city with every single cell of my body. At least there would be a reason to stay away and never return for good.
Kilmure - Okay. Fine... Now that this is settled. What have they said?
Duval - Who?
Kilmure - You were comming here to talk with your friends. What did they said?
Duval - Oh, you talking about thouse filthy snakes known as politicians? Same as usual. They want me to get rid of people that live somewhere in yellow zone, force someone to rat on someone else and solve any other problems they have. Everything that would strengthen their position on political arena, win them trust of a people and secure votes, or just simply help them retain connections with someone among names of power. The more things change, the more they stay the same!
With conflicted expression, Duval took final sip of coffee and took a look at the bottom of cup.
Kilmure - When will Harry and Sam arrive here with their teams?
Duval - In a week or two, hard to say. They will arrive to Odessa one by one and in disguise.
Kilmure - Well. At least they are carefull. Now, we have only one more problem. The Edjher problem.
Duval - Well... I got good and bad news. Good is, he didn't talk. Bad news... We are not getting him out. URNC got him in a tight grip somewhere here in Odesa.
Kilmure - Damn... We won't be going through a jail break over here. It was hard enough durning our tour through CHE-02... But Odesa? It's not impossible, but it is nothing but a suicide mission.
Duval - I know Kilmure. I know. That's why I am here after all. I will do my best to get our brother in arm out of there. And hope there won't be need to hire a 'dark physician' for that.
Kilmure - Edjher won't talk, i'm sure of that. But still...
Both man noded to each other in silence. Then a waitress came nearby. A simple civilian doll. Just like everywhere else. Serving and going around.
Duval - One more coffee please.
With a cup in hand, Duval waved to a doll.
Civilian Doll - Right away sir!
The doll took a cup from the table and hurried away.
Duval - And now. I have a final question. Lately, someone were running around and using my and yours contacts. That's about that new doll of yours. What's her name was? Nika?
Kilmure - Nita! And what did she do to get your attention?
Duval - Not much. But one of my friends said somethign that caught me off guard. Something like 'You now have a doll as your closes assisstant? Never thought you'd come around too'... She seem's busy going through our list with questions about some girl named "Maria"
As slight smirk appeared on Duval's face, while Kilmure facepalmed. Duval almost laughed.
Duval - Does your doll getting paid? Where did she get her money from?
Kilmure - That's totaly natural! They are doing a good job and get paid for a job well done.
Duval - We already had a discussion about your love for dolls.
Kilmure - Yeah, we did. I'l talk with Nita about all that.
Duval - No, no, no... Since she is using our contacts. I will do the talking. Where is she?
Kilmure - *sigh* I guess she is running a request with that weird doll. I will arrange your meeting
Duval - I'l be waiting then. That doll is getting wild isn't she? Barely a two months around and already running with top dog and using our network. I kind of starting to like her.
Kilmure - Make sure to tell her that.
Duval - *heh* What do you mean? I have 'always' loved the dolls!
Kilmure - Oh no... Not again!
Duval - Oh, I remembered that you still never married. How about we find you a 'wife' doll?
As Duval kept joking around, Kilmure felt even more embarrassed. And then a new cup of coffee finialy arrived in hands of a waitress doll. That coffee finaly put a stop to a joking spree.
=== Play Ground ===
Nomomo - I counting... Twenty... Thirty... Thirty seven... No, Thirty nine units.
Beda - And still no signs of Darryl...
Two dolls laying in wait at a top of a rocks. Looking through a binoculars at a camp settled in a distance. Group of cars, armed man, robots. A bounty hunter camp with emblems of broken triangles and letters "Legion". Looked awefully close to what they were looking for.
Beda - I still can't belive that Blaze pulled that off. Can you belive that?
Nomomo - Not my meat to bite. But that's better than sitting at a camp, waiting for a merry weather. At least she is looking out for something. Never thought that we would pick up commission all by ourselves, but here we are. Going through a hunt run.
Beda - I get the feeling. But at least tell us something? *ugh* Never mind that. She knows what's she is doing. Never knows what hit you with her around... I see some movement at eleven!
Five cars, one after another, drived through a dusty trails, approaching and then parking near a camp. People started walking out of said cars, going inside the camp. Nomomo tried to take a look at each and every single one of them, untill she noticed the one everyone was looking for.
Nomomo - Okay. Target confirmed. This one looks like a Darryl.
Beda - Guy spended his best days just like that... Kind of feeling sorry for the dude.
Nomomo - Don't be... This is just the mission, nothing more.
Beda - Did you told yourself the same, while killing hundreds of people?
Nomomo - Nope. Back then my only thoughts were... "Just get out of my way". Not many actualy decided to step way. So it came to the only thing I am good at...
Beda - Oh, spooky. I will send a signal to Blaze and Corter crew.
In a short while. A signal connected to terminal just a five kilometers up north. Blaze didn't hurried to answer the call. But few moments latter, a familiar mocking and soft voice answered.
Blaze - Blaze on a line. What happened on your side?
Beda (Audio call) - Darryl is here... Nomomo and Me. How fast can you get Urmat and his crew here? Because it looks like they are packing their things and soon would move out.
Blaze - Half an hour. Plus minus ten minutes. How long are they going to be stuck there?
Beda (Audio call) - Can't say for sure! I'l keep you updated!
Blaze - Got that. We will move out right now.
Once the audio call was cut off. Blaze turned around and looked at the scene in front of her. Dead bodies of mercenaries, cars caught aflame, crates with all kinds of supply were broken and their content spilled over the ground. Few mercinaries that still were alive and well, walked around in disbelief, checking tents and all corners. Just looking for anything.
Blaze - How the hell am I going to explain this?
Veteran Merc - Hey! Doll! We found Urmat! He is injured!
Blaze - Comming, comming!
While mercenary were calling for Blaze, another pair of mercenaries lifted mangled body from the ground and place on the only surviving table. That mangled body had a name tag on him that read "Urmat". His body were riddled with bullet holes, burnt and missing an arm and a leg. Looked like a result of explosion. Somehow, his face were among the few things that survived the beating.
Blaze - Oh. I don't think there is anyone who can help with THAT kind of injury.
Veteran Merc - Yeah... Bastards!
Newbie Merc - Does that... Does that mean we failed? What is going to happen now?
Tough Merc - Relax newbie. We still have a mission in front of us!
Newbie Merc - But... The whole crew... Twenty nine man... While we were on a recon...
Veteran Merc - What do we have left?
Tough Merc - Six people... And a doll. Three dolls to be exact. Two of them were overlooking the camp of 'legion' that we spotted south of here.
Blaze - Speaking of my team... It seems that Darryl and his team just arrived back at that camp and getting ready to move out. Looks like they noticed us and... well... here is result...
Everyone looked around. Still smoking burnt cars, bullet shells all over the muddy ground, corpses of their comrades and then they returned attention back to body of their dead leader on a table.
Veteran Merc - Tell the guys to grab whatever they can. We are moving out right now.
Tough Merc - Okay! | Newbie Merc - We are going out just like that?
As the Tought mercenary walked away, gathering the remaining team, newbie merc jumped up a little. Veteran merc turned his attention at a newbie.
Veteran Merc - Look kid. We are going out there either way. If you want to quit. That's your perfect chance! Do you have your MRE pack with you?
Newbie Merc - Yes, but...Veteran Merc - Good. Three days of walking to the east, and you will reach a some sort of village. After that, you'l figure something out.
Newbie Merc - This is insanity!Blaze - Stop... You are wasting your time...
Once again Newbie were stopped. This time by Blaze.
Blaze - You either join or leave. There is not something you can go around.
Newbie Merc - But why?
Veteran Merc - The doll is right. Stop waisting you time. Either go with us or go east.
After saying his piece. Veteran Merc grabbed a dog tag from Urmat's body and headed to the only live car they had. Newbie were conflicted, Blaze looked him in the eyes and noded. Everyone else were getting ready to leave.
Newbie Merc - *Urgh* okay, fine! I'm comming!
Following everyone. The newbie climbed the trunk of a car. Soon after, everyone left the scene.
=== Odesa ===
Martin - And that would be it. Ready?
Nita - Not really. But let's get out of here already!
Suddenly a door to a storage room opened and Zed appeared in front of unfortunate couple. Zed quickly looked around the room, multiple boxes of beer were opened, but not a single bottle were in sight. And only Martin and Nita were still in her sights.
Zed - Are you two idiots doing that on purpose?
Martin - I don't really know what you mean!
Zed - Oh yeah? Then get out of here! We still have things to do? Did you two at least place the charges? Or all you did is steall the poor alcohol of this poop restaurant?
Martin - But hey! It's a waste of fine beer. Who cares if it's taken or lost in explosion?
Zed - Then hurry the hell up! I don't wanna be stuck here for more than twenty minutes. And your bag is still half full of explosives.
Martin - Okay, Okay! No need to be so mean! | Zed - Maybe I should give you some energy boost?
With smirk, Zed pulled out electric baton. Nita stepped right between Zed and Martin
Nita - Calm down Zed. We are still ahead of plan by a whole two hours.
Zed - I know. And it doesn't mean we can slow down! We still have one more bulding to blowup before a sunrise! Just to be sure, we better be far away once the timer hit the zero!
Annoyed even more than frustrated, Zed finaly walked away. leaving Martin and Nita to their own ideas of 'planting the bomb'. Martin sighed in relief.
Martin - Yep... We definitely better to hurry up.Nita - Agree!