Entering my room, I paused at the sight of Harley only in a towel.
No, bad Darius.
It's time to leave. You came to get changed. Tearing my eyes from the smirking beauty, I began to change, acting like I hadn't spent a hot minute ogling her. " We've arrived. "
I paused mid-change to give her a direct look before walking right up to her. I needed to make sure Harley knew the seriousness in my words. " No leaving, no leaving, absolutely no leaving. Understood?"
"You sure? 'Cause I'm getting the feeling that maybe, just maybe, you want me leaving."
I wanted to chuckle at that, but that wouldn't help my point. "I mean it, Harley."
"Fine, Dad," she replied, emphasising her exasperation with a dramatic eye roll. "I'll be a good little girl and stay put."
Satisfied that she would listen, I went back to changing." If I can, I'll bring you back something nice...or money. That's only if I come back and you're as good as say you'll be."
"Oh, so I gotta be a good girl to get rewarded? And here I thought you just brought me nice things 'cause you liked me."
I snorted. " I could never."
With the last of my assault uniform on, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around her waist. " There's already lots to do. Continue being a lazy ass watching all the shitty shows you've been watching, flustering some of the guys again or maybe...here me out. You do something productive. "
She let out a mock gasp, pressing a hand to her chest as if she were truly scandalised. "Me? A lazy ass? Watching shitty shows?" Her voice was all faux outrage, though her lips curled into a grin soon after. "I'll have you know, my taste is impeccable. And besides, somebody needs to keep morale up."
However, that wasn't what really got her attention. Her eyes lit up, and her arms tightened around my neck when I mentioned the suits. "Damn. You really know how to sweeten a deal."
With a parting kiss, I had to unfortunately leave. Walking to the meeting point for the guys I would be taking with me, I ran into a certain maid staring out of one of the observation windows, which just screamed like a one-time important storyline.
Of course this would happen. Well, it was good I guess. I had a word or two for her.
Walking closer, I was a bit surprised at how close I got before she noticed considering she had a sixth sense with how phenomenal her awareness was at times." I wonder what you must be thinking to have missed me entering and standing damn near over you."
She had a look of surprise which she quickly stamped out with that blank look of hers. The problem with trying to appear as a blank slate is that when you do something, even something so small as a simple clenching of one's fists tighter than what would be considered normal or the slight sharp intake of air, someone observant could notice like me at the moment watching those exact things happen.
Unfortunately, she didn't seem like a smiler.
"...I must be slipping."
I already showed her how much of a hardass I could be, it was time for the carrot. No need to make the confidant of someone you wanna be close to hate you. Recipe for disaster in the making.
Closing the distance between us, I took one of her hands and gently unclenched it. " That looked like it hurt."
Taking a look at the crescent indents in her palm, I could see just how hard she was clenching her hands. I wonder what emotion caused her to feel this strongly. Hate? Fear? Anger?
Was it me?
Did I already sour her to me? I only threatened to kill her and lightly slid a knife across her…
Whatever it was, it needed to be balanced with an opposing emotion or else it could become dangerous. " I do hope you've had a long reflection. Hope you've seen how you're in a position to leave behind Mr Gordon and truly follow who you want."
Her nails curled slightly against my palm. This must be some force of habit, kinda like Orga's left eye closing when his emotions ran high at times. Her throat bobbed as she finally forced out a whisper.
"What makes you so certain... You know who I want to follow?"
Hmm.
A weak attempt at resistance, or maybe a deflection for whatever reason. Whatever the reason was, it didn't stop the snort that escaped my lips.
I gently put down that hand and did the same to the other. " Let's not play these games. You love Kudelia. We both know it, and she loves you too."
I don't know why she was making this harder than it needed to be. She was being unnecessarily stubborn. I don't have too much time left, so it's better I just lay it on thick with her. I took a step closer and dropped my ever-present polite smirk.
"I can keep you from killing her now but unless I were to permanently remove you from the picture, you could always try again and I won't always be there. So instead, I simply want to ask you, who do you want to serve? A man like Gordon who only sees you as a tool or Kudelia who sees you like her older sister and treats you with love and respect."
A simple, direct question but a needed one. Sometimes, you needed a sledgehammer for certain situations to highlight obvious feelings and emotions when subtlety won't work.
Her gaze flicked to the floor. Her nails twitched against my palm again, this time it had more strength behind it but I held her hands in place. I saw droplets of water hit the ground and I felt an emotional dump coming.
I think that sledgehammer broke open a beaver dam holding back a tsunami of emotions.
"I don't deserve her love."
There it is.
One again. People are afraid of love here.
I let out an internal sigh. Seems I'm gonna be late.
I did the only thing I knew how to do in these scenarios. I just went in for a hug and gently rubbed circles into her back like you do with a child. I did this so I gotta end it I guess." She doesn't think so, but if you truly feel that way, work hard enough for her. Work hard enough for you to feel like you deserve it."
As expected, the maid's body went rigid under my touch. She however didn't pull away. She in fact curled her fingers against my chest. Kinda hurt actually.
"Do you really think... I can?" she trembled out,
No, I think it's too late and you should just off yourself.
That's not a nice thing to say so I instead relied on my unflappable three romantic movies knowledge where surprising enough, something like this happened in each.
I gently pushed her chin up and pushed a strand of hair from her face." There's only one way to find out."
Yeah, I don't wanna do that again.
She held my gaze for a moment then looked away, wiping her tears. "Why are you doing this? I-I, I'm not worth all this."
Good question.
One I still don't have an entire answer besides the one Andre sprouted in my mind so just don't provide a proper one. "I think you are and that's all I need."
Smooth.
I finally broke the hug. " As much as I enjoy hugging beautiful women, I do have a job at the moment. So I need to go."
Pausing at the end of the hallway, I turned back to her. " What do you want? Not what Gordon or I want. Just you."
And if what you want is wrong, Andre will be there to correct you.
With that, I turned the corner and sprinted the rest of the way. I could not run into any more opportunities like this. Not now anyway.
Arriving, I found everyone was already suited, armed and ready to go while Orga, Andre, Richy, Biscuit and Eugune watched.
I speedily got on my gear and armed up so we could head out of here. " Be ready to leave. When I say leave, just do it no matter if we're back on the ship or not."
Orga looked upset but nodded. "You'd better make it back in one piece, then."
I gave him a simple nod. Hell no I ain't dying here.
" You know, I almost feel bad staying here. " Andre said when I walked up to him.
" Dont worry. I'm safer knowing you aren't holding a rifle behind my back."
He snorted, clasping my shoulder. " Don't die. I might feel like shit, which I don't like to feel."
" Aww, is little old Andre sad about me?"
The brute slapped my back. " Get the fuck out of here."
I turned to Richy as I rubbed my back. Finding the boy beginning to tear up. "Where's Robby?"
" You know how he is with a I'm his own words, 'potentially unnecessary emotional moments.'"
I nodded, patting the smaller boy's shoulder. " I should be back in a jiffy so stop looking like you wanna cry."
The boy sniffled and took in a deep breath. "Sorry boss. I can't control it at times."
I shook my head in amusement, giving him a side hug before taking my leave.
" So where is your whip holder." David asked, clearly holding back a laugh.
" I will shoot you."
*******
" Mr Navona, glad you came at my request, as short notice as it was." I sent the man my best smile and extended an arm." I'm Darius Kingston, leader of Tekkaden. "
The old man smiled, taking the offered hand. "Of course, Mr. Kingston. When Tekkadan calls, I listen. Though, I admit, I had planned to come see you before I was surprised by your summons. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
On the way here, I had boggled my mind on what exactly I needed to do here and in the end, my mind settled on the most direct option.
" I've received distressing information that I needed to share. I have reason to believe that this dock shall be raided by Gjallarhorn. Now, as you can see…" I took a look back at my armed guys standing behind me. "...we are quite prepared for our own safety if we find ourselves still here if this is the case, but we are more than ready to provide aid...for a price of course."
The old man's face dropped at my news but I had to hand it to the man. He recovered quickly, forcing a smile and words a businessman would love on his lips. "A generous offer, Mr. Kingston. And one I would be foolish to ignore. But tell me, what exactly is your price?"
I pretended to take a look around before one of my guys offered the inventory list. " Well, I think I would be right in saying you guys do not have much to offer but..."
I already had an idea of what I wanted. With things diverting from canon here, Tekkaden may find themselves lacking in equipment, which was a no-no." One of your three mobile workers and five crates of guns and ammunition. "
It really wasn't much, however , for a company in a financial situation, every credit not spent is one that can carry us into the future and these guys weren't exactly rich either.
The old man's smile strained even more than it already was so I decided to sweeten the deal. "As a guarantee, if no bullets go flying, you won't have to pay us."
Navona gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. "You drive a hard bargain, Mr. Kingston. But fine; one Mobile Worker and five crates, if things get messy. Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
Nodding, I give a nod to the David who turned to the guys we brought along. They went to work immediately, some immediately going to unload while others began spreading around. Getting an idea, I asked the old man for some green jackets so we could better blend in. Didn't want to be associated with what would happen.
He easily provided what I asked for which I distributed to my guys. Next was the inventory. I walked up to the guy with the list on our end. "Leave the inventory I discussed with Navona on the ship."
With how quickly shit hit the fan, I wouldn't be able to collect what we discussed in time so it was better I just left the stuff on the ship.
Receiving a nod, I made my way to a spot I saw was the best defensible position from where the main entrance was.
Ten or so minutes passed and I had gotten bored enough to examine the cargo again, specifically the logo. It was the same one on my guns and it felt too familiar but I didn't know why.
A yellow 'V' in a yellow box. Nothing particularly unique but I felt like I should have an idea about it.
My thoughts had to be put on hold however when suddenly, a few hovervans burst through the main entrance. Seeing that things were going as cannon, I couldn't help but grin, making sure to send the signal to Orga to leave with the Isaribi. I didn't have to say or do anything for chaos to unfold. I just had to wait for one side to shoot, and act.
The time soon came when one of the green jackets picked up one of the stored rifles and unloaded into a nearby Gjallarhorn soldier. With that, I and all my guys came out of hiding, gunning every soldier around down.
After a minute, I suspected that they sent the most incompetent people to get massacred as one of the reasons to cull the workers because slaughtering them all was far too easy. I mean, it was as if the thought that we would defend was not even in their minds.
Whatever, we did our jobs cause no enemy survived with no Tekkaden losses.
" Loot the bodies." I ordered before making my way to Navona, the old man looked a bit shell shocked till he noticed my arrival. " As agreed, we protected you. I hope you don't mind, we took our payment in advance."
The man blinked a few times then forced another smile, but there was a fearful edge to it. The man looked wary, the smile on his face, a poor attempt to hide it. I didn't blame him. If one was looking at this from an outside perspective, one would think I set this up. "I see. Quite… proactive of you."
I chuckled, tapping my fingers against my holstered pistol. "Business should always be done with certainty. And I don't like being owed."
Well, there was nothing else to do but leave. I wouldn't be foolish enough to try anything else for risk of getting found out or being caught up in the upcoming massacre. Even this was a bit of a risk but an unavoidable
one so all things considered, it was a worthwhile one for Tekkaden.
" So, Mr Navona, you don't happen to have a transport ship to leave?"