Doug was a bit confused, happy and relieved about how everything turned out- but still confused.
Everyone was telling him that it was going to be a difficult case, and that he would be spending some time behind bars, Hell.... he also believed it and took it as a fact of the matter. But n0w he was exiting the Police station somewhat of a free man. This left him dazed that he didn't even notice a man approaching him, until he was right next to him.
The man spoke, "Feels unreal doesn't it...Like some kind of a dream."
Doug's instinct kicked In, "Who the f*ck are you...?"
"I'm the man who gave you a lifeboat when you were drowning." Alex responded with a sharp and cold tone as he looked at Doug.
"Let's take a walk Doug."
As he turned and walked off without waiting. Something about him—his presence, his control—made Doug fall in step without a word, half a pace behind.
"You know Doug, I'm a man of principle- a code that I live by." Alex spoke with his hands in the coat pockets, walking along the sidewalk.
"And one of those codes is An Eye For An Eye. You help me and I help you, you betray me…and you are dead." After saying that, he turned and faced Doug, looking straight at his eyes.
"I'm offering you a chance to get back at those who put you here, to get your revenge," Doug hearing this, his eyes widened slightly but still feigned ignorant, "What are you talking about...?" He asked.
Seeing the miserable attempt to hide his expression, Alex couldn't be help but feel amused.
"Oh? is that so...?" Alex smiled as the looked at the system screen while continuing to walk.
[Ding!!]
[Host Please note that target Douglas is connected to a criminal Organization.]
[Name: Douglas Colson]
[Age: 39]
[Occupation: Former Street level Dealer/Enforcer]
[Skills: Street Smarts: SS-
Distribution Network Knowledge: S+
Combat (Street Brawling): A-
Firearms Proficiency: B+
Drug Chemistry Knowledge: C+
Prison Connections: B-
Situational Awareness: B+
Negotiation (Low-level): C
Interrogation Resistance: B-]
"Douglas Colson, a man of your caliber doesn't just end up arrested that easily, you either got sloppy or you were betrayed, and I can clearly tell you, It wasn't because you were sloppy by any means."
Hearing the man talk, Doug was at a loss for what to say and honestly was starting to fear this strange man who came out of nowhere, 'How does he know all this...? Does he have some connections inside that gang...?'
"So, I'm offering you two choices, join me and get your revenge or...don't, to which I guarantee you by tomorrow you'll be back in that courtroom with charges and getting maximum sentence." Alex spoke with a smile on his face all this time,
A cold shiver ran through his back after he heard what the man just said.
"So, what's it going to be, Doug? Freedom and revenge... or chains and regret?"
---
Alex back with Edger were sitting opposite each other in Edger's office in The Silver Quill bar, playing a round of chess- and two empty glasses of bourbon.
"So, Gramps…. how's our chemist search going.?" Alex asked as he looked at the board contemplating his next move.
Edger proceeding to move the white pawn piece, he responded, "I've found someone suitable for the role."
Edgar than took a file that was placed next to him and gave it to Alex so that he can look at the candidate, while Alex was looking through the file, Edger discreetly moved some chess pieces on the board.
On the file was a name,
|Name: Lilith 'The Catalyst' Crane|
|Affiliation: Ex-military specialist|
|Status: Unaffiliated- Currently Off-grid|
|Traits: Explosives Expert, Biochemical Savant, Operational Ghost|
Looking at the name on the document, Alex looked away from it and looked at Edger as he asked, "Are you sure she's good?"
"I have seen her work firsthand...and I must say, its quite the sight to see." Edger replied with a small, unreadable smile. Hearing the old man, Alex got nothing else to add as he trusted the man's judgement.
Placing the file down and looking at the chess board, he froze for a second before looking at Edger, with a slight frown on his face. "You moved my Bishop."
Seeing this Edger slightly raised an eyebrow and calmly asked, "What did I teach you?"
"To stay alert even when distracted." Alex sighed as he responded.
"Good, now let's continue the match."
The two men continued to play their chess match that lasted close to an hour, which lead to Alex's quiet defeat. He sighed and leaned back on the couch, "I got someone who will handle distribution for us, now we just need to start production, and we will be good to go."
"The building will take some time to be renovated. In the meantime, I'll handle the official creation of the company that we'll use and handle all its legal fronts."
"Good, I'll leave the paperwork to you- and I will handle everything else. Keep me updated on the progress." Alex said as he took his leather jacket and prepared to leave.
"Oh, and by the way..." he said over his shoulder, smirking, "I'm taking 80%."
----
Arriving at his safe house feeling the exhaustion creeping in, he took out his jacket, placing it on the chair and he proceeded to lay on his single bed.
The bed made some noise as he moved, 'Man I need to find a better place to stay and maybe move this safe house somewhere else.' He thought to himself as he opened the system window.
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | STATUS WINDOW
Name: Alex Gray
Age: 21
Status: Stable
Level: 5
Assets: $660 000 | RP: 660
Reputation: Operator
Shop
Skills: Tactical Intelligence: A+
Strategic Planning: S
Psychological Manipulation: S+
Firearms Handling: A
Combat Proficiency: A-
Leadership: B
Negotiation: A
Observation: S-]
Looking at his updated system interface, Alex couldn't help but smile at himself. "Nice my assets increased to $660 000. Let's check out the system shop."
[INFLUENCE SYSTEM | SHOP]
[Please select category: Knowledge | Skills | Perks]
Slightly intrigued, Alex opened the first category {Knowledge}
[Knowledge Upgrades
Pharmaceutical Engineering Entry Level – 300 RP
Criminal Law Entry Level – 450 RP
Corporation Structures entry Level – 600 RP
Advance Chemistry Knowledge Pack {Entry, Middle and Advance Level} – 7 500RP]
Looking at all the knowledge that continued to increase with price, Alex couldn't help but suck in a cold breath. "Damn system…That's expensive..."
[Host please note that Items priced by the system are worth the value stated.]
Hearing the usual monotone voice of the system, Alex gave up...he knew it would be a waste of time anyways. He spent the rest of the night browsing the system shop.