Private Room Deal

I ate some soft bread on Seamus' treat. He ended up advancing to grade 2 so he was in a rather festive mood. We were currently in an underground bar. Yes, an underground underground bar.

Thud

"Ah f*ck, David passed out! I told him not to drink so much!" Jimmy, the doorman, said loudly.

"Ooh! Let's cut his beard" A member suddenly suggested.

"In what shape?" Another one added.

"Hehehe, is that even a question?" Seamus said after bringing some razors out of his coat. He really kept all sorts of things handy.

The passed out and drunk David could not put a word of protest and the man lifted his head off the bar table and prepared to trim him a new look.

"Hey, you fellas best be careful. I don't want no blood on my tables" The bartender, a rough-looking man, told the group as he served another customer.

"Cork there is no need to be so anxious ok? Ah! F*ck!" Seamus said before accidentally cutting David.

"Well… You distracted me ok!?" Seamus said somewhat awkwardly before quickly defending himself. I really wanted to facepalm.

Suddenly, the lively atmosphere stopped as the hidden entrance was pushed open. It wasn't due to alarm, on the contrary.

"Hey! Boss!" Seamus instantly forgot about the matter and David's head thudded on the bar table again.

"You all really need to calm down" He told them before approaching Cork.

"Old fella, is the guest in the room?" He asked.

"Yeah, go right in" Cork opened a small door that allowed Kaiser to go past the bar and enter a room in the back. I was pretty curious but it wasn't like I could pry.

"Ok! Let's continue!" Seamus yelled half-drunkenly as he lifted David's head once more.

"Ey! Let me get a turn, I just thought of something to add!" Jimmy pitched in.

I was starting to wonder if there was enough space on David's beard to draw so many things. Seamus' "artwork" was already covering the right side of his face.

***

The door opened with a small creak letting in the boisterous atmosphere of the bar.

Kaiser then closed the rackety door. The noise lessened and he found himself a seat. In front of him was a man dressed in average clothing. Anything else would catch attention in the slum area after all.

The real way to separate this man from the rest was his sharp look and clean hairstyle. It looked like he hadn't weathered a day.

"Kaiser, thank you for coming" The man said politely with his youthful voice.

"It's alright, I was actually looking for you already Alfonso" Kaiser said in return as he sat down at the card table.

"That's great! Did you think about what I told you last time?" Alfonso replied from the other end.

"It was for another matter. So why'd you call me over?" Kaiser had told Seamus to inform Alfonso through Malcolm but it ended up being pointless. Alfonso was already waiting for him.

Malcolm relayed this news and they agreed to meet at one of Kaiser's bars. It just so happened that Seamus and the other were in it. Not that it mattered.

"I need you to make a decision. They'll be heading out early after tomorrow." Alfonso said frankly.

"That's not enough time" Kaiser replied with a hint of exasperation.

Alfonso let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair.

"Kaiser, you are putting me in a tough spot. I am here looking out for you but you deny my help. I- You are making me lose face" Alfonso seemed quite troubled as he spoke.

"When you came forward with the proposition I didn't imagine it was so last minute" Kaiser had only been informed of the matter three days back. How could he make such an important decision with these kinds of circumstances?

"Alright. Let's ignore that. Yes or no. Hit me with it" Alfonso looked at Kaiser intently. He meant it.

And Kaiser who was put on the spot couldn't help but feel unwilling but... This was the opportunity for which he had bided his time! Would he let it go away this easily!?

No!

"You said there's only room for ten, right?" Kaiser asked.

"No, not anymore. We sold two spots to neighboring groups. Of course, you are still our main customer. We reserved the other eight for you. Which is why you have to answer me, man." Alfonso responded.

Kaiser couldn't delay this any longer after hearing this.

"I'll pick seven to go to the surface with me then" Kaiser finally acquiesced.

"Great! Great! Remember, two days! Well one, early morning ok?" Alfonso said amiably.

He then stood up ready to leave but Kaiser immediately stood up about to stop him.

"Right! You didn't tell me what you needed. My bad, let me sit down." Kaiser immediately inferred that the man was rather preoccupied.

"Before that, how are they picking us up?" Kaiser's information was incomplete in this regard. He only knew that a truck would do so but not where.

"Ummm… Head to the B gate and talk to the security man. He'll let you through if you mention my name and alias. After that just wait for transport" Alfonso answered.

"That's pawn yeah?" Kaiser asked in confirmation with a hint of curiosity. It was a weird alias to have, no?

"Correct. So what's up?" Alfonso leaned back comfortably as he spoke.

Kaiser, not willing to take much more of the man's time, quickly spoke.

"We captured the Professor. Unfortunately, he mutated so we can't use the official means." Kaiser explained.

The government doesn't hide the existence of mutants. It is rather common knowledge actually and can even be at times found in the waste mines. The only thing they hide is that mutants can enter the city.

Termina is supposed to be the last hope of humanity and a safe haven. No matter how miserable the people might be they can at least console themselves with how safe the place is. That is their last solace, it can not be exposed.

"I see. I'll need to see the state of the corpse first. What mutant is it?" Alfonso asked to which kaiser quickly responded.

The two talked a bit more before finally sealing the deal. The transaction was worth a total of 200 grade one crystals. Kaiser was satisfied by the amount and let Alfonso be on his way.

He was left alone inside the private room. He needed to consider who he would take to explore the surface.