4.Dirty Deals

~Monaco~

"I am grateful for what you've done the past year but even this is too much."Lex sighed as he observed the vast ocean through the sliding glass doors that provided a view of the vast waterfront from the cliff the villa was built on.

"What do you mean too much,I just want you to help me reach mars,considering what I've seen you posses, it shouldn't be much of a problem with a little bit of my help.."Ignatius said as he finished up the code to a simple AI he had been working on for the past 3 months.

"Even if you say that,the vast amount of resources that will be needed will be astronomically and one, let alone reaching mars,with the current technology,it will basically be a one way trip."Lex said as he walked over to the screen Ignatius had been glued to for a long time.At first he was angry at Ignatius for turning the villa he had gifted him into basically what he only could describe as a data center as servers and various terminals filled every room.In his words, 'Joy is in the cognitors of the machine spirit.' But he still found him an interesting blend of human and machinery even if it provided a grim picture.

Luther would be lying if he said he didn't dream up of operating on the 'tech priest' as he once referred to himself during one of his reminiscing tirades complaining about inquisitors and what not.From what he heard occasionally from Ignatius he really dreaded the future.

Random letters traced the screen as it seemed to be going through various sorts of system checks.

In an odd way,Ignatius simply placed his mechanical hand on the terminal and started chanting,Lex had long ago learned not to interfere whenever he started praying to his machine god or whatever he called it.

Thus we invoke the Master of all Knowledge..

Shed your powers upon this machine…

Invest this device with your holy charge…

By the will of the Omnissiah I sanctify this device….

Lines of binary ran across the screen as it consumed data from the various servers Ignatius had set up.The servers fan ran at full speed trying to cool the internals of power hungry machine as it woke to life.Finally after a minute or so, a metallic voice rang out of the speakers,one devoid of emotion only Logic

{This machine is discharged into your care..}

A chill ran down Lex spine as he still found this rituals off putting, "What do you plan with doing with this project of yours?"

"It's still in its primitive form but for now it should run the various day to day business, but since I lack my accolites to do the mundane tasks,it should handle the basic of what I plan on doing. Why don't you give it a try, give it a command." he replied standing still , bioniic eyes observing the machine as if looking for any error.

"Okay.., I've always been interested in Wayne enterprise , let's see what your AI can dig up.." Lex cleared his throat and in a clear voice said, "Give me any available information you have on Wayne enterprise."

The screen went black for a second before terrabites of data was sent to Lex phone directly in an instant."

"That was fast."

"Don't look so shocked I derectly interfaced it with the network you use at LexCorp,you should be able to connect with it anytime ."Ignatius smiled as he approached the machine happy it could still do what he regarded the basic of basics.

Meanwhile Lex was going through his phone half expecting information already made public but his expectations were surpassed. The more he read did he notice the amount of sensitive data he had, information on the various business dealings,account information,private data from their various joint companies and even some really interesting information on the board members.

His eyes lit up as plans of how to finally buy out Wayne enterprise filled his mind , it was basically given to him on a golden platter.

Seeing the excitement on Luthor's face,Ignatius in a proud tone , "Do you now see it's potential,with a bit of fine tuning this machine should be able to collapse the financial market if I so wished."

"I finally understand what you ment by there is weakness in flesh " laughed Luther as he excused himself already eager to get back to business,he had much to do.

"But deeds endure. "Ignatius said contiplation as he remembered the famed saying by the salamander space marines primarch, "Still I require what I asked of you."

"Don't worry,I understand the principal of equivalent exchange,I shall get your shipment by the end of the week,you'll find them at the dockyard you bought in Gotham." replied Luther opening the door but stopping to say. "Ohh,I'll send you my contact in the Falcone family,they owe me some favors so they should help you in such dealings next time,now if you shall excuse me."Luthor made a mock bow and walked away.

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~Gotham city~

It was a dark night in Gotham,darker and colder than the denizens were used to. A particular cold breeze wafted from the sea and dark heavy clouds hanged over the distance slowly rolling towards the city. In a particular dockyard crewmen rushed with vigor unloading containers from a 30000 tonne container ship guarded by not so savory men .

"Hey,why do you think the boss has so much security,are we expecting trouble" asked one of the armed thugs to his fellow as they made rounds around the dockyard .

"Don't know.."replied the other as he turned to look over at the large ship, "I heard Tony talking about a huge shipment coming through today,plus it's big business with a new client."shrugged the armed guard.

" I wonder what it could be." Asked the other thug as he slung his mp45 over his shoulder.

"We aren't supposed to know,that's why we are paid extra,let's just do our job and get out of here,plus with the extra money I'm planning on going out with Luca and the guys ,you coming?"

"Naah, I got a hot date tonight.." smiled the other thug as they both disappeared into one of the warehouses as a heavy storm began.

Containers swayed from the cranes as the heavy winds caused them to sway heavily. Dock workers shouted over the sound of the storm trying to guide each other when a snap was heard. The chain holding one of the container's snapped causing the heavy container to drop.

"Workers and guards scattered all around avoiding the massive container as it slammed down with such force that shook the near vicinity.

A tense silence filled the air as even the storm grew quiet for a second, "Hurry,check if the goods are still ok…" shouted a fat man draped in an of color Hawain shirt and a fedora.

A close by dock worker rushed forward with bolt cutters frushed forward and after fumbling with the lock for some minutes with a hefty heave cut through the massive lock on the container door. Due to the drop the worker struggled to get the doors moving as it creaked and groaned as the rust filled hinges turned finally showing the said contents.

Shock filled the worker as the container was cramped with a dozen hungry people sprawled on the container floor still fazed by the drop . The worker instinctively covered his nose as he was finally hit with the hot stench coming from the filthy container but before he could voice his concern he felt the cold barrel on the back of his head.

"You and your buddies are lucky none of them died or else I would have replaced them with you,now unload the others carefully or you'll find yourself a prospective merchandise,cupish….!"said the fat man in a cold tone.

Scared, the worker only stood still shaking unable to reply .

"Stop scaring the workers Joe,get Gary and the others to transfer them to the truck,we need to be done and out of here within 2 hrs.."said another person as he walked up to them.

" All work and no play will kill you one day…"replied the fat man holstering his revolver as he walked away taking out his phone seemingly dialing someone.

The worker seeing as he escaped imminent death only afforded one glance at the people inside before scampering away.Even if he felt bad for them,this was Gotham,he had seen way worse.

A fleet of trucks drove over as the 'immigrants' were shuffled in and delivered to the warehouse at the far end of the dockyard.

Once there,they led them into designated spots in the warehouse ensuring theiy were secure before they left securing the area awaiting their boss.

Hours passed when a fleet of black SUV's drove through the dockyard gate heading straight towards the warehouse stopping right at the warehouse entrance .

Guards shuffled about attempting to look extra vigilant as the driver of the middle SUV stepped out of his vehicle unfurling an umbrella and opening the back door for a 6 foot tall old man in a nice fitting suit to step out. Not many had seen the face of Camain Falcon but even the guards noticed that he looked somehow uncomfortable that day.

Then put came a 8 foot tall figure draped in red robes observing the scenery with little interest.

Walking through the open warehouse gate towards the smuggled people in cages,he finally spoke in an emotionless tone, "They will do for now."

"Then I think my payment is due."

With a casual wave from Ignatius, one of Camains men walked over and showed him that 3 million dollars had been transferred to the designated account.

"Next time I will require ones of better quality."complained Ignatius as he observed the fear stricken men and women, 'How many would even survive being servitors or maybe I should try gene cloning,if I remember correctly the death Korps of Krieg implemented it successfully ' thought Ignatius as walked out towards the convoy.

"Take me back to Metropolis,take care of them in the mean time too."ordered Ignatius ignoring the angry stare Camain gave him for ordering him.

"Who do you think you are…!"shouted Camain as all his men immediately turned their guns at Ignatius who with a casual thump of his stuff, released a strong current of electricity that electrocuted all those within a 10 meter radius leaving them nothing but charred corpses only leaving the scared Camain alive shaking from the thought of how easily he could have died just then.

"Since you are done complaining,Let's go." Ignatius simply stated as he entered the lead SUV and since no one was except Camine was left alive,he entered the driver side and drove them away leaving the guards at the entrance confused why he was driving.

"Have your subordinate deal with the bodies and I think I shouldn't remind you that I want no trouble from the local authorities.."Ignatius stated tapping Camines shoulder with his staff who only noded cautiously trying to put on a calm face but still shaken from the recent happening.

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I find the name Ignatius really tedious nowadays if anyone has a better name for our protagonist please say.

And incase you are wondering why I haven't been uploading, I'm doing overtime looking at options all day ,oil inventory reports,massive paperwork on earnings reports,try guessing what my job is and I'll name a character after you or something lol..

Thanks for reading.....