Chapter 32

After a week of rest, I decided that it is time to start planning our takeover operation. I instructed Galinae to go hire a communications specialist and a sensors officer for our bridge crew. She brought us back two sisters, Midea and Reina.

At the current moment I was sitting in a room with the sisters, interviewing them. I hum thoughtfully, considering their interview performance. The two were polar opposites of the other. Midea was an outgoing young girl with good communications skills. Reina was an introvert with a lot of technical knowledge who knows sensors quite well.

I lean back in my seat and sigh, looking at the two girls thoughtfully."While both of you are a good fit for the job. How old are you?" I arch an eyebrow inquisitively. Of course they were a perfect fit for the job, but they looked rather young to be on a ship crew. Much less crewing a ship of mercenaries, ex-Intelligence agents and former Iridian nobles.

Reina, the girl on the left and the introvert, fidgets nervously at my gaze. "A-a-are we h-hired?" she managed to squeak out. Midea glances to her, then back to me with a smile "she is.. Quite bad with people."

I half-lid my eyes in thought. While Reina is quite introverted she showed a rather high competency with ship sensors. Midea claims she was a sensors technician for one of the major syndicates here in Midnight City. I sigh and open my eyes to look between both of them.

"Alright. You are both hired." I stand as they both smile at eachother in elation at my decision.I rub my forehead "Report to Wesley on the bridge. He's the ship helmsman and he will set both of you up." I smile and turn to leave. Heading out of the door, I pause and look at Galinae "Gali, show the two new girls to the bridge for me?" I smile.

"Sure! Follow me girls!" Gali beams at them. Both of them stand up and follow her to the elevator as I walk to the fore part of deck 2. I need to plan my steps carefully for when I make my move against the Vasivich syndicate.

Lead by Makarovo Vasivich and his wife Karrina, their crime syndicate has modeling off of the Russian mob. Makarovo claims he has roots in the Russian mafia from back down his family tree. My first step would have to be severing his links to corrupt law enforcement in Midnight city. B'Nan has gathered me a report about the structure and hierarchy of the Vasivich syndicate. At the moment I had yet to review it.

After some walking I reach the ladder that reaches an open hatch to deck 1 above, which was a shortcut I frequented to reach the bridge from the second deck below. I tended to avoid the elevator as a rule unless I needed to use it for a very specific reason. After climbing the ladder I emerge into the CIC. Approaching the TOD table to go over the data B'Nan had gathered.

I swipe through the data, reading over it as I scroll with my right hand. Interestingly, Vasivich's links to the local law enforcement are skim, but significant. Mostly due to who Vasivich has in his pocket. I muse aloud to no one in particular "Seems he has a few Sherriff deputies in his pocket." I purse my lips thoughtfully.

"We can not go about this without lots of caution…" I speak aloud, trying to organize my thoughts.

"Caution? What do you mean by that, captain?" I start a moment at B'Nan's voice from the opposite end of the CIC.

"B'Nan? I thought you were down in the armory." I deadpan at the Gravida as he smirks "Did I detect a slight hint of fluster just now?" It seems that B'Nan is catching on quick to Vlondril's antics. Perhaps it was growing on the otherwise serious and unmoveable Gravidan.

I clear my throat to shake off any fluster I may have had. "Anyway, it seems that the Vasivich family is about to make moves, which makes them both strong but vulnerable. They're cleaning house and that is why I got a job offer with them I suppose." I shrug.

B'Nan raises a brow "so what's the play then?"

I smirk coyly, proud of the plan I have in my mind. "Hostile Takeover."

B'Nan blinks, clearly not expecting this in my plans. "Any reasons why?"

"Information and resources. The Vasivich syndicate is vast. One of the largest organized crime outfits in Midnight City with access to a lot of information, markets and customers. If we can leverage this it gives us a shot at setting up something more than a crew and a ship." I smile at B'Nan.

B'Nan pauses and stares at me a long moment, then throws his head back and laughs aloud. My face contorts in confusion as he stops to address me with a smirk "I like it. You do have a good head on your shoulders!"

I sigh, shaking my head "first thing's first. Getting into their good graces." I close the data feed on the TOD and glance at B'Nan. "I Have a way in, but i do not fully trust who is vouching for us.. I need you to keep an eye on him." I call aloud "Vlondril!" After a moment, the former Iridian matron saunters into the CIC. "you called?" she smiles coyly

I pinch the bridge of my nose "drop the coy act. I need you to do me a favor." I pause and think about how to explain it for a brief moment. "I need to bring some of the Vasivich outfit to come around to our leadership. Can you arrange that?"

Vlondril stares at me a moment before looking to B'Nan, then back to me with a smirk "I can. But only for you, hun!"

***

Five days.

Five days ago I was discussing plans with Vlondril and B'Nan in the CIC aboard Void Star. Now we are putting these plans into action. I was overlooking A large estate in the outer districts of Midnight City. A luxurious, sprawling complex with walls and guards posted around the perimeter to prevent any intruders from entering. This was the Vasivich residence.The home of Makarovo Vasivich himself and his wife, Karrina Vasivich.

I go about setting up my position, The plan is rather simple. Infiltrate the compound, gather intelligence, and get out. The Vasivichs were not home, so this is a perfect time. After sliding a table in place a ways back from the window and cracking the window open, I set up my rifle atop the glass table.. A Model 440B precision rifle. Bolt action, magazine fed, multicaliber.

Screwing a sound suppressor on the muzzle with a quarter turn and a sharp click of the locking lug, I look through the optic and adjust the elevation and windage dials to account for the current weather and range on my ballistics calculator. Atmospheric pressure; 1034.21 millibar. Elevation; -1.2 degrees. Wind; 1.2 meters per second, due 3 o'clock. Range; 800 meters to the front gate.

I set down my electronic Binoculars and shoulder the rifle, adjusting the stock to fit my stance. Resting my cheek on the stock cheekrest and peering down the optic, I find the first target. A lone guard posted in a watch tower. Nearby on the wall is a second armed guard. That is my target. I flip the safety lever off and aim, slowly squeezing the trigger.