Tempting Offer

"Your organization," Vincent continued, his voice calm but firm. "I'm sure they're nearby, right?"

Rourke and Sykes exchanged a quick glance, but neither spoke. The tension in the room thickened as they both remained silent, the implications of their situation sinking in. Sykes, still smarting from his earlier mistake, clenched his jaw, determined not to give anything else away.

Vincent observed them for a moment, his sharp eyes catching the subtle shift in their demeanor. "I'll take your silence as an answer to my question," he said, his tone betraying a hint of satisfaction. "There's no shame in admitting that you're mercenaries. After all, we're not so different."

Rourke's gaze flickered with a mix of curiosity and wariness as Vincent continued. "We're also a mercenary company, specifically the Shadow Paramilitary Company—though most know us simply as 'the Shadows.' We operate independently, offering our services to those who can afford them." They still remained silent. Vincent sighed, knowing that he had to talk to them more so they could reveal who they are. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"So you came here for loot, right?" Vincent continued, his voice softening slightly as if he were trying to coax a confession out of them. "That's what you need from this city? What if I tell you that if you answer my questions, I'll be obliged to give you the treasures that you seek?"

Rourke and Sykes exchanged another glance, their resolve starting to waver. The offer was tempting, but they both knew that Vincent wasn't the type to make empty promises. There was more at play here than just an exchange of information for riches.

Vincent noticed the flicker of hesitation in their eyes and pressed on. "Look, I get it. You were sent here on a mission, and things didn't go as planned. You didn't expect to find this city fortified and under new management. But here's the thing—those who adapt survive. I'm offering you a way out, a chance to walk away from this with more than just your lives."

Sykes shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the weight of the situation bearing down on him. "And if we don't?" he finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Vincent's expression hardened. "Then you'll be left with nothing. No loot, no freedom—just a long, painful interrogation that will end with you wishing you'd taken my offer when you had the chance."

Rourke's mind raced as he tried to calculate their odds. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and completely at Vincent's mercy. The promise of treasure was enticing, but the threat of what would happen if they refused was even more compelling.

"We're not fools," Rourke said finally, his voice steady but edged with caution. "We know there's more to this than just a simple trade. You want something from us, and it's not just information."

"The information I seek is only about your organization and nothing more. Come on, it's not like where you will tell us your organization and we are going to attack them. It's not like. You can say that we are just assessing the risk factor of the City of Ferm."

Rourke's eyes narrowed as he studied Vincent, trying to gauge the man's intentions. The offer seemed straightforward, but he knew better than to take anything at face value in this line of work. Still, the situation was spiraling out of their control, and they were running out of options.

"Risk factor, huh?" Rourke replied, his tone laced with skepticism. "You're saying that all you want is to assess the threat we pose to your city? That's it?"

Vincent leaned forward, his gaze intense. "That's exactly what I'm saying. The Shadows are not in the business of making unnecessary enemies. We're here to secure our position, and part of that means understanding who we're dealing with. Your organization is clearly a player in this game, and we need to know what kind of threat they pose—or if there's room for… cooperation."

"Cooperation?" Sykes echoed, his voice tinged with disbelief. "You want to work with the Iron Claw?"

Vincent shrugged. "If it benefits us, why not? But before we even consider that, I need to know who I'm dealing with. You've already admitted you're mercenaries—now it's time to fill in the blanks."

Rourke remained silent, his mind churning. He didn't trust Vincent, but he also knew they didn't have the leverage to refuse outright. The promise of treasure and a potential alliance was tempting, but the risks were equally high. He needed to play this carefully.

"Alright," Rourke said finally, his voice resigned. "I'll tell you what you want to know. But understand this—if we give you this information, we expect you to keep your word. No tricks, no betrayals. We walk out of here with what you promised."

Vincent nodded, a satisfied smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You have my word. Now, let's start with the basics. Who leads the Iron Claw? What's their command structure? And more importantly, what are their plans for this region?"

Rourke took a deep breath, glancing at Sykes before he began. "The Iron Claw is led by a man named Garrick Stone. He's a ruthless bastard, but he's smart. He knows how to play the long game, and he's always looking for new opportunities to expand his influence. The command structure is tight, with a few trusted lieutenants handling operations in different regions. As for their plans… they're looking to establish a foothold here. They see the chaos in the region as an opportunity to carve out territory, gather resources, and strengthen their position."

Vincent listened carefully, nodding as Rourke spoke. "And what about their forces? How many men do they have, and what kind of equipment are they working with?"

Rourke hesitated, knowing that this was sensitive information. But he had already crossed the line, and there was no turning back now. "They've got a few hundred men, mostly mercenaries like us. They're well-armed, with a mix of conventional and unconventional weapons. Garrick's been stockpiling gear for years, and he's not afraid to use it."

Vincent's expression remained neutral, though there was a glint of interest in his eyes. "And their current location? Where are they based?"

Rourke hesitated again, but he knew he had no choice. "They're holed up in an old fortress a few hours' march from here. It's a stronghold, well-defended, but nothing compared to what you've got here."

Vincent leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Thank you, Rourke. You've been very helpful. Now, as promised, we'll ensure you're rewarded for your cooperation."