"My name is Patrick." The man stated as Aya recorded the conversation on this thing she called a laptop computer. Nadia was always fascinated when she used this thing. According to Aya, it was thing that you used to get information about anything that has been recorded by the different countries of the world. It could also be used for a number of other things that Aya promised Nadia she would show her when she was ready for it.

She also said that it was more expensive than everything they owned put together, and she was still putting payments on it. So Nadia was not allowed to touch it without Aya's consent and presence. Collin, after a near catastrophe with a cup of coffee and the keyboard, was just not allowed to touch it and had to stay at least four feet away from it at all times.

"So you say that you want us to locate and recover a weapon?" Aya asked Patrick. He had said earilier that there was a weapon that needed to be found.

"This weapon doesn't need to be recovered, it needs to be destroyed." Patrick wrung his hands nervously. "Its very important that it gets destroyed before it has a chance to be activated."

"Could you tell us a bit about this weapon?" Nadia asked. She had the definite impression that this man was hiding something. He kept glancing around, and wringing his hands. But then again, that was the same with most of their clients.

Patrick sighed and leaned forward in his chair. "It is called Fumei. Not much is known about it, but its suppose to a weapon powerful enough to destroy hordes of Lost Ones when activated. Unfortunately someone got a hold of it before anyone else could, and now I believe he's looking into using its power again people for his own good."

"And you think we would be able to take it down?" Nadia said in disbelief. If something was created to destroy the monsters that wander the Outer Lands, there was no way they could be able to destroy it on their own. "What about when its deactivated?"

He shrugged. "Essentially its harmless. It would be easy to destroy since its impossible for it to activate on its own." For a man who doesn't know much about it, he sure knows how to destroy it, Nadia thought to herself. She wondered if Aya noticed anything, if she was already planning on how to locate this Fumei weapon. "I know that this sounds like a difficult job, but it is extremely important to me. I will pay you very well for it."

"How much is very well?" Aya chimed in. Count on her to be interested in the money. Afterall, all she would have to do is locate the weapon and her part of the job is done.

Patrick smirked, he seemed amused by her love for money. "How does a hundred grand sound for you?"

Nadia gasped. A hundred grand was a lot of money, they had never had a single job pull in that much money before. They wouldn't have to worry about bills even if they didn't have another client for three months at least. Or she could finally afford the training courses she needed for her certification test, finally be someone worthwhile in the world like she always wanted.

The bell on the door chimed, signaling that someone from outside had entered the office. Nadia looked up to see Collin closing the door behind him. He looked dirty and worn, as if he fell on to the dirt roads during his walk. He gave Nadia a surprised and apologetic look, obviously he wasn't expecting a client to be here when he looked like a mess. Patrick turned around in his chair to see Collin, and one of his eyebrows raised in intrigue.

"Patrick, this is Collin. He's the Seeker in our operations." Nadia said. "Collin, this is Patrick. He's our new client."

"So you're Collin Firch." Patrick said. "I've heard a lot about you. Though I must admit, I'm a bit surprised. I expected something different."

Collin gave him a dirty look. "If the next words out of your mouth are about me being a demon, you can always show yourself out." he said pointedly, gesturing at the door. "I've had a long day and don't feel like doing that conversation again." Nadia sighed, she knew Collin wasn't in a good mood, but he shouldn't take it out on clients. Especially the well paying ones.

To Nadia's surprised, Patrick laughed. "No I already knew you were a demon. The first demon to gain mercenary status if I'm not mistaken. You are somewhat of a legend back where I come from, revered by demons and hated by human officials. Its exactly why I came to your services for this job."

Collin kept a very cool expression, but you could tell that he was impressed that people had actually heard of him. "So what did you expect to be different about me?"

Patrick stood up, showing that he was taller than Collin by at least a head. "Honestly I expected you to be taller." he patted Collin on the shoulder. "I should be going now. I wish you the best of luck on my job for you. I left my contact information with Miss Aya for when you have the job accomplished. Good day." He swept out of the office, leaving those three behind.

"What was that about?" Was all Collin could think to say.

"Well, you might wanna sit down." Aya started. "Because once you hear how rich we'll be? You might faint."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patrick continued walking for two blocks before he turned into an alleyway. He knew exactly where he was going. He walked for a little while, searching for where his companion might of gone. He paused by a large patch of shadows, and smiled to himself.

"Of course, you always choose the darkness to hide in." He looked over to the shadows to see his partner, standing quietly among them. Almost all of him was covered in dark clothing, even his hands. The only part of his body that was uncovered was his head. Long dark brown bangs were on the man face, a pathetic attempt to hide the five long scars that ran on the left side of his face.

"I'm not hiding," Preston stated, shaking his head. "Its just damn hot out here." It had been a long time since he had been in the Outer Lands. He had forgotten how hot the sun was out here.

"It would be a lot less hot if you wore less of that clothing," Patrick mused. He saw Preston give him a dirty look, he knew that wasn't an option. Not as long as those scars covered his entire body. To wear less clothing would cause even more stares and attention that Preston didn't want.

"Did you find him?" Preston demanded. Patrick sighed, this boy certainly had a one track mind.

"Yeah I found him. Gave him and his sidekicks the job." Patrick pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with his lighter. Something about Preston made his cravings so much worse. "Its just like they said, pay a man enough money and they will walk barefoot into hell."

"Are you sure this plan will work?"

"Preston, the only thing I was sure of was that Fumei should of never been taken out of the laboratory. But you managed to fuck that one up." He took a long drag of his cigarette as he saw Preston flinch. He knew he had failed, and that he was lucky to not have been fired or killed. "The way I see it, this could go three ways."

"Three? What are the three ways?" Preston looked curious. He was determined to know if he was going to get his vengeance for his scars.

"Well one is that they find Fumei, and it kills Collin and company. That solves your vendetta, but not my problems. Two, Collin is as strong as you claim he is, and he destroys Fumei. That solves my problems, but not yours but I can live with that."

"And whats the final way?"

Patrick opened his mouth a tiny bit and let the smoke out of his mouth. "Its an equal match, They beat each other into weaken bloody pulps. If they don't kill each other, we kill both of them. We both win." Patrick could see Preston get a look of menacing glee in his eyes. "Any way it goes, it could be entertaining to watch."

They were quiet for a moment. Preston was savoring the idea of what Patrick had said, while Patrick was enjoying his cigarette. Both had their own addictions they lived with, Patrick thought amusedly.

"Hey Patrick?" Count on Preston to break a good moment like that.

"Yeah?"

"Did you tell them? That Fumei was born human?" Preston had only learned the truth about what Fumei was recently, after it was stolen. Even though Preston was usually fine with doing whatever it took to get a job done, Patrick could tell that it bothered him a little. That maybe somewhere deep inside of Preston, under the hatred and the obsession for vengeance, was a man with a few morals left. Patrick found it funny and ironic at the same time.

"You know, I believe I forgot to say that detail." Patrick said casually. "Didn't want them to get cold feet before the battle with any morals they might have."

Where be the fun in that?

Word Count: 1604
Total Word Count: 6874/50000