It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine
or is it? That's the bliss I desire.
May didn't really say much, Jackal knew that was because she was for all intents and purposes, focused on the task at hand. From what he'd gathered of the Dog Mink so far, she'd been a hard worker, and her low self-esteem meant that she'd always put extra effort into not making mistakes. Being diligent was one thing but being absorbed was another, Jackal would grin and turn towards May,
"I trust you. You'll do fine." Jackal stated. Next up was Gilbard, the Doctor didn't really speak much generally, so when he'd go into detail about the medical situation including the women, and his own personal equipment, Jackal could only truly nod in approval.
"I'll leave you to handle that bit Gilbard. The Fourth District is unfamiliar turf to me." Jackal stated.
Then, he'd continue on to speak about the financial situation of the crew. The reserves they'd had from Sandy was pretty much abysmal, seeing as all of their gold and treasure was left aboard the Barron during the Buster Call, meaning that for awhile now, they'd been living off of pick pockets, and raids of Mother's safe-houses. Gilbard brought Jackal's ethic code in question, not in a negative tone but more so of, what would you do if scenario's play-out to benefit the crew, but somehow, wouldn't line up with his own personal morality.
"I'm just against slavery really. I'm not selling or buying any being. Mink. Human. or otherwise. Everything else is fair game in my books. Prostitution is a very lucrative industry. If the girls want to continue to operate under our flag, I'm not going to object once we're compensated. We are Bandits at the end of the day. That's why I agree with Sinbad as well. Having a few more hands aboard will help us in the long run, especially for bigger missions." Jackal stated nodding to himself in approval.
Succubus kind of hung back, she didn't say much, sitting glaring everyone present in the conversation, her facial expressions more so conveyed her intent more than anything else. Getting up from his position, he'd walk over to the Red Succubus, and sit next to her, about two inches in between them.
"I don't mind if your not the chatty type. However, you seem to be friendly with these ladies. Your input would be appreciated. My name's Jackal by the way. Is Red Succubus really the only name you go by?" Jackal inquired.
Once the housekeeping matters had been completed and all of the information from the ladies was gathered, Sinbad returned to dock the ship back on the outskirts of the Nil, this time, changing the position to the wilder parts of Nil, in terms of flora and fauna. From this position, they'd have to hike back towards civilisation but the ship would've been secured from the dense trees. Noticing the large kitchen, Jake's mother went exploring, searching for any idle ingredients that might've lingered around the room, finally, stumbling upon essentials for curry.
Getting into action, the woman traversed the several work stations, beginning the preparations for enough to feed the hundreds present.
"Jackal. I'll cook while you guys go out and do your thing. I figured you'd need all hand chipping in." Lily stated smiling.
"Shishishi... I hope your cooking isn't trash." Jackal responded.
"OI WATCH THE YOUR MOUTH JACKAL- I MEAN CAPTAIN!" Jake shouted, furious at his Captain's honesty.
"She's the best chef I know. Her cooking is the best in all Baltigo." Jake stated, grinning to himself proudly.
"You're such a momma's boy." Jackal stated, ruffling the kids hair before walking away.
"Before we all leave... There's one last thing I need to let you all know. It's about this Ball Mother has approaching... Buy some fancy clothes... We're all going. That's where we'll settle this whole thing." Jackal stated with the calmest of expressions on his face.
An hour or so passed, Jackal and the group broke into two parties. One half, going to check on Kasumi Inn with May, after Jackal's mentioning of what Juliette had stated, who'd lie strapped to a chair, guarded by five of his men below the deck. The other half going to Tally's complex to check out the modifications needed to weaponise the ship. Regardless of which party each person would've chosen, after the check's had been completed, they'd all part ways momentarily to accomplish their individual tasks.
However, regardless of which group they'd chosen, the result before would be the same. Jackal's eyes extended widely, as he'd break away from the party, dashing in the direction of Tally's apartment complex. Completely destroyed by flames, in the centre of the building's face hung the body of a familiar woman, strapped to cross. It'd been Freya, and her ears were cut off. The whole spectacle was driven home with the words in graffiti art, spray painted on the now torched complex, 'Mother's always listening, Ears.'. Falling to his knees, the man shouted out in immense anguish and frustration.
"MOTHER!" Jackal screech, scowling.
Over at the Kasumi Inn, the entire Inn's facilities had gone up in smoke as well. The building itself ransacked, many of the guests injured, and being left to hang on crosses outside the Inn's Main Building, were the elderly couple, Gregory and Katherine, with the similar graffiti message. Jake, present among this group immediately broke down into tears, the tantrum he'd throw would've brought even the coldest of hearts to defrost.
Rushing into the building, Jackal would've climbed the staircase of the burnt building, the flames already calmed at this point, to climb the stairs to Tally's old loft. Breaking from the staircase, he'd enter into the room to see the whole room torched down to the last square inch. Sitting in the room's centre on a torched fallen beam, was Tally's husband, Ricardo. Smoking a cigarette, the man's gaze would turn towards Jackal's direction, discarding his smoke, regaining stance and walking towards the Mink's direction.
Jackal's hollow eyes locked onto the man's figure as he approached, extending his hand backwards the Mink predicted the telephone punch, allowing the disgruntle spouse to punch him in the face.
"This is what happens when you start war wit someone like Mother. She's a lowlife who preys on those who don't have enough influence to fight back. She's not the least of your worries either... Tally's been kidnapped by the Sixth District... It seems your old Captain signed away each of your freedom." Ricardo explained.
- Possessions :