The Mercenary Grind

[weapons_mistress]

"Adri, I have a new list of prospective jobs," Millicent called to her best friend, who was currently in the kitchen. "Do you want me to read through them?"

Comments

[weapons_mistress]

Millicent crossed her legs, leaning back on the couch as she looked through the slew of papers.

"First is a bodyguard position for the daughter of a Mexican businessman, whom I'm fairly certain is involved with one or more drug cartels. Second we have a request for "vermin extermination", except in this case the "vermin" is some manner of large creature that's been tearing up local logging equipment. Third is an assassination request for a Czech crime boss in Prague, widely rumored to be some kind of super human. Fourth is a bounty on a former DEA agent who's gone into hiding somewhere in Asia."

[ze_leaper]

Adrienne considered these are she continued cooking.

"The first one is a maybe. I dislike the cartels, but the daughter is likely innocent. The second one is a no. The creature, whatever it is, is probably just protecting its home."

She went on. "The third... sounds challenging, but doable."

She wasn't opposed to assassinations, of course, even though she was primarily a thief and enforcer.

"The DEA agent... did he go rogue, or is this revenge?"

[weapons_mistress]

Millicent nods at Adrienne's observations, the two did very much think alike when you got past their personality differences. She took another once over on the fourth job, reconfirming what she had read earlier.

"Says he was part of a investigation into a rather sizable Triad heroin smuggling operation, but it was discovered he'd actually been paid off by the group for some time," Millicent paraphrased. Apparently after he was discovered, he went to his employers and is currently being sheltered."

[ze_leaper]

Adrienne came out of the kitchen, a pair of plates and silverware in hand, giving one to Millicent.

"A traitor then," Adrienne said. "Always a fun chase. Though the Triads always complicate things."

[weapons_mistress]

"Indeed, especially since one Triad can be radically different from another in methodology and tactics. Plus I am unfamiliar with this specific group, the Onyx Owl Triad," Millicent conceded.

[ze_leaper]

She shook her head. "Not one I am familiar with either. I have little desire to be on the run for the rest of my life."

[weapons_mistress]

"Agreed. No one quite knows how to pursue a feud quite like the Triads. We would have to be on our A-game, not to mention research this thoroughly if we go with it," Millicent explained.

[ze_leaper]

"Still a potentially promising job."

Though a posted bounty was less negotiable than some of the other options.

"What do we know about the Czech crime boss?"

[weapons_mistress]

"Vševidoucí Oko," Millicent said in near-perfect Czech. "Means "All Seeing Eye", though most just call him Oko. Rumored to be a fairly powerful precognitive, which has kept him ahead of local law enforcement as well as Interpol. He's even given Shield the slip a time or two. Building himself a sizable powerbase in central Europe and he's making both the Russians and the Italians nervous as to where he plans to expand to next."

[ze_leaper]

That got an eyeroll and a sigh of disgust. "I hate fighting precogs. Remember that one in Berlin?"

[weapons_mistress]

"Ugh, cocky bastard went on and on about how he knew our every move before we'd even make it." Millicent thought a moment. "Didn't you end up hitting him with a shoe?"

[ze_leaper]

That got a laugh out of her. "Didn't see that one coming, did he!"

[weapons_mistress]

"Heh, quite." She goes back to the list before giving a snort. "There's one here that wants you to teach him savate!"

[ze_leaper]

That got another eyeroll.

"Oh, yes. And I am sure that is all he wants."

[weapons_mistress]

That got another chuckle out of Millicent. She narrowed her eyes upon reading the next one.

"This is an odd one. German expedition found, and I'm quoting, a man in a Prussian military uniform "frozen in ice". This one's direct from the German government. Man's still in ice, they want us to act as added security while they take it to a military installation."

[ze_leaper]

That got a head tilt out of her.

"Intriguing," she said after a moment. "A lot of variables, but potentially a lot of pay for not very much work."

[weapons_mistress]

"Indeed, and I admit I'm interested in just who this frozen Prussian is. Another tidbit, according to this report, this is being kept confidential. No word to the press. Very hush hush," she explained.

[ze_leaper]

She nodded. "Secrets? Ohh la la."

Another nod. "That one, then?"

[weapons_mistress]

"I am if you are. We'd have to contact them promptly. They've offered to pay for the plane ride."

[ze_leaper]

"Let us take that one then. It has aroused my curiosity."

[weapons_mistress]

Getting everything set up hadn't taken long. Millicent and Adrienne had been flown by private plane to a relatively unsettled area of the German countryside. When they landed they were greeted by German government officials.

"This way, please," the official asked in German, indicating what appeared to be a barn.

[ze_leaper]

Adrienne tugged her mask into place. It wasn't needed for disguise, but it was part of the look. And she would need to remember the accent.

Millicent's spoken German was better than her own, though she could understand it well enough. So she would let her take the lead.

[weapons_mistress]

"Very well," Millicent responded back in German. "Will we then be filled in on the particulars?"

"Yes. Our boss will explain what is to be expected inside," the agent replied as they made their way into the barn.

The "barn" was actually a makeshift research facility. While not the most advanced facility Millicent had ever seen, it certainly was impressive. An older woman in sunglasses noticed them enter and came over.

"I'll take it from here," she spoke in German to the agents. When they left she spoke in English. "Ms. Zaran, Ms. Batroc, I suspect you have questions."

[ze_leaper]

Adrienne nodded. "Zis seems like an awful lot. What kind of trouble are you expecting, exactly?"

[weapons_mistress]

"Considerable trouble," she replied plainly. "The two of you were hired because you both have strong reputations for discretion. Am I correct?"

"You have heard right," Millicent answered. "So what are we guarding, what are the particulars, and just who are we working for?"

"I am Agent Rossel of the Übermenschlicher Verteidigungsdienst, though Superhuman Defense Force, SDF, will do."

"I've never heard of it," Millicent said, curious.

"Then we're doing our job. Our organization was created as a means of defense against the number of supervillains with deep ties to the dark days of the Third Reich. I'm certain you're aware of the experiments along with the rise of the old Thule Society, ya?"