Broker had been busying herself reigning in everyone who decided to break the battle line and find their own glory when a figure hurtled down the side of the wall without a scratch to show for it. A barked order stayed a deafening fusillade from rending her into a smoking crater and allowed Dark Wraith to approach unharmed. The hatch to the lead tank opened and out came the nameless driver who was thrown out by his collar, Broker’s hand remaining outside to beckon the Eraser closer so they could talk in private within the tank.


Dark Wraith walked towards the tank, unperturbed by the stares or presence of the army on front of her. She was in control here, and anyone who thought differently was going to be in a world of hurt. Once inside Dark Wraith put her weapon away, crossing her legs away laying her hands into her lap.


[color=#cd2626]“One disaster after another. Until further notice, I will need to command you and your army here. I have many more questions for you, and I'm sure you have many for me as well. But time is of the essence. Of course, our previous arrangement is still in effect. Consider this a new contract.”[/color]


Within these enclosed spaces, Dark Wraith sent an image to Broker of Fortune. There was no name, no titles, nothing that mentioned what the image was. Only that there was a girl with red hair, a katana, and an intricate tattoo on her back. Dark Wraith didn't need to say anything about it because the picture alone said more than anything Dark Wraith would explain.


This was a picture of Retsu.


Broker let out a weary, expecting that she would be losing control of her army sooner rather than later. [color=aqua]”Sure, sure. You can have the army, though odds are it won’t be mine to give soon enough, so use it-”[/color] Then she received the picture that sent the Bruiser reeling back against the tank’s interior. She knew who the young woman was, and as of a few minutes ago she had a very good idea where she was and what awaited Retsu Goroshi once she logged out. The first words that slipped past her lips were remarkably profound.


[color=aqua]”Wow, Yoshino is going to kick your ass once you log out.”[/color]


Sighing, Dark Wraith looked down. [color=#cd2626]”I know… I should have dealt with this earlier. I saw it coming and I thought maybe…”[/color] Dark Wraith’s hands clenched into fists. She stood up and turned her back away from Broker so she could regain her bearings. This was suppose to be Retsu and Yoshino’s night out for fun, and like a busy husband Retsu prioritized work over Yoshino. 


Broker got up and followed Dark Wraith across the spacious tank to settle a hand on the Eraser’s shoulder.  Considering her overly affectionate fixation with the Eraser now before her, it was troubling to see her so distraught...even if it was somewhat deserved. Broker had heard Yoshino’s side of the story, after all, so it was hard not to sympathize with the wife in the relationship. [color=aqua]”Err, sorry about that, you just caught me off guard, Retsu-chan. You really shouldn’t be beating yourself up for all of this. It was all so chaotic I doubt anyone had complete control through this entire debacle...umm, you can have this.”[/color] 


Dark Wraith would receive a picture of her own. It featured a smiling bluenette wearing a sunhat and exposing a generous amount of cleavage along with the tattoo nestled between it. Given what Retsu knew of Kanbaru Otoko and the Broker of Fortune, it was an uncharacteristic picture for her but at least it was flattering in all the right places.  


[color=aqua]”If you need to talk to someone besides your girlfriend, I’m probably in the room next to yours, but we should sort things out online first. Now then, what are your order for the Cobalt Bruiser’s Pacification Force?”[/color]


There was just so much emotions going through Dark Wraith’s mind that she was trying to control. Anger at others, pity for herself, embarrassment from Broker, and also appreciation. It was… Nice to know someone cared. When Dark Wraith received Broker’s picture she nearly jumped. She’s always known that Broker was actually Kanbaru (Retsu was a hacker after all), but this would be the first time she saw Kanbaru at this angle. While she has seen her in person, she never realized how… Mature she looked.


Clearing her throat Dark Wraith shifted herself out of Broker’s hand. She appreciated the gesture but Broker was right; now wasn’t the time to brood. It was time for action. [color=#cd2626]”Right. There is still fighting in the city. I’ve sent a few of my players to secure the Sanctuary, but they’re outnumbered by both sides of the Sweeper and Strykers. So we’re going in so we can even the odds. Accept anyone who surrenders but keep a close eye on them. Show no mercy to anyone who so much as points a weapon at us.”[/color] Dark Wraith walked back to Broker of Fortune’s tank. As tempted as it’d be to ride out on top, that’d just make Dark Wraith into a sitting duck. She’d be inside and communicate with her own forces so they could coordinate their tactics.


Dark Wraith sent out party requests to the Ebony Strykers under her command. She would have done the same with the Cobalt Bruisers too, but there were far too many for Dark Wraith to request all of them. So she only sent a request to Broker and would use her to convey her orders through the rest of her forces. Once Dark Wraith was settled inside the tank she opened up a party communication line and started talking. [color=#cd2626]”Strykers and Sweepers, do not attack the Cobalt Bruisers. They are under my command. Follow Paper Moon to recapture the Sanctuary. No doubt that it’ll be heavily guarded, so do not engage them directly. The insurgents still fight amongst themselves, and I want you to weaken both sides until we can route them in a single strike. Don’t root yourself to a single location, and if you get pinned down get out ASAP. I need you all to stay on the move in case the battle in the city takes a turn for the worse.”[/color]


To Broker, Dark Wraith had different orders. [color=#cd2626]”We’re going to start by storming the market place. That’s where the highest concentration of insurgents and their tanks are located. We’ll send a few fast moving troops through the center to draw fire while the rest flank from behind. While the insurgents are gunning for the stragglers, we’ll take out their infantry, supports, and lastly their armor. I want to minimize collateral damage as much as we can, so make sure you tell your troops to watch their fire.”[/color] Dark Wraith produced a map of the city with active information about player location and even those who should be stealthed. While Dark Wraith was using a real item (City Map), she was using illegal programs to see everyone’s location. Fortunately only she could see it, so to the outsider observer she was just navigating.


The gates to the Black City opened, allowing the Cobalt Bruisers to enter the city without further resistance.


Broker of Fortune settled into the driver’s seat and started up the lead tank of CBPF, a chorus of reverberations signaling the rest of the force following suit. The Cobalt Bruisers had come to the Black City expecting trouble and had been disappointed up to this point, but as the gates opened before them they fell back into line behind Broker. She barked their new orders over the lines of communication, watching a detachment of light tanks dart forward to be the first through the gates and pave the way towards the markets. 


It wasn’t the mighty invasion of peaceful intent they had first envisioned, but this would be just as lucrative for both Bruiser and Stryker.